Branch Breaking Research Articles

Deep‐learning based fault diagnosis using computer‐visualised power flow

Changes in system topology, such as branch breaking and the loss of a generator or load, may profoundly influence the operation security of the power system. This study introduces a novel deep-learning based fault diagnosis method using power flow to diagnose topology changes in the power system. Power flow samples with different system states and topologies are first computed numerically; then, they are transformed into computer-visualised images. Using massive power-flow image samples, a convolutional neural network that aims to identify the system state is trained. A feature-map restriction technique is used to restructure the network. To enhance the robustness of the network, the random noise of branch flow is considered in the sample generation process. The results show that the proposed deep-learning based method may diagnose system faults effectively.

Assessment of aerial and underground vibration transmission in mechanically trunk shaken olive trees

The present study analyses the transmission of vibrations generated from a multidirectional trunk shaker to olive tree structure considering both the aerial zone (trunk and branches) and the underground zone (the coarse root). The vibration characterization was conducted by measuring acceleration on several points of the tree during harvesting operations. The influence of two different heights of shaker head clamping was analysed. In addition, a dynamic probing was performed in order to evaluate soil compaction. The results showed that the vibration performed by the trunk shaker head, corresponding to an acceleration resultant of approximately 77 ms–2 with a dominant vibration frequency of 18 Hz, increased up to 106% in branches and decreased up to 90% in trunks. At root level, where the analysis was carried out at 1/3 and 2/3 of the coarse root length, the acceleration values diminished significantly to 17 ms–2 and 12 ms–2, respectively. Soil dynamic resistance was lower (36 kg cm–2) near the trees than between the trees (53 kg cm–2). The vibration transmission to the aerial and the underground parts diversely influences the dynamic behaviour of the olive tree, considering an operational frequency of a commercial trunk shaker. The assessment of vibration transmission to the aerial part could contribute to improve fruit detachment and reduce branch breaking and leaf detachment. While vibration transmission to the underground part rises new challenges considering soil compaction in olive groves.

Energy transfer and spatial scrambling of an exciton in a conjugated dendrimer.

Photoexcitation of multichromophoric light harvesting molecules induces a number of intramolecular electronic energy relaxation and redistribution pathways that can ultimately lead to ultrafast exciton self-trapping on a single chromophore unit. We investigate the photoinduced processes that take place on a phenylene-ethynylene dendrimer, consisting of nine equivalent linear chromophore units or branches. meta-Substituted links between branches break the conjugation giving rise to weak couplings between them and to localized excitations. Our nonadiabatic excited-state molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the ultrafast internal conversion process to the lowest excited state is accompanied by an inner → outer inter-branch migration of the exciton due to the entropic bias associated with energetically equivalent conjugated segments. The electronic energy redistribution among chromophore units occurs through several possible pathways in which through-bond transport and through-space exciton hopping mechanisms can be distinguished. Besides, triple bond excitations coincide with the localization of the electronic transition densities, suggesting that the intramolecular energy redistribution is a concerted electronic and vibrational energy transfer process.

Interactive Modeling and Authoring of Climbing Plants

We present a novel system for the interactive modeling of developmental climbing plants with an emphasis on efficient control and plausible physics response. A plant is represented by a set of connected anisotropic particles that respond to the surrounding environment and to their inner state. Each particle stores biological and physical attributes that drive growth and plant adaptation to the environment such as light sensitivity, wind interaction, and physical obstacles. This representation allows for the efficient modeling of external effects that can be induced at any time without prior analysis of the plant structure. In our framework we exploit this representation to provide powerful editing capabilities that allow to edit a plant with respect to its structure and its environment while maintaining a biologically plausible appearance. Moreover, we couple plants with Lagrangian fluid dynamics and model advanced effects, such as the breaking and bending of branches. The user can thus interactively drag and prune branches or seed new plants in dynamically changing environments. Our system runs in real-time and supports up to 20 plant instances with 25k branches in parallel. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated through a number of interactive experiments, including modeling and animation of different species of climbing plants on complex support structures.

