PML solution of longitudinal wave propagation in heterogeneous media

This paper describes the development of a model for unbounded heterogeneous domains with radiation damping produced by an unphysical wave absorbing layer. The Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) approach is used along with a displacement-based finite element. The heterogeneous model is validated using the closed-form solution of a benchmark problem: a free rod with two-part modulus subjected to a specified time history. Both elastically supported and unsupported semi-infinite rods with different degrees of inhomogeneity and loading are considered. Numerical results illustrate the effects of inhomogeneity on the response and are compared with those for equivalent homogeneous domains. The effects of characteristic features of the inhomogeneous problem, presence of local maxima and cut-off frequency are determined. A degenerate case of a homogeneous semi-infinite rod on elastic foundations is produced by tending the magnitude of the foundation stiffness to zero. The response of the latter is compared with that of a free rod. The importance of proper selection of the PML parameters to highly accurate and efficient results is demonstrated by example problems.     

The Effect of Aggregation of Impurity Nitrogen on Diamond X-Ray Luminescence

Two samplings of 65 diamond crystals divided by the intensity of a slow X-ray luminescence component are studied from the Arkhangel’skaya and Karpinskogo-1 pipes. IR and EPR spectroscopies revealed a relationship between the nitrogen A and P2 centers of the diamonds and the presence of a slow X-ray luminescence component. Its absence in most diamonds with high content of P1 (C) centers is explained by the low number of A and P2 centers.     

Delineation of Rajmahal basaltic flows,inter-trappeans and associated coal layers using Audio-magneto-telluric method

The extensive volcanic activity of Rajmahal occurred during early Cretaceous (~117 Ma). Potentially perspective Gondawana sediments containing coal seam is partially covered by these basalts. Basalts as well as coal are already known to be of immense economic importance over Rajmahal traps. The present study mainly deals with delineation of basaltic lava flows and associated coal layers using the Audio-magneto-telluric (AMT) study in the south central region of Rajmahal traps near Suri, West Bengal, India. Initially, the field situations have been simulated using forward model with top alluvium cover followed by basaltic lava flows, a wedge shaped inter-trappean sedimentary formation with second basaltic lava flows and basement at the bottom. The model was constrained using available litholog. The model study reveals the presence of moderately resistive basalts, relatively conductive inter-trappeans and the basement, except the top alluvium layer and thin inter-trappeans. Subsequently, threeAMT sounding have been carried out over Cholaguria, Hatgacha and Pachami, Suri, West Bengal. The field AMT study reveals three basaltic lava flows with varying thickness from ~40m to ~350m and composite thickness of ~620m to ~640m, which match well with the published borehole litholog. The inter-trappeans have been identified at 500m to 620m, 310m to 400m and 500m to 640m depths over Cholaguria, Hatgacha and Pachami, respectively. It is interesting to mention that the identified inter-trappeans are inferred to be coal/shaly-coal which are matching very well with the published borehole lithologs.     

On Data Interpolation at Three Croatian Repeat Stations by Using the Spherical Elementary Currents Systems Method

A general mathematical tool for expanding vector systems on a sphere into basis functions, spherical elementary current system (SECS) method, was applied for separation of the geomagnetic field variations into external and internal parts, over a limited region of central and southeastern Europe. The registered variations at three Croatian repeat stations were compared to the variations estimated by the SECS method using the variations from the different sets of observatories. The results of the SECS method were also compared to a simple assumption that the variations at repeat station are equal to those at particular observatory. The relevance of this comparison was to get an insight about the possibility of using the SECS method for estimating the geomagnetic field variations over Croatia. The guidelines for the application of the SECS method for the purpose of reducing repeat station data were also given.     

Minimum on the light curve of the classical symbiotic star AS 338 in 1999

We present our UBVRI photometry and spectroscopy of AS 338 performed in 1999–2000. Another eclipse of the hot component in this symbiotic binary system, the deepest one ever observed, occurred in September 1999. The U brightness declined by ～2^m, the Hβflux decreased by a factor of ～2.3, and the [O III]γ5007 flux did not change. The hot component is eclipsed at orbital phases ?≈0.045–0.057. The U-B color index begins to appreciably fluctuate during an eclipse of the hot component and its circumstellar envelope. About 100 days after a strong outburst of 1995, the mean UBV brightness of AS 338 declined linearly in the ensuing five years at the same rate in all bands (ΔU/Δt≈10^?3 mag/day). The brightness of the outer, uneclipsed parts of the circumstellar envelope also decreased, which is attributable to a reduction in the luminosity of the hot component against the rise in its temperature. The appearance of He II lines has not yet been recorded, though the optical brightness of AS 338 has already dropped by ～2^m after the outburst.     

