Hydrological models are very useful tools for evaluating water resources, and the hydroclimatic hazards associated with the water cycle. However, their calibration and validation require the use of performance criteri...Hydrological models are very useful tools for evaluating water resources, and the hydroclimatic hazards associated with the water cycle. However, their calibration and validation require the use of performance criteria which choice is not straightforward. This paper aims to evaluate the influence of the performance criteria on water balance components and water extremes using two global rainfall-runoff models (HBV and GR4J) over the Ouémé watershed at the Bonou and Savè outlets. Three (3) Efficacy criteria (Nash, coefficient of determination, and KGE) were considered for calibration and validation. The results show that the Nash criterion provides a good assessment of the simulation of the different parts of the hydrograph. KGE is better for simulating peak flows and water balance elements than other efficiency criteria. This study could serve as a basis for the choice of performance criteria in hydrological modelling.展开更多
Background: International research and innovation efforts for neglected tropical diseases have increased in recent decades due to disparities in overall health research funding in relation to global burden of disease....Background: International research and innovation efforts for neglected tropical diseases have increased in recent decades due to disparities in overall health research funding in relation to global burden of disease. However, within the field of neglected tropical diseases some seem far more neglected than others. In this research the aim is to investigate the distribution of resources and efforts, as well as the mechanisms that underpin funding allocation for neglected tropical diseases. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted to establish a comprehensive overview of known indicators for innovation efforts related to a wide range of neglected tropical diseases. Articles were selected based on a subjective evaluation of their relevance, the presence of original data, and the breadth of their scope. This was followed by thirteen in-depth open-ended interviews with representatives of private, public and philanthropic funding organizations, concerning evaluation criteria for funding research proposals. Results: The findings reveal a large difference in the extent to which the individual diseases are neglected with notable differences between absolute and relative efforts. Criteria used in the evaluation of research proposals relate to potential impact, the probability of success and strategic fit. Private organizations prioritize strategic fit and economic impact;philanthropic organizations prioritize short-term societal impact;and public generally prioritize the probability of success by accounting for follow-up funding and involvement of industry. Funding decisions of different types of organizations are highly interrelated. Conclusions: This study shows that the evaluation of funding proposals introduces and retains unequal funding distribution, reinforcing the relative neglect of diseases. Societal impact is the primary rationale for funding but application of it as a funding criterion is associated with significant challenges. Furthermore, current application of evaluation criteria leads to a primary focus on short-term impact. Through current practice, the relatively most neglected diseases will remain so, and a long-term strategy is needed to resolve this.展开更多
When contributing to participatory research, farmers usually appreciate the performance of cowpea varieties using qualitative scores. The score they attribute to each variety are based on local knowledge. The specific...When contributing to participatory research, farmers usually appreciate the performance of cowpea varieties using qualitative scores. The score they attribute to each variety are based on local knowledge. The specific criteria they individually use to attribute a score are not well described. The objectives of this work were to: 1) identify and describe exhaustively the local criteria used by farmers to measure the agronomic performance of cowpea;2) assess the variability and statistical structure of these farmer criteria across local contexts;3) and analyze the association between these farmer criteria and the classical agronomic measurement. To achieve these objectives, an augmented block design was implemented across fifteen locations in the regions of Maradi, Dosso and Tillabéri, representing a diversity of local contexts. From a set of 36 cowpea varieties, fifteen varieties were sown per location, including five varieties (controls) common to all locations. In each location, two replicates were sown in randomized Fisher’s blocks. After agronomic measurement and participatory evaluation (scoring of varieties by farmers), a group survey (focus group) was conducted in each location to identify the criteria considered by farmers to found their discretional scoring of varieties during the participatory evaluation. The analysis of the data identified, across locations, thirteen criteria defined by farmers to characterize the agronomic performance of cowpea. Some of these criteria were different according to location. Farmers ranked the three varieties with the best performance for each agronomical trait (Top 3 varieties). A comparison of the farmer ranking with the ranking based on agronomic measurements revealed similarity and complementary between both methods. This study highlighted the importance of considering both local and scientific knowledge in local varietal evaluations.展开更多
In recent years,great breakthroughs have been made in the exploration and development of natural gas in deep coal-rock reservoirs in Junggar,Ordos and other basins in China.In view of the inconsistency between the ind...In recent years,great breakthroughs have been made in the exploration and development of natural gas in deep coal-rock reservoirs in Junggar,Ordos and other basins in China.In view of the inconsistency between the industrial and academic circles on this new type of unconventional natural gas,this paper defines the concept of"coal-rock gas"on the basis of previous studies,and systematically analyzes its characteristics of occurrence state,transport and storage form,differential accumulation,and development law.Coal-rock gas,geologically unlike coalbed methane in the traditional sense,occurs in both free and adsorbed states,with free state in abundance.It is generated and stored in the same set of rocks through short distance migration,occasionally with the accumulation from other sources.Moreover,coal rock develops cleat fractures,and the free gas accumulates differentially.The coal-rock gas reservoirs deeper than 2000 m are high in pressure,temperature,gas content,gas saturation,and free-gas content.In terms of development,similar to shale gas and tight gas,coal-rock gas can be exploited by natural formation energy after the reservoirs connectivity is improved artificially,that is,the adsorbed gas is desorbed due to pressure drop after the high-potential free gas is recovered,so that the free gas and adsorbed gas are produced in succession for a long term without water drainage for pressure drop.According to buried depth,coal rank,pressure coefficient,reserves scale,reserves abundance and gas well production,the classification criteria and reserves/resources estimation method of coal-rock gas are presented.It is preliminarily estimated that the coal-rock gas in place deeper than 2000 m in China exceeds 30×10^(12)m^(3),indicating an important strategic resource for the country.The Ordos,Sichuan,Junggar and Bohai Bay basins are favorable areas for large-scale enrichment of coal-rock gas.The paper summarizes the technical and management challenges and points out the research directions,laying a foundation for the management,exploration,and development of coal-rock gas in China.展开更多
