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In 2015–2019, young bluethroats were caught in order to determine the parameters of their migration stop in the taiga zone in the east of the Russian Plain. A total of 272 birds were analyzed, of which 186 were males and 86 were females. The average duration of the migration stop for young bluethroats was 1.45 days. Transient individuals have fat reserves that allow them to make migratory jumps lasting an average of 4.39 ± 0.20 h. Bluethroats with an average stopping time have a mass deposition rate of 0.04 ± 0.36 g per day and, by the time of departure, are able to make nonstop flights lasting an average of 3.89 ± 0.58 h. Individuals that make the decision to stop lose a little of their fat reserves, reducing their ability to fly nonstop until the next stop. The significance of the river valleys in the east of the Russian Plain for a successful stopover remains an open question, and it has not been fully clarified whether these places have the necessary ecological conditions for the successful stopover of small birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concerns the rendering of Hebrew "terebinth" as "valley," and the mention of a "valley" near Hebron in a plus. In the Targums, the Vulgate and Aquila the "terebinths" of Moreh and Mamre (Gen 12:6; 18:1; Deut 11:30) are represented by a term meaning "valley." According to the standard analysis this rendering avoids the association of these precincts with non-monotheistic cults. However, this theory fails to explain the use of the term "valley." Midrashic comments point to anti-Samaritan polemics, based on Deut 11:30, where "terebinth" and "plain," Arabah, meet. Furthermore, a plus of the Septuagint and the Samaritan mentions "the valley of Hebron" (Gen 23:2; cf. the gloss, 37:14). These constellations are related to a particular sensitivity for the status of the Mamre region in the Persian era and beyond as it belongs to Idumaea, and its religious practice includes non-monotheistic cults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iraq is located in the northeastern part of the Arabian Plate, which is colliding with the Iranian Plate. The collision between the two plates has developed the tectonic framework of the Iraqi territory. Accordingly, two major tectonic divisions are developed: Inner Platform (Stable Shelf) and Outer Platform (Unstable Shelf). The former (Inner platform) is almost stable forming flat terrain with tens of the Neotectonic indications. Whereas, the latter (Outer Platform) is deformed mountainous area with anticlines and major thrust faults. The contact between these two major tectonic divisions run almost along the Euphrates River. In Western Iraq, an outstanding tectonic feature exists, the Anah anticline running almost E–W direction. On both northern and southern sides of the anticline, flat and undulatory plains occur without any tectonic features. Anah anticline shows clear geomorphological and structural forms, which indicate its lateral growth, especially eastwards. Among those indications are water gaps, wind gaps, curved valleys, inclined valleys, and wale-back shape. Although the Euphrates River dissects the anticline in its eastern part; however, most probably the river runs along the crossing area between two main tectonic zones indicating that the anticline is still growing laterally eastwards, and even effecting on the contact of the Inner Platform and Outer Planform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Baodun Culture (4600–3700 a BP) is currently the earliest archeological culture found at the Chengdu Plain in southwestern China. Archeological evidence has shown that the Baodun Culture likely originated from the upper reaches of the Minjiang River, with two possible routes for human migration into the lower Chengdu Plain proposed: (1) At about 5000 a BP, favorable climatic conditions in the upper reaches of the Minjiang stimulated the growth of populations and the development of agriculture in the region. Due to this shift, some groups expanded from the upper Minjiang River to sites in the northern area of the Chengdu Plain, such as the Guiyuanqiao site; (2) during 4800–4300 a BP, a drying event occurred in the upper regions of the river valley causing a reduction in agricultural harvests and the migration of populations into sites – including the Baodun site – from this area of the Minjiang to the southwest piedmont of the Chengdu Plain. A multi-facetted study of the T3321 profile at Baodun site, including pollens, grain size, and geochemistry, demonstrates that after 6000 a BP, the climate of the Chengdu Plain shifted from cool, toward warmer and dryer conditions. However, as the Chengdu Plain is located in an alluvial fan, hydrothermal conditions here are still generally better than those in the upper reaches of Minjiang River. A change in the proportion of Concentricystes seen in the profile T3321 also indicates that after 4700 a BP, the lake and marsh areas associated with the Baodun site further decreased. However, as a result of this reduction, more terrestrial surfaces were exposed, providing favored space for Baodun Cultural groups in the area of the site. Due to such conditions, by about 4600 cal. a BP, people in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River had primarily moved to the southwest piedmont regions of the Chengdu Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allahabad to Buxar, the Ganga River shows distorted menders, huge meander cut-offs, ox-bow lakes, scroll bars and abandoned linear channel belts, all suggesting to a fault system-related tectonic control on the river. The confluence dynamics of