Exploring the Potential of Sentinel-2 Data for Tree Crown Mapping in Oak Agro-Forestry Systems

Costa, H., Machado, I., Moreira, F. D., Benevides, P., Moraes, D., & Caetano, M. (2021). Exploring the Potential of Sentinel-2 Data for Tree Crown Mapping in Oak Agro-Forestry Systems. In IGARSS 2021 - 2021 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium: Proceedings (pp. 5807-5810). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/IGARSS47720.2021.9553780 ----------- The work has been supported by projects IPSTERS (DSAIPA/AI/0100/2018), foRESTER (PCIF/SSI/0102/2017), and SCAPE FIRE (PCIF/MOS/0046/2017), and by Centro de Investigação em Gestão de Informação (MagIC), all funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). Value-added data processed by CNES for the Theia data centre www.theia-land.fr using Copernicus products. The Fig. 3: Tree crown map of Cork and Holm oaks with three levels of crown cover. Levels 100, 80 and 20 correspond to the classes of the same oak crown cover (e.g. level 100 are classes 1, 3 and 5 together in Table 1). Insets show contrasting examples of classification success with ortophotomaps of 2018 as background.Southern Portugal is characterized by disperse tree cover of Cork and Holm oaks in an agro-forestry system known as montado. Mapping these trees has been historically very difficult as they occur in isolation or in groups with different understory vegetation, including grass and shrubland. Automatic classification for binary tree/non-tree map production has been used elsewhere, but with limited success in the context of montado. Here, the potential of Sentinel-2 data was explored to map oaks using pure and mixed pixels to train a random forest. The output depicts a gradient of tree cover that can be transformed into a crisp map. The accuracy assessment of the latter shows commission and omission errors of 17% and 18%.authorsversionpublishe

Modeling the performance of broilers under heat stress

A meta-analysis was developed to model performance depression in heat stress (HS), to analyze the influence of HS type (cyclic or constant), and to assess the correlation between dietary electrolyte bal- ance (DEB) and HS in broilers. Two databases (Dat) with performance and temperature were constructed (initial phase − up to 21 d of age − 14 articles, 7,667 ani- mals, average replicate number treatment-ARN/T, 5 and growing phase − over 21 d of age − 74 articles and 25,145 broilers, ARN/T, 7). The criteria for article selec- tion were (1) experiments using at least 2 temperatures (thermoneutral and high temperature); (2) results of ADFI and ADG; (3) feed and water ad libitum during the experiment. Each treatment was classified as cyclic or constant HS and the HS group response was calcu- lated relative to the thermoneutral group. Performance was evaluated as raw data or as relativized information (indicated as “HS effect or 61⁄4”), expressed as a percentage of the difference between results. The models to predict “HS effect” showed that for the initial phase, only ADG was influenced by HS, while for the grower phase, pre- diction equations were created for ADFI and ADG. Con- sidering the simplest models, there was a reduction of 1.4% in ADFI and 2.1% in ADG for each unit (°C) above the upper critical temperature for broilers older than 21 d. Feed conversion (FC) was not affected by HS in any of the studied phases. Constant HS proved to be more negative than cyclic HS to broiler performance after 21 d of age. The relation between DEB and performance of broilers under HS was analyzed considering broilers over 21 d of age, and very weak correlations were observed. It was concluded that HS affects broilers over 21 d more, although FC is not affected. ADFI is the most important variable affected by HS and the relation between the DEB of the diet and HS is very weak. The empirical models generated in this study accurately predicted ADG and ADFI of broilers exposed to HS and can be used to minimize those effects on poultry production

Consumption, Money and Social Differentiation: what Was Said by Youngsters in an Intervention Research

