Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling High-Resolution Actual Evapotranspiration through Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 Data Fusion

The Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 satellite constellation contains most of the spatial, temporal and spectral characteristics required for accurate, field-scale actual evapotranspiration (ET) estimation. The one remaining major challenge is the spatial scale mismatch between the thermal-infrared observations acquired by the Sentinel-3 satellites at around 1 km resolution and the multispectral shortwave observations acquired by the Sentinel-2 satellite at around 20 m resolution. In this study we evaluate a number of approaches for bridging this gap by improving the spatial resolution of the thermal images. The resulting data is then used as input into three ET models, working under different assumptions: TSEB, METRIC and ESVEP. Latent, sensible and ground heat fluxes as well as net radiation produced by the models at 20 m resolution are validated against observations coming from 11 flux towers located in various land covers and climatological conditions. The results show that using the sharpened high-resolution thermal data as input for the TSEB model is a sound approach with relative root mean square error of instantaneous latent heat flux of around 30% in agricultural areas. The proposed methodology is a promising solution to the lack of thermal data with high spatio-temporal resolution required for field-scale ET modelling and can fill this data gap until next generation of thermal satellites are launched.
Double trouble: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccine exacerbation of psoriasis in a new‐onset polycythemia vera patient

lies was born at 36 gestational weeks (Apgar score, 8). After remission, adalimumab was administrated by self-injection instead of CZP. The CZP level was 95.4–40.1 pg/mL in the patient’s serum at indicated time points (Fig. 1), which reduced to 21.5 pg/mL 3 weeks after the last CZP injection; CZP was not detected 7 weeks after its last injection. CZP was not detected in the umbilical cord serum at the time of delivery and in the baby’s serum at 4 and 6 weeks post-birth. Increased risks of intrauterine growth restriction and miscarriage have been reported in GPP cases during pregnancy. Thus, the control of GPP before and during pregnancy is important for the fetal condition. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a agents are more beneficial for psoriatic disease control during pregnancy than interleukin (IL)-12/23 or IL-17 inhibitors because of their available accumulated long-term data. CZP is a pegylated Fab0 fragment of a humanized TNF-a monoclonal antibody. Because no placental transportability has been reported in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, we determined the serum CZP concentration of a GPP patient during pregnancy. CZP was not detected in umbilical cord serum or in the baby’s serum, which indicates no placental transportability of CZP in the present case
Hill Plots for Preliminary Yield Evaluation of Doubled Haploids in a Barley Breeding Program 1

Fourteen dolbled haploids and six commercial cultivars of barley (L.) were grown at two locations in Ontario, Canada, in 1972 and 1973. The materials were planted in row and hill plots and were studied for grain yield, heading date, and plant height. The hill plots were seeded by three planting methods (jab planter, stove pipe, and hand hoe seeding) with three seeding rates (15, 25, and 35 seeds per hill) for each method. The combined analysis over locations and years showed that neither genotype ✕ planting method nor genotype ✕ seeding rate interactions were significant, indicating that genotypic responses in grain yield to different planting methods or seeding rates were similar. The coefficients of variation were relatively higher in the hill plots as compared to row plots but this was compensated for by the larger genotypic differences in the hill plots. Genetic variance among lines and heritability for grain yield were generally higher in hill plots. For both years, the genotypic correlation between row and hill plots, as well as the selection efficiency in hill plots. remained high, suggesting that selection of lines for conventional row planting through the hill plot technique would be efficient. Ten replications were found to be appropriate for testing barley in hill-plot tests in Ontario.
Germination, persistence, and emergence of flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis [L.] Cronquist)

Flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis[L.] Cronquist) is a difficult-to-control weed in dryland minimum tillage farming systems in the northern grains region of Australia. Experiments under field and controlled environments were conducted to study the seed germination, emergence, and persistence of C. bonariensis. The base, optimum, and maximum temperatures for seedling germination were estimated at 4.2, 20, and 35°C, respectively, with light stimulating germination. The soil types and burial depths had significant effects on seed persistence and emergence. The persistence pattern showed an initial rapid drop, followed by a slow but steady decline over time. After 3 years of burial, there were ≈ 7.5%, 9.7%, and 1.3% viable seeds at 10, 5, and 0–2 cm soil depths, respectively. Conyza bonariensis predominantly emerged from the soil surface or from the burial depth of 0.5 cm. Very few seeds emerged from a depth of 1 cm and none emerged from ≥ 2 cm. The emergence was greater in lighter soils. On-farm monitoring of the field emergence over time in a light sandy loam soil showed that 99% emergence occurred in late autumn, early and late winter, and a small fraction of 1% emerged in mid-spring. The predominant emergence from the soil surface suggests that the fleabane problem is a result of weed species shift toward the minimum tillage systems that provide moist conditions for better emergence compared to conventional tillage systems. The seed longevity of at least 3 years in the soil and the prolonged emergence patterns between autumn and spring have posed great difficulties for the long-term management of C. bonariensis.
Dynamics of salmonine diets and foraging in Lake Ontario, 1983-1993: a test of a bioenergetic model prediction

