The use of remotely sensed data and polish NFI plots for prediction of growing stock volume using different predictive methods

Forest growing stock volume (GSV) is an important parameter in the context of forest resource management. National Forest Inventories (NFIs) are routinely used to estimate forest parameters, including GSV, for national or international reporting. Remotely sensed data are increasingly used as a source of auxiliary information for NFI data to improve the spatial precision of forest parameter estimates. In this study, we combine data from the NFI in Poland with satellite images of Landsat 7 and 3D point clouds collected with airborne laser scanning (ALS) technology to develop predictive models of GSV. We applied an area-based approach using 13,323 sample plots measured within the second cycle of the NFI in Poland (2010–2014) with poor positional accuracy from several to 15 m. Four different predictive approaches were evaluated: multiple linear regression, k-Nearest Neighbours, Random Forest and Deep Learning fully connected neural network. For each of these predictive methods, three sets of predictors were tested: ALS-derived, Landsat-derived and a combination of both. The developed models were validated at the stand level using field measurements from 360 reference forest stands. The best accuracy (RMSE% = 24.2%) and lowest systematic error (bias% = −2.2%) were obtained with a deep learning approach when both ALS- and Landsat-derived predictors were used. However, the differences between the evaluated predictive approaches were marginal when using the same set of predictor variables. Only a slight increase in model performance was observed when adding the Landsat-derived predictors to the ALS-derived ones. The obtained results showed that GSV can be predicted at the stand level with relatively low bias and reasonable accuracy for coniferous species, even using field sample plots with poor positional accuracy for model development. Our findings are especially important in the context of GSV prediction in areas where NFI data are available but the collection of accurate positions of field plots is not possible or justified because of economic reasons

Genetic inhibition of neurotransmission reveals role of glutamatergic input to dopamine neurons in high-effort behavior

Midbrain dopamine neurons are crucial for many behavioral and cognitive functions. As the major excitatory input, glutamatergic afferents are important for control of the activity and plasticity of dopamine neurons. However, the role of glutamatergic input as a whole onto dopamine neurons remains unclear. Here we developed a mouse line in which glutamatergic inputs onto dopamine neurons are specifically impaired, and utilized this genetic model to directly test the role of glutamatergic inputs in dopamine-related functions. We found that while motor coordination and reward learning were largely unchanged, these animals showed prominent deficits in effort-related behavioral tasks. These results provide genetic evidence that glutamatergic transmission onto dopaminergic neurons underlies incentive motivation, a willingness to exert high levels of effort to obtain reinforcers, and have important implications for understanding the normal function of the midbrain dopamine system.Fil: Hutchison, M. A.. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Gu, X.. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Adrover, Martín Federico. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Lee, M. R.. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Hnasko, T. S.. University of California at San Diego; Estados UnidosFil: Alvarez, V. A.. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Lu, W.. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unido

Differential transcriptional profiling of damaged and intact adjacent dorsal root ganglia neurons in neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain, caused by a lesion in the somatosensory system, is a severely impairing mostly chronic disease. While its underlying molecular mechanisms are not thoroughly understood, neuroimmune interactions as well as changes in the pain pathway such as sensitization of nociceptors have been implicated. It has been shown that not only are different cell types involved in generation and maintenance of neuropathic pain, like neurons, immune and glial cells, but, also, intact adjacent neurons are relevant to the process. Here, we describe an experimental approach to discriminate damaged from intact adjacent neurons in the same dorsal root ganglion (DRG) using differential fluorescent neuronal labelling and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Two fluorescent tracers, Fluoroemerald (FE) and 1-dioctadecyl-3,3,3,3-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI), were used, whose properties allow us to distinguish between damaged and intact neurons. Subsequent sorting permitted transcriptional analysis of both groups. Results and qPCR validation show a strong regulation in damaged neurons versus contralateral controls as well as a moderate regulation in adjacent neurons. Data for damaged neurons reveal an mRNA expression pattern consistent with established upregulated genes like galanin, which supports our approach. Moreover, novel genes were found strongly regulated such as corticotropinreleasing hormone (CRH), providing novel targets for further research. Differential fluorescent neuronal labelling and sorting allows for a clear distinction between primarily damaged neuropathic neurons and "bystanders," thereby facilitating a more detailed understanding of their respective roles in neuropathic processes in the DRG

SHANK3 controls maturation of social reward circuits in the VTA.

