bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovativeness of Japanese Forest Owners Regarding the Monetization of Forest Ecosystem Services
Authors: Takahashi Takuya , Tsuge Takahiro , Shibata Shingo
Published: February 2022

The monetization of forest ecosystem services requires actors to innovate and tackle difficulties. We conducted a questionnaire survey with forest owners—important actors in implementing monetization—to investigate their innovativeness in Japan. We measured innovativeness regarding monetization by asking whether the owner was interested in, planning for, or had implemented four types of monetization: (i) multifunctional payments, (ii) habitat payments, (iii) non-wood forest product (NWFP) sales, and (iv) forest service industries. Based on the ordered probit analyses of 312 responses, we find that ownership type, age, holding size, and the purpose of forest ownership are associated with owners’ innovativeness indices. Private and corporate owners, ones in their thirties, forties, or fifties, and with larger holding sizes are more innovative than others. Regional characteristics are not relatively important in terms of innovativeness. However, clear ownership purposes, such as investment and non-wood forest products (NWFP), are positively correlated with the indices. These findings shed new light on the entire process of innovation from conceptualization to implementation, as well as practices in under-researched geographical areas in Asia.
Does Digital Inclusive Finance Narrow the Urban-Rural Income Gap through Primary Distribution and Redistribution?
Authors: Zhao Hongbo , Zheng Xiao , Yang Lin
Published: February 2022

Excessive income gap (IG) between urban and rural areas harms the quality of economic development, and imbalanced primary distribution (PD) as well as redistribution (RD) are considered to be the main factors contributing to the urban–rural IG. Does digital Inclusive Finance (DIF) affect the urban–rural IG through PD and RD? This paper empirically studies the impact of digital inclusive finance on Chinese urban–rural IG from the perspectives of PD and RD respectively, through updated and comprehensive provincial data, using the method of mediating effect. The results show that DIF narrowed China’s urban–rural IG with regional differences. Meanwhile, DIF also narrowed the urban-rural IGs in PD and RD, both with regional heterogeneity. Moreover, narrowing the urban–rural IG of PD exerted a mediating effect on the general urban–rural IG, while narrowing the urban–rural IG of RD did not. The results are helpful for DIF to better narrow urban–rural IG. Therefore, countermeasures are put forward for DIF to apply from the perspectives of PD and RD.
The Influencing Factors on Impulse Buying Behavior of Consumers under the Mode of Hunger Marketing in Live Commerce
Authors: Zhang Zhenfang , Zhang Nan , Wang Jiguang
Published: February 2022

The sustainability of live commerce is closely dependent on the impulse buying behavior of consumers because of its live characters compared to the traditional e-commerce mode. Hunger marketing is a widely adopted mode in live commerce, however, the influencing factors on impulse buying behavior of consumers under the mode of hunger marketing in live commerce is currently lacking. Here, based on SOR theory, we carefully studied how external stimulus variables (anchor characteristics, online comments, logistics service quality, promotion incentive information, and promotional time limit) affected consumers’ impulse buying behavior under the inner mechanism reaction factors (perceived trust and perceived value). By collecting questionnaires from 533 Chinese online consumers, we processed these data using SPSS23.0 and analyzed them using the structural equation model (SEM) generated by AMOS 25.0. The results showed that extrinsic stimulus variables (except for the promotional time limit variable) have significant positive effects on impulse buying behavior through partial or total positive effects on intrinsic mechanisms. We analyzed the reasons for all these results in detail, and thought the reason that the promotional time limit did not have a significant impact on the perceived value might be due to the rapid increase in the frequency of live commerce. Moreover, we also put forward the suggestions on the basis of these influencing factors to improve the sustainable development of live commerce.
How Environmental Performance Affects Financial Performance in the Food Industry: A Global Outlook
Authors: Xie Yifan , Fang Yingkai , Zhang Dengjun
Published: February 2022

The impacts of environmental performance on the financial performance of food firms are investigated in this paper using a sample of 6064 food companies from 51 countries. The financial performance is measured through sales and internal funds, and environmental performance is based on whether firms have adopted standards related to environmental management. The empirical results show that, for the full sample, food firms’ sales are positively associated with environmental performance, while environmental performance does not impact internal funds. In subsample analyses, this paper finds that the environmental performance of firms in lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income countries has a more significant impact on sales than firms in high-income countries. Moreover, desirable environmental performance significantly increases the internal funds of food firms in most country groups except for high-income countries. Grouping countries by region, we find that environmental performance significantly influences sales in all regions except for Africa. However, for internal funds, it is only substantial in Africa. The results also imply the significance of expanding firm size and adopting foreign technology for food companies to achieve better financial performance.
The Mediating and Combined Effects of Trust and Satisfaction in the Relationship between Collaboration and the Performance of Innovation in Industry—Public Research Institute Partnerships
Authors: Hwang Kyung , Sung Eul , Shenkoya Temitayo
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating and combined effects of trust and satisfaction in a collaborative activity, while considering the effects of the performance of innovation in an Industry–Public Research Institute (I–PRI) collaboration. Data used in this study was collected through a survey targeting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the INNOPOLIS Daedeok innovation cluster in Korea. PLS-SEM and fsQCA were used for the analysis of data collected. The results of this study show that trust mediates the relationship between collaboration and satisfaction, while satisfaction mediates the relationship between collaboration, and the performance of innovation, as well as the relationship between trust and the performance of innovation. In addition, it was confirmed that collaboration, trust, and satisfaction jointly affect the performance of innovation in I–PRI collaborations. Additionally, it was discovered that in-order to increase the performance of innovation - required to secure and maintain a competitive advantage; through I–PRI collaborations—SMEs need active collaboration with PRIs, and advanced management skills; to build mutual trust, and improve satisfaction. Finally, the theoretical implications of the factors that affect the performance of innovation in I–PRI collaborations were presented.
The Sustainable Composite Materials in Civil and Architectural Engineering
Authors: Li Yeou-Fong , Chen Walter , Cheng Ta-Wui
Published: February 2022

