Growth of cyclone Viyaru and Phailin – a comparative study

The tropical cyclone Viyaru maintained a unique quasi-uniform intensity during its life span. Despite being in contact with sea surface for >120 hr travelling about 2150 km, the cyclonic storm (CS) intensity, once attained, did not intensify further, hitherto not exhibited by any other system over the Bay of Bengal. On the contrary, the cyclone Phailin over the Bay of Bengal intensified into very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS) within about 48 hr from its formation as depression. The system also experienced rapid intensification phase (intensity increased by 30 kts or more during subsequent 24 hours) during its life time and maximum intensity reached up to 115 kts. In this paper, a comparative study is carried out to explore the evolution of the various thermodynamical parameters and possible reasons for such converse features of the two cyclones. Analysis of thermodynamical parameters shows that the development of the lower tropospheric and upper tropospheric potential vorticity (PV) was low and quasi-static during the lifecycle of the cyclone Viyaru. For the cyclone Phailin, there was continuous development of the lower tropospheric and upper tropospheric PV, which attained a very high value during its lifecycle. Also there was poor and fluctuating diabatic heating in the middle and upper troposphere and cooling in the lower troposphere for Viyaru. On the contrary, the diabatic heating was positive from lower to upper troposphere with continuous development and increase up to 6^°C in the upper troposphere. The analyses of cross sections of diabatic heating, PV, and the 1000–500 hPa geopotential metre (gpm) thickness contours indicate that the cyclone Viyaru was vertically tilted (westward) and lacked axisymmetry in its structure and converse features (axisymmetric and vertical) that occurred for the cyclone Phailin. In addition, there was a penetration of dry air in the middle troposphere of Viyaru, whereas high moisture existed in the middle troposphere of Phailin. The vertical wind shear (5–10 ms^?1) near the core of the storm region between 850 and 200 hPa was favourable for both the systems but was higher in the northern region of the cyclone Viyaru. The divergent development of these thermodynamic features conspired to produce converse characteristic of the two cyclones.     

Assessing prediction models of advance rate in tunnel boring machines—a case study in Iran

Tunnel boring machine applies in tunnel construction and in mining operation. During the last years, different methods have been introduced to analyze and assess suitable operations of digging systems presented. These methods are divided in two groups: (1) the first group is based on mathematical equations and shear strength applied on each cutter, (2) the second group is based on databanks and experimental relationship. This paper compares and analyzes two experimental methods as introduced by Barton and Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTNU) as well as using a mathematic model introduced by Colorado School of Mines and analyzed the validity scope of each of them. A case study is made in the 16-km Karaj–Tehran water supply tunnel. At the end, it is concluded that mathematical models are not suitable because they are highly dependent on the results of special laboratory tests; also, it attends less to rock mass characteristics. In jointed or nonhomogen rocks, as well as in this project with less value of laboratory data, using Barton model is more creditable. It enjoys high ability for definite measurement. Also, NTNU model attend to machine parameters and in case of availability of laboratory tests data, NTNU model is a suitable method. According to the available information and executing conditions of Karaj–Tehran water supply tunnel project including geology of area, experimental parameters, etc, the Barton method is more valid than the other methods.     

A natural analogue for the long-term corrosion of copper nuclear waste containers—reanalysis of a study of a bronze cannon

The study of natural analogues is often used to support long-term predictions of the safety of geological disposal of used nuclear fuel. The case of a bronze cannon, submerged in seawater-saturated clay sediments for a period of 310 a, is reassessed with reference to a corrosion mechanism developed for copper nuclear waste containers in a conceptual disposal vault in the Canadian Shield. Redox reactions between Cu, Fe and dissolved O₂ are believed to have played an important role in the corrosion of the bronze cannon and also form an essential part of the corrosion mechanism proposed for nuclear waste containers. Limited rates of mass transport through compacted clay are also important in determining the corrosion behaviour of both the cannon and the containers.     

