Permanent Route Research Articles

Ecological analysis of bird fauna in the territories of water treatment facilities at Kharkiv region

Purpose. Analysis of the avifauna on the territory of water treatment facilities to assess their importance in the support and conservation of birds at Kharkiv region. Methods. Field survey: records of birds on permanent routes. Statistical analysis. Results. Avifauna of water treatment facilities (hereinafter WTF) at Kharkiv region in 2019 - 2023 amounted to 195 species from 17 orders and 44 families. Passeriformes birds dominated (37.7%; n=159), Charadriiformes (16.6%) and Anseriformes (12.1%) subdominated. A minority of other orders (Accipitriformes (4.5%), Ciconiiformes (3.2%), Columbiformes (3.2%)) was recorded. WTF are important for nesting of 80 species (53.3%; n=195), and are also a trophic base for 44 (27.7%) wandering, 28 (17.6%) migratory and 7 (4.4%) wintering bird species. Among 11 faunal groups, limnophilic 18.5% (n=159), boreal (15.9%) and tropical (13.4%) dominated. The nesting avifauna is formed mainly by tropical (16.9%; n = 80), limnophilic (13.0%) and forest-steppe - 13.0% groups. Conclusions. The research suggests that man-made areas of water treatment facilities are important for maintaining species diversity of birds, as they are a place of concentration of both widespread and rare species during all seasons of the year. In total, 159 species of birds were found nesting or staying in different seasons on the territory of water treatment facilities at Kharkiv region, most of which are rare and endangered: listed in the Red Book of Kharkiv region (15 species) and the Red Book of Ukraine (13 species); species of concern in Europe (Bonn and Bern Conventions).

Features of the population dynamics of larks (Alaudidae, Aves) in the semi-desert zone of the Saratov Trans-Volga region

The paper presents the results of our long-term monitoring of the family of larks (Alauda arvensis L., Melanocorypha calandra L., M. leucoptera Pallas, M. yeltoniensis J. R. Forster and Calandrella rufescens Vieillot) in the semi-desert zone of the Saratov Trans-Volga region. Bird censuses were carried out at 4 key sites on permanent routes during the nesting period, the total length of the census transects was 792 km. Statistical indicators of population dynamics were calculated, namely: the growth rates (Tnp.) and average density values (ind. / 100 ha) of each lark species. A statistical multivariate factor analysis (F-test) was carried out, with the help of which we were able to reveal the influence of a whole range of factors on the lark density dynamics. Changes in habitat conditions at the key areas (Fcrit. = 1.30, p = 0.003), as well as weather factors (Fcrit. = 1.39, p = 0.004) of particular years, have a significant impact on the density dynamics of larks. Evaluation of the variance showed heterogeneity of the sample (St = 0.119, p = 0.006), therefore, the average densities of larks differs significantly from each other. Thus, the structure of the lark community and the annual density of each species are the result of the environmental conditions of the habitats at each key site, and the weather conditions of particular years.

A decrease in the number and the timing shift of the bird arrival in the North-Eastern Baikal Region

