NW Region Research Articles

Geographically Weighted Principal Components Analysis to assess diffuse pollution sources of soil heavy metal: Application to rough mountain areas in Northwest Spain

Heavy metal pollution can result in the degradation of the soil, air and water bodies' quality affecting the health of all living organism. We analyze the spatial distribution of the concentrations of soil heavy metal and relationship with natural or anthropogenic origin. The analysis was performed in Principality of Asturias (mountain region of NW of Spain), where soil heavy metal pollution has become a severe problem. First, a standard Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was performed over a population of 334 soil samples to identify the sources of fourteen heavy metal and metalloids (Ag, As, Ba, Hg, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn). Due to the high geological heterogeneity of the territory, the PCA analysis was improved using a variant of PCA known as Geographically Weighted Principal Components Analysis (GWPCA). The first six principal components in a standard PCA account for about 57% of soil heavy metal variability but when GWPCA is performed this figure increases to >80% in some areas. We conclude that GWPC1 corresponds to a geogenetic component with changing winning variables adapted to the geological characteristics of the territory (lithology and mining), while GWPC2 corresponds to a factor related to atmospheric pollution including heavy metal released from vegetation cover via wildfires.

Geographical environment determinism for discovery of mineral deposits

The spatial distribution of metallic mineral deposits discovered in China during 1901 to 2007 shows that nearly 85% of the total 2906 metallic mineral deposits with the magnitude greater than medium-size are located on the southeastern side of the famous Heihe-Tengchong “geo-demographic demarcation line”. This spatial pattern is consistent with the population distribution of China, indicating that the spatial distribution of discovered mineral deposits may be related to exploration level that is strongly restricted by the geographic environments. We found that the number of discovered deposits per unit area in explored regions increases with the exploration level, following a power-law model. From this model, if the geological, geochemical and geophysical exploration in the NW region of the geo-demographic demarcation line reaches the same level as that in the SE region of the line, about 2000 metallic mineral deposits with magnitudes greater than medium-size remain to be discovered in the NW region of China.

Temporal and spatial changes in soil available phosphorus in China (1990–2012)

Mineral fertilizers have played a critical role in increasing cereal crop production in China. However, the use of fertilizer at rates in excess of crop removal or to support soil health has resulted in serious environmental problems, this hindering sustainable agriculture development. In order to support crop production and reduce potential environmental risks, it is essential that every effort is made to promote an efficient and effective use of phosphorus (P) resources. In this paper, the temporal and spatial changes of soil available P was analyzed using 59,956 soil samples, combined with the results of 4837 field experiments compiled from the International Plant Nutrient Institute (IPNI) China program database from 1990 to 2012. The results demonstrated that soil available P content showed an increasing trend with a slope of 1.51 from 1990 to 2012. However, this trend for all samples was separated into cash crops (with a slope of 2.75) and grain crops (with a slope of 0.76) revealing that it was cash crops that were primarily responsible for the increasing trend. Field trail results revealed that it was the high P fertilizer application rates to cash crops that resulted in the increase of soil available P. On average, for all crops, the soil analysis data showed that soil available P increased from 17.09mgL−1 in the 1990s (from 1990 to 2000) to 33.28mgL−1 in the 2000s (from 2001 to 2012), again mainly due to the large increase in cash crop area in China. For relative yield, there was little to no variation across regions (with mean values of 87.8%, 87.8%, 84.4%, 88.1% and 86.0% for the NE, NC, NW, SE and SW regions, respectively), but the trend of variation showed great differences in those same regions from the 1990s to the 2000s. The relative yield for grain crops in the NE, NC, SE and SW increased by 2.6%, 7.9%, 6.9% and 8.6%, but decreased by 4.9% in the NW from the 1990s to the 2000s. The relative yield for cash crops decreased by 6.7%, 6.0% and 1.6% for the NE, SE and SW regions, but increased by 8.3% and remained unchanged for the NC and NW regions, respectively. The great variation observed in soil available P across the different regions in China demonstrated the urgent need for site-specific P nutrient management. In conclusion, while P fertilizer application should meet the requirements for all types of crops, it must be managed to avoid the potential for negative environmental impacts.

