Virgin Area Research Articles

Prediction of acoustic impedance and density porosity using seismic inversion, and geostatistical methods on Krishna Godavari basin, India: A case study

Seismic inversion is a geophysical technique used to estimate subsurface acoustic impedance models from seismic reflection data. The basic concept behind seismic inversion is to establish mathematical assumptions that can relate seismic responses to geological formation properties. This study addresses two types of seismic inversion methods, namely Band-limited inversion (BLI) and Linear programming inversion (LPI) techniques for the delineation of gas reservoirs. The study presents the successful use of the inversion in a real example from a gas sand reservoir in KG-Basin, India. Inversion has led to the removal of ambiguity and revealing clear information about the target area. This work aims to use and compare the results of these two generic seismic post-stack inversion methods for characterizing the reservoir. The inversion reveals the presence of low acoustic impedance around 2320-2440 ms and is inferred as a sandstone layer with a potential hydrocarbon reservoir. One can improve the analysis of the elastic properties for reservoir characterization by using rock physics knowledge to understand better reservoir properties such as water saturation, porosity, and shale volume. This study also uses the Rock Physics Template (RPT) and plots it with elastic properties to aid the efficient interpretation. RPT helps to identify the lithology and fluid content in the area. Results from the seismic study suggest a comparatively better analysis done through the LPI technique over BLI. In the last, the Multi-attribute transform as a part of the Geostatistical method is used to predict porosity away from the borehole. The method shows a very high porosity section and clearly shows the distribution of porosity in and around the region. The interpretation shows that a very high porosity zone (15–25%) is present that is in cross-correlation with a low impedance zone (4000-8000 m/s*g/cc) and confirms the presence of a hydrocarbon zone in-between 2320 and 2440 ms two-way travel time. All seismic inversion and geostatistical methods can retrieve subsurface information with very high-resolution images but the analysis based on linear programming is found slightly better in each step and depicts good prediction results. The study finally gives a flowchart that combines seismic inversion and geostatistical methods to extract petrophysical parameters from seismic data and can help to interpret hydrocarbon-bearing formation in any virgin area.

Importance of conserving a critical wintering ground for shorebirds in the Valinokkam Lagoon—a first study of the avifaunal distribution of the southeastern coast of India

Any new economic activity in a virgin area brings landscape changes, making it essential to document baseline biodiversity areas to understand the impacts on habitats. Avifaunal inventories are critical for previously undocumented areas, especially in a wintering site for shorebirds in the Central Asian Flyway, to formulate site- and species-specific conservation management tools. We present an annotated checklist of avifauna from the Valinokkam Lagoon in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. We recorded the first baseline avifaunal data for 154 species belonging to 16 orders and 46 families from August 2016 to February 2023. Order-wise, Charadriiformes dominated the study site with 47 species; followed by Passeriformes with 39 species and Pelecaniformes with 20 species. Winter visitors constituted 37.6 % (58 species) and one Passage Migrant Rosy Starling Pastor roseus. The relative abundance indicated that 94 species were C (common), 41 species were UC (uncommon), and 19 species were Ra (rare). Eleven Near Threatened (NT) species: Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, Great Stone-curlew Esacus recurvirostris, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea, Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis and Red Knot Calidris canutus, one Endangered (EN) species Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris, and one unassessed Hanuman Plover Charadrius seebohmi according to the IUCN Red List category. This baseline data highlights the importance of Valinokkam Lagoon as an important wintering site in the Central Asian Flyway on the southeast coast of India for migratory shorebirds and the need for more conservation priorities for regional endemic birds like Hanuman Plover.
 

Analysis of non-volatile metabolites and quantitation of the anti-arthritic alkaloid sinomenine from blood fruit (Haematocarpus validus (Miers) Bakh.f. ex Forman).

