Inference model derivation with a pattern analysis for predicting the risk of microbial pollution in a sewer system

Developing a mathematical model for predicting fecal coliform bacteria concentration is very important because it can provide a basis for water quality management decisions that can minimize microbial pollution risk to the public. This paper introduces a hybrid modeling methodology which is a combined use of a neural network-based pattern analysis and an evolutionary process model induction system. The neural network-based pattern analysis technique is applied to extract knowledge on inter-relationships between fecal coliform concentrations and other measurable variables in a sewer system. Based on the result of neural network-based pattern analysis, an evolutionary process model induction system is used to derive mathematical inference models that can predict fecal coliform bacteria concentration from easily measurable variables instead of directly measuring fecal coliform bacteria concentration in a sewer system. The neural network-based pattern analysis extracts that temperature and ammonia concentration are the most important driving forces leading to an increase in fecal coliform bacteria concentration in the sewer system at Paraparaumu City, New Zealand. Fecal coliform bacteria concentration is also positively correlated with dissolved phosphorus and inversely with flow rate. The multivariate inference models that are able to predict fecal coliform bacteria concentration are successfully derived as functions of flow rate, temperature, ammonia, and dissolved phosphorus in the form of understandable mathematical formulae using the evolutionary process model induction system, even if a priori mathematical knowledge of the dynamic nature of fecal coliform bacteria is poor. The multivariate inference models evolved by the evolutionary process model induction system produce a slightly better performance than the multi-layer perceptron neural network model.     

An efficient solution of real-time data processing for multi-GNSS network

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are acting as an indispensable tool for geodetic research and global monitoring of the Earth, and they have been rapidly developed over the past few years with abundant GNSS networks, modern constellations, and significant improvement in mathematic models of data processing. However, due to the increasing number of satellites and stations, the computational efficiency becomes a key issue and it could hamper the further development of GNSS applications. In this contribution, this problem is overcome from the aspects of both dense linear algebra algorithms and GNSS processing strategy. First, in order to fully explore the power of modern microprocessors, the square root information filter solution based on the blocked QR factorization employing as many matrix–matrix operations as possible is introduced. In addition, the algorithm complexity of GNSS data processing is further decreased by centralizing the carrier-phase observations and ambiguity parameters, as well as performing the real-time ambiguity resolution and elimination. Based on the QR factorization of the simulated matrix, we can conclude that compared to unblocked QR factorization, the blocked QR factorization can greatly improve processing efficiency with a magnitude of nearly two orders on a personal computer with four 3.30 GHz cores. Then, with 82 globally distributed stations, the processing efficiency is further validated in multi-GNSS (GPS/BDS/Galileo) satellite clock estimation. The results suggest that it will take about 31.38 s per epoch for the unblocked method. While, without any loss of accuracy, it only takes 0.50 and 0.31 s for our new algorithm per epoch for float and fixed clock solutions, respectively.     

An inexpensive system for continuous lake core photography

Representative images of split sediment cores document geological records, serve as visual aids for multimedia, and provide samples for image analysis. Existing core imaging systems, often containing integrated hardware and software, are capable of providing excellent images; unfortunately these systems are also bulky and expensive, and are therefore limited to labs that process large volumes of core and those actively involved in image analysis. For most research groups such systems are unfeasible to buy and maintain. Producing good quality core images with a hand-held digital camera is very difficult without a consistent lighting source, and changes in camera angle (in all three spatial dimensions) between photographs may prevent accurate image compositing. Tripods allow for camera stability, but typically do not accommodate downward-facing photography. Presented here is an easily constructed core-imaging system that minimizes many of the drawbacks of personal digital cameras. Software necessary for using this system is readily available and can be run from a personal computer.     

Characteristics of particle size for creeping and saltating sand grains in aeolian transport

Creep and saltation are the primary modes of surface transport involved in the fluid‐like movement of aeolian sands. Although numerous studies have focused on saltation, few studies have focused on creep, primarily because of the experimental difficulty and the limited amount of theoretical information available on this process. Grain size and its distribution characteristics are key controls on the modes of sand movement and their transport masses. Based on a series of wind tunnel experiments, this paper presents new data regarding the saltation flux, obtained using a flat sampler, and on the creeping mass, obtained using a specifically designed bed trap, associated with four friction velocities (0·41, 0·47, 0·55 and 0·61 m sec^?1). These data yielded information regarding creeping and saltating sand grains and their particle size characteristics at various heights, which led to the following conclusions: (i) the creeping masses increased as a power function (q = ?1·02 + 14·19u_*³) of friction wind velocities, with a correlation (R²) of 0·95; (ii) the flux of aeolian sand flow decreases exponentially with increasing height (q = a exp(–z/b)) and increases as a power function (q = ?26·30 + 428·40 u_*³) of the friction wind velocity; (iii) the particle size of creeping sand grains is ca 1·15 times of the mean diameter of salting sand grains at a height of 0 to 2 cm, which is 1·14 times of the mean diameter of sand grains in a bed; and (iv) the mean diameter of saltating sand grains decreases rapidly with increasing height whereas, while at a given height, the mean diameter of saltating sand grains is positively correlated with the friction wind velocity. Although these results require additional experimental validation, they provide new information for modelling of aeolian sand transport processes.     