The two most frequent causes of paroxysmal SVT are atrioventricular tachycardia (AVRT) and atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT). The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of trad...The two most frequent causes of paroxysmal SVT are atrioventricular tachycardia (AVRT) and atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT). The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of traditional and newly proposed ECG criteria in the identification of Avnrt and Avrt. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT) and Atrioventricular Re-entrant Tachycardia (AVRT) using both traditional and novel criteria. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Dhaka, from February 2019 to January 2020. A total of 62 patients with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) undergoing electrophysiology study (EPS) were included. Standard ECG criteria were applied for the differential diagnosis, and electrophysiological diagnoses were made using established criteria. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and appropriate tests, was performed using SPSS 23.0. Result: In our study of 62 patients with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), we found that 66.1% had AVNRT and 33.9% had AVRT. The mean age in AVNRT was higher than AVRT (41.3 ± 9.7 vs. 38.5 ± 14.3, p = 0.36) with statistically no significant difference, with similar gender distribution between AVNRT and AVRT groups. Classical AVNRT criteria were present in 30.6% of patients, and 45.2% showed a Pseudo R' wave in aVR. Additionally, 30.6% had an RP interval ≥100ms, more prevalent in AVRT patients (66.7%). Conclusion: Integrating traditional and novel criteria, including lead aVR analysis, enhances the electrocardiographic diagnosis of AVNRT and AVRT, offering a pathway to refined patient care.展开更多
Floods are phenomenon with significant socio-economic implications mainly for human loss, agriculture, livestock, soil loss and land degradation, for which many researchers try to identify the most appropriate methodo...Floods are phenomenon with significant socio-economic implications mainly for human loss, agriculture, livestock, soil loss and land degradation, for which many researchers try to identify the most appropriate methodologies by analyzing their temporal and spatial development. This study therefore attempts to employ the GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis and analytical hierarchy process techniques to derive the flood risks management on rice productivity in the Gishari Agricultural Marshland in Rwamagana district, Rwanda. Here, six influencing potential factors to flooding, including river slope, soil texture, Land Use Land Cover through Land Sat 8, rainfall, river distance and Digital Elevation Model are considered for the delineation of flood risk zones. Data acquisition like Landsat 8 images, DEM, land use land cover, slope, and soil class in the study area were considered. Results showed that if the DEM is outdated or inaccurate due to changes in the terrain, such as construction, excavation, or erosion, the predicted flood patterns might not reflect the actual water flow. This could result unexpected flood extents and depths, potentially inundating rice fields that were not previously at risk and this, expectedly explained that the increase 1 m in elevation would reduce the rice productivity by 0.17% due to unplanned flood risks in marshland. It was found that the change in rainfall distribution in Gishari agricultural marshland would also decrease the rice productivity by 0.0018%, which is a sign that rainfall is a major factor of flooding in rice scheme. Rainfall distribution plays a crucial role in flooding analysis and can directly impact rice productivity. Oppositely, another causal factor was Land Use Land Cover (LULC), where the Multivariate Logistic Regression Model Analysis findings showed that the increase of one unit in Land Use Land Cover would increase rice productivity by 0.17% of the total rice productivity from the Gishari Agricultural Marshland. Based on findings from these techniques, the Gishari Agricultural Marshlands having steeped land with grassland is classified into five classes of flooding namely very low, low, moderate, high, and very high which include 430%, 361%, 292%, 223%, and 154%. Government of Rwanda and other implementing agencies and major key actors have to contribute on soil and water conservation strategies to reduce the runoff and soil erosion as major contributors of flooding.展开更多
Background:The role of human papillomavirus(HPV)in the development of vulvar cancer(VC)has been widely studied,but findings have been inconsistent.Despite numerous meta-analyses exploring the potential link between HP...Background:The role of human papillomavirus(HPV)in the development of vulvar cancer(VC)has been widely studied,but findings have been inconsistent.Despite numerous meta-analyses exploring the potential link between HPV and VC,the association remains controversial due to inherent limitations in meta-analytic methods.Objectives:To address this controversy,the study aims to investigate the potential link between HPV and VC using the Bradford Hill criteria,which offer a more comprehensive framework for establishing causation.Methodology:The study began by extracting all relevant studies on the association between HPV and VC from the PubMed database.The potential links were then assessed by examining the data using the major postulates of the Bradford Hill criteria.To ensure the reliability of the findings,the methodologies of the identified studies were critically evaluated to account for possible false-negative and false-positive results.Results:The assessment of previous studies against the Bradford Hill criteria revealed that the major postulates were not fulfilled.Conclusion:Based on the findings,it can concluded that there is no causal association between HPV and VC.展开更多
As part of the drive to improve coffee and cocoa production in Ivory Coast, studies are carried out to identify soils that are favourable for these crops. It is therefore necessary to orientate soil investigations bas...As part of the drive to improve coffee and cocoa production in Ivory Coast, studies are carried out to identify soils that are favourable for these crops. It is therefore necessary to orientate soil investigations based on reliable criteria that best discriminate soil cover. With this in mind, this study is being carried out to help improve survey methods by mapping soil landscapes. It uses GIS and weighted multicriteria analysis. To do this, satellite images were processed and the geological map of the square degrees of M’Bahiakro and Daloa was reclassified. The results show that relief is the main factor in soil landscape differentiation, with respective weights of 0.58 and 0.67 for the forest and pre-forest zones. In contrast, the weight of geological formation in soil landscape differentiation remains low (0.05 for the forest zone and 0.07 for the pre-forest zone). The criteria used on the base of aggregation sum methods have made it possible to formulate soil landscape mapping prediction functions according to agro-ecological environments in the humid intertropical zone. This is essential for the orientation of soil survey work. Nevertheless, other comparative methods, such as the coding mapping method, could provide elements for discussion to validate the models.展开更多
