Hasil untuk "Forestry"

Qian Lu, Yina Wang, Cheng Gu et al.

To ensure the economy and safety of the pipelines, the study of the residual strength of corrosion pipelines is key to determining whether the pipelines can continue to operate. There is often a conflict between accuracy and convenience. Artificial intelligence algorithms offer the advantages of high accuracy and ease of use. Therefore, research on the prediction of the residual strength of corroded pipelines using artificial intelligence algorithms is of great significance. CNN and LSTM algorithms are often used to predict the remaining strength of pipelines. However, single CNN models perform poorly in handling time-series data, while LSTM and BiLSTM models also have limitations in processing high-dimensional spatial features. In this article, a pipeline residual strength prediction model based on the CNN-BiLSTM-Adaboost algorithm is proposed. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the influencing factors of the pipeline’s residual strength, and the CNN algorithm parameters were optimized using BiLSTM and AdaBoost algorithms. The proposed CNN–BiLSTM–AdaBoost evaluation method achieves a significantly improved prediction accuracy for pipeline residual strength, with an average relative error of 4.694%. Our method reduces the predictive error by 28.901%, 43.391%, and 40.753% relative to ASME B31G, DNV RP F101, and PCORRC. This model can predict the residual strength of pipelines conveniently and accurately, minimizing losses caused by corrosion.

Weiying KONG, Yizhuo LIU, Sichun DONG et al.

ObjectiveIn the contemporary global context, urban areas are increasingly confronted with the dual pressures of global climate change and rapid urbanization. These pressures have led to a significant rise in urban temperature, thereby amplifying the importance of blue-green spaces in mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Blue-green spaces, which include natural water bodies, parks, green corridors, and other vegetated areas, play a crucial role in regulating urban microclimates. As cities enter an era of stock development, where the focus shifts from expansion to optimization of existing resources, the strategic configuration of these spaces has become a cornerstone for enhancing urban thermal environments. Understanding the cooling mechanisms of blue-green spaces at various spatial scales is essential for improving urban thermal comfort and guiding the planning and construction of urban blue-green infrastructure.MethodsThis research focuses on the central urban area of Xi’an, a city that has experienced substantial urban growth over the past decade. By employing a combination of spatial autocorrelation analysis and a multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model, the research examines the change characteristics of blue-green spaces and their impact on land surface temperature from 2013 to 2023. The findings reveal the spatial heterogeneity of cooling effects and offer tailored optimization strategies for blue-green spaces across diverse urban contexts. The research methodology involves selecting six representative landscape indices to evaluate the changes in blue-green space patterns in the central urban area of Xi’an. These indices are carefully chosen to capture the nuances of spatial configuration, fragmentation, and connectivity of blue-green spaces. Spatial autocorrelation analysis is utilized to identify spatial clustering and patterns extracted from the data collected, while the MGWR model is adopted for a more granular examination of the relationship between landscape indices and land surface temperature levels. This integrated approach not only reveals the factors influencing the cooling effects of blue-green spaces but also highlights their spatial variability across the urban landscape.ResultsThe results of the research are both revealing and instructive. 1) The blue-green space patterns in the central urban area of Xi’an underwent significant changes over the research period, reflecting the dynamic interplay between urban development and environmental management. 2) The spatial distribution of land surface temperature exhibits a distinct pattern of being “high in the north and low in the south”. The central area, characterized by dense urban fabric, shows minimal fluctuations in land surface temperature, whereas low-temperature zones are predominantly concentrated in the southern part of Baqiao District. This uneven thermal distribution underscores the complexity of urban heat dynamics and the need for targeted interventions. 3) The relationship between landscape indices and land surface temperature changes displays notable spatial heterogeneity. In high-density urban areas, small and complex blue-green patches demonstrate stronger cooling effects, emphasizing the importance of intricate designs in densely built environments where space is limited but the need for effective cooling is significant. In contrast, suburban areas benefit from avoiding the aggregation of large blue-green patches, which may otherwise hinder effective cooling due to reduced air circulation and increased shading. Near large water bodies, regularly shaped and highly connected blue-green patches are found to be particularly effective in reducing land surface temperature, highlighting the synergistic effects of water and vegetation in enhancing cooling performance and suggesting that integrated blue-green networks can maximize thermal benefits.ConclusionThe research concludes that the relationship between temperature changes and blue-green space changes in the central urban area of Xi’an is significant and characterized by strong spatial heterogeneity during the period from 2013 to 2023, with the cooling effects of blue-green spaces found varying by their spatial attributes and the characteristics of the surrounding urban environment. These findings highlight the necessity for region-specific optimization strategies to maximize the cooling potential of blue-green spaces. By integrating spatial analysis and regression modeling, the research provides a detailed understanding of the cooling mechanisms of blue-green spaces across diverse urban contexts. The results emphasize the importance of tailoring blue-green space designs to local conditions, considering factors such as urban density, proximity to water bodies, and regional climatic characteristics. This approach enhances the effectiveness of blue-green spaces in mitigating the urban heat island effect and contributes to the creation of more sustainable and thermally comfortable urban environments. The research advocates a holistic and adaptive urban planning strategy, where blue-green spaces are strategically designed and managed to address the unique thermal challenges of different urban areas. This research offers valuable guidance for policymakers and urban planners aiming to optimize blue-green infrastructure and improve urban resilience in the face of climate change and urbanization.

