Multi-level temporal autoregressive modelling of daily activity satisfaction using GPS-integrated activity diary data

In this research, we match web-based activity diary data with daily mobility information recorded by GPS trackers for a sample of 709 residents in a 7-day survey in Beijing in 2012 to investigate activity satisfaction. Given the complications arising from the irregular time intervals of GPS-integrated diary data and the associated complex dependency structure, a direct application of standard (spatial) panel data econometric approaches is inappropriate. This study develops a multi-level temporal autoregressive modelling approach to analyse such data, which conceptualises time as continuous and examines sequential correlations via a time or space-time weights matrix. Moreover, we manage to simultaneously model individual heterogeneity through the inclusion of individual random effects, which can be treated flexibly either as independent or dependent. Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms are developed for model implementation. Positive sequential correlations and individual heterogeneity effects are both found to be statistically significant. Geographical contextual characteristics of sites where activities take place are significantly associated with daily activity satisfaction, controlling for a range of situational characteristics and individual socio-demographic attributes. Apart from the conceivable urban planning and development implications of our study, we demonstrate a novel statistical methodology for analysing semantic GPS trajectory data in general.     

Proof of homothally of Pheopolykrikos hartmannii and details of cyst germination process

Resting cysts play crucial roles in the ecology of dino?agellates, especially in wintering or surviving unfavorable conditions, seeding harmful algal blooms(HABs), and facilitating the geographic expansion. Encystment of dino?agellates is tightly coupled with sexual reproduction in most cases, which can occur either through homothallism(self-fertilization) or heterothallism(intercrossing of +/-strains). The types of sexual reproduction have important ecological implications. The toxic and HAB-forming dino?agellate, Pheopolykrikoides hartmannii has been previously reported to be heterothallic. Here, we provide visual con?rmation of homothally of P. hartmannii and the ?rst detailed visual recording of cyst germination based on the observations of a clonal isolate from Jiaozhou Bay, China. To document the homothallism, we ?rst observed cell pairs in sexual mating, planozygotes with two longitudinal ?agella, and cysts with typical morphology as described previously from the clonal culture. We then germinated a single cyst, established a new clonal culture from one of the two daughter cells after the ?rst cell division of the germling(i.e. from the diploid germling to two haploid cells), and produced cysts again from the newly established clonal culture. For the observation of the germination time-series, we took micrographs and videos to show all germination processes, particularly with an interesting observation of the short amoeboid stage of the germling releasing from the archeopyle(～15 s), which was a landmark of the germination process and has not been reported elsewhere. This de?nitive evidence of homothallic sexuality and cyst production in P. hartmannii provides a new insight into the biology and ecology of the species, particularly a mechanism that may partly account for the population dynamics and ubiquitous distribution of the species.     

Mapping conservation priorities and connectivity pathways under climate change for tropical ecosystems

Climate change and land use conversion are global threats to biodiversity. Protected areas and biological corridors have been historically implemented as biodiversity conservation measures and suggested as tools within planning frameworks to respond to climate change. However, few applications to national protected areas systems considering climate change in tropical countries exist. Our goal is to define new priority areas for biodiversity conservation and biological corridors within an existing protected areas network. We aim at preserving samples of all biodiversity under climate change and facilitate species dispersal to reduce the vulnerability of biodiversity. The analysis was based on a three step strategy: i) protect representative samples of various levels of terrestrial biodiversity across protected area systems given future redistributions under climate change, ii) identify and protect areas with reduced climate velocities where populations could persist for relatively longer periods, and iii) ensure species dispersal between conservation areas through climatic connectivity pathways. The study was integrated into a participatory planning approach for biodiversity conservation in Costa Rica. Results showed that there should be an increase of 11 % and 5 % on new conservation areas and biological corridors respectively. Our approach integrates climate change into the design of a network of protected areas for tropical ecosystems and can be applied to other biodiversity rich areas to reduce the vulnerability of biodiversity to global warming.     

