Characterizing groundwater heat-transport in a complex lowland aquifer using paleo-temperature reconstruction, satellite data, temperature-depth profiles, and numerical models

Heat is a naturally occurring widespread groundwater tracer that can be used to identify flow patterns in groundwater systems. Temperature measurements, being relatively inexpensive and effortless to gather, represent a valuable source of information which can be exploited to reduce uncertainties on groundwater flow, and e.g. support performance assessment studies on waste disposal sites. In a lowland setting, however, hydraulic gradients are typically small, and whether temperature measurements can be used to inform us about catchment-scale groundwater flow remains an open question. For the Neogene aquifer in Flanders, groundwater flow and solute transport models have been developed in the framework of safety and feasibility studies for the underlying Boom Clay Formation as potential host rock for geological disposal of radioactive waste. However, the simulated fluxes by these models are still subject to large uncertainties, as they are typically constrained by hydraulic heads only. In the current study we use a state-of-the-art 3D steady-state groundwater flow model, calibrated against hydraulic head measurements, to build a 3D transient heat-transport model, for assessing the use of heat as an additional state variable, in a lowland setting, at the catchment scale. We therefore use temperature-depth (TD) profiles as additional state variable observations for inverse conditioning. Furthermore, a Holocene paleo-temperature time curve was constructed based on paleo-temperature reconstructions in Europe from several sources in combination with land-surface temperature (LST) imagery remote sensing monthly data from 2001 to 2019 (retrieved from NASA’s MODIS). The aim of the research is to understand the mechanisms of heat transport and to characterize the temperature distribution and dynamics in the Neogene aquifer. The simulation results clearly underline advection/convection and conduction as the major heat transport mechanisms, with a reduced role of advection/convection in zones where flux magnitudes are low, which suggests temperature is a useful indicator also in a lowland setting. Furthermore, performed scenarios highlight the important roles of i) surface hydrological features and withdrawals driving local groundwater flow systems, and ii) the inclusion of subsurface features like faults in the conceptualization and development of hydrogeological investigations. These findings serve as a proxy of the influence of advective transport and barrier/conduit role of faults, particularly the Rauw Fault in this case, and suggest that solutes released from the Boom Clay might be affected in similar ways.

FABM-NflexPD 1.0: assessing an instantaneous acclimation approach for modeling phytoplankton growth

Coupled physical–biogeochemical models can generally reproduce large-scale patterns of primary production and biogeochemistry, but they often underestimate observed variability and gradients. This is partially caused by insufficient representation of systematic variations in the elemental composition and pigment density of phytoplankton. Although progress has been made through approaches accounting for the dynamics of phytoplankton composition with additional state variables, formidable computational challenges arise when these are applied in spatially explicit setups. The instantaneous acclimation (IA) approach addresses these challenges by assuming that Chl:C:nutrient ratios are instantly optimized locally (within each modeled grid cell, at each time step), such that they can be resolved as diagnostic variables. Here, we present the first tests of IA in an idealized 1-D setup: we implemented the IA in the Framework for Aquatic Biogeochemical Models (FABM) and coupled it with the General Ocean Turbulence Model (GOTM) to simulate the spatiotemporal dynamics in a 1-D water column. We compare the IA model against a fully dynamic, otherwise equivalently acclimative (dynamic acclimation; DA) variant with an additional state variable and a third, non-acclimative and fixed-stoichiometry (FS) variant. We find that the IA and DA variants, which require the same parameter set, behave similarly in many respects, although some differences do emerge especially during the winter–spring and autumn–winter transitions. These differences however are relatively small in comparison to the differences between the DA and FS variants, suggesting that the IA approach can be used as a cost-effective improvement over a fixed-stoichiometry approach. Our analysis provides insights into the roles of acclimative flexibilities in simulated primary production and nutrient drawdown rates, seasonal and vertical distribution of phytoplankton biomass, formation of thin chlorophyll layers and stoichiometry of detrital material.

