bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Soil–Structure Interaction in Structure Models via Shaking Table Test
Authors: Ahn Seongnoh , Park Gun , Yoon Hyungchul , Han Jae-Hyeok , Jung Jongwon
Published: April 2021

Modeling the soil–structure interaction (SSI) in seismic design involves the use of soil response curves for single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structures; however, real structures have multiple degrees of freedom (MDOF). In this study, shaking-table-derived p-y curves for SDOF and MDOF superstructures were compared using numerical analysis. It was found that an MDOF structure experienced less displacement than an SDOF structure of the same weight, but the effect of increasing the DOF decreased at greater pile depths. Numerical analysis results estimated using the natural periods and mass participation rates of the structures were similar to those of shaking table tests. Abbreviations: finite element: FE; frequency response function: FRF; multiple degrees of freedom: MDOF; single degree of freedom: SDOF; soil–structure interaction: SSI.
Assessing Public Open Spaces: A Case of City Nagpur, India
Authors: Ahirrao Pritam , Khan Smita
Published: April 2021

Major Indian cities have a lower public open space (POS)-capita ratio and do not meet national and international standards. Moreover, factors such as lack of design guidelines for POSs, limited funding, and lack of public participation have affected these limitedly available POSs and made them ineffective and incapable of meeting the contemporary needs of a diverse range of users. Therefore, it is essential to make them not only inclusive, user-friendly, attractive, and efficient, but also socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable in order to serve the various facilities and services at their optimum level. This study includes the assessment of two POSs to identify strengths and deficiencies that affect their character and use. These POSs are public parks, provide free access to users and are located in the city of Nagpur. For assessment, the study proposed the Public Open Space Index (POSI) that combines five aspects: Individual well-being, Inclusiveness, Engagement, Sustainable spaces, and Management.A mixed methods approach was considered for data collection, including a self-administered questionnaire survey and observations.According to the results, POSs have strengths in that they facilitate social cohesion, engagement, and basic facilities. POSs do not encourage equitable access and sustainable practices, which are considered deficiencies.The study helps planners, designers, and parenting authority to develop initiatives to make these limited POSs inclusive, functional, and sustainable.
Long-Term Sustainable Investment for Retirement
Authors: Owadally Iqbal , Mwizere Jean-René , Kalidas Neema , Murugesu Kalyanie , Kashif Muhammad
Published: April 2021

We consider whether sustainable investment can deliver performance comparable to conventional investment in investors’ long-term retirement plans. On the capital markets, sustainable investment can be achieved through various instruments and strategies, one of them being investment in mutual funds that subscribe to ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles. First, we compare the investment performance of ESG funds with matched conventional funds over the period 1994–2020, in Europe and the U.S. We find no significant evidence of differing performance (at 5% level) despite using a number of investment performance metrics. Second, we perform a historical backtest to model a UK personal retirement plan from 2000 till 2020, taking full account of investment management fees and transaction costs. We find that investing in an index-tracker fund overlaid with ESG screening delivers a pension which is 10.4% larger than is achieved if the index-tracker fund is used without screening. This is also 20.2% larger than is achieved by investing in a collection of actively managed funds with a sustainable purpose. We conclude that an ESG-screened long-term passive investment approach for retirement plans is likely to be successful in satisfying the twin objectives of a secure retirement income and of sustainability.
Identifying the Daily Activity Spaces of Older Adults Living in a High-Density Urban Area: A Study Using the Smartphone-Based Global Positioning System Trajectory in Shanghai
Authors: Bu Jiatian , Yin Jie , Yu Yifan , Zhan Ye
Published: April 2021

The characteristics of the built environment and the configuration of public facilities can affect the health and well-being of older adults. Recognizing the range of daily activities and understanding the utilization of public facilities among older adults has become essential in planning age-friendly communities. However, traditional methods are unable to provide large-scale objective measures of older adults’ travel behaviors. To address this issue, we used the smartphone-based global positioning system (GPS) trajectory to explore the activity spaces of 76 older adults in a high-density urban community in Shanghai for 102 consecutive days. We found that activity spaces are centered around older adults’ living communities, with 46.3% within a 1.5 km distance. The older adults’ daily activities are within a 15 min walking distance, and accessibility is the most important factor when making a travel choice to parks and public facilities. We also found that the travel range and spatial distribution of points of interest are different between age and gender groups. In addition, we found that using a concave hull with Alpha shape algorithm is more applicable and robust than the traditional convex hull algorithm. This is a unique case study in a high-density urban area with objective measures for assessing the activity spaces of older adults, thus providing empirical evidence for promoting healthy aging in cities.
Approaches to Three-Way Decisions Based on the Evaluation of Probabilistic Linguistic Terms Sets
Authors: Gu Pingping , Liu Jiubing , Zhou Xianzhong
Published: April 2021

