Home – Home – Jornals – Journal of Applied Mechanics and Technical Physics 2019 number 5

Numerical simulation of physical processes in the electron-optical system of the DUET accelerator was carried out using the ERA-DD code. Calculations were carried out on adaptive quasi-structured grids developed by the authors. A mathematical model for the emission plasma surface deformable when solving the problem is proposed. In this model, the problem is considered in a two-dimensional axisymmetric approximation and the front of the electron entrance to the computational domain is represented as a set of circular arcs connected by necks. In order to increase the accuracy of the calculations, it is proposed to split the multi-scale extended domain into two subdomains and alternately solve self-consistent problems in the subdomains using the alternating Schwartz method. The beams are simulated by the method of current tubes, and the electric field potential is calculated by the finite volume method. The obtained characteristics of the beam are compared with experimental data. It is shown that for the operating parameters of the beam source, its losses on the accelerator elements are minimal and are primarily due to the imperfect alignment of the holes in the mask and the reference grid, as well as to deviations of electron beams generated by structures localized on the periphery of the emission electrode.

Analytical solutions of equations of the physical theory of meteors for a non-fragmenting meteoroid in an isothermal atmosphere are derived. The ablation parameter is defined as a power-law function of velocity of trajectory motion. An expression relating the meteoroid mass and its velocity and an expression relating the meteoroid velocity, its initial parameters, and atmospheric pressure are obtained. In addition, simple approximate formulas for the meteoroid mass and velocity at the initial trajectory segment and relations for determining the extreme values of the basic dynamic characteristics of the meteoroid (deceleration, dynamic pressure, ablation rate, mid-section area, and kinetic energy per unit path) are also derived.

The 2D problem of vertical separation impact of a circular cylinder under the free surface of a heavy fluid is considered. The problem is studied in a linearized formulation corresponding to small velocities of the body and fluid and taking into account the dynamics of separation points of the cavitation zone. A coupled nonlinear problem is formulated, which includes a mixed boundary-value problem of potential theory with one-sided constraints on the surface of the body and an equation defining the law of motion of the cylinder. Examples demonstrating the dynamics of separation points during forced or free cylinder motions are considered. Numerical results obtained using the proposed mathematical model are compared with the results of asymptotic analysis of the initial nonlinear problem for small times.

The structure of a vertically ascending submerged circular bubbly jet is numerically simulated by using the Eulerian approach. The influence of the concentration and diameter of air bubbles on the averaged parameters and fluctuating characteristics of the submerged turbulent two-phase jet is analyzed. An increase in the concentration and size of gas bubbles leads to jet expansion (by 35% as compared to the one-phase jet), which testifies to intensification of turbulent mixing with the ambient space. Addition of air bubbles enhances the flow turbulence (by 20% as compared to the one-phase jet).

This work deals with the creeping flow of an incompressible viscous fluid through a membrane. It is assumed that the membrane is composed of nonhomogeneous porous cylindrical particles with radially varying permeability enclosing a cavity. The flow within the nonhomogeneous porous medium is governed by the Darcy equation. The flow inside the cavity and outside the nonhomogeneous porous region is governed by the Stokes equations. An analytical solution of the problem is obtained by using the cell model technique. Exact expressions for the drag force acting on the membrane and hydrodynamic permeability of the membrane are derived. The influence of radially varying permeability on flow parameters is considered. The effects of various parameters of the problem on hydrodynamic permeability of the membrane are discussed for four models. Some previous results for hydrodynamic permeability are verified as special limiting cases.

Entropy generation in a two-dimensional steady laminar thin film convection flow of a non-Newtonian nanofluid (Ostwald-de-Waele-type power-law fluid with embedded nanoparticles) along an inclined plate is examined theoretically. A revised Buongiorno model is adopted for nanoscale effects, which includes the effects of the Brownian motion and thermophoresis. The nanofluid particle fraction on the boundary is passively rather than actively controlled. A convective boundary condition is employed. The local nonsimilarity method is used to solve the dimensionless nonlinear system of governing equations. Validation with earlier published results is included. A decrease in entropy generation is induced due to fluid friction associated with an increasing value of the rheological power-law index. The Brownian motion of nanoparticles enhances thermal convection via the enhanced transport of heat in microconvection surrounding individual nanoparticles. A higher convective parameter implies more intense convective heating of the plate, which increases the temperature gradient. An increase in the thermophoresis parameter decreases the nanoparticle volume fraction near the wall and increases it further from the wall. Entropy generation is also reduced with enhancement of the thermophoresis effect throughout the boundary layer.