It is alarming for the fact that Wildfires number, severity and consequently impact have significantly increased during the last years, an aftermath of the Climate Change. One of the most affected areas worldwide is M...It is alarming for the fact that Wildfires number, severity and consequently impact have significantly increased during the last years, an aftermath of the Climate Change. One of the most affected areas worldwide is Mediterranean, due to the unique combination of its type of vegetation and demanding climatic conditions. This research is focused on the Region of Epirus in Greece, an area with significant natural vegetation and a range of geomorphological aspects. In order to estimate the Wildfire Risk Hazard, several factors have been used: geomorphological (slope, aspect, elevation, TWI, Hydrographic network), social (Settlements and landfils, roads, overhead lines and substations), environmental (land cover) and climatic (Fire Weather Index). Through a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in a GIS environment, the Wildfire Risk Hazard has been estimated not only for current conditions but also for future projections for the near future (2031-2060) and the far future (2071-2100). The selected case study includes the potential impact of the Wildfires to the installed (or targeted to be installed) RES projects in the studied region.展开更多
It is generally admitted that experimental data obtained in“laboratory-scale”bubble columns are representative of“industrial-scale”reactors if the well-known three“Wilkinson et al.scale-up criteria”are satisfied...It is generally admitted that experimental data obtained in“laboratory-scale”bubble columns are representative of“industrial-scale”reactors if the well-known three“Wilkinson et al.scale-up criteria”are satisfied:(a)the diameter of the bubble column is larger than 0.15 m,(b)the sparger openings are larger than 1e2mm and(c)the aspect ratio is larger than 5.The aim of this communication is to contribute to the existing discussion.To this end,this communication collects relevant experimental investigation and include new experimental data:in particular,we have experimentally studied the combined effect of the aspect ratio(within the range of 1e15)and the sparger design(considering both“coarse”and“fine”spargers)on the gas holdup in a large-diameter and large-scale gas-liquid bubble column.The bubble column has been operated both in the batch mode and in the counter-current mode.Filtered air has been used as the gaseous phase in all the experiments,while the liquid phase has included deionized water and different aqueous solutions of organic(i.e.,ethanol)and inorganic(i.e.,sodium chloride,NaCl)active agents.It is found that the“Wilkinson et al.scale-up criteria”are valid for the air-water case in the batch mode for“very-coarse”spargers.Conversely,they are no more valid when considering different liquid velocity,and/or aqueous solutions of active agents,and other sparger openings.展开更多
In this paper,we obtain new regularity criteria for the weak solutions to the three dimensional axisymmetric incompressible Boussinesq equations.To be more precise,under some conditions on the swirling component of vo...In this paper,we obtain new regularity criteria for the weak solutions to the three dimensional axisymmetric incompressible Boussinesq equations.To be more precise,under some conditions on the swirling component of vorticity,we can conclude that the weak solutions are regular.展开更多
BACKGROUND There is no consensus on the usage of extended criteria donor(ECD)grafts in liver transplantation(LT)for acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF)patients.AIM To summarize the experience of using ECD livers in A...BACKGROUND There is no consensus on the usage of extended criteria donor(ECD)grafts in liver transplantation(LT)for acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF)patients.AIM To summarize the experience of using ECD livers in ACLF-LT.METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted,enrolling patients who underwent LT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from January 2015 to November 2021.The patients were divided into ECD and non-ECD groups for analysis.RESULTS A total of 145 recipients were enrolled in this study,of which ECD and non-ECD recipients accounted for 53.8%and 46.2%,respectively.Donation after cardiac death(DCD)recipients accounted for the minority compared with donation after brain death(DBD)recipients(16.6%vs 83.4%).Neither overall survival nor graft survival significantly differed between ECD and non-ECD and DCD and DBD recipients.ECD grafts were associated with a significantly higher incidence of early allograft dysfunction(EAD)than non-ECD grafts(67.9%vs 41.8%,P=0.002).Postoperative outcomes between DCD and DBD recipients were comparable(P>0.05).ECD graft(P=0.009),anhepatic phase(P=0.034)and recipient gamma glutamyltransferase(P=0.016)were independent risk factors for EAD.Recipient preoperative number of extrahepatic organ failures>2(P=0.015)and intraoperative blood loss(P=0.000)were independent predictors of poor post-LT survival.CONCLUSION Although related to a higher risk of EAD,ECD grafts can be safely used in ACLF-LT.The main factors affecting post-LT survival in ACLF patients are their own severe preoperative disease and intraoperative blood loss.展开更多
BACKGROUND Despite its association with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality,the use of extended criteria donor(ECD)livers for transplantation has increased globally due to the high demand for the procedure.AI...BACKGROUND Despite its association with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality,the use of extended criteria donor(ECD)livers for transplantation has increased globally due to the high demand for the procedure.AIM To investigate the prevalence of ECD in donation after brain death(DBD)and its impact on organ acceptance for transplantation.METHODS Retrospective analysis of DBD organ offers for liver transplantation between 2017 and 2020 in a high-volume transplant centre.The incidence of the Eurotransplant risk factors to define an ECD(ET-ECD)among DBD donors and the likelihood of organ acceptance over the years were analysed.The relationship between organ refusal for transplantation,the occurrence,and the number of ET-ECD was assessed by simple and multiple logistic regression adjustment.RESULTS A total of 1619 organ donors were evaluated.Of these,78.31%(n=1268)had at least one ET-ECD criterion.There was an increase in the acceptance of ECD DBD organs for transplantation(1 criterion:from 23.40%to 31.60%;2 criteria:from 13.10%to 27.70%;3 criteria:From 6.30%to 13.60%).For each addition of one ETECD variable,the estimated chance of organ refusal was 64.4%higher(OR 1.644,95%CI 1.469-1.839,P<0.001).Except for the donor serum sodium>165 mmol/L(P=0.310),all ET-ECD criteria increased the estimated chance of organ refusal for transplantation.CONCLUSION A high prevalence of ECD DBD was observed.Despite the increase in their utilisation,the presence and the number of extended donor criteria were associated with an increased likelihood of their refusal for transplantation.展开更多
Strainbursts induced by cyclic disturbance with low frequency(termed as cyclicinduced strainbursts)are major dynamic disasters during deep excavation and mining.There is currently no quantitative criterion available f...Strainbursts induced by cyclic disturbance with low frequency(termed as cyclicinduced strainbursts)are major dynamic disasters during deep excavation and mining.There is currently no quantitative criterion available for the prediction of such disastrous events.In this study,based on true triaxial experiments,we analyzed the deformation characteristics,established two novel strain criteria for the cyclic-induced strainbursts,and explained the physical meaning of these criteria.Characteristic strains for the cyclic-induced strainbursts were defined,including the control strain ε_(ctr),the strain caused by the combined dynamic and static loading ε_(sd),and the ultimate strain ε_(u) after strainbursts.As indicated by the results,the deformation evolution of the cyclic-induced strainbursts shows remarkable fatigue characteristics,which resemble that of rock subjected to cyclic loading and unloading.In other words,there are three stages during deformation evolution,namely,initial rapid growth,uniform velocity growth after several periods of disturbance,and sudden sharp growth preceding the burst.The ultimate strain ε_(u) is insensitive to the tangential static stress and disturbance amplitude,but it changes nonlinearly with disturbance frequency.From the perspective of deformation,the occurrence of a cyclic-induced strainburst is controlled by the control strainε_(ctr).Thus,a control strain criterion is proposed;that is,when the stain ε_(sd) is larger than the control strain ε_(ctr),a strainburst will be induced by cyclic disturbance.Moreover,based on the statistical results,a strain ratio criterion is proposed;that is,when the strain ratio ε_(sd)/ε_(u) is greater than 30%,a cyclic-induced strainburst will be induced.展开更多
