The solution of Kepler's equation,I

Methods of iteration are discussed in relation to Kepler's equation, and various initial guesses are considered, with possible strategies for choosing them. Several of these are compared; the method of iteration used in the comparisons has local convergence of the fourth order.WANG Laboratories, Inc.     

Interrelationship between geochemical elements of sediment and groundwater at Samrak Park Delta of Nakdong River Basin in Korea: multivariate statistical analyses and artificial neural network approaches

This research was conducted at Samrak Park Delta of Nakdong River Basin in Busan Metropolitan City, Korea. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the interrelationship of geochemical elements in sediments and groundwater through multivariate statistical analyses and a multilayer perceptron artificial neural network model. The mean concentrations of chemical elements were Si (46%), Fe (16.9%), Al (15.7%), K (7.5%) and Ca (4.5%) in sediments, and Na (8650 mg/L), Mg (999 mg/L), Ca (432 mg/L), K (293 mg/L) and Cl (17,640 mg/L) in groundwater, respectively. The principal component analysis produced 3 kinds of factors with the variances of 63.37, 27.02 and 9.62%, respectively. It is suggested that the chemical components of sediments and groundwater were mainly originated from source rocks and seawater intrusion, with the minor impacts of irrigation and industry. Cluster analysis also showed that chemical elements were mainly controlled by the natural geogenic sources and seawater intrusion. Multilayer perceptron of artificial neural network (ANN) presented the good interrelationship between sediment and groundwater. The determination coefficients (R ²) between ANN predicted values and observed values in groundwater showed the high values of 0.61–0.97 except Mg, Mn and Sr. It is revealed that the chemical components of sediment and groundwater were derived from local geological origin and from the minor impact of anthropogenic sources. Multivariate analyses and ANN contributed to the identification of the mutual relationship between the geochemical elements of sediment and those of groundwater.     

The structure of freedite,Pb8Cu(AsO3)2O3Cl5

Summary The structure of freedite, Pb₈Cu(AsO₃)₂O₃Cl₅, [a = 13.578(2),b = 20.099(3),c = 7.465(1)Å; = 105.73(1)°; space group C2/m; Z = 4] was determined by direct methods and Fourier summations. The refinement of the atomic coordinates and thermal parameters-the metal atoms anisotropic, the remaining atoms isotropic-yielded anR value of 0.086 (R _w = 0.061). The five crystallographically independent Pb atoms are each surrounded by three resp. four O atoms and four Cl atoms. The novel feature of this structure are formal [(AsO₃)₂(CuCl)₂(AsO₃)₂] groups, in which the Cu atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated to two Cl and two As atoms [Cu-Cl = 2.43(8)Å2 × , Cu-As = 2.32(1)Å2 ×]. The mineral is considered to contain Cu(I) and As(III) atoms linked together by covalent Cu-As bonds. The formal groups mentioned are bound to the Pb atoms via Cl and O atoms.

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Die Struktur des Freedits, Pb₈Cu(AsO₃)₂O₃Cl₅

Zusammenfassung Die Struktur des Freedits, Pb₈Cu(AsO₃)₂O₃Cl₅, [a = 13,578(2),b = 20,099(3),c = 7,465(1)Å; = 105,73(1); Raumgruppe C2/m;Z = 4] wurde anhand direkter Methoden und Fouriersummationen bestimmt. Die Verfeinerung der Ortskoordinaten und der Temperaturparameter - Metallatome anisotrop, übrige Atome isotrop -ergab einenR-Wert von 0,086 (R _w = 0,061). Die fünf kristallographisch verschiedenen Pb-Atome werden von drei bzw. vier O-Atomen sowie jeweils vier Cl-Atomen umgeben. Ein neues Bauprinzip dieser Struktur sind formale [(AsO₃)₂(CuCl)₂(AsO₃)₂]-Gruppen, in denen die Cu-Atome durch zwei Cl- und zwei As-Atome tetraedrisch umgeben sind [Cu-Cl= 2,43(8)Å2 ×, Cu-As = 2,32(1)Å2 x]. Es wird angenommen, daß in diesem Mineral Cu(I)- und As(III)-Atome vorliegen, die über kovalente Bindungen verknüpft sind. Diese formalen Gruppen sind über die Cl- und O-Atome an die Pb Atome gebunden.