Comments on ‘A comparative study of ANN and neuro-fuzzy for the prediction of dynamic constant of rockmass’

Singh et al (2005) examined the potential of the ANN and neuro-fuzzy systems application for the prediction of dynamic constant of rockmass. However, the model proposed by them has some drawbacks according to fuzzy logic principles. This discussion will focus on the main fuzzy logic principles which authors and potential readers should take into consideration.     

Experimental investigations on ultimate bearing capacity of peat stabilized by a group of soil–cement column: a comparative study

The aim of this paper was to determine the ultimate vertical bearing capacity of rectangular rigid footings resting on homogeneous peat stabilized by a group of cement deep mixing (CDM) columns. For this purpose, a series of physical modeling tests involving end-bearing and floating CDM columns were performed. Three length/depth ratios of 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 and three area improvement ratios of 13.1, 19.6, and 26.2 % were considered. Bearing capacity of the footings was studied using different analytical procedures. The results indicated that compared to unimproved peat, the average ultimate bearing capacity (UBC) improvement of floating and end-bearing CDM columns were 60 and 223 %, respectively. The current study found that simple Brom’s method predicted the UBC of the peat stabilized with floating CDM columns with reasonable accuracy, but underestimated the UBC by up to 25 % in the case of end-bearing CDM columns. Published laboratory experiences of stabilizing soft soils using soil–cement columns were also collated in this paper.     

Garnet–orthopyroxene (GOPX) geothermometer: a comparative study

The garnet–orthopyroxene pairs are commonly found in the assemblages of basic granulites/charnockite and hence are suitable for estimating equilibrium temperature of these metamorphic rocks. At present, there are many calibrations of garnet–orthopyroxene thermometer that may confuse geologists in choosing a reliable thermometer. To test the accuracy of the garnet–orthopyroxene thermometers, we have applied 14 models formulated by a number of workers since 1980 to date. We have collated 51 samples from the literature all over the world, which has been processed through the “Gt-Opx.EXE” software. Based on the present study, we have identified a set of the best among all the 14 models which were considered under this comparative study. We have concluded that the five garnet–orthopyroxene (Gt-Opx) thermometers are the most valid and reliable of this kind of thermometer: Aranovich and Berman (Am Mineral 82:345–353, 1997), Raith et al. (Earth Sci 73:211–244, 1983), Harley (Contrib Mineral Petrol 86:359–373, 1984), Nimis and Grütter (Contrib Mineral Petrol 159:411–427, 2010), and Sen and Bhattacharya (Contrib Mineral Petrol 88:64–71, 1984).     

Performance evaluation of artificial neural networks for planimetric coordinate transformation—a case study,Ghana

Two national horizontal geodetic datums, namely, the Accra and Leigon datum, have been the only available datum used in Ghana. These two datums are non-geocentric and were established based on astro-geodetic observations. Relating these different geodetic datums mostly involves the use of conformal transformation techniques which could produce results that are not very often satisfactory for certain geodetic, surveying and mapping purposes. This has been ascribed to the incapability of the conformal models to absorb more of the heterogeneous and local character of deformations existing within the local geodetic networks. Presently, application of new approaches such as artificial neural network (ANN) is highly recommended. Whereas the ANN has been gaining much popularity to solving coordinate transformation-related problems in recent times, the existing researches carried out in Ghana have shown that only three-dimensional conformal transformation methods have been utilized. To the best of our knowledge, plane coordinate transformation between the two local geodetic datums in Ghana has not been investigated. In this paper, an attempt has been made to explore the plane coordinate transformation performance of two different ANN approaches (backpropagation neural network (BPNN) and radial basis function neural network (RBFNN)) compared with two different traditional techniques (six- and four-parameter models) in the Ghana national geodetic reference network. The results revealed that transforming plane coordinates from Leigon to Accra datum, the RBFNN was better than the BPNN and traditional techniques. Transforming from Accra to Leigon datum, both the BPNN and RBFNN produced closely related results and were better than the traditional methods. Therefore, this study will create the opportunity for Ghana to recognize the significance and strength of the ANN technology in solving coordinate transformation problems.     

