'Sugar from Space': Using Satellite Imagery to Predict Cane Yield and Variability

Satellite imagery has been demonstrated to be an effective technology for producing accurate pre-harvest estimates in many agricultural crops. For Australian sugarcane, yield forecasting models have been developed from a single date SPOT satellite image acquired around peak crop growth. However, a failure to acquire a SPOT image at this critical growth stage, from continued cloud cover or from competition for the satellite, can prevent an image being captured and therefore a forecast being made for that season. In order to reduce the reliance on a single image capture and to improve the accuracies of the forecasts themselves, time series yield prediction models have been developed for eight sugarcane growing regions using multiple years of free Landsat satellite images. In addition to the forecasting of average regional yield, an automated computational and programming procedure enabling the derivation of crop vigour variability (GNDVI) maps from the freely available Sentinel 2 satellite imagery was developed. These maps, produced for 15 sugarcane growing regions during the 2017 growing season, identify both variations in crop vigour across regions and within every individual crop. These outputs were made available to collaborating mills within each growing region. This paper presents the accuracies achieved from the time series yield forecasting models versus actual 2017 yields for the respective regions, as well as provides an example of the derived mapping outputs

Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a cost-effectiveness and value of implementation analysis

Background: Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. Aims: To determine the cost-effectiveness, value of future research, and value of implementation of mechanical thrombectomy. Methods: Using UK clinical and cost data from the Pragmatic Ischemic Stroke Thrombectomy Evaluation (PISTE) trial, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy over time horizons of 90-days and lifetime, based on a decision-analytic model, using all existing evidence. We performed a meta-analysis of seven clinical trials to estimate treatment effects. We used sensitivity analysis to address uncertainty. Value of implementation analysis was used to estimate the potential value of additional implementation activities to support routine delivery of mechanical thrombectomy. Results: Over the trial period (90 days), compared with best medical care alone, mechanical thrombectomy incurred an incremental cost of £5207 and 0.025 gain in QALY (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) £205,279), which would not be considered cost-effective. However, mechanical thrombectomy was shown to be cost-effective over a lifetime horizon, with an ICER of £3466 per QALY gained. The expected value of perfect information per patient eligible for mechanical thrombectomy in the UK is estimated at £3178. The expected value of full implementation of mechanical thrombectomy is estimated at £1.3 billion over five years. Conclusion: Mechanical thrombectomy was cost-effective compared with best medical care alone over a patient’s lifetime. On the assumption of 30% implementation being achieved throughout the UK healthcare system, we estimate that the population health benefits obtained from this treatment are greater than the cost of implementation. Trial registration: NCT01745692

Atmospheric carbon capture performance of legacy iron and steel waste

Legacy iron (Fe) and steel wastes have been identified as a significant source of silicate minerals, which can undergo carbonation reactions and thus sequester carbon dioxide (CO2). In reactor experiments, i.e., at elevated temperatures, pressures, or CO2 concentrations, these wastes have high silicate to carbonate conversion rates. However, what is less understood is whether a more “passive” approach to carbonation can work, i.e., whether a traditional slag emplacement method (heaped and then buried) promotes or hinders CO2 sequestration. In this paper, the results of characterization of material retrieved from a first of its kind drilling program on a historical blast furnace slag heap at Consett, U.K., are reported. The mineralogy of the slag material was near uniform, consisting mainly of melilite group minerals with only minor amounts of carbonate minerals detected. Further analysis established that total carbon levels were on average only 0.4% while average calcium (Ca) levels exceeded 30%. It was calculated that only ∼3% of the CO2 sequestration potential of the >30 Mt slag heap has been utilized. It is suggested that limited water and gas interaction and the mineralogy and particle size of the slag are the main factors that have hindered carbonation reactions in the slag heap

Blaming Bill Gates AGAIN! Misuse, overuse and misunderstanding of performance data in sport

Recently in Sport, Education and Society, Williams and Manley (2014) argued against the heavy reliance on technology in professional Rugby Union and elite sport in general. In summary, technology is presented as an elitist, ‘gold standard’ villain that management and coaches use to exert control and by which players lose autonomy, identity, motivation, social interactions and expertise. In this article we suggest that the sociological interpretations and implications offered by Williams and Manley may be somewhat limited when viewed in isolation. In doing so, we identify some core methodological issues in Williams and Manley’s study and critically consider important arguments for utilising technology; notably, to inform coach decision making and generate player empowerment. Secondly, we present a different, yet perhaps equally concerning, practice-oriented interpretation of the same results but from alternative coaching and expertise literature. Accordingly, we suggest that Williams and Manley have perhaps raised their alarm prematurely, inappropriately and on somewhat shaky foundations. We also hope to stimulate others to consider contrary positions, or at least to think about this topic in greater detail. More specifically, we encourage coaches and academics to think carefully about what technology is employed, how and why, and then the means by which these decisions are discussed with and, preferably, sold to players. Certainly, technology can significantly enhance coach decision making and practice, while also helping players to optimise their focus, empowerment and independence in knowing how to achieve their personal and collective goals

