Temporal Analysis of Field, SSURGO, and LiDAR Derived Site Indices in the Southeastern U.S.

Sustainable forest management requires accurate information about site index (SI, tree height at a base age). The objectives of this study were to compare site indices from field inventory data (2008-2009), Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR, 2008), and to determine the uncertainty in the site indices from the southern part of the Clemson Experimental Forest. When LiDAR derived analysis were used to compare to SSURGO there were statistical differences for site indices for all of the tree species in this study: loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), white oak (Quercus alba), and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). LiDAR has the potential to provide reliable and rapid estimates of site index variability within the soil map units. Loblolly pine and shortleaf pine had the greatest statistical differences with the LiDAR derived site indices being much larger than the SSURGO values. The results of this study indicate that a larger sample size for LiDAR is a better option to decrease variation, and that the map unit level may be the best option

Randomization, Endogeneity and Laboratory Experiments

In conducting experiments with multiple trials, outcomes from previous trials can impact on current behavior. One of the most obvious cases in which this can happen, and the case considered in this paper, is in an auction market experiment, where earnings from previous auction trials alter cash balances which, in turn, can affect bidding behavior. (The most obvious mechanism for such a result, within standard theory, is if bidders are risk averse and do not have constant absolute risk aversion. One can imagine a number of non-standard reasons for such effects as well.) Use of OLS regressions with cash balances included as a right hand side variable are likely to lead to a biased estimate of the cash balance effect since the variation in cash balances is largely related to differences in bidding strategies across individuals. Fixed effect regressions can commonly control for these endogeniety problems at the potential cost of obtaining inefficient estimates, since this estimator does not exploit between-individual variation. This paper addresses this problem in two ways. First we consider an experimental design that reduces the potential bias of OLS estimates while increasing the precision of fixed effect estimates. Second, we consider instrumental variables estimation of the cash balance effect where the instruments are produced by the experimental design. To the best of our knowledge, neither of these approaches has been explored in the experimental literature.

Visualizing classification of natural video sequences using sparse, hierarchical models of cortex.

Recent work on hierarchical models of visual cortex has reported state-of-the-art accuracy on whole-scene labeling using natural still imagery. This raises the question of whether the reported accuracy may be due to the sophisticated, non-biological back-end supervised classifiers typically used (support vector machines) and/or the limited number of images used in these experiments. In particular, is the model classifying features from the object or the background? Previous work (Landecker, Brumby, et al., COSYNE 2010) proposed tracing the spatial support of a classifier’s decision back through a hierarchical cortical model to determine which parts of the image contributed to the classification, compared to the positions of objects in the scene. In this way, we can go beyond standard measures of accuracy to provide tools for visualizing and analyzing high-level object classification. We now describe new work exploring the extension of these ideas to detection of objects in video sequences of natural scenes

SISTEM DATA WAREHOUSE PADA RUMAH SAKIT HUSADA

SISTEM DATA WAREHOUSE PADA RUMAH SAKIT HUSADA - data warehouse, skema bintang, metadata, et

Advanced Biomedical Laboratory (ABL) Synergy with Communication, Robotics, and IoT

This paper proposes a framework for integrating IoT and automation in a biomedical laboratory to improve safety, optimize processes, and enhance students\u27 learning experience. The framework incorporates a centralized control unit and distributed subsystems to control equipment and machinery and includes autonomous robotics and intelligent monitoring systems. The paper presents the results of undergraduate students\u27 work on automating various biomedical processes, including developing an Intelligent Autonomous Monitoring (IAM) device. IAM utilizes machine learning algorithms to identify outliers in processes and safety hazards. Moreover, IAM autonomously detects and localizes biomedical tools and equipment. Results show the feasibility of delivering real-time results for localizing specific tools necessary within a biomedical laboratory. This framework offers a systemic approach toward process automation, aiding researchers in developing new equipment and automating existing processes. Furthermore, it assists students in gaining a fundamental understanding of the theory behind biomedical principles while providing a repeatable experimental environment through more accurate data and event collection

Sole prednisolone therapy in canine meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology

Meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) is a frequently diagnosed and often fatal disease in veterinary neurology. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy of three different sole prednisolone treatment schedules in dogs diagnosed with MUE. The dogs were diagnosed clinically with MUE based on previously described inclusion criteria, and treated with a three-, eight- or eighteen-week-tapering prednisolone schedule. Thirty eight dogs were included in the study. Seventeen, fifteen and six dogs received the three-, eight- and eighteen-week tapering schedule, respectively. Overall, 37% of the dogs died or were euthanized because of MUE, and a significant difference in survival time was seen between the three treatment schedules. Surprisingly, the highest number of dogs that died because of MUE was seen in the eight week treatment schedule (56%), followed by the three-week (26%) and eighteen-week (0%) treatment schedule. Based on the results of this study, no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the ideal prednisolone dosing protocol for dogs diagnosed with MUE. However, a more aggressive and immunosuppressive treatment protocol might lead to a better outcome

Chirurgische behandeling van het discusgeassocieerd Wobblersyndroom door middel van een standaard ventraalslottechniek: een retrospectieve studie van 12 gevallen

There is much controversy about the treatment of disc associated wobbler syndrome. This retrospective study describes the clinical evolution of 12 dogs treated surgically by a standard ventral slot technique. The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 59 months. Nine of the 12 dogs clinically recovered. However, 6 of these 9 dogs developed a second episode of clinical signs. Two of these dogs could be further managed by conservative treatment. The 4 other dogs were euthanized. The results of this study are compared to the literature. Special attention is given to inclusion criteria and follow-up data

Clinically relevant osteochondrosis of the seventh lumbar vertebra in a Beagle

This case report describes the occurrence of clinically significant osteochondrosis of the seventh lumbar vertebra in a 10-year-old, female Beagle with progressive monoparesis, lumbosacral pain and urinary incontinence. A presumptive diagnosis was made using radiography and computed tomography. The dog was surgically treated by a dorsal laminectomy and the detached bone fragment was removed. A postoperative computed tomography scan demonstrated the complete removal of the osteochondrotic tissue. Although the dog recovered remarkably after surgery, she developed a clinical relapse after several weeks. The owners declined further diagnostic tests and the dog was euthanized. Histopathological examination of the removed tissue was in agreement with a diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the seventh lumbar vertebra