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Background. In Europe, the western tubenose goby, Proterorhinus semilunaris (Heckel, 1837), is the smallest and one of the most expansive species among invasive Ponto-Caspian gobies. The aim of the presently reported study was to investigate reproductive parameters of the tubenose goby population from the Vistula River, as one of the biological traits that might facilitate its successful invasion. Materials and methods. Fish were sampled monthly from March through October and the following parameters were determined: sex ratio, gonadosomatic index (GSI), fecundity (absolute, relative, batch), oocyte size distribution, and body condition (Fulton’s and Clark’s indices). Results. GSI varied considerably between sexes and between individual spring months. The increase of GSI and oocyte diameter distributions indicated that spawning of P. semilunaris in the Vistula River lasted from the end of April till July. Multimodal oocytes distribution during reproductive season suggested at least two or three spawning events. The absolute fecundity ranged from 504 to 1250. The mean batch fecundity (± standard deviation) was 338.35 ± 89.22. Both, the absolute and batch fecundity, but not the mean oocyte diameter in the batch, were related to the female standard length. The highest values of Fulton condition index were observed in the reproductive period compared to pre- and post-spawning, while Clark condition index showed a different pattern. Conclusion. The western tubenose goby displays reproductive strategy typical for other fish invaders that successfully naturalized in central Europe.

Capital mine development is often faced with limited geotechnical databases and designers are faced with more or less accurate estimates of missing parameters. GSI classification if often used with numerical modelling and its rounding unit is ±5 as suggested by its creators. In situ stresses are usually estimated in such manner that vertical component is equal to the weight of the rocks above, while horizontal components may vary in wide range, starting with ratio to vertical component of 0.3 and even be several times higher than vertical component. Influence of estimate error of GSI and horizontal stress is analyzed for the Cukaru Peki location near Bor in Serbia. Zone in the rock mass valued with GSI of 40 at depth 160m is analyzed for the change of GSI value of ±5 and horizontal stress ratio between 0.5-1.5. Change of the unsupported length of decline and shotcrete layer thickness is tracked for different values of input parameters. Finally, best case and worst case scenarios are analyzed with results showing that shotcrete layer thickness could vary in range between 4-33cm, and unsupported lengths between 0.6-2m.

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) provides plentiful sounding profiles over regions lacking conventional observations. The Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) hybrid system for assimilating RO data is integrated in this study with the Model for Prediction Across Scales–Atmosphere (MPAS) to improve tropical cyclone forecasts. After the MPAS-GSI assimilation cycles, dynamical vortex initialization (DVI) that may effectively spin up the initial inner typhoon vortex through cycled model integration is implemented to improve the initial analysis fit to the best track position as well as maximum wind or pressure intensity for Typhoon Nepartak (2016) that moved northwestward toward southern Taiwan. During the cycling assimilation, assimilation with RO data improves the temperature and moisture analysis, and largely reduces the forecast errors compared to those without RO data assimilation. The two RO operators that assimilate local bending angle or refractivity produce similar analyses, but the temperature and moisture increments from bending angle assimilation are slightly larger than those from refractivity assimilation. The MPAS forecasts at 60-15 km resolution show that the typhoon track prediction is improved with RO data, especially using bending angle data. The reduction in track deviations is explained by the wavenumber-one potential vorticity budget for several forecasts associated with the track deflection near southern Taiwan. Assimilation of RO data has fewer impacts on the typhoon intensity forecast compared to the DVI that largely improves the initial and thus forecasted intensity of the typhoon but at the cost of a slightly degraded track. Use of the enhanced 3 km resolution in the typhoon path also further improved the forecasts with and without the DVI. The feasible performance of the MPAS-GSI system with the RO data impact is also illustrated for Typhoon Mitag (2019), that passed around northern Taiwan.

The recent discovery of binary neutron star mergers has opened a new and exciting venue of research into hot and dense strongly interacting matter. For the first time, this elusive state of matter, described by the theory of quantum chromo dynamics, can be studied in two very different environments. On the macroscopic scale, in the collisions of neutron stars; and on the microscopic scale, in collisions of heavy ions at particle collider facilities. We will discuss the conditions that are created in these mergers and the corresponding high energy nuclear collisions. This includes the properties of quantum chromo dynamics matter, that is, the expected equation of state as well as expected chemical and thermodynamic properties of this exotic matter. To explore this matter in the laboratory, a new research prospect is available at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research, FAIR. The new facility is being constructed adjacent to the existing accelerator complex of the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research at Darmstadt/Germany, expanding the research goals and technical possibilities substantially. The worldwide unique accelerator and experimental facilities of FAIR will open the way for a broad spectrum of unprecedented research supplying a variety of experiments in hadron, nuclear, atomic, and plasma physics as well as biomedical and material science, which will be briefly described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive characteristics of Chondrostoma regium in Bibi-Sayyedan River, Iran, were investigated by monthly collections from March 2010 to March 2011. The 471 collected specimens were transferred to the laboratory on ice and biometric measurements were carried out. For the histological studies, gonads were fixed in 10% formalin, hydrated and casted in paraffin, then sectioned transversely at 5-7 µm thickness and stained with Hematoxylin–Eosin. The sex ratio was 1M:2.3F. Age groups of the males and females were 1-4 and 1-5 years. The maximum length (TL) and weight of males was 18.1 cm and 65 g and those of females were 22 cm and 91 g. The minimum and maximum absolute fecundity was 600 and 6500 (3300±200). The average egg diameter was 0.65±0.01 (±SE) mm, the minimum and maximum egg diameter was 0.27 and 1.70 mm. The mean of gonadosomatic index (GSI) was 1.53±0.1 in males and 4.37±0.24 g in females. The GSI showed significant differences in different months in both males and females. The maximum value of GSI in females was observed in March and was significantly different from that of other months. According to histological studies, five sexual maturity stages including: immature, in maturing, ripening, ripe and spent, were observed. Based on GSI values, egg diameter and histological studies, it can be expressed that this species has a short spawning period during late March to early April. Our results indicated that the ovary in king nase is group synchronous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive understanding of geological, structural geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical features of the host rock are essential for the design and performance evaluation of surface and underground excavations. The Hungarian National Radioactive Waste Repository (NRWR) at Bátaapáti is constructed in a fractured granitic formation, and Telfer Gold Mine in Australia is excavated in stratified siltstones, sandstones and quartzites. This study highlights relationships between GSI chart ratings and calculated GSI values based on RMR rock mass classification data. The paper presents linear equations for estimating GSI from measured RMR89 values. Correlations between a and b constants were analyzed for different rock types, at surface and subsurface settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generalized Hoek-Brown (GHB) failure criterion can estimate the rock mass parameters required for rock mechanics–related analyses such as numerical modeling in geomechanics. The determination of GHB parameters has been developed in the field of rock mechanics. Due to the wide use of the Mohr-Coulomb criterion and the lack of an existing relationship for determining its parameters for a rock mass, equivalent Mohr-Coulomb parameters (EMC) can be derived from the GHB. To determine the differences in the use of these two criteria, we analyzed the behavior of a deep circular tunnel in nine stress states for three metamorphic rocks recovered from the Canadian Shield from rock masses that present a very blocky structure. We carried out 241 simulations using the finite element code RS2 to assess the effect of the geological strength index (GSI), in situ stress, and rock type on the deviation of wall displacement, the number of yielded elements, and the differential stress obtained by the GHB and EMC parameters. A combination of low in situ stress and high GSI yielded similar results when using both failure criteria.

