Principal component analysis of monthly mean Area surface temperature over the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and north Indian Ocean for two Contrasting sets of monsoon years

The spatial distribution and temporal variation of the monthly mean SSTA over the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the north Indian Ocean were investigated for a set of contrasting years of monsoon over the period 1961-80 for months April through July using Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) technique with a view to identify regions that are significantly related to the monsoon rainfall. Over 75% of the total variance is, explained by the first mode EOF. SSTA over the north and northeast Arabian Sea during pre-monsoon months were found to be possible indicators of the ensuing monsoon activity. The higher eigen vectors in May over northeast Arabian Sea may signal good monsoon and vice versa. In June there is a marked contrast in the distribution of SST over the Arabian Sea between the two sets of the years the eastern Arabian Sea IS warmer for the deficient monsoon years while the entire Arabian Sea except over the extreme north Arabian Sea is cool during good monsoon years. There is formation of SSTA over the equatorial Indian Ocean area close to Indonesian island commencing from May which is more marked in June and is positively correlated with seasonal rainfall activity over India.

Features of the biochemical composition of winter fodder plants in the Indigirka river basin

The article describes the value of the feed of winter pastures in the extreme north of Yakutia. Winter pastures of the Momsky district are located in marsh places and are used as horse food. Equis?tum fluviatile grows on pastures. Equis?tum Fluviatile is winter-green plants. Equis?tum Froviatile is of the greatest value for the horses of the Momsky district. The research was carry out in the Chiskhan peasant farm of the Momsky district, in the Ulakhan-Chistay village and at the Mercury peasant farm in the Myandigi village of the Amginsky district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) at the end of November. 2020. Samples of winter feed take from pastures near the floodplain of the Moma River, which consisted mainly of marsh horsetail. In the Amga district, a cereal plant - creeping wheatgrass is the standard fodder for Yakutian horses; We are study the biochemical features of Equis?tum Froviatile in the conditions of the Arctic, which complement and expand ideas about the signs of the accumulation of nutrients in winter feed, depending on the cultivation zone. Winter pastures consisted mainly of Equis?tum fluviatile. In the Momsky district, the indicators are higher in cheese protein - 3.05%, for raw fat by 1.65%, for raw materials of fiber by 13.44% than in the Amginsky district. In the Momsky district, the indicators are higher in macro microelements by 1.5-2 times. It is assumed that plants of the Far North accumulate a significant amount of minerals due to their adaptive properties to growing conditions and have a high ability to absorb mineral compounds from the soil.

News from the western front: occurrence of Mediterranea depressa (Sterki, 1880) (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Oxychilidae) in the Vosges and Jura Mountains (north-eastern France)

We report here the first record of Mediterranea depressa (Sterki, 1880) in the north-eastern quarter of France, in the Vosges and Jura massifs. After the fortuitous discovery of some shells attributed to M. depressa in the southern Vosges Mts., an extensive sampling campaign was carried out both in the Vosges and in the Jura Mts. In total, about 20 shells and seven live specimens were found at eight localities, which, according to the present state of our knowledge, represent its north-western range limit. The species was found exclusively under stones of rocky slope screes on siliceous and calcareous substrates. Some of these habitats could be described as Mesovoid Shallow Substratum. It is not clear whether the rarity of the species is an effect of under-sampling or of its small size and unusual habitat or/and to intrinsic rarity due to isolated populations at the distribution limits of the species. The extreme north-eastern quarter of France constitutes an oceanic-continental transition zone where about thirty gastropod species from Central and Eastern Europe are currently documented at the western limit of their ranges.

STRAIGHT TO THE NORTH: ARCTIC EXPLORATION IN ARTISTS’ WORKS.

The article provides an overview on the history of the Kola Arctic region and the Arctic artistic exploration based on the “Straight to the North” temporary exhibition in Murmansk Regional Art Museum, 2019. Pieces of icon painting, decorative and applied arts, books, household items, painting and graphic arts and collection of the Kola Peninsula minerals were exhibited there. Some art works are described in details: paintings of Russian artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and Soviet artists, including painters from Murmansk and members of “The Arctic” creative team in 1978–1985. The authors analysed, how social and economic development of the Kola Arctic region influenced new art styles and directions: from plein air painting under the Extreme North conditions to industrial landscapes and creation of an art community. The authors dedicate the article to the memory of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, the leader of “The Arctic” creative team Arvi Ivanovich Huttunen (31.08.1922–27.08.2020).

Geo-Strategic Imperative of North-Western Border: Triangular Region Kalapani - Lipulekh and Limpiadhura of Nepal

The extreme north western region of Nepal is bordered with India and China and separated by Mahakali River. As per Article 5 of Sugauli treaty and various other evidences like, historical facts, ancient maps, river science, government correspondence and other documents proves that the river originating from Limpiadhura form the international boundary between Nepal and China. However, the certain parts of Nepalese territory have been under the control of India from seven decades. Owing to the historical and geographical proximity, Nepal has maintained special relations with her immediate neighbors, India and China, despite several complex situations. Remaining away from strategic competition and rivalry; and gaining maximum benefit from India and China as they are global and regional players would best serve the national interest of Nepal. Underdeveloped nature of physical infrastructures, nascent institutional structures and poor presence of government machinery in the North western border of Nepal has complicated the problem. Our neighbors should be sensitive and respectful to our concerns and interests. Delicate handling of border issues is in our interest. Nepal has become the center of geopolitical interest in the present world. Sands of geopolitics are constantly shifting in South Asia and Nepal cannot remain aloof from it. Influence in Nepal from competition and cooperation is rising. There is a need of cooperation for transit economy and trilateral cooperation. Nepal should use her diplomatic expertise and regain our territory by maintaining friendly and harmonious relations with her neighbors. Nepal and India shouldn’t delay in resolving such outstanding disputes. Both countries should bring their evidences and carefully examine that evidence by creating a favorable negotiating environment. Above all, national consensus on such sensitive issue is important.

