Investigation of Log Length Accuracy and Harvester Efficiency in Processing of Oak Trees

Harvester use in broadleaves has recently become more effective economically. However, difficulties with delimbing have shown that not all harvesting heads are suitable and efficient for broadleaved species. The typical obstacles are mainly large tree sizes, bends and forks in the trunks and large branches. For these reasons, it is difficult to obtain specific log lengths according to the settings in the harvester on-board computer. The objective of the research was to determine: 1) the accuracy of the log lengths from the bottom, middle and top parts of oak trees, and 2) harvester efficiency in the utilisation of the trunk for logs. The research was carried out on 61-year-old oaks from which logs with an expected length of 250 cm were processed. To achieve this length, a margin of error was set in the harvester computer with minimum and maximum lengths of 252 and 257 cm. For thinning operations, a Ponsse Ergo harvester with a H7 harvesting head was used. After harvesting, manual log measurements were carried out on 280 logs: 69, 142 and 69, from bottom, middle and top parts of the trees, respectively. The largest share of assortments satisfying the minimum requirement of 250–257 cm was obtained from the middle part of the trees (93%), followed by bottom logs (91%) and top logs (88%). The highest frequency of logs, which were too short, were found to be the top logs (9%), while bottom logs were most often too long (6%); therefore, different length settings should be applied to limit such inaccuracies. Analysis of the last log from the highest part of the tree indicated a strong goodness of fit between the top diameter and the DBH; the mean value of the top diameter was 13.3 cm over bark

Digital-image analysis of the femoral shaft/neck angle in human foetuses

Measurements were made of the femoral shaft/neck angle (CCD angle) in 106 human foetuses, aged from 16 to 38 hbd, using a "FEM-GEO_03" computer program. The values of the CCD angle in the group under examination were: mean = 140.48°, SD = 6.95°, max = 157.90°, min = 113.93°. No significant differences were found in CCD angle size between male and female foetuses or between left and right bones. Dispersion analysis showed a decrease in the CCD angle during foetal development, which suggests that adaptation to a vertical position and bipedal gait starts during pregnancy and is manifest as an inborn feature

Determining Harvester Productivity Curves of Thinning Operations in Birch Stands of Central Europe

Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) is a popular tree species forming stands in nearly the whole of Europe. In Poland, birch is one of the most representative broadleaved species growing on rather poor soils, very often as a mix species with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). In Central Europe, birch forms trunk often with sweeps, and at the older age with thick branches. Due to that, a harvester thinning operation in birch stands can be challengeable when trying to process logs from the top part of trees, which can finally impact on productivity. The objective of this research was to determine harvester productivity for birch with particular attention to production of logs from the top part of a tree. The research was carried out in stands of North and North-West Poland. All together 21 tests were completed in 16 stands, in which 9 harvesters were used (8 different models). The mean diameter of harvested trees was 23.7 cm with the mean height of 21.7 m. Obtained productivity without delays was on average 21.98 m3 h-1 and varied from as low as 5.14 to maximum 44.66 m3 h-1, and depended mainly on harvested tree size. It was also confirmed that top diameter of the last log depended on diameter at breast height (DBH). The model developed based on that relationship can be used for prediction of biomass volume from birch stands when harvesters are used for thinning

Estimating and Modelling Harvester Productivity in Pine Stands of Different Ages, Densities and Thinning Intensities