Sustainability is a central value in the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, and life on land [...]
An Improved Binomial Distribution-Based Trust Management Algorithm for Remote Patient Monitoring in WBANs
Authors: Singh Sunny , Chawla Muskaan , Prasad Devendra , Anand Divya , Alharbi Abdullah , Alosaimi Wael
Published: February 2022

A wireless body area network (WBAN) is a technology that is widely employed in the medical sector. It is a low-cost network that allows for mobility and variation. It can be used for long-distance, semiautonomous remote monitoring without interfering with people’s regular schedules. Detection devices are embedded in the human body in a simple WBAN configuration to continuously screen physiological boundaries or critical pointers. Confidence among shareholders (for example, medical care suppliers, clients, and medical teachers) is recognized as an essential achievement factor for data stream reliability in such an organization. Given the inherent characteristics of remote locations, it is critical to exercise confidence and security when conducting remote comprehension testing. In the present scenario, WBAN has majorly contributed towards healthcare and its application in medical services. Solid correspondence systems are frequently used to address trust and security concerns on WBANs. In terms of purpose, we present in this study a communication approach built on trust to protect the WBAN’s integrity and confidentiality. For ensuring authenticity, an enhanced bilingual distribution-based trust-management system (PDATMS) approach is used, while a cryptographic system is used to maintain anonymity. A MATLAB simulator is used to evaluate the performance of the recommended program. The recommended approach, according to the release information, improves accuracy by 96%, service delivery rate by 99%, throughput by 99%, as well as confidence, while reducing average latency.
Production and Characterization of a Novel Biosurfactant Molecule from Bacillus safensis YKS2 and Assessment of Its Efficiencies in Wastewater Treatment by a Directed Metagenomic Approach
Authors: Kalaimurugan Dharman , Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian , Govindarajan Rasiravathanahalli Kaveriyappan , Al-Dhabi Naif Abdullah , Valan Arasu Mariadhas , Vadivalagan Chithravel , Venkatesan Srinivasan , Kamyab Hesam , Chelliapan Shreeshivadasan , Khanongnuch Chartchai
Published: February 2022

Biosurfactant is a biodegradation accelerator that improves bioavailability and facilitates degradation by microorganisms. The study was meant to produce a novel biosurfactant molecule from Bacillussafensis YKS2. An efficient biosurfactant-producing strain, namely, Bacillus safensis YKS2, was selected using hemolytic activity, drop collapsing test, oil spreading test and blue agar plate methods in four oil-degrading strains isolated from a soil sample. Biosurfactant production in the optimization of bacteria culture conditions by RSM is a statistical grouping technique that is analyzed using the AVOVA approach to surface tention. In addition, the study was characterized by UV spectrophotometer FT-IR, HR-SEM, and GC-MS analyses to explain its structural and chemical details. Wastewater treatment was monitored for pH, EC, turbidity, alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) in order to justify the efficacy of the biosurfactant during wastewater treatment. The results of the UV spectrophotometer showed absorption at 530 nm, and the FT-IR analyzed carboxylic acids, alcohol and phenols groups, whichthe GC-MS analysis indicated were lipopeptide purified by hexadecanoic andtetradecanoic processes, respectively. The results show that the wastewater removal efficiency of 70% wasachieved within 24 h. In comparison, metagenomics was conducted during the treatment process to identify changes in the microbial load and diversity, which essentially indicatethe biosurfactant performance of the wastewater treatment process. The microbial load in the treated biosurfactant wastewater (84,374 sequences) was greatly decreased compared to untreated wastewater (139,568 sequences). It was concluded that B. safensis YKS2, producing a glycolipid form of biosurfactant, has possible benefits in the remediation of wastewater, and can be used for large-scale processing inbiosurfactant industries.
Principles of Nudging and Boosting: Steering or Empowering Decision-Making for Behavioral Development Economics
Authors: Espinosa Victor I. , Wang William Hongsong , Huerta de Soto Jesús
Published: February 2022