A set of hydrodynamic similarity laws is applied to the scale-up of ethylene polymerization fluidized bed reactors(FBRs)under the condensed mode operation.The thermal stability of open-loop controlled FBRs is investig...A set of hydrodynamic similarity laws is applied to the scale-up of ethylene polymerization fluidized bed reactors(FBRs)under the condensed mode operation.The thermal stability of open-loop controlled FBRs is investigated by the homotopy continuation method.And the Hopf bifurcation point is selected as an index of the thermal stability similarity.The simulation results show the similarity in state variables,operation parameters,the space-time yield(STY),and the thermal stability of FBRs with different scales.Furthermore,the thermal stability behaviors and similarity of the closed-loop controlled FBRs with different scales are analyzed.The observed similar trend of Hopf bifurcation curves reveals the similarity in the thermal stability of closed-loop controlled FBRs with different scaling ratios.In general,the results of the thermal stability similarity confirm that the hydrodynamics scaling laws proposed in the work are applicable to the scale-up of FBRs under the condensed mode operation.展开更多
Determining the appropriate soil cadmium(Cd)criteria for vegetable production is important for ensuring that the Cd concentrations of the vegetables meet food safety standards.The soil extractable Cd criteria for vege...Determining the appropriate soil cadmium(Cd)criteria for vegetable production is important for ensuring that the Cd concentrations of the vegetables meet food safety standards.The soil extractable Cd criteria for vegetable production are also essential for both food safety and environmental management,especially in areas with a high natural background level.In the present study,soil total and extractable Cd criteria were derived using the approach of species sensitivity distribution integrated with soil aging and bioavailability as affected by soil properties.A dataset of 90 vegetable species planted in different soils was compiled by screening the published in literature in five bibliographic databases using designated search strings.The empirical soil-plant transfer model was applied to normalize the bioaccumulation data.After normalization,the intra-species variability was reduced by 18.3 to 84.4%.The soil Cd concentration that would protect 95%(HC_(5))of the species was estimated by species sensitivity distribution curves that were fitted by the Burr III function.The soil Cd criteria derived from the added approach for risk assessment were proposed as continuous criteria based on a combination of organic carbon and pH in the soil.Criteria for total Cd and EDTA-extractable Cd in the soil ranged from 0.23 to 0.61 mg kg^(-1)and from 0.09 to 0.25 mg kg^(-1),respectively.Field experimental data were used to validate the applicability and validity of these criteria.Most of the predicted HC5 values in the field experimental sites were below the 1:1 line.These results provide a scientific basis for soil Cd criteria for vegetable production that will ensure food safety.展开更多
Information about the relative importance of each criterion or theweights of criteria can have a significant influence on the ultimate rank of alternatives.Accordingly,assessing the weights of criteria is a very impor...Information about the relative importance of each criterion or theweights of criteria can have a significant influence on the ultimate rank of alternatives.Accordingly,assessing the weights of criteria is a very important task in solving multi-criteria decision-making problems.Three methods are commonly used for assessing the weights of criteria:objective,subjective,and integrated methods.In this study,an objective approach is proposed to assess the weights of criteria,called SPCmethod(Symmetry Point of Criterion).This point enriches the criterion so that it is balanced and easy to implement in the process of the evaluation of its influence on decision-making.The SPC methodology is systematically presented and supported by detailed calculations related to an artificial example.To validate the developed method,we used our numerical example and calculated the weights of criteria by CRITIC,Entropy,Standard Deviation and MEREC methods.Comparative analysis between these methods and the SPC method reveals that the developedmethod is a very reliable objective way to determine the weights of criteria.Additionally,in this study,we proposed the application of SPCmethod to evaluate the efficiency of themulti-criteria partitioning algorithm.The main idea of the evaluation is based on the following fact:the greater the uniformity of the weights of criteria,the higher the efficiency of the partitioning algorithm.The research demonstrates that the SPC method can be applied to solving different multi-criteria problems.展开更多
The ELECTRE(ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la REalite)method has gained widespread recognition as one of the most effective multi-criteria decision-making(MCDM)methods.Its versatility allows it to be applied in a wid...The ELECTRE(ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la REalite)method has gained widespread recognition as one of the most effective multi-criteria decision-making(MCDM)methods.Its versatility allows it to be applied in a wide range of areas such as engineering,economics,business,environmental management and many others.This paper aims to provide an overview of the ELECTRE method,including its fundamental concepts,applications,advantages,and limitations.At its core,the ELECTRE method is an outranking family of MCDM techniques,which allows for the direct comparison of alternatives based on a set of criteria.The method takes into account the preferences and importance of decision-makers and generates a ranking of the alternatives based on their relative strengths and weaknesses.The ELECTRE method is a powerful tool for decision-making,and its applicability to a wide range of fields demonstrates its versatility and adaptability.By understanding its concepts,applications,merits,and demerits,decision-makers can use the ELECTRE method to make informed and effective decisions in a variety of contexts.展开更多
As an important type of world heritage sites,cultural landscape has always been an important research subject.In order to explore the spatial distribution and evolution mode of cultural landscape all over the world,th...As an important type of world heritage sites,cultural landscape has always been an important research subject.In order to explore the spatial distribution and evolution mode of cultural landscape all over the world,the paper systematically elaborated the historical context of cultural landscape.The distribution characteristics were analyzed by statistical methods,and the connotation and evolution law represented by cultural landscape in different regions were expounded.The word frequency of regional heritage criteria was analyzed,and the local characteristics of each case were discussed.The research shows that the spatial distribution of global cultural landscape is unbalanced,mainly concentrated in Europe,and the spatial distribution characteristics are closely related to geographical environment,social history,economic development level and many other factors.In terms of inscribed criteria for world heritage sites,most cultural landscapes are mainly based on cultural criteria,but also involve natural criteria.The recognition and protection of cultural landscapes that simultaneously meet multiple criteria will become the focus in the future.展开更多
