New accelerated solutions in a DGP-inspired model

We study the late-time cosmological viability of the solutions in the DGP braneworld scenario. We consider a quintessence field trapped on the normal branch of the DGP model and we suppose this scalar field is both minimally and non-minimally coupled to induced gravity on the brane. Since a successful cosmological model should therefore admit for a sequence of epochs: a radiation era, a sufficiently long matter dominated era and a final stable positively accelerated scaling solution, we analyze the cosmological properties of system in its critical points.     

Comparison of ordinary kriging and artificial neural network for spatial mapping of arsenic contamination of groundwater

In this technical note, we investigate the hypothesis that ‘non-linearity matters in the spatial mapping of complex patterns of groundwater arsenic contamination’. The spatial mapping pertained to data-driven techniques of spatial interpolation based on sampling data at finite locations. Using the well known example of extensive groundwater contamination by arsenic in Bangladesh, we find that the use of a highly non-linear pattern learning technique in the form of an artificial neural network (ANN) can yield more accurate results under the same set of constraints when compared to the ordinary kriging method. One ANN and a variogram model were used to represent the spatial structure of arsenic contamination for the whole country. The probability for successful detection of a well as safe or unsafe was found to be atleast 15% larger than that by kriging under the country-wide scenario. The probability of false hopes, which is a serious issue in public health monitoring was found to be significantly lower (by more than 10%) than that by kriging.     

Characterization and advanced oxidation treatment of dyeing effluent by Fenton’s reagent

Textile effluent from dyeing process has been a serious environmental threat for years. This study was intended to evaluate the performance of Fenton’s process for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), colour and turbidity. Experiments were conducted by laboratory-scale reactors fed with cotton dyeing effluent. The Fenton process employs ferrous ions and hydrogen peroxide H₂O₂ under acidic pH conditions. The experimental variables studied include doses of iron salts and hydrogen peroxide, oxidation time, pH for oxidation and coagulation. The COD, color and turbidity removal reached a maximum of 97.2, 96.8 and 84.8% respectively at a reaction time of 20 min under optimum doses of H₂O₂ and Fe²⁺. Hydrogen peroxide dose ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 mL/500 mL and FeSO₄ · 7H₂O in the range of 0.5–4.0 gm/500 mL were selected to be examined at different reaction times between 10 and 30 min. Optimum dose of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous sulphate were 2.0 mL and 1.0 gm respectively for 500 mL of sample. In this study optimized pH 4.0 and 6.0 was found effective for oxidation and coagulation respectively.     

Mineral potential mapping in Central Iran using fuzzy ordered weighted averaging method

The aim of this work is to introduce the application of the fuzzy ordered weighted averaging method as a straightforward knowledge‐driven approach to explore porphyry copper deposits in an airborne prospect. In this paper, the proposed method is applied to airborne geophysical (potassium radiometry, magnetometry, and frequency‐domain electromagnetic) data, geological layers (fault and host rock zones), and various extracted alteration layers from remote sensing images. The central Iranian volcanic–sedimentary belt in Kerman province of Iran that is located within the Urumieh–Dokhtar (Sahand–Bazman) magmatic arc is chosen for this study. This region has high potential of mineral occurrences, especially porphyry copper, containing some active world‐class copper mines such as Sarcheshmeh. Two evidential layers, including the downward continued map and the analytic signal of such filtered magnetic data, are generated to be used as geophysical plausible traces of porphyry copper occurrences. The low values of the resistivity layer acquired from airborne frequency‐domain electromagnetic data are also used as an electrical criterion in this study. Four remote sensing evidential layers, including argillic, phyllic, propylitic, and hydroxyl alterations, are extracted from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer images in order to map the altered areas associated with porphyry copper deposits. The Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus images are used to map iron oxide layer. Since potassium alteration is the mainstay of copper alteration, the airborne potassium radiometry data are used. Here, the fuzzy ordered weighted averaging method uses a wide range of decision strategies in order to generate numerous mineral potential/prospectivity maps. The final mineral potential map based upon desired geo‐data set indicates adequately matching of high‐potential zones with previous working mines and copper deposits.     

Validation of Hyperbolic Model by the Results of Triaxial and Direct Shear Tests of Municipal Solid Waste

The increasing demand of engineering landfills requires that designers propose a framework for landfill design, construction, repair and maintenance. As municipal solid waste (MSW) is a major part of a landfill, the analysis should consider MSW mechanical behavior using a constitutive model. To investigate this, 18 direct shear (DS) and triaxial (TX) tests were conducted on MSW samples with different fiber contents. Different shearing mechanisms lead to understand effects of fibers on stress–strain response. Based on obtained results the hyperbolic model Duncan and Chang (J Soil Mech Found Div 96(5):1629–1653, 1970) has been employed to simulate the TX results indicating the ability of the model to predict stress–strain behavior of MSW. This model could also be employed to the DS test results with some assumptions. The model can capture DS stress–strain response well whereas for TX tests the predictions were just enough. The experimental results and two sets of proposed MSW parameters of hyperbolic model have been compared and discussed.     

