Chromosomal Q-Heterochromatin and Atherosclerosis

We suppose that at study of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, it is possible that some evolutionary aspects of the problem are missed. This aspect is related to the peculiarity of human adaptation to climatic geographic conditions of Eurasia, which differ significantly from the climate of East Africa, where Homo sapiens was formed as a tropical biological species and so it has remained to this day. A hypothesis has been put forward that the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is associated with some previously unknown features of the genome and the physical properties of the human body that arose in the process of its adaptation to a mild and cold climate. These adaptive genetic changes that have contributed to the development (settling) by Homo sapiens of non-tropical, including cold and high mountain areas of the Earth, resulted to the fact that a man became the single species vulnerable (predisposed) to atherosclerosis.Atherosclerosis is apparently a purely human disease that appeared after adaptation of man to climatic conditions of temperate and northern latitudes of the northern hemisphere. The type of vessels (arteries or veins) and the site of their lumen have no role in the development of atherosclerotic changes. The primary and main causative factor in the development of atherosclerosis is blood temperature. The degree of blood cooling in the lungs depends on geographical latitudes and altitude above sea-level of the site of permanent residence of man. The preclinical stage of atherosclerosis may develop into a pathological form predominantly in individuals in the genome of which the amount of chromosomal Q-heterochromatin material is higher than its mean value per individual in the population.

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Transient thermal effects in Alpine permafrost

The Cryosphere ◽

10.5194/tc-3-85-2009 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 85-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

J. Noetzli ◽

S. Gruber

Keyword(s):

Climatic Conditions ◽

Balance Model ◽

High Mountain ◽

Transient Effects ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Past Climate ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

The Past ◽

Numerical Experimentation ◽

Time Periods

Abstract. In high mountain areas, permafrost is important because it influences the occurrence of natural hazards, because it has to be considered in construction practices, and because it is sensitive to climate change. The assessment of its distribution and evolution is challenging because of highly variable conditions at and below the surface, steep topography and varying climatic conditions. This paper presents a systematic investigation of effects of topography and climate variability that are important for subsurface temperatures in Alpine bedrock permafrost. We studied the effects of both, past and projected future ground surface temperature variations on the basis of numerical experimentation with simplified mountain topography in order to demonstrate the principal effects. The modeling approach applied combines a distributed surface energy balance model and a three-dimensional subsurface heat conduction scheme. Results show that the past climate variations that essentially influence present-day permafrost temperatures at depth of the idealized mountains are the last glacial period and the major fluctuations in the past millennium. Transient effects from projected future warming, however, are likely larger than those from past climate conditions because larger temperature changes at the surface occur in shorter time periods. We further demonstrate the accelerating influence of multi-lateral warming in steep and complex topography for a temperature signal entering the subsurface as compared to the situation in flat areas. The effects of varying and uncertain material properties (i.e., thermal properties, porosity, and freezing characteristics) on the subsurface temperature field were examined in sensitivity studies. A considerable influence of latent heat due to water in low-porosity bedrock was only shown for simulations over time periods of decades to centuries. At the end, the model was applied to the topographic setting of the Matterhorn (Switzerland). Results from idealized geometries are compared to this first example of real topography, and possibilities as well as limitations of the model application are discussed.

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Transient thermal effects in Alpine permafrost

The Cryosphere Discussions ◽

10.5194/tcd-2-185-2008 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 185-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Noetzli ◽

S. Gruber

Keyword(s):

Thermal State ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Balance Model ◽

High Mountain ◽

Complex Topography ◽

Transient Effects ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

The Past ◽

Numerical Experimentation

Abstract. In high mountain areas, permafrost is important because it influences natural hazards and construction practices, and because it is an indicator of climate change. The modeling of its distribution and evolution over time is complicated by steep and complex topography, highly variable conditions at and below the surface, and varying climatic conditions. This paper presents a systematic investigation of effects of climate variability and topography that are important for subsurface temperatures in Alpine permafrost areas. The effects of both past and projected future ground surface temperature variations on the thermal state of Alpine permafrost are studied based on numerical experimentation with simplified mountain topography. For this purpose, we use a surface energy balance model together with a subsurface heat conduction scheme. The past climate variations that essentially influence the present-day permafrost temperatures at depth are the last glacial period and the major fluctuations in the past millennium. The influence of projected future warming was assessed to cause even larger transient effects in the subsurface thermal field because warming occurs on shorter time scales. Results further demonstrate the accelerating influence of multi-lateral warming in Alpine topography for a temperature signal entering the subsurface. The effects of thermal properties, porosity, and freezing characteristics were examined in sensitivity studies. A considerable influence of latent heat due to water in low-porosity bedrock was only shown for simulations over shorter time periods (i.e., decades to centuries). Finally, as an example of a real and complex topography, the modeled transient three-dimensional temperature distribution in the Matterhorn (Switzerland) is given for today and in 200 years.

