Fire modelling in Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands. IV. Sustaining versus non-sustaining fires

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon B. Marsden-Smedley ◽  
Wendy R. Catchpole ◽  
Adrian Pyrke
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Marginal Utility ◽  
Classification Tree ◽  
Fuel Moisture ◽  
Site Productivity ◽  
Fire Modelling ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Water Courses ◽  
Will Self

Buttongrass moorlands are widespread in western Tasmania. In these moorlands, the ability to conduct burning without having to rely on hard fuel boundaries (e.g. vegetation which is too wet to burn, water courses, mineral earth breaks and/or roads) would be a major advantage to land managers. Such burning relies on fires self-extinguishing and is normally referred to as unbounded burning. The aim of this project was to model the probability of fires extinguishing using the data from 156 buttongrass moorland fires. The variables used were wind speed, dead fuel moisture and site productivity. The model, derived from a combination of logistic regression and classification tree modelling, predicts that fires will self-extinguish over a wide range of conditions in low productivity moorlands but, in medium productivity moorlands, the conditions within which fires will self-extinguish will be much more restrictive. As a result, the technique of unbounded burning should be widely applicable in low productivity moorlands, but will be of marginal utility in medium productivity moorlands.

scholarly journals Evaluating Model Predictions of Fire Induced Tree Mortality Using Wildfire-Affected Forest Inventory Measurements

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason S. Barker ◽  
Jeremy S. Fried ◽  
Andrew N. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Forest Inventory ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Flame Length ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Fuel Moisture ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Mean Error ◽  
Wide Range

Forest land managers rely on predictions of tree mortality generated from fire behavior models to identify stands for post-fire salvage and to design fuel reduction treatments that reduce mortality. A key challenge in improving the accuracy of these predictions is selecting appropriate wind and fuel moisture inputs. Our objective was to evaluate postfire mortality predictions using the Forest Vegetation Simulator Fire and Fuels Extension (FVS-FFE) to determine if using representative fire-weather data would improve prediction accuracy over two default weather scenarios. We used pre- and post-fire measurements from 342 stands on forest inventory plots, representing a wide range of vegetation types affected by wildfire in California, Oregon, and Washington. Our representative weather scenarios were created by using data from local weather stations for the time each stand was believed to have burned. The accuracy of predicted mortality (percent basal area) with different weather scenarios was evaluated for all stands, by forest type group, and by major tree species using mean error, mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE). One of the representative weather scenarios, Mean Wind, had the lowest mean error (4%) in predicted mortality, but performed poorly in some forest types, which contributed to a relatively high RMSE of 48% across all stands. Driven in large part by over-prediction of modelled flame length on steeper slopes, the greatest over-prediction mortality errors arose in the scenarios with higher winds and lower fuel moisture. Our results also indicated that fuel moisture was a stronger influence on post-fire mortality than wind speed. Our results suggest that using representative weather can improve accuracy of mortality predictions when attempting to model over a wide range of forest types. Focusing simulations exclusively on extreme conditions, especially with regard to wind speed, may lead to over-prediction of tree mortality from fire.

scholarly journals Impacts of Forest Thinning on Wildland Fire Behavior

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tirtha Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Fire Intensity ◽  
Fuel Moisture ◽  
Forest Thinning ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Actual Fire

Key message: We have explored the impacts of forest thinning on wildland fire behavior using a process based model. Simulating different degrees of thinning, we found out that forest thinning should be conducted cautiously as there could be a wide range of outcomes depending upon the post-thinning states of fuel availability, fuel connectivity, fuel moisture and micrometeorological features such as wind speed. Context: There are conflicting reports in the literature regarding the effectiveness of forest thinning. Some studies have found that thinning reduces fire severity, while some studies have found that thinning might lead to enhanced fire severity. Aims: Our goal was to evaluate if both of these outcomes are possible post thinning operations and what are the limiting conditions for post thinning fire behavior. Methods: We used a process based model to simulate different degrees of thinning systematically, under two different conditions, where the canopy fuel moisture was unchanged and when the canopy fuel moisture was also depleted post thinning. Both of these scenarios are reported in the literature. Results: We found out that a low degree of thinning can indeed increase fire intensity, especially if the canopy fuel moisture is low. A high degree of thinning was effective in reducing fire intensity. However, thinning also increased rate of spread under some conditions. Interestingly, both intensity and rate of spread were dependent on the competing effects of increased wind speed, fuel loading and canopy fuel moisture. Conclusion: We were able to find the limits of fire behavior post thinning and actual fire behavior is likely to be somewhere in the middle of the theoretical extremes explored in this work. The actual fire behavior post thinning should depend on the site specific conditions which would determine the outcome of the interplay among the aforementioned conditions. The work also highlights that policymakers should be careful about fine scale canopy architectural attributes and micrometeorological aspects when planning fuel treatment operations.

