A multiphysics and multiscale software environment for modeling astrophysical systems     

Simon Portegies Zwart  Steve McMillan  Stefan Harfst  Derek Groen  Michiko Fujii  Breanndán Ó Nualláin  Evert Glebbeek  Douglas Heggie  James Lombardi  Piet Hut  Vangelis Angelou  Sambaran Banerjee  Houria Belkus  Tassos Fragos  John Fregeau  Evghenii Gaburov  Rob Izzard  Mario Jurić  Stephen Justham  Andrea Sottoriva  Marcel Zemp 《New Astronomy》2009,14(4):369-378

We present MUSE, a software framework for combining existing computational tools for different astrophysical domains into a single multiphysics, multiscale application. MUSE facilitates the coupling of existing codes written in different languages by providing inter-language tools and by specifying an interface between each module and the framework that represents a balance between generality and computational efficiency. This approach allows scientists to use combinations of codes to solve highly coupled problems without the need to write new codes for other domains or significantly alter their existing codes. MUSE currently incorporates the domains of stellar dynamics, stellar evolution and stellar hydrodynamics for studying generalized stellar systems. We have now reached a “Noah’s Ark” milestone, with (at least) two available numerical solvers for each domain. MUSE can treat multiscale and multiphysics systems in which the time- and size-scales are well separated, like simulating the evolution of planetary systems, small stellar associations, dense stellar clusters, galaxies and galactic nuclei. In this paper we describe three examples calculated using MUSE: the merger of two galaxies, the merger of two evolving stars, and a hybrid N-body simulation. In addition, we demonstrate an implementation of MUSE on a distributed computer which may also include special-purpose hardware, such as GRAPEs or GPUs, to accelerate computations. The current MUSE code base is publicly available as open source at http://muse.li.  相似文献   

Mass-independent fractionation of oxygen isotopes in the mesostasis of a chondrule from the Semarkona LL3.0 ordinary chondrite     

Derek W.G. Sears  Ian C. Lyon 《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2009,73(13):3948-2499

A large chondrule from Semarkona, the most primitive ordinary chondrite known, has been discovered to contain a record of mass transport during its formation. In most respects, it is a normal Type I, group A1, low-FeO chondrule that was produced by reduction and mass-loss during the unidentified flash-heating event that produced the chondrules, the most abundant structural component in primitive meteorites. We have previously measured elemental abundances and abundance profiles in this chondrule. We here report oxygen isotope ratio abundances and ratio abundance profiles. We have found that the mesostasis is zoned in oxygen isotope ratio, with the center of the chondrule containing isotopically heavier oxygen than the outer regions, the outer regions being volatile rich from the diffusion of volatiles into the chondrule during cooling. The δ¹⁷O values range from −2.0‰ to 9.9‰, while δ¹⁸O range from −1.9‰ to 9.6‰. More importantly, a plot of δ¹⁷O against δ¹⁸O has a slope of 1.1 ± 0.2 (1σ) and 0.88 ± 0.10 (1σ) when measured by two independent methods. Co-variation of δ¹⁷O with δ¹⁸O that does not follow mass-dependent fractionation has often been seen in primitive solar system materials and is usually ascribed to the mixing of different oxygen reservoirs. We argue that petrographic and compositional data indicate that this chondrule was completely melted at the time of its formation so that relic grains could not have survived. Furthermore, there is petrographic and compositional evidence that there was no aqueous alteration of this chondrule subsequent to its formation. Although it is possible to formulate a series of exchanges between the chondrule and external ¹⁶O-rich and ¹⁶O-poor reservoirs that may explain the detailed oxygen isotope systematics of this chondrule, such a sequence of events looks very contrived. We therefore hypothesize that reduction, devolatilization, and crystallization of the chondrule melt may have produced ¹⁶O-rich olivines and ¹⁶O-poor mesostasis plotting on a slope-one line as part of the chondrule-forming process in an analogous fashion to known chemical mass-independent isotopic fractionation mechanisms. During cooling, volatiles and oxygen near the terrestrial line in oxygen isotope composition produced the outer zone of volatile rich and ¹⁶O-rich mesostasis. The chondrule therefore not only retains a record of considerable mass transport accompanying formation, but also may indicate that the isotopes of oxygen underwent mass-independent fractionation during the process.  相似文献   

Investigation of acidic dissolution of mixed clays between pH 1.0 and −3.0 using Si and Al X-ray absorption near edge structure     

Sean A. Shaw  Derek Peak 《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2009,73(14):4151-6435

