scholarly journals Late Pleistocene Boulder Slumps Eroded from a Basalt Shoreline at El Confital Beach on Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Inés Galindo ◽  
Markes E. Johnson ◽  
Esther Martín-González ◽  
Carmen Romero ◽  
Juana Vegas ◽  
...  

This study examines the role of North Atlantic storms degrading a Late Pleistocene rocky shoreline formed by basaltic rocks overlying hyaloclastite rocks on a small volcanic peninsula connected to Gran Canaria in the central region of the Canary Archipelago. A conglomerate dominated by large, ellipsoidal to angular boulders eroded from an adjacent basalt flow was canvassed at six stations distributed along 800 m of the modern shore at El Confital, on the outskirts of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. A total of 166 individual basalt cobbles and boulders were systematically measured in three dimensions, providing the database for analyses of variations in clast shape and size. The goal of this study was to apply mathematical equations elaborated after Nott (2003) and subsequent refinements in order to estimate individual wave heights necessary to lift basalt blocks from the layered and joint-bound sea cliffs at El Confital. On average, wave heights in the order of 4.2 to 4.5 m are calculated as having impacted the Late Pleistocene rocky coastline at El Confital, although the largest boulders in excess of 2 m in diameter would have required larger waves for extraction. A review of the fossil marine biota associated with the boulder beds confirms a littoral to very shallow water setting correlated in time with Marine Isotope Stage 5e (Eemian Stage) approximately 125,000 years ago. The historical record of major storms in the regions of the Canary and Azorean islands indicates that events of hurricane strength were likely to have struck El Confital in earlier times. Due to its high scientific value, the outcrop area featured in this study is included in the Spanish Inventory of Geosites and must be properly protected and managed to ensure conservation against the impact of climate change foreseen in coming years.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 555
Author(s):  
Ginni Callahan ◽  
Markes E. Johnson ◽  
Rigoberto Guardado-France ◽  
Jorge Ledesma-Vázquez

This project examines the role of hurricane-strength events likely to have exceeded 119 km/h in wind speed that entered the Gulf of California from the open Pacific Ocean during Late Pleistocene and Holocene times to impact the granodiorite shoreline on Isla San Diego. Conglomerate dominated by large, ellipsoidal to subspherical boulders at the islands south end were canvassed at six stations. A total of 200 individual cobbles and boulders were systematically measured in three dimensions, providing the database for analyses of variations in clast shape and size. The project’s goal was to apply mathematical equations elaborated after Nott (2003) with subsequent refinements to estimate individual wave heights necessary to lift igneous blocks from the joint-bound and exfoliated coast on Isla San Diego. On average, wave heights on the order of 3 m are calculated as having impacted the Late Pleistocene rocky coastline on Isla San Diego during storms, although the largest boulders more than a meter in diameter are estimated to weigh two metric tons and would have required waves in excess of 10 m for extraction. Described for the first time, a fossil marine biota associated with the boulder beds confirms a littoral-to-very-shallow water setting correlated with Marine Isotope Substage 5e approximately 125,000 years ago. A narrow submarine ridge consisting, in part, of loose cobbles and boulders extends for 1.4 km to the southwest from the island’s tip, suggesting that Holocene storms continued to transport rock debris removed from the shore. The historical record of events registered on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale in the Gulf of California suggests that major storms with the same intensity struck the island in earlier times.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 397-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Lewis ◽  
Judith Curry

AbstractCowtan and Jacobs assert that the method used by Lewis and Curry in 2018 (LC18) to estimate the climate system’s transient climate response (TCR) from changes between two time windows is less robust—in particular against sea surface temperature bias correction uncertainty—than a method that uses the entire historical record. We demonstrate that TCR estimated using all data from the temperature record is closely in line with that estimated using the LC18 windows, as is the median TCR estimate using all pairs of individual years. We also show that the median TCR estimate from all pairs of decade-plus-length windows is closely in line with that estimated using the LC18 windows and that incorporating window selection uncertainty would make little difference to total uncertainty in TCR estimation. We find that, when differences in the evolution of forcing are accounted for, the relationship over time between warming in CMIP5 models and observations is consistent with the relationship between CMIP5 TCR and LC18’s TCR estimate but fluctuates as a result of multidecadal internal variability and volcanism. We also show that various other matters raised by Cowtan and Jacobs have negligible implications for TCR estimation in LC18.


