Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How the Small Object Detection via Machine Learning and UAS-Based Remote-Sensing Imagery Can Support the Achievement of SDG2: A Case Study of Vole Burrows

Small mammals, and particularly rodents, are common inhabitants of farmlands, where they play key roles in the ecosystem, but when overabundant, they can be major pests, able to reduce crop production and farmers’ incomes, with tangible effects on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals no 2 (SDG2, Zero Hunger) of the United Nations. Farmers do not currently have a standardized, accurate method of detecting the presence, abundance, and locations of rodents in their fields, and hence do not have environmentally efficient methods of rodent control able to promote sustainable agriculture oriented to reduce the environmental impacts of cultivation. New developments in unmanned aerial system (UAS) platforms and sensor technology facilitate cost-effective data collection through simultaneous multimodal data collection approaches at very high spatial resolutions in environmental and agricultural contexts. Object detection from remote-sensing images has been an active research topic over the last decade. With recent increases in computational resources and data availability, deep learning-based object detection methods are beginning to play an important role in advancing remote-sensing commercial and scientific applications. However, the performance of current detectors on various UAS-based datasets, including multimodal spatial and physical datasets, remains limited in terms of small object detection. In particular, the ability to quickly detect small objects from a large observed scene (at field scale) is still an open question. In this paper, we compare the efficiencies of applying one- and two-stage detector models to a single UAS-based image and a processed (via Pix4D mapper photogrammetric program) UAS-based orthophoto product to detect rodent burrows, for agriculture/environmental applications as to support farmer activities in the achievements of SDG2. Our results indicate that the use of multimodal data from low-cost UASs within a self-training YOLOv3 model can provide relatively accurate and robust detection for small objects (mAP of 0.86 and an F1-score of 93.39%), and can deliver valuable insights for field management with high spatial precision able to reduce the environmental costs of crop production in the direction of precision agriculture management.
Every Night and Every Morn: Effect of Variation in CLOCK Gene on Depression Depends on Exposure to Early and Recent Stress

The role of circadian dysregulation is increasingly acknowledged in the background of depressive symptoms, and is also a promising treatment target. Similarly, stress shows a complex relationship with the circadian system. The CLOCK gene, encoding a key element in circadian regulation has been implicated in previous candidate variant studies in depression with contradictory findings, and only a few such studies considered the interacting effects of stress. We investigated the effect of CLOCK variation with a linkage-disequilibrium-based clumping method, in interaction with childhood adversities and recent negative life events, on two phenotypes of depression, lifetime depression and current depressive symptoms in a general population sample. Methods: Participants in NewMood study completed questionnaires assessing childhood adversities and recent negative life events, the Brief Symptom Inventory to assess current depressive symptoms, provided data on lifetime depression, and were genotyped for 1054 SNPs in the CLOCK gene, 370 of which survived quality control and were entered into linear and logistic regression models with current depressive symptoms and lifetime depression as the outcome variable, and childhood adversities or recent life events as interaction variables followed by a linkage disequilibrium-based clumping process to identify clumps of SNPs with a significant main or interaction effect. Results: No significant clumps with a main effect were found. In interaction with recent life events a significant clump containing 94 SNPs with top SNP rs6825994 for dominant and rs6850524 for additive models on current depression was identified, while in interaction with childhood adversities on current depressive symptoms, two clumps, both containing 9 SNPs were found with top SNPs rs6828454 and rs711533. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CLOCK contributes to depressive symptoms, but via mediating the effects of early adversities and recent stressors. Given the increasing burden on circadian rhythmicity in the modern lifestyle and our expanding insight into the contribution of circadian disruption in depression especially as a possible mediator of stress, our results may pave the way for identifying those who would be at an increased risk for depressogenic effects of circadian dysregulation in association with stress as well as new molecular targets for intervention in stress-related psychopathologies in mood disorders.
Reduced Hippocampal GABA+ Is Associated With Poorer Episodic Memory in Healthy Older Women: A Pilot Study

