Comparing the potential effectiveness of conservation planning approaches in central North Carolina, USA

We compared four approaches to conservation site selection to protect forest biodiversity in the Triangle Region of North Carolina, USA. Using biological inventory data and an inventory-based conservation plan as benchmarks, we evaluated the potential effectiveness of a focal species plan and three “simple” plans (large forested patches, close to wetlands and riparian areas, diverse forest types). Effectiveness was measured in three ways: the number of inventory elements captured at least once by the plan (representation), the total number of inventory elements captured (completeness), and the proportion of land in the inventory-based plan included (overlap). We further examined the potential effectiveness of the simple plans by calculating their overlap with land identified by the focal species approach. The simple and focal species plans did not differ markedly in terms of representation, but diverged when completeness and overlap were considered. Although representation rates for all four plans were relatively high, lower rates for completeness and overlap raise concerns about long-term viability. The simple plans did not identify the same lands as the focal species plan, and are thus unlikely to provide appropriate habitat for the focal species. Each approach we tested failed to capture some subset of species and communities, highlighting the importance of explicit conservation targets and consideration of ecological processes. Forced to act quickly and with little data, our findings suggest using initially a set of complementary simple plans, each focused on a different habitat type. This should be considered a stopgap measure, however, while more sophisticated plans are constructed, defining explicit conservation targets and considering ecological processes.     

In vivo and in vitro efficacy of zoledronate for treating oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats

BACKGROUND: Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may cause painful bone destruction. Given the local invasiveness and rapid clinical progression of OSCC, conventional therapies are often palliative. In human cancer patients, zoledronate exerts anticancer effects by inhibiting tumor-induced angiogenesis and malignant osteolysis. HYPOTHESIS: Zoledronate will exert in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenic and antiresorptive effects in feline OSCC. ANIMALS: Eight cats with OSCC were prospectively treated with zoledronate and conventional treatment modalities. METHODS: In vitro, zoledronate's effects in modulating soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) ligand (RANKL) expression were investigated in a feline OSCC cell line (SCCF1). In vivo, basal serum C-telopeptide (CTx) concentrations were compared among normal and OSCC-bearing cats, and the biologic effects of zoledronate administration in cats with naturally occurring OSCC were quantified by serially assessing circulating serum VEGF and CTx concentrations. RESULTS: In vitro, zoledronate concentrations greater than 3 microM reduce soluble VEGF secretion in the SCCF1 cell line. The expression of RANKL in the SCCF1 cell line was also modulated by zoledronate, with low concentrations (3 microM) decreasing but higher concentrations (30 microM) increasing RANKL expression in comparison with untreated cells. In vivo, cats with bone-invasive OSCC had greater serum CTx concentrations in comparison with geriatric, healthy controls. Treatment with zoledronate rapidly decreased circulating serum VEGF and CTx concentrations in cats with spontaneously occurring OSCC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Zoledronate exerts in vitro and in vivo effects that may favor the slowing of tumor growth and pathologic bone turnover associated with OSCC.     

基于聚焦滤波的林业专题地图制图综合方法

森林资源规划设计调查成果总是以连续的面状图斑呈现。当大比例尺二类调查成果图缩编为更小比例尺地图时,常常需要制图综合。如何在制图综合时既要简化多边形边界,又要保持各类型林相面积和位置的相对不变,是林业专题制图的一个难题。经大量实验发现,将实施制图综合的连续面状图斑要素从矢量格式转换为栅格格式,经Focal滤波器以Majority方式滤波处理后,再将滤波后结果从栅格数据转换为矢量数据,可较好地实现森林资源专题连续面状要素信息的制图综合。以云南省某地一个1万 hm²的实验区为例,使用该方法将1∶2.5万的森林资源二类调查成果图缩编为1∶25万。结果表明,缩编后,多边形边界简化,目视效果较好,各类型林相面积变化绝对值平均为0.2%,位置精确度平均值为94.68%。此方法已应用于云南森林资源状况图集相关专题图等的生产实践。     