Wire netting reduces African elephant (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) impact to selected trees in South Africa

African elephants (Loxodonta africana) are ecosystem engineers in that they substantially alter the environment through their unique foraging and feeding habits. At high densities, elephants potentially have negative impacts on the environment, specifically for large trees. Because of this, recent increases of elephants in the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, have caused concern regarding the survival of several tree species. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of wrapping protective wire netting around the trunk of the tree for preventing and reducing bark stripping, branch breaking, and felling by elephants. We assessed 2668 trees – 1352 Sclerocarya birrea (marula), 857 Acacia nigrescens (knobthorn), and 459 Lannea schweinfurthii (false marula) – for elephant impact in the APNR, 1387 (52%) of which had previously been wrapped in protective wire netting (789, 548 and 50, respectively). Wire netting was effective in reducing the severity of bark stripping and the relative proportion of trees that were bark stripped. In addition, wire netting had an effect on the level of impact, with a higher relative frequency of wire-net-protected trees found in lower impact categories compared with unprotected trees. Since tree mortality has been attributed to high levels of elephant impact, the use of wire netting could serve to maintain individual trees or populations particularly vulnerable to elephant impact in areas with locally high densities of elephants.Conservation implications: Since wire netting is a relatively low cost and ecologically unobtrusive strategy, it could be used to reduce elephant impact in problem areas. This method focuses on protecting trees rather than some other strategies such as environmental manipulation, translocation, contraceptives, and culling that instead focus on reducing elephant numbers.Keywords: Elephant impact; bark stripping; large trees; wire netting; mitigation measures

Study on Elephant Feeding Habit of Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Odisha, India

The Asian elephant's (Elephas maximus) feeding behavior with food preference was studied in Satkosia Tiger Reserve area between 2011 to 2014.The major objective of the present study is to document the fodder plant species consumption by elephants. Though the study area houses a good number of plant species only 110 species were identified as elephant fodder plants. The food trail of elephant was observed as branch breaking, bark peeling, twig breaking, flower plucking and stem twisting uprooting in different regions of study area during different seasons. Alteration of predominantly browsing strategy with that of grazing around the year was related to seasonal variation of food plants. Consumption of grass species (55%) was highest as compared to trees (37%), shrubs (5%), and herbs (3%). The elephants extensively fed on the plant species like Aegle marmelos, Careya arborea, Bauhinia racemosa, Kydia calycina, Bauhinia vahlii, Asparagus racemosus, Helicteres isora, Mallotus philippinensis, Madhuca indica, Zizyphus mauritiona, Mimosa pudica, , Smilax zeylanica and Diosporea species. They were fond fruits of Mangifera indica in summer. A high degree of variation in dicot- monocot ratio (47:63)) was marked during identification of elephant fodder plant by direct observation. Microscopic analysis of dung showing a high degree of variation in average dicot- monocot ratio suggested that the food plant selection of elephant was highly opportunistic and seasonal.

Windy trees

We present a novel method for combining developmental tree models with turbulent wind fields. The tree geometry is created from internal growth functions of the developmental model and its response to external stress is induced by a physically-plausible wind field that is simulated by Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH). Our tree models are dynamically evolving complex systems that (1) react in real-time to high-frequent changes of the wind simulation; and (2) adapt to long-term wind stress. We extend this process by wind-related effects such as branch breaking as well as bud abrasion and drying. In our interactive system the user can adjust the parameters of the growth model, modify wind properties and resulting forces, and define the tree's long-term response to wind. By using graphics hardware, our implementation runs at interactive rates for moderately large scenes composed of up to 20 tree models.

Two new tardigrade species from Sicily.

Two new species of tardigrades are described from Sicilian moss samples: Macrobiotus insuetus sp. nov. and Diphascon (Diphascon) procerum sp. nov. Macrobiotus insuetus sp. nov. is a species of the harmsworthi-group characterized by both posterior and anterior claws of the hind legs, which are different in shape from those of the first three leg pairs. The IV claws have extended basal tract where the branches are joined and the secondary branch breaks at near right angle to the primary branch and is clearly shorter than the main branch and the secondary branch of claws I-III. The eggs are not areolated and have conical processes with a reticular ornamentation. Diphascon (D.) procerum sp. nov. has a delicate cuticular ornamentation of very small tubercles, almost dots; two macroplacoids and septulum are present; thin accessory points are present on the main branches of the slender claws; lunules are absent but the base of the external claws of the hind legs are enlarged and slightly indented; a cuticular bar is present near the internal claw of the first three leg pairs and two cuticular bars are present on the hind legs between the base of the claws and near the base of the anterior claw.

