Flat Topography Research Articles

An improved approach for retrieval of tidal flat elevation based on inundation frequency

The tidal inundation frequency method is commonly employed for rapid remote sensing acquisition of large-scale and high-precision tidal flat topography. However, in certain areas of tidal flats, the natural tidal inundation is partially obstructed by artificial structures, resulting in incomplete correspondence between the inundation frequency and the topography. Therefore, this study proposes the frequency-distance joint retrieval (FDJR) approach to improve the tidal inundation frequency method. The FDJR approach derives the local multi-year lowest tidal level line, characterized by an inundation frequency of 1, from the inundation frequency image. It further incorporates the landward distance between this line and the tidal flat point into the regression model, thereby effectively capturing the overall monotonic variation in the elevation of the tidal flat profile. Taking the Yellow River Delta (YRD) as an example, the retrieval of tidal flat topography was conducted by integrating Sentinel-2 remote sensing images, ICESat-2, ATL08 elevation products and RTK measured terrain. The results show that there exists a high correlation among the landward distance, inundation frequency and elevation. Moreover, the machine learning regression model based on Random Forest and Bagging algorithm effectively characterizes this relationship. Compared with the tidal inundation frequency method, the proposed approach achieves an increase in training accuracy of approximately 30 %-40 % while providing more concentrated retrieval elevation distribution with smoother kernel density curves. The FDJR approach proves applicable to the tidal flats where natural tide inundation is partially obstructed and provides topographic reference for coastal zone studies.

Utilization of setinel-1 imagery for inundation flood mapping in Northern Part of Java Island

Abstract The Northern part of Java Island is the center of community activities in Indonesia. Urban centers are located along the Northern Part of Java, such as DKI Jakarta, Cirebon City, Tegal, Semarang, and Surabaya. As a center of urban activity, the Northern Part of Java Island has a relatively high threat of inundation such as flood. The flat topography and most of these cities are in river deltas or upstream of large rivers, causing the threat of flooding to be relatively high and coupled with climate change and increased hydrometeorological disasters. The government has conducted various disaster management and reduction efforts, as well as NGOs and the community. This study utilized remote sensing technology for inundation flood identification and mapping in the Northern Part of Java Island from the backscatter threshold value from Sentinel-1 data indicating water. The threshold value is used as a reference for determining flood inundation from each scene of sentinel-1 imagery. The result showed that the northern part of Java Island has an inundation hazard with an inundated area of 380,23 Km2. The distribution of inundation areas in several provinces such as the most inundated is in West Java with an area of 235,57 Km2, then central Java with an area of 85,95 Km2 holds the second place, then East Java with an area of 34,66 Km2, Banten with 22,28 Km2, and Jakarta with 1,77 Km2. Based on the result, the use of Sentinel-1 imagery for inundation flood mapping is effective due to the ease of obtaining data and simple processing to detect an inundation.

Sequence stratigraphic framework of carbonates in mixed siliciclastic–carbonate sequences: local versus external controls in a tectonically active basin (Lorca Basin, Miocene, SE Spain)

ABSTRACT The sequence stratigraphic framework of initiation and growth of carbonates in environments impacted by siliciclastic inputs is highly variable because of the biogenic nature of the sedimentary production and its sensitivity to environmental conditions. Using panorama interpretations, logging, and characterization of benthic communities, the mixed carbonate–siliciclastic sedimentary succession of the Neogene Lorca Basin (SE Spain) has been studied to decipher the role of local and global controlling parameters on the sequence stratigraphic framework of carbonate production. Three different carbonate depositional models are distinguished: 1) retrogradational homoclinal ramps (type 1) dominated by heterozoan communities that developed lateral to alluvial fans, 2) progradational flat-topped coral platforms (type 2) with Porites and Tarbellastraea coral carpets with a coeval retrogradational pattern on basin margins, and 3) retrogradational narrow siliciclastic-rich coral platforms (type 3) with Tarbellastraea buildups intercalated with deltaic deposits. Onset of carbonate production systematically occurred during transgressions controlled by eustasy and was locally enhanced by extensional tectonics. In steep margins located in the vicinity of major marginal faults, transgressions were characterized by high terrigenous inputs, and only heterozoan-dominated ramps (type 1) developed. The flooding of these steep and tectonically active margins characterized by small drainage basins and immature, locally sourced alluvial systems led to lower terrigenous fluxes and the growth of coral flat-topped platforms (type 2) during subsequent highstands. Away from main marginal faults, deltaic environments were sourced by large drainage basins. They were characterized by a flat topography that permitted the occurrence of a shallow photic zone subject to low and irregular terrigenous inputs up to the distal part of the depositional profile during transgressions. In this deltaic configuration, the growth of narrow siliciclastic-rich coral platforms (type 3) were favored. On these platforms, coral buildups were regularly buried by terrigenous inputs during highstands. In the Lorca Basin, the dimensions of siliciclastic systems and the size of their drainage basins also directly impacted the sequence stratigraphic framework of carbonates intercalated in terrigenous units. This study illustrates the marked variability in: 1) the different types of carbonate depositional profiles and 2) the timing of these carbonates in a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic system because of the size, maturity, and location of siliciclastic systems, local tectonics, inherited topography, and global sea-level fluctuations.

