Wide Belt Research Articles

Urban street names: An opportunity to examine biocultural relationships?

With increasing urbanisation there is concern regarding loss of experience and knowledge of biodiversity amongst urban populations. Yet biodiversity representations are retained in many art and functional forms, including names of places, buildings, institutions and streets. These manifestations offer a window to examine the relationship between humans and their experienced or imagined environment using a biocultural lens. I quantified the current prevalence of urban streets named after animals or plant species, the diversity of species represented, whether they are native or non-native, whether representative of the biome in which the town was situated and the change in prevalence through time. The street names of 48 towns in a one degree wide south-north belt across seven of South African’s biomes were captured and analysed. Of the 4,359 street names, 11.1% were named after plants (218 species) and 5.3% after animals (131 species), although some towns had none and others more than 40%. Approximately half of the plants were native to South Africa, whereas over 80% of the animals were. There was no correspondence between the species composition reflected in street names and the biome in which towns were located. The proportion of streets named after plants or animals has generally increased over the last two hundred years. These results provide insights into the bioculturally defined plants and animals that are valued by past and present urban communities, showing that they are generally from a wider array than can be found or experienced in the local setting.

Estimation of Zonally Resolved Edges of the Tropical Belt Using GPS-RO Measurements

Most of the recent studies on the expansion of the tropics have used several zonally averaged metrics. However, as tropical heating is closely tied to the land–sea distribution, the expansion rate is envisaged to vary from region to region. A zonally averaged metric is thus inadequate to derive a zonally resolved expansion trend, which is a lacuna in the present understanding of the regional features of the tropical belt. In this regard, the present study focuses on obtaining the zonally resolved width of the tropical belt from three objectively defined tropopause-based metrics for the first time, using seven years of COSMIC GPS-RO observations. Definitions of two of the existing tropopause-based metrics, viz. the meridional gradient of tropopause altitude and tropospheric bulk static stability, are extended to determine the zonally resolved widths of the tropical belt. In addition, a third metric is proposed, which is based on the pronounced amplitude of the annual oscillation of the tropopause height over the subtropical region. The annual cycle of width of the tropical belt derived from the three tropopause-based metrics shows a good agreement with reanalysis data both at seasonal and interannual time scales. Regional features of the width of the tropical belt during boreal winter and summer, and their contributions to the zonal mean tropical width are discussed. The significance of the present study lies in bringing out the regional features of width of the tropical belt using three tropopause-based metrics derived from radio occultation measurements for the first time.

Lectotype, epitype and amendment of Gastrodia angusta (Orchidaceae)

Gastrodia angusta S. Chow et S. C. Chen was established in 1983 from Shiping County, Yunnan Province, China. However, the specimens cited were erroneous: 3 type and 1 isotype were apparently collected on two different days and in different places. Moreover, the description omitted some key characters, including outer surface of sepals lobes with mid-vine convex and with 3–5 dens, margins sometimes irregular erose, lip triangular-oblong, epichile margins undulate and irregular erose, apex rounded and sometime irregular erose, disc with a longitudinal yellow, rugose, 2 mm wide belt, margins of mesochile retrousse and folded, forming two upright, semi-orbicular lamella on hypochile, lamellae inside densely with orange-yellow powder particles (pseudo-pollen). We have therefore designated a lectotype and epitype, and provide a revised description.

Determination of Surface Roughness Based on the Sanding Parameters of Oriental Beech Wood

This study demonstrated the strength of a theoretical model founded on the Box-Behnken experimental design method to determine the surface roughness (Ra parameter) of solid Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) wood. The working parameters (sanding belt grit size of 60 to 100, feeding speed of 4 m/min to 10 m/min, and sanding cutting depth of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm) of a wide belt sanding machine were determined. The Ra of the samples was experimentally described so that the experimental results were also remodeled with the Box-Behnken method to find the optimum parameters for the lowest Ra. An adjusted correlation factor of 93.6% for the Ra confirmed the compatibility between the experimental and theoretical findings. The high correlation (strength) allowed for a more detailed discussion of the effect of the working parameters on the Ra. The theoretical approach showed that the grit size factor had the largest effect on the Ra compared with the other factors. The optimum parameters were found to be a grit size of 100, feed speed of 4 m/min, and sanding depth of 0.1 mm for a minimum Ra for Oriental beech wood. The experimental data supported these parameters.