Haematocarpus validus (Miers) Bakh. f. ex Forman, a lesser-known fruit and medicinal plant of high nutraceutical and medicinal value, is used as anti-arthritic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory agents in ethnomedicine. Metabolome studies in H. validus are a virgin area of research and here we report the spectra of non-volatiles present in the methanolic leaf and fruit extract, using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the alkaloid sinomenine was quantified using high-performance thin layer chromatography spectrodensitometric analysis owing to its pharmacological importance as anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory drug. Electrospray ionization with protonation in positive mode was selected for the analysis and the spectral data was interrogated using MassHunter software. A total of 40 compounds were identified from leaf and fruit samples and the major classes of compounds identified were alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, tripeptides, vitamins, and related compounds. For separation and quantitation of sinomenine, chloroform:methanol:water (60:30:6.5, v/v) was used as the mobile phase and sinomenine hydrochloride as reference compound. The analysis confirmed the presence of sinomenine in both non-defatted and defatted methanolic leaf extract with quantities 45.73 and 26.02mg/100g dry weight, respectively. H. validus is a non-conventional source of sinomenine, the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory alkaloid. Sinomenine detected in this study supports the ethnomedicinal uses of H. validus as an anti-arthritic agent. Further study is needed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of its anti-arthritic attributes as well as the corresponding structure-activity relationships.

AgriLOVE: Agriculture, land-use and technical change in an evolutionary, agent-based model

This paper presents a dynamic agent-based model of land use and agricultural production under environmental boundaries, finite available resources and endogenous technical change. In particular, we model a spatially explicit smallholder farming system populated by boundedly-rational agents competing and innovating to fulfill an exogenous demand for food, while coping with a changing environment shaped by their production choices. Given the strong technological and environmental uncertainty, agents learn and adaptively employ heuristics which guide their decisions on engaging in innovation and imitation activities, hiring workers, acquiring new farms, deforesting virgin areas and abandoning unproductive lands. Such activities in turn impact farm productivity, food production, food prices and land use. We firstly show that the model can replicate key stylized facts of the agricultural sector. We then extensively explore its properties across several scenarios featuring different institutional and behavioral settings. Finally, we simulate the model across different applications considering deforestation and land abandonment; human-induced soil degradation; and climate impacts. AgriLOVE offers a flexible simulation environment to study the endogenous emergence of different agricultural production regimes from the interaction of spatially dispersed farms subject to resource constraints, spatial influence and climate change.

Impact of virgin land development on morbidity and mortality from diphtheria in Kazakhstan

Authors consider the development of virgin and fallow lands in Kazakhstan in the 1950s–1960s which led to an unprecedented anthropogenic intrusion into the environment. The huge concentration of people in the northern steppe regions of Kazakhstan led to the spread of dangerous infectious diseases among which diphtheria was of particular concern of the health authorities of the republic. Authors made an attempt to analyze the issues of the spread of this disease in Tselinny district in the early 1960s and the history of its control in this article. The basic methods of medical services to prevent spreading of this infectious disease have been identified. The authors concluded that imperfect of medical service, violation of the regulations on vaccination and revaccination, inefficiency of medical and sanitary education of the population of virgin areas as well as other factors were the causes of diphtheria resistance against measures of sanitary and epidemiological services of the republic.

Чужорідні ссавці в екосистемах сходу України: історія дослідження та появи видів

The paper presents a review of the history of investigations and formation of the adventive component of the mammal fauna in eastern Ukraine, mainly in the territory of the left bank of the Siversky Donets, within the area of the eastern part of Ukraine (Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv oblasts). Most of these territories are part of the steppe zone of Ukraine. They are characterised by such edge effects as depletion of the steppe fauna and emergence of azonal species. Throughout almost 170 years of mammal studies in the region, the research directions and the processes of fauna formation have changed. The goal of this paper is to review the history of research and the available data on the appearance and expansion of new for this region species. We distinguish several periods in the history of the formation of the adventitious component of the mammal fauna and in its research. First, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a gradual accumulation of knowledge about the fauna of those regions. At that time, the territories underwent essential transformations. The active usage of lands for agriculture started, and, as a result, the steppe was split into local, isolated ecosystems with insignificant virgin areas. In the middle of the 20th century, the study of ecology and economic importance of mammals gained the attention of researchers. During this period, the intensity and character of distribution of the species increased: from a moderate spread of micromammals as a result of agricultural development to a more intensive distribution of game species as a result of intentional introduction of animals or their escape from culture. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the question of alien species become more prominent. This issue drew the attention of many researchers, and adventive traits were described for various mammals. As a result of our study, we could outline the chronology of the appearance of alien species in eastern Ukraine, as well as the main patterns of their distribution. Historical data allows for concluding that a notable part of the local fauna was formed as a result of invasions and expansion, and these processes are still relevant in the modern period of fauna development. It was established that the changes in the local fauna is closely related to land transformations and shifts in human economic activity.

