763 research outputs found
Simulation of subseismic joint and fault networks using a heuristic mechanical model
Flow simulations of fractured and faulted reservoirs require representation of subseismic structures about which subsurface data are limited. We describe a method for simulating fracture growth that is mechanically based but heuristic, allowing for realistic modelling of fracture networks with reasonable run times. The method takes a triangulated meshed surface as input, together with an initial stress field. Fractures initiate and grow based on the stress field, and the growing fractures relieve the stress in the mesh. We show that a wide range of bedding-plane joint networks can be modelled simply by varying the distribution and anisotropy of the initial stress field. The results are in good qualitative agreement with natural joint patterns. We then apply the method to a set of parallel veins and demonstrate how the variations in thickness of the veins can be represented. Lastly, we apply the method to the simulation of normal fault patterns on salt domes. We derive the stress field on the bedding surface using the horizon curvature. The modelled fault network shows both radial and concentric faults. The new method provides an effective means of modelling joint and fault networks that can be imported to the flow simulator
Evolution of a 3 \msun star from the main sequence to the ZZ Ceti stage: the role played by element diffusion
The purpose of this paper is to present new full evolutionary calculations
for DA white dwarf stars with the major aim of providing a physically sound
reference frame for exploring the pulsation properties of the resulting models
in future communications. Here, white dwarf evolution is followed in a
self-consistent way with the predictions of time dependent element diffusion
and nuclear burning. In addition, full account is taken of the evolutionary
stages prior to the white dwarf formation. In particular, we follow the
evolution of a 3 \msun model from the zero-age main sequence (the adopted
metallicity is Z=0.02) all the way from the stages of hydrogen and helium
burning in the core up to the thermally pulsing phase. After experiencing 11
thermal pulses, the model is forced to evolve towards its white dwarf
configuration by invoking strong mass loss episodes. Further evolution is
followed down to the domain of the ZZ Ceti stars on the white dwarf cooling
branch. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of the chemical abundance
distribution due to diffusion processes and the role played by hydrogen burning
during the white dwarf evolution. Furthermore, the implications of our
evolutionary models for the main quantities relevant for adiabatic pulsation
analysis are discussed. Interestingly, the shape of the Ledoux term is markedly
smoother as compared with previous detailed studies of white dwarfs. This is
translated into a different behaviour of the Brunt-Vaisala frequency.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
On the very long term evolutionary behavior of hydrogen-accreting Low-Mass CO white dwarfs
Hydrogen-rich matter has been added to a CO white dwarf of initial mass 0.516
\msun at the rates and \msun \yrm1, and results are
compared with those for a white dwarf of the same initial mass which accretes
pure helium at the same rates. For the chosen accretion rates, hydrogen burns
in a series of recurrent mild flashes and the ashes of hydrogen burning build
up a helium layer at the base of which a He flash eventually occurs. In
previous studies involving accretion at higher rates and including initially
more massive WDs, the diffusion of energy inward from the H shell-flashing
region contributes to the increase in the temperature at the base of the helium
layer, and the mass of the helium layer when the He flash begins is
significantly smaller than in a comparison model accreting pure helium; the He
shell flash is not strong enough to develop into a supernova explosion. In
contrast, for the conditions adopted here, the temperature at the base of the
He layer becomes gradually independent of the deposition of energy by H shell
flashes, and the mass of the He layer when the He flash occurs is a function
only of the accretion rate, independent of the hydrogen content of the accreted
matter. When the He flash takes place, due to the high degeneracy at the base
of the He layer, temperatures in the flashing zone will rise without a
corresponding increase in pressure, nuclear burning will continue until nuclear
statistical equilibrium is achieved; the model will become a supernova, but not
of the classical type Ia variety.Comment: 14 pages and 3 Postscript figures, Accepted for publication on ApJ
Letter
The diffusion-induced nova scenario. CK Vul and PB 8 as possible observational counterparts
We propose a scenario for the formation of DA white dwarfs with very thin
helium buffers. For these stars we explore the possible occurrence of
diffusion-induced CNO- flashes, during their early cooling stage. In order to
obtain very thin helium buffers, we simulate the formation of low mass remnants
through an AGB final/late thermal pulse (AFTP/LTP scenario). Then we calculate
the consequent white dwarf cooling evolution by means of a consistent treatment
of element diffusion and nuclear burning. Based on physically sounding white
dwarf models, we find that the range of helium buffer masses for these
diffusion-induced novas to occur is significantly smaller than that predicted
by the only previous study of this scenario. As a matter of fact, we find that
these flashes do occur only in some low-mass (M < 0.6M) and low metallicity
(Z_ZAMS <0.001) remnants about 10^6 - 10^7 yr after departing from the AGB. For
these objects, we expect the luminosity to increase by about 4 orders of
magnitude in less than a decade. We also show that diffusion-induced novas
should display a very typical eruption lightcurve, with an increase of about a
few magnitudes per year before reaching a maximum of M_V ~ -5 to -6. Our
simulations show that surface abundances after the outburst are characterized
by logNH/NHe ~ -0.15...0.6 and N>C>O by mass fractions. Contrary to previous
speculations we show that these events are not recurrent and do not change
substantially the final H-content of the cool (DA) white dwarf. (Abridged)Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables. Replaced to match the final version
published by MNRAS. The definitive version is available at
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291365-296
MicroRNA miR-128 represses LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposition by down-regulating the nuclear import factor TNPO1.