文摘Hydrological models are very useful tools for evaluating water resources, and the hydroclimatic hazards associated with the water cycle. However, their calibration and validation require the use of performance criteria which choice is not straightforward. This paper aims to evaluate the influence of the performance criteria on water balance components and water extremes using two global rainfall-runoff models (HBV and GR4J) over the Ouémé watershed at the Bonou and Savè outlets. Three (3) Efficacy criteria (Nash, coefficient of determination, and KGE) were considered for calibration and validation. The results show that the Nash criterion provides a good assessment of the simulation of the different parts of the hydrograph. KGE is better for simulating peak flows and water balance elements than other efficiency criteria. This study could serve as a basis for the choice of performance criteria in hydrological modelling.
文摘Background: International research and innovation efforts for neglected tropical diseases have increased in recent decades due to disparities in overall health research funding in relation to global burden of disease. However, within the field of neglected tropical diseases some seem far more neglected than others. In this research the aim is to investigate the distribution of resources and efforts, as well as the mechanisms that underpin funding allocation for neglected tropical diseases. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted to establish a comprehensive overview of known indicators for innovation efforts related to a wide range of neglected tropical diseases. Articles were selected based on a subjective evaluation of their relevance, the presence of original data, and the breadth of their scope. This was followed by thirteen in-depth open-ended interviews with representatives of private, public and philanthropic funding organizations, concerning evaluation criteria for funding research proposals. Results: The findings reveal a large difference in the extent to which the individual diseases are neglected with notable differences between absolute and relative efforts. Criteria used in the evaluation of research proposals relate to potential impact, the probability of success and strategic fit. Private organizations prioritize strategic fit and economic impact;philanthropic organizations prioritize short-term societal impact;and public generally prioritize the probability of success by accounting for follow-up funding and involvement of industry. Funding decisions of different types of organizations are highly interrelated. Conclusions: This study shows that the evaluation of funding proposals introduces and retains unequal funding distribution, reinforcing the relative neglect of diseases. Societal impact is the primary rationale for funding but application of it as a funding criterion is associated with significant challenges. Furthermore, current application of evaluation criteria leads to a primary focus on short-term impact. Through current practice, the relatively most neglected diseases will remain so, and a long-term strategy is needed to resolve this.
文摘When contributing to participatory research, farmers usually appreciate the performance of cowpea varieties using qualitative scores. The score they attribute to each variety are based on local knowledge. The specific criteria they individually use to attribute a score are not well described. The objectives of this work were to: 1) identify and describe exhaustively the local criteria used by farmers to measure the agronomic performance of cowpea;2) assess the variability and statistical structure of these farmer criteria across local contexts;3) and analyze the association between these farmer criteria and the classical agronomic measurement. To achieve these objectives, an augmented block design was implemented across fifteen locations in the regions of Maradi, Dosso and Tillabéri, representing a diversity of local contexts. From a set of 36 cowpea varieties, fifteen varieties were sown per location, including five varieties (controls) common to all locations. In each location, two replicates were sown in randomized Fisher’s blocks. After agronomic measurement and participatory evaluation (scoring of varieties by farmers), a group survey (focus group) was conducted in each location to identify the criteria considered by farmers to found their discretional scoring of varieties during the participatory evaluation. The analysis of the data identified, across locations, thirteen criteria defined by farmers to characterize the agronomic performance of cowpea. Some of these criteria were different according to location. Farmers ranked the three varieties with the best performance for each agronomical trait (Top 3 varieties). A comparison of the farmer ranking with the ranking based on agronomic measurements revealed similarity and complementary between both methods. This study highlighted the importance of considering both local and scientific knowledge in local varietal evaluations.
基金Supported by the Prospective and Basic Research Project of PetroChina(2021DJ23)。
文摘In recent years,great breakthroughs have been made in the exploration and development of natural gas in deep coal-rock reservoirs in Junggar,Ordos and other basins in China.In view of the inconsistency between the industrial and academic circles on this new type of unconventional natural gas,this paper defines the concept of"coal-rock gas"on the basis of previous studies,and systematically analyzes its characteristics of occurrence state,transport and storage form,differential accumulation,and development law.Coal-rock gas,geologically unlike coalbed methane in the traditional sense,occurs in both free and adsorbed states,with free state in abundance.It is generated and stored in the same set of rocks through short distance migration,occasionally with the accumulation from other sources.Moreover,coal rock develops cleat fractures,and the free gas accumulates differentially.The coal-rock gas reservoirs deeper than 2000 m are high in pressure,temperature,gas content,gas saturation,and free-gas content.In terms of development,similar to shale gas and tight gas,coal-rock gas can be exploited by natural formation energy after the reservoirs connectivity is improved artificially,that is,the adsorbed gas is desorbed due to pressure drop after the high-potential free gas is recovered,so that the free gas and adsorbed gas are produced in succession for a long term without water drainage for pressure drop.According to buried depth,coal rank,pressure coefficient,reserves scale,reserves abundance and gas well production,the classification criteria and reserves/resources estimation method of coal-rock gas are presented.It is preliminarily estimated that the coal-rock gas in place deeper than 2000 m in China exceeds 30×10^(12)m^(3),indicating an important strategic resource for the country.The Ordos,Sichuan,Junggar and Bohai Bay basins are favorable areas for large-scale enrichment of coal-rock gas.The paper summarizes the technical and management challenges and points out the research directions,laying a foundation for the management,exploration,and development of coal-rock gas in China.
