bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Water Depth on the Growth of Two Emergent Plants in an In-Situ Experiment
Authors: Lin Xiaowen , Wu Xiaodong , Gao Zhenni , Ge Xuguang , Xiong Jiale , Tan Lingxiao , Wei Hongxu
Published: September 2022

With the degradation of the global lake ecosystem, aquatic plants are more and more widely used in lake ecological restoration. The effects of water depths on the growth and photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics of two emergent plants (Typha orientalis and Zizania caduciflora) were studied in eutrophic Lake Gehu by in-situ experiments. The results showed that water depth had no significant effect on germination of emergent plants. The water depth changed the morphological characteristics of emergent plants. Plant height, tiller number, leaf length, leaf width, the number of leaf, and the root-shoot ratio decreased with increasing water depth, whereas the number of dead leaves increased with increasing water depth. The biomass of emergent plants was highest when water depth was 40 cm. Water depth had a significant effect on the photosynthetic fluorescence of the emergent plant. Fv/Fm tended to decrease first and then increase with increasing water depth. When the water depth was 20 cm, the ETRmax of emergent plants was significantly higher than that of plants at the other water depths. These results show the suitable water depth range for T. orientalis and Z. caduciflora is 20–60 cm. A deeper water depth for a long time is not conducive to the growth of emergent plants.
Simulation Tool to Evaluate Fault Diagnosis Techniques for DC-DC Converters
Authors: Amaral Acacio M. R. , Cardoso Antonio J. Marques
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a tool that evaluates the applicability of a fault diagnostics technique (FDT) for Switch-Mode Non-Isolated DC-DC converters (SMNI DC-DC). The proposed tool simulates the operation of a Type II controller for a buck converter under different operating conditions and, simultaneously, implements the FDT. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the applicability of the FDT in real-time. The proposed tool is implemented in Python, and requires the partitioning of the code into different modules. The first module is responsible for modeling the different states of the converter. The second module contributes to the production of the PWM signal. The concepts of symmetry and asymmetry are implicit to the signal processing methods used in the design of the FDTs that compose the third module. Finally, all of the modules are properly included in the main function, which represents the fourth module. The validation of the proposed tool is carried out by comparing the results with the LTspice simulator and with an experimental prototype built for this purpose. Different operating conditions are considered. In addition to the proposed tool, an algorithm for the design of both the power section and the converter compensator is presented.
Endoplasmic Stress Affects the Coinfection of Leishmania Amazonensis and the Phlebovirus (Bunyaviridae) Icoaraci
Authors: dos Santos José V. , Freixo Patricia F. , Vivarini Áislan de C. , Medina Jorge M. , Caldas Lucio A. , Attias Marcia , Teixeira Karina L. Dias , Silva Teresa Cristina C. , Lopes Ulisses G.
Published: September 2022

Viral coinfections can modulate the severity of parasitic diseases, such as human cutaneous leishmaniasis. Leishmania parasites infect thousands of people worldwide and cause from single cutaneous self-healing lesions to massive mucosal destructive lesions. The transmission to vertebrates requires the bite of Phlebotomine sandflies, which can also transmit Phlebovirus. We have demonstrated that Leishmania infection requires and triggers the Endoplasmic stress (ER stress) response in infected macrophages. In the present paper, we tested the hypothesis that ER stress is increased and required for the aggravation of Leishmania infection due to coinfection with Phlebovirus. We demonstrated that Phlebovirus Icoaraci induces the ER stress program in macrophages mediated by the branches IRE/XBP1 and PERK/ATF4. The coinfection with L. amazonensis potentiates and sustains the ER stress, and the inhibition of IRE1α or PERK results in poor viral replication and decreased parasite load in macrophages. Importantly, we observed an increase in viral replication during the coinfection with Leishmania. Our results demonstrated the role of ER stress branches IRE1/XBP1 and PERK/ATF4 in the synergic effect on the Leishmania increased load during Phlebovirus coinfection and suggests that Leishmania infection can also increase the replication of Phlebovirus in macrophages.
Serological Response and Clinical Protection of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and the Role of Immunosuppressive Drugs in a Cohort of Kidney Transplant Patients
Authors: Biagio Pinchera , Rosa Carrano , Nicola Schiano Moriello , Fabrizio Salemi , Amerigo Piccione , Giulia Zumbo , Riccardo Scotto , Riccardo Villari , Paolo Romano , Lorenzo Spirito , Ivan Gentile ,   Federico II COVID Team
Published: September 2022

