Harmonization of Landsat and Sentinel 2 for Crop Monitoring in Drought Prone Areas: Case Studies of Ninh Thuan (Vietnam) and Bekaa (Lebanon)

Proper satellite-based crop monitoring applications at the farm-level often require near-daily imagery at medium to high spatial resolution. The combination of data from different ongoing satellite missions Sentinel 2 (ESA) and Landsat 7/8 (NASA) provides this unprecedented opportunity at a global scale; however, this is rarely implemented because these procedures are data demanding and computationally intensive. This study developed a robust stream processing for the harmonization of Landsat 7, Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 in the Google Earth Engine cloud platform, connecting the benefit of coherent data structure, built-in functions and computational power in the Google Cloud. The harmonized surface reflectance images were generated for two agricultural schemes in Bekaa (Lebanon) and Ninh Thuan (Vietnam) during 2018–2019. We evaluated the performance of several pre-processing steps needed for the harmonization including the image co-registration, Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions correction, topographic correction, and band adjustment. We found that the misregistration between Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 images varied from 10 m in Ninh Thuan (Vietnam) to 32 m in Bekaa (Lebanon), and posed a great impact on the quality of the final harmonized data set if not treated. Analysis of a pair of overlapped L8-S2 images over the Bekaa region showed that, after the harmonization, all band-to-band spatial correlations were greatly improved. Finally, we demonstrated an application of the dense harmonized data set for crop mapping and monitoring. An harmonic (Fourier) analysis was applied to fit the detected unimodal, bimodal and trimodal shapes in the temporal NDVI patterns during one crop year in Ninh Thuan province. The derived phase and amplitude values of the crop cycles were combined with max-NDVI as an R-G-B false composite image. The final image was able to highlight croplands in bright colors (high phase and amplitude), while the non-crop areas were shown with grey/dark (low phase and amplitude). The harmonized data sets (with 30 m spatial resolution) along with the Google Earth Engine scripts used are provided for public use

Effect of sediment load boundary conditions in predicting sediment Delta of Tarbela Reservoir in Pakistan

Setting precise sediment load boundary conditions plays a central role in robust modeling of sedimentation in reservoirs. In the presented study, we modeled sediment transport in Tarbela Reservoir using sediment rating curves (SRC) and wavelet artificial neural networks (WA-ANNs) for setting sediment load boundary conditions in the HEC-RAS 1D numerical model. The reconstruction performance of SRC for finding the missing sediment sampling data was at R-2 = 0.655 and NSE = 0.635. The same performance using WA-ANNs was at R-2 = 0.771 and NSE = 0.771. As the WA-ANNs have better ability to model non-linear sediment transport behavior in the Upper Indus River, the reconstructed missing suspended sediment load data were more accurate. Therefore, using more accurately-reconstructed sediment load boundary conditions in HEC-RAS, the model was better morphodynamically calibrated with R-2 = 0.980 and NSE = 0.979. Using SRC-based sediment load boundary conditions, the HEC-RAS model was calibrated with R-2 = 0.959 and NSE = 0.943. Both models validated the delta movement in the Tarbela Reservoir with R-2 = 0.968, NSE = 0.959 and R-2 = 0.950, NSE = 0.893 using WA-ANN and SRC estimates, respectively. Unlike SRC, WA-ANN-based boundary conditions provided stable simulations in HEC-RAS. In addition, WA-ANN-predicted sediment load also suggested a decrease in supply of sediment significantly to the Tarbela Reservoir in the future due to intra-annual shifting of flows from summer to pre- and post-winter. Therefore, our future predictions also suggested the stability of the sediment delta. As the WA-ANN-based sediment load boundary conditions precisely represented the physics of sediment transport, the modeling concept could very likely be used to study bed level changes in reservoirs/rivers elsewhere in the world

Perianth evolution and implications for generic delimitation in the eucalypts (Myrtaceae), including the description of the new genus, Blakella

Eucalypts (Myrtaceae tribe Eucalypteae) are currently placed in seven genera. Traditionally, Eucalyptus was defined by its operculum, but when phylogenies placed Angophora, with free sepals and petals, as sister to the operculate bloodwood eucalypts, the latter were segregated into a new genus, Corymbia. Yet, generic delimitation in the tribe Eucalypteae remains uncertain. Here, we address these problems using phylogenetic analysis with the largest molecular data set to date. We captured 101 low-copy nuclear exons from 392 samples representing 266 species. Our phylogenetic analysis used maximum likelihood (IQtree) and multispecies coalescent (Astral). At two nodes critical to generic delimitation, we tested alternative relationships among Arillastrum, Angophora, Eucalyptus, and Corymbia using Shimodaira\u27s approximately unbiased test. Phylogenetic mapping was used to explore the evolution of perianth traits. Monophyly of Corymbia relative to Angophora was decisively rejected. All alternative relationships among the seven currently recognized Eucalypteae genera imply homoplasy in the evolutionary origins of the operculum. Inferred evolutionary transitions in perianth traits are congruent with divergences between major clades, except that the expression of separate sepals and petals in Angophora, which is nested within the operculate genus Corymbia, appears to be a reversal to the plesiomorphic perianth structure. Here, we formally raise Corymbia subg. Blakella to genus rank and make the relevant new combinations. We also define and name three sections within Blakella (Blakella sect. Blakella, Blakella sect. Naviculares, and Blakella sect. Maculatae), and two series within Blakella sect. Maculatae (Blakella ser. Maculatae and Blakella ser. Torellianae). Corymbia is reduced to the red bloodwoods

