Steep Sides Research Articles

Miniaturised planar band‐pass filter based on interdigital Arm SRR

Here, a small-size band-pass filter is designed using a new split-ring resonator (SRR). First, the geometric optimisation method is used to obtain the high miniaturisation of the proposed SRR compared to the conventional structures. Accordingly, the reduction rate has reached 51%. The second part of this study is devoted to the development of a band-pass filter using the proposed SRR topology. A Chebyshev-type band-pass filter has been designed. The purpose is to have a miniaturised structure, low insertion loss, and high out off-band rejection. This filter is composed of two integrated arms SRR placed in series with a defected ground structure (DGS) to increase the coupling between the resonators, and a low-pass filter integrated into the resonators to improve the level of rejection. The resonance frequency has been approximately measured at 1 GHz and the size has been valued at 0.114 λg × 0.083 λg , thus achieving miniaturisation up to 78% compared fabricated and experimentally validated. The measured insertion loss has been found to 0.8 dB and two transmission zeros helped to ensure the steep sides of the transmission band.

Convective heat transfer along ratchet surfaces in vertical natural convection

We report on a combined experimental and numerical study of convective heat transfer along ratchet surfaces in vertical natural convection (VC). Due to the asymmetry of the convection system caused by the asymmetric ratchet-like wall roughness, two distinct states exist, with markedly different orientations of the large-scale circulation roll (LSCR) and different heat transport efficiencies. Statistical analysis shows that the heat transport efficiency depends on the strength of the LSCR. When a large-scale wind flows along the ratchets in the direction of their smaller slopes, the convection roll is stronger and the heat transport is larger than the case in which the large-scale wind is directed towards the steeper slope side of the ratchets. Further analysis of the time-averaged temperature profiles indicates that the stronger LSCR in the former case triggers the formation of a secondary vortex inside the roughness cavity, which promotes fluid mixing and results in a higher heat transport efficiency. Remarkably, this result differs from classical Rayleigh–Bénard convection (RBC) with asymmetric ratchets (Jiang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 120, 2018, 044501), wherein the heat transfer is stronger when the large-scale wind faces the steeper side of the ratchets. We reveal that the reason for the reversed trend for VC as compared to RBC is that the flow is less turbulent in VC at the same $Ra$. Thus, in VC the heat transport is driven primarily by the coherent LSCR, while in RBC the ejected thermal plumes aided by gravity are the essential carrier of heat. The present work provides opportunities for control of heat transport in engineering and geophysical flows.

GIS-multicriteria evaluation using AHP for landslide susceptibility mapping in Oum Er Rbia high basin (Morocco)

BackgroundHigh basin of Oum Er Rbia River, which is located in Middle Atlas Mountain region, is prone to landslide problems due to the geological features combined with the climate change and human activities. The present work including inventory mapping was conducted to establish landslide susceptibility map using GIS-based spatial multicriteria approach. Eight landslide-related factors, including land cover, lithology, distance to road, distance to fault, distance to drainage network, elevation, aspect and slope gradient, were selected for the present assessment. Weight for each factor is assigned using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) depending on its influence on the landslide occurrence. The landslide susceptibility map was derived using weighted overlay method and categorized into five susceptible classes namely, very low (VL), low (L), moderate (M), high (H).ResultThe results revealed that 30.16% of the study area is at very low risk, 12.66% at low risk, 25.75% of moderate risk, 22.59% of high risk and 9.11% of very high risk area coverage. The very high landslide vulnerability zones are more common within the river valleys on steep side slopes. Most landslides also involve rocks belonging to the Triassic weathered marl and clay-rich formation. Moreover, human activities namely the construction and the expansion of agricultural lands into forests intervene in inducing landslides through altering the slope stability along the river banks. Lastly, effectiveness of these results was checked by computing the area under ROC curve (AUC) that showed a satisfactory result of 76.7%.ConclusionsThe landslide susceptibility map of the Oum Er Rbia high basin provides valuable information about present and future landslides, which makes it viable. Such map may be helpful for planners and decision makers for land-use planning and slope management.

