480 research outputs found
Three-Dimensional Propagation of Magnetohydrodynamic Waves in Solar Coronal Arcades
We numerically investigate the excitation and temporal evolution of
oscillations in a two-dimensional coronal arcade by including the
three-dimensional propagation of perturbations. The time evolution of
impulsively generated perturbations is studied by solving the linear, ideal
magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations in the zero-beta approximation. As we
neglect gas pressure the slow mode is absent and therefore only coupled MHD
fast and Alfven modes remain. Two types of numerical experiments are performed.
First, the resonant wave energy transfer between a fast normal mode of the
system and local Alfven waves is analyzed. It is seen how, because of resonant
coupling, the fast wave with global character transfers its energy to Alfvenic
oscillations localized around a particular magnetic surface within the arcade,
thus producing the damping of the initial fast MHD mode. Second, the time
evolution of a localized impulsive excitation, trying to mimic a nearby coronal
disturbance, is considered. In this case, the generated fast wavefront leaves
its energy on several magnetic surfaces within the arcade. The system is
therefore able to trap energy in the form of Alfvenic oscillations, even in the
absence of a density enhancement such as that of a coronal loop. These local
oscillations are subsequently phase-mixed to smaller spatial scales. The amount
of wave energy trapped by the system via wave energy conversion strongly
depends on the wavelength of perturbations in the perpendicular direction, but
is almost independent from the ratio of the magnetic to density scale heights.Comment: 27 pages, 11 figure
Formation of aggregated nanoparticle spheres through femtosecond laser surface processing
A detailed structural and chemical analysis of a class of self-organized surface structures, termed aggregated nanoparticle spheres (AN-spheres), created using femtosecond laser surface processing (FLSP) on silicon, silicon carbide, and aluminum is reported in this paper. AN-spheres are spherical microstructures that are 20–100 μm in diameter and are composed entirely of nanoparticles produced during femtosecond laser ablation of material. AN-spheres have an onion-like layered morphology resulting from the build-up of nanoparticle layers over multiple passes of the laser beam. The material properties and chemical composition of the AN-spheres are presented in this paper based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB) milling, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. There is a distinct difference in the density of nanoparticles between concentric rings of the onion-like morphology of the AN-sphere. Layers of high-density form when the laser sinters nanoparticles together and low-density layers form when nanoparticles redeposit while the laser ablates areas surrounding the AN-sphere. The dynamic nature of femtosecond laser ablation creates a variety of nanoparticles that make-up the AN-spheres including Si/C core-shell, nanoparticles that directly fragmented from the base material, nanoparticles with carbon shells that retarded oxidation, and amorphous, fully oxidized nanoparticles
Micro/nanostructures formation by femtosecond laser surface processing on amorphous and polycrystalline Ni60Nb40
Femtosecond laser surface processing is a technology that can be used to functionalize many surfaces, imparting specialized properties such as increased broadband optical absorption or superhydrophilicity/superhydrophobicity. In this study, two unique classes of surface structures, below surface growth (BSG) and above surface growth (ASG) mounds, were formed by femtosecond laser surface processing on amorphous and polycrystalline Ni60Nb40 with two different grain sizes. Cross sectional imaging of these mounds revealed thermal evidence of the unique formation processes for each class of surface structure. BSG mounds formed on all three substrates using the same laser parameters had similar surface morphology. The microstructures in the mounds were unaltered compared with the substrate before laser processing, suggesting their formation was dominated by preferential valley ablation. ASG mounds had similar morphology when formed on the polycrystalline Ni60Nb40 substrates with 100 nm and 2 [H9262]m grain size. However, the ASG mounds had significantly wider diameter and higher peak-to-valley heights when the substrate was amorphous Ni60Nb40. Hydrodynamic melting was primarily responsible for ASG mound formation. On amorphous Ni60Nb40 substrates, the ASG mounds are most likely larger due to lower thermal diffusivity. There was clear difference in growth mechanism of femtosecond laser processed BSG and ASG mounds, and grain size does not appear to be a factor
Acoustic mapping velocimetry
