scholarly journals Mountaineering Risk, Safety and Security

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-36
Author(s):  
Ian Wall
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Rock Climbing ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Northern European ◽  
The Alps ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
The Hill ◽  
Traditional Activity

The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the underlying mountaineering risks, safety and security issues found in the traditional activity known as mountaineering. The paper also highlights some of the commonly known and distinguished terms of mountaineering. Mountaineering is the art of moving through the mountains using a set of technical ‘mountaineering’ skills. In Europe, it is often called alpinism when done in the Alps, apart from known as trekking, hiking or even fell walking. It includes traditional outdoor rock climbing in a mountain setting, multi-day rock climbing, skiing, snow-shoeing, a multi-day journey in the mountains, whether camping or in lodges. Mountaineering is not necessarily restricted to the greater mountain ranges as many countries with low altitude mountains have many citizens that go ‘mountaineering’ inside their borders. There are no predetermined heights at which a hill becomes a mountain; many geographers state that a mountain is greater than 300m (1,000 feet) above sea level, but the Oxford English Dictionary puts the hill limit at 600m asl. Another consideration is the latitude of the ‘hills’. For example, the hills of Scotland, although the highest being Ben Nevis at 1345m asl, are considerably further north than the Pyrenees with its highest mountain, Pic Aneto, at 3404m asl. The arctic winds, the northern European winds and the south-westerly gales are as harsh as any found in the higher ranges.

Emergency oral rabies vaccination of foxes in Italy in 2009–2010: identification of residual rabies foci at higher altitudes in the Alps

2011 ◽  
Vol 140 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. MULATTI ◽  
T. MÜLLER ◽  
L. BONFANTI ◽  
S. MARANGON
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Freezing Point ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Freeze Thaw ◽  
Northeastern Italy ◽  
The Alps ◽  
Infectious Cycle ◽  
Rabies Vaccination

SUMMARYFollowing a resurgence of fox rabies in northeastern Italy in 2008–2009, two emergency oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns were performed in the Alpine mountain ranges in 2009 and 2010 using aerial distribution to prevent the disease from spreading further inland. Vaccine baits were distributed only below the freezing point altitude, 1000 m above sea level (a.s.l.) in December 2009–January 2010 and 1500 m a.s.l. in April–May 2010, to avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles. Spatial analysis unexpectedly identified fox rabies hotspots above the threshold altitudes, probably representing local residual rabies foci which may have contributed to maintaining the infectious cycle in areas not vaccinated at higher altitudes. Based on the results obtained, in May 2010, the second ORV campaign was extended to include threshold altitudes of up to 2300 m a.s.l. to eliminate residual foci. The observations made may help in the formulation of ORV strategies in countries sharing similar topographical features.

scholarly journals Effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport

2020 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen. R. Vaughan ◽  
Fredrick Thompson ◽  
Ramón. A. Lorca ◽  
Colleen G. Julian ◽  
Theresa L. Powell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Amino Acid Transport ◽  
Acid Uptake ◽  
Acid Transport ◽  
Transport Capacity ◽  
System A ◽  
Low Altitude

Women residing at high altitudes deliver infants of lower birth weight than at sea level. Birth weight correlates with placental system A-mediated amino acid transport capacity, and severe environmental hypoxia reduces system A activity in isolated trophoblast and the mouse placenta. However, the effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport remains unknown. We hypothesized that microvillous membrane (MVM) system A and system L amino acid transporter activity is lower in placentas of women living at high altitude compared with low-altitude controls. Placentas were collected at term from healthy pregnant women residing at high altitude (HA; >2,500 m; n = 14) or low altitude (LA; <1,700 m; n = 14) following planned, unlabored cesarean section. Birth weight, but not placenta weight, was 13% lower in HA pregnancies (2.88 ± 0.11 kg) compared with LA (3.30 ± 0.07 kg, P < 0.01). MVM erythropoietin receptor abundance, determined by immunoblot, was greater in HA than in LA placentas, consistent with lower placental oxygen levels at HA. However, there was no effect of altitude on MVM system A or L activity, determined by Na+-dependent [14C]methylaminoisobutyric acid uptake and [3H]leucine uptake, respectively. MVM abundance of glucose transporters (GLUTs) 1 and 4 and basal membrane GLUT4 were also similar in LA and HA placentas. Low birth weights in the neonates of women residing at high altitude are not a consequence of reduced placental amino acid transport capacity. These observations are in general agreement with studies of IUGR babies at low altitude, in which MVM system A activity is downregulated only in growth-restricted babies with significant compromise. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Babies born at high altitude are smaller than at sea level. Birth weight is dependent on growth in utero and, in turn, placental nutrient transport. We determined amino acid transport capacity in placentas collected from women resident at low and high altitude. Altitude did not affect system A amino acid transport across the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane, suggesting that impaired placental amino acid transport does not contribute to reduced birth weight in this high-altitude population.