Maculopathy Development Mechanism in Choroid Tumor Localization Outside the Foveolar Zone

The term “distant maculopathy” (DM) means the changes in the macular region, when the tumor is located at the distant from it. Purpоse: to study the peculiarities of the DM development, according to the tumor localization and present a possible mechanism of this symptom development. Patients and Methods. The study involved 53 patients with choroidal tumors localized outside the macular area, including 18 patients with neuroepithelial detachment (NED) in the macular area. In addition to the standard eye examination, all patients underwent EDI OCT. Results. In 1/3 cases of extrafoveolar located choroidal tumors according to OCT, exudative changes in the macular zone were revealed. In extrafoveral choroidal melanoma (CM), the biometric tumor parameters in patients with DM were slightly higher than the average in patients of this group, however, there was no correlation between the height of NED and tumor parameters. In extrafoveolar choroidal hemangioma (CH), a significant direct relationship between the height of the NED in the foveolar zone and the biometric parameters of the CH was found. In all cases, there was not choroidal elevation in the foveolar zone. The thickness and structure of the choroid in the subfoveolar zone in CM did not differ from the paired eye and the normal values. The thickness of the choroid in CH also did not differ from the paired eye, however, there was a slight expansion of the outer layers of the choroid (as in the paired eye) and an increase in its thickness compared with the norm. When a tumor is located above the macular zone, there is a “gravitational” mechanism for the development of DM, due to the spread of subretinal fluid (or blood) under the action of gravity. In case of juxtapapillar tumor localization, the appearance of DM is caused by microvascular disorders in the foveo-macular region of the retina and impaired axoplasmic current. In CM, the occurrence of NED may be associated with a retinal tension on the steeper side of the tumor. Conclusion. The development of distant maculopathy in CM is a sign of “active” tumor growth, in CH it develops later and depends on the size of the tumor. In identifying a high prevalent NED in the macular area, a careful examination of not only the central fundus zone, but also its peripheral parts is necessary.

Propagation and Vertical Structure of the Tidal Flow in Nares Strait

AbstractThe southward freshwater flux through Nares Strait is an important component of the Arctic's freshwater budget. On short time scales, flow through the strait is dominated by the tides, and tidal dynamics may be important for the magnitude of the freshwater flux over longer periods. Here we build upon our existing knowledge of the tides in the region by exploring their propagation and vertical structure using data from four bottom‐mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers deployed in Nares Strait between 2003 and 2006. We observe that propagating barotropic semidiurnal tidal waves interact to create a standing wave pattern, explaining the abnormally large tidal amplitudes that are observed in this region. In the along‐strait direction, semidiurnal tidal currents exhibit strong variations with depth. In contrast, the diurnal tides propagate northward through the strait as progressive waves, and the tidal currents are broadly depth invariant. Proximity of Nares Strait to the semidiurnal critical latitude and the topographical restriction imposed by the steep side wall of Ellesmere Island are primary drivers behind the observed vertical variability. In the upper part of the water column, baroclinic activity increases the tidal current amplitude by up to 25%. In the across‐strait direction, a two‐layer structure exists in both the diurnal and semidiurnal tidal flow, with a phase lag of approximately a quarter of a tidal cycle across the strait for the semidiurnal tide. Our results suggest that strong vertical motion exists against the side walls of Nares Strait, as the across‐strait flow interacts with the steeply sloping bathymetry.

2385 - Incorporating Community Voices on Infrastructure Barriers to a Spatial Analysis of Accessibility to Food Outlets: A Mixed-Method Approach

Background Providing adequate access to healthy and affordable food is one critical criterion for planning healthy communities. One of the main approaches to assessing accessibility to food in a community is mapping out the availability of food outlets (supermarkets, corner stores, fast food etc.) based on density and proximity to these outlets. However, common spatial analyses of access to food outlets often fall short of accounting for infrastructure barriers related to the journey to reach them. Our study employed a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative accounts by community members about the challenges in travelling to food outlets, and examined how spatial distribution of these challenges reveal a more realistic understanding of existing accessibility. Methods We first assessed population coverage by nearest grocery stores and bus stops within a walking distance in an urban community in Nova Scotia, Canada. A network analysis function within a Geographic Information System was used to estimate population coverage. Second, from a previously conducted photo voice study, we extracted some of the most frequently voiced challenges in traveling to food outlets: 1) steepness of the road; 2) lack of side walks; and 3) inadequate snow clearance in winter. Then, we mapped these factors using elevation and municipal service data and evaluated how they reduce the estimate of the population initially identified as having good access to a food outlet. Results About 60% of the community population was covered by at least one grocery store and about 90% had a bus stop within a 500 m distance from their residence. However, once roads with steep slope, side walks and priority rankings of snow clearance services by road are overlaid with the coverage map, the proportion the population coverage was reduced to 50%. About 37% of the populations in the area identified as not having adequate accessibility were found to be living in low income neighbourhoods. Conclusions Seemingly innocuous factors for those who have cars—i.e., hilliness of the roads, absence of sidewalks, and road maintenance—can significantly hinder some residents from obtaining sufficient and nutritious food even if the distance to food and public transit services may suggest a higher degree of accessibility. Our study demonstrates a benefit in incorporating the voices of community members who are likely most vulnerable to the barriers in traveling to food, which will allow planners to better understand the needs to improve the infrastructure of transportation from health and equity perspectives.

