Peak and trough distributions of nonlinear waves

The exact and approximate probability density functions of wave peaks and troughs are derived for nonlinear, narrow-band waves. A comparison of these quantities with those of linear waves is given. It is shown that nonlinearity has significant effect on these quantities.     

Hydrodynamic forces on submerged vertical circular cylindrical tanks under ground excitation

This paper investigates hydrodynamic pressures and forces on submerged vertical cylindrical tanks under the action of harmonic ground excitations. Water is assumed to be imcompressible and inviscid, motion irrotational and waves are of small amplitude. Semi-analytical method is used for the solution, that is, the fluid domain is divided into inner and outer regions. The Laplace equations governing velocity potentials for the two regions are solved by separation of variables and expressed in terms of eigenfunctions of the resulting equations which satisfy appropriate boundary conditions. Continuity of pressure and velocity at the interface of the inner and outer regions provides the necessary equations from which the velocity potentials, pressures and forces are obtained. Numerical results are presented in graphical form for forces and pressures for a range of excitation frequencies for selected proportions of tank geometry and water depth.     

Tectonic Imprints of the Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis on the Mesozoic Rocks Exposed in Munda,Mohmand Agency,Northwest Pakistan

Two well-developed mesoscopic folds, D_2 and D_3, which postdate the middle amphibolite metamorphism, were recognized in the western hinterland zone of Pakistan. NW–SE trending D_2 folds developed during NE–SW horizontal bulk shortening followed by NE–SW trending D_3 folds, which developed during SE–NW shortening. Micro- to mesoscopically the NW–SE trending S2 crenulation cleavage, boudins and mineral stretching lineations are overprinted by D_3. The newly established NW–SE trending micro- to mesoscopic structures in Munda termed D_2, which postdated F_1/F_2, is synchronously developed with F3 structures in the western hinterland zone of Pakistan. We interpret that D_2 and D_3 folds are counterclockwise rotated in the tectonic event that has evolved the Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis after the main phase Indian plate and Kohistan Island Arc collision. Chlorite replacement by biotite in the main matrix crenulation cleavages indicates prograde metamorphism related with D_2. The inclusion of muscovite and biotite in garnet porphyroblasts and the presence of staurolite in these rocks indicate that the Barrovian metamorphic conditions predate D_2 and D_3. We interpret that garnet, staurolite and calcite porphyroblasts grew before D_2 because the well developed S2 crenulation cleavage wraps around these porphyroblasts.     

Effect of terracing on rainwater harvesting and growth of Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endlicher

The present study was conducted in two forests in Abha (Capital of Asir Region) and two forests in Al Namas (130 km north of Abha), south western Saudi Arabia (Asir region) to investigate the effect of terraces on rainwater harvesting and growth of Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endlicher. Farmers grow their crops within Juniper forests and woodlots by constructing terraces from soil and stones to harvest rainwater. Juniper forests and woodlots present important watersheds and sources for water. Study plots were established in four forests, two of which contained maintained terraces and the other two have been covered by abandoned and damaged terraces. The results showed that maintained terraces served as important means for rainwater harvesting, whereas abandoning of terraces resulted in increased soil loss, surface runoff, bulk density and reduced infiltration rates. Significant correlations and regression between soil loss, total runoff, soil bulk density and infiltration rate were provided. Diameter at breast height, total height, basal area, volume, number of trees, crown coverage and regeneration/ha of J. procera were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in forests with maintained terraces compared with abandoned terraces. Finally, maintained terraces improved rainwater harvesting and growth performance of J. procera.     

ULTRACAM observations of the black hole X-ray transient XTE J1118+480 in quiescence

We present 450- and 850-μm maps of R Coronae Australis. We compare the maps with previous surveys of the region, and shed new light on the previously unknown nature of the protostellar sources at the centre of the cloud. We clarify the nature of two millimetre sources previously discovered in lower-resolution data. We identify one new Class 0 protostar, which we label SMM 1B, and we measure the envelope masses of a number of more evolved protostars. We identify two new pre-stellar cores, which we call SMM 1A and SMM 6.     

Detection of superhumps in XTE J1118+480 approaching quiescence

We present the results of our monitoring of the halo black hole soft X-ray transient (SXT) XTE J1118+480 during its decline to quiescence. The system has decayed 0.5 mag from 2000 December to its present near-quiescent level at   R ≃18.65  (2001 June). The ellipsoidal light curve is distorted by an additional modulation that we interpret as a superhump of   P _sh=0.17049(1) d  i.e. 0.3 per cent longer than the orbital period. This implies a disc precession period   P _prec∼52 d  . After correcting the average phase-folded light curve for veiling, the amplitude difference between the minima suggests that the binary inclination angle lies in the range   i =71–82°  . However, we urge caution in the interpretation of these values because of residual systematic contamination of the ellipsoidal light curve by the complex form of the superhump modulation. The orbital-mean H α profiles exhibit clear velocity variations with ∼500 km s⁻¹ amplitude. We interpret this as the first spectroscopic evidence of an eccentric precessing disc.     

Modelling climate‐change impacts on stream temperature of Formosan landlocked salmon habitat

A physics‐based model is provided for predicting the impact of climate change on stream temperature and, in turn, on Formosan landlocked salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus) habitat. Because upstream watersheds on Taiwan Island are surrounded with high and steep mountains, the influence of mountain shading on solar radiation and longwave radiation is taken into account by using a digital elevation model. Projections using CGCM2 and HADCM3 models and CCCM and GISS models provided information on future climatic conditions. The results indicate that annual average stream temperatures may rise by 0·5 °C (HADCM3 short term) to 2·9 °C (CGCM2 long term) due to climate change. The simulation results also indicate that the average suitable habitat for the Formosan landlocked salmon may decline by 333 m (HADCM3 short term) to 1633 m (CGCM2 long term) and 166 m (HADCM3 short term) to 1833 m (CGCM2 long term) depending on which thermal criterion (17 °C and 18 °C respectively) is applied. The results of this study draw attention to the tasks of Formosan landlocked salmon conservation agencies, not only with regard to restoration plans of the local environment, but also to the mitigation strategies to global climate change that are necessary and require further research. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Roche tomography of cataclysmic variables – III. Star-spots on AE Aqr

We present a Roche tomography reconstruction of the secondary star in the cataclysmic variable AE Aqr. The tomogram reveals several surface inhomogeneities that are due to the presence of large, cool star-spots. In addition to a number of lower latitude spots, the maps also show the presence of a large, high-latitude spot similar to that seen in Doppler images of rapidly rotating isolated stars, and a relative paucity of spots at a latitude of 40°. In total, we estimate that some 18 per cent of the Northern hemisphere of AE Aqr is spotted.
We have also applied the entropy landscape technique to determine accurate parameters for the binary system. We obtain optimal masses   M ₁= 0.74 M_⊙, M ₂= 0.50 M_⊙  , a systemic velocity  γ=−63 km s⁻¹  and an orbital inclination   i = 66°  .
Given that this is the first study to successfully image star-spots on the secondary star in a cataclysmic variable, we discuss the role that further studies of this kind may play in our understanding of these binaries.