Applications using estimates of forest parameters derived from satellite and forest inventory data

From the combination of optical satellite data, digital map data, and forest inventory plot data, continuous estimates have been made for several forest parameters (wood volume, age and biomass). Five different project areas within Sweden are presented which have utilized these estimates for a range of applications. The method for estimating the forest parameters was a ”k-Nearest Neighbor” algorithm, which used a weighted mean value of k spectrally similar reference plots. Reference data were obtained from the Swedish National Forest Inventory. The output was continuous estimates at the pixel level for each of the variables estimated. Validation results show that accuracy of the estimates for all parameters was low at the pixel level (e.g., for total wood volume RMSE ranged from 58-80%), with a tendency toward the mean, and an underestimation of higher values while overestimating lower values. However, when the accuracy of the estimates is assessed over larger areas, the errors are lower, with best results being 10% RMSE over a 100 ha aggregation, and 17% RMSE over a 19 ha aggregation. Applications presented in this paper include moose and bird habitat studies, county level planning activities, use as input information to prognostic programs, and computation of statistics on timber volume within drainage basins and smaller land holdings. This paper provides a background on the kNN method and gives examples of how end users are currently applying satellite-produced estimation data such as these

Finding Meaning in Difference: Girls\u27 Education Initiatives in Kenya from the UN and NGOs

Within international affairs academia, an understanding exists; when girls are educated, their families, their communities, their nations, and the world at large benefits. However, the academic work analyzing girls\u27 education initiatives in developing nations has a partial view of the situation, focusing solely on those initiatives which combat logistical barriers. In previous research, it was found that a divide exists between the initiatives taken by NGOs and the United Nations working in Africa in which the former focuses on normative barriers to education while the later focuses on logistical barriers. What has yet to be discussed is the reason for this divide. Therefore, this paper will explore the constraints or limitations which cause western academics and the United Nations to focus solely on logistical initiatives while NGOs combat normative barriers to education within Kenya

Tree Species Classification with Multi-Temporal Sentinel-2 Data

The Sentinel-2 program provides the opportunity to monitor terrestrial ecosystems with a high temporal and spectral resolution. In this study, a multi-temporal Sentinel-2 data set was used to classify common tree species over a mature forest in central Sweden. The tree species to be classified were Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus silvestris), Hybrid larch (Larix x marschlinsii), Birch (Betula sp.) and Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur). Four Sentinel-2 images from spring (7 April and 27 May), summer (9 July) and fall (19 October) of 2017 were used along with the Random Forest (RF) classifier. A variable selection approach was implemented to find fewer and uncorrelated bands resulting in the best model for tree species identification. The final model resulting in the highest overall accuracy (88.2%) came from using all bands from the four image dates. The single image that gave the most accurate classification result (80.5%) was the late spring image (27 May); the 27 May image was always included in subsequent image combinations that gave the highest overall accuracy. The five tree species were classified with a user's accuracy ranging from 70.9% to 95.6%. Thirteen of the 40 bands were selected in a variable selection procedure and resulted in a model with only slightly lower accuracy (86.3%) than that using all bands. Among the highest ranked bands were the red edge bands 2 and 3 as well as the narrow NIR (near-infrared) band 8a, all from the 27 May image, and SWIR (short-wave infrared) bands from all four image dates. This study shows that the red-edge bands and SWIR bands from Sentinel-2 are of importance, and confirms that spring and/or fall images capturing phenological differences between the species are most useful to tree species classification

A Study of Adult Guardianship in Ohio: Preliminary Results

This research brief is a description of findings from interviews with key informants from the first phase of a study entitled: “Adult Guardianship in Ohio: Promising Practices.” These findings led to the development of a survey about adult guardianship practices in Ohio's probate courts. The report highlights the challenges courts face and strategies they use to effectively manage those challenges. Finally, we highlight some promising practices that the courts have put in place to meet the challenges of managing adult guardianship

