Publication Date: 2020
Acta Universitatis Carolinae, Geographica (03005402)55(2)pp. 165-182
The knowledge of actual evapotranspiration at farm level is a prerequisite for irrigation planning, farm management, to increase production and reduce water consumption. To accomplish this, comprehensive and accurate assessment methods should be applied. In order to evaluate accurately evapotranspiration processes we compared lysimeter evapotranspiration data with MODIS (Aqua and Terra satellites) and LANDSAT (SEBAL algorithm) satellite images as well as with the FAO Penman-Montith method. The findings indicate the low error rate, high correlation (1) and appropriateness of SEBAL in estimating actual evapotranspiration. The error values MAD, MSE and RMSE between lysimeter and the SEBAL algorithm were 0.59, 0.36 and 0.60 respectively. The second best performance was established for the FAO Penman-Montith method. The obtained error values MAD, MSE and RMSE between the lysimeter and FAO-Penman-Montith method are 0.91, 1.29 and 1.13, respectively. © 2020 Karolinum - Nakladatelstvi Univerzity Karlovy. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2009
HortScience (00185345)44(2)pp. 298-305
The environmental effects of the three strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) coldclimate production systems were compared: the traditional method of conventional matted row (CMR) and the two more recently developed practices of advanced matted row (AMR) and cold-climate plasticulture (CCP). Side-by-side field plots were instrumented with automated flow meters and samplers to measure and collect runoff, which was filtered and analyzed to determine soil, pesticide, and nitrogen losses. Although annual mean runoff volumes were similar for all three production systems, the soil losses fromCMRplots were two to three times greater than the CCP plots throughout the study and two to three times greater than the AMR plots only in the first year of the 3-year study. In general, decreases in erosion and runoff volumes were observed in plots that were disturbed less by machine operations and had less foot traffic as a result of decreased need for hand weeding and in the plots that used straw mulch in the furrows between the beds. Timing and intensity of precipitation events also influenced the amount of soil erosion. Pesticide residues and nitrogen losses were also greatest in the runoff from the CMR plots. The two systems that used drip fertigation, AMR and CCP, also had higher nitrogen uptake efficiencies. Overall, the CCP and AMR systems performed similarly for most criteria; however, considering the nonrenewable nature of the plastic mulch and the need to dispose of the plastic mulch in a landfill, theAMRsystem was more environmentally sustainable than the CCP system.
Publication Date: 2025
Theoretical and Applied Climatology (14344483)156(1)
This study analyzed Iran's trends and variations in annual precipitation (AP) from 1971 to 2015. The findings indicate that 80.9% of the nation’s territory has experienced a declining trend in AP, while only 19% has exhibited an increase. Notably, the pronounced decreasing trend is observed in approximately 33.53% of the country. Regions demonstrating statistically significant increasing trends represent merely 2.93% of the total area and appear as dispersed patches. The correlation coefficients (CC) between precipitation trends and geographical coordination-topographic variables (GCTV) were found to be relatively low. In contrast, the CC between AP trends and the amount of AP was more significant; suggesting that large-scale atmospheric forcing predominantly influences long-term trends. Furthermore, a slight decrease in the long-term trend of days with normal and extreme precipitation was identified. These types of precipitation, particularly those below the 10th and 25th percentile, appear to be more influenced by local geographic features than by large-scale atmospheric systems, resulting in a negligible relationship between their trends and the overarching trends in AP. The analysis delineates three distinct phases within the AP time series—1971–1982, 1983–1999, and 2000–2015—highlighting a recorded decline in national AP from the first phase to the final phase. Additionally, a decrease in the month-to-month coefficient of variation (MCV) of precipitation, which indicates a reduction in precipitation during the wet months, generally aligns with the spatial pattern of AP; however, some variability in the CC between GCTV and MCV was observed. The study suggests large-scale atmospheric forcing and the local features (e.g., elevation) play a significant role in Iran's AP trends and phases of AP in Iran. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature 2024.
