Automated ice-core layer-counting with strong univariate signals

We present an automated process for determining the annual layer chronology of an ice-core with a strong annual signal, utilising the hydrogen peroxide record from an Antarctic Peninsula ice-core as a test signal on which to count annual cycles and explain the methods. The signal is de-trended and normalised before being split into sections with a deterministic cycle count and those that need more attention. Possible reconstructions for the uncertain sections are determined which could be used as a visual aid for manual counting, and a simple method for assigning probability measures to each reconstruction is discussed. The robustness of this process is explored by applying it to versions of two different chemistry signals from the same stretch of the NGRIP (North Greenland Ice Core Project) ice-core, which shows more variation in annual layer thickness, with and without thinning to mimic poorer quality data. An adapted version of these methods is applied to the more challenging non-sea-salt sulphur signal from the same Antarctic Peninsula core from which the hydrogen peroxide signal was taken. These methods could readily be adapted for use on much longer datasets, thereby reducing manual effort and providing a robust automated layer-counting methodology

Three-dimensional Ising model in the fixed-magnetization ensemble: a Monte Carlo study

We study the three-dimensional Ising model at the critical point in the fixed-magnetization ensemble, by means of the recently developed geometric cluster Monte Carlo algorithm. We define a magnetic-field-like quantity in terms of microscopic spin-up and spin-down probabilities in a given configuration of neighbors. In the thermodynamic limit, the relation between this field and the magnetization reduces to the canonical relation M(h). However, for finite systems, the relation is different. We establish a close connection between this relation and the probability distribution of the magnetization of a finite-size system in the canonical ensemble.Comment: 8 pages, 2 Postscript figures, uses RevTe

Modeling the transient aerodynamic effects during the motion of a flexible trailing edge

Wind turbine blades have been becoming longer and more slender during the last few decades. The longer lever arm results in higher stresses at the blade root. Hence, the unsteady loads induced by turbulence, gust, or wind shear increase. One promising way to control these loads is to use flexible trailing edges near the blade tip. The unsteady effects which appear during the motion of a flexible trailing edge must be considered for the load calculation during the design process because of their high influence on aeroelastic effects and hence on the fatigue loads. This is not yet possible in most of the wind turbine simulation environments. Consequently, an empirical model is developed in the present study which accounts for unsteady effects during the motion of the trailing edge. The model is based on Fourier analyses of results generated with Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations of a typical thin airfoil with a deformable trailing edge. The validation showed that the model fits Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) results simulated with a random time series of the deflection angle

No Evidence Supporting Flare Driven High-Frequency Global Oscillations

The underlying physics that generates the excitations in the global low-frequency, < 5.3 mHz, solar acoustic power spectrum is a well known process that is attributed to solar convection; However, a definitive explanation as to what causes excitations in the high-frequency regime, > 5.3 mHz, has yet to be found. Karoff and Kjeldsen (Astrophys. J. 678, 73-76, 2008) concluded that there is a correlation between solar flares and the global high-frequency solar acoustic waves. We have used the Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG) helioseismic data in an attempt to verify Karoff and Kjeldsen (2008) results as well as compare the post-flare acoustic power spectrum to the pre-flare acoustic power spectrum for 31 solar flares. Among the 31 flares analyzed, we observe that a decrease in acoustic power after the solar flare is just as likely as an increase. Furthermore, while we do observe variations in acoustic power that are most likely associated with the usual p-modes associated with solar convection, these variations do not show any significant temporal association with flares. We find no evidence that consistently supports flare driven high-frequency waves.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, Accepted for publication in Solar Physic

On the Critical Temperature of Non-Periodic Ising Models on Hexagonal Lattices

The critical temperature of layered Ising models on triangular and honeycomb lattices are calculated in simple, explicit form for arbitrary distribution of the couplings.Comment: to appear in Z. Phys. B., 8 pages plain TEX, 1 figure available upon reques

