Non-parametric reconstruction of cluster mass distribution from strong lensing: modelling Abell 370

We describe a new non-parametric technique for reconstructing the mass distribution in galaxy clusters with strong lensing, i.e. from multiple images of background galaxies. The observed positions and redshifts of the images are considered as rigid constraints, and through the lens (ray-trace) equation they provide us with linear constraint equations. These constraints confine the mass distribution to some allowed region, which is then found by linear programming. Within this allowed region we study in detail the mass distribution with minimum mass-to-light variation, and also some other distributions, such as the smoothest mass distribution.
The method is applied to the extensively studied cluster Abell 370, which hosts a giant luminous arc and several other multiply imaged background galaxies. Our mass maps are constrained by the observed positions and redshifts (spectroscopic or model-inferred by previous authors) of the giant arc and multiple-image systems. The reconstructed maps obtained for Abell 370 reveal a detailed mass distribution, with substructure quite different from the light distribution. The method predicts the bimodal nature of the cluster, and that the projected mass distribution is indeed elongated along the axis defined by the two dominant cD galaxies. However, the peaks in the mass distribution appear to be offset from the centres of the cDs.
We also present an estimate for the total mass of the central region of the cluster. This is in good agreement with previous mass determinations. The total mass of the central region is M =(2.0–2.7)×10¹⁴ M⊙ h ⁻¹₅₀, depending on the solution chosen.     

Remotely sensed canopy temperature based evapotranspiration models for wheat

Field studies were conducted on differentially irrigated wheat (Cv. ‘Sonalika’), on a sandy loam soil at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate the surface energy balance evapotranspiration (ET) models which use remotely sensed canopy temperature as an input. Four energy balance ET models were used in this study viz. Jackson et. al. (1977) approach; Bartholic et. al. (1970) and stability corrected and uncorrected aerodynamic resistance forms of models. To test the model, ET was estimated using remotely sensed canopy temperatrue, with the remaining to ET measured by water depletion method. Aerodynamic resistance forms of ET models performed well as compared to other models. Results indicate that remotely sensed canopy temperature as an input to surface energy balance models, offers a potential method of estimating ET from a cropped surface.     

Models for wheat yield prediction using remotely sensed canopy temperature based indices

Canopy temperature in differentially irrigated and fertilized wheat plots were collected by hand held infrared thermometer from seedling emergence to maturity for two growing seasons (1981–82 and 1982–83). Canopy temperature indices like stress degree day (SDD) and crop water stress index (CWSI) based four-parameter (crop growth stage partitioned) and two-parameter (Non-partitioned) yield models suitable for remote sensing application were developed and tested with observed yield data. From statistical analysis of the models it was concluded that crop growth stage partitioned CWSI or SDD yield model was better than non-partitioned SDD models for predicting wheat grain as well as biological yields.     

Tropospheric ozone profiles near equator and meteorological parameters

This is a study of ozone profile shapes in the 800 to 100 millibar range obtained with balloonsonde data over Trivandrum (8.5° N) during 1975–76 and possible associations of these shapes to some meteorological parameters.Whereas monotonic ozone profiles were noted with clear weather conditions, those associated with cloud cover show three basic anomalous features. Some bulges of increased values are observed in the range of 800 to 500 mb. In the 500–100 mb range, short range or localized cloud cover or passing weather disturbances are associated with fluctuation patterns in the ozone profile and an average depleted value of ozone. The fluctuations are also associated with changing wind speed and direction at these heights.Possible causative mechanisms are discussed. Lightning associated with thundestorm, producing additional CO and NO are sought to interpret the bulges at lower heights. The decrease in values as well as the fluctuation patterns are suggested as due to possible incursion of water vapour from troposphere to stratosphere in the tropical region and dynamical effects associated with it.     

Calculation of coronal line intensities for boron-like ions

New atomic data (Saha and Trefftz, 1982a) have been used to calculate line intensities of S xii for the physical conditions found in the solar corona. They are compared with similar calculations for S ix (Saha and Trefftz, 1982b) and with published work. For the density sensitive intensity ratio I ₂₂₇/I2₂₁₈ the new values give the observed ratio (Malinovski and Heroux, 1973) for an electron density of logN _e = 8.5 which is more likely than the density deduced from the values of Flower and Nussbaumer (1975), logN _e ? 7.     