Gate modulation of anodically etched gallium arsenide nanowire random network

Gallium arsenide nanowires (GaAs NWs) formed by anodic etching show an electrically semi-insulating behavior because of charge carrier depletion caused by high interface state density. Here, we demonstrate the gate modulation of an anodically etched GaAs NW random network. By applying a reverse bias voltage after anodic etching of bulk GaAs, hydrogen ion exposure of the depleted NW region occurs, and then the interface state density is possibly decreased owing to the reduction in the amount of excess As generated at the interface between the amorphous Ga2O3 and GaAs layers. Consequently, the drain current of the thin-film transistor (TFT) with the GaAs NW random network was increased and was changed by the gate voltage. In contrast, the random network film remained in the insulator in the absence of reverse electrolysis treatment. The TFT performance is still insufficient but may be improved by optimizing the hydrogen ion exposure conditions.

ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION HOSPITALIZATIONS IN ROMANIA, 2015

Introduction: Fatal potential disorders represent public health issues by high frequency and gravity but also by huge amount of financial effort needed to prevent, manage, control and treat these cases. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a health condition having predisposing factors and determinants that can be controlled, being triggered by various factors, such as traffic exposure, physical exertion, alcohol, coffee, negative emotions, anger, heavy meal, positive emotions, sexual activity, cocaine use, marijuana smoking and respiratory infections . The lack of evidence led to weaknesses in decision making process and AMI prevention and treatment programs should be based on solid evidence. Objective: The main objective of this study is to provide valid evidence on number and r ates of acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations and volume of hospital activity for cases with AMI, in Romania. Methodology: A cross-sectional data on secondary data was conducted for the year 2015. Data were extracted from 2015 RomaniaDRGDatabase; only hospital episodes with diagnosis of AMI according to the ICD-10-AM were included. Results: In terms of numbers, about 19278 hospitalized events were recorded. Significant differences were encountered between men and women (almost 2 times frequently for men), for retired persons (63%), aged 65-75 years, with mandatory health insurance. Rate of AMI events is range between 58-153 AMI events per 100 000 inhabitants, with rates higher than national average in C and NW regions (1 or 2 standard deviations), respectively with smaller rates than national average in S– and SE regions of Romania. The national rate is 90 Ami events per 100 000 inhabitants. Conclusions: A better knowledge of the situation at national and local level regarding hospital morbidity and mortality by AMI is needed. Developing public health policies require in-depth research in order to identify populations at risk and to elaborate and target specific preventive measure to this population group. Key words: Romania, acute myocardial infarction, hospitalizations, rate, ICD-10 Normal 0 21 false false false RO X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Chemistry and origin of the Mayo Kila sapphires, NW region Cameroon (Central Africa): Their possible relationship with the Cameroon volcanic line

