scholarly journals Monitoring of soil structure

2021 ◽  
Vol 906 (1) ◽  
pp. 012055
Author(s):  
Elzbieta Kokocňska-Pakiet
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Waste ◽  
Water Area ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Construction Supervision ◽  
External Conditions ◽  
Oder River

Abstract Based on data from the Central Office of Construction Supervision, there were 5455 construction disasters in Poland between 2008 and 2019. Four thousand twenty-three disasters were caused by random events, of which 110 were caused by landslides. Most of these events took place in 2010, when there were up to 94 disaster-related landslides. Landslides have been occurring with different intensity, significantly influencing the current structure of the Earth surface. In natural conditions, without human intrusion, these phenomena have a character of long-term processes that activate depending on the changes of natural external conditions such as ground saturation with water, area deforestation, high degradation or slopes erosion. Everyone who had contact with landslides knows that it is not a sudden phenomenon, but a process - chain of events occurring one after another and developing with time. This phenomenon forces constant necessity of getting more detailed knowledge of the processes mechanism and character and phenomena occurring inside the slopes. That is why slope monitoring plays such an important role in understanding the mechanism of landslides. In Poland, most structures of this type belong to the second or third geotechnical category in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy (2012). The law obliges the owner of the land on which this type of structure is located to perform inspections and monitoring of its condition. The monitoring of the slope protecting the liquid waste landfill facility located at the food processing plant was analysed in the article. In 1997, the slope was subject to a construction disaster in consequence of washout by the Oder River and too high irrigation of the ground structure. Following the disaster, the slope with the waste reservoirs slid into the river polluting it. Since the reconstruction, the slope is subject to constant monitoring of the external geometry and checking the condition of the ground building the dam. The paper discusses the applied monitoring methods and shows the methodology of conducting the measurements. The results of slope settlement were analysed and compared with model calculations. In conclusion, modern monitoring techniques were shown, which could be applied to this type of structures.

European Integration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann P. Arnason
Keyword(s):  
European Integration ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Historical Processes ◽  
History Of ◽  
External Conditions ◽  
Eastern European Countries ◽  
Totalitarian Regimes ◽  
The Eu

Different understandings of European integration, its background and present problems are represented in this book, but they share an emphasis on historical processes, geopolitical dynamics and regional diversity. The introduction surveys approaches to the question of European continuities and discontinuities, before going on to an overview of chapters. The following three contributions deal with long-term perspectives, including the question of Europe as a civilisational entity, the civilisational crisis of the twentieth century, marked by wars and totalitarian regimes, and a comparison of the European Union with the Habsburg Empire, with particular emphasis on similar crisis symptoms. The next three chapters discuss various aspects and contexts of the present crisis. Reflections on the Brexit controversy throw light on a longer history of intra-Union rivalry, enduring disputes and changing external conditions. An analysis of efforts to strengthen the EU’s legal and constitutional framework, and of resistances to them, highlights the unfinished agenda of integration. A closer look at the much-disputed Islamic presence in Europe suggests that an interdependent radicalization of Islamism and the European extreme right is a major factor in current political developments. Three concluding chapters adopt specific regional perspectives. Central and Eastern European countries, especially Poland, are following a path that leads to conflicts with dominant orientations of the EU, but this also raises questions about Europe’s future. The record of Scandinavian policies in relation to Europe exemplifies more general problems faced by peripheral regions. Finally, growing dissonances and divergences within the EU may strengthen the case for Eurasian perspectives.

scholarly journals Long-Term and Emergency Monitoring of Zhongbao Landslide Using Space-Borne and Ground-Based InSAR

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1578
Author(s):  
Ting Xiao ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Yunkai Deng ◽  
Weiming Tian ◽  
Yonglian Sha
Keyword(s):  
Landslide Monitoring ◽  
Early Investigation ◽  
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Barrier Lake ◽  
Monitoring Frequency ◽  
Emergency Measure ◽  
Cumulative Deformation ◽  
Timely Warning

This work presents the ideal combination of space-borne and ground-based (GB) Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) applications. In the absence of early investigation reporting and specialized monitoring, the Zhongbao landslide unexpectedly occurred on 25 July 2020, forming a barrier lake that caused an emergency. As an emergency measure, the GB-InSAR system was installed 1.8 km opposite the landslide to assess real-time cumulative deformation with a monitoring frequency of 3 min. A zone of strong deformation was detected, with 178 mm deformation accumulated within 15 h, and then a successful emergency warning was issued to evacuate on-site personnel. Post-event InSAR analysis of 19 images acquired by the ESA Sentinel-1 from December 2019 to August 2020 revealed that the landslide started in March 2020. However, the deformation time series obtained from satellite InSAR did not show any signs that the landslide had occurred. The results suggest that satellite InSAR is effective for mapping unstable areas but is not qualified for rapid landslide monitoring and timely warning. The GB-InSAR system performs well in monitoring and providing early warning, even with dense vegetation on the landslide. The results show the shortcomings of satellite InSAR and GB-InSAR and a clearer understanding of the necessity of combining multiple monitoring methods.

