Observational evidence for stellar mass black holes

I review the evidence for stellar mass black holes in the Galaxy. The unique properties of the soft X-ray transient (SXTs) have provided the first opportunity for detailed studies of the mass-losing star in low-mass X-ray binaries. The large mass functions of these systems imply that the compact object has a mass greater than the maximum mass of a neutron star, strengthening the case that they contain black holes. The results and techniques used are discussed. I also review the recent study of a comparison of the luminosities of black hole and neutron star systems which has yielded compelling evidence for the existence of event horizons.     

Geotechnical assessment of cut slopes in the landslide-prone Himalayas: rock mass characterization and simulation approach

Natural Hazards - The roadway networks serve as arteries for the ongoing socio-economic activities within the Himalayan region. The perilous conditions of geologically active and fragile terrain...     

Integration of geoelectric and hydrochemical approaches for delineation of groundwater potential zones in alluvial aquifer

Geoelectric and hydrochemical approaches are employed to delineate the ground-water potential zones in District Okara, a part of Bari Doab, Punjab, Pakistan. Sixty-seven VES surveys are conducted with the Electrical Resistivity Meter. The resultant resistivity verses depth model for each site is estimated using computer-based software IX1D. Aquifer thickness maps and interpreted resistivity maps were generated from interpreted VES results. Dar-Zarrouk parameters, transverse resistance (TR), longitudinal conductance (SL) and anisotropy (λ) were also calculated from resistivity data to delineate the potential zones of aquifer. 70% of SL value is ≤3S, 30% of SL value is > 3S. According to SL and TR values, the whole area is divided into three potential zones, high, medium and low potential zones. The spatial distribution maps show that north, south and central parts of study area are marked as good potential aquifer zones. Longitudinal conductance values are further utilized to determine aquifer protective capacity of area. The whole area is characterized by moderate to good and up to some extent very good aquifer protective area on the basis of SL values. The groundwater samples from sixty-seven installed tube wells are collected for hydro-chemical analysis. The electrical conductivity values are determined. Correlation is then developed between the EC (μS/cm) of groundwater samples vs. interpreted aquifer resistivity showing R2 value 0.90.     

Capabilities of multimedia gis

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Anisotropy parameter inversion in vertical axis of symmetry media using diffractions

Diffractions play a vital role in seismic processing as they can be utilized for high‐resolution imaging applications and analysis of subsurface medium properties like velocity. They are particularly valuable for anisotropic media as they inherently possess a wide range of dips necessary to resolve the angular dependence of velocity. However, until recently, the focus of diffraction imaging or inversion algorithms have been only on the isotropic approximation of the subsurface. Using diffracted waves, we develop a framework to invert for the effective η model. This effective model is obtained through scanning over possible effective η values and selecting the one that best fits the observed moveout curve for each diffractor location. The obtained effective η model is then converted to an interval η model using a Dix‐type inversion formula. The inversion methodology holds the potential to reconstruct the true η model with sufficiently high accuracy and resolution properties. However, it relies on an accurate estimation of diffractor locations, which in turn requires good knowledge of the background velocity model. We test the effectiveness and applicability of our method on the vertical transverse isotropic Marmousi model. The inversion results yield a reasonable match even for the complex Marmousi model.     

Analysis of the traveltime sensitivity kernels for an acoustic transversely isotropic medium with a vertical axis of symmetry

In anisotropic media, several parameters govern the propagation of the compressional waves. To correctly invert surface recorded seismic data in anisotropic media, a multi‐parameter inversion is required. However, a tradeoff between parameters exists because several models can explain the same dataset. To understand these tradeoffs, diffraction/reflection and transmission‐type sensitivity‐kernels analyses are carried out. Such analyses can help us to choose the appropriate parameterization for inversion. In tomography, the sensitivity kernels represent the effect of a parameter along the wave path between a source and a receiver. At a given illumination angle, similarities between sensitivity kernels highlight the tradeoff between the parameters. To discuss the parameterization choice in the context of finite‐frequency tomography, we compute the sensitivity kernels of the instantaneous traveltimes derived from the seismic data traces. We consider the transmission case with no encounter of an interface between a source and a receiver; with surface seismic data, this corresponds to a diving wave path. We also consider the diffraction/reflection case when the wave path is formed by two parts: one from the source to a sub‐surface point and the other from the sub‐surface point to the receiver. We illustrate the different parameter sensitivities for an acoustic transversely isotropic medium with a vertical axis of symmetry. The sensitivity kernels depend on the parameterization choice. By comparing different parameterizations, we explain why the parameterization with the normal moveout velocity, the anellipitic parameter η, and the δ parameter is attractive when we invert diving and reflected events recorded in an active surface seismic experiment.     

