Deep Valleys Research Articles

Design and Implementation of Electric Power Patrol Monitoring System Based on Beidou and Mobile Network

Most existing communication technologies used for power inspection systems cannot seamlessly cover the inspection line range. Therefore, the real-time transmission of inspection information and the safety of personnel are difficult to guarantee. Based on current research on electric power inspection and the industry’s urgent need for real-time and accurate location information of inspectors, this paper designed and developed an electric power patrol and monitoring system using the Beidou satellite system in conjunction with mobile networks. The problem of patrolling information in blind areas where ground communications cannot be reached in real time is effectively solved through a seamless switching design between Beidou short messages and mobile networks. The short message broadcast and high-precision position information return of inspection personnel were also realized by applying the Beidou multi-mode data transmission module as independently developed. The system took advantage of the user and function-oriented conceptual design and the Browser/Server (B/S)-based architecture design, as well as the combination with the SpringMVC + Spring + MyBatis (SSM) to improve the quality of the development process. Some key functions, such as real-time position display, track playback, user information management, and other functions, are interactive with the implemented visual user interfaces, which fundamentally helps the power monitoring department provide remote visual supervision services. The test results of the core module showed that the system could be used as a supplement to the power inspection and supervision industry, especially for deep mountain valleys, dense forests, and other areas without stable communication signals.

Retrieval of Land Surface Temperature With Topographic Effect Correction From Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Data in Mountainous Areas

Accurate estimation of land surface temperature (LST) is crucial for ecological environment monitoring and climate change studies in mountainous areas. The current LST retrieval algorithms were developed without accounting for the topographic effect, which can only be used to retrieve LST over relatively flat surfaces. Due to the impact of 3-D structure of mountainous surfaces, rugged terrain makes the processes of thermal radiation more complex. In this study, a radiative transfer equation (RTE)-based single-channel algorithm was proposed to retrieve LST with topographic effect correction from the Landsat 8 thermal infrared (TIR) data in mountainous areas. This algorithm accounts for the changes in the thermal radiation components in the TIR RTE caused by the topographic effect. According to the analysis of simulation data, sky-view factor (SVF), atmospheric water vapor content, surface emissivity of target pixel, and average LST of the surrounding terrain have significant influence on the magnitude of the topographic effect. The differences between the LST retrieved without/with topographic effect correction from the Landsat 8 TIR data are related to SVF. The topographic effect should be taken into account in the LST retrieval algorithm when SVF is smaller than 0.7. The largest LST difference of approximately 1 K occurs in the deep valley. The results indicate that LST without topographic effect correction could be overestimated to be as high as 1 K. Due to a lack of <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">in situ</i> LST measurements, the performance of the LST retrieval algorithm in mountainous areas was only evaluated by comparing the brightness temperature (BT) at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) simulated by the DART+MODTRAN model and the TIR RTE over mountainous surfaces at three subregions. There is a good consistency between BT at the TOA simulated by the DART+MODTRAN model and the TIR RTE over mountainous surfaces at the three subregions, with a root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of less than 0.23 K.

Modelling pyroclastic density currents from a subplinian eruption at La Soufri\xe8re de Guadeloupe (West Indies, France)