Prospection of potential cellulase producing filamentous fungi from corn silage

The prospection of filamentous fungi is essential for understanding fungal biodiversity and exploring its potential in biotechnological processes. Among its applications, cellulase production stands out; it is used for clarifying juice, reducing food viscosity, and producing fermentable sugars from plant residues. This study soughr to isolate filamentous fungi from corn silage samples collected in Gouveia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, using three methods: direct contact, dilution, and pour plate. The isolation was performed on a solid culture medium containing carboxymethylcellulose at 30 °C, with monitoring of the plates for seven days. Eleven filamentous fungi were isolated, all obtained by the pour plate method. Once isolated, spot transfers were performed, and the microorganisms were maintained at 30 °C for macromorphological characterization after eight days. The results showed primarily velvety-textured mycelia with a smooth surface, regular edges, flat topography, white mycelium color, and a dry appearance. Regarding enzymatic activity, halos of up to 27 mm were observed in some samples, indicating potential cellulase production. Given the diversity of the characteristics, it was concluded that there is a plurality of isolated filamentous fungi with potential for cellulolytic enzyme production.

Paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental constraints on organic matter enrichment in the Paleocene strata in the Lishui Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin

Using major and trace element analyses, this study investigated the impacts of paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental variations on organic matter enrichment in the Paleocene Yueguifeng, Lingfeng, and Mingyuefeng formations in the Lishui Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin. Multiple geochemical proxies suggest that during the deposition of the three formations, the paleoclimate evolved from a humid climate to an arid and then back to humid conditions, the paleosalinity conditions underwent brackish, saline, and fresh water sequentially, and the paleowater conditions shifted from relatively deep water to relatively shallow water and then to shallow water. Accordingly, the water column evolved from reducing to oxidizing and then to weakly oxidizing to oxidizing conditions. Organic matter productivity, as well as the preservation or degradation of organic matter, was controlled by covariation in the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions. This can account for the difference in organic matter enrichment in the mudstones of the three formations. The mudstones in the Yueguifeng Formation were deposited in a semi-deep- to deep-water lacustrine environment with high primary productivity in a warm, humid climate. Numerous planktonic algae were efficiently preserved in stratified and dysoxic water columns, resulting in high organic matter enrichment in this formation. The mudstones in the Lingfeng Formation were formed in a shallow marine environment with low primary productivity in an arid climate. The combined effects of high salinity and oxygen-enriched conditions in the water bodies were unfavorable for the reproduction and preservation of planktonic algae, resulting in low organic matter enrichment. For the Mingyuefeng Formation, the slow tectonic subsidence and flat topography during the deposition of this formation led to the development of a swamp environment in a warm, humid climate. The swamp environment was characterized by an oxic water column, low aquatic organic matter input, and high terrigenous organic matter input. The Yueguifeng Formation has greater hydrocarbon-generating potential than the Lingfeng and Mingyuefeng formations. Constructing the developmental models of organic-rich mudstones based on the covariation in the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions represents a valid method for understanding the hydrocarbon-generating potential of these source rocks.

