North-central Area Research Articles

Molecular analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in La Rioja (Spain): five new variants.

To study BRCA1/2 gene variants in La Rioja in the northcentral area of Spain. We performed a molecular analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in 642 individuals from 427 different families from June 2008 to December 2019. We identified 71 families with pathogenic variants in these genes, 32 families with BRCA1 variants and 39 families with BRCA2 variants. The pathogenic variants c.959delG in BRCA1 and c.1363_1369delTCAGAGA, c.1397dupA, c.4234_4236delACTinsC and c.8387delC in BRCA2 have not been previously described. The c.81-2A > T variant in BRCA1, detected in two unrelated families, has not been reported previously in the Spanish population. Two large genomic deletions were found in the BRCA1 gene in exons (Ex) 23-24 and Ex1A-1B-2, and one deletion was found in the BRCA2 gene in Ex2. The pathogenic variant c.5123C > A in BRCA1 was detected in 8 unrelated families and was the most frequent pathogenic variant in our population. The c.6024dupG mutation in BRCA2 was detected in 6 unrelated families; the c.2808_2011delACAA mutation in BRCA2 was found in 5 different families; the c.211A > G mutation in BRCA1 was found in three different families; and the c.68_69delAG, c81-2A > T, c.4038_4039delAA, and c.5266dupC variants in BRCA1 and the c.2457delA, c.2701delC, c.5116_5119delAATA, c.6275delTT, c.7558C > T and c.7617 + 1G > A variants in BRCA2 were found in two different families. The spectrum of pathogenic variants in the BRCA1/2 genes in La Rioja is similar to that in other Spanish regions, with some unique characteristics. The pathogenic c.6024dupG variant in the BRCA2 gene was detected in a large number of families and could have a founding effect in the Ebro riverside areas in the regions of La Rioja and Navarra. Not applicable.

Triple burden of malnutrition among Vietnamese 0·5-11-year-old children in 2020-2021: results of SEANUTS II Vietnam.

SEANUTS II Vietnam aims to obtain an in-depth understanding of the nutritional status and nutrient intake of children between 0.5-11.9 years old. Cross-sectional survey. A multistage cluster systematic random sampling method was implemented in different regions in Vietnam: North Mountainous, Central Highlands, Red River Delta, North Central and Coastal Area, Southeast and Mekong River Delta. 4001 children between 6 months and 11.9 years of age. Prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher in rural than in urban children, whereas overweight and obese rates were higher in urban areas. 12.0% of the children had anemia and especially children 0.5-1-year-old were affected (38.6%). Low serum retinol was found in 6.2% of children ≥ 4 years old. Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 31.1% while 60.8% had low serum zinc. For nutrient intake, overall, 80.1% of the children did not meet the estimated energy requirements. For calcium intake, ∼60% of the younger children did not meet the RNI while it was 92.6% in children >7 years old. For vitamin D intake, 95.0% of the children did not meet RNI. SEANUTS II Vietnam indicated that overnutrition was more prevalent than undernutrition in urban areas, while undernutrition was found more in rural areas. The high prevalence of low serum zinc, vitamin D insufficiency and the inadequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D are of concern. Nutrition strategies for Vietnamese children should consider three sides of malnutrition and focus on approaches for the prevention malnutrition.

PATTERN OF SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE ABUJA – KEFFI HIGHWAY CORRIDOR IN THE NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

The rapid expansion of urban areas worldwide is widely attributed to the growth of urban populations. The objective of this study is to examine the expansion of urban sprawl in the North Central area of Nigeria, specifically along the Abuja-Keffi highway corridor, over 29 years, from 1991 to 2020. The study utilized satellite imagery from three distinct spatiotemporal intervals (1991–2003, 2003–2015, and 2015–2020) and incorporated three different types of Landsat sensors, namely Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and Operational Land Imager (OLI). The study employed image processing and land use classification analysis techniques to generate land use and land cover (LULC). The analysis of the data reveals that there has been a significant increase in sprawling development along the Abuja-Keffi highway corridor. The built-up area of the region has undergone significant expansion over the past three decades, with the urbanized land area increasing from 1081.98 hectares (4.96%) in 1991 to 10263.15 hectares in 2020, accounting for 47.06% of the total built-up area. The research also documented two distinct forms of urban growth, specifically linear and leapfrog, throughout the corridor. The research recommends regional urban policy, urban growth boundaries as well as effective and efficient development control mechanisms in the selected settlements along the corridor. The Abuja Municipal Area Council and Karu Local Government are urged to promote urban renewal and infrastructure development through private partnerships, sustainable policies, waste management systems, and community engagement.

