Decline Phase Research Articles

Solar Plasma Structures and Solar Wind Plasma Turbulences in Relation with Geomagnetic Disturbances during Decline Phase of Solar Cycle 24 and Rising Phase of Solar Cycle 25

Solar Plasma Structures and Solar Wind Plasma Turbulences in Relation with Geomagnetic Disturbances during Decline Phase of Solar Cycle 24 and Rising Phase of Solar Cycle 25

Solar Plasma Structures and Solar Wind Plasma Turbulences in Relation with Geomagnetic Disturbances during Decline Phase of Solar Cycle 24 and Rising Phase of Solar Cycle 25

We have studied the effect of solar structures and turbulences in solar wind plasma on the Earth's magnetosphere during the decline phase of solar cycle 24 and the rising phase of solar cycle 25. Most CMEs are geoeffective, cause geomagnetic storms, and are associated with C-class and M-class solar flares (S.F.s). It is also observed that these geomagnetic storms are associated with disturbances in solar wind plasma parameters. We have determined a large positive correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0.68, 0.58, 0.65, and 0.63 between the magnitude of the extensive geomagnetic storms and the peak value of IMF Btotal, the magnitude of IMF Btotal, the peak value of disturbances in the southward component of interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF Bz), and magnitude of disturbances in the southward component of interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF Bz). The correlation coefficient of 0.61 is higher between the magnitude of Dst and the magnitude of SWPT, as compared with the magnitude of flow pressure (0.39). From the present work, we have concluded that solar plasma structures and solar wind turbulences are mainly responsible for generating extensive geomagnetic storms.

Impacts of Marine Heatwave Events on Three Distinct Upwelling Systems and Their Implications for Marine Ecosystems in the Northwestern South China Sea

Under global warming, the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves are increasing. However, the inhibition of atmospheric-forcing marine heatwaves (AMHW) on upwelling and their impacts on marine ecosystems remain poorly understood. To address this issue, the satellite sea surface temperature and reanalysis data during 1998–2021 were analyzed in three distinct upwelling systems, in the northwestern South China Sea. The results showed that the coastal tide-induced upwelling in the west (W) of Hainan Island is primarily suppressed by enhanced stratification during the AMHW events, since the coastal tide-induced upwelling is insensitive to wind weakening. Contrarily, the wind-driven upwelling in the east (E) and northeast (NE) of Hainan Island are jointly regulated by wind and stratification during the AMHW. Specifically, the AMHW events have a stronger inhibitory effect on the upwelling and phytoplankton growth in the NE than that in the E. The causes could be the following: (1) the background upwelling in the NE region is stronger than in the E; thus, the NE region has a higher susceptibility to the wind weakening; (2) the wind-driven upwelling begins to be suppressed by AMHW when the high-pressure system is aligned with the coastline of the upwelling. In the NE region, the location of the high-pressure center during the occurrence of AMHW is positioned in closer proximity to the upwelling area. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of wind weakening and stratification enhancing on upwelling changes with the development of the AMHW. Before and during the mature phase of AMHW, stratification and wind jointly inhibit upwelling and phytoplankton growth, while a shift to stratification-dominated (>85%) occurs during the decline phase. This study suggests that MHW has a great impact on the upwelling ecosystem, especially the wind-driven upwelling, which should be given high attention under global warming (with increasing MHW events in the future).

Metatranscriptomic insights into the microbial metabolic activities during an Ulva prolifera green tide in coastal Qingdao areas

