74 research outputs found
Effect of Tree Form on the Productivity of a Cut-to-Length Harvester in a Hardwood Dominated Stand
It is commonly accepted that tree form has an impact on the productivity of single-grip harvesters. However, it remains unclear, which elements of tree form are significant and to what degree they impact harvesting productivity. This is of particular importance in hardwood dominated stands, where hardwood trees often exhibit complex and variable stem and crown architecture that can complicate and prolong the processing phase. With the development of specialized harvesting heads, hardwoods, which were mostly subject to motor-manual operations, are now increasingly being cut and processed with fully mechanized harvesting systems. The goal of this pilot project was to determine the effect of tree form on the productivity of mechanized cut-to-length harvesting. A time and motion study of a single-grip harvester, operating in a hardwood dominated stand, suggests that the presence of a fork or a large branch on the main stem can reduce machine harvesting productivity by 15 to 20%
AquaresponsabilitĂ© municipale. Rapport final de lâaudit de la Ville de QuĂ©bec sur lâeau
L'aquaresponsabilitĂ© est un concept qui englobe toutes les actions qu'une ville devrait entreprendre pour assurer une saine gestion de ses ressources en eau. Ces actions assureront la pĂ©rennitĂ© de la ressource tout en permettant un partage Ă©quitable et une utilisation rationnelle. Fondamentalement, lâaquaresponsabilitĂ© est une dĂ©marche de dĂ©veloppement durable qui sâinscrit dans un contexte de gestion intĂ©grĂ©e des ressources en eau.
Ce rapport prĂ©sente les rĂ©sultats de lâaudit de la Ville de QuĂ©bec sur lâaquaresponsabilitĂ© municipale. Comme en tĂ©moignent les diffĂ©rents constats que nous avons rĂ©alisĂ©s au cours de cet audit, on peut souligner dans un premier temps que la Ville de QuĂ©bec : dĂ©ploie des efforts importants pour rĂ©aliser une gestion rationnelle de lâeau sur son territoire; a rĂ©alisĂ© des efforts financiers significatifs pour amĂ©liorer les infrastructures et ainsi rĂ©duire le dĂ©ficit accumulĂ© en ce qui a trait Ă leur dĂ©tĂ©rioration; a le souci de respecter les normes et tous les rĂšglements en vigueur tant pour lâeau potable que pour le traitement des eaux usĂ©es; met en place des mĂ©canismes pour communiquer avec ses citoyens; et, finalement, a clairement indiquĂ© sa vision concernant la gestion de lâeau.
La gestion de lâeau demeure une opĂ©ration complexe pour une municipalitĂ©, qui requiert une continuitĂ© dâactions Ă court, moyen et long termes. La fourniture dâune eau potable de qualitĂ©, le traitement des eaux usĂ©es satisfaisant les normes de rejet, le transport des eaux potable, pluviales et usĂ©es, la protection des ressources et lâaccessibilitĂ© Ă lâeau, entre autres, impliquent de nombreuses opĂ©rations et de nombreux intervenants.
Une ville aquaresponsable a le devoir dâexceller dans tous les aspects de la gestion de lâeau. Il va de soi quâil sâagit lĂ dâun objectif ultime vers lequel une ville doit tendre. On doit souligner, Ă la lumiĂšre des constats que nous avons rĂ©alisĂ©s au cours de cet audit, que la Ville de QuĂ©bec doit, dans un processus dâamĂ©lioration continue, corriger certaines lacunes et perfectionner certaines de ses façons de faire. Nous avons donc choisi, parmi lâensemble des recommandations que nous avons Ă©mises pour chacun des Ă©lĂ©ments de lâaudit, celles qui Ă notre avis permettraient Ă la Ville Ă la fois de maintenir sa performance et de lâaccroĂźtre le plus rapidement possible dans les domaines oĂč il y a place Ă amĂ©lioration. Ces recommandations ne sont pas donnĂ©es par ordre de prioritĂ©. Ă notre avis, elles sont aussi importantes lâune que lâautre. Ainsi, la Ville doit :
1. DĂ©ployer les ressources et actions nĂ©cessaires pour effectuer des bilans de consommation en eau rĂ©alistes, en vue dâamĂ©liorer la connaissance des diffĂ©rents types de consommation, dâamĂ©liorer la connaissance des pertes rĂ©elles et de prioriser les interventions afin de faciliter une gestion durable.
2. Revoir la mĂ©thode dâestimation du coĂ»t de lâeau et la facturation pour les consommateurs industriels, commerciaux et institutionnels (ICI).
3. Ăvaluer de façon prĂ©cise lâĂ©tat des diverses infrastructures dâeau afin dâĂȘtre en mesure de planifier les besoins financiers pour en assurer la pĂ©rennitĂ©.
4. Maintenir un niveau suffisant dâinvestissements liĂ©s Ă lâentretien, Ă la rĂ©habilitation et au remplacement des infrastructures, en tenant compte de lâimpact des changements climatiques.
