Modeling the Influence of Knots on Douglas-Fir Veneer Fiber Orientation

This study presents a method for predicting the local fiber orientation of veneers made from peeled Douglas-fir logs based on the knowledge of the tree branch characteristics (location, radius, insertion angle, azimuth angle, and living branch ratio). This model is based on the Rankine oval theory approach and focuses on the local deviation of the fiber orientation in the vicinity of knots. The local fiber orientation was measured online during the peeling process with an in-house-developed scanner based on the tracheid effect. Two logs from the same tree were peeled, and their ribbons were scanned. The knot locations and fiber orientation were deduced from the scanner data. The first objective was to compare the fiber orientation model with measurements to enhance and validate the model for French Douglas-fir. The second objective was to link data measurable on logs to veneer quality.

Fractal Characteristic Analysis of Watershed as Variable of Synthetic Unit Hydrograph Model

Fractal characteristic of watershed is an important parameter which influences the formation of synthetic unit hydrograph. Based on a previous study, hydrology response of watershed expressed in hydrograph form could be well presented by hydrology network characteristic as a form of fractal characteristic of watershed [1]. Fractal characteristic of watershed was stated as fractal dimension which was presented in three parametersi.e.river branch ratio (RB), river length ratio (RL) and watershed river area ratio (RA). The purpose of this research was to analyze fractal characteristic and to verify its fractal dimension stability as preliminary research to prepare variables which would be used to develop synthetic unit hydrograph model in the future. Analysis was undertaken using two methodsi.e.Horton’s Coefficient Ratio and Box Counting Dimension. Analysis result revealed that fractal dimension of river network from 8 watersheds calculated using those two methods could give almost the same result, ranged from 1 to 2. Fractal dimension from calculation also showed similarity with study conducted by Tarbotonet al. [2], Balkhanovet al. [3], Khanbabaeiet al.[4], obtaining that fractal dimension of river network is generally in the range of 1 to 2.

Effect of lopping interval on the growth and fodder yield of Gliricidia sepium

An experiment was conducted during 2010 – 2012 to find out the suitable lopping interval of gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) on sandy loam soil. There were six treatments viz., T1: lopping once in 2 months, T2: lopping once in 4 months, T3: lopping once in 6 months, T4: lopping once in 8 months, T5: lopping once in 10 months and T6: lopping in 12 months and replicated thrice. The results showed that lopping at shorter time interval i.e once in 2 months or 4 months resulted in more number of branches, leaves, leaf weight, leaf branch ratio and increased yield. Further, early lopping resulted in succulent leaves and branches which are highly suitable for the animals to consume.

Yeast actin patches are networks of branched actin filaments

Cortical actin patches are the most prominent actin structure in budding and fission yeast. Patches assemble, move, and disassemble rapidly. We investigated the mechanisms underlying patch actin assembly and motility by studying actin filament ultrastructure within a patch. Actin patches were partially purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and examined by negative-stain electron microscopy (EM). To identify patches in the EM, we correlated fluorescence and EM images of GFP-labeled patches. Patches contained a network of actin filaments with branches characteristic of Arp2/3 complex. An average patch contained 85 filaments. The average filament was only 50-nm (20 actin subunits) long, and the filament to branch ratio was 3:1. Patches lacking Sac6/fimbrin were unstable, and patches lacking capping protein were relatively normal. Our results are consistent with Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization driving yeast actin patch assembly and motility, as described by a variation of the dendritic nucleation model.

Development and Application of Large Three-Way Hot Tapping Fittings

Background on the development and application of high pressure “large branch ratio” three way tee style hot tapping and plugging fittings on large diameter (16”–54”) pipelines and pressure piping systems in Canada. Examines the limitations and problems in current design codes, for large ratio branch connections, and the good engineering practiced applied based on simple shell finite element analysis.

|Vub| AND |Vcb|, CHARM COUNTING AND LIFETIME DIFFERENCES IN INCLUSIVE BOTTOM HADRON DECAYS

Inclusive bottom hadron decays are analyzed based on the heavy quark effective field theory (HQEFT). Special attentions in this paper are paid to the b→u transitions and nonspectator effects. As a consequence, the CKM quark mixing matrix elements |Vub| and |Vcb| are reliably extracted from the inclusive semileptonic decays B→Xueν and B→Xceν. Various observables, such as the semileptonic branch ratio BSL, the lifetime differences among B-, B0, Bsand Λbhadrons, the charm counting nc, are predicted and found to be consistent with the present experimental data.

Effect of short-term waterlogging applied at various growth phases on growth, development and yield in Vigna unguiculata

The effects of short-term waterlogging during the vegetative, reproductive and total growth phases were investigated in four cultivars of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) in relation to their controls in a pot experiment conducted at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, in 1989. All cultivars were able to recover completely and produce near to normal yields, when waterlogging was confined to the vegetative period. Recovery growth was affected in cultivars waterlogged during the total growth phase and the plants were significantly smaller (P < 0·05) in vegetative dry matter (60–80% of the size of their respective controls) even at maturity. Recovery growth was affected, to a greater extent, in cultivars possessing a small mainstem[ratio ]branch ratio. Yield development in the waterlogged plants was affected by accelerated leaf senescence and consequent reduction in the reproductive period. As a result, yields in all the cultivars tested were significantly smaller (P < 0·05) than their respective controls and varied between 54 and 60% of the controls. Plants waterlogged during the reproductive phase were not significantly different (P < 0·05) in vegetative dry matter from the controls, but showed root degeneration and accelerated leaf senescence in all but one cultivar (Local Red). Yield reduction, however, was significant (P < 0·05) only in IT-83S-898. Possible criteria for selecting plants tolerant to waterlogging are discussed.