Search Results (1,656)

Fuel moisture content (FMC) estimation is essential for wildfire danger assessment and fire behavior modeling. This study quantifies the value of integrating satellite observations from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aboard Suomi-NPP and the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) aboard GOES-16 with High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) numerical weather prediction data for hourly 10 h dead FMC estimation across the continental United States. We leverage the complementary characteristics of each system: VIIRS provides enhanced spatial resolution (375–750 m), while ABI contributes high temporal frequency observations (hourly). Using XGBoost machine learning models trained on 2020–2021 data, we systematically evaluate performance improvements stemming from incorporating satellite retrievals individually and in combination with HRRR meteorological variables through eight experimental configurations. Results demonstrate that while both satellite systems individually enhance prediction accuracy beyond HRRR-only models, their combination provides substantially greater improvements: 27% RMSE and MAE reduction and 46.7% increase in explained variance (R${}^2$) relative to HRRR baseline performance. Comprehensive seasonal analysis reveals consistent satellite data contributions across all seasons, with stable median performance throughout the year. Diurnal analysis across the complete 24 h cycle shows sustained improvements during all hours, not only during satellite overpass times, indicating effective integration of temporal information. Spatial analysis reveals improvements in western fire-prone regions where afternoon overpass timing aligns with peak fire danger conditions. Feature importance analysis using multiple explainable AI methods demonstrates that HRRR meteorological variables provide the fundamental physical framework for prediction, while satellite observations contribute fine-scale refinements that improve moisture estimates. The VIIRS lag-hour predictor successfully maintains observational value up to 72 h after acquisition, enabling flexible operational implementation. This research demonstrates the first systematic comparison of VIIRS versus ABI contributions to dead FMC estimation and establishes a framework for hourly, satellite-enhanced FMC products that support more accurate fire danger assessment and enhanced situational awareness for wildfire management operations. Full article

Background: Acquired brain injury (ABI) affects manual dexterity (MD) and cognitive functions, limiting daily activity performance. Occupational therapy aims to improve functionality and quality of life. Objective: To examine and describe the available evidence on the impact of MD training on cognitive processes and functional performance in adults with stroke, as well as to identify the most commonly used assessment tools and intervention techniques. Methods: Scoping review. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus to identify experimental studies from the last 10 years involving adults with ABI who participated in interventions targeting upper-limb, MD, and cognitive function. A three-phase screening was carried out by two authors with duplicates removed using Zotero version 7.0. Results: Ten articles published between 2016 and 2023 were included. The most frequent interventions involved robotics and virtual reality. Eight studies were conducted by occupational therapists or included occupational therapy involvement, while two were conducted by physiotherapists. Training MD and upper-limb motor skills led to improvements in attention, memory, and executive functions. Conclusions: Findings support combined motor–cognitive interventions carried out by occupational therapists or physiotherapists to optimize rehabilitation outcomes, although further research is needed to strengthen the evidence. Full article

Mountain treelines are among the most climate-sensitive ecosystems on Earth, yet their fine-scale structural and species level dynamics remain poorly resolved in the Himalayas. In particular, the absence of three-dimensional, crown level measurements have hindered the detection of structural thresholds and species turnover that often precede treeline shifts. To bridge this gap, we introduce UAV LiDAR—applied for the first time in the Hindu Kush Himalayas—to quantify canopy structure and tree species distributions across a steep treeline ecotone in the Manang Valley of central Nepal. High-density UAV-LiDAR data acquired over elevations of 3504–4119 m was used to quantify elevation-dependent changes in canopy stature and cover from a canopy height model derived from the 3D point cloud, while individual tree segmentation and species classification were performed directly on the 3D, height-normalized point cloud at the crown level. Individual trees were delineated using a watershed-based segmentation algorithm while tree species were classified using a random forest model trained on LiDAR-derived structural and intensity metrics, supported by field-validated reference data. Results reveal a sharply defined treeline characterized by an abrupt collapse in canopy height and cover within a narrow ~60–80 m vertical interval. Treeline “threshold” was quantified as a breakpoint elevation from a piecewise model of tree cover versus elevation, and the elevation span over which modeled cover and height distributions rapidly declined from forest values to near-zero. Segmented regression identified a distinct structural breakpoint near 3995 m elevation. Crown-level species predictions aggregated by elevation quantified an ordered turnover in dominance, with Pinus wallichiana most frequent at lower elevations, Abies spectabilis peaking mid-slope, and Betula utilis concentrated near the upper treeline. Species classification achieved high overall accuracy (>85%), although performance varied among taxa, with broadleaf Betula more difficult to discriminate than conifers. These findings underscore UAV LiDAR’s value for resolving sharp ecological thresholds, identifying elevation-driven simplification in forest structure, and bridging observation gaps in remote, rugged mountain ecosystems. Full article

