Estimation of forest parameters based on TM imagery and statistical analysis

One of the primary forestry research interests lies in estimating forest stand parameters by applying empirical or semi-empirical model to establish the relationship between the forest stand parameters and remote sensing data. Using remote sensing image and the inventory data from 2 compartments in northeast Florida, U.S.A., this paper explored the correlation between forest stand parameters and Landsat TM spectral digital number （DN） value. Results showed that less than 50% of the total variance could be explained by linear regression models with only either a single band or such vegetation indices as vegetation index （VI） or normalized difference vegetation index （NDVI） as predicators. In consequence, multi-linear regression models which synthesized more predicators were introduced to estimate forest parameters. Regression results were tested in terms of the other group of data, and verification showed a better capability of explaining over 75% variance except for forest density. The weakness and further improvement of prediction models were also discussed in the article. This paper is expected to provide a better understanding of the relationship between TM spectral and forest characteristics

Correlations between direct and indirect strength test methods

The difficulties associated with performing direct compression strength tests on rocks lead to the development of indirect test methods for the rock strength assessment. Indirect test methods are simple, more economical, less time-consuming, and easily adaptable to the field. The main aim of this study was to derive correlations between direct and indirect test methods for basalt and rhyolite rock types from Carlin trend deposits in Nevada. In the destructive methods, point load index, block punch index, and splitting tensile strength tests are performed. In the non-destructive methods, Schmidt hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests are performed. Correlations between the direct and indirect compression strength tests are developed using linear and nonlinear regression analysis methods. The results show that the splitting tensile strength has the best correlation with the uniaxial compression strength.Furthermore, the Poisson's ratio has no correlation with any of the direct and indirect test results.

Correlation analysis of three influencing factors and the dust production rate for a free-falling particle stream

The effects of three factors （i.e., drop height h, hopper outlet diameter do, and material temperature T] on the dust generation rate derived from a free falling particle stream were investigated via filll factorial experiments. The correlation between the three factors and dust generation rate was also analysed. Results show that Tand h affect the first fugitive dust rate largely, whereas the second fugitive dust rate is mainly dominated by h and do. Through analysing the first fugitive dust percentage data, it is found that h and T should be considered first for higher temperatures and lower flow rates, whereas h and do can be considered under contrasting conditions, and h should be controlled in the remaining two sets of conditions. Relationships between the influencing factors and total and first fugitive dust rates were developed via multiple regression to quantify the dust emission rates for different contact surfaces （rigid or water）.

Optimization of vinegar-steaming process for Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) with response surface method

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the vinegar-steaming process of Wuweizi(Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis)using the response surface method(RSM)based on the Box-Behnken design.METHODS:A regression model was constructed with the response variables,the content of Deoxyschizandrin,and the three explanatory factors:length of steaming time,the quantity of vinegar and length of moistening time to evaluate the effects on the processing of Wuweizi(Fructus SchisandraeChinensis).RESULTS:There was a linear relationship between the content of Deoxyschizandrin and the three explanatory factors.When the steaming time was5.49 h,with 2.365 g of vinegar added and a moistening time of 4.13 h,the content of Deoxyschizandrin reached the maximum predicted value of0.1076%,and under the conditions the average content of Deoxyschizandrin was 0.1058%.CONCLUSION:The correlation coefficient of thenonlinear mathematical model was relatively high and the model matched the data well,potentially providing a method for the study of the steaming process.