Gravitational lensing effects on high-redshift Type II supernova studies with the Next Generation Space Telescope

We derive the expected Type II supernova (SN) differential number counts, N ( m ), and Hubble diagram for SCDM and LCDM cosmological models, taking into account the effects of gravitational lensing (GL) produced by the intervening cosmological mass. The mass distribution of dark matter haloes (i.e. the lenses) is obtained by means of a Monte Carlo method applied to the PressSchechter mass function. The haloes are assumed to have a Navarro, Frenk & White (NFW) density profile, in agreement with recent simulations of hierarchical cosmological models. Up to z =15, the (SCDM, LCDM) models predict a total number of (857, 3656) SNII yr¹ in 100 surveyed 44 arcmin² fields of the Next Generation Space Telescope ( NGST ). NGST will be able to reach the peak of the N ( m ) curve, located at AB 30(31) for SCDM (LCDM) in J and K wavelength bands, and detect (75 per cent, 51 per cent) of the above SN events. This will allow a detailed study of the early cosmic star formation history, as traced by SNIIe. N ( m ) is only very mildly affected by the inclusion of lensing effects. In addition, GL introduces a moderate uncertainty in the determination of cosmological parameters from Hubble diagrams, when these are pushed to higher z . For example, for a 'true' LCDM with (_M=0.4, =0.6), without proper account of GL, one would instead derive We briefly compare our results with previous similar work and discuss the limitations of the model.     

Deep galaxy counts, extragalactic background light and the stellar baryon budget

We assess the constraints imposed by the observed extragalactic background light (EBL) on the cosmic history of star formation and the stellar-mass density today. The logarithmic slope of the galaxy number–magnitude relation from the Southern Hubble Deep Field imaging survey is flatter than 0.4 in all seven UBVIJHK optical bandpasses, i.e. the light from resolved galaxies has converged from the UV to the near-IR. We find a lower limit to the surface brightness of the optical extragalactic sky of about 15 nW m⁻² sr⁻¹, comparable to the intensity of the far-IR background from COBE data. Assuming a Salpeter initial mass function with a lower cut-off consistent with observations of M subdwarf disc stars, we set a lower limit of Ω_g+s h ²>0.0013  I ₅₀ to the visible (processed gas + stars) mass density required to generate an EBL at a level of 50  I ₅₀ nW m⁻² sr⁻¹; our 'best-guess' value is Ω_g+s h ²≈0.0031  I ₅₀. Motivated by the recent microlensing results of the MACHO collaboration, we consider the possibility that massive dark haloes around spiral galaxies are composed of faint white dwarfs, and show that only a small fraction (≲5 per cent) of the nucleosynthetic baryons can be locked in the remnants of intermediate-mass stars forming at z _F≲5, as the bright early phases of such haloes would otherwise overproduce the observed EBL.     

Sustained post-seismic effects on groundwater flow in fractured carbonate aquifers in Central Italy

A sustained increase in spring discharges was monitored after the 2016 Central Italy seismic sequence in the fractured carbonate aquifer of Valnerina–Sibillini Mts. The groundwater surplus recorded between August 2016 and November 2017 was determined to be between 400 and 500 × 10⁶ m³. In fractured aquifers, the post-seismic rise in spring discharges is generally attributed to an increase in bulk permeability caused by the fracture cleaning effect, which is induced by pore pressure propagation. In the studied aquifers, the large amount of additional discharge cannot only be attributed to the enhanced permeability, which was evaluated to be less than 20% after each main seismic event. A detailed analysis of the spring discharge hydrographs and of the water level at five gauging stations was carried out to determine the possible causes of this sudden increase in groundwater outflow. Taking into account the geological and structural framework, a conceptual model of a basin-in-series has been adopted to describe the complex hydrogeological setting, where the thrusts and extensional faults have clearly influenced the groundwater flow directions before and after the seismic sequence. The prevalent portion of the total post-seismic discharge surplus not explained by the increase in permeability has been attributed to changes in the hydraulic gradient that caused seismogenic fault rupture and the disruption in the upgradient sector of the aquifer. The additional flow calculated through the breach of the pre-existing hydrostructural barrier corresponds to approximately 470 × 10⁶ m³. This value is consistent with the total discharge increase measured in the whole study area, validating the proposed conceptual model. Consequently, a shift in the piezometric divide of the hydrogeological system has been induced, causing a potentially permanent change that lowers the discharge amount of the eastern springs.     

