ALBERT

Description: Over 10 μm-thick ( K , N a) N b O 3 KNN -based films doped with complex-perovskite-materials (CPs) were deposited on platinized sapphire substrates by aerosol deposition (AD). Three CPs were selected: B a( C u 1/3 N b 2/3 ) O 3 ( BCN ), C u( C u 1/3 N b 2/3 ) O 3 ( CCN ), and S r( C u 1/3 N b 2/3 ) O 3 ( SCN ). The films of 0.985( N a 0.5 K 0.5 ) N b O 3 -0.015CPs ( KNN -CPs) were post annealed at 1050°C for 1 h in air without any serious phase decomposition. The microstructure showed abnormal grain growth due to C u-rich liquid phase. The KNN – BCN film had the largest abnormal grain size of over 10 μm, whereas the KNN – SCN film had the smallest grain size and also the smallest frequency of abnormal grains. All the films exhibited typical characteristics of ferroelectric hysteresis similar to those of the bulk materials without any leakage. The KNN – BCN films possessing the biggest abnormal grains also exhibited the highest density, piezoelectric constant, and piezoelectric voltage constant of 110 pC/N and 15.45 × 10 −3  Vm/N, respectively, which are the highest values reported so far for KNN -based films. This indicated that KNN -CPs lead-free films are suitable candidates for sensor applications.

Description: We examined the relationships between large wood (LW) export and precipitation patterns and intensity by analyzing the data on the annual volume of LW removed from 42 reservoirs and the daily precipitation at or near the reservoir sites. We also calculated the effective precipitation by considering the antecedent precipitation. Both daily and effective precipitation data were used as explanatory variables to explain LW export. The model selection revealed that the precipitation pattern and intensity controlling LW export varied with latitude in the Japanese archipelago. In small watersheds with narrow channel widths and low discharges, mass movements, such as landslides and debris flows, are major factors in the production and transport of LW. In this case, the effective precipitation required to initiate mass movements regulated the LW export and did not vary with the latitude. In intermediate and large watersheds with wide channel widths and high stream discharges, heavy rainfall and subsequent floods regulated buoyant depth, influencing the initiation of LW movement. In southern and central Japan, intense rainfall accompanied by typhoons or localized torrential downpours causes geomorphic disturbances, which introduce abundant pieces of LW into the channels. However, these pieces continue to be removed by repeated rainfall events. Therefore, LW export is supply-limited and potentially produces less LW accumulation. Conversely, in northern Japan, where typhoons and torrential downpours are rare, LW export is transport-limited because LW pieces recruited by bank erosion, tree mortality, and windthrow accumulate and persist on valley floors. These pieces may be easily exported by infrequent flooding.

Description: We developed a method to measure in situ the isotopic composition of liquid water with minimal supervision and, most important, with a temporal resolution of less than a minute. For this purpose a microporous hydrophobic membrane contactor (Membrana) was combined with an isotope laser spectrometer (Picarro). The contactor, originally designed for degassing liquids, was used with N2 as a carrier gas in order to transform a small fraction of liquid water to water vapor. The generated water vapor was then analyzed continuously by the Picarro analyzer. To prove the membrane's applicability, we determined the specific isotope fractionation factor for the phase change through the contactor's membrane across an extended temperature range (8°C–21°C) and with different waters of known isotopic compositions. This fractionation factor is needed to subsequently derive the liquid water isotope ratio from the measured water vapor isotope ratios. The system was tested with a soil column experiment, where the isotope values derived with the new method corresponded well (R2 = 0.998 for δ18O and R2 = 0.997 for δ2H) with those of liquid water samples taken simultaneously and analyzed with a conventional method (cavity ring-down spectroscopy). The new method supersedes taking liquid samples and employs only relatively cheap and readily available components. This makes it a relatively inexpensive, fast, user-friendly, and easily reproducible method. It can be applied in both the field and laboratory wherever a water vapor isotope analyzer can be run and whenever real-time isotope data of liquid water are required at high temporal resolution.

Description: Transit time of discharge is a hydrological characteristic used in water resource management. Previous studies have demonstrated large spatial variation in the mean transit time (MTT) of stream base flow in meso-scale catchments. Various relationships between topography and MTT have been reported. Although it is generally assumed that base flow MTT is controlled by the depth of the hydrologically active layer that recharges a stream, this hypothesis has not been tested in field studies. This study confirmed that the depth of hydrologically active soil and bedrock controls spatial variation in MTT. The study used isotopic and geochemical tracer data gathered in the 4.27 km2 Fudoji catchment, central Japan. The results, together with previously documented relationships between topography and MTT, indicate that the depth of the hydrologically active layer is sometimes, but not always, related to topography. A comprehensive understanding of the factors that control base flow production in mountainous catchments will require further study of the water flow path depths that recharge streams.

Description: This paper examines the long-term historical changes in frequency and amplitude of hydroclimatic extremes in the Blue Nile basin using data from the second half of 20th century. The temporal variability of basin-wide rainfall extremes and river flow extremes from four gauging stations was investigated under the hypothesis of no trend and no persistence in time. On the basis of a quantile anomaly analysis method, decadal variations in extreme daily, monthly, and annual quantiles were studied, and the periods of statistical significance were identified. The analysis showed that high and low river flows and rainfall depths do not vary in time in a fully random way but show a particular variation pattern. Their extremes show significant decadal variations. The 1980s had statistically significant negative anomalies in extremes in comparison with the long-term reference period of 1964–2009, while the 1960s–1970s and the 1990s–2000s had positive anomalies, although less significant. There is neither consistent increasing nor decreasing trend in rainfall and flow extremes of recent years. Therefore, anticipated trends due to global warming could not be identified. Conversely, low-flow extremes show an increasing trend during the last decade, which could be related to the effect of water regulation works at the outlet of Lake Tana. Moreover, similar patterns and statistically significant correlations were found between climatic indices representing the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Blue Nile rainfall and flow extremes. Changes that occur on the Pacific Ocean appear to be a main driver for the decadal oscillations in climate and related high and low Blue Nile water availability for Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt.

Description: The oxide inclusion and porosity defect structures in a tantalum carbide specimen fabricated from vacuum plasma spraying with postspraying sintering and hot-isostatic pressing has been characterized. The tantalum carbide powders were obtained using a carbothermal reduction process of tantalum oxide precursors. During its fabrication, oxide-based inclusions formed from intrinsic impurities in the powder. Using serial sectioning and three-dimensional reconstruction techniques, interconnected globular oxide inclusions were revealed to be within the matrix phase and in the grain boundaries. The oxide phase was identified to be z -Ta 2 O 5 through selected area electron diffraction. The two- and three-dimensional porosity size distribution was compared and accounted for ~2% of the volume.

Description: Few studies exist on infiltration processes in badlands, although infiltration and subsurface lateral flows are known to contribute to soil erosion and to control slope instability. Our investigation was carried out in a 100 m² plot located in a 0.5 ha landslide in black marls (South-East France). An artificial sprinkling was performed with an intensity of 10 mm.h -1 during 66.4 h interrupted with 8.4 h. breaks. KBr and KCl were used as tracers. A pseudo-steady state was reached after 25-35 hours and 250-350 mm of rainfall. The runoff coefficient was 40% (ratio total runoff volume/total sprinkling water amount). Pre-event water (PE) contributed to the groundwater recharge at the very beginning of the experiment but PE contribution dropped steadily while the soil was saturating. After around 200 mm cumulative rainfall, PE contribution started to rise steeply before reaching a nearly constant value. This original mechanism implies an efficient transfer process of PE. It was assumed from the description of the material structure and from hydrological evidences that PE was mainly drained from a structure porosity made of the marl's flaked nature. Total pre-event water contributions ranged from 25 to 79 % (PE contribution was over 50 % in 2/3 of the observations wells). Over the recession phase, release of pre-event water occurred from the drainage of a texture porosity. The study showed that at the plot scale, infiltration processes proved well organised despite the high heterogeneity and anisotropy of the material. It was possible to propose a general conceptual model explaining the hydrological processes over time and area. The peculiar structure of regolith originating from black marl is preserved over a large part of the weathering time, so that the material structure (type, orientation of grains, small/large pores) remains a first order control of water flow generation in Black marl soils. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: In this work, the multifractal properties of hourly rainfall data recorded at a location in Southern Spain have been related to the scale properties of the corresponding Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves. Four parametric models for the IDF curves have been fitted to the quantiles of rainfall obtained by using the Generalized Pareto frequency distribution function with the extreme data series obtained for the same place. The scaling of the rainfall intensity moments has been analysed and the empirical moments scaling exponent function has been obtained. The corresponding values of q 1 and γ 1 have been empirical and theoretically calculated and compared to some characteristics of the different IDF models. Thus, the scaling behaviour of IDF curves has been analysed and the best model has been selected. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: In this study, multi-phase borosilicate-based glass-ceramics were investigated as an alternative waste form for immobilizing non-fissionable products from used nuclear fuel. Currently, borosilicate glass is the waste form selected for immobilization of this waste stream, however, the low thermal stability and solubility of MoO 3 in borosilicate glass translates into a maximum waste loading in the range 15–20 mass%. Glass-ceramics provide the opportunity to target chemically durable crystalline phases, e.g., powellite, oxyapatite, celsian, and pollucite that will incorporate MoO 3 as well as other waste components such as lanthanides, alkalis, and alkaline earths at levels twice the solubility limits of a single-phase glass. In addition a glass-ceramic could provide higher thermal stability, depending upon the properties of the crystalline and amorphous phases. Here, glass-ceramics were synthesized at waste loadings of 42, 45, and 50 mass% with the following glass additives: B 2 O 3 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO , and SiO 2 by slow-cooling from a glass melt. Glass-ceramics were characterized in terms of phase assemblage, morphology, and thermal stability. Only two of the targeted phases, powellite and oxyapatite, were observed, along with lanthanide-borosilicate and cerianite. Results of this initial investigation show promise of glass-ceramics as a potential waste form to replace single-phase borosilicate glass.

Description: The dielectric properties of a new, cubic, pyrochlore-type solid solution B i (1.6−1.08 x ) N d x T i 2 O (6.4−0.11 x ) have been studied across the compositional range 0.35 〈  x  〈 0.86. The dielectric constant (ε) of the ceramics based on the pyrochlore-type solid solution within the experimental compositional range varied from 104 to 76 at 1 MHz, whereas the dielectric losses were well below tan δ = 8 × 10 −3 . The temperature coefficient of the dielectric constant τ k for single-phase pyrochlore samples was found to be in the range between −20 and −40 ppm/K. Below room temperature dielectric relaxation phenomena were observed for all the compositions.

Description: The mechanism of core/shell formation during sintering in B a T i O 3 -based systems was studied in ( M g, Y )-doped B a T i O 3 . The effect of ball milling time on core size and shell thickness was first observed. The core size was similar irrespective of ball milling time whereas the shell thickness increased with increasing ball milling time. The measured powder size after ball milling suggested that the cores were from the larger B a T i O 3 particles and the shells formed via dissolution of smaller particles and precipitation of dissolved material, in contrast with the interpretation of the results of a previous investigation. To identify the core/shell formation mechanism, bi-layer samples with different chemical compositions, 94 B a T i O 3 –2 Y 2 O 3 –2 M g O –2 S i O 2 (mol%) ( BT – YMS ) and 98 B a T i O 3 –2 S i O 2 (mol%) ( BT – S ), and different grain sizes were prepared. The morphology of the newly formed shell layer and the shape of an {111} twin across the interface between a core and a shell confirmed that the formation mechanism of the core/shell structure during sintering is the dissolution and precipitation of material rather than solid-state diffusion of solutes into B a T i O 3 .

Description: B i 2 (( Z n 1/3 N b 2/3 ) 1− x T i x ) 2 O 7 ceramics with 0 ≤  x  ≤ 0.4 were synthesized using solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure is pure zirconolite type for the compositions with 0 ≤  x  ≤ 0.15, single weberite type for the compositions with 0.3 ≤  x  ≤ 0.4, and mixture of zirconolite and weberite for the compositions with 0.15 〈  x  〈 0.3. The weberite ceramics with only B i as the A-site cation are first reported. A possible correlation between the crystal structure transformation and T i content in system of B i 2 (( Z n 1/3 N b 2/3 ) 1− x T i x ) 2 O 7 with 0 ≤  x  ≤ 0.4 was suggested. Dielectric constant (ε), dielectric loss (tan δ) and temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) are ~85, ~0.001, and ~200 ppm/°C for the zirconolite solid solutions, ~140, 0.004, and between −120 and −200 ppm/°C for the weberite solid solutions, respectively, at 1 MHz. Ceramics with a near zero TCC consisting of the zirconolite and weberite phases were obtained. High ε, low tanδ, and low sintering temperatures (~950°C) make the novel ceramic system of B i 2 (( Z n 1/3 N b 2/3 ) 1− x T i x ) 2 O 7 potential dielectrics for applications in low-temperature co-fired ceramic and multiplayer ceramic capacitors.