Under the intensifying water shortages in the vegetation season, early identification of Ips typographus L. damage is crucial for preventing wide outbreaks, which undermine the economic potential of commercial stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) across Europe. For this purpose, remote sensing based on satellite images is considered one of the most efficient methods, particularly in homogenous and wide forested landscapes. However, under highly heterogeneous seminatural managed forest landscapes in lowland Central and Northern Europe, as illustrated by the eastern Baltic region and Latvia in particular, the efficiency of such an approach can lack the desired accuracy. Hence, the identification of smaller damage patches by I. typographus, which can act as a source of wider outbreaks, can be overlooked, and situational awareness can be further aggravated by infrastructure artefacts. In this study, the accuracy of satellite imaging for the identification of I. typographus damage was evaluated, focusing on the occurrence of false positives and particularly false negatives obtained from the comparison with UAV imaging. Across the studied landscapes, correct or partially correct identification of damage patches larger than 30 m² occurred in 73% of cases. Still, the satellite image analysis of the highly heterogeneous landscape resulted in quite a common occurrence of false negatives (up to one-third of cases), which were related to stand and patch properties. The high rate of false negatives, however, is crucial for the prevention of outbreaks, as the sources of outbreaks can be underestimated, burdening prompt and hence effective implication of countermeasures. Accordingly, elaborating an analysis of satellite images by incorporating stand inventory data could improve the efficiency of early detection systems, especially when coupled with UAV reconnaissance of heterogeneous landscapes, as in the eastern Baltic region. Full article

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) are established nosocomial pathogens; however, vancomycin-dependent Enterococci (VDE) represent a rare and underrecognized phenomenon. These organisms paradoxically require vancomycin for growth due to mutations in cell wall precursor synthesis. Limited awareness and significant diagnostic challenges associated with VDE can lead to delayed recognition and treatment failure. We report a case of vancomycin-dependent Enterococcus faecium isolated from a liver transplant recipient receiving oral vancomycin prophylaxis for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. The isolate failed to grow on standard media but exhibited robust growth on vancomycin-supplemented agar, confirmed by vancomycin disc diffusion testing and PCR detection of the vanB gene. Additionally, we reviewed four further VDE cases identified over a two-year period in our tertiary care microbiology laboratory. All patients originated from complex care settings, had significant comorbidities, and had received prolonged glycopeptide therapy. We summarize the clinical features, diagnostic findings, and microbiological challenges encountered across this case series. This series documents the first reported Canadian case of VDE and highlights the critical need for clinical vigilance and diagnostic suspicion in high-risk patients with prior enterococcal colonization and ongoing glycopeptide exposure. Laboratory findings such as failure to grow on blood agar coupled with growth around vancomycin discs should prompt specific evaluation for VDE. Our findings reinforce the necessity for targeted antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention strategies and underscore the remarkable evolutionary adaptability of Enterococci under sustained antimicrobial pressure. Full article

Balsam fir is an important specialty horticultural crop in eastern North America and commonly harvested for use as Christmas trees. Postharvest quality is a major challenge for producers, who are particularly concerned about postharvest needle retention. It was hypothesized that pyroligneous acid (PA) would help increase postharvest needle retention in balsam fir when supplied via xylem or foliage. This project first identified foliar spraying as the best application method, then designed a multivariate experiment with two factors. The first factor was foliar treatment (control, water, 1% PA, 2% PA, and 4% PA). The second factor was time, where branches were evaluated for needle abscission at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after harvest. The experiment was replicated 5 times and needle abscission, water uptake, chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, total phenolics, membrane injury, proline, and H₂O₂ production were all measured in response. Postharvest abscission reached 100% over the 8-week experiment and water uptake decreased by over 80%. Chlorophyll, proline, membrane injury, and H₂O₂ production all increased over time. Although PA did not improve needle retention compared to the control under the tested conditions, 4% PA spray increased proline concentration by 40% while decreasing membrane injury by 26%. Ultimately, PA did not consistently improve needle retention but did induce proline accumulation and membrane protection. Full article

