Showing papers by "Michigan Technological University published in 2010"
TL;DR: This paper examines an agent- based approach and its applications in different modes of transportation, including roadway, railway, and air transportation, and addresses some critical issues in developing agent-based traffic control and management systems, such as interoperability, flexibility, and extendibility.
Abstract: The agent computing paradigm is rapidly emerging as one of the powerful technologies for the development of large-scale distributed systems to deal with the uncertainty in a dynamic environment. The domain of traffic and transportation systems is well suited for an agent-based approach because transportation systems are usually geographically distributed in dynamic changing environments. Our literature survey shows that the techniques and methods resulting from the field of agent and multiagent systems have been applied to many aspects of traffic and transportation systems, including modeling and simulation, dynamic routing and congestion management, and intelligent traffic control. This paper examines an agent-based approach and its applications in different modes of transportation, including roadway, railway, and air transportation. This paper also addresses some critical issues in developing agent-based traffic control and management systems, such as interoperability, flexibility, and extendibility. Finally, several future research directions toward the successful deployment of agent technology in traffic and transportation systems are discussed.
590 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported a measurement of the flux of cosmic rays with unprecedented precision and statistics using the Pierre Auger Observatory based on fluorescence observations in coincidence with at least one surface detector.
461 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report the direct observation of laboratory production of spherical, carbonaceous particles from smoldering combustion of two commonly occurring dry mid-latitude fuels, called "tar balls".
Abstract: . We report the direct observation of laboratory production of spherical, carbonaceous particles – "tar balls" – from smoldering combustion of two commonly occurring dry mid-latitude fuels. Real-time measurements of spectrally varying absorption Angstrom coefficients (AAC) indicate that a class of light absorbing organic carbon (OC) with wavelength dependent imaginary part of its refractive index – optically defined as "brown carbon" – is an important component of tar balls. The spectrum of the imaginary parts of their complex refractive indices can be described with a Lorentzian-like model with an effective resonance wavelength in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral region. Sensitivity calculations for aerosols containing traditional OC (no absorption at visible and UV wavelengths) and brown carbon suggest that accounting for near-UV absorption by brown carbon leads to an increase in aerosol radiative forcing efficiency and increased light absorption. Since particles from smoldering combustion account for nearly three-fourths of the total carbonaceous aerosol mass emitted globally, inclusion of the optical properties of tar balls into radiative forcing models has significance for the Earth's radiation budget, optical remote sensing, and understanding of anomalous UV absorption in the troposphere.
404 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, anisotropy was measured by the fraction of arrival directions that are less than 3.1 degrees from the position of an active galactic nucleus within 75 Mpc (using the Veron-Cetty and Veron 12th catalog).
404 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a single-cylinder cooperative fuels research engine (CFR) with variable compression ratio manufactured by Waukesha Engine Company is used to provide air control and port fuel injection.
380 citations
11 Aug 2010-Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment
TL;DR: The Pierre Auger Observatory is a hybrid detector for ultra-high energy cosmic rays as discussed by the authors, which combines a surface array to measure secondary particles at ground level together with a fluorescence detector to measure the development of air showers in the atmosphere above the array.
Abstract: The Pierre Auger Observatory is a hybrid detector for ultra-high energy cosmic rays. It combines a surface array to measure secondary particles at ground level together with a fluorescence detector to measure the development of air showers in the atmosphere above the array. The fluorescence detector comprises 24 large telescopes specialized for measuring the nitrogen fluorescence caused by charged particles of cosmic ray air showers. In this paper we describe the components of the fluorescence detector including its optical system, the design of the camera, the electronics, and the systems for relative and absolute calibration. We also discuss the operation and the monitoring of the detector. Finally, we evaluate the detector performance and precision of shower reconstructions.
363 citations
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TL;DR: A new understanding of roof area distribution and potential PV outputs has an immense significance to energy policy formulation in Ontario and the methodology developed here is transferable in other regions to assist in solar PV deployment.