ĐÁNH GIÁ SỰ THAY ĐỔI TÀI NGUYÊN NƯỚC TRÊN LƯU VỰC SÔNG LAM GIAI ĐOẠN TỪ NĂM 1970 ĐẾN 2022

The purpose of this research is to examine the change in water resources over the previous 50 years in the Lam River basin (also known as the Ca River) in Nghe An province, an important water resource basin in the North Central area. According to the findings, the amount of flow through hydrological stations on rivers and streams in Nghe An province has been falling since 2012, and the yearly flow pattern is continuously dropping. For many years following 2015, the flow has been lower than typical, owing to the drought that occurred during the dry season of 2015-2016.

Demographic and Clinical Profiles of PCR Positive Rickettsia felis Infected Patients at A Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Background: Rickettsial infections remain relatively unexplored, under recognized and under reported due to a lack of awareness and limited access to diagnosis. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical profile of PCR positive Rickettsia felis infected patients attended at a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology at Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from July 2013 to June 2014 for duration of one year. Patients with fever (102° to 104°F) more than 15 days of any age and gender, not responding to commonly used antibiotics and any other additional complaints and clinical features including headache, rash, lymphadenopathy or myalgia and eschars on the skin were included in this study. Patients with evident cause of fever like malaria diagnosed by blood smear or immunochromatography were excluded from the study. Blood was collected according to blood collection guidelines. PCR from blood was performed using standard protocol with specific primers to detect Rickettsia up to species level. Results: A total number of 50 respondents were recruited after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among them 21(42%) cases were PCR positive. Among 21 PCR positive cases, the predominant age group was more than 15 to 30 years which was 11(52.4%), female patients were predominant than male patients which was 11(52.0%). All the cases with Rickettsial infection had fever 21(100.0%). Other associated features like headache was most commonly noticed in 10(47.6%) cases followed by body-ache, Cough and rash which was 7(33.3%) cases, 5(23.8%) cases and 1/21 (4.7%) cases respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated high prevalence of Rickettsia felis infection in patients in Bangladesh with unidentified febrile illness and suggests that this infection is endemic to the north-central area of this country. Females are more prone to get infected and most commonly noticed associated features was headache. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Microbiology, July 2023;17 (2):71-76

New Stage and Species Description on Brazilian Thraulodes Ulmer, 1920 (Ephemeroptera, Leptophlebiidae).

We examined material from two poorly documented areas in Brazil concerning the mayfly genus Thraulodes: Minas Gerais, the largest state in Southeastern Brazil, but also the least studied regarding mayflies; and Tocantins, located in the North-Central area of the country. As a consequence of these efforts, we describe a new species from Minas Gerais based on imagos and nymphs, as well as the nymphs of Thraulodes solstitium Orlando, Salles, Boldrini & Krolow, 2021. Thraulodes viola sp. nov. is characterized by the femora translucid with brown maculae and blackish stripe in distal half, and a light brown maculae in proximal half; abdominal terga II-VI translucent white with transversal reddish mark on posterior margins, one antero-lateral reddish dot, one antero-sublateral blackish spot, and one postero-submedian brown spot; penis lobes sinuous sideways, with lateral pouch present and very developed, and apico-lateral area with an ear-like projection; nymph with galea-lacinia dark brown, 14-16 medium-sized pectinate setae in subapical-ventral row. The nymph of T. solstitium nymph is characterized by the galea-lacinia dark brown, 11 medium-sized pectinate setae in a subapical-ventral row.

Geo-epidemiology of animal tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis genotypes in livestock in a small, high-incidence area in Sicily, Italy.

