Assessment of the streamflow changes in the La Nga river basin

The paper aims to assess the changes of the streamflow under the impact of irrigation constructions in La Nga river basin using the Long and Short term runoff (LST) model. The LST model was calibrated and validated for the period of 1987–1995 and 1996–1999, respectively, to simulate the natural streamflow for the post–construction phase. Statistical metrics, including R2 coefficients, efficiency coefficients (NSE), percent error (PBIAS) and standard monitoring deviation ratio (RSR) were used to evaluate the model performance. The results showed that, LST model performed well in the flow simulation by the high values of R2 and NSE index greater than 0.80, RSR smaller than 0.50 and PBIAS lower than 7.22%. The comparison between the simulated (natural) and observed flows illustrated that there were changes of the flow regime in the post–construction phase. The average seasonal flow decreases 24.59% and increased 12.06% in the wet and dry season, respectively at Phu Dien station. Meanwhile, at Ta Pao station, the streamflow decreased 8.35% and increased 21.11% in the wet and dry season, respectively. The results of this study could be used in planning, managing and regulating the irrigation works'operation, and water resources management in the La Nga river basin.

Habitat suitability modelling to assess the introductions of Aedes albopictus (Diptera, Culicidae) in the Netherlands

Background In the Netherlands, Aedes albopictus has been found each year since 2010 during routine exotic mosquito species surveillance at companies that import used tires. We developed habitat suitability models to investigate the potential risk of establishment and spread of this invasive species at these locations. Methods We used two methodologies: first, a species distribution model based on the maximum entropy modelling approach (MaxEnt) taking into consideration updated occurrence data of the species in Europe, and second, a spatial logic conditional model based on the temperature requirements of the species and using land surface temperature data (LST model). Results Suitability assessment obtained with the MaxEnt model at European level accurately reflect the current distribution of the species and these results also depict moderately low values in parts of the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, the British islands and southern parts of Scandinavia. Winter temperature was the variable that contributed most to the performance of the model (47.3%). The results of the LST model show that 1) coastal areas are suitable for overwintering of eggs, 2) large areas in the northern part of the country have a low suitability for adult survival, and 3) the entire country is suitable for successful completion of the life cycle if the species is introduced after the winter months. Results of the LST model reveal that temperatures in 2012 and 2014 did not limit the overwintering of eggs or survival of adults at the locations where the species was found. By contrast, for the years 2010, 2011 and 2013, overwintering of eggs at these locations is considered unlikely. Conclusions Results using two modelling methodologies show differences in predicted habitat suitability values. Based on the results of both models, the climatic conditions could hamper the successful overwintering of eggs of Ae. albopictus and their survival as adults in many areas of the country. However, during warm years with mild winters, many areas of the Netherlands offer climatic conditions suitable for developing populations. Regular updates of the models, using updated occurrence and climatic data, are recommended to study the areas at risk.

Habitat suitability modelling to assess the introductions of Aedes albopictus (Diptera, Culicidae) in the Netherlands

BackgroundIn the Netherlands, Aedes albopictus has been found each year since 2010 during routine exotic mosquito species surveillance at companies that import used tires. We developed habitat suitability models to investigate the potential risk of establishment and spread of this invasive species at these locations. MethodsWe used two methodologies: first, a species distribution model based on the maximum entropy modelling approach (MaxEnt) taking into consideration updated occurrence data of the species in Europe, and second, a spatial logic conditional model based on the temperature requirements of the species and using Land Surface Temperature data (LST model). For model output comparison, we extracted the results of both models accordingly to the spatial extent of the Netherlands. ResultsResults obtained with the MaxEnt model at European level accurately reflect the observed current distribution of the species and also depicts moderately low values in parts of the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, the British islands and southern parts of Scandinavia. Winter temperature was the variable that contributed most to the performance of the model (47.3%). The results of the LST model show that 1) coastal areas are suitable for overwintering of eggs, 2) large areas in the northern part of the country have a low suitability for adult survival, and 3) the entire country is suitable for successful completion of the life cycle if the species is introduced after the winter months. Results of the LST model reveal that temperatures in 2012 and 2014 did not limit the overwintering of eggs or survival of adults at the used tire companies where the species was found. By contrast, for the years 2010, 2011 and 2013, overwintering of eggs at these locations is not considered likely.ConclusionsResults using two modelling methodologies show differences in predicted habitat suitability values. Based on the results of both models, the climatic conditions could hamper the successful overwintering of eggs of Ae. albopictus and their survival as adults in many areas of the country. However, during warm years with mild winters, many areas of the Netherlands, including used tire companies locations, offer climatic conditions suitable for developing populations. Regular updates of the models, using updated occurrence and climatic data, are recommended to study the areas at risk.

Land surface temperature retrieval from Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS images based on back-propagation neural network

Land surface temperature (LST) is an important parameter related to the environmental assessment concerning the surface energy, water balance, greenhouse effect, etc. at local and global scales. With the rapid development of the remote sensing technology, various methodologies have been developed to retrieve LST from space-based remote sensing images. Due to the ill-posed problem, the LST retrieval is still a challenge. In this research, a so-called multiple band reflectance (MBR)-LST model has been proposed based on the back-propagation neural (BPN) network, which can be employed to retrieve the LSTs from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI)/TIRS images as well as produce continuous spatial LST distributions with a spatial resolution of 30 m. Experiments conducted in two randomly selected areas in mainland China proved that the proposed MBR-LST model has yielded a much better performance than the traditional radiative transfer equation (RTE) method with respect to both the accuracy and stability for the LST retrievals. Moreover, another significant advantage of the proposed MBR-LST is the generic nature – once trained by the sample data in the whole region of mainland China, the proposed MBR-LST model can be utilized for the accurate LST-retrievals in any area of mainland China.

Evaluating the Construct Validity of Objective Personality Tests Using a Multitrait-Multimethod-Multioccasion-(MTMM-MO)-Approach

Although Objective Personality Tests (OPTs) have a long history in psychology and the field of psychological assessment, their validity, and reliability have not yet been sufficiently studied. In this study, we examined the convergent and discriminant validity of objective (personality) tests, Implicit Association Tests (IATs), and self-report measures for the assessment of conscientiousness and intelligence. Moreover, the convergent and discriminant validity of these measures was assessed on the trait (stable) and occasion specific (momentary) level by using the multimethod latent state-trait (MM-LST) model proposed by Courvoisier, Nussbeck, Eid, and Cole (2008) which allows for the decomposition of different sources of variance. Data from 367 students assessed on three different measurement occasions was incorporated. Results indicate generally low convergence of OPTs with data gained by other approaches. Additional analyses revealed that the OPTs used assess stable rather than momentary components of the constructs. Reliabilities of different tests ranged from .54 to .95. Furthermore, a substantial amount of trait method specificity revealed that different methods assess trait components that are not shared between OPTs and other measures. Data on the criterion validity of the objective conscientiousness test revealed that it is related to the punctuality of test takers in the laboratory.

A Study on the Relationship between Positive and Negative Affect Based on LST Model

As an important personality characteristic, affect can influence the organizational behavior and individual performance [1,2,, and affect study has obtained more and more attention in the field of organizational behavior and personality psychology. Positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) are considered as the basic structural dimensions of self-report affect experience and have been confirmed by trans-cultural studies[4,5,. The so-called PA is the tendency of experiencing happy of an individual, while NA is the tendency of experiencing unhappy of an individual[. Scholars have designed different schedules to measure PA and NA and study relationship between them, and have certified the dualistic structure of PA/NA, but they are mutually independent two dimensions, thus there still exists more or less relevancy and no unanimous viewpoint is formed[8,.