Layout structure of multi-quality irrigation networks: I��introduction and layout types

The affect of network structure on the performance of water supply systems of diverse water quality sources was assessed, using analytic methods. The analysis is presented in a series of 3 papers in which this paper is the first of the series. Five types of network structures were analyzed: i) single networks; ii) separate sub-networks; iii) multiple networks; iv) dilution networks; and v) combined dilution-separate networks. The properties of each network type were evaluated using the Q-C ??Feasibility domain?? (QCFD) concept, where discharge (Q) and concentration (C) are the major design parameters. The dilution network type was found most flexible and the single and separate network types were most rigid. The multiple network type provides certain flexibility, however it was exceptionally expensive. The improved network, which combined the advantages of the separate sub-networks with the dilution network was proposed and as an optimal design. The planning of such systems commenced with an initial analysis at the sources-consumers?? level without network facilities. The second stage required analysis of the various structures of the network layout. Ultimately, a layout was assumed and the effect of flow directions in that network was assessed for installation of back flow preventing devices, and improving the control of water quality. A rural region in southern Israel of 6 sources, 5 villages, and 8 fields was chosen. The 5 types of networks were planned for this region. The effect of network structure on the performance of these networks was analyzed and discussed.     

Sensitivity analysis of optimal operation of irrigation supply systems with water quality considerations

A model for optimal operation of water supply/irrigation systems of various water quality sources, with treatment plants, multiple water quality conservative factors, and dilution junctions is presented. The objective function includes water cost at the sources, water conveyance costs which account for the hydraulics of the network indirectly, water treatment cost, and yield reduction costs of irrigated crops due to irrigation with poor quality water. The model can be used for systems with supply by canals as well as pipes, which serve both drinking water demands of urban/rural consumers and field irrigation requirements. The general nonlinear optimization problem has been simplified by decomposing it to a problem with linear constraints and nonlinear objective function. This problem is solved using the projected gradient method. The method is demonstrated for a regional water supply system in southern Israel that contains 39 pipes, 37 nodes, 11 sources, 10 agricultural consumers, and 4 domestic consumers. The optimal operation solution is described by discharge and salinity values for all pipes of the network. Sensitivity of the optimal solution to changes in the parameters is examined. The solution was found to be sensitive to the upper limit on drinking water quality, with total cost being reduced by 5% as the upper limit increases from 260 to 600 mg Cl l^–1. The effect of income from unit crop yield is more pronounced. An increase of income by a factor of 20 results in an increase of the total cost by a factor of 3, thus encouraging more use of fresh water as long as the marginal cost of water supply is smaller than the marginal decrease in yield loss. The effect of conveyance cost becomes more pronounced as its cost increases. An increase by a factor of 100 results in an increase of the total cost by about 14%. The network studied has a long pipe that connects two distinct parts of the network and permits the supply of fresh water from one part to the other. Increasing the maximum permitted discharge in this pipe from 0 to 200 m³ h^–1 reduces the total cost by 11%. Increasing the maximum discharge at one of the sources from 90 to 300 m³ h^–1 reduces the total cost by about 8%.     

Soil microbial functional diversity response following nematocide and biocide amendments in a desert ecosystem

