Symbiotic stars are binaries consisting of a cool evolved G-M/S/C I-III star accreting onto a smaller companion---but the accretion disk itself is rarely detected. Accretion signatures like hard X-rays and optical/ultraviolet flickering are usually suppressed or outshone by shell burning on the accreting white dwarf, the luminous giant, and the giant's wind nebula. In Chapters 2 and 3, we present a new way to find symbiotics that is less biased against accreting-only, non-burning symbiotics with directly detectable accretion disks. Our search methodology is based on finding outliers in SkyMapper Southern Sky Survey broad-band and intermediate-band photometry, using a parameter space built from reconstructed u-g u-v snapshot colors and rapid variability between the three exposures of a 20-minute SkyMapper Main Survey filter sequence, from a sample of luminous red objects selected with 2MASS and Gaia. In a pilot survey employing this new search design, we discovered 12 new symbiotics, including four symbiotics with optical accretion disk flickering and at least two with boundary-layer hard X-rays, as well as 10 new symbiotic candidates. We also discovered optical flickering in the known symbiotic V1044 Cen (CD-36 8436). We conclude that at least 20% of the true population of symbiotics exhibits detectable optical flickering from the inner accretion disk, a substantial fraction of which would not meet the usual H-alpha equivalent width detection thresholds typically used to find symbiotics with traditional narrow-band emission line photometry surveys. There is a significant population of optically-flickering symbiotics hidden both within and beyond the known catalogs of symbiotic stars---however, the question of whether the true population of accreting-only symbiotics is larger than the population of burning symbiotics remains unanswered. We also find that our methods probe a completely different region of parameter space than recent work by the Munari et al. (2021) search for accreting-only symbiotics, while being surprisingly in harmony with the Akras et al. (2019) infrared selection criteria. As an intermediate step in our pilot survey, we explored several outlying regions in our SkyMapper parameter space with optical spectroscopy of 234 luminous red objects, which we present in a 248-page spectral atlas. Our results identify a zone of the u-g u-v snapshot color-color diagram in which virtually all objects are symbiotics. When all-sky uvg colors become available through future DRs of SkyMapper and MEPHISTO, between about 51 and 117 symbiotics missed by previous surveys (of which 11 to 17 have been reported in this work) will be discoverable using only this mostly-symbiotic zone of the color-color diagram, with a near-zero contamination rate. Main Survey filter-sequence variability is also a powerful tool for finding hidden, flickering symbiotics both inside and outside of the mostly-symbiotic color-color zone, but variability must still be used in conjunction with color; there must be enough of an accretion disk contribution to the u-band for it to exhibit detectable variability. We show that yellow post-AGB stars with strong Balmer jump absorption (along with the symbiotic Southern Crab) are outliers with large positive u-v, while some S and carbon stars are outliers with large negative u-v. We also show that it is important to correct the results of SkyMapper's catalog pipeline for variability when dealing with samples containing large-amplitude pulsating stars. In Chapters 4 and 5, we present an in-depth study of one of the few optically-flickering symbiotic stars previously known, MWC 560 (V694 Mon). The persistent outflow from MWC 560 is known to manifest as broad absorption lines (BALs), most prominently at the Balmer transitions. In Chapter 4, we report the detection of high-ionization BALs from C IV, Si IV, N V, and He II in International Ultraviolet Explorer spectra obtained on 1990 April 29-30, when an optical outburst temporarily erased the obscuring "iron curtain" of absorption troughs from Fe II and similar ions. The C IV and Si IV BALs reached maximum radial velocities at least 1000 km/s higher than contemporaneous Mg II and He II BALs; the same behaviors occur in the winds of quasars and cataclysmic variables. An iron curtain lifts to unveil high-ionization BALs during the P Cygni phase observed in some novae, suggesting by analogy a temporary switch in MWC 560 from persistent outflow to discrete mass ejection. At least three more symbiotic stars exhibit broad absorption with blue edges faster than 1500 km/s; high-ionization BALs have been reported in AS 304 (V4018 Sgr), while transient Balmer BALs have been reported in Z And and CH Cyg. These BAL-producing fast outflows can have wider opening angles than has been previously supposed. BAL symbiotics are short-timescale laboratories for their giga-scale analogs, broad absorption line quasars (BALQSOs), which display a similarly wide range of ionization states in their winds. In Chapter 5, we investigate how the accretion disc of MWC 560 