文摘The two most frequent causes of paroxysmal SVT are atrioventricular tachycardia (AVRT) and atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT). The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of traditional and newly proposed ECG criteria in the identification of Avnrt and Avrt. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT) and Atrioventricular Re-entrant Tachycardia (AVRT) using both traditional and novel criteria. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Dhaka, from February 2019 to January 2020. A total of 62 patients with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) undergoing electrophysiology study (EPS) were included. Standard ECG criteria were applied for the differential diagnosis, and electrophysiological diagnoses were made using established criteria. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and appropriate tests, was performed using SPSS 23.0. Result: In our study of 62 patients with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), we found that 66.1% had AVNRT and 33.9% had AVRT. The mean age in AVNRT was higher than AVRT (41.3 ± 9.7 vs. 38.5 ± 14.3, p = 0.36) with statistically no significant difference, with similar gender distribution between AVNRT and AVRT groups. Classical AVNRT criteria were present in 30.6% of patients, and 45.2% showed a Pseudo R' wave in aVR. Additionally, 30.6% had an RP interval ≥100ms, more prevalent in AVRT patients (66.7%). Conclusion: Integrating traditional and novel criteria, including lead aVR analysis, enhances the electrocardiographic diagnosis of AVNRT and AVRT, offering a pathway to refined patient care.
文摘Floods are phenomenon with significant socio-economic implications mainly for human loss, agriculture, livestock, soil loss and land degradation, for which many researchers try to identify the most appropriate methodologies by analyzing their temporal and spatial development. This study therefore attempts to employ the GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis and analytical hierarchy process techniques to derive the flood risks management on rice productivity in the Gishari Agricultural Marshland in Rwamagana district, Rwanda. Here, six influencing potential factors to flooding, including river slope, soil texture, Land Use Land Cover through Land Sat 8, rainfall, river distance and Digital Elevation Model are considered for the delineation of flood risk zones. Data acquisition like Landsat 8 images, DEM, land use land cover, slope, and soil class in the study area were considered. Results showed that if the DEM is outdated or inaccurate due to changes in the terrain, such as construction, excavation, or erosion, the predicted flood patterns might not reflect the actual water flow. This could result unexpected flood extents and depths, potentially inundating rice fields that were not previously at risk and this, expectedly explained that the increase 1 m in elevation would reduce the rice productivity by 0.17% due to unplanned flood risks in marshland. It was found that the change in rainfall distribution in Gishari agricultural marshland would also decrease the rice productivity by 0.0018%, which is a sign that rainfall is a major factor of flooding in rice scheme. Rainfall distribution plays a crucial role in flooding analysis and can directly impact rice productivity. Oppositely, another causal factor was Land Use Land Cover (LULC), where the Multivariate Logistic Regression Model Analysis findings showed that the increase of one unit in Land Use Land Cover would increase rice productivity by 0.17% of the total rice productivity from the Gishari Agricultural Marshland. Based on findings from these techniques, the Gishari Agricultural Marshlands having steeped land with grassland is classified into five classes of flooding namely very low, low, moderate, high, and very high which include 430%, 361%, 292%, 223%, and 154%. Government of Rwanda and other implementing agencies and major key actors have to contribute on soil and water conservation strategies to reduce the runoff and soil erosion as major contributors of flooding.
文摘Background:The role of human papillomavirus(HPV)in the development of vulvar cancer(VC)has been widely studied,but findings have been inconsistent.Despite numerous meta-analyses exploring the potential link between HPV and VC,the association remains controversial due to inherent limitations in meta-analytic methods.Objectives:To address this controversy,the study aims to investigate the potential link between HPV and VC using the Bradford Hill criteria,which offer a more comprehensive framework for establishing causation.Methodology:The study began by extracting all relevant studies on the association between HPV and VC from the PubMed database.The potential links were then assessed by examining the data using the major postulates of the Bradford Hill criteria.To ensure the reliability of the findings,the methodologies of the identified studies were critically evaluated to account for possible false-negative and false-positive results.Results:The assessment of previous studies against the Bradford Hill criteria revealed that the major postulates were not fulfilled.Conclusion:Based on the findings,it can concluded that there is no causal association between HPV and VC.
文摘As part of the drive to improve coffee and cocoa production in Ivory Coast, studies are carried out to identify soils that are favourable for these crops. It is therefore necessary to orientate soil investigations based on reliable criteria that best discriminate soil cover. With this in mind, this study is being carried out to help improve survey methods by mapping soil landscapes. It uses GIS and weighted multicriteria analysis. To do this, satellite images were processed and the geological map of the square degrees of M’Bahiakro and Daloa was reclassified. The results show that relief is the main factor in soil landscape differentiation, with respective weights of 0.58 and 0.67 for the forest and pre-forest zones. In contrast, the weight of geological formation in soil landscape differentiation remains low (0.05 for the forest zone and 0.07 for the pre-forest zone). The criteria used on the base of aggregation sum methods have made it possible to formulate soil landscape mapping prediction functions according to agro-ecological environments in the humid intertropical zone. This is essential for the orientation of soil survey work. Nevertheless, other comparative methods, such as the coding mapping method, could provide elements for discussion to validate the models.
