Inaccessible Areas (inaccessible + area)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Mapping the geochemistry of the northern Rub' Al Khali using multispectral remote sensing techniques

EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 7 2001
Kevin White
Abstract Spatial variations in sand sea geochemistry relate to mixing of different sediment sources and to variations in weathering. Due to problems of accessibility, adequate spatial coverage cannot be achieved using field surveys alone. However, maps of geochemical composition produced from remotely sensed data can be calibrated against limited field data and the results extrapolated over large, inaccessible areas. This technique is applied to part of the Rub' Al Khali in the northern United Arab Emirates. Trend surface analysis of the results suggests that the sand sea at this location can be modelled as an east,west mixing zone of two spectral components: terrestrial reddened quartz sands and marine carbonate sands. Optical dating of these sediments suggests that dune emplacement occurred rapidly around 10 ka BP, when sea level was rising rapidly. The spatial distribution of mineralogical components suggests that this phase of dune emplacement resulted from coastal dune sands being driven inland during marine transgression, thereby becoming mixed with rubified terrestrial sands. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Timeliness and effectiveness in the surgical management of persistent post-treatment periapical pathosis

ENDODONTIC TOPICS, Issue 1 2005
MIN-KAI WU
Common problems that cause persistent post-treatment periapical pathosis include infection remaining in the apical inaccessible areas, extraradicular infection including apically extruded dentine debris with bacteria present in dentinal tubules, radicular true cysts, foreign body reactions, inadequate non-surgical root canal treatment with or without iatrogenically altered root canal morphology, and vertical root fractures. Inadequate root canal treatment may be corrected non-surgically, while more complex problems may require surgical intervention. The important factors that warrant a successful surgery include good quality of the orthograde root canal treatment, deep retrograde preparation of the apical canal, and carefully cleaning and filling of the exposed isthmuses and accessory canals. Ideally, apical surgery and orthograde retreatment are performed simultaneously. In a recent study, 97% of the lesions including large ones of >10 mm in diameter healed completely within 1 year after surgical intervention. Of the teeth that showed ,complete healing' at 4 years more than 85% already ,completely healed' at 2 years; thus, the endodontic post-treatment disease might be treated surgically or non-surgically within 2 years after the previous treatment. [source]


A test of methods for estimating population size of the invasive land snail Achatina fulica in dense vegetation

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2002
Paul G. Craze
Summary 1Physical inaccessibility often complicates censuses of poorly mobile organisms. We therefore assessed the effectiveness of using a sample of quadrat counts to generate a population estimate corrected for inaccessible areas. The result is directly applicable to management of the introduced snail Achatina fulica on Ile aux Aigrettes, a small island off Mauritius, but also has implications for counting this and similar species elsewhere. Accurate counting of A. fulica is important given that this species is such a widespread and serious pest. 2Counts were made in 17 quadrats taken from a grid covering the island. These were used to produce one population estimate by interpolating for the rest of the grid using GIS software (method 1). A second estimate assumed equal density of snails in accessible and inaccessible parts of the 17 quadrats, again with the population estimate interpolated (method 2). 3Four further quadrats were cleared of vegetation and, by comparison of counts before and after clearance, the relationship between initial count and true snail number was estimated. This resulted in two further population estimates, with the relationship used to adjust counts in the 17 experimental quadrats before interpolation (methods 3 and 4). 4All four estimates were tested using 35 additional quadrats of two types. Type 1 quadrats were physically cleared of vegetation; type 2 quadrats were fully accessible without clearance. Predicted counts in these quadrats were assessed for accuracy by comparison with actual counts. 5The method 1 estimate was clearly inadequate; method 4 gave a consistent overestimate; method 2 gave the smallest error in both quadrat types. In type 1 quadrats, method 2 and 3 estimates were not significantly different and method 2 had a slight tendency to underestimate. Overall, for studies of A. fulica, method 2 is recommended. However, it should be noted that the study took place towards the end of the wet season. In the dry season, damp refuges under inaccessible vegetation may be more important and methods 3 and 4 may then give a better estimate. 6The population of A. fulica with shell length > 10 mm on Ile aux Aigrettes near the end of the wet season in 2000 was between 37 300 and 45 100, with 39 700 being the best estimate. 7The results underline the importance of considering inaccessible areas when accurate counts of species are needed, and a method is suggested by which a simple census technique can be adjusted. In the case of A. fulica, more accurate estimates of population size and distribution are invaluable in the management, monitoring and eradication of this invasive species. [source]


