Predicting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of land-applied biosolids is important to government po... more Predicting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of land-applied biosolids is important to government policy-makers for calculating Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 3 emission factors (EF) for Canada’s GHG inventory. This work aims to calibrate the Decomposition and Denitrification (DNDC) model to accurately estimate GHG emissions and crop yield from mesophilically anaerobically digested (MAD), composted (CB), and lime-stabilized (LSB) biosolids applied on maize fields in Quebec and Nova Scotia, and barley fields in Alberta. In this on-going three-year experiment, each site has 15 treatments including positive and negative controls replicated four times in a randomized complete block design to measure the GHG emissions and crop yield from surface spreading or soil-incorporation of each bosolid or in combination with urea fertilizer. GHG emissions from the treatments observed using manual non-steady state chambers and measured crop yields will be compared with correspond...
This paper is a discussion of two continuous learning approaches for improving classification acc... more This paper is a discussion of two continuous learning approaches for improving classification accuracy for an intuitive reasoner algorithm. The reasoner predicted the value of a given target variable by multiple iterations of forward-chained, rule-based inference. ...
This paper is a discussion of two continuous learning approaches for improving classification acc... more This paper is a discussion of two continuous learning approaches for improving classification accuracy for an intuitive reasoner algorithm. The reasoner predicted the value of a given target variable by multiple iterations of forward-chained, rule-based inference. ...
Intuition is the human capacity to make decisions under novel, complex situations where knowledge... more Intuition is the human capacity to make decisions under novel, complex situations where knowledge is incomplete and of variable levels of certainty. We take the view that intuition can be modeled as a rational and deductive mode of information processing which is suited to novel, ...
AbstractIn this paper, the implementation of a rule-based intuitive reasoner is presented. The i... more AbstractIn this paper, the implementation of a rule-based intuitive reasoner is presented. The implementation included two parts: the rule induction module and the intuitive reasoner. A large weather database was acquired as the data source. Twelve weather variables from those ...
ABSTRACT Urban soil amendment with organic matter can increase the steady state concentration of ... more ABSTRACT Urban soil amendment with organic matter can increase the steady state concentration of trace metals in urban soil. Different types of organic matter have different abilities to sorb and retain trace metals. The potential of urban soil amended with compost derived from mixed green and table waste and with maple-wood-derived biochar to retain trace metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in the presence of de-icing salt (Na) was studied in a leaching test. Soil amended with compost retained significantly higher concentrations of Zn and Pb, as compared to soil amended with biochar, possibly due to the high cation exchange capacity of compost and its positive effect on soil pH. Indicating high ability for retaining trace metals, compost can bind contaminants originating from urban runoff water percolating through urban soil and provide a healthier medium for street tree growth.
ABSTRACT An adequate supply of plant-available nutrients and an appropriate chemical composition ... more ABSTRACT An adequate supply of plant-available nutrients and an appropriate chemical composition of soils in tree pits are important factors affecting the health and life span of trees in urban environments. We used Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) to explore relationships between nutrient availability, soil organic matter (SOM), soil pH, land use, soil age (time since tree transplanting from nursery to the tree pit), street width, and tree pit cover material in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Soil was collected to a depth of 20 cm from tree pits along commercial and residential streets and analyzed for concentrations of plant available K, Ca, Mg, P, and N, concentration of Na, SOM content and soil pH. Mulching with wood chips and soil age influenced the availability of K, P, and N in the tree pit soils. Sodium concentration was positively correlated with soil pH, possibly due to the displacement of H+ by Na+ originating from de-icing salt. Soil organic matter content was positively correlated with Mg and Na concentrations in tree pit soils in commercial zones, and with K and Ca concentrations in those of residential zones. Soil from tree pits located along wide streets in commercial zones had high concentrations of Na and Ca, possibly due to higher volumes of traffic on those streets splashing more de-icing salt, and increased weathering of buildings and sidewalk by de-icing salt. The information presented here can be a valuable baseline for managing nutrients in tree pits, in order to mitigate the stresses that can shorten the life of street trees.
When livestock manure slurry is agitated, the sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) can rais... more When livestock manure slurry is agitated, the sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) can raise concentrations to dangerous levels. Low-level air bubbling and dietary S reduction were evaluated as methods for reducing peak H(2)S emissions from swine (Sus scrofa) manure slurry samples. In a first experiment, 15-L slurry samples were stored in bench-scale digesters and continuously bubbled with air at 0 (control), 5, or 10 mL min(-1) for 28 d. The 5-L headspace of each digester was also continuously ventilated at 40 mL min(-1) and the mean H(2)S concentration in the outlet air was <10 microL L(-1). On Day 28, the slurry was agitated suddenly. The peak H(2)S concentration exceeded instrument range (>120 microL L(-1)) from the control treatment, and was 47 and 3.4 microL L(-1) for the 5 and 10 mL min(-1) treatments, respectively. In a second experiment, individually penned barrows were fed rations with dietary S concentrations of 0.34, 0.24, and 0.15% (w/w). Slurry derived from...