The method of determining probability thresholds of three-way decisions (3WDs) has always been the key of research, especially in the current environment with a large number of data and uncertainties. Among these problems, there will be correlation and similarity between them. In the light of these problems, the loss function with Probabilistic Linguistic Terms Sets (PLTSs) is introduced in the paper, and then we propose a PLTS evaluation-based approach to determine the thresholds and derive 3WDs. According to the definition and characters of PLTSs, the PLTSs loss function matrix is constructed firstly. Then using the equivalent model of Decision-theoretic rough sets (DTRSs), we construct the equivalent model (i.e., the αopt-model and the βopt-model, which are symmtrical) and try to find the optimal solution to determine the thresholds. Based on that, we propose a novel three-way decision approach under PLTSs evaluations. Finally, the validity of the method is verified by an example.
On the Conservation Laws and Exact Solutions to the (3+1)-Dimensional Modified KdV-Zakharov-Kuznetsov Equation
Authors: Akbulut Arzu , Almusawa Hassan , Kaplan Melike , Osman Mohamed S.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we consider conservation laws and exact solutions of the (3+1)-dimensional modified KdV–Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation. Firstly, we construct conservation laws of the given equation with the help of the conservation theorem; the developed conservation laws are modified conservation laws. Then, we obtain exact solutions of the given equation via the (G′/G,1/G)-expansion method. The obtained solutions are classified as trigonometric solutions, hyperbolic solutions and rational solutions. Furthermore, graphical representations of the obtained solutions are given.
Future Technology: Software-Defined Network (SDN) Forensic
Authors: Waseem Quadri , Alshamrani Sultan S. , Nisar Kashif , Wan Din Wan Isni Sofiah , Alghamdi Ahmed Saeed
Published: April 2021

The software-defined networking (SDN) paradigm has recently emerged as a trend to build various protocols, develop more reliable networks, enhance the data flow controlling, and provide security in a much simpler and flexible way. SDN helps to ease management and handle asymmetric connectivity across various nodes. It solves the problems of network and cloud security and hence provides the best solution for the safety of data on the network. Therefore, we feel the urge to research more and provide the basics of SDN forensics, mention its advantages in network especially in the cloud, and present its elaborate prospects in context with Network Forensic (NF) and Cloud Forensic (CF). In this research article, we explained in detail the NF and CF with emphasis on Network security (NS) and Cloud Security (CS). The paper also provided the various security approaches and categories. Then, an overview of the software-defined networking (SDN) is mentioned. We also discussed the use of SDN in Network Forensic and Cloud Forensic. Furthermore, to aid the SDN forensic, we presented the advantages, challenges, and issues along with future research directions of SDN in network forensic and cloud forensic, and at last, we thus express and explore the need for security in forensic based on the SDN paradigm in the form of a set of suggested recommendations.
Late Time Attractors of Some Varying Chaplygin Gas Cosmological Models
Authors: Khurshudyan Martiros , Myrzakulov Ratbay
Published: April 2021

The goal of this paper is to study new cosmological models where the dark energy is a varying Chaplygin gas. This specific dark energy model with non-linear EoS had been often discussed in modern cosmology. Contrary to previous studies, we consider new forms of non-linear non-gravitational interaction between dark matter and assumed dark energy models. We applied the phase space analysis allowing understanding the late time behavior of the models. It allows demonstrating that considered non-gravitational interactions can solve the cosmological coincidence problem. On the other hand, we applied Bayesian Machine Learning technique to learn the constraints on the free parameters. In this way, we gained a better understanding of the models providing a hint which of them can be ruled out. Moreover, the learning based on the simulated expansion rate data shows that the models cannot solve the H0 tension problem.
Detoxification and Excretion of Trichothecenes in Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana Expressing Fusarium graminearum Trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase
Authors: Hao Guixia , McCormick Susan , Tiley Helene , Usgaard Thomas
Published: April 2021

Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB), produces trichothecenes including deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), and 3,7,15-trihydroxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene (NX-3). These toxins contaminate grains and cause profound health problems in humans and animals. To explore exploiting a fungal self-protection mechanism in plants, we examined the ability of F. graminearum trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase (FgTri101) to detoxify several key trichothecenes produced by F. graminearum: DON, 15-ADON, NX-3, and NIV. FgTri101 was cloned from F. graminearum and expressed in Arabidopsis plants. We compared the phytotoxic effects of purified DON, NIV, and NX-3 on the root growth of transgenic Arabidopsis expressing FgTri101. Compared to wild type and GUS controls, FgTri101 transgenic Arabidopsis plants displayed significantly longer root length on media containing DON and NX-3. Furthermore, we confirmed that the FgTri101 transgenic plants acetylated DON to 3-ADON, 15-ADON to 3,15-diADON, and NX-3 to NX-2, but did not acetylate NIV. Approximately 90% of the converted toxins were excreted into the media. Our study indicates that transgenic Arabidopsis expressing FgTri101 can provide plant protection by detoxifying trichothecenes and excreting the acetylated toxins out of plant cells. Characterization of plant transporters involved in trichothecene efflux will provide novel targets to reduce FHB and mycotoxin contamination in economically important plant crops.
Nonlinear Actuation of Casimir Oscillators toward Chaos: Comparison of Topological Insulators and Metals
Authors: Tajik Fatemeh , Babamahdi Zahra , Sedighi Mehdi , Palasantzas George
Published: April 2021

