Computer programs produced by Takeshi Nakagawa

What's new!

• 19 Dec., 2012: Polygon for Mac (verson 2.3.3) and PolyCounter for Mac (version 3.1.4) added.
• 19 Dec., 2012: LevelFinder (version 5.1.2) added.
• 22 Mar., 2012: PolyCounter updated (version 3.1.4).
• 17 Feb., 2012: Polation updated (version 1.1).
• 12 Feb., 2012: Polygon updated (version 2.3.3).

Introduction

The programs provide comfortable environment for climate reconstruction using multivariate palaeoecological data. All programs run under Microsoft Windows (XP-SP3 or later) on IBM PC compatibles. (Polygon and PolyCounter have experimental Macintosh versions, too). 

Important notice for all users!!  All programs use .csv as data format. Make sure that your PC uses period (.) as decimal point and comma (,) as separator. Ohterwise the programs cannot re-open the files that they saved. You can change the setting at Control Panel -> Regional and Language Options -> Customise -> Numbers. 

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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 2.3.3: installer and compressed versions, program source. Version 1.5 user manual (English, Japanese).
  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.

  From a user in Beijing, China: "Polygon is really useful and easy to run even for new users. The new function to see the analogue sites on map is really great." 

  • Polygon 2.3.3 for Macintosh (zip): a standalone version of Polygon 2.3.3 compiled using Winebottler software (special thanks to Dr. Ryoma Hayashi). N.B. Polygon for Mac requires XQuartz software pre-installed on Mac. Dr. Benjamin Dietre (benjamin.dietre[at]uibk.ac.at) can kindly assist you for installation of Polygon on Macintosh. He also has experience of successfully running Polygon for Win on Mac OS using Windows emulator.

• PolyCounter 3.1.4: installer and compressed versions, program source. PolyCounter at IPC 2012 (poster, abstract).
  A program to make use of your computer as a set of 135 counters. First-time users are strongly recommended to use the installer version so that sound and reference files are properly set up. Best ergonomic environment can be achieved by combining this program with either "PolyCounter special keyboard (poster)" of KEYTEC, or "Multi Function Panel (MFP)" of CH products. If you go for the latter option, don't forget to buy Key Set 26-50, too. If you are a DIY person, this can also be an even smarter solution (example).

  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!" 

  Notice for Ergodex DX-1 users!!  PolyCounter 2.7 or earlier recommended Ergodex DX-1 as the input device. Unfortunately, Ergodex DX-1 does not support Windows VISTA or later (apparently they are not even planning to). If you are Ergodex user and have updated your Windows to VISTA or later, unfortunately you have to buy "PolyCounter special keyboard (poster)" from KEYTEC, or "Multi Function Panel (MFP)" from CH products. The MFP uses Ergodex technology and supports Vista. 

  • PolyCounter 3.1.4 for Macintosh (zip): a standalone version of PolyCounter 3.1.4 compiled using Winebottler software (special thanks to Dr. Ryoma Hayashi). N.B. PolyCounter for Mac requires XQuartz software pre-installed on Mac. Dr. Benjamin Dietre (benjamin.dietre[at]uibk.ac.at) can kindly assist you for installation of PolyCounter on Macintosh. He also has experience of successfully running PolyCounter for Win on Mac OS using Windows emulator. Ergodex DX-1 input system supports Mac OS.

• LevelFinder 5.1.2: installer and compressed versions, program source. Template to generate correlation matrix for LF. 
  A program developed as a part of Suigetsu Varves 2006 Project for very precise depth control, sharing the latest age-depth model across the group, plotting analytical results and data comparison with other study sites.

  SG06 stratigraphyical information package is available here (Nakagawa et al. 2012; Bronk Ramsey et al. 2012; Staff et al. submitted). 

• PeakCounter 2.1.5: 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 video).

  Notice for French Windows users!!  A malfunction of PeakCounter 2.0.0 has been reported from French Windows users. If you are being unable to run PeakCounter 2.0.0 on French Windows, please update it to version 2.1.5 or, alternatively, use older version 1.6.2 (installer and compressed versions, program source). 

• Polation 1.1: 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. (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.
4. 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.
5. Bronk Ramsey et al. (2012) A complete terrestrial radiocarbon record for 11.2 to 52.8 kyr B.P." Science, 338, 370-374, doi: 10.1126/science.1226660.
6. Nakagawa et al. (2012) SG06, a fully continuous and varved sediment core from Lake Suigetsu, Japan: stratigraphy and potential for improving the radiocarbon calibration model and understanding of late Quaternary climate changes. Quaternary Science Reviews, 36, 164-176,  doi:10.10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.12.013.

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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: 19 Dec., 2012.