Dyckia brevifolia is an endangered plant used for ornamental purposes. As no references to the in vitro propagation of the species exist, the present study aims at investigating the possibility of an efficient micropropagation protocol. Seeds collected from mother plants were germinated at high percentages (84–86%) at a range of 15–25 °C, without any pre-treatment, and demonstrated their highest germination speed index (191.51) at 25 °C. In vitro-grown seedlings were used as the starting material for micropropagation on solid, or liquid, MS medium, supplemented with a variety of concentrations of cytokinins (BA, KIN or 2IP). Shoots and leaves were used as starting explants. Liquid media supplemented with BA or 2IP at 1.0 mg L−1 led to high multiplication rate and 2.7, or 2.3, lateral shoots were regenerated while on 2IP a high percentage (77.5%) of rooting occurred at the same time. Rooted microshoots were acclimatised ex vitro at 100% and acclimatised plants were transplanted in pots where they grew with a survival rate of 100% after two months. The in vitro propagation protocol presented in this study could enhance the large-scale propagation use of D. brevifolia as an ornamental plant and, simultaneously, contribute to the ex-situ conservation of the species.

The rock mass characteristic study, including RMR89, GSI, and RMR14 and their empirical relationships, had been conducted at ten slopes in Aceh Province, Indonesia. This study aims to determine the RMR89, RMR14 and GSI, as well as develop the empirical relationships among those rock mass classifications especially for limestone of the Woyla group. The scan-line method has been adopted in the collection of RMR and GSI data from the slope faces that consist of geological structures, condition of joints, groundwater, and mechanical parameters of intact rock. The regression analysis was utilised to produce the empirical connection of RMR89 with GSI and new RMR14 by plotting those data in graph and trend-line to produce the empirical relationship. The results revealed that beddings, joints, and minor fault system on the slopes determined the quality of rock mass. RMR89 for limestone in our study area were 58–64 or classified as fair to good, whilst the RMR14 were 61.7–67.7 or categorised as good. The RMR14 were just 1.3–5.7 points higher than RMR89. Besides, GSI value was in the range from 49.3 to 54.1. The empirical correlation between RMR89 and GSI was more likely similar to the previous study; however, the empirical relationship between RMR14 and RMR89 was different and it revealed a lower value compared to other rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to mitigate urban runoff impacts has grown substantially in recent decades, but municipalities often lack an integrated approach to prioritize areas for implementation, demonstrate compelling evidence of catchment-scale improvements, and communicate stormwater program effectiveness. We present a method for quantifying runoff reduction benefits associated with distributed GSI that is designed to align with the spatial scale of information required by urban stormwater implementation. The model was driven by a probabilistic representation of rainfall events to estimate annual runoff and reductions associated with distributed GSI for various design storm levels. Raster-based calculations provide estimates on a 30-m grid, preserving unique combinations of drainage factors that drive runoff production, hydrologic storage, and infiltration benefits of GSI. The model showed strong correspondence with aggregated continuous runoff data from a set of urbanized catchments in Salinas, California, USA, over a three-year monitoring period and output sensitivity to the storm drain network inputs. Because the model runs through a web browser and the parameterization is based on readily available spatial data, it is suitable for nonmodeling experts to rapidly update GSI features, compare alternative implementation scenarios, track progress toward urban runoff reduction goals, and demonstrate regulatory compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, preliminary support design of the main underground opening (i.e., mine adit) located at the Artana lead-zinc mine, Kosovo, was examined by employing both conventional and numerical methods for safe underground excavation and design. In order to conduct field studies including discontinuity surveying and sampling for laboratory testing two empirical methods, namely rock mass rating (RMR) and geological strength index (GSI) were employed. For the purpose of determining necessary support units RMR system was utilized. However, these kind of systems can take into account for neither the depth of underground opening nor in situ field stresses. For this reason, empirical design methods (i.e., RMR system) failed to investigate the performance of rock support units; therefore, a 2D finite element analysis program was used to assess the performance of the proposed support systems. This indicated that RMR system might not be applicable for poor and very poor rock masses located in deep environment (i.e., 300 and 400 m). Moreover, this is linked to the fact that the RMR system does not consider in situ stress conditions. This study showed that when empirical methods are supported by numerical analysis, the preliminary support system design will be much more reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue damaging enzymes consisting of Glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT), Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were estimated in liver, gill and gonad of freash water fish called O.mossambicus subjected to different concentrations of glyphosate(100 ppb,200 ppb, 300 ppb, 400 ppb, 500 ppb). The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of tissue damaging enzymes activity of this individual exposed to glyphosate at long time. Significant elevations in liver, gill, gonad of all the above tissue damaging enzymes were evident from 20 days onwards and maintained untill 80 days, and then decreased slightly from 100th day of exposure to glyphosate stress. Between the three tissues studied, liver recorded higher activity for all enzymes. Both gill and gonad recorded more or less similar increases of GOT and GPT, respectively. However, GOT showed maximum activity than GPT, and also reduction of GSI (Gonadosomatic index) as well as small changes in its HSI (Hepato somatic index) was also observed in this individual after exposure to glyphosate at all concentrations in all time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, fifty-two mungbean (Vigna radiata) genotypes were evaluated for seven morphological traits at three different environments in South Indian state Tamil Nadu, namely Virinjipuram (E1), Eachangkottai (E2), and Bhavanisagar (E3) during Kharif 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. The data collected were subjected to variability and correlation analyses, followed by stability analysis using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model, genotype and genotype × environment interaction effects (GGE) biplot. Variablility was observed among the genotypes for the following traits viz., plant height, days to fifty per cent flowering, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, hundred seed weight and grain yield. Correlation analysis showed that the trait number of pods per plant was significantly associated with grain yield. The G × E was smaller than the genetic variation of grain yield as it portrayed the maximum contribution of genotypic effects (61.07%). GGE biplot showed E3 as a highly discriminating and representative environment. It also identified environment-specific genotypes viz., EC 396111 for E1, EC 396125 for E2 and EC 396101 for E3 environments. The genotypes with minimum genotype stability index (GSI) viz., V2802BG (7), HG 22 (13), and EC 396098 (13) were observed with wide adaptation and high yields across all the three environments. In summary, we identified stable genotypes adapted across environments for grain yield. These genotypes can be used as parent/pre-breeding materials in future mungbean breeding programs.

