Cone Production Research Articles

Analyzing the complexity of cone production in longleaf pine by multiscale entropy

The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests are important ecosystems in the southeastern USA because of their ecological and economic value. Since European settlement, longleaf pine ecosystems have dramatically declined in extent, to the degree that they are now listed as endangered ecosystems. Its sporadic seed production, which limits the frequency of natural regeneration, is identified as a significant factor in this decline. Previous studies did not characterize the complexity in cone production. Here a method of multiscale entropy is used to analyze long-term data for cone production in longleaf pine forests at six sites across its native range. Our results indicate that there exists a regime shift for cone production at each site. The corresponding time scales of the regime shift are generally 1–9, 10–12, 13–16, and 17–24 yr. Overall patterns for the complexity of cone production with the change of time scale are similar among sites, with exception of the Red Hills (FL). There are high correlations between entropy of cone production and entropy of annual mean air temperature and annual total precipitation at all sites. These results provide new insight into the complexity of cone production of longleaf pine forests with significant management implications.

Quality Tools and TRIZ Based Quality Improvement Case Study at PT ‘X’ A Plastic Moulding Manufacturing Industry

Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) is a creative encouraging problem solving method. TRIZ is prepared by Altshuller for product design. Altshuller prepared contradiction matrix and suggestion to solve contradictions usually occur in product design. This paper try to combine TRIZ with quality tools such as Pareto and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) to solve contradiction in quality improvement problem, neither than product design problem. Pareto used to identify defect priority, FTA used to analysis and identify root cause of defect. When there is contradiction in solving defect causes, TRIZ used to find creative problem solving. As a case study, PT ’X’, a plastic molding manufacturing industry was taken. PT ‘X’ using traditional press machine to produce plastic thread cone. There are 5 defect types that might occur in plastic thread cone production, incomplete form, dirty, mottle, excessive form, rugged. Research about quality improvement effort using DMAIC at PT ‘X’ have been done by Fory Candra. From this research, defect types, priority, root cause from FTA, recommendation from FMEA. In this research, from FTA reviewed, contradictions found among causes troublesome quality improvement efforts. TRIZ used to solve the contradictions and quality improvement effort can be made effectively.

Mechanical versus manual harvest of Pinus pinea cones

Umbrella pine cone production is an important forest non-wood product in Portugal, especially in the region of Alcácer do Sal, where it plays an important role to the local development. Traditionally umbrella pine cones are manually harvested, increasing production costs and, above all, with very high accident risk to the workers. The development of equipment for mechanical harvesting started in Italy in the 1980's. Studies report different values for harvesting efficiency and tree damage, the latter in terms of immature cones and branches detached. In this study a trunk shaker was used to evaluate mechanical harvesting both in terms of efficiency and tree damage induced by trunk vibration. In comparison to the manual process, time required for mechanised harvesting was about 1/15th of the time. The results revealed a mechanical harvesting efficiency higher than 86% with negligible tree damage. Inter-annual harvest efficiency variability was also observed.

3D Visualization of Products for Online Shopping

With the increasing demands on 3D applications and the easy capturing of 2D images nowadays, building 3D models from 2D images receives much attention in the past few years. 3D modeling is widely used in several fields3D graphics in computer games, software architecture models and 3D printing. 3D models represent a physical body using a collection of points in 3D space, connected by various geometric entities such as triangles, lines, curved surfaces, etc. 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object. Today, 3D models are used in a wide variety of fields. The engineering community uses them as designs of new devices, vehicles and structures as well as a host of other uses. A variety of machine learning algorithms are being studied and implemented to find or estimate the depth information which is unavailable in conventional 2D image. We apply Computer Vision algorithm considering aspect of binocular disparity where we use 2 images of same scene captured from different viewpoints. Then we obtain depth of the object and further construct depth map. After mapping the points from depth maps of various images captured we apply correct texturing to obtain full 3D model of the object.capturing one eye‟s view, and depth information is computed using binocular disparity. Here we focus only on binocular and multi-ocular images as input. The two or more input images could be taken either by multiple fixed cameras located at different viewing angles or by a single camera with moving objects in the scenes. A three-dimensional (3D) visualization enables consumers to interact with products and creates a sense of being in a simulated real world. As the consumer gets a real view of the products they tend to get attracted towards the product thus increasing the sale. It gives us an edge over other competitors as 3D visualization is different and it stands out from others. It also makes shopping more convenient and easy for the customers. In this paper we focus only on binocular and multiocular images as input. We study computer vision algorithm, binocular disparity, silhouette and visual hull. In computer vision algorithm, SURF and ORB features descriptors are used to extract information from images. Binocular disparity uses 2 images of the same scene from different viewpoints. In silhouette the object is separated from the background and silhouette cones are formed. Intersection of silhouette cones is called visual hulls. General Terms 2D images, Computer Vision, 3D reconstruction

