bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Immune Responses to COVID-19 Vaccines in Bangladeshi Population
Authors: Sarker Protim , Akhtar Evana , Kuddusi Rakib Ullah , Alam Mohammed Mamun , Haq Md. Ahsanul , Hosen Md. Biplob , Chanda Bikash Chandra , Haque Farjana , Alam Muntasir , Razzaque Abdur , Rahman Mustafizur , Ahmed Faruque , Kibria Md. Golam , Islam Mohammed Zahirul , Ahmed Shehlina , Raqib Rubhana
Published: September 2022

Background: The adaptive immune response is a crucial component of the protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2, generated after infection or vaccination. Methods: We studied antibody titers, neutralizing antibodies and cellular immune responses to four different COVID-19 vaccines, namely Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna Spikevax, AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines in the Bangladeshi population (n = 1780). Results: mRNA vaccines Moderna (14,655 ± 11.3) and Pfizer (13,772 ± 11.5) elicited significantly higher anti-Spike (S) antibody titers compared to the Adenovector vaccine AstraZeneca (2443 ± 12.8) and inactivated vaccine Sinopharm (1150 ± 11.2). SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies as well as IFN-γ-secreting lymphocytes were more abundant in Pfizer and Moderna vaccine recipients compared to AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccine recipients. Participants previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhibited higher post-vaccine immune responses (S-specific and neutralizing antibodies, IFN-γ-secreting cells) compared to uninfected participants. Memory B (BMEM), total CD8+T, CD4+ central memory (CD4+CM) and T-regulatory (TREG) cells were more numerous in AstraZeneca vaccine recipients compared to other vaccine recipients. Plasmablasts, B-regulatory (BREG) and CD4+ effector (CD4+EFF) cells were more numerous in mRNA vaccine recipients. Conclusions: mRNA vaccines generated a higher antibody response, while a differential cellular response was observed for different vaccine types, suggesting that both cellular and humoral responses are important in immune monitoring of different types of vaccines.
Effect of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus 2B Viroporin on Expression and Extraction of Mammalian Cell Culture Produced Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus-like Particles
Authors: Primavera Victoria , Simmons Janine , Clark Benjamin A. , Neilan John G. , Puckette Michael
Published: September 2022

To improve the production of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) molecular vaccines, we sought to understand the effects of the FMD virus (FMDV) 2B viroporin in an experimental, plasmid-based, virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine. Inclusion of the FMDV viroporin 2B into the human Adenovirus 5 vectored FMD vaccine enhanced transgene expression despite independent 2B expression negatively affecting cell viability. Evaluating both wildtype 2B and mutants with disrupted viroporin activity, we confirmed that viroporin activity is detrimental to overall transgene expression when expressed independently. However, the incorporation of 2B into an FMD molecular vaccine construct containing a wildtype FMDV 3C protease, a viral encoded protease responsible for processing structural proteins, resulted in enhancement of transgene expression, validating previous observations. This benefit to transgene expression was negated when using the FMDV 3CL127P mutant, which has reduced processing of host cellular proteins, a reversion resulting from 2B viroporin activity. Inclusion of 2B into VLP production constructs also adversely impacted antigen extraction, a possible side effect of 2B-dependent rearrangement of cellular membranes. These results demonstrate that inclusion of 2B enhanced transgene expression when a wildtype 3C protease is present but was detrimental to transgene expression with the 3CL127P mutant. This has implications for future molecular FMD vaccine constructs, which may utilize mutant FMDV 3C proteases.
Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping with Indirect Lymphangiography for Canine Mast Cell Tumour
Authors: De Bonis Andrea , Collivignarelli Francesco , Paolini Andrea , Falerno Ilaria , Rinaldi Valentina , Tamburro Roberto , Bianchi Amanda , Terragni Rossella , Gianfelici Jacopo , Frescura Paolo , Dolce Giulia , Pagni Eleonora , Bucci Roberta , Vignoli Massimo
Published: September 2022

Mast cell tumour (MCT) is a common cutaneous and subcutaneous neoplasia in dogs. It can metastasise to lymph nodes (LNs), and this adversely affects the prognosis and treatment. The study aims to evaluate the SLN mapping of MCTs with radiographic indirect lymphography. Dogs that underwent clinical staging were prospectively enrolled. Lipiodol was injected around the MCT or the surgical scar. After 24 h, LNs that picked up contrast were radiographically assessed. Twenty-six dogs with 29 MCTs were included. MCTs were confirmed histologically, while SLNs were evaluated either by cytology and/or histology. SLNs were detectable in 23 dogs with 26 MCTs. Lymphatic vessels were visible in 19 MCTs. In nine MCTs, at least two SLNs picked up contrast. In particular, seven MCTs involved two SLNs, and two MCTs involved three different SLNs. In nine MCTs, at least a SLN was metastatic. This study indicates that the lymph drainage pattern of the MCTs may be different for each MCT, and more than one SLN can be involved. Indirect lymphangiography with Lipiodol allowed the detection of the SLN in 90% of MCTs. This provided clinically relevant information to remove the LN and stage the patient.
A PMAxxTM qPCR Assay Reveals That Dietary Administration of the Microalgae Tetraselmis chuii Does Not Affect Salmonella Infantis Caecal Content in Early-Treated Broiler Chickens
Authors: Corrales-Martinez Joselyn , Ortega-Paredes David , Šefcová Miroslava Anna , Larrea-Álvarez César Marcelo , de Janon Sofía , Medina-Santana José , Molina-Cuasapaz Gabriel , Vinueza-Burgos Christian , Revajová Viera , Larrea-Álvarez Marco , Calero-Cáceres William
Published: September 2022