Repetitive elements, including LINE-1 (L1), comprise approximately half of the human genome. These elements can potentially destabilize the genome by initiating their own replication and reintegration into new sites (retrotransposition). In somatic cells, transcription of L1 elements is repressed by distinct molecular mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, to repress transcription. Under conditions of hypomethylation (e.g. in tumor cells), a window of opportunity for L1 derepression arises, and additional restriction mechanisms become crucial. We recently demonstrated that the microRNA miR-128 represses L1 activity by directly binding to L1 ORF2 RNA. In this study, we tested whether miR-128 can also control L1 activity by repressing cellular proteins important for L1 retrotransposition. We found that miR-128 targets the 3' UTR of nuclear import factor transportin 1 (TNPO1) mRNA. Manipulation of miR-128 and TNPO1 levels demonstrated that induction or depletion of TNPO1 affects L1 retrotransposition and nuclear import of an L1-ribonucleoprotein complex (using L1-encoded ORF1p as a proxy for L1-ribonucleoprotein complexes). Moreover, TNPO1 overexpression partially reversed the repressive effect of miR-128 on L1 retrotransposition. Our study represents the first description of a protein factor involved in nuclear import of the L1 element and demonstrates that miR-128 controls L1 activity in somatic cells through two independent mechanisms: direct binding to L1 RNA and regulation of a cellular factor necessary for L1 nuclear import and retrotransposition
Third Dredge-up in Low Mass Stars: Solving the LMC Carbon Star Mystery
A long standing problem with asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star models has
been their inability to produce the low-luminosity carbon stars in the Large
and Small Magellanic Clouds. Dredge-up must begin earlier and extend deeper. We
find this for the first time in our models of LMC metallicity. Such features
are not found in our models of SMC metallicity. The fully implicit and
simultaneous stellar evolution code STARS has been used to calculate the
evolution of AGB stars with metallicities of Z=0.008 and Z=0.004, corresponding
to the observed metallicities of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds,
respecitively. Third dredge-up occurs in stars of 1Msol and above and carbon
stars were found for models between 1Msol and 3Msol. We use the detailed models
as input physics for a population synthesis code and generate carbon star
luminosity functions. We now find that we are able to reproduce the carbon star
luminosity function of the LMC without any manipulation of our models. The SMC
carbon star luminosity function still cannot be produced from our detailed
models unless the minimum core mass for third dredge-up is reduced by 0.06Msol.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
The born again (VLTP) scenario revisited: The mass of the remnants and implications for V4334 Sgr
We present 1-D numerical simulations of the very late thermal pulse
(VLTP) scenario for a wide range of remnant masses. We show that by taking
into account the different possible remnant masses, the observed evolution of
V4334 Sgr (a.k.a. Sakurai's Object) can be reproduced within the standard
1D-MLT stellar evolutionary models without the inclusion of any
reduced mixing efficiency. Our simulations hint at a consistent picture with
present observations of V4334 Sgr. From energetics, and within the standard MLT
approach, we show that low mass remnants \hbox{(\msun)} are
expected to behave markedly different than higher mass remnants
\hbox{(\msun)} in the sense that the latter are not expected to
expand significantly as a result of the violent H-burning that takes place
during the VLTP. We also assess the discrepancy in the born again times
obtained by different authors by comparing the energy that can be liberated by
H-burning during the VLTP event.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS. In includes an appendix regarding the treatment
of reduced convective motions within the Mixing Length Theor
Type Ia supernova SN 2003du: optical observations
UBVRI photometry and optical spectra of type Ia supernova SN 2003du obtained
at the Indian Astronomical Observatory for nearly a year since discovery are
presented.
The apparent magnitude at maximum was B=13.53 +/- 0.02 mag, and the colour
(B-V) = -0.08 +/- 0.03 mag. The luminosity decline rate, Delta(m_{15}(B)) =
1.04 +/- 0.04 mag indicates an absolute B magnitude at maximum of M_B = -19.34
+/- 0.3 mag and the distance modulus to the parent galaxy as mu=32.89 +/-
0.4.The light curve shapes are similar, though not identical, to those of SNe
1998bu and 1990N, both of which had luminosity decline rates similar to that of
SN 2003du and occurred in spiral galaxies. The peak bolometric luminosity
indicates that 0.9 Msun mass of 56Ni was ejected by the supernova. The spectral
evolution and the evolution of the Si II and Ca II absorption velocities
closely follows that of SN 1998bu, and in general, is within the scatter of the
velocities observed in normal type Ia supernovae.
The spectroscopic and photometric behaviour of SN 2003du is quite typical for
SNe Ia in spirals.
A high velocity absorption component in the Ca II (H & K) and IR-triplet
features, with absorption velocities of ~20,000 km/s and ~22,000 km/s
respectively, is detected in the pre-maximum spectra of days -11 and -7.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures; Accepted for publication in A&
Solar Neutrinos from CNO Electron Capture
The neutrino flux from the sun is predicted to have a CNO-cycle contribution
as well as the known pp-chain component. Previously, only the fluxes from beta+
decays of 13N, 15O, and 17F have been calculated in detail. Another neutrino
component that has not been widely considered is electron capture on these
nuclei. We calculate the number of interactions in several solar neutrino
detectors due to neutrinos from electron capture on 13N, 15O, and 17F, within
the context of the Standard Solar Model. We also discuss possible non-standard
models where the CNO flux is increased.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, submitted to Phys. Rev. C; v2 has minor changes
including integration over solar volume and addition of missing reference to
previous continuum electron capture calculation; v3 has minor changes
including addition of references and the correction of a small (about 1%)
numerical error in the table
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