Performance of Jacobi preconditioning in Krylov subspace solution of finite element equations

This paper examines the performance of the Jacobi preconditioner when used with two Krylov subspace iterative methods. The number of iterations needed for convergence was shown to be different for drained, undrained and consolidation problems, even for similar condition number. The differences were due to differences in the eigenvalue distribution, which cannot be completely described by the condition number alone. For drained problems involving large stiffness ratios between different material zones, ill‐conditioning is caused by these large stiffness ratios. Since Jacobi preconditioning operates on degrees‐of‐freedom, it effectively homogenizes the different spatial sub‐domains. The undrained problem, modelled as a nearly incompressible problem, is much more resistant to Jacobi preconditioning, because its ill‐conditioning arises from the large stiffness ratios between volumetric and distortional deformational modes, many of which involve the similar spatial domains or sub‐domains. The consolidation problem has two sets of degrees‐of‐freedom, namely displacement and pore pressure. Some of the eigenvalues are displacement dominated whereas others are excess pore pressure dominated. Jacobi preconditioning compresses the displacement‐dominated eigenvalues in a similar manner as the drained problem, but pore‐pressure‐dominated eigenvalues are often over‐scaled. Convergence can be accelerated if this over‐scaling is recognized and corrected for. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tensile stresses around boreholes due to transient fluid flow

We present solutions for the effective stress induced by gas flow through a porous solid into a borehole resulting from sudden pressure reduction. Tensile effective stress that exceeds the strength of the solid will lead to borehole failure. This has applications to the intentional creation of cavities, relevant to the efficient recovery of coalbed methane, and the avoidance of borehole stability problems in conventional gas production.     

Li/Ca in multiple species of benthic and planktonic foraminifera: thermocline, latitudinal, and glacial-interglacial variation

Li/Ca ratios were measured in planktonic and benthic foraminifera from a variety of hydrographic settings to investigate the factors influencing lithium incorporation into foraminiferal tests including temperature, dissolution, pressure, and interspecies differences. Down-core measurements of planktonic (Orbulina universa, Globigerinoides ruber, and Globigerinoides sacculifer) and benthic foraminifera (calcitic Cibicides wuellerstorfi and aragonitic Hoeglandina elegans) show a systematic variation in Li/Ca with δ¹⁸O through the last glacial-interglacial transition. All species examined exhibit an increase in Li/Ca between 14 to 50% from the Holocene to the last glacial maximum. Li/Ca generally increases with decreasing temperature as seen in a latitudinal transect of planktonic O. universa and down-slope benthic species along the Bahama Bank margins. Postdepositional dissolution possibly causes a decrease in planktonic foraminiferal Li/Ca along the Sierra Leone Rise, and increased water depth causes a decrease in benthic foraminiferal Li/Ca in the deep Caribbean. However, none of these effects are sufficient to account for the observed glacial-interglacial changes. Physiological factors such as calcification rate may affect the Li/Ca content of foraminiferal calcite. The calcification rate in turn may be a function of carbonate ion concentration of ambient ocean water. This work shows that incorporation of lithium by foraminifera appears to be influenced by factors other than seawater composition and does not appear to be dominated by changes in temperature, dissolution, or pressure. We hypothesize that the consistent increase in foraminiferal Li/Ca during the last glacial maximum may be linked to changes in seawater carbonate ion concentration. Important parameters to be tested include calcification rate and foraminiferal test size and weight. If foraminiferal Li/Ca is dominantly controlled by calcification rate as a function of seawater carbonate ion concentration, then Li/Ca may act as a proxy of past atmospheric CO₂.     

Effect of prolonged hypoxia on food consumption, respiration, growth and reproduction in marine scavenging gastropod Nassarius festivus

The effects of prolonged exposure to reduced oxygen levels (3.0 and 1.5 mg O(2)l(-1)) on marine scavenging gastropods Nassarius festivus were studied for 8 weeks. The percentages of individuals engaged in feeding and amount of food consumed were reduced as oxygen level decreased; absorption efficiency, however, did not vary significantly with oxygen level. Oxygen consumption rates and specific oxygen consumption rates were lower at reduced oxygen levels. Reproduction occurred at all oxygen levels with less egg capsules being produced at lower oxygen levels. Egg size and number of eggs per capsule, however, were not significantly affected by oxygen level. The increase in shell length was 12%, 6% and 5% at 6.0 mgO(2)l(-1) (normoxia), 3.0 mgO(2)l(-1) and 1.5 mgO(2)l(-1), respectively. At the end of the experiment, the amount of energy allocated to growth and reproduction decreased at reduced oxygen levels with values obtained at 3.0 mgO(2)l(-1) and 1.5 mgO(2)l(-1) being 48% and 70% lower than those at 6.0 mgO(2)l(-1). At all oxygen levels, most of the accumulated energy was allocated to shell growth and reproduction, and the amount allocated to somatic growth was relatively insignificant. The reduction in energy allocated to reproduction was greater than that to shell growth as the oxygen level was reduced, indicating a strategic energy allocation of marine scavengers under stressful conditions to enhance survival.     