Salmonella enterica serovars cause infections in humans. S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis is considered relevant and is commonly reported in poultry products. Evaluating innovative approaches for resisting colonization in animals could contribute to the goal of reducing potential human infections. Microalgae represent a source of molecules associated with performance and health improvement in chickens. Tetraselmis chuii synthesizes fermentable polysaccharides as part of their cell wall content; these sugars are known for influencing caecal bacterial diversity. We hypothesized if its dietary administration could exert a positive effect on caecal microbiota in favor of a reduced S. Infantis load. A total of 72 one-day-old broiler chickens (COBB 500) were randomly allocated into three groups: a control, a group infected with bacteria (day 4), and a group challenged with S. Infantis but fed a microalgae-based diet. Caecal samples (n = 8) were collected two days post-infection. A PMAxxTM-based qPCR approach was developed to assess differences regarding bacterial viable load between groups. The inclusion of the microalga did not modify S. Infantis content, although the assay proved to be efficient, sensitive, and repeatable. The utilized scheme could serve as a foundation for developing novel PCR-based methodologies for estimating Salmonella colonization.
Comparative Oncology: Management of Hepatic Neoplasia in Humans and Dogs
Authors: Gibson Erin A. , Goldman Roger E. , Culp William T. N.
Published: September 2022

Primary hepatic neoplasia is uncommonly reported in dogs. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent neoplasia identified in dogs and considerable effort has been committed towards identifying definitive and palliative treatment options. HCC is well recognized in humans as a sequelae of liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, while in dogs a similar link has failed to be fully elucidated. Management of HCC in people may be curative or palliative dependent on staging and transplant eligibility. Despite differences in etiology, there is substantial similarity between treatment options for liver neoplasia in human and veterinary medicine. The below summary provides a comparative discussion regarding hepatic neoplasia in dogs and people with a specific focus on HCC. Diagnosis as well as descriptions of the myriad treatment options will be reviewed.
Progressive Collapse of Buildings
Authors: Dimopoulos Christoforos , Gantes Charis J.
Published: September 2022

The progressive collapse of buildings is an important ongoing research topic in civil engineering [...]
Contact Lens Prescribing Patterns in a University Clinic in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Ezinne Ngozika Esther , Ekemiri Kingsley Kene , Harbajan Gabrielle Nora , Crooks Anesha Cameisha , Douglas Danquah , Ilechie Alex Azuka , Mashige Khathutshelo Percy
Published: September 2022

The study assessed the contact lens prescribing patterns and associated factors in a university optometry clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. The data relating to habitual or new contact lens (CL) prescribing patterns among wearers over a two-year period were reviewed. Pearson’s chi-squared test and logistic regression models were used to analyze the findings. The Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to examine the model calibration. A total of 243 CL fits were analyzed, and the Homeshow–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated a good fit (χ2 (7) = 7.296, p = 0.399). The mean age of lens wearers was 29.6 ± 12.4 (mean ± SD); the majority, 155 (63.8 %) of whom, were 21 to 40 years old. Most lenses were fitted on females (64.2% of fits overall) and about half of the wearers (n = 122, 50.2%) were prescribed lenses for cosmetic purposes. Conventional soft CL were the most prescribed modality of wear, accounting for 129 (53.1%) of the fits. Age from 21 to 40 years was the predictor of lens type prescribed, and those in that age range were four times more likely to be prescribed soft lenses compared to other ages. The patterns of CL prescribing in a university optometry clinic in Trinidad and Tobago are similar to the global market trends with slight variations.
In Situ Pumping–Injection Remediation of Strong Acid–High Salt Groundwater: Displacement–Neutralization Mechanism and Influence of Pore Blocking
Authors: Yuan Fang , Zhang Jia , Chen Jian , Chen Honghan , Barnie Samuel
Published: September 2022

