On measuring low-degree p-mode frequency splitting with full-disc integrated data

The standard method of measuring rotational splitting from solar full-disc oscillation data, based on maximum-likelihood fitting of multi-Lorentzian profiles to oscillation power spectra, systematically overestimates the splitting. One of the reasons is that the maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) become unbiased only asymptotically as the number of data tends to infinity; for a finite data set they are often biased, inducing a systematic error. In this paper we assess by Monte Carlo simulations the amount of systematic error in the splitting measurement, using artificially generated power spectra. The simulations are carried out for multiplets of degree     2 and 3 with various signal-to-noise ratios, linewidths and observing times. We address the possible use of non-MLE estimators that could provide a smaller or negligible systematic error. The implication for asteroseismology is also discussed.     

Tissue distribution of metals in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Apulian coasts, southern Italy.

Tissue distributions of metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese) were determined in six specimens of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba, Meyen) stranded on the Apulian coasts (Southern Italy) between February and June 1987. Methyl mercury and selenium were also determined in the liver samples. The liver accumulated the highest concentrations of metals, except for cadmium and chromium. Metal levels were higher than those found in dolphins living in the Atlantic, but lower than those recorded in the same species from the French Mediterranean coasts. Necroscopic surveys found that all specimens were affected by haemorrhagic gastritis, but the cause was not clear. While it was not possible to related the death of dolphins to a specific cause, or to contaminants, the accumulation of metals is likely to contribute to the health of the organism and represents a risk factor for dolphins.     

Vitellogenin-associated maternal transfer of exogenous and endogenous ligands in the estuarine fish, Fundulus heteroclitus

Sequestration of large quantities of vitellogenin (VTG) is critical for proper oocyte development in most oviparous vertebrates. While previous studies have shown a general correlation between oocyte growth and the accumulation of various exogenous and endogenous ligands, few studies have attempted to elucidate the role VTG plays in this maternal transfer. In the present study, we have demonstrated that oocytic accumulation of [³H]-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (³H-TCDD) and [¹⁴C]-benzo(a)pyrene (¹⁴C-BaP) by gravid Fundulus heteroclitus is directly correlated with oocyte maturational status. A positive correlation was observed between oocyte maturational state (size) and both total quantity (total pmoles) as well as concentration (pmoles/g tissue) of TCDD and BaP. Further, the bi-phasic accumulation of both TCDD and BaP mirrors that previously observed for protein sequestration by cultured Fundulus oocytes. Additionally, both TCDD and BaP were associated with VTG in vivo. HPLC analysis of serum extracts has shown that VTG associates with both parent BaP and BaP metabolites. Studies with ¹²⁵I-T₄ (thyroxine) also suggest that this critical hormone also associates with VTG in vivo. Ongoing studies are examining the VTG-associated transport and oocytic sequestration of ¹²⁵I-T₄ in gravid Fundulus.     

Internal rotation of the Sun as inferred from GONG observations

Helioseismology is a direct and most informative method of studying the structure and dynamics of the Sun. Determining the internal differential rotation of the Sun requires that the frequencies of its eigentones be estimated with a high accuracy, which is possible only on the basis of continuous long-term observations. The longest quasi-continuous series of data have been obtained by the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG). The parameters of each individual mode of solar acoustic oscillations with low spherical degrees l=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are determined by using 1260-day-long series of GONG observations. The mean frequency splitting by rotation for the modes of each radial order n is calculated by using all possible combinations between the eigenfrequencies in multiplets. As a result, it has become possible to statistically estimate the splitting and its measurement errors for the modes of each radial order. The mean splitting for each given degree l=1–6 is presented under the assumption of its independence of oscillation frequency, which holds for the achieved accuracy. The frequencies and splittings for the modes with low spherical degrees l, together with the MDI group results for higher degrees l, are used to invert the radial profile of solar angular velocity. Using the SOLA method to solve the inverse problem of restoring the rotation profile has yielded solutions sensitive to the deepest stellar interiors. Our results indicate that the solar core rotates faster than the surface, and there may be a local minimum in angular velocity at its boundary.     