2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xun Li ◽  
Qun Wu ◽  
Clyde W. Holsapple ◽  
Thomas Goldsby

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of three critical dimensions of supply chain resilience, supply chain preparedness, supply chain alertness and supply chain agility, all aimed at increasing a firm’s financial outcomes. In a turbulent environment, firms require resilience in their supply chains to prepare for potential changes, detect changes and respond to actual changes, thus providing superior value. Design/methodology/approach Using survey data from 77 firms, this study develops scales for preparedness, alertness and agility. It then tests their hypothesized relationships with a firm’s financial performance. Findings The results reveal that the three dimensions of supply chain resilience (i.e. preparedness, alertness and agility) significantly impact a firm’s financial performance. It is also found that supply chain preparedness, as a proactive resilience capability, has a greater influence on a firm’s financial performance than the reactive capabilities including alertness and agility, suggesting that firms should pay more attention to proactive approaches for building supply chain resilience. Originality/value First, this study develops a comparatively comprehensive definition for supply chain resilience and explores its dimensionality. Second, this study provides empirically validated instruments for the dimensions of supply chain resilience. Third, this study is one of the first to provide empirical evidence for direct impact of supply chain resilience dimensions on a firm’s financial performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-188
Author(s):  
Rómulo Jacobo González-garcía ◽  
Paloma Escamilla-Fajardo ◽  
Samuel López-Carril ◽  
Juan Nuñez-Pomar

El sector del turismo deportivo recibe cada vez una mayor atención por parte de los distintos agentes sociales, teniendo un alto impacto en distintas esferas de la sociedad. El turismo no sólo afecta a las actitudes de los residentes hacia su desarrollo, sino también a su calidad de vida en general. Una vez que una comunidad o población se convierte en un destino turístico, la calidad de vida de los residentes locales se ve afectada por el desarrollo del mismo. Por consiguiente, es relevante conocer cuáles son las percepciones de los residentes respecto al impacto que causa el turismo deportivo. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio es analizar las percepciones de los residentes de Gran Canaria hacia los efectos del turismo deportivo, en ámbitos como su impacto, la calidad de vida y el apoyo al sector. Los resultados del estudio indican que, a mayores niveles de percepción positivos de los residentes sobre los impactos sociales, culturales, ambientales y económicos, hay un mayor apoyo hacia el desarrollo del turismo. Por otra parte, también se produce un efecto mediador significativo de la variable calidad de vida de los residentes, entre la relación de impactos percibidos y el apoyo al desarrollo del turismo activo y deportivo en Gran Canaria. Estos resultados posibilitan un mejor entendimiento de la perspectiva que los residentes tienen hacía el sector turístico deportivo, algo que puede ayudar a orientar futuras decisiones sobre la práctica, desarrollo y planificación del turismo deportivo. The sports tourism sector is receiving increasing attention from different social actors, having a high impact on different spheres of society. Tourism not only affects residents' attitudes towards their development, but also their quality of life in general. Once a community or population becomes a tourist destination, the quality of life of local residents is affected by its development. It is therefore important to know what residents' perceptions are of the impact of sports tourism. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse the perceptions of the residents of Gran Canaria towards the effects of sports tourism, in areas such as its impact, quality of life and support for the sector. The results of the study indicate that, at higher levels of positive perception by residents of the social, cultural, environmental and economic impacts, there is greater support for the development of tourism. On the other hand, there is also a significant mediating effect of the variable quality of life of the residents, between the relationship of perceived impacts and the support for the development of active and sports tourism in Gran Canaria. These results make it possible to better understand the perspective that residents have towards the sports tourism sector, something that can help guide future decisions on the practice, development and planning of sports tourism. O sector do turismo desportivo está a receber cada vez mais atenção por parte de diferentes actores sociais, tendo um elevado impacto em diferentes esferas da sociedade. O turismo não afecta apenas as atitudes dos residentes em relação ao seu desenvolvimento, mas também a sua qualidade de vida em geral. Uma vez que uma comunidade ou população se torna um destino turístico, a qualidade de vida dos residentes locais é afectada pelo seu desenvolvimento. Por conseguinte, é importante conhecer a percepção que os residentes têm do impacto do turismo desportivo. Portanto, o objectivo deste estudo é analisar as percepções dos residentes da Gran Canária sobre os efeitos do turismo desportivo, em áreas como o seu impacto, qualidade de vida e apoio ao sector. Os resultados do estudo indicam que, em níveis mais elevados de percepção positiva dos residentes sobre os impactos sociais, culturais, ambientais e econômicos, há maior apoio para o desenvolvimento do turismo. Por outro lado, existe também um efeito mediador significativo da variável qualidade de vida dos residentes, entre a relação de impactos percebidos e o apoio ao desenvolvimento do turismo ativo e desportivo na Gran Canária. Estes resultados permitem compreender melhor a perspectiva que os residentes têm em relação ao sector do turismo desportivo, algo que pode ajudar a orientar futuras decisões sobre a prática, desenvolvimento e planeamento do turismo desportivo. Il settore del turismo sportivo sta ricevendo un'attenzione crescente da parte di diversi attori sociali, con un forte impatto sulle diverse sfere della società. Il turismo influenza non solo l'atteggiamento dei residenti nei confronti del loro sviluppo, ma anche la loro qualità di vita in generale. Una volta che una comunità o una popolazione diventa una destinazione turistica, la qualità della vita dei residenti locali è influenzata dal suo sviluppo. È quindi importante sapere quali sono le percezioni dei residenti sull'impatto del turismo sportivo. Pertanto, l'obiettivo di questo studio è quello di analizzare le percezioni degli abitanti di Gran Canaria nei confronti degli effetti del turismo sportivo, in settori quali l'impatto, la qualità della vita e il sostegno al settore. I risultati dello studio indicano che, a livelli più elevati di percezione positiva da parte dei residenti degli impatti sociali, culturali, ambientali ed economici, vi è un maggiore sostegno allo sviluppo del turismo. D'altra parte, c'è anche un significativo effetto mediatore della variabile qualità della vita dei residenti, tra la relazione degli impatti percepiti e il sostegno allo sviluppo del turismo attivo e sportivo a Gran Canaria. Questi risultati permettono di comprendere meglio la prospettiva che i residenti hanno nei confronti del settore del turismo sportivo, cosa che può aiutare a guidare le future decisioni sulla pratica, lo sviluppo e la pianificazione del turismo sportivo.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019251212096737
Author(s):  
Gianfranco Baldini ◽  
Edoardo Bressanelli ◽  
Emanuele Massetti

