Preliminary description of a hillslope-storage Boussinesq model for subsurface and overland flow

The Boussinesq model for subsurface flow in an idealized sloping aquifer has recently been extended to hillslopes of arbitrary geometry by incorporating the width function w(s) into the governing equation, were x is the distance along the length of the hillslopes. The resulting mathematical model can be simplified if three higher order terms containing (1/w)w’(x) are dropped. In this preliminary report we describe the model along with some characteristic hillslopes that will be used to test it and develop it further

Infrared composition of the Large Magellanic Cloud

The evolution of galaxies and the history of star formation in the Universe are among the most important topics in today's astrophysics. Especially, the role of small, irregular galaxies in the star-formation history of the Universe is not yet clear. Using the data from the AKARI IRC survey of the Large Magellanic Cloud at 3.2, 7, 11, 15, and 24 {\mu}m wavelengths, i.e., at the mid- and near-infrared, we have constructed a multiwavelength catalog containing data from a cross-correlation with a number of other databases at different wavelengths. We present the separation of different classes of stars in the LMC in color-color, and color-magnitude, diagrams, and analyze their contribution to the total LMC flux, related to point sources at different infrared wavelengths

Governing of Agro-Ecosystem Services

In this paper we incorporate interdisciplinary New Institutional and Transaction Costs Economics (combining Economics, Organization, Law, Sociology, Behavioral and Political Sciences), and suggest a framework for analysis of mechanisms of governance of agro-ecosystem services. Firstly, we present a new approach for analysis and improvement of governance of agro-ecosystem services. It takes into account the role of specific institutional environment (formal and informal rules, distribution of rights, systems of enforcement); and behavioral characteristics of individual agents (preferences, bounded rationality, opportunism, risk aversion, trust); and transactions costs associated with ecosystem services and their critical factors (uncertainty, frequency, asset specificity, appropriability); and comparative efficiency of market, private, public and hybrid modes of governance. Secondly, we identify spectrum of market and private forms of governance of agro-ecosystem services (voluntary initiatives; market trade with eco-products and services; special contractual arrangements; collective actions; vertical integration), and evaluate their efficiency and potential. Next, we identify needs for public involvement in the governance of agro-ecosystem services, and assess comparative efficiency of alternative modes of public interventions (assistance, regulations, funding, taxing, provision, partnership, property right modernization). Finally, we analyze structure and efficiency of governance of agro-ecosystems services in Zapadna Stara Planina – a mountainous region in North-West Bulgaria. Post-communist transition and EU integration has brought about significant changes in the state and governance of agro-ecosystems services. Newly evolved market, private and public governance has led to significant improvement of part of agro-ecosystems services introducing modern eco-standards and public support, enhancing environmental stewardship, desintensifying production, recovering landscape and traditional productions, diversifying quality, products, and services. At the same time, novel governance is associated with some new challenges such as unsustainable exploitation, lost biodiversity, land degradation, water and air contamination. What is more, implementation of EU common policies would have no desired impact on agro-ecosystem services unless special measures are taken to improve management of public programs, and extend public support to dominating small-scale and subsistence farms

Evaluation of temporomandibular joint prostheses: Review of the literature from 1946 to 1994 and implications for future prosthesis designs

Purpose: This article describes the useful elements of applied temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prostheses and discusses the factors necessary to be addressed in an appropriate TMJ prosthesis design. Materials and Methods: Information about TMJ prostheses was gathered by a literature search, Only designs with the primary intention of true joint replacement were selected. The designs were divided in fossa-eminence, condylar, and total joint replacements, which are reviewed separately. Results: A fossa-eminence prosthesis can be fixed by a metal plate screwed to the root of the zygomatic arch, A condylar prosthesis can be fixed by a metal plate screwed to the mandibular ramus and fitted by bending the plate or using different sizes. All reviewed designs resulted in a loss of translational movements of the mandible, especially in an anterior direction, Although the recent designs use the same materials as are used in hip and knee joint prostheses, the wear properties of the existing TMJ prostheses are still unknown. Conclusions: A future prosthesis must imitate the anterior movement of the mandible when the mouth is opened and also allow some mediolateral movement, The fitting to the skull is still a major problem, as is the combination of the required motions and low wear rates. To confirm good clinical performance of a new TMJ prosthesis, long-term follow-up studies are necessary