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High optical and electric contrast between the SET (crystalline) and RESET (amorphous) logic states is related to the different short and intermediate range order in orthorhombic and vitreous Sb2S3.

High-capacity solid-state batteries are promising future products for large-scale energy storage and conversion. Sodium fast ion conductors including glasses and glass ceramics are unparalleled materials for these applications. Rational design and tuning of advanced sodium sulfide electrolytes need a deep insight into the atomic structure and dynamics in relation with ion-transport properties. Using pulsed neutron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy supported by first-principles simulations, we show that preferential diffusion pathways in vitreous sodium and silver sulfides are related to isolated sulfur S

Industrial pollution remains a major challenge in spite of recent technological developments and purification procedures. To effectively monitor atmosphere contamination, data from air quality networks should be coupled with advanced spatiotemporal statistical methods.Our previous studies showed that standard interpolation techniques (like inverse distance weighting, linear or spline interpolation, kernel-based Gaussian Process Regression, GPR) are quite limited for the simulation of a smoke-like narrow-directed industrial pollution in the vicinity of the source (a few tenths of kilometers). In this work, we try to apply GPR, based on statistically estimated covariances. These covariances are calculated using СALPUFF atmospheric pollution dispersion model for a one-year simulation in the Kryvyi Rih region. The application of GPR permits taking into account high correlations between pollution values in neighboring points revealed by modeling. The result of the GPR covariance-based technique is compared with other interpolation techniques. It can be used then in the estimation and optimization of air quality networks.

Emerging brain-inspired computing, including artificial optical synapses, photonic tensor cores, neuromorphic networks, etc., needs phase-change materials (PCMs) of the next generation with lower energy consumption and a wider temperature range for reliable long-term operation. Gallium tellurides with higher melting and crystallization temperatures appear to be promising candidates and enable achieving the necessary requirements. Using high energy X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy supported by first-principles simulations, we show that vitreous g-Ga2Te3 films essentially have a tetrahedral local structure and sp3 hybridization, similar to those in the stable fcc Ga2Te3 polymorph and in contrast to a vast majority of typical PCMs. Nevertheless, optical pump–probe laser experiments revealed high-contrast, fast and reversible multilevel SET-RESET transitions raising a question related to the phase change mechanism. A recently observed nanotectonic compression in bulk glassy Ga–Te alloys seems to be responsible for the PCM performance. Incipient nanotectonic nuclei, reminiscent of monoclinic high-pressure HP-Te II and rhombohedral HP-Ga2Te3, are present as minorities (2–4%) in g-Ga2Te3 but are suggested to grow dramatically with increasing temperature while interacting with appropriate laser pulses. This leads to co-crystallization of HP-polymorphs amplified by a high internal local pressure reaching 4–8 GPa. The metallic HP-forms provide an increasing optical and electrical contrast, favorable for reliable PCM operations, and higher energy efficiency.

Sodium-conducting sulfide glasses are promising materials for the next generation of solid-state batteries. Deep insight into the glass structure is required to ensure a functional design and tailoring of vitreous alloys for energy applications. Using pulsed neutron diffraction supported by first-principles molecular dynamics, we show a structural diversity of Na2S-As2S3 sodium thioarsenate glasses, consisting of long corner-sharing (CS) pyramidal chains CS-(AsSS2/2)k, small AspSq rings (p + q ≤ 11), mixed corner- and edge-sharing oligomers, edge-sharing (ES) dimers ES-As2S4, and isolated (ISO) pyramids ISO-AsS3, entirely or partially connected by sodium species. Polysulfide S-S bridges and structural units with homopolar As-As bonds complete the glass structure, which is basically different from structural motifs predicted by the equilibrium phase diagram. In contrast to superionic silver and sodium sulfide glasses, characterized by a significant population of isolated sulfur species Siso (0.20 < Siso/Stot < 0.28), that is, sulfur connected to only mobile cations M+ with a usual M/Siso stoichiometry of 2, poorly conducting Na2S-As2S3 alloys exhibit a modest Siso fraction of 6.2%.

