Southeastern Region Research Articles

The Response of Runoff to Land Use Change in the Northeastern Black Soil Region, China

With the intensification of climate change and human activities, the impacts of land use shifts on hydrological processes are becoming more pronounced, especially in regions with complex geographic, geological, and climatic conditions such as the Northeast Black Soil Region, China. This study quantitatively examines the variations in various land use types from 1980 to 2020 by means of a land use transfer matrix, and it incorporates the multi-year average runoff value to mitigate the interference of short-term climate fluctuations on the runoff trend, thereby enhancing the representativeness and stability of the simulation outcomes. The SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model is employed to simulate land use alterations in different periods. The findings indicate that the area of farmland increased by 5.34% and the area of grassland decreased by 5.36% over 40 years. The areas of forest land and wetland have fluctuated significantly due to policy interventions and population growth. This study discovers that LUCC has resulted in a marginal increase in annual water yield. For instance, the water yield of paddy fields in 2020 amounts to 92.26 mm/year, which is 0.52–9.42% higher than the historical scenario and exhibits a notable upward trend in summer. Spatial analysis discloses regional disparities, with substantial changes in the hydrological behavior of northern watersheds (such as the Huma River) and southeastern regions (such as the Toudao River). The augmentation of wetland and forest coverage has effectively mitigated peak runoff, especially during extreme rainfall events. Wetlands have manifested strong water regulation capabilities and alleviated the impact of floods. This study quantitatively discloses the complex response pattern of LUCC to runoff by introducing a multi-scale analysis approach, which furnishes a scientific basis for flood risk assessment, land use optimization, and water resource management, and demonstrates the potential for extensive application in other countries and regions with similar climatic and topographic conditions.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB infections boost cross-variant neutralizing antibodies, potentially explaining the observed delay of the JN.1 wave in some Brazilian regions

ObjectivesThe SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 lineage emerged in late 2023 and quickly replaced the XBB lineages, becoming the predominant Omicron variant worldwide in 2024. We estimate the epidemiological impact of this SARS-CoV-2 lineage replacement in Brazil and we further assessed the cross-reactive neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses in a cohort of convalescent Brazilian patients infected during 2023. MethodsWe analyzed the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 lineages and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases in Brazil between July 2023 and March 2024. We evaluated the cross-reactive NAb responses to the JN.1 variant in a cohort of convalescent Brazilian patients, both before and after infection with XBB.1* lineages. ResultsJN.1 replaced XBB with similar temporal dynamics across all country regions, though its epidemiological impact varied between locations. The Southeastern, Southern, and Central-Western regions experienced a brief XBB wave around October 2023, shortly before the introduction of JN.1, without any immediate upsurge of SARI cases during viral lineage replacement. By contrast, the Northeastern and Northern regions did not experience an XBB wave in the latter half of 2023 and displayed a rapid surge in SARI cases driven by the emergence of the JN.1. We found that recent XBB infections in the Brazilian population significantly boosted cross-reactive NAb levels against JN.1. ConclusionsThe XBB wave observed in the second half of 2023 in some Brazilian states likely acted as a booster for population immunity, providing short-term protection against JN.1 infections and delaying the rise of SARI cases in certain regions of the country.

Nguba Group hosted the Lonshi Copper Deposit: Perspective for the discovery of new deposits in the vicinity of the Lonshi Mine