Sequence stratigraphic evolution of the syn-rift Early Cretaceous sediments, West Beni Suef Basin, the Western Desert of Egypt with remarks on its hydrocarbon accumulations

The Beni Suef Basin is a petroliferous rift basin straddling the River Nile containing a thick Mesozoic–Paleogene succession. The Kharita Formation is formed in the syn-rift phase of the basin formation and is subdivided into the Lower and Upper Kharita members. These two members are regarded as two third-order depositional sequences (DSQ-1 and DSQ-2). The lowstand systems tract (LST-1) of the DSQ-1 is represented by thick amalgamated sandstone bodies deposited by active braided channels. Mid-Albian tectonic subsidence led to a short-lived marine invasion which produced coastal marine and inner-shelf facies belts during an ensuing transgressive systems tract (TST-1). At the end of the mid-Albian, a phase of tectonic uplift gradually rose the continent creating a fall in relative sea level, resulting in deposition of shallow marine and estuarine facies belts during a highstand systems tract (HST-1). During the Late Albian, a new phase of land-rejuvenation commenced, with a prolonged phase of fluvial depositional. Fluvial deposits consisted of belts of amalgamated, vertically aggraded sandstones interpreted as braided and moderately sinuous channels, in the lower part of the Upper Kharita Member lowstand stage (LST-2). The continuous basin filling, coupled with significant lowering in the surrounding highlands changed the drainage regime into a wide belt of meandering river depositing the transgressive stage (TST-2). The history of the Kharita Formation finalized with a Cenomanian marine transgressive phase. Economically, the TST-1 and HST-1 play a significant role as source rocks for hydrocarbon accumulations, whereas LST-2 act as good reservoir rocks in the Early Cretaceous in the Basin.

The early-Sveconorwegian orogeny in southern Norway: Tectonic model involving delamination of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle

The Sveconorwegian orogeny is a more than 250 Myr-long multiphase orogenic event that contributed to the amalgamation of Fennoscandia into Rodinia at the end of the Mesoproterozoic. We propose a new lithospheric-scale tectonic model for the pre- to early Sveconorwegian orogenic evolution between 1280 and 1080 Ma. This evolution is recorded in southern Norway by two c. 25 km wide belts of up to granulite-facies rocks, the Bamble and Kongsberg Lithotectonic Units, and a c. 80 km belt in the Telemarkia Lithotectonic Unit, which contains lower-grade rocks and evidence of widespread plutonism. New zircon U–Pb geochronological data from 54 samples confirm magmatic activity between 1575 and 1485 Ma, and 1210 and 1140 Ma. The new data constrain peak amphibolite to granulite-facies metamorphism in Bamble and Kongsberg to between 1145 and 1130 Ma. New geological mapping shows that the Kongsberg Lithotectonic Unit is characterized by a regional, N–S trending highly transposed lithological banding reflecting E–W orthogonal shortening as expressed by tight to isoclinal folds, and a penetrative subvertical foliation bearing a steep peak-metamorphic lineation. Telemarkia is instead characterized by crustal extension-related bimodal magmatism and intermontane basin sedimentation between 1280 and 1080 Ma. Paired and in part coeval extension and compression are interpreted as reflecting asthenospheric upwelling, orogenic plateau development and delamination of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle beneath Telemarkia, followed by foundering (dripping-off) of the lithospheric mantle slab under the Kongsberg and Bamble Lithotectonic Units. This model stresses the pull effect of a foundering mantle slab in an actively shortening orogen to facilitate highly localised compression and granulite-facies metamorphism in the crust. It accounts for the well-known, first-order geological characteristics of the orogen and does not require the accretion of exotic terranes to explain the early-Sveconorwegian orogenic evolution.

On the Alternate Stirring Mode of F-EMS for Bloom Continuous Castings

Local solute transportation behaviors under different alternate stirring parameters of final electromagnetic stirring (F-EMS) and their influences on the internal quality of the as-cast bloom are compared and evaluated based on a developed coupled model of electromagnetism, heat, and solute transport. To this end, plant trials were conducted in Shaoguan Steel, China. Under the action of F-EMS, a negative segregation band in an ellipse shape is observed at the central area of strand cross section, where the minimum carbon segregation degree is decreased from 0.98 to 0.84 as the stirring duration increases from 15 to 35 seconds in the alternate stirring mode, while it is reduced to 0.805 in the continuous stirring mode. The white band and shrinkage cavity are simultaneously observed at strand center under the conditions of continuous stirring mode, and alternate stirring mode with a stirring period of 35 seconds because of the local over-sustaining melt rotation. In contrast, the V-shape porosity belt width and strand center segregation fluctuation range increase from 60 to 90 mm and from 0.12 to 0.30, respectively, as the stirring duration is reduced from 25 to 15 seconds in the alternate stirring mode because of the poor mixing of the local melt at the strand center.

The environment of the Early Iron Age at the southern fringe of the forest zone of the Russian plain

Landscape response to the Late Holocene climatic cycles was studied on the base of detailed morphological, analytical and micro-biomorphic research of a soil buried under fortification earth wall of the Early Iron Age (around 2000 yr. B.P) and a surface soil. Both soils formed on similar surfaces with the same lithology (mantle loam underlain by calcareous loess), at the same elevation, and in close proximity to each other. The buried soil has a complete profile that was influenced by human activity prior to the burial and subjected to diagenesis after the burial. In addition, both soils (Retisols) show similar morphology and key analytical features indicating close similarity of the landscapes in the study area that existed in the Early Iron Age and those that are present nowadays. Micro-biomorphic assemblages (phytoliths, pollen, microbial genes) support this conclusion. Landscape stability at the southern fringe of the forest zone makes it possible to establish the northern limit of the wide belt, which stretches out from dry steppe to northern forest-steppe, where landscape shifts influenced by the Late Holocene climatic cycles occurred. The features of the diagnostic horizons of the studied Retisols are indicators of stability in the studied time/space range. The study of microbial genes, which was performed in the studied soils for the first time, showed that both content and taxonomic structure of soil microbial communities, are promising paleoclimatic proxies as well as a record of diagenetic changes in buried soils.

Colonization of hardwood and pine wood chips by mites (Acari), with particular reference to oribatid mites (Oribatida)

Abstract The study was conducted in the years 2011–2012, in a forest nursery in Białe Błota (Bydgoszcz Forest District). The experiment was established in a 20 m wide belt of trees within a 110 years old stand growing on mixed fresh coniferous forest site. Litter bags containing hardwood and pine wood chips were placed on mineral soil of microplots and covered with a 5 cm layer of litter. The pattern of chips colonization differed between mites belonging to different orders. Predatory Mesostigmata colonized hardwood chips gradually but they were present in high numbers in pine chips from the beginning of the study. Abundance of Actinedida fluctuated within the two-year study cycle. Contrary to that, oribatid mites, which were a predominant mite type, colonized both types of chips gradually, while preferring the pine ones. At the end of the study, the structure of mite communities and mite abundance in pine chips were more similar to forest soil than in hardwood chips. The experiment demonstrated that pine chips provided most oribatid mites with more favorable living conditions than hardwood chips, as they were colonized at a quicker rate and by a greater number of species. The most abundant oribatid mite in both substrates was a eurytopic Tectocepheus velatus that showed no clear preferences towards either of the substrates. Majority of oribatid mites, e.g. Oppiella nova, Metabelba pulverulenta, Oribatula tibialis, Chamobates schuetzi, Galumna lanceata, preferred pine chips. The only species with clear preference for hardwood chips was Eniochthonius minutissimus. A comparison of usefulness of hardwood and pine wood chips in revitalization of degraded soils based on bioindication approach indicated higher suitability of pine chips that are also more available in Polish forests.