Information and Communication Technologies of households and individuals, geographical proximity and regional competitiveness: distribution, clusters and spatial patterns of technological capacity in Europe

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been consolidated as a fundamental pillar of the new model of competitiveness and sustainable development of territories. However, there has still not been sufficient in-depth study of the role that geographical proximity plays in the digital inequalities that affect regional competitiveness. In this context, this paper aims to identify and characterise the clusters and patterns that define the spatial behaviour of ICT access and usage variables at household and individual level in the Technology Readiness (TR) pillar of the Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI). A database of 280 NUTS2 has been created in order to perform: i) an exploratory statistical analysis to show the regional behaviour of the ICT variables; and ii) a spatial autocorrelation analysis to detect the presence of spatial dependence. The results at regional level in Europe demonstrate that: i) the greatest inequalities occur in the ICT usage variables and not in those of access; ii) the indicators of TR create a spatial pattern with a gradient from the regions of the extreme north-west to south-western and eastern Europe; and iii) there is evidently an opportunity to incorporate other regional variables of ICT usage for future editions of the RCI.

Modeling the Potential Distribution of the Malaria Vector Anopheles (Ano.) pseudopunctipennis Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae) in Arid Regions of Northern Chile

The extreme north of Chile presents a subtropical climate permissive of the establishment of potential disease vectors. Anopheles (Ano.) pseudopunctipennis is distributed from the south of the United States to the north of Argentina and Chile, and is one of the main vectors of malaria in Latin America. Malaria was eradicated from Chile in 1945. Nevertheless, the vector persists in river ravines of the Arica and Tarapacá regions. The principal effect of climate change in the north of Chile is temperature increase. Precipitation prediction is not accurate for this region because records were erratic during the last century. The objective of this study was to estimate the current and the projected distribution pattern of this species in Chile, given the potential impact due to climate change. We compiled distributional data for An. (Ano.) pseudopunctipennis and constructed species distribution models to predict the spatial distribution of this species using the MaxEnt algorithm with current and RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, using environmental and topographic layers. Our models estimated that the current expected range of An. (Ano.) pseudopunctipennis extends continuously from Arica to the north of Antofagasta region. Furthermore, the RCP 4.5 and 8.5 projected scenarios suggested that the range of distribution of An. (Ano.) pseudopunctipennis may increase in longitude, latitude, and altitude limits, enhancing the local extension area by 38 and 101%, respectively, and local presence probability (>0.7), from the northern limit in Arica y Parinacota region (18°S) to the northern Antofagasta region (23°S). This study contributes to geographic and ecologic knowledge about this species in Chile, as it represents the first local study of An. (Ano.) pseudopunctipennis. The information generated in this study can be used to inform decision making regarding vector control and surveillance programs of Latin America. These kinds of studies are very relevant to generate human, animal, and environmental health knowledge contributing to the “One Health” concept.

Aymara Communities in the Lluta River Basin and Precordillera of the Arica and Parinacota Region: Agricultural Activities and Economic Projections

The Region of Arica and Parinacota is characterized as an agricultural region located in Atacama Desert at the extreme north of Chile. Its agriculture has allow developing the economy of pre- and post-Hispanic communities, which have been settled since colonial times at different locations in the region. This article is focused on how Aymara communities of Lluta Valley and Precordillera of Arica and Parinacota Region have been included as part of Chilean population, particularly, from social and economic point of view. Furthermore, a characterization of agronomic aspects of the main towns of this zone, and commercialization of agricultural and livestock is included. It must be considered that the evolution of this region would have an important impact in the safeguard on endemic flora and fauna so that it is imperative to protect the genetic heritage of local species and to promote new technologies which allow the production of commercial products from Arica and Parinacota Region.

Ethnobotanical investigation on medicinal plants used by local populations in Tlemcen National Park (extreme North West Algeria)

Medicinal plants are currently used by local populations to treat different diseases around the world. In the present study, the local knowledge of medicinal plants used by indigenous populations living in the Park of Tlemcen (North-West Algeria) has been documented. A total of 254 informants with a strong ethnomedicinal knowledge living in the national park of Tlemcen were interviewed by using a questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using quantitative indices such as the ethnobotanicity index (EI), use value (UV), and Informant Consensus Factor (FIC). 109 species belonging to 54 families were identified and used by indigenous populations to treat different diseases. The most frequent families were lamiaceae (15.5%), asteraceae (11.9%), and rosaceae (5.5%). Roots, rhizomes or tubers were the most used part for medical care (37.6%), followed by leaves (33.6%), other aerial parts (16%), fruits (8%), flowers (1.6%), and seeds (3.2%). Regarding modes of preparation, we noticed that decoction (40.4%) and infusion (28.5%) were the most predominant. Moreover, Thymus lanceolatus (UV=0.96), Origon glandulosum (UV=0.96) and Ammoides verticillata (UV=0.94) were the most frequently used species. FIC values ranged from 0.65 to 0.98. The highest FIC were recorded for reproductive and sexual disorders (0.98), respiratory tract diseases (0.98), cardiovascular system disease and blood disorders (0.94), digestive disorders (0.93), and general health (0.93). A variety of species are used to treat several ailments. Recorded species with high UV should be prioritized for conservation and subjected to further phytochemical and pharmacological studies.