In the current study, we explore the sensitivity of the actuation dynamics of electromechanical systems on novel materials, e.g., Bi2Se3, which is a well-known 3D Topological Insulator (TI), and compare their response to metallic conductors, e.g., Au, that are currently used in devices. Bifurcation and phase portraits analysis in conservative systems suggest that the strong difference between the conduction states of Bi2Se3 and Au yields sufficiently weaker Casimir force to enhance stable operation. Furthermore, for nonconservative driven systems, the Melnikov function and Poincare portrait analysis probed the occurrence of chaotic behavior leading to increased risk for stiction. It was found that the presence of the TI enhanced stable operation against chaotic behavior over a significantly wider range of operation conditions in comparison to typical metallic conductors. Therefore, the use of TIs can allow sufficient surface conductance to apply electrostatic compensation of residual contact potentials and, at the same time, to yield sufficiently weak Casimir forces favoring long-term stable actuation dynamics against chaotic behavior.
Global Discrepancies between Numbers of Available SARS-CoV-2 Genomes and Human Development Indexes at Country Scales
Authors: Colson Philippe , Raoult Didier
Published: April 2021

It has now been over a year since SARS-CoV-2 first emerged in China, in December 2019, and it has spread rapidly around the world. Some variants are currently considered of great concern. We aimed to analyze the numbers of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences obtained in different countries worldwide until January 2021. On 28 January 2021, we downloaded the deposited genome sequence origin from the GISAID database, and from the “Our world in data” website we downloaded numbers of SARS-CoV-2-diagnosed cases, numbers of SARS-CoV-2-associated deaths, population size, life expectancy, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and human development index per country. Files were merged and data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel software. A total of 450,968 SARS-CoV-2 genomes originating from 135 countries on the 5 continents were available. When considering the 19 countries for which the number of genomes per 100 deaths was >100, six were in Europe, while eight were in Asia, three were in Oceania and two were in Africa. Six (30%) of these countries are beyond rank 75, regarding the human development index and four (20%) are beyond rank 80 regarding GDP per capita. Moreover, the comparisons of the number of genomes sequenced per 100 deaths to the human development index by country show that some Western European countries have released similar or lower numbers of genomes than many African or Asian countries with a lower human development index. Previous data highlight great discrepancies between the numbers of available SARS-CoV-2 genomes per 100 cases and deaths and the ranking of countries regarding wealth and development.
Animal Models of Hepatitis B Virus Infection–Success, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Liu Yongzhen , Maya Stephanie , Ploss Alexander
Published: April 2021

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects more than 250 million people worldwide, which greatly increases the risk for terminal liver diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Even though current approved antiviral therapies, including pegylated type I interferon (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogs, can effectively suppress viremia, HBV infection is rarely cured. Since HBV exhibits a narrow species tropism and robustly infects only humans and higher primates, progress in HBV research and preclinical testing of antiviral drugs has been hampered by the scarcity of suitable animal models. Fortunately, a series of surrogate animal models have been developed for the study of HBV. An increased understanding of the barriers towards interspecies transmission has aided in the development of human chimeric mice and has greatly paved the way for HBV research in vivo, and for evaluating potential therapies of chronic hepatitis B. In this review, we summarize the currently available animal models for research of HBV and HBV-related hepadnaviruses, and we discuss challenges and future directions for improvement.
Latest Advances of Virology Research Using CRISPR/Cas9-Based Gene-Editing Technology and Its Application to Vaccine Development
Authors: Teng Man , Yao Yongxiu , Nair Venugopal , Luo Jun
Published: April 2021

In recent years, the CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing techniques have been well developed and applied widely in several aspects of research in the biological sciences, in many species, including humans, animals, plants, and even in viruses. Modification of the viral genome is crucial for revealing gene function, virus pathogenesis, gene therapy, genetic engineering, and vaccine development. Herein, we have provided a brief review of the different technologies for the modification of the viral genomes. Particularly, we have focused on the recently developed CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing system, detailing its origin, functional principles, and touching on its latest achievements in virology research and applications in vaccine development, especially in large DNA viruses of humans and animals. Future prospects of CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing technology in virology research, including the potential shortcomings, are also discussed.
Influenza Virus RNA Synthesis and the Innate Immune Response
Authors: Weis Sabrina , te Velthuis Aartjan J. W.
Published: April 2021

