Lack Of Sunshine Research Articles

Potato Leaf Disease Prediction: A Machine Learning Perspective

Potato leaf disease has mostly two categories; early blight and late blight disease. The disease may be more prevalent in certain weather patterns and have a catastrophic effect on potato crops. In summary, warm, humid weather with frequent rain or heavy dew, temperatures between 15°C and 20°C, and a lack of sunshine are the weather conditions that can cause potato late blight. Drier weather conditions favour early blight, unlike late blight. Warm and dry weather with a lack of rain or irrigation, temperatures between 21°C and 29°C, and high humidity in the morning are the weather conditions that can cause potato early blight. A modified dataset is used for climate-influenced prediction, and the testing accuracy using random forest models is 97%. Analysis of experimental results shows that the suggested potato-leaf disease prediction based on the weather data framework outperforms the outcome of frameworks.

Structural and spectral properties of triple-color emitting Eu doped SrZr4(PO4)6 phosphors: Plant growth LEDs application

ObjectiveWell known that the light energy is essential and major source for natural plant habitats, and the primary source of light is the sun. However, there is a lack of sun shine, particularly at dark places such as indoors, natural caves, northern countries, and night times that may destroy plants growth, stop blooming flowers, and decrease crop yields. Thus, artificial light sources are necessary for plant growth, not affecting natural plant habitats. MethodsIn this work, we have prepared blue, red, and far-red light-emitting Eu doped SrZr4(PO4)6 phosphors by simple sol-gel method. The phase analysis, functional, and morphological studies were carried out. The rhombohedral structures of phosphors were observed from the morphological graphs. XPS studies were confirmed the elemental and valance state of Eu2+ and Eu3+. The optical properties were systematically investigated through photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, diffuse reflection spectra, and CIE chromaticity coordinates. ResultsThe band gaps of samples were found to be from 3.8 to 3.9 eV. The emission spectra of SrZr4(PO4)6:Eu phosphors exhibited a strong narrow band peaking at blue (452 nm), red (610 nm) and far-red (744 nm) emissions under the 390 nm excitation that nearly matches for the photosynthesis process; hence, we expect that the prepared phosphors may be a potential phosphor material for the fabrication of plant growth WLEDs. Among all the phosphors, SrZr4(PO4)6:0.07Eu phosphor has maximum intensity, and its CIE coordinates, CRI and CCT, were found to be (0.34, 0.32), 91 and 4956 K, respectively.

Vitamin D deficiency: supplementation or test & treat?

The relation between lack of sunshine and rickets is known since the end of the 19th century. In the 1890s, Dr Palm, a Scottish medical missionary, working in Japan noted the absence of rickets. Back in England, he was intrigued by the very high prevalence of rickets. From other medical missionaries, Palm learnt that children in tropical zones, such as China, India and Ceylon were free of rickets. Palm came to the conclusion that “the geography of rickets appears to involve the temperate latitudes of Europe, and he attributed the absence of rickets in tropical countries to plenty of sunshine.

Analysis of Innovations in Concentration of Solar Radiation

As part of my research work carried out successfully at the level of Master 2 in 2016, in the laboratory of Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics and Signal Processing, I designed a TVS central, which allowed me to replace the use of diesel fuel by solar energy in the production of electrical energy. This solar power plant was named: TVS system. Its solar energy collector is parabolic and well suited to urban areas. I have noticed that its installation, operation and maintenance are complex and require good training for officers working at the plant. The rural area is not electrified in Cameroon it has been very interesting to extend the use of the TVS system in rural areas since water and the sun being available in these places, it will work with steam which will allow to have a kW at lower cost. It will be a question for me in the context of performance research in the production of electricity, to redesign the TVS system with innovative solar energy collection equipment which also allows to add a thermal storage system to overcome lack of sunshine at night. The process of producing electricity from solar radiation is complex for concentrated solar energy, but direct for voltaic panels. Since the solar energy is not very dense, it is necessary to concentrate it to obtain exploitable temperatures for the production of high-power electricity. These sought temperatures are between 400°C and 600°C. Figure 1 below shows the capture of solar radiation and the movements of the thermal energy received until its transformation into mechanical movement driving the alternator. The solar energy production sector has become dynamic all over the world and we are witnessing various promising innovations which will announce the primordial place that renewable energies will occupy in the near future. Today, solar energy is estimated at 19% of the world's electric energy. During my thesis work, I propose to: analyze of innovations in concentration of solar radiation. [10]

Spatial distribution characteristics of tumor marker CA724 reference values in China.