Behavioral development economics promotes the nudge theory as a mechanism to incorporate people’s cognitive biases, steering their behavior in the desired direction through coercive state intervention. Cognitive biases become a reason to doubt the efficiency of decision-making psychology in the free market process. A fundamental assumption of this approach is that political decision-makers know the people’s means and ends in ways that protect them from cognitive biases. This article reviews and discusses the nudge theory, based on the boost theory developed by the Austrian School of Economics. The boost theory consists of a comparative institutional perspective to provide the empowerment people need to realize their errors and correct them “on the fly” to cultivate economic development. It is argued that the nudge theory overlooks the cognitive biases of political decision-makers, neglects the comparative perspective of the institutional environment in the face of such biases, and does not consider how construction of on-the-fly judgments works. After reviewing the principles of the nudge theory, its main criticisms from the boost theory are discussed, forming novel conclusions about and research avenues on behavioral development economics, according to the steering or empowering quality of the institutional environment.
Symmetry in Aerosol Mechanics: Review
Authors: Kudryashova Olga B. , Pavlenko Anatoly A. , Titov Sergey S.
Published: February 2022

The present review is concerned with the motion of aerosol particles, including that under the exposure to external fields, with special focus being put on the problems related to the similarity theory and invariants that manifest themselves as symmetry in physics. Research on the mechanics of aerosols is extremely important for managing environmental practices. Ultrasonic and electrostatic effects are used in technological processes for cleaning industrial aerosol emissions. In addition, aerosol systems are commonly used to prevent emergency situations (fire extinguishing, fog deposition). Understanding these processes requires knowledge of aerosol mechanics. At the same time, fundamental laws of particulate matter behavior have not been established until now, especially in the presence of external fields. In this paper, we consider the main similarity criteria that are applied for aerosol description. The motion of aerosol particles in the gravitational, electric, and ultrasonic fields is described. The results from studies into acoustic and electrostatic aerosol coagulations are presented herein.
Adaptive Memory-Controlled Self-Attention for Polyphonic Sound Event Detection
Authors: Wang Mei , Yao Yu , Qiu Hongbin , Song Xiyu
Published: February 2022

Polyphonic sound event detection (SED) is the task of detecting the time stamps and the class of sound event that occurred during a recording. Real life sound events overlap in recordings, and their durations vary dramatically, making them even harder to recognize. In this paper, we propose Convolutional Recurrent Neural Networks (CRNNs) to extract hidden state feature representations; then, a self-attention mechanism using a symmetric score function is introduced to memorize long-range dependencies of features that the CRNNs extract. Furthermore, we propose to use memory-controlled self-attention to explicitly compute the relations between time steps in audio representation embedding. Then, we propose a strategy for adaptive memory-controlled self-attention mechanisms. Moreover, we applied semi-supervised learning, namely, mean teacher–student methods, to exploit unlabeled audio data. The proposed methods all performed well in the Detection and Classification of Acoustic Scenes and Events (DCASE) 2017 Sound Event Detection in Real Life Audio (task3) test and the DCASE 2021 Sound Event Detection and Separation in Domestic Environments (task4) test. In DCASE 2017 task3, our model surpassed the challenge’s winning system’s F1-score by 6.8%. We show that the proposed adaptive memory-controlled model reached the same performance level as a fixed attention width model. Experimental results indicate that the proposed attention mechanism is able to improve sound event detection. In DCASE 2021 task4, we investigated various pooling strategies in two scenarios. In addition, we found that in weakly labeled semi-supervised sound event detection, building an attention layer on top of the CRNN is needless repetition. This conclusion could be applied to other multi-instance learning problems.
Topological Superconducting Transition Characterized by a Modified Real-Space-Pfaffian Method and Mobility Edges in a One-Dimensional Quasiperiodic Lattice
Authors: Cheng Shujie , Zhu Yufei , Gao Xianlong
Published: February 2022

A modified real-space-Pfaffian method is applied to characterize the topological superconducting transition of a one-dimensional p-wave superconductor with quasiperiodic potentials. We found that the Majorana zero-energy mode exists in the topological non-trivial phase, and its spatial distribution is localized at ends of the system, whereas in the topological trivial phase, there is no Majorana zero mode. Furthermore, we numerically found that due to the competition between the localized quasi-disorder and the extended p-wave pairing, there are mobility edges in the energy spectra. Our theoretical work enriches the research on the quasiperiodic p-wave superconducting models.
Hollow-Structured Microporous Organic Networks Adsorbents Enabled Specific and Sensitive Identification and Determination of Aflatoxins
Authors: Yang Lu , Wang Jin , Lv Huan , Ji Xue-Meng , Liu Jing-Min , Wang Shuo
Published: February 2022

Aflatoxin (AFT) contamination, commonly in foods and grains with extremely low content while high toxicity, has caused serious economic and health problems worldwide. Now researchers are making an effort to develop nanomaterials with remarkable adsorption capacity for the identification, determination and regulation of AFT. Herein, we constructed a novel hollow-structured microporous organic networks (HMONs) material. On the basis of Fe3O4@MOF@MON, hydrofluoric acid (HF) was introduced to remove the transferable metal organic framework (MOF) to give hollow MON structures. Compared to the original Fe3O4@MOF@MON, HMON showed improved surface area and typical hollow cavities, thus increasing the adsorption capacity. More importantly, AFT is a hydrophobic substance, and our constructed HMON had a higher water contact angle, greatly enhancing the adsorption affinity. From that, the solid phase extraction (SPE-HPLC) method developed based on HMONs was applied to analyze four kinds of actual samples, with satisfied recoveries of 85–98%. This work provided a specific and sensitive method for the identification and determination of AFT in the food matrix and demonstrated the great potential of HMONs in the field of the identification and control of mycotoxins.
Interaction between the Hepatitis B Virus and Cellular FLIP Variants in Viral Replication and the Innate Immune System
Authors: Lee Ah Ram , Park Yong Kwang , Dezhbord Mehrangiz , Kim Kyun-Hwan
Published: February 2022

During viral evolution and adaptation, many viruses have utilized host cellular factors and machinery as their partners. HBx, as a multifunctional viral protein encoded by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), promotes HBV replication and greatly contributes to the development of HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBx interacts with several host factors in order to regulate HBV replication and evolve carcinogenesis. The cellular FADD-like IL-1β-converting enzyme (FLICE)-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) is a major factor that functions in a variety of cellular pathways and specifically in apoptosis. It has been shown that the interaction between HBx and c-FLIP determines HBV fate. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of the interplay between c-FLIP and HBV in various environmental circumstances. We describe strategies adapted by HBV to establish its chronic infection. We also summarize the conventional roles of c-FLIP and highlight the functional outcome of the interaction between c-FLIP and HBV or other viruses in viral replication and the innate immune system.
A Molecular and Epidemiological Description of a Severe Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak in a Commercial Swine Production System in Russia
Authors: Havas Karyn A. , Makau Dennis N. , Shapovalov Sergei , Tolkova Ekaterina , VanderWaal Kim , Tkachyk Tymofii , Spronk Gordon D. , Heron Brad , Dee Scott A. , Perez Andres
Published: February 2022

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an economically devastating disease of swine in many parts of the world. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) type 1 is endemic in Europe, and prevalence of the subtypes differ spatially. In this study, we investigated a severe PRRS outbreak reported in 30 farms located in eastern Russia that belong to a large swine production company in the region that was also experiencing a pseudorabies outbreak in the system. Data included 28 ORF5 sequences from samples across 18 of the 25 infected sites, reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results from diagnostic testing, reports of clinical signs, and animal movement records. We observed that the outbreak was due to two distinct variants of wildtype PRRSV type 1 subtype 1 with an average genetic distance of 15%. Results suggest that the wildtype PRRSV variants were introduced into the region around 2019, before affecting this production system (i.e., sow farms, nurseries, and finisher farms). Clinical signs did not differ between the variants, but they did differ by stage of pig production. Biosecurity lapses, including movement of animals from infected farms contributed to disease spread.
Antiviral Targeting of Varicella Zoster Virus Replication and Neuronal Reactivation Using CRISPR/Cas9 Cleavage of the Duplicated Open Reading Frames 62/71
Authors: Wu Betty W. , Yee Michael B. , Goldstein Ronald S. , Kinchington Paul R.
Published: February 2022

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) causes Herpes Zoster (HZ), a common debilitating and complicated disease affecting up to a third of unvaccinated populations. Novel antiviral treatments for VZV reactivation and HZ are still in need. Here, we evaluated the potential of targeting the replicating and reactivating VZV genome using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat-Cas9 nucleases (CRISPR/Cas9) delivered by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. After AAV serotype and guide RNA (gRNA) optimization, we report that a single treatment with AAV2-expressing Staphylococcus aureus CRISPR/Cas9 (saCas9) with gRNA to the duplicated and essential VZV genes ORF62/71 (AAV2-62gRsaCas9) greatly reduced VZV progeny yield and cell-to-cell spread in representative epithelial cells and in lytically infected human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neurons. In contrast, AAV2-62gRsaCas9 did not reduce the replication of a recombinant virus mutated in the ORF62 targeted sequence, establishing that antiviral effects were a consequence of VZV-genome targeting. Delivery to latently infected and reactivation-induced neuron cultures also greatly reduced infectious-virus production. These results demonstrate the potential of AAV-delivered genome editors to limit VZV productive replication in epithelial cells, infected human neurons, and upon reactivation. The approach could be developed into a strategy for the treatment of VZV disease and virus spread in HZ.
Causation Identification and Control Measures of Deformation by Integrated Dewatering-Excavation Process Simulation of a T-Shaped Deep Foundation Pit
Authors: Zhang Yege , Yi Lixin , Zhang Linus , Yang Yongpeng , Hao Xin , Li Hui , Ma Huanfa
Published: February 2022