5. Regrouper dans un seul systĂšme lâensemble des donnĂ©es sur les infrastructures dâeau, de façon Ă faciliter lâaccĂšs, la mise Ă jour et lâexploitation des informations concernant lâĂ©tat et la valeur des infrastructures, en vue dâune meilleure planification des budgets requis pour lâentretien, lâopĂ©ration, la rĂ©habilitation et le remplacement de ces infrastructures.
6. Poursuivre, dans lâesprit de la politique actuelle de la Ville, le dĂ©ploiement des mĂ©canismes dâinformation aux citoyens, particuliĂšrement en ce qui concerne les Ă©conomies dâeau potable, et amĂ©liorer le systĂšme de gestion des plaintes.
7. DĂ©finir un ensemble dâindicateurs sur la gestion de lâeau en lien avec la base de donnĂ©es mentionnĂ©e ci-haut, lesquels serviraient en temps rĂ©el de tableau de bord pour la gestion de lâeau.
8. Mettre en place une politique intĂ©grĂ©e de gestion des risques, qui comprend lâidentification des risques, les mesures de prĂ©vention et dâattĂ©nuation, et les protocoles dâintervention.
9. Prioriser la formation et la qualification des employĂ©s, compte tenu des nombreux dĂ©parts Ă la retraite. La transmission du savoir et de lâexpertise des anciens doit ĂȘtre assurĂ©e par un programme de transition adaptĂ©.
10. Mettre en place un contrÎle de qualité pour vérifier et harmoniser les travaux réalisés par les Divisions des travaux publics des Arrondissements.
11. Poursuivre les projets dâamĂ©lioration dans tous les aspects de la gestion de la neige et de la glace (façons de faire, intĂ©gration des technologies, impacts environnementaux, etc.).
12. AccroĂźtre la contribution et la participation de la Ville dans la gestion intĂ©grĂ©e de lâeau par bassin versant, afin de sâassurer que la planification de l'utilisation du territoire contribue Ă protĂ©ger la qualitĂ© des ressources en eau et des Ă©cosystĂšmes aquatiques
The changing culture of silviculture
Changing climates are altering the structural and functional components of forest ecosystems at an unprecedented rate. Simultaneously, we are seeing a diversification of public expectations on the broader sustainable use of forest resources beyond timber production. As a result, the science and art of silviculture needs to adapt to these changing realities. In this piece, we argue that silviculturists are gradually shifting from the application of empirically derived silvicultural scenarios to new sets of approaches, methods and practices, a process that calls for broadening our conception of silviculture as a scientific discipline. We propose a holistic view of silviculture revolving around three key themes: observe, anticipate and adapt. In observe, we present how recent advances in remote sensing now enable silviculturists to observe forest structural, compositional and functional attributes in near-real-time, which in turn facilitates the deployment of efficient, targeted silvicultural measures in practice that are adapted to rapidly changing constraints. In anticipate, we highlight the importance of developing state-of-the-art models designed to take into account the effects of changing environmental conditions on forest growth and dynamics. In adapt, we discuss the need to provide spatially explicit guidance for the implementation of adaptive silvicultural actions that are efficient, cost-effective and socially acceptable. We conclude by presenting key steps towards the development of new tools and practical knowledge that will ensure meeting societal demands in rapidly changing environmental conditions. We classify these actions into three main categories: reexamining existing silvicultural trials to identify key stand attributes associated with the resistance and resilience of forests to multiple stressors, developing technological workflows and infrastructures to allow for continuous forest inventory updating frameworks, and implementing bold, innovative silvicultural trials in consultation with the relevant communities where a range of adaptive silvicultural strategies are tested. In this holistic perspective, silviculture can be defined as the science of observing forest condition and anticipating its development to apply tending and regeneration treatments adapted to a multiplicity of desired outcomes in rapidly changing realities
The changing culture of silviculture
Changing climates are altering the structural and functional components of forest ecosystems at an unprecedented rate. Simultaneously, we are seeing a diversification of public expectations on the broader sustainable use of forest resources beyond timber production. As a result, the science and art of silviculture needs to adapt to these changing realities. In this piece, we argue that silviculturists are gradually shifting from the application of empirically derived silvicultural scenarios to new sets of approaches, methods and practices, a process that calls for broadening our conception of silviculture as a scientific discipline. We propose a holistic view of silviculture revolving around three key themes: observe, anticipate and adapt. In observe, we present how recent advances in remote sensing now enable silviculturists to observe forest structural, compositional and functional attributes in near-real-time, which in turn facilitates the deployment of efficient, targeted silvicultural measures in practice that are adapted to rapidly changing constraints. In anticipate, we highlight the importance of developing state-of-the-art models designed to take into account the effects of changing environmental conditions on forest growth and dynamics. In adapt, we discuss the need to provide spatially explicit guidance for the implementation of adaptive silvicultural actions that are efficient, cost-effective and socially acceptable. We conclude by presenting key steps towards the development of new tools and practical knowledge that will ensure meeting societal demands in rapidly changing environmental conditions. We classify these actions into three main categories: re-examining existing silvicultural trials to identify key stand attributes associated with the resistance and resilience of forests to multiple stressors, developing technological workflows and infrastructures to allow for continuous forest inventory updating frameworks, and implementing bold, innovative silvicultural trials in consultation with the relevant communities where a range of adaptive silvicultural strategies are tested. In this holistic perspective, silviculture can be defined as the science of observing forest condition and anticipating its development to apply tending and regeneration treatments adapted to a multiplicity of desired outcomes in rapidly changing realities
