Tree mapping using airborne,terrestrial and mobile laser scanning – A case study in a heterogeneous urban forest

We evaluated the accuracy and efficiency of airborne (ALS), terrestrial (TLS) and mobile laser-scanning (MLS) methods that can be utilized in urban tree mapping and monitoring. In the field, 438 urban trees located in park and forested environments were measured and mapped from our study area located in Seurasaari, Helsinki, Finland. A field reference was collected, using a tree map created manually from TLS data. The tree detection rate and location accuracy were evaluated, using automatic or semiautomatic ALS individual tree detection (ALS_ITDauto or ALS_ITDvisual) and manual or automatic measurements of TLS and MLS (TLS_auto, MLS_auto, MLS_manual, MLS_semi). Our results showed that the best methods for tree detection were TLS_auto and MLS_manual, which detected 73.29% and 79.22% of the reference trees, respectively. The location accuracies (RMSE) varied between 0.44 m and 1.57 m; the methods listed from the most accurate to most inaccurate were MLS_semi, TLS_auto, MLS_manual, MLS_auto, ALS_ITDauto and ALS_ITDvisual. We conclude that the accuracies of TLS and ALS were applicable for operational urban tree mapping in heterogeneous park forests. MLS_manual shows high potential but manual measurements are not feasible in operational tree mapping. Challenges that should be solved in further studies include ALS_ITDauto oversegmentation as well as MLS_auto processing methodologies and data collection for tree detection.     

Deamidation of gluten proteins and peptides decreases the antibody affinity in gluten analysis assays

Wheat gluten is a widely used ingredient in the food industry due to its unique properties and relatively low price. Modification of wheat gluten makes it a versatile ingredient and, thus, increases its applicability in foods. Therefore, gluten proteins can be found in unexpected sources, and this makes the gluten-free diet challenging to follow. Deamidation is one way to modify protein structure. It increases solubility and surface activity of gluten improving its functionality, but consequently, also influencing the accuracy of quantification by immunoassays. In this study, the effect of deamidation on the antibody recognition with gluten analysis methods based on monoclonal R5, omega-gliadin or G12 antibodies was studied. Random deamidation decreased the intensities to 13–54% of the intensity obtained for the intact peptides. Deamidation representing the transglutaminase deamidation decreased the intensities to 4–8%. Deamidation of gluten proteins abolished the recognition by omega-gliadin and G12 antibodies and decreased the recognition of R5 by 600 times when analyzed by the sandwich method and 125 times by the competitive method. In conclusion, with all of the investigated gluten-specific antibodies, deamidation decreased the affinity of antibodies to gluten peptides and proteins, which needs to be considered when assays and regulations are developed for gluten-free products.     

Malt hydrolysates for gluten-free applications: Autolytic and proline endopeptidase assisted removal of prolamins from wheat,barley and rye

Cereal based products intended for gluten sensitive individuals, particularly to celiac disease patients, tend to have poor organoleptic qualities and they contain low levels of healthy whole grain compounds. Adding whole grain ingredients, such as malt hydrolysates, could compensate these defects provided that the ingredients are adequately free from toxic prolamin epitopes. Here we demonstrate that the level of toxic prolamin epitopes in the malt autolysates (wheat, barley, rye) were substantially lower than in the native malts but too high to allow “very low in gluten” labelling. To further eliminate the residual levels of toxic prolamin epitopes, a proline-specific endoprotease from Aspergillus niger was added to the malt autolysates. In the resulting malt hydrolysates (of wheat and rye but not barley), the prolamins were indeed greatly reduced and were below the very low gluten limit of 100 mg/kg. Malt hydrolysates with adequately low gluten levels may potentially be used as novel ingredients within gluten-free foods.     