Background: The current pilot study was designed to examine the association between hippocampal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration and episodic memory in older individuals, as well as the impact of two major risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—female sex and Apolipoprotein ε4 (ApoE ε4) genotype—on this relationship. Methods: Twenty healthy, community-dwelling individuals aged 50–71 (11 women) took part in the study. Episodic memory was evaluated using a Directed Forgetting task, and GABA+ was measured in the right hippocampus using a Mescher-Garwood point-resolved magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) sequence. Multiple linear regression models were used to quantify the relationship between episodic memory, GABA+, ApoE ɛ4, and sex, controlling for age and education. Results: While GABA+ did not interact with ApoE ɛ4 carrier status to influence episodic memory (p = 0.757), the relationship between GABA+ and episodic memory was moderated by sex: lower GABA+ predicted worse memory in women such that, for each standard deviation decrease in GABA+ concentration, memory scores were reduced by 11% (p = 0.001). Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that sex, but not ApoE ɛ4 genotype, moderates the relationship between hippocampal GABA+ and episodic memory, such that women with lower GABA+ concentration show worse memory performance. These findings, which must be interpreted with caution given the small sample size, may serve as a starting point for larger studies using multimodal neuroimaging to understand the contributions of GABA metabolism to age-related memory decline.
Hairy buttercup (Ranunculus sardous) and cutleaf evening primrose (Oenothera laciniata) control using halauxifen-methyl based programs in Mississippi and Oklahoma winter wheat

Abstract Hairy buttercup and cutleaf evening primrose are winter annual weeds that have become more problematic for winter wheat growers in the southern Great Plains and the midsouthern United States in recent years. Little research exists on which to base recommendations for controlling hairy buttercup in wheat, and little research has been published on cutleaf evening primrose control in recent years. With growing concerns of increased herbicide resistance among winter annual weeds, incorporating new herbicide sites of action has become necessary. The objective of this study was to assess halauxifen-methyl as a novel herbicide to control these two problematic winter annual broadleaf weeds in winter wheat in Mississippi and Oklahoma. Studies were conducted across four site-years in Mississippi and one site-year in Oklahoma comparing 15 herbicide programs with and without halauxifen-methyl. Hairy buttercup and cutleaf evening-primrose control was the greatest when a synthetic auxin was combined with an acetolactate synthase–inhibiting herbicide. Treatments including halauxifen-methyl resulted in the greatest control of hairy buttercup, whereas a synthetic auxin herbicide plus chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron resulted in the greatest control of cutleaf evening primrose. Halauxifen-methyl is an effective addition for control of winter annual broadleaf weeds like hairy buttercup and cutleaf evening primrose in winter wheat. Nomenclature: Chlorsulfuron; metsulfuron; cutleaf evening primrose, Oenothera laciniata Hill; hairy buttercup, Ranunculus sardous Crantz; wheat, Triticum aestivum L.
Efficacy of electrolyzed water in degrading and removing pesticide residues on fresh produce

Pure solution of diazinon, cyprodinil, and phosmet were treated with electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water and electrolyzed reduced (ER) water. Lower pH, higher available chlorine content (ACC), and longer treatment time of EO water resulted in higher reductions of the three pesticides. ER water was effective in degrading phosmet, slightly effective in reducing diazinon, and ineffective in degrading cyprodinil. Soaking grapes in 12 mg/L mixed pesticide solution for 10 min was found to be the appropriate method for pesticide inoculation. EO water at 500 mL combined with 100 rpm shaking was determined to be the most effective way to wash 200 g contaminated grapes. Then, fresh grapes, spinach, and snap peas contaminated with the three pesticides were washed with EO water at different ACC and treatment time. The results showed both ACC and treatment time were significant (P ≤ 0.05) factors for EO water in removing the three pesticide residues on produce samples. EO water was more effective than ER water, diluted bleach, Vegwash and DI water. Finally, the effect of EO water treatment on produce quality was evaluated. No significant (P > 0.05) color and texture degradation was found for EO water treated produce samples. INDEX WORDS: Electrolyzed water, fresh produce, diazinon, cyprodinil, phosmet EFFICACY OF ELECTROLYZED WATER IN DEGRADING AND REMOVING PESTICIDE RESIDUES ON FRESH PRODUCE
Characteristic Analysis of Sea Surface Currents around Taiwan Island from CODAR Observations