This paper presents a kinetic analysis of a chemical model for the oxidative conversion of methane which includes all possible elementary reactions that can occur in this complex radical chain process. It is found that the model fully reflects the kinetic features of degenerate-branched chain reactions. The key stages of the process responsible for the formation of the main reaction products and the development of the process as a whole are identified. The nonlinear reactions of free peroxide radicals play a decisive role in these stages. The results of the kinetic analysis of the model confirm the previously obtained direct experimental data on free radicals and their kinetic behavior during methane oxidation.

This paper describes the study of self-ignition delays of stoichiometric binary, triple, and multicomponent mixtures of methane with the addition of up to 10% of normal T₂-T₆ alkanes in air at temperatures of 523-1000 K and a pressure of 1 atm. It is determined that the additives of all T₂-T₆ alkanes can reduce the self-ignition delay of methane already at a level of 1%. With the addition of 10%, the ignition delay of this mixture virtually becomes equal to that of the added alkane itself. In binary mixtures with methane, ethane additives have an accelerating effect that is no lower than that of propane and butane additives. In triple and more complex mixtures, the self-ignition delay is determined by the total sum of added alkanes and is virtually independent within the framework of a determination error on their particular ratio.

The combustion of ammonium, hydrazine, hydroxylammonium, ethylenediamine, guanidine, aminoguanidine, diaminoguanidine, and triaminoguanidine salts of 5.5'-azotetrazole is under study. The dependences of the burning rate on pressure and temperature distribution in a combustion wave are determined. It is shown that the combustion of salts obeys a model with a leading reaction in the condensed phase. The surface temperature during the combustion of 5.5'-azotetrazole salts is controlled by a dissociative evaporation process. Based on the parameters of combustion and established combustion mechanism, the kinetics of the leading reaction of the combustion of 5.5'-azotetrazole salts, which is a decomposition reaction, is determined. The ambiguity of the influence of the base strength on the combustion process is shown. On the one hand, an increase in the base strength decreases the decomposition rate of a substance due to salt dissociation suppression. On the other hand, it increases the surface temperature at which the decomposition.

Searching for energetic materials with balanced detonation performance and sensitivity is a long-standing goal in the development of high energy density materials (HEDMs). In this work, density functional theory calculations are carried out to characterize the structure--property relationships of four linked 1,2,4-oxadiazole/1,2,4-oxadiazole and 1,2,4-oxadiazole/1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives. Our results show that all these designed compounds possess good oxygen balance, positive heats of formation, high crystal densities, remarkable detonation performance, and acceptable impact sensitivity. Particularly, the first of these compounds has the best balanced detonation performance and sensitivity, with excellent detonation performance superior to that of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) and lower impact sensitivity than that of 1,3,5,7-tetranitro- 1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX). Given these exceptional properties, it is expected that all these designed compounds are potential HEDM candidates with low sensitivity.

The method of probe sampling of gas samples is actively used to study high-temperature oxidation processes. This method directly provides information on the chemical composition of the reaction volume; however, the probe inevitably introduces thermal and gas-dynamic perturbations into the system. Surface temperature profiles of a quartz probe in a premixed CH₄/O₂/Ar flame were measured in the pressure range 1–5 atm. Measurements were made by a non-contact method using a thermal imager, which was calibrated by thermocouple measurements taking into account the shielding by the flame. The obtained data can be used as boundary conditions for numerical simulation of the sampling process, which will significantly increase the accuracy of error estimation when using probe methods.

This paper describes the influence of mechanical activation of coals on ignition and thermal-oxidative degradation using two independent methods: thermogravimetric analysis and ignition of a dust suspension in a vertical pipe furnace. It is determined that the ignition temperature of mechanically activated coals decreases and that mechanical activation affects the further process of thermal-oxidative degradation.

