Quantifying relations and similarities of the meteorological parameters among the weather stations in the Alberta Oil Sands region

Our objective was to quantify the similarity in the meteorological measurements of 17 stations under three weather networks in the Alberta oil sands region. The networks were for climate monitoring under the water quantity program (WQP) and air program, including Meteorological Towers (MT) and Edge Sites (ES). The meteorological parameters were air temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), solar radiation (SR), barometric pressure (BP), precipitation (PR), and snow depth (SD). Among the various measures implemented for finding correlations in this study, we found that the use of Pearson’s coefficient (r) and absolute average error (AAE) would be sufficient. Also, we applied the percent similarity method upon considering at least 75% of the value in finding the similarity between station pairs. Our results showed that we could optimize the networks by selecting the least number of stations (for each network) to describe the measure-variability in meteorological parameters. We identified that five stations are sufficient for the measurement of AT, one for RH, five for SR, three for BP, seven for PR, and two for SD in the WQP network. For the MT network, six for AT, two for RH, six for SR, and four for PR, and the ES network requires six for AT, three for RH, six for SR, and two for BP. This study could potentially be critical to rationalize/optimize weather networks in the study area.

Fusion Retrieval of Sea Surface Barometric Pressure from the Microwave Humidity and Temperature Sounder and Microwave Temperature Sounder-II Onboard the Fengyun-3 Satellite

Both the Microwave Humidity and Temperature Sounder (MWHTS) and the Microwave Temperature Sounder-II (MWTS-II) operate on the Fengyun-3 (FY-3) satellite platform, which provides an opportunity to retrieve the sea surface barometric pressure (SSP) with high accuracy by fusing the observations from the 60 GHz, 118.75 GHz, and 183.31 GHz channels. The theory of retrieving SSP using passive microwave observations is analyzed, and the sensitivity test experiments of MWHTS and MWTS-II to SSP as well as the test experiments of the contributions of MWHTS and MWTS-II to SSP retrieval are carried out. The theoretical channel combination is established based on the theoretical analysis, and the SSP retrieval experiment is carried out based on the Deep Neural Network (DNN) for the theoretical channel combination. The experimental results show that the retrieval accuracy of SSP using the theoretical channel combination is higher than that of MWHTS or MWTS-II. In addition, based on the test results of the contributions of MWHTS and MWTS-II to the retrieval SSP, the optimal theoretical channel combination can be built, and can further improve the retrieval accuracy of SSP from the theoretical channel combination.

DEVICE FOR CHECKING AND CALIBRATING INDICATORS OF THE RESERVE TIME OF CONSCIOUSNESS PRESERVATION BY A PERSON IN CONDITIONS OF HYPOXIA

Для обеспечения надежного функционирования индикаторов резервного времени сохранения сознания человеком в условиях гипоксии разработан специальный прибор для их поверки и калибровки. Прибор включает регулятор давления, табло для индикации эталонного давления, табло для индикации резервного времени сохранения сознания, шланг с разъемом для соединения с датчиком барометрического давления, компрессор, регулятор давления и микропроцессор. Разработанный прибор обеспечивает возможность контроля работоспособности средств коллективного и индивидуального информирования экипажа пассажиров воздушных судов о величине предельного резервного времени сохранения сознания в чрезвычайных ситуациях высотных полетов. To ensure the reliable functioning of the indicators of the reserve time of consciousness preservation by a person in conditions of hypoxia, a special device for their verification and calibration has been developed. The device includes a pressure regulator, a tableau for indicating the reference pressure, a tableau for indicating the standby time of consciousness, a hose with a connector for connecting to the barometric pressure sensor, a compressor, a pressure regulator and a microprocessor. The developed device provides the ability to monitor the performance of the means of collective and individual informing the crew of aircraft passengers about the value of the maximum reserve time for maintaining consciousness in emergency situations of high-altitude flights.