The goal of the proposed research project is to evaluate a novel method of efficient genetic tagging through an experiment with Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from California’s Central Valley. The proposed parentage-based tagging (PBT) experiment has four components: marker discovery, development of analysis tools, implementation of the parent database, and assignment of known offspring and mixed fishery samples. Utilizing new methods for large scale parentage assignment, the collection of genetic information from a parental breeding generation can be used to “tag” the offspring cohort. When this is done at a hatchery or at a weir, the entire breeding population of a stock or population can be sampled, and the entire next generation tagged. Offspring can be non-lethally sampled during their seaward migration, in fisheries, and upon return to spawn (at hatcheries or instream). Genotyping is followed by high confidence parentage assignment wherein the inherited genetic tags are used to locate the parents of sampled individuals in the parent database, thereby identifying the stock and cohort of origin. Additionally, we will evaluate whether the same set of genetic markers for PBT are also effective for genetic stock identification (GSI). While PBT can identify the specific parents of an unknown individual (as long as their genetic data is in the parent database), GSI employs baseline samples from each population to which an unknown individual can be assigned.

Abstract This study evaluates the impact of assimilating moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical depth (AOD) data using different data assimilation (DA) methods on dust analyses and forecasts over North Africa and tropical North Atlantic. To do so, seven experiments are conducted using the Weather Research and Forecasting dust model and the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation analysis system. Six of these experiments differ in whether or not AOD observations are assimilated and the DA method used, the latter of which includes the three‐dimensional variational (3D‐Var), ensemble square root filter (EnSRF), and hybrid methods. The seventh experiment, which allows us to assess the impact of assimilating deep blue AOD data, assimilates only dark target AOD data using the hybrid method. The assimilation of MODIS AOD data clearly improves AOD analyses and forecasts up to 48 hr in length. Results also show that assimilating deep blue data has a primarily positive effect on AOD analyses and forecasts over and downstream of the major North African source regions. Without assimilating deep blue data (assimilating dark target only), AOD assimilation only improves AOD forecasts for up to 30 hr. Of the three DA methods examined, the hybrid and EnSRF methods produce better AOD analyses and forecasts than the 3D‐Var method does. Despite the clear benefit of AOD assimilation for AOD analyses and forecasts, the lack of information regarding the vertical distribution of aerosols in AOD data means that AOD assimilation has very little positive effect on analyzed or forecasted vertical profiles of backscatter.

The multinational companies represent the main topic of many studies due to their major role in the progress and the economic growth through the development of technical and social innovations. As the society has grown, business organizations with cross-border activity have developed a strong position in the global economy, especially due to the high flow of resources that they manage. Therefore, it should be take into consideration the fact that the decision on carry out operations in several markets, states, regions is based on accessing resources, gaining advantages, improving their competitiveness. The main issue that the present study attempts to capture concerns the intense activity of these categories of organizations worldwide, but also the power that they have accumulated over time. The research includes a review of the opinions of some authors in the field of international affairs, as well as a series of empirical evidence presented by a number of international organizations about the activity of these economic entities on the world market. This analysis attempts to highlight the major impact that big business organizations have had on the development of society without omitting the power that they have gained by conducting operations in different areas of the world. In fact, the analyzed aspects show an orientation of companies in this category in certain geographical areas similar to the country of origin.