Abstract: Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has matured to become a technically viable large-scale source of sustainable energy. Understanding the rooftop PV potential is critical for utility planning, accommodating grid capacity, deploying financing schemes and formulating future adaptive energy policies. This paper merges the capabilities of geographic information systems and object-based image recognition to determine the available rooftop area for PV deployment in an example large-scale region in south eastern Ontario. An innovative five-step procedure has been developed for estimating total rooftop PV potential which involves geographical division of the region; sampling using the Feature Analyst extraction software; extrapolation using roof area-population relationships; reduction for shading, other uses and orientation; and conversion to power and energy outputs. A relationship across the region was found between roof area and population of 70.0 m2/capita ± 6.2%. For this region with appropriate roof tops covered with commercial solar cells the potential PV peak power output is 5.74 GW (157% of the region’s peak power demands) and the potential annual energy production is 6909 Gwh (5% of Ontario’s total annual demand). This suggests that 30% of Ontario’s demand can be met with province-wide rooftop PV deployment. This new understanding of roof area distribution and potential PV outputs has an immense significance to energy policy formulation in Ontario and the methodology developed here is transferable in other regions to assist in solar PV deployment.
359 citations
TL;DR: The relationships between hydrogen capacities and structures of MOFs are evaluated, with emphasis on the roles of surface area and pore size and the challenges to obtain a high hydrogen capacity at ambient temperature are explored.
Abstract: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly attractive materials because of their ultra-high surface areas, simple preparation approaches, designable structures, and potential applications. In the past several years, MOFs have attracted worldwide attention in the area of hydrogen energy, particularly for hydrogen storage. In this review, the recent progress of hydrogen storage in MOFs is presented. The relationships between hydrogen capacities and structures of MOFs are evaluated, with emphasis on the roles of surface area and pore size. The interaction mechanism between H(2) and MOFs is discussed. The challenges to obtain a high hydrogen capacity at ambient temperature are explored.
339 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an isoparaffin-rich jet fuel derived from camelina, a low-input nonfood oilseed crop, was flight tested by a commercial airline and all test results indicate that this hydrotreated renewable jet fuel not only meets stringent engine fuel and performance specifications but also reduces environmental emissions.
Abstract: Recently, an isoparaffin-rich jet fuel derived from camelina, a low-input nonfood oilseed crop, was flight-tested by a commercial airline. To date, all test results indicate that this hydrotreated renewable jet fuel (HRJ) not only meets stringent engine fuel and performance specifications but also reduces environmental emissions. Several scenarios are now being considered for camelina as a sustainable feedstock for advanced biofuel production. For example, growth of camelina in the Northern Plains of the United States on either marginal lands or as a rotation crop during fallow periods on existing lands already in food crop production can avoid the conflict with food cultivation and concerns with indirect land use change impacts. Updated estimates of camelina cultivation requirements and commercial scale oil recovery and refining were used to calculate life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy demand for both HRJ and renewable diesel (green diesel, GD). GHG life cycle emissions for GD and HRJ are 18.0 and 22.4 g CO2 equiv/MJ fuel, which represent savings relative to petroleum counterparts of 80% and 75%, respectively. Scenario analyses were conducted to determine response to model assumptions and data uncertainty, including allocation methodology, N fertilizer application rate, N2O emission factor, source of H2, and farm diesel consumption. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
294 citations
TL;DR: The superwetting phenomenon is reviewed and a suggestion on defining superhydrophilic andsuperwetting substrates and surfaces is offered.
Abstract: The term superhydrophobicity was introduced in 1996 to describe water-repellent fractal surfaces, made of a hydrophobic material, on which water drops remain as almost perfect spheres and roll off such surfaces leaving no residue. Today, superhydrophobic surfaces are defined as textured materials (and coatings) on (nonsmooth) surfaces on which water forms contact angles 150° and larger, with only a few degrees of contact angle hysteresis (or sliding angle). The terms superhydrophilicity and superwetting were introduced a few years after the term superhydrophobicity to describe the complete spreading of water or liquid on substrates. The definition of superhydrophilic and superwetting substrates has not been clarified yet, and unrestricted use of these terms sometimes stirs controversy. This Letter briefly reviews the superwetting phenomenon and offers a suggestion on defining superhydrophilic and superwetting substrates and surfaces.
