Estimating maize evapotranspiration based on hybrid back-propagation neural network models and meteorological, soil, and crop data

Crop evapotranspiration is a key parameter influencing water-saving irrigation and water resources management of agriculture. However, current models for estimating maize evapotranspiration primarily rely on meteorological data and empirical coefficients, and the estimated evapotranspiration contains uncertainties. In this study, the evapotranspiration data of summer maize were collected from typical stations in Northern China (Yucheng Station), and a back-propagation neural network (BP) model for predicting maize evapotranspiration was constructed based on meteorological data, soil data, and crop data. To further improve its accuracy, the maize evapotranspiration model was optimized using three bionic optimization algorithms, namely the sand cat swarm optimization (SCSO) algorithms, hunter-prey optimizer (HPO) algorithm, and golden jackal optimization (GJO) algorithm. The results showed that the fusion of meteorological, soil moisture, and crop data can effectively improve the accuracy of the maize evapotranspiration model. The model showed higher accuracy with the hybrid optimization model SCSO-BP compared to the stand-alone BP neural network model, with improvements of 2.7-4.8%, 17.2-25.5%, 13.9-26.8%, and 3.3-5.6% in terms of R2, RMSE, MAE, and NSE, respectively. Comprehensively compared with existing maize evapotranspiration models, the SCSO-BP model presented the highest accuracy, with R2 = 0.842, RMSE = 0.433 mm/day, MAE = 0.316 mm/day, NSE = 0.840, and overall global evaluation index (GPI) ranking the first. The results have reference value for the calculation of daily evapotranspiration of maize in similar areas of northern China.

A new prognostic model for brain metastases of specific primary tumors with stereotactic radiotherapy

PURPOSE

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) was widely used in brain metastases (BM), especially in oligometastases. It is imperative to develop a new prognostic score to predict the overall survival (OS) of brain metastases based on prognostic factors for specific primary tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

One hundred and ninety-seven patients were involved in the training cohort to develop a new prognostic score to predict the overall survival (OS) of brain metastases for specific primary tumors. Independent prognostic factors were confirmed using a Cox regression model. The score was developed based on clinical prognostic factors of OS with Cox proportional hazards model. The result was validated in another cohort with 56 participants to evaluate the performance of the score.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-seven patients with 329 brain metastases received SRT. For NSCLC, the significant prognostic factors were extracranial metastases, target therapy and number of brain metastases. For gastrointestinal cancer, the significant prognostic factors were target therapy and number of brain metastases.

CONCLUSION

The prognostic factors scores were varied by the histologic types which can be used to efficiently stratify for selected patients with brain-metastasis.

Expression of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 in cattle placenta during early pregnancy

Interferon-tau (IFNT), a type I interferon, is an antiluteolytic factor secreted by trophoderm during pregnancy. IFNT transmitted signals or stimulated the expression of some factors to build maternal recognition and keep pregnancy by binding its receptors, IFNT receptor 1(IFNAR1) and IFNT receptor 2 (IFNAR2). Up to now, the expression model and roles of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 in placenta have not been investigated in cattle. In this study, the localization and expression of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 in the cattle placenta at days 18-50 of pregnancy were detected by histological examination, immunofluorescence staining and real-time qPCR. The results showed that IFNAR1 mainly distributed in chorioallantoic membrane, endometrial epithelium, cotyledon and caruncle during the early pregnancy of cattle with change in time- and position-dependent. IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 mRNA expression were mainly detected in chorioallantoic membrane and cotyledon, and markedly increased along with pregnancy process. Moreover, the mRNA expression level of IFNAR1 in chorioallantoic membrane and cotyledon was higher than that of IFNAR2. IFNAR mRNA was also expressed in caruncle tissues, which experienced a tendency of decrease from days 21 to 36, followed by increase after days 36. These results provide morphological basis and quantitative data for investigating the roles of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 on development of cattle placenta and pregnancy maintenance.

Fluid resuscitation and standard drug treatment strategies in heatstroke Chinese patients

The objective of the present study was to evaluate different stage fluid and standard drug treatment strategies in 47 heatstroke patients. 47 adults with Heatstroke received fluid resuscitation treatment guided by transpulmonary thermodilution (PiCCO) in our intensive care unit. Systemic hemodynamics, microvascular indices and measures of acidosis, renal function, and pulmonary edema were followed prospectively. The speed of recovery and the component change was compared during the 6 h, 48 h and 96 h after the 3 stage fluid therapy. All patients were hyperpyrexia (core temperature>41°C), and on ventilation when enrolled in the ICU. Patients received a 6.17 (±1.8) ml/kg/h of crystal fluid and 3.31 (±0.5) ml/kg/h of colloidal fluid in the first 6 h; (3.41±1.2) ml/kg/h crystal fluid along with 2.27 (±0.3) ml/kg/h colloidal fluid in the first 48 h; 2.27 (±0.6) ml/kg/h crystal fluid along with 2.06 (±0.3) ml/kg/h colloidal fluid in the next 48 h. With resuscitation, acid-base status deteriorated in 25 of 47 patients (53.1%), extravascular lung water increased in 36 of 47 resuscitated patients (77%); 21 of these patients developed pulmonary edema though guided by transpulmonary thermodilution, 30 (63.8%) patients survived. All patients with pulmonary edema during the study were hypovolemic or euvolemic at the time pulmonary edema developed. Plasma lactate was lower in hypovolemic patients before (p<0.05) and after (p<0.05) resuscitation. Acute kidney injury was evident in 21 of 47 patients (47%) 48 h after enrollment. In conclusion, our study revealed that fluid resuscitation post heatstroke should be adjusted according to different stages.

