Main Thrust Research Articles

Geology of Kerabari - Rajarani Area with Special Emphasis on Geological Structures and Strain Analysis of the Main Central Thrust, the Lesser Himalayan Sequence, and Higher Himalayan Crystalline, Eastern Nepal

The geological study was carried out in the Kerabari - Rajarani area that covers south-eastern part of Dhankuta district and northern part of Morang district of eastern Nepal. The study was mainly focused on the lithostratigraphy, structural analysis, and strain analysis of the Main Central Thrust (MCT) and its hanging and foot walls by integrating field study and laboratory investigation. Geologically, the study area can be divided into the Sub-Himalaya, the Lesser Himalayan Sequence, and the Higher Himalayan Crystalline, respectively. The Lesser Himalayan Sequence is divided into the Bhedetar Group and the Dada Bajar Group, separated by the Chimra Thrust. The Bhedetar Group consists of the Chiuribas Formation, while the Dada Bajar Group comprises of the Ukhudanda Formation, the Mulghat Formation, the Okhre Formation, and the Patigau Formation, respectively. The key geological structures include the Main Central Thrust, the Chimra Thrust, the Main Boundary Thrust, and the Main Frontal Thrust, from north to south, respectively. The microstructural analysis of the quartz grains from the Lesser Himalayan Sequence and the Higher Himalayan Crystalline on either side of the MCT provide evidence of multiple phases of deformation. Likewise, the strain analysis of quartz grains from the MCT characterizes the MCT as the stretching fault thrust.

High-skilled migration and the knowledge society. Theories, processes, perspectives

The recent economic crisis has led to an upswing in migration from the Mediterranean countries of Europe towards its central and northern development hubs. This overall increase in migration also includes high numbers of the so-called skilled migrants, consisting mainly, though not exclusively, of young people moving within Europe for study or specialisation, or seeking employment that matches their skills profile. It is no coincidence then that this new trend for skilled migration within Europe forms the main thrust of the cognitive and research interests of sociologists, economists and migration geographers. The aim of this paper is to reconstruct the theoretical debate on skilled migration in the context of what is perhaps too hastily defined as a ?knowledge society?, through a broad and systematic critical analysis of the scientific literature.

Cybernetic States: Communication, Control, and State-Space in the Advanced Research Projects Agency

While political geographers have researched state restructuring extensively over the past forty years, few have explored the role of cybernetics in this process. Conversely, although a wide spectrum of scholars outside of geography have shed light on aspects of cybernetic governance, they have yet to incorporate insights from political geography. In both cases, the political geography of cybernetic state power remains largely unexplored. To bridge this gap, the article explores the nexus of cybernetics and state restructuring in the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), a Cold War US defense research agency, circa 1958 to 1969. It analyzes Congressional testimonies by ARPA-sponsored scientists and engineers alongside their academic publications and other papers to grasp how they conceived of and actively sought to transform state-space. The article makes two arguments. First, while geographers treat state restructuring as a function of neoliberalization or War on Terror securitization, the process was set in motion near the start of the Cold War. It was then that ARPA's appeal to cybernetics to resolve geopolitical conflicts cemented the logical, organizational, and technical foundations for neoliberal and War on Terror state mutations. Second, the main thrust of ARPA responses to Cold War crises involved restructuring state-power in the mode of a cybernetic feedback control system. These efforts bring into relief a distinct object of analysis, the state control system (SCS), which offers geographers fresh perspectives on state restructuring and opens new pathways for interdisciplinary research.

TRENDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE AMERICAS, EUROPE AND ASIA AND PIECING TOGETHER THE KEY SUCCESS FACTORS AND TOXIC BLIND CORNERS

The main thrust of this research was to contribute to theory building in the Theory of Higher Education (PPT) and their applicability in Oman and globally looking at the broader issues of students, academic work, and the place for higher education in society. The research explored gaps in knowledge regarding this theory as a contribution to knowledge, and in this instance, the Oman and global higher education industry was the epicentre of the research and was expected to meet foremost the needs of industry and government as employers of graduated students, then the needs of students and society in knowledge and innovation. This research was conceptual research using literature review only. A barrier is anything that prevents the system from achieving its goal likegetting enough students, doing academic work and finally poor resourcing. The main reasons giving rise to this research were the facts that some colleges and universities in the world faced challenges in assessment, quality, graduate employability and suitability for industry. The main objective of this research was to contribute to theory building in the Theory of Higher Education and identify critical success factors. The secondary objective was employability of graduates as the end product, maximising knowledge creation and innovation. Qualitative research method in the form of conceptual research was used in this research. The main findings were that lack of practicals/diverse teaching methods, lack of compulsory internship, unfair assessment, balancing classes with free time, the need for diversity in terms of faculty, uncommitted students, incompetent faculty, outdated syllabus, students from high schools not being college ready, graduates not matching industry requirements were the main issues.

