Reconstructing landscape evolution in the Lower Khuzestan plain (SW Iran): integrating imagery, historical and sedimentary archives

During the late Holocene, an avulsion-controlled Karun megafan developed in the Lower Khuzestan plain. Based on the interpretation of satellite data, at least three different Karun channels were detected. A chronological framework is provided by archaeological sites and textual sources. The presence of extensive irrigation systems highlights the important role of human activity in the development of the plain. In addition, there is clear evidence of human actions (construction and destruction of dams) which caused repeated avulsions in the lower reaches of the present-day Karun. Similar impacts may have contributed to other channel shifts in historical times

Readiness for Change in Public Accounting Firms

The accounting profession continually faces the dynamics of change. Changes such as globalization and growth in technology have significant impact; however, prior research on change in the profession has been limited. This study examined individual attitudes toward change as an indication of employee readiness. The paper presents the findings of an empirical study using the Attitudes toward Change Instrument. The instrument explores cognitive, affective, and behavioral attitudes toward change. A quantitative survey was conducted within a multi-national accounting firm and included audit staff from member firms in Australia, Canada, and the United States. The findings indicate individuals, particularly at the leadership level, have a positive attitude toward change

Organisatiekracht in bewonersinitiatieven:ondersteuning en activering van bewonersgroepen, in het kader van het Actieprogramma Sociale Vitaliteit van het Woon- en Leefbaarheidsplan Eemsdelta Leeft!

In het kader van het Actieprogramma Sociale Vitaliteit (WLP Eemsdelta leeft!) hebben sociaalwerkers van twee welzijnsorganisaties (ASWA - Appingedam en SW&D, Delfzijl) bewonersgroepen in drie gemeenten (Delfzijl, Appingedam en Loppersum) ondersteund voor de ontwikkeling van hun organisatiekracht ten behoeve van initiatieven voor leefbaarheid in het dorp, de buurt of de straat. De focus lag op de bewoners - hoe ontwikkelen zij zich, de sociaalwerkers - hoe sluiten zij aan bij de bewoners en de gemeentelijke contactpersonen - hoe faciliterend zijn zij? Uit het begeleidende onderzoek dat een activerend karakter had bleek vooral dat de bewoners hun organisatiekracht hoog inschatten, terwijl in de praktijk bleek dat de groepen (deels) uiteen vielen of hun doelen niet bereikten. Sociaalwerkers moeten dan ook meer aandacht besteden aan bronnen en oorzaken voor conflicten om de continuiteit in de groep te waarborgen. Gemeentelijke medewerkers bleken voor bewonersgroepen vaak onbereikbaar of onvoldoende behulpzaam. In de periode van het activerend onderzoek zijn de verbeterpunten ter harte genomen, in die zin heeft het activerend onderzoek gewerkt. De vragenlijst waarmee de organisatiekracht van bewoners is onderzocht is beschikbaar en als bijlage aan het rapport toegevoegd

Historical aerial photographs for landslide assessment: two case histories

This paper demonstrates the value of historical aerial photographs for assessing long-term landslide evolution. The study focussed on two case histories, the Mam Tor and East Pentwyn landslides. In both case histories the variety of data was explored, that could be derived relatively easily using an ordinary PC desktop, commercially available software and commonly available photographic material. The techniques to unlock qualitative and quantitative data captured in the photographic archive were based on the principles of aerial photo-interpretation and photogrammetry. The created products comprised geomorphological maps, automatically derived elevation models (DEMs), displacement vectors and animations. The measured horizontal displacements of the Mam Tor landslide ranged from 0.09-0.74 m/yr between 1953 and 1999, which was verified by independent survey data. Moreover, the observed displacement patterns were consistent with photo-interpreted geomorphological information. The photogrammetric measurements from the East Pentwyn landslide (horizontal displacements up to 6 m/yr between 1971 and 1973) also showed a striking resemblance to independent data. In both case histories, the vertical accuracy was insufficient for detecting significant elevation changes. Nevertheless, DEMs proved to be a powerful tool for visualisation. Overall, the results in this study validated the techniques used and strongly encourage the use of historical photographic material in landslide studies

Characteristics of direct human impacts on the rivers Karun and Dez in lowland south-west Iran and their interactions with earth surface movements