The aim of the current study was to gain a better understanding of the changes that occur in soil microbial community and in its functional diversity as a result of the use of nematocide and biocide inhibitors in natural ecosystems. Both inhibitors are known to have a great effect on the nematode community and total biota, playing an important role in soil food web and biota interactions. The experiment was set up in the Negev Desert using sixteen 1×1 m soil plots, to which two chemical inhibitors were applied: (a) a biocide, to eliminate the whole biotic community; and (b) a nematocide, to eliminate the nematode community in soil. In addition, water treatment was applied to the same soil plots, while untreated soil plots were used as control. Microbial functional diversity, together with abiotic parameters such as soil moisture and total organic carbon, was tested monthly in soil samples collected from the 0-10 and 10-20 cm soil layers. The results of the abiotic parameters showed similar patterns in the two soil layers regardless of the inhibitor treatments. An increase in soil water content followed rainfall patterns. Total organic carbon was low during the wet season and increased during the dry seasons. The Shannon-Weaver index value for microbial functional diversity was found to increase in spring after the wet season in both soil layers. In the upper soil layer, an increase was observed both in the inhibitor and water treatments. However, the increase in the water treatment lasted longer compared to the increase observed in the inhibitor-treated soil plots. In the 10-20 cm soil layer, a different pattern was observed: an increase in microbial functional diversity was observed in the inhibitor-treated soil plots, while an increase in the water-treated soil plots was seen at a later stage. Principal Component Analysis was also conducted, revealing different patterns between inhibitors and water treatments on both a temporal scale, when changes from a homogeneous to heterogeneous consumption pattern were observed, and in the nature of communities that proliferate in the soil. Differences were also observed in the microbial community between the upper 0-10 and the lower 10-20 cm soil layers, where an opposite pattern of substrate consumption was observed. This study emphasizes the important role the biotic component plays in the soil of an arid climate, studying the long-term effects of key species elimination on the microbial community in desert soil.     

Salinity control in multi-quality irrigation networks — Kibbutz Hamadia feasibility study

A farm-scale water supply system of Kibbutz Hamadia in Israel has been analyzed to demonstrate the feasibility of controlling water quality by using a multi-quality network so as to meet the various water quality requirements at the consumer outlets. The irrigation network has been analyzed in steady-state and transient conditions. The results show the importance of the setting of the degree of opening of the control valves to prevent a shift in the dilution point. The quality of water supplied to the consumers was found to change significantly during the transition period and the consequences of this lag time have been shown.This method offers an alternative to a dual or even multiple water distribution system.     

Multivariate relationships between epidemiologic risk factors and zoonotic infections among military personnel in the country of Georgia: A non‐linear canonical correlation analysis

Zoonotic diseases are endemic in the country of Georgia. Using the non‐linear canonical correlation (NCC) method, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between thirteen epidemiological risk factors and seropositivity to five zoonotic infections (anthrax, Q fever, tularemia, leptospirosis, and Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever [CCHF]) among Georgian military recruits during 2014–2016. According to this multivariate statistical technique, which is suitable for the analysis of two or more sets of qualitative variables simultaneously, two canonical variables were identified. These variables accounted for 68% of the variation between the two sets of categorical variables (“risk factors” and “zoonotic infections”). For the first canonical variable, there was a relationship among CCHF (canonical loading, which is interpreted in the same way as the Pearson's correlation coefficient, [cl] = 0.715), tick bites (cl = 0.418) and slaughter of animals (cl = 0.351). As for the second canonical variable, Q fever (cl = ?0.604) and leptospirosis (cl = ?0.486) were related to rodents inside and outside home (cl = ?0.346) and sweeping in or around home (cl = ?0.317). The NCC method allows researchers to obtain additional insights into the complex relationship between epidemiological risk factors and multiple zoonotic infections.     

Machinery for installation of small diameter pipes at shallow depths

A method of installing 20–35 mm diameter drain tube using low-cost machinery is described. Extensive soil loosening above and beside the drain is achieved using wing attachments and shallower leading tines. Top soil placement above the drain is incorporated in the same pass as the pipe is installed, to eliminate cavities, enable firm pipe bedding, and good grade control.     

A novel method for rearing the progeny of wild mediterranean fruit flies using artificial fruit

A technique for rearing the progeny of wildCeratitis capitata flies was developed. The method is based on wild captured flies which are allowed to oviposit in artificial fruit containing larval rearing medium. Flies develop in the fruit from eggs to last larval instar, then exit the fruit and pupate within vermiculite. This method was shown to be feasible and efficient, and to increase considerably the number of wild flies for testing purposes. Possible contribution to the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and potential applications of the method are discussed.     