The article deals with the main results of a long-term study of birds in the Barguzin State Nature Biosphere Reserve (Russia). Phenological observations of the bird spring arrival have been carried out from 1938 to 2020. Monitoring of bird communities has been carried out from 1984 to 2020 on permanent counting routes in the valleys of three rivers in the area from the Lake Baikal coast to the highlands of the Barguzin Range (460–1700 m a.s.l.). We detected shifts and cyclical changes in the timing of the bird arrival and revealed a steady decrease in the abundance of the bird population after 1997–1998. The long-term series of observations (taking into account of model bird groups) made it possible to identify some responses of the biota to climatic changes in the Lake Baikal Region. Twenty-six species (40.0%) began to arrive in spring statistically significantly earlier, seven species (10.8%) significantly later, and for 32 species (49.2%) the arrival timing did not change statistically significantly. In contrary to Europe and North America, in the Baikal Region, the proportion of distant migrants in the group of early arriving bird species is higher than in the group of nearby migrants. We suggest that these differences may be associated with different wintering areas of long-distance migrants (species of the Baikal Region winter in South and Southeast Asia in contrast to African wintering areas of European birds). In the Baikal Region, the periods of high and low abundance in background species populations are probably associated with the passage of wet and dry phases of a long climatic cycle. We have identified positive trends in long-term changes in abundance for seven background species (14.0%), and a steady decline in abundance for 17 species (34.0%). In addition, we noted an equal ratio of species with a positive and negative trend in native species abundance. Negative trends of changes in the number of distant and nearby migrants prevailed over positive (increase) trends. So, we found 14 species with negative and four species with positive trends. An increase in the duration of observations makes it possible to give a more reliable assessment of processes in population dynamics, and identify mechanisms of the influence of meteorological and phenological factors on the dynamics of the abundance of bird species. This makes it possible to predict some biota responses to long-term climate changes in the absence of anthropogenic transformations of the natural environment.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR TRAJECTORY DATA MINING

Introduction. Advanced technologies allow almost continuous tracking and recording the movement of objects inspace and time. Detecting interesting patterns in these data, popular routes, habits, and anomalies in object motion and understanding mobility behaviors are actual tasks in different application areas such as marketing, urban planning, transportation, biology, ecology, etc.Problem Statement. In order to obtain useful information from trajectories of moving objects, it is important to develop and to improve mathematical methods of spatiotemporal analysis and to implement them in highquality modern software.Purpose. The purpose of this research is the development of information technology for trajectory data mining.Materials and Methods. Information technology contains the three main algorithms: revealing key pointsand sequences of interest with the use of density-based trajectories clustering of studied objects; detecting patterns of an object movement based on association rules and hierarchical cluster analysis of its motion trajectories in the time interval of observations, similarity measure of the motion trajectories has been proposed to be calculated on the basis of the DTW method with the use of the modified Haversine formula; new algorithm for revealing permanent routes and detecting groups of similar objects has been developed on the basis of clustering ensemblesof all studied trajectories in time. The clustering parameters are selected with multi-criteria quality evaluation.Results. The modern software that implements the proposed algorithms and provides a convenient interactionwith users and a variety of visualization tools has been created. The developed algorithms and software have beentested in detail on the artificial trajectories of moving objects and applied to analysis of real open databases.Conclusions. The experiments have confirmed the efficiency of the proposed information technology thatmay have a practicable application to trajectory data mining in various fields.

Justification of efficiency of route fuel consumption norms for trucks operated in tropical conditions

Over the past decade, the economies of Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, have been developing dynamically, which leads to an increase in demand for the transportation of goods and passengers. At the same time, in a number of countries in this region, there is no state regulation in the field of rationing fuel consumption of trucks in real conditions. Therefore, improving the current fuel rationing system is an urgent task when performing cargo transportation in the tropics. The paper offers a justification for rationing fuel consumption of trucks performing transport work on permanent routes in tropical conditions on the example of Vietnam.

Open database of snow-measuring observations in the south of Western Siberia (2011-2021) and its comparison with data from stationary meteorological observations and satellite monitoring

This article provides a database of the local snow-measuring observations for three river basins in the south of Western Siberia, reviews the methodological peculiarities of the conduct of measurements, and compares the acquired data with the observations at weather stations and available satellite data (CGLS SWE). Observations were carried out in several stages over the period of ten years (2011-2021) in small river basins of Kuchuk, Kasmala, and Mayma Rivers, and reflect the transition from the West Siberian Plain to the Altai lowlands. Total of 25,000 measurements of the parameters of snow deposits (snow mass and snow storage) were made over the years. The database of snow measuring observations is accessible to public. The comparison with station and satellite data indicated significant variances, but also fairly good coherence in some reservoir basins. According to satellite data, the common to basins mean squared error of snow storages was 42.9 mm, which is slightly higher than the claimed by the product engineers (37.4 mm). The time-limited observation data on the permanent routes of weather stations demonstrated the mean squared error of snow storages of 43.5 mm. In winter period, the mean squared error of satellite data gradually increased to the period of maximum accumulation of snow in reservoir basins. Moreover, the errors of satellite data did not depend on the snowiness of the winter period; and most likely, are associated with the parameters of microstructure of the snow mass in separate seasons.

