Northern Eurasia Future Initiative (NEFI): facing the challenges and pathways of global change in the 21st century

During the past several decades, the Earth system has changed significantly, especially across Northern Eurasia. Changes in the socio-economic conditions of the larger countries in the region have also resulted in a variety of regional environmental changes that can have global consequences. The Northern Eurasia Future Initiative (NEFI) has been designed as an essential continuation of the Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative (NEESPI), which was launched in 2004. NEESPI sought to elucidate all aspects of ongoing environmental change, to inform societies and, thus, to better prepare societies for future developments. A key principle of NEFI is that these developments must now be secured through science-based strategies co-designed with regional decision makers to lead their societies to prosperity in the face of environmental and institutional challenges. NEESPI scientific research, data, and models have created a solid knowledge base to support the NEFI program. This paper presents the NEFI research vision consensus based on that knowledge. It provides the reader with samples of recent accomplishments in regional studies and formulates new NEFI science questions. To address these questions, nine research foci are identified and their selections are briefly justified. These foci include: warming of the Arctic; changing frequency, pattern, and intensity of extreme and inclement environmental conditions; retreat of the cryosphere; changes in terrestrial water cycles; changes in the biosphere; pressures on land-use; changes in infrastructure; societal actions in response to environmental change; and quantification of Northern Eurasia's role in the global Earth system. Powerful feedbacks between the Earth and human systems in Northern Eurasia (e.g., mega-fires, droughts, depletion of the cryosphere essential for water supply, retreat of sea ice) result from past and current human activities (e.g., large scale water withdrawals, land use and governance change) and potentially restrict or provide new opportunities for future human activities. Therefore, we propose that Integrated Assessment Models are needed as the final stage of global change assessment. The overarching goal of this NEFI modeling effort will enable evaluation of economic decisions in response to changing environmental conditions and justification of mitigation and adaptation efforts

Quantitative analysis of biophysical parameters of crops using multispectral data Copernicus

The development of a methodology for retrieval of biophysical parameters using multispectral satellite data Sentinel-2 has been optimized for the most frequently grown crops in the Czech Republic: winter wheat, spring barley, oilseed rape, lucerne, maize and sugar beet. The target crop parameters were chlorophyll and water content in leaves and leaf area index (LAI). The method of calculating biophysical parameters was based on the use of the ProSAIL radiation transfer model, where the model simulates canopy status for various combinations of biophysical parameters in inverse mode. A combination of biophysical parameters, showing the best match for the reflectance values observed by the Sentinel-2 satellite system is searched. Developed products will find use in farms, for example in planning the management of agricultural land

Network probe: Network monitoring and management tool

Nowadays, there are many risks associated with computer networks, some of them can be eliminated with network probes. This paper is focused on the developed BUT network probe as a tool representing a hardware protection element of the network. Furthermore, the basics of IDS and IPS systems are described, including their possible applications. The basic concept of the network probe, the description of its basic parts and the created user interface are discussed. The last part is focused on the testing of hardware components that directly affect the proper functioning. The test results showed that the BUT network probe is able to perform network traffic analysis even at its maximum load

Generalized Design Method for Voltage-Controlled Current-Mode Multifunction Filters

In the article, the Generalized Current Follower Transconductance Amplifier (GCFTA) element for generalized frequency filter design and a novel active element, the Programmable Current Amplifier (PCA) for the realization of the current-mode analog blocks, are presented. The paper also presents a method of general frequency filter design, whereas the basic circuit is a general autonomous circuit using GCFTA, PCA elements and general admittances. The properties of the proposed filter have been verified using PSPICE simulations

Emplacement history of the Trosky basanitic volcano (Czech Republic): paleomagnetic, rock magnetic, petrologic, and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility evidence for lingering growth of a monogenetic volcano

International audienceA well-preserved set of mid-Miocene scoria- and tuff-cones and their feeders crop out in the Jičín Volcanic Field, Czech Republic. The Trosky volcano is a scoria cone that has been eroded to reveal the volcano’s feeder system. This edifice offers the opportunity to improve the understanding how magma is transported through a monogenetic pyroclastic cone. Physical volcanology, petrology, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and paleomagnetic data were combined to study of the erosional remnant of the Trosky volcano. Selective erosion has exposed spectacular remnants of a twin scoria cone intruded by late volcanic spines. These spines host a medieval castle that is a landmark of the Bohemian Paradise area in northeast Czech Republic.Paleomagnetic and AMS samples were collected from 29 sites, including the conduits, lava flows, and dikes intruding the conduits. The AMS data reveal magmatic flow directions that were variable, vertical (upward and downward) as well as subhorizontal (into and away from the volcano). Paleomagnetic data from the conduits and lava flows yield reverse polarity directions that are statistically indistinguishable from the expected mid-Miocene reverse polarity field direction. The dikes, however, show both normal and reverse polarity magnetizations that are statistically distinct from the expected field direction. We documented significant compositional variability of lavas erupted from the Trosky volcano, in contrast to the uniform composition of later plugs and dikes. The variability of lavas (olivine-rich, olivine-poor, clinopyroxene-rich and olivine-clinopyroxene equal types) suggests magma storage in a zoned shallow magma chamber (containing olivine- or clinopyroxene-depleted/enriched zones). The combined results and the presence of both normal and reverse polarity magnetizations from the dikes crosscutting the volcano indicate that this monogenic system was long-lived. Taken together, the simple external structure of monogenetic volcanoes often hides a rather complex magmatic plumbing system that dynamically evolves during their lifespan