The Relationships between Variations of Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies in the Key Ocean Areas and the Precipitation and Surface Air Temperature in China

The relationships between variations of sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTVA) in the key ocean areas and the precipitation / temperature anomalies in China are studied based on the monthly mean sea surface temperature data from January 1951 to December 1998 and the same stage monthly mean precipitation/ temperature data of 160 stations in China. The purpose of the present study is to discuss whether the relationship between SSTVA and precipitation / temperature is different from that between sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) and precipitation/ temperature, and whether the uncertainty of prediction can be reduced by use of SSTVA. The results show that the responses of precipitation anomalies to the two kinds of tendency of SSTA are different. This implies that discussing the effects of two kinds of tendency of SSTA on precipitation anomalies is better than just discussing the effects of SSTA on precipitation anomalies. It helps to reduce the uncertainty of prediction. The temperature anomalies have more identical re-sponses to the two kinds of tendency of SSTA than the precipitation except in the western Pacific Ocean. The response of precipitation anomalies to SSTVA is different from that to SSTA, but there are some similarities. Key words Variations of sea surface temperature anomalies - Precipitation anomalies - Temperature anomalies - Statistical significance test Sponsored jointly by the “ National Key Developing Program for Basic Sciences” (G1998040900) Part I and the Key Program of National Nature Science Foundation of China “ Analyses and Mechanism Study of the Regional Climatic Change in China” under Grant No.49735170.

A Local Reference Frame Construction Method Based on the Signed Surface Variation

A fast local reference frame(LRF)construction method based on the signed surface variation is proposed,which can adapt to the real-time applications such as self-driving,face recognition,object detection.The z-axis of the LRF is generated based on the concavity of the local surface of keypoint.The x-axis is constructed by the weighted vector sum of a set of projection vectors of the local neighborhoods around keypoint.The performance of the proposed LRF is evaluated on six standard datasets and compared with six state-of-the-art LRF construction methods(e.g.,BOARD,FLARE,SHOT,RoPS and TOLDI).Experimental results validate the high repeatability,robustness,universality and time efficiency of our method.

Hermite variational implicit surface reconstruction

We propose a new technique for reconstructing surfaces from a large set of unorganized 3D data points and their associated normal vectors. The surface is represented as the zero level set of an implicit volume model which fits the data points and normal constraints. Compared with variational implicit surfaces, we make use of surface normal vectors at data points directly in the implicit model and avoid of introducing manufactured off-surface points. Given n surface point/normal pairs, the proposed method only needs to solve an n×n positive definite linear system. It allows fitting large datasets effectively and robustly. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed method with both globally supported and compactly supported radial basis functions on several datasets.

A variational principle analysis of surface acoustic waves propagating under periodic metal grating with finite thickness

A theoretical method is presented,which analyzes properties of surface acoustic waves propagating on metallic gratings with finite thickness by combining finite element method with variational principle on surface acoustic waves propagating on periodic metal gratings. Based on D.P.Chen and Haus theory,a finite element method is used to investigate the effects of metallic gratings upon the propagation of surface acoustic waves.The coupling-of-modes parameters contributed by mechanical loading are expressed by the matrix derived from the finite element method.Consequently D.P.Chen and Haus theory can also be applied to analyze the properties of surface acoustic waves propagating on metallic gratings with finite thickness and arbitrary shape.Finally,the characteristics of surface acoustic waves propagating under gold and aluminum or silver gratings on a few piezoelectric crystals are studied.Numerical results of the coupling-of-modes parameters of the surface acoustic waves are obtained.

Persistent Heavy Rainfall over South China During May–August:Subseasonal Anomalies of Circulation and Sea Surface Temperature

This study investigates the relationship between subseasonal variations of the circulation and sea surface temperature（SST） over the South China–East Asian coastal region（EACR） in association with the persistent heavy rainfall（PHR） events over South China during May–August through statistical analysis. Based on the intensity threshold and duration criterion of the daily rainfall, a total of 63 May–June（MJ） and 59July–August（JA） PHR events are selected over South China from 1979 to 2011. The lower-level circulation anomalies on subseasonal timescale exhibit an anomalous cyclone over South China and an anomalous anticyclone shaped like a tongue over the South China Sea（SCS） during the PHR events for MJ group.The anomalous cyclone over South China in MJ originates from low-value systems in the mid-high latitudes before the rainfall. The anomalous anticyclone over the SCS is due to the westward extension of the western Pacific subtropical high（WPSH） and the southeastward propagation of the anomalous anticyclone from South China before the rainfall. For JA group, the lower-level anomalous circulation pattern is similar to that for MJ over the South China–EACR, but with di？erent features of propagation. The subseasonal anomalous anticyclone is also related to the westward stretch of the WPSH, while the anomalous cyclone is traced back to the weak anomalous cyclone over the Philippine Sea several days before the rainfall events.Positive SST anomaly（SSTA） is observed over the SCS and the Philippine Sea during the MJ PHR events on the subseasonal timescale. It is closely linked with the variation of local anomalous anticyclone. In contrast, negative SSTA occupies the South China coastal region for the JA PHR events, and it is driven by the anomalous cyclone which propagates northwestward from the Philippine Sea. The subseasonal positive（negative） SSTAs are generated via the local processes of above（below）-normal incident solar radiation and below（above）-normal latent heat fluxes. The possible role of the subseasonal SSTA in the local convective instability is also analyzed in this study.

