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Mulching is a widely adopted agronomic practice, often used as a water-saving strategy due to its effectiveness in reducing soil evaporation. However, effects vary depending on the materials used and the extent of mulch soil coverage. Consequently, the impacts of mulching may differ considerably across production systems, preventing the establishment of reliable guidelines for irrigation water management. The objective of this study is to comprehensively review existing literature that compares mulching versus no-mulching management, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of mulching on soil evaporation (Es), crop coefficients (Kc), and actual crop evapotranspiration (ETc act). 58 studies were selected. The impact of mulching was particularly notable in the early crop stages, when the soil is not fully covered. Data in literature shows that plastic films were more effective in reducing Kc than organic materials. However, this effect, while evident during the early crop stages, diminished throughout the rest of the season. Black plastic films were more effective during the early crop stages compared to other colored plastics, particularly relative to the decrease of Kc, but this effect also diminishes during the rest of the season. Building upon these findings, the study provides guidelines for expected reductions in Kc values based on the type of crop, crop stage, and the mulching material most used in each cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparency of the human cornea is responsible for clear vision, which is maintained by a monolayer of non-proliferative human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs). Dysfunction of these cells can result in irreversible corneal blindness. It is important to identify key factors that limit the proliferation of HCEnCs and thus attempt to reverse them. Extracellular vesicles contain cargo which includes microRNAs (miRNAs) that can modulate a cellular function. In non small cell lung cancer, expression of miR-195-5p has been shown to inhibit proliferation; therefore, we aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of miR-195-5p in inducing the proliferation of HCEnCs. Human corneal endothelial cell line (HCEC-12) and primary HCEnCs were cultured with miR-195-5p scramble, mimic or inhibitor. Corneal tissues from human cadaveric and FECD donors, and from pigs, mice and rabbits, were used for RT-PCR. miR-195-5p showed an abundance value of 11,363.31 a.u. When normalized against HCEnCs from cadaveric donors, FECD tissues showed a significant upregulation of miR-195-5p (p < 0.05) but was significantly downregulated in pig (p < 0.001), mouse (p < 0.01) and rabbit (p < 0.001) CEnCs, which have known proliferative capacity. Proliferation, cell doubling, and wound healing rates were significantly higher when miR-195-5p was inhibited. Inhibiting miR-195-5p showed a significant improvement in viability (HEC staining), decreased cell apoptosis (TdT-dNTP staining) and expression of ZO-1, NA+/K+-ATPase and Ki-67 markers. Expression of miR-195-5p is found in HCEnCs and FECD cells, which restricts the proliferation of these cells. However, inhibiting miR-195-5p can induce the proliferation of HCEnCs, which opens exciting directions for future research in prolonging FECD pathogenesis by increasing the proliferative capacity of HCEnCs using anti-miR therapy in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the soil water balance is fundamental for improving crop water use in agricultural fields. Estimates are normally for representative and homogeneous areas where the variability of soil properties is neglected. However, this variability significantly impacts soil water dynamics at the field scale. In this study, the MOHID-Land distributed process-based model was used to compute the spatially explicit soil water dynamics in a 22.6-ha almond field located in southern Portugal. An electromagnetic induction survey was first performed to obtain electromagnetic images of the real soil conductivity in depth, which were related to soil texture. Then, pedotransfer functions were used to convert soil texture into soil hydraulic data. MOHID-Land results included maps of the spatial distribution of soil water contents, actual crop transpiration, actual soil evaporation, percolation below the rootzone, and surface runoff. These allowed identifying preferential flow pathways as well as the main control factors influencing soil water dynamics at the field scale. Some development needs were identified, and overcoming them would enhance the significance of contributions such as this study to the field of precision agriculture. • The spatial variability of the soil water balance was assessed in an almond field. • Soil properties were inferred from an electromagnetic induction (EMI) survey. • Distributed modeling identified crop growth areas and preferred flow paths at the field scale. • Limitations of the modeling approach were identified and discussed. • The development of approaches combining distributed modeling and EMI sensing is of interest to precision agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary salinization has long been reported in the Roxo irrigation district (RID), southern Portugal, due to the use of saline-prone irrigation water and the existence of poorly structured soils. This study assessed the soil water and salt budgets in nine commercial orchards located in the RID using the multiple ion chemistry module available in the HYDRUS-1D model during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. The studied crops were almond, olive, citrus (orange, mandarin, and clementine), and pomegranate. The model successfully simulated soil water contents measured in the different fields but there