Spaceborne Imaging Radar Project

In June of 1985 the Project Initiation Agreement was signed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the NASA Office of Space Science and Applications for the Spaceborne Imaging Radar Project (SIR). The thrust of the Spaceborne Imaging Radar Project is to continue the evolution of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) science and technology developed during SEASAT, SIR-A and SIR-B missions to meet the needs of the Earth Observing System (EOS) in the mid 1990's. As originally formulated, the Project plans were for a reflight of the SIR-B in 1987, the development of a new SAR, SIR-C, for missions in mid 1989 and early 1990, and the upgrade of SIR-C to EOS configuration with a qualification flight aboard the shuttle in the 1993 time frame (SIR-D). However, the loss of the shuttle Challenger has delayed the first manifest for SIR to early 1990. This delay prompted the decision to drop SIR-B reflight plans and move ahead with SIR-C to more effectively utilize this first mission opportunity. The planning for this project is discussed

Slow Solar Magnetosonic Waves And Time Variation In The Solar Neutrino Data

We analyze the perturbations of the solar magnetic field generated by general solar plasma displacements and investigate their consequences in the left-right conversion probability of neutrinos produced in the Sun. We solve the Hain-Lüst equation and the evolution equations of neutrinos interacting with the solar magnetic field through a nonvanishing neutrino magnetic moment to conclude that the appearance of slow magnetosonic waves (with a period around 100 days) simulate the time behavior of solar neutrino data. © 1995.3574602607Davis, (1990) Proc. of the XXI Int. Cosmic Ray Conference, 7, p. 155. , Adelaide, AustraliaHirata, (1991) Phys. Rev. D, 44, p. 2241Anselmann, (1992) Phys. Lett. B, 285, p. 390Abazov, (1991) Phys. Rev. Lett., 67, p. 3332Voloshin, Vysotsky, Okun, (1986) Yad. Fiz., 44, p. 677Voloshin, Vysotsky, Okun, (1986) Sov. J. Nucl. Phys., 44, p. 440Mikheyev, Smirnov, (1986) Nuovo Cimento C, 9, p. 17Mikheyev, Smirnov, (1985) Yad. Fiz., 42Mikheyev, Smirnov, (1985) Sov. J. Nucl. Phys., 42, p. 913Wolfenstein, (1978) Phys. Rev. D, 17, p. 2369Wolfenstein, (1979) Phys. Rev. D, 20, p. 2634Bahcall, Ulrich, Solar models, neutrino experiments, and helioseismology (1988) Reviews of Modern Physics, 60, p. 298Gloedbloed, Sakanaka, New approach to magnetohydrodynamic stability: I. A practical stability concept (1974) Physics of Fluids, 17, p. 908Bernstein, Frieman, Kruskal, Kulsrud, (1958) Proc. Roy. Soc. A, 224, p. 1Hain, Lüst, (1958) Z. Naturforsch., 13 a, p. 936Akhmedov, Bychuk, (1989) Sov. Phys. JETP, 68, p. 250Smirnov, (1991) Phys. Lett. B, 260, p. 161Future Solar Neutrino Experiments (1995) Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements, 38, pp. 90-95Tatsuka, Superkamiokande (1990) ICCR-Report 227-90-20Chen, (1985) Phys. Rev. Lett., 55, p. 153

