Productivity Measurements of Two Waratah 234 Hydraulic Tree Harvesters in Radiata Pine in New Zealand

Two Waratah 234 single-grip harvester heads were assessed for productivity and log-processing accuracy while working in radiata pine clearfell operations in New Zealand forests. Estimated productivity, processing stockpiled trees into logs on a landing in a ground-based operation, was 77 m3 per productive machine hour (PMH) in an average tree size of 1.63 m3. In a yarder-based trial, processing trees into logs on a landing, productivity was 77 m3 / PMH in an average tree size of 3.1 m3. Length-measuring accuracy in a later trial was shown to be within ± 5 cm for 93% of logs. In a second ground-based trial, estimated productivity for an average extracted tree size of 1.95m3 was: - 51 trees/PMH (100m3) for felling, tree-length delimbing and bunching. - 73 trees/PMH (143m3) for tree-length delimbing (butt-first) and bunching of manually felled trees

Patterns of strategic control: an investigation of British, French and German retail banking practice

This study provides detailed evidence as to the current state of strategic control in European retail banking. In so doing, it also provides an unique insight into the rigour of the strategic management of the banks investigated. [Continues.

Physiological Studies on Postharvest Leaf Blackening in Cut Flower Protea Species.

To develop an understanding of the physiology which results in postharvest leaf blackening, cut flower Protea species were studied in relation to changes in leaf carbohydrate metabolism, membrane deterioration, and oxidative enzyme activity. Rapid development of leaf blackening in the dark was correlated with low starch and sucrose concentrations. Postharvest decline in leaf carbohydrate status appears to be associated with inflorescence sink demand. Leaf blackening was reduced in the light and carbohydrate pools were maintained due to photosynthesis. In floral stems of P. neriifolia, P. Susannae x compacta and P. eximia (which have differing susceptibilities to leaf blackening), leaf blackening was highest in P. eximia and lowest in P. Susannae x compacta. Preharvest sucrose concentrations were inversely related to leaf blackening, however preharvest starch concentrations were not related to leaf blackening. Low daytime photosynthetic rates and stomatal closure suggest some Protea species may be CAM plants. Leaf blackening may be related more to inflorescence sink demand after harvest than preharvest carbohydrate reserves. In P. neriifolia, postharvest addition of 0.5% exogenous sugar or decapitation of the flowerhead did not delay leaf blackening. A 24-h 20% sucrose pulse reduced blackening to that of vegetative stems. Starch concentrations dropped ca. 70% within 24-h of harvest. Leaves with reduced leaf blackening maintained higher levels of starch and sucrose early in the postharvest period. Low levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione concentrations indicated that membrane damage (reduced leaf antioxidant status) did not precede appearance of blackening symptoms. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities in leaves of P. Susannae x compacta indicated that PPO activity in dark-held stems may not be related to leaf blackening. POD and phenolic concentrations related more closely with appearance of leaf blackening. Chlorophyll and protein concentrations suggested that blackening is not related to senescence, but may result from a wounding response

Faculty Recital, Justin McConchie, percussion

Faculty RecitalJustin McConchie, percussionTuesday, February 19, 2019 at 7pmSonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall / W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts922 Park Avenue / Richmond, V

Real-time Prediction of the Risk of Hospital Readmissions

This study aims to identify predictors for patients likely to be readmitted to a hospital within 28 days of discharge and to develop and validate a prediction model for identifying patients at a high risk of readmission. Numerous attempts have been made to build similar predictive models. However, the majority of existing models suffer from at least one of the following shortcomings: the model is not based on Australian Health Data; the model uses insurance claim data, which would not be available in a real-time clinical setting; the model does not consider socio-demographic determinants of health, which have been demonstrated to be predictive of readmission risk; or the model is limited to a particular medical condition and is thus limited in scope. To address these shortcomings, we built several models to predict all-cause 28-day readmission risk and included Socio-economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) data as proxies for socio-demographic determinants of health. Additionally, instead of using insurance claims data, which could require several weeks to process, we built our models using data that is readily available during the inpatient stay or at the time of discharge. The set of default prediction models that were examined include logistic regression, elastic net, random forest and adaptive boosting (Ada Boost). This study examined A not for profit tertiary healthcare organisation from fiscal year 2012-2013 through fiscal year 2017-2018. The out-of-sample results show that all of the models performed similarly and adequately to predict readmission risk

Essential oil composition of different fractions of Piper guineense Schumach. et Thonn from Cameroon using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their insecticidal effect on Sitophilus oryzae (L.)