Infection with influenza A and B viruses results in a mild to severe respiratory tract infection. It is widely accepted that many factors affect the severity of influenza disease, including viral replication, host adaptation, innate immune signalling, pre-existing immunity, and secondary infections. In this review, we will focus on the interplay between influenza virus RNA synthesis and the detection of influenza virus RNA by our innate immune system. Specifically, we will discuss the generation of various RNA species, host pathogen receptors, and host shut-off. In addition, we will also address outstanding questions that currently limit our knowledge of influenza virus replication and host adaption. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these factors is essential for assessing the pandemic potential of future influenza virus outbreaks.
Identification of a Chlorovirus PBCV-1 Protein Involved in Degrading the Host Cell Wall during Virus Infection
Authors: Agarkova Irina V. , Lane Leslie C. , Dunigan David D. , Quispe Cristian F. , Duncan Garry A. , Milrot Elad , Minsky Abraham , Esmael Ahmed , Ghosh Jayadri S. , Van Etten James L.
Published: April 2021

Chloroviruses are unusual among viruses infecting eukaryotic organisms in that they must, like bacteriophages, penetrate a rigid cell wall to initiate infection. Chlorovirus PBCV-1 infects its host, Chlorella variabilis NC64A by specifically binding to and degrading the cell wall of the host at the point of contact by a virus-packaged enzyme(s). However, PBCV-1 does not use any of the five previously characterized virus-encoded polysaccharide degrading enzymes to digest the Chlorella host cell wall during virus entry because none of the enzymes are packaged in the virion. A search for another PBCV-1-encoded and virion-associated protein identified protein A561L. The fourth domain of A561L is a 242 amino acid C-terminal domain, named A561LD4, with cell wall degrading activity. An A561LD4 homolog was present in all 52 genomically sequenced chloroviruses, infecting four different algal hosts. A561LD4 degraded the cell walls of all four chlorovirus hosts, as well as several non-host Chlorella spp. Thus, A561LD4 was not cell-type specific. Finally, we discovered that exposure of highly purified PBCV-1 virions to A561LD4 increased the specific infectivity of PBCV-1 from about 25–30% of the particles forming plaques to almost 50%. We attribute this increase to removal of residual host receptor that attached to newly replicated viruses in the cell lysates.
Host Cell Restriction Factors of Bunyaviruses and Viral Countermeasures
Authors: Lerolle Solène , Freitas Natalia , Cosset François-Loïc , Legros Vincent
Published: April 2021

The Bunyavirales order comprises more than 500 viruses (generally defined as bunyaviruses) classified into 12 families. Some of these are highly pathogenic viruses infecting different hosts, including humans, mammals, reptiles, arthropods, birds, and/or plants. Host cell sensing of infection activates the innate immune system that aims at inhibiting viral replication and propagation. Upon recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by cellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), numerous signaling cascades are activated, leading to the production of interferons (IFNs). IFNs act in an autocrine and paracrine manner to establish an antiviral state by inducing the expression of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Some of these ISGs are known to restrict bunyavirus infection. Along with other constitutively expressed host cellular factors with antiviral activity, these proteins (hereafter referred to as “restriction factors”) target different steps of the viral cycle, including viral entry, genome transcription and replication, and virion egress. In reaction to this, bunyaviruses have developed strategies to circumvent this antiviral response, by avoiding cellular recognition of PAMPs, inhibiting IFN production or interfering with the IFN-mediated response. Herein, we review the current knowledge on host cellular factors that were shown to restrict infections by bunyaviruses. Moreover, we focus on the strategies developed by bunyaviruses in order to escape the antiviral state developed by the infected cells.
Characterisation of the Viral Community Associated with the Alfalfa Weevil (Hypera postica) and Its Host Plant, Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Authors: François Sarah , Antoine-Lorquin Aymeric , Kulikowski Maximilien , Frayssinet Marie , Filloux Denis , Fernandez Emmanuel , Roumagnac Philippe , Froissart Rémy , Ogliastro Mylène
Published: April 2021

Advances in viral metagenomics have paved the way of virus discovery by making the exploration of viruses in any ecosystem possible. Applied to agroecosystems, such an approach opens new possibilities to explore how viruses circulate between insects and plants, which may help to optimise their management. It could also lead to identifying novel entomopathogenic viral resources potentially suitable for biocontrol strategies. We sampled the larvae of a natural population of alfalfa weevils (Hypera postica), a major herbivorous pest feeding on legumes, and its host plant alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Insect and plant samples were collected from a crop field and an adjacent meadow. We characterised the diversity and abundance of viruses associated with weevils and alfalfa, and described nine putative new virus species, including four associated with alfalfa and five with weevils. In addition, we found that trophic accumulation may result in a higher diversity of plant viruses in phytophagous pests compared to host plants.
Simulation of Soil Water Dynamics in a Black Locust Plantation on the Loess Plateau, Western Shanxi Province, China
Authors: Li Yuting , Yu Yang , Sun Ruoxiu , Shen Mingshuang , Zhang Jianjun
Published: April 2021