Extended Variability of the Symbiotic Star AG Draconis

We have analyzed the complete set of available IUE (International Ultraviolet Explorer) spectra for the symbiotic star AG Draconis covering the period from 1979 to 1989. All absolute line fluxes and wavelengths have been obtained for the prominent emission lines in the λλ1200-3200 wavelength range. These spectra contain observations which were taken before, during and after the two extended outbursts which occurred on 1980 November to 1981 November and 1985 February to 1986 January. These two outburst events have two maxima that are separated by ~1600 days, a time scale not known to be associated with the star, but which is ~3 times the binary period of the star. 0 IV] λλ1397-1407 emission line intensities imply an electron density in the range 10^10 ≤ ne ≤ 10^11 cm^-3. We found the line-emitting region to have a linear size 10^12 ≤ L ≤ 10^13 cm. The He II A1640 Zanstra method yields T ≥ 87,000 K for the hot component. Absolute line intensities are plotted as a function of Julian Date for the principal emission lines of N v λλ1238, 1242,0 I λλ1302-1306, 0 IV] λλ1397-1407, C IV λλ1548, 1550, He II A1640 and 0 m] λλ1660, 1666 to observe the temporal variability of AG Dra. Emission line fluxes of N v, 0 1, N IV], C IV, and N III] are plotted as a function of C IV to study the nature of the emitting regions. We have calculated the nitrogen ionic abundances for AG Dra to study how the ionization levels change during outburst and quiescence phases of the star. The time-evolution of the calculated ionic abundances shows the presence of abundance peaks coincident with the outburst events and the binary phases favoring episodic mass transfers onto the compact star. Monitoring, preferably every 3 to 4 years could be helpful in confirming the accretion-powered outburst mechanism of this star and provide important insights into the symbiotic phenomenon in general

Gravitational instability and star formation in disk galaxies

We present a general star formation law where star formation rate depends upon efficiency $\alpha$, timescale $\tau$ of star formation, gas component $\sigma_{g}$ of surface mass density and a real exponent $n$. A given exponent $n$ determines $\tau$ which however yields the corresponding star formation rate. Current nominal Schmidt exponent $n_{s}$ for our model is $2<n_{s}<3$. Based on a gravitational instability parameter $Q_{A}$ and another dimensionless parameter $f_{P}\equiv (P/G\sigma_{c}^{2})^{1/2}$, where $P$ = pressure, $\sigma_{c}$ = column density of molecular clouds, we suggest a general equation for star formation rate which depends upon relative competence of the two parameters for various physical circumstances. We find that $Q_{A}$ emerges to be a better parameter for star formation scenario than Toomre Q-parameter. Star formation rate in the solar neighbourhood is found to be in good agreement with values inferred from previous studies. Under closed box approximation model, we obtain a relation between metallicity of gas and the efficiency of star formation. Our model calculations of metallicity in the solar neighbourhood agree with earlier estimates. We conclude that metallicity dispersion for stars of same age may result due to a change in efficiency through which different sample stars were processed. For no significant change of metallicity with age, we suggest that all sample stars were born with almost similar efficiency.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, submitted to MNRA