The influence of static versus dynamic pressure distribution strategies for modelling nonlinear waves generated by ships

A moving static pressure distribution is commonly used to simulate a travelling ship. However, the ship movement changes the fluid velocity around the hull, inducing pressures on the hull surface that are no longer equal to the static pressure. Therefore, we introduce a dynamic pressure correction strategy, which can accurately simulate the impact of the ship movement on the hull-surface pressure and preserve the desired hull shape under both stationary and transient conditions. The strategy is applied to a high-order spectral model and used to investigate ship-induced waves and wave resistance over a both flat and variable topography. We explore various parameters in our study, including the average water depth to ship draft ratio ( $h_0/d$ ), the channel width to ship width ratio ( $W/B$ ), the Froude number ( $Fr_0=U/\sqrt {gh_0}$ ) and variations in bathymetric slope. Compared with experiments on a flat bottom, the numerical results with dynamic correction show better accuracy in the simulation of ship-induced waves and wave resistance than those obtained using a static pressure distribution. The correlation coefficient for wake waves between the numerical and experimental results is improved by approximately 0.25 with the dynamic correction strategy. The amplitude and wavelength of ship-induced mini-tsunamis over a variable topography are found to be reduced when employing a dynamic correction compared with a static pressure distribution, and this effect becomes more pronounced with higher Froude number. The static pressure approach is shown to allow large deformations of the desired hull shape and changes in ship volume which are responsible for the different wave patterns from the two approaches.

Performance characteristics of a contra-rotating pump-turbine in turbine and pump modes under cavitating flow conditions

Recent studies have indicated the potential of a contra-rotating pump-turbine (CRPT) as a low-head design that enables pumped hydro storage in regions with flat topography. However, the effects of cavitation have scarcely been investigated for the CRPT. The current paper utilises computational fluid dynamics simulations to study a model scale CRPT subjected to cavitating flow conditions to determine how cavitation affects the machine’s operating performance in both pump and turbine modes. In total, eight operating conditions have been evaluated for each mode. The inlet flow rate is considered fixed at 0.27 m3/s, while the outlet pressure is gradually changed to induce cavitating conditions. The study demonstrates that the pump mode operation of the CRPT is more sensitive to cavitation compared to the turbine mode. The pump mode operation shows a steady decline in efficiency with decreasing inlet pressure, whereas in turbine mode the efficiency settles at a lower level. The 3% head drop occurs at a Thoma number of 1.0 in pump mode and at 0.6 in turbine mode. At the 3% head drop, a large cavitating region is already present at the runner blades’ suction side of the runner closest to the lower reservoir in both modes. The large cavitating region causes the flow to separate from the runner blade surfaces, which explains the reduced operating performance. To ensure an almost cavitating-free operating condition and unaffected performance, the Thoma number needs to be above 1.0 in turbine mode and at least 1.5 in pump mode. A frequency analysis reveals that the presence of cavitation affects the dominant pressure pulsations in the system. A dynamic mode decomposition analysis is carried out, demonstrating that the non-trivial pressure pulsations are connected to the support struts.

Integration of very high-resolution stereo satellite images and airborne or satellite Lidar for Eucalyptus canopy height estimation

Eucalyptus plantations cover extensive areas in tropical regions and require accurate growth monitoring for efficient management. Traditional in-situ measurements, while necessary, are labor-intensive and impractical for large-scale assessments. Very high-resolution satellite stereo imagery is playing an increasingly important role in the estimation of fine Digital Surface Models (DSMs) across landscapes. However, its ability to estimate canopy height models (CHMs) has not been widely investigated. This study investigates the integration of high-resolution satellite stereo imagery from the Pleiades sensor with airborne or satellite Lidar data to estimate canopy height over eucalyptus plantations. Two study sites were selected in Brazil, representing flat and semi-mountainous topographies, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) and Sao Paulo (SP), respectively. Digital Surface Models generated from Pleiades images (DSMP) were combined with Digital Terrain Models extracted from airborne Lidar data (DTMALS) to create Canopy Height Models (CHMALS). The evaluation of the CHMALS was based on two in situ canopy height measurements (Hmax and Hmean). For the SP site, the CHMALSmax, which is the average height of top 10% pixel values within each plot, correlated well with in situ Hmean, which is the average height of 10 central trees (r = 0.98), showing a bias of 1.4 m, RMSE of 3.1 m, and rRMSE of 18.5%. At the MS site, CHMALSmax demonstrated a bias of 1.9 m, RMSE of 2.3 m, rRMSE of 17.3%, and r correlation of 0.92. Despite a tendency to underestimate heights below 20 m in young tree plantations with open canopy, the results indicate reliable canopy height estimation. The study also investigates the potential of Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) elevation data as an alternative to DTMALS in absence of airborne Lidar data. The resulting CHMGedi is promising but slightly less accurate than Lidar-based CHMs. The best GEDI-based CHM (CHMGedimax) showed a bias and rRMSE of 1.3 m and 20.5% for the SP site, and 2.2 m and 24.9% for the MS site. These findings highlight the potential for integrating Pleiades and Lidar data for efficient and accurate canopy height monitoring in eucalyptus plantations.

