A method to develop the input parameter database for site-specific debris flow hazard prediction under extreme rainfall

The predictive hazard analysis at a detailed scale for debris flow runout analysis can be improved significantly through reliable estimation of the input parameters. In this study, a method for database establishment of input parameters at a site-specific scale was laid out for the predictive-based debris flow hazard assessment under extreme rainfall. The adoption of the DAN-3D code necessitated the estimation of three main input parameters: initial volume, bulk basal frictional angle, and growth rate. The initial volume was assessed using a 3D coupled finite element seepage and limit equilibrium-based slope stability analysis. An artificial neural network-based model was developed using 27 debris flow events for predicting the basal bulk frictional angle and consisted of eight factors: plan curvature, profile curvature, percentage of fine content, D₅₀, initial unit weight, initial volume, relative relief ratio, and channel length. Finally, the growth rate was estimated using the previously assessed initial volume, soil depth, and the approximate runout length. The proposed method was validated by application to the Raemian slope in the Woomyeon mountain region, Seoul, for the extreme rainfall event of 27 July 2011. The analysis yielded a final volume of 53,067.9 m³, a velocity upon arrival on the road of 26.81 m/s, and an approximately 0.5-m debris thickness concentrated near the Raemian apartments. The comparison of the predicted debris flow path and debris flow velocity with the actual event demonstrates good similarity and provides a conservative estimate of the volume. This study therefore illustrates the importance of an input parameter database in providing a reliable debris flow runout hazard assessment.     

A study on the factors affecting the stable isotopic composition in precipitation of Tamil Nadu,India

Stable isotope measurements in precipitation help us to form the basic inference about the origin and the state of water in different environments. The precipitation samples collected during the South West Monsoon (SWM) during August 2007 from 37 different locations in the state help in deriving the first preliminary local meteoric water line (LMWL) for the Tamil Nadu State. The study reveals that there are three main sources of water vapours, namely South East Arabian Sea (SEAS), Indian Ocean (IO) and evaporation from local water bodies. There are wide variations in the altitude and amount of rainfall received in the state. It is also noted that there is a significant variation in the latitude and the distance from the coast. Hence, an attempt is made in this paper to study the factors controlling the composition of stable isotopes in precipitation with reference to amount of rainfall, latitude, altitude and the continental effect. The altitude and continental effect shows good correlation to the variations in stable isotope composition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A study of the H-alpha line in late G and K supergiants

A spectroscopic study of H_α has been carried out to investigate the properties of expanding chromospheres of late G and K supergiants. Spectra of 23 stars brighter thanV = 6.0 have been obtained at dispersions of 4–10 å mm^-1 using the coude and the coudé-echelle spectrographs at the 102-cm telescope of Kavalur Observatory. The H_α profiles are all asymmetric in the sense that the absorption core is shifted to the blue by amounts ranging between -4 and -24 km s^-1. H_α profiles were theoretically computed using radiative transfer in spherically symmetric expanding atmospheres covering a large range of integrated optical depths. These were compared with the characteristics of the observed line in the programme stars. The analysis shows that the H_α line is formed in a region with velocity increasing outward. The computed equivalent widths and line core displacements were matched with those observed to obtain hydrogen column densities and expansion velocities. From these, the rates of mass loss in these stars were determined to be in the range of 10⁶10^-7 M_⊙ yr^-1.     

Linking remotely sensed Urban Green Space (UGS) distribution patterns and Socio-Economic Status (SES) - A multi-scale probabilistic analysis based in Mumbai,India

Urban Green Spaces (UGS) offer social and environmental benefits that enhance quality of life of the residents. However, due to the underlying social and economic disparities, different sections of urban population have disproportionate level of access to UGS. The environmental inequity owing to the varied UGS distribution poses a challenge to urban planners in efficient resource allocation. This study attempts to counter this challenge using a novel remote sensing-based approach. The variations in UGS distribution (in terms of quantity, quality and accessibility) across the neighbourhoods in Mumbai vis-à-vis the socio-economic status (SES) of neighbourhood residents are assessed using remote sensing-based indicators. Further, as these indicators are susceptible to the effect of changing scales, a multi-scale approach is adopted to study the potential variations in the relationship between SES and spatial metrics of UGS with spatial resolution. The neighbourhood SES was assessed using the newly developed Socio-Economic Status Index (SESI) and the neighbourhoods were classified into multiple SES categories. The UGS were extracted from remotely sensed data using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and their spatial distribution aspects were characterized using indicators at neighbourhood level. The variations in indicators of UGS distribution in the neighbourhoods belonging to different SES categories were analysed using a logistic regression model. The results showed that, while quantity of UGS is not statistically associated with neighbourhoods SES, the quality and accessibility aspects of UGS share a statistically significant relation with SES. Also, this relation was found to vary significantly with spatial resolutions. Further, it was found that the neighbourhoods with higher SES in Mumbai have a better access to green spaces, indicating spatial inequities in UGS distribution in Mumbai. This study has important implications for planning equitable green spaces in cities that are currently in urbanization transition.     

Software GPS Receiver

This paper discusses the approaches of software GPS receiver. First, the definition of a software receiver, its difference from a conventional receiver, and the data collection hardware employed is presented. Then the acquisition and tracking algorithm is discussed. The transition from acquisition to tracking for a real time operation is presented. The navigation data decoding, the calculation of satellite position, and user position are discussed briefly. Finally, the advantages of a software receiver is presented. ? 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.