Contour Dynamics Methods

In an early paper on the stability of fluid layers with uniform vorticity Rayleigh (1880) remarks: "... In such cases, the velocity curve is composed of portions of straight lines which meet each other at finite angles. This state of things may be supposed to be slightly disturbed by bending the surfaces of transition, and the determination of the subsequent motion depends upon that of the form of these surfaces. For co retains its constant value throughout each layer unchanged in the absence of friction, and by a well-known theorem the whole motion depends upon [omega]." We can now recognize this as essentially the principal of contour dynamics (CD), where [omega] is the uniform vorticity. The theorem referred to is the Biot-Savart law. Nearly a century later Zabusky et al (1979) presented numerical CD calculations of nonlinear vortex patch evolution. Subsequently, owing to its compact form conferring a deceptive simplicity, CD has become a widely used method for the investigation of two-dimensional rotational flow of an incompressible inviscid fluid. The aim of this article is to survey the development, technical details, and vortex-dynamic applications of the CD method in an effort to assess its impact on our understanding of the mechanics of rotational flow in two dimensions at ultrahigh Reynolds numbers. The study of the dynamics of two- and three-dimensional vortex mechanics by computational methods has been an active research area for more than two decades. Quite apart from many practical applications in the aerodynamics of separated flows, the theoretical and numerical study of vortices in incompressible fluids has been stimulated by the idea that turbulent fluid motion may be viewed as comprising ensembles of more or less coherent laminar vortex structures that interact via relatively simple dynamics and by the appeal of the vorticity equation, which does not contain the fluid pressure. Two-dimensional vortex interactions have been perceived as supposedly relevant to the origins of coherent structures observed experimentally in mixing layers, jets, and wakes, and for models of large-scale atmospheric and oceanic turbulence. Interest has often focused on the limit of infinite Reynolds number, where in the absence of boundaries, the inviscid Euler equations are assumed to properly describe the flow dynamics. The numerous surveys of progress in the study of vorticity and the use of numerical methods applied to vortex mechanics include articles by Saffman & Baker (1979) and Saffman (1981) on inviscid vortex interactions and Aref (1983) on two-dimensional flows. Numerical methods have been surveyed by Chorin (1980), and Leonard (1980, 1985). Caflisch (1988) describes work on the mathematical aspects of the subject. Zabusky (1981), Aref (1983), and Melander et al (1987b) discuss various aspects of CD. The review of Dritschel (1989) gives emphasis to numerical issues in CD and to recent computations with contour surgery. This article is confined to a discussion of vortices on a two-dimensional surface. We generally follow Saffman & Baker (1979) in matters of definition. In two dimensions a vortex sheet is a line of discontinuity in velocity while a vortex jump is a line of discontinuity in vorticity. We shall, however, use filament to denote a two-dimensional ribbon of vorticity surrounded by fluid with vorticity of different magnitude (which may be zero), rather than the more usual three-dimensional idea of a vortex tube. The ambiguity is unfortunate but is already in the literature. Additionally, a vortex patch is a finite, singly connected area of uniform vorticity while a vortex strip is an infinite strip of uniform vorticity with finite thickness, or equivalently, an infinite filament. Contour Dynamics will refer to the numerical solution of initial value problems for piecewise constant vorticity distributions by the Lagrangian method of calculating the evolution of the vorticity jumps. Such flows are often related to corresponding solutions of the Euler equations that are steady in some translating or rotating frame of reference. These solutions will be called vortex equilibria, and the numerical technique for computing their shapes based on CD is often referred to as contour statics. The mathematical foundation for the study of vorticity was laid primarily by the well-known investigations of Helmholtz, Kelvin, J. J. Thomson, Love, and others. In our century, efforts to produce numerical simulations of flows governed by the Euler equations have utilized a variety of Eulerian, Lagrangian, and hybrid methods. Among the former are the class of spectral methods that now comprise the prevailing tool for large-scale two- and three-dimensional calculations (see Hussaini & Zang 1987). The Lagrangian methods for two-dimensional flows have been predominantly vortex tracking techniques based on the Helmholtz vorticity laws. The first initial value calculations were those of Rosenhead (193l) and Westwater (1935) who attempted to calculate vortex sheet evolution by the motion of O(10) point vortices. Subsequent efforts by Moore (1974) (see also Moore 1983, 1985) and others to produce more refined computations for vortex sheets have failed for reasons related to the tendency for initially smooth vortex sheet data to produce singularities (Moore 1979). Discrete vortex methods used to study the nonlinear dynamics of vortex patches and layers have included the evolution of assemblies of point vortices by direct summation (e.g. Acton 1976) and the cloud in cell method (Roberts & Christiansen 1972, Christiansen & Zabusky 1973, Aref & Siggia 1980, 1981). For reviews see Leonard (1980) and Aref (1983). These techniques have often been criticized for their lack of accuracy and numerical convergence and because they may be subject to grid scale dispersion. However, many qualitative vortex phenomena observed in nature and in experiments, such as amalgamation events and others still under active investigation (e.g. filamentation) were first simulated numerically with discrete vortices. The contour dynamics approach is attractive because it appears to allow direct access, at least for small times, to the inviscid dynamics for vorticity distributions smoother than those of either point vortices or vortex sheets, while at the same time enabling the mapping of the two-dimensional Euler equations to a one-dimensional Lagrangian form. In Section 2 we discuss the formulation and numerical implementation of contour dynamics for the Euler equations in two dimensions. Section 3 is concerned with applications to isolated and multiple vortex systems and to vortex layers. An attempt is made to relate this work to calculations of the relevant vortex equilibria and to results obtained with other methods. Axisymmetric contour dynamics and the treatment of the multi-layer model of quasigeostrophic flows are described in Section 4 while Section 5 is devoted to a discussion of the tendency shown by vorticity jumps to undergo the strange and subtle phenomenon of filamentation

La politique locale au quotidien, les conseillers généraux dans leur canton.