紧邻立交桥的连续墙受力分析和安全性评价

以深圳地铁车公庙交通枢纽7 & 9号线车站深基坑工程为研究背景,选取典型的监测断面,埋置混凝土应变计,进行地下连续墙的内力测试,分析了连续墙在深基坑开挖过程中的内力变化规律,并对连续墙的安全性进行了评价,得到以下结论:随着基坑开挖深度的增加,地下连续墙的内力变化越发明显,基坑负二层和负三层开挖对连续墙的内力变化影响较大,应重点关注和监测;根据现场测试数据得到两侧地下连续墙的内力变化并非完全一致,主要受到紧邻基坑开挖和周边建筑物的影响;最后计算得到地下连续墙处于安全状态。     

基于改进YOLOv7的复杂环境下红花采摘识别

针对光照、遮挡、密集以及样本数量不均衡等复杂环境造成红花机械化采摘识别不准问题,该研究提出一种基于YOLOv7的改进模型,制作红花样本数据集建立真实采摘的复杂环境数据,增加Swin Transformer注意力机制提高模型对各分类样本的检测精准率,改进Focal Loss损失函数提升多分类任务下不均衡样本的识别率。经试验,改进后的模型各类别样本的检测平均准确率达到88.5%,与改进前相比提高了7个百分点,不均衡类别样本平均精度提高了15.9个百分点,与其他模型相比,检测平均准确率与检测速度均大幅提升。改进后的模型可以准确地实现对红花的检测,模型参数量小,识别速度快,适合在红花采摘机械上进行迁移部署,可为红花机械化实时采摘研究提供技术支持。     

基于Zernike矩和神经网络的角点筛选方法

在计算机视觉领域中角点特征的提取具有相当重要的地位，因为角点包含了丰富的信息。本文的目的在于提取某类图像上的重要特征角点。其主要思路是首先利用角点检测方法提取图像中的角点之后，然后再通过Zernike矩和神经网络对它们进行筛选，从而达到自提取特征角点的目的。最后通过实验验证了本算法的有效性。尽管本文是针对某类图像进行了特征点提取的，但相信对于一般情况下的目标特征检测也具有一定的借鉴意义。     

板柱结构边柱节点的受冲切承载力

讨论了文献中报导的36个边柱节点的试验结果,描述了板的破坏形态和特征.基于剪应力线性分布假设,推导出校核由剪力偏心传递的部分不平衡弯矩系数α0的表达式,并对试验结果作了验证,发现规范(GB 50010-2002)中的α0值与试验结果不符,取值偏大.另外,还指出在板与柱之间不由剪力传递的这部分不平衡弯矩(1-α0)Munb,应通过板受弯来传递,此弯矩所需要的钢筋设置,在规范(GB 50010-2002)中没有条款.最后对边柱节点受冲切设计方法提出了改进意见.     

Native trees and shrubs for the productive rehabilitation of tropical cattle ranching lands

Extensive cattle production currently occupies more than 27% of the rural landscapes in Latin America, and continues to expand. This activity, deeply rooted in the culture and rural economy of the region, requires an urgent transformation if it is to become both more efficient and environmentally friendly. Silvopastoral systems that incorporate native trees and shrubs are instrumental for the productive rehabilitation of cattle production and for biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes. We discuss research progress and adoption of intensive silvopastoral systems in Colombia and Mexico. Intensive silvopastoral systems (ISS) are a sustainable form of agroforestry for livestock production that combines fodder shrubs planted at high densities (more than 10,000 plants ha⁻¹), trees and palms, and improved pastures. High stocking and the natural production of milk and meat in these systems are achieved through rotational grazing with electric fencing and a permanent supply of water for the cattle. While milk and meat production and cattle reproduction are enhanced, production costs decline as external inputs are replaced by natural processes related to fertility and biological control. We also discuss the importance of the ISS with native trees for climate change adaptation and mitigation, the barriers for their adoption, and how these have been successfully addressed using payment for environmental services, special credits and technical assistance. Finally, we highlight the need for enhancing landscape connectivity by integrating SPS to conservation corridors with native species to promote biodiversity conservation and other environmental services demanded by society.     

Application of a FDTD/MOMTD Hybrid Method to the Scattering Problem of the Ground Penetrating Radar

In order to analyze and research the scattering problem of the ground penetrating radar under the ground, a hybrid method combining FDTD and MOMTD is constructed to solve the problem. The curve of current on central feeding point of pick-up antenna is obtained by simulating when different distance between the ideal conductor and the ground is considered, correctness of the result gained by employing the hybrid method is proved through qualitative and quantitative analysis.