Indigenous knowledge for natural resource management: a comparative study of Māori in New Zealand and Dusun in Brunei Darussalam

Indigenous people often exclusively depend on the natural resources available within the ecosystems where they live, and commonly manage their resources sustainably. They have developed, and continue to develop indigenous knowledge systems which encompass sustainable management of natural resources. This study compares indigenous knowledge of natural resource management developed by two different communities in two different environments—Maori in the temperate environment in New Zealand and Dusun in the tropical environment in Brunei Darussalam, and comparatively evaluates the role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable resource management in three categories of knowledge such as spatial and seasonal distribution of natural resources, sustainable harvesting, and habitat management. The comparison reveals that despite the differences in environment and the great geographical distance between the two communities, there are remarkable similarities between the two knowledge systems in concepts, principles, strategies and technologies used in natural resource management.

A comparative study of waste landfill disposal in different countries

This study draws attention to the fact that natural processes can mobilize thallium （Tl）, a highly toxic metal, which may enter the food chain with severe health impacts on the local human population. A rural area having independent Tl mineralization in southwestern Guizhou, China, was chosen for a pilot study. Tl contents of soils extracted by HNO3 in the study area range from 35-165 mg/kg in soils from the mining area, 14-78 mg/kg in alluvial deposits downstream, and 〈0.2-0.5 mg/kg in soils from the background area. Tl contents in ammonium acetate EDTA-extracted fraction are 0.013-1.3 mg/kg, less than 1% of concentration in HNO3-extracted fraction. The amounts of Tl in NH4Ac-extracted fraction were thought to be more exchangeable and bioavailable, i.e., immediately available to plants and/or available to plant roots over a period of years. Tl concentration in crops exhibits species-dependent preferences. The enrichment of Tl in edible crop species decreases in the following order： green cabbage〉chili〉Chinese cabbage〉rice〉com. The highest level of Tl in green cabbage is up to 500 mg/kg （DW）, surpassing the values of Tl in the soils （13-59 mg/kg）. The enrichment factor for TI in green cabbage is up to 1-10 when considering the HNO3-extracted Tl, but the factor highly rises to 30-1300 while considering the NH4Ac-extracted Tl. The average daily uptake of Tl by the local villagers through consumption of locally planted crops was estimated at about 1.9 mg per person, which is 50 times the daily ingestion from the Tl-free background area.     

Influence of Shannon’s entropy on landslide-causing parameters for vulnerability study and zonation—a case study in Sikkim, India

Landslide is a common hazard in the hilly regions, which causes heavy losses to life and properties every year. Since 1980, various researches and analyses have been carried out in the geographic information systems (GIS) environment to identify factors responsible for causing landslides. The important conditioning factors identified by the researchers are slope, geological, geomorphologic structures, and land use coupled with triggering factors like rainfall and a few of the anthropogenic activities. Almost all landslides vulnerability studies carried out so far used parameters of landslide events of the past as essential inputs and advanced methods like information value, regression analysis, fuzzy logic, etc. The present research is an attempt to investigate the landslide vulnerabilities in different slope areas with simple and realistic method of assignments of weights to the parameters based on experts?? opinion and generic logic, without using the parameters of past landslide events as inputs. The identified factors were assigned appropriate weights based on experts?? opinion and these weights were further balanced with respect to the Shannon??s entropy of their occurrences within the study area. The study area was finally classified into three zones namely least vulnerable zone, moderately vulnerable zone, and most vulnerable zone. When compared with the actual landslide history of the past, it was found that Shannon??s entropy applied zonation model matched to real landslide events with higher value of landslide density as compared to the model developed without Shannon??s entropy.     