We tested the hypotheses that (1) reductions in individual size and energy density of adult alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in Lake Ontario over the past decade have caused reductions in mean size of consumed alewife and compensatory increases in frequency of feeding by salmonines and (2) perceived recent reductions in the alewife and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) prey base in recent years have resulted in shifts in diets of salmonines to less preferred prey items. Data from a diet survey conducted on sport-caught salmonines during 1983-1988 and 1993 indicated significant reductions in the mean size of consumed alewife across all predator species over time and an increased frequency of feeding among some predators (reflected by a decline in the proportion of empty stomachs observed). We found evidence of increased ration levels in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and an increase in the number of adult alewife in stomachs of all predator species that was accurately p.
Alzheimer’s Disease, a Lipid Story: Involvement of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) production are responsible for inherited AD cases. The amyloid cascade hypothesis was proposed to explain the pathogeny. Despite the fact that Aβ is considered as the main culprit of the pathology, most clinical trials focusing on Aβ failed and suggested that earlier interventions are needed to influence the course of AD. Therefore, identifying risk factors that predispose to AD is crucial. Among them, the epsilon 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene that encodes the major brain lipid carrier and metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes were identified as AD risk factors, suggesting that abnormal lipid metabolism could influence the progression of the disease. Among lipids, fatty acids (FAs) play a fundamental role in proper brain function, including memory. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a master metabolic regulator that regulates the catabolism of FA. Several studies report an essential role of PPARα in neuronal function governing synaptic plasticity and cognition. In this review, we explore the implication of lipid metabolism in AD, with a special focus on PPARα and its potential role in AD therapy.
Determination of related factors about diagnostic and treatment delays in patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Turkey

Background/aim This study aimed to analyze delays in diagnosis and treatment by defining the related demographic and clinical factors, to reveal obstacles, and to develop essential attempts to help reduce treatment delays. Materials and methods We created a questionnaire on the subject of delays in diagnosis and treatment in tuberculosis (TB) control to be administered to the patients. The forms were distributed to dispensaries across the country by the General Directorate of Public Health via an official letter. Results The study included 853 new patients with smear-positive pulmonary TB. The mean patient delay was 18.06 ± 22.27 days, the mean diagnosis delay was 35.63 ± 34.86 days, and the mean treatment delay was 0.90 ± 2.39 days. We found no association between sex, age, literacy, residential location, the presence of chronic respiratory diseases, and patient delay. It was determined that patient delay was shorter for patients with hemoptysis, fever, dyspnoea, and chest pain. In women, the diagnosis delay was longer than in men. Conclusion In the diagnosis process of patients with tuberculosis, it was determined that there was an improvement in the patient delay; however, the improvement in the diagnosis delay was still not acceptable as an ideal duration.
Binding-site Analysis of the Ether Linkages between Lignin and Hemicelluloses in Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes by DDQ-Oxidation

Lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCC; nor-C-1-M, com-C-1-A) isolated from normal and compression woods of Pinus densiflora were hydrolyzed with two types of cellulase preparations, and the hydrolyzates formed were fractionated by adsorption chromatography on polyvinyl gel into water-soluble materials and LCC fragments. To elucidate the binding sites between the lignin and carbohydrate, the cellulase-degraded LCC fragments were subjected to acetylation, and then oxidation with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), which was confirmed to oxidatively cleave the benzyl ether linkages between the lignin and carbohydrate. The DDQ-oxidized fraction was then methylated by the method of Prehm, hydrolyzed, reduced and acetylated. A GC-MS analysis of the methylated sugar revealed that alditol acetates from 6-O-methyl mannose, 6-O-methyl galactose, 6-O-methyl glucose and a small amount of their 2-O- or 3-O-methyl isomers existed in both methylated fractions. 2-O-Methyl xylose and 3-O-methyl xylose were also .
Hydrology–vegetation interactions in areas of discontinuous flow on a semi-arid bajada, Southern New Mexico