Version modifiée d'une communication présentée au Congrès de l'Association Française de Science Politique, Bordeaux, 5-8 octobre 1988. Une partie de ce texte a été publiée dans la revue Politix : L'activité relationnelle des conseillers généraux, numéro spécial, L'espace du local, Politix, octobre-décembre 1989, PFNSP : pp 51-58.French local politics, the "conseillers généraux" in their "canton".This paper presents an analysis of the place and the role of the “Conseillers généraux” (elected officials of a “Départements”) in the French local government in the context of the first years of decentralization. It is based on the results of a series of research, in particular on a survey carried out in 1985-86 near a sample of 154 “Conseillers généraux” (about half of the elected officials of the eight “Départements” of the “Région Midi-Pyrénées” (south of France). The paper presents first the sociological characteristics of the cantonal elected officials, the frequency and the nature of their relations with the voters and the mayors. It analyzes then the attitude of the “conseiller général” on the departmental policy, the evolution of the resources and the expenditure in various fields, the methods of allowance of the subsidies to the communes. Finally the paper describes the changes which rise from the reforms of decentralization. The data of the survey show that a differentiation takes place between three groups : a) the group of the “basic” “conseillers généraux” who privilege a traditional function of mediation between the population, the mayors of the small communes and the state and local bureaucraties ; b) elected officials who invest themselves in the animation of their canton and inter-commune organizations; c) the restricted group of quasi professionnalized elected officials who devote themselves mainly to the management of the departmental policies.Ce texte présente une analyse de la place et du rôle des conseillers généraux dans l'administration locale dans le contexte des premières années de la décentralisation. Elle s'appuie sur les résultats d'une série de recherches, en particulier sur une enquête réalisée en 1985-86 auprès d'un échantillon de 154 conseillers généraux soit la moitié environ des élus des huit départements de la région Midi-Pyrénées. Le texte présente d'abord les caractéristiques sociologiques des élus cantonaux, leur charge de travail, la fréquence et la nature de leurs relations avec les électeurs et les maires. Il analyse ensuite l'attitude des conseillers sur la politique départementale, l'évolution des ressources et des dépenses dans différents domaines, les modalités d'allocation des subventions aux communes. Il s'intéresse enfin aux changements qui découlent des réformes de décentralisation. Les données de l'enquête montrent qu'une différenciation s'opère entre trois figures: a) le groupe des conseillers « de base » qui privilégient une fonction traditionnelle de médiation entre la population, les maires des petites communes et l'appareil administratif ; b) des élus qui s'investissent dans l'animation de leur canton et d'organismes intercommunaux ; c) le groupe restreint d'élus quasi professionnalisés qui se consacrent principalement à la gestion des politiques départementales

Batrachoseps attenuatus

Number of Pages: 6Integrative BiologyGeological Science

The dimensions of personality in humans and other animals: A comparative and evolutionary perspective

This paper considers the structure and proximate mechanisms of personality in humans and other animals. Significant similarities were found between personality structures and mechanisms across species in at least two broad traits: Extraversion and Neuroticism. The factor space tapped by these personality dimensions is viewed as a general integrative framework for comparative and evolutionary studies of personality in humans and other animals. Most probably, the cross-species similarities between the most broad personality dimensions like Extraversion and Neuroticism as well as other Big Five factors reflect conservative evolution: constrains on evolution imposed by physiological, genetic and cognitive mechanisms. Lower-order factors, which are more species- and situation-specific, would be adaptive, reflecting correlated selection on and trade-offs between many traits