Acid-polluted groundwater may cause many environmental problems due to its corrosivity. Pumping and injection technology is a commonly used remediation technology, and its main principles are displacement and neutralization. However, due to the high salinity in groundwater, blockage easily occurs and reduces the efficiency. The mechanism of pumping and remediation of strong acid–high salinity groundwater is unclear, and the mechanism and effect of pore blocking are unknown. In this paper, based on an actual polluted site, a field pumping test was carried out. Through groundwater monitoring and drilling core sampling, the process and mechanism of acid groundwater pumping–injection remediation were clarified, and the principle and impact of pore blockage are revealed. The results showed that increasing the injection pressure can effectively improve the repairing efficiency. When the pressure increased from 0.2 MPa to 0.3 MPa, the water injection efficiency per unit time was increased by more than 20%. The principle of pumping–injection remediation of acidic groundwater was mainly displacement, accounting for more than 93%, while neutralization only contributed less than 0.1%. Although the neutralization contribution was small, the neutralization interface of injected alkaline water and acidic groundwater was the main place for precipitation. The precipitation was mainly formed around the injection well, the amount of which decreases greatly with the increase in displacement distance. This was because the formation of precipitation required both an appropriate concentration of Fe and high pH (5.63). Affected by neutralization and dispersion, the pH of the acid–base water interface decreased and the necessary conditions for the formation of precipitation were not met. Therefore, in the actual pumping–injection restoration project, optimization can be carried out from two perspectives of appropriately increasing the injected water pressure and reducing the injected water pH. This study has important reference value for the control and remediation of such acid-polluted groundwater.
Treatment of Wastewaters Containing Sulfonylurea Herbicides by Electroflotation: Chemical and Ecotoxicological Efficacy
Authors: Nunes Ramom , Ribeiro Rui , Morão Gabriel , Rezende Maria , Moreira-Santos Matilde
Published: September 2022

Electroflotation (EF) is an electroanalytical technique applied for separating substances suspended in phase and is reported to be efficient for effluents and wastewater treatments. To date, there are no studies employing EF for the treatment of wastewater containing toxic organic compounds. In the present study, EF was tested as an electro-oxidative process to decontaminate wastewater containing the sulfonylurea herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl. To evaluate the value of EF, both the chemical and ecotoxicological efficacies were assessed in non-treated and treated wastewaters; the former monitored the herbicide and degradation products in the reaction medium through analytical chromatographic methods, whereas the latter comprised testing the 72 h growth of the green microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata and the 48 h lethality of the cladoceran Daphnia magna. Analysis by HPLC-UV allowed the monitoring of the electrochemical reaction, and a degradation mechanism based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was proposed. Despite the compromised herbicide structure, non-treated and treated wastewaters were similarly toxic for the microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata and the invertebrate Daphnia magna. Even though EF did not remove the wastewater toxicity, the results indicate that toxic organic compounds are potentially oxidized by EF while signaling the need to combine chemical and ecotoxicological approaches to gauge the environmental sustainability of EF.
Eukaryotic Diversity Based on High-Throughput 18S rRNA Sequencing and Its Relationship with Environmental Factors in a Salt Lake in Tibet, China
Authors: He Lele , Wang Qi , Wang Zhe , Wang Fang , Sun Shichun , Liu Xiaoshou
Published: September 2022

Eukaryotes exist widely in aquatic ecosystems. It is of great importance to study their species composition, diversity, and relationship with environmental factors to protect and maintain ecosystem balance. Salt lakes are essential lakes rich in biological and mineral resources and have significant research value. To understand the characteristics of eukaryotic diversity in salt lake sediments, we conducted a sampling survey of the benthos in Kyêbxang Co, Tibet, in July and August 2020. The sampling area was divided into littoral, sublittoral, and profundal zones. A total of 42 species of Metazoa, 159 species of Protozoa, 63 species of Viridiplantae, and 46 species of Fungi were identified by the high-throughput sequencing of 18S ribosomes. Alpha diversity analysis revealed significant differences in species composition among the three study zones. The littoral zone had the highest Sobs index and Chao index, indicating that the eukaryotic diversity and richness in this zone were significantly higher than those in the profundal and sublittoral zones. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that water depth, temperature, and sediment organic matter content significantly affected the community structure of eukaryotes zones, especially the distribution of dominant genera such as Dunaliella, Psilotricha and Brachionus. Cooccurrence network analysis showed that Dunaliella, Aphelidium, temperature, water depth, and organic matter represent essential nodes in the entire network. This study can provide baseline data and new insights for eukaryotic diversity research for salt lakes.
Evaluation of Hydrological Rainfall Loss Methods Using Small-Scale Physical Landslide Model
Authors: Bezak Nejc , Peranić Josip , Mikoš Matjaž , Arbanas Željko
Published: September 2022

An adequate representation of the relationship between effective rainfall and rainfall losses is required in hydrological rainfall–runoff models to reduce the uncertainty of the modelling results. This study evaluates the performance of several hydrological rainfall loss methods using the experimental data obtained from a laboratory small-scale physical landslide model with variable slope inclination, homogenous material and no vegetation effects. Three different experiments were selected and five rainfall loss methods were tested to evaluate their performance in reproducing the experimental results from the perspective of the surface runoff formation on the experimental slope. Initial and calibrated parameters were used to test the performance of these hydrological rainfall loss methods. The results indicate that the initial parameters of the rainfall loss model can satisfactorily reproduce the experimental results in some cases. Despite the fact that the slope material characteristics used in the laboratory experiments were relatively homogenous, some well-known methods yielded inaccurate results. Hence, calibration of the rainfall loss model proved to be essential. It should also be noted that, in some cases, the calibrated model parameters were relatively different from the initial model parameters estimated from the literature. None of the tested hydrological rainfall loss methods proved to be superior to the others. Therefore, in the case of natural environments with heterogeneous soil characteristics, multiple rainfall loss methods should be tested and the most suitable method should be selected only after cross-validation or a similar evaluation of the tested methods.
Different Hydroclimate Modelling Approaches Can Lead to a Large Range of Streamflow Projections under Climate Change: Implications for Water Resources Management
Authors: Chiew Francis H. S. , Zheng Hongxing , Potter Nicholas J. , Charles Stephen P. , Thatcher Marcus , Ji Fei , Syktus Jozef , Robertson David E. , Post David A.
Published: September 2022

