1,989 research outputs found
Differential rotation in giant planets maintained by density-stratified turbulent convection
The zonal winds on the surfaces of giant planets vary with latitude. Jupiter
and Saturn, for example, have several bands of alternating eastward (prograde)
and westward (retrograde) jets relative to the angular velocity of their global
magnetic fields. These surface wind profiles are likely manifestations of the
variations in depth and latitude of angular velocity deep within the liquid
interiors of these planets. Two decades ago it was proposed that this
differential rotation could be maintained by vortex stretching of convective
fluid columns that span the interiors of these planets from the northern
hemisphere surface to the southern hemisphere surface. This now classic
mechanism explains the differential rotation seen in laboratory experiments and
in computer simulations of, at best, weakly turbulent convection in rotating
constant-density fluid spheres. However, these experiments and simulations are
poor approximations for the density-stratified strongly-turbulent interiors of
giant planets. The long thin global convective columns predicted by the classic
geostrophic theory for these planets would likely not develop. Here we propose
a much more robust mechanism for maintaining differential rotation in radius
based on the local generation of vorticity as rising plumes expand and sinking
plumes contract. Our high-resolution two-dimensional computer simulations
demonstrate how this mechanism could maintain either prograde or retrograde
surface winds in the equatorial region of a giant planet depending on how the
density scale height varies with depth.Comment: Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics, in pres
The ecology of seamounts: structure, function, and human impacts.
In this review of seamount ecology, we address a number of key scientific issues concerning the structure and function of benthic communities, human impacts, and seamount management and conservation. We consider whether community composition and diversity differ between seamounts and continental slopes, how important dispersal capabilities are in seamount connectivity, what environmental factors drive species composition and diversity, whether seamounts are centers of enhanced biological productivity, and whether they have unique trophic architecture. We discuss how vulnerable seamount communities are to fishing and mining, and how we can balance exploitation of resources and conservation of habitat. Despite considerable advances in recent years, there remain many questions about seamount ecosystems that need closer integration of molecular, oceanographic, and ecological research
Solar cycle variation in solar f-mode frequencies and radius
Using data from the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) covering the
period from 1995 to 1998, we study the change with solar activity in solar
f-mode frequencies. The results are compared with similar changes detected from
the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) data. We find variations in f-mode
frequencies which are correlated with solar activity indices. If these changes
are due to variation in solar radius then the implications are that the solar
radius decreases by about 5 km from minimum to maximum activity.Comment: To appear in Solar Physic
No Detectable Fertility Benefit from a Single Additional Mating in Wild Stalk-Eyed Flies
Background: Multiple mating by female insects is widespread, and the explanation(s) for repeated mating by females has been the subject of much discussion. Females may profit from mating multiply through direct material benefits that increase their own reproductive output, or indirect genetic benefits that increase offspring fitness. One particular direct benefit that has attracted significant attention is that of fertility assurance, as females often need to mate multiply to achieve high fertility. This hypothesis has never been tested in a wild insect population.Methodology/Principal Findings: Female Malaysian stalk-eyed flies (Teleopsis dalmanni) mate repeatedly during their lifetime, and have been shown to be sperm limited under both laboratory and field conditions. Here we ask whether receiving an additional mating alleviates sperm limitation in wild females. In our experiment one group of females received a single additional mating, while a control group received an interrupted, and therefore unsuccessful, mating. Females that received an additional mating did not lay more fertilised eggs in total, nor did they lay proportionately more fertilised eggs. Female fertility declined significantly through time, demonstrating that females were sperm limited. However, receipt of an additional mating did not significantly alter the rate of this decline.Conclusions/Significance: Our data suggest that the fertility consequences of a single additional mating were small. We discuss this effect (or lack thereof), and suggest that it is likely to be attributed to small ejaculate size, a high proportion of failed copulations, and the presence of X-linked meiotic drive in this species
Interpolated sequences and critical -values of modular forms
Recently, Zagier expressed an interpolated version of the Ap\'ery numbers for
in terms of a critical -value of a modular form of weight 4. We
extend this evaluation in two directions. We first prove that interpolations of
Zagier's six sporadic sequences are essentially critical -values of modular
forms of weight 3. We then establish an infinite family of evaluations between
interpolations of leading coefficients of Brown's cellular integrals and
critical -values of modular forms of odd weight.Comment: 23 pages, to appear in Proceedings for the KMPB conference: Elliptic
Integrals, Elliptic Functions and Modular Forms in Quantum Field Theor
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