HierarchyNet : learning to summarize source code with heterogeneous representations

Code representation is important to machine learning models in the code-related applications. Existing code summarization approaches primarily leverage Abstract Syntax Trees (ASTs) and sequential information from source code to generate code summaries while often overlooking the critical consideration of the interplay of dependencies among code elements and code hierarchy. However, effective summarization necessitates a holistic analysis of code snippets from three distinct aspects: lexical, syntactic, and semantic information. In this paper, we propose a novel code summarization approach utilizing Heterogeneous Code Representations (HCRs) and our specially designed HierarchyNet. HCRs adeptly capture essential code features at lexical, syntactic, and semantic levels within a hierarchical structure. HierarchyNet processes each layer of the HCR separately, employing a Heterogeneous Graph Transformer, a Tree-based CNN, and a Transformer Encoder. In addition, HierarchyNet demonstrates superior performance compared to fine-tuned pre-trained models, including CodeT5, and CodeBERT, as well as large language models that employ zero/few-shot settings, such as CodeLlama, StarCoder, and CodeGen. Implementation details can be found at https://github.com/FSoft-AI4Code/HierarchyNet

Molecular epidemiology of white spot syndrome virus within Vietnam

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), the sole member of the virus family Nimaviridae, is a large double-stranded DNA virus that infects shrimp and other crustaceans. By alignment of three completely sequenced isolates originating from Taiwan (WSSV-TW), China (WSSV-CN) and Thailand (WSSV-TH), the variable loci in the genome were mapped. The variation suggests the spread of WSSV from a common ancestor originating from either side of the Taiwan Strait to Thailand, but support for this hypothesis through analysis of geographical intermediates is sought. RFLP analysis of eight Vietnamese WSSV isolates, of which six were collected along the central coast (VN-central) and two along the south coast (VN-south), showed apparent sequence variation in the variable loci identified previously. These loci were characterized in detail by PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing. Relative to WSSV-TW, all VN-central isolates showed a similar to8.5 kb deletion in the major variable region ORF23/24, whereas the VN-south isolates contain a deletion of similar to11(.)5 or similar to12(.)2 kb, compared to a similar to1(.)2 or similar to13(.)2 kb deletion in WSSV-CN and WSSV-TH, respectively. The minor variable region ORF14/15 showed deletions of various sizes compared with WSSV-TH for all eight VN isolates. The data suggest that the VN isolates and WSSV-TH have a common lineage, which branched off from WSSV-TW and WSSV-CN early on, and that WSSV entered Vietnam by multiple introductions. A model is presented for the spread of WSSV from either side of the Taiwan Strait into Vietnam based on the gradually increasing deletions of both 'variable regions'. The number and order of repeat units within ORF75 and ORF125 appeared to be suitable markers to study regional spread of WSSV

IQ-TREE 2: New Models and Efficient Methods for Phylogenetic Inference in the Genomic Era

IQ-TREE (http://www.iqtree.org, last accessed February 6, 2020) is a user-friendly and widely used software package for phylogenetic inference using maximum likelihood. Since the release of version 1 in 2014, we have continuously expanded IQ-TREE to integrate a plethora of new models of sequence evolution and efficient computational approaches of phylogenetic inference to deal with genomic data. Here, we describe notable features of IQ-TREE version 2 and highlight the key advantages over other software.This work was supported by the Austrian Science Fund (Grant No. I-2805-B29) to A.v.H. and by the Australian National University Futures Scheme grant to R.L

The Study of Isomeric Ratios in Photonuclear Reactions Forming High Spin Isomers in the Giant Dipole Resonance Region

We studied the isomeric ratios  in  odd-odd nuclei $^{196}$Au,$^{182}$Ta  and $^{194}$Ir  with    high spin isomeric states  produced  in $^{197}$Au$(\gamma,  n)$ $^{196m,g}$Au, $^{183}$W$(\gamma,  p)$ $^{182m,g}$Ta  and $^{185}$Pt$(\gamma,  p)$$^{194m,g}$Ir  reactions  by  using  the activation  technique  and  $\gamma$-ray  spectroscopic  method  in  the  giant    dipole  resonance  (GDR)  region.  The high-purity natural Au, W and Pt  foils in disc shape were irradiated with bremsstrahlungs  generated from an  electron  accelerator  Microtron.  The  irradiated  foils  were  measured  by  the  high  resolution  $\gamma$-ray spectroscopic system which consists of a Ge(HP) detector and a multichannel analyzer. In order to improve the  accuracy  of  the  experimental  results,  necessary  corrections  were  made  in  the  $\gamma$-ray  activity measurements and data analysis.  The results were  analyzed,  discussed and compared with those of other authors  as well as with theoretical model calculations.  The study shows that the isomeric ratios in  nuclei with high spin isomeric states are much lower than that in low spin isomeric state isomers