Vaccination against SARS-CoV2 represents a key weapon to prevent COVID-19, but lower response rates to vaccination have frequently been reported in solid organ transplant recipients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of seroconversion to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in a cohort of kidney transplant recipients and the potential role of the different immunosuppressive regimens. We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study in kidney transplant patients vaccinated for COVID-19. For each patient, we evaluated IgG anti-S-RBD SARS-CoV-2 titers immediately before the administration of first COVID-19 vaccination dose, 20 days after the first dose and 40 days after the second dose. Moreover, we evaluated the type of immunosuppressive treatment and the incidence of vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection. We enrolled 121 kidney transplant patients vaccinated for COVID-19. At the time of administration of the first vaccine dose, all patients had a negative antibody titer; only 4.1% had positive antibody titers 20 days after the first dose. More than half patients 62 (51%) had protective antibody titers 40 days after the second dose. A total of 18 Solid Organ Transplant Recipients (SOTRs) (14.9%) got a SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection during the study period. With regard to immunosuppressive regimen, patients on mycophenolate-based regimen (48.7%) showed the lowest antibody response rates (27.5%) compared to other regimens. Our study confirms that kidney transplant patients show a poor response to two doses of COVID-19 vaccination. Moreover, in our study the use of mycophenolate is significantly associated with a non-response to COVID-19 m-RNA vaccines.
The FlagT4G Vaccine Confers a Strong and Regulated Immunity and Early Virological Protection against Classical Swine Fever
Authors: Bohórquez José Alejandro , Wang Miaomiao , Díaz Ivan , Alberch Mònica , Pérez-Simó Marta , Rosell Rosa , Gladue Douglas P. , Borca Manuel V. , Ganges Llilianne
Published: September 2022

Control of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) in endemic countries relies on vaccination, mostly using vaccines that do not allow for differentiation of vaccinated from infected animals (DIVA). FlagT4G vaccine is a novel candidate that confers robust immunity and shows DIVA capabilities. The present study assessed the immune response elicited by FlagT4G and its capacity to protect pigs for a short time after vaccination. Five days after a single dose of FlagT4G vaccine, animals were challenged with a highly virulent CSFV strain. A strong, but regulated, interferon-α response was found after vaccination. Vaccinated animals showed clinical and virological protection against the challenge, in the absence of antibody response at 5 days post-vaccination. Upon challenge, a rapid rise in the titers of CSFV neutralizing antibodies and an increase in the IFN-γ producing cells were noticed in all vaccinated-challenged pigs. Meanwhile, unvaccinated pigs showed severe clinical signs and high viral replication, being euthanized before the end of the trial. These animals were unable to generate neutralizing antibodies and IFN-γ responses after the CSFV challenge. The results from the present study assert the fast and efficient protection by FlagT4G, a highly promising tool for CSFV control worldwide.
Analysis of the Contribution of Intrinsic Disorder in Shaping Potyvirus Genetic Diversity
Authors: Lafforgue Guillaume , Michon Thierry , Charon Justine
Published: September 2022

Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are abundant in the proteome of RNA viruses. The multifunctional properties of these regions are widely documented and their structural flexibility is associated with the low constraint in their amino acid positions. Therefore, from an evolutionary stand point, these regions could have a greater propensity to accumulate non-synonymous mutations (NS) than highly structured regions (ORs, or ‘ordered regions’). To address this hypothesis, we compared the distribution of non-synonymous mutations (NS), which we relate here to mutational robustness, in IDRs and ORs in the genome of potyviruses, a major genus of plant viruses. For this purpose, a simulation model was built and used to distinguish a possible selection phenomenon in the biological datasets from randomly generated mutations. We analyzed several short-term experimental evolution datasets. An analysis was also performed on the natural diversity of three different species of potyviruses reflecting their long-term evolution. We observed that the mutational robustness of IDRs is significantly higher than that of ORs. Moreover, the substitutions in the ORs are very constrained by the conservation of the physico-chemical properties of the amino acids. This feature is not found in the IDRs where the substitutions tend to be more random. This reflects the weak structural constraints in these regions, wherein an amino acid polymorphism is naturally conserved. In the course of evolution, potyvirus IDRs and ORs follow different evolutive paths with respect to their mutational robustness. These results have forced the authors to consider the hypothesis that IDRs and their associated amino acid polymorphism could constitute a potential adaptive reservoir.
Takotsubo Syndrome during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Veneto Region, Italy
Authors: Zuin Marco , Mugnai Giacomo , Anselmi Maurizio , Bonapace Stefano , Bozzini Paolo , Chirillo Fabio , Cutolo Ada , Grassi Giuseppe , Mancuso Daniela , Meneghin Samuele , Molon Giulio , Mugnolo Antonio , Pantano Ivan , Polo Angela , Purita Paola , Roncon Loris , Saccà Salvatore , Scarpa Daniele , Tavella Domenico , Themistoclakis Sakis , Turiano Giovanni , Valle Roberto , Widmann Maddalena , Zakja Edlira , Zamboni Alberto , Rigatelli Gianluca , Bilato Claudio
Published: September 2022

