Mapping evapotranspiration variability over a complex oasis-desert ecosystem based on automated calibration of Landsat 7 ETM+ data in SEBAL

Fragmented ecosystems of the desiccated Aral Sea seek answers to the profound local hydrologically- and water-related problems. Particularly, in the Small Aral Sea Basin (SASB), these problems are associated with low precipitation, increased temperature, land use and evapotranspiration (ET) changes. Here, the utility of high-resolution satellite dataset is employed to model the growing season dynamic of near-surface fluxes controlled by the advective effects of desert and oasis ecosystems in the SASB. This study adapted and applied the sensible heat flux calibration mechanism of Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) to 16 clear-sky Landsat 7 ETM+ dataset, following a guided automatic pixels search from surface temperature T-s and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NDVI (). Results were comprehensively validated with flux components and actual ET (ETa) outputs of Eddy Covariance (EC) and Meteorological Station (KZL) observations located in the desert and oasis, respectively. Compared with the original SEBAL, a noteworthy enhancement of flux estimations was achieved as follows: - desert ecosystem ETa R-2 = 0.94; oasis ecosystem ETa R-2 = 0.98 (P < 0.05). The improvement uncovered the exact land use contributions to ETa variability, with average estimates ranging from 1.24 mm to 6.98 mm . Additionally, instantaneous ET to NDVI (ETins-NDVI) ratio indicated that desert and oasis consumptive water use vary significantly with time of the season. This study indicates the possibility of continuous daily ET monitoring with considerable implications for improving water resources decision support over complex data-scarce drylands

Causal Inference with Genetic Data:Past, Present, and Future

The set of methods discussed in this collection has emerged from the convergence of two scientific fields-genetics and causal inference. In this introduction, we discuss relevant aspects of each field and show how their convergence arises from the natural experiments that genetics offer. We present introductory concepts useful to readers unfamiliar with genetically informed methods for causal inference. We conclude that existing applications and foreseeable developments should ensure that we rapidly reap the rewards of this relatively new field, not only in terms of our understanding of human disease and development, but also in terms of tangible translational applications

Adaptive Gamification for Learning Environments

(Scimago Q1, ATIEF A+)International audienceIn spite of their effectiveness, learning environments often fail to engage users and end up under-used. Many studies show that gamification of learning environments can enhance learners' motivation to use learning environments. However, learners react differently to specific game mechanics and little is known about how to adapt gaming features to learners' profiles. In this paper, we propose a process for adapting gaming features based on a player model. This model is inspired from existing player typologies and types of gamification elements. Our approach is implemented in a learning environment with five different gaming features, and evaluated with 266 participants. The main results of this study show that, amongst the most engaged learners (i.e. learners who use the environment the longest), those with adapted gaming features spend significantly more time in the learning environment. Furthermore, learners with features that are not adapted have a higher level of amotivation. These results support the relevance of adapting gaming features to enhance learners' engagement, and provide cues on means to implement adaptation mechanisms

Adoption of AI Technology in the Music Mixing Workflow: An Investigation

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the music industry is driving a significant change in the way music is being composed, produced and mixed. This study investigates the current state of AI in the mixing workflows and its adoption by different user groups. Through semi-structured interviews, a questionnaire-based study, and analyzing web forums, the study confirms three user groups comprising amateurs, pro-ams, and professionals. Our findings show that while AI mixing tools can simplify the process and provide decent results for amateurs, pro-ams seek precise control and customization options, while professionals desire control and customization options in addition to assistive and collaborative technologies. The study provides strategies for designing effective AI mixing tools for different user groups and outlines future directions

Economic Analysis and Determinants of Selected Women-Led Vegetable Enterprises Performance in Koutiala and Bougouni Distircts, Mali

Vegetable production is one of the most important income generating activities conducted by women in Koutiala and Bougouni. This enterprise plays a fundamental role in economic development as well as improved household income and food security. Although the women have continuously produced and marketed vegetables, many households are still poor. As a result, the World Vegetable Centre introduced various interventions to improve performance of the women owned vegetable enterprises and one among many being the introduction of five new varieties of vegetables (tomato, onion, okra, eggplant and chilli). Nevertheless, empirical evidence is lacking on the benefit  derived by farmers who have chosen the vegetables as well as the socio-economic and institutional factors influenicng the same. Therefore to evaluate the performance and determinants of selected women-led vegetable enterprises, gross margin analysis and ordinary least square model were used. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 384 vegetable farmers. The study found that there was difference in the gross margins (GM) across the enterprises. All the vegetable enterprises had a positive GM and okra had the highest per meter squared  (1012 fcfa, in usd 2.53) followed by tomato (1008 fcfa, in  usd 2.52), onion (942 fcfa, in usd 2.35), chilli (364 fcfa, in usd 0.91 ) and eggplant (213 fcfa, in usd 0.53), respectively. Additionally, farm land size, access to market  and group membership had a posive influence on vegetable enterprise while the number of enterprises and seed cost had a negative effect on vegetable enterprise performance. The study recommneds for creation of credit associations which can boost farmers’ access to finacial empowerment which can ultimately enhance the performance of enteprises. Further, development of better infrastructure such as road and storage facilities is also needed. Keyworks: Gross margin, Mali, Performance, Vegetable enteprise, Women-le

Science Meets Traditional Knowledge: Water and Climate in the Sahtu (Great Bear Lake) Region, Northwest Territories, Canada