In economic terms, the main limiting factors in harvester application in thinning operations are the stand age and thinning intensity with respect to tree size. Furthermore, harvested mean tree size depends on initial stand density but also on the number of trees cut per hectare. The objective of the research was to estimate the impact of: Þ stand age (class), Þ increasing stand density in each age class (AC), Þ increasing number of trees for harvesting in each AC, Þ thinning intensity, on harvester productivity. 17, 19 and 20 sample plots were established within 3rd (AC3) 4th (AC4) and 5th (AC5) age classes, respectively. In each AC, sample plots were selected that had an increasing number of trees per hectare: 563÷1603, 323÷868 and 476÷836 trees ha–1, in AC3, AC4 and AC5, respectively. Also, in each AC, an increasing number of trees per hectare for harvesting was selected: 130÷853, 80÷315 and 108÷282, in AC3, AC4 and AC5, respectively, with the relevant increasing thinning intensity: 35÷84, 21÷77 and 34÷88 m3 ha–1. In each AC, the stands were divided according to different thinning intensity (THI): a60 m3 ha–1, respectively. A Komatsu 931.1 harvester was used for the thinning operation in each stand. The lowest mean productivity was observed in AC3 (18.57 m3 h–1), which was statistically different to AC4 and AC5 (22.24 and 22.60 m3 h–1, respectively). Within each AC, productivity lowered as the number of trees per hectare increased in the initial stand. The productivity decreased in AC3 and AC5 with the increasing number of trees for harvesting, which was not the case in AC4. In relation to the THIs, the lowest mean productivity was obtained in THIa (16.19 m3 h–1), which was statistically different to THIb and THIc (21.44 and 21.98 m3 h–1, respectively). An increasing THI only influenced productivity positively in AC4 and AC5. It can be concluded that the productivity of the Komatsu 931.1 harvester increased along with: Þ older AC, Þ decreasing number of trees in the initial stand in each AC, Þ lowering number of trees for harvesting in AC3 and AC5, Þ increasing THI in only AC4 and AC5. Finally, in the present model, the larger the mean DBH of the trees for harvesting, the greater the productivity. However, the mean DBH has to be considered in conjunction with the number of trees for harvesting (which depends on AC and THI, as variables in the model) when productivity is analysed

Impact of Season and Harvester Engine RPM on Pine Wood Damage from Feed Roller Spikes

Harvesters have become a common solution for wood harvesting in coniferous and broadleaved stands. Unfortunately, not every customer will accept logs with damage on the lateral surface of the roundwood caused by feed roller spikes. The extent of the wood damage caused by the spikes of harvester heads depends mainly on the type of feed rollers and tree species. The objective of the study was to investigate the external damage to pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) roundwood from harvester head spikes depending on the season of the year and harvester engine RPM, as well as the significance and potential consequences of such damage. The scope of the study also included an analysis of wood damage depth in three stem sections. The experimental plots selected were all in an 85-year-old pure pine stand. Logging was performed using a Ponsse Beaver harvester with an H60e harvester head manufactured in 2006. The mean depth of wood damage at all the points of measurement was 4.1 mm, while the maximum depth of wood damage totalled 5.3 mm. The depth of wood damage depended on the season of the year in which the logging work was performed, the harvester engine RPM and the stem section from which the log was processed. The damage was the deepest during summer operations and the shallowest during winter and springtime. The differences were statistically significant, however, the difference in the depth of damage was only 1 mm in average. Deeper wood damage was found at a lower engine RPM. Wood damage depth differed axially, and the least damage was found in the bottom logs

Investigation of Log Length Accuracy and Harvester Efficiency in Processing of Oak Trees

Harvester use in broadleaves has recently become more effective economically. However, difficulties with delimbing have shown that not all harvesting heads are suitable and efficient for broadleaved species. The typical obstacles are mainly large tree sizes, bends and forks in the trunks and large branches. For these reasons, it is difficult to obtain specific log lengths according to the settings in the harvester on-board computer. The objective of the research was to determine: 1) the accuracy of the log lengths from the bottom, middle and top parts of oak trees, and 2) harvester efficiency in the utilisation of the trunk for logs. The research was carried out on 61-year-old oaks from which logs with an expected length of 250 cm were processed. To achieve this length, a margin of error was set in the harvester computer with minimum and maximum lengths of 252 and 257 cm. For thinning operations, a Ponsse Ergo harvester with a H7 harvesting head was used. After harvesting, manual log measurements were carried out on 280 logs: 69, 142 and 69, from bottom, middle and top parts of the trees, respectively. The largest share of assortments satisfying the minimum requirement of 250–257 cm was obtained from the middle part of the trees (93%), followed by bottom logs (91%) and top logs (88%). The highest frequency of logs, which were too short, were found to be the top logs (9%), while bottom logs were most often too long (6%); therefore, different length settings should be applied to limit such inaccuracies. Analysis of the last log from the highest part of the tree indicated a strong goodness of fit between the top diameter and the DBH; the mean value of the top diameter was 13.3 cm over bark