Fire modelling in Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands. III. Dead fuel moisture

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon B. Marsden-Smedley ◽  
Wendy R. Catchpole
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Model ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Dew Point ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Fuel Moisture ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Fire Modelling

An experimental program was carried out in Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands to develop fire behaviour prediction models for improving fire management. This paper describes the results of the fuel moisture modelling section of this project. A range of previously developed fuel moisture prediction models are examined and three empirical dead fuel moisture prediction models are developed. McArthur’s grassland fuel moisture model gave equally good predictions as a linear regression model using humidity and dew-point temperature. The regression model was preferred as a prediction model as it is inherently more robust. A prediction model based on hazard sticks was found to have strong seasonal effects which need further investigation before hazard sticks can be used operationally.

scholarly journals Environmental Drivers and Age Trends in Site Productivity for Oak in Southern Poland

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Luiza Tymińska-Czabańska ◽  
Jarosław Socha ◽  
Marek Maj ◽  
Dominika Cywicka ◽  
Xo Viet Hoang Duong
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Deposition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Additive Model ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Site Productivity ◽  
Site Factors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Si Model

Site productivity provides critical information for forest management practices and is a fundamental measure in forestry. It is determined using site index (SI) models, which are developed using two primary groups of methods, namely, phytocentric (plant-based) or geocentric (earth-based). Geocentric methods allow for direct site growth modelling, in which the SI is predicted using multiple environmental indicators. However, changes in non-static site factors—particularly nitrogen deposition and rising CO2 concentration—lead to an increase in site productivity, which may be visible as an age trend in the SI. In this study, we developed a geocentric SI model for oak. For the development of the SI model, we used data from 150 sample plots, representing a wide range of local topographic and site conditions. A generalized additive model was used to model site productivity. We found that the oak SI depended predominantly on physicochemical soil properties—mainly nitrogen, carbon, sand, and clay content. Additionally, the oak SI value was found to be slightly shaped by the topography, especially by altitude above sea level, and topographic position. We also detected a significant relationship between the SI and the age of oak stands, indicating the long-term increasing site productivity for oak, most likely caused by nitrogen deposition and changes in climatic conditions. The developed geocentric site productivity model for oak explained 77.2% of the SI variation.

scholarly journals Dust Production around Carbon-Rich Stars: The Role of Metallicity

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Ambra Nanni ◽  
Sergio Cristallo ◽  
Jacco Th. van Loon ◽  
Martin A. T. Groenewegen
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Galactic Halo ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Circumstellar Envelopes ◽  
Chemical Enrichment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Universe

Background: Most of the stars in the Universe will end their evolution by losing their envelope during the thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) phase, enriching the interstellar medium of galaxies with heavy elements, partially condensed into dust grains formed in their extended circumstellar envelopes. Among these stars, carbon-rich TP-AGB stars (C-stars) are particularly relevant for the chemical enrichment of galaxies. We here investigated the role of the metallicity in the dust formation process from a theoretical viewpoint. Methods: We coupled an up-to-date description of dust growth and dust-driven wind, which included the time-averaged effect of shocks, with FRUITY stellar evolutionary tracks. We compared our predictions with observations of C-stars in our Galaxy, in the Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC) and in the Galactic Halo, characterised by metallicity between solar and 1/10 of solar. Results: Our models explained the variation of the gas and dust content around C-stars derived from the IRS Spitzer spectra. The wind speed of the C-stars at varying metallicity was well reproduced by our description. We predicted the wind speed at metallicity down to 1/10 of solar in a wide range of mass-loss rates.

A proof-of-concept study applying machine learning methods to putative risk factors for eating disorders: results from the multi-centre European project on healthy eating

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
I. Krug ◽  
J. Linardon ◽  
C. Greenwood ◽  
G. Youssef ◽  
J. Treasure ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Prediction Rule ◽  
Predictive Performance ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
European Project ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background Despite a wide range of proposed risk factors and theoretical models, prediction of eating disorder (ED) onset remains poor. This study undertook the first comparison of two machine learning (ML) approaches [penalised logistic regression (LASSO), and prediction rule ensembles (PREs)] to conventional logistic regression (LR) models to enhance prediction of ED onset and differential ED diagnoses from a range of putative risk factors. Method Data were part of a European Project and comprised 1402 participants, 642 ED patients [52% with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 40% with bulimia nervosa (BN)] and 760 controls. The Cross-Cultural Risk Factor Questionnaire, which assesses retrospectively a range of sociocultural and psychological ED risk factors occurring before the age of 12 years (46 predictors in total), was used. Results All three statistical approaches had satisfactory model accuracy, with an average area under the curve (AUC) of 86% for predicting ED onset and 70% for predicting AN v. BN. Predictive performance was greatest for the two regression methods (LR and LASSO), although the PRE technique relied on fewer predictors with comparable accuracy. The individual risk factors differed depending on the outcome classification (EDs v. non-EDs and AN v. BN). Conclusions Even though the conventional LR performed comparably to the ML approaches in terms of predictive accuracy, the ML methods produced more parsimonious predictive models. ML approaches offer a viable way to modify screening practices for ED risk that balance accuracy against participant burden.

