Rest-frame optical and far-infrared observations of extremely bright Lyman-break galaxy candidates at z∼ 2.5

We have investigated the rest-frame optical and far-infrared properties of a sample of extremely bright candidate Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Their high ultraviolet luminosities and lack of strong ultraviolet emission lines are suggestive of massive starbursts, although it is possible that they are more typical luminosity LBGs which have been highly magnified by strong gravitational lensing. Alternatively, they may be an unusual class of weak-lined quasars. If the ultraviolet and submillimetre (submm) properties of these objects mirror those of less luminous, starburst LBGs, then they should have detectable rest-frame far-infrared emission. However, our submm photometry fails to detect such emission, indicating that these systems are not merely scaled-up (either intrinsically or as a result of lensing) examples of typical LBGs. In addition we have searched for the morphological signatures of strong lensing, using high-resolution, near-infrared imaging, but we find none. Instead, near-infrared spectroscopy reveals that these systems are, in fact, a rare class of broad absorption line quasars.     

Symbol Store: sharing map symbols for emergency management

Maps are a primary means for supporting information sharing and collaboration in emergency management and crisis situations. While a variety of formalized map symbol standards for emergency contexts exist, they have not been widely adopted by mapmakers. Informal symbol conventions are commonly used within emergency management stakeholder groups, but until now there has not been a flexible mechanism for discovering, sharing, and previewing these symbol sets among mapmakers. In this paper, we describe the design and development of the Symbol Store, a visually enabled, web-based interactive tool intended to help mapmakers share point symbols. The Symbol Store allows users to browse symbols by keyword, category tags, and contributors. It also allows for symbols to be previewed on realistic maps prior to download. An initial prototype of the Symbol Store was evaluated by flood mapping experts from the State of California, and the results of this user study led to multiple refinements now implemented in the public version of Symbol Store located at www.symbolstore.org.     

Evidence of free convection in groundwater: Field-based measurements beneath wind-tidal flats

Free convection caused by salinity differences had not been conclusively detected or measured in the field. A field experiment at wind-tidal flats on Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, documents salinity-driven free convection with both direct (head and salinity data) and indirect (time-lapse 3-D resistivity) methods. Evaporative concentration of groundwater near the water table created unstable inverted density gradients, reduced groundwater levels, and reversed hydraulic gradients. These factors allowed plumes or fingers of more saline, denser fluid to flow downward into less-dense fluid as observed in monitoring wells and 3-D surveys. The development of density inversions can overcome the dissipating forces of dispersion and diffusion to create a sufficiently large unstable gradient to induce free convection. The development of free convective flow of variable-density fluids in groundwater can be detected and monitored through field techniques.     

汶川地震对现代河流形态的影响与水文效应

2008年5月12日14时28分,我国四川发生里氏8.0级大地震,发震构造为龙门山断裂带.形成了NE向映秀-北川断裂地表破裂带,彭县-灌县断裂破裂带以及NW向的小鱼洞破裂带,表现为逆冲-走滑性质.目前,有关地表破裂、次生地质灾害及堰塞湖等开展了大量的调查工作,而地震对河流形态的影响还缺少较为系统的分析.在野外地震地貌考察的基础上,根据河流走向与断层位置关系,并结合地表破裂特征,总结了汶川地震对现代河流形态影响的几种地貌类型:顺向陡坎跌水,河道错动,断寨湖(塘),河流改道等,并对其演化趋势进行了讨论.分析了汶川地震的河流水文效应:地震增加了河流泥沙含量,改变了河流水质,同时,也使得河流与地下水系统之间的联系更为紧密.     

On the formation and unfolding of pulse height distributions

Spacecraft measurements of X-ray or particle pulse height distributions have become increasingly accurate during the last fifteen years, and they will continue to do so. The present paper deals with the question how one can reconstruct original photon or particle spectra from measured pulse height distributions. The statistical aspects of the formation of pulse height distributions are investigated. A method is presented that allows for a reliable reconstruction of the original spectrum. Its essentials are the formulation and subsequent solution of a matrix equation connecting pulse height distribution with photon/particle spectrum; an error analysis of the reconstructed spectrum is given. The present method has two advantages over the usualχ ²-minimum method: It is able to recover more spectral detail and it requires less computing time. Finally, a numerical example is given.     

Examining the potential of high sampling resolution OSL dating of Chinese loess

Detailed analysis of the depositional characteristics of Chinese loess is required to determine the nature of the paleoclimate record preserved in these extensive sediments. High sampling resolution optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating has the potential to facilitate such an analysis. However, high-resolution dating is extremely time consuming and therefore of limited practical applicability. This study assesses the luminescence characteristics of loess from three sections on the Chinese Loess Plateau in an attempt to identify methods of increasing sample throughput without compromising data quality. Using the single-aliquot regenerative-dose technique, samples yield internally consistent results. However, dose recovery data indicate that care is required in selecting preheating regimes for different sections. The standardized growth curve approach was tested and found to be applicable within, but not between, sites. Nonetheless, the use of standardized growth curves offers increases in sample throughput that will allow more routine high-resolution dating of Chinese loess. High-resolution dose rates calculated using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) methods show relative homogeneity of radioisotope concentrations and are comparable to lower resolution field gamma-spectrometry measurements. Consequently, high-resolution OSL dating has great potential to elucidate the depositional characteristics of Chinese loess and facilitate more precise use of the paleoclimatic information it preserves.     

Comparisons of two global built area land cover datasets in methods to disaggregate human population in eleven countries from the global South

ABSTRACT

Mapping built land cover at unprecedented detail has been facilitated by increasing availability of global high-resolution imagery and image processing methods. These advances in urban feature extraction and built-area detection can refine the mapping of human population densities, especially in lower income countries where rapid urbanization and changing population is accompanied by frequently out-of-date or inaccurate census data. However, in these contexts it is unclear how best to use built-area data to disaggregate areal, count-based census data. Here we tested two methods using remotely sensed, built-area land cover data to disaggregate population data. These included simple, areal weighting and more complex statistical models with other ancillary information. Outcomes were assessed across eleven countries, representing different world regions varying in population densities, types of built infrastructure, and environmental characteristics. We found that for seven of 11 countries a Random Forest-based, machine learning approach outperforms simple, binary dasymetric disaggregation into remotely-sensed built areas. For these more complex models there was little evidence to support using any single built land cover input over the rest, and in most cases using more than one built-area data product resulted in higher predictive capacity. We discuss these results and implications for future population modeling approaches.