Sand-supported bio-adsorbent column of activated carbon for removal of coliform bacteria and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> from water

New bio-adsorbent carbon materials were synthesized from the leaves and veins of Mucuna pruriens and Manihot esculenta plants, which are locally available in abundance. The synthesized carbons were activated using 0.01N HNO₃. Surface area of the activated carbons from M. pruriens and M. esculenta plants was found to be quite high, i.e., 918 and 865 m²/g, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the carbons reflects complex disorganized surface structures of different open pore sizes, shapes and dimensions. These properties of the newly synthesized activated carbons led to the development of a sand-supported carbon column, for its possible use in the removal of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli (E. Coli) from raw water samples. The removal percentage of E. coli was found to be 100% with both the types of carbon adsorbents, as confirmed from the McCardy most probable number table. Similarly, the removal percentage of coliform bacteria was found to be 99 and 98.7% by M. pruriens and M. esculenta carbon columns, respectively. These activated carbons synthesized from locally available plants possess the characteristics of good low-cost adsorbents which can be easily used for the removal of bacteria from water by adsorption method.     

Antimicrobial resistance and prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> from major rivers in Podhale,southern Poland

The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial resistance and the prevalence of genes determining the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes in Escherichia coli isolated from two major rivers of the Podhale region in southern Poland. In total, 196 E. coli isolates were analyzed—98 from each river—Bia?ka and Zakopianka, collected in 8 campaigns, over the period of two years. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed using disk diffusion method and PCR tests were conducted to detect the ESBL genes. In E. coli isolated from Bia?ka, the resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was detected most frequently (54.08%) and ESBL was detected in 14.29% of strains. In strains isolated from Zakopianka, most frequent resistance was observed toward ticarcillin (51.02%), while ESBL was observed in 16.33% of isolates. In the total pool of isolates, the resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was most frequent (48.98% of isolates) and ESBL producers comprised 15.30% of E. coli isolates derived from both rivers. Multidrug resistance was observed less frequently in strains derived from Bia?ka (4 isolates resistant to 10 and more antimicrobials) than from Zakopianka, where 10 isolates were resistant to 10 and more antibiotics. Out of the tested ESBL genes blaTEM was detected most frequently (45.4% of isolates), whereas blaCTX-M1 and blaCTX-M3 were recorded in one isolate.     

Principal component analysis for interaction of nitrifiers and wastewater environments at a full-scale activated sludge plant

This study investigated the relationship between wastewater environments and the nitrifiers at a full-scale plant using principal component analysis. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria were detected by florescent in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, phylogenetic analysis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Pyrosequencing was also used in profiling the ammonia monooxygenase locus of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria community. It was found that the dominant ammonia-oxidizing bacteria sequences were related to uncultured ammonia-oxidizing bacterium, uncultured Nitrosomonadaceae bacterium, Nitrosomonas sp., and uncultured bacterium. In addition, Nitrobacter clones were related to uncultured alpha proteobacterium, uncultured bacterium, uncultured Nitrobacter sp., and uncultured Bradyrhizobium sp., whereas Nitrospira clones were similar to uncultured bacterium, Candidatus Nitrospira defluvii, uncultured Nitrospira sp., and uncultured Nitrospirae bacterium. The ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria ranged 2.83 × 10⁸–1.33 × 10¹⁰ and 1.25 × 10¹⁰–1.13 × 10¹¹ copies L^?1, respectively, equivalent to nitrite-oxidizing bacteria: ammonia-oxidizing bacteria ratio of 10:1. The first three parts of the principal components analysis accounted for 76.8% of the explained variance. The first principal component (44.4%) designated that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and Nitrospira were mainly influenced by seasonal variations, followed by chemical oxygen demand concentration and nitrogen species (i.e., ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate). The second principal component (19.1%) showed no information about the nitrifiers’ interaction with environmental factors, whereas Nitrobacter demonstrated a high correlation with ammonia on the third principal component (13.3%). These results revealed that the species of Nitrobacter were less influenced by environmental conditions than ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and Nitrospira spp.     