Evaluation of ANFIS and LR models for seismic rockfalls’ susceptibility mapping: a case study of Firooz Abad-Kojour,Iran, Earthquake (2004)

Seismic rockfall is one of the prevalent geohazards that cause huge losses in the earthquake-stricken areas. In the present research, a model is developed to map susceptibility (occurrence probability) of seismic rockfalls in a regional scale using Logistic Regression (LR) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) techniques. In this research, Firooz Abad-Kojour earthquake of 2004 was introduced as the benchmark and the model base. The susceptible zones predicted by LR and ANFIS methods were compared with the database (distribution map) of seismic rockfalls, by which the results revealed a good overlapping between the susceptible zones predicted by the ANFIS and the field observation of rockfalls triggered by this earthquake. Besides, for the statistical evaluation of results obtained by LR and ANFIS models, the verification parameters with high accuracy such as density ratio (Dr), quality sum (Qs), and receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) were used. By analyzing the susceptibility maps and considering the Qs index obtained by LR (21.04184) and ANFIS (26.75592), it could be found that the Qs of ANFIS is higher than that of LR. Moreover, based on the obtained value of the area under the curve (AUC) from LR (0.972) and ANFIS (0.984) methods, ANFIS provided a higher accuracy in zonation and susceptibility mapping of rockfalls triggered by Firooz Abad-Kojour earthquake of 2004 compared to the LR method.     

Numerical simulation for viscous debris flows passing through dams—a case study of the Wenchuan Yinxingping gully

Landslides - Check dams, which mitigate debris flow hazards, have been widely applied in mountainous areas. Usually, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of these mitigation works. With the...     

Microbial enhanced oil recovery—a modeling study of the potential of spore-forming bacteria

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) utilizes microbes for enhancing the recovery by several mechanisms, among which the most studied are the following: (1) reduction of oil-water interfacial tension (IFT) by the produced biosurfactant and (2) selective plugging by microbes and metabolic products. One of the ways of bacterial survival and propagation under harsh reservoir conditions is formation of spores. A model has been developed that accounts for bacterial growth, substrate consumption, surfactant production, attachment/filtering out, sporulation, and reactivation. Application of spore-forming bacteria is an advantageous novelty of the present approach. The mathematical setup is a set of 1D transport equations involving reactions and attachment. Characteristic sigmoidal curves are used to describe sporulation and reactivation in response to substrate concentrations. The role of surfactant is modification of the relative permeabilities by decreasing the interfacial tension. Attachment of bacteria reduces the pore space available for flow, i.e., the effective porosity and permeability. Clogging of specific areas may occur. An extensive study of the MEOR on the basis of the developed model has resulted in the following conclusions. In order to obtain sufficient local concentrations of surfactant, substantial amounts of substrate should be supplied; however, massive growth of bacteria increases the risk for clogging at the well inlet areas, causing injectivity loss. In such areas, starvation may cause sporulation, reducing the risk of clogging. Substrate released during sporulation can be utilized by attached vegetative bacteria and they will continue growing and producing surfactant, which prolongs the effect of the injected substrate. The simulation scenarios show that application of the spore-forming bacteria gives a higher total production of surfactant and the reduced risk of clogging, leading to an increased period of production and a higher oil recovery.     