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With 2 Figures     

Environmental changes in the Hirnantian (upper Ordovician) of the Prague Basin,Czechoslovakia

Sedimentary sequences through the uppermost Ordovician (Hirnantian), Kosov Formation, are described. The Kosov Formation is a shale-dominated formation with two thin horizons of sandy diamictites near the base and two ‘flysch’ units separated by shales forming the main part of the formation, which is overlain abruptly by Silurian graptolitic shales. The diamictites are interpreted as of glaciomarine origin, probably deposited from coastal winter ice. The flysch units have many beds with hummocky cross-stratification and wave-ripples indicating deposition from storm generated currents above storm wave-base. The shales between the two flysch units have thin interbedded sandstones and siltstones with mainly unidirectional current structures, but also some wave-ripples, suggesting deposition around storm wave-base. The sequence shows clear evidence of two regressive phases, the second of which is the more pronounced, followed by rapid transgression near the Ordovician/Silurian boundary. The regressions and subsequent transgression are interpreted as being caused by Hirnantian glacioeustatic changes rather than being tectonic in origin. The importance of the glaciomarine diamictites is that they record the onset of cold climatic conditions in the region as being early Hirnantian. The disappearance of most of the fauna at about the same time might reflect the influence of low temperatures on faunal diversity, and could have significance for the end Ordovician extinction.     

Geochemical transport modelling of drainage from experimental mine tailings cells covered by capillary barriers

The use of covers with capillary barrier effects (CCBEs) for reducing acid mine drainage (AMD) from sulphidic mine tailings is simulated using the MIN3P finite volume model for coupled groundwater flow, O₂ diffusion and multi-component reactive transport. The model is applied to simulate five pilot-scale in situ test cells containing reactive tailings from the Manitou mine site, Val d’Or, Que., Canada. Four of the cells were constructed with CCBEs over the tailings, while the fifth tailings cell was left uncovered. Observed and simulated discharge from the base of each cell showed that the capillary barrier covers significantly reduced sulphide oxidation and AMD. Compared to acidic discharge from the uncovered cell, discharge from the four CCBE-covered cells had neutral pH levels and 1–7 orders of magnitude lower concentrations of SO₄, Fe, Zn, Cu and Al. The simulations showed that the moisture retaining layer of the CCBEs reduced AMD by inhibiting O₂ diffusion into the underlying reactive wastes. Provided the moisture-retention layer of the CCBE remains close to saturation, its thickness had a relatively minor effect. Under such near-saturated conditions, O₂ availability is limited by its diffusion rate through the bulk porous medium and not by the diffusion rate through the oxidized grain shells. The model is providing important new insights for comparing design alternatives for reducing or controlling AMD.     

Hydraulic and flood-loss modeling of levee,floodplain, and river management strategies,Middle Mississippi River,USA

In this investigation, four scenarios were used to quantify the balance between the benefits of levees for flood protection and their potential to increase flood risk using Hazards U.S. Multi-Hazard flood-loss software and hydraulic modeling of the Middle Mississippi River (MMR). The goals of this study were (1) to quantify the flood exposure under different flood-control configurations and (2) to assess the relative contributions of various engineered structures and flood-loss strategies to potential flood losses. Removing all the flood-control structures along the MMR, without buyouts or other mitigation, reduced the average flood stages between 2.3 m (100-year flood) and 2.5 m (500-year), but increased the potential flood losses by $4.3–6.7 billion. Removing the agricultural levees downstream of St. Louis decreased the flood stages through the metro region by ~1.0 m for the 100- and 500-year events; flood losses, without buyouts or other mitigation, were increased by $4.3–6.7 billion. Removing the agricultural levees downstream of St. Louis decreased the flood stages through the metro region by ~1.0 m for the 100- and 500-year events; flood losses, without buyouts or other mitigation, were increased by 155 million for the 100-year flood, but were decreased by $109 million for the 500-year flood. Thus, agricultural levees along the MMR protect against small- to medium-size floods (up to the ~100-year flood level) but cause more damage than they prevent during large floods such as the 500-year flood. Buyout costs for the all the buildings within the 500-year floodplain downstream of urban flood-control structures near St. Louis are ~40% less than the cost of repairing the buildings damaged by the 500-year flood. This suggests large-scale buyouts could be the most cost-effective option for flood loss mitigation for properties currently protected by agricultural levees.     