GC-MS Analysis, Antibiogram and Computational Studies of Kakamout (Acacia polyacantha L.) Leaves Hydro-Ethanolic Extract

Medicinal plants represent the main source of therapeutic agents. The WHO stated that most of the world population use herbal drugs because they belief that, they are safe, cheap and affordable. Many modern drugs show resistance to pathogenic bacteria as one of the forms of antimicrobial resistance which is considered from the top problematic issues in the world. Fortunately, medicinal plants can be the hero for fighting this problem by providing new antibacterial agents. Sudan is a virgin area for phytomedicine research due to its diversity of traditions besides the diversity of climates that leads to variety of plant species. Acacia polyacantha tree is widely available in Sudan and is used traditionally for treating many bacterial diseases. This study aimed to analyze the hydro-ethanol extract of Acacia polyacanthaleaves using GC-MS analysis and to determine its antibiogram against two standard bacterial strains by well diffusion method, besides molecular docking and ADMET studies.A. Polyacantha leaves was extracted by cold maceration using Ethanol 70%. GC-MS analysis was carried out for the first time and proved to contain 23 compounds. The major compounds were4-O-Methylmannose (60.28%), Phytol (8.2%) and Adenosine N6-phenylaceticacid (4.74%). The extract was tested for antibacterial activity against standard bacterial strains of Gram +ve bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram -ve bacteria (Pseudomonas aeroginosa) by well diffusion method which was active against S.aureus and inactive against P.aeruginosa. Moreover, binding mode and pharmacokinetics properties of the compounds present in the extract were further studied and reported. In conclusion, A. Polyacantha leaves extract is rich in phytochemical compounds having antibacterial activity.

Regularities of distribution of microelements in virgin and arable chernozem under the impact of mining

The total content of trace elements Cu, Pb, Cr, Ba and Sr in soils and in parent rocks in the vicinity of a mining plant (Lebedinsky GOK) in virgin and arable areas composed of tittypic chernozems was studied. The studied trace elements are heavy metals and can enter the soil when fertilizing. The tailings dump of Lebedinsky GOK has the greatest impact on the site. The obtained results were compared with the clarks of soils, maximum permissible, approximately permissible and local background concentrations. In the studied soils, accumulation of Cu (Кк = 1.45-2.05) and Cr (Кк = 1.44-1.74) is most pronounced, while dispersion is typical of Sr (Кк = 0.49-0.87). In soil profiles, chromium is evenly distributed; the content of barium and lead in organic mineral horizons increases significantly. The content of strontium in the upper soil horizons is lower than in rocks. In the organo-mineral and in mineral horizons, the concentrations of chromium and barium are close to the MAC level: the excess is 0.87–1.03 for chromium and is 0.86–1.12 for barium. The contents of copper and lead are below 0.4 MAC and 0.3 MAC, respectively. The soil contamination assessment shows that there is low contamination with chromium, barium and copper. With respect to the contents of strontium and lead, the soils are classified as clean. In general, the soil pollution is tolerable, but there is a decrease in the soil pollution reference function of protected area. To enhance the reliability of the research results, it is necessary to solve a number of issues related to the development of MAC and AAC and background values of the contents of the studied elements.

Scanning probe microscope probe switching unit with electrical measurement for in situ multifunctional characterization: Design and preliminary application in tribocorrosion investigation

Scanning probe microscope (SPM) is a potent tool in nanotribology research. However, commercial environment control SPMs can install only one probe to perform one function at a time. Accordingly, this study developed a probe switching unit with electrical measurement for in situ multifunctional characterization. The unit mainly comprises a cover, a rotation stage, and a probe holder assembly. Four probes can be installed. One is electrically connected to perform tapping mode and electrical measurement such as Kelvin probe force microscope (0.01 mV resolution), while the other three are to perform contact mode. The rotation stage drives the assembly to switch probes to in situ measure multiple physical quantities in a controlled environment. The unit was preliminarily applied to investigate tantalum tribocorrosion. Based on the changing trends of wear amount and surface potential change, the wear process can be roughly divided into three stages, which may be caused by desorption of the adsorbed air, wear of the oxide film, and wear of the substrate, respectively. Moreover, wear can lead to a surface potential increment, which may partly contribute to the galvanic corrosion between the virgin area and the wear area. The unit may serve as a useful tool for nanotribology research.