Comparison of three-point belt fit between humans and ATDs in rear seats

ABSTRACTObjective: The anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) in the Hybrid III family are widely used as human surrogates to test the crash performance of vehicles. A previous study demonstrated that passenger belt fit in rear seats was affected by high body mass index (BMI) and to a lesser extent by increased age. Specifically, the lap belt was worn higher and more forward as BMI and age increased. The objective of this study was to compare passenger belt fit to the belt fit achieved when installing the small female and midsize male Hybrid III adult ATDs using standard procedures.Methods: The ATDs were installed using standardized procedures in the same conditions previously used with volunteers. Belt fit was measured using methods analogous to those used for the volunteers. Comparative human belt fit values were obtained by using regression analysis with the volunteer data to calculate the mean expected belt fit for people the same size as the ATDs.Results: For the small female ATD, the upper edge of the lap belt was on average 59 mm forward and 11 mm above the anterior–superior iliac spine (ASIS) landmark on the ATD pelvis bone. In contrast, the belt position for similar size passengers was 17 mm forward and 22 mm above the ASIS. For the midsize male ATD, the belt was 34 mm forward and 10 mm above the ASIS. For similar size passengers, the position was 38 mm forward and 44 mm above the ASIS. For context, the belt width in this study was 38 mm.Discussion: The results suggest that the lap belt fit obtained by ATDs is more idealized but more repeatable compared to that achieved by similar size passengers. Future standardization efforts should consider investigating whether new belt-positioning procedures with ATDs may improve the biofidelity of ATD response.

Шлифование и полирование рабочих поверхностей коленчатых валов и кулачков распределительных валов бесконечными алмазными лентами

A technology and a tool for processing work surfaces in crankshafts and cams of camshafts by endless diamond belts are considered. The characteristics of endless diamond belts and their potentialities in assurance of roughness and efficiency at work surface grinding and polishing are shown. The purposefulness in assurance of an optimum curvilinear transverse section of cams in camshafts by grinding with endless belts is defined. It is shown, that it is possible to control a curvilinear profile of cams in camshafts at the expense of a belt width and a belt tension. It is based on a theoretical basis of the interaction of a rigid die (cam) with the elastic half-space (belt). 
 An optimum curvilinearity of the transverse section of a cam ensures the increase of its life.

2D numerical simulation of meander morphology

This paper describes the application of the two-dimensional (2D) modelling approach implemented in the open-source code Delft3D for the simulation of morphological development of a natural meandering river. A specific reach of the Dhaleshwari River (Bangladesh) for which field data has been available served as case study. The bed morphology and meander planform adjustment in the study area were simulated over a 10-year period considering a time-varying discharge scenario. The results showed that the 2D model was able to reproduce morphological characteristics such as scour depth, bank erosion and pool-riffle morphology, even though the model showed some deficiencies to reproduce bankfull channel width and transverse bed slopes. Regarding the planimetric evolution, the planform parameters (i.e., meander belt width, meander wavelength and radius of curvature) confirmed that the model results are realistic and are in agreement with results reported in the literature.

The Clinical Characteristics and Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Children with Mild Encephalitis with Reversible Isolated Corpus Callosum

Objective: To summarize the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) performance and clinical characteristics of children mild encephalitis with reversible isolated corpus callosum pressure (MERS), and analyze the possible etiology. Methods: The clinical data and MRI findings of 11 children with MERS in children's hospital of Shanxi Province from January 2012 to January 2015 were summarized, and then their clinical manifestations and characteristics were analyzed. Results: Among the 11 patients, 5 were male and 6 were female. The age range was 2- 14 years. Clinical manifestations include fever (7 cases, 63.6%), gastrointestinal symptoms (9 cases, 81.8%), drowsiness (5 cases, 45.5%), convulsions (6 cases, 54.5%), dizziness (2 cases, 18.2%), cervical positive resistance (1 case, 9.1%), carotid resistance suspicious (3 patients [27.3%]). The appearance of cerebrospinal fluid, white blood cell count, leukocyte classification, protein, glucose and chloride are all normal. MRI showed only abnormal signal in the corpus callosum pressure: a slightly longer T1 signal, a longer T2 signal, a high Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) signal, and a low signal of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC). Has 4 cases of nuclear magnetic head of abnormal signal in the middle of corpus callosum and ovoid, 6 cases, in the middle and a wide belt of corpus callosum, 1 case was located in the corpus callosum and diffuse wide strip. Eleven children were treated with anti-infective agents and other symptomatic treatment. All of the 11 children were recovered and discharged. The duration of the course is 8 d and the longest is 21 d. The results of MRI follow - up showed that the callosal pressure lesion disappeared. Conclusion: The clinical manifestations of children's MERS include fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, drowsiness and convulsions, and their characteristic head MRI is a reversible cytotoxic edema with good prognosis.

