Eastern Bank Research Articles

The Guarani War of 1754—1756

The article examines the events of the Guarani War of 1754-1756, which became a logical continuation of the riots on the Eastern Bank of the river Uruguay risen against the terms of the Treaty of Madrid in 1750. Indigenous people fought for the right to remain in their native land, and the Jesuits tried hard to cancel the term of transmigration in a diplomatic way, relying on the legal mechanisms of royal patronage. The war itself was skillfully used for anti-Jesuit propaganda, and the myth of the “Indian Emperor” was used to justify delays in the implementation of the Treaty of Madrid and its victims.

County-Level Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Mechanisms of Carbon Emissions in the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration, China

Encouraging cities to take the lead in achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality holds significant global implications for addressing climate change. However, existing studies primarily focus on the urban scale, lacking more comprehensive county-level analyses, which hampers the effective implementation of differentiated carbon mitigation policies. Therefore, this study focused on the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration in China, adopting nighttime light data and socio-economic spatial data to estimate carbon emissions at the county level. Furthermore, trend analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and Geodetector were adopted to elucidate the spatiotemporal patterns and influencing factors of county-level carbon emissions. Carbon emissions were predominantly concentrated in the counties on the eastern bank of the Pearl River Estuary. Since 2010, there has been a deceleration in the growth rate of carbon emissions in the region around the Pearl River Estuary, with some counties exhibiting declining trends. Throughout the study period, construction land expansion consistently emerged as a predominant factor driving carbon emission growth. Additionally, foreign direct investment, urbanization, and fixed asset investment each significantly contributed to the increased carbon emissions during different development periods.

Esh-Shaheinab: The archetype of the Sudanese Neolithic, its premises and sequels.

Esh-Shaheinab is a landmark in the African Neolithic. This site gave the name Shaheinab Neolithic to the Neolithic period in central Sudan, becoming its archetype. Excavated in the late 1940s by A.J. Arkell, it bears witness to the processes of domestic animal introduction from the Middle East into North and East Africa. Its excavation also uncovered the remains of an earlier Mesolithic or Early Khartoum (ca. ninth-sixth millennia BC) and a Late Neolithic occupation (ca. fourth millennium BC), providing essential insights into the Neolithic's premises and sequels. Although the influence of Esh-Shaheinab has been recognized for more than seventy years, our knowledge of its material culture has remained as it was then. In 2001, one of the present authors (EAAG) had permission to restudy the ceramic collection at the National Museum in Khartoum and subsequently export samples for laboratory analyses. Here, for the first time, we provide a multi-scale analysis of the Esh-Shaheinab ceramic material from the Early Khartoum to the Late Neolithic periods by integrating the chaîne opératoire approach into the local landscape. By combining the results of macroscopic and microscopic analyses, we performed petrographic investigations on the composition and manufacturing technology of the ceramic pastes using polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). Organic residue analysis (ORA) was also carried out, to provide information on diet, vessel use, and subsistence practices. The results of our combined analyses showed that the inhabitants of Esh-Shaheinab developed an adaptation specific to the ecological niche they inhabited. They lived in the western valley of the Nile, which was narrower and offered different environmental conditions than the eastern bank. This resulted in partial continuity in manufacturing traditions and ceramic recipes, including more mixed wadi materials and a strong emphasis on wild meat consumption as the narrower alluvial plain restricted animal herding.

Stations of the Ottoman Period in Iraqi Kurdistan: Preliminary Results from the Bazhera Archaeological Project

In 2023, an archaeological research project was initiated by the University of Udine, in cooperation with the Dohuk Directorate of Antiquities and Heritage of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, on the site of Bazhera, on the eastern bank of the Nahr al-Khazir, in the Akre district. The site consists of a partially standing building, which would have played a role in the communication system of the region during the late Islamic period, as one of the stations in support of travellers. The main objective of the project is to reconstruct the functioning of this structure, its material culture and its relationship with other archaeological remains identified on the settlement and with the surrounding landscape, in order to provide new data regarding land management and protection of a frontier region of the Ottoman empire which has been neglected by archaeological research.