The metaphysical dimension in Shakir Hassan Al Said's painting

The first chapter (the methodological framework of the research) included the research problem, which was manifested in the following question: What is the metaphysical dimension in Shaker Hassan Al Said's drawings? As for the importance of the research and the need for it, the research will be a continuation of the process of other researches that preceded it in the field of contemporary Iraqi painting. It will contribute to clarifying the concept of the metaphysical dimension in Shaker Hassan Al Said's drawings. The grandmother of the subject being plowing in virgin areas of knowledge. The current research aims to (know the metaphysical dimension in Shaker Hassan Al Said's drawings). While the current research is limited to the study of: Spatial Boundaries: Iraq. Objective limits: a study of the metaphysical dimension in the drawings of Shakir Hassan Al Said, executed with different materials on different materials. Time limits: 1990 AD - 2000 AD. While the theoretical framework of the second chapter focused on studying contemporary Iraqi philosophy and painting. While the third chapter concerned the methodological framework: the research community, where the researcher looked at the published and available works of the artist Shaker Hassan Al Said’s paintings, which were specified in relation to the metaphysical representations in the drawings of Shaker Hassan Al Said, and limited the research community’s framework to the limits of the research in time and place. In a manner that covers the limits of the research and achieve its goal and ensures that the researcher monitors the largest amount of sample models that are working and the subject of the current research. Research sample: The researcher deliberately selected a sample form for his research, a painting from the framework of the research community. Research tool: The researcher relied on the indicators that the theoretical framework concluded for analyzing the research sample models. In his research, the researcher adopted the descriptive approach in analyzing the content of the artwork as a method followed in studies dealing with paintings by description and analysis. The fourth chapter came as follows, Results: Nostalgia and appeal to past worlds are images of metaphysical worlds present in the artist's achievement. The metaphysical power of the artist's senses aims to express the essence of things. Conclusions: metaphysical worlds have a translation of the essence of man (the artist). A formal product with expressive powers that translates hidden worlds. Myth, emotional notation, presence and absence, temporality, metaphysical worlds. The hidden essence is a metaphysical world. The researcher recommends studying the following: Metaphysical representations in Jawad Selim's drawings. Then came the list of margins and sources.

Requirement Engineering For Robotic System: The Next Generation In Dentistry

ABSTRACT Robotics has been successfully applied in engineering, commerce and now in medical field; and has opened a new frontier with numerous areas for expansion and exploration. Robotics with dental application is a relatively untraveled area to pursue. The virgin areas in dental research is an opportunity for new and better products and has been important development direction of medical robot. More ‘intelligent’ products is the next big step. Robotics offer improved predictability, speed, increased precision, quality and safety of various procedure; ranging from patient robots to robots used in endodontics, oral surgery, implantology, prosthodontics and orthodontics. An architecture of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machining learning (ML) to analyse large amount of data with the help of data-driven analysis algorithms based in ML drives the next generation dentistry. The main aim of this paper was to review current research in the field of dental robotics. A review of literature was performed using electronic searching methods of Pub Med database and Google for the applications of robots in Dentistry. Extracted data from selected papers were synthesized. Keywords: Robotics, AI, Machine Learning, Dentistry, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Data.

