OPTICAL TRAIL WIDTH MEASUREMENTS OF FAINT METEORS

We report results from two station, short-baseline (< 100 m) high resolution measurements of faint meteors (limiting meteor magnitude +9) with the goal of measuring their optical trail widths. Meteors were observed using two 0.40 m Newtonian telescopes (field of view ˜0.4 degrees) equipped with image intensifiers. Both telescopes were vertically oriented in a fixed mount and pointed to the same field of view. One system used a gated image intensified camera allowing the transverse velocity component to be measured. The widest trail captured, out of a total of 34 common events measured by both optical systems, had a full-width to half-maximum of 1.37±0.71 m. The widest trail overall was captured by the gated system only, and was found to have a full-width of ∼ ∼10 m. The brightness variation across this trail was found to be best represented by a Lorentzian. Most trails were smaller than our resolution limit and hence we could only place upper limits on their optical width. These were generally less than 1 m after correction for instrumental effects. Four meteors were found to have heights near 65 km and very low transverse velocities. These may be indicative of a largely unreported high density asteroidal component at these faint meteor magnitudes.     

玛纳斯河流域不同海拔树轮宽度年表特征及其对气候响应的对比分析

利用位于玛纳斯河流域地区不同海拔高度的6个采样点的树木年轮宽度资料,建立其宽度年表,并分别将位于上树线区域的2个年表和下树线区域的3个年表合成,得到森林上树线年表（MNU）和下树线年表（MNL）,将涝坝湾年表作为森林中部年表（MNM）。对比3个树轮宽度标准化年表的特征参数及年表对气候的响应,结果表明：（1）样本总体代表性、平均敏感度、信噪比、第一特征向量百分比随着海拔的升高而递减。（2）高频信息量随着海拔的升高而递减,而低频信息量随着海拔的升高而递增。（3）气温是制约森林上树线年表（MNU）的主要气候限制因子;而对于森林下树线年表（MNL）与森林中部年表（MNM）来说,降水起直接的正向影响作用,气温则发挥间接的反作用,均具有明确的树木生理学意义[1]。     

膜下滴灌湿润体交汇区土壤水盐运移特征田间实验研究

膜下滴灌是一种既能高效节水,又能适时调控土壤水盐运移的灌水技术.滴灌湿润体交汇区土壤水盐分布特征是影响密植作物正常生长的重要因素.在田间情况下,研究滴头流量、滴头间距、灌水量对滴灌湿润体交汇区的土壤水盐运移的影响.实验结果表明:滴头流量越大,湿润体交汇区土壤含水率越高,土壤盐分淋洗效果越好,在滴头流量1.38 L/h和...     

Search for Variability in the Equivalent Width of the HeI D<Subscript>3</Subscript> Spectrum Line in Several Stars of Later Spectral Type

High resolution spectra with a high signal/noise ratio have been obtained in the region of the HeI D line for 13 dwarfs of spectral types A5 through K0. The variability in the equivalent width of this spectrum line was studied for five of these stars over a period of several hundred days. Significant variability was observed for only one of these stars, θ Cyg. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 553–564 (November 2005).     

Evolution of a bifurcation in a meandering river with adjustable channel widths,Rhine delta apex,The Netherlands

Rivers may dramatically change course on a fluvial plain. Such an avulsion temporarily leads to two active channels connected at a bifurcation. Here we study the effect of dynamic meandering at the bifurcation and the effect of channel width adjustment to changing discharge in both downstream branches on the evolution of a bifurcation and coexisting channels. As an example, we reconstructed the last major avulsion at the Rhine delta apex. We combined historical and geological data to reconstruct a slowly developing avulsion process spanning 2000 years and involving channel width adjustment and meandering at the bifurcation. Based on earlier idealised models, we developed a one‐dimensional model for long‐term morphodynamic prediction of upstream channel and bifurcates connected at the bifurcation node. The model predicts flow and sediment partitioning at the node, including the effect of migrating meanders at the bifurcation and channel width adjustment. Bifurcate channel width adaptation to changing discharge partitioning dramatically slows the pacing of bifurcation evolution because the sediment balance for width adjustment and bed evolution are coupled. The model further shows that meandering at the bifurcation modulates channel abandonment or enlargement periodically. This explains hitherto unrecognised reactivation signals in the sedimentary record of the studied bifurcation meander belts, newly identified in our geological reconstruction. Historical maps show that bifurcation migration due to meander bend dynamics increases the bifurcation angle, which increases the rate of closure of one bifurcate. The combination of model and reconstruction identifies the relevant timescales for bifurcation evolution and avulsion duration. These are the time required to fill one downstream channel over one backwater length, the time to translate one meander wavelength downstream and, for strong river banks, the adaptation timescale to adjust channel width. The findings have relevance for all avulsions where channel width can adjust to changing discharge and where meandering occurs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of the cracking of CFRD face plates

The primary goal of this study was to examine the cracking behavior of the face plate of a CFRD over its life cycle. Analyses of the construction stage, impounding, long-term deformation and earthquake loading were conducted in sequential phases using a 2-D plane-strain model with the appropriate nonlinear constitutive relationships for the dam constituents. The state of stress and the cracking behavior of the plate were found to be substantially different in the short and long term. Earthquake loading appears to be a critical load condition for the face plate; cracking increased significantly after ground shaking.     