Evidence of Dislocation Mixed Climb in Quartz From the Main Central and Moine Thrusts: An Electron Tomography Study

AbstractIn this study we apply electron tomography to characterize 3D dislocation microstructures in two quartz mylonite specimens from the Moine and Main Central Thrusts, both of which accommodated displacements by dislocation creep in the presence of water. Both specimens show dislocation activity with dislocation densities of the order of 3–4 × 1012 m−2 and evidence of recovery from the presence of subgrain boundaries. 〈a〉 slip occurs predominantly on pyramidal and prismatic planes (〈a〉 basal glide is not active). [c] Glide is not significant. On the other hand, we observe a very high level of activation of 〈c + a〉 glide on the , , (n = 1,2) and even planes. Approximately 60% of all dislocations show evidence of climb with a predominance of mixed climb, a deformation mechanism characterized by dislocations moving in a plane intermediate between the glide and the climb planes. This atypical mode of deformation demonstrates comparable glide and climb efficiency under natural deformation conditions. It promotes dislocation glide in planes not expected for the quartz structure, probably by inhibiting lattice friction. Our quantitative characterization of the microstructure enables us to assess the strain that dislocations can generate. We show that glide systems indicated by the observed dislocations are sufficient to accommodate any arbitrary 3D strain by themselves. Although historically dislocation glide has been regarded as being primarily responsible for producing strain, activation of climb can also directly contribute to the finite strain. On the basis of this characterization, we propose a numerical modeling approach for attempting to characterize the local stress state that gave rise to the observed microstructure.

Education infrastructure inequality and academic performance in Ghana

The main thrust of this study was to assess the infrastructure inequality and academic performance nexus. Education statistics (2018) from the Ghana Statistical Service was used for the study. Firstly, ANOVA was used to estimate whether district-level academic performance differed at various infrastructure distribution levels (Infrastructure Quintile levels). The study further assessed the relationship between infrastructure and academic performance based on the System General Methods of Moments technique. It was found that the difference in district-level academic performance is conditioned on the infrastructure inequality. Also, previous academic performance had a significant positive relationship with performance. A U-shaped relationship found to exist between academic performance and class size, The study recommends the pursuit of policies aimed at bridging the education infrastructure gap such as prioritisation of education infrastructure development in deprived communities, so as, to impact academic performance.

Experimental determination of mode I notch stress intensity factors using valid strain gage locations

Accurate experimental determination of mode I notch stress intensity factors (NSIFs) of various sharp V-notched configurations using strain gages plays an important role in notch fracture mechanics. However, practically feasible, economical, and efficient strain gage techniques are hardly available for the sharp V-notched problems. Considering problems associated with the sharp V-notched bodies, the authors recently proposed a strong theoretical basis for an efficient single strain gage technique with valid gage locations for the accurate measurement of mode I NSIFs of sharp V-notched configurations. The main thrust of the present investigation is the experimental substantiation of the above strain gage technique using different V-notched configurations. It has been shown that these valid locations are governed by two parameters rmin and rmax of a sharp V-notched configuration. The results of the present investigation clearly demonstrate that very accurate NSIFs can be obtained from a single strain gage located at the suggested valid locations, which need not necessarily be in the vicinity of a notch tip. Further, the results also show that highly erroneous NSIFs can result if the gages are located at invalid radial locations. The results explicitly indicate that adopting the valid gage locations is beneficial rather than pasting the gages based on guesswork or other speculations.

A Panoramic Review on Gastro-Retentive Floating Drug Delivery System

Floating drug delivery has been demonstrated to be the most efficacious of the numerous gastroretentive drug delivery mechanism strategies. The concept behind this system has drawn substantial interest in recent decades. Several strategies are currently implemented to prolong the stomach residence durations, such as floating drug delivery systems, swelling and expansion systems, polymer bioadhesive systems, deformation systems, high-density, etc., systems, and various delayed emptying gastric devices. From a formulation and technology standpoint, floating drug delivery equipment is a rather simplistic and straightforward approach. Floating delivery of drug systems is one of the GRDFs used to increase stomach residence duration. The floating medication delivery device can persist in the gastrointestinal region for several hours due to its floating action on the stomach contents, extensively enhancing the gastrointestinal residence period of drugs. The main thrust of this review is on the design, factors, characterization, applications, evaluation criteria, and prospective future gastro-retentive floating medication delivery techniques.

