954 research outputs found
Simple Models for Turbulent Self-Regulation in Galaxy Disks
We propose that turbulent heating, wave pressure and gas exchanges between
different regions of disks play a dominant role in determining the preferred,
quasi-equilibrium, self-similar states of gas disks on large-scales. We present
simple families of analytic, thermohydrodynamic models for these global states,
which include terms for turbulent pressure and Reynolds stresses. Star
formation rates, phase balances, and hydrodynamic forces are all tightly
coupled and balanced. The models have stratified radial flows, with the cold
gas slowly flowing inward in the midplane of the disk, and with the warm/hot
phases that surround the midplane flowing outward.
The models suggest a number of results that are in accord with observation,
as well as some novel predictions, including the following. 1) The large-scale
gas density and thermal phase distributions in galaxy disks can be explained as
the result of turbulent heating and spatial couplings. 2) The turbulent
pressures and stresses that drive radial outflows in the warm gas also allow a
reduced circular velocity there. This effect was observed by Swaters, Sancisi
and van der Hulst in NGC 891, a particularly turbulent edge-on disk. The models
predict that the effect should be universal in such disks. 3) They suggest that
a star formation rate like the phenomenological Schmidt Law is the natural
result of global thermohydrodynamical balance, and may not obtain in disks far
from equilibrium. (Abridged)Comment: 37 pages, 1 gif figure, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
Integral Field Unit Observations of NGC 891: Kinematics of the Diffuse Ionized Gas Halo
We present high and moderate spectral resolution spectroscopy of diffuse
ionized gas (DIG) emission in the halo of NGC 891. The data were obtained with
the SparsePak integral field unit at the WIYN Observatory. The wavelength
coverage includes the [NII]6548,6583, Halpha, and [SII]6716,6731 emission
lines. Position-velocity (PV) diagrams, constructed using spectra extracted
from four SparsePak pointings in the halo, are used to examine the kinematics
of the DIG. Using two independent methods, a vertical gradient in azimuthal
velocity is found to be present in the northeast quadrant of the halo, with
magnitude approximately 15-18 km/s/kpc, in agreement with results from HI
observations. The kinematics of the DIG suggest that this gradient begins at
approximately 1 kpc above the midplane. In another part of the halo, the
southeast quadrant, the kinematics are markedly different, and suggest rotation
at about 175 km/s, much slower than the disk but with no vertical gradient. We
utilize an entirely ballistic model of disk-halo flow in an attempt to
reproduce the kinematics observed in the northeast quadrant. Analysis shows
that the velocity gradient predicted by the ballistic model is far too shallow.
Based on intensity cuts made parallel to the major axis in the ballistic model
and an Halpha image of NGC 891 from the literature, we conclude that the DIG
halo is much more centrally concentrated than the model, suggesting that
hydrodynamics dominate over ballistic motion in shaping the density structure
of the halo. Velocity dispersion measurements along the minor axis of NGC 891
seem to indicate a lack of radial motions in the halo, but the uncertainties do
not allow us to set firm limits.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
Quantitative imaging:systematic review of perfusion/flow phantoms
Background: We aimed at reviewing design and realisation of perfusion/flow phantoms for validating quantitative perfusion imaging (PI) applications to encourage best practices. Methods: A systematic search was performed on the Scopus database for “perfusion”, “flow”, and “phantom”, limited to articles written in English published between January 1999 and December 2018. Information on phantom design, used PI and phantom applications was extracted. Results: Of 463 retrieved articles, 397 were rejected after abstract screening and 32 after full-text reading. The 37 accepted articles resulted to address PI simulation in brain (n = 11), myocardial (n = 8), liver (n = 2), tumour (n = 1), finger (n = 1), and non-specific tissue (n = 14), with diverse modalities: ultrasound (n = 11), computed tomography (n = 11), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 17), and positron emission tomography (n = 2). Three phantom designs were described: basic (n = 6), aligned capillary (n = 22), and tissue-filled (n = 12). Microvasculature and tissue perfusion were combined in one compartment (n = 23) or in two separated compartments (n = 17). With the only exception of one study, inter-compartmental fluid exchange could not be controlled. Nine studies compared phantom results with human or animal perfusion data. Only one commercially available perfusion phantom was identified. Conclusion: We provided insights into contemporary phantom approaches to PI, which can be used for ground truth evaluation of quantitative PI applications. Investigators are recommended to verify and validate whether assumptions underlying PI phantom modelling are justified for their intended phantom application
Assessing DSM-5-oriented level of personality functioning:Development and psychometric evaluation of the Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM-5 (STiP-5.1)
The alternative model for personality disorders (AMPD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) features a Level of Personality Functioning Scale, measuring intrinsic personality processes that include identity, self-direction, empathy, and intimacy. This study describes the development and psychometric evaluation of a semistructured interview schedule for the multi-item assessment of the level of personality functioning, the Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM-5 (STiP-5.1). Eighty patients and 18 community subjects completed the STiP-5.1. Patients additionally completed the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Severity Indices of Personality Problems, and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I and Axis II Personality Disorders. Good interrater reliability was observed in subsamples of patients (n = 40) and nonpatients (n = 18). Associations between the interview scores and conceptually relevant external measures consistently supported the construct validity of the instrument. The STiP-5.1 thus offers a brief, relatively user-friendly instrument with generally favorable psychometric properties for the assessment of level of personality functioning of the DSM-5 AMPD. (PsycINFO Database Recor
Agent based demand flexibility management for wind power forecasting error mitigation using the SG-BEMS framework