Rafał Wyszomierski, Piotr Bórawski, Aneta Bełdycka-Bórawska

Plant biomass is playing a key role in the development of renewable energy sources. The share of biomass in renewable energy sources is about 70% in Poland and more than 40% in the European Union (EU). To assess the competitive position of farms selling plant biomass including straw and wood, including both future opportunities and threats, we conducted research on 185 farms in 2022. The aim of the research was to assess the usage of plant biomass, with the aim of increasing its position compared to other renewable energy sources. We used tabular, graph and descriptive methods to present the research results. Moreover, the Dornik–Hansen test (<i>p</i> = 0.003), Shapiro–Wilk test (<i>p</i> = 0.0017), Lilliefors test (<i>p</i> = 0.000) and Jargue–Berra test (<i>p</i> = 0.008) results show the significance of the research. The most important factors shaping the increased prices of biomass were the availability of raw materials on the market, totaling 41.1%, and calorific value, totaling 17.6%. Looking at the data, it can be seen that the most popular renewable energy technologies in which respondents plan to invest is photovoltaics (57.8%) and biomass (17.6%). According to the respondents, the most profitable renewable energy sources are photovoltaics (38.4%), wind energy (23%) and biogas (16.2%). Farmers also pointed out the most ecologically friendly, renewable energy sources. According to the respondents, the most ecologically friendly, renewable energy sources were wind energy (32.2%), photovoltaics (25.3%) and water energy plants (20.7%). The most frequently indicated limitations of biomass production were the long payback period (19.2%) and high investment costs (18.9%). The most important threat to biomass production was the shortage of arable land (32.5%) and poor farmland (23.5%). These results show that policymakers should adjust laws to encourage farmers to invest in biomass as a renewable energy source. Photovoltaics, which is considered a very clean renewable energy source, faces a big task in cleaning rural areas.

Feiyan Yang, Xin Wen, Siwei Xie et al.