Although widely investigated in relation to acid mine drainage systems at pH > 1.0, we know little about the impact of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) on the geochemistry and mineralogy of clays at pH < 1.0 (including negative pH values). Thus, laboratory batch experiments were conducted on three mixed clay samples with different mass ratios of phyllosilicates (smectite, illite, and kaolinite) to investigate the impact of H₂SO₄ from pH 1.0 to −3.0 for exposure periods of 14, 90, 180, and 365 days. Si and Al K- and L_2,3-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy were employed on these samples to determine the chemical and structural changes that occur during acidic dissolution of phyllosilicates that cannot be distinguished using X-ray diffraction analyses. A series of silicate, phyllosilicate, and Al-bearing standard compounds were also studied to provide an explanation for the observed changes in the clay samples. The Si XANES results indicated the preferential dissolution of the phyllosilicates (pH ? 1.0, t ? 14 d), the persistence of quartz even at pH ? −3.0 and t ? 365 d, and the formation of an amorphous silica-like phase that was confined to the surface layer of the altered clay samples at pH ? 0.0 and t ? 90 d). Al XANES results demonstrated dissolution of Al-octahedral layers (pH ? 1.0, t ? 14 d), the persistence of four-fold relative to six-fold coordinated Al, and the precipitation of an Al-SO₄-rich phase (pH ? −1.0, t ? 90 d). An existing conceptual model of phyllosilicate dissolution under extremely acidic conditions was modified to include the results of this study.  相似文献   

A possible glacially-forced tectonic mechanism for late Neogene surface uplift and subsidence around the North Atlantic     

Derek J. Blundell  David A. Waltham 《Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. Geologists' Association》2009,120(2-3):98-107

Analysis of old erosion surfaces and estimates of exhumation from apatite fission track data can be used to infer late Neogene surface uplift of Britain, Greenland, Norway and Svalbard of 1–2 km. Subsidence and sedimentation in adjacent offshore basins can be found from interpretation of seismic and well log data. Various mechanisms for surface uplift have been proposed but the underlying cause remains unexplained. Since the multiple glaciations that took place during the late Neogene were a common factor, a possible glacially-forced tectonic mechanism to thicken the crust and produce surface uplift has been investigated. This could result from the relatively slow accumulation of ice that loads the crust as an ice sheet grows during a glacial period, followed by relatively rapid retreat and unloading around its periphery at the end. Unloading could create transient stresses that induce lateral flow in a ductile lower crust to thicken it onshore and produce surface uplift, with associated thinning beneath adjacent offshore basins, producing subsidence. Simple calculations show that the proposed mechanism is feasible and indicate that crustal thickening and surface uplift accumulated from a number of glacial cycles can account for the observed surface uplift, with an acceptable flow rate in the lower crust at the end of each cycle if the viscosity of ductile flow is sufficiently low.  相似文献   

Rapid incorporation of lipids into macromolecules during experimental decay of invertebrates: Initiation of geopolymer formation     

Neal S. Gupta  George D. Cody  O. Erik Tetlie  Derek E.G. Briggs  Roger E. Summons 《Organic Geochemistry》2009,40(5):589-594

Diagenetic alteration is critical for the preservation of fossil cuticles of plant and animal origin and to the formation of kerogen. The process takes place over millions of years, but the stage at which it is initiated is not known. Laboratory decay experiments were carried out on shrimps, scorpions and cockroaches to monitor changes in the chitin–protein of the arthropod cuticle and associated lipids. The cockroach and scorpion exoskeleton remained largely unaltered morphologically, but the shrimp experienced rapid decomposition within a month, which progressed through the 44 week duration of the experiment as revealed using electron microscopy. Mass spectrometry and ¹³C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy revealed the association of an n-alkyl component with labile lipids, such as fatty acids with up to 24 carbon atoms, which were incorporated into the decaying macromolecule. The scorpion and cockroach cuticle did not reveal the incorporation of additional lipids, indicating that decay is important in initiating in situ lipid association. This experiment provides evidence that lipids can become associated with carbohydrate and proteinaceous macromolecules during the very early stages of decay, representing the first stage in the transformation process that contributes to the aliphatic rich composition ubiquitous in organic fossils and kerogen.  相似文献   

西天山东塔尔别克金矿区安山岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年代学、元素地球化学与岩石成因   总被引：10，自引：7，他引：3  

唐功建  王强  赵振华  Derek A WYMAN  陈海红  贾小辉  姜子琦 《岩石学报》2009,25(6):1341-1352

东塔尔别克金矿区位于西天山吐拉苏盆地内阿希金矿区南侧,构造上属于伊犁-中天山微板块与准噶尔板块之间的博罗科努早古生代岛弧带西段。东塔尔别克矿区出露有一些安山岩,这些岩石具有典型高镁安山岩特征,如高硅（SiO₂=58.94%~63.85%),具有较高的MgO含量(3.75%~6.59%)和Mg^#(58~69)、高的Cr（94.2×10^-6~241×10^-6）、和Ni（54.5×10^-6~126 ×10^-6）含量,以及低的FeO^T/MgO比值。除了Sr含量略微偏低（235×10^-6~696×10^-6）之外,这些岩石基本显示了埃达克岩的地球化学特征：高的Al₂O₃（15.39%~16.65%）,低Y（9.86×10^-6~14.9×10^-6）含量,以及高的Sr/Y比值(23.8~48.1),无Eu异常,Nb、Ta、Ti亏损等。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年结果显示安山岩的年龄为347.2±1.6Ma,为早石炭世。安山岩富集Rb、Th、U 等大离子亲石元素,相对亏损Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素,轻重稀土元素分馏明显,具有俯冲带岛弧岩浆的特征。东塔尔别克安山岩可能形成于岛弧环境中,并可能由俯冲的晚古生代北天山洋洋壳以及少量上覆沉积物熔融形成,产生的熔体在上升过程中与地幔橄榄岩发生了相互作用. 熔体-地幔相互作用对区内金矿的形成具有重要意义。  相似文献   