287 citations
TL;DR: These criteria hold promise for accelerating a shift away from unsustainable biofuels based on grain, such as corn, and toward possible sustainable feedstock and production practices that may be able to meet a variety of social, economic, and environmental sustainability criteria.
Abstract: Interest in liquid biofuels production and use has increased worldwide as part of government policies to address the growing scarcity and riskiness of petroleum use, and, at least in theory, to help mitigate adverse global climate change. The existing biofuels markets are dominated by U.S. ethanol production based on cornstarch, Brazilian ethanol production based on sugarcane, and European biodiesel production based on rapeseed oil. Other promising efforts have included programs to shift toward the production and use of biofuels based on residues and waste materials from the agricultural and forestry sectors, and perennial grasses, such as switchgrass and miscanthus--so-called cellulosic ethanol. This article reviews these efforts and the recent literature in the context of ecological economics and sustainability science. Several common dimensions for sustainable biofuels are discussed: scale (resource assessment, land availability, and land use practices); efficiency (economic and energy); equity (geographic distribution of resources and the "food versus fuel" debate); socio-economic issues; and environmental effects and emissions. Recent proposals have been made for the development of sustainable biofuels criteria, culminating in standards released in Sweden in 2008 and a draft report from the international Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. These criteria hold promise for accelerating a shift away from unsustainable biofuels based on grain, such as corn, and toward possible sustainable feedstock and production practices that may be able to meet a variety of social, economic, and environmental sustainability criteria.
TL;DR: Fiber diameter is an important parameter to consider when constructing aligned, electrospun fibers for nerve regeneration applications because in some situations, topography alone is sufficient to guide neurites without the leading support of SCs.
TL;DR: This article provides a concise review of the recent research advancements in boron nitride nanotubes with a comprehensive list of references and focuses on low-temperature and patterned growth, and mass production of BNNTs.
Abstract: This article provides a concise review of the recent research advancements in boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with a comprehensive list of references. As the motivation of the field, we first summarize some of the attractive properties and potential applications of BNNTs. Then, latest discoveries on the properties, applications, and synthesis of BNNTs are discussed. In particular, we focus on low-temperature and patterned growth, and mass production of BNNTs, since these are the major challenges that have hindered investigation of the properties and application of BNNTs for the past decade. Finally, perspectives of future research on BNNTs are discussed.
TL;DR: It is shown that gibberellins in poplar repress lateral root formation through interactions with other hormones like auxin, which suggests a mechanism for GA-regulated modulation of lateral root proliferation associated with regulation of plant allometry during the stress response.
Abstract: The role of gibberellins (GAs) in regulation of lateral root development is poorly understood. We show that GA-deficient (35S:PcGA2ox1) and GA-insensitive (35S:rgl1) transgenic Populus exhibited increased lateral root proliferation and elongation under in vitro and greenhouse conditions, and these effects were reversed by exogenous GA treatment. In addition, RNA interference suppression of two poplar GA 2-oxidases predominantly expressed in roots also decreased lateral root formation. GAs negatively affected lateral root formation by inhibiting lateral root primordium initiation. A whole-genome microarray analysis of root development in GA-modified transgenic plants revealed 2069 genes with significantly altered expression. The expression of 1178 genes, including genes that promote cell proliferation, growth, and cell wall loosening, corresponded to the phenotypic severity of the root traits when transgenic events with differential phenotypic expression were compared. The array data and direct hormone measurements suggested crosstalk of GA signaling with other hormone pathways, including auxin and abscisic acid. Transgenic modification of a differentially expressed gene encoding an auxin efflux carrier suggests that GA modulation of lateral root development is at least partly imparted by polar auxin transport modification. These results suggest a mechanism for GA-regulated modulation of lateral root proliferation associated with regulation of plant allometry during the stress response.
