A geochemical perspective on the genesis of Cenozoic basic volcanism in northeastern Turkey:an overview of metasomatism and heterogeneity of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle in a post-collisional setting

The post-collisional Cenozoic basic volcanic rocks in NE Turkey show temporal variations in whole-rock lithophile element and highly siderophile element(HSE)systematics that are mainly associated with the nature of sub-continental lithospheric mantle(SCLM)sources and parental melt generation.So far,the traditional whole-rock lithophile geochemical data of these basic volcanic rocks have provided important constraints on the nature of SCLM sources.Integrated lithophile element and HSE geochemical data of these basic volcanic rocks also reveal the heterogeneity of the SCLM source,which is principally related to variable metasomatism resulting from previous subduction(s)and post-collisional mantle-crust interactions in an extensional setting.Lithophile element geochemical features suggest that the parental magmas have derived from metasomatized spinel-to garnet-bearing SCLM sources for Eocene and Miocene basic volcanic rocks with subduction signatures whereas originated from spinel-to garnet-bearing SCLM sources for Mio-Pliocene and Plio-Quaternary basaltic volcanic rocks without the subduction signature.Lithophile element and HSE geo-chemistry also reveal that Eocene and Miocene basic vol-canic rocks were affected by more pronounced crustal contamination than the basaltic volcanic rocks of Mio-Pliocene and Quaternary.Furthermore,the integrated lithophile element and HSE compositions of these basic volcanic rocks,together with the regional asymmetric lithospheric delamination model,reveal that the compositional variation(especially due to metasomatism)was significant temporally in the heterogeneity of the SCLM sources from which parental magmas formed during the Cenozoic era.

Geotechnical investigations and remediation design for failure of tunnel portal section： a case study in northern Turkey

Mass movements are very common problems in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey due to its climate conditions, geological, and geomorphological characteristics. High slope angle, weathering, dense rainfalls, and anthropogenic impacts are generally reported as the most important triggering factors in the region. Following the portal slope excavations in the entrance section of Cankurtaran tunnel, located in the region, where the highly weathered andesitic tuff crops out, a circular toe failure occurred. The main target of the present study is to investigate the causes and occurrence mechanism of this failure and to determine the feasible remedial measures against it using finite element method(FEM) in four stages. These stages are slope stability analyses for pre-and postexcavation cases, and remediation design assessments for slope and tunnel. The results of the FEM-SSR analyses indicated that the insufficient initial support design and weathering of the andesitic tuffs are the main factors that caused the portal failure. After installing a rock retaining wall with jet grout columns and reinforced slope benching applications, the factor of safety increased from 0.83 to 2.80. In addition toslope stability evaluation, the Rock Mass Rating(RMR), Rock Mass Quality(Q) and New Austrian Tunneling Method(NATM) systems were also utilized as empirical methods to characterize the tunnel ground and to determine the tunnel support design. The performance of the suggested empirical support design, induced stress distributions and deformations were analyzed by means of numerical modelling. Finally, it was concluded that the recommended stabilization technique was essential for the dynamic long-term stability and prevents the effects of failure. Additionally, the FEM method gives useful and reasonably reliable results in evaluating the stability of cut slopes and tunnels excavated both in continuous and discontinuous rock masses.

Geochemistry of the Aptian bituminous limestones in Gümuü?hane area,Eastern Black Sea region:new insight into paleogeography and paleoclimate conditions