Mineralogical, chemical and geochronological studies constrained the origin of sapphires from Mayo Kila, Northwest Cameroon. The sapphires are mostly blue, with sizes ranging from 2 to 5 mm. The pale blue grains are transparent, whereas, other corundums are transparent to translucent and/or opaque. The sapphires are dominantly euhedral to sub-hedral with few polished lustrous grains, acquired features during moderate to short distance transport from a proximal source rock. Solid inclusions are limited to rutile and zircon.Trace element analysis of sapphires shows significant concentration (in ppm) in some elements: Fe (2208–14,473), Ti (82–1783), Ga (77–512), Mg (0.9–264.9), Cr (b.d.l −168) and V (1.3–82). The other elements (e.g. Sn, Nb, Ta, Th, Zr, Ni, Ce) are generally below 10 ppm. The calculated ratios for some of the selected elements show an extreme variation: Fe/Mg (43–3043), Fe/Ti (2–76), Ti/Mg (1–328), and Ga/Mg (0.4–363). They are dominantly corundum crystallized in alkaline magma (s) with few from metamorphic source (s).Trace elemental features with Hf (13,354–26,238 ppm), Th (4018–45,584 ppm) and U (7825–17,175 ppm), and Th/U (0.39–2.65) found in zircon inclusions are compatible with quantified values in magmatic crystallized zircons. The Cenozoic age (mean of 30.78 ± 0.28 Ma) obtained for zircon inclusions is close to the age of some igneous rocks found within the Cameroon Volcanic Line (e.g. rocks of the Mount Oku: 31–22 Ma), showing the same period of formation. The most probable source of the zircon host sapphires is the Oku Mountain located SW of Mayo Kila.

Agro-morphological and molecular variability in Triticum boeoticum accessions from Zagros Mountains, Iran

Genetic erosion in cultivated wheat provides a good reason for studying genetic diversity in crop wild relatives. In the present study, genetic diversity of 32 accessions belonging to T. boeoticum species collected from different parts of Iran were evaluated using 13 morphological traits as well as ten inter-simple sequence repeat primers. Statistical analysis for morphological traits showed significant differences among accessions (except number of fertile tillers and total tillers per plant). In principal component analysis, the first three PCA showed 82.65 % of the total morphological variation. Based on the morphological traits, accessions were separated into two main groups by cluster analysis. In molecular analysis, polymerase chain reactions amplified 105 DNA fragments, out of which, 95 (90.47 %) were polymorphic. From geographic perspective, the accessions sampled from western and southwestern of Iran showed the highest and lowest polymorphism, respectively. However, the maximum values of effective number of alleles (Ne), Nei’s gene diversity (He) and Shannon’s information index (I) was related to accessions collected from NW regions. Also, according to cluster analysis and PCoA plot genetic diversity was not related to geographical distribution. Overall, our results revealed a remarkable level of genetic diversity among studied Iranian T. boeoticum accessions; especially accessions collected from Kermanshah and Lorestan provinces, which can be of interest for future breeding programs. So, conservation of germplasm of these areas is recommended.

FECUNDIDAD Y PRIMERAS FASES DEL DESARROLLO LARVAL DE LA ASCIDIA ECTEINASCIDIA TURBINATA (ASCIDIACEA: PEROPHORIDAE) EN CUBA

Zooids (the total amount of ovocytes, embryos, and larvae in larval release stage zooids), colonial (zooids mean fecundity per number of mature zooids on resorption or releasing larvae colonies) fecundity and the characteristics and duration of the early larval stages of the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata (Ascidiacea: Perophoridae) are given. The ascidian colonies were collected from non-estuarine mangroves in the NW region of Cuba. An average of 41 ± 12 ovocytes, embryos, and larvae were counted in 200 zooids of 17- 31 mm length from 20 colonies gathered during different months and sites. Ascidian colonies of 163 mm length and 252 zooids average produced 10590 larvae as average per colony during each generation-degeneration cycle that lasts about 40 days. Zooids and colonial fecundity were very variable in zooids and colonies with similar reproductive stage, but a high correlation (r = 0.84) between colonial fecundity and number of zooids per colony was found. Ascidian colonies prior to larvae release stage were placed in 10-liter glass aquaria. The experiments were carried out on September and November, 2000. Water temperature ranged between 23 and 30 ºC. The biggest larval release took place between 10:00 and 14:00 h. Average total length (TL) of larvae leaving the parental zooid was 2.7 mm. The larvae planktonic stage lasted 4 to 8 hours, attaining 3.1 mm (TL). Metamorphosis and larvae settlement lasted 8 to 12 hrs, and exogenous feeding began at 19 hrs. The juvenile zooid measured between 1.3 and 2.05 mm, and 9 % of the larvae completed the metamorphosis.