The persistence of animal tuberculosis (TB) in livestock is a major concern in Sicily, Italy. The objective of this study was to elucidate the transmission dynamics of M. bovis infection in a highly circumscribed, and at the same time geographically diverse, high-risk area of the island through an in-depth geo-epidemiological investigation of TB in cattle and black pigs raised in small-scale extensive farms across the district of Caronia. We used genotype analysis coupled with geographic information system (GIS) technology and phylogenetic inference to characterize the spatial distribution of TB and M. bovis genotypes in livestock and the genetic relationships between M. bovis isolates. A total of 589 M. bovis isolates collected from slaughtered cattle (n = 527) and Sicilian black pigs (n = 62) over a 5-year period (2014-2018) were included in the study. TB was widespread throughout the district and was most frequent in the north-central area of the district, especially along one of the district's streams. We identified a total of 62 M. bovis genotypes. Identical genetic profiles were isolated from both neighboring and non-neighburing herds. The 10 most frequent genotypes, accounting for 82% of M. bovis isolates, showed geographic specificities in that they tended to cluster in specific spatial niches. The landscape structure of these niches-i.e. steep slopes, rocky ridges, meadows and streams-is likely to have had a significant influence on the distribution of TB among livestock in Caronia. Higher concentrations of TB were observed along streams and in open meadows, while rocky ridges and slopes appeared to have hampered the spread of TB. The geographical distribution of TB cases among livestock in Caronia is consistent with several epidemiological scenarios (e.g., high density of infected herds along the streams or in hilly plateau where livestock share pastures). Landscape structure is likely to play an important role in the transmission and persistence of M. bovis infection across the district. Additional potential risk factors, such as livestock trading and extensive breeding methods, are also discussed. Our results will contribute to the improvement of surveillance, control and eradication activities of TB in Sicily by the implementation of ad hoc TB control measures, especially in farms located along streams, sharing common pastures or with mixed animal species.

Towards an efficient streamflow forecasting method for event-scales in Ca River basin, Vietnam

Study regionThe Ca River basin is located in the North Central Coast area of Vietnam Study focusThis study aims to develop a deep learning framework that is both effective and straightforward in order to forecast water levels in the Ca River basin in advance of multiple time steps for the event scales. We have thoroughly studied and assessed two deep learning models (DLMs), long-short term memory (LSTM) and gated recurrent unit (GRU), for their capacity to forecast water levels, focusing on various aspects such as the influence of sequence length or the impact of hyperparameter selection. Besides, two data scenarios were established using hydrological data from eight severe floods between 2007 and 2019 to examine the effect of input variables on model performance. Water level data was employed for both the scenarios (S1 and S2), whereas precipitation data was used only in S2. The cross-validation technique was used dynamically to address the issue of limited data. The inputs were reformatted as tensors and were then randomly divided into subsets. This flexible tuning preserved the sequential nature of the hydrological data while enabling the DLMs to be trained efficiently. New hydrological insights for the regionThe findings revealed that both the models exhibited equally excellent performances. The NSE of the LSTM model varies from 0.999–0.971 compared to 0.998–0.974 of the GRU model, corresponding to forecast cases from one to four-time steps ahead. This indicated that the use of multiple-input data types (S2) contrary to only one date type (S1) does not necessarily improve the forecasting performance. LSTM/GRU models with one hidden layer are adequate for delivering high performance while minimizing the data processing time.

“BACACIX”, a spatial index combining proxies of bovine and badger space use associated with extended Mycobacterium bovis circulation in France

To better prevent and control multi-host pathogen circulation over large areas, it is essential to identify patterns of disease persistence within host communities involved in pathogen circulation at a macroscale. The aim of this study was to design and calculate “BACACIX”, a spatial index of indirect contacts between cattle and badgers, two species involved in the circulation of Mycobacterium bovis, one of the main causative agents of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), in some areas of France. The index combined spatial models of land use distribution (the probable distribution defining animal use of space) based on pasture location for cattle, and based on land cover for badgers, with proxies for animal density for both species. For badgers, we used two series of census data of badger setts in two regions of France to evaluate our model of badger space use distribution (also known as utilization distribution), and analyzed the relationship between BACACIX and the upsurge of bovine tuberculosis observed in several regions of France during the decade after the country obtained the officially bTB-free status in 2001. We observed high values of BACACIX from the southwest to the northeast of France and from Brittany to the Channel coast. Conversely, in two areas (north-central area and Mediterranean coast), index values were low, suggesting that indirect cattle–badger contacts were unlikely. In the two series of census data of badger setts that we analyzed, 96.5% and 87% of the global positioning system (GPS) locations of badger setts, respectively were located in the calculated badger space use distribution. A logistic regression model showed that after controlling bTB over the previous decade, the value of the index was positively associated with the risk of cattle outbreaks between 2001 and 2010 (OR = 1.57). In addition, the risk of bTB occurrence in cattle decreased when the pasture area outside the badger space use distribution increased. In the future, the spatial index of indirect cattle–badger contacts we propose could help to better target bTB surveillance and control in France.

