21,392 research outputs found
Salinity Properties Retrieval from Sentinel-2 Satellite Data and Machine Learning Algorithms
No full textThe accurate monitoring of soil salinization plays a key role in the ecological security and sustainable agricultural development of semiarid regions. The objective of this study was to achieve the best estimation of electrical conductivity variables from salt-affected soils in a south Mediterranean region using Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery. In order to realize this goal, a test was carried out using electrical conductivity (EC) data collected in central Tunisia. Soil electrical conductivity and leaf electrical conductivity were measured in an olive orchard over two growing seasons and under three irrigation treatments. Firstly, selected spectral salinity, chlorophyll, water, and vegetation indices were tested over the experimental area to estimate both soil and leaf EC using Sentinel-2 imagery on the Google Earth Engine platform. Subsequently, estimation models of soil and leaf EC were calibrated by employing machine learning (ML) techniques using 12 spectral bands of Sentinel-2 images. The prediction accuracy of the EC estimation was assessed by using k-fold cross-validation and computing statistical metrics. The results of the study revealed that machine learning algorithms, together with multispectral data, could advance the mapping and monitoring of soil and leaf electrical conductivity
Evaluation of three modelling approaches for almond blooming in Mediterranean climate conditions
No full textChilling and heat requirements for breaking dormancy and flowering were studied in seven almond cultivars in Southern Italy. Chilling portions (CP), computed through the Dynamic model, and growing degree hours (GDH) were used to determine chill and heat accumulation, respectively. Then, using full bloom dates and temperature data from nine seasons (2003/2004-2007/2008 and 2009/2010-2012/2013), three sequential methods for the estimation of thermal requirements were compared: 1) the Ashcroft Method (AM), where chilling and heat requirements were selected considering the lowest variability of the GDH at several intervals of CP, and two variations: 2) modified Ashcroft Method (AMm) that took into consideration the lowest variability in both CP and GDH, and 3) reverse Ashcroft Method (AMr) opposite to AM. All methods were effective in predicting full bloom dates; however the modified Ashcroft method was the most accurate under Mediterranean conditions and allowed to classify almond cultivars for their thermal requirements. The results from AMm, showed chilling requirements ranging between 24–62 CP and heat requirements between 3263 and 6699 GDH, respectively
Comparison between two methods of estimation of chilling and heat requirements for flowering in almond
No full textA precise determination of thermic requirements (chilling and heat) for breaking dormancy is quite difficult under field conditions. However, quantification under laboratory conditions should be considered with caution and it is costly and time consuming when analyzing a large number of genotypes. For this reason, statistical models based on the analysis of historical blooming dates have been developed to fit the responses of tree species to local weather conditions. Chilling and heat requirements for breaking dormancy and flowering were studied in five local almond cultivars with a widespread time of full bloom (‘Pizzuta d’Avola’, the earliest, ‘Tribuzio’, ‘Tuono’, ‘Cristomorto’ and ‘Rana Gentile’, the latest) in Apulia region (southern Italy). The chilling portions (CP), determined by dynamic model, and the growing degree hours by Richardson model (GDH) were used to determine chilling and heat accumulations, respectively. Using both full bloom dates and temperatures of previous seasons for nine years, two methods for estimating thermic requirements were compared: the Ashcroft method (AM), and a new version (Ashcroft method modified, AMM) that takes into account in a higher extent the GDH accumulation in comparison with AM, and allows selecting the optimal requirements when alternative choices are possible. The two methods generally underestimated the blooming date, but with a difference from the real one within 5 days for most of the cases studied. AMM resulted more effective than the original method in Apulian semi-arid conditions. The estimation of thermic requirements using temperature data and full bloom dates seemed to be useful, easy and not too expensive to be implemented for a wide number of cultivars
Ripeness Prediction in Table Grape Cultivars by Using a Portable NIR Device
No full textIn the past years, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been applied to the agricultural industry as a non-destructive tool to predict quality parameters, e.g., ripeness of fruit, dry matter content, and acidity. In two years, 2019 and 2020, berries of four table grape cultivars (Cotton Candy™, Summer Royal, Allison™, and Autumncrisp®) were collected during the season to obtain spectral measurements and quality data for developing predictive models based on NIR spectroscopy to be practically used in the vineyard. A SCiO™ sensor was used in 2019 for predicting the ripening parameters of Cotton Candy™; in particular, total soluble solids (TSS) (R2 = 0.95; RMSE = 0.60, RPD = 13.13), titratable acidity (R2 = 0.97; RMSE = 0.40, RPD = 7.31), and pH (R2 = 0.96; RMSE = 0.07, RPD = 26.06). With these promising results, in the year 2020, the above-mentioned table grape cultivars were all tested for TSS prediction with successful outcomes: Cotton Candy™ (R2 = 0.97; RMSE = 0.68, RPD = 7.48), Summer Royal (R2 = 0.96; RMSE = 0.83, RPD = 7.13), Allison™ (R2 = 0.97; RMSE = 0.72, RPD = 8.70) and Autumncrisp® (R2 = 0.96; RMSE = 0.60, RPD = 9.73). In conclusion, a rapid and economic sensor such as the SCiO™ device can enable a practical application in the vineyard to assess ripening (quality) parameters of table grapes. Thus, this device or similar ones can be also used for a fast sorting and screening of quality throughout the supply chain, from vineyard to cold storage
