Object-Based Image Classification of Summer Crop with Machine Learning Methods

The strategic management of agricultural lands involves crop field monitoring each year. Crop discrimination via remote sensing is a complex task, especially if different crops have a similar spectral response and cropping pattern. In such cases, crop identification could be improved by combining object-based image analysis and advanced machine learning methods. In this investigation, we evaluated the C4.5 decision tree, logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network methods, both as single classifiers and combined in a hierarchical classification, for the mapping of nine major summer crops (both woody and herbaceous) from ASTER satellite images captured in two different dates. Each method was built with different combinations of spectral and textural features obtained after the segmentation of the remote images in an object-based framework. As single classifiers, MLP and SVM obtained maximum overall accuracy of 88%, slightly higher than LR (86%) and notably higher than C4.5 (79%). The SVM+SVM classifier (best method) improved these results to 89%. In most cases, the hierarchical classifiers considerably increased the accuracy of the most poorly classified class (minimum sensitivity). The SVM+SVM method offered a significant improvement in classification accuracy for all of the studied crops compared to the conventional decision tree classifier, ranging between 4% for safflower and 29% for corn, which suggests the application of object-based image analysis and advanced machine learning methods in complex crop classification tasks.This research was partly financed by the TIN2011-22794 project of the Spanish Ministerial Commission of Science and Technology (MICYT), FEDER funds, the P2011-TIC-7508 project of the “Junta de Andalucía” (Spain) and the Kearney Foundation of Soil Science (USA). The research of Peña was co-financed by the Fulbright-MEC postdoctoral program, financed by the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation, and by the JAEDoc Program, supported by CSIC and FEDER funds. ASTER data were available to us through a NASA EOS scientific investigator affiliation.We acknowledge support by the CSIC Open Access Publication Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI).Peer Reviewe

Object-Based Image Classification of Summer Crops with Machine Learning Methods

The strategic management of agricultural lands involves crop field monitoring each year. Crop discrimination via remote sensing is a complex task, especially if different crops have a similar spectral response and cropping pattern. In such cases, crop identification could be improved by combining object-based image analysis and advanced machine learning methods. In this investigation, we evaluated the C4.5 decision tree, logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network methods, both as single classifiers and combined in a hierarchical classification, for the mapping of nine major summer crops (both woody and herbaceous) from ASTER satellite images captured in two different dates. Each method was built with different combinations of spectral and textural features obtained after the segmentation of the remote images in an object-based framework. As single classifiers, MLP and SVM obtained maximum overall accuracy of 88%, slightly higher than LR (86%) and notably higher than C4.5 (79%). The SVM+SVM classifier (best method) improved these results to 89%. In most cases, the hierarchical classifiers considerably increased the accuracy of the most poorly classified class (minimum sensitivity). The SVM+SVM method offered a significant improvement in classification accuracy for all of the studied crops compared to the conventional decision tree classifier, ranging between 4% for safflower and 29% for corn, which suggests the application of object-based image analysis and advanced machine learning methods in complex crop classification task

Low Cost Semi Automated Assembly Unit for Small Size Back Contact Modules and Low Cost Interconnection Approach

AbstractWe present our low cost assembly unit to manufacture back contact solar modules based on the conductive backsheet (CBS) approach. This in house developed apparatus was built to assemble test modules containing one up to four 6 inch back contact solar cells. The system is a retrofit of a commercially available CNC system which is equipped with a cell grabber and a manual dispensing system (by Nordson). The total cost of the setup was roughly 4000 € excluding the dispenser unit. Using this equipment we assembled several small size modules containing one and four Zebra cells, which are low cost 6 inch IBC solar cells developed at ISC Konstanz [1,2]. The contact between copper backsheet and back contact cell of the one cell modules we present here is formed by low temperature solder paste (LTSP). First cell to module (CTM) loss evaluations and reliability results suggest that this material could be a viable alternative to electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) which is currently the most commonly used material for this purpose

Research-based flow cytometry assays for pathogenic assessment in the human B-cell biology of gene variants revealed in the diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity: a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase case-study

IntroductionInborn errors of immunity (IEI) are an expanding group of rare diseases whose field has been boosted by next-generation sequencing (NGS), revealing several new entities, accelerating routine diagnoses, expanding the number of atypical presentations and generating uncertainties regarding the pathogenic relevance of several novel variants.MethodsResearch laboratories that diagnose and provide support for IEI require accurate, reproducible and sustainable phenotypic, cellular and molecular functional assays to explore the pathogenic consequences of human leukocyte gene variants and contribute to their assessment. We have implemented a set of advanced flow cytometry-based assays to better dissect human B-cell biology in a translational research laboratory. We illustrate the utility of these techniques for the in-depth characterization of a novel (c.1685G>A, p.R562Q) de novo gene variant predicted as probably pathogenic but with no previous insights into the protein and cellular effects, located in the tyrosine kinase domain of the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene, in an apparently healthy 14-year-old male patient referred to our clinic for an incidental finding of low immunoglobulin (Ig) M levels with no history of recurrent infections.Results and discussionA phenotypic analysis of bone marrow (BM) revealed a slightly high percentage of pre-B-I subset in BM, with no blockage at this stage, as typically observed in classical X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) patients. The phenotypic analysis in peripheral blood also revealed reduced absolute numbers of B cells, all pre-germinal center maturation stages, together with reduced but detectable numbers of different memory and plasma cell isotypes. The R562Q variant allows Btk expression and normal activation of anti-IgM-induced phosphorylation of Y551 but diminished autophosphorylation at Y223 after anti IgM and CXCL12 stimulation. Lastly, we explored the potential impact of the variant protein for downstream Btk signaling in B cells. Within the canonical nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation pathway, normal IκBα degradation occurs after CD40L stimulation in patient and control cells. In contrast, disturbed IκBα degradation and reduced calcium ion (Ca2+) influx occurs on anti-IgM stimulation in the patient’s B cells, suggesting an enzymatic impairment of the mutated tyrosine kinase domain