This paper describes the experimental study of amplitude (with a frequency of up to 50 kHz) and integral characteristics of the self-magnetic field of high-temperature combustion products of hydrocarbon fuel, which flow out of the nozzle of a model liquid-propellant engine (LPE) with simulation of the heat of a combustion chamber with injection of aluminum-magnesium alloy particles (k-phase) into the combustion chamber. It is determined that the amplitude of the magnetic field intensity generated by high-temperature (up to 3500 K) combustion products depends on the LPE operation regimes and the presence of k-phase particles in the particle flow. The magnetic field amplitude increases by 20% during the LPE burnout ~0.2 s earlier than the pressure drop in the combustion chamber. The total volumetric electric charge generated by the combustion product flow with the k-phase is estimated.

A physicomathematical formulation of the problem of ignition of the forest canopy based on the laws of mechanics of reacting media is presented, and the results of numerical calculations of the time and radius of ignition of the forest exposed to a thermal radiation source - a fireball resulting from a hydrocarbon explosion. Forest canopy (set of tree crowns) is considered as a homogeneous two-temperature porous reactive medium. Temperature and concentration changes at the upper boundary of the forest canopy from the beginning of its heating to ignition are described.

Cellular detonation in monodisperse suspensions of submicron and nano-sized aluminum particles is numerically simulated. Approaches of mechanics of heterogeneous media are applied. The transition from the continuum to free-molecular regime of the flow around the particles is taken into account in the processes of interphase interaction. Particle combustion is described within the framework of the semi-empirical model developed previously. Results calculated for two-dimensional flows in a plane channel for suspensions of aluminum particles with the particle size ranging from 1 μm to 100 nm. The regular structure of cellular detonation is found to transform to an irregular structure as the particle size decreases. An increase in the peak pressure and enlargement of the detonation cell are also noted, which is attributed to enhancement of the activation energy of reduced kinetics caused by the transition to the kinetic regime of combustion of aluminum particles.

Regimes of continuous detonation of heterogeneous mixtures of aviation kerosene and air with addition of hydrogen or syngas are studied in a flow-type annular cylindrical combustor 503 mm in diameter. With variations of the flow rates of air, liquid kerosene, hydrogen, and their relationships, regimes of continuous spin detonation are obtained in the following ranges: number of detonation waves 1-5, detonation wave velocity 1.15-1.67 km/s, and wave rotation frequency 0.73-4.86 kHz. In the case with addition of syngas with the composition CO + 3H₂, regimes with two opposing transverse waves are obtained; the mean velocity of wave rotation is 0.66-1.47 km/s, and the frequency is 0.85-1.87 kHz. Bubbling of the gaseous fuel (hydrogen or syngas) through liquid kerosene in the fuel injection system makes it possible to reduce the mass fraction of the gas in the two-phase fuel down to 8.4% for hydrogen and 47% for syngas with the composition CO + 3H₂. It is demonstrated that the minimum fraction of syngas in kerosene that still ensures the detonation regime is determined by the amount of hydrogen. Based on the stagnation pressure measured at the combustor exit, the specific impulse in the case of continuous detonation is determined as a function of the two-phase fuel composition. The maximum value of the specific impulse (about 4000 s) is obtained for the mass fraction of hydrogen in the two-phase fuel equal to 42%. The minimum diameter of the annular detonation combustor is estimated as a function of the specific flow rate of the heterogeneous mixture.

Infrared (IR) guided missile is known to cause 90\% of aircraft damage. Magnesium/Teflon/Viton (MTV) decoy flares are customized materials, which are capable of yielding thermal signature to interfere with IR guided missile seekers. In this study, the IR-signature of an MTV flare is measured in a jet engine nozzle. The jet engine IR-signature is characterized with two characteristic peaks over the α-band (2-3 λm) and β-band (3-5 λm); this is correlated to black body emission at 690 °C. The MTV decoy flare with 65% Mg offers an increase in the average intensity of the α- and β-bands by 21 and 4~times, respectively, to that of the jet engine. Quantification of emitting species in the combustion flame is conducted by using the ICT thermodynamic code. The developed MTV formulation offers the relative intensity ratio of the α- and β-bands equal to 0.96, which is comparable to that of an aircraft (0.7).

