Search Results (48,969)

The problem of low water level and uneven distribution of flow in the multi-branch channels at the tail of the Ganjiang River (GJRT) during the dry season has been affecting the local water supply, navigation, and aquatic ecological environment. In recent years, water conservancy projects have been built in each branch of the multi-branch channels at the GJRT. Finding a way to utilize the water conservancy project group to carry out joint regulation and meet the water level and discharge requirements of each branch is an important issue that urgently needs to be solved. This paper analyzes the hydrodynamic process and its impact on water supply, navigation, and ecology in multi-branch channels without water conservation projects through hydrological data analysis and numerical simulation. By conducting numerical experiments on joint regulation of water conservation project group, a multi-objective regulation strategy is proposed to meet the water level and discharge of each branch. The results indicate that the discharge at the GJRT has been continuously decreasing from 1 September. Due to the jacking effect of Poyang Lake, the water level plunges at the GJRT from 1 October, which occurred later than the decrease in water level. The disruption of water levels and discharge makes it difficult to meet the regional water demand. The optimal time to initiate regulation is 1 October, and the target water level of Waizhou Station is 15.5 m, located upstream of the Ganjiang River tail. When the water level before each branch project gate is uniform and exceeds 15.5 m, the water level of Waizhou Station satisfies the requirement. However, the discharge of each branch does not meet the demand. In contrast to a scheduling regulation strategy that maintains the same water level in front of each gate, adopting a strategy with different water levels before each gate can effectively adjust the diversion ratio and fulfill the discharge demand of each branch at the tail of the Ganjiang River. Full article

Traditional villages serve as crucial carriers of natural and cultural heritage worldwide. Current research on traditional villages, however, exhibits several shortcomings. On one hand, existing studies tend to focus solely on spatial patterns while neglecting issues of distributional equity from a sustainability perspective. On the other hand, few studies have explored the underlying spatial and non-spatial characteristics influencing the distribution of traditional villages through multidimensional factors. To address these gaps, this study selects 8171 Chinese traditional villages as research subjects. Utilizing spatial analysis of GIS, spatial econometrics, and statistical methods, we first analyze the spatial pattern of traditional villages, then assess distributional equity of traditional villages from a sustainability perspective. Finally, we investigate the influence of six multidimensional factors on their distribution and the potential characteristics of these influences. The findings are as follows: (1) Traditional villages in China form three high-density cores, with distribution density significantly higher in the eastern and central regions compared to the western and northeastern regions. The western and northeastern regions exhibit notable low–low clustering. (2) Equity analysis reveals a Gini coefficient of 0.525 for accessibility, indicating notable spatial deprivation. There is also evidence of social inequity, reflected in the deprivation of aging populations by non-aging groups. (3) Except for population density, factors such as elevation and annual precipitation significantly influence the distribution of traditional villages, with effects varying regionally. Quantile regression further confirms that the six factors exert heterogeneous impacts depending on village density levels. For example, as village density increases, road density exerts a stronger positive effect. This study provides a theoretical reference for future sustainability assessments of traditional villages. Full article

The unique features of annular phased array transducers, such as ring-shaped elements and the concentric configuration, cause them to behave differently from commonly used linear array transducers, in terms of sound field distribution and pulse–echo response. Consequently, standard techniques for assessing linear array transducers can introduce significant errors when applied to annular array transducers, especially concerning element-to-element sensitivity variance. This study investigates the consistency of element sensitivity in annular phased array transducers. Through theoretical analysis, a Long-Belt source assumption model was developed based on the Rayleigh integral to characterize the responses of ring-shaped elements in an analytical and explicit form. The model suggests that the response amplitude is linearly correlated with the radial width of the element, which was validated by subsequent numerical simulations. Based on these findings, a modified sensitivity evaluation algorithm for annular array transducers is presented. The response voltage per unit width, rather than the total response voltage, is used to eliminate the influence of varying geometries and sizes across elements. The sensitivity variation of a 32-element annular array transducer was evaluated using the new algorithm. Compared to the uncorrected measurement, the maximum sensitivity variation was reduced significantly from 25 dB to 6 dB, revealing the transducer’s intrinsic consistency despite the different geometric features of each element. Due to its distinct geometry compared to the ring-shaped elements, the central element cannot be corrected or evaluated using this method. These results suggest that the proposed algorithm enables the more accurate evaluation of sensitivity consistency for annular phased array transducers, thereby improving measurement reliability in practical applications. Full article

