LARGE-SCALE STRAIN PATTERNS,GREAT EARTHQUAKE BREAKS,AND LATE PLEISTOCENE SLIP-RATE ALONG THE ALTYN TAGH FAULT (CHINA)

LARGE-SCALE STRAIN PATTERNS,GREAT EARTHQUAKE BREAKS,AND LATE PLEISTOCENE SLIP-RATE ALONG THE ALTYN TAGH FAULT (CHINA)     

ACCRETION OF AN EARLY CRETACEOUS INTRA- OCEANIC ISLAND ARC TO INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM THE YARLUNG ZANGBO SUTURE ZONE

ACCRETION OF AN EARLY CRETACEOUS INTRA- OCEANIC ISLAND ARC TO INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM THE YARLUNG ZANGBO SUTURE ZONE     

最近1 000 ka来东亚冬季风变化的多时间尺度分析

以洛川黄土剖面中〉３０ｕｍ的粗颗粒含量作为东亚冬季风强度代用指标,根据模式并结合绝对年代控制点建立了较精确的独立的时间标尽。对该时间序列进行了小小变换分析和频谱分析。结果表明,这１０２４ｋａ以来东亚冬季风变化在１２８ｋｇ和６４ｋａ时间尺度上最大,更短或更长的时间尺度冬季风变化幅度减小。东亚冬季风变化的１００ｋｇ和２１ｋｇ等周期可能受地球轨道运动驱动的太阳辐射量变化控制,而５７ｋａ和３３ｋａ等周期的     

山西大同、内蒙古鄂尔多斯冰楔、砂楔群的发现及其环境意义

研究了山西大同、内蒙古东胜和乌审旗地区发现的大量冰楔假型、砂楔、寒冻裂隙和南部白城子附近的冰卷泥.根据这些冰缘现象,并参考前人工作成果,划定了晚更新世晚期末次冰期时多年冻土的南界,并根据所获得的年代资料划分了4次冰缘期:33ka BP,30～26ka BP,20～16ka BP和8ka BP左右,当时的温度比今天分别降低8.4℃,12～13℃,10℃和7～10℃.     

Model-Based Identification of Mechanical Characteristics of Sinosaurus (Theropoda) Crests

The paired cranial crests of Sinosaurus(Theropoda) have been hypothesized as too weak to resist mechanical loads during combat. Finite element analysis(FEA) is used to test this hypothesis, first with geometry obtained through direct laser scanning of a well-preserved fossil of the crest, and then with two conceptual FE models of both crests analyzing the structure-deformation effects of fenestration. In the original fossil model, under direct loading on the dorsal faces of the crest, we found that the areas surrounding cavities on the crest experience shear stress that implies a high chance of material failure – the fracture of bone. In the conceptual model, a series of computational studies were conducted with varying loading directions. One simulation found that the shear stress and strain in the material around the cavity presented more deformation compared with the conceptual model without the cavities, and under this morphologically realistic scenario the loading conditions would result in local bone fractures. These model-based computational results indicate that the crest could not resist high loads, because it could not effectively decentralize the loading stress. Future investigations need to focus on more comprehensive computational experiments with more conditions, e.g. dynamical loading conditions, and direct palaeontological evidence.     

Retrieval of the single scattering albedo of Asian dust mixed with pollutants using lidar observations

The vertical distribution of single scattering albedos （SSAs） of Asian dust mixed with pollutants was derived using the multi-wavelength Raman lidar observation system at Gwangju （35.10°N,126.53°E）.Vertical profiles of both backscatter and extinction coefficients for dust and non-dust aerosols were extracted from a mixed Asian dust plume using the depolarization ratio from lidar observations.Vertical profiles of backscatter and extinction coefficients of non-dust particles were input into an inversion algorithm to retrieve the SSAs of non-dust aerosols.Atmospheric aerosol layers at different heights had different light-absorbing characteristics.The SSAs of non-dust particles at each height varied with aerosol type,which was either urban/industrial pollutants from China transported over long distances at high altitude,or regional/local pollutants from the Korean peninsula.Taking advantage of independent profiles of SSAs of non-dust particles,vertical profiles of SSAs of Asian dust mixed with pollutants were estimated for the first time,with a new approach suggested in this study using an empirical determination of the SSA of pure dust.The SSAs of the Asian dust-pollutants mixture within the planetary boundary layer （PBL） were in the range 0.88-0.91,while the values above the PBL were in the range 0.76-0.87,with a very low mean value of 0.76 ± 0.05.The total mixed dust plume SSAs in each aerosol layer were integrated over height for comparison with results from the Aerosol Robotics Network （AERONET） measurements.Values of SSA retrieved from lidar observations of 0.92 ± 0.01 were in good agreement with the results from AERONET measurements.     

Relative risk assessment of cruise ships biosolids disposal alternatives

A relative risk assessment of biosolids disposal alternatives for cruise ships is presented in this paper. The area of study encompasses islands and marine waters of the Caribbean Sea. The objective was to evaluate relative human health and ecological risks of (a) dewatering/incineration, (b) landing the solids for disposal, considering that in some countries land-disposed solids might be discharged in the near-shore environment untreated, and (c) deep ocean disposal. Input to the Bayesian assessment consisted of professional judgment based on available literature and modeling information, data on constituent concentrations in cruise ship biosolids, and simulations of constituent concentrations in Caribbean waters assuming ocean disposal. Results indicate that human health and ecological risks associated with land disposal and shallow ocean disposal are higher than those of the deep ocean disposal and incineration. For incineration, predicted ecological impacts were lower relative to deep ocean disposal before considering potential impacts of carbon emissions.     

Comparison of Enterococcus density estimates in marine beach and bay samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction, membrane filtration and defined substrate testing

Currently, densities of Enterococcus in marine bathing beach samples are performed using conventional methods which require 24 h to obtain results. Real-time PCR methods are available which can measure results in as little as 3 h. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a more rapid test method for the determination of bacterial contamination in marine bathing beaches to better protect human health. The geometric mean of Enterococcus densities using Enterolert® defined substrate testing and membrane filtration ranged from 5.2 to 150 MPN or CFU/100 mL and corresponding qPCR results ranged from 6.6 to 1785 CCE/100 mL. The regression analysis of these results showed a positive correlation between qPCR and conventional tests with an overall correlation (r) of 0.71. qPCR was found to provide accurate and sensitive estimate of Enterococcus densities and has the potential to be used as a rapid test method for the quantification of Enterococcus in marine waters.