Publication Date: 2020
Urban Research and Practice (17535069)13(1)pp. 45-76
To green space site planning, this paper deals with ‘Regional Park site planning’, and presents a concept of ‘criteria screening and selection’. Through a three-stage decision support system, this paper, firstly, identifies general criteria for green space site planning and then comes up with specific criteria for Regional Park site planning within Shiraz metropolitan area. The paper contributes to the literature by improving the existing approaches of criteria selection, and points out that the list of selection criteria aggregated from literature should be adapted to case specific characteristics before being used to select a new location for public green spaces. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Publication Date: 1996
NACE - International Corrosion Conference Series (03614409)1996
Computers provide a powerful opportunity fbr the development of teaching materials. They provide a rich interactive environment to stimulate and engage the student. The advent of computers with multimedia capabilities allows the constructor of teaching materials to show the student material from many sources; text, chart, audio, video, animal ion, simulation, sound or photographs. When these are combined with interactivity, a powerfitl learning enviroimient is created [1]. There is currently no CAL(Computer Aided Learning) or CBT(Computer Based Training) material available on the subject of corrosion and corrosion protection in concrete structures fbr ci\ ii engineering students. This paper will describe a Computer Aided Learning package intended to introduce students to the environmental degradation of concrete structures. © 1996 by NACE International.
Publication Date: 2019
Advances in Water Resources (03091708)131
Wetlands play an important role in watershed hydrology and biogeochemistry. A geographically isolated wetland (GIW) module for Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was developed to couple surface water storage and subsurface water dynamics to characterize hydroperiod. The new GIW module includes the following features: (1) a flexible geometric formula to characterize wetland surface water area, volume, and depth; (2) a revised algorithm to account for evaporation from both water and soil surfaces in wetlands; (3) application of the Richards equation to couple surface water storage and subsurface water dynamics; (4) use of Darcy's law with an effective hydraulic conductivity parameter to simulate groundwater discharge. We tested the GIW module using observed daily water level data from four wetlands at two sites (including restored and natural wetlands with and without a low-permeability soil layer) in the Delmarva Peninsula, USA. The results show that the wetland module reasonably reproduced observed water levels for both restored and natural wetlands with and without a low-permeability soil layer. The module was also able to reasonably simulate saturated and unsaturated portions of the soil corresponding to wet and dry periods. The ability of the GIW module to describe inundation conditions for wetlands holds promise to enhance the understanding and quantification of hydrological and biogeochemical roles of GIWs in a watershed context. © 2019
Publication Date: 2003
Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis (00103624)34(3-4)pp. 457-480
A field study was conducted from 1997 to 2000 to determine the biomass production of 'Pete' eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] grown on a restrictive (acid compact) soil on six unlimed sites located on the North Farm at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, MD. Total biomass from two cuttings in 1997, 1998, and 2000 averaged 4261, 4995, and 6611 kg ha-1, respectively, despite deficits in moisture during those years. A single cutting in July 1999 averaged 2288 kg ha-1. Overall biomass varied more than two-fold for the six sites. Significant differences in biomass were found among sites, years, and harvests. In general, biomass varied with position on the slope, bulk density, and depth of the topsoil, but not with pH. The average biomass was generally lowest at the top of the slope where the thickness of the Ap horizon was relatively thin and the soil was extremely acidic (pH 4.3-4.4) (1:1 soil-water). High silt content and low bulk density of the soil were associated with highest biomass; rainfall distribution also appeared to be important. Eastern gamagrass at Sites 4 to 6 at the top of the slope generally had a low pH (4.3-4.4), high penetrometer resistance, and high bulk density. Penetrometer readings were lower between rows than within rows at the 5 cm depth. There was no significant relationship between bulk density and penetrometer readings, but biomass appeared to be related to bulk density. Dry weight of roots was reduced by increasing bulk density (r2 = 0.57) and also reduced at depths below 15 cm. Despite adverse stress imposed by shallow top soil, low pH, high bulk density, and moisture deficits, eastern gamagrass produce relatively high biomass. These results demonstrate the resilience of eastern gamagrass to an acid compact soil and indicate that this species is suited for reclamation of acid compact soils and for producing high quality forage on marginal lands, when supplied with adequate NPK.
