scholarly journals The impact of tourist traffic on the condition and cell structures of alpine swards

Author(s):  
Marlena Kycko ◽  
Bogdan Zagajewski ◽  
Elżbieta Romanowska ◽  
Magdalena Zwijacz-Kozica ◽  
Samantha Lavender

This research focuses on the effect of trampling on vegetation in high-mountain ecosystems through the electromagnetic spectrum’s interaction with plant pigments, cell structure, water content and other substances that have a direct impact on leaf properties. The most heavily visited part of the High Tatras in Poland was divided into polygons and, after selecting the dominant species within alpine swards, a detailed analysis of trampled and reference patterns was performed. An ASD FieldSpec 3 was used to acquire high-resolution spectral properties of plants, their fluorescence and the leaf chlorophyll content with the ts-ta temperature index and fraction of accumulated radiation in the range of photosynthesis (fAPAR) used as reference data. The results show that, along tourist trails, vegetation adapts to trampling with the impact depending on the species. A lower chlorophyll value was confirmed by a decrease in fluorescence, and the state of cellular structures was degraded in trampled compared to reference species, with a lower leaf reflectance. Also, at the extreme, trampling can eliminate certain species such as Luzula alpino-pilosa.

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1895
Author(s):  
Tomasz Kozior ◽  
Czesław Kundera

This research paper reviews the test results involving viscoelastic properties of cellular structure models made with the PolyJet Matrix—PJM additive technology. The designed test specimens were of complex cellular structure and made of three various photo-curable polymer resin types. Materials were selected taking into account the so-called “soft” and “tough” material groups. Compressive stress relaxation tests were conducted in accordance with the recommendations of standard ISO 3384, and the impact of the geometric structure shape and material selection on viscoelastic properties, as well as the most favorable geometric variants of the tested cellular structure models were determined. Mathematica and Origin software was used to conduct a statistical analysis of the test results and determine five-parameter functions approximating relaxation curves. The most favorable rheological was adopted and its mean parameters determined, which enables to match both printed model materials and their geometry in the future, to make a component with a specific rheological response. Furthermore, the test results indicated that there was a possibility of modelling cellular structures within the PJM technology, using support material as well.


Author(s):  
Liubov Magerramova ◽  
Michael Volkov ◽  
Oleg Volgin ◽  
Pavel Kolos

Abstract The use of cellular structures is one way to reduce the weight of engine parts. Cellular structures are used to provide rigidity and strength for parts subject to compression, bending, and shock loads. Failure of the individual elements of a lattice/cell structure does not result in the destruction of the entire part; this stands in contrast to the structure of a conventional homogeneous metal object, in which cracks will continue to increase with increasing load, causing the destruction of the entire part. Lattice/cell structures have relatively high characteristics of rigidity and strength, excellent thermal insulation properties, energy absorption characteristics, and high fatigue resistance. The use of this type of structure in engine part construction opens up new opportunities for advanced aviation applications. However, the deformation behavior of porous and metallic structures differs significantly from that of conventional homogeneous materials. Samples with cellular and porous structures are themselves designs. Therefore, procedures for strength testing and interpretation of experimental results for cellular and porous structures differ from those for samples derived from homogeneous materials. The criteria for determining the properties of cellular structures include density, stiffness, ability to accumulate energy, etc. These parameters depend on the configuration of the cells, the size of each cell, and the thickness of the connecting elements. Mechanical properties of cellular structures can be established experimentally and confirmed numerically. Special cellular specimens have been designed for uniaxial tensile, bending, compression, shear, and low-cycle fatigue testing. Several variants of cell structures with relative densities ranging from 13 to 45% were considered. Specifically, the present study examined the stress-strain states of cell structures from brands “CobaltChrome MP1” powder compositions obtained by laser synthesis on an industrial 3D printer Concept Laser M2 Cusing Single Laser 400W. Numerical simulations of the tests were carried out by the finite element method. Then, the most rational cellular structures in terms of mass and strength were established on the basis of both real and numerical experiments.