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the public health measures of social distancing, the freedom limitations, quarantine, and the enforced homeworking under the lockdown period, as well as medical causes including COVID-19 infection per se, may have caused major emotional distress, especially in the most vulnerable patients. We aimed to evaluate the variations in the number of admissions due to Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Veneto region. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the number of admissions because of TTS in 13 Divisions of Cardiology located in the Veneto region, the northeastern area of Italy, covering a population of more than 2.5 million inhabitants, during the two major pandemic waves of COVID-19 (the first between 15 March and 30 April 2020 and the second between 15 November and 30 December 2020) that occurred in 2020. Results: In total, 807 acute coronary syndromes were admitted in the 13 enrolling hospitals. Among these, 3.9% had TTS. Compared to the corresponding 2018 and 2019 time periods, we observed a significant increase in the number of TTS cases (+15.6%, p = 0.03 and +12.5%, p = 0.04, comparing 2018 to 2020 and 2019 to 2020, respectively). Geographical distribution of the TTS cases reflected the broad spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection with a significant direct relationship between TTS incidence and the number of COVID-19 infections according to Pearson’s correlation (r = 0.798, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The higher incidence of TTS during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic waves, especially in the areas that were hit hardest in terms of morbidity and mortality by the SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggest a strong direct and/or indirect role of COVID-19 in the pathogenesis of TTS.
Occurrence of Equine Foamy Virus Infection in Horses from Poland
Authors: Materniak-Kornas Magdalena , Rożek Wojciech , Rola Jerzy , Osiński Zbigniew , Löchelt Martin , Kuźmak Jacek
Published: September 2022

Equine foamy virus (EFVeca) is a foamy virus of non-primate origin and among the least-studied members of this retroviral subfamily. By sequence comparison, EFVeca shows the highest similarity to bovine foamy virus. In contrast to simian, bovine or feline foamy viruses, knowledge about the epidemiology of EFVeca is still limited. Since preliminary studies suggested EFVeca infections among horses in Poland, we aimed to expand the diagnostics of EFVeca infections by developing specific diagnostic tools and apply them to investigate its prevalence. An ELISA test based on recombinant EFVeca Gag protein was developed for serological investigation, while semi-nested PCR for the detection of EFVeca DNA was established. 248 DNA and serum samples from purebred horses, livestock and saddle horses, Hucul horses and semi-feral Polish primitive horses were analyzed in this study. ELISA was standardized, and cut off value, sensitivity and specificity of the test were calculated using Receiver Operating Characteristic and Bayesian estimation. Based on the calculated cut off, 135 horses were seropositive to EFVeca Gag protein, while EFVeca proviral DNA was detected in 85 animals. The rate of infected individuals varied among the horse groups studied; this is the first report confirming the existence of EFVeca infections in horses from Poland using virus-specific tools.
Production and Evaluation of Chicken Egg Yolk Immunoglobulin (IgY) against Human and Simian Rotaviruses
Authors: Bentes Gentil Arthur , Lanzarini Natália Maria , Guimarães Juliana Rodrigues , Heinemann Marcos Bryan , Volotão Eduardo de Mello , da Silva Alexandre dos Santos , Heneine Luiz Guilherme Dias , de Oliveira Jaqueline Mendes , Pinto Marcelo Alves
Published: September 2022

Producing specific antibodies in chickens is an attractive approach for diagnosis or therapeutic applications. Besides the high immunoglobulin Y (IgY) yield transferred to the egg yolk and its suitability for large-scale production, such an approach is more bioethical for animal maintenance. The IgY technology offers new possibilities for application in human and veterinary diagnostics and therapeutics, including strategies for treating severe intestinal diseases in children, particularly in emerging countries. Herein, we describe the production and purification of polyclonal antibodies against rotavirus group A (RVA) in immunised hens aiming at its application in prophylaxis and treatment of rotavirus-induced diarrhoea. For this purpose, we inoculated Rhodia laying chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) with two or three doses of RVA combined with adjuvants or only adjuvants (control group). As the egg-laying period began, the yolk protein purification processes yielded a high concentration of specific IgY, the highest titre resulting from the group of hens that received three doses of the immunogen. The purified IgY blocked the functional activity of RVA in MA-104 cells, thus confirming the neutralisation ability. Therefore, anti-RVA IgY could be a promising candidate for pre- and post-exposure prevention or treatment of rotavirus-induced diarrhoea.
In-Silico Molecular Modeling Studies to Identify Novel Potential Inhibitors of HPV E6 Protein
Authors: Soumia Moujane , Hajji Halima , El Mzibri Mohamed , Younes Filali Zegzouti , Mohammed Bouachrine , Mohamed Benlyas , Benaissa Moualij
Published: September 2022

The etiological agent of some anogenital tract cancers is infection with the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Currently, prophylactic vaccines against HPV have been validated, but the presence of drug treatment directed against the infection and its oncogenic effects remain essential. Among the best drug targets, viral oncoprotein E6 has been identified as a key factor in cell immortalization and tumor progression in HPV-positive cells. E6, through interaction with the cellular ubiquitin ligase E6AP, can promote the degradation of p53, a tumor suppressor protein. Therefore, suppression of the creation of the E6-E6AP complex is one of the essential strategies to inhibit the survival and proliferation of infected cells. In the present study, we proposed an in-silico approach for the discovery of small molecules with inhibitory activity on the E6-E6AP interaction. The first three compounds (F0679-0355, F33774-0275, and F3345-0326) were selected on the basis of virtual screening and prediction of the molecules’ ADMET properties and docking with E6 protein, these molecules were selected for further study by investigating their stability in the E6 complex and their inhibitory effect on the E6-E6AP interaction by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The identified molecules thus represent a good starting point for the development of anti-HPV drugs.
Idle-Free Campaign Survey Results and Idling Reductions in an Elementary School
Authors: Mendoza Daniel L. , Bayles Madelyn , Contreras John R. , Bares Ryan , Olson Casey S. , Crosman Erik T. , Forrest Rachel T.
Published: September 2022

