New paths for modelling freshwater nature futures

Freshwater ecosystems are exceptionally rich in biodiversity and provide essential benefits to people. Yet they are disproportionately threatened compared to terrestrial and marine systems and remain underrepresented in the scenarios and models used for global environmental assessments. The Nature Futures Framework (NFF) has recently been proposed to advance the contribution of scenarios and models for environmental assessments. This framework places the diverse relationships between people and nature at its core, identifying three value perspectives as points of departure: Nature for Nature, Nature for Society, and Nature as Culture. We explore how the NFF may be implemented for improved assessment of freshwater ecosystems. First, we outline how the NFF and its main value perspectives can be translated to freshwater systems and explore what desirable freshwater futures would look like from each of the above perspectives. Second, we review scenario strategies and current models to examine how freshwater modelling can be linked to the NFF in terms of its aims and outcomes. In doing so, we also identify which aspects of the NFF framework are not yet captured in current freshwater models and suggest possible ways to bridge them. Our analysis provides future directions for a more holistic freshwater model and scenario development and demonstrates how society can benefit from freshwater modelling efforts that are integrated with the value-perspectives of the NFF. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]</p

Outbreak of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Peruvian Military Personnel Undertaking Training Activities in the Amazon Basin, 2010

ArticleMilitary personnel deployed to the Amazon Basin are at high risk for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). We responded to an outbreak among Peruvian Army personnel returning from short-term training in the Amazon, conducting active case detection, lesion sample collection, and risk factor assessment. The attack rate was 25% (76/303); the incubation period was 2–36 weeks (median = 8). Most cases had one lesion (66%), primarily ulcerative (49%), and in the legs (57%). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (59/61 = 97%) and L. (V.) guyanensis (2/61 = 3%). Being male (risk ratio [RR] = 4.01; P = 0.034), not wearing long-sleeve clothes (RR = 1.71; P = 0.005), and sleeping in open rooms (RR = 1.80; P = 0.009) were associated with CL. Sodium stibogluconate therapy had a 41% cure rate, less than previously reported in Peru (70%; P < 0.001). After emphasizing pre-deployment education and other basic prevention measures, trainees in the following year had lower incidence (1/278 = 0.4%; P < 0.001). Basic prevention can reduce CL risk in deployed militaries.The outbreak response was supported by the Peruvian Army Health Command COSALE and the Peruvian Ministry of Health through the General Epidemiology Directorate and the Health Directorate II, south Lima, and the. In addition, partial support was provided by grants CO497_11_L1 and CO466_11_L1 of the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (AFHSC/GEIS) of the U.S. Department of Defense and the training grant 2D43 TW007393 awarded to the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6) by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health (FIC/NIH). This study is part of the dissertation of Marianela Ore for a Masters in Epidemiological Research offered jointly by the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) and NAMRU-6

Effects of deposition time and post-deposition annealing on the physical and chemical properties of electrodeposited CdS thin films for solar cell application

CdS thin films were cathodically electrodeposited by means of a two-electrode deposition system for different durations. The films were characterised for their structural, optical, morphological and compositional properties using x-ray diffraction (XRD), spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) respectively. The results obtained show that the physical and chemical properties of these films are significantly influenced by the deposition time and post-deposition annealing. This influence manifests more in the as-deposited materials than in the annealed ones. XRD results show that the crystallite sizes of the different films are in the range (9.4 – 65.8) nm and (16.4 – 66.0) nm in the as-deposited and annealed forms respectively. Optical measurements show that the absorption coefficients are in the range (2.7×104 – 6.7×104) cm-1 and (4.3×104 – 7.2×104) cm-1 respectively for as-deposited and annealed films. The refractive index is in the range (2.40 – 2.60) for as-deposited films and come to the value of 2.37 after annealing. The extinction coefficient varies in the range (0.1 – 0.3) in asdeposited films and becomes 0.1 in annealed films. The estimated energy bandgap of the films is in the range (2.48 – 2.50) eV for as-deposited films and becomes 2.42 eV for all annealed films. EDX results show that all the films are S-rich in chemical composition with fairly uniform Cd/S ratio after annealing. The results show that annealing improves the qualities of the films and deposition time can be used to control the film thickness. Keywords: Electrodeposition; two-electrode system; CdS; annealing; deposition time; thin-film

Pelaksanaan Kegiatan Keagamaan (Baca Tulis Al-qur'an) di Panti Asuhan Al-hikma Palembang

