scholarly journals The use of measurable traits of trunk and crown to assess the biosocial classes of oak trees (Quercus robur L.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Turczański ◽  
Bogna Zawieja ◽  
Tomasz Najgrakowski ◽  
Katarzyna Kaźmierczak
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Quercus Robur ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
Projection Area ◽  
Diameter At Breast Height ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
Crown Projection Area ◽  
Forestry Practice

The crown class assessment is a key element in forestry practice. It is a traditional method that finds application in thinning plans, assessment of site index, tree competition, or crown condition. Assigning trees into a given class is done during field surveys and requires precision and experience to avoid inaccuracy. Therefore, Kraft’s system has often been criticized and modified. Thus, in our study, we aimed to analyse whether the directly measured traits of trunk and crown of oak trees (Quercus robur L.) can be applied to crown class assessment. For this purpose, we used the principal component analysis (PCA) and nonlinear kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) based on measurable traits of trunk and crown, i.e., the height of the tree, the diameter at breast height, the length of the crown, and the field crown projection area. In total, we measured 286 mature trees in three oak stands located in western Poland. Results indicate that all chosen traits of trunk and crown allowed, though not always perfect, to assign the trees into given crown classes. The greatest contribution to crown class distinction had the diameter at breast height and the parameters of crown, i.e., and the field crown projection area. Furthermore, results show that the best method of assigning the trees into biosocial classes is the KPCA Gauss, considering the percentage explanation of the total variability, and KPCA Laplace, considering the visual division. In the latter, the multivariate analysis resulted in a similar crown class assignment as the field-assigned method. However, its application requires measurements that make it neither cheaper nor faster than a traditional crown class assessment. It indicates that a traditional field-assigned method, despite its subjectivity, should continue to be of great importance in forestry practice. Moreover, the alternative traits of trunk and crown can be a potentially useful statistical substitute for crown class assessment. Keywords: crown class, oak stand, trunk and crown traits, multivariate methods

scholarly journals Tree crown size as a measure of tree biosocial position in 135-year-old oak (Quercus L.) stand

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kaźmierczak ◽  
Bogna Zawieja
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Projection Area ◽  
Tree Crown ◽  
Diameter At Breast Height ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Crown Length ◽  
Pca Method ◽  
Crown Projection Area

AbstractThe paper presents an attempt to apply measurable traits of a tree – crown projection area, crown length, diameter at breast height and tree height for classification of 135-year-old oak (QuercusL.) trees into Kraft classes. Statistical multivariate analysis was applied to reach the aim. Empirical material was collected on sample plot area of 0.75 ha, located in 135-year-old oak stand. Analysis of dimensional traits of oaks from 135-year-old stand allows quite certain classification of trees into three groups: pre-dominant, dominant and co-dominant and dominated ones. This seems to be quite promising, providing a tool for the approximation of the biosocial position of tree with no need for assessment in forest. Applied analyses do not allow distinguishing trees belonging to II and III Kraft classes. Unless the eye-estimation-based classification is completed, principal component analysis (PCA) method provided simple, provisional solution for grouping trees from 135-year-old stand into three over-mentioned groups. Discriminant analysis gives more precise results compared with PCA. In the analysed stand, the most important traits for the evaluation of biosocial position were diameter at breast height, crown projection area and height.

scholarly journals Allocation of oaks to Kraft classes based on linear and nonlinear kernel discriminant variables

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogna Zawieja ◽  
Katarzyna Kaźmierczak
Keyword(s):  
Gaussian Kernel ◽  
Projection Area ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
Standing Trees ◽  
Discriminant Variable ◽  
Linear And Nonlinear ◽  
Crown Projection Area

SummaryA method of discriminant variable determination was used to visualize the division of oak trees into Kraft classes. Usual discriminant variables and several types of kernel discriminant variables were studied. For this purpose the traits of oak (Quercus L.) trees, measured on standing trees, were used. These traits included height of tree, breast height diameter and crown projection area. The use of the Gaussian kernel and modified Gaussian kernel enabled the clearest division into Kraft classes. In particular, the latter method proved to be the most effective.

