Lopsidedness in WHISP galaxies II. Morphological lopsidedness

The distribution of stars and gas in many galaxies is asymmetric. This so-called lopsidedness is expected to significantly affect the dynamics and evolution of the disc, including the star formation activity. Here, we measure the degree of lopsidedness for the gas distribution in a selected sample of 70 galaxies from the Westerbork Hi Survey of Spiral and Irregular Galaxies. This complements our earlier work (Paper I) where the kinematic lopsidedness was derived for the same galaxies. The morphological lopsidedness is measured by performing a harmonic decomposition of the surface density maps. The amplitude of lopsidedness A(1), the fractional value of the first Fourier component, is typically quite high (about 0.1) within the optical disc and has a constant phase. Thus, lopsidedness is a common feature in galaxies and indicates a global mode. We measure A(1) out to typically one to four optical radii, sometimes even further. This is, on average, four times larger than the distance to which lopsidedness was measured in the past using near-IR as a tracer of the old stellar component, and therefore provides a new, more stringent constraint on the mechanism for the origin of lopsidedness. Interestingly, the value of A(1) saturates beyond the optical radius. Furthermore, the plot of A(1) versus radius shows fluctuations that we argue are due to local spiral features. We also try to explain the physical origin of this observed disc lopsidedness. No clear trend is found when the degree of lopsidedness is compared to a measure of the isolation or interaction probability of the sample galaxies. However, this does not rule out a tidal origin if the lopsidedness is long-lived. In addition, we find that the early-type galaxies tend to be more morphologically lopsided than the late-type galaxies. Both results together indicate that lopsidedness has a tidal origin.

Regular versus alternating (FeS4)(n) chains: Magnetism in KFeS2 and CsFeS2

We report crystal magnetic susceptibility results of two S = 1/2 one-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnets, KFeS2 and CsFeS2. Both compounds consist of (FeS4)(n) chains with an average Fe-Fe distance of 2.7 Angstrom. In KFeS2, all intrachain Fe-Fe distances are identical. Its magnetic susceptibility is typical of a regular antiferromagnetic chain with spin-spin exchange parameter J = -440.7 K. In CsFeS2, however, the Fe-Fe distances alternate between 2.61 and 2.82 Angstrom. This is reflected in its magnetic susceptibility, which could be fitted with J = -640 K, and the degree of alternation, alpha = 0.3. These compounds form a unique pair, and allow for a convenient experimental comparison of the magnetic properties of regular versus alternating Heisenberg chains.

Photophysical and electrochemical redox properties of fixed distance porphyrin-quinone systems

A few fixed distance covalently linked porphyrin-quinone molecules have been synthesized in which a benzoquinone is directly attached to a meso/beta-pyrrole position of tri(phenyl/pentafluorophenyl)/tetraphenylporphyrins. The choice of fluoroarylporphyrins permit modulation of Delta G(ET) values for photoinduced electron-transfer reactions in these systems. All short distance porphyrin-quinone molecules showed efficient quenching of the porphyrin singlet excited state. The electrochemical redox data coupled with the steady-state and time-resolved singlet emission data are analysed to evaluate the dependence of Delta G(ET) values on the rate of electron transfer (k(ET)) in these systems. The meso-trifluoroarylporphyrin-quinones are found to be sensitive probes of the surrounding dielectric environment. Varying solvent polarity on the mechanism of fluorescence quenching and k(ET) values revealed that short donor-acceptor distance and the solvent dielectric relaxation properties play a dominant role. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Performance issues of distance relays for shunt FACTS compensated transmission lines

In this paper, the performance of distance relays when applied to transmission system equipped with shunt FACTS device, Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) is described. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the performance of distance relays when STATCOM is incorporated at the mid point of transmission lines for voltage control. A detailed model of STATCOM and its control strategy is presented. The presence of these devices significantly affects apparent impedance seen by the distance relays due to their rapid response to different power system configurations. The distance relay is evaluated for different loading conditions and for different fault locations. The faults are created during various pre-fault loading conditions. The studies are performed on 400KV and 132KV systems and the results are presented. Simulation studies are carried out using transient simulation software, PSCAD/EMTDC.