Description: LaNbO 4 / La 3 NbO 7 and LaNbO 4 / LaNb 3 O 9 cer-cer composites were prepared by impregnating Ca -doped LaNbO 4 powder, synthesized by spray pyrolysis, with La - or Nb -precursor solutions. The sintering of the calcined powders was investigated by dilatometry, and dense composites were prepared by conventional sintering, hot pressing, and spark plasma sintering. The particle size of the starting powders was about 50 nm, and the average grain size of the dense materials ranged from 100 nm and upwards, depending on the sintering temperature, sintering procedure, and the phase composition. The unit cell parameters of LaNbO 4 showed a finite size effect and approached the cell parameters of tetragonal LaNbO 4 with decreasing crystallite size, both for the single-phase material and the composites. The minority phase ( La 3 NbO 7 or LaNb 3 O 9 ) were observed as isolated grains and accumulated at triple points and not along the grain boundaries, pointing to a large dihedral angle between the phases. The calcium-solubility in the minority phases was larger than in LaNbO 4 , which corresponds well with previous reports. The electrical conductivity of the hetero-doped materials was similar to, or lower than, that for Ca -doped LaNbO 4 .

Description: We studied the nucleation and growth of nano-sized crystals on two glass-ceramic systems: a conventional lithium-aluminosilicate (LAS) and a ( M g, Z n) spinel. We combined several techniques: in situ Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and laboratory X-ray diffraction (XRD). We observed by SANS, and confirmed by DSC, that during a temperature ramp, transient phenomena occur between the regions of nucleation and growth in the LAS, which do not follow classic kinetic theories. In contrast, the spinel material shows a smooth transition during the temperature ramp between the nucleation and the growth stages, and follows a more conventional growth pattern. In the spinel system the initial phase separation plays a very important role in determining the crystalline phase distribution in the glassy matrix, as crystallites are confined only in one phase.

Description: A key requirement for the use of bio scaffold is that its degradation rate matches the growth rate of target tissue. Therefore, the degradation of recently developed tailored amorphous multiporous (TAMP) scaffold of 70 SiO 2 ·30 CaO (mol%) in simulated body fluid (SBF) was studied under both static and quasi-dynamic conditions. The degradation was assessed through the dissolution of silica from the glass into SBF, while the in-vitro bioactivity was characterized by precipitation of calcium phosphate ( CaP ) on and inside the scaffold. Under static conditions, the degradation stopped due to the saturation of solution with silica in 3 days, whereas the precipitation of CaP continued. Rapid degradation and better in-vitro bioactivity was found under quasi-dynamic conditions, where the concentration gradient across the sample was maintained. The degradation followed exponential dependence on time with a half-life of 15.4 days and initial degradation rate 4.5% day −1 . The remaining samples maintained their integrity and pore structure during degradation. The degradation occurred in three distinct stages: (a) wetting stage, (b) initial degradation stage when CaP precipitation dominates, and (c) intensive degradation stage when the nanopores rupture and network dissolves. By varying the sintering parameters the nanopore structure, and hence the degradation rate, can be tailored to suit the anticipated tissue regeneration rate. With demonstrated rapid and controllable degradation and good in-vitro bioactivity, the TAMP scaffold shows promise as candidate for bone regeneration application under various conditions in the body.

Description: Major-ion compositions of groundwater are employed in this study of the water-rock interactions and hydrogeochemical evolution within a carbonate aquifer system. The groundwater samples were collected from boreholes or underground tunnels in the Ordovician limestone of Yanzhou Coalfield where catastrophic groundwater inflows can be hazardous to mining and impact use of the groundwater as a water supply. The concentration of TDS ranged from 961 to 3,555 mg/l and indicates moderately to highly mineralized water. The main water-type of the middle Ordovician limestone groundwater is Ca-Mg-SO 4 , with SO 4 2- ranging from 537 mg/l to 2,297 mg/l, and average values of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ of 455.7 mg/l and 116.6 mg/l, respectively. The water samples were supersaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite and undersaturated or saturated with respect to gypsum. Along the general flow direction, deduced from increases of TDS and Cl - , the main water-rock interactions that caused hydrogeochemical evolution of the groundwater within the aquifer were the dissolution of gypsum, the precipitation of calcite, the dissolution or precipitation of dolomite, and ion exchange. Ion exchange is the major cause for the lower mole concentration of Ca 2+ than that of SO 4 2- . The groundwater level of Ordovician aquifer is much higher than that of C-P coal-bearing aquifers, so the potential flow direction is upward and the pyrite in coal is not a possible source of sulfate, additional data on the stable sulfur and oxygen isotopic composition of the sulfate may be helpful to identify its origin. Although ion exchange probably accounts for the higher mole concentration of Na + than that of Cl - , the dissolution of aluminosilicate can not be ruled out. The data evaluation methods and results of this study could be useful in other areas to understand flow paths in aquifers and to provide information needed to identify the origin of groundwater. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Quantitative evaluation of the effect of climate variability and human activities on runoff is of great importance for water resources planning and management in term of maintaining the ecosystem integrity and sustaining the society development. In this paper, hydro-climatic data from 4 catchments (i.e., Luanhe River Catchment, Chaohe River Catchment, Hutuo River Catchment and Zhanghe River Catchment) in the Haihe River Basin from 1957–2000 were used to quantitatively attribute the hydrological response (i.e., runoff) to climate change and human activities separately. To separate the attributes, the temporal trends of annual precipitation, potential evapotranspiration (PET) and runoff during 1957–2000 were first explored by the Man-Kendall test. Despite that only Hutuo River Catchment was dominated by significant negative trend in annual precipitation, all four catchments presented significant negative trend in annual runoff varying from −0.859 mm a -1 (Chaohe River) to −1.996 mm a -1 (Zhanghe River). Change points in 1977 and 1979 are detected by precipitation-runoff double cumulative curves method and Pettitt's test for Zhanghe River and other three rivers, respectively, and are adopted to divide data set into two study periods as the pre-change period and post-change period. Three methods including hydrological model method, hydrological sensitivity analysis method and climate elasticity method were calibrated with the hydro-climatic data during the pre-change period. And then, hydrological runoff response to climate variability and human activities were quantitatively evaluated with the help of the three methods and based on the assumption that climate and human activities are the only drivers for streamflow and are independent to each other. Similar estimates of anthropogenic and climatic effects on runoff for catchments considered can be obtained from the three methods. We found that human activities were the main driving factors for the decline in annual runoff in Luanhe River Catchment, Chaohe River Catchment and Zhanghe River Catchment, accounting for over 50% of runoff reduction. However, Climate variability should be responsible for the decrease in annual runoff in the Hutuo River Catchment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Measurements of river water quality at Haridwar, India, taken during 2005 – 2006 show that the river water does not meet the WHO and Bureau of Indian Standards criteria of drinking water quality, especially with respect to total coliform and fecal-coliform. This study investigates the removal of pathogens at a river bank filtration (RBF) site in Haridwar. Using the quality of river water and the quality of abstracted water from a nearby production well, semi-empirical models based on the concept of filtration coefficient are developed and tested for their effectiveness in removing pathogens under varying bacteriological quality of source water. A two-tier model which includes the effect of clogged layer is developed to obtain an equivalent filtration coefficient. This coefficient is found to be linearly related with natural logarithm of the concentration of pathogens in the source water. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Nonpoint source pollution and hydromodification are the leading causes of impairment to our nation's rivers and streams. Roadside ditch networks, ubiquitous in both rural and urban landscapes, intercept and shunt substantial quantities of overland runoff and shallow groundwater to stream systems. By altering natural flowpaths, road ditches contribute not only to hydromodification but also potentially to nonpoint-source (NPS) pollution by acting as hydrologic links between agricultural fields and natural streams. Unfortunately, the impacts of these alterations on watershed hydrology and water quality are not well understood. Through a series of field measurements, including field surveys and discharge monitoring, this study examined the effect of road ditch networks on basin morphometry, field- and watershed-scale hydrology, and pollutant transport in a 38 km 2 agricultural watershed in south-central NY. Salient findings include: (i) 94% of road ditches discharged directly to natural streams, effectively doubling the drainage density, (ii) on average, road ditches increased peak and total event flows in their receiving streams by 78% and 57%, respectively, but displayed significant variation across ditches, (iii) ditches intercepted large quantities of surface and subsurface runoff from agricultural fields and therefore represent efficient conduits for the transport of agricultural NPS pollutants to sensitive receiving waterbodies. Our results provide useful information for hydrologists who wish to further understand how artificial drainage may be affecting watershed hydrology and for managers and engineers tasked with designing appropriate flood and NPS pollution control measures. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: We coupled the process-based NIES Integrated Catchment-based Eco-hydrology (NICE) model to an urban canopy model (UCM) and the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) in order to simulate the effect of urban geometry and anthropogenic exhaustion on the hydrothermal changes in the atmospheric/land and the interfacial areas of the Japanese megalopolis. The simulation was conducted with multi-scale in horizontally regional–urban–point levels, and in vertically atmosphere–surface–unsaturated–saturated layers. The model reproduced reasonably the observed hydrothermal values by using ground-truth data in various types of natural/artificial land covers. The simulated results also suggested that the latent heat flux in new water-holding pavement (consisting of porous asphalt and water-holding filler made of steel by-products based on silica compound) has a strong impact on hydrologic cycle and cooling temperature in comparison with the observed heat budget by newly incorporating the effect of water amount on the heat conductivity in the pavement. Furthermore, the model predicted the hydrothermal changes under two types of land cover scenarios to promote evaporation and to reduce air temperature against heat island phenomenon. Finally, we evaluated the relationship between the effect of groundwater use to ameliorate the heat island and the effect of infiltration on the water cycle in the catchment. These procedures to integrate the multi-scaled model simulation with political scenario based on the effective management of water resources as heat sink/source would be very powerful approaches to recovering a sound hydrologic cycle and create thermally-pleasing environments in the megalopolis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Soil and vadose zone profiles are used as an archive of changes in groundwater recharge and water quality following changes in land use in an area of the Loess Plateau of China. A typical rain-fed loess-terrace agriculture region in Hequan, Guyuan is taken as an example and multiple tracers (chloride mass balance, stable isotopes, tritium, and water chemistry) are used to examine groundwater recharge mechanisms and to evaluate soil water chloride as an archive for recharge rate and water quality. Results show that groundwater recharge beneath natural uncultivated grassland, used as a baseline, is about 94–100 mm yr -1 and the time it takes for annual precipitation to reach water table through the thick unsaturated zone is from decades to hundreds of years (tritium free). This recharge rate is 2–3 orders of magnitude more than in the other semiarid areas with similar annual rainfall and with deep rooted vegetation and relatively high temperature. Most of the water that eventually becomes recharge originally infiltrated in the summer months. The conversion from native grassland to winter wheat has reduced groundwater recharge by 42–50% (50–55 mm yr -1 for recharge), and from winter wheat to alfalfa resulted in a significant chloride accumulation in the upper soil zone which terminated deep drainage. The paper also evaluates the time lag between potential recharge and actual recharge to aquifer and between increase in solute concentration in soil moisture and that in the aquifer following land-use change due to the deep unsaturated zone. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Shallow upland drains, grips, have been hypothesized as responsible for increased downstream flow magnitudes. Observations provide counterfactual evidence, often relating to the difficulty of inferring conclusions from statistical correlation and paired catchment comparisons; and the complexity of designing field experiments to test grip impacts at the catchment-scale. Drainage should provide drier antecedent moisture conditions, providing more storage at the start of an event; but, grips have higher flow velocities than overland flow so potentially delivering flow more rapidly to the drainage network. We develop and apply a model for assessing the impacts of grips upon flow hydrographs. The model was calibrated on the gripped case; then the gripped case was compared with the intact case by removing all grips. This comparison showed that even given parameter uncertainty, the intact case had significantly higher flood peaks and lower baseflows, mirroring field observations of the hydrological response of intact peat. The simulations suggest that this is because delivery effects may not to translate into catchment-scale impacts for three reasons. First, in our case, the proportions of flow path lengths that were hillslope were not changed significantly by gripping. Second, the structure of the grip network as compared with the structure of the drainage basin mitigated against grip-related increases in the concentration of runoff in the drainage network, although it did marginally reduce the mean timing of that concentration at the catchment outlet. Third, the effect of the latter upon downstream flow magnitudes can only be assessed by reference to the peak timing of other tributary basins, emphasizing that drain effects are both relative and scale dependent. However, given the importance of hillslope flow paths, we show that if upland drainage causes significant changes in surface roughness on hillslopes, then critical and important feedbacks may impact upon the speed of hydrological response. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Natural soil pipes are found in peatlands but little is known about their hydrological role. This paper presents the most complete set of pipe discharge data to date from a deep blanket peatland in northern England. In a 17.4-ha catchment, we identified 24 perennially-flowing and 60 ephemerally-flowing pipe outlets. Eight pipe outlets along with the catchment outlet were continuously gauged over an 18-month period. The pipes in the catchment were estimated to produce around 13.7 % of annual streamflow with individual pipes often producing large peak flows (maximum peak of 3.8 L s -1 ). Almost all pipes, whether ephemeral, perennially-flowing, shallow or deep (outlets 〉 1 m below the peat surface), showed increased discharge within a mean of 3 hours after rainfall commencement and were dominated by stormflow, indicating good connectivity between the peatland surface and the pipes. However, almost all pipes had a longer time period between hydrograph peak and return to baseflow compared to the stream (mean of 23.9 hours for pipes, 19.7 hours for stream). As a result, the proportion of streamflow produced by the pipes at any given time increased at low flows and formed the most important component of stream discharge for the lowest 10 % of flows. Thus, a small number of perennially-flowing pipes became more important to the stream system under low flow conditions and probably received water via matrix flow during periods between storms. Given the importance of pipes to streamflow in blanket peatlands, further research is required into their wider role in influencing stream-water chemistry, water temperature and fluvial carbon fluxes, as well as their role in altering local hydrochemical cycling within the peat mass itself. Enhanced piping within peatlands caused by environmental change may lead to changes in streamflow regime with larger low flows and more prolonged drainage of the peat. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: The hydrology of Quebec (Canada) boreal fens is poorly documented. Many peatlands are located in watersheds with impounded rivers. In such cases, their presence influences reservoir inflows. In recent years, some fens have been subjected to an increase of their wet area, a sign that they may be evolving towards an aquatic ecosystem. This dynamic process is referred to as aqualysis. This paper presents the seasonal and monthly hydrological budgets of a small watershed including a highly aqualysed fen (James Bay region). Monitoring of precipitation ( P ), runoff ( Q ) and groundwater levels ( WL ) was conducted during the ice-free season. Three semi-empirical equations (Thornthwaite, Priestley-Taylor and Penman-Monteith) were used and compared to calculate potential evapotranspiration ( PET ). The first two equations, having fewer parameters, estimate higher PET values than the third equation. The use of pressure level gauges installed in wells, for the calculation of peatland water storage, is inconclusive. Swelling of peat, peat decomposition and plant composition could be responsible for non-negligible amounts of absorbed water, which are not entirely accounted for by well levels. The estimation of peat matrix water storage is potentially the largest source of error and the limiting factor to calculate water balances in this environment. The results show that the groundwater level and the water storage vary depending on the season and especially after a heavy rainfall. Finally, the results illustrate the complexity of water routing through the site and, thus, raise several questions to be resolved in the future. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Traditionally, the nuclear and aerospace industries have been the main drivers behind the development of high-temperature materials. These applications demand a high degree of reliability and extensive characterization of every new material. There is a lack of experimental thermodynamic data above 1500°C even for HfO 2 , ZrO 2 , La 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 , and other constituents of widely used ceramic systems. Such data, as are available, were often obtained half a century ago using custom-built instruments. We review classic experimental approaches for the measurement of formation enthalpies, high-temperature enthalpy increments by the drop method, and also discuss more recent developments which include mass spectrometric measurements of vapor pressures, pulsed laser relaxation methods for heat capacity, and melting temperature determination and high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry in application to refractory compounds. Approaches to the experimental determination of phase diagrams at high temperature are introduced using studies of liquid immiscibility in the Zr(O) –UO 2 system as an example. Thermal analysis above 2000°C is now possible with commercially available instruments, as shown by the first experimental measurements of the phase transition and fusion enthalpies of La 2 O 3 . New results on a premelting phase transition in Y 2 O 3 in oxygen are reported from in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction study on levitated samples.