Tree species classification using Sentinel-2 imagery and Bayesian inference

The increased temporal frequency of optical satellite data acquisitions provides a data stream that has the potential to improve land cover mapping, including mapping of tree species. However, for large area operational mapping, partial cloud cover and different image extents can pose challenges. Therefore, methods are needed to assimilate new images in a straightforward way without requiring a total spatial coverage for each new image. This study shows that Bayesian inference applied sequentially has the potential to solve this problem. To test Bayesian inference for tree species classification in the boreo-nemoral zone of southern Sweden, field data from the study area of Remningstorp (58?27?18.35?N, 13?39?8.03?E) were used. By updating class likelihood with an increasing number of combined Sentinel-2 images, a higher and more stable cross-validated overall accuracy was achieved. Based on a Mahalanobis distance, 23 images were automatically chosen from the period of 2016 to 2018 (from 142 images total). An overall accuracy of 87% (a Cohen?s kappa of 78.5%) was obtained for four tree species classes: Betula spp., Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, and Quercus robur. This application of Bayesian inference in a boreo-nemoral forest suggests that it is a practical way to provide a high and stable classification accuracy. The method could be applied where data are not always complete for all areas. Furthermore, the method requires less reference data than if all images were used for classification simultaneously

The reproductive success of bovine sperm after sex‑sorting: a meta‑analysis

In the three decades since its inception, the sex-sorting technology has progressed significantly. However, field studies report conflicting findings regarding reproductive outcomes. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis of all trials published between 1999 and 2021. Non-return rates after 24 or 60 d (NRR 24/60), pregnancy, calving, abortion, and stillbirth rates were compared after AI with sex-sorted vs non-sorted sperm. Additionally, the impact of recent developments in the sex-sorting technology was assessed. Of 860 studies found, 45 studies (72 trials) provided extractable data and were included. Overall, the results of this meta-analysis provided evidence that the NRR 24/60 was diminished by 13%, pregnancy rates were reduced by 23% (25% cows, 21% heifers) and calving rates were reduced by 24% when using sex-sorted sperm. Enhancing the dosage to 4 million sex-sorted sperm/straw (including recent improvements, high vs low dose) as well as using fresh sex-sorted sperm (sorted vs non-sorted) increased pregnancy rate ratios by 7 percentage points. The refinement of the sex-sorting technology after 2015 resulted in a lowered reduction of pregnancy and calving rate of 19% and 23%, respectively. Whereas abortion rates were similar, the stillbirth of male calves was increased by 6.3%

Bovine sperm-oviduct interactions are characterized by specific sperm behaviour, ultrastructure and tubal reactions which are impacted by sex sorting

To date sperm-oviduct interactions have largely been investigated under in vitro conditions. Therefore we set out to characterize the behaviour of bovine spermatozoa within the sperm reservoir under near in vivo conditions and in real-time using a novel live cell imaging technology and a newly established fluorescent sperm binding assay. Sperm structure and tubal reactions after sperm binding were analysed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and histochemistry. As a model to specify the impact of stress on sperm-oviduct interactions, frozen-thawed conventional and sex-sorted spermatozoa from the same bulls (n = 7) were co-incubated with oviducts obtained from cows immediately after slaughter. Our studies revealed that within the oviductal sperm reservoir agile (bound at a tangential angle of about 30°, actively beating undulating tail), lagging (bound at a lower angle, reduced tail movement), immotile (absence of tail movement) and hyperactivated (whip-like movement of tail) spermatozoa occur, the prevalence of which changes in a time-dependent pattern. After formation of the sperm reservoir, tubal ciliary beat frequency is significantly increased (p = 0.022) and the epithelial cells show increased activity of endoplasmic reticula. After sex sorting, spermatozoa occasionally display abnormal movement patterns characterized by a 360° rotating head and tail. Sperm binding in the oviduct is significantly reduced (p = 0.008) following sexing. Sex-sorted spermatozoa reveal deformations in the head, sharp bends in the tail and a significantly increased prevalence of damaged mitochondria (p < 0.001). Our results imply that the oviductal cells specifically react to the binding of spermatozoa, maintaining sperm survival within the tubal reservoir. The sex-sorting process, which is associated with mechanical, chemical and time stress, impacts sperm binding to the oviduct and mitochondrial integrity affecting sperm motility and function

Using structural equation modelling to untangle sanitation, water and hygiene pathways for intervention improvements in height-for-age in children &amp;lt;5 years old