This paper presents experimental data on the parameters of an air shock wave resulting from initiation of BC-2 light-sensitive composition by the radiation of a laser diode. The propagation of the air shock wave front was recorded by the background-oriented schlieren method. The air shock wave front was visualized using cross-correlation processing. Empirical dependences characterizing the propagation of the air shock wave front resulting from initiation of a light-sensitive composition of arbitrary mass. Experiments confirmed the possibility of initiating BC-2 light-sensitive composition using an EV-15 electric igniter.

Flash radiography was used to study the propagation of detonation in semi-ring charges of plasticized TATB with a steel shell inside when initiating normal detonation along a line on the outer surface of the charge. The shape of the detonation wave front at different times was determined. The shape of the front is found to be influenced by a layer of RDX based plastic explosive located on the surface of the main charge and having a detonation velocity ~10% higher than that of TATB. It is shown that the position and shape of the detonation wave front in a cylindrical TATB charge is not described by the laws of geometric optics (Huygens principle) due to the features of detonation initiation in the initial section and the presence of the steel shell.

A simple phenomenological model of electrical resistance of metals at high pressures and temperatures is considered on the basis of the Bloch-Gruneisen equation of electrical resistance and Mie-Gruneisen equation of state. Two free parameters of the model for copper are found through comparisons of model predictions with experimental data on isothermal compression and isobaric heating. The dependence of the specific electrical resistance of copper on the shock pressure in the range up to 20 GPa is determined on the basis of experiments including measurements of electrical conductivity of foil specimens. Comparisons of the experimental shock wave results with the formulated model reveal the difference in the specific electrical resistance values. It is proposed to attribute the observed difference between the model and experimental results to the nonequilibrium nature of the physical state under shock compression, leading to generation of defects of the crystal structure of the metal. The electrical resistance component caused by the crystal structure defects is identified, and its dependence on the shock pressure is determined. The concentration of point defects in shock-compressed copper is estimated. The contribution of defects to electrical resistance of the shock-compressed metal is found to increase with increasing pressure. This effect should be taken into account in determining the equilibrium specific electrical conductivity and the derivatives of the physical variables (e.g., thermal conductivity).

The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition of furazano-1,2,3,4-tetrazine-1,3-dioxide (FTDO) and the FTDO/dinitrazapentane (DNP) (75/25%) system were experimentally investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Kissinger kinetic analysis was performed using differential scanning calorimetry data obtained at heating rates of 0.1–5.0 K/min. It was found that the thermal decomposition of FTDO and the FTDO/DNP system occurs by a first-order reaction with an activation energy of 185 (FTDO) and 171 kJ/mol (FTDO/DNP).

The article compares constituent components of the positions of Dutch philosopher Benedict Spinoza and Spanish priest Michel Molinos who published his work almost at the same time when of Spinoza's final treatise «Ethics» was cjmpleted. Comparison of their positions is very revealing. The fact is that Molinos is the creator of the concept of Quietism. This is a variant of religious understanding of the world, in which the focus is on the recognition of unconditional predestination by God of absolutely everything, including in human life. Hence the recommendation by Molinos to a believer of a position of complete indifference to everything that happens, including with this person himself. And Spinoza is one of those, moreover, the brightest European philosophers of the first century of the New Age, who are focused not on the religious, but on the then emerging scientific world outlook. But he is also committed to the idea of the unambiguously necessary character of the decisively all that takes place in the universe. And yet the position concerning the manifestations of human activity, Spinoza is diametrically opposed to that of Molinos. Since man, according to Spinoza, is a component of the universe, his own activity is one of the factors determining what is happening in the universe.

Using the example of the analysis of the perception of M. Heidegger's heritage by analytic philosophers, the article considers the problem relating to the interpretation of works of a representative of a certain type of rationality and philosophizing by bearers of another type of rationality and philosophizing. The author shows difficulties and complications of such interpretation. Also, he raises the translation problem associated with these difficulties. The conclusion is made that translation becomes not just a work consisting in translating from one natural language into another, but a special practice of conversion from one type of thinking to its another type.