Regional variations in electricity demand elasticities: The situation in the Central United States

Within the sizable literature on electricity demand relatively little attention is given to regional variations in electricity demand elasticities. This paper investigates 39 electric utility companies having a total of 93 separate operating regions in order to assess the nature of regional electricity demand elasticity variations. Residential, commercial, and industrial demand functions are estimated for each operating region using a flow adjustment model of demand. The resulting electricity price, measure of economic activity, and natural gas price elasticities vary regionally, but not in a systematic manner. The demand elasticities found in each sector range from highly inelastic to highly elastic with the pattern of elasticity variations exhibiting few spatial trends or relationships. Comparisons between operating region results and more aggregated statewide results indicate that statewide and national analysis of electricity demand masks much regional detail — a result which has important implications for energy policy making.     

Reconstructions of the Mesozoide structures in the eastern Amur-Okhotsk fold system, Far East

The late Jurassic reconstruction for the Ul’ban synclinorium was proposed based on the lithological and structural similarity of the Upper Permian and Mesozoic complexes of the Yankan-Dzhagdy and Ul’ban lithotectonic zones of the Amur-Okhotsk fold system. It was suggested that the Un’ya-Bom subzone of the Yankan-Dzhagdy LTZ is a fragment of the Ul’ban synclinorium (including its eastern centroclinal closure) that was detached and westward displaced (for 400–600 km) in the first half of the Cretaceous.     

Mathematical modeling of membrane polarization occurring in rocks due to applied electrical field

Membrane polarization occurs in sediments with different surface area of capillaries (pores) and is regarded as a slow type of polarization. This phenomenon is the foundation of the well known methods of induced polarization (IP): time domain and frequency domain induced polarization. The characteristic parameters of induced polarization which are required for studying physical properties of rocks are measured in the laboratory. Data measured in the laboratory confirmed the distinctions of IP processes at time-on and time-off. Additionally linear dependence of voltage and applied current is not always observed. This paper presents the first step of studying: theoretical consideration for time-on and mathematical modeling of membrane polarization, ion concentrations of electrolyte in the pores of different models of pores space, and arising voltage. The problem of concentration of ions along the pores can be solved using the diffusion equation with specified initial and boundary conditions. Reduced boundary conditions for time-on show that transient concentrations at the boundaries are linear with time. It allows obtaining the analytical solution for this equation. Mathematical modeling has been performed for different combinations of pores. It is shown that if electrical current flows from the pores with greater transfer numbers to the pores with smaller transfer numbers, an excess of ions will be observed at this boundary. If the difference of transfer numbers is negative, there is a decrease in the concentration of ions at the vicinity of the boundary. This decrease will continue until the concentration at this boundary reaches zero. In this case the galvanic chain will be interrupted and electrical current flowing through the sample does not penetrate to this cell. The duration of the process of ions distribution in the pore and time of blockage t ₀ is proportional to the radii of contacted pores and inversely proportional to the transfer number difference and square of the current flowing through this cell. It was shown by both laboratory measurement and field processes that induced polarization relates to low porous rocks with small transfer number differences.     

Rock salt mass in the Paleoproterozoic sequence of the Onega trough in Karelia (from the Onega parametric well data)

A thick (200 m) rock salt mass covering Late Archean granitoids was exposed for the first time in the Early Proterozoic volcanogenic-sedimentary formations in the Onega trough of the east Baltic Shield by the Onega parametric well. The mineral composition of salts, their geochemical features, and the isotopic composition of carbonate carbon and oxygen have been studied. After fluid inclusions present in salts, their metamorphism temperature and isotopic composition of helium and argon were determined. The obtained results give evidence of the fact that rock salts and magnesites associated with them were formed in an evaporate basin with participation of deep crustal processes. The age of the underlying granitoids (2.716 ± 9 Ma) is determined using the Pb—Pb method.