Aptian is characterized by widespread deposition of organic-rich sediment.The Aptian bitumen limestone horizon,which is thin decimetre-thick sequences,locally crops out in the Kircaova area,Eastern Black Sea Region(Eastern Pontides).They are well correlated with Aptian bitumen limestone in the other Tethys Reams.They are proposed as episodes of increased organic matter.However,background factors controlling organic matter enrichment are poorly known.In this study,we present new inorganic geochemistry,including trace elements,rare earth elements(REE),redox-sensitive elements(RSE),stable-isotopes(δ~(18)O andδ~(13)C),and total organic carbon(TOC).We integrated new geochemical data with existing stratigraphy,paleontology,and organic chemistry data to provide new insight into the depositional environment and paleoclimate conditions during Aptian.The lacustrine bitumen limestone(LBL)samples have variedδ~(13)C(ave.-1.45‰)andδ~(18)O(ave.-4.50‰).They possess distinct REE patterns,with an average of REE(ave.14.45 ppm)and Y/Ho(ave.35)ratios.In addition,they have variable Nd/YbN(0.28-0.81;ave.0.56)and Ce/Ce*(0.68-0.97;ave.0.86),and relatively high Eu^(*)/Eu(1.23-1.53;ave.1.35).They display seawater signatures with reduced oxygen conditions.The enrichment in RSE(Mo,Cu,Ni,and Zn)and the low Mo/TOC(0.70-3.69;ave.2.41)support a certain degree of water restriction.The high Sr/Ba,Sr/Cu,Ga/Rb,and K/Al records of the LBL facies suggest hot house climatic conditions.The sedimentary environment was probably an isolated basin that is transformed from the marine basin.In addition to depositional conditions,the regional parameters such as the climate,increased run-off period,nutrient levels,alkalinity level,and dominant carbonate producers favored the enrichment in organic matter of LBL facies.Thus,extreme greenhouse palaeoclimate conditions have an important role in organic matter enrichment in the isolated basin.Our results are conformable with the published data from marine,semi-restricted basin,and lacustrine settings in the different parts of the Tethys margin.Thus,this approach provides the first insight into the Aptian greenhouse paleo-climate conditions of the Eastern Black Sea Region,NE Turkey.

Fast clogging problem of open check dams and a new type suggestion:curved footed type open check dam

Driftwood is one of the important physical components in mountainous rivers which causes severe hazards due to the clogging of bridges,culverts,and narrow sections during floods.Therefore,the understanding of driftwood dynamics and mitigation measures are crucial for managing wood in rivers.Open check dams are the most commonly used engineering measure for preventing driftwood from reaching downstream areas.Nevertheless,these open check dams frequently lose their sediment transport function when they are blocked by sediment and driftwood,especially during major flood events.This paper proposes a new type of open check dam for preventing from clogging.Thus,flume experiments were conducted to examine the influence of different types of open check dams on the characteristics of driftwood deposition.For the model with wood length(LWD)=16.5 cm,wood diameter(D)=15 mm,and wood number(N)=172,the highest trapping efficiency was observed with 90.1%and 87.2%retention rates for the classical debris flow breaker and curved footed open check dams,respectively.Laboratory tests showed that through this proposed design,woody debris blockage in a very short time was prevented from the accumulation of woods beside the dam.In addition to this,most of the sediment passed through the check dam and most of the driftwood got trapped.It can be briefly stated that the geometrical design of the structure plays an important role and can be chosen carefully to optimize trapping efficiency.By designing this type of open check dams in mountain river basins,it may provide a better understanding of the driftwood accumulation and basis for the optimal design of these structures.Further development of the solution proposed in this work can pave the way for designing different types of open check dams for effective flood management.

Stock Market Prediction Using Generative Adversarial Networks(GANs):Hybrid Intelligent Model

The key indication of a nation’s economic development and strength is the stock market.Inflation and economic expansion affect the volatility of the stock market.Given the multitude of factors,predicting stock prices is intrinsically challenging.Predicting the movement of stock price indexes is a difficult component of predicting financial time series.Accurately predicting the price movement of stocks can result in financial advantages for investors.Due to the complexity of stock market data,it is extremely challenging to create accurate forecasting models.Using machine learning and other algorithms to anticipate stock prices is an interesting area.The purpose of this article is to forecast stock market values to assist investors to make better informed and precise investing decisions.Statistics,Machine Learning(ML),Natural language processing(NLP),and sentiment analysis will be used to accomplish the study’s objectives.Using both qualitative and quantitative information,the study developed a hybrid model.The hybrid model has been handled with GANs.Based on the model’s predictions,a buy-or-sell trading strategy is offered.The conclusions of this study will assist investors in selecting the ideal choice while selling,holding,or buying shares.