The Lonshi is a newly discovered copper deposit located in the southeastern region of the Central African Copperbelt, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The deposit is hosted in the Nguba Group of the Katanga Supergroup. This paper analyzes the lithostratigraphy of the Nguba Group, structures, ore host rock, and mineralization characteristics of the Lonshi deposit. The lithostratigraphy of the Lonshi area is comprised of the Mwashya sandstone of the Roan Group; conglomerate, dolostone, shale, mudstone, and siltstone of the Nguba Group; and conglomerate, pink dolostone, and siltstone of the Kondelungu Group. Geological structures identified within the mining zone encompass the N-S and W-E trending folds, the NW-trending fault, E-W sinistral shear structures, and various fractures and veins. The Lonshi deposit exemplifies a characteristic of hydrothermal stratiform mineralization, comprising two main orebodies situated within the Mwale conglomerate (lower orebody) and the underlying Lonshi dolostone (upper orebody). The ore deposited during three mineralization stages, wherein the first hydrothermal stratigraphically-controlled stage that deposited chalcocite 1, bornite, chalcopyrite and pyrite. The structurally-controled stage 2 is further divided into chalcocite 2 and bornite stage 2a, and chalcopyrite, bornite and native copper stage 2b; and the supergene alteration stage 3 results in the formation of chalcocite 3, malachite, cuprite, azurite, and native copper 2. The gangue minerals associated with copper sulfide minerals consist of ankerite, feldspar, quartz, muscovite/sericite, kaersutite, barite, and illite. The sulfide minerals associated with ore stages display zonation both vertically and laterally, transitioning from chalcocite to bornite to chalcopyrite to pyrite±sphalerite. Copper sulfide minerals manifest as fine- to coarse-grained disseminations within the conglomerate, exhibiting a replacement texture. The mineralizing fluids at the Lonshi deposit were likely enriched in Fe, Ca, Mg, Si, S, and Cu, with additional magnesium within the ore hosted dolostone and cobalt and potassium within the ore hosted conglomerate.The Nguba Group shows the distinct lithologies of light-gray conglomerates and dolostone, provide valuable insights for potential new deposits near the Lonshi mine. The observed mineral zoning, hydrothermal alterations, and multi-stage mineralization events suggest favorable conditions for copper mineralization. Targeting similar stratigraphic settings and alteration signatures in the vicinity could enhance the likelihood of discovering new deposits, particularly in areas exhibiting similar geological characteristics and structural features.

Safety and immunogenicity of the yellow fever vaccine for patients with end-stage renal disease.

In December 2016, an outbreak of sylvatic yellow fever (YF) occurred in the non-endemic areas of the south-eastern region of Brazil. The immune response to the yellow fever vaccine and its safety in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) living in YF-endemic regions are not thoroughly understood. The objective of this study is to assess the incidence of adverse events and the serological response after primary vaccination with the 17DD-YF vaccine in CKD patients undergoing dialysis. This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study involving 223 individuals with CKD who were on dialysis after primary vaccination against YF. Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics were collected and the vaccine adverse event (VAE) were assessed. Around 35 months after vaccination, the serological response was evaluated in 71 (32%) patients using neutralization tests. No serious VAE occurred in any patient. Local reactions were reported in 13 individuals (5.8%), while 6 (2.7%) reported generalized systemic reactions and 205 (91.9%) did not display any VAE. No clinical or epidemiologic characteristic predicted the occurrence of VAE. Adequate serological response was found in 38% of participants and none of the clinical or epidemiological characteristics were associated with immunogenicity. The outcomes of our study suggest that the yellow YF vaccine is well-tolerated in CKD patients undergoing dialysis, but it does not induce adequate immune response. Future research should focus on evaluating both cellular and humoral immune responses following administration of various doses of the YF vaccine.

Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) Approach for Identifying Optimal Solar Farm Locations: A Multi-Technique Comparative Analysis

This study explores the spatial suitability for solar farm placement using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques (ArcGIS Pro 3.0.2) coupled with Muti-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. Nine evaluation criteria significantly impacting solar farm placement in Erbil, Iraq were selected, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was utilized to assign proper weights to these criteria. Suitability maps were derived and classified using three MCDM methods: Weighted Overlay (WO), TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), and SAW (Simple Additive Weighting) to establish comparisons. Discrepancies were noticeable between the outcomes of these methods, with distinctions observable across most categories. The validation process illustrated superior performance by SAW model, closely followed by TOPSIS model, while the weighted overlay model showed significant differences. The southeastern region of Erbil governorate was identified as the most suitable area for solar farm construction due to favorable criteria values and potential for future expansion. This approach massively facilitates locating and evaluating ideal areas for solar farm construction, thereby minimizing the time, financial resources, and efforts dedicated towards this endeavor.

Controversies over second-home development in outdoor recreation landscapes: A Norwegian case

During recent decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of second homes in rural municipalities of Norway. While second-home owners, as part-time residents, significantly contribute economically and socially to their host communities, the development has sparked concerns about the appropriation of natural areas in forests and mountain landscapes, the creation of urbanised enclaves within these areas and the potential challenges to municipal planning capacities and policies due to pressure from landowners, private investors and developers.We highlight three interrelated issues, focusing on opinions and discourses manifest in controversies over second-home development in a popular mountain destination in the southeastern region of Norway. First, we explore to what extent conflicts of interest between various private and public stakeholders arise from irreconcilable ways of engaging with land properties of the landscapes. Second, we analyse the disagreements regarding the allocation of responsibilities between the private and public sectors, which often serve as the foundation for controversies. Third, we examine how these controversies shape stakeholders’ perceptions and expressions of sustainability issues, especially among those with conflicting interests. It is concluded that the development process, increasingly driven by neoliberal public planning and land-use regulations for second-home developments, clashes with the common perceptions of residents and long-time second-home owners, who view the landscape as a collection of indistinct land properties. Landowners, developers and municipalities fail to sufficiently consider this, exacerbating the existing deficiencies in planning and regulatory processes and intensifying the controversies.