O homem que muito foi: Pessoa segundo Zenith

For decades, the image of Fernando Pessoa has prevailed as “the man who never was”, whose creations would have so eclipsed the creator that consideration of his worldly experience would be superfluous. One of the recent works to focus on his life, Pessoa – A Biography, by Richard Zenith, represents a monumental effort to undo this image, conferring an unprecedented carnality to the Portuguese writer. This review seeks to present some of the main thrusts of this extensive volume, as well as to deepen the reflection on the biographical genre, no less subject to History than to fiction.

Complex Lesser Himalayan tectonics in the Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya: New perspectives from a fold-duplex model

This study provides a comprehensive account of the modes of crustal shortening in the Lesser Himalayan Sequence (LHS) of the Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya (DSH). The distributed ductile deformation episodes are integrated with the localized thrusting events in the LHS. The LHS records four major episodes of buckle folding in distributed ductile deformations. From field-based structural correlations, it is demonstrated that multiple orders of third-generation orogen-parallel (F3) and late-stage orogen-perpendicular (F4) folds have resulted in complex interference patterns, varying from plane non-cylindrical (Type 1) to non-plane non-cylindrical (Type 2). Continued N–S shortening in the DSH produced a crustal-scale thrust with ramp-flat geometry, locally known as the Daling Thrust (DT) under the influence of a mechanically weak coal-shale-bearing Gondwana layer, which can be compared with the present-day Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). The thrust ramp eventually shifted towards the foreland during the India-Asia collision. A fold-duplex model is proposed to explain the potential mechanism of forelandward basal ramp migration. Our model suggests that the southern shallower Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) flat is susceptible to creeping aseismically due to the influence of coal-shale rheology. In contrast, the mid-crustal ramp and the presently active frontal splay faults (e.g., Main Frontal Thrust, MFT) are potentially seismogenic. These findings have important implications for the interpretation of the MHT seismic cycles.

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Best Practices in Applying Environmental, Social, and Governance Criteria within the Energy Sector

This article embarks on a crucial exploration of the implementation and integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria within the energy sector of European countries, with the ultimate objective of refining the energy legislation in Ukraine. The research delves into the evolving role of ESG standards as a cornerstone in corporate strategy and investment, transitioned from its roots in socially responsible investing to a comprehensive framework that intertwines ethical, environmental, and governance considerations with financial analysis. The main thrust of the study is the following: firstly, it provides a panoramic overview of ESG applications within European energy projects, underscoring pivotal policies, strategies, and instances of successful ESG standard incorporation. Secondly, it benchmarks and compares ESG practices across Europe’s energy sector to distill best practices and their consequential trends and impacts. Lastly, this study converges these European insights to forge pragmatic recommendations for Ukraine’s energy legislation, aiming for an elevated integration of ESG standards that are in step with European benchmarks. The anticipated outcomes offer recommendations for enhancing Ukraine’s energy sector with robust ESG standards, proposing steps that align with the country’s newly adopted Energy Strategy 2050 and international sustainability goals.

Numerical study on effects of geometric parameters influence on two-dimensional cycloidal propellers

Aiming to investigate different geometric parameters on cycloidal propellers' hydrodynamic characteristics, an efficient two-dimensional (2D) cycloidal propeller model was established. The Reynolds-averaged-Navier-Stokes (RANS) solver was used to simulated the open water maneuverability of the cycloidal propellers' in fully azimuth angle. Hydrodynamic characteristics under different geometric parameters were analyzed in detail. The geometric parameters are blade number, chord length, thickness and camber, respectively. The research shows that with the increase of the blade number, the side thrust increases, and main thrust decreases. The longer of the blade chord length, the greater the thrust. As the blade camber increases, the effective thrust increases. Additionally, the blade thickness has little effect on side thrust, but it can improve the utilization of torque and significantly increase the efficiency of the propeller. The revealed findings in present paper should contribute to cycloidal propellers' preliminary design.

