Early Date Research Articles

Working Title

Working Title

History of meteorology in Bavaria 1400–1900

In Bavaria, early weather observations date back to 1587, the reason for which was a series of very cool years. Contemporarily, witches were burned because they were thought to have influenced weather. After instruments became available, private observations started in 1718 and from 1781 to 1800 a network with 34 stations was set up by the Bavarian Academy of Sciences. Another network with 170 stations was run from 1842 to 1844. In 1878, a governmental netwo was installed fulfilling the scientific requirements.

Photosynthetic activity of winter rye plants (Secale Cereale L.) in dependence on cultivation conditions in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

Topicality. Today, studying the influence of agrotechnical methods on the photosynthetic activity of plants and the grain productivity of modern winter rye varieties, depending on the predecessors, sowing dates and mineral nutrition, allows to achieve full biological potential of plants and determine the optimal technological parameters for increasing grain yield in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine. Purpose. To conduct investigations on the peculiarities of photosynthetic activity of modern winter rye varieties depending on their predecessors against the background of different sowing dates and the mineral nutrition content in the soil and climatic conditions of the Northern Steppe. Materials and Methods. In 2018–2021, the research was conducted on the basis of the Experimental Farm "Dnipro" of the State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine. There were four factors in the experiment. The winter rye varieties Pamiat Khudoierka and Stoir were sown after sunflower and spring barley in the early (5–10 September), optimal (20–25 September) and late (5–10 October) dates. Results. Winter rye, sown after spring barley, had a larger leaf area, leaf index and higher values of photosynthetic potential compared to the experimental variants where this crop was sown after sunflower. The maximum values of these parameters were observed in plants of different varieties when sown on 20–25 September with N45 applied on frozen-thawed soil after both predecessors. Over the years of research, annual average values of leaf area in the heading stage of plants grown after stubble predecessor for Pamiat Khudoierka variety were 50.4 thousand m2/ha, Stoir variety – 52.9 thousand m2/ha, and after sunflower – 46.6 and 48.5 thousand m2/ha, respectively. These variants also had the highest photosynthetic potential of the crop, which was 2.59 and 2.76 million m²-days/ha in Pamiat Khudoierka and Stoir varieties grown after spring barley, and 2.40 and 2.52 million m²-days/ha after sunflower, respectively. According to our research results, it was found that the highest yield of Stoir variety was obtained by sowing winter rye after spring barley and sunflower in the most optimal date, namely 20–25 September, and applying nitrogen at the rate of 45 kg a.i./ha in early spring, which was, depending on the predecessor, 6.47 and 5.03 t/ha, respectively. Conclusions. Therefore, according to the results of the conducted research, it was found that the maximum leaf surface area (52.9 thousand m2/ha), leaf index (5.3) and photosynthetic potential (2.76 million m²-days/ha) were formed by Stoir variety at sowing on 20–25 September after spring barley and nitrogen fertilisation of 45 kg a.i./ha in early spring on frozen-thawed soil. In addition, the maximum yield level of Stoir variety was achieved under such conditions after spring barley and sunflower, which was 6.47 and 5.03 t/ha, respectively. Key words: winter rye, variety, predecessor, sowing date, photosynthetic activity of plants, leaf area, photosynthetic potential of crops, yield