Analytical calculation on the determination of steep side wall angles from far field measurements

In the semiconductor industry, the performance and capabilities of the lithographic process are evaluated by measuring specific structures. These structures are often gratings of which the shape is described by a few parameters such as period, middle critical dimension, height, and side wall angle (SWA). Upon direct measurement or retrieval of these parameters, the determination of the SWA suffers from considerable inaccuracies. Although the scattering effects that steep SWAs have on the illumination can be obtained with rigorous numerical simulations, analytical models constitute a very useful tool to get insights into the problem we are treating. In this paper, we develop an approach based on analytical calculations to describe the scattering of a cliff and a ridge with steep SWAs. We also propose a detection system to determine the SWAs of the structures.

Depositional settings and evolution of a fjord system during the carboniferous glaciation in Northwest Argentina

Fjord systems, represented by glacial diamictites and postglacial transgressive shales, formed in the basins of western Argentina during the late Carboniferous Gondwana glaciation. Well exposed fjord deposits of the Guandacol Formation were studied in the Loma de Los Piojos region (Protoprecordillera), where they fill a 2.9 km wide paleovalley with steep side walls and a relatively flat floor. The valley cross-cuts Lower Devonian sandstones and Mississippian mudstones and sandstones, and provides evidence of glacial abrasion, including striated pavements and glacial microtopography (grooves, ridges, and striae). Based on the analysis of seven sedimentary logs, eight sedimentary facies in the valley fill were recognized: (A) Massive diamictites; (B) Laminated mudstones with dropstones; (C) Stratified diamictites; (D) Clast-supported conglomerates and sandstones; (E) Deformed diamictites, conglomerates and sandstones; (F) Folded diamictites; (G) Mudstones interbedded with sandstones, and (H) Stacked and amalgamated sandstones. These sedimentary facies are grouped into two principal facies assemblages that represent different stages of the paleovalley fill. Assemblage 1 is composed of diamictites (Facies A, C and F), laminated mudstones with dropstones (Facies B), and conglomerates (Facies D and E), which represent glacially influenced sedimentation in the paleovalley. Assemblage 2 represents the paleovalley fill when glacial influence ceased, and comprises laminated mudstones interbedded with sandstones (facies G) and stacked sandstone beds (facies H) that mostly record deltaic sedimentation. Stratigraphic relationships, plant fossils found in the paleovalley walls and palynological assemblages recovered in mudstones of facies D help to establish an early Pennsylvanian age for both the incision and the filling of the paleovalley. The studied paleovalley records an exceptional example of the western Gondwanan glacial to postglacial transition. Due to the continuous stratigraphic succession within the paleovalley as well as palynological, megafloristic and radiometric data, this example provides a complete framework of the late Carboniferous postglacial evolution in western Gondwana.

Geometry, distribution and fill of erosional scours in a heterolithic, distal lower shoreface sandstone reservoir analogue: Grassy Member, Blackhawk Formation, Book Cliffs, Utah, USA