Publication Date: 2011
Journal of Isfahan Medical School (10277595)(158)
A common idea about the description of medical philosophy has not yet been developed. It seems that in the interaction between philosophy and medicine, the second totally focuses on important humanrelated factors such as life, death, suffering, and illness. On the other hand, conflicts in methodology, epistemology, and observational, experimental, and laboratory approaches need deeper analysis and philosophical thinking. In this study, we tried to present an appropriate description for medical philosophy and evaluate the approaches and the scope of this field. © 2011, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023
Iranian Journal Of Science And Technology, Transactions Of Civil Engineering (22286160)47(4)pp. 2287-2293
Rain–wind-induced vibration in cable of cable-stayed bridges is currently a global concern. Since many parameters are effective in this phenomenon, it is difficult to repeat this phenomenon in the laboratory and its mechanism has not yet been well explained. In this paper, the phenomenon of rain–wind-induced vibration in cable of cable-stayed bridge model is studied by creating an artificial rain flow in a wind tunnel. The effect of the main factors of this phenomenon, yaw angle, on the vibration characteristics due to wind and rain for a simple cable has been studied in detail in the experiment. Reciprocal measures to reduce rain–wind-induced vibration by creating a spiral grooves on the cable have been studied. Then the effect of different grooves on rain–wind-induced vibration was tested. The results show that the presence of grooves on the cable reduces the rain–wind-induced vibration. When using these grooves in cables, care should be taken with the grooves distance, because in the average wind speed by increasing the yaw angle, the cable with a longer-distance grooves has less vibration than the cable with a short-distance grooves. With increasing wind speed, this vibration increases. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Shiraz University.
Publication Date: 1994
Journal of Cardiac Surgery (08860440)9(6)pp. 662-672
Recent work in our laboratory has demonstrated the effectiveness of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) In identifying the critical intercostal arteries (CICAs) for preserving spinal cord integrity during simulated aortic aneurysm repairs in the pig. Further studies have also demonstrated increased preservation of neurological function during prolonged aortic clamping if ClCAs are perfused until ligation or clipping, as opposed to transaortic identification of back‐bleeding intercostals and their subsequent ligation. We have developed a technique of repair of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and dissections that uses these principles. Since January 1993, 26 patients have undergone repair of their aortas using this new technique and SEP directed intercostal artery ablation. There were 22 (85%) long‐term survivors among 10 thoracoabdominal and 16 descending aortic repairs. All patients with uncorrected abnormal SEP recordings developed paralysis; one patient who required reimplantatlon of an intercostal artery island into the aortic graft had normal neurological function postoperatively. Paraplegia was seen in only one of the surviving patients, but this patient had normal intra‐ and postoperative SEPs (4% false negative). Our experience suggests that SEP‐guided obliteration of intercostal arteries while maintaining perfusion may be a useful approach to the surgical repair of descending and thoracoabdominal aortic disease. (J Card Surg 1994;9:662–672) Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved
Publication Date: 2015
Journal Of Pharmacy And Pharmaceutical Sciences (14821826)(5)pp. 647-660
A simple, rapid, and sensitive reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated for determination of paclitaxel (PTX) in plasma, various organs and tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice. Tissue specimens of liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, heart and tumor were separately homogenized in normal saline. Plasma or tissue homogenate (250 μl) containing PTX and internal standard (diazepam) were extracted by diethyl ether (6 ml). The separation was achieved on a μ-Bondapak C18 HPLC column using sodium acetate buffer solution (0.01 M)/acetonitrile (58/42 v/v) at pH 5 ± 0.1 and flow rate of 1.9 mL/min. The effluent was monitored at 227 nm and column temperature was adjusted at 58ºC. The internal standard and PTX were eluted at 4.2 and 5.2 min, respectively and no interfering peaks were observed. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.25-10 μg/ml of PTX in plasma and 0.3-20 μg/ml PTX in tissue homogenates with acceptable precision and accuracy (<15%). The mean recoveries of the drug after plasma extraction was 87.4% ± 3.6 while those of tissue homogenates ranged from 62.1± 4.5 to 75.5± 3.2 depending on the type of tissues studied. PTX was stable in samples with no evidence of degradation during 3 freeze–thaw cycles and 3 months storage at −70 °C. The developed HPLC method was applied to quantify PTX in the mouse plasma and tissues after intravenous administration of 10 mg equivalent PTX/Kg dose of PTX-loaded tocopherol succinate-chitosan-polyethylene glycol-folate (TS-CS-PEG-FA) micelles formulation or Anzatax® (Cremophor® EL- based formulation of PTX) to female Balb/c mice. © 2015, Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2009
Journal of Isfahan Medical School (10277595)(100)
Background: The symptoms of conduct disorder and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) have many overlaps. These two disorders are considered to be the two most common psychiatric disorders among school aged children. It is notable to consider that when ever one of these disorders is present as the primary disorder with clinical manifestations, the other is believed to co morbid and coexisted with the first disorder. The present study was designed to develop a standard scale for diagnosis and grading of these disorders in the elementary schools children. Methods: This study was performed on a sample of 800 male and female elementary school children, who were selected through a normalized cluster sampling procedure in Tehran. The scale was administered to the student via their teachers, as well as the relevant professionals and the obtained results were gathered for further analysis. Findings: Factor analysis showed that 3 factors, dysthymic, aggressiveness, and oppositional defiant, could be involved in conduct disorder rating scale and the 3 factors, lavk of attention, hyperactivity, and aggression could be involved in ADHD rating scale. These 6 factors explained 0.69 of total variance. The criteria validity coefficient for conduct disorder rating scale was 0.79, and for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder rating scale was 0.76. Cronbakh’s alpha coefficient, spilt half coefficient, and test-retest coefficient for conduct disorder rating scale was 0.95, 0.87, and 0.91, and for attrition deficit hyperactivity rating scale was 0.96, 0.82, and 0.92 Conclusion: Based on the obtained factors which were approved in their content by relevant professionals, and considering the validity and reliability of the scale, it seems that the scale is suitable enough to be considered as a screening instrument in the clinical and research contexts. © 2009, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All Rights Reserved.
Publication Date: 2012
Arabian Journal of Geosciences (discontinued) (18667538)5(5)pp. 1021-1029
Platinum group elements (PGE) enrichment occurs in Zn-Cu and Ni-rich ophiolities in a number of geological settings. Platinum group elements (PGE) mineralization in Pyroxenite from the Faryab ophiolities of Zagros belt in south Iran was studied. The ophiolite rocks represent blocks of Tethyan oceanic crust that were emplaced on the continental margin during the late Cretaceous period. Much of lower ophiolitic section is composed of homogeneous harzburgite, while upper sections harzburgite interlayer with dunite and pyroxenite are included. This study focused on pyroxenite that includes most of sulfide mineralization in Faryab. More than 500 samples were investigated from polished thin sections; that cover all area of Faryab. The sulfide phases include pyrrhotite, pentlandite, millerite, violarite, smythite, and heazlewoodite. The results show that in almost all the samples Os is below the 2 ppb detection limit, Platinum values vary from <5 to 91 ppb and the light PGE (Ru, Rh, and Pd) relative to the heavy PGE (Os, Ir, and Pt) are more concentrated. Calculation showed that in pyroxenites Pd-Pt is occurring with orthopyroxenite and Rh-Os is occurring in clinopyroxenite. Ni/Pd ratios in Faryab vary between 7 and 356 and Pd/Ir ratio is 0.1-27. This indicates that in Faryab area partial melt of mantle occurred. Pd/Rh ratio in Faryab is 0.1-11, and Pd/Pt varies between 0.2 and 1.5. Pd/Ir ratio in Faryab decreases and shows that PGE in Faryab occurred. © Saudi Society for Geosciences 2011.