A comparative study of hybrid bit over roller cone and PDC bits

Early hybrid drilling concepts date back to the 1930s, but the development of a viable drilling tool has only become feasible with recent advances in Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) cutter technology. This paper describes a new generation of hybrid bits based on proven PDC bit designs with roll cutters on the bit periphery. Laboratory and field results will be presented, comparing the performance of hybrid bits with that of conventional PDC and roller bits. A hybrid bit can drill shale and other plastically behaving formations two to four times faster than a roller cone because it is more aggressive and efficient. The penetration rate of a hybrid bit responds linearly to Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), unlike roller taper bits that exhibit an exponential response with an exponent less than one. In other words, a hybrid drill will drill significantly faster than a comparable roller drill in motor applications. Another advantage is the influence of rolling mills on bit dynamics. Compared to conventional PDC bits, torsional oscillations are up to 50% lower, and low-speed slip/slip and high-speed swirl are reduced. This gives the hybrid drill a wider operating window and greatly improves tool face control in directional drilling. The Hybrid Drill is a highly specific drill aimed at traditional cylindrical taper applications limited by the Rate of Penetration (ROP), large-diameter PDC-bit and roller-cone-bit applications limited by torque or Weight on Bit (WOB). Highly interconnected formations with high torque fluctuations can cause premature C3 failure and limit mean operating value torque, and motor and/or P applications where higher ROP and better build speed and tool face control are desired.

Co-Harvest and Anaerobic Co-Storage of Corn Grain and Stover as Biomass Feedstocks

Highlights Cutting height and harvest date were used to alter stover moisture content, yield, and composition. Anaerobic co-storage of grain and stover limited losses to less than 6% of dry matter. Extent of fermentation was greater for higher moisture stover than grain, but total acids were less than 5 g kg-1. Reducing the harvester cutter head rotational speed resulted in a greater fraction of whole corn kernels. Abstract. This research investigated the utility of co-harvesting and anaerobic co-storage of corn grain and stover to positively influence their physical and chemical characteristics as a biomass feedstock. Corn grain and stover were harvested in 2019 and 2020 with a self-propelled forage harvester. Stover yield, moisture content, and composition were altered by the harvest date, stubble height, and header configuration. Harvest date had the utility of varying the stover moisture content (p < 0.001) from 42.3% to 53.5% (w.b.) and 43.1% to 53.9% (w.b.) for the 2019 and 2020 harvest years, respectively. Stubble height was also utilized to vary stover moisture content. A negative linear relationship was established between stubble height and stover moisture content for the early (R2 = 0.76) and late harvest (R2 = 0.91) dates for both years. Stover yield also showed a negative linear relationship (R2 = 0.76) with stubble height over both years. Regardless of the stubble height, the row-crop header collected more stover (p < 0.001) than the ear-snapper header. In 2020, harvested stover ranged from 5.0 to 10.5 Mg ha-1, with ha-1 representing 41% to 85% of the total available stover. In both years, stover ash content was less than 64 g kg-1. Material stored in pilot-scale silos (19 L) was well conserved during anaerobic storage, with average DM losses of 4.8% and 3.4% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Grain moisture content averaged 23.6% (w.b.) at harvest, and 31.0% (w.b.) after storage as moisture migrated from the moist stover to the drier grain. Harvesting whole-plant corn with a forage harvester had the unwanted effect of reducing the particle size of the grain fraction, which would complicate downstream utilization. However, reducing the harvester cutterhead speed increased the fraction of intact kernels from 47% to 85% by mass. The studied system was a viable alternative to conventional corn grain and stover systems for producing feedstocks for biochemical conversion. Keywords: Ash, Ensiling, Ethanol, Maize.

Applying Job Shop Scheduling to SMEs Manufacturing Platform to Revitalize B2B Relationship

A small and medium enterprises (SMEs) manufacturing platform aims to perform as a significant revenue to SMEs and vendors by providing scheduling and monitoring capabilities. The optimal job shop scheduling is generated by utilizing the scheduling system of the platform, and a minimum production time, i.e., makespan decides whether the scheduling is optimal or not. This scheduling result allows manufacturers to achieve high productivity, energy savings, and customer satisfaction. Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 requires dynamic, uncertain, complex production environments, and customer-centered services. This paper proposes a novel method for solving the difficulties of the SMEs manufacturing by applying and implementing the job shop scheduling system on a SMEs manufacturing platform. The primary purpose of the SMEs manufacturing platform is to improve the B2B relationship between manufacturing companies and vendors. The platform also serves qualified and satisfactory production opportunities for buyers and producers by meeting two key factors: early delivery date and fulfillment of processing as many orders as possible. The genetic algorithm (GA)-based scheduling method results indicated that the proposed platform enables SME manufacturers to obtain optimized schedules by solving the job shop scheduling problem (JSSP) by comparing with the real-world data from a textile weaving factory in South Korea. The proposed platform will provide producers with an optimal production schedule, introduce new producers to buyers, and eventually foster relationships and mutual economic interests.

