Interannual variability of monsoons in Malaysia and its relationship with ENSO

Interannual variations of the monsoons have been studied utilising homogeneous rainfall records of 41 years (1951–1991) from Malaysia and upper air data of stations in Asia, Australia and Western Pacific. Sources of upper air data are U.S. Department of Commerce and Kuala Lumpur Northern Winter Monsoon Activity Centre. Extreme wet and dry years have been identified and the influence of ENSO on Malaysian annual rainfall has been discussed. Influence of ENSO on the performance of northern summer and winter monsoons has also been studied from Malaysian rainfall data. Further, regional circulation patterns associated with El Nino and La Nina years have also been identified. No linear trend has been found in the annual rainfall of 16 stations in Malaysia. Most El Nino years are associated with below median and La Nina years with above median rainfall at most stations in Malaysia. ENSO has greater influence over East Malaysia than peninsular Malaysia. Interannual variability of rainfall with reference to ENSO conditions has been discussed in details. Also, circulation features have been identified to foresee El Nino/La Nina events.     

Synoptic features and structures of some equatorial vortices over the South China Sea in the Malaysian region during the winter monsoon,December 1973

In December 1973, Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak experienced a few periods of heavy rain caused by westward moving equatorial vortices from the South China Sea. In this report, the synoptic characteristies associated with the development and intersification of these vortices are shown. Structure of one of the disturbances was examined. Disturbances in the trades associated with lateral shear were found to be important for the genesis of the equatorial vortices. However, the intensification of these disturbances depended on the interaction with the cold monsoon surge.     

Environmental variabilities and the distribution of octocorals and black corals in Hong Kong

A recent comprehensive survey covering 125 sites in Hong Kong waters recorded 29 soft coral species in 14 genera, 38 species of gorgonians in 19 genera and six species of black corals in two genera. Environmental variabilities based on water quality data collected by Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department were analyzed using multivariate statistics to find variables that are significantly correlated with coral distribution patterns. Eleven water quality zones with similar environmental variabilities were recognized, which could further be classified into five groups, namely Inner Bay, Outer Bay, Eastern, Western and Southern waters. LINKTREE analysis provided an overall trend indicating the importance of salinity, sediment and nutrient loadings in affecting octocoral and black coral distribution from west to east of Hong Kong waters, and from inner to outer bays. Furthermore, water turbidity and wave exposure could also affect the coral distribution patterns from north, northeast to southern waters.     

OpenSEES的剪力墙宏观单元的研究

重点研究三维剪力墙单元MVLEM3D的数值模型及计算原理,并采用开源非线性有限元程序OpenSEES进行剪力墙低周往复试验的数值分析,探讨不同单元划分形式对结果的影响。通过二次开发编制了基于OpenSEES的剪力墙结构分析程序SWNA,对不同弹簧个数、不同竖向及水平划分方式,建立剪力墙宏观单元模型进行分析,对比试验结果表明该数值方法能够很好地从宏观上模拟剪力墙弹塑性行为:包括中和轴移动、剪切变形影响、局部塑性状态及破坏机制等。通过单元及弹簧的划分对比,可知该单元可通过比较少的自由度模拟剪力墙结构,节省大量计算时间。对于强非线性分析,增加水平划分可以考虑局部的破坏变形,使骨架曲线下降段明显。因此该单元适用于高层建筑结构的整体弹塑性分析及基于性能的抗震评定。     

Community-level destruction of hard corals by the sea urchin Diadema setosum

Sea urchins are common herbivores and bioeroders of coral ecosystems, but rarely have they been reported as corallivores. We determined the spatial pattern of hard coral damage due to corallivory and bioerosion by the sea urchin Diadema setosum Leske in Hong Kong waters. Coral damage was common at the northeastern sites, with 23.7 – 90.3% colonies being either collapsed or severely damaged with >25% tissue loss. Many genera of corals were impacted by the sea urchin but the damage was most obvious for the structure forming genus Platygyra. The percentage of severely damaged and collapsed coral had significant positive correlation with the abundance of D. setosum, which ranged from 0.01 to 5.2 individuals per coral head or 0.1 – 21.1 individuals m⁻² across the study sites. Remedial management actions such as sea urchin removal are urgently needed to save these fringing coral communities.