Measuring costs of sequestering carbon in forest stands with different management regimes in western Oregon

This project was a part of larger work that compared major factors controlling patterns of carbon dynamics in two regions of the globe, the Pacific Northwest, USA and northwestern Russia. It was funded through the NASA foundation (grant # NAG5- 6242). Human economic activity is causing the release of pollutants such as carbon dioxide. The increased concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere is thought to cause greenhouse effect, in other words - the warming of the earth and lower atmosphere. Different methods are proposed to reduce concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. Some involve development of more clean technologies. Some involve reductions in the use of fossil fuels. Another possibility is to store carbon (C) as live biomass. Plants use C for growth and development. Using forests to sequester C is one strategy for mitigating effects of GHG emissions. There are many methods in forestry to grow trees and produce wood products. Some of them include clearcutting, thinning, fertilizing, burning, and partial cutting. This project had three purposes. First, was to investigate the effect of a wide variety of silvicultural treatments on C storage and the economic value of harvested forest products. We measured economic value as soil expectation value. Second, was to use Data Envelopment Analysis to determine the efficient set of treatments, which make up the Production Possibility Frontier (PPF) in terms of C and economic value. Third, was to use the PPF to measure the marginal cost of carbon storage in moving from high SEV and relatively low C storage to lower SEV and relatively high C storage. C storage and timber harvest were simulated using the STANDCARB model for forest types common in north-western Oregon with two tree species, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). Fifty silvicultural regimes were investigated. They included clearcutting with rotations of 50, 70, 90, 110, 130, and 150. Each of the six rotation ages had eight combinations of silvicultural treatments consisting of artificial and natural regeneration, growth enhancement (GE) and thinning. Two partial cutting regimes: group selection and single-tree selection were also used in the analysis. C storage was calculated for every output year of each model run as a sum of live, dead, and stable C. C storage for each silvicultural regime was measured as the average over five full rotations from the steady state portion of the run. The analysis showed that average C increases with rotation age from 335.99 MgC/ha with 50-year rotation with natural regeneration and thinning to 826.36 MgCIha with 150-year rotation with artificial regeneration and GE. The use of artificial regeneration compared to natural regeneration gave a 20-30 MgC/ha improvement for all regimes. The total harvest from thinning and clearcutting over the rotation period averaged for several runs varied from 505.34 m3/ha (with 50-year rotation no treatment) to 1782.24 m3/ha (with 150-year rotation with GE and thinning) The use of artificial compared to natural regeneration gave a 20-50 m3/ha increase in harvest for all regimes. SEV is the present value of net revenues from perpetually growing tree crops following the specified regime. It measures the economic value of each regime. Generally, SEV has a negative correlation with rotation length. Using a 3.5 percent real discount rate, the maximum SEV ($7904.3/hectare) was obtained from 50-year rotation with artificial regeneration, GE and thinning In contrast, SEV for 130-year rotation with artificial regeneration was only$446.68/hectare. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (OnFront software) we found that 8 of the 50 regimes investigated were efficient in their ability to store C and produce economic value. The efficient regimes included 50, 110, 130 and 150-year rotations with artificial regeneration, GE and thinning; 110, 130 and 150-year rotations with natural regeneration, GE and thinning, and the 150-year rotation with natural regeneration and GE. When regimes with GE were excluded, we found 7 efficient regimes: 50 and 150-year rotations with artificial regeneration and thinning, 50, 110, 130 and 150-year rotations with natural regeneration and thinning, and the 150-year rotation with natural regeneration. The marginal cost of C storage is the SEV lost per unit of C due to change in silvicultural regimes that results in increase of average C stored. Marginal cost analysis indicated that marginal cost values were similar for regimes with GE and without. As C storage increased, the marginal cost generally increased. The increase in C storage from 428 MgC/ha to 589 MgC/ha implied a marginal cost of $13.28IMgC. In case of increasing C storage from 683 MgC/ha to 802.7 MgC/ha, the marginal cost would increase to$32.79JMgC