Air pollution near schools is particularly problematic. Pollution emissions from vehicle idling at or around schools may have significant effects on children’s health including increased rates of asthma and childhood leukemia. Outdoor pollution emissions from idling vehicles can also infiltrate into the schools resulting in health hazards both in school drop-off zones as well as inside nearby buildings. An Idle-Free Campaign was enacted at an elementary school to reduce idling among parents dropping off and picking up students. The campaign involved a focus group, surveys, informational events and materials, and vehicle counting efforts before and after the campaign. The surveys found that regardless of gender or level of education, parents were very concerned about air pollution concerns associated with idling and were willing to take steps to reduce their children’s exposure. Furthermore, the vehicle counting efforts showed a 17% reduction in idling vehicles and a 37% reduction in idling time following the anti-idling campaign. These findings show that a multi-pronged approach involving parents, teachers, staff, bus drivers, and delivery truck drivers, may be an effective tool to reduce idling at schools thus reducing children’s exposure.
Nasal Lymphoma with Low Mitotic Index in Three Cats Treated with Chlorambucil and Prednisolone
Authors: Ng Karen W. L. , Beatty Julia A. , Tse May P. Y. , Giuliano Antonio
Published: September 2022

Lymphoma is the most common tumor of the nasal cavity in cats. Commonly used treatment modalities are radiotherapy and chemotherapy, or both. Typical chemotherapy protocols used in cats with nasal lymphoma are COP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine prednisolone) and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone). Thus far, the use of single-agent chlorambucil in nasal lymphoma has been evaluated in a single case report. We report a case series of three cats with B cell nasal lymphoma, two cats with intermediate cell, and one large cell, all with a low mitotic index (MI) of less than 5 mitotic figures per ×400 field, treated with chlorambucil and prednisolone. Two of the cases achieved a long disease-free interval, while the one with the highest MI did not. Protocols using chlorambucil and prednisolone may have potential as a first-line therapy for feline nasal lymphoma cases with a very low mitotic index.
The Role of Fine Needle Aspiration of Liver and Spleen in the Staging of Low-Grade Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumor
Authors: Rinaldi Valentina , Crisi Paolo Emidio , Vignoli Massimo , Pierini Alessio , Terragni Rossella , Cabibbo Emanuele , Boari Andrea , Finotello Riccardo
Published: September 2022

Clinical staging is a fundamental step in the clinical assessment of canine cutaneous mast cell tumor (cMCT), and it is recommended to evaluate the tumor draining lymph node (eTDLN), perform diagnostic imaging, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the spleen and liver to determine the presence of metastatic disease, thereby refining the prognosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of splenic and hepatic involvement in newly diagnosed canine low-grade cMCT (Patnaik grade I–II, Kiupel low-grade). Medical records of dogs that underwent a clinical staging work-up and surgical excision for a low-grade cMCT between December 2019 and December 2021 were reviewed at five veterinary centers. Only dogs with a histological diagnosis of low-grade cMCT, FNA or histology of the eTDLN, FNA of the spleen and liver, and one year of follow up were included. One hundred and thirty-six dogs met the inclusion criteria. Only 1 out of 136 dogs (0.7%) had the presence of visceral metastases at diagnosis, suggesting that the prevalence of visceral metastases in low-grade cMCT is extremely low. The results of this study are consistent with previous literature and suggest that after a diagnosis of low-grade cMCT, cytology of visceral organs may not represent an essential step in the clinical staging work-up.
Adverse Reaction Following the Subarachnoid Injection of Xylazine in a Sheep
Authors: Pratt Shaun , Jeong Sharon , Ahern Ben , Goodwin Wendy
Published: September 2022

Alpha2 receptor agonists are frequently used to provide sedation and analgesia in sheep. There are numerous reports of adverse pulmonary effects following intravenous (IV) injection; however, adverse effects following subarachnoid injection (SAI) are underreported. An adult Merino wether was one of eighteen animals anaesthetised during an experimental trial modelling intervertebral disc injury. The animal was premedicated with methadone 0.1 mg/kg and midazolam 0.3 mg/kg IV. Anaesthesia was induced using alfaxalone IV and it was maintained using isoflurane, delivered in 100% oxygen by controlled mechanical ventilation. An SAI of xylazine 0.05 mg/kg diluted to 1 mL with 0.9% saline was performed at the lumbosacral site prior to recovery. This resulted in rapid narcosis, oxygen dependency and ventilatory compromise. Treatment with frusemide 1 mg/kg IV and salbutamol 0.2 mg inhaled did not attenuate the adverse cardiopulmonary effects. A rapid improvement in all physiological variables was seen following high dose atipamezole 0.05 mg/kg IV. This case report adds to the current knowledge regarding the risk for potential side effects when using alpha2 receptor agonists, such as xylazine, for the sedation or regional analgesia in sheep.
Evaluation of the Acaricidal Effectiveness of Fipronil and Phoxim in Field Populations of Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) from Ornamental Poultry Farms in Italy
Authors: Guerrini Alessandro , Morandi Benedetto , Roncada Paola , Brambilla Gianfranco , Dini Filippo Maria , Galuppi Roberta
Published: September 2022