The effects of soil and air temperature on CO2 exchange and net biomass accumulation in Norway spruce, Scots pine and silver birch seedlings

Soil temperature is proposed to affect the photosynthetic rate and carbon allocation in boreal trees through sink limitation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of temperature on CO(2) exchange, biomass partitioning and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi of boreal tree species. We measured carbon allocation, above- and below-ground CO(2) exchange and the species composition of associated ECM fungi in the rhizosphere of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies K.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) seedlings grown in soil maintained at 7-12, 12-15 and 16-22 °C. We found increased root biomass and photosynthetic rate at higher soil temperatures, but simultaneously with photosynthesis rate, higher temperature generally increased soil respiration as well as shoot, and root and rhizosphere respiration. The net CO(2) exchange and seedling biomass did not increase significantly with increasing temperature due to a concomitant increase in carbon assimilation and respiration rates. The 2-month-long growth period in different soil temperatures did not alter the ECM fungi species composition and the below-ground carbon sink strength did not seem to be directly related to ECM biomass and species composition in any of the tree species. Ectomycorrhizal species composition and number of mycorrhiza did not explain the CO(2) exchange results at different temperatures.     

Durability of thermally modified sapwood and heartwood of Scots pine and Norway spruce in the modified double layer test

In the present study, durability of untreated and thermally modified sapwood and heartwood of Scots pine and Norway spruce was examined using a modified double layer test. Base layer samples were partly on contact with ground where exposure conditions were harder than that in a double layer test above the ground. The base layer on ground contact gave results already after one year of exposure in Finnish climate, but the top layer of a double layer test element simulated more the situation of decking exposure.

Significant differences in durability and moisture content (MC) between the wood materials were detected after six years of exposure in the field. Thermally modified pine heartwood performed very well in all layers of the test element and only minor signs of decay were found in some of the base samples. Both sapwood and heartwood of thermally modified spruce were suffering only slight amounts of decay while thermally modified pine sapwood was slightly or moderately decayed. Untreated sapwood samples of pine and spruce were severely decayed or reached failure rating after six years in the field. Untreated heartwood samples performed clearly better. The highest MCs were measured from untreated and thermally modified pine samples. Thermal modification increased significantly the durability and decreased the MC values of all wood materials.     

Soil vapor extraction of wet gasoline-contaminated soil made possible by electroosmotic dewatering–lab simulations applied at a field site

Purpose

Soil restoration is still mainly carried out ex situ by excavating and replacing the contaminated soil. In situ remediation would reduce the costs of soil transportation and this way, the problem is not merely transferred elsewhere. The present study introduces a field case where the aged, oil-contaminated soil in a former fuel station in Finland was treated in situ sequentially with different methods.

Materials and methods

Several approaches, including soil vapor extraction and biostimulation with electrokinetic pumping, were performed in the field. After these treatments, the dense original portion of the soil beneath the gasoline pump location, ca 100 m³, was still contaminated with petroleum-derived volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with concentrations of nearly 10,000 mg kg^?1 measured at some hotspots. After a period of electroosmotic water circulation, the electrical field (0.5 V cm^?1, DC) was kept connected for 6 months without addition of water, leading to dewatering and warming of the soil.

Results and discussion

In contrast to the situation with the original wet soil, VOCs, in lab conditions, were found to volatilize very efficiently from the dewatered soil. When the soil vapor extraction treatment was renewed using perforated tubing installed horizontally at ca 1 m depth in the dewatered soil at the contaminated site, the treatment was efficient and the soil was decontaminated in 5 months. The final VOC concentrations were on average 190 mg kg^?1 (n = 13) with the highest value of 700 mg kg^?1 at one hotspot. After a risk evaluation, the site was concluded to be sufficiently clean for industrial use.

Conclusions

Since with many former fuel stations, the contamination consists of both volatile fractions that are difficult to degrade by biological means and heavier compounds for which biostimulation is often suitable, a combination of different methods may be worth pursuing.

