Sampling Analysis Research Articles

Balancing urban growth and the sustainability of groundwater and agricultural land: Case of the berrechid-settat area

Urbanization is an inevitable global phenomenon characterized by the exponential growth of urban areas in terms of both population and infrastructure. However, this rapid urban expansion often comes at a significant environmental cost. This article explores the multifaceted consequences of urbanization, shedding light on its role in contributing to desertification, compromising water quality, and depleting groundwater resources. To assess the scale of urbanization’s impact, comprehensive landuse studies are crucial. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques offer valuable tools for mapping and monitoring land-use changes over time. These methods enable the quantification of the conversion of agricultural land into urban areas and identify trends in urban sprawl, providing essential data for understanding the scale of the issue. Water quality assessments are equally vital; we can employ water sampling and laboratory analyses to quantify pollutant concentrations in urban runoff and groundwater. Monitoring the presence of contaminants such as oil, chemicals, and litter, as well as their effects on water quality; helps measure the environmental impact of urbanization. Groundwater studies can utilize hydrogeological investigations, including the use of monitoring wells and geophysical methods, to evaluate changes in groundwater levels and quality. These data are instrumental in gauging the depletion of groundwater reserves and their potential contribution to water scarcity issues. In conclusion, the consequences of urbanization extend far beyond the confines of urban areas, affecting agriculture, ecosystems, and water resources. As urbanization continues to advance, it is imperative to develop sustainable urban planning and management strategies that mitigate its environmental impact, preserve agricultural land, protect groundwater resources, and ensure the long-term health of the planet.

Exploring the untapped potential of hand-feel soil texture data for enhancing digital soil mapping: Revealing hidden spatial patterns from field observations

Digital soil mapping (DSM) is commonly conducted using input soil attributes derived from laboratory analyses of geographically referenced samples. Field observations are often abundant and can offer a dense source of soil data that has the potential to enhance DSM predictions. However, they are not widely used due to to concerns about subjectivity and data quality. This study investigates the usefulness of hand-feel soil texture (HFST) data for DSM. We processed HFST data obtained from forest soils in France from two inventory campaigns: (i) HFST determination from systematic 1 km2 grid observations in France utilizing a specialized soil texture triangle, and (ii) HFST observations from soil survey samples, using a different texture triangle. Both sets of HFST data were used as input soil variables, with the same covariates, for predicting topsoil texture In a sizable, forested area through a DSM method. By employing independent sampling and laboratory soil analyses in selected areas, we uncovered measurement bias in one of the datasets. However, intriguingly, these biased observations identified subtle yet highly specific and unexpected patterns of sands in terraces due to alluvial deposits along small rivers. Thus, field soil observations, even if they are biased, should not be dismissed solely based on their overall predictive performance. It is essential to carefully examine predicted maps and covariates to determine whether patterns may have pedological and/or lithological origins and if they are pertinent for enhancing DSM predictions, enhancing soil process understanding, and meeting the requirements of end users. Numerous HFST are available worldwide, these datasets are usually disregarded for DSM. Here we contend that efforts should be put in recovering these data, and their potential for enhancing DSM and deepening our understanding of soil processes.

Base pressure fluctuations on levitated freestream-aligned circular cylinder

Base pressure fluctuations associated with the large-scale wake structures behind a freestream-aligned circular cylinder and aerodynamic force fluctuations related to them are experimentally investigated in the wind tunnel tests. Measurements at ReD=6.97×104 and 1.04×105 were conducted using pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) and a magnetic suspension and balance system (MSBS) for creating a supportless condition. The obtained pressure fields were mainly analyzed by a modal decomposition combining azimuthal Fourier decomposition and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). The pressure fluctuations caused by large-scale vortex shedding were observed from the results of frequency analysis for mode coefficients. The states of the fluctuations were classified into three patterns, which are anticlockwise/clockwise circular and flapping patterns. These patterns have been observed in the previous studies for velocity fluctuations in the wake of a freestream-aligned circular cylinder. The conditional sampling analysis revealed that the trend in the amplitude of the pressure fluctuations is different by the state, and the flapping pattern causes a large pressure difference across the cylinder axis. Furthermore, the relationship between the antisymmetric pressure fluctuations and lift fluctuations, which act in the lateral direction of the cylinder, is confirmed.