The Associations of Long-Term Temperature and Precipitation with Chronic Respiratory Symptoms: Projections for the Changing Climate

PurposeTo clarify the associations of climatic indices with chronic respiratory symptoms, with a final aim to approximate the effects of climate change on them.MethodsAn e-mail survey was directed to the members of the Finnish Pensioners` Federation. The mean 20-years’ precipitation and temperature in each subjects’ home municipality were obtained from the Finnish Meteorological Institute, separately for summer and winter. Adjusted multivariate models were utilized to investigate the associations of the climatic indices with chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic cough, wheezing with dyspnea, and sleep apnea.ResultsThere were 6189 responders from 283 municipalities. Chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic cough were most prevalent in the southeastern regions of the country, where the precipitation counts were highest. In the multivariate models, winter precipitation in the home municipality increased the risks of chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic cough [adjusted OR 1.80 (1.30–2.51) per 100 mm, p < 0.001, and 1.57 (1.19–2.07) per 100 mm, p = 0.001, respectively]. Wheezing with dyspnea and sleep apnea were not associated with the climatic indices.ConclusionChronic rhinosinusitis and chronic cough were associated with long-term winter precipitation. Given the anticipated increase in winter precipitation in Northern America and Northern Europe, the prevalences of chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic cough may increase there.

Effects of fine particulate matter air pollution on survival of Heliconius ethilla (Godart, 1819)

Human activities affect natural ecosystems worldwide and can generate negative effects on insect species such as growth inhibition, developmental abnormalities and reduction of reproductive and survival rates. Our study focused on fine particulate matter, a pollutant known to cause mechanical obstruction, heavy metal intoxication, and stress in Lepidoptera larvae. Heliconius ethilla (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is a Heliconiinae found in the southeastern region of Brazil. We started our study with 3255 eggs, from which 69 stage 3 larvae were randomly separated as the treatment group. The larvae were fed with Passiflora edulis leaves and the SPM was added before being offered to the treatment group in an increasing concentration according to the age of the larvae and the leaf, simulating the gradual deposition of SPM in the environment. Our results demonstrate that Sedimentable Particulate Matter negatively impacted mortality rates, pupal weight, and body size. The results strongly indicate that the presence of SPM negatively impacts the survival, development and potentially the reproductive success of H. ethilla. A reduction in the population size and a consequent decrease in the chances of long-term survival of the species can be expected.

Hydroclimate variability in southeastern Tibetan Plateau since the late Quaternary: Insights from hydrogen isotopes in sedimentary leaf waxes

Hydroclimate variations in the Tibetan Plateau, particularly its southeastern region, significantly influence downstream agricultural and ecological systems. However, the dynamics of these changes remain inadequately understood. In this study, we present a 28.6 thousand-year record of precipitation hydrogen isotopes (δDp) derived from sedimentary leaf wax n-alkanoic acids (C30, δDwax) from Mang Co Lake, a lake in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Our analysis interprets δDp as a proxy for Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) intensity, revealing its strongest phase during both the early Holocene and 28.6–26.5 calibrated thousand years before present (Cal ka BP), as well as its weakest during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We find that summer insolation is the primary driver of ISM variability on the orbital scale over the past 28.6 ka. Millennial scale δDp variability reflects interactions between the summer monsoon and the westerly jet (WJ). The δDp record reveals that in the periods of 5–3 Cal ka BP and 1–0 Cal ka BP, a weakened ISM coincided with the WJ’s prolonged residence south of the Tibetan Plateau. Abrupt cooling events due to albedo feedback of ice and snow in high latitudes are inferred to have played a critical role in modulating the atmospheric circulation patterns, including the position and intensity of the WJ and ISM. Our findings emphasize the high sensitivity of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau’s hydroclimate to global climate changes, necessitating future reconstructions with improved temporal and spatial resolution.