Measuring total social income of a stone pine afforestation in Huelva (Spain)

We apply an experimental ecosystem accounting approach aimed at estimating the contribution of ecosystem services to total social income accrued from a Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) forest as the result of afforestation in Huelva Province, Spain. The study encompasses private market products such as timber, pine cones, and forest conservation intermediate services; and non-market final services that include private amenities and public services such as landscape, free-access recreation and carbon sequestration services. We show how the total income of each single product is distributed amongst the factorial rewards to labor, and environmental and manufactured assets. Private products account for 46% of the average total income that the Stone pine forest would yield over its rotation, while public services comprise the remaining 54%. Our results also suggest that the production of public non-market services would offset the government compensation payments to support Stone pine afforestation and management. Finally, the results show that, on average, 7% of the estimated total income would be captured by the current System of National Accounts for forestry if applied to our case study (including only the net value added from timber and pine cone production and from plantation investment) and that 14% of this income would be dislocated into the government institutional accounts.

Isotopic heterogeneity in whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) nuts across geographic, edaphic and climatic gradients in the Northern Rockies (USA)

The overall health and persistence of whitebark pine is of international concern. Extensive tree mortality and loss of vigor due to the non-native pathogen white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola A. Dietr.), mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins), altered fire regimes, and climate change endanger the existence of whitebark pine, which is an important food source (pine nuts) for several wildlife species. Prior stable isotope analysis revealed variability in intrinsic water-use efficiency and nutritional status; however, small sample sizes prohibited the identification of geo-climatic effects on those isotopes. We summarize carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C, a measure of intrinsic water-use efficiency) and the natural abundance of δ13C, δ15N and δ34S in whitebark pine nuts in the Northern Rockies. Spatial differences in geography, soil parent material and climate (e.g., summer mean temperature, number of degree-days below 0°C, mean annual precipitation, Hargreaves climatic moisture deficit, and the frost-free period) contributed to the low to moderate spatial resolution in selected models (R2 values ranged from 0.24 to 0.51). The importance of soil parent material in all models demonstrated whitebark pine exhibits previously unknown edaphic variation. Identification of the mechanistic drivers contributing to spatial heterogeneity in Δ13C provides an opportunity to select seed sources better suited to optimize long-term survival, vigor and cone production. Matching genetic resources to sites projected to support whitebark pine in future climates would ensure species persistence, while safeguarding an important wildlife food. Suitable wildlife habitat for projected warmer, drier climates was characterized as low values of Δ13C (<13.5‰) and was concentrated in the southeastern portion of the Northern Rockies. Whitebark pine nuts at the landscape scale exhibited unique δ34S and δ15N values relative to other wildlife foods, but these isotope values can overlap other plant materials in more localized areas. Future applications to determine the proportion of pine nuts in assimilated diets will need to accommodate spatial heterogeneity, potential temporal variation in δ13C, nutrient concentrations, animal tissue turnover rates, and seasonal availability of other foods. Further studies of the abiotic and biotic factors on C, N, and S cycles and the relationship between photosynthetic and heterotrophic tissue are needed for a better mechanistic understanding of the determinants of the natural abundance of δ13C, Δ13C, δ15N and δ34S.