this article is divided into three sections. The first is a description of the groundwork of the ... more this article is divided into three sections. The first is a description of the groundwork of the EcoCyborg research project. The ideas presented above are elaborated upon: the philosophical context of the project is addressed; the conceptual framework of the work is described; and some nomenclature is defined (e.g., biosystem, alive, autonomy). In the second section of the paper, the principal objectives of the project are discussed, together with the approach which has been adopted in pursuing them. Finally, the last section is a detailed overview of the EcoCyborg Project, including the EcoCyborg itself, the configurable model which is being created to represent it, and the approach which will be used to implement it in simulation. 2. Philosophy of biosystems engineering 2.1 Biosystems
2009 International Conference on Computer Modeling and Simulation, 2009
Abstract In this paper, the implementation of a rule-based intuitive reasoner is presented. The ... more Abstract In this paper, the implementation of a rule-based intuitive reasoner is presented. The implementation included the rule induction module and the intuitive reasoner. A large weather database was acquired as the data source. Five weather variables from those data were ...
2006 CSBE/SCGAB, Edmonton, AB Canada, July 16-19, 2006, 2006
ABSTRACT Passive aeration systems are more economical than active aeration systems and deliver si... more ABSTRACT Passive aeration systems are more economical than active aeration systems and deliver similar performance, but mathematical descriptions of the process are inadequate for use in its design or optimization. Therefore, a practical analytical model of airflow development in passively aerated compost was developed. The model relates the physical characteristics and temperature of the compost with the predicted passive, convective air flow. The effect of compaction on the permeability of the compost was considered in the application of the model. The model was verified using temperature time series data from a passively aerated composting experiment as inputs, and the calculated results were not significantly different from the measured values (p = 0.97).
Odor and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stored pig (Sus scrofa) manure were monitored for re... more Odor and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stored pig (Sus scrofa) manure were monitored for response to changes in the crude protein level (168 or 139 g kg(-1), as-fed basis) and nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) content [i.e., control, or modified with beet pulp (Beta vulgaris L.), cornstarch, or xylanase] of diets fed to pigs in a production setting. Each diet was fed to one of eight pens of pigs according to a 2 x 4, full-factorial design, replicated over three time blocks with different groups of animals and random assignment of diets. Manure from each treatment was characterized and stored in a separate, ventilated, 200-L vessel. Repeated measurements of odor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from the vessels were taken every two weeks for eight weeks. Manure from high-protein diets had higher sulfur concentration and pH (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). High-NSP (beet pulp) diets resulted in lower manure nitrogen and ammonia concentrations and pH (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). Odor level and hedonic tone of exhaust air from the storage vessel headspaces were unaffected by the dietary treatments. Mean CO2 and CH4 emissions (1400 and 42 g d(-1) m(-3) manure, respectively) increased with lower dietary protein (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). The addition of xylanase to high-protein diets caused a decrease in manure CO2 emissions, but an increase when added to low-protein diets (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). Nitrous oxide emissions were negligible. Contrary to other studies, these results do not support the use of dietary protein reduction to reduce emissions from stored swine manure.
When livestock manure slurry is agitated, the sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) can rais... more When livestock manure slurry is agitated, the sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) can raise concentrations to dangerous levels. Low-level air bubbling and dietary S reduction were evaluated as methods for reducing peak H(2)S emissions from swine (Sus scrofa) manure slurry samples. In a first experiment, 15-L slurry samples were stored in bench-scale digesters and continuously bubbled with air at 0 (control), 5, or 10 mL min(-1) for 28 d. The 5-L headspace of each digester was also continuously ventilated at 40 mL min(-1) and the mean H(2)S concentration in the outlet air was &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;10 microL L(-1). On Day 28, the slurry was agitated suddenly. The peak H(2)S concentration exceeded instrument range (&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;120 microL L(-1)) from the control treatment, and was 47 and 3.4 microL L(-1) for the 5 and 10 mL min(-1) treatments, respectively. In a second experiment, individually penned barrows were fed rations with dietary S concentrations of 0.34, 0.24, and 0.15% (w/w). Slurry derived from each diet was bubbled with air in bench-scale digesters, as before, at 10 mL min(-1) for 12 d and the mean H(2)S concentration in the digester outlet air was 11 microL L(-1). On Day 12, the slurry was agitated but the H(2)S emissions did not change significantly. Both low-level bubbling of air through slurry and dietary S reduction appear to be viable methods for reducing peak H(2)S emissions from swine manure slurry at a bench scale, but these approaches must be validated at larger scales.
