DMSP-SSM/I retrieval of proper surface winds during monsoon depression

Recently developed various global microwave algorithms for DMSP-SSM/I satellite data are used for the estimation of surface winds over the Indian ocean. Sea surface wind speeds from these algorithms are compared with sea surface wind speeds reported by coincidental Minicoy island (lowest height 2 m a.s.l.) station over the Arabian sea. A statistical comparison of these algorithms is made in terms of rms error, correlation coefficient, bias and standard deviation. Algorithm of Petty showed best results in the comparison. On the basis of this algorithm a notable characteristic feature such as acquiring of large area of strong surface winds (12-15 ms-1) to the south of dipping of monsoon trough in head Bay and then encircling of these winds during further development of low and depression (22-27 July 1992) is observed. This complete life cycle monitoring assessment of monsoon depression in respect of surface winds based on DMSP-SSM/I satellite data encourages to utilise our IRS-P4 (Oceansat-1) satellite data at different frequencies to emerge more details of various weather systems over the Indian region.

Self-Monitoring of Urinary Hormones in Combination with Telemedicine — a Timely Review and Opinion Piece in Medically Assisted Reproduction

Cycle monitoring via ultrasound and serum-based hormonal assays during medically assisted reproduction (MAR) can provide information on ovarian response and assist in optimizing treatment strategies in addition to reducing complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Two surveys conducted in 2019 and 2020, including overall 24 fertility specialists from Europe, Asia and Latin America, confirmed that the majority of fertility practitioners routinely conduct hormone monitoring during MAR. However, blood tests may cause inconvenience to patients. The reported drawbacks of blood tests identified by the survey included the validity of results from different service providers, long waiting times and discomfort to patients due to travelling to clinics for tests and repeated venepunctures. Historically, urine-based assays were used by fertility specialists in clinics but were subsequently replaced by more practical and automated serum-based assays. A remote urine-based hormonal assay could be an alternative to current serum-based testing at clinics, reducing the inconvenience of blood tests and the frequency of appointments, waiting times and patient burden. Here we provide an overview of the current standard of care for cycle monitoring and review the literature to assess the correlation between urine-based hormonal assays and serum-based hormonal assays during MAR. In addition, in this review, we discuss the evidence supporting the introduction of remote urine-based hormonal monitoring as part of a novel digital health solution that includes remote ultrasound and tele-counselling to link clinics and patients at home.

A Research on Business Information System and Informatization

Based on the analysis of commercial economic informatization, this paper puts forward the abstract model of commercial information system, which comprises of the environmental system, business system, monitoring system, and emergency system. In addition, it also involves the strain cycle, monitoring cycle, and business cycle. In order to promote a better development in the business economic model under the background of informatization, commercial enterprises should improve their understanding, develop and continuously optimize business economic informatization, as well as create an efficient and safe network security environment for the future.

P–593 Self-monitoring of hormones via a urine-based hormonal assay — a topical endeavour into telemedicine in medically-assisted reproduction (MAR)

Study question How can cycle monitoring using a urine-based hormonal assay device improve current clinical practice in medically assisted reproduction (MAR)? Summary answer A urine-based hormonal assay has the potential to overcome the inconvenience of blood tests and reduce the frequency of appointments, waiting times and patient burden. What is known already Cycle monitoring via ultrasound and serum-based hormonal assays during MAR can provide information on the ovarian response and assist in optimising treatment strategies and reducing complications, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, blood tests may cause inconvenience to patients due to repeated venepuncture and the need for frequent clinic appointments. Urine-based assays have been historically used by fertility specialists in clinics, but since got replaced by more practical and automated serum-based assays. Novel technology utilising rapid chromatographic immunoassay to test urinary reproductive hormones in a home setting could provide an alternative to current serum-based testing at clinics. Study design, size, duration A questionnaire was disseminated among 24 fertility specialists (2019–2020) on the use of ultrasound and serum-based hormone monitoring in clinical practice. In addition, the literature on the reliability of urine-based hormonal assays compared to serum-based hormonal assays during MAR was reviewed in order to examine if urine-based hormonal monitoring could be re-introduced in clinical practice using novel state-of-the-art technology. Participants/materials, setting, methods All 24 surveyed fertility specialists responded, representing 10 countries from across Europe, Asia and Latin America. Questions assessed the frequency and role of hormonal monitoring, the hormones tested and the drawbacks of blood tests. The PubMed search engine was used to search the Medline database for publications between 1960–2020 with (MeSH-) search terms related to cycle monitoring (e.g. fertility monitoring, controlled ovarian stimulation, ovulation confirmation) and hormonal assays (e.g. estrone–3-glucuronide or E1–3G). Main results and the role of chance The survey confirmed that many fertility practitioners (n = 22/24) routinely conducted hormone monitoring during MAR, primarily for guiding dose adjustments (n = 20/24) and indicating risk of OHSS (n = 20/24). The reported drawbacks of blood tests included validity of results from different service providers, long waiting times and discomfort to patients due to travelling to clinics for tests and repeated venepunctures. The hormones routinely checked were E2 (n = 22/22), P4 (n = 18/22) and LH (n = 15/22). The literature review revealed a relatively high correlation (correlation coefficients 0.85–0.95) between serum E2 and urinary E1–3G in gonadotrophin stimulated cycles (Lessing 1987, Catalan 1989, Rapi 1992 and Alper 1994). No studies assessed the correlation between serum P4 and urinary PdG or between serum LH and urinary LH in stimulated cycles. In natural cycles, the correlation coefficients between serum P4 and urinary PdG seemed to be slightly higher than those between serum E2 and urinary E1–3G (0.73–0.94 vs. 0.54–0.88) (Denari 1981, Munro 1991, Roos 2015, Stanczyk 1980). One study reported a moderate correlation coefficient (0.72) between serum and urinary LH in natural cycles (Roos 2015). Limitations, reasons for caution There is risk of selection-bias for fertility specialists included in survey, however, the 100% response rate is reassuring. The correlation coefficients between serum- and urine-based hormonal assay and the cost-effectiveness and time-efficiency of urinary assay should be confirmed in further clinical studies using a novel state-of-the-art remote urinary monitoring device. Wider implications of the findings: Remote hormonal monitoring can be part of a novel digital health solution that includes remote ultrasound and tele-counselling to link clinics and patients at home. Especially during the unprecedented times of the COVID–19 pandemic, the prospect of remote monitoring system has the potential to improve patient experience during fertility treatment. Trial registration number Not applicable

3D Reconstruction of Non-Rigid Plants and Sensor Data Fusion for Agriculture Phenotyping

Technology has been promoting a great transformation in farming. The introduction of robotics; the use of sensors in the field; and the advances in computer vision; allow new systems to be developed to assist processes, such as phenotyping, of crop’s life cycle monitoring. This work presents, which we believe to be the first time, a system capable of generating 3D models of non-rigid corn plants, which can be used as a tool in the phenotyping process. The system is composed by two modules: an terrestrial acquisition module and a processing module. The terrestrial acquisition module is composed by a robot, equipped with an RGB-D camera and three sets of temperature, humidity, and luminosity sensors, that collects data in the field. The processing module conducts the non-rigid 3D plants reconstruction and merges the sensor data into these models. The work presented here also shows a novel technique for background removal in depth images, as well as efficient techniques for processing these images and the sensor data. Experiments have shown that from the models generated and the data collected, plant structural measurements can be performed accurately and the plant’s environment can be mapped, allowing the plant’s health to be evaluated and providing greater crop efficiency.