Special Geographical Conditions Research Articles

Energy Assessment & Comparative Study of Mono and Poly Solar PV Technologies Using Advanced PVsyst Software

This study evaluates and compares the energy output of mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies, under specific climatic conditions, with the help of advanced PVsyst software. This study aims to provide realizations into selecting the most effective PV technology by considering specific climatic and geographical conditions. In this study, monthly and yearly output energy, along with performance ratios, are evaluated for two conditions: firstly, for a 10.23KWp system, and subsequently, for a 58.2m² solar panel area. Both conditions demonstrate that mono-crystalline solar PV technology consistently outperforms poly-crystalline technology in terms of monthly and yearly output energy as well as performance ratio. Specifically, mono-crystalline panels generate 78 kWh more electricity annually in a 10.23 KWp system and 2469 kWh more in a system based on a specified PV module area. Additionally, they exhibit high-performance ratios in both scenarios. These findings strongly advocate for the preference of mono-crystalline technology within this region. Furthermore, the study offers valuable insights for addressing similar energy challenges in regions with comparable conditions, as far as solar panels energy outputs are affected by the climate conditions at most; so that for similar climate conditions in region would be effective. This research significantly contributes to facilitating well-informed decision-making processes, thereby augmenting energy accessibility.

Geography-based transmission network expansion strategies for Andean electrical systems

In many countries of the Global South, transmission network expansion faces unique challenges due to the diversity of available resources and specific geographic conditions. These challenges are particularly evident in regions with complex geographies, such as the Andean region, where elevation differences and irregular topography pose significant obstacles to the development of electricity infrastructure. This study addresses these challenges by applying non-conventional strategies for transmission grid expansion, with a particular emphasis on adapting to the unique geographic features of the Andean region. To illustrate this, a case study called EC-45 bus system is developed using Ecuador as a country representative of the geographic diversity of the Andean region. Furthermore, this work presents a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model that prioritizes the repowering and reconfiguration of existing lines over the construction of new lines. The methodology employed evaluates the investment required for the construction of new lines, considering construction costs for three site types (<1000 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.), ≥1000 m.a.s.l., and combined). Quantitative results show that using non-conventional solution methods can generate savings of up to 30.60% in investment costs compared to the solution provided by the Linear Disjunctive model. This approach offers a way towards more efficient management of resources, especially in countries with complex geographies such as the Andean one.

Analysis of Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy during Covid-19 Crisis---an Australian perspective

The outbreak of new coronavirus pneumonia in 2020 has emerged as a significant global epidemic, representing a profound disaster. All nations encounter a shift towards crisis management frameworks, exhibiting variable levels of success in limiting the spread of the virus and mitigating economic repercussions. This is by far the most far-reaching public health event of the 21st century on a global scale, with immeasurable research significance from immunological, economic, and sociological perspectives. For the continent of Australia, which is alone in the ocean, the Australian community could not carry the blow once the epidemic exploded across the country. So, as early as the 20th of March, Australia quickly declared a "border closure", banning all non-Australian citizens and non-permanent residents from entering the country. Moreover, with regard to the movement of persons, production activities and control of cases and close contacts in the region, each oblast has adopted restrictive measures of varying degrees, depending on the severity and development of the outbreak. The special geographical conditions and the policy of a completely closed borderline allow us to value the effectiveness of the Australian government's and banks' response to the stimulus provided by the COVID-19 policy directly by removing most of the external conditions from the equation.

Enhancing Guinea Pig Farming: A Neutrosophic Approach with Interval-Valued and Bipolar Sets in Decision-Making Methods

The study emphasizes the need of implementing several ways to promote guinea pig farming in small family units. It highlights the relevance of enhanced nutrition, effective health management, genetic enhancement, and acceptable habitat conditions as essential factors for enhancing productivity and profitability. Suggestions encompass the adoption of advanced breeding methods, offering training and technical support, and expanding the range of goods and markets to ensure the long-term economic viability of guinea pig farming. The utilization of neutrosophic sets provided a strong framework for assessing these techniques, enabling a thorough study that considers the inherent uncertainties in decision-making processes. To enhance future study, it is recommended to improve and broaden neutrosophic approaches to comprehend the intricacies of guinea pig farming systems more effectively. It will be beneficial to create more advanced models that include a broader set of factors and extensive data, as well as to undertake longitudinal studies to evaluate the long-term effects. It is essential to work together with local communities to customize tactics that are suitable for specific geographical conditions and socioeconomic contexts. This is necessary to ensure that these interventions are practical and successful.