<strong>Two new tardigrade species from Sicily</strong>

Two new species of tardigrades are described from Sicilian moss samples: Macrobiotus insuetus sp. nov. and Diphascon (Diphascon) procerum sp. nov. Macrobiotus insuetus sp. nov. is a species of the harmsworthi-group characterized by both posterior and anterior claws of the hind legs, which are different in shape from those of the first three leg pairs. The IV claws have extended basal tract where the branches are joined and the secondary branch breaks at near right angle to the primary branch and is clearly shorter than the main branch and the secondary branch of claws I-III. The eggs are not areolated and have conical processes with a reticular ornamentation. Diphascon (D.) procerum sp. nov. has a delicate cuticular ornamentation of very small tubercles, almost dots; two macroplacoids and septulum are present; thin accessory points are present on the main branches of the slender claws; lunules are absent but the base of the external claws of the hind legs are enlarged and slightly indented; a cuticular bar is present near the internal claw of the first three leg pairs and two cuticular bars are present on the hind legs between the base of the claws and near the base of the anterior claw.

Availability and Utilization Pattern of Forage Plants in relation to their Nutritive Values by Wild Elephants in South West Forests

The study was carried out on the availability and utilization pattern of various wild plant species by migratory elephants in relation to their nutritive values. It wasobserved that migratory elephants were selective for food plants in the wilderness. Out of 52 recorded plant species, only 22 plant species were found to be utilized either fully or partially as evidenced by branch breaking, debarking, uprooting etc. Overall utilization of food plants revealed that Diospyros melanoxylon was utilized maximum (34.39%) followed by Pterocarpus marsupium (24.86%) among all the plants consumed by migratory elephants. Bark of Buchanania lanzan was moderately utilized (10.58%). All other recorded plants were utilized below 10 per cent. Chemical composition of some wild plants consumed by elephants revealed that crude protein content varied form 3.18 (Shorea robusta) to 21.25 (P. marsupium) g per cent. High protein content of P. marsupium leaves might be the reason for highest degree of utilization. Crude fibre content ranged from 20.0 (P. marsupium) to 54.0 (D. melanoxylon) per cent.

The Brittleness Source Identification of Electric Grid System

Brittleness source identification is the work of finding every brittle source. At first, build model of electric power system, based on direct current tide, all branch currents can be solved quickly. Break off every branch in turn. Use distributing factor method to obtain the other branch currents by breaking a branch current. If the other branch current exceeds the 20% rating current, then it breaks. This will lead to the refresh distribution, until all branch breaks, namely the brittleness being motivated, or until the other branch currents all satisfy the restriction condition. Thus all branches which lead brittleness to be motivated is the brittle source of electric power system. Through analyzing a three generatrixs system, obtain that (2),(3) and (4) is the brittle source.

English

We studied the utilization pattern of wild plant species by elephants in relation to their nutritive values in order to provide insight into crop raiding events by the animal in the Waza region. Elephants were selective for food plants in the wilderness. Out of 45 recorded plant species, only 20 plant species were found to be utilized either fully or partially as evident by branch breaking, debarking, and uprooting. Among the plants consumed by the elephants, Acacia seyal was the most utilized (34.4% n = 212) followed by Piliostigma reticulatum (22.5% n = 128). The barks of Mitragymna innermis (11% n = 45) and Anogeisus leiocarpus (8% n = 41) were moderately utilized. All other recorded plants were utilized below 5%. Crude protein content in utilized plants varied from 2.97 (Lannea humilis) to 12.76% (Capparis tomentosa). NDF content ranged from 41.58 (Feretia.apodanthera) to 7.93% (Acacia ataxacantha). ADF content ranged from 32.26 (F. apodanthera) to 56.27% (Ziziphus mauritiana). In vitro digestibility also varied among the utilized plants. Elephants foraged more on nutritionally rich plants, and because of the generally poor nutritional value of natural fodder, the elephants in Waza National Park frequently break out to feed on nutritive richer agricultural crops. Key words: Elephants, nutritional value, utilized, plants.

Descrição de danos e volume de fitomassa lenhosa de fustes de Cassia siamea Lam. seccionados por Coccoderus novempunctatus (coleoptera: cerambycidae)

Cerambicídeos que promovem a queda de galhos ou fustes podem causar danos a diversas espécies florestais, sejam em plantios econômicos ou mesmo em árvores utilizadas em arborização. O cerambicídeo Coccoderus novempunctatus é um destes agentes. O dano realizado pela larva propicia a queda de ramos de muitas espécies florestais e, no caso ora avaliado, em fustes de Cassia siamea ou parte destes. Esta é uma espécie florestal utilizada em arborização e recuperação de áreas perturbadas ecologicamente. O trabalho teve o objetivo de diagnosticar os danos de C. novempunctatus em C. siamea, através da diagnose das lesões e da quantificação do volume de madeira dos fustes por ele seccionados. Cinco parcelas foram demarcadas em mata secundária, onde a atuação do inseto havia sido registrada. Os fustes de C. siamea, cortados pelo inseto, tiveram seu diâmetro no ponto da secção mensurado bem como o comprimento total. Os volumes de madeira foram calculados utilizando-se o método de Smalian. O diâmetro médio no ponto da secção e o comprimento médio de fustes de C. siamea, cortados por C. novempunctatus foi 9,07 cm e 6,31 m, respectivamente. O volume médio de madeira, destes fustes, com casca e sem casca foi 0,0261 e 0,0218 m³, respectivamente.

