G-dwarf metallicity distribution curves assuming an inhomogeneous interstellar medium

We show that the explicit assumption of a chemically inhomogeneous interstellar medium allows a better reproduction of the metallicity distribution of G-dwarfs in the solar neighbourhood. The inhomogeneity is considered by assuming that at any time stars are born with a spread in their metallicities, the spread being a Gaussian in the logarithm of the metallicity around the mean metallicity of that epoch. We show that for various simple models of chemical evolution, the fit to the G-dwarf metallicity curve improves considerably once the above assumption is applied. We show that the parameters obtained from the fitting also give acceptable predictions for the age-metallicity relation. We also find that if we use a G-dwarf metallicity function corrected for the scale height inflation of stars, the conventional models of chemical evolution cannot match the shape of the curve, at least under the instantaneous recycling approximation applied to a chemically homogeneous ISM. Under the inhomogeneous ISM approximation, the predicted shapes are found to be better, though not totally satisfactory.     

Metallicity distribution of F-dwarf stars in the solar neighbourhood

A volume-limited sample of F-dwarfs is chosen from Knude (1989) with low radial velocity as well as distance from the sun and compared with the expected model metallicity [Fe/H] distributions, taking the possible chemical inhomogeneity into account. There is found to be an agreement between the two within the error limits of small sampling. A summer school student from the Department of Physics, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore 721 101, India.     

A note on the self-consistency of the EIH equations of motion

The self-consistency of the Einstein Infeld and Hoffman (EIH) equations of motion is critically examined in the limiting case of a threebody problem where two bodies are very close to each other and a third quite far removed from them     

A Coupled Calibration and Modelling Approach to the Understanding of Dry-Land Lake Oxygen Isotope Records

Comparisons between climate proxies and instrumental records through the last two centuries are often used to understand better the controls on palaeoarchives and to find relationships that can be used to quantify changes in pre-instrumental climate. Here we compare an 80-year-long annually resolved oxygen isotope record from Nar Gölü, Turkey, a varved lake sequence, with instrumental records of temperature, precipitation, wind speed, relative humidity and calculated values of evaporation, all of which are known to be possible controls on lake oxygen isotope systems. Significant relationships are found between the isotope record and summer temperatures and evaporation suggesting these are dominant controls on the isotope hydrology of this non-outlet lake. Modelling the stable isotope hydrology of the lake system allows these relationships to be tested independently. We show that the isotope record follows the same trends in the temperature and evaporation records but that, even when combined, these two climatic factors cannot fully explain the magnitude of change observed in the isotope record. The models show the lake system is much less sensitive to changes in evaporation and temperature than the climate calibration suggests. Additional factors, including changes in the amount of precipitation, are required to amplify the isotope change. It is concluded that proxy-climate calibrations may incorrectly estimate the amplitude of past changes in individual climate parameters, unless validated independently.     

Control of seismic and operational vibrations of rotating machines using semi-active mounts

A dual isolation problem for rotating machines consists of isolation of housing structures from the machinevi brations and protection of machines during an earthquake to maintain their functionality. Desirable characteristics of machine mounts for the above two purposes can differ significantly due to difference in nature of the excitation and performance criteria in the two situations. In this paper, relevant response quantities are identified that may be used to quantify performance and simplified models of rotating machines are presented using which these relevant response quantities may be calculated. Using random vibration approach with a stationary excitation, it is shown that significant improvement in seismic performance is achievable by proper mount design. Results of shaking table experiments performed with a realistic setup using a centrifugal pump are presented. It is concluded that a solution to this dual isolation problem lies in a semi-active mount capable of switching its properties from ‘operation-optimum’ to ‘seismic-optimum’ at the onset of a seismic event.     

Distribution of metals in dwars stars in the solar neighbourhood

A preliminary method is proposed to handle the intrinsic chemical inhomogeneity in models of chemical evolution of the solar neighbourhood. If we assume a Gaussian spread in metallicity (z[Fe/H]) about a mean metallicity in the birth function of stars, the metallicity distribution of stars as a function of time is investigated, assuming that the mean metallicityz evolves linearly with time. Metallicity ([Fe/H]) histograms are plotted for A-, F-, G-, and K-dwarfs of the local disk population based on our compilation of data from several sources, and compared with the existing ones. We have applied the above method on these distributions to check whether distribution of the local A-, F-, and K-dwarfs could be fitted reasonably well with a single set of parameters derived from a fit to the metallicity distribution of the G-dwarfs.     

Modeling the impact of groundwater harvesting on the hydro-salinity of a saline catchment in southeastern Australia

Recharge to a saline, unconfined shallow-water-table aquifer is normally considered as an irrecoverable loss of water, but such thinking could be reviewed empirically. The use of an appropriate groundwater harvesting system does not only provide an opportunity to recover this lost water, but can also help in catchment salinity management and improvement. Agricultural-based land-drainage systems such as those that use serial biological concentration (SBC) of salts, provide examples of such harvesting methods. The impact of groundwater harvesting has been assessed on the hydro-salinity of a saline catchment in southeastern Australia through modeling. For both the below average rainfall and very wet years, the “do nothing” scenario resulted in increasing salinization in the catchment. However, after introducing a SBC system, groundwater salinity showed a decreasing trend while hydraulic heads tended to stabilize around the depth of subsurface collector wells. However, for a successful groundwater harvesting system, proper understanding of the groundwater flows and salt mobilization associated with a catchment is necessary. The outcomes of this modelling study have the potential to address similar issues (salinization) and/or needs (water harvesting) existing elsewhere in the world, particularly in semi-arid regions.