is affected by its outflow. We performed optical, radio, X-ray, and ultraviolet observations of MWC 560 during its 2016 optical high state. We tracked multi-wavelength changes that signalled an abrupt increase in outflow power at the initiation of a months-long outflow fast state, just as the optical flux peaked: (1) an abrupt doubling of Balmer absorption velocities; (2) the onset of a 20 𝜇Jy/month increase in radio flux; and (3) an order-of-magnitude increase in soft X-ray flux. Juxtaposing to prior X-ray observations and their coeval optical spectra, we infer that both high-velocity and low-velocity optical outflow components must be simultaneously present to yield a large soft X-ray flux, which may originate in shocks where these fast and slow absorbers collide. Our optical and ultraviolet spectra indicate that the broad absorption-line gas was fast, stable, and dense (⪞10⁶.⁵ cm⁻³) throughout the 2016 outflow fast state, steadily feeding a lower-density (⪝10⁵.⁵ cm⁻³) region of radio-emitting gas. Persistent optical and ultraviolet flickering indicate that the accretion disc remained intact. The stability of these properties in 2016 contrasts to their instability during MWC 560's 1990 outburst, even though the disc reached a similar accretion rate. We propose that the self-regulatory effect of a steady fast outflow from the disc in 2016 prevented a catastrophic ejection of the inner disc. This behaviour in a symbiotic binary resembles disc/outflow relationships governing accretion state changes in X-ray binaries.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第20912号 / 理博第4364号 / 新制||理||1626(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科物理学・宇宙物理学専攻 / (主査)教授 井岡 邦仁, 教授 川合 光, 教授 田中 貴浩 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

The following is a compilation of field data collected in 2011 and 2012 in Apalachicola, FL as part of a five year study assessing the ecological effects of sea level rise in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Many coastal communities, both natural and developed, will soon be working to mitigate the effects of sea level rise, if they are not already doing so. This thesis investigates the natural patterns of the Apalachicola estuarine system through the collection and analysis of in situ water, sediment, and biomass samples. Additionally, results of the field samples are presented and recommendations for additional sampling are given. The field methods and procedures developed in this study were designed to be repeated in other estuaries to build upon the work that has been conducted in Apalachicola. Water samples were tested for total suspended solids (TSS) and compared against hydrodynamic (tidal circulation and streamflow) and meteorological (wind and precipitation) characteristics. Streamflow was determined to influence a seasonal base level concentration of TSS. Wind strength and direction consistently influenced small TSS concentration fluctuations, an effect amplified by the shallow nature of the estuary. Tidal circulation appeared to have minor influences on TSS concentration fluctuations within the base level concentration range. Precipitation appeared to influence large TSS concentration fluctuations; however, due to limited data collection during storm events, more data is required to conclusively state this. Sediment cores throughout the lower Apalachicola River revealed that coarse particles settled out in upstream areas while fine particles tended to stay in suspension until low energy areas in the lower portions of the river or marsh system were reached. Finally, biomass samples were used to iv develop regression models utilizing remotely sensed data to predict biomass density in marsh areas with unprecedented accuracy. The documented patterns of this system are to be used as inputs and validation points to update an existing hydrodynamic model and to aid in the coupling and development of sediment transport and marsh equilibrium models. The field campaign developed and implemented here provides a foundation for this novel coupled modeling effort of estuarine systems. From the 2011 and 2012 sampling conducted, it is apparent that Apalachicola can be modeled as a closed system with river inflow and sediment influx as boundary conditions. Forcing local conditions should accurately represent the system. Ultimately, these models will be used to simulate future sea level rise scenarios and will provide useful decision making tools to coastal managers. Future work will include replicating water sampling in subsequent wet and dry seasons in Apalachicola, FL to confirm observed trends, in addition to implementing this sampling in Grand Bay, MS and Weeks Bay, AL. Additional biomass samples will be taken to validate the strong correlations found between remotely sensed data and in situ samples. In similar studies, it is recommended that water samples be taken to adequately represent influences from tidal cycles and riverine inflow. It is also recommended that spatially distributed biomass samples be taken to validate regression models.