Managing and Utilizing Big Data in Atmospheric Monitoring Systems for Underground Coal Mines

Underground coal mining Atmospheric Monitoring Systems (AMS) have been implemented for real-time or near real-time monitoring and evaluation of the mine atmosphere and related parameters such as gas concentration (e.g., CH4, CO, O2), fan performance (e.g., power, speed), barometric pressure, ambient temperature, humidity, etc. Depending on the sampling frequency, AMS can collect and manage a tremendous amount of data, which mine operators typically consult for everyday operations as well as long-term planning and more effective management of ventilation systems. The raw data collected by AMS need considerable pre-processing and filtering before they can be used for analysis. This paper discusses different challenges related to filtering raw AMS data in order to identify and remove values due to sensor breakdowns, sensor calibration periods, transient values due to operational considerations, etc., as well as to homogenize time series for different variables. The statistical challenges involve the removal of faulty values and outliers (due to systematic problems) and transient effects, gap-filling (by means of interpolation methods), and homogenization (setting a common time reference and time step) of the respective time series. The objective is to derive representative and synchronous time series values that can subsequently be used to estimate summary statistics of AMS and to infer correlations or nonlinear dependence between different data streams. Identification and modeling of statistical dependencies can be further exploited to develop predictive equations based on time series models.

Cardiorespiratory Response and Power Output During Submaximal Exercise in Normobaric Versus Hypobaric Hypoxia: A Pilot Study Using a Specific Chamber that Controls Environmental Factors

2021.—Many previous studies have examined hypoxia-induced physiological responses using various conditions, e.g., artificially reduced atmospheric oxygen concentration [normobaric hypoxia (NH) condition] or low barometric pressure at a mountain [hypobaric hypoxia (HH) condition]. However, when comparing the results from these previous studies conducted in artificial NH and HH including real high altitude, we must consider the possibility that environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and fraction of inspired carbon dioxide, might affect the physiological responses. Therefore, we examined cardiorespiratory responses and exercise performances during low- to high-intensity exercise at a fixed heart rate (HR) in both NH and HH using a specific chamber where atmospheric oxygen concentration and barometric pressure as well as the abovementioned environmental factors were precisely controlled. Ten well-trained university students (eight males and two females) performed the exercise test consisting of two 20-minute submaximal pedaling at the intensity corresponding to 50% (low) and 70% (high) of their HR reserve, under three conditions [NH (fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.135; barometric pressure, 754 mmHg), HH (fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.209; barometric pressure, 504 mmHg), and normobaric normoxia (NN; fraction of inspired oxygen, 0.209; barometric pressure, 754 mmHg)]. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) to estimate arterial oxygen saturation and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) were monitored throughout the experiment. SpO2, PETCO2, and power output at fixed HRs (i.e., pedaling efficiency) in NH and HH were all significantly lower than those in NN. Moreover, high-intensity exercise in HH induced greater decreases in SpO2 and power output than did high-intensity exercise in NH (NH vs. HH; SpO2, 78.2% - 5.0% vs. 75.1% - 7.1%; power output, 120.7 - 24.9 W vs. 112.4 - 23.2 W, both p < 0.05). However, high-intensity exercise in HH induced greater increases in PETCO2 than did high-intensity exercise in NH (NH vs. HH; 54.2 - 5.9mmHg vs. 57.2 - 3.4 mmHg, p < 0.01). These results suggest that physiological responses and power output at a fixed HR during hypoxic exposure might depend on the method used to generate the hypoxic condition.

Technologies supporting independent moving inside buildings for people with visual impairment

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include disability and persons with disabilities for example partially sighted or blind. Disability is referenced in multiple parts of the SDGs, specifically in the parts related to education, growth and employment, inequality, accessibility of human settlements and buildings. The paper presents selected technologies that support independent movement blind people inside huge buildings. The paper will refer to two SDGs: No 9 and No 11. There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all with access to basic services, housing, friendly public buildings, transportation and more, even to people with eye disabilities. This paper presents selected systems for finding objects or places, recognizing objects inside rooms and navigation inside buildings based on nonradio and wireless technologies. The following technologies and solutions were presented and compared: physical items, smartphone cameras, laser rangefinders, pedestrian dead-reckoning, intelligent lighting, Wi-Fi, BLE beacons, magnetic fields and barometric pressure sensors.

