Crop biomass estimation with high accuracy at low-cost is valuable for precision agriculture and high-throughput phenotyping. Recent technological advances in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) ...significantly facilitate data acquisition at low-cost along with high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution. The objective of this study was to explore the potential of UAS RGB imagery-derived spectral, structural, and volumetric information, as well as a proposed vegetation index weighted canopy volume model (CVMVI) for soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation. RGB images were collected from low-cost UAS throughout the growing season at a field site near Columbia, Missouri, USA. High-density point clouds were produced using the structure from motion (SfM) technique through a photogrammetric workflow based on UAS stereo images. Two-dimensional (2D) canopy structure metrics such as canopy height (CH) and canopy projected basal area (BA), as well as three-dimensional (3D) volumetric metrics such as canopy volume model (CVM) were derived from photogrammetric point clouds. A variety of vegetation indices (VIs) were also extracted from RGB orthomosaics. Then, CVMVI, which combines canopy spectral and volumetric information, was proposed. Commonly used regression models were established based on the UAS-derived information and field- measured AGB with a leave-one-out cross-validation. The results show that: (1) In general, canopy 2D structural metrics CH and BA yielded higher correlation with AGB than VIs. (2) Three-dimensional metrics, such as CVM, that encompass both horizontal and vertical properties of canopy provided better estimates for AGB compared to 2D structural metrics (R2 = 0.849; RRMSE = 18.7%; MPSE = 20.8%). (3) Optimized CVMVI, which incorporates both canopy spectral and 3D volumetric information outperformed the other indices and metrics, and was a better predictor for AGB estimation (R2 = 0.893; RRMSE = 16.3%; MPSE = 19.5%). In addition, CVMVI showed equal prediction power for different genotypes, which indicates its potential for high-throughput soybean biomass estimation. Moreover, a CVMVI based univariate regression model yielded AGB predicting capability comparable to multivariate complex regression models such as stepwise multilinear regression (SMR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) that incorporate multiple canopy spectral indices and structural metrics. Overall, this study reveals the potential of canopy spectral, structural and volumetric information, and their combination (i.e., CVMVI) for estimations of soybean AGB. CVMVI was shown to be simple but effective in estimating AGB, and could be applied for high-throughput phenotyping and precision agro-ecological applications and management.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyze the main infractions committed by independent auditors in the sphere of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission from 2010 to 2020.
...Methodology: The study is characterized as descriptive and documentary with a quali-quantitative approach. Information from administrative sanctioning processes judged by CVM in the period 2010 to 2020 was used to identify characteristics such as the profile of the accused and the penalties applied, which were submitted to correlation analysis to verify if there is any direct relationship of these variables with the infractions committed.
Results: The study points out that among the most recurrent infractions are "Absence of planning and audit procedures that lead to divergences in the independent auditor's report" and "Irregularities in the External Quality Review Program", which represent 39.47% and 34, 21% of the analyzed sample, respectively. In the correlation analysis, it was identified that the occurrence of infraction “b” is linked with the “repeat infractions” charges and the “temporary suspension” penalty. In addition, it was evident that the increase of “repeat infractions” charges are mainly linked to the increase of defendants classified as “non Big Four”.
Contributions of the Study: The results of the study show users of financial statements the motivation for filling lawsuits against independent auditors with the CVM and the infractions they committed with the aim of contributing to the improvement of compliance with auditing standards and procedures by revealing the most recurrent infractions under different methodologies and periods. It also presents the degree of correlation between the infraction committed, the profile of the accused (segregating into Big Four and not Big Four) and the penalty applied.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objetivo: O objetivo deste artigo é analisar as principais infrações cometidas por auditores independentes na esfera da Comissão de Valores Mobiliários no período de 2010 a 2020.
Metodologia: O ...estudo caracteriza-se como descritivo e documental com abordagem quali-quantitativa. Utilizou-se das informações de processos administrativos sancionadores julgados pela CVM no período de 2010 a 2020 para identificar características como o perfil dos acusados e as penalidades aplicadas, as quais foram submetidas a análise de correlação para verificar se há alguma relação direta dessas variáveis com as infrações cometidas.
