Characterization of mobile LiDAR data collected with multiple echoes per pulse from crowns during foliation

Abstract

As a state-of-the-art technology for fine-scale forest investigation, mobile terrestrial light detection and ranging (LiDAR), also referred to as mobile laser scanning (MLS), recently has been increasingly exploited to improve its performance on this task. One potential solution is to apply special MLS systems with the capability of collecting multiple echoes per pulse (multi-echoes, for short) from canopies. The methodologies of this rationale turned out to perform better but still insufficiently for canopy properties retrieval, owing to their common defective premise. That is, the knowledge of the characteristics of MLS scan data comprising multi-echoes, so far, is in shortage, especially when regarding the dynamic process of tree foliation. As a pioneering work for this challenge, this study attempted to comprehensively analyze the characteristics of MLS multi-echoes collected from tree crowns during foliation. Specifically, new stable multi-echoes-related features were deduced under the schematic frame of relative quantification, in both spatial and temporal sense. “Relative” here briefly means the division operation deployed on the attributes of multi-echoes, individually in terms of the number of echoes, echo width and crown volume integrity, between their different return orders. Then, the “relative” schematic was primarily validated for more stably representing crown properties during foliation, based on the real data that was collected by the Sensei MLS system with a maximum of three echoes per pulse. Further, a case of tree species classification was examined using a linear discriminant classifier, and it was testified that the resultant temporal statistical rules of multi-echoes as the reverse clues can enhance the performance of MLS in applications.     

Phosphorus Response and Fertilizer Recommendations for Wheat Grown on Nitisols in the Central Ethiopian Highlands

The provision of farmers with proper and balanced fertilizer recommendations is becoming increasingly important, for reasons of crop productivity, food security, and sustainability. Phosphorus (P) response trials with wheat were conducted on Nitisols at 14 sites in the central Ethiopian highlands during the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. The treatments, comprising six levels of P fertilizer (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 kg P ha^?1), were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Based on a yield difference between the control and the P treatments, 90% of sites responded to P fertilizer. Application of P fertilizer increased wheat grain yield, up to 30% more than the control. Extractable soil P concentrations (Bray 2, 0–15 cm deep) 3 weeks after planting significantly responded to P fertilizer rate. The critical P concentration (for 90% relative yield) was 13.5 mg kg^?1. Most sites tested had Bray 2 P values <10 mg kg^?1. In the absence of a soil test, a recommendation of 40 kg P ha^?1, resulting in the best response overall, could be made for the first year of application. We also recommend that to prevent a potential loss of wheat yield, a maintenance application of at least 5–12 kg P ha^?1 be applied every year, irrespective of the calculated recommended rate, in order to replace P exported from the field in produce. Further field trials are required to determine interactions between P response and the effects of climate, soil properties, and other management practices.     

Response of Maize and Cowpea Grown Sequentially to Application of Phosphate Rock in the Humid Tropics

Field trials were conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Ibadan in 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons to evaluate the efficiency of some phosphorus (P) sources, rates, and frequency of application on grain yields of maize and cowpea grown sequentially. The experiment was laid out in a split–split plot arrangement using randomized complete block design, with three replications. The main plot was frequency of fertilizer application (seasonal and annual). Source of P [single superphosphate (SSP: 18% P₂O₅)]; Ogun rock phosphate (OPR: 20.21% P₂O₅), and crystallizer super (CS: 31.4% P₂O₅) constituted the subplots. The P rates (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg P ha^?1) were the sub-subplots. An early maize cropping followed by a late-season cowpea was the sequential cropping, while an early maize followed by a late-season maize was the continuous cropping. The croppings were repeated the second year. Frequency of P application and source of P were significantly different while rates of application were not. Maize and cowpea grain yields from the control treatment were significantly less than yields from P-treated plots. Maize grain yields were slightly greater in plots alternated with cowpea, compared to continuous maize. Relative agronomic efficiency (RAE) values of OPR and CS were 67% and 75%, respectively, in annual application and 140% and 134% in seasonal applications, respectively, in 2000. In 2001, the trend was almost similar to 2000 except that there was a decline in RAE values of cowpea. Each Naira invested in the annual application returned about ?3.12 while about ?2.13 was returned with the seasonal application (?125.00 is the equivalent of USD$1.00). The OPR and CS can serve as alternatives to water-soluble sources such as SSP.     

几种苹果矮化砧木的抗寒性研究

以71-3-150、GM256、SH6及M9 4种苹果(Malus)矮化砧木的1年生枝条为试材,进行-20℃、-25℃、-30℃、-35℃、-40℃低温处理,用电导法配合Logistic方程,求得拐点温度(LT50)即半致死温度,并对其电导率、可溶性蛋白含量和POD酶活性等指标进行了测定比较。结果表明:测得的电解质渗出率呈典型的S型曲线,与相应的低温呈极显著负相关;71-3-150、GM256、SH6及M9的半致死温度分别为-40.63℃、-39.29℃、-34.10℃、-30.10℃;抗寒性强的71-3-150和GM256能保持较高的可溶性蛋白含量和POD酶活性。     