Essential oil fractions from dried seed powder of Piper guineense were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and evaluated for their insecticidal effects on Sitophilus oryzae L. The GC-MS analysis showed quantitative and qualitative differences between the oil fractions. Chromatographic results revealed chemical constituents like eugenol, piperanol, pinene, carene, copaene with insecticidal properties. New chemotypes were seen in the different fractions. Instead of β- caryophyllene reported in literature, α-caryophyllene was found in all the different fractions. Caryophyllene oxide, an oxygen-containing  sesquiterpene was present in all fractions except n-hexane. In addition to α-phellandrene present in all,  β-phellandrene, a monoterpene hydrocarbon was found in the n-Hexane fraction. Contact toxicity on wheat grains showed that all fractions caused significant (P < 0.001) mortality of the weevils. The oil fractions also showed variable contact toxicity on impregnated filter paper. All doses of the n-hexane fraction were very toxic to the test insect than the control, causing 100% mortality after five days of exposure. All the fractions produced a strong repellent activity against the test insect. These results suggest that P. guineense has potentials for development as an organic insecticide against S. oryzae and other pests of stored grains.Key words: Piper guineense Schum. et Thonn., essential oil fractions, chemotypes, toxicity, repellency, Sitophilus oryzae (L.)

Identifying factors that contribute to mango resin canal discolouration

Resin canal discolouration (RCD) is a quality defect that reduces the market value of ripe mango fruit. Market reports of RCD have increased during the past two mango seasons, particularly for early-season ‘Kensington Pride’ fruit produced near Darwin in the Northern Territory. A 1-year project was undertaken during the 2013 mango season to start identifying possible factors that contribute to RCD. The research focused on ‘Kensington Pride’ fruit produced in the Darwin production area. The research team monitored fruit from orchard to market, conducted specific trials, and completed detailed scientific evaluation of affected fruit. Preliminary findings suggest that RCD: • Can also occasionally be found in green fruit on the tree or at grading but only when the fruit or stems have severe physical injury or pathogen infection. • Occurrence can vary considerably between different orchards and for different harvest dates. • Increases in severity as fruit develop from firm ripe to overripe. • Incidence is higher in fruit that are exposed to commercial handling procedures than those ripened directly off the tree. • Can be present in the flesh without symptoms being exhibited on the skin. • Incidence can be higher in early-season fruit than those picked later. • Incidence can be higher in fruit harvested soon after a rain event. • Symptoms may be associated with bacterial infection. The observations to-date suggest that RCD is likely to occur when field conditions result in the production of ‘sensitive’ fruit that, in turn, express the defect when exposed to the common harvest and postharvest stresses. Follow-on R&D will aim to confirm the causes of RCD and to develop reliable control measures

Predicting Resin Pockets in Radiata Pine Logs from Blemishes on Log Ends

More than 120 radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) sawlogs, from two sites, were assessed for resin pockets and blemishes (resin streaks, bark pockets, colored marks, and other grain deviations) on the log ends. At both sites, the assessment of blemishes on the log ends improved the prediction of resin pockets on the lumber after sawing (r2 = 0.29 and 0.49), beyond the prediction achieved by assessing resin pockets on the log ends alone (r2 = 0 and 0.24). Noting only the presence or absence of blemishes on the log ends enabled explanation of half the variation between logs in loss of clear cuttings due to docking out resin pockets from the lumber (r2 = 0.50, P < 0.001). Since the log ends were assessed after ordinary chainsaw cuts were made, we believe that blemishes could be recognized by log graders, and that it should be possible to develop selection procedures for sawlogs that minimize the value losses associated with resin pockets