Are CO2 emissions a reason of drought in the United States?

ABSTRACT In this study, the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and drought (Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index) is investigated using data from 51 states in the US for the period 1997–2020. For this purpose, firstly, information about previous studies and the results of these studies are given in the study. Later, as empirical analysis, cross-section dependency tests, slope homogeneity tests, unit root analyses, cointegration tests, and causality analyses were performed. Then, short- and long-term parameter estimates are made for the entire panel and for each case. Lastly, impulse-response analyses are made. When the results are evaluated in general, it is found that CO2 emissions and drought in the US affect each other in the short and long term. CO2 emissions have been shown to have an increasing effect on drought, especially in most of the states located in the southeastern region of the US. On the other hand, CO2 emissions have been found to cause an increase in the incidence of wet periods in a significant part of the states located in the northeastern region of the US.

Variations and influencing factors of vegetation net primary productivity over 31 years in Wuyishan National Park, China

In this study, the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach model was used to estimate the net primary productivity (NPP) of Wuyishan National Park from 1990 to 2020. Variation in NPP in parks was examined, and the influencing factors were identified. NPP showed an increasing trend annually with climate change. The value (625.67 gC m−2 a−1) obtained in this study was higher than the regional value along similar latitudes and coastlines. Affected by the spatial distribution characteristics of vegetation, NPP in the study area exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity, with a distribution of higher values in the northwestern region and lower values in the southeastern region. However, the growth rates showed the opposite trend. The higher growth rate of NPP in the ecological restoration zone was attributed to the ecological conservation efforts undertaken in Wuyishan National Park. Among the various environmental factors, the vapor pressure deficit contributed substantially to NPP temporal distribution, accounting for 25.71%. Terrain factors, which are influenced by the spatial distribution characteristics of vegetation and environmental factors, are important variables that affect the spatial distribution of NPP within the study area. The highest vegetation NPP in Wuyishan National Park was observed in regions with an elevation of approximately 1000 m, slopes ranging from 20° to 40°, and an aspect of approximately 150°. Compared with slope and aspect, elevation provides a stronger explanatory power (R2 = 0.93) for the spatial distribution patterns of vegetation NPP in Wuyi Mountain National Park. This study suggests that Wuyishan National Park has considerable carbon sequestration potential. In the context of climate warming, the favorable aspects of climate warming should be considered, and ecological restoration measures tailored to local conditions should be implemented.Article title mismatch between manuscript and publisher provided information, so we have follow the manuscript. Kindly check and confirm.Variations and influencing factors of vegetation net primary productivity over 31 years in Wuyishan National Park, China

Identifying the Interactive Coercive Relationships Between Urbanization and Eco-Environmental Quality in the Yangtze and Yellow River Basins, China

Urbanization, as an important engine of modernization, plays an important role in promoting regional economy and improving living standards. Nevertheless, unchecked urban expansion over recent decades has strained natural resources and the environment, leading to crises, especially in densely populated urban areas that act as ecological barriers within river basins. The investigation of the interactive coercive relationship between the urbanization level (UL) and eco-environmental quality (EEQ) can facilitate the identification of sustainable pathways towards regional sustainability. Therefore, this study employed a set of multidisciplinary approaches, integrating simple linear regression, bivariate spatial autocorrelation, and coupling coordination degree (CCD) models, alongside multi-source remote sensing data to analyze the interactive coercive relationship between UL and EEQ in the Yangtze and Yellow River basins (YYRBs) in China. Key findings included a 6.97% improvement in EEQ in the Yellow River basin (YLRB) from 2001 to 2020, with higher values in the southeastern and southwestern regions and lower values in the central region, while the Yangtze River basin (YTRB) saw only a 1.28% increase, characterized by a lower EEQ in the west and higher levels in the middle and east, although the Yangtze River Delta showed a decline and significant variation among tributaries. UL rose steadily in both basins, especially in the middle reaches of the YLRB. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed a positive correlation between UL and EEQ in the YLRB, whereas a negative correlation was found in the YTRB. The CCD between UL and EEQ in the YYRBs improved, particularly in the middle and lower reaches, indicating the need for integrated urban development strategies that consider regional ecological capacities. These findings provided a scientific basis for ecological protection and sustainable urban development at a large river basin scale.

