Sectoral scope and colocalisation of Spanish manufacturing industries

In this paper, we use distance-based methods, specifically a slight variation of Ripley’s K function and a bivariate generalisation of this function, to explore the detailed location pattern of the Spanish manufacturing industry, the scope of localisation and the tendency towards colocalisation between horizontally and vertically linked industries. To do so, we use micro-geographic data, considering a narrowly defined industry classification. Our results show heterogeneous location patterns, but with a significant tendency towards localisation. The sectoral scope is very sensitive to the degree of homogeneity of the activities in each sector. The more homogeneous the activities in a specific sector are, the more similarities we find in the spatial location patterns among its industries. Finally, although the patterns of colocalisation detected are sensitive to the counterfactuals used, between 20 and 48% of the pairs of industries with strong input–output linkages considered in this study show a significant tendency to colocalisation, and among them 74% are vertically linked industries.     

European regional efficiency and geographical externalities: a spatial nonparametric frontier analysis

This paper analyses region-level technical efficiency in nine European countries over the 1995–2007 period. We propose the application of a nonparametric conditional frontier approach to account for the presence of heterogeneous conditions in the form of geographical externalities. Such environmental factors are beyond the control of regional authorities, but may affect the production function. Therefore, they need to be considered in the frontier estimation. Specifically, a spatial autoregressive term is included as an external conditioning factor in a robust order-m model. Thus we can test the hypothesis of non-separability (the external factor impacts both the input–output space and the distribution of efficiencies), demonstrating the existence of significant global interregional spillovers into the production process. Our findings show that geographical externalities affect both the frontier level and the probability of being more or less efficient. Specifically, the results support the fact that the spatial lag variable has an inverted U-shaped non-linear impact on the performance of regions. This finding can be interpreted as a differential effect of interregional spillovers depending on the size of the neighboring economies: positive externalities for small values, possibly related to agglomeration economies, and negative externalities for high values, indicating the possibility of production congestion. Additionally, evidence of the existence of a strong geographic pattern of European regional efficiency is reported and the levels of technical efficiency are acknowledged to have converged during the period under analysis.     

Intense drought and flooding events in the Rio Negro and relation with the tropical Pacific and Atlantic variability modes

The relationship of the hydrological variability of the Rio Negro in Manaus and the dominant large-scale climate variability patterns for the 1902–2007 period is investigated using the quantile method and composite analyses. Variations of the Rio Negro Level (RNL) during its 3-month high (May to July—MJJ) and low (October to December—OND) phases are examined separately. The El Niño (La Niña) related maximum warming (cooling) in the central tropical Pacific during its mature and decaying stages modulates the atmospheric circulation in the tropics and displaces the Walker circulation cell eastward (westward), so that its sinking (rising) branch occurs over western Amazon and causes negative (positive) precipitation anomalies in this region. These anomalous climate conditions occur before the Rio Negro high phase (MJJ) and contribute to reduce (increase) the RNL and lead to a very low (very high) event in the river. On the other hand, the SST variability modes in the tropical Atlantic mainly during the transition from wet to dry season modulate the precipitation variations over western Amazon in OND. The very high events are more frequent after the 1960’s decade and the very low events, before the 1930’s decade. Therefore, the occurrence of these events contains a multidecadal scale variability. The results also indicate that the variations in the rainfall in western Amazon occur up to 9 months in advance and modulate the RNL in Manaus. The results presented here might be useful for monitoring purposes of the RNL.

     

Évolution des indices des extrêmes climatiques en République du Tchad de 1960 à 2008

[Translated by the editorial staff] An analysis of climate trends and return levels for the period 1960–2008, using the ETCCDI-CLIVAR/JCOMM project approach, has been conducted for Chad, where droughts and flooding are recurrent. Using the RClimDex software, we show that almost all rainfall trends are decreasing, as in Central and Northern Africa. Rare extreme rain events (R99p) decrease significantly: 0.85?mm per decade. However, we note a slightly upward trend of 0.5 day per decade, in the number of consecutive dry days (CDD). Temperature indices are all positive except for the frequencies of very hot days (TX90p) and very cold nights (TN10p), which decrease significantly: ?0.39% day per year per decade, as in Central Africa and globally. Sequences of hot or cold days decrease as well, but by about 1% per year per decade. Return periods identified with the generalized extreme value (GEV) distributions show that they are well defined from 1 to 10 years. Extremely rare events from 10 to 50 years are associated with a mean return level of 660?mm of annual precipitation.     

From Objective Environmental Problems to Subjective Environmental Concern: A Multilevel Analysis Using 30 Indicators of Environmental Quality

This article analyzes the effect of environmental degradation, the affluence hypothesis, and postmaterialist theory to assess the environmental concern of individuals in 51 countries. The hypotheses are tested using a multilevel analysis that employs an unprecedented number of objective indicators of environmental degradation, using the World Values Survey 6th wave (2010–2014). The results support the degradation hypotheses, where the importance of water scarcity in a country and national biodiversity are the major variables that explain individual environmental concern among all the indicators of environmental degradation. The affluence hypothesis is rejected and the postmaterialist theory is supported only at the individual level.     