21 Jan 2010-Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment
TL;DR: The surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory consists of 1600 water-Cherenkov detectors, for the study of extensive air showers (EAS) generated by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays.
Abstract: The surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory consists of 1600 water-Cherenkov detectors, for the study of extensive air showers (EAS) generated by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. We describe the trigger hierarchy, from the identification of candidate showers at the level of a single detector, amongst a large background (mainly random single cosmic ray muons), up to the selection of real events and the rejection of random coincidences. Such trigger makes the surface detector array fully efficient for the detection of EAS with energy above 3 x 10(18) eV, for all zenith angles between 0 degrees and 60 degrees, independently of the position of the impact point and of the mass of the primary particle. In these range of energies and angles, the exposure of the surface array can be determined purely on the basis of the geometrical acceptance. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the use of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) as sustainable aggregates in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) for low-volume roads.
TL;DR: The status of graphene research for solar energy with emphasis on solar cells is presented, the preparation and properties of graphene are described, and applications of graphene as transparent conductive electrodes and counter electrodes are presented.
Abstract: Graphene is a rapidly rising star in materials science. This two-dimensional material exhibits unique properties, such as low resistance, excellent optical transmittance, and high mechanical and chemical stabilities. These exceptional advantages possess great promise for its potential applications in photovoltaic devices. In this Review, we present the status of graphene research for solar energy with emphasis on solar cells. Firstly, the preparation and properties of graphene are described. Secondly, applications of graphene as transparent conductive electrodes and counter electrodes are presented. Thirdly, graphene-based electron- (or hole) accepting materials for solar energy conversion are evaluated. Fourthly, the promoting effect of graphene on photovoltaic devices and the photocatalytic property of graphene-semiconductor composites are discussed. Finally, the challenges to increase the power conversion efficiency of graphene-based solar cells are explored.
TL;DR: This research highlights the need to understand the transition from primary to secondary source control in the context of persistent organic pollutants.
Abstract: Understanding the legacy of persistent organic pollutants requires studying the transition from primary to secondary source control.
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: H-medium-access control (MAC) aims to improve BSNs energy efficiency by exploiting heartbeat rhythm information, instead of using periodic synchronization beacons, to perform time synchronization.
Abstract: In this paper, a novel time division multiple access based MAC protocol designed for body sensor networks (BSNs) is presented. H-medium-access control (MAC) aims to improve BSNs energy efficiency by exploiting heartbeat rhythm information, instead of using periodic synchronization beacons, to perform time synchronization. Heartbeat rhythm is inherent in every human body and observable in various biosignals. Biosensors in a BSN can extract the heartbeat rhythm from their own sensory data by detecting waveform peaks. All rhythms represented by peak sequences are naturally synchronized since they are driven by the same source, i.e., the heartbeat. Following the rhythm, biosensors can achieve time synchronization without having to turn on their radio to receive periodic timing information from a central controller, so that energy cost for time synchronization can be completely eliminated and the lifetime of the network can be prolonged. An active synchronization recovery scheme is also developed, including two resynchronization approaches. The algorithms are simulated using the discrete event simulator OMNet ++ with real-world data from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Boston's Beth Israel Hospital multiparameter database Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring for Intensive Care. The results show that H-MAC can prolong the network life dramatically.
VU University Medical Center1, VU University Amsterdam2, Université catholique de Louvain3, Michigan Technological University4, Paris Descartes University5, Oregon Health & Science University6, Hannover Medical School7, University of Toronto8, Washington University in St. Louis9, University Medical Center Utrecht10, Sahlgrenska University Hospital11, Boston Children's Hospital12, Hebrew University of Jerusalem13, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre14, Great Ormond Street Hospital15, Leiden University Medical Center16, University of British Columbia17
TL;DR: It is detected that heterozygous germline mutations in IDH2 that alter enzyme residue Arg140 in 15 unrelated patients with d-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria, a rare neurometabolic disorder characterized by supraphysiological levels of D- 2-HG, which provides additional impetus for investigating the role of the enzyme in the pathophysiology of metabolic disease and cancer.