TGFβ Governs the Pleiotropic Activity of NDRG1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression

In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the pleiotropic NDRG1 (N-Myc downstream regulated gene 1) promotes progression and worse survival, yet contradictory results were documented, and the mechanisms remain unknown. Phosphorylation and localization could drive NDRG1 pleiotropy, nonetheless, their role in TNBC progression and clinical outcome was not investigated. We found enhanced p-NDRG1 (Thr346) by TGFβ1 and explored whether it drives NDRG1 pleiotropy and TNBC progression. In tissue microarrays of 81 TNBC patients, we identified that staining and localization of NDRG1 and p-NDRG1 (Thr346) are biomarkers and risk factors associated with shorter overall survival. We found that TGFβ1 leads NDRG1, downstream of GSK3β, and upstream of NF-κB, to differentially regulate migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor initiation, and maintenance of different populations of cancer stem cells (CSCs), depending on the progression stage of tumor cells, and the combination of TGFβ and GSK3β inhibitors impaired CSCs. The present study revealed the striking importance to assess both total NDRG1 and p-NDRG1 (Thr346) positiveness and subcellular localization to evaluate patient prognosis and their stratification. NDRG1 pleiotropy is driven by TGFβ to differentially promote metastasis and/or maintenance of CSCs at different stages of tumor progression, which could be abrogated by the inhibition of TGFβ and GSK3β.Instituto de Salud Carlos III European Commission PI15/00336 PI19/01533 CP14/00197 CP19/00029 PIE16/00045Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (MICINN)Instituto de Salud Carlos IIISpanish Government RTI2018.101309B-C22Chair "Doctors Galera-Requena in cancer stem cell research" CMC-CTS963European Regional Development Fund (European Union)Ministerio de Universidades FPU19/04450Junta de Andalucia RH-0139-2020Sistema Nacional de Garantia Juvenil (Fondo Social Europeo) 8064Junta de Andalucia, Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades DOC_01686Fundacion Cientifica Asociacion Espanola Contra el Cancer, Junta Provincial de Jaen (AECC) PRDJA19001BLA

The pharmacist in the administration of the autonomous community of Andalusia

Objetivo: En primer lugar determinar las condiciones de acceso al Cuerpo de Farmacéuticos adscrito a la Administración Sanitaria de la Junta de Andalucía y en segundo lugar, conocer las distintas modalidades, cómo se han organizado los distintos cuerpos y cómo se estructuran en sus diferentes subgrupos. Además se analiza y define su régimen laboral. En tercer lugar, determinar la estructura orgánica y funciones de los distintos Cuerpos a los que tiene acceso el farmacéutico en la Administración de la Comunidad Autónoma Andaluza Metodología: Revisión de la normativa, vigente y derogada, que regula los cuerpos y el sistema de acceso para Farmacéutico en la Comunidad Autónoma Andaluza. Conclusión: La figura del farmacéutico como agente sanitario en la legislación autonómica andaluza, se encuentra regulada en distintas normas que exigen una interpretación de acuerdo a los criterios de la Ley 6/185 de Ordenación de la Función Pública de la Junta de Andalucía. Las distintas modalidades de ejercicio profesional, ya sea como agente sanitario de la autoridad autonómica o como profesional especializado se definen en distintos estatutos orgánicos necesarios para definir claramente sus funciones y responsabilidades.Objetive: First to determine the conditions of access to the Pharmacists' Body assigned to the Sanitary Administration of the Meeting of Andalusia and secondly, to know the different modalities, how the different bodies have been organized and how they are structured in his different subgroups. In addition his labor regime is analyzed and defines. Thirdly, to determine the organic structure and functions of the different Bodies to which the pharmacist has access in the Administration of the Autonomous Andalusian Community Methodology: Review of the regulation, in force and repealed, that regulates the bodies and the system of access for Pharmacist in the Autonomous Andalusian Community. Conclusion / discussion The figure of the pharmacist like sanitary agent in the autonomous Andalusian legislation, is regulated in different procedure that demand an interpretation of agreement to the criteria of the Law 6/185 of Arrangement of the Public Function of the Meeting of Andalusia. The different modalities of professional exercise, already be like a sanitary agent of the autonomous authority or as specialized professional they are defined in different organic necessary bylaws to define clearly his functions and responsibilities

The local skin celular immune response determines the clinical outcome of sarcoptic mange in Iberian ibex (Capra pirenaica)

13 páginas, 8 figuras, 7 tablas.This project was funded by the Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía (project 173/2009/M/00;03/15/M/00; 861_11_M_00 and 2016/00014/M) and the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (projects CGL2012-40043-C02-01, CGL2012-40043-C02-02, and CGL2016-80543-P). The authors’ research activities are partially supported by the Plan Andaluz de Investigación (RNM-118 group). MV is supported by a FI-GENCAT Fellowship (2020_FI_B2_00049, which is cofinanced by the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca and the European Social Fund). GM is a Serra Húnter Fellow.Peer reviewe