Na conjuntura das discussões pós-estruturalistas acerca dos processos de subjetivação, bem como dos trabalhos de autores como Hannah Arendt, Zygmunt Bauman e Jurandir Freire Costa, é indubitável reconhecer o impacto do consumo, entendido enquanto prática social, na constituição dos sujeitos contemporâneos. Em função disso, realizamos uma pesquisa-intervenção objetivando abrir espaços de discussão e experimentações, e esboçar um quadro analítico sobre posicionamentos e vicissitudes na relação jovens/consumo. A pesquisa desenvolveu-se em duas escolas públicas de Porto Alegre com 35 jovens de 14 a 17 anos. A análise do discurso pautada nas contribuições foucaultianas nos guiou na análise do que foi dito nos encontros. No processo de pesquisa emergiram questões como: estratégias dos jovens para obter dinheiro, diferenciação e status social a partir do consumo, e a internet enquanto necessidade de primeira ordem. Dentre outros, analisamos neste artigo o enunciado “consumir é gastar dinheiro”, que se torna dizível a partir de mudanças históricas (como a transformação da nossa relação com os objetos de uso), da posição do jovem enquanto dependente econômico de seus pais e responsáveis, entre outros aspectos. Fechamos o artigo argumentando em favor de iniciativas que visem uma educação quanto ao consumo, sustentada em um compromisso ético-político de possibilitar outros agenciamentos em relação a modos de subjetivação correntes. Neste sentido, pensamos ser um desafio para a Psicologia oferecer contribuições por meio da produção de conhecimentos e de práticas, pois se trata de temática que conta com estudos ainda bem pontuais, ao menos no que concerne à juventude.In the context of post-structuralism discussions about the processes of subjectivation, as well as the works of authors such as Hannah Arendt, Zygmunt Bauman and Jurandir Freire Costa, there is no doubt of the impact of consumption, understood as social practice, in the constitution of contemporary subjects. Thus, an intervention research was designed aiming to open up spaces for discussion and experimentation and to develop an analytical framework of the positions and vicissitudes in the relations between the youth and consumption. The research was carried out at two public schools in Porto Alegre with 35 young students from fourteen to seventeen years old. The discourse analysis of what was said in the meetings was based on the contributions of Michel Foucault. Many issues emerged in the research process, such as strategies for young people to get money, differentiation and social status due to consumption practices, and the internet as a basic need. We analyze the enunciation “to consume is to spend money” which has become speakable given some historical changes (such as the transformation of our relationship with objects), the position of the young as financial dependents of their parents, among other aspects. We conclude the article arguing in favor of initiatives aimed at an education concerning consumption, sustained in an ethical and political commitment to enable other forms for subjectivation. Furthermore, we think it is a challenge to psychology to provide input to this subject, through the production of knowledge and practices, as the theme still has few studies, at least with regard to youth.En la coyuntura de las discusiones pos-estructuralistas respecto a los procesos de subjetivación, así como de los escritos de autores como Hannah Arendt, Zygmunt Bauman y Jurandir Freire Costa, se reconoce el impacto del consumo, comprendido como práctica social, en la constitución de los sujetos contemporáneos. A causa de ello, realizamos una investigaciónintervención con la finalidad de abrir espacios de discusión y experimentaciones, y esbozar un cuadro analítico sobre los posicionamientos y vicisitudes en la relación jóvenes/consumo. La investigación fue realizada en dos escuelas de Porto Alegre con 35 jóvenes de catorce a diecisiete años. El análisis del discurso relacionado a las contribuciones foucautianas nos ha conducido en el análisis de lo que se ha dicho en los encuentros. En el proceso de investigación surgieron cuestiones como: estrategias de los jóvenes para obtener dinero, diferenciación y status social a partir del consumo, y la internet cuanto una necesidad de primera orden. Entre otros, en ese artigo, analizamos el enunciado “consumir es gastar dinero”, que se ha vuelto relevante a partir de los cambios históricos (como la transformación de las nuestras relaciones con los objetos del uso), de la posición del joven cuanto dependiente económico de sus padres y responsables, así como otros aspectos. Cerramos el artículo argumentando a favor de iniciativas destinadas a la educación cuanto al consumo, sostenida en un compromiso ético-político capaz de permitir otros agenciamientos en relación con los actuales modos de subjetividad. Por ello, pensamos que es un desafío para la psicología ofrecer contribuciones por medio de la producción de conocimientos y de prácticas, pues se trata de una temática que tiene estudios muy puntuales, por lo menos a los relacionados a la juventud

An in-situ assessment of Dorsal Cranial Myopathy in broilers, approaching regarding meteorological influences in South Brazil, classification, and appearance of the lesions during industrial processing

Broiler meat is a high-quality food for humans, and is worldwide consumed. Brazil plays an important role in the poultry industry and in its South region is situated the most important pro- ducer. Recently, alterations on the meat aspect have aroused the interest of researchers to clarify their causes. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the relationship between environ- mental conditions and seasons on the prevalence of Dorsal Cranial Myopathy (DCM) and also, to generate a DCM classification in scores, for griller-type broilers. Carcasses were picked out from several stages of industrial processing from a slaughterhouse located in South Brazil. The preva- lence of DCM was measured using the database of partial condemnations of the Official Inspection Service during 19 months. Meteorological data were obtained from the National Institute of Meteo- rology (in Portuguese Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia- INMET), of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. In addition, microorganisms with public health importance were measured on samples taken from the muscles with DCM. The prevalence of DCM was compared among sea- sons using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The relation with other environmental conditions was accessed using a principal component analysis. Partial condemnations by DCM were higher (P 0.05). Visually, it could be noted that the hemorrhagic lesion of the Anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) muscle diminished during the processing line, making the DCM imperceptible, even in those carcasses with severe DCM score at the beginning of the process. In conclusion, the climate features approached here could be correlated to this emerging myopathy. However, this lesion does not represent a food security issue for the consumers regarding evaluated microorganisms, as this kind of lesion tends to disappear in the final sellable product

Bosch's industry 4.0 advanced Data Analytics: historical and predictive data integration for decision support

