Conifer foliage structures affect branch and bud temperature by altering the development and convective resistance of the thermal boundary layer. This paper examines foliage effects on forced convection in branches and buds of Picea glauca (Moench) Voss and Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex. Loud., two species that represent the range of variation in foliage structure among conifers. Forced convection i...

We are developing an ultra wideband (UWB) radar sensor payload for the man-portable iRobot PackBot UGV. Our goal is to develop a sensor array that will allow the PackBot to navigate autonomously through foliage (such as tall grass) while avoiding obstacles and building a map of the terrain. We plan to use UWB radars in conjunction with other sensors such as LIDAR and vision. We propose an algor...

The objective of this study was to compare physiological and psychological relaxation by assessing heart rate variability (HRV), prefrontal cortex activity, and subjective indexes while subjects performed a task with and without foliage plants. In a crossover experimental design, 24 university students performed a task transferring pots with and without a foliage plant for 3 min. HRV and oxyhem...

Foliage penetrating (FOPEN) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems are capable of producing images of targets concealed under a foliage canopy. The quality and interpretability of these images, however, is generally limited by dense foliage clutter and by fundamental foliage-induced image degradation. Use of a polarimetric SAR to provide multiple polarization channels can mitigate these effects...

Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) have been increasing steadily over the last century. Plants grown under elevated CO(2) experience physiological changes that influence their suitability as food. Previous studies have found increased insect herbivory on plants grown under elevated CO(2). To determine effects of consuming foliage of soybean (Glycine max) grown under elevated CO(2) on ...

Eight male cattle of the Local Yellow breed with an average live weight of 121 kg and an average age of 18 months were used to evaluate the effects of different levels of sun-dried cassava (Manihot esculenta) foliage supplementation on mineral metabolism in growing cattle fed rice straw and para grass as basal diet. Rice straw ad libitum and para grass (Brachiaria mutica) at 1% DM of BW compris...

Field experiment was conducted in the 2019 and 2020 early cropping seasons at University of Calabar Teaching Research Farm, Calabar, to assess foliage yield fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) as affected by organic manure cutting frequency on soil Calabar. The a factorial combination four poultry rates (0, 3, 6 9 tonnes per hectare) three (2, 3 4 weekly intervals), laid out randomi...

The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of a plant’s foliage to the total plant’s hydrodynamic drag. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory flume using samples of vegetation with different physical forms and biomechanical properties: Branches of pine Pinus sylvestris and ivy stipes Glechoma hederacea . The drag force was measured directly using a strain gauge technique...

We render tree foliage levels of detail (LODs) using a new adaptation of billboard clouds. Our contributions are a simple and efficient billboard cloud creation algorithm designed specifically for tree foliage, and a method for smooth transitions between LODs. The cloud creation algorithm performs stochastic search to find a set of billboards that approximate the base mesh. Billboard clouds off...

The growth of trees and other plants occurs through the interactive combination of photosynthesis and carbon (and other nutrient) assimilation. Photosynthesis enables the production of carbohydrate that can then be used in growing foliage, whereby photosynthesis is enabled. We construct a mathematical model of carbon uptake and storage, which allows the prediction of the growth dynamics of tree...