Soil moisture plays an important role in vegetation restoration and ecosystem rehabilitation in fragile regions. Therefore, understanding the soil water dynamics and water budget in soil is a key target for vegetation restoration and watershed management. In this study, to quantitatively estimate the water budget of the GFGP forests in a dry year and a wet year and to explore the recharge in deep profiles, the vertical and temporal soil moisture variations in a black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) plantation were simulated under typical rainfall events and two-year cycles in a loess area between April 2014 and March 2016. We calibrated and tested the HYDRUS-1D (Salinity Laboratory of the USDA, California, USA) model using the data collected during in situ field observations. The model’s performance was satisfactory, the R2, Nash efficiency coefficient (NSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) were 0.82, 0.80, 0.021, and 0.030, respectively. For the four rainfall events of 9.1 mm, 25 mm, 71.1 mm, and 123.6 mm, the infiltration amounts were 8.1 mm, 19.3 mm, 65.2 mm, and 95.3 mm, respectively. Moreover, the maximum infiltration depths were 30 cm, 100 cm, 160 cm, and >200 cm, respectively. Additionally, in the two-year model cycles, the upward average water flux was 1.4 mm/d and the downward water flux was 1.69 mm/d in the first-year cycle; the upward average annual water flux was 1.0 mm/d and the downward water flux was 1.1 mm/d in the second-year cycle. The annual water consumption amounts in the two-year cycles were 524.6 mm and 374.2 mm, and the annual replenishment amounts were 616.8 mm and 401 mm. The amounts of percolation that recharged the deep soil were only 28.1 mm and 2.04 mm. A lower annual rainfall would cause a water deficit in the deep soil, which was not conducive to the growth of Robinia pseudoacacia vegetation. To ensure the high-quality sustainable development of the forest land, it is suggested to adjust the stand density in a timely manner and to implement horizontal terraces to increase the infiltration and supply of precipitation. Our study provides an improved understanding of the soil water movement in Robinia pseudoacacia plantations and a simulated temporal moisture variation under different time scales. The results of our study provide a feasible approach for the sustainable management of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations during vegetation restoration.
Effects of Different Fish Diets on the Water Quality in Semi-Intensive Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Farming
Authors: Berzi-Nagy László , Mozsár Attila , Tóth Flórián , Gál Dénes , Nagy Zoltán , Nagy Sándor Alex , Kerepeczki Éva , Antal László , Sándor Zsuzsanna J.
Published: April 2021

Semi-intensive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) farm technology uses several feed types affecting the growth performance; however, we know less about their long-term effects on water quality. Herein, we evaluated the effects of three commonly used feeds—moderate levels of fish meal and fish oil feed (FF), plant meal and plant oil feed (PF), and cereal feed (CF) on the nutrient (total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and organic matter (OM)) content of the pond water. The experiment was carried out over three consecutive years from juveniles to market-sized fish. The type of feed affected the net yields, but generally, it did not affect the water quality. The year of sampling, however, was a significant factor affecting TN, TP, and OM, whose concentrations decreased during the three years. Our findings highlight that the age of the stocked fish on water quality has a more pronounced effect than the nutrient profile of the supplementary feed. Additionally, the plant-based feed could provide comparable net yields as the fish meal-based feed without additional nutrient loading in the water column, reinforcing the sustainability of alternative feeds in semi-intensive carp farming.
Unsupervised Machine Learning and Data Mining Procedures Reveal Short Term, Climate Driven Patterns Linking Physico-Chemical Features and Zooplankton Diversity in Small Ponds
Authors: Bellin Nicolò , Racchetti Erica , Maurone Catia , Bartoli Marco , Rossi Valeria
Published: April 2021

Machine Learning (ML) is an increasingly accessible discipline in computer science that develops dynamic algorithms capable of data-driven decisions and whose use in ecology is growing. Fuzzy sets are suitable descriptors of ecological communities as compared to other standard algorithms and allow the description of decisions that include elements of uncertainty and vagueness. However, fuzzy sets are scarcely applied in ecology. In this work, an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, fuzzy c-means and association rules mining were applied to assess the factors influencing the assemblage composition and distribution patterns of 12 zooplankton taxa in 24 shallow ponds in northern Italy. The fuzzy c-means algorithm was implemented to classify the ponds in terms of taxa they support, and to identify the influence of chemical and physical environmental features on the assemblage patterns. Data retrieved during 2014 and 2015 were compared, taking into account that 2014 late spring and summer air temperatures were much lower than historical records, whereas 2015 mean monthly air temperatures were much warmer than historical averages. In both years, fuzzy c-means show a strong clustering of ponds in two groups, contrasting sites characterized by different physico-chemical and biological features. Climatic anomalies, affecting the temperature regime, together with the main water supply to shallow ponds (e.g., surface runoff vs. groundwater) represent disturbance factors producing large interannual differences in the chemistry, biology and short-term dynamic of small aquatic ecosystems. Unsupervised machine learning algorithms and fuzzy sets may help in catching such apparently erratic differences.
Integrative Approach for Groundwater Pollution Risk Assessment Coupling Hydrogeological, Physicochemical and Socioeconomic Conditions in Southwest of the Damascus Basin
Authors: Asmael Nazeer , Villanueva Jessica D. , Peyraube Nicolas , Baalousha Mohamed , Huneau Frédéric , Dupuy Alain , Le Coustumer Philippe
Published: April 2021

