Inflow Channel Research Articles

Investigation of the Influence of Reed Vegetation on the Hydraulic Characteristics of the Huai River Inflow Channel

Investigation of the Influence of Reed Vegetation on the Hydraulic Characteristics of the Huai River Inflow Channel

Glymphatic System and Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

The inflow channel of the glymphatic pathway is the basilar membrane formed by the pia matter and glial border membrane in the outermost layer of the artery. Cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space enters the brain parenchyma through this pathway, and its water component is pumped into the brain parenchyma through aquaporin 4. One of the driving forces is vascular pulsation, and if this pathway becomes inoperative, cerebrospinal fluid loses its normal dynamics and contributes to idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. Future research is needed to determine the extent of this contribution to the development of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Numerical study on scroll vortex intake with partially or fully sealed cover of vortex chamber

When installed in deep tunnel systems, the cover of the vortex dropshaft may be partially or fully sealed. With air exchange restricted through the cover, the air supply to the dropshaft through the inflow channel might not be adequate. Hence, further investigation is required to examine the effect of the restricted air passage through the cover on the flow regimes and hydraulic performance of the scroll vortex dropshaft. This study aims to quantify the head-discharge relationship, air-water distribution, and minimum air core size with different cover opening conditions. The 3D model of a fully open scroll vortex dropshaft is constructed, and numerical simulations are carried out and validated using experiment data. The results show that the effect is generally small when the ratio of the opening and dropshaft area is larger than 1%. When the cover is fully sealed, the minimum air core size reduces by ~5% of the dropshaft area which can have a serious implication to the design of the scroll vortex dropshaft. The present study provides a practical evaluation of the effect of the opening condition in the cover of the vortex chamber on the performance of scroll vortex dropshafts for underground water drainage systems..

Environmental controls on the distribution of GDGT molecules in Lake Höglwörth, Southern Germany

Tetraether lipids, such as glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs), are an increasingly used proxy for reconstructing paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental dynamics. On a global scale, environmental drivers controlling the distribution of GDGTs in lake systems have been described extensively. However, the drivers that control down-core sedimentary GDGT composition within single lake systems are still poorly constrained. Here, we analysed GDGTs in a sediment core collected from Lake Höglwörth (Bavaria, Germany) covering the last ∼1100 years. The increase in ratio ΣIIIa/ΣIIa values (a ratio which captures the variation of 3 structural isomers of penta- and hexamethylated brGDGTs respectively) reflects a higher contribution of branched (br) GDGTs from aquatic sources after 1800 CE. This is synchronous with a high nutrient input as a result of increased local anthropogenic activities. The climate proxy methylation of branched tetraethers (MBT'5ME) reveals a pattern that deviates from the anticipated temperature changes during the last millennium. Instead, high MBT'5ME values from ∼880 to 1120 CE coincide with a period of increased soil input, resulting from lake damming and/or construction of the Höglwörth monastery. Decreased values after 1800 CE until present date correspond to a higher contribution of aquatic brGDGTs, with changes in the dependency between Ia and IIa suggesting a direct influence of bacterial community changes on the MBT'5ME. The proxy cyclisation of branched tetraethers (CBT') shows a linear increase with time, and a stepwise increase at 1700 CE, when a creek stream inflow channel was rerouted. Over time, MBT’5ME decreases gradually, while CBT’ and ΣIIIa/ΣIIa increase. This is hypothesized to be potentially caused by decreasing water depth over time and/or post- or syn-sedimentary production of GDGTs. The degree of cyclization (DC') shows variations on shorter timescales, possibly driven by the lake mixing regime and water column redox conditions. Our results indicate that caution must be taken when interpreting GDGTs for paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental reconstruction considering the possible influence of shifts in the provenance of brGDGTs. Further studies focusing on both sedimentary and intact polar lipids are highly recommended to constrain the source (water column, or sedimentary production) of GDGTs in lake sediments.