Identification of diverse bacterial communities for potential bio-aids capable of troubleshooting for wastewater biological treatment processes

Three commercial bio-aid samples have shown good troubleshooting capabilities earlier during several biological wastewaters processing, but their microbial contents were still unclear. This study was aimed to assess eubacteria contents for the three bio-aids based on sequence comparisons of 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA). Majority of target 16S rDNA sequences of bacteria within or cultured from bio-aids were obtained via pyrosequencing-based approach, and few sequences were from isolation- or cloning-sequencing approaches. Results showed that a total of 8114, 2327, and 5402 sequences were retrieved from pyrosequencing-based methods for the three bio-aids, respectively, which were affiliated with 100, 80, and 59 bacterial species based on sequence comparison using Ribosome Data Project (RDP) Classifier and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). Target sequences matched Bacillus sp., Enterococcus sp., and Clostridium sp. of Firmicutes phylum were the most abundant for the bio-aids, while some sequences identical to bacteria of phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, and Proteobacteria were also found. Additionally, most of sequences from the isolation- or cloning-sequencing-based methods were not retrieved by the pyrosequencing-based methods. Culture media appeared to potentially select several bacteria species within phyla Firmicutes and/or Proteobacteria, but sequences from the culture-based methods did fulfill some absences for the uncultured method. Based on principal coordinate analysis, bacteria community structures of the three bio-aids were different. This study provided insights into bacteria contents for the three bio-aids as fundamental information in attempts for future selection or formulation of suitable bio-aids for solving various troubles during wastewater biological processing.     

Assessment of bacterial diversity associated with crude oil-contaminated soil samples from Assam

In this study, we are reporting bacterial diversity in crude oil-contaminated soil of Assam, India. Integration of physiological community profiling, culture-dependent and culture-independent (metagenome) approaches, was employed to obtain a complete picture of the total bacterial diversity. Samples collected from 10 sites contaminated with crude oil ranging from 0.22 to 89.36% were analysed, and altogether 160 culturable bacteria were isolated (117 Gram-positive and 43 Gram-negative bacteria). Molecular identification showed the predominance of genera Lysinibacillus, Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Clostridium, Enterobacter and Pseudomonas. Conversely, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles of 16S rDNA phylotypes showed the predominance of Sphingomonas, Ralstonia, Sphingobium, Massilia, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas. Both culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches resulted in 11 genera of which Bacillus and Pseudomonas were the key inhabitants creating most favourable bacterial milieu in the presence of crude oil contaminants. Metabolic fingerprints data depicted in PCA plot demonstrated that sites CTF-D-1 and Core-10 were most diverged. It was further confirmed that variations of bacterial species dominance in different sites were due to origin of hydrocarbon contamination. We here claim that the present findings is a first-hand report on combined physiological community profiling, culture-based and culture-independent approaches in assessing total bacterial diversity in crude oil-contaminated soil of Assam.     

Biosorption of Rare-Earth Elements and Yttrium by Heterotrophic Bacteria in an Aqueous Environment

This paper reports the results of the experimental determination of the coefficient of sorption of rare-earth elements and yttrium (REY) under conditions of acidic pH using several strains of heterotrophic bacteria (Microbacterium sp., Curtobacterium sp., Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, and Bacillus pumilis) that are widespread in natural and technogenic waters of the Far East (Russia). Insignificant fractionation between heavy and light rare-earth elements, negative cerium and dysprosium anomalies, and a positive europium anomaly were revealed. The selectivity of REY biosorption by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as inertia of the biosorption process under more acidic conditions of the medium, were shown.     

Campanian-Lower Paleogene gastropods from the Kharga Oasis,south Western Desert,Egypt

The Campanian-Lower Paleogene successions exposed at the Kharga Oasis contain well-preserved gastropods. Nineteen gastropod species are identified and described in detail. Two new species are established: Gisortia khargaensis from the lower Eocene El Rufuf Formation and Ornopsis? barisensis from the lower Paleocene Kurkur Formation. In addition to, Turritella (Torquesia) derbesi Coquand is recorded herein for the first time from Egypt. The studied gastropods belonging to four clades: Sorbeoconcha (Metacerithium abictiforme (Wanner), Mesalia hofana Mayer-Eymar, Mesalia sp., Turritella (Torquesia) derbesi Coquand, Turritella (Torquesia) forgemoli Coquand, Turritella kaserensis Hewaidy and Azab, Turritella sp.), Littorinimorpha (Cypraedia bullina Oppenheim, Gisortia khargaensis nov. sp., Natica farafrensis Wanner, Aporrhais schweinfurthi (Quaas), Drepanocheilus bicarinatus Abbass, Drepanocheilus? sp., Anchura? unicarinatus (Abbass), Epitonium sp.), Neogastropoda (Ornopsis? barisensis nov. sp., Rostellana daniensis (Quaas), Vouta sp.), and Heterobranchia (Avellana cretacea Quaas).     