Groundwater is the main resource for irrigation and drinking supply in most parts of Syria, as for most Mediterranean countries, however this resource suffers from mismanagement. In the study area (northeast of Mt. Hermon), the lack of information makes water management in this area extremely difficult. Assessing groundwater pollution risk is the most essential issue for water resources management, especially in the regions where complex interaction between climate, geology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, water scarcity and water resource mismanagement exist. This complexity leads to significant complication in determining pollution risk of studied system. In the present work, we adopted an integrative approach to assess groundwater pollution risk in the study area. This methodology is based on the analysis of hydrogeological characteristics of aquifer systems and the available information about socioeconomic context and physiochemical groundwater conditions that might affect this system. This approach allowed us to delineate the groundwater pollution risk map based on the analysis of concerning parameters/indicators. The degree of risk was assessed as the sum and average of rating of these parameters and indicators for each subarea. Typically, very high pollution risk index was identified over the Quaternary/Neogene horizon, i.e., shallow and unconfined aquifer and in the lower part of Jurassic aquifer. In these two parts, the majority of anthropogenic activities are concentrated. Low pollution risk index was found for the outcropping of low permeable Quaternary basalt at the Southern part of the study area. A moderate pollution index was identified for the low/moderate permeability of silt, clay and marly limestone-rich horizons of the major part of Neogene aquifer outside of the intersected zones with Quaternary aquifer and for the Paleogene formations. The spatial analysis shows that about 50% of the study area is characterized as being at very high and high pollution risk index. Hence, the overall natural protective capacity of this area is still poor. This study demonstrates the flexibility of the proposed approach to assess groundwater pollution risk in local complex aquifer system characterized by lack of information and data in order to reduce the risk of future groundwater pollution.
Comparing Evapotranspiration Estimates from the GEOframe-Prospero Model with Penman–Monteith and Priestley-Taylor Approaches under Different Climate Conditions
Authors: Bottazzi Michele , Bancheri Marialaura , Mobilia Mirka , Bertoldi Giacomo , Longobardi Antonia , Rigon Riccardo
Published: April 2021

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a key variable in the hydrological cycle and it directly impacts the surface balance and its accurate assessment is essential for a correct water management. ET is difficult to measure, since the existing methods for its direct estimate, such as the weighing lysimeter or the eddy-covariance system, are often expensive and require well-trained research personnel. To overcome this limit, different authors developed experimental models for indirect estimation of ET. However, since the accuracy of ET prediction is crucial from different points of view, the continuous search for more and more precise modeling approaches is encouraged. In light of this, the aim of the present work is to test the efficiency in predicting ET fluxes in a newly introduced physical-based model, named Prospero, which is based on the ability to compute the ET using a multi-layer canopy model, solving the energy balance both for the sunlight and shadow vegetation, extending the recently developed Schymanski and Or method to canopy level. Additionally, Prospero is able to compute the actual ET using a Jarvis-like model. The model is integrated as a component in the hydrological modelling system GEOframe. Its estimates were validated against observed data from five Eddy covariance (EC) sites with different climatic conditions and the same vegetation cover. Then, its performances were compared with those of two already consolidated models, the Priestley–Taylor model and Penman FAO model, using four goodness-of-fit indices. Subsequently a calibration of the three methods has been carried out using LUCA calibration within GEOframe, with the purpose of prediction errors. The results showed that Prospero is more accurate and precise with respect to the other two models, even if no calibrations were performed, with better performances in dry climatic conditions. In addition, Prospero model turned to be the least affected by the calibration procedure and, therefore, it can be effectively also used in a context of data scarcity.
Influence of Meteorological Factors on the Potential Evapotranspiration in Yanhe River Basin, China
Authors: Luo Yu , Gao Peng , Mu Xingmin
Published: April 2021

Potential evapotranspiration (ET0) is an essential component of the hydrological cycle, and quantitative estimation of the influence of meteorological factors on ET0 can provide a scientific basis for studying the impact mechanisms of climate change. In the present research, the Penman–Monteith method was used to calculate ET0. The Mann–Kendall statistical test with the inverse distance weighting were used to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of the sensitivity coefficients and contribution rates of meteorological factors to ET0 to identify the mechanisms underlying changing ET0 rates. The results showed that the average ET0 for the Yanhe River Basin, China from 1978–2017 was 935.92 mm. Save for a single location (Ganquan), ET0 increased over the study period. Generally, the sensitivity coefficients of air temperature (0.08), wind speed at 2 m (0.19), and solar radiation (0.42) were positive, while that of relative humidity was negative (−0.41), although significant spatiotemporal differences were observed. Increasing air temperature and solar radiation contributed 1.09% and 0.55% of the observed rising ET0 rates, respectively; whereas decreasing wind speed contributed −0.63%, and relative humidity accounted for −0.85%. Therefore, it was concluded that the decrease of relative humidity did not cause the observed ET0 increase in the basin. The predominant factor driving increasing ET0 was rising air temperatures, but this too varied significantly by location and time (intra- and interannually). Decreasing wind speed at Ganquan Station decreased ET0 by −9.16%, and was the primary factor underlying the observed, local “evaporation paradox”. Generally, increase in ET0 was driven by air temperature, wind speed and solar radiation, whereas decrease was derived from relative humidity.
Estimation of the Chlorophyll-A Concentration of Algae Species Using Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Basak Rinku , Wahid Khan A. , Dinh Anh
Published: April 2021