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Intensified paraglacial slope failures due to accelerating downwasting of a temperate glacier in Mt. Gongga, southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Earth Surface Dynamics ◽

10.5194/esurf-10-23-2022 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 23-42

Author(s):

Yan Zhong ◽

Qiao Liu ◽

Matthew Westoby ◽

Yong Nie ◽

Francesca Pellicciotti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Slope Failure ◽

Geological Structure ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Slope Instability ◽

High Mountain ◽

Seasonal Temperature ◽

Lateral Moraine ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Mountain Glacier

Abstract. Topographic development via paraglacial slope failure (PSF) represents a complex interplay between geological structure, climate, and glacial denudation. Southeastern Tibet has experienced amongst the highest rates of ice mass loss in High Mountain Asia in recent decades, but few studies have focused on the implications of this mass loss on the stability of paraglacial slopes. We used repeat satellite- and unpiloted aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived imagery between 1990 and 2020 as the basis for mapping PSFs from slopes adjacent to Hailuogou Glacier (HLG), a 5 km long monsoon temperate valley glacier in the Mt. Gongga region. We observed recent lowering of the glacier tongue surface at rates of up to 0.88 m a−1 in the period 2000 to 2016, whilst overall paraglacial bare ground area (PBGA) on glacier-adjacent slopes increased from 0.31 ± 0.27 km2 in 1990 to 1.38 ± 0.06 km2 in 2020. Decadal PBGA expansion rates were ∼ 0.01 km2 a−1, 0.02 km2 a−1, and 0.08 km2 in the periods 1990–2000, 2000–2011, and 2011–2020 respectively, indicating an increasing rate of expansion of PBGA. Three types of PSFs, including rockfalls, sediment-mantled slope slides, and headward gully erosion, were mapped, with a total area of 0.75 ± 0.03 km2 in 2020. South-facing valley slopes (true left of the glacier) exhibited more destabilization (56 % of the total PSF area) than north-facing (true right) valley slopes (44 % of the total PSF area). Deformation of sediment-mantled moraine slopes (mean 1.65–2.63 ± 0.04 cm d−1) and an increase in erosion activity in ice-marginal tributary valleys caused by a drop in local base level (gully headward erosion rates are 0.76–3.39 cm d−1) have occurred in tandem with recent glacier downwasting. We also observe deformation of glacier ice, possibly driven by destabilization of lateral moraine, as has been reported in other deglaciating mountain glacier catchments. The formation, evolution, and future trajectory of PSFs at HLG (as well as other monsoon-dominated deglaciating mountain areas) are related to glacial history, including recent rapid downwasting leading to the exposure of steep, unstable bedrock and moraine slopes, and climatic conditions that promote slope instability, such as very high seasonal precipitation and seasonal temperature fluctuations that are conducive to freeze–thaw and ice segregation processes.

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Formation Patterns of Mediterranean High-Mountain Water-Bodies in Sierra-Nevada, SE Spain

Water ◽

10.3390/w13040438 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 438

Author(s):

Jose Luis Diaz-Hernandez ◽

Antonio Jose Herrera-Martinez

Keyword(s):

Sierra Nevada ◽

Unknown Origin ◽

Slope Instability ◽

Water Bodies ◽

High Mountain ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Glacial Processes ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Water Volumes

At present, there is a lack of detailed understanding on how the factors converging on water variables from mountain areas modify the quantity and quality of their watercourses, which are features determining these areas’ hydrological contribution to downstream regions. In order to remedy this situation to some extent, we studied the water-bodies of the western sector of the Sierra Nevada massif (Spain). Since thaw is a necessary but not sufficient contributor to the formation of these fragile water-bodies, we carried out field visits to identify their number, size and spatial distribution as well as their different modelling processes. The best-defined water-bodies were the result of glacial processes, such as overdeepening and moraine dams. These water-bodies are the highest in the massif (2918 m mean altitude), the largest and the deepest, making up 72% of the total. Another group is formed by hillside instability phenomena, which are very dynamic and are related to a variety of processes. The resulting water-bodies are irregular and located at lower altitudes (2842 m mean altitude), representing 25% of the total. The third group is the smallest (3%), with one subgroup formed by anthropic causes and another formed from unknown origin. It has recently been found that the Mediterranean and Atlantic watersheds of this massif are somewhat paradoxical in behaviour, since, despite its higher xericity, the Mediterranean watershed generally has higher water contents than the Atlantic. The overall cause of these discrepancies between watersheds is not connected to their formation processes. However, we found that the classification of water volumes by the manners of formation of their water-bodies is not coherent with the associated green fringes because of the anomalous behaviour of the water-bodies formed by moraine dams. This discrepancy is largely due to the passive role of the water retained in this type of water-body as it depends on the characteristics of its hollows. The water-bodies of Sierra Nevada close to the peak line (2918 m mean altitude) are therefore highly dependent on the glacial processes that created the hollows in which they are located. Slope instability created water-bodies mainly located at lower altitudes (2842 m mean altitude), representing tectonic weak zones or accumulation of debris, which are influenced by intense slope dynamics. These water-bodies are therefore more fragile, and their existence is probably more short-lived than that of bodies created under glacial conditions.