The present text is a response to the article «The Return of Metaphysics As a Fact» recently published by O.E. Stolyarova (Problems of Philosophy, 2017, No. 8). In his wish to look at the nature of philosophical knowledge with the eyes of an analytic philosopher, the author of the present paper intends to formulate some crucial features of the project of analytical metaphysics. Among them, a drive for results, which is understood in a specific way, should be highlighted. With the help of certain examples, the paper discusses what kind of can be these results, by what means can we get them, and what are prospects of applying such methods. Thus, the attempt is made to defend the autonomy and the right to exist of the version of analytical metaphysics which develops with no reliance on a wide historical and philosophical context of the analyzed problems. At the same time, such a context is not denied, but is considered to be a subject of special studies. The author urges his colleagues to tolerate other's basic methodological and worldview principles, since a wide variety of approaches to problems of metaphysics just leads us to better understanding of this versatile subject and is not a threat at all.

The paper deals with the problem of self-reflection of formal systems. The traditional belief that unlike a human, a formal system / computer is not capable of self-reflection is analyzed through explication of the concept of self-reflection with regard to formal systems. It is shown that GL enables to use means of a formal system to express self-reflection of the system.

The author uses Cournot’s principle as an example to analyze the role of the principles connecting mathematics and reality. Cournot’s principle ensures verification of probabilities for the consequences of the tested hypothesis, using the hypothesis and data under study to deduce the consequences. If the values of these probabilities are less than a minimum permissible value, then the hypothesis is falsified. Therefore, the principle is important for hypothesis testing in mathematical statistics and Popper’s philosophy of science. The article demonstrates that Cournot's principle is not of probabilistic but rather probability-deterministic character.

The article presents a review of modern theories which postulate the existence of quantum processes and their influence on the structure of the brain and consciousness (Penrose's, Fisher's and Tegmark's theories). The main premise of these theories consists in the interpretation of the brain as a quantum computer, so the article considers in detail the analogy of the brain both with a classical and a quantum computer. It is shown that by now these theories have practically no evidence. Thus, discussions about the degree of influence of quantum processes on consciousness still continue in modern science. It should be noted that quantum biology modern data show that in general quantum processes can influence the functioning of motor and cognitive processes in animals and humans.

The article raises and considers the problem of the completeness of philosophical conceptions in the formation and development of classical physics.

The article deals with the problem of the uncertainty of interpretation in communication and the theory of knowledge. We understand interpretation as following a semantic rule of semiosis (i.e. reference, the relationship between the sense and meaning of a sign as a method of specifying an object by symbolic means and an object itself, procedures of designation, denotation, etc.). We understand uncertainty as a situation of misunderstanding in the hermeneutical sense, as a situation of knowledge about ignorance in the epistemic sense, and as a situation of expression in the sense of the activity theory and philosophy of technology. Our research method is semiotic modeling. The article considers the communicative semiosis in the literary theory in relation to the emergence and development of the problem of uncertainty in receptive aesthetics and the semiosis of the cognition process in the receptive and projective directions in relation to the act of inventive technical activity. The thesis brought forward for discussion is that the use of indexical, iconic and symbolic grounds for eliminating uncertainty is appreciably different in the receptive semiosis and projective one (for communicative positions of the speaker and the hearer) and involves referring to non-commutative (epistemic) forms of semiosis. The activity theory, when represented, e.g., by philosophy and semiotics of technology, demonstrates a method of complete elimination of the uncertainty of interpretation, against the background of which models of objects of the limited certainty can be built. The hypothesis is formulated that the executed technical object completely eliminates the uncertainty of interpretation in projective activity, complying with M. Mersenne's requirement concerning understanding; the uncertainty of the communicative process cannot be eliminated and calls for studying the descriptive and prescriptive use of indices, icons and symbols for designating hypotheses, representations and objects.

The article analyzes publications on the new scientific and technical revolution (STR). Views untrue to the process of the new STR are criticized. The author substantiates the concept of NTR in XX-XXI centuries as a single and consistent process which goes on according to strict regularities.

The article criticizes the position of E. Morris set forth in his recent book, The Ashtray , in which, referring to the episode of his studies with T. Kuhn, he strongly criticized the so-called relativism. It is shown that Morris, when unreasonably relying on S. Kripke's logical metaphysics, which is irrelevant to relativism, misses essential details related to R. Rorty's relativism.

