The propagation effect of commuting to work in the spatial transmission of COVID-19

Journal of Geographical Systems - This work is concerned with the spatiotemporal dynamics of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Germany. Our goal is twofold: first, we propose a novel...     

Readout Techniques for Drift and Low Frequency Noise Rejection in Infrared Arrays

Three different methods are presented to subtract thermal drifts and low-frequency noise from the signal of infrared array. The first is dead pixels with open Indium bumps, the second is reference output as implemented on the Hawaii2 multiplexer, and the third is dark pixels to emulate reference cells having a capacity connected to the gate of the unit cell field-effect transistor (FET). The third method is the most effective and yields a reduction in readout noise from15.4–9.4 erms. A novel method will be described to extend this readout technique to the Aladdin 1 K × 1 K InSb array. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Spatial scan statistics in vulnerability assessment: an application to mountain hazards

In the European Alps, the concept of risk has increasingly been applied in order to reduce the susceptibility of society to mountain hazards. Risk is defined as a function of the magnitude and frequency of a hazard process times consequences; the latter being quantified by the value of elements at risk exposed and their vulnerability. Vulnerability is defined by the degree of loss to a given element at risk resulting from the impact of a natural hazard. Recent empirical studies suggested a dependency of the degree of loss on the hazard impact, and respective vulnerability (or damage-loss) functions were developed. However, until now, only little information is available on the spatial characteristics of vulnerability on a local scale; considerable ranges in the loss ratio for medium process intensities only provide a hint that there might be mutual reasons for lower or higher loss rates. In this paper, we therefore focus on the spatial dimension of vulnerability by searching for spatial clusters in the damage ratio of elements at risk exposed. By using the software SaTScan, we applied an ordinal data model and a normal data model in order to detect spatial distribution patterns of five individual torrent events in Austria. For both models, we detected some significant clusters of high damage ratios, and consequently high vulnerability. Moreover, secondary clusters of high and low values were found. Based on our results, the assumption that lower process intensities result in lower damage ratios, and therefore in lower vulnerability, and vice versa, has to be partly rejected. The spatial distribution of vulnerability is not only dependent on the process intensities but also on the overall land use pattern and the individual constructive characteristics of the buildings exposed. Generally, we suggest the use of a normal data model for test sites exceeding a minimum of 30 elements at risk exposed. As such, the study enhanced our understanding of spatial vulnerability patterns on a local scale.     

Das Chausib-Turbiditbecken am Südrand des Damara-Orogens,Südwest-Afrika

Zusammenfassung Am Südrand des Damara-Orogens ist innerhalb der Hakos Subgroup eine Turbiditserie von 1500 m Mächtigkeit entwickelt. Sie stellt als neudefiniertes Chausib Member eine Faziesvertretung der Hakos-Quarzite (Chaibis Member) dar.Die Zusammensetzung der Turbitbänke ist quarzitisch. Infolge metamorpher und tektonischer Überprägung ist eine Gradierung nach der Korngröße nicht mehr vorhanden; sie kann aber aus einer typischen Änderung des Stoffbestandes vom Liegenden zum Hangenden einer Bank abgeleitet werden.Die an sich hochfaltbare Serie liegt in einer einfach gebauten Großstruktur von 10 km Wellenlänge vor; die Faltung wurde durch eine mächtige unterlagernde Quarzitfolge gesteuert. Einige für eine Wechselfolge kompetenter und inkompetenter Lagen charakteristische kleintektonische Phänomene werden beschrieben.Für die paläogeographische Situation wird ein Modell entwickelt, nach dem die Chausib-Turbidite als Beckenablagerungen den Chaibis-Quarziten als gleichalte Schwellensedimente gegenüberstehen.