Tectonic heritage in drainage pattern and dynamics: the case of the French South Alpine Foreland Basin (ca. 45–20 Ma)

The spatial and temporal organization of depositional environments in drainage networks of foreland basins reflect the tectonic and erosional dynamics associated with the development of mountain belts. We provide field evidences for the initiation and evolution of a complex drainage system in the French South Alpine Foreland Basin related to Western Alps exhumation. Sedimentological and structural analyses of the Eocene–Early Miocene succession were investigated in the (1) Argens/Peyresq, (2) Barrême/Blieux/Taulanne and (3) Montmaur/St‐Disdier sectors. Combined with the existing structural data set, we propose a new model that integrates the regional tectonic activity, the palaeovalley orientation and their dynamics through time. The Eocene–Miocene deposits clearly show the existence of N–S‐oriented palaeovalleys. The systematic presence of early NE–SW‐ to N–S‐oriented strike‐slip and extensional faults in the palaeovalleys suggests that these tectonic structures were responsible for the formation of the initial N–S‐oriented basin‐floor topographies. The vertical offset of the strike‐slip faults induced sufficient accommodation space for the Cenozoic sedimentation since the Middle Eocene. It implies the creation of N–S‐oriented palaeovalleys during the northward Pyrenean‐Provençal phase, pre‐dating westward Alpine compression. Later, the Oligocene Alpine tectonic phase induced drainage expansion toward the orogenic wedge and the erosion of the exhumed internal massifs by transverse streams. The establishment of new connections between the old topographic lows formed a longitudinal drainage pattern that remains the locus of deposition in a regional sedimentary routing system. In this model, former strike‐slip faults correspond to weakness zones overprinted by the westward Alpine shortening that allowed the formation of the modern piggyback basin structure of the foreland and the long‐time preservation of the palaeovalley geometry.     

Mediterranean dune vegetation: conservation of a threatened ecosystem in southern Spain

This paper investigates the plant diversity and current state of the vegetation of a little-known threatened dune complex located in Estepona (southern Spain). This littoral fringe has in the past 60 years experienced a continuous process of intensive occupation derived primarily from tourism and agriculture, which has led to the degradation of the fragile and dynamic coastal systems. Its diminished size and lack of legal protection make it vulnerable to a variety of anthropogenic stresses that threaten the survival of the system. Fieldwork has been the primary methodological procedure to conduct research, given the scarcity of previous studies. The results first of all provide a biogeographical and phytosociological view that elucidates the remarkable plant diversity of the area studied and the complete zonal structure of the communities that comprise the ecosystem. Secondly, a vegetal cartography was created (detail of 1: 2500) to characterize the distribution of flora. This exploration and mapping of vegetation are effective tools in forming a conservation proposal to combat anthropogenic conflicts that destabilize the system. In this sense, harmful human activities threatening the plant phytodiversity of the various strips of vegetation forming the dunes have also been identified.     

Observations of Doppler oscillations in a solar prominence

We report on the observation of Doppler oscillations in a quiescent limb prominence. Fourier analysis of the data reveals an oscillatory period of 7.5 min, whose phase varies linearly at 16 consecutive points (7280 km) along the slit. This yields an upper limit for the perturbation wavelength of 20000 km. Wavelet analysis confirms the above period and indicates an oscillation lifetime of 12 min. Moreover, the disturbance appears to travel at a speed greater than 4.4 km s^-1. A comparison of these results with the predictions of some theoretical models is made.     

Soil liquefaction potential induced by the andalusian earthquake of 25 December 1884

On 25 December 1884, an earthquake of epicentral intensityI ₀ = IX in the MSK scale caused great damage in a large area in the provinces of Granada and Málaga, in the south of Spain. The reports of the Spanish, Italian and French Commissions that studied the earthquake described ground phenomena in seven different sites which can be identified as soil liquefaction.By means of dynamic penetration tests carried out in the above sites, the corresponding soil profiles (based on SPT data and water table depth) were established, and the occurrence of liquefaction was proved in five out of seven of these sites. Also, the intensities at such locations and the magnitude of the earthquake were estimated.From the geotechnical data and the cyclic stress ratio induced by the earthquake, liquefaction conditions were confirmed in all the five sites which presumably liquefied. Then, possible values of the minimum ground surface accelerations necessary for the onset of liquefaction at each location were calculated. The results obtained were completed with data reported in six liquefaction case studies from Japan and the United States, from which design charts relating soil acceleration with normalized SPT values for different intensity levels were drawn.Finally, by using standard attenuation curves, the above data were translated into epicentral distances, and good agreement with the known epicentral area was found. As a result, a consistent approach for liquefaction hazard and source location problems has been developed. The proposed method combines in its formulation historical evidence and earthquake engineering techniques.     

Search for GRB counterparts in the optical

The history and recent results of searches for optical counterparts to gamma ray burst sources in all three categories (i.e. flaring, fading and quiet) are outlined. The related problems such as background triggers and advantages and drawbacks of previous and recent approaches and investigations are discussed. Although there are some promising results especially in the appearance of optical transients i.e. short-lived star-like objects found in or close to the error boxes of some GRB, there is a need for more and better optical data, especially taken at or close to the times of GRB. Based on recent results, a strategy for further works in this direction is suggested with emphasis on obtaining of simultaneous (wide-field CCD experiments) and quasisimultaneous (robotic telescopes automatically pointed to the positions of newly detected GRB by Internet link) optical data.