Publication Date: 1997
Soil Science (0038075X)162(7)pp. 510-517
A soil core method is described for monitoring rates and extent of N-mineralization and denitrification from intact leguminous cover crops (e.g., hairy vetch) as a function of soil water content. The method also allows for estimates of N-fixation in order to perform N-mass balances. Field conditions were simulated by growing cover crops in soil cores from seed to biomass levels comparable to the field, followed by harvest/kill. Soil cores were wetted periodically using a rain simulator. After simulated rain events, samples of leachate were obtained and soil water content adjusted by application of a vacuum (15 kPa) to the bottom of cores. The use of a PVC/silica filter (bubble point = 30 kPa) allowed for cores to be drained to field capacity without pulling ambient air through the soil. N-fixation (before harvest/kill) and N-mineralization (after harvest/kill) were determined by comparing NO3/- leached from vetch with fallow cores. Denitrification was determined by periodically sealing cores, injecting and recirculating acetylene throughout cores, and quantifying N2O production after 48 h. Preliminary experiments with hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) indicate that plants are reasonably efficient at taking up soil NO3/-, intact roots decompose fairly rapidly in soil (<6 weeks), and there is potential for substantial losses of soil NO 3/- as a result of denitrification at soil water contents ≤70%.
Publication Date: 2011
Transactions of the ASABE (21510032)54(6)pp. 2197-2207
The U.S. EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program has encountered hindrances in its implementation partly because of its strong dependence on mathematical models to set limitations on the release of impairing substances. The uncertainty associated with predictions of such models is often not scientifically quantified and typically assigned as an arbitrary margin of safety (MOS) in the TMDL allocation. The Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was evaluated to determine its applicability to identify the impairment status and tabulate a nutrient TMDL for a waterbody located in the Piedmont physiographic region of Maryland. The methodology for tabulating the nutrient TMDL is an enhancement over current methods used in Maryland. The mean-value first-order reliability method (MFORM) was paired with a stochastic approach to tabulate a science-based estimate of model uncertainty and MOS for the TMDL approach. Monthly streamflow estimates were quite good, with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) coefficients of 0.75 and 0.70 for the calibration and validation phases, respectively. Sediment and nutrients were not estimated as well as streamflow on a monthly basis; however, large improvements in model estimation were observed on an annual time scale. MOS was determined based on the desired level of confidence in meeting the water quality standard. The water quality standard was met at 20% nitrate reduction (9.9 kg N d -1) with a 37.5% level of confidence. The water quality goal was met by a 30% reduction in nitrate load (8.6 kg N d -1), in which case there was a 75% chance of meeting the water quality standard. Therefore, the MOS load (the difference between the standard and the goal) was 1.3 kg N d -1 or 10% of the baseline load. These results indicate that SWAT is a suitable model for use in TMDL assessments of impaired water bodies, especially assessments based on long-term simulations. In addition, the stochastic method used to quantify MOS for a nitrate TMDL is an improvement over current methods because it provides a formal, scientifically derived measure of model uncertainty. © 2011 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
The U.S. EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program has encountered hindrances in its implementation partly because of its strong dependence on mathematical models to set limitations on the release of impairing substances. The uncertainty associated with predictions of such models is often not scientifically quantified and typically assigned as an arbitrary margin of safety (MOS) in the TMDL allocation. The Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was evaluated to determine its applicability to identify the impairment status and tabulate a nutrient TMDL for a waterbody located in the Piedmont physiographic region of Maryland. The methodology for tabulating the nutrient TMDL is an enhancement over current methods used in Maryland. The mean-value first-order reliability method (MFORM) was used to calculate variance in output variables with respect to input parameter variance and the MOS value was derived based on the level confidence in meeting the water quality standard. The largest amount of variance in output variables occurred during wet periods. Predicted sediment output had the largest amount of variability around its mean, followed by nitrate, phosphate, and streamflow as indicated by average annual coefficients of variation of 28%, 19%, 17%, and 15%, respectively. The methodology used in this study to quantify a nitrate TMDL and the MOS associated with it, was a useful tool and an improvement over current methods of nutrient TMDL analysis.