Transformations of the herpetofauna of South-Western Kyzylkum (Uzbekistan) under the influence of technogenesis

The diversity of herpetofauna in the natural ecosystem of the southwestern part of Kyzylkum has been studied quite deeply. In recent decades, vast desert areas have been developed for agricultural crops, and a network of irrigation facilities has been set up for watering and water supply development of new lands and socio-cultural objects. However, the study of the animal world, including the complex of amphibians and reptiles under the influence of anthropogenic factors, has been overlooked in the transformed areas. In this paper, we present the impact and consequences of man-made factors on herpetofauna of the developed areas of the Bukhara region, using the example of hydraulic structures – collectors. The studies were carried out along the Northern collector at the Ramitan and Shafirkan stationary points. Seasonal field works were carried out from March to May and in September 2018, in October-November 2019, and June-August 2020. The population density of the species was determined based on permanent and selective routes. In total, about 80 day-time and nighttime observations were carried out, with a length of more than 130 km. The fauna of the studied area is represented by two species of amphibians and 17 species of reptiles, including three species which are listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan and Annex I and II of CITES of which one is the IUCN Red List. According to the seasons of the year, the current state of the species population, their habitats, the dynamics of population, and the ratio of adults to young individuals are described. The expansion of the territorial space of two species of amphibians and two species of reptiles in connection with the construction of the collector-drainage network system was established. Detailed data on the negative impact of irrigation agriculture on desert species that are on the verge of complete extinction in the developed areas are provided. It is advisable to conduct conservation activities on critically endangered species regularly.

Особливості поведінки і розмноження сніжниці жовтодзьобої (Chionis alba Gmelin, 1789) в акваторії архіпелагу Аргентинські острови і прилеглих територій (Земля Грейама, Антарктичний півострів)

Systematic studies of the ornithofauna of the Argentine Islands archipelago by Ukrainian polar explorers began in the second half of the 90s. At the beginning of the XXI-st century, the southernmost breeding site of the Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis alba), Petermann Island, was discovered by Ukrainian ornithologists; later, nesting within the Argentine Islands archipelago was recorded. Breeding and behavioural peculiarities of the Snowy Sheathbill were studied during the XX-th (April 2015 - March 2016) and the XXIII-rd (April 2018 – March 2019) Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions, in accordance with the objectives of the State Target Scientific and Technical Research Program of Ukraine in Antarctica for 2010-2020. The distribution, abundance and detection of the Snowy Sheathbill nesting sites were investigated according to generally accepted methods, by means of surveys on permanent routes, and also by the method of point counting at Cape Marina Point on Galindez Island. During the reporting period, more than 400 hours were spent on conducting morning surveys and recording. The Snowy Sheathbill nests were examined on Galindez and Petermann Islands, the sites of probable breeding were investigated on Uruguay Island and Cape Tuxen (Antarctic Peninsula). In the spring of 2015, at Cape Marina Point on Galindez Island, breeding of one pair of the Snowy Sheathbill was recorded, and in the spring of 2018 – breeding of two pairs. In the spring of 2018, clutches on Galindez Island were registered: in the first clutch - three eggs, in the other – four ones. The average egg weight was 41.0 ± 0.8 (standard deviation – 1.9 g). Under favourable nesting conditions, the hatching of the first chicks is possible in late December. The average weight of newly hatched chicks was 33.3 ± 3.6 g. From January 19 to February 28, 2018, three chicks were weighed: the average increase in the weight of the first chick was 17.9 ± 1.3 g (standard deviation 7.6 g); the increase in the weight of the second one was 17.4 ± 1.3 g (standard deviation 7.7 g); the average increase in the weight of the third chick was smaller than in previous ones and amounted to 13.8 ± 1.5 g. The days without increase in weight were recorded: for the first chick such days were on February 19, 25, 28, for the second one only two days – on February 24 and 28; for the third chick - five days (on February 4, 13, 15, 27, 28). On the 41st day, the weight of the first chick was 680 g, the second one weighed 670 g, and the weight of the third chick was about 480 g. on the 40th day.