Predicting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of land-applied biosolids is important to government po... more Predicting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of land-applied biosolids is important to government policy-makers for calculating Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 3 emission factors (EF) for Canada’s GHG inventory. This work aims to calibrate the Decomposition and Denitrification (DNDC) model to accurately estimate GHG emissions and crop yield from mesophilically anaerobically digested (MAD), composted (CB), and lime-stabilized (LSB) biosolids applied on maize fields in Quebec and Nova Scotia, and barley fields in Alberta. In this on-going three-year experiment, each site has 15 treatments including positive and negative controls replicated four times in a randomized complete block design to measure the GHG emissions and crop yield from surface spreading or soil-incorporation of each bosolid or in combination with urea fertilizer. GHG emissions from the treatments observed using manual non-steady state chambers and measured crop yields will be compared with correspond...
This paper is a discussion of two continuous learning approaches for improving classification acc... more This paper is a discussion of two continuous learning approaches for improving classification accuracy for an intuitive reasoner algorithm. The reasoner predicted the value of a given target variable by multiple iterations of forward-chained, rule-based inference. ...
This paper is a discussion of two continuous learning approaches for improving classification acc... more This paper is a discussion of two continuous learning approaches for improving classification accuracy for an intuitive reasoner algorithm. The reasoner predicted the value of a given target variable by multiple iterations of forward-chained, rule-based inference. ...
Intuition is the human capacity to make decisions under novel, complex situations where knowledge... more Intuition is the human capacity to make decisions under novel, complex situations where knowledge is incomplete and of variable levels of certainty. We take the view that intuition can be modeled as a rational and deductive mode of information processing which is suited to novel, ...
AbstractIn this paper, the implementation of a rule-based intuitive reasoner is presented. The i... more AbstractIn this paper, the implementation of a rule-based intuitive reasoner is presented. The implementation included two parts: the rule induction module and the intuitive reasoner. A large weather database was acquired as the data source. Twelve weather variables from those ...
ABSTRACT Urban soil amendment with organic matter can increase the steady state concentration of ... more ABSTRACT Urban soil amendment with organic matter can increase the steady state concentration of trace metals in urban soil. Different types of organic matter have different abilities to sorb and retain trace metals. The potential of urban soil amended with compost derived from mixed green and table waste and with maple-wood-derived biochar to retain trace metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in the presence of de-icing salt (Na) was studied in a leaching test. Soil amended with compost retained significantly higher concentrations of Zn and Pb, as compared to soil amended with biochar, possibly due to the high cation exchange capacity of compost and its positive effect on soil pH. Indicating high ability for retaining trace metals, compost can bind contaminants originating from urban runoff water percolating through urban soil and provide a healthier medium for street tree growth.
ABSTRACT An adequate supply of plant-available nutrients and an appropriate chemical composition ... more ABSTRACT An adequate supply of plant-available nutrients and an appropriate chemical composition of soils in tree pits are important factors affecting the health and life span of trees in urban environments. We used Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) to explore relationships between nutrient availability, soil organic matter (SOM), soil pH, land use, soil age (time since tree transplanting from nursery to the tree pit), street width, and tree pit cover material in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Soil was collected to a depth of 20 cm from tree pits along commercial and residential streets and analyzed for concentrations of plant available K, Ca, Mg, P, and N, concentration of Na, SOM content and soil pH. Mulching with wood chips and soil age influenced the availability of K, P, and N in the tree pit soils. Sodium concentration was positively correlated with soil pH, possibly due to the displacement of H+ by Na+ originating from de-icing salt. Soil organic matter content was positively correlated with Mg and Na concentrations in tree pit soils in commercial zones, and with K and Ca concentrations in those of residential zones. Soil from tree pits located along wide streets in commercial zones had high concentrations of Na and Ca, possibly due to higher volumes of traffic on those streets splashing more de-icing salt, and increased weathering of buildings and sidewalk by de-icing salt. The information presented here can be a valuable baseline for managing nutrients in tree pits, in order to mitigate the stresses that can shorten the life of street trees.
When livestock manure slurry is agitated, the sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) can rais... more When livestock manure slurry is agitated, the sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) can raise concentrations to dangerous levels. Low-level air bubbling and dietary S reduction were evaluated as methods for reducing peak H(2)S emissions from swine (Sus scrofa) manure slurry samples. In a first experiment, 15-L slurry samples were stored in bench-scale digesters and continuously bubbled with air at 0 (control), 5, or 10 mL min(-1) for 28 d. The 5-L headspace of each digester was also continuously ventilated at 40 mL min(-1) and the mean H(2)S concentration in the outlet air was <10 microL L(-1). On Day 28, the slurry was agitated suddenly. The peak H(2)S concentration exceeded instrument range (>120 microL L(-1)) from the control treatment, and was 47 and 3.4 microL L(-1) for the 5 and 10 mL min(-1) treatments, respectively. In a second experiment, individually penned barrows were fed rations with dietary S concentrations of 0.34, 0.24, and 0.15% (w/w). Slurry derived from...