A model-based analysis of climate change vulnerability of Pinus pinea stands under multiobjective management in the Northern Plateau of Spain

Climate change is likely to heavily affect the provision of goods and services of Mediterranean forests. Our results strongly point out the need to develop adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change in order to assure the maintenance of the stands aiming their multifunctionality, more than their monetary revenues. Climate change in the Mediterranean region may heavily affect the provision of forest goods and services. Thus, options for adaptive forest management should be proposed. The aims of this study are to analyze the climate-related sensitivity of Pinus pinea forests in the Northern Plateau in Spain and to assess the vulnerability of multiobjective forest management to climate change by means of a simulation study, focusing on timber and cone production. The forest model PICUS v1.41, integrating a module for P. pinea cone and nut production, was used to simulate P. pinea stands at six site types under three forest management regimes (focus on timber, cones, and combined objectives) and five climate scenarios (current climate, four climate scenarios combining increases in temperature by +1 and +4 °C and decreases in precipitation by −10 and −30 %). Combined timber + cones management generated always the highest incomes from timber and cones. With the exception of the most productive site types, the combined timber + cone management produced also more timber volume than the cone and timber managements. Provisioning of ecosystem services decreased at all sites under all climate change scenarios. At very dry sites simulated, forests suffered from dieback events. Provisioning of ecosystem services decreased at all sites under all climate change scenarios analyzed and will be extremely limited on poor sites. Benefits and weaknesses of the assessment approach are discussed.

A full Nesterov–Todd step infeasible-interior-point algorithm for Cartesian P*(κ) horizontal linear complementarity problems over symmetric cones

Euclidean Jordan algebra is a commonly used tool in designing interior-point algorithms for symmetric cone programs. In this paper, we present a full Nesterov–Todd (NT) step infeasible interior-point algorithm for horizontal linear complementarity problems over Cartesian product of symmetric cones. Since the algorithm uses only full-NT feasibility and centring steps, it has the advantage that no line searches are needed. The complexity result obtained here for symmetric cones using NT directions coincides with the best bound obtained for horizontal linear complementarity problems.

On the P*(κ) horizontal linear complementarity problems over Cartesian product of symmetric cones

The aim of this paper is to extend the theoretical framework of the horizontal linear complementarity problem over Cartesian product of symmetric cones (Cartesian-SCHLCP). The concepts of column and row sufficiency are defined for a linear operator on a Euclidean Jordan algebra. Some connections between the property of a linear operator on a Euclidean Jordan algebra and its property as well as its column sufficiency are presented. Then these definitions and connections are generalized to a pair of linear operators determining the Cartesian -SCHLCP. It is also demonstrated that the Cartesian -SCHLCP can be equivalent with a linear complementarity problem over Cartesian product of symmetric cones (Cartesian -SCLCP), in a certain sense. Finally, based on some obtained results and using a suitable potential function, the main task of the paper is done, which is to show that the central trajectory of the Cartesian -SCHLCP exists and is unique. Therefore, we open the way for presenting and extending the interior-point methods for the Cartesian-SCHLCP.

Effects of climate on reproductive investment in a masting species: assessment of climatic predictors and underlying mechanisms

SummaryMechanisms by which climatic factors drive reproductive investment and phenology in masting species are not completely understood. Climatic conditions may act as a proximate cue, stimulating the onset of reproduction and indirectly increasing fitness through benefits associated with synchronous reproduction among individuals. Alternatively, climatic conditions may directly influence individual‐level allocation to reproduction and reproductive success through effects occurring independently of synchronous reproduction. We previously showed that masting in a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) population was strongly influenced by spring mean temperature 2 years before seed cone maturation (Ti‐2). However, recent work shows that the difference in temperature between previous growing seasons (ΔT) is more predictive of reproductive investment in long‐lived tree species.Here, we compared four candidate models that predict seed cone production inP. ponderosabased upon different climatic factors (includingTi‐2and ΔT models). After determining the best climatic predictor, we tested for a potential mechanism by which climate might directly influence seed cone production independent of benefits via synchrony, namely effects of temperature on trade‐offs between current and past reproduction (determined by underlying resource availability).We found thatTi‐2(rather than ΔT) was the best predictor of seed cone production. We further show that this same climatic factor exerts a direct fitness benefit to individuals by reducing the strength of trade‐offs between current and past reproductive efforts.Synthesis. We demonstrate that a single climatic factor provides fitness benefits to individuals directly, by weakening reproductive trade‐offs, and indirectly through the benefits associated with synchrony and masting. This suggests a mechanism for the origin and maintenance of masting: individuals initially respond to climatic cues that directly enhance reproduction (e.g. lower reproductive costs through weakened trade‐offs) and this dynamic, expressed across multiple individuals, reinforces these benefits through the economies of scale associated with synchrony and masting.