Характеристика видимых миграций птиц в дельте Днестра в 1974 -1976 гг.

The article deals with the results of observations of diurnal bird migrations and counts on a fixed route in the spring and autumn of 1974-1976, in the Dniester Delta. The total number of observation days was 82 (32 in spring and 50 in autumn, respectively). For this period, during observations and counts on the route, 135 bird species from 11 orders were registered, the total number of which exceeded 600 000 individuals. The study of migrations was carried out according to the E. Kumari method (1955). At the observation site, 80 species were counted, including 52 in spring and 60 in autumn. The Jaccard similarity coefficient (Jaccard index) was quite low between seasons and amounted to only 0.59. The frequency of occurrence of the majority of registered species was low. This may have been due to the area of the floodplains themselves, as well as to the weak extent of their anthropogenic transformation observed in the late 70s of the 20th century, which contributed to the bird migrations over the Delta in a wide front. The density of the spring migration flow was maximum in March and averaged 1077.4 ind. (n=32) per a daylight, while the autumn migration flow was 1926.2 ind. (n=50). There were interannual differences in the density of migrations in March. In the spring of 1975, the flight density was 900.3 ind. (n=15), and in 1976 it was almost twice more and amounted to 2094.7 ind. (n=11). There were no interannual differences in the intensity of autumn migrations. The maximum migration density was 2585.2 ind. (n=23) in October. The majority of non-passerine bird species flew in the morning: in spring up to 43.8%, in autumn - 64.1%. The diurnal activity of Passeriformes varied by season: in spring, morning migrations prevailed (56.1%), and in autumn, with the same ratio in the evening (56.1%). The vast majority of flocks (87 - 90%) amounted from 1 to 50 individuals. At altitudes up to 50 m, 37.0% flew, 51-150 m – 24.9% and above 150 m – 38.1% of birds. For a number of species, it was proved that the height of their flights in the general for the season migration sector of directions was higher than in the reverse directions.127 bird species were registered on all routes, of which 106 were registered on a permanent (fixed) route. Maximum species diversity was observed in March – 85, in April − 65, in September − 60, in October − 61 and in November – 40 species. The dynamics of the species composition of birds on a fixed route can be used as an additional characteristic of day transit migrations.

The Role of Gene Therapy in the Treatments of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: a review

The main aims of this review were to understand the roles of gene therapy in the treatment and prevention of type 1 diabetes mellitus and I will discuss a brief history, approaches, vector types with the future of diabetes following clinical use. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition that is identified by insufficient insulin development due to pancreatic damage to beta cells. Control, long life, and diagnosis of these metabolic disorders have become vital sources for many scientists and researchers. After 2000, the latest approaches to molecular medicine were introduced as one of the possible therapeutic options for diabetes type 1 diagnosis. Many genes have been reported as a clinical trial so that damaged genes can be treated and three main approaches shown about 50 years ago are islet transplantation, β cell regeneration, and insulin gene therapy to cure and prevent diabetes type. Treating diabetes through gene therapy can promise children and adolescents, but more clinical applications are needed to recognize it as a permanent route.