New constraints on the Hadean to Proterozoic history of the Jack Hills belt, Western Australia

A 1010m traverse line on the eastern flank of Eranondoo Hill was mapped and sampled in detail, crossing the entire width of the Jack Hills supracrustal belt, Western Australia. The facies associations indicate a northward deepening of the sedimentary sequence and confirm a fan delta depositional environment. From a total of 157 samples processed for zircon extraction, precise MC-ICP-MS and SHRIMP zircon U-Pb isotope results from 51 of these yielded a total of 6308 dates that included 2819 concordant ages ranging from 4381±10Ma to 1618±22Ma (2σ). The rocks that yielded Proterozoic ages include schist, sandstone, quartzite and matrix-supported conglomerate and are widely distributed across the belt. However, there are similar lithologies that yield only Archean ages and so there is no relationship between rock-type and depositional age. Overall, rocks proven to contain Proterozoic zircon make up only ~12% of the belt, but confirm the presence of both Archean and Proterozoic successions at Jack Hills. A total of 1093 of the most concordant zircon grains from 46 samples were analysed for Lu-Hf, with negative εHf(t) values making up 94.3% of the population. For the Proterozoic zircons, the εHf(t) values ranged from −22.1 to 1.0, with an average εHf(t) value of −8.4 (n=10). For zircons with U-Pb ages from 2.5 to 3.0Ga, the εHf(t) values ranged from −14.7 to −1.6, with an average value of −7.9 (n=25). Zircons with U-Pb ages that ranged from 3.0Ga to 4.0Ga, have εHf(t) values from −17.6 to 5.6, with an average εHf(t) value of −6.3 (n=873). For Hadean zircons, the εHf(t) values ranged from −11.0 to 5.6, with an average εHf(t) value of −3.4 (n=185). Importantly, 92% of the Hadean zircon population recorded negative εHf(t) values, with Hf model ages indicating initial crustal generation at 4.4–4.5Ga. The Hf isotope data do not favour significant juvenile input into the parental Hadean magmas. Instead, the data support extensive reworking of long-lived, mafic, intermediate and felsic Hadean crust, which could only endure at or near the Earth's surface in the absence of subduction, thus mitigating against Hadean plate tectonics.

Random Deterioration Process of Conveyor Belt Evaluated by Statistical Analysis of Core Failures Detected Along Belt Axis and Elapsed Time

Magnetic diagnostic methods are used for steel cord belt condition evaluation since the beginning of 1970s. Initially they generated an analogue signal for several tens of centimetres of conveyor belts scanned sequentially with one measuring head in several cycles or the whole width of the belt at one time thanks to the installation of many measuring heads across the entire cross section. This did not allow identification of single centimetre failures, but rather an aggregate assessment of the state of quite wide waist. Modern diagnostic devices, thanks to miniaturization, allow up to 200 heads per belt width to identify damage of individual cords. Instead of analogue signals, they generate a zero-one digital signal corresponding to a change in the magnetic field sign, which can illustrate damage on 2D images. This makes it easier to identify the location and size of the damage in the belt image. Statistical analysis of digital signals summed up for consecutive sections along the belt axis allows to present both the source signal and its aggregation for band of a given width to form aggregate measures of belt damage such as the damage density per 1 meter of belt. Observation of changes in these measurements at different times allows on evaluation of its rate of change over time, which can be used to forecast future belt condition and to select the proper moment of preventive belt replacement to another one to avoid emergency downtimes (egg in underground mines) or to recondition of belts (egg. in lignite surface mines). The paper presents the results of investigations of the damage condition of a core of a single belt segment working in one of the copper ore underground mines. Scanning of the belt condition was performed few times at intervals of several months. The paper presents the results of the analysis of the changes in core condition, showing the random character of the damage process along the axis and its change over time.