Investigation of branch breaking resistances in "Sari Zeybek" fig cultivar

The aim of this study was to examine the branch breaking characteristics of the 4 to 5 years old branches mechanically by a determination of the breaking resistance in Sari Zeybek fig cultivars. In this respect, the study was conducted with 10 different ages for trees belonging to Sarilop cultivar, known with a characteristic of drying and Sari Zeybek cultivar, known with equal or even better characteristics. The sclerenchyma tissues of the 1 to 5 aged branches of Sari Zeybek cultivar were weaker in degree than some other fruit tree species, especially the Sarilop cultivar. Furthermore, it was brought out that the breakages were related to the flexibility of tissues even with the excess forced application (150 kg.) in Sarilop. In Sari Zeybek cultivar, where there is an existence of the branch breakage problem, the length and diameters of branches increased with the increasing branch ages. In particular, the forces at the branch collar were increased due to the fruit weight increase in trees, starting with the 4 to 5 year aged branches. According to the approach of encouragement of branch breakages due to the aforementioned reason, it was taken seriously that shape prunings need to be made more carefully, and not allowed in over critical levels branch lengths and angles within 1 to 4 years growth in Sari Zeybek cultivar. Key words: Sari Zeybek, fig, branch breakage.

Echinoid regulates tracheal morphology and fusion cell fate in Drosophila

Morphogenesis of the Drosophila embryonic trachea involves a stereotyped pattern of epithelial tube branching and fusion. Here, we report unexpected phenotypes resulting from maternal and zygotic (M/Z) loss of the homophilic cell adhesion molecule Echinoid (Ed), as well as the subcellular localization of Ed in the trachea. ed(M/Z) embryos have convoluted trachea reminiscent of septate junction (SJ) and luminal matrix mutants. However, Ed does not localize to SJs, and ed(M/Z) embryos have intact SJs and show normal luminal accumulation of the matrix-modifying protein Vermiform. Surprisingly, tracheal length is not increased in ed(M/Z) mutants, but a previously undescribed combination of reduced intersegmental spacing and deep epidermal grooves produces a convoluted tracheal phenotype. In addition, ed(M/Z) mutants have unique fusion defects involving supernumerary fusion cells, ectopic fusion events and atypical branch breaks. Tracheal-specific expression of Ed rescues these fusion defects, indicating that Ed acts in trachea to control fusion cell fate.

Vrille is required to ensure tracheal integrity in Drosophila embryo

The Drosophila bZIP transcription factor Vrille (VRI) is required for growth, circadian clock regulation and metamorphosis. We identified here a new facet of vrille (vri) function and show that it is required for tracheal development. We show that, in the embryo, VRI is expressed in a complex and dynamic pattern and is found in amnioserosa, subdomains of the developing gut and in trachea cells. We also show that, as expected, the protein is nuclear. We then asked whether VRI was involved in morphogenetic processes such as gut and tracheal development. We therefore investigated the development of these tissues in vri mutants, and although we did not observe any defects in gut morphology, we identified differentiation defects that affect tracheal integrity. Most of the defects were observed after stage 14 and affect all branches, resulting in branch breaks, abnormal branching and elongation.

Monitoraggio fitopatologico di Inonotus rickii nella città di Roma e applicazioni GPS-GIS

Abstract: Plant disease management may be improved by collecting, storing, manipulating, analysing and displaying epidemiological information using a Geographic Information System (GIS), a useful tool to evaluate plant disease problems in a spatial context. In this study, GIS analysis was applied along with global positioning systems (GPS) to integrate field data-collected with the spatial distribution of the pathogen Inonotus rickii. This pathogen provokes a decay of sapwood/heartwood and cankers, determining a progressive crown dieback and structural weakness of the trees, therefore increasing risk of branch breaks and tree failures. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical countries and it has already been recorded in many areas in Rome on Acer negundo, Albizia julibrissin, Koelreuteria paniculata, Celtis australis and Platanus x acerifolia. A survey was carried out in different boulevards of A. negundo and A. julibrissin with the aim of evaluating disease symptoms such as sparse foliage, dead twigs and branches, wood decay and presence of fungal structures. In this survey, I. rickii was recorded also on Robinia pseudoacacia, which is a new host. The study allowed to obtain thematic maps showing the spatial distribution of all infected trees, as well as the presence of anamorph and/or teleomorph structures of the fungus. Moreover, a map representing the incidence of the pathogen in different boulevards was obtained. The usefulness of GIS analysis in studies aimed to support and refine management strategies for disease control in urban trees is discussed.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF NATURE BASED TOURISM IN GUNUNG MERAPI NATIONAL PARK

