The use of remote sensing for reliable estimation of net radiation and its components: a case-study for contrasting land covers in an agricultural hotspot of the Brazilian semiarid region

This study aims to ascertain the uncertainties related to the spatiotemporal estimation of net radiation, and its components, using remote sensing data. Geographical focus is an irrigated agricultural hotspot of the Brazilian semiarid region, for which we also investigate the impact that contrasting land-cover types have on the upwelling radiation balance components, and hence on net radiation. Instantaneous (Rn) and daily (Rn,24) values of net radiation were estimated based on OLI/TIRS-Landsat-8 images and key weather variables. In addition, we evaluated two models for downwelling shortwave (Rsw), ten models for downwelling longwave radiation (Rlw), and two models for derivation of Rn,24. The accuracy of each model was evaluated with radiation measurements obtained from research quality sensors installed in micrometeorological towers. The best performances were found for the Allen model, Duarte model, and De Bruin model for Rsw, Rlw, and Rn,24, respectively. The contrasting land-use types exhibited substantial differences in the biophysical variables and radiative properties that affect Rn. The albedo for the irrigated crops has average absolute values that are 0.01–0.03 larger than those found for the pristine caatinga, whereas the land surface temperature, LST, is 3–5 degrees smaller. However, Rn for these two distinctly different surface types was similar, as a result of a considerably lower surface emissivity in the caatinga. For rangeland, the albedo, LST, and hence the upwelling radiation had greater values than those found for the caatinga, which caused reduced values of Rn. The urban areas exhibited the lowest values of Rn, mainly as a consequence of their high albedo values. We show that when in-situ net radiation data are not available, remote sensing data combined with more readily available in-situ weather data can be used to derive spatiotemporal estimates of Rn. This facilitates the identification of anthropogenic impacts on the radiation at the land-surface and ultimately the energy balance, including the short-term seasonal and long-term effects

WATER DEMAND AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN ‘PALMER’ MANGO CULTIVATION IN THE LOW-MIDDLE SÃO FRANCISCO VALLEY

ABSTRACT The study aimed to determine the evapotranspiration (ETc) of the mango cv. ‘Palmer’ over two productive cycles, analyzing water-use efficiency (WUE) and crop water productivity (CWP) to propose average crop coefficient (Kc) values for improving irrigation management under cultivation conditions in the Low-Middle São Francisco Valley. The study was conducted from July 2019 to May 2021 in a commercial ‘Palmer’ mango orchard in Petrolina, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Micrometeorological data was collected throughout the experimental period. The crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was determined using Bowen ratio energy balance (BREB), and then the Kc, WUE, and CWP were determined. The highest ETc values occurred during the floral induction phase (5.14 ± 0.85 mm day-1), with a Kc of 0.85; however, the lowest values were observed during the fruit maturation phase (3.60 ± 0.73 mm day-1), with a Kc of 0.91. Average water consumption per cycle was 1445 mm, with a daily average of 4.39 mm day-1. WUE and CWP were 16.9 and 24.5 kg ha-1 mm-1, respectively. Average Kc values of 0.81, 0.76, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, and 0.91 are recommended for the vegetative growth, rest period and shoot maturation, floral induction, flowering, fruit development, and fruit maturation phases, respectively

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Controlling factors of ‘Caatinga’ and sugarcane evapotranspiration in the Sub-middle São Francisco Valley

ABSTRACT In the Sub-middle São Francisco Valley, the main controlling factors of ‘Caatinga’ and irrigated sugarcane ETr were investigated in this study. Between 2015 and 2016, environmental variables were measured by sensors coupled to two micrometeorological towers, one in the preserved ‘Caatinga’ and the other in an irrigated sugarcane crop. Soil moisture and vegetation cover index were also evaluated and biometric data were obtained only in the sugarcane. Actual evapotranspiration was determined based on the latent heat flux, by the energy balance method. Therefore, the ratio between actual and reference evapotranspiration was calculated. Response variables were formed by the actual evapotranspiration and by its ratio with the reference evapotranspiration. Explanatory variables included growth and environmental data. Multicollinearity, canonical and track analyses were applied. It was verified that only the environmental variables exhibited correlation with the actual evapotranspiration and its ratio with the reference evapotranspiration. In the ‘Caatinga’, soil moisture directly and indirectly influenced ETr, as the global solar radiation altered the response of actual evapotranspiration to the atmospheric demand. In sugarcane, ETr was directly and indirectly controlled by the intercepted photosynthetically active radiation and soil temperature, and the latter one also affected the ratio between actual and reference evapotranspiration

