scholarly journals Acoustic Velocity—Wood Fiber Attribute Relationships for Jack Pine Logs and Their Potential Utility

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Newton
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Wood Fiber ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Acoustic Velocity ◽  
Potential Utility ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validation Data

This study presents an acoustic-based predictive modeling framework for estimating a suite of wood fiber attributes within jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) logs for informing in-forest log-segregation decision-making. Specifically, the relationships between acoustic velocity (longitudinal stress wave velocity; vl) and the dynamic modulus of elasticity (me), wood density (wd), microfibril angle (ma), tracheid wall thickness (wt), tracheid radial and tangential diameters (dr and dt, respectively), fiber coarseness (co), and specific surface area (sa), were parameterized deploying hierarchical mixed-effects model specifications and subsequently evaluated on their resultant goodness-of-fit, lack-of-fit, and predictive precision. Procedurally, the data acquisition phase involved: (1) randomly selecting 61 semi-mature sample trees within ten variable-sized plots established in unthinned and thinned compartments of four natural-origin stands situated in the central portion the Canadian Boreal Forest Region; (2) felling and sectioning each sample tree into four equal-length logs and obtaining twice-replicate vl measurements at the bottom and top cross-sectional faces of each log (n = 4) from which a log-specific mean vl value was calculated; and (3) sectioning each log at its midpoint and obtaining a cross-sectional sample disk from which a 2 × 2 cm bark-to-pith radial xylem sample was extracted and subsequently processed via SilviScan-3 to derive annual-ring-specific attribute values. The analytical phase involved: (1) stratifying the resultant attribute—acoustic velocity observational pairs for the 243 sample logs into approximately equal-sized calibration and validation data subsets; (2) parameterizing the attribute—acoustic relationships employing mixed-effects hierarchical linear regression specifications using the calibration data subset; and (3) evaluating the resultant models using the validation data subset via the deployment of suite of statistical-based metrics pertinent to the evaluation of the underlying assumptions and predictive performance. The results indicated that apart from tracheid diameters (dr and dt), the regression models were significant (p ≤ 0.05) and unbiased predictors which adhered to the underlying parameterization assumptions. However, the relationships varied widely in terms of explanatory power (index-of-fit ranking: wt (0.53) > me > sa > co > wd >> ma (0.08)) and predictive ability (sa > wt > wd > co >> me >>> ma). Likewise, based on simulations where an acoustic-based wd estimate is used as a surrogate measure for a Silviscan-equivalent value for a newly sampled log, predictive ability also varied by attribute: 95% of all future predictions for sa, wt, co, me, and ma would be within ±12%, ±14%, ±15%, ±27%, and ±55% and of the true values, respectively. Both the limitations and potential utility of these predictive relationships for use in log-segregation decision-making, are discussed. Future research initiatives, consisting of identifying and controlling extraneous sources of variation on acoustic velocity and establishing attribute-specific end-product-based design specifications, would be conducive to advancing the acoustic approach in boreal forest management.

scholarly journals Acoustic-Based Prediction of End-Product-Based Fibre Determinates within Standing Jack Pine Trees

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
Peter F. Newton
Keyword(s):  
Wood Density ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Cross Sectional

The objective of this study was to specify, parameterize, and evaluate an acoustic-based inferential framework for estimating commercially-relevant wood attributes within standing jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb) trees. The analytical framework consisted of a suite of models for predicting the dynamic modulus of elasticity (me), microfibril angle (ma), oven-dried wood density (wd), tracheid wall thickness (wt), radial and tangential tracheid diameters (dr and dt, respectively), fibre coarseness (co), and specific surface area (sa), from dilatational stress wave velocity (vd). Data acquisition consisted of (1) in-forest collection of acoustic velocity measurements on 61 sample trees situated within 10 variable-sized plots that were established in four mature jack pine stands situated in boreal Canada followed by the removal of breast-height cross-sectional disk samples, and (2) given (1), in-laboratory extraction of radial-based transverse xylem samples from the 61 disks and subsequent attribute determination via Silviscan-3. Statistically, attribute-specific acoustic prediction models were specified, parameterized, and, subsequently, evaluated on their goodness-of-fit, lack-of-fit, and predictive ability. The results indicated that significant (p ≤ 0.05) and unbiased relationships could be established for all attributes but dt. The models explained 71%, 66%, 61%, 42%, 30%, 19%, and 13% of the variation in me, wt, sa, co, wd, ma, and dr, respectively. Simulated model performance when deploying an acoustic-based wood density estimate indicated that the expected magnitude of the error arising from predicting dt, co, sa, wt, me, and ma prediction would be in the order of ±8%, ±12%, ±12%, ±13%, ±20%, and ±39% of their true values, respectively. Assessment of the utility of predicting the prerequisite wd estimate using micro-drill resistance measures revealed that the amplitude-based wd estimate was inconsequentially more precise than that obtained from vd (≈ <2%). A discourse regarding the potential utility and limitations of the acoustic-based computational suite for forecasting jack pine end-product potential was also articulated.