The historical aspects of research in the field of botanical resource science, current directions of research and the prospects of this study in V. N. Sukachev Institute of Forest SB RAS are discussed. The socio-economic and bioecological problems of resource research studies are provided. It is stated that the creation of an extensive database on localization, production dynamics, biochemical features, harvesting technologies and other consumer aspects for the main types of industrial, nutritional and medicinal plant species of Siberia should be studied; regulatory documents with recommendations on harvesting and technologies for processing vegetable raw materials should be developed. The sequence of stages and main blocks of promising areas of resource research are characterized. The following are indicated as promising areas of research: 1) assessment of the resource potential of the morphological and ecotypic intraspecies forms of conifers in pessimal environmental conditions; 2) identification of potential distribution of forest resources using data of remote sensing of the Earth and a digital elevation model; 3) diagnostics of floristic composition of economically valuable plants, phytocenotic and geoecological features of their growth in technogenic and silvicultural communities on fallow lands; 4) development of technologies for the production of vegetable nutrition for farm animals (stocks, biologically optimal timing and volume of harvesting); 5) treatment methods of raw materials (drying, grinding, thermal and physicochemical modification); 6) technologies for environmentally efficient utilization of wood sawdust using soil microorganisms and optimizing their biochemical activity with micro doses of fertilizers; 7) development of coniferous technologies for the production of technical and food products based on chips and barks. The bibliography of the most important publications at the Institute in the field of forest resources is given.

In this work on the example of nomadic ethnic groups - «owners and keepers of the Siberian taiga» - raised the problem of interaction between ethnic communities and natural systems in the historical retrospective and global time scale. The conditions and factors that allow traditional environmental management are shown. At present, there are countries and regions, especially in the central territories of Inner Asia and the Circumpolar Region where traditional management has been preserved, and nomad livestock products are still important and have prospects in providing the population with clean organic products. There is a close connection of ethnoses with the environment. The ethno-ecological analysis shows various forms of relationship of human population with the environment and allows estimating the influence of ethnic communities on their modern relationship. These studies include a wide range of problems of the interaction of ethnoses with nature, allows to solve the problems of life support of indigenous people and maintain traditional culture. The range of the problems of traditional management is very extensive, they do not only incorporate nomadic animal husbandry but also national selection of plants. In this regard, the studies of the unique gene pool food plants and the experience of traditional cultivation of species become quite urgent. The range of the problems includes «ethnobiology», «ethnobotany», «ethnoecology» and «traditional environmental management» with novel approaches to ethno-botanical research as perspective directions of the study of biological resources of the planet.

Ethnobotanical data on the apple tree ( Malus Mill., family Rosaceae Juss. subfamily Amygdaloideae Arn., tribe Maleae Small, subtribe Malinae Rev.) are investigated. Scientific papers published in different countries of the world, works of ancient and modern authors, as well as folklore sources devoted to the «apple» and «apple tree» phytonyms are discussed. The publications relating to their cognitive classification, names and comprehension of the common folk and metaphorical interpretation of denominations and a wide variety of connotative meanings in Ukrainian and other culturally relevant traditions, also mystical rites and ceremonies are studied. The views on the use of apple as a food, ornamental and medicinal plant are presented. The virtual scheme of the pomebearing plant genome (Malinae) formation proposed by a number of biologists from several universities of the USA, Canada and Sweden based on the results of molecular genetic analyses of the 88 genera of Rosaceae family is considered. The scheme of the identification of the relationships in the Malinae included molecular analysis of six nuclear ( 18S , gbssi1 , gbssi2 , ITS , pgip and ppo ) and four chloroplast ( matK , ndhF , rbcL and trnL-trnF ) DNA sequences. In particular, the hypothesized origin of the Malinae genome from a genus Gillenia Moench (subfamily Amygdaloideae) is reasoned by the autopolyploidization of some Gillenia ancestor and subsequent nullisomy ( x = 9 → x = 18 → 2 n = = 36 - 2 → x = 17). The necessity to use as a scientific name concerning apple cultivars cultivated in orchards nomen Malus pumila Mill. instead of formerly commonly used name Malus domestica Borkh is substantiated. While flowering crabapple cultivars are suggested be included in the collective species Malus × gloriosa Lemoine. The phenomenon of diversity of common names for apple in regional dialects of the Ukrainian and other languages as well as the phenomenon of various uses of the lexeme «apple» in the world art (poetry and prose, music and songs, myths and legends) are considered. The Malus spp. collection of the National Dendrological Park «Sofiyivka» of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine are characterize and the prospects of theirs use in the park landscaping are discussed.