МАСТЕРСКАЯ-КАМЕНОЛОМНЯ ПАЛЕОЛИТИЧЕСКОГО ВРЕМЕНИ НА Р. ЧАРЫШ (ЧАРЫШСКИЙ РАЙОН АЛТАЙСКОГО КРАЯ)

The article discusses the materials of the Paleolithic quarry workshop at the outlets of red-brown jasper in the left bank of the Charysh river. The monument is located 20 km upstream from the village. Charyshskoye (Charyshsky district of the Altai Territory). The monument contains chips and fakes, nucleoid products, tools, bifaces, bumpers. Some of the chips have remnants of faceted impact pads. This is evidence of a fairly early dating of the complex within the Paleolithic period.

About the First Mention of the Rus Merchants in Byzantium

The information of the Arabic official and writer Ibn Khordadbeh in The Book of Roads and Kingdoms about ar-Rūs merchants was studied many times but his mention of their travels to “the sea ar-Rum” where they pay the tithe to the ruler of ar-Rum did not attract much attention. On the one hand, it was taken for granted that in the 9th century there existed trade connections between Scandinavians who settled in Eastern Europe and Byzantium in spite of the almost absolute lack of archaeological confirmations of trade with Byzantium both in Scandinavia and in Eastern Europe in the 9th century and the silence of written sources. On the other hand, the identification of the place where the Rūs merchants traded with Kherson is dominating in modern literature. The mention of the Rūs merchants by Ibn Khaodadhbeh is, however, the earliest and unique peace of information of the trading activity of the Rus in Byzantium in the 9th century and as such it deserves greater attention, all the more so as the dating of Ibn Khordadhbeh’s work is debatable. First, most of the scholars tend to believe that there existed two versions of The Book dated to the 840s and 880s. Since the information about the Rūs merchants exist in both versions it is considered to belong to the 840s. Serious arguments, however, were recently suggested in favour of the existence of only one, and late, version. Second, the interpretation of the “ar-Rum sea” as the Black sea contradicts both its regular usage in Oriental literature as the designation of the Mediterranean Sea and its usage by Ibn Khordadhbeh himself: there are four other cases where the hydronym as unambiguously applied to the Mediterranean. Thus it is possible to speak about the trade activity of Rus in Byzantium and, maybe, in Constantinople with a great degree of confidence. The juxtaposition of Ibn Khordadhbeh’s information with a few other sources on Rus and Byzantium connections that came to us from the 9th century convincingly demonstrate the domination of peaceful relations based most probably on mutually beneficial trade and accompanied by diplomatic procedures and the recognition of the title “khagan” of the Rus ruler at any case in the second half of the 9th century. If we agree with the early date of The Book of Roads and Kingdoms, the beginnings of trade connections between the Rus and Byzantium can be dated to the first half the 9th century and it seems possible to suggest, highly hypothetically, that the embassy of the khagan of the Rhos to the emperor Theophilos at the end of the 830-s could have for their object the regulation of trade.

