Expansion and contraction of Chinese deserts during the Quaternary

Episodic dune formations during the Quaternary are found in many deserts of China. The causes of desert expansions on different time scales are not the same. Desert extension at about 1.1 and 0.9 Ma ago were the response to the active tectonic movements, whereas the desert evolutions on the ten-thousand years time scale were the response to the orbital scale climatic changes. Spatial scale studies on desert evolution indicate that desert margins shifted greatly during the last glacial maximum (LGM) and the Holocene optimum, its changing from 125°E of the LGM to 105°E of the climatic optimum. Historical desertification in the semiarid China is not a response to climate drought but largely associated with the human impacts (mainly over-cultivation) since about 2300 years ago, which leads to the reworking of the underlying LGM sands.     

辽宁省数字化地震前兆数据库的建立

地震前兆数据一直是地震分析预报必不可少的重要数据资源。随着辽宁省地震前兆台站数字化技术改造的开展，地震前兆模拟记录将逐步被数字化记录所取代。我们结合数字化技术改造的实际情况，采用先进的网络关系数据库模型构造了辽宁省数字地震前兆数据库。该数据库直接面向整个地震系统，为地震预报提供详实的数据服务和先进的研究手段。本文对数据库系统、数据库总体设计及数据共享服务也进行了深入研究和讨论。     

Seismic structural control using semi-active tuned mass dampers

This paper focuses on how to determine the instantaneous damping of the semi-active tuned mass damper (SATMD) with continuously variable damping. An off-and-towards-equilibrium (OTE) algorithm is employed to examine the control performance of the structure/SATMD system by considering the damping as an assumptive control action. The damping modification of the SATMD is carried out according to the proposed OTE algorithm, which is formulated based on analysis of the structural movement under external excitations, and the measured responses of the structure at every time instant. As examples two numerical simulations of a five-storey and a ten-storey shear structures with a SATMD on the roof are conducted. The effectiveness on vibration reduction of MDOF systems subjected to seismic excitations is discussed. Analysis results show that the behavior of the structure with a SATMD is significantly improved and the feasibility of applying the OTE algorithm to the structural control design of SATMD is also verified.     

A general model for estimating actual evaporation from non-saturated surfaces

Based on energy balance equation and mass transfer equation, a general model to estimate actual evaporation from non-saturated surfaces was derived. Making use of two concepts, “relative evaporation” and “relative drying power”, a relationship was established to account for the departure from saturated conditions. Using this model, the actual evaporation (evapotranspiration) can be calculated without the need of potential evaporation estimation. Furthermore, the model requires only a few meteorological parameters that are readily and routinely obtainable at standard weather stations. Based on nearly 30 years data of 432 meteorological stations and 512 hydrological stations in China, in combined with GIS, nine typical river basins were selected. Using the data of the selected river basins, the model was tested. The results show that the actual evaporation rate can be estimated with an error of less than 10% in most areas of China, except few years in the Yellow River Basin.     

成都市农业区划与城市生态环境保护构想

扼要介绍了成都市区域土壤多目标地球化学调查的新近展，从地球化学和农业生态的角度论述了成都市农业区划发展构想，并探讨人工生态系统与城市生态环保建设的模式与构想建议。     

TDP-0844地震前兆数据综合采集器的研制

介绍了TDP—0844型地震前兆数据综合采集器采用的设计方案及工作原理，及各个功能模块的设计准则，并列出了采集器实现的功能。文章还给出了采集器的部分应用图例，证明该采集器能够满足地震前兆观测需要。     

Study of crustal structure with S—wave data from Maqen—Jingbian profile

2-D crustal velocity structure and vp/vs are obtained by processing and interpretation of S-wave data from Maqen-Jingbian deep seismic sounding(DSS)profile.The result shows that there exist obvious differences in 2-D S-wave velocity structure and vp/vs ratio structure along the profile.The S-wave velocities are low and vp/vs ration is high for the westem section of the profile and Haiyuan region,while they are normal for the middle and eastern sections.The changes in lithologic characters of two major anomalous zones are discussed according to lateral variation of S-wave velocity structure and vp/vs ratio structure.It is concluded that the development and occurrence of the Haiyuan strong earthquake is not only related to tectonic activities,but also to lithologic characters of the region.     

SOIL CONSERVATION EFFICIENCY OF DIFFERENT MODELS CONVERTING FROM STEEP FARMING SLOPE PLOTS IN YA''''AN, SICHUAN, CHINA

Converting farming slope land into artificial forestland or grassland is a major measure of soil/water conservation. Five conversion practices, namely, 1) a control plot still tilled with a crop (maize), 2) a folder grass-growing plot seeded with Lolium perenne , 3) a young alder tree-growing plot, 4) a pear orchard plot and 5)a bamboo plot intercropped with folder grass, were monitored to compare the soil conservation efficiency of those changes in Ya'an, Sichuan for 3 years between September 1998 and August 2001. Results showed that the 5 designed converting models functioned differently in erosion control. The most effective model was bamboo groves intercropped with folder grass (Lolium perenne). The folder grass (Lolium perenne) growing model was more effective than the pure pear orchard model. The least effective model was the young alder tree-growing slope, which was even less effective than the control (a slope without converted cultivation). Meanwhile, changes in the soil's physical properties r     

Re-discussion on the Jiaochang Arcuate Structure, Sichuan Province, and the Seismogenic Structure for Diexi Earthquake in 19331

The Jiaocbang arcuate structure is one of the numerous arcuate structural belts in Sichuan. The present paper gives a further argument about the characteristics of that arcuate structure and the new activity of the Songpinggou fault and affirms that the Songpinggou fault is an active fault in the Holocene epoch. The Diexi M7.5 earthquake took place in 1933 on the west wing of that arcuate structure, near the apex of the arc. Many authors have given quite different opinions about the genetic structure of that earthquake. The authors have made on-the-spot investigations time and again over recent years. Besides this, the authors have also further studied the shape of intensity contour lines, the distribution characteristics of ground surface seismic hazards, the left-lateral dislocation of buildings along the Songpinggou fault, the NWtrending ground fissures that developed on the ground surface after earthquake, and so on. On this basis, it is still considered that the seismogenic fault of the 1933 Diexi M7.5 earthquake was the Songpinggou fault on the west wing of the Jiaochang arcuate structure.