The abundant satellite data have enabled the study of the dynamics of forest logging and its corresponding carbon balance with remote sensing. Change detection techniques with moderate-resolution imagery have been widely developed. Yet the signal processing or machine learning methods are sample-dependent, lacking an understanding of spectral signals of forest growth and logging cycles, which is necessary to distinguish logging from other types of disturbance, and mechanism models addressing post-logging tree changes are too complex for parameter inversion. We therefore proposed an efficient physical-based model for spectral simulation of annual forest logging by coupling forest dynamic model ZELIG and the stochastic radiative transfer (SRT) model. The forest logging simulation was conducted and validated by Abies forest field data before and after logging in Wangqing County, Northeastern China (R² = 0.85, RMSE = 10.82 t/ha). The spectral changes in Abies forest stands with annual growth and varying logging intensities were simulated by the novel model. The annual Landsat-8 and Gaofen-1 fusion multispectral imagery of the study area from 2013 to 2016 was furtherly used to extract annual sequence spectral data of 350 forest plots and perform inversion of the annual difference in above-ground biomass (dAGB). With the inversion method combining the look-up table of the ZELIG-SRT model and the random forest regression, the retrieved dAGB of the 350 plots indicated consistency with the measured data on the whole (R² = 0.71, RMSE = 13.32 t/ha). The novel physical-based approach for AGB monitoring is more efficient than previous 3D computer models and less dependent on field samples than data-driven models. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the remote sensing response mechanism of forest logging and a methodological basis for improving forest logging monitoring algorithms. Full article

This study provides a comprehensive, long-term evaluation of inter-sensor radiometric calibration biases for the NOAA OMPS Nadir and CrIS instruments using four complementary validation methodologies implemented within the Inter-Sensor Radiometric Bias Assessment (iSensor-RCBA) portal, a component of the STAR Integrated Calibration/Validation System. Overall, SDR data quality from the three OMPS Nadir instruments and three CrIS instruments aboard SNPP, NOAA-20, and NOAA-21 remains stable. The iSensor-RCBA portal has also proven to be a powerful diagnostic resource, enabling the detection of both new and previously unrecognized calibration issues and anomalies. Using the 32-day averaged difference method, we were the first to discover and identify the root cause of an inconsistency near 280 nm in inter-sensor radiometric biases between the SNPP and NOAA-20 OMPS NP instruments. The same method also revealed an unusual radiometric feature in NOAA-21 CrIS SDRs over the southern high latitudes during spring and summer. In addition, we derived decade-long degradation rates at 11 Metop-B GOME-2 wavelengths using an independent dataset—Simultaneous Nadir Overpass observations between SNPP OMPS and Metop-B GOME-2. Furthermore, iSensor-RCBA monitoring confirmed two geolocation anomalies in SNPP CrIS through a new approach involving SNO-based inter-sensor biases between GOES-16 ABI and SNPP CrIS. These cases demonstrate that iSensor-RCBA is not only a monitoring visualization tool but also a diagnostic tool that delivers unique, complementary insight into instrument performance, enabling early identification of radiometric and geolocation issues across JPSS and other satellite missions. Importantly, the analysis methods used in this study are broadly applicable to current and future missions, including JPSS-03, JPSS-04, and non-NOAA satellite systems. Full article

Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) plays a key role in European forestry as well as in the wood-processing industry. Identifying suitable alternative species has become increasingly important. In this study, we compared several spruce species originating from two sites in the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory, 483–883 m a.s.l.), an area severely affected by an extensive air-pollution disaster (high SO₂ concentrations) during the 1970s and 1980s. Norway spruce, Serbian spruce (Picea omorika [Panč.] Purk.) and blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.) were evaluated in terms of production potential, carbon sequestration relevant to climate-change mitigation, and selected physical wood properties (wood density and shrinkage). The greatest stem volume and corresponding carbon sequestration were recorded for P. omorika (0.191 m³; 75.5 kg), followed by P. abies (0.142 m³; 49.0 kg), while P. pungens showed significantly (p < 0,05) lower values (0.069 m³; 30.6 kg). In terms of wood properties, the highest wood-density values were obtained for P. omorika, together with P. abies, at both sites. P. pungens exhibited lower wood densities. In terms of shrinkage, the species displayed similar values. Overall, our results indicate that P. omorika is comparable to P. abies, and its wood could therefore serve as a suitable substitute for certain applications. Full article

The Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a fundamental biophysical parameter quantifying forest canopy structure and regulating water–energy exchange. While Abies Mill. forests constitute a vital component of China’s alpine ecosystems, the spatial heterogeneity of their LAI and its sensitivity to environmental filtering remain underexplored. This study employed Random Forest (RF) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to disentangle the direct and interactive effects of climate, soil, topography, and human footprint (HFP) on LAI across 17 distinct Abies forest types. The results revealed that temperature was the dominant positive driver for the overall Abies forests (Total effect = 2.197), whereas Elevation (DEM) exerted the strongest negative regulation (Total effect = −0.335). However, driver dominance varied substantially among forest types: climatic water availability was the primary constraint for Abies georgei var. smithii (Viguié & Gaussen) W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu forest (Type 55), while DEM determined LAI in Abies fargesii Franch. forest (Type 49). Notably, we found that HFP could exert positive effects on LAI in specific communities (e.g., Abies densa Griff. forest, Type 58), likely due to understory compensation under moderate disturbance. These findings highlight the necessity of type-specific management strategies and provide a theoretical basis for predicting alpine forest dynamics under changing environments. Full article

The Norway spruce (Picea abies) is a forest resource whose by-products contain bioactive compounds such as galactoglucomannan (GGM), catechin, and epicatechin, recognized for their antioxidant and chemopreventive potential. Within a food-related valorization context, we evaluated the antiproliferative, antimetastatic, genotoxic, and antimalarial activities of the Norway spruce by-product extract (NSBE). Considering its chemical composition and multifunctional bioactive profile, NSBE is investigated for its potential application as a functional food ingredient. NSBE exhibited concentration-dependent antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects two cancer cell lines (A549 and HCT-8), reducing cell adhesion by 33.96% in A549 cells and 40.15% in HCT-8 cells, and suppressing clonogenic capacity by up to 90% and 75%, respectively. The extract preserved basal chromosomal integrity and demonstrated a cytoprotective effect at 10 µg GAE/mL, reducing cisplatin-induced genotoxicity. Additionally, in antiplasmodial assays, NSBE showed potent inhibition of two Plasmodium falciparum strains: W2 (chloroquine-resistant) and 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) strains, with IC₅₀ values below 3.5 µg GAE/mL. This activity was supported by a selectivity index (SI) of 13, exceeding the recommended threshold for natural antimalarial candidates. Altogether, these findings highlight the NSBE as a sustainable and multifunctional food ingredient with relevant antiproliferative and antiplasmodial properties, supporting its cytoprotective and chemopreventive potential within a functional food framework. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to characterize objective sleep measures in subacute acquired brain injury (ABI) and examine if disturbed sleep is associated with poor recovery outcomes. Another objective was to compare the functional connectivity of the brain between ABI poor sleepers and ABI normal sleepers as measured by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods: This was a pilot, prospective, observational study of ABI subjects compared with age and gender-matched healthy controls. A total of 27 ABI subjects (consisting of ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke, or traumatic injury) were recruited from the outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital with a neurological centre, and 49 healthy controls were recruited by word-of-mouth referrals. Study procedure involved subjective and objective sleep measures, self-report psychological measures, cognitive tests, and structural and functional MRI of the brain. Results: The frequency of poor-quality sleep was 66.67% in the ABI group and not significantly different from 67.35% in the control group when compared by chi-squared test (p = 0.68). ABI subjects with poor sleep had worse performance on a test of sustained attention (Colour Trails Test 1) than healthy controls with poor sleep when compared by Student’s t-test (mean 55.95 s, SD ± 18.48 vs. mean 40.04 s, SD ± 14.31, p = 0.01). Anxious ABI subjects have poorer sleep efficiency and greater time spent awake after sleep onset (WASO). ABI-poor sleepers show significantly greater functional connectivity within a frontoparietal network and bilateral cerebellum. Conclusions: Sleep problems after ABI are associated with poorer cognitive and psychological outcomes. ABI-poor sleepers exhibit altered functional connectivity within regions that contribute to motor planning, attention, and self-referential processes, suggesting that disrupted sleep after ABI may impair the integration of sensorimotor and cognitive control systems, and therefore, impair recovery. Full article

