Input data selection for solar radiation estimation

Model input data selection is a complicated process, especially for non‐linear dynamic systems. The questions on which inputs should be used and how long the training data should be for model development have been hard to solve in practice. Despite the importance of this subject, there have been insufficient reports in the published literature about inter‐comparison between different model input data selection techniques. In this study, several methods (i.e. the Gamma test, entropy theory, AIC (Akaike's information criterion)/BIC (Bayesian information criterion) have been explored with the aid of non‐linear models of LLR (local linear regression) and ANN (artificial neural networks). The methodology is tested in estimation of solar radiation in the Brue Catchment of England. It has been found that the conventional model selection tools such as AIC/BIC failed to demonstrate their functionality. Although the entropy theory is quite powerful and efficient to compute, it failed to pick up the best input combinations. On the other hand, it is very encouraging to find that the new Gamma test was able to choose the best input selection. However, it is surprising to note that the Gamma test significantly underestimated the required training data while the entropy theory did a better job in this aspect. This is the first study to compare the performance of those techniques for model input selections and still there are many unsolved puzzles. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

呼和浩特—包头盆地震源应力场状态分析

为了分析呼和浩特—包头盆地现今应力场状态,基于内蒙古地震台网记录的地震波形资料,运用振幅比方法获取2000—2016年该盆地及周边M_L≥2.7地震的震源机制解,计算其一致性参数,并反演区域应力场。结果表明,震源机制解特征主要表现为走滑特征,一致性参数空间分布处于低值状态,力轴方位基本与该区的应力场背景特征相符,即主压应力方位为北东、张应力方位为北西。     

数字地震台电源远程监控系统

以STC89C52单片机为核心,开发基于"十五"网络的地震台站电源远程监控系统,实时的监控台站仪器设备的状态并收取状态参数,实现设备复位操作及故障报警,可以提高地震台网中心仪器运行效率。     

2017年8月8日九寨沟MS7.0地震序列分析

2017年8月8日四川九寨沟发生M_S7.0地震,该地震发生在巴颜喀喇块体的东北边界,震中区域构造条件复杂,是巴颜喀喇块体北侧左旋走滑环境向东侧逆冲挤压环境过渡的位置,附近地区历史强震较多。九寨沟地震是一次主-余型地震,余震活动水平较弱,主震发生后短时间内M_L≥4.0余震的“等待时间”存在异常,震后较长时间余震活动恢复到正常状态,序列h值、余震视应力等符合主-余型序列特征。序列b值为0.84,G-R关系推测序列最大余震的震级约为M_L5.4（M_S5.0）,8月9日发生的M_S4.8地震是目前该序列的最强余震。通过与1970年以来附近地区7级左右地震序列的对比认为,九寨沟地震与1976年松潘-平武2次7.2级地震序列在余震空间位置、发震构造和震源机制等方面存在较大差异,因此,不具备发育为震群型序列的条件。九寨沟地震主震视应力为0.36～0.38MPa,属于应力下调模型,序列余震的平均视应力水平接近龙门山断裂带附近中小地震的平均背景水平。     

One-dimensional ocean model with three types of vertical velocities: a case study in the South China Sea

In this research, three vertical velocities were included in a one-dimensional (1D) ocean model for a case study of the SouthEast Asian Time-Series Study station in the South China Sea. The vertical velocities consisted three processes, i.e., Ekman pumping (WEK), Eddy pumping (WEP), and the background upwelling (WBK). The quantification of WEK followed the classical Ekman pumping theory. The WEP, whose underlying mechanism was consistent with the baroclinic modes (dominated by the first mode), was quantified by Argo observation and altimetry data. The WBK, related with the background circulation, was estimated from the long-term heat budget balance. The skill assessment indicated that the case with all three processes performed best. The study confirmed the capability of the 1D model with three types of vertical velocities, which can reproduce the general structure and variation of temperature in vertical direction.     

