Modeling the ionosphere, where the effects of solar dynamo becomes more effective to space based and ground borne activities, has an undeniable importance for telecommunication and navigation purposes. Mid-latitude electron density trough is an interesting phenomenon in characterizing the behavior of the ionosphere, especially during disturbed conditions. Modeling the mid-latitude electron density trough is a very popular research subject which has been studied by several researchers until now. In this work, an operational technique has been developed for a probabilistic space weather forecast using fuzzy modeling and computer based detection of trough in two steps. First step is to detect the appropriate geomagnetical conditions for trough formation, depending on the values of 3-h planetary K index (Kp), magnetic season, latitude and local time, by using fuzzy modeling technique. Once the suitable geomagnetic conditions are detected, second step is to find the lower latitude position (LLP) and minimum position (MP) of the observed trough being two main identifiers of the mid-latitude electron density trough. A number of case studies were performed on ARIEL 4 satellite data, composed of different geomagnetic, annual and diurnal characteristics. The results obtained from fuzzy modeling show that the model is able to detect the appropriate conditions for trough occurrence and the trough shape was effectively identified for each selected case by using the predefined descriptions of mid-latitude electron density trough. The overall results are observed to be promising.

In this study, the theoretical performance of a concentrating solar thermal electric system (CSTES) using a field of parabolic trough collectors (PTC) is investigated. The commercial software TRNSYS and the Solar Thermal Electric Components (STEC) library are used to model the overall system design and for simulations. The model was constructed using data from the literature for an existing 30-MW solar electric generating system (SEGS VI) using PTC&rsquo / s in Kramer Junction, California. The CSTES consists of a PTC loop that drives a Rankine cycle with superheat and reheat, 2-stage high and 5-stage low pressure turbines, 5-feedwater heaters and a dearator. As a first approximation, the model did not include significant storage or back-up heating. The model&rsquo / s predictions were benchmarked against published data for the system in California for a summer day. Good agreement between the model&rsquo / s predictions and published data were found, with errors usually less than 10%. Annual simulations were run using weather data for both California and Antalya, Turkey. The monthly outputs for the system in California and Antalya are compared both in terms of absolute monthly outputs and in terms of ratios of minimum to maximum monthly outputs. The system in Antalya is found to produce30 % less energy annually than the system in California. The ratio of the minimum (December) to maximum (July) monthly energy produced in Antalya is 0.04.

Abstract In order to understand the source, transport pathway and sink of settling particulates off northeast Taiwan, time-series sediment traps (PPS-3/3) were deployed on the north slope of Ilan ridge (T18) and in the Okinawa trough (T15 and T16) to collect settling particulates. The trapped particulate samples were determined for apparent mass flux (T18), particle size distribution, and contents of lithogenic portion, metals (Al, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu), opal, OC (organic carbon) and IC (inorganic carbon). The results show that mass flux in winter is higher than in summer except for typhoon or rainstorm in summer which may cause high particulate flux. At mooring T11 and T17, only 2 cups had collected particulates but with rapid decrease, and the remaining cups were empty. It is not clear whether Kuroshio plays a role and further investigation is needed. The trapped particulates were mainly clay and silt in the north slope of Ilan ridge and south Okinawa trough, and were sand and silt in the Mien-Hwa canyon. The portion of coarse silt and larger particles (>31 mm) decreases with an increase of distance from the land (from T11 to T18). The grain size distribution of particulate at T18 is similar to that at T15 and T16, but the mass flux in the north slope of Ilan ridge is an order of magnitude higher than in the south Okinawa trough. The size distribution pattern below 600m water depth is very similar at both T15 and T16, but the coarse fraction (> 31 mm) is more at the upper than lower traps, presumably due to lateral transport. The Mn content of the trapped particulates in the south Okinawa trough is twice as hign as that in the north slope of Ilan ridge. High Mn/Al ratio in the trough suggests that Mn is supplied by hydrothermal activities. Lithogenic portions occupy about 84~88.5% at T18, T16 and T15. Relative to other marginal seas biogenic contributions are clearly lower.