Multi-institutional analysis of cervical esophageal carcinoma patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy: TROD 01-005 study

The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of cervical esophageal carcinoma(CEC)patients who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy(CRT).The clinical data of 175 biopsyconfirmed CEC patients treated with definitive CRT between April 2005 and September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The prognostic factors predicting overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),and local recurrence-free survival(LRFS)were assessed in uni-and multivariable analyses.The median age of the entire cohort was 56 years(range:26–87 years).All patients received definitive radiotherapy with a median total dose of 60 Gy,and 52%of the patients received cisplatin-based concurrent chemotherapy.The 2-year OS,PFS,and LRFS rates were 58.8%,46.9%,and 52.4%,respectively,with a median follow-up duration of 41.6 months.Patients’performance status,clinical nodal stage,tumor size,and treatment response were significant prognostic factors for OS,PFS,and LRFS in univariate analysis.Non-complete treatment response was an independent predictor for poor OS(HR=4.41,95%CI,2.78–7.00,p<0.001)and PFS(HR=4.28,95%CI,2.79–6.58,p<0.001),whereas poor performance score was a predictor for worse LRFS(HR=1.83,95%CI,1.12–2.98,p=0.02)in multivariable analysis.Fifty-two patients(29.7%)experienced grade II or higher toxicity.In this multicenter study,we demonstrated that definitive CRT is a safe and effective treatment for patients with CEC.Higher radiation doses were found to have no effect on treatment outcomes,but a better response to treatment and a better patient performance status did.