Green tide, a typical marine environmental disaster that profoundly influenced the coastal areas, has been occurred consecutively in the South Yellow Sea of China since 2007. Herein, the active microbial community structure and metabolic pathways in Qingdao offshore during an Ulva prolifera green tide were investigated by using metatranscriptomic approach. The dominant active microbial taxa at the outbreak phase were primarily a functional group that can utilize organic matters derived from U. prolifera, such as Lentibacter, Polaribacter and Planktomarina. While the taxa involved in biogeochemical cycles, including Phaeobacter, Pseudomonas and Marinobacterium, dominated the active microbial communities at the decline phase. The expression level of enzymes involved in U. prolifera polysaccharides degradation was significantly higher at the outbreak phase compared to the decline phase. At the same time, the main players Glaciecola and Polarbacter showed similar trends, suggesting that the low competitiveness for nutrients of related microorganisms at this phase made them degrade more U. prolifera polysaccharides to meet their own nutrient needs, thereby accelerating the degradation of U. prolifera. According to KEGG annotation, the biogeochemical pathways including nitrogen cycle, sulfur cycle and methane oxidation altered during the green tide, with thiosulfate oxidation and methane oxidation probably being the crucial pathways at the outbreak and the decline phase respectively. The coupling of sulfide oxidation and denitrification was also observed in this study. Furthermore, the green tide in Qingdao offshore might impact the greenhouse effects induced by CH4 and N2O through influencing the related microbial processes.

Bir kültürel miras turizmi destinasyonunun yaşam döngüsü: Boğazkale Örneği

The life course of the destination is critical in sustainable tourism which includes many dimensions. The life course of destinations, which begins with the exploration phase, continues towards the decline process for various reasons. Continuing the life course of the destination, postponing the decline phase, or rejuvenating a destination that is in the decline phase depends on determining the stage of tourism development of the destinations and what kind of development course they follow. This study aims to determine the applicability of Boğazkale, where is essential destination for cultural heritage tourism for Butler's (1980) Tourism Area’s Life Cycle model and on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List and the Memory of the World List. Single-case study design was used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to determine which life stage Boğazkale destination was within the scope of Butler's (1980) TALC model. Exploratory and explanatory case analysis was used for the findings. As a result, it has been determined that Boğazkale's destination is in the “decline stage.”

Effect of Outlet Shape on Flame Height of Transformer Oil Jet Fire Under External Fire Source

Abstract In this inquiry, we delve into the manner by which disparate orifice configurations exert influence upon the elevation of the jet flame when subjected to an external conflagration, employing empirical simulations. Elaborating upon the empirical dataset, we introduce the derivative of hydraulic diameter alterations and the velocity of material degradation, thereby revising the traditional non-dimensionalized model of flame altitude. The revelations disclose that, across an array of orifice profiles, the conflagration jet within oil-laden apparatus undergoes four discernible phases of evolution, each replete with variable flambeau altitudes. In disparate operational circumstances, the quantified velocity of material degradation during the evolution phase manifests an exponential interrelation with the approximated value of the model. Conversely, the phases of stability and decline adhere to a potency function connection. A quantitative delineation of the pivotal states for each phase of combustion is achieved through the evaluation of the rate of alteration in the velocity of material degradation. Significantly, the pivotal juncture for the proliferation and equilibrium stage is ascertained to be 2 g/s. This scientific inquiry confers invaluable theoretical reinforcement for fire safeguarding and catastrophe evaluation within substations accommodating oil-infused apparatus.

Sunspot Magnetic Field Measurements at MWO and CrAO: Radio Emission F10.7 during the Declining and Minimum Phase of Solar Cycle 24

Sunspot Magnetic Field Measurements at MWO and CrAO: Radio Emission F10.7 during the Declining and Minimum Phase of Solar Cycle 24

Sudden disappearance of yew (Taxus baccata) woodlands from eastern England coincides with a possible climate event around 4.2 ka ago

Tree-ring chronologies form the backbone of high-resolution palaeoclimatology. However, their number declines drastically prior to medieval times, and only a few such records worldwide extend back to the mid-Holocene. Here, we present a collection of more than 400 subfossil yew (Taxus baccata L.) trees excavated from near sea-level peat-rich sediments in the Fenland region of eastern England. The well-preserved yew trunks are between two and eight metres long, often exhibit adventitious root layers, and contain up to 400 rings of highly irregular growth. Combined dendrochronological and radiocarbon dating resulted in two tree-ring width chronologies that comprise 36 and 32 trees, span 413 and 418 years, exhibit mean inter-series correlations (Rbar) of 0.50 and 0.51, and were provisionally dated to 5225−4813 (±4) and 4612−4195 (±6) years cal BP. Together with a total of 63 radiocarbon dates (14C), our subfossil tree-ring evidence suggests that yew establishment (or onset of preservation) began ∼5250 years cal BP and resulted in extensive climax forests between 5200 and 4200 years cal BP. A first stage of yew decline ∼4800−4600 years cal BP was possibly caused by oxygen deprivation from soil wetting, whereas yew disappearance ∼4200 years cal BP is suggested to have been triggered by marine inundation as a consequence of rapid sea-level rise. Both phases of yew decline in eastern England coincide with marked reductions in subfossil oak and pine from peatbogs in Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands. Our results emphasise the potential to develop a dendrochronological network in coastal England for better understanding of larger-scale climate and environmental changes during the mid-Holocene, including the still debated 4.2 ka climate event. Moreover, we expect our subfossil yew chronologies to facilitate the dating of local archaeological remains, refine sea-level reconstructions around the British Isles, and contribute to the international radiocarbon calibration curve IntCal.