Description: Nano-hafnium diboride powder was synthesized by boro/carborthermal reduction process of HfO 2 using a spark plasma sintering (SPS) apparatus. The agglomerated product was found to be 1–2 μm in size, which was composed with small primary particles of 100–200 nm in size. The particle size of HfO 2 played an important role to produce the nano-boride powder. In addition, the grain growth of HfB 2 could be effectively suppressed by using SPS due to the fast heating rate. The synthesized powder had a low oxygen content (~0.66 wt%). Excessive B 4 C and C were necessary during the boro/carborthermal reduction in HfO 2 process because of the volatilization of boron as a form of B 2 O 3 and the reduction in residual HfO 2 .

Description: 0.65 Pb ( Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 ) O 3 –0.35 PbTiO 3 powder was prepared by a single-step, solid-state synthesis at 850°C. This was enabled by the controlled agglomeration of precursor particles by the change of pH in water suspensions. With the design of the contacts between the particles in the agglomerates, a phase-pure perovskite powder was synthesized from a suspension with a pH = 12.5. At the inherent pH = 11.4, the agglomerates that promote the pyrochlore formation were formed, resulting in a mixture of perovskite and pyrochlore phases after the calcination. The ceramics prepared from the suspension with pH = 12.5 were sintered to 96% of theoretical density at only 950°C, and exhibited electrical properties comparable to ceramics prepared by the columbite method, sintered at much higher temperatures. In contrast, the properties of the ceramics from the pH = 11.4 suspension were heavily deteriorated due to the presence of the pyrochlore phase and the high degree of porosity.

Description: The properties that determine the thermal shock resistance in materials are reported for porous cordierite, a leading candidate material for the fabrication of diesel particulate filters. Fracture toughness and slow crack growth tests were performed on test specimens obtained from the walls of diesel particulate filter monolithic substrates using the double-torsion test method at temperatures between 20°C and 900°C. The thermal expansion and elastic properties were characterized between 20°C and 1000°C. The role of the microstructure of porous cordierite in determining its unusual thermal expansion and elevated temperature Young's modulus and fracture toughness are discussed.

Description: Reaction-bonded silicon carbide ceramics fabricated from tape casting and Si infiltration have been reported in previous studies. To reduce the residual Si content in the sintered bodies, impregnation of phenol–formaldehyde resin (PF) into the porous green preforms before Si infiltration was proposed and studied in this work. The impregnation of PF solution not only helped to reduce the porosity and increase the carbon content of the green preforms, but also improved their strength. As a result, the flexural strength of the RBSC increased a lot and reached 856 ± 161MPa, whereas the residual Si content was reduced to 10 vol%.

Description: A T300 carbon fiber and a SiC -coated C/SiC composite made from the same fiber were studied in atomic oxygen environment. The carbon fiber shows significant degradation while the erosion rate of SiC -coating of C/SiC is about 50 times lower. Evidence shows that Si is preferentially etched from the SiC surface. And XPS information showed that amorphous carbon and diamond-like carbonare periodically generated on the tested composite surface. Statistical analysis shows that the C/SiC specimens have no significant change in flexural properties after 1-year fluence AO treatment.

Description: Chitosan/Boron nitride ( BN ) composites were prepared by solution method using CuSO 4 /glycine chelate complex as the catalysis with variable percentage of boron nitride loading. The dispersion of BN with the chitosan polymer was achieved with sonication at power of 120 W and frequency of 80 kHz. The chemical interactions of chitosan and BN were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The structure of chitosan and BN composites were investigated by XRD and TEM. It was observed that the BN were dispersed with chitosan matrix through intercalation. The quantitative identification of composites was investigated by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and Selected Area Electron Diffraction. Thermal stabilities of chitosan/ BN composites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that, the thermal stability of the chitosan/ BN composites was increased compare with virgin chitosan. The oxygen barrier properties of chitosan/ BN composites were measured using gas permeameter. A substantial reduction in oxygen permeability was observed increasing boron nitride concentrations by which the synthesized composite materials may applicable in packaging industry.

Description: Two different commercial refractory castables based on mullite or magnesia aggregates have been improved through addition of 0–25 wt.% nano-magnesium aluminate spinel (MA) powder. Physico-mechanical and refractory properties were tested at different firing temperatures. The phase composition, thermal analysis, and microstructure of these refractory castables were detected using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), as well as scanning electron microscope (SEM) attached with energy dispersive X-ray unit, respectively. The castable sample mix containing 10 wt.% nano-MA spinel powder was chosen as an optimum composition according to its good sintering, mechanical as well as refractory properties.

Description: Using three different sintering methods: spark plasma sintering, two-step sintering, and normal sintering ( Ba 0.85 Ca 0.15 )( Zr 0.1 Ti 0.9 ) O 3 ( BCZT ) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics with grain sizes in the range of 0.4–32.2 μm were prepared. The effects of grain size on the electrical properties and temperature stability of BCZT ceramics were systematically investigated. Results showed that reducing grain size shifted both the T c and T T-R to higher temperatures, and tended to enhance the relaxor behavior. A strong dependence of piezoelectric properties on the grain size was observed, and ~10 μm was a critical point for fabricating high-performance BCZT ceramics. For samples with grain sizes 〉10 μm, excellent piezoelectric properties of k p  〉 0.48, k t  〉 0.46, d 33  〉 470 pC/N and d 33 * 〉 950 pm/V were obtained. Moreover, no evident relationship between the grain size and temperature stability existed in this material, and all samples exhibited thermal instability below the Curie temperature. However, increasing grain size was helpful for improving the resistance to thermal depoling. The depolarization was assisted by internal mechanical stresses and the movement of 180° and 90° domain walls, which explained the increased resistance to thermal depoling in coarse-grained samples.

Description: ( Ca , Dy ) co-stabilized α-Sialon with elongated grains was prepared from SiO 2 – AlN – CaF 2 – Dy 2 O 3 powders by carbothermal reduction-nitridation (CRN) at 1700°C. Detailed investigations on the formation process of ( Ca , Dy )-α-Sialon elongated grains performed under various firing conditions revealed that the big quartz particles were initially reduced and decomposed gradually by carbon, and a large number of ball-shaped particles consisting of amorphous ( Si , Al , Ca , Dy ) x ( O , N ) y were formed. With increasing temperature, nitrogen continuously diffused into the liquid to form nitrogen-rich solid balls. Further increasing the temperature to 1700°C and held for 2 h, hollow α-Sialon spheres with nanometric particles were obtained from nitrogen-rich solid balls. Subsequently, the framework structure of hollow spheres was destroyed at 1700°C for 3 h, and ( Ca , Dy )-α-Sialon grains grew up continuously by consuming nanometric particles in the rough interface via Ostwald ripening and growth stages moving on the smooth interface. Finally, ( Ca , Dy )-α-Sialon developed well-defined crystalline elongated grains because the growth rate of rough surfaces is more rapid than that of smooth surfaces.

Description: A new temperature stable, low-loss, low sintering temperature microwave dielectric material Mg 0.5 Zn 0.5 TiNb 2 O 8 was investigated for the first time. Single phase Mg 0.5 Zn 0.5 TiNb 2 O 8 was obtained, and it showed Columbite structure which was tri-ixiolite structure. The variation trend of dielectric constant was in accordance with variation trend of relative density. When the sintering temperature was lower than 1120°C, the Qf value increased with the increasing of relative density. When the sintering temperature was higher than 1120°C, the Qf value decreased with the increasing of the unit cell volume. With the decrease of bond strength, the τ f increased. The typical values of ε = 30.74, Qf  = 66 900 GHz, τ f  = −4.01 × 10 −6 /°C were obtained for Mg 0.5 Zn 0.5 TiNb 2 O 8 sintered at 1120°C for 6 h.

Description: Oxide ion transport in Pb ( Zr x Ti 1– x ) O 3 ( PZT ) was investigated using 18 O tracer diffusion and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis. Particularly diffusion in the near-surface regions (a few 100 nm in depth) is discussed and strong evidence for a space charge layer near the surface is provided. In this layer, an enrichment of oxygen vacancies is found at temperatures up to 600°C, resulting in box-shaped tracer diffusion profiles. At 650°C, however, the profile shape is modified and reveals a depletion of oxygen vacancies close to the surface. Accordingly, a change in the polarity of the surface charge takes place between 600°C and 650°C. The tracer diffusion profiles are very sensitive to surface modification, caused by etching or annealing at higher temperature, and also depend on the sintering procedure. Moreover, application of an external field during the tracer experiments affected the tracer diffusion at the cathode, while leaving the profile at the anode unperturbed. Quantitative analysis of the profiles was performed by means of numerical calculations based on Gouy-Chapman or Mott-Schottky space charge models. Estimates of the oxygen vacancy concentration and ionic transference number of donor-doped PZT are provided.