The prevalence of incidentaloma - asymptomatic thyroid nodules in the Tricity (Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia) population

Introduction: The increased sensitivity of imaging devices raised number of incidentally discovered lesions in various organs of the human body. Thyroid gland is one of them. Reported prevalence of ultrasonographically detected thyroid nodules (incidentalomas) in general population ranges from 5.2 to 67.0%. Our study demonstrated occurrence of this clinical problem in the general population of the Tricity. Material and methods: 135 healthy adults (95 women and 40 men) were examined. Neck palpation, ultrasonographic examinations of thyroid gland and serum tyreotropin (TSH) level measurement were made. Results: In 8.9% of examine (12/135) persons nodules were palpable whereas in 14.8% (20/135) they were detectable only in ultrasonographic examination. Altogether thyroid ultrasound and palpation revealed nodules in 23.7% (32/135) of all cases. Multiple nodules were present in 12.0% of the cases. The pathology was more common in the elderly and in women. TSH serum level was within normal range in all cases of incidentaloma with otherwise normal thyroid gland. Conclusions: Prevalence of thyroid gland nodules (palpation - 8.9% plus ultrasonography - 14.8%) in healthy population of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot is close to data reported in southern Finland (27.0%) and Belgium (19.0%), where iodine deficiency is small, like in the Tricity area. The revealed lesions were over two times more frequent in the female population. Most of the nodules were not palpable.Wstęp: Czułość radiologicznych metod obrazowania ma wpływ na częstość rozpoznawania przypadkowych, niemych klinicznie zmian ogniskowych w różnych narządach człowieka, w tym także w gruczole tarczowym. Częstość incydentalnych guzków tarczycy wykrytych ultrasonograficznie waha się, w różnych populacjach, w granicach 5,2–67,0%. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono ten problem na przykładzie populacji mieszkańców Trójmiasta (Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia). Materiał i metody: W badaniu uczestniczyło 135 zdrowych osób (95 kobiet i 40 mężczyzn). U każdego biorącego udział w badaniu pacjenta wykonano badanie przedmiotowe szyi, ultrasonografię (USG) gruczołu tarczowego oraz zmierzono stężenie hormonu tyreotropowego (TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone) w surowicy. Wyniki: U 8,9% wszystkich uczestników badania (12/135) palpacyjnie stwierdzono guzki tarczycy. Natomiast wyłącznie ultrasonograficzne występowanie zmian ogniskowych tarczycy stwierdzono u dalszych 14,8% badanych osób (20/135). Zatem łącznie zmiany palpacyjne i wykryte w USG stwierdzono u 23,7% (32/135) badanych. Mnogie guzki w badaniu USG wykryto w 12,0% przypadków. Zmiany te były częstsze u kobiet i osób starszych. Stężenie TSH nie wykazywało istotnych korelacji z prawdopodobieństwem występowania guzka incydentalnego. Wnioski: Częstość występowania guzków tarczycy (w badaniu palpacyjnym - 8,9% po dodatkowym wykonaniu badania ultrasonograficznego - 14,8%) w populacji zdrowych mieszkańców Trójmiasta jest zbliżona do wyników uzyskanych w południowej Finlandii (27,0%) i Belgii (19,0%), gdzie niedobór jodu w środowisku jest mały, podobnie jak na Pomorzu. Incydentalne guzki tarczycy prawie 2-krotnie częściej występowały u kobiet niż u mężczyzn. Większość zmian ogniskowych tarczycy odkrytych ultrasonograficznie nie była wyczuwalna w badaniu palpacyjnym