STATE OF RENDZINAS (RENDZIC LEPTOSOLS) OF THE PODILSKI TOVTRY

Problem Statement and Purpose. The role of soils in the global processes of functioning of natural systems is largely determined by the peculiarities of the formation of different groups of organic matter, which plays the role of a limiting factor, the bioproductivity of ecosystems. Water-physical and morphological properties of soils, their erosion resistance, etc. depend on its composition and dynamics of renewal. The territory of Podilsky Tovtry is characterized by unique soil formation conditions, where specific spatial change of soil-forming factors determines the formation of different morphological structure, properties, dominant soil-forming processes, stages and directions of ontogeny of rendzin and pararendzin. The aim of the study is to establish the peculiarities of the formation of organic matter rendzin Podilsky Tovtry, based on the characteristics of their humic condition. Data & Methods. During 2015–2021 y. we laid down 5 modal sections. The system of soil sections represents rendzinas in different lands: arable lands, fallows and virgin areas under forest and meadow phytocenoses. Soil samples were taken in layers (every 10 cm). Laboratory and analytical studies were performed by conventional methods to simplify comparisons of data and their correlations with previous studies of other scientists, in particular the total humus was determined by Tyurin's modified by Nikitin (DSTU ISO 14235: 2005), structure density – by the method of cutting rings. Results. Among the rendzinas of the Podilsky Tovtry in terms of humus content, three groups are clearly distinguished: rendzins formed on the tops of tovtry on the eluvium of lithotamnium and serpulo-mohovatnyh limestones and are in a virgin state under meadow-steppe vegetation. The average humus content in the upper Hca horizon here reaches 12–15% (in some samples about 17%) and decreases sharply down the profile, reaching the minimum values in the lower transition horizon Phca 2.8–3.5%. This is due to the significant influence of calcium carbonates, and the accumulation of "rough" humus of the moder type; rendzina, formed on the same species (but strongly weathered), which are in later stages of development under forest vegetation, as well as rendzina, which have undergone degradation due to long-term agricultural use. The average humus content in the upper Hca horizon here reaches3.9–4.5% and gradually decreases down the profile, reaching the minimum values in the lower transition horizon Phca 1.12–2.25%; brown rendzins and pararendzins of the Tovtr slopes, formed on the forested eluvium-deluvium of lithotamnium and serpulo-mohovatnyh limestones and carbonate polygenetic loams. The average humus content in the upper Hca horizon here is in the range of 2.7–3.0% and graduallydecreases down the profile, reaching the minimum values in the lower transition horizon Phca 0.3–1.2%.

Algal study in springs and streams from Shaqlawa district, Erbil Province, Iraq I- Euglenophyta

In an intensive study of the various species of the Euglenophyceae under different environmental conditions, the algal samples were collected monthly in twelve springs and six related streams from September 2019 to August 2020 within Shaglawa district-Erbil Province in virgin areas for phycolimnological study. Twenty species of Euglenophyceaen are identified as a new record for the algal flora. These taxa consist of Colacium vesiculosum, Lepocinclis salina and L.wangi, Eutreptia viridis, Euglena chlamydophora, E. clavata, E. geniculata, E. intermedia var klebsii, E. limnophila, E. oblonga, E. sociabilis, E. stellate and E. variabilis, Peranema sacculus, Phacus circumflexus, Ph. dangeardii, Ph. peteloti, Petalomonas mediocanella var disomata, Trachelomonas manginii, and T. volvocina var derephora. All of these new records are described and illustrated as much as possible. According to physicals and chemicals characteristics, water temperature varied from 14.942˚C to 18.475˚C, pH lies on alkaline side of neutrality, electrical conductivity ranged between (627.472-2092.306µs/cm) and high concentration of salinity recorded in Azarian spring.

К вопросу территориальной неоднородности обменной кислотности серых лесных почв Северного Зауралья