was a clear underestimation of the electrical conductivity of the soil saturation paste extract (EC e) in some locations, while simulations of the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) were generally acceptable. Modeling errors were mostly associated with missing information on fertigation events rather than related to the effects of irrigation water quality. The water and salt balances were also computed for the 1979–2020 period. Considering the probability of non-exceedance of salt accumulation during this period, the risk of salinity build-up was high to very high for the very dry years in most fields, except in the citrus sites. The factors influencing the salt accumulation were the irrigation strategy, the seasonal irrigation and rainfall depths, the duration of the crop growth period, the rainfall distribution in the late and non-growing stages, the soil drainage conditions, and the irrigation water quality. For the current climate conditions and irrigation water quality, the risk of soil salinity levels affecting crop development and yields was found to be minor. This means that, despite salts tended to accumulate in the rootzone over a season, under current conditions the salinity stress did not reach harmful levels for plants. Only in two of the study sites, there was a need to promote salt leaching. Hence, this study shows that soil salinization risks in the study area are low but, for given locations during drier seasons, there is a need for tailored irrigation solutions aimed at the conservation of soil and water resources. • Soil salinization risks in nine commercial orchards were assessed with HYDRUS-1D. • The probability of non-exceedance of salt accumulation was computed for 1979–2020. • The risk of salinity build-up was high to very high for the very dry years in most fields. • For current conditions, the risk of soil salinity levels affecting crop development was minor. • Tailored irrigation solutions should be considered in some cases in dry and very-dry years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization problems are widespread in the Hetao plain, Inner Mongolia, resulting from arid climate conditions, a shallow saline water table, poor irrigation water management, and insufficient drainage. This study follows previous research aimed at evaluating crop water use and controlling the salinity build-up in the region, namely using weighing and static water table lysimeters to parameterize a water balance model aimed at the development of appropriate irrigation scheduling. Two sets of five static water table lysimeters, which fixed depths ranged from 1.25 to 2.25 m, were used over two maize crop seasons. The mechanistic HYDRUS-1D model was further used to daily predict measured data on soil water contents, boundary fluxes in the interface between the saturated and unsaturated zones, the electrical conductivity of the soil saturation paste extract (EC e), and the actual crop evapotranspiration (ET c act). The soil water balance helped quantify the combined effect of water and salinity stresses on root water uptake as well as groundwater fluxes into the rootzone. The salt balance showed that the salinity build-up was much related to irrigation and capillary fluxes, and that the autumn irrigation carried out during the non-growing season was essential for controlling soil salinity. The efficiency of the autumn irrigation much depended on groundwater depth and the amount of water applied for salt leaching, with the best results found for the lysimeters with water table depths at 2.0 and 2.25 m (85–100%) for irrigation depths ≥ 220 mm. The lysimeters with shallower water tables never showed a leaching efficiency higher than 88%. This research shows that the sustainability of irrigation in Hetao depends on finding adequate solutions for controlling the depth of the saline groundwater, minimizing capillary fluxes to the rootzone, and developing consequent approaches for autumn irrigation leaching. • Soil water contents and fluxes, EC e , and ET c act were measured using water table lysimeters. • The HYDRUS-1D model successfully simulated lysimeter data during two seasons. • The water table depth influenced the effectiveness of autumn irrigation leaching. • The leaching efficiency only increased by improving soil drainage conditions. • Reducing autumn irrigation depth (<200 mm) promoted soil salinization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian Unified Health System provides universal health care access without regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. We conducted a nationwide study with a cross-sectional design and intentional sampling methods to investigate factors associated with Basic Health Unit (BHU) use by the LGBTQIA+ community. Data were collected via a questionnaire available through social networks. Statistical analysis included Poisson regression with robust variance. A total of 603 LGBTQIA+ community members participated in the study, of whom 417 (69.2%) had visited a BHU in the last year. The factors “transgender woman” and “self-rated health status as very good/good/fair” increased the probability of BHU use in the last year by 10% (PR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.00–1.20) and 9% (PR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01–1.18), respectively. “Not suffering sexual orientation-related discrimination at a BHU” and “Not suffering discrimination by a receptionist or waiting room worker” increased the probability of use by 28% (PR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.22–1.34) and 22% (PR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.14–1.30), respectively. Our study supports evidence that access to primary health care services in Brazil can be influenced by the social determinants