Evaluating an unmanned aerial vehicle‐based approach for assessing habitat extent and condition in fine‐scale early successional mountain mosaics

AbstractQuestionCan very high‐resolution colour orthophotography and digital surface models (DSMs) from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) be effectively used for assessment of habitat extent and condition in fine‐scale disturbance‐dependent mosaics?LocationSerra de Arga mountain range, a Natura 2000 protected site in the NW region of Portugal where drastic changes in pastoral activities have occurred over recent decades.MethodsAn UAV platform was used to collect very high‐resolution (6 cm) images and to produce a DSM (10 cm). From these data, several features were extracted related to colour, band ratios, as well as texture features calculated from colour imagery and surface elevation. Based on a systematic sampling design, field data were collected for both training and validation of a supervised classifier. Extracted features and ground truth training data were combined to calibrate a pixel‐based Random forest classifier, with the purpose of devising a habitat map for the entire study area. Map validation was performed to assess classification accuracy, and feature importance metrics were calculated.ResultsValidation results revealed good mean overall accuracy (0.89), with some performance decrease in situations of high interspersion of habitat types. The priority habitat type 6230* (Nardus grasslands), defining the vegetation matrix of the test site, obtained 0.96 and 0.91, considering, respectively, producer and user accuracy. In turn, priority habitat type 4020* (Atlantic wet heathlands) recorded 0.68 and 0.77. The obtained habitat map allowed measurement of the extent, description of the spatial arrangement and provided an indication of the conservation condition of target habitat types. Test results regarding the discrimination ability of different features highlighted the importance of surface elevation textures derived from the DSM, followed by band ratios textures and other more complex texture features calculated from colour imagery.ConclusionsOverall, the developed methodology showed promising results for assessing the extent and condition of habitats of high conservation priority in fine‐scale, dynamic vegetation mosaics. Future advances in the use of UAV platforms may play an important role in monitoring protected sites and fulfil legal reporting obligations of EU member states, while reducing the costs associated with intensive in‐field assessments.

Phase field modeling of silicon nanowire based lithium ion battery composite electrode

A phase field model is developed to investigate the silicon nanowire behaviors in lithium-ion battery electrode during its lithiation process. The coupling effect among lithium ion diffusion/insertion process, structure deformation and local stress/strain evolution are established. Modeling demonstrates that such coupling effect can significantly influence electrochemical performance of silicon composite electrode. On a 2D silicon nanowire geometry, Cahn-Hilliard equation and Ginzberg-Landau equations are developed and solved by finite element method. The developed model has nearly the same prediction on volumetric expansion ratio of silicon NW in comparison with the published experimental observation and can capture the a−LiηSi/c−Si phase boundary during lithiation. Numerical results show that large local stress exists in the outer region of silicon NW and could negatively influence the fast charging performance of silicon composite electrode. Results also show that small lithium mobility can limit the lithiation depth of silicon electrode during the charging process, and can result in reduced charge capacity of silicon composite electrode. By simulating different silicon NW structures, it is found that silicon NW structure can significantly influence the local stress distribution and evolution in silicon composite electrode. It is also found that porous silicon NW has potential structure degradation around the core region during its lithiation process. These obtained results can provide insights into the dynamic process of silicon electrode degradation and can assist in developing applicable high performance silicon electrode for future lithium ion batteries.

