The mixing efficiency and the processes of restratification in a stably stratified medium

The mechanism of the effect of a collapsing turbulent eddy on diapycnal transport in a stably stratified fluid is considered. It is shown that at small Richardson turbulent numbersRi ₀ the mixing efficiency increases asRi ₀, and at large numbers it decreases in proportion toRi ₀ ^–1/2 .Translated by Mikhail M. Trufanov. UDK 551.465.15.     

Analysis of correlations between time series with the use of the phase spectrum

In connection with the problem of revealing cause-effect relations among different climatic characteristics, methods for determining the dependence between time series on the basis of selected auto-and cross-covariance functions and periodograms expressed in terms of the Fourier coefficients of the initial series are discussed. Real time series do not always satisfy the conditions of statistical stationarity, so that their analysis requires a combination of statistical and deterministic approaches. The possibility of using the above numerical characteristics in relation to such series is considered. Characteristic features of describing finite segments of time series with the use of their Fourier coefficients is studied in detail. The main emphasis is on the determination of the time shifts (delays) at which the covariance between the series is maximal. The problems that appear during a practical implementation of the periodogram method for shift estimation are discussed. A previously unknown formula that is necessary for further studies and relates the Fourier transform of a selected correlation function to the periodogram of the series is derived.     

Water vapor in the atmosphere over the northern Tien Shan

Refined data of systematic measurements of total water vapor in the atmosphere from May 1980 to April 2005 are presented. The data were obtained at the Issyk Kul atmospheric-monitoring station by the method of solar molecular-absorption spectroscopy. Over 25 years, the annual mean water-vapor content in the atmosphere increased by 4.5% at a mean rate of increase of 0.18% per year. However, the water-vapor content decreased in the last five years. The results of statistical processing of experimental data (general statistical characteristics, correlation coefficients, composite oscillations) are described. A refined model is proposed for forecasts of temporal variations in the monthly mean and annual mean water-vapor contents for the coming years. The model includes a linear trend and the sum of oscillations with periods close to the periods of a number of well-known geophysical phenomena. Regression equations are proposed to relate the water-vapor content in the atmospheric column to the surface temperature and absolute humidity.     

Bacterial killing by Mytilus hemocyte monolayers as a model for investigating the signaling pathways involved in mussel immune defence

The signaling pathways involved in mussel immune defence were investigated utilizing a model of killing of Escherichia coli by Mytilus galloprovincialis hemocytes in a co-culture setting. In particular, the role played by different mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and by the production of eicosanoids were investigated utilising specific cell permeant, pharmacological enzyme inhibitors. Hemocyte pretreatment with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 significantly reduced bacterial killing, whereas PD98059 (an inhibitor of ERK--extracellularly regulated kinase--MAPK activation) had no significant effect. Wortmannin also inhibited bacterial killing, indicating a crucial role for PI3-kinase activation in the immune response. Killing of E. coli was also reduced by inhibitors of both PLA2 and cyclooxygenase activities, indicating that eicosanoid production is involved in mediating the response to bacterial challenge. The results demonstrate that bacterial killing by mussel hemocytes is particularly sensitive to inhibitors of the key steps involved in the transduction of bacterial signals into the host cell. Moreover, these data indicate that the hemocyte bactericidal activity can be suitably utilized not only for identifying the signaling pathways involved in the response to bacterial infection, but also as a potential investigative-toxicology model to test drugs and contaminants for their effect on the overall mussel immune defence.     

印度东南部海岸拉梅斯沃勒姆滨外保克湾底层水特征对底栖有孔虫的影响

有孔虫生活在海洋和半咸水环境。底栖有孔虫的存在很大程度上受物理因素（深度、温度、光量、水体扰动）、化学因素（盐度、溶解氧和可用元素）和生物因素（食物供给量和底层沉积物特征）的制约。研究人员对印度东、西岸现代底栖有孔虫生态学和分布状态进行了研究。Ｎａｉｄｕ等在对Ｖｉｓａｋｈａｐａｔｎａｍ港复合体有孔虫进行分析后提出 ,可以将有孔虫作为海洋污染的指示物。ＳｒｅｅｎｉｖａｓａＲａｏ等采用Ｑ模式系数分析对尼赞伯德讷姆湾有孔虫的分布进行了研究 ,确认此区域存在４种组合 ,受不同环境条件的影响。Ｋｈａｒｅ等对门格…     

Acoustic reflectors in the surface layers of deep sea sediments

Using ultrasonic scanning it is possible to display the position of an acoustic discontinuity within a sediment core and the amplitude of the reflected signal which results from it. From these results it has been possible to examine the effect of variations in the geotechnical properties on the reflection of compressional waves at normal incidence within the core at a frequency of 100 kHz. The occurrence of acoustic reflectors in the surface layers of North Atlantic sediments has also been examined.Two ultrasonic scanning systems for the non-destructive testing of marine sediment cores have been developed. The performance of the two systems has been evaluated using the results from measurements made on a suite of marine sediment cores from the North Atlantic in conjunction with X-ray scanning and geological analysis of the same cores.     

Green water overtopping analyzed with a SPH model

Wave overtopping on the decks of offshore platforms and ships can cause severe damage due to the high forces generated by the water. This phenomenon is analyzed within the framework of the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method. The presence of a fixed horizontal deck above the mean water level modifies strongly the wave kinematics. In particular, the flow in the wave crest is split into two, showing a different behavior above and below the deck. Numerical results generated by the SPH method are compared to laboratory experiments. The formation of a jet in the rear of the deck after overtopping is observed under extreme conditions.