Equilibria of a charged artificial satellite subject to gravitational and Lorentz torques

The attitude dynamics of a rigid artificial satellite subject to a gravity gradient and Lorentz torques in a circular orbit are considered. Lorentz torque is developed on the basis of the electrodynamic effects of the Lorentz force acting on the charged satellite's surface. We assume that the satellite is moving in a Low Earth Orbit in the geomagnetic field, which is considered to be a dipole. Our model of torque due to the Lorentz force is developed for an artificial satellite with a general shape, and the nonlinear differential equations of Euler are used to describe its attitude orientation. All equilibrium positions are determined and conditions for their existence are obtained.The numerical results show that the charge q and radius ρ0of the center of charge for the satellite provide a certain type of semi-passive control for the attitude of the satellite. The technique for this kind of control would be to increase or decrease the electrostatic screening on the satellite. The results obtained confirm that the change in charge can affect the magnitude of the Lorentz torque, which can also affect control of the satellite. Moreover, the relationship between magnitude of the Lorentz torque and inclination of the orbit is investigated.     

Emission quantification of refrigerant CFCs,HCFCs and HFCs in megacity Lahore (Pakistan) and contributed ODPs and GWPs

An integrated assessment of emissions of some important refrigerant ozone depleting substances (ODSs) (CFC-11, CFC-12, HCFC-141b and HFC-134a) and their contributed ozone depletion potentials (ODPs) and global warming potentials (GWPs) have been made in the megacity Lahore (Pakistan) for the period from 2005 to 2013. During the production of 6.488 million refrigerator units, the cumulative estimated emissions of CFC-11, CFC-12, HCFC-141b and HFC-134a were 129.7, 6.8, 1257 and 104 mega grams (1 Mg = 10⁶ grams). The estimated GWP (CO₂-eq) and ODP (CFC 11-eq) associated with production phase emissions of these four gases were 616.07, 73.52, 910.96, and 87.36 kilotonnes, and 129.7, 6.8, 139.4, and 0 tonnes, respectively. ODP of HFC-134a is considered to be zero. In addition, the repair and maintenance of 81.2 thousand units resulted in 10.8 Mg emissions of CFC-12 with 10.8 tonnes ODP(CFC 11-eq) and 117,802 tonnes GWP (CO₂-eq) that were higher than the HFC-134a emissions recorded at 4.3 Mg causing 4563 tonnes GWP(CO₂-eq). A decrease in ODP (CFC 11-eq) and GWP (CO₂-eq) at the rate of ?8.3% and ?8.2% per year is observed to be contributed by all the selected ODSs during the study period.     

Modelling interannual variations in catchment evapotranspiration considering vegetation and climate seasonality using the Budyko framework

The Budyko framework is an efficient tool for investigating catchment water balance, focusing on the effects of seasonal changes in climate (S) and vegetation cover (M) on catchment evapotranspiration (ET). However, the effects of vegetation seasonality on ET remain largely unknown. The present study explored these effects by modelling interannual variations in ET considering vegetation and climate seasonality using the Budyko framework. Reconstructed 15-day GIMMS NDVI_3g timeseries data from 1982 to 2015 were used to estimate M and extract the relative duration of the vegetation growing season (GL) in the Yellow River Basin (YRB). To characterize S, seasonal variations in precipitation and potential ET were extracted using a Gaussian algorithm. Analysis of the observed datasets for 19 catchments revealed that interannual variation in the catchment parameter ϖ (in Fuh's equation) was significantly and positively correlated with M and GL. Conversely, ϖ was significantly but negatively correlated with S. Furthermore, stepwise linear regression was used to calibrate the empirical formula of ϖ for these three dimensionless parameters. Following validation, based on observations in the remaining 11 catchments, ϖ was integrated into Fuh's equation to accurately estimate annual ET. Over 79% subcatchments showed an upward trend (0.9 mm yr⁻¹), whereas fewer than 21% subcatchments showed a downward trend (−0.5 mm yr⁻¹) across YRB. In the central region of the middle reach, ET increased with increased M, prolonged GL, and decreased S, whereas in the source region of YRB, ET decreased with decreased M and shortened GL. Our study provides an alternative method to estimate interannual ET in ungauged catchments and offers a novel perspective to investigate hydrological responses to vegetation and climate seasonality in the long-term.     

Reducing monopile rotation under lateral loading in sandy soils

Many structures (including transmission-line towers, bridges, tall buildings and coastal structures) are founded on piles, which are designed to transmit both vertical and horizontal forces, and resulting moments, to the load bearing strata. The design of such foundations for large lateral repeating loads (e.g. caused by wind, wave action, earthquake) and lateral earth pressures is a challenging task. This paper presents an experimental study that investigates the use of concentric rings (CRs) of small diameter (displacement) piles (SDPs) surrounding a monopile installed in dry sand, with the intention of limiting its rotation (lateral displacement) under repeated lateral loading. The test results showed that the rotation of the monopile, investigated for a range of different repeated lateral loading schemes, was reduced by 35?75% on account of the densification of the sand achieved during installation of the SDPs and also the lateral confinement they provided to the sand located within the CRs. Significant increases to both the cyclic stiffness and load carrying resistance of the monopile under lateral loading are documented with the inclusion of the SDPs. Further experimental as well as numerical studies are necessary to validate this novel technique and to optimise the geometrical size and network pattern of the SDPs and the CRs.     

