bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Click through Rate of Chinese Netizens through Social Software based on DeepFM Algorithm
Authors: Bo Li , Xiao Zhang , Kewei Li , Jingyi Yan
Published: August 2019

Advertising as an important means of marketing, plays an important role in the promotion of commercial services, but its profit efficiency has not been optimistic. How to reduce the push cost and improve the accuracy rate of advertising is the algorithm problem of various enterprises. Chinese netizens have a large base and a large proportion use social software. It is a novel idea to analyze the click-through rate of Chinese netizens’advertisements through the data provided by social software. Based on the idea of lookalike crowd expansion, this paper uses DeepFM algorithm and designs the corresponding experimental process to analyze and predict the clicks of Chinese netizens through social software.
A Framework to Identify Critical Design Parameters for Enhancing User’s Satisfaction in Human-AI Interactions
Authors: Shin J G , Kim J B , Kim S H
Published: August 2019

The advancements in artificial intelligence technology have made changes in how people interact with systems. Unique features and user requirements of Human-AI Interactions (HAII) need to be identified with respect to those of Human-Computer interactions (HCI). This study proposes a way to find critical parameters of interaction design for enhancing user’s satisfaction when people interact with intelligent systems through voice user interfaces. We summarised distinguished user requirements for intelligent products identified from previous researches. Then match them with design parameters in terms of performance indexes that will make differences in the user’s satisfaction. The interaction scenario was set as users ask simple questions with their own voices to the system and the system answer to the questions with synthesized voices after it got to the answer by AI function. The critical performance indexes derived are the number of trials to get the right answer for a question, response time to get to the next interaction, sentence structures of the answer, and pace of the answer. An experimental setup is ready to evaluate user’s satisfaction among different levels of the above performance indexes by Wizard of Oz design method applied on a voice user interface we implement. We are going to validate the effects of performance indexes in HAII on the user’s satisfaction, which will be measured in terms of verbal and non-verbal measures.
Truthful Mechanism for Task Assignment in Crowdsourcing with Social Network
Authors: Qin Haiyan , Zhang Yonglong , Li Bin
Published: August 2019

Macrotasks like document writing, product design, or web development, require expert skills and the collective contributions of the crowds. In fact, there are few studies give close attention to the workers with social network in crowdsourcing. Social networks provide an available platform for cooperation among social workers. In this paper, we discuss the complex task assignment in crowdsourcing where the workers are in a social network. A Truthful Mechanism for the task assignment in Crowdsourcing with Social Network (TMC-SN) is proposed to solve the challenges in this scenario. The problem is modeled as an auction, where the requesters are buyers, workers are sellers, and the crowdsourcing platform serves as an auctioneer. In order to find out the most appropriate team, TMC-SN measures Worker Fitness of the worker for the team from both Marginal Contribution and Team Cohesion. We demonstrate that TMC-SN has fine economic properties such as truthfulness, individual rationality, and budget balance. The evaluation results show that TMC-SN is advantageous in terms of Social Welfare and favorable for the workers.
Time-Series Data Mining of Minimum Design Height for River Bridge Deck Using Seasonal Trend Decomposition
Authors: Xie Haiyan , Hu Xi
Published: August 2019

Using the traditional calculation of minimum design height (MDH) could not provide the effective decision support for engineers under complex situations. This research proposes a time-series data mining system for the decomposition and analysis of seasonal trends of hydrologic fluctuations, using stage-discharge curves, Log-Pearson frequency curves, and plotting positions. The research purpose is to provide the decision support based on precise time series for bridge design and feasibility analysis. Prior to conducting the gage-height design for bridges, this study investigates the construction site of the bridge at Kinston Mines of Illinois River in the United States and processes the correlation tests between gage heights and hydrologic discharge. In addition, the study simulates and verifies the system outcomes using Mann-Kendall Mutation, stability tests, and non-linear regressions. The results show the correlation coefficient of 0.9719 for the discharge trends from 1994 to 2017. In addition, the study selects the best-fitted theoretical frequency curve based on the most appropriate convergence to the empirical frequency curve. Overall, this research achieves satisfactory results for the MDH design and has substantial influence for engineers and designers to meet design requirements and save project costs. The data mining method sheds light upon data analysis for engineering design.
Cloud Server Oriented FPGA Accelerator for Long Short-Term Memory Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Wang Jiasheng , Zhou Yu , Sun Yuyang , Li Keyang , Liu Jun
Published: August 2019

Long Short-Term Memory network(LSTM), which is the most widely used and representative recurrent neural network architecture, plays an important role in language modeling, machine translation, image captioning, etc. However, due to its recurrent nature, general-purpose processors like CPUs and GPUs cannot achieve high parallelism, not to mention their high power consumption. FPGA accelerators can outperform them by flexibility, energy-efficiency and more delicate optimization in each phase of the algorithm. In this paper, we present a cloud-oriented FPGA accelerator for LSTM based on OpenCL. Different from previous works which are designed for embedded systems, our FPGA accelerator performs multiple time series predictions in parallel. We provide a general matrix optimization model to optimize the computation of LSTM in the cloud environments. The performance of our implementation beats both the CPU implementation and other previous hardware implementations. We present and analyze the performance results of our work.
Forecasting of Maritime Traffic Accident based on Residual Error Unbiased Grey Forecast Model
Authors: Shuang Sun , Yan Chen , Jinsong Zhang , Taoying Li
Published: August 2019