A historical survey of Karofi abandoned settlement, Dutsen-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria

This paper is an archaeological survey of Karofi abandoned settlement, which is located in the north-central area of Katsina State of Nigeria conducted from the 5th of January to 30th of March, 2018. Despite Karofi’s large amount of archaeological resources as the survey shows, the area receives little or no attention from researchers. Through ethnographic survey, an effort is made to examine fundamental features of the site with particular reference to the history of the early inhabitants of the area through the collection and analysis of both tangible and intangible remains using an archaeological survey of site. Among the finds identified in this survey are: house and granary foundations, collapsed defensive walls, grinding stones, dye pits, potsherds, remnants of iron slags, cave and rock shelters, among others. The paper suggests that when closely studied, Karofi abandoned settlement will yield great archaeological results.

A study on villages of the planning of water infrastructure planning: 25 villages in Shaanxi Province as an example

Abstract This thesis provides a water infrastructure planning strategy based on an analysis and evaluation of the present situation, which more effectively integrates the current scenario of rural development while adjusting to the trend of population development and resource allocation in rural China. In the north-central area of Shaanxi Province, 25 villages were chosen for field study in order to get a comprehensive grasp of the population and land-use conditions. The size and population of the area needing sewage and drainage infrastructure are estimated by the projection of rural population decline and the projection of rural building land scale and land-use adjustment. On this basis, sewage and drainage facilities are subsequently planned, including the contents of a three-compartment septic tank, sedimentation tank, sewage network, and ecological treatment tank. This type of water infrastructure design may not only enhance the living environment of the region but also efficiently address the issues of water collection and agricultural irrigation in the desert tablelands, enabling the efficient use of resources and sustainable growth of the community.

Diet of the Dusky finless skate Gurgesiella furvescens (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) from the continental shelf and slope of the north-central area of Chile

The dusky finless skate Gurgesiella furvescens appears sporadically as part of the bycatch in the trawl fishery targeting demersal crustaceans on the continental shelf and upper slope of the north-central area of Chile (26ºS-33ºS). Demersal crustaceans could be forage for deep-water predators such as G. furvescens, and sizes and shapes of prey eaten could be restricted by mouth size. The diet composition of G. furvescens was determined based on specimens collected from the bycatch of trawls targeting demersal crustaceans in 2013. Stomach contents revealed nylon shrimp Heterocarpus reedi (32.8% by weight), deep-water shrimp Haliporoides diomedeae (7.2% by weight), and indeterminate crustaceans (9.0% by weight). The diet composition was similar between sexes, body length, or depth strata. Prey size was a linear function of Gurgesiella furvescens mouth width, and prey mass positively related with G. furvescens individual mass. Although squat-lobsters Pleuroncodes monodon and Cervimunida johni were abundant in the study area, the nylon shrimp and deep-water shrimp in the diet of G. furvescens may be due to the preference or selection of this kind of prey in deep waters.

Pollen Types Reveal Floral Diversity in Natural Honeys from Campeche, Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula, located in southern Mexico, is a central honey-producing region with extraordinary biodiversity of melliferous plants. Approximately 900 plant species have been described as being a source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. They provide ecosystem services that help to keep plant biodiversity high and mitigate the effects of climate change. This study aimed to reveal the diversity of the pollen content in honey through a melissopalynological analysis of 22 honey samples collected in February–August 2021 from the north-central area of Campeche, Mexico. The extraction of pollen from the honey was carried out using standard methods for melissopalynological analysis. The honeys were classified by botanical origin to determine their floral sources and a diverse spectrum of 19 pollen types from 13 families was identified. Only eight were predominant: Milleria quinqueflora, Gymnopodium floribundum, Terminalia buceras, Amaranthus spinosus, Zea mays, Talisia floresii, Guazuma ulmifolia, and Croton icche. Our research shows the high quality of the honey analyzed and highlights the diversity and critical role of local melliferous flora and crops in beekeeping development in southern Mexico. The results in this study are useful for confirming the botanical origins of honey, generating information for designing nature conservation and agroecosystem management strategies, and increasing the knowledge of beekeepers in Campeche, Mexico.

