A stepwise method for determining the number of component distributions in a mixture

This paper considers the problem of estimatingm, the number of components in a finite mixture of distributions from a parametric family. A step-up procedure using the bootstrap method is proposed. Some properties of the procedure are illustrated with simulation studies. An example of the method, applied to orientation of beach clasts, is given.     

Crustal Structures of the Northernmost South China Sea: Seismic Reflection and Gravity Modeling

The South China Sea (SCS) is a marginal sea off shore Southeast Asia. Based on magnetic study, oceanic crust has been suggested in the northernmost SCS. However, the crustal structure of the northernmost SCS was poorly known. To elaborate the crustal structures in the northernmost SCS and off southwest Taiwan, we have analyzed 20 multi-channel seismic profiles of the region. We have also performed gravity modeling to understand the Moho depth variation. The volcanic basement deepens southeastwards while the Moho depth shoals southeastwards. Except for the continental margin, the northernmost SCS can be divided into three tectonic regions: the disturbed and undisturbed oceanic crust (8–12 km thick) in the southwest, a trapped oceanic crust (8 km thick) between the Luzon-Ryukyu Transform Plate Boundary (LRTPB) and Formosa Canyon, and the area to the north of the Formosa Canyon which has the thickest sediments. Instead of faulting, the sediments across the LRTPB have only displayed differential subsidence offset of about 0.5–1 s in the northeast side, indicating that the LRTPB is no longer active. The gravity modeling has shown a relatively thin crust beneath the LRTPB, demonstrating the sheared zone character along the LRTPB. However, probably because of post-spreading volcanism, only the transtension-shearing phenomenon of volcanic basement in the northwest and southeast ends of the LRTPB can be observed. These two basement-fractured sites coincide with low gravity anomalies. Intensive erosion has prevailed over the whole channel of the Formosa Canyon.     

Monthly Dispersion Characteristics over the South China Sea for Air Quality Modeling

— Monthly dispersion characteristics for air quality modeling over the South China Sea offshore the west coast of Borneo are studied using long-term ship measurements. It is found from monthly averages that the stability condition is nearly neutral throughout the year with the exception of April, May, and November which are slightly unstable. The lifting condensation level ranged from 338 to 450 m. The lowest value of the ventilation factor occurred in April and the highest in January. The friction velocity for each month is also provided to determine the vertical eddy diffusivity and horizontal and vertical dispersion coefficients.     

Numerical study of mesoscale cellular convection

Mesoscale cellular convections over the East China Sea during cold air outbreaks are simulated with a high-resolution numerical model. The model incorporates important physical processes involved in shallow convection, such as the exchange of heat and moisture between water and air; condensation; evaporation; and vertical turbulent transfer of heat, moisture, and momentum.The results show that open cells develop with aspect ratios as large as 14. The structure of the convection is examined in detail. The organized mesoscale circulation is responsible for breaking up the initial stratus cloud deck and enhancing turbulence in the upward-moving area (especially inside cumulus clouds). However, it is found that the heat flux contributed by MCC's themselves is much smaller than the eddy heat flux.     

An Operational Forecasting Model for the Variation of Mean Maximum Mixing Heights Across the Coastal Zone

Variation exists in the maximum mixing height (MMH) across the coastal zone because of major differences in heat capacity between land and sea. By assuming that synoptic and microscale effects are all small as compared to the contribution from mesoscale temperature differences, a model is proposed to explain this variation. The model states that the variation of the MMH across the coastal zone is due primarily and is linearly proportional to the difference in maximum temperature between land and sea. Since the MMH is one of the most important parameters in the computation of distribution and concentration of aerosols, water vapor, and pollutants, a simple equation is also provided for the operational forecasting of the MMH or the mixing height over the sea. All inputs into the equation are routinely available. The model has been verified by available data and a relevant field experiment.     

Hydration and phase relations of grossular-spessartine garnets at P H 2O=2 Kb

The phase relations in the system grossular-spessartine-H₂O were investigated at 2.0 Kb aqueous fluid pressure and at subsolidus temperatures down to 420 ° C. Despite metastable persistence of a compositional gap found in some intermediate members, a complete solid solution between grossular and spessartine exists.Linear relations between the unit cell edge, a ₀, and composition were readily observed down to 620 ° C with a ₀=11.849(2) Å and 11.613(2) Å for grossular and spessartine, respectively. Hydrated garnets began to appear at higher temperature for the Ca-rich members. Grossular and spessartine formed at 420 ° C have a ₀=11.901(2) Å and 11.632(2) Å, indicating the presence of 0.6 and 0.2 mol H₂O, respectively. Intermediate members show varying degrees of hydration. Infrared spectra of the more hydrated members show a major and minor absorption bands at 3,620 cm^–1 and 3,660 cm^–1, respectively, in addition to a broad band around 3,430 cm^–1. All the hydrogarnets formed at 420 ° C were proven to be metastable.The rare occurrence of the intermediate grossular-spessartine garnets may be attributed to the lack of appropriate bulk chemistry of the rock rather than to the P-T conditions to which the rock is subjected. There may be a stability field for hydrogrossular below 420 ° C at 2 Kb, but not for hydrospessartine. Any occurrence of hydrogarnet may be used as a temperature indicator setting the maximum of formation for the hydrogarnet-bearing assemblage below 420 ° C at 2 Kb.     

Optimization of 3D building models by GPS measurements

GPS Solutions - Recently, 3D building models have become an important aid to many positioning methods such as LiDAR and GPS positioning. Creating an accurate 3D building model requires accurate 2D...     

Influence of heterogeneity on unsaturated hydraulic properties: (1) local heterogeneity and scale effect

Spatial heterogeneity is ubiquitous in nature, which may significantly affect the soil hydraulic property curves. The models of a closed‐form functional relationship of soil hydraulic property curves (e.g. VG model or exponential model) are valid at point or local scale based on a point‐scale hydrological process, but how do scale effects of heterogeneity have an influence on the parameters of these models when the models are used in a larger scale process? This paper uses a two‐dimensional variably saturated flow and solute transport finite element model (VSAFT2) to simulate variations of pressure and moisture content in the soil flume under a constant head boundary condition. By changing different numerical simulation block sizes, a quantitative evaluation of parameter variations in the VG model, resulting from the scale effects, is presented. Results show that the parameters of soil hydraulic properties are independent of scale in homogeneous media. Parameters of α and n in homogeneous media, which are estimated by using the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity curve (UHC) or the soil water retention curve (WRC), are identical. Variations of local heterogeneities strongly affect the soil hydraulic properties, and the scale affects the results of the parameter estimations when numerical experiments are conducted. Furthermore, the discrepancy of each curve becomes considerable when moisture content becomes closer to a dry situation. Parameters estimated by UHC are totally different from the ones estimated by WRC. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.