Dynamic Evolution Model of Isothermal Voids and Shocks

We explore self-similar hydrodynamic evolution of central voids embedded in an isothermal gas of spherical symmetry under the self-gravity. More specifically, we study voids expanding at constant radial speeds in an isothermal gas and construct all types of possible void solutions without or with shocks in surrounding envelopes. We examine properties of void boundaries and outer envelopes. Voids without shocks are all bounded by overdense shells and either inflows or outflows in the outer envelope may occur. These solutions, referred to as type $\mathcal{X}$ void solutions, are further divided into subtypes $\mathcal{X}_{\rm I}$ and $\mathcal{X}_{\rm II}$ according to their characteristic behaviours across the sonic critical line (SCL). Void solutions with shocks in envelopes are referred to as type $\mathcal{Z}$ voids and can have both dense and quasi-smooth edges. Asymptotically, outflows, breezes, inflows, accretions and static outer envelopes may all surround such type $\mathcal{Z}$ voids. Both cases of constant and varying temperatures across isothermal shock fronts are analyzed; they are referred to as types $\mathcal{Z}_{\rm I}$ and $\mathcal{Z}_{\rm II}$ void shock solutions. We apply the `phase net matching procedure' to construct various self-similar void solutions. We also present analysis on void generation mechanisms and describe several astrophysical applications. By including self-gravity, gas pressure and shocks, our isothermal self-similar void (ISSV) model is adaptable to various astrophysical systems such as planetary nebulae, hot bubbles and superbubbles in the interstellar medium as well as supernova remnants.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figuers, accepted by ApS

An electron microscopy study of graphite growth in nodular cast irons

Growth of graphite during solidification and high-temperature solid-state transformation has been investigated in samples cut out from a thin-wall casting which solidified partly in the stable (iron–graphite) and partly in the metastable (iron–cementite) systems. Transmission electron microscopy has been used to characterize graphite nodules in as-cast state and in samples having been fully graphitized at various temperatures in the austenite field. Nodules in the as-cast material show a twofold structure characterized by an inner zone where graphite is disoriented and an outer zone where it is well crystallized. In heat-treated samples, graphite nodules consist of well-crystallized sectors radiating from the nucleus. These observations suggest that the disoriented zone appears because of mechanical deformation when the liquid contracts during its solidification in the metastable system. During heat-treatment, the graphite in this zone recrystallizes. In turn, it can be concluded that nodular graphite growth mechanism is the same during solidification and solid-state transformatio

Geochemical records in recent sediments of Lake Erhai: implications for environmental changes in a low latitude–high altitude lake in southwest China

Sediment cores were collected from Lake Erhai, which is located on the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, a landform formed by the uplift of the Himalayas. These sediments were deposited up to about 697±15 years ago based on 210Pbex and 137Cs dating. d13Cinorg, d18Oinorg and d13Corg values and concentrations of Cinorg, Corg, N and P within the sediment cores have been measured. Corg has an average deposition flux of 12.7 g/m2, and an accumulation flux of 7.20 g/m2. The calculated decomposition rate constant is 0.017 a-1 with a half life of 40 a. d13Cinorg and d18Oinorg values range from -1.6 to -7.9‰ and -5.7 to -13.6‰, respectively, and show similar trends over the past 700 years, which is interpreted to be controlled mainly by temperature, corresponding to climatic changes of two and half periods of a ‘warm–cold–warm’ cycle. d13Corg ranges from -25 to -28‰, indicating that the organic matter originated mainly from land-derived plants, with overprinting from anthropogenic activities over the past 460 years (since 1537 Image ). N and Porg concentrations show a similar vertical distribution to Corg. Atomic ratios of organic carbon and nitrogen (C/N) are 5.8 and 6.8 for the deposition and accumulation stages, respectively, similar to the Redfield ratio in the ocean. The C/P ratio, however, is higher than that in the ocean. The vertical distribution of carbon in the sediment cores indicates that Lake Erhai has the characteristics of both an inland lake (land-derived organic matter) and the ocean (similar C/N ratio). The lower C/N and C/P ratios in the lake Erhai sediments are characteristic for a lake at high altitude and in a subtropical region. This ‘low latitude–high altitude effect’ is probably related to the uplift of the Himalayas