Terminal Height Research Articles

Temporally resolved growth patterns reveal novel information about the polygenic nature of complex quantitative traits.

Plant height can be an indicator of plant health across environments and used to identify superior genotypes. Typically plant height is measured at a single timepoint when plants reach terminal height. Evaluating plant height using unoccupied aerial vehicles allows for measurements throughout the growing season, facilitating a better understanding of plant-environment interactions and the genetic basis of this complex trait. To assess variation throughout development, plant height data was collected from planting until terminal height at anthesis (14 flights 2018, 27 in 2019, 12 in 2020, and 11 in 2021) for a panel of ~500 diverse maize inbred lines. The percent variance explained in plant height throughout the season was significantly explained by genotype (9-48%), year (4-52%), and genotype-by-year interactions (14-36%) to varying extents throughout development. Genome-wide association studies revealed 717 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with plant height and growth rate at different parts of the growing season specific to certain phases of vegetative growth. When plant height growth curves were compared to growth curves estimated from canopy cover, greater Fréchet distance stability was observed in plant height growth curves than for canopy cover. This indicated canopy cover may be more useful for understanding environmental modulation of overall plant growth and plant height better for understanding genotypic modulation of overall plant growth. This study demonstrated that substantial information can be gained from high temporal resolution data to understand how plants differentially interact with the environment and can enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of complex polygenic traits.

Prediction of Geometrical Characteristics of an Inclined Negatively Buoyant Jet Using Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) Neural Network

A new approach to predicting the geometrical characteristics of the mixing behavior of an inclined dense jet for angles ranging from 15° to 85° is proposed in this study. This approach is called the group method of data handling (GMDH) and is based on the artificial neural network (ANN) technique. The proposed model was trained and tested using existing experimental data reported in the literature. The model was then evaluated using statistical indices, as well as being compared with analytical models from previous studies. The results of the coefficient of determination (R2) indicate the high accuracy of the proposed model, with values of 0.9719 and 0.9513 for training and testing for the dimensionless distance from the nozzle to the return point xr/D and 0.9454 and 0.9565 for training and testing for the dimensionless terminal rise height yt/D. Moreover, four previous analytical models were used to evaluate the GMDH model. The results showed the superiority of the proposed model in predicting the geometrical characteristics of the inclined dense jet for all tested angles. Finally, the standard error of the estimate (SEE) was applied to demonstrate which model performed the best in terms of approaching the actual data. The results illustrate that all fitting lines of the GMDH model performed very well for all geometrical parameter predictions and it was the best model, with an approximately 10% error, which was the lowest error value among the models. Therefore, this study confirms that the GMDH model can be used to predict the geometrical properties of the inclined negatively buoyant jet with high performance and accuracy.

79 Flexible Support Materials Maintain Disc Height and Support the Formation of Hydrated Tissue Engineered Intervertebral Discs in Vivo

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: We evaluated the long-term success of tissue engineered intervertebral discs (TE-IVDs) cultured in flexible (FPLA) or stiff (PLA) support materials, hypothesizing that FPLA would maintain disc height and tissue hydration in the minipig spine. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: TE-IVD: NP cells were encapsulated in alginate and NP plugs were placed in the center of FPLA cages. AF cells were encapsulated in type I collagen and pipetted around NP plugs. Implantation: Empty FPLA cages (n=4), and TE-IVDs cultured in FPLA (n=4) were implanted at C3-4 or C5-6 following complete discectomy (DX) in skeletally mature minipigs (n=4). Imaging and Quantification: Terminal disc height indices (DHI) were calculated from weekly x-rays using a previously described method, and results were compared to the PLA pilot study. T2 MRI scans were taken of levels treated with TE-IVDs to quantify disc hydration as previously described. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: FPLA cages restored DHIs to native levels until endpoint. In contrast, PLA cages fractured, and terminal DHIs were statistically similar to DX levels. Of the four levels treated with TE-IVDs, 2 were displaced from the disc space. Stabilized levels yielded DHIs which were statistically similar to native IVD and greater than displaced and DX levels. Displaced levels yielded DHIs which were significantly lower than native and stabilized levels, but greater than DX levels (P<0.05). T2 MRIs of stabilized TEIVDs revealed that levels treated with a construct maintained tissue hydration which was significantly greater than levels treated with an empty cage or DX levels (P<0.0001), but which was about half the hydration of native disc tissue. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Implanting TE-IVDs with FPLA support cages leads to disc height maintenance and the stabilization of hydrated tissues in the spine, enhancing the long term success of TE-IVD implants and providing a basis for clinical translation.