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A 1500 m thick turbidite series, developed within the Hakos Subgroup at the southern margin of the Damara Orogen, is defined as the Chausib Member. It represents a timeequivalent of the Hakos-Quartzite (Chaibis Member) in a different facies.The turbidites are quartzitic. As a result of the metamorphic and tectonic overprint, they no longer show a grading of grain size. However, a former graded bedding can be inferred from a typical compositional change from the base to the top within each bed.The turbidite series is potentially very susceptible to folding, but occurs in a simple structure with a wave-length of about 10 km. The style of folding was determined by an underlying, thick, quartzite unit. Several small-scale tectonic phenomena are described, which are characteristic for such an alternation of competent and incompetent layers.A palaeogeographic model is envisaged in which the Chausib turbidites are basinal deposits bordering the time-equivalent sediments of a submarine rise, represented by the Chaibis quartzites.

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Résumé A la bordure sud de l'orogène de Damara, on trouve une série de turbidites d'une épaisseur de 1500 m intercalée dans le Hakos Subgroup. En tant que Chausib Member, nouvellement défini, elle représente un faciès équivalent des quartzites de Hakos (Chaibis Member).Les bancs de turbidite ont une composition quartzitique. Mais la superposition métamorphique et tectonique ne permet plus de discerner le granoclassement qui peut cependant être déduit du changement typique dans la composition chimique et minéralogique du matériau d'un banc, du bas vers le haut.La série dont la capacité de plissement est certaine, se présente avec une structure majeure simple, d'une longueur d'onde de 10 km, le plissement ayant été handicapé par une puissante série sous-jacente de quartzite. Quelques phénomènes microtectoniques caractéristiques d'une série interstratifiée de couches compétentes et incompétentes, sont décrits.Un modèle de situation paléogéographique est développé, d'après lequel les turbidites de Chausib s'opposent comme dépôts sédimentaires de bassin contemporains, aux quartzites de Chaibis, considérés comme sédiments de seuil de même âge.

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Hakos Turbidite 1500 . , Chausib, « Hakos». Turbit . . . 10 . , . ., Chausib-Turbidite , Chaibis . .

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Diese Arbeit ist im Sonderforschungsbereich 48 der Universität Göttingen (Entwicklung, Bestand und Eigenschaften der Erdkruste, insbesondere der Geosynklinalräume) entstanden.Die Förderung erfolgte aus Mitteln, die dem Sonderforschungsbereich 48 durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) zur Verfügung gestellt wurden.     

Hydrothermal gases offshore Milos Island, Greece

Hydrothermal fluids emerge from the seafloor of Paleohori Bay on Milos. The gases in these fluids contain mostly CO₂ but CH₄ concentrations up to 2% are present. The stable carbon isotopic composition of the CO₂ (near 0%) indicates an inorganic carbon source (dissociation of underlying marine carbonates). The carbon and hydrogen isotopes of most CH₄ samples are enriched in the heavy species (δ¹³C = −9.4 to −17.8‰; δD = −102 to −189‰) which is believed to be characteristic for an abiogenic production of CH₄ by CO₂-reduction (Fischer-Tropsch reactions). Depletions in the deuterium content of three CH₄ samples (to −377%) are probably caused by unknown subsurface rock alteration processes. Secondary hydrogen isotope exchange processes between methane, hydrogen and water are most likely responsible for calculated unrealistic methane formation temperatures.

We show that excess helium, slightly enriched in ³He, is present in the hydrothermal fluids emerging the seafloor of Paleohori Bay. When the isotopic ratio of the excess component is calculated a ³He/⁴He_excess of 3.6 · 10⁻⁶ is obtained: This indicates that the excess component consists of about one third of mantle helium and two thirds of radiogenic helium. We infer that the mantle-derived component has been strongly diluted by radiogenic helium during the ascent of the fluids to the surface.     