The interaction of vortical flows with red cells in venous valve mimics

The motion of cells orthogonal to the direction of main flow is of importance in natural and engineered systems. The lateral movement of red blood cells (RBCs) distal to sudden expansion is considered to influence the formation and progression of thrombosis in venous valves, aortic aneurysms, and blood-circulating devices and is also a determining parameter for cell separation applications in flow-focusing microfluidic devices. Although it is known that the unique geometry of venous valves alters the blood flow patterns and cell distribution in venous valve sinuses, the interactions between fluid flow and RBCs have not been elucidated. Here, using a dilute cell suspension in an in vitro microfluidic model of a venous valve, we quantified the spatial distribution of RBCs by microscopy and image analysis, and using micro-particle image velocimetry and 3D computational fluid dynamics simulations, we analyzed the complex flow patterns. The results show that the local hematocrit in the valve pockets is spatially heterogeneous and is significantly different from the feed hematocrit. Above a threshold shear rate, the inertial separation of streamlines and lift forces contribute to an uneven distribution of RBCs in the vortices, the entrapment of RBCs in the vortices, and non-monotonic wall shear stresses in the valve pockets. Our experimental and computational characterization provides insights into the complex interactions between fluid flow, RBC distribution, and wall shear rates in venous valve mimics, which is of relevance to understanding the pathophysiology of thrombosis and improving cell separation efficiency

Subsidies and grants to small businesses from the state

В статті досліджено механізм застосування субсидій та дотацій в Україні та закордоном. Зіставлено методи фінансування підприємств у різних країнах. Зокрема розглянуті питання фінансування аграрного сектору. На основі зарубіжного досвіду виявлено проблеми української економіки, що потребують вирішення на основі вдосконалення системи субсидування та дотування українського бізнесу.The article explores the mechanism for the use of subsidies and subsidies in Ukraine and abroad. The methods of financing enterprises in different countries are compared. In particular, the issues of financing the agricultural sector were considered. On the basis of foreign experience, problems of the Ukrainian economy have been identified that require solutions based on the improvement of the system of subsidizing and subsidizing Ukrainian business

Automated Motion Tracking and Data Extraction for Red Blood Cell Biomechanics

Red blood cell biomechanics can provide us with a deeper understanding of macroscopic physiology and have the potential of being used for diagnostic purposes. In diseases like sickle cell anemia and malaria, reduced red blood cell deformability can be used as a biomarker, leading to further assays and diagnoses. A microfluidic system is useful for studying these biomechanical properties. We can observe detailed red blood cell mechanical behavior as they flow through microcapillaries using high-speed imaging and microscopy. Microfluidic devices are advantageous over traditional methods because they can serve as high-throughput tests. However, to rapidly analyze thousands of cells, there is a need for powerful image processing tools and software automation. We describe a workflow process using Image-Pro to identify and track red blood cells in a video, take measurements, and export the data for use in statistical analysis tools. The information in this protocol can be applied to large-scale blood studies where entire cell populations need to be analyzed from many cohorts of donors. © 2020 The Authors. Basic Protocol 1: Enhancing raw video for motion tracking. Basic Protocol 2: Extracting motion tracking data from enhanced video

Investigation of Ethidium Bromide Interaction with <i>Yersinia</i> Bacterial Cells in Lyophilized/Rehydrated Preparations

Investigated was ethidium bromide interaction with the cells of avirulent Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis strains in lyophilized/rehydrated preparations. The population heterogeneity regarding particle size and concentration of nucleic acid was identified by flow cytofluorimetry and registration of total fluorescence intensity. Shown was the correlation between concentration of colony-forming units (CFU) and fluorescence increase after supplementing suspension with cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide. This approach was suggested as the express method to estimate viable cell count in lyophilized/rehydrated preparations and to control the process of preparing and storage of collection strains, dry live vaccine and probiotic preparations of gramnegative bacteria

Alteration of Effector Activity of T-Lymphocytes in Mice Immunized against Tularemia, Using <I>in vitro</I> Stimulation by Tularin

lymphocytes) isolated from mice, immunized against tularemia. Put forward is the proposition to use tularin in serological surveys and reactions in vitro for identification of postinfectious or postvaccinal immunity to tularemia