Observation and Modeling of Attempted Leaders in a Multibranched Altitude-Triggered Lightning Flash

A multibranched altitude-triggered lightning flash containing 15 attempted leaders (ALs) was observed. These leaders propagated along three paths with different development processes. The average two-dimensional speed of the ALs ranged from 3.8 × 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">5</sup> m/s to 29.4 × 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">5</sup> m/s, and the terminal height ranged from over 1626 to 505 m above the ground. The progressing characteristics of ALs were investigated in detail based on the high-speed video camera and synchronous electric field data. The electric field waveforms at the termination stage of the AL were divided into two types. Two different termination ways were proposed to describe the process of AL's disappearance. The source charge model was used to simulate the electric field waveform of the ALs, and the results agree well with the measured electric field waveform.

Phenomic data-driven biological prediction of maize through field-based high-throughput phenotyping integration with genomic data.

High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) has expanded the dimensionality of data in plant research; however, HTP has resulted in few novel biological discoveries to date. Field-based HTP (FHTP), using small unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with imaging sensors, can be deployed routinely to monitor segregating plant population interactions with the environment under biologically meaningful conditions. Here, flowering dates and plant height, important phenological fitness traits, were collected on 520 segregating maize recombinant inbred lines (RILs) in both irrigated and drought stress trials in 2018. Using UAV phenomic, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genomic, as well as combined data, flowering times were predicted using several scenarios. Untested genotypes were predicted with 0.58, 0.59, and 0.41 prediction ability for anthesis, silking, and terminal plant height, respectively, using genomic data, but prediction ability increased to 0.77, 0.76, and 0.58 when phenomic and genomic data were used together. Using the phenomic data in a genome-wide association study, a heat-related candidate gene (GRMZM2G083810; hsp18f) was discovered using temporal reflectance phenotypes belonging to flowering times (both irrigated and drought) trials where heat stress also peaked. Thus, a relationship between plants and abiotic stresses belonging to a specific time of growth was revealed only through use of temporal phenomic data. Overall, this study showed that (i) it is possible to predict complex traits using high dimensional phenomic data between different environments, and (ii) temporal phenomic data can reveal a time-dependent association between genotypes and abiotic stresses, which can help understand mechanisms to develop resilient plants.

Double diffusive effect on geometrical characteristics of inclined thermal-saline negatively buoyant jets

In this paper the turbulent reversible thermal-saline buoyant jets discharged upwards at angles 300, 450 and 600, into a stagnant ambient are experimentally studied. In all cases, the flow finally behaves as a negatively buoyant jet, even in cases where the flow has positive buoyancy at the source. In reversible thermal-saline jets, there is a nonlinear relationship of the geometric characteristics of negatively thermal-saline buoyant jets with the relative density. The highest values of centerline peak and terminal rise height of jets were observed in the discharge angle of 600, and the lowest values were observed in the discharge angle of 300. Also, the value of horizontal distance to the centerline peak and return point for the discharge angle of 300 shows a higher value than the angle of 450 and 600.

Numerical Study on the Effect of Port Orientation on Multiple Inclined Dense Jets

Wastewaters are commonly discharged into the seas and oceans through multiport diffusers. Accurate prediction of the complex interactions of multiport diffusers with the receiving water bodies is significant for the optimal design of outfall systems and has yet to be fully illuminated. In the current study, the mixing and dilution characteristics of multiple inclined dense jets are studied using a three-dimensional numerical simulation. The Launder, Reece, and Rodi (LRR) turbulence model is employed to perform the simulations, and the predictions are compared against available experimental data. The results indicate that the LRR turbulence model is a promising tool for the study of inclined dense jets discharged from multiport diffusers, and it can provide more accurate predictions of the mixing behavior than standard and re-normalization group (RNG) k-ε turbulence models. The model is further employed to evaluate and compare the dispersion capabilities of multiport diffusers with uniform and non-uniform jet orientation to the horizontal, as a novel idea. The comparisons demonstrate the middle discharge may have a longer trajectory (7% and 5% increase in terminal rise height and impact point distance, respectively) and therefore a higher dilution rate (14% increase in impact dilution) when its adjacent jets are disposed with a different angle, compared to that of uniform discharges. The outcomes may be favorable for outfall systems applications involving dilution.