Evolution of tidal flats in the Yellow River Qingshuigou sub-delta: spatiotemporal analysis and mechanistic changes (1996-2021)

The Yellow River Delta has undergone significant changes, developing a temperate chalk-sand silty coast with expansive and level tidal flats. However, the area is currently facing the threat of erosion due to coastal area construction, decreased river sediment discharge into the sea, and intensified marine hydrodynamic forces. Remote sensing technology has important applications in spatial and temporal monitoring of tidal flats. This study employs tidal data to establish the threshold range for the extraction of tidal flats in the Yellow River Qingshuigou sub-delta, using the water frequency method based on the image element proposed by previous authors. The study successfully identifies and analyzes the range of tidal flats, and further delves into their evolutionary process and underlying mechanisms. The study concludes that the area of tidal flats has shown a decreasing trend and was divided into a “rapid decline phase” and an “overall stabilization phase” with 2006 as the boundary. The spatial and temporal evolution of tidal flats is primarily influenced by three main factors: river sediment discharges, marine hydrodynamic forces, and anthropogenic reclamation activities. Specifically, the river sediment discharges and marine hydrodynamic forces impact the extent of tidal flats by modifying the boundary conditions, primarily at the sea boundary. Reclamation activities have a direct and rapid effect on the extent of tidal flats, primarily at the land boundary. In this study, we determined the contribution of three factors to the spatial and temporal evolution of tidal flats in different periods. During the two phases of the tidal flats’ spatial and temporal evolution in the Yellow River Qingshuigou sub-delta, the driving mechanisms were identified as “reclamation - marine hydrodynamic forces - river sediment discharges” and “marine hydrodynamic forces - river sediment discharges - reclamation”.

Transcriptomic Insights into Archaeal Nitrification in the Amundsen Sea Polynya, Antarctica.

Antarctic polynyas have the highest Southern Ocean summer primary productivity, and due to anthropogenic climate change, these areas have formed faster recently. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are among the most ubiquitous and abundant microorganisms in the ocean and play a primary role in the global nitrogen cycle. We utilized metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to gain insights into the physiology and metabolism of AOA in polar oceans, which are associated with ecosystem functioning. A polar-specific ecotype of AOA, from the "Candidatus Nitrosomarinus"-like group, was observed to be dominant in the Amundsen Sea Polynya (ASP), West Antarctica, during a succession of summer phytoplankton blooms. AOA had the highest transcriptional activity among prokaryotes during the bloom decline phase (DC). Metatranscriptomic analysis of key genes involved in ammonia oxidation, carbon fixation, transport, and cell division indicated that this polar AOA ecotype was actively involved in nitrification in the bloom DC in the ASP. This study revealed the physiological and metabolic traits of this key polar-type AOA in response to phytoplankton blooms in the ASP and provided insights into AOA functions in polar oceans.