In order to enhance the safety of maritime transportation and improve the accuracy of maritime traffic accident prediction, an unbiased grey forecast model based on residual error is applied to predict maritime traffic accident. Based on the historical data of maritime traffic accidents from 2008 to 2017, the traditional unbiased grey model prediction and residual error unbiased grey model prediction are carried out, and the fitting curves of actual value and predicted value of the two models are drawn. The results show that the prediction accuracy and fitting curve of residual error unbiased grey model are better than those of traditional unbiased grey model, which can truly reflect the development trend of comprehensive safety of maritime traffic, and the prediction results have certain reliability and practicability.
Beamspace MUSIC Algorithm based on Space-time Array Signal Model
Authors: Yang B , Yang B , Wang C , Shen H X
Published: August 2019

This paper is devoted to the direction-of-arrival (DOA) algorithm in the moving array scenario. A beamspace MUSIC algorithm based on space-time signal model is proposed to cope with this scenario. First, the DOA information contained in Doppler shift is used to combine with the array spatial information, thus constructing a space-time signal model. Second, allowing for the considerable dimension and complexity of the space-time model, we transform the array sensor data into beamspace to reduce the computation load. The introduction of Doppler information leads to significant enhancement in algorithm performance. Simulation results demonstrate the promotion of proposed algorithm.
A New User Grouping and Power Allocation Scheme for Downlink Non-orthogonal Multiple Access Systems
Authors: Wang Yin , Li Xiaohui , Wang Wenwu , Zhang Gongquan , Zhang Hongwei
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we propose a new user grouping and power allocation scheme based on beamforming for downlink non-orthogonal multiple access systems. The proposed user grouping scheme can effectively reduce the interference from the other user and other beams as well, and can effectively improve the weak user rate especially when the SNR is not large. In addition, a power allocation scheme that can maximize the sum capacity while satisfying a certain fairness index is proposed. From the simulation results, the user grouping and power allocation method proposed in this paper can not only improve the overall system throughput performance, but also improve the fairness of weak users.
A likelihood method for estimating present-day human contamination in ancient male samples using low-depth X-chromosome data
Authors: Moreno-Mayar J Víctor , Korneliussen Thorfinn Sand , Dalal Jyoti , Renaud Gabriel , Albrechtsen Anders , Nielsen Rasmus , Malaspinas Anna-Sapfo
Published: August 2019

Motivation

The presence of present-day human contaminating DNA fragments is one of the challenges defining ancient DNA (aDNA) research. This is especially relevant to the ancient human DNA field where it is difficult to distinguish endogenous molecules from human contaminants due to their genetic similarity. Recently, with the advent of high-throughput sequencing and new aDNA protocols, hundreds of ancient human genomes have become available. Contamination in those genomes has been measured with computational methods often developed specifically for these empirical studies. Consequently, some of these methods have not been implemented and tested for general use while few are aimed at low-depth nuclear data, a common feature in aDNA datasets.

Results

We develop a new X-chromosome-based maximum likelihood method for estimating present-day human contamination in low-depth sequencing data from male individuals. We implement our method for general use, assess its performance under conditions typical of ancient human DNA research, and compare it to previous nuclear data-based methods through extensive simulations. For low-depth data, we show that existing methods can produce unusable estimates or substantially underestimate contamination. In contrast, our method provides accurate estimates for a depth of coverage as low as 0.5× on the X-chromosome when contamination is below 25%. Moreover, our method still yields meaningful estimates in very challenging situations, i.e. when the contaminant and the target come from closely related populations or with increased error rates. With a running time below 5 min, our method is applicable to large scale aDNA genomic studies.

Availability and implementation

The method is implemented in C++ and R and is available in github.com/sapfo/contaminationX and popgen.dk/angsd.
Three-dimensional testicular organoids as novel in vitro models of testicular biology and toxicology
Authors: Sakib Sadman , Voigt Anna , Goldsmith Taylor , Dobrinski Ina
Published: August 2019

Organoids are three dimensional structures consisting of multiple cell types that recapitulate the cellular architecture and functionality of native organs. Over the last decade, the advent of organoid research has opened up many avenues for basic and translational studies. Following suit of other disciplines, research groups working in the field of male reproductive biology have started establishing and characterizing testicular organoids. The three-dimensional architectural and functional similarities of organoids to their tissue of origin facilitate study of complex cell interactions, tissue development and establishment of representative, scalable models for drug and toxicity screening. In this review, we discuss the current state of testicular organoid research, their advantages over conventional monolayer culture and their potential applications in the field of reproductive biology and toxicology.
Subsurface wavefields based on the generalized internal multiple imaging
Authors: Alkhalifah Tariq , Guo Qiang
Published: August 2019