Resultados: O estudo aponta que entre as infrações mais recorrentes estão “Ausência de planejamento e procedimentos de auditoria que acarretam em divergências no relatório do auditor independente” e “Irregularidades no Programa de Revisão Externa de Qualidade”, as quais representam 39,47% e 34,21% da amostra analisada, respectivamente. Na análise de correlação, identificou-se que a ocorrência da infração “b” está vinculada com os acusados “reincidentes” e com a penalidade “suspensão temporária”. Além disso, evidenciou-se que o aumento de acusados “reincidentes” está ligado principalmente ao aumento de acusados classificados como “não Big Four”.
Contribuições do Estudo: Os resultados do estudo evidenciam aos usuários das demonstrações financeiras a motivação da abertura de processos contra auditores independentes junto à CVM e quais as infrações por eles cometidas com o intuito de contribuir para a melhoria do cumprimento das normas e procedimentos de auditoria pela revelação das infrações mais recorrentes sob três metodologias e períodos diferentes. Apresenta ainda o grau de correlação existente entre a infração cometida, o perfil dos acusados (segregando Big Four e não Big Four) e a penalidade aplicada.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection is the highest risk to cervical cancer which is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. A growing body of literatures demonstrate ...the role of cervicovaginal microbiome (CVM) in hrHPV susceptibility and clearance, suggesting the promise of CVM-targeted interventions in protecting against or eliminating HPV infection. Nevertheless, the CVM-HPV-host interactions are largely unknown. In this review, we summarize imbalanced CVM in HPV-positive women, with or without cervical diseases, and the progress of exploring CVM resources in HPV clearance. In addition, microbe- and host-microbe interactions in HPV infection and elimination are reviewed to understand the role of CVM in remission of HPV infection. Lastly, the feasibility of CVM-modulated and -derived products in promoting HPV clearance is discussed. Information in this article will provide valuable reference for researchers interested in cervical cancer prevention and therapy.
농업용 저수지 경관디자인 가치에 대한 연구 임청룡; Lim Cheong-ryong; 김진환 ...
농촌계획,
02/2020, Volume:
26, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
In this study, the value of reservoir landscape improvement among agricultural infrastructures was analyzed using the CVM(contingent valuation method). The results can be summarized as follows. ...First, in the decision to pay for all types of large, medium and small scales, the probability of acceptance decreased as the price range increased, and the probability of acceptance increased as the interest in landscape increased. Second, the WTP(willingness to pay) to improve landscape derived from logistic estimation was 29,284 won per year for large reservoirs, 20,736 won per year for medium reservoirs, and 16,682 won per year for small reservoirs. Third, conservative estimates using the economically active population to estimate the overall value of the reservoir landscape improvement show that large reservoirs were 955 billion won per year, medium reservoirs were 600 billion won per year, and small reservoirs were 468 billion won per year.
The cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method is used to determine the craniofacial skeletal maturational stage of an individual at a specific time point during the growth process. This diagnostic ...approach uses data derived from the second (C2), third (C3), and fourth (C4) cervical vertebrae, as visualized in a two-dimensional lateral cephalogram. Six maturational stages of those three cervical vertebrae can be determined, based on the morphology of their bodies. The first step is to evaluate the inferior border of these vertebral bodies, determining whether they are flat or concave (ie, presence of a visible notch). The second step in the analysis is to evaluate the shape of C3 and C4. These vertebral bodies change in shape in a typical sequence, progressing from trapezoidal to rectangular horizontal, to square, and to rectangular vertical. Typically, cervical stages (CSs) 1 and CS 2 are considered prepubertal, CS 3 and CS 4 circumpubertal, and CS 5 and CS 6 postpubertal. Criticism has been rendered as to the reproducibility of the CVM method. Diminished reliability may be observed at least in part due to the lack of a definitive description of the staging procedure in the literature. Based on the now nearly 20 years of experience in staging cervical vertebrae, this article was prepared as a "user's guide" that describes the CVM stages in detail in attempt to help the reader use this approach in everyday clinical practice.
