A comparative study of ANN and Neuro-fuzzy for the prediction of dynamic constant of rockmass

Physico-mechanical properties of rocks have great significance in all operational parts in mining activities, from exploration to final dispatch of material. Compressional wave velocity (p-wave velocity) and anisotropic behaviour of rocks are two such properties which help to understand the rock response under varying stress conditions. They also influence the breakage mechanism of rock. There are different methods to determine thep-wave velocity and anisotropyin situ and in the laboratory. These methods are cumbersome and time consuming. Fuzzy set theory, Fuzzy logic and Neural Networks techniques seem very well suited for typical geotechnical problems. In conjunction with statistics and conventional mathematical methods, hybrid methods can be developed that may prove to be a step forward in modeling geotechnical problems. Here, we have developed and compared two different models, Neuro-fuzzy systems (combination of fuzzy and artificial neural network systems) and Artificial neural network systems, for the prediction of compressional wave velocity.     

Integrated resource study for conservation and management of Ropar wetland ecosystem, Punjab

Integrated resource study in Ropar wetland ecosystem was undertaken to analyse physiography, drainage, landuse and vegetation status. Various thematic maps have been prepared using black and white aerial photographs on 1:20,000 scale and IRS 1A LISS-II (FCC) on 1:50,000 scale. The Ropar wetland ecosystem is comprised of six major landforms i.e. Siwalik hills, Valley, Piedmont plain, Alluvial plain, River terraces and River courses. The study area show high drainage density with sub dendritic and sub parallel drainage. The area has poor vegetative cover which results in extensive erosion and sedimentation of Ropar lake. The water spread and. qualitative turbidity level in the notified wetland area was also monitored. Anthropogenic pressure, industrial pollution, sedimentation, eutrophication, illegal fishing and flooding have been identified as major threats to the wetland. Keeping in view the threats to Ropar wetland, the conservation measures have been suggested.     

Tissue enzymes as biomonitors of PCP intoxication in Notopterus notopterus

In this paper, toxicity effects of pentachlorophenol have been studied using enzymes, phosphatases, transaminases and hydrogenases as indicators for toxicity. The sublethal concentrations used were 0.019, 0.0063 and 0.0038 mg/l (1/5th, 1/15th and 1/25th fractions of LC₅₀) and the experimental fishes were exposed for the periods of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Most of the significant alterations in enzymes were observed at 1/5th and 1/10th fractions except at few places in the liver where a significant alteration in the enzyme acid phosphatase occurs at 1/15th fraction. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) showed a significant increase in different tissues in all the fractions of treatment.     

Carbon dioxide,water vapor and sensible heat exchanges of a grain sorghum canopy

With the aid of eddy correlation instrumentation, the components of the energy budget and CO₂ flux were measured over grain sorghum grown at Mead, Nebraska. Diurnal patterns of sensible heat, latent heat, CO₂ and momentum flux are examined for typical days. On a mostly clear day when the crop leaf area index was 3.7, net radiation reached a mid-day peak of 560 W m^-2, while sensible and latent heat fluxes peaked at 50 and 460 W m^-2, respectively. The peak CO₂ flux occurring just prior to solar noon was 1.5 mg m^-2(ground area) s^-1. CO₂ flux (respiration from plants, soil and roots) in the early evening was about -0.28 mg m^-2 (ground area) s^-1.A relationship between CO₂ flux and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was developed. Except during the late stage of growth (growth stage 8.5, toward the initiation of senescence), the crop showed no evidence of saturation up to PAR 1800 Ei m^-2s^-1. The light compensation point was found to be about 211 Ei m^-2s^-1. Examination of CO₂ flux-PAR relationships for selected days through the season indicated an aging effect in terms of a decrease in photosynthetic activity of the sorghum canopy. Measurements made on two consecutive days demonstrate the effects of weather conditions on CO₂ flux and carbon-water flux ratio (a measure of water use efficiency of the crop). The occurrence of regional sensible heat advection with concommitant high vapor pressure deficit and air temperature-limited CO₂ exchange reduced the carbon-water flux ratio.Published as Paper No. 7717, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Research Division. The work was conducted under Regional Research Project 11-33 and Nebraska Agricultural Research Division Project 27-003.Formerly Post Doctoral Research Associate (now at the University of Connecticut Department of Renewable Natural Resources Storrs CT)     

Interannual and long-term variability of the summer monsoon and its possible link with northern hemispheric surface air temperature

Some statistical properties of the summer monsoon seasonal rainfall for India during the last 100 years (1881–1980) are presented. The most recent decade of 1971–1980 shows the lowest value of standard-decadal average monsoon rainfall (86.40 cm) and is also characterised by the second highest value of coefficient of variation in monsoon rainfall (12.4 %). The combined last two standard-decadal period of 1961–1980 was the period of the largest coefficient of variation and the lowest average monsoon rainfall for India. The possible influence of global climatic variability on the performance of the monsoon is also examined. Analyses of correlation coefficient show that a statistically significant positive relationship with a time-lag of about six months exists between monsoon rainfall and northern hemispheric surface air temperature. A cooler northern hemisphere during January/February leads to a poor monsoon. All the major drought years during the last 3 decades had much cooler January/February periods over the northern hemisphere—1972 having the coldest January/February with a temperature departure of −0.94°C and the most disastrous monsoon failure.     

Biomonitoring of the Contamination of Water by a Sublethal Concentration of Pesticides — A System Analysis Approach

Heteropneustes (Saccobranchus) fossilis (Pisces; Clariidae) is exposed to the biocides Chlordane, Aldrin, Metasystox, Dichlorvos, Carbofuran and Sevin for 30 d at a concentration of the 1/15 fraction of LC_50;96h with daily exchange of the medium. At intervals of 5 d the respiration rate was determined for 1 h. In addition, after the end of tests 13 haematological parameters as well as the activities of the adenosine triphosphatases and the acetylcholinesterase were determined in the liver, the kidney and the gills. During all exposures to biocides the respiration rate decreases significantly with the test time. At all exposures the blood concentrations of glucose, sodium- and chloride-ions show a significant increase, whereas the cholesterin content and the clotting time decrease significantly. The ATPase activity is significantly reduced only by Aldrin and Chlordane. A significant reduction of the acetylcholinesterase activity occurs in each of the three investigated tissues only for Metasystox and Dichlorvos and in the liver in addition also for Chlordane, Aldrin and Carbofuran. Therefore, the respiration rate and haematological criteria permit a general stress indication, enzymatic activities constitute a specific indication of individual groups of biocides, so that a systematic analysis of these three indication groups will probably provide a specific resultant statement in a biomonitoring system due to the specific inhibition pattern.     

Analysis of aeromagnetic anomalies over the central part of the Narmada-Son lineament

The Narmada-Son lineament (NSL) forms a major tectonic feature on the Indian subcontinent. The importance of this lineament lies in its evolution as well as its tectonic history. The lineament seems to have been active since Precambrian times. In order to understand the history of its evolution, it is necessary to know what igenous activity has been taking place along this lineament, and how the Deccan trap volcanics, which cover large areas along this lineament, have erupted.For the study of this problem an analysis of the aeromagnetic anomaly map lying between 76°15 to 77°30E and 21°45 to 22°50N has been carried out. Four different profiles (B ₁ B ₁,B ₂ B ₂,B ₃ B ₃ andB ₄ B ₄) have been drawn in N-S direction over this area and interpreted in terms of the intrusive bodies present within or below the surface of Deccan trap exposures. Inversion and forward modelling techniques have been adopted for interpretation purposes. An analysis of frequency spectra along the profiles has also been carried out to estimate the average depth of the different magnetic bodies. These results have been correlated with the available geological information. It has been found that most of the small wavelength anomalies are caused by dyke-like bodies within or below the Deccan trap at a depth of less than 0.5 km.     

Hydrometeorological assessments and suspended sediment delivery from a central Himalayan glacier in the upper Ganga basin

Integrated hydrometeorological investigations are not frequently available at a regional scale over a longer time period, especially near the terminus of Indian Himalayan glaciers. An integrated approach to the collection of hydrological data has major advantages for understanding the runoff generation mechanisms at basin scale, particularly when coupled with meteorological observations. The current study involves time series analysis of hydrometeorological records collected near the terminus of the Chorabari Glacier, for four consecutive ablation seasons(June-Sept.) 2009-2012. The analysis shows that variation in rainfall was higher(c_v= 0.9) at the same elevation over proximal sites, while the intensity of extreme rainfall events was 121-160 mm/d. The diurnal temperature range(DTR) has a tendency to reduce over the ablation season because of the onset of the Indian Summer Monsoon(ISM) and then further increases during the ISM withdrawal indicating humid-temperate conditions. The peak discharge(Qpeak) was found to be higher during July and August. Snow and glacier melt contributed 76% of the total suspended sediment transport during peak ISM months(July and August) reflecting seasonal evolution of the hydrologic conduits. The results indicate that Karakoram and western Himalayan glaciers produce comparatively low sediment yield compared to central Himalayan glaciers. The hydrological variations are depicted through flow duration curves(FDC) for meltwater discharge and sediment load. The flow corresponding to Q_(50), Q_(75), and Q_(90)(where Qx is the discharge that is exceeded x percent of the time referred to as % dependability) are 4.2, 3.7, and 2.8 m~3/s; and the corresponding dependability for suspended sediment loads(SSLs) are 409.0, 266.0, and 157.2 t/d, respectively. The daily SSL and discharge(Q) from 2009 to 2012 were used to develop a sediment rating curve(SSL = 39.55 × Q~(1.588). R~2 = 0.8).Multiple regressions are used to determine the impacts of meteorological parameters on glacier melt.The meteorological conditions, hydrological characteristics, and suspended sediment delivery for the Chorabari Glacier provide insight on meltwater generation processes and sediment transport patterns during the ISM season.     

Potassium and Residue Management Options to Enhance Productivity and Soil Quality in Zero Till Maize–Wheat Rotation

Crop residue burning and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers in intensive cereal–cereal rotations are present ecological threats in any agro‐ecosystem of the world. Therefore, identification of best suitable agricultural practices can be a feasible option. The present experiment was initiated in 2013 and consisted of four residue levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 Mg ha^?1) and five potassium (K) levels (0, 50, 100, 150% recommended dose of K and 50%RDK+K solubilizing bacteria, KSB). Crop residue (CR) and K management significantly improve crop and soil quality associated parameters. Among the treatments, maximum increase in crop growth, physiological parameters, grain yield, quality aspects, and water productivity are recorded with the application of 4–6 Mg ha^?1 CR. Application of 50%RDK+KSB also significantly increases crop and soil related parameters. Soil quality indicators (bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, and available micronutrients) do not vary significantly with CR and K management. Change in soil organic carbon status, soil enzymes, and potassium‐solubilizing bacterial count are significantly increased with 4–6 Mg ha^?1 CR and application of 50%RDK+KSB, and this is in accordance with correlation study carried out. Therefore, it is concluded that CR retention (4–6 Mg ha^?1) and reduction of inorganic K fertilizer by 50% and inoculation of KSB enhance the soil quality indicators and thereby improve crop growth, physiological parameters, grain yield, and quality aspects along with water productivity under zero till maize–wheat rotation.     

Dynamic stress concentration in pre-stressed poroelastic media due to moving punch influenced by shear wave

During the occurrence of earthquake, the shear wave propagates in the rocks present inside/at the Earth’s crust. The propagation of shear wave may lead to the progression of punch present inside the rock medium. As a result of this, substantial stress accumulated at the vicinity of propagating punch inside rock medium which significantly affects the stability of various geological and human-made structure and, hence, may cause failure of structure. Therefore, the analysis of stress concentration at the vicinity of punch moving due to shear wave propagation has become prominent in the area of seismology. In the present paper, an analytical perspective has been employed to discuss the influence of velocity of moving punch associated with the propagation of shear wave on developed dynamic stress concentration (DSC) in three types of pre-stressed vertical transversely isotropic (VTI) poroelastic media viz. granite (an igneous rock); sandstone (a sedimentary rock); and marble (a metamorphic rock). The closed form expression of DSC for the force of constant intensity has been derived with the aid of Weiner-Hopf technique along with Galilean and two-sided Fourier integral transformations. The noticeable influence of different affecting parameters (viz. velocity of moving punch associated with the shear wave propagation, horizontal compressive/tensile initial stresses, vertical compressive/tensile initial stress, porosity, and anisotropy parameter) on dynamic stress concentration has also been reported. Numerical computation and graphical illustrations have been carried out for the aforementioned three different types of porous rocks to investigate the profound impact of affecting parameters on DSC. Moreover, some noteworthy peculiarities have also been derived from the obtained expression of dynamic stress concentration.