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This work investigates a Sentinel-2 based crop identification methodology for the monitoring of the Common Agricultural Policy's (CAP) Cross Compliance (CC) and Greening obligations. In this regard, we implemented and evaluated a parcel-based supervised classification scheme to produce accurate crop type mapping in a smallholder agricultural zone in Navarra, Spain. The scheme makes use of supervised classifiers Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and Random Forest (RF) to discriminate among the various crop types, based on a large variable space of Sentinel-2 imagery and Vegetation Index (VI) time-series. The classifiers are separately applied at three different levels of crop nomenclature hierarchy, comparing their performance with respect to accuracy and execution time. SVM provides optimal performance and proves significantly superior to RF for the lowest level of the nomenclature, resulting in 0.87 Cohen's kappa coefficient. Experiments were carried out to assess the importance of input variables, where top contributors are the Near Infrared (NIR), vegetation red-edge, and ShortWave Infrared (SWIR) multispectral bands, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation (NDVI) and Plant Senescence Reflectance (PSRI) indices, sensed during advanced crop phenology stages. The scheme is finally applied to a Lansat-8 OLI based equivalent variable space, offering 0.70 Cohen's kappa coefficient for the SVM classification, highlighting the superior performance of Sentinel-2 for this type of application. This is credited to Sentinel-2's spatial, spectral, and temporal characteristics.

AH-7921 is a structurally unique synthetic opioid analgesic that has recently entered the drug arena in Europe, the USA, and Japan. Although it was synthesized and patented in the mid-1970s, it was first identified in a seized sample purchased via the Internet in July 2012 and formally brought to the attention of the European Union early warning system in August 2012 by the United Kingdom. Several in vitro experiments and animal model studies established the morphine-like analgesic action of AH-7921 as a μ-opioid receptor agonist that has been found to be several times more potent than codeine and at least as potent as morphine. This novel psychoactive substance has already led to eight non-fatal intoxications and 16 deaths in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, and the USA. Thus, AH-7921 is a current public health risk, and better international collaboration, effective legislation and continuous community alertness are needed to tackle this current growing problem. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about this drug concerning its chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology, as well as its international legal status. The limited existing analytical methodologies for the determination of AH-7921 in biological samples are also presented. Published or reported AH-7921-related cases, fatalities, or intoxications, and self reports from drug users are reviewed.

PurposeOcfentanil and carfentanil are two potent synthetic opioids that are analogues of fentanyl and are actively involved in the recent fentanyl crisis. The aim of this review is to provide all the available information on these two fentanyl analogues.MethodsAll reviewed information was gathered through a detailed search of PubMed and the World Wide Web using relevant keywords.ResultsLike most of the members of the family of fentanyls, they are either sold as heroin to unsuspecting users or used extensively to lace heroin street samples. Despite the fact that ocfentanil was studied clinically in the early 1990s, it did not manage to find its place in clinical practice. On the other hand, carfentanil is mainly used today as an anesthetic agent in large animals. Ocfentanil and carfentanil are used and abused extensively, mainly in Europe and in the United States. As a result, they are the cause of some verified intoxication cases and deaths worldwide. This review provides information concerning chemistry, synthesis, prevalence, pharmacology, and toxicology, as well as the current legal status of these two fentanyl analogues. Analytical methods developed for the determination of ocfentanil and carfentanil in biological specimens and seized materials, as well as related intoxication and lethal cases are also presented.ConclusionsOcfentanil and carfentanil are undeniably very dangerous opioid drugs and a very serious matter of concern for public safety. The authorities should take the appropriate actions to avoid the expansion of this threat by taking proper and prompt measures.

Recent studies have indicated that for the first time since 1950, intense geophysical activity is occurring at the Santorini volcano. Here, we present and discuss the surface deformation associated with this activity, spanning from January 2011 to February 2012. Analysis of satellite interferometry data was performed using two well‐established techniques, namely, Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) and Small Baseline Subset (SBAS), producing dense line‐of‐sight (LOS) ground deformation maps. The displacement field was compared with GPS observations from 10 continuous sites installed on Santorini. Results show a clear and large inflation signal, up to 150 mm/yr in the LOS direction, with a radial pattern outward from the center of the caldera. We model the deformation inferred from GPS and InSAR using a Mogi source located north of the Nea Kameni island, at a depth between 3.3 km and 6.3 km and with a volume change rate in the range of 12 million m3 to 24 million m3 per year. The latest InSAR and GPS data suggest that the intense geophysical activity has started to diminish since the end of February 2012.

Substituted phenethylamines are a class of designer drugs that have recently emerged in the drug abuse market. Such substances remain legal to use, possess, and supply until these compounds become classified as scheduled. 2C-I-NBOMe or 25I-NBOMe is the N-benzyl-derivative of the iodo-substituted dimethoxy-phenethylamine (2C-I) that appeared recently in the drug market under the street name "N-Bomb". Due to its high potency, intoxications and fatal cases related to 2C-I-NBOMe use are increased worldwide. The use and trafficking of this substituted phenethylamine is banned only in some countries. A comprehensive review was performed using PubMed and Medline databases, together with additional non-peer reviewed information sources, including books and publications of state authorities in different countries, regarding chemistry, availability, pharmacology, and toxicology of 2C-I-NBOMe. Intoxications or lethal cases, published or reported, as well as the current legislation on this newly introduced drug are also reviewed.

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