土耳其西部新生代斑岩成矿岩浆氧逸度-挥发份元素组成演化特征--来自锆石和磷灰石组成约束

特提斯成矿域中段的土耳其西部集中产出了与俯冲、碰撞-后碰撞、伸展动力学背景有关的斑岩型铜、钼、金矿床。前人已完成了针对这些斑岩型矿床构造背景的大量研究工作,但对于区内不同构造背景下斑岩型矿床的成矿岩浆源区性质、成矿元素-挥发分含量和成矿物质演化关系尚未有系统研究。而这些研究将对认识中特提斯构造域晚白垩世以来在新特提斯洋俯冲、欧亚板块-Tauride-Anatolide板块碰撞和伸展过程中斑岩矿床形成时地壳厚度、壳幔相互作用方式及成矿物质演化过程具有重要意义。本研究选择土耳其西段三个斑岩成矿带(Tavşanl带、Biga半岛成矿带和Afyon-Konya带)内五个斑岩型矿床的成矿岩体与同期侵入岩-火山岩,开展锆石微量元素和磷灰石主量元素研究,限定碰撞与伸展环境下斑岩型矿床成矿岩浆的形成温度、氧逸度条件及其与岩浆形成时地壳厚度的关系,利用磷灰石F-Cl-S含量组成揭示熔体挥发分和硫元素的物质组成,进而约束新特提斯洋俯冲-碰撞-伸展过程中斑岩系统的深部物质演化规律。研究结果表明,土耳其西部新生代斑岩型矿床成矿岩浆锆石大部分落于高水含量-高氧逸度区间,具有相似的稀土元素标准化配分曲线。从始新世到中新世,锆石氧逸度Ce 4+/Ce 3+比值呈现出先降低(斑岩型Cu-Mo矿到斑岩型Mo矿)后升高(斑岩型Mo-Cu矿到斑岩Au矿)的趋势,且相对于斑岩型Mo矿和Mo-Cu矿,斑岩型Au矿和Cu-Mo矿成矿岩体的锆石形成时具有相对较高的氧逸度。绝大部分斑岩型矿床成矿岩体的锆石Eu N/Eu N*位于0.4~0.7之间,但斑岩型Mo矿和斑岩型Mo-Cu矿床的锆石具有相对较低的Eu N/Eu N*比值,可能是由于在结晶时熔体受斜长石结晶影响较大。锆石微量元素显示(Yb/Gd和Hf/Y-Th/U)锆石组成大部分受岩浆房中角闪石±榍石±磷灰石分离结晶控制。根据锆石Ti温度计估算土耳其西部斑岩型矿床成矿岩体及其相关岩体的形成温度在650~900℃之间,结晶温度从斑岩型Au矿、斑岩型Cu-Mo/Mo-Cu矿至斑岩型Mo矿呈现递减趋势。对于熔体的挥发分与硫含量组成,始新世-渐新世斑岩型Cu-Mo与Mo矿床成矿岩浆相对具有高F和低Cl组成,中新世伸展环境形成的斑岩型Mo-Cu矿和斑岩型Au矿床成矿岩浆Cl含量普遍较高。与成矿岩体同期的暗色包体或基性岩脉中磷灰石计算获得的熔体硫含量均大于侵入体对应熔体的硫含量,且具有不均一的含量组成,表明基性岩浆注入可能为岩浆房提供硫。结合区域动力学和地壳厚度估算,本文认为触发土耳其西部新生代斑岩矿床形成的动力学机制是:在新特提斯洋向北单向汇聚的背景下,北部始新世-渐新世斑岩矿床受控于碰撞后俯冲的新特提斯洋板片(Vardar洋)后撤-回转-断离过程;南部中新世斑岩矿床的形成则受控于爱琴海板片俯冲控制的地壳伸展-减薄过程。北侧Izmir-Ankara-Erzincan缝合带附近的Tavşanl与Biga半岛斑岩成矿带始新世-渐新世斑岩型矿床的形成与熔融-同化-储存-均一过程(MASH)有关,深部地壳热区过程(DCHZ)与中新世Afyon-Konya带斑岩型矿床的形成有关。

Modeling surface fuels moisture content in Pinus brutia stands

Fuel moisture content is an important variable for forest fires because it affects fuel ignition and fire behavior. In order to accurately predict fuel ignition potential, fuel moisture content must be assessed by evaluating fire spread, fireline intensity and fuel consumption.Our objective here is to model moisture content of surface fuels in normally stocked Calabrian pine(Pinus brutia Ten.) stands in relation to weather conditions, namely temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed in the Mugla province of Turkey. All surface fuels were categorized according to diameter classes and fuel types. Six fuel categories were defined: these were 0–0.3, 0.3–0.6, and0.6–1 cm diameter classes, and cone, surface litter, and duff. Plastic containers 15 9 20 cm in size with 1 9 1 mm mesh size were used. Samples were taken from 09:00 to19:00 h and weighed every 2 h with 0.01 g precision for10 days in August. At the end of the study, samples were taken to the laboratory, oven-dried at 105 °C for 24 h and weighed to obtain fuel-moisture contents. Weather measurements were taken from a fully automated weather station set up at the study site prior to the study. Correlation and regression analyses were carried out and models were developed to predict fuel moisture contents for desorption and adsorption phase for each fuel type categories. Practical fuel moisture prediction models were developed for dry period. Models were developed that performed well with reasonable accuracy, explaining up to 92 and 95.6%of the variability in fuel-moisture contents for desorption and adsorption phases, respectively. Validation of the models were conducted using an independent data set and known fuel moisture prediction models. The predictive power of the models was satisfactory with mean absolute error values being 1.48 and 1.02 for desorption and adsorption as compared to the 2.05 and 1.60 values for the Van Wagner's hourly litter moisture content prediction model. Results obtained in this study will be invaluable for fire management planning and modeling.

