405 research outputs found
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
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