Full Green’s functions between image points and the recording surface are crucial to constructing accurate subsurface wavefields and images beyond the single-scattering assumption. A direct approach to do so is offered by utilizing the recorded data combined with a background imaging velocity. The process includes extrapolating the recorded data back in time followed by a simple interferometric cross-correlation of the back-propagated wavefield with the recorded data. This interferometric step offers the opportunity to extract subsurface Green’s functions with first-order scattering forming the transmission component, and the second-order scattering becoming the leading scattering term. A cross-correlation of the resulting, assumed upgoing, wavefield with a forward modelled down going wavefield highlights the double-scattered reflectivity in a process referred to as the generalized internal multiple imaging (GIMI). The resulting image is vulnerable to cross-talk between different order multiples interacting with each other. Thus, we develop the adjoint GIMI operation that takes us from the image to the data, and use it to formulate a least-squares optimization problem to fit the image to the data. The result is reduced cross-talk and cleaner higher resolution multiscattered images. We also extract space extensions of the image, which offers the opportunity to evaluate the focusing capability of the velocity model, and formulate updates for that model based on double scattering. We show the features of this approach on the modified Marmousi model.
3-D fluid channel location from noise tremors using matched field processing
Authors: Umlauft J , Korn M
Published: August 2019

Presently ongoing geodynamic processes within the intracontinental lithospheric mantle give rise to different natural phenomena in the NW Bohemia/Vogtland region (Czech Republic, Germany), amongst others: earthquake swarms, mineral springs and degassing zones of mantle-derived fluids as well as highly concentrated CO2 (mofettes). Their interaction mechanisms and relations are not yet fully understood, but fluid pathways within the crust are assumed, that allow efficient fluid transport between the main hypocentral swarm quake region and the degassing areas at the surface. Here, we focus on the location of the presumed fluid channels as well as on the investigation of their near-surface spatio-temporal variability, targeting a depth of a few hundreds of metmetres. We applied a 3-D matched field processing (MFP) approach in the frequency band of 10–20 Hz considering the fluid flow as seismic noise source. Within three campaigns in 2015/2016, we recorded continuous seismic noise data on the Hartoušov Mofette Field within the Cheb Basin (NW Bohemia, CZ), which is a key site to study fluid flow as it is characterized by strong and continuous surface degassing of CO2. We used temporary arrays varying in extent (70-600 m aperture) and in the amount of stations (25–95 units). Assuming a homogeneous velocity model and applying conventional MFP phase-matching over a 3-D grid search, we located two channel-like structures beneath the test site, which could be traced down to a common source area down to 2000 m depth. We thereby evaluated the influence of amplitude normalization of the measured noise signal on the MFP location considering water-filled or dry mofette channels. Additionally, a spatio-temporal analysis using time windows with a length of 10 min during 5 hr of noise record shows variability of fluid flow activity in space and time and hence, its migration beneath the test site on a short timescale.
Density and Decline in the Founding of International NGOs in the United States
Authors: Bush Sarah Sunn , Hadden Jennifer
Published: August 2019

It is now commonplace for scholars to note that the number of international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) has exploded. But, in recent years, the growth rate of INGOs globally and in the United States has stagnated. We argue this stagnation can best be explained by changes in the environment in which INGOs work. Specifically, the now dense population environment discourages new INGOs from being founded, while also encouraging competition. Analysis of a new, comprehensive dataset on American INGOs between 1992 and 2012 supports the argument, as do case studies of trends within the environmental conservation and democracy assistance sectors. The analysis suggests that debates about INGO cooperation and competition overlook a key environmental factor that varies across and within populations of organizations: density. We draw out the implications of this approach for contemporary global governance.
Genetic parameters and genome-wide association study regarding feed efficiency and slaughter traits in Charolais cows
Authors: Martin Pauline , Taussat Sébastien , Vinet Aurélie , Krauss Daniel , Maupetit David , Renand Gilles
Published: August 2019

Residual energy intake (REI) on two successive diets (hay and maize based) and slaughter traits, including visceral organs, were phenotyped in 584 adult purebred Charolais cows. To investigate the relationships between these traits and their genetic determinism, we first estimated the genetic parameters, including correlations, using REML modeling under WOMBAT software. The animals were then genotyped on the BovineSNP50 SNPchip before being imputed to the 600K density and genome wide association study was performed with GCTA software. We found low heritability for REI (h2 = 0.12 in each of the diet phases). Although the phenotypic correlation between the two diet phases was moderate (0.36), the genetic correlation was high (0.83), indicating a common genetic determinism for feed efficiency regardless of the diet. Correlations between REI and slaughter traits were negative regarding muscle-related traits and positive for fat-related traits, indicating that efficient animals generally had a more muscular carcass. It was also seen that feed efficiency was genetically and phenotypically correlated with smaller organs when expressed as a proportion of their empty body weight. From the GWAS analysis, seven QTLs were found to be associated with a trait at the genome-wide level of significance and 18 others at the chromosome-wide level. One important QTL was detected in BTA 2, reflecting the essential effect of the myostatin gene on both carcass composition and relative organ weight. Three QTLs were detected for REI during the maize diet phase on BTA 13, 19, and 28, the latter being significant at the genome-wide level. The QTLs on BTA 19 mapped into the TANC2 gene and the QTLs on BTA 28 into the KIF1BP gene, which are both known to interact with the same protein (KIF1A). However, no obvious functional link between these genes and feed efficiency could be made. Among the other QTLs detected, one association on BTA 4 with liver proportion mapped to the candidate gene WASL, which has previously been shown to be differentially expressed in liver cells and linked to feed restriction or cancer development. No QTLs were found to be common between feed efficiency and any slaughter traits.
miR-324-5p upregulation potentiates resistance to cisplatin by targeting FBXO11 signalling in non-small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Ba Zhichang , Zhou Yufei , Yang Zhaoyang , Xu Jianyu , Zhang Xiushi
Published: August 2019

