bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacist-Administered Influenza Vaccination in Children and Corresponding Regulations
Authors: Gates Dana M. , Cohen Steven A. , Orr Kelly , Caffrey Aisling R.
Published: August 2022

In our retrospective cohort study, we evaluated trends in pharmacist-administered pediatric influenza vaccination rates in the United States and corresponding state-level pharmacist pediatric vaccination authorization models, including minimum age requirements, vaccination protocols, and/or prescription requirements. An administrative health claims database was used to capture influenza vaccinations in children less than 18 years old with 1 year of continuous enrollment and joinpoint regression was used to assess trends. Of the 3,937,376 pediatric influenza vaccinations identified over the study period, only 3.2% were pharmacist-administered (87.7% pediatrician offices, 2.3% convenience care clinics, 0.8% emergency care, and 6.0% other locations). Pharmacist-administered pediatric influenza vaccination was more commonly observed in older children (mean age 12.65 ± 3.26 years) and increased significantly by 19.2% annually over the study period (95% confidence interval 9.2%-30.2%, p < 0.05). The Northeast, with more restrictive authorization models, represented only 2.2% (n = 2816) of all pharmacist-administered pediatric influenza vaccinations. Utilization of pharmacist-administered pediatric influenza vaccination remains low. Providing children with greater access to vaccination with less restrictions may increase overall vaccination rates. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, pharmacists will play a major role in vaccinating children.
Delayed Skin Reactions to COVID-19 mRNA-1273 Vaccine: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Wang Ruei-Lin , Chiang Wen-Fang , Chiu Chih-Chiun , Wu Kuo-An , Lin Chia-Yi , Kao Yung-Hsi , Chuu Chih-Pin , Chan Jenq-Shyong , Hsiao Po-Jen
Published: August 2022

Background: The COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was granted emergency use authorization (EUA) on December 18, 2020. Some patients experienced a transient, pruritic rash at the injection site, which was referred to as “COVID arm”. It is considered a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and occurs mostly in individuals after vaccination with the Moderna vaccine but rarely with other mRNA vaccines. Case Summary: A healthy 33-year-old woman with no history of disease or long-term medication presented with fever and rash on the left upper arm three days after her first vaccination with the mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna). Results: After treatment with antihistamines, all lesions gradually resolved over the following 4 to 5 days. Conclusion: We report a case of “COVID arm”: a localized erythematous rash surrounding the injection site that arose three days after the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Delayed injection site reactions occurred in approximately 0.8% of vaccinated people after the first dose and in approximately 0.2% after the second dose. The lesions persisted for several days and then resolved without treatment. Health care providers were not prepared to address these delayed local reactions to the mRNA-1273 vaccine. Given the scale-up of mass vaccination campaigns worldwide, these skin reactions may likely generate concerns among patients and requests for evaluation. Although these skin reactions have not been consistently recognized, guidance regarding the second dose of the vaccine has varied, and many patients have unnecessarily received antibiotic agents.
Cytomegalovirus Proctitis Developed after COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Lv Yuqing , Chang Ying
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: We describe a case of a 58-year-old Chinese woman, without obvious cause of immunosuppression, who developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) proctitis three days after a second COVID-19 vaccination. Electronic colonoscopy revealed a new lesion that was circumferential at the anorectal junction, with an uneven surface and ulceration, which mimicked rectal carcinoma. This is the first case of CMV proctitis following vaccination since the invention of the COVID-19 vaccine, suggesting that the COVID-19 vaccine may cause disorders of immune homeostasis, including not only immune hyperactivity but also immune deficiency. We report this case to increase readers’ awareness of the risks after COVID-19 vaccination and to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of similar cases. (2) Methods: In this case, we used laboratory biochemical examinations, colonoscopy, immunohistochemistry, and a biochemical index to confirm the existence of CMV proctitis. (3) Results: In this case, the vaccine-induced CMV proctitis had a similar endoscopic appearance to rectal neoplastic lesions, which could be confirmed by biopsy and quickly relieved by ganciclovir treatment. Ganciclovir was used to treat the patient, and a good effect was observed. (4) Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination may cause immune disorders, not just immune hyperactivity as previously reported, but also immune deficiency, such as CMV proctitis in this case. The clinical course of CMV proctitis secondary to COVID-19 vaccination was favorable with ganciclovir therapy.
Perceptual Biases as the Side Effect of a Multisensory Adaptive System: Insights from Verticality and Self-Motion Perception
Authors: Cuturi Luigi F.
Published: August 2022