Decolourisations and biodegradations of model azo dye solutions using a sequence batch reactor,followed by ultrafiltration

The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of biological treatment of azo dye-containing wastewater with a sequencing batch reactor system, followed by ultrafiltration. The performance of the system was quantified by measuring the chemical oxygen demand and azo dye concentration. The biodegradation was carried out under combined alternating anaerobic and aerobic conditions with Nylosan Yellow E2RL SGR as a model azo dye contaminant. The bioprocess revealed a maximal reduction in chemical oxygen demand and dye removal efficiency of 91 and 85%, respectively. After ultrafiltration of effluent from the biological treatment, the efficiency increased to 94% for chemical oxygen demand and to 97% for the azo dye decolourisation. Samples of activated sludge from the bioprocess were collected for microbial characterisation. Bacteria and fungi were isolated and identified by 16S rRNA gene and ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 sequence analysis, respectively. Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella oxytoca were the most common bacteria with the highest number present during the aerobic and anaerobic phases of the bioprocess. In addition, a high number of Elizabethkingia miricola, Morganella morganii, Comamonas testosteroni, Trichosporon sp. and Galactomyces sp. were detected. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the sequencing batch reactor system combined with ultrafiltration is an efficient technique for treatment of wastewater containing azo dye. Moreover, the ultrafiltration effectively removes the microbiota from the final effluent resulting in stable product water.     

Quantifying land use influences on event-based flow frequency,timing, magnitude,and rate of change in an urbanizing watershed of the central USA

There is a need for research that advances understanding of flow alterations in contemporary watersheds where natural and anthropogenic interactions can confound mitigation efforts. Event-based flow frequency, timing, magnitude, and rate of change were quantified at five-site nested gauging sites in a representative mixed-land-use watershed of the central USA. Statistically independent storms were paired by site (n = 111 × 5 sites) to test for significant differences in event-based rainfall and flow response variables (n = 17) between gauging sites. Increased frequency of small peak flow events (i.e., 64 more events less than 4.0 m³ s^?1) was observed at the rural–urban interface of the watershed. Differences in flow response were apparent during drier periods when small rainfall events resulted in increased flow response at urban sites in the lower reaches. Relationships between rainfall and peak flow were stronger with decreased pasture/crop land use and increased urban land use by approximately 20%. Event-based total rainfall explained 40–68% of the variance in peak flow (p < 0.001). Coefficients of determination (r²) were negatively correlated with pasture/crop land use (r² = 0.92; p = 0.007; n = 5) and positively correlated with urban land use (r² = 0.90; p = 0.008; n = 5). Significant differences in flow metrics were observed between rural and urban sites (p < 0.05; n = 111) that were not explained by differences in rainfall variables and drainage area. An urban influence on flow timing was observed using median time lag to peak centroid and time of maximum precipitation to peak flow. Results highlight the need to establish manageable flow targets in rapidly urbanizing mixed-land-use watersheds.     

On the existence of planets around the pulsar PSR B0329+54

Results of timing measurements of the pulsar PSR B0329+54 obtained in 1968–2012 using the Big Scanning Antenna of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory (at 102 and 111 MHz), the DSS 13 and DSS 14 telescopes of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2388 MHz), and the 64 m telescope of the Kalyazin Radio Astronomy Observatory (610 MHz) are presented. The astrometric and rotational parameters of the pulsar are derived at a new epoch. Periodic variations in the barycentric timing residuals have been found, which can be explained by the presence of a planet orbiting the pulsar, with an orbital period P₁ = 27.8 yr, mass m _c sin i = 2M_?, and orbital semi-major axis a = 10.26 AU. The results of this study do not confirm existence of a proposed second planet with orbital period P₂ = 3 yr.     