gender identity and sexual discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orchards consist of complex agricultural systems, with a variety of characteristics (planting density, tree height, training system, canopy cover, irrigation method, interrow management) influencing crop evapotranspiration (ET c). Thus, irrigation water management requires finding crop coefficients (K c) that represent the characteristics of local orchards, evidencing the need for site specific data. The main objective of this study was to derive the K c of almond, olive, citrus, and pomegranate orchards in Alentejo, southern Portugal, wherein they became dominant over the last decade. Monitoring was carried out in nine orchards, which management decisions were performed by the farmers. The ET c was estimated from the soil water balance computed for each orchard using the FAO56 dual-K c approach with the SIMDualKc model. The model successfully simulated the soil water contents measured in the various fields along two growing seasons, with root mean square error values lower than 0.005 m3 m−3 and modeling efficiencies from 0.363 to 0.782. The estimated basal crop coefficients (K cb) for the initial, mid- and end-seasons were respectively 0.22, 0.58, and 0.50 for almond; 0.32–0.33, 0.35–0.36, and 0.33–0.34 for olive; 0.40, 0.40–41, and 0.40–0.41 for citrus; and 0.24, 0.60, and 0.52 for pomegranate. Small variations in olive and citrus K cb values were found to be related to differences in the fraction of the ground covered by trees' canopies and tree height. The single K c values, which included the component relative to soil evaporation, were also estimated. Furthermore, evaluation of the soil water balance in the nine case studies showed salinity effects in one almond orchard, mild irrigation water deficits in olive systems, and large non-consumptive water use in citrus and pomegranate orchards. These results evidence the need for better management of orchards irrigation water in the region, and the current study provides for reliable information on the K c of tree crops to support improving the management of local orchard systems and the preservation of soil and water resources. Aimed at these resources and the sustainability of their use, simulated alternative irrigation schedules were performed, which identified possible water savings of 20 mm in case of olives, up to 855 mm for citrus. • Irrigation management in nine commercial orchards was assessed with SIMDualKc. • Large non-consumptive water use was found in almond, citrus and pomegranate orchards. • Olive systems registered mild irrigation water deficits. • K c values are provided for improving irrigation water management in the Alentejo region. • Better training of orchardists is needed with support of computational tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus is one of the most valuable crops in Syria, with the largest production areas being in the coastal provinces of Tartus and Latakia, where this study was performed. A companion paper reported on the basal crop coefficients derived from the field water balance and on the performance assessment of various irrigation methods used in a citrus orchard located in the same region. That study evidenced the need for the improved management of irrigation water, mainly reducing water applications and increasing productivity, thus leading to the current research. The main objectives consisted of (i) providing a set of reliable basal (Kcb) and average (Kc) crop coefficients to be used in practice in the citrus orchards of the Syrian coastal area, while accounting for the diversity of characteristics observed; (ii) to estimate the seasonal consumptive use of typical orchards under different climate-demand and deficit-irrigation scenarios; and (iii) to assess possible water savings and related yield reductions. The previously calibrated water balance model SIMDualKc was used for these purposes. The computed Kcb values for the mid-season and average demand for water ranged from 0.52, when the plant density was low, to 0.84, when plant density was very high. The corresponding Kc values, which further reflected the impact of drip irrigation on controlling soil evaporation, were 0.72 and 0.97, respectively. Overall, the consumptive use of water was estimated to range from 867 to 1573 mm. The assessed water-saving scenarios consisted of adopting increased management-allowed depletion (MAD) thresholds relative to the p depletion fraction for no stress: MAD = 1.05, 1.10, 1.20, and 1.30 p. For trees under a very high climatic demand, water savings ranged from 12 to 34%, but the yield losses induced by the water deficits ranged from 8 to 48%. Although the selection of optimal strategies should be based upon economic terms, these may only be used when the Syrian economy recovers from civil war and the current crisis. The present results show the feasibility of adopting such MAD thresholds for building an irrigation management platform. The data provided by the current study are valuable because they can be efficiently used to support of the irrigation management of Syrian citrus production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), specifically exosomes, carry a cell-type dependent cargo that is transported to the recipient cell and translated in the presence of a required machinery. Differences in the cargo carried by the corneal and conjunctival-derived EVs could be the agent that triggers the transdifferentiation of these two cell populations. Therefore, this study investigates the role of EVs in triggering the plasticity of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells and identifies prospective miRNA and genes responsible for maintaining ocular surface homeostasis. The EVs were extracted from the conditioned media (after starving) of corneal epithelial (hTCEpi) and conjunctival (HCjE-Gi) cell lines using ultracentrifugation. HCjE-Gi cells were cultured with hTCEpi-derived EVs and vice-versa. The EVs were characterized as exosomes using Nanosight and Flow cytometry. KRT3 and KRT12 were used as associated corneal markers, whereas KRT7 and KRT13 were used as associated conjunctival markers with ΔNp63 as a differentiation marker. Shift of these markers was an indication of transdifferentiation. The cargo of the extracted exosomes from both the cell types was explored using next-generation sequencing. The hTCEpi-derived EVs induced conjunctival epithelial cells to express the corneal-associated markers KRT3 and KRT12, losing their conjunctival phenotype at both the mRNA and protein level. Simultaneously, HCjE-Gi-derived EVs induced corneal epithelial cells to express the conjunctival associated markers KRT7 and KRT13, losing their corneal phenotype. This process of differentiation was accompanied by an intermediate step of cell de-differentiation showed by up-regulation in the expression of epithelial stem cell marker ΔNp63, also shown on the ex vivo human cadaveric donor corneas. miRNA molecules (total of 11 including precursor and mature) with significant differences in their relative abundance between the two populations (p < 0.05) were found and investigated. miR-9-5p expression was higher in HCjE-Gi cells and HCjE-Gi-derived EVs when compared to hTCEpi cells and hTCEPi-derived EVs (p < 0.001). The results suggest that EVs released by the two cell types have the ability to influence the transdifferentiation of human conjunctival and corneal epithelial cells. miR-9-5p could have a role in stem cell homeostasis and cell differentiation via HES-1 gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 3D X-ray diffraction yields per-grain strain, texture, twin relations and structure. • Applicable to a broad scope of functional polycrystalline materials. • Demonstrated by application to a kesterite (CZTS) thin film solar cell. • CZTS is a technologically interesting case with complex phase composition. • 3DXRD may detect and characterize secondary phases not otherwise distinguishable. [Display omitted] The non-destructive structural characterization of individual grains in thin-films photovoltaics based on polycrystalline materials is a powerful tool for revealing important details of the microstructure of solar cell absorbers. Here, we use three-dimensional X-ray diffraction (3DXRD) to obtain statistics on the phase, size, orientation and strain tensors of the grains, as well as their twin relations in Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) absorbers. Moreover, this powerful approach allows the non-ambiguous determination of phases with distinct optical and electrical properties but similar lattice parameters, such as CZTS and ZnS. Our analysis over cumulative statistics of nearly 600 grains in polycrystalline CZTS reveals that a fraction of 2.5% corresponds to the ZnS secondary phase. Statistics of the strain distribution in the polycrystalline CZTS layer indicate an average tensile stress in the plane of the film of ~70 MPa and a compressive stress along the normal to the film of ~145 MPa. We found that 41% of the total number of grains in CZTS absorbers are Σ3 twins. We calculate the frequency of the six types of Σ3 boundaries, revealing that the 180° rotation along the axis<221>is the most frequent. Accessing the microstructure opens the possibility to study its influence on the properties of the film, such as bandgap variations due to strain or the role of twin boundaries in the charge transport mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mindfulness-based interventions have been studied as an alternative treatment for anxiety disorders, but there are only a few studies comparing these with established treatments.Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a Body in Mind Training (BMT) program for adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), an active comparison protocol called Quality of Life and Psychoeducation (QoL), and treatment with fluoxetine (FLX).Methods: This study comprises a 3-arm parallel-group, randomized clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03072264). Adults with a primary diagnosis of GAD and no current treatment were recruited from the community and randomized in a ratio 1:1:1. The primary outcomes were assessed by means of the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) at week 8. Data were analyzed using a superiority analysis (BMT vs. QoL) and a noninferiority analysis (BMT vs. FLX).Results: A total of 249 participants were included and 223 were analyzed (76 BMT, 79 FLX, and 68 QoL). All groups improved after intervention. However, BMT was not superior to QoL at week 8 (mean difference = -1.36; p = 0.47), nor was it noninferior to FLX as assessed with theHAM-A (mean difference = 3.5; 95% CI -0.06 to 7.06; noninferiority margin = -2.43; p = 0.054). QoL (mean difference = 3.54; p = 0.04) and FLX (mean difference = -7.72; 95% CI -10.89 to -4.56; noninferiority margin = -2.09; p < 0.001) were superior to BMT in reducing PSWQ score.Conclusion: Our data suggest that BMT, in its current format, cannot be considered an effective mindfulness protocol to improve GAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IrrigaSys decision support system (DSS) has supported farmers' decision-making regarding irrigation scheduling in the Sorraia Valley irrigation district in Southern Portugal over a span of six years (2017–2022). This study aims to conduct a postevaluation of farmers' adherence to the DSS, employing a multicriteria analysis (MCA) approach with data from the 2019 (driest year) and 2020 (average year) growing seasons. Two distinct scenarios were