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays a key role during the pathogenesis of chemoresistance in lung cancer (LCa). Previous study suggests that miR-324-5p may serve as a unique miRNA signature for LCa, but its role and the corresponding molecular basis remain largely explored. Herein, we report that miR-324-5p expression was significantly increased in cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant LCa tissues and cells, and this upregulation predicted a poor post-chemotherapy prognosis in LCa patients. miR-324-5p was further shown to impact CDDP response: Ectopic miR-324-5p expression in drug-naïve LCa cells was sufficient to attenuate sensitivity to CDDP and to confer more robust tumour growth in CDDP-challenged nude mice. Conversely, ablation of miR-324-5p expression in resistant cells effectively potentiated CDDP-suppressed cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Using multiple approaches, we further identified the tumour suppressor FBXO11 as the direct down-stream target of miR-324-5p. Stable expression of FBXO11 could abrogate the pro-survival effects of miR-324-5p in CDDP-challenged LCa cells. Together, these findings suggest that miR-324-5p upregulation mediates, at least partially, the CDDP resistance by directly targeting FBXO11 signalling in LCa cells. In-depth elucidation of the molecular basis underpinning miR-324-5p action bears potential implications for mechanism-based strategies to improve CDDP responses in LCa.
The intrinsic reddening of the Magellanic Clouds as traced by background galaxies – I. The bar and outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Bell Cameron P M , Cioni Maria-Rosa L , Wright A H , Rubele Stefano , Nidever David L , Tatton Ben L , van Loon Jacco Th , Ivanov Valentin D , Subramanian Smitha , Oliveira Joana M , de Grijs Richard , Pennock Clara M , Choi Yumi , Zaritsky Dennis , Olsen Knut , Niederhofer Florian , Choudhury Samyaday , Martínez-Delgado David , Muñoz Ricardo R
Published: August 2019

We present a method to map the total intrinsic reddening of a foreground extinguishing medium via the analysis of spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of background galaxies. In this pilot study, we implement this technique in two distinct regions of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) – the bar and the southern outskirts – using a combination of optical and near-infrared ugrizYJKs broad-band imaging. We adopt the lephare χ2-minimization SED-fitting routine and various samples of galaxies and/or quasi-stellar objects to investigate the intrinsic reddening. We find that only when we construct reddening maps using objects classified as galaxies with low levels of intrinsic reddening (i.e. ellipticals/lenticulars and early-type spirals), the resultant maps are consistent with previous literature determinations, i.e. the intrinsic reddening of the SMC bar is higher than that in the outer environs. We employ two sets of galaxy templates – one theoretical and one empirical – to test for template dependences in the resulting reddening maps and find that the theoretical templates imply systematically higher reddening values by up to 0.20 mag in E(B − V). A comparison with previous reddening maps, based on the stellar components of the SMC, typically shows reasonable agreement. There is, however, significant variation amongst the literature reddening maps as to the level of intrinsic reddening associated with the bar. Thus, it is difficult to unambiguously state that instances of significant discrepancies are the result of appreciable levels of dust not accounted for in some literature reddening maps or whether they reflect issues with our adopted methodology.
Tidal circularization of gaseous planets orbiting white dwarfs
Authors: Veras Dimitri , Fuller Jim
Published: August 2019

A gas giant planet which survives the giant branch stages of evolution at a distance of many au and then is subsequently perturbed sufficiently close to a white dwarf will experience orbital shrinkage and circularization due to star–planet tides. The circularization time-scale, when combined with a known white dwarf cooling age, can place coupled constraints on the scattering epoch as well as the active tidal mechanisms. Here, we explore this coupling across the entire plausible parameter phase space by computing orbit shrinkage and potential self-disruption due to chaotic f-mode excitation and heating in planets on orbits with eccentricities near unity, followed by weakly dissipative equilibrium tides. We find that chaotic f-mode evolution activates only for orbital pericentres which are within twice the white dwarf Roche radius, and easily restructures or destroys ice giants but not gas giants. This type of internal thermal destruction provides an additional potential source of white dwarf metal pollution. Subsequent tidal evolution for the surviving planets is dominated by non-chaotic equilibrium and dynamical tides which may be well-constrained by observations of giant planets around white dwarfs at early cooling ages.
Obstetric Management and Maternal Outcomes of Childbirth Among Patients With Chiari Malformation Type I
Authors: Wilkinson D Andrew , Johnson Kyle , Castaneda Peris R , Nadel Jeffrey L , Garton Hugh J L , Muraszko Karin M , Maher Cormac O
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

A range of opinions exist in the literature regarding obstetric management of pregnant women with Chiari malformation type I (CM-I).