The article describes the solution to the problem of a comparative analysis of the results of the production facilities involved in harvesting and transportation of round timber in the conditions of logging enterprises. The possibility of using specially developed methods for determining the ratings of production units (teams, machine complexes, contractors, etc.) is being considered, not only to assess the effectiveness of their work, but also to make decisions on attracting each specific production unit to work in the future. Rating is based on the calculation of an integral indicator. It depends on a number of various factors. The most important criteria, such as productivity, quality of work and costs associated with the implementation of a particular type of work, are taken into account. In addition, the skill level of the involved work performers and their mode of operation are taken into account. The approach described in the article focuses on the use of computer information systems of production accounting and production planning, similar to the 1C: Sawmill system, used at the logging enterprises as source data. The proposed methodology has been used in the Opti-Wood computer-aided planning and management system for the Opti-Wood logging company and used there to justify the selection of the involved production resources for logging and transporting wood in the process of optimal automated planning of these works

The problem is considered of atmospheric meteorological events’ classification, such as sea breezes, fogs, and high winds, in coastal areas. In situ wind, temperature, humidity, pressure, radiance, and turbulence meteorological measurements are used as predictors. Local atmospheric events of 2013–14 were analyzed and classified manually using data of the measurement campaign in the coastal area of the English Channel in Dunkirk, France. The results of that categorization allowed the training of a few supervised classification algorithms using the data of an ultrasonic anemometer as predictors. The comparison was carried out for the K-nearest-neighbors classifier, support vector machine, and two Bayesian classifiers—quadratic discriminant analysis and Parzen–Rozenblatt window. The analysis showed that the K-nearest-neighbors and quadratic discriminant analysis classifiers reveal the best classification accuracy (up to 80% correctly classified meteorological events). The latter classifier has higher calculation speed and is less sensitive to unbalanced data and the overtraining problem. The most informative atmospheric parameters for events recognition were revealed for each algorithm. The results obtained showed that supervised classification algorithms contribute to automation of processing and analyzing of local meteorological measurements.

Air quality models (AQMs) are useful for studying various types of air pollutions and provide the possibility to reveal the contributors of air pollutants. Existing AQMs have been used in many scenarios having a variety of goals, e.g., focusing on some study areas and specific spatial units. Previous AQM reviews typically cover one of the forming elements of AQMs. In this review, we identify the role and relevance of every component for building AQMs, including (1) the existing techniques for building AQMs, (2) how the availability of the various types of datasets affects the performance, and (3) common validation methods. We present recommendations for building an AQM depending on the goal and the available datasets, pointing out their limitations and potentials. Based on more than 40 works on air quality, we concluded that the main utilized methods in air pollution estimation are land-use regression (LUR), machine learning, and hybrid methods. In addition, when incorporating LUR methods with traffic variables, it gives promising results; however, when using kriging or inverse distance weighting techniques, the monitoring stations measurements of air pollution data are enough to have good results. We aim to provide a short manual for people who want to build an AQM given the constraints at hands such as the availability of datasets and technical/computing resources.

Harvesters and forwarders are the main part of cut-to-length logging system equipment. The perfection of the hydraulic cranes has a very large impact on the overall operating efficiency of these forest machines. The impact of the crane partial automation on the operator’s work cycle and workload is described in this article. Two machines were studied in field conditions. Differences in the frequency and duration of telescopic extension boom control activations were identified. It was determined that, as a result of automation, one of the degrees of freedom of the crane controls is almost completely excluded from use in the case of the forwarder. A significant reduction in the duration of its use is observed in the case of the harvester. As a result, this saves the psycho-physiological resources of the operator for more efficient use of the remaining degrees of freedom, which, coupled with a simpler and more intuitive logic of the controls operation, improves the productivity, accuracy and safety of cut-to-length logging. In addition, a simpler work algorithm reduces the level of stereotyping of the operator’s actions, fatigue and loss of attention, which usually emerge at the end of the shift. This work was supported by the Russian Federation Ministry of Science and Higher Education (state research target, theme no. 075-03-2023-128).