This article investigates the impact of Brexit on the British political system. By critically engaging with the conceptualisation of the Westminster model proposed by Arend Lijphart, it analyses the strains of Brexit on three dimensions developed from from Lijphart’s framework: elections and the party system, executive– legislative dynamics and the relationship between central and devolved administrations. Supplementing quantitative indicators with an in-depth qualitative analysis, the article shows that the process of Brexit has ultimately reaffirmed, with some important caveats, key features of the Westminster model: the resilience of the two-party system, executive dominance over Parliament and the unitary character of the political system. Inheriting a context marked by the progressive weakening of key majoritarian features of the political system, the Brexit process has brought back some of the traditional executive power-hoarding dynamics. Yet, this prevailing trend has created strains and resistances that keep the political process open to different developments.


Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 558
Author(s):  
David Valiente ◽  
Héctor Campello-Vicente ◽  
Emilio Velasco-Sánchez ◽  
Fernando Rodríguez-Mas ◽  
Nuria Campillo-Davo

University education approaches related to the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), have generally particularized on teaching activity and learning programs which are commonly understood as reoriented lessons that fuse theoretic concepts interweaved with practical activities. In this context, team work has been widely acknowledged as a means to conduct practical and hands-on lessons, and has been revealed to be successful in the achievement of exercise resolution and design tasks. Besides this, methodologies sustained by ICT resources such as online or blended approaches, have also reported numerous benefits for students’ active learning. However, such benefits have to be fully validated within the particular teaching context, which may facilitate student achievement to a greater or lesser extent. In this work, we analyze the impact of attendance modalities on the learning performance of a STEM-related course on “Machines and Mechanisms Theory”, in which practical lessons are tackled through a team work approach. The validity of the results is reinforced by group testing and statistical tests with a sample of 128 participants. Students were arranged in a test group (online attendance) and in a control group (face-to-face attendance) to proceed with team work during the practical lessons. Thus, the efficacy of distance and in situ methodologies is compared. Moreover, additional variables have also been compared according to the historical record of the course, in regards to previous academic years. Finally, students’ insights about the collaborative side of this program, self-knowledge and satisfaction with the proposal have also been reported by a custom questionnaire. The results demonstrate greater performance and satisfaction amongst participants in the face-to-face modality. Such a modality is prooven to be statistically significant for the final achievement of students in detriment to online attendance.


Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Iulia C. Muresan ◽  
Rezhen Harun ◽  
Felix H. Arion ◽  
Ava Omar Fatah ◽  
Diana E. Dumitras

Development of tourism affected the socio-cultural environment of many destinations. Previous studies have focused more on analyzing the impact of tourism on all three dimensions of sustainable development (economic, environment and socio-cultural); therefore, the present paper examines tourism development’s impact with regard to the socio-cultural benefits that enhance sustainable tourism development. A survey based on a questionnaire was employed in June 2018 in a mountain village in Cluj County, Romania. The collected data were analyzed using principal component analysis, and several statistical tests were conducted. The results indicated that the respondents have a positive attitude towards tourism development and socio-cultural perceived benefits. Older people and those running a business tend to perceive more positively the benefits of tourism development. The findings of the research could contribute to future development strategies, as it is well known that supporting local communities influences the success of tourism destination.


PalZ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Consuelo Sendino ◽  
Martin M. Bochmann

AbstractA conulariid preserved in three dimensions from Ordovician fluvioglacial erratics of the Northern European Lowlands (North German Plain) is described under open nomenclature. It is assigned to the genus Conularia with similarities to Baltoscandian conulariids. The lithology of the erratic boulder and fauna contained in it provide important information on the origin and transport direction of the sediment preserved in a kame from the Saalian glaciation. This paper deals with the site of origin of the boulder in Baltoscandia analysing the comprised palaeofauna, from a palaeostratigraphic and palaeogeographic point of view, from its deposition in Ordovician times until its arrival at its current location in the Late Pleistocene. It also reveals for the first time the internal structure of the conulariid aperture.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 5019-5033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuning Xie ◽  
Gehui Wang ◽  
Xinpei Wang ◽  
Jianmin Chen ◽  
Yubao Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract. The Chinese government has exerted strict emission controls to mitigate air pollution since 2013, which has resulted in significant decreases in the concentrations of air pollutants such as SO2. Strict pollution control actions also reduced the average PM2.5 concentration to the low level of 39.7 µg m−3 in urban Beijing during the winter of 2017. To investigate the impact of such changes on the physiochemical properties of atmospheric aerosols in China, we conducted a comprehensive observation focusing on PM2.5 in Beijing during the winter of 2017. Compared with the historical record (2014–2017), SO2 decreased to the low level of 3.2 ppbv in the winter of 2017, but the NO2 level was still high (21.4 ppbv in the winter of 2017). Accordingly, the contribution of nitrate (23.0 µg m−3) to PM2.5 far exceeded that of sulfate (13.1 µg m−3) during the pollution episodes, resulting in a significant increase in the nitrate-to-sulfate molar ratio. The thermodynamic model (ISORROPIA II) calculation results showed that during the PM2.5 pollution episodes particle pH increased from 4.4 (moderate acidic) to 5.4 (more neutralized) when the molar ratio of nitrate to sulfate increased from 1 to 5, indicating that aerosols were more neutralized as the nitrate content elevated. Controlled variable tests showed that the pH elevation should be attributed to nitrate fraction increase other than crustal ion and ammonia concentration increases. Based on the results of sensitivity tests, future prediction for the particle acidity change was discussed. We found that nitrate-rich particles in Beijing at low and moderate humid conditions (RH: 20 %–50 %) can absorb twice the amount of water that sulfate-rich particles can, and the nitrate and ammonia with higher levels have synergetic effects, rapidly elevating particle pH to merely neutral (above 5.6). As moderate haze events might occur more frequently under abundant ammonia and nitrate-dominated PM2.5 conditions, the major chemical processes during haze events and the control target should be re-evaluated to obtain the most effective control strategy.


Author(s):  
Thais Pousada ◽  
Jessica Garabal-Barbeira ◽  
Cristina Martínez ◽  
Betania Groba ◽  
Laura Nieto-Riveiro ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The study is focused on the implementation of outcome measurement tools to assess the impact of an assistive device from a loan bank in the lives of people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Neuromuscular Diseases. The secondary purpose is to analyse the correct matching between the person and technology, derived from the counselling of an occupational therapist. (2) Methods: Cross-sectional study. The sample was formed by 28 people with rare neurodegenerative disorders. A specific questionnaire, the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Device Scale (PIADS), and the Matching Person and Technology (MPT) tool were applied to collect the data. (3) Results: The dimension of the PIADS with the best score was competence, and the variations according to gender were not remarkable. The three dimensions of the PIADS (competence, adaptability, and self-esteem) were correlated positively between them and with the mean score of the MPT tool (p < 0.01). The type of assistive technology (AT), diagnosis, and correct match between person–technology are the main factors that condition a positive impact. (4) Conclusions: The results noted the importance of assessing the needs, demands, and contexts of people with rare neurodegenerative diseases to prescribe the best AT. Loan banks of AT have to be considered a valid service that complements their lack in public health services.


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