Parallel finite element algorithm with domain decomposition for three-dimensional magnetotelluric modelling

We present a new finite element (FE) method for magnetotelluric modelling of three-dimensional conductivity structures. Maxwell's equations are treated as a system of first-order partial differential equations for the secondary fields. Absorbing boundary conditions are introduced, minimizing undesired boundary effects and allowing the use of small computational domains. The numerical algorithm presented here is an iterative, domain decomposition procedure employing a nonconforming FE space. It does not use global matrices, therefore allowing the modellization of large and complicated structures. The algorithm is naturally parallellizable, and we show results obtained in the IBM SP2 parallel supercomputer at Purdue University. The accuracy of the numerical method is verified by checking the computed solutions with the results of COMMEMI, the international project on the comparison of modelling methods for electromagnetic induction.     

Assessing the impact of climate variability and human activities on streamflow from the Wuding River basin in China

Located in the Loess Plateau of China, the Wuding River basin (30 261 km²) contributes significantly to the total sediment yield in the Yellow River. To reduce sediment yield from the catchment, large-scale soil conservation measures have been implemented in the last four decades. These included building terraces and sediment-trapping dams and changing land cover by planting trees and improving pastures. It is important to assess the impact of these measures on the hydrology of the catchment and to provide a scientific basis for future soil conservation planning. The non-parametric Mann–Kendall–Sneyers rank test was employed to detect trends and changes in annual streamflow for the period of 1961 to 1997. Two methods were used to assess the impact of climate variability on mean annual streamflow. The first is based on a framework describing the sensitivity of annual streamflow to precipitation and potential evaporation, and the second relies on relationships between annual streamflow and precipitation. The two methods produced consistent results. A significant downward trend was found for annual streamflow, and an abrupt change occurred in 1972. The reduction in annual streamflow between 1972 and 1997 was 42% compared with the baseline period (1961–1971). Flood-season streamflow showed an even greater reduction of 49%. The streamflow regime of the catchment showed a relative reduction of 31% for most percentile flows, except for low flows, which showed a 57% reduction. The soil conservation measures reduced streamflow variability, leading to more uniform streamflow. It was estimated that the soil conservation measures account for 87% of the total reduction in mean annual streamflow in the period of 1972 to 1997, and the reduction due to changes in precipitation and potential evaporation was 13%. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ACE‐2 multiple angle micro‐pulse lidar observations from Las Galletas, Tenerife, Canary Islands

Multiple‐angle micro‐pulse lidar (MPL) observations were made at Las Galletas on Tenerife, Canary Islands during the Aerosol Characterization Experiment‐2 (ACE‐2) conducted June–July, 1997. A principal objective of the MPL observations was to characterize the temporal/spatial distributions of aerosols in the region, particularly to identify and profile elevated Saharan dust layers which occur intermittently during the June–July time period. Vertical and slant angle measurements taken 16 and 17 July characterize such an occurrence, providing aerosol backscatter, extinction, and optical depth profiles of the dust layer between 1 and 5 km above mean sea level (MSL). Additionally, horizontal measurements taken in Las Galletas throughout the 6‐week period provide a time profile of the varying aerosol extinction at the surface. This profile exhibits the alternating periods of clean maritime air and pollution outbreaks that typified the region. Horizontal measurements also provide some evidence suggesting the possible influx of Saharan dust from the free troposphere to the surface. This paper presents estimates of aerosol optical properties retrieved from the multi‐angle MPL measurements in addition to an outline of the methodologies employed to obtain these results.     

Trends,rhythms and events in Plio-Pleistocene African climate

We analyzed published records of terrigenous dust flux from marine sediments off subtropical West Africa, the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and the Arabian Sea, and lake records from East Africa using statistical methods to detect trends, rhythms and events in Plio-Pleistocene African climate. The critical reassessment of the environmental significance of dust flux and lake records removes the apparent inconsistencies between marine vs. terrestrial records of African climate variability. Based on these results, major steps in mammalian and hominin evolution occurred during episodes of a wetter, but highly variable climate largely controlled by orbitally induced insolation changes in the low latitudes.     

芥川龙之介《水虎》三元比较研究

芥川龙之介的《水虎》与果戈理的《狂人日记》、鲁迅的《狂人日记》均采用了现实主义与象征主义相结合的创作方法，一针见血地揭露了社会制度的黑暗与腐朽。但他们在创作方法上使用的象征主义和对社会现实揭露的广度与深度不完全相同，主人公的思想高度更是各不相同。作品创作的背景、历史条件，作者的思想高度、性格特点和创作风格是造成这些差别的根源。     

秦巴山区环境污染及治理

对秦巴山区的开发利用，各种工业、厂矿在生产过程产生的“三废”(废气、废水、废渣)未经处理即任意排放，造成河流水质恶化，影响着秦岭的环境质量，提醒人们及早关注环境生态变化，加强环保意识，保护秦巴山区的生态平衡。     

矿山废石淋溶对水环境的影响

为了研究废石堆砌对水环境的影响,通过对废石做淋溶实验,分析了出入水的水质变化规律,对废石衍生环境效应的过程、机制、影响因素方面进行讨论,揭示了人们容易忽视的酸性水中硫酸根、总硬度、微量金属离子的动力学变化机理,指出矿山废石对水环境的污染不至限于使水质酸化,硫酸根、总硬度也会大幅度提高,废石堆放应充分考虑当地的地理气候及水文条件,合理堆放,减少污染。     

A Possible 456-Day Optical Period of OQ 530

The post-1994observationsof the blazar OQ 530 in optical BV RI bands, and radio observations at 22GHz and 37GHz were collected. The date compensated discrete Fourier transform (DCDFT) and CLEANest methods were used to search for possible periodicities. Two possible periods of 456±100 days and 258±29 days were found in the optical bands. The existence of possible correlations between the optical and radio emissions was investigated by means of discrete correlation function (DCF) analysis, and no significant correlation was found. Some possible mechanisms for the periodic variability are discussed.