Trees are significant in many of the world’s mythologies and religions and have been given deep and sacred meanings throughout the ages. In India, large numbers of herbs, shrubs and trees are traditionally worshiped and most of them are known for their uses in worship of several lords. India is a country showing diversity in religion and it is believed, that there are more than 33 million Gods and Goddesses worshiped in various traditional ways throughout the year. The trees and their products are part of Indian rituals and ceremonies and various Gods and Goddesses are associated with different trees. In Indian culture trees are believed to have consciousness similar to humans so they can feel pain as well as happiness like us. Human beings, observing the growth and death of trees and the annual death and revival of their foliage, have often imagined them as powerful symbols of growth, death and rebirth. The people in India believe that life cannot exist without trees. Trees are the main natural sources of solar energy vital for our existence that bring flowers, fruits, wood and medicines. Therefore, tree worship is one of the most widespread forms of popular religion in India. Indians worship offering roots, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds to God since time immemorial and this is done as a symbol of gratitude because they believe that life cannot exist without trees. Present communication provides botanical names and families of more than 60 angiosperm trees used in worship of various Gods and Goddesses. The trees have been listed and their significance has been considered. Gymnosperms used in worship have also been discussed. Selection of plantation site and day, time, month of worship, list of flowers and plants prohibited in worship and interesting description of trees worshiped as per the zodiac signs have also been given.

Tropical Flora of the Earth contains inexhaustible stock of genetic resources. Review of the main fruit trees and woody plants of this region has been carried out. Their characteristics, biological features, data on their places of origin and regions of cultivation are given. Information on the results of karyological studies of these species, use of molecular cytogenetics methods, comparative genomics and transcriptomics for some of them are presented. In tropical countries the trees, such as Indian mango, one of the most delicious and popular fruits, are grown. Widely used for food the fruits such as bread fruit tree, jackfruit, papaya, cheese fruit tree, tomato tree, bilimbi tree are also common. Information on such interesting fruit trees and woody plants as durian, mangosteen, pitahaya, longan, litchi, rambutan, pulasan, kanistel, ackee and others are given. A review of fruit plant species of the genera Annona, Psidium, Syzygium, Averrhoa, Ziziphus, Passiflora has been presented. Different species of Citrus and banana cultivars are of great importance in fruit production in the tropics and subtropics. It was established that among tropical fruit trees and woody plants there are diploids, tripolids, tetraploids, while in karyotypes of some species B-chromosomes may occur. Many tropical fruit woody plants are polyploid (mango, bread fruit tree, jackfruit, species of the genera Psidium, Syzygium and Ziziphus ). The results of the genomes sequencing indicate that some species possibly are ancient polyploids. A number of tropical fruit trees exhibit the phenomena of caulifloria and ramifloria (jackfruit, chempedak, papaya, durian) when flowers and then fruits are formed on the trunk and large branches. Some species reproduce vegetatively. Among fruit woody plants, as well as in many other plants, hybridization is widely spread (mangosteen, species of genera Citrus, Annona, Hylocereus, Musa ) and polyembryony may be found.

Climate change as a fact of global warming requires the development of different perspectives on the planning and implementation of sustainable forestry techniques. Increasing temperatures cause drought on a global basis. In connection with, this using drought tolerant species in afforestation work is of great importance. In recent years Crataegus L. species (hawthorn) are also involved in afforestation. One of these species, C. monog y na , is characterized by drought tolerance. Furthermore, C. monog y na is the most important non-wood forest product species of Turkey. Hawthorn is widely used in medicine (treatment of coronary heart diseases), and cosmetics industry, agriculture and animal husbandry and human nutrition. On the other hand, it is used in erosion control, afforestation, industrial energy resources and for landscaping. Economic and ecological contribution of hawthorn to the national economy is quite high. Therefore, determination of suitable generative and vegetative reproduction techniques and vast production of seedlings of hawthorn species are extremely important. The characteristics of generative and vegetative propagation of Crataegus are discussed. For generative propagation of hawthorn species, the most effective and suitable procedure is treatment of seeds in ash solution. For vegetative propagation in culture in vitro the growth induced by BA (benzyladenine) and IBA (indole butyric acid) hormones increases the rate of callus formation and rooting. The best grafting technique is that splicing.