Molecular expression of opsin gene in growing juvenile mackerel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis> Houttuyn)

Fish have developed color vision that is closely adapted to their photic environments, where both spectral sensitivity and the number of visual opsins are influenced. The mackerel used in this study is one of the most important fishery stocks in Korea. The opsin gene of the mackerel juveniles after 20 days in hatching was isolated and characterized based on the molecular study of visual photoreceptor. The full-length mackerel opsin gene was obtained by PCR amplification of genomic DNA, as well as cDNA synthesis. Sequence analysis of the opsin gene showed that it contained a 1,080 bp open reading frame encoding 360 amino acids. Based on Schiff’s base formation (S114, K119), glycosylation (E3, F37) and palmitoylation (S281, 282), the deduced amino acid sequence had a typical rod opsin. The mackerel and Gempylus serpens showed 73.7% DNA homology on opsin gene, which was higher than any other of investigated species. In the analysis of phylogenetic relationship, the genetic placement of the mackerel is closer to that of Scombroidei than Labroidei, with supporting somewhat strong bootstrap value. In the analysis of Northern and RT-PCR, the probed products were observed only in rapidly growing juveniles. These findings indicate that in mackerel opsin mRNA expression can be detected in day-20 hatching larvae. It may play an important role in stimulating growth hormone.     

Porphyry Molybdenum Prospectivity in the Zhongdian Arc,SW China: Use of Singularity and Factor Analyses for Resource Assessment

Natural Resources Research - The Zhongdian arc is an important mineral province in southwest China that hosts significant Cu- and Mo-rich ore deposits. These are mainly present as Late Triassic...     

Utilization of water resources,ecological balance and land desertification in the Tarim Basin,Xinjiang

Because of the human exploitation and utilization of water resources in the Tarim Basin, the water resources consumption has changed from mainly natural ecosystem to artificial oasis ecosystem, and the environment has changed correspondingly. The basic changes are: desertification and oasis development coexist, both “the human being advance and the desert retreat” and “the desert advance and the human being retreat” coexist, but the latter is dominant. In the upper reaches, water volume drawing to irrigated agricultural areas has increased, artificial oases have been enlarging and moving from the deltas in the lower reaches of many rivers to the piedmont plains. In the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River, the stream flow has decreased, old oases have declined, natural vegetations have been degenerating, desertification has been enlarging, and the environment has deteriorated. The transition regions, which consist of forestlands, grasslands and waters between the desert and the oases, have been decreasing continuously, their shelter function to the oases has been weakened, and the desert is threatening the oases seriously.     

Trace elements in groundwater as indicators of anthropogenic impact

The distribution of several minor and trace elements mainly in fresh (dominating TDS 160–400 mg/l) groundwater of Latvia have been investigated by the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique. An evaluation of results of about 700 analyses leads to the conclusion that concentrations of these elements is influenced by: pH–Eh conditions, groundwater residence time and diffuse contamination, whereas the role of water-bearing sediments is of secondary importance. Most trace elements are characterised by low mobility under alkaline and reducing conditions; concentrations in confined aquifers are much smaller than the Maximum Permissible Values for drinking water. The strongest anomalies of REE, Al and P were found in shallow groundwater around the former agrochemical storehouses.     

Empirical Formula of Shear Strength of Rock Fractures Based on 3D Morphology Parameters

The prime objective of this work is to provide a reference to predict the peak shear strength of rock fractures. The paper studied some shear properties of rock fractures and proposed an empirical formula for the peak shear strength of rock fractures based on 3D morphology parameters. The rock fractures were induced in cylindrical sandstone and marble specimens by means of indirect tension. A rock direct shear apparatus (RDS-200) was adopted to conduct direct shear tests on five groups of rock fractures under different levels of normal load. Before the direct shear test, 3D morphology parameters of rock fracture surfaces were obtained using a 3D optical scanner. By analyses of direct shear test data, the relationships between peak shear strength, peak shear displacement, peak dilatancy angle, residual friction coefficient and peak normal stress were found. According to the evolution trends of peak shear strength and peak dilatancy angle along with the normal stress, an empirical formula was proposed to predict the peak shear strength of rock fractures in both sliding and cutting failure modes considering the 3D morphology parameters of rock fracture surfaces. The empirical formula could be commonly used for different types (sandstone and marble) and grain sizes (powder-grained, fine-grained, medium-grained and coarse-grained) of rock fractures.