Decision analysis for jack pine management

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Martell ◽  
J. M. Fullerton
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Analysis ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Sand Flat ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Forest Region ◽  
Planning Methodology ◽  
Sand Flats ◽  
Boreal Forest Region

This paper demonstrates how decision analysis techniques can be used to develop a planning methodology that foresters can use to help resolve regeneration and tending decision-making problems associated with the management of jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.) cutovers on sand flats in the Boreal Forest region of the province of Ontario. The use of the technique is illustrated by applying it to a hypothetical jack pine sand flat cutover that is representative of such sites.

Combustion aerosol from experimental crown fires in a boreal forest jack pine stand

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1627-1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
N J Payne ◽  
B J Stocks ◽  
A Robinson ◽  
M Wasey ◽  
J W Strapp
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Climate Modelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prescribed Burns ◽  
Crown Fires ◽  
Median Diameter ◽  
Flaming Combustion

Combustion aerosol particles from boreal forest fires were quantified to facilitate investigation of the potential effects of increased fire activity caused by global warming, by providing data inputs for global and regional climate modelling of the direct and indirect effects. Aerial sampling was carried out in smoke plumes from 1-ha prescribed burns in mature jack pine stands. The three sampled burns resulted in crown fires, with fuel consumption from 4.2 to 5.8 kg·m–2. Accumulation and coarse mode aerosol (>0.1 µm) was quantified using a passive cavity aerosol spectrometer probe and cascade impactor. The number median diameter of particles in the smoke plume was 0.29 µm, and the peak number and cross-sectional area density occurred around a particle size of 0.4 µm. More than 99% of particles sized had diameters <1.2 µm. Aerosol from flaming combustion was coarser than that from the smouldering phase, with number median diameters of 0.3 and 0.2 µm, respectively.

Knowledge, Attitudes and associated factors to Use District Health Information System (DHIS2 data) for decision making among health professionals in a Resource limited settings: Cross-sectional Survey (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuma Gosha Kanfe ◽  
Nebyu Demeke Mengiste ◽  
Mohammedjud Hassen Ahmed ◽  
Gebiso Roba Debele ◽  
Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
District Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Determinant Factors ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Health Need

BACKGROUND Evidence based practice is a key to increase effectiveness and efficiency of quality health services. To achieve this, utilization of health facility data (DHIS2 data) is required which is determined by knowledge and attitudes of health professionals. Thus, this study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes of health professionals to use DHIS2 data for decision making. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and its associated factors among health professionals to use DHIS2 data for decision making at South west of Ethiopia 2020 METHODS Cross sectional quantitative study methods was conducted to assess Knowledge and Attitudes of health professionals to use DHIS2 data. A total of 264 participants were approached. SPSS version 22 software was used for data entry and analysis. Descriptive and analytical statistics including Bivariable and Multivariable analyses was done RESULTS Overall 130(49.2%) of the respondents had good knowledge to use DHIS2 data (95% CI: [43, 55.3]), whereas over 149 (56.4%) of the respondents had favorable attitudes towards the use of DHIS2 data for decision making purpose (95% CI: [53.2, 59.8]). Skills [AOR=2.20,95% CI:(1.16, 4.19)], Age [AOR= 1.92, 95% CI: (1.03, 3.59)] ,Resources[AOR=2.56, 95% CI:(1.35,4.86)], Staffing[AOR= 2.85, 95% CI : (1.49, 5.48)] and Experiences[AOR= 4.66, 95% CI: (1.94, 5.78)] were variables associated with knowledge to use DHIS2 data whereas Training [AOR= 5.59, 95% CI: (2.48, 5.42)], Feedback [AOR= 4.08, 95% CI: (1.87, 8.91)], Motivation [AOR=2.87, 95% CI: (1.36, 6.06)] and Health need [AOR=2.32, 95% CI: (1.10-4.92)] were variables associated with attitudes of health professionals to use DHIS2 data CONCLUSIONS In general, about half of the study participants had good knowledge of DHIS2 data utilization whereas more than half of respondents had favorable attitudes. Skills, resources, ages, staffing and experiences were the most determinant factors for the knowledge to use DHIS2 data whereas health need, motivation, feedback and training were determinant factors for attitudes to use DHIS2 data

scholarly journals MicroRNAs-1299, -126-3p and -30e-3p as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers for Prediabetes

