Dynamic model of manoeuvrability using recursive neural networks

This paper presents a Recursive Neural Network (RNN) manoeuvring simulation model for surface ships. Inputs to the simulation are the orders of rudder angle and ship’s speed and also the recursive outputs velocities of sway and yaw. This model is used to test the capabilities of artificial neural networks in manoeuvring simulation of ships. Two manoeuvres are simulated: tactical circles and zigzags. The results between both simulations are compared in order to analyse the accuracy of the RNN. The simulations are performed for the Mariner hull. The data generated to train the network are obtained from a manoeuvrability model performing the simulation of different manoeuvring tests. The RNN proved to be a robust and accurate tool for manoeuvring simulation.     

How effective are plant macrofossils as a proxy for macrophyte presence? The case of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Najas flexilis</Emphasis> in Scotland

Preventing biodiversity loss is a key aim of modern conservation, and paleolimnology can inform conservation strategies for target species and habitats where other data are unavailable. Care must be taken to fully understand the possibilities and limits of such techniques, particularly where they concern single species. This study uses plant and seed distribution data to inform macrofossil reconstructions of the rare macrophyte Najas flexilis (Slender Naiad) in Scotland, UK. It answers three questions: (a) How does the location of N. flexilis seeds in the surface sediments relate to the distribution of N. flexilis plants? (b) How do the numbers of seeds in surface sediments correlate with % cover of N. flexilis plants across lakes with differing N. flexilis abundances? (c) What are the implications of these findings for paleolimnology? Percentage N. flexilis cover and number of N. flexilis seeds in surface sediments were recorded at ~100 sample points at each of three sites; one where the species was abundant, one where it was occasional and one where it was extinct. At all sites, N. flexilis seeds were present in surface sediments across the entire lake. No correlation between % cover N. flexilis and the number of seeds in surface sediments was found within individual sites. The distribution of seeds in these lakes appeared to be related to multiple environmental and ecological variables including latitude and longitude (proxies for water currents). This is attributed to the ability of seed-bearing N. flexilis plants to fragment and float large distances on water. Between sites, there was a significant difference in the mean seed counts, with higher mean seed counts corresponding to higher abundances of N. flexilis plants. It is concluded that N. flexilis is likely to be well represented in sediment cores taken from any location within a basin, but that care should be taken when inferring changes in N. flexilis abundance from changes in the numbers of seeds in sediment samples. This work demonstrates that the reproductive ecology (number of seeds produced and dispersal mechanisms) is an important factor to consider when attempting reconstructions of single aquatic plant populations from macrofossil records.     

Raman and infrared study of hydroxyl sites in natural uvite,fluor-uvite,magnesio-foitite,dravite and elbaite tourmalines

We present the Raman and infrared spectra of different tourmaline species in the spectral range associated with the hydroxyl stretching modes, investigated through polarized Raman spectroscopy. Different lineshapes are observed for the OH spectra in uvite, fluor-uvite, magnesio-foitite, dravite and elbaite samples, and can be related to the coordination of OH in the two different structural V[O(3)]- and W[O(1)]-occupied sites. Local arrangements around the two different OH sites were assigned, and different ion substitutions for these five tourmaline species were identified. Our work with polarized Raman spectroscopy revealed that OH-stretching modes are described by totally symmetric, irreducible representations.     

Multi-method characterization of DOM from the Turia river (Spain)

Water concentrates from Turia river (1.5 mg L⁻¹ total organic C) obtained by nanofiltration (membrane mass cut-off 90 Da) were fractioned by non-ionic Amberlite resins (DAX8 and XAD4) to afford three samples termed as hydrophobic acid (50%), transphilic acid (24%) and hydrophobic neutral (12%). If a nanofiltration membrane 270 Da mass cut-off is used then about 50% of dissolved organic matter is not retained. These three fractions were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques (¹H NMR, MALDI–TOF-MS, ESI–API-MS, ESI–MS/MS). Overall, these data are compatible with the presence of oligosaccharides, oligopeptides and fatty acids as the main components of dissolved organic matter. Particularly revealing was the information from MALDI–TOF-MS and ESI–MS/MS where series of compounds differing in the number of hexose units were identified. The three fractions have many spectroscopic similarities and, particularly the hydrophobic and transphilic ones, are really almost identical. This similarity in the fraction composition shows that the conventional fractionation procedure is inefficient as a standard general method for separation of different compound types. The composition of dissolved organic matter was confirmed, and some individual organic compounds identified, by GC–MS analysis of the silylated derivatives obtained by reacting the fractions with a mixture of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide with trimethylchlorosilane (10%). Thus, rather surprisingly, the dissolved organic matter of this natural raw water is predominantly composed of a relatively simple mixture of a few types of compounds with molecular weights well below 1100 Da (about six hexose units). These results, particularly the absence of detectable amounts of high molecular weight humic acids and low molecular weight phenolic compounds indicates that trihalomethanes formed in the water disinfection process by Cl₂ really derive from oligosaccharides and oligopeptides. Also, the data suggests alternative strategies to effect a more efficient fractionation of the dissolved organic matter.     

