932 research outputs found
Hydrological Alteration Index as an Indicator of the Calibration Complexity of Water Quantity and Quality Modeling in the Context of Global Change
Modeling is a useful way to understand human and climate change impacts on the water resources of agricultural watersheds. Calibration and validation methodologies are crucial in forecasting assessments. This study explores the best calibration methodology depending on the level of hydrological alteration due to human-derived stressors. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is used to evaluate hydrology in South-West Europe in a context of intensive agriculture and water scarcity. The Index of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) is calculated using discharge observation data. A comparison of two SWAT calibration methodologies are done; a conventional calibration (CC) based on recorded in-stream water quality and quantity and an additional calibration (AC) adding crop managements practices. Even if the water quality and quantity trends are similar between CC and AC, water balance, irrigation and crop yields are different. In the context of rainfall decrease, water yield decreases in both CC and AC, while crop productions present opposite trends (+33% in CC and -31% in AC). Hydrological performance between CC and AC is correlated to IHA: When the level of IHA is under 80%, AC methodology is necessary. The combination of both calibrations appears essential to better constrain the model and to forecast the impact of climate change or anthropogenic influences on water resources
High Y-chromosomal differentiation among ethnic groups of Dir and Swat districts, Pakistan
The ethnic groups that inhabit the mountainous Dir and Swat districts of northern Pakistan are marked by high levels of cultural and phenotypic diversity. To obtain knowledge of the extent of genetic diversity in this region, we investigated Yâchromosomal diversity in five population samples representing the three main ethnic groups residing within these districts, including Gujars, Pashtuns and Kohistanis. A total of 27 Yâchromosomal short tandem repeats (YâSTRs) and 331 Yâchromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (YâSNPs) were investigated. In the YâSTRs, we observed very high and significant levels of genetic differentiation in nine of the 10 pairwise betweenâgroup comparisons (RST 0.179â0.746), and the differences were mirrored in the YâSNP haplogroup frequency distribution. No genetic differences were found between the two Pashtun subethnic groups Tarklanis and Yusafzais (RST = 0.000). Utmankhels, also considered Pashtuns culturally, were not closely related to any of the other population samples (RST 0.451â0.746). Thus, our findings provide examples of both associations and dissociations between cultural and genetic legacies. When analyzed within a larger continentalâscale context, these five ethnic groups fall mostly outside the previously characterized Yâchromosomal gene pools of the IndoâPakistani subcontinent. Male founder effects, coupled with culturally and topographically based constraints upon marriage and movement, are likely responsible for the high degree of genetic structure in this region
An insight into Gandharan Art: Materials and Techniques of Polychrome Decoration
Gandharan art developed in the Himalayan area in the early centuries CE. It has been
investigated mostly from an iconographic point of view, missing, until very recently, a systematic
technical investigation of materials and techniques. Recently our team began performing chemical
analyses of the traces of the polychromy originally covering statues, reliefs and architectural decorations,
to discover the ancient painting techniques and artistic technologies. This paper presents
the results of the analytical investigation (optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography
coupled with mass spectrometry) of pigments, ground layers and binders of a new
group of samples taken from stucco architectural decorations (2ndâ3rd/4th centuries CE).
The samples were collected directly at an archaeological site in the Swat Valley, ensuring
the exact knowledge of their stratigraphic provenance, as well as the absence of any restoration
treatment applied prior sampling. The results are discussed in the wider context
of Gandharan polychromy investigated so far by our team, as found in sculptures and
architectural decorations preserved in museums (in Italy and France) and in archaeological
excavations in Pakistan. The aim of this research is to shed light on the materials and
techniques of this Buddhist ancient art from this region and on the influences exerted on
it from Eastern and Western artistic traditions
Simulating surface water and groundwater flow dynamics in tile-drained catchments