Sea surface currents observed by high-frequency (HF) radars have been widely used in ocean circulation research. In this study, hourly sea surface currents observed by the Taiwan Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar (CODAR) system from 2015 to 2019 were analyzed by the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to reveal the characteristics of the sea surface currents around Taiwan Island. The study area is divided into two regions, the Kuroshio region east of Taiwan Island and the Taiwan Strait west of Taiwan Island. In the Kuroshio region, the first EOF mode shows that the Kuroshio is characterized by higher current speeds with greater variability in summer. The second and third EOF modes present a dipole eddy pair and single eddy impingement on the Kuroshio during different periods. The seasonal variation of the dipole eddy pair indicates that the cyclonic/anticyclonic eddy on the north/south side appears more frequently in summer. Single eddy impingement occurs at multiple periods, including daily, intraseasonal, interseasonal, and annual periods. For the Taiwan Strait, the first EOF mode displays the tide signals. The tides enter the Taiwan Strait from the north and south, forming strong sea surface currents around the northern tip of Taiwan Island and the Penghu Archipelago. The second EOF mode exhibits the seasonal changes of the sea surface currents driven by the monsoon winds. The sea surface currents in the northern Taiwan Strait are relatively strong, possibly due to the narrow and shallow terrain there. The high spatiotemporal resolution of sea surface currents derived from CODAR observations provide more detailed characteristics of sea surface circulation around Taiwan Island.
LEO Constellation-Augmented Multi-GNSS for 3D Water Vapor Tomography

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) water vapor tomography is an important technique to obtain the three-dimensional distribution of atmospheric water vapor. The rapid development of low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations has led to a richer set of observations, which brings new expectations for water vapor tomography. This paper analyzes the influence of LEO constellation-augmented multi-GNSS(LCAMG)on the tomography, in terms of ray distribution, tomography accuracy, and horizontal resolution, by simulating LEO constellation data. The results show that after adding 288 LEO satellites to GNSS, the 30-min ray distribution effect of GNSS can be achieved in 10 min, which can effectively shorten the observation time by 66.7%. In the 10-min observation time, the non-repetitive effective observation value of LCAMG is 2.38 times that of GNSS, and the accuracy is 1.27% higher than that of GNSS. Compared with GNSS and the global positioning system (GPS), at a horizontal resolution of 13 × 14, the proportion of empty voxels in LCAMG reduces by 5.22% and 22.53%, respectively.
Temperature and induced electric field dependence on the phase transition of 9/70/30, 9/65/35 and 9/60/40 PLZT ceramics

ABSTRACT In this work, Pb0.91La0. 09(Zr1–xTix)0.9775O3 ceramics where x = 0.3, 0.35 and 0.4 (the composition near MPB) were prepared by solid solution method. After fabrication process, electrical property was measured by LCR meter. Polarization and induced strain behavior of the samples were investigated by using interferometry technique modified with Sawyer–Tower circuit at various temperatures. The results of dielectric, polarization and induced strain properties were due to the Zr/Ti ratios, which changed their behavior when temperature was varied (30–70 °C). The normal to macro-micro domains to relaxor and paraelectric phase transition was demonstrated which is related to linear or nonlinear increase of polarization and induced strain as a function of applied subswitching electric field.
Rainrate Estimation from FY-4A Cloud Top Temperature for Mesoscale Convective Systems by Using Machine Learning Algorithm