The Role of Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) Towards Doubling Farmers' Income: The Case of Kerala, India

This paper describes the proactive interventions and positive impacts made by SFAC Kerala in the agribusiness sector. As we all know, doubling farmers' income is the main target of the country's agriculture sector during this period. SFAC Kerala also strives to achieve the same goal. Here, the performance of the 54 agribusiness units initiated by SFAC Kerala in the last five years (from the 2017-18 financial year to the 2021-2022 financial year) duration has been considered for analysis and interpretation. Census methodology has been adopted in this study. Primary data was collected from all the above agencies through the telephonic interview method. Barring a decline phase during the Covid pandemic, SFAC's efforts towards doubling farmers' income have been successful. The average monthly income of farmers has increased by over sixty percent in the last five financial years. If the current growth rate is maintained, SFAC will achieve the target of doubling farmers' income within a minimum of five financial years through the agribusiness sector. Advanced technology adoption and professional management approach in the field of agribusiness are more helpful in the journey towards it.

Trajectories of motor function in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A longitudinal study on a Colombian population

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by an initial increase in motor function followed by a plateau phase and then entering a phase of steady decline. However, motor evolution of DMD have not been evaluated in developing countries. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the trajectory of motor function in a sample of Colombian children with DMD. We included 119 children with DMD aged 4.8–19.3 years (mean follow-up = 1.7 years). A linear mixed model was used with age as the time scale and adjusted for covariates using a stepwise regression. Participants showed a progressive decline in motor skills from the age of 5 years with a decrease in speed around the age of 11 years (p < 0.001). After age 11, the decline in motor function was observed to continue until age 20 but at a slower rate (βAge = −9.64. and βAge2 = 0.18, p < 0.001 for both). Educational inclusion, glucocorticoid treatment and the number of mutated exons were shown to be associated with the motor performance. These findings may indicate that the evolution of DMD maintains similar patterns between high income countries and the Colombian population. They allow us to adapt and develop treatments that impact the population with DMD in Colombia, based in international evidence.

Elimination of 1,3,7-trimethyl-xanthine in laboratory animals during induction of toxic hepatitis

Liver pathologies have a significant impact on caffeine clearance, which deserves serious attention and research. In the case of liver pathologies, the processes of caffeine metabolism are significantly modified; however, according to the scientific literature, the vector of such transformations for specific pathologies has not been determined. This is due to the fact that hepatopathy reduces the activity of enzymes responsible for caffeine metabolism. In some cases, an increase in caffeine clearance may occur, which is associated with a temporary compensatory activation of certain enzymes that may be involved in caffeine metabolism. Also, the clearance of caffeine may be reduced due to a decrease in the metabolic activity of the liver, which will significantly slow down its final excretion. To determine changes in the clearance of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, the most appropriate is to study its pharmacokinetic parameters, in particular, to compare its concentration in the blood serum in the phases of initial growth, plateau and decline with further construction of graphs - “caffeine curves”. The purpose of the study was to determine changes in serum caffeine levels during the induction of toxic hepatitis. The studies were carried out in the vivarium of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education of St. Petersburg State University of Medicine. In order to simulate toxic hepatitis, experimental animals were intragastrically injected with a 35% oil solution of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) daily for 5 days at a dosage of 1.5 ml/kg. Upon completion of induction, toxic hepatitis was confirmed based on clinical and biochemical signs. A day after the completion of the modeling of toxic hepatitis, the levels of caffeine in the blood serum were determined in the experimental animals in full accordance with the previous series of experiments. As a result of the study, “caffeine” curves were constructed, indicating increased caffeine concentrations in serum, increased elimination time, as well as an extremely long plateau in the concentration of caffeine in the blood serum during toxic liver damage.

Microfluidic investigation of the impacts of flow fluctuations on the development of Pseudomonas putida biofilms

Biofilms play critical roles in wastewater treatment, bioremediation, and medical-device-related infections. Understanding the dynamics of biofilm formation and growth is essential for controlling and exploiting their properties. However, the majority of current studies have focused on the impact of steady flows on biofilm growth, while flow fluctuations are common in natural and engineered systems such as water pipes and blood vessels. Here, we reveal the effects of flow fluctuations on the development of Pseudomonas putida biofilms through systematic microfluidic experiments and the development of a theoretical model. Our experimental results showed that biofilm growth under fluctuating flow conditions followed three phases: lag, exponential, and fluctuation phases. In contrast, biofilm growth under steady-flow conditions followed four phases: lag, exponential, stationary, and decline phases. Furthermore, we demonstrated that low-frequency flow fluctuations promoted biofilm growth, while high-frequency fluctuations inhibited its development. We attributed the contradictory impacts of flow fluctuations on biofilm growth to the adjustment time (T0) needed for biofilm to grow after the shear stress changed from high to low. Furthermore, we developed a theoretical model that explains the observed biofilm growth under fluctuating flow conditions. Our insights into the mechanisms underlying biofilm development under fluctuating flows can inform the design of strategies to control biofilm formation in diverse natural and engineered systems.