ObjectsThis study aims to explore the Cancer antigen 724 (CA724) reference values spatial distribution characteristics in healthy Chinese adults. The study can provide regional reference for medical diagnosis.Study DesignThe relationship between CA724 and 25 geographical environmental factors was analyzed firstly. Artificial neural network simulation training was used to construct the prediction model. The national forecast distribution map of the CA724 reference values was obtained by the geostatistical mapping method. Analyzing and exploring the influence mechanism of geographical environment factors on CA724 reference values.MethodsCollecting 34470 cases from more than 106 cities healthy adults CA724 reference values via several paper databases in 10 recent years. Correlation analysis, RBF artificial neural networks and trend surface analysis were applied to explore if there was any tendency of spatial variation. The Kriging interpolation of geostatistical analysis was developed to reveal the spatial distribution characteristics of the CA724 reference values.ResultsThe distribution of CA724 reference values of Chinese healthy adults shows a downward trend from south to north. CA724 reference values have negative correlations with latitude, annual sunshine duration and topsoil cation exchange capacity in clay. CA724 have positive correlations with annual mean air temperature, annual mean relative humidity, and annual precipitation amount. High temperature and high humidity environment will reduce gastrointestinal function and breeze various mold bacteria. Lack of sunshine can easily lead to vitamin C deficiency in the body. These will increase the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases and gastric cancer, then increase the CA724 value.ConclusionCA724 reference values show spatial autocorrelation and regional variation. There are some geographical environment factors effected Chinese healthy adults CA724 reference values. Geographic factors such as sunshine, temperature, and humidity have effects on CA724 reference values can provide new ideas and directions of prevention and clinical diagnosis in the future.

Supplemental LED inter-lighting compensates for a shortage of light for plant growth and yield under the lack of sunshine.

Supplemental lighting can enhance yield when sunlight is limited, as in winter. As the effect of frequent cloudy or rainy days in other seasons on plant growth and yield remains unclear, we investigated the effect on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and compensation by supplemental LED inter-lighting. Plants were grown under 30% shade cloth on 0%, 40%, or 60% of days. Lower leaves were illuminated with red and blue LED inter-lighting modules from right after first anthesis, or not illuminated. Shading during 40% and 60% of days diminished daily light integral (DLI) by 26% and 40%, respectively, and reduced shoot dry weight by 22.0% and 23.3%, yield by 18.5% and 23.3%, and fruit soluble solids content by 12.3% and 9.3%. In contrast, supplemental inter-lighting improved the light distribution within plants and compensated DLI, and maintained similar yield and soluble solids content in both shade treatments as in the control. These results clearly show that supplemental LED inter-lighting could efficiently compensate for a shortage of light for plant growth, photosynthesis and thus yield under the lack of sunshine.

Development of a Renewable Energy Based DC Excitation System in a Micro Hydro Power Plant

MHPPs (micro hydro power plants) have become prominent in hydropower plants as a solution to provide the energy demands of the grid. In this study, a new hybrid renewable energy based DC excitation system for synchronous generator in the developed MHPP system is introduced. Proposed hybrid DC excitation system consists of solar & h ydrogen energy based power generating systems. Hybrid renewable energy based system is used for the excitation of the synchronous generator in the MHPP test system. The renewables are used as a secondary energy source to provide the excitation current to a synchronous generator that generates energy in MHPP. A PV (photovoltaic) array is used as the main source of excitation, and a FC (fuel cell) stack is used for DC excitation in the lack of sunshine. In the experimental setup, an electrical control card is developed, and a microcontroller is used to perform the proposed excitation system. All experimental results obtained from 5 kW rated power MHHP test system. Experimental results show that, the proposed method provides the continuous excitation current, and the operation of the synchronous generator is uninterrupted. The proposed method is also practical and easily implemented for MHPP systems.