     

Edge effects and trampling in boreal urban forest fragments – impacts on the soil microbial community

Fragmentation of forest ecosystems increases the proportion of edge habitat and is accompanied by a change in plant species composition. The recreational use of urban forests leads to decreased vegetation cover and the formation of paths, and thus, to fragmentation at small scales. We studied the impacts of forest and path edge effects on the soil microbial community structure (by using the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) method) and microbial activity (measured as basal respiration) in 34 mesic boreal urban forest fragments in Finland. We sampled the humus layer 1) from the forest edge into the interior (0–80 m), and 2) at different distances from paths. Microbial community structure was only slightly affected by the forest edge but differences were found between distances of 0–10 m and over 50 m from the edge. These changes correlated with changes in soil pH. Although changes in the microbial community structure were not pronounced, microbial biomass and activity were 30–45% lower at the first 20 m into the forest fragments, due to a low moisture content of the humus near the edge. The decreased microbial activity detected at forest edges implies decreased litter decomposition rates, and thus, a change in ecosystem nutrient cycling. The microbial community structure differed between paths and surrounding areas and correlated with changes in soil pH. Paths also supported approximately 25–30% higher microbial biomass with a transition zone of at least 1 m from the path edge. Path associated disturbances (mainly alterations in vegetation and soil pH) were reflected in the soil microbial community structure up to 1.5 m from the paths.     

Differences in the concentration of various synovial fluid constituents between the distal interphalangeal joint, the metacarpophalangeal joint and the navicular bursa in normal horses

As a prerequisite for the identification of navicular disease markers, the concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), total glycosaminoglycans (GAG), hyaluronan, metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 and total protein were measured in synovial fluid samples obtained from the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP), the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) and the navicular bursa of 24 horses. Mean GAG, COMP and total protein levels were significantly higher in the DIP joint and in the navicular bursa compared to the MCP joint. Hyaluronan content was lower. MMP -2 activity was present in all fluids measured and had similar levels in different joints. MMP -9 was present in 42 per cent of MCP joint samples and 58 per cent of DIP joint samples and of navicular bursal samples. In relation to the constituents measured, the composition of navicular bursal fluid was similar to the articular synovial fluids, in particular that obtained from the DIP joint. Correlation between the constituents of DIP joint fluid and navicular bursal fluid obtained from the same legs was statistically significant for all the parameters measured.     

Sexual Reproduction of European Aspen (Populus tremula L.) at Prescribed Burned Site: The Effects of Moisture Conditions

Aspen (Populus tremula) is capable of reproducing both sexually and asexually from root suckers, the latter being more common. Seedlings are rare even though potential seed production is enormous. The aim of this study was to find out how different moisture conditions affect emergence and survival of aspen seedlings on burned soil. We set up a sowing experiment on mineral soil and on humus. The sowing was done at 240 microsites (θ7 cm) in 15 blocks (1×1 m). Treatments were sowing time, watering and sowing shelter. A total of 1463 seedlings emerged on mineral soil and 26 on humus. Watering, covering, their interaction, block and sowing time had significant effects on the number of seedlings. The largest numbers of seedlings were recorded at microsites that were watered and covered. The survival of seedlings was 20% during the growing season and 45% over winter. We conclude that seedbed conditions and moisture are the most essential factors for sexual reproduction of aspen. Short-term weather conditions have an important effect on seedling emergence and are likely to greatly affect field studies.     

Co‐infections with Respiratory Viruses in Dogs with Bacterial Pneumonia

Background

Bacterial pneumonia (BP) is an inflammation of the lower airways and lung parenchyma secondary to bacterial infection. The pathogenesis of BP in dogs is complex and the role of canine respiratory viruses has not been fully evaluated.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of viral co‐infections in dogs with BP and to assess demographic or clinical variables as well as disease severity associated with viral co‐infections.

Animals

Twenty household dogs with BP caused by opportunistic bacteria and 13 dogs with chronic (>30 days) tracheobronchitis caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica (BBTB).

Methods

Prospective cross‐sectional observational study. Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings, diagnostic imaging, and cytologic and microbiologic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage or transtracheal wash fluid. Canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV), canine adenovirus, canine herpes virus, canine influenzavirus, canine distemper virus, canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) and canine pneumovirus, as well as B. bronchiseptica and Mycoplasma spp. were analyzed in respiratory samples using PCR assays.

Results

CPIV was detected in 7/20 and CRCoV in 1/20 dogs with BP. Respiratory viruses were not detected in dogs with BBTB. There were no significant differences in clinical variables between BP dogs with and without a viral co‐infection.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Respiratory viruses were found frequently in dogs with BP and may therefore play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of BP. Clinical variables and disease severity did not differ between BP dogs with and without viral co‐infection.