기업가적 지향성이 기업성과에 미치는 영향

This study empirically investigates the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on firm performance and the moderating effect of perceived corporate venturing. By employing the SUR (Seemingly Unrelated Regression) model, this research simultaneously analyzes the relationships between various types of firm performance, including the perceived entrepreneurial performance and the actual financial performance. The 2022 Entrepreneurship Survey data by the Korean Entrepreneurship Foundation was used to analyze 3,119 companies. The results show a positive relationship between EO and various firm performance measures. In addition, the authors find that organization’s perception on corporate venturing positively moderates the relationship between EO and firm performance. Sub-sample analyses further investigate potential variations in results based on company type (e.g., large-sized, medium-sized, small-sized firms) and industry growth stage (e.g., introduction phase, growth phase, maturity &amp; decline phase). The findings of this study can be useful to guide managers in making informed decisions and implementing entrepreneurial strategies.

National Financial Security: Tools for Assessment and Ways to Preserve

Introduction. The main threats to the stable economic growth of the country include the vulnerability and weakness of the national financial system, imbalance of financial interests, instability of the budget system, significant share of the shadow economy, direct investment of economic activity, and the criminalization of economic-financial relations. Therefore, financial security can be considered as the state of protection of the financial and economic interests of the state. There are different approaches to defining the content of national financial security and methods for its assessment, which reveal the dependence of sustainable economic development of the country on macroeconomic financial indicators. Methods. This article proposes a methodological approach for the integrated assessment of national financial security based on five sub-indices - financial development, economic globalization, economic activity, financial stability of households, and financial stability. This methodology is aimed at revealing the interdependence of the stable functioning of the financial sector and the level of economic growth in Russia. Results. Calculation of the aggregate index of financial security has allowed to identify a trend of financially sustainable and secure development of the country, the phases of decline of which correspond to periods of decrease in the level of economic growth. Conclusions. The proposed approach can be used as an analytical tool for forecasting national financial stability and tracking trends in the financial and banking sector, business activity, and foreign economic activity.

Effects of non-technical skill-based surgical education for trainees on herniorrhaphy outcomes.

Non-technical skills are essential for surgical patient safety and are implemented in clinical practice. However, training for non-technical skills has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the learning curve for non-technical skill-based education in herniorrhaphy. Quality improvement initiatives, including non-technical skill-based intervention, were performed in the department of surgery. The intervention included declaring the patient safety policy, briefing and debriefing, and criterion for the switching of places of the trainee and instructor as defined by the department. Patients who underwent herniorrhaphy from April 2014 to September 2017 were included. A total of 14 trainees and nine instructors in the pre-intervention period and 14 trainees and seven instructors in the intervention period were included in this study. The median experience of each trainee was 28 and 15 cases in the pre-intervention and intervention groups, respectively. A total of 749 patients were included: 473 in the pre-intervention period and 328 in the intervention period. Demographics and hernia types were mostly similar between groups, and morbidity was not statistically different between the two groups (3.4 vs. 1.2%, p = 0.054). The nonlinear regression model showed an early decline and deep plateau phase of the learning curve in the intervention group. A significant difference was observed in the plateau operation time (61 min in the pre-intervention group and 52 min in the intervention group). This study demonstrated the effectiveness of non-technical skill-based intervention for surgical training. An early decline and deep plateau of the learning curve can be achieved with well-implemented quality improvement initiatives. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to establish a training program for non-technical skill-based learning.