The article presents the results of statistical processing of a large array of data on the exchange acidity of gray forest soils of the Northern Trans-Urals. The aim of the research was to study the territorial heterogeneity of potential acidity and to identify the direction of modern development of all subtypes of gray forest soils. The statistical assessment was based on data on 96 sections of light gray, 111 - gray and 123 sections of dark gray forest soils. All sections were laid in virgin areas in the period from 1965 to 2020. It was found that the gray forest soils of the Northern Trans-Urals differ from their European counterparts by significantly lower exchange acidity. The average рНKCl value in light gray forest soils is 5.1 units with a range of variation from 4.5 to 5.9 units. Slightly acidic soils (5.1-5.4 units) account for 65% of the sample. In the gray forest soils of the Northern Trans-Urals, the proportion of slightly acidic soils and those close to neutral reaches 85%, and only the remaining part has рНKCl values in the range of 4.6-5.0 units. The average value of exchange acidity in dark gray forest soils in the region is 5.7 units, which corresponds to the category of close to neutral. The range of pH values is quite wide – 4.5-6.5 units, with a coefficient of variation of 8%. The absence of a strong expression of metabolic acidity in the gray forest soils of the Northern Trans-Urals is due to the containment of the podzolic process due to the presence of a close occurrence of calcium carbonates. Statistical analysis also showed that light gray forest soils are gradually acidified due to the very deep occurrence of carbonates. Gray and dark gray forest soils follow the path of the sod process with a gradual decrease in potential acidity due to the formation of a periodically flushing type of water regime. Keywords: FERTILITY, VARIABILITY OF PROPERTIES, PODZOLIC PROCESS, MOBILE ALUMINUM, ACIDIFICATION, EXPANSION OF ARABLE LAND, SOIL COVER, WESTERN SIBERIA

ISOLATION, MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF DIAZOTROPIC BACTERIA FROM VIRGIN SOIL FROM ARAKU VALLEY AND ASSESSMENT OF OF AMMONIA ACCUMULATION AT SALINE CONDITIONS

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are widely distributed in nature where they reduce atmospheric nitrogen in soil or in association with plant. They have been found in a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats in both temperate and tropical regions of the word. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are found in symbiotic associations with plants free living in soil. The objective of the present research was to isolate free living Nitrogen fixing bacteria from virgin soil samples in araku valley and assessment of their ammonia accumulation at saline conditions. 10 soil samples were collected in different place from virgin areas. For isolation of the free living nitrogen fixing bacteria, Nitrogen free media like Jensens Medium and Azotobacter Agar were used. Serially diluted soil samples were spread on the agar media and incubated for 48 hours. Eleven morphologically different bacteria were separated on made pure colonies on nutrient agar media. All bacteria were under go biochemical characterization which reveals that all these bacteria related to Azospirillum, Azotobacter and Clostridium. High ammonia liberating isolate MGN-10 was molecular characterizes as Azotobacter chroococcum and this soil application increase the plant growth in terms of growth parameters.

A Stochastic Model for Nanoparticle Deposits Growth

Abstract Natural events and human activities are responsible for the generation and transport of large amounts of microsized particles, which could contaminate several engineering devices like solar panels, wind turbines, and aero-engines. In industrial processes, systems as heat exchangers, fans, and dust collectors are continuously affected by nanoparticles' interaction. For several applications, the adhesion of such nanoparticles is detrimental, generating safety and performance issues. Particle-to-particle and particle-to-surface interactions are well known, even if a general explanation of nanoparticle deposit growth is still unknown. In this paper, an interpretation of deposit growth due to nanoparticle deposition can predict particle adhesion, and layer accretion is proposed. A statistical model and a set of coefficients are used to generalize nanoparticle deposits' growth by an S-shaped function. In particular, the nanoparticle deposits grow analogously to a typical autonomous population settlement in a virgin area following statistical rule, which includes the initial growth, the successive stable condition (development), and catastrophic events able to destroy the layer. This approach generalizes nanoparticle adhesion/deposition behavior, overpassing the constraints reported in common deposition models, mainly focused on the mechanical aspect of the nanoparticle impact event. The catastrophic events, such as layer detachment, are modeled with a Poisson's distribution, related to material characteristics and impact conditions. This innovative approach, analogies, and coefficients applied to common engineering applications may be the starting point for improving the prediction capability of nanoparticle deposition.