Description: Nanocrystalline tetragonal ZrO 2 polycrystals ( TZP ) have been fabricated by the pressureless sintering of recently developed tetragonal ZrO 2 powder containing 5.69 mol% YO 1.5 and 0.60 mol% AlO 1.5 . The average grain sizes were 160 nm in the TZP sintered at 1150°C for 10 h and 150 nm in the 0.25 mol% GeO 2 -doped TZP sintered at 1100°C for 100 h. The TZP and Ge 4+ -doped TZP-sintered bodies were essentially single-phase materials, and neither the amorphous layer nor the second-phase particle was observed along the grain boundary faces. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and nanoprobe energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) measurements revealed that the Y 3+ , Al 3+ and Ge 4+ cations tend to segregate in the vicinity of the grain boundaries in the TZP -sintered bodies. The TZP and Ge 4+ -doped TZP exhibited an elongation to failure of more than 100% in the temperature range of 1150°C–1300°C and initial strain rate range of 1.4 × 10 −5  s −1 to 1.0 × 10 −2  s −1 . For instance, an elongation to failure in the Ge -doped TZP reached about 200% at 1150°C and 1.4 × 10 −5  s −1 . The nanocrystallization reduced the lower limit of the superplastic temperature of conventional, submicron-grain TZP materials by 150°C. The improved ductility of the TZP at low temperatures was essentially attributed to the reduced grain size.

Description: This paper presents the results of preparing and investigating the solid solution of lead barium zirconate titanate stannate (Pb 1− x Ba x )[(Zr 1− y Ti y ) 1− z Sn z ]O 3 with x  =   0.25, y  =   0.35 and z  =   0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.10. Ceramic samples were obtained from oxides and carbonates using conventional ceramic technology and pressureless sintering. The results of Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) investigations, XRD studies, as well as dielectric measurements and electromechanical investigations are presented. It was stated that at the room temperature, the structure of the investigated samples is pseudo-cubic, typical for relaxors. Maximal value of elementary cell parameter is observed for z  =   0.02, and for higher values of z, we observe almost linear decrease with increasing z . It was found that with increasing content of the Sn, the temperature T m at which dielectric permittivity reaches its maximum decreases. Analyzing P-E hysteresis loops it was stated that the phase transition in the investigated samples takes place at temperatures approximately 100°C lower than the temperature of the dielectric permittivity maximum. The temperature of phase transition was calculated also from hysteresis loops and compared with that obtained from measurements of dielectric permittivity.

Description: Potential climate change effects on aspects of conjunctive management of water resources can be evaluated by linking climate models with fully integrated groundwater–surface water models. The objective of this study is to develop a modeling system that links global climate models with regional hydrologic models, using the California Central Valley as a case study. The new method is a supply and demand modeling framework that can be used to simulate and analyze potential climate change and conjunctive use. Supply-constrained and demand-driven linkages in the water system in the Central Valley are represented with the linked climate models, precipitation-runoff models, agricultural and native vegetation water use, and hydrologic flow models to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. Simulated precipitation and temperature were used from the GFDL-A2 climate change scenario through the 21st century to drive a regional water balance mountain hydrologic watershed model (MHWM) for the surrounding watersheds in combination with a regional integrated hydrologic model of the Central Valley (CVHM). Application of this method demonstrates the potential transition from predominantly surface water to groundwater supply for agriculture with secondary effects that may limit this transition of conjunctive use. The particular scenario considered includes intermittent climatic droughts in the first half of the 21st century followed by severe persistent droughts in the second half of the 21st century. These climatic droughts do not yield a valley-wide operational drought but do cause reduced surface water deliveries and increased groundwater abstractions that may cause additional land subsidence, reduced water for riparian habitat, or changes in flows at the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. The method developed here can be used to explore conjunctive use adaptation options and hydrologic risk assessments in regional hydrologic systems throughout the world.

Description: In this work atmospheric plasma spraying of SiC and Si 3 N 4 was investigated. Plasma spraying of these ceramics raises several problems since they would tend to decompose instead of melting at elevated temperatures during the process. To circumvent this problem the nonoxide ceramics were deposited as a composite powder mixed with nonoxide ceramic particles resulting in a ceramic/ceramic composite structure. Our findings were that using such a composite feedstock powder both oxidation and decomposition of the nonoxide particles could be avoided. A vitrified phase was also developed in the coating.

Description: A facile synthetic strategy was implemented to obtain nanosized barium titanate ( BaTiO 3 ) powders with tetragonal structure. The nanoparticles were synthesized using solvothermal process employing diethanolamine and triethanolamine to suppress the particle growth and the as-prepared nanopowders were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution dispersive Raman spectroscopy. It was found that the particle size can be easily tuned by adjusting the experimental parameters while retaining the tetragonality. The average diameters of the particles prepared with and without the organic amines were found to be 80 and 100 nm, respectively. All the synthesized BaTiO 3 nanopowders exhibit a narrow size distribution with a uniform morphology. Rietveld refinement of the XRD patterns and Raman spectra revealed that the synthesized BaTiO 3 nanopowders have tetragonal asymmetry dominant structures. A slight decrease in the tetragonality of the prepared powders with decrease in particle size is attributed to the presence of cubic shell layer and inner defects. The tetragonal-dominant structure was also confirmed by normalizing the peak area of the Raman spectra.

Description: To improve the microwave dielectric properties, CuO was doped into composite ceramics BaTi 4 O 9 – BaZn 2 Ti 4 O 11 by the solid-state reaction. CuO worked as flux former and caused the liquid-phase sintering mechanism, which effectively improved the densification process and lowered the sintering temperature by nearly 100°C. Moreover, Cu 2+ substituted for Zn 2+ sites in BaZn 2 Ti 4 O 11 phase, which led to the increase of BaZn 2 Ti 4 O 11 phase and the reduction of lattice parameters of BaZn 2 Ti 4 O 11 phase, and both these two results had the positive effect on the dielectric properties, especially the Q  ×  f value. As increasing CuO content from 0.0 to 3.0 wt%, the dielectric constant ( ε r ) increased from 35.5 to 36.5, the Q  ×  f value increased first from 49 100 GHz to the peak value 62 600 GHz (1.0 wt% CuO ) and thereafter decreased to 31 900 GHz, and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ( τ f ) kept in a low value as 〈2.0 wt% CuO was added. At last, 0.85 BaTi 4 O 9 –0.15 BaZn 2 Ti 4 O 11 ceramics with 1.0 wt% CuO sintered at 1150°C for 3 h showed excellent microwave dielectric properties: the high ε r  = 36.4, the high Q  ×  f = 62 600 GHz and the near-zero τ f  = +0.2 ppm/°C.

Description: A piezoelectric system of (1− x ) Bi ( Ni 1/2 Ti 1/2 ) O 3 – x ( Pb (1− y ) Sr y TiO 3 ) ( BNT–PST ) is developed to have good high temperature piezoelectric properties with much improved resistivity. The crystal structure shows that the phase transformation from tetragonal phase to rhombohedral one is gradually shifted to the composition with high content of PT by the substitution of strontium. The problem of leakage current for the Bi ( Ni , Ti ) O 3 – PbTiO 3 can be well resolved by introducing the dopant of strontium. Both dielectric loss and DC resistivity can be much reduced not only at room temperature but also high temperature. An optimum composition of 0.53 Bi ( Ni 1/2 Ti 1/2 ) O 3 –0.47( Pb 0.95 Sr 0.05 ) TiO 3 is obtained to have a good potential application of high temperature piezoelectric ( d 33  = 205 pC/N, E C  = 3.32 kV/mm, P r  = 41.2 μC/cm 2 ). Strontium could be a useful dopant for the studies on the high temperature piezoelectric ceramics in future.

Description: An efficient approach is developed to analytically evaluate solute transport in a horizontal, divergent radial flow field with a multistep injection flow rate and an arbitrary input concentration history. By assuming a piecewise steady state flow and transforming the time domain to the cumulative injected flow domain, the concentration distribution is found to be completely determined by the total volume of injected flow and independent of specific flow rates. Thus, on the cumulative flow domain, the transport problem with a temporally varying velocity field can be transformed into a steady state flow problem. Linear convolution can then be applied on the cumulative injected flow domain to evaluate the solution for an arbitrarily time-dependent input concentration. Solutions on the regular time domain can be conveniently obtained by mapping the solution on the cumulative injected flow domain to the time domain. Furthermore, we theoretically examine the conditions for the assumption of piecewise steady state flow to be valid. On the basis of the critical time scale of the “pseudosteady state condition,” defined as when velocity changes accomplish 99% of their steady state differences, and the relative error in the mean travel time of plume front, we obtain conditions for neglecting the transitional period between two pumping steps. Such conditions include the following: (1) the duration of a pumping step, tp, must be longer than the critical time scale, tc, i.e., tp ≥ tc = 25r2S/T, where r is the radial distance, S is the storage coefficient, and T is the transmissivity, or similarly, a maximum problem domain needs to be defined for a given pumping strategy. (2) the maximum well pumping rate, qmax, should satisfy qmax ≤ πθT/25S, where θ is the effective porosity. When both conditions are satisfied, transitional periods may be neglected.

Description: Meander bends in alluvial rivers morphologically evolve toward meander cutoff with narrowing intra-meander necks, and this should steepen hydraulic gradients and intensify intra-meander hyporheic flux. This research used dye tracking and head loss measurements in a 1:500 planimetrically scaled laboratory river table to quantify the spatial and temporal intensification of intra-meander flux rates at two evolution ages. The younger meander bend, M1, had a sinuosity of 2.3, a river neck width of 0.39 cm, and 0.6% river slope, and the older meander bend, M3, had a sinuosity of 5.2, a river neck width of 0.12 cm, and 0.5% river slope. Flux into and out of the meander bend was estimated along the normalized curvilinear distance s *, with the meander neck at s * = 0.1 and s * = 0.9, the meander centroid at s * = 0.37 and s * = 0.63, and the apex at s * = 0.5. Between the meander centroid and neck we documented a 60% spatial intensification for M1 and a 90% spatial intensification for M3. Between M1 and M3 we documented a 135% temporal intensification at the neck and a 100% intensification at the centroid. Our empirical spatial and temporal intensification rates involving the M1 and the M3 scenario were 1 to 3 times lower than theoretical rates derived from a river evolution model with equivalent M1 and M3 planimetry. Over estimation by the theoretical model was attributed to exaggerated head loss caused by the model neglecting groundwater contributions to river stage. Hyporheic exchange provides critical ecosystem services and its spatial and temporal variation with meander evolution should be considered in river management. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Watershed models which combine hydrology and water quality are being widely utilized in integrated watershed management for the determination of best water management practices. In this study, the hydrology of the Lower Porsuk Stream Watershed in Turkey has been modeled with SWAT to determine optimal water management strategies. The calibration and validation process have been accomplished using data from two monitoring stations. The model has been run for the 1978–2009 period and while the 1998–2004 period has been used for calibration, the validation has spanned the whole period. The SWATCup calibration and uncertainity program has been utilized for this purpose. No significant differences have been detected among different iteration numbers in the calibration period. The monthly Nash-Sutcliffe and R 2 performance indicatiors for the upstream Esenkara station have been 0.74 and 0.88, respectively for the calibration period, and 0.87 and 0.87, respectively for the validation period. The Kıranharmanı station which is located close to the watershed outlet has shown values of 0.59 and 0.72, respectively for the calibration period, and 0.44 and 0.56, respectively for the validation period. There are uncertanities in the abstracted irrigation and groundwater quantities which have reflected in the results in the Kıranharmanı station which is more affected as it lies downstream of the irrigation areas. The effects of different irrigation practices on the flow regime have been also investigated. A scenario has been implemented in which drip irrigation wholly replaces conventional furrow and sprinkler irrigation. The scenario has shown increases in stream flows by 87 % for the whole year. The adoption of more efficient irrigation practices thus results in reducing the water stress induced by irrigation demands. With this study a modeling framework has been founded to aid water management applications in the Lower Porsuk Stream Watershed by generating scenarios for best management practices. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: The results of an experimental investigation on epoxy-joined silicon carbide tested in shear mode by four different configurations of torsion test are presented and compared to results obtained by asymmetric four-point bending and four different lap tests in compression. All samples have been joined by an epoxy adhesive (Araldite AV119) which is to be considered as a model brittle joining material chosen to obtain several joined samples in a reasonable time. Advantages and disadvantages of each configuration are discussed and compared to results previously obtained with epoxy-joined Carbon/Carbon composites and ceramics tested with the same methods.

