Consumer cameras, particularly onboard smartphones and UAVs, are now commonly used as scientific instruments. However, their data processing pipelines are not optimized for quantitative radiometry ...and their calibration is more complex than that of scientific cameras. The lack of a standardized calibration methodology limits the interoperability between devices and, in the ever-changing market, ultimately the lifespan of projects using them. We present a standardized methodology and database (SPECTACLE) for spectral and radiometric calibrations of consumer cameras, including linearity, bias variations, read-out noise, dark current, ISO speed and gain, flat-field, and RGB spectral response. This includes golden standard ground-truth methods and do-it-yourself methods suitable for non-experts. Applying this methodology to seven popular cameras, we found high linearity in RAW but not JPEG data, inter-pixel gain variations >400% correlated with large-scale bias and read-out noise patterns, non-trivial ISO speed normalization functions, flat-field correction factors varying by up to 2.79 over the field of view, and both similarities and differences in spectral response. Moreover, these results differed wildly between camera models, highlighting the importance of standardization and a centralized database.
•Ground cover management clearly increased insect abundance at the ground level.•Few families dominated both epigeal and canopy insect assemblages.•Total biodiversity was higher in cover crop ...treatments than tillage.•Native plants positively influence generalist epigeal predator abundance and richness.
Sustainable agriculture requires the support of new tools for successful and low-impact management of pests and diseases at global and local scales. The implementation of cover crops is considered a promising alternative ecological structure for sustainable agriculture, because they provide refuge to natural enemies of pests. Specifically, we hypothesised that implementing cover crop vegetation in a vineyard can enhance populations of natural enemies as a measure to support conservation biological control. We analysed insect abundance and diversity on Vitis vinifera var. Tempranillo (clon RJ-26, rootstock “110-Richter”) in a Mediterranean vineyard located in La Rioja, Spain from spring to autumn 2016–2017. Two types of sampling systems (pitfall traps and vacuum sampling) were used in each of the three evaluated ground cover management approaches (n = 3): (i) tillage, (ii) spontaneous cover, and (iii) flower-driven cover. A total of 58 families that belonged to four functional subgroups of insects (predators, parasitoids, phytophagous insects, and pollinators) were found. Overall, differences among the three treatments were only detected for total abundance of insects collected in the ground traps, and the “spontaneous cover” treatment showed significantly higher predator richness and abundance. However, the higher Shannon–Wiener value was recorded for “flower-driven cover” at both the ground and canopy levels. In addition, the abundance of predators, parasitoids and phytophagous insects in the ground traps for both cover crop treatments was more than two times higher than that observed in “tillage” treatment. Several predator taxa, such as ants, ground beetles, earwigs, and vespoid wasps had significantly higher representation under spontaneous cover treatment. Moreover, for parasitoids, the “flower-driven cover” treatment revealed higher Hill numbers values (0D, 1D, and 2D) at the canopy level, although no significant differences were observed. These results indicate that vegetation cover could be used to promote beneficial entomofauna in vineyards and thus be an effective conservation biological control tool.
Purpose
To analyze eating disorder patients and nursing professionals' views and experience of the relationship‐based care established.
Design and Methods
A qualitative study that employs an ...interpretative phenomenological analysis. Nineteen patients and 19 nurses participated in the research through interviews and narrations.
Findings
Nurses' help is both unexpected and relevant during the patients' recovery process. They provide care not focusing just on nutritional aspects, other factors such as mutual help, the psychological, emotional, social, and personal aspects are highlighted.
Practice Implications
This study provides a deep understanding of the relationship‐based care established that makes it possible to expand knowledge and to individualize the care provided.
•Cover crops might enhance entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) presence in vineyards.•More EPNs and higher activity observed in spontaneous cover (SPO) than tilled (TIL).•Lower presence of EPN natural ...enemies in SPO than TIL treatments.•The cover crops seeded (SEE) and flower-driven (FLO) produced alteration on EPN assemblage.•SPO covers could be a promising strategy to support EPN in Mediterranean vineyard.
Viticulture is a valuable sector worldwide with an extraordinary socio-economic impact in Spain. Numerous pests and diseases threaten vineyards, and their management primarily relies on the use of conventional agrochemicals. The current paradigm of sustainability pursues the implementation of ecologically sound strategies in vineyard ecosystems. The use of cover crops is arising as an alternative with numerous benefits, including favoring above-belowground biodiversity and the presence of beneficial soil organisms such as the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). We hypothesized that the use of specific cover crops in vineyards might enhance the natural occurrence and activity of EPNs by modulating the assemblage with associated organisms. We performed the experiments in an ongoing experimental vineyard (Vitis vinifera var Tempranillo, clon RJ-26, rootstock ‘110-Richter’) located in Logroño (Spain), drove with different soil management systems (three replicates each): conventional tillage practice and the cover crops (i) seeded with Bromus catharticus (Poaceae), (ii) flower-driven, and (iii) spontaneous. We took four soil composite samples per plot (n = 48 per sampling time) late spring and early autumn in two consecutive years (2017 and 2018). By using species-specific primers/probes qPCR sets, we screened for the presence and abundance of eight EPNs species and 12 related soil organisms: six nematophagous fungi, four free-living nematodes, and two ectoparasitic bacteria. Additionally, we assessed the EPN activity by the traditional insect-bait method. Overall, we recorded higher EPN numbers or activity rates on cover crops than on bare soils. However, some of the results were divergent among no-till treatments. We observed not only higher EPN abundance and activity on spontaneous covers but lower numbers of antagonistic organisms, particularly endoparasitic nematophagous fungi. Thus, according to our results, the use of spontaneous covers could be the most promising strategy to support the conservation biological control service provided by the naturally occurring EPN species in vineyards, plus with a low cost for the sector.