Preparing for climate change in Washington State     

Lara C. Whitely Binder  Jennifer Krencicki Barcelos  Derek B. Booth  Meriel Darzen  Marketa McGuire Elsner  Richard Fenske  Thomas F. Graham  Alan F. Hamlet  John Hodges-Howell  J. Elizabeth Jackson  Catherine Karr  Patrick W. Keys  Jeremy S. Littell  Nathan Mantua  Jennifer Marlow  Don McKenzie  Michael Robinson-Dorn  Eric A. Rosenberg  Claudio O. Stöckle  Julie A. Vano 《Climatic change》2010,102(1-2):351-376

Climate change is expected to bring potentially significant changes to Washington State’s natural, institutional, cultural, and economic landscape. Addressing climate change impacts will require a sustained commitment to integrating climate information into the day-to-day governance and management of infrastructure, programs, and services that may be affected by climate change. This paper discusses fundamental concepts for planning for climate change and identifies options for adapting to the climate impacts evaluated in the Washington Climate Change Impacts Assessment. Additionally, the paper highlights potential avenues for increasing flexibility in the policies and regulations used to govern human and natural systems in Washington.  相似文献   

Adaptive co-management and the paradox of learning   总被引：10，自引：1，他引：9  

Derek Armitage  Melissa Marschke  Ryan Plummer 《Global Environmental Change》2008,18(1):86-98

Much emphasis has been placed on the importance of learning to support collaborative environmental management and achieve sustainability under conditions of social–ecological change. Yet, on-going struggles to learn from experience and respond to complex social–ecological conditions reflect an emerging paradox. Despite widespread support of learning as a normative goal and process, core concepts, assumptions and approaches to learning have been applied in vague and sometimes uncritical ways. Greater specificity with respect to learning goals, approaches and outcomes is required. In response to this gap, we examine five dimensions of the learning paradox in the context of adaptive co-management, where the learning and linking functions of governance are stressed: (i) definitions of learning; (ii) learning goals and expectations; (iii) mechanisms by which learning takes place; (iv) questions regarding who is involved in the process of learning; and (v) the risks and ethical ambiguities faced by different actors expected to willingly participate in a learning process, whether formal or informal. Lessons from experience with a series of cases from the global North and South illustrate the implications of these dimensions. Resolving the dimensions of this learning paradox will require greater attention to capacity-building, recognition of the role of risk, and consideration of how incentives could be used to encourage learning. Further consideration of the role of power and marginality among groups participating in the learning process is also needed, as is more systematic evaluation to monitor and measure learning outcomes.  相似文献   

Earth Observation Scientific Workflows in a Distributed Computing Environment     

Terence L van Zyl  Anwar Vahed  Graeme McFerren  Derek Hohls 《Transactions in GIS》2012,16(2):233-248

Geospatially Enabled Scientific Workflows offer a promising toolset to help researchers in the earth observation domain with many aspects of the scientific process. One such aspect is that of access to distributed earth observation data and computing resources. Earth observation research often utilizes large datasets requiring extensive CPU and memory resources in their processing. These resource intensive processes can be chained; the sequence of processes (and their provenance) makes up a scientific workflow. Despite the exponential growth in capacity of desktop computers, their resources are often insufficient for the scientific workflow processing tasks at hand. By integrating distributed computing capabilities into a geospatially enabled scientific workflow environment, it is possible to provide researchers with a mechanism to overcome the limitations of the desktop computer. Most of the effort on extending scientific workflows with distributed computing capabilities has focused on the web services approach, as exemplified by the OGC's Web Processing Service and by GRID computing. The approach to leveraging distributed computing resources described in this article uses instead remote objects via RPyC and the dynamic properties of the Python programming language. The Vistrails environment has been extended to allow for geospatial processing through the EO4Vistrails package ( http://code.google.com/p/eo4vistrails/ ). In order to allow these geospatial processes to be seamlessly executed on distributed resources such as cloud computing nodes, the Vistrails environment has been extended with both multi‐tasking capabilities and distributed processing capabilities. The multi‐tasking capabilities are required in order to allow Vistrails to run side‐by‐side processes, a capability it does not currently have. The distributed processing capabilities are achieved through the use of remote objects and mobile code through RPyC.  相似文献   

Aims and implementation in British urban and regional planning     

Derek R. Diamond 《Geoforum》1979,10(3):275-282

Failure to fully understand or recognise crucial but culturally-determined British dimensions has led to confusion and error even among the British geographers in understanding and contributing to, urban and regional planning. This point assumes more rather than less significance in the context of a discussion between British and Soviet geographers. This paper therefore examines in part one, three fundamental features of the British system of urban and regional planning and then proceeds in part two to focus on the aims and their implementation. It concludes with a reference to the nature of the relationship between planning and geography.  相似文献