OBJECTIVE

To examine obstetrical practices and outcomes with childbirth of women with CM-I.

METHODS

We examined insurance claims data from a large, privately insured health care network and identified admissions for childbirth from 2004 to 2014. Women with a diagnosis of CM-I as well as normal controls were analyzed for demographic characteristics, type of obstetric management, and complications of childbirth.

RESULTS

We identified 866 patients with CM-I diagnosis who had 1048 hospitalizations for delivery, including 103 deliveries to 83 patients who underwent performance of CM-I decompression (CMD) either before or after childbirth. Among 400 births that occurred after CM-I diagnosis, rates of caesarean section (C-section) were higher (42.3% vs 36.2%, OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.00-1.66, P = .05) and rates of epidural analgesia were lower (45.3% vs 55.4%, OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.52-0.85, P = .001) compared to 648 births before CM-I diagnosis. The rate of serious maternal morbidity was similar among deliveries to women with CM-I diagnosis (both before and after delivery) compared to 11 000 normal controls.

CONCLUSION

A diagnosis of CM-I prior to delivery is associated with a higher rate of C-section and a lower rate of epidural analgesia. Rates of serious maternal morbidity among women with CM-I were similar to those for normal controls. The data suggest a predelivery diagnosis of CM-I may influence obstetric decisions despite no evidence of substantially increased delivery risk in this group.
Logging Season Affects Hardwood Reproduction
Authors: Tubbs Carl H. , Reid Bruce D.
Published: August 2019

The Rochester District of the Green Mountain National Forest has kept records of regeneration following clearcut and shelterwood harvesting since 1969. These records offered the opportunity to evaluate the effects of summer and winter harvesting on regeneration. Season of logging did not affect the number of stands with adequate stocking but winter logging resulted in somewhat better stocking of sugar maple and yellow and paper birch than summer logging. Shelterwoods were better stocked with sugar maple than clearcuts, which on average were better stocked with the birches. The year of cut seemed to have the greatest influence on the relative proportion of birches and sugar maple after clearcutting. Citation: Northern Journal of Applied Forestry, April 1984 NJ 1:5-7.
Reforestation of Mined Land in the Northeastern and North-Central U.S
Authors: Davidson Walter H. , Hutnik Russell J. , Parr Delbert E.
Published: August 2019

This paper reviews the state of the art of surface mine reclamation for forestry in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Legislative constraints, socioeconomic issues, factors limiting the success of reforestation efforts, post-mining land-use trends, species options, and establishment techniques are discussed. Sources of assistance to landowners or managers are given and major publications on reclamation methods are cited. Information provided in the paper also applies to coal mining states adjacent to those listed above. Citation: Northern Journal of Applied Forestry, April 1984 NJ 1:7-12.
Guides for Estimating Forest Stand Losses to Gypsy Moth
Authors: Gansner David A. , Herrick Owen W.
Published: August 2019

People who have to make decisions about cost-effective management for gypsy moth need help in predicting and evaluating its effects. Field plot data collected during recent outbreaks in Pennsylvania are being used to develop guides for predicting forest stand losses to the pest Presented here are some of the more useful products of that effort to date. Easy-to-measure data for forest characteristics such as species composition and crown condition can be collected and applied in models that estimate potential stand and tree mortality and changes in timber value. North. J. Appl. For. 2:21-23, June 1984.
Survey of Black Walnut Canker in Plantations in Five Central States
Authors: Carlson Jane Cummings , Mielke Manfred E. , Appleby James E. , Hatcher Roy , Hayes Edward M. , Luley Christopher J. , O'Brien Joseph G. , Rugg David J.
Published: August 2019

A survey was conducted to determine the incidence of an annual stem canker of plantation-grown black walnut in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Regionwide, walnut canker was observed in 84% of the 183 plantations surveyed, and 9.7% of the 19,340 trees examined were cankered. Canker incidence was significantly higher on bottomland sites (12.2%) than on upland sites (7.2%). Fusarium solani was the Fusarium sp. most frequently isolated from cankers. Regionwide, 30% of the cankers were associated with wounds; pruning wounds were the most frequently observed wounds associated with cankers. Only 1.6% of the cankers were associated with signs of attack by ambrosia beetles. Minimizing wounding may reduce the chances of canker formation. North. J. Appl. For. 10(1):10-13.
Establishing Equitable Contract Rates for Timber Harvesting Using Deterministic Simulation
Authors: Howard Andrew F. , Tanz Jordan S.
Published: August 2019