The microanatomy of Bowman’s layer in the cornea of the pig: changes in collagen fibril architecture at the corneoscleral limbus

In most animals, Bowman’s layer is a feature of the cornea of the eye, and lies between the sur-face epithelium and the stromal extracellular matrix that makes up the bulk of the cornea. It is com-prised of a condensation of disorganised collagen fibrils. However, it has been conjectured that not all species possess Bowman’s layer, and pigs are a species that has classically been stated to lack this anatomical structure, although there is disa-greement in the published literature. Here, we studied the porcine cornea using transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) to ascertain whether Bowman’s layer existed. TEM identified a thin band of disorganised collagen fi-brils between the epithelial basement membrane and corneal stroma. SEM images of the central and peripheral corneal surfaces, following removal of the corneal epithelium by cell maceration, re-vealed a disorganised meshwork of collagen fibrils, with a highly aligned annulus of collagen at the limbus. In between the peripheral cornea and lim-bus, a “transition zone” is observed where collagenfibrils start to align. Quantification of fibril alignment demonstrates a significant increase in collagen alignment from 0.08 ± 0.04 to 0.33 ± 0.07 (p < 0.001; n = 60; 0 = no alignment, 1 = full alignment) with increasing distance from the corneal centre. These data together lead us to conclude that the porcine cornea does include Bowman’s layer, though it is thin (contributing roughly 0.2% of cor-neal thickness), and thus, reaffirms the porcine cornea’s similarity to its human counterpart and usefulness as a model system

Extent of hypoattenuation on CT angiography source images in Basilar Artery occlusion: prognostic value in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Background and Purpose:&lt;/b&gt; The posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) quantifies the extent of early ischemic changes in the posterior circulation with a 10-point grading system. We hypothesized that pc-ASPECTS applied to CT angiography source images predicts functional outcome of patients in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study (BASICS).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Methods:&lt;/b&gt; BASICS was a prospective, observational registry of consecutive patients with acute symptomatic basilar artery occlusion. Functional outcome was assessed at 1 month. We applied pc-ASPECTS to CT angiography source images of patients with CT angiography for confirmation of basilar artery occlusion. We calculated unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (RRs) of pc-ASPECTS dichotomized at &#8805;8 versus &#60;8. Primary outcome measure was favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale scores 0–3). Secondary outcome measures were mortality and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale scores 0–2).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Of 158 patients included, 78 patients had a CT angiography source images pc-ASPECTS ≥8. Patients with a pc-ASPECTS ≥8 more often had a favorable outcome than patients with a pc-ASPECTS &#60;8 (crude RR, 1.7; 95% CI, 0.98–3.0). After adjustment for age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and thrombolysis, pc-ASPECTS &#8805;8 was not related to favorable outcome (RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8–2.2), but it was related to reduced mortality (RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–0.98) and functional independence (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–3.8). In post hoc analysis, pc-ASPECTS dichotomized at &#8805;6 versus &#60;6 predicted a favorable outcome (adjusted RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2–7.5).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; pc-ASPECTS on CT angiography source images independently predicted death and functional independence at 1 month in the CT angiography subgroup of patients in the BASICS registry.&lt;/p&gt

What is a fish? The life and legend of David L.G. Noakes

David Lloyd George Noakes (1942–2020) is best known for his insatiable curiosity, his quick wit and dry sense of humor, his scientific contributions to the field of animal behaviour, and his ability to form and maintain long-lasting connections. His research interests were vast but remained grounded in early life history, behaviour, social behaviour, the evolution of behaviour, behavioural genetics, and evolutionary ecology. David had a remarkable ability to establish and maintain strong connections within the international academic community. David was also internationally recognized for his numerous contributions as a scientific editor, promoting accessibility to the international community that he served. We memorialize David’s legacy in this tribute article, ensuring that his accomplishments and the momentous impact he had on the scientific community are not soon forgotten

Phase 1B, randomized, double-blind, dose-escalation trial of CPG 10101 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus

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