Variation in the life-history traits of a Schilbid catfish,Clupisoma garua (Hamilton, 1822) in the coastal waters of southern Bangladesh

For the first time,the present study reports the life-history traits,comprising length-frequency distribution(LFD),sex ratio(SR),length-weight relationships(LWRs),condition factors(CFs),and relative growth(W_R),of Clupisoma garua in the coastal waters of Bangladesh.A total of 150 specimens ranging from 8.60 to 25.20 cm total length(TL)and 4.26 to 128.80 g body weight(BW)were collected using traditional fishing gear from August 2013 to July 2014.The overall sex ratio of males to females in the study did not dif fer significantly from the expected value of 1:1(χ~2=0.96,P0.05)but there were significant sex differences(P0.05)in the intercepts and slopes of graphs characterizing traits in C.garua.The calculated bvalues for the LWRs were 2.955,2.893 and 2.927 for males,females and combined sexes,respectively,and there was negative allometric growth in all cases(b3).The condition factors(K_A,K_F,K_R)and relative growth(W R)also did not differ significantly(P0.05)between the sexes.This study provides a useful tool for fi shery specialists to evaluate the relative condition of fish and to initiate early management strategies and regulations for the sustainable management of the remaining stocks of this species in the entire coastal region of southern Bangladesh.     

Numerical model of antecedent rainfall effect on slope stability at a hillslope of weathered granitic soil formation

Modeling rainwater infiltration in slopes is vital to the analysis of slope failure induced by heavy rainfall. Although the significance of rainwater infiltration in causing landslides is widely recognized, there have been different conclusions as to the relative roles of antecedent rainfall to slope failure. In this study, a numerical model was developed to estimate the effect of antecedent rainfall on an unsaturated slope, the formation of a saturated zone, and the change in slope stability under weak rainfall and rainstorm event. Results showed that under a rainstorm event, slope failure occurred at comparably similar time although the antecedent rainfall drainage periods prior to the major rainfall were different (i.e., 24-h, 48-h and 96-h). However, under weak rainfall condition, differences of the antecedent rainfall drainage periods have significant effect on development of pore-water pressure. A higher initial soil moisture conditions caused faster increase in pore water pressure and thus decreasing the safety factor of the slope eventually increasing likelihood of slope failure.     

Mapping soil electric conductivity using Bayesian kriging: A case study from Qasur,Pakistan

Quality of soil data is vital to formulate agricultural policies at different scales. Current agricultural applications in Pakistan depend however, on average values of soil estimates over larger areas. In this work, model-based ordinary kriging (OK) and Bayesian kriging (BK) to interpolate soil data is used. The aim is to compare the two different methods for the accuracy of soil data prediction. For this soils were sampled for Electrical Conductivity (EC, dS m ^–1) at 759 different locations in the rural agricultural areas of Qasur Tehsil, Pakistan. Cross validation was used to compare the performance of OK and BK. Our results show strong skewness and spatial dependency of soil EC values in heterogeneous regions. Box-Cox transformation successfully reduced the level of skewness in the soil EC data (from 14.1 to 0.11). Contrary to OK, under-estimation of soil EC values was not evident in the BK interpolation. Mean square prediction error for BK (1.45) was significantly reduced as compared to that for OK (6.1). Considering these findings, BK is a better model to explain the sub-regional soil EC variability and estimating strategies for sustainable agricultural planning in Pakistan.     

Ambient indoor/outdoor gamma radiation dose rates in the city and at high altitudes of Muzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir)

Preliminary results of ambient indoor/outdoor gamma dose rates measured for Muzaffarabad city, the state capital of Azad Kashmir, are presented. Measurements of indoor/outdoor environmental exposures were carried out using a portable Ludlum Model 19 Micrometer. Effect of altitude on measured values of gamma dose rates has also been investigated. Besides measuring the gamma dose rates for indoor and open environment, measurements have also been taken within two coal mines. Effects of lithology on gamma dose rates have also been investigated. For outdoor measurements, minimum and maximum gamma dose rates were found as 533 ± 4.33 and 1,143 ± 2.96 μGy y^?1, while for indoor environment minimum and maximum gamma dose rate value were found as 533 ± 4.33 and 979 ± 3.2 μGy y^?1. Average values of indoor and outdoor gamma dose rates were found as 761 ± 3.62 and 710 ± 3.75 μGy y^?1. Gamma dose rates have also been calculated with altitude variations. Measured values of gamma dose rates show a weak positive correlation with altitude. For measurements made in coal mines, maximum gamma doses rate value was found as 3,490 ± 1.69 μGy y^?1, situated at a height of 1,098 m, located at Sangri Mera. Results obtained from the current study show that annual effective doses from gamma radiation exposure does not pose health threat to the population of district Muzaffarabad.