Cocoa from agricultural resource to cultural tourism potential. Producers motivations in the north central area of Manabí, Ecuador

Cocoa from agricultural resource to cultural tourism potential. Producers motivations in the north central area of Manabí, Ecuador

Predictors of Test Positivity, Mortality, and Seropositivity during the Early Coronavirus Disease Epidemic, Orange County, California, USA.

We conducted a detailed analysis of coronavirus disease in a large population center in southern California, USA (Orange County, population 3.2 million), to determine heterogeneity in risks for infection, test positivity, and death. We used a combination of datasets, including a population-representative seroprevalence survey, to assess the actual burden of disease and testing intensity, test positivity, and mortality. In the first month of the local epidemic (March 2020), case incidence clustered in high-income areas. This pattern quickly shifted, and cases next clustered in much higher rates in the north-central area of the county, which has a lower socioeconomic status. Beginning in April 2020, a concentration of reported cases, test positivity, testing intensity, and seropositivity in a north-central area persisted. At the individual level, several factors (e.g., age, race or ethnicity, and ZIP codes with low educational attainment) strongly affected risk for seropositivity and death.

Pore Structure Differentiation between Deltaic and Epicontinental Tight Sandstones of the Upper Paleozoic in the Eastern Linxing Area, Ordos Basin, China

Research on tight gas reservoirs in the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin, China, has recently become a hot spot. This paper mainly studies the reservoir characteristics of tight sandstone in the north-central area close to the provenance in eastern Linxing. Cast thin section, scanning electron microscopy, high-pressure mercury injection, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were applied to discriminate the tight sandstone reservoir differences between the Permian Taiyuan and Shanxi formations in the study area. The results show that the deltaic tight sandstones in the Shanxi Formation are dominated by lithic quartz sandstone and lithic sandstone with an average porosity of 2.3% and permeability of 0.083 mD. The epicontinental tight sandstones in the Taiyuan Formation are mainly lithic sandstone and lithic quartz sandstone, with average porosities and permeabilities of 6.9% and 0.12 mD, respectively. The pore type is dominated by secondary dissolution pores, containing a small number of primary pores, and fractures are not developed. The capillary pressure curves of the Taiyuan Formation sandstone are mainly of low displacement pressure, high mercury saturation, and mercury withdrawal efficiency, while the Shanxi Formation sandstone is mainly of high displacement pressure, low mercury saturation, and withdrawal efficiency. The diagenetic evolution of sandstone in the Shanxi Formation is in meso-diagenesis stage A, and the Taiyuan Formation has entered meso-diagenesis stage B. The siliceous cement in the Taiyuan Formation sandstone enhanced the sandstone resistance to compaction and retained some residual intergranular pores. The pore types in the Shanxi Formation sandstone are all secondary pores, while secondary pores in the Taiyuan Formation sandstone account for approximately 90%. The results can be beneficial for tight gas production in the study area and similar basins.

Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected out-of-hours presentations in CAMHS?

AimsThe aim of this project was to look at whether the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically lockdown, has impacted out-of-hours presentations to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in North Central and East London.MethodSpecialist Registrars (SpRs) on the Royal London/Great Ormond Street CAMHS Higher Training Scheme are contacted for advice regarding all CAMHS presentations in the North Central and East London area. Responsibilities includes provision of advice to 6 hospitals (including 4 emergency departments) and 4 child and adolescent inpatient units. A record of all phone calls and call-outs, including Mental Health Act and Section 136 (S136) assessments are maintained and this study compares pre- and post-COVID-19 data to see if there are any differences in number of presentations, on-site assessments (including Mental Health Act and S136 assessments over 2019 and 2020.ResultNumbers of CAMHS presentations were lower in 2020 (mean 74 patients per month) compared with 2019 (60 patients per month). This was consistent across all months except October and December. The largest difference was seen in March: 109 patients presented in March 2019, compared with 55 in March 2020. This is also reflected in the number of assessments conducted on site. However, there do not appear to be differences in the numbers of Mental Health Act or S136 assessments undertaken over 2020, compared with 2019.ConclusionCAMHS out-of-hours presentations dropped off significantly at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, and in particular, with the first lockdown (March to July 2020). Specialist Registrars provided advice via telephone less frequently in 2020 compared with 2019, and were required to do fewer on-site assessments of children and young people presenting with mental health difficulties.There were no significant differences in Mental Health Act or S136 assessments between the two years, however, these numbers are too small to make any meaningful conclusions.It is likely that children and adolescents were less likely to present to emergency departments for assessment of their mental health difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than this reflecting a true reduction in mental health difficulties.Recommendations:It is helpful to continue to monitor CAMHS out-of-hour presentations.Trusts may want to consider alternative settings for providing emergency CAMHS assessments, for example, mental health hubs.Limitations:This provision of data is subject to recall bias.

Effects of effluent discharges from a cement factory on the ecology of macroinvertebrates in an Afrotropical river.

Cement factory waste water impacts on the ecology of macroinvertebrate assemblages of the Oinyi River, North Central area of Nigeria, were evaluated bi-monthly for 1 year as part of a study to understand the effects of pollution processes in the lotic system that may initiate the development of policy and improved regulation. Three sampling stations, each 100 m long, were selected along 11-km stretch of the river. Station 1, located upstream of the discharge point from the cement factory plant; station 2, immediately downstream of the effluent discharge point; and station 3, 4 km downstream, were sampled. The waste water from the cement effluent factory impacted negatively on the water chemistry by elevating the levels of some heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cu, and Ni), and other physicochemical parameters such as turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), conductivity, and total suspended solid. A total of 81 macroinvertebrate taxa combined were recorded from the river. The community structure, diversity, and abundance depicted distinct variation between the effluent-impacted site, and the upstream station as the most sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa such as Neoperla and Cheumatopsyche species was completely missing from the effluent-impacted site. The preponderance of some dipteran taxa (Tanypus sp., Eristalis tenax, Simulum sp., Empis sp., and Atherix sp.) and drastic reduction in the Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera (EPT) organisms in the impacted station is an indication that the chemical components of the cement effluent waste water were lethal to some aquatic forms. Extrapolations from canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) results revealed that turbidity, conductivity, BOD, orthophosphate-phosphorus, and heavy metals were strongly associated with the impacted station. Generally, the community structure of station 1 was more diverse with more sensitive taxa, different from those of stations 2 and 3, which were prone to intense human activities. The need for careful consideration of the water quality and indicator organisms is important for restoration of this river.

Identifying Potential Sites for Artificial Recharge in the Plain Area of the Daqing River Catchment Using GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Analysis

As an essential component for the development of the Xiong’an New Area, China’s second capital, groundwater in the area has been overexploited, resulting in ecological and environmental geological problems. Therefore, artificial groundwater replenishment measures are urgently required, for which the evaluation of the recharge potential is an important prerequisite. In this study, a GIS (Geographic Information System)-based multi-criteria evaluation system was constructed, considering the source water conditions, recharge infiltration conditions, aquifer storage conditions, and environmental conditions. In addition, factors such as the distance to a canal, source water quality, slope, vadose zone infiltration rate, drainage density, groundwater depth, aquifer hydraulic conductivity, aquifer thickness, groundwater quality, soil quality, and distance to sensitive areas were also analyzed. GIS was used to draw and calculate potential artificial recharge sites. The results showed that the potential recharge sites in the study area are mainly distributed in the alluvial plains on both sides of the river, with a total area of 2103.9 km2, accounting for 15.8% of the total study area. In the Xiong’an New Area, the potential sites are mainly distributed in the alluvial–proluvial plains on both sides of the Baigou River in the north-central area, with a total area of 39.4 km2, accounting for approximately 2.2% of the total area of the Xiong’an New Area.

Horos from Naxos with Pupillary apotimema

The horos was reported to Hiller von Gaertringer in June 1930 by Franz Gabriel Welter, engaged in excavations during the 1920s in the areas of Hyria and Livadi (Naxos). The document is remarkable for the definition of the concept of apotimema, the estimated value of properties given as security for the lease of property of a subject protected by the eponymous archon (orphans, widows and epikleroi). In this specific case, we have a pupillary apotimema: lands and the house, with the tiled roof, valued and placed as apotimema for the goods capitalised by the epitropos of Epiphron’s children. The capital loaned is 3,500 drachmas and the children would have obtained 400 drachmas as annual interest. Among the land pledged to guarantee the sum, the possessions in the localities of Elaious and Melanes are also mentioned, the latter’s toponym still in use for the village that is located in the north-central area of the island of Nassia.