Geographical Conditions Research Articles

Dengue hemorrhagic fever prediction in coastal area using geographically weighted regression

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is still a health problem globally, including in Indonesia. Geographical and climatic conditions in coastal areas are different from other areas, which may impact differences in environmental risk factors for dengue. This study aims to create a prediction model for the incidence of DHF in coastal areas. The research was conducted in Bantul Regency, Indonesia, involving data from 2015-2019. Dengue incidence data were collected from the health office. Climatic data were from climatology station. Data on altitude and shoreline distance were obtained by geographic information system (GIS) processing. Population density and wide settlement area are obtained from the Bureau of Statistics. The geographically weighted regression (GWR) analysis was carried out using GWR4. The results showed that GWR with a weighting of Fixed Bi-Square Kernel obtained an R2 value of 0.7768, better than the global model (R2 0.5254). It indicates that DHF (Y) in Bantul Regency is 77.68% determined by population density (X1), altitude (X2), settlement area (X3), shoreline distance (X4) and rainfall (X5) and the remaining 22.32% are influenced by other variables which are not investigated. Geographically, the predictor variables explain the DHF incidence with a strong category in the central region, and weak in coastal area.

A Study in the Hydrophytes and Plants of Lowlying Habitats in Jabalpur

The paper describes hydrophytic and lowlying vegetation of Jabalpur. Geographical and Geological conditions of Jabalpur have been described. Various habitats have been shown in the map. A table indicating the distribution of various hydrophytes in various habitats has been given. Seasonal changes in the hydrophytic vegetation have been described. Restricted occurrence of Alistna reniforme, Blyxa roxburghii and Butomopsis lanceolata has been observed. Tamarix ericoides has been found to grow luxuriantly in the sandy beds in the river Narbada. About 88 species of hydrophytes and lowlying plants spread over 6 families of pteridophytes, 13 families of monocots and 22 families of dicots have been recorded.

Variability of games in the process of human development

The article focuses on the stages of gaming culture development from instinctively contemplative and copycat to socialization and conscious education through games. Special attention is given to the intergenerational transformation and gradual transition of game information from natural instincts to meaningful practical use of the game and expansion of game activities. The influence of the social environment on the development of game activities is revealed. The goal of the research is the historical analysis of the development of game activity, as the basis of regulation of cultural relations, in the process of human development. The scientific novelty consists in clarifying the historical stages of the game development, which is an internal necessity of the existence of a living organism, with the preservation of quality and a change in its social qualitative state. Conclusions. For millions of years a man, maintaining his biological basis, has transformed games from an instinct into a social phenomenon. In ancient times the game by its very nature was the imitation (observation of animal behaviour, natural phenomena) with elements of motional experience. In the process of industrial activity, with the change of social relations a man socialized the game, which became a necessary means of education and hardening of the body. With the change of social relations the role of a game, as the principle of spiritual, mental, intellectual and physical development of a man, gradually increased. Thanks to the subject endowed with thinking, who constantly replenished his life experience, the game became more meaningful and necessary. It acquired a potential opportunity to adapt to any climatic and geographical conditions. With each stage of human development the essence of the game as a social phenomenon was formed in a new way.

Navigating the currents of coastal narratives in search of sustainable futures

In the face of rapid, consequential changes in coastal conditions, coastal communities and regions must make decisions to address these changes and negotiate pathways towards more sustainable futures. Making just and equitable decisions requires engaging the affected population and influential stakeholders in the process. These processes can be improved by considering and engaging with shared narratives present across both time and location. This paper reviews exemplary instances in which narratives have been employed in facilitating decisions in coastal regions, in particular, future-facing-narratives that reflect the social landscape and dynamics operating in parallel with environmental and geographical conditions. Recognizing and learning from these narratives deepens and facilitates making informed, meaningful decisions on complex, contested, value-laden issues facing coastal communities. This paper argues that decisions at scales from local-to-national can be improved by considering shared narratives of sustainability and social identity as central pillars of the negotiation around both governance processes and desirable outcomes.