this article is divided into three sections. The first is a description of the groundwork of the ... more this article is divided into three sections. The first is a description of the groundwork of the EcoCyborg research project. The ideas presented above are elaborated upon: the philosophical context of the project is addressed; the conceptual framework of the work is described; and some nomenclature is defined (e.g., biosystem, alive, autonomy). In the second section of the paper, the principal objectives of the project are discussed, together with the approach which has been adopted in pursuing them. Finally, the last section is a detailed overview of the EcoCyborg Project, including the EcoCyborg itself, the configurable model which is being created to represent it, and the approach which will be used to implement it in simulation. 2. Philosophy of biosystems engineering 2.1 Biosystems
2009 International Conference on Computer Modeling and Simulation, 2009
Abstract In this paper, the implementation of a rule-based intuitive reasoner is presented. The ... more Abstract In this paper, the implementation of a rule-based intuitive reasoner is presented. The implementation included the rule induction module and the intuitive reasoner. A large weather database was acquired as the data source. Five weather variables from those data were ...
2006 CSBE/SCGAB, Edmonton, AB Canada, July 16-19, 2006, 2006
ABSTRACT Passive aeration systems are more economical than active aeration systems and deliver si... more ABSTRACT Passive aeration systems are more economical than active aeration systems and deliver similar performance, but mathematical descriptions of the process are inadequate for use in its design or optimization. Therefore, a practical analytical model of airflow development in passively aerated compost was developed. The model relates the physical characteristics and temperature of the compost with the predicted passive, convective air flow. The effect of compaction on the permeability of the compost was considered in the application of the model. The model was verified using temperature time series data from a passively aerated composting experiment as inputs, and the calculated results were not significantly different from the measured values (p = 0.97).
Odor and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stored pig (Sus scrofa) manure were monitored for re... more Odor and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stored pig (Sus scrofa) manure were monitored for response to changes in the crude protein level (168 or 139 g kg(-1), as-fed basis) and nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) content [i.e., control, or modified with beet pulp (Beta vulgaris L.), cornstarch, or xylanase] of diets fed to pigs in a production setting. Each diet was fed to one of eight pens of pigs according to a 2 x 4, full-factorial design, replicated over three time blocks with different groups of animals and random assignment of diets. Manure from each treatment was characterized and stored in a separate, ventilated, 200-L vessel. Repeated measurements of odor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from the vessels were taken every two weeks for eight weeks. Manure from high-protein diets had higher sulfur concentration and pH (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). High-NSP (beet pulp) diets resulted in lower manure nitrogen and ammonia concentrations and pH (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). Odor level and hedonic tone of exhaust air from the storage vessel headspaces were unaffected by the dietary treatments. Mean CO2 and CH4 emissions (1400 and 42 g d(-1) m(-3) manure, respectively) increased with lower dietary protein (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). The addition of xylanase to high-protein diets caused a decrease in manure CO2 emissions, but an increase when added to low-protein diets (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). Nitrous oxide emissions were negligible. Contrary to other studies, these results do not support the use of dietary protein reduction to reduce emissions from stored swine manure.
When livestock manure slurry is agitated, the sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) can rais... more When livestock manure slurry is agitated, the sudden release of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) can raise concentrations to dangerous levels. Low-level air bubbling and dietary S reduction were evaluated as methods for reducing peak H(2)S emissions from swine (Sus scrofa) manure slurry samples. In a first experiment, 15-L slurry samples were stored in bench-scale digesters and continuously bubbled with air at 0 (control), 5, or 10 mL min(-1) for 28 d. The 5-L headspace of each digester was also continuously ventilated at 40 mL min(-1) and the mean H(2)S concentration in the outlet air was &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;10 microL L(-1). On Day 28, the slurry was agitated suddenly. The peak H(2)S concentration exceeded instrument range (&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;120 microL L(-1)) from the control treatment, and was 47 and 3.4 microL L(-1) for the 5 and 10 mL min(-1) treatments, respectively. In a second experiment, individually penned barrows were fed rations with dietary S concentrations of 0.34, 0.24, and 0.15% (w/w). Slurry derived from each diet was bubbled with air in bench-scale digesters, as before, at 10 mL min(-1) for 12 d and the mean H(2)S concentration in the digester outlet air was 11 microL L(-1). On Day 12, the slurry was agitated but the H(2)S emissions did not change significantly. Both low-level bubbling of air through slurry and dietary S reduction appear to be viable methods for reducing peak H(2)S emissions from swine manure slurry at a bench scale, but these approaches must be validated at larger scales.
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