Pratique agricole rĂ©pandue dans les champs sujets Ă lâaccumulation dâeau en surface, le drainage souterrain amĂ©liore la productivitĂ© des cultures et rĂ©duit les risques de stagnation dâeau. La contribution significative du drainage sur les bilans dâeau Ă lâĂ©chelle de bassins versants, et sur les problĂšmes de contamination dus Ă lâĂ©pandage dâengrais et de fertilisant, a rĂ©guliĂšrement Ă©tĂ© soulignĂ©e. Les Ă©coulements dâeau souterraine associĂ©s au drainage Ă©tant souvent inconnus, leur reprĂ©sentation par modĂ©lisation numĂ©rique reste un dĂ©fi majeur. Avant de considĂ©rer le transport dâespĂšces chimiques ou de sĂ©diments, il est essentiel de simuler correctement les Ă©coulements dâeau souterraine en milieu drainĂ©. Dans cette perspective, le modĂšle HydroGeoSphere a Ă©tĂ© appliquĂ© Ă deux bassins versants agricoles drainĂ©s du Danemark. Un modĂšle de rĂ©fĂ©rence a Ă©tĂ© dĂ©veloppĂ© Ă lâĂ©chelle dâune parcelle dans le bassin versant de LillebĂŠk pour tester une sĂ©rie de concepts de drainage dans une zone drainĂ©e de 3.5 ha. Le but Ă©tait de dĂ©finir une mĂ©thode de modĂ©lisation adaptĂ©e aux rĂ©seaux de drainage complexes Ă grande Ă©chelle. Les simulations ont indiquĂ© quâune simplification du rĂ©seau de drainage ou que lâutilisation dâun milieu Ă©quivalent sont donc des options appropriĂ©es pour Ă©viter les maillages hautement discrĂ©tisĂ©s. Le calage des modĂšles reste cependant nĂ©cessaire. Afin de simuler les variations saisonniĂšres des Ă©coulements de drainage, un modĂšle a ensuite Ă©tĂ© crĂ©Ă© Ă lâĂ©chelle du bassin versant de Fensholt, couvrant 6 km2 et comprenant deux rĂ©seaux de drainage complexes. Ces derniers ont Ă©tĂ© simplifiĂ©s en gardant les drains collecteurs principaux, comme suggĂ©rĂ© par lâĂ©tude de LillebĂŠk. Un calage du modĂšle par rapport aux dĂ©bits de drainage a Ă©tĂ© rĂ©alisĂ© : les dynamiques dâĂ©coulement ont Ă©tĂ© correctement simulĂ©es, avec une faible erreur de volumes cumulatifs drainĂ©s par rapport aux observations. Le cas de Fensholt a permis de valider les conclusions des tests de LillebĂŠk, ces rĂ©sultats ouvrant des perspectives de modĂ©lisation du drainage liĂ© Ă des questions de transport.Tile drainage is a common agricultural management practice in plots prone to ponding issues. Drainage enhances crop productivity and reduces waterlogging risks. Studies over the last few decades have highlighted the significant contribution of subsurface drainage to catchments water balance and contamination issues related to manure or fertilizer application at the soil surface. Groundwater flow patterns associated with drainage are often unknown and their representation in numerical models, although powerful analysis tools, is still a major challenge. Before considering chemical species or sediment transport, an accurate water flow simulation is essential. The integrated fully-coupled hydrological HydroGeoSphere code was applied to two highly tile-drained agricultural catchments of Denmark (LillebĂŠk and Fensholt) in the present work. A first model was developed at the field scale from the LillebĂŠk catchment. A reference model was set and various drainage concepts and boundary conditions were tested in a 3.5 ha tile-drained area to find a suitable option in terms of model performance and computing time for larger scale modeling of complex drainage networks. Simulations suggested that a simplification of the geometry of the drainage network or using an equivalent-medium layer are suitable options for avoiding highly discretized meshes, but further model calibration is required. A catchment scale model was subsequently built in Fensholt, covering 6 km2 and including two complex drainage networks. The aim was to perform a year-round simulation accounting for variations in seasonal drainage flow. Both networks were simplified with the main collecting drains kept in the model, as suggested by the LillebĂŠk study. Calibration against hourly measured drainage discharge data was performed resulting in a good model performance. Drainage flow and flow dynamics were accurately simulated, with low cumulative error in drainage volume. The Fensholt case validated the LillebĂŠk test conclusions, allowing for further drainage modeling linked with transport issues
Land Cover and Water Quality Patterns in an Urban River: A Case Study of River Medlock, Greater Manchester, UK
Urban river catchments face multiple water quality challenges that threaten the biodiversity of riverine habitats and the flow of ecosystem services. We examined two water quality challenges, runoff from increasingly impervious land covers and effluent from combined sewer overflows within a temperate zone river catchment in Greater Manchester, North-West UK. Sub-catchment areas of the River Medlock were delineated from digital elevation models using a Geographical Information System. By combining flow accumulation and high-resolution land cover data within each sub-catchment and water quality measurements at five sampling points along the river, we identified which land cover(s) are key drivers of water quality. Impervious land covers increased downstream and were associated with higher runoff and poorer water quality. Of the impervious covers, transportation networks have the highest runoff ratios and therefore the greatest potential to convey contaminants to the river. We suggest more integrated management of imperviousness to address water quality, flood risk and, urban wellbeing could be achieved with greater catchment partnership working
Alternative consent methods used in the multinational, pragmatic, randomised clinical trial SafeBoosC-III
Background
The process of obtaining prior informed consent for experimental treatment does not fit well into the clinical reality of acute and intensive care. The therapeutic window of interventions is often short, which may reduce the validity of the consent and the rate of enrolled participants, to delay trial completion and reduce the external validity of the results. Deferred consent and âopt-outâ are alternative consent methods. The SafeBoosC-III trial was a randomised clinical trial investigating the benefits and harms of cerebral oximetry monitoring in extremely preterm infants during the first 3 days after birth, starting within the first 6 h after birth. Prior, deferred and opt-out consent were all allowed by protocol.