Experiences and Perceptions of Affirmative Action in Higher Education: a Critical Analysis of Dalit and Non-dalit Women in a Central University

Education helps to groom and enhance people’s personalities by inculcating in them a desirable set of knowledge, values, and skills. Higher education makes people specialise in a particular set of knowledge, fields and skills. One of the vital functions of higher education in a society is that it serves the demands of the labour market as it leverages individuals with skills and acts as a ladder to achieve upward social mobility, which enhances one’s status in society, especially for the marginalised sections of the population. Because of its significance in establishing equality among all sections of society, the Indian government implemented an affirmative policy, primarily a reservation for disadvantaged castes. The present research paper aims to understand the experiences and perceptions of Dalit women and non-Dalit women studying in higher education toward affirmative policy. It is an endeavour to analyse the government’s efforts to provide social equality through the means of distributive justice by introducing the policy of protective discrimination. Primary data was collected through qualitative means for which the case study method is used. Twenty-four respondents, twelve Dalit women, and twelve non-Dalit women were selected by a purposive sampling method and analysis was done by coding their responses and applying a narrative analysis technique. Secondary data has been collected and analysed from government reports, newspapers, magazines, articles, etc. to substantiate the data.

LINGUISTIC FEATURES F BRRWED TERMS F APPLIED GEMETRY AND THEIR SEMANTIC MDIFICATIN IN THE KAZAKH LANGUAGE

This article deals with the problems of borrowed terms in the field of applied geometry. The choice of the research topic is due to the fact that the study of the process of borrowing terms, as well as their use in the field of applied geometry is one of the relevant topics in modern Kazakh terminology. It should be noted that borrowed terms of applied geometry belong to the least studied problems of modern linguistics. The purpose of this study is to study the features of semantics and functioning of borrowed vocabulary in the field of applied geometry. The object of research is the semantics of borrowed terms of applied geometry. Within the framework of this study, the article analyzes theoretical research on this topic and defines the concept of the term borrowing, highlights the main periods of introduction of borrowed and international terms into the Kazakh language, establishes the reasons for the penetration of borrowed terms of applied geometry. The features of their active use and functioning, principles and ways of their ordering are revealed. At the same time the views of a number of scientists on this process and their contribution to the Kazakh term creationare given.In the course of the study more than 150 borrowed geometric terms wereselected and analyzed. These lexemes were studied by descriptive method, the method of continuous sampling, statistical and corpus analysis. On the basis of the conducted research the author has analyzed the origin, semantic and structural features of borrowed terms in the field of applied geometry in the Kazakh language. The classification of borrowed terms is given.

The concept of development of non-financial reporting by Belarusian business entities using graph theory

Subject. This article deals with the development of a concept of development of non-financial reporting by Belarusian business entities using graph theory. Objectives. The article aims to determine the areas of development of non-financial reporting by Belarusian business entities and develop an original concept of this reporting using graph theory. Methods. For the study, I used an integrated approach based on retrospective, systems, functional and structural analyses, observation, classification, grouping, sampling, comparison, generalization, and evolutionary analysis. Results. The article substantiates the need for Belarusian business entities to form non-financial reporting. In the Republic of Belarus, there is not a single regulatory legal act that regulates the process of introducing sustainable development reporting and integrated reporting (public non-financial reporting) into the practice of business entities. The article presents the author-designed concept for the development of non-financial reporting by Belarusian business entities using graph theory. For the first time, the Problem Tree has been developed, which is expedient to rebuild into an integrated target programme. Conclusions. The article concludes that the use of an integrated target programme in practice will undoubtedly contribute to increasing the competitiveness of Belarusian producers. It is expedient to extend these approaches to other EurAsEC member States.

Important Factors for User-Generated Content for Tourists Visiting Ciwidey Nature Tourism

Social media has become the main means in this digital era to share experiences and obtain information on tourist attractions in the form of user generated content which is used as material for tourists to consider when visiting tourist attractions in an area, one of which is the Ciwidey tourist area. This research aims to identify important factors from user generated content on social media for tourists visiting Ciwidey Nature Tourism. This research was carried out with a quantitative descriptive research approach using nonprobability sampling in the form of purposive sampling and factor analysis methods as well as data collection techniques by distributing online questionnaires to tourists who have visited the Ciwidey tourist area. The results of this research show that there are four important user generated content factors including content quality, content attractiveness, level of contribution, and content reputation and popularity with content quality being the most important factor in its contribution to tourists' decisions to visit Ciwidey natural attractions.