Perceptual biases can be interpreted as adverse consequences of optimal processes which otherwise improve system performance. The review presented here focuses on the investigation of inaccuracies in multisensory perception by focusing on the perception of verticality and self-motion, where the vestibular sensory modality has a prominent role. Perception of verticality indicates how the system processes gravity. Thus, it represents an indirect measurement of vestibular perception. Head tilts can lead to biases in perceived verticality, interpreted as the influence of a vestibular prior set at the most common orientation relative to gravity (i.e., upright), useful for improving precision when upright (e.g., fall avoidance). Studies on the perception of verticality across development and in the presence of blindness show that prior acquisition is mediated by visual experience, thus unveiling the fundamental role of visuo-vestibular interconnections across development. Such multisensory interactions can be behaviorally tested with cross-modal aftereffect paradigms which test whether adaptation in one sensory modality induces biases in another, eventually revealing an interconnection between the tested sensory modalities. Such phenomena indicate the presence of multisensory neural mechanisms that constantly function to calibrate self-motion dedicated sensory modalities with each other as well as with the environment. Thus, biases in vestibular perception reveal how the brain optimally adapts to environmental requests, such as spatial navigation and steady changes in the surroundings.
Seasonal Variations in Water Quality and Algal Blooming in Hypereutrophic Lake Qilu of Southwestern China
Authors: Li Donglin , Chang Fengqin , Wen Xinyu , Duan Lizeng , Zhang Hucai
Published: August 2022

Understanding the spatiotemporal distributions and variation characteristics of water quality parameters is crucial for ecosystem restoration and management of lakes, in particular, Lake Qilu (QL), a typical plateau shallow lake on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, southwestern China. To identify the main causes of harmful algal blooming and continuous water quality decline, the total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), water temperature (WT), dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), pH, and turbidity in hypereutrophic Lake Qilu from January 2017 to December 2021 were analyzed. The results showed a complex pattern in spatiotemporal distribution and variation. WT showed no significant change in the vertical profile. DO and pH value variations were caused by both physical and biochemical processes, especially at the bottom of Lake QL with an anaerobic environment. The Trophic State Index (TSI) assessment results showed that Lake QL is a eutrophic (70.14% of all samples, 50 < TSI < 70) to a hypereutrophic lake (29.86%, 70 < TSI) with poor water quality (WQI < 25). TP and WT were the main factors controlling harmful algal blooms (HABs) based on the statistical analysis of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Random Forest Model (RFM), and Correlation Analysis (CA). In lake QL, TP loading reduction and water level increase might be the key strategies for treating HABs in the future. Based on our results, reducing TP loading may be more effective than reducing TN to prevent HABs in the highly eutrophicated Lake Qilu.
Evaluation of Regional Water-Saving Level Based on Support Vector Machine Optimized by Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Wenge , Hou Shengling , Yin Huijuan , Li Lingqi , Wu Kai
Published: August 2022

The evaluation of regional water-saving level can provide scientific theoretical support for steadily promoting the implementation of a national water-saving priority strategy. Referring to the water consumption statistics of 31 provinces (except Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) in China in 2018, 14 easily accessible and comprehensive indexes were selected to establish an index system of regional water-saving level and a water-saving level evaluation model based on support vector machine optimized by genetic algorithm (GA-SVM) was constructed to analyze the national regional water-saving level from different perspectives. The results showed that the water-saving level in China presented a spatial distribution characteristic with Beijing City, Henan Province and Zhejiang Province as the center and gradually decreased outward. From the perspective of regionalization, the water-saving level in North China, Central China and Southeast China was higher, while the water-saving level in Northwest China, Southwest China and Northeast China need to be improved. Therefore, the national water-saving level is generally at a medium level and effective water-saving work and water-saving schemes should be carried out according to different regions and industries.
Influence Mechanism of Fulvic Acid on the Strength of Cement-Solidified Dredged Sludge
Authors: Wang Shiquan , He Xingxing , Gong Shunmei , Cai Guanghua , Lang Lei , Ma Hongrui , Niu Zhiyong , Zhou Fangming
Published: August 2022

Cement solidification was a widely used method to broaden the resource utilization of dredged sludge. However, the organic matter in sludge limit the application of cement solidification. The fulic acid (FA) was used to simulate the natural organic matter in sludge. With the increase in FA content, the sludge gradually changed from low-liquid-limit clay to high-liquid-limit clay. The unconfined compression test showed that the strength of cement-solidified dredged sludge (CDS) decreased with FA content. The influence mechanism of the FA on cement solidification was revealed by a water content test, a hydration heat test, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. FA hindered the conversion of pore water to combined water and reduced the hydration heat inside CDS. The FA in sludge weakened the internal bond within CDS by hindering the development of C-S-H gel from spheroidal to flake. At the same time, the final amount of hydrates such as C-S-H, C-A-H and AFt also decreased in the CDS containing FA. The weakening mechanism of FA on the strength of CDS can be attributed to three aspects: (1) FA adsorbed on the surface of cement minerals and hindered the contact between cement minerals and pore water; (2) acidic FA reduced the pH of the pore liquid in CDS; (3) the carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups of FA adsorbed calcium ions in pore liquid through ion coordination.
Aggregation Kinetics and Mechanism of Humic Acid Reaction with Cs+ and Co2+ Metal Ions Using Batch Techniques
Authors: Tan Liqiang , Wang Yuxiang , Wang Song , Wu Caijin , Li Dong , Chen Yisheng , Wang Haocheng
Published: August 2022