The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is the most important blood-sucking ectoparasite in egg-laying hen facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro acaricidal activity of different concentration of authorized (phoxim, ByeMite®, 500 mg/mL) and unauthorized (fipronil, Frontline® 250 mg/100 mL spray) molecules on 14 field isolates of D. gallinae collected from different ornamental poultry farms from different Italian regions. The sensitivity test was performed by contact exposure to four concentrations of each insecticide diluted at 1:5 (10,000-2000-400-80 ppm for phoxim, 500-100-20-4 ppm for fipronil) on a filter paper. The effectiveness of the treatment was significantly (p < 0.0001) associated with the dose of the pesticide used. Considering the mean lethality, phoxim has greater efficacy compared to fipronil (p < 0.001). A great variability of lethality rate was observed with the increase in fipronil dilution; conversely, for phoxim, some outliers were observed, particularly in one farm, suggesting the hypothesis that a certain degree of resistance in the mite population could occur possibly as a consequence of the continual contact with the molecule. This underlines the importance of the use of licensed products administered at correct dosages and the need for alternative molecules to avoid the onset of drug resistance phenomena.
Optimizing Urban Green Space Layouts for Stormwater Runoff Treatment in Residential Areas: A Case Study in Tianjin, China
Authors: Han Yiqun , Yang Dongdong , Zhang Yueming , Cao Lei
Published: September 2022

Residential areas comprise more than 30% of the urban built-up zones of China. High-density residential areas and high proportions of impervious surfaces make residential areas prone to severe flooding. Low-impact development practices are broadly applied to solve these problems, and as a main component of low-impact development practices, green spaces have also drawn attention because of their capacity to control rainwater. However, the effects of green space spatial characteristics on hydrological processes have been overlooked. In this study, to determine how to optimize the layout of the green space system to improve the capacity of stormwater management, data from Tianjin were analyzed using a FRAGSTATs model and a SWMM model to identify how the layout of green spaces affects the process of rainwater generation and concentration in terms of three typical residential area layouts. The results show that (1) when it is possible to increase the amount of green space, maintaining a high patch density is the best way to achieve runoff treatment; (2) when newly built green space is limited, increasing connectivity between existing green spaces is the best way to control rainwater, especially in enclosed and axial modes; (3) when comparing the efficiency of the three modes, the axial mode presents the best performance in terms of promotion rate. These results will provide those developing urban residential areas with more economical, practical, and suitable layout strategies for green space systems in terms of planning, design, and optimization aimed at stormwater management.
Riprap Protection Exposed to Overtopping Phenomena: A Review of Laboratory Experimental Models
Authors: Dezert Théo , Kiplesund Geir Helge , Sigtryggsdóttir Fjóla Guðrún
Published: September 2022

There are increasing demands from dam safety regulations and guidelines to upgrade the rockfill dams, especially in Norway where over 180 large rockfill dams are present. To protect the hydraulic structure against overtopping events or leakages, it is important to use defence mechanisms such as a protective layer of riprap on the downstream slope. In this article, we display 9 experimental setups of riprap, conducted at the hydraulic laboratory of NTNU (Trondheim) and subjected to overtopping phenomena with increasing water discharge, until the complete failure of the model. These tests were performed on models with dumped and placed riprap, with or without toe support, with or without the downstream rockfill shoulder, and finally on models with a full dam profile. The models with downstream rockfill shoulder as well as with full dam profiles allowed for throughflow. The model behaviour during these experimental tests is described and discussed, according to their respective critical discharge values and associated failure mechanisms. Limitations are also discussed. The results bring to light the benefit of placed riprap compared to dumped riprap structures. As the results show a placed riprap can withstand a significantly higher overtopping discharge than a dumped riprap. Also, the use of toe support enables a significant increase of resistance against overtopping of placed riprap structures. However, toe supports have not proven any significant improvement in stability for dumped riprap structures. This research also puts forward that dumped riprap undergoes a surface erosion process with smaller slides. Placed riprap undergoes a sliding failure mechanism when unsupported at the toe, and a buckling deformation when supported.
Effects of Specific Surface Area of Artificial Carriers on Carbon Metabolism Activity of Biofilm
Authors: Zhu Ye , Miao Lingzhan
Published: September 2022