Predictor corrector algorithms considering multiple constraints for entry vehicles

AbstractThis paper proposes an online entry trajectory planning based on predictor corrector algorithm that satisfies terminal constraints, path constraints and geographic constraints for lifting-body entry vehicles. The vehicle is considered as a 3DOF point mass. A piecewise linear bank profile in the altitude-versus-velocity (H-V) plane is used to project the longitudinal trajectory and a heading angle corridor-based bank angle reversal logic is designed to satisfy the geographic constraints simultaneously. The algorithm in longitudinal plane solves the problem of the mismatch between terminal range and height and the algorithm in lateral plane satisfies the no-fly zone constraint. Simulation results with the CAV-H model show that the proposed algorithm can generate entry trajectories satisfying multiple constraints and has certain robustness.

On the Computational Modeling of Inclined Brine Discharges

In this paper, five computational approaches are used to model bulk flow parameters of inclined round negatively buoyant jets. More specifically, an integral model employing Gaussian distributions for velocity and apparent acceleration of gravity, proposed in earlier study, is implemented with two different entrainment formulae. The remaining three computational approaches include an integral model known as EMA, which takes into consideration the fluid detachment occurring in the inner side of the flow near the terminal height, the widely known commercial model Corjet and analytical solutions that were proposed in a previous study. Predictions are provided for the maximum centerline height and its horizontal position, the terminal height of the upper jet boundary, the horizontal distance to the points where the jet centerline and the upper jet boundary return to the source level, the centerline dilution at the maximum height and the centerline dilution at the return point. Detailed comparisons are made in dimensionless form between the estimations provided by the models and a wide range of experimental data for discharge angles between 15° and 90°. Conclusions are drawn regarding the performance of the five computational approaches.

DIAGNOSIS OF LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION ON RESTING ECG – A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background: Heart failure due to preserved as well as reduced ejection fraction is a major healthcare challenge; echocardiography, including tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) serves as the cornerstone of its diagnosis. ECG is a widely available,relatively inexpensive tool for predicting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). Objectives:We aimed to study different parameters in resting 12-lead ECG to evaluate whether they can predict LVDD diagnosed on detailed echocardiography including TDI. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 39 patients undergoing echocardiographic study in cardiology department of our institute.They were classified into two groups based on LVDD (Group 1 Normal, Group 2 LVDD) and their resting 12-lead ECG was analyzed for following parameters: QT interval, corrected QT interval, P wave duration (PW-D) and height (PW-H) in Lead 2, P terminal wave duration (P term-D) and height ( P term-H) in lead V1, P wave terminal force in lead V1.Correlation of these parameters with LVDD was investigated. Results: Study included 39 patients,females 16,males 23,with age range 20-87 (mean 48) years.Group 1 comprised of 14 normal echo patients and 25 patients with LVDD were in Group 2. The Mean QTc was 419ms (SD 21) and 440ms (SD 30) in Group 1 and Group 2 respectively, which was statistically significant (p =0.03). The P terminal wave duration V1 difference was statistically significant (p 0.03) with a mean of 39±17 ms vs 52±19 ms in Grp 1 and Grp 2 respectively. P terminal wave height V1 was 0.79±0.26 mm in Grp 1 and 1.1±0.41 mm in Grp 2, which was statistically significant (p= 0.01). Morris Index was statistically highly significant between the two groups (0.03±0.02 mm.s Grp1 and 0.07±0.04 mm.s in Grp2,p 0.009).P wave height lead 2 was 1.1±0.4 mm and 1.7±0.6 mm in Grp 1 and Grp 2 respectively (p= 0.002). P wave duration in Lead 2 did not find significance statistically (p 0.08) with mean 90±19 ms versus 103±26ms in Group 1 and 2 respectively. Conclusion: QTc, P terminal wave duration and amplitude in V1, Morris Index, and P wave amplitude in lead 2 are significantly higher in patients with echocardiographic diagnosis of LVDD.