Variação do balanço de radiação e de energia da cana-de-açúcar irrigada no semiárido brasileiro Variation of the radiation and energy balance of the irrigated sugarcane in the semiarid Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar as variações nas magnitudes e nas partições dos componentes do balanço de radiação e de energia, obtidos durante o período de crescimento da cana-de-açúcar irrigada (variedade RB92579). O experimento foi conduzido em Juazeiro, BA, localizado na região do Semiárido brasileiro. Os fluxos de calor sensível (H) e calor latente (LE) no ar foram estimados por meio do balanço de energia, com base na razão de Bowen (BERB). Concomitantemente, o crescimento da cultura também foi monitorado. Em análise preliminar deste método, constatou-se que 62,7% dos dados coletados apresentaram consistência física para serem utilizados nas estimativas dos componentes H e LE. Observou-se que o valor médio da relação Rn/Rg foi igual a 59±5%, com os menores valores ocorrendo no início e final do ciclo de cultivo da cana-de-açúcar, enquanto a magnitude dos valores do balanço de radiação de ondas longas (BOL) foi intensificada quando o índice de área foliar (IAF) era reduzido. Além disso, verificou-se também que o valor médio do albedo foi de 23±3% e que 81% da energia disponível foram destinados ao fluxo de calor latente, enquanto os valores do fluxo de calor sensível no ar (H) e no solo (G) representaram 16 e 3%, respectivamente.<br>The objective of this work was to analyze the variations in the magnitudes and partition of the radiation and energy balance components, obtained during the growth period of the irrigated sugarcane (variety RB92579). The experiment was carried out in Juazeiro-BA, located in the Brazilian semiarid region. The sensible (H) and the latent (LE) heat fluxes in the air were estimated by means of the Bowen ratio energy balance (BREB). The crop growth was also monitored. In a preliminary analysis of this method, it was verified that 62.7% of the collected data presented physical consistence to be used for estimating the H and LE components. It was observed that the mean value of the Rn/Rg ratio was equal to 59±5%, with smaller values occurring at the beginning and at the end of sugarcane crop cycle, while the magnitude of long wave radiation balance (BOL) was intensified when the leaf area index (LAI) was reduced. Also, it was noticed that the mean value of the albedo was 23±3% and that 81% of the available energy was destined to the latent heat flux, while the sensible heat in the air (H) and in the soil (G) represented 16 and 3%, respectively

Fator de desacoplamento em um canavial irrigado no submédio do Vale do São Francisco

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, analisar a interação da cana-de-açúcar irrigada com a atmosfera circunvizinha, por meio do fator de desacoplamento (&#937;), para cinco períodos distintos de crescimento e entre eventos de irrigação. O estudo foi conduzido na região do Submédio do Vale do São Francisco. Os dados utilizados para a estimativa de &#937; foram obtidos de sensores acomodados em uma torre micrometeorológica, instalada numa área experimental de cana-de-açúcar, no ciclo de cana-soca. Observou-se que no início do ciclo da cultura (70 a 95 dias após o corte, DAC), o valor médio de &#937; foi 0,74 em decorrência de baixos valores da altura das plantas e do índice de área foliar, devido aos altos valores de velocidade do vento, que reduziram a interação entre a cana-de-açúcar e o ar circunvizinho. Contudo, valor similar foi verificado no período de 309 a 338 DAC, que ocorreu em parte da estação chuvosa, em virtude da evaporação da água depositada sobre o dossel vegetativo. Tanto o tombamento da cana-de-açúcar, ocorrido no período de 218 e 248 DAC, quanto à suspensão da irrigação, ao final do ciclo (339 a 378 DAC) promoveram redução nos valores médios de &#937; (0,61 e 0,69, respectivamente)