Biofilm technology has been applied to polluted water treatment. The functional characteristics of biofilm play key roles in the decontamination efficiency and are affected by the physicochemical properties of the carrier surface. Previous studies reported that the larger the specific surface area of the artificial carrier, the more biofilms there are attached to its surface. However, the coupling relationship between the metabolic activity of biofilm and the specific surface area of carrier remained limitedly studied. Herein, five carriers with a gradient of specific surface areas were selected to incubate biofilms in two low-pollution rivers for 44 days, and a BIOLOG ECO microplate was used to analyze the metabolic activity of biofilm. Results demonstrated that the carbon metabolic capacity of biofilm fluctuates with the increase in the specific surface area. In Xuanwu Lake, the carbon metabolism rate of biofilm demonstrated a linear correlation with a specific surface area. In Donghu Lake, there was a trend of a single hump because of mass transfer limitation. In different water bodies, the carbon metabolic activity of biofilm demonstrated different trends with the change of specific surface area, and mass transfer limitation should be considered. For the classified carbon sources, there was a threshold (with Xuanwu Lack of 7500 m2/m3 and Donghu Lack of 5000 m2/m3) to make the biofilm achieve the best utilization ability of classified carbon sources. Nevertheless, the change of carriers’ specific surface area had little effect on the community structure of biofilm.
Implementing the CCME Water Quality Index for the Evaluation of the Physicochemical Quality of Greek Rivers
Authors: Panagopoulos Yiannis , Alexakis Dimitrios E. , Skoulikidis Nikolaos Theodor , Laschou Sofia , Papadopoulos Anastasios , Dimitriou Elias
Published: September 2022

Water quality indices (WQIs) are efficient tools, globally used for the determination of the quality status of water bodies. In Greece, for almost a decade, the physicochemical quality of water in rivers has been determined by a rigorous, biologically-based, national classification system, developed by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), through the calculation of a simple water quality index (HWQI) that takes into account six water parameters: five nutrient species and dissolved oxygen. Taking the HWQI as a reference, the present study attempts to implement the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI), which is globally applied and flexible in the number of parameters used, to investigate its possible suitability for Greek rivers, which are characterized by a variety of climatic, geologic, and hydrological conditions and have experienced anthropogenic impact. A large dataset consisting of 111 river sites and multiple sampling campaigns for each site in 2018–2020 were used in the analysis, giving rise to a representative application of the CCME WQI on a national scale. Furthermore, the physicochemical quality results were compared with those derived by the HWQI. Apart from the original equation of the CCME WQI for calculating the classification score, a modified version from the literature was used as well. Moreover, apart from the six conventional parameters, which offered a direct comparison with the output values of the HWQI, the CCME WQI and its modified version were recalculated based on a larger dataset, including four additional physicochemical water parameters. The comparative results from all calculations revealed the conservative behavior of the CCME WQI and confirmed the indications from several other Greek studies. Estimated water quality represented a status that consistently belonged to at least a two-class inferior category than the HWQI, while adequate reductions in this deviation could not be achieved with the modified index or with the increase in the number of parameters used in the analysis. It is thus concluded that the first calculation factor and the class boundaries of the CCME WQI are the limiting factors for successful implementation in Greek rivers, independent of the hydroclimatic, geomorphological, and anthropogenic impact variability across the country.
Abundance and Diversity of Nitrifying Microorganisms in Marine Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
Authors: Li Qintong , Hasezawa Ryo , Saito Riho , Okano Kunihiro , Shimizu Kazuya , Utsumi Motoo
Published: September 2022

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are important for water quality management in aquaculture facilities, and can help resume water consumption. However, information about the community structure of the micro-ecosystem existing in biofilters, especially the participation of the known nitrifying groups (i.e., AOA, AOB, NOB, and comammox Nitrospira), remains to be fully clarified. In this research, we compared the community structures in three RAS systems operated at different temperatures in a marine aquarium, through both amoA-targeted qPCR assay and 16S rRNA-targeted next-generation sequencing. As result, AOA was the primary nitrifier in the biofilters and was typically abundant and diverse in high-temperature samples (ca. 25 °C). NOB’s relative abundance patterns were numerically similar to that of AOA, suggesting a cooperation relationship between AOA and NOB in the marine RAS system. AOB was at a comparable level with AOA in medium-temperature samples (ca. 19 °C), while their abundance sharply decreased in high-temperature samples. The number of observed OTUs of AOA in high-temperature samples was 1.9 and 1.5 times as much as that detected in low (ca. 10 °C) and medium temperature samples respectively, suggesting a much more diverse and predominant occurrence of AOA at high temperatures. Comammox Nitrospira was only detected at a low level in the biofilter samples, suggesting a negligible contribution to the nitrification process in such ammonia-limited, saline biofilms. Although comammox Nitrospira cannot be detected by 16S rRNA-based analysis, the high diversity and abundance of NOB that were detected in high-temperature samples indicated the prospective possibility of the occurrence of complete ammonia oxidation at high temperatures.
Influence of Suspended Mussel Aquaculture and an Associated Invasive Ascidian on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities
Authors: Robichaud Lisa , Archambault Philippe , Desrosiers Gaston , McKindsey Christopher W.
Published: September 2022