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<p>We present a numerical study of gas accretion into galaxies using the SPH code, Gasoline. Numerical tests on shock treatment in Gasoline are run to evaluate how well cosmological-scale, high Mach number shocks are treated. We find that shock solutions are far too noisy, and in specific density and metallicity regimes, this seeds a phase separation instability of hot and cold gas. We propose this instability as the source of cold blobs seen in many numerical simulations. We find that improved shock behavior is primarily attained through increased viscosity parameters. Analysis is also performed on four cosmological simulations from the McMaster Unbiased Galaxy Simulations (MUGS) (Stinson et al. 2010). In agreement with recent literature, we find cold flows of gas seeded by dark matter filaments stretching far into the inner galaxy in all analyzed galaxies. Tracking of star and gas particles is performed, and we find that cold mode accretion makes up between 40% and 60% of total gas accretion. As well, we find that cold gas is in general very quickly formed into stars, and that between 40% and 70% of total star mass comes from cold gas accretion.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

Disturbances impact abiotic and biotic components within forested ecosystems. This dissertation identifies the impacts of recreational crossing disturbances on water quality, uses dendrochronological techniques to estimate sediment deposition and identify impacts hydrology and climate on radial growth in riparian forested wetlands, and quantifies influences of biotic and abiotic factors on the occurrence of frost-induced cambial damage. In southwestern Virginia, modeled soil erosion rates for multiple-use (hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding) recreational trail approaches to stream crossings were found to be 13 times greater than rates for undisturbed forests. Downstream changes in macroinvertebrate-based indices indicated water quality was negatively affected downstream from culvert and ford crossings. These findings illustrate recreational stream crossings have the potential to deliver sediment into adjacent streams, particularly where best management practices are not being rigorously implemented, and as a result can negatively impact water quality below stream crossings. Impacts of hydrologic regime were apparent on sediment deposition and on green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.) radial growth along the Tensaw River in southwest Alabama. Annual dendrogeomorphic sediment accretion rates were significantly greater for a recent time period (25 years) when compared to longer term rates (131 years) along a natural levee and backswamp. Radial growth in green ash along the natural levee and backswamp was found to be significantly correlated with days flooded and average daily stage level during April while water tupelo further in the backswamp appeared resistant to hydrologic and climatic fluctuations. Results illustrate the importance of riparian wetlands in trapping sediment from adjacent waterways and highlight the role hydrologic regime plays in bottomland succession and productivity. Across northern lower Michigan, late spring frost-induced cambial damage in jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) occurred more frequently in younger trees and in trees with smaller diameters. Biotic and abiotic factors were found to influence the occurrence of earlywood frost rings. Frequent occurrences of frost-rings can be used to identify frost-prone environments and geographical boundaries for plant species. This dissertation bridged gaps in knowledge of recreational, hydrogeomorphic, and climatic disturbances in forested ecosystems which can be used to develop management strategies. / Ph. D.

<p dir="ltr">Recent high-water levels in Lake Michigan caused extensive shoreline changes along the Indiana coastline. To evaluate recent shoreline changes of the Indiana coastline along Lake Michigan, topographic LiDAR surveys available for the years 2008, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2020, and 2022 were analyzed. This study included LiDAR data of over 400 cross-shore transects, generated at 100 m spacing. Beach profiles were generated to detect the shoreline position and quantify beach width and nearshore volume change. The analysis revealed accretion of both shoreline and beach width from 2008 to 2013 during a low water level period. The beach was rebuilt with a median increased value of 4 m. On the contrary, the shoreline eroded during increasing and high-water periods. Both shoreline and beach width receded with median values of 41 m and 32 m respectively during the period of water level increase from 2013 to 2020. Consequently, the beach profiles lost a median sand volume of 21.6 m³/m. Overall, the Indiana shoreline moved with a median of 18 m landward from 2008 to 2022. However, there was a large amount of spatial variability in the shoreline changes. The shoreline movement varied spatially between 63 m recession to 29 m accretion. Similarly, beach profiles showed a loss of median sand volume of 10 m³/m. The volume change ranged from 918 m³/m loss to 296 m³/m accumulation varying spatially along the shoreline. The largest sand loss was experienced at the downdrift of Michigan city harbor near Mt. Baldy. In addition to the spatial variation, the recession also varied slightly with shoreline type. The natural and hardened beaches were mostly recessional. The recession along the hardened shoreline was influenced by the timing of construction and its proximity to inland areas. Buffered beaches, characterized by a swath of vegetation or dunes, experienced the least erosion.</p>