1519Integrated Measles and Meningitis Vaccination Campaign in Nigeria: Experience of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Introduction The Nigeria government, supported by its development partners conducted several vaccination campaigns involving various antigens across the country in 2019. Majority of the states in the North including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) implemented the Integrated Measles and Men A vaccination campaign (IVC) which itself was an innovation given that both campaigns were initially planned as stand-alone campaigns. The integration of these campaigns came with additional planning, new implementation strategies and challenges. This paper aims to highlight the key drivers of FCT’s performance in achieving greater than 90% vaccination coverage for both antigens and the challenges of the integrated campaign in FCT. Methods A baseline review of previous campaign reports, micro plans and tally sheet data was conducted to identify challenges of previous SIAs in FCT, best practices and lessons learnt. A preliminary analysis of available data revealed a shortfall in resources early enough in the planning phase. Notably, was a shortfall of about 300 vaccination teams for the implementation of the Measles vaccination campaign (as a standalone campaign) as well as shortfall in cold chain equipment and logistic funds. We leveraged on the thrice weekly technical coordination meetings to review these challenges to seek ways to mitigate them. Result Strategic efforts to address the identified gaps led to the state sponsoring an additional 354 vaccination teams to support implementation by leveraging on the SOML funds. Staggering the campaign was key to ensuring adequacy of CCEOPs to address the increase in the number required due to the integration. The additional state sponsored team vaccinated 121777 and 123588 children who otherwise would have been missed with the Measles antigen with the Men A antigen respectively. Conclusion Strategic resolution of identified challenges was pivotal to FCT’s performance of greater than 90% vaccination coverages for both antigens. Key words Measles, Meningitis A, Integrated, Vaccination, Campaign

Pelaksanaan Informasi Desa Menurut Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2014 Tentang Desa

The village information system in the village of Mekarjaya not using a website-based information system. This is the concern of previous authors so difficult to find information Village from the official site of the Village. This paper discusses the management of village information is the implementation of Village-based information website. This research uses normative legal research methods, with a law approach and historical approach. Primary legal material namely Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages (Additional State Gazette Number 5495), Secondary Legal Materials contained in the book, legal and internet journals. Research result (1) Local Governments both from the district until village levels are obliged to hold good Village Information facilities. (2) Village officials in Mekarjaya must provide minimal information facilities for information boards to Website-based Village Information services.Keywords: Village Law, Transparency, Village information, website AbstrakSistem informasi Desa yang ada di Desa Mekarjaya belum menggunakan sistem informasi yang berbasis Website. Hal ini yang menjadi perhatian penulis karena sebelumnya begitu sulit mencari informasi Desa dari situs resmi Desa. Tulisan ini membahas pengelolaan informasi desa yaitu Pelaksanaan informasi Desa yang berbasis website. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian hukum normatif, dengan pendekatan undang-undang dan pendekatan historis. Bahan hukum Primer yakni Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2014 Tentang Desa (Tambahan Lembaran Negara Nomor 5495), Bahan Hukum Skunder yang ada di dalam buku, jurnal hukum, dan internet. Hasil Penelitian (1) Pemerintah Daerah baik dari tingkat kabupaten hingga Desa berkewajiban mengadakan sarana Informasi Desa yang baik. (2) Pejabat Desa Mekarjaya dalam kesahariannya harus memberikan sarana Informasi minimal papan Informasi hingga pelayanan Informasi Desa yang berbasis Website.Kata Kunci: Undang-Undang Desa; Transparansi; informasi Desa; website

FABM-NflexPD 1.0: Assessing an Instantaneous Acclimation Approach for Modelling Phytoplankton Growth

Coupled physical-biogeochemical models can generally reproduce large-scale patterns of primary production and biogeochemistry, but they often underestimate observed variability and gradients. This is partially caused by insufficient representation of systematic variations in the elemental composition and pigment density of phytoplankton. Although progress has been made through approaches accounting for the dynamics of phytoplankton composition with additional state variables, formidable computational challenges arise when these are applied in spatially explicit setups. The Instantaneous Acclimation (IA) approach addresses these challenges by assuming that Chl : C : nutrient ratios are instantly optimized locally (within each modelled grid cell, at each timestep), such that they can be resolved as diagnostic variables. Here we present the first tests of IA in an idealized, 1D setup: we implemented the IA in the Framework for Aquatic Biogeochemical Models (FABM), and coupled it with the General Ocean Turbulence Model (GOTM) to simulate the spatio-temporal dynamics in a 1-D water column. We show that the IA model and a fully dynamic, otherwise equivalently acclimative (DA) variant with an additional state variable behave similarly, and both resolve nutrient and growth dynamics not captured by a third, non-acclimative and fixed-stoichiometry (FS) variant.

