GIS-Based Relief Compartment Mapping of Fluvio-Karst Landscape in Central Brazilian Highlands

The present study describes the preliminary findings of a research project aiming at creating a knowledge-base for the protection of caves heritage at Rio Vermelho preservation area in the central Brazilian highlands. A GIS-based relief compartment mapping was conducted using readily available data (e.g., satellite images, geological, and cave location maps). Four resultant geomorphological domains were identified, including (i) lowlands (282 km2) with a baselevel in silicates and carbonates, (ii) the karst terrains (994 km2) which were developed in carbonates trapped by siltstone lenses, (iii) the talus (1483 km2) having colluvial and alluvial units deposited by the escarpment retreat (Urucuia Formation) and (iv) the highlands (1143.7 km2) developed over the sandstone of the Urucuia Group. The intersection of landform and geological maps resulted in delineating two abrupt contacts, the first between lowland and karst terrains and the second between the talus and highlands that formed canyon escarpment. For sustainability perspective, this study proposed two types of cave systems in the region as superior/vadose (top-bottom) that collect floods from hillslopes and deep Epigene fluvial-karst (bottom-up)

Microtremor response of a mass movement in Federal District of Brazil

The present study provides a brief description of the ambient noise recorded at a slow moving mass movement in Ribeirão Contagem Basin. The area is an interesting natural laboratory as river detachment processes in a number of different stages can be identified and are easily accessible. We investigate the site dynamic characteristics of the study area by recording ambient noise time-series at nine points, using portable nine three-component short period seismometers. The time-series are processed to give both horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) curves as well as time-frequency plots of noise power spectral density (SPD). The HVSR curves illustrate and quantify aspects of site resonance effects due to underlying geology. Probability density function (PDF) shows that noise level lies well between new high noise model (NHNM) and new lower noise model (NLNM) and their probabilities are higher above 2 Hz. HVSR curves present a uniform lithologically controlled peak at 2 Hz. Directional properties of the wavefield are determined by beamforming method. The f-k analysis results in the E-W component show that at 5 Hz phase velocities are close to 1700 m/s while at 10 Hz dropped to 250 m/s. We observed that between 5 and 16 Hz the incoming wavefield arrive from 260 degrees. Further studies will apply a detailed noise analysis for the understanding of dynamics of the mass movement, which is triggered by the river erosion

Polavtomatski pristop za kartiranje vrtač na brazilskem pokritem krasu: pot do ocene ranljivosti

Doline mapping is paramount in the vulnerability and risk assessment of the underground karst environment by identifying cave-ground connectivity points at the surface. However, manual mapping is labour-intensive, slow and subjective, especially on a large scale. Therefore, the present study adopted a GIS-based semi-automatic approach for mapping large and medium-sized depressions/dolines in the Corrente river basin in Brazil, with a particular focus on the environmentally preserved areas of river Vermelho (APANRV Portuguese abbreviation) using remote sensing (DEM and Google Earth imagery) and field-based observations. Seven typical dolines forms (e.g., cockpit with drain insertion, collapse, collapse with river capture, suffosion, solution, cover collapse, and buried) are found from extensive field surveys. As an outcome of the proposed approach, two hundred and thirty-two medium to large-sized dolines have been identified and categorised into three main groups based on the cave density and local geology G1, G2, and G3. The high density of identified dolines (164 known caves) in G1 provides reconnaissance for future speleological works in the preserved areas. Additionally, the presence of a considerable number of dolines in the adjoining areas (G2 and G3) stresses the need to revise the existing boundaries of the APANRV. Results correlate well with the dolines sites marked using field surveys and Google Earth images. This doline mapping may help researchers in the groundwater vulnerability assessment and the protection of speleological heritage preserved in the caves.Kartiranje vrtač je nadvse pomembno za oceno ranljivosti in tveganja podzemnega kraškega okolja, saj določa točke povezanosti med jamami in tlemi na površju. Vendar je ročno kartiranje zelo zahtevno, časovno zamudno in subjektivno, zlasti v velikih merilih. Zato je bil v tej študiji uporabljen polavtomatski pristop z uporabo orodij GIS za kartiranje velikih in srednje velikih kraških globeli/vrtač v porečju reke Corrente v Braziliji s posebnim poudarkom na okoljsko ohranjenih območjih reke Vermelho (portugalsko APANRV) z uporabo daljinskega zaznavanja (posnetki DEM in programa Google Earth) in na podlagi terenskih opazovanj. Na podlagi obsežnih terenskih raziskav je ugotovljenih sedem značilnih oblik vrtač (npr. kokpit z drenažo, udornica, udornica z zajezitvijo reke, sufozija, škavnica, udornica, nastala z udorom/rušenjem jamskega stropa, in udornice, nastale z zasutjem). Kot rezultat predlaganega pristopa je bilo opredeljenih 232 srednje velikih do velikih vrtač, ki so bile glede na gostoto vrtač in lokalno geologijo razvrščene v tri glavne skupine G1, G2 in G3. Velika gostota opredeljenih vrtač (164 znanih jam) v skupini G1 zagotavlja predhodni pregled za prihodnja speleološka dela na ohranjenih območjih. Poleg tega prisotnost velikega števila vrtač na sosednjih območjih (G2 in G3) poudarja potrebo po ponovnem pregledu zdajšnjih meja APANRV. Rezultati se dobro ujemajo z lokacijami vrtač, kartiranimi na podlagi terenskih raziskav in posnetkov programa Google Earth. To kartiranje vrtač lahko raziskovalcem pomaga pri oceni ranljivosti podzemne vode in pri zaščiti speleološke dediščine, ohranjene v jamah

Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD): Reflection and Resistance against Dictatorial Regime in Punjab

The Movement for Restoration of Democracy (MRD) emerged when General Zia-ul-Haq could not fulfill the promise of conducting elections and prolonged his dictatorial regime instead of fulfilling his promise. He drew his power from a controlled system of government. In those circumstances, the democrats formed an alliance against the martial law administration. They neglected their internal differences and focused on their goal to achieve freedom of expression and liberty which was snubbed by the regime. MRD main demands were the restoration of democracy, under 1973 Constitution, conduction of election and handing over the system of administration to representatives of people. MRD continued struggled till the end of dictatorial regime in 1988

Microtremor Response of a Mass Movement in Federal District of Brazil

The present study provides a brief description of the ambient noise recorded at a slow moving mass movement in Ribeirão Contagem Basin. The area is an interesting natural laboratory as river detachment processes in a number of different stages can be identified and are easily accessible. We investigate the site dynamic characteristics of the study area by recording ambient noise time-series at nine points, using portable nine three-component short period seismometers. The time-series are processed to give both horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) curves as well as time-frequency plots of noise power spectral density (SPD). The HVSR curves illustrate and quantify aspects of site resonance effects due to the local geological setting. Probability density function (PDF) shows that noise level lies well between new high noise model (NHNM) and new lower noise model (NLNM) and their probabilities are higher above 2 Hz. HVSR curves present a uniform lithologically controlled peak at 2 Hz. Directional properties of the wavefield are determined by beamforming method. The f-k analysis results in the E-W component show that at 5 Hz phase velocities are close to 1700 m/s while at 10 Hz dropped to 250 m/s. We observed that between 5 and 16 Hz the incoming wavefield arrive from 260 degrees. Further studies will apply a detailed noise analysis for relating the dynamics of the landslide (which can be retriggered by river erosion as well as rainfalls and seismic shaking) to possible changes in detectable physical properties

Elective induction for pregnancies at or beyond 41 weeks of gestation and its impact on stillbirths: a systematic review with meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An important determinant of pregnancy outcome is the timely onset of labor and birth. Prolonged gestation complicates 5% to 10% of all pregnancies and confers increased risk to both the fetus and mother. The purpose of this review was to study the possible impact of induction of labour (IOL) for post-term pregnancies compared to expectant management on stillbirths.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic review of the published studies including randomized controlled trials, quasi- randomized trials and observational studies was conducted. Search engines used were PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the WHO regional databases and hand search of bibliographies. A standardized data abstraction sheet was used. Recommendations have been made for input to the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) model by following standardized guidelines developed by the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group (CHERG).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 25 studies were included in this review. Meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggests that a policy of elective IOL for pregnancies at or beyond 41 weeks is associated with significantly fewer perinatal deaths (RR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.11-0.88) compared to expectant management, but no significant difference in the incidence of stillbirth (RR= 0.29; 95% CI: 0.06-1.38) was noted. The included trials evaluating this intervention were small, with few events in the intervention and control group. There was significant decrease in incidence of neonatal morbidity from meconium aspiration (RR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.23-0.79) and macrosomia (RR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.54 – 0.98). Using CHERG rules, we recommended 69% reduction as a point estimate for the risk of stillbirth with IOL for prolonged gestation (> 41 weeks).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Induction of labour appears to be an effective way of reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with post-term pregnancies. It should be offered to women with post-term pregnancies after discussing the benefits and risks of induction of labor.</p

Suitability Analysis of Groundwater for Eco-friendly Agricultural Growths in Food Basket of Pakistan

Water is an important component of earth’s atmosphere and it sustains ecosystems, agriculture and human settlements on earth (Samson et al., 2010). Salinity, sodicity and toxicity generally need to be considered for the evaluation of suitable quality of groundwater for irrigation (Khan et al., 2014; Cobbina et al., 2012; Todd and Mays, 2005). In Thal Doab Aquifer (TDA) groundwater occurs as a layer of fresh water over saline water and its availability is subjected to recharging potency of the Indus and Chenab rivers (Hussain et al., 2017 a, 2016 a)

UAV-based doline mapping in Brazilian karst. A cave heritage protection reconnaissance

Abstract Dolines are depressions in the soluble ground that indicates the degree of karstification. They may also act as connection points (vulnerability spots) between the surface and underground for the transmission of runoff, sediments, and pollutants. The delineation of these spots (dolines) is a crucial step in environmental management through land use planning to protect the karst underground, which is rich in flora and fauna. This requirement can benefit from a cost-effective, accessible, and non-invasion high-resolution investigation generating digital elevation models (DEMs) from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and automated object detection techniques. This study examines the capabilities of UAV-based DEM in detecting dolines across 50 km2 in the environmentally protected area of river Vermelho (APANRV – Área de Proteção Ambiental das Nascentes do Rio Vermelho). Initially, an automatic objects (doline and no-doline) detection algorithm was applied to the DEM, followed by a visual inspection to differentiate doline from possible dolines in orthomosaic photos, topographic profiles, and shaded UAV-based relief (digital terrain model; DTM and DSM). For the redundancy checking, a cluster analysis with four tests was conducted. The objects generated from the best clusters and morphological analysis were gathered in the same base for visual inspection. Out of a total of 933 objects identified, 41% were obtained from the DSM base, 25% from the perimeter-to-area ratio, and 34% through convergence between the two-analyses. Subsequently, the resulting doline typologies are discussed in reference to their proximity to hydrogeological features and their impacts on underground vulnerability. The findings aligned with the previous research as dolines were highly concentrated near sites where carbonates come in contact with siliciclastic sediments