Accountability Competence on Internal Audit Quality: Auditors of District/City Inspectorates in West Java

ABSTRACK
 This research aims to analyze organizational commitment, auditor motivation, auditor competence and the performance of the government internal audit of audit quality in Inspektorat Kota/Kabupaten Se Jawa Barat. The population in this study is the internal auditor who works in the city/district inspectorate throughout west java. The population is 514 respodents with 226 samples. Sampling used purposive sampling and data analysis using SEM (Structural Equation Model) with PLS application program. The method used by the researcher is quantitative with a causality approach. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires. The results of this study indicate that organizational commitment doesn’t have a direct or indirect effect on audit quality. Motivation doesn’t have a direct effect on audit quality but must go through performance as an intervening variable on audit quality, while auditor competence has direct influence or through performance mediation variables on audit quality.

Calibration and Experimental Study of a Self-Developed Particle-Number Measurement Instrument

To accurately evaluate the size and distribution characteristics of the emission particles exhausted from in-use motor vehicle engines, we independently developed a condensation particle counter (CPC) known as BHCPC. It was calibrated by conducting the calibration procedures stated in the International Standard ISO 27981. After calibration, we conducted on-site measurements and offline sampling analysis of soot particles exhausted from different engines at a motor vehicle inspection center. The calibration results show that the detection efficiency is 90% when the particle diameter is 20.6 nm and the startup response time of the instrument is 3.53 s. The experiment results show that the self-developed BHCPC demonstrates good consistency in measuring particle-number concentration (PNC) in motor vehicle exhaust, with significant count fluctuations only occurring when PNC is higher than 25,000 P/cc. Under idle conditions, motor vehicles compliant with China VI emission regulations exhibit markedly lower exhaust emission PNC compared to those adhering to China IV emission regulations. Moreover, the results obtained from the offline electron microscope analysis show that fuel content in particle samples significantly decreases as engine speed increases, and a similar variation was also found in particle size. The micro-characteristics of the particle can give potential support to the combustion diagnostics.

Delineation of LNAPL plumes in a clay-rich site in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Korea: integration of geophysical survey data with borehole data and soil sampling information.

To effectively delineate the spatial distribution of oil contaminant plumes, geophysical methods indirectly measure the physical properties of the subsurface and can provide spatial information and images on a large scale, as opposed to traditional direct methods such as borehole drilling, sampling, and chemical analysis, which are time-consuming and costly. However, interpreting geophysical responses over non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL)-contaminated sites is not straightforward due to inconsistent responses from biodegraded oil contaminants. In this study, we performed multi-geophysical surveys including seismic refraction, ground-penetrating radar, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and induced polarization (IP) surveys, to locate NAPL-contaminated zones in a clay-rich site. To reduce ambiguity in discriminating between oil contaminants and clay layers, we first figure out the geological structure of the site by interpreting geophysical data incorporating with borehole data. The ERT data highlighted the heavily contaminated regions in the unsaturated zone but were less distinctive below groundwater levels. Conversely, IP responses revealed potential hotspots within the clay layers, extending beneath the groundwater. Considering the 3D geological model, NAPL-contaminated zones are properly delineated through interpretation of ERT and IP data together with borehole data, and the contaminant source zone was properly estimated within the site.

Multi-organ comparison and quantification parameters of [18F]THK-5317 uptake in preclinical mouse models of tau pathology

Introduction: Current small-animal PET instrumentation provides sufficient resolution, sensitivity, and quantitative accurate information on the radiotracer distribution within the whole body. However, most preclinical imaging studies focus on the disease-related organ of interest and do not use the total body information provided by small-animal PET. In this study, we investigated the distribution of [18F]THK-5317 (also referred to as (S)-[18F]THK-5117), a radiotracer initially developed to visualize tau deposits in the brain, in two transgenic mouse models of tau overexpression and littermate controls at different ages and of both sexes. We compared multiple quantitative parameters of radiotracer uptake in multiple organs of mice to investigate sex, age, or strain-related differences.Methods: After intravenous administration, 60-min dynamic PET scans were acquired, followed by venous blood sampling, organ harvesting, and metabolite analysis by radio-thin-layer chromatography.Results: Blood pharmacokinetics and metabolism of [18F]THK-5317 significantly differed between males and females across all strains. Sex-related differences in organ VTs were identified from two-way ANOVA analysis. Organ-to-blood concentration ratios correlated well with organ VTs in all investigated organs.Conclusion: Following our workflow, a straightforward multiple-organ analysis of [18F]THK-5317 uptake in mice was easily achievable. From the derived quantitative parameters, the organ-to-blood values correlate best with the calculated VTs. Given the active incorporation of 3R principles into preclinical quantitative imaging, we propose that this workflow might be suitable to select novel radiotracer candidates before more complex kinetic models, comprising invasive methods such as full arterial blood sampling, for radiotracer quantification are applied.