Αποτίμηση κινδύνων των ευρωπαϊκών τραπεζών και συστήματα έγκαιρης προειδοποίησης

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Παντελής Σταυρούλιας
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Classification Tree ◽  
Probit Regression ◽  
Macroprudential Policy ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Out Of Sample ◽  
Sample Testing

Οι έγκυρες προβλέψεις χρηματοοικονομικών κρίσεων διασφάλιζαν ανέκαθεν την σταθερότητα τόσο ολόκληρου του χρηματοοικονομικού οικοδομήματος γενικότερα, όσο και του τραπεζικού τομέα ειδικότερα. Με την παρούσα διατριβή επιτυγχάνεται η πρόβλεψη συστημικών τραπεζικών κρίσεων για χώρες της EE-14 αρκετά τρίμηνα προτού αυτές γίνουν αντιληπτές με την χρησιμοποίηση των πιο διαδεδομένων μεταβλητών (μακροοικονομικών, τραπεζικών και αγοράς) μέσω δύο προσεγγίσεων, της δυαδικής και της πολυεπίπεδης. Ακολουθώντας τη δυαδική προσέγγιση, εξάγονται μοντέλα ταξινόμησης με την εφαρμογή της Διακριτής Ανάλυσης (Discriminant Analysis), της Γραμμικής Παλινδρόμησης (Linear Regression), της Λογιστικής Παλινδρόμησης (Logistic Regression) και της Παλινδρόμησης Πιθανοομάδας (Probit Regression), για την έγκαιρη πρόβλεψη των κρίσεων -12 έως -7 τρίμηνα πριν την εμφάνισή τους. Επιπροσθέτως, συγκρίνεται η απόδοση της ανωτέρω ανάλυσης χρησιμοποιώντας τις νεότερες και πλέον υποσχόμενες μεθόδους του Δέντρου Ταξινόμησης (Classification Tree), του Τυχαίου Δάσους (Random Forest) και της C5. Ταυτόχρονα προτείνεται ένα νέο μέτρο επιλογής κατωφλίων και απόδοσης προσαρμογής (GoF) των μοντέλων πρόβλεψης και μια νέα συνδυαστική (combined) μέθοδος ταξινόμησης. Προκειμένου να διερευνηθεί η απόδοση της ανωτέρω ανάλυσης, χρησιμοποιείται ο εκτός του δείγματος έλεγχος (out-of-sample testing) με τη μέθοδο της ανά χώρα σταυρωτής επικύρωσης (country-blocked cross validation). Σύμφωνα με τη μέθοδο αυτή, πραγματοποιείται η ανάλυση και εξάγονται τα μοντέλα πρόβλεψης με τη χρήση των δεκατριών από τις δεκατέσσερις χώρες του δείγματος (in-sample), εφαρμόζονται τα εξαγόμενα μοντέλα για την δέκατη τέταρτη χώρα που είχε εξαιρεθεί από το αρχικό δείγμα (out-of-sample) και ελέγχονται τα αποτελέσματα πρόβλεψης με τα πραγματικά δεδομένα της χώρας αυτής. Η παραπάνω διαδικασία επαναλαμβάνεται δεκατέσσερις φορές, αφήνοντας δηλαδή κάθε φορά μια χώρα εκτός δείγματος και τελικά εξάγεται ο μέσος όρος των επαναλήψεων. Στην παρούσα διατριβή, και χρησιμοποιώντας τον εκτός του δείγματος έλεγχο, επιτυγχάνεται η κατά 82.4% σωστή ταξινόμηση (Ακρίβεια – Accuracy), 78.4% ποσοστό Αληθινών Θετικών (Τrue Ρositive Rate - TPR) και 80.6% ποσοστό Θετικής Τιμής Πρόβλεψης (Positive Predictive Value - PPV). Σύμφωνα με την πολυεπίπεδη προσέγγιση, διακρίνονται δύο επίπεδα-περίοδοι πρόβλεψης των Συστημικών Τραπεζικών Κρίσεων. Το πρώτο επίπεδο ονομάζεται έγκαιρη πρόβλεψη (early warning) και αφορά περίοδο -12 έως -7 τρίμηνα πριν την έλευση της κρίσης ενώ το δεύτερο επίπεδο ονομάζεται καθυστερημένη πρόβλεψη (late warning) και αφορά περίοδο -6 έως -1 τρίμηνα πριν την έλευση της κρίσης. Για την πολυεπίπεδη αυτή ταξινόμηση, γίνεται χρήση των Νευρωνικών Δικτύων (Neural Networks), της Πολυωνυμικής Λογιστικής Παλινδρόμησης (Multinomial Logistic Regression) και της Πολυεπίπεδης Γραμμικής Διακριτής Ανάλυσης (Multinomial Discriminant Analysis). Εφαρμόζοντας τον ίδιο εκτός του δείγματος έλεγχο με την πρώτη προσέγγιση επιτυγχάνεται η κατά 85.7% σωστή ταξινόμηση με την βέλτιστη μέθοδο που αποδεικνύεται ότι είναι η Πολυεπίπεδη Γραμμική Διακριτή Ανάλυση. Εφαρμόζοντας την ανωτέρω ανάλυση, οι ενδιαφερόμενοι φορείς άσκησης πολιτικής (policy makers) μπορούν να ανιχνεύσουν την ύπαρξης κρίσης σε βάθος χρόνου έως τριών ετών με τα προτεινόμενα μοντέλα, χρησιμοποιώντας μόνο δεδομένα που υπάρχουν ελεύθερα προσβάσιμα στο κοινό, ασκώντας με τον τρόπο αυτό την κατάλληλη ανά περίπτωση μακροπροληπτική πολιτική (macroprudential policy).