Improving the performance of stepped solar still

In this paper, the experimental performance of a stepped solar still coupled with a solar air-heater was investigated. A single slope passive solar still (conventional still) and stepped active solar still integrated with a solar air-heater collector were fabricated with an area of 0.5m2. The hot air from the solar air heater passes under the base of stepped still used to heat the saline water. The higher saline water temperature was achieved by the active stepped solar still compared to the passive solar still due to the additional thermal energy supplied by hot air. Use of aluminum filling as thermal storage material beneath the absorber plate keeps the operating temperature of the still high enough to produce distillated water during the lack of sunshine, particularly at night. Also, the effect of water flow over the glass cover was studied. Results showed that, water productivity increased by 112% over conventional still, when the system was coupled with a solar air-heater and glass cover cooling, for stepped solar still. The productivity of the stepped still is increased by integrating aluminum filling by about 53% over conventional still.

Sunshine, rainfall, humidity and child pneumonia in the tropics: time-series analyses

Few studies have formally examined the relationship between meteorological factors and the incidence of child pneumonia in the tropics, despite the fact that most child pneumonia deaths occur there. We examined the association between four meteorological exposures (rainy days, sunshine, relative humidity, temperature) and the incidence of clinical pneumonia in young children in the Philippines using three time-series methods: correlation of seasonal patterns, distributed lag regression, and case-crossover. Lack of sunshine was most strongly associated with pneumonia in both lagged regression [overall relative risk over the following 60 days for a 1-h increase in sunshine per day was 0·67 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0·51-0·87)] and case-crossover analysis [odds ratio for a 1-h increase in mean daily sunshine 8-14 days earlier was 0·95 (95% CI 0·91-1·00)]. This association is well known in temperate settings but has not been noted previously in the tropics. Further research to assess causality is needed.

2009-2010년 8월 완도근해 해역의 해양환경 및 식물플랑크톤 모니터링

This study was determined to analysis marine environmental and phytoplankton monitoring in Wando coastal waters in August during the period of 2009-2010 and provided the basic environmental data against Southwest Sea of Korea. In August, 2009, the distribution of water temperature and salinity showed an unique characteristics for all of stations, which was associated with a long duration of rainfall after July, 2009 and a lack of sunshine. In the lower of August, 2010, the stratification of water temperature and salinity was shown, which was caused by an intensive sunshine after the middle of August, 2010. Gangjin Bay and Gogeundo waters showed a highly different water temperature and transparency. It is thought that two regions have a distinct water mass and characteristics. In dissolved oxygen and oxygen saturation were higher according to higher water depth regardless of stations. In August, 2009, different dominant species occurred that Gangjin Bay showed a higher cell density of diatom, but Gonyaulax polygramma played an important role in dominant species in Gogeundo waters. It is associated with the introduction red tide water of G. polygramma occurring to southern coastal water in August, 2009. In August, 2010, diatom was extremely higher cell density compared with that of dinoflagellate that regarded as adaptive microrganism against higher quantity of suspended solid in Wando waters. Although Wando has a record of Cochlodinium red tide, this species may be difficult to grow and persist. Dominant species, diatom, play an important role in food organism for shellfish and forming a ecological lineage.

Thermal analysis of a weir-type cascade solar still integrated with PCM storage

A weir-type cascade solar still, integrated with latent heat thermal energy storage system, was designed with the view of enhancing productivity. Use of a heat storage system with 18 kg mass (2 cm thickness) of paraffin wax beneath the absorber plate keeps the operating temperature of the still high enough to produce distillated water during the lack of sunshine, particularly at night. Also, theoretical models were developed for the still with and without PCM, and the calculated results were compared with the experimental data. In addition, the internal convective heat transfer coefficient calculated from the experimental data of the still without PCM was applied for the calculations since the common relation proposed by Dunkle could not follow the still performance. Moreover, important parameters affecting the performance of the still, such as water level on the absorber plate and distance between water and glass surfaces, were theoretically investigated. The performance of the still with and without PCM was also studied on a typical day in Zahedan, Iran. In this regard, the daily productivity was theoretically found to be 6.7 and 5.1 kg/m 2day, for the still with and without PCM, respectively. The results showed that the productivity of the still with PCM was theoretically 31% higher than that of without PCM.

Whether the weather influences pain: High prevalence of chronic pain in Iceland and Norway: Common genes? Or lack of sunshine and vitamin D?