2011 ◽  
Vol 233-235 ◽  
pp. 2451-2455
Author(s):  
Ming Jiang ◽  
Heng Chi

The effect of kaolin content on the cell structure of PS foam and the correlation between the cell structure and the physical properties were evaluated in this work. The kaolin as a nucleating agent did facilitate the cell nucleation. The cell structures were apparently enhanced with increasing kaolin content. In addition to facilitating nucleation, the kaolin confined the motion of chain segments of the matrix polymer, which contributed to the change in cell structure by confining cell growth and cell coalescence to some extent. The foam with smaller cell size and larger cell density absorbed more energy, hence the impact strength increased remarkably with decreasing cell size and increasing cell density.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Pratima Pandey ◽  
S. Nawaz Ali ◽  
Vikram Sharma ◽  
Prashant K. Champati Ray

Thermokarst (Thaw) lakes are landforms found in topographic depressions created by thawing ground ice in permafrost zones. They play an important role in the regulation of climatic functions. These lakes are a manifestation of warming surface temperatures that accelerates the ice-rich permafrost to degrade by creating marshy hollows/ponds. In the current global warming scenario, the thermokarst lakes in the high mountain regions (Himalaya) are expected to grow further. This accelerate permafrost thawing which will affect the carbon cycle, hydrology and local ecosystems. This phenomenon has attracted huge scientific attention because it has led to a rapid mass change of glaciers in the region, including extensive changes occurring on peri-glacial environments. The most striking fact is the release of an enormous amount of greenhouse gases, including methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide that is locked in these lakes. The present study delves into the thermokarst lakes in the upper reaches of Chandra Valley and Western Himalaya. The study also aims at designating the impact of their changes on the ecosystem, particularly their influence on the atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2531
Author(s):  
Rodion Kopitzky

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a residue available in large quantities from the sugar industry, and can serve as a cost-effective bio-based and biodegradable filler for fully bio-based compounds based on bio-based polyesters. The heterogeneous cell structure of sugar beet suggests that the processing of SBP can affect the properties of the composite. An “Ultra-Rotor” type air turbulence mill was used to produce SBP particles of different sizes. These particles were processed in a twin-screw extruder with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and fillers to granules for possible marketable formulations. Different screw designs, compatibilizers and the use of glycerol as a thermoplasticization agent for SBP were also tested. The spherical, cubic, or ellipsoidal-like shaped particles of SBP are not suitable for usage as a fiber-like reinforcement. In addition, the fineness of ground SBP affects the mechanical properties because (i) a high proportion of polar surfaces leads to poor compatibility, and (ii) due to the inner structure of the particulate matter, the strength of the composite is limited to the cohesive strength of compressed sugar-cell compartments of the SBP. The compatibilization of the polymer–matrix–particle interface can be achieved by using compatibilizers of different types. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fracture patterns show that the compatibilization can lead to both well-bonded particles and cohesive fracture patterns in the matrix. Nevertheless, the mechanical properties are limited by the impact and elongation behavior. Therefore, the applications of SBP-based composites must be well considered.


e-Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 713-723
Author(s):  
Wei Gong ◽  
Tuan-Hui Jiang ◽  
Xiang-Bu Zeng ◽  
Li He ◽  
Chun Zhang

AbstractThe effects of the cell size and distribution on the mechanical properties of polypropylene foam were simulated and analyzed by finite element modeling with ANSYS and supporting experiments. The results show that the reduced cell size and narrow size distribution have beneficial influences on both the tensile and impact strengths. Decreasing the cell size or narrowing the cell size distribution was more effective for increasing the impact strength than the tensile strength in the same case. The relationship between the mechanical properties and cell structure parameters has a good correlation with the theoretical model.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Guanxing Wang

<p>The impact of climate change on soil erosion is pronounced in high mountain area. In this study, the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model was improved for better calculation of soil erosion during snowmelt period by integrating a distributed hydrological model in upper Heihe river basin (UHRB). The results showed that the annual average soil erosion rate from 1982 to 2015 in the study area was 8.1 t ha<sup>-1 </sup>yr<sup>-1</sup>, belonging to the light grade. To evaluate the influence of climate change on soil erosion, detrended analysis of precipitation, temperature and NDVI was conducted. It was found that in detrended analysis of precipitation and temperature, the soil erosion of UHRB would decrease 26.5% and 3.0%, respectively. While in detrended analysis of NDVI, soil erosion would increase 9.9%. Compared with precipitation, the effect of temperature on total soil erosion was not significant, but the detrended analysis of temperature showed that the effect of temperature on soil erosion during snowmelt period can reach 70%. These finding were helpful for better understanding of the impact of climate change on soil erosion and provide a scientific basis for soil management in high mountain area under climate change in the future.</p>


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 14473-14504
Author(s):  
M. Gil-Ojeda ◽  
M. Navarro-Comas ◽  
L. Gómez-Martín ◽  
J. A. Adame ◽  
A. Saiz-Lopez ◽  
...  