Global Climate Change Analysis based on Shared Socioeconomic Pathway Scenarios and Disaster Damage Analysis Using Hazards-US (HAZUS)

In this study, a global temperature rise by +1.9 to 5.2 ℃ was expected at the end of the 21st century due to greenhouse gas emissions based on a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and a 1.6 ℃ increase in annual average temperature in Korea over the last 109 years (1912 to 2020) was confirmed. These climate changes have increased heat waves and extreme climate indices worldwide, and natural disasters have increased in Korea due to irregular changes in heat waves and precipitation. In addition, this study on disaster damage estimation was conducted using Hazards-US-Multi-Hazard (HAZUS-MH), a disaster damage assessment platform used in the United States. HAZUS-MH was selected because it is stable and robust for various disaster scenarios as well as specific geographical and climate conditions and is reliable for disaster management and response even though it has difficulty reflecting specific domestic environments. The results showed that seismic damage reduction costs can be significantly decreased through the integration of early warning and preventive measures under the scenario of Pohang earthquake magnitude 5.4. This study provides insight into domestic climate change and disaster management and emphasizes the need for future response and model development. An effective response to climate change is expected to play an important role in ensuring national and regional safety and stability.

The impact of pumped hydro energy storage configurations on investment planning of hybrid systems with renewables

The pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) systems can be installed in various configurations depending on the specific geographical and hydrological conditions. Closed-loop PHES systems are off-stream and have no natural inflow to the system. However, open-loop systems are on-stream and have natural inflows to the upper and/or lower reservoirs. In this study, we develop two-stage stochastic programming models for various PHES configurations to investigate how the choice of PHES configuration impacts the sizing decisions and costs of a hybrid system that includes a renewable power generator co-operated with PHES. Our numerical results show that using a PHES facility instead of a conventional hydropower system reduces the expected system cost and mismatched demand significantly. Open-loop PHES facilities perform better than closed-loop PHES and seawater-PHES facilities, dramatically lowering the need for fossil fuels in demand fulfillment. The most cost-efficient PHES configuration is when there is natural inflow to the upper reservoir. Using solar energy instead of wind as the renewable source significantly increases the requirement for larger upper reservoirs in on-stream open-loop PHES facilities, while reducing the expected system cost for all configurations.

Analysis of the distribution across media, migration, and related driving factors of fluoride in cold and arid lakes during the freezing period

Fluoride pollution in water has become a global challenge. This challenge especially affects China as a country experiencing serious fluoride pollution. While the have been past studies on the spatial distribution of fluoride, there has been less attention on different forms of fluoride. This study collected 176 samples (60, 40, and 76 ice, water, and sediment samples, respectively) from Lake Ulansuhai during the freezing period. The occurrence and spatial distribution characteristics of fluoride in lake ice-water-sediment were explored using Kriging interpolation, Piper three-line diagram, and Gibbs diagram analysis methods. The migration and transformation of fluoride during the freezing period were revealed and the factors influencing fluoride concentration in the water body were discussed considering the hydrochemical characteristics of lake surface water. The results showed that the average fluoride concentrations in the upper ice, middle ice and lower ice were 0.18, 0.09, and 0.12 mg/L, respectively, decreasing from north to south in the lake. The average concentrations of fluoride in surface water and bottom water were 0.63 and 0.83 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of fluoride in ice and water were within the World Health Organisation drinking water threshold of 1.50 mg/L and the Class III Chinese surface water standard (GB3838-2002). The average sediment total fluorine was 1344.38 ± 200 mg/kg, significantly exceeding the global average (321 mg/kg) and decreasing with depth. The contents of water soluble, exchangeable, Fe/Mn bound, organic bound, and residual fluorides were 40.22–47.18, 13.24–43.23, 49.52–160.48, and 71.59–173.03 mg/kg, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between fluoride concentration in ice and that in water. The change in fluoride concentration in water was mainly due to specific climatic and geographical conditions, pH, hydrochemical characteristics and ice sealing. This study is of great significance for the management of high-fluorine lakes in arid and semi-arid areas.