Reproductive biology of gray-eel catfish, Plotosus canius was studied at Pattani Bay by determining its year round changes of gonadosomatic index (GSI). Results show that the GSI was maximum in October (8.4 %), and minimum in April (0.24 %). The sampled size of sexually matured female fishes ranged from 40.9 to 60.5 cm in total length, and between 367.56 to 1,159.37 g in body weight. The average total length of the female fish is 51.9 cm, with an average body weight of 788.8 g. The average fecundity was 1,842.14 egg/fish. The average GSI was 10.87 % (n=14).The fish total length (TL) and body weight (BW) of the matured fish were linearly related, and could be represented by the linear regression as: BW = 32.295 TL – 887.52. The relationship between body weight (BW) and fecundity (Fe) could also be represented by the linear regression as Fe = 398.67+1.83BW. The eggs were adhesive demersal egg type, and rounded. The distribution of egg’s diameter could be categorized into five groups i.e. group1 (3.3%), group2 (6.9%), group3 (11.0%), group4 (54.1 %), and group5 (24.6 %), with values of 2.89± 0.19 mm, 3.44±0.36 mm, 4.65±0.28 mm, 5.65±0.26 mm, and 6.38±0.25 mm respectively. The spawning ground is made of silty clay soil, with sediment’s pH of 7.16±0.47and water salinity of 12.06 ± 0.78 ppt. We also found that the sperms activity was most active in the 0.9 % sodium chloride’s concentration level.

The interface plays a key role on the mechanical properties of Cf/SiC composite prepared by GSI process. The ideal interface should not only prevent carbon fiber from being etched by Si vapor, but also adjust the bonding force between C fiber and SiC matrix. SiC coating prepared by CVD was chosen as the interface and its effect on the mechanical properties and fracture features of GSI Cf/SiC composite was discussed, and the influencing mechanism was analyzed. The results show that GSI Cf/SiC composite without CVD-SiC interface has poor mechanical properties, exhibiting brittle fracture feature. The bending strength, elastic module and fracture toughness are 87.6MPa, 56.9GPa and 2.1MPa·m1/2, respectively. The mechanical properties of GSI Cf/SiC increase with the increase of the thickness of CVD-SiC coating at first, then decrease with the continuous increase of the thickness of CVD-SiC coating. The Cf/SiC composite with 1.1μm thickness of CVD-SiC coating has the best mechanical properties, and the bending strength, elastic module and fracture toughness are 231.7MPa, 87.3GPa and 7.3MPa·m1/2, respectively. The action mechanism of CVD-SiC interface coating on the composite is mainly on the three aspects:load transfer, preventing C fiber from being etched by Si and adjusting fiber/matrix bonding status.

