Development of ecosystem indicators for the Suwannee River estuary: Oyster reef habitat quality along a salinity gradient

The Suwannee River watershed is one of the least developed in the eastern United States, but with increasing urbanization it is facing potential long-term alterations in freshwater flow to its estuary in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of this study was to develop biological indicators of oyster reef state along a natural salinity gradient in the Suwannee River estuary in order to allow the rapid assessment of the effect of changing freshwater input to this system. Percent cover and density of three size classes of living oysters, as well as the abundance of several predominant reef-associated invertebrates, were measured along a broad salinity gradient in the estuary and were correlated with salinity estimates from a long-term database for the preceding 12–24 mo. All eastern oyster,Crassostrea virginica, parameters (percent cover and density of three size classes) were significantly and negatively related to salinity. Data from samples collected near the lower intertidal were more closely dependent upon salinity than were samples from the higher intertidal at the same sites. Salinity differences were most closely reflected in differences in total oyster cover. This relationship corresponded with a general decline in oyster habitat with increasing distance from the mouth of the Suwannee River. Species richness was significantly and positively correlated with allC. virginica parameters (percent cover and density of three size classes), but the relationship explained only about half the variability. Density data of the hooked mussel,Ischadium recurvum, and a mud crab,Eurypanopeus depressus, were positively and strongly correlated withC. virginica parameters, likely reflecting the abundance of habitat provided byC. virginica shells. All of the biological indicators measured responded similarly along the salinity gradient, indicating they provide reliable indices of the effect of changing salinities in the Suwannee River estuary over the previous 1 or 2 yr. Some areas of positive relief defined as reefs 30 years ago are no longer oyster habitat, suggesting an ongoing decline, but nearshoreC. virginica were abundant. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A02BY003 00002     

Community collaboration and climate change research in the Canadian Arctic

Research on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, particularly projects aiming to contribute to practical adaptation initiatives, requires active involvement and collaboration with community members and local, regional and national organizations that use this research for policy-making. Arctic communities are already experiencing and adapting to environmental and socio-cultural changes, and researchers have a practical and ethical responsibility to engage with communities that are the focus of the research. This paper draws on the experiences of researchers working with communities across the Canadian Arctic, together with the expertise of Inuit organizations, Northern research institutes and community partners, to outline key considerations for effectively engaging Arctic communities in collaborative research. These considerations include: initiating early and ongoing communication with communities, and regional and national contacts; involving communities in research design and development; facilitating opportunities for local employment; and disseminating research findings. Examples of each consideration are drawn from climate change research conducted with communities in the Canadian Arctic.     

飞机航电设备的半主动磁流变控制

本文提出一种新的航电设备减振控制策略,采用半主动磁流变阻尼器与小阻尼柔性橡胶支座来取代目前采用高阻尼刚性橡胶支座的方法,以降低对航电设备的耐振要求,增强飞机飞行的安全性。本文建立了航电设备减振控制的两自由度刚体平-扭耦联模型,荷载激励考虑了基底平动与转动加速度。磁流变阻尼器的半主动控制算法选用限幅最优控制算法,主控制器为H2/LQG控制器,并采用一种加速度反馈的控制策略。针对目前的被动控制方案,本文研究了支座阻尼对减振控制效果的影响。为了得到最优的半主动控制效果,本文对控制器的权矩阵进行了参数优化分析。文中针对一系列工况详细比较了本文所提出的半主动控制策略与目前被动控制策略的减振控制效果。仿真分析结果表明,磁流变阻尼器可以非常有效地减小航电设备的动力反应,新的减振控制策略远优于现有的被动控制方案。     

Predictive stability indicator: a novel approach to configuring a real‐time hybrid simulation

Real‐time hybrid simulation (RTHS) is an effective and versatile tool for the examination of complex structural systems with rate dependent behaviors. To meet the objectives of such a test, appropriate consideration must be given to the partitioning of the system into physical and computational portions (i.e., the configuration of the RTHS). Predictive stability and performance indicators (PSI and PPI) were initially established for use with only single degree‐of‐freedom systems. These indicators allow researchers to plan a RTHS, to quantitatively examine the impact of partitioning choices on stability and performance, and to assess the sensitivity of an RTHS configuration to de‐synchronization at the interface. In this study, PSI is extended to any linear multi‐degree‐of‐freedom (MDOF) system. The PSI is obtained analytically and it is independent of the transfer system and controller dynamics, providing a relatively easy and extremely useful method to examine many partitioning choices. A novel matrix method is adopted to convert a delay differential equation to a generalized eigenvalue problem using a set of vectorization mappings, and then to analytically solve the delay differential equations in a computationally efficient way. Through two illustrative examples, the PSI is demonstrated and validated. Validation of the MDOF PSI also includes comparisons to a MDOF dynamic model that includes realistic models of the hydraulic actuators and the control‐structure interaction effects. Results demonstrate that the proposed PSI can be used as an effective design tool for conducting successful RTHS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