Further evidence for impact of solar flares on potential gradient and air-earth current characteristics at high mountain stations

Summary For the period February 1967–May 1969, a period of increasing solar activity, unrestricted substantiation was obtained of earlier results which had indicated that subsequent to H-flares potential gradient and air-earth current will increase significantly. A presupposition of this result is that the atmospheric electrical elements are recorded at stations with only minimal local climatic and aerosol physical disturbance factors, and that only meteorologically undisturbed days are used. It was ascertained that the exclusive use of fine weather days is of no influence on the results. The confirmed solar-terrestrial relation is even more pronounced when measurements are based on flares in the vicinity of the central meridian of the sun. It was further substantiated that the frequency of sferics pulses is significantly increased from the flare day on. As the cause for this a solar-triggered increase in thunderstorm frequency is suggested which, in turn, leads to an increase of the potential gradient and earth current. Proton flares have an effect analogous to that of H-flares. If H-flare key days are used on which significant changes were observed in the distribution of pressure over the northern hemisphere, a significant increase of potential gradient and air-earth current is found even with these flare key days. Thus for the first time a connection is made between solar-caused atmospheric electrical effects and synchronous global meteorological changes.     

Die Gamsberg-Spalten (SW-Afrika) -Zeugen Karroo-zeitlicher Erdbeben

Zusammenfassung Am Großen Gamsberg, einem Tafelberg auf dem Rande des Großen Escarpments SW-Afrikas zwischen Windhoek und Walvisbay, liegen 30 m mächtige Quarzite der oberen Karroo transgressiv auf dem präkambrischen Gamsberg-Granit. Im Quarzit und im Granit lassen sich vier Spaltensysteme unterscheiden, die durch karroozeitliche Erdbeben entstanden sind. Die unterschiedlichen Spaltentypen werden beschrieben und ihre relativen Altersbeziehungen zueinander diskutiert. Die verschiedenen Spalten, die vorzugsweise N-S streichen, dokumentieren eine starke Ausdehnungstendenz in E-W-Richtung (5–10 m auf 3 km).Als Erklärung bietet sich ein Zusammenhang mit dem Auseinanderbrechen von Afrika und Süd-Amerika an. Eine starke seismische Aktivität in der weiteren Umgebung der endgültigen Bruchzone könnte die Spaltenbildung bewirkt haben. Neben der in der Literatur häufig vorgenommenen Zuordnung von fossilen Erdbebenspalten zu orogenen Vorgängen kommt damit die Plattentektonik als weiterer Gesichtspunkt für die geotektonische Ursache von fossilen Erdbebenspalten in Betracht.

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The summit of the Great Gamsberg, a mesa at the edge of the Great S. W. African Escarpment, between Windhoek and Walvis Bay, is formed by 30 m thick Upper Karroo quartzites, which rest with transgressive contact on the pre-Cambrian Gamsberg Granite. Four fissure systems, which have resulted from earthquakes of Karroo age, can be recognized in the quartzite and granite. The various fissure types are described and (heir relative ages discussed. The fissures, which strike predominantly N-S, record a strong extensional trend in an E-W direction (5–10 m in 3 km).A connection with the breaking apart of Africa and South America offers an explanation for the fracture systems. Intense seismic activity in the general area of the final rift zone could have led to fissure formation. Thus, in addition to the frequently cited assignment of fossil earthquake fissures to orogenic processes, plate tectonics must be considered as a further geotectonic cause of such fissures.

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Résumé Au Grand Gamsberg — une montagne tabulaire en bordure du Grand Escarpement de l'Afrique du Sud-Ouest entre Windhoek et Walvisbay — des quartzites du Karroo Supérieur d'une épaisseur de 30 m forment une couverture transgressive sur le granite précambrien du Gamsberg. Dans les quartzites et dans le granite, on peut distinguer quatre systèmes de fissures engendrés par des séismes pendant le Karroo. Les différents types de fissures sont décrits, et leurs âges rélatifs sont discutés. Les différentes fissures, qui montrent de préférence une direction NS, indiquent une forte tendance à une extension dans la direction EW (5–10 m sur 3 km).Une liaison avec la séparation de l'Afrique de l'Amérique du Sud serait susceptible d'en donner une explication. Une activité séismique intense dans le domaine environnant de la zone de fracturation finale pourrait avoir provoqué la formation des fissures. A l'attribution fréquente dans la litérature, de fissures séismiques fossiles à des phénomènes orogéniques s'ajoute ici la tectonique de plaques comme autre point de vue dans la recherche de la cause géotectonique de telles fissures.