ДОВГОСТРОКОВЕ ПРОГНОЗУВАННЯ ДАТИ ПОЧАТКУ ВЕСНЯНОГО ВОДОПІЛЛЯ У ВЕРХІВ’Ї РІЧКИ ПІВДЕННИЙ БУГ ЗА ТЕЛЕКОННЕКЦІЙНИМИ ІНДЕКСАМИ

The start date of spring flood is an important hydrological characteristic. Insufficient attention is paid to its long-term forecasting, which is due to the complexity and unsolved problem in terms of improving the quality of such forecasting. Most often, quantitative methods are used in long-term forecasting. The most used are statistical, correlation, and regression analysis. Recently, teleconnection indices and patterns are increasingly used in hydrological long-term forecasting. At the same time, the basis of the concept of forecasting by the teleconnection connections is the idea of the influence of distant fluctuations of atmospheric circulation on the hydrological event. So, the theteleconnection indices and patterns are used for forecasting and analysis of river flow, atmospheric precipitation, research of snow water equivalent of river basins, forecasting of droughts and ice phenomena. The objective of this of the study is to develop a methodology of the long-term forecast of the spring flood start date in the upper part of the Southern Buh River using teleconnection indices and patterns. The method of long-term forecasting of the start date of spring flood was developed for the Southern Buh River – Lelitka village water gauge. The Southern Buh River – Lelitka village water gauge is located in the forest zone and characterizes homogeneous conditions of the formation of spring flood. Information on the start dates of spring flood for the observation period 1966-2015 and teleconnection indices and patterns were used. The start dates of spring flood at the Southern Buh River near Lelitka village are characterized by significant variability. So, the difference between late and early dates of spring flood is 65 days. 34 teleconnection indices and patterns were used, which the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration USA were determined. The best regression relationship with the start dates of spring flood at the South Buh River – Lelitka village water gauge was obtained for the indices WPAC850 in January and AAO in December. The technique corresponds to the “satisfactory” category for the probability of not exceeding the permissible error, which allows it to be used for forecasting. So, the teleconnection indices and patterns can be quite successfully used in the long-term forecasting of the start date of spring flood.

Influence of weather parameters on progress of Alternariaster leaf blight of sunflower

One of the major disease in sunflower i.e., blight caused by Alternariaster helianthi can infect all growth stages and causes severe losses. It is seed borne pathogen and causes heavy defoliation under congenial climate and yield losses estimated from 20 to 80%. A field study was conducted on impact of weather parameters on Alternariaster leaf spot of sunflower during kharif, for four years i.e., 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 at RARS, Nandyal with four different dates of sowing, using two cultivars KBSH-44 and morden and the disease was recorded at weekly interval. Influence of weather parameters on PDI corresponding to the same week or previous week were observed and the conditions like moderate temperatures, relative humidity (RH-I>80% and more RH-II), more rainfall and crop age have more influence on disease development. Correlation coefficient values for combined data of four years indicated that PDI was negatively correlated with Tmax, Tmin, rainfall and wind velocity on both cultivars and positive with RH-I and plant age. Regression equations in all the individual experimental years and in total indicated that Tmin, Tmax, RH-I, rainfall and age significantly influence the disease progress. Apart from these factors, dew point, spore load, sunshine hours and micro climate may also affect disease development. Hence, disease progression mainly depends on weather conditions. More AUDPC values observed in later date of sowings than early date of sowings.

ЙМОВІРНІСНІ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ І СТАТИСТИЧНІ ПАРАМЕТРИ СТРОКІВ НАСТАННЯ ОСНОВНИХ ФАЗ ЛЬОДОВОГО РЕЖИМУ РІЧОК БАСЕЙНУ ПРИП’ЯТІ У МЕЖАХ УКРАЇНИ