Abstract. Three years of Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAXDOAS) measurements (2011–2013) have been used for estimating the NO2 mixing ratio along a horizontal line of sight from the high mountain Subtropical observatory of Izaña, at 2370 m a.s.l. (NDACC station, 28.3° N, 16.5° W). The method is based on horizontal path calculation from the O2–O2 collisional complex at the 477 nm absorption band which is measured simultaneously to the NO2, and is applicable under low aerosols loading conditions. The MAXDOAS technique, applied in horizontal mode in the free troposphere, minimizes the impact of the NO2 contamination resulting from the arrival of MBL airmasses from thermally forced upwelling breeze during central hours of the day. Comparisons with in-situ observations show that during most of measuring period the MAXDOAS is insensitive or very little sensitive to the upwelling breeze. Exceptions are found during pollution events under southern wind conditions. On these occasions, evidence of fast efficient and irreversible transport from the surface to the free troposphere is found. Background NO2 vmr, representative of the remote free troposphere, are in the range of 20–45 pptv. The observed seasonal evolution shows an annual wave where the peak is in phase with the solar radiation. Model simulations with the chemistry-climate CAM-Chem model are in good agreement with the NO2 measurements, and are used to further investigate the possible drivers of the NO2 seasonality observed at Izaña.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 460-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Neiman ◽  
F. Martin Ralph ◽  
Benjamin J. Moore ◽  
Mimi Hughes ◽  
Kelly M. Mahoney ◽  
...  

Abstract Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are a dominant mechanism for generating intense wintertime precipitation along the U.S. West Coast. While studies over the past 10 years have explored the impact of ARs in, and west of, California’s Sierra Nevada and the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade Mountains, their influence on the weather across the intermountain west remains an open question. This study utilizes gridded atmospheric datasets, satellite imagery, rawinsonde soundings, a 449-MHz wind profiler and global positioning system (GPS) receiver, and operational hydrometeorological observing networks to explore the dynamics and inland impacts of a landfalling, flood-producing AR across Arizona in January 2010. Plan-view, cross-section, and back-trajectory analyses quantify the synoptic and mesoscale forcing that led to widespread precipitation across the state. The analyses show that a strong AR formed in the lower midlatitudes over the northeastern Pacific Ocean via frontogenetic processes and sea surface latent-heat fluxes but without tapping into the adjacent tropical water vapor reservoir to the south. The wind profiler, GPS, and rawinsonde observations document strong orographic forcing in a moist neutral environment within the AR that led to extreme, orographically enhanced precipitation. The AR was oriented nearly orthogonal to the Mogollon Rim, a major escarpment crossing much of central Arizona, and was positioned between the high mountain ranges of northern Mexico. High melting levels during the heaviest precipitation contributed to region-wide flooding, while the high-altitude snowpack increased substantially. The characteristics of the AR that impacted Arizona in January 2010, and the resulting heavy orographic precipitation, are comparable to those of landfalling ARs and their impacts along the west coasts of midlatitude continents.


Author(s):  
Daniela R. Klein

Abstract The gut microbiota has been a subject of great interest in recent years because the composition and diversity are associated with the maintenance of piglets' health and welfare. This review aims to summarise the composition and diversity of piglet microbiome, the impact on health maintenance, influence of feed and nutrients, impact of stress situations, and the effect of growth promoters and antimicrobials on gut microbiota. The composition and diversity of microbiota are influenced by animal early experiences, the appropriate development of microbiota is essential for intestinal function, and influence animal health, growth and productivity. Interactions between the gut microbiota and the immune system help maintain epithelial barrier, and protect from post-weaning diarrhoea pathogenies. After weaning, the piglets' diet changes abruptly, affecting the microbiota and the physiology, but this can be modulated through nutrients such as fibre, protein and minerals. Stress situations contribute to the appearance of intestinal disorders, possibly changing the microbiota and epithelial cell structure, facilitating colonisation of pathogenic bacteria, decreased performance and increase the use of antimicrobials. In swine production, growth promoters and antibiotics are used to reduce mortality and morbidity, especially in weaning piglets, reducing and controlling potential pathogenic bacteria, resulting in more feed intake and body weight. Antimicrobial use reduces the entire gut microbial population; the replacers are probiotics, prebiotics and organic acids, which helps maintain intestinal microbial populations, and inhibits pathogenic bacteria development. Knowing the animal microbiome dynamics helps improve immunity, productive performance and welfare, and also reduce the use of antimicrobials in animal production.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document