taken into consideration: the first focused on water conservation, and the second centered on farmers' economic returns. The outcomes of the first scenario revealed that farmers exhibited a reasonable level of expertise, particularly during the driest season. They achieved water-saving indicators comparable to those obtained when adhering to optimized irrigation schedules generated weekly by the DSS. In the wetter season, discrepancies emerged between farmers' and model indicators, primarily attributed to challenges in integrating reliable information from precipitation forecasts into the decision-making process. In the second scenario, both farmers' and model results exhibited close economic indicators throughout both seasons. While IrrigaSys requires further developments, these results show that the DSS has effectively contributed to supporting irrigation water management in the study region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with the lowest treatment response rate among all anxiety disorders. Understanding mechanisms of improvement may help to develop more effective and personalized treatments. Aim: The objective of the study was to investigate different improvement mechanisms in the treatment of individuals diagnosed with GAD. Design: We reported data from a randomized controlled trial that evaluated three different GAD treatments (mindfulness‐based intervention, BMT; fluoxetine, FLX; and an active comparison group, QoL) for 8 weeks. Method: Mediation analyses were performed evaluating the association between worry symptoms at baseline and anxiety scoring at the endpoint, considering self‐compassion or mindfulness or its dimensions at mid‐treatment as mediators for the whole sample (assessing GAD improvement mechanism) and the different interventions as moderators. Results: Contrary to mindfulness state scoring (C =.06; 95% CI = −.05 to.20), self‐compassion (C =.11; 95% CI =.01 to.28) and non‐judgement of inner experience (C =.10; 95% CI =.004 to.21) mediated the association between worry symptoms at baseline and anxiety at the endpoint. When comparing BMT to FLX, the intervention modality did not moderate these associations. Conclusion: Self‐compassion and non‐judgement of inner experience seem to be essential targets in GAD treatment, contrary to the mindfulness state itself. Although no difference was found considering the intervention modality, future research may assess how to boost these dimensions in specific treatments for GAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An enhanced soil-water-nitrogen-crop coupling model (named ORYZA-N) was proposed. • Soil temperature, solute transport, and soil C&N modules were newly developed. • ORYZA-N was tested and applied in N simulation for the JRC with two years of data. • Nitrogen (N) parameter values were specific and recommended for cold region rice. • N dynamics, balance, and use efficiency were quantitatively analyzed with ORYZA-N. This article introduces ORYZA-N as an enhanced soil-water-nitrogen-plant coupling model to simulate agro-hydrological processes and crop growth in rice paddy fields. The model is developed based on the ORYZA2000 (a widely-used rice model with an open-source code) with significant improvements in modeling the nitrogen (N) fate and related processes. Three new modules were designed in ORYZA-N for simulating N transport and transformation processes, including a soil temperature module, a solute module for ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 -N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 -N) transport, and a soil nitrogen module for organic carbon and nitrogen turnover. The mechanics of root water uptake and soil water drainage also were improved to better describe the soil water movement and its effects on root N uptake. The ORYZA-N model was then tested and applied in simulating the fate of water and nitrogen and crop growth for Japonica rice in cold regions (JRC) in the Northeast China Plain (NECP), for a two-year field experiment (during 2018 and 2019). Model evaluation shows a good performance was achieved with the ORYZA-N model. The simulated values for pond water depths, N uptake and partitions, and various organ productions were in particularly good agreement with the observed values (R2 > 0.68, NSE > 0.50); meanwhile, the simulated fluctuation trends for NH 4 -N and NO 3 -N concentrations were reasonable as well. The calibrated/obtained nitrogen-related parameters for JRC were obviously different from those for rice varieties in warmer regions, which can efficiently complement the parameter dataset for rice modeling in cold regions. Finally, the N dynamics, balance, and utilization efficiency were interpreted and assessed for the two experimental years, and possible improvement measures for N use for JRC were proposed. The total aboveground N content was about 160 kg N ha−1 at harvest, while the N content in the stems, green leaves, dead leaves, and panicles accounted for about 15, 5, 25, and 55% of the total aboveground N content, respectively. Overall, rational simulation proved the enhanced functionality and practicality of ORYZA-N for modeling the N fate and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of the role of different agronomic strategies in achieving sustainable wheat yields under variable Mediterranean climate conditions may involve the use of resource-use indicators that combine productivity and environmental impact. A two-seasons field experiment was conducted in South Portugal to study the effect of water regimes and nitrogen fertilization on wheat yield, grain quality and water use evaluated with water productivity and water footprint indicators. The water regime treatments were full irrigation, supplemental irrigation, and rainfed. Nitrogen fertilizer