Seed predation of &lt;i&gt;Araucaria angustifolia&lt;/i&gt; by &lt;i&gt;Sapajus nigritus&lt;/i&gt;

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; n this study, we quantified seed predation of the Paraná Pine (Araucaria angustifolia) by black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus), in order to better understand their impact on forest regeneration. This study was conducted in an Araucaria forest fragment in the state of Paraná, Brazil. We marked 31 female Paraná pines and counted the seed cones, which ranged from 0 to 20 per tree (Mean = 5, SD ± 5.06). We recorded 88 predated cones, with an average of 2.35 ± 3.83 per tree. During the study period the monkeys only ate seeds from immature cones. The reason why the monkeys fed only on immature seeds may have been related to the scarcity of mature seeds and other resources. Comparing the seasons, we found a significant difference in the number of predation events between them. Cone predation on the top of each female Paraná pine was proportional to crop size, and totaled 57% of all cone production, which may have an impact on regeneration of this endan- gered gymnosperm. Thus, the ecological role played by the capuchin monkeys can be seen as going beyond seed dispersal, showing that this species may influence forest recruitment negatively through pre-dispersal seed predation.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Application of Li ion beam obtained by the cesium sputtering source for RBS analysis of optical layers

High energy Li ions of multiple charge states (Li + , Li 2+ and Li 3+ ) were produced in a tandem accelerator from a source of negative ions by a cesium sputtering (SNICS) ion source. The negative ion current of Li ions up to 32 nA was obtained in the preacceleration stage after the inflection magnet and retractable aperture. The current of the high energy ion beam obtained after acceleration and used for RBS spectra measurements was up to 3 nA. The Li target cone production procedure and design are presented in this work. Initial experiments using Li RBS were performed and their results indicate enhanced analytical application capabilities of RBS for an optical coating analysis, compared to the conventional proton RBS.

Structural and regenerative changes in old-growth piñon–juniper woodlands following drought-induced mortality

Two decades of drought and rising temperatures have triggered bark beetle outbreaks and extensive mortality of Colorado piñon (Pinus edulis) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) across the southwest US. For example from 2002 to 2005, over one-third of the piñons in Mesa Verde National Park’s old-growth woodlands were killed by the bark beetle Ips confusus and other drought-related factors. Extensive wildfires have also burned through the Park over the last two decades, reducing the extent of old-growth woodlands by nearly one-half. We compared historical (1970–1990s) and recent (2005–2011) data to gauge the effects of the 2002–2005 mortality event on canopy structure, woody surface fuels, and tree recruitment. Large, mature piñons were the most susceptible to mortality; we measured significant reductions in piñon cover and diameter. Due to the loss of large trees, woodlands that were subjected to substantial mortality had reduced structural complexity relative to nearby unaffected stands. In a longitudinal fuels comparison, 2010–2011 fuels were compared to historical 1993 values in the same plots; we could not detect a change in woody fuel load. However when the 2010–2011 fuels are compared across mortality severity classes, there was a trend toward slightly greater 1–100h, greater 1000h fuel loads, and more litter in stands with higher levels of tree mortality. However, modeled surface fire behavior did not differ across mortality severity classes. Modeled crown fires needed higher wind speeds to spread from tree to tree in stands without tree mortality, but this is likely due to the inherently more open canopy structure in stands that resisted mortality rather than due to tree mortality per se. Post-mortality piñon reproduction and recruitment were recorded from 2005 to 2011 and compared with NPS monitoring data from 1975 to 1995. Cone production in 2005 was comparable to historical trends, but recent seedling and sapling densities were significantly below historical values. Yearly seedling and sapling density in 1975–2011 was positively correlated with precipitation during the sampling year and two years prior. The largest proportion of seedlings and saplings occurred under piñon or juniper canopies, and a smaller proportion under native shrubs. Given the loss of a substantial component of the adult trees, reduced stand structural complexity, and demonstrated need for moist conditions and nurse plants for effective recruitment, these old-growth woodlands may be vulnerable to decline under future warm and dry climate projections. Management strategies focusing on maintaining structural features of both the overstory and understory could help provide conditions for sustainable recruitment and contribute to the goal of conservation of rare old-growth piñon–juniper woodlands.

