The SPARSE model for the prediction of water stress and evapotranspiration components from thermal infra-red data and its evaluation over irrigated and rainfed wheat

Evapotranspiration is an important component of the water cycle, especially in semi-arid lands. A way to quantify the spatial distribution of evapotranspiration and water stress from remote-sensing data is to exploit the available surface temperature as a signature of the surface energy balance. Remotely sensed energy balance models enable one to estimate stress levels and, in turn, the water status of continental surfaces. Dual-source models are particularly useful since they allow derivation of a rough estimate of the water stress of the vegetation instead of that of a soil–vegetation composite. They either assume that the soil and the vegetation interact almost independently with the atmosphere (patch approach corresponding to a parallel resistance scheme) or are tightly coupled (layer approach corresponding to a series resistance scheme). The water status of both sources is solved simultaneously from a single surface temperature observation based on a realistic underlying assumption which states that, in most cases, the vegetation is unstressed, and that if the vegetation is stressed, evaporation is negligible. In the latter case, if the vegetation stress is not properly accounted for, the resulting evaporation will decrease to unrealistic levels (negative fluxes) in order to maintain the same total surface temperature. This work assesses the retrieval performances of total and component evapotranspiration as well as surface and plant water stress levels by (1) proposing a new dual-source model named Soil Plant Atmosphere and Remote Sensing Evapotranspiration (SPARSE) in two versions (parallel and series resistance networks) based on the TSEB (Two-Source Energy Balance model, Norman et al., 1995) model rationale as well as state-of-the-art formulations of turbulent and radiative exchange, (2) challenging the limits of the underlying hypothesis for those two versions through a synthetic retrieval test and (3) testing the water stress retrievals (vegetation water stress and moisture-limited soil evaporation) against in situ data over contrasted test sites (irrigated and rainfed wheat). We demonstrated with those two data sets that the SPARSE series model is more robust to component stress retrieval for this cover type, that its performance increases by using bounding relationships based on potential conditions (root mean square error lowered by up to 11 W m−2 from values of the order of 50–80 W m−2), and that soil evaporation retrieval is generally consistent with an independent estimate from observed soil moisture evolution

Knowledge, attitude and practice of progestin-only emergency contraceptives among female students of Jimma Teachers Training College, Jimma, Ethiopia

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) is the safest strategy for prevention of unintended pregnancy following unsafe sex provided that users have sufficient knowledge & awareness of EC. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of progestin-only emergency contraceptives. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from February 16 to April 18, 2017, among students of Jimma teacher’s training college. Chi-square test was run to identify the association between variables. Variables with the critical value P<0.05 at CI of 95% were considered as statistically significant.Results: A total of 270 female students were involved in the study; of which 53.70% of them had knowledge about ECs. A significant association was found between knowledge on ECs & age distribution (p<0.001) and also the sexual activity of the participants (p=0.013).More than half of the respondents agreed that widespread use of ECs would increase the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). Of the total study participants, 121 (44.81%) have used ECs and the utilization practice has a significant association with age distribution (p<0.001 and religion of the study participants (p=0.002).   Conclusion: Generally, nearly half of the study participants had knowledge about ECs and used EC at least once in their lifetime. Most of the students agreed that relying on EC pills and its accessibility would promote the spread of HIV/AIDS and STIs.  Funding: The study was conducted with the financial support of Jimma UniversityKeywords: Knowledge, emergency contraceptives, attitude, practic

Digital watermarking by utilizing the properties of self-organization map based on least significant bit and most significant bit

Information security is one of the most important branches concerned with maintaining the confidentiality and reliability of data and the medium for which it is transmitted. Digital watermarking is one of the common techniques in this field and it is developing greatly and rapidly due to the great importance it represents in the field of reliability and security. Most modern watermarking systems, however, use the self-organization map (SOM), which is safer than other algorithms because an unauthorized user cannot see the result of the SOM's training. Our method presents a semi-fragile watermark under spatial domain using least significant bit (LSB) and by relying on most significant bit (MSB) when the taken values equal to (2 or 4 bits) depending on the characteristics of SOM through developing the so-called best matching unit (BMU) which working to determine the best location for concealment. As a result, it shows us the ability of the proposed method to maintain the quality of the host with the ability to retrieve data, whether it is a binary image or a secret message