PENGARUH BUDAYA ORGANISASI DAN KOMPETENSI TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN PT SC JOHNSON AND SON

This research aims to test and determine the influence of organizational culture and competency on employee performance simultaneously and partially. Research was conducted on employees of PT. SC Johnson and Son Indonesia. The sampling technique used simple random sampling and data analysis used multiple and simple linear regression analysis. The results of the research showed that organizational culture and competency had a positive and significant effect both simultaneously and partially on employee performance.

PENGARUH KUALITAS PRODUK DAN HARGA TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN GITAR YAMAHA DI JAKARTA TIMUR

This research aims to test and determine the influence of product quality and price on purchasing decisions for Yamaha guitar products simultaneously and partially. The research was conducted on consumers who bought Yamaha products in East Jakarta. The sampling technique used purposive sampling and data analysis used multiple and simple linear regression analysis. The results of the research showed that product quality and price had a positive and significant effect both simultaneously and partially on purchasing decision.

Interest of the appropriate sampling strategy and analysis procedure for a representative assessment of the agricultural soil pollution level of the Pb-Zn mining site of Jbel Ressas (NE Tunisia)

Interest of the appropriate sampling strategy and analysis procedure for a representative assessment of the agricultural soil pollution level of the Pb-Zn mining site of Jbel Ressas (NE Tunisia)

Relation of Hydrogeology and Contaminant Sources to Drinking Water Quality in Southern Kazakhstan

Southern Kazakhstan is one of the fastest-growing regions of this country and continued development depends on a sustainable supply of freshwater for multiple purposes. Groundwater in Southern Kazakhstan occurs in a wide variety of hydrogeological conditions with varying levels of quality and vulnerability to contamination. The aim of this paper is to investigate the present groundwater quality through sampling and laboratory analysis of source water from public supply wells, compare results to hydrogeology and known contaminant sources, and indicate where future protections may be needed. Protection from surface-borne contaminants is mainly determined by the thickness of the vadose zone, depth of the groundwater level, presence, thickness and composition of aquifers, and mobility of pollutants. Forty-five wells were sampled, yielding 106 samples of groundwater presently used for drinking water, which were evaluated to investigate the occurrence of potential pollutants and hydrogeology of the region. Of the samples collected, 46 samples were used for analysis of inorganic water chemistry, 30 for individual indicators including metals, and 31 samples for determination of petroleum products. A contaminant inventory database and geospatial database aided the interpretation of the results and allowed the prediction of future water issues. Kazakhstan’s maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) for metals were exceeded in areas associated with industrial enterprises, while fluoride and nitrate were more closely associated with mining and agricultural sources. Groundwater quality is dependent on hydrogeology and environmental contaminants resulting from historical land uses and must be regularly monitored for drinking water safety. Petroleum hydrocarbons were not detected in any of the drinking water sources.

Using side-scan sonar and sediment sampling to identify concentrated areas of coal ash within a recreational lake

Backstrom JT, Burdette KM, Connell PM. 2024. Using side-scan sonar and sediment sampling to identify concentrated areas of coal ash within a recreational lake. Lake Reserv Manage. 40:36–42. Coal ash is a globally recognized legacy pollutant associated with coal-powered electricity generating stations, containing numerous heavy metals. These include arsenic, mercury, selenium, and cadmium, which are known to cause significant impacts on aqueous and benthic environments. In this pilot study, side-scan sonar surveys, coupled with sediment sampling and chemical analysis, were used to map and identify areas of contaminated coal ash in and around Sutton Lake, a recreational waterbody located adjacent to the Sutton coal-fired power plant, near Wilmington, North Carolina. Preliminary results are promising with this innovative and cost-effective survey method of mapping and locating legacy coal pollution, which may ultimately assist with monitoring, management, and remediation of coal ash waste locally and nationally.

Trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in South Korea, 1998–2021: a nationally representative serial study

The impact of the pandemic on hypertension management is unknown, particularly regarding changes in demographic risk factors. We conducted a comprehensive study between 1998 and 2021 on the long-term trends in hypertension prevalence in South Korea, including a comparison of the pre-pandemic and pandemic eras. Data from 1998 to 2021 of 108,687 Korean adults were obtained through a nationwide, large-scale, and serial study. We conducted a weighted complex sampling analysis on the estimates of national prevalence and compared the slope of hypertension prevalence before and during the pandemic to determine the trend dynamics. We included 108,687 participants over 24 years, 1998–2021. While the prevalence of patients with hypertension consistently increased before the pandemic from 25.51% [95% CI: 24.27–26.75] in 1998–2005 to 27.81% [95% CI: 26.97–28.66] in 2016–2019, the increasing slope in hypertension prevalence slowed during the pandemic period (28.07% [95% CI: 26.16–29.98] for 2021; βdiff, −0.012 [−0.023 to 0.000]). Hypertension awareness, treatment, control, and control rates among patients receiving treatment followed similar trends. Compared to the pre-pandemic era, individuals aged 19–59 years or male had significantly increased control rates among the treated patients during the pandemic. This study investigated long-term trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among Korean adults. The absence of a reduction in the health indicators associated with hypertension during the pandemic implies that medical services for individuals with hypertension remain unaffected.

Group B or not group B? An association between ABO, early mortality, and organ dysfunction in major trauma patients with shock

BackgroundABO blood group alters coagulation profiles in the general population and may influence outcomes after trauma. The relationship between trauma-induced coagulopathy, severe injury with hemorrhagic shock, and survival with respect to ABO group is unknown. ObjectivesIn severe hemorrhagic trauma, we aimed to characterize the association of ABO group with admission coagulation profiles, mortality, and immune-mediated complications. MethodsClinical and laboratory variables were examined from severely injured adult patients enrolled in a perpetual observational cohort study at a UK Major Trauma Center. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine differences in clinical outcomes (mortality, organ dysfunction, and critical care support). In a shock subgroup, we performed an exploratory analysis of rotational thromboelastometry parameters and coagulation biomarkers. ResultsIn 1119 trauma patients, we found no difference in mortality between ABO groups. In patients with shock, 24-hour mortality was significantly lower in group B vs non-B groups (7% vs 16%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.19; P = .030), but there were increased rates of invasive ventilation (aOR, 3.34; P = .033), renal replacement therapy (aOR, 2.55; P = .037), and a trend for infection (aOR, 1.85; P = .067). Comparing patients with shock, group B vs non-B patients had 40% higher fibrinogen, 65% higher factor (F) VIII, 36% higher FIX, 20% higher FXIII, and 19% higher von Willebrand factor. ConclusionIn this observational study limited by single time-point sampling and subgroup analysis of trauma hemorrhage with shock, group B patients have enhanced hemostatic capability associated with early survival but with increased risk of immune-mediated complications.

Prevalence and associated factors of moderate to severe erectile dysfunction among adult men in Malaysia

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a pervasive problem among men, often shrouded in silence and stigma. This manuscript analysed the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 data to identify the prevalence of moderate to severe ED among men aged 18 and above in Malaysia and describe its associated factors. Self-administered questionnaire on ED utilised a locally validated International Index of Erectile Function. Variables on sociodemographics, risky lifestyles and comorbidities were obtained via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The prevalence was determined using complex sampling analysis, and logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors of ED. A sample of 2403 men aged ≥ 18 participated, with a moderate to severe ED prevalence was 31.6% (95% CI 28.8, 34.6). The mean (± SD) of the total score of IIEF-5 for overall respondents was 18.16 (± 4.13). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between moderate to severe ED among men aged 60 years and above, single or divorcee, men without formal, primary, and secondary education, non-government employees, unemployed, and retiree, as well as physically inactive men. Focused public health interventions are necessary to improve education in sexual health, increase health promotion programs, and promote healthy ageing across the population.

Assessment of willingness and determinants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among the general population of the Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia: a 2021 cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis research aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and the factors influencing it among the population of the Somali region in Ethiopia through a cross-sectional COVID-19 survey.DesignCommunity-based cross-sectional study.SettingThe survey...