Haploinsufficiency of SHANK3, encoding the synapse scaffolding protein SHANK3, leads to a highly penetrant form of autism spectrum disorder. How SHANK3 insufficiency affects specific neural circuits and how this is related to specific symptoms remains elusive. Here we used shRNA to model Shank3 insufficiency in the ventral tegmental area of mice. We identified dopamine (DA) and GABA cell-type-specific changes in excitatory synapse transmission that converge to reduce DA neuron activity and generate behavioral deficits, including impaired social preference. Administration of a positive allosteric modulator of the type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluR1 during the first postnatal week restored DA neuron excitatory synapse transmission and partially rescued the social preference defects, while optogenetic DA neuron stimulation was sufficient to enhance social preference. Collectively, these data reveal the contribution of impaired ventral tegmental area function to social behaviors and identify mGluR1 modulation during postnatal development as a potential treatment strategy

Effect of sludge conditioning with ultrasonic field assisted chemical substances on the effectiveness of dewatering

Dokonano analizy efektywności odwadniania w procesie filtracji ciśnieniowej osadów ściekowych mieszanych (komunalno-przemysłowych), kondycjonowanych ultradźwiękami, substancjami chemicznymi (popiół, cement, gips, szkło wodne) oraz metodą łączoną wykorzystującą pole ultradźwiękowe + stosowane komponenty. Celem artykułu było wykazanie, że, wykorzystując energię ultradźwięków i substancje chemiczne, można zmienić właściwości osadów ściekowych poprzez zwiększenie wymiarów i zdolności upakowania cząstek, jednocześnie zwiększyć ilość wody wolnej znajdującej się w osadach, poprawiając tym samym efektywność ich odwadniania. Wzrost skuteczności odwadniania mechanicznego uzyskano przez zastosowanie w preparowaniu osadów metod łączonych, wykorzystujących wstępne nadźwiękawianie i dawkowanie substancji chemicznych. Wywołało to określony skutek w postaci obniżenia uwodnienia końcowego oraz zmiany pozostałych parametrów procesu filtracji ciśnieniowej podczas odwadniania osadów ściekowych w odniesieniu do parametrów osadów niepreparowanych, co wykazały uzyskane i przedstawione w artykule wyniki badań.In the article examines the effectiveness of drainage in the process of pressure filtration of mixed sludge (municipal industrial), conditioned ultrasonic, chemical (ash, cement, gypsum, water glass) and a combined method using ultrasonic field + used components. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that by using ultrasonic energy and chemicals can change the properties of sewage sludge by increasing the size particle density and capacity, while increasing the amount of free water contained in the sludge thereby improving the efficiency of their drainage. Increase the efficiency of sludge mechanical dewatering was obtained by applying combined methods with usage initial sonication and dosage of chemicals. This caused a effect of the final hydration reduction and changes in other parameters of the filtration pressure during dewatering of sewage sludge in relation to the parameters of sludge not having, as shown by the obtained and presented in this paper test results

Application of Fenton Reaction for Supporting Biological Wastewater Treatment from the Dairy Industry