Ecological Population Status of the Most Common Bird Species in Northern Altai Low-Mountain Forests and the Principal Difference in Avifauna Status in Altai and Baikal Regions

In 2016 and 2017, from April to July, bird individual nesting home ranges were regularly mapped along the permanent census route (2.8 km) in the low-mountain forests dominated by pine and birch. For each bird species, the nesting densities and average sizes of the bird individual nesting home range were estimated, and raster maps of spatial allocation (MSA) at the scale of the raster grid of 50 × 50 m were obtained. The degree of spatial conservatism (DSC) for each local population was inferred from the pairwise comparisons of the specific MSAs obtained at the same area (28 ha) in different years with the use of the Gamma rank correlation method. The statistical dependence of the population habitat area on DSC was demonstrated earlier (Cherenkov, 2017). The more habitat area is found within the trial plot, the less dependent (random) the individual spatial allocation within a population is observed in different years. Significant DSC estimates (p < 0.05) were obtained for 15 species, and their habitat areas and habitat saturation were found. The population status was inferred from the degree of habitat saturation. Average estimates of the degree of habitat saturation were close in migratory and nonmigratory species (49 and 45%, respectively). The Altai migratory birds wintering in Southeast Asia did not differ statistically in the degree of habitat saturation from those wintering in Southern Europe and North Africa. A comparison of avifauna status of the Altai and Baikal regions revealed substantial differences. In Altai the number of the most common migratory nesting species is almost twice as high, their average nesting density is four times higher, and habitat saturation is twice as high as in the birds of the Baikal region. The interregional differences in the degree of habitat saturation indicate that most of populations of the migratory species of the Baikal region are subject to twice as much intensive pressure of some factors limiting the population growth compared to the Altai populations. At the same time, there were no significant differences in the ecological population status of the nonmigratory species between these regions. Close estimates of the degree of habitat saturation in nonmigratory species in the Altai and Baikal regions support a suggestion that the integrate influence of factors limiting their population numbers is similar in both regions. Close estimates of the degree of habitat saturation and nesting density in the migratory and nonmigratory Altai species show that neither of the two strategies of surviving gives a pronounced advantage. The difference between the Altai and Baikal regions in the degree of habitat saturation in the migratory species is seemingly determined by the different mortality levels in the wintering areas and on the routes of migrations.

Жылтырауық жармасқының (Teratoscincus scincus Schlegel,1858) Кербұлақ жазығының құмдарындағы сан мөлшерінің ауытқуы

the article presents data on the population dynamics of the Plate-tailed Gecko (Teratoscincus scincus Schlegel, 1858) in the Sands of the Kerbulak plain (Northern part of the ili province). The article is based on the results of research conducted in 2007-2019 using one of the methods of accounting for the number of nocturnal animals — accounting using the light of a headlight (lantern). The research was conducted in semi-fixed (with open areas) and fixed bumpy Sands on permanent routes, mainly in the first half of June. The results of night accounting show that the number of Plate-tailed Gecko in various biotopes varies very widely (by 16.6 times). On semi-fixed Sands, these indicators averaged 2.8 — 20.0 per 1 ha, and 1.2 — 11.6 individuals on fixed Sands. Population fluctuations are influenced by annual and seasonal weather conditions, the use of these biotopes in all seasons as pastures by large and small cattle (sheep and goats), as well as the capture in large numbers of this Gecko as a decorative object for keeping in a terrarium. The daily activity, especially the time of its exit from the burrow, of the Plate-tailed Gecko in may-July is not subject to much change: in may, the time of exit from the burrow is 21 hours 25 minutes, in June-21 hours 15 minutes, in July-21 hours 30 minutes. Plate-tailed Gecko as one of the most important biological species in order to find out the number in the territories of its habitat, it is necessary to conduct constant Herpetological studies and to preserve the population, conduct propaganda work among the population.