Efficient and comprehensive analysis of lipid profiles in yak ghee samples collected from different elevations is crucial for optimal utilization of these resources. Unfortunately, such research is relatively rare. Yak ghee collected from three locations at different altitudes (S2: 2986 m; S5: 3671 m; S6: 4508 m) were analyzed by quantitative lipidomic. Our analysis identified a total of 176 lipids, and 147 s lipid of them were upregulated and 29 lipids were downregulated. These lipids have the potential to serve as biomarkers for distinguishing yak ghee from different altitudes. Notably, S2 exhibited higher levels of fatty acids (21:1) and branched fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (14:0/18:0), while S5 showed increased levels of phosphatidylserine (O-20:0/19:1) and glycerophosphoric acid (19:0/22:1). S6 displayed higher levels of triacylglycerol (17:0/20:5/22:3), ceramide alpha-hydroxy fatty acid-sphingosine (d17:3/34:2), and acyl glucosylceramides (16:0–18:0–18:1). Yak ghee exhibited a high content of neutralizing glycerophospholipids and various functional lipids, including sphingolipids and 21 newly discovered functional lipids. Our findings provide insights into quantitative changes in yak ghee lipids during different altitudes, development of yak ghee products, and screening of potential biomarkers.

A Madinu Abd Malik, Jouhary Naufal Amir, Ulfa Aulia et al.

This study aims to better understand the coastal dynamics along the 6.89 km of Subang shoreline using Landsat data and GIS methods with cloud computing-based analysis. The data is processed using remote sensing techniques, image classification, and change detection algorithms. Furthermore, this research harnesses cloud computing to efficiently manipulate big data, enabling rapid and measurable analysis of coastline changes. Cloud computing-based platforms facilitate data storage, processing, and dissemination, enhancing accessibility for researchers and stakeholders. This study indicates that the area has experienced significant changes from 1990 to 2023, with the total length of the coastlines that have changed (positive stands for accretion and negative for erosion) being 8.21 km (-16,86 %) for 1990 to 2000, 6.52 km (16.21%) for 2000 to 2010, 8.14 km (6,66%) for 2010 to 2020, and 8.81 km (-19,16%) for 2020 to 2023. The results provide valuable information about erosion, accretion, and coastal morphological changes. The findings can help make informed decisions for sustainable coastal management. The methodology presented in this article demonstrates a solid approach to coastline monitoring that can be replicated in other areas for more efficient and effective coastal management and environmental preservation.

Milton Marques Fernandes, Roberto Carlos Costa Lelis, Alexandrede Souza Tostes et al.

RESUMO objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a qualidade de chapas departículas fabricadas com madeira de Pinus caribaea e resina à base de tanino de acácia negra (Acacia mearnsii De Wild). As chapas foram prensadas à temperatura de 190 °C, utilizando-se dois níveis de resina (14 % e 18%) (base peso seco de partículas) e dois tempos de prensagem (6 min e 9 min), obtendo-se quatro tratamentos. As propriedades avaliadas foram: Resistência à Flexão Estática (MOR e MOE), Resistência à Tração Perpendicular (L igação interna- L I) eestabilidadedimensional (Inchamento em Espessura- IE eAbsorção de água - AA). Com exceção da ligação interna (L I), o aumento do tempo de prensagem e do teor de adesivo não alterou as propriedades analisadas, visto que para os testes de Inchamento em espessura (IE), Absorção de Água (AA), Módulo de Ruptura (MOR) e Módulo de Elasticidade (MOE) não houve diferenças significativas nos quatros tratamentos. Os valores das propriedades físicas e mecânicas encontraram-sedentrodafaixaexigidapelanormaamericanaCS236-66.

Dong-ru Kang, Si-lan Dai, Zi-cheng Wang

Dynamic changes in DNA methylation regulate the expression of genes and play important roles especially in the flowering processes of higher plants. Methyl-CpG-binding domain protein could specifically recognize hypermethylated regions in the genome, thus MBD sequencing technology and CpG islands analysis of the sequences were used to identify candidate genes that were regulated by DNA methylation, in particular the flowering induction stage of Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium. MBD-seq identified 89 candidate genes which included 49 genes exhibiting changes in DNA methylation status during floral induction. Based on CpG islands analysis of the sequences, 27 candidate genes were selected that may be regulated by DNA methylation. The expression levels of 30 candidate genes and nine key genes were determined by RT-PCR and qRT-PCR during floral induction (7D), four genes (ClFT, ClMET, DFL and ClWRKY21) were similarly up-regulated. Methylation-specific PCR analysis also indicated that there were changes in the DNA methylation status in the DFL and ClWRKY21. The changes in the DNA methylation status during the induction phase of flowering may lead to changes in gene expression. In this study, a set of genes were identified that are proposed to be involved in floral induction and two key genes were identified (DFL, ClWRKY21) that were regulated by DNA methylation during the flowering process of C. lavandulifolium.