Fractures: Finite-size scaling and multifractals

The distributions of contact area and void space in single fractures in granite rock have been determined experimentally by making metal casts of the void spaces between the fracture surfaces under normal loads. The resulting metal casts on 52 cm diameter core samples show a complex geometry for the flow paths through the fracture. This geometry is analyzed using finite-size scaling. The spanning probabilities and percolation probabilities of the metal casts are calculted as functions of observation scale. Under the highest stresses of 33 MPa and 85 MPa there is a significant size-dependence of the geometric flow properties for observation scales smaller than 2 mm. Based on this data, the macroscopic percolation properties of the extended fracture can be well represented by relatively small core samples, even under normal stresses larger than 33 MPa. The metal casts also have rich multifractal structure that changes with changing stress.     

Use of suppressive subtractive hybridization and cDNA arrays to discover patterns of altered gene expression in the liver of dihydrotestosterone and 11-ketotestosterone exposed adult male largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

In this study male largemouth bass (LMB) were exposed to the naturally occurring androgens, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) in order to identify genes that are differentially regulated by these steroid hormones. Using subtractive hybridization on livers of fish treated with DHT against vehicle control, many novel LMB genes were cloned. These genes were added to our gene library and arrayed. Six genes were up-regulated and five were down-regulated by both androgens. But, each androgen also regulated specific genes. One gene that was identified as a potential androgen marker was spermidine-spermine-N(1)-acetyltransferase that was up-regulated by both androgens. Determining which genes are responsive to natural androgens will help to identify biochemical pathways that are impacted.     

On unfractionated solar noble gases in the H3–6 meteorite Acfer 111

Abstract Solar noble gases He, Ne, Ar and Kr implanted in the H3–6 meteorite regolith breccia Acfer 111 agree in their elemental composition with that in present-day solar wind and, except for a 25% deficit of ⁴He, also with adopted solar abundances. The presence of such unfractionated solar gases makes Acfer 111 unique (until now). Closed system stepped etching releases noble gases that can be explained as mixtures of two distinct types of He, Ne, and Kr of isotopic compositions as they have been derived previously from meteorites and lunar samples that contain heavily fractionated solar gases. Since the same putative end members, ascribed to the solar wind (SW) and supra-thermal solar energetic particles (SEP), are also present in Acfer 111, we argue that these end members represent two truly independent components. We discount the possibility that one isotopic composition derived from the other by diffusion of the gases within, or upon their release from, their host phases. The isotopic signatures of noble gases in Acfer 111 agree with those in a lunar ilmenite of young antiquity ?100 Ma) but are in disagreement with the noble gases in lunar ilmenite 79035 of 1–2 Ga antiquity. Systematic changes are discussed of the nuclide abundance ratios as etching proceeds; they are ascribed to differences in trapping efficiency and in penetration depth of the different noble gas ion species upon their implantation.     

Stochastic assessment of GPS carrier phase measurements for precise static relative positioning

 Global positioning system (GPS) carrier phase measurements are used in all precise static relative positioning applications. The GPS carrier phase measurements are generally processed using the least-squares method, for which both functional and stochastic models need to be carefully defined. Whilst the functional model for precise GPS positioning is well documented in the literature, realistic stochastic modelling for the GPS carrier phase measurements is still both a controversial topic and a difficult task to accomplish in practice. The common practice of assuming that the raw GPS measurements are statistically independent in space and time, and have the same accuracy, is certainly not realistic. Any mis-specification in the stochastic model will inevitably lead to unreliable positioning results. A stochastic assessment procedure has been developed to take into account the heteroscedastic, space- and time-correlated error structure of the GPS measurements. Test results indicate that the reliability of the estimated positioning results is improved by applying the developed stochastic assessment procedure. In addition, the quality of ambiguity resolution can be more realistically evaluated. Received: 13 February 2001 / Accepted: 3 September 2001