Design and performance analysis of a compact dual-motor underwater vector propulsion system

Vector propulsion systems enhance the limited three-dimensional motion capabilities of conventional systems at low speeds. However, their requirement for multiple prime movers increases the underwater robot’s power capacity, impacts its size and mass and compromises long endurance capabilities. To solve this problem, a compact dual-motor underwater vector propulsion system is proposed in this paper. It employs a nozzle, adjustable in a two-dimensional plane, to produce an adjusting force, and a propeller, perpendicular to this plane, for main thrust, achieving three-dimensional motion. The innovation lies in a dual-shaft motor with each shaft featuring a one-way bearing. The synchronized direction of rotation of the two one-way bearings is opposite. This configuration enables the motor to drive the propeller during forward rotation and the nozzle during reverse rotation, achieving a two-in-one drive motor and reducing prime movers. Additionally, using nozzles for attitude regulation overcomes the limitation of conventional propulsion systems. An analytical model defines mechanical output characteristics. Computational fluid dynamics analyze hydrodynamic characteristics. The prototype’s underwater experiments confirm its ability to generate main thrust and a two-dimensional planar adjusting force, enabling three-dimensional motion.

Cloudbursts Strike over Foothill Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India: A Case Study from Maldeota, Dehradun District

The present study highlights the cloudburst issues that occurred in Raipur area of Dehradun City. On the night of August 20, 2022, the Raipur area of Uttarakhand state capital Dehradun was lashed by excessive rainfall or cloudbursts resulting in the water level of sub-watersheds of the Song River rising enormously, particularly Bandal Nadi and Song river. Bhaiswar and Sarkhet villages came in limelight which are situated on the Bandal valley due to loss of human lives and property. 5 people were killed while 3 people were injured and 24 animals lost whereas about 8.25 ha of agricultural fields were damaged and 12 families became homeless in these incidences. The transport connectivity of the Sarkhet and adjoining areas was disrupted due to washing off the road in several places. A detailed investigation was carried out in the affected areas to ascertain the causes and impacts of the disaster and the feasibility of rehabilitation land. Geologically, the devastated area is observed to be fragile due to its proximity to Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and subsequent Fault as also lies to the Eastern fringe of the Mussoorie Syncline. It was also observed that untraditionally ways of habitation patterns in the region and economic opportunities due to increasing tourist inflow in the area are responsible for the enhanced devastating potential of disaster. This work mainly concentrates on future risk and suggestions for future risk mitigation within the area.

Leaving post-anything urban studies behind?

Luger and Schwarze's critical unsettling of postindustrial is a presciently welcome one. For some years now, I—and others—have become increasingly uncomfortable with referring to and describing the locations of our research as “postindustrial.” The main focus of this commentary is on the facets of Luger and Schwarze's (2024) arguments as they relate to nonmetropolitan deindustrializing urbanisms in the North Atlantic in an attempt to develop how we better conceptualize, understand and do justice to and with such spaces. The main thrust of the contribution is for the affective intensities and traumas of deindustrialization to be brought into closer analytical dialog with the profusion of processes associated with, in particular, “organized abandonment” and “neoliberal urbanism.” If classed experiences and knowledge shape these dialogs, there remains hope for urban studies to contribute to an emergent multiethnic class politics around commonalities of contemporary as well as historical class violence.

Estimation of surface deformation in Sikkim and Eastern Nepal Himalaya using PSInSAR technique

The region of the Himalayan arc covering Sikkim and eastern Nepal experiences dominant strike-slip deformation oblique to the convergence direction of the Indian plate. This region is also traversed by transverse structural and tectonic features. The present study is aimed at comprehending the horizontal and vertical deformation rates for this region using the PSInSAR technique. We utilized 70 and 78 Single Look Complex images in ascending and descending passes respectively, spanning from February 2017 to August 2023 for time-series displacement measurement along the radar line of sight (LOS). The results reveal the LOS velocity ranging from −15 to +10 mm/yr for the ascending data and ±20 mm/yr for the descending data. The mean line-of-sight velocities of ascending and descending passes were decomposed to estimate the horizontal (east-west) and vertical components of the deformation vector. These components range from ±15 mm/yr and −12 to +8 mm/yr, respectively, suggesting that the horizontal deformation predominates in the study area. A NW-SE trending boundary coinciding with the Tista lineament sub-divides the study region into the eastern Nepal and the Sikkim blocks based on the patterns of the deformation rates. The eastern Nepal block south of the Main Central Thrust exhibits locked portion of the arc with eastward motion, whereas the Sikkim block exhibits uplift (unlocked with creep) and westward motion. The amplitudes of these deformation rates support dominant strike-slip deformation with minor vertical deformation component. These results suggest that the Tista lineament is a prominent strike-slip fault and probably the most significant active tectonic feature in the region. Together with the seismicity data, we infer that probably the entire crustal block rather than the Himalayan wedge is contributing to the surface deformation, as mapped by the present PSInSAR study.