We have used a three-dimensional, non-equilibrium multiphase flow numerical model to simulate subplinian eruption scenarios at La Soufrière de Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles, France). Initial and boundary conditions for computer simulations were set on the basis of independent estimates of eruption source parameters (i.e. mass eruption rate, volatile content, temperature, grain size distribution) from a field reconstruction of the 1530 CE subplinian eruption. This event is here taken as a reference scenario for hazard assessment at La Soufrière de Guadeloupe. A parametric study on eruption source parameters allowed us to quantify their influence on the simulated dynamics and, in particular, the increase of the percentage of column collapse and pyroclastic density current (PDC) intensity, at constant mass eruption rate, with variable vent diameter. Numerical results enabled us to quantify the effects of the proximal morphology on distributing the collapsing mass around the volcano and into deep and long valleys and to estimate the areas invaded by PDCs, their associated temperature and dynamic pressure. Significant impact (temperature > 300 °C and dynamic pressure > 1 kPa) in the inhabited region around the volcano is expected for fully collapsing conditions and mass eruption rates > 2 × 107 kg/s. We thus combine this spatial distribution of temperature and dynamic pressure with an objective consideration of model-related uncertainty to produce preliminary PDC hazard maps for the reference scenario. In such a representation, we identify three areas of varying degree of susceptibility to invasion by PDCs—very likely to be invaded (and highly impacted), susceptible to invasion (and moderately impacted), and unlikely to be invaded (or marginally impacted). The study also raises some key questions about the use of deterministic scenario simulations for hazard assessment, where probability distributions and uncertainties are difficult to estimate. Use of high-performance computing techniques will in part allow us to overcome such difficulties, but the problem remains open in a scientific context where validation of numerical models is still, necessarily, an incomplete and ongoing process. Nevertheless, our findings provide an important contribution to the quantitative assessment of volcanic hazard and risk at La Soufrière de Guadeloupe particularly in the context of the current unrest of the volcano and the need to prepare for a possible future reawakening of the volcano that could culminate in a magmatic explosive eruption.

Thermo‐erosional valleys in Siberian ice‐rich permafrost

AbstractThermal erosion is a major mechanism of permafrost degradation, resulting in characteristic landforms. We inventory thermo‐erosional valleys in ice‐rich coastal lowlands adjacent to the Siberian Laptev Sea based on remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), and field investigations for a first regional assessment of their spatial distribution and characteristics. Three study areas with similar geological (Yedoma Ice Complex) but diverse geomorphological conditions vary in valley areal extent, incision depth, and branching geometry. The most extensive valley networks are incised deeply (up to 35 m) into the broad inclined lowland around Mamontov Klyk. The flat, low‐lying plain forming the Buor Khaya Peninsula is more degraded by thermokarst and characterized by long valleys of lower depth with short tributaries. Small, isolated Yedoma Ice Complex remnants in the Lena River Delta predominantly exhibit shorter but deep valleys. Based on these hydrographical network and topography assessments, we discuss geomorphological and hydrological connections to erosion processes. Relative catchment size along with regional slope interact with other Holocene relief‐forming processes such as thermokarst and neotectonics. Our findings suggest that thermo‐erosional valleys are prominent, hitherto overlooked permafrost degradation landforms that add to impacts on biogeochemical cycling, sediment transport, and hydrology in the degrading Siberian Yedoma Ice Complex.

A new bias-correction method for precipitation over complex terrain suitable for different climate states: a case study using WRF (version 3.8.1)

Abstract. This work presents a new bias-correction method for precipitation over complex terrain that explicitly considers orographic characteristics. This consideration offers a good alternative to the standard empirical quantile mapping (EQM) method during colder climate states in which the orography strongly deviates from the present-day state, e.g. during glacial conditions such as the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Such a method is needed in the event that absolute precipitation fields are used, e.g. as input for glacier modelling or to assess potential human occupation and according migration routes in past climate states. The new bias correction and its performance are presented for Switzerland using regional climate model simulations at 2 km resolution driven by global climate model outputs obtained under perpetual 1990 and LGM conditions. Comparing the present-day regional climate model simulation with observations, we find a strong seasonality and, especially during colder months, a height dependence of the bias in precipitation. Thus, we suggest a three-step correction method consisting of (i) a separation into different orographic characteristics, (ii) correction of very low intensity precipitation, and (iii) the application of an EQM, which is applied to each month separately. We find that separating the orography into 400 m height intervals provides the overall most reasonable correction of the biases in precipitation. The new method is able to fully correct the seasonal precipitation bias induced by the global climate model. At the same time, some regional biases remain, in particular positive biases over high elevated areas in winter and negative biases in deep valleys and Ticino in winter and summer. A rigorous temporal and spatial cross-validation with independent data exhibits robust results. The new bias-correction method certainly leaves some drawbacks under present-day conditions. However, the application to the LGM demonstrates that it is a more appropriate correction compared to the standard EQM under highly different climate conditions as the latter imprints present-day orographic features into the LGM climate.