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPEAND HI IMAGING OF STRONG RAM PRESSURE STRIPPING IN THE COMA SPIRAL NGC 4921: DENSE CLOUD DECOUPLING AND EVIDENCE FOR MAGNETIC BINDING IN THE ISM

Remarkable dust extinction features in the deep HST V and I images of the face-on Coma cluster spiral galaxy NGC 4921 show in unprecedented ways how ram pressure strips the ISM from the disk of a spiral galaxy. New VLA HI maps show a truncated and highly asymmetric HI disk with a compressed HI distribution in the NW, providing evidence for ram pressure acting from the NW. Where the HI distribution is truncated in the NW region, HST images show a well-defined, continuous front of dust that extends over 90 degrees and 20 kpc. This dust front separates the dusty from dust-free regions of the galaxy, and we interpret it as galaxy ISM swept up near the leading side of the ICM-ISM interaction. We identify and characterize 100 pc-1 kpc scale substructure within this dust front caused by ram pressure, including head-tail filaments, C-shaped filaments, and long smooth dust fronts. The morphology of these features strongly suggests that dense gas clouds partially decouple from surrounding lower density gas during stripping, but decoupling is inhibited, possibly by magnetic fields which link and bind distant parts of the ISM.

Relationship between the summer NAO and maximum temperatures for the Iberian Peninsula

The Summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO) index is strongly linked to temperatures in the north and west of Europe although it also has a weaker relationship of an opposite sign with the temperature of the eastern Mediterranean area. The objective of this work is to determine if it is possible to find a relationship between the SNAO and daily maximum temperatures (Tx) in the Iberian Peninsula (IP) for the months of July and August. The correlation between the SNAO and the daily maximum temperatures in the IP is very weak, except for a part of the southeast of the IP and a region in the northwest of the IP where we found statistically significant correlations with opposite signs for both regions. We found that the Tx distribution of the NW region (TxNW) shows positive correlations with the SNAO as is the case with Northern Europe, while in the case of the SE region (TxSE) this distribution shows negative correlations similar to those seen in Italy and the Balkans. We found a strong relationship between the difference TxNW-TxSE and SNAO: when the SNAO is high, the absolute value of TxNW-TxSE is significantly lower (gentler Tx gradient) than average, and the opposite occurs when the SNAO is low (steeper Tx gradient). We also found that the strong increase in the SNAO from the late-1960s until the mid-1980s is reflected in the asymmetric Tx trends of the NW and SE of the IP: while the SNAO was rising, the absolute value of the difference TxNW-TxSE dropped significantly.

Northwest England Post-placement Adoption Support Service: a new service to meet the adoption support needs of families in the NW region, 2013–2015

Northwest England Post-placement Adoption Support Service: a new service to meet the adoption support needs of families in the NW region, 2013–2015

Miocene-to-Quaternary oblique rifting signature in the Western Ross Sea from fault patterns in the McMurdo Volcanic Group, north Victoria Land, Antarctica

Mt. Overlord and Mt. Melbourne are part of the fossil-to-active eruptive centre belt of the McMurdo Volcanic Group, located along the western shoulder of the West Antarctic Rift System in north Victoria Land (Antarctica). The formation and localisation of these volcanic centres are intimately connected to the regional fault patterns associated with Neogene transtensional stretching in the West Antarctic Rift System. This study reports about 900 structural data of faults and fault-related joints affecting the Miocene–Pliocene deposits of Mt. Overlord and the Plio-Quaternary deposits of Mt. Melbourne. Fault surfaces strike along three main directions (NW–SE, NE–SW, and N–S) with high (>70°) dip angles. The reconstructed fault geometries and kinematics document a NW–SE strike-slip fault system having dextral motion in the Mt. Overlord area, which evolves into a more complex structural architecture characterised by transtensional deformations in the Mt. Melbourne area, where volcanism is still active. The fault array can be reconciled with principal and subordinate deformation structures developed at the termination region of NW–SE intraplate strike-slip fault systems inducing oblique rifting in the West Antarctic Rift System. The structural dataset, integrated with available geochronological constraints, gives rise to a two-step (Miocene-to-Holocene) tectonic scenario in which the spatial migration of the volcanic activity towards the eastern boundary of the Transantarctic Mountains occurred during the evolution of the West Antarctic Rift System.