对自相似扩展(SSE)模型的改进和研究

自相似扩展拟合法(Self-Similar Expansion,SSE)假设日冕物质抛射(CME)具有恒定角宽度、沿径向向外传播的、自相似扩展的球形前沿,由日心出发的、与这个球形前沿相切的圆锥的圆锥角就是通常所说的CME角宽度,半角宽度取值范围是[0°,90°],固定Φ角拟合法(Fixed-Φ,FΦ)和调和均值拟合法(Harmonic-mean,HM)分别对应SSE模型的半角宽度为0°和90°的特殊情况.本文中修改后的自相似扩展拟合法(MSSE)假设CME具有自相似扩展的半球形前沿,能够提取的CME参数包括由日心出发的、圆锥截面过球心的圆锥的半圆锥角和CME的主传播方向、传播速度,其中半圆锥角取值范围是[0°,90°],FΦ和HM分别对应MSSE模型的半圆锥角为0°和45°的特殊情况,半圆锥角为90°时,CME前沿是以日心为圆心的半圆.MSSE拟合法扩大了SSE模型对CME前沿形态的描述范围,将半圆锥角作为判断CME是否能够到达、何时到达某颗卫星的重要参数.基于单颗STEREO卫星日球层成像仪(Heliospheric Imager,HI)图像,结合STEREO和ACE卫星的太阳风实地观测数据,本文深入分析了2010年23个CME事件,结果发现:在用于预报CME事件是否能到达某颗卫星、何时到达时,MSSE拟合法相比FΦ、HM和SSE拟合法,不但可以更准确地拟合CME主传播方向和传播速度,也可以缩小预计到达时间和到达速度的误差.     

Implication of the flow resistance formulae on the prediction of flood wave propagation

ABSTRACT

This study examines the difference in the predictions of flood wave propagation in open channels depending on the flow resistance formulae, such as the Chézy and Manning’s equation. The celerity and diffusion coefficient are functions of the channel geometry, slope, roughness as well as the resistance formulae. The results suggest that substituting the Chézy equation with Manning’s equation results in different characteristics of flood propagation, which are consistent regardless of the cross-sectional geometry except for a circular cross-section: increasing celerity and decreasing diffusion coefficient. The celerity is more sensitive to the selection of resistance formulae than the diffusion coefficient. Geometry has a greater effect on the celerity and diffusion coefficient, and consequently on the resulting hydrographs. Manning’s equation results in a larger difference in celerity and diffusion coefficient compared to Chézy equation regardless of the water depth. Overall, this study shows that the selection of resistance formulae is important in terms of the resulting hydrographs and peak flow.

EDITOR Z.W. Kundzewicz ASSOCIATE EDITOR not assigned     

Determining transition reaches between torrents and downstream rivers using a valley morphology index in a mountainous landscape

Dividing rivers into homogeneous reaches is key for river processes and watershed management. In contrast to downstream fluvially dominated rivers, upstream debris-flow dominated torrents have steeper channel slopes and smaller valley width/depth ratios. Investigating transition reaches between torrents and fluvially dominated rivers, not only explores the structure of the landscape, but also contributes to hazard management. This study proposed a valley morphology index combining two variables, channel slope and valley width/depth ratio, to determine transition reaches between torrents and rivers. The methodology was applied to 41 mountain streams in Taiwan using a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based topographic analysis. Plots of valley width/depth ratio versus channel slope were used to determine boundary values of the valley morphology index (I_v) separating torrents from rivers. The plots showed that about 80% of the river basins present “L-shaped” curves, which indicate sharp decreases in slope for upstream sections and dramatic increases of valley width/depth ratio for downstream sections. Results further demonstrated an average value of I_v 0.0047 across the study sites. Spatial comparison between geographic regions indicated that transition reaches in eastern rivers tend to occur lower in the drainage basin due, in part, to higher terrain. Local factors, such as tributary confluences and landslides promote the transition from torrents to fluvially dominated rivers. Satellite images verified that the approach correctly identified transition reaches, suggesting that it may provide a useful reference for river management.     

Modelling mid‐channel bars in meandering channels

An analytical modelling framework is proposed to reproduce the frequently observed but poorly studied occurrence of mid‐channel bars in meandering channels. Mid‐channel bars occur in meanders and may characterize transitional morphologies between pure meandering and braided rivers. Based on existing field and experimental observations, we propose that two different mechanisms can generate central topographical patterns in meanders. A former mechanism (‘width‐forced’) is related to spatial width oscillations which determine a laterally symmetrical bed shear stress pattern that promotes mid‐channel bars. A second mechanism (‘curvature‐forced’) can take place also in curvilinear equiwidth streams since also longitudinal variations of channel curvature can produce laterally symmetrical alterations of the sediment transport capacity. A perturbation approach is employed to model both mechanisms within a common framework, allowing reproduction, at least qualitatively, of several observed features. While width‐forced mid‐channel bars are a symmetric linear altimetric response, to reproduce curvature‐forced mid‐channel bars requires modelling nonlinear flow‐bed topography interactions at the second order of the perturbation expansion. Hypotheses on how these mechanisms operate are further discussed through an application to field cases. The amplitude of the nonlinear response can be relevant compared to that of the point bar in equiwidth meanders and the location of mid‐channel bars seldom coincides with bend apexes, mainly depending upon the intrinsic meander wavelength. Central bars tend to symmetrically divert the flow against the two banks, a process which is proposed as a possible cause of cross‐sectional overwidening, along with the asymmetry between the rates of bank erosion and of the opposite bank accretion. The outcomes of this first modelling step on the subject allow discussion of the mutual feedback processes that characterize interactions between mid‐channel bars and width variations in river meanders. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.