Ants of the Hengduan Mountains: a new altitudinal survey and updated checklist for Yunnan Province highlight an understudied insect biodiversity hotspot.

China’s Hengduan Mountain region has been considered one of the most diverse regions in the northern hemisphere. Its stunning topography with many deep valleys and impassable mountain barriers has promoted an astonishing diversification in many groups of organisms including plants, birds, mammals, and amphibians. However, the insect biodiversity in this region is still poorly known. Here, the first checklist of ant species from the Southern Hengduan Mountain region is presented, generated by sampling ant diversity using a wide array of collection methods, including Winkler leaf litter extraction, vegetation beating, and hand collection. 130 species/morphospecies from nine subfamilies and 49 genera were identified. Among them, 17 species from 13 genera represent new records for Yunnan province, and eight species are newly recorded for China. Moreover, we believe 41 novel morphospecies (31% of the total collected taxa) will prove to be new to science. These results highlight the rich ant fauna of this region and strongly support its status as a biodiversity hotspot. The current ant species checklist for the whole of Yunnan Province was updated by recording 550 named species from 99 genera. Taken together, our results suggest that the Yunnan ant fauna still remains under-sampled, and future sampling will likely yield many more species, among them many undescribed ones.

THE SOILS OF BOTEVGRAD VALLEY

The paper deals with Botegrad valley soil cover, properties, conditions and vegetation. The soil cover in the Botevgrad region is characterized by considerable diversity in the ravine valleys of the Bebresh River and its tributaries. Alluvial and Diluvial soils occur in the middle of the region in lowest parts. Gray forest soils developed in the Pre-Balkans and the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains and Light Gray forest soils (Pseudopozolic soils) are spread there too. The most fertile soils are Dark gray forest soils but only in limited area. Shallow soils (Lithosols), are widely spread over reddish-brown quaternary materials, characterized by the presence of many skeletal particles. The soil cover on the slopes is eroded, cut by deep ditches, ravines and valleys. Main part of the land in the valley is cultivated. Arable lands for cultivation and pastures are about 68.4%, other 22% are used for mainly for forestry. Settlements, industrial zones and other infrastructure occupy 9% of the valley.

Application of landsat imageries for mapping post-earthquake landslide, case study: 2012 Ahar-Varzegan earthquake, NW Iran

The 2012 Ahar-Varzegan earthquake and its aftershocks have not only caused huge damage with a severe loss of life and property but also induced many geo-hazards with the major type of collapse, creep, slip, debris flow, and fallings that are generally considered as landslide in this study which can cause continuous threats to the affected region. in this study, a semi-automated geo-hazard detection method has been presented to determine the Landslides due to 2012 Ahar-Varzaghan earthquake in area from Ahar to Varzaghan by the use of bi- temporal Landsat images from before and after the earthquake. The accuracy of the results was checked out using field observations, Google Earth images and the error matrix. The results of the visual validation with the Google Earth images showed that the used method can detect landslids with relatively high accuracy.The images of landsat5 and 8 Because of their multispectral advantages can be used as a suitable data source for research on Instabilities. Finally, the validating results obtained by using the error matrix showed the total accuracy of 92.1% and kappa coefficient was 0.99. So based on the results obtained from the above method, the landslides were distributed mainly in slopes between 15 and 40 degrees and the height distribution of instabilities of 1420 to 2000 meters. Also based on vegetation indices, density of landslides have been increased after the earthquake. Generally unstabel slopes are located along river valleys and roads in mountain regions with deep valleys and steep slopes. According to the nature of present study, the obtained result can be useful for environmental planners and project developers.

