Different models have been proposed for the formation and tectonic evolution of the South China Sea （SCS）, including extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, backarc extension, two-stage opening, proto-SCS dragging, ex...Different models have been proposed for the formation and tectonic evolution of the South China Sea （SCS）, including extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, backarc extension, two-stage opening, proto-SCS dragging, extension induced by a mantle plume, and integrated models that combine diverse factors. Among these, the extrusion model has gained the most attention. Based on simplified physical experiments, this model proposes that collision between the Indian and Eurasian Plates resulted in extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, which in turn led to opening of the SCS. The extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, however, should have led to preferential open- ing in the west side of the SCS, which is contrary to observations. Extensional models propose that the SCS was a backarc basin, rifted off the South China Block. Most of the backarc extension models, however, are not compatible with observations in terms of either age or subduction direction. The two-stage extension model is based on extensional basins surrounding the SCS. Recent dating results indeed show two-stage opening in the SCS, but the Southwest Subbasin of the SCS is much younger, which contradicts the two-stage extension model. Here we pro- pose a refined backarc extension model. There was a wide Neotethys Ocean between the Australian and Eurasian Plates before the Indian-Eurasian collision. The ocean floorstarted to subduct northward at ~ 125 Ma, causing backarc extension along the southem margin of the Eurasian Plate and the formation of the proto-SCS. The Neotethys sub- duction regime changed due to ridge subduction in the Late Cretaceous, resulting in fold-belts, uplifting, erosion, and widespread unconformities. It may also have led to the subduction of the proto-SCS. Flat subduction of the ridge may have reached further north and resulted in another backarc extension that formed the SCS. The rollback of the fiat subducting slab might have occurred ~ 90 Ma ago; the second backarc extension may have initiated between 50 and 45 Ma. The opening of the Southwest Subbasin is roughly simultaneous with a ridge jump in the East Sub- basin, which implies major tectonic changes in the sur- rounding regions, likely related to major changes in the extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula.展开更多
A study was conducted to determine the awareness and perception of biotechnology focusing on genetically modified foods among public secondary school science and technical vocational teachers in Guyana. A questionnair...A study was conducted to determine the awareness and perception of biotechnology focusing on genetically modified foods among public secondary school science and technical vocational teachers in Guyana. A questionnaire was administered to 228 randomly selected teachers of 42 schools in six administrative regions of Guyana, representing about 90% of the population. The results revealed that there was a low level of awareness among the teachers： those who were knowledgeable about the subject were mainly Biology, Agricultural Science and Integrated Science teachers. Most teachers （almost 90%） indicated that the public is not receiving adequate information about genetically-modified foods and opined that the television should be the main medium to provide information. The study also revealed that teachers felt that ethical, religious and social issues should be considered when applying the technology. This view did not vary based on qualifications, years in the profession or subjects taught. Genetic modification was more acceptable to plant-based than animal-based foods, although they seemed ambivalent as to whether genetically modified foods can be harmful to their health. The implications of these findings are that more teachers in various subject areas should be informed about emerging issues in sciences to enable them to better analyze the subject matter, transfer information to the students, and form attitudes and opinions based on facts.展开更多
This paper is based on a study that was done to explore the perspectives of teacher candidates and faculty members of teacher education programs of a university of Arizona. The purpose of the study was to look into K-...This paper is based on a study that was done to explore the perspectives of teacher candidates and faculty members of teacher education programs of a university of Arizona. The purpose of the study was to look into K-12 language teacher education programs in the backdrop of globalization. The data of the study came from a sample of 200 prospective teachers/candidates and students, and 24 faculty members/program administrators of teacher education programs of a university of Arizona. The results of the study showed that the majority of teacher candidates felt underprepared to teach diverse student populations. Similarly, most participants expressed their concerns over English-only policy of Arizona and they reported it as a major barrier for the education of English language learners.展开更多
Seismicity in northern Arizona is concentrated in a northwest-southeast trending belt that stretches from the Utah border south to the edge of the Colorado Plateau. Located within this NASB （Northern Arizona Seismic ...Seismicity in northern Arizona is concentrated in a northwest-southeast trending belt that stretches from the Utah border south to the edge of the Colorado Plateau. Located within this NASB （Northern Arizona Seismic Belt） is the San Francisco volcanic field, classified by the United States Geological Survey as potentially active. The last volcanic event in the field was located at Sunset Crater and occurred less than 1,000 years ago. Eruption intervals in the volcanic field are of the same order of length of time. Seismic monitoring of the volcanic field area has improved greatly since 1985 with the establishment of new network seismic stations. This has allowed for a lowered threshold of detection of seismic events and improved location capabilities. As an example of the result of this improved ability to locate smaller tremors, two swarms have been identified in the field, the 2009 Halloween swarm near Sunset Crater volcano and the 2011 swarm near Flagstaff, the largest urban community in northern Arizona.展开更多