Waterfowl Wintering in Moscow (1985–1999): Dependence on Air Temperatures and the Prosperity of the Human Population

Abstract. Over fifteen years (1985–1999) waterfowl were counted during one day in January on 33 permanent routes with a total length of c. 310 km along the banks of all rivers and ponds throughout the city. 23 species (apart from gulls) were recorded. The number of species varied from 3 to 10 in different years and increased significantly during the study period. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos was the most numerous species (98–99% of individuals). The proportion of male Mallards varied from year to year within the range 54–63%. The number of Mallards gradually increased from c. 17 300 in the winter of 1984–1985 to c. 28 000 in the winter of 1989–90 but then declined to c. 7500 in the winter of 1997–1998. These changes appear to depend on both air temperatures during the winter and the prosperity of the city's inhabitants, who feed ducks with bread and scraps of food. It is highly probable that the change in the socio-economic situation has been the main cause of the decline in waterfowl observed during the 1990s.

Advancing trade with China: The Eastern and Australian Mail Steam Company and the 1873–1880 mail contract

The Eastern and Australian Mail Steam Company altered the dynamics of sea transport between China and Australia in the late nineteenth century. From 1873 to 1880, this shipping company initiated a new, regular, and permanent route between China and Australia that assisted in the development of stronger trade relationships. The company fulfilled this on the back of a mail contract with the Queensland government. What transpired during the mail contract, its impacts, and its legacies have left an indelible, though unrecognised, positive mark on Australia’s trade relationships with China. As such, Eastern and Australian were one of the pioneers in brokering regular international trade routes for colonial Australian merchants and governments. They also became an integral element in the eventual transition from sail to steam, not only along the China-Australia route but also for all Australian international shipping.

Ecological Status of Populations of the Most Common Bird Species in the Dark-Coniferous Taiga of Baikalia

Nesting home ranges of individual birds were regularly mapped in 2013 and 2014 from May to July along a permanent census route (3.15 km) in the dark-coniferous taiga on the southern slope of the bed of Lake Baikal. Based on the mapping results, the nesting densities and average sizes of the nesting home range of individual birds are estimated for each bird species and raster maps of spatial allocation (MSAs) at a scale of the raster grid of 50 × 50 m are obtained for each species. The degree of spatial conservatism (DSC) for each local population is inferred from the pairwise comparisons of the specific MSAs obtained on the same area (31.5 ha) in different years with the use of the Gamma rank correlation method. The dependence of the population habitat area on the DSC was demonstrated earlier (Cherenkov, 2017). The larger habitat area is found within the sample plot, an a less dependent individual spatial allocation within a population is observed in different years. Based on the estimated specific habitat areas, average sizes of the individual nesting home range, and estimated nesting density, the maximum possible nesting density and habitat saturation are calculated for each species. The population status is inferred from the degree of habitat saturation. Significant DSC estimates (p < 0.05) are obtained for nine species; their habitat areas and saturation are found. It is shown that habitat saturation in nonmigratory birds is twice as high an in migratory ones. On average, habitat saturation was 54–58% in nonmigratory birds and 26% in migratory ones (F = 9.1; p < 0.01). In the two species, the orange-flanked bush-robin (Tarsiger cyanurus Pallas, 1773) and taiga flycatcher (Ficedula (parva) albicilla Pallas, 1811), the habitat saturation is less than 20%, which indicates the presumably troubled status of their populations.

A Diamine-Based Integrated Absorption–Mineralization Process for Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Energy Savings, Fast Kinetics, and High Stability

The high energy requirement of amine regeneration and the uncertainty of safe disposal of the captured CO2 remain big challenges to the large-scale implementation of amine scrubbing process for CO2 capture. Mineral carbonation represents a safe and permanent route to capture and store CO2 with net energy production but typically proceeds at a slow reaction rate. Here, we present a new integrated absorption and mineralization (IAM) process that couples a diamine-based CO2 absorption with fly-ash-triggered amine regeneration. The technical feasibility of the IAM process using 3-diethylaminopropylamine (DEAPA) and CaO-containing materials such as CaO and coal fly ashes was verified, and the reaction mechanism involved was investigated. It was found that CaO and CaO-rich coal fly ash were effective to regenerate DEAPA via the decomposition of DEAPA carbamate species and the formation of calcium carbonate precipitates. Furthermore, the diamine-based IAM process displayed a fast kinetics and a high stability for CO2 sequestration and can reduce the leachability of some heavy metals in the fly ash. These process properties render this diamine-based IAM process a great potential for carbon capture and sequestration applications.

