A numerical model for Type II supernovae — The collapse stage

We use the following numerical model for the collapse stage of a Type II supernova of 15 M_⊙. Our electron capture rate includes the effects of the inverse reaction and the neutron-proton mass difference. This decreases the electron density at the collapse stage and led to rather large values of the maximum inward velocity and of the corresponding mass (Umax = 3.06 × 10⁹cm/s, Mmax=0.76 M_⊙). These larger values are more favourable for the propagation of shock after the rebounce and the triggering-off of a Type-II supernova explosion. For neutrino transport, we use a leakage model and an equilibrium diffusion model, respectively, for the thin and thick stages and a grey atmosphere model to assess the effect of neutrino precipitation on the collapse. We found this effect to be small, the energy precipitation to be not more than 10^?5 the neutrino energy loss and the momentum precipitation not more than 10^?6 the gravitational acceleration.     

Numerical manifold method for dynamic nonlinear analysis of saturated porous media

It is well known that the Babuska–Brezzi stability criterion or the Zienkiewicz–Taylor patch test precludes the use of the finite elements with the same low order of interpolation for displacement and pore pressure in the nearly incompressible and undrained cases, unless some stabilization techniques are introduced for dynamic analysis of saturated porous medium where coupling occurs between the displacement of solid skeleton and pore pressure. The numerical manifold method (NMM), where the interpolation of displacement and pressure can be determined independently in an element for the solution of u–p formulation, is derived based on triangular mesh for the requirement of high accurate calculations from practical applications in the dynamic analysis of saturated porous materials. The matrices of equilibrium equations for the second‐order displacement and the first‐order pressure manifold method are given in detail for program coding. By close comparison with widely used finite element method, the NMM presents good stability for the coupling problems, particularly in the nearly incompressible and undrained cases. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the validity and stability of the manifold element developed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

PROPAGATION OF 30—60 DAY LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE UPON THE SUBTROPICAL WESTERLIES JET STREAM DURING NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER

Based on daily ECMWF gridpoint data of two winters during 1981—1983 including an ENSOyear,propagation of low frequency oscillations(LFO)during Northern Hemisphere winters andtheir influences upon 30—60 day oscillations of the subtropical jet stream are studied with the sta-tistical methods as complex empirical orthogonal function(CEOF)and so on.Results show that inthe winter of a normal year(1981—1982),30—60 day oscillations in the subtropical zone aremainly in the northern and southern flanks of exit region of jet stream.In the ENSO year(1982—1983),they are mainly in the vicinity of entrance and exit regions of jet stream.Intraseasonalchanges of subtropical jet stream manifested themselves as latitudinal fluctuation or longitudinalprogression or regression of about 40 day period.There are marked differences between propagat-ing passages of low frequency modes responsible for changes of subtropical jet stream in the normalyear(1981—1982)and in the ENSO year(1982—1983).Changes of oscillation amplitude showobvious phases.In general,the one in late winter is stronger than that in early winter,strongestone occurs in February.     

On the microwave millisecond spike emission and its associated phenomena during the impulsive phase of large solar flare

We propose a model of two acceleration regions, which can explain, on the basis of microwave maser caused by a “hollow-beam” distribution of electrons, the presence of millisecond spikes in the event of 1981 May 16 and their absence in the event of 1981 October 12, and the enhanced continuous emission in the latter. We have also uncovered relations among the features, e.g. the Type III_G, Type IV_DCIM and hard x-ray bursts, that accompany the microwave millisecond spikes during the impulsive phase of a large flare.     

Ion-cyclotron instability and electron acceleration in coronal loops

Quasi-electrostatic electron and ion-cyclotron instabilities are studied. The result indicates that the higher harmonic ion cyclotron instabilities (ICI) can be excited while the fast ions produced from reconnection are injected into a coronal loop. Part of the energetic ions can be dragged out of the magnetic mirror turning points and a negative plasma potential is generated. The plasma potential may directly accelerate the electrons up to the relativistic velocity within a short time. This acceleration is similar to the processes occurring in the magnetic mirror devices of controlled thermonuclear fusion. The spectrum and flux of accelerated electrons have also been obtained. Some observational results during the solar flare might be explained by this acceleration mechanism.     

Luminescence dating of sand–loess sequences and response of Mu Us and Otindag sand fields (north China) to climatic changes

The sand–loess transition zone in north China is sensitive to climate change, and is an ideal place to investigate past environmental changes. However, past climate change at millennial–centennial timescales in this region has not been well reconstructed because of limited numerical dating. Alternations of sandy loam soils with aeolian sand layers in the Mu Us and Otindag sand fields, which lie along the sand–loess transition zone, indicate multiple intervals of dune activity and stability. This change is probably a response to variations of the East Asian monsoon climate during the late Quaternary. The single aliquot regeneration (SAR) optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating protocol, which has been successfully applied to aeolian deposits worldwide, is applied to these two sand fields in this study. The OSL ages provide reliable constraints for reconstruction of past climate changes at suborbital timescale. Sections in both sand fields contain aeolian sand beds recording millennial‐scale episodes of dry climate and widespread dune activation, including episodes at about the same time as Heinrich Event 5 and the Younger Dryas in the North Atlantic region. These results demonstrate the potential of aeolian sediments in semi‐arid north China to record millennial‐scale climatic events, and also suggest that dry–wet climate variation at the desert margin in China may be linked to climatic change elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, through atmospheric circulation. This article was published online on 27 November 2008. An error was subsequently identified. This notice is included in the online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected (16 December 2008). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELASTIC NESTED-GRID MESO-(β-γ)SCALE ATMOSPHERIC MODEL——PARTI:MODEL DESCRIPTION

A three-dimensional elastic nonhydrostatic mesoscale(β-γ)model with nested-grid is presented.It uses a set of fullequations in terrain-following coordinates as its basic dynamic frame,which is solved with a time-splitting algorithmfor acoustic and gravity waves.The model physical parameterization includes a K-theory subgrid eddy mixing for cloudand free atmosphere,a bulk planetary boundary layer parameterization,and three types of sofisticated cloudmicrophysics schemes with double-parameters for hail-bearing clouds,warm clouds and snowing clouds respectively.The model is designed to be used flexibly for simulations of a variety of meso-and small-scale atmospheric processes,and can be improved as a regional and local operational NWP system in future.