Deterministic simulation was used in a case study of a logging contractor working in south central British Columbia. A comparison of simulated and actual contract rates for five tracts showed substantial differences. Cashflow shortfalls and surpluses arising from the disparity betweensimulated costs and revenue generated from logging were appreciable. The findings suggest that deterministic simulation may provide a means for establishing equitable contract rates for harvesting individual tracts of timber. North. J. Appl. For. 10(1): 5-7.
Performance of Northern Red Oak Planting Stock
Authors: Zaczek James J. , Steiner Kim C. , Bowersox Todd W.
Published: August 2019

Northern red oak planting trials were established in three clearcuts in Pennsylvania to evaluate field performance in relation to type of planting stock (1-0, 2-0, 1-1, 2-1, containerized direct-seeded) and other treatments (undercutting in the nursery, top-clipping at planting time, hormone treatment of roots). All treatments were planted simultaneously, and most employed the same genetic material. After 3 yr in the field, seedlings that had been grown for 2 yr in 7.9-1 pots were tallest and had the best survival, but this stock was expensive to produce and difficult to plant. The 2-0 bareroot stock performed best among remaining treatments, especially if the seedlings had been undercut in the nursery. Undercutting was not beneficial to the performance of 1-0 seedlings. Top-clipping and a hormone treatment had little effect on performance. Seedlings from direct-seeding were as tall as those from 1-0 stock. The advantage of 2-0 stock over 1-0 stock was partly, but not entirely, attributable to its larger size. North. J. Appl. For. 10(3):105-111.
Testing the Accuracy of White Spruce Total-Tree Volume Equations
Authors: Rauscher H. Michael , Harding R. Bruce
Published: August 2019

Sixteen equations developed for predicting the volume of white spruce were tested for accuracy on plantation-grown trees in the upper Great Lakes region. Ten equations were found biased and six unbiased; of the six unbiased equations, only three were also precise. Precise tree volume equations can predict to within 13% to 15% of the actual volumes as estimated by stem analyses. North. J. Appl. For. 10(3): 112-116.
Hybrid Aspen Performance and Genetic Gains
Authors: Li Bailian , Wyckoff Gary W. , Einspahr Dean W.
Published: August 2019

The aspen hybrid breeding program has been active in the Lake States since 1955. This study summarizes long-term performance of aspen hybrids in six locations in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Interspecific hybrids of native bigtooth aspen and quaking aspen with other poplar species show improved growth when compared with native aspen species across a range of site quality. Quaking aspen hybrids with Populus tremula (XT-Ta) were the most promising based on growth, wood quality, and disease susceptibility. Individual tree volume growth for the XT-Ta hybrids was more than double that of progeny of pure quaking aspen parents (XT). Other aspen hybrids with P. davidiana, P. alba, and P. canescens parentage exhibited special growth potential on relatively poor and dry-sites, but were susceptible to a bronze leaf disease. Hybridization was more effective in improving aspen growth than breeding within pure species. Hybrid superiority was consistent across a range of site indexes, and showed the greatest potential on high-quality sites. Genetic gains for the XT-Ta hybrids, based on 15-yr height measurements, ranged from 29 to 34% across sites. Gain in volume growth is expected to be over 100%. Short-rotation (20-yr) commercial plantings with aspen hybrids are recommended on low-to medium quality northern hardwood sites. North. J. Appl. For. 10(3): 117-122.
The Effect of Peatland Drainage and Planting Position on the Growth of White Spruce Seedlings
Authors: Rothwell Richard L. , Woodard Paul M. , Rivard Paul G.
Published: August 2019

The effects of peatland drainage and planting position (peat hummock top, midslope, and bottom) on 2+0 barefoot white spruce seedling survival and growth and foliar nutrients were tested over a 2-yr period. Seedling survival was 44%-56% on hummock tops compared to 80%-96% on hummock midslopes and bottoms. Size of seedling at planting significantly affected survival. Final biomass on drained sites was 34%-53% greater than on undrained peatlands. Foliar nutrient levels were deficient on both drained and undrained peatlands. Foliar nitrogen, however, was significantly higher on the drained site and varied between the different planting positions. Seedling survival and growth was best on midslopes and hummock bottoms on the drained site, and best only on midslopes in the undrained site. Hummock tops were the least favorable planting position on both drained and undrained sites. North. J. Appl. For. 10(4):154-160.
Using a Geographic Information System to Plan a Forest Inventory that Respects the Spatial Distribution of Forest Strata
Authors: Bilodeau Jean-Marie , Bédard Yvan , Lowell Kim
Published: August 2019

Existing forest inventory techniques stratify a territory into forest types, determine a global sample size for the entire territory, and then partition this sample size by forest type. Sampling units are then located within the appropriate stratum in a fashion that will allow the field work to be conducted "efficiently." This final step inevitably leads to adjustments in the number of units per stratum and also does not account for the spatial distribution of a given stratum over an area. This paper demonstrates how, with the aid of a geographic information system, one can obtain a sample that is "adequately distributed" spatially in addition to being statistically representative. North. J. Appl. For. 10(4):161-165.
Logging in New England Need Not Cause Sedimentation of Streams
Authors: Martin C. Wayne , Hornbeck James W.
Published: August 2019