Influence of complex geological conditions on the in situ stress field of the SK Hydropower Station in Pakistan

The Suki–Kinari hydropower station is situated in a landform with high mountains and deep valleys in northwest Pakistan. Affected by some geological conditions such as topography and faults, the in situ stress distribution of the project area is highly complex. To determine the in situ stress associated with this project, hydraulic fracturing in situ stress tests are conducted in four representative boreholes. Generally, the relation of the three principal stresses is σ H > σ z > σ h . However, the measured stress directions associated with the headrace tunnel and the powerhouse area are clearly different. The direction of the maximum horizontal principal stress of the headrace tunnel is NNE–NEE, whereas that of the underground powerhouse area is NNW–NWW. To identify the mechanism responsible for this difference, the present study simulates the stress field in the project area based on the three-dimensional finite element regression analysis method. Two theories are proposed on the basis of the numerical simulation results. On the one hand, the direction of the maximum horizontal principal stress in the rock mass above the valley elevation is controlled mainly by topography. On the other hand, the fault will disturb the stress field, causing noticeable changes in the stress direction and value of the fault-affected zone. By comparing the characteristics of the stress direction distribution at three elevations, the direction of maximum horizontal principal stress of the shallow strata is determined to be affected mainly by the topography and faults, and topography may be the most important factor. Moreover, with an increase in strata depth, the influence of the topography and faults on the stress direction decreases gradually. After reaching a particular strata depth, the direction of maximum horizontal principal stress tends to be the same as that of the regional tectonic stress, i.e., NNE.

Fitting multivariate Erlang mixtures to data: A roughness penalty approach

The class of multivariate Erlang mixtures with common scale parameter has many desirable properties and has widely been used in insurance loss modeling. The parameters of a multivariate Erlang mixture are normally estimated using an expectation–maximization (EM) algorithm as shown in Lee and Lin (2012) and Verbelen et al. (2016). However, when fitting the mixture to data of high dimension, the fitted density surface is often not smooth (with deep peaks and valleys) and the tail fitting may also be rather unsatisfactory. In this paper, we propose a generalized expectation conditional maximization (GECM) algorithm that maximizes a penalized likelihood with a proposed roughness penalty. The roughness penalty is based on integrated squared second derivative of the density function of aggregate data, which is used in functional data analysis. We illustrate the performance of the proposed method through some numerical experiments and real data applications.

Analysis of temperature-induced deformation and stress distribution of long-span concrete truss combination arch bridge based on bridge health monitoring data and finite element simulation

Through decades of operation, deformation fluctuation becomes a central problem affecting the normal operating of concrete truss combination arch bridge. In order to clarify the mechanism of temperature-induced deformation and its impact on structural stress distribution, this article reports on the temperature distribution and its effect on the deformation of concrete truss combination arch bridge based on bridge health monitoring on a proto bridge with 138 m main span. The temperature distribution and deformation characteristics of the bridge structure in deep valley area are studied. Both of the daily and yearly temperature variation and structural deformation are studied based on bridge health monitoring. Using the outcome of monitoring data, three-dimensional solid finite element models are established to analyze the mechanism of temperature-induced deformation of the whole bridge under different temperature fields. The influence of temperature-induced effect is discussed on local damage based on the damage observation of the background bridge. The outcome of comparisons with field observation validates the analysis results. The relevant monitoring and simulation result can be referenced for the design and evaluation of similar bridges.

Abrupt Holocene ice-sheet thinning along the southern Soya Coast, Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica, revealed by glacial geomorphology and surface exposure dating

Geological reconstruction of the retreat history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) is essential for understanding the response of the ice sheet to global climatic change and the mechanisms of retreat, including a possible abrupt melting event. Such information is key for constraining climatic and ice-sheet models that are used to predict future Antarctic Ice Sheet AIS melting. However, data required to make a detailed reconstruction of the history of the EAIS involving changes in its thickness and lateral extent since the LGM remain sparse. Here, we present a new detailed ice-sheet history for the southern Soya Coast, Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica, based on geomorphological observations and surface exposure ages. Our results demonstrate that the ice sheet completely covered the highest peak of Skarvsnes (400 m a.s.l.) prior to ∼9 ka and retreated eastward by at least 10 km during the Early to Mid-Holocene (ca. 9 to 5 ka). The timing of the abrupt ice-sheet thinning and retreat is consistent with the intrusion of modified Circumpolar Deep Water (mCDW) into deep submarine valleys in Lützow-Holm Bay, as inferred from fossil foraminifera records of marine sediment cores. Thus, we propose that the mechanism of the abrupt thinning and retreat of the EAIS along the southern Soya Coast was marine ice-sheet instability caused by mCDW intrusion into deep submarine valleys. Such abrupt ice-sheet thinning and retreat with similar magnitude and timing have also been reported from Enderby Land, East Antarctica. Our findings suggest that abrupt thinning and retreat as a consequence of marine ice-sheet instability and intrusion of mCDW during the Early to Mid-Holocene may have led to rapid ice-surface lowering of hundreds of meters in East Antarctica.