A German version of the Intermittent Claudication Questionnaire (ICQ): cultural adaptation and validation

VASA ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirchberger ◽  
Finger ◽  
Müller-Bühl
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Intermittent Claudication ◽  
Completion Time ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
German Version ◽  
Average Completion Time ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Related Quality

Background: The Intermittent Claudication Questionnaire (ICQ) is a short questionnaire for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). The objective of this study was to translate the ICQ into German and to investigate the psychometric properties of the German ICQ version in patients with IC. Patients and methods: The original English version was translated using a forward-backward method. The resulting German version was reviewed by the author of the original version and an experienced clinician. Finally, it was tested for clarity with 5 German patients with IC. A sample of 81 patients were administered the German ICQ. The sample consisted of 58.0 % male patients with a median age of 71 years and a median IC duration of 36 months. Test of feasibility included completeness of questionnaires, completion time, and ratings of clarity, length and relevance. Reliability was assessed through a retest in 13 patients at 14 days, and analysis of Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency. Construct validity was investigated using principal component analysis. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating the ICQ scores with the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) as well as clinical measures. Results: The ICQ was completely filled in by 73 subjects (90.1 %) with an average completion time of 6.3 minutes. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient reached 0.75. Intra-class correlation for test-retest reliability was r = 0.88. Principal component analysis resulted in a 3 factor solution. The first factor explained 51.5 of the total variation and all items had loadings of at least 0.65 on it. The ICQ was significantly associated with the SF-36 and treadmill-walking distances whereas no association was found for resting ABPI. Conclusions: The German version of the ICQ demonstrated good feasibility, satisfactory reliability and good validity. Responsiveness should be investigated in further validation studies.

Multifactorial analysis of clinical laboratory signs, the levels of IL-17A, IL-23, IL-33, IL-35, and specific antibodies in the serum of patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
pp. 676-681
Author(s):  
V.V. Sapozhnikova ◽  
◽  
A.L. Bondarenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Lyme Borreliosis ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Erythema Migrans ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multifactorial Analysis ◽  
Specific Antibodies

Aim: to determine the association between clinical laboratory parameters, the production of cytokines (IL-17A, -23, -33, -35), and specific IgM and IgG in the serum of patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans. Patients and Methods: complete blood count, the concentrations of IL-17A, -23, -33, -35, and the levels of specific IgM and IgG were measured during acute infection and convalescence (n=30). The control group included age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (n=30). Statistical analysis was performed using the StatSoft Statistica v 10.0 software (parametric and non-parametric methods and multifactorial analysis, i.e., principal component analysis). Results: most (80%) patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans are the people of working age. In most patients, the combination of the specific antibodies against Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii (76.7%) and severe intoxication and inflammatory process (100%) were detected. Moderate and severe disease associated with meningism was diagnosed in 90% and 10%, respectively. The mean duration of hectic period was 8.3±1.27 days. Abnormal ECG was reported in 40% of patients, i.e., conduction abnormalities in 20%, sinus bradycardia in 16.7%,and sinus tachycardia in 3.3%. The clinical laboratory signs of hepatitis without jaundice were identified in 26.7%. During treatment, the significant reduction in band and segmented neutrophil counts as well as the significant increase in platelet count were revealed compared to these parameters at admission. Abnormal cytokine levels (i.e., the increase in IL-17A, -23, -33 and the deficiency of IL-35) were detected. Conclusions: multifactorial analysis has demonstrated that the severity of immunological abnormalities in patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans is associated with fever, cardiac and liver disorders, the high levels of IL-23 and IL-33, and the lack of IL-35 and specific IgM and IgG. KEYWORDS: tick-borne borreliosis, Lyme disease without erythema migrans, clinical laboratory signs, cytokines, specific antibodies, multifactorial analysis, principal component analysis. FOR CITATION: Sapozhnikova V.V., Bondarenko A.L. Multifactorial analysis of clinical laboratory signs, the levels of IL-17A, IL-23, IL-33, IL-35, and specific antibodies in the serum of patients with Lyme borreliosis without erythema migrans. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2020;4(11):676–681. DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2020-4-11-676-681.

Oxypropylation of Brazilian Pine-Fruit Shell Evaluated by Principal Component Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 715-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephany C. de Rezende ◽  
Jo鉶 A. Pinto ◽  
Isabel P. Fernandes ◽  
Fernanda V. Leimann and Maria-Filomena Barreiro
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis
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