Mapping forest vegetation using Landsat TM imagery and a canopy reflectance model

Estimates of mean tree size and cover for each forest stand from an invertible forest canopy reflectance model are part of a new forest vegetation mapping system. Image segmentation defines stands which are sorted into general growth forms using per-pixel image classifications. Ecological models based on terrain relations predict species associations for the conifer, hardwood, and brush growth forms. The combination of the model-based estimates of tree size and cover with species associations yields general-purpose vegetation maps useful for a variety of land management needs. Results of timber inventories in the Tahoe and Stanislaus National Forests indicate the vegetation maps form a useful basis for stratification. Patterns in timber volumes for the strata reveal that the cover estimates are more reliable than the tree size estimates. A map accuracy assessment of the Stanislaus National Forest shows high overall map accuracy and also illustrates the problems in estimating tree size.     

Chronic parvovirus infection mimicking myelodysplastic syndrome in a child with subclinical immunodeficiency

1. The effect of cyclo(D-Trp-D-Asp-Pro-D-Val-Leu) (or BQ123), a selective ETA receptor antagonist, on the vasoconstrictor and diuretic responses elicited by endothelin-1 (ET-1) was examined in conscious sheep with chronic indwelling renal arterial cannulae. 2. Using low dose close renal arterial infusion, ET-1 has potent effects on the kidney causing a marked decrease in effective renal plasma flow and an increase in urine output and free water clearance in the normally hydrated animal. 3. The vasoconstrictor response to renal arterial infusion of ET-1 at 5 micrograms/h was blunted by renal arterial infusion of the ETA receptor selective antagonist, BQ123 (400 micrograms/h). 4. In contrast, the effect of ET-1 on urine production and free water clearance was not affected by this dose of BQ123. 5. The differential effect of BQ123 on renal blood flow and urine production suggests that these effects of endothelin on the kidney are mediated through different receptor mechanisms.     

Preventing Requirement Defects: An Experiment in Process Improvement

Inadequate requirements cause many problems in software products. This paper reports on an experiment to reduce the number of requirement defects. We analysed the present defects in a real-life product and estimated the likely effect of 44 prevention techniques. We had hoped a novel combination of techniques would come up, but the best approach was quite well known, although new to the company: study the user tasks better, make early prototypes of the user interface, and test them for usability. This approach was tried out in a new development project in the same company. Due to the new approach, there was no doubt about requirements during programming, and as a result it became the first project in the company that was completed on time and without stress. Usability was drastically improved, and as a result the product sold twice as many units as similar products, and at twice the unit price.     

The consensus concept for thermostability engineering of proteins: further proof of concept

Previously, we calculated a consensus amino acid sequence from13 homologous fungal phytases. A synthetic gene was constructedand recombinantly expressed. Surprisingly, consensus phytase-1was 15–26°C more thermostable than all parent phytasesused in its design [Lehmann et al. (2000)Protein Eng., 13, 49–57].In the present study, inclusion of six further phytase sequencesin the amino acid sequence alignment resulted in the replacementof 38 amino acid residues in either one or both of the new consensusphytases-10 and -11. Since consensus phytase-10, again, was7.4°C more thermostable than consensus phytase-1, the thermostabilityeffects of most of the 38 amino acid substitutions were testedby site-directed mutagenesis. Both stabilizing and destabilizingmutations were identified, but all affected the stability ofthe enzyme by <3°C. The combination of all stabilizingamino acid exchanges in a multiple mutant of consensus phytase-1increased the unfolding temperature from 78.0 to 88.5°C.Likewise, back-mutation of four destabilizing amino acids andintroduction of an additional stabilizing amino acid in consensusphytase-10 further increased the unfolding temperature from85.4 to 90.4°C. The thermostabilization achieved is theresult of a combination of slight improvements from multipleamino acid exchanges rather than being the effect of a singleor of just a few dominating mutations that have been introducedby chance. The present findings support the general validityof the consensus concept for thermostability engineering ofproteins.     

Nitrate and nitrite in vegetables on the Danish market: content and intake

The contents of nitrate and nitrite in lettuce, leek, potato, beetroot, Chinese cabbage and white cabbage on the Danish market were determined for 3 years in the period 1993-1997 as part of the Danish food monitoring programme. These vegetables are supposed to provide the major contribution to the intake of nitrate from the diet. Results for nitrate and nitrite in fresh and frozen spinach are also shown. The highest content of nitrate was found in lettuce followed by beetroot, Chinese cabbage, fresh spinach, leek, frozen spinach, white cabbage and potatoes. For all the products a great variation in the content of nitrate was found. For lettuce a characteristic variation throughout the year is clearly seen with the highest content in the winter period the lowest content in the summer period. Generally, the content of nitrite was low but in spinach high contents were found, probably due to improper storage conditions during transportation. The intake of nitrate and nitrite from these vegetables is calculated on the basis of two different consumption surveys. For both surveys the average intake of nitrate from the vegetables included in the monitoring programme is estimated to be approximately 40mg day^-1, whereas for nitrite the average intake is approximately 0.09mg day^-1. The total intake of nitrate and nitrite is estimated to be respectively 61mg day^-1 and 0.5mg day^-1.     

Investigating the use of an adjustment task to set preferred colour of ambient illumination

An experiment was carried out to examine the method of adjustment when determining user preferences for the colour appearance of ambient lighting. A booth was lit using luminaires containing an array of white and coloured light emitting diodes (LEDs), allowing continuous variation of correlated colour temperature (CCT) between 2736 and 4014 K. It was predicted that the preferred CCT would be influenced by the available stimulus range, the anchor (initial setting before adjustment), adaptation time before onset of adjustment action and type of control dial. Preference was estimated for three different CCT stimulus ranges within the available range. All three ranges led to significantly different results for preferred CCT: 3288, 3490 and 3671 K. The experimental results confirmed that stimulus range, anchor and adaptation time have significant effect on the preferred CCT determined using the adjustment task, and thus, the importance of considering and reporting this information in studies that employ the method of adjustment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2013     

Microscopic comparison of the synovial changes in rheumatoid arthritis and ostroarthritis

Whereas the histopathologic picture of the synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis varies widely and that in osteoarthritis displays a small range of changes, light- and transmission electron microscopic studies of synovial sections from both disease entities complement each other and assist reciprocally to corroborate the observed changes. Beyond that comparative survey of the ascertained histopathologic features and their correlation with clinical observations disclose that a study of a larger material of specimens permits with some limitations to infer the nature of the joint disease.     

The efficacy of an anaerobic digester-based power production from various feedstocks

Biogas is one of the most promising renewable energy fuel sources obtained from various organic matters and used for energy requirements. This work is focused on the usage of biogas in power production. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the different factors that affect the power production during anaerobic digestion. This study examines the usage of Organic Fraction Municipal Solid Waste (OF-MSW), wastewater sludge, and co-digestion of both OF-MSW and wastewater sludge for power production. The digestions are performed under mesophilic conditions at an optimum temperature of 36°C. The maximum power produced is 128 kW when using OF-MSW alone and 48.9 kW for co-digestion (50% OF-MSW + 50% wastewater sludge) and 35.5 kW for wastewater sludge. The paper also focuses on various factors such as pH, temperature, and nitrogen concentration and its influence on power production.