Lead ion adsorption by biochar manufactured from downed timber: the effect of downed timber maturity and environmental exposure period

ABSTRACT Downed timber is valuable for manufacturing biochar in environmental remediation applications due to the low cost of raw materials and low-temperature manufacturing process. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees at different maturities (15-, 30-, and 39-year-old) with 0, 6, and 12 months of local environmental exposure in the southeastern region of the US were collected for biochar manufacturing. The biochar samples were characterized for their physicochemical properties, including morphologies, elemental compositions, surface functional groups, carbon structure, pH, electrical conductivity, and specific surface area. The Pb2+ adsorption isotherms were measured. The results indicated that the biochar physicochemical properties, affected by the tree maturities and the environmental exposure periods, significantly impacted the Pb2+ adsorption capacity. The Pb2+ adsorption capacity of biochar increased with the environmental exposure of wood for 6 months, followed by a decrease for biochar made from wood with an environmental exposure of 12 months. A recommendation can be made that downed timber collected up to a 6-month environmental exposure period can manufacture biochar with superior performance regarding adsorbing Pb2+ in water systems. The research outcome offered insights for the biochar manufacturing community to prepare forest feedstock for biochar production with better performance in Pb2+ adsorption.

First Report of Cucurbit Aphid-Borne Yellows Virus on Sicyos angulatus in Korea.

Bur cucumber (Sicyos angulatus), known as gasibak in Korea, is an invasive species that has spread widely since its introduction. In July 2024, populations were surveyed along riverbanks in five southeastern regions of South Korea (Andong, Daegu, Cheongsong, Chilgok, and Gunwi). Across these locations, approximately 5% of the plants displayed viral symptoms such as yellowing and mosaic. A total of 25 symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf samples were collected. To identify viral infections, RT-PCR was conducted to detect nine cucurbit viruses common in Korea (Kwak et al., 2018; Park et al., 2011): cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, Cucumovirus CMV), cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV, Tobamovirus viridimaculae), cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV, Polerovirus CABYV), cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV, unclassified genus Crinivirus), kyuri green mottle mosaic virus (KGMMV, Tobamovirus kyuri), melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV, Gammacarmovirus melonis), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV, Potyvirus papayanuli), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV, P. citrulli), and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV, P. cucurbitaflavitesselati). WMV and WMV+CABYV were present in 16 and 6 samples, respectively, across four regions, with no viral infections detected in Andong. All positive samples were infected with WMV, with no CABYV alone and none of the other seven viruses were detected. WMV-infected samples primarily showed mosaic symptoms with irregular discoloration and mottling, while co-infected samples displayed more pronounced yellowing or chlorosis in addition to mosaic patterns. This suggests a specific association of CABYV with the yellowing symptoms, significantly contributing to chlorosis alongside WMV. The observed co-infection aligns with prior reports of WMV and CABYV in cucurbits, emphasizing the need for monitoring both viruses due to their combined impact on symptom severity and yield losses (Rabadán and Gómez, 2023). Asymptomatic samples tested negative for viral infections. To confirm the CABYV infection, cDNA synthesis was conducted on a CABYV-positive sample, followed by PCR with newly designed coat protein gene-specific primers (5'-GTCTCGTTACCAAGAGTCCA/CGACGAACTCACCATCAGC-3'). The resulting amplicon was cloned, sequenced, and submitted to GenBank (accession no. PQ303621.1). This CABYV sequence, designated as isolate Gasibak, showed 100% identity (600/600 bp) with five isolates (KR231962.1, KR231961.1, KR231959.1, KR231949.1, and KR231944.1) previously identified from Korean melons through a BLASTn search. This marks the first report of bur cucumber as a natural host of CABYV worldwide. CABYV belongs to the genus Polerovirus in the family Solemoviridae (Sõmera et al., 2021). Although not commonly found in Korea in the past, this virus has become increasingly prevalent, particularly in oriental melon crops. Recently, Korean authorities recognized that CABYV causes yellowing symptoms in various cucurbit crops, leading to economic damage. While WMV has been reported in bur cucumber (Park et al., 2020), details remain limited. Both WMV and CABYV are known to be transmitted by aphids, raising the possibility that bur cucumber may contribute to the spread of these viruses, particularly in areas near cucurbit crops. Previous studies have shown that bur cucumber can rapidly spread along riverbanks and into agricultural areas, potentially impacting nearby ecosystems and crops (Osawa et al., 2013).