Microstructure, mechanical properties and formability of friction stir welded dissimilar materials of IF-steel and 6061 Al alloy

AA 6061 alloy and interstitial-free(IF)steel plates were joined by the friction stir welding(FSW)method,and the microstructure,mechanical properties,and biaxial stretch formability of the friction stir welded(FSWed)parts were investigated.The results indicate that the FSWed parts showed optimum tensile strength during FSW with the 0.4-mm offset position of the tool.The Fe4Al13 intermetallic compound formed in the defect-free intersection of AA 6061 and IF-steel plates during FSW.The hardness of the IF-steel part of the FSWed region increased almost 90%relative to its initial hardness of HV0.2 105.The tensile and yield strengths of FSWed regions were approximately 170 MPa and 145 MPa,respectively.According to the formability tests,the Erichsen Index(EI)of the IF-steel,AA 6061,and the FSWed samples were determined to be 2.9 mm,1.9 mm,and 2.1 mm,respectively.The EI of the FSWed sample was almost the same as that of the AA 6061 alloy.However,it decreased compared with that of the IF-steel.The force at EI(FEI)was approximately 1180 N for the FSWed condition.This value is approximately 70%higher than that of AA 6061 alloy.

氰化浸出、氨预处理及氨氰浸出法处理富铜金矿（英文）

采用直接氰化浸出、氨预处理及氨氰浸出等方法处理含硫化铜的金矿。研究这些浸出体系中金和铜的溶解行为。当NaCN含量小于5g/L时,金的氰化浸出受到所含硫化铜的严重干扰,这与组分平衡计算结果一致。氨预处理可以消除铜的干扰,在后续的氰化浸出过程中,即使在剂量较小的情况下,金也可以获得较高的提取率。采用Box-Behnken试验设计研究了氨氰体系中NH3、NaCN和Pb(NO3)2的主要影响以及其相互作用。其中NH3和NaCN浓度是影响金提取率的主要因素,而Pb(NO3)2的影响有限。增加NH3的浓度可以提高金提取的选择性和提取率,同时降低氰化物的用量。统计研究结果表明试剂间的相互作用对金提取无重大影响。氨预处理和氨氰浸出法在含硫化铜的金矿的处理中具有广阔的应用前景。

立式搅拌细磨难处理银厂尾矿(英文)

采用实验室型立式搅拌磨机将银厂尾矿进行超细磨碎。试验证明，将尾矿超细磨碎能大幅度提高尾矿氰化浸出银的提取率，从细磨前尾矿（d 80为100μm）中银的浸出率36%提高到细磨后（d 80为1.2μm）的84%。在超细磨试验中，通过Box-Behnken设计，研究了磨球直径（2-4.5 mm）、搅拌速度（200-800 min/min）和球料比（50%-80%）对研磨细度的影响。结果表明，提高搅拌速度和球料比降低了磨料细度，使用较大的磨球会得到较粗大的产品。在适当的条件下，可以得到细度小于5μm的磨料。应力强度分析表明，应力强度范围（0.8-2）×10^-3 N·m是合适的。

精索静脉曲张导致的睾丸功能障碍发病机理中TNF相关的调亡诱导配体的角色

The higher frequency of varicocele in men with infertility has drawn attention and resulted in increased research at the molecular level towards treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-related apoptosis-inducing ligand （TRAIL） and its receptors in varicocele-induced testicular dysfunction in an experimental rat model. The rats were divided into three groups： control, sham and varicocele. Varicoceles in rats were induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein and left testes. The rats were analyzed 13 weeks after surgery. The degree of DNA fragmentation within cells in the testis was determined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay. Tubule degeneration was evaluated using the Johnsen score. The expression of TRAIL and its receptors was detected by immunohistochemical and Western blotting techniques. The apoptotic index, Johnsen score and the expression of TRAIL and TRAIL receptors were examined. The data are presented as the mean-.＋s.d, and were analyzed using computer software. The KruskaI-Wallis and Dunn＇s multiple comparison tests were used in the statistical analyses. The germ cell apoptotic index was increased in rats with varicoceles when compared with the sham and control groups （P=0.0031）. The Johnsen score was significantly decreased in the varicocele group when compared with the sham and control groups （P〈O.O001）. Immunohistochemical and Western blotting analyses showed that after varicocele induction, the expression of TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R4 in germ cells was increased and the expression of TRAIL-R2 was decreased. There are no significant differences among the groups in terms of TRAIL and TRAIL-R3 receptor expression. The results of this study indicate that TRAIL and its receptors may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of varicocele-induced testicular dysfunction.