Regulation of integrin adhesions by varying the density of substrate-bound epidermal growth factor

Substrates coated with specific bioactive ligands are important for tissue engineering, enabling the local presentation of extracellular stimulants at controlled positions and densities. In this study, we examined the cross-talk between integrin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors following their interaction with surface-immobilized Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and EGF ligands, respectively. Surfaces of glass coverslips, modified with biotinylated silane-polyethylene glycol, were functionalized by either biotinylated RGD or EGF (or both) via the biotin-NeutrAvidin interaction. Fluorescent labeling of the adhering A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells for zyxin or actin indicated that EGF had a dual effect on focal adhesions (FA) and stress fibers: at low concentrations (0.1; 1 ng/ml), it stimulated their growth; whereas at higher concentrations, on surfaces with low to intermediate RGD densities, it induced their disassembly, leading to cell detachment. The EGF-dependent dissociation of FAs was, however, attenuated on higher RGD density surfaces. Simultaneous stimulation by both immobilized RGD and EGF suggest a strong synergy between integrin and EGFR signaling, in FA induction and cell spreading. A critical threshold level of EGF was required to induce significant variation in cell adhesion; beyond this critical density, the immobilized molecule had a considerably stronger effect on cell adhesion than did soluble EGF. The mechanisms underlying this synergy between the adhesion ligand and EGF are discussed.     

Evaluating the use of garlic (Allium sativum) for the remedy of Cryptocaryon irritans in guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been shown to possess antimicrobial properties against a range of disease‐causing agents, including fish parasites. Our study aimed to investigate the potential use of garlic as a treatment against Cryptocaryon irritans infection, using guppies (Poecilia reticulata) as the fish model. Garlic was freeze‐dried, powdered, and used as it is or as an aqueous extract. The content of allicin, its main active ingredient, was 1.25 mg/g in garlic powder and 0.82 mg/ml in the aqueous extract, as determined by HPLC analysis. Aqueous garlic extract fully immobilized C. irritans theronts and protomonts within 20 and 40 min, respectively, following exposure to 5 µl/ml. Treatment trials were performed, in which infected fish were fed with garlic powder‐supplemented feeds (5%, 10%, or 20% supplementation), bathed in garlic aqueous extract (250 or 500 µl/L) and subjected to a combined treatment which included both feeding and bathing. Results revealed that the tested treatments failed to cure the infection, though reduction in infection intensity on the caudal fin, but not on the gills, was evident following dietary supplementation with 20% of powdered garlic in one of the trials.     

The impact of artificial light at night on human and ecosystem health: a systematic literature review

Context

Artificial light at night (ALAN) provides an array of important benefits but might also adversely affect humans and other living organisms. Yet, the existing reviews of accumulated knowledge about the multifaceted effects associated with exposure to ALAN focus on distinct ecosystem components. As a result, our understanding of potential system-wide impacts of ALAN exposure is insufficient.

Objectives

This paper attempts to bridge this knowledge gap by reviewing a wide range of studies, with a particular focus on identifying the impacts of ALAN exposure that are common to different species.

Methods

The survey is conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and covers peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2019.

Results

Seventy-four eligible articles, out of 1223 initially identified, were selected and synthesized. 20% of them focus on humans, while the rest explore other living organisms, such as vertebrates, avian species, arthropods, aquatic organisms, and vegetation. The review demonstrates that similar adverse effects of ALAN exposure, ranging from sleep disturbance, depression, weight gain, eating and movement disorders, to elevated risk of cancer, are manifested across different components of the ecosystem, and therefore entail wider and more complex risks to its stability and integrity.

Conclusion

To reduce ecosystem risks, associated with constantly increasing ALAN levels, illumination policies should be based on directional and reduced nighttime lighting, which can help to avoid unnecessary exposures. The study highlights knowledge gaps that warrant further research attention.