Reproductive tract infections in women seeking abortion in Vietnam

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Women requesting abortion are at increased risk of developing RTI complications. However, RTI control in many resource-poor countries including Vietnam have been faced with logistical and methodological problems due to lack of standardized definitions of RTIs, lack of well-validated diagnostic criteria, lack of accurate laboratory tests, and lack of diagnostic equipment and skills. This article investigates the prevalence of RTIs among Vietnamese abortion-seeking women, to evaluate the available diagnostic techniques, and to assess antibiotic resistance among aetiological agents of RTI.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The study was conducted in Phu-San hospital (PSH) from December 2003 through April 2004 among 748 abortion clients. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-economic and reproductive characteristics. Specimens were collected for laboratory analyses of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, vaginal candidiasis (VC), bacterial vaginosis (BV) and syphilis. To assess the validity of the obtained results, the study was repeated among 100 women and the duplicate samples were analysed at PSH and Copenhagen University Hospital (CUH).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all 54% of the women were diagnosed as having an RTI, including 3.3% with sexually transmitted infections. Endogenous infections were most prevalent (VC 34% and BV 12%) followed by chlamydia (1.3%) and trichomoniasis (0.7%). The sensitivity of culture for VC and BV was 30% and 88%, respectively, when tests in PSH were measured against tests in CUH. Antibiotic resistance was common among bacterial isolates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>RTIs are common among women seeking abortion. The presence of RTIs is associated with an increased risk of developing iatrogenic infections, routine administration of prophylactic antibiotic to all women undergoing abortion should be considered. However, the choice of routine prophylactic antibiotics should be based on relevant surveillance data of antibiotic resistance. Moreover, since the accuracy of diagnosis is doubtful and to address the problem of under-diagnosed and treated RTIs new investment in diagnostic facilities with simple performed microscopy or improved rapid tests should also be taken into consideration.</p

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ КООРДИНАЦИИ ПРОЦЕССОВ СЪЕМКИ ПОВЕРХНОСТИ ЗЕМЛИ КОСМИЧЕСКИМИ АППАРАТАМИ VNREDSat-1 (ВЬЕТНАМ) И БКА (БЕЛАРУСЬ)

Leading companies in the field of obtaining data from Earth remote sensing from space are building Satellite constellations to increase the frequency (multiplicity) and monitor various parts of the Earth’s surface. The Satellite constellation remote sensing equipment from Airbus (France) allows daily observation of any point on the Earth’s surface with high spatial resolution, and the grouping of DigitalGlobe (USA) – with ultra-high spatial resolution. The analysis of the mutual exploitation of the national space systems of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Belarus has been carried out. There have been analyzed the joint capabilities of VNREDSat-1 (Vietnam) and BKA (Belarus) Earth Observation Systems for the monitoring of natural resources, the environment and natural disasters by comparison of their space and temporal characteristics (orbit parameters and re-visit time) as well as spectral-energetic characteristics (space, spectral and radiometric resolutions). The accepted correlation of technical parameters for solving the previously mentioned tasks having into account the different phases of the mentioned satellites has been determined. The conclusions have been reinforced by the results of live experiments with archival and instant data from both EO satellites. Ведущие компании в области получения данных дистанционного зондирования Земли из космоса строят группировки космических аппаратов для увеличения периодичности (кратности) и ведения мониторинга различных участков земной поверхности. Группировка космических аппаратов дистанционного зондирования компании Airbus (Франция) позволяет ежедневно наблюдать любую точку поверхности Земли с высоким пространственным разрешением, а группировка компании DigitalGlobe (США) – со сверхвысоким пространственным разрешением. Наряду с этим запускается большое количество аппаратов дистанционного зондирования Земли в рамках национальных космических программ стран. Группировки космических аппаратов в таких странах незначительные. Проведен анализ перспектив совместного использования национальных космических систем Социалистической Республики Вьетнам и Республики Беларусь. Путем сопоставления пространственно-временных (орбитальные характеристики, цикличность орбит) и спектрально-энергетических (пространственное, спектральное и радиометрическое разрешение) характеристик функционирующих в настоящее время космических аппаратов дистанционного зондирования Земли VNREDSat-1 (Вьетнам) и БКА (Беларусь) проанализированы возможности их совместного использования для мониторинга природных ресурсов, окружающей среды и стихийных бедствий. Выявлена приемлемая для решения перечисленных задач степень корреляции технических параметров с учетом различных фаз данных космических аппаратов. Выводы подкреплены результатами натурных экспериментов с использованием архивных и оперативных данных дистанционного зондирования Земли, получаемых национальными космическими аппаратами