Joint microwave and infrared studies for soil moisture determination

The feasibility of using a combined microwave-thermal infrared system to determine soil moisture content is addressed. Of particular concern are bare soils. The theoretical basis for microwave emission from soils and the transport of heat and moisture in soils is presented. Also, a description is given of the results of two field experiments held during vernal months in the San Joaquin Valley of California

Meta-analysis of a large industrial latex diagnosis database provides insight on Hevea brasiliensis clonal adaptation and site-specific yield potential in Western Africa

A meta-analysis of the Latex Diagnosis (LD) database gathering all LD data stored from 2006 to 2018 in SIFCA/SIPH plantations of Côte d'Ivoire (SAPH), Ghana (GREL) and Nigeria (RENL) has been performed. Average clonal LD data comprising Sucrose (Suc), Inorganic Phosphorus (Pi), Reduced Thiols (RSH) and latex Total Solid Content (TSC) were analyzed and compared for different plantation sites of SAPH (Toupah, Ousrou, Bongo, Rapides Grah, Digahio, Divo and Bettie), GREL (Abura) and RENL (Osse River, New Land, Utagba Uno, Araromi, Waterside and Iguobazuwa). The database was filtered in order to keep only the LD data obtained either from conventional and standard tapping systems (S/2 downward and S/4 upward), excluding the intensified period before slaughtering. Data were processed and analyzed on clones GT1, RRIM600, PR107, AV2037, RRIC100, AF261, PB5/51, PB217, PB235, PB260, PB312, PB314, IRCA18, IRCA41, IRCA109, IRCA111, IRCA130, IRCA209 and IRCA230. All clones were tapped either in d4 or d5 6d/7 tapping frequencies. Stimulation was applied on panel (Pa), under industrial stimulation rates adapted to each clone metabolism and clonal sugar loading characteristics. Based on the relation between Suc and Pi, the analysis of these LD data confirms the latex physiological positioning in clonal typology of all clones. It confirms in particular the high latex sugar loading capacity of clones PB217 (as this clone obtains the highest latex Suc level whatever the plantation site), IRCA109, IRCA41 and IRCA230. It also reveals a systematic positive correlation for all sites between RSH and Suc latex contents: Clones with high latex Suc maintain higher RSH latex concentrations than clones with lower Suc, confirming at industrial scale earlier research results. The physiological hypothesis is that a high clonal latex sugar loading, allowing higher stimulation rates and improved stimulation response, would as well maintain higher latex RSH levels resulting in an improved resistance to oxidative stress resulting from latex metabolic activation. This improved scavenging protection would therefore have positive effects on membranes integrity, on latex stability, on latex flow and on tapping panel dryness (TPD) onset. Moreover, as tapping intensity (tapping frequency and stimulation) was almost similar in all sites, we also make the hypothesis that the latex RSH level and the Pi x RSH value might be accurate indicators to describe, at plantation site level, the local clonal suitability as well as the global stress conditions of trees on each plantation site. This study will be completed later on in order to set up a standard interpretation method of such LD databases

Utilization of Ancillary Data Sets for SMAP Algorithm Development and Product Generation

Algorithms being developed for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission require a variety of both static and ancillary data. The selection of the most appropriate source for each ancillary data parameter is driven by a number of considerations, including accuracy, latency, availability, and consistency across all SMAP products and with SMOS (Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity). It is anticipated that initial selection of all ancillary datasets, which are needed for ongoing algorithm development activities on the SMAP algorithm testbed at JPL, will be completed within the year. These datasets will be updated as new or improved sources become available, and all selections and changes will be documented for the benefit of the user community. Wise choices in ancillary data will help to enable SMAP to provide new global measurements of soil moisture and freeze/thaw state at the targeted accuracy necessary to tackle hydrologically-relevant societal issues

Development of SMAP Mission Cal/Val Activities

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission is a NASA directed mission to map global land surface soil moisture and freeze-thaw state. Instrument and mission details are shown. The key SMAP soil moisture product is provided at 10 km resolution with 0.04cubic cm/cubic cm accuracy. The freeze/thaw product is provided at 3 km resolution and 80% frozen-thawed classification accuracy. The full list of SMAP data products is shown

The Role of Emotional Relational Behaviors on Interpersonal Consumer Service Loyalty

This study seeks to examine factors that enhance the development of interpersonal service relationships between consumers and service employees. It focuses on interpersonal service relationships that are extended in duration, affective or emotionally charged, and intimate in distance (EAI), or those which appear to be boundary open (Price and Arnould 1999 Price et al. 1995a, 1995b). It thus emphasizes relationships that are similar to personal acquaintances and friendships, rather than ones that are non-affective, and consist of little or no emotional content, such as professional relationships and casual acquaintances (Johnson and Selnes 2004 Coulter and Ligas 2004). Based on a review of the literature, five factors, namely, mutual understanding, personalization, authenticity, problem-solving behavior, and specialized treatment, are combined to form a parsimonious group of relational behaviors (RBs) that are expected to promote friendship-like relationships. A conceptual model is portrayed that shows interrelationships between the relational behaviors and relationship outcomes, including service quality, satisfaction, emotional trust, and loyalty (Sirdeshmukh et al. 2002). In order to collect data, this study utilizes a self-report survey and cross-sectional design, within the context of hair care service. Additionally, web-based survey and sampling are utilized. The sample consists of individuals who are members of a professional business organization, whose occupation requires a professional appearance. Thus, they are expected to patronize hair care services. The final study consists of 191 usable surveys primarily from African-American females (65.4 African-American, 80.6 female), who have unique hair care needs. The sample is thus homogeneous with respect to various salon behaviors and demographics. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and AMOS software, scales are assessed for unidimensionality, reliability, and validity. Results show, however, that this measurement model is not theoretically supp