Publication Date: 2015
Daru Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences (15608115)(1)
Background: MMP-2 enzyme is a kind of matrix metalloproteinases that digests the denatured collagens and gelatins. It is highly involved in the process of tumor invasion and has been considered as a promising target for cancer therapy. The structural requirements of an MMP-2 inhibitor are: (1) a functional group that binds the zinc ion, and (2) a functional group which interacts with the enzyme backbone and the side chains which undergo effective interactions with the enzyme subsites. Methods: In the present study, a QSAR model was generated to screen new inhibitors of MMP-2 based on L-hydroxy tyrosine scaffold. Descriptors generation were done by Hyperchem 8, DRAGON and Gaussian98W programs. SPSS and MATLAB programs have been used for multiple linear regression (MLR) and genetic algorithm partial least squares (GA-PLS) analyses and for theoretical validation. Applicability domain of the model was performed to screen new compounds. The binding site potential of all inhibitors was verified by structure-based docking according to their binding energy and then the best inhibitors were selected. Results: The best QSAR models in MLR and GA-PLS were reported, with the square correlation coefficient for leave-one-out cross-validation (Q2LOO) larger than 0.921 and 0.900 respectively. The created MLR and GA-PLS models indicated the importance of molecular size, degree of branching, flexibility, shape, three-dimensional coordination of different atoms in a molecule in inhibitory activities against MMP-2. The docking study indicated that lipophilic and hydrogen bonding interactions among the inhibitors and the receptor are involved in a ligand-receptor interaction. The oxygen of carbonyl and sulfonyl groups is important for hydrogen bonds of ligand with Leu82 and Ala83. R2 and R3 substituents play a main role in hydrogen bonding interactions. R1 is sited in the hydrophobic pocket. Methylene group can help a ligand to be fitted in the lipophilic pocket, so two methylene groups are better than one. The Phenyl group can create a π-π interaction with Phe86. Conclusions: The QSAR and docking analyses demonstrated to be helpful tools in the prediction of anti-cancer activities and a guide to the synthesis of new metalloproteinase inhibitors based on L-tyrosine scaffold. © 2015 Abbasi et al.; licensee BioMed Central.
Publication Date: 2021
Human Geographies (18436587)15(1)pp. 85-100
The purpose of this article is to examine the barriers and challenges of home-based businesses from the perspective of experts and home-based business owners using the Delphi method and confirmatory factor analysis. The first group included experts from the Department of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare and the Department of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism. The sample size for the first group was selected using snowball or chain sampling of 28 people, and the second group based on the statistics of about 1,000 people in villages with large household jobs with a subset of more than 4 people in rural areas of Isfahan province. In the quantitative part, using confirmatory factor analysis, 5 factors were individualized: economic, managerial and structural, weakness of laws and comprehensive policy, research and information, and human-nature related factors. © 2021 Human Geographies; The authors.