Description: The detection of bridging tetrahedra, or Q 2 (L), in the silica chains constituting C – S – H gels is controversial. While some authors maintain that 29 Si MAS - NMR can be used to distinguish between Q 1 and Q 2 units but not between the silicon environments associated with Q 2 (intermediate position) and Q 2 (L) (intermediate and bridging position) units, others claim the contrary. The present article addresses this issue with a report on 29 Si MAS - NMR studies of a number of calcium silicate hydrate gels. The findings showed that nuclear magnetic resonance can differentiate between Q 2 and Q 2 (L) units in highly polymerized C – S – H gels with mean chain lengths (MCL) of over 12 and Ca / Si ratios of 〈1. At higher Ca / Si ratios, however, the MCL declined, with the concomitant rise in Q 1 units. Under these conditions, in which it was practically impossible to distinguish between Q 2 and Q 2 (L), the presence of a single signal for all Q 2 units was assumed.

Description: Many observations and studies have shown that water resources amount in the Hai River Basin decreased significantly over the last half of the twentieth century. This study attempts to attribute the observed changes in the water resources amount in the basin over a 40 year period (1961–2000) to different factors, including natural climate variability, climate change induced by anthropogenic forcing of greenhouse gas emissions (referred to as anthropogenic forcing hereafter), and local human activity. First, the temporal variation of the annual water resources amount in the basin during the past 40 years is analyzed by employing the moving-average method, the linear regression method, and the Mann-Kendall method. Second, through setting different scenarios, the effects on the water resources amount due to different factors, including natural climate variability, anthropogenic forcing, and local human activity, are obtained using the parallel climate model, the distributed hydrological model water and energy transfer processes in large river basins, and the statistical downscaling model. Third, the fingerprint-based attribution method is used to obtain the signal strengths of observed changes in water resources amount during 1961–2000 and changes in the water resources amount under different scenarios. Finally, by comparing the signal strengths, the observed changes in water resources amount in the basin can be attributed to different factors. The results indicate that natural climate variability and local human activity may be two factors responsible for the observed changes in the water resources amount during the past 40 years in the basin, with local human activity being the main factor and accounting for about 60% of the changes.

Description: Yttria partially stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings are widely used for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) to increase operating temperature of gas turbines. In the wavelength range where most of the radiation by walls and combustion gas is emitted within the gas turbine YSZ is semitransparent leading to increasing radiation heat flows into the components at increasing service temperatures. The objective of this work is to optimize the diffuse reflectance of plasma-sprayed TBCs by improving the coating microstructure such that the reflectance of radiation is increased. As a result, a more efficient thermal screening of the underlying metallic substrate is achieved. In this work, air plasma-sprayed and suspension plasma-sprayed (SPS) coatings of 7% YSZ using powder of different grain size distributions and different spray parameters were deposited. The reflectance and transmittance has been investigated in the wavelength range from 0.3 to 2.5 μm. The SPS-coatings showed the highest reflectance up to 94% at 1.5 μm wavelength. In addition, the scattering and absorption coefficients of the sprayed TBCs calculated with the Kubelka–Munk two flux model showed strong correlation with the measured porosity. By improving the microstructure, we were able to reduce thermal conductivity while increasing scattering of radiation, resulting in lower heat flow and lower temperature at the metallic substrate. These results are strengthened by numerical calculations.

Description: Flood events can induce temporal changes in streambed elevation and particle-size composition, which may influence the bed's hydraulic properties and stream-aquifer fluxes during and after an event. This study combines a set of previously developed modeling approaches to create a synthetic flood event during which bed sediment is entrained and deposited as a function of hydraulic conditions and particle size. One simulated river reach in a state of approximate dynamic equilibrium is chosen to investigate the impacts of size-selective sediment transport on stream-aquifer interaction. Along this reach, the preferential entrainment of fine sediment during the flood's rising limb leads to overall bed coarsening, and increases in vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kbv) and downward fluxes of floodwater into the streambed. Progressively finer sediment layers are deposited during the event's falling limb, causing the redevelopment of a colmation (clogging) layer on the bed surface and a decline in overall Kbv by the event's conclusion. This reduction in Kbv leads to prolonged retention of event water in the streambed (after the reach reverts from losing to gaining river conditions) when compared with what is expected if pre-event Kbv values are used to estimate river-aquifer exchanges. This process of sequential bed coarsening and fining during a flood event provides a mechanistic explanation for the event size-and-duration threshold, inferred in some systems, that must be exceeded for significant amounts of flood recharge to occur. The major consequences of these processes—enhanced infiltration and prolonged floodwater retention—have potentially major implications for groundwater-surface water interactions, water quality, contaminant transport, and riparian biogeochemistry.

Description: Nonstationary oscillation (NSO) processes are observed in a number of hydroclimatic data series. Stochastic simulation models are useful to study the impacts of the climatic variations induced by NSO processes into hydroclimatic regimes. Reproducing NSO processes in a stochastic time series model is, however, a difficult task because of the complexity of the nonstationary behaviors. In the current study, a novel stochastic simulation technique that reproduces the NSO processes embedded in hydroclimatic data series is presented. The proposed model reproduces NSO processes by utilizing empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and nonparametric simulation techniques (i.e., k-nearest-neighbor resampling and block bootstrapping). The model was first tested with synthetic data sets from trigonometric functions and the Rössler system. The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index was then examined as a real case study. This NAO index was then employed as an exogenous variable for the stochastic simulation of streamflows at the Romaine River in the province of Quebec, Canada. The results of the application to the synthetic data sets and the real-world case studies indicate that the proposed model preserves well the NSO processes along with the key statistical characteristics of the observations. It was concluded that the proposed model possesses a reasonable simulation capacity and a high potential as a stochastic model, especially for hydroclimatic data sets that embed NSO processes.

Description: Vegetation zonation and tidal hydrology are basic attributes of intertidal salt marshes, but specific links among vegetation zonation, plant water use, and spatiotemporally dynamic hydrology have eluded thorough characterization. We developed a quantitative model of an intensively studied salt marsh field site, integrating coupled 2-D surface water and 3-D groundwater flow and zonal plant water use. Comparison of model scenarios with and without heterogeneity in (1) evapotranspiration rates and rooting depths, according to mapped vegetation zonation, and (2) sediment hydraulic properties from inferred geological heterogeneity revealed the coupled importance of both sources of ecohydrological variability at the site. Complex spatial variations in root zone pressure heads, saturations, and vertical groundwater velocities emerged in the model but only when both sources of ecohydrological variability were represented together and with tidal dynamics. These regions of distinctive root zone hydraulic conditions, caused by the intersection of vegetation and sediment spatial patterns, were termed “ecohydrological zones” (EHZ). Five EHZ emerged from different combinations of sediment hydraulic properties and evapotranspiration rates, and two EHZ emerged from local topography. Simulated pressure heads and groundwater dynamics among the EHZ were validated with field data. The model and data showed that hydraulic differences between EHZ were masked shortly after a flooding tide but again became prominent during prolonged marsh exposure. We suggest that ecohydrological zones, which reflect the combined influences of topographic, sediment, and vegetation heterogeneity and do not emphasize one influence over the others, are the fundamental spatial habitat units comprising the salt marsh ecosystem.

Description: The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of the strontium zinc silicate (SZS) glasses, having composition 51 SrO -9 ZnO -40 SiO 2 (wt%), was studied using the differential thermal analysis (DTA). Glasses prepared by quenching the melt in air, were subjected to different heat treatments for studying the crystallization behavior. Formation of crystalline phases and microstructure were studied by using powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The activation energy and mechanism of crystallization were determined according to Kissinger, Ozawa and Matusita-Sakka equations. The DTA exotherm observed at around 920°C consists of two overlapping crystallization peaks corresponding to two different crystalline phases. Strontium silicate ( Sr 3 Si 3 O 9 ) and SZS ( Sr 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 ) phases crystallize almost simultaneously as major phases. The activation energies for the these crystallization peaks are 700 kJ/mol and 704 kJ/mol. Higher activation energies indicate that the kinetics are more thermally activated making the control of crystallization more difficult. The values of growth morphology parameters n (Avarami parameter) and m (dimensionality of crystal growth) suggest a diffusion controlled bulk crystallization with three- and two-dimensional growth. This is also confirmed by an interconnected growth of stubby granular/prismatic shaped crystals in the glass-ceramic. The microstructural evolution of the glass upon heating suggests the occurrence of phase separation with an apparently spinodal decomposition mechanism prior to the crystallization.

Description: A facile starch-assisted sol–gel method combined with freeze-drying technique has been developed to synthesize K -doped Li 2 ZrO 3 sorbents. SEM, TEM, and XRD techniques have been applied to characterize the morphology and structure of the synthesized K -doped Li 2 ZrO 3 samples. The CO 2 capture-regeneration properties of the prepared K -doped Li 2 ZrO 3 sample were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis at different CO 2 partial pressures. The K -doped Li 2 ZrO 3 synthesized using the starch-assisted sol–gel method combined with the freeze-drying technique shows excellent CO 2 capture properties. At 823 K and a CO 2 partial pressure of 0.25 bar, the uptake of CO 2 reaches 22 wt% within 20 min, which is approximately 87% of the stoichiometric sorption capacity (25.3 wt%) of CO 2 in the K -doped Li 2 ZrO 3 with a K : Li : Zr composition of 0.2:1.6:1 in molar ratio. Furthermore, the sorbent shows a good stability, confirmed using capture-regeneration cycles.

Description: In recent decades, copula functions have been applied in bivariate drought duration and severity frequency analysis. Among a number of potential copulas, Clayton has been mostly employed in drought analysis. In this research, we study the influence of the tail shape of various copula functions (i.e. Gumbel, Frank, Clayton, and Gaussian) on drought bivariate frequency analysis. The appropriateness of Clayton copula for the characterization of drought characteristics is also investigated. Drought data are extracted from standardized precipitation index (SPI) time series for four stations in Canada (La Tuque and Grande Prairie) and Iran (Anzali and Zahedan). Both duration and severity datasets are positively skewed. Different marginal distributions were first fitted to drought duration and severity data. The gamma and exponential distributions were respectively selected for drought duration and severity according to the positive skewness and Kolmogorov- Smirnov test. The results of copula modeling show that the Clayton copula function is not an appropriate choice for the employed datasets in the current study, and does not give more drought risk information than an independent model for which the duration and severity dependence is not significant. The reason is that the dependence of two variables in the upper tail of Clayton copula is very weak and similar to the independent case, while the observed data in the transformed domain of cumulative density function shows high association in the upper tail. Instead, the Frank and Gumbel copula functions show better performance than Clayton function for drought bivariate frequency analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: Soil hydraulic parameters were upscaled from a 30 m resolution to a 1 km resolution using a new aggregation scheme (described in the companion paper) where the scale parameter was based on the topography. When soil hydraulic parameter aggregation or upscaling schemes ignore the effect of topography, their application becomes limited at hillslope scales and beyond, where topography plays a dominant role in soil deposition and formation. Hence the new upscaling algorithm was tested at the hillslope scale (1 km) across two locations: (1) the Little Washita watershed in Oklahoma, and (2) the Walnut Creek watershed in Iowa. The watersheds were divided into pixels of 1 km resolution and the effective soil hydraulic parameters obtained for each pixel. Each pixel/domain was then simulated using the physically based HYDRUS-3-D modeling platform. In order to account for the surface (runoff/on) and subsurface fluxes between pixels, an algorithm to route infiltration-excess runoff onto downstream pixels at daily time steps and to update the soil moisture states of the downstream pixels was applied. Simulated soil moisture states were compared across scales, and the coarse scale values compared against the airborne soil moisture data products obtained during the hydrology experiment field campaign periods (SGP97 and SMEX02) for selected pixels with different topographic complexities, soil distributions, and land cover. Results from these comparisons show good correlations between simulated and observed soil moisture states across time, topographic variations, location, elevation, and land cover. Stream discharge comparisons made at two gauging stations in the Little Washita watershed also provide reasonably good results as to the suitability of the upscaling algorithm used. Based only on the topography of the domain, the new upscaling algorithm was able to provide coarse resolution values for soil hydraulic parameters which effectively captured the variations in soil moisture across the watershed domains.