The tephrochronology of Iceland and the North Atlantic region during the Middle and Late Quaternary: a review

The tephrochronology of Iceland and the North Atlantic region is reviewed in order to construct a unified framework for the last 400 kyr BP. Nearly all of the tephra layers described are also characterised geochemically. A number of new tephra layers are analysed for the first time for their geochemical signature and a number of pre‐Holocene tephra layers have been given an informal denotation. The tephrostratigraphy of Ash Zone II is highlighted. Where possible the rhyolitic tephra layers found outside Iceland have been correlated to known Icelandic tephra layers or to the volcanic source area. The application of tephra fallout in various depositional environments is described and discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements of the Winchcombe meteorite using the Visible Oxford Space Environment Goniometer

A laboratory study was performed using the Visible Oxford Space Environment Goniometer in which the broadband (350–1250 nm) bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of the Winchcombe meteorite was measured, across a range of viewing angles—reflectance: 0°–70°, in steps of 5°; incidence: 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60°; and azimuthal: 0°, 90°, and 180°. The BRDF dataset was fitted using the Hapke BRDF model to (1) provide a method of comparison to other meteorites and asteroids, and (2) to produce Hapke parameter values that can be used to extrapolate the BRDF to all angles. The study deduced the following Hapke parameters for Winchcombe: w = 0.152 ± 0.030, b = 0.633 ± 0.064, and h_S = 0.016 ± 0.008, demonstrating that it has a similar w value to Tagish Lake (0.157 ± 0.020) and a similar b value to Orgueil (0.671 ± 0.090). Importantly, the surface profile of the sample was characterized using an Alicona 3D® instrument, allowing two of the free parameters within the Hapke model φ and $\overline{\theta }$, which represent porosity and surface roughness, respectively, to be constrained as φ = 0.649 ± 0.023 and $\overline{\theta }$ = 16.113° (at 500 μm size scale). This work serves as part of the characterization process for Winchcombe and provides a reference photometry dataset for current and future asteroid missions.     

The faunal-stratigraphy of the ludlovian rocks between Craven Arms and Bourton,near Much Wenlock,Shropshire

The Ludlovian Series has been mapped between the River Onny at Craven Arms and the village of Bourton which lies 2½ miles SW of Much Wenlock. Ten subdivisions are recognised on biostratigraphical and lithostratigraphical criteria. For these divisions the stratigraphical terminology established by Holland, Lawson and Walmsley (1959, 1963) in the Ludlow area has been utilised. Two breaks occur in the otherwise continuous succession of variable calcareous sediments: there is lithological and faunal discontinuity at the base of the Leintwardine Beds and within the Upper Leintwardine Beds. The latter can be recognised over a wide area of the Ludlovian shelf. Accordingly alternative correlations, to those presently accepted, are proposed for the Leintwardine Beds.     

Differential rotation and reconnection as basic causes of some coronal reorientations

A process is suggested by which a coronal structure (with underlying filament) may form between a polar crown structure and a low-latitude bipolar region. During the ascending phase of the solar cycle the identifying underlying filament should lie poleward and westward of the active region, but during the descending phase it should appear as an eastward extension of the filament separating leader and follower photospheric fields within the active region.     

Experimental verification of torsional response control of asymmetric buildings using MR dampers

This paper proposes a semiactive control system to reduce the coupled lateral and torsional motions in asymmetric buildings subjected to horizontal seismic excitations. Magnetorheological (MR) dampers are applied as semiactive control devices and the control input determination is based on a clipped‐optimal control algorithm which uses absolute acceleration feedback. The performance of this method is studied experimentally using a 2‐story building model with an asymmetric stiffness distribution. An automated system identification methodology is implemented to develop a control‐oriented model which has the natural frequencies observed in the experimental system. The parameters for the MR damper model are identified using experimental data to develop an integrated model of the structure and MR dampers. To demonstrate the performance of this control system on the experimental structure, a shake table is used to reproduce an El Centro 1940 N–S earthquake as well as a random white noise excitation. The responses for the proposed control system are compared to those of passive control cases in which a constant voltage is applied to the MR damper. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.