Construction of subway line intersection stations will become more and more popular in the future. Research on the deformation characteristics in the construction process is the best way to ensure the safety of the foundation pit itself, the surrounding buildings, and adjacent subway stations. In this paper, the deformation characteristics of a T-shaped subway foundation pit during construction are studied by an integrated dewatering-excavation three-dimensional numerical simulation method. The results show that the main causation of the surface settlement around the foundation pit is the stratum compression caused by dewatering, and the main causation of the deformation of the diaphragm wall and the existing subway station is the soil deformation caused by excavation unloading. It is suggested that constructing a high-quality diaphragm wall, controlling the water level within the excavation foundation pit, strengthening the monitoring, and timely cement pouring of the bottom plate are key countermeasures to reduce the deformation. The research results of this paper have reference significance for similar projects.
Oxidation to Control Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water Treatment Plants: Challenges at the Laboratory and Full-Scale Plants
Authors: Jalili Farhad , Trigui Hana , Maldonado Juan Francisco Guerra , Dorner Sarah , Zamyadi Arash , Shapiro B. Jesse , Terrat Yves , Fortin Nathalie , Sauvé Sébastien , Prévost Michèle
Published: February 2022

The impact of oxidation on mitigation of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in drinking water treatment sludge was investigated at the laboratory and treatment plant scales. Two common oxidants, KMnO4 (5 and 10 mg/L) and H2O2 (10 and 20 mg/L) were applied under controlled steady-state conditions. Non-oxidized and oxidized sludge was left to stagnate in the dark for 7 to 38 days. Controlled laboratory trials show that KMnO4 and H2O2 decreased cell counts up to 62% and 77%, respectively. The maximum total MC level reduction achieved after oxidation was 41% and 98% using 20 mg/L H2O2 and 10 mg/L KMnO4, respectively. Stagnation caused cell growth up to 2.6-fold in 8 out of 22 oxidized samples. Microcystin (MC) producer orders as Chroococcales and Synechococcales were persistent while Nostocales was sensitive to combined oxidation and stagnation stresses. In parallel, two on-site shock oxidation treatments were performed in the DWTP’s sludge holding tank using 10 mg/L KMnO4. On-site shock oxidation decreased taxonomic cell counts by up to 43% within 24 h. Stagnation preceded by on-site shock oxidation could increase total cell counts by up to 55% as compared to oxidation alone. The increase of cell counts and mcyD gene copy numbers during stagnation revealed the impact of oxidation/stagnation on cyanobacterial cell growth. These findings show the limitations of sludge oxidation as a strategy to manage cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in sludge and suggest that alternative approaches to prevent the accumulation and mitigation of cyanobacteria in sludge should be considered.
Impacts of Flood Disturbance on the Dynamics of Basin-Scale Swimming Fish Migration in Mountainous Streams
Authors: Harada Morihiro , Nagayama Shigeya
Published: February 2022

This study investigated the response of sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis), a species that migrates dynamically throughout a river basin, to two flood events during the summer of 2020 in the Nagara River, located in the central region of Japan. By combining multiple environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys and hydrological modeling, the spatiotemporal distribution of P. altivelis throughout a mountainous river basin was captured and analyzed. The eDNA concentrations at 42 sites in the Nagara River Basin were analyzed five times from August to early October 2020. In addition, Rainfall–Runoff–Inundation model calculations were performed using 1-km resolution precipitation data as input values to analyze the magnitude of the flood disturbance at the eDNA sites. The daily specific discharge Qs (m3/s/km2) was employed as an index of the flood magnitude. The calculation period included Flood Events 1 and 2 with 52 and 38 days of precipitation reaching 1923 and 528 mm, respectively. The results of the eDNA analysis showed that, immediately after Flood Event 1, the spatial distribution of P. altivelis was unevenly distributed in the upper reaches of the Nagara River and some of its tributaries. Subsequently, the distribution expanded to the entire mainstem. The distribution of the maximum daily specific discharge suggested that the river segments with high eDNA concentrations of P. altivelis immediately after the high-magnitude flood event were those with a relatively low intensity of flood disturbance compared with those in the other connected river segments and tributaries. The results of this study indicate that the resilience of riverine communities to extreme floods is supported by the continuity and connectivity between the mainstem and its tributaries in mountainous river basins.
A Classification-Based Machine Learning Approach to the Prediction of Cyanobacterial Blooms in Chilgok Weir, South Korea
Authors: Kim Jongchan , Jonoski Andreja , Solomatine Dimitri P.
Published: February 2022