Problematique de la gestion des eaux souterraines au Maroc

Maroc a toujours fait du développent du secteur de l'eau une priorité et un choix stratégique. Ce secteur qui constitue un des principaux leviers du développement économique et social, se trouve confronté a deux défis essentiels: - L'épuisement des ressources en eau en rapport avec l'accroissement de la demande en eau tous usages confondus, avec une tendance a la pénurie absolue d'ici 2025. - La dégradation des ressources en eau qui subissent différentes formes de pollution. La rareté des ressources en eau, et la forte irrégularité aussi bien spatiale, que temporelle, qui caractérisent le contexte marocain, ont conditionné les choix des pouvoirs publics 2 adopter une stratégie globale dont les résultats ont prouvé son efficacité particulikrement durant les périodes de sécheresse consécutives. Cette stratégie tout azimuts a concerné aussi bien le plan législatif et réglementaire, que le plan de la mobilisation et de la protection des ressources en eau. Les études de pldcation entreprises ont montré que les ressources en eau conventionnelles seront saturées au niveau de la majorité de bassins a l'horizon 2020, et que ces déficits prévus risquent d'gtre aggravés dans le cas de conjonction avec des périodes de sécheresse. La politique de mobilisation et de protection des ressources en eau, en particulier souterraine dont le potentiel mobilisable est de l'ordre de 4 milliards de m3 sur un total de 20 milliards, nécessite une gestion participative ainsi que le recours a de nouvelles approches et technologies pour compléter les méthodes conventionnelles utilisées jusqu'a présent.Marruecos siempre ha considerado prioritario y estratégico el desarrollo del sector del agua. Este sector, que constituye una de las principales palancas del desarrollo económico y social, se enfrenta a dos desafíos principales: - La disminución de los recursos hídricos en relación con el aumento de la demanda para todo tipo de usos del agua, con una tendencia hacia la penuria absoluta de aquí a 2025. - La degradación de los recursos hídricos que sufren diferentes tipos de poluciones. La escasez de los recursos hídricos, así como la fuerte irregularidad tanto espacial como temporal que caracteriza al contexto marroquí, han condicionado las opciones de los poderes públicos a la hora de adoptar una estrategia global cuyos resultados han demostrado ser efectivos, particularmente durante los consecutivos períodos de sequía. Esta estrategia multiobjetivos han involucrado tanto a los planes legislativo y reglamentario, como a los planes de movilización y de la protección de los recursos hídricos. Los estudios de planificación llevados a cabo han demostrado que los recursos hídricos convencionales estarán saturados en la mayoría de las cuencas hacia el año 2020, y que estos déficits previstos corren el riesgo de agravarse en el caso de la coincidencia con períodos de sequía. La política de movilización y de protección de los recursos hídricos, en particular de los subterráneos cuyo potencial movilizable es del orden de 4.000 millones de m3 sobre un total de 20.000, necesita una gestión participativa, así como el recurso a nuevos enfoques y tecnologías para completar los métodos convencionales utilizados hasta ahora

IoT using Smart Street Light System

Street Lights. They are a part of our everyday life, so much so, that we don’t even notice or acknowledge them sometimes. The only two things most people know about street lights is that during the night they light our sidewalks and roads and during the day they are shut off and unused. We may not look at or notice streetlights in our daily endeavors, however, as innovation speeds up, smart cities rise, and the growing need for energy efficient solutions increases, new technologies are enabling street lights to look at us and notice our movements and location. Modern street lighting systems are being asked to do more than ever before. In addition to fulfilling their primary purpose of casting light onto dark roadways, parking areas, and public spaces, these lighting systems are increasingly evaluated for how well they reduce energy consumption, improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers, and serve as the foundation for a range of Internet of Things applications, This smart system is best suited for street lighting in remote urban and rural areas where the traffic is very low. &nbsp

