NIOM Analysis of Earthquake Observation Records in a Rockfill Dam

ABSTRACT We applied the normalized input–output minimization method (a method developed for the analysis of propagation times in vertical array records) to long-term earthquake observation records from Aratozawa Dam (in Kurihara, Miyagi prefecture, Japan), spanning the period from July 1992 to December 2019 to determine the propagation velocity of seismic waves in the embankment, and investigated changes in soil properties. As a result, we showed that (1) the velocities of S and P waves in the upper section were 449 and 993 m/s, respectively, prior to the strong earthquake motions derived from earthquake records from January 1997 through October 2001, whereas 608 and 1538, respectively, in the lower section, (2) in the Iwate–Miyagi Nairiku earthquake, the S-wave velocity in the upper section decreased to 158 m/s in the principal shock, and (3) in subsequent minor earthquakes the propagation velocity increased more or less in proportion with the logarithm of the number of elapsed days, requiring three years or longer to return to the initial value, (4) although similar changes were observed in the Great East Japan earthquake of 2011, the reduction in propagation velocity that remained after the principal shock was smaller than in the case of the Iwate–Miyagi Nairiku earthquake, and it was judged that there were no large effects on the dam body such as those that occurred in the Iwate–Miyagi Nairiku earthquake, and furthermore (5) in the principal shock of the Iwate–Miyagi Nairiku earthquake, the shear modulus in the upper part of the dam body decreased from 400 to 50 MPa (with a maximum shear strain of 10−3), resulting in more pronounced changes than in the lower section, whereas the damping ratio increased by at least 10% in the lower section during the principal shock of the Iwate–Miyagi Nairiku earthquake, resulting in much greater changes than in the upper section.

Rare metal-polymetallic mineralization of Koshmansay ore field (Eastern Uzbekistan)

The Koshmansai ore field is located in the southern part of the granitoid Chatkal batholith, in its apical ledge and exocontact zones, in the Koshmansai river basin. The host environment of the granitoids is Lower Carboniferous carbonate rocks, which were primarily affected by intensive skarnification. Sedimentary-metamorphic and volcanics rocks and granitoids constitute the geological structure of the skarn rare-metal-polymetallic Koshmansai deposit. In the distribution of ore-forming and associated elе- ments in the mineral phases of skarn orebodies, their morphogenetic type plays a certain role. Thus, in bimetasomatic skarns, minerals accumulate more Cu, Zn, Ni, Te, Tl, Ge. In infiltration skarns, these are Ag, Pb, Bi, Cd, Sb, Co. Sulfide polymetallic mineralization in skarns is associated with quartz and calcite. The Koshmansai ore field has a distinct geochemical zoning, which can be subdivided into the Koshmansai rare- metal-polymetallic deposit at the upper levels of the ore field and the Nizhnekoshmansai rare-metal-copper ore occurrence at its lower levels. Nevertheless, orebodies formation proceeded in a similar thermodynamic environment, in the conditions of upper shielding at low temperature gradients, which makes it possible to consider the ore field as a single geochemical anomaly. The vertical geochemical zoning of ore-forming element halos determined by their concentration at the lower section levels of the Koshmansai deposit skarn orebodies suggests the expansion of its prospects in depth.

The 2019 Eruptive Activity at Stromboli Volcano: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Reveal Hidden Features of the “Unexpected” 3 July Paroxysm

In July and August 2019, Stromboli volcano underwent two dangerous paroxysms previously considered “unexpected” because of the absence of significant changes in usually monitored parameters. We applied a multidisciplinary approach to search for signals able to indicate the possibility of larger explosive activity and to devise a model to explain the observed variations. We analysed geodetic data, satellite thermal data, images from remote cameras and seismic data in a timespan crossing the eruptive period of 2019 to identify precursors of the two paroxysms on a medium-term time span (months) and to perform an in-depth analysis of the signals recorded on a short time scale (hours, minutes) before the paroxysm. We developed a model that explains the observations. We call the model “push and go” where the uppermost feeding system of Stromboli is made up of a lower section occupied by a low viscosity, low density magma that is largely composed of gases and a shallower section occupied by the accumulated melt. We hypothesize that the paroxysms are triggered when an overpressure in the lower section is built up; the explosion will occur at the very moment such overpressure overcomes the confining pressure of the highly viscous magma above it.

Morphological symmetry of the radius and ulna—Can contralateral forearm bones utilize as a reliable template for the opposite side?

The most important precondition for correction of the affected forearm using data from the contralateral side is that the left and right bone features must be similar, in order to develop patient-specific instruments (PSIs) and/or utilize computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS). The forearm has complex anatomical structure, and most people use their dominant hand more than their less dominant hand, sometimes resulting in asymmetry of the upper limbs. The aim of this study is to investigate differences of the bilateral forearm bones through a quantitative comparison of whole bone parameters including length, volume, bowing, and twisting parameters, and regional shape differences of the forearm bones. In total, 132 bilateral 3D radii and ulnae 3D models were obtained from CT images, whole bone parameters and regional shape were analyzed. Statistically significant differences in whole bone parameters were not shown. Regionally, the radius shows asymmetry in the upper section of the central part to the upper section of the distal part. The ulna shows asymmetry in the lower section of the proximal part to the lower section of the central part. Utilizing contralateral side forearm bones to correct the affected side may be feasible despite regional differences in the forearm bones of around 0.5 mm.