Humic substances have a potential role in the fate and transport of toxic metal ions in the environment due to their colloidal characteristics and abundant surface functional groups. Batch techniques (DLS, EPM, FT-IR and fluorescence EEM) were developed to assess the aggregation mechanisms of humic acid (HA) reacting with Cs+ or Co2+ electrolyte ions in this work. The kinetic experimental results indicated that a much lower Co2+ ion concentration (0.03–1.50 mmol/L) induced rapid aggregation of HA compared to that of Cs+ (3.0–15 mmol/L), and the divalent Co2+ ion was far more effective in enhancing HA aggregation than monovalent Cs+. The aggregation kinetics of HA were also found to be pH-dependent, and a much lower pH condition (pH 5.0) caused more rapid aggregation (the largest hydrodynamic diameter of ~3000 nm) compared to those at pH 7.0 (the largest hydrodynamic diameter of ~2000 nm). Positively charged metal ions in the solution can lower the electrostatic repulsive force between HA molecules through charge neutralization, thus leading to the rapid aggregation of HA aggregates. Furthermore, the carboxylic and phenolic groups on the HA surface were also involved in the aggregation reaction to form inner complexes and accelerate the aggregation process.
Estimating Soil Clay Content Using an Agrogeophysical and Agrogeological Approach: A Case Study in Chania Plain, Greece
Authors: Kritikakis George , Kokinou Eleni , Economou Nikolaos , Andronikidis Nikolaos , Brintakis John , Daliakopoulos Ioannis N. , Kourgialas Nektarios , Pavlaki Aikaterini , Fasarakis George , Markakis Nikolaos , Soupios Pantelis , Manios Thrassyvoulos , Vafidis Antonios
Published: August 2022

Thorough knowledge of soil lithology and its properties are of considerable importance to agriculture. These parameters have a direct impact on water permeability and the content of the water in soil, which represent significant factors in crop yield, decisively determining the design of irrigation systems and farming processes. In the framework of this study, and considering the inevitable impacts of climate change, the rational management of water resources and the optimization of irrigation through innovative technologies become of significant importance. Thus, we propose an interdisciplinary approach based on robust techniques from the allied fields of earth (geological mapping, geophysical methods) and soil sciences (sampling, mechanical analysis) assisted by statistics and GIS techniques. Clay or the sum of clay and silt soil content is successfully determined from the normalized chargeability using induced polarization and electrical resistivity techniques. Finally, we distinguished three classes (S1, S2 and S3) considering the clay or the sum of clay and silt soil content in the study area (a) based on the dry period geophysical data and (b) using as classification criterion the spatial distribution of the geological formations.
Development and Validation of an ICP-MS Method for the Detection of Platinum in the Lebanese Aquatic Environment
Authors: Nassour Carla , Zacharauskas Zilvinas , Nabhani-Gebara Shereen , Barton Stephen Jonathan , Barker James
Published: August 2022

Lebanon is a Middle Eastern country located on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Compared to other countries in the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region, Lebanon is considered the richest in water resources. However, due to inadequate water management, Lebanese water resources are under stress. Water pollution is one of the main problems causing major concerns. The contamination of Lebanese surface water originates predominantly from the discharge of untreated municipal and industrial wastewater. With only a few studies investigating the level of water contamination in Lebanon, this research is the first to report the level of platinum in numerous rivers, three wastewater treatment plants, and two untreated sewage outfalls in coastal areas across Lebanon. To determine the platinum levels, an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) method was developed and validated in compliance with the ICH guidelines. The method demonstrated acceptable sensitivity with LOQ and LOD equal to 2.35 and 0.56 ng L−1, respectively. The level of total platinum in the Lebanese water samples ranged between 22.44–53.32 ng L−1. These concentrations were all above the baseline concentration of platinum in tap water indicated by WHO and aligned with previous studies in other countries. Although the baseline concentration of platinum in Lebanese water resources is unknown and the source of the total platinum detected in this study could not be identified, these preliminary findings could serve as a foundation for future research.
Special Issue: Soil Hydrological Processes in Desert Regions: Soil Water Dynamics, Driving Factors, and Practices
Authors: Zhao Ying , Zhang Jianguo , Si Jianhua , Xue Jie , Meng Zhongju
Published: August 2022

Soil hydrology is an inter-discipline of soil science and hydrology that mainly focuses on interactive pedologic and hydrologic processes and properties [...]
Cyanobacterial Bloom Phenology in Green Bay Using MERIS Satellite Data and Comparisons with Western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay
Authors: Wynne Timothy T. , Stumpf Richard P. , Pokrzywinski Kaytee L. , Litaker R. Wayne , De Stasio Bart T. , Hood Raleigh R.
Published: August 2022

