scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF MORPHOMETRIC INDICATORS OF THE RELIEF ON THE FORMATION OF LANDSCAPES OF THE SOUTHEASTERN SLOPE OF THE GREATER CAUCASUS

2021 ◽  
pp. 53-59
Author(s):  
A. Ismailova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Close Correlation ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Greater Caucasus ◽  
Mountain Landscape ◽  
Landscape Unit ◽  
Steep Slopes ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: To reveal the role of high energy of slope relief in the formation and differentiation of modern mountain geosystems of the Southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus by assessing the degree of horizontal dissection, slopes of slopes and landscape-morphometric tension of territories with various landscape complexes with subsequent mapping of the ecogeographic situation in order to ensure rational land use and environmental safety. Methodology and Approach: On the basis of field and office studies, data on the state of the soil and vegetation cover, the author analyzed the impact of morphometric indicators on the exodynamic conditions of landscape belts, identified individual landscape-morphological blocks according to the degree of morphometric tension, schematic maps reflecting the impact of horizontal dissection and slopes of slopes on the natural complexes of the territory. Results: The author, through a comparative analysis of quantitative morphometric indicators from different ranks of landscape complexes, showed that there is a close correlation between them, i.e. differentiation, fragmentation and small contour of mountain landscape geosystems, and each landscape unit is distinguished by its own morphometric indicators, which also determine their exogeodynamic stability. It was revealed that the highest intensity of 5 points is characteristic of the territory covering steep slopes within the heights, which are characterized by the development of subnival, alpine meadow and subalpine complexes. The results of field and office studies were reflected in the compiled cartographic materials, which made it possible to carry out a spatial analysis of the development of the exodynamic situation on the territory of the southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Theoretical and Practical implications: Based on the generalization of the results of the research carried out, the territories most exposed to exogenous relief-forming processes can be identified, a more detailed study is carried out and the exodynamic situation is more objectively assessed. The results of the study will make it possible to carry out effective economic planning, to identify priority areas for the implementation of anti-erosion and phyto-reclamation measures in mountain areas.

Modeling of the impact of rigid ellipsoidal blocks by means of an elastic-visco-plastic constitutive model 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Dattola ◽  
Giovanni Battista Crosta ◽  
Claudio Giulio di Prisco
Keyword(s):  
Constitutive Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Impact Angle ◽  
Material Point ◽  
Lumped Mass ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Block Motion ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Constitutive Parameters

<p>Rockfall is one of the most common hazards in mountain areas causing severe damages to structures/infrastructures and, human lives. For this reason, numerous are the papers published in the last decades on this subject, both introducing reliable approaches to simulate the boulder trajectory and defining design methods for sheltering structures. As is well known, the most popular strategy to simulate the block trajectory and velocity is based on the lumped mass material point approach. This is capable of describing the block trajectory, before either its natural arrest or impact against an artificial/natural obstacle, by suitably considering its interaction with soil/rock materials, interaction always dynamic, very often highly dissipative and defined, according to its nature, as sliding, rolling or impact.</p><p>In this framework, this study focusses on impacts and, in particular, on the role of block geometry in affecting the block kinematic response. The problem is approached numerically; by modifying a previously conceived elastic-viscoplastic constitutive model, based on the macro-element concept. and capable of satisfactorily simulating impacts of spherical blocks.</p><p>The modified constitutive model relaxes the assumption of spherical block by assuming an ellipsoidal shape and by allowing for the boulder rotation. These two changes make the problem more complex but allow to model more realistically the impact. For the sake of simplicity, the results shown in this work consider the block motion to be planar, but the model already allows to include general three dimensional conditions.</p><p>In this work, the model is briefly outlined and the procedure for calibrating the model constitutive parameters described. Then, the results of an extensive parametric analysis, employing constitutive parameters calibrated on experimental data taken from the literature, are discussed. In particular, the role of (i) the inner block orientation, and (ii) the inner impact angle is considered in terms of both kinematic variables and restitution coefficients. Finally, interpolation functions to compute restitution coefficients, once both block shape and inner impact block orientation are known, are provided.</p>

scholarly journals Breads formulated with evolutionary populations of wheat heritage varieties on postprandial glycaemic and insulin responses in healthy subjects

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margherita Dall'Asta ◽  
Rossella Dodi ◽  
Giuseppe Di Pede ◽  
Mia Marchini ◽  
Silvia Folloni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Modern Variety ◽  
Rural Development Programme ◽  
Emilia Romagna Region ◽  
High Level ◽  
Insulin Responses ◽  
The Impact