Protecting Animals 36: Author Witi Ihimaera
No full textIn this very special episode of Knowing Animals I am joined by beloved New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. Witi has written many books featuring nonhuman animals. He offers us a non-colonial lens through which to think about the human/nonhuman relationship
I Think I Am Philip K. Dick
No full textFor years, noted writer Laurence A. Rickels often found himself compared to novelist Philip K. Dickthough in fact Rickels had never read any of the science fiction writers work. When he finally read his first Philip K. Dick novel, while researching for his recent book The Devil Notebooks , it prompted a prolonged immersion in Dicks writing as well as a recognition of Rickelss own long-documented intellectual pursuits. The result of this engagement is I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick , a profound thought experiment that charts the wide relevance of the pulp sci-fi author and paranoid visionary. I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick explores the science fiction authors meditations on psychic reality and psychosis, Christian mysticism, Eastern religion, and modern spiritualism. Covering all of Dicks science fiction, Rickels corrects the lack of scholarly interest in the legendary Californian author and, ultimately, makes a compelling case for the philosophical and psychoanalytic significance of Philip K. Dicks popular and influential science fiction.Intro -- Contents -- Introjection -- Part I -- Endopsychic Allegories -- Schreber Guardian -- Belief System Surveillance -- Part II -- Deeper Problems -- Veil of Tears -- Go West -- Dick Manfred -- Timing -- Glimmung -- Part III -- Spiritualism Analogy -- Imitating the Dead -- Indexical Layer -- Ilse -- Hammers and Things -- Crucifictions -- Over There -- Martyrology -- Can't Live, Can't Live -- Lola -- Umwelt, Mitwelt, and Eigenwelt -- Outer Race -- The German Introject -- Part IV -- Materialism, Idealism, and Cybernetics -- Startling Stories -- A Couple of Years -- Android Empathy -- Homunculus and Robot -- ALL OF YOU ARE DEAD. I AM ALIVE. -- Go with the Flow -- Part V -- Room for Thought -- Caduceus -- Jump -- Still -- A Wake -- Spätwerk -- Let the Dead Be -- Play Bally -- Das Hund -- Notes -- BibliographyFor years, noted writer Laurence A. Rickels often found himself compared to novelist Philip K. Dickthough in fact Rickels had never read any of the science fiction writers work. When he finally read his first Philip K. Dick novel, while researching for his recent book The Devil Notebooks , it prompted a prolonged immersion in Dicks writing as well as a recognition of Rickelss own long-documented intellectual pursuits. The result of this engagement is I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick , a profound thought experiment that charts the wide relevance of the pulp sci-fi author and paranoid visionary. I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick explores the science fiction authors meditations on psychic reality and psychosis, Christian mysticism, Eastern religion, and modern spiritualism. Covering all of Dicks science fiction, Rickels corrects the lack of scholarly interest in the legendary Californian author and, ultimately, makes a compelling case for the philosophical and psychoanalytic significance of Philip K. Dicks popular and influential science fiction.Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, YYYY. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries
Liftings for noncomplete probability spaces
No full textThe current state of knowledge concerning liftings for noncomplete probability spaces is discussed. This is a somewhat expanded version of the author's talk given at the 1991 Summer Conference on General Topology and Applications in Honor of Mary Ellen Rudin and Her Work.PT: S; CR: BURKE MR, IN PRESS P AM MATH S BURKE MR, 1991, ISRAEL J MATH, V73, P33 BURKE MR, 1992, ISRAEL J MATH, V79, P289 CARLSON T, THEOREM LIFTING CHRISTENSEN JPR, 1974, TOPOLOGY BOREL STRUC FREMLIN DH, 1989, HDB BOOLEAN ALGEBRAS, P877 INOESCUTULCEA A, 1966, 5TH P BERK S MATH ST, V2 IONESCUTULCEA A, 1967, CONTRIBUTIONS PROB 1, P63 IONESCUTULCEA A, 1969, TOPICS THEORY LIFTIN JECH TJ, 1978, SET THEORY JOHNSON RA, 1980, P AM MATH SOC, V80, P234 JUST W, IN PRESS T AM MATH S KUPKA J, 1983, INDIANA U MATH J, V32, P717 LOSERT V, 1983, LNM, V1080, P95 MAHARAM D, 1958, P AM MATH SOC, V9, P987 SHELAH S, 1983, ISRAEL J MATH, V45, P90 TALAGRAND M, 1982, P AM MATH SOC, V84, P379 VONNEUMANN J, 1931, CRELLES J MATH, V165, P109; NR: 18; TC: 0; J9: ANN N Y ACAD SCI; PG: 4; GA: BZ86BSource type: Electronic(1
Gestione idrica e nutrizionale del pomodoro: esperienze applicative in pieno campo e in serra per la definizione di strategie e algoritmi sensor-based
No full textIl monitoraggio dell’umidità e della conducibilità elettrica del suolo/substrato di coltivazione, mediante tecnologie di proximal sensing sempre più affidabili e a basso costo, rappresenta un approccio intuitivo e versatile, con ampie prospettive di applicazione a livello aziendale, per la gestione razionale dell'irrigazione e della fertilizzazione delle colture. Nell'ambito di recenti progetti di ricerca e applicazione dimostrativa di approcci digitali innovativi in agricoltura, sono state progettate e realizzate infrastrutture tecnologiche IoT (reti di sensori e dispositivi per l’analisi dei dati e la relativa attuazione di automatismi), ed elaborati e testati algoritmi per il pilotaggio automatico della fertirrigazione del pomodoro, coltura di interesse strategico per l'orticoltura mediterranea. Prove sperimentali, condotte in condizioni colturali diversificate (pieno campo, serra, coltivazione senza suolo e su terreno, impiego di acque salmastre, utilizzo di materiale genetico di particolare interesse ai fini della valorizzazione dell'agro-biodiversità), hanno dimostrato come le strategie sensor-based, in confronto con metodi empirici basati sull’esperienza dell’agricoltore, contribuiscano a migliorare l'efficienza d'uso delle risorse (acqua e fertilizzanti) e il risultato produttivo e qualitativo della coltura.
