Advances in Multi-Sensor Data Fusion: Algorithms and Applications

With the development of satellite and remote sensing techniques, more and more image data from airborne/satellite sensors have become available. Multi-sensor image fusion seeks to combine information from different images to obtain more inferences than can be derived from a single sensor. In image-based application fields, image fusion has emerged as a promising research area since the end of the last century. The paper presents an overview of recent advances in multi-sensor satellite image fusion. Firstly, the most popular existing fusion algorithms are introduced, with emphasis on their recent improvements. Advances in main applications fields in remote sensing, including object identification, classification, change detection and maneuvering targets tracking, are described. Both advantages and limitations of those applications are then discussed. Recommendations are addressed, including: (1) Improvements of fusion algorithms; (2) Development of “algorithm fusion” methods; (3) Establishment of an automatic quality assessment scheme

Potato Variety Trial as a Step of a Potato Breeding Program

A potato varietal trial, the equivalent of the final step in a potato breeding and testing program was conducted in 1972 at the Farmington Experimental Sub-station, Farmington, Utah. The test consisted of twelve named varieties and two numbered selections. This study measured the yielding capacity of new potato varieties and selections during one growing season at one location in Utah. Yields were compared with those of the older accepted varieties grown in the state and used as control or standard varieties in the varietal trial. This study provided valuable information for growers and processors in determining the suitability of these varieties for production in Utah. Data was obtained on total yield; yield and percentage of U.S. No.1 potatoes over and under 3 inches in diameter or 10 ounces in weight; U.S. No.2 and culls and small potatoes under 1 7/8 inches in diameter; the incidence of hollow heart and internal discoloration and chipping quality of certain varieties. LaRouge and Chieftain were significantly higher than Red Pontiac in yield of U.S. No.1 potatoes. LaChipper, Abnaki, ND 7196-18, Platte and Shurchip were significantly higher than Raritan, Norchip and Kennebec. The incidence of hollow heart in Abnaki, Raritan, LaChipper and ND 6925- 13 Russ was significantly higher than the other ten varieties in the test. The percentage of internal discoloration in selection ND 6925-13 Russ was signifi cantly higher than all other varieties tested. Norchip and selection ND 7196-18 produced light colored chips on both chipping dates

Eosinophils and Trichinella infection: toxic for the parasite and the host?

Peripheral blood and tissue eosinophilia characterize trichinellosis in humans, and present in addition to the increased total IgE levels that occur in many helminth infections. Both processes are the consequence of T-helper 2 activation. Blood and tissue eosinophilia begins with eosinophilopoiesis in the bone marrow, which is followed by the migration of eosinophils through the circulatory system, the eosinophil infiltration of tissues at the inflammatory foci and, finally, degranulation and cell death. Recently, some aspects of eosinophilia caused by Trichinella spiralis infection have been elucidated; however, the protective role of this population of cells against Trichinella parasites remains controversial. Furthermore, when eosinophils are numerous, they can be toxic for host tissues. This review discusses these issues in both human and rodent infection models

The murine CCR3 receptor regulates both the role of eosinophils and mast cells in allergen-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness

CCR3 is a chemokine receptor initially thought specific to eosinophils but subsequently identified on TH2 cell subsets, basophils, mast cells, neural tissue, and some epithelia. Because of the prominent role of these cells in allergic disease, including asthma, we generated mice deficient in CCR3 to determine its contribution in a model of allergic airway disease. Here we show that CCR3 is important for the basal trafficking of eosinophils to the intestinal mucosa but not the lung. In contrast, CCR3 disruption significantly curtails eosinophil recruitment to the lung after allergen challenge, with the majority of the eosinophils being arrested in the subendothelial space. Further, a role for CCR3 in mast cell homing has been identified; after sensitization and allergen challenge, we find increased numbers of intraepithelial mast cells in the trachea of knockout mice. Physiologically, we find that the net result of these complex cell fates after sensitization and allergen challenge is a paradoxical increase in airway responsiveness to cholinergic stimulation. These data underscore a more complex role for CCR3 in allergic disease than was anticipated