Abstract Flows on a bajada surface in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico show a discontinuous pattern, with alternating areas of channelization and deposition. Based on their planform appearance, we have termed the depositional areas ‘beads’. Instrumented catchments demonstrated that in comparison to ‘normal’ dendritic catchments, the beads show net infiltration in all but the largest flow events. Net accumulation of the bead surface appears to occur in years of lower than average rainfall, but the surface is dynamic and suffers net erosion in wetter years. The beads have significantly higher total vegetation covers, and contain higher proportions of grass species (Muhlenbergia porteri) as well as the creosotebush that characterizes the bajada surface in general. Creosotebush in the beads show consistently lower values ofδ13 C, suggesting that they are less moisture stressed than creosotebush elsewhere on the bajada. Values of δ15N are higher in the bead creosotebush, suggesting higher rates of soil–nitrogen transformations and greater loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere by denitrification. Both of these factors are again consistent with higher infiltration and thus moisture contents in the beads. In contrast, xylem-pressure potentials in creosotebush in the bead taken before the summer monsoonal season suggest that plants within the bead are more moisture stressed than those outwith the bead. Four possible explanations are offered for this apparent discrepancy: the greater cover and biomass of plants in the bead leads to higher stresses at the end of the drought period; spatial variability in soil texture means that some areas of the bead retain less moisture; more available water in the bead goes to the grass plants that concentrate their roots near the surface; and there is greater competition in the bead during times of drought stress. Overall, these results are compatible with an ‘islands of fertility’ interpretation of desertification operating in the American Southwest, albeit on a larger spatial scale than usually attributed. The concentrations of nutrient, water and seed resources may mean that these sites are favourable for attempts to reverse the desertification process. However, they appear dynamic with a life cycle of about 30 years.
A comparison of some properties of four strains of cherry leaf roll virus

SUMMARY The elm mosaic and golden elderberry strains of cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV) and a strain from cherry and from rhubarb were very similar in their host range, symptomatology and properties in vitro. However, only the rhubarb isolate infected rhubarb systemically and only the golden elderberry isolate infected Sambucus nigra systemically. Purified preparations of all strains contained isometric particles which sedimented as two nucleoprotein components with sedimentation coefficients of about 115 S and 128 S. The elm mosaic strain was the least stable in vitro and was the most difficult to purify. In plant-protection tests, one-way protection occurred between tomato ringspot virus and each of the four CLRV strains. However, whereas the elm mosaic, golden elderberry and the cherry strains protected against one another, they did not protect against infection with the rhubarb strain.
Reaction of common bean progenies to white mold derived from recurrent selection

This study was realized with the objective of verifying the resistance to white mold of common bean progenies derived from recurrent selection for resistance to angular leaf spot. The plant material used was obtained from a program of recurrent selection, which was started by crossing seven lines with carioca grain type with ten sources of resistance to angular leaf spot according to the partial diallel scheme. To evaluate the resistance to white mold, it was verified the reaction of 17 parents plus 35 selected progenies, to oxalic acid. Huge heterogeneity among the parents was observed, showing that some of them have resistance alleles to white mold, and thus, there is a possibility of recombine these alleles through the recurrent selection and obtaining progenies with high levels of resistance. Even in initial cycles, some progenies exhibited resistance to white mold similar to the one of cultivar 'G-122', which presents good level of resistance to this disease. This leads to infer that the original population already had some level of physiological resistance for the reaction to absorption of oxalic acid, and also for resistance to angular leaf spot. Thus, among the selected progenies for resistance to angular leaf spot, grain type and high yield, at least four progenies have resistance to white mold similar to the source of resistance 'G-122'.
The potential of Brassica green manure crops for controlling root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) on horticultural crops in a subtropical environment