Pendidikan Masyarakat dan Stratifikasi Sosial Dalam Prespektif Islam

In people's lives there are often various kinds of hierarchical differences, ranging from differences in economics, politics, religion, race, geographical conditions, and even differences in education levels which often lead to more acute disparities and levels of social interaction in society. One of the main sources of social stratification is education. As it should be education that has clear and potential functions and goals can make students mature, or recognize themselves and education should be a tool to improve the social status of the community, not the other way around.

A Multi-Approach and Collaborative Pathway towards Designing Climate Strategies: The Case of Trentino, a Mountainous Region in Italy

Mountainous and rural territories are considered among the most vulnerable to the effects of the Climate Crisis. Their geographical and topographical conditions, together with the complexity of the system of relations between human and natural elements, amplify the impacts and risks associated with extreme climatic events. Therefore, the consequences on the socio-economic fabric are systemic and require an immediate response from all the actors in a region. Public administration and politics can play a pivotal role within the planning framework in contrasting the impacts of the climate crisis. This paper demonstrates the multi-level and multi-stakeholder approach applied during the development process of a regional adaptation strategy. The Autonomous Province of Trento has initiated an innovative approach to understanding and managing the effects of the climate crisis on its landscape and resources and has aligned the process of definition of its long-term strategy with the guidance provided by the EU Commission and the Italian Government. The methodology used is based on the tools provided by the Climate-ADAPT platform (in particular, the Regional Adaptation Support Tool—RAST), and the “impact chains” method is specifically implemented for climate risk assessment. The RAST is applied according to a multi-stakeholder and multi-level approach to capitalise on previously established and ongoing initiatives and working groups. The research suggests that the Climate Strategy model presented in this paper needs to be at the core of the broader framework adopted by the Autonomous Province of Trento and that it can represent an important example for other regions aiming to actively involve local stakeholders in acting for climate neutrality and resilience.

Green hydrogen prospects in Peninsular Malaysia: a techno-economic analysis via Monte Carlo simulations

According to Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap, hydrogen is a critical component of the country's energy transition. However, there is a scarcity of hydrogen studies for Peninsular Malaysian states, which limits discussions on green hydrogen production. This study employs a Monte Carlo model to assess the economic and technical factors influencing the success of green hydrogen in Peninsular Malaysia. The study focuses on three target years: 2023, 2030, and 2050, representing various stages of technological development and market adoption. The levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of a 1-MW Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer system ranges from $5.39 to $10.97 per kg in 2023, highlighting early-stage challenges and uncertainties. A 6-MW PEM electrolyzer system could achieve an LCOH of $3.50 to $4.72 per kg by 2030, indicating better prospects. Because of technological advancements and cost reductions, a 20-MW PEM electrolyzer system could achieve an LCOH of $3.12 to $3.64 per kg in 2050. The findings indicate that the northern regions of Peninsular Malaysia have consistently low LCOH values due to favorable geographical conditions. Due to minor variations in solar capacity factors, uncertainty distributions in LCOH remain stable across different regions. Some states may face increased uncertainty, emphasizing the need for additional policy support mechanisms to mitigate risks associated with green hydrogen investments. The sensitivity analysis shows that key cost drivers are shifting, with early-stage electrolyzer investments dominating in 2023 and electricity prices becoming more important in 2030 and 2050. Future research could focus on optimizing green hydrogen systems for areas with underdeveloped green hydrogen industries. This study contributes to informed discussions about green hydrogen production by emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies that consider local conditions and highlighting the role of Peninsular Malaysia in the energy transition.