Industry 4.0, characterized by the development of automation and data exchanging technologies, has contributed to an increase in the volume of data, generated from various data sources, with great speed and variety. Organizations need to collect, store, process, and analyse this data in order to extract meaningful insights from these vast amounts of data. By overcoming these challenges imposed by what is currently known as Big Data, organizations take a step towards optimizing business processes. This paper proposes a Big Data Analytics architecture as an artefact for the integration of historical data - from the organizational business processes - and predictive data - obtained by the use of Machine Learning models -, providing an advanced data analytics environment for decision support. To support data integration in a Big Data Warehouse, a data modelling method is also proposed. These proposals were implemented and validated with a demonstration case in a multinational organization, Bosch Car Multimedia in Braga. The obtained results highlight the ability to take advantage of large amounts of historical data enhanced with predictions that support complex decision support scenarios.This work has been supported by FCT -Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020, the Doctoral scholarships PD/BDE/135100/2017 and PD/BDE/135105/2017, and European Structural and Investment Funds in the FEDER component, through the Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme (COMPETE 2020) [Project n degrees 039479; Funding Reference: POCI-01-0247-FEDER039479]. The authors also wish to thank the automotive electronics company staff involved with this project for providing the data and valuable domain feedback. This paper uses icons made by Freepik, from www.flaticon.com

Growth performance and intestinal health of broilers fed a standard or low-protein diet with the addition of a protease

We evaluated the effects of a protease supplementation on the growth performance and intestinal health of broilers. Cobb chicks (392; 1-42 d) were divided into four treatments (seven replicates of 14 birds each). There were two feed formulations: a standard diet (SD) and a low crude protein and digestible amino acids diet (Low CP&AA). The two diets were either supplemented (+P) or not (−P) with a protease (Jefo Protease; 1.25 g kg−1). Performance was evaluated by feeding phases (1-7, 8-21, 21-35, and 35-42 d). On day 28, ileum samples were analyzed by a morphometric index for histological alterations (I See Inside Scoring System – ISI). Broilers fed the Low CP&AA had a poor feed conversion ratio (FCR); however, the addition of the protease to the Low CP&AA positively affected FCR and body weight gain and promoted a performance similar to the group fed SD−P. Birds fed diets supplemented with the protease presented the best ISI morphological index, mainly as a result of the low number of alterations regarding the lamina propria, epithelial thickness, and enterocyte proliferation. It is possible to conclude that the enzyme improves feed conversion and lamina propria, epithelial thickness, and proliferation of enterocytes index of broiler chickens when added to a standard diet or with a low crude protein and digestible amino acids diet

Assessing the implications of mycotoxins on productive efficiency of broilers and growing pigs

The effects of mycotoxins on the productive performance of growing pigs and broilers were evaluated using meta-analytical approach. Two databases were constructed: (1) Broilers, with information collected from 51,497 birds and published in 158 scientific papers from 1980 to 2016; and (2) Pigs, with information collected from 7,743 animals and published in 72 scientific papers from 1980 to 2015. The meta-analyses were performed independently for each specie, following three sequential analyses: graphical, correlation, and variance-covariance. Broilers and pigs challenged by mycotoxins reduced (p < 0.05) feed intake by 9 and 6 %, weight gain by 15 and 11 %, and feed efficiency by 6 and 4 % compared with non-challenged animals, respectively. Aflatoxins were the most studied mycotoxins in both databases. Birds and pigs challenged by aflatoxins reduced (p < 0.05) feed intake by 10 and 8 %, growth by 15 and 11 %, and feed efficiency by 6 and 7 % compared to non-challenged animals, respectively. In both databases, variation on growth performance due to mycotoxins showed a linear relationship (p < 0.05) with the feed intake variation caused by the challenge. The intercepts of the regression-based equations were different from zero and negative, which may indicate that mycotoxins altered the maintenance requirements in challenged animals. In conclusion, both broilers and growing pigs show losses in performance responses and worse nutritional efficiency when challenged by mycotoxins

Effects of rice protein coating enriched with essential oils on internal quality and shelf life of eggs during room temperature storage

The effectiveness of rice protein coatings enriched with essential oils on maintaining interior quality of fresh eggs was evaluated during storage at 20°C for 6 wk. Egg quality was assessed by weight loss, Haugh unit (HU), albumen pH, and yolk index (YI) in uncoated eggs (control treatment) and eggs coated with rice protein concentrate at 8% enriched or not with different essential oils (1%): tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), copaíba (Copaifera langsdorffii), or thymo (Thymus vulgaris). The HU and YI were higher in coated eggs (P < 0.001). Data were submitted to variance analysis, and the statistical models included the effects of treatments (coating types), storage periods (weeks), and interaction (treatments by storage periods). Weight loss increased (P < 0.001) during long-term storage. Uncoated eggs showed the highest weight loss (5.43%), whereas coatings of rice protein alone (4.23%) or enriched with tea tree (4.10%), copaiba (3.90%), and thymo (4.08%) solutions were effective in preventing weight lost (P < 0.001). The coating use preserved the internal quality of the eggs for up to 3 wk longer than uncoated eggs in terms of HU, YI, and pH. Uncoated eggs had the worst (P < 0.001) HU (58.46), albumen pH (9.48), and YI (0.33) after 6 wk of storage. In conclusion, the use of coatings based on rice protein concentrate enriched with different essential oils influences the internal quality of eggs during storage and may be an effective alternative for increasing the shelf life of commercial eggs