Empirical validation and engineering model comparison of outdoor long-range 3D GPU FDTD acoustic simulations with turbulence

We build upon previous work which introduced an acoustic GPU-accelerated 3D Finite-Difference Time-Domain solver, Empapu, equipped with a dynamic moving frame and turbulence modeled as a position-dependent refractive index for long-range outdoor sound propagation simulations. This physics-based model would serve as a benchmark to assess different engineering models, e.g., ISO 9613-2, CNOSSOS-EU and sonX, in the presence of uneven terrain with different ground properties and an inhomogeneous atmosphere. The solver now integrates an improved model of turbulence reproducing the kinetic spectral energy of velocity fluctuations, derived from wind velocity fields, with an eddy (quasiwavelet) approach, relevant in long-range propagations. This study validates our model by comparing level differences in third-octave band spectra at receiver points up to 300 m to analytical methods and measurements in a mostly flat topography comprised of asphalt and grassland. Further analysis is done by comparing results in different locations in Switzerland in the presence of uneven ground and barriers. This work will provide a physics-based basis for evaluating and comparing engineering models for outdoor sound propagation in lieu of measurements.

Flood Susceptibility Mapping Using Analytic Hierarchy Process and Geographic Information System in Baitarani Basin of Odisha, India

Baitarani, the 6th largest river basin in Odisha, eastern India, faces water related challenges in its catchments. As one of the most frequent environmental disasters, floods are consistently cited in hotspots of the eastern region in India. Hence, in this study, flood susceptibility maps were generated for Baitarani River basin by using analytical hierarchy process technique and geographic information system. Eleven thematic maps of topographic ruggedness index, topographic wetness index, stream power index, elevation, lithology, soil, slope, drainage density, distance from drainage network, land use/land cover and normalized difference vegetation index were prepared for flood vulnerability mapping. The themes were assigned suitable weights depending on relative influence of each of the themes on flood risk. The results indicated that 87% of the basin falls under intermediate flood susceptibility zone, while 10% is classified under high flood hazard zone. Areas in the lower elevation catchment, particularly those with flat topography near the coastline, were identified as being highly susceptible to flooding. The impacts of severe flooding in the basin are most pronounced in specific blocks in Jajpur district (Jajpur, Dasarathpur, and Korei blocks), Bhadrak district (Dhamnagar and Bhandaripokhari blocks), and Anandapur block in the Keonjhar district of Odisha. Additionally, changes in land use/land cover during 1995-2020 revealed 8% decline in agricultural land and 13.93% increase in fallow land in the area. The outcomes of this research can help researchers, planners and managers in managing natural resources, find locations that could be vulnerable to flooding, and lessen the damage.

Polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan based oleanolic acid nanofibers against bacterial infection: In vitro studies and in vivo evaluation by optical and laser Doppler imaging modalities

The present work focuses on the fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan-loaded oleanolic acid-nanofibers (PVA-CS-OLA-NFs) for bacterial infection. The prepared PVA-CS-OLA-NFs were characterized for contact angle, SEM, AFM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA. The solid-state characterization and in vitro performance evaluation of nanofibers reveal consistent interconnection and diameters ranging from 102 ± 9.5 to 386 ± 11.6 nm. The nanofibers have a flat surface topography and exhibit efficient drug entrapment. Moreover, the in vitro release profile of PVA-CS-OLA-NFs was found to be 51.82 ± 1.49 % at 24 h. Furthermore, the hemocompatibility study showed that the developed PVA-CS-OLA-NFs are non-hemolytic to human blood. The PVA-CS-OLA-NFs demonstrate remarkable antibacterial capabilities, as evidenced by their MBC and MIC values, which range from 128 and 32 μg/mL, against the strains of S. aureus. The in-vivo fluorescence optical imaging showed the sustained PVA-CS-OLA-NFs release at the wound site infected with S. aureus for a longer duration of time. Moreover, the PVA-CS-OLA-NFs showed superior wound healing performance against S. aureus infected wounds compared to the marketed formulation. Further, the laser Doppler imaging system improved oxygen saturation, blood supply, and wound healing by providing real-time blood flow and oxygen saturation information.