The integration process of renewable energy sources (RES) and distributed energy resources (DER) into the power system, is characterized by concerns that originate from their stochastic and uncontrollable nature. This means that system operators require reliable forecasting tools, in order to ensure efficient and reliable operation. Accordingly, this paper proposes the use of demand flexibility, to counteract the RES forecasting errors. For this purpose, distributed and decentralized intelligence is used, via the SG-BEMS framework, to invoke demand flexibility in a timely and effective fashion, while taking into account the negative effects on the building occupants comfort. Lastly, numerical results from a simulated case of study are presented, which confirm that demand flexibility can be used to mitigate the magnitude of forecast errors
The minimum energy expenditure shortest path method
This article discusses the addition of an energy parameter to the shortest path execution process; namely, the energy expenditure by a character during execution of the path. Given a simple environment in which a character has the ability to perform actions related to locomotion, such as walking and stair stepping, current techniques execute the shortest path based on the length of the extracted root trajectory. However, actual humans acting in constrained environments do not plan only according to shortest path criterion, they conceptually measure the path that minimizes the amount of energy expenditure. On this basis, it seems that virtual characters should also execute their paths according to the minimization of actual energy expenditure as well. In this article, a simple method that uses a formula for computing vanadium dioxide () levels, which is a proxy for the energy expenditure by humans during various activities, is presented. The presented solution could be beneficial in any situation requiring a sophisticated perspective of the path-execution process. Moreover, it can be implemented in almost every path-planning method that has the ability to measure stepping actions or other actions of a virtual character
HALOGAS: HI Observations and Modeling of the Nearby Edge-on Spiral Galaxy NGC 4244
We present 21-cm observations and models of the HI kinematics and
distribution of NGC 4244, a nearby edge-on Scd galaxy observed as part of the
Westerbork Hydrogen Accretion in LOcal GAlaxieS (HALOGAS) survey. Our models
give insight into the HI kinematics and distribution with an emphasis on the
potential existence of extra-planar gas as well as a negative gradient in
rotational velocity with height above the plane of the disk (a lag). Our models
yield strong evidence against a significantly extended halo and instead favor a
warp component along the line of sight as an explanation for some of the
observed thickening of the disk. Based on these models, we detect a lag of -9
+3/-2 km s-1 kpc-1 in the approaching half and -9 +/-2 km s-1 kpc-1 in the
receding half. This lag decreases in magnitude to -5+/-2 km s-1 kpc-1 and
-4+/-2 km s-1 kpc-1 near a radius of 10 kpc in the approaching and receding
halves respectively. Additionally, we detect several distinct morphological and
kinematic features including a shell that is probably driven by star formation
within the disk.Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures, Full resolution version may be found at:
http://www.astron.nl/halogas/papers/NGC4244.Zschaechner.arXiv.p
The Kinematically Measured Pattern Speeds of NGC 2523 and NGC 4245
We have applied the Tremaine-Weinberg continuity equation method to derive
the bar pattern speed in the SB(r)b galaxy NGC 2523 and the SB(r)0/a galaxy NGC
4245 using the Calcium Triplet absorption lines. These galaxies were selected
because they have strong inner rings which can be used as independent tracers
of the pattern speed. The pattern speed of NGC 2523 is 26.4 6.1 km
s kpc, assuming an inclination of 49.7 and a distance
of 51.0 Mpc. The pattern speed of NGC 4245 is 75.5 31.3 km s
kpc, assuming an inclination of 35.4 and a distance of 12.6
Mpc. The ratio of the corotation radius to the bar radius of NGC 2523 and NGC
4245 is 1.4 0.3 and 1.1 0.5, respectively. These values place the
bright inner rings near and slightly inside the corotation radius, as predicted
by barred galaxy theory. Within the uncertainties, both galaxies are found to
have fast bars that likely indicate dark halos of low central concentration.
The photometric properties, bar strengths, and disk stabilities of both
galaxies are also discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal, 11 figures, 2
table
HALOGAS observations of NGC 5023 and UGC 2082: Modeling of non-cylindrically symmetric gas distributions in edge-on galaxies
In recent years it has become clear that the vertical structure of disk
galaxies is a key ingredient for understanding galaxy evolution. In particular,
the presence and structure of extra-planar gas has been a focus of research.
The Hydrogen Accretion in LOcal GAlaxieS (HALOGAS) survey aims to provide a
census on the rate of cold neutral gas accretion in nearby galaxies as well as
a statistically significant set of galaxies that can be investigated for their
extra-planar gas properties.
In order to better understand the the vertical structure of the neutral
hydrogen in the two edge-on HALOGAS galaxies NGC 5023 and UGC 2082 we construct
detailed tilted ring models. The addition of distortions resembling arcs or
spiral arms significantly improves the fit of the models to these galaxies. In
the case of UGC 2082 no vertical gradient in rotational velocity is required in
either symmetric models nor non-symmetric models to match the observations. The
best fitting model features two arcs of large vertical extent that may be due
to accretion. In the case of NGC 5023 a vertical gradient is required in
symmetric models (dV/dz = km s kpc) and its
magnitude is significantly lowered when non-symmetric models are considered
(dV/dz = km s kpc). Additionally it is shown that the
underlying disk of NGC 5023 can be made symmetric, in all parameters except the
warp, in non-symmetric models. In comparison to the "classical" modeling these
models fit the data significantly better with a limited addition of free
parameters.Comment: 27 Pages, 22 Figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Towards field specific phosphate applications norms with machine learning
Efficient use of animal manure is an important link in the nutrient cycle in agricultural systems. On Dutch dairy farms, most manure is applied on grass and cropland, with maize as main crop. With the aim of balancing P input and output at field level, which is the idea behind the currently used, but rather fixed, ..
- …