Article Whether the weather influences pain: High prevalence of chronic pain in Iceland and Norway: Common genes? Or lack of sunshine and vitamin D? was published on July 1, 2010 in the journal Scandinavian Journal of Pain (volume 1, issue 3).

Whether the weather influences pain? Results from the EpiFunD study in North West England

To determine whether the report of pain is influenced by meteorological conditions. A population-based study (Epidemiology of Functional Disorders) was conducted in North West England. Subjects were mailed a questionnaire that enquired about pain on the day of completion ('any pain') and chronic widespread pain (CWP) as defined by the ACR, as well as about the potential mediating factors, sleep quality, exercise and mood, between the weather and pain. Hourly information on sunshine, precipitation, air temperature and pressure was available from a local weather station. Analysis of relationships was done by Cox regression and described as prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% CIs. Between January 2005 and December 2006, questionnaires from 2491 subjects were returned: 42% of the subjects reported 'any pain' on the day of completion, whereas 15% of the subjects had CWP. For both 'any pain' and CWP, the PR was the highest in winter (46.1 and 22.2%, respectively) followed by autumn (45.4 and 17.9%, respectively) and spring (41.9 and 14.7%, respectively) and lowest in summer (35.6 and 9.5%, respectively). Persons were less likely to report pain on days with >5.8 h of sunshine (any pain: PR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.82, 0.93; CWP: PR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.38, 0.84) and with average temperature of >17.5 degrees C (any pain: PR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.66, 0.83; CWP: PR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.34, 0.48). These relationships were partly explained by persons reporting taking more exercise and having better sleep quality and a more positive mood on days with sunshine and higher temperatures. CONCLUSIONS;. Although a strong relationship between lack of sunshine, lower temperatures and pain reporting has been demonstrated, pain is not an inevitable consequence of such climatic conditions.

Pathophysiology of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Parathyroid gland is the overall regulatory organ within the systemic calcium homeostasis. Through cell surface bound calcium-sensing receptors external calcium inversely regulates release of parathyroid hormone (PTH). This mechanism, which is voltage independent and most sensitive around physiologic calcium concentrations, is regulated through a 120 kDa calcium sensing receptor, CaR. Inherited inactivation of this receptor is the cause for familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH). Parallel research identified the 550 kDa glycoprotein megalin, which also is expressed on the parathyroid cell surface, as another potential calcium sensing protein. Although this protein expresses numerous calcium binding sites on its external domain, its main function may be calcium sensitive binding and uptake of steroid hormones, such as 25-OH-vitamin D3 (bound to vitamin D binding protein) and retinol. In hyperparathyroidism (HPT), excessive PTH is secreted and the calcium sensitivity of the cells reduced, i.e. the set-point, defined as the external calcium concentration at which half-maximal inhibition of PTH release occurs, shifted to the right. Pathological cells have reduced expression of both CaR and megalin, and reduced amount of intracellular lipids, possibly including stored steroid hormones. A number of possible genetic disturbances have been identified, indicating multifactorial reasons for the disease. In postmenopausal women, however, the individual group with highest incidence of disease, a causal relation to reduced effect of vitamin D is possible. An incipient renal insufficiency with age, lack of sunshine in the Northern Hemisphere, and an association to the baT haplotype of the vitamin D receptor supports this theory. This review summarizes data on regulation of PTH release, dysregulation in HPT, as well as proliferation of parathyroid cells.

What's in a name?

Summer — what summer? With the lack of sunshine this year I have found myself inside a few times thinking, now what can I do?! So I have found myself browsing the internet and finding a host of strange and wonderful websites some of which would not be suitable to mention in this column! On one site I came across a piece that spoke about a national survey that was undertaken which found that some people would rather have a grander job title than a pay rise. It gave an example of an estate agent being described as a ‘space consultant’ and a shelf stacker as an ‘ambient replenishment controller’. I ask you, would this happen in the health sector? Well actually, yes. A chiropodist has been given the title of ‘foot health gain facilitator’!