Probabilistic characteristics of the water body ice regimes significantly expands knowledge about their variability, magnitudes and appearance timing of main phases. Such knowledge is important for the design and operation of hydraulic structures. Along with this, the probabilistic characteristics of the river ice regimes of Ukraine were calculated in the 70s of the 20th century, including for some rivers of the Pripyat basin. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to determine the probabilistic characteristics and statistical parameters of the appearance dates of main phases of river ice regimes, namely appearance date of ice, date of freeze-up, break-up date (i.e., melt onset), date of ice disappearance in the Prypiat River basin within Ukraine, as well as the analysis of the obtained results. The research was carried out based on the data of 29 water gauges for the period from the beginning of observations to 2020. Such indicators as the multi-annual mean, standard deviation and asymmetry coefficient were used as statistical parameters. The analytical distribution of the appearance dates of main phases of river ice regimes is determined by the Pearson curve of type III, and empirical distribution is determined by the Weibull formula. Statistical series of the appearance dates of main phases of river ice regimes were arranged from early to late dates, namely low probability values were assigned to early dates, and large probability values were assigned to later dates. Pearson probability distribution of type III quite successfully describes the empirical points of main phases of river ice regimes of the Pripyat basin within of Ukraine. Analytical distribution curves have a slight negative asymmetry for the dates of the ice appearance and freeze-up, and a positive asymmetry for the dates of the break-up and ice disappearance. The variability of standard deviation and multi-annual mean of the appearance dates of main phases of river ice regimes is within ±7.5-10 days and 3-4 weeks, respectively. In general, the appearance dates of main phases of river ice regimes, as well as their statistical parameters and probabilistic characteristics have close values that are subject to geographic zoning. The analysis of changes over time in probabilistic characteristics and statistical parameters of the dates of ice appearance and freeze-up showed that the greatest changes have by probabilities that are not repeated often, and the smallest – by multi-annual mean and asymmetry coefficients.

Qur’anic Verses Count Analysis in Some Oldest MSS Fragments from Western Libraries

The article presents an analysis of the ayat count in MSS Marcel 5 and other related MSS. Additionally, it provides a brief history of the Marcel collection in the National Library of Russia, which includes valuable Qur’anic parchments dating back to an early period in Islamic history. The manuscript has undergone 14C dating and its palaeographical and codicological features confirm the early date. The article reaffirms its direct relationship with several manuscripts, including MSS Paris, BnF Arabe 335, Leiden Or. 14.545 a, Doha, Museum of Islamic Art, MS 276, and others in libraries across the USA, such as the Oriental Institute in Chicago. There is evidence that the manuscript travelled from al Fustat in Egypt to Paris before finally settling in St. Petersburg, Russia, Leiden, Doha, the UK, and the USA. An analysis was conducted to determine the origin of the ayat count, but its exact origin proved difficult to ascertain for several reasons.

THE EFFECT OF WARTIME SUFFERING ON THE CHOICE AND TRANSFORMATION OF MOTIFS IN THE WORK OF SAFET ZEC

Safet Zec is one of the most prominent Bosnian painters and graphic artists. For decades he has been creating works with a certain number of motifs and returning to them on several occasions during his active years. Above all, in his works he depicts landscapes, architectural motifs (the house, the homestead, room, window, door...), still life (bread, a cloth, table, flower pot...), and human figures. While his early work dates back to a peaceful time in his life in former Yugoslavia, marked by an atmosphere of happiness, fulfillment, and freedom, his later works, which date from the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its end, depict the tragedy and collective suffering of a people. This paper aims to present the importance of the works of Safet Zec and to view his opus from the aspect of his choice of motifs, their transformation, and the message the artist conveys depending on the social circumstances. We hope that this paper will introduce the work of this artist to the wider and expert public, and provide a contribution to a broader view of his work, encouraging researchers to further study.