Numerical study on the effect of tangential intake design and inflow discharge on vertical dropshaft assessment using pressure and velocity distributions

Tangential intake structures with vertical dropshafts are commonly employed in stormwater and urban drainage systems. Vortex and plunging flows are the two typical flow patterns observed in dropshafts, with the former being the desired due to its favourable drainage performance and enhanced safety. The transition between these flow patterns is primarily influenced by the structural design and rate of flow discharge. To investigate the interception performance and the transition criteria between vortex and plunging flows, a series of numerical simulations were conducted. The effects of the approach channel slope, contraction ratio, and flow discharge were analyzed by comparing the evolution of the water surface, pressure and velocity distributions, and swirling distance across various scenarios. With a higher flow rate of 20 L/s, obvious water congestion was observed in dropshafts with contraction ratios below 0.4 and horizontal approach channels. However, the inflow channel was not congested in cases with sloping approach channels, indicating higher drainage efficiency of intake structures with slopping channels. Two hydraulic factors, namely, the minimum to maximum wall pressure ratios (Pmin/Pmax) and the minimum Vr/Vz ratios (Vr/Vz)min, were employed to differentiate between vortex flow and nonrotational flow. These two factors consistently led to the same conclusions under both subcritical and supercritical inflow conditions, indicating their validity and their potential application in the design and optimization of intake structures. The criteria of Pmin/Pmax > 0.2 and (Vr/Vz)min > 0.2 can be used as criteria for the formation of stable vortex flow.

Intestinal anastomoses in children: The draft decision of the Russian Symposium of Children surgeons (April 2023)

The Symposium of Pediatric Surgeons of Russia, Intestinal Anastomoses in Children, was conducted in Volgograd on April 26, 2023, with around 180 doctors in attendance. Thirty papers were presented and discussed, and 41 articles were published in the proceedings of the symposium. According to the results of a systemic analysis of a questionnaire poll of major pediatric surgeons in 75 regions of Russia, 4,558 surgeries on intestinal anastomosis formation were performed in 20212022, including 1,735 operations in newborn children (36%); their share in general pediatric surgery was less than 0.6%, and it was more than 18.6% in neonatal surgeons. The number of intestinal anastomoses formed during laparoscopic procedures increased (4.4%). Pediatric surgeons equally often used double-row nodal intestinal sutures (33.3%), single-row continuous sutures (34.6%), and different types of sutures (33.3%). A T-shaped anastomosis was performed in cases of necrotizing enterocolitis where there was a significant difference in the diameters of the intestine's inflow and outflow channels. The clip-and-drop technique was used to treat neonates with multifocal necroses. Interintestinal anastomoses were favored over enterostomies in numerous segmental resections. For duodenal obstruction, duodeno-duodenal, and duodeno-jejunal anastomoses were performed. In children with Crohn's disease and choledochal cysts, most specialists prefer operations with stapling devices. Creating a magnetic interintestinal anastomosis lowers the risk of postoperative complications and facilitates the postoperative period. Clinical observations after laparoscopic surgeries accounted for a significant proportion of complications (66%). Anastomosis failure was three times more common in planned small intestinal in older children than in emergency surgeries (1.2 and 0.4%, respectively).
 The modern stage of development of intestinal anastomosis formation techniques in children is characterized by good results, the expansion of indications for intestinal anastomosis in conditions of compromised colon or peritonitis, and the introduction of laparoscopic techniques and mechanical stapling devices with slightly poorer results.