Satellite rainrate estimation is a great challenge, especially in mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), which is mainly due to the absence of a direct physical connection between observable cloud parameters and surface rainrate. The machine learning technique was employed in this study to estimate rainrate in the MCS domain via using cloud top temperature (CTT) derived from a geostationary satellite. Five kinds of machine learning models were investigated, i.e., polynomial regression, support vector machine, decision tree, random forest, and multilayer perceptron, and the precipitation of Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH) was used as the reference. A total of 31 CTT related features were designed to be the potential inputs for training an algorithm, and they were all proved to have a positive contribution in modulating the algorithm. Random forest (RF) shows the best performance among the five kinds of models. By combining the classification and regression schemes of the RF model, an RF-based hybrid algorithm was proposed first to discriminate the rainy pixel and then estimate its rainrate. For the MCS samples considered in this study, such an algorithm generates the best estimation, and its accuracy is definitely higher than the operational precipitation product of FY-4A. These results demonstrate the promising feasibility of applying a machine learning technique to solve the satellite precipitation retrieval problem.
The readability of information systems research over three decades: An analysis of the Senior Scholars' Basket of Journals from 1990 to 2020

If information systems research is to be widely disseminated, then it is important that its scientific texts are easily accessible. This study analyzes one aspect of accessibility, namely readability. Specifically, this study analyzes 5,467 abstracts of the eight information systems journals included in the Senior Scholars’ Basket of Journals between 1990 and 2020. It operationalizes readability using two common measures, the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) and the New Dale-Chall formula (NDC). The study finds a concerning decrease in readability over time. Supplementary analyses show that an increasing number of co-authors partially explains this trend, but that the trend persists even after controlling for this variable. Implications for the field of information systems and future research opportunities are discussed.
Interfacial Effects of Tin Oxide Atomic Layer Deposition in Metal Halide Perovskite Photovoltaics

Metal halide perovskites offer a wide and tunable bandgap, making them promising candidates for top‐cell absorbers in tandem photovoltaics. In this work, the authors aim to understand the atomic layer deposition (ALD) precursor–perovskite interactions of the tin oxide ALD system and the role of organic fullerenes at the perovskite–tin oxide interface while establishing a framework for developing alternative perovskite‐compatible ALD processes in the future. It is shown, in the case of tin oxide ALD growth with tetrakis(dimethylamino)tin(IV) and water on FA0.83Cs0. 17Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 perovskite, that perovskite stability is most sensitive to metal–organic exposure at elevated temperatures with an onset near 110 °C, resulting in removal of the formamidinium cation. Transitioning from ALD to pulsed‐chemical vapor deposition tin oxide growth can minimize the degradation effects. Investigation of fullerenes at the perovskite interface shows that thin fullerene layers offer minor improvements to perovskite stability under ALD conditions, but significant enhancement in carrier extraction. Fullerene materials are undesirable due to fabrication cost and poor mechanical stability. Compositional tuning of the perovskite material can improve the fullerene‐free device performance. This method is demonstrated with a bromine‐rich perovskite phase to enable an 8.2% efficient perovskite device with all‐inorganic extraction layers.
Progress in Grassland Cover Conservation in Southern European Mountains by 2020: A Transboundary Assessment in the Iberian Peninsula with Satellite Observations (2002-2019)

Conservation and policy agendas, such as the European Biodiversity strategy, Aichi biodiversity (target 5) and Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), are overlooking the progress made in mountain grassland cover conservation by 2020, which has significant socio-ecological implications to Europe. However, because the existing data near 2020 is scarce, the shifting character of mountain grasslands remains poorly characterized, and even less is known about the conservation outcomes because of different governance regimes and map uncertainty. Our study used Landsat satellite imagery over a transboundary mountain region in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula (Peneda-Gerês) to shed light on these aspects. Supervised classifications with a multiple classifier ensemble approach (MCE) were performed, with post classification comparison of maps established and bias-corrected to identify the trajectory in grassland cover, including protected and unprotected governance regimes. By analysing class-allocation (Shannon entropy), creating 95% confidence intervals for the area estimates, and evaluating the class-allocation thematic accuracy relationship, we characterized uncertainty in the findings. The bias-corrected estimates suggest that the positive progress claimed internationally by 2020 was not achieved. Our null hypothesis to declare a positive progress (at least equality in the proportion of grassland cover of 2019 and 2002) was rejected (X2 = 1972.1, df = 1, p < 0.001). The majority of grassland cover remained stable (67.1 ± 10.1 relative to 2002), but loss (−32.8 ± 7.1% relative to 2002 grasslands cover) overcame gain areas (+11.4 ± 6.6%), indicating net loss as the prevailing pattern over the transboundary study area (−21.4%). This feature prevailed at all extents of analysis (lowlands, −22.9%; mountains, −17.9%; mountains protected, −14.4%; mountains unprotected, −19.7%). The results also evidenced that mountain protected governance regimes experienced a lower decline in grassland extent compared to unprotected. Shannon entropy values were also significantly lower in correctly classified validation sites (z = −5.69, p = 0.0001, n = 708) suggesting a relationship between the quality of pixel assignment and thematic accuracy. We therefore encourage a post-2020 conservation and policy action to safeguard mountain grasslands by enhancing the role of protected governance regimes. To reduce uncertainty, grassland gain mapping requires additional remote sensing research to find the most adequate spatial and temporal data resolution to retrieve this process.
Prevalence of Supernumerary Teeth in Non-Syndromic Northern Malaysian Population