Baobabs and elephants in Kruger National Park: nowhere to hide

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
M. T. Edkins
Abstract Baobab size class distributions were surveyed in the Limpopo National Park (LNP), Mozambique, and the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. There are very few elephants in the LNP and the baobab population there had a reverse J-shaped size class distribution with many small baobabs. In contrast, the elephant-impacted baobab population of KNP displayed a mono-modal size-class distribution, with a lack in recruitment. Within KNP, elephant impact (percentage bark stripped up to the height of 3 m) decreased with increasing rockiness and slope steepness. We interpret this to suggest that steep rocky slopes are inaccessible to elephants and therefore these sites may act as a refuge for baobabs. In such inaccessible areas, the baobab population has a similar size-class distribution to that of the populations in the LNP. However, these baobab refugia are restricted in the northern KNP landscape and are therefore probably not large enough to sustain a viable baobab population. Résumé On a étudié la distribution des classes de taille des baobabs dans le Parc National de Limpopo (LNP), au Mozambique et au Parc National Kruger (KNP), en Afrique du Sud. Il y a très peu d'éléphants dans le LNP, et la population de baobabs y connaît une distribution de classes de taille en J inversé, avec de nombreux petits baobabs. Par contre, la population de baobabs du KNP est influencée par les éléphants et présente une distribution monomodale, avec un manque de recrutement. Au sein du KNP, l'impact des éléphants (le pourcentage d'écorces arrachées jusqu'à une hauteur de 3 mètres) diminuait quand augmentait le caractère rocailleux et abrupt des pentes. Nous interprétons cela et suggérons que les pentes abruptes et rocailleuses sont inaccessibles aux éléphants et que ces endroits peuvent donc servir de refuges pour les baobabs. Dans ces endroits inaccessibles, la population de baobabs a une distribution de classes semblable à celles des populations du LNP. Cependant, ces refuges pour baobabs se limitent au paysage nord du KNP et ne sont donc probablement pas suffisants pour accueillir une population de baobabs viable. [source]


Equine abstracts HELICOPTER RESCUE , TO FLY OR NOT TO FLY

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue S1 2004
Rebecca M. Gimenez PhD
Improved options for the successful transport of horses trapped in inaccessible areas (floodwater, steep ravines, etc.) during a disaster or emergency are available to practitioners using helicopter assets and the Anderson SlingÔ. Horses present a particularly difficult problem to remove from the rescue environment of a wide flooded area, or difficult steep terrain far from access by vehicles or heavy equipment. Due to their fractious and fearful nature, they may fight any effort to walk, climb or swim them to safety, and those attempts are inherently very dangerous for the rescuer(s). Unfortunately, many disaster or emergency scenarios may occur in areas not conducive to the use of other options (barge, rescue glide, simple vertical lift sling). Veterinary practitioners on scene should have familiarity with helicopter sling-load operations. The use of cargo nets, inappropriate home-made slings, and inadequate equipment has contributed to disastrous efforts by well-intentioned rescuers. There have even been desperate attempts at sling loading of cattle by roping the horns or one leg and transporting them into a waiting truck for removal from public lands. The Anderson SlingÔ has been successfully used for helicopter operations in multiple emergencies and training demonstration flights, and is the only Equine Sling recommended for this purpose. Although it was originally intended for clinical use in long-term recovery cases, it has become the industry standard for helicopter operations with equines because of its demonstrated safety margin, design and strength. In clinical use, leg straps further distribute the animal's weight to the legs, but are not necessary in rescue lifts. In some states, there are Large Animal Rescue Teams associated with the Veterinary School, the State Emergency Management Association, or local private Equine Ambulance Services that may have equipment and personnel trained in helicopter sling-loading. This is a specialty interest that requires prior coordination, significant planning, and training of all personnel involved. [source]