The downstream irrigation district of the Yarkant River basin has experienced increasing soil salinization driven by shallow groundwater levels, constraining the sustainable development of regional agriculture. However, the dynamic relationship between soil salinity and groundwater depth in this region remains unclear, limiting the effectiveness of saline–alkali land remediation strategies based on groundwater level regulation. In this study, field data were collected in 2025 on total soil salinity, concentrations of eight major ions, groundwater depth, and groundwater salinity in the irrigation district. The spatiotemporal distribution patterns of soil salinity, groundwater depth, and groundwater salinity were analyzed, along with their interrelationships. The soils in the irrigation district are predominantly mildly to moderately saline. Overall, soil salinity exhibits clear seasonal patterns, characterized by accumulation due to evaporation in spring and autumn and dilution through irrigation in summer. The dominant anions in the soil were SO₄²⁻ and Cl⁻, while Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ were the dominant cations, indicating a chloride–sulfate salinity type. Soil salinity shows a significant positive correlation with groundwater mineralization. A clear Boltzmann function relationship was identified between soil salinity and groundwater depth, revealing a critical groundwater depth of 2.10–2.18 m for salt accumulation in the irrigation district. The critical groundwater depths corresponding to soil salinity and major salt ions, from lowest to highest, are Cl⁻ < Na⁺ < total salts < SO₄²⁻ < Ca²⁺. Random forest regression analysis identified the main factors influencing soil salinity and their relative importance, ranked from highest to lowest as follows: groundwater depth > Na⁺ > Cl⁻ > groundwater salinity > Ca²⁺ > SO₄²⁻ > Mg²⁺ > HCO₃⁻ > K⁺ > CO₃²⁻. Maintaining groundwater depth below the critical threshold and focusing on groundwater ions that strongly influence soil salinity can effectively alleviate soil salinization in the lower Yarkant River irrigation district caused by shallow, highly mineralized groundwater. Full article

With the acceleration of global climate change and urbanization, urban flooding disasters have become increasingly frequent, posing significant threats to urban safety and sustainable development. Enhancing Urban Flood Resilience (UFR) has become a central issue in urban risk management and spatial planning. This study aims to scientifically assess UFR by employing the core concepts of resistance, recovery, and adaptation from urban resilience theory. A set of 20 indicators for assessing UFR is selected from four aspects: infrastructure, social economy, technological monitoring, and the ecological environment. Addressing the limitations of traditional evaluation methods, which struggle to effectively handle data gaps and ambiguous boundaries, and fail to balance subjective and objective weights, this study introduces the unascertained measure theory and adopts a combined weighting method to construct a UFR evaluation model. Using 2023 statistical data from Jiangxi Province, a comprehensive evaluation of flood resilience was conducted across 11 prefecture-level cities within the province. The analysis indicates that, among level-2 indicators, infrastructure holds the highest weight at 43.7%. Regarding resilience dimensions, resistance dominates with a weight of 54.6%. Furthermore, significant spatial disparities exist in flood resilience levels across Jiangxi Province: high resilience cities are distributed in central and northern Jiangxi, moderately high resilience cities account for the largest proportion. Only one city, Pingxiang, exhibits moderate resilience. Full article