Positive coupling between growth and reproduction in young post-fire Aleppo pines depends on climate and site conditions

In fire- and drought-prone Mediterranean forests tree growth and regeneration depend on the moisture regime between fires. Therefore, post-fire tree regeneration will depend on moisture conditions and how they are altered by fire recurrence and climate warming. Aleppo pine forests are the most abundant Circum-Mediterranean ecosystems subjected to frequent wildfires and summer droughts. Because both stressors constrain their reproduction and growth patterns across diverse ecological conditions, these forests represent a suitable system to test how moisture availability drives post-fire regeneration. Aleppo pine is an obligate seeder species that reproduces at an early age after fire. Such precocious behaviour poses the question as to whether post-fire regeneration depends on moisture conditions and the coupling between female cone production and growth. Here, we evaluate if female cone production and radial growth are linked at the tree level in post-fire Aleppo pines by comparing a dry v. a very dry site and considering stands with three different tree densities in south-eastern Spain. We found that trees with higher basal areas produced more female cones and this positive association intensified as the water balance improved. Aleppo pines from the very dry site were more precocious in reproductive terms than pines of the same age from the dry site, but long-term cone production was lower at the very dry site. Lower tree density enhances the resilience of xeric post-fire Aleppo pine forests, in growth and reproduction terms, but this effect can be reversed by droughts. Overall, a more positive water balance improves post-fire regeneration by enhancing growth and cone production. Thus, silvicultural treatments such as thinning should be applied by taking into account the post-fire water balance to maximise growth and cone production in Aleppo pine stands. Our findings illustrate how climate warming could hamper post-fire tree regeneration by aggravating drought stress.

Optimal management in &lt;i&gt;Pinus pinea&lt;/i&gt; L. stands combining silvicultural schedules for timber and cone production

This work aimed to tackle a timber harvest scheduling problem by simultaneously integrating into the analysis two forestry products derived from the same species: the timber and the pine nut. For this purpose, three management scenarios were proposed: two in which each of the productions is maximised separately, and a third mixed where, in each management unit, the product to which the silvicultural effort should be devoted is decided. After defining a set of objectives, and optimising the rotation length, a multi-criteria model based on goal programming was considered since no feasible solutions have been obtained when employing linear programming. The results in our case study show how the feasible solutions reached can be more attractive for the manager. Specifically, the area to be devoted to timber and cone/pine-nut production was computed in a scenario where the optimal silviculture (oriented towards timber or pine nuts) in each stand was selected, and it was concluded that the area allocated to pine nuts should be notably greater. This situation is the opposite of the current management.

Seed and Cone Production Patterns from Seventy-Nine Provenances of Pinus halepensis Mill. Across Tunisia Forests

Pinus halepensis Mill. is an important tree species in the Mediterranean Basin. In Tunisia, there is an increasing interest in its seed production due to their impact on the socio-economical life of the Tunisian population, forest regeneration (seedling production) and biodiversity maintenance. Adaptative strategies were developed to fire recurrence by early cone production and seed storage in the serotinuous cones. Tunisia's native forests were investigated to examine the impact of four bioclimatic zones on Aleppo pine cone and seed production. Stand characteristics and average tree size measurements were studied with simple and multiple regression analyses for explaining their influences in seed and cone production and characteristics. Results showed a positive relationship between the accumulated rainfall and the geographical variables to the number of cones and its seeds content. Density had a strong adverse effect on the average tree's cone crop and seed yield. The cone production and the total seed mass were positively correlated with tree dimensions, but diameter at breast height and crown height were the most explanatory variables. Several environmental factors substantially increased the production of cones and seeds. The results could help foresters to decide better locations of cone and seed production according to density in Aleppo pine forests.