Software Tools for Evaluating Renewable Energy Sources

In this paper a review of existing software tools for the evaluating and modeling of renewable energy sources, which allow to determine various aspects, such as: the amount of incoming energy for a particular area, the economic feasibility of involving an alternative source, the impact on the environment, the cost of the projected system, the features of the terrain, etc. Programs for the evaluation of solar and wind energy, as well as solutions allowing the evaluation of several different types of renewable energy sources were considered. As a result, open-source software tools, such as: QGIS, SAGA GIS, which can be integrated into the implementation of a comprehensive assessment of renewable energy sources to perform certain functions, such as a preliminary assessment of the gross renewable energy potential in specific geographical conditions and identifying topographical features of the regions under consideration, were defined.

The risk of imbalance in the population composition of lymphocytes and specific sensitization in children living under exposure to airborne ben-zo(a)pyrene in the arctic zone of Russia

Climatic and geographical determinants of the Arctic zone can aggravate effects of technogenic chemical factors and induce health disorders in children even at low exposure levels. 1291 children aged 3–6 years were examined. Group A included 608 children living in an urbanized area in the Arctic zone. Group B consisted of 204 children from a conventionally clean area of the Arctic zone. Group C included 308 children from an urbanized middle latitude area. Group D consisted of 171 children from a conventionally clean middle latitude area. Benzo(a)pyrene levels in ambient air and in blood were determined by HPLC. Identification of T-(CD3+) and B-lymphocytes (CD19+) was carried out by flow cytofluorometry. Exposure to airborne benzo(a)pyrene (0.6 average daily MPL) in the Arctic zone in a daily dose equal to 7.11•10-3 µg/(kg•day) results in blood of exposed children being contaminated with benzo(a)pyrene and in lower levels of Т-lymphocytes (СD3+) (OR (CI) = 2.99 (2.00–4.46); RR (CI) = 1.94 (1.47–2.56); p = 0.024) against hyperexpression of B-lymphocytes (CD19+) (OR (CI) = 2.55 (1.83–3.56); RR (CI) = 1.68 (1.36–2.06); p = 0.019) and IgG to benzo(a)pyrene (OR (CI) = 53.33 (27.56–103.20); RR (CI) = 15.11 (8,24–27.72); p = 0.001) in comparison with children living on a conventionally clean territory (p &lt; 0.05). Similar disorders are identified in children in case benzo(a)pyrene is introduced in a dose equal to 87.6•10-3 µg/(kg•day) under airborne exposure (7.4 average daily MPL) in the middle-latitude zone (p &gt; 0.05). Thus, children who live in the Arctic zone and are exposed to airborne benzo(a)pyrene in an average daily dose equal to 7.11•10-3 µg/(kg•day) face an elevated risk of imbalance in the population composition of lymphocytes as per basic cell differentiation clusters (CD3+ and CD19+; RR = 1.68–1.94; p = 0.024–0.019) and specific sensitization (IgG to benzo(a)pyrene; RR = 15.11; p = 0.001). This risk is comparable with effects of exposure to airborne benzo(a)pyrene in an average daily dose equal to 87.6•10-3 µg/(kg•day) in the middle-latitude zone. These findings confirm the hypothesis on effects of technogenic chemical factors being potentiated by specific climatic and geographic conditions (low average annual temperatures and photoperiodic asymmetry). Their additive effects induce early manifestations of pathological phenotypic health disorders in children even under low levels of exposure to benzo(a)pyrene.

