Measurements and numerical simulations of the degree of activity and vegetation cover on parabolic dunes in north-eastern Brazil

In this work we present measurements of vegetation cover over parabolic dunes with different degrees of activation along the north-eastern Brazilian coast. We extend the local values of the vegetation cover density to the whole dune by correlating measurements with the relative brightness index C of high resolution QuickBird panchromatic satellite images of the dune field. We then introduce the vegetation data into a continuous model for vegetated dunes, coupling sand erosion and vegetation growth, and perform simulations of the evolution of the morphology and vegetation cover of parabolic dunes. Finally, from the comparison of both, the measurements and the simulation results, we show that the model is able to predict the dune shape and the vegetation distribution of real parabolic dunes as result of the evolution of a blow-out.     

Dynamic characteristics and seismic behavior of prefabricated steel stairs in a full‐scale five‐story building shake table test program

This paper investigates the dynamic characteristics and seismic behavior of prefabricated steel stairs in a full‐scale five‐story building shake table test program. The test building was subjected to a suite of earthquake input motions and low‐amplitude white noise base excitations first, while the building was isolated at its base, and subsequently while it was fixed to the shake table platen. This paper presents the modal characteristics of the stairs identified using the data recorded from white noise base excitation tests as well as the physical and measured responses of the stairs from the earthquake tests. The observed damage to the stairs is categorized into three distinct damage states and is correlated with the interstory drift demands of the building. These shake table tests highlight the seismic vulnerability of modern designed stair systems and in particular identifies as a key research need the importance of improving the deformability of flight‐to‐building connections. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of quark anomalous magnetic moment in the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model with different regularizations

The Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model is known for its simplicity and capacity to reproduce some of the basic characteristics of the quantum chromodynamics phase diagram. However, since it is a nonrenormalizable model, there are regularization issues that should be treated conveniently. This is the case when considering the quark anomalous magnetic moment (AMM) when external constant magnetic fields are present. Regularization procedures based on entangled functions between the magnetic field and the cutoff of the model can predict first-order phase transitions for chiral symmetry restoration at finite values of magnetic fields and inverse magnetic catalysis. The strengths of magnetic fields explored in NJL model and lattice QCD do not show first-order phase transition. In the present work, we show that some of the previous results are regularization-dependent effects and how to handle the divergences using the vacuum magnetic regularization scheme.     

A simplified storm index method to extrapolate intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves for ungauged stations in central Chile

Most of meteorological stations in Chile register rainfall amounts once every 24 h. The creation of intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves requires continuous recorded data, and this insufficiency of proper instrumentation has resulted in a lack of IDF curves nationwide. The objective of this study is to further develop and evaluate the feasibility of a new method to estimate IDF curves in ungauged stations under Mediterranean climates of central Chile. A technique used to address this problem is the use of a storm index (S_I), also known as the ‘K’ method, which allows the construction of IDF curves from stations with discontinuous data, by extrapolating data from stations with continuous records, as long as daily rainfall intensities for both stations differ by less than 2 mm h^?1. To test the applicability of this method, S_I values were calculated for 40 meteorological stations located throughout Central Chile (latitudes 30°S to 40°S). The extrapolated IDF curves were then compared with observed data, and the goodness of fit was determined. The results indicate that the storm index method can adequately estimate hourly IDF curve values for stations lacking of continuous rainfall data. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of the load response of closed-ended and open-ended pipe piles driven in gravelly sand

Slow-maintained static load tests were performed on closed-ended and open-ended steel pipe piles driven side by side in a gravelly sand soil profile. The site investigation consisted of multiple cone penetration tests (CPTs) and standard penetration tests (SPTs), as well as laboratory tests on soil samples collected at various depths from the test site to determine basic soil properties. The test piles were densely instrumented with a combination of electrical-resistance and vibrating-wire strain gauges. The open-ended test pile was a specially fabricated double-wall, fully-instrumented pile, allowing for separation of the measurements of the inner and outer shaft resistances. Detailed comparison of the load test results, in terms of driving resistance, load response and profiles of unit shaft and base resistances for the two test piles, is presented and discussed. The applicability of three CPT-based pile design methods is assessed through a layer-by-layer comparison of the estimated resistances with those measured in the static load tests.

