High-pressure properties of diaspore,AlO(OH)

The structural compression mechanism and compressibility of diaspore, AlO(OH), were investigated by in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction at pressures up to 7 GPa using the diamond-anvil cell technique. Complementary density functional theory based model calculations at pressures up to 40 GPa revealed additional information on the pressure-dependence of the hydrogen-bond geometry and the vibrational properties of diaspore. A fit of a second-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state to the p–V data resulted in the bulk modulus B ₀ = 150(3) GPa and B ₀ = 150.9(4) GPa for the experimental and theoretical data, respectively, while a fit of a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state resulted in B ₀ = 143.7(9) GPa with its pressure derivative B′ = 4.4(6) for the theoretical data. The compression is anisotropic, with the a-axis being most compressible. The compression of the crystal structure proceeds mainly by bond shortening, and particularly by compression of the hydrogen bond, which crosses the channels of the crystal structure in the (001) plane, in a direction nearly parallel to the a-axis, and hence is responsible for the pronounced compression of this axis. While the hydrogen bond strength increases with pressure, a symmetrisation is not reached in the investigated pressure range up to 40 GPa and does not seem likely to occur in diaspore even at higher pressures. The stretching frequencies of the O–H bond decrease approximately linearly with increasing pressure, and therefore also with increasing O–H bond length and decreasing hydrogen bond length. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article () contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Evolution-EM signals before earthquakes in terms of mesomechanics and complexity

MHz-to-kHz electromagnetic (EM) anomalies have been detected worldwide over time intervals ranging from a few days to a few hours prior to near-surface earthquakes (EQs) that have occurred on land with magnitude approximately six or larger. The MHz radiation systematically appears earlier than the kHz. Laboratory experiments on rock samples reveal a similar change in the frequency content during progressive deformation, i.e. the emissions exhibit a frequency shift from MHz to kHz just before failure of the samples. Herein, we attempt to associate these consecutively emerging MHz and kHz modes of the pre-fracture EM emission with successive distinct stages of the fracture preparation process and the associated fracture mechanisms. We base our approach on synergetic principles of physical mesomechanics. A universal principle of physical mesomechanics is that the plastic deformation of a solid is related to its loss of shear stability at the micro-, meso-, and macroscale levels. Global fracture is determined by the mechanism controlling the development of macroscale bands of localized deformation associated with meso- and microscale relaxation processes. The major result we obtain is that the shift from MHz to kHz EM activity may signal the transition of plastic flow localization from the mesoscale to the macroscale, culminating in global fracture. A complexity measure (Approximate Entropy) and a persistency–anti-persistency measure (Hurst exponent) also give evidence of a two stage-model of EQ preparation process: significant complexity decrease and accession of persistency can be confirmed in the strong kHz EM activity that emerges in the tail of the pre-seismic EM activity. Laboratory experiments on rock samples reveal similar symptoms of an imminent global instability.     

Long-term comparisons of net radiation calculation schemes

Six commonly used models for calculating daily net radiation were tested against measured net radiation. Meteorological data from 32 and 7 consecutive years obtained at two temperate sites were used. The extensive duration of the datasets ensured that all weather conditions and extreme events were captured. A set of statistical procedures was used to evaluate the performance of the models. The mean bias errors ranged from 0.0 W m⁻² to 24.8 W m⁻² and 0.1–24.7 W m⁻² and root mean square error from 11.0 W m⁻² to 28.1 W m⁻² and 10.0–27.9 W m⁻² at the two sites respectively, for days without snow cover on the ground. The best agreement was found when locally calibrated model coefficients were used. Only negligible differences in model performances were found between the two sites and the differences were lower than the inaccuracies of the net radiation instruments used. Including days with snow cover in the analysis lead to a slight increase in the bias and scatter of the predictions. Model performances were in general better during summertime than wintertime. Altered albedo values during winter caused by generally low sun angles were likely the cause of this. Analysis showed that at least 5 years of data were needed to obtain stable calibration coefficients for local calibration of the models. Based on the results from this study, and due to their physical background, two physical based models were recommended for calculating daily values of net radiation under temperate climate regimes. A simple adjustment of the calibration coefficients based on climate regime was suggested for these models.     

Cloud and Radiation Processes Simulated by a Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean Model

Using NCC/IAP T63 coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (AOGCM),two 20-yr integra- tions were processed,and their ability to simulate cloud and radiation was analysed in detail.The results show that the model can simulate the basic distribution of cloud cover,and however,obvious differences still exist compared with ISCCP satellite data and ERA reanalysis data.The simulated cloud cover is less in general,especially the abnormal low values in some regions of ocean.By improving the cloud cover scheme, simulated cloud cover in the eastern Pacific and Atlantic,summer hemisphere's oceans from subtropical to mid-latitude is considerably improved.But in the tropical Indian Ocean and West Pacific the cloud cover difference is still evident,mainly due to the deficiency of high cloud simulation in these regions resulting from deep cumulus convection.In terms of the analysis on radiation and cloud radiative forcing,we find that simulation on long wave radiation is better than short wave radiation.The simulation error of short wave radiation is caused mostly by the simulation difference in short wave radiative forcing,sea ice,and snow cover,and also by not involving aerosol's effect.The simulation error of long wave radiation is mainly resulting from deficiency in simulating cloud cover and underlying surface temperature.Corresponding to improvement of cloud cover,the simulated radiation (especially short wave radiation) in eastern oceans, summer hemisphere's oceans from subtropical to mid-latitude is remarkably improved.This also brings obvious improvement to net radiation in these regions.     

Analysis of UVB values in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula

Records of UV data started in Madrid at the beginning of the 90's decade. After some quality control on the data a seven year period from 1996 to 2002 was selected to perform an analysis of daily and seasonal variability of solar ultraviolet B (UVB) values at the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Instruments used are a Brewer MKIV spectrophotometer and a YES UVB-1 broadband pyranometer. Both instruments provided integrated daily values according with the Diffey spectrum although they have different measurement procedures. Data statistics from each instrument for the same period and statistical relationships between daily values from both instruments are shown. As broadband YES provided a record with fewer time gaps, analysis of UVI extreme values is performed using that instrument. The relationship between UVB values with ozone, cloudiness and visible radiation has been described in several papers for different places in the world. In this paper, those relationships are shown for Madrid. A discussion about specific problems found when trying to isolate every effective factor is also included. Some of those relationships could be helpful to retrieve UVB values from other ancillary data as visible radiation and cloudiness. Finally, a detailed study for 10 days in June 1997 when the maximum record of daily values from the present time series was obtained, highlight the close correlation between total ozone content and the daily variability of UVB for similar amounts of incoming radiation.     

Effects of polypeptide from Chlamys farreri on amino acid con-tent in guinea pig skin irradiated by chronic ultraviolet A and B

1 INTRODUCTION Long-term exposure of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation results in degenerative processes involved in photoaging and photocarcinogenesis (Differy, 1987). As UVC is absorbed entirely by the stratospheric ozone layer and does not reach the earth抯 surface, sunlight is composed of UVA (320 nm 400 nm) and UVB (290 nm 320 nm). Human skin is exposed constantly to both UVA and UVB radiation, it is, therefore, important to protect the skin against UVA and UVB-induce…