A small difference in energy between homopolar and heteropolar bonds and the glass-forming ability of pure chalcogens leads to unexpected trends in densification mechanisms of glassy chalcogenides compared to vitreous oxides. Using high-precision compressibility measurements and in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction up to 14.7 GPa, we show a new densification route in a canonical glass As2S3. After the first reversible elastic step with a maximum pressure of 1.3 GPa, characterized by a strong reduction of voids and cavities, a significant bonding or chemical disorder is developed under higher pressure, reaching a saturation of 30% in the population of As-As bonds above 8-9 GPa. The pressure-driven chemical disorder is accompanied by a remarkable structural relaxation and a strongly diminished optical gap and determines structural, vibrational, and optical properties under and after cold compression. The decompressed recovered glass conserves a dark color and exhibits two relaxation processes: (a) fast (a few days) and (b) slow (months/years at room temperature). The enhanced refractive index of the recovered glass is promising for optical applications with improved functionalities. A nearly permanent red shift in optical absorption after decompression can be used in high-impact-force optical sensors.

Binary Ge-Te and ternary Ge-Sb-Te systems belong to flagship phase-change materials (PCMs) and are used in nonvolatile memory applications and neuromorphic computing. The working temperatures of these PCMs are limited by low

It has been recently claimed by two different groups that the spectral modulation observed in gamma rays from Galactic pulsars and supernova remnants can be due to conversion of photons into ultra-light axion-like-particles (ALPs) in large-scale Galactic magnetic fields. While we show the required best-fit photon-ALP coupling, $g_{a\gamma} \sim 2 \times 10^{-10}$ GeV${}^{-1}$, to be consistent with constraints from observations of photon-ALPs mixing in vacuum, this is in conflict with other bounds, specifically from the CAST solar axion limit, from the helium-burning lifetime in globular clusters, and from the non-observations of gamma rays in coincidence with SN 1987A. In order to reconcile these different results, we propose that environmental effects in matter would suppress the ALP production in dense astrophysical plasma, allowing to relax previous bounds and make them compatible with photon-ALP conversions in the low-density Galactic medium. If this explanation is correct, the claimed ALP signal would be on the reach of next-generations laboratory experiments such as ALPS II., Comment: v2: major corrections to match the published version. 28 pages, 14 figures

This paper describes an approach to the optimal planning of wood harvesting and timber supply for forest companies of Russia. Software and tools successfully used in other countries (e.g., Finland, Sweden, Canada, etc.) are not as effective in Russian conditions for a number of reasons. This calls for the development of an original approach to solve this problem with respect to Russia's specific conditions. The main factors affecting the operation of wood harvesting companies in Russia were determined. The optimization problem was formulated taking into account all important features of wood harvesting specific to the country. The mathematical model of the problem was formulated and analyzed. An important requirement is that the solution algorithm should find high-quality plans within short computation times. The original problem was reduced to a block linear programming problem of large dimension, for which an effective numerical solution method was proposed. It is based on the multiplicative simplex method with column generation within Dantzig&ndash, Wolfe decomposition and uses heuristics to determine feasible solutions based on the branch and bound method. We tested the solution approach on real production data from a forest company in southern Karelia with a planning horizon up to a year. This case study involved 198 sites and 14 machines harvesting up to 200,000 cubic meters from an available stock volume of about 300,000 cubic meters. An increase in profit by 5% to 10% was observed, measured as revenue from the sale of products, net of harvesting and transportation costs.

Medium-to-large fluctuations and coherent structures (mlf-cs's) can be observed using horizontal scans from single Doppler lidar or radar systems. Despite the ability to detect the structures visually on the images, this method would be time-consuming on large datasets, thus limiting the possibilities to perform studies of the structures properties over more than a few days. In order to overcome this problem, an automated classification method was developed, based on the observations recorded by a scanning Doppler lidar (Leosphere WLS100) installed atop a 75 m tower in Paris's city centre (France) during a 2-month campaign (September–October 2014). The mlf-cs's of the radial wind speed are estimated using the velocity–azimuth display method over 4577 quasi-horizontal scans. Three structure types were identified by visual examination of the wind fields: unaligned thermals, rolls and streaks. A learning ensemble of 150 mlf-cs patterns was classified manually relying on in situ and satellite data. The differences between the three types of structures were highlighted by enhancing the contrast of the images and computing four texture parameters (correlation, contrast, homogeneity and energy) that were provided to the supervised machine-learning algorithm, namely the quadratic discriminant analysis. The algorithm was able to classify successfully about 91 % of the cases based solely on the texture analysis parameters. The algorithm performed best for the streak structures with a classification error equivalent to 3.3 %. The trained algorithm applied to the whole scan ensemble detected structures on 54 % of the scans, among which 34 % were coherent structures (rolls and streaks).