Con la gestione automatica sensor-based della fertirrigazione, è stato possibile conseguire risparmi idrici e incrementi dell’efficienza d’uso dell’acqua variabili a seconda della tecnica colturale adottata, delle condizioni ambientali, delle varietà di pomodoro in coltivazione, fino a punte del 58% e del 73%, rispettivamente. L’impiego di sensori può facilitare l’applicazione di stress controllati per il miglioramento della qualità del pomodoro. Rispetto all’impiego del timer, ad esempio, è stato possibile aumentare il contenuto di solidi solubili (6,8 vs 7,8 °Brix) e aumentare la percentuale più pregiata della pezzatura delle bacche di pomodoro ciliegino allevato in serra con la tecnica del senza suolo (61% vs 93% di bacche appartenenti alla classe di diametro 25-35 mm). In pieno campo, l’individuazione di appropriate soglie di intervento irriguo mediante sensori rispetto ad un approccio empirico ha consentito di incrementare il valore nutrizionale di pomodoro da trasformazione (61,1 vs 36,1 μg/g di peso secco di licopene)
The AM Canum Venaticorum binary SDSS J173047.59+554518.5
No full textThe AM Canum Venaticorum (AM CVn) binaries are a rare group of hydrogen-deficient, ultrashort period, mass-transferring white dwarf binaries and are possible progenitors of Type Ia supernovae. We present time-resolved spectroscopy of the recently discovered AM CVn binary SDSS J173047.59+554518.5. The average spectrum shows strong double-peaked helium emission lines, as well as a variety of metal lines, including neon; this is the second detection of neon in an AM CVn binary, after the much brighter system GP Com. We detect no calcium in the accretion disc, a puzzling feature that has been noted in many of the longer period AM CVn binaries. We measure an orbital period, from the radial velocities of the emission lines, of 35.2 ± 0.2 min, confirming the ultracompact binary nature of the system. The emission lines seen in SDSS J1730 are very narrow, although double-peaked, implying a low-inclination, face-on accretion disc; using the measured velocities of the line peaks, we estimate i ≤ 11°. This low inclination makes SDSS J1730 an excellent system for the identification of emission lines
Freedom of choice or force of circumstance? : Eastern European sex-workers in the Republic of Cyprus ; paper for the conference 'Alltag der Globalisierung. Perspektiven einer transnationalen Anthropologie', January 16-18, 2003, Institute of Cultural Anthropology and European Ethnology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main
No full textThis paper focuses on Eastern European migrants who, since the beginning of the 1990s, are entering the Republic Cyprus as “artistes”. This is a visa permit status as well as an euphemism for short-term work permits in the local sex industry. In addition to exploring the migrational experiences of these women and their living and working conditions in the Republic of Cyprus, the paper reconstructs, empirically and analyt ically, the connection between immigration and the local sex industry. Here, several categories of social actors and institutions in Cyprus are actively involved. The rhetoric of government representatives, entrepreneurs and clients in the sex business on the one hand is contrasted with the discourse of local NGO representatives concerned with immigrants’ rights on the other hand. The paper comes to the conclusion that all of these discursive positions ultimately do not do justice to the complex process of decisionmaking that women undergo who migrate into the sex industry. Either, freedom of choice is emphasized – such as by entrepreneurs and the government – or the domination of women – as in the public statements of the NGO. In order to analyze the ambivalent tension between freedom of choice and submission to force by which the women’s decision is characterized, the author employs Michel Foucault’s concept of governmentality, which describes forms of political regulation that use the individual’s freedom of action as an instrument to exercise power
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