Cyanobacteria blooms have been reported to be increasing worldwide. In addition to potentially causing major economic and ecological damage, these blooms can threaten human health. Furthermore, these blooms can be exacerbated by a warming climate. One approach to monitoring and modeling cyanobacterial biomass is to use processed satellite imagery to obtain long-term data sets. In this paper, an existing algorithm for estimating cyanobacterial biomass previously developed for MERIS is validated for Green Bay using cyanobacteria biovolume estimates obtained from field samples. Once the algorithm was validated, the existing MERIS imagery was used to determine the bloom phenology of the cyanobacterial biomass in Green Bay. Modeled datasets of heat flux (as a proxy for stratification), wind speed, water temperature, and gelbstoff absorption along with in situ river discharge data were used to separate bloom seasons in Green Bay from bloom seasons in nearby cyanobacteria bloom hotspots including western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay. Of the ten-year MERIS dataset used here, the highest five years were considered “high bloom” years, and the lowest five years from biomass were considered “low bloom” years and these definitions were used to separate Green Bay. Green Bay had a strong relationship with gelbstoff absorption making it unique among the water bodies, while western Lake Erie responded strongly with river discharge as previously reported. Saginaw Bay, which has low interannual bloom variability, did not exhibit a largely influential single parameter.
Analysis of Irrigation Performance of a Solid-Set Sprinkler Irrigation System at Different Experimental Conditions
Authors: García Bandala Martín , Robles Rovelo Cruz Octavio , Bautista-Capetillo Carlos , González-Trinidad Julián , Júnez-Ferreira Hugo Enrique , Servín Palestina Miguel , Pineda Martínez Hugo , Morales de Avila Heriberto , Rivas Recendez Maria Ines
Published: August 2022

The complexity of assessing the irrigation performance of a solid-set sprinkler irrigation system implies analyzing factors of the sprinkler features, the spacing among sprinklers, the evaluation heights, the meteorological variables and the crop. In this research, a number of solid-set experiments with impact sprinklers were evaluated with different operating conditions and a number of models of irrigation uniformity (CUC) and losses due to drift and wind (WDEL) were assessed at different catch-can heights. Statistical analysis and predictive models were performed for each variable analyzed. The results showed that ND 5035 and SEN 4023 impact sprinklers that presented the lowest variability in water distributions patterns based on the standard deviations of the irrigation depth collected in the catch can (0.85 mm/h). These sprinklers had demonstrated the best CUC values (mean of 86%) with low WDEL averages (lower than 9%). Regarding the CUC analysis, there was a statistically significant difference in measuring the irrigation uniformity from 1 to 2 m catch-can height based on the analysis of 396 solid-set experiments of different research works. Future research could be focused on more experimental conditions analyzing the effects of the irrigation on the crop agronomic development and its yield.
Straw Strip Mulching Increased Soil Organic Carbon Components of a Wheat Field in Dry Farming Regions of the Loess Plateau
Authors: Huang Caixia , Cheng Chipi , Wang Zeyi , Zhao Xia , Yang Yong , Hu Liangliang , Li Yazhen , Ma Juhua , Wang Longlong , Chang Lei , Ye Yuansheng , Zhang Hengjia
Published: August 2022

To explore the response of soil organic carbon (SOC) and carbon components to surface coverage in wheat fields in semi-arid rainfed regions, a two-year field experiment was conducted under three treatments: straw strip mulching (SM), transparent plastic film mulching (PM) and no mulching (CK). We researched the dynamic feature of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its components at different growth stages of winter wheat under different mulching methods, including microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), mineralizable carbon (PCM) and easily oxidized carbon (EOC). The results showed that SOC and its components in different soil layers decreased with an increase of soil layer depth. Compared with CK, the SM treatment increased SOC in the 0–40 cm soil layer by 2.83–8.92%, MBC by 12.09–18.40%, DOC by 3.73–9.79%, PCM by 4.82–12.48% and EOC by 6.01–11.68% during the different periods, and an overall increase was greater in the 0–20 cm soil layer than in the 20–40 cm soil layer. The impact of PM on SOC was less significant compared with CK; MBC and PCM had an overall positive effect, and DOC and EOC behaved differently from year to year. In conclusion, SM can improve SOC and its components content in dryland of northwest China, which is conducive to the sustainable management and efficient utilization of maize straw resources and has significant ecological benefits.
Transpiration Induced Changes in Atmospheric Water Vapor δ18O via Isotopic Non-Steady-State Effects on a Subtropical Forest Plantation
Authors: Lyu Sidan , Wang Jing
Published: August 2022

Accurate simulation of oxygen isotopic composition (δ18OT) of transpiration (T) and its contribution via isotopic non-steady-state (NSS) to atmospheric water vapor δ18O (δ18Ov) still faces great challenges. High-frequency in-situ measurements of δ18Ov and evapotranspiration (ET) δ18O were conducted for two summer days on a subtropical forest plantation. δ18O of xylem, leaf, and soil water at 3 or 4-h intervals was analyzed. Leaf water δ18O and δ18OT were estimated using the Craig and Gordon (CG), Dongmann and Farquhar–Cernusak models, and evaporation (E) δ18O using the CG model. To quantify the effects of δ18OT, δ18OE, and δ18OET on δ18Ov, T, E, and ET isoforcing was calculated as the product of T, E, and ET fluxes, and the deviation of their δ18O from δ18Ov. Results showed that isotopic steady-state assumption (SS) was satisfied between 12:00 and 15:00. NSS was significant, and δ18OT was underestimated by SS before 12:00 and after 18:00. The Péclet effect was less important to δ18OT simulation than NSS at the canopy level. Due to decreasing atmospheric vertical mixing and the appearance of the inversion layer, contribution from positive T isoforcing increased δ18Ov in the morning and at night. During the daytime, the contribution from positive T isoforcing increased first and then decreased due to strong vertical mixing and variability in T rate.
Evaluating Monthly Flow Prediction Based on SWAT and Support Vector Regression Coupled with Discrete Wavelet Transform
Authors: Yuan Lifeng , Forshay Kenneth J.
Published: August 2022