AbstractBackgroundDespite a strong theoretical rationale for combining water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) interventions to improve child health, study findings are heterogeneous with little understanding of the mechanisms for these effects. Our study objective was to demonstrate the utility of structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess intervention effects on height-for-age z score (HAZ) through the complex system of WaSH pathways.MethodsWe used data from a matched cohort effectiveness evaluation of a combined on-premise piped water and improved sanitation intervention in rural Odisha, India. Height/length was measured in children 0�59?months old (n?=?1826) from 90 matched villages in February�June 2016. WaSH behaviours and infrastructure were assessed through household surveys and observation, respectively. We used SEM to calculate the standardized path coefficients and the total contributions of WaSH pathways to HAZ.ResultsIntervention improvements on HAZ were through the sanitation pathway (coverage ? use ?: 0.722; use ? HAZ ?: 0.116), with piped water coverage indirectly affecting HAZ through improved sanitation use (?: 0.148). Although the intervention had a positive association with handwashing station coverage, there was no evidence of a total hygiene pathway effect on HAZ or further direct effects through the water pathways.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the utility of SEM to assess the mechanisms through which combined WaSH interventions impact HAZ as a system of pathways, providing a more nuanced assessment than estimation of the total intervention effect. Our finding, that water impacts HAZ through the sanitation pathway, is an important and actionable insight for WaSH programming.</jats:sec

Child Defecation and Feces Disposal Practices and Determinants among Households after a Combined Household-Level Piped Water and Sanitation Intervention in Rural Odisha, India.

Latrine access alone may be insufficient to encourage households to dispose of young children's feces safely in a latrine, and little is known about the determinants of improved child feces disposal. We used longitudinal data collected at up to three timepoints for children less than 5 years of age from households in Odisha, India, which received a combined household-level piped water supply and sanitation intervention, but did not specifically promote the safe disposal of child feces. Among the 85% of intervention households who reported access to improved sanitation, we characterized child defecation and feces disposal practices by age, across time, and season, and assessed determinants of improved disposal. Feces from children less than 3 years of age was commonly picked up by caregivers but disposed of unsafely with garbage into open areas (56.3% of households) or in a drain/ditch (6.2%). Although children 3 and 4 years were more likely to use a latrine than younger children, their feces was also more likely to be left in the open if they did not defecate in a latrine. For children less than 5 years of age, most (84.7%) children's feces that was safely disposed of in a latrine was because of the children defecating in the latrine directly. Significant predictors for disposing of child feces in an improved latrine were the primary female caregiver reporting using a latrine to defecate, the child's age, and water observed at place for handwashing. These findings suggest that child feces interventions should focus on encouraging children to begin using a toilet at a younger age and changing the common behavior of disposing of young child's feces into open areas

Wind stilling-reversal across Sweden: the impact of land-use and large-scale atmospheric circulation changes

This study analyses for the first time the break in the stilling detected by previous research around 2010, with focus in Sweden using homogenized near-surface mean and gust wind speed observations for 1997–2019. During the recent past two decades, both mean and gust wind magnitude and frequency (exceeding the 90th percentile) underwent nonlinear changes, driven by the dominant winter variability. In particular, consistent with previous studies, the significant (p < .05) stilling ceased in 2003, followed by no clear trend afterwards. The detected stilling-reversal is linked to large-scale atmospheric circulation changes, in particular to the North Atlantic Oscillation for both mean and gust wind changes, and the intensity changes of extratropical cyclones passing across Sweden especially for wind gusts. Furthermore, in different wind change phases, the observed wind distribution did not vary uniformly for the various wind speed ranges; instead, strong winds drove most of the changes. In the same way, increases in gust winds are greater compared to changes in mean wind speed conditions. The stilling-reversal is also identified by the ERA5 reanalysis, where large-scale atmospheric circulation changes are captured. But the background slowdown detected in most stations does not appear in the ERA5 data as the observed increase in forest cover is not considered in the reanalysis. This study reveals that, in addition to the large-scale interannual variability, changes in surface roughness (e.g., changes in forest cover) contribute to the observed wind variability across Sweden.Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea, Grant/Award Number: 20210427; Ramon y Cajal, Grant/Award Number: RYC2017-22830; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Grant/Award Number: RTI2018-095749-A-I00; Swedish Research Council, Grant/Award Number: 2017-0378