Safety Monitoring of Expressway Construction Based on Multisource Data Fusion

China’s terrain is complex, both plain, microhill (heavy-hill) and mountainous terrain; the hidden dangers of highway construction are prominent. Construction site management, production safety management, and construction personnel management are difficult, and it is necessary to borrow advanced technology to establish information, and it is necessary to borrow advanced technology to establish information system to realize the visualization of safety monitoring. In the construction of highways, mountainous terrain is often complicated due to complex terrain, high mountains, and deep valleys. Excavation of the mountain mass is required to form high and steep slopes. For successful projects, safety monitoring is particularly important. Multisource data fusion is one of the computer application technologies. It is an information processing technology that is automatically analyzed and synthesized under certain criteria to complete the required decision-making and evaluation tasks. This paper analyzes high-speed data in the context of multisource data fusion. Study on highway slope construction safety monitoring. BP neural network fusion technology of multisource data fusion technology is used. A high-speed breccia-bearing silty clay slope is taken as the research object. The feedback information about the deployed monitoring system is fully used in the slope design and construction. The construction design parameters are reversed to predict the stability of the slope and ensure the safety of construction and operation of similar slopes of the entire expressway. The research in this paper finds that the maximum deviation between the slope displacement value and the measured value obtained by the slope monitoring based on multisource data fusion in this paper is 7.53%, which is less than 10%, which verifies the feasibility of the method in this paper. The research methods and ideas of this paper can also provide a reference for similar engineering research.

Dynamic responses of bridge substructures subjected to high-speed trains

The substructures of high-speed rail (HSR) structures are typically rigid, as they are designed to meet stringent longitudinal displacement limits specified in most HSR design standards. For site conditions such as deep valleys and soft soils, tall columns or low foundation stiffness can lead to a flexible substructure system. Flexible substructures are preferred for bridges in seismic areas because their lower horizontal frequencies yield smaller seismic forces. This cost-effective design strategy is recognised in the California HSR design criteria manual, which specifies larger relative longitudinal displacement limits. In this work, the influences of substructure flexibility on relative displacements were investigated through dynamic analyses of 36 different numerical models representing a 20-span viaduct supported by substructures with first horizontal frequencies of 0.566–3.706 Hz. Four key parameters were investigated: column height, span length, bearing plan layout and ratio of depth to span length. Train models from BS EN 1991-2:2003 were used as dynamic moving loads. The results of this study show that the chances of dynamic responses larger than design limits do exist as the stiffness of substructures departs from being rigid, where resonance effects on substructures are the main contributor to response amplification.

Decreasing genetic connectivity in the endangered tree Magnolia patungensis in fragmented forests

Knowledge of genetic variation and connectivity is of great importance to protect endangered species. The region of East Sichuan and West Hubei in China is the biodiversity center of broad-leaved trees in the world, which experienced severe forest fragmentation during the past several decades. Magnolia patungensis is an endangered horticultural tree species endemic to this area. For 16 microsatellite markers, low genetic variations (HE = 0.228–0.364) and high genetic differentiation (FST = 34.0%, G″ST = 53.4%) were found in the four extant M. patungensis populations. These were explained by the genetic bottleneck, genetic drift, inbreeding and restricted gene flow. The low level of historical gene flow (Nmhis = 0.762) among M. patungensis populations was attributed to its limited dispersal ability of pollens and seeds, and the complex terrains of habitats (high mountains, deep valleys, and dense forests). Lower contemporary gene flow (Nmcon = 0.474) suggested that the gene flow was further hindered by recent habitat fragmentations. As for conservation strategies, all remaining populations should be protected to maximize gene representation of the tree species; the artificial pollination is recommended within each population in order to increase seed setting.