Cyanobacterial blooms appear by complex causes such as water quality, climate, and hydrological factors. This study aims to present the machine learning models to predict occurrences of these complicated cyanobacterial blooms efficiently and effectively. The dataset was classified into groups consisting of two, three, or four classes based on cyanobacterial cell density after a week, which was used as the target variable. We developed 96 machine learning models for Chilgok weir using four classification algorithms: k-Nearest Neighbor, Decision Tree, Logistic Regression, and Support Vector Machine. In the modeling methodology, we first selected input features by applying ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and solving a multi-collinearity problem as a process of feature selection, which is a method of removing irrelevant features to a target variable. Next, we adopted an oversampling method to resolve the problem of having an imbalanced dataset. Consequently, the best performance was achieved for models using datasets divided into two classes, with an accuracy of 80% or more. Comparatively, we confirmed low accuracy of approximately 60% for models using datasets divided into three classes. Moreover, while we produced models with overall high accuracy when using logCyano (logarithm of cyanobacterial cell density) as a feature, several models in combination with air temperature and NO3-N (nitrate nitrogen) using two classes also demonstrated more than 80% accuracy. It can be concluded that it is possible to develop very accurate classification-based machine learning models with two features related to cyanobacterial blooms. This proved that we could make efficient and effective models with a low number of inputs.
Runoff Probability Prediction Model Based on Natural Gradient Boosting with Tree-Structured Parzen Estimator Optimization
Authors: Shen Keyan , Qin Hui , Zhou Jianzhong , Liu Guanjun
Published: February 2022

Accurate and reliable runoff prediction is critical for solving problems related to water resource planning and management. Deterministic runoff prediction methods cannot meet the needs of risk analysis and decision making. In this study, a runoff probability prediction model based on natural gradient boosting (NGboost) with tree-structured parzen estimator (TPE) optimization is proposed. The model obtains the probability distribution of the predicted runoff. The TPE algorithm was used for the hyperparameter optimization of the model to improve the prediction. The model was applied to the prediction of runoff on the monthly, weekly and daily scales at the Yichang and Pingshan stations in the upper Yangtze River. We also tested the prediction effectiveness of the models using exponential, normal and lognormal distributions for different flow characteristics and time scales. The results show that in terms of deterministic prediction, the proposed model improved in all indicators compared to the benchmark model. The root mean square error of the monthly runoff prediction was reduced by 9% on average and 7% on the daily scale. In probabilistic prediction, the proposed model can provide reliable probabilistic prediction on weekly and daily scales.
Parallel-Computing Two-Way Grid-Nested Storm Surge Model with a Moving Boundary Scheme and Case Study of the 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan
Authors: Tsai Yu-Lin , Wu Tso-Ren , Yen Eric , Lin Chuan-Yao , Lin Simon C.
Published: February 2022

This study presents a numerical tool for calculating storm surges from offshore, nearshore, and coastal regions using the finite-difference method, two-way grid-nesting function in time and space, and a moving boundary scheme without any numerical filter adopted. The validation of the solitary wave runup on a circular island showed the perfect matches between the model results and measurements for the free surface elevations and runup heights. After the benchmark problem validation, the 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan event was selected to showcase the storm surge calculations with coastal inundation and flood depths in Tacloban. The catastrophic storm surges of about 8 m and wider, storm-induced inundation due to the Super Typhoon Haiyan were found in the Tacloban Airport, corresponding to the findings from the field survey. In addition, the anti-clockwise, storm-induced currents were explored inside of Cancabato Bay. Moreover, the effect of the nonlinear advection terms with the fixed and moving shoreline and the parallel efficiency were investigated. By presenting a storm surge model for calculating storm surges, inundation areas, and flood depths with the model validation and case study, this study hopes to provide a convenient and efficient numerical tool for forecasting and disaster assessment under a potential severe tropical storm with climate change.
Effects of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry on Heavy Metal Contamination in the Aquatic Environment and Human Health in Huangshui River Basin
Authors: Zhang Long , Tan Xianfeng , Chen Hongnian , Liu Yalin , Cui Zhaojie
Published: February 2022

Huangshui River (HSR) is the mother river of Qinghai province. Croplands and grasslands cover more than 76% of the total area, and highland agriculture and animal husbandry are the dominant industries. The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and feed additives increases the risk of heavy metal (HM) contamination. In this study, the concentration of HMs in the main stream and tributaries of HSR were investigated. The Positive Matrix Factorization model was used for source apportionment, and Health Risk Assessment method was used to assess the human health risks. To further analyze the effect of agriculture and animal husbandry on aquatic environment and human health, we considered agriculture and animal husbandry as two factors in the source apportionment process, defined the effect of the factors, established the calculation formula, and quantified the effects. The results show that the overall situation of aquatic environment in HSR is good; natural processes, traffic tail gas and atmospheric deposition, agricultural planting, industrial wastewater discharge, and animal husbandry are the main sources of HMs in the water. These HMs present noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for infants. A total effect of agricultural and animal husbandry on HMs or HI in HSRB is approximately 20%, while on TCR is 40%. However, the effects of agriculture on the hazard quotient of arsenic, carcinogenic risk of nickel and lead, and that of animal husbandry on carcinogenic risk of cadmium were significant. This study can provide a theoretical basis for local managers of agriculture and animal husbandry to perform their work effectively.
Short-Term Hydrological Forecast Using Artificial Neural Network Models with Different Combinations and Spatial Representations of Hydrometeorological Inputs
Authors: Jougla Renaud , Leconte Robert
Published: February 2022