Knowledge of sediment dynamics in rivers is of great importance for various practical purposes. Despite its high relevance in riverine environment processes, the monitoring of sediment rates remains a major and challenging task for both suspended and bed load estimation. While the measurement of suspended load is currently an active area of testing with nonintrusive technologies (optical and acoustic), bed load measurement does not mark a similar progress. This paper describes an innovative combination of measurement techniques and analysis protocols that establishes the proof-of-concept for a promising technique, labeled herein Acoustic Mapping Velocimetry (AMV). The technique estimates bed load rates in rivers developing bed forms using a nonintrusive measurements approach. The raw information for AMV is collected with acoustic multibeam technology that in turn provides maps of the bathymetry over longitudinal swaths. As long as the acoustic maps can be acquired relatively quickly and the repetition rate for the mapping is commensurate with the movement of the bed forms, successive acoustic maps capture the progression of the bed form movement. Two-dimensional velocity maps associated with the bed form migration are obtained by implementing algorithms typically used in particle image velocimetry to acoustic maps converted in gray-level images. Furthermore, use of the obtained acoustic and velocity maps in conjunction with analytical formulations (e.g., Exner equation) enables estimation of multidirectional bed load rates over the whole imaged area. This paper presents a validation study of the AMV technique using a set of laboratory experiments
Magnetohydrodynamic kink waves in two-dimensional non-uniform prominence threads
We analyse the oscillatory properties of resonantly damped transverse kink
oscillations in two-dimensional prominence threads. The fine structures are
modelled as cylindrically symmetric magnetic flux tubes with a dense central
part with prominence plasma properties and an evacuated part, both surrounded
by coronal plasma. The equilibrium density is allowed to vary non-uniformly in
both the transverse and the longitudinal directions.We examine the influence of
longitudinal density structuring on periods, damping times, and damping rates
for transverse kink modes computed by numerically solving the linear resistive
magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. The relevant parameters are the length of
the thread and the density in the evacuated part of the tube, two quantities
that are difficult to directly estimate from observations. We find that both of
them strongly influence the oscillatory periods and damping times, and to a
lesser extent the damping ratios. The analysis of the spatial distribution of
perturbations and of the energy flux into the resonances allows us to explain
the obtained damping times. Implications for prominence seismology, the physics
of resonantly damped kink modes in two-dimensional magnetic flux tubes, and the
heating of prominence plasmas are discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, A&A accepte
Damping mechanisms for oscillations in solar prominences
Small amplitude oscillations are a commonly observed feature in
prominences/filaments. These oscillations appear to be of local nature, are
associated to the fine structure of prominence plasmas, and simultaneous flows
and counterflows are also present. The existing observational evidence reveals
that small amplitude oscillations, after excited, are damped in short spatial
and temporal scales by some as yet not well determined physical mechanism(s).
Commonly, these oscillations have been interpreted in terms of linear
magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves, and this paper reviews the theoretical damping
mechanisms that have been recently put forward in order to explain the observed
attenuation scales. These mechanisms include thermal effects, through
non-adiabatic processes, mass flows, resonant damping in non-uniform media, and
partial ionization effects. The relevance of each mechanism is assessed by
comparing the spatial and time scales produced by each of them with those
obtained from observations. Also, the application of the latest theoretical
results to perform prominence seismology is discussed, aiming to determine
physical parameters in prominence plasmas that are difficult to measure by
direct means.Comment: 36 pages, 16 figures, Space Science Reviews (accepted
Physics of Solar Prominences: II - Magnetic Structure and Dynamics
Observations and models of solar prominences are reviewed. We focus on
non-eruptive prominences, and describe recent progress in four areas of
prominence research: (1) magnetic structure deduced from observations and
models, (2) the dynamics of prominence plasmas (formation and flows), (3)
Magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) waves in prominences and (4) the formation and
large-scale patterns of the filament channels in which prominences are located.
Finally, several outstanding issues in prominence research are discussed, along
with observations and models required to resolve them.Comment: 75 pages, 31 pictures, review pape
Dihydrolipoic acid reduces cytochrome b561 proteins.
Cytochrome b561 (Cyt-b561) proteins constitute a family of trans-membrane proteins that are present in a wide variety of organisms. Two of their characteristic properties are the reducibility by ascorbate (ASC) and the presence of two distinct b-type hemes localized on two opposite sides of the membrane. Here we show that the tonoplast-localized and the putative tumor suppressor Cyt-b561 proteins can be reduced by other reductants than ASC and dithionite. A detailed spectral analysis of the ASC-dependent and dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA)-dependent reduction of these two Cyt-b561 proteins is also presented. Our results are discussed in relation to the known antioxidant capability of DHLA as well as its role in the regeneration of other antioxidant compounds of cells. These results allow us to speculate on new biological functions for the trans-membrane Cyt-b561 proteins
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