Information acquisition system of multipoint soil surface height variation for profiling mechanism of seeding unit of precision corn planter

The emergence rate and vitality of maize are directly affected by the sowing depth,and the uniformity of this depth is an important performance indicator of a planter,while the effective soil surface height information acquisition is the prerequisite for ensuring the accuracy of sowing depth control.The soil surface height variation acquisition system of a precision corn planter often produces profiling errors when performing active profiling due to interference from ground debris.In this study,a multipoint soil surface height variation information acquisition system was investigated,which consists of a ranging sensor group and a microcontroller unit(MCU)using a data comparison and screening method.The structure and specifications of the ranging sensors were determined according to the soil surface height variation and debris size,and a nonessential profiling control program was developed.Performed tests on the information acquisition system indicated that the measurement accuracy of the system was 3 mm,and when advancing at a speed of 8 km/h,the accuracy of the profiling decision and the system stability were 97.1%and 94.1%,respectively,indicating that the system was capable of nonessential profile control.The designed ranging system could provide a reference for the design of a ground information acquisition system of precision planters with an active profiling mechanism.

Study of Distinctive Regional Features of Surface Solar Radiation in North and East China

Solar radiation is an important energy source for plants on the earth and also a major component of the global energy balance. Variations in solar radiation incident at the earth’s surface profoundly affect the human and terrestrial environment, including the climate change. To provide useful information for predicting the future climate change in China, distinctive regional features in spatial and temporal variations of the surface solar radiation （SSR） and corresponding attributions （such as cloud and aerosol） are analyzed based on SSR observations and other meteorological measurements in North and East China from 1961 to 2007. Multiple models, such as the plane-parallel radiative transfer model, empirical and statistical models, and correlation and regression analysis methods are used in the study. The results are given as follows. （1） During 1961–2007, the total SSR in North China went through a process from quickly ＂dimming＂ to slowly ＂dimming＂, while in East China, a significant transition from ＂dimming＂ to ＂brightening＂ occurred. Although there are some differences between the two regional variation trends, long-term variations in SSR in the two regions are basically consistent with the observation worldwide. （2） Between the 1960s and 1980s, in both North and East China, aerosols played a critical role in the radiation dimming. However, after 1989, different variation trends of SSR occurred in North and East China, indicating that aerosols were not the dominant factor. （3） Cloud cover contributed less to the variation of SSR in North China, but was the major attribution in East China and played a promoting role in the reversal of SSR from dimming to brightening, especially in the ＂remarkable brightening＂ period, with its contribution as high as 70%.

Land surface roughness impacted by typical vegetation restoration projects on aeolian sandy lands in the Yarlung Zangbo River valley,southern Tibetan plateau

Aeolian sandy lands are widespread and desertification is recognized as one of the main environmental issues in the Yarlung Zangbo River valley,southern Tibetan plateau.The surface microtopographic var-iations induced by the near soil surface characteristics of plant communities are important compositions of land surface roughness,which likely influence wind erosion.This study was conducted to quantify the effects of typical vegetation restoration on land surface roughness on the aeolian sandy lands,and to identify the main influencing factors of land surface roughness in the Yarlung Zangbo River valley.Two bare sandy lands(as controls)and eight vegetated sandy lands with different restoration communities and ages were selected,and land surface roughness(LSR),as represented by surface microtopographic variations in this study,was measured by photogrammetric surveys.The results showed that LSR significantly increased by 7.9-16.8 times after vegetation restoration on the aeolian sandy lands,and varied among different restoration communities and ages.The mostly restored communities of Sophora moorcroftiana and Populus L.had greater LSR as compared to Artemisia wellbyi and Hedysarum scoparium.With succession from 6 to over 30 years,LSR gradually increased in the Sophora moorcroftiana restored sandy lands,but decreased in the Populus L restored sandy lands.The variations of LSR were mainly attributed to the differences in near soil surface characteristics of vegetation(plant stem diameter and coverage,and plant residue density)and biological soil crusts(coverage and thickness).Mixed plantation of Populus L and Sophora moorcroftiana was considered as the best restoration communities because of their effectiveness in increasing land surface roughness on the aeolian sandy lands in the Yarlung Zangbo River valley.The results would facilitate the understanding of the benefits of vegetation restoration in controlling wind erosion on the aeolian sandy lands.

Using a pressure controlled vortex design method to control secondary flow losses in a turbine stage

A turbine design method based on pressure controlled vortex design （PCVD） is presented to design a small-size turbine stage. Contrary to the conventional controlled vortex design （CVD） method, the main objective of PCVD is to control the axial velocity and radial pressure in the sta- tor rotor gap. Through controlling axial velocity, the PCVD establishes a direct tie to meridional stream surface. Thus stream surface variation is induced, resulting in a large secondary flow vortex covering the full blade passage in the respective stator and rotor. This secondary flow vortex could be dedicated to control the secondary flow mitigation and migration. Through radial pressure, the PCVD is also associated with the macroscopic driving force of fluid motion. So the better benefit of CVD can be achieved. The core concept behind PCVD is to mainly control the spanwise pressure gradient by altering profile loading at various spanwise locations. Therefore not only the local pro- file lift is affected, but also the resulting throat widths, stage reaction degree, and massflow rate are altered or redistributed respectively. With the PCVD method, the global stage efficiency is increased successfully while the mass flow rate keeps constant. Additionally there is no endwall shape optimization, stacking optimization, or pitch/chord variations, concentrating solely on varying blade profile deflections and stagger.