In hydrological modelling, artificial neural network (ANN) models have been popular in the scientific community for at least two decades. The current paper focuses on short-term streamflow forecasting, 1 to 7 days ahead, using an ANN model in two northeastern American watersheds, the Androscoggin and Susquehanna. A virtual modelling environment is implemented, where data used to train and validate the ANN model were generated using a deterministic distributed model over 16 summers (2000–2015). To examine how input variables affect forecast accuracy, we compared streamflow forecasts from the ANN model using four different sets of inputs characterizing the watershed state—surface soil moisture, deep soil moisture, observed streamflow the day before the forecast, and surface soil moisture along with antecedent observed streamflow. We found that the best choice of inputs consists of combining surface soil moisture with observed streamflow for the two watersheds under study. Moreover, to examine how the spatial distribution of input variables affects forecast accuracy, we compared streamflow forecasts from the ANN using surface soil moisture at three spatial distributions—global, fully distributed, and single pixel-based—for the Androscoggin watershed. We show that model performance was similar for both the global and fully distributed representation of soil moisture; however, both models surpass the single pixel-based models. Future work includes evaluating the developed ANN model with real observations, quantified in situ or remotely sensed.
The Wave Climate of the Sea of Azov
Authors: Yaitskaya Natalia
Published: February 2022

This article describes the results of the retrospective numerical simulation of wind waves in the Sea of Azov using the SWAN spectral wave model and the ERA-Interim global reanalysis for 1979–2019. A digital model of the sea-floor relief of the Sea of Azov was used for the calculations. This model was built using a bathymetric map of the Sea of Azov, as well as nautical charts and remote sensing data. Verification of the model for the conditions that characterize the Sea of Azov was conducted using data from ship observations of wind waves. The features of the mean long-term wind wave patterns, as well as the seasonal, interannual, and interdecadal dynamics were presented. The main focus was on the following parameters: significant wave height, wave period, and wave direction. A description of storm conditions and a comparison with surge phenomena and ice conditions was also completed. The results indicated that, in contrast to Taganrog Bay, the wave patterns were heavily influenced according to the time of year (i.e., the seasons). The maximum wave heights were typical for the cold season of the year but not for the ice-free period. The interannual dynamics of wind waves were characterized by the alternation of three five-year periods of strengthening and weakening of wind waves. After 2002, the wave height increased in the summer and autumn seasons and slightly decreased in winter and spring. A shift of the storm season to a warmer period was also detected.
Alum and Gypsum Amendments Decrease Phosphorus Losses from Soil Monoliths to Overlying Floodwater under Simulated Snowmelt Flooding
Authors: Kumaragamage Darshani , Weerasekara Chamara S. , Perry Madelynn , Akinremi Olalekan O. , Goltz Doug
Published: February 2022

Phosphorus (P) loss from soils poses a threat of eutrophication to downstream waterbodies. Alum (Al2(SO4)3·18H2O) and gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) are effective in reducing P loss from soils; however, knowledge on their effectiveness under cold temperatures is limited. This study examined the reduction of P loss from soils with alum and gypsum amendment under simulated snowmelt flooding. Intact soil monoliths (15 cm depth) collected from eight agricultural fields in flood-prone areas of Manitoba, Canada, were surface amended with alum or gypsum, pre-incubated for 2 weeks, then flooded and incubated at 4 °C for 8 weeks. Porewater and floodwater samples collected weekly were analyzed for dissolved reactive P (DRP), dominant cations and anions. An enhanced P release with flooding time was observed in all soils whether amended or unamended; however, alum/gypsum amendment reduced DRP concentrations in porewater and floodwater in general, with alum showing a more consistent effect across soils. The reduction in floodwater DRP concentrations (maximum DRP concentration during flooding) with alum and gypsum ranged from 34–90% and 1–66%, respectively. Based on Visual MINTEQ thermodynamic model predictions, precipitation of P and formation of P-sorbing mineral species with alum and gypsum amendment reduced DRP concentrations at latter stages of flooding.
Pollution Level, Partition and Spatial Distribution of Benzo(a)pyrene in Urban Soils, Road Dust and Their PM10 Fraction of Health-Resorts (Alushta, Yalta) and Industrial (Sebastopol) Cities of Crimea
Authors: Bezberdaya Liliya , Kosheleva Natalia , Chernitsova Olga , Lychagin Mikhail , Kasimov Nikolay
Published: February 2022

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in particular benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), are priority organic pollutants coming from various anthropogenic sources. The levels of accumulation and the spatial distribution of BaP in urban soils, road dust and their PM10 particles (with a diameter of less than 10 microns) were for the first time determined for various land use zones and roads of different size in the cities of Crimea—Alushta, Yalta and Sebastopol. The average content of BaP in soils and road dust in Alushta is 60 and 97 ng/g, in Yalta—139 and 64 ng/g, in Sebastopol—260 and 89 ng/g, respectively, which considerably exceeds the background level (1 ng/g). The BaP concentrations in PM10 particles of soils and dust are up to 11 and four times higher, respectively, than the total contents; they concentrate 35–70% of amount of the pollutant. The accumulation of BaP in soils and dust depends on the type of land use and size of roads. The exceedance of BaP standards in soils and road dust indicates a hazardous environmental situation in three cities of Crimea. The most dangerous are PM10 particles, which form anomalies with extreme levels of BaP contamination.
Dynamic Characteristics of Drought Conditions during the Growth of Winter Wheat Based on an Improved SWAT Model
Authors: Ma Jianqin , Cui Bifeng , Liu Lei , Hao Xiuping , Liang Feng , Jiang Zhongfeng , Yang Jiangshan
Published: February 2022