Structure and factors of forest birds diversity forming in the Ishim river area (Russia)

The paper studies the relationship between specific parameters of habitats (the forest area along the route, the average age of the forest, the closure of the crowns, the condition of the crowns, the type of anthropogenic impact, the stage of vegetative succession, the wetting of the forest), the abundance of birds, Shannon and Simpsons indices of the species diversity of forest ornithocenosis. This study is based on the materials of field bird records conducted in the seasons of 20142016 on 28 permanent routes in the forest habitats of the Ishim River area (Russia). A statistically significant effect of the anthropogenic impact on the Shannon diversity index and the significant influence of the plant succession stage on Shannons species diversity index and the abundance of birds have been established by the method of one-way analysis of variance using the nonparametric Kraskel-Walliss criterion. It is shown that the maximum value of Shannons index of variety is characteristic for the ornithocenosis of recreational forests; the one close to the maximum is in forests in which grazing is carried out. In the course of plant succession, there is initially an insignificant increase in the total abundance of birds, then a significant decrease in it, as well as a sharp decrease of Shannons diversity index. The obtained results show that the anthropogenic load in form of cattle grazing and recreation conditions an increase in forest habitats heterogeneity and thereby contributes to an increase in bird species diversity.

Chemo-morphological coupling during serpentine heat treatment for carbon mineralization

One of the safest and permanent routes for potentially capturing and storing CO2 is via carbon mineralization which involves converting CO2 into environmentally benign and thermodynamically stable calcium and magnesium carbonates. One of the most abundant Mg-bearing minerals in the world suitable for carbon mineralization is serpentine (Mg3Si2O5(OH)4). To enhance the reactivity of serpentine with CO2, dehydroxylation by heating to temperatures in the range of 600 °C–700 °C was proposed. To establish a fundamental structural and morphological basis for the enhanced reactivity of serpentine (e.g. lizardite) on heating to temperatures in this range, in-operando synchrotron multi-scale X-ray scattering measurements were performed, with complementary analyses of the changes in the porosity, particle size, and surface morphology. The detailed transformation of lamellar serpentine to a pseudo-amorphous state on heating to temperatures in the range of 600 °C–700 °C, and the subsequent conversion to denser crystalline phases such as Al2.35Si0.64O4.82 (mullite), SiO2 (cristobalite), Mg2SiO4 (forsterite), and Fe0.3Mg0.7(SiO3) (enstatite) was determined from the wide and small angle X-ray scattering measurements. Increasing roughness of the pore-solid interface on heating to 700 °C followed by enhanced smoothness due to the formation of crystalline phases at higher temperatures was established from the combined ultra small and small angle X-ray scattering measurements. The transformation of lamellar lizardite to its pseudo-amorphous state corresponded to an increase in the porosity and surface area, while the formation of crystalline phases reduced the porosity and surface area while increasing the particle size.