Estimation of pesticide runoff from paddy fields to rural rivers

The runoff characteristics of pesticides from paddy fields to rural rivers were investigated over a period of three years in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. High pesticide concentrations were usually observed in rivers during pesticide application periods. In one year, the growth of rice seedlings slowed down after transplantation owing to low temperatures and lack of sunshine, and many farmers delayed herbicide application. In that year, high-concentration runoff of herbicides in rivers was observed 1-3 weeks later than in average years. The pesticide runoff rates ranged from 0.3% for fenthion to 42% for benfuresate. The runoff rates of pesticides applied post-flood were large. Furthermore, the larger the water solubility of the pesticide, the larger the runoff rate. The highest concentrations of herbicides in paddy water were observed on the day of application or 1-2 days later, and the concentrations decreased exponentially afterwards. The half-lives of the herbicides ranged from 1.2 days for pretilachlor and esprocarb to 5 days for simetryn; the concentrations of the herbicides in paddy water had decreased to 1/10 of their initial concentrations by about 7 days after application. Therefore, the runoff amounts of pesticides from paddy fields could be decreased by improving irrigation-water management.

Sunrayce 99

During June 1999, 29 university teams from Canada and the US raced their solar-powered cars 2280 km from Washington DC to Orlando, Florida in the Sunrayce 1999 event. In spite of its name, the race was noteworthy for its lack of sunshine. The challenging and unpredictable weather served to add another dimension to the fiercely competitive race, which is high-profile solar energy showcase. The conditions favoured teams with a superior energy management strategy over outright performance, with many cars able to cover great daily distances at reasonable speeds in spite of the Spartan amount of energy available. The race was won by the University of Missouri–Rolla with an average speed of about 40 km h−1. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suicide mortality in Slovenia: regional variation.

Different medical, social, and environmental regional characteristics were investigated as possible predictors of suicide rates in 60 self-governing communes in Slovenia. The distribution pattern of regional suicide rates for Slovenia shows some similarity to that of the rest of Europe, especially in terms of the substantial variation of suicide density within the country. On the basis of the multivariate analysis, prevalence of alcohol psychosis, percentage of Catholics, and low duration of sunshine appeared to be the most important predictors of regional suicide rates in Slovenia. The rate of murders was proven to be a highly useful clue of suicide potential among younger groups, whereas income per capita of population was associated with suicide risk in old age. The principal component analysis provided three suicide risk patterns: a socio-economic risk pattern (Catholic religion in poor community), a behavioral one (antisocial features, including heavy drinking), and a depression-related risk pattern with a climatic component (lack of sunshine). Different approaches are necessary for the different risk patterns listed above. Psychiatry, especially clinical psychiatry, can only deal with components of two of the patterns, namely, depression and antisocial behavior.

Phenolic content of daylight-exposed and shaded floating leaves of water lilies (Nymphaeaceae) in relation to infection by fungi.

Under suboptimal growing conditions (e.g. a lack of sunshine), floating leaves of Nymphaea alba and Nuphar lutea can become heavily infected with the fungi Colletotrichum nymphaeae and Pythium F, respectively. These fungi normally act as decomposers of senescent leaves. Mature leaves of Nymphaea alba and Nuphar lutea contain high concentrations of phenolics, secondary substances known for their fungistatic properties. The production of these compounds requires energy and primary metabolites. The hypothesis that suboptimal growing conditions reduce the ability of nymphaeids to maintain a sufficiently high level of phenolics, thereby making them more vulnerable to infection by fungi, was tested. Outdoor mesocosm experiments were used to examine the response of floating leaves of Nymphaea alba and Nuphar lutea to reduced light availability. Shading significantly reduced the phenolic content of the leaves. This was accompanied by higher disease severity. The outcome of this experiment is also discussed in relation to the higher nitrogen content measured in shaded leaves.

Public expectation as an element of human perception of climate change

Human expectations regarding weather and climate sometimes lead to perceptions of climate change which are not supported by observational evidence. This paper analyses two very characteristic complaints about current climate in Switzerland, i.e., the lack of snow in winter and the lack of sunshine in summer, through a statistical investigation of climatological data. As one major problem of public perception of climate in mid-latitude regions is linked to the strong variability of the climatic parameters, the paper suggests means of presenting climatic data which include a measure of this variability. Such presentations would help overcome the common confusion between the terms ‘weather’ and ‘climate’, and stress the fact that short-term extreme events are not necessarily indicative of a long-term shift in climate.