Evaluating SWOT's interferometric capabilities for mapping intertidal topography

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission, originally designed for observing ocean and inland water bodies, can be a valuable tool for mapping the topography of intertidal flats. This study provides the first demonstration of SWOT's ability to measure intertidal topography using simultaneous interferometric acquisitions. Observations acquired between April and July 2023, during the calibration/validation (CALVAL) phase of the mission, were used. SWOT-derived intertidal Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) were generated from level-2 High-Rate Pixel Cloud (L2_HR_PIXC) products and compared to airborne and UAV LiDAR-derived DEMs. Our results indicate a high reliability of the SWOT observations with a mean absolute error lower than 0.49 m, reaching 0.13 m in specific areas. This validation confirms SWOT's contribution for coastal studies beyond water level mapping, showcasing its broader applicability in the monitoring and management of coastal and estuarine environments.

Intrusions and Turbulent Mixing above a Small Eastern Mediterranean Seafloor Slope

Abstract Growing evidence is found in observations and numerical modeling of the importance of steep seafloor topography for turbulent diapycnal mixing leading to redistribution of suspended matter and nutrients, especially in waters with abundant internal tides. One of the remaining questions is the extent of turbulent mixing away from and above nearly flat topography, which is addressed in this paper. Evaluated are observations from an opportunistic, weeklong mooring of high-resolution temperature sensors above a small seafloor slope in about 1200-m water depth of the eastern Mediterranean. The environment has weak tides, so that near-inertial motions and near-inertial shear dominate internal waves. Vertical displacement shapes suggest instabilities to represent locally generated turbulent overturns, rather than partial salinity-compensated intrusions dispersed isopycnally from turbulence near the slope. This conclusion is supported by the duration of instabilities, as all individual overturns last shorter than the mean buoyancy period and sequences of overturns last shorter than the local inertial period. The displacement shapes are more erratic than observed in stronger stratified waters in which shear drives turbulence and better correspond with predominantly buoyancy-driven convection turbulence. This convection turbulence is confirmed from spectral information, generally occurring dominant close to the seafloor and only in weakly stratified layers well above it. Mean turbulence values are 10–100 times smaller than those found above steep ocean topography, but 10 times larger than those found in the open-ocean interior.

GIS based – GALDIT method for aquifer vulnerability assessment to seawater intrusion: Case of a qp2-3 aquifer of Mekong Delta

Recently, seawater intrusion (SWI) in coastal aquifers is a global issue that is exacerbated by sea-level rise, climate change, and an increasing dependency on coastal fresh groundwater resources for water supply. Vietnam's Mekong Delta has a flat topography, a dense river network, and a 700 kilometer coastline covering the region's west and east. The Mekong Delta is facing increasingly serious saline intrusion. This paper describes the results of the examination using the GALDIT method as a model to evaluate the vulnerability of seawater intrusion. The method is used to determine the trend of groundwater contamination by seawater intrusion in the qp2-3 aquifer of the Mekong Delta, this Upper-middle Pleistocene aquifer (qp2-3) is one of the main productive aquifers in the Mekong Delta. The analysis result in 2015 shows a moderate and high level of vulnerability in which the highly vulnerable area is along the Tien River and at the depression cone area in Ca Mau. The analysis is reconducted for the time of 2030 with the predicted values for the groundwater level through the forecasting tool. By comparing the model of two times of 2015 and 2030, the results indicated that the impact of the continuous decline of groundwater level is greater than the impact of sea level rise. If the rate of drawdown is kept the same, by 2030 the highly vulnerability area will have expanded to two-thirds of the Mekong Delta. The GALDIT method is a good approach for saltwater intrusion research and moreover water management, and environmental management, such as evaluating the most sensitive areas for monitoring or imposing restrictions where necessary.