Conservative plumage masks extraordinary phylogenetic diversity in the Grallaria rufula (Rufous Antpitta) complex of the humid Andes

AbstractThe Grallaria rufula complex is currently considered to consist of 2 species, G. rufula (Rufous Antpitta) and G. blakei (Chestnut Antpitta). However, it has been suggested that the complex, populations of which occur in humid montane forests from Venezuela to Bolivia, comprises a suite of vocally distinct yet morphologically cryptic species. We sequenced nuclear and mitochondrial DNA for 80 individuals from across the distribution of the complex to determine the extent of genetic variation between and within described taxa. Our results revealed 18 geographically coherent clades separated by substantial genetic divergence: 14 within rufula, 3 within blakei, and 1 corresponding to G. rufocinerea (Bicolored Antpitta), a species with distinctive plumage found to be nested within the complex. Neither G. rufula nor G. blakei as presently defined was monophyletic. Although 6 of the 7 recognized subspecies of G. rufula were monophyletic, several subspecies contained substantial genetic differentiation. Genetic variation was largely partitioned across recognized geographic barriers, especially across deep river valleys in Peru and Colombia. Coalescent modeling identified 17 of the 18 clades as significantly differentiated lineages, whereas analyses of vocalizations delineated 16 biological species within the complex. The G. rufula complex seems unusually diverse even among birds of the humid Andes, a prime location for cryptic speciation; however, the extent to which other dispersal-limited Andean species groups exhibit similar degrees of cryptic differentiation awaits further study.

Detecting 1-D and 2-D ground resonances with a single-station approach

SUMMARYThe vibration modes of the ground have been described both in the 1-D and 2-D case. The 1-D resonance is found on geological structures whose aspect ratio is low, that is on layers with a lateral width much larger than their thickness. A typical example is that of a horizontal soft sediment layer overlying hard bedrock. In this case, the 1-D resonance frequency, traditionally detected by means of the microtremor H/V (horizontal to vertical spectral ratio) technique, depends on the bedrock depth and on the shear wave velocity of the resonating cover layer. The H/V technique is thus used both to map the resonance frequencies in seismic microzonation studies and for stratigraphic imaging. When 2-D resonance occurs, generally on deep and narrow valleys, the whole sedimentary infill vibrates at the same frequency and stratigraphic imaging can no longer be performed by means of the 1-D resonance equation. Understanding the 1-D or 2-D resonance nature of a site is therefore mandatory to avoid wrong stratigraphic and dynamic interpretations, which is in turn extremely relevant for seismic site response assessment. In this paper, we suggest a procedure to address this issue using single-station approaches, which are much more common compared to the multistation synchronized approach presented by research teams in earlier descriptions of the 2-D resonances. We apply the procedure to the Bolzano sedimentary basin in Northern Italy, which lies at the junction of three valleys, for which we observed respectively 1-D-only, 1-D and 2-D, and 2-D-only resonances. We conclude by proposing a workflow scheme to conduct experimental measurements and data analysis in order to assess the 1-D or 2-D resonance nature of a site using a single-station approach.