Many benthic macroinvertebrates are associated with cultured bivalves but are normally excluded from studies on the environmental effects of bivalve aquacultures. We evaluated the hypothesis that mussel aquaculture increases overall “benthic” macroinvertebrate productivity by considering both sediment- and mussel sock-associated macroinvertebrates. It was predicted that the presence of the invasive ascidian Styela clava would increase this effect by increasing the mussel sock’s biogenic structure. Macroinvertebrates in sediments and on mussel socks were sampled in eight bays on Prince Edward Island, Canada: three were invaded by Styela clava and there were five where it was absent. Infaunal macroinvertebrates associated with benthic sediments (sediment macroinvertebrates) within leases were less abundant relative to the control locations outside of leases and showed a trend towards decreased biomass and productivity. Abundance of mussel sock-associated macroinvertebrates was greater in bays with S. clava than in bays without it. When sediment and mussel sock macroinvertebrates were considered together as “benthic” communities within mussel leases and compared to sediment macroinvertebrate communities outside of leases, “benthic” macroinvertebrate abundance, biomass, and productivity were greater inside mussel leases than in areas outside of them. The presence of S. clava did not influence this trend. Although the ecological role of the macroinvertebrates associated with suspended mussels is likely not equivalent to those associated with benthic sediments, the presence of macroinvertebrates on suspended mussels, in some measure, offsets the impacts on the abundance, biomass, and productivity of macroinvertebrate communities at the farm-scale.
Economic Viability and Seasonal Impacts of Integrated Rice-Prawn-Vegetable Farming on Agricultural Households in Southwest Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Md. Mehedi , Tikadar Kishor Kumar , Hasan Neaz A. , Akter Rabeya , Bashar Abul , Ahammad A. K. Shakur , Rahman Mohammad Mahmudur , Alam Md Rushna , Haque Mohammad Mahfujul
Published: September 2022

Integrated aquaculture is an efficient method to address food scarcity and land resources. This study analysed the impacts of integrated rice–prawn–vegetable farms (RPVF) compared with conventional rice farms (CRF) on farming households in southwest Bangladesh, in terms of cropping pattern, financial profitability and viability, and cash-flow. Data were collected through face-to-face recall interviews from farmers of CRF and RPVF. For RPVF, farmers cultivated diverse produce in the wet season, such as prawn/shrimp, carps in reservoirs and vegetables on dikes, and boro rice with vegetables in the dry season, whereas only rice was cultivated in both seasons for CRF. The annual hectare−1 net revenue from integrated RPVF was USD 2742.7, 3.6 times higher than for CRF (USD 756.6). RPVF had a higher undiscounted benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of 1.58 as compared with 1.34 for CRF. Net Present Value (NPV) and discounted BCR show that the integrated RPVF has higher potential and profitability than CRF. Year-round vegetable production and selling have resulted in a smooth cash-flow in integrated RPVF. Authorised extension agencies, such as the Department of Fisheries and Department of Agricultural Extension collaboratively can promote RPVF in other potential parts of Bangladesh, through which farmers can benefit year after year by investing farm income for the same farm and envisage food security.
An Indirect Inversion Scheme for Retrieving Toxic Metal Concentrations Using Ground-Based Spectral Data in a Reclamation Coal Mine, China
Authors: Su Yi , Guo Bin , Lei Yongzhi , Zhang Dingming , Guo Xianan , Suo Liang , Zhao Yonghua , Bian Yi
Published: September 2022

A reclamation coal mine in Baishui County of Shaanxi Province, China, was selected as the study area to develop a fast survey method for estimating soil heavy metal concentrations using spectral data. A portable object spectrometer manufactured by Analytical Spectral Devices (ASD) was used to measure soil spectral reflectance, and an X-ray fluorescence device was utilized to obtain the content of heavy metals. The Savitzky-Golay filter, first derivative reflectance (FDR), second derivative reflectance (SDR), continuum removal (CR), and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) were used to transform the original reflectance (OR) spectra for enhancing the spectral characteristics, respectively. Furthermore, correlation analysis was introduced to determine the characteristic bands and the correlations of heavy metals. Partial least squares regression (PLSR), extremely learning machine (ELM), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) were implemented for quantitatively determining relations between heavy metal contents and spectral reflectance. The outcomes demonstrated that the spectral transformation methods could effectively capture the characteristic bands and increase the relations between heavy metal contents and spectral reflectance. The relation between Fe and Ni was close with a relatively high correlation coefficient (r = 0.741). RF combined with CWT at the decomposition scales of 9 demonstrated the best performance with the highest Rv2 (0.71) and the lowest RMSEv (1019.1 mg/kg) for inferring Fe content. Ni content was inferred based on the close relationship between Fe and Ni. The result of RF was better than other methods with the highest Rv2 (0.69) and the lowest RMSEv (1.94 mg/kg) for estimating Ni concentration. Therefore, the RF model was chosen for mapping Fe and Ni contents in the study area. The present study revealed that the indirect inversion methods using spectral data can be effectively used to predict heavy metal concentrations. The outcomes supply a new perspective for retrieving heavy metal content based on hyperspectral remotely sensed technology.
The Prawn Palaemon adspersus in the Hypersaline Lake Moynaki (Crimea): Ecology, Long-Term Changes, and Prospects for Aquaculture
Authors: Yakovenko Vladimir , Shadrin Nickolai , Anufriieva Elena
Published: September 2022