AbstractMany shoreface sandstone reservoirs host significant hydrocarbon volumes within distal intervals of interbedded sandstones and mudstones. Hydrocarbon production from these reservoir intervals depends on the abundance and proportion of sandstone beds that are connected by erosional scours, and on the lateral extent and continuity of interbedded mudstones. Cliff‐face exposures of the Campanian ‘G2’ parasequence, Grassy Member, Blackhawk Formation in the Book Cliffs of east‐central Utah, USA, allow detailed characterization of 128 erosional scours within such interbedded sandstones and mudstones in a volume of 148 m length, 94 m width and 15 m height. The erosional scours have depths of up to 1·1 m, apparent widths of up to 15·1 m and steep sides (up to 35°) that strike approximately perpendicular (N099 ± 36°) to the local north–south palaeoshoreline trend. The scours have limited lateral continuity along strike and down dip, and a relatively narrow range of apparent aspect ratio (apparent width/depth), implying that their three‐dimensional geometry is similar to non‐channelized pot casts. There is no systematic variation in scour dimensions, but ‘scour density’ is greater in amalgamated (conjoined) sandstone beds over 0·5 m thick, and increases upward within vertical successions of upward‐thickening conjoined sandstone beds. There is no apparent organization of the overall lateral distribution of scours, although localized clustering implies that some scours were re‐occupied during multiple erosional events. Scour occurrence is also associated with locally increased amplitude and laminaset thickness of hummocky cross‐stratification in sandstone beds. The geometry, distribution and infill character of the scours imply that they were formed by storm‐generated currents coincident with riverine sediment influx (‘storm floods’). The erosional scours increase the vertical and lateral connectivity of conjoined sandstone beds in the upper part of upward‐thickening sandstone bed successions, resulting in increased effective vertical and horizontal permeability of such intervals.

Coastal lateral spreading in the world heritage site of the Tramuntana Range (Majorca, Spain). The use of PSInSAR monitoring to identify vulnerability

The Balitx area is located on the steep coastal side of the Tramuntana Range (Majorca), a mountainous region which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011 in the cultural landscape category. The Balitx site was occupied by farming areas with dry stone constructions and water storing systems of both Roman and Islamic origin. The coastal landscape is characterised by a large fault escarpment of up to 260 m in height. Lateral spreading processes are favoured by local stratigraphy and tectonics in an energetic coastal dynamics scenario. Block spreading morphologies are identified along the escarpment, with large, rocky blocks of volumes up to 60 × 103 m3 moving very slowly until their collapse. Consequently, a thick and highly karstified breccia deposit is accumulated at the base of the scarp. The lowest, oldest breccia outcrop has been dated (Th/U), and an age of 82.5 ± 5.6 kyr was obtained, reflecting the time span this process has been active. Additionally, numerous geomorphological slope features are identified in the area: landslides, rockfalls, and, more specifically, long and deep cracks in the hanging wall block of the fault, which also reveal active lateral spreading processes. Coastal dynamics have been investigated by interpreting offshore geophysical studies, bathymetry data and borehole information to determine the role of wave energy in the stability of the slope. Additionally, 14 SAR images from the ALOS PALSAR satellite have been exploited for the present work, covering a period spanning from 2007 to 2010, an anomalous rainy period in the region. Images were processed using the Persistent Scattered Interferometry (PSI) technique. PSInSAR results reveal that the rate of movement for the Balitx lateral spreading is extremely low (− 5.2 mm/year on average), but major activity has been detected in the NE sector, where velocity rates can reach values of up to − 16 mm/year Coastal dynamics in the area can explain this, as a small island generates wave refraction and reflection determining more intense erosive processes in the NE part, which lead to a greater destabilising effect on the slopes. A simple vulnerability approach has been developed to take the elements of cultural heritage into account. Vulnerability increases from SW to NE, in accordance with landslide activity. The Balitx case study could provide a testimony to the effects of mass movements and coastal dynamics in an exceptional example of Mediterranean agricultural landscape.

Research on filling scheme and deformation properties of wide subgrade of foamed lightweight soil on soft ground

The wide subgrade on soft soil ground has the significantly different transverse settlement curve characteristics and the lacation of the maximum asymmetrical transverse settlement compared with ordinary subgrade. Especially when the subgrade filled with materials of different densities, the synergism deformation of ground-subgrade-pavement and the pavement structure stress become more complex. Combining with the engineering example, the settlement deformation characteristics of wide subgrade adopting the different filling scheme and the stress distribution of pavement structure are analyzed. Results show that the settlement curve of wide subgrade has a shape of flat middle with steep sides, and the maximum transverse asymmetrical settlement locates in close to the shoulder position. The maximum stress within the pavement structure is also in close to the shoulder position. Regarding the wide subgrade composed of main road and relief road, the post-construction settlement can be greatly reduced when both roads are filled with foamed lightweight soil.