Estimation of industrial and commercial asset values for hazard risk assessment

For risk analyses not only knowledge about the impact of different types of hazards, but also information about the elements and values at risk is necessary. This article introduces a methodology for a countrywide estimation of asset values for commercial and industrial properties using Germany as an example. It consists of a financial appraisal of asset values on the municipal level and a further disaggregation by means of land use data. Novelties are the distinction of 60 economic activities, the consideration of production site sizes and the application of a dasymetric mapping technique for a sector-specific estimation and disaggregation of asset values. A validation with empirical data confirms the feasibility of the calculation. The resulting maps can be used for loss estimations e.g. in the framework of cost–benefit analyses that aim to evaluate hazard mitigation measures or for portfolio analyses by banks and insurance companies. The approach can be used for other countries if the necessary data is available (mainly in industrialized countries). In any case, it reveals the critical points when estimating commercial and industrial asset values.     

Re‐interpretation of the existence of a primitive plume under Australia based on neon isotope fractionation during step heating

ABSTRACT The origin of the volcanism in south‐eastern Australia is poorly understood. Matsumoto and collaborators found near solar neon isotope values in measurements obtained by step heating apatites in ultramafic xenoliths from Bullenmerri (SE Australia), and proposed that these values result from the presence of a primitive plume. However, the results of simple diffusion models indicate that the neon isotopic signature observed by Matsumoto et al. can be generated by mass fractionation during step heating. If such mass fractionation does occur during step heating, then neither neon nor helium isotopes require the presence of primitive mantle, and the rare gas observations are consistent with the involvement of MORB‐source mantle in the generation of south‐eastern Australian volcanics. These results show that both the acquisition and the interpretation of step heating data should be carefully controlled and that a mineral crushing technique may yield more reliable analyses.     

Variability of extreme events in the Colombian Pacific and Caribbean catchment basins

This paper analyses the behavior of extreme events of surface precipitation and temperature inside the Pacific and Caribbean Catchment Basins in Colombia using several datasets such as observations, reconstructed data, NCEP-NCAR and ERA-40 reanalyses and data from the regional model REMO. We use an extreme value method that selects the time series excesses over a nonstationary threshold and adjusts them to a generalized Pareto distribution. The goodness of fit is evaluated through a test that includes the Cramer–von Mises, Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Anderson–Darling statistics and the p values generated by parametric bootstrap resampling. The test not only evaluates the goodness of fit but also the threshold choice. The parameters are presented in maps that allow recognition of the features of the extreme behaviour inside the catchment basins, and differences and similarities between them. Maps of return periods for the maximum extreme events are also presented. A strong influence of the El Niño–Southern oscillation on the extreme events of both temperature and precipitation is found in the two catchment basins.     

Microzooplankton feeding impact in a coastal upwelling system on the NW Iberian margin: The Ría de Vigo

The dilution technique, combined with identification and enumeration of pico-, nano- and micro-plankton by microscopy, was used to estimate microzooplankton impact on the microbial community in surface waters of a coastal embayment on the NW Iberian upwelling system. Microzooplankton were important consumers of autotrophic and heterotrophic plankton in this system, feeding up to 93% of standing stock and more than 100% of production of several groups. Heterotrophic bacteria and heterotrophic picoflagellates experienced the highest and constant impact, with 75–84% of their standing stocks and 85–102% of their production being channelled through the microbial food web. Pico- and nano-phytoplankton were also consumed, although maximum grazing occurred on diatoms during upwelling events, coinciding with highest primary production. Predation on pico-nano-heterotrophs was especially relevant under downwelling conditions, when consumption of total carbon and particularly autotrophic carbon was considerably lower than during upwelling. The results suggest that the existence of a multivorous food web, extending from the microbial loop to the herbivorous food web, could be a major feature in this coastal upwelling system. The microbial loop, which occurs as a permanent background in the system, would contribute to sustain the microbial food web during downwelling, whereas the herbivorous food web could coexist with a microbial food web based on large diatoms during upwelling. The multivorous food web would partially divert diatoms from sinking and hence favour the retention of organic matter in the water column. This could enhance the energy transfer to higher pelagic trophic levels in coastal upwelling systems.