Remediation potential of arsenic in the alluvial aquifers in the Bengal Basin: insights from simulations and time estimates

ABSTRACT Arsenic is found in significant quantities within the alluvial aquifers. Bangladesh heavily relies on the alluvial aquifers of the Bengal Basin as a source of irrigation and drinking water. Due to the flat topography, arsenic within an aquifer is not easily flushed out of the system. Additionally, continuous, unregulated pumping causes arsenic from deeper aquifers to migrate to shallower levels. This study simulates groundwater and contaminant transport in the alluvial aquifers of the Bengal Basin by comparison between two scenarios prior to human intervention with different sea levels, employing a combination of MODFLOW, MODPATH and MT3DMS. The simulations demonstrate that the hydraulic gradient and flow rates were higher during periods of considerably lower sea levels than they are at present. Additionally, it would require 5,600 years for the Holocene aquifer and 3,300 years for the Last Glacial Period aquifer to flush arsenic to the Bangladesh standard concentrations in drinking water in a 100-m-thick contaminated aquifer. This implies that if the sea level continues to rise with climate change, it will be difficult to remove arsenic from the alluvial aquifers in the Bengal Basin by natural flushing, which means artificial interventions need to be done in that region in the interest of the nation's health.

Moinui Flow on Mauna Loa: transport and deposition of an olivine crystal cargo in a compound basaltic lava flow

The Moinui lava flow on the west flank of Mauna Loa, Hawai`i, is a 32-km-long pāhoehoe basalt flow, between 760 and 1500 years old, characterised by the presence of two generations of olivine: 2–5-mm-sized glomerocrystic clusters of equant polyhedral grains, and dendritic plates. Both generations are distributed throughout the flow field from the vent at 3400 m above sea level to the ocean. We mapped roadcut outcrops in detail to investigate the internal geometry and emplacement mechanisms of the flow, and sampled these outcrops to collect quantitative textural data on the two olivine populations in 2D and 3D, with a view to understanding emplacement processes in general, and the factors controlling the growth, transport, and deposition of phenocryst olivine in particular. Roadcut outcrops reveal complex geometries of interconnected tube-fed sheet lobes, with the main control being pre-existing topography: drained tubes with flanking sheet lobes were developed on the seaward slope of the volcano, whereas tumuli were developed on the flat coastal plain topography. The internal architecture of the flow field is consistent with current hypotheses of emplacement by breakout and inflation of flow lobes from tube-fed internal pathways. Concentrations of up to 30% olivine represent settling of the larger size-fraction of the transported load, with no evidence for superimposed effects of flow differentiation.Implied effective viscosities were around 1000 Pa s. The glomerocrystic population was inherited as pre-existing crystal clusters derived from a sub-volcanic chamber, rather than by synneusis (random collision and aggregation) post-eruption, whereas the plate population was probably generated by a burst of nucleation related to degassing and supercooling during the vent eruption. Other than this, there is no evidence for substantial growth of the transported olivines during flow.

Elevation dependent climate assessment and its influence on snow cover variability in Hindu Kush Himalayan region using Google Earth Engine for the period of 2003–2021

The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) regions are taken for this study, which is predominantly characterized by amplified climatic uncertainty and rapid snow melting. Because at the present there is a lack of studies estimating the elevation dependent and climate influenced snow cover variability in the HKH region. This present study examines elevation-dependent (2003–2021) distribution and trends in precipitation, temperature, and snow cover area (SCA) by employing numerous non-parametric statistical applications using the Google Earth Engine (GEE). The Modified Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra and Aqua snow cover data is employed to estimate SCA along with the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station Data version 2.0 (CHIRPS-V2.0) for precipitation and MODIS land surface temperature (LST). The study reveals statistically significant decreasing annual, seasonal, and monthly trends of SCA in most of the elevation zones typically during winter season (−0.256%/year), whereas temperature and precipitation exhibit strong spatial variability. Inclusive investigation portrays maximum mean annual and seasonal increased precipitation at the low-elevated regions, whereas seasonal disparities in temperature ostensible marginal decreased at high-elevation, albeit increased at lowland. Moreover, topographic importance on SCA distribution showcases maximum snow (43.4%) at north-facing less surface inclination with flat topography (14.6%). The comprehensive elevation wise analysis improves our understanding of the overall hydrological challenge and assist in the development of more reliable flood forecasting and water resource management.