Soil health assessment of dressing and smelting slag field based on heavy metal pollution-buffer-fertility three aspects

The soil health of heavy metals in dressing and smelting slag field varies soil physicochemical properties. This study proposed a new soil health index based on heavy metal pollution-buffer-fertility for dressing and smelting slag field. Consequently, spatial distribution of soil physicochemical properties and heavy metals were varied, and correlated to each other. Soil buffer function and fertility played a much more important role in soil health in the dressing and smelting slag field located in Gejiu city, which can result in that soil health indexes were higher than those in Huili county, although the soil heavy metal pollution in the former was severer than that in the latter. Maximum values of soil health indexes for dressing and smelting slag field in Gejiu city were 3.84, 0.61, and 1.75 corresponding to additive, multiplicative, and maximum value composite methods, which were higher than those in Huili county with 2.25, 0.61, and 0.17. The former’s high value is concentrated in southeastern regions and low value in some western areas, the latter’s high value occurred in southeastern districts and low value in northwestern places. So this study unveils a novel perspective on the soil health consequences associated with soil heavy metal pollution-buffer-fertility three aspects.

Key Enablers of Digital Transformation in Supply Chain Management: A Case Study of Enterprises in Vietnam’s Southeastern Region

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the key factors influencing digital transformation in supply chain management among enterprises in the Southeastern region of Vietnam. The goal is to provide insights into how these factors impact the successful adoption of digital transformation practices. Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in theories of digital transformation, technology acceptance, and organizational performance. Concepts such as Digital Transformation Performance, Technology Acceptance, Policies and Regulations, and Digital Transformation Drivers form the foundation for understanding the dynamics within supply chain management. Method: The methodology of this study includes a survey of 250 enterprises, with data analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The approach provides a robust framework for exploring the relationships between digital transformation factors and supply chain management outcomes. Results and Discussion: The results indicate that Digital Transformation Performance and Effectiveness have a positive impact on supply chain management. Moreover, Technology Acceptance and Policies and Regulations significantly promote the adoption of digital transformation. These findings are discussed in relation to the theoretical framework, highlighting the importance of these factors in fostering digital innovation. Research Implications: The implications of this research extend to both theoretical and practical domains. For enterprises, the results emphasize the need to focus on enhancing digital performance and leveraging supportive policies to facilitate transformation. In practice, these findings can inform strategies to accelerate digital transformation across industries in Vietnam. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by exploring the under-researched area of digital transformation in Vietnam's Southeastern region. The findings provide practical insights and theoretical contributions that may influence future research and industry practices in supply chain management and digital transformation.

Hydrochemical assessment of groundwater utilizing statistical analysis, integrated geochemical methods, and EWQI: a case study of Laiwu region, North China.

The investigation of groundwater quality and hydrochemical assessment holds immense significance in safeguarding and ensuring the rational utilization of groundwater resources. This study utilizes groundwater sampling and testing data from the Laiwu region (LWR), encompassing both dry and wet seasons, to delve into the hydrochemical characteristics, ion sources, and overall groundwater quality. The research findings indicate that the groundwater in LWR exhibits weak alkalinity, with the dominant ions being Ca2+ followed by Mg2+, Na+, and K+, and HCO3-, SO42-, NO3-, Cl-, and F-. The average total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations during the dry and wet seasons are recorded as 683mg/L and 679mg/L, respectively, classifying LWR's groundwater primarily as hard-fresh water. The spatial pattern of TDS concentration in LWR displays consistency throughout both the dry and wet seasons, with relatively low TDS levels observed in the northern and southeastern regions and higher concentrations in the lower reaches of the Dawen River and nearby Gangcheng. Predominantly, Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3- ions in groundwater originate from the dissolution of calcite and dolomite, with the hydrogeochemical process of carbonate rock weathering involving the presence of sulfuric acid. It is noteworthy that human activities significantly impact the chemical composition of groundwater in LWR. Notably, during the dry and wet seasons, the average concentration of NO3- in groundwater is 102.81 and 106.61mg/L respectively, and the analysis shows that agricultural practice is the main source. Furthermore, the calculated average values of the entropy water quality index (EWQI) during those seasons are 58.44 and 57.24, respectively. The EWQI shows good to moderate water quality in most areas, except for a few poor-quality spots in the west. It is worth mentioning that LWR's groundwater is deemed suitable for agricultural irrigation. These research findings provide valuable insights and serve as a significant reference for the rational development and sustainable utilization of groundwater resources in the LWR region.

