Prevalence of Salivary IgA Reacting with SARS-CoV-2 among Japanese People Unexposed to the Virus

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has posed a threat to public health as the number of cases and COVID-19-related deaths are increasing worldwide, the incidence of the virus infection are extremely low in Japan compared with many other countries. To explore the reason for this strange phenomenon, we hypothesized the high prevalence of natural secretory IgA in saliva as mucosal IgA reacting with SARS-CoV-2, and thus surveyed the positivity for, as well as levels of, such reactive salivary IgA in a cohort of Japanese people of a wide range of age. The major findings were that 95/180 (52.78 %) of overall individuals who had not been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 were positive for salivary IgA with the levels ranging from 0.002 to 3.272 ng/ml, and that there may be a negative trend in positivity for salivary IgA according to age. These results suggest a role of mucosal IgA in host defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Estimation of Groundwater Depletion in Iran’s Catchments Using Well Data

Iran is experiencing significant water challenges that have now turned water security into a national priority. By estimating secular trend groundwater storage in Iran between 2002 and 2017, we see that there is an intensive negative trend, even −4400 Mm3 in some areas. These estimations show shifting in the climate and extra extraction from aquifers for agricultural use in some areas in Iran. The secular trend of groundwater storage changes across the whole of Iran inferred from observation well data is −20.08 GT/yr. The secular trends of GWS changes based on observation well data are: −11.55 GT/yr for the Central Plateau basin, −3.60 GT/yr for the Caspian Sea basin, −3.0 GT/yr for the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea basin, −0.53 GT/yr for the Urmieh Lake basin, −0.57 GT/yr for the Eastern Boundary basin, and −0.83 GT/yr for the Gharaghom basin. The most depleted sub-basin (Kavir Markazi) has secular trends of GWS changes of −4.503 GT/yr. This study suggests that groundwater depletion is the largest single contributor to the observed negative trend of groundwater storage changes in Iran, the majority of which occurred after the drought in 2007. The groundwater loss that has been accrued during the study period is particularly alarming for Iran, which is already facing severe water scarcity.

50 year rainfall data analysis and future trend in Saharanpur region

The environmental implications of rainfall pattern in replenishment of ground water system of Saharanpur region, located in western Uttar Pradesh, have been discussed. The mathematical analysis of rainfall dissimilarity of Saharanpur region for a period of 50 year (1959 to 2008) display a quite good range from 497.70 to 4357.5 mm with an annual average rainfall value of 1209.8 mm. The positive trend of departure from the computer value of average annual rainfall exhibits appropriate periods for recharge of ground water reservoir. The recorded data of annual rainfall during the last 3 year reveal values below the calculated annual average rainfall, pointing out negative trend. The statistical analysis of rainfall data involves computations of various statistical parameters, which also support the negative trend of rainfall. The prediction of expected future rainfall trend for a period up to 2018 has been made, which indicates a negative trend. The proposal have been incorporated to implement a plan for augmentation of ground water resource and also to develop possibilities of rainwater harvesting.

Rainfall Trend And Seasonality Estimation For Marathwada Region

The present research work conducts a seasonality and trend analysis of rainfall over the 8 districts of the Marathwada region India. The study is carried out for the last 39 years ranging from 1980 to 2018. The rainfall data analysed pertains to pre-monsoon season, monsoon season (Kharif), and annual. The trend has been estimated using Sen’s slope estimation process along with Mann-Kendal test. It was observed that the all the Eight districts of the region show a negative trend in the annual rainfall received. Nanded district showed the largest negative trend in the annual rainfall. Out of eight districts seven districts of the region show a decline in rainfall during the monsoon season. The district of Nanded showed largest decline in the rainfall received during monsoon season. The present research work concludes with discussion on possible causes of such estimated trends.

Long-term changes in mesospheric wind and wave estimates based on radar observations in both hemispheres

<p class="western">Several studies (Banerjee et al. (2020) and before that Sun et al. (2014)) found a trend reversal between winter and summer circulation in the southern hemisphere around 2000 in the middle atmosphere. One may argue that the negative trend after 2000 is due to the CO<sub>2</sub>-induced change in stratospheric dynamics. However, Ramesh et al. (2020), using the newest WACCM6 simulation and a multiple linear regression model, confirmed that the negative trend in the stratosphere after 2000 can be attributed to ozone recovery. Here we investigate how stratospheric trends relate to trends in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) dynamics. Using the adaptive spectral filtering (ASF) method (Stober et al., 2021), we study long-term changes in mesospheric wind and planetary and gravity wave estimates<span lang="en-GB"> of meteor radar stations in the northern (NH: Collm, Kiruna, Sodankyla, CM</span><span lang="en-GB">OR</span><span lang="en-GB">) and southern (SH: Rio Grande, Davis, Rothera) hemisphere, respectively, for the altitude range of 80–100 km. </span>Linear trends have been estimated (from monthly means calculated from the preprocessed original data using ASF) by the Theil–Sen estimator (Theil, 1950; Sen, 1968). The robustness of our fitting method is assessed in terms of spurious trends due to, e.g., high autocorrelation of relatively short time series. The long-term changes are validated in two whole-atmosphere models, namely, GAIA and WACCMX-SD (both nudged in the stratosphere). While both models reveal issues reproducing basic climatology in the mesosphere, GAIA fairly reproduces the trends captured by the meteor radars. Finally, we conclude that the ozone recovery effects in the SH stratosphere influence the dynamics in MLT via gravity wave coupling.</p>