Research on indoor spaces and passenger satisfaction with terminal buildings in China

In recent years, the construction of terminal buildings has become more and more large in China. One reason is to believe passengers prefer tall spaces, which however, will bring high energy consumption. To study the relationships between the indoor spaces of terminal buildings and passenger satisfaction, this study considered 11 terminal buildings in nine cities in five climate zones in China. The post occupancy evaluation and CATT methods were used to compare the objective indoor environmental quality (IEQ), based on 4149 passenger satisfaction questionnaires obtained from 2014 to 2016. The study results are as followings. First, the IEQ test results show that higher terminal buildings are affected by a higher solar load; moreover, wind seepage will increase the air conditioning load. Second, passengers generally do not believe that a large terminal indoor area requires a high space. The results from the questionnaire survey also show that passengers feel that the space is moderate in the interior at a height of less than 10 m. As such, through acoustic simulation, it is found that in order to have a better acoustic environment, it is recommended the floor height should be less than 8 m. Third, the terminal indoor space height is directly related to the energy consumption; therefore, the height of the space should be reduced in the design phase to reduce energy consumption. The main contribution of this study is to put forward a restriction on the height of terminal buildings in terms of passenger satisfaction and energy consumption. • The terminal building floor area is correlated with passenger space satisfaction. • Less than 10 m′s floor height, passengers still feel the spatial scale is moderate. • It is recommended the floor height of terminal corridors should be less than 8 m. • The higher terminal buildings will be affected by a higher solar load. • Each 1 m height reduction reduces power consumption per unit area by 2.5 kWh/a·m 2 .

Regulation of Gait Cycle Phases during Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation of the Spinal Cord

A novel approach was designed to regulate the stepping movements in human by means of noninvasive electrical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) to activate the flexor/extensor motor pools of the lower limbs in the gait cycle. Selective stimulation was delivered automatically based on signals from gyroscope sensors, which served to detect the stance and swing phases. The initiation of hip extension was a trigger for stimulating extensor pools (L1) during the stance phase, and the initiation of hip flexion was a trigger for stimulating flexor motor pools (T11) during the swing phase. In healthy subjects (n = 6) walking on a treadmill, stimulation at L1 with a frequency of 15 Hz decreased the duration of stance phase by 4% (p = 0.0457), increased the amplitude of movements in the hip joint by 11% (p = 0.0266), decreased the movement amplitude in the ankle joint by 17% (p = 0.0081), and increased EMG activities of the extensors vastus lateralis (VL) (by 31%, p = 0.0441) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) (by 17%, p = 0.0465) and flexors biceps femoris (BF) (by 26%, p = 0.4637) and tibialis anterior (TA) (by 21%, p = 0.0215) relative to walking without stimulation. Stimulation at Т11 with a frequency of 30 Hz reduced the stance phase duration by 3% (p = 0.0318) and increased the amplitude of movements in the hip joint by 12% (p = 0.0467), the knee lifting by 25% (p = 0.0001), and the terminal anthropometric point height above the surface of support by 19% (p = 0.0001). The changes were accompanied by increases in muscle activities of the flexors BF (by 18%, p = 0.230) and TA (by 14%, p = 0.0170). The reciprocity coefficient decreased in thigh muscles by 15% (p = 0.0301) and increased in shin muscles by 5% (p = 0.0452). Alternating spatiotemporal stimulation at L1 and T11 did not significantly change the durations of the gait cycle and its phases, but changed the kinematic characteristics of movements. The amplitude of movements in the hip joint increased in the stance phase. In the swing phase, higher values were observed for the amplitude of movements in the hip joint, the knee lifting, and the terminal anthropometric point height above the surface of support. EMG activities of thigh and shin muscles increased during stimulation at L1 + T11. EMG activity of extensors was higher than that of flexors in the stance phase, while flexor EMG activity exceeded extensor activity in the swing phase. Thus, the data obtained show the possibility of TSCS selectively to activate the motor pools of the lower extremities, and control their activity to regulate the phases of the stepping cycle during human locomotion.

Effect of gravity on the orientation and detachment of cubic particles adsorbed at soap film or liquid interfaces.

We investigate the interaction that occurs between a light solid cube falling under gravity and a horizontal soap film that is pinned to a circular ring. We observe in both experiments and quasi-static simulations that the final orientation of a cube that becomes entrapped by a soap film is strongly dependent on the Bond number. A cube is rotated by a soap film into one of three main orientations in a process that is driven by energy minimisation. The likelihood of observing each of these final orientations is shown to depend on the Bond number, and the most energetically favourable orientation depends on the terminal height reached by the cube. We also find a critical value for the Bond number, above which a cube is no longer supported by a soap film and detachment occurs, to be less than one.