Saadettin Murat Onat, Orhan Kelleci

In this study, the effect of silane on particleboard physical and mechanical properties was investigated. Silane was mixed in particleboards with two different methods. In the first method, silane was mixed with wood chips namely as a pretreatment of wood chips. In the second method, silane was mixed with urea-formaldehid adhesive. The amounts of silane used in both methods were 1 %, 2 % and 3 % of the particles based on the dry weight. Urea formaldehyde with 65 % solid content was used as adhesive. Ammonium sulfate (1 %) was added as a hardener to the used adhesive. The target density of three-layer particleboards manufactured was 550 kg/m3. The properties of particleboards evaluated include thickness swelling, bending properties and internal bond strength. Results indicate that particleboards thickness swelling values increase with the use of silane. Overall, pretreatment of the wood particles provided better mechanical properties than the addition of silane to the adhesive solution. Flexure strength and flexure modulus of particleboards were significantly improved by use of silane. Pretreatment of particles with 2 % silane yielded the best improvement of modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity. For the particleboards prepared with pretreated wood chips with silane, the highest increase of the flexure modulus and flexure strength was 20 % and 40 %, respectively. Pretreatment of wood particles with 3 % of silane nearly doubled internal bond strength of the particleboards. Silane pretreatment can be an alternative method for the improvement of particleboard mechanical properties.

Chi-Ya Huang, Yu-Yi Chang, Shang-Tzen Chang et al.

Gout is a common metabolic disease caused by abnormal purine metabolism that promotes the formation and deposition of monosodium urate crystals within joints that causes acute arthritis and can seriously affect the daily life of patients. <i>Pistacia chinensis</i> is one of the traditional medicinal plants of the Anacardiaceae family, and there have been many studies on its biological activity, including anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antibacterial, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antigout effect of <i>P. chinensis</i> leaf essential oil and its constituents through xanthine oxidase inhibition. Leaf essential oil showed good xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity for both substrates, hypoxanthine and xanthine. Six fractions were obtained from open column chromatography, and fraction E1 exhibited the best activity. The constituents of leaf essential oil and fraction E1 were analyzed by GC-MS. The main constituents of both leaf essential oil and fraction E1 were limonene and 3-carene; limonene showed a higher inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase. Based on the enzyme kinetic investigation, limonene was the mixed-type inhibitor against xanthine oxidase. The results revealed that <i>Pistacia chinensis</i> leaf essential oil and limonene have the potential to act as natural remedies for the treatment of gout.

Samuel G. Evans, Tim G. Holland, Jonathan W. Long et al.

Across the United States, wildfire severity and frequency are increasing, placing many properties at risk of harm or destruction. We quantify and compare how different forest management strategies designed to increase forest resilience and health reduce the number of properties at risk from wildfire, focusing on the Lake Tahoe Basin of California and Nevada. We combine landscape change simulations (including climate change, wildfire, and management effects) with scenarios of current and plausible fuel treatment activities and parcel-scale fire risk analysis. Results suggest that more aggressive fuel treatment activities that treat more area on the landscape, whether through mechanical and hand thinning or prescribed fire, dramatically lower the fire probability in the region and lead to a corresponding lower risk of property loss. We estimate that relative to recent practices of focusing management in the wildland–urban interface, more active forest management can reduce property loss risk by 45%–76%, or approximately 2600–4900 properties. The majority of this risk reduction is for single family residences, which constitute most structures in the region. Further, we find that the highest risk reduction is obtained through strategies that treat a substantially greater area than is currently treated in the region and allows for selective wildfires to burn for resource objectives outside of the wildland–urban interface. These results highlight the importance of more active forest management as an effective tool in reducing the wildfire risk to capital assets in the region.