Abstract The research was conducted as a part of the phase III of the KEEP(Kuroshio Edge Exchange Processes)program. Two strings of sediment traps were deployed simultaneously: one near the outlet of North Mien-Hua Canyon (T15), and the other at the south rim of the South Okinawa Trough (T16). The purposes are to collect settling particulates at various depths for the studies of temporal and spatial variations of the particulate flux, 210Pb activity, 210Pb flux and size distribution. The particulate fluxes showed synchronous variations among the traps deployed at different depths of the same site. In general, the particulate flux in the marginal sea areas increases with depth but the maximum values may be at the mid-depth rather than at the deepest trap and remain so for the entire mooring period as observed at T15 and T16. Unusually high particulate fluxes could occur within the same period, probably reflecting an episodic event, such as typhoon or rain storm. 210Pb activity measured from different depths at T15 and T16 increases generally with depth along with the increase of the particulate flux toward the bottom. The temporal variation of 210Pb activity is generally smaller than that of the particulate flux in terms of relative amplitude. At the outlet of the canyon, T15, the temporal mean particulate flux of each trap ranged from 0.16 to 3.3 g/m2/d(a factor of ~ 20), while the mean 210Pb activity of each trap varied from about 98 to 168 dpm/g. At T16 located at the south rim of the South Okinawa Trough, the temporal mean particulate flux ranged from 0.06 to 5.7 g/m2/d(a factor of ~ 100), while the mean 210Pb activity varied from 82 to 192 dpm/g. The particulate 210Pb flux was smaller at T15 than at T16 because T15 has smaller particulate flux. The trapped particulates in the canyon(T1-T3) are mostly silt and sand, while the particulates collected from the Okinawa Trough(T15, T16) are mainly silt and clay. The 210Pb activity of the former is much lower than that of the latter, indicating the enrichment of 210Pb on the fine particulates. As the fine-grained particulates away from landmass have longer residence time in the ambient water, they can scavenge 210Pb more effectively.

The 2004 Sumatra-Andaman and the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquakes demonstrate the importance of understanding subduction zone earthquakes and the faults that produce them. Faults that produce earthquakes and/or tsunamis in these systems include plate boundary megathrusts, splay faults (out of sequence thrusts), and strike-slip faults from strain partitioning. Offshore Japan, IODP Exp. 314 collected logging while drilling (LWD) data across several seismically-imaged fault splays in the Nankai Trough accretionary prism. I combine LWD resistivity data with a model of fluid invasion to compare the permeabilities of sands. My results indicate that sands within faulted zones are 2-3 orders of magnitude more permeable than similar undisturbed sands. Therefore fault zones are likely to be fluid conduits within the accretionary wedge. Fluids can affect the physical and chemical properties of the faulted material, increasing pore pressures and effectively lubricating the faults. Fluids play an important role in fault slip, but hazard analysis also requires an understanding of fault geometry and slip direction. Both Japan and Sumatra exhibit strain partitioning, where oblique convergence between tectonic plates is partitioned between the megathrust and strike-slip faults proximal to the arc. Offshore Sumatra, I combine profiles from a 2D seismic survey (SUMUT) with previous bathymetry and active seismic surveys to characterize the West Andaman Fault adjacent to the Aceh forearc Basin. Along this fault I interpret transpressional flower structures that cut older thrust faults. These flower structures indicate that the modern West Andaman Fault is a right lateral strike-slip fault and thus helps to accommodate the translational component of strain in this highly oblique subduction zone. Offshore the Kii Peninsula, Japan, I analyze a trench-parallel depression that forms a notch in the seafloor just landward of the megasplay fault system, along the seaward edge of the forearc Kumano Basin. Using a 12 km wide, 3D seismic volume, I observe vertical faults and faults which dip toward the central axis of the depression, forming apparent flower structures. The along-strike geometry of the vertical faults makes predominantly normal or thrust motion unlikely. I conclude, therefore, that this linear depression is the bathymetric expression of a transtensional fault system. While the obliquity of convergence in the Nankai Trough is small (~15 degrees), this Kumano Basin Edge Fault Zone could be due to partitioning of the plate convergent strain. The location of the West Andaman Fault and KBEFZ within the forearc may be controlled by the rheology contrast between active accretionary wedges and the more stable crust beneath forearc basins. / text

