Role of the gaunt factor in the derivation of dielectronic recombination coefficient

A new formula for the coefficient of dielectronic recombination has been derived by substituting excitation cross-section extrapolated below threshold for capture cross-section in Equation (7) of Burgess (1964). In this case the excitation cross-section modified by Mewe (1972b) through a fitted gaunt factor has been used. The dielectronic recombination coefficients calculated by the new formula are found to be about an order of magnitude smaller than those obtained by Burgess simplified formula. The results for coronal ions of silicon and iron are presented here as our sample calculations. A comparative study of the dielectronic recombination with radiative recombination is also made.     

The role of a strong far-infrared radiation field in line excitation and cooling of photodissociation regions and molecular clouds

We have theoretically studied the influence of a far-infrared radiation (FIR) field from H_π region on the cooling by C and O atoms, C⁺ ion and CO molecule in a photodissociation region, and a molecular cloud associated with H_π region (hereinafter referred as H_I region) at low temperatures (T _k≤200 K). Comparisons have been made for cooling with and without FIR for two extreme abundances (10⁻⁴ and 10⁻⁷) of the mentioned species for temperatures ranging between 10 and 200K and an hydrogen particle density range 10 cm⁻³≤n _o≤ 10⁷ cm³. The cooling by the species with low line-splitting (C_I, C_π and CO) is significantly influenced by the radiation field for temperaturesT _k < 100 K while the effect of radiation field on cooling by O_I is significant even at higher temperatures (T _k > 100 K). The effect of FIR field on the cooling of CO from low rotational transitions is negligibly small, whereas it is considerable for higher transitions. In general, the cooling terms related to the short-wavelength transitions are more affected by FIR than those related to longer wavelengths. It is also demonstrated here that in the determination of thermal structure of an HI region the dust grains play an important role in the heating of gas only through photoelectron emission following irradiation by far-ultraviolet (FUV) radiation, as the infrared radiation from the dust is too small to have substantial effect on the cooling. It is found that in the H_π /H_I interface the FIR field from grains in the H_π region is not capable of modifying the temperature of the warmest regions but does so in the inner part where the temperature is low enough.     

Diazinon Toxicity: Activities of Acetylcholinesterase and Phosphatases in the Nervous Tissue of Zebra Fish,Brachydanio rerio (Cyprinidae)

The LC₅₀-value of diazinon for Brachydanio rerio decreases from 2.3 to 2.12 mg/1 during the time from 24 to 96 h. In the course of exposure for 24 to 288 h against 0.26 to 2.08 mg/1 diazinon the activity of acetylcholinesterase as well as acid and alkaline phosphatases decreases to 20.… 30% as a minimum. The decrease of the enzymatic activities in the brain tissue is more time-dependent than concentration-dependent, which may de due to the respective metabolites of diazinon.     

Effects of Copper Sulphate on the Free Amino Acids of Channa punctatus (BLOCH).

The free amino acids of the liver and muscle of C. punctatus exposed to 1 ppm of copper sulphate solution up to 84 days were investigated. Few amino acids, notably cystine and tryptophan, disappeared and few new amino acids appeared. These changes in the free amino acids may be due to toxic effects of copper sulphate leading to rancidity in the fish.     

Heavy metals in freshly deposited sediments of the Gomati River (a tributary of the Ganga River): effects of human activities

 The concentrations of various metals (Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd) were determined in recently deposited surface sediments of the Gomati River in the Lucknow urban area. Markedly elevated concentrations (milligrams per kilogram) of some of the metals, Cd (0.26–3.62), Cu (33–147), Ni (45–86), Pb (25–77), and Zn (90–389) were observed. Profiles of these metals across the Lucknow urban stretch show a progressive downstream increase due to additions from 4 major drainage networks discharging the urban effluents into the river. The degree of metal contamination is compared with the local background and global standards. The geoaccumulation index order for the river sediments is Cd>Zn>Cu>Cr>Pb. Significant correlations were observed between Cr and Zn, Cr and Cu, Cu and Zn and total sediment carbon with Cr and Zn. This study reveals that the urbanization process is associated with higher concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Zn in the Gomati River sediments. To keep the river clean for the future, it is strongly recommended that urban effluents should not be overlooked before their discharge into the river. Received: 16 February 1996 · Accepted: 29 February 1996     

Enhancement of the solar X-ray line intensities due to dielectronic recombination as an excitation process

Intensities of resonance lines in X-ray region for Si ix–Si xiv ions are calculated by considering total excitation, i.e., excitation due to electron impact and dielectronic recombination. It is found that the contribution of the latter is quite significant. For consistency, the electron density effect in our calculations is not only accounted for in the ionization equilibrium but also in the total rate of excitation. It is also found that the contribution of electron density effect is pronounced with the inclusion of dielectronic recombination as an excitation mechanism. The computed average line intensities are compared with the available observations and a table of line flux for various wavelengths of the above-mentioned ions at different temperatures is also given.     