Ground improvement and foundation practice for Persian Gulf Bridge (causeway); Bandar Abbas Harbor–Qeshm Island

National Persian Gulf Bridge is a communication route between Bandar Abbas port and Qeshm Island located on the southern border of Iran. This causeway has important role for facilitating the transportation system between Qeshm Island and mainland, i.e., Bandar Abbas. Based on geotechnical and geological site investigation records, the bridge is located on the deposits with high seismic possibility and subsequently significant dynamic loading. Therefore, adequate substructure design of this bridge as an offshore project is realized as a major requirement. The geophysical and geotechnical investigations have been done to obtain the subsoil characteristics of the project site. For this purpose, 18 boreholes have been performed to do in situ tests and extract samples for laboratory testings. Data synthesis indicates that in the zones close to Qeshm Island and in the deeper parts of the sea, the strata is made of clay with loose sands and some depths, with silty sands. Hence, instability issues, including the low bearing capacity and the high differential settlement, are significant aspects in analysis and design of substructure for this project. Also, in this paper, the subsoil conditions have been studied from in situ tests such as standard penetration test (SPT) and cone penetration test (CPT) results in order to achieve an appropriate foundation system. Moreover, the necessity of the ground improvement of the site has been investigated to propose an efficient technique for safe and secure construction. Based on the analysis and methods screened, the vibro-replacement method is considered as a suitable and efficient ground improvement method for this project.     

海洋沉积土动剪切模量与阻尼比的试验研究

动剪切模量和阻尼比是工程场地地震安全性评价及地基动力反应分析的重要动力学参数。为评价某海域海洋土的动力学特性,对10.3～84.2 m深度范围内的海底淤泥质粉质黏土、粉砂及细砂开展共振柱试验。利用双对数模型建立了最大动剪切模量随上覆压力的递增关系。研究发现,现有规范的剪切模量比与阻尼比的推荐取值并不适用于海洋沉积土,即使考虑借鉴以往研究成果也必须将其限制在一定的应变范围,并应考虑土体的天然应力状态取值。利用马丁-达维登科夫（Martin- Davidenkov）模型及阻尼比与剪应变的经验关系建立了剪切模量比和阻尼比随剪应变的变化规律,并由此提出了适用于海洋沉积土的5×10-6～10-3应变范围内剪切模量比及阻尼比的推荐值。研究成果可为海洋工程场地的设计、施工及抗震分析提供技术参考依据。     

Near surface lithology and spatial variation of arsenic in the shallow groundwater: southeastern Bangladesh

This study investigated the relationship between near-surface lithology and the spatial variability of As concentrations using sediment grain-size analysis and electromagnetic induction survey in the southeast Bangladesh. It has been observed that the aquifers overlain by finer sediments have higher concentrations of As in groundwater, whereas As concentrations are remarkably low in aquifers having permeable sandy materials or thinner silt/clay layer at the surface. The near-surface lithology acts as a controlling factor for spatial distributions of groundwater As within the very shallow depths (<15 m). Shallow alluvial aquifers can provide low-As drinking water in many areas of the country when tube wells are properly installed after investigation of the overlying near-surface sediment attributes and hydraulic properties.     

Investigation of fiber effect on the mechanical behavior of municipal solid waste by different shearing test apparatuses

This paper embraces the results of a study on the mechanical behavior of municipal solid waste, MSW, and the effect of shearing mechanism on its mechanical response. Totally, 9 drained direct shear tests and 9 drained triaxial tests have been performed on fresh MSW samples with fiber contents of 0, 6 and 12%. Each apparatus represents a different shearing mechanism. The composition and compaction condition for MSW samples in each fiber content, employed in both shearing test devices, were the same. In triaxial tests, since the shear plane was cutting through the fibers, with increase in the fiber content, an increasing trend of strength was observed; on the contrary, this trend was decreasing in direct shear tests because fiber alignment was parallel to the shear plane. Test results show that the effect of fibers in the triaxial tests depends on the level of imposed axial strain on the samples as well as the confining stress. Based on the findings of this paper, hardening behavior of MSW is attributed to reinforcement action of fibers and particle compressibility.     

Vulnerability assessment of urban groundwater resources to nitrate: the case study of Mashhad,Iran

Groundwater vulnerability assessment of urban areas is a challenging task in the fast trend of urbanization around the globe. This study introduces a new approach for modifying well-known parameters of common vulnerability indexes to adjust them for urban areas. The approach is independent of a specific weighting system. The aquifer of Mashhad city, contaminated by domestic wastewater, is selected as a case in this study. In order to evaluate the aquifer vulnerability due to anthropogenic activities, at first, parameters of depth to groundwater, recharge, land use, and soil are modified based on their basic concepts and their influences on contamination attenuation. Then, the modified parameters are used simultaneously in several index methods to investigate the capability of the modified parameters to increase correlation coefficient of all employed index methods with the measured nitrate concentration. Accuracy of the modified methods is evaluated by Spearman nonparametric correlation. It is shown that considering the wastewater discharge into recharge parameter leads to an increase of 20% in correlation coefficient. Also, level difference technique shows that more than 70% of the vulnerable areas are predicted correctly in all utilized methods. The accurate prediction in all employed methods indicates that these modifications are independent of the type of index method. Moreover, sensitivity analysis reveals that the recharge and the land use are both the most significant parameters for evaluating the vulnerability.