Geopolitical risk and banking performance: evidence from emerging economies

PurposeThis study delves into the critical issue of banks' stability and profitability, which are crucial elements for fostering economic growth and preserving depositor confidence. Specifically, we scrutinize the impact of geopolitical risks on the profitability and solvency of banks operating in emerging economies across the Middle East and Africa.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a two-step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) approach, we analyze a comprehensive dataset comprising 125 banks spanning 13 emerging economies in the Middle East and Africa, covering the period from 2003 to 2019.FindingsOur study reveals a significant sensitivity of Middle Eastern banks to geopolitical risks, wherein effective anticipation or adaptation to these risks positively influences bank performance. Conversely, the impact of geopolitical risk on African banking profitability appears inconclusive and statistically insignificant. These nuanced findings underscore the complex interplay between geopolitical dynamics and financial performance in diverse regional contexts, with implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders.Practical implicationsOur findings underscore the need for nuanced policy responses and risk management strategies tailored to the unique challenges posed by geopolitical dynamics in emerging markets. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of continued research efforts to deepen our understanding of these complex interactions and inform more effective decision-making in the financial sector.Originality/valueAmidst growing recognition of the importance of geopolitical risks in financial markets, empirical studies exploring their precise impact on bank performance remain scarce. This study fills this gap by offering a pioneering investigation into the influence of geopolitical risks on bank profitability and solvency, using advanced econometric techniques and a substantial, diverse sample of banks in emerging economies across the Middle East and Africa.

Risk and reward: unraveling the link between credit risk, governance and financial performance in banking industry

Purpose This study aims to investigate the moderating role of corporate governance (CG) on the relationship between credit risk (CRs) and financial performance (FP) of banks listed in the Palestine Securities’ Exchange (PEX) and Amman Securities’ Exchange (ASE). Design/methodology/approach This study used a hypothesis-testing research design to collect data from the annual reports of 21 banks listed on (PEX) and (ASE). Secondary data, annual reports and disclosures were used between from 2009 to 2019. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used, along with correlation analysis to evaluate linear relationships between variables. Data was collected based on panel data, the VIF was used to test multicollinearity and binary logistic regression was used to develop the research model. Findings The regression results showed the association between CR and firm performance depends on the measurement of each factor applied. The results showed mixed results between loans to total assets (LTA) and nonperforming loans to total loans (NPLs) with FP. LTA has a significant and positive effect on TOBINSQ and return on equity (ROE), but an insignificant and positive effect on return on assets (ROA). On the other hand, NPLs have a significant and negative effect on ROA, whereas NPLs have a weak and positive effect on TOBINSQ. However, there is an insignificant and positive effect of NPLs on ROE. Moreover, the results demonstrated that CG moderated the relationship between CRs and FP of banks. The practical contribution of this paper, for bank policymakers and authorities, the study’s implications are noteworthy. Understanding the varied impacts of different CR measures on FP can help regulators and policymakers design more tailored and effective risk management frameworks for banks. Research limitations/implications This study had limitations that future research might be able to address. First, the small size of the sample used in the study included 21 banks listed on the PEX and ASE. Likewise, the ASE and PEX are considered developing stock exchanges, so the results of this study may differ from those of other stock exchanges. Second, only CRs were considered in this study when examining the association between the profitability of Palestinian banks and ASE. Other studies can be undertaken on other nonfinancial risks, such as operational risk, to measure the differences between them and examine their effects on the profitability of Palestinian and Jordanian banks. Other studies might be performed to compare CRs and its impact on profitability in Palestinian and Jordanian banks with those in other Western and Eastern banks. Furthermore, in addition to TOBINSQ, ROA and ROE, researchers can use other financial indicators to measure profitability. This will contribute to substantiating the present study’s findings. Originality/value Although several studies have examined the relationship between CRs and FP in developed and developing countries, the results have been mixed. However, this study is one of the few studies that examined the moderating role of CG in association with CRs and FP, especially on Palestinian and Jordanian contexts. Finally, the findings offer policymakers and practitioners of Palestinian and Jordanian contexts.