In July 2005, several scientists from the Mackenzie GEWEX (Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment) Study, known as MAGS, met with aboriginal people in Deline on the shore of Great Bear Lake to exchange information on climate and water in the region. Topics discussed pertained directly to the northern environment, and they included climate variability and change, wind, lightning, lake ice, lake level, and streamflow. The traditional knowledge shared by the residents is a rich source of local expertise about the landscape and climate systems of the Deline area, while the scientific knowledge provided by MAGS presents a scientific basis for many observed climate and water phenomena, particularly on a broad regional scale. Through cordial and open discussions, the meeting facilitated the sharing of traditional knowledge and scientific results. The meeting enhanced the potential for traditional knowledge to help direct and validate scientific investigations and for scientific knowledge to be used in conjunction with traditional knowledge to guide community decision making.En juillet 2005, plusieurs scientifiques de l’étude Mackenzie GEWEX (expérience internationale sur l’énergie et le cycle hydrologique), connue sous le nom de MAGS, ont rencontré les Autochtones de Deline, sur la côte du Grand lac de l’Ours dans le but d’échanger des données sur les conditions climatiques et hydrologiques de la région. Les sujets à l’étude se rapportaient directement à l’environnement nordique, plus précisément la variabilité et le changement climatiques, le vent, la foudre, la glace lacustre, le niveau des lacs et le débit des cours d’eau. Les connaissances traditionnelles des habitants de la région représentent une riche source d’expertise locale au sujet du paysage et des systèmes climatiques de la région de Deline, tandis que les connaissances scientifiques fournies par MAGS constituent une base scientifique pour de nombreux phénomènes climatiques et hydrologiques observés, surtout sur une vaste échelle régionale. Grâce à des discussions cordiales et ouvertes, cette réunion a donné lieu au partage de connaissances traditionnelles et de résultats scientifiques. Cette réunion a également permis d’accroître la possibilité que les connaissances traditionnelles aident à diriger et à valider les enquêtes scientifiques, et que les connaissances scientifiques soient employées de pair avec les connaissances traditionnelles pour favoriser la prise de décisions au sein de la collectivité

Evidence for the Role of Endosymbionts in Regional-Scale Habitat Partitioning by Hydrothermal Vent Symbioses

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are populated by dense communities of animals that form symbiotic associations with chemolithoautotrophic bacteria. To date, our understanding of which factors govern the distribution of host/symbiont associations (or holobionts) in nature is limited, although host physiology often is invoked. In general, the role that symbionts play in habitat utilization by vent holobionts has not been thoroughly addressed. Here we present evidence for symbiont-influenced, regional-scale niche partitioning among symbiotic gastropods (genus Alviniconcha) in the Lau Basin. We extensively surveyed Alviniconcha holobionts from four vent fields using quantitative molecular approaches, coupled to characterization of high-temperature and diffuse vent-fluid composition using gastight samplers and in situ electrochemical analyses, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses exposed cryptic host and symbiont diversity, revealing three distinct host types and three different symbiont phylotypes (one ε-proteobacteria and two γ-proteobacteria) that formed specific associations with one another. Strikingly, we observed that holobionts with ε-proteobacterial symbionts were dominant at the northern fields, whereas holobionts with γ-proteobacterial symbionts were dominant in the southern fields. This pattern of distribution corresponds to differences in the vent geochemistry that result from deep subsurface geological and geothermal processes. We posit that the symbionts, likely through differences in chemolithoautotrophic metabolism, influence niche utilization among these holobionts. The data presented here represent evidence linking symbiont type to habitat partitioning among the chemosynthetic symbioses at hydrothermal vents and illustrate the coupling between subsurface geothermal processes and niche availability.Organismic and Evolutionary Biolog

Integrating NGS-derived mutational profiling in the diagnosis of multiple lung adenocarcinomas

MICROABSTRACT: Integration of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) information for use in distinguishing between Multiple Primary Lung Cancer and intrapulmonary metastasis was evaluated. We used a probabilistic model, comprehensive histologic assessment and NGS to classify patients. Integrating NGS data confirmed initial diagnosis (n = 41), revised the diagnosis (n = 12), while resulted in non-informative data (n = 8). Accuracy of diagnosis can be significantly improved with integration of NGS data. BACKGROUND: Distinguishing between multiple primary lung cancers (MPLC) and intrapulmonary metastases (IPM) is challenging. The goal of this study was to evaluate how Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) information may be integrated in the diagnostic strategy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with multiple lung adenocarcinomas were classified using both the comprehensive histologic assessment and NGS. We computed the joint probability of each pair having independent mutations by chance (thus being classified as MPLC). These probabilities were computed using the marginal mutation rates of each mutation, and the known negative dependencies between driver genes and different gene loci. With these NGS-driven data, cases were re-classified as MPLC or IPM. RESULTS: We analyzed 61 patients with a total of 131 tumors. The most frequent mutation was KRAS (57.3%) which occured at a rate higher than expected (p < 0.001) in lung cancer. No mutation was detected in 25/131 tumors (19.1%). Discordant molecular findings between tumor sites were found in 46 patients (75.4%); 11 patients (18.0%) had concordant molecular findings, and 4 patients (6.6%) had concordant molecular findings at 2 of the 3 sites. After integration of the NGS data, the initial diagnosis was confirmed for 41 patients (67.2%), the diagnosis was revised for 12 patients (19.7%) or was considered as non-informative for 8 patients (13.1%). CONCLUSION: Integrating the information of NGS data may significantly improve accuracy of diagnosis and staging

An evaluation of the Elementary Evaluative Criteria

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University, 1955. This item was digitized by the Internet Archive