Recent advances in plant genomics have characterized transposable elements (TEs) as key contributors to genome structure and gene regulation. This study focuses on the remarkably high abundance of short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) in the genus Trifolium. Using the allotetraploid horticultural plant white clover (Trifolium repens L.) as the study organism, we systematically investigate lineage-specific SINE amplification, genomic distribution, insertional preferences, and their regulatory effects on gene expression. Our analyses reveal that SINEs are significantly more abundant in Trifolium than in other angiosperms. Comparative genomic analyses further indicate that SINE accumulation is closely associated with polyploidization and domestication. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses demonstrate that SINEs are preferentially enriched in stress responsive genes. Expression analyses further showed that, within duplicated gene pairs, genes with SINE insertions in their upstream promoter regions exhibit significantly higher transcript levels compared with genes without such insertions. Under drought, cold, and cadmium stress, these SINE-associated genes exhibit upregulation, and our data analysis shows a strong correlation between the presence of SINE insertions and stress-induced upregulation of gene expression. This study demonstrates that SINE insertions in upstream promoter regions modulate transcriptional regulatory networks involved in stress responses, contributing to broad ecological adaptation in white clover. Full article

This study investigates the thermal transport behavior of a time-dependent viscoelastic nanofluid moving over a widening cylindrical surface. A steady magnetic influence is introduced along the transverse direction due to photonic heating, thermal sources, or absorbers, and modified Fourier conduction. A mixture of $CoF{e}_2{O}_4$ and $F{e}_3{O}_4$ nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in ethylene glycol to form a hybrid nanofluid. Using a suitable similarity transformation, the governing equations were reformulated into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The collocation method (CM) is employed as a discretization approach, combined with feedforward neural networks (FNNs) to enhance computational accuracy. Unsteady patterns in both fluid motion and heat distribution were identified, with the localized Nusselt coefficient influenced by relevant scaling parameters. Results are illustrated through plots and structured data formats for various nanoparticle geometries, including spherical, brick, and platelet forms. The analysis revealed that spherical nanoparticles enhance heat transfer by up to 18–22% compared with brick and platelet forms under strong unsteadiness and relaxation effects. As temporal fluctuation indicators intensify, the thermal distribution increases; however, increasing the relaxation coefficient in the heat response leads to diminished energy levels. Full article

Since the 1960s and 1970s, urban expansion and pressure on the coastal ecosystem of Chorrillos caused the reduction in the sandy strip of La Herradura Beach, which was aggravated in 1980 by the dynamiting of the natural hill to allow access to La Chira, which accelerated coastal erosion. This research proposes strategies for the revalorization of the natural environment and landscape regeneration of La Herradura, Chorrillos, Peru. This study is developed in three phases: a literature review; a site analysis focused on climate, flora, and fauna; and the development of an integrated architectural proposal that is supported by digital tools such as Google Earth Pro 2024, SketchUp 2024, D5 Render, and Photoshop 2024. The design integrates regeneration and environmental education strategies, including ecological restoration zones, the use of eco-friendly materials such as stone, and the implementation of endemic plants like Schinus molle. The proposal combines strategic vegetation and sustainable technologies: A total of 30 Schinus molle specimens distributed along 240 m can capture approximately 12,336 kg of CO₂ per year and reduce the ambient temperature by up to 6 °C, contributing significantly to the mitigation of urban climate change; 7 terraced beds with shrubs, herbaceous plants, and groundcovers generate cool microclimates and control erosion; 12 fog catchers collect ~1131 L of water per day, and solar-powered luminaires ensure continuous lighting. In conclusion, the integration of endemic vegetation, sustainable infrastructures, and eco-friendly materials demonstrates a replicable model of resilient coastal space, supporting SDGs 11, 13, 14, and 15. Full article

