Scientists come up with new technology to reduce potholes

Sydney [Australia] November 6: Researchers have created an "intelligent compaction" technology that can evaluate the quality of road base compaction in real-time and is integrated into a road roller. Roads can become safer and more durable with improved road construction, which can also lower maintenance costs and pothole counts.

Months of persistent rain and flooding have brought home how crucial good road building is since it prevents potholes and road sinking. Tyre blowouts and structural damage to automobiles and trucks are both brought on by this, and the likelihood of fatal accidents also rises.

The cutting-edge machine learning method was created by a research team from the University of Technology Sydney and uses data from a sensor mounted to a construction roller. Together with Professor Hadi Kahbbaz, Dr. Di Wu, and Ph.D. student Zhengheng Xu, Associate Professor Behzad Fatahi, head of geotechnical and transport engineering, oversaw the project.

"We have developed an advanced computer model that incorporates machine learning and big data from construction sites to predict the stiffness of compacted soil with a high degree of accuracy in a fraction of a second, so roller operators can make adjustments," communiqué by Associate Professor Fatahi.

Roads are made up of three or more layers, which are rolled and compacted. The subgrade layer is usually soil, followed by natural materials such as crushed rock, and then asphalt or concrete on top. The variable nature of soil and moisture conditions can result in under or over-compacted material.

"Like Goldilocks, the compaction needs to be 'just right' to provide the correct structural integrity and strength. Over-compaction can break down the material and change its composition, and under-compaction can lead to uneven settlement," said Associate Professor Fatahi.

"A well-compacted multi-layer road base provides a stable foundation and increases the capacity of a road to bear heavy loads. Trucks can weigh up to 40 tonnes, so a poor quality base can quickly lead to cracks and weak spots in the asphalt surface."

According to research that was just published in the peer-reviewed journal Engineering Structures, the use of this technology could aid in the construction of more resilient roadways that can endure extreme weather.

The team is currently looking to test the new technology on-site for different ground and roller conditions for road, railway, and dam construction projects. They are also looking into methods to measure the density and moisture content of the compacted soil in real time while construction is taking place.

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Introducing New Tools for Creators to Build Businesses on Facebook and Instagram

"At Meta, we’re building products to help creators reach an audience, grow their communities and earn a living. During Creator Week 2022, we’re inviting creators around the world to join us in growing their careers, connecting with peers and building a future together. We’re also announcing new ways creators can earn money on Facebook and Instagram."

Pritish Bagdi

Updates to Digital Collectibles

Creators will soon be able to make their own digital collectibles on Instagram and sell them to fans, both on and off Instagram. They’ll have an end-to-end toolkit — from creation (starting on the Polygon blockchain) and showcasing, to selling. People can easily support their favorite creators by buying their digital collectibles directly within Instagram. We’re testing these new features with a small group of creators in the US first, and hope to expand to more countries soon.

We’re also expanding the types of digital collectibles that you can showcase on Instagram to include video and adding support for the Solana blockchain and Phantom wallet, in addition to the blockchains and wallets that we already support. Lastly, information for select collections where the metadata has been enriched by OpenSea, such as collection name and descriptions, will now be available on Instagram.

Audience Support for Creators

We’re making it easier for people to show appreciation for their favorite creators across our apps, which helps creators strengthen their community and build their business.

Subscriptions on Instagram

We’re expanding access to subscriptions on Instagram to all eligible creators in the U.S., so more creators can earn predictable income and connect more deeply with their most engaged followers. Since launching subscriptions earlier this year, we’ve seen creators like Cole Sprouse (@colesprouse), Alan Chow (@alanchikinchow) and Skai Jackson (@skaijackson) use subscriptions to get even closer to their most engaged supporters.

Stars and Gifts

We are making it easier for people to discover Stars on Facebook by automatically enabling Stars on public creator content — including Reels. This means that people can learn about and use Stars in more places across Facebook. We are testing with a select number of creators globally.

For creators already using Stars, we’re launching new features to make it easier to earn Stars and interact with Star senders:

• Bringing Stars Party to Reels. A Stars Party is a Stars community challenge that ends in a celebration if the creator reaches their goal.

• Testing a new set of virtual gifts tailored to specific content. For example, if you’re watching a puppy reel from your favorite pet creator, you’ll be able to send that creator a dog-themed gift.

• Giving creators more tools to engage with Stars senders, like adding a filter in Comments Manager that displays all of a creator’s Stars comments in one place. In this surface, creators will be able to reply to multiple comments at once.

• Bringing Stars to non-video public content like photos and text posts.

We’re introducing gifts on Instagram, starting with Reels, so creators have a new way to earn money from fans who love their Reels. To support their favorite creators, fans can send gifts on Reels by purchasing Stars within Instagram. We’re testing this with a small group of creators in the US first, and hope to expand to more creators soon.

Professional Mode for Facebook Profiles

We’re launching professional mode for Facebook profiles, a new profile setting that allows creators around the world to build a public presence while maintaining their personal Facebook experience. Professional mode offers creators, and anyone that wants to become a creator, a set of tools and opportunities to begin growing a global community from their personal profile. With professional mode, creators can become eligible to earn money through Stars, ads on Facebook Reels, in-stream ads and Reels Play. They will also have access to content and audience analytics, educational resources and more.

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Zara-owner Inditex to sell all businesses in Russia

Spanish fashion retailer Inditex said Tuesday it would sell its business in Russia, seven months after the Zara-owner halted its operations in the country following the invasion of Ukraine. "Inditex has reached an initial agreement for the sale of its business in the Russian Federation to Daher group, which has prominent interests in the retail and real estate industry," Inditex said in a statement. "The terms of the transaction, subject to government approval, will enable the preservation of a substantial number of jobs generated by Inditex Group in Russia, as it includes the transfer of most of the lease contracts related to stores," it added.

Swati Bhat

Inditex decided in March to shut its 502 stores in Russia, one of its biggest markets after Spain, accounting for 10 percent of company sales. It followed in the footsteps of some of the biggest Western brands which also suspended their operations in Russia, including Inditex's main rival H&M, following the invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of economic sanctions. Inditex said the sale of its business to Daher group "will mean the termination" of its operations in Russia. "If in future Inditex considers that new circumstances allow the return of the Group's brands to this market, Inditex and the Daher group have the option of a potential collaboration through a franchise agreement," the statement added.

> Inditex, which also owns Massimo Dutti and other brands, posted a net profit of 1.8 billion euros in the first six months of 2022, a 41-percent increase from the same period last year.

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