Publication Date: 2011
Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences (19918178)5(8)pp. 720-728
Regional disparities of human development within many developing countries like Iran are serious obstacles to their integrated development. To adopt efficient policies in order to reduce existent disparities, it is necessary to measure development level of regions in the status quo. In this way, Human Development Index (HDI) is one of the efficient and widely used methods to measure human development of regions and countries. The aim of this study is to investigate sub-provincial disparities of human development in Iran. Meanwhile calculating HDI, this paper addresses two criticisms on HDI including substitution possibilities between its three indices and its common application at aggregated levels which may conceal wide regional disparities and blur the picture of human development within a country. To overcome these shortcomings, it was defined a simple set of fuzzy rules to determine the development level (DL) at sub-province level. Fuzzy classification of DL considerably reduces the substitution possibilities between individual components of HDI and directly reflects the effect of each component on overall DL, and analyzing human development at subprovince level reveals interregional and intraregional disparities more precisely. Based on suggested fuzzy classification, it was defined seven categories for DL including: very high, high, medium-high, medium, low-medium, low and very low. Results showed that a large number of sub-provinces lie in the lower levels of development, and revealed very stark differences of human development among sub-provinces. This study highlights the importance of reducing disparities in Iran to pave way for greater national integration and sustainable development.
Publication Date: 2023
International Planning Studies (14699265)28(3-4)pp. 219-238
This study sheds light on the state of knowledge on shrinking cities over the past four decades by identifying major thematic clusters, conceptual evolutions, and key players. The bibliometric analysis tools of VOSviewer and SciMAT were used to analyze 562 documents indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. The publication trend was divided into three subperiods: the genesis period (1978–2004), the growth period (2004–2015), and the rapid growth period (2015–2021). The most significant conceptual evolution in the field occurred between 2004 and 2015. Three thematic clusters were identified: (1) urban policy and planning, (2) physical and ecological planning, and (3) demographic and regional development. This review highlights that issues related to governance and regional, physical, and ecological planning have attracted more attention. Moving beyond past research, we provide four promising areas for further research in shrinking city studies. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Publication Date: 2017
Geography, Environment, Sustainability (25421565)10(4)pp. 43-68
Sediment monitoring and assessment remain one of the most challenging tasks in fluvial geomorphology and water quality studies. As a response to various environmental and human disturbance effects, the main sources and pathways of the sediments transported within catchments, especially most pristine small one, may change. The paper discusses state-of-the-art in the sediment budget research for small catchments. We identified nine independent approaches in the sediment transport assessment and applied them in 11 catchments across Eurasia in the framework of an FP-7 Marie Curie-International Research Staff Exchange Scheme in 2012-2016. These methods were classified as: i) Field-based methods (In-situ monitoring of sediment transport;-Soil morphological methods and dating techniques; Sediment source fingerprinting; Sediment-water discharge relationships), ii) GIS and remote sensing approaches (Riverbed monitoring based on remote sensing/historical maps; parametrization of the channel sediment connectivity; Sediment transport remote sensing modeling), and iii) Numerical approaches (Soil erosion modeling and gully erosion (stochastic and empirical models); channel hydrodynamic modeling). We present the background theory and application examples of all selected methods. Linking fieldbased methods and datasets with numerical approaches, process measurements as well as monitoring can provide enhanced insights into sediment transfer and related water quality impacts. Adopting such integrated and multi-scale approaches in a sediment budget framework might contribute to improved understanding of hydrological and geomorphological responses. © 2017, Lomonosov Moscow State University. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 1996
Journal of Environmental Quality (00472425)25(4)pp. 917-923
The effectiveness of shallow groundwater areas to serve as a sink for NO3 is affected by many biological and physical properties. However, the direct impact of these properties on the fate of NO3 in shallow groundwater is not well understood, especially where the soils are intermittently saturated. This study was conducted to assess in situ reaction and transport of NO3-N in an intermittent shallow groundwater system. Tracer experiments were conducted within an imposed constant flowing shallow groundwater. A constant-head, single injection well technique was adapted for this study using multilevel soil water samplers placed at 14 locations around the center injection well. The use of Br as a tracer for NO3-N in these constant-flow experiments provided the means to assess in situ NO3-N removal both with and without added C. In experiments without added C, an average NO3 removal rate of 0.33 g N m-2 d-1 was estimated. In a second experiment with dextrose added as an added C source, an average NO3 loss rate 1.06 g N m-2 d-1 was observed. The observed response to added dextrose indicates that the N removal processes were primarily microbial in origin, i.e., the NO3 was denitrified or immobilized into microbial biomass.