Engineering Geological Study of Road Tunnel Along Siddhartha Highway Between Butwal and Dobhan Siwaliks Group, West-central Nepal

The Siddhartha Highway is a critical economic artery in Nepal, providing a vital trade link with China and India. However, this roadway has been beset by the frequent occurrence of rock falls and dry landslides, which can cause severe damage and disruption. The main causes of these issues are differential weathering patterns of the rocks, activation of the Main Frontal Thrust (MFT), and a young mountain chain with fragile geology. Because of road instability, the road tunnel has been proposed to prevent damage. The proposed tunnel road passes between the chainage of 29+000 and 30+370 in the rocks of the Lower and Middle Siwaliks. The Lower Siwaliks are composed of thick to thin-bedded shale, mudstone and calcareous sandstone whereas the Middle Siwaliks are represented by presence of friable sandstone, shale and mudstone. The rock mass of this section varies from poor rock to extremely poor rock with RMR values ranging from 29 to 45 and Q values ranging from 0.19 to 1.11. The support system for each class is derived according to RMR and Q-value. The kinematic analysis reveals the potential of wedge failure at the southern portal of the road tunnel, whereas the northern portal has shown a low potential for failure.

Assessing the geometry of the Main Himalayan thrust in central Nepal: A thermokinematic approach

Abstract Since the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal, the relationship between the geometry of megathrusts and the control it exerts over the nucleation and propagation of major earthquakes has become an important topic of debate. In this study, we integrate new geologic mapping, a newly interpreted cross section from the Daraundi valley of central Nepal, two published cross sections from the neighboring Marsyangdi and Budhi Gandaki valleys, and a suite of 270 thermochronometric ages to create an integrated and validated three-dimensional kinematic model for the central Nepal Himalaya. We use this model to investigate the assertion that the westward propagation of the Gorkha rupture was restricted by deep-seated structures in the Main Himalayan thrust. The integrated kinematic model based on these cross sections indicates that the ~30 km southward step in the Main Central thrust system mapped in the Daraundi valley, along with the corresponding step in the distribution of reset muscovite (Ar-Ar) ages, is not the result of a lateral structure in the modern Main Himalayan thrust. Instead, the step in the surface geology is the result of a considerably shorter Trishuli thrust sheet in the Daraundi transect (~30 km compared to between 105 and 120 km in the other transects). The corresponding southward step in the distribution of reset muscovite Ar-Ar ages is the result of the Lesser Himalayan duplex being completely translated over the Main Himalayan thrust ramp, elevating and exposing rocks heated to >400 °C farther south in the Daraundi transect. Our integrated model also highlights the 10–15 km of out-of-sequence thrusting that occurs on the Main Central thrust system across central Nepal. Importantly, these out-of-sequence thrusts sole directly into the modern Main Himalayan thrust ramp, and, together with the distribution of reset zircon (U-Th)/He and apatite fission track ages, show that the modern ramp is distinctly linear from east to west, with no support for a lateral structure at the ramp or to the south.

Exploring radon emanation fraction in dry and wet conditions: a study in the main Boundary Thrust Region of Garhwal Himlaya

Exploring radon emanation fraction in dry and wet conditions: a study in the main Boundary Thrust Region of Garhwal Himlaya

Geodetic plate coupling and seismic potential on the main Himalayan thrust in Nepal

We model interseismic plate coupling distribution on the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) in Nepal through the inversion of secular GNSS velocity data. To complement previously published data, we compile velocity data from ten additional continuous stations to improve spatial resolution in central and mid-western Nepal. A regional non-planar structural model is adopted to reproduce the MHT fault plane. In general, the coupling pattern seems nearly binary, indicating that transition from full coupling to decoupling is occurring sharply in very narrow zones. In eastern Nepal (> 84.5ºE), plate coupling is very strong from the surface to intermediate depths, including the source region of the 2015 Mw 7.8 Gorkha earthquake. Geodetically estimated slip deficit rates are consistent with the rupture history of great earthquakes in the east revealed by geomorphological observations. In the west (< 83.0ºE), a weakly coupled zone extends laterally at intermediate depths, whereas the coupling in the shallower part remains very strong. Although the slip deficit rate in the west is significantly smaller than that in the east, seismic moment accumulated, since the last complete rupture in 1505 may be capable of generating a future great event. In central Nepal, estimated slip deficit rates are comparable with those in the east, and no great event has been documented over the past several centuries. Thus, the seismic risk may be most urgent in central Nepal. The development of local seismicity and crustal deformation should be carefully monitored.Graphical