Effect of some anticancer drugs on the growth of children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Iraq

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children. It represents about 75% of all leukemia types in children less than 15 years old and peak incidence at (2-5) years old. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of chemotherapeutic regimens used for Iraqi children with ALL by assessing anthropometric parameters, oxidative state markers, and metabolic state. This prospective randomized clinical study was carried out on (30) newly diagnosed children with ALL (6 months – 8 years old) in Iraq. According to the FAB-classification, the patients grouped as L1 group (n=16) and L2 group (n=14). A healthy children (n=14) were involved and considered as a control group to compare their normal data with these of patients groups. The IGF-I, albumin, total serum protein, BMI, TAS, and LDH were determined at baseline, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of the treatment regimen. The results showed that the mean level of serum IGF-I in both patient groups was significantly lower than that of control children at baseline, and it is increased significantly after receiving treatment while no significance difference between patients of both groups. Serum albumin, total serum protein, and BMI showed no significant differences in both patient groups when compared with the control group at baseline and after receiving treatment, also, between patients of both groups. TAS showed a significant reduction at baseline and after receiving treatment of both patients’ groups when compared with the control children, and there was a significant difference between patients of both groups. For LDH, there was a significant elevation in the mean level at baseline for both patients’ groups when compared with the control children, while after receiving treatment a significant reduction noticed in both groups when compared with control children and no significance difference between patients of both groups. These results can give indication for the effect of chemotherapy on the growth and nutrition of ALL children through their effects on IGF-I, which has a direct effect on GH and the reduction in the levels of total proteins and albumin, which may affect BMI, while the reduction in TAS during chemotherapy treatment may result in disruption of cells metabolism which will affect the normal body homeostasis. Keywords: ALL, Growth, IGF-I, Chemotherapy

Clinical and biochemical comparative study between alternate and every day clofibrate – lovastatin combination therapy on mixed hyperlipidaemia

Mixed hyperlipidaemia is the most common form of hyperlipidaemias,where the patients have an elevation in both triglycerides and cholesterol levels with a high risk of atherosclerosis and chronic heart diseases. The therapeutic approach for this disorder described a range from nonpharmacologic lifestyle modifications to newly introduced pharmacologic options.Depending on the basis of recent reports involve fibrate - statin combination and associated with increase the incidence of side effects (myopathy, hepatotoxicity) and therapeutic cost, we suggest and investigate in our study a clinical trial for management of this metabolic disorder by using clofibrate and lovastatin on alternate days instead of the standard daily combination of the same drugs. The study compares the safety, efficacy and cost of both therapeutic regimens for three months follow - up period. A total of 44 patients with a known mixed hyperlipidaemia were enrolled in this study. Of the 40 patients who completed the study, 20 (10 males, 10 females) received alternate - day therapy (group I), their age and weight ranges were (40-65) years and (62-85) Kg, respectively. The remaining 20 (10 males, 10 females) received every day therapy (group II), their age and weight ranges were (42- 67) years and (65-89) Kg, respectively. Ten healthy age – matched control subjects (5 males , 5 females) . The biochemical investigations involve measuring total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels as parameters of lipid - lowering agent efficacy; while SGOT,SGPT and CK levels as parameters of safety. All of these parameters were determined at baseline (day 0) and after three months of treatment for both therapeutic groups. The study revealed that there was no significant difference between both treatment groups regarding the percent changes in lipid profiles from baseline values. These profiles had been returned to normal limits in all patients in both groups. The mean of SGOT levels for both treatment groups was significantly higher than that of control, but with group II the extent was more, while for SGPT levels group II only was significantly higher (less safety) than control one. With respect to CK levels and for both treatment groups, only slight elevation (not significant) occurred compared with control, but with group II the extent was more.With group I, the therapeutic cost was reduced by nearly 50% compared with group-II. By this clinical and biochemical trial, we decreased the side effects and cost of fibrate - statin combination while keeping their efficacy in lowering serum lipids