Pulsed Doppler wind lidars (PDWL) have been extensively used in order to study the atmospheric turbulence. Their ability to scan large areas in a short period of time is a substantial advantage over in-situ measurements. Furthermore, PDWL are capable to scan horizontally as well as vertically thus providing observations throughout the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). By analysing PDWL observations it is possible to identify large turbulent structures in the ABL such as thermals, rolls and streaks. Even though several studies have been carried out to analyse such turbulent structures, these studies examine peculiar cases spanning over short periods of time.For this study we analysed the turbulent structures (thermals, rolls, streaks) over Paris during a two-months period (4 September – 6 October 2014, VEGILOT campaign) observed with a PDWL installed on a 70 m tower in Paris city centre. The turbulent radial wind field was reconstructed from the radial wind field of the horizontal surface scans (1° elevation angle) by using the velocity azimuth display method. The VEGILOT campaign provided 4577 horizontal surface scans, hence for the classification of the turbulent structures we developed an automatic method based on texture analysis and machine learning of the turbulent radial wind fields. Thirty characteristic cases of each turbulent structure types were selected at the learning step after an extensive examination of the meteorological parameters. Rolls cases were selected at the same time that cloud streets were visible on satellite images, streaks cases were selected during high wind shear development near the surface and thermals case were selected when solar radiation measurements in the area were high. In addition, sixty cases of “others”, representing any other type of turbulence, were added to the training ensemble. The analysis of errors estimated by the cross-validation shows that the K-nearest neighbours’ algorithm was able to classify accurately 96.3% of these 150 cases. Subsequently the algorithm was applied to the whole dataset of 4577 scans. The results show 52% of the scans classified as containing turbulent structures with 33% being coherent turbulent structures (22% streaks, 11% rolls).Based on this classification, the physical parameters associated with the different types of turbulent structures were determined, e.g. structure size, ABL height, synoptic wind speed, vertical wind speed. Range height indicator and line of sight scans provided vertical observations that illustrate the presence of vertical motions during the observation of turbulent structures. The structure sizes were retrieved from the spectral analysis in the transverse direction relative to the synoptic wind, and are in agreement with the commonly observed sizes (a few 100 m for streaks, a few km for rolls).

The article is devoted to the description of the solution of the problem of substantiating the technology of wood harvesting, using simulation modeling of production processes on Petri nets. The possibility of using specially developed simulation models for the operation of forestry machine complexes consisting of a harvester and forwarder is con-sidered, not only for making decisions on the choice of machines for the formation of complexes, but also for justifying technological solutions. The solution of the problem is described in the example of a plot of irregular shape with a long trail of considerable length. The basis of the used approach is the use of the method of discrete-event simulation on Petri nets. The results of field research, modeling and improvement of the technological process are given. The results of the simulation has showed that the forwarder is loaded unevenly under the conditions of the considered cutting area . The simple of this machine was 24.5 hours or 7% of the time. A down-time of harvester was 9 hours or 3%. As a result of analyzing the simulation of the machine downtime distribution over time, it was found that this was due to the constantly decreasing forwarder performance, due to the increasing distance of skidding. As a result of the carried out research, it has been recommended to make a change in the technology for the development of the cutting area, consisting in the fact that the harvester does not start with the apiaries which are close to the loading platform, but from distant ones at the end of the main line. Modeling performed after the introduction of changes into the model has showed that in case of a shift to the proposed technology for cutting logging, productivity of harvester + forwarder machine complex can be increased by 2.3% by reducing the total downtime of the machines. It is possible to recommend the use of such technology in case of logging sites with a long haul of considerable length. Thus, when solving the real production problem, the effectiveness of the proposed approach to the evaluation of options for technological solutions for logging