А COIN OF BOHEMOND I OF ANTIOCH OVERSTRUCK BY TANCRED

AbstractAfter the city of Antioch was captured by the crusaders in 1098 Bohemond ofTarentum declared himself Prince of Antioch. In the summer of 1099 he was captured bythe Danishmendids and remained a prisoner for four years. During his absence Antiochwas ruled by his nephew Tancred. In 1104 Bohemond left the Holy Land and neverreturned. Until his death in 1111 he titled himself Prince of Antioch and was succeededby his infant son, also called Bohemond. Tancred (1104–12) and his successor Roger(1112–19) also used the title 'Prince‘ and obviously considered themselves more thanjust simply 'regents‘ for Bohemond I or II.The coinage attributed to Bohemond I, prince of Antioch (1098–1111) consists of asingle type in copper in Byzantine style. It depicts a bust of St Peter on the obverse and afloreate cross, with the letters B H M T in the angles, on the reverse. Ever since it wasfirst attributed to Bohemond I by de Saulcy in 1847 it has been generally accepted thatthis type is a coin of Bohemond I and not Bohemond II (1119–30). The copper coins ofthe princes of Antioch were usually overstruck on preceding types and until now therehas been no sign of a coin of Bohemond‘s successors, the 'regents‘ Tancred, Roger andBohemond II, overstruck on a coin of Bohemond I. The article publishes a clear exampleof a type 3 coin of Tancred overstruck on a coin of Bohemond I, so the identification isnow secure.The coins of Bohemond I are scarce but recently a relatively large number haveappeared in trade. This provides an opportunity to analyse the coinage in more detail.There are two types in somewhat different styles and it is not clear whether they shouldbe regarded as substantive types or just the work of different die cutters. The articleconsiders the possibility that one could belong to the first period of Bohemond‘s presence in Antioch and the other to his second. If this is the case then it is possible that some of Tancred‘s early coins date from the time of his first 'regency‘ since the precedent for coinage had been established. It seems more likely, however, that both types belong to Bohemond‘s second stay and that Tancred did not begin to coin until after Bohemond left Antioch for good.As a postscript a new 'variety‘ of the coinage of Bohemond of scyphate fabric is published.

Достовірність літописних даних про похід Володимира Мономаха проти половців у 1111 р. (хронологічний, географічний та музейно-культурологічний аспекти)

Study of the Polovсians history in the end of the 11th – the beginning of the 13th century AD was traditionally based on data from Old Rus’ian chronicles. In some cases, discrepancies were observed between different lists of these chronicles. Therefore, there was sometimes distrust in the teaching of the sequence of events by Old Rus’ian chroniclers. It especially applies to the information about Volodymyr Monomakh’s military campaign against the Polovcians on the “Don” in 1111. The most detailed information about this military campaign is contained in the Ipatievska and Voskresenska chronicles. Therefore, it became the object of research. The main goal of the proposed research is to determine the degree of reliability of the information about Volodymyr Monomakh’s campaign against the Polovtsy in 1111, which is contained in these chronicles. It required solving certain issues. So, these chronicles contain the information about the very early date of Easter in 1111 – April 2 (Sunday). All these questions forced the authors of this article to study the history of the Easter tradition and mathematical verification of the data of the chronicle texts. It gave a positive result. However, the date of the arrival of Volodymyr Monomakh’s troops on the “Don” (Siverskyi Donets) differs in both lists of chronicles: according to the Ipatievska chronicle, it happened “in the sixth ‘nedelya’ of fasting”; according to the Voskresenska chronicle – “in the fifth ‘nedelya’ of fasting”. The analysis of the texts shows that the compilers of these two chronicles followed different chronological approaches, but, in accordance with it, they gave one date – March 19. There are still lively disputes regarding the localization of the Polovtsian centers – Sharukan (Cheshuyev) and Sugrov. Today it is possible to localize only one Polovtsian center – Sharukan near the modern Zmiyiv town, because, in the language of the Polovcians, the name of their Khan Sharukan meant “Dragon, Snake” (Ukrainian Dragon is Zmiy). Analysis of chronicles shows that the population of these Polovtsian towns was mixed: there were not only the Polovcians, but also representatives of the agricultural Christian world. Exhibits from the archaeological collections of the Zmiyiv Museum of Local Lore show this diversity of the population in the Polovcian period. The authors of this article used these unpublished museum collections to solve the problem. Thus, the data of the Ipatievska Chronicle about Volodymyr Monomakh’s campaign against the Polovtsians in 1111 can be fully trusted.