A Link between Atmospheric Pressure and Fertility of Drosophila Laboratory Strains

Standardization of conditions under which insects are kept is of great importance when studying their physiology and researchers do their best to maintain it. Nevertheless, sometimes an obvious side effect of some unaccounted factor affecting insects’ reproduction can be revealed even under thoroughly controlled laboratory conditions. We faced such a phenomenon when studying the fertility level in two wild type Drosophila melanogaster strains. For fertility analysis, 50 newly emerged females and 50 males of each strain under study were transferred to fresh medium daily within 10 days. We found out that fertility of both strains was stable on days 2–10 after the oviposition onset in one experiment, while in another one it was significantly decreased during days 5–10. When compared to publicly available meteorological data, these changes in the fertility level demonstrated a strong association with one weather factor: barometric pressure. Thus, we conclude that changes in atmospheric pressure can be considered a factor affecting insects reproduction and discuss a possible mechanism of their influence on fertility.

REGULARITIES OF CHANGES IN THE GAS-DYNAMIC AND GEOMECHANICAL SITUATION AT POTASH MINES

Mining operations in potash and salt deposits are complicated by gas emissions and gas dynamic phenomena. The analysis of a large number of gas dynamic phenomena and intense gas emissions at potash mines in Russia and Belarus allowed the authors to identify some patterns. In particular, it was found that the maximum number of gas dynamic phenomena occurs in the 7–10 year of operation of the mines. The purpose of the study is to analyze and identify available information on the influence of heliophysical and manmade factors on the state of rock massifs, which will allow purposefully predicting and preventing the manifestations of these factors, increasing labor safety and efficiency of mining enterprises. Research methods: methods of a full-scale mine experiment to determine the gas content of rocks and the gas content of workings, as well as analysis of statistical data. The results of the study showed that the analysis of data on 84 cases of gas dynamic phenomena at the mines of PJSC Uralkali revealed an increase in the volume of gas emissions from the developed lavas spaces at the mines of JSC Belaruskali as a result of a drop in barometric pressure on the surface. In conclusion, it can be noted that the combination of natural factors together with a powerful man-made impact on the environment creates certain prerequisites for disasters of various scales, ranging from destructive earthquakes to subsidence of mountain pressure, gas dynamic phenomena and intense gas emissions in mines and mines. The set of established patterns formed the basis for the development of a number of preventive measures that increase the safe working conditions of miners and the efficiency of mining enterprises.

Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia

Biological anthropologists aim to explain the hows and whys of human biological variation using the concepts of evolution and adaptation. High-altitude environments provide informative natural laboratories with the unique stress of hypobaric hypoxia, which is less than usual oxygen in the ambient air arising from lower barometric pressure. Indigenous populations have adapted biologically to their extreme environment with acclimatization, developmental adaptation, and genetic adaptation. People have used the East African and Tibetan Plateaus above 3,000 m for at least 30,000 years and the Andean Plateau for at least 12,000 years. Ancient DNA shows evidence that the ancestors of modern highlanders have used all three high-altitude areas for at least 3,000 years. It is necessary to examine the differences in biological processes involved in oxygen exchange, transport, and use among these populations. Such an approach compares oxygen delivery traits reported for East African Amhara, Tibetans, and Andean highlanders with one another and with short-term visitors and long-term upward migrants in the early or later stages of acclimatization to hypoxia. Tibetan and Andean highlanders provide most of the data and differ quantitatively in biological characteristics. The best supported difference is the unelevated hemoglobin concentration of Tibetans and Amhara compared with Andean highlanders as well as short- and long-term upward migrants. Moreover, among Tibetans, several features of oxygen transfer and oxygen delivery resemble those of short-term acclimatization, while several features of Andean highlanders resemble the long-term responses. Genes and molecules of the oxygen homeostasis pathways contribute to some of the differences.