Numerical modelling of moisture motion in heterogeneous soils using 1D-MIRBF method

In the present paper, we develop an efficient and accurate numerical approach based on one-dimensional-moving integrated radial basis function (1D-MIRBF) and fully implicit modified Picard method for simulating fluid movement in heterogeneous soils governed by the highly non-linear Richards equation. The major advantages of the proposed 1D-MIRBF method include (i) a banded sparse system matrix that helps reduce the computational cost; (ii) the Kronecker Delta property of the constructed shape functions, which helps impose the essential boundary conditions in an exact manner; and (iii) high accuracy and fast convergence rate owing to the use of the IRBF approximation. The performance of the present method is demonstrated through several 1--D and 2--D soil infiltration problems. Numerical results obtained are in agreement with other published results in the literature. This solver for moisture motion in soils will be incorporated into a surface-water-flow solver to handle the surface irrigation problem

A-CAP: Anticipation Captioning with Commonsense Knowledge

Humans possess the capacity to reason about the future based on a sparse collection of visual cues acquired over time. In order to emulate this ability, we introduce a novel task called Anticipation Captioning, which generates a caption for an unseen oracle image using a sparsely temporally-ordered set of images. To tackle this new task, we propose a model called A-CAP, which incorporates commonsense knowledge into a pre-trained vision-language model, allowing it to anticipate the caption. Through both qualitative and quantitative evaluations on a customized visual storytelling dataset, A-CAP outperforms other image captioning methods and establishes a strong baseline for anticipation captioning. We also address the challenges inherent in this task.Comment: Accepted to CVPR 202

Practical Approach To Agent-Based Modelling

International audienceSummary of the Workshop 4 of Tam Dao Universitie

CHANGES IN PLASMA LEVELS OF STEROID HORMONES DURING SEXUAL MATURATION OF MALE HELICOPTER CATFISH (WALLAGO ATTU) IN CAPTIVITY

In order to provide reliable indicators of the spawning season of captive helicopter catfish (Wallago attu), this study evaluated the temporal variation in gonadosomatic index (GSI), plasma levels of testosterone (T), and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) in male broodstock in captivity. GSI was estimated as the percentage of the relative weight of testis to total body weight. Plasma levels of sex steroids were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA). Testis samples were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin, then sectioned at 5 μm thickness. The highest level of T (402.1 ± 16.7 pg/mL) was found in June, followed by a peak in 11-KT level (76.9 ± 4.7 pg/mL) in May. Testes containing the highest concentrations of spermatozoa were observed from June to August. The GSI of males increased significantly from January to June and peaked in July (2.14%). Taken together, we conclude that the spawning season of captive helicopter catfish occurs from June to August. These results will contribute to the basic knowledge of the reproductive biology of helicopter catfish, which can be useful in artificial breeding

Effects of dietary tryptophan on cannibalism, survival and growth of Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) juveniles

This study aims to evaluate the effects of supplemented commercial diets with tryptophan (TRP) on plasma serotonin, cannibalism, survival rate, and growth of Wallago attu (helicopter catfish). After one week of acclimation, 3,200 juveniles of helicopter catfish (BW = 2.5 ± 0.27 g, total length = 5.6 ± 0.43 cm) were randomly assigned for the experiment in fifteen plastic tanks (200 L). The experiment was conducted with five treatments (CT – 0 g TRP/kg – control group, T1 – 5 g TRP/kg, T2 – 10 g TRP/kg, T3 – 20 g TRP/kg, and T4 – 40 g TRP/kg) in a completely randomized design with three replications for four weeks. The results from the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reveal that TRP-supplemented diets effectively increased the serotonin level (5-HT) in the plasma of the catfish. The serotonin level increased with the dose of TRP added to the feed. Furthermore, a higher TRP level significantly decreased cannibalism and improved the final survival of the fish. However, the fish’s growth rate among treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4 was not significantly different, but there was a statistical difference between the experimental treatments and the CT treatment. The findings of this study suggest that TRP could be supplemented at a dose of 20 g·kg–1 to the feed to reduce cannibalism and improve the final survival of helicopter catfish