Majdák A, Jakuš R, Blaženec M

In this study, we compared the daily temperature regimes of healthy uninfected trees in the interior of a forest stand and at the fresh forest edge with infested trees at the forest edge in an area affected by a bark beetle outbreak. We estimated the potential of a handheld thermal camera for early identification of bark-beetle infested trees. We show that infested trees have significantly higher trunk temperatures than uninfested trees, which is more visible on the shine side of the trunk, and we report the differences in temperature between the shine and shadow sides. The differences are more noticeable on a warm, bright, and sunny day than on cold and cloudy day. The different intensity of solar radiation does not affect the distinction between infested and uninfested trees. The handheld thermal camera shows potential for identifying bark-beetle infested trees by scanning tree trunks on bright sunny days.

Jorge Reyes-Jaramillo, Ángel Ordóñez-Castillo, Elvia Ruiz-Bustán et al.

La presente investigación consiste en un estudio de caso con el objetivo de describir el comportamiento histórico de la estructura poblacional en las provincias de El Oro, Loja y Zamora Chinchipe, que conforman la Región Sur de Ecuador, durante el periodo 1962-2010 y comprender el proceso de envejecimiento. La investigación se basó en la información oficial de los censos de población y vivienda, y se emplearon las variables población general, sexo, área geográfica, ciclos de vida, índices de infancia, juventud, generacional de ancianos, de vejez y de sobreenvejecimiento poblacional. Para determinar el ritmo de crecimiento se calculó la tasa de crecimiento anual geométrica, y para el envejecimiento, las medias, medianas y cuartiles poblacionales. La población de la Región Sur del Ecuador envejeció en 7,6 años, con variaciones significativas a nivel de las provincias: en El Oro envejeció 8,1 años, en Loja, 7,6 años, y en Zamora Chinchipe, 4,5 años. El análisis por ciclos de vida muestra escenarios disímiles que sirven como contexto de los procesos de salud, enfermedad y mortalidad, a pesar que no aborda toda la dinámica poblacional. En general, se evidencia una transición demográfica compleja, asimétrica, en espacios político-geográficos heterogéneos, en donde se han generado históricamente procesos de reproducción biológica-social interrelacionados, pero al mismo tiempo, disímiles.

Kürşad Özkan

Muhammad Azher Nawaz, Xiaojie Han, Chen Chen et al.

Nitrogen availability is the key determinant of plant growth and development. The improvement of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crops is an important consideration. In fruit and vegetables, such as watermelon, rootstocks are often utilized to control soil borne diseases and improve plant performance to a range of abiotic stresses. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of 10 wild watermelon rootstocks (ZXG-516, ZXG-941, ZXG-945, ZXG-1250, ZXG-1251, ZXG-1558, ZXG-944, ZXG-1469, ZXG-1463, and ZXG-952) to improve the plant growth and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of the watermelon cultivar: Zaojia 8424. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is a comprehensive parameter that represents the ability of a plant to absorb nitrogen (N) and convert the supplied resources to the dry biomass. Wild watermelon rootstocks substantially improved plant growth, rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductivity, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, rate of transpiration, nitrogen uptake efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, and nitrogen utilization efficiency of watermelon. NUE of watermelon grafted onto ZXG-945, ZXG-1250, and ZXG-941 was improved by up to 67%, 77%, and 168%, respectively, at optimum N supply. Similarly, at low N supply (0.2 mM), NUE of watermelon grafted onto ZXG-1558 and ZXG-516 was improved by up to 104% and 175%, respectively. In conclusion, grafting onto some wild rootstocks can improve nitrogen use efficiency of watermelon, and this improved nitrogen use efficiency could be attributed to better N uptake efficiency of wild watermelon rootstocks.