Technique of stent sizing in patients with symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction—the case for intravascular ultrasound-determined inflow channel luminal area-based stenting and associated long-term outcomes

ObjectiveFemoroiliocaval stenting has become the standard of care for patients with quality-of-life impairing chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction not responding to conservative measures. Although improvement after stenting has been noted in multiple large studies, sizing of stents has been subjective in nature with a general tendency to use smaller stents that would be required to relieve venous hypertension. This study evaluates the authors’ technique of using the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) inflow channel luminal area to guide stent sizing. MethodsPatients who underwent femoroiliocaval stenting for quality-of-life impairing chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction and had failed conservative therapy from 2015 to 2021 were included in the study. Clinical outcomes including venous clinical severity score (VCSS), visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and grade of swelling (GOS) were appraised before and after stenting. Also evaluated were quality of life (Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire-20 [CIVIQ-20] instrument) and stent outcomes including patencies and reinterventions. Comparisons were made between limbs that underwent placement of larger caliber stents (largest stent diameter >20 mm: >20 mm stent group) vs smaller caliber stents (largest stent diameter ≤20 mm: ≤20 mm stent group). t tests and analysis of variance were used to compare outcomes, whereas the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate patencies with log rank used to compare the curves. ResultsA total of 300 patients (300 limbs) underwent stenting with a median age of 58 years. There was a preponderance of men (159 of 300), left laterality (176 of 300), and post-thrombotic syndrome (176 of 300). The median body mass index was 41. There were 120 limbs in the >20 mm stent group and 180 limbs in the ≤20 mm stent group. The median follow-up was 23 months. There was no significant difference in baseline VCSS, VAS pain score, or GOS between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference in IVUS-determined inflow channel luminal area between the two groups (228 mm2 >20 mm stent group vs 176 mm2 for ≤20 mm stent group [P < .0001]). After stenting there was a significant improvement in the VCSS, VAS pain score, and GOS at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months (P < .0001) without any difference between the groups (P > .05). The CIVIQ-20 score also improved from 58 to 38 (P < .0001) for the entire cohort and for the two groups (P < .0001). Overall primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patencies at 60 months were 84%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Reintervention rate was 10% without any difference between the groups. ConclusionsStent sizing using IVUS-determined inflow channel luminal area in patients undergoing stenting for quality-of-life impairing chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction resulted in a significant improvement in the VCSS, VAS pain score, GOS, and quality of life (CIVIQ-20) after stenting. Excellent stent patencies and low reintervention rates were also noted. IVUS-determined inflow channel luminal area represents an objective technique of stent sizing in comparison to the subjective techniques that currently exist.

The impact of bank FinTech on liquidity creation: Evidence from China

This paper examines whether and how bank FinTech affects liquidity creation. Using panel data from Chinese commercial banks over the period 2008–2019 and bank-level FinTech indices constructed by a textual analysis method, we find robust evidence that banks with greater FinTech development create more liquidity for the public. This effect operates through deposit inflow, risk management, and cost efficiency channels. Furthermore, we find that the positive effect of bank FinTech on liquidity creation is more pronounced for banks with non-state ownership, unlisted status, and less liquidity creation.

Global FDI inflows and outflows in emerging economies Post-COVID-19 era

FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) is frequently viewed as a critical measure of a country's economic strength and potential. Consequently, this paper investigates why countries attract FDI by utilizing factors and channels such as vertical or horizontal FDI as well as COVID-19’s impact on FDI flows in emerging economies with data from 1990 to 2020. Models of kinked exponential growth for estimating growth rates and the Andrew and Zivot trend formulations are used to analyze the rise in FDI inflows. The FDI inflow channels are estimated using dynamic panel data analysis, with a generalized method of moments for emerging economies as a whole and an autoregressive distributed lag-pooled mean group for specific countries. The countries studied were India, China, Russia, South Africa, and Brazil. Except for India, where the trend has accelerated, the rest of the nations in the emerging economies category has seen significant or minor declines. Overall, vertical and horizontal factors influence FDI inflows to emerging economies. However, estimations show that vertical and horizontal factors promote FDI inflow into the Russian Federation and India. China's horizontal motivation, on the contrary, is critical. Inflows of FDI into Brazil and South Africa appear to be unrelated. The pandemic scenario affects FDI in Brazil but not in other emerging economies. FDI determinants differ per country. In order to improve their economic situation following the pandemic, developing countries may establish adequate FDI policies to attract FDI.

