Soil classification from visible/near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectra at multiple depths.

Abstract : Visible/near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (VNIRS) offers an alternative to conventional analytical methods to estimate various soil attributes. However, the use of VNIRS in soil survey and taxonomic classification is still underexplored. We investigated the potential use of VNIRS to classify soils in a region with variable soils, geology, and topography in southeastern Brazil. We combined principal component (PC) analysis, and multinomial logistic regression to classify 291 soils at the levels of suborder (second highest), and suborder with textural classification (STC), described in the field according to the Brazilian Soil Classification System. Soil visible/near-infrared (400-2500 nm) spectra were collected from three depth intervals (0-20, 40-60, and 80-100 cm), and combined in sequence to compose a pseudo multi-depth spectral curve, which was used to derive the classification models. The percent of correctly classified soils at the suborder level was 79% using 20 PCs, and 96% using 30 PCs. At the STC level, soils were correctly classified in 100%, and 78% of the cases using 20, and 30 PCs, respectively. Given the inherent complexity and variability within soil taxonomic groups, and in contrast the similarity among different groups, combining spectral data from different depths in multivariate classification offered a simple and inexpensive solution to adequately distinguish soils. This novel approach could improve soil classification and survey in a cost-efficient manner, supporting sustainable use, and management of tropical soils

Resposta da cultura do milho a adubação nitrogenada após cultivo de tremoço branco (Lupinus albus) em duas unidades de solos.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a influência de dois fertilizantes nitrogenados na produção de grãos e de matéria seca do milho nos solos Podzolico Vermelho Amarelo Latossolico eutrofico (PVLe) e Podzolico Vermelho Amarelo Latossolico distrofico (PVLd), cultivados previamente com tremoço branco

Efficient Parallel Statistical Model Checking of Biochemical Networks

We consider the problem of verifying stochastic models of biochemical networks against behavioral properties expressed in temporal logic terms. Exact probabilistic verification approaches such as, for example, CSL/PCTL model checking, are undermined by a huge computational demand which rule them out for most real case studies. Less demanding approaches, such as statistical model checking, estimate the likelihood that a property is satisfied by sampling executions out of the stochastic model. We propose a methodology for efficiently estimating the likelihood that a LTL property P holds of a stochastic model of a biochemical network. As with other statistical verification techniques, the methodology we propose uses a stochastic simulation algorithm for generating execution samples, however there are three key aspects that improve the efficiency: first, the sample generation is driven by on-the-fly verification of P which results in optimal overall simulation time. Second, the confidence interval estimation for the probability of P to hold is based on an efficient variant of the Wilson method which ensures a faster convergence. Third, the whole methodology is designed according to a parallel fashion and a prototype software tool has been implemented that performs the sampling/verification process in parallel over an HPC architecture

Caracterização da serie Piracicaba

O presente trabalho teve por finalidade o estudo morfológico, físico, químico e taxonómico da serie Piracicaba. Foram coletados, na área de ocorrência desta serie, quatro perfis designados por perfis P1, P2, P3 e P4. As amostras dos horizontes foram colhidas a partir da superfície do solo até a rocha, sendo realizadas nestas camadas análises mecânica e química. A fração argila foi separada por sedimentação, sendo posteriormente dividida em duas subfrações: 2 a 0,2 u e menor que 0,2 u, argila grossa e fina, respectivamente. Os dados referentes à analise mecânica revelaram que a variação média extrema do horizonte B2 é de 27,05 ± 0,89 e 34,95 ± 0,88%. Estes solos foram classificados como Typic Tropudalfs e nao se enquadram no conceito modal do Podzolico Vermelho-Amarelo variação Piracicaba da COMISSÃO DE SOLOS (2).This paper deals with the study and classification of a proposed Piracicaba soil series. Four soil profiles were described studied and classified according to the 7th Approximation. By using a centrifugation method the clay was separated into two fractions: between 2 to 0,2 u and down to 0,2 u, respectivelly coarse and fine clay fractions. The results show a silt content variying between 9.70 ± 0.33 to 21.06 ± 0.50 % and a clay content between 27.05 ± 34.95 ± 0.88 % in the B2 horizons. The Piracicaba soil series is a Typic Tropudalf and does not fit the criteria for Red Yellow Podzolic variação Piracicaba established in 1960 by the COMISSÃO DE SOLOS

Psiconeuroendocrinoimunologia do estresse

As pessoas vivem um presente repleto de exigências (trabalho, família, sociedade, estudo e outros) que os leva sempre a uma nova forma de adaptação. Quando o organismo se depara com alguma “novidade”, o mesmo entra numa situação de estresse. O estresse não é inicialmente uma doença e sim, uma forma que o organismo encontra de se adaptar a uma diferente situação, seja ela psicológica, fisiológica, psicossocial ou física. No início o estresse é positivo, mas pode tornar-se negativo, caso o indivíduo não consiga administrá-lo. Esse estresse percorre primeiramente a fase de adaptação, em seguida a de resistência e por último a de exaustão. Essa última é a fase que pode levar o indivíduo a ter alguma doença, pois o sistema imunológico – que é o sistema responsável pela defesa do organismo – é atingido. Além de atingir o sistema imunológico, o sistema endócrino também se torna debilitado, causando assim várias modificações no funcionamento normal do corpo. É possível perceber, que existe uma grande relação entre o emocional e os sistemas imunológico e endócrino, por esse motivo surgiu a psiconeuroendocrinoimunologia. Essa especialidade tornou-se muito importante para o estudo das conseqüências do estresse no organismo que levou a criação de várias instituições responsáveis por essa especialidade