Reliable and accurate streamflow prediction plays a critical role in watershed water resources planning and management. We developed a new hybrid SWAT-WSVR model based on 12 hydrological sites in the Illinois River watershed (IRW), U.S., that integrated the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model with a Support Vector Regression (SVR) calibration method coupled with discrete wavelet transforms (DWT) to better support modeling watersheds with limited data availability. Wavelet components of the simulated streamflow from the SWAT-Calibration Uncertainty Procedure (SWAT-CUP) and precipitation time series were used as inputs to SVR to build a hybrid SWAT-WSVR. We examined the performance and potential of the SWAT-WSVR model and compared it with observations, SWAT-CUP, and SWAT-SVR using statistical metrics, Taylor diagrams, and hydrography. The results showed that the average of RMSE-observation’s standard deviation ratio (RSR), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), and root mean square error (RMSE) from SWAT-WSVR is 0.02, 1.00, −0.15, and 0.27 m3 s−1 in calibration and 0.14, 0.98, −1.88, and 2.91 m3 s−1 in validation on 12 sites, respectively. Compared with the other two models, the proposed SWAT-WSVR model possessed lower discrepancy and higher accuracy. The rank of the overall performance of the three SWAT-based models during the whole study period was SWAT-WSVR > SWAT-SVR > SWAT-CUP. The developed SWAT-WSVR model supplies an additional calibration approach that can improve the accuracy of the SWAT streamflow simulation of watersheds with limited data.
Changes in Soil Moisture, Temperature, and Salt in Rainfed Haloxylon ammodendron Forests of Different Ages across a Typical Desert–Oasis Ecotone
Authors: Gou Qianqian , Shen Changsheng , Wang Guohua
Published: August 2022

Soil water and salt movement during the freeze–thaw period facilitate soil and water conservation and agroecological environment maintenance in the desert–oases transition zone of the Hexi Corridor; however, our understanding of soil salinization and the shifting water, heat, and salt states in soil ecosystems of Haloxylon ammodendron forests at different ages is poor. We analyzed the soil moisture, temperature, and salinity characteristics of Haloxylon ammodendron forests of different ages in the Hexi Corridor of Northwest China and determined their coupling. Our results indicated that shallow (0–120 cm) soil temperatures significantly correlated with air temperatures. With increased forest age, the soil freezing period shortened and the permafrost layer shallowed. Changes in soil temperature lagged those in air temperature, and this lag time increased with forest age and soil depth. With increases in forest age and planting years, the water in the shallow soil layer gradually declined, and the surface aggregation of salt increased. In deep soils (120–200 cm), both soil moisture and salinity increased with the number of planting years. Accordingly, the clay layer and deep root system of Haloxylonammodendron greatly influenced the transport of soil water and salt; and temperature is a key driving force for their transport. Thus, water, temperature, and salt content dynamics were synergetic.
A Comparison between Variable Deficit Irrigation and Farmers’ Irrigation Practices under Three Fertilization Levels in Cotton Yield (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Using Precision Agriculture, Remote Sensing, Soil Analyses, and Crop Growth Modeling
Authors: Filintas Agathos , Nteskou Aikaterini , Kourgialas Nektarios , Gougoulias Nikolaos , Hatzichristou Eleni
Published: August 2022

The major global challenge for the coming decades will be increasing crop production with less water consumption. Precision agriculture (PA) and variable deficit irrigation (VDI) are management strategies that help farmers to improve crop production, fertilizer’s efficiency, and water use efficiency (WUE). The effects of irrigation (IR1 = variable deficit irrigation; IR2 = farmers’ irrigation common practices) under three fertilization (Ft1, Ft2, Ft3) treatments were studied on a cotton yield, on various indicators for more efficient water and fertilizer use, and on plant growth characteristics by applying a number of new agrotechnologies (such as TDR sensors; soil moisture (SM); PA; remote-sensing NDVI (Sentinel-2 satellite sensors); soil hydraulic analyses; geostatistical models; and SM root-zone modelling 2D GIS mapping). The reference evapotranspiration was computed based on the F.A.O. Penman–Monteith method. The crop (ETc) and actual (ETa) evapotranspiration were computed using crop coefficients obtained from the remote-sensing NDVI vegetation index (R2 = 0.9327). A daily soil–water–crop–atmosphere (SWCA) balance model and a depletion model were developed using sensor data (climatic parameters’ sensors, as well as soil and satellite sensors) measurements. The two-way ANOVA statistical analysis results revealed that irrigation (IR1 = best) and fertilization treatments (Ft2 = best) significantly affected the cotton yield, the plant height, the plant stem, the boll weight, the above-ground dry matter, nitrogen and fertilizer efficiency, and WUE. VDI, if applied wisely during critical growth stages, could result in a substantial improvement in the yield (up to +28.664%) and water savings (up to 24.941%), thus raising water productivity (+35.715% up to 42.659%), WUE (from farmers’ 0.421–0.496 kg·m−3 up to a VDI of 0.601–0.685 kg·m−3), nitrogen efficiency (+16.888% up to +22.859%), and N-P-K fertilizer productivity (from farmers’ 16.754–23.769 up to a VDI of 20.583–27.957).
137Cs Sediment Profiles as a Tracer of Marine Sedimentation Processes in a Semi-Enclosed Bay Affected by Anthropogenic Releases—Example of Kaštela Bay (Adriatic Sea, Croatia)
Authors: Lovrenčić Mikelić Ivanka , Cukrov Neven , Oreščanin Višnja , Škaro Krunoslav , Barišić Delko
Published: August 2022

