Estimation of Forest Interior Condition in Southern Appalachian Mountains Using Airborne Lidar Data

Sustainability of forest ecosystem requires maintenance of forest cover and forest interior conditions. Sustaining forest cover supplies ecosystem goods and services and maintains biomass and carbon and nitrogen storage. Forest interior supports ecosystem functioning and provides particular physical and biological environments for plant and animal species that depend on a type of habitat isolated from non-forest land cover areas and prohibit the infestation of invasive species. Land cover maps derived from satellite imagery were broadly applied to assess spatial patterns of forest ecosystem and its dynamic. However, existing land cover maps at landscape scale are insufficient to provide information of canopy gaps within forest areas. They are also not able to distinguish original forest with forest sapling areas, which do not match physical and biological functions as original forest. We applied airborne Lidar data to identify the forest area without canopy gaps and young saplings in southern Appalachian Mountains. Then the forest fragmentation and forest interior condition were analyzed at three spatial scales from 2.25 ha to 56.25 ha. The results showed 5.5% reducing of forest interior and 42.5% increasing of fragmentation areas than the estimations derived by National Land Cover Data

Evaluation of salt content and effectiveness of excessive salt reduction methods in selected commercially available dried fish types in Sri Lanka

High salt intake elevates the risk of non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and stroke worldwide. Sri Lanka has recorded in 2010 as the country with highest average fish & fish products consumption in South Asia. In the current study, salt in ten types of commonly available dried fish namely; sprats, prawns, smoothbelly sardinella, queen fish, cat fish, sail fish, shark, skipjack tuna, Bombay duck and trenched sardinella was analyzed and determined salt reduction methods with minimal protein loss. Four salt reduction methods were tested; Method 1: washed with water at Room Temperature (RT) for five times; Method 2: washed with water for five times at RT and kept in hot water for 5min; Method 3: washed with water for five times at RT and boiled for 5min; Method 4: washed with water for five times at RT and kept in coconut water for 5min. Using Volhard method, sodium chloride was analyzed while protein was determined using Kjeldahl method. All four methods showed significant reduction of salt level in tested dried fish (p < 0.05). Among the tested salt reduction methods, Method 3 showed the highest salt reduction for all types of dried fish except smoothbelly sardinella and cat fish.The highest salt mean value of 28.8% was recorded in queen fish and the lowest mean value of 12.8% was recorded in smoothbelly sardinella. The highest protein loss was recorded in Method 3. To reduce considerable amount of salt, the easiest and fairly effective method is method 1 except for prawns and Shark. Although higher salt reduction showed in method 2 and 3, they are not recommended due to high protein loss, high energy expenditure and reduction of freshness of dried fish. Method 4 can be applied for all dried fish types because it is economical and reduces considerable amount of salt, removes less amount of protein comparatively. The results revealed that all tested dried fish except smoothbelly sardinella contain significantly high amount of salt (p < 0.05) than the standard value specified (12%) by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).Keywords: Dried fish, protein loss, salt-intake, salt reduction, non-communicable disease

How Structural Complexity of Vegetation Facilitates Invasion: Integrating LiDAR and FIA Invasive Species Plot Data in the Appalachian Mountains of the USA

This study examines how the vertical structure of forests and the variation in forest canopy tree composition relates to where forest plant invasions occur at a regional scale. We used LiDAR data on vertical structure of forests collected across 16 counties of western North Carolina, and Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) abundance data of invasive plant species and canopy tree species from 575 plots. We found that nearly one third of these plots were invaded by at least one invasive plant species (range = 1 to 8 species). We derived canopy gaps/clear-cut areas of the study site using LiDAR data matrix (RH100) and 2006 NLCD image to compare invasive species richness at the vegetation gap and closed canopy areas. The most frequently occurring invasive species of the 22 recorded invasive species in the vegetation gap and closed canopy areas were Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle; 67% & 49%), Rosa spp. (non-native rose; 58% & 51%) and Ligustrum sinense (Chinese privet; 36% & 25%) respectively. Majority of invasive species in both vegetation gap and closed canopy areas are dispersed by birds/ small mammals. Preliminary results suggest that plots in areas having greater forest structural complexity have less invasive plant species present. A variety of mechanisms can explain how forest structural complexity may impact invasivability. We conclude by summarizing these possible mechanisms and the role that LiDAR can play in studying and managing forested landscapes threatened by invasive species