Physical tests for Random Numbers in Simulations

We propose three physical tests to measure correlations in random numbers used in Monte Carlo simulations. The first test uses autocorrelation times of certain physical quantities when the Ising model is simulated with the Wolff algorithm. The second test is based on random walks, and the third on blocks of n successive numbers. We apply the tests to show that recent errors in high precision simulations using generalized feedback shift register algorithms are due to short range correlations in random number sequences. We also determine the length of these correlations.Comment: 16 pages, Post Script file, HU-TFT-94-

Ground-state properties of tubelike flexible polymers

In this work we investigate structural properties of native states of a simple model for short flexible homopolymers, where the steric influence of monomeric side chains is effectively introduced by a thickness constraint. This geometric constraint is implemented through the concept of the global radius of curvature and affects the conformational topology of ground-state structures. A systematic analysis allows for a thickness-dependent classification of the dominant ground-state topologies. It turns out that helical structures, strands, rings, and coils are natural, intrinsic geometries of such tubelike objects

Shared Care, Elder and Family Member Skills Used to Manage Burden

Aim. The aim of this paper is to further develop the construct of Shared Care by comparing and contrasting it to related research, and to show how the construct can be used to guide research and practice. Background. While researchers have identified negative outcomes for family caregivers caused by providing care, less is known about positive aspects of family care for both members of a family dyad. Understanding family care relationships is important to nurses because family participation in the care of chronically ill elders is necessary to achieve optimal outcomes from nursing interventions. A previous naturalistic inquiry identified a new construct, Shared Care, which was used to describe a family care interaction that contributed to positive care outcomes. Methods. A literature review was carried out using the databases Medline, CINAHL, and Psych-info and the keywords home care, care receiver, disability, family, communication, decision-making and reciprocity. The results of the review were integrated to suggest how Shared Care could be used to study care difficulties and guide interventions. Results. The literature confirmed the importance of dyad relationships in family care. Shared Care extended previous conceptualizations of family care by capturing three critical components: communication, decision-making, and reciprocity. Shared Care provides a structure to expand the conceptualization of family care to include both members of a care dyad and account for positive and negative aspects of care. Conclusions. The extended view provided by the construct of Shared Care offers practitioners and scholars tools to use in the context of our ageing population to improve the effectiveness of family care relationships

Synapse efficiency diverges due to synaptic pruning following over-growth

In the development of the brain, it is known that synapses are pruned following over-growth. This pruning following over-growth seems to be a universal phenomenon that occurs in almost all areas -- visual cortex, motor area, association area, and so on. It has been shown numerically that the synapse efficiency is increased by systematic deletion. We discuss the synapse efficiency to evaluate the effect of pruning following over-growth, and analytically show that the synapse efficiency diverges as O(log c) at the limit where connecting rate c is extremely small. Under a fixed synapse number criterion, the optimal connecting rate, which maximize memory performance, exists.Comment: 15 pages, 16 figure

R-mode oscillations of differentially and rapidly rotating Newtonian polytropic stars

For the analysis of the r-mode oscillation of hot young neutron stars, it is necessary to consider the effect of it differential rotation, because viscosity is not strong enough for differentially rotating young neutron stars to be lead to uniformly rotating configurations on a very short time scale after their birth. In this paper, we have developed a numerical scheme to solve r-mode oscillations of differentially rotating polytropic inviscid stars. This is the extended version of the method which was applied to compute r-mode oscillations of uniformly rotating Newtonian polytropic stars. By using this new method, we have succeeded in obtaining eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of r-mode oscillations of differentially rotating polytropic stars. Our numerical results show that as the degree of differential rotation is increased, it becomes more difficult to solve r-mode oscillations for slightly deformed configurations from sphere compared to solving r-mode oscillations of considerably deformed stars. One reason for it seems that for slightly deformed stars corotation points appear near the surface region if the degree of differential rotation is strong enough. This is similar to the situation that the perturbational approach of r-mode oscillations for it slowly rotating stars in general relativity results in a singular eigenvalue problem.Comment: including 7 figures. submitted to PR