Aquifer characterization and groundwater flow dynamics in the upper left bank of Jemma River catchment, Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

The complex nature of the Ethiopian aquifer requires detail, characterization, and analysis. Consequently, characterization of groundwater flow and major aquifer systems was conducted in the upper left bank of the Jemma River catchment in the Blue Nile Basin. The research area covered 1255 km2. The main objective of the research was to characterize the aquifer systems and groundwater flow dynamics of the area. The software applied during the research work were aquifer test, ArcMap 10.2, global mapper 17, AutoCAD, Exelis ENVI, geomatics, and rockworks. Pumping test data and spring discharge together with qualitative field description were used to classify the aquifer system. Accordingly, the different aquifer classes are fissured aquifer developed on basalts on the plateau (moderate to low groundwater potential), mixed aquifer (high permeability and very high productivity), fissured aquifer developed on basalts in the valleys (high permeability and low to moderate storage), porous and fissured sandstone aquifer in deep valleys, and localized aquifer with intergranular porosity and permeability (high permeability and high productivity). From the analysis of water level measurements of boreholes, hand-dug wells, and springs, the groundwater flow system is controlled by surface morphology and lineaments. Therefore, the groundwater flows from SE and S-SSE corner towards the N and NW corner of the catchment. Understanding groundwater dynamics and characterizing the aquifer in the catchment are very crucial which in turn help to manage the available water resource for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purpose. Besides, the research will be used to manage aquifers from depletion.

A new electrophysiologic triad for identification and localization of the critical isthmus in atrial flutter

IntroductionAtypical atrial flutter (AFL) is a supraventricular arrhythmia that can be treated with catheter ablation. However, this strategy yields suboptimal results and the best approach is yet to be defined. Carto® electroanatomical mapping (EAM) version 7 displays a histogram of the local activation times (LAT) of the tachycardia cycle length (TCL), in addition to activation and voltage maps. Using these EAM tools, the study aimed to assess the ability of an electrophysiologic triad to identify and localize the critical isthmus in AFL. MethodsRetrospective analysis using Carto® EAM of a single center registry of individuals who underwent left AFL ablation over one year. Subjects with non-left AFL, no high-density EAM, under 2000 points or no left atrium wall or structure mapping were excluded. Sites where arrhythmia is terminated via ablation were compared to an electrophysiologic triad comprising areas of low-voltage (0.05 to 0.3 mV), deep histogram valleys (LAT-valleys) with less than 20% density points relative to the highest density zone and a prolonged LAT-valley duration, which included 10% or more of the TCL. The longest LAT-valley was designated as the primary valley, while additional valleys were named as secondary. ResultsA total of nine subjects (six men, median age 75, interquartile range 71-76 years) were included. All patients presented with left AFL and 66% had a history of ablation for atrial fibrillation and/or flutter. The median TCL and collected points were 254 ms (220-290) and 3300 (IQR 2410-3926) points, respectively. All individuals with AFL presented with at least one LAT-valley on the analyzed histograms, which corresponded to heterogeneous low voltage areas (0.05 to 0.3 mV) and affected more than 10% of TCL. Six of the nine patients presented with a secondary LAT-valley. All arrhythmias were terminated successfully following radiofrequency ablation at the primary LAT-valley location. After a minimum three-month follow-up all patients remained in sinus rhythm. ConclusionAn electrophysiologic triad identified the critical isthmus in AFL for all patients. Further studies are needed to assess the usefulness of this algorithm in improving catheter ablation outcomes.

High Impact Weather Events in the Andes

Owing to the extraordinary latitudinal extent, a strong orographic variability with very high mountain tops, and the presence of deep valleys and steep slopes, the Andes and the population of the region are highly prone and vulnerable to the impacts of a large suite of extreme weather events. Here we provide a review of the most salient events in terms of losses of human and animal lives, economic and monetary losses in costs and damages, and social disruption, namely: (1) extreme precipitation events and related processes (Mesoscale Convective Systems, lightning), (2) cold spells, frosts and high winds, (3) the impacts of ENSO on extreme hydro-meteorological events, (4) floods, (5) landslides, mudslides, avalanches, and (6) droughts, heat waves and fires. For our purposes, we focus this review on three distinctive regions along the Andes: Northern tropical (north of 8˚S), Southern tropical (8˚S-27˚S) and Extratropical Andes (south of 27˚S). Research gaps are also identified and discussed at the end of this review. It is very likely that climate change will increase the vulnerability of the millions of inhabitants of the Andes, impacting their livelihoods and the sustainable development of the region into the 21st century amidst urbanisation, deforestation, air, soil and water pollution, and land use changes.