Description: Hydropower accounts for about 20% of the worldwide electrical power production. In mountainous regions this ratio is significantly higher. In this study we present how future projected climatic forcing, as described in regional climate models (RCMs), will affect water resources and subsequently hydropower production in downstream hydropower plants in a glacierized alpine valley (Vispa valley, Switzerland, 778 km2). In order to estimate future runoff generation and hydropower production, we used error-corrected and downscaled climate scenarios from regional climate models (RCMs) as well as glacier retreat projections from a dynamic glacier model and coupled them to a physically based hydrological model. Furthermore, we implemented all relevant hydropower operational rules in the hydrological model to estimate future hydropower production based on the runoff projections. The uncertainty of each modeling component (climate projections, glacier retreat, and hydrological projection) and the resulting propagation of uncertainty to the projected future water availability for energy production were assessed using an analysis of variance. While the uncertainty of the projections is considerable, the consistent trends observed in all projections indicate significant changes to the current situation. The model results indicate that future melt- and rainfall-runoff will increase during spring but decline during summer. The study concludes by outlining the most relevant expected changes for hydropower operations.

Description: Fully dense nanocrystalline MgO -based ceramics were consolidated by field and pressure assisted sintering (also known as Spark Plasma Sintering) using anhydrous nanosized powders (~5 nm) prepared by laser ablation and handled in a controlled, water-free environment prior to sintering. The high reactivity of the powders promoted excellent sinterability at relatively low temperatures. Highly transparent specimens were produced by sintering at 0.23–0.28 T m (650°C–800°C) for 15–30 min with good control over the final nanometric grain size. To preserve the nanocrystalline nature of the samples, the high temperature exposure time during sintering was reduced by the application of 300 MPa uniaxial pressure; higher pressure or two-step procedures did not provide extra benefits to densification or microstructural control.

Description: Two innovative glass compositions based on the commonly used 45S5 Bioglass ® were developed by increasing the calcium quantity and replacing the sodium oxide with a specific content of potassium oxide. The new glasses, named BG_ Ca / K and BG _ Ca /Mix, can be prepared using a conventional melting process and show a very low tendency to crystallize. Thanks to this peculiarity, BG_ Ca / K and BG_ Ca /Mix powders can be sintered at a relatively low temperature (800°C) to obtain samples of high compactness and bioactivity, since their amorphous nature is preserved. Consequently, the proposed glasses are perfect for making specific products such as scaffolds or hydroxyapatite-based composites. Furthermore, the relatively low alkali amount in the new compositions gives rise to a slow ion leaching in simulated body fluid, thus avoiding abrupt changes in pH that can damage osteoblasts or negatively affect their behavior.

Description: The effect of spatial concentration fluctuations on the reaction of two solutes, A + B ⇀ C, is considered. In the absence of fluctuations, the concentration of solutes decays as Adet = Bdet ∼ t−1. Contrary to this, experimental and numerical studies suggest that concentrations decay significantly slower. Existing theory suggests a t−d/4 scaling in the asymptotic regime (d is the dimensionality of the problem). Here we study the effect of fluctuations using the classical diffusion-reaction equation with random initial conditions. Initial concentrations of the reactants are treated as correlated random fields. We use the method of moment equations to solve the resulting stochastic diffusion-reaction equation and obtain a solution for the average concentrations that deviates from ∼t−1 to ∼t−d/4 behavior at characteristic transition time t*. We also derive analytical expressions for t* as a function of Damköhler number and the coefficient of variation of the initial concentration.

Description: Solid solution effects on thermal conductivity within the MgO – Al 2 O 3 – Ga 2 O 3 system were studied. Samples with systematically varied additions of MgGa 2 O 4 – MgAl 2 O 4 were prepared and the laser flash technique was used to determine thermal diffusivity at temperatures between 200°C and 1300°C. Heat capacity as a function of temperature from room temperature to 800°C was also determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Solid solution in the MgAl 2 O 4 – MgGa 2 O 4 system decreases the thermal conductivity up to 1000°C. At 200°C thermal conductivity decreased 24% with a 5 mol% addition of MgGa 2 O 4 to the system. At 1000°C, the thermal conductivity decreased 13% with a 5 mol% addition. Steady-state calculations showed a 12.5% decrease in heat flux with 5 mol% MgGa 2 O 4 considered across a 12 inch thickness.

Description: The presence of leachable alkali ions, or their hydrated sites in the glass, is believed to be a determining factor for the interfacial water structure at the glass surface, influencing the surface properties of glass. The interfacial water structure on soda-lime silicate glass in humid ambience at room temperature was analyzed with sum-frequency-generation (SFG) vibration spectroscopy, which can probe the interfacial water layer without spectral interferences from the gas phase water. The soda-lime glass surface exposed to water vapor shows three sharp SFG peaks at 3200, 3430, and 3670 cm −1 in SFG, which is drastically different from the SFG spectra of the water layers on the fused quartz glass surface and the liquid water/air interface. The sharp peak at 3200 cm −1 is believed to be associated with the hydronium ions in the Na + -leached silicate glass surface. The 3200 cm −1 peak intensity varies with the relative humidity, indicating its equilibrium with the gas phase water. It is proposed that the hydronium ions in the Na + -leached sites produce compressive stress in the silicate glass surface; thus the growth of hydronium ions with increasing humidity might be responsible for the increased wear resistance of soda-lime glass surfaces in near-saturation humidity conditions.

Description: We introduce a novel method to produce macroporous ceramics by capillary suspensions. Adding a small amount (~1 vol%) of an immiscible secondary phase to a low concentration (~20 vol%) suspension can increase the yield stress by several orders of magnitude. This drastic change in flow behavior is induced by the creation of a sample-spanning particle network in the suspension controlled by capillary forces. This strong network may persist even if the primary bulk phase is removed. Accordingly, capillary suspensions can be used as a precursor for manufacturing porous materials. Here, we focus on the specific features of this universal, low-cost processing route for porous ceramics. An Al 2 O 3 model system is used to demonstrate how to adjust porosity and pore size. With this system, we were able to achieve open porosities higher than 60% with an average pore size below 10 μm.

Description: Binary metal oxides occur in different polymorphic states under applied pressure and temperature. Structural changes occur due to polymorphic transitions in binary metal oxides. It is essential to theoretically predict the conditions of polymorphic transitions so that materials can be effectively used in engineering applications. Temperature and pressure are the two main factors affecting the bulk state phase transformation of materials. For nanomaterials, it has been observed that particle size and temperature are the main factors affecting the phase transformation, e.g., γ- Fe 2 O 3 to α- Fe 2 O 3 , monoclinic to orthorhombic transformation in MoO 3 , anatase to rutile transformation in Titania, γ to α Alumina transformation. We compile from literature the main factors which affect the phase stability of a nanocrystalline binary metal oxide. A heuristic approach to formulate particle size is put forth. Factors like surface energy, surface tension, and particle shape are considered, and a value for critical particle size is formulated. The model fits well with the experimental results for nanocrystalline alumina, titania, zirconia, and Fe 2 O 3 . Such an approach can be applied to predict the particle size-dependent stability of a phase at known temperature range.

Description: This work revealed that the solid solution compounds of Sr 2 − x Ba x Nb 2 O 7 are promising lead-free materials for high-temperature piezoelectric sensor application. These compounds were confirmed as ferroelectric materials with high Curie points ( 〉 900°C) by their piezoelectric activity after poling, ferroelectric domain switching in their P – E hysteresis loops and thermal depoling behavior. The effect of Ba substitution on the structure and properties of Sr 2 − x Ba x Nb 2 O 7 ( x  〈  1.0) was investigated. The solid solution limit of Sr 2 − x Ba x Nb 2 O 7 was determined by XRD as x  〈 0.6. The a -, b -, c - axes, and cell volume increase with Ba addition. The textured ceramics of Sr 2 − x Ba x Nb 2 O 7 were prepared for the first time. The highest d 33 was measured as 3.6  ±  0.1 pC/N for Sr 1.8 Ba 0.2 Nb 2 O 7 .

Description: Containerless levitation technique, where the undercooling can be treated as one of the major thermodynamic parameters, was used to study the influence of oxygen partial pressure ( ) on the microstructure and physical properties of rare-earth orthoferrites RFeO 3 (where R = Rare-earth element) in the ranges from 10 5 to 10 −1  Pa. The microstructure of the as-solidified samples changed into orthorhombic RFeO 3 ( o - RFeO 3 ), metastable hexagonal RFeO 3 ( h - RFeO 3 ), and Fe 2+ -containing RFe 2 O 4 and a new metastable R 3 Fe 2 O 7 phases with decreasing . The effect of on the magnetic properties was indicated as that the saturation magnetization gradually increased for R = La to Yb and decreased for R = Lu with decreasing due to the formation of metastable and magnetic phases such as Fe 3 O 4 and Fe .

Description: The rapid densification behavior of 8 mol% Y 2 O 3 -stabilized ZrO 2 polycrystalline (8 Y -SZP) powder compacts at the initial stage of pressure sintering (relative density ( ) below 0.92) has been investigated using an electric current-activated/assisted sintering (ECAS) system. Data points corresponding to a fixed heating rate were extracted from the densification rate ( ) versus ρ and versus temperature ( T ) curves. These curves were obtained experimentally by consolidation at a fixed current. Under fixed current ECAS, the heating rate ( ) decreases continuously over sintering time. Using a quasi- constant heating rate (CHR) method, data points were extracted to plot vs. ρ, vs. T , and ρ vs. T curves at a fixed . The stress exponent ( n ), estimated from a log-log plot of grain size ( d )-corrected /ρ and effective stress (σ eff ) at 1300–1400 K, shows an almost constant value of 1. In addition, the activation energy ( Q ) for rapid densification, estimated from an Arrhenius plot of d -corrected /ρ also shows an almost constant value of 350 kJ/mol, which is considerably lower than the previously reported value of the activation energy for Zr 4+ lattice diffusion of about 440 kJ/mol. These results suggest that rapid densification of 8 Y -SZP by ECAS seems to proceed by diffusional creep controlled by grain-boundary diffusion of Zr 4+ ions.

Description: The various applications of transparent conducting oxides (TCO), e.g., as electrodes in flat panel displays and solar cells or as low-emissivity coatings have stimulated extensive research on their fabrication and properties. Recent experimental and theoretical studies of defect properties have considerably improved the understanding of the limitations of the electrical conductivity of both n - and p -type transparent conductors and of the structural and electronic surface properties of the most important TCO materials. Development of emerging and future applications in the area of transparent thin film electronics with oxide semiconductors as well as the improvement of existing applications require a detailed control of the Fermi level position in the bulk and at surfaces and interfaces of polycrystalline and amorphous TCO materials. This feature article describes how the important parameters for such control can be identified using photoelectron spectroscopy with in situ sample preparation. The parameters influencing doping, work functions, ionization potentials, and surface band bending as well as energy band alignment at interfaces are described and discussed providing a fundamental understanding of important material properties for tailoring TCOs in electronic devices.

Description: Highly orientated Co -doped Zn ( Mg , Cd ) O thin films have been prepared on Si (001) substrate using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Our results indicate that Mg and Cd -doping can tune the bandgap of ZnO thin film. Apparent room-temperature ferromagnetism is observed in these films, which can be modified by the bandgap of ZnO . A narrow bandgap enhances the ferromagnetism of the films through the Cd -doping, and wide bandgap does the opposite through the Mg-doping, which may be ascribed to the ferromagnetic (FM) exchange interaction between the 3 d states of magnetic Co ions and the impurity band. These experimental results provide some new evidence that the ferromagnetism in Co : ZnO is closely related to crystal defects and improve our knowledge about ferromagnetism in dilute magnetic oxides.

Description: Nanocrystalline TiO 2 and Ti 1− x V x O 2 ( x  = 0.01) powders have been prepared by thermal decomposition, in air, of amorphous precursors resulting from the freeze-drying of appropriate solutions. In addition, TiO 2− x N y (anatase and rutile) and Ti O x N y (rock-salt) have been prepared by thermal treatment in ammonia of a crystalline precursor ( TiO 2 obtained at 673 K). TEM and SEM images, as well as the analysis of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, show the nanoparticulated character of those solids obtained at low temperatures, with typical particle sizes in the 10–20 nm range when prepared at 673 K. The UV–Vis results indicate both the insertion of V in the anatase lattice and the feasibility of nitridation at low temperatures. The photocatalytic properties of these materials (as prepared and after their incorporation to mortar samples) in the degradation of nitrogen oxides have been preliminary evaluated. Although N-doping enhances the photocatalytic activity of the TiO 2 matrix, V-doping worsens it.