Art of Storytelling

This article focuses on two exquisitely carved stone panels from Rajaona in Lakhisarai district, Bihar, depicting animated scenes from the Ramayana. The panels were first reported by Frederick Asher in 1986 and since his concise overview no further analysis has been forthcoming. This article seeks to identify the seven Ramayana episodes represented across the two panels and to analyse them within the broader context of early visual Ramayanas, and especially those from Bihar and Bengal. Contrary to what has previously been suggested, the scenes depicted are from the Yuddhakanda of the Ramayana, and of the seven parts, most comprise the earliest extant visual renderings of these stories. The panels have previously been dated to the Gupta period (c.319–550 ce) but following a stylistic analysis I propose instead an early post-Gupta date. This suggested dating conforms with the trajectory of Ramayana imagery in early India, which otherwise does not seem to have been adopted on temples in the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent until the late sixth/early seventh century.

Impulsivity as a Predictor of Early Dating Initiation in 11-12-Year-Old Youth.

As early initiation of dating behaviors is associated with risky sexual behaviors (e.g., higher number of sexual partners, sex with strangers), the current study examined determinants of early dating behaviors, focusing on impulsivity. Participants were 11-12-year-old boys (n = 109) and girls (n = 61) recruited from a psychiatric clinic and ads targeted to the general public. Ordered logistic regression models were used to examine the association between each facet of impulsivity (negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking) and dating behaviors. Youth with higher sensation seeking and negative urgency was more likely to initiate dating behaviors at early ages compared to those with lower scores on those measures. Further, we found that female gender and higher parental education were associated with lower risk of initiating dating behaviors at early age. Advanced pubertal development was associated with higher risk for early dating. Our findings can inform prevention efforts, identifying sensation seeking and negative urgency as predictors of youths' early engagement in dating behaviors, which can be a precursor of early sexual debut and risky sexual behaviors.

Efficiency of assimilating leaf area index into a soybean model to assess within-field yield variability

Methods for accurately estimating within-field yield are essential to improve site-specific crop management and resource use efficiencies, which would be a major step toward sustainable intensification of agricultural systems. We set out to assess the accuracy of within-field soybean yields predicted by two data assimilation methods and to assess these methods’ assimilation efficiency (AE). Yields were estimated by assimilating remotely sensed leaf area index (LAI) data from Sentinel-2 into a soybean crop growth model on a pixel basis. The LAI data was integrated into the model by Ensemble Kalman Filtering (EnKF) or by recalibrating with the Subplex algorithm (recalibration-based). An open-loop setting which only integrates information on the soil layers was used as a baseline scenario for quantifying the AE. We assessed both data assimilation techniques on eight fields (3067 pixels) in the Corn Belt region (Nebraska, Kansas and Kentucky) in the United States. The data set encompassed substantial variation in crop growth conditions: three growing seasons (2018, 2019 and 2020), rainfed and irrigated fields, and early and late planting dates. Ground truth yield acquired from combine monitors was used to validate the yield estimations. Agreement between predicted and observed yield at pixel level was two times higher for both data assimilation methods compared to the open-loop. The root mean square error (RMSE) was 476 kg.ha−1 (RRMSE of 10 %) in the recalibration-based method and 573 kg.ha−1 (RRMSE of 12 %) in the EnKF-based method. For both data assimilation methods, assimilating the LAI improved predictions for 68 % of the pixels. For a further 12 % of pixels, there was no accuracy improvement. For the remaining 20 %, AE was positive for one of the two assimilation methods. The high proportion of pixels with positive AE indicates the potential for overcoming the limitations in applying crop models at high spatial resolution by integrating a crop growth indicator. Assimilating an in-season indicator of crop growth (LAI) into a soybean model made it possible to adjust the simulation pathway, thereby greatly improving the accuracy of the yield estimations at the pixel level. This study elucidates the practical applications of data assimilation strategies for fine-scale within-field crop yield mapping.

