The NAIAD experiment for WIMP searches at Boulby mine and recent results

The NAIAD experiment (NaI Advanced Detector) for weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter searches at Boulby mine (UK) is described. The detector consists of an array of encapsulated and unencapsulated NaI(Tl) crystals with high light yield. Six crystals are collecting data at present. Data accumulated by four of them (10.6 kg × year exposure) have been used to set upper limits on the WIMP–nucleon spin-independent and WIMP–proton spin-dependent cross-sections. Pulse shape analysis has been applied to discriminate between nuclear recoils, as may be caused by WIMP interactions, and electron recoils due to gamma background. Various calibrations of crystals are presented.     

Neutron background in large-scale xenon detectors for dark matter searches

Simulations of the neutron background for future large-scale particle dark matter detectors are presented. Neutrons were generated in rock and detector elements via spontaneous fission and (α,n) reactions, and by cosmic-ray muons. The simulation techniques and results are discussed in the context of the expected sensitivity of a generic liquid xenon dark matter detector. Methods of neutron background suppression are investigated. A sensitivity of 10⁻⁹–10⁻¹⁰ pb to WIMP-nucleon interactions can be achieved by a tonne-scale detector.     

Assessing the extent of mangrove change caused by Cyclone Vance in the eastern Exmouth Gulf, northwestern Australia

Changes in mangal area were quantified in the eastern Exmouth Gulf over six years (1999–2004) after Cyclone Vance using Landsat TM satellite imagery and aerial photography. Vance was the strongest tropical cyclone ever to impact the Australian mainland before 2006 and produced wind gusts of more than 280 km h⁻¹. Image data were processed using ENVI™ and IDRISI™ software. Three sets of Landsat TM images from 1999 (a few days before the cyclone), 2002 and 2004 were used, along with 2004 digital aerial photography. A ‘common’ subset of 904 km² was selected from all images and classification was developed using ISODATA™ unsupervised classification to identify spectrally distinct areas followed by principal component analysis (PCA), vegetation indices and supervised classification. Some 12,800 ha of mangrove habitat was present before the cyclone and approximately 5700 ha (44%) was removed by it. Most mangroves lost (74%) between 1999 and 2004 were converted either to bare sediment or to live saltmarshes and this occurred mostly between 1999 and 2002. Five basic categories of damage were conspicuous from imagery and field observations, and evidence suggests that much of the loss was due to the longer term consequences of sediment deposition or smothering, rather than the immediate effects of wind or waves. Mangroves exhibited accelerated recovery between 2002 and 2004, and around 1580 ha regenerated during this time, amounting to a return of 68% of their former coverage. At this recovery rate we estimate that they should have returned to their pre-cyclone area by 2009. Over half of the saltmarsh habitats (54%) were removed by the cyclone (4060 ha) but their recovery has been far more rapid than mangroves. After 5 years, saltmarshes had returned to 87% of their previous area. The 5700 ha of mangrove habitat damaged by Cyclone Vance exceeds any anthropogenic impact that has ever taken place in Western Australia by several orders of magnitude.     

Evaluating vegetative transplant success in Posidonia australis: a field trial with habitat enhancement

Seagrasses in Western Australia grow on open coastlines that are wave and surge exposed, which are known to reduce transplant success. This study investigated the use of habitat enhancement procedures to improve the survival and expansion of Posidonia australis transplants. Limited success transplanting P. australis vegetative propagules (plugs) was achieved after habitat enhancement was implemented, using artificial seagrass (ASG) mats to emulate a "surrogate" seagrass meadow. The ASG mats enhanced one aspect of the habitat (stabilised sediment grain size) but did not suitably stabilise erosion and accretion. Transplant survival was significantly increased (up to 50% survival) in 60% of the sites where ASG mats were present. However, only 8% of the total transplant population exhibited rhizome extension (3.2+/-0.11 mmd(-1)).     

Study and suppression of anomalous fast events in inorganic scintillators for dark matter searches

The status of dark matter searches with inorganic scintillator detectors at Boulby mine is reviewed and the results of tests with a CsI(Tl) crystal are presented. The objectives of the latter experiment were to study anomalous fast events previously observed and to identify ways to remove this background. Clear indications were found that these events were due to surface contamination of crystals by alphas, probably from radon decay. A new array of unencapsulated NaI(Tl) crystals immersed either in liquid paraffin or pure nitrogen atmosphere is under construction at Boulby. Such an approach allows complete control of the surface of the crystals and the ability to remove any surface contamination. First data from the unencapsulated NaI(Tl) do not show the presence of anomalous fast events.     

基于ArcGIS的中温带不同天气类型点太阳辐射分析——以佳木斯市辖区为例

考虑天气情况对入射太阳辐射的影响,研究和分析日照时数、天气类型和辐射参数的关系,并将散射模型、透射率和散射比例与4种常用天气类型相对应。以佳木斯市辖区为例,采用ArcGIS的点太阳辐射分析批处理工具,对佳木斯辐射台站进行日入射太阳辐射分析。通过将默认情况和天气类型两种模拟结果与辐射台站的实测值进行分析和验证,获得两者的相关性R2分别为0.573 4和0.899 5。研究结果表明按不同天气类型进行中温带地区点太阳辐射分析的方法切实可行,并获得更好的点日太阳辐射模拟效果,其有利于研究不同天气类型下物理和生物过程模型所受到的太阳辐射影响。     

Attenuation of coda waves and Q_c value beneath the Chengdu telemetered seismic network

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基于改进的MT-CLIM模型的中高纬低山丘陵区太阳辐射模拟——以小兴安岭为例

将DEM、坡度和坡向作为地形因子,基于ENVI/IDL编写MT-CLIM模型批量处理程序,使用改进MTCLIM模型对小兴安岭地区的地面气象台站进行太阳辐射模拟,并将模拟结果分别与辐射台站实测数据和二次趋势面统计模型进行验证。研究结果表明:从整年上,其与辐射台站的拟合精度R2为0.813 3,其中,夏季模拟太阳辐射日值拟合精度偏低,而其与二次趋势面统计模型拟合精度R2值范围为0.571 3~0.793 3;采用改进的MT-CLIM模型模拟较大区域的太阳辐射,比统计模型具有更好的普适性和高效性,能获得较好的中高纬低山丘陵区模拟效果,且为森林生态过程模型的输入参数研究提供依据。     

Characteristics of fault rocks and paleo-earthquake source along the Koktokay-Ertai fault zone,Xinjiang,China

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