Article
Biology
Mary L. Cadenasso, Anne M. Rademacher, Steward T. A. Pickett
Summary: This article discusses the caution that social scientists have towards ecologists' use of the systems concept to represent the links between ecological and social processes. The authors aim to overcome this caution by refining the systems concept using principles from biophysical ecology, making it a bridge between social and ecological interactions. They demonstrate the usefulness and flexibility of the concept through recent examples of fire dynamics as a social-ecological interaction.
Article
Operations Research & Management Science
Arturo E. Perez Rivera, Martijn R. K. Mes
Summary: This study focuses on scheduling container transport in synchromodal networks with stochastic demand. By utilizing the Value of Perfect Information (VPI) and Bayesian exploration, the proposed ADP-VPI combination significantly enhances traditional ADP algorithms and achieves significant gains over common practice heuristics through a series of numerical experiments.
ANNALS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
James B. Crumpacker, Matthew J. Robbins, Phillip R. Jenkins
Summary: This research explores the possibility of using artificial intelligence to enable autonomous unmanned combat aerial vehicles (AUCAVs) to independently perform complex air combat maneuvering tasks. The study formulates and solves the air combat maneuvering problem (ACMP) by developing a Markov decision process (MDP) model to control the AUCAV. An approximate dynamic programming (ADP) approach is proposed, which uses neural network regression to approximate the value function and generate high-quality maneuver policies for the AUCAV.
EXPERT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Cong Li, Yongchao Wang, Fangzhou Liu, Qingchen Liu, Martin Buss
Summary: This article presents a new formulation for model-free robust optimal regulation of continuous-time nonlinear systems using an incremental adaptive dynamic programming (IADP) approach. It leverages time delay estimation (TDE) technique and measured input-state data to achieve incremental stabilization under uncertainties, disturbances, and saturation. Numerical simulations validate its effectiveness and superiority in reducing energy expenditure and enhancing robustness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
K. Nelson, D. Thompson, C. Hopkinson, R. Petrone, L. Chasmer
Summary: Boreal peatlands play a critical role in the global climate system, storing a large quantity of soil carbon. However, with climatic warming, these carbon stores are at risk, potentially transitioning from carbon sink to source. While negative ecohydrological feedback mechanisms may initially compensate for increased carbon loss, factors such as climatic warming and anthropogenic peatland fragmentation could drive a positive carbon feedback cycle.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Jeffery B. Cannon, Seth W. Bigelow, J. Kevin Hiers, Steven B. Jack
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of different harvesting methods on the ecological system of longleaf pine woodlands, showing that natural disturbance-based treatments can impact the spatial pattern of forest canopy and alter forest dynamics. Individual tree selection and group selection methods have different effects on regeneration and tree density.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Young-Hyun Seo, Dong-Kyu Kim, Seungmo Kang, Young-Ji Byon, Seung-Young Kho
Summary: In this study, a bicycle rebalancing model based on a Markov decision process (MDP) is developed using a real-time dynamic programming method and reinforcement learning considering dynamic system characteristics. The model suggests the best operation option every 10 minutes based on predicted future demands to minimize unmet demand.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Ankush Chakrabarty, Devesh K. Jha, Gregery T. Buzzard, Yebin Wang, Kyriakos G. Vamvoudakis
Summary: A method is developed for obtaining safe initial policies for uncertain systems using ADP techniques and kernelized Lipschitz estimation. The multiplier matrices learned are used in semidefinite programming frameworks to compute admissible initial control policies with provably high probability, enabling safe initialization and constraint enforcement while ensuring exponential stability of the closed-loop system equilibrium.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL NETWORKS AND LEARNING SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gavin M. Schag, Douglas A. Stow, Philip J. Riggan, Atsushi Nara
Summary: The study evaluates the spatial sampling and statistical aspects of landscape-level wildfire rate of spread (ROS) estimates derived from airborne thermal infrared imagery. The findings reveal that the relationships between covariates and ROS estimates are substantially non-stationary on landscape scales. The study highlights the importance of directional slope as the most strongly associated covariate of ROS for the analyzed imagery sequences, regardless of the size of landscape sampling unit.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Ziyu Lin, Jun Ma, Jingliang Duan, Shengbo Eben Li, Haitong Ma, Bo Cheng, Tong Heng Lee
Summary: In the field of autonomous driving, it is challenging to solve the motion planning problem due to the nonlinearity of the vehicle model and the complexity of driving scenarios. To address this, a framework of integrated decision and control is investigated, using static path planning and an innovative constrained finite-horizon approximate dynamic programming algorithm. This algorithm effectively handles changing driving environments with varying surrounding vehicles and reduces computational loads through offline training and online execution.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Manya Luo, Tuansheng Li