This study aimed to evaluate the use of different consent methods in the SafeBoosC-III trial, Furthermore, we aimed to describe and analyse concerns or complaints that arose during the first 6 months of trial conduct.
Methods
All 70 principal investigators were invited to join this descriptive ancillary study. Each principal investigator received a questionnaire on the use of consent methods in their centre during the SafeBoosC-III trial, including the possibility to describe any concerns related to the consent methods used during the first 6 months of the trial, as raised by the parents or the clinical staff.
Results
Data from 61 centres were available. In 43 centres, only prior informed consent was used: in seven, only deferred consent. No centres used the opt-out method only, but five centres used prior and deferred, five used prior, deferred and opt-out (all possibilities) and one used both deferred and opt-out. Six centres applied to use the opt-out method by their local research ethics committee but were denied using it. One centre applied to use deferred consent but was denied. There were only 23 registered concerns during the execution of the trial.
Conclusions
Consent by opt-out was allowed by the protocol in this multinational trial but only a few investigators opted for it and some research ethics boards did not accept its use. It is likely to need promotion by the clinical research community to unfold its potential
Trade-offs and synergies between provisioning and regulating ecosystem services in a mountain area in Portugal affected by landscape change
This study explored the effects of landscape change on the provision of ecosystem services in a mountain area in northern Portugal, in particular the trade-offs and synergies between services in 2 categories: provisioning and regulating. Services were assessed for 1990 and 2006 and projected for 2020 under 3 scenarios, both biophysically and economically, based on modeling and published and unpublished statistics. We found that landscape changes in the 16-year period under study increased the total supply of ecosystem services, measured both biophysically and monetarily, but that agriculture production dropped dramatically. Both regulating and provisioning services increased in value, but only regulating services increased in biophysical units. Projections under 2 of our 3 scenarios indicated that both types of ecosystem services will continue to increase in both amount and monetary value and will function in synergy, whereas the third scenario predicted a decrease in services and trade-offs between the 2 categories. Because land use has a major impact on ecosystem service supply, an understanding of the changes and trade-offs described in this
article can support planning and management, in particular in mountain areas and other regions with limited alternatives for income generation. Our findings suggest that regional development plans should include incentives to maximize regulating and provisioning ecosystem services.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Comparing MapReduce and pipeline implementations for counting triangles
A common method to define a parallel solution for a computational problem consists in finding a way to use the Divide and Conquer paradigm in order to have processors acting on its own data and scheduled in a parallel fashion. MapReduce is a programming model that follows this paradigm, and allows for the definition of efficient solutions by both decomposing a problem into steps on subsets of the input data and combining the results of each step to produce final results. Albeit used for the implementation of a wide variety of computational problems, MapReduce performance can be negatively affected whenever the replication factor grows or the size of the input is larger than the resources available at each processor. In this paper we show an alternative approach to implement the Divide and Conquer paradigm, named dynamic pipeline. The main features of dynamic pipelines are illustrated on a parallel implementation of the well-known problem of counting triangles in a graph. This problem is especially interesting either when the input graph does not fit in memory or is dynamically generated. To evaluate the properties of pipeline, a dynamic pipeline of processes and an ad-hoc version of MapReduce are implemented in the language Go, exploiting its ability to deal with channels and spawned processes. An empirical evaluation is conducted on graphs of different topologies, sizes, and densities. Observed results suggest that dynamic pipelines allows for an efficient implementation of the problem of counting triangles in a graph, particularly, in dense and large graphs, drastically reducing the execution time with respect to the MapReduce implementation.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
Densest Subgraph in Dynamic Graph Streams
In this paper, we consider the problem of approximating the densest subgraph
in the dynamic graph stream model. In this model of computation, the input
graph is defined by an arbitrary sequence of edge insertions and deletions and
the goal is to analyze properties of the resulting graph given memory that is
sub-linear in the size of the stream. We present a single-pass algorithm that
returns a approximation of the maximum density with high
probability; the algorithm uses O(\epsilon^{-2} n \polylog n) space,
processes each stream update in \polylog (n) time, and uses \poly(n)
post-processing time where is the number of nodes. The space used by our
algorithm matches the lower bound of Bahmani et al.~(PVLDB 2012) up to a
poly-logarithmic factor for constant . The best existing results for
this problem were established recently by Bhattacharya et al.~(STOC 2015). They
presented a approximation algorithm using similar space and
another algorithm that both processed each update and maintained a
approximation of the current maximum density in \polylog (n)
time per-update.Comment: To appear in MFCS 201
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