Substance Use Relapse Among Veterans at Termination of Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian A Betancourt ◽  
Panagiota Kitsantas ◽  
Deborah G Goldberg ◽  
Beth A Hawks
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Classification Tree ◽  
Treatment Completion ◽  
Classification Tree Analysis ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Tree Analysis ◽  
Substance Addiction

ABSTRACT Introduction Military veterans continue to struggle with addiction even after receiving treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). Identifying factors that may influence SUD relapse upon receiving treatment in veteran populations is crucial for intervention and prevention efforts. The purpose of this study was to examine risk factors that contribute to SUD relapse upon treatment completion in a sample of U.S. veterans using logistic regression and classification tree analysis. Materials and Methods Data from the 2017 Treatment Episode Data Set—Discharge (TEDS-D) included 40,909 veteran episode observations. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine factors associated with SUD relapse after treatment discharge. Classification trees were constructed to identify high-risk subgroups for substance use after discharge from treatment for SUDs. Results Approximately 94% of the veterans relapsed upon discharge from outpatient or residential SUD treatment. Veterans aged 18-34 years old were significantly less likely to relapse than the 35-64 age group (odds ratio [OR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66, 0.82), while males were more likely than females to relapse (OR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.34, 1.79). Unemployed veterans (OR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.67, 2.22) or veterans not in the labor force (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.47) were more likely to relapse than employed veterans. Homeless vs. independently housed veterans had 3.26 (95% CI: 2.55, 4.17) higher odds of relapse after treatment. Veterans with one arrest vs. none were more likely to relapse (OR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.95). Treatment completion was critical to maintain sobriety, as every other type of discharge led to more than double the odds of relapse. Veterans who received care at 24-hour detox facilities were 1.49 (95% CI: 1.23, 1.80) times more likely to relapse than those at rehabilitative/residential treatment facilities. Classification tree analysis indicated that homelessness upon discharge was the most important predictor in SUD relapse among veterans. Conclusion Aside from numerous challenges that veterans face after leaving military service, SUD relapse is intensified by risk factors such as homelessness, unemployment, and insufficient SUD treatment. As treatment and preventive care for SUD relapse is an active field of study, further research on SUD relapse among homeless veterans is necessary to better understand the epidemiology of substance addiction among this vulnerable population. The findings of this study can inform healthcare policy and practices targeting veteran-tailored treatment programs to improve SUD treatment completion and lower substance use after treatment.

scholarly journals Multiscaling and joint multiscaling description of the atmospheric wind speed and the aggregate power output from a wind farm

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Calif ◽  
F. G. Schmitt
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Scaling Properties ◽  
Developed Turbulence ◽  
Output Fluctuations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Generalized Correlation

Abstract. We consider here wind speed time series and the aggregate output wind power from a wind farm. We study their scaling statistics in the framework of fully developed turbulence and Kolmogorov's theory. We estimate their Fourier power spectra and consider their scaling properties in the physical space. We show that the atmospheric wind speed and the aggregate power output from a wind farm are intermittent and multifractal over a wide range of scales. The coupling between simultaneous data of the wind speed and aggregate power output is investigated through a joint multifractal description using the generalized correlation functions (GCFs). This multiscaling test is compatible with a linear relation between the wind speed and the aggregate power output fluctuations for timescales T ⩾ 103 s ≃ 15 min.

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