Magnetic flares and the optical variability of the X-ray transient XTE J1118+480

The simultaneous presence of a strong quasi-periodic oscillation, of period ∼10 s, in the optical and X-ray light curves of the X-ray transient XTE J1118+480 suggests that a significant fraction of the optical flux originates from the inner part of the accretion flow, where most of the X-rays are produced. We present a model of magnetic flares in an accretion disc corona where thermal cyclo-synchrotron emission contributes significantly to the optical emission, while the X-rays are produced by inverse Compton scattering of the soft photons produced by dissipation in the underlying disc and by the synchrotron process itself. Given the observational constraints, we estimate the values for the coronal temperature, optical depth and magnetic field intensity, as well as the accretion rate for the source. Within our model we predict a correlation between optical and hard X-ray variability and an anticorrelation between optical and soft X-rays. We also expect optical variability on flaring time-scales (∼tens of ms), with a power-density spectrum similar to that observed in the X-ray band. Finally, we use both the available optical/extreme-ultraviolet/X-ray spectral energy distribution and the low-frequency time variability to discuss limits on the inner radius of the optically thick disc.     

The role of constraints on joint hypocentre determination in seismotectonic studies

In this paper we show how the performance of the joint hypocentre determination (JHD) method can be improved, leading to reduced instability in cases close to singularity. The method has been extended by imposing a number of constraints introduced by other authors, and adding a new one. We tested the stability of the method and the relative advantages of the various constraints by simulating a geometrical space distribution of hypocentres recorded by a regional seismic network. We then applied this method to deep earthquakes that occurred in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea subduction zone and to the seismicity of the Northern Apennines, which is moderately deeper than the typical shallow seismicity of the Apennines. The results obtained from the analysis of synthetic data and actual earthquakes confirm that the JHD method produces less scatter in the hypocentral determinations with respect to the standard locations. The main conclusion of our study is that we can significantly reduce the systematic mislocations that result from applying JHD to very clustered seismicity if we introduce the appropriate set of constraints.     

21世纪新疆土壤盐渍化调控与农业持续发展研究建议

论述了新疆土壤盐渍化形成的地质、地貌、气候背景和土壤盐渍化现状,表明新疆的土壤盐渍化问题始终存在,绿洲的稳定性外受过渡带影响,内受土壤盐渍化的威胁。简述了新疆与国外盐碱奎作改良的发展过程,分析了新疆在研究、改良和利用盐渍化土壤中存在的问题,并结合科学技术的发展,提出了新疆土壤盐渍化问题研究建议：１）建立区域水盐监测体系;２）区域水盐信息系统与次生盐渍化的测报技术研究;３）抗盐碱基因工程抗性育种与耐     

山东省矿产资源开发利用现状与保护对策探讨

山东是矿业大省,矿产资源的开发程度较高,但也存在着不容忽视的问题。针对产生这些问题的原因,提出了实现矿产资源可持续开发利用的六项建议,强调应从增强矿产资源的忧患意识、保护生态环境、加强矿产勘查、强化政府管理职能及依靠科技进步等方面加大工作力度。     

An analytical model for evaluating the dynamic response of a tunnel embedded in layered foundation soil with different saturations

This paper proposes an analytical model for evaluating the dynamic response of an underground railway tunnel in layered foundation soil with different saturations. The soil is modeled as layered media, and the circular tunnel lining is modeled as an infinite Flügge cylindrical shell. The separation of variables method is used to solve the motion equation of the shell, and the wave equation of the soil is solved using the Helmholtz decomposition theorem. A dynamic matrix reflecting the wave vecto...     

黄河流域气候水分盈亏时空格局分析

以中国气象局整编的1961~2001 年的气象资料为数据基础,采用联合国粮食及农业组织(FAO)1998 年推荐使用的Penmanmonteith模型,并以GIS技术为手段进行黄河流域气候水分盈亏的时空分布格局分析。结果表明：黄河流域干旱缺水是一种普遍现象,气候水分盈亏量在空间上总的变化规律表现为自南向北、自东向西气候水分亏缺量呈逐渐增大趋势,大部分地区全年气候水分亏缺量介于200~600 mm之间;就季节分布而言,水分亏缺的主要时期在春季和初夏,亏缺量一般在180~300 mm之间;就典型站点气候水分盈亏量逐月变化而言,存在着区域差异。研究结果和结论对区域充分发挥水分利用效率、发展高效节水农业具有重要意义。