An assessment of Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar,geophysical and topographical covariates for estimating topsoil particle-size fractions

Data derived from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) are widely employed to predict soil properties, particularly soil moisture and soil carbon content. However, few studies address the use of microwave sensors for soil texture retrieval and those that do are typically constrained to bare soil conditions. Here, we test two statistical modelling approaches—linear (with and without interaction terms) and tree-based models, namely compositional linear regression model (LRM) and random forest (RF)—and both nongeophysical (e.g., surface soil moisture, topographic, etc) and geophysical-based (electromagnetic, magnetic and radiometric) covariates to estimate soil texture (sand %, silt % and clay %), using microwave remote sensing data (ESA Sentinel-1). The statistical models evaluated explicitly consider the compositional nature of soil texture and were evaluated with leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). Our findings indicate that both modelling approaches yielded better estimates when fitted without the geophysical covariates. Based on the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE), LRM slightly outperformed RF, with NSE values for sand, silt and clay of 0.94, 0.62 and 0.46, respectively; for RF, the NSE values were 0.93, 0.59 and 0.44. When interaction terms were included, RF was found to outperform LRM. The inclusion of interactions in the LRM resulted in a decrease in NSE value and an increase in the size of the residuals. Findings also indicate that the use of radar-derived variables (e.g., VV, VH, RVI) alone was not able to predict soil particle size without the aid of other covariates. Our findings highlight the importance of explicitly considering the compositional nature of soil texture information in statistical analysis and regression modelling. As part of the continued assessment of microwave remote sensing data (e.g., ESA Sentinel-1) for predicting topsoil particle size, we intend to test surface scattering information derived from the dual-polarimetric decomposition technique and integrate that predictor into the models in order to deal with the effects of vegetation cover on topsoil backscattering.     

The Treatment of Adrenal Cortical Disease in Ferrets with 4.7-mg Deslorelin Acetate Implants

Thirty pet ferrets with adrenocortical disease (ACD) of varying severity and duration were evaluated for response to a single administration of a slow release 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate implant. Clinical response to deslorelin was monitored via a physical examination performed every 3 to 4 months. Adrenal ultrasound measurements were taken every 3-4 months until clinical relapse. At clinical relapse, duration of symptom suppression and adrenal size and growth were determined. Administration of a single 4.7 mg implant of deslorelin acetate resulted in significant decreases in the clinical signs and hormonal concentrations associated with ACD. Within 14 days post-implant, vulvar swelling, pruritus, sexual behaviors and aggression decreased or disappeared. Hair re-growth was evident by 4-6 weeks post implant. Within two months post deslorelin implant, plasma concentrations of steroid hormones decreased: mean estradiol concentration decreased 28%; 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels decreased 89% and androstenedione levels decreased 88%. The response to a single 4.7 mg implant of deslorelin acetate was transitory. The mean ± SD time to recurrence of clinical signs was 17.6 ± 5.0 months (range, 8.0-30.0 months). Repeated ultrasound measurements revealed no statistical difference in size of the adrenals (right or left) before, during the months of deslorelin implant and at clinical relapse. Slow release 4.7 mg deslorelin implants can effectively be used to temporarily eliminate the clinical signs and reduce steroid hormone concentrations in ferrets with ACD. This dose of deslorelin does appear to influence adrenal tumor growth causing a decrease in adrenal size in some ferrets, and mild enlargement of adrenal glands in most ferrets with 2 of 30 implanted animals developing large tumors before clinical relapse. The long-term effect of treatment with deslorelin on adrenal tumor pathology requires additional investigation. At this time, surgical removal of the adrenal tumor remains the only curative treatment; however, 4.7 mg deslorelin implants are useful in the long-term management of ACD hormone-induced sequelae and may be as effective assurgical management.     

Fast characterization of industrial soy protein isolates by direct analysis with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Industrial soy protein isolates (SPIs) due to differences in their processing conditions may differ both in composition and in degree of hydrolysis. As a result, they display different performance in food production and final food properties like consistency and taste. To address this issue, a fast, cheap, and simple method for screening and characterization is required. In this article, the successful analysis of soy protein isolates, a complex mixture of proteins with glycinin and beta-conglycinin as major components, by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) is demonstrated. The preparation implements a fast extraction of the proteins from the raw SPI either under neutral or reducing conditions. The extracts are analyzed subsequently by MALDI-TOF-MS without further purification. Results of the two conditions are compared. Finally, different SPIs from different suppliers are analyzed and compared concerning their consistency. The method could be applied to other plant proteins and mixtures thereof. Since the composition and intactness of different subunits play important roles in functional properties of soy proteins, rapid methods for fingerprinting of different industrial soy protein sources will be valuable tools for successful product formulation.     

A comparison of peat properties in intact,afforested and restored raised and blanket bogs

Recognition of peatlands as a key natural store of terrestrial carbon has led to new initiatives to protect and restore them. Some afforested bogs are being clear-felled and restored (forest-to-bog restoration) to recover pre-afforestation ecosystem function. However, little is known about differences in the peat properties between intact, afforested and restored bogs. A stratified random sampling procedure was used to take 122 peat cores from three separate microforms associated with intact (hollows; hummocks; lawns), afforested and restored bogs (furrows; original surface; ridges) at two raised and two blanket bog locations in Scotland. Common physical and chemical peat properties at eight depths were measured in the laboratory. Differences in bulk density, moisture and carbon content between the afforested (mean = 0.103 g cm⁻³, 87.8% and 50.9%, respectively), intact (mean = 0.091 g cm⁻³, 90.3% and 51.3%, respectively) and restored bogs (mean = 0.095 g cm⁻³, 89.7% and 51.1%, respectively) were small despite their statistical significance. The pH was significantly lower in the afforested (mean = 4.26) and restored bogs (mean = 4.29) than the intact bogs (mean = 4.39), whereas electrical conductivity was significantly higher (mean: afforested = 34.2, restored = 38.0, intact = 25.3 μS cm⁻¹). While significant differences were found between treatments, effect sizes were mainly small, and greater differences in pH, electrical conductivity, specific yield and hydraulic conductivity existed between the different intact bogs. Therefore, interactions between geographic location and land management need to be considered when interpreting the impacts of land-use change on peatland properties and functioning.     

Influence of temperature, modified atmosphere packaging, and heat treatment on aroma compounds in broccoli

The aroma compounds in broccoli stored in different modified atmospheres were studied. The packaging materials used were oriented polypropylene (OPP), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) containing an ethylene-absorbing sachet. All samples were stored for either 1 week at a constant temperature of 10 degrees C or for 3 days at 4 degrees C, followed by 4 days at 10 degrees C. The atmospheres that developed inside the packaging materials differed significantly. The broccoli samples were analyzed raw and after cooking, with regard to volatile compounds, using gas-phase (headspace) extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC-olfactometry. Dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), hexanal, 3-cis-hexen-1-ol, nonanal, ethanol, and a group of thiocyanates were selected for a detailed study because these compounds cause off-odor and can be used as indicators of stress. Significant differences were found in the aroma profiles of the broccoli samples relative to the packaging materials used for storage. Storage in OPP (14% O(2), 10.5% CO(2)) resulted in most of the off-odors, while storage in LDPE (6% O(2), 7% CO(2)) and PVC (17.9% O(2), 4% CO(2)) was found to maintain the concentration of DMS, DMDS, and DMTS during storage. Heat treatment of the broccoli increased the content of aroma compounds as well as the number of compounds containing sulfur.