Study of a smart platform based on backstepping control method

A structural model is significant for the verification of structural control algorithms. However, for nonlinear behavior, experiments are mostly destructive tests that are costly, and conducting repetitive structural experiments is difficult. Therefore, a repetitive structural vibration model is important for structural vibration control. In this study, a smart platform to realize different structural behaviors is developed based on the backstepping control algorithm. Lyapunov functions are used to derive the control law. Simulations show that the designed model can track the structural responses of different arbitrary linear structures very well. In addition, the proposed platform can track responses of different piecewise linear structures and desired models with various hysteresis very well. Numerical results verify the effectiveness of the proposed tracking controller through the backstepping method for the established platform.     

Occurrence and distribution of bacteria indicators,chemical tracers and pathogenic vibrios in Singapore coastal waters

Water quality in Singapore's coastal area was evaluated with microbial indicators, pathogenic vibrios, chemical tracers and physico-chemical parameters. Sampling sites were grouped into two clusters (coastal sites at (i) northern and (ii) southern part of Singapore). The coastal sites located at northern part of Singapore along the Johor Straits exhibited greater pollution. Principal component analysis revealed that sampling sites at Johor Straits have greater loading on carbamazepine, while turbidity poses greater influence on sampling sites at Singapore Straits. Detection of pathogenic vibrios was also more prominent at Johor Straits than the Singapore Straits. This study examined the spatial variations in Singapore's coastal water quality and provided the baseline information for health risk assessment and future pollution management.     

Embryo dune development drivers: beach morphology,growing season precipitation,and storms

For development of embryo dunes on the highly dynamic land–sea boundary, summer growth and the absence of winter erosion are essential. Other than that, however, we know little about the specific conditions that favour embryo dune development. This study explores the boundary conditions for early dune development to enable better predictions of natural dune expansion. Using a 30 year time series of aerial photographs of 33 sites along the Dutch coast, we assessed the influence of beach morphology (beach width and tidal range), meteorological conditions (storm characteristics, wind speed, growing season precipitation, and temperature), and sand nourishment on early dune development. We examined the presence and area of embryo dunes in relation to beach width and tidal range, and compared changes in embryo dune area to meteorological conditions and whether sand nourishment had been applied. We found that the presence and area of embryo dunes increased with increasing beach width. Over time, embryo dune area was negatively correlated with storm intensity and frequency. Embryo dune area was positively correlated with precipitation in the growing season and sand nourishment. Embryo dune area increased in periods of low storm frequency and in wet summers, and decreased in periods of high storm frequency or intensity. We conclude that beach morphology is highly influential in determining the potential for new dune development, and wide beaches enable development of larger embryo dune fields. Sand nourishment stimulates dune development by increasing beach width. Finally, weather conditions and non‐interrupted sequences of years without high‐intensity storms determine whether progressive dune development will take place. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using stable isotopes to understand seasonal and interannual dynamics in moisture sources and atmospheric circulation in precipitation

Stable isotopes in precipitation are useful tracers to strengthen understanding of climate change and hydrological processes. In this study, the moisture sources of 190 precipitation events in Beijing were analysed using the Hybrid Single‐particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model, based on which we studied the relation between variations in precipitation δ¹⁸O and dynamics in moisture sources and atmospheric circulation in seasonal and interannual timescales. Categorization of 7 groups of moisture sources was performed, among which oceanic moisture sources presented lower δ¹⁸O in precipitation than continental moisture sources. The results show that seasonal variations of precipitation δ¹⁸O were caused by changes of moisture sources. In summer, moisture from proximal oceans dominated vapour transport to Beijing due to increasing monsoon strength and resulted in a relatively small variation of precipitation δ¹⁸O. At the interannual timescale, the variations of δ¹⁸O in summer precipitation were related to dynamics in oceanic moistures, showing depleted values when the contribution of oceanic moistures, especially the proportion of long‐distance oceanic moisture, was high. Further analysis indicated that changes of oceanic moisture sources were controlled by the strength of summer monsoons. These findings address the complexity of moisture sources in midlatitude monsoon areas and suggest that isotopic signals in precipitation have the potential to deduce changes in moisture sources and atmospheric circulation and can therefore serve for palaeoclimate reconstruction.