The paper compares future streamflow projections for 133 catchments in the Murray–Darling Basin simulated by a hydrological model with future rainfall inputs generated from different methods informed by climate change signals from different global climate models and dynamically downscaled datasets. The results show a large range in future projections of hydrological metrics, mainly because of the uncertainty in rainfall projections within and across the different climate projection datasets. Dynamical downscaling provides simulations at higher spatial resolutions, but projections from different datasets can be very different. The large number of approaches help provide a robust understanding of future hydroclimate conditions, but they can also be confusing. For water resources management, it may be prudent to communicate just a couple of future scenarios for impact assessments with stakeholders and policymakers, particularly when practically all of the projections indicate a drier future in the Basin. The median projection for 2046–2075 relative to 1981–2010 for a high global warming scenario is a 20% decline in streamflow across the Basin. More detailed assessments of the impact and adaptation options could then use all of the available datasets to represent the full modelled range of plausible futures.
Effects of Seasonal Variation on Water Quality Parameters and Eutrophication in Lake Yangzong
Authors: Xu Weidong , Duan Lizeng , Wen Xinyu , Li Huayong , Li Donglin , Zhang Yang , Zhang Hucai
Published: September 2022

Understanding the seasonal variation characteristics and trends in water quality is one of the most important aspects for protecting and conserving lakes. Lake Yangzong water quality parameters and nutrients, including water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, conductivity, Chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), were monitored in different seasons from 2015 to 2021. Based on the monitoring data, the temporal and spatial variations of various parameters were analyzed. The results showed that Lake Yangzong is a warm monomictic lake. The Pearson correlation coefficient and correlation analysis showed water quality parameters were significantly correlated and probably affected by temperature. Cyanobacteria were at risk of blooming in spring and autumn. The contents of TN and TP in winter were significantly higher than in summer, especially TN, with both reaching a peak at the epilimnion and hypolimnion in December 2020 (TN = 1.3 mg/L, TP = 0.06 mg/L). We also observed a dual risk of endogenous release and exogenous input. Therefore, strengthening the supervision for controlling eutrophication caused by human activities and endogenous release is urgently needed.
Development of Vitamin B6-Mediated Biochar with Nano Zero-Valent Iron Coating for Oxytetracycline Removal through Adsorption and Degradation under Harsh Acidic Conditions
Authors: Xin Yuelin , Zhang Peng , Shen Jian , Ren Shaojie
Published: September 2022

Oxytetracycline-containing wastewater, particularly produced by pharmaceutical industries, is too acidic to treat with iron-assisted materials. In order to tackle this issue, vitamin B6-mediated biochar with nano zero-valent iron coating (nZVI/B6@BC) was developed. Oxytetracycline (OTC) removal performance of biochar (BC), vitamin B6-coated biochar (B6@BC), nZVI-coated biochar (nZVI@BC), and vitamin B6-mediated biochar with nano zero-valent iron coating (nZVI/B6@BC) were investigated to analyze contributions and mechanisms of adsorption and degradation. Through modification, the adsorption capacity of B6@BC was slightly increased from 81.38 mg/g of BC to 85.64 mg/g. In the removal test, the 5-min OTC removal efficiencies with nZVI@BC and nZVI/B6@BC were 52.25% and 59.05%, yet the BC and B6@BC were limited to 5.61% and 8.54%. The distinct difference may be attributed to the existence of nZVI on biochar strongly improving the reactivity from adsorption to chemical reaction. Moreover, 98.28% of OTC was removed within 60 min in the nZVI/B6@BC suspension. The adsorption of OTC on BC fitted the Freundlich isotherm, Temkin isotherm, and intramolecular diffusion model, whereas that on B6@BC fitted Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order better. Based on HPLC-MS analyses, there were three pathways proposed for OTC degradation in nZVI/B6@BC suspension. nZVI provided active sites on biochar for OTC degradation through oxidization, de-hydroxylation, ring-opening, reduction, addition, demethylation, and alkylation reactions. B6 as a mediate helped improve the stabilization and distribution of nZVI on biochar, which facilitates the capability of nZVI/B6@BC for OTC removal through adsorption and degradation under acidic conditions. The OTC can not only be captured on biochar but also be metabolized to achieve complete removal from aquatic systems.
Comparative Study on Water Temperature Stratified Flow under Different Vertical Coordinate Systems in Delft3D
Authors: Lang Yun , Hu Zijun , Hao Ruixia , Li Yafei , Han Lijuan
Published: September 2022