This study aimed at investigating the applicability of a SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model in understanding the effects of drought on winter wheat. This study is based on the water requirement of the crop and addresses the absence of a SWAT model with real-time irrigation simulation. A real-time irrigation module was developed for the downstream irrigation area of the Yellow River to estimate the real-time irrigation of crops. By further simulating the dynamic evolution process of soil moisture content, a dynamic drought evaluation model of winter wheat was established, and the relative soil moisture was set as the evaluation index to assess and analyze the dynamic variation of drought evolution during the growth of winter wheat. The results showed that the improved SWAT model has strong applicability. During the growth of winter wheat, the variation trend of droughts is consistent with that of natural precipitation. For winter wheat, drought is quite normal during all growth stages, and the average frequency is 93.5%, 89.1%, 84.8%, 89.1% and 95.7%. Severe drought and extra-severe drought usually occur during the sowing–tillering stage and the tillering–greening stage, and the frequency of occurrence is 30.4% and 19.6%, respectively. This paper provides a novel approach for the study of agricultural drought in the downstream irrigation area of the Yellow River.
Wavelet Analysis of Dam Injection and Discharge in Three Gorges Dam and Reservoir with Precipitation and River Discharge
Authors: Yin Lirong , Wang Lei , Keim Barry D. , Konsoer Kory , Zheng Wenfeng
Published: February 2022

The Yangtze River has been the primary support of the resources and transportation of China. The Three Gorges Dam and Reservoir on the Yangtze River is one of the world’s largest dams. The influence caused by the dam and reservoir on the river system has been overwhelming and destructive. For better water resource use and flood-prevention planning, more understanding is needed regarding the dam’s impact on river discharge, regional precipitation, and frequency of extreme rainfall events. This study aims to analyze the changes in river discharge and regional precipitation records before and after the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. This research examines temporal correlations among these data by collecting daily dam injection and dam discharge records, the precipitation from ground stations, and river discharge. The time series are analyzed with the wavelet analysis. The precipitation datasets decrease in wavelet magnitude after 1998 when the dam was built in the wavelet analysis. The annual cycle, shown as a bright year line through the time range, still exists in the analysis result after 1998, but the magnitude of the annual cycle has reduced. The river discharge shows a decrease of wavelet magnitude at the three downstream locations. The possible explanation of this pattern could be the human-controlled dam discharge. The constant water level maintained in the reservoir by human control would slow down the flow speed and stabilize it.
FORMATION OF A MODERN PUBLIC AND RECREATIONAL SPACE ALONG THE SEVERSKY DONETS RIVER IN BELGOROD
Authors: Yarmosh T. , Krasnopivceva P. , Galdin R. , Aleinikova N.
Published: February 2022

The article is devoted to the prospects for the development of the river Seversky Donets in Belgorod. In modern conditions of urban life, one of the most pressing problems of architecture and urban planning is the organization of new public and recreational spaces, as well as the reconstruction of degrading urban areas. In connection with the active development of riverside territories, various components of the natural environment undergo serious changes in many domestic and foreign cities. Therefore, when designing these public spaces, it is necessary to create new architectural and landscape components as integrated as possible into the natural environment. The embankments of cities are considered the most accessible places for recreation for citizens, however, in most large cities of Russia, access to the river is cut off from residential and social and cultural areas of the city. The main tasks that need to be solved when designing this type of territories are the preservation and restoration of the environment, as well as the creation of comfortable conditions for human life and leisure. Its highly urbanized environment negatively affects the psycho-emotional and physical state of citizens. Analyzing domestic and foreign existing embankments, we can conclude that the problem of creating a comfortable and accessible environment for citizens remains relevant for most modern cities. The article identifies the main problems of the riverine territory of the embankment of the river Seversky Donets. The analysis of the territory of the proposed development is carried out and a design solution is proposed for creating a new recreational space for year-round use in Belgorod.
Hematuria y Síndrome de Cascanueces
Authors: Hernández Quirós Thania , Villachica Madriz Allison
Published: February 2022

En términos sencillos la hematuria es la presencia de sangre en orina. La misma puede clasificarse en hematuria macroscópica (si la orina y visiblemente roja) o en microscópica (si se logran identificar hematíes en el examen microscópico de orina).

Existen diversas causas para la hematuria, una más frecuentes entre las cuales se encuentran tumores, infecciones, litiasis, y otras entidades más raras como el síndrome de cascanueces.