Genesis of magnesite deposits — models and trends

Magnesite is relatively frequent as a mineral, there are, however, only two types of economically important deposits:The world's largest reserves are found in deposits of theVeitsch type. These are strata-bound lensoid and nearly monomineralic bodies consisting of coarsely crystalline »spar« magnesite hosted by marine platform sediments. Conspicuous are sedimentary and diagenetic features of the magnesite bearing suites, which indicate formation within a subtidal, evaporitic environment closely associated with sabkhas, mudbars or other inter- to supratidal highs. The coarse crystallinity of these magnesites is a product of diagenesis.As spar magnesites as a rock are mainly characterized by diagenetic features it is now often concluded that the main phase of magnesium concentration would also have taken place during late diagenesis or early metamorphism from fluids formed by these processes. In that case, their origin would be by hydrothermal replacement.Contrary to this trend it is here concluded by integrating important data that Veitsch type magnesites are essentially ofsyngenetic origin. A genetic model is presented, which stresses their kinship with shallow water marine chloride type evaporites.Deposits of cryptocrystalline magnesite of theKraubath type are much smaller and less frequent than spar magnesites, although they are quite important because of their high quality product. Deposits include veins and stockworks of snow-white magnesite in ultramafic country rocks.Genetic models of Kraubath type magnesites include the extremes of supergene alteration versus hypogene-hydrothermal formation. In this paper, arguments are discussed which favour the second interpretation, illustrated by a model asSynearsurface epithermal deposits.

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Zusammenfassung Magnesit ist zwar ein relativ häufiges Mineral, seine wirtschaftlich bedeutenden Lagerstätten erscheinen aber nur in zwei Typen:Die größten bergbaulichen Reserven liegen imVeitsch Typ vor, das sind schichtgebundene, linsige Körper von nahezu monomineralischem, grobkristallinem »Spatmagnesit« in marinen Plattformsedimenten. Besonders auffällig sind charakteristische sedimentäre und diagenetische Merkmale dieser Lagerstätten und ihrer Nebengesteine, welche insgesamt auf Bildung in einem subtidalen, evaporitischen Milieu in enger Nachbarschaft zu naheliegenden Sabkhas oder Schlammbänken und anderen inter- bis supratidalen Hochzonen verweisen.Daß Spatmagnesite ihre Hauptprägung offenbar während der Diagenese erfahren führt dazu, daß heute auch die erstmalige Konzentration des Mg in den Lagerstätten in diese Phase verlegt wird. Daraus ergäbe sich eine hydrothermal-metasomatische Entstehung durch Fluide, deren Herkunft zur Zeit meist in Zusammenhang mit diagenetischen oder metamorphen Prozessen gebracht wird.Im Gegensatz zu diesem Trend wird hier auf Grund einer Zusammenschau aller wesentlichen Daten zu diesen Lagerstätten eine im wesentlichensyngenetische Entstehung der Spatmagnesite vertreten. Es wird ein Modell vorgestellt, in dem die Ähnlichkeit mit chloridischen Seichtwasserevaporiten betont ist.Ogerstätten von kryptokristallinem Magnesit desKraubath Typs sind seltener und relativ klein, doch infolge der Rohstoffqualität besonders gesucht. Es sind Gänge und oberflächennahe Stockwerkkörper von schneeweißem Magnesit in ultramafischen Nebengesteinen, der oft kolloforme, selten auch faserige Texturen zeigt.Genetische Modelle der Bildung solcher Magnesitlagerstätten liegen zwischen den unvereinbaren Extremen einer supergenen Entstehung durch Verwitterung und einer hypogen-hydrothermalen Bildung. Es werden Argumente für das zweitgenannte Modell angeführt, wobei auffällige Parallelen zuoberflächennahen, epithermalen Lagerstätten festgestellt werden.