New Algorithm to Discriminate Phase Distribution of Gas-Oil-Water Pipe Flow With Dual-Modality Wire-Mesh Sensor

Three-phase gas-oil-water flow is an important type of flow present in petroleum extraction and processing. This paper reports a novel threshold-based method to visualize and estimate the cross-sectional phase fraction of gas-oil-water mixtures. A 16×16 dual-modality wire-mesh sensor (WMS) was employed to simultaneously determine the conductive and capacitive components of the impedance of fluid. Then, both electrical parameters are used to classify readings of WMS into either pure substance (gas, oil or water) or two-phase oil-water mixtures (foam is neglected in this work). Since the wire-mesh sensor interrogates small regions of the flow domain, we assume that the three-phase mixture can be segmented according to the spatial sensor resolution (typically 2–3 mm). Hence, the proposed method simplifies a complex three-phase system in several segments of single or two-phase mixtures. In addition to flow visualization, the novel approach can also be applied to estimate quantitative volume fractions of flowing gas-oil-water mixtures. The proposed method was tested in a horizontal air-oil-water flow loop in different flow conditions. Experimental results suggest that the threshold-based method is able to capture transient three-phase flows with high temporal and spatial resolution even in the presence of water-oil dispersion regardless of the continuous phase

Evaluation of Current Socio-Economic Status for Development of Water Supply and Sanitation in Rural Sector

The present study was carried out on Deiyanwela area in Aranayake DSD in Kegalle District to identify the socio-economic status in the study area for the provision of necessary planning information in implementing the Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement project and identify critical issues. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted for households (n=100) for assessing the Social-demographic and economic background of the community through random sampling technique in project impact area. Majority, (95%) indicated that their livelihood pattern as mixed economic while (5%) as agricultural. (88%) of the families were headed by males whereas (12%) families are headed by females in the project area. Project impact area is composed of (99%) Sinhalese population and (1%) Tamils population respectively. In terms of Water Consumption Patterns, (21%) of houses use existing water supply scheme and (12%) fulfill their water requirement from private protected wells located within their premises. Surface water usage is (23%), which is not safe unless subjected to disinfection before drinking. (80%) of the respondents mentioned that water is insufficient during dry seasons, which may cause to reduce the water quality as well. Majority of the respondents (79%) mentioned that they were not satisfied with their present water supply. Therefore, they expect an improvement of the existing water supply facilities. In relation to health and hygiene, since, currently there was no proper water treatment method, (95%) people followed domestic purification methods such as domestic filters and boiling; whereas (5%) are using traditional purification methods. Nearly (85%) of the households had proper sanitation facilities while (5%) of the people did not have toilets. From these (85%), (50%) was accounted for water sealed toilets with cistern and (35%) accounted for water sealed toilets without cistern. Since the current water supply was insufficient to cover their demand, majority of the people were willing to acquire new water connection. Thus, (96%) people were willing to pay a monthly water bill. (22%) of households receive the government food subsidy of Samurdhi given for households living below the official poverty line with regards to economy. (33%) of the people were involved in professions in the private sector, (24%) accounted for the Agriculture while unemployed population was (2%). The monthly expenditure, (42%) of people earned monthly income of LKR.10, 000-20,000 and only (3%) of people earned more than LKR.50, 000. In conclusion it revealed that there was a necessity and high demand for pipe born water, sanitation and economic development and incorporation of a water supply and sanitation improvement project is a sustainable solution.Keywords: Water supply, Sanitation, Socio-economic, Improvement, Tropica

The control and maintenance of desired flow patterns in bends of different orientations