Design and research of steep side of the multi-layer dielectric thin films

Design and research of steep side of the multi-layer dielectric thin films

‘Local gradient’ and between‐site variability of erosion rate on badlands in the Karoo, South Africa

AbstractSite‐average values of local gradient, defined as the steepest slope angle measured at a point, are a powerful predictor of long‐term rates of soil loss as measured by erosion pins on the non‐channel floor portions of ten badland study sites in the Karoo area of South Africa. Local gradient may be easily measured using a smartphone clinometer. The successful use of local gradient here is in strong contrast to the previous failure of other site‐specific attributes, including other measures of gradient and relief, to explain between‐site variation in erosion rate on these study sites.Each measurement of local gradient may be thought of as a sample of the site's microtopography. Microrelief is a strong determinant of the emergent patterns of inter‐channel overland flow, and hence of the patterns of inter‐channel erosion by flow. Local gradient changes most rapidly during the initial stages of channel incision. When channels are established, local gradient changes more slowly leading to almost‐parallel retreat of channel sidewalls.A sensitivity analysis suggests that measurements of local gradient are not all equal with regard to prediction of long‐term erosion rate. A greater share of predictive power is contributed by measurements made on very steep or vertical channel side wall areas, and a lesser share is contributed by measurements made on interfluves. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The head of Heterogyrus milloti (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae) and its phylogenetic implications

Head structures of Heterogyrus milloti Legros, 1953 are described in detail and documented with different morphological techniques, including μ-computed tomography and computer-based 3D reconstructions. The results are compared with cephalic conditions found in other gyrinid taxa and the observed characters are interpreted and analysed phylogenetically. Nine unambiguous cephalic apomorphies support the monophyly of Gyrinidae. In addition to well-known characters like the subdivided compound eyes and highly modified antennae, this includes the very tight connection of the dorsal surface of the head with the anterior pronotal margin, the presence of a clypeofrontal gland, the separation of a lateral portion from the clypeus, and the loss of the dorsal tentorial arm. Unambiguous synapomorphies of Heterogyrus and Gyrininae sensu Miller and Bergsten (2012) are the relatively widely separated dorsal and ventral ocular subunits, the absence of tactile setae on the head capsule, the shortened mesal mandibular edge, widely separated mandibular incisivi, three rows of setae on the labrum, the enlargement of the lateral mental lobes, and the loss of the stipital muscle attached to the galea. The monophyly of Gyrininae (excl. Heterogyrus) is supported by the widened bridge between the dorsal and ventral ocular subunits, the reduced size and dorsal shift of the dorsal eye, its distinct separation from the anterior pronotal margin, the detachment of the lateral frontal ridge from the supraocular bead, the almost completely reduced setation of the antennal flagellum, and a one-segmented galea. The steep frontal side of the head, a transverse regular field of setae on the frontal region, and the fused laminatentoria are autapomorphies of Spanglerogyrus Folkerts, 1979. A field of sensilla on the interocular antennal groove is a potential cephalic autapomorphy of Heterogyrus. The cephalic characters we analysed remain ambiguous about the interrelationships among the three tribes currently recognized in Gyrininae.