Growth of cocoa seedlings affected by application of zeolite-cocopeat-manure mixture as soil conditioner enriched by Trichoderma sp.

The objective of this research was to study the effect of soil conditioner in different dosage levels enriched by Trichoderma sp. on cocoa seedling growth and biomass. This research was conducted in glass house Kaliwining,Experimental Station of Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI), Jember, East Java, with rainfall type of D (Schmidt & Ferguson) with relatively flat topography at altitude 45 m above sea level. Complete Randomized Design using four treatments, i. e. no application of soil conditioner (control), the application of 200 grams, 400 grams, and 600 grams/polybags of soil conditioner, with 5 replications and 5 subsamples was engaged for this research. Trichoderma sp. as endophytic fungus has been detected highest in the soil conditioner that enriched with Trichoderma sp. The result of the research was the application of soil conditioner alone or combined with Trichoderma sp. could increase plant growth and plant biomass. This research finding was the addition of Trichoderma sp. with soil conditioner increased the plant growth doubled than soil conditioner alone.

Differences of ocular oscillations and neuro-retinal structures in patients with nystagmus caused by GPR143 and FRMD7 gene variants.

Mutations of G protein-coupled receptor 143 (GPR143) and FERM domain containing 7 (FRMD7) may result in congenital nystagmus (CN) in the first 6 months of life. We aimed to compare the differences in ocular oscillations between patients with these two gene mutations as well as the functional and structural changes in their retinas and visual pathways. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients of congenital nystagmus with confirmed mutations in either GPR143 or FMRD7 genes from January 2018 to May 2023. The parameters of the ocular oscillations were recorded using Eyelink 1000 Plus. The retinal structure and function were evaluated using optical coherence tomography and multi-focal electroretinography (mERG). The visual pathway and optical nerve projection were evaluated using visual evoked potentials. The next-generation sequencing technique was used to identify the pathogenic variations in the disease-causing genes for CN. Twenty nystagmus patients of GPR143 and 21 patients of FMRD7 who had been confirmed by molecular testing between January 2018 and May 2023 were included. Foveal hypoplasia was detected only in patients with the GPR143 pathogenic variant. mERG examination showed a flat response topography in the GPR143 group compared to the FRMD7 group. VEP showed that bilateral amplitude inconsistency was detected only in the patients with GPR143 gene mutation. The amplitude and frequency of the ocular oscillations were not found to differ between patients with two different genetic mutations. Although the etiology and molecular mechanisms are completely different between CN patients, they may have similar ocular oscillations. A careful clinical examination and electrophysiological test will be helpful in making a differential diagnosis. Our novel identified variants will further expand the spectrum of the GPR143 and FRMD7 variants.

A Five-Year Study on Infestation and Abundance of Bat Flies (Hippoboscoidea: Streblidae) Under Severe Dry Season Conditions in the Tropical Dry Forest of Yucatan, Mexico

In Mexico, few studies have explored how environmental conditions in tropical dry forests (TDF) influence bat fly load even though, according to climate change scenarios, this ecosystem will experience a drier and warmer climate. Such an extension of the dry season in these ecosystems could have dramatic consequences for biodiversity, particularly in regions with plains where animals do not have elevational climate shifts. The present study therefore evaluates the effect of prevailing environmental conditions during 2015–2019, as well as host body conditions, on the infestation and abundance of bat-specific ectoparasites and the composition and bat fly load in the dry season of a TDF in Yucatan. Since Yucatan has an essentially flat and low-lying topography, organisms cannot escape from the predicted extreme conditions with elevational shifts. This region is therefore an excellent location for assessment of the potential effects of warming. We collected 270 bat flies from 12 species. Three streblid species (Nycterophilia parnelli Wenzel, Trichobius johnsonae Wenzel, and Trichobius sparsus Kessel) are new records for Yucatan. Our overview of the dry season bat ectoparasite loads reveals low values of richness and prevalence, but high aggregation. Our models detected significant differences in ectoparasite infestation and abundance over the years, but the environmental and body host condition variables were unrelated to these. We report that pregnant females are parasitized to a greater extent by bat flies during the dry season, which generally represents the season of most significant nutritional stress.