Objective: To describe the distribution and characteristics of the supernumerary teeth among non-syndromic Malaysian population. Material and methods: A total of 10,200 patients between age of 18 and 35years who visited our department between January of 2015 and May of 2017 were seen. 108 patients with supernumerary teeth were found. Patients were assessed for age, sex, site, position and type of supernumerary teeth. Statistical analysis was carried out using chi square test for gender. Results: Of these 108 patients, 30 (28%) were females and 78 (72%) were males. A total of 48 (44%) patients reported with mesiodens, 24 (22%) patients having distomolars and 12 (11%) patients with paramolars and 24 (22%) patients having other types of supernumerary teeth. 78 (72%) patients had supernumerary teeth in the maxillary region and 24 (22%) patients in the mandible while only 6 (6%) patients had supernumerary teeth in both maxillary and mandibular region. Conclusions: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in non-syndromic Malaysian population is 1.05 % with slight male predilection and mesiodens being the commonest. Clinical Significance: Knowledge about the supernumerary teeth can enable dentist in early diagnosis, intervention and prevent many possible complications associated with supernumerary teeth.
Microstructures of Aspergillus spp. and their role in contaminating clinical solid wastes

The aim of the current study was to describe the ultrastructure of Aspergillus spp. spores and conidiophores using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and their role in contaminating of clinical solid wastes. Aspergillus spp. were described on, Czapek Yeast Extract Agar (CYA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA), Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), Czapek-Dox Agar (CZ) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), while the ultrastructure of spores and conidiophores were observed using light Microscope and SEM. Fungal isolates were identified as A. caesiellus, A. terreus var. terreus; A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. sydowii and A. Fumigatus with two new strains identified as Aspergillus sp. strain no. 145, Aspergillus sp. strain no. 311. SEM analysis for Aspergillus spp. conidiophores and spores were more useful in the taxonomy of fungi. Microstructures of the spores play important role in the contamination of clinical wastes, where the spiny fungal spores surface have high adherence for the solid wastes.
STRUCTURE OF LIQUID ALKALINE EARTH METALS AND METAL ALLOYS USING A NEW TRANSFERABLE LOCAL PSEUDOPOTENTIAL

In this work, we have obtained the structural properties of liquid Ca, Sr and Ba near their melting points using the thermodynamically self consistent liquid state theory, the variational modified hypernetted chain (VMHNC) approximation with the effective pair potentials which are derived from the second order perturbation theory using the recently proposed transferable electron-ion potential of Fiolhais and co-workers. One has been noted that this potential is non realistic for the alkaline earths (Ca, Sr, Ba) because of the strongly nonlocal character. In this work, it has been shown that the computed structure factors and pair distribution functions near their melting points are in good agreement with experimental data. It has been also applied to the liquid alloys to predict the pair interactions and the partial structure factors by taking Li -Ba as a model alloy. The structural properties of Li-Ba alloys are presented for different concentrations by comparing with experimental data.