Estimations of Water Use Efficiency in Winter Wheat Based on Multi-Angle Remote Sensing.

Real-time non-destructive monitoring of water use efficiency (WUE) is important for screening high-yielding high-efficiency varieties and determining the rational allocation of water resources in winter wheat production. Compared with vertical observation angles, multi-angle remote sensing provides more information on mid to lower parts of the wheat canopy, thereby improving estimates of physical and chemical indicators of the entire canopy. In this study, multi-angle spectral reflectance and the WUE of the wheat canopy were obtained at different growth stages based on field experiments carried out across 4 years using three wheat varieties under different water and nitrogen fertilizer regimes. Using appropriate spectral parameters and sensitive observation angles, the quantitative relationships with wheat WUE were determined. The results revealed that backward observation angles were better than forward angles, while the common spectral parameters Lo and NDDAig were found to be closely related to WUE, although with increasing WUE, both parameters tended to become saturated. Using this data, we constructed a double-ratio vegetation index (NDDAig/FWBI), which we named the water efficiency index (WEI), reducing the impact of different test factors on the WUE monitoring model. As a result, we were able to create a unified monitoring model within an angle range of -20-10°. The equation fitting determination coefficient (R 2) and root mean square error (RMSE) of the model were 0.623 and 0.406, respectively, while an independent experiment carried out to test the monitoring models confirmed that the model based on the new index was optimal, with R 2, RMSE, and relative error (RE) values of 0.685, 0.473, and 11.847%, respectively. These findings suggest that the WEI is more sensitive to WUE changes than common spectral parameters, while also allowing wide-angle adaptation, which has important implications in parameter design and the configuration of satellite remote sensing and UAV sensors.

The control of clonorchiasis in Guangdong province, southern China.

Oriental liver fluke disease (clonorchiasis), caused by Clonorchis sinensis, is endemic in 81 counties in Guangdong province, China. This study was conducted following increasing lack of clonorchiasis awareness and increased consumption of raw freshwater fish and raw fish porridge at home and restaurants, which has been attributed to improved living standards in China, and is considered to have led to a higher C. sinensis infection rate in the country. A total of 61,517 individuals were investigated from 123 sites during a provincial survey in 1988, with average C. sinensis infection rate of 1.82% that increased to 4.08% (335/8217) in 1997. Higher infection rate was observed in adult men than women, with heavy infection rate in fishermen and businessmen because they have access and means to get raw fishes for consumption. Thus, clonorchiasis has become a serious public health problem in Guangdong province. Efforts targeting clonorchiasis prevention and control in Guangdong province started in the 1990s. These included carrying out large-scale surveys and chemotherapy in epidemic regions, research on promotion of environmental sanitation and methods for freshwater aquaculture. Establishment and promotion of clonorchiosis demonstration plots for comprehensive control measures, as well as the development of clonorchiasis-prevention community-out-patient clinics were initiated and their effectiveness was evaluated. However, there seem to be no obvious decline in the prevalence of C. sinensis with 4.90% (608/12,401) in 2015, at Guangdong province due to the people's habit of eating raw fishes in endemic areas. This has led to increasing calls to improve environmental sanitation in the aquaculture industry. It is, however, believed that control efforts on clonorchiosis in the province are at an early stage and require strengthening through the cooperation of different departments to work out effective strategies for sustainable field application of control mechanisms.

[Diagnosis and Treatment of the First Imported Case of Plasmodium knowlesi Infection in China].

Objective: To diagnose and treat the first imported active case of Plasmodium knowlesi infection in China. Methods: The clinical information of the patient was collected. Microscopy of blood smear was conducted after Giemsa staining. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood, and PCR was conducted to amplify rDNA. The PCR products were sequenced and analyzed with BLAST Results: The patient returned from a one-week tour in a tropical rain forest in Malaysia. The first disease attack occurred in Guangzhou on Oct. 16, 2014, with fever, shivering and sweating. The patient was initially diagnosed as malaria and hospitalized on Oct. 26, 2014. Microscopic observation revealed typical forms of P. knowlesi in blood smear. The red blood cells became enlarged, with big trophozoites appearing as a ring with dual cores and dark brown malaria pigment. The trophozoites were slightly bigger and thicker than P. falciparum. The schizont had 6-8 merozoites, with obvious brown malaria pigment. PCR resulted in a specific band of 1 099 bp. BLAST analysis showed that the sequence of the PCR product was 99% homologous to P. knowlesi (acession No. AM910985.1, L07560.1 and AY580317.1). The patient was diagnosed as P. knowlesi infection, and was then given an 8-day treatment with chloroquine and primaquine, together with dihydroartemisinin piperaquine phosphate tablet. The patient was discharged after recovery on Oct. 28, 2014. Conclusion: According to the clinical symptoms, epidemiological history and laboratory test, the patient has been confirmed as P. knowlesi infection. It may also be the first active case of knowlesi malaria reported in China.