Crust and mantle lithospheric structure of the Iberian Peninsula deduced from potential field modeling and thermal analysis

We investigate the lithospheric structure of the Iberian Peninsula and lateral crustal density variations using a three-step approach. First the crustal and mantle lithosphere thicknesses are calculated from joint geoid and elevation modeling combined with thermal analysis further constrained by seismic data. We then compute the 3D gravity effect of the resulting lithospheric structure to separate the measured Bouguer anomaly into its regional and local components. Finally we invert the residual gravity anomalies to highlight lateral average crustal density variations and discuss them in terms of crustal structures. Our results show that for the majority of the study area the crustal thickness does correlate with the regional topography pattern. The highest topography – above 1500m – shows thicknesses above 44km with local values up to 48km. Crustal thicknesses in the range of 36–40km are obtained in the uplifted Alpine areas while a thinner crust is observed in sedimentary basins and in the Iberian Massif (30 to 35km) with the exception of SW Iberia region where the crust thins from 30 to 28km. Thick lithosphere – above 140km – is found along the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian Mountains, the Iberian Chain and in the Betics while the thinnest lithosphere is found in SW Iberia (90km). 3D inversion of residual anomalies show that for the majority of the area the average density of the crust is in the range of 2810±10kgm−3. The denser crust is found in the NW and SW regions of the Iberian Massif (+30kgm−3 on average) and locally in the Pyrenees (above +70kgm−3), NW of the Iberian Chain (+15kgm−3 on average) and in the southern Internal Betics (+70kgm–3). The least dense crust is found in the central and western Betic Chain (−30kgm−3 on average) and in sedimentary basin depocenters.

My People are Dying of Ignorance: Changes in Exclusive Breastfeeding Knowledge, Benefits, Barriers, and Misconceptions in Family Members Involved in a Breastfeeding Promotion Campaign

BackgroundSince 2003, WHO has recommended exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life. In the NW Region of Cameroon only 34% of women EBF for six months. Previous research indicates that family members positively influence women's breastfeeding practices, but are often excluded from breastfeeding promotion campaigns.Study ObjectiveTo design an Entertainment Education (EE) audio program to test the hypothesis that EE improves EBF knowledge, benefits, and decreases misconceptions and barriers among family members of breastfeeding women.MethodsFormative research consisting of 12 semi‐structured interviews and 6 focus group discussions informed the content of an EE audio program using grounded theory. Differences in EBF knowledge, benefits, barriers and misconceptions between and within the control group and the intervention group were evaluated using pre‐and post‐tests and analyzed with Wilcoxon Sign Test and Mann‐Whitney statistical tests.ResultsThe audio program significantly improved overall EBF knowledge and benefits and decreased misconceptions within the intervention group (p <. 05).ConclusionThis study provided insight into family member's EBF knowledge, benefits, barriers, and false misconceptions and proved that an EE audio program is an effective method of providing breastfeeding education to this population.

Stone Age archaeological sites and environmental changes during the Holocene in the NW region of Russia

Abstract The region of NW Russia connecting with the Baltic Sea presents a dynamic ecological system that was sensitive to environmental changes during the Holocene. Certain factors affected environmental changes in the region during the Holocene: deglaciation processes, that finally terminated about 9 cal ka BP; eustatic sea-level changes; and tectonic movements, which are basically considered in the region as isostatic uplift processes. Contextual remains of ancient human occupation sites can be the only evidence of surface stabilization in monotonous sediments, such as aquatic and subaquatic deposits. Prehistoric settlements also mark ancient shorelines. The latter is of great importance for studying the history of water oscillations and coastal-line displacements on the territory of NW Russia. The transgressive–regressive stages of the Baltic Sea (at c. 10.15 cal ka BP, the Ancylus transgression; at c. 7.6–7.0 cal ka BP, the Littorina transgression) have an impact on the positions of prehistorical sites. The complex investigations of the Stone Age archaeological settlements on the Karelian Isthmus and in the Dvina–Lovat’ basin, and their altitudes below sea level, allowed us to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental changes during the Holocene, the chronology of cultural–historical processes and the adaptation strategy of ancient people to environmental conditions in this territory.