Summary: The research revealed the spatial-temporal characteristics of landscape ecological quality in Yulin from 2000 to 2018, showing a trend of improvement, degradation, and enhancement. The improvement in ecological quality from 2000 to 2010 was attributed to the returning farmland to forest project, which increased vegetation coverage and reduced soil erosion. This study provides valuable information for ecological conservation and development in the region.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Sophie R. Bonner, Chad M. Hoffman, Jeffrey M. Kane, J. Morgan Varner, J. Kevin Hiers, Joseph J. O'Brien, Heather D. Rickard, Wade T. Tinkham, Rodman R. Linn, Nicholas Skowronski, Russell A. Parsons, Carolyn H. Sieg
Summary: In recent years, there have been substantial shortcomings in reporting critical data in prescribed fire experiments, including lack of specific information on burning conditions such as fuel moisture, quantitative fuel loads, fire weather, and fire behavior. Most studies did not provide precise coordinates for their study area or the prescribed fire date, and only a few described the ignition characteristics.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Ella R. Gray, Matthew B. Russell, Chad Babcock, Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione
Summary: Disturbances play a crucial role in forested ecosystems, affecting stand dynamics, species composition, and ecosystem services across multiple spatial scales. This study investigates the impact of the Eastern spruce dwarf mistletoe on black spruce forest structure and finds significant variations in different scales, highlighting the importance of considering appropriate scales in management planning and decision making.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Management
Luis Mauricio Annear, Raha Akhavan-Tabatabaei, Verena Schmid
Summary: We propose an approximate algorithm to dynamically assign a multi-skilled workforce to maximize productivity in a job shop with demand uncertainty and variability in resource availability. The algorithm is developed based on a model of a traditional job shop, where each station has a specific number of machines with distinct production performance levels. The technicians' skill sets and availability are considered for optimal assignment to stations during each shift. The proposed method resulted in an average improvement of 15% in productivity compared to the best performing benchmark policy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Chen, Yufang Jin, Erica Scaduto, Max A. Moritz, Michael L. Goulden, James T. Randerson
Summary: The study found that the spatial pattern of wildfires in the Sierra Nevada is influenced by factors such as climate, population density, and fuel amount, with climate variables playing a relatively more important role. Vapor pressure deficit and burning index are the main factors affecting fire probability in higher elevation forests, while population density is more important in lower elevation areas.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Economics
Sara Lorenzini, Nadia von Jacobi
Summary: This paper fills the gap in the literature on polycentric governance by focusing on the micro-processes of conflict that precede its establishment. Through a comparative analysis of four case studies, the authors find that conflict can lead to negotiations and the eventual establishment of common procedural rules, which can sustain polycentric governance.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Hubert Palus, Lenka Marcinekova, Jaroslav Salka
Summary: The complexity and comprehensiveness of sustainability issues in forest certification schemes require knowledge based and transparent decision-making processes, which involve open and multi-stakeholder participation. This study examines the latest PEFC national sustainable forest management standard revision process in Slovakia from the viewpoint of stakeholder participation. The results highlight the importance of stakeholder understanding, trust, and satisfaction in the effectiveness of the revision process.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Nicholas Palaschuk, Jason Gauthier, Ryan Bullock
Summary: Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are important for the spiritual and cultural identity of Indigenous communities, but current forest policies in Canada do not adequately protect these resources. This research used a participatory approach and community interviews to document local criteria, elements, and values related to NTFP development and conservation. The resulting framework can guide decision making and promote socio-economic benefits for the Missanabie Cree First Nation.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Laila Berning, Metodi Sotirov
Summary: This paper analyzes the coalition politics driven by beliefs and interests in the new European Union Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR). The study identifies pro-regulation and contra-regulation coalitions and highlights the strategic alliance formed between pro-EUDR business actors and other pro-coalitions. Despite opposition from a weaker contra-regulation coalition, the EUDR was ultimately institutionalized as a compromise solution accommodating different beliefs and interests of state and non-state actors.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Mehwish Zuberi, Michael Spies, Jonas o. Nielsen
Summary: Smallholder farmers play a crucial role in agrarian value chains in the Global South, but they are often neglected in technology-oriented agricultural interventions. However, they face challenges such as lack of resources, established crop rotation patterns, and market and climatic factors.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
James Chamberlain, Carsten Smith-Hall
Summary: More countries are adopting novel approaches to transition to a forest-based bioeconomy, which can address global challenges such as sustainable forest management, poverty alleviation, and climate change mitigation. Utilizing non-timber forest products is crucial for the realization of a forest-based bioeconomy.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Economics
Keith Barney
Summary: The social impacts of industrial wood plantations in Southeast Asia, specifically in Laos, are debated. This study finds that under certain conditions, these plantations can positively contribute to local livelihoods, but there are still issues of land dispossession and inadequate compensation.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2024)