treatments, including conventional and enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEF) were distinguished by N splitting and timing over the crop cycle. Contrasting meteorological variables in the two years caused distinct wheat productive responses. Although leading to lower grain yields, supplemental irrigation guaranteed a water productivity similar to full irrigation. The use of EEFs in which 50% of the total nitrogen was applied at the booting phase had a positive significant effect on grain protein content and on dough rheologic properties, indicating that late nitrogen applications benefit the technological quality of wheat. The average total water footprints estimated for the two seasons showed no relevant differences but the partition of the green, blue and grey components in irrigated wheat varied, with an increased importance of blue water consumptive use in the second year of the experiment. In fact, the ratio blue water footprint/green water footprint increased from 0.40 to 2.00 due to higher irrigation requirements. High grey water footprint in rainfed wheat was mostly influenced by lower yields in 2018–2019, and by an advantageous rainfall distribution during the 2017–2018 season. No significant reduction in grey water footprint was observed when using EEFs. A multivariate statistical approach through factor analysis (FA) and multivariate linear regression (MLR) was used to examine the data structure and correlation. FA resulted in three-factor models of yield and water use, yield components and wheat quality, in the first season. In the second, drier, season, variables most related with irrigation water use were clustered in one detached factor. The stepwise MLR pointed to a good prediction capability of water footprints from NDVI measured with proximal sensors at booting, anthesis, maturation and/or tillering. [Display omitted] • Water regimes and nitrogen fertilization of wheat evaluation through water footprint. • Supplemental irrigation guaranteed wheat water productivity similar to full irrigation. • Increased ratio blue/green water footprint with drier Mediterranean conditions. • Enhanced efficiency N fertilizers did not reduce wheat grey water footprint. • Good prediction of wheat water footprints using multiple linear regressions with proximal NDVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-saving irrigation is becoming more important in the upper Yellow River basin (YRB) due to reduced water allocation and growing water scarcity. However, drip irrigation as an efficient irrigation method, has not gained as much acceptance as one might expect. In this study, integrated approaches involving field experiments, agro-ecosystem modeling, and financial analysis were proposed to evaluate the multiple benefits of two irrigation methods. Field experiments on maize irrigated with border irrigation and drip irrigation under plastic mulching (i.e., BI-M and DI-M) were conducted in the Hetao Irrigation District (Hetao) of the upper YRB during 2021 and 2022. The AHC model was calibrated and validated using two-year experimental data, performing well in simulations of soil water-salt-nitrogen (N) dynamics and crop growth. An irrigation scheduling module was newly incorporated into AHC. Then the model was applied to analyze scenarios consisting of three classes of groundwater depth (GWD) and five N application levels. Optimal irrigation and N-fertilization strategies were suggested; and DI-M showed significant advantages over BI-M in terms of water-saving (56–66 mm), labor-saving, environmental benefits (50 kg ha−1 less N fertilizer and 19–25 kg ha−1 less N loss), and crop yields (<4%), both in experimental and scenario cases. However, the financial analysis revealed that the current smallholder BI-M could achieve higher net returns (about 12%) compared to DI-M, since the family labor is often not counted as a cost in smallholder farming. Additionally, the widespread adoption of BI-M is also partly attributed to its easy operation. Lastly, results indicated a trend where the advantages of drip irrigation would become more significant in the future, with the increasing agricultural population aging and rising labor costs in the YRB. • Experiments, surveys and AHC model were combinedly used for irrigation evaluation. • Water-salt-nitrogen fate and economic benefits were evaluated under various scenarios. • Optimal water-nitrogen strategies were suggested for border and drip irrigation. • Smallholder BI-M achieves higher net returns due to exclusion of family labor cost. • Drip irrigation has clear advantages in water, labor and eco-environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) is an annual crop grown for human consumption of its nutritious leaves in many regions of the world. Despite its importance for household food security and farmers' income, reliable information on the crop's water requirements is still quite scarce. To overcome this knowledge gap, the irrigation needs of jute mallow grown in the Akkar region in Syria were investigated. The analysis focused on a three-year period (2017–2019) where the SIMDualKc model was calibrated and validated for simulating soil water contents and computing the soil water balance in jute mallow plots irrigated with basin and drip methods. The model was further used to determine the probabilities of the demand for irrigation water in scenarios considering different crop season lengths, irrigation methods, and application depths over a longer period of 23 years (1998–2020). The SIMDualKc model was able to simulate soil water contents measured in the field plots, returning root mean square error values lower than 0.001 m3 m-3 and modeling efficiencies ranging from 0.358 to 0.812. The calibrated basal (non-stressed) crop coefficients (K cb) were 0.15, 