Abstract: Heterozygous somatic mutations in the genes encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 and -2 (IDH1 and IDH2) were recently discovered in human neoplastic disorders. These mutations disable the enzymes' normal ability to convert isocitrate to 2-ketoglutarate (2-KG) and confer on the enzymes a new function: the ability to convert 2-KG to d-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2-HG). We have detected heterozygous germline mutations in IDH2 that alter enzyme residue Arg(140) in 15 unrelated patients with d-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (D-2-HGA), a rare neurometabolic disorder characterized by supraphysiological levels of D-2-HG. These findings provide additional impetus for investigating the role of D-2-HG in the pathophysiology of metabolic disease and cancer.
TL;DR: Results indicate that the linear modulus under LE is significantly higher than the modulus of either TE or LS, and the ultimate stress of muscle was seen to be significantly higher under LE than TE.
Abstract: Of the plethora of work performed analyzing skeletal muscle tissue, relatively little has been done in the examination of its passive material properties. Previous studies of the passive properties of skeletal muscle have been primarily performed along the longitudinal material direction. In order to ensure the accuracy of the predictions of computational models of skeletal muscles, a better understanding of the tensile three-dimensional material properties of muscle tissue is necessary. To that end, the purpose of this study was to collect a comprehensive set of tensile stress–strain data from skeletal muscle tissue. Load-deformation data was collected from eighteen extensor digitorum longus muscles, dissected free of aponeuroses, from nine New Zealand White rabbits tested under longitudinal extension (LE), transverse extension (TE), or longitudinal shear (LS). The linear modulus, ultimate stress, and failure strain were calculated from stress–strain results. Results indicate that the linear modulus under LE is significantly higher than the modulus of either TE or LS. Additionally, the ultimate stress of muscle was seen to be significantly higher under LE than TE. Conversely, the failure strain was significantly higher under TE than under LE.
TL;DR: The detailed molecular composition of water-soluble atmospheric organic matter contained in fog water was studied by use of electrospray ionization ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.
Abstract: The detailed molecular composition of water-soluble atmospheric organic matter (AOM) contained in fog water was studied by use of electrospray ionization ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. We identified 1368 individual molecular masses in the range of 100−400 Da from negative-ion spectra obtained after reversed-phase extraction with a hydrophilic solid phase sorbent. The detected organic anions are multifunctional with a variety of oxygenated functional groups. We observe organic nitrogen, organic sulfur, and organic nitrogen−sulfur compounds as well as many species with only C, H, and O elemental composition. Analysis of the double bond equivalents (DBE = the number of rings plus the number of double bonds to carbon) suggests that these compound structures range from highly aliphatic to aromatic with DBE values of 1−11. The compounds range in their extent of oxidation with oxygen to carbon ratios from 0.2 to 2 with an average value of 0.43. Several homologou...
TL;DR: In this paper, the patterned growth of boron nitride nanotubes is achieved by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) at 1200 °C using MgO, Ni, or Fe as the catalysts, and an Al2O3 diffusion barrier as underlayer.
Abstract: For the first time, patterned growth of boron nitride nanotubes is achieved by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) at 1200 °C using MgO, Ni, or Fe as the catalysts, and an Al2O3 diffusion barrier as underlayer. The as-grown BNNTs are clean, vertically aligned, and have high crystallinity. Near band-edge absorption ∼6.0 eV is detected, without significant sub-band absorption centers. Electronic transport measurement confirms that these BNNTs are perfect insulators, applicable for future deep-UV photoelectronic devices and high-power electronics.
TL;DR: This full picture is crucial particularly for capturing and understanding highly intermittent transient phenomena, such as ignition and extinction events in turbulent combustion.
Abstract: As scientific supercomputing moves toward petascale and exascale levels, in situ visualization stands out as a scalable way for scientists to view the data their simulations generate. This full picture is crucial particularly for capturing and understanding highly intermittent transient phenomena, such as ignition and extinction events in turbulent combustion.