Learning Material Organization for Disaster Resilient Villages

This study aims to express the best learning material organization for the Disaster Resilient Village Program (Program Desa Tangguh Bencana, DESTANA). It was delivered to the people of Pacitan Regency as a disaster-prone area. Various potential disasters exist in the area of Pacitan Regency. The learning material is organized in line with the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy, which applies six levels of thought processes. The learning process starts from a hierarchical structure that identifies lower-level thinking skills to higher levels of skills that are ready for operational implementation. The Lower Order Thinking Skills materials encompass understanding various disaster vulnerabilities based on geographical conditions, the nature of disaster threats and risks, participatory disaster management by the community, principles of evacuation planning, the role of Disaster Management Plans, the paradigm of disaster risk management, principles of the Early Warning System (EWS), the purpose of contingency plans, and principles of first aid in emergencies. The Higher Order Thinking Skills materials include the ability to measure indicators for disaster-resilient villages, establish volunteer working groups, design evacuation stages, develop Disaster Management Plans, Disaster Risk Management, Early Warning Systems (EWS), and Village Contingency Plans. The learning achievement is measured through community understanding and practice, the success of building a disaster response coordination structure, and activities in a disaster simulation. It is organized in seven discussion forums. The program resulted in significant achievements. The Pacitan Regency Government implemented the Disaster Resilient Village Program for the safety of its residents. Keywords: disaster, resilient village, learning material

Highly stratified mid-Pliocene Southern Ocean in PlioMIP2

Abstract. During the mid-Pliocene warm period (mPWP; 3.264–3.025 Ma), atmospheric CO2 concentrations were approximately 400 ppm, and the Antarctic Ice Sheet was substantially reduced compared to today. Antarctica is surrounded by the Southern Ocean, which plays a crucial role in the global oceanic circulation and climate regulation. Using results from the Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project (PlioMIP2), we investigate Southern Ocean conditions during the mPWP with respect to the pre-industrial period. We find that the mean sea surface temperature (SST) warming in the Southern Ocean is 2.8 °C, while global mean SST warming is 2.4 °C. The enhanced warming is strongly tied to a dramatic decrease in sea ice cover over the mPWP Southern Ocean. We also see a freshening of the ocean (sub)surface, driven by an increase in precipitation over the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. The warmer and fresher surface leads to a highly stratified Southern Ocean that can be related to weakening of the deep abyssal overturning circulation. Sensitivity simulations show that the decrease in sea ice cover and enhanced warming is largely a consequence of the reduction in the Antarctic Ice Sheet. In addition, the mPWP geographic boundary conditions are responsible for approximately half of the increase in mPWP SST warming, sea ice loss, precipitation, and stratification increase over the Southern Ocean. From these results, we conclude that a strongly reduced Antarctic Ice Sheet during the mPWP has a substantial influence on the state of the Southern Ocean and exacerbates the changes that are induced by a higher CO2 concentration alone. This is relevant for the long-term future of the Southern Ocean, as we expect melting of the western Antarctic Ice Sheet in the future, an effect that is not currently taken into account in future projections by Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) ensembles.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Diversification of Flagellin Genes Provides Insight into Environmental Adaptation and Phylogeographic Characteristics in Aeromonas hydrophila

Aeromonas hydrophila is an opportunistic motile pathogen with a broad host range, infecting both terrestrial and aquatic animals. Environmental and geographical conditions exert selective pressure on both geno- and phenotypes of pathogens. Flagellin, directly exposed to external environments and containing important immunogenic epitopes, may display significant variability in response to external conditions. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of ~ 150 A. hydrophila genomes, leading to the identification of six subunits of the flagellin gene (fla-1 to fla-4, flaA, and flaB). Individual strains harbored different composition of flagellin subunits and copies. The composition of subunits showed distinct patterns depending on environmental sources. Strains from aquatic environments were mainly comprised of fla-1 to fla-4 subunits, while terrestrial strains predominated in groups harboring flaA and flaB subunits. Each flagellin showed varying levels of expression, with flaA and flaB demonstrating significantly higher expression compared to others. One of the chemotaxis pathways that control flagellin movement through a two-component system was significantly upregulated in flaA(+ 1)/flaB(+ 1) group, whereas flaA and flaB showed different transcriptomic expressions. The genes positively correlated with flaA expression were relevant to biofilm formation and bacterial chemotaxis, but flaB showed a negative correlation with the genes in ABC transporters and quorum sensing pathway. However, the expression patterns of fla-2 to fla-4 were identical. This suggests various types of flagellin subunits may have different biological functions. The composition and expression levels of flagellin subunits could provide valuable insights into the adaptation of A. hydrophila and the differences among strains in response to various external environments.