0.95, and 0.95 for the initial (K cb ini), mid-season (K cb mid), and end-season (K cb end) stages, respectively. The crop was harvested twice per season, with the drip treatments presenting the highest water productivity and economic indicators. In contrast, the basin treatment resulted in substantial percolation losses, which affected yields and indicators. Although net irrigation requirements showed a large variation for the extremes of the long-term weather time series, differences between the years representing average water demand and those representing very high water demand were only found for the drip irrigation scenarios. This study contributes to improving irrigation water management of jute mallow in the Syrian Akkar region, and for the sustainability of local production systems. • SIMDualKc computed the soil water balance of jute mallow irrigated with basin and drip methods. • The model simulated soil water contents with model efficiency from 0.36 to 0.81. • After model calibration, standard K cb values were derived for the first and second cut cycles. • Drip irrigation resulted in higher yields, water productivity and water saving. • Drip irrigation allowed optimizing NIR considering interannual seasonal variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Machine-learning as an emulator can reduce the computational demands of optimization. • ET p , irrigation and fertilizer amount can accurately predict daily nitrate uptake. • CNN model has sufficient accuracy in estimation of nitrate uptake and root zone losses. • Root zone nitrate losses in sandy clay loam was more than sandy loam soil. Optimal fertigation regimes will minimize the leaching of agrochemicals while providing crops with sufficient nutrition for growth. A comprehensive objective function of optimization involves minimizing (i) difference between weekly plant nitrogen uptake and requirement and (ii) nitrate losses (nitrate leaching and accumulated nitrate in the root zone). Coupling a simulation model to an optimization algorithm for obtaining the objective function variables (N plant uptake and nitrate losses) typically requires long runtimes as the simulation model is repeatedly applied over iterations of the optimization algorithm. One attractive way to reduce the programming and computational demands associated with optimization is to construct a simpler, faster, but sufficiently accurate emulator of the simulation model based on machine-learning model. This study assessed the performance of convolutional neural networks (CNN) in modelling nitrate uptake by maize and estimation of nitrate losses in surface drip irrigation in three texturally different soils. To do this, the CNN was trained on output of the simulation model HYDRUS-2D. Various combinations of parameters influencing daily nitrate uptake (daily potential crop evapotranspiration, irrigation water and injected fertilizer amount) were evaluated as model inputs. Results indicated that daily nitrate uptake at any time t was predicted best with inputs of daily potential evapotranspiration at time t , irrigation and fertilizer amounts of the previous 1–7 days and the previous day's nitrate uptake amount. Estimated nitrate losses for constant weekly fertigation (CWF) were about 32% in sandy loam and 38.5% in sandy clay loam soil. Variable weekly fertigation (VWF) reduced the nitrate losses to 24.5% in sandy loam and 31.5% in sandy clay loam soil, while losses in loam soil were intermediate to these. The study demonstrates that CNN estimation of nitrate uptake and root zone losses can be widely used in optimization of fertigation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of shallow saline water tables in arid zones provides for groundwater-fed natural vegetation and for a substantial amount of irrigated crops' water needs. This is the case of the Hetao plain, upper Yellow River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China, where one of the major irrigation systems of China and the World is installed. As reviewed, numerous irrigation and water management studies have been developed in Hetao and the upstream irrigated plain of Yinchuan, Ningxia. These studies have demonstrated the need for controlling salts through the autumn irrigation and the appropriate irrigation methods and scheduling. Moreover, studies evidenced the need for adopting irrigation schedules that consider groundwater contribution during the crop cycle but most of these studies were empirical, resulting difficult to transfer results. When models adopted were mechanistic, they are difficult to use for irrigation scheduling purposes comparatively with soil water balance (SWB) models. Thus, the current study used two sets of five static water table lysimeters cropped with maize and having water table depths (WTD) fixed between 0.85 and 2.25 m. It was therefore possible to observe the daily capillary rise fluxes from the water table, the dynamics of water and salts and to calibrate the SWB model SIMDualKc. Results show that the average electrical conductivity of the saturated extract of the soil ranged from 3.10 to 4.69 dS m−1 with the higher values observed when WTD was smaller, while the electrical conductivity of irrigation water ranged 1.73–1.87 dS m−1. Results also show that shallower WTD required less irrigation water but caused higher salinity impacts on crop growth and yields. Thus, the best WTD were around 1.75–2.00 m when basin irrigation was adopted in 2017 and 2018. In these crop seasons, the simulated groundwater contribution to actual crop evapotranspiration (ET c act) was up to 37% in the lysimeters having a shallow WTD (1.25 m), while in the lysimeters with deeper WTD (2.00–2.25 m) it was about 11% of the ET c act. Contrastingly, in 2019, when maize was not irrigated, the average groundwater