The excavation of rock masses has a crucial importance for the safety and cost of construction of engineering projects. In this study, a flexible excavation assessment (EXCASS) system was developed with two components, the geological strength index (GSI) and the point load strength index (Is50). In order to develop the system, artificial neural network (ANN) analysis were performed using datasets from surface excavations (12 sites in Turkey and 61 sites in Greece reported by Tsiambaos and Saroglou (2010)). The EXCASS system in this study includes two parameters, namely the excavation power index (EPI) and the excavation performance rating (EPR) ranging between the value of 0 and 100. The optimum excavation power index (EPIopt) can be determined theoretically by using ( GSI 2 × Is 50 ) as an input when EPR is equal to 0, for the selection of the optimum excavation method. EPR is a rating which provides relative information on the ease or difficulty of the excavation method. Although the value of EPR varies between 0 and ± 100 in the EXCASS system, the use of the excavation method for "normally classes" is recommended in order to achieve costly and efficient excavation. The EXCASS system, on the other hand, has an ability to respond to possible technological developments by associating the excavation method with the EPI rating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study encompasses studies on the seasonal variation in various biological parameters of snow trout, Schizothorax esocinus collected from River Jhelum. The exponent 'b' of the length-weight relationship depicted positive allometric growth type. Condition factor (K) was significantly (P<0.05) highest in autumn while lowest values were observed in spring and winter. Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) in both sexes was significantly (P<0.05) highest during the spring season (spawning phase) while the lowest value was observed during summer season (spent phase). Hepatosomatic Index (HSI) was significantly (P<0.05) highest in both sexes during the autumn season while as the lowest value was observed during winter season. The study provides information on health status and reproductive cycle of S. esocinus that could help in augmenting the production along with development of appropriate conservation and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new forecasting system—the System of Multigrid Nonlinear Least-squares Four-dimensional Variational (NLS-4DVar) Data Assimilation for Numerical Weather Prediction (SNAP)—was established by building upon the multigrid NLS-4DVar data assimilation scheme, the operational Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI)-based data-processing and observation operators, and the widely used Weather Research and Forecasting numerical model. Drawing upon lessons learned from the superiority of the operational GSI analysis system, for its various observation operators and the ability to assimilate multiple-source observations, SNAP adopts GSI-based data-processing and observation operator modules to compute the observation innovations. The multigrid NLS-4DVar assimilation framework is used for the analysis, which can adequately correct errors from large to small scales and accelerate iteration solutions. The analysis variables are model state variables, rather than the control variables adopted in the conventional 4DVar system. Currently, we have achieved the assimilation of conventional observations, and we will continue to improve the assimilation of radar and satellite observations in the future. SNAP was evaluated by case evaluation experiments and one-week cycling assimilation experiments. In the case evaluation experiments, two six-hour time windows were established for assimilation experiments and precipitation forecasts were verified against hourly precipitation observations from more than 2400 national observation sites. This showed that SNAP can absorb observations and improve the initial field, thereby improving the precipitation forecast. In the one-week cycling assimilation experiments, six-hourly assimilation cycles were run in one week. SNAP produced slightly lower forecast RMSEs than the GSI 4DEnVar (Four-dimensional Ensemble Variational) as a whole and the threat scores of precipitation forecasts initialized from the analysis of SNAP were higher than those obtained from the analysis of GSI 4DEnVar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering geological characteristics of the rapidly growing Auckland urban area are of increasing interest due to ongoing and planned tunnels and excavations. Auckland is mainly underlain by Miocene-age East Coast Bays Formation (ECBF), a highly heterogeneous flysch deposit, and is also affected by lava flows from the Late Quaternary Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF). Therefore, excavations in the region can encounter highly variable rock mass. Here, the geological strength index (GSI) and rock mass rating (RMR) were applied to outcrop in coastal cliff exposures located on Auckland's North Shore, to evaluate the engineering geological properties of the ECBF. Samples were also extracted for laboratory analysis of elastic wave velocities, intact strength parameters and thin section analysis of microtexture. Specific issues identified include lenses of the heavily zeolitized Parnell Volcaniclastic Conglomerate, and marked strength contrasts within the weaker ECBF siltstone and sandstone. The ECBF sandstone, where uncemented, is much weaker and is highly permeable, while the presence of smectite clay may be problematic for tunnelling if it disaggregates, forming a 'sticky spoil'. The presence of larger-scale defects has been problematic for tunnelling, including the presence of low shear strength clay seams along ECBF bedding planes, and bedding planes intersecting tunnel crowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) is one of the most commercially important marine fish species in the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean. However, detailed information on the reproductive biology of silver pomfret is limited for the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. To understand their reproductive biology, especially the gonadal developmental cycle and spawning season, a total of 373 individuals were collected monthly from February 2016 to January 2018 and examined. The total length (TL) and weight (TW) of P. argenteus ranged from 18.82–35.73 cm and 89.26–617.60 g, respectively. The highest gonadosomatic index (GSI) values were observed from April–June with a second (smaller) peak in October. The highest oocyte diameter was observed in May (630.50 ± 96.70 μm), when the fish reached full maturity, and the lowest was observed in July (35.10 ± 7.12 μm), when new eggs began their development for the next spawning season. The maximum number of eggs in the ovary were found in the yolk granule stage in May with a number of post-ovulatory follicles, which indicated that the ovaries developed to a peak leading up to the spawning season. A number of spermatids were also seen in males in April–June along with females. From these detailed observations, it may be concluded that P. argenteus shows two spawning peaks, in May–June and October. This observation will be helpful for the artificial breeding, sustainable management and conservation of this species in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capabilities to directly assimilate radar radial velocity (Vr) and reflectivity (Z) data are implemented within the operational GSI data assimilation (DA) framework and coupled with the new stand‐alone regional (SAR) FV3 model. The effectiveness and performance of 3DVar, EnKF, and hybrid En3DVar methods are evaluated with a storm cluster over the U.S. Central Plains at 3‐km grid spacing. During the DA cycles, 3DVar analyses show better fit to Z observations but fastest error growth, while EnKF and pure En3DVar lead to smaller forecast errors. For Vr, EnKF outperforms other methods in both analysis and forecast. Good correspondence with tornado reports is obtained by most experiments for probabilistic forecast of updraft helicity (UH), except for 3DVar which shows insufficient confidence in certain regions. Overall, EnKF and hybrid En3DVar show best forecast skills in terms of composite reflectivity and UH. Tests with more cases are needed to draw more general conclusions, however. Plain Language Summary: The Finite‐Volume Cubed‐Sphere Dynamical Core (FV3) was chosen to serve as the single dynamical core for forecasts at all scale by the National Weather Service in late 2016. A stand‐alone regional (SAR) version of FV3 became available in early 2019 and is planned to replace the current operational 3‐km grid spacing High‐Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) system for convection‐allowing forecasting at NCEP. As a key component in convective‐scale numerical weather forecast (NWP) initialization, effective assimilation of radar data is crucial for desirable performances of the upcoming SAR FV3 model. In this paper, direct radar data assimilation (DA) capabilities implemented within the operational GSI DA framework by Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms (CAPS), distinguished from the indirect approach applied in current operational HRRR to assimilate reflectivity data and believed to be more beneficial in particular for hydrometeor analyses, are interfaced with SAR FV3 model and the performances of different DA methods implemented are examined through the case study of a Central Plains tornadic storm cluster. Overall, results show good improvement of the forecasts, in terms of evolution of storm structures and occurrences of storm‐related severe hazards, which greatly encourage acceleration of operational adoption of such capabilities. Key Points: Direct assimilation of radar data is implemented in operational GSI system and interfaced with the new stand‐alone regional FV3 modelThe capabilities with GSI 3DVar, EnKF, and hybrid and pure En3DVar are tested with a case of Central Plains tornadic storm clusterOverall, EnKF and hybrid En3DVar perform better than pure En3DVar, with 3DVar being significantly worse [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trend today to ever increasing modelling sophistication demands that much more attention be paid by practitioners to achieving better appreciation and characterization of geology and rockmass variability, so that rock–structure interaction effects can be analysed more realistically in better calibrated models. This paper is thus directed towards focussing attention on risk-based geological characterization as basis for helping modellers and designers improve calibration of their models. A sequential approach of appropriate input parameter refinement is outlined as a path forward methodology for consistently achieving maximum reliability in modelling. Processes that are needed for identifying key controlling geological structural features and rockmass domain characteristics that may be critical influences on true rockmass behaviour are explored so that rationalization steps can be followed in model building to ensure that actual behaviour drivers are not only properly represented, but are reliably characterized through rigorous calibration. Suggestions for the use of the observational and quantitative GSI charts at various scales appropriate to specific geological domains are presented as a means for achieving such calibration. Illustration is then given of how quantification can be achieved of rock quality variability throughout the complete range of rock competence, from intact pseudo-homogeneous high strength rockmasses subject to brittle spalling, through blocky, folded or foliated rockmasses, where kinematic controls are typically of paramount importance, through to completely degraded, fault process core zones and saprolites, where material matrix strength almost entirely dominates behaviour. Guidelines are given for suggested ranges of classification applicability