Climate policy uncertainty and bank liquidity creation

This paper examines the influence of Climate Policy Uncertainty (CPU) on the liquidity creation of banks in China. Through an empirical analysis of data from 387 commercial banks in China, our findings indicate that CPU notably diminishes bank liquidity creation. The effect is predominantly observed on the asset side of liquidity, indicating a reduction in credit supply by banks as a response to increased CPU, while the impact on liability side liquidity appears negligible. The study further uncovers significant regional variations in the vulnerability of banks to CPU, highlighting that foreign banks, eastern and middle banks are disproportionately affected.

Dynamic of land use and vegetation change in the eastern bank of Bénoué (North Cameroon).

The eastern part of the Benoue River bank is undergoing degradation marked by a significant decrease in vegetation cover and woody resources due to anthropogenic activities and climatic. The main objective of this study is to analyze the farmers' knowledge of vegetation evolution and the dynamics of land use using satellite images in the east of the bank of the Benoue. The methodological approach used is an integrated one combining field surveys, remote sensing, mapping, and modeling. The results obtained show that 88% of the population surveyed believe that the area covered by vegetation has decreased. The reasons for this decrease are numerous, but the main one remains the strong anthropic activity that would be at the origin of the progressive degradation of the land. The evolutionary trend of plant formations is essentially regressive for natural formations from 1991 to 2021. The analysis of the evolution of land use showed that in the Rey-Bouba district during 1991, 58.24% of the area formerly made up of dense woody formations regressed considerably to 25.77% in 2021. The same is true for the Bibemi district where the area of wooded zone has decreased from 65.47% in 1991 to 28.45% of the total area in 2021. This regression of the surface area of wooded formations was done to the benefit of anthropized occupation classes whose area has increased. They suggest an effective awareness in the monitoring of the dynamics of the vegetation cover subjected to anthropic pressures and climatic variations for a better-integrated management of the vegetation of this area.

Integrative taxonomy of Cercomacroides serva (Sclater, 1858) demonstrates the validity of C. hypomelaena (Sclater, 1890) comb. nov. (Aves: Thamnophilidae)

Abstract Cercomacroides serva is widely distributed in northern South America. However, this species has never been thoroughly evaluated taxonomically. We conducted a taxonomic study of three taxa currently classified under Cercomacroides serva, based on a study of 307 skins and 145 recordings of male loudsongs. Females from the northwest Amazonian population differ qualitatively from populations from the southwest Amazon in the coloration of the upperparts, primary, and tail. Male loudsongs are superficially similar between these two populations, but the shape of the notes differs significantly. There is no evidence of intergradation or clinal variation in female plumage or male loudsongs. Based on differences in plumage coloration, loudsongs, and lack of evidence of intergradation, we suggest that two species are best recognized. The name Cercomacroides serva is here restricted to populations north of the Marañon River in Peru, to the north in Ecuador, and in southwestern Colombia. The name Cercomacroides hypomelaenacomb. nov. is revived. This species is found south of the Marañon River, and on both banks of the Ucayali River in Peru, to the eastern left bank of the Madeira River in Brazil, and in northern Bolivia.

Impact of Structural and Non-Structural Measures on the Risk of Flash Floods in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions: A Case Study of the Gash River, Kassala, Eastern Sudan

Sediment precipitation in riverbeds influences the effectiveness of structural and non-structural measures for flash flood mitigation and increases the potential for flooding. This study aimed to disclose the effectiveness of the implemented measures for flood risk mitigation in Kassala town, eastern Sudan. We employed remote sensing (RS) and GIS techniques to determine the change in the Gash River riverbed, the morphology, and the leveling of both the eastern and western sides of the river. Flood model simulation and a 3D path profile were generated using the digital elevation model (DEM) with a data resolution of 12.5 m from the ALOS BILSAR satellite. The main purpose of this study is to extract the layer of elevation of the riverbed on both the western and eastern banks and to determine the variations and their relationship to flood occurrence and mitigation. The construction of dikes and spurs near Kassala town has led to sediment precipitation, causing the riverbed to rise. The results show that it is now 1.5 m above the eastern Kassala town level, with a steep slope of 2 m/km, and the cross-section area at Kassala bridge has shrunk, which indicates that the bridge body will partially impede the river’s high discharge and increase the potential for flood risk in the study area. The eastern part of Kassala town has a higher likelihood of flooding than the western side. This study suggests redesigning structural measures like widening the Gash River, extending Kassala bridge for normal water flow, strengthening early warning systems, and implementing soil conservation activities for normal water flow.