Stability and phase relations of nonstoichiometric clinopyroxenes in the join diopside-Ca-Eskola component at high pressures

The stability of nonstoichiometric clinopyroxenes in the Di-CaEsk join was experimentally studied, and phase diagrams were constructed for this join at pressures of 2.0 and 3.0 GPa. It was found that melting in the diopside part of the join occurs at anomalously low temperatures, and nonstoichiometric clinopyroxene coexists with a phase approaching diopside in composition. Phase relations along the Di-CaEsk join can be described and consistently interpreted only assuming that the diopside phase (α-diopside) is thermodynamically stable. The following phase volumes were observed along the solidus of the join at a pressure of 3.0 GPa: Cpx, αDi+Cpx, αDi+Cpx+Qtz, αDi+Cpx+Grt+Qtz, Cpx+Grt+Qtz, Cpx+Grt+Ky+Qtz, Grt+Ky+Qtz. Melting occurs via the eutectic reaction αDi+Cpx+Grt+Qtz=L at a temperature of about 1200°C in the diopside part of the system and via the eutectic reaction Cpx+Grt+Ky+Qtz=L at a temperature of 1400°C in the calcium-rich part of the system. At a pressure of 2.0 GPa, melting occurs at temperatures of 1200–1300°C via the eutectic reaction αDi+Cpx+ An + Qtz=L. The invariant equilibrium (L, An, Cpx, Grt, αDi, Qtz) lies within the pressure range 2.0–3.0 GPa. Nonstoichiometric clinopyroxenes form complex solid solutions, the compositions of which are not strictly confined to the Di-CaEsk join and depend on temperature, pressure, and phase association. Grossular garnets coexist with nonstoichiometric clinopyroxenes and α-diopside.     

Biosorption optimization and equilibrium isotherm of industrial dye compounds in novel strains of microscopic fungi

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biosorption capacity of selected strains of microscopic fungi. We optimized the biosorption process and used the Freundlich isotherm for three strains: H. haematococca BwIII43, K37 and T. harzianum BsIII33 to describe the biosorption equilibrium of anthraquinone dye, Alizarin Blue Black B (ABBB) and alkali lignin (AL). In optimal conditions (1 g of mycelium biomass, pH = 7.0, 28 °C) for ABBB and AL sorption, the live biomass of H. haematococca BwIII43 was characterized by a higher sorption capacity, amounting to 247.47 and 161.00 mg g^?1, respectively. The highest sorption properties toward anthraquinone dye (K _F = 19.96 mg g^?1) were shown for the biomass of H. haematococca K37. In the presence of alkali lignin, the highest sorption capacity and bond strength exhibited the biomass of H. haematococca BwIII43 (K _F = 28.20 mg g^?1, n = 3.46). Effective decolorization of ABBB and AL by the selected strains of microscopic fungi indicated that the biosorption process additionally enhanced the removal of color compounds from the solution.     

Evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">smtA</Emphasis> expression and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> survival against cadmium ions

Cadmium and other heavy metals lead to environmental danger, and these heavy metals are a great threat to human and other animal’s health. Investigation of the relationship between survival of E. coli and metallothionein smtA gene expression against cadmium ion is the goal of this research. Survival of recombinant bacteria containing smtA gene was analyzed against various concentrations of cadmium chloride salt using optical density (OD). At the resistive range, recombinant bacteria were subjected to different treatments. At the logarithmic phase of bacterial growth, sampling, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed and smtA gene expression was then analyzed by real-time PCR using designed primers for smtA gene and Amp resistance (as the calibrator gene). Relative gene expression was calculated using the ??C_t method. The resistive range against cadmium chloride was 0.5–0.7 mM (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC = 0.5 mM)). Survival and gene expression analysis showed that in induced bacteria, smtA expression was increased significantly that in turn conferred resistance to cadmium chloride prominently. There was a direct relationship between increased smtA gene expression and survival of the recombinant bacteria. Therefore, our result may help to confront to cadmium metal environmental pollution using overexpression of smtA gene expression in recombinant bacteria.     

A new Jurassic cow shark (Chondrichthyes,Hexanchiformes) with comments on Jurassic hexanchiform systematics

A new taxon, ?Crassodontidanus gen. nov. of Hexanchiformes (cow sharks) from the Jurassic of Germany is described. It is characterized by peculiar teeth combining apomorphic (serrated mesial cutting edge of the main cusp) and plesiomorphic features (deep root with convex mesial and distal margins in labial and lingual views; protruding lingual root bulge). This character combination readily distinguishes members of the new taxon from all other known extant (Heptranchias, Hexanchus, Notorynchus) and extinct (?Gladioserratus, ?Notidanodon, ?Notidanoides, ?Pachyhexanchus, ?Paraheptranchias, ?Weltonia) hexanchiforms. Currently, two species, ?C. serratus (type species; Late Jurassic, Late Kimmeridgian of Nusplingen, South Germany) and ?C. wiedenrothi (Early Jurassic, Early Pliensbachian of Gretenberg (Hanover), North Germany) are assigned to this taxon. ?Crassodontidanus gen. nov. is member of ?Crassonotidae fam. nov. and sister to ?Notidanoides Maisey, 1986 and ?Pachyhexanchus Cappetta, 1990. We consider ?Notidanus amalthei Oppel, 1854 from the Pliensbachian of South Germany, ?Notidanus insignis Seguenza, 1887 from the Oxfordian of Sicily (Italy) and ?Notidanus wagneri Agassiz, 1843 from the Early Tithonian of Solnhofen (South Germany) nomina dubia and nomina nuda, respectively. The family ?Crassonotidae comprises plesiomorphic hexanchiforms ranging from the Sinemurian (Early Jurassic) to the Hauterivian (Early Cretaceous).     