contribution represented 73% and 49% of ET c act in the lysimeters with shallow and deep WTD, respectively. Results were obtained when a large leaching autumn irrigation (200 mm) was performed. Those experiments showed that, solutions for using basin flooding irrigation are ready but still require that irrigation scheduling is adjusted to provide for appropriate use of the saline groundwater contribution, which may be performed with the model SIMDualKc, as demonstrated by the high goodness-of-fit indicators used to evaluate the referred simulations. • Soil water contents and capillary rise from a saline shallow water table (WT) were measured using static WT lysimeters. • Observations were used to calibrate/validate the SIMDualKc model. • Impacts of WT depth on crop ET, soil salinity, maize growth and yield were assessed. • Best results for crop transpiration and yield were obtained for the WT depth at 2 m. • Groundwater contribution with shallower WT promoted salinity build-up in the rootzone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber-reinforced composites deliver lightweight but strong structures that are crucial in applications ranging from aerospace to the automotive industry. The advent of freeform injection molding has made the manufacturing of complex fiber-reinforced composites with full design freedom possible. Prediction of the mechanical properties, dictated by the local microfiber orientation, is essential for the performance characterization of fiber-reinforced composites. However, with conventional microtomography, the required microscale spatial resolution and the macroscopic field of view for full-size fiber-reinforced composite pieces cannot be effectively decoupled. X-ray scattering tensor tomography enables non-destructive macroscopic mapping of the local microfiber orientation as well as their degree of alignment. Recent advancements in X-ray optics have significantly increased the acquisition speed, making the tensor tomography attractive for industrial applications. Nonetheless, integration of the tensor tomography within production lines requires a flexible and robust implementation. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of X-ray scattering tensor tomography for industrial applications by characterizing the microstructure of a centimeter-sized industrially relevant freeform injection molding fiber-reinforced composite sample. We also show that the tensor tomography is compatible with robotic arms, which can position and orient objects in three dimensions with high flexibility and therefore are ideal sample manipulators for the tensor tomography in industrial settings. The results obtained with the robotic arm are compared to those obtained with the state-of-the-art 2-axis sample manipulation scheme. The retrieved information is highly consistent and shows agreement also with structure tensor analyses of conventional microtomography data taken at selected regions of the sample for additional validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity and saline stress are primary threats for water use and agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions, such as the Hetao Irrigation District, China. The current study, using irrigation with saline water, developed through three seasons (2017–2019) of field experimental surveillance of mulched maize water use in two cropped weighing lysimeters. Measurements included crop characteristics (height, LAI, dates of development stages), soil and water salinity, and daily actual crop evapotranspiration (ET c act). Deficit surface irrigation was scheduled in 2017 and 2018 seasons, while in 2019 drip irrigation was used aimed at satisfying crop water requirements. Both approaches aimed at improving irrigation management while controlling impacts of salinity. The collected information was used to parameterize and calibrate the soil water balance model SIMDualKc. The model uses the FAO56 dual crop coefficient approach and considers the combined effect of water and salinity stresses due to salinity of both soil and irrigation water. Results show that the SIMDualKc model adequately simulates the dynamics of the observed ET c act throughout the three growing seasons. The goodness-of-fit indicators show highly appropriate model fitting of observed ET c act with low RMSE of 0.42 mm d-1 for the calibration and 0.53 mm d-1 for validation. The calibrated standard basal crop coefficients (K cb) of maize for the initial, mid, and end stages were respectively 0.15, 1.15 and 0.25, which agree with those recently proposed by Pereira et al. (2021). Due to the impacts of both water and salt stress in 2017 and 2018, ET c act was much below the potential value ET c , ranging 64–83%, while in 2019 that percentage increased to 92% due to avoiding water stress by then. The average K cb mid act range 0.58–1.06, therefore lower than K cb mid , with the lower values occuring in the lysimeter that was irrigated with a large deficit. The irrigation scheduling practiced was assessed using water use and productivity indicators, which have shown the advantage in using drip irrigation with small time intervals between irrigations. Moreover, the current study and the calibrated model provide for adopting irrigation management practices that may save water and control salinity. • Weighing lysimeters provide for accurate measurement of evapotranspiration fluxes. • A couple of them were used to follow daily crop ET as affected by soil and water salinity. • Observations were used to calibrate and validate the model SIMDualKc for maize. • Results for deficit basin irrigation show ET and yields decreased by water and salt stress. • When drip irrigation was used without water deficit water productivity increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]