Developmental Dynamics and Early Growth Vigour in Rice. I. Relationship Between Development Rate (1/Phyllochron) and Growth

Achieving early vigour, that is, rapid dry matter accumulation, is a priority in rice crop improvement, but this trait is complex and not well understood genetically and physiologically. This study tested the hypothesis that the development rate (DR) contributes to early vigour. Two diversity panels were phenotyped during vegetative stage for traits constituting early vigour (shoot dry weight, SDW; relative growth rate, RGR) or contributing to early vigour (tillering, leaf size, DR). The first panel comprised 169 genotypes from all major genetic groups of Oryza sativa and was phenotyped under irrigated upland conditions in the field (Philippines, Exp1). The second panel with 190 genotypes representing the diversity of the tropical japonica group was phenotyped in pots in a greenhouse (Montpellier, France, Exp2). Results from field and pot experiment pointed out that DR, tillering and leaf size were positively correlated with RGR and SDW, although the contribution of leaf size was small. DR was positively correlated with tillering but both were negatively correlated with leaf size. DR vs. RGR correlation was conserved in subsets of genotypes with similar leaf size and tillering, suggesting an effect of DR on RGR independent of the other traits. DR is a promising, still underexploited trait contributing to rice early vigour, requiring further genetic and physiological characterization.     

高效凝胶过滤色谱法测定肽的相对分子量分布

采用高效凝胶过滤色谱法,对肽粉、酵母核苷酸和自溶酵母粉三种肽类产品的相对分子量大小及分布进行了测定。结果表明,此三种产品的相对分子量分布范围集中在2000Da以下,寡肽含量丰富,其中含有一定量的游离氨基酸和氨基酸残基。该方法简便快捷、准确性高、重复性好,适合肽类产品分子量(<1 0KD)分布的分析检测。     

妊娠早期蒙古绵羊子宫内膜enJSRV及IFN-τ基因表达水平的分析

本研究旨在检测内源性绵羊肺腺瘤反转录病毒(enJSRV)与干扰素-τ(IFN-τ)在妊娠早期蒙古绵羊子宫内膜组织的表达以及enJSRV的表达与外周血孕酮水平变化的关系。运用TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR技术和电化学发光法对enJSRV和IFN-τ在妊娠早期蒙古绵羊子宫内膜组织相对表达及孕酮水平进行了测定。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,enJSRV和IFN-τmRNA在妊娠早期绵羊子宫内膜组织有不同程度的表达。SAS统计学软件分析得出,子宫内膜组织中enJSRV mRNA在妊娠12～14d(交配日为0d)表达较高,2～10、16～30d的表达均低于前者。IFN-τmRNA仅在妊娠12～25d表达,14d达其峰值,30d就不能检出,且差异都极显著(P<0.01)。电化学发光法结果显示,孕酮水平在妊娠2d为0.4ng·mL-1,以后升高,妊娠8～16d维持在8.3ng·mL-1左右,在妊娠19～30d孕酮水平有所下降,30d为2.5ng·mL-1。以上结果提示,子宫内膜组织中enJSRV mRNA的表达与外周血孕酮含量及IFN-τ的变化高度相关,且enJSRV在胎盘的形态发生及生殖生物学方面发挥重要作用。     

Simulation of pressure caused by multiplication and swelling of Erwinia amylovora in intercellular space of host tissue

WhenErwinia amylovora grows, in an intercellular space of a host, and fills this space, further multiplication or swelling may create a pressure, and may cause tearing of host tissue. Theoretically, this bacterial pressure equals the actual water potential of the host tissue minus the water potential at which the bacterial biomass would completely fill the intercellular space, but without exerting pressure.Simulation runs indicate that, when the pressure increases, the extracellular slime ofE. amylovora shrinks by releasing water, thus allowing further production of bacterial dry matter. The slime remains around the bacterial cells as a dense substance, low in water content, having a strong capacity to swell when the pressure induces tearing apart of the host tissue. Simulation runs show that the pressure attains its highest values at evening and night.Some fire blight symptoms that illustrate the evidence of bacterial pressure are discussed.     

竞争性PCR定量检测鸡传染性贫血病毒核酸

将删除33个碱基序列的CAVDNA克隆进质粒pSBII,提取质粒DNA,经过纯化、定量后作为竞争性模板,建立了一种定量检测鸡传染性贫血病毒核酸方法。该方法能够检测出的最低CAVDNA为103.5Molecules/μL,其精确度可达到100.5Molecules/μL。该方法与传统方法相比,具有节省时间、节约试剂和受其它因素干扰小等特点。     

空气相对湿度对粘虫飞翔活动的影响

在室内条件下，系统研究了粘早蛾飞翔活动与温度的关系，试验结果表明，空气相对湿度对粘虫蛾的翔活动具有显著影响，干燥或极端潮湿的条件均不利于粘虫飞翔活动，适宜的空气相对湿度为７０％－８５％。在蛾龄或温度不同的情况下，湿度对其飞翔活动的影响是一致的。在不同相对温度下由飞翔活动造成的体重和水分损失随温度的增加而减少，且蛾龄越低其损耗愈重。另外，根据测试结果讨论了粘虫在自然情况下迁悦时的空间位置等问题。