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 949
Author(s):  
Cecil J. Weale ◽  
Don M. Matshazi ◽  
Saarah F. G. Davids ◽  
Shanel Raghubeer ◽  
Rajiv T. Erasmus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receiver Operating Characteristic ◽  
Operating Characteristic ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Tolerance Test ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Receiver Operating

This cross-sectional study investigated the association of miR-1299, -126-3p and -30e-3p with and their diagnostic capability for dysglycaemia in 1273 (men, n = 345) South Africans, aged >20 years. Glycaemic status was assessed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Whole blood microRNA (miRNA) expressions were assessed using TaqMan-based reverse transcription quantitative-PCR (RT-qPCR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves assessed the ability of each miRNA to discriminate dysglycaemia, while multivariable logistic regression analyses linked expression with dysglycaemia. In all, 207 (16.2%) and 94 (7.4%) participants had prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), respectively. All three miRNAs were significantly highly expressed in individuals with prediabetes compared to normotolerant patients, p < 0.001. miR-30e-3p and miR-126-3p were also significantly more expressed in T2DM versus normotolerant patients, p < 0.001. In multivariable logistic regressions, the three miRNAs were consistently and continuously associated with prediabetes, while only miR-126-3p was associated with T2DM. The ROC analysis indicated all three miRNAs had a significant overall predictive ability to diagnose prediabetes, diabetes and the combination of both (dysglycaemia), with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) being significantly higher for miR-126-3p in prediabetes. For prediabetes diagnosis, miR-126-3p (AUC = 0.760) outperformed HbA1c (AUC = 0.695), p = 0.042. These results suggest that miR-1299, -126-3p and -30e-3p are associated with prediabetes, and measuring miR-126-3p could potentially contribute to diabetes risk screening strategies.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Use of Shared Decision Making in Breast Cancer: International Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2128
Author(s):  
Marta Maes-Carballo ◽  
Manuel Martín-Díaz ◽  
Luciano Mignini ◽  
Khalid Saeed Khan ◽  
Rubén Trigueros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Professional Societies ◽  
New Policies

Objectives: To assess shared decision-making (SDM) knowledge, attitude and application among health professionals involved in breast cancer (BC) treatment. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire, sent by several professional societies to health professionals involved in BC management. There were 26 questions which combined demographic and professional data with some items measured on a Likert-type scale. Results: The participation (459/541; 84.84%) and completion (443/459; 96.51%) rates were high. Participants strongly agreed or agreed in 69.57% (16/23) of their responses. The majority stated that they knew of SDM (mean 4.43 (4.36–4.55)) and were in favour of its implementation (mean 4.58 (4.51–4.64)). They highlighted that SDM practice was not adequate due to lack of resources (3.46 (3.37–3.55)) and agreed on policies that improved its implementation (3.96 (3.88–4.04)). The main advantage of SDM for participants was patient satisfaction (38%), and the main disadvantage was the patients’ paucity of knowledge to understand their disease (24%). The main obstacle indicated was the lack of time and resources (40%). Conclusions: New policies must be designed for adequate training of professionals in integrating SDM in clinical practice, preparing them to use SDM with adequate resources and time provided.

Observer Ratings of Shared Decision Making Do Not Match Patient Reports: An Observational Study in 5 Family Medicine Practices

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-59
Author(s):  
Gisèle Diendéré ◽  
Imen Farhat ◽  
Holly Witteman ◽  
Ruth Ndjaboue
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Encounter ◽  
Values Clarification ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Consultations