State of Surface and Vertical Salinity in Puttalam Lagoon during North-East Monsoon

Puttalam Lagoon which covers 226 km2 located in Sri Lanka‘s Northwest coast, plays an important role in aquaculture and lagoon capture fisheries. Kala oya and Mee oya are the major freshwater sources which empties into the Lagoon by eastern bank. Salinity variability is an important environmental variable in lagoon system that has an impact on aquaculture and aquatic resources. During the Northeast monsoon (NEM) in 2021, the spatial and vertical fluctuation of salinity in the lagoon was studied using SBE 19plus V2 CTD profiler. Field measurements show that the vertical salinity stratification in the lagoon was substantial during the study period. The lagoon has a significant spatial variability of salinity, ranging from 15 psu to 26 psu and Kala Oya river mouth has a salinity of 22 psu which impacted by freshwater and sea water circulation. The Salinity stratification in eastern section of the lagoon where the Kala Oya and Mee Oya streamflow reach is observed with surface salinity of 15 psu. During the NEM season, the average discharge of Kala Oya and Mee Oya to the lagoon was 10.8 m3/s and 9.4 m3/s, respectively, with a mean monthly precipitation of 48.89 mm. Fresh water from the Kala and Mee oya rivers flows into the lagoon during the season, while low evaporation and significant rainfall led the salinity to decline during the wet season, influencing the structure and function of lagoon ecosystems. The study reveals that a significant area of the lagoon is covered by the 20-30 psu salinity range, which is more appropriate for brackish water fisheries, particularly for shrimp and prawns during NEM. 
 Keywords: Salinity, CTD profiling, Northeast Monsoon, Freshwater

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PRACTICES: A STUDY ON THE LISTED PRIVATE COMMERCIAL BANKS OF BANGLADESH

This study aims to monitor the CSR activities and determine the nature and the level of CSR contribution of PCBs. In most developed countries, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is quite common in the economy. From the view of a developed economy, much literature has been seen about CSR practices. The paper reveals the practices of CSR of the private commercial banks (PCBs) of Bangladesh. CSR has been considered as the new competition area for the banking sector. In this paper, 30 listed PCBs of the Dhaka Stock Exchange have been considered to conduct the study. This paper is mainly a descriptive type & secondary data collected from annual report of different banks have been used for data analysis. The research found that only a few banks (Shahjalal Islami Bank, Trust Bank, One Bank, Jamuna Bank, Islami Bank, Prime Bank, Dutch Bangla Bank and Jamuna Bank) give significant focus on CSR activities, but the other banks (Social Islami Bank, ICB Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Exim Bank, Al- Arafah Islami Bank, Uttara Bank, United Commercial Bank, Standard Bank, Pubali Bank, Southeast Bank, Premier Bank, NCC Bank, National Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, Mercantile Bank, IFIC Bank, Eastern Bank, Dhaka Bank, City Bank, BRAC Bank, Bank Asia, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, AB Bank) contribution is insignificant. According to the findings of the study, the government should establish an appropriate policy regarding CSR activities and ensure that CSR disclosures are included in the annual report.