Stanowisko ekspertów Polskiego Towarzystwa Kardiologicznego dotyczące stosowania andeksanetu alfa w warunkach polskich — interdyscyplinarny protokół

Andeksanet alfa (AA) jest rekombinowanym, nieaktywnym analogiem ludzkiego czynnika Xa (FXa), skutecznie odwracającym działanie jego inhibitorów — dostępnych w Polsce rywaroksabanu i apiksabanu. Lek otrzymał rejestrację po opublikowaniu wyników badania ANNEXA-4 (Andexanet Alfa, a Novel Antidote to the Anticoagulation Effects of FXA Inhibitors 4), w którym udowodniono jego skuteczność w przywracaniu hemostazy w zagrażających życiu krwawieniach w grupie pacjentów stosujących te leki przeciwkrzepliwe. Dlatego AA jest obecnie zalecany u pacjentów stosujących terapię apiksabanem lub rywaroksabanem z masywnymi i niemożliwymi do opanowania krwotokami, w tym udarami krwotocznymi i krwawieniami z przewodu pokarmowego. Najodpowiedniejsze do oszacowania stężenia rywaroksabanu i apiksabanu w osoczu, poza jego bezpośrednią oceną, są chromogenne testy anty-Xa specyficzne dla leku. Brak aktywności anty-Xa stwierdzony przy użyciu tych oznaczeń wyklucza istotne klinicznie stężenie inhibitora FXa w osoczu. Dawka AA nie powinna być natomiast modyfikowana na podstawie wyników badań hemostazy. Zależy ona wyłącznie od czasu, jaki upłynął od przyjęcia ostatniej dawki inhibitora FXa, oraz od dawki i rodzaju stosowanego przewlekle leku. Andeksanet alfa podawany jest w postaci bolusa dożylnego a następnie włączony zostaje wlew dożylny leku. Maksymalne odwrócenie aktywności anty-Xa następuje w ciągu 2 minut od zakończenia podawania bolusa, a kontynuowanie ciągłej infuzji dożylnej umożliwia utrzymanie efektu aż do 2 godzin po jego zakończeniu. Ponieważ aktywność leku przeciwkrzepliwego może się pojawić ponownie po zakończeniu wlewu, obecnie nie jest jasne, w jakim momencie po podaniu AA można (ponownie) podać inhibitory FXa lub heparynę

Recommendations of Polish Cardiac Society expert regarding the use of andexanet alpha in the Polish context. An interdisciplinary protocol

Andexanet alfa (AA) is a recombinant, inactive analog of human factor Xa (FXa), effectively reversing the effects of its inhibitors — rivaroxaban and apixaban, which are available in Poland. The drug was granted registration after the publication of the ANNEXA-4 trial (Andexanet Alfa, a Novel Antidote to the Anticoagulation Effects of FXA Inhibitors 4), in which its efficacy in restoring hemostasis in life-threatening hemorrhages in a group of patients using the aforementioned anticoagulants was proven. Hence, AA is now recommended for patients receiving apixaban or rivaroxaban therapy with massive and uncontrollable hemorrhages, including hemorrhagic strokes (HS) and gastrointestinal bleeding. Drug-specific chromogenic anti-Xa assays are generally best suited for estimating rivaroxaban and apixaban plasma levels, aside from direct assessment of their concentrations. The absence of anti-Xa activity, determined using these assays, allows to outrule the presence of clinically relevant plasma concentrations of the FXa inhibitor. On the other hand, the dose of AA should not be modified based on the results of hemostasis tests, as it depends solely on the time elapsed since the last dose of FXa inhibitor, and on the dose and type of long-term medication used. AA is administered as an intravenous (i.v.) bolus, followed by an i.v.infusion of the drug. The maximum reversal of anti-Xa activity occurs within two minutes of the end of the bolus treatment, with the continuation of the continuous i.v. infusion allowing the effect to be maintained for up to two hours afterwards. Because anticoagulant activity can reappear after the infusion is completed, it is currently unclear at what point after AA administration FXa inhibitors or heparin should be readministered