Experimental studies on sloshing behavior due to horizontal movement of liquids in baffled tanks

A series of experiments have been carried out in a developed liquid sloshing setup to estimate the pressure developed on the tank walls and the free surface displacement of water from the mean static level. The square tank attached to a shaking table can be moved to and fro by a cam arrangement driven by a DC motor. Pressure and displacement studies are done on the basis of changing excitation frequency of the shaking table and fill level in the tank. Experiments were carried out without and with baffles, and the consequent changes in the parameters are observed.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000899

The Rajahmundry Trap Basalts（RTB） are erupted through fault-controlled fissures in the Krishna-Godavari Basin（K-G Basin） of Godavari Triple Junction,occurring as a unique outcrop sandwiched between Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments along the east coast of India.Detailed geochemical studies have revealed that RTB are mid-Ti（1.74-1.92） to high-Ti（2.04-2.81） basalts with a distinct quartz tholeiitic parentage.MgO（6.2-13.12 wt.%）,Mg^#（29-50） and Zr（109-202 ppm） suggest that these basalts evolved by fractional crystallization during the ascent of the parent magma along deep-seated fractures.Moderate to high fractionation of HREE,as indicated by（Gd/Yb）N ratios（1.71-2.31） of RTB,suggest their generation through 3-5%melting of a Fe-rich mantle corresponding to the stability fields of spinel and garnet peridotite at depths of 60-100 km.Low K₂O/P₂O₅（0.26-1.26）,high TiO₂/P₂O₅（6.74-16.79）,La/Nb（0.89-1.45）,Nb/Th > 8（8.35-13）,negative anomalies at Rb reflect minimum contamination by granitic continental crust.（Nb/La）_PM ratios（0.66-1.1） of RTB are attributed to endogenic contamination resulted through recycling of subducted oceanic slab into the mantle.Pronounced Ba enrichment with relative depletion in Rb indicates assimilation of Infra- and Inter-trappean sediments of estuarine to shallow marine character.Geochemical compositions such as Al₂O₃/TiO₂（3.88-6.83）,medium to high TiO₂（1.74-2.81 wt.%）.positive Nb anomalies and LREE enrichment of these RTB attest to their mantle plume origin and indicate the generation of parent magma from a plume-related enriched mantle source with EM 1signature.Ba/Th（46-247）,Ba/La（3.96-28.51） and Th/Nb（0.08-0.13） ratios suggest that the source enrichment process was marked by recycling of subduction-processed oceanic crust and lithospheric components into the mantle.Zr/Hf（37-41） and Zr/Ba（0.51-3.24） indicate involvement of an asthenospheric mantle source.The Rajahmundry basalts show affinity towards FOZO（focal zone mantle） and PSCL（post-Archaean subcontinental lithosphere） which reflect mixing between asthenospheric and lithospheric mantle components in their source.Origin of RTB magma is attributed to plume-lithosphere interaction and the upward movement of melt is facilitated by intrabasinal deep-seated faults in the K-G Basin.     

Adsorption Kinetic Modeling of Safranin onto Rice Husk Biomatrix Using Pseudo‐first‐ and Pseudo‐second‐order Kinetic Models: Comparison of Linear and Non‐linear Methods

Batch kinetic studies were carried out for the removal of safranin from aqueous solution using a biomatrix prepared from rice husk. The adsorption kinetic data were modeled using the pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic equations. The linear and non‐linear forms of these two widely used kinetic models were compared in this study. In order to determine the best‐fitting equation, the coefficient of determination (r²), the sum of the squares of the errors (SSE), sum of the absolute errors (SAE), average relative error (ARE), hybrid fractional error function (HYBRID), Marquardt's percent standard deviation (MPSD), and the Chi‐squared test (χ²) were used as error analysis methods. Results showed that the non‐linear forms of pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order models were more suitable than the linear forms for fitting the experimental data. Non‐linear method is thus more appropriate for estimating the kinetic parameters and should primarily be used to describe adsorption kinetics.     

Influence of Eurasian snow on Indian summer monsoon in NCEP CFSv2 freerun

The latest version of the state-of-the-art global land–atmosphere–ocean coupled climate forecast system of NCEP has shown considerable improvement in various aspects of the Indian summer monsoon. However, climatological mean dry bias over the Indian sub-continent is further increased as compared to the previous version. Here we have attempted to link this dry bias with climatological mean bias in the Eurasian winter/spring snow, which is one of the important predictors of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR). Simulation of interannual variability of the Eurasian snow and its teleconnection with the ISMR are quite reasonable in the model. Using composite analysis it is shown that a positive snow anomaly, which is comparable to the systematic bias in the model, results into significant decrease in the summer monsoon rainfall over the central India and part of the Equatorial Indian Ocean. Decrease in the summer monsoon rainfall is also found to be linked with weaker northward propagation of intraseasonal oscillation (ISO). A barotropic stationary wave triggered by positive snow anomaly over west Eurasia weakens the upper level monsoon circulation, which in turn reduces the zonal wind shear and hence, weakens the northward propagation of summer monsoon ISOs. A sensitivity experiment by reducing snow fall over Eurasian region causes decrease in winter and spring snow depth, which in turn leads to decrease in Indian summer monsoon rainfall. Results from the sensitivity experiment corroborate with those of composite analysis based on long free run. This study suggests that further improvements in the snow parametrization schemes as well as Arctic sea ice are needed to reduce the Eurasian snow bias during winter/spring, which may reduce the dry bias over Indian sub-continent and hence predictability aspect of the model.