A governance perspective on the large marine ecosystem approach

The large marine ecosystem (LME) concept and approach has had a global impact on marine ecosystem-based management. The LME approach provides a framework for assessing and monitoring LMEs and is based on five modules: productivity, fish and fisheries, pollution and ecosystem health, socioeconomics, and governance. It appears that the LME approach is also being used to structure interventions to bring about change. Its appropriateness for the latter purpose is questioned. The major concerns are that the LME approach is not consistent with current thinking about enabling governance and its compartmentalized structure does not facilitate effective governance intervention. Current thinking on good governance suggests that it is more appropriate to approach governance interventions at the LME scale through multi-level governance policy cycles.     

Italian strong motion database relative to the period 1972–2004: motivations and aims

The Italian Accelerometic Archive (ITACA) was created in 2007 during a joint project between the Italian Institute for Geophysics and Vulcanology (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, INGV) and the Italian Civil Protection (Dipartimento della Protezione Civile, DPC). The project, started in 2006, had the aim of filling the data gap of existing strong motion databases and facilitating strong motion data users in obtaining good quality waveforms, through the collection, homogenization and distribution of strong motion data acquired during the period 1972–2004 in Italy by different institutions (Ente Nazionale per l’Energia Elettrica, ENEL, Italian electricity company; Ente per le Nuove tecnologie, l’Energia e l’Ambiente, ENEA, Italian energy and environment organization DPC). The compiled database contains 2,182 three-component waveforms generated by 1,008 earthquakes with a maximum moment magnitude of 6.9 (1980 Irpinia earthquake) and can be accessed on-line at the portal denominated ITACA at the site , where a wide range of search tools enables the user to interactively retrieve events, recording stations and waveforms with particular characteristics, whose parameters can be specified, as needed, through user friendly interfaces. A range of display options allows users to view data in different contexts, extract and download time series and spectral data. This article describes the state of the art up to 2006 and the activities which led to the completion of the project.     

Seismic behaviour of timber-laced stone masonry buildings before and after interventions: shaking table tests on a two-storey masonry model

The present work focuses on the seismic behaviour of timber-laced masonry buildings with timber floors, before and after the application of intervention techniques. A two-storey building with timber ties (scale 1:2) was subjected to biaxial seismic actions. Prior to the execution of shaking table tests, the dynamic characteristics of the model were identified. The base acceleration was increased step-wise until the occurrence of significant but repairable damages. Afterwards, the masonry was strengthened by means of grouting, whereas the diaphragm action of the top floor of the building was enhanced and the model was re-tested. The tests on the timber reinforced model before strengthening show that the presence of timber ties within the masonry elements contributes to improved seismic behaviour. The performance of the model after strengthening shows that the selected intervention techniques led to a significant improvement of the seismic behaviour of the building model.     

GRS evidence and the possibility of paleooceans on Mars

The Gamma Ray Spectrometer (Mars Odyssey spacecraft) has revealed elemental distributions of potassium (K), thorium (Th), and iron (Fe) on Mars that require fractionation of K (and possibly Th and Fe) consistent with aqueous activity. This includes weathering, evolution of soils, and transport, sorting, and deposition, as well as with the location of first-order geomorphological demarcations identified as possible paleoocean boundaries. The element abundances occur in patterns consistent with weathering in situ and possible presence of relict or exhumed paleosols, deposition of weathered materials (salts and clastic minerals), and weathering/transport under neutral to acidic brines. The abundances are explained by hydrogeology consistent with the possibly overlapping alternatives of paleooceans and/or heterogeneous rock compositions from diverse provenances (e.g., differing igneous compositions).