Erosion, sedimentation, and turbidity can be controlled during and after logging in New England forests by conscientiously following regulations and guidelines known as Best Management Practices (BMPs). This is demonstrated by comparing sediment yields and stream turbidities from cut and uncut watersheds at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in central New Hampshire. Sediment yields from uncut forests average about 40 kg/ha/yr, but are highly variable from year to year and from watershed to watershed. Disturbances due to cutting and logging can increase sediment yields. For example, in the first year after a whole-tree clearcut at Hubbard Brook, sediment yields increased 10- to 30-fold over uncut watersheds. However, total yields after cutting and skidding were still small and did not greatly affect stream turbidity. North. J. Appl. For. 11(1): 17-23.
Evaluation of Nine Taper Systems for Four Appalachian Hardwoods
Authors: Williams Thomas B. , Wiant Harry V.
Published: August 2019

Taper systems are useful for estimating the diameter at any height, the height at any diameter, and volume for any portion of tree boles. A test of nine systems on four Appalachian hardwoods was made to provide guidance in selection of the most appropriate equations. A model by Ormerod (1973) using coefficients by Martin (1981) was best for a total taper system. North. J. Appl. For. 11(1):24-26.
Revising Techniques for Estimating Land Parcel Characteristics using Digital Spatial Data
Authors: Lowell Kim E. , Kurtz William B.
Published: August 2019

Characteristics of individual land parcels were estimated for an area in Missouri using two methods: digital spatial data and an accepted system of landowner questionnaires. For the digital data, a geographically imprecise map of land ownership parcels was digitized for a 24210 ac study area. Using a GIS, this was overlaid on a classified digital satellite image in order to estimate parcel characteristics such as mean area, size distribution, and percent of a given ownership covered by forest and/or agriculture. At the same time, a currently used ground-based questionnaire survey which is used for the estimation of the same parameters as well as socioeconomic owner characteristics was conducted. Results from the two methods were comparable for estimating parcel characteristics. The digital approach is less costly and labor-intensive, but does not provide the same socioeconomic data provided by the questionnaire. North. J. Appl. For. 11(3):80-86.
RPGrow$: A Red Pine Analysis Spreadsheet for the Lake States
Authors: Hyldahl Carol A. , Grossman Gerald H.
Published: August 2019

RPGrow$ is a spreadsheet that interactively projects standlevel growth and yield with financial analysis of red pine plantations in the Lake States. Three types of commonly found conditions related to red pine management can be analyzed: (1) an entire rotation from initial planting to final harvest; (2) an existing stand from any point in time until final harvest; and (3) conversion of an existing stand to red pine (marginal analysis). Stand growth projections are for 70 yr. User input includes site index, stand age, initial basal area, trees per acre, thinning regime, costs associated with establishment and culture, tax rates, inflation rate, and discount rate. RPGrow$ calculates and values pulpwood and sawtimber volumes from user-defined stumpage prices. The financial analysis uses discounted cash flow methods to calculate results both with and without tax effects. Different stand management scenarios and economic factors can be compared easily through sensitivity analysis. North. J. Appl. For. 11(4):141-145.
An Interactive Thinning Simulation for Red Pine Stands
Authors: Rose Dietmar W. , Chen Chug Muh
Published: August 2019

This paper describes a computer program, REDPTHIN, that permits the development of optimal thinning schedules for red pine plantations in the Lake States. The optimal schedules maximize total cubic foot volume production for any initial stand condition of age, site, and basal area stocking. These optimal schedules are derived via a special dynamic programming algorithm that the author developed. User specified thinning schedules can be simulated. Optimal biological rotation age and mean annual increment can be derived from the output table. North. J. Appl. For. 12(1):43-48.
Log Rule Conversions for Use in Pennsylvania Stumpage Price Reporting
Authors: Finley James C. , Rickenbach Mark G.
Published: August 2019

Unbiased log rule conversion factors are essential for accurate stumpage price reporting. This paper outlines the development of log rule conversion factors between Doyle, Scribner, and International 1/4" (Int. 1/4") from existing Pennsylvania inventory data. The inventory data are used to calculate the dbh and merchantable height for the average tree. These average tree dimensions are then used to scale the volume in the three log rules. The ratios of the volumes are compared and conversion factors calculated. The conversion factors from the Doyle to Scribner, Doyle to Int. 1/4", and Scribner to Int. 1/4" are 1.462, 1.695, and 1.159, respectively. The reciprocal conversion factors (e.g., Scribner to Doyle) are simply the reciprocal of the above values (e.g., 1/1.462=0.684). The conversion factors were then compared using Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry sale information. The results showed close agreement with conversion factors developed in this study. Although geographic and temporal limitations exist to applying these conversion factors outside of Pennsylvania, the methods represent a standardized approach to developing log rule conversions. North. J. Appl. For. 13(3):110-115.
Double Sampling Saves Time When Cruising Appalachian Hardwoods
Authors: Merten Paul R. , Wiant Harry V. , Rennie John C.
Published: August 2019