The article describes the approach to a substantiation of a choice of machines systems for wood harvesting, based on simulation modeling of manufacturing processes using Petri nets. Selection of groups of sites with relatively similar conditions from the point of view of technological process of timber harvesting is justified. The results of performed field investigations, modeling and improvement of processes on the example of one model cutting area are given. Simulation results showed that under the conditions of considered cutting area average productivity of forwarder is slightly higher than possible performance of the harvester under given conditions, which leads to forced outages of forwarder, which account for about 12% of time. When modeling, distribution of forwarder' down time and allocation of its working time on the transaction is given. As a result of performed study it was recommended to replace forwarder Komatsu 890.3 by more light and economical forwarder Komatsu 860.4. Simulation performed after making the model changes, showed that in this case forwarder's down time is reduced from 12% to 8%. Taking into account lower costs of buying and maintenance of this forwarder, as well as lower fuel consumption, it was determined that in the case of proposed option, it will possible to reduce the specific costs for procurement of one cubic meter of wood 274.7 to 266.7 RUB, i.e. by 3.1%. Thus, in solution of real industrial problem, the effectiveness of the proposed approach to the assessment of options for the acquisition of systems of machines for wood harvesting has been proven.

An approach to the optimal timber transport scheduling is described in the paper. A description of this problem is given, a multi-criteria mathematical model is created. It is noted that the problem belongs to the class of General vehicle routing problems (GVRP) associated with the job-shop scheduling. A hybrid algorithm for solving this problem based on the decomposition method using the simplex method and the genetic algorithm is developed. Testing of the proposed approach using real data from wood harvesting enterprises showed its effectiveness. The algorithm was implemented in “Opti-Wood” decision support system for wood harvesting planning and management, developed by Opti-Soft company (Russia).

Statistical texture features are frequently used for the thematic processing of very high spatial resolution satellite images. The assessment of information content of 1st and 2nd order statistics is carried out based on processing WorldView-2 images of test areas located on the territory of the Savvatyevskoe forestry and employing the corresponding ground-based data. The comparison of the accuracy and computational efficiency of traditional and ensemble classifiers in the problem of pattern recognition of various natural and man-made objects reveals the high performance of the error correcting output codes method. The estimates obtained in this study demonstrate the advantage of using ensemble classification and 2nd order statistical texture features.

State forest inventory (SFI) program has been adopted for obtaining and updating forest inventory data in the territory of the Russian Federation. In the course of SFI, circular permanent sample plots (PSP) of constant radii are laid out. The number of PSP depends on the representation of plantations in the work object. Currently, high resolution satellite images are used within the framework of SFI mainly for updating the cartographic basis of forest inventory. We propose a method for joint processing of multispectral and panchromatic satellite images of high spatial resolution in order to retrieve the species composition and age classes of mixed forest stands. The method consists of several steps. The preprocessing step includes calibration, correction, matching satellite and ground data. The next step is obtaining regional specific training data from PSP measurements. For the retrieval of forest parameters, we propose the recognition method based on the modified ECOC (Error Correcting Output Codes) classifier and regularized stepwise forward feature selection. This allows us to combine spectral and texture features more effectively. The last postprocessing step is the correction of classification results using the methods of mathematical morphology. The proposed method contributes to the automation of updating data on species composition and age classes of forest stands and allows improving the efficiency of SFI works. The accuracy of the retrieval of the species composition of mixed forests using high-resolution satellite images is comparable with the accuracy of the standard archival ground inventory data.