for use with the Hoek–Brown failure criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of rockburst is related to the surrounding rock stress and geological rock mass strength. Rockburst occurs frequently during the construction at a deep tunnel in southwest China (a tunnel with a depth of approximately 2080 m, and a length of 13 km), leading to casualties, damage to construction equipment, and schedule delays. The application of the rockburst criteria based on the stress-strength/strength-stress ratio shows that they are not suitable for the construction stage. This paper suggests a simple and feasible rockburst intensity criterion based on the Geological Strength Index (GSI) for the construction stage. In this criterion, the strength of the rock mass exposed during excavation is estimated by the Hoek-Brown criterion and is used to reflect the geological conditions of the surrounding rock, considering the influences of the joint conditions and engineering disturbance. The maximum principal stress along the tunnel is obtained by the in situ stress inversion. The ratio of the rock mass strength to the maximum principal stress (σcm/σ1) is taken as the evaluation index. The criterion is as follows: σcm/σ1 > 1.2, none rockburst; 0.75 < σcm/σ1 ≤ 1.2, slight rockburst; 0.4 < σcm/σ1 ≤ 0.75, moderate rockburst; and σcm/σ1 ≤ 0.4, intense rockburst. The engineering applications show the reliability of this rockburst intensity criterion. The results of this paper provide a reference for rockburst intensity evaluation during the construction stage of deep tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to estimate the fecundity, maturity and gonadal indices of Clupisoma garua population existing in the old Brahmaputra River, Bangladesh. The samples were collected once every month from the 1st April 2016 to the 31st March 2017 and yielded a total of 90 females and 19 males. The standard length (SL) and the body weight (BW) of females ranged from 11.8 to 27.8 cm and 23.0 to 272.2 g, respectively. The lowest value of the GSI means for females was found in November (0.22) while the highest value was in June (1.87). The scatter plot of the SL with corresponding GSI revealed that the length at maturity for females was attained in 17.1 cm of standard length. The lowest value of fecundity was 6159 and the highest was 22,166 oocytes. The relationship between BW and fecundity was F = 167.6BW – 9211 (coefficient determinant, r2 = 0.537), while the relationship between SL and fecundity was expressed as F = 0.04619SL2.177 (r2 = 0.551). Based on the GSI means, it was manifested that the possible spawning season was from May to August with a peak in June. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monocrotophos (MCP) is one of the organophosphate pesticides extensively used in agriculture and animal husbandry. The present study reports the effects of sub‐lethal concentrations of MCP on gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonadal histology and breeding fitness of the fish Anabas testudineus. The fish were exposed to three sub‐lethal concentrations of monocrotophos (T1: 3.5 mg/L, T2: 5.3 mg/L and T3: 10.6 mg/L) for 45 days with 12 fish (males and females in equal numbers) in each tank, and one group was kept as control (C) without any treatment. GSI decreased in all treatment groups in comparison with control. Significant decrease in fertilization and hatching rate was observed at all concentrations in comparison with control on 15, 30 and 45 days of monocrotophos exposure. The decreased vitellogenesis, disruption of follicular wall and oocyte atresia were observed in all the treated females at 30 and 45 days of exposure. Rupture of seminiferous tubules was noticed in all the treated males irrespective of exposure periods. The results thus indicated that monocrotophos could deleteriously impact the gonadal structure and function in A. testudineus, which could seriously impact the reproductive success of the animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some reproductive characters of Himantura walga (Müller, 1841) male were studied. The fish were caught from the Iraqi marine waters in the northwest of the Arabian Gulf during the period from January to December 2017. Samples were obtained by fishing boats in the Iraqi marine waters, and 102 males were collected by trawls. The gonadal somatic index was studied in males and were highest in May and September (10.048, 9.97) respectively, and it decreased in the months February, July and August (0.452, 0.654 and 0.664) respectively, the results showed that there were four groups of disk width, the male clasper was also dissected as well as the canal or siphon. The appearance of matures males were observed in May and September, indicating the existence of breeding periods for the studied fish. The relationship between body weight and the disc width of the fish were estimated by formula: T W= 0.00031× (DW) 2.595 as well as the length of the clasper and the disk width of the studied fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the seasonal reproductive traits and inter-sex differences in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of four Soleidae fish species in Japan to gain insights into the life history traits of Soleoidei fishes. We found that the sex ratio of one of these species was significantly skewed toward females, whereas the other three species showed no significant differences in the frequencies of males and females. For all species, the GSI values for mature males were between 0.5 and 1.5, which were notably lower than those of mature females (GSI: 7-15), and the weight of testes was approximately 10% that of female ovaries, after normalizing for body weight. The lower GSI values of male Soleidae fish may be indicative of an effective energy allocation mechanism within populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catfish are an important component of demersal fisheries in the Persian Gulf. This study describes reproductive aspects in the four common species of catfish, namely Netuma thalassina (Rüppell, 1837), Netuma bilineata (Valenciennes, 1840), Plicofollis dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1840), and Plicofollis layardi (Günther, 1866) collected from coastal areas of the Persian Gulf during spring and winter 2017. A total of 495 fishes were collected, including 151 N. thalassina , 12 N. bilineata , 212 P. dussumieri , and 120 P. layardi. The four species showed significant differences in total length as a measure of body size. Total length of these four species also differed significantly between the four seasons and between the sexes. Three species, i.e., N. thalassina , P. dussumieri , and P. layardi showed an overall female-biased sex ratio, while the sex ratio of N. bilineata did not differ from the expected equal proportions. The patterns of gonad development, gonadosomatic index, and hepatosomatic index of the four species showed that the breeding season of N. thalassina , P. dussumieri , and P. layardi was probably during winter. N. bilineata showed a different pattern; its breeding season is therefore expected to be spring. The size at first maturity of N. thalassina , P. dussumieri , N. bilineata , and P. layardi , was 44.99, 30.55, 29.60, and 27.01 cm, respectively. This study provides essential information for correct management during the reproductive cycle to maintain a healthy stock of these fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the increase in population, transportation has become one of the major research topics. Among existing transportation systems, railway is one of the most economic and fast systems, and therefore, there has been an increase in new railway constructions in recent years. In Turkey, the longest railway tunnels, the Bahce–Nurdag high-speed rail tunnels, are under construction in the southern part of the country. This twin tubes tunnels are approximately 10 km in length, and they are excavated using tunnel boring machines (TBM). The tunnel route locates in the East Anatolian Fault Zone and the portal region is composed of debris and old landslide deposits. For this reason, mitigating the potential landslide hazard is critical for the tunnel. Therefore, the present study investigates the TBM tunnelling–landslide relationship by employing 3D numerical analyses. The analyses show that the last 600 m of the tunnel has a potential landslide hazard and some additional measures should be considered along this part to ensure tunnel safety. The tunnel conditions are highly complex, and thus it is an interesting case for tunnel engineers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study address whether different sustainability initiatives by the companies listed at the Oslo Seafood Index impact company value. With signaling theory as framework, it is argued that sustainability reports and other initiatives may contribute to reduce the information asymmetry between managers and equity holders. Using financial data from the company's annual reports in combination with variables for different sustainability initiatives and quality, it is argued that these initiatives address information asymmetries concerning quality (GRI standard versus no standard) and intent (visualized and committed to through ASC and GSI) and contribute positive to company value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red tilapia is a popular cultured species due to its attractive color and excellent growth and feed conversion rates. In this study, the effect of visual and physical interactions on the ventilation rate (VR), eye color pattern (ECP), and Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) of red tilapia was evaluated. There were four treatments in the study: T1 (No Interaction); T2 (Visual Interaction); T3 (Visual and Physical Interactions) and; T4 (Physical Interaction). Changes in VR and ECP were monitored for 15 days, while GSI was computed at the end of the study. The mean VR and ECP of the red tilapia exposed to visual and/or physical interactions were significantly higher compared to those in the control (P˂0.05). However, the fastest VR and darkest ECP were observed in T3. This conforms to the results of GSI wherein T3 had the lowest GSI which may be due to the higher level of stress experienced by fish in T3 compared to other treatments. On the other hand, T4 had the highest female GSI as opposite sex fish were exposed to physical interaction. Communication between sexual partners modulates reproductive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study first describes the extended Grid-Point Statistical Interpolation analysis system (GSI)-based ensemble-variational data assimilation (DA) system within the North American Mesoscale Rapid Refresh (NAMRR) system for the Nonhydrostatic Multiscale Model on the B grid (NMMB). Experiments were conducted to examine three critical aspects of data assimilation configuration in this system. Ten retrospective high-impact convective cases during the warm season of 2015–2016 were adopted for testing. A 10-member, 18 h ensemble forecast was launched for each experiment. Specifically, the experiment using horizontal (vertical) localization radii (Lr) of 300 km (0.55-scaled height measured in the nature log of pressure) overall had more skills than that of 500 km (1.1-scaled height) for conventional in-situ observation assimilation. Diagnostics suggest that the higher forecast skills could be attributed to applying smaller Lr in the boundary with large temperature and moisture gradients. For radar DA, the experiment was more skillful with horizontal (vertical) Lr of 15 km (1.1-scaled height) than that of 12 km (0.55-scaled height). Diagnostics suggest that the improved forecasts were achieved by using wider Lr to spread radar observations into unobserved areas more effectively. Slight forecast skill differences between the relaxation inflation factors of 95% and 65% are presented. The impact of varying inflation magnitudes primarily occurred in the upper-level spread.