     

Temporal variability of throughfall as a function of the canopy development stage: from seasonal to intra-event scale

ABSTRACT

The interception process impacts rainfall magnitude and intensity under the canopy. In this study, the effect of plant interception on throughfall characteristics was assessed in the deciduous Caatinga vegetation, at different canopy development stages and for temporal scales ranging from seasonal to the intra-event scale. Throughfall and stemflow percentages were slightly higher at the onset of the rainy season, when leaf area density is low, with resulting lower interception losses. However, there was no statistical difference among the variables at the seasonal scale. At the intra-event scale, average and maximum throughfall intensity at different time intervals showed statistical difference between the stages of canopy development. Regardless of leaf area density and rainfall depth, vegetation is able to retain all the water up to 2 min in the beginning of each rainfall event with accumulated rainfall smaller than 0.6 mm. Furthermore, the Caatinga vegetation attenuates the rainfall intensity by 30–40%.     

Electron microprobe dating of monazite from high-T shear zones in the São José de Campestre Massif, NE Brazil

The easternmost domain of the Borborema Province, northeastern Brazil, presents widespread, extensional-related high-temperature metamorphism during the Brasiliano (=Pan-African) orogeny. This event reached the upper amphibolite to granulite facies and provoked generalized migmatization of Proterozoic metapelitic rocks of the Seridó Group and tonalitic to granodioritic orthogneisses of the Archean to Paleoproterozoic basement. We report new geochronological data based on electron microprobe dating of monazite from metapelitic migmatite and leuconorite within the high-T shear zones that make up the eastern continuation of the huge E–W Patos shear belt. These data were also constrained by using the Sm–Nd isotopic systematic on garnet from a syntectonic alkaline granite and two garnet-bearing leucosomes. The results suggest an age of about 578 to 574 Ma for the peak of the widespread high-T metamorphism. This event is best recorded by Sm–Nd garnet-whole rock ages. The U–Th–Pb isotopes on monazite of the metapelitic migmatite show a younger thermal event at 553 ± 10 Ma. When compared to the Sm–Nd garnet-whole rock ages, the U–Th–Pb electron probe monazite ages seem to record an event of slightly lower temperatures after the peak of the high-T metamorphism. This may reflect the difference in the isotopic behavior of the geochronological methods employed. Otherwise, the U–Th–Pb ages on monazites could indicate an event not yet very well defined. In anyway, this paper reveals the partial or even complete re-opening and resetting of the U–Th–Pb isotopic system produced by the action of low-T Ca-rich fluid.     

Development of Coronal Mass Ejections: Radio Shock Signatures

We present observational imaging evidence for the existence of metric radio bursts closely associated with the front edge of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These radio bursts drift in frequency similarly to type II bursts. They are weak and usually go undetected on spectrograph data. We find the same measured projected velocity for the displacement of, respectively, the radio source (when observed at two or more frequencies) and the CME leading edge. The position of the emitting source coincides with the CME leading edge. Among the events analyzed, the fastest of them, with a velocity over 1400 km s-1, was associated with interplanetary type II bursts.     

Landsystem analysis of a tropical moraine-dammed supraglacial lake,Llaca Lake,Cordillera Blanca,Perú

Tropical glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca, Perú are rapidly thinning and retreating as a result of climate warming. The retreat of these glaciers along narrow linear bedrock valleys has increased the number and size of moraine-dammed glacial lakes formed in the valleys. This study aims to identify the geomorphological and sedimentological characteristics of an enlarging moraine-dammed supraglacial lake (Llaca Lake) in the Cordillera Blanca. Field-based sedimentological observations and geomorphological mapping were combined with remotely sensed data and a photogrammetric model derived from aerial surveys by an uncrewed aerial vehicle to identify landform-sediment assemblages. The geomorphological and sedimentological characteristics of Llaca Lake are synthesized into three landsystem zones: Zone 1: distal portions of Llaca Lake and the latero-frontal moraine; Zone 2: the central zone of ice-cored hummocks; and Zone 3: the active glacier margin. These zones are differentiated based on the spatial distribution of landforms, sediments, and active geomorphological processes. This is the first study to describe the landform-sediment assemblages in a tropical moraine-dammed supraglacial lake system and provides a framework for further landsystem element analysis of these growing supraglacial lakes in rapidly deglaciating high-altitude environments.