Риск формирования дисбаланса популяционного состава лимфоцитов и специфиче-ской сенсибилизации у детей, проживающих в условиях аэрогенной экспозиции бенз(а)пиреном в Арктической зоне России

Climatic and geographical determinants of the Arctic zone can aggravate effects of technogenic chemical factors and induce health disorders in children even at low exposure levels. 1291 children aged 3–6 years were examined. Group A included 608 children living in an urbanized area in the Arctic zone. Group B consisted of 204 children from a conventionally clean area of the Arctic zone. Group C included 308 children from an urbanized middle latitude area. Group D consisted of 171 children from a conventionally clean middle latitude area. Benzo(a)pyrene levels in ambient air and in blood were determined by HPLC. Identification of T-(CD3+) and B-lymphocytes (CD19+) was carried out by flow cytofluorometry. Exposure to airborne benzo(a)pyrene (0.6 average daily MPL) in the Arctic zone in a daily dose equal to 7.11•10-3 µg/(kg•day) results in blood of exposed children being contaminated with benzo(a)pyrene and in lower levels of Т-lymphocytes (СD3+) (OR (CI) = 2.99 (2.00–4.46); RR (CI) = 1.94 (1.47–2.56); p = 0.024) against hyperexpression of B-lymphocytes (CD19+) (OR (CI) = 2.55 (1.83–3.56); RR (CI) = 1.68 (1.36–2.06); p = 0.019) and IgG to benzo(a)pyrene (OR (CI) = 53.33 (27.56–103.20); RR (CI) = 15.11 (8,24–27.72); p = 0.001) in comparison with children living on a conventionally clean territory (p &lt; 0.05). Similar disorders are identified in children in case benzo(a)pyrene is introduced in a dose equal to 87.6•10-3 µg/(kg•day) under airborne exposure (7.4 average daily MPL) in the middle-latitude zone (p &gt; 0.05). Thus, children who live in the Arctic zone and are exposed to airborne benzo(a)pyrene in an average daily dose equal to 7.11•10-3 µg/(kg•day) face an elevated risk of imbalance in the population composition of lymphocytes as per basic cell differentiation clusters (CD3+ and CD19+; RR = 1.68–1.94; p = 0.024–0.019) and specific sensitization (IgG to benzo(a)pyrene; RR = 15.11; p = 0.001). This risk is comparable with effects of exposure to airborne benzo(a)pyrene in an average daily dose equal to 87.6•10-3 µg/(kg•day) in the middle-latitude zone. These findings confirm the hypothesis on effects of technogenic chemical factors being potentiated by specific climatic and geographic conditions (low average annual temperatures and photoperiodic asymmetry). Their additive effects induce early manifestations of pathological phenotypic health disorders in children even under low levels of exposure to benzo(a)pyrene.

Review of Estimating and Predicting Models of the Wind Energy Amount

Obtaining wind energy for the production of electric energy plays a key role in overcoming the problems associated with climate change and the dwindling reserves of traditional types of energy resources. The purpose of this work is to analyze current methods of energy estimation and forecasting, to consider the main classifications of forecasts and methods used in their construction and to review the main types of mathematical distributions used to calculate the speed and power of wind flow, depending on specific geographical conditions. In recent years, there has been an increase in the capacity of modern wind generators, which has significantly improved the efficiency of wind energy parks. The initial stage in determining the feasibility of involving a particular energy source in the overall energy system of the region is a preliminary assessment of the energy potential, allowing one to determine the possible percentage of substitution of traditional energy. To solve such a problem, it is necessary to use models of energy supply. Evaluation of wind as a resource creates certain difficulties in modeling because this resource is stochastic and variable. In this regard, this paper proposes to consider various models for estimating wind energy potential, which can be classified into empirical models and models based on the application of modern intelligent data analysis technologies. The paper presents an analysis of the existing models for estimating the amount of energy, which can be used in a system designed to determine the most optimal configuration of the energy system based on the use of different conversion technologies most relevant to the case under study, and it also serves as the basis for creating digital twins designed to model and optimize the operation of the projected energy complex.