This study was objectively carried out to show the trend of climatic variables to determine the effect of climatic variables on seasons and assess the response of phenology of a tree rhododendron Rhododendron arboreum Sm., kaphal Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don and the Nepalese alder Alnus nepalensi s D. Don at Bakte, Devithan and Nagarkot forests of Kavreplanchok district, Nepal. Climatic data such as rainfall and temperature from 1947 to 2016, were collected. Maps of selected sites were prepared and stratified into tree rhododendron, kaphal and Nepalese alder block. Altogether 60 samples having 10 × 10 m were collected from different directions (South, North, East and West). The diameter and height of seedlings were recorded and temperature was registered between February 18 to March 15, 2018. The total of 50 households was surveyed to get familiar with the ideas about climate change and its impacts on phenology. The result showed the highest average annual temperature around 17.41 °C in 2012, while rainfall was recorded highest about 2345.5 mm in 1985. The estimated highest monsoon temperature was 22.61 °C in 2012 and the lowest 8.93 °C in winter 1997. The (1947-2016) winter rainfall shows increasing by 0.05 mm but monsoon rainfall is decreasing by 2.99 mm annually. Direct measurements of temperature for 26 days showed the highest 26.5 °C on March 14 and the lowest 21.8 °C in February 18, 2018. The highest number of flowers of tree rhododendron and kaphal was found in southern aspect. The flowering started 15-30 days earlier its normal date, which was also confirmed by local people. Height growth of seedlings of tree rhododendron was 1.5 cm at southern aspect. This research will be useful for science community and policy makers.

The recently accepted «Doctrine of the Food Safety of the Russian Federation» suggests the formation of state-sponsored informational resources on the supplies of edible plants including wild berries. The most important wild berries for Tomsk Oblast are Vaccineaceae family plants: cowberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., bilberry Vaccinium mirtillus L., blueberry Vaccinium uliginosum L. and cranberry Oxycoccus palustris Pers. We used methodological approaches of the Siberian researchers and resource management archive data on the forests to investigate the supplies. The research is based on our own 20-year long experience of the investigations in the field stations of Siberia. During the investigations we analyzed the types of ecosystem which include wild berries, the environmental conditions forming such ecosystems and studied the dynamics of the wild berry productivity and peculiarities of their biological characteristics. Our studies were performed in 12 key sampling areas with multiple plots, which were annually monitored. It allowed us to study close correlations between ecological peculiarities of the survey plots and productivity of various berry species. The research made it possible to estimate the resource base, evaluate the supplies and potential harvest volume. Our investigations showed that any plots with productivity above 150 kg/ha may be used for the harvesting and should be included into the resource base. The resource base of the cowberry is mostly low- and average-density pine forests with cowberry or lichens-cowberry ground storey; the resource base of bilberry is old-age Siberian stone pine forests of low or average density and green mosses-bilberry or long-leaf mosses-bilberry ground storey; the resource base of blueberry are medium-age and old-age shrubby pine forests with longleaf mosses-blueberry or sphagnum-bilberry ground cover; the resource base of cranberry is sphagnum swamps, pine forests with sphagnum-dominated ground cover and swamped pine forests. The exploitable supplies of t cowberry and cranberry are located in the northern and central parts of Tomsk region and exploitable supplies of bilberry in the northern parts of Tomsk Oblast. Net resource base of all the four species in Tomsk region is 1470K ha; total biological supplies of all berries - 58620 tons, exploitable supplies - 11170 and safe harvesting volume 5520 tons. Sustainable exploitation of the wild berries implies strict harvesting terms, safe methods, which will not harm root systems of colonies and clones, conservation of high-yield plots up to the creation of resource reserves or assigned lands.

The reviews are presented for the books of: G. A. Bogdanova, and Yu. M. Muratov «Red bilberry in the forests of Siberia», Novosibirsk: Nauka. USSR Acad. Sci., Sib. Br., 1978. 117 p. (in Russian), and of V. L. Cherepnin «Food plants of Siberia», Novosibirsk: Nauka. USSR Acad. Sci., Sib. Br., 1987. 182 p. (in Russian).