Relationships between growth characteristics and GDF9 gene polymorphisms in Awassi sheep

ABSTRACT The Awassi sheep, a breed with a distinctive fat tail, is bred specifically in the south-eastern region in Turkey. It has proven its adaptability to the hot environment of this region, especially in the provinces of Şanlıurfa, Hatay and Gaziantep, which are close to the Syrian border. The aim of this study was to investigate the SNP polymorphisms in the GDF9 gene/exon2 using DNA sequencing. In addition, the study investigated the relationships between SNP genotypes and growth traits, in particular birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and weight at the end of the grazing season (GSW), in Awassi sheep. Four different flocks with a total of 131 Awassi lambs were used. PCR was used to amplify exon2 of the GDF9 gene region, which has a length of 815 base pairs (bp), from the genomic DNA of the Awassi sheep. Thus, four new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. The results showed that although the effects of SNP2 and SNP4 on body weight (BW) were statistically significant, only SNP4 had a significant effect on weaning weight (WW) (P < 0.05). In addition, SNP1 and SNP3 were found to have no significant effect on any developmental trait in the dataset.

Climatic oscillation based 3-dimensional drought risk assessment over India

Drought risk assessment is essential for the efficient design of water resource infrastructures and agricultural planning. Conventional drought studies define droughts either in a spatial or temporal framework without considering the simultaneous temporal and spatial progression of droughts. Spatiotemporal drought (SPD), a dynamic and complex phenomenon, has been relatively understudied due to the challenges in developing algorithms for their identification. In this study, we use a 3-dimensional drought identification framework to identify the SPD events across India. Further, as large-scale ocean-atmospheric phenomena namely El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Equatorial Indian Ocean Oscillation (EQUINOO) play an important role in modulating the occurrence of droughts in India, we investigated the influence of these climatic oscillations on SPD characteristics across different climatic regions of India. Further, ENSO-based drought risk assessment using drought characteristics and the synergy between univariate and multivariate drought risks are also evaluated. Results show that 1) there are significant seasonal and spatial variations in occurrences and magnitude of SPD characteristics for the different climate phases. SPDs during the ENSO positive (El Niño) and the EQUINOO negative phases have higher severity, especially over the monsoon core region. In northwest India, the median drought severity during El Niño events is over three times higher than La Niña events. Across most of India, a major portion of SPD event onset occurs during the monsoon seasons, however in the north-western and south-eastern regions an equal portion of drought onset occurs during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season, respectively. 2) Further, the ENSO-based drought risk assessment reveals that severe and longer-duration SPD events are associated with El Niño phases, making ENSO a crucial factor in drought frequency analysis. 3) The synergy between the univariate and multivariate drought risks conditioned on ENSO reveal that overall drought risks are linked to the magnitude of individual drought characteristics which have a strong association with ENSO phases. Thus, design criteria for drought resilient infrastructure should be based on the dominant drought characteristics influenced by ENSO phases for effective drought risk assessment. Overall, the study underscores the significant impact of ENSO on SPDs in India and the importance of incorporating ENSO information in drought frequency analysis for reliable risk assessments.

Stigma in tuberculosis patients: a cross-sectional study in the southeast region of Turkey

ABSTRACT Since tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease, it affects patients not only physically but also socially and patients are reported to experience stigma. This study was conducted to determine the stigma levels of patients in a tuberculosis dispensary in the southeastern region of Turkey. The study was conducted between December 2020 and June 2021 with 79 patients who agreed to participate. ‘Questionnaire’ and ‘Tuberculosis-Related Stigma Scale’ (TSS) were used for data collection. The score obtained from the scale ranges between ‘33 and 132’ and the higher the score, the higher the ‘stigma level’. It was determined that 54.4% of the patients were male, 45.6% were primary school and the mean age was 44.98 ± 16.09 years. It was found that 60.8% of the patients had pulmonary TB, 40.5% had been on treatment for 3–6 months, 45.6% described the society’s view of TB patients as ‘bad, negative, and excluding’, 64.8% had adverse effects on their communication with their family and close environment after being diagnosed with TB. The mean TSS score of the patients was 103.51 ± 10.65. TB patients were found to have ‘very high’ levels of stigma. The mean total stigma is higher in smokers, particularly in cases of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, as well as in those whose professional lives are affected.