An experimental study on upward flame spread over corrugated cardboard used in underground logistic transportation: Influence of grain orientation and thickness

Corrugated cardboard is widely used in underground logistic transportation and warehousing and it has become an important fire hazard source. According to previous warehouse fire studies, upward flame spread on corrugated cardboard plays an important role during the initial stage of warehouse fires and can decide the occurrence of subsequent increasing fire hazards. However, the wavy structural effect of corrugated cardboard on fire spread still lacks enough attention. This work studies the fire spread behavior of vertically-set corrugated cardboard with thicknesses of 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 4.0 mm. The cardboard inner hollow gaps are set either parallel (defined as along grain direction) or perpendicular (defined as across grain direction) to buoyancy direction. Experimental results show that: (1) along grain sample has better flammability than across grain sample; (2) the relationship between flame height (or pyrolysis height) and time has a best fit with power law, and the difference of the exponents between two grain orientations decreases with the increasing of the sample thickness; (3) for cardboard of different grain orientations and thickness, the ratio of average flame height to average pyrolysis height is a constant. The hollow gaps inside along grain sample, working as passage, are beneficial for the transportation of heated pyrolysis gases and preheating of upper virgin area, hence increasing burning rate and flame upward spread. However, it is observed that the phenomenon (flame luminance, delamination of front layer, extinguishment of flame base, etc.) difference between different grain orientations decreases as sample thickness increases. This study reveals the effects of grain orientation and sample thickness on the corrugated cardboard fire spread behavior which is common in commodity fire in underground logistic transportation and warehousing. The conclusions are beneficial for fire risk assessment as well as the improvement of related codes and regulations.

Plant Iconography Vis-A-Vis Plant Invasion in India: Glimpses, Sources and Evidences

India is a biodiversity rich country as well as mosaic of cultural traditions. Plant invasion has been demonstrated by biodiversity studies in India. Mankind had always determined the status of plant, whether indigenous or exotic and developed with them abstract relationships. The present author revealed a role of 26 exotic plant species in the development plant iconography and simultaneous forces of plant invasion in India even during pre-Columbian period. India being rich in ancient literary sources in the form of Vedas, Puranas, epics, caves, temples, Sanskrit writings etc. and replete with plant references, afforded numerous sources of plant iconography. It is an outstanding resource for research on plant history and diversity. However, study of plant iconography demands a wide collaboration with researchers of different subjects or disciplines. At the same, plant invasion hand-in-hand plant iconography are discussed pertinently in Indian context, a hitherto virgin area of research.

Plant Iconography Vis-A-Vis Plant Invasion in India: Glimpses, Sources and Evidences

India is a biodiversity rich country as well as mosaic of cultural traditions. Plant invasion has been demonstrated by biodiversity studies in India. Mankind had always determined the status of plant, whether indigenous or exotic and developed with them abstract relationships. The present author revealed a role of 26 exotic plant species in the development plant iconography and simultaneous forces of plant invasion in India even during pre-Columbian period. India being rich in ancient literary sources in the form of Vedas, Puranas, epics, caves, temples, Sanskrit writings etc. and replete with plant references, afforded numerous sources of plant iconography. It is an outstanding resource for research on plant history and diversity. However, study of plant iconography demands a wide collaboration with researchers of different subjects or disciplines. At the same, plant invasion hand-in-hand plant iconography are discussed pertinently in Indian context, a hitherto virgin area of research.

Communities of herpetobional invertebrate agroecosystems at different levels of intensification

Human economic activity, including agriculture, leads to an inevitable decrease in the biodiversity of natural fauna and flora, both in the cultivated areas and in the surrounding natural ecosystems. The degree of these violations depends on a number of factors, including the agrotechnical measures used and the level of chemicalization. The species composition has been researched and the characteristics of the ecological structure of herpetobiont invertebrates in areas with crops of grain crops differing in the level of chemicalization and adjacent virgin areas with natural vegetation are given. It was revealed that the most numerous orders in areas with extensive and intensive cultivation technologies are: Coleoptera (Carabidae), Opiliones (Phalangiidae) and Hymenoptera (Formicidae). It has been established that geographically adjacent agrocenoses, which differ in terms of the level of anthropogenic impact, and their border areas, are similar in their species composition. At the same time, an increase in the level of intensification of the cultivated areas leads to a significant restructuring of the structure of communities of terrestrial invertebrates. The dynamic density of most species in areas with intensive processing technology was lower than in fields with a low background of chemicalization. Also, in areas with intensive technology, a decrease in species richness and a decrease in the relative number of dominant groups were noted. Low values of the diversity index in areas with extensive cultivation technology compared to not cultivated, border areas indicate an uneven distribution of invertebrate groups in these areas.