TL;DR: An optimal decentralized algorithm for sparse signal recovery via decentralized in-network processing is developed, based on a consensus optimization formulation and the alternating direction method of multipliers, and demonstrates its application in monitoring localized phenomena using energy-constrained large-scale wireless sensor networks.
Abstract: This paper develops an optimal decentralized algorithm for sparse signal recovery and demonstrates its application in monitoring localized phenomena using energy-constrained large-scale wireless sensor networks. Capitalizing on the spatial sparsity of localized phenomena, compressive data collection is enforced by turning off a fraction of sensors using a simple random node sleeping strategy, which conserves sensing energy and prolongs network lifetime. In the absence of a fusion center, sparse signal recovery via decentralized in-network processing is developed, based on a consensus optimization formulation and the alternating direction method of multipliers. In the proposed algorithm, each active sensor monitors and recovers its local region only, collaborates with its neighboring active sensors through low-power one-hop communication, and iteratively improves the local estimates until reaching the global optimum. Because each sensor monitors the local region rather than the entire large field, the iterative algorithm converges fast, in addition to being scalable in terms of transmission and computation costs. Further, through collaboration, the sensing performance is globally optimal and attains a high spatial resolution commensurate with the node density of the original network containing both active and inactive sensors. Simulations demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach.
Harvard University1, Princeton University2, University of Toronto3, Langley Research Center4, Florida State University5, University of Colorado Boulder6, Earth System Research Laboratory7, United States Naval Research Laboratory8, University of Maryland, Baltimore9, University of Maryland, Baltimore County10, Argonne National Laboratory11, Tsinghua University12, Michigan Technological University13
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors use aircraft observations of carbon monoxide (CO) from the NASA ARCTAS and NOAA ARCPAC campaigns in April 2008 together with multi-year CO satellite data from the AIRS instrument and a global chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) to better understand the sources, transport, and interannual variability of pollution in the Arctic in spring.
Abstract: . We use aircraft observations of carbon monoxide (CO) from the NASA ARCTAS and NOAA ARCPAC campaigns in April 2008 together with multiyear (2003–2008) CO satellite data from the AIRS instrument and a global chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) to better understand the sources, transport, and interannual variability of pollution in the Arctic in spring. Model simulation of the aircraft data gives best estimates of CO emissions in April 2008 of 26 Tg month−1 for Asian anthropogenic, 9.4 for European anthropogenic, 4.1 for North American anthropogenic, 15 for Russian biomass burning (anomalously large that year), and 23 for Southeast Asian biomass burning. We find that Asian anthropogenic emissions are the dominant source of Arctic CO pollution everywhere except in surface air where European anthropogenic emissions are of similar importance. Russian biomass burning makes little contribution to mean CO (reflecting the long CO lifetime) but makes a large contribution to CO variability in the form of combustion plumes. Analysis of two pollution events sampled by the aircraft demonstrates that AIRS can successfully observe pollution transport to the Arctic in the mid-troposphere. The 2003–2008 record of CO from AIRS shows that interannual variability averaged over the Arctic cap is very small. AIRS CO columns over Alaska are highly correlated with the Ocean Nino Index, suggesting a link between El Nino and Asian pollution transport to the Arctic. AIRS shows lower-than-average CO columns over Alaska during April 2008, despite the Russian fires, due to a weakened Aleutian Low hindering transport from Asia and associated with the moderate 2007–2008 La Nina. This suggests that Asian pollution influence over the Arctic may be particularly large under strong El Nino conditions.
TL;DR: Advances at the interface between atmospheric and turbulence research are helping to elucidate fundamental properties of clouds, yet understanding of cloud processes has advanced enormously, yet some of the basic questions are still not answered.
Abstract: Just over 50 years ago, Henry Houghton published an essay in Science entitled “Cloud physics: Not all questions about nucleation, growth, and precipitation of water particles are yet answered” ( 1 ) Since then, understanding of cloud processes has advanced enormously, yet we still face some of the basic questions Houghton drew attention to The interest in finding the answers, however, has steadily increased, largely because clouds are a primary source of uncertainty in projections of future climate ( 2 ) Why is our understanding of cloud processes still so inadequate, and what are the prospects for the future?