Wave attenuation in the marginal ice zone during LIMEX

Abstract

During the Labrador Ice Margin Experiments, LIMEX ‘87 in March 1987 and LIMEX ‘89 in March and April 1989, the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) CV‐580 aircraft collected synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image data over the marginal ice zone off the east coast of Newfoundland, Canada. One aspect of these experimental programs was the observation of ocean waves penetrating into the marginal ice zone (MIZ). Based upon directional wavenumber spectra derived from SAR image data, the wave attenuation rate is estimated using SAR image spectra and compared with predictions from a model developed by Liu and Mollo‐Christensen (1988). The wave and ice conditions were considerably different in LIMEX ‘87 and LIMEX ‘89. However, the model‐data comparisons are very good for all ice conditions observed. Both the model and the SAR‐derived wave attenuation rates show a characteristic roll‐over at high wavenumbers. A model for the eddy viscosity is proposed, using dimensional analysis, as a simple function of ice roughness and wave‐induced velocity. Eddy viscosities derived from SAR and wave buoy data for the wave attenuation rate show a trend that is consistent with the proposed model.     

The structure of ocean-surface currents measured by Doppler radar

The spatial structure of surface currents collected using a Doppler Radar system off the Florida Keys has been investigated. Surface current vectors were acquired within a rectilinear grid containing 700 nodes, where each node was spaced 1 km apart. Principal component analyses indicate that at least 63% of the variance of the surface currents at the 700 nodal locations can be accounted for by only three principal components. The principal modes of circulation during two separate experiments were extracted and found to be basically the same, although the first two modes were reversed between the two experiments. Coherence spectra were determined for nodal spacings between 1.76 km and 10.48 km, and the results of these analyses indicate that over most of the experimental area, approximately 60% of the variance is coherent over separations of 10.48 km. Application of a synoptic time-series model indicates that accurate prediction of the mean currents over each of the 65-h subrecord lengths was the dominant factor in controlling model performance, and that on the order of 10% error could be expected in using the time-series model to predict the low-frequency fluctuations. This indicates that time-series modeling of surface currents may be feasible and useful in estimating the long-term mixing characteristics of contaminants transported in the surface layer     

RESERVOIR SEDIMENTATION AND LAND USE IN TAIWAN WUSHEH WATERSHED

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中国农村剩余劳动力转移的趋向和措施

在对中国农村剩余劳动力现状描述的基础上 ,对剩余劳动力形成的原因进行了分析与阐述 ;结合目前形势 ,指出未来农村剩余劳动力的转移前景不容乐观 ;并在此基础上阐述了中国剩余劳动力转移途径和主要措施     

Integrative propositions for adapting conservation policy to the impacts of climate change

Conservation policies have changed over time in response to changes in human and ecological drivers. The impacts of climate (and other) concurrent changes prompt consideration of further iterations for both conservation means and objectives. In this paper we bring together previous disparate literatures and apply them to the question of how to adapt conservation polices to suit an era of climate change impacts. Our approach is based on two assertions: (i) that the integration of specific natural and social science insights is essential for understanding and effectively responding to this challenge, and (ii) that in addition to adaptive conservation means (strategies), attention needs to be given to considering adaptive conservation objectives. Specifically, we convert a core set of natural and social science insights into analytical tools known as heuristics or rules of thumb. We then use the heuristics as a basis to offer a list of preliminary propositions that can help inform the development of new means and objectives. The propositions address key considerations including recalibrating management objectives, the role of disturbance in facilitating ecological transitions, and overarching topics relating to governance. The propositions are speculative, and so intended only to outline potential avenues for further empirical research and subsequent refinement. In the spirit of adaptation, we expect and welcome their revision.     

The relationship between poverty and fertility in some less developed countries

The author investigates the extent to which both absolute and relative poverty affect population growth in developing countries. Aggregate data from U.N. sources for 26 countries at various stages of the fertility transition are used. The results indicate that the most significant steps in reducing fertility would be more effective provision of basic human needs and reforms in land tenure. The need to distinguish between absolute and relative poverty in formulating population policies is noted.