Development of a VLF receiver based on Red Pitaya for space weather studies

A new VLF (Very low Frequency) receiver has been developed by the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA) for space weather studies. The receiver has been designed based on a Red Pitaya board which performs an SDR (Software Defined Radio) to digitize, process and store the signal. The receiver is composed of a vertical antenna, a preamplifier to filter and amplify the incoming VLF signals from several transmitters located around the world. The receiver is able to cover a bandwidth from 1 up to 50 kHz and it has been developed in such a way as to be cost-effective, autonomous and solar-powered, making it suitable for installation in multiple locations with different geographic conditions. We show the performance of the receiver, the typical daily pattern of the lower ionosphere for the NAA VLF signal, as observed in Peru, and the first solar flares observed. The VLF amplitude curves recorded are validated by comparing them with data from SAVNET (The South American VLF Network) receiver installed in Peru. In a first effort to investigate the impact of solar flares on the lower ionosphere, we conducted a statistical analysis between VLF amplitude perturbations and 1–8 Å solar X-rays flux provided by GOES satellites, resulting in a linear relationship.

Multi-agent reinforcement learning based computation offloading and resource allocation for LEO Satellite edge computing networks

Due to the limitations caused by geographical conditions and economic requirements, it is difficult to provide computing services by terrestrial networks for mobile terminals in remote areas. To address this issue, mobile edge computing (MEC) servers can be deployed in the low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to act as a complement and accommodate the unserved terminals. However, offloading computing tasks to servers in satellites may increase the energy consumption of ground terminals. Considering the limited battery capacity of ground terminals, how to perform the computation offloading and resource allocation are key challenges in the LEO satellite edge computing networks. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate the energy minimization problem for LEO satellite edge computing networks, where a multi-agent deep reinforcement learning algorithm with global rewards is proposed to optimize the transmit power, CPU frequency, bit allocation, offloading decision and bandwidth allocation via a decentralized method. Simulation results show that our proposed algorithm can converge faster. Most importantly, compared with the random algorithm, the proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm, and the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm, the ground terminals’ energy consumption can be effectively reduced by our proposed algorithm.

Occurrence of microplastics in the Haima cold seep area of the South China Sea

The pollution of deep-sea microplastics has received increasing attention. As a special ecosystem in the deep sea, the cold seep area is of great significance for studying the distribution of microplastics in the deep sea. In this work, the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in seawater, sediments, and shellfish in the Haima cold seep area and the correlation between the characteristics of microplastics in different media and the type of media were studied. Microplastics were found in all three media. The abundance of microplastics in different samples from the Haima cold seep area ranged 1.8–3.8 items/L for the seawater, 11.47–96.8 items/kg (d.w.) for the surface sediments, and 0–5 items/individual (0–0.714 items/g) for the shellfish. The amount of microplastics ingested by shellfish varied among different species. The microplastics in these three media were mainly fibrous, dark-colored, small-sized rayon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene (PE). In the correlation analysis of microplastic characteristics among the three media, it was found that the characteristics of microplastics in different media in the same area were closely related, and each pair of variables showed a significant positive correlation (P ≤ 0.05). The distinctive geographical conditions would accelerate the interchange of microplastics among various media. Principal component analysis showed that habitat contribute to microplastic feature differences in shellfish. Differences in correlation were observed between the characteristics of shellfish microplastics in different regions and the characteristics of microplastics in surrounding seawater and sediments.