Dal Lake, the world-famous tourist attraction has been polluted by allochthonous and autochthonous sources, as a result the heavy metal (HMs) concentrations within the water body has reached the ...toxic levels which is endangering the lives of the people. A study was carried out during the year 2021 (i) to determine the concentration of HMs (molybdenum: Mo, arsenic: Ar, cadmium: Cd, lead: Pb) at the four designated sites of Dal Lake, and (ii) a public survey (400 persons) involving economic valuation of water body in terms of recreational use and other benefits. The highest values of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) within the Dal Lake were recorded at site A, which were 31 ± 1.10 mg/l and 76 ± 0.64, respectively. Similarly, maximum nitrate nitrogen was found at site A (865 ± 0.86 μg/l). The highest value of Pb was reported (6.828 ± 0.003 ppb) from site A whereas, the lowest from site B (2.492 ± 0.002 ppb). The mean values of Mo concentrations (in ppb) were found to be 2.538 ± 0.002, 1.703 ± 0.003, 3.627 ± 0.004 and 4.787 ± 0.002 at the four sites respectively. The observed values of HMs (in ppb) were much higher than the permissible values (WHO, 2006) and those reported earlier. A huge amount of money (Rs 16,18,66,000/) is being generated from the floating gardens of Dal Lake, calculated by TCM and CVM methods. During the survey, 68 % of people showed a willingness to pay (WTP) for the restoration of the Dal Lake and improved services (mean value: Rs 62,852.20/). Thus, the monitoring and assessment were done to find out how the Dal Lake contributes to the economy of the state by way of its different services and the major attraction for tourists besides the possible reasons for the deterioration of water quality, in order to find a long-lasting solution for the sustainable conservation of Dal Lake.
•Estimation of heavy metal loading at selected sites within the Dallake.•Estimation of key water parameters to determine the trophic status of the lake.•Abundance of dominant macrophytes growing within the lake.•Public survey and economic valuation of the lake by travel cost and contingent valuation methods.•Conservation strategies on sustainable eco-restoration of the lake.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Factors affecting e-democracy adoption were identified using Civic Voluntarism Model (CVM) and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) which incorporated political culture and perceived e-democracy outcome. ...Survey instrument was designed based on these theories and was administered to a convenient and randomly selected sample in Nigeria. The variance-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach was used to evaluate the measurement and structural models. Partial Least Square Algorithm (PLS-Algorithm) and bootstrapping were executed to estimate the significance and test the validity of the SEM components. Findings reveal the imperative of democratic political culture orientation of ordinary citizens in developing positive attitude towards the acceptance and use of e-democracy system while political awareness, political efficacy, and recruitment networks are found to be significant predictors of intention to use e-democracy. These predictors can be stimulated through dedicated massive political orientation programs and enlightenment campaigns by the government in partnership with civil society organizations, religious associations, academic institutions, interest groups, the media and traditional institutions on the benefits of e-democracy to a country's political system.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The purpose of this study is to measure the cost-benefit of a road construction project in Vietnam through international development cooperation, which includes private grants and Official ...Development Assistance(ODA). In developing countries, it is difficult and costly to use data on markets, the CVM(Contingent Valuation Method) to measure the WTP(Willingness-to-Pay) as the benefits of road construction are used. A total of 232 villagers in 16 villages of Lao Cai Province in Northern Vietnam have been surveyed. It is found that the Benefit-Cost Ratio(B/C) in all 3 models are found to be well over 1.0, ranging from 2.8 to 3.64 with the discount rate of 0.06. These BC ratios imply the road construction project in Lao Cai can be justified. Also, it is found that the shortened travel time is the most relevant factor for WTP among direct benefits and the enhanced academic achievement of the children is the most relevant factor among indirect benefits, due to easier and faster access to schools, which in turn increase the school attendance rate. The result of this study can be used to justify other similar projects in Vietnam, even though the benefits may have to be reassessed in other countries.
PDF
