Studies of accretion flows around rotating black holes – III. Shock oscillations and an estimation of the spin parameter from QPO frequencies

In the present communication of our series of papers dealing with the accretion flows in the pseudo-Kerr geometry, we discuss the effects of viscosity on the accretion flow around a rotating black hole. We find the solution topologies and give special attention to the solutions containing shocks. We draw the parameter space where standing shocks are possible and where the shocks could be oscillating and could produce quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) of X-rays observed from black hole candidates. In this model, the extreme locations of the shocks give the upper limits of the QPO frequencies  (ν_QPO)  which could be observed. We show that both the viscosity of the flow and the spin of the black hole a increase the QPO frequency while, as expected, the black hole mass reduces the QPO frequencies. Our major conclusion is that the highest observed frequency gives a strict lower limit of the spin. For instance, a black hole exhibiting  ν_QPO∼ 400  and  700 Hz  must have the spin parameters of   a > 0.25  and  >0.75  , respectively, provided viscosity of the flow is small. We discuss the implications of our results in the light of observations of QPOs from black hole candidates.     

A failed outburst of H1743−322

We report on a campaign of X-ray and soft γ-ray observations of the black hole candidate (BHC) H1743−322 (also named IGR J17464-3213), performed with the RXTE , INTEGRAL and Swift satellites. The source was observed during a short outburst between 2008 October 03 and November 16. The evolution of the hardness–intensity diagram throughout the outburst is peculiar, in that it does not follow the canonical pattern through all the spectral states (the so-called q-track pattern) seen during the outburst of black hole transients. On the contrary, the source only makes a transition from the hard state to the hard–intermediate state. After this transition, the source decreases in luminosity and its spectrum hardens again. This behaviour is confirmed by both spectral and timing analyses. This kind of outburst has been rarely observed before in a transient BHC.     

黑碳气溶胶直接辐射强迫及其对中国夏季降水影响的模拟研究

利用NCAR的全球大气模式CAM3分析了黑碳气溶胶在大气顶和地表的直接辐射强迫分布及其季节变化,重点讨论了云对黑碳气溶胶直接辐射强迫的影响,以及黑碳气溶胶对中国夏季降水的影响。结果表明：黑碳气溶胶在大气顶和地表的直接辐射强迫分布范围和强度都具有明显的季节变化。有云条件下,黑碳气溶胶在大气顶产生正的直接辐射强迫,全球年平均强迫值为＋0.33 W·m－2;在地表产生负的直接辐射强迫,全球年平均强迫值为－0.56 W·m－2。晴空条件下,黑碳气溶胶在大气顶和地表的全球年平均辐射强迫值分别为＋0.21 和－0.71 W·m－2。云的存在对黑碳气溶胶的辐射强迫产生了很大的影响,使大气顶的正辐射强迫增加,地表的负辐射强迫减小。黑碳气溶胶导致夏季中国北方30°N～45°N之间区域降水明显增加;而中国长江以南地区除了海南和广西的部分城市外,降水明显减少。模拟结果表明,中国夏季近50年来经常发生的南涝北旱并非由黑碳气溶胶引起。     

多层螺旋CT在烟雾病诊断中的应用

目的探讨16排螺旋CT血管造影(MSCTA)及其重建在烟雾病诊断与治疗中的应用价值.材料与方法分析15例烟雾病病例.受检者均行颅脑CT平扫和MSCTA检查.在ADW4.2工作站上作容积再现(VR)、最大密度投影(MIP)和多平面重建(MPR).结果多层螺旋CT血管造影均清晰显示发生狭窄、闭塞的颈内动脉、Wills环血管近侧端以及明显增多、扩张的脑底部侧支血管影,其中双侧颈内动脉闭塞6例,单侧颈内动脉伴同侧大脑后动脉狭窄1例,单侧大脑中动脉8例,其中1例同时动脉瘤.所有CTA图像均可评价侧支血管情况,表现为相应血管及其分支的粗大、增多、迂曲延长.VR重建图像有利于显示狭窄段与周围骨性结构空间关系,但在显示、评价脑底增生小血管和侧支血管方面不及MIP和MPR重建.结论综合运用多种重建技术,多层螺旋CT血管造影不仅可以清晰显示狭窄血管,还可以评价狭窄远端血管和侧支血管等情况,直观显示病变周围空间结构关系,从而为治疗提供重要的参考依据.     