文摘It is alarming for the fact that Wildfires number, severity and consequently impact have significantly increased during the last years, an aftermath of the Climate Change. One of the most affected areas worldwide is Mediterranean, due to the unique combination of its type of vegetation and demanding climatic conditions. This research is focused on the Region of Epirus in Greece, an area with significant natural vegetation and a range of geomorphological aspects. In order to estimate the Wildfire Risk Hazard, several factors have been used: geomorphological (slope, aspect, elevation, TWI, Hydrographic network), social (Settlements and landfils, roads, overhead lines and substations), environmental (land cover) and climatic (Fire Weather Index). Through a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in a GIS environment, the Wildfire Risk Hazard has been estimated not only for current conditions but also for future projections for the near future (2031-2060) and the far future (2071-2100). The selected case study includes the potential impact of the Wildfires to the installed (or targeted to be installed) RES projects in the studied region.
文摘It is generally admitted that experimental data obtained in“laboratory-scale”bubble columns are representative of“industrial-scale”reactors if the well-known three“Wilkinson et al.scale-up criteria”are satisfied:(a)the diameter of the bubble column is larger than 0.15 m,(b)the sparger openings are larger than 1e2mm and(c)the aspect ratio is larger than 5.The aim of this communication is to contribute to the existing discussion.To this end,this communication collects relevant experimental investigation and include new experimental data:in particular,we have experimentally studied the combined effect of the aspect ratio(within the range of 1e15)and the sparger design(considering both“coarse”and“fine”spargers)on the gas holdup in a large-diameter and large-scale gas-liquid bubble column.The bubble column has been operated both in the batch mode and in the counter-current mode.Filtered air has been used as the gaseous phase in all the experiments,while the liquid phase has included deionized water and different aqueous solutions of organic(i.e.,ethanol)and inorganic(i.e.,sodium chloride,NaCl)active agents.It is found that the“Wilkinson et al.scale-up criteria”are valid for the air-water case in the batch mode for“very-coarse”spargers.Conversely,they are no more valid when considering different liquid velocity,and/or aqueous solutions of active agents,and other sparger openings.
文摘In this paper,we obtain new regularity criteria for the weak solutions to the three dimensional axisymmetric incompressible Boussinesq equations.To be more precise,under some conditions on the swirling component of vorticity,we can conclude that the weak solutions are regular.
文摘BACKGROUND There is no consensus on the usage of extended criteria donor(ECD)grafts in liver transplantation(LT)for acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF)patients.AIM To summarize the experience of using ECD livers in ACLF-LT.METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted,enrolling patients who underwent LT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from January 2015 to November 2021.The patients were divided into ECD and non-ECD groups for analysis.RESULTS A total of 145 recipients were enrolled in this study,of which ECD and non-ECD recipients accounted for 53.8%and 46.2%,respectively.Donation after cardiac death(DCD)recipients accounted for the minority compared with donation after brain death(DBD)recipients(16.6%vs 83.4%).Neither overall survival nor graft survival significantly differed between ECD and non-ECD and DCD and DBD recipients.ECD grafts were associated with a significantly higher incidence of early allograft dysfunction(EAD)than non-ECD grafts(67.9%vs 41.8%,P=0.002).Postoperative outcomes between DCD and DBD recipients were comparable(P>0.05).ECD graft(P=0.009),anhepatic phase(P=0.034)and recipient gamma glutamyltransferase(P=0.016)were independent risk factors for EAD.Recipient preoperative number of extrahepatic organ failures>2(P=0.015)and intraoperative blood loss(P=0.000)were independent predictors of poor post-LT survival.CONCLUSION Although related to a higher risk of EAD,ECD grafts can be safely used in ACLF-LT.The main factors affecting post-LT survival in ACLF patients are their own severe preoperative disease and intraoperative blood loss.
文摘BACKGROUND Despite its association with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality,the use of extended criteria donor(ECD)livers for transplantation has increased globally due to the high demand for the procedure.AIM To investigate the prevalence of ECD in donation after brain death(DBD)and its impact on organ acceptance for transplantation.METHODS Retrospective analysis of DBD organ offers for liver transplantation between 2017 and 2020 in a high-volume transplant centre.The incidence of the Eurotransplant risk factors to define an ECD(ET-ECD)among DBD donors and the likelihood of organ acceptance over the years were analysed.The relationship between organ refusal for transplantation,the occurrence,and the number of ET-ECD was assessed by simple and multiple logistic regression adjustment.RESULTS A total of 1619 organ donors were evaluated.Of these,78.31%(n=1268)had at least one ET-ECD criterion.There was an increase in the acceptance of ECD DBD organs for transplantation(1 criterion:from 23.40%to 31.60%;2 criteria:from 13.10%to 27.70%;3 criteria:From 6.30%to 13.60%).For each addition of one ETECD variable,the estimated chance of organ refusal was 64.4%higher(OR 1.644,95%CI 1.469-1.839,P<0.001).Except for the donor serum sodium>165 mmol/L(P=0.310),all ET-ECD criteria increased the estimated chance of organ refusal for transplantation.CONCLUSION A high prevalence of ECD DBD was observed.Despite the increase in their utilisation,the presence and the number of extended donor criteria were associated with an increased likelihood of their refusal for transplantation.
基金Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,Grant/Award Number:2022QN1032。
文摘Strainbursts induced by cyclic disturbance with low frequency(termed as cyclicinduced strainbursts)are major dynamic disasters during deep excavation and mining.There is currently no quantitative criterion available for the prediction of such disastrous events.In this study,based on true triaxial experiments,we analyzed the deformation characteristics,established two novel strain criteria for the cyclic-induced strainbursts,and explained the physical meaning of these criteria.Characteristic strains for the cyclic-induced strainbursts were defined,including the control strain ε_(ctr),the strain caused by the combined dynamic and static loading ε_(sd),and the ultimate strain ε_(u) after strainbursts.As indicated by the results,the deformation evolution of the cyclic-induced strainbursts shows remarkable fatigue characteristics,which resemble that of rock subjected to cyclic loading and unloading.In other words,there are three stages during deformation evolution,namely,initial rapid growth,uniform velocity growth after several periods of disturbance,and sudden sharp growth preceding the burst.The ultimate strain ε_(u) is insensitive to the tangential static stress and disturbance amplitude,but it changes nonlinearly with disturbance frequency.From the perspective of deformation,the occurrence of a cyclic-induced strainburst is controlled by the control strainε_(ctr).Thus,a control strain criterion is proposed;that is,when the stain ε_(sd) is larger than the control strain ε_(ctr),a strainburst will be induced by cyclic disturbance.Moreover,based on the statistical results,a strain ratio criterion is proposed;that is,when the strain ratio ε_(sd)/ε_(u) is greater than 30%,a cyclic-induced strainburst will be induced.
