Morphometric analysis of a subtropical Andean basin (Tucumán, Argentina)

A morphometric analysis was done to determine the drainage characteristics of Lules River basin using land-sat imageries and topographical maps. This catchment was divided into seven sub-basins for the analysis: Liquimayo, Hoyada, Ciénaga, De Las Tablas, Siambón, Potrerillo and San Javier. Yungas ecoregion covers almost all the watershed. The drainage patterns of the sub-basins are dendritic and parallel. The basin includes seventh order stream and lower streams order mostly dominate the basin. The development of stream segments is affected by slope and local relief. The mean bifurcation ratio indicates that the drainage pattern is not much influenced by geological structures. The shape parameters also reveal the elongation of the basin and sub-basins.     

Observational study of the seasonality of the submonthly and intraseasonal signal over the tropics

Summary Atmospheric variability in outgoing long-wave radiation (OLR) and tropospheric relative vorticity (VOR) over the South American region was studied from 1979 to 1996 using the complex Morlet wavelet function. The analyses focus on spatial variation in intraseasonal and submonthly scales. Scalograms were used to measure submonthly intraseasonal oscillations in convection, which were found to be predominant in the tropical regions. However, 7-day and 15-day oscillations were observed at tropical and extratropical latitudes in spring and winter, indicating that transient disturbances play a more prominent role. Regarding VOR, tropical energy intensities were highest in the spring and summer, whereas subtropical and extratropical energy intensities were highest in the autumn and winter. The dynamics of the 25-day and 45-day VOR oscillations indicates a possible correlation with Rossby waves over the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, mainly during the summer. During winter, the 7-day and 15-day VOR oscillations are more frequent at higher latitudes and are enhanced along storm tracks. It was also observed that convection amplitudes in the regions of maximum intensity change appreciably from year to year and from season to season, showing that the behavior of the submonthly and intraseasonal oscillations is nonperiodic and correlates strongly with El Ni?o/Southern Oscillation years. These results confirm the efficiency of wavelet analysis for time-scale studies of atmospheric variability.     

Orbital elements of GSC 0114401023, a new eclipsing binary

We present Strömgrenuvby photometric observations and a series of radial velocities obtained with the Coravel scanner for the 11th magnitude star catalogued in the Guide Star Catalogue as GSC 0114401023. This star was serendipitously identified on UV frames taken with the Very-Wide-Field-Camera aboard Spacelab-1. Radial velocities show the star to be binary and we have determined accurate orbital elements. Photometric data and orbital elements are consistent with the system being a previously-unrecognized eclipsing binary, with period = 33.8766 days and eccentricity = 0.262.Based on observations collected at the Observatoire de Haute Provence (OHP), CNRS, Saint-Michel l'Observatoire, France, and at the European Southern Observatory (ESO), La Silla, Chile.     

Method for comparing fish growth curves

The method of comparing growth curves that is described in this paper consists of describing growth for the ith group by the equation Li(t) = ai + bi r^t, which is linear in the two parameters ai and bi, and subsequently using the analysis of variance to compare the curves. The advantages of the linear growth equation over the von Bertalanffy equation, l i (t) ⁼ ai + bi r^t i, are easier analysis and a much simpler interpretation of the differences in the parameters in terms of growth rate and maximum size. An example comparing the growth of male and female red gurnard Chelidonichthys kumu from four areas within the Hauraki Gulf is given.     

Groundwater Flow Field Distortion by Monitoring Wells and Passive Flux Meters

Due to differences in hydraulic conductivity and effects of well construction geometry, groundwater lateral flow through a monitoring well typically differs from groundwater flow in the surrounding aquifer. These differences must be well understood in order to apply passive measuring techniques, such as passive flux meters (PFMs) used for the measurement of groundwater and contaminant mass fluxes. To understand these differences, lab flow tank experiments were performed to evaluate the influences of the well screen, the surrounding filter pack and the presence of a PFM on the natural groundwater flux through a monitoring well. The results were compared with analytical calculations of flow field distortion based on the potential theory of Drost et al. (1968). Measured well flow field distortion factors were found to be lower than calculated flow field distortion factors, while measured PFM flow field distortion factors were comparable to the calculated ones. However, this latter is not the case for all conditions. The slotted geometry of the well screen seems to make a correct analytical calculation challenging for conditions where flow field deviation occurs, because the potential theory assumes a uniform flow field. Finally, plots of the functional relationships of the distortion of the flow field with the hydraulic conductivities of the filter screen, surrounding filter pack and corresponding radii make it possible to design well construction to optimally function during PFM applications.     