Changes in CO2 concentration and degassing of eutrophic urban lakes associated with algal growth and decline

Urban lakes are numerous in the world, but their role in carbon storage and emission is not well understood. This study aimed to answer the critical questions: How does algal growing season influence carbon dioxide concentration (cCO2) and exchange flux (FCO2) in eutrophic urban lakes? We investigated trophic state, seasonality of algal productivity, and their association with CO2 dynamics in four urban lakes in Central China. We found that these lightly-to moderately-eutrophic urban lakes showed a shifting pattern of CO2 source-sink dynamics. In the non-algal bloom phase, the moderately-eutrophic lakes outgassed on average of 12.18 ± 24.37 mmol m−2 d−1 CO2; but, during the algal bloom phase, the lakes sequestered an average 1.07 ± 6.22 mmol m−2 d−1 CO2. The lightly-eutrophic lakes exhibited lower CO2 emission in the algal bloom (0.60 ± 10.24 mmol m−2 d−1) compared to the non-algal bloom (3.84 ± 12.38 mmol m−2 d−1). Biological factors such as Chl-a (chlorophyll a) and AOU (apparent oxygen utilization), were found to be important factors to potentially affect the shifting pattern of lake CO2 source-sink dynamics in moderately-eutrophic lakes, explaining 48% and 34% of the CO2 variation in the non-algal and algal bloom phases, respectively. Moreover, CO2 showed positive correlations with AOU, and negative correlations with Chl-a in both phases. In the lightly-eutrophic lakes, biological factors explained a higher proportion of CO2 variations (29%) in the non-algal bloom phase, with AOU accounting for 19%. Our results indicate that algal growth and decline phases largely affect dissolved CO2 level and exchange flux by regulating in-lake respiration and photosynthesis. Based on the findings, we conclude that shallow urban lakes can act as both sources and sinks of CO2, with algal growth seasonality and trophic state playing pivotal roles in controlling their carbon dynamics.

Observed Power and Frequency Variations of Solar Rossby Waves with Solar Cycles

Several recent studies utilizing different helioseismic methods have confirmed the presence of large-scale vorticity waves known as solar Rossby waves within the Sun. Rossby waves are distinct from acoustic waves, typically with longer periods and lifetimes, and their general properties, even if only measured at the surface, may be used to infer properties of the deeper convection zone, such as the turbulent viscosity and entropy gradients that are otherwise difficult to observe. In this study, we utilize 12 yr of inverted subsurface velocity fields derived from the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager’s time–distance and ring-diagram pipelines to investigate the properties of the solar equatorial Rossby waves. By covering the maximum and the decline phases of Solar Cycle 24, these data sets enable a systematic analysis of any potential cycle dependence of these waves. Our analysis provides evidence of a correlation between the average power of equatorial Rossby waves and the solar cycle, with stronger Rossby waves during the solar maximum and weaker waves during the minimum. Our result also shows that the frequency of the Rossby waves is lower during the magnetic active years, implying a larger retrograde drift relative to the solar rotation. Although the underlying mechanism that enhances the Rossby wave power and lowers its frequency during the cycle maximum is not immediately known, this observation has the potential to provide new insights into the interaction of large-scale flows with the solar cycle.

Corporate governance quality, corporate life cycle and investor confidence in commercial banks: Evidence from Nigeria

A dominant strand of literature advances a positive association between corporate governance quality and investor confidence. However, the corporate life cycle may influence the relationship. Therefore, this study investigated the moderating role of the corporate life cycle in the association between corporate governance quality and investor confidence in the Nigerian banking industry. Corporate governance quality was proxied using a composite measure of board characteristics comprising board size, board meeting, independence, and board gender diversity, while investor confidence was proxied using the price-earnings ratio. Secondary data were obtained from the audited annual financial statements of 12 banks from 2006 to 2021. The study adopted a pooled regression model based on the results of Hausman, and the Breusch and Pagan Lagrangian multiplier test. The results showed that corporate governance quality positively and significantly impacted investor confidence at the introduction (coef = .318, p = 0.017) and decline (coef = 383, p = 0.011) phases of the life cycle. Banks at the introduction and decline phases of the life cycle were characterized by a narrow resource base, low profitability, and higher risky investments sufficient to attract investor confidence. The study concludes that corporate governance quality enhanced investor confidence at the introduction and decline phases of the banks’ life cycle.