The Arizona Department of Transportation （ADOT） in the USA conducted a series of asphalt aging related research and special studies between the 1970s and 1990s. The studies covered over 157 test sections representin...The Arizona Department of Transportation （ADOT） in the USA conducted a series of asphalt aging related research and special studies between the 1970s and 1990s. The studies covered over 157 test sections representing both neat （virgin） asphalt and crumb rubber modified （asphalt-rubber） binders. The data comprised of a wide range of penetration, viscosity, and Performance Grade （PG） parameters, at original and aged conditions. In the late 1990s, asphalt PG complex shear modulus （G＊）, and phase angle （5） data were collected. The main purpose of this paper was to use the assembled database of the field core-aged asphalt test data and compare the test results to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials approved Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide （MEPDG） predictive modeled asphalt properties such as penetration and viscosity, G＊, and 5. Furthermore, G＊ and laboratory measurements on neat and asphalt-rubber binders extracted from the field cores of the pavement sections aged ten or more years were compared to the pressure aging vessel PG G＊ and ~. values. It was observed that the MEPDG predicted asphalt binder properties were rational for originally （tank） sampled binders, but fairly correlated for the aged binders. Additionally, penetration and viscosity aging indices representing over 20 years of field aged sections were established for a wide variety of asphalt binder grades. Overall, the relationships for aging indices were meaningful and rational. Results of this research indicated the degree of difficulty in predicting asphalt binder properties for pavements with ten or more years of field aging. The findings from this research study are envisioned to be of substantial value in future asphalt binder aging studies.展开更多
Four different PV （photovoltaic） systems deployed around Tucson Arizona on geomembranes are used to test the feasibility of converting mine tailings and landfills into solar energy generating sites. Differences betw...Four different PV （photovoltaic） systems deployed around Tucson Arizona on geomembranes are used to test the feasibility of converting mine tailings and landfills into solar energy generating sites. Differences between these deployed systems include： two types of geomembrane materials, two different module anatomies and two different locations. Module mounting techniques unique to mine tailing sites are described. Several system failures observed during the first two years of operation are explained here in detail. Validated predictions for the operating temperature of these systems and their associated electrical performance are presented. It was determined that PV modules mounted on light-colored thermoplastic with shielded wiring operate at lower temperatures, are structurally stable, and experience fewer wiring failures.展开更多
基金supported by the NSFC(No.91328204,41421062)the Chinese Academy of Sciences(KZCX1-YW-15)
文摘Different models have been proposed for the formation and tectonic evolution of the South China Sea （SCS）, including extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, backarc extension, two-stage opening, proto-SCS dragging, extension induced by a mantle plume, and integrated models that combine diverse factors. Among these, the extrusion model has gained the most attention. Based on simplified physical experiments, this model proposes that collision between the Indian and Eurasian Plates resulted in extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, which in turn led to opening of the SCS. The extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula, however, should have led to preferential open- ing in the west side of the SCS, which is contrary to observations. Extensional models propose that the SCS was a backarc basin, rifted off the South China Block. Most of the backarc extension models, however, are not compatible with observations in terms of either age or subduction direction. The two-stage extension model is based on extensional basins surrounding the SCS. Recent dating results indeed show two-stage opening in the SCS, but the Southwest Subbasin of the SCS is much younger, which contradicts the two-stage extension model. Here we pro- pose a refined backarc extension model. There was a wide Neotethys Ocean between the Australian and Eurasian Plates before the Indian-Eurasian collision. The ocean floorstarted to subduct northward at ~ 125 Ma, causing backarc extension along the southem margin of the Eurasian Plate and the formation of the proto-SCS. The Neotethys sub- duction regime changed due to ridge subduction in the Late Cretaceous, resulting in fold-belts, uplifting, erosion, and widespread unconformities. It may also have led to the subduction of the proto-SCS. Flat subduction of the ridge may have reached further north and resulted in another backarc extension that formed the SCS. The rollback of the fiat subducting slab might have occurred ~ 90 Ma ago; the second backarc extension may have initiated between 50 and 45 Ma. The opening of the Southwest Subbasin is roughly simultaneous with a ridge jump in the East Sub- basin, which implies major tectonic changes in the sur- rounding regions, likely related to major changes in the extrusion of the Indochina Peninsula.