河南西峡白垩纪地层和蛋化石

本文在对西峡地区恐龙蛋化石分布进行全面评价同时,还首次报道了鳄类蛋化石、鸟类蛋化石、赵营组的无脊椎动物化石,这些新发现不仅丰富了西峡地区生物群面貌,也揭示了伏牛山南麓白垩纪构造盆地特点.     

Zircon U-Pb dating of intermediate-acid intrusive rocks in the middle section of Ningzhen district and their metallogenic implicationsEI北大核心CSCD

The Ningzhen metallogenic district is an important part of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of the three intermediate-acid intrusions, i.e., Anjishan, Xinqiao, and Shima, in the central part of the Ningzhen district, indicates that those intrusions were emplaced in the Late Early Cretaceous, with ages of 107.0±1.1 Ma-108.0±1.6 Ma, 108.0±1.3 Ma, and 102.5±1.1 Ma, respectively. Combined with the molybdenite Re-Os isotope age (106-108 Ma) of porphyry copper deposit in this regions, the Ningzhen district exists an intensively magmatic-metallogenic-thermal event at 102.5-108.0 Ma. The age of this event is similar with the age of the third period of large scale mineralization in South China, however obviously later than the magmatic activity of other ore field (124-148 Ma) in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt. It is suggested that the tectonic-magmatic-thermal events in the Ningzhen area is formed under regional lithospheric extension environment, which is also consistent with the tectonic background of the third period of large scale mineralization in South China. The zircon U-Pb ages of the intrusions and the Re-Os ages of molybdenites from the porphyry deposits in the study area demonstrate that the Ningzhen district underwent intensive magmatism and hydrothermal mineralization during the period from 102.5 to 108.0 Ma, which is consistent with the third pulse of large scale mineralization in the South China. ©, 2015, Science Press. All right reserved.     

Olive flowering phenology variation between different cultivars in Spain and Italy: modeling analysis

Phenology data are sensitive data to identify how plants are adapted to local climate and how they respond to climatic changes. Modeling flowering phenology allows us to identify the meteorological variables determining the reproductive cycle. Phenology of temperate of woody plants is assumed to be locally adapted to climate. Nevertheless, recent research shows that local adaptation may not be an important constraint in predicting phenological responses. We analyzed variations in flowering dates of Olea europaea L. at different sites of Spain and Italy, testing for a genetic differentiation of flowering phenology among olive varieties to estimate whether local modeling is necessary for olive or not. We build models for the onset and peak dates flowering in different sites of Andalusia and Puglia. Process-based phenological models using temperature as input variable and photoperiod as the threshold date to start temperature accumulation were developed to predict both dates. Our results confirm and update previous results that indicated an advance in olive onset dates. The results indicate that both internal and external validity were higher in the models that used the photoperiod as an indicator to start to cumulate temperature. The use of the unified model for modeling the start and peak dates in the different localities provides standardized results for the comparative study. The use of regional models grouping localities by varieties and climate similarities indicate that local adaptation would not be an important factor in predicting olive phenological responses face to the global temperature increase.     

A portable retractable ADCP boom-mount for small boats

This paper describes the design, testing, and application of a portable and retractable shipboard acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) boom-mount. The boom is specifically adapted for small fiberglass boats working with a minimal crew. The design permits the rapid collection of ADCP data on discontinuous transects which would be difficult or impossible using a large displacement hull vessel or with a towed vehicle. This capability is particularly useful in shallow wind-driven estuaries and in tidal channels where flow time scales are often on the order of several hours. Tests of the boom show that high quality ADCP data (as measured by percent good) can be obtained at boat speeds up to 4.0 m s⁻¹ and that data quality depends on transducer depth. The utility of the retractable design is demonstrated with an 8 m boat on two nearly synoptic ADCP surveys of a shallow estuary. With minor modifications to accommodate different vessel geometries, the design could be readily adapted for use on similar vessels.