Vertical Round Buoyant Jets and Fountains in a Linearly, Density-Stratified Fluid

Turbulent round buoyant jets and fountains issuing vertically into a linearly density-stratified calm ambient have been investigated in a series of laboratory experiments. The terminal (steady-state) height of rise and the mean elevation of subsequent horizontal spreading have been measured in positively buoyant jets (at source level), including pure momentum jets and plumes, as well in momentum-driven negatively buoyant jets (fountains). The results from experiments confirmed the asymptotic analysis that was based on dimensional arguments. The normalized terminal height and spreading elevation with respect to the elevation of injection of momentum-driven (positively) buoyant jets and fountains attained the same asymptotic values. The numerical results from the solution of entrainment equations, using an improved entrainment coefficient function, confirmed the results related to buoyancy dominant flows (plumes), while their predictions in momentum-driven flows were quite low if compared to measurements.

Development and Application of an Empirical Dune Growth Model for Evaluating Barrier Island Recovery from Storms

Coastal zone managers require models that predict barrier island change on decadal time scales to estimate coastal vulnerability, and plan habitat restoration and coastal protection projects. To meet these needs, methods must be available for predicting dune recovery as well as dune erosion. In the present study, an empirical dune growth model (EDGR) was developed to predict the evolution of the primary foredune of a barrier island. Within EDGR, an island is represented as a sum of Gaussian shape functions representing dunes, berms, and the underlying island form. The model evolves the foredune based on estimated terminal dune height and location inputs. EDGR was assessed against observed dune evolution along the western end of Dauphin Island, Alabama over the 10 years following Hurricane Katrina (2005). The root mean square error with EDGR (ranging from 0.18 to 0.74 m over the model domain) was reduced compared to an alternate no-change model (0.69–0.96 m). Hindcasting with EDGR also supports the study of dune evolution processes. At Dauphin Island, results suggest that a low-lying portion of the site was dominated by overwash for ~5 years after Katrina, before approaching their terminal height and becoming growth-limited after 2010. EDGR’s computational efficiency allows dune evolution to be rapidly predicted and enables ensemble predictions to constrain the uncertainty that may result if terminal dune characteristics are unknown. In addition, EDGR can be coupled with an external model for estimating dune erosion and/or the long-term evolution of other subaerial features to allow decadal-scale prediction of barrier island evolution.

Cavezzo, the first Italian meteorite recovered by the PRISMA fireball network. Orbit, trajectory, and strewn-field

ABSTRACT Two meteorite pieces have been recovered in Italy, near the town of Cavezzo (Modena), on 2020 January 4th. The associated fireball was observed on the evening of New Year’s Day 2020 by eight all-sky cameras of the PRISMA fireball network, a partner of FRIPON. The computed trajectory had an inclination angle of approximately 68° and a velocity at infinity of 12.8 km s−1. Together with the relatively low terminal height, estimated as 21.5 km, those values were indicating the significant possibility of a meteorite dropping event, as additionally confirmed by the non-zero residual total mass. The strewn-field was computed taking into account the presence of two bright light flashes, revealing that the meteoroid had been very likely subject to fragmentation. Three days after the event, two samples, weighing 3.1 and 52.2 g, were collected as a result of a dedicated field search and thanks to the involvement of the local people. The two pieces were immediately recognized as freshly fallen fragments of meteorite. The computed orbital elements, compared with the ones of known Near-Earth Asteroids from the NEODyS database, are compatible with one asteroid only; 2013 VC10. The estimated original mass of the meteoroid, 3.5 kg, and size, approximately 13 cm, is so far the smallest among the current 35 cases in which meteorites were recovered from precise strewn-field computation thanks to observational data. This result demonstrates the effectiveness of accurate processing of fireball network data even on challenging events generated by small size meteoroids.

Cerebellar developmental deficits underlie neurodegenerative disorder spinocerebellar ataxia type 23.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 23 (SCA23) is a late‐onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by slowly progressive gait and limb ataxia, for which there is no therapy available. It is caused by pathogenic variants in PDYN, which encodes prodynorphin (PDYN). PDYN is processed into the opioid peptides α‐neoendorphin and dynorphins (Dyn) A and B; inhibitory neurotransmitters that function in pain signaling, stress‐induced responses and addiction. Variants causing SCA23 mostly affect Dyn A, leading to loss of secondary structure and increased peptide stability. PDYN R212W mice express human PDYN containing the SCA23 variant p.R212W. These mice show progressive motor deficits from 3 months of age, climbing fiber (CF) deficits from 3 months of age, and Purkinje cell (PC) loss from 12 months of age. A mouse model for SCA1 showed similar CF deficits, and a recent study found additional developmental abnormalities, namely increased GABAergic interneuron connectivity and non‐cell autonomous disruption of PC function. As SCA23 mice show a similar pathology to SCA1 mice in adulthood, we hypothesized that SCA23 may also follow SCA1 pathology during development. Examining PDYN R212W cerebella during development, we uncovered developmental deficits from 2 weeks of age, namely a reduced number of GABAergic synapses on PC soma, possibly leading to the observed delay in early phase CF elimination between 2 and 3 weeks of age. Furthermore, CFs did not reach terminal height, leaving proximal PC dendrites open to be occupied by parallel fibers (PFs). The observed increase in vGlut1 protein—a marker for PF‐PC synapses—indicates that PFs indeed take over CF territory and have increased connectivity with PCs. Additionally, we detected altered expression of several critical Ca2+ channel subunits, potentially contributing to altered Ca2+ transients in PDYN R212W cerebella. These findings indicate that developmental abnormalities contribute to the SCA23 pathology and uncover a developmental role for PDYN in the cerebellum.