Description: Two processing methods were successfully combined to obtain Ag-modified calcium phosphate scaffolds with antibacterial properties: (i) hydrothermal conversion of macroporous biogenic carbonates and (ii) vapor transport sintering. Hydrothermal conversion of two precursor materials, i.e., coral skeletons and sea urchin spines, resulted in the pseudomorphic replacement of highly porous calcium carbonates by calcium phosphate scaffolds. Vapor transport sintering of these scaffolds within a reactive AgCl atmosphere facilitated near net-shape processing accompanied by the condensation of finely dispersed Ag -bearing particles over the scaffold's surface. Chemical and phase compositions were analyzed using WDXRF, XRD, and DRIFTS (FTIR), and the microstructure development was characterized by SEM and TEM imaging. The dissolution kinetics of Ag + ions in aqueous solution was determined and growth inhibition experiments with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were performed to assess the antibacterial properties of Ag -modified ceramics.

Description: Electric field-induced magnetization characteristics are demonstrated in (100− x ) NaNbO 3 – x NiFe 2 O 4 ( x  = 15, 25, 35, 45), synthesized by the solid-state sintering method. The composites show well-defined ferroelectric behaviors and magnetic characteristics. The CME effect characteristics with driving frequency in a range 10 k – 15 kHz were investigated at room temperature. The CME couplings increase initially with increasing the driving frequencies and then decrease with the further increase in the frequency. Large CME coefficients are obtained at electromechanical resonance frequency of 12.8 kHz. These lead-free multiferroic composites exhibiting electrostatically induced ME resonance provide great opportunities for electric field-tunable microwave devices.

Description: A sucrose-mediated aqueous sol–gel procedure was developed to synthesize MgO – Y 2 O 3 nanocomposite ceramics for potential optical applications. The synthesis involves the generation of a precursor foam containing Mg 2+ and Y 3+ cations via the chemical and thermal degradation of sucrose molecules in aqueous solution. Subsequent calcination and crushing of the foam gave MgO – Y 2 O 3 nanocomposites in the form of thin mesoporous flake-like powder particles with uniform composition and surface areas of 27–85 m 2  g − 1 , depending on calcination conditions. The flakes exhibited a homogeneous microstructure comprising intimately mixed nanoscale grains of the cubic MgO and Y 2 O 3 phases. This microstructure was resistant to grain coarsening with average grain sizes of less than 100 nm for calcination temperatures of up to 1200°C. The results indicate that the sucrose-mediated sol–gel process is a simple effective method for making nanoscale mixed oxides.

Description: Based on existing techniques in nonlinear physics that work in the Fourier domain, we develop a multivariate, wavelet-based method for the generation of synthetic discharge time series. This approach not only retains the cross-correlative structure of the original data (which makes it preferable to principal component methods that merely preserve the correlations) but also replicates the nonlinear properties of the original data. We argue that the temporal asymmetry of the typical hydrograph is the most important form of nonlinearity to preserve in the synthetic data. Using the derivative skewness as a measure of asymmetry and an example data set of 35 years of daily discharge data from 107 gauging stations in the United States, we compare two approaches that preserve the asymmetry of the original records. We generate synthetic data and then study the properties of fitting a generalized extreme value distribution to the annual maxima for a total flux time series. The synthetic series provides error bands for the fitted distribution that give a different way of assessing credible return periods. It is found that the best approach for studying extremes is to match the asymmetry of each series individually, rather than to formulate a global threshold criterion.

Description: This article focuses on household water use in Spain by analyzing the influence of a detailed set of factors. We find that, although the presence of both water-saving equipment and water-conservation habits leads to water savings, the factors that influence each are not the same. In particular, our results show that those individuals most committed to the adoption of water-saving equipment and, at the same time, less committed to water-conservation habits tend to have higher incomes.

Description: Wetlands are valuable ecosystems that provide many valuable services, yet many of these important ecosystems are at risk because of current trends in climate change. The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) in the upper-midwest of the U.S. and south-central Canada, characterized by glacially-sculpted landscapes and abundant wetlands, is one such vulnerable region. According to regional/global climate model predictions, drought occurrence will increase in the PPR region through the 21st century and thus will probably cause the amount of water in wetlands to decline. Water surface area (WSA) of Kidder County, ND from 1984-2011 was measured by classifying TM/ETM+ images through the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI).We then developed a linear model based on the water surface area (WSA) of these wetlands and historical climate data, and used this to determine the wetland sensitivity to climate change and predict future wetlands WSA in the PPR. Our model based on Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) of the current year (PDSI t-0 ) and two years previous (PDSI t-2 ) can explain 79% of the annual wetland WSA variance, suggesting a high sensitivity of wetlands to drought/climate change. We also predicted the PPR wetlands WSA in the 21st century under A1B scenario (a mid-carbon emission scenario) using simulated PDSI based on IPCC AR4 22-model ensemble climate. According to our prediction, the WSA of the PPR wetlands will decrease to less than half of the baseline WSA (defined as the mean wetlands WSA of the 2000s) by the mid of the 21st century, and to less than one-third by the 2080s, and will then slightly increase in the 2090s. This considerable future wetland loss caused only by climate change provides important implication to future wetland management and climate adaptation policy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: In hydrology, the storage-discharge relationship is a fundamental catchment property. Understanding what controls this relationship is at the core of catchment science. To date, there are no direct methods to measure water storage at catchment scales (10 1 -10 3  km 2 ). In this study, we use direct measurements of terrestrial water storage dynamics by means of superconducting gravimetry in a small headwater catchment of the Regen River, Germany, to derive empirical storage-discharge relationships in nested catchments of increasing scale. Our results show that the local storage measurements are strongly related to streamflow dynamics at larger scales (〉 100 km 2 ; correlation coefficient = 0.78-0.81), but at small scale no such relationship exists (~ 1 km 2 ; correlation coefficients = -0.11). The geologic setting in the region can explain both the disconnection between local water storage and headwater runoff, and the connectivity between headwater storage and streams draining larger catchment areas. More research is required to understand what controls the form of the observed storage-discharge relationships at the catchment scale. This study demonstrates that high-precision gravimetry can provide new insights into the complex relationship between state and response of hydrological systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Description: In semiarid regions, the rooting strategies employed by vegetation can be critical to its survival. Arid regions are characterized by high variability in the arrival of rainfall, and species found in these areas have adapted mechanisms to ensure the capture of this scarce resource. Vegetation roots have strong control over this partitioning, and assuming a static root profile, predetermine the manner in which this partitioning is undertaken.A coupled, dynamic vegetation and hydrologic model, tRIBS + VEGGIE, was used to explore the role of vertical root distribution on hydrologic fluxes. Point-scale simulations were carried out using two spatially and temporally invariant rooting schemes: uniform: a one-parameter model and logistic: a two-parameter model. The simulations were forced with a stochastic climate generator calibrated to weather stations and rain gauges in the semiarid Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) in Arizona. A series of simulations were undertaken exploring the parameter space of both rooting schemes and the optimal root distribution for the simulation, which was defined as the root distribution with the maximum mean transpiration over a 100-yr period, and this was identified. This optimal root profile was determined for five generic soil textures and two plant-functional types (PFTs) to illustrate the role of soil texture on the partitioning of moisture at the land surface. The simulation results illustrate the strong control soil texture has on the partitioning of rainfall and consequently the depth of the optimal rooting profile. High-conductivity soils resulted in the deepest optimal rooting profile with land surface moisture fluxes dominated by transpiration. As we move toward the lower conductivity end of the soil spectrum, a shallowing of the optimal rooting profile is observed and evaporation gradually becomes the dominate flux from the land surface. This study offers a methodology through which local plant, soil, and climate can be accounted for in the parameterization of rooting profiles in semiarid regions.

Description: There has been a recent debate in the hydrological community about the relative merits of the informal generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) approach to uncertainty assessment in hydrological modeling versus formal probabilistic approaches. Some recent literature has suggested that the methods can give similar results in practice when properly applied. In this note, we show that the connection between formal Bayes and GLUE is not merely operational but goes deeper, with GLUE corresponding to a certain approximate Bayesian procedure even when the “generalized likelihood” is not a true likelihood. The connection we describe relates to recent approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) methods originating in genetics. ABC algorithms involve the use of a kernel function, and the generalized likelihood in GLUE can be thought of as relating to this kernel function rather than to the model likelihood. Two interpretations of GLUE emerge, one as a computational approximation to a Bayes procedure for a certain “error-free” model and the second as an exact Bayes procedure for a perturbation of that model in which the truncation of the generalized likelihood in GLUE plays a role. The intent of this study is to encourage cross-fertilization of ideas regarding GLUE and ABC in hydrologic applications. The connection we outline suggests the possibility of combining a formal likelihood with a kernel based on a generalized likelihood within the ABC framework and also allows advanced ABC computational methods to be used in GLUE applications. The model-based interpretation of GLUE may also be helpful in partially illuminating the implicit assumptions in different choices of generalized likelihood.

Description: Satellite-passive microwave remote sensing has been extensively used to estimate snow water equivalent (SWE) in northern regions. Although passive microwave sensors operate independent of solar illumination and the lower frequencies are independent of atmospheric conditions, the coarse spatial resolution introduces uncertainties to SWE retrievals due to the surface heterogeneity within individual pixels. In this article, we investigate the coupling of a thermodynamic multilayered snow model with a passive microwave emission model. Results show that the snow model itself provides poor SWE simulations when compared to field measurements from two major field campaigns. Coupling the snow and microwave emission models with successive iterations to correct the influence of snow grain size and density significantly improves SWE simulations. This method was further validated using an additional independent data set, which also showed significant improvement using the two-step iteration method compared to standalone simulations with the snow model.

Description: Existing analytical solutions to determine aquifer response to a change in stream stage are inappropriate where an unsaturated zone exists beneath the stream, as in the case of disconnected stream-aquifer systems. A better understanding of the relationship between aquifer response and transient stream stage in disconnected systems is therefore required, as this would also aid in the field determination of the status of connection between the stream and aquifer. We use a numerical model to examine transient stream stage and the corresponding water table response. Beneath disconnected streams, the magnitude of head change in the water table level is a balance between the cumulative infiltration during a flow event and the rate at which the water can disperse laterally. Increases in wave duration, stream width, and streambed permeability result in greater infiltrated water volume and therefore a higher peak response at the water table. Conversely, higher aquifer transmissivity and aquifer hydraulic conductivity allow the water to move laterally away from the stream faster, resulting in a smaller head change below the stream. Lower unsaturated storage results in a greater and faster aquifer response because the unsaturated zone can fill more quickly. Under some combinations of parameters, the magnitude of the disconnected head response is more than seven times greater than the change in stream stage driving streambed infiltration; an effect which can never occur beneath a connected stream. The results of this sensitivity analysis are compared to field data from a river in eastern Australia to determine periods of disconnection. Where the change in aquifer head is greater than the change in stream stage, disconnection between the stream and aquifer can be determined.

Description: The ability to understand and predict the flux and fate of sediment delivered to the sea by rivers remains an outstanding scientific challenge. Approaches to this challenge are necessarily synthetic, spanning wide ranges in spatial and temporal scales. Here a conventional sediment transport theory used by engineers and sedimentologists at reach and channel scales is applied at the basin scale. Specifically, a straightforward expression proposed by Bagnold and modified accordingly predicts the observed importance of combined wetness and steepness of a source basin as a control of sediment supply to the sea. The reasonable, key assumption underlying the application of sediment transport theory in this context is that the river-mouth sites for which suspended-sediment loads are reported are alluviated, and thus characterized by transport-limited flux of sediment. This analysis also indicates the potential significance of additional, as yet poorly documented factors constraining sediment supply to the sea. These factors, some of which appear to covary systematically with climate, include river-profile concavity, river-mouth channel width and friction, and the characteristic size of sediment in transport.

Description: Multilayered composites consisting of silica, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and continuous carbon fibers (C f ) were prepared by hot-pressing technique. Microstructures of different layer presented few pores of the composites. The thermal stability of the composites was analyzed by TG/DTA measurement. After being heat treated at 400°C for 10 h, the composites retained the equivalent shielding property compared to room temperature, and the impedance matching property at material/wave interface was improved slightly. The multilayer CNTs/C f /silica composites have not only the excellent absorbing properties but also the outstanding thermal stability, and it can be a promising candidate for high-temperature electromagnetic interference shielding applications.