Analysis of the Availability and Gaps of Educational Facilities in Teluk Bintuni Regency Papua

Education is recognized as a human right and the main key to a nation's progress. The availability of adequate educational facilities in each region is crucial to ensure equal access to education for all citizens. However, Indonesia faces significant challenges in providing equitable educational facilities, especially considering the diverse geographical and demographic conditions between regions. Teluk Bintuni Regency in West Papua Province is one of the areas that requires special attention in improving educational access and facilities, especially because of its geographical conditions, the majority of which are islands with mountains and sea waters. This research aims to analyze the availability of educational facilities in Teluk Bintuni Regency, with a focus on the type and level of schools. Data obtained from the Education Department shows that by 2023, this district will only have 263 schools, consisting of kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and vocational schools. This figure is still considered insufficient and equitable, especially when compared with the population of around 60,000 people spread across 23 sub-districts. The main challenge in providing equitable educational facilities in Teluk Bintuni Regency involves diverse geographic and demographic conditions. Therefore, it is hoped that this research can provide an in-depth evaluation of the current condition of educational facilities, identify existing gaps, and formulate the need for improving educational facilities in the future based on population growth projections. It is hoped that the results of this research can provide a strong basis for policy making by the Teluk Bintuni Regency Government, especially in terms of planning and budgeting for the equitable development of educational facilities. It is also hoped that the conclusions from this research can become a reference for related agencies, such as the Education Office, Bappeda, and the Teluk Bintuni Regency DPRD, in preparing strategic plans for educational development for the next five years.

LIVABILITY AND FUTURES STUDIES OF WORN-OUT URBAN TEXTURES: SCENARIO ANALYSIS FOR EVALUATING THE LIVABILITY SYSTEM AND ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY

Urban worn-out textures, due to their ancient and historically valuable physical structures, exhibit low adaptability to urban developments and advancements. Tehran, as a city with a rich historical background, also boasts considerable worn-out textures. Due to economic, geographical, and political conditions, a large population resides in these textures. In this regard, the present research aims to investigate the livability status of residents, identify key indicators, and design scenarios in the worn-out textures of Tehran city. This paper proposes a new approach to MicMac that promotes driving forces to scenarios. The results indicate that the livability of residents in worn-out textures of Tehran city, particularly in central regions, is in undesirable conditions. Furthermore, the analysis of the MicMac matrix showed that housing prices, residents’ income, investment, and an increase in economic activities, as well as the role of urban management, are driving forces that have a vital impact on the livability of residents in worn-out textures. These driving forces have depicted three scenarios for the livability of worn-out textures in Tehran city until the year 2032.

Forensic Handwriting Analysis to Determine the Psychophysiological Traits

In order to demonstrate the immense value and actuality of the investigations done by forensic handwriting expertises in the determination of the psychophysiological traits that lead to criminal behaviour of the performer of handwritten texts, the article analysed 2648 handwritten text samples and gave a new classification of handwriting features by dividing them into three main distinct categories. Based on the detailed forensic study of these samples, the author reaffirms that each person’s handwriting is unique and unrepeatable and becomes subconsciously adopted to the individual’s physiology, psychology, natural geographical conditions, etc. Hence, it is highly probable and realible to determine a person’s psychophysiological traits according to his/her handwriting even without seeing him/her personally. It was concluded that handwriting analysis has always been of urgent importance and necessity in preventing and fighting against various crimes and requieres great experience, habits and skills from a forensic handwriting expert.

Energy Assessment & Comparative Study of Mono and Poly Solar PV Technologies Using Advanced PVsyst Software

This study evaluates and compares the energy output of mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies, under specific climatic conditions, with the help of advanced PVsyst software. This study aims to provide realizations into selecting the most effective PV technology by considering specific climatic and geographical conditions. In this study, monthly and yearly output energy, along with performance ratios, are evaluated for two conditions: firstly, for a 10.23KWp system, and subsequently, for a 58.2m² solar panel area. Both conditions demonstrate that mono-crystalline solar PV technology consistently outperforms poly-crystalline technology in terms of monthly and yearly output energy as well as performance ratio. Specifically, mono-crystalline panels generate 78 kWh more electricity annually in a 10.23 KWp system and 2469 kWh more in a system based on a specified PV module area. Additionally, they exhibit high-performance ratios in both scenarios. These findings strongly advocate for the preference of mono-crystalline technology within this region. Furthermore, the study offers valuable insights for addressing similar energy challenges in regions with comparable conditions, as far as solar panels energy outputs are affected by the climate conditions at most; so that for similar climate conditions in region would be effective. This research significantly contributes to facilitating well-informed decision-making processes, thereby augmenting energy accessibility.

