456 research outputs found
Dual-camera system for high-speed imaging in particle image velocimetry
Particle image velocimetry is an important technique in experimental fluid
mechanics, for which it has been essential to use a specialized high-speed
camera. However, the high speed is at the expense of other performances of the
camera, i.e., sensitivity and image resolution. Here, we demonstrate that the
high-speed imaging is also possible with a pair of still cameras.Comment: 4 pages, accepted by Journal of Visualization (see
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Vortex tubes in velocity fields of laboratory isotropic turbulence: dependence on the Reynolds number
The streamwise and transverse velocities are measured simultaneously in
isotropic grid turbulence at relatively high Reynolds numbers, Re(lambda) =
110-330. Using a conditional averaging technique, we extract typical
intermittency patterns, which are consistent with velocity profiles of a model
for a vortex tube, i.e., Burgers vortex. The radii of the vortex tubes are
several of the Kolmogorov length regardless of the Reynolds number. Using the
distribution of an interval between successive enhancements of a small-scale
velocity increment, we study the spatial distribution of vortex tubes. The
vortex tubes tend to cluster together. This tendency is increasingly
significant with the Reynolds number. Using statistics of velocity increments,
we also study the energetical importance of vortex tubes as a function of the
scale. The vortex tubes are important over the background flow at small scales
especially below the Taylor microscale. At a fixed scale, the importance is
increasingly significant with the Reynolds number.Comment: 8 pages, 3 PS files for 8 figures, to appear in Physical Review
Orbital Decay and Tidal Disruption of a Star Cluster: Analytical Calculation
The orbital decay and tidal disruption of a star cluster in a galaxy is
studied in an analytical manner. Owing to dynamical friction, the star cluster
spirals in toward the center of the galaxy. Simultaneously, the galactic tidal
field strips stars from the outskirts of the star cluster. Under an assumption
that the star cluster undergoes a self-similar evolution, we obtain the
condition and timescale for the star cluster to reach the galaxy center before
its disruption. The result is used to discuss the fate of so-called
intermediate-mass black holes with >10^3 M(sun) found recently in young star
clusters of starburst galaxies and also the mass function of globular clusters
in galaxies.Comment: 12 pages, 1 PS file for 2 figures, to appear in The Astrophysical
Journa
Runaway Merging of Black Holes: Analytical Constraint on the Timescale
Following the discovery of a black hole (BH) with a mass of 10^3-10^6 M(sun)
in a starburst galaxy M82, we study formation of such a BH via successive
merging of stellar-mass BHs within a star cluster. The merging has a runaway
characteristic. This is because massive BHs sink into the cluster core and have
a high number density, and because the merging probability is higher for more
massive BHs. We use the Smoluchowski equation to study analytically the
evolution of the BH mass distribution. Under favorable conditions, which are
expected for some star clusters in starburst galaxies, the timescale of the
runaway merging is at most of order 10^7 yr. This is short enough to account
for the presence of a BH heavier than 10^3 M(sun) in an ongoing starburst
region.Comment: 10 pages, no figures, to appear in The Astrophysical Journal
(Letters
Sundarban mangroves: diversity, ecosystem services and climate change impacts
The Bengal delta coast harboring the famous Sundarban mangroves is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Already, salinity intrusion, increasing cyclones and anomalies in rainfall, and temperature, are causing many social and livelihood problems. However, our knowledge on the diversified climate change impacts on Sundarban ecosystems services, providing immense benefits, including foods, shelters, livelihood, and health amenities, is very limited. Therefore, this article has systematically reviewed the major functional aspects, and highlights on biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and services of the Sunderban mangroves, with respect to variations in climatic factors. The mangrove ecosystems are highly productive in terms of forest biomass, and nutrient contribution, especially through detritus-based food webs, to support rich biodiversity in the wetlands and adjacent estuaries. Sundarban mangroves also play vital role in atmospheric CO2 sequestration, sediment trapping and nutrient recycling. Sea level rise will engulf a huge portion of the mangroves, while the associated salinity increase is posing immense threats to biodiversity and economic losses. Climate-mediated changes in riverine discharge, tides, temperature, rainfall and evaporation will determine the wetland nutrient variations, influencing the physiological and ecological processes, thus biodiversity and productivity of Sundarban mangroves. Hydrological changes in wetland ecosystems through increased salinity and cyclones will lower the food security, and also induce human vulnerabilities to waterborne diseases. Scientific investigations producing high resolution data to identify Sundarban‟s multidimensional vulnerabilities to various climatic regimes are essential. Sustainable plans and actions are required integrating conservation and climate change adaptation strategies, including promotion of alternative livelihoods. Thus, interdisciplinary approaches are required to address the future climatic disasters, and better protection of invaluable ecosystem services of the Sunderban mangroves.Fil: Neogi, Sucharit Basu. Coastal Development Partnership; Bangladesh. Osaka Prefecture University; JapĂłn. Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology GmbH; AlemaniaFil: Dey, Mouri. University of Chittagong; BangladeshFil: Lutful Kabir, S. M.. Bangladesh Agricultural University; BangladeshFil: Masum, Syed Jahangir H.. Coastal Development Partnership; BangladeshFil: Kopprio, Germán Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - BahĂa Blanca. Instituto Argentino de OceanografĂa. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de OceanografĂa; Argentina. Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology GmbH; AlemaniaFil: Yamasaki, Shinji. Osaka Prefecture University; JapĂłnFil: Lara, Ruben Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - BahĂa Blanca. Instituto Argentino de OceanografĂa. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de OceanografĂa; Argentin
Mass Segregation in Star Clusters: Analytic Estimation of the Timescale
Mass segregation in a star cluster is studied in an analytical manner. We
consider a two-component cluster, which consists of two types of stars with
different masses. Plummer's model is used for the initial condition. We trace
the overall behaviors of the probability distribution functions of the two
components and obtain the timescale of mass segregation as a simple function of
the cluster parameters. The result is used to discuss the origin of a black
hole with mass of > 1000 M(sun) found in the starburst galaxy M82.Comment: 12 pages, 1 ps file for 2 figures, to appear in The Astrophysical
Journa
Gravitational Wave Bursts from Collisions of Primordial Black Holes in Clusters
The rate of gravitational wave bursts from the mergers of massive primordial
black holes in clusters is calculated. Such clusters of black holes can be
formed through phase transitions in the early Universe. The central black holes
in clusters can serve as the seeds of supermassive black holes in galactic
nuclei. The expected burst detection rate by the LISA gravitational wave
detector is estimated.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure
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