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Stochastic Simulation of Mould Growth Performance of Wood-Frame Building Envelopes under Climate Change: Risk Assessment and Error Estimation

Buildings ◽

10.3390/buildings11080333 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 333

Author(s):

Lin Wang ◽

Maurice Defo ◽

Zhe Xiao ◽

Hua Ge ◽

Michael A. Lacasse

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Error Estimation ◽

Ventilation Rate ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Cold Climate ◽

Mould Growth ◽

Frame Building ◽

Wood Frame ◽

Water Tightness

Previous studies have shown that the effects of climate change on building structures will increase the mould growth risk of the wood-frame building envelope in many circumstances. This risk can be controlled by wind-driven rain deflection, improving water tightness of the exterior facade, and improving cladding ventilation. However, the effectiveness of these risk mitigation strategies are subject to various uncertainties, such as the uncertainties of wall component properties and micro-climatic conditions. The objective of this paper is to apply stochastic hygrothermal simulation to evaluate the mould growth risk of a brick veneer-clad wood-frame wall with a drainage cavity under historical and future climatic conditions of Ottawa, a Canadian city located in a cold climate zone. An extensive literature review was conducted to quantify the range of stochastic variables including rain deposition factor, rain leakage moisture source, cladding ventilation rate and material properties of brick. The randomised Sobol sequence-based sampling method, one of the Randomized Quasi-Monte Carlo (RQMC) methods, was applied for risk assessment and error estimation. It was found that, under the climatic condition of Ottawa, limiting the amount of wind-driven rain to which walls are subjected is a more robust mitigation measure than improving cladding ventilation in controlling mould growth risk, the improving of water tightness of exterior façade is not as robust as wind-driven rain deflection and cladding ventilation, however, the reduction of rainwater penetration can reduce the mould growth risk at different levels of rain deposition factor and cladding ventilation rate.

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The Potential of Solar Air Heating in the Turkish Industrial Sector

Periodica Polytechnica Mechanical Engineering ◽

10.3311/ppme.13028 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 57-66

Author(s):

Balázs Bokor ◽

Hacer Akhan ◽

Dogan Eryener ◽

László Kajtár

Keyword(s):

Solar Radiation ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Measurement Data ◽

Industrial Sector ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Cold Climate ◽

Conventional Heating ◽

Industrial Building ◽

High Solar Radiation ◽

Mathematical Correlation

Transpired solar collector (TSC) systems are simple solutions for the preheating of ventilation air with solar energy. Their performance is a function of several environmental factors, so the climatic conditions of the location play an important role. In this paper, the effect of different climatic zones on the thermal performance of the TSC is investigated. To exclude other sources of influence, the same reference industrial building is examined in four Turkish locations (Antalya, Istanbul, Ankara and Sivas) representing different climatic conditions. RETScreen simulation is carried out for all four regions to obtain the drop of conventional heating requirement in case absorber azimuth of 0°, 45° and 90°. To illustrate the performance, temperature rise, heating energy savings and annual solar fraction are presented. Generally, it can be stated that a location with cold climate and high solar radiation at the same time benefits most from the use of a TSC system. A mathematical correlation has been found showing the solar fraction's dependence on solar radiation and heating degree days. Finally, simulation results have been compared to a set of measurement data from an industrial building's TSC system near Istanbul.

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Trapping of Organochlorine Compounds in High Mountain Lakes

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2001.320 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 609-611 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joan O. Grimalt ◽

Pilar Fernandez ◽

Rosa M. Vilanova

Keyword(s):

Atmospheric Transport ◽

Mountain Lakes ◽

Organochlorine Compounds ◽

High Mountain ◽

High Latitudes ◽

High Mountain Lakes ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Persistent Pollutants

High mountain areas have recently been observed to be polluted by organochlorine compounds (OC) despite their isolation. These persistent pollutants arrive at these remote regions through atmospheric transport. However, the mechanisms involving the accumulation of these compounds from the atmospheric pool to the lacustrine systems still need to be elucidated. These mechanisms must be related to the processes involving the transfer of these pollutant from low to high latitudes[1] as described in the global distillation effect[2].

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