Pliocene episodic exhumation and the significance of the Munsiari thrust in the northwestern Himalaya

The Himalayan thrust belt comprises three in-sequence foreland-propagating orogen-scale faults, the Main Central thrust, the Main Boundary thrust, and the Main Frontal thrust. Recently, the Munsiari–Ramgarh–Shumar thrust system has been recognized as an additional, potentially orogen-scale shear zone in the proximal footwall of the Main Central thrust. The timing of the Munsiari, Ramgarh, and Shumar thrusts and their role in Himalayan tectonics are disputed. We present 31 new zircon (U–Th)/He ages from a profile across the central Himachal Himalaya in the Beas River area. Within a ∼40 km wide belt northeast of the Kullu–Larji–Rampur window, ages ranging from 2.4±0.4 Ma to 5.4±0.9 Ma constrain a distinct episode of rapid Pliocene to Present exhumation; north and south of this belt, zircon (U–Th)/He ages are older (7.0±0.7 Ma to 42.2±2.1 Ma). We attribute the Pliocene rapid exhumation episode to basal accretion to the Himalayan thrust belt and duplex formation in the Lesser Himalayan sequence including initiation of the Munsiari thrust. Pecube thermokinematic modelling suggests exhumation rates of ∼2–3 mm/yr from 4–7 to 0 Ma above the duplex contrasting with lower (<0.3 mm/yr) middle-late Miocene exhumation rates. The Munsiari thrust terminates laterally in central Himachal Pradesh. In the NW Indian Himalaya, the Main Central thrust zone comprises the sheared basal sections of the Greater Himalayan sequence and the mylonitic ‘Bajaura nappe’ of Lesser Himalayan affinity. We correlate the Bajaura unit with the Ramgarh thrust sheet in Nepal based on similar lithologies and the middle Miocene age of deformation. The Munsiari thrust in the central Himachal Himalaya is several Myr younger than deformation in the Bajaura and Ramgarh thrust sheets. Our results illustrate the complex and segmented nature of the Munsiari–Ramgarh–Shumar thrust system.

Neotectonic Deformation in Central Eurasia: A Geodynamic Model Approach

AbstractCentral Eurasia hosts wide orogenic belts of collision between India and Arabia with Eurasia, with diffuse or localized deformation occurring up to hundreds of kilometers from the primary plate boundaries. Although numerous studies have investigated the neotectonic deformation in central Eurasia, most of them have focused on limited segments of the orogenic systems. Here we explore the neotectonic deformation of all of central Eurasia, including both collision zones and the links between them. We use a thin‐spherical sheet approach in which lithosphere strength is calculated from lithosphere structure and its thermal regime. We investigate the contributions of variations in lithospheric structure, rheology, boundary conditions, and fault friction coefficients on the predicted velocity and stress fields. Results (deformation pattern, surface velocities, tectonic stresses, and slip rates on faults) are constrained by independent observations of tectonic regime, GPS, and stress data. Our model predictions reproduce the counterclockwise rotation of Arabia and Iran, the westward escape of Anatolia, and the eastward extrusion of the northern Tibetan Plateau. To simulate the observed extensional faults in the Tibetan Plateau, a weaker lithosphere is required, provided by a change in the rheological parameters. The southward movement of the SE Tibetan Plateau can be explained by the combined effects of the Sumatra trench retreat, a thinner lithospheric mantle, and strik‐slip faults in the region. This study offers a comprehensive model for regions with little or no data coverage, like the Arabia‐India intercollision zone, where the surface velocity is northward showing no deflection related to Arabia and India indentations.