Evaluation of Multi-Utility Models with Municipal Solid Waste Combustion as the Primary Source under Specific Geographical and Operating Conditions

Developments in waste incineration technology in terms of efficient fuel preparation, combustion, and emissions reduction, as well as the growing needs of the community in terms of electricity, water, and air conditioning loads, are the prime motive for this study. This study presents a novel approach, in which three models of the fluidized bed combustion of municipal waste for simultaneous power generation, freshwater production, and district cooling are analyzed for their energy and exergy performance. The three simultaneously evaluated utility models are different configurations of a fluidized bed combustion system with Rankine cycle power generation, cooling with a vapor absorption refrigeration system, and fresh water production using multiple effect desalination. The output from the turbine, cooling system, and desalination system is determined using the Engineering Equations Solver for different boiler operating pressures. Energy and exergy analysis data for different pressures are used to identify the best configuration. Two variants of the absorption cooling system, namely, single effect and double effect, are considered. The variants of the multiple-effect desalination are the three-stage and five-stage methods. Input parameters used in this study are municipal solid waste generation and composition data collected for an urban community in an arid climate zone with high demand for electric power, cooling, and fresh water. Model 2, which contains two turbines with the reheating and cooling systems connected to a high-pressure turbine and water desalination connected to a low-pressure turbine, gave the best overall performance. Significant savings in terms of the replacement of conventional energy were observed from these waste conversion plants with greater benefits in arid weather conditions. The results obtained by different models under different operating criteria constitute a guideline for municipal planners for the selection of appropriate waste utilization technology, as well as the appropriate operations.

Evaluating the impact of direct sales on farms’ sustainability: a comparison of metropolitan and overseas France

In the face of growing demand for local products, farmers are developing direct sales. Our research examines the impact of this strategy on farms’ sustainability. Focusing on the market gardening sector, we compare metropolitan France and its overseas departments: Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Reunion. These insular economies must meet national and European requirements for healthy and local production while complying with specific organizational and geographic conditions. If direct selling is considered an innovation, we first identify the factors, such as characteristics of farmers and their farm, determining its adoption. While establishing the link between such an innovation and performance, we study the impact of direct sales on farms’ sustainability, inspired by the IDEA method. We use representative farm data from 2010 and 2016 and perform a propensity score matching coupled with a difference-in-difference analysis. While the impact of direct sales on sustainability is effective in metropolitan France, more nuanced results are observed in insular economies. Whatever the location, direct sales provide a response to consumers’ expectations in terms of product diversification. While direct sales are initially associated with product processing and tourism, these activities are gradually abandoned, in particular, because of the skills necessary to their realization. In metropolitan France, direct selling modifies the relationship with certifications by developing organic production to the detriment of other types of certification. It is also accompanied by output and employment growth. Our results question the role that the environment in which farmers evolve plays in the sustainability dynamics of farms in island economies.

The Mobilization State as an Essential Characteristic of Russian Civilization: The Initial Stage of Formation

The local-civilizational approach, shared by the author of the article, assumes the existence of various “cultural-historical types” (In the words of his pioneer N.Ya. Danilevsky), which have different “logics of culture” and types of “collective cognitive unconscious” (according to A.V. Smirnov). These qualitative differences formed under the influence of special climatic and geographical conditions (habitat), as well as historical Challenges and the Answers found to them (according to A. Toynbee), found their expression in political and economic institutions, algorithms for responding to crises. One of such institutions for the Russian civilization was the phenomenon of the mobilization state, born as a spontaneous response to a historical challenge, mentally and institutionally fixed later (as a tested means of response). In this article, using the method of historical reconstruction, the author stops at the initial stage of the formation of this very specific manifestation of traditional Russian collectivism.