Three atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) schemes and two land surface models that are used in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, version 3.4.1, were evaluated with numerical simulations by using data from the north coast of France (Dunkerque). The ABL schemes YSU (Yonsei University), ACM2 (Asymmetric Convective Model version 2), and MYJ (Mellor–Yamada–Janjic) were combined with two land surface models, Noah and RUC (Rapid Update Cycle), in order to determine the performances under sea-breeze conditions. Particular attention is given in the determination of the thermal internal boundary layer (TIBL), which is very important in air pollution scenarios. The other physics parameterizations used in the model were consistent for all simulations. The predictions of the sea-breeze dynamics output from the WRF model were compared with observations taken from sonic detection and ranging, light detection and ranging systems and a meteorological surface station to verify that the model had reasonable accuracy in predicting the behavior of local circulations. The temporal comparisons of the vertical and horizontal wind speeds and wind directions predicted by the WRF model showed that all runs detected the passage of the sea-breeze front. However, except for the combination of MYJ and Noah, all runs had a time delay compared with the frontal passage measured by the instruments. The proposed study shows that the synoptic wind attenuated the intensity and penetration of the sea breeze. This provided changes in the vertical mixing in a short period of time and on soil temperature that could not be detected by the WRF model simulations with the computational grid used. Additionally, among the tested schemes, the combination of the localclosure MYJ scheme with the land surface Noah scheme was able to produce the most accurate ABL height compared with observations, and it was also able to capture the TIBL.

International audience; Nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals are widely used in advanced photonic technologies for second harmonic and difference frequency generation (SHG and DFG, respectively), producing coherent light at frequencies where existing lasers are unavailable. Isotropic glasses do not exhibit SHG or DFG, except temporarily induced anisotropy under external stimuli. However, recent reports on glasses with chiral structural motifs show promising permanent NLO properties. We propose an alternative solution hybrid molecular/network glasses with noncentrosymmetric HgI2 monomers. Mercury (II) iodide consists of linear HgI2 triatomic molecules in the vapor phase and in the yellow orthorhombic polymorph stable above 400 K. At lower temperatures, the tetragonal red form is composed of corner-sharing HgI4/2 tetrahedra forming a layered extended framework. There is a gap in the molecular evolution; direct structural measurements of the liquid HgI2 phase are missing. Using high-energy X-ray scattering, pulsed neutron diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy supported by structural and vibrational modeling, we show that the mercury(II) iodide melt and HgI2-containing sulfide glasses are built up by bent HgI2 monomers (the bond angle

The task of using multispectral satellite images of high spatial resolution WorldView-2 to determine the species and age composition of tree stands is considered. The solution of this task has great importance for the implementation of the program of the State Forest Inventory on the territory of the Russian Federation and for solution of a number of issues of strategic planning of forest management. The site of the Valuisky forest area of the Belgorod region is considered as a test area. The article shows the features of the joint use of spectral and textural features during the classification to solve the investigated problem. For thematic processing of high-resolution satellite images, a modified decoding method is used. A distinctive feature of the proposed algorithm is the ability to use more informative features while maintaining stability. Ground survey data are used to build training samples and validate results. The presented analysis of the results of thematic processing allows us to conclude that the proposed method can be used to determine the species composition and age classes of tree stands from satellite images. The obtained results can help automate the work on updating forest management data.The task of using multispectral satellite images of high spatial resolution WorldView-2 to determine the species and age composition of tree stands is considered. The solution of this task has great importance for the implementation of the program of the State Forest Inventory on the territory of the Russian Federation and for solution of a number of issues of strategic planning of forest management. The site of the Valuisky forest area of the Belgorod region is considered as a test area. The article shows the features of the joint use of spectral and textural features during the classification to solve the investigated problem. For thematic processing of high-resolution satellite images, a modified decoding method is used. A distinctive feature of the proposed algorithm is the ability to use more informative features while maintaining stability. Ground survey data are used to build training samples and validate results. The presented analysis of the results of thematic processing allows us to conclude th...

The topic of this article is the use of novel informational technologies and mathematical methods for the improvement of wood fuel production and logistics. Overall set of algorithms, optimization models, and interface is proposed aiming to support of bioenergy development in Russia. The developed decision support system for wood fuel production and logistics supports three different methods: roadside chipping uses a machinery set, including a mobile chipper and chip trucks; terminal chipping uses the transporting of not chips, but loose logging residues; bundling - the logging residues are compressed to composite residue logs using a mobile bundler in the terrain. Since the decision support system takes into account economic aspects and, if necessary, warns of machines wantage and gives recommendations for production organizing, companies increase productivity and improve the economy of the entire supply chain of wood fuel. The decision support system is suitable for various levels of production planning, including solving of strategic infrastructure tasks related to the development of bioenergy in Russia.