Acquired brain injury (ABI) often results in cognitive and motor impairments that can compromise driving ability, an essential aspect of independence and social participation. This study utilized a custom-designed driving simulator to compare driving performance between individuals with ABI and controls, and to examine the relationship between cognitive performance and driving behavior within the control group. All participants completed a series of standardized driving simulation tasks of varying complexity. The control group also completed a neuropsychological battery that assessed attention, processing speed, executive function, and visuospatial abilities. Simulator data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models to evaluate group differences and, for the control group, cognitive predictors of performance. Results showed that individuals with ABI performed comparably to controls in basic operational tasks but demonstrated reduced performance in cognitively demanding scenarios requiring sustained attention, visuospatial monitoring, and adaptive control, such as rural driving, vehicle following, and parking. In the control group, strong associations were found between simulator outcomes and measures of attention, processing speed, and spatial orientation. The findings support the use of simulator-based assessment as an objective tool sensitive to post-injury impairments and highlight its links to cognitive domains relevant to driving. Full article

As an important plant immune inducer, Dufulin has long been thought to enhance plant resistance to multiple plant viruses through activating the salicylic acid (SA) pathway. However, whether this immune inducer responds to tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) infection in the same way remains uncertain. In this study, we systematically analyzed the multiple effects of Dufulin treatment on the physiological, biochemical and gene expression patterns in tomato under ToBRFV infection. The results showed that the application of Dufulin could significantly increase the chlorophyll content; elevate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT); reduce the ToBRFV viral load; and enhance plant growth. Moreover, we found that Dufulin treatment could increase both SA and abscisic acid (ABA) contents. However, SA-related genes were not strongly activated as the genes involved in ABA biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways. This suggested that ABA likely plays an unrecognized role in the formation of this induced resistance. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and cis-element analysis of the target gene promoters, we identified that SlABI5-like and SlWRKY4 might be the key potential transcription factor genes for Dufulin-induced tomato resistance to ToBRFV, and constructed their molecular regulatory network. We also conducted qRT-PCR assay to verify the gene expression patterns involved in this study. These findings potentially provide new insights into the mechanism of Dufulin-induced antiviral resistance, and enlarge important molecular targets for ToBRFV prevention and control. Full article

In Central Poland, bryophytes growing on trees have not previously been the subject of detailed analysis. Furthermore, the collected data have never been examined using mathematical methods. Several years of observation of the bryoflora in Central Poland, conducted across 465 hectares of forest and involving 21 tree species, revealed that these trees are colonized by 67 bryophyte taxa, primarily mosses. In this part of Poland most of the trees were overgrown by common, multi-substrate forest species such as Hypnum cupressiforme, Brachythecium rutabulum, or Lophocolea heterophylla. On the other hand, species occurring more rarely, and typically limited to single tree species, included, e.g., Dicranum viride and representatives of the genus Orthotrichum sensu lato (e.g., O. affine, O. pumilum, O. speciosum). The conducted research indicated that not only deciduous trees (e.g., Quercus robur, Carpinus betulus, Betula pendula) were readily colonized by bryophytes—Abies alba, as well as other coniferous trees, also proved to be a highly favorable substrate for these organisms. Moreover, analysis of the bryophytes of individual trees revealed that the trees formed three distinct groups, and the grouping is influenced not only by the species composition of the growing bryophytes. Nonetheless, deciduous and coniferous taxa within each group were colonized by similar mosses and liverworts species. Additionally, different zones of the tree trunk were found to be inhabited by distinct bryophyte assemblages. Thus, the study highlights the specificity of mosses and liverworts flora growing on trees in Central Poland. Full article