National and local governments have made climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies a priority. New technologies have allowed cities to decrease their ecological footprint while maintaining economic operations. This chapter aims to conduct a typology analysis of smart city initiatives and identify implemented solutions to improve good governance and sustainable management of the transportation, water, and energy sectors. We developed a global database of 50 smart city projects and used descriptive analysis to describe them. We gathered information about the projects’ size, ownership, geographic focus, smart city solution type, dimension, and the relationship with climate change. The four key directions of smart transportation projects are promoting sustainable travel behavior, smart parking management, public transit development, and active and low-carbon transportation development. The four key directions of smart governance projects are promoting participation, public services, and openness. Some smart city initiatives use smart lighting, low-carbon building materials, and electric vehicles (EVs) to save energy. Finally, smart cities have prioritized water resource management, intelligently establishing initiatives to manage water supply systems, consumption, and wastewater disposal. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 1993
Cardiology in the Young (10479511)3(3)pp. 287-298
Over the past two decades, advances in equipment used for cardiopulmonary bypass and in operative techniques have resulted in a tremendous decrease in the mortality of patients undergoing surgical repair of congenital heart disease utilizing hypothermic circulatory arrest. Despite the widespread use of hypothermic arrest, opinion is not unanimous with regard to its safety. Previous studies which have examined neurological outcome following repair of congenital heart disease in infancy have generally agreed that when the period of arrest exceeds 60 minutes, there is increasing risk of cerebral injury. © 1993, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.
The metabolically active tumor cells may be characterized by a pronounced adenosine release that regulates the growth and development of the tumor. Consequently, the expression pattern of defined receptor subtypes will be an important determinant for specific effects of adenosine on the control of tumor cell growth. In recent studies, the expression profile, signal transduction, molecular function and cell growth modulation of adenosine receptors in the human breast cancer cell lines has been reported. To investigate the possible roles of adenosine receptors in other types of human cancers, in this study, we characterized the expression profile of adenosine receptors in two different human cancer cell lines: prostate carcinoma cell line (Du-145) and lung adenocarcinoma cell line (Calu-6). Our purpose is to test the hypothesis that diverse human cancer cell lines, according to their adenosine receptor subclass status, would show differential growth modulation. Methods: RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed to cDNA. PCR primers were synthesized from human adenosine receptor cDNA sequences. PCR was performed under optimized condition for each receptor subtype. The PCR products were separated on agarose gels. Results: All two human cancer cell lines studied contained detectable amounts of mRNA specific for adenosine receptor except A3 subtypes. Conclusion: In conclusion the differentially expressed genes identified in this study might provide new insights into the possible roles of adenosine receptors on cell growth and development.
Publication Date: 1993
Journal of Environmental Quality (00472425)22(3)pp. 389-391
To meet the global needs of a growing population, both increased productivity and additional land may need to be dedicated to agriculture. However, to effectively evaluate the impact of new farming strategies and agricultural chemicals on the environment, a broad perspective is needed to prevent simply shifting pollution from one part of the hydrologic cycle to another. The loss of agricultural chemicals to the environment may include a combination of processes such as volatilization, runoff and leaching, each exhibiting considerable spatial and temporal dependency. Subsequent losses of agricultural chemicals to the environment may also be transported offsite,having a potential detrimental effect on the environment. This overview provides a brief introduction to the papers presented at a special USDAARS symposium entitled″Agricultural Water Quality Priorities, A Team Approach to Conserving Natural Resources″.