Geology of Wadi Ka'am and Ka'am Dam Area, North Western of Libya

This research is an attempt to investigate the different geological features of Wadi Ka'am area located along the Mediterranean coast about 25 km west of Khoms City. Geomorphologic, stratigraphic, and structural investigations were carried out. The most important geomorphologic features of the study area include the Wadi Ka'am tributaries, Targhlat, and Al-chusaiha as well as another minor wadi transect of Wadi Ka'am. The wadi is characterized by steep sides due to structural effects. Wadi Ka'am is surrounded by rocky cliffs and saddle areas. The conjunction area of Wadi Ka'am tributaries forms Ka'am Lake where the Wadi Ka'am Dam was built. Terrace areas in the form of steps were formed as a result of water erosion action and may remark water level fluctuations of the lake. A number of internal lakes were formed in low laying areas due to confinement of water in the direction of discharge areas of the wadi. Sand bars (spites) were formed parallel to Wadi stream as a result of decreasing flow of water and hence deposition. Mud cracks were formed in places where muddy areas of the wadi become dried. The highly curved stream meanders of Wadi Al-Chusaiha may indicate the maturity stage of the wadi. Field observations conclude that the stratigraphic succession of the area is represented by the Triassic rocks (Abu Shaybah Formation) made up of continental horizontal-bedded sandstone intercalated with siltstone and mudstone. This is followed by Cretaceous rocks which are separated by an unconformity from the underlying Abu Shaybah sandstone. Cretaceous rocks may have distinguished into two formations: the lower is Sidi As Said Formation which is distinguished into Ain Tobi Member at the base (Dolomitic Limestone) and Yefren Marl Member on the top (Marl with claystone and gypsum crystals as well as Oyster bearing horizons), and the upper Formation is Nalut Formation (Dolomitic Limestone to Dolomite with chert layers and nodules). The two Cretaceous Formations were separated by a distinct para-conformity. The structural investigation was focused on measurements of joint and fault directions in the entire area of study and may conclude that the western stratigraphic succession of Wadi Ka'am is represented by Sidi As Said Formation (Yefren Marl Member) followed up by the dolomitic Limestone of Nalut Formation, while the eastern stratigraphic succession is represented by the Triassic Abu Shaybah continental sandstones at the base followed up by the lower part of Cretaceous rocks of Ain Tobi Dolomite. This distribution may indicate the presence of a N58E- S58W directed fault (the fault is thrown to NW). The prevailing direction of faults affecting the western Wadi Ka'am area is generally parallel to the prevailing extent of joints (N32W-S32E). In general, the study area is affected by two prevailing fault directions, the first which is the older and extended (N32W-S32E) where the fault is thrown toward NE and appears in the form of a step fault. The second is relatively younger and represents the Wadi Ka'am stream directed (N58E-S58W) where the fault is thrown toward NE. As a result of structural effects, the flow direction of Wadi Ka'am is N58E.

Study of Conrad and Shaban deep brines, Red Sea, using bathymetric, parasound and seismic surveys

Red Sea was formed where African and Arabian plates are moving apart. Each year the plates drift about 2.5cm farther apart, so that the Red Sea is slowly but steadily growing hence known as the next coming ocean simply an embryonic ocean. It is characterized by the presence of many deep fractures, located almost exactly along the middle of the Sea from northwest to southeast. Theses fractures have steep sides, rough bottom and brines coming up form on the bottom. Brine deposits are the result of subsurface magmatic activity. They are formed in graben structure as shown by the bathymetric, parasound and seismic studies in the investigated area.

Reversible self-propelled Leidenfrost droplets on ratchet surfaces

We investigate the self-propelled motion of the Leidenfrost droplets on hot surfaces with ratchet like topology. It is found that on hot ratchet surfaces with the certain geometry parameters, the droplets move in the direction towards the steep side of the teeth; as the surface temperature rises, droplets are observed to self propel to the right-angle side direction. Furthermore, there exists a temperature threshold to trigger the motion, at which the droplets do not move in either direction but stay at the stagnation state. A physical model is proposed to analyze the observation in this paper.