GAMA 1.6: Advancing the art of complex agent-based modeling and simulation

International audienceAgent-based models tend to be more and more complex. In order to cope with this increase of complexity, powerful modeling and simulation tools are required. These last years have seen the development of several platforms dedicated to the development of agent-based models. While some of them are still limited to the development of simple models, others allow to develop rich and complex models. Among them, the GAMA modeling and simulation platform is aimed at supporting the design of spatialized, multiple-paradigms and multiple-scales models. Several papers have already introduced GAMA, notably in earlier PRIMA conferences, and we would like, in this paper, to introduce the new features provided by GAMA 1.6, the latest revision to date of the platform. In particular, we present its capabilities concerning the tight combination of 3D visualization, GIS data management, and multi-level modeling. In addition, we present some examples of real projects that rely on GAMA to develop complex models

Predicting water allocation trade prices using a hybrid Artificial Neural Network-Bayesian modelling approach

This paper proposes an integrated (hybrid) Artificial Neural Network-Bayesian (ANN-B) modelling approach to improve the accuracy of predicting seasonal water allocation prices in Australia’s Murry Irrigation Area, which is part of one of the world’s largest interconnected water markets. Three models (basic, intermediate and full), accommodating different levels of data availability, were considered. Data were analyzed using both ANN and hybrid ANN-B approaches. Using the ANN-B modelling approach, which can simulate complex and non-linear processes, water allocation prices were predicted with a high degree of accuracy (RBASIC = 0.93, RINTER. = 0.96 and RFULL = 0.99); this was a higher level of accuracy than realized using ANN. This approach can potentially be integrated with online data systems to predict water allocation prices, enable better water allocation trade decisions, and improve the productivity and profitability of irrigated agriculture

FACTORS INFLUENCING VIETNAMESE STUDENTS’ CHOICES TO ATTAIN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY STANDARDS IN A UNIVERSITY IN VIETNAM

In the current era of globalization, English is considered a necessary skill for education and work and a criterion for evaluation in recruitment and graduation assessments in many places in Vietnam. According to the project entitled "Teaching and Learning Foreign Languages in the National Education System Phase 2008 - 2020", non-English majored university students must achieve a minimum of Level 3 according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework used in Vietnam. Several universities have diversified their ways to meet these standards to facilitate students in meeting the English language outcomes, allowing students more opportunities to choose ways that are suitable for them. However, this also indicates that various influencing factors will impact students' selection of ways to meet these standards. This research explores the primary ways students choose to fulfill English language standards as stipulated and analyzes the factors influencing the choices of non-English major students in universities in Vietnam.  Article visualizations

Modelling hydrological processes and identifying soil erosion sources in a tropical catchment of the Great Barrier Reef using SWAT

Study region: North Johnstone catchment, located in the north east of Australia. The catchment has wet tropical climate conditions and is one of the major sediment contributors to the Great Barrier Reef. Study focus: The purpose of this paper was to identify soil erosion hotspots through simulating hydrological processes, soil erosion and sediment transport using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). In particular, we focused on predictive uncertainty in the model evaluations and presentations—a major knowledge gap for hydrology and soil erosion modelling in the context of Great Barrier Reef catchments. We carried out calibration and validation along with uncertainty analysis for streamflow and sediment at catchment and sub-catchment scales and investigated details of water balance components, the impact of slope steepness and spatio-temporal variations on soil erosion. The model performance in simulating actual evapotranspiration was compared with those of the Australian Landscape Water Balance (AWRA-L) model to increase our confidence in simulating water balance components. New hydrological insights for the region: The spatial locations of soil erosion hotspots were identified and their responses to different climatic conditions were quantified. Furthermore, a set of land use scenarios were designed to evaluate the effect of reforestation on sediment transport. We anticipate that protecting high steep slopes areas, which cover a relatively small proportion of the catchment (4–9%), can annually reduce 15–26% sediment loads to the Great Barrier Reef