A scalable hyperthermic intravesical chemotherapy (HIVEC) setup for rat models of bladder cancer

Hyperthermic intravesical chemotherapy (HIVEC)—whereby the bladder is heated to ± 43 °C during a chemotherapy instillation—can improve outcomes of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treatments. Experiments in animal models are required to explore new hyperthermia based treatments. Existing HIVEC devices are not suitable for rodents or large-scale animal trials. We present a HIVEC setup compatible with orthotopic rat models. An externally heated chemotherapeutic solution is circulated in the bladder through a double-lumen catheter with flow rates controlled using a peristaltic pump. Temperature sensors in the inflow channel, bladder and outflow channel allow temperature monitoring and adjustments in real-time. At a constant flow rate of 2.5 mL/min the system rapidly reaches the desired bladder temperature of 42–43 °C with minimal variability throughout a one-hour treatment in a rat bladder phantom, as well as in euthanised and live rats. Mean intraluminal bladder temperatures were 42.92 °C (SD = 0.15 °C), 42.45 °C (SD = 0.37 °C) and 42.52 °C (SD = 0.09 °C) in the bladder phantom, euthanised, and live rats respectively. Thermal camera measurements showed homogenous heat distributions over the bladder wall. The setup provides well-controlled thermal dose and the upscaling needed for performing large scale HIVEC experiments in rats.

Impact of Postthrombotic Vein Wall Biomechanics on Luminal Flow during Venous Angioplasty and Stent Placement: Computational Modeling Results

This study characterized the impact of vein wall biomechanics on inflow diameter and luminal flow during venous angioplasty and stent placement, using postthrombotic and healthy biomechanical properties from an ovine venous stenosis and thrombosis model. Finite element analysis demonstrated more pronounced inflow channel narrowing in the postthrombotic vein compared with the healthy control vein during angioplasty and stent placement (relative inflow diameter reduction of 42% versus 13%, P < .0001). Computational fluid dynamics modeling showed increased relative areas of low wall shear rate in the postthrombotic vein compared with the normal vein (0.46 vs 0.24 for shear rate < 50 s−1; 0.13 vs 0.07 for shear rate < 15 s−1; P < .05), with flow stagnation and recirculation. Since inflow narrowing and low wall shear rate are associated with in-stent restenosis and reintervention, these computational results based on experimentally obtained biomechanical values highlight the significance of postthrombotic venous properties in optimizing venous intervention outcomes.

Part I: Hydrological properties within the eastern Indonesian throughflow region during the INDOMIX experiment

The Indonesian Mixing (INDOMIX) cruise of July 2010, resolves the Pacific Ocean water masses spreading from the Halmahera Sea through the Seram Sea, Manipa Strait, Banda Sea, to the Ombai Strait, and along the southern margin of Lesser Sunda Arc across the northern Savu Sea, Sumba Strait, and south of Lombok Strait. This paper focuses on the characteristics and stratification of the water masses, along this path and Part II of this study discusses the biogeochemical aspects. Two companion papers on quantification of turbulent mixing have been published elsewhere. We find: a) A marked transformation of South Pacific (SP) thermocline water within a sharp salinity front between the Halmahera Seram Seas. Tidally induced vertical mixing is the main process weakening the SP stratification, as suggested by a simple 1-dimensional diffusion model forced by vertical diffusivity of INDOMIX vertical microstructure profiler dataset. The transformation of SP water by vertical mixing can occur after 3 days, which is in good agreement with previously reported water mass residence times. Lateral advection plays a minor role; b) Interleaving salinity structure within the thermocline of the central Halmahera Sea and two deeper inflow channels. The interleaving salinity features within the central Halmahera Sea thermocline occurs where vertical diffusivity is relatively weak, compared to the vertical mixing at entry/exit portal that removes the interleaving salinity features. Two deeper inflow channels (about 950 m and 740 m depth) in the entry portal of the Halmahera Sea are mapped from the multi-beam echo sounder measurement, where both channels allow the renewal of SP thermocline water and salinity interleaving processes; c) Northward flow of thermocline water (100–200 m depth) in the Manipa Strait that injects Banda homogeneous salinity water into Seram Sea that erode Halmahera salty water via strong diapycnal mixing; d) Cyclonic upper layer circulation in Banda where eastward (westward) flow occurs in the northern (southern) Banda, confirmed by recent modeling study; and e) Relative salty Indian Ocean intermediate water flowing along southern margin of the Lesser Sunda Arc, within the South Java Undercurrent. Two distinct upper thermocline water, due to different source of Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) water, are found in the Banda Sea: fresher and colder water contrasting to saltier and warmer water that converge in this confluence region. Beneath it, Banda intermediate homogeneous salinity water and low dissolved oxygen water is dominant.