C. Frasconi, M. Raffaelli, L. Emmi et al.

This paper describes the design and development of an automatic machine able to perform Variable Rate Application of cross flaming in maize fields. The VRA flaming machine was designed to remove weeds mechanically from the inter-row area and perform selective and targeted cross flaming along the crop rows. The mechanical treatment will be performed in a continuous way, even without weed presence. On the contrary, cross flaming on the maize rows is applied selective and automatically only if weeds are presence. Flame weeding is applied by means of prismatic burners fed by Liquefied Petroleum Gas, able to treat 25 cm wide strips of soil surface including crop rows. Flaming can be used selectively in maize, which can tolerate the heat released from the burners. Mechanism of morphological tolerance is the presence of many layers of the outer leaf tissue protecting the inner growing point. A low or a high LPG dose can be chosen automatically according to the weed cover percentage detected by a weed detection system. The ignition system of the VRA flaming machine is almost instantaneous and the complete flame in the burner is obtained in 0.4 s. The machine is provided with an automatic steering system in order to avoid damaging the maize plants with the rigid tools used for mechanical weed removal. The VRA flaming machine is a new technology for precision agriculture and was designed and built within the “Robot fleets for Highly Effective Agriculture and forestry management” (RHEA) Project, funded by EU, aimed to develop a fleet of heterogeneous autonomous robot units in order to perform site-specific treatments related to crop protection in different agricultural scenarios.

B D Nasendi

Demand side economic analysis  or the so called market approach economic analysis was conducted  to evaluate  the Indonesian Selective  Cutting and Planting  System  (IPTI)  and its complementary  technique called  TJTI (Indonesian Strip  Cutting  and Planting System) at PT. ITCI (International  Timber Corporation Indonesia) Forest Concession Management and Operations in East Kalimantan. The analysis proved that the logs produced and marketed both with TPTI and TJTI systems of forestry  operations  and practices  in East Kalimantan,  one of the Indonesian Outer Java Inslands rich tropical forest archipelagoes is viable and economically feasible to maintain  the sustainable production  and  marketing.  However, further research is needed to evaluate the resource and supply side economic analysis including sustainable forest  resource management, minimum and maximum management unit sizes of both TJTI and TPTI and its sustainability  in terms of production,  socio-economic  and ecological-biophysical. Key words:   Economic  analysis,   TPTI,   TJTI and  Sustainable Forest Management.

D. Gilmour, R. Fisher

D. Pearce, F. Putz, J. Vanclay

The aim of this research was to estimate the ecohydological parameters of the canopy covers including canopy storage capacity (S) using the Pereira method and the direct throughfall coefficient (p) of individual trees of Pinus eldarica planted in the Chitgar Forest Park with a semiarid climate. To measure GR, six rain-gauges were installed in an open area neighboring to the trees. Throuhgfall (TF) was measured using the twenty rain gauges randomly located underneath the crown of the five individual trees. Rainfall interception (I) was calculated as the difference between GR and TF. From January 2011 to January 2012, 224 mm of cumulative GR in fifty-one rainfall events was recorded. P. eldarica trees intercepted 35.9% and 47.5% of the incident rainfall on cumulative-based, and event-based (each GR), respectively. The mean value of S estimated by the Pereira method, and p were found to be 0.77 mm (SE ± 0.08), and 0.44 (SE ± 0.07), respectively. The results indicated that I allocated a considerable portion of GR in P. eldarica trees in arid and semiarid regions. Hence, I should be considered while calculating the water budget for P. eldarica plantations. S which is a critical parameter for controlling I can be usefully estimated by a sole newly proposed method by Pereira for individual trees.

R. Seymour, M. Hunter