scholarly journals Seasonal and Altitudinal Prevalence of Fascioliasis in Buffalo in Eastern Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Ramesh Prasad Sah ◽  
Hari Kumar Prasai ◽  
Jiban Shrestha ◽  
Md Hasanuzzaman Talukder ◽  
AKM Anisur Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Parasitic Diseases ◽  
Sedimentation Technique ◽  
Risk Period ◽  
Pasture Contamination ◽  
Low Altitude

Buffalo is the most important livestock commodities for milk, meat production and several other multipurpose uses distributed densely from southern tarai to northern mid-hills in Nepal. Among several internal parasitic diseases fascioliasis is highly economic one caused by Fasciola in buffaloes. However, there are only few studies carried on prevalence of fascioliasis emphasizing buffaloes in relation to seasonal (summer and rainy, and winter) and altitudinal variations. Therefore, we examined prevalence of fascioliasis seasonally and vertically. For the purpose, we selected two districts of eastern Nepal and sampled from low altitude area known as Madhesha ranging from 175-200, Dhankuta from 800-1200 m, and Murtidhunga from 1800-2200 m elevation from the sea level, representing tarai, mid hills and high hills, respectively. Altogether from February 2013 to January 2014 at every two months interval we collected 798 fecal samples from buffaloes; 282 from Murtidhunga, 239 from Dhankuta and 277 from Madhesha. The samples were examined microscopically for the presence of Fasciola eggs using sedimentation technique. Results showed that overall prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was 39.9% (319/798), ranging highest 42.6%in Madhesha followed by 39.7% in Murtidhunga and 37.2% in Dhankuta, respectively. The prevalence of fascioliasis was found to be significantly (p <0.05) high in winter (44.9%) comparing to rainy season (34.4%). The prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was relatively higher in low altitude than high altitude, although it was not statistically significant (p <0.05). In our findings the female buffaloes showed higher prevalence for fascioliasis than in male. Since the fascioliasis in buffaloes is highly endemic, thus strategic deworming in high risk period is recommended along with measure to prevent pasture contamination with buffalo feces.

scholarly journals The Evolutionary History, Diversity, and Ecology of Willows (Salix L.) in the European Alps

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Natascha D. Wagner ◽  
Li He ◽  
Elvira Hörandl
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Introgressive Hybridization ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Climatic Fluctuations ◽  
History Of ◽  
European Mountain ◽  
The Alps

The genus Salix (willows), with 33 species, represents the most diverse genus of woody plants in the European Alps. Many species dominate subalpine and alpine types of vegetation. Despite a long history of research on willows, the evolutionary and ecological factors for this species richness are poorly known. Here we will review recent progress in research on phylogenetic relationships, evolution, ecology, and speciation in alpine willows. Phylogenomic reconstructions suggest multiple colonization of the Alps, probably from the late Miocene onward, and reject hypotheses of a single radiation. Relatives occur in the Arctic and in temperate Eurasia. Most species are widespread in the European mountain systems or in the European lowlands. Within the Alps, species differ ecologically according to different elevational zones and habitat preferences. Homoploid hybridization is a frequent process in willows and happens mostly after climatic fluctuations and secondary contact. Breakdown of the ecological crossing barriers of species is followed by introgressive hybridization. Polyploidy is an important speciation mechanism, as 40% of species are polyploid, including the four endemic species of the Alps. Phylogenomic data suggest an allopolyploid origin for all taxa analyzed so far. Further studies are needed to specifically analyze biogeographical history, character evolution, and genome evolution of polyploids.

Global mapping of seasonal variations in tides from tide gauge and satellite altimeter data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inger Bij de Vaate ◽  
Henrique Guarneri ◽  
Cornelis Slobbe ◽  
Martin Verlaan
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Altimeter Data ◽  
Tide Gauges ◽  
Tidal Constituents ◽  
The Arctic Region

&lt;p&gt;The existence of seasonal variations in major tides has been recognized since decades. Where Corkan (1934) was the first to describe the seasonal perturbation of the M2 tide, many others have studied seasonal variations in the main tidal constituents since. However, most of these studies are based on sea level observations from tide gauges and are often restricted to coastal and shelf regions. Hence, observed seasonal variations are typically dominated by local processes and the large-scale patterns cannot be clearly distinguished. Moreover, most tide models still perceive tides as annually constant and seasonal variation in tides is ignored in the correction process of satellite altimetry. This results in reduced accuracy of obtained sea level anomalies. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To gain more insight in the large-scale seasonal variations in tides, we supplemented the clustered and sparsely distributed sea level observations from tide gauges by the wealth of data from satellite altimeters. Although altimeter-derived water levels are being widely used to obtain tidal constants, only few of these implementations consider seasonal variation in tides. For that reason, we have set out to explore the opportunities provided by altimeter data for deriving seasonal modulation of the main tidal constituents. Different methods were implemented and compared for the principal tidal constituents and a range of geographical domains, using data from a selection of satellite altimeters. Specific attention was paid to the Arctic region where seasonal variation in tides was expected to be significant as a result of the seasonal sea ice cycle, yet data availability is particularly limited. Our study demonstrates the potential of satellite altimetry for the quantification of seasonal modulation of tides and suggests the seasonal modulation to be considerable. Already for M2 we observed changes in tidal amplitude of the order of decimeters for the Arctic region, and centimeters for lower latitude regions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;Corkan, R. H. (1934). An annual perturbation in the range of tide. &lt;em&gt;Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Containing Papers of a Mathematical and Physical Character&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;144&lt;/em&gt;(853), 537-559.&lt;/div&gt;