Modeling the Effect of Population-Wide Vaccination on the Evolution of COVID-19 Epidemic in Canada

Population-wide vaccination is critical for containing the COVID-19 pandemic when combined with effective testing and prevention measures. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, several companies worked tirelessly for the development of an efficient vaccine that would put an end to this pandemic. Today, a number of COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use by a number of national regulatory organizations. Vaccination campaigns have already started in several countries with different daily-vaccination rates depending on the country’s vaccination capacity. Therefore, we find it timely and extremely important to conduct a study on the effect of population-wide vaccination campaigns on the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic. To this end, we propose a new deterministic mathematical model to forecast the COVID-19 epidemic evolution under the effect of vaccination and vaccine efficacy. This model, referred to as SIRV, consists of a compartmental SIR (susceptible, infectious and removed) model augmented with an additional state V representing the effectively vaccinated population as well as two inputs representing the daily-vaccination rate and the vaccine efficacy. Using our SIRV model, we predict the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic in Canada and its most affected provinces (Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), for different daily vaccination rates and vaccine efficacy. Projections suggest that, without vaccination, 219, 000 lives could be lost across Canada by the end of 2021 due to COVID-19. The ongoing vaccination campaign across Canada seems to unfold relatively slowly at an average daily rate close to 1/2 vaccine per 1, 000 population. At this pace, we could be saving more than 77, 496 lives by the end of the year. Doubling the current vaccination efforts (1 vaccine per day per 1, 000 population) could be sufficient to save 125, 839 lives in Canada during the current year 2021. We would like to point out that our study assumes that the vaccine is perfectly safe without any short or long term side-effects. This study has been conducted independently at arm’s length from vaccine manufacturers, using the available data from Canada health services. This study can be easily adapted to other places in the world.

Dynamic state estimation of multi-machine power system with UPFC using EKF algorithm

Estimation of dynamic state variables in a multi-machine power system connected with UPFC is presented in this paper, using Extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm. A two-generator test case is used to estimate the generator rotor angle and rotor speed. The DC link voltage of the UPFC is the additional state variable to be estimated. Dynamic mathematical modeling of the multi-machine system with UPFC is explained in this work. DSE is done under transient condition of three-phase fault.

To the question of the need for strengthening measures territorial alignment

The article analyzes the main indicators of the socio-economic development of the Republic of Mordovia, substantiates the need to apply measures of additional state financial support in relation to this region, since a long-term strong lag in the standard of living of the population creates a threat to the stability of the socio-economic development.

Review of the genus Bubaces (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae: Lethaeini) with descriptions of three new species, new distributional records, and key to species

The genus Bubaces Distant, 1893 is reviewed and three new species are described: B. gloriosus sp. nov., from Costa Rica (Puntarenas Province) and Mexico (Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Veracruz), B. occidentalis sp. nov., from Mexico (Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, and Michoacan) and B. rostralis sp. nov., from Mexico (Quintana Roo). Additional state faunistic records of the previously described species B. castaneus, B. convergens, B. enatus and B. uhleri are provided. Photographs of the dorsal habitus, the male genital capsule, and the parameres are included, as well as close up photos of the metathoracic scent glands of both sexes. A key to species of the genus is provided.

Task-Oriented Dialog Systems That Consider Multiple Appropriate Responses under the Same Context

Conversations have an intrinsic one-to-many property, which means that multiple responses can be appropriate for the same dialog context. In task-oriented dialogs, this property leads to different valid dialog policies towards task completion. However, none of the existing task-oriented dialog generation approaches takes this property into account. We propose a Multi-Action Data Augmentation (MADA) framework to utilize the one-to-many property to generate diverse appropriate dialog responses. Specifically, we first use dialog states to summarize the dialog history, and then discover all possible mappings from every dialog state to its different valid system actions. During dialog system training, we enable the current dialog state to map to all valid system actions discovered in the previous process to create additional state-action pairs. By incorporating these additional pairs, the dialog policy learns a balanced action distribution, which further guides the dialog model to generate diverse responses. Experimental results show that the proposed framework consistently improves dialog policy diversity, and results in improved response diversity and appropriateness. Our model obtains state-of-the-art results on MultiWOZ.