877 research outputs found
Optimal transient growth in thin-interface internal solitary waves
The dynamics of perturbations to large-amplitude internal solitary waves (ISWs) in two-layered flows with thin interfaces is analysed by means of linear optimal transient growth methods. Optimal perturbations are computed through direct-adjoint iterations of the Navier-Stokes equations linearized around inviscid, steady ISWs obtained from the Dubreil-Jacotin-Long (DJL) equation. Optimal perturbations are found as a function of the ISW phase velocity (alternatively amplitude) for one representative stratification. These disturbances are found to be localized wave-like packets that originate just upstream of the ISW self-induced zone (for large enough ) of potentially unstable Richardson number, <[CDATA Ri. They propagate through the base wave as coherent packets whose total energy gain increases rapidly with . The optimal disturbances are also shown to be relevant to DJL solitary waves that have been modified by viscosity representative of laboratory experiments. The optimal disturbances are compared to the local Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) approximation for spatially growing Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) waves through the <[CDATA Ri zone. The WKB approach is able to capture properties (e.g. carrier frequency, wavenumber and energy gain) of the optimal disturbances except for an initial phase of non-normal growth due to the Orr mechanism. The non-normal growth can be a substantial portion of the total gain, especially for ISWs that are weakly unstable to K-H waves. The linear evolution of Gaussian packets of linear free waves with the same carrier frequency as the optimal disturbances is shown to result in less energy gain than found for either the optimal perturbations or the WKB approximation due to non-normal effects that cause absorption of disturbance energy into the leading face of the wave. Two-dimensional numerical calculations of the nonlinear evolution of optimal disturbance packets leads to the generation of large-amplitude K-H billows that can emerge on the leading face of the wave and that break down into turbulence in the lee of the wave. The nonlinear calculations are used to derive a slowly varying model of ISW decay due to repeated encounters with optimal or free wave packets. Field observations of unstable ISW by Moum et al. (J. Phys. Oceanogr., vol. 33 (10), 2003, pp. 2093-2112) are consistent with excitation by optimal disturbances
Individual Differences in Spatial Abilities: An Investigation into Age, Sex, Handedness, and Sibling Effects.
The study was conducted at Goldsmiths, University of London in April 2012. 588 participants were assessed as part of the laboratory InLab. The results showed that spatial abilities were not significantly associated with age, gender, leading hand or the presence of brothers and sisters. The only significant difference found in the study was a difference between the sexes in the number of spatial and non-spatial activities. The results also showed that the two spatial abilities (spatial memory and mental rotation) are likely to develop under the influence of different factors, and are only weakely associated with each other
The phase relation between sunspot numbers and soft X-ray flares
To better understand long-term flare activity, we present a statistical study
on soft X-ray flares from May 1976 to May 2008. It is found that the smoothed
monthly peak fluxes of C-class, M-class, and X-class flares have a very
noticeable time lag of 13, 8, and 8 months in cycle 21 respectively with
respect to the smoothed monthly sunspot numbers. There is no time lag between
the sunspot numbers and M-class flares in cycle 22. However, there is a
one-month time lag for C-class flares and a one-month time lead for X-class
flares with regard to sunspot numbers in cycle 22. For cycle 23, the smoothed
monthly peak fluxes of C-class, M-class, and X-class flares have a very
noticeable time lag of one month, 5 months, and 21 months respectively with
respect to sunspot numbers. If we take the three types of flares together, the
smoothed monthly peak fluxes of soft X-ray flares have a time lag of 9 months
in cycle 21, no time lag in cycle 22 and a characteristic time lag of 5 months
in cycle 23 with respect to the smoothed monthly sunspot numbers. Furthermore,
the correlation coefficients of the smoothed monthly peak fluxes of M-class and
X-class flares and the smoothed monthly sunspot numbers are higher in cycle 22
than those in cycles 21 and 23. The correlation coefficients between the three
kinds of soft X-ray flares in cycle 22 are higher than those in cycles 21 and
23. These findings may be instructive in predicting C-class, M-class, and
X-class flares regarding sunspot numbers in the next cycle and the physical
processes of energy storage and dissipation in the corona.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space
Scienc
Bailing Out the Milky Way: Variation in the Properties of Massive Dwarfs Among Galaxy-Sized Systems
Recent kinematical constraints on the internal densities of the Milky Way's
dwarf satellites have revealed a discrepancy with the subhalo populations of
simulated Galaxy-scale halos in the standard CDM model of hierarchical
structure formation. This has been dubbed the "too big to fail" problem, with
reference to the improbability of large and invisible companions existing in
the Galactic environment. In this paper, we argue that both the Milky Way
observations and simulated subhalos are consistent with the predictions of the
standard model for structure formation. Specifically, we show that there is
significant variation in the properties of subhalos among distinct host halos
of fixed mass and suggest that this can reasonably account for the deficit of
dense satellites in the Milky Way. We exploit well-tested analytic techniques
to predict the properties in a large sample of distinct host halos with a
variety of masses spanning the range expected of the Galactic halo. The
analytic model produces subhalo populations consistent with both Via Lactea II
and Aquarius, and our results suggest that natural variation in subhalo
properties suffices to explain the discrepancy between Milky Way satellite
kinematics and these numerical simulations. At least ~10% of Milky Way-sized
halos host subhalo populations for which there is no "too big to fail" problem,
even when the host halo mass is as large as M_host = 10^12.2 h^-1 M_sun.