Stochastic modeling of Iranian earthquakes and estimation of ground motion for future earthquakes in Greater Tehran

Strong-motion data from eight significant well-documented earthquakes in Iran have been simulated using a stochastic modeling technique for finite faults proposed by Beresnev and Atkinson [Bull Seismol Soc Am 87 (1997) 67–84; Seism Res Lett 69 (1998) 27–32]. The database consists of 61 three-component records from eight earthquakes of magnitude ranging from M 6.3 to M 7.4, recorded at hypocentral distances up to 200 km. The model predictions are in good agreement with available Iranian strong-motion data as evidenced by near-zero average of differences between logarithms of the observed and predicted values for all frequencies. The strength factor, sfact, a quantity that controls the high-frequency radiation from the source is determined, on an event-by-event basis, by fitting simulated to observed response spectra.     

Correction of highly noisy strong motion records using a modified wavelet de-noising method

During the past earthquakes, many valuable acceleration time histories were recorded by analog and digital accelerometers. These records are important sources of information in the field of earthquake engineering and engineering seismology. However, a large number of these records are contaminated by noise and it is necessary to correct them for practical applications. On the other hand, only a few records can be corrected using conventional filtering because of mathematical limitations of the method. However, advances in the field of time–frequency analysis and wavelet transform theory provide useful non-linear and adaptive de-noising methods for removing of non-stationary and high-energy noise from the recorded signals. In this paper, the characteristics and capabilities of the modified non-linear adaptive wavelet de-noising method are examined for correction of highly noisy strong motion records. In the frequency domain, it is shown that this method can attenuate the noise in the whole frequency range of engineering interest while in the time domain it can detect and remove non-stationary noise. In addition, the displacement response spectra of these wavelet de-noised records are more stable than conventional filtered records with respect to different correction functions. It is found that a large number of noisy acceleration records that are usually discarded from sets of records used for estimating the ground motions can be corrected using this new method.     

Assessment of Durability and Weathering State of Some Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks Using Micropetrographic Index and Rock Durability Indicators: A Case Study

Weathering and durability are the key factors of the rock in the suitability and usefulness of different construction materials, building materials and engineering structures. A single test never predicts the entire factor for suitability of rock stone and aggregate in different uses. Thus, variety of physical, mechanical and chemical tests and indices of rocks are widely used to estimate and evaluate the rocks for the suitability of the required purpose. In all the cases, knowledge of durability and weathering properties are the most important along with the strength of the rock. Micropetrographic index and rock durability indicators (dynamic and static) are the one of the best methods to evaluate the rock for weathering and durability. To estimate these indices, variety of tests are performed such as petrographic examination test, point load index, sulfate soundness test, water absorption test, modified aggregate impact value test and test for specific gravity. Slake durability index and impact strength index tests were also performed for correlation with static and dynamic rock durability indicators due to its application and usefulness in the durability and strength of the rock materials. Micropetrographic index was obtained by petrographic examination test and correlated with all the physical and mechanical properties used for find out the durability indicators. The present study is to express the usefulness of these three indices in the classification of weathering and durability classes and estimation of durability indices by slake durability index, impact strength index and micropetrographic index.     

Effect of an oil spill from M V Sea Transporter on intertidal meiofauna at Goa,India

Short and long term effects of a fuel oil spill from a grounded ship "M V Sea Transporter" on meiofauna of a sandy beach of central West Coast of India were investigated. A significant reduction in the absolute abundance of meiofauna was observed immediately after 3 days of spillage particularly at Sinquerim beach, the site of spillage. The reduction was most pronounced in density of nematodes and harpacticoid copepods, which were the most dominant groups. Long-term response showed no apparent oil-induced changes at major taxa levels. The population density improved considerably after the cessation of monsoons with a parallel decrease in petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in the sediment. Nematodes recovered more quickly than benthic copepods. No evidence for this could be due to reproductive dynamics in meiobentos. Although the effect of the oil on meiofauna could be seen initially it could not be proved conclusively on a long-term basis. The effects of the oil spill were confounded with seasonal monsoon effects and beach dynamics. The nematode:copepod ratio and the index of trophic diversity (ITD) were inadequate for detecting oil pollution effects. Therefore it may be concluded that in the presence of other environmental factors acting strongly, the effects of oil on meiofauna was strong but of a temporary nature.