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the state of knowledge regarding the impacts of intensive forestry with respect to issues relevant to bioenergy production, including soil and site productivity, hydrologic quality, and biodiversity.
Abstract: Enthusiasm for the use of forest biomass as an energy resource is growing as a result of increased energy costs and a desire to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. Although the opportunity exists for forests to have a significant role in the development and use of bioenergy technologies, justifiable concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of using forest-based energy feedstocks have emerged. In this article, we review the state of our knowledge regarding the impacts of intensive forestry with respect to issues relevant to bioenergy production, including soil and site productivity, hydrologic quality, and biodiversity. We then present guiding principles intended to aid with sustainable forest management decisions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the first step toward the construction of a gene-based linkage map of oak for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping is described, as well as a fast and cost-effective approach (bin mapping) to assign these markers to an approximate map position.
Abstract: Background: Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) are a source of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) that can be used to develop molecular markers for genetic studies. The availability of ESTs for Quercus robur and Quercus petraea provided a unique opportunity to develop microsatellite markers to accelerate research aimed at studying adaptation of these long-lived species to their environment. As a first step toward the construction of a SSR-based linkage map of oak for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, we describe the mining and survey of EST-SSRs as well as a fast and cost-effective approach (bin mapping) to assign these markers to an approximate map position. We also compared the level of polymorphism between genomic and EST-derived SSRs and address the transferability of EST-SSRs in Castanea sativa (chestnut). Results: A catalogue of 103,000 Sanger ESTs was assembled into 28,024 unigenes from which 18.6% presented one or more SSR motifs. More than 42% of these SSRs corresponded to trinucleotides. Primer pairs were designed for 748 putative unigenes. Overall 37.7% (283) were found to amplify a single polymorphic locus in a reference fullsib pedigree of Quercus robur. The usefulness of these loci for establishing a genetic map was assessed using a bin mapping approach. Bin maps were constructed for the male and female parental tree for which framework linkage maps based on AFLP markers were available. The bin set consisting of 14 highly informative offspring selected based on the number and position of crossover sites. The female and male maps comprised 44 and 37 bins, with an average bin length of 16.5 cM and 20.99 cM, respectively. A total of 256 EST-SSRs were assigned to bins and their map position was further validated by linkage mapping. EST-SSRs were found to be less polymorphic than genomic SSRs, but their transferability rate to chestnut, a phylogenetically related species to oak, was higher. Conclusion: We have generated a bin map for oak comprising 256 EST-SSRs. This resource constitutes a first step toward the establishment of a gene-based map for this genus that will facilitate the dissection of QTLs affecting complex traits of ecological importance.
TL;DR: High efficiency is suggested of the proposed methodology in separation of swallowing sounds from artifacts that originate from respiration, intrinsic speech, head movements, food ingestion, and ambient noise, suggesting that the methodology is suitable for obese individuals.
Abstract: Our understanding of etiology of obesity and overweight is incomplete due to lack of objective and accurate methods for monitoring of ingestive behavior (MIB) in the free-living population. Our research has shown that frequency of swallowing may serve as a predictor for detecting food intake, differentiating liquids and solids, and estimating ingested mass. This paper proposes and compares two methods of acoustical swallowing detection from sounds contaminated by motion artifacts, speech, and external noise. Methods based on mel-scale Fourier spectrum, wavelet packets, and support vector machines are studied considering the effects of epoch size, level of decomposition, and lagging on classification accuracy. The methodology was tested on a large dataset (64.5 h with a total of 9966 swallows) collected from 20 human subjects with various degrees of adiposity. Average weighted epoch-recognition accuracy for intravisit individual models was 96.8%, which resulted in 84.7% average weighted accuracy in detection of swallowing events. These results suggest high efficiency of the proposed methodology in separation of swallowing sounds from artifacts that originate from respiration, intrinsic speech, head movements, food ingestion, and ambient noise. The recognition accuracy was not related to body mass index, suggesting that the methodology is suitable for obese individuals.