Transformation of ecosystems glacial lakes in Ukrainian Carpathians

The sizes of glacial lakes of the Ukrainian Carpathians without surface water runoff (Brebeneskul, Nesamovyte – the last 130 years, Verhne Ozirne, Nyzhne Ozirne – the last 50 years) and surface water runoff lakes Dogyaska (the last 30 years) has not substantial changes. The lakes Maricheyka and Vorozheska considerably decreased in area (20–40 % of previous squares), obviously, due to the erosion of rocky moraines-damages. Comparison of photos lakes Nesamovyte (1935–2008) has not showed changes of the outlines of the water area, the sedge-sphagnum alloy and the coastal thickets of the debris. The small glacial lakes Breskul has reduced its bed, because the sedge-sphagnum alloy overgrown with ray herbs, but the open water area is stable during the last 67 years. There are some increase alkalinity water of Brebeneskul and Verhne Ozirne and acidification of the Nesamovyte during the last 60 years. Unidirectional changes in the acid-alkaline balance of glacial lakes waters are not noted. The shrub covered decreases its area in basins of the all glacial lakes of Ukrainian Carpathians every year as a result of the cuttings of tourists for the campfires. For example, the number of the hearths in the Nesamovyte basin has decreased from 7 in the 2001 to the 80 in the 2017 years. The most intense in this process is in the basins of Nesamovyte and Brebeneskul. The number of tourists stopping for a night in the basins of high mountain lakes increased by 7–10 times according to the calculation of foci traces during 2001–2017 years. The clogging of shores and water areas of the glacial lakes and the formation of random garbage increases in the last two decades. The number of the oligosaprobic crustaceans species decrease and mesosaprobic are growing, appear polisabrobic species. The saprobic status of water lakes with the greatest recreational influence (Nesamovyte, Brebeneskul, Dogyaska) has a tendency to increase during the last 17 years. The loss of stenobiontic crustaceans species from glacial lakes (Streblocerus serricaudatus (Fischer, 1849), Mixodiaptomus tatricus (Wierzejski, 1883) and some others), the penetration of non-typical hydro- and amphibiontic species into highlands waters (Pohlia nutans (Hedwig) Lindberg, 1879, Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758), Simocephalus vetulus (O. F. Müller, 1776) and others), and the increase in the rate of mass, mezosaprobic and eurybionts species in the total number of water groups are noted. Verhne Ozirne was the last untouched glacial lake of the Ukrainian Carpathians, but after the introduction of its basin to the Ramsar Convention there was laid a path there and today we will observe intensification of tourist and pasture influence on its ecosystem. The most anthropogenic negative influence has recreation (clogging, cutting, trampling, automotourism and other factors). Mountain tourism is one of the most dangerous types of anthropopression in high-altitude areas, as it is in the lakes located on permanent tourist routes and water catchments which is the place for overnight tourists, the degradation of populations and groups of mountainous species of hydrobionts has been noted. Moderate pastoral influence (up to thirty heads of cattle per hectare per day) does not make significant changes from the hydrobionts communities of the glacial lakes. The most effective mechanism for preventing the negative processes of anthropogenic transformation of ecosystems of the glacial lakes of the Ukrainian Carpathians is to determine the buffer number of tourists visiting basins of unique aquatic glacial ecosystems of Ukraine and the strict control over compliance by visitors with the rules of conduct regulated by environmental organizations.

A New Approach for Improvement Security against DoS Attacks in Vehicular Ad-hoc Network

Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANET) are a proper subset of mobile wireless networks, where nodes are revulsive, the vehicles are armed with special electronic devices on the motherboard OBU (On Board Unit) which enables them to trasmit and receive messages from other vehicles in the VANET. Furthermore the communication between the vehicles, the VANET interface is donated by the contact points with road infrastructure. VANET is a subgroup of MANETs. Unlike the MANETs nodes, VANET nodes are moving very fast. Impound a permanent route for the dissemination of emergency messages and alerts from a danger zone is a very challenging task. Therefore, routing plays a significant duty in VANETs. decreasing network overhead, avoiding network congestion, increasing traffic congestion and packet delivery ratio are the most important issues associated with routing in VANETs. In addition, VANET network is subject to various security attacks. In base VANET systems, an algorithm is used to dicover attacks at the time of confirmation in which overhead delay occurs. This paper proposes (P-Secure) approach which is used for the detection of DoS attacks before the confirmation time. This reduces the overhead delays for processing and increasing the security in VANETs. Simulation results show that the P-Secure approach, is more efficient than OBUmodelVaNET approach in terms of PDR, e2e_delay, throughput and drop packet rate.