The stone roof of the tholos of Athena Pronaia in Delphi: structural hypotheses starting from fragments of marble tiles

This contribution is the first step of a multi-disciplinary research project, aimed at studying the roof of the tholos of Athena Pronaia in Delphi, dating back to the first decades of the 4th century BC. The starting point of this research is the fascination exerted by the tectonic quality of the temple, comprising some complex fragments of marble tiles belonging to the roof of the tholos. Despite the number of studies on this sanctuary, the poor state of preservation and lack of original material did not allow archaeologists to perform concluding research on its original configuration, in particular with reference to the reconstruction of the roof. Aware of the complexity of this topic, this contribution aims at exploring two possibilities, namely, on the one hand, that the fragments of tiles constitute elements supported by a wooden structure, and on the other hand, that they are structural elements of a stone system subjected to compressive stresses. Our contribution intends to serve as food for thought on the need for archaeological studies to be accompanied not only by advanced surveys in the field, aimed at the precise definition of the geometry of the finds, but also by architectural and structural investigations which make it possible to verify the feasibility of the hypothetical reconstructions of the architectural elements aware of the construction techniques used in the past

Optical interferometric studies of a confined liquid free surface: meniscus-effect compensation and time evolution of the surface

A fruitful approach to the studies of a liquid free surface is demonstrated. Using optical interferential techniques, the free surface of nonvolatile and volatile confined liquids is analyzed. Various wall con tainer types are investigated. Besides the classical plane wall, experiments are performed by using cylindrical and toroidal walls. In these last cases, the meniscus effect that affects the free surface of the liquid is compensated. Then, it is possible to obtain completely flat free surfaces of liquids up to 80% of their total. Interferometric experiments are also described to measure the inclination of the site with respect to the local horizon, represented by the liquid flat free surface, and to follow the temporal evolution of such free surfaces affected by different conditions

L’état des forêts méditerranéennes en 2013

Les écosystèmes forestiers et autres espaces boisés méditerranéens contribuent de façon significative au développement rural, à la réduction de la pauvreté et à la sécurité alimentaire des populations des territoires méditerranéens. Ils sont à la fois sources de bois, de liège, d’énergie, de nourriture, de revenus et de multiples autres biens et services environnementaux souvent cruciaux pour de nombreux secteurs économiques de la région. Les changements qui affectent fortement le pourtour de la Méditerranée hypothèquent l’avenir des écosystèmes forestiers et autres espaces boisés, et remettent en cause la fourniture durable des multiples biens et services en faveur des populations. Il devenait donc urgent de se doter d’un outil d’information et de suivi capable de mesurer régulièrement ces changements et de communiquer avec les différents acteurs impliqués dans la gestion des écosystèmes forestiers méditerranéens

How to increase the mobilization of Climate Financing Instruments

The session on Climate Financing Instruments in Mediterranean landscapes at the IV Mediterranean Forest Week attracted several participants, project partners and international donors. The discussion was inspired by several presentations focusing on the initiatives undertaken at the pilot site, national and regional level in the framework of two regional projects. They clearly showed the potential for accessing mitigation and adaptation financing mechanisms for the Mediterranean forest sector but also the complexity of the subject in the region. The discussion flagged the synergies between adaptation and mitigation in Mediterranean forests and the opportunities presented by financing mechanisms to support the sustainable management of Mediterranean forests

State of mediterranean forests in 2013

Forest ecosystems and other wooded lands contribute significantly to rural development, poverty alleviation and food security. They are sources of wood, cork, energy, food and incomes, and important ecosystem services which are crucial for many of the region’s economic sectors. Global changes which strongly affect the Mediterranean region could lead to the loss of biodiversity, an increased risk of wildfire, the degradation of watersheds, and desertification, with serious consequences for the sustainable provision of forest goods and ecosystem services. It is therefore urgent to develop a tool for information and monitoring in order to regularly assess these changes and to communicate based on objective and reliable data with the different stakeholders involved in the management of Mediterranean forest ecosystems

Three initiatives in terms of adaptation to climate change

The article focuses on three initiatives that have addressed the issue of climate change and adaptation to its effects, through field experimentation, administrations training and data production. The For Climadapt project (MED programme) has developed methods and tools for actors in the field, through field visits, exchange of information and sharing of experience. The GIZ regional project has contributed to the capacity building of forest and non-forest administrations, in five Mediterranean countries, through two approaches to adaptation to climate change: a sectorial, on the adaptation of forests, and a multisectorial on the role of forests in the adaptation of territories and populations (Forest Ecosystem-based adaptation, FEbA). The component 1 of the project financed by the FFEM has enabled the production of large amounts of data, in particular maps: vulnerability maps, evolution of forest cover and land use maps, future projections of climate conditions, database of the literature on the subject

Trois initiatives en matière d’adaptation au changement climatique

L’article met l’accent sur trois initiatives qui se sont intéressées à la problématique du changement climatique et à l’adaptation à ses effets, au travers de l’expérimentation de terrain, de la formation des administrations et de la production de données. Le projet For Climadapt (programme MED) a développé des méthodes et des outils à destination des acteurs de terrain, au travers de visites de terrain, d’échanges d’informations et de partage d’expérience. Le projet régional GIZ a concouru à la montée en compétence des administrations, forestières et non forestières, de cinq pays méditerranéens, au travers de deux approches d’adaptation au changement climatique : une sectorielle, sur l’adaptation des forêts, et une multisectorielle, sur le rôle des forêts dans l’adaptation des territoires et des populations (adaptation fondée sur les écosystèmes forestiers). La composante 1 du projet financé par le FFEM a permis la production d’une grande quantité de données, notamment cartographiques : cartes de vulnérabilité, cartes d’évolution du couvert, simulation des conditions climatiques, base de données de la littérature sur le sujet

Higgs particle detection using jets

We study the possibility of detecting the Higgs boson in the intermediate mass range via its two jet channel. We consider only Higgs bosons produced in association with a $t \bar{t}$ pair. Both $t$ and $\bar{t}$ are required to decay semileptonically to reduce the QCD background. The signal is compared with the main background, $t \bar{t} + 2$ jets, after appropriate cuts. A sizable signal above background is seen in our simulation at the parton level. Use of the $t\bar{t}Z$ channel with $Z$ decaying to $l^+ l^-$ is suggested for eliminating theoretical uncertainties in determining the $t \bar{t}H$ signal.Comment: 10 pages, Fig.1 a,b,c,d(surve on request), plain tex, PVAM-HEP-93-