Analysis of the influence of air quality on the performance of the Boeing 737-800 evaluated during takeoff at El Dorado Airport

This paper analyzes how the Bogotá’s air quality and pollutant levels affects the Boeing 737-800 take-off performance in terms of the available runway distances and maximum \newtext{take-off} weight, which are two of the most restrictive factors in airlines' operation. The airport runway's physical characteristics, geographical position, surroundings, and atmospheric conditions affect the maximum aircraft \newtext{take-off} weight. This study examines: (a) the influence of pollutants in Bogotá’s air quality and its subsequent effects in air density; (b) the maximum available polluting agents and relative humidity measures in this city; (c) the maximum take-off weight of the aircraft with and without air degradation due to atmospheric considerations. Software called “Aircraft Take-Off Software” has been developed to determine the B737-800 most limiting take-off weight of in specific geographical and atmospheric conditions. This study reflects the effect of high populated cities pollution on the aircraft operational performance which analysis has demonstrated that the presence of high carbon dioxide concentrations in the air increase the B737-800 payload capacity taking off from Bogotá but in the other hand, relative humidity variation decreases this capacity drastically, showing that considering Bogotá’s relative humidity and pollutant levels, the most restrictive weight situation for the take-off phase is the “Climb Limit Take-Off Weight”; however, as it is an aerodynamic study of the pollutants influence in engine combustion the structural integrity was not considered and for further investigation it should be considered to determine more accurately the most restrictive take-off weight.

Retrospective analysis and current priorities of winemaking development in Southern Russia

The development of winemaking in southern Russia has a centuries-old tradition. The peculiarities of winemaking development in the Crimean peninsula should be considered on a case-by-case basis due to the special geographical and climatic conditions and the distinctive historical development of the region. The accession of Crimea to the Russian Empire not only gave a new impetus to the development of the industry on the peninsula, but also opened a new page in the history of Russian winemaking. The Russian elite quickly assessed the economic prospects of the region. Natural conditions led to the existence of three winemaking zones in Crimea, which, despite the change of historical eras, still reflect the conditions of winemaking on the peninsula. To assess the condition of winemaking on the peninsula, a retrospective analysis of the industry's development since Crimea was annexed to the Russian Empire in 1783 was made, and three major periods in the history of winemaking, corresponding to the general course of historical events in Russia, were highlighted: Crimean winemaking in the Russian Empire, development of viticulture and winemaking in Crimea in the Soviet period, and the dynamics of industry development at the present stage. The study analyses the main problems facing the industry at the present stage. At the same time, statistical data and examples confirmed the role of Crimean winemaking as one of the fundamental branches of the Crimean economy, based on a rich historical experience, but also actively developing in line with modern trends.

Feasibility study on construction of RCC gravity dam under special climatic conditions in Tibet

According to the experience in the construction of water conservancy and hydropower projects in the Mainland, RCC dam construction has two main advantages: the rapid construction speed of roller compacted concrete can realize early power generation, and the price of fly ash is much lower than that of cement, which can reduce the project cost. Tibet has special geographical environment and climatic conditions, and generally has the characteristics of “high altitude, low pressure, low temperature, large temperature difference between day and night, and dry climate”. Taking the dam-building environment in central Tibet as an example, through investigation and research and analogy of similar projects, this paper analyzes the adaptability of construction of RCC gravity dams in Tibet from the aspects of geographical environment, climatic conditions, material properties, construction progress, and project cost. Adaptability to high altitudes. It provides a reference for choosing a safe, reliable, economical and reasonable dam type in the construction of water conservancy and hydropower projects. It provides reference for selecting safe, reliable, economical and reasonable dam types in water conservancy and hydropower engineering construction.