Reservoirs often suffer from water blooms, which are likely related to the hydrodynamic and water temperature characteristics of the tributary bays. To obtain the detailed changing process of hydrodynamics and water temperature stratification, it is necessary to choose a suitable vertical coordinate system in order to achieve the required precision. Based on a physical model experiment of cold water flowing into the Generalized Reservoir Hydraulics (GRH) flume, both the σ-coordinate system model and the z-coordinate system model are built for comparison. For the z-coordinate system model, the influences of different grid resolutions and different bottom slopes on the simulation accuracy are also analyzed. The results show that the σ-coordinate system model can simulate cold-water underflow in a reservoir better than the z-coordinate system model, and the numerical errors of the z-coordinate system model can be reduced but not eliminated by increasing the horizontal grid resolution. When the bottom slope of the reservoir is less than 18‰, the z-coordinate system model can also be used to simulate cold-water underflow in a reservoir. The conclusions about vertical coordinate systems can be applied to the development of a three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water temperature model of reservoirs.
Evaluation on the Restoration Effects in the River Restoration Projects Practiced in South Korea
Authors: An Ji Hong , Lim Bong Soon , Seol Jaewon , Kim A Reum , Lim Chi Hong , Moon Jeong Sook , Lee Chang Seok
Published: September 2022

This study evaluated the effects of the restoration of rivers carried out by the central government on streams located in major cities in South Korea. The effects of the restoration were evaluated based on the morphological and ecological characteristics, species composition and richness of vegetation, and a Riparian Vegetation Index of the restored streams. The naturalness of the streams, based on both the morphological and ecological characteristics, as well as the Riparian Vegetation Index of the restored streams was significantly lower than that of the reference rivers. The vegetation profiles of the restored streams did not reflect the flooding regimen of the river. Furthermore, the herbaceous plants found on the streambanks give way to shrubs and then to tree-dominated vegetation, respectively. The species composition of the vegetation in the restored streams showed a significant difference from that of the reference streams and this difference was particularly more significant with regards to the herbaceous plant-dominated vegetation types. The species richness of the restored streams showed a difference among the different streams but was lower than that of the reference streams. The ratio of exotic and gardening plants occupied in the species composition of the restored streams tended to be higher than that in the reference streams. Considering the above results, the restoration effects were usually low in the restored streams. Accordingly, an active adaptive management plan was recommended to improve those problems.
Developing and Applying a QGIS-Based Model That Accounts for Nonpoint Source Pollution Due to Domestic Animals
Authors: Lee Hanyong , Park Jong-Yoon , Park Youn Shik
Published: September 2022

Watershed management must take into account both the quantity and quality of water. Therefore, many hydrological models have been developed for hydrological and water quality prediction for various purposes. The Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Loads (STEPL), which was developed in the United States for water quality regulation, can predict both the quantity and quality of water, and has the advantage of including information on livestock. However, complex characteristics of the watershed must be generated by users for use as input data, and simulations only yield annual average values. Therefore, in this study, we developed a model that overcomes these limitations using geographic information data and enabling monthly predictions. The model developed in the study estimates monthly direct runoff and baseflow using daily rainfall data, while the STEPL model employs average annual approaches that are limited to consider seasonal variances of hydrological behaviors. It was developed for use within the QGIS software, and was applied to a watershed covering an area of 128.71 km2, considering information on livestock, soil, and land use. The model exhibited good predictive accuracy for four nonpoint source (NPS) pollutant loads and river flow, displaying acceptable criteria greater than 0.83 for river flow rates and 0.71 for all NPS pollutant load rates during calibration and validation.
A Hybrid Spatial–Analytical Network Process Model for Groundwater Inventory in a Semi-Arid Hard Rock Aquifer System—A Case Study
Authors: Radhakrishnan Selvakumar , Ramachandran Rajani , Murali Gunasekaran , Vatin Nikolai Ivanovich
Published: September 2022

Growing agricultural, industrial, and residential needs have increased the demand for groundwater resources. Targeting groundwater has become a challenging endeavour because of the complex interplay between varying climatic, geological, hydrological, and physiographic elements. This study proposes a hybrid RS, GIS, and ANP method to delineate groundwater zones. The resource was evaluated using seven surface hydrological and six subsurface aquifer parameters. The analytic network process model was used to determine the global priority vectors of each subclass. Surface and subsurface groundwater potential maps were created by assigning the resulting weights and spatially integrating them. Later, an integrated potential map was created by combining them. The validation of the obtained results using water level data demonstrates that the integrated map accurately predicted the zones. The area under study has 172.94 km2 of good groundwater potential. An area of 393.01 km2 is classified as having a moderate potential, and an area of 410 km2 is classified as having low potential. These findings will be beneficial to regional policymaking and long-term groundwater management. The results show that an integrated approach using ANP can better determine the groundwater potential zones in semi-arid zones.
Comparison of Two Types of Survey Designs for Acoustic Estimates of Fish Resources in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: Lian Yuxi , Ye Shaowen , Godlewska Małgorzata , Huang Geng , Wang Jiacheng , Liu Jiashou , Li Zhongjie
Published: September 2022