Impact of Skill Training Programme (STP) Regarding Postnatal Care of Mothers Who Underwent Lower Segment Caesarean Section on Competencies among Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: In the twenty-first century, Caesarean section is the most frequent operation in obstetrics. Throughout the twentieth century, Caesarean sections have proven to be one of the most efficient abdominal procedures. Over the last three decades, the number of caesarean sections has risen considerably. Around the world, the number of caesarean sections performed is on the rise. From 2003 to 2018, it is more than doubled, reaching a peak of 21% and is growing at a rate of 4% every year. Today’s student nurse will become future nurse, so it’s vital create them competent while providing care to the mothers after lower section caesarean section. Objective: To assess current competencies among students on postnatal care of mothers who underwent lower section caesarean section in study group , to assess the impact of the skill training programme on the competencies of students in focused group & to find out the association between post-test competencies with the demographic variables of students of study group. Methods and Materials: The quasi-experimental with non-equivalent pre-test post-test design study was conducted on 30 students in each of experimental and control group by convenient sampling technique in two nursing institutions at Gurugram, Haryana. Results: Experimental group subjects enhanced the level of knowledge from 11.6 to 17.8 and their skill from 11.7 to 35.5 after implementing the skilled training programme, while the control group showed no improvement. There is a statistically significant transformation between the pre-test and post-test scores. Paired sample ‘t’ test was used to observe differences between pre and post-test mean scores. Students with prior knowledge were more competent, which is statistically noteworthy with a P value of < 0.001. Age, sex, religion, parents' education, and home location are not significant demographic characteristics. The Pearson chi square test was used to determine statistical significance. Conclusion: Skill training not only enhance knowledge in a specific field, but then also clarifies students how to network, accomplish to timeline, and connect efficiently with people. A competent student nurse can become a competent staff nurse by developing skill through effecting skill training program during study period.

Research of changes in the parameters that affect the rigidness of the column-foundation joints

Introduction. The existing types of connection assignment in the design scheme — hinged and absolutely rigid joints — do not reflect the actual operation of the connection. The lack of calculation of the actual rigidness of joint and its failure to take into account in the design of the frame can lead to a different distribution of efforts from the calculated one and an increase in the movement of the frame elements. The purpose of this work is to researching the influence of the change size of the elements forming the column base on its rotational rigidity. Materials and methods. The calculation of the transverse frame was performed in the Dlubal RFEM software package. The calculated efforts acting in the lower section of the column were transferred to the calculated models of the column base, made in the IDEA StatiCa software package, in which the further calculation of the joint rigidness was performed. Results. The rotational rigidness of the joints with different structural solutions of the column base is determined. The change in the rigidness of the connection between the column and the foundation with an increase in the thickness and height of the support ribs is analyzed. Based on the calculations, graphs of the identified dependencies are constructed. As an example of strengthening the base of the column, the introduction of a traverse was proposed. The article considers six variants of the traverse device, and variants with three support ribs and with traverses, but without support ribs. The calculated rigidness of the column bases is summarized in graphs, where it can be seen that the metal adding is effective only up to a certain point. Variants of the arrangement of column bases with additional transverse ribs are considered. Conclusions. The greatest contribution to the increase in the rotational rigidness of the joint is made by the addition of a traverse. By increasing the thickness or height of the introduced traverse, it is impossible to achieve absolutely rigid fixing, it is necessary to change several parameters in a complex way. The introduction of additional ribs located outside the plane of action of the moment practically does not affect the rigidity of the joint.

THE PETATE AND THE COSMIC ORDER: DISCOVERIES FROM A CLASSIC PERIOD RESIDENTIAL GRAVE IN MICHOACÁN, MEXICO

This article explores the symbolism of the petate in light of an unprecedented archaeological discovery. Excavations carried out in a Classic context in northern Michoacán revealed the impression of a petate marking the location of a burial. In addition, the lower section of the burial pit was covered over with andesite slabs, including one with grid-like and spiral incisions. After a brief overview of the ancient and modern uses of the petate and relevant archaeological evidence, I present the data that allow the testing of different hypotheses, in particular the symbolization of power through the petate. Contextual analysis suggests that both the woven mat and the incised slab served as thresholds, if not barriers, between the world of the living and the underworld. I propose that the petate was placed over the grave to serve as a regulator, ensuring that entities were properly separated and that they remained in their respective places. As such, it was an object protecting the cosmic order. I further suggest that the petate may have acted as a temporal gate, guaranteeing the continuous exercise of authority and argue that it was, as a finished object, endowed with power.

Vegetation of alpine screes on Bjelašnica Mt. — syntaxonomy and ecology

We analised vegetation of calcareous screes in the alpine belt of Bjelašnica Mt. (Western Balkan) by the Central European phytosociological method. In total, 69 relevés were submitted to numerical analysis in R ver. 3.5.2. (UPGMA clustering with chord distance). The obtained cluster dendrogram showed differentiation in nine associations, of which Festuco xanthinae—Valerianetum montanae Trakić et al. ass. nov. and Drypido spinosae—Seslerietum wettsteinii Trakić et al. ass. nov. are new ones. In lower section of the alpine belt we described new subassociation Pseudofumarietum leiospermae helictochloetosum Trakić et al. subass. nov. which raises questions about ecological preferences of the alliance Corydalion ochroleucae. We also neotypified the association Drypidi—Heracleetum orsinii Redžić et al. ex Trakić et al. and made correction for Pseudofumarietum leiospermae Lakušić et Redžić 1991 nom. corr. The observed high diversification of the alpine screes on Bjelašnica Mt. is based upon its ecological heterogeneity and tranzitional position in the Dinarides.