Potentialites hydrogeologiques du synclinal de kourimat (Bassin D'essaouira, Maroc)

The synclinal basin of Kourimat, situated in the oriental part of Essaouira basin, shelters an aquiferous carbonate. This aquiferous represents the unique resource in water for the region. The study undertaken on this aquiferous has allowed us the characterize it viewpoint hydrodynamically, hydrogeologically and hydrogeochimically. The piezometric map of the system shows a senses of water flow underground of the southeast to the northwest. The hydraulic gradient varies from the upstream to the downstream. The evolution of the piezometry at one time watch of annual and seasonal fluctuations in connection with variations of precipitations. The results of chemical analyses have allowed to distinguish two aquiferious: the first is Cenomanian, the second is Turonian. Theses aquiferious were diffrenciated by there chemical facies and the origine of chemicals elements.La cuvette synclinale de Kourimat, située dans la partie orientale du bassin d'Essaouira, abrite un aquifere carbonaté constituant l'unique ressource en eau de la région. L'étude entreprise sur cet aquifere a permis de le caractériser de point de vue hydrodynamique, hydrogéologique et hydrogéochimique. La carte piézométrique du systeme montre un sens d'écoulement global du sud-est vers le nord-ouest. Le gradient hydraulique varie de l'amont vers l'aval. Les fluctuations piézométriques montrent une bonne corrélation avec les aléas climatiques. Les résultas de l'étude hydrochimique ont permis de mettre en évidence l'existence de deux nappes: la premiere dans le Cénomanien et l'autre dans le Turonien. Ces deux nappes se différencient par leurs facies chimiques et par l'origine des éléments en solution

Notes on the ovipositional behavior of calotes calotes (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia: Agamidae) in Sri Lanka

Notas sobre el comportamiento territorial de Calotes calotes (Linnaeus, 1758)(reptilia: agamidae) en Sri Lanka Esta es la primera observación completamente descrita del comportamiento de oviposición en el lagarto verde común de jardín Calotes calotes de Sri Lanka. Este comportamiento de oviposición consistió en la excavación del hueco nido para depositar los huevos, la postura de los huevos (N:5; largo promedio 18.5 mm, ancho promedio 8.8 m), la excavación del suelo para depositar los huevos, el llenado de los espacios entre los huevos, la compression de suelo, y el camuflaje del nido.Palabras Clave: Agamidae, Calotes calotes, Colombo, Comportamiento oviposicional, Conservación, Sri Lanka Abstract Notes on the ovipositional behavior of calotes calotes (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia: Agamidae) in Sri LankaThis is the first completely described observation of the oviposition behavior of the common Green Garden Lizard Calotes calotes from Sri Lanka. This oviposition behaviour consisted of the digging of the nest hole to lay the eggs, the laying of the eggs (N: 5; mean 18.5 mm long, 8.8 mm wide), the scraping of the soil to bury the eggs, the filling of the spaces between the eggs, the compression of the soil, and the camouflage of the nest.key words: Agamidae, Calotes calotes, Colombo, Comportamiento oviposicional, Conservación, Sri Lanka

Contribution des isotopes de l’environnement pour la comprehension du fonctionnement de l’aquifere mio-plioquaternaire du Haouz de Marrakech (Maroc)