Simulations based on data collected in five Appalachian hardwood sawtimber-size stands indicate double sampling using point sampling (BAF 10 and 20) compared to conventional point sampling would save 24 to 47% of time in the field. There was no significant bias in volume estimates using double sampling, and standard errors were within about 1% of those obtained with conventional point sampling. North. J. Appl. For. 13(3):116-118.
Relative Density and Growth of Eleven Norway Spruce Provenances in Central New Brunswick
Authors: Bujold Stephanie J. , Simpson J. Dale , Beukeveld John H. J. , Schneider Marc H.
Published: August 2019

Variation in wood relative density, at 30 and 31 yr, of 11 provenances of Norway spruce planted in a replicated field test in central New Brunswick is presented. Relative density ranged from 0.339 to 0.361 with significant differences among provenances. Height was significantly different among provenances. Wood density was significantly correlated with provenance elevation. North. J. Appl. For. 13(3):124-128.
Multiple Regression-Based Transactions Evidence Timber Appraisal for Minnesota's State Forests
Authors: MacKay Donald G. , Baughman Melvin J.
Published: August 2019

A transactions evidence appraisal system for timber tracts administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was developed and tested. A multiple linear regression model was developed from data on timber tracts sold by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at auction in fiscal year 1991. This model was tested on fiscal year 1992 auction sales for which prices were known. Factors related to tract sale price included: (1) volume of different products on the site, (2) tract location, (3) distance from the tract to the nearest mill, (4) stocking level, and (5) seasonal harvesting restrictions. The regression model predicted sale prices nearly as well as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources appraisal system and required substantially less information. North. J. Appl. For. 13(3):129-134.
Cost Analysis of a Specialized Gypsy Moth Management Program for Suburban Parks
Authors: Straka Thomas J. , Ridgway Richard L. , Tichenor Robert H. , Hedden Roy L. , King Joel A.
Published: August 2019

The development of efficient and improved management programs for the gypsy moth requires detailed data on the benefits and costs of various treatment alternatives and program options. The objective of this study was to provide a cost analysis of a specialized gypsy moth management program for suburban parks. Cost data from the Maryland Department of Agriculture were used to perform a cost analysis of a hypothetical suburban park situation. The egg mass survey was assigned a cost of $24.68 per point. Most of the nonsurvey costs can be attributed to application (44% or $26.93/ha). Treatment material was the least costly component at 15% of total nonsurvey cost ($8.95/ha). Support and overhead accounted for the remaining 41% ($25.24/ha). The hypothetical suburban park would incur $2,158 in survey costs and $40,473 in application costs (roughly one-third from second applications). On the average, a suburban park had treatment costs of $42.85/ha (total park area, treated and untreated). North. J. Appl. For. 14(21):32-39.
Control of Insect Damage to Black Spruce Seed Cones with Neem
Authors: Kostyk Barry C. , Wanner Kevin W.
Published: August 2019

A neem seed extract was applied to black spruce trees at two stages of reproductive development to control insect damage to the seed cones. Applied after pollination, neem had no effect on damage by the spruce cone maggot but did provide some protection against defoliation by the spruce budworm. Neem had no effect on the numbers of spruce budworm larvae for the first 9 days of the experiment, but after 23 days, populations declined on trees with two of three neem treatments compared to control trees. Neem reduced cone grazing damage by lepidopteran larvae when applied during the flowering stage. However, increased female flower abortion also resulted. The application of neem seed extract for controlling spruce budworm damage appears promising, but more information is needed on earlier applications in the field to determine if this product could be used operationally without causing substantial flower abortion. North. J. Appl. For. 14(1):40-43.
Long-Term Impacts of Forest Road Crossings of Wetlands in Pennsylvania
Authors: Miller Robert L. , Dewalle David R. , Brooks Robert P. , Finley James C.
Published: August 2019

A survey was conducted of 70 forest road crossings of wetlands in Pennsylvania to describe the characteristics of these crossings and to evaluate the long-term impacts of the crossings on habitat quality, channel stability, vegetation, wetland width and channel sediment embeddedness above and below the crossings. Sampling was stratified into five physiographic provinces and three land ownership types. Difficulty was encountered in identifying sites for the survey especially in the glaciated northwest region and on private and industry lands. The majority of samples obtained were from unglaciated provinces and public lands. Wetlands identified were primarily linear riparian wetlands associated with first- and second-order channels. Crossings encountered were largely gravel-covered culverts used to provide access to adjacent management areas.

Only 35 of 814 comparisons of mean environmental conditions above and below the wetland crossings were found to be significant. Significant differences that did occur suggested that stream bed fine sediment levels were higher, basal area lower, and herbaceous cover higher in the immediate vicinity of some crossings simply due to the presence of the road and fill banks. North. J. Appl. For. 14(3):109-116.