Computer programs produced by Takeshi Nakagawa

What's new!

• 30 Jul., 2010: Note for PeakCounter users on French Windows added
• 30 Jul., 2010: PolyCounter updated (version 2.7.5).
• 22 Mar., 2010: Polygon updated (version 2.2.4).
• 20 Dec., 2009: Note for AZERTY keyboard users added. 

Introduction

The programs provide comfortable environment for climate reconstruction using multivariate palaeoecological data. All programs run under Microsoft Windows (2000 or later) on IBM PC compatibles.

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Getting the programs

The latest versions of the programs can be downloaded from here as zip files. Available are full installer package (recommended for first time users), merely compressed version, and VB6 source code for some programs.

• Polygon 2.2.4: installer and compressed versions, program source. Users manual (English, Japanese). -Updated!!
  A program for pollen-based quantitative climate reconstruction by modern analogues technique. Either taxa percentages or EOF values (weighted by EOF loadings) can be used to find analogues. Polygon 2.0 or later displays distribution of modern analogue sites on base map. The software can also generate error model and calibrate the reconstruction results.

• PolyCounter 2.7.5: installer and compressed versions, program source. PolyCounter at INQUA 2007 (poster, abstract). -Updated!!
  A program to make use of your computer as a set of 135 counters. Best ergonomic environment can be achieved by combining this program with Ergodex DX-1 input system (ergodex.com). First-time users are strongly recommended to use the installer version so that sound and reference files are properly set up.

  From a user in Cape Town, South Africa: "PolyCounter is a very useful programme. Thanks for making it available to everybody. It certainly has changed my research life!" 

  Important notice for Windows VISTA users!!  Ergodex DX-1 does not support Windows VISTA (as of 29 June 2009). If you are VISTA user, an alternative may be "Multi Function Panel (MFP)" from CH Products (chproducts.com). The MFP uses Ergodex technology and supports Vista. As I have never used the MPF, any feedbacks from users would be very appreciated.

  Important notice for AZERTY (French native) keyboard users!!  Assigning ["] (double quotation) key for counter board causes fatal malfunction. Once it happens, you should either uninstall and re-install PolyCounter, or replace the reference file by a new one.

• PeakCounter 2.0.0: installer and compressed versions, program source. PeakCounter in PAGES news letter.
  A program developed as a part of Suigetsu Varves 2006 Project for varve counting using multi-parameter data and radiograph from the Itrax core scanner. Double-L channel method is recommended as the most suitable subsampling technique for scanning (Double-L channel at INQUA 2007: Poster, abstract).

  Notice for French Windows users!!  A malfunction of PeakCounter 2.0.0 has been reported by a French Windows user, and the cause of the problem has not been identified. An easy solution is to use version 1.6.2 (installer and compressed versions, program source) which has less capacity to customise user interface but does essentially the same thing. 

• Polation 1.0: installer and compressed versions.
  A program to infer climate indices to surface pollen sites by different interpolation methods. It can also check accuracy of the interpolation.

• EventWatcher 1.5.4: installer and compressed versions.
  A program for characterising climatic events by fitting simple models.

All programs are easy to install and simple to use. Outputs can be saved in both text and graphical formats. The programs are not protected by copyright.

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References

1. Nakagawa,T. et al. (2002) Quantitative pollen-based climate reconstruction in central Japan: application to surface and Late Quaternary spectra. Quaternary Science Reviews, 21, 2099-2113, doi:10.1016/S0277-3791(02)00014-8.
2. Gotanda, K. et al. (2002) Biome classification from Japanese pollen data: application to modern-day and late Quaternary samples. Quaternary Science Reviews, 21, 647-657, doi:10.1016/S0277-3791(01)00046-4.
3. Nakagawa, T. et al. (2003) Asynchronous climate changes in the north Atlantic and Japan during the last termination. Science, 299, 688-691, doi:10.1126/science.1078235.
4. Nakagawa, T. et al. (2005) Pollen/event stratigraphy of the varved lake sediment of Lake Suigetsu, central Japan from 15,701 to 10,217 SG vyr BP (Suigetsu varve years before present): description, interpretation, and correlation with other regions. Quaternary Science Reviews,  24, 1691-1701, doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2004.06.022.
5. Nakagawa, T. et al. (2006) Seasonally specific response of the east Asian monsoon to deglacial climate changes. Geology, 34(7), 521-524, doi:10.1130/G21764.1.
6. Nakagawa, T. (2007) PolyCounter ver.1.0 & Ergodex DX-1: a cheap and very ergonomic electronic counter board system. Quanternary International, 167-168 Supplement, 298, doi:j.quaint.2007.04.001.
7. Nakagawa, T. (2007) Double-L channel: an amazingly non-destructive method of continuous sub-sampling from sediment cores. Quanternary International, 167-168 Supplement, 298, doi:j.quaint.2007.04.001.
8. Nakagawa, T. et al. (2008) Regulation of the monsoon climate by two different orbital rhythms and forcing mechanisms. Geology, 36(6), 491-494, doi:10.1130/G24586A.1.

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For further information contact the author:
Professor Takeshi Nakagawa
Department of Geography, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU, England (UK)
Takeshi.Nakagawa _at_ ncl.ac.uk
Last updated: 22 Mar., 2010.