Friction, Free Axes of Rotation and Entropy

Friction forces acting on rotators may promote their alignment and therefore eliminate degrees of freedom in their movement. The alignment of rotators by friction force was demonstrated by experiments performed with different spinners, demonstrating how friction generates negentropy in a system of rotators. A gas of rigid rotators influenced by friction force is considered. The orientational negentropy generated by a friction force was estimated with the Sackur-Tetrode equation. The minimal change in total entropy of a system of rotators, corresponding to their eventual alignment, decreases with temperature. The reported effect may be of the primary importance for a phase equilibrium and motion of ubiquitous colloidal and granular systems.Comment: 10 pages, 7 image

Dynamics of the bioclimatic potential of agroecological zones of the Altai Territory in the conditions of modern climatic and anthropogenic changes

The steppe zone is characterized by high dynamism of environmental conditions including sharp climatic fluctuations that affect both the possibilities of agriculture and the state of steppe landscapes. Further development of agriculture without taking into account changing climatic and environmental factors increases risks both for steppe ecosystems and for the sustainability of agriculture. The field production of the agro-climatic zones of the Altai Territory is characterized by the high variability of gross yields associated with the dynamics of precipitation, air temperature, and soil fertility. Under the current conditions, the analysis of the temporal and spatial dynamics of bioclimatic potential is of high practical importance for the development and implementation of adaptive agricultural technologies. A retrospective analysis was carried out and a modern bio-climatic characteristic of model territories representing various agroecological zones was compiled for this purpose. The object of research was data on average daily, average monthly, and average annual air temperatures, the level of precipitation, the water vapor pressure, and relative humidity. Statistical processing of analytical data was carried out in Excel. Calculations revealed significant temporal and spatial dynamics of the BCP. Spatially, it is characterized by a significant decrease in a north-western orientation. The lowest average values, 1.71-1.81 units, were observed in the Kulunda and Rubtsovskaya agroecological zones, with a coefficient of variation of more than 20.0%. The Zarinskaya and Aleyskaya agroecological zones were characterized by the highest values of BCP, and the Predgornaya zone presented maximum values of BCP, at the level of 2.70 units with high stability. Temporally, the BCP of the Zarinskaya, Kulunda, and Priobskaya agroclimatic zones is characterized by a negative trend; in other zones, its almost zero balance is noted. A sufficiently expressed difference in the BCP of various agroecological zones has an impact on the realization of the biological potential of cultivated crops. Analysis of the level of development of the vegetative mass of spring wheat by determining NDVI confirmed this assumption. For a systematic assessment of the influence of climatic and anthropogenic factors on the production process of field crops and the development of measures for the rational use of agricultural landscapes, it is advisable to determine the potential yield according to the BCP, determine the degree of its implementation in the economic harvest and justify techniques for leveling limiting factors in agrotechnology of individual agroecological zones

Geometric optics and the “hairy ball theorem”

Applications of the hairy ball theorem to the geometrical optics are discussed. When the ideal mirror, topologically equivalent to a sphere, is illuminated at every point, the “hairy ball theorem” prescribes the existence of at least one point at which the incident light will be normally reflected. For the more general case of the surface, topologically equivalent to a sphere, which is both reflecting and refracting the “hairy ball theorem” predicts the existence of at least one point, at which the incident light will be normally reflected and also normally refracted. Keywords: Hairy ball theorem, Reflection of light, Refraction of light, Topology, Optic

PROSPECTS OF CONVERGENCE OF SCIENCES FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS OF CRITICAL AREAS OF THE BIOSPHERE

Aim. The aim is to show the relevance of the convergence of basic science in order to solve global environmental problems. Discussion. Solving the problems of critical areas of the biosphere which requires the combined efforts of various sciences and fields of knowledge is considered as an objective prerequisite for convergence. This article was written on the basis of the findings of our own long-term studies of the steppes of Northern Eurasia and central Arctic landscapes on relic loess-ice lithogenic basis, compared with historical and literary data. From the standpoint of steppe studies, two critical areas of the biosphere are distinguished: steppe zone of Eurasia and tundra of the Arctic which are justified as axes of convergence. The steppe studies are considered as a center of convergence around these axes with the possible formation of a new superdisciplinary field of knowledge and practice, steppenomy, in perspective. Nature-like technologies based on the principle of the co-creation of man and nature, aimed at overcoming the crisis phenomena in ecosystems and attaining high stability and productivity, are considered as an innovation product of the steppenomy. Conclusion. The spread and development of pasture ecosystems in various climatic zones is one of the priorities of constructive co-creation of man and the biosphere. An increase in tundra productivity and creation of “beef belts” in the steppes of Eurasia are regarded as a constructive analogue of Tselina, recreating grass ecosystems as a neo-hyperzonal phenomenon on tens of millions of hectares. In addition to contributing to the solution of the food problem, the pasture arrangement of the last territorial reserve under convergent scientific support will contribute to the global ecological restoration of the Earth’s unique ecosystems