Deep and surface factors of local gas-saturated zones formation with anomalously high gas pressure and gas emission craters in frozen soils

The article is devoted to the consideration of surface and deep factors that trigger the mechanisms for the preparation of explosive processes that form gas emission craters. The study object is local zones of gas-saturated soils with abnormally high gas pressure and gas craters. The main method used in this article is the bibliography review. The synthesis of the analyzed materials was carried out based on the geosystem approach. In the proposed work, an analysis was made of the main hypotheses of the formation of gas-saturated zones with increased gas pressure in frozen soils: 1) due to the comprehensive freezing of taliks (completely dependent on surface conditions; 2) due to the inflow of warm gas from underlying rocks into the surface layers (depending on deep sources); 3) due to the decomposition of gas hydrates contained in the permafrost (the reasons can be both surface and deep); 4) due to the joint interaction of the freezing talik and the associated deep gas inflow channel. Possibilities of realization of these or those hypotheses in real conditions are revealed. The relevance of the topic is due to the reassessment of the role of frozen soils as a screen that protects the atmosphere from the emission of greenhouse gases from the lithosphere. Evidence has appeared that this role of the cryolithozone is significantly weakened with an increase in temperature, while the frozen soils themselves can be a source of gas release.

Multi-Step Combined Control Technology for Karst and Fissure Water Inrush Disaster During Shield Tunneling in Spring Areas

Shield tunneling in highly fractured karst water-rich conditions easily results in water inrush disaster or even causes the roof of the karst caves to collapse. Severe water inrush disasters have occurred during the EPB (earth pressure balance) shield machine of the Jinan Metro Line R1 advanced through a karst and fissure groundwater-rich limestone ground in the spring area. To cope with the extreme water inrush risk, a multi-step combined control technology was put forward. First, a detailed geological exploration was carried out by ahead geophysical prospecting using high-density resistivity method, geological radar, etc., and geological borehole drilling was conducted from the ground surface before excavation. As a result, the distribution orientation, size, fissure development degree, and water inflow channel within the surrounding rock of the karst caves were detected. Second, multi-step grouting was performed to reinforce the surrounding rock, including pre-grouting treatment and filling rock blocks to the big karst caves from the ground surface, multiple grouting with a small amount of inert slurry each time inside the tunnel, and secondary circumferential hoop grouting at the shield tail. Third, the tunneling process was optimized, including optimizing the tunneling parameters, making full use of the air-pressurized tunneling technology of the EPB to press bentonite into the fractures around the excavation cabin to seal the fissure water, and using the drainage system of EPB and muck improvement technology to reduce the water inrush disaster. Meanwhile, shield protection slurry technology is applied to cutter inspection and replacement in the pressurized chamber under dynamic water flow environment of the spring terrain. The practice shows that the water inrush on the tunnel face is obviously alleviated after the shield machine advanced into the grouting area. According to statistics, the water inflow on the tunnel face decreases from about 4 m3/h before treatment to less than 0.3 m3/h after the abovementioned control, and the water seepage between the segmental linings reduces to almost zero. The average advance rate increased from 3 m/day without stopping or even zero when the shield machine needs to shut down 2–3 days for drainage to about 6 m/day. In addition, the treatments prevented the shield machine from jamming and the head descending disaster. This study provided a reliable control method for shield tunneling through the karst and fissure water-rich area and played an essential role in protecting the spring water.