The study area «Haouz plain» is Located at the center of Morocco, it extend on a surface of 2800 km2, limited by the Jbilet hills in the North, the High-Atlas range in the South, R' dat wadi in the East and the Essaouira-Chichaoua plateau in the West. The area climate is semi-arid, characterized by low precipitations varying between 160 mm/year and 250mm/year and important variation in temperature between the winter and the summer with respectively 5°C and 45°C. Its hydrographic network is represented by the Tensift system which receives all the affluents of central and Westem Haouz. These affluents are characterized by weak flows with important seasonal variations. The Haouz plain is a sedimentary basin, being along the northern edge of the high atlas, it presents a geologic succession going from the primary to the recent Quaternary. The mio-plioquatemary formations, stemming from the dismantling of the atlasic chain, refuge an important and generalized water table on al1 the plain. This water table shows very variable hydrodynarnic characteristics, reflecting the complexity of the deep structures of the plain, 1986) and also the lithological variability of the mio-plioquatemary formations. The Haouz plain includes also the deep resemoirs of the Jurassic, Cretaceous and Eocene which finish some meters at the north of the Atlas, thus having a very limited extension and thereafter a low productivity. Five representative samples of water taken on the haouz water table were analyzed by the ABHT, the projection of these contents on the potability diagram enabled us to show that water of the water table generally has a good quality to passable. In the east quality becomes poor related to the existence of a zone arranged for agriculture (piezometer 1903/44). The nastiest potability is obsemed on the piezometer 3828/44 located at north of Marrakech at elazouzia zone of spreading of wom water of this city. The representation of the percentages of anions and major cations shows the prevalence of ions Ca2+ and HCO; and makes it possible to show up the Bicarbonate calcic facies of the water table. During these last decades, the use of stable isotopes, such oxygen 18 and deuterium, became necessary for the study of subsoil waters, it makes possible the estimation of the surfaces of refills, the determination of water origin. The samples taken on water points well distributed in the area of study allowed us a better comprehension of the function of the plioquatemary water table. The relation oxygen 18, deuterium shows that water is aligned on a line of slope 8.09, slightly different from the world meteoric line, thus characterizing precipitations of oceanic origin which did not endure notable isotopic fractionation therefore not important evaporation. Using the isotopic measures for the sarnples taken in January 2002 on wells well distributed in the area of study, allows us to show a variation of the contents of 018 with the altitude of the zones of refill. Thus we could delimit the surfaces of refill between 1500 and 800meters height. The relation oxygen-18 deuterium (δ2H = 8,9032 δ18O + 14,214 (R2 = 0,7449 ) translated an Atlantic mode of precipitations without remarkable evaporation.Parmi les aquifères régionaux importants de très grande extension au Maroc, celui du Haouz qui s’étend sur une superficie de 6.000 km2, circule au niveau du remplissage mioplioquaternaire issue du démantèlement de la chaîne Atlasique. Ce dernier présente un faciès constitué de galets, graviers, argiles, marnes et calcaires, dont la puissance atteint les 100 mètres. Cet aquifère joue un rôle très important dans l’alimentation en eau potable des habitants de la plaine du Haouz d’une population de plus de 4 millions d’habitants, en sus d’un complément a l’irrigation de 80.000 ha. Le climat aride de type continental, qui y règne se caractérise par des amplitudes thermiques assez importantes entre l’hiver et l’été. La pluviométrie présente une moyenne de 250 mm par an. La piézométrie de la zone étudiée est caractérisée par un écoulement général du sud vers le nord ouest en direction de l’oued Tensift, également principal collecteur des eaux de surface de la région. Une campagne de mesures isotopiques de plus d’une vingtaine d’échantillons prélevés en janvier 2002 au niveau de puits bien répartis dans la zone d’étude, au pu montrer une variation des teneurs en O" avec l’altitude des zones de recharge. En outre, la relation oxygene-18 deutérium (δ2H = 8,9032 δ18O + 14,214 (R2 = 0,7449 traduit un régime atlantique des précipitations, sans évaporation, ce qui implique que la recharge se fait rapidement, probablement a travers les formations miocènes gréseuses largement fissurées a l’affleurement de l’aquifère mío-plioquatemaire. Un gradient altitudinal moyen de -0,26 ‰ par 100 mètres est déterminé pour la plaine du Haouz, très proche des autres valeurs trouvées pour d’autres régions au Maroc, confirmant la validité régionale de celui-ci. Les variations des teneurs en oxygene-18 peuvent être interprétées en termes de différence d’altitude entre les altitudes de recharge et d’émergence