Kaštela Bay was taken as a model to study sedimentation processes using the vertical sediment profiles of 137Cs massic activities. The aim was to distinguish the sedimentation conditions in different parts of the Bay and to partly determine the pathways of terrigenous input into the Bay. The purpose was to demonstrate that 137Cs profiles are applicable in differentiating sedimentation processes. It was found that mostly continuous, undisturbed sedimentation takes place in the central and south parts of the Bay; the sedimentation conditions in the west part of the Bay are more complicated. The west part is characterised by the extremely slow sedimentation of the coarse-grained sediment or even by erosion and selective resuspension of the fine-grained particles followed by resedimentation in other parts of the Bay. It was also observed that the upper 10 cm of the sediment is the most exposed to homogenisation. The strong influence of the Jadro River and anthropogenic activities in the east part of the Bay are reflected in the higher 137Cs activities, strong sediment mixing, and increased sediment input. This study shows that the 137Cs profiles can provide comprehensive insights for the whole study region when a sophisticated sampling layout is deployed. The results of the study are applicable to other aquatic environments with comparable processes and sedimentary environments.
Improvement of the Flow Pattern of a Forebay with a Side-Intake Pumping Station by Diversion Piers Based on Orthogonal Test Method
Authors: Zhang Chen , Yan Haodi , Jamil Muhammad Tahir , Yu Yonghai
Published: August 2022

The flow analysis of the forebay of a lateral intake pumping station with asymmetrical operating pumps was carried out with a realizable k-ε turbulent model and SIMPLEC (Semi Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equations Consistent) algorithm. The Pressure Inlet boundary condition was adopted and the pressure between the top surface and the bottom surface was linear with the height of the inlet section. The Mass Flow Outlet boundary condition was also adopted to ensure the accuracy and precision of the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation. The diversion pier was selected as the optimization strategy based on the flow parameters. The layout of the diversion piers was designed with four parameters which are the relative length, relative height, width, and straight-line distance of the piers’ tail. Each parameter had three values. Based on the orthogonal test, nine groups of the numerical simulation on different layouts of diversion piers were analyzed with the uniformity of axial flow velocity and weighted average angle of the flow velocity of the inlet cross-section of each pump, reducing the number of tests from 64 (43) groups to 9 groups, improving work efficiency. The results show that the diversion piers had a significant adjustment of uniformity of axial flow velocity and weighted average angle of flow velocity. After optimization of the forebay, the uniformity of axial flow velocity of intake of No.1 pump was 80.26% and the weighted average angle of flow velocity was 77.68°. The above values of the No.2 pump were 98.74% and 87.84°, respectively. The values of the No.4 pump were 93.41% and 77.28°. The results of numerical simulation, which was carried out to estimate the rectification effect under the operation combination of the No.1, No.3, and No.4 pumps, showed that the uniformity and the angle of the No.1 pump were 92.65% and 72.66°, respectively, the uniformity and the angle of No.3 pump were 94.54% and 85.14°, and the uniformity and the angle of the No.4 pump were 75.81% and 78.21°. This research proves that the orthogonal test method, in a reasonable and convenient way, can be applied in hydraulic optimization for a lateral intake pumping station.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Regional Flood Frequency Analysis Methods: A Scoping Review
Authors: Zalnezhad Amir , Rahman Ataur , Nasiri Nastaran , Haddad Khaled , Rahman Muhammad Muhitur , Vafakhah Mehdi , Samali Bijan , Ahamed Farhad
Published: August 2022