scholarly journals Climate change drives mountain butterflies towards the summits

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Rödder ◽  
Thomas Schmitt ◽  
Patrick Gros ◽  
Werner Ulrich ◽  
Jan Christian Habel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Life History ◽  
Climate Warming ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Range Shifts ◽  
Solar Irradiation ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Annual Range

AbstractClimate change impacts biodiversity and is driving range shifts of species and populations across the globe. To understand the effects of climate warming on biota, long-term observations of the occurrence of species and detailed knowledge on their ecology and life-history is crucial. Mountain species particularly suffer under climate warming and often respond to environmental changes by altitudinal range shifts. We assessed long-term distribution trends of mountain butterflies across the eastern Alps and calculated species’ specific annual range shifts based on field observations and species distribution models, counterbalancing the potential drawbacks of both approaches. We also compiled details on the ecology, behaviour and life-history, and the climate niche of each species assessed. We found that the highest altitudinal maxima were observed recently in the majority of cases, while the lowest altitudes of observations were recorded before 1980. Mobile and generalist species with a broad ecological amplitude tended to move uphill more than specialist and sedentary species. As main drivers we identified climatic conditions and topographic variables, such as insolation and solar irradiation. This study provides important evidence for responses of high mountain taxa to rapid climate change. Our study underlines the advantage of combining historical surveys and museum collection data with cutting-edge analyses.

Men's and Women's Mating Preferences: Distinct Evolutionary Mechanisms?

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Carol Miller ◽  
Anila Putcha-Bhagavatula ◽  
William C. Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Large Female ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Mating Preferences ◽  
Chemical Mechanisms ◽  
Species Comparisons

Have men and women evolved sex-distinct mating preferences for short-term and long-term mating, as postulated by some evolutionary theorists? Direct tests of assumptions, consideration of confounds with gender, and examination of the same variables for both sexes suggest men and women are remarkably similar. Furthermore, cross-species comparisons indicate that humans do not evidence mating mechanisms indicative of short-term mating (e.g., large female sexual skins, large testicles). Understanding human variability in mating preferences is apt to involve more detailed knowledge of the links between these preferences and biological and chemical mechanisms associated with sexual motivation, sexual arousal, and sexual functioning.

Hardening of Aged Duplex Stainless Steels by Spinodal Decomposition

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Danoix ◽  
P. Auger ◽  
D. Blavette
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Impact Toughness ◽  
Spinodal Decomposition ◽  
Stainless Steels ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Atom Probe ◽  
Duplex Stainless Steels ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Iron Chromium

Mechanical properties, such as hardness and impact toughness, of ferrite-containing stainless steels are greatly affected by long-term aging at intermediate temperatures. It is known that the α-α′ spinodal decomposition occurring in the iron–chromium-based ferrite is responsible for this aging susceptibility. This decomposition can be characterized unambiguously by atom probe analysis, allowing comparison both with the existing theories of spinodal decomposition and the evolution of some mechanical properties. It is then possible to predict the evolution of hardness of industrial components during service, based on the detailed knowledge of the involved aging process.

scholarly journals EM-Based Monitoring and Probabilistic Analysis of Prestress Loss of Bonded Tendons in PSC Beams

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheheng Chen ◽  
Shanwen Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Probabilistic Analysis ◽  
Prestressed Concrete ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Prestress Loss ◽  
External Tendons ◽  
Material Environment ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
One Year

The prestress level is a key factor of prestressed concrete (PSC) beams, affecting their long-term serviceability and safety. Existing monitoring methods, however, are not effective in obtaining the force or stress of embedded tendons. This paper investigates the feasibility of elastomagnetic (EM) sensors, which have been used for external tendons, in monitoring the long-term prestress loss of bonded tendons. The influence of ambient temperature, water, eccentricity ratio, plastic duct, and cement grouts on the test results of EM sensors is experimentally examined. Based on the calibrated EM sensors, prestress loss of a group of PSC beams was monitored for one year. In order to further consider the high randomness in material, environment, and construction, probabilistic analysis of prestress loss is conducted. Finally, the variation range of prestress loss with a certain confidence level is obtained and is compared with the monitored data, which provides a basis for the determination of prestress level in the design of PSC beams.

scholarly journals Assessing Summer Pond and Lake Inlet Use by Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor/chrysoscelis complex) Using PVC Pipe Traps in Northwest Missouri

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2020) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
J. D. McGhee
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Hyla Versicolor ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Contingency Table Analysis ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
Table Analysis ◽  
Pvc Pipe ◽  
Gray Treefrog