Soil classification based on spectral and environmental variables

In the last decades, the volume of soil data collection has increased significantly. Because of that it is now possible to obtain a soil classification using spectral, climate and terrain attributes. The idea was to develop a soil series system, which intends to discriminate soil types according to soil, climate and terrain variables. This new system was called Soil-Environmental Classification

Bending Tolerance of React&Wind Nb3Sn Conductors for Fusion Magnets

The react-and-wind technique for manufacturing of large Nb3Sn fusion magnets (RW) is very attractive because of the superior performance of the Nb3Sn with lower thermal strain compared to the wind-and-react technique. The procedure for magnet winding is also drastically simplified for the RW approach. The flat cable, made of a large number of Nb3Sn strands, is heat treated on a spool with constant radius. Then the cable is unspooled to assemble the conductor with stabilizer/steel jacket and wound on a spool to be shipped to the winding factory, where the conductor is unspooled and wound in the final geometry - either round shape for Central Solenoid or D-shape for Toroidal Field Coils. The bending strain must be controlled during the handling from heat treatment to the final magnet in order not to exceed the irreversible strain limit. For design purposes, it is assumed so far that a bending strain ±0.3% during handling is acceptable. In this work, the bending tolerance of a 63 kA RW fusion conductor is investigated by monitoring the performance in the SULTAN test facility after bending/straightening at decreasing radii till a degradation of the current sharing temperature performance, Tcs, is observed. The experimental assessment of the bending tolerance during handling is a major instrument for dimensioning of the cable thickness and heat treatment radius of the RW conductors for fusion

Mechanical evaluation of the resistance and elastance of post-burn scars after topical treatment with tretinoin

OBJECTIVE: After burn injuries, scarred skin lacks elasticity, especially in hypertrophic scars. Topical treatment with tretinoin can improve the appearance and quality of the skin (i.e., texture, distensibility, color, and hydration). The objective of this prospective study was to examine the effects of treatment with 0.05% tretinoin for one year on the biomechanical behavior and histological changes undergone by facial skin with post-burn scarring. Setting: Tertiary, Institutional. METHOD: Fifteen female patients who had suffered partial thickness burns with more than two years of evolution were selected. Skin biopsies were obtained initially and after one year of treatment. The resistance and elastance of these skin biopsies were measured using a mechanical oscillation analysis system. The density of collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and versican were determined using immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Tretinoin treatment significantly lowered skin resistance and elastance, which is a result that indicates higher distensibility of the skin. However, tretinoin treatment did not significantly affect the density of collagen fibers, elastic fibers, or versican. CONCLUSION: Topical tretinoin treatment alters the mechanical behavior of post-burn scarred skin by improving its distensibility and thus leads to improved quality of life for patients

Uso de lógica difusa y análisis de correspondencias simples para caracterizar los vientos de la provincia de La Rioja, Argentina

The objective of this study was to identify which are the departments of the Province of La Rioja with the highest wind speeds by using the fuzzy logic technique and by means of simple correspondence factor analysis (AFCS). The wind speeds of the Province of La Rioja between the period 2010-2020 were analyzed. The information comes from the database of the POWER project (Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Statistical processing of the data was carried out and multivariate data analysis was applied to establish the predominant characteristics of the winds according to each department of the province. Subsequently, to evaluate the results, a comparison was made by means of kriging interpolation, resulting in a series of monthly maps depicting average wind speeds. The behavior is stable in the analyzed period, there are no great variations between the months studied. During the period from June to November there are increases in the wind speeds in the foothills area. The winds of La Rioja usually correspond between a light breeze and a moderate breeze (1.6 and 7.9 m/s).El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar cuáles son los departamentos de la Provincia de La Rioja con mayores velocidades del viento mediante el uso de la técnica de lógica difusa y por medio del análisis factorial de correspondencias simples (AFCS). Se analizaron las velocidades de viento de la Provincia de La Rioja entre el periodo 2010-2020. La información proviene de la base de datos del proyecto POWER (Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) de la NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Se realizó el procesamiento estadístico de los datos y se aplicó el análisis de datos multivariados para establecer las características predominantes de los vientos según cada departamento de la provincia. Posteriormente, para realizar la evaluación, se compararon los resultados mediante interpolación de kriging y se obtuvo una serie de mapas mensuales que grafican las velocidades promedio del viento. El comportamiento es estable en el periodo analizado, no hay grandes variaciones entre los meses estudiados. En el periodo junio a noviembre existen incrementos en las velocidades de los vientos en la zona de precordillera. Los vientos de La Rioja usualmente corresponden entre ventolina y brisa moderada (1,6 y 7,9 m/s).&nbsp

Comportamento espectral de alguns perfis modais de solos do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Remote sensing has a high potential for environmental evaluation. However, a necessity exists for a better understanding of the relations between the soil attributes and spectral data. The objective of this work was to analyze the spectral behavior of some soil profiles from the region of Piracicaba, São Paulo State, using a laboratory spectroradiometer (400 to 2500 nm). The relations between the reflected electromagnetic energy and the soil physical, chemical and mineralogical attributes were analyzed, verifying the spectral variations of soil samples in depth along the profiles with their classification and discrimination. Sandy soil reflected more, presenting a spectral curve with an ascendant form, opposite to clayey soils. The 1900 nm band discriminated soil with 2:1 mineralogy from the 1:1 and oxidic soils. It was possible to detect the presence of kaolinite, gibbsite, hematite and goethite in the soils through the descriptive aspects of curves, absorption features and reflectance intensity. A relation exists between the weathering stage and spectral data. The evaluation of the superficial and subsuperficial horizon samples allowed characterizing and discriminating the analytical variability of the profile, helping to soil distinguishing and classification