The Brazilian Northeast (BNE) is located in the tropical region of Brazil. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, and its climate and vegetation are strongly affected by continental plateaus. The plateaus keep the humid air masses to the east and are responsible for the rain episodes, and at the west side the northeastern hinterland and dry air masses are observed. This work is a case study that aims to evaluate the impact of updating the model initial condition using the 3DEnVar (Three-Dimensional Ensemble Variational) system in heavy rain episodes associated with Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS). The results were compared to 3DVar (Three-Dimensional Variational) and EnSRF (Ensemble Square Root Filter) systems and with no data assimilation. The study enclosed two MCS cases occurring on 14 and 24 January 2017. For that purpose, the RMS (Regional Modeling System) version 3.0.0, maintained by the Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies (CPTEC), used two components: the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale model and the GSI (Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation) data assimilation system. Currently, the RMS provides the WRF initial conditions by using 3DVar data assimilation methodology. The 3DVar uses a climatological covariance matrix to minimize model errors. In this work, the 3DEnVar updates the RMS climatological covariance matrix through the forecast members based on the errors of the day. This work evaluated the improvements in the detection and estimation of 24 h accumulated precipitation in MCS events. The statistic index RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) showed that the hybrid data assimilation system (3DEnVar) performed better in reproducing the precipitation in the MCS occurred on 14 January 2017. On 24 January 2017, the EnSRF was the best system for improving the WRF forecast. In general, the BIAS showed that the WRF initialized with different initial conditions overestimated the 24 h accumulated precipitation. Therefore, the viability of using a hybrid system may depend on the hybrid algorithm that can modify the weights attributed to the EnSRF and 3DVar matrix in the GSI over the assimilation cycles.