Multiphase flows are common in industrial settings and bends in pipe lines cannot be avoided due to space limitations. Gas-liquid two phase flows could form material discontinuities that could have adverse effect on productivity and the pipe network due to sudden variations resulting due to the rapid momentum flux variations at fittings such as bends. Research into gas-liquid flow and bends can be motivated by the effect of the bend on the flow downstream of it which could alter the flow pattern occurring and the performance of downstream equipment. Alternatively, the interest might come from what occurs in the bend itself, there could be dryout of the film on the walls and consequent damage to the heat transfer equipment. Here we present measurements made with a number of accurate and fast responding sensors on three cases, two on the effect of the bend and one considering effects in the bend. The results show that the flow transformations occur in two phase flows depending on the orientation of the bend and the change could be captured using fast sweeping measurement techniques. We present the evidence of effectiveness of several types of measurement techniques that could fit into various combinations of phases. The results, point to how to achieve certain flow patterns. Also recommendations are provided regarding the position of any sensor installed to determine flow pattern

Impact of routine laboratory culture media on in-vitro biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis

Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of four routine laboratory culture media onbiofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus feacalis.Methods: A sterile flat bottom 96 well plate was inoculated using 0.5 McFarland equivalent standardcell suspension of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and E. feacalis and the growth rate of planktonic cells wasquantified by measuring the optical density (OD492) at two hour intervals. Influence of culture mediumon adhesion of bacteria as an initial step of biofilm formation in the presence of four culture media(Nutrient broth (NB), Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth, Luria-Bertani (LB) broth and RPMI 1640) wasquantified using MTT (3-[4, 5- dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2, 5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay after90 minutes adhesion. Biofilms of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, E. feacalis and their 1:1 mixed biofilmswere developed and the growth was quantified using MTT metabolic activity at 24 hour time intervals.Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to assess the ultrastructure.Results: On comparing the relative growth of the bacteria in different culture media, the maximumgrowth of all three planktonic cultures was achieved using BHI broth. All mono species and mixedspecies cultures exhibited their maximum adhesion in the presence of RPMI 1640. All biofilm exhibitedthe maximum growth in BHI broth. SEM imaging had shown the enhanced growth of ultrastructure ofthe biofilm with the presence of BHI broth.Conclusions: The maximum planktonic and biofilm growth was achieved with BHI broth. However,bacterial adhesion was enhanced in the presence of RPMI 1640

Improving medical certification of cause of death: effective strategies and approaches based on experiences from the Data for Health Initiative.

BACKGROUND: Accurate and timely cause of death (COD) data are essential for informed public health policymaking. Medical certification of COD generally provides the majority of COD data in a population and is an essential component of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. Accurate completion of the medical certificate of cause of death (MCCOD) should be a relatively straightforward procedure for physicians, but mistakes are common. Here, we present three training strategies implemented in five countries supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health (D4H) Initiative at the University of Melbourne (UoM) and evaluate the impact on the quality of certification. METHODS: The three training strategies evaluated were (1) training of trainers (TOT) in the Philippines, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka; (2) direct training of physicians by the UoM D4H in Papua New Guinea (PNG); and (3) the implementation of an online and basic training strategy in Peru. The evaluation involved an assessment of MCCODs before and after training using an assessment tool developed by the University of Melbourne. RESULTS: The TOT strategy led to reductions in incorrectly completed certificates of between 28% in Sri Lanka and 40% in the Philippines. Following direct training of physicians in PNG, the reduction in incorrectly completed certificates was 30%. In Peru, the reduction in incorrect certificates was 30% after implementation and training on an online system only and 43% after training on both the online system and basic medical certification principles. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that a variety of training strategies can produce benefits in the quality of certification, but further improvements are possible. The experiences of D4H suggest several aspects of the strategies that should be further developed to improve outcomes, particularly key stakeholder engagement from early in the intervention and local committees to oversee activities and support an improved culture in hospitals to support better diagnostic skills and practices