Le musée, un lieu éducatif
This anthology contains essays on various aspects of museum education, by 35 members of the Special Interest Group on Education and Museums (SIGEM). Originally presented at a conference held in Montreal in 1995, the essays in this book address a wide range of issues related to the educational function of museums. Topics discussed include: educational, scientific and museological research; the value of guided tours and visual arts workshops; the question of evaluation; and relationships between museums and schools. 21 diagrams and 19 charts. 4 texts in English 31 texts in French. Circa 480 bibl. ref
Identification of a BRCA2-Specific modifier locus at 6p24 related to breast cancer risk
Common genetic variants contribute to the observed variation in breast cancer risk for BRCA2 mutation carriers; those known to date have all been found through population-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS). To comprehensively identify breast cancer risk modifying loci for BRCA2 mutation carriers, we conducted a deep replication of an ongoing GWAS discovery study. Using the ranked P-values of the breast cancer associations with the imputed genotype of 1.4 M SNPs, 19,029 SNPs were selected and designed for inclusion on a custom Illumina array that included a total of 211,155 SNPs as part of a multi-consortial project. DNA samples from 3,881 breast cancer affected and 4,330 unaffected BRCA2 mutation carriers from 47 studies belonging to the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 were genotyped and available for analysis. We replicated previously reported breast cancer susceptibility alleles in these BRCA2 mutation carriers and for several regions (including FGFR2, MAP3K1, CDKN2A/B, and PTHLH) identified SNPs that have stronger evidence of association than those previously published. We also identified a novel susceptibility allele at 6p24 that was inversely associated with risk in BRCA2 mutation carriers (rs9348512; per allele HRâ=â0.85, 95% CI 0.80-0.90, Pâ=â3.9Ă10â8). This SNP was not associated with breast cancer risk either in the general population or in BRCA1 mutation carriers. The locus lies within a region containing TFAP2A, which encodes a transcriptional activation protein that interacts with several tumor suppressor genes. This report identifies the first breast cancer risk locus specific to a BRCA2 mutation background. This comprehensive update of novel and previously reported breast cancer susceptibility loci contributes to the establishment of a panel of SNPs that modify breast cancer risk in BRCA2 mutation carriers. This panel may have clinical utility for women with BRCA2 mutations weighing options for medical prevention of breast cancer
Associations of common breast cancer susceptibility alleles with risk of breast cancer subtypes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers
Introduction: More than 70 common alleles are known to be involved in breast cancer (BC) susceptibility, and several exhibit significant heterogeneity in their associations with different BC subtypes. Although there are differences in the association patterns between BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers and the general population for several loci, no study has comprehensively evaluated the associations of all known BC susceptibility alleles with risk of BC subtypes in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers. Methods: We used data from 15,252 BRCA1 and 8,211 BRCA2 carriers to analyze the associations between approximately 200,000 genetic variants on the iCOGS array and risk of BC subtypes defined by estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and triple-negative- (TN) status; morphologic subtypes; histological grade; and nodal involvement. Results: The estimated BC hazard ratios (HRs) for the 74 known BC alleles in BRCA1 carriers exhibited moderate correlations with the corresponding odds ratios from the general population. However, their associations with ER-positive BC in BRCA1 carriers were more consistent with the ER-positive as
Functional mechanisms underlying pleiotropic risk alleles at the 19p13.1 breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility locus
A locus at 19p13 is associated with breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) risk. Here we analyse 438 SNPs in this region in 46,451 BC and 15,438 OC cases, 15,252 BRCA1 mutation carriers and 73,444 controls and identify 13 candidate causal SNPs associated with serous OC (P=9.2 Ă 10-20), ER-negative BC (P=1.1 Ă 10-13), BRCA1-associated BC (P=7.7 Ă 10-16) and triple negative BC (P-diff=2 Ă 10-5). Genotype-gene expression associations are identified for candidate target genes ANKLE1 (P=2 Ă 10-3) and ABHD8 (P<2 Ă 10-3). Chromosome conformation capture identifies interactions between four candidate SNPs and ABHD8, and luciferase assays indicate six risk alleles increased transactivation of the ADHD8 promoter. Targeted deletion of a region containing risk SNP rs56069439 in a putative enhancer induces ANKLE1 downregulation; and mRNA stability assays indicate functional effects for an ANKLE1 3âČ-UTR SNP. Altogether, these data suggest that multiple SNPs at 19p13 regulate ABHD8 and perhaps ANKLE1 expression, and indicate common mechanisms underlying breast and ovarian cancer risk
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