ОБСТАВИНИ УКЛАДЕННЯ ТА ПОЛОЖЕННЯ ДОГОВОРУ 568 р. ПОМІЖ ЛАНГОБАРДАМИ ТА АВАРАМИ

As of the early 550s, the diplomatic sphere of the Eastern Roman Empire on the Danube Limes was in a state of relative consolidation. In many ways, this was facilitated by the system of checks and balances between barbarian political associations on the northern border of the Empire. The autocrator Justinian the Great (527–565), professing the goal of political neutralisation of his neighbours, had been engaging the political associations of the Hepidians, Lombards and Antes in alliance relations since the 530s. These associations were fully or partially involved in the cohort of allies and federations of Constantinople, repelling the barbarian attacks of the Empire’s opponents in the region. At the same time, the internal contradictions that were brewing among the rulers of the barbarian associations could not provide the political system of Constantinople on the eastern bank of the Danube with promising development. One of the main reasons for the instability of relations between Justinian’s federates was the involvement of the Kingdom of the Hepidians in the Empire. In the second half of the 6th cent., the latter occupied the Danube and Tisza valleys, bordering the Roman provinces of Pannonia II of the Diocese of Dacia and Moesia I of the Diocese of Thrace. In 526, the Lombards became the Hepidians’ neighbours to the west. Being in a state of protracted conflict since then, both sides could not ensure victory without the participation of third parties. At the same time, the imperator Justinian and his predecessor, Justin I (518–527), were not interested in providing military assistance to their allies. The nature of the confrontation between the Lombards and the Hepidians changed with the arrival of the Avars in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. Having become federates of Constantinople in 557, the Nomads were interested in obtaining the provinces of Pannonia II and Illyric for settlement. A dispute over these territories with Emperor Justin II (565–578) led to the actual breakdown of the nomads’ treaty with the Empire. King of the Lombards Alboin (566–572) proposed to grant the Avars these territories for settlement. At the suggestion of the barbarian monarch, the nomads received the desired lands in exchange for military assistance to the Lombards during the conflict with the Hepids. As a result of the negotiations between Alboin and the Avar Khan Bayan (562–602), an agreement was concluded, the postulates of which formed the basis of relations between the proto-state of the nomads and the newly formed Kingdom of the Lombards until the beginning of the 7th cent.

О ВОЗМОЖНЫХ ИСТОКАХ ОБРАЗА ДРАКОНА В ИКОНОГРАФИИ МЕДНОГО ЗМИЯ ЭПОХИ ВЫСОКОГО СРЕДНЕВЕКОВЬЯ

The article considers the issue of possible Jewish influence on the formation of the image of the Copper Serpent in the artistic culture of Western Europe in the 11th – 12th centuries. For many centuries, textual mention and pictorial image of the scene of the exaltation of the Copper Serpent was tacitly taboo due to the difficulty of explaining the creation of the statue by Moses after receiving a ban from the Lord on the creation of idols. Active reference to the subject became possible only during the Crusades in the context of Christian typological exegesis, where the Copper Serpent is understood as a prototype of the Crucifixion. The development of the iconography of Num. 21:6–9 on the western and eastern banks of the Rhine occurred independently of each other, resulting in the formation of two distinct pictorial types. Herewith, on the west bank, especially in the territories of northern France and modern Belgium, the image of a winged dragon sitting on a column became widespread. According to the author, such a type attempts to ontologize the complicated image of the divine messenger, through whom the people of Israel were granted salvation from death. In that iconography the serpent itself is understood as Christ, which makes it impossible to depict him in the form of an ordinary snake, which in most cases is a symbol of sin and death. Most probably, the authors of the first iconographic programs of the type turn to the Jewish original source in search of possible ways of depiction, supported by Middle Eastern and directly Jewish art. Following such hypothesis, the dragon in the image of the Copper Serpent is Saraf or Seraphim, i.e. the embodiment of the angelic rank visible to humans.

Identifying loss threshold and migration trajectory in the management of Suaeda salsa wetland under coastal squeeze