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, , - - 30 . 4 , . . , N-S , E-W (5–10 3 ). . . , , , .

     

Stationary solutions in simplified resonance cases of the restricted three-body problem

In the planar elliptic problem Sun-Jupiter-massless body we consider the resonances of mean motion 3/2, 2/1, 3/1, 7/3 and 1/3. Short-period effects are eliminated by Schubart's averaging method. Applying a minimization technique, stationary solutions can be found in the given resonance cases. Some of these solutions are well-known as periodic solutions in the rigorous (i.e., unaveraged) restricted problem. It is illustrated how one can construct in a numerical way a linearized theory of motion around a stationary solution and results are presented.Proceedings of the Sixth Conference on Mathematical Methods in Celestial Mechanics held at Oberwolfach (West Germany) from 14 to 19 August, 1978.     

Case study concerning the impact of solar activity upon potential gradient and air earth current in the lower troposphere

Summary From the years of 1968 and 1969, five periods were selected which are distinguished by the fact that at the recording site for potential gradientE and air earth currentI (at 3000 m a.s.l.), pure fine weather prevailed for 7 up to 20 days, and the site was persistently situated above the exchange layer. Thus, favorable conditions existed for the investigation of solar impact on the behavior ofE andI. The following parameters were compared withE andI during said periods: solar flares bursts of very high frequency waves,X and proton bursts, solar wind velocity, geomagnetic disturbances and storms, and solar 10 cm radiation flux. It became very apparent that a maximum of 10 cm flux was followed, after a few days, by a maximum ofE xI. This correlation is more pronounced than that existing betweenE xI and solar flares. The correlation ofE xI with other geophysical and astrophysical parameters is loose by comparison. The investigations have revealed that fine analyses such as have been attempted here, might be suited for clearing up, step by step, the actual causal relationship between a solar event and the behavior of the atmospheric electrical parameters.

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Zusammenfassung Aus den Jahren 1968 und 1969 wurden 5 Perioden ausgewählt, die sich dadurch auszeichnen, dass an der in 3000 m a.s.l. liegenden Registrierstation für PotentialgradientE und air earth currentI über 7–20 Tage hinweg reines Schönwetter herrschte und sich die Station anhaltend über der Austausch-Schicht befand. Günstige Voraussetzungen für das Studium solarer Einflüsse auf das Verhalten vonE undI waren damit gegeben. Mit dem Zeitverlauf dieser Grössen wurde während dieser Perioden verglichen: solar flares, Ultrakurzwellen bursts,X- und proton bursts, solar wind velocity, geomagnetische Störungen und Stürme, und solar 10 cm flux. Es zeichnete sich schr klar ab, dass wenige Tage nach einem Maximum des 10 cm flux ein Maximum vonE xI flogt. Diese Korrelation ist ausgeprägter als die zwischenE xI und solar flares. Die übrigen geo- und astrophysikalischen Parameter lassen eine vergleichsweise lose Korrelation mitE xI erkennen. Die Untersuchungen zeigen, dass sich Feinanalysen, wie sie hier versucht worden sind, dazu eignen könnten, die eigentlichen Kausalbeziehungen zwischen solarem Ereignis und Verhalten der atmosphärischelektrischen Parametern Schritt für Schritt aufzuklären.

     

Traces of NO 3 ′ ions contained in ice crystals influence charge separation upon crystal fragmentation

Summary If needle-shaped ice crystals are grown in an atmosphere containing traces of nitrous gases, the amount of electrical charge generated when sharp crystal points break away, is between 10 and 50 times as high as in the case of crystals grown in absence of nitrous gases A definite relation has been found to exist between the NO ₃ ion concentration of the ice crytals and the amount of charge (average value 2.7×10^–8, maximum value 13×10^–8 coulombs per gram of ice splinters) generated upon fragmentation. The relation found is possibly of importance with respect to thunderstorm electricity generation.Physikalisch-Bioklimatische Forschungsstelle der Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Garmisch-Partenkirchen.