The goal of this research is to find out some impacts of tourism activities to the environmental mainly to the biotic and non-biotic components. The research also focuses in finding out importance and performance of the products offered-by Gunung Merapi National Park to the tourists. This research is done in four locations, consisted of the undisturbed location for controlling (Plawangan) and the disturbed locations caused by the tourists, which are Kalikuning, Tlogonirmolo and Tlogomuncar. The result shows that the impClcts of tourist activities in some locations show that the number of .microbial in the controlling location-is the highest (54.56 cfu/gram) compared with others location. The impact to the number of actin0mycetes in the controlling location is 32.84 cfu/gram, which is the highest. The infiltration rate with the model Horton in the controlling location is higher (0.983 cm/min) than the infiltration rates of the others. The voice frequency describes crowd level that at the controlling location has the lowest voice frequency (10.15 dB). Some kinds of tree destruction as the impact of tourist activities show that the destructions happen mostly in Tlogomuncar, followed with Kalikuning and Tlogonirmo 10. The most severe destruction of all locations is vandalism, and then scratch, spike prickling, branch breaking, and waste burning. Ihe importance and .performance of the products of the tourism objects offered describe that the attractions and tourism facilities like waterfall, musholla, shelter, dustbin, and observer tower have a considerable perception and good performance. However, some other facilities/attractions such as operational office, security center, gate, health clinique and bridge are not very important and not in a good condition.

Branch Strength of Bradford Pear ( Pyrus calleryanavar. ‘Bradford’)

Previously planted extensively as a street tree, Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana var. ‘Bradford’) has fallen out of favor because of its reputation for branch breakage. Despite this reputation, Bradford pear branch strength has never been tested. Prior studies on branch breaking have discounted the influence of branch attachment angle, suggesting that the ratio of branch to trunk diameter, or aspect ratio, is a better predictor of branch attachment strength. Twenty-six Bradford pear branches from 10 trees were broken by pulling them with a winch. To assess the effect of branch cross-sectional dimensions, breaking stress was calculated considering the branch cross-section as either an ellipse or a circle. Breaking stress was normalized by dividing it by the modulus of rupture measured on wood samples from each broken branch. The location of failure, either in the branch itself or at the branch/trunk attachment, did not affect breaking stress. Aspect ratio was a better predictor of branch attachment strength than branch attachment angle. Breaking stress calculated considering the branch cross-section as an ellipse was greater than when stress was calculated assuming the branch cross-section was a circle. Results are compared with previous studies and the importance of measuring branch cross-sectional dimensions is discussed.

Environmentally induced clonal reproduction and life history traits of the liana Machaerium cuspidatum in an Amazonian rain forest, Ecuador

The population structure of the canopy liana Machaerium cuspidatum Kuhlm. & Hoehne (Fabaceae) was studied in ten transects covering a total of 2.5 ha of tropical rain forest in Yasuni National Park, eastern Ecuador. The aim was to investigate how trellis availability, topographic position and light availability affected the population density and structure of the most abundant liana species in the area. The environmental variation affected plants in different size classes differently. Large plants (diameter ≥ 1 cm) were almost exclusively found in areas with low canopy and dense undergrowth. These areas had the highest density of suitable host plants. Seedling-sized plants (height < 30 cm) and saplings (height ≥ 30 cm but diameter < 1 cm) occurred more frequently and withhigher density in steep upland areas than in the floodplains, presumably due to elevated seedling mortality in the periodically flooded areas. Seedling-sized plants and saplings did not grow in areas with elevated light levels, and although plants of all sizes were highly clumped, this clumping rarely coincided with patches with abundant canopy gaps. Machaerium cuspidatum reproduces clonally when branches re-root and break off from the parentplant. The density of clonally produced plants was high in areas where the density of sexually produced plants was low, whereas the total density varied little among habitat types. A higher proportion of the seedling-sized plants were of sexual origin in the upland areas. An environmentally induced increase in the production of independent ramets enables M. cuspidatum to persist in the floodplains. This shows that plants may expand theirrealised niches to habitats with a low potential for seedling survival if high seedling mortality can be compensated for by increased clonal reproduction.