Comparative analysis of vitamin D content in population of different climatic zones of Carpathian region

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4 (72)) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. V. Povorozniuk ◽  
I. V. Pankiv
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Vitamin D Intake ◽  
Carpathian Region ◽  
Low Altitude

The adequate vitamin D intake is found only in 19,5 % of inspected habitants of Carpathian region. The vitamin D deficiency is marked in 135 (80,5 %) and among them severe form is detected in 48 (28,4 %) of the inspected people. Frequency of vitamin D deficiency depends on a residence and increases with the height above a sea level. 25 (ОН) D level is higher among the ihabitants of low altitude region (27,14±1,26 nmol/l) comparatively with data of middle altitude region (21,37±1,34 nmol/l) and high altitude region (15,56±1,04 nmol/l).

VI. The nature of the Moon’s surface - The lunar surface and the U. S. Ranger programme

1967 ◽  
Vol 296 (1446) ◽  
pp. 399-417 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The Moon ◽  
Martian Surface ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Time Dependencies ◽  
The Alps ◽  
Mare Serenitatis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Characteristic Colour ◽  
Lunar Maria

The unaided eye can see roundish dark spots on the Moon set in a brighter back­ground. Telescopic observation of these dark spots, called maria (plural of mare , sea) reveals that they are nearly level terrain sparsely covered with craters. The brighter surroundings or terrae are from shadow measurements found to be higher, some 1 to 3 km above the maria. The terra elevations scatter widely, reaching several kilometres in the mountain ranges. The most prominent of these ranges occur as peripheral mountain chains around the near-circular maria. Examples are the Apennines, the Alps, the Carpathians, and the Altai Scarp. These arcuate chains surround the maria as the crater walls surround crater floors, an analogy that can be carried further and implies, apart from scale, a similar origin. This origin is almost certainly impact by massive objects. In the case of the impact maria and pre-mare craters, the source of the objects appear to have been a satellite ring around the Earth through which the Moon swept very early in its history, in its outward journey from its position of origin very near the Earth (Kuiper 1954, 1965). The post-mare craters are presumably mostly asteroidal (and partly comet­ary) in origin and related to the craters observed by Mariner IV on Mars. The estimated time dependencies of these two crater-forming processes are shown schematically in figure 1. A fuller discussion of this problem has been given else­where (Kuiper, Strom & Poole 1966; Kuiper 1966). The higher asteroidal impact rate on Mars, by a factor of about 15, as derived from the Mariner IV records, is interpreted as being due to the greater proximity to the asteroid ring. The num­erical factor approximately agrees with theory. Mars apparently lacks the equiva­lent of the initial excessively intense bombardment of the Moon (attributed to impacts by circumterrestrial bodies); unless, of course, the entire Martian surface has been molten and is directly comparable to the lunar maria. This does not seem probable but can at present not be ruled out; if true, the earliest surface history would have been erased. The nature of the mare surface has, during the past decade, been an object of much, perhaps too much, speculation. With the several recent successful lunar reconnaissance missions completed, the older interpretation of the maria as lava beds, based on telescopic observation, has been abundantly confirmed. Four options discussed in recent literature are analysed in Kuiper (1965, §§A, B, pp. 12–39). Among the most potent arguments for the lava cover of the maria are the prominent lava flows observed on Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis, each having a characteristic colour. A map of some Mare Imbrium flows is found in figure 2.

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF THE PALEOCLIMATIC RECONSTRUCTIONS UNCERTAINTY ON THE SUBMARINE PERMAFROST DYNAMICS

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-105
Author(s):  
Valentina Malakhova ◽  
Alexey Eliseev
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Arctic Shelf ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Ocean Level ◽  
Subsea Permafrost ◽  
Uncertainty Coefficient

The estimates of the subsea permafrost sensitivity to the uncertainty of paleoclimatic reconstructions of air temperature and ocean level have been obtained. This was done by using the model for thermophysical processes in the subsea sediments and the scenario for climate changes at the Arctic shelf for the last 400 kyr. This model was forced by four time series of temperature at the sediment top, by using different combinations of air temperature and sea level. The uncertainty coefficient of the response of the permafrost base depth is less than 0,3, with the exception of isolated time intervals and / or the deepest areas of the shelf.

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