This study evaluated the bioavailability, antioxidant response, and post-withdrawal retention of red and grey selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) in adult male Japanese quails. Birds were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.5 or 5 mg/kg of red or grey SeNPs for 28 days, followed by a 7-day withdrawal period. Selenium distribution varies markedly by nanoparticle form and dose. Red SeNPs, particularly at 5 mg/kg, produced higher selenium accumulation in metabolic and circulating tissues, whereas grey SeNPs showed lower initial uptake but more selective deposition at specific sites. Antioxidant analysis revealed significant increases in hepatic GPx activity across all SeNP groups, with the strongest enhancement occurring at the 5 mg/kg level. Serum TAC was elevated predominantly in quails receiving high-dose red SeNPs. Retention–depletion analysis demonstrated that moderate doses supported stable selenium incorporation, whereas high doses resulted in accelerated post-withdrawal loss. Overall, red SeNPs acted as rapidly available selenium sources with pronounced antioxidant effects, while grey SeNPs provided slower, more sustained selenium delivery. These findings highlight the importance of nanoparticle form and dosage in optimizing selenium supplementation strategies for poultry. Full article

This study proposes a novel artificial neural network-based methodology for classifying the incident wave direction during ship navigation using the heave–roll–pitch motion response spectra as input. The proposed model demonstrated a balanced performance with an overall accuracy of approximately 0.888, effectively classifying the wave direction into three major categories: head-sea, beam-sea, and following-sea. The methodology utilizes Response Amplitude Operators derived from linear potential flow theory to generate motion response spectra, which are then used to classify the incident wave direction. The model effectively learns the frequency-distribution characteristics of the response spectrum, enabling wave direction classification without the need for complex inverse analysis procedures. This approach is significant in that it allows wave direction recognition solely based on measurable ship motion responses, without the need for additional external sensors or mathematical modeling. This data-driven approach has strong potential for integration into autonomous ship situational awareness modules and real-time wave monitoring technologies. However, the study simplified the directional domain into three representative groups, and the model was validated primarily using a numerically generated dataset, indicating the need for future improvements. Future research will expand the dataset to include a broader range of sea states, improve directional resolution, and explore continuous wave direction prediction. Additionally, further validation using field-measured data will be conducted to assess the real-time applicability of the proposed model. Full article

In recent decades, the Mediterranean Sea has been experiencing faunal changes associated with the impact of biological invasions resulting from the influx of invasive alien species (IAS). During the CNR-ISMAR Carg0222 oceanographic cruise, Mimosina affinis, a benthic foraminifera species of Indo-Pacific origin previously reported in more eastern sectors of the Mediterranean, was detected in the Tyrrhenian Sea, at the seafloor off the Italian coast. The study of benthic foraminiferal assemblages, conducted along with sedimentological analysis of seafloor deposits, allowed to reconstruct the distribution of Mimosina affinis in the investigated area and define its relationship with seabed characteristics. The species is commonly found in samples collected at a water depth not shallower than nine metres, showing a preference for silty fine sand sediments. The abundance of the species, in terms of relative abundance, is higher in biocoenoses than in thanatocoenoses, suggesting that the species is established and actively spreading in the studied area. Full article

The Otukpo Burnt Brick Factory has remained dormant for more than three decades despite repeated government interventions. In this context, the present study investigates the suitability of soils from Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria, for unfired brick production and as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Four representative samples (OT1–OT4) were subjected to X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), particle size distribution (PSD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), cube strength, shrinkage, and water absorption tests. The results revealed high reactive oxide contents (SiO₂ + Al₂O₃ + Fe₂O₃ > 93%) with low SO₃ and moderate loss on ignition (~6%), thus indicating strong pozzolanic potential. PSD residues on the 45 µm sieve ranged from 6.8 to 17%, which is well below the ASTM C618 limit of 34%. XRD confirmed quartz and kaolinite as dominant phases. Strength activity indices showed that only OT3 and OT4 exceeded Nigerian (NIS 693:2007) and Indian (IS 1725:2023) standards when stabilized with 5 wt.% cement or sodium hydroxide; while OT1 and OT2 were below these thresholds. Water absorption values for OT3 (18.69%) and OT4 (19.04%) marginally satisfied Indian standards but failed Nigerian requirements, which is reflective of high porosity. Linear shrinkage (~14%) met IS 1498 marginally, and pH values (6.14–6.34) were consistent with lateritic soils. Overall, OT3 and OT4 demonstrated promise for low-energy SCMs and unfired brick applications, though they must be restricted to non-load-bearing uses unless further stabilization is applied. Full article