Seasonal variations of number size distributions and mass concentrations of atmospheric particles in Beijing

Particle number and mass concentrations were measured in Beijing during the winter and summer periods in 2003, together with some other parameters including black carbon (BC) and meteorological conditions. Particle mass concentrations exhibited low seasonality, and the ratio of PM2.5/PM10 in winter was higher than that in summer. Particle number size distribution (PSD) was characterized by four modes and exhibited low seasonality. BC was well correlated with the number and mass concentrations of accumulation and coarse particles, indicating these size particles are related to anthropogenic activities.Particle mass and number concentrations (except ultra-fine and nucleation particles) followed well the trends of 13C concentration for the majority of the day, indicating that most particles were associated with primary emissions. The diurnal number distributions of accumulation and coarse mode particles were characterized by two peaks.     

Catastrophic reduction of the oyster,Tiostrea chilensis (Bivalvia: Ostreidae), in Foveaux Strait,New Zealand,due to infestation by the protistan Bonamia sp.

Between 1985 and 1992, mortality due to infestation by the protistan Bonamia sp. severely reduced the numbers of the oyster, Tiostrea chilensis in Foveaux Strait, New Zealand. In 1990, two dredge surveys gave relative estimates, and a dive survey an absolute estimate, of the size of this oyster population; this allowed us to estimate dredge efficiency precisely. This estimate was used to re‐evaluate the dredge survey of 1975–76 and relate the size of the population in 1990 to that in 1975. By 1990 the population density had declined by 67% while a dredge survey in 1992 showed that the population density had declined by 91% from 1975. A dredge survey in 1993 showed that the population had increased slightly (but not significantly) over the 1992 level. By 1992 the population had probably been reduced below 10% of the virgin level. The fishery was closed in 1993 to allow the population to rebuild. The population surveys have followed stratified random and grid pattern sampling designs and the merits of the designs and methodology are discussed.     

民勤“2010.4.24”黑风天气过程的稳定度分析

 2010年4月24日民勤出现黑风天气,给当地经济和社会造成严重影响。利用民勤黑风发生前后2010年4月24日08时~25日08时的探空观测资料,对大气不稳定能量、热力参数“V—3θ”和动力参数“相对风暴水平螺旋度”进行了计算分析。结果表明：黑风发生时,民勤近地面存在正不稳定能量,促使黑风在近地面层爆发性发展,使沙尘粒子在正不稳定能量区聚积,形成黑风墙。民勤黑风爆发前和爆发时大气温湿结构呈现出上湿下干的分布特征,低层湿度较小不利于降水产生,为沙尘扬起提供了较好的垂直方向的环境场条件;黑风爆发前大气层结500 hPa以下风场的垂直分布形成顺时针滚流,为对流性不稳定层结,气层有利于黑风生成和发展;黑风过境后,风场的垂直分布顺时针滚流下降至700 hPa以下,说明大气层结的对流不稳定层结变薄、减弱,700～500 hPa存在逆时针滚流,抑制上升运动,预示黑风将减弱。黑风爆发期间在河西走廊中部存在一个相对风暴水平螺旋度负值中心,中心值达到-870 m2 /s2,远小于强沙尘暴发生的临界值-600 m2 /s2,沙尘暴的强度与相对风暴水平螺旋度负值中心存在很好的对应关系。当民勤测站的相对风暴水平螺旋度＜0,其上游存在≤-600 m2 /s2的最小中心时,民勤测站将出现强沙尘暴;当民勤测站的螺旋度＜0,其上游存在正值中心时,下游存在负值中心时,民勤测站的沙尘暴结束,能见度好转。