Thermal Energy Storage Characteristics of Myristic and Stearic Acids Eutectic Mixture for Low Temperature Heating Applications

Stearic acid (67.83℃) and myristic acid (52.32℃) have high melting temperatures that can limit their use as phase change material (PCM) in low temperature solar heating applications such as solar space and greenhouse heating in regard to climatic requirements. However, their melting temperatures can be adjusted to a suitable value by preparing a eutectic mixture of the myristic acid (MA) and the stearic acid (SA). In the present study, the thermal analysis based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique shows that the mixture of myristic acid (MA) and stearic acid (SA) in the respective composition (by mass) of 64% and 36% forms a eutectic mixture having melting temperature of 44.13℃ and the latent heat of fusion of 182.4J·g-1. The thermal energy storage characteristics of the MA-SA eutectic mixture filled in the annulus of two concentric pipes were also experimentally established. The heat recovery rate and heat charging/discharging fractions were determined with respect to the change in the mass flow rate and the inlet temperature of heat transfer fluid. Based on the results obtained by DSC analysis and by the heat charg- ing/discharging processes of the PCM, it can be concluded that the MA-SA eutectic mixture is a potential material for low temperature thermal energy storage applications in terms of its thermo-physical and thermal characteristics.

Subduction Initiation for the Formation of High-Cr Chromitites in the Kop Ophiolite, NE Turkey

The Kop ophiolite in NE Turkey,representing a forearc fragment of Neo-Tethys ocean,mainly consists of a paleoMoho transition zone(MTZ)and a harzburgitic upper mantle unit.The Kop MTZ locally contains cumulate

Effect of salinity and acidity on bioleaching activity of mesophilic and extremely thermophilic bacteria

The effects of bacterial strain, salinity and pH on the bioleaching of a complex ore using mesophilic and extremely thermophilic bacteria were investigated and the statistical analysis of the results was performed using ERGUN’s test. The extreme thermophiles were shown to display superior kinetics of dissolution of zinc compared with the mesophiles as confirmed by the statistical analysis. Bioleaching performance of the extreme thermophiles is found to improve in response to the increase in acidity (pH from 2.0 to 1.0) whilst the activity of the mesophiles is adversely affected by decreasing pH. Statistical analysis of the bioleaching data indicates that the effect of pH is insignificant in the range of pH 1.0-1.2 for the extreme thermophiles and pH 1.4-2.0 for the mesophiles. Salinity is shown to have a suppressing effect on the mesophiles. However, the extreme thermophiles appear to be halophilic in character as they could operate efficiently under saline conditions (1%-4%Cl- (w/v)).

Characterization of refractory behaviour of complex gold/silver ore by diagnostic leaching

The amenability of a refractory ore to the extraction of gold and silver by cyanide leaching was investigated. Diagnostic leaching tests were also performed to shed light on the refractory characteristics of ore. The leaching tests show that the extraction of gold and silver is consistently low, i.e. ≤47% and ≤19.2%, respectively, over a leaching period of 24 h. Even fine grinding (e.g. <38 μm) does not improve the recovery of gold and silver. Diagnostic leaching approach provides information into the cause of the refractoriness of the ore. The findings suggest that the refractoriness is induced by the dissemination and encapsulation of the very fine gold and silver particles largely in the carbonates, oxides and sulfides and, to a small extent, with silicates present in the ore matrix. These findings highlight the practical importance of diagnostic leaching for the understanding of the refractory characteristic of such an ore and for the identification of possible pretreatment options to overcome its refractoriness prior to cyanide leaching.