Pre-planning for a rational survey design is essential to improve the reliability and efficiency of the acoustic assessment of fishery resources in large water bodies. In this study, we compared the differences in acoustic estimates of fish resources between triangular and parallel transect designs in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR, China), aiming to provide a reference for fishery acoustic survey planning in such canyon-shaped reservoirs. We conducted hydroacoustic surveys using an echosounder (SIMRAD EY60, 120 kHz) in the Yangtze mainstream near the dam and an adjacent tributary with triangular and parallel designs. The independent samples t-test showed that the acoustic estimates of fish density were not significantly different between these two types of survey designs for both mainstream and tributary. The Fisher’s exact test indicated that there was no significant difference in fish size distributions, as measured by target strength (TS), between survey designs either. In view of reducing time spent in nearshore areas to improve efficiency and ensure safety, we recommend that the triangular design with reliable coverage be given priority for hydroacoustic sampling in the TGR and similar canyon-shaped reservoirs, especially when sampling at night.
Understanding Flood Vulnerability in Local Communities of Kogi State, Nigeria, Using an Index-Based Approach
Authors: Oyedele Peter , Kola Edinam , Olorunfemi Felix , Walz Yvonne
Published: September 2022

In West Africa, the impacts of flooding are becoming more severe with climate warming. Flood-prone communities in Kogi State in north-central Nigeria are affected by annual flooding and some extreme flood events. The negative impacts remain a major obstacle to development, environmental sustainability, and human security, exacerbating poverty in the region. Reducing and managing the impacts of flooding are increasingly becoming a challenge for individual households. Analysing vulnerability to flooding (a function of exposure, susceptibility, and lack of resilience) and identifying its causes using an index-based approach to achieve sustainable flood risk management were the focus of this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data from 400 households in 20 purposively selected communities. Based on expert opinions and an extensive literature review, 16 sets of relevant indicators were developed. These indicators were normalised and aggregated to compute the flood vulnerability index (FVI) for each community. This was then used to compare, classify, and rank communities in terms of their vulnerability to flooding. The results of the study showed that the selected communities were at varying levels of the risk of flooding. Four of the communities including the Onyedega, Ogba Ojubo, Odogwu, and Ichala Edeke communities were found to have very high vulnerability to flooding compared to others. Several factors such as poor building structures, lack of evacuation and flood management measures, over-dependence of households on agriculture, lack of diversification of economic activities, and weak household economic capacity were identified as causes. These findings are useful for developing flood risk reduction and adaptation strategies, such as ecosystem-based approaches, to reduce current and future vulnerability to flooding in Nigeria and other developing countries with similar conditions.
Crop Water Deficit and Supplemental Irrigation Requirements for Potato Production in a Temperate Humid Region (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Authors: Danielescu Serban , MacQuarrie Kerry T. B. , Zebarth Bernie , Nyiraneza Judith , Grimmett Mark , Levesque Mona
Published: September 2022

The global increase in potato production and yield is expected to lead to increased irrigation needs and this has prompted concerns with respect to the sustainability of irrigation water sources, such as groundwater. The magnitude, and inter- and intra-annual variation, of the crop water requirements and irrigation needs for potato production together with their impact on aquifer storage in a temperate humid region (Prince Edward Island, Canada) were estimated by using long-term (i.e., 2010–2019) daily soil water content (SWC). The amount of supplemental irrigation required for the minimal irrigation scenario (SWC = 70% of field capacity; 0.7 FC) was relatively small (i.e., 17.0 mm); however, this increased significantly, to 85.2 and 189.6 mm, for the moderate (SWC = 0.8 FC) and extensive (SWC = 0.9 FC) irrigation scenarios, respectively. The water supply requirement for the growing season (GS) increased to 154.9 and 344.7 mm for a moderately efficient irrigation system (55% efficiency) for the SWC = 0.8 FC and SWC = 0.9 FC irrigation scenarios, respectively. Depending on the efficiency and the areal extent of the irrigation system, the irrigation water supply requirement can approach or exceed both the GS and annual groundwater recharge. The methodology developed in this research has been translated into a free online tool (SWIB—Soil Water Stress, Irrigation Requirement and Water Balance), which can be applied to other areas or crops where an estimation of soil water deficit and irrigation requirement is sought.
Effects of Climatic Variability on Soil Water Content in an Alpine Kobresia Meadow, Northern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Si Mengke , Guo Xiaowei , Lan Yuting , Fan Bo , Cao Guangmin
Published: September 2022

