Territory Of Former USSR Research Articles

Formation Conditions And Debris Flow Regime In Jiangjia Ravine, Yunnan, China – Applicability Of Russian Methodology

The requirements of the debris flows’ parameters assessments vary from country to country. They are based on different theoretical and empirical constructions and are validated by data from different regions. This makes difficult comparison of the reported results on estimated debris flows activity and extent. The Russian normative documents for the debris flows’ parameters calculations are based on empirically-measured parameters in wide range of geological and climatic conditions at the territory of former USSR, but still not cover all the possible conditions of debris flow formation. An attempt was made to check applicability of the Russian empirical constructions for the conditions of the debris flows formation in Yunnan, China, where unique long-term dataset of debris flows characteristics is collected by the Dongchuan Debris Flow Observation and Research Station. The results show, that in general the accepted in Russia methodology of calculation of the parameters of debris flows of certain probability corresponded well to the observed in Dongchuan debris flows characteristics. Some discrepancies (in the average debris flow depth) can be explained by unknown exact return period of the actually observed debris flows. This allowed to conclude that the presently adopted empirical dependencies based on country-wide (USSR) empirical data can be extrapolated up to the monsoon climate and geological conditions of Yunnan province.

On the differential diagnosis of vertebral ankyloses in paleoanthropological material: an example of the Early Iron Age case from the Lower Kama region

Differentiating various pathological conditions involving the spine, particularly those leading to vertebral anky-losis, is a challenging task both in paleopathology and clinical practice. The Introduction summarizes cases of ankylosing spondylitis (Bekhterev’s disease) and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (Forestier disease) from the territory of former USSR. In this regard, it is important to mention that, having different etiologies, DISH and seronegative spondyloarthropathies have different reconstructive potential. It is assumed that the increase in DISH prevalence may be associated with an increase in life expectancy and characteristics of the group’s nutri-tional status, while spondyloarthropathies – with endogamy, increased population density due to sedentary life-style and the intensification of agriculture. It is noted that differential diagnostic procedure has been reported only in few Russian-language publications that deal with the topic. This often leads to the statement of not quite justi-fied paleopathological diagnoses. This paper presents results of paleopathological study of a 25–40-year-old male skeleton from burial 183 of the Novo-Sasykul cemetery, dated to the 1st–2nd centuries AD. The site is located in the Lower Kama River region (Bakalinsky District, Republic of Bashkortostan) and attributed to the Pyany Bor Culture. The study is focused on differentiating pathological conditions that lead to vertebral ankylosis on skeletal remains. Principal pathological changes, recorded on the skeleton from burial 183 of the Novo-Sasykul cemetery, were: 1) ankylosis of five consecutive thoracic vertebrae (T7–11) with right-sided ossification of the anterior longi-tudinal ligament and 2) bilateral fusion of the sacroiliac joints. Possible diagnoses include seronegative spondy-loarthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis, reactive and psoriatic arthritis), diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative changes (osteoarthritis). The differential diagnosis based on mac-roscopic (morphological) indicators allows suggesting a diagnosis of DISH, possibly associated with a spondy-loarthropathy and minor degenerative changes in the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis is certainly excluded from the spectrum of probable spondyloarthropathies. It is noted, however, that specific diagnosis requires an X-ray exa-mination. As a guideline for the specialists, the need for careful differentiation between different pathological con-ditions leading to ankylosis of vertebral segments is emphasized. The latter is important, since reporting ill-considered diagnosis may severely complicate the use of the published data in bioarchaeological reconstructions.

Influence of railway transport in the South-East of Slovakia on formation of adventive flora in Central Europe

The contribution features data on the occurrence of plants introduced mostly by the year 1979 via grain railway transports from the territory of former USSR (mostly south of Ukraine, South-East of the European part of Russia, Central Asia) to the areas of 3 selected railway transhipment stations (Čierna nad Tisou and its wider vicinity) in the “Východoslovenská nížina” (East-Slovakian Plain), in the Slovak Republic. On these localities, approximately 500 species of vascular plants are present, of which around one third is recognized as phytogeographically important (in total, 144 taxa). This new reservoir of diasporas of eastern synanthropic plant species can have a significant impact on the present diversity of Slovak flora as well as flora of neighbouring countries. Almost half of those 144 species, listed in the contribution, have more or less continental distribution. In majority it concerns thermophilous steppe and forest-steppe to semi-desert species (the latter ones only very rarely) of southern territories, which is correlated of the South-East of Slovakia. Moreover, for the first time, two following species, introduced into the transhipment station in Čierna nad Tisou from the East, are published for the flora of Slovakia: Artemisia dniproica Klokov and Centaurea adpressa (Ledeb.) Prodan. Apart from continental species, also Mediterranean species s.l. are frequently present. In addition, the number of North American species is relatively high. They were spreading in a westerly direction, probably from the East, where they have already become occasionally naturalised. All these species gradually enrich the eastern migration route of adventive plants in Central Europe.

Application of INAA in the assessment of chemical elements in soils of the Khamar-Daban mountain range

Topsoil samples taken on the Khamar-Daban mountains to the north-east of the Baikal Paper and Pulp Complex (BPPC) at a height of about 1200–1500 m above sea level in two areas (Area 1–11 km and Area 2–84 km away) were used for assessment of the regional environmental pollution level by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Mass fractions using short-lived radionuclides of Al, Ca, Dy, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ti and V and using long-lived radionuclides of Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Gd, Hf, Hg, La, Lu, Nd, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb and Zn were measured. The considerable remoteness of Area 2 from BPPC allows to assume it as a checkpoint in BPPC air emission impact assessment (background levels). No statistically valid increase in the contents of all investigated chemical element were found in the topsoil on the Khamar-Daban mountain slopes and tops in Area 1. The comparison of the obtained results with literature data makes it possible to conclude that the average mass fractions of all elements in the Khamar-Daban topsoil are within the range characteristic to non-polluted soils in the territories of former USSR, CIS and across the world.

О щитниках рода Menaccarus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) на территории бывшего СССР. Сообщение 2. Преимагинальные стадии

О щитниках рода Menaccarus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) на территории бывшего СССР. Сообщение 2. Преимагинальные стадии