The environmental cost of a reference withdrawal from surface waters: Definition and geography

Abstract World freshwater ecosystems are significantly deteriorating at a faster rate than other ecosystems. Water withdrawals are recognized as one of the main drivers of growing water stress in river basins worldwide. Over the years, much effort has been devoted to quantify water withdrawals at a global scale; however, comparisons are not simple because the uneven spatiotemporal distribution of surface water resources entails that the same amount of consumed water does not have the same environmental cost in different times or places. In order to account for this spatiotemporal heterogeneity, this work proposes a novel index to assess the environmental cost of a withdrawal from a generic river section. The index depends on (i) the environmental relevance of the impacted fluvial ecosystem (e.g., bed-load transport capacity, width of the riparian belt, biodiversity richness) and (ii) the downstream river network affected by the water withdrawal. The environmental cost has been estimated in each and every river section worldwide considering a reference withdrawal. Being referred to a unitary reference withdrawal that can occur in any river section worldwide, our results can be suitably arranged for describing any scenario of surface water consumption (i.e., as the superposition of the actual pattern of withdrawals). The index aims to support the interpretation of the volumetric measure of surface water withdrawal with a perspective that takes into account the fluvial system where the withdrawal actually occurs. The application of the index highlights the river regions where withdrawals can cause higher environmental costs, with the challenge of weighting each water withdrawal considering the responsibilities that it has on downstream freshwater ecosystems.

Infrared Spectroscopy of HR 4796A's Bright Outer Cometary Ring + Tenuous Inner Hot Dust Cloud

Abstract We have obtained new NASA/IRTF SpeX spectra of the HR 4796A debris ring system. We find a unique red excess flux that extends out to ∼9 μm in Spitzer IRS spectra, where thermal emission from cold, ∼100 K dust from the system’s ring at ∼75 au takes over. Matching imaging ring photometry, we find the excess consists of NIR reflectance from the ring, which is as red as that of old, processed comet nuclei, plus a tenuous thermal emission component from close-in, T ∼ 850 K circumstellar material evincing an organic/silicate emission feature complex at 7–13 μm. Unusual, emission-like features due to atomic Si, S, Ca, and Sr were found at 0.96–1.07 μm, likely sourced by rocky dust evaporating in the 850 K component. An empirical cometary dust phase function can reproduce the scattered light excess and 1:5 balance of scattered versus thermal energy for the ring with optical depth in an 8 au wide belt of 4 au vertical height and M dust &gt; 0.1–0.7 M Mars. Our results are consistent with HR 4796A, consisting of a narrow shepherded ring of devolatilized cometary material associated with multiple rocky planetesimal subcores and a small steady stream of dust inflowing from this belt to a rock sublimation zone at ∼1 au from the primary. These subcores were built from comets that have been actively emitting large, reddish dust for &gt;0.4 Myr at ∼100 K, the temperature at which cometary activity onset is seen in our solar system.

METHODOLOGY FOR HYDRAULIC CALCULATION OF RIVER REGULATION AND DETERMINATION OF DIKE PARAMETERS

Territory protection against flood water inundation and creation of polder systems are carried out with the help of protection dikes. One of the main requirements to the composition of polder systems in flood plains is a location of border dikes beyond meander belt in order to avoid their erosion when meander development occurs. Meander belt width can be determined on the basis of the analysis of multi-year land surveying pertaining top river-bed building and in the case when such data is not available this parameter is calculated in accordance with the Snishchenko formula. While banking-up a river bed a flooded area is decreasing and, consequently, water level in inter-dike space and rate of flood water are significantly increasing. For this reason it is necessary to locate dikes at a such distance from a river bed which will not cause rather high increase in water level and flow velocity in the inter-dike space. Methodology for hydraulic calculation of river regulation has been developed in order to substantiate design parameters for levee systems, creation of favourable hydraulic regime in these systems and provision of sustainability for dikes. Its main elements are calculations of pass-through capacity of the leveed channel and rise of water level in inter-dike space, and distance between dikes and their crest level. Peculiar feature of the proposed calculated formulae is an interaction consideration of channel and inundated flows. Their mass-exchanging process results in slowing-down of the channel flow and acceleration of the inundated flow. This occurrence is taken into account and coefficients of kinematic efficiency are introduced to the elements of water flow rate in the river channel and flood plain, respectively. The adduced dependencies for determination of a dike crest level (consequently their height) take into consideration a rise of water level in inter-dike space for two types of polder systems: non-inundable (winter) dikes with maximum spring flood rate and inundable (summer) dikes with summer-autumn flood rates. The proposed calculated formulae can be recommended for application at design organizations.