Algae are a significant component of a biological monitoring program in an aquatic ecosystem. They are ideally suited for water quality assessments because of their nutrient requirements, rapid reproduction rate, and very short life cycle. Algae composition and temporal variation in abundances are important in determining the trophic level of lakes, and those can be estimated by the Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration of the species. In this work, a non-destructive method was employed to estimate the Chlorophyll-a concentration of multiple algae species using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The proposed EIS method is rapid, cheaper, and suitable for in situ measurements compared with the other available non-destructive methods, such as spectrophotometry and hyperspectral or multispectral imaging. The electrical impedances in different frequencies ranging from 1 to 100 kHz were observed using an impedance converter system. Significant observations were identified within 3.5 kHz for multiple algae species and therefore reported in the results. A positive correlation was found between the Chlorophyll-a and the measured impedance of algae species at different frequencies. Later, EIS models were developed for the species in 1–3.5 kHz. A correlation of 90% was found by employing a least squares method and multiple linear regression. The corresponding coefficients of determination were obtained as 0.9, 0.885, and 0.915, respectively for 49 samples of Spirulina, 41 samples of Chlorella, and 26 samples of mixed algae species. The models were later validated using a new and separate set of samples of algae species.
Multi-Spatial Resolution Rainfall-Runoff Modelling—A Case Study of Sabari River Basin, India
Authors: Sharma Vimal Chandra , Regonda Satish Kumar
Published: April 2021

One of the challenges in rainfall-runoff modeling is the identification of an appropriate model spatial resolution that allows streamflow estimation at customized locations of the river basin. In lumped modeling, spatial resolution is not an issue as spatial variability is not accounted for, whereas in distributed modeling grid or cell resolution can be related to spatial resolution but its application is limited because of its large data requirements. Streamflow estimation at the data-poor customized locations is not possible in lumped modeling, whereas it is challenging in distributed modeling. In this context, semi-distributed modeling offers a solution including model resolution and estimation of streamflow at customized locations of a river basins with less data requirements. In this study, the Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) model is employed in semi-distribution mode on river basins of six different spatial resolutions. The model was calibrated and validated for fifteen and three selected flood events, respectively, of three types, i.e., single peak (SP), double peak (DP)- and multiple peaks (MP) at six different spatial resolution of the Sabari River Basin (SRB), a sub-basin of the Godavari basin, India. Calibrated parameters were analyzed to understand hydrologic parameter variability in the context of spatial resolution and flood event aspects. Streamflow hydrographs were developed, and various verification metrics and model scores were calculated for reference- and calibration- scenarios. During the calibration phase, the median of correlation coefficient and NSE for all 15 events of all six configurations was 0.90 and 0.69, respectively. The estimated streamflow hydrographs from six configurations suggest the model’s ability to simulate the processes efficiently. Parameters obtained from the calibration phase were used to generate an ensemble of streamflow at multiple locations including basin outlet as part of the validation. The estimated ensemble of streamflows appeared to be realistic, and both single-valued and ensemble verification metrics indicated the model’s good performance. The results suggested better performance of lumped modeling followed by the semi-distributed modeling with a finer spatial resolution. Thus, the study demonstrates a method that can be applied for real-time streamflow forecast at interior locations of a basin, which are not necessarily data rich.
Performance Evaluation of a Two-Parameters Monthly Rainfall-Runoff Model in the Southern Basin of Thailand
Authors: Ditthakit Pakorn , Pinthong Sirimon , Salaeh Nureehan , Binnui Fadilah , Khwanchum Laksanara , Kuriqi Alban , Khedher Khaled Mohamed , Pham Quoc Bao
Published: April 2021