Harmonic analysis of precipitation climatology in Saudi Arabia

Annual rainfall records of 20 stations for 30 years are used in order to detect rainfall regimes and climatic features of Saudi Arabia using harmonic analysis techniques. In this study, the percentages of variance, amplitudes, and phase angles are calculated in order to depict the spatial and temporal characteristics of the country’s rainfall. The first harmonic explains 42 % of rainfall variation in the western (W) region. This percentage increases toward east (E) and north (N) with 69 and 67 %, respectively. In the southwest (SW) region, the percentages explain 43 % of rainfall variation. The percentages of variance in W and SW are lower than in the E, NW, and central (C) regions. This implies significant contributions of the second harmonic in W and SW regions with 26 and 16 %, respectively. The high percentages of the second and third harmonics in W and SW regions suggest that these two regions are affected by different weather systems at different times. The SW region has the highest amplitudes of the first, second, and third harmonics. The amplitude of the first harmonic reaches to 21 mm in SW and 9 mm in both C and E regions. The time of maximum rainfall is calculated using phase angle; the result reflects that maximum rainfall is shifted forward on the time axis toward the spring season in SW and C regions, January in E and NW regions, and October and November in the W region. This reveals that the SW region is a completely different climatic region, though some of what affects this region also affects the central region. Conditions in the E and NW regions are mainly affected by Mediterranean weather systems, while the W region is affected by unstable conditions caused by the active Red Sea Trough (RST) in October and November.

Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon)

Bamenda is a major town in the NW Region of Cameroon and constitutes part of the Cameroon Volcanic line. In the frame of this work, four springs and three wells in the Bamenda III council area were investigated to evaluate the physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of their waters. All the water points yielded pH values below 6.5 and were classified as acidic water. Electrical conductivity ranged between 0.04-2.38μm/cm. The relative abundance of major ions (meq/l) was Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+>Na+ for cations and HCO3ˉ > SO42ˉ > NO3ˉ > PO43ˉ for anions. Major ion concentrations were within the WHO guidelines for drinking water, but Ca2+ (110-1770mg/l) and Mg2+ (97.05-236.85mg/l) concentrations were much higher and above WHO limits. Main water types in the dry season were Ca-Mg-HCO3 while in rainy season the main water types were Ca-Mg-HCO3 and a mixed Ca-Mg-SO4. Bacterial analysis revealed that the water samples were highly polluted and classified B, C and D according to Cheesbrough classification. The spring and well waters analysed are not suitable for drinking and domestic purposes therefore the population of Bamenda III which depends on the mentioned water for drinking and domestic purposes may face serious health problems if appropriate actions are not taken to prevent and mitigate the problems.

A menorah plaque from the center of Sardis

Roman Sardis, like other cities of W Asia Minor, reflects the distinctive cultures of different peoples who had long lived in its vicinity. Of these varied populations, the Jewish community seems to have been especially notable. Written sources cited by Josephus establish the presence of diaspora Jews in Lydia and Phrygia by the end of the 3rd c. B.C., when Antiochus III relocated 2000 families here from Babylon and Mesopotamia. By the Late Republic, their descendants at Sardis and other regional centers are known to have acquired civic privileges and rights. The local prominence of the Jewish community at Sardis was dramatically confirmed in the 1960s by the discovery in the city’s NW region of a large assembly hall, along with inscriptions, menorahs and other artifacts that clearly establish its use as a synagogue in the 4th-6th c. Further evidence of Jewish life has been noted during excavation of nearby houses, shops and streets in this peripheral quarter. The recent discovery of a marble relief plaque depicting a menorah and other symbols near the center is an important addition to the material culture of ancient Judaism in Asia Minor.