Flood is one of the most destructive natural disasters, causing significant economic damage and loss of lives. Numerous methods have been introduced to estimate design floods, which include linear and non-linear techniques. Since flood generation is a non-linear process, the use of linear techniques has inherent weaknesses. To overcome these, artificial intelligence (AI)-based non-linear regional flood frequency analysis (RFFA) techniques have been introduced over the last two decades. There are limited articles available in the literature discussing the relative merits/demerits of these AI-based RFFA techniques. To fill this knowledge gap, a scoping review on the AI-based RFFA techniques is presented. Based on the Scopus database, more than 1000 articles were initially selected, which were then screened manually to select the most relevant articles. The accuracy and efficiency of the selected RFFA techniques based on a set of evaluation statistics were compared. Furthermore, the relationships among countries and researchers focusing on AI-based RFFA techniques are illustrated. In terms of performance, artificial neural networks (ANN) are found to be the best performing techniques among all the selected AI-based RFFA techniques. It is also found that Australia, Canada, and Iran have published the highest number of articles in this research field, followed by Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, and China. Future research should be directed towards identification of the impacts of data quantity and quality, model uncertainty and climate change on the AI-based RFFA techniques.
Representative and Morphological Waves along the Adriatic Italian Coast in a Changing Climate
Authors: Ruol Piero , Martinelli Luca , Favaretto Chiara , Barbariol Francesco , Benetazzo Alvise
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the impact of climate change on coastal dynamics along the Adriatic Italian coast, with reference to the period 2021–2050 considering the IPCC RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The wave datasets are obtained by forcing a spectral wave model with ERA5 wind fields corrected with a procedure that makes them suitable for the investigated semi-enclosed basin where local meteorological events occur at scales of a few kilometers. The wave climate changes between the historic run (1981–2010) and the future scenarios are studied in terms of mean values, percentile and extreme waves in 120 virtual buoys along the coasts. Moreover, a morphological equivalent wave is computed for all the datasets to highlight the consequences of climate change on coastal sediment transport. Along the Adriatic Italian coast, a small decrease in the significant wave heights is found, both for mean and extreme values, and the sediment transport is reduced. However, significant deviations along the coast are highlighted and the longshore sediment transport even reverses its direction in some locations for the future scenarios.
Hazard Zonation and Risk Assessment of a Debris Flow under Different Rainfall Condition in Wudu District, Gansu Province, Northwest China
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Sun Ping , Zhang Yanlin , Ren Jian , Wang Haojie
Published: August 2022

Debris flows induced by heavy rainfall are a major threat in Northwest and Southwest China, due to its abrupt occurrence and long runout. In light of this, this work presents the runout simulation and risk assessment of the Boshuigou debris flow under different rainfall conditions in Wudu district, Gansu Province, Northwest China. Based on field reconnaissance, the geomorphological feature and main source of the Boshuigou debris flow were described. With the application of the FLO-2D simulation, the potential flow depth and flow extent of the Boshuigou debris flow under 100-year return-period rainfall and 50-year return-period rainfall were calculated. The maximum flow velocities of the Boshuigou debris flow under the 100-year return-period rainfall and 50-year return-period rainfall were 5.46 and 5.18 m/s, respectively. Accordingly, the maximum flow depths were 5.85 and 5.57 m. Then, the hazard zonation was conducted in combination of the construction and other properties within the potential impact zone, and the risk assessment of the Boshuigou debris flow under the 100-year return-period rainfall and 50-year return-period rainfall was finally completed. This work presents a method for debris flow risk assessment considering the solid source and water flow, which can provide a basic reference for mitigation and reduction of geohazards induced by torrential rainfall.
Terrorism, Freshwater, and Environmental Pollution: Evidence of Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Iraq, Arab Republic of Egypt, Cameroon, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic, and Pakistan
Authors: Bildirici Melike E. , Lousada Sérgio , Yılmaz Genç Sema
Published: August 2022

Nowadays, the world is facing many important problems, including terrorism, drinkingwater supply problems, and environmental pollution, which have strong impacts on the sustainable development. In this paper, the cointegration between drinking water, terrorism, economic growth, energy consumption, and environmental pollution was explored in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Iraq, Arab Republic of Egypt, Cameroon, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic, and Pakistan in the period of 2000–2020 by using the panel Fourier bootstrapping auto regressive distributed lag (PFBARDL) test, and then the direction of causality between the selected variables was determined. The PFBARDL test determined evidence of cointegration among the selected variables. The causality test found evidence of unidirectional causality from terrorism to drinking water and environmental pollution.
What Do We Know about Water Scarcity in Semi-Arid Zones? A Global Analysis and Research Trends
Authors: Morante-Carballo Fernando , Montalván-Burbano Néstor , Quiñonez-Barzola Ximena , Jaya-Montalvo María , Carrión-Mero Paúl
Published: August 2022

Water supply is strategic for the development of society. The water distribution in nature follows patterns linked to geographic and territorial issues. Climate fluctuations aggravate shortage problems in semi-arid regions. This study aims to develop a systematic review of research on water scarcity in semi-arid areas through bibliometric methods that allow the analysis of its structure, performance, evolution, and future trends. The methodology considers three phases: (i) literature review, (ii) data cleaning and processing, and (iii) analysis of the research field and future trends. The intellectual structure of water scarcity in semi-arid zones covers 2206 documents with the collaboration of sixty-one countries, distributed in studies carried out in 54 years (1967 to 2021). This field of research has been growing, especially since the 21st century (93.1% of the documents). The countries that study the issue the most are those with high population rates and large consumption patterns, such as the United States and China. There are two central areas of interest led by the terms "water scarcity" and "water stress" due to the intensive use of the resource for agriculture and the management of the water–energy–climate nexus. Thus, the most significant journals studied relate remote sensing to resource management, and the most cited are related to agriculture. This research made it possible to consider future topics such as the study of anthropogenic effects and climate change, the accuracy and applicability of models, and future trends in conventional and unconventional agriculture and resources.
Hydraulic Characteristics of Lateral Deflectors with Different Geometries in Gentle-Slope Free-Surface Tunnels
Authors: Da Jinrong , Wang Junxing , Dong Zongshi , Du Shuaiqun
Published: August 2022

