Asprox botnet
Asprox is a type of botnet that primarily focuses on distributing malware and spam, often through the use of compromised computers. Initially identified around 2009, the Asprox botnet has been linked to various types of malicious activities, including the distribution of spam emails that may carry phishing attacks or other types of malware.
The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is an authoritative and comprehensive database that aims to provide valid scientific names and classification information for marine organisms. It was established to facilitate the study of marine biodiversity by offering a reliable resource for researchers, policymakers, and educators interested in marine species. Key features of WoRMS include: 1. **Taxonomic Information**: WoRMS provides taxonomic details for marine species, including synonyms, geographic distribution, and ecological information.
Rankine theory
Rankine theory, also known as Rankine's method or Rankine's stability theory, is a concept in the field of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering that focuses on the behavior of soil under lateral earth pressures. Named after the British engineer William John Macquorn Rankine, the theory provides a simplified approach to calculate the earth pressure acting on retaining walls, excavations, and earth structures.
Rock mechanics
Rock mechanics is a sub-discipline of geotechnical engineering and engineering geology that focuses on the behavior of rocks and the interactions between rock masses and engineering structures. It involves the study of the physical and mechanical properties of rocks, as well as their response to various forces and environmental conditions. Key components of rock mechanics include: 1. **Material Properties**: Understanding the intrinsic properties of rocks such as strength, elasticity, deformability, permeability, and porosity.
Routing (hydrology)
Routing in hydrology refers to the process of predicting the movement and timing of water as it flows through a watershed or a river system. It involves determining how water moves downstream from one point to another over time, considering the effects of various factors such as rainfall, runoff, topography, soil characteristics, land use, and channel properties.
Shear strength (discontinuity)
Shear strength, in the context of geotechnical engineering and materials science, refers to the maximum stress that a material can withstand in shear before failure occurs. When discussing discontinuities, shear strength becomes particularly relevant because discontinuities, such as fractures, faults, or other planes within geological materials (like rock or soil), can significantly influence the stability and strength of the surrounding material. Discontinuities can alter the load paths, increase the potential for slippage, and introduce weaknesses in the material structure.
Soil liquefaction
Soil liquefaction is a phenomenon where saturated soil loses its strength and stiffness in response to applied stress, such as shaking during an earthquake or vibrations from heavy machinery. When this occurs, affected soil behaves like a liquid, leading to a significant reduction in its load-bearing capacity. Liquefaction typically occurs in loose, water-saturated granular soils, like sand or silt, when pore water pressure increases rapidly and causes the soil particles to lose their contact with each other.
Specific storage
Specific storage refers to the amount of water that can be stored in the pore spaces of geologic materials, such as soil or rock, that is available for extraction by gravity drainage. It is a measure of the water that can be retained in the pore spaces after the water table has been lowered and is typically expressed as a ratio or percentage. Specific storage is an important concept in hydrogeology and groundwater management, as it helps to quantify how much water can be stored and potentially withdrawn from aquifers.
Disc permeameter
A disc permeameter is a laboratory device used to measure the permeability of granular soils, sediments, or porous materials. It is specifically designed to assess how easily fluids, such as water, can flow through a given sample of material. ### Key Features of a Disc Permeameter: 1. **Design**: It typically consists of a circular or disc-shaped sample holder with a permeable base that allows fluid to pass through the soil sample.
Dispersion (geology)
In geology, "dispersion" refers to the process by which particles or substances are spread out or distributed in a medium, typically within sediments or rock formations. This term can be applied in various contexts, including: 1. **Sediment Dispersion**: The movement and distribution of sedimentary particles in water or air, influenced by factors such as current flow, wave action, and wind. This dispersion can affect sediment composition, grain size distribution, and overall geology of an area.
Ecohydrology
Ecohydrology is an interdisciplinary field that examines the interactions between ecological systems and hydrological processes. It focuses on understanding how water availability and movement influence ecosystems, and conversely, how biological processes and functions affect water dynamics. Key concepts in ecohydrology include: 1. **Water Cycle**: Understanding how water moves through the environment, including processes such as precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, and runoff.
Epiphreatic zone
The epiphreatic zone, also known as the capillary fringe, is a subsurface layer located just above the water table in an unconfined aquifer. This zone is characterized by the presence of soil pores that are filled with both water and air. The water in this zone is held by capillary forces and is not under pressure, unlike the groundwater below the water table.
Zoogeography
Zoogeography is a branch of biogeography that deals with the study of the geographical distribution of animal species and populations across the planet. It involves understanding how historical, ecological, and environmental factors influence the presence and diversity of animal life in different regions. Key areas of focus in zoogeography include: 1. **Species Distribution**: Investigating where different animal species are found and how their distributions are influenced by factors such as climate, geography, and habitat availability.
Infiltrometer
An infiltrometer is a device used to measure the rate at which water infiltrates into the soil. This data is crucial for various applications, including hydrology, agriculture, environmental studies, and soil science. There are different types of infiltrometers, but they typically function by creating a controlled water flow onto the soil surface and then measuring how quickly that water soaks into the ground.
Integral energy
Integral energy typically refers to the total energy associated with a system or process, taking into account all forms of energy present and the various ways that energy can be stored and transferred. Though the term "integral energy" isn't widely used in scientific literature like other specific types of energy (such as kinetic, potential, thermal, etc.), it may appear in certain contexts, often emphasizing a holistic approach to energy analysis.
Mariotte's bottle
Mariotte's bottle, also known as a "water jar" or "Mariotte bottle," is a simple device used to demonstrate principles of fluid dynamics, particularly related to pressure and flow. The device consists of a container, usually a glass or plastic bottle, that has an outlet hole near the bottom. It is named after the French physicist Edme Mariotte, who is credited with formalizing the principles behind it in the 17th century.
Optimum water content for tillage refers to the moisture level in the soil that allows for the best mechanical manipulation of the soil without compromising its structure or causing excessive clumping or compaction. The specific optimum water content can vary depending on several factors, including soil type, weather conditions, and the purpose of tillage. Generally, the following guidelines can be considered: 1. **Clay Soils**: These soils tend to retain water and can become sticky when wet.
Pedotransfer function
A Pedotransfer Function (PTF) is a statistical or empirical relationship that is used to predict soil properties from more readily available data. These functions serve as tools in soil science and agronomy to estimate various soil characteristics, such as water retention, hydraulic conductivity, permeability, or other physical and chemical properties, based on basic soil attributes like texture, bulk density, and organic matter content. PTFs are useful in situations where direct measurements of soil properties are expensive, time-consuming, or impractical.
Percolation test
A percolation test is a method used to evaluate the absorption capacity of soil, particularly its ability to drain water. It's commonly used in the fields of civil engineering, environmental science, and wastewater management. Here are the key aspects of a percolation test: 1. **Purpose**: The primary goal is to determine how quickly water will drain through the soil. This information is crucial for designing septic systems, drainage fields, and other infrastructures that require proper wastewater management.
Permanent wilting point
The permanent wilting point (PWP) is a crucial concept in soil science and agronomy, referring to the soil moisture level at which plants can no longer extract water from the soil and begin to wilt irreversibly. At this point, the water is held in the soil too tightly for plant roots to absorb, leading to physiological stress and eventual death if water is not made available.