Background Measuring shared decision making (SDM) in clinical practice is important to improve the quality of health care. Measurement can be done by trained observers and by people participating in the clinical encounter, namely, patients. This study aimed to describe the correlations between patients’ and observers’ ratings of SDM using 2 validated and 2 nonvalidated SDM measures in clinical consultations. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 238 complete dyads of health professionals and patients in 5 university-affiliated family medicine clinics in Canada. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires before and after audio-recorded medical consultations. Observers rated the occurrence of SDM during medical consultations using both the validated OPTION-5 (the 5-item “observing patient involvement” score) and binary questions on risk communication and values clarification (RCVC-observer). Patients rated SDM using both the 9-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q9) and binary questions on risk communication and values clarification (RCVC-patient). Results Agreement was low between observers’ and patients’ ratings of SDM using validated OPTION-5 and SDM-Q9, respectively (ρ = 0.07; P = 0.38). Observers’ ratings using RCVC-observer were correlated to patients’ ratings using either SDM-Q9 ( rpb = −0.16; P = 0.01) or RCVC-patients ( rpb = 0.24; P = 0.03). Observers’ OPTION-5 scores and patients’ ratings using RCVC-questions were moderately correlated ( rφ = 0.33; P = 0.04). Conclusion There was moderate to no alignment between observers’ and patients’ ratings of SDM using both validated and nonvalidated measures. This lack of strong correlation emphasizes that observer and patient perspectives are not interchangeable. When assessing the presence, absence, or extent of SDM, it is important to clearly state whose perspectives are reflected.

scholarly journals Prelicensure Nursing Students’ COVID-19 Attitude Impact on Nursing Career Decision during Pandemic Threat in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3272
Author(s):  
Shu-Chun Lin ◽  
Lee-Fen Ni ◽  
Yu-Ming Wang ◽  
Shu Hsin Lee ◽  
Hung-Chang Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Career Decision ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Career Decision Making ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Prelicensure Nursing

The COVID-19 pandemic may cause a nursing shortage. Prelicensure nursing students who are exposed to high-stress COVID-19 events are related to defective career decision-making. This study validated the COVID-19 attitude scale and clarified how their attitudes about COVID-19 affected their behavioral intentions toward career decision-making. We conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited a convenience sample of 362 prelicensure nursing students from Northern and Central Taiwan. Two measurements were applied, including the Nursing Students Career Decision-making instrument and COVID-19 attitude scale. We used AMOS (version 22.0) to perform a confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach α of the COVID-19 attitude scale was 0.74 and consisted of four factors. The most positive attitude was the nursing belief factor, and the least positive factor was emotional burden. Prelicensure nursing students’ COVID-19 attitudes were significantly positively associated with their career decision-making attitudes and perceived control (ß = 0.41 and ß = 0.40, respectively; p < 0.001). All the key latent variables explained significantly 23% of the variance in the career decision-making behavioral intentions module. In conclusion, the COVID-19 attitude scale is valid. Although the prelicensure nursing students’ COVID-19 attitudes had no direct effect on career decision-making intentions, they had a direct effect on career decision-making attitudes and the perceived control.

scholarly journals Impedance planimetry values for predicting clinical response following peroral endoscopic myotomy

Endoscopy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Moran ◽  
Olaya I. Brewer Gutierrez ◽  
Burkhard Rahden ◽  
Kenneth Chang ◽  
Michael Ujiki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Response ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy ◽  
Predictive Capacity ◽  
Multicenter Cohort Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Impedance Planimetry ◽  
Percent Change ◽  
Eckardt Score ◽  
Endoscopic Myotomy

Abstract Background There is growing interest in developing impedance planimetry as a tool to enhance the clinical outcomes for endoscopic and surgical management of achalasia. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether impedance planimetry measurements can predict clinical response and reflux following peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). Methods A multicenter cohort study of patients with achalasia undergoing POEM was established from prospective databases and retrospective chart reviews. Patients who underwent impedance planimetry before and after POEM were included. Clinical response was defined as an Eckardt score of ≤ 3. Tenfold cross-validated area under curve (AUC) values were established for the different impedance planimetry measurements associated with clinical response and reflux development. Results Of the 290 patients included, 91.7 % (266/290) had a clinical response and 39.4 % (108/274) developed reflux following POEM. The most predictive impedance planimetry measurements for a clinical response were: percent change in cross-sectional area (%ΔCSA) and percent change in distensibility index (%ΔDI), with AUCs of 0.75 and 0.73, respectively. Optimal cutoff values for %ΔCSA and %ΔDI to determine a clinical response were a change of 360 % and 272 %, respectively. Impedance planimetry values were much poorer at predicting post-POEM reflux, with AUCs ranging from 0.40 to 0.62. Conclusion Percent change in CSA and distensibility index were the most predictive measures of a clinical response, with a moderate predictive ability. Impedance planimetry values for predicting reflux following POEM showed weak predictive capacity.

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