Continual scaling of devices and on-chip wiring has brought significant challenges for materials and processes beyond the 32-nm technology node in microelectronics. Recently, three-dimensional (3-D) integration with through-silicon vias (TSVs) has emerged as an effective solution to meet the future interconnect requirements. Among others, thermo-mechanical reliability is a key concern for the development of TSV structures used in die stacking as 3-D interconnects. In this dissertation, thermal stresses and interfacial reliability of TSV structures are analyzed by combining analytical and numerical models with experimental measurements. First, three-dimensional near-surface stress distribution is analyzed for a simplified TSV structure consisting of a single via embedded in a silicon (Si) wafer. A semi-analytic solution is developed and compared with finite element analysis (FEA). For further study, the effects of anisotropic elasticity in Si and metal plasticity in the via on the stress distribution and deformation are investigated. Next, by micro-Raman spectroscopy and bending beam technique, experimental measurements of the thermal stresses in TSV structures are conducted. The micro-Raman measurements characterize the local distribution of the near-surface stresses in Si around TSVs. On the other hand, the bending beam technique measures the average stress and viii deformation in the TSV structures. To understand the elastic and plastic behavior of TSVs, the microstructural evolution of the Cu vias is analyzed using focused ion beam (FIB) and electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) techniques. To study the impacts of the thermal stresses on interfacial reliability of TSV structures, an analytical solution is developed for the steady-state energy release rate as the upper bound of the driving force for interfacial delamination. The effect of crack length and wafer thickness on the energy release rate is studied by FEA. Furthermore, to model interfacial crack nucleation, an analytical approach is developed by combining a shear lag model with a cohesive interface model. Finally, the effects of structural designs and the variation of the constituent materials on TSV reliability are investigated. The steady state solutions for the energy release rate are developed for various TSV designs and via materials (Al, Cu, Ni, and W) to evaluate the interfacial reliability. The parameters for TSV design optimization are discussed from the perspectives of interfacial reliability. / text

No description available.

No description available.

The northern margin of South China Sea contains several favorable areas for occurrence of gas hydrate. In this study, we collected pore water samples in two piston cores (X-01 and D-01) from Xisha Trough and Dongsha area, respectively, and the concentrations of sulfate and carbon isotopic compositions of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were measured. The results showed different geochemical characteristics in these two sites. The X-01 core shows relatively constant δ13C-DIC values and sulfate concentrations, which suggest that anaerobic methane oxidation (AMO) processes did not occur in this site. In contrast, very large variation in δ13C-DIC values and sulfate concentrations are revealed in D-01 core, and good linear correlations for sulfate gradients and δ13C-DIC values are observed. The calculated sulfate-methane interface (SMI) depth is 9.6 mbsf. These data indicate that an AMO process occurred in sediments with large methane flux from depth in the Dongsha area, which are comparable to other gas hydrate locations in the world oceans such as the Blake Ridge. We suggest that the Dongsha area is one of the most favorable targets for future gas hydrate exploration.

In this scientific work the most important problems and advice under the maintenance of pigeons are described. The chapter 1 – introduction. In it it is described the past and the future pigeon breeding in the world and in Lithuania. In 2 chapter biological features of house pigeons are described. In 3 chapter cultivation and duplication of house pigeons is described. In chapter 4 it is described about care of house pigeons, preparation of their nursery and the technical equipment. There designing and a structure of a premise for pigeons, system of ventilation, the equipment is described. Also hygiene in pigeon nurseries, a temperature mode, disinfection of a dovecot and subjects of leaving. In 5 chapter it is described a mode feeding of house pigeons and the characteristic of their forage. In 6 chapter vitamins, probiotics and prebiotics are described organic and mineral substances: fibers, fats, carbohydrates, Omega-3 and Omega-6, enzymes. In 7 chapter measures the prevention of diseases of the person are described. Infectious and protozoan illnesses, helmintose, noncontagious illnesses, them etiology and preventive means are described. Parasites whom causes illnesses in house pigeons are described. Noncontagious illnesses of pigeons, their preventive maintenance are described. Also their poisoning with a forage, the illnesses connected with lack or surplus of vitamins are described. It is shortly described the first aid to a bird. In 8 chapter conclusions and are presented... [to full text]