Stability evaluation and potential damage of a giant paleo-landslide deposit at the East Himalayan Tectonic Junction on the Southeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

A large number of paleo-landslide deposits exist in the Southeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Once these deposits are destroyed, the disaster chain will cause huge damage to life and property and have an impact on local geomorphic evolution. Diverse models are applied to analyze different geological problems of paleo-landslide deposits, which can produce the advantages of different models fully, thereby making up for the shortcomings of poor applicability of a single model in a certain type of problem. In this study, the Baimu paleo-landslide deposit located at the North side of Dongjiuqu Bridge of Sichuan-Tibet Railway is taken as the research object to completely analyze the potential damage by combining various technical means and numerical model, aiming to provide certain reference for the design and construction of the project. Firstly, site investigation and terrain interpretation confirm the existence of local deformation and damage. Secondly, the finite element model based on the strength reduction method is used to analyze the stability of the deposit and determine the potential damage area. For the potential damage area, debris avalanche and debris flow as two disaster transformation modes are considered. The discrete element model and shallow flow model are used to simulate the dynamic process of debris avalanche and debris flow under complex terrain, respectively. The results show that potential debris avalanche or debris flow will accumulate at the mouth of the Baimu gully, and there will be no direct threat to the bridge. Finally, the formation and evolution sequence of the deposit is proposed, which plays an important role in analyzing the evolution of local river geomorphology.

     

A comparison of IBC with 1997 UBC for modal response spectrum analysis in standard-occupancy buildings

This paper presents a comparison of the seismic forces generated from a Modal Response Spectrum Analysis (MRSA) by applying the provisions of two building codes, the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC) and the 2000-2009 International Building Code (IBC), to the most common ordinary residential buildings of standard occupancy. Considering IBC as the state of the art benchmark code, the primary concern is the safety of buildings designed using the UBC as compared to those designed using the IBC. A sample of four buildings with different layouts and heights was used for this comparison. Each of these buildings was assumed to be located at four different geographical sample locations arbitrarily selected to represent various earthquake zones on a seismic map of the USA, and was subjected to code-compliant response spectrum analyses for all sample locations and for five different soil types at each location. Response spectrum analysis was performed using the ETABS software package. For all the cases investigated, the UBC was found to be significantly more conservative than the IBC. The UBC design response spectra have higher spectral accelerations, and as a result, the response spectrum analysis provided a much higher base shear and moment in the structural members as compared to the IBC. The conclusion is that ordinary office and residential buildings designed using UBC 1997 are considered to be overdesigned, and therefore they are quite safe even according to the IBC provisions.     

Wavefield dependency on virtual shifts in the source location

The wavefield dependence on a virtual shift in the source location can provide information helpful in velocity estimation and interpolation. However, the second‐order partial differential equation (PDE) that relates changes in the wavefield form (or shape) to lateral perturbations in the source location depends explicitly on lateral derivatives of the velocity field. For velocity models that include lateral velocity discontinuities this is problematic as such derivatives in their classical definition do not exist. As a result, I derive perturbation partial differential wave equations that are independent of direct velocity derivatives and thus, provide possibilities for wavefield shape extrapolation in complex media. These PDEs have the same structure as the wave equation with a source function that depends on the background (original source) wavefield. The solutions of the perturbation equations provide the coefficients of a Taylor's series type expansion for the wavefield. The new formulas introduce changes to the background wavefield only in the presence of lateral velocity variation or in general terms velocity variations in the perturbation direction. The accuracy of the representation, as demonstrated on the Marmousi model, is generally good.     

Angle gathers in wave‐equation imaging for transversely isotropic media

In recent years, wave‐equation imaged data are often presented in common‐image angle‐domain gathers as a decomposition in the scattering angle at the reflector, which provide a natural access to analysing migration velocities and amplitudes. In the case of anisotropic media, the importance of angle gathers is enhanced by the need to properly estimate multiple anisotropic parameters for a proper representation of the medium. We extract angle gathers for each downward‐continuation step from converting offset‐frequency planes into angle‐frequency planes simultaneously with applying the imaging condition in a transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI) medium. The analytic equations, though cumbersome, are exact within the framework of the acoustic approximation. They are also easily programmable and show that angle gather mapping in the case of anisotropic media differs from its isotropic counterpart, with the difference depending mainly on the strength of anisotropy. Synthetic examples demonstrate the importance of including anisotropy in the angle gather generation as mapping of the energy is negatively altered otherwise. In the case of a titled axis of symmetry (TTI), the same VTI formulation is applicable but requires a rotation of the wavenumbers.