The dairy industry is one of the most polluting of industries, not only in terms of the volume of effluent generated, but also in terms of its characteristics as well. The composition of waste water produced in the milk processing plants depends primarily on the type of production (such as fluid milk, butter, cheese, buttermilk, whey, yogurt, condensed milk, flavored milk, milk powder, ice cream, etc.). The factors influencing the composition and charge of waste water are the raw materials used, level of technology plant, cleaning and disinfection processes and the amount of water used. Still increased pollution, combined with increased industrial activity and increasingly restrictive laws concerning discharges, focuses on the problem of optimal industry wastewater treatment. High concentration of organic matter in dairy wastewater causes problems with their removal in biological methods. Combining advanced oxidation process (AOP) and biological process has received attention in recent years as a promising alternative for industrial wastewater treatment. Among biological treatment processes the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) have been widely applied for treating dairy wastewater. The advantages of this technology can include high flexibility and ease of adaptation of operating parameters. Sequencing batch reactor is the name given to wastewater treatment systems based on activated sludge, operated on a sequence changes of anaerobic and aerobic conditions in one reactor. Using AOP pretreatment is important to improve the biodegradability and produce an effluent that can be treated biologically These processes involve the generation of highly free radicals, mainly hydroxyl radical (HO) via chemical, photochemical and photocatalytic reactions. One of the most important AOP process is Fenton reaction. Effectiveness of Fenton reaction has been confirmed in the case of pharmaceutical wastewater, treatment of brines or treatment of paper pulp manufacturing effluents. The oxidation system based on the Fenton’s reagent (hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a ferrous salt under acidic conditions) has been used for the treatment of both organic and inorganic substances of the wastewater stream. The present study was aimed to treat the dairy wastewater by Fenton’s process and an aerobic sequencing batch reactor. The first part of this study examined the effect of operating conditions on Fenton`s process pretreatment of dairy wastewater. The effectiveness of the AOP pretreatment was assessed by evaluating wastewater biodegradability enhancement (BOD5/COD), as well as monitoring major pollutant concentrations (COD) with reaction time. The optimum dose Fe2+ and H2O2 was found to be 1.2 and 2.0 g/L, respectively. In a single biological treatment the average removal efficiencies of COD, and NH4+ were 67%, and 61%, respectively. Integration of Fenton`s process and biological treatment resulted in 93% removal of COD and 79% NH4+ from the dairy wastewater. The results indicated that the combined process would be a promising alternative for the treatment of dairy wastewater

Change of Ultrasound Energy Amount Put Into Sewage Sludge Depending on their Content of Dry Mass

Despite of many studies on the use of ultrasonic disintegration for sewage sludge conditioning, have not yet been generally accepted indicators to choose the best parameters of used ultrasound to assist in the process of dewatering sludge. Still the most important issue is to adjust proper quantities of introduced energy depending on the characteristic parameters of sewage sludge. The publication presents the results of studies which purpose was to determine the relation of ultrasound energy introduced during sonification of sewage sludge with variable contents of their dry mass. Based on the survey and after analysis of the results, we can conclude that the amount of ultrasound energy introduced into the sewage sludge depends strictly on the content of their dry mass. Together with the increase of dry matter content, grows the amount of energy introduced into sludge. Regardless of the used disintegrator’s power for sonification, for each analyzed amplitude, together with increasing exposure time, density of energy increased nonlinearly. For sludge treated sonification at a specific time, value of this parameter was also changing nonlinearly to the size of used amplitude. The greater the value of the amplitude, the quantity of energy introduced had higher values

The use of Fenton reaction in the technology of sewage sludge

Przedstawiona publikacja stanowi przegląd literatury dotyczącej wykorzystania reakcji Fentona w technologii osadów ściekowych. Zastosowanie pogłębionego utleniania daje możliwości usuwania zanieczyszczeń jak również polepszenia charakterystyki technologicznej osadów. Reakcja Fentona może stanowić efektywny czynnik kondycjonujący zarówno osady komunalne jak i przemysłowe przed odwadnianiem. Zaobserwowano wyraźne zmiany w strukturze osadów, ich właściwościach technologicznych i reologicznych, które w istotny sposób podnoszą efektywność filtracji plackowej osadów. Ponadto kombinacja odczynnika Fentona z propagacją fali ultradźwiękowej może potęgować efekt degradacji zanieczyszczeń oraz koagulacji rozumianej jako dezintegracja i kondycjonowanie osadów ściekowych. Praca naukowa finansowana ze środków budżetowych na naukę w latach 2010-2012 jako projekt badawczy BG 401-407/1.The presented publication is a review of the literature on the use of the Fenton reaction in the technology of sewage sludge. Application of advanced oxidation provides opportunities for pollution reduction and improvement of the technological characteristics of the sediments. Fenton reaction may be an effective factor in conditioning both municipal sludge and industrial purposes against dehydration. It was observed a marked change in the sediment structure, their technological and rheological properties, which significantly improve the efficiency of sludge filtration cakes. In addition, the combination of Fenton reagent with the propagation of ultrasonic waves can enhance the degradation effect of pollution and coagulation understood as the disintegration and conditioning of sewage sludge. Scientific work financed from the budget for science in the years 2010-2012 as a research project BG 401-407/10