Three‐Dimensional Finite Element Modeling of a Viscous Fluid Flowing through an External Gear Pump

AbstractAn external gear pump is a relatively simple and inexpensive pump, that is used in a variety of production systems. Numerous works have studied the external gear pump using numerical simulations; however, typically low‐viscosity fluids and turbulent flow conditions are considered. Previous work of the authors focused on predicting the output fluctuation and the volumetric efficiency of an external gear pump processing high‐viscosity fluids using a 2D representation. For certain conditions, backflow through all clearances could occur, resulting in a drop in volumetric efficiency. This calls for a full 3D model. Furthermore, high residence time zones are observed in the inflow channel of the pump. The 3D shape of these zones is still unknown. The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of the axial clearances on the performance of the external gear pump. A 3D mesh is generated by extruding the 2D mesh in the third direction, resulting in prism elements. This reduces the required number of elements and therewith makes the simulations computationally feasible. Introducing the axial clearances results in a lower efficiency compared to the 2D simulations. With particle tracking, the high residence time zones in the inflow channel are visualized in the 3D simulations.

DEVELOPMENT OF SELECTIVE GROUTING COMPOSITIONS BASED ON BITUMINOUS EMULSIONS FOR WATER INSULATION WORKS

To increase the efficiency of water inflow isolation in oil wells, selective grouting compositions are preferred. The use of selective isolation methods provides for selective clogging of water inflow channels while maintaining the permeability of oil-saturated reservoir intervals. The mechanism of selectivity realization for different groups of grouting compositions is shown. It is noted that the selectivity of the action of these compositions is significantly affected by the permeability heterogeneity of the formation. In this case, the water primarily flows through the high-permeable interlayers, where the grouting composition will be pumped in a larger volume than in the low-permeable interlayer during water insulation works. In this paper, we continue to study selective grouting compositions that clog the pore space with a material that is subsequently soluble in oil and insoluble in water. The possibility of using bitumen emulsions, including commercially available road emulsions, is analyzed. The use of bituminous emulsions as water-insulating compositions has a number of advantages: due to the low viscosity of the direct emulsion, it easily penetrates into the porous medium. At the same time, bituminous emulsions have high thermal stability. The resulting bitumen film is impervious to water and is sufficiently resistant to aggressive media (acids and alkalis). The objects of the study were used bitumen road emulsion cationic grade EBDK B-52 and acrylic dispersions, which were intended to increase the adhesion of bitumen to the surface of rock and metal. Commercially produced reagents of the Lacroten brands (E-081, E-31, E-082, E-43), Lacryl 4443 were used as acrylic dispersions. Studies of bituminous emulsions and acrylic dispersions for adhesion to the surface of metal, carbonate and terrigenous rocks have been carried out, from which it follows that acrylic dispersions with a low pH (3.0-3.6) are an effective means of processing samples. Filtration studies indicate the selective properties of the bitumen emulsion. When injecting B-52 bitumen emulsion for both the bulk model and the ideal crack model, there is a general tendency to reduce water permeability: 32.8 % for the bulk model and 33.6 % for the ideal crack model. When conducting filtration studies with the initial injection of acrylic dispersion followed by injection of the emulsion, in all experiments, filtration attenuation is observed in both the water-saturated and oil-saturated reservoir models. According to the results of the conducted studies, for the isolation of water-saturated interlayers, it is proposed to carry out works according to the scheme of selective isolation using bituminous emulsion B-52; and when carrying out works on the elimination of behind-the-casing flows, disconnecting water-filled layers and eliminating the leakage of production columns in the coupling joints, sequential injection of acrylic dispersion and bituminous emulsion is provided.