In glasshouse experiments, Meloidogyne javanica reproduced on Brassica juncea, B. napus and BQMulch, a commercial biofumigant crop consisting of both B. napus and B. campestris. Although nematode multiplication rates were only 3–23% of the rate on a highly susceptible crop (tomato), they were high enough to suggest that Brassica rotation crops will increase root-knot nematode populations to potentially damaging levels in situations where temperatures do not limit nematode reproduction. A field study showed that this problem could be prevented in subtropical climates by restricting the growth of Brassica crops to June, July and August, when low temperatures limit nematode development and eggs are not produced until about 10 weeks after planting. Field and pot experiments in which M. javanica was introduced into soil following incorporation of Brassica residues failed to demonstrate a 'biofumigation' effect, possibly because the soil was too dry or the degree of tissue disruption was insufficient to maximise isothiocyanate release. Numbers of root-knot nematodes were reduced when Brassica roots, leaves and stems were incorporated into soil at 17 t DM/ha, but it is unlikely that this was due to the production of nematoxic chemicals, as large numbers of free-living nematodes multiplied during the decomposition process. From a practical perspective, these results suggest that green-manured Brassica rotation crops are unlikely to be useful for controlling root-knot nematodes on some subtropical horticultural crops that are currently fumigated for nematode control. The susceptibility of brassicas to M. javanica and the need to grow them during winter limits their potential in the vegetable industry, while difficulties in obtaining a biofumigation effect in dry soil will reduce effectiveness in non-irrigated pineapple soils. Brassicas are likely to be most useful in the ginger industry, as they can be grown during the winter break between ginger crops and fields can be irrigated before the Brassica crop is incorporated into soil.
Combined Impact of Sample Size and Modeling Approaches for Predicting Stem Volume in Eucalyptus spp. Forest Plantations Using Field and LiDAR Data

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) remote sensing has been established as one of the most promising tools for large-scale forest monitoring and mapping. Continuous advances in computational techniques, such as machine learning algorithms, have been increasingly improving our capability to model forest attributes accurately and at high spatial and temporal resolution. While there have been previous studies exploring the use of LiDAR and machine learning algorithms for forest inventory modeling, as yet, no studies have demonstrated the combined impact of sample size and different modeling techniques for predicting and mapping stem total volume in industrial Eucalyptus spp. tree plantations. This study aimed to compare the combined effects of parametric and nonparametric modeling methods for estimating volume in Eucalyptus spp. tree plantation using airborne LiDAR data while varying the reference data (sample size). The modeling techniques were compared in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), bias, and R2 with 500 simulations. The best performance was verified for the ordinary least-squares (OLS) method, which was able to provide comparable results to the traditional forest inventory approaches using only 40% (n = 63; ~0.04 plots/ha) of the total field plots, followed by the random forest (RF) algorithm with identical sample size values. This study provides solutions for increasing the industry efficiency in monitoring and managing forest plantation stem volume for the paper and pulp supply chain.
Exploring driving characteristics of fit- and unfit-to-drive neurological patients: a driving simulator study

Abstract Objective: To identify driving characteristics of fit-, unfit-, and conditionally fit-to-drive neurological patient populations using a driving simulator with three high-risk scenarios comprising rural, highway, and urban environments. Methods: The study included 91 neurological patients undergoing a multidisciplinary assessment for driver’s license revalidation, consisting of a clinical, neuropsychological, functional, and on-road evaluation. The groups drove through three independent driving scenarios, during which a variety of measures describing reaction time, vehicular control, and traffic rule compliance were performed. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni correction was used for group comparison, independently for each driving scenario, and Pearson correlations were calculated between simulator variables and neuropsychological test scores. Results: The fit- and unfit-to-drive population significantly differed (p < .05) in reaction times, regardless of the scenario. No significant differences in traffic rule compliance or vehicular control parameters were observed in the rural environment (p > .05). On the highway, the unfit group exhibited greater variability of steering wheel angle, higher steering reversal rate, and a higher rate of turn signal errors. In the urban environment, the unfit group oversped more, had more collisions, and exhibited greater lane position variability. The latter, along with reaction times in the rural and highway scenarios, was also shown to significantly differ between the conditional and unfit group (p < .05). No significant differences were observed between the fit and the conditional group (p > .05). Weak to moderate associations (range: −0.5 to 0.29) between neuropsychological tests and various simulator variables were also observed. Conclusions: Our results show that driving simulators are able to capture differences between (fit- and unfit-to-drive) neurological patient populations and therefore bear the potential for being used as a deficit-independent screening, assessment, or rehabilitation tool. The conditionally-fit-to-drive group exhibited less discriminative features, which points to greater importance of human judgment for this population. The observation that differences in most of the parameters were environment-dependent suggests that developers of future driver simulation tools should carefully design scenarios in order to fully exploit their assessment potential.