A mathematical model for predicting coupled heat and water movement in unsaturated soil

An investigation was conducted to develop a comprehensive moisture model for predicting non-isothermal moisture conditions in soils. An extensive literature review indicated that a model based on the Philip and de Vries equations for non-isothermal moisture movement and heat conduction would give the best results. By using numerical methods, the implicit finite difference approximations to the moisture movement and heat-transfer equations were programmed for computer solution of water content and temperature in the soil with time. Validation studies indicate that the moisture model can be used to predict accurately moisture conditions in the soil. The model was validated by using hydraulic data from laboratory studies conducted on soil columns compacted with AASHO A-3 and AASHO A-4 soil. The application of the moisture model to the study of non-isothermal moisture movement in the field is demonstrated. The influence of parameters such as water table depth, precipitation, and soil hydraulic properties on soil moisture content are shown by use of the moisture model. The model is shown to be applicable to a wide range of boundary conditions and that it predicts the moisture-temperature regime with time in soils utilizing climatic input data.     

The orientation of the solar rotation axis from Doppler velocity observations

Mt. Wilson observations of solar velocity fields have been examined for evidence that the rotation axis of the nonmagnetic gas at the solar surface is oriented differently than the axis found by Carrington (1863) from sunspot observations. No difference is found with an accuracy of 0°.15 in the angle of inclination of the axis to the ecliptic.     

Fabry-Perot determinations of midlatitude F-region neutral winds and temperatures from 1975 to 1979

Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements of the Doppler shifts and widths of the nightglow 630.0 nm line at Laurel Ridge Observatory, Pennsylvania are presented for the period 1975 to 1979, covering both solar minimum and solar maximum conditions. The F-region neutral wind vectors v_n and temperatures T_n deduced from these measurements show both day-to-day changes and overall seasonal patterns in the nocturnal variations during geomagnetically quiet conditions. Divergence in both the meridional and zonal horizontal flow is noted on occasion. The v_n results are compared with models including only solar EUV heating and those with EUV plus a high latitude heat source. The aggregate v_n data for solar cycle minimum conditions agree best with model predictions for winter zonal and equinoctal meridional winds and worst for winter meridional and summer zonal winds. At solar cycle maximum the predicted, rapid transition at equinox from summer to winter wind patterns and vice-versa is observed. The T_n data are in reasonable agreement with the MSIS model predictions.     

Adaptations for scavenging by three diverse bathyla species, Eptatretus stouti, Neptunea amianta and Orchomene obtusus

Many deep-sea animals derive part of their nutrition from rare and unpredictable food falls. However, traits that allow organisms inhabiting the sea floor to exploit carrion are poorly understood. We found in laboratory experiments that hagfish (Eptatretus stouti), gastropods (Neptunea amianta) and amphipods (Orchomene obtusus) survived extended periods of starvation, in some cases for more than a year. When exposed to odors emitted from carrion, most individuals of E. stouti and O. obtusus began searching for food within seconds, whereas none responded to the scent of the live prey. In contrast, the slow crawling N. amianta readily consumed carrion but showed no apparent response to any odor solutions tested. Because more motile animals exhibited lower thresholds for response to signal molecules, sensitivity to chemical cues appears related to species mobility. Hagfish were also found to defend carrion from some competitors by releasing slime when feeding. Though varying dramatically in size, morphology, locomotive ability, and phylogeny, these three species all possess traits well suited for a scavenging lifestyle.     

Hα observations of the August 12, 1975 type III-RS bursts

We present H filtergram observations of a number of the Type III-RS (reverse slope) bursts that occurred on August 12, 1975. Solar radio emission was peculiar on that date in that a large number, and proportion, of the usually rare reverse slope bursts were observed (Tarnstrom and Zehntner, 1975). We show that the radio bursts coincide in time with a homologous set of H flares located at the limbward edge of spot group Mt. Wilson 19598. We propose a model in which the reverse slope bursts are the downward branches of U bursts, whose upward branches are hidden behind the coronal density enhancement over the spot group.