Abstract The widespread decline in amphibian populations highlights the need for establishing rigorous monitoring methods for long-term population studies. In an attempt to launch a long-term monitoring study for a Gray Treefrog complex (Hyla versicolor LeConte /chrysoscelis Cope, hereafter treefrog) population in northwest Missouri, I tested the use of PVC pipe traps in a system of ponds and inlets along a lakeside habitat for three years. For each pond (3) and inlet (2), I established an array of 16 pipes so as to compare differences in use between pipe location, ponds and inlets, and sex ratio between sites. Pipes were checked twice a week during the summer for the presence of treefrogs. Treefrog usage of pipes between ponds and inlets were compared using a contingency table analysis, while an ANOVA was used to assess differences in sex ratios between sites (α = 0.05). A single inlet was used by treefrogs more heavily than the other ponds or inlet (G = 13.61, df = 3, P = 0.0035), however, I found no differences in terms of pipe location within a pond or inlet. Mean sex ratio between water bodies varied but did not significantly differ. There appears to be little effect in terms of pipe placement within our 50 m buffer from the water's edge, but unique habitat effects at sampling locations may significantly affect detection rates or usage.

scholarly journals Investigations of long-term trends in the ionosphere with world-wide ionosonde observations*

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 253-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bremer
Keyword(s):  
Data Series ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Maximum Electron Density ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Density Values ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
Experimental Values ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Global Mean

Abstract. Basing on model calculations by Roble and Dickinson (1989) for an increasing content of atmospheric greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere Rishbeth (1990) predicted a lowering of the ionospheric F2- and E-regions. Later Rishbeth and Roble (1992) also predicted characteristic longterm changes of the maximum electron density values of the ionospheric E-, F1-, and F2-layers. Long-term observations at more than 100 ionosonde stations have been analyzed to test these model predictions. In the E- and F1-layers the derived experimental results agree reasonably with the model trends (lowering of h'E and increase of ƒoE and ƒoF1, in the E-layer the experimental values are however markedly stronger than the model data). In the ionospheric F2-region the variability of the trends derived at the different individual stations for hmF2 as well as ƒoF2 values is too large to estimate reasonable global mean trends. The reason of the large differences between the individual trends is not quite clear. Strong dynamical effects may play an important role in the F2-region. But also inhomogeneous data series due to technical changes as well as changes in the evaluation algorithms used during the long observation periods may influence the trend analyses.

Agents and Processes Design for TRU Elements Back Extraction in TRPO Process

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Wei ◽  
Xuegang Liu ◽  
Jing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Phase ◽  
Liquid Waste ◽  
Back Extraction ◽  
High Level Liquid Waste ◽  
Trpo Process ◽  
Extraction Processes ◽  
Treatment And Disposal ◽  
High Level ◽  
Disposal Cost

To reduce the long-term risk of the high-level liquid waste (HLLW) and the waste disposal cost, transuranium (TRU) elements should be removed from HLLW. A so-called TRPO process has been developed by Chinese scientists to partition HLLW. In this process, the extractant, trialkyl phosphine oxide (TRPO), is able to extract TRU elements into organic phase completely, which makes the treatment and disposal of raffinate HLLW much easier. However, the treatment of extracted TRU elements in organic phase, in return, becomes new troublesome issue. Generally, there are three promising ways to treat the extracted TRU elements: (1)transmutation; (2)conditioning; (3)recycling U+Pu in Purex-TRPO Integrated Process. In any of the three ways, the back extraction agents and processes play significant roles. In this paper, the investigations on back extraction agents for TRU elements, such as TTHA, DTPA, AHA, HEDPA, DOGA, and carbonates are introduced. The corresponding back extraction processes and experimental results are reviewed.

Effect of on-farm interventions in the aftermath of an outbreak of hypervirulent verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Sweden

2018 ◽  
Vol 182 (18) ◽  
pp. 516-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena-Mari Tamminen ◽  
Helena Fransson ◽  
Madeleine Tråvén ◽  
Anna Aspán ◽  
Stefan Alenius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Meat Processing ◽  
Cattle Farm ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
On Farm

In 2007, human infections with a hypervirulent strain of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 increased in Sweden and especially in the Halland County. A connection between the cases and a local beef cattle farm with an on-farm abattoir and meat processing plant was established. In this observational study the control measures implemented on the infected farm and the dynamics of infection in the herd are described. In May 2008, when measures were initiated and animals put to pasture, the prevalence of positive individuals was 40 per cent and 18 carcasses out of 24 slaughtered animals were contaminated. During summer the monthly prevalence of positive carcasses varied between 8 and 41 per cent and at turning-in 22 out of 258 individually sampled animals were shedding the pathogen. After January 2009 no positive carcasses were found at slaughter and follow-up samplings of environment and individuals remained negative until the study period ended in May 2010. The results indicate that on-farm measures have potential to reduce the prevalence of the pathogen in a long-term perspective. However, as self-clearance cannot be excluded the effectiveness of the suggested measures needs to be confirmed.

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