西宁城市居民家内外活动时间分配及影响因素——基于结构方程模型的分析

为深入挖掘居民不同类型活动的出行需求,进而制定更加精细化的交通政策,从活动分析法的视角出发,基于结构方程模型分析西宁城市居民家内外活动时间分配的机理及影响因素。结果表明:工作日,居民的通勤出行仍然是城市交通需要重点解决的问题。休息日,工作和通勤时间长的居民更倾向于在家内进行维持活动;而休息日不工作的居民更容易产生进行家外维持活动的出行需求。不同社会经济属性的居民对于家内外时间分配具有差异化特征。单位大院职住接近的特征对于减少居民通勤出行时间仍然具有积极作用,但维持性活动时间分配与其他类型社区居民已经没有显著差异。     

Non-linear steady state vibration and dynamic snap through of shallow arch beams

The non-linear steady state vibration of shallow arch beams is studied by a finite element method based on the principle of virtual work. Both the free and forced periodic vibrations are considered. The axial and flexural deformations are coupled by the induced axial force along the beam element. The spatial discretization is achieved by the usual finite element method and the steady state nodal displacements are expanded into a Fourier series. The harmonic balance method gives a set of non-linear algebraic equations in terms of the vibrating frequency and the Fourier coefficients of nodal displacements. The non-linear algebraic equations are solved by the Newtonian algorithm iteratively. The combined algorithm is called the incremental harmonic balance method. The importance of the conditions of completeness and balanceability is presented. Since the non-linearity is essentially softening, different orders of internal resonances between two modes can occur repeatedly. Isolated response curves are possible and are connected to the bifurcation of a particular excited mode.     

太平洋几种海面要素的升降趋势及其对海平面上升的影响

对ＣＯＡＤＳ资料中１９５０－１９９２年太平洋４°×８°方区的海水表层温度及海面气温、气压、风速序列数据，进行了时间序列分析。分析结果表明：太平洋海表气温和水温年上升率分别为０．００６３℃·ａ（－１）和０．００２６℃·ａ（－１）。两者的变化趋势在赤道太平洋都有一个年上升率高值区；而在东海以北的西北太平洋广大海区，都有一个年下降率的低值区。西太平洋海面气压呈上升趋势，东太平洋则相反。气温和水温的升降区域分布特征与风速分量增强和减弱的变化趋势有关。文章还指出，中国和日本沿岸今后几十年海平面变化趋势的预测模式，应以太平洋或全球海平面上升趋势的预测为基础，加上本海区海平面的局地变化订正。     

The buckling of GRP hemi-ellipsoidal dome shells under external hydrostatic pressure

The paper reports on a theoretical and an experimental investigation into six GRP hemi-ellipsoidal dome shells, which were tested to destruction under external hydrostatic pressure. All six domes were of oblate shape and of three different aspect ratios. Each aspect ratio consisted of two dome shells, one made from two layers of glass fibre and one made from three layers of glass fibre. The theoretical analysis was via the finite element method where a non-linear theory was used which allowed for both geometrical and material non-linearity. Comparison between theory and experiment was good.     

Size-fractionated phytoplankton standing stock and primary production in the Bohai Sea during late spring

During June 1997 cruise by R/V Science No.l, observations on temporal and spatialvariations of the size-fractionated phytoplankton standing stock and primary production were carried out in the Bohai Sea. The size-fractionated chlorophyll a (Chl a) and primary production, photosynthet-ically available radiation (PAR), as well as the related physico-oceanographic and zooplanktonic parameters were measured at five time-series observation stations representing sub-areas of the sea. Results obtained show that there were the marked features of spatial zonation of Chl a and primary production in the Bohai Sea. The values in the Laizhou Bay, the Liaodong Gulf and the Bohai Gulf were high and showed close relation with tidal fluctuations, i.e. high Chl a concentration occurred during high tide in the Laizhou Bay, and during low tide in the Liaodong Gulf and the Bohai Gulf. In the strait and the central region of the Bohai Sea, the values were relatively low and no relationship with tidal fluctuation could be foun     

Brief Account of Breakwater Construction in China

-The construction of breakwaters in China in more than 40 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China is reviewed. The construction of two main types of breakwater, upright breakwaters and rubble mound breakwaters, and the way in which they are built are expounded. Recommendations to improve the technology for future breakwater construction are presented.     

Period components in the monthly mean sea level variations in the Pacific Ocean

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