Assessing the Accuracy of TWIGS and STEMS85 Volume Predictions: A New Approach

1989 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary J. Brand ◽  
Margaret R. Holdaway

Abstract Computer based growth projection systems can help foresters evaluate the effect of management prescriptions. However, using projection systems wisely requires information about how accurate they are. Both parts of accuracy, bias and precision, are estimated for volume predictions from a Lake States projection system using data from 822 remeasured plots. Volume tends to be underpredicted for four locations in the northern part of the Lake States but overpredicted for one location in Lower Michigan. The bias is large for dense stands and for northern hardwood and lowland hardwood stands in Lower Michigan. Forests are highly variable, however, and the precision of a projection system must be estimated as well as its bias. Prediction intervals are computed that help estimate the likely range for a given prediction. The interval that has a 90% probability of containing the true volume can be quite large. North. J. Appl. For. 6:109-114, September 1989.

1986 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Crow

Abstract Growth models are increasingly being applied in forest planning and in evaluating management options. With these uses, questions arise about reliability of estimates and limits of application. Two models available for northern forests, the Stand and Tree Evaluation and Modeling System (STEMS) and the Sugar Maple Projection System (SMPS), are evaluated and compared for estimating growth in stands dominated by sugar maple. Based on comparisons of predicted to actual net growth, the generalized model STEMS performed equally well as the specialized model SMPS. Estimates of ingrowth and mortality are less satisfactory for both models. North. J. Appl. For. 3:28-32, Mar. 1986.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Ivan Bjelanovic ◽  
Phil Comeau ◽  
Sharon Meredith ◽  
Brian Roth

A few studies in young mixedwood stands demonstrate that precommercial thinning of aspen at early ages can improve the growth of spruce and increase stand resilience to drought. However, information on tree and stand responses to thinning in older mixedwood stands is lacking. To address this need, a study was initiated in 2008 in Alberta, Canada in 14 boreal mixedwood stands (seven each at ages 17 and 22). This study investigated growth responses following thinning of aspen to five densities (0, 1000, 2500, 5000 stems ha−1 and unthinned (control)). Measurements were collected in the year of establishment, and three and eight years later. Mortality of aspen in the unthinned plots was greater than in the thinned plots which were not significantly different amongst each other. Eight years following treatment, aspen diameter was positively influenced by thinning, while there was no effect on aspen height. The density of aspen had no significant effect on the survival of planted spruce. Spruce height and diameter growth increased with both aspen thinning intensity and time since treatment. Differentiation among treatments in spruce diameter growth was evident three years from treatment, while differentiation in height was not significant until eight years following treatment. Yield projections using two growth models (Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM) and Growth and Yield Projection System (GYPSY)) were initialized using data from the year eight re-measurements. Results indicate that heavy precommercial aspen thinning (to ~1000 aspen crop trees ha−1) can result in an increase in conifer merchantable volume without reducing aspen volume at the time of harvest. However, light to moderate thinning (to ~2500 aspen stems ha−1 or higher), is unlikely to result in gains in either deciduous or conifer merchantable harvest volume over those of unthinned stands.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Javier Eduardo Diaz Zamboni ◽  
Daniela Osella ◽  
Enrique Valentín Paravani ◽  
Víctor Hugo Casco

The current report presents the development and application of a novel methodological approach for computer-based methods of processing and analysis of proliferative tissues labeled by ABC-peroxidase method using 3, 3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) as chromogen. This semiautomatic method is proposed to replace the classical manual approach, widely accepted as gold standard. Our method is based on a visual analysis of the microscopy image features from which a computational model is built to generate synthetic images which are used to evaluate and validate the methods of image processing and analysis. The evaluation allows knowing whether the computational methods applied are affected by the change of the image characteristics. Validation allows determining the method’s reliability and analyzing the concordance between the proposed method and a gold standard one. Additional strongness of this new approach is that it may be a framework adaptable to other studies made on any kind of microscopy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2069
Author(s):  
M. V. Alba-Fernández ◽  
F. J. Ariza-López ◽  
M. D. Jiménez-Gamero

The usefulness of the parameters (e.g., slope, aspect) derived from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is limited by its accuracy. In this paper, a thematic-like quality control (class-based) of aspect and slope classes is proposed. A product can be compared against a reference dataset, which provides the quality requirements to be achieved, by comparing the product proportions of each class with those of the reference set. If a distance between the product proportions and the reference proportions is smaller than a small enough positive tolerance, which is fixed by the user, it will be considered that the degree of similarity between the product and the reference set is acceptable, and hence that its quality meets the requirements. A formal statistical procedure, based on a hypothesis test, is developed and its performance is analyzed using simulated data. It uses the Hellinger distance between the proportions. The application to the slope and aspect is illustrated using data derived from a 2×2 m DEM (reference) and 5×5 m DEM in Allo (province of Navarra, Spain).