VÝVOJ LEDOVCOVÝCH SEDIMENTŮ NA KONTAKTU S ŽULOVSKÝM MASIVEM VE ŠTACHLOVICÍCH U VIDNAVY

The Žulová Upland is composed of granitoids of the Žulová batholith with relicts of Pleistocene (Elsterian) continental glaciation sediments. The investigated outcrop represents development of glacigenic sediments on rugged topography of the Žulová Upland. Investigated locality is situated on a hill located on the northern margin of the Žulová Upland. It is located near Štachlovice, local part of the Vidnava town. The exposed part of the hilltop reveals a preglacial basement covered by glacigenic sediments. The facies analysis and gravel petrology analysis of clasts with fraction 16–64 mm in b-axis were undertaken on the walls of the outcrop. The Georadar (GPR, Ground penetrating radar) was used to investigate the sedimentary landform and its relation to the basement. The granitoid basement is in places formed by elevations covered by glacigenic sediments. The height of elevation reaches 350 cmin outcrop, or ca ~400 cm according to the GPR survey. The glacitectonite, formed on the gentle side of elevation, is composed of angular blocks of granitoids of the Žulová batholith, diamicton, sand, gravel and deformed glacifluvial sand. The glacitectonite was deposited during the advancement of the continental glacier. The original subglacial cavity is enclosed by a steep side of the elevation. This cavity is filled by foreset body composed of stratified sand and gravel and nonstratified gravelly sand, gravel and diamicton. The cavity was filled by high-density turbidity currents and debris flow in subaqueous-subaerial environment. The infill of the cavity reaches ~400 cm in thickness according to the GPR survey. The cavity was filled during deglaciation in subglacial environment. The glacitectonite underlies the diamicton (supraglacial till) that was deposited as a debris flow during the retreat of the continental glacier. Unsorted gravel overlaps with erosional base the infill of the cavity, this gravel has a huge extent according to the GPR survey. This sediment represents the environment of terminoglacial stream. Gravel material of all types of glacigenic sediments is mainly composed of rocks from the Rychleby Mts. (amphibolites, Gierałtow orthogneiss, other diverse gneisses, quartzites, mica schist),quartz, and Nordic and Polish rocks. Subglacial sediments contain clasts of amphibolites (~40 %), on the other hand supraglacial and terminoglacial sediments are more polymict. Dominant subrounded shape (~60–70 %) of clasts and composition of this material indicates its origin in preglacial fluvial sediments. These fluvial sediments were deposited by river flowing from the Rychleby Mts. towards their northern foreland. The locality represents preglacial elevation of bedrock, which was glacitectonically deformed during the glaciation. Lots of different types of sediments (sub-, supra-, and terminoglacial) were deposited around the elevation during deglaciation period. The elevation was completely buried by these sediments. Deposition of these sediments was related with morphology of the elevation of bedrock. Formation of these sediments took place in environment analogous to environment of part bedrock/part till drumlin (Stokes et al. 2011).

Current molded, storm damaged, sinuous columnar stromatolites: Mesoproterozoic of northern China

A thin (~50cm) horizon of sinuous stromatolites occurs within a succession of elongate upright columns in the ~1.4Ga Tieling Formation, near Jixian, China. The upright columns form aligned closely spaced ridges, separated by narrow runnels with signs of current scour. The sinuous and upright stromatolites, and their intervening matrix, were originally mainly composed of carbonate mud. In end-on view, the sinuous columns incline back and forth. Each column consists of well-defined laminae that successively rotate relative to column curvature, maintaining their orientation approximately at right-angles to the column axis. In inclined parts of the columns, laminae are typically asymmetric and the steeper side faces the direction of column inclination. We interpret this column sinuosity to be a response to changes in current-direction, with accreting laminae facing into currents that supplied sediment. We find no evidence for heliotropism (mat growth towards the sun) in these examples. Adjacent columns typically show similar shapes, bending back and forth together, but their angles of curvature and inclination can change laterally from column to column, from near vertical to 45°, over distances of 30cm. Columns can show breakage and separation of adjacent laminae. Some of this is enhanced by compaction and stress, but the occurrence of sinuous columns on their sides or upturned, in spaces between undisturbed columns, indicates that column curvature developed during growth and that toppling of columns was syndepositional. We infer that sinuosity developed in response to changes in current direction, that column inclination reflects current strength, and that breakage and toppling was produced by strong currents. Curved and sinuous columns could reflect shoaling. This would also have exposed them to storm damage and to the effects of currents that scoured sufficient matrix to locally break and topple columns. Markedly sinuous Mesoproterozoic columns also occur in Siberia and North America, suggesting that similar conditions and processes of stromatolite formation may have been widespread at this time. Formation and preservation of the sinuous stromatolites described here required a combination of conditions that included abundant fine-grained carbonate sediment, microbial mats capable of trapping it, reduced early lithification, and absence of bioturbation.

Analysis of Environmental Applicability of HDPE Geomembrane by Simulated Applicability Testing for Waste Containment Construction

Geosynthetic separation boxes made from recycled polymeric materials were designed to increase the waste landfill amount and develop the hydraulic performance in steep slope sides in the waste landfills. To evaluate the advantages of these geosynthetic separation boxes, index tests were conducted in order to compare the geonet composites and geosynthetic separation boxes. The tensile strength retention of the geosynthetic separation box plates exposed to UV light and leachate solutions was better than that of the geonet composites. The drainage performance of the geosynthetic separation boxes was compared with that of the geonet composites at a slope angle corresponding to a real waste landfill site. The drainage performance of the geosynthetic separation box plates was better than that of the geonet composites.