scholarly journals Assessing the potential of integrating distribution and structure of permanent open-water wetlandscapes in reclamation design: a case study of Alberta, Canada

Author(s):  
Jennifer D. Ridge ◽  
Derek T. Robinson ◽  
Rebecca Rooney

AbstractWetlands are multi-functional systems that provide a disproportionate number of ecosystem services given the spatial extent they occupy both nationally and globally. The ecological functioning of these wetlands is dependent on the structure of the landscape, which poses unique challenges when reclaiming wetlands in areas where resource extraction is occurring. Resource extraction mega-projects require that entire wetlandscapes be reclaimed and often involve timelines that necessitate the consideration of climate projections to create self-sustaining, naturally appearing wetlandscapes that meet policy objectives. To understand wetlandscape structure and guide reclamation planning and closure permitting evaluation, a random sample of 13,676 1-km2 landscapes were subselected to identify 1684 permanent open-water wetlandscapes. A parsimonious set of landscape metrics were applied and compared across levels of anthropogenic disturbance and across natural regions (i.e., Grassland, Parkland and Boreal). Results demonstrated that permanent open-water wetlands are relatively rare (12.3% of our total random sample) and typically occupy less than 8% of wetlandscapes when present. The majority of wetlands in the study area are less permanent and more variable in nature than the permanent open water wetlandscapes created by megaproject reclamation, which has the potential to alter the distribution and size of open-water wetlands beyond their natural occurrence. Comparison across disturbance levels and natural regions yield statistical differences among landscape structure. General wetland landscapes representing a combination of disturbance level and natural region can be created for each metric to guide reclamation design and closure planning approval.

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1312-1333
Author(s):  
Zarina G. ABAKAROVA ◽  
Patimat G. ISAEVА

Subject. We consider the economic relations that arise in the process of formation and implementation of the regional tax policy. Objectives. The purpose is to analyze the regional tax policy considering the Republic of Dagestan as a case study. Methods. The study employs methods of statistical, economic and mathematical, and systems analysis. Results. We propose measures that may be implemented in the system of tax policy of the Republic of Dagestan and contribute to its improvement in conditions of financial instability. Nevertheless, these proposals require further attention, a deeper level of design and development of testing scheme. They may also be used to study the tax policy of the region. Conclusions. The comprehensive analysis shows that the tax policy and other approaches to the regulation of the economic life of the country have advantages and disadvantages. It is obvious that the application of these tools may have a positive impact on the economy.


Author(s):  
M D Woodward ◽  
M Atlar ◽  
D Clarke

Conventionally, the stopping of a ship is achieved by direct reversal of propeller rotation. However, the introduction of azimuthing pods presents other options. The following study examines the various modes that may be employed to stop a pod-driven ship. A continuous function is derived describing the hydrodynamic forces on both the propeller and the pod body for any load condition and helm angle, including fluid damping and added mass effects. The proposed function is validated through comparison with comprehensive open water model tests. Next, a time domain simulation algorithm is proposed to examine the dynamic effects including the mass inertia on both the propeller shaft and slewing stock. Finally, a simulation study for the proposed stopping modes is performed using a known design as a case study. Results and discussion are presented.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Scanff ◽  
Florian Naudet ◽  
Ioana Cristea ◽  
David Moher ◽  
Dorothy V M Bishop ◽  
...  

AbstractContextConvergent analyses in different disciplines support the use of the Percentage of Papers by the Most Prolific author (PPMP) as a red flag to identify journals that can be suspected of questionable editorial practices. We examined whether this index, complemented by the Gini index, could be useful for identifying cases of potential editorial bias, using a large sample of biomedical journals.MethodsWe extracted metadata for all biomedical journals referenced in the National Library of Medicine, with any attributed Broad Subject Terms, and at least 50 authored (i.e. by at least one author) articles between 2015 and 2019, identifying the most prolific author (i.e. the person who signed the most papers in each particular journal). We calculated the PPMP and the 2015-2019 Gini index for the distribution of articles across authors. When the relevant information was reported, we also computed the median publication lag (time between submission and acceptance) for articles authored by any of the most prolific authors and that for articles not authored by prolific authors. For outlier journals, defined as a PPMP or Gini index above the 95th percentile of their respective distributions, a random sample of 100 journals was selected and described in relation to status on the editorial board for the most prolific author.Results5 468 journals that published 4 986 335 papers between 2015 and 2019 were analysed. The PPMP 95th percentile was 10.6% (median 2.9%). The Gini index 95th percentile was 0.355 (median 0.183). Correlation between the two indices was 0.35 (95CI 0.33 to 0.37). Information on publication lag was available for 2 743 journals. We found that 277 journals (10.2%) had a median time lag to publication for articles by the most prolific author(s) that was shorter than 3 weeks, versus 51 (1.9%) journals with articles not authored by prolific author(s). Among the random sample of outlier journals, 98 provided information about their editorial board. Among these 98, the most prolific author was part of the editorial board in 60 cases (61%), among whom 25 (26% of the 98) were editors-in-chief.DiscussionIn most journals publications are distributed across a large number of authors. Our results reveal a subset of journals where a few authors, often members of the editorial board, were responsible for a disproportionate number of publications. The papers by these authors were more likely to be accepted for publication within 3 weeks of their submission. To enhance trust in their practices, journals need to be transparent about their editorial and peer review practices.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuel Storey ◽  
Witold Krajewski ◽  
Efthymios Nikolopoulos

<p>Satellite based flood detection can enhance understanding of risk to humans and infrastructures, geomorphic processes, and ecological effects.  Such application of optical satellite imagery has been mostly limited to the detection of water exposed to sky, as plant canopies tend to obstruct water visibility in short electromagnetic wavelengths.  This case study evaluates the utility in multi-temporal thermal infrared observations from Landsat 8 as a basis for detecting sub-canopy fluvial inundation resulting in ambient temperature change.</p><p>We selected three flood events of 2016 and 2019 along sections of the Mississippi, Cedar, and Wapsipinicon Rivers located in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, United States.  Classification of sub-canopy water involved logical, threshold-exceedance criteria to capture thermal decline within channel-adjacent vegetated zones.  Open water extent in the floods was mapped based on short-wave infrared thresholds determined parametrically from baseline (non-flooded) observations.  Map accuracy was evaluated using higher-resolution (0.5–5.0 m) synchronic optical imagery.</p><p>Results demonstrate improved ability to detect sub-canopy inundation when thermal infrared change is incorporated: sub-canopy flood class accuracy was comparable to that of open water in previous studies.  The multi-temporal open-water mapping technique yielded high accuracy as compared to similar studies.  This research highlights the utility of Landsat thermal infrared data for monitoring riparian inundation and for validating other remotely sensed and simulated flood maps.</p>


Author(s):  
Penelope Debs Keough

Alarming statistics presented by the United States Department of Education reveal a disproportionate number of students of minority language (English language learners) qualify for special education. As far back as 2007, the DOE recognized there was a concerted effort needed to reduce racial and ethnic disproportionality in racial and ethnic identification, placement, and disciplinary actions for minority students' representation in special education. This chapter will examine and address solutions to prevent the over identification of English language learners in special education specifically in the area of identification. As a further objective, the ramifications of this over representation will be examined, and the authors hypothesize about why the over representation occurs. Confusion over the Unz Initiative (1998, Proposition 227) may have inadvertently led to the over identification. A case study, leading to case law, concludes the chapter.


2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (16) ◽  
pp. 9078-9098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Xing ◽  
Guangheng Ni ◽  
Long Yang ◽  
Yan Yang ◽  
Pei Xing ◽  
...  

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