AbstractTriticum heritage varieties and ancient species are gaining interest of consumers due to the perception of a healthier nutrition profile than other modern wheat. Although still limited, several findings highlighted the real potential beneficial role of ancient wheat-based products consumption on several cardiometabolic factors(1). However, a lack of information is still present, especially for their effect on postprandial glycaemia. Evolutionary populations (EPs) are plants within the same species in one field characterized by a high level of genetic diversity(2). EPs are evolving as a function of several environmental variables and in turn characterized by a high level of adaptability and biodiversity. EPs can drive agronomic advantages, especially under organic and low-input agricultural conditions, or in less favourable growing conditions(3). The aim of the present study, which is a part of a more comprehensive project called “BIO2”(4), was to evaluate the impact of breads made with EPs of heritage varieties and a modern variety, all produced under organic farming in mountain areas of Emilia Romagna Region (Italy), on postprandial glycaemic and insulin responses. The study is a randomized controlled trial in which 13 healthy subjects were enrolled for consuming 8 non-commercial breads made either with EPs (EPs named “BIO2” and “GROSSI” – of local heritage varieties, and EP “Solibam”) or with a modern variety (Bologna) produced with a standard recipe, but 2 different leavening techniques (S. Cerevisiae and sourdough). Subjects consumed breads in a portion containing 50 g of available carbohydrates and blood was collected for quantifying glycaemia and insulin during 2 hours. Incremental area under curves (IAUCs) and maximum peaks were compared among treatments. No differences were found in IAUCs and peaks for both the markers, showing that none of the tested EPs was effective in lowering glycaemic and insulin responses compared to the modern variety. Moreover, sourdough did not determine a lower blood glucose and insulin within the same type of flour, which is in contrast with previous studies describing the role of sourdough in lowering glycaemic response. Future studies will better elucidate the possible implication of consuming ancient wheat-based products on the modulation of post-prandial glucose metabolism.This study has been funded by Measure 16.1.01 of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy).

scholarly journals Oligodendrocyte Bioenergetics in Health and Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Rosko ◽  
Victoria N. Smith ◽  
Reiji Yamazaki ◽  
Jeffrey K. Huang
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
High Energy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Metabolic Coupling ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Metabolic Role ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Impact

The human brain weighs approximately 2% of the body; however, it consumes about 20% of a person’s total energy intake. Cellular bioenergetics in the central nervous system involves a delicate balance between biochemical processes engaged in energy conversion and those responsible for respiration. Neurons have high energy demands, which rely on metabolic coupling with glia, such as with oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. It has been well established that astrocytes recycle and transport glutamine to neurons to make the essential neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, as well as shuttle lactate to support energy synthesis in neurons. However, the metabolic role of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system is less clear. In this review, we discuss the energetic demands of oligodendrocytes in their survival and maturation, the impact of altered oligodendrocyte energetics on disease pathology, and the role of energetic metabolites, taurine, creatine, N-acetylaspartate, and biotin, in regulating oligodendrocyte function.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of jute and coir erosion control blankets in different field and laboratory conditions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kalibová ◽  
L. Jačka ◽  
J. Petrů
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Peak Discharge ◽  
Slope Gradient ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Discharge Ratio ◽  
Steep Slopes ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss ◽  
Field And Laboratory Conditions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. A vegetation cover is found to be an ideal solution to most problems with erosion on steep slopes. Biodegradable geotextiles (GTX) have been proved to provide a sufficient protection against soil loss in the period before the vegetation reaches maturity. In this study, 500 g.m−2 jute (J500), 400 g.m−2 (C400), and 700 g.m−2 coir (C700) GTX were installed firstly on 9° slope in “no-inf iltration” laboratory conditions, secondly on 27° slope in natural field conditions. The impact of GTX on runoff and soil loss was investigated to compare the performance of GTX in different conditions. Laboratory runoff ratio (percentage portion of control plot) equaled 78 %, 83 % and 91 % and peak discharge ratio equaled 83 %, 91 % and 97 % for J500, C700 and C400, respectively. In the field, a runoff ratio of 31 %, 62 % and 79 % and peak discharge ratio of 37 %, 74 % and 87 % were recorded for C700, J500 and C400, respectively. All tested GTX significantly decreased soil erosion. The highest soil loss reduction in the field was observed for J500 (by 99.4%) followed by C700 (by 97.9%) and C400 (by 93.8%). Irrespective of slope gradient or experiment condition, C400 provided lower runoff volume and peak discharge control than J500 and C700. The performance ranking of J500 and C700 in the laboratory differed from the field, which may be explained by different slope gradient and also by the role of soil, which was not included in the laboratory experiment.