Two of the primary external factors influencing the variability of major river systems, over river reach scales, are human activities and tectonics. Based on the rivers Karun and Dez in south-west Iran, this paper presents an analysis of the geomorphological responses of these major rivers to ancient human modifications and tectonics. Direct human modifications can be distinguished by both modern constructions and ancient remnants of former constructions that can leave a subtle legacy in a suite of river characteristics. For example, the ruins of major dams are characterised by a legacy of channel widening to 100's up to c. 1000 m within upstream zones that can stretch to channel distances of many kilometres upstream of former dam sites, whilst the legacy of major, ancient, anthropogenic river channel straightening can also be distinguished by very low channel sinuosities over long lengths of the river course. Tectonic movements in the region are mainly associated with young and emerging folds with NW–SE and N–S trends and with a long structural lineament oriented E–W. These earth surface movements can be shown to interact with both modern and ancient human impacts over similar timescales, with the types of modification and earth surface motion being distinguishable. This paper examines the geomorphological evidence and outlines the processes involved in the evolution of these interactions through time. The analysis shows how interactions between earth surface movements and major dams are slight, especially after ancient dam collapse. By contrast, interactions between earth surface movements and major anthropogenic river channel straightening are shown to be a key factor in the persistence of long, near-straight river courses. Additionally, it is suggested that artificial river development, with very limited river channel lateral migration, may promote incision across an active fold at unusually long distances from the fold “core” and may promote markedly increased sinuosity across a structural lineament

Edible films based on aqueous emulsions of low-methoxyl pectin with recovered and purified sunflower waxes

BACKGROUND: Edible films were obtained from aqueous emulsions prepared with low-methoxyl pectin at different concentrations (10, 20 and 30 g kg−1) and two sunflower wax samples recovered from two waste samples of filter cakes produced in the winterization process of sunflower oil. The two sunflower waxes samples recovered (from the normal hybrid, NSFW, and from the high-oleic hybrid, HOSFW) were added in three proportions (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 g g-1 of pectin). Films were evaluated according to their structure, water resistance, water vapor permeability, mechanical properties and thermal behavior. RESULTS: In general, good dispersion of the lipid material was observed in the cross-sections of the film. Increase in the water resistance (lower swelling index and water adsorption) was associated with a greater pectin content crosslinked with Ca2+ and the hydrophobic nature of waxes. The reduction in water vapor transfer rates was influenced by the effect of the wax addition, their fatty acid composition and their good distribution on the film. More resistant, rigid and less flexible films were obtained with lower pectin content, finding an inverse relationship between tensile strength and elongation percentage values. CONCLUSION: These results evidence a promising alternative in the development of innovative strategies to valorize sunflower waxes derived from waste material.Fil: Chalapud Narvaez, Mayra Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Baumler, Erica Raquel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Carelli Albarracin, Amalia Antonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Historical aerial photographs and digital photogrammetry for landslide assessment

This study demonstrates the value of historical aerial photographs as a source for monitoring long-term landslide evolution, which can be unlocked by using appropriate photogrammetric methods. The understanding of landslide mechanisms requires extensive data records; a literature review identified quantitative data on surface movements as a key element for their analysis. It is generally acknowledged that, owing to the flexibility and high degree of automation of modern digital photogrammetric techniques, it is possible to derive detailed quantitative data from aerial photographs. In spite of the relative ease of such techniques, there is only scarce research available on data quality that can be achieved using commonly available material, hence the motivation of this study. In two landslide case-studies (the Mam Tor and East Pentwyn landslides) the different types of products were explored, that can be derived from historical aerial photographs. These products comprised geomorphological maps, automatically derived elevation models (DEMs) and displacement vectors. They proved to be useful and sufficiently accurate for monitoring landslide evolution. Comparison with independent survey data showed good consistency, hence validating the techniques used. A wide range of imagery was used in terms of quality, media and format. Analysis of the combined datasets resulted in improvements to the stochastic model and establishment of a relationship between image ground resolution and data accuracy. Undetected systematic effects provided a limiting constraint to the accuracy of the derived data, but the datasets proved insufficient to quantify each factor individually. An important advancement in digital photogrammetry is image matching, which allows automation of various stages of the working chain. However, it appeared that the radiometric quality of historical images may not always assure good results, both for extracting DEMs and vectors using automatic methods. It can be concluded that the photographic archive can provide invaluable data for landslide studies, when modern photogrammetric techniques are being used. As ever, independent and appropriate checks should always be included in any photogrammetric design.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo