Pliocene–Holocene Alkali-Basaltoid Volcanism of the Tsushima Basin of the Sea of Japan: New Geochemical and Geodynamic Data

Oceanology - Abstract—The paper contains original data on the rock-forming and rare element compositions in the Pliocene–Holocene alkaline basaltoids of the Tsushima Basin Sea of Japan,...     

Seasonal Variations in the Grain Size Distribution and Mineral Composition of Suspended Particulate Matter of the Northern Dvina River

Oceanology - The paper presents the first results of a study of seasonal variations in the grain size distribution and mineral compositions of suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the Northern...     

Photometric catalogue of Shakhbazian compact groups of galaxies. IV.

The fourth part of the photometric catalogue of Shakhbazian compact groups of galaxies contains optical and geometrical properties of another 26 groups (Shkh 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 357). As in the previous papers photometric data were obtained from the COSMOS/UKST catalogue of the Southern sky with δ ± +2°30'. The survey of compact galaxy groups by Shakhbazian, Petrosian, Baier, and Tiersch is a basis for studying physical properties of such groups.     

Application of soft computing techniques for shallow foundation reliability in geotechnical engineering

This research focuses on the application of three soft computing techniques including Minimax Probability Machine Regression(MPMR),Particle Swarm Optimization based Artificial Neural Network(ANN-PSO)and Particle Swarm Optimization based Adaptive Network Fuzzy Inference System(ANFIS-PSO)to study the shallow foundation reliability based on settlement criteria.Soil is a heterogeneous medium and the involvement of its attributes for geotechnical behaviour in soil-foundation system makes the prediction of settlement of shallow a complex engineering problem.This study explores the feasibility of soft computing techniques against the deterministic approach.The settlement of shallow foundation depends on the parametersγ(unit weight),e0(void ratio)and CC(compression index).These soil parameters are taken as input variables while the settlement of shallow foundation as output.To assess the performance of models,different performance indices i.e.RMSE,VAF,R^2,Bias Factor,MAPE,LMI,U(95),RSR,NS,RPD,etc.were used.From the analysis of results,it was found that MPMR model outperformed PSO-ANFIS and PSO-ANN.Therefore,MPMR can be used as a reliable soft computing technique for non-linear problems for settlement of shallow foundations on soils.     

The quasar population density as a result of the formation rate and the evolutionary pathes II. Adaption to the observation

The continuity equation of CAVALIERE et al. (1971) generalized to age-dependent luminosity evolution (BOLLER and LIEBSCHER 1989) is used to calculate quasar luminosity functions. For some combinations of source functions S(L, t) and evolutionary pathes M(L) we discuss the resulting N — m relations and the amount of the X-ray background and compare them with actual results of observation. We can exclude certain models, (S(L, t), M(L)). We cannot yet decide what the actual source function and the actual evolutionary path are.     

Cryptic exposure horizons in the Carboniferous Limestone of Portishead,Avon

Two unusual subaerial exposure horizons containing fibrous columnar calcite crystals are described from the (early Chadian) Lower Carboniferous of Portishead, near Bristol in southwest Britain. The lower horizon overlies the Courceyan Black Rock Limestone (mid-ramp facies) and is separated from the upper horizon by the Sub-Oolite Bed and is overlain by the Chadian Gully Oolite (both are inner ramp deposits). Regionally the Portishead Palaeosol Beds are interpreted as forming part of extensive emergent surfaces which developed along the southern margin of the Welsh–Brabant Massif. They correlate with similar subaerial exposure horizons in Belgium and southern Germany, and may be the product of a proposed major eustatic sea level fall at the end of the Courceyan.     

Essential properties of the cD galaxy in Abell 1795 — II. Radio structure

We consider current problems connected with the evolution of central dominant (cD) galaxies in clusters. In the second part of this series, internal properties of the cD galaxy — in particular its radio structure — are related to the appropriate ones of the cluster. The observations point to an earlier jet ejection along the major axis of the galaxy and a following change of the jet axis. From the existence of “hot-spot” like regions in different directions it is suggested that the radio engine would have to be intermittent with a relatively short period. Alternatively to the intermittent ejection scenario, the radio morphology of 4C 26.42 can be explained in the frame of the “standard” beam or jet model. The radio structure of 4C 26.42 being an inversion-symmetric configuration, which is probably due to galactic cannibalism, could be interpreted as a transition at the inner hot spots (at about 1 kpc) from supersonic, stable Fanaroff-Riley type II jets to subsonic, unstable FR I type structures (“plumes”). A quantitative investigation of the two scenarios for jet interaction with the surroudning interstellar/intercluster medium in 4C 26.42 gives parameter values in reasonable agreement with the ones discussed in the literature for related objects.     

An introduction to the classification of the physiognomic landscape types: methodology and results of testing in the area of Kazimierz Landscape Park (Poland)

The publication of the European Landscape Convention (2000) had a stimulating effect on the development of both new systems of landscape classification and new methods of their evaluation and mapping. As an example, a new classification of physiognomic landscape types was developed in Poland in 2014. The objectives of the paper are to (1) popularize, on the international scale, the classification of physiognomic landscape types in a new, improved version, (2) present the original method of physiognomic landscape types mapping with the use of the system of basic landscape units, and (3) present the results of testing of the method in the area of the Kazimierz Landscape Park, Poland. In the area of the Kazimierz Landscape Park, 491 basic landscape units were delimited, within which, on the basis of the leading traits of land relief and cover forms, the physiognomic landscape types were identified. Maps of this type can be important tools in implementing the recommendations of the European Landscape Convention. The total number of physiognomic landscape types identified within a specific area can be one of the key indicators of landscape diversity.