Particle‐In‐Cell Simulations of Electrostatic Solitary Waves in Asymmetric Magnetic Reconnection

AbstractElectrostatic solitary waves (ESWs) are ubiquitously observed in magnetic reconnection. In this study, two‐dimensional (2‐D) particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulations are performed to investigate the characteristics of ESWs in asymmetric magnetic reconnection. ESWs with bipolar structures of the parallel electric field can be generated near the separatrices only on the magnetosphere side, and propagate to reconnection downstream direction along the magnetic field. These structures corresponding to electron phase‐space holes (electron holes) can cross both the electron outflow and inflow channels although their main part is located in the electron outflow. When there is no guide field, the ESWs are generated by electron two‐stream instability. When there is a guide field, the amplitude of the ESWs are different on the right and left side of the X line. On the left side, the ESWs are weaker and generated by the electron two‐stream instability. On the right side, the ESWs are stronger, and there are two kinds of ESWs with distinct phase speed. The faster one is generated by electron two‐stream instability, while the slower one is generated by Buneman instability.

Erosion Rate of Lateral Slope Deposit Under the Effects of Different Influencing Factors

Lateral slope deposits along a channel represent an important source of material for initiation and development of debris flows/floods that are typically observed in many headwater tributaries. This study found that the failure process of such a deposit reflects combined interaction between external hydrodynamic factors (inflow discharge and channel slope) and internal factors (compactness and fine particle content). The erosion process comprises two stages: runoff erosion toward the toe of the deposit body and soil failure owing to gravity. Spatially, the erosion rate is distributed unevenly across the deposit; the highest value occurs at the section close to the middle of the deposit, on the upstream face. Temporally, the erosion rate decreases exponentially. Overall, the average erosion rate decreases (increases) with bulk density (inflow discharge and channel slope). However, a slope of 7 is a threshold at which the tendency of the erosion rate in relation to the fine particle content differs. In comparison with the other three influencing factors, the effect of the fine particle content is much smaller. Although the bulk density of the deposit imposes the most significant effect, it is of the same order as that of both inflow discharge and channel slope. As the failure process can be summarized as repeated runoff scouring of the toe of the deposit, deposit failure, and entrainment of the failure body by runoff, we proposed a calculation method for the total time required for a complete lateral erosion process, and validation of the calculation suggested its reasonability. The findings of this study enhance the understanding of the mechanism of lateral soil deposit failure, which could help improve runoff-induced debris flood forecasting in headwater regions of mountainous catchments.

FDI inflow and financial channels: international evidence before and after crises

PurposeExtending on the resource-seeking foreign direct investment (FDI) hypothesis, this paper aims to uncover the potential relationship between financial and non-financial channels and inward FDI before and after the global financial crisis.Design/methodology/approachThe sample includes 561 year-country observations on 33 developed and developing countries during 2001 and 2017. This study investigates several determinants such as inflation, gross domestic product growth, exchange rate, trade openness, financial openness, Sharpe ratio and country market capitalization, using ordinary least squares, fixed effects and system generalized method of moments.FindingsThe results indicate a negative relationship between inflation and financial openness with FDI inflow while market capitalization and exchange rate were positively connected to FDI inflow. All three financial channels of FDI inflow: financial market size, financial openness and Sharpe ratio significantly influenced FDI inflow. Moreover, inflation, financial openness and Sharpe ratio imply a meaningful impact on the FDI inflow of developed and developing countries, with a relatively stronger influence during the post-crisis periods. Asymmetric impact tests also revealed similar results.Research limitations/implicationsThese findings offer an impression that financial market development channels may significantly boost FDIs in developing and, as well as developed countries. With special reference to the developing countries, a disciplined financial market and financial openness may help attract more FDIs.Originality/valueImpact of the financial crisis on FDI inflows while observing the impact of the financing channels in developing and developed countries is rare in the academic domain. This study forwards that a structured and open financial market may help in recovering from the financial crisis.

Shape optimisation for faster washout in recirculating flows

Abstract