Performance of bifacial PV modules under different operating conditions in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Brazil's cumulative photovoltaic (PV) installations have now surpassed 32 GWp. The fastest growing and most prevalent PV technology is the bifacial photovoltaic module, which is now being incorporated in more than 2/3 of new power plants. These modules collect solar radiation on both front and rear sides, providing gains in electricity production compared to traditional monofacial modules. The market acceptance and quality control of this technology requires standard methods to accurately determine the nominal power of the bifacial modules. But the specification of energy production from the bifacial backside is complicated due to critical factors that include the albedo, the separation, height, and positioning of the modules, the shading of the rear surface, and the specific geographic and climate conditions. This paper addresses these issues in determining the performance of bifacial PV modules in the tropical conditions of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specifically, the bifacial gain for modules and systems is evaluated, assessing the effects of albedo, site maintenance, climate/environmental conditions, thermal behavior, and back-surface shading. The special cases of tracking versus non-tracking systems are evaluated showing specific attention needs to the albedo changes and rear module shading constraints. These studies are performed on real power plants having different operating conditions (e.g., tracking, non-tracking, ground cover). The methodology includes I-V characterization of modules and string and thermal imaging/mapping under existing climate and meteorological conditions. Correlations with experimental albedo conditions is a special concern with these studies. These results are further compared to controlled laboratory measurements to establish information needed to better evaluate the developing standard for actual local operating conditions. This case study provides evaluation of the quality of the both the bifacial PV products being used and their installations in the rapidly emerging Brazil PV markets.

Status of epilepsy in the tropics: An overlooked perspective.

Epilepsy is one of the most common serious chronic neurological diseases affecting people of all ages globally. It is characterized by recurrent seizures. About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy. Indubitably, people with epilepsy (PWE) may be without access to appropriate treatment. Many studies have examined the molecular mechanisms and clinical aspects of epilepsy; nonetheless, the treatment gap exists in some special areas. In the tropics, the specific geographical and ecological conditions and a lack of medical resources result in neglect or delay of diagnosis for PWE. Herein, we summarized the epidemiology of epilepsy in the tropics and discussed the disease burden and existing problems, aiming to offer a medical environment for patients in need and highlight the importance of reducing the epileptic disease burden in tropical countries.

Propagation of carbon monoxide in road tunnels in case of fire by considering the critical velocity, backlayering and gradient factor

The optimal use of transit potential is viewed as one of the basic means under the Economic Development Strategic Plan for Georgia with a primary emphasis on the modernization and development of the transport infrastructure. In this regard, the construction and improvement projects for the main and auxiliary highway structures are planned and carried out successfully across the country, with the construction of over 50 road tunnels in the country being one of the components. The sustainability and safe operation of the tunnels is the criterion for the successful implementation of such complex projects. As a result, it is critical to evaluate all risk factors for the safe operation of road tunnels as objectively as possible [1]. One of the major risk factors for the safe operation of a road tunnel is fires that start and spread for a variety of reasons, with the released carbon monoxide threatening the lives of people in emergency and the excess heat capable of inflicting the catastrophic damage to infrastructure. Thus, fires during the operation of road tunnels are one of the major threats to safety, with the level of risk determined by the likelihood of fire initiation in the tunnel and the severity of the potential damage caused by such a fire. &nbsp;The likelihood of fire initiation in the tunnel, as well as the severity of potential damage from such a fire, are largely determined by the development, planning, and implementation of preventive measures, which will, first and foremost, prevent the initiation and development of fire, and, in the event of fire, will minimize the severity of potential consequences [2, 3]. At the same time, we must keep in mind that saving human lives and health during an emergency is priority number one. In the event of a tunnel fire, one of the primary preventive measures to save the lives of people in emergency situations is the selection and operation of flexible ventilation systems, correct and efficient modes of operation, taking into account the impact of actual processes during the fire. With this in mind, tunnel ventilation systems equipped with modern technologies enable people in the life-threatening situations to evacuate in a timely and organized manner and escape the danger zone. The report presents the outcomes of digital and physical road tunnel modeling. The former is full-scale, whereas the latter is 1:10 scale. Carbon monoxide propagation is determined by the nature of the ventilation flow motion, its critical velocity, backlayering distance, gradient factor, and fire strength. The findings are presented in the form of graphs and tables, which can be used to develop life-saving and emergency control projects in the event of a fire, taking into account the specific tunnel geographical conditions, geometry, and other relevant data.