scholarly journals Role of Legislation and State Policy in Minimizing the Impact of Threats to Environmental Safety in the Automobile Transport Sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-58
Author(s):  
I. V. Bryhadyr ◽  
I. V. Panova
Keyword(s):  
State Policy ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Internal Combustion ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Combustion Engines ◽  
The Impact

The role of legislation and state policy in minimizing the impact of threats to environmental safety in the field of automobile transport has been studied. The main directions of the development of state policy and legislation in the field of reducing the negative impact of motor vehicles on the environment and public health have been defined. The main problems of reducing the negative impact of motor vehicles on the environment and public health, as well as the development of state and legal mechanisms to overcome them have been determined. The main environmental problems faced by governments are the use of internal combustion engines and fuel quality indicators. Many EU countries are refusing to further impose more strict requirements on the operation of motor fuel engines, instead introducing mechanisms to completely abandon such vehicle propulsion systems. However, such a refusal raises another problem of greening of road transport – the problem of electrification of transport, in the process of which it is necessary to solve the problems of transport energy and disposal of used batteries of electric vehicles. The authors have emphasized on inexpediency that to be limited in the long run only to mechanisms for setting more strict emission requirements for cars. The authors have indicated the need for a comprehensive approach to solving environmental problems to prevent the emergence of new significant difficulties – the accumulation of used batteries of electric cars, the depletion of non-renewable resources for their manufacture, etc. It has been offered to join Ukraine to the pan-European initiative of electrification of road transport, to develop the state program for the transformation of the motor transport industry with clear deadlines for the introduction of restrictions on the use of internal combustion engines, to introduce mechanisms to financially stimulate the transition from internal combustion engines to electric combustion engines.

scholarly journals Cloud distribution evaluated by the WRF model during the EUSO-SPB1 flight

2019 ◽  
Vol 210 ◽  
pp. 05006
Author(s):  
K Shinozaki ◽  
S Monte ◽  
S Ferrarese ◽  
M Manfrin ◽  
ME Bertaina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Photon Counting ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Weather Research And Forecasting ◽  
Fluorescence Detector ◽  
Air Shower ◽  
Detection Mode ◽  
The Impact

EUSO-SPB1 was a balloon-borne mission of the JEM-EUSO (Joint Experiment Missions for Extreme Universe Space Observatory) Program aiming at the ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) observations from space. We operated the EUSO-SPB1 telescope consisting of 1 m2 Fresnel refractive optics and multi-anode photomultiplier tubes. With a total of 2304 channels, each performed the photon counting every 2.5 µs, allowing for spatiotemporal imaging of the air shower events in an ~ 11°× 11° field of view. EUSO-SPB1 was the first balloon-borne fluorescence detector with a potential to detect air shower events initiated by the EeV energy cosmic rays. On 24 April 2017 UTC, EUSO-SPB1 was launched on the NASA’s Super Pressure Balloon that flew at ~16 – 33 km flight height for ~12 days. Before the flight was terminated, ~27 hours of data acquired in the air shower detection mode were transmitted to the ground. In the present work, we aim at evaluating the role of the clouds during the operation of EUSO-SPB1. We employ the WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model to numerically simulate the cloud distribution below EUSO-SPB1. We discuss the key results of the WRF model and the impact of the clouds on the air shower measurement and the efficiency of the cosmic ray observation. The present work is a part of the collaborative effort to estimate the exposure for air shower detections.

MOUNTAIN REGIONS OF RUSSIA: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. THE KEY ROLE OF THE UNESCO MAB-6 MOUNTAIN PROJECT

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
YU.P. BADENKOV ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Global Changes ◽  
Agenda 21 ◽  
Mountain Regions ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Mountain Environment ◽  
Model Law ◽  
Global Agenda ◽  
Mountain Development ◽  
The Impact

Project No. 6 "Human Impact on Mountain Ecosystems" of the UNESCO "Man and the Biosphere" Program had its own peculiarities of implementation, both in the international and in the Russian context. It went far beyond environmental problems and was initially focused on the sustainable mountain development issues, assessing the impact of global changes on the mountain environment, economy, and population. Fragile mountain areas occupy a special position in the global Agenda 21 and national strategies for regional development. The specificity of the Soviet and Russian experience in the development and evolution of the MAB-6 project and the role of mountain biosphere reserves in Russia in the preservation of biological and cultural heritage are considered. The adoption in 2020 by the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly of the Model Law "On the Development and Protection of Mountainous Territories of the CIS" opens up new prospects for the development of mountain regions and testifies to the relevance of scientific approaches laid in the foundation of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program and the MAB-6 mountain project, in particular.

