Microscopic dynamics of liquid aluminum oxide

Collective excitations have been observed in liquid aluminum oxide at high temperatures by combining a containerless sample environment with inelastic x-ray scattering. The excitation spectra show a well-defined triplet peak structure at lower wave vectors Q (1 to 6 nanometers-1) and a single quasi-elastic peak at higher Q. The high-Q spectra are well described by kinetic theory. The low-Q spectra require a frequency-dependent viscosity and provide previously unknown experimental constraints on the behavior of liquids at the interface between atomistic and continuum theory.     

Stratospheric hydroperoxyl measurements

The hydroperoxyl radical (HO(2)) plays a key role in stratospheric chemistry through the HOx catalytic cycle of ozone destruction. Earlier measurements of stratospheric HO(2) have given mixed results; some measured mixing ratios greatly exceed theoretical predictions. Measurements of HO(2) have now been made with a balloon-borne farinfrared spectrometer. The measured daytime profile is in excellent agreement with theory up to 40 kilometers; above this level the measurements exceed theory by 30 percent, perhaps because of underprediction of ozone at these altitudes. The nighttime HO(2) profile is strongly depressed with respect to the daytime profile, in general agreement with theory.     

Stratospheric ozone effects on temperature

Calculated surface temperature changes, DeltaT(8), due to stratospheric ozone depletion (at 35 degrees N latitude in April) are less than previously estimated and range between -0.6 and +0.9 degrees K. The sign of DeltaT(8), is determined by the surface albedo and the presence or absence of a low-lying particulate layer (heating with particles, cooling without particles). The calculations indicate that a 90 percent stratospheric ozone depletion does not cause the temperature inversion at the tropopause to vanish, although it is weakened substantially.     

Stratospheric wave spectra resembling turbulence

Pollution effects on ozone raise the question of the significance of turbulence in vertical transport in the stratosphere. The aircraft in situ measurements of velocity fluctuations previously employed to estimate turbulence transport were, it is hypothesized, due to atmospheric waves, despite their classical turbulence spectrum. This new hypothesis implies that previous turbulence estimates are invalid. Experimental tests are suggested.     

纳米氧化锌缓解大豆铝胁迫生理机制

【目的】探究在铝(Al)胁迫下不同含量的纳米氧化锌(Zinc oxide nanoparticles,ZnO NPs)对大豆Glycine max (Linn.) Merr.生理特性的影响,为金属纳米材料在农业上的应用提供一定参考。【方法】采用盆栽试验,选择耐Al品种‘华春2号’和普通品种‘华春6号’,在0.3 g/kg Al胁迫处理下,施加不同剂量的ZnO NPs(0、25、50、100和150 mg/kg),探究ZnO NPs对大豆生理指标(鲜质量、根长和叶绿素含量)、总超氧化物歧化酶(Total superoxide dismutase,T-SOD)活性和丙二醛(Malondialdehyde,MDA)浓度的影响。【结果】Al胁迫显著降低了‘华春6号’的鲜质量和根长,显著增加了其MDA浓度。对于‘华春2号’,Al胁迫显著增加了其叶绿素a和叶绿素b含量,而对其他指标无明显影响。无Al胁迫条件下施用ZnO NPs,均提高了‘华春6号’和‘华春2号’的鲜质量、根长和T-SOD活性。而在Al胁迫下施加不同剂量的ZnO NPs使‘华春6号’的鲜质量和根长分别增加13.2%～100.4%和7...     

Stratospheric harbingers of anomalous weather regimes

Observations show that large variations in the strength of the stratospheric circulation, appearing first above approximately 50 kilometers, descend to the lowermost stratosphere and are followed by anomalous tropospheric weather regimes. During the 60 days after the onset of these events, average surface pressure maps resemble closely the Arctic Oscillation pattern. These stratospheric events also precede shifts in the probability distributions of extreme values of the Arctic and North Atlantic Oscillations, the location of storm tracks, and the local likelihood of mid-latitude storms. Our observations suggest that these stratospheric harbingers may be used as a predictor of tropospheric weather regimes.     

Stratospheric ozone destruction by man-made chlorofluoromethanes

Calculations indicate that chlorofluoromethanes produced by man can greatly affect the concentrations of stratospheric ozone in future decades. This effect follows the release of chlorine from these compounds in the stratosphere. Present usage levels of chlorofluoromethanes can lead to chlorine-catalyzed ozone destruction rates that will exceed natural sinks of ozone by 1985 or 1990.     

Stratospheric dust-aerosol event of november 1974

A strong incursion of dust and aerosol at an altitude of 20 kilometers was noted over Baja California and southern Arizona in mid-November 1974, as indicated by bluish-ashen daylight skies and colorful twilight glows of the type usually associated with volcanic eruptions. Infrared satellite observations and reports from other sources eliminated a possible oceanic origin in the eastern Pacific. The stratum is probably from the extensive eruption of Volcan de Fuego in Gautemala in October 1974.     

Structure of the ultrathin aluminum oxide film on NiAl(110)

The well-ordered aluminum oxide film formed by oxidation of the NiAl(110) surface is the most intensely studied metal surface oxide, but its structure was previously unknown. We determined the structure by extensive ab initio modeling and scanning tunneling microscopy experiments. Because the topmost aluminum atoms are pyramidally and tetrahedrally coordinated, the surface is different from all Al2O3 bulk phases. The film is a wide-gap insulator, although the overall stoichiometry of the film is not Al2O3 but Al10O13. We propose that the same building blocks can be found on the surfaces of bulk oxides, such as the reduced corundum (0001) surface.     

Stratospheric fallout of strontium-89 and barium-140

A series of nuclear test explosions which occurred in the fall of 1958 caused a very large increase of Sr(89) and Ba(140) in the stratosphere. The Ba(140)/Sr(89) ratio in the stratosphere, and hence in the troposphere, has decreased steadily since then with a half-life of approximately 17 days.     

Stratospheric memory and skill of extended-range weather forecasts

We use an empirical statistical model to demonstrate significant skill in making extended-range forecasts of the monthly-mean Arctic Oscillation (AO). Forecast skill derives from persistent circulation anomalies in the lowermost stratosphere and is greatest during boreal winter. A comparison to the Southern Hemisphere provides evidence that both the time scale and predictability of the AO depend on the presence of persistent circulation anomalies just above the tropopause. These circulation anomalies most likely affect the troposphere through changes to waves in the upper troposphere, which induce surface pressure changes that correspond to the AO.     

Global Measurements of Stratospheric Mountain Waves from Space

Temperatures acquired by the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere (CRISTA) during shuttle mission STS-66 have provided measurements of stratospheric mountain waves from space. Large-amplitude, long-wavelength mountain waves at heights of 15 to 30 kilometers above the southern Andes Mountains were observed and characterized, with vigorous wave breaking inferred above 30 kilometers. Mountain waves also occurred throughout the stratosphere (15 to 45 kilometers) over a broad mountainous region of central Eurasia. The global distribution of mountain wave activity accords well with predictions from a mountain wave model. The findings demonstrate that satellites can provide the global data needed to improve mountain wave parameterizations and hence global climate and forecast models.     

Stratospheric Nitric Oxide: Measurements during Daytime and Sunset

Measurements of the temporal variation in the stratospheric nitric oxide concentration covering a time period from 11:00 to 20:30 local time show the effect of solar ultraviolet sunset. The experimental results strongly support the theorized role of nitric oxide as a catalyst in the destruction of ozone and its importance in the stratospheric ozone balance.