This study investigates the horizontal positioning accuracy of a low-cost, multi-frequency GNSS receiver operating in static mode using a newly released PPP-RTK correction service delivering localized corrections. To the authors’ knowledge, this represents one of the first performance evaluations of this service, which optimizes correction data based on the approximate receiver location. The results are compared against those from the previous version of the service, which provided non-localized corrections. Analyses were conducted in both the time and frequency domains, employing robust statistical tools to characterize error behavior. The localized service achieved a mean horizontal error of approximately 0.020 m and a 95% Circular Error Probable (CEP95) of 0.046 m, in line with its declared performance. By contrast, the earlier non-localized service yielded a mean horizontal error of approximately 0.074 m and a CEP95 of 0.124 m under comparable static conditions, confirming the significant improvement achieved by localized corrections. Spectral and wavelet analyses revealed a dominant 33 mHz harmonic in the positioning error, corresponding to the 30 s update period of atmospheric corrections, indicating a periodic influence arising from the correction stream. Continuous wavelet analysis further identified intervals in which this harmonic was absent, during which positioning accuracy improved markedly (CEP95 reduced to 0.019 m). To properly address the non-Gaussian nature of the error distribution, bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) bootstrap methods were applied to estimate confidence intervals. Overall, the results demonstrate the benefits of localized corrections, while emphasizing the importance of accounting for the temporal structure of correction data in PPP-RTK performance assessments. Future developments will focus on kinematic scenarios and adaptive filtering strategies to mitigate periodic errors induced by correction updates. Full article

This article presents an experimental and statistical investigation of how optical magnification influences calibration constants, measurement results, and uncertainty in a digital optical microscope. Measurements were performed on reference gauge blocks with nominal lengths from 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm at five magnification levels (1×–5×) to quantify the effect of magnification on dimensional accuracy. A combined statistical methodology integrating non-parametric hypothesis testing and bootstrap-based uncertainty analysis was developed to evaluate data distributions and validate the use of a normal coverage factor (k = 2) for expanded uncertainty. The results showed that magnification has a statistically significant effect on the measured lengths for most standards, with the smallest combined standard uncertainty achieved at approximately 4× magnification. The uncertainty budget analysis revealed that the dominant component arises from the microscope’s declared Maximum Permissible Error (MPE), while type A and reference-standard components contribute only marginally. All expanded uncertainties remained within the declared MPE limits, confirming the reliability and traceability of the measurement process. Practical recommendations were proposed for selecting optimal magnification and for implementing calibration verification procedures at each zoom level. The presented methodology provides a validated framework for minimizing uncertainty in image-based dimensional measurements using digital optical microscopes. Full article

Malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa is dominated by the An. gambiae complex and An. funestus group, whose distribution varies across ecological settings. Secondary species occur at lower densities, but their role in transmission may differ from one locality to another depending on local conditions. Assessing Anopheles biodiversity using ecological indices is therefore essential to characterise their diversity and relative abundance. This study investigated the biodiversity and spatial distribution of Anopheles species across the three climatic zones of Burkina Faso to guide effective vector control strategies. Indoor resting mosquitoes were collected from 67 health districts across the 13 regions of Burkina Faso between September and December 2022 using pyrethroid spray catches. A total of 30,521 Anopheles mosquitoes were identified, with An. gambiae s.l. dominating (94.4%). The Sudano-Sahelian zone recorded the highest abundance, followed by the Soudanian and Sahelian zones. Biodiversity decreased from humid southern to arid northern areas, with the Soudanian zone showing the highest diversity. Molecular analysis of 2026 An. gambiae s.l. specimens revealed marked heterogeneity: An. coluzzii predominated in Sahelian (74.9%) and Sudano-Sahelian (71.2%) zones, while An. gambiae s.s. was most frequent in the Soudanian zone (53.8%). These results highlight spatial and ecological differences in Anopheles composition across Burkina Faso and emphasize the need for locally adapted malaria vector control strategies. Full article