Sequence dependence of isothermal DNA amplification via EXPAR

Isothermal nucleic acid amplification is becoming increasingly important for molecular diagnostics. Therefore, new computational tools are needed to facilitate assay design. In the isothermal EXPonential Amplification Reaction (EXPAR), template sequences with similar thermodynamic characteristics perform very differently. To understand what causes this variability, we characterized the performance of 384 template sequences, and used this data to develop two computational methods to predict EXPAR template performance based on sequence: a position weight matrix approach with support vector machine classifier, and RELIEF attribute evaluation with Naïve Bayes classification. The methods identified well and poorly performing EXPAR templates with 67–70% sensitivity and 77–80% specificity. We combined these methods into a computational tool that can accelerate new assay design by ruling out likely poor performers. Furthermore, our data suggest that variability in template performance is linked to specific sequence motifs. Cytidine, a pyrimidine base, is over-represented in certain positions of well-performing templates. Guanosine and adenosine, both purine bases, are over-represented in similar regions of poorly performing templates, frequently as GA or AG dimers. Since polymerases have a higher affinity for purine oligonucleotides, polymerase binding to GA-rich regions of a single-stranded DNA template may promote non-specific amplification in EXPAR and other nucleic acid amplification reactions

Opportunities and Threats of E-marketing of the Hotel Sol Tenerife on Russian Market

The purpose of the present study is to create valuable information for the Spanish hotel Sol Tenerife about characteristics of e-marketing in Russia. The study investigates main opportunities and threats which a foreign hotel has to consider when implementing the Internet marketing strategy in the country. The specifics of Russian travelling market and consumer behaviour are explained. The theoretical frame for the work is created based on the review of a secondary data concerning general features of the Internet usage and its influence on consumer behaviour. The main characteristics of the Internet usage and Russian traveller profile are described. The empirical part is accomplished with an analysis of the results of the qualitative investigation which was carried out among Russian customers of the Hotel Sol Tenerife. Data was gathered with open interviews and the results were studied following the codifying method. The thesis was completed by connecting secondary data and the findings of the qualitative investigation. Firstly the major concepts of the subject were studied. Secondly the method of collecting interviews was chosen and the process of leading the investigation was planned. Thirdly the investigation was completed and the results were simplified and analysed. Finally the secondary data and primary data findings were joined together concluding the work. The paper presents several findings on the subject of e-marketing of individual clients in Russia. The researcher claims that there is a growing interest among Russian citizens in the usage of the Internet services as a source of touristic information. However, there are several threats on the way of development of e-marketing which are language barrier, need of personal advice, visa obtaining difficulties and lack of experience in online booking. The research findings reveal that Russian travellers still need to be educated on the subject of online booking of accommodation services

Developing a business plan for a Family Logistics Company

The purpose of the study was to develop a business plan for a family logistics company in Finland. The work investigated the logistics business in Finland, and created the business plan according to the needs of the industry. The information was gathered from literature, newspapers and Internet. The empirical study contains the business plan. The survey was made using the qualitative method. It discusses the opinion of other logistics companies on today’s situation on the market. The study provides in-depth analysis of the budget, marketing and strategic plan for family logistics company. This thesis also gives ideas on what to take into consideration when starting-up own company. Further study is required to research the way of decreasing risks in logistics business and examine how dangerous the family business can be for the household

Quantification of Red Blood Cell Deformability and Distribution in Venous Valve Mimics

Red blood cells (RBCs) are vital to sustaining life as they are necessary for microvascular oxygenation and tissue perfusion, as well as inflammation and hemostasis. RBC deformability plays a key role in their distribution in blood vessels, and hence directly influences pathophysiology of sickle cell disease and deep vein thrombosis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that RBC deformability will affect their distribution in venous valve pockets, the location of venous thrombosis. To test this hypothesis, we used confined microfluidic flows to quantify RBC deformability, and manipulated membrane cholesterol to alter RBC deformability. The effect of RBC deformability changes on their distribution in venous valve mimics was assessed using an image-based quantification algorithm. Our data show that confined flows can be used to quantify deformability of RBCs, and that cholesterol depletion decreases deformability. Our data also show that cholesterol-induced deformability changes in RBC had a modest effect on RBC distribution at low Reynolds number but the differences were insignificant at high Reynolds number