LINKages

<p>Currently, there is a negative trend in the way small New Zealand towns are developing, ignoring community values and a sense of identity. New Zealand, a country renowned for the beauty of its small towns and wild natural landscapes has also experienced a negative trend in small town developments. Coastal and rural settlements are growing and changing to cater for expansion while neglecting significant and unique character. These aspects hold a considerable amount of value concerning the identity of the town and what makes it unique to the community. Kapiti Coast, specifically Waikanae, is a place within the Greater Wellington Region of New Zealand which presents an ideal location populated mainly by retirees and elderly (50%) as well as young families (35%) seeking affordable housing. The landscape form is unique as it is composed of both an attractive coastal edge with proximity to a lush rural setting. The suburban town was once a cohesive region with an ‘Olde beach’ character that is now highly disjointed through infrastructure developments. The implementation of new highways combined with the continuous development of residential neighbourhoods has influenced a decline both socially and ecologically. This thesis investigation aims to explore how landscape architecture can re-inject values and character through design interventions within coastal environments. Highlighting unique elements within the coastal landscape while considering both the needs of younger and older generations, public space can be provided as a way to foster social cohesion and assist with future coastal town development.</p>

LINKages

<p>Currently, there is a negative trend in the way small New Zealand towns are developing, ignoring community values and a sense of identity. New Zealand, a country renowned for the beauty of its small towns and wild natural landscapes has also experienced a negative trend in small town developments. Coastal and rural settlements are growing and changing to cater for expansion while neglecting significant and unique character. These aspects hold a considerable amount of value concerning the identity of the town and what makes it unique to the community. Kapiti Coast, specifically Waikanae, is a place within the Greater Wellington Region of New Zealand which presents an ideal location populated mainly by retirees and elderly (50%) as well as young families (35%) seeking affordable housing. The landscape form is unique as it is composed of both an attractive coastal edge with proximity to a lush rural setting. The suburban town was once a cohesive region with an ‘Olde beach’ character that is now highly disjointed through infrastructure developments. The implementation of new highways combined with the continuous development of residential neighbourhoods has influenced a decline both socially and ecologically. This thesis investigation aims to explore how landscape architecture can re-inject values and character through design interventions within coastal environments. Highlighting unique elements within the coastal landscape while considering both the needs of younger and older generations, public space can be provided as a way to foster social cohesion and assist with future coastal town development.</p>

The impact of Islamic portfolio on risk and return

The purpose of this study is to investigate the comparative impact of conventional and Islamic bonds over returns. It provides useful insights to investors to diversify investment by lowering the risk to the optimum level. This study examines the impact of the conventional and Islamic portfolios on returns through simple OLS regression, suggesting that Sukuk returns are positive and significant. Simultaneously, conventional bonds show a negative trend, but in the long run, the returns are significant. It indicates that the market is volatile due to macroeconomic factors that can reduce risks through portfolio diversification. Thus, this research suggests that investment can be secured by taking a rational portfolio decision that confirms robustness. Therefore, it is a good opportunity for the investors to get high margins over the investment tenure.

The Effect of Climate Change on Rain Characteristics in the Mepanga Watershed

Climate change has brought changes to the characteristics of the rain, wherein the rainy season duration is short; however, the dry season is getting longer. This study aims to detect the climate change presence or absence, identify the relationship of climate change to the nature of rainfall, and the relationship of climate change to rainy, humid and dry months. This research was conducted in the Mepanga Watershed, Parigi Moutong Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Makesens method is used for climate change detection. The rainfall characteristics use standard deviation statistical methods; furthermore, the Oldman method is used for dry, humid, and wet months. The data used is rainfall data for 30 years (1990-2019) from Kayu Agung Station. The results show that there has been a climate change in the Mepanga watershed. Marked by a Z ≠ zero value, where there is a positive trend (Z> 0) and a negative trend (Z <0). The increase in rainfall and conversely indicates the positive trend; otherwise, a decrease in rainfall indicates a negative trend. There is an effect of climate change on the nature of rain, wet, humid and dry months but not significant.

Analisis Kinerja Keuangan Pada PT. Bumi Sarana Utama Menggunakan Metode Economic Value Added (EVA)

This study aims to analyze the financial performance of PT. Bumi Sarana Utama during 2015 to 2019 using the method Economic Value Added (EVA). Data collection used using documentation techniques. The results showed that the value of the Economic Value Added (EVA) of PT. Bumi Sarana Utama during 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 was negative (EVA < 0) which means the company is not able to provide or generate economic added value in its operational activities. Even though they had a positive value in 2017, they could no longer maintain this condition in 2018 and 2019. This was due to a consistent decline in operating profit (NOPAT) and changes in the capital structure whose value fluctuated and tended to decline as a result of the changing urgency of asphalt demand. to the concrete and make the EVA value of PT. Bumi Sarana Utama continues to have a negative trend.