scholarly journals Photosystem I Inhibition, Protection and Signalling: Knowns and Unknowns

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yugo Lima-Melo ◽  
Mehmet Kılıç ◽  
Eva-Mari Aro ◽  
Peter J. Gollan
Keyword(s):  
Photosystem I ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Photosynthetic System ◽  
Main Site ◽  
Photosynthetic Organisms ◽  
Retrograde Signalling ◽  
Energy Harnessing ◽  
The Impact

Photosynthesis is the process that harnesses, converts and stores light energy in the form of chemical energy in bonds of organic compounds. Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms (i.e., plants, algae and cyanobacteria) employ an efficient apparatus to split water and transport electrons to high-energy electron acceptors. The photosynthetic system must be finely balanced between energy harvesting and energy utilisation, in order to limit generation of dangerous compounds that can damage the integrity of cells. Insight into how the photosynthetic components are protected, regulated, damaged, and repaired during changing environmental conditions is crucial for improving photosynthetic efficiency in crop species. Photosystem I (PSI) is an integral component of the photosynthetic system located at the juncture between energy-harnessing and energy consumption through metabolism. Although the main site of photoinhibition is the photosystem II (PSII), PSI is also known to be inactivated by photosynthetic energy imbalance, with slower reactivation compared to PSII; however, several outstanding questions remain about the mechanisms of damage and repair, and about the impact of PSI photoinhibition on signalling and metabolism. In this review, we address the knowns and unknowns about PSI activity, inhibition, protection, and repair in plants. We also discuss the role of PSI in retrograde signalling pathways and highlight putative signals triggered by the functional status of the PSI pool.

scholarly journals Familiarising the landscape: the development of prehistoric settlement in the middle Dunajec River valley

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 305-342
Author(s):  
Joanna A. Markiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Central European ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Mountain Landscape ◽  
Archaeological Data ◽  
European Mountain ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Comparison Of The Results ◽  
The Impact

Despite the continuous increase of archaeological data coming from the Polish Western Carpathians, the colonisation process of the Beskidy Mountains in prehistory is still relatively poorly recognized. The subject of discussion is, in particular, the impact of environmental and cultural factors on the formation of settlement networks in individual periods. This paper considers these questions on the example of a part of the middle Dunajec River basin in the chronological framework from the Neolithic to the La Tène period. Based on the archaeological and paleoenvironmental record, an analysis of settlement dynamics in terms of preferences and economy in the subsequent periods was carried out. The observations made were then interpreted in the context of cultural phenomena. A comparison of the results with the situation observed in other Central European mountain ranges made it possible to formulate some universal tendencies in the settlement development in these zones. In particular, the impact of climate and environmental conditions on the economy was considered, as well as the role of natural resources and communication routes. It has been demonstrated that three main stages can be distinguished in the process of prehistoric mountain colonisation. This mechanism was correlated with the gradual adaptation of the economy and the “familiarising” of the mountain landscape, which offered both some limitations and strategic values determining the specific cultural function of these areas.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of jute and coir blankets for erosion control in different field and laboratory conditions

Solid Earth ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Kalibová ◽  
Lukáš Jačka ◽  
Jan Petrů
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Peak Discharge ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Discharge Ratio ◽  
Steep Slopes ◽  
Field And Laboratory Conditions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Vegetation cover is found to be an ideal solution to most problems of erosion on steep slopes. Biodegradable geotextiles (GTXs) have been proved to provide sufficient protection against soil loss in the period before vegetation reaches maturity, so favouring soil formation processes. In this study, 500 g m−2 jute (J500), 400 g m−2 (C400), and 700 g m−2 coir (C700) GTXs were first installed on a 9° slope under “no-infiltration” laboratory conditions, then on a 27° slope under natural field conditions. The impact of GTXs on run-off and soil loss was investigated to compare the performance of GTXs under different conditions. Laboratory run-off ratio (percentage portion of control plot) equalled 78, 83, and 91 %, while peak discharge ratio equalled 83, 91, and 97 % for J500, C700, and C400 respectively. In the field, a run-off ratio of 31, 62, and 79 %, and peak discharge ratio of 37, 74, and 87 % were recorded for C700, J500, and C400 respectively. All tested GTXs significantly decreased soil erosion. The greatest soil loss reduction in the field was observed for J500 (by 99.4 %), followed by C700 (by 97.9 %) and C400 (by 93.8 %). Irrespective of slope gradient or experimental condition, C400 performed with lower run-off and peak discharge reduction than J500 and C700. The performance ranking of J500 and C700 in the laboratory differed from the field, which may be explained by different slope gradients, and also by the role of soil, which was not included in the laboratory experiment.

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