基金financial supports from the Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22178304,22108239)the Start-up Funding of Ningbo Research Institute of Zhejiang University(20201207Z0204).
文摘A set of hydrodynamic similarity laws is applied to the scale-up of ethylene polymerization fluidized bed reactors(FBRs)under the condensed mode operation.The thermal stability of open-loop controlled FBRs is investigated by the homotopy continuation method.And the Hopf bifurcation point is selected as an index of the thermal stability similarity.The simulation results show the similarity in state variables,operation parameters,the space-time yield(STY),and the thermal stability of FBRs with different scales.Furthermore,the thermal stability behaviors and similarity of the closed-loop controlled FBRs with different scales are analyzed.The observed similar trend of Hopf bifurcation curves reveals the similarity in the thermal stability of closed-loop controlled FBRs with different scaling ratios.In general,the results of the thermal stability similarity confirm that the hydrodynamics scaling laws proposed in the work are applicable to the scale-up of FBRs under the condensed mode operation.
基金This study was funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund,Macao SAR,China(File 0159/2019/A3)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0800406).
文摘Determining the appropriate soil cadmium(Cd)criteria for vegetable production is important for ensuring that the Cd concentrations of the vegetables meet food safety standards.The soil extractable Cd criteria for vegetable production are also essential for both food safety and environmental management,especially in areas with a high natural background level.In the present study,soil total and extractable Cd criteria were derived using the approach of species sensitivity distribution integrated with soil aging and bioavailability as affected by soil properties.A dataset of 90 vegetable species planted in different soils was compiled by screening the published in literature in five bibliographic databases using designated search strings.The empirical soil-plant transfer model was applied to normalize the bioaccumulation data.After normalization,the intra-species variability was reduced by 18.3 to 84.4%.The soil Cd concentration that would protect 95%(HC_(5))of the species was estimated by species sensitivity distribution curves that were fitted by the Burr III function.The soil Cd criteria derived from the added approach for risk assessment were proposed as continuous criteria based on a combination of organic carbon and pH in the soil.Criteria for total Cd and EDTA-extractable Cd in the soil ranged from 0.23 to 0.61 mg kg^(-1)and from 0.09 to 0.25 mg kg^(-1),respectively.Field experimental data were used to validate the applicability and validity of these criteria.Most of the predicted HC5 values in the field experimental sites were below the 1:1 line.These results provide a scientific basis for soil Cd criteria for vegetable production that will ensure food safety.
文摘Information about the relative importance of each criterion or theweights of criteria can have a significant influence on the ultimate rank of alternatives.Accordingly,assessing the weights of criteria is a very important task in solving multi-criteria decision-making problems.Three methods are commonly used for assessing the weights of criteria:objective,subjective,and integrated methods.In this study,an objective approach is proposed to assess the weights of criteria,called SPCmethod(Symmetry Point of Criterion).This point enriches the criterion so that it is balanced and easy to implement in the process of the evaluation of its influence on decision-making.The SPC methodology is systematically presented and supported by detailed calculations related to an artificial example.To validate the developed method,we used our numerical example and calculated the weights of criteria by CRITIC,Entropy,Standard Deviation and MEREC methods.Comparative analysis between these methods and the SPC method reveals that the developedmethod is a very reliable objective way to determine the weights of criteria.Additionally,in this study,we proposed the application of SPCmethod to evaluate the efficiency of themulti-criteria partitioning algorithm.The main idea of the evaluation is based on the following fact:the greater the uniformity of the weights of criteria,the higher the efficiency of the partitioning algorithm.The research demonstrates that the SPC method can be applied to solving different multi-criteria problems.
文摘The ELECTRE(ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la REalite)method has gained widespread recognition as one of the most effective multi-criteria decision-making(MCDM)methods.Its versatility allows it to be applied in a wide range of areas such as engineering,economics,business,environmental management and many others.This paper aims to provide an overview of the ELECTRE method,including its fundamental concepts,applications,advantages,and limitations.At its core,the ELECTRE method is an outranking family of MCDM techniques,which allows for the direct comparison of alternatives based on a set of criteria.The method takes into account the preferences and importance of decision-makers and generates a ranking of the alternatives based on their relative strengths and weaknesses.The ELECTRE method is a powerful tool for decision-making,and its applicability to a wide range of fields demonstrates its versatility and adaptability.By understanding its concepts,applications,merits,and demerits,decision-makers can use the ELECTRE method to make informed and effective decisions in a variety of contexts.
基金Sponsored by China Overseas Expertise Introduction Program for Discipline Innovation(D17016)Programme of State of Conservation of Wulingyuan World Natural Heritage Site(2022)。
文摘As an important type of world heritage sites,cultural landscape has always been an important research subject.In order to explore the spatial distribution and evolution mode of cultural landscape all over the world,the paper systematically elaborated the historical context of cultural landscape.The distribution characteristics were analyzed by statistical methods,and the connotation and evolution law represented by cultural landscape in different regions were expounded.The word frequency of regional heritage criteria was analyzed,and the local characteristics of each case were discussed.The research shows that the spatial distribution of global cultural landscape is unbalanced,mainly concentrated in Europe,and the spatial distribution characteristics are closely related to geographical environment,social history,economic development level and many other factors.In terms of inscribed criteria for world heritage sites,most cultural landscapes are mainly based on cultural criteria,but also involve natural criteria.The recognition and protection of cultural landscapes that simultaneously meet multiple criteria will become the focus in the future.