Soil moisture dynamics play an active role in ecological and hydrological processes. Although the variation of the soil water moisture of multiple ecosystems have been well-documented, few studies have focused on soil hydrological properties by using a drying and weighing method in a long time series basis in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). In this study, 13 year (2008–2020) time-series observational soil moisture data and environmental factors were analyzed in a humid alpine Kobresia meadow on the Northern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. The results showed no significant upward trend in soil water content during the 2008–2020 period. In the growth season (May–October), the soil water content showed a trend of decreasing firstly, then increasing, and finally, decreasing. Correlation analysis revealed that five meteorology factors (temperature, humidity, net radiation, dew point temperature, and vapor pressure) and a biomass element (above-ground biomass) had a significant effect on the soil moisture, and air temperature impacted the soil water variation negatively in 0–50 cm, indicating that global warming would reduce soil moisture. Humidity and net radiation made a difference on shallow soil (0–10 cm), while dew point temperature and vapor pressure played a role on the deep soil (30–50 cm). Above-ground biomass only effected 30–50 cm soil moisture variation, and underground biomass had little effect on the soil moisture variation. This indirectly indicated that below-ground biomass is not limited by soil moisture. These results provide new insights for the rational allocation of water resources and management of vegetation in alpine meadows, in the context of climate change.
Research on Temporal and Spatial Differentiation and Impact Paths of Agricultural Grey Water Footprints in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Xu Ruifan , Shi Jianwen , Hao Dequan , Ding Yun , Gao Jianzhong
Published: September 2022

The scientific evaluation of water pollution in the Yellow River Basin was directly related to the sustainable utilization of water resources and the green development of the agricultural economy in this region. In this study, we focused on the planting industry, and measured the agricultural grey water footprint of 73 prefecture-level cities in the Yellow River Basin from 2000 to 2019. We used spatial autocorrelation analysis to reveal temporal and spatial differentiation characteristics, and we used the path analysis method to study the factors influencing the temporal evolution and spatial distribution. Taking 2015 as the study period, the agricultural grey water footprint showed a trend of first rising and then falling. The values and growth rates of the agricultural grey water footprint in different regions were quite different. According to the natural breakpoint method, the agricultural grey water footprints were divided into low, middle, high, and very high groups. There were obvious spatial differences in the agricultural grey water footprints, and these differences gradually decreased. Generally, the H–L and the L–L types were dominant. From 2000 to 2019, most prefecture-level cities maintained the same transition changes as those in the neighboring regions. Crop yield, economic scale, population scale, urban and rural structure, and technological innovation were found to be the key elements of spatiotemporal variation in the agricultural grey water footprint.
Review of Groundwater Withdrawal Estimation Methods
Authors: Meza-Gastelum Marco Antonio , Campos-Gaytán José Rubén , Ramírez-Hernández Jorge , Herrera-Oliva Claudia Soledad , Villegas-León José Juan , Figueroa-Núñez Alejandro
Published: September 2022

The demand for groundwater resources in arid and semi-arid regions has increased due to their progressive use in agriculture, industry and domestic activities. Among the difficulties and uncertainties that arise when managing groundwater resources is the calculation of groundwater withdrawals (GWW). The objective of this research work is to review the existing literature on the methods developed to estimate GWW by providing a summary of the advances, limitations and opportunities that the different methods developed on this topic could offer by identifying, categorizing and synthesizing the studies with a focus on developing a systematic guide so that researchers and practitioners conducting GWW studies can be informed of the most popular techniques, and the authors’ experiences in recent years. Therefore, a literature search was conducted in the EEE, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis Group and Wiley-Blackwell databases, using the following keywords: Groundwater AND (Withdrawal OR Pumping OR Abstraction) AND (Prediction OR Estimation). Thirty-four journal articles published between 1970 and 2021 were chosen based on the selection criteria, characteristics and capabilities of the approaches used for evaluation in GWW extraction. We concluded that the different methods for groundwater pumping estimation that have been reviewed in this work have advantages and disadvantages in their application. Direct approaches are very old and are still working uncertainty in their application is presented with possible human errors or in the measurement system. On the other hand, indirect methods have evolved along with technological advances, which have brought significant improvements and accuracy to these approaches.
A Study on the Optimal Deep Learning Model for Dam Inflow Prediction
Authors: Kim Beom-Jin , Lee You-Tae , Kim Byung-Hyun
Published: September 2022

In the midst of climate change, the need for accurate predictions of dam inflow to reduce flood damage along with stable water supply from water resources is increasing. In this study, the process and method of selecting the optimal deep learning model using hydrologic data over the past 20 years to predict dam inflow were shown. The study area is Andong Dam and Imha Dam located upstream of the Nakdong River in South Korea. In order to select the optimal model for predicting the inflow of two dams, sixteen scenarios (2 × 2 × 4) are generated considering two dams, two climatic conditions, and four deep learning models. During the drought period, the RNN for Andong Dam and the LSTM for Imha Dam were selected as the optimal models for each dam, and the difference between observations was the smallest at 4% and 2%, respectively. In typhoon conditions, the GRU for Andong Dam and the RNN for Imha Dam were selected as optimal models. In the case of Typhoon Maemi, the GRU and the RNN showed a difference of 2% and 6% from the observed maximum inflow, respectively. The optimal recurrent neural network-based models selected in this study showed a closer prediction to the observed inflow than the SFM, which is currently used to predict the inflow of both dams. For the two dams, different optimal models were selected according to watershed characteristics and rainfall under drought and typhoon conditions. In addition, most of the deep learning models were more accurate than the SFM under various typhoon conditions, but the SFM showed better results under certain conditions. Therefore, for efficient dam operation and management, it is necessary to make a rational decision by comparing the inflow predictions of the SFM and deep learning models.
Long-Term Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics Impairs the Liver Health of Medaka
Authors: Zhou Yinfeng , Zhao Li , Xu Haijing , Xu Elvis Genbo , Li Mingyou , Wang Youji
Published: September 2022