The problems that will be examined in this research are: First, how is the implementation of religious activities (reading and writing the Qur'an) at the Al-hikma orphanage in Palembang? Second, what are the factors that hinder and support religious activities (read and write the Qur'an ) at the Al-Hikma Orphanage in Palembang? In this study using research. The approach to this research is a qualitative approach with the Field Research method and data collection tools using observation, interviews and documentation. The data analysis uses data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The data validity test used participation extension, observation persistence and triangulation. The results of this study are the implementation of religious activities (Read and Write Al-Qur'an) at the Al-Hikmah Orphanage which is carried out 5 times a week. In this activity students not only learn to recite the iqro 'and Al-Qur'an but also learn to memorize Juz Amma and learn to write. Religious activities (Read and Write Al-Qur'an) at the Al-Hikmah Orphanage consists of 2 levels, namely the Al-Qur'an and Iqro 'levels and the methods used are the Qiroati Iqro and recitation methods. The supporting factors for religious activities (Read and Write Al-Qur'an) at the Al-Hikmah Orphanage consist of internal and external factors. Internal factors include motivation in these students. External factors include environmental factors and the condition of the teacher. And the inhibiting factors in religious activities (Read and Write Al-Qur'an) at the Al-Hikmah Orphanage are the lack of intention in students to learn and lack of motivation from within the students

NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE FLUTTER OF CANTILEVERED PLATES WITH FREE LEADING EDGE IN AXIAL FLOW

This paper reports the results of the numerical and experimental investigation on the flutter of cantilevered thin flat plates with free leading edge in axial flow. Three methods of in-vacuo modal analyses of the plates are presented and compared in this paper, namely the finite element modal analysis using ANSYS STUDENT Modal, the analytical beam model, and the experimental modal analysis. In this study, the numerical Fluid Structure Interaction was performed using the ANSYS STUDENT Structural Transient Analysis and ANSYS STUDENT CFX to obtain the system response in the time domain. Furthermore, the experimental investigation was conducted in the smooth flow of a wind tunnel to observe the flutter speeds of the plates and their vibration characteristics. The plates’ vibration behaviors were mapped on the normalized air speed. The normalized air speed can be divided into four speed zones based on the experimental plates’ vibration characteristics. A new finding observed during the experiments is the presence of intermittent vibration behavior that is unique to the free leading edge configuration and has not been reported by other researchers in the earlier references of the clamped leading edge configuration. The potential application of this Fluid Structure Interaction configuration to wind harvesting is inquired

Relative contribution of land use change and climate variability on discharge of upper Mara River, Kenya

Study region Nyangores River watershed, headwater catchment of Mara River basin in Kenya. Study focus Climate variability and human activities are the main drivers of change of watershed hydrology. The contribution of climate variability and land use change to change in streamflow of Nyangores River, was investigated. Mann Kendall and sequential Mann Kendall tests were used to investigate the presence and breakpoint of a trend in discharge data (1965–2007) respectively. The Budyko framework was used to separate the respective contribution of drivers to change in discharge. Future response of the watershed to climate change was predicted using the runoff sensitivity equation developed. New hydrological insights for the region There was a significant increasing trend in the discharge with a breakpoint in 1977. Land use change was found to be the main driver of change in discharge accounting for 97.5% of the change. Climate variability only caused a net increase of the remaining 2.5% of the change; which was caused by counter impacts on discharge of increase in rainfall (increased discharge by 24%) and increase in potential evapotranspiration (decreased discharge by 21.5%). Climate change was predicted to cause a moderate 16% and 15% increase in streamflow in the next 20 and 50 years respectively. Change in discharge was specifically attributed to deforestation at the headwaters of the watershed

Smart Village – a Case Study of Pimpalgaon Malvi Village

India, a developing country and we all Indians are trying to make it a develop country. But not a single factor will make it so. Smart cities are one of those factors. While everybody is busy dealing with smart cities, we forgot that we have villages too. So, we also need to make our villages smart. Maharashtra government is trying to make its villages better. They are launching various schemes for the same. Now, it is the responsibility of Gram Panchayts to get them applied effectively and within a short period of time. As a result, village growth will take place indirectly resulting in growth of state as well as country. In this particular project we are about to deal with the Pimpalgaon Malvi village. Though some basic amenities like electricity, clean drinking water, road network, e – learning is available but the village is still lack of sewage water disposal, solid waste management, rain water harvesting, biogas plants, energy conservation, bus stop, street lights etc. So by applying these factors we can make the village smart