Description: In industrial high-intensity discharge lamps, cracks and delaminations occasionally develop at the interface between SiO 2 and the Mo foil in the seal. Here, functionally graded SiO 2 -Mo materials for use in these lamps were fabricated by uniaxial compression casting and pressureless sintering. Consequently, vertical cracks developed across the sintered body layers, and interfacial cracks developed between the 100 wt% SiO 2 and 90 wt% SiO 2 -Mo layers. Therefore, the effects of residual stress, difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and difference in the volume shrinkage on these cracks were investigated. Vertical cracks were suppressed when residual stress was relaxed by annealing near the annealing point of silica glass during the cooling step in the sintering process. Interfacial cracks were suppressed when the difference in the CTE of the interface between the 100 wt% SiO 2 and 90 wt% SiO 2 -Mo layers was relaxed by inserting layers of 95 wt% SiO 2 -Mo between them. Furthermore, the suppression effect became stronger when the difference in the volume shrinkage of the layers was relaxed by sintering to join the separately sintered monolayers. Thus, the development of these cracks was influenced by the residual stress, CTE, and volume shrinkage. Therefore, these cracks can be prevented by optimizing these factors.

Description: Key documents such as the European Water Framework Directive and the U.S. Clean Water Act state that public and stakeholder participation in water resource management is required. Participation aims to enhance resource management and involve individuals and groups in a democratic way. Evaluation of participatory programs and projects is necessary to assess whether these objectives are being achieved and to identify how participatory programs and projects can be improved. The different methods of evaluation can be classified into three groups: (i) process evaluation assesses the quality of participation process, for example, whether it is legitimate and promotes equal power between participants, (ii) intermediary outcome evaluation assesses the achievement of mainly nontangible outcomes, such as trust and communication, as well as short- to medium-term tangible outcomes, such as agreements and institutional change, and (iii) resource management outcome evaluation assesses the achievement of changes in resource management, such as water quality improvements. Process evaluation forms a major component of the literature but can rarely indicate whether a participation program improves water resource management. Resource management outcome evaluation is challenging because resource changes often emerge beyond the typical period covered by the evaluation and because changes cannot always be clearly related to participation activities. Intermediary outcome evaluation has been given less attention than process evaluation but can identify some real achievements and side benefits that emerge through participation. This review suggests that intermediary outcome evaluation should play a more important role in evaluating participation in water resource management.

Description: As research continues, the control on the polymorph and morphology of calcium carbonate ( CaCO 3 ) becomes a hot topic because its application is limited by these parameters. The polymorph and morphology control of CaCO 3 was successfully achieved via temperature and PEG ( M w  = 6000) during the decomposition of Ca ( HCO 3 ) 2 , which has rarely been employed to prepare precipitated CaCO 3 . As-prepared CaCO 3 was characterized using XRD and SEM. In the case of no PEG, rhombohedra calcite, lamellar vaterite, rod- and needlelike aragonite are observed, and calcite is the major phase at all samples and it increases with temperature, whereas vaterite and aragonite decrease with temperature. The addition of PEG restrains the formation of vaterite and promotes the emergence of needlelike aragonite particles at 70°C, and prevents the generation of calcite and encourages the production of rodlike aragonite particles at 80°C and 90°C. This work not only provides a new way on the preparation of CaCO 3 powder but also presents the feasible control method in this route.

Description: We have synthesized a partially nitridated Ca 13.7 Eu 0.3 Mg 2 Si 8 O 32 (CMSN: Eu 2+ ) using Si 3 N 4 with a conventional solid-state reaction and successfully determined the structural parameters by a combined Rietveld refinement method. The partial nitridation of Ca 13.7 Eu 0.3 Mg 2 Si 8 O 32 (CMS: Eu 2+ ) led to a large enhancement in the luminescence intensity, as much as 148%. From the Rietveld refinement results, the anisotropic changes of the lattice parameters were observed for the partially nitridated samples. By incorporating this phosphor + red phosphor with an encapsulant on an InGaN light-emitting diode (LED) (λ max  = 395 nm), white light with a color rendering index of 92 and a color temperature of 5320 K under 20 mA was obtained.

Description: In March 2012, a group of researchers met to discuss emerging topics in ceramic science and to identify grand challenges in the field. By the end of the workshop, the group reached a consensus on eight challenges for the future:—understanding rare events in ceramic microstructures, understanding the phase-like behavior of interfaces, predicting and controlling heterogeneous microstructures with unprecedented functionalities, controlling the properties of oxide electronics, understanding defects in the vicinity of interfaces, controlling ceramics far from equilibrium, accelerating the development of new ceramic materials, and harnessing order within disorder in glasses. This paper reports the outcomes of the workshop and provides descriptions of these challenges.

Description: The BiOCl / Ag 3 PO 4 composites have been prepared via a facile and reproducible route. In the composite, Ag 3 PO 4 particles are deposited on the surface of plates of BiOCl . Among the as-prepared samples, the ultraviolet (UV) and visible light photocatalytic reaction rates of BiOCl / Ag 3 PO 4 composite with the ratio of 1:0.1 are about 4.4 times and 4.5 times than that of pure BiOCl , respectively. Overall, the BiOCl / Ag 3 PO 4 composites not only show highly enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity but also exhibit highly improved UV photocatalytic activity, which could find enormous potential application in addressing environmental protection issues utilizing solar energy effectively.

Description: Porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics were fabricated using tert-butyl alcohol (TBA)-based gelcasting with monodisperse polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres as both pore-forming agent and lubricant agent. The TBA-based slurry of 50 vol% solid loading with excellent rheological properties appropriate for casting was successfully prepared by using a commercial polymer dispersant DISPERBYK-163 as both dispersant and stabilizer. The distribution of the spherical pores made from PMMA microspheres was very homogeneous. Their average diameter decreased from 16.9 to 15.7 μm when the sintering temperature was increased from 1350°C to 1550°C. The compressive strength increased from 14.57 to 142.29 MPa and the thermal conductivity changed from 0.17 to 0.65 W/m·K when the porosity decreased from 71.6% to 45.1%. The results show that this preparation technology can make all the main factors controllable, such as the porosity, the size and shape of pores, the distribution of pores, and the thickness and density of pore walls. This is significant for fabricating porous ceramics with both high compressive strength and low thermal conductivity.

Description: Improving the high-temperature strength and stiffness of Ti 3 SiC 2 is the task of many investigations. However, methods for high-temperature strengthening have not been established although various ways are applicable to enhance the room-temperature mechanical properties of Ti 3 SiC 2 . In this work, we report that significant strengthening was realized at both room and high temperatures by incorporating a small amount of W into Ti 3 ( Si , Al ) C 2 . The onsite temperature for the rapid degradation of stiffness and strength moved more than 150°C upward to over 1200°C. The flexural strength of 5 at.% W -doped Ti 3 ( Si , Al ) C 2 is 632.9 MPa at RT and 285 MPa at 1200°C, being 176% and 170% of those for baseline material, respectively.

Description: Lanthanum zirconate has been prepared via a new chemical synthesis method by combining sol–gel processing and complex precipitation. The synthesis was carried out in aqueous solution under ambient conditions. The synthesized powder possessed the pyrochlore superstructure upon calcination above 1200°C. A suite of characterization techniques, including FTIR, Raman, X-ray and electron diffraction, TEM, SEM, and nitrogen sorption were employed to investigate the microstructural evolution and bulk properties. Dense ceramics (〉90% relative density) were obtained after sintering at 1400°C, without need for additional processing (i.e., hot or cold isostatic pressing) or any milling steps. A mechanism has been proposed that elucidates molecular assembly of this chemical synthesis method.

Description: The key question that is asked in this study is “how are the three independent bias components of satellite rainfall estimation, comprising hit bias, missed, and false precipitation, physically related to the estimation uncertainty of soil moisture and runoff for a physically based hydrologic model?” The study also investigated the performance of different satellite rainfall products as a function of land use and land cover (LULC) type. Using the entire Mississippi river basin as the study region and the variable infiltration capacity (VIC)-3L as the distributed hydrologic model, the study of the satellite products (CMORPH, 3B42RT, and PERSIANN-CCS) yielded two key findings. First, during the winter season, more than 40% of the rainfall total bias is dominated by missed precipitation in forest and woodland regions (southeast of Mississippi). During the summer season, 51% of the total bias is governed by the hit bias, and about 42% by the false precipitation in grassland-savanna region (western part of Mississippi basin). Second, a strong dependence is observed between hit bias and runoff error, and missed precipitation and soil moisture error. High correlation with runoff error is observed with hit bias (∼0.85), indicating the need for improving the satellite rainfall product's ability to detect rainfall more consistently for flood prediction. For soil moisture error, it is the total bias that correlated significantly (∼0.78), indicating that a satellite product needed to be minimized of total bias for long-term monitoring of watershed conditions for drought through continuous simulation.

Description: Bayesian inference is used to study the effect of precipitation and model structural uncertainty on estimates of model parameters and confidence limits of predictive variables in a conceptual rainfall-runoff model in the snow-fed Rudbäck catchment (142 ha) in southern Finland. The IHACRES model is coupled with a simple degree day model to account for snow accumulation and melt. The posterior probability distribution of the model parameters is sampled by using the Differential Evolution Adaptive Metropolis (DREAM(ZS)) algorithm and the generalized likelihood function. Precipitation uncertainty is taken into account by introducing additional latent variables that were used as multipliers for individual storm events. Results suggest that occasional snow water equivalent (SWE) observations together with daily streamflow observations do not contain enough information to simultaneously identify model parameters, precipitation uncertainty and model structural uncertainty in the Rudbäck catchment. The addition of an autoregressive component to account for model structure error and latent variables having uniform priors to account for input uncertainty lead to dubious posterior distributions of model parameters. Thus our hypothesis that informative priors for latent variables could be replaced by additional SWE data could not be confirmed. The model was found to work adequately in 1-day-ahead simulation mode, but the results were poor in the simulation batch mode. This was caused by the interaction of parameters that were used to describe different sources of uncertainty. The findings may have lessons for other cases where parameterizations are similarly high in relation to available prior information.

Description: The diffusion couples of lanthanum-based barium borosilicate glass with high- and low-temperature electrolytes have been heat-treated at 850°C and 800°C, respectively, for 5, 100 and 750 h. These prepared diffusion couples have been characterized using various techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray dot mapping, and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The thermodynamic parameters like frequency factor, crystallization constants, free volume, and bulk thermal expansion coefficients have been calculated to understand the behavior of glass. Interestingly, glass revealed self-healing tendency with heat treatment duration.

Description: Operational land surface models (LSMs) compute hydrologic states such as soil moisture that are needed for a range of important applications (e.g., drought, flood, and weather prediction). The uncertainty in LSM parameters is sufficiently great that several researchers have proposed conducting parameter estimation using globally available remote sensing data to identify best fit local parameter sets. However, even with in situ data at fine modeling scales, there can be significant remaining uncertainty in LSM parameters and outputs. Here, using a new uncertainty estimation subsystem of the NASA Land Information System (LIS) (described herein), a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique is applied to conduct Bayesian analysis for the accounting of parameter uncertainties. The Differential Evolution Markov Chain (DE-MC) MCMC algorithm was applied, for which a new parallel implementation was developed. A case study is examined that builds on previous work in which the Noah LSM was calibrated to passive (L-band) microwave remote sensing estimates of soil moisture for the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed. In keeping with prior related studies, the parameters subjected to the analysis were restricted to the soil hydraulic properties (SHPs). The main goal is to estimate SHPs and soil moisture simulation uncertainty before and after consideration of the remote sensing data. The prior SHP uncertainty is based on the original source of the standard SHP lookup tables for the Noah LSM. Conclusions are drawn regarding the value and viability of Bayesian analysis over alternative approaches (e.g., parameter estimation, lookup tables) and further research needs are identified.

Description: It has long been known that surface gravity waves induce significant seepage through the porous layer found at the lake bottom. Away from coastal regions, however, the pressure signature of surface waves at the lake bottom is weak. We consider fully nonlinear internal gravity waves, whose long wavelength and slow motion implies a sustained and strong pressure perturbation even in the deep regions of the lake. We argue that internal waves can induce significant seepage through the sediment layer, in regions where surface gravity waves have negligible impact. The pressure profile at the fluid–porous layer interface is computed from the “exact” Dubreil-Jacotin-Long theory, giving a reliable profile even for large waves. This profile is used in conjunction with Darcy's law to compute the seepage within the porous region. We find that the geometric distribution of seepage is strongly controlled by both the ratio of porous media thickness to the horizontal length of the pressure perturbation, and the bottom topography, when it is present. Based on work on the interaction of internal solitary waves with the bottom boundary layer, we develop a model to account for the changes in permeability due to wave-induced instabilities in the bottom boundary layer and enhanced benthic turbulence. This turbulence acts to unplug the pores near the surface by lifting the detritus that clogs them. The resulting changes in permeability significantly enhance exchange between the free fluid and the porous medium on the downstream side of the wave.