Toxinogenicity and cytotoxicity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria,Aspergillus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> moulds isolated from working environments

There is currently limited research available on the secondary metabolites of moulds in workplaces. The aim of this study was to determine the mould contamination in museums (N = 4), composting plants (N = 4) and tanneries (N = 4) and the secondary metabolite profiles of Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium isolates from these workplaces. Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium species were identified using the ITS1/2 sequence of the rDNA region. Mould metabolites were quantitatively analysed on standard laboratory medium and mineral medium containing materials specific to each workplace using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We also examined the cytotoxicity of the moulds using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays. Air microbiological contamination analyses showed a number of microorganisms, ranging from 2.4 × 10³ CFU m^?3 (composting plants) to 6.8 × 10⁴ CFU m^?3 (tanneries). We identified high percentages of Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium moulds (air 57–59%, surfaces 10–65%) in all workplaces. The following moulds were the most cytotoxic (>90%): Alternaria alternata, A. limoniasperae, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium biourgeianum, P. commune and P. spinulosum. The same mould species isolated from different working environments exhibited varying toxigenic and cytotoxic properties. Modifying the culture medium to simulate environmental conditions most often resulted in the inhibition of secondary metabolite production. Moulds isolated from the working environments produced the following mycotoxins (ng g^?1): chanoclavines (0.28–204), cyclopiazonic acid (27.1–1045), fumigaclavines (0.33–10,640,000), meleagrin (0.57–13,393), roquefortins (0.01–16,660), rugulovasines (112–220), viridicatin (0.12–957), viridicatol (4.23–2753) and quinocitrinines (0.07–1104), which may have a negative impact on human health.     

Representatives of genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malbosiceras</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomeliceras</Emphasis> (Neocomitidae,Ammonoidea) from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains

The revised representatives of ammonite genera Malbosiceras and Pomeliceras from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains are classed with seven species, four of the first genus [M. malbosi (Pictet), M. chaperi (Pictet), M. broussei (Mazenot), M. pictetiforme Tavera] and three of the second one [P. aff. boisseti Nikolov, P. breveti (Pomel), P. (?) funduklense Lysenko et Arkadiev sp. nov.]. The identified species are described. The genus Mazenoticeras is considered as synonym of Malbosiceras. The above species prove that all the Berriasian zones (jacobi, occitanica and boissieri) are characteristic of corresponding deposits in the Crimean Mountains.     

High-pressure displacive phase transition of a natural Mg-rich pigeonite

A high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction study has been carried out on a P2₁/c natural Mg-rich pigeonite sample with composition ca. Wo₆En₇₆Fs₁₈ using a diamond anvil-cell. The unit-cell parameters were determined at 14 different pressures to 7.14 GPa. The sudden disappearance of the b-type reflections (h + k = odd) and a strong discontinuity (about 2.8%) in the unit-cell volume indicated a first-order P2₁/c–C2/c phase transition between 4.66 and 4.88 GPa. The P(V) data of the P2₁/c phase were fitted to 4.66 GPa by a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state (BM3 EoS), whereas the limited number of experimental data collected within the C2/c phase between 4.88 and 7.14 GPa were fitted using the same equation of state but with K′ constrained to the value obtained for the P2₁/c fitting. The equation of state coefficients are V ₀ = 424.66(6) ų, K _T0 = 104(2) GPa and K′ = 8(1) for the P2₁/c phase, and V ₀ = 423.6(1) ų, K _T0 = 112.4(8) GPa, and K′ fixed to 8(1) for the C2/c phase. The axial moduli for a, b, and c for the P2₁/c phase were obtained using also a BM3-EoS, while for the C2/c phase only a linear calculation could be performed, and therefore the same approach was applied for comparison also to the P2₁/c phase. In general the C2/c phase exhibits axial compressibilities (β _c > β _a >> β _b) lower than those of the P2₁/c phase (β _b > β _c ≈ β _a; similar to those found in previous studies in clinopyroxenes and orthopyroxenes). The lower compressibility of the C2/c phase compared with that of the P2₁/c could be ascribed to the greater stiffness along the b direction. A previously published relationship between P _c and M2 average cation radius (i.r.) has been updated using all the literature data on P2₁/c clinopyroxene containing large cations at M2 site and our new data. The following weighted regression was obtained: P _c (GPa) = 26(4) ? 28(5) ×  i.r (Å), R ² = 0.97. This improved equation can be used to predict the critical pressure of natural P2₁/c clinopyroxene samples just knowing the composition at M2 site.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salpingoporella</Emphasis> (dasycladalean algae) species from the Lower Cretaceous carbonate facies of Kopet Dagh basin (NE Iran)

