A study of the contribution of mass elevation effect to the altitudinal distribution of timberline in the Northern Hemisphere简

Alpine timberline, as the ＂ecologica tion of scientists in many fields, especially in transition zone,＂ has long attracted the atten- recent years. Many unitary and dibasic fitting models have been developed to explore the relationship between timberline elevation and latitude or temperature. However, these models are usually on regional scale and could not be applied to other regions; on the other hand, hemispherical-scale and continental-scale models are usually based on about 100 timberline data and are necessarily low in precision. The present article collects 516 data sites of timberline, and takes latitude, continentality and mass elevation effect （MEE） as independent variables and timberline elevation as dependent variable to develop a ternary linear regression meteorological data released by WorldClim and model. Continentality is calculated using the mountain base elevation （as a proxy of mass elevation effect） is extracted on the basis of SRTM 90-meter resolution elevation data. The results show that the coefficient of determination （R2） of the linear model is as high as 0.904, and that the contribution rate of latitude, continentality and MEE to timberline elevation is 45.02% （p=0.000）, 6.04% （p=0.000） and 48.94% （p=0.000）, respectively. This means that MEE is simply the primary factor contributing to the elevation distribution of timberline on the continental and hemispherical scales. The contribution rate of MEE to timberline altitude dif- fers in different regions, e.g., 50.49% （p=0.000） in North America, 48.73% （p=0.000） in the eastern Eurasia, and 43.6% （p=0.000） in the western Eurasia, but it is usually very high.     

软母线连接电气设备地震响应定量分析

通过母线连接的电气设备与独立设备地震响应存在较大差异。为定量研究软母线连接体系对设备的地震响应,将软母线简化为悬索结构,建立耦联体系等高设备和单体设备的地震运动方程组,采用龙格-库塔方法计算得到广泛参数下的位移响应比,并通过基于后向消去法的多元回归分析对各关键参数的影响进行量化,得到软母线耦联等高设备地震位移响应比公式。通过与实际振动台试验数据对比验证了该响应比公式的准确性。研究结果可为实际电气设备及变电站的抗震可靠性分析提供参考。     

On the use of IMU (inertial measurement unit) sensors in geomorphology

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are mobile sensors assemblies constructed using a combination of MEMS (micro electrical mechanical systems) accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers. Both the technology and its applications to geomorphic problems are developing rapidly, since they demonstrate the prospect of monitoring individual sediment grains, of various sizes, during transport and at high frequency. This prospect has numerous implications which range from hazard identification and warning to complex theoretical derivations for sediment transport modelling. At the same time, the deployment of IMUs needs to be underpinned by a number of technical considerations regarding the limitations of the technology and the physics of the inertial measurements. IMU measurements should be reported in a manner that allows for clear understanding of the scope of the study, with sufficient detail for repeatability and clear error characterization. At a secondary level, IMU measurements should be linked clearly with the physics of sediment motion. Here the author highlights five technical issues which can lead to the misinterpretation of IMU measurements. His scope is to begin a dialogue towards a collective agreement on a presentation/reporting protocol for IMU measurements in geomorphic studies that will allow for the coherent contextualization of the technology and accelerate its scientific impact within geosciences.     

The low-mass classic Algol-type binary UU Leo revisited

New multi-color photometry of the eclipsing binary UU Leo, acquired from 2010 to 2013, was carried out by using the 60-cm and 85-cm telescopes at the Xinglong station, which is administered by National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences. With the updated Wilson-Devinney code, the photometric solution was derived from BVR light curves. The results imply that UU Leo is a semi-detached Algol-type binary, with a mass ratio of q = 0.100（±0.002）. The change in orbital period was reanalyzed based on all available eclipsing times. The 0 - C curve could be described by an upward parabola superimposed on a quasi-sinusoidal curve. The period and semi-amplitudes are Pmod = 54.5（±1.1） yr and A = 0.0273d（±0.0015d）, which may be attributed to the light-time effect via the presence of an invisible third body. The long-term period increases at a rate of dR/dr=＋4.64（±0.14）×10^-7d yr^-1, which may be interpreted by the conserved mass being transferred from the secondary to the primary. With mass being transferred, the low-mass Algol-type binary UU Leo may evolve into a binary system with a main sequence star and a helium white dwarf.     

Disbond detection with piezoelectric wafer active sensors in RC structures strengthened with FRP composite overlays

The capability of embedded piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) to perform in-situ nondestructive evaluation (NDE) for structural health monitoring (SHM) of reinforced concrete (RC) structures strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite overlays is explored. First, the disbond detection method were developed on coupon specimens consisting of concrete blocks covered with an FRP composite layer. It was found that the prescnce of a disbond crack drastically changes the electromecbanical (E/M) impedance spectrum measured at the PWAS terminals. The spectral changes depend on the distance between the PWAS and the crack tip. Second, large scale experiments were conducted on a RC beam strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite overlay. The beam was subject to an acccleratcd fatigue load regime in a three-point bending configuration up to a total of807,415 cycles. During these fatigue tests, the CFRP overlay experienced disbonding beginning at about 500,000 cycles. The PWAS were able to detect the disbonding before it could be reliably seen by visual inspection. Good correlation between the PWAS readings and the position and extent of disbond damage was observed. These preliminary results demonstrate the potential of PWAS technology for SHM of RC structures strengthened with FRP composite ovcrlays.     

Environmental and geologic application of solid-state methane sensors

The analysis of methane concentration in natural systems, such as soil, water and atmosphere, is becoming an important and delicate task for environmental research. (1)The characterization of the spatial and temporal variability of these emissions is an important and urgent target for greenhouse-gas and global change studies. In this respect a series of technical specifications are demanded by the scientific community, including sensor portability, low detection limit and the need of analyzing small volumes of gas. Solid-state gas sensors are increasingly used for environmental measurements. A metal oxide semiconductor (e.g., SnO₂, ZnO₂,) is used to fabricate chemical sensors for several gases, in particular methane. The potential of this technique is based on the low conductivity of the material in clean air, which increases with the methane gas concentration in the air. Sensitivity, selectivity, power consumption, long-term stability, and reaction time are all linked together. They all depend on the physico-chemical and geometrical structure of the sensitive layer. This means that improving one parameter has an influence on the others. Therefore, it is necessary to make compromises and select the combination of performances that best meet the application requirements.     

GMM—a gas monitoring module for long-term detection of methane leakage from the seafloor

A new seafloor lander module, the Gas Monitoring Module (GMM), has been developed for continuous and long-term measurements of methane concentration in seawater at the benthic boundary layer, as a result of marine environmental geology and technology synergy. The module is designed to host a series of sensors controlled and managed by a data acquisition and control system able to perform first-level data quality checks. The prototype includes semiconductor methane sensors, an H₂S sensor and a CTD for temperature, salinity, pressure recording, as well as interfaces for additional sensors. The GMM can be linked to submarine cables for real-time data transmission to onshore operators and is suitable for long-term monitoring of natural gas emissions from seafloor or leakages from pipelines and boreholes.     

SZ-4飞船多模态传感器辐射模态数据处理与质量评价研究

研究了飞船多模态传感器中辐射模态1B产品数据的处理以及生成全球亮温图的方法,对辐射模态数据与SSM/I和AMSR-E星载微波辐射计对应通道进行了星星比对分析,建立了对应通道之间的线性关系。结果表明,飞船辐射模态亮温与SSM/I及AMSR-E的测量值在绝对幅度上相差较大,但却高度的线性相关,这在一定程度上说明了SZ-4辐射模态各通道亮温对地表微波辐射响应的能力。