Gut ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 1778-1786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bossuyt ◽  
Hiroshi Nakase ◽  
Séverine Vermeire ◽  
Gert de Hertogh ◽  
Tom Eelbode ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe objective evaluation of endoscopic disease activity is key in ulcerative colitis (UC). A composite of endoscopic and histological factors is the goal in UC treatment. We aimed to develop an operator-independent computer-based tool to determine UC activity based on endoscopic images.MethodsFirst, we built a computer algorithm using data from 29 consecutive patients with UC and 6 healthy controls (construction cohort). The algorithm (red density: RD) was based on the red channel of the red-green-blue pixel values and pattern recognition from endoscopic images. The algorithm was refined in sequential steps to optimise correlation with endoscopic and histological disease activity. In a second phase, the operating properties were tested in patients with UC flares requiring treatment escalation. To validate the algorithm, we tested the correlation between RD score and clinical, endoscopic and histological features in a validation cohort.ResultsWe constructed the algorithm based on the integration of pixel colour data from the redness colour map along with vascular pattern detection. These data were linked with Robarts histological index (RHI) in a multiple regression analysis. In the construction cohort, RD correlated with RHI (r=0.74, p<0.0001), Mayo endoscopic subscores (r=0.76, p<0.0001) and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity scores (r=0.74, p<0.0001). The RD sensitivity to change had a standardised effect size of 1.16. In the validation set, RD correlated with RHI (r=0.65, p=0.00002).ConclusionsRD provides an objective computer-based score that accurately assesses disease activity in UC. In a validation study, RD correlated with endoscopic and histological disease activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1187-1217
Author(s):  
Negin Berjis ◽  
Hadi Shirouyehzad ◽  
Javid Jouzdani

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach to determine the project activities weight factors using data envelopment analysis. Afterward, the model is applied in Mobarkeh Steel Company as a case study. Accordingly, the project schedule and plans can be written on the basis of the gained weight factors.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposed an approach to determine the weights of activities using Data Envelopment Analysis. This approach consists of four phases. In the first phase, project activities are extracted based on the work breakdown structure. In the second phase, the parameters affecting the importance of activities are determined through a review of the related literature and based on the experts' opinions. In the third phase, the proper data envelopment analysis model is chosen and the inputs and outputs are signified. Then, the activities' weights are determined based on the efficiency numbers. Finally, the model is solved for the case of Isfahan Mobarakeh Steel Company.FindingsThe proposed method aimed to calculate the project activities weight factor. Thus, influential parameters on project activities importance include activity duration, activity cost, activity importance which includes successors and predecessors, activity difficulty which includes skill related (education and experience), safety, communication rate, intellectual effort, physical effort, unfavorable work conditions and work related hazards, have been recognized. Then, Projects' data were extracted from the organizational expert's opinions and recorded data in documents. Thereupon, applying DEA, the activities weight factor were calculated based on the efficiency numbers. The results show that the model is applicable and has promising benefits in real-world problems.Originality/valuePlanning is one the most fundamental steps of project management. The ever-growing business environment demands for more complex projects with larger number of activities wants more efficient project managers. Organizational resources are limited; therefore, activities planning is a critical from the perspectives of both managers and researchers. Knowing the importance of the activities can help to manage activities more efficient and to allocate time, budget, cost and other resources more accurate. Different elements such as cost, time, complexity, and difficulty can affect the activity weight factor. In this study, the proposed approach aims to determine the weights of activities using Data Envelopment Analysis.


2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominikus Herzberg ◽  
Nicola Marsden ◽  
Peter Kübler ◽  
Corinna Leonhardt ◽  
Sabine Thomanek ◽  
...  

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