For several years, the prawn Palaemon adspersus population was studied in a hypersaline lake (Crimea) for the first time. P. adspersus is a more halotolerant species than previously thought and can survive and breed up to a salinity of 55 g/L and probably higher. A significant positive correlation was found between the number and biomass of the prawns and the seagrass Ruppia shoot density. The spring temperature increase from 5.5 to 24 °C was accompanied by a significant increase in the prawn number (p = 0.001). In the males and females, the spatial heterogeneity of the distribution of prawns significantly (p = 0.005) negatively correlated with the abundance of prawns. In the period from 2018 to 2021, the area of Ruppia cover and the prawn abundance in the lake decreased, and a significant correlation was found between those changes. High salinity, judging by our data, can reduce the production potential of the species, but the absence of predators in Lake Moynaki allowed the prawns to reach a higher abundance than was observed in other habitats. P. adspersus can be successfully cultivated in hypersaline waters with a salinity up to 55 g/L as a perspective object for Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture. The development of aquaculture in hypersaline waters may help to save freshwater resources, and the development of aquaculture in brines formed during the desalination of seawater will make it more economically viable to obtain freshwater from seawater.
Governance Arrangements for Water Reuse: Assessing Emerging Trends for Inter-Municipal Cooperation through a Literature Review
Authors: Riazi Fayaz , Fidélis Teresa , Teles Filipe
Published: September 2022

The transition towards a Water Circular Economy (WCE), in the sense of water reuse, demands cooperative governance and territorial rescaling to overcome fragmentations in sectors and water policies. While the transition is challenging for local governments and crosses economic sectors and spatial scales, Inter-Municipal Cooperation IMC is gaining popularity due to its ability to contribute additional human, financial, and technological resources. However, cooperative governance arrangements require studying its benefits and impacts in its context. This study explores how IMC is being considered as a governance arrangement for the transitions towards WCE by conducting a review of the literature. The findings indicate that IMC appears as a promising government arrangement for WCE because it incorporates several significant potentials, such as facilitating the conciliation of interests between agencies, stakeholder engagement, and effective land use for water management. The literature reflects that the success of IMC for the adoption of WCE requires the simultaneous consideration of a set of governance practices, the assurance of cost efficiency and financial balance, and the assessment of social and environmental consequences. Nevertheless, these dimensions are not equally addressed by the literature. While governance and efficiency are often referred to, the assessment of IMC experiences in the context of WCE is still poorly explored, deserving further research.
Modelling Soil Water, Salt and Heat Dynamics under Partially Mulched Conditions with Drip Irrigation, Using HYDRUS-2D
Authors: Tian Huiwen , Bo Liyuan , Mao Xiaomin , Liu Xinyu , Wang Yan , Hu Qingyang
Published: September 2022

Drip irrigation under mulch is a widely used technique in the arid region of northwest China. The partially mulched soil and the bare strips between mulched areas may complicate the migration of water, salt, and heat in soils, and cause lateral salt accumulation on bare soil surfaces. For investigating hydrothermal dynamics and salt distribution patterns under such circumstances, tank experiments with drip irrigation under plastic film on partially mulched soil were conducted under two intensities of drip irrigation (i.e., low (W1) and high (W2)) with the same total irrigation amount. The spatial distributions of soil water, temperature, and electrical conductivity were monitored accordingly. The two-dimensional (2D) model of soil water, salt, and heat transport under drip irrigation and partially mulched soil conditions was established using HYDRUS-2D, and kinetic adsorption during salt migration was considered. The results of the experiments showed that the uneven distribution of the hydrothermal state led to the accumulation of salt on the un-mulched soil surface. Water migrated from where the dripper was located, and heat accumulated mainly in the mulched soil. HYDRUS-2D matched reasonably well with the observed data, with an R2 higher than 0.54. Under the partially mulched conditions, lower intensity of drip irrigation (W1) show higher desalination efficiency in root zones, with less even lateral salt distribution. Scenario simulations further demonstrated that a larger total irrigation amount would result in a larger desalination zone, and drip irrigations with appropriate incremental intensity could improve salt leaching in the root zone with increased lateral migration of water.
Innovative Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of Urban Areas against Flood Events: Prognosis of Structural Damage with a New Approach Considering Flow Velocity
Authors: Maiwald Holger , Schwarz Jochen , Kaufmann Christian , Langhammer Tobias , Golz Sebastian , Wehner Theresa
Published: September 2022

The floods in 2002 and 2013, as well as the recent flood of 2021, caused billions Euros worth of property damage in Germany. The aim of the project Innovative Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of Urban Areas against Flood Events (INNOVARU) involved the development of a practicable flood damage model that enables realistic damage statements for the residential building stock. In addition to the determination of local flood risks, it also takes into account the vulnerability of individual buildings and allows for the prognosis of structural damage. In this paper, we discuss an improved method for the prognosis of structural damage due to flood impact. Detailed correlations between inundation level and flow velocities depending on the vulnerability of the building types, as well as the number of storeys, are considered. Because reliable damage data from events with high flow velocities were not available, an innovative approach was adopted to cover a wide range of flow velocities. The proposed approach combines comprehensive damage data collected after the 2002 flood in Germany with damage data of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake tsunami in Japan. The application of the developed methods enables a reliable reinterpretation of the structural damage caused by the August flood of 2002 in six study areas in the Free State of Saxony.