The Role of Emotional Relational Behaviors on Interpersonal Consumer Service Loyalty

This study seeks to examine factors that enhance the development of interpersonal service relationships between consumers and service employees. It focuses on interpersonal service relationships that are extended in duration, affective or emotionally charged, and intimate in distance (EAI), or those which appear to be boundary open (Price and Arnould 1999 Price et al. 1995a, 1995b). It thus emphasizes relationships that are similar to personal acquaintances and friendships, rather than ones that are non-affective, and consist of little or no emotional content, such as professional relationships and casual acquaintances (Johnson and Selnes 2004 Coulter and Ligas 2004). Based on a review of the literature, five factors, namely, mutual understanding, personalization, authenticity, problem-solving behavior, and specialized treatment, are combined to form a parsimonious group of relational behaviors (RBs) that are expected to promote friendship-like relationships. A conceptual model is portrayed that shows interrelationships between the relational behaviors and relationship outcomes, including service quality, satisfaction, emotional trust, and loyalty (Sirdeshmukh et al. 2002). In order to collect data, this study utilizes a self-report survey and cross-sectional design, within the context of hair care service. Additionally, web-based survey and sampling are utilized. The sample consists of individuals who are members of a professional business organization, whose occupation requires a professional appearance. Thus, they are expected to patronize hair care services. The final study consists of 191 usable surveys primarily from African-American females (65.4 African-American, 80.6 female), who have unique hair care needs. The sample is thus homogeneous with respect to various salon behaviors and demographics. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and AMOS software, scales are assessed for unidimensionality, reliability, and validity. Results show, however, that this measurement model is not theoretically supp

Soil moisture active and passive microwave products: intercomparison and evaluation over a Sahelian site

This paper presents a comparison and an evaluation of five soil moisture products based on satellite-based passive and active microwave measurements. Products are evaluated for 2005–2006 against ground measurements obtained from the soil moisture network deployed in Mali (Sahel) in the framework of the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis project. It is shown that the accuracy of the soil moisture products is sensitive to the retrieval approach as well as to the sensor type (active or passive) and to the signal frequency (from 5.6 GHz to 18.8 GHz). The spatial patterns of surface soil moisture are compared between the different products at meso-scale (14.5° N–17.5° N and 2° W–1° W). A general good consistency between the different satellite soil moisture products is shown in terms of meso-scale spatial distribution, in particular after convective rainfall occurrences. Comparison to ground measurement shows that although soil moisture products obtained from satellite generally over-estimate soil moisture values during the dry season, most of them capture soil moisture temporal variations in good agreement with ground station measurements

Assessment of remediation Potentials of maize (Zea mays) on sites co-contaminated with Pb and antracene

Phytoremediation is a promising technology for the remediation of sites co-contaminated with inorganic and organic pollutants. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the remediation potential of Z.mays in soil co- contaminated with Pb and antracene. Pristine sandy loam soils were polluted with Pb chloride salt and antracene at three different levels (50mg/kg of Pb, 100mg/kg of Pb, and 100mg/kg of Pb+100mg/kg of antracene) and laid out in completely randomized design with 3 replicates. Shoot dry matter weight was significantly reduced (p≤0.05) when compared with control treatments by 40% when exposed to100mg kg-1 of Pb. There was a 48% inhibition of shoot dry matter of Z.mays relative to control treatments when 100 mg Pb kg-1 was mixed with 100 mgkg-1 antracene. Root and shoot metal concentration in Zea mays increased with increasing concentration of Pb. The average Translocation Factor (TF < 1 (0.69) obtained suggests that Zea mays predominantly retains Pb in the root portion of the plant. There was a 5% increase in shoot Pb concentration when soil was contaminated with Pb and antracene. The extractable antracene decreased significantly (p≤0.05) in soil planted with Z.mays as well as in pots without maize plant. This accounted for 65 and 72% of antracene dissipation in planted soil and 40-46% dissipation in unplanted soil. This result suggested that Zeamays is a promising candidate for uptake Pb and dissipation of antracene in co-contaminated soils

Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Calibration and Validation Plan and Current Activities

The primary objective of the SMAP calibration and validation (Cal/Val) program is demonstrating that the science requirements (product accuracy and bias) have been met over the mission life. This begins during pre-launch with activities that contribute to high quality products and establishing post-launch validation infrastructure and continues through the mission life. However, the major focus is on a relatively short Cal/Val period following launch. The general approach and elements of the SMAP Cal/Val plan will be described and along with details on several ongoing or recent field experiments designed to address both near- and long-term Cal/Val