Accurate monthly runoff estimation is crucial in water resources management, planning, and development, preventing and reducing water-related problems, such as flooding and droughts. This article evaluates the monthly hydrological rainfall-runoff model’s performance, the GR2M model, in Thailand’s southern basins. The GR2M model requires only two parameters: production store (X1) and groundwater exchange rate (X2). Moreover, no prior research has been reported on its application in this region. The 37 runoff stations, which are located in three sub-watersheds of Thailand’s southern region, namely; Thale Sap Songkhla, Peninsular-East Coast, and Peninsular-West Coast, were selected as study cases. The available monthly hydrological data of runoff, rainfall, air temperature from the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) were collected and analyzed. The Thornthwaite method was utilized for the determination of evapotranspiration. The model’s performance was conducted using three statistical indices: Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Correlation Coefficient (r), and Overall Index (OI). The model’s calibration results for 37 runoff stations gave the average NSE, r, and OI of 0.657, 0.825, and 0.757, respectively. Moreover, the NSE, r, and OI values for the model’s verification were 0.472, 0.750, and 0.639, respectively. Hence, the GR2M model was qualified and reliable to apply for determining monthly runoff variation in this region. The spatial distribution of production store (X1) and groundwater exchange rate (X2) values was conducted using the IDW method. It was susceptible to the X1, and X2 values of approximately more than 0.90, gave the higher model’s performance.
Simplified Spectral Model of 3D Meander Flow
Authors: Yang Fei , Wang Yuanjian , Jiang Enhui
Published: April 2021

Most 2D (two-dimensional) models either take vertical velocity profiles as uniform, or consider secondary flow in momentum equations with presupposed velocity profiles, which weakly reflect the spatio-temporal characteristics of meander flow. To tackle meander flow in a more accurate 3D (three-dimensional) way while avoiding low computational efficiency, a new 3D model based on spectral methods is established and verified in this paper. In the present model, the vertical water flow field is expanded into polynomials. Governing equations are transformed by the Galerkin method and then advection terms are tackled with a semi-Lagrangian method. The simulated flow structures of an open channel bend are then compared with experimental results. Although a zero-equation turbulence model is used in this new 3D model, it shows reasonable flow structures, and calculation efficiency is comparable to a depth-averaged 2D model.
How Polluting Industries React to Ambient Water Quality: Seven River Basins in China
Authors: Zou Sheng-Rui , Du Si-Xuan , Song Min , Li Ming-Xian
Published: April 2021

Water pollution in China has expanded from regions to river basins. It is of great significance to study the behaviors of regulated subjects from the perspective of river basins for protecting the water environment and improving the effectiveness of environmental regulations. This paper constructed a basin spatial regression design to discuss the governance effect and economic effect of water pollution from industry in relation to the central environmental protection goal of China, as well as the response and strategy of local government. Considering the validity of the data, the annual average chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration of each monitoring station was adopted as the ambient water quality index, and there was direct evidence that the ambient water quality index influenced water-polluting industries. We found that, if the downstream COD concentration in the last year rose by 1 mg/L, the water-polluting industries reduced their pollution and output value by 1.9% and 0.2%, respectively. After using the upstream COD concentration as the tool variable, the result was still robust. However, the results of local government’s two strategies, which we can call regulatory constraint force and fiscal incentive force, were opposites. Specifically, the governance effect of polluting industries under regulatory constraints was more significant, while fiscal incentives encourage water-polluting industries to create more value. In addition, we estimated the impact of ambient water quality on water-polluting industries in the Yangtze River Basin and the Yellow River Basin, and revealed that the governance effect exceeded the average value of seven river basins. After further distinguishing the relative upstream cities and relative downstream cities, the results show that the response of relative upstream cities to water quality was significantly higher, and the gap between regions expanded further after 2013.
A Mixed-Methods Investigation into Barriers for Sharing Geospatial and Resilience Flood Data in the UK
Authors: Waterman Luke , Rivas Casado Mónica , Bergin Emma , McInally Gary
Published: April 2021

With increases in average temperature and rainfall predicted, more households are expected to be at risk of flooding in the UK by 2050. Data and technologies are increasingly playing a critical role across public-, private- and third-sector organisations. However, barriers and constraints exist across organisations and industries that limit the sharing of data. We examine the international context for data sharing and variations between data-rich and data-sparse countries. We find that local politics and organisational structures influence data sharing. We focus on the case study of the UK, and on geospatial and flood resilience data in particular. We use a series of semi-structured interviews to evaluate data sharing limitations, with particular reference to geospatial and flood resilience data. We identify barriers and constraints when sharing data between organisations. We find technological, security, privacy, cultural and commercial barriers across different use cases and data points. Finally, we provide three long-term recommendations to improve the overall accessibility to flood data and enhance outcomes for organisations and communities.
Ethics of Zoroastrianism as a factor in the formation of interfaith relations in Ancient Iran
Authors: Andrushchenko I.
Published: April 2021

In the paper are considered moral and ethical principles of Zoroastrianism. The influence of Zoroastrian ethics on the policy of toleration in Ancient Iran, which contributed to the creation of the Empire, is investigated.
Creators of the Russian tea
Authors: Polyakov V.
Published: April 2021

The paper tells about the history of breeding and production of tea on the territory of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and Russia. About the origin of the culture of tea consumption, the birth of the brands Krasnodar Tea, "Matsesta tea. Turshu" on the differences in the production of black and green tea.