The gentle-slope tunnel has been adopted in many high dams, and aerators are usually required for high operating heads. For such tunnels, the lateral deflector is superior to the traditional bottom aerator, which loses its efficiency due to cavity blockage and fails to aerate the sidewalls. However, unfavorable flow patterns such as water-wings and shock waves are induced by the lateral deflectors. To address this problem, two novel lateral deflectors are proposed, and their hydraulic characteristics are comparatively investigated together with the triangular deflector by means of model test and numerical simulation. The triangular deflector was revealed to form a wide cavity that allows for the free rise up of the water-wings inside the cavity, leading to the development of a buddle-type shock wave, whereas the two-arc deflector yields a jet with a fluctuating surface, which induces water-wings and further develops into diamond-type shock waves. In contrast, the cavity formed behind the two-arc deflector with a straight downstream guiding line is stabler and shorter, thereby restricting the development of the rising flow and preventing the formation of water-wings and shock waves. Moreover, the two-arc deflector with a straight guiding line exhibits higher energy dissipation capacities and thus is recommended in practical engineering design.
The Sensitivity Analysis of the Drainage Unsteady Equations against the Depth of Drain Placement and Rainfall Time at the Shallow Water-Bearing Layers: A Case Study of Markazi Province, Iran
Authors: Moshayedi Behzad , Najarchi Mohsen , Najafizadeh Mohammad Mahdi , Khaghani Shahab
Published: August 2022

This research investigated various drainage parameters for unsteady conditions, including depth of installation, reflection coefficient, and depth of water table. For this purpose, Bouwer & Van Schilfgarrd, Dumm, Glover, Hemmad, and Bouwer equations were used. For the distance of computed drainage compared with measured data in central Iran, the results showed that the Bouwer & Van Schilfgaarde equation is better than others. Additionally, the installed depth was obtained 130 cm below the exiting underground, and this depth was applicable more than other depths; 1, 3, and 5-day precipitation were used to determine water table changes. The results illustrated that a 5-day duration had a better effect, which appeared in the existing condition drainage area. The reflection coefficient for the superior equation was also obtained as 0.65, which was very close to the measured data in the area. Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Standard deviation (σ) were used to evaluate the results. MAE, RMSE, and σ were computed as 1.78, 2.02, and 0.02, for the superior equation respectively, and the appropriate distance between the two drains was determined as 51.26 m. The obtained results have a close agreement with other researchers in this regard.
Role of Reef-Flat Plate on the Hydrogeology of an Atoll Island: Example of Rangiroa
Authors: Maréchal Jean-Christophe , Hakoun Vivien , Corbier Pauline
Published: August 2022

On atoll islands, the fresh water lens (FWL) constitutes, for the island population, a very important fresh water resource for various usages. Its shape and thickness highly depend on the underground characteristics of several rock formations which constitute the underground of the island: upper Holocene sediments and lower Pleistocene limestone rocks separated by the Holocene Pleistocene Unconformity. In this study, several very simple investigation methods were applied on the Pacific atoll of Rangiroa in order to characterize the aquifer hydrodynamics and their impact on the FWL. A water budget of the aquifer was proposed, including the deep infiltration to the FWL. Pumping tests and tidal analysis demonstrated the confined character of the aquifer and its main hydrodynamic properties (storage and hydraulic conductivity). The role of the reef-flat plate on the hydrogeology of the atoll was highlighted. Its impermeable nature contributes to reduce the deep infiltration to the aquifer. It also contributes to the confined flow regime of the aquifer, inducing high and fast water level fluctuations due to tide forces, and consequently contributes to increase the thickness of the saline mixing zone. Both phenomena contribute to reduce the thickness of the FWL, which is only 2 m-thick in that atoll.
A Comparison of Different Water Indices and Band Downscaling Methods for Water Bodies Mapping from Sentinel-2 Imagery at 10-M Resolution
Authors: Liu Haiyang , Hu Hongda , Liu Xulong , Jiang Hao , Liu Wanxia , Yin Xiaoling
Published: August 2022

Satellite-based remote sensing is important for monitoring the spatial distribution of water resources. The water index is currently one of the most widely used water body extraction methods. Based on Sentinel-2 remote sensing image, this study combines area-to-point regression kriging interpolation, bilinear interpolation, and the Gram–Schmidt (GS) pan-sharpening method with the water indices MNDWI, AWEIsh and WI2015 to compare different water body extraction methods. The experimental results showed that all water indices have satisfactory extraction ability, with the kappa coefficient as an accuracy threshold above 0.8. Moreover, the GS downscaling method combined with the WI2015 yielded the best performance. This research demonstrates the efficacy of the WI2015 method to extract water bodies in urban areas and its ability to comprehensively describe river water bodies. The findings indicate that high-resolution band information is particularly important for improving low-resolution band downscaling results and can significantly minimize erroneous water body extraction.