northern tributaries Gomati and Varuna Rivers which have shifted progressively from north to south, and confluences of southern tributary Jirgo which shifted from south to north, further corroborate the view and also suggest that the presence of a NE-SW trending dextral strike slip fault having a gravity component. The Ganga River came close to Varanasi around 40 ka ago following a tectonic event that caused extensive liquefaction of the sediments due to a seismic pulse and upheaval in the area. Between 40 to 7ka, the Ganga River was freely oscillating within its valley when another tectonic event took place and the Ramnagar cliff was raised due to upheaval and channel incision along NE-SW trending fault. After 7ka, the Ramnagar cliff was degraded before it was inhabited by man at around 3800 years BP, which have been contemporaneous to antiquity of Varanasi. Based on available remote sensing data, the morphometry has shown that in 1972 active channel covered 12% area in Ganga River Valley and aerial extent remained 8% in 2010. The decrease of sand bar areas (14%–11%) in the studied stretch reflects the decrease in monsoon strength over the last four decades. However, the decline in the aerial extent of relict valley features, viz. meander scars, meander cut-offs and alluvial islands, is quite characteristic and may be related to sediment recycling by migrating channels present within the active channel belt and floodplain areas of the Ganga River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to introduce a new diagnostic measure of the time-integrated diabatic (thermal) forcing of a valley-plain system. This measure can be used to synchronize the evolution of thermally induced valley winds with respect to their forcing. Differences among numerical models or model configurations originating from diabatic forcing versus those originating from the model dynamics (e.g., turbulence scheme, dynamical core, etc.) can then be distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The record of occurrence of Longidorus poessneckensis Altherr, 1974 in forest soils with Betuleto-Carpineto-Quercetum in geographically specific conditions of a hilltop contributes to the broadening of ecological knowledge about this species. To date, the species was considered to prefer the habitats along river banks - narrow or large valleys and plains. The ecological, morphometrical and molecular characteristics of recorded L. poessneckensis are presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Bäke creek valley is part of the young morainic area in Berlin. Its origin is related to meltwater flow and dead-ice persistence resulting in a valley with a lake–creek system. During the Late Glacial, the slopes of the valley were affected by solifluction. A Holocene brown soil developed in this material, whereas parts of the lakes were filled with limnic–telmatic sediments. The excavation site at Goerzallee revealed Bronze Age and Iron Age burial places at the upper part of the slope, as well as a fireplace further downslope, but the slope itself remained stable. Only German settlements in the 12th and 13th centuries changed the processes in the creek–lake system: the construction of water mills created a retention system with higher ground water levels in the surrounding areas. On the other hand, deforestation on the till plain and on the slope triggered erosion. Therefore, in medieval time interfingering organic sediments and sand layers were deposited in the lower part of the slope on top of the Holocene soil. The new soil which formed on top of these sediments was transformed by ploughing until the 19th century. In 1905/06 the lower part of the slope was reshaped by the construction of the Teltow Canal, following the valley of the former Bäke creek. Finally, the whole area was levelled by infill after World War II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple ceremonial centers dating to the Formative Period have been discovered in the middle Jequetepeque Valley, especially in the region of the Hamacas Plain. However, the relationships among these centers have not been discussed with appropriate chronological control. The author conducted an archaeological study during three field seasons mainly in the region of the Hamacas Plain, and an area near the modern village of Tembladera, located approximately 5 kilometers to the southeast. In this article, previously collected chronological data from these sites are evaluated for the middle Jequetepeque Valley. New data provide insight into the relationships between these centers, now making it possible to establish a fine-grained chronology over three phases: the Hamacas Phase (1500-1250 cal BC), the Tembladera Phase (1250-800 cal BC) and the Lechuzas Phase (800-550 cal BC). The results of this research suggest that the location of the ceremonial centers gradually shifted to the east. An attempt is made to explain why local populations abandoned the previous centers in favor of new locations to the east, from both an ecological and an ideological perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis to topography and bedrock surface data from 41 sites 23.3 km² (9 mi²) within Midwestern areas glaciated during the Late Wisconsinan identifies an average drift thickness maximum bedrock relief transition equation for the presence or absence of bedrock surface influences on topographic detail. For sites with average drift thickness between 15 and 35 m, the transition occurs when average drift thicknesses exceed 0.5 maximum bedrock relief + 10 m. This equation may provide a practical tool in searching for buried bedrock valleys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]