Formation of Ce1-xPdxO2-delta solid solution in combustion-synthesized Pd/CeO2 catalyst: XRD, XPS, and EXAFS investigation

Pd/CeO2 (1 at. %) prepared by the solution-combustion method shows a higher catalytic activity for CO oxidation and NO reduction than Pd metal, PdO, and Pd dispersed over CeO2 by the conventional method. To understand the higher catalytic properties, the structure of 1 at. % Pd/CeO2 catalyst material has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The diffraction lines corresponding to Pd or PdO are not observed in the high-resolution XRD pattern of 1 at. % Pd/CeO2. The structure of 1 at. % Pd/CeO2 could be refined for the composition of Ce0.99Pd0.01O1.90 in the fluorite structure with 5% oxide ion vacancy. Pd(3d) peaks in the XPS in I at. % Pd/CeO2 are shifted by 3 eV indicating that Pd is in a highly ionic +2 state. EXAFS studies show the average coordination number of 3 around Pd2+ ion in the first shell of 1 at. % Pd/CeO2 at a distance of 2.02 Angstrom, instead of 4 as in PdO. The second shell at 2.72 Angstrom is due to Pd-Pd correlation which is larger than 2.69 Angstrom in PdO. The third shell at 3.31 Angstrom having 7 coordination is absent either in Pd metal or PdO, which can be attributed to -Pd2+-Ce4+- correlation. Thus, 1 at. % Pd/CeO2 forms the Ce1-xPdxO2-delta type of solid solution having -Pd2+-O-2-Ce4+- kinds of linkages.

Structural investigation of combustion synthesized Cu/CeO2 catalysts by EXAFS and other physical techniques: Formation of a Ce1-xCuxO2-delta solid solution

The structure and chemical environment of Cu in Cu/CeO2 catalysts synthesized by the solution combustion method have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and extended X-ray fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. High-resolution XRD studies of 3 and 5 atom % Cu/CeO2 do not show CuO lines in their respective patterns. The structure could be refined for the composition Ce1-xCuxO2-delta (x = 0.03 and 0.05; delta similar to 0.13 and 0.16) in the fluorite structure with 5-8% oxide ion vacancy. High-resolution TEM did not show CuO particles in 5 atom % Cu/CeO2. EPR as well as XPS studies confirm the presence of Cu2+ species in the CeO2 matrix. Redox potentials of Cu species in the CeO2 matrix are lower than those in CuO. EXAFS investigations of these catalysts show an average coordination number of 3 around the Cu2+ ion in the first shell at a distance of 1.96 Angstrom, indicating the O2- ion vacancy around the Cu2+ ion. The Cu-O bond length also decreases compared to that in CuO. The second and third shell around the Cu2+ ion in the catalysts are attributed to -Cu2+-O2--Cu2+ - at 2.92 Angstrom and -Cu2+-O2--Ce4+- at the distance of 3.15 Angstrom, respectively. The present results provide direct evidence for the formation of a Ce1-xCuxO2-delta type of solid solution phase having -square-Cu2+-O-Ce4+- kind of linkages.

An experimental study of reverse transition in two-dimensional channel flow

An experimental investigation on reverse transition from turbulent to laminar flow in a two-dimensional channel was carried out. The reverse transition occurred when Reynolds number of an initially turbulent flow was reduced below a certain value by widening the duct in the lateral direction. The experiments were conducted at Reynolds numbers of 625, 865, 980 and 1250 based on half the height of the channel and the average of the mean velocity. At all these Reynolds numbers the initially turbulent mean velocity profiles tend to become parabolic. The longitudinal and vertical velocity fluctuations ($\overline{u^{\prime 2}}$ and $\overline{v^{\prime 2}}$) averaged over the height of the channel decrease exponentially with distance downstream, but $\overline{u^{\prime}v^{\prime}} $ tends to become zero at a reasonably well-defined point. During reverse transition $\overline{u^{\prime}}\overline{v^{\prime}}/\sqrt{\overline{u^{\prime 2}}}\sqrt{\overline{v^{\prime 2}}}$ also decreases as the flow moves downstream and Lissajous figures taken with u’ and v’ signals confirm this trend. There is approximate similarly between $\overline{u^{\prime 2}} $ profiles if the value of $\overline{u^{\prime 2}_{\max}} $ and the distance from the wall at which it occurs are taken as the reference scales. The spectrum of $\overline{u^{\prime 2}} $ is almost similar at all stations and the non-dimensional spectrum is exponential in wave-number. All the turbulent quantities, when plotted in appropriate co-ordinates, indicate that there is a definite critical Reynolds number of 1400±50 for reverse transition.

An Approach for Distance Relay Co-ordination using Support Vector Machines

In this paper, an approach to enhance the Extra High Voltage (EHV) Transmission system distance protection is presented. The scheme depends on the apparent impedance seen by the distance relay during the disturbance. In a distance relay,the impedance seen at the relay location is calculated from the fundamental frequency component of the voltage and current signals. Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are a new learning-byexample are employed in discriminating zone settings (Zone-1,Zone-2 and Zone-3) using the signals to be used by the relay.Studies on 265-bus system, an equivalent of practical Indian Western grid are presented for illustrating the proposed scheme.