Follow-up studies consisting of high-resolution simulations of a large number
of Milky Way-sized hosts are necessary to confirm our predictions. In the
absence of such efforts, the "too big to fail" problem does not appear to be a
significant challenge to the standard model of hierarchical formation.
[abridged]Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures; accepted by JCAP. Replaced with published
versio
Sodium atoms and clusters on graphite: a density functional study
Sodium atoms and clusters (N<5) on graphite (0001) are studied using density
functional theory, pseudopotentials and periodic boundary conditions. A single
Na atom is observed to bind at a hollow site 2.45 A above the surface with an
adsorption energy of 0.51 eV. The small diffusion barrier of 0.06 eV indicates
a flat potential energy surface. Increased Na coverage results in a weak
adsorbate-substrate interaction, which is evident in the larger separation from
the surface in the cases of Na_3, Na_4, Na_5, and the (2x2) Na overlayer. The
binding is weak for Na_2, which has a full valence electron shell. The presence
of substrate modifies the structures of Na_3, Na_4, and Na_5 significantly, and
both Na_4 and Na_5 are distorted from planarity. The calculated formation
energies suggest that clustering of atoms is energetically favorable, and that
the open shell clusters (e.g. Na_3 and Na_5) can be more abundant on graphite
than in the gas phase. Analysis of the lateral charge density distributions of
Na and Na_3 shows a charge transfer of about 0.5 electrons in both cases.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figure
Dynamics of liquid He-4 in confined geometries from Time-Dependent Density Functional calculations
We present numerical results obtained from Time-Dependent Density Functional
calculations of the dynamics of liquid He-4 in different environments
characterized by geometrical confinement. The time-dependent density profile
and velocity field of He-4 are obtained by means of direct numerical
integration of the non-linear Schrodinger equation associated with a
phenomenological energy functional which describes accurately both the static
and dynamic properties of bulk liquid He-4. Our implementation allows for a
general solution in 3-D (i.e. no symmetries are assumed in order to simplify
the calculations). We apply our method to study the real-time dynamics of pure
and alkali-doped clusters, of a monolayer film on a weakly attractive surface
and a nano-droplet spreading on a solid surface.Comment: q 1 tex file + 9 Ps figure
Processing of ultrafine-size particulate metal matrix composites by advanced shear technology
Copyright @ 2009 ASM International. This paper was published in Metallurgical & Materials Transactions A 40A(3) and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of ASM International. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplications of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of this paper are prohibited.Lack of efficient mixing technology to achieve a uniform distribution of fine-size reinforcement within the matrix and the high cost of producing components have hindered the widespread adaptation of particulate metal matrix composites (PMMCs) for engineering applications. A new rheo-processing method, the melt-conditioning high-pressure die-cast (MC-HPDC) process, has been developed for manufacturing near-net-shape components of high integrity. The MC-HPDC process adapts the well-established high shear dispersive mixing action of a twin-screw mechanism to the task of overcoming the cohesive force of the agglomerates under a high shear rate and high intensity of turbulence. This is followed by direct shaping of the slurry into near-net-shape components using an existing cold-chamber die-casting process. The results indicate that the MC-HPDC samples have a uniform distribution of ultrafine-sized SiC particles throughout the entire sample in the as-cast condition. Compared to those produced by conventional high-pressure die casting (HPDC), MC-HPDC samples have a much improved tensile strength and ductility.EP-SR
The State of the Art in Hydrodynamic Turbulence: Past Successes and Future Challenges
We present a personal view of the state of the art in turbulence research. We
summarize first the main achievements in the recent past, and then point ahead
to the main challenges that remain for experimental and theoretical efforts.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Physica
Experiencing the world with archetypal symbols: A new form of aesthetics.
According to the theories of symbolic interactionism, phenomenology of perception and archetypes, we argue that symbols play the key role in translating the information from the physical world to the human experience, and archetypes are the universal knowledge of cognition that generates the background of human experience (the life-world). Therefore, we propose a conceptual framework that depicts how people experience the world with symbols, and how archetypes relate the deepest level of human experience. This framework indicates a new direction of research on memory and emotion, and also suggests that archetypal symbolism can be a new resource of aesthetic experience design.Postprint (published version
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