Fan-Delta,Braid Delta and the Classification of Delta Systems

This paper mainly discusses the origin and deposhional features of fan-deltas and braid deltas. Fan-del-tas are storm discharge-dominated, while braid deltas are usually flashy flood-dominated. The two types ofdelta, like common deltas, were reworked by marine processes. Delta systems are classified into nine deltatypes on the basis of the subaerial depositional processes and the nature of marine reworking. Fan-deltas and braid deltas are of great significance for petroleum exploration. In divergent-marginforeland and intraplate rift-subsided basin settings fan-deltas often form combination traps for petroleum ac-cumulation.

Phylogenetic analysis of click beetles(Coleoptera: Elateridae) based upon 28S rDNA: phylogeny and classification

Elateridae（click beetles） is the largest family within the Elateroidea and is abundant worldwide. However, their phylogenetic relationships remain uncertain; older studies based on the external morphology of adults and larvae led to divergent classification systems. Many tribes, genera, and even subfamilies remain controversial. Partial sequences of 28S ribosomal DNA（rDNA） were used to investigate the phylogeny of click beetles. Sequences of 28S rDNA from 80 different click beetle species collected from different locations across China were determined along with those of another 86 Elateridae species and 14 outgroup species. The aligned data were analyzed by neighbor joining, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analyses. All methods produced a nearly consistent basal topology that was partially congruent with those of previous studies based on adult and larval morphology as well as molecular data. Overall, the monophyly of Elateridae was supported. The family was divided into five clades, Denticollinae, Negastriinae, Cardiophorinae, Pyrophorinae, Oestodinae, and Elaterinae. Senodonia is traditionally considered a member of Elateridae, but this study indicated that it was more closely related to Lycidae. The position of the outgroup family Lampyridae also differed from its placement in previous research. In addition to confirming the Elateridae as monophyletic, we concluded that Oxynopterinae, Pityobiinae, and Hypnoidinae should be merged into Denticollinae; Conoderinae and Agrypninae should be regarded as subgroups of Pyrophorinae; and Melanotinae should be classified as a tribe of Elaterinae. Additional species should be sampled in future studies to confirm this reclassification.

Empirical Development of the Rock Mass Deformation Modulus

Rock mass deformation modulus is a fundamental factor for a safe and economical design of rock structures like large underground openings, tunneling, and open pit mine as well as foundations in both the initial state of stresses act on rock mass and its strength characteristics. The rock mass deformation modulus recently has been measured by in-situ loading tests and has been estimated by use of empirical equation based on classification systems and data of laboratory tests. In-situ tests to measure modulus directly are so expensive, times consuming and the reliability of the results of these tests is sometimes doubtful; subsequently, many researches have been carried out to estimate this parameter based on classification systems. In this study, a new empirical equation was proposed by use of statistical analyses based on a database of more than 142 in-situ tests, like plate load tests, dilatometer tests, flat jack tests, and classification systems; in addition, properties of the intact rock.