Biochar-amended potting medium reduces the susceptibility of rice to root-knot nematode infections

Background: Biochar is a solid coproduct of biomass pyrolysis, and soil amended with biochar has been shown to enhance the productivity of various crops and induce systemic plant resistance to fungal pathogens. The aim of this study was to explore the ability of wood biochar to induce resistance to the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne graminicola in rice (Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare) and examine its histochemical and molecular impact on plant defense mechanisms. Results: A 1.2 % concentration of biochar added to the potting medium of rice was found to be the most effective at reducing nematode development in rice roots, whereas direct toxic effects of biochar exudates on nematode viability, infectivity or development were not observed. The increased plant resistance was associated with biochar-primed H2O2 accumulation as well as with the transcriptional enhancement of genes involved in the ethylene (ET) signaling pathway. The increased susceptibility of the Ein2b-RNAi line, which is deficient in ET signaling, further confirmed that biochar-induced priming acts at least partly through ET signaling. Conclusion: These results suggest that biochar amendments protect rice plants challenged by nematodes. This priming effect partially depends on the ET signaling pathway and enhanced H2O2 accumulation

Investigating SAR algorithm for spaceborne interferometric oil spill detection

The environmental damages and recovery of terrestrial ecosystems from oil spills can last decades. Oil spills have been responsible for loss of aquamarine lives, organisms, trees, vegetation, birds and wildlife. Although there are several methods through which oil spills can be detected, it can be argued that remote sensing via the use of spaceborne platforms provides enormous benefits. This paper will provide more efficient means and methods that can assist in improving oil spill responses. The objective of this research is to develop a signal processing algorithm that can be used for detecting oil spills using spaceborne SAR interferometry (InSAR) data. To this end, a pendulum formation of multistatic smallSAR carrying platforms in a near equatorial orbit is described. The characteristic parameters such as the effects of incidence angles on radar backscatter, which support the detection of oil spills, will be the main drivers for determining the relative positions of the small satellites in formation. The orbit design and baseline distances between each spaceborne SAR platform will also be discussed. Furthermore, results from previous analysis on coverage assessment and revisit time shall be highlighted. Finally, an evaluation of automatic algorithm techniques for oil spill detection in SAR images will be conducted and results presented. The framework for the automatic algorithm considered consists of three major steps. The segmentation stage, where techniques that suggest the use of thresholding for dark spot segmentation within the captured InSAR image scene is conducted. The feature extraction stage involves the geometry and shape of the segmented region where elongation of the oil slick is considered an important feature and a function of the width and the length of the oil slick. For the classification stage, where the major objective is to distinguish oil spills from look-alikes, a Mahalanobis classifier will be used to estimate the probability of the extracted features being oil spills. The validation process of the algorithm will be conducted by using NASA’s UAVSAR data obtained over the Gulf of coast oil spill and RADARSAT-1 dat

Wide Band Embedded Slot Antennas for Biomedical, Harsh Environment, and Rescue Applications

For many designers, embedded antenna design is a very challenging task when designing embedded systems. Designing Antennas to given set of specifications is typically tailored to efficiently radiate the energy to free space with a certain radiation pattern and operating frequency range, but its design becomes even harder when embedded in multi-layer environment, being conformal to a surface, or matched to a wide range of loads (environments). In an effort to clarify the design process, we took a closer look at the key considerations for designing an embedded antenna. The design could be geared towards wireless/mobile platforms, wearable antennas, or body area network. Our group at UT has been involved in developing portable and embedded systems for multi-band operation for cell phones or laptops. The design of these antennas addressed single band/narrowband to multiband/wideband operation and provided over 7 bands within the cellular bands (850 MHz to 2 GHz). Typically the challenge is: many applications require ultra wide band operation, or operate at low frequency. Low frequency operation is very challenging if size is a constraint, and there is a need for demonstrating positive antenna gain

Overcoming Inter-Subject Variability in BCI Using EEG-Based Identification

The high dependency of the Brain Computer Interface (BCI) system performance on the BCI user is a well-known issue of many BCI devices. This contribution presents a new way to overcome this problem using a synergy between a BCI device and an EEG-based biometric algorithm. Using the biometric algorithm, the BCI device automatically identifies its current user and adapts parameters of the classification process and of the BCI protocol to maximize the BCI performance. In addition to this we present an algorithm for EEG-based identification designed to be resistant to variations in EEG recordings between sessions, which is also demonstrated by an experiment with an EEG database containing two sessions recorded one year apart. Further, our algorithm is designed to be compatible with our movement-related BCI device and the evaluation of the algorithm performance took place under conditions of a standard BCI experiment. Estimation of the mu rhythm fundamental frequency using the Frequency Zooming AR modeling is used for EEG feature extraction followed by a classifier based on the regularized Mahalanobis distance. An average subject identification score of 96 % is achieved

Multiband handset antenna with a parallel excitation of PIFA and slot radiators

A handset antenna technique combining a parallel excitation of a PIFA and a slot is presented. The number of frequency bands is given by the sum of bands given per each radiator which can be controlled independently. Component interaction (battery, display, and speaker) is analyzed to determine the best place to mitigate performance degradation. Finally, a concept featuring a small footprint (39 11 mm) and low profile (2 mm) is proposed for multiband operation.A handset antenna technique combining a parallel excitation of a PIFA and a slot is presented. The number of frequency bands is given by the sum of bands given per each radiator which can be controlled independently. Component interaction (battery, display, and speaker) is analyzed to determine the best place to mitigate performance degradation. Finally, a concept featuring a small footprint (39 11 mm) and low profile (2 mm) is proposed for multiband operation.Postprint (published version

Development of antenna arrays for terrestrial and satellite applications: Feasibility study of different solutions to monitoring the atmospheric pollution, determination of electromagnetic fields in urban scenario and calculation of their dosimetry in small animals

The present work can be summarized as it follows: First of all, it will be held theoretical and numerical studies to improve the performance of antenna arrays by focusing on the isophoric case. Then, different antenna designs are shown and discussed, in order to be integrated within the urban environment. Some of these designs are experimentally tested. On the other hand, a study on the characterization of the electromagnetic fields through urban areas based on an equivalent planar circuit model is highlighted. Moreover and lastly, the influence of the electromagnetic fields in small animals is discussed by using two methods for the SAR level determination