BREEDS OF UKRAINIAN SELECTION AND THEIR PRODUCTIVITY IN THE CONDITIONS OF WESTERN FOREST STEPPE

This article covers the list of precocious soybean varieties (Ukrainian Selection) for the purpose of studying them in the conditions of Western Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. The research was conducted during 2017–2020 at the experimental field of Crop Production Technology Department of the Lviv National Environmental University.
 In these studies, the following soybean varieties were used, namely Ustia, Khvylia, Muza, Arnica, Vilshanka, Siverka, Suziria, Vyshyvanka, originated by the Institute of NSC «Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences». These varieties belong to the early-germinating group that means their growing season ranges from 83 to 107 days, and they are also characterized by increased resistance to damage by the most common diseases, bean cracking and grain shedding. Considering their early harvest dates, the researched varieties can be used as a precursor for winter crops, and are suitable for harvest crops (Siverka variety).
 Ustia variety was entered into the Register of Varieties of Ukraine in 2002. Precocious. Weight of 1000 seeds is 155–160 g. The seeds contain 41–42 % protein and 19–20 % oil. Muza variety is in the State Register since 2015, bred by the method of repeated individual selection from Yug-30/Ustia hybrid generations. The weight of 1000 seeds is 235–245 g. The seeds contain 41–42 % protein and 20–21 % fat. Arnica variety was entered in the State Register in 2016, bred by the method of individual selection from the combination of crossing two early and productive lines 242 and 427. The weight of 1000 seeds is 155–160 g, seeds contain 40–42 % protein and 20–21 % fat. Khvylia variety is in the State Register since 2013, bred by the method of individual selection from the L.364/Cherniatka hybrid population. The weight of 1000 seeds is 158–162 g. The seeds contain 40–42 % protein and 21–22 % fat. The Vilshanka variety is in the State Register since 2011, bred by the method of repeated individual selection from the hybrid L.955/Cherniatka. The weight of 1000 seeds is 240–250 g. The seeds contain 41–42 % protein and 21–22 % fat; Siverka variety is in the State Register since 2013, bred by the method of individual selection from the Yug-30/Ustia hybrid population. The weight of 1000 seeds is 170–175 g. The seeds contain 41–42 % protein and 20–21 % fat; Vyshyvanka variety is in the State Register since 2019. The weight of 1000 seeds is 144–183 g. The seeds contain 38–39 % protein and 22–23 % fat; the Suziria variety is medium-ripe, entered into the State Register of plant varieties being suitable for distribution in Ukraine since 2011 in the Forest Steppe and Polissia zones. The weight of 1000 seeds is 220–240 g. The seeds contain 42–43 % protein and 20–21 % fat.

Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity, Blood Pressure, and Autonomic Responses in Patients With Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Despite the well-known positive effects of exercise in hypertensive patients, the best mode of exercise is still under discussion. A systematic review of the literature, synthesizing data on the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak), blood pressure (BP), cardiac autonomic modulation, and resting heart rate (HR) in patients with hypertension. MEDLINE (via PubMed), CENTRAL, PEDro database, and SciELO (from the earliest date available to December 31, 2020). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of HIIT in hypertensive patients. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Level 2. Mean differences (MDs) with a 95% CI were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. Nine RCTs encompassing 569 patients met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. Five trials compared supervised HIIT with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and a control; 1 trial compared HIIT with MICT, and 3 compared HIIT with a control. In comparison with MICT, HIIT improved VO2 peak MD (3.3 mL.kg-1.min-1; 95% CI, 1.4-5.3; N = 130). In comparison with controls, HIIT improved VO2 peak MD (4.4 mL.kg-1.min-1; 95% CI, 2.5-6.2; N = 162). Despite the low quality of the evidence, HIIT is superior to MICT in improving VO2 peak in patients with hypertension. HIIT effectively improved VO2 peak, BP, and resting HR when compared with controls. HIIT appears to be safe only when performed in a supervised manner for stage 1 hypertension patients without associated risk factors.