诊断浸出法对含氧化铁/氢氧化铁(铁帽型)难处理金、银矿的表征（英文）

为了探索在氰化浸出之前进行预处理工艺,采用新诊断方法对含有氧化铁/氢氧化铁(铁帽型)难处理金/银矿进行详细表征。结果表明,金以自然金和银金矿(尺寸为6~24μm)存在,夹杂在方解石和石英基体中的褐铁矿、针铁矿和纤铁矿中。矿物解离度分析(MLA)表明,银金矿以游离颗粒存在,夹杂在砷菱铅矾、褐铁矿/针铁矿和石英中。银主要以硫银矿(Ag2S)和银金矿存在,夹杂在矿石的砷菱铅相里。氰化浸出实验表明,在浸出时间达到24 h后,矿石(d80:50μm)中金和银的浸出率分别只有76%和23%。矿石的诊断浸出实验和详细的矿物分析表明,金和银主要夹杂在氧化铁矿物相中,如褐铁矿/针铁矿和黄钾铁矾型的砷菱铅矾,这些氧化铁矿物能在碱性溶液中分离出来。基于这些研究,在氰化浸出之前将矿石在KOH溶液中进行碱性预处理,能将银和金的浸出率分别提高到87%和90%。这些发现表明碱性浸出能作为一种新的诊断方法用来表征含氧化铁/氢氧化铁的金/银矿处理难度,并且可作为一种预处理方法来提高其浸出率。

Arc magmatism as a window to plate kinematics and subduction polarity:Example from the eastern Pontides belt,NE Turkey

The Eastern Pontides orogenic belt in the Black Sea region of Turkey offers a critical window to plate kinematics and subduction polarity during the closure of the Paleotethys. Here we provide a brief synthesis on recent information from this belt. We infer a southward subduction for the origin of the Eastern Pontides orogenic belt and its associated late Mesozoic--Cenozoic magmatism based on clear spatial and temporal variations in Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic arc magmatism, together with the exis- tence of a prominent south-dipping reverse fault system along the entire southern coast of the Black Sea. Our model is at variance with some recent proposals favoring a northward subduction polarity, and illus- trates the importance of arc magmatism in evaluating the geodynamic milieu associated with convergent margin orocesses.

First and Second Laws Analyses of a Closed Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System

First and Second Law analyses were conducted to evaluate the performance of a closed latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system employing calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl2-6H2O).The First and the Second Laws of thermodynamics were applied to the system from viewpoint of energy and exergy analyses,respectively. The energy storage tank in the system is neither fully mixed nor fully stratified. It may be considered as semithermal stratified. Experiments that include both charging and discharging periods were performed on sunny winter days in 1996. The energy and exergy variations and the overall energy and exergy efficiencies of the closed LHTES system were calculated for the complete charging and discharging cycle of the selected fifteen clear-sky winter days. Mean energy and exergy efficiencies were found to be 55.20% and 34.83%, respectively.

Drag pick cutting tests: A comparison between experimental and theoretical results

This paper aims at reporting the results of a number of drag pick cutting tests on selected igneous rock samples to compare the experimentally determined maximum cutting force （FC） values with theoreti- cally estimated ones. First, a review on theoretical rock cutting models proposed for both chisel and conical picks was presented in detail. Experimental study consists of both chisel and conical pick cutting tests in unrelieved （single-pick） cutting mode with varying cutting depths. FC＇ values were determined from experimental results, and theoretical models were utilized to compute FC for all cutting conditions. Computed and experimentally determined F（ data were then compared for a referenced cutting depth. It is shown that the theoretical models might overestimate or underestimate FC＇ and cannot give reliable results. Finally, explanations for these mismatches were presented.