文摘A study was conducted to determine the awareness and perception of biotechnology focusing on genetically modified foods among public secondary school science and technical vocational teachers in Guyana. A questionnaire was administered to 228 randomly selected teachers of 42 schools in six administrative regions of Guyana, representing about 90% of the population. The results revealed that there was a low level of awareness among the teachers： those who were knowledgeable about the subject were mainly Biology, Agricultural Science and Integrated Science teachers. Most teachers （almost 90%） indicated that the public is not receiving adequate information about genetically-modified foods and opined that the television should be the main medium to provide information. The study also revealed that teachers felt that ethical, religious and social issues should be considered when applying the technology. This view did not vary based on qualifications, years in the profession or subjects taught. Genetic modification was more acceptable to plant-based than animal-based foods, although they seemed ambivalent as to whether genetically modified foods can be harmful to their health. The implications of these findings are that more teachers in various subject areas should be informed about emerging issues in sciences to enable them to better analyze the subject matter, transfer information to the students, and form attitudes and opinions based on facts.
文摘This paper is based on a study that was done to explore the perspectives of teacher candidates and faculty members of teacher education programs of a university of Arizona. The purpose of the study was to look into K-12 language teacher education programs in the backdrop of globalization. The data of the study came from a sample of 200 prospective teachers/candidates and students, and 24 faculty members/program administrators of teacher education programs of a university of Arizona. The results of the study showed that the majority of teacher candidates felt underprepared to teach diverse student populations. Similarly, most participants expressed their concerns over English-only policy of Arizona and they reported it as a major barrier for the education of English language learners.
文摘Seismicity in northern Arizona is concentrated in a northwest-southeast trending belt that stretches from the Utah border south to the edge of the Colorado Plateau. Located within this NASB （Northern Arizona Seismic Belt） is the San Francisco volcanic field, classified by the United States Geological Survey as potentially active. The last volcanic event in the field was located at Sunset Crater and occurred less than 1,000 years ago. Eruption intervals in the volcanic field are of the same order of length of time. Seismic monitoring of the volcanic field area has improved greatly since 1985 with the establishment of new network seismic stations. This has allowed for a lowered threshold of detection of seismic events and improved location capabilities. As an example of the result of this improved ability to locate smaller tremors, two swarms have been identified in the field, the 2009 Halloween swarm near Sunset Crater volcano and the 2011 swarm near Flagstaff, the largest urban community in northern Arizona.
文摘The Arizona Department of Transportation （ADOT） in the USA conducted a series of asphalt aging related research and special studies between the 1970s and 1990s. The studies covered over 157 test sections representing both neat （virgin） asphalt and crumb rubber modified （asphalt-rubber） binders. The data comprised of a wide range of penetration, viscosity, and Performance Grade （PG） parameters, at original and aged conditions. In the late 1990s, asphalt PG complex shear modulus （G＊）, and phase angle （5） data were collected. The main purpose of this paper was to use the assembled database of the field core-aged asphalt test data and compare the test results to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials approved Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide （MEPDG） predictive modeled asphalt properties such as penetration and viscosity, G＊, and 5. Furthermore, G＊ and laboratory measurements on neat and asphalt-rubber binders extracted from the field cores of the pavement sections aged ten or more years were compared to the pressure aging vessel PG G＊ and ~. values. It was observed that the MEPDG predicted asphalt binder properties were rational for originally （tank） sampled binders, but fairly correlated for the aged binders. Additionally, penetration and viscosity aging indices representing over 20 years of field aged sections were established for a wide variety of asphalt binder grades. Overall, the relationships for aging indices were meaningful and rational. Results of this research indicated the degree of difficulty in predicting asphalt binder properties for pavements with ten or more years of field aging. The findings from this research study are envisioned to be of substantial value in future asphalt binder aging studies.
文摘Four different PV （photovoltaic） systems deployed around Tucson Arizona on geomembranes are used to test the feasibility of converting mine tailings and landfills into solar energy generating sites. Differences between these deployed systems include： two types of geomembrane materials, two different module anatomies and two different locations. Module mounting techniques unique to mine tailing sites are described. Several system failures observed during the first two years of operation are explained here in detail. Validated predictions for the operating temperature of these systems and their associated electrical performance are presented. It was determined that PV modules mounted on light-colored thermoplastic with shielded wiring operate at lower temperatures, are structurally stable, and experience fewer wiring failures.