Major schemes to replace other streetlight technologies with Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lamps are being undertaken across much of the world. This is predicted to have important consequences for ...nighttime sky brightness and color. Here, we report the results of a long-term study of these characteristics focused on the skies above Madrid. The sky brightness and color monitoring station at Universidad Complutense de Madrid (inside the city) collected Johnson B, V, and R sky brightness data, Sky Quality Meter (SQM), and Telescope Encoder Sky Sensor-WiFi (TESS-W) broadband photometry throughout the night, every night between 2010–2020. Our analysis includes a data filtering process that can be used with other similar sky brightness monitoring data. Major changes in sky brightness and color took place during 2015–2016, when a sizable fraction of the streetlamps in Madrid changed from High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) to LEDs. The sky brightness detected in the Johnson B band darkened by 14% from 2011 to 2015 and brightened by 32% from 2015 to 2019.
Increases in temperature and solar radiation, associated with climate change, can cause damage to the berry that causes processes of discoloration, dehydration, cracking or raisining, which can have ...a negative impact on the oenological potential of the harvest. This damage is called “sunburn” and occurs with some frequency in sensitive varieties such as Graciano. In order to mitigate these impacts, a shading technique has been proposed using protection nets that try to prevent the bunches from receiving excessive sun exposure. The experience shown in this work has been carried out during the years 2021 and 2022, using nets with shading capacity of 50% and 70%. The results have shown that the nets have significantly reduced the temperature of the bunch, also avoiding damage from sunburn. Besides, the organic acid content of the must has reached slightly higher values in the treatments with netting, compared to the control, but not significantly. In wine, the polyphenolic load has shown a variable behavior depending on the year, possibly conditioned by the variations in yield linked to the sunburn. The tasting panel has shown a certain inclination towards the wines from the net treatments in both campaigns.
La criminalización de los actos de corrupción en el sector privado en el Código Orgánico Integral Penal (COIP) forma parte de una corriente expansiva e intensiva del Derecho penal que no es aislada o ...autónoma para el Ecuador. En la nueva legislación anticorrupción es posible observar ciertos problemas, tal vez derivados de los conflictos que existen con los principios limitadores del Derecho penal, dentro del modelo constitucional de derechos y justicia, así como otras incógnitas a la hora de interpretar los elementos objetivos del tipo penal, sobre todo si se tiene en cuenta la política criminal que busca satisfacer esta necesidad. Aplicando una metodología analítica y comparativa frente a estas actuales cuestiones, la experiencia española en materia penal puede servir de guía, por cuanto incorporó a su legislación una figura similar hace ya más de una década. Desde esta perspectiva podrán establecerse una serie de conclusiones que acentuarán la necesidad de reformar el Código Orgánico Integral Penal para evitar previsibles problemas en la aplicación del nuevo delito.
Mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) expression is dysregulated in vascular proliferative disorders and its overexpression attenuates the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and neointimal lesion ...development after balloon angioplasty. We sought to gain insight into the mechanisms that control Mfn2 expression in VSMCs.
We cloned and characterized 2 kb of the 5'-flanking region of the human Mfn2 gene. Its TATA-less promoter contains a CpG island. In keeping with this, 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends revealed six transcriptional start sites (TSSs), of which TSS2 and TSS5 were the most frequently used. The strong CpG island was found to be non-methylated under conditions characterized by large differences in Mfn2 gene expression. The proximal Mfn2 promoter contains six putative Sp1 motifs. Sp1 binds to the Mfn2 promoter and its overexpression activates the Mfn2 promoter in VSMCs. Chemical inhibition of Sp1 reduced Mfn2 expression, and Sp1 silencing reduced transcriptional activity of the Mfn2 promoter. In keeping with this view, Sp1 and Mfn2 mRNA levels were down-regulated in the aorta early after an atherogenic diet in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice or in VSMCs cultured in the presence of low serum.
Sp1 is a key factor in maintaining basal Mfn2 transcription in VSMCs. Given the anti-proliferative actions of Mfn2, Sp1-induced Mfn2 transcription may represent a mechanism for prevention of VSMC proliferation and neointimal lesion and development.
The palladium-catalyzed arylation of aryl bromides can be carried out in the presence of bidentate phosphines, such as dppm, dppe, dppf, and Xantphos under mild conditions. The experimental results ...and the DFT calculations fully support for this reaction a mechanism proceeding by an intermolecular proton abstraction.
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