Salpingoporella species from algal bearing of Barremian-Aptian limestones in the Kopet Dagh basin (NE of Iran) are described. Different species (S. cemi, S. hasi, S. heraldica, S. hispanica, S. milovanovici, S. muehlmbergi, S. parapiriniae, S. piriniae, S. cf. biokovensis, S. steinhauseri, S. polygonalis) are investigated from different biometrical aspects such as depositional environments and biogeographical distribution as well as their systematic palaeontology from two formations (the Tirgan and Sarcheshmeh formations) in nine stratigraphic sections.     

Community vulnerability to hazards: introducing local expert knowledge into the equation

The accuracies of three different evolutionary artificial neural network (ANN) approaches, ANN with genetic algorithm (ANN-GA), ANN with particle swarm optimization (ANN-PSO) and ANN with imperialist competitive algorithm (ANN-ICA), were compared in estimating groundwater levels (GWL) based on precipitation, evaporation and previous GWL data. The input combinations determined using auto-, partial auto- and cross-correlation analyses and tried for each model are: (i) GWL _t?1 and GWL _t?2; (ii) GWL _t?1, GWL _t?2 and P _t ; (iii) GWL _t?1, GWL _t?2 and E _t ; (iv) GWL _t?1, GWL _t?2, P _t and E _t ; (v) GWL _t?1, GWL _t?2 and P _t?1 where GWL _t , P _t and E _t indicate the GWL, precipitation and evaporation at time t, individually. The optimal ANN-GA, ANN-PSO and ANN-ICA models were obtained by trying various control parameters. The best accuracies of the ANN-GA, ANN-PSO and ANN-ICA models were obtained from input combination (i). The mean square error accuracies of the ANN-GA and ANN-ICA models were increased by 165 and 124% using ANN-PSO model. The results indicated that the ANN-PSO model performed better than the other models in modeling monthly groundwater levels.     

Physicochemical model for the crystallization of rocks of the calc-alkaline series

The Al-rich region of the CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system was experimentally studied at pressures of 1.0–2.8 GPa and temperatures of 1300–1535°C. The slopes of the lines of the monovariant reactions An + Sp = Cpx + Cor + (Ga) and L = Cpx + Ga + Cor + Sp and the compositions of the phases involved in these reactions are determined. The results are utilized in the topological analysis of the aluminous region of the CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system. On this basis, the principal structure of the phase diagram is analyzed, and a phase diagram is constructed for the junction region of the quaternary system and the CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ ternary system. A continuous series of the monovariant eutectic: L = Cpx + Opx + Fo + An, L = Cpx + Opx + An + Sp, L = Cpx + (Ga) + An + Sp, L = Cpx + Cor + (Ga) + An, L = An + Ga + Cpx + Ky and L = Ga + Cpx + Ky + Qz is examined within the pressure range from atmospheric to 3.0 GPa and higher. Analogous “telescoped” eutectic series are of fundamental character for interpreting the evolution of magmatic melts. A physicochemical model is suggested for the evolution of magmatic melts that produce rocks of the calc-alkaline series, with this model underlain by the fact that a change in the composition of magmatic melt at a pressure decrease should correspond to the minimum melting temperatures, i.e., to melts in the fundamental series of eutectic reactions. The comparison of our physicochemical model and rocks of the calc-alkaline series shows that the compositions of rocks of the calc-alkaline series are close to the compositions determined for the eutectic equilibria, and the mineralogical composition of xenoliths and megacrysts in volcanic and dike varieties of the rocks are similar to the subsolidus phases of the established fundamental eutectic system.