A normalized adaptive training of recurrent neural networks with augmented error gradient

For training algorithms of recurrent neural networks (RNN), convergent speed and training error are always two contradictory performances. In this letter, we propose a normalized adaptive recurrent learning (NARL) to obtain a tradeoff between transient and steady-state response. An augmented term is added to error gradient to exactly model the derivative of cost function with respect to hidden layer weight. The influence of the induced gain of activation function on training stability is also taken into consideration. Moreover, adaptive learning rate is employed to improve the robustness of the gradient training. Finally, computer simulations of a model prediction problem are synthesized to give comparisons between NARL and conventional normalized real-time recurrent learning (N-RTRL).

[A new algorithm for displaying the cutting isosurface of structures]

The existing algorithms for displaying the cutting isosurface of the structure are not suitable for interactive display because they spend too much time on calculation when a fair amount of data is submitted to processing. This paper presents a new algorithm for accelerating the cutting of structure by using the area partition and the increment calculation to reduce the unnecessary calculation in cutting the structure. It is suitable for real time interactive displaying, especially in the case of a vast amount of data.

Boiler briquette coal versus raw coal: Part I--Stack gas emissions

Stack gas emissions were characterized for a steam-generating boiler commonly used in China. The boiler was tested when fired with a newly formulated boiler briquette coal (BB-coal) and when fired with conventional raw coal (R-coal). The stack gas emissions were analyzed to determine emission rates and emission factors and to develop chemical source profiles. A dilution source sampling system was used to collect PM on both Teflon membrane filters and quartz fiber filters. The Teflon filters were analyzed gravimetrically for PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations and by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for trace elements. The quartz fiber filters were analyzed for organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) using a thermal/optical reflectance technique. Sulfur dioxide was measured using the standard wet chemistry method. Carbon monoxide was measured using an Orsat combustion analyzer. The emission rates of the R-coal combustion (in kg/hr), determined using the measured stack gas concentrations and the stack gas emission rates, were 0.74 for PM10, 0.38 for PM2.5, 20.7 for SO2, and 6.8 for CO, while those of the BB-coal combustion were 0.95 for PM10, 0.30 for PM2.5, 7.5 for SO2, and 5.3 for CO. The fuel-mass-based emission factors (in g/kg) of the R-coal, determined using the emission rates and the fuel burn rates, were 1.68 for PM10, 0.87 for PM2.5, 46.7 for SO2, and 15 for CO, while those of the BB-coal were 2.51 for PM10, 0.79 for PM2.5, 19.9 for SO2, and 14 for CO. The task-based emission factors (in g/ton steam generated) of the R-coal, determined using the fuel-mass-based emission factors and the coal/steam conversion factors, were 0.23 for PM10, 0.12 for PM2.5, 6.4 for SO2, and 2.0 for CO, while those of the BB-coal were 0.30 for PM10, 0.094 for PM2.5, 2.4 for SO2, and 1.7 for CO. PM10 and PM2.5 elemental compositions are also presented for both types of coal tested in the study.

[Effect of growth period, storage time and varieties on the contents of main active constituents of Curcuma longa L. in rhizome]

OBJECTIVE

To provide criteria for selection, storage and cultivation of the rhizome of Curcuma longa.

METHOD

Field observation and sample analysis on the rhizome.

RESULT

The contents of curcuminoids and essential oils in mother and daughter rhizome went up with the progress of plant development. The contents of curcuminoids reached the maximum in early September and early October. The contents of essential oils in mother rhizome reached the maximum in early September. The contents of curcuminoids and essential oils in the rhizome varied with the species and went down with the increase of storage years.

CONCLUSION

The rhizome should be collected when leaves of the plant have just withered. The suitable storage time is three years.

[A comparison of chromosome fragile sites in elderly and young people]

In this comparative study, the authors investigated the chromosome aberrations and expression of fragile sites in the lymphocytes which were collected from 45 elderly people and 29 young people and were cultured with FUDR for 24 hours. The results showed that the aberration rate was 24.75% for elderly people, but 4.22% for young people (P < 0.01): that the expression of fragile sites was 45.94% for elderly peoples, but 23.02% for young people (P < 0.01): and that the relation of aberrations with fragile sites was 79.98% for elderly people, and 92% for young people. These findings suggest that chromosome aberration is in close association with fragile site.

Investigation of an outbreak of adult diarrhea rotavirus in China

In 1987 an epidemic of diarrhea associated with adult diarrhea rotavirus (ADRV) occurred in Qinhuangdao City, China, affecting more than 200 persons and causing 2 deaths. The outbreak was introduced by a person returning from an epidemic area and was spread initially to his family members and subsequently to the entire community. Adults were at greater risk of diarrhea than children 0-4 y of age and, the duration of illness increased significantly with increasing age. ADRV was identified by ELISA and electron microscopy. The electropherotypes of all positive specimens were identical, consistent with the single point-source introduction of the virus. Seroconversion was detected in 6 of 7 ill persons with a blocking ELISA. Both asymptomatic infection and person-to-person spread identified in this epidemic suggest that current emphasis on preventing waterborne transmission may not control the introduction of ADRV into new areas. The predisposition of adults for more severe disease with ADRV is similar to the pattern observed with other enteric viruses such as the Norwalk agent and hepatitis A.