Linear Genetic Programming, Naïve Bayes algorithm - Their Applications in Geotechnical Engineering

Modeling soil and rock pose challenges due to uncertainties in their complex behavior. In the present study, linear genetic programming and Naïve Bayes are used in classification of liquefied and non-liquefied data. Soil and seismic parameters influencing the soil liquefaction potential are used to develop the models. Genetic Programming is the automatic creation of computer programs to perform a selected task using Darwinian natural selection. Linear genetic programming forms a peculiar subset of genetic programming where computer programs in a population are constituted as successive repetition of instructions from imperative programming language. Naive Bayes methods are supervised learning algorithms by applying Bayes’ theorem with the “naive” assumption of independence among all the sets of the features. Accuracy of results of classification for linear genetic programming, Naïve Bayes were found to be 94.12% and 90.59% respectively.

Study of Precipitating Methods for Elimination of Heavy Metals from Acid Mine Drainage

The submitted paper deals with the study of combination of chemical and biological-chemical methods for the heavy metals elimination from the acid mine drainage. The experiments were carried out at the laboratory scale using a synthetic solution with similar properties to the real sample of acid mine drainage, originating from the zinc mine located in Tùnel Kingsmill outflow of the Rio Yaulì (district of Yauli - Perù). The successive repetition of the metal precipitations as hydroxides (chemical method) and sulphides (biological-chemical method) at the various acid mine drainage pH was the basis of the examined processes. For the hydrogen sulphide production the sulphate-reducing bacteria of genus Desulfovibrio were used. Results confirmed the precipitation of Fe, As, Al and Mn in the hydroxide form; Cu and Zn in the form of sulphides. For the selective removal of Cu, Zn, Al and Mn the excellent results were received. Selective precipitation of Fe and As was not so successful since the co-precipitation of Fe and As was later determined as a main mechanism of the precipitate forming.

Audition in the Desert Locust: Behavioural and Neurophysiological Studies

1. The auditory responses of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria were tested using electrophysiological and behavioural methods. 2. The electrical response of the tympanal nerve to pure tone stimuli showed maximum sensitivity between 3 and 5·5 kcyc/sec. The response was the same in both sexes. 3. The flight behaviour was tested as function of pure tone stimuli and measured as the delay period, the number of insects reacting and the time they spent flying. 4. The number of animals which began to fly after the various tones presented was in accordance with the electrophysiological results. The number of animals having a short delay period (under 30 sec) was considerably higher than in the controls for the various sound stimuli. 5. The number of rounds flown (or time spent in flying) was the most affected parameter, although no systematic response was seen as a function of the tone ‘excitation’ by pure tone stimulus and ‘inhibition’ by ‘white’ noise. These two kinds of stimuli were presumably learned by the animal during successive repetition of the stimuli were presumably learned by the animal during successive repetition of the stimulation procedure. 6. The usefulness of sound emission during flight and sound perception (by the hearing organ) was discussed. The auditory neural mechanism of the desert locust is presumably integrated with the visual mechanism for communication purposes between swarming animals.