The coastal salt marsh wetland is mainly located in the tidal area where sea and land are intertwined, which has the functions of promoting silt and consolidating beach, wave reduction and disaster reduction, and is an ecological barrier against erosion in the coastal zone, which has important ecological value. Nevertheless, owing to the intricate nature of wetland species formation mechanisms and community distribution patterns, the impact of coastal squeeze on Suaeda salsa wetlands loss may not exhibit a linear relationship, necessitating further elucidation of the specific processes involved. Precisely understanding the extent to which coastal squeeze affects the threshold of loss in the Suaeda salsa wetland holds immense importance in safeguarding the distinctive red beach landscape. Furthermore, it represents a pivotal scientific challenge that necessitates resolution in the management of coastal wetlands for their protection and restoration. Hence, drawing upon the theoretical framework concerning the impact of coastal squeeze on the degradation of coastal Suaeda salsa wetland, this study employs the representative silty coastal region of China's northern Liaodong Bay as a case study to conduct empirical investigation. The research integrates Landsat imagery and digital elevation data, and incorporates spatial autocorrelation, elastic coefficient analysis, and barycenter model analysis to examine the threshold of degradation and spatial variations of Suaeda salsa wetland in response to coastal squeeze. The results show that: (1) The risk intensity of coastal squeeze in the study area exhibited a pattern of initial decline followed by an increase from 1995 to 2020, with the highest risk areas predominantly located in the development zone on the eastern bank of the Liao River Estuary. (2) There was a positive correlation between the growth of the coastal squeeze index and the loss of the Suaeda salsa wetland. When the proportion of area in which the coastal squeeze deteriorates reached 43.9%, the Suaeda salsa wetland lose resilience against the impact of coastal squeeze, leading to an intensified rate of loss. (3) Compared with the west side of the Liao River, the critical area of coastal squeeze and the loss barycenter of the Suaeda salsa wetland on the east side of the Liao River have a greater range of changes. The planning and management of coastal ecological restoration necessitates considering the occurrence conditions of the coastal squeeze impact threshold on the loss threshold of wetland and the migration characteristics of the wetland loss area. This approach enables the timely control of coastal squeeze risk intensity in the area and the preservation of wetlands' resistance to external disturbances. Consequently, it holds immense importance for the sustainable development of coastal wetlands.

Molecular epidemiology and current management of Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus (ISKNV) infection in Ghanaian cultured tilapia

Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus (ISKNV) is globally gaining more attention, due to its highly significant economic impact on the aquaculture industry. In late 2018, unusually high levels of mortality (60–90%) was reported in some intensive tilapia cage culture systems on the Eastern bank of Lake Volta in Ghana. This resulted in the fold-up of several small and medium scale farms. Preliminary investigations confirmed the involvement of ISKNV, a viral pathogen noted for fatal systemic infections in many fish species. As a follow-up on the outbreak situation, and post-mass vaccination of affected fish farms, the need to investigate further the molecular epidemiology and phylogeography of the virus across Lake Volta became paramount. A multiplexed PCR assay to detect the virus and MinION™ nanopore sequencing of the Major Capsid Protein (MCP) were performed to investigate the presence and genotype of ISKNV in tilapia collected from 30 randomly selected farms at various geographical locations. ISKNV was found to be widely distributed across the lake and detected in 80% of farms with a reported average daily mortality of 40%. Fry and juvenile fish were the most affected, and approximately 50% of fish that tested positive were asymptomatic. These apparently healthy fish are likely contributors of virus transmission across farms. Phylogenetic analysis of the MCP revealed that all 35 isolates from 14 different farms distributed across the lake clustered with ISKNV clade I with 100% homology to isolates from the 2019 outbreak strain. Vaccination and heat-shock treatment; the two main specific interventions currently employed to control the viral pathogen have not achieved much success, and ISKNV remains a threat to the growth of the aquaculture industry in Ghana. The outcome of this study can be useful in improving fish health management and biosecurity policies in the aquaculture industry.

Assessment of Groundwater Response Scenarios for Surrounding Areas After Filling the Proposed Badush Dam Reservoir, Northern Iraq

In the current study, the depth of groundwater was detected in (39) wells in the banks surrounding Tigris River between Mosul and Badush dams, and then the maps of depth and level of groundwater were drawn. To predict the response of groundwater behavior in the banks of Badush reservoir in the strips adjacent to the river when starting the filling process, the lines of selected water levels in Badush dam were plotted on the map of groundwater equipotential lines to detect the areas confined between the water level in the reservoir and the same level for groundwater. It is assumed that these areas are affected by the bank storage; therefore, they are prone to leakage or geotechnical problems within the zone of engineering facilities foundations including Badush Dam itself, the regulatory dam and infrastructure projects. In the pre-storage stage, it is noted that the area of influence of the bank storage is very limited and does not exceed 2 km2 on each side of the river in the area very close to the dam. When the water level raises more at the beginning of the storage, the area of influence of the bank storage will extend towards the upstream close to the river meandering. The effect on the eastern bank (left) will be wider compared to the situation in the western bank (right) where the effect is limited. The eastern side is characterized by having a higher population density and more urban establishments; therefore, the foundations of these establishments will be more affected. The area affected by the bank storage continues to widen towards upstream with the increase in the level of the dam reservoir until the effect reaches the maximum limit and approaches the shoulders of the regulatory dam, when the water levels in Badush reservoir are more than 245 m above sea level (a. s. l.). The variation in the groundwater extension effect with the continuous or gradual filling of reservoir requires monitoring and caution during filling, for fear of affecting the geotechnical properties of the soil and rocks within the foundations zone, and thus affecting the stability of the two dams.