Revisiting Mean Flow and Mixing Properties of Negatively Round Buoyant Jets Using the Escaping Mass Approach (EMA)

The flow formed by the discharge of inclined turbulent negatively round buoyant jets is common in environmental flow phenomena, especially in the case of brine disposal. The prediction of the mean flow and mixing properties of such flows is based on integral models, experimental results and, recently, on numerical modeling. This paper presents the results of mean flow and mixing characteristics using the escaping mass approach (EMA), a Gaussian model that simulates the escaping masses from the main buoyant jet flow. The EMA model was applied for dense discharge at a quiescent ambient of uniform density for initial discharge inclinations from 15° to 75°, with respect to the horizontal plane. The variations of the dimensionless terminal centerline and the external edge’s height, the horizontal location of the centerline terminal height, the horizontal location of centerline and the external edge’s return point as a function of initial inclination angle are estimated via the EMA model, and compared to available experimental data and other integral or numerical models. Additionally, the same procedure was followed for axial dilutions at the centerline terminal height and return point. The performance of EMA is acceptable for research purposes, and the simplicity and speed of calculations makes it competitive for design and environmental assessment studies.

Unoccupied aerial system enabled functional modeling of maize height reveals dynamic expression of loci.

Unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) were used to phenotype growth trajectories of inbred maize populations under field conditions. Three recombinant inbred line populations were surveyed on a weekly basis collecting RGB images across two irrigation regimens (irrigated and non‐irrigated/rain fed). Plant height, estimated by the 95th percentile (P95) height from UAS generated 3D point clouds, exceeded 70% correlation (r) to manual ground truth measurements and 51% of experimental variance was explained by genetics. The Weibull sigmoidal function accurately modeled plant growth (R 2: >99%; RMSE: <4 cm) from P95 genetic means. The mean asymptote was strongly correlated (r 2 = 0.66–0.77) with terminal plant height. Maximum absolute growth rates (mm/day) were weakly correlated with height and flowering time. The average inflection point ranged from 57 to 60 days after sowing (DAS) and was correlated with flowering time (r 2 = 0.45–0.68). Functional growth parameters (asymptote, inflection point, growth rate) alone identified 34 genetic loci, each explaining 3–15% of total genetic variation. Plant height was estimated at one‐day intervals to 85 DAS, identifying 58 unique temporal quantitative trait loci (QTL) locations. Genomic hotspots on chromosomes 1 and 3 indicated chromosomal regions associated with functional growth trajectories influencing flowering time, growth rate, and terminal growth. Temporal QTL demonstrated unique dynamic expression patterns not previously observable, and no QTL were significantly expressed throughout the entire growing season. UAS technologies improved phenotypic selection accuracy and permitted monitoring traits on a temporal scale previously infeasible using manual measurements, furthering understanding of crop development and biological trajectories.

Modelling of contaminant dispersion in underfloor air distribution systems: comparison of analytical and CFD methods

ABSTRACTUnderfloor air distribution (UFAD) systems are known to provide thermal comfort and good indoor air quality (IAQ) at relatively low energy cost. The aim of this paper is to develop an analytical model to predict the vertical CO2 distributions inside contaminated thermal plumes and in the surrounding air in UFAD spaces. The 2D model is based on thermal plume and turbulent fountain theory and it accounts for CO2 convective transport as well as vertical and lateral diffusion. The proposed space model consists of four horizontal layers delimited by three critical heights: the air density interface, the supply jet throw height and the plume terminal height. The model predictions of lumped layer CO2 concentrations compared well with the results produced by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for different ventilation rates and heat loads. The analytical model can be put into practice to give recommendations on UFAD preliminary design and acceptable IAQ.