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Résumé Bien que la magnésite soit un minéral relativement fréquent, elle ne constitue que deux types de gisements d'importance économique:Le premier est le type Veitsch dont les gisements comportent les plus grandes réserves de magnésite du monde. Il s'agit de corps lenticulaires «strata-bounds», formés de magnésite grossière («spathique») presque monominérale et contenus dans des sédiments marins de plate-forme. Diverses structures sédimentaires et diagénétiques dans les roches de ces séries indiquent une formation dans un milieu sub-évaporitique, en association étroite avec des sabkhas, des «mud bars» et d'autres milieux inter- à supratidaux. La cristallinité grossière de ces magnésites est d'origine diagénétique. Comme ces magnésites spathiques portent surtout l'empreinte du stade diagénétique, on tend aujourd'hui à rapporter aussi à ce stade la phase principale de concentration du Mg. Ceci impliquerait une formation par métasomatose hydrothermale de carbonates pré-existants, les fluides responsables de ce métasomatisme étant d'origine diagénétique ou métamorphique.Contrairement à ce modèle courant, et se basant sur une revue de l'ensemble de données actuelles, on conclut ici que les magnésites du type Veitsch sont essentiellement d'origine sédimentaire. L'auteur présente un modèle génétique qui fait appel à une relation étroite avec des évaporites marines du type chloruré.La deuxième source économique de magnésite est représentée par les gisements du type Kraubath, dont les réserves sont beaucoup moins importantes mais la qualité supérieure comparées à celles des magnésites spathiques. Il s'agit de filons et Stockwerks de magnésite d'un blanc de neige dans des roches ultramafiques.Les interprétations génétiques avancées pour les gisements du type Kraubath comportent des modèles extrêmes: origine par altération supergène d'une part et formation à partir des fluides hydrothermaux d'autre part. Les arguments discutés dans la présente note sont en faveur de la deuxième interprétation; ils sont illustrés par un modèle de gisements épithermaux peu profonds.

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Swell-compressibility characteristics of lime-blended and cement-blended expansive clays – A comparative study

Chemical stabilisation of expansive soils has been quite efficacious in reducing swelling characteristics, namely, swell potential (S%) and swelling pressure (p_s). When chemicals such as lime and cement are added to an expansive clay, flocculation and cementation take place. Flocculation, which is an immediate reaction, is instrumental in reducing plasticity and swell potential significantly. It also reduces the time required for equilibrium heave. This paper presents experimental data on lime-blended and cement-blended expansive clay specimens. Free swell index (FSI), heave, rate of heave and swelling pressure were studied. FSI, heave and rate of heave decreased with increasing lime content and cement content in the blends. But, during a 3-day inundation (a period, generally allowed for the sample to attain to equilibrium heave), cementitious products developed and resisted the applied compressive loads stiffly, resulting in high swelling pressures in the case of lime-blended specimens. Swelling pressure could not be determined in the case of cement-blended specimens. Hence, short inundation tests (inundating the specimens only for 15 minutes) were performed. But, even from these tests, swelling pressure could not be determined for cement-blended specimens. This indicated the development of strong cementitious products in them. It was interesting to find that, in both long and short duration, the lime- and cement-blended specimens attained to equilibrium heave in the same time period. FSI decreased from 185% to 63.63% when lime content was increased from 0% to 4%, and from 185% to 110% when cement content was increased from 0% to 20%. Swell potential reduced by 42.5% at 4% lime and by 46.4% at 20% cement. Swelling pressure increased from 210 kPa to 320 kPa when lime content was increased from 0% to 4%. Linear shrinkage of the specimens also decreased with increasing additive content.     

A comparative study of shallow groundwater level simulation with WA–ANN and ITS model in a coastal island of south China

Accurate and reliable prediction of shallow groundwater level is a critical component in water resources management. Two nonlinear models, WA–ANN method based on discrete wavelet transform (WA) and artificial neural network (ANN) and integrated time series (ITS) model, were developed to predict groundwater level fluctuations of a shallow coastal aquifer (Fujian Province, China). The two models were testified with the monitored groundwater level from 2000 to 2011. Two representative wells are selected with different locations within the study area. The error criteria were estimated using the coefficient of determination (R ²), Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient (E), and root-mean-square error (RMSE). The best model was determined based on the RMSE of prediction using independent test data set. The WA–ANN models were found to provide more accurate monthly average groundwater level forecasts compared to the ITS models. The results of the study indicate the potential of WA–ANN models in forecasting groundwater levels. It is recommended that additional studies explore this proposed method, which can be used in turn to facilitate the development and implementation of more effective and sustainable groundwater management strategies.