Optimization of Texture in Sorghum Ice Cream Cone Production Using Sensory Analysis

As consumers we are all acutely aware of the texture when we eat or drink solids or liquids and there can no doubt that texture is an important determinant of food quality. Results from the development of the process for sorghum based cones suggested the importance of optimizing the appearance and texture in future studies in the cone development for better consumer acceptance. In this study sensory analysis was used to determine differences in the product texture due to changes in the formulation for fifteen different formulations for the sorghum cones; in view of optimizing the sorghum cone texture. The sensory panel was used to determine the texture rated according to hardness, crispness and overall acceptability. Panelists used a 6-point scale for sensory evaluation (6 = “extremely hard” to 1 = “soft”) to rate hardness and 6 = “extremely crispy” to 1= “Not crispy” to rate crispness and a 9-point hedonic scale (9 = “like extremely”; 1 = “dislike extremely”) to rate the overall acceptability. Cones formulations which ranked higher; 8.25 and 8.06 respectively than the control 7.5 in consumer acceptance where F14 (where the sorghum was decreased by 25 %) and F9 (where water was decreased by 14%). Formulation F14 which resulted in the best texture was thus be selected and adopted as the formulation for the sorghum ice cream cones.

A New Method for Solving Second-Order Cone Eigenvalue Complementarity Problems

In this paper, we study numerical methods for solving eigenvalue complementarity problems involving the product of second-order cones (or Lorentz cones). We reformulate such problem to find the roots of a semismooth function. An extension of the Lattice Projection Method (LPM) to solve the second-order cone eigenvalue complementarity problem is proposed. The LPM is compared to the semismooth Newton methods, associated to the Fischer–Burmeister and the natural residual functions. The performance profiles highlight the efficiency of the LPM. A globalization of these methods, based on the smoothing and regularization approaches, are discussed.

Facile Synthesis of Conical Arrays with Broadband Antireflective Property

Conical arrays of polydimethyl siloxane were fabricated by duplicating the morphology of needle tips. The prepared cones have periodic order and regular shape, with the bottom diameter of about 80 μm and height of about 250 μm. Due to their special structure, the conical arrays of polydimethyl siloxane exhibited broadband anti-reflective property. Compared with smooth surface, they could reduce the reflection of incident electromagnetic wave at ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared region. The specular reflectance was lower than 0.75% in the range of 250-2600 nm. The prepared PDMS cones have potential to be applied for antireflective devices. The method was simple for mass production of PDMS cones at low cost.

Comparison of heat of combustion and calorific value of the cones and wood of selected forest trees species

Abstract Every year, scaling plants buy (up to tens of tons) cones which needs to be peeled. After the process of scaling, the cones themselves are waste, which is partly sold. The problem of waste disposal is especially severe in plants where the processing is performed by electrically-powered scaling cabinets, but the problem does not apply to facilities where pellets are burned to produce beat. We examined the beat of combustion and calorific value of the residues from scaling plants that can be used in the production of refined wood fuels. The residues consist of the empty cones of pine, spruce, larch as well as husks and stems of silver fir. Additionally, we conducted measurements of the beat of combustion for wood and cones of each species and compared them to their respective calorific values. The results revealed that the average calorific value of the cones is in the range 17.81-19.86 MJ/kg. Our work showed that empty cones have a significantly higher calorific value and beat of combustion than the wood of spruce, larch and fir. In the case of pine, cones and wood did not differ significantly. These results led us to the conclusions that empty de-scaled cones can be utilised as a valuable primary solid fuel or fuel additive for the production of refined products for the local market. Due to the low annual production of cones in comparison to other materials such as sawdust and wood chips, pine cones should be used as a supplement, to enrich fuels of inferior quality by enhancing their energetic properties.