Geotechnical seismic isolation (GSI) consists of an innovative technique to mitigate the effects of earthquakes based on interposing a superficial soil layer to filter the seismic energy from the soil to the structure. This approach is particularly applied in developing countries due to low-cost applications. In order to account the uncertainties, the presented paper aimed to develop fragility curves of 3D configurations performed by numerical finite element models. The mail goal is to assess and discuss the potentialities of GSI as a mitigation technique for several configurations. Opensees PL has been applied to perform the numerical analyses and to realistically reproduce the behaviour of GSI.

It has been demonstrated that inhibiting Notch signaling through γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) treatment increases myogenesis, AKT/mTOR signaling, and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in C2C12 myotubes. The purpose of this study was to determine if GSI-mediated effects on myogenesis and MPS are dependent on AKT/mTOR signaling. C2C12 cells were assessed for indices of myotube formation, anabolic signaling, and MPS following GSI treatment in combination with rapamycin and API-1, inhibitors of mTOR and AKT, respectively. GSI treatment increased several indices of myotube fusion and MPS in C2C12 myotubes. GSI-mediated effects on myotube formation and fusion were completely negated by treatment with rapamycin and API-1. Meanwhile, GSI treatment was able to rescue MPS in C2C12 myotubes exposed to rapamycin or rapamycin combined with API-1. Examination of protein expression revealed that GSI treatment was able to rescue pGSK3β Ser9 despite AKT inhibition by API-1. These findings demonstrate that GSI treatment is able to rescue MPS independent of AKT/mTOR signaling, possibly via GSK3β modulation.

C/C-SiC composites were prepared by the combined process of chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) and gaseous silicon infiltration (GSI) using C/C green body with the density of 1.0g/cm3. Effect of CVI C/C-SiC intermediate composites' density on the phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of CVI-GSI C/C-SiC composites was studied. The results show that as the CVI C/C-SiC intermediate composites' density increases, the residual C content increases and residual Si content decreases in the CVI-GSI C/C-SiC composites, the SiC content increases first and then decreases, and the density of CVI-GSI C/C-SiC composites increases first and then decreases; as the CVI C/C-SiC in termediate composites' density is increased from 1.27g/cm3 to 1.63g/cm3, the mechanical properties of CVI-GSI C/C-SiC composites increase at first, which then decrease with the further increasing of CVI-C/C-SiC composites' density. Specifically, when the CVI C/C-SiC composites density is 1.42g/cm3, the prepared CVI-GSI C/C-SiC composites has the best mechanical properties, with flexure strength, flexure modulus and fracture toughness of 247.50MPa, 25.63GPa and 10.08MPa·m1/2, respectively.

Endocrine-disrupting compounds in water affect reproductive activities in fish. Mercury is a toxic and persistent pollutant, which bioaccumulates in the food chain. To investigate the effect of mercury chloride (HgCl) on fish reproduction, animals were kept in four aquaria containing increasing levels of HgCl (0 mg/L [control]; 0.025 mg/L [low]; 0.05 mg/L [medium]; 0.1 mg/L [high]) for 60 days. The effects of HgCl on reproduction performance of male silver sharkminnow were evaluated by GtH-Ia, GtH-IIa and GtH-IIb gene expression, testosterone levels, and GSI levels. A significant decrease in Gonadothropin Hormone type I sub unit alpha (GtH-Ia), Gonadothropin Hormone type II sub unit alpha (GtH-IIa) and Gonadothropin Hormone type II sub unit beta (GtH-IIb) gene expression, testosterone levels, and Gonado Somatic Index (GSI) levels was detected in fish receiving the high mercury dose compared to controls after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks (P

A comprehensive understanding of geological, structural geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical features of the host rock are essential for the design and performance evaluation of surface and underground excavations. The Hungarian National Radioactive Waste Repository (NRWR) at Bátaapáti is constructed in a fractured granitic formation, and Telfer Gold Mine in Australia is excavated in stratified siltstones, sandstones and quartzites. This study highlights relationships between GSI chart ratings and calculated GSI values based on RMR rock mass classification data. The paper presents linear equations for estimating GSI from measured RMR89 values. Correlations between a and b constants were analyzed for different rock types, at surface and subsurface settings.

The rock mass quality in underground excavations and or tunnelling is a key issue in the design of the most suitable support to ground stability. This work aims to discuss the applicability of the latest version of the geological strength index (GSI|2013) in an anisotropic media during ongoing deep underground excavation by drilling and blasting. The study encompasses a comprehensive geological, geotechnical and geomechanical characterisation and evaluation of the excavation faces in the Marão tunnel (north Portugal). In addition, 305 m (two underground sections) of tunnel were mapped in 74 consecutive face underground excavation advances. Geological, geotechnical and geomechanical data relating to the site investigation were collected and computed in each new face advance. The scanline sampling technique was applied on exposed rock surfaces, a geotechnical analysis of the discontinuities was performed, and the block size of the rock mass was determined. Geotechnical and geomechanical zoning of the studied sections were continuously carried out considering the knowledge of the site rock mass characteristics and behaviour. In addition, a comparison was performed between the version of GSI|2013 and its earlier version (namely, GSI|98) and correlated with rock mass rating. The study will contribute to a better understanding of GSI|2013 and its applicability in geoengineering projects in design or excavation work stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]