A Study on the Materials Used in the Ancient Architectural Paintings from the Qing Dynasty Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of Puren, China.

Situated in the village of Lama Temple on the eastern bank of the Wulie River in Chengde, Puren Temple stands as one of the few remaining royal temples of great importance from the Kangxi era (1662-1722 AD). This ancient edifice has greatly contributed to the advancement of our comprehension regarding the art of royal temple painting. The present study undertakes a comprehensive analysis and identification of nine samples obtained from the beams and ceiling paintings within the main hall of Puren Temple. Furthermore, a systematic examination of their mineral pigments and adhesives is conducted. The findings from polarized light microscopy (PLM), energy-type X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (ED-XRF), micro-Raman spectroscopy (m-RS), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analyses reveal that the pigments present in the main hall beams of Puren Temple are cinnabar, lead white, lapis lazuli, and lime green, while the pigments in the ceiling paintings consist of cinnabar, staghorn, lead white, lapis lazuli, and lime green. The use of animal glue as a binder for these pigments on both the main hall beams and ceiling paintings is confirmed via pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-Gc/Ms) results. These findings hold significant implications for the future restoration of Puren Temple, as they provide valuable guidance for the selection of appropriate restoration materials.

Mid–late Holocene palaeoclimate and biogeochemical evolution of Wular Lake, Kashmir Valley, India

AbstractContinuous multiproxy data were generated to understand the mid–late Holocene palaeoenvironmental history of the Kashmir Valley and the biogeochemistry of Wular Lake, India. For this purpose, geochemical and stable isotopic analyses were carried out on sediment samples retrieved from a 160 cm long trench excavated on the eastern bank of Wular Lake located in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The chronology of the sediment strata developed using 14C dating by accelerator mass spectrometry covered the last ~5600 yr bp. Our results indicated the occurrence of an extended dry climate phase from 4600 to 3800 yr bp, which coincided with the widely recognised Meghalayan Stage, when major civilisations like the Harappa and the Akkadian were known to collapse. The lake biogeochemistry revealed dominance of the emergent macrophytes during this stage. Another dry phase was observed between 3100 and 2200 yr bp. This dry phase peaked at around 2900 yr bp, coinciding with Bond Event 2. Wular Lake faced nutrient limitation due to low runoff around 2500 yr bp caused by the persistent dry and cold climate. Geochemical signatures revealed that anthropogenic activities during the last two millennia might have significantly influenced erosion in the catchment area.

FLOOD MODELLING USING CSIRO DATA61’S MODELLING TOOLKIT CFAST - A CASE STUDY OF THE RIVERVIEW FAMILY CARAVAN PARK IN VICTORIA

The Riverview Family Caravan Park (RFCP) sits on the eastern bank of the Barwon River Estuary in Ocean Grove, Victoria, Australia and is managed by the Barwon Coast Committee of Management (BCCM). The Park is susceptible to inundation during extreme weather events including catchment flooding from the Barwon River and storm surges from the Bass Straight. To protect from this river inundation there is a levee bank consisting of a rock revetment (seawall) with an elevated shared trail along its crest. This inundation risk will increase with climate change induced sea level rise (SLR), therefore, the BCCM was concerned with quantifying the long-term effectiveness of the elevated shared trail adaptation and to assess proposed flood risk management strategies such as further elevating the shared trail and the implementation of a detention basin.This study used detailed hydrodynamic and hydraulic modelling utilising the City-based Flood Adaptation Solutions Tool (CFAST) developed by CSIRO Data61 (Prakash et al., 2019) to determine the inundation risk posed by different scenarios with different adaptations applied.