Evaluating the thermal environmental alterations due to photovoltaic installations in the kushida river basin, Japan

The construction of Photovoltaic (PV) provides renewable energy, but it is also impacting the basins environment. The study simulates the annual construction status of PV installations within the research area over a time series from 2013 to 2023, and to understanding of the trends in Land Surface Temperature (LST) changes due to the PVs. The results revealed that the number of PV installations in the study area increased most significantly between 2018 and 2019, with the newly installed area during this period being approximately 5.2 times larger than 2013. Although large-scale construction slowed after 2020, small and medium-sized PV installations continued. The study found that the LST around PV which built from 2013 to 2023 increased by an average of 2.85 °C. Also, LST-difference (LST-D) changes with the seasons. The analysis of the relationship between geographical conditions and LST difference revealed that in hilly and mountainous areas with higher elevations, the impact of PV construction on LST was lower. And found that the distance of the PV from the watercourse and the surrounding land cover also had an impact to LST changes, with spatial variability between the different impact variables as analysed by the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model.

Predicting global horizontal irradiance of north central region of India via machine learning regressor algorithms

The ability to predict global horizontal irradiance (GHI) in the wake of changing weather conditions is becoming increasingly important in driving economic growth in the renewable energy industry. The choice of relevant meteorological variables for predicting GHI is crucial because it influences the prediction accuracy due to various geographical conditions. To fulfill this aim, this proposed study identifies a subset of the relevant input variables for the prediction of GHI by applying two methods Feature Combination (FC) and Feature Selection (FS). The results reveal that the most significant input variables for predicting GHI are Solar Zenith Angle, Dew Point, Diffuse Horizontal irradiance, Direct Normal Irradiance, and Wind speed obtained by the FS method. The predictive performance of the selected features is evaluated by feeding them into six different types of Machine Learning (ML) regressor algorithms such as Multiple Linear regressor (MLR), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boost (GB), Light Gradient Boost Machine (LGBM) and Extra Tree (ET). The performances of models are evaluated by using statistical measures such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). ET regressor gives the best prediction performance among all the six models. It is observed that the percentage reduction in error for the FS method as compared to the FC method in terms of the statistical indicators MAE, RMSE, and MAPE are 8.5%, 7.72%, and 25.84% respectively. It shows that the FS method gives better predictive performance than the FC method for the estimation of GHI.

Functional divergences of natural variations of TaNAM-A1 in controlling leaf senescence during wheat grain filling.

Leaf senescence is an essential physiological process related to grain yield potential and nutritional quality. Green leaf duration (GLD) after anthesis directly reflects the leaf senescence process and exhibits large genotypic differences in common wheat; however, the underlying gene regulatory mechanism is still lacking. Here, we identified TaNAM-A1 as the causal gene of the major loci qGLD-6A for GLD during grain filling by map-based cloning. Transgenic assays and TILLING mutant analyses demonstrated that TaNAM-A1 played a critical role in regulating leaf senescence, and also affected spike length and grain size. Furthermore, the functional divergences among the three haplotypes of TaNAM-A1 were systematically evaluated. Wheat varieties with TaNAM-A1d (containing two mutations in the coding DNA sequence of TaNAM-A1) exhibited a longer GLD and superior yield-related traits compared to those with the wild type TaNAM-A1a. All three haplotypes were functional in activating the expression of genes involved in macromolecule degradation and mineral nutrient remobilization, with TaNAM-A1a showing the strongest activity and TaNAM-A1d the weakest. TaNAM-A1 also modulated the expression of the senescence-related transcription factors TaNAC-S-7A and TaNAC016-3A. TaNAC016-3A enhanced the transcriptional activation ability of TaNAM-A1a by protein-protein interaction, thereby promoting the senescence process. Our study offers new insights into the fine-tuning of the leaf functional period and grain yield formation for wheat breeding under various geographical climatic conditions.