Wavelets applied to simplification of digital terrain models

Wavelet thresholding is used to generate simplified terrain models. This non-linear filtering technique is adaptive in the sense that the large wavelet coefficients in areas of high relief are kept, whereas all coefficients smaller than a threshold value, representing smooth areas, are thrown away. The degree of detail in the simplified model is controlled by the number of wavelet coefficients retained. Two different areas are analysed using this method. The experiments show the smoothing effect of the thresholding, and how the main terrain features survive as the threshold value increases. At large threshold values the method introduces blocking artifacts in the model.     

Measuring the significance of a divide to local drainage patterns

This article presents a framework for estimating a new topographic attribute derived from digital elevation models (DEMs) called maximum branch length (B _max). Branch length is defined as the distance travelled along a flow path initiated at one grid cell to the confluence with the flow path passing through a second cell. B _max is the longest branch length measured for a grid cell and its eight neighbours. The index provides a physically meaningful method for assessing the relative significance of drainage divides to the dispersion of materials and energy across a landscape, that is, it is a measure of ‘divide size’. B _max is particularly useful for studying divide network structure, for mapping drainage divides, and in landform classification applications. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of estimates of B _max to the algorithm used to estimate flow lengths and the prevalence of edge effects resulting from inadequate DEM extent. The findings suggest that the index is insensitive to the specific flow algorithm used but that edge effects can result in significant underestimation along major divides. Edge contamination can, however, be avoided by using an appropriately extensive DEM.     

A new discovery of transition rules for cellular automata by using cuckoo search algorithm

This paper presents an intelligent approach to discover transition rules for cellular automata (CA) by using cuckoo search (CS) algorithm. CS algorithm is a novel evolutionary search algorithm for solving optimization problems by simulating breeding behavior of parasitic cuckoos. Each cuckoo searches the best upper and lower thresholds for each attribute as a zone. When the zones of all attributes are connected by the operator ‘And’ and linked with a cell status value, one CS-based transition rule is formed by using the explicit expression of ‘if-then’. With two distinct advantages of efficient random walk of Lévy flights and balanced mixing, CS algorithm performs well in both local search and guaranteed global convergence. Furthermore, the CA model with transition rules derived by CS algorithm (CS-CA) has been applied to simulate the urban expansion of Nanjing City, China. The simulation produces encouraging results, in terms of numeric accuracy and spatial distribution, in agreement with the actual patterns. Preliminary results suggest that this CS approach is well suitable for discovering reliable transition rules. The model validation and comparison show that the CS-CA model gets a higher accuracy than NULL, BCO-CA, PSO-CA, and ACO-CA models. Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and practicability of applying CS algorithm to discover transition rules of CA for simulating geographical systems.     

基于高灵敏度检波器数据的分频匹配滤波方法及其应用(英文)

具有较高自然频率的高灵敏度检波器在采集数据时可以通过压制低频信号来相对提高高频能量,但这也造成了其低频响应差的问题,如果将高灵敏度数据与常规数据进行优势组合,就可以达到拓宽频带的目的。为此,本文提出分频段匹配滤波的方法,即在保持常规数据低频优势的前提下,对其高频端进行匹配滤波,实现不同频带范围内的优势互补,从而改善地震记录。通过引入不同主频的雷克子波模拟得到具有常规数据和高灵敏度数据特点的理论模型,论证了分频匹配滤波方法的可行性。在对野外单炮地震记录处理中发现,分频匹配滤波方法拓宽了地震记录的有效频带宽度,提高了地震记录的分辨率。     

Displacement and rectification of planetary fluids

Abstract

Laboratory experiments on the decay (spin-up) of fluid motion on the β-plane are compared with theory. Under weakly dissipative conditions, some particles conserve potential vorticity during the entire decay. We also study the rectified mean flow which is produced by the lateral Reynolds Stress when a low frequency force is applied to the planetary fluid. The possible connection of effects with oceanic phenomena is briefly discussed.     

Research on EPS application to very wide highway embankments in permafrost regions

In order to maintain the thermal stability of very wide highway embankments in permafrost regions, the thermal isolation material EPS is often utilized. To examine the effects of this insulation on the China National Highway (G214), two-dimensional finite element analysis of temperature fields was conducted for varying widths of highway embankments with and without EPS insulation. The numerical results show that in permafrost regions the effect of thermal aggregation on asphalt pavement is more obvious when highway embankments are wider, and, specifically for the G214 highway, the insulation should be more than 25 cm thick for 24-m-wide embankments. However, considering other factors such as the structural rationality of the embankments and high engineering costs, it might not be feasible to install EPS insulation in 24-m-wide embankments of the G214 highway when the height of the embankments is less than 3.65 m.     

基于DEMETER卫星原位等离子体参量的 震前异常提取方法研究及震例分析

基于法国DEMETER卫星等离子体分析仪和Langmuir探针观测到的原位等离子体参量, 研究了参量随纬度变化、 空间插值、 空间差值、 滑动中值、 相关性分析等5种异常提取方法, 并将这些方法应用于2006年1月—2010年4月期间国内6.0级以上、 国外部分7.0级以上29次地震的震例分析中. 由于等离子体参量具有一定的相关性, 因此对于震中附近的轨道数据大于等于2个参量出现异常时, 本研究才将其视为震前异常. 通过研究发现, 29次地震中有15次出现电离层原位等离子体参量的震前异常, 异常时间大约为1—7天, 震中东西两个方向均可能出现异常, 但异常区域多偏向磁赤道.      

Projection of future world water resources under SRES scenarios: an integrated assessment

Abstract

Changes in water resources availability, as affected by global climate warming, together with changes in water withdrawal, could influence the world water resources stress situation. In this study, we investigate how the world water resources situation will likely change under the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) by integrating water withdrawal projections. First, the potential changes in water resources availability are investigated by a multi-model analysis of the ensemble outputs of six general circulation models (GCMs) from organizations worldwide. The analysis suggests that, while climate warming might increase water resources availability to human society, there is a large discrepancy in the size of the water resource depending on the GCM used. Secondly, the changes in water-stressed basins and the number of people living in them are evaluated by two indices at the basin scale. The numbers were projected to increase in the future and possibly to be doubled in the 2050s for the three SRES scenarios A1b, A2 and B1. Finally, the relative impacts of population growth, water use change and climate warming on world water resources are investigated using the global highly water-stressed population as an overall indicator. The results suggest that population and socio-economic development are the major drivers of growing world water resources stress. Even though water availability was projected to increase under different warming scenarios, the reduction of world water stress is very limited. The principal alternative to sustainable governance of world water resources is to improve water-use efficiency globally by effectively reducing net water withdrawal.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor D. Gerten