Nanoplastic (NP) has become a global environmental concern due to its potentially wide distribution and unknown impacts on organisms. Many laboratory studies have reported the short-term toxicity of NPs but their long-term effects are unclear. Here, the chronic hepatoxic effects of NPs (diameter 100 nm; 0, 10, and 104 items/L) in medaka (Oryzias latipes) were evaluated after three-month exposure by investigating the alterations in enzymatic biomarkers (digestion, oxidative status, and immunity) and histopathology in the liver. The trypsin and chymotrypsin activities of digestive enzymes were induced at a low concentration of NPs (10 items/L) but inhibited at high concentration (104 items/L); only the amylase activity was significantly decreased in all NP-treated medaka. Oxidative stress was also induced by NP exposure, which was indicated by the responsive superoxide dismutase and catalase. Lysozyme was significantly reduced after exposure to a high concentration of NPs, while alkaline phosphatase was significantly induced at a low concentration. Exposure to NPs also caused liver damage (e.g., congestion and dilated sinusoids). Taken together, our findings show that chronic exposure to NPs at low particle concentrations can impair the liver health of medaka by affecting liver enzymatic functions and causing histological damage. This implies potentially long-term threats of NPs to aquatic organisms, which call for more long-term aquatic toxicological studies on various species using low environmental concentrations.
Attribution Analysis of Runoff in the Upper Reaches of Jinsha River, China
Authors: Wang Le , Cao Hui , Li Yurong , Feng Baofei , Qiu Hui , Zhang Hairong
Published: September 2022

The upper Jinsha River is an important ecological reserve and hydropower energy base in China. This paper uses relative importance analysis to analyze the causes of runoff changes from the perspectives of early runoff, rainfall, snowfall, evaporation and soil water content. The results show that the factors influencing runoff in the upper Jinsha River are complex and have significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity. From November to March, the main factor is the runoff in the preceding month, the contribution of which can be more than 85%; from April to May, the runoff is significantly affected by snow, and its contribution in May is more than 65%. The snow affecting the runoff is mainly located near Gangtuo station and Batang station, and its influence has a time lag of about one month, In June, the influence factors of the runoff are quite complicated, and the contribution of the early runoff, rainfall, snow, evaporation and soil water content is relatively close; from July to September, the runoff is mainly influenced by the rainfall above Batang station, its average contribution being more than 50% and higher than 80% in August. Runoff in July and August is mainly affected by the rainfall in the same period, and in September is mainly affected by the rainfall in the preceding month. In October, the main influence factors are runoff and rainfall of the preceding month, and their contributions are more than 70%.
A Comprehensive Approach to Develop a Hydrological Model for the Simulation of All the Important Hydrological Components: The Case of the Three-River Headwater Region, China
Authors: Mahmood Rashid , Jia Shaofeng
Published: September 2022

The objective of the study was to configure the Hydrological Modeling System (HEC-HMS) in such a way that it could simulate all-important hydrological components (e.g., streamflow, soil moisture, snowmelt water, terrestrial water storage, baseflow, surface flow, and evapotranspiration) in the Three-River Headwater Region. However, the problem we faced was unsatisfactory simulations of these hydrological components, except streamflow. The main reason we found was the auto-calibration method of HEC-HMS because it generated irrational parameters, especially with the inclusion of Temperature Index Method and Soil Moisture Accounting (an advanced and complex loss method). Similar problems have been reported by different previous studies. To overcome these problems, we designed a comprehensive approach to estimate initial parameters and to calibrate the model manually in such a way that the model could simulate all the important hydrological components satisfactorily.
Distribution of Microplastics in Beach Sand on the Can Gio Coast, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Nhon Nguyen Thi Thanh , Nguyen Nguyen Thao , Hai Ho Truong Nam , Hien To Thi
Published: September 2022

Microplastics pollution in Vietnam has received significant attention in recent years because of its adverse effects on the environment. This study examined the abundance, physical characteristics, and chemical composition of microplastics in beach sand from the Can Gio Coast, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for the first time. Five beaches with different features and anthropogenic activities along the Can Gio Coast were selected. Ninety sand samples were collected from the edge of the water to the upper shoreline at different depths to assess the spatial distribution of microplastics. Microplastics were extracted by density separation in a solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and examined by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The abundance of microplastics varied from 0 to 6.58 pieces/kg d.w. Microplastics were detected mostly along the upper shoreline and in the surface sand layer. The dimension of the microplastics ranged from 2.8 to 5 mm (71.4%), granules accounted for the highest proportion of shape (42.9%), and white and blue were the two most prevalent colors (81%). Polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene were the three most common polymer types. The characteristics of microplastics indicate that their origin may be from resin pellets, tourism activities, and aquacultural activities.