Implementation of an expert system for the design of single-point, subsurface oceanographic moorings

The design of single-point, subsurface moorings is carried out a present by a design engineer with the help of some computer programs. These computer programs are used for analyzing the mooring, but the setting-up of the initial mooring configuration and the subsequent modifications on the basis of the results of the analysis are carried out by the design engineer.An expert system for mooring design is developed to eliminate the human expert from the design process and thus to enable a novice to design a mooring by himself. Using the expert system, an optimum least-weight in air design can be developed in much less time than is usually required in conventional procedures. Perhaps the most significant advantage is that the system can serve as a vehicle for effective transfer of present day expertise for future applications.The system is developed and implemented on an IBM PC/AT. It has a user-friendly, interactive, menu-driven input procedure and a sophisticated output facility. The design process is totally automated and the requirement to consult a human expert is easily eliminated. The system has tremendous flexibility and a knowledge engineer can easily adapt it to the specific requirements of a particular user. The concept of machine learning is introduced by recording the failure data and using this information in the later decision-making processes. A CAD package, AUTOCAD, is used to generate the drawings and an interface is developed between the CAD package and the expert system so that the former is transparent to the user.     

Stratigraphical and palynological appraisal of the Late Quaternary mangrove deposits of the west coast of India

The organic deposits derived from the mangrove swamps form reliable stratigraphic markers within the Late Quaternary sequence of Kerala–Konkan Basin. Three generations of such deposits have been identified. The older one is dated to around 43,000–40,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P., with a few dates beyond the range of radiocarbon. The younger ones date from the Middle Holocene to latest Pleistocene (10,760–4540 ¹⁴C yr B.P.) and the Late Holocene (<4000 ¹⁴C yr B.P.). Pollen analyses confirm that the deposits are mostly derived from the mangrove vegetation. Peat accumulation during the period 40,000–28,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. can be correlated with the excess rainfall, 40–100% greater than modern values, of the Asian summer monsoon. The low occurrence of mangrove between 22,000 and 18,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. can be attributed to the prevailing aridity and/or reduced precipitation associated worldwide with Last Glacial Maximum, because exposure surfaces and ferruginous layers are commonly found in intervals representing this period. The high rainfall of 11,000–4000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. is found to be the most significant as the mangrove reached an optimum growth around 11,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. but with periods of punctuated weaker monsoons. From the present and previous studies, it has been observed that after about 5000 or 4000 ¹⁴C yr B.P., the monsoons became gradually reduced leading to drying up of many of the marginal marine mangrove ecosystems. A case study of Hadi profile provided an insight to the relevance of magnetic susceptibility (χ) to record the ecological shift in Late Holocene.     

Geohydrological evaluation of upper agniar and vellar basins,tamil nadu: An integrated approach using remote sensing,geophysical and well inventory data

The present paper focuses mainly on the assessment of groundwater availability in the Upper Agniar and Vellar basins. The remote sensing data was used to map the geomorphological units and structural pattern. The integration of geomorphology and structural pattern with geophysical and well inventory data reveals that shallow groundwater occurrence is controlled by geomorphological characteristics whereas at intermediate depth faults/fractures control the yield of groundwater. The study has also indicated that the eastern part of the basins is more favourable for groundwater development than the western part.     

Signatures of Holocene Hydrological Processes from Sedimentary Archives in Southwestern India: Case Studies from Wetlands of Kerala Coast

This study investigates the abundance, modes of occurrence and origin of major and trace elements in the Jurassic Tazareh coal in the northern Iran. A total of 27 samples (coal, coaly shale and siltstones) were collected and analyzed for trace elements by neutron activation analysis (INAA) and for major elements by X-ray fluorescence. The abundance of these elements is discussed in relation to local geological conditions. The correlation between the various elements is demonstrated through scatter diagrams and the possible genetic associations are discussed. Most elements (Al, Si, Na, K, Fe, Mg, Ti, Ba, Cr and REE) are positively correlated with ash yields that are inorganically associated. Bromine displays statistically signiûcant negative correlations with ash yield. The Ca, Zn, Se, As and Co present mixed modes of occurrence in the coal and probably associate with organic fraction.     

Stomach contents of cetaceans incidentally caught along Mangalore and Chennai coasts of India

The stomachs of 32 individuals of seven cetacean species incidentally caught in gill net and purseseine fisheries along Mangalore and Chennai coasts (India) between 2004 and 2006 were examined. The whole stomach (fore-gut, mid-gut and hind-gut) was examined in all cases. Prey remains (666 prey items comprising six species of teleosts, one crustacean and one squid species) were found in the stomachs of eight individuals (the remaining 24 stomachs were found to be empty). All cetaceans were found to feed mostly on teleosts with wide range of trophic levels. Based on an index that included frequency of occurrence, percentage by number and by weight, the oil sardine Sardinella longiceps was the main prey in the sample. Cetaceans appear to favour both pelagic as well as demersal prey, possibly indicating surface and benthic feeding habits.