International audience

The forestry specialists should be acquainted with modern information technologies and should be able to use modern software tools for solving various problems of forest industry. One of such modern software tools is the program MOTTI, which supports the solving of forest planning tasks at stand-level. The article presents the results of the adaptation of the MOTTI program to the conditions of Republic of Karelia, as well as the experience of its implementation for educational purposes.

A comparison of 14 currently applicable wood harvesting systems was assessed with respect to ergonomic point of view. For this purpose, the research method, based on the Hodges-Lehmann rule and the integrated work-severity rate of single machinery, was developed for ergonomic evaluation of cut-to-length, tree-length and full-tree harvesting systems. Altogether, about 130 different parameters of 36 units of equipment that impact on the ergonomics and work conditions were measured and estimated in interviews undertaken directly at forestry harvesting workplaces in 15 logging companies in the Republic of Karelia, Northwest Russia. Then the results were compared to the effective norms, and the degree of compliance with the stipulated values was determined. The estimates obtained for the degree of compliance were combined. This permits a direct comparison of the workload on forestry harvesting workers such as operators, lumberjacks and choker setters. In many respects, the current ergonomic standard is standard, except for the operators of cable skidders, chainsaws and choker settings. Visibility and work postures were considered to be the most critical features influencing the operator's performance. Problems still exist, despite the extensive development of cabs. The best working conditions in terms of harvesting systems were provided by "harvester + forwarder" in cut-to-length harvesting, and "feller-buncher + grapple skidder" in full-tree harvesting. The motor-manual tree-length harvesting performed with cable skidders showed the worst results in terms of ergonomics.

Russia is one of the world’s largest producers of energy resources. The production of energy resources in Russia is profitable both economically and in terms of energy production. Currently, Russian oil and gas companies have a policy of increasing energy efficiency, which will led to an increase in the energy return on investment (EROI) of both oil and gas production as a whole, and of separate companies in particular. By our calculations, the EROI for oil production in Russia differs for the different companies, and in 2012 was in the range of 22–35:1. The EROI for light oil products in 2012 was in the range of 5–13:1.

The features of wood harvesting operations as a logistics system are given in the article. The tasks resolving at different levels of wood harvesting management, as well as variants of an appropriate material flow are described. The requirements to the methods of the logistics management are formulated. Wood harvesting enterprises as micro and micro-logistics systems accepts all common logistics approaches. However, they also have a number of significant features that requires the correction of the standard approach. These features are mainly related to the nature of the material flow inputting into the system of (growing forest), as well as the spatial distribution of production.

Russia is one of the world’s largest producers of energy resources. Production of energy resources in Russia is profitable, both economically and in terms of the energy produced (as measured by EROI). At the present time, Russian oil and gas companies have a policy of energy saving, and data on energy consumption is given in annual reports. Based on these data, we can make the EROI calculation. In 2013, the EROI for the production, transportation and processing of gas for Open joint stock company (OJSC) “Gazprom” was 79:1, for OJSC “NOVATEK”, 76:1, for OJSC “Yakutsk Fuel and Energy Company (YATEC)”, only for production, 116:1. Currently, the situation in the oil and gas industry has come to a point when there is a need for the introduction of an energy audit.

Over 30 years of cut-to-length harvesting machines experience have demonstrated their effectiveness to logging companies in the countries of the boreal forest zone; i.e. better labour conditions in terms of ergonomics and safety, and less environmental damage and reliability in combination with convenient operation and maintenance. The introduction of fully mechanized cut-to-length technology in Russia shows a number of challenges that reduces cut-to-length effectiveness. These include a lower productivity of harvester-forwarder chains and higher roundwood losses in comparison with the Nordic countries due to a number of objective and subjective reasons (service, training, forest management, motivation, etc). Wood harvesting machinery has developted in the Nordic countries in recent years. The major changes were in integrating the harvesting of logging residues and stumps into the traditional system. Future prospects of cut-to-length technology require the development of forest logistics and forest bioenergy, and better environmental compatibility of wheeled vehicles with forest loam and clay soils.

National audience