A topoclimatic classification to map spring frost risk for six deciduous tree fruit varieties

Abstract

A topoclimatic classification was developed to map the frequency of damaging spring radiation frosts to six deciduous fruit varieties at a scale of 1:25,000. The methodology utilizes night‐time temperatures from climatological stations operated by the Atmospheric Environment Service (aes) ofEnvironment Canada, as well as night‐time temperatures from a temporary network of standard climate stations and mobile temperature surveys. Maps of the deviation of minimum temperature from the local aes climate station, and of spring frost risk for each fruit variety are produced.     

Comparing Conditions of Labor-Intensive Forestry and Fire Suppression Workers

Since the late 1970s, labor-intensive forest workers in the Pacific Northwest have been mostly Latino. These workers and their Anglo counterparts plant and thin trees, perform other forestry services, and fight wildland fires. Poor job quality has been persistent, especially for Latino workers. We compare working conditions between fire suppression and nonsuppression forest work across Latino and non-Latino populations in Oregon. We find that although both groups share some similar conditions, Latino workers often faced poorer conditions, including disrespectful treatment, uncompensated injuries, risk of being blackballed if they complained, and little opportunity for advancement. However, there were some important job quality improvements for Latinos in fire suppression, including compensation for travel and training. Differences in contracting market structure and federal oversight between fire suppression and other forest work may contribute to improved job quality. This suggests the potential for improving conditions by focusing on improving contracting markets and oversight.     

Orbital solution and fundamental parameters of σ Scorpii

The first orbital solution for the spectroscopic pair in the multiple star system σ Scorpii, determined from measurements with the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer, is presented. The primary component is of β Cephei variable type and has been one of the most intensively studied examples of its class. The orbital solution, when combined with radial velocity results found in the literature, yields a distance of  174⁺²³₋₁₈ pc  , which is consistent with, but more accurate than the Hipparcos value. For the primary component we determine  18.4 ± 5.4 M_⊙, −4.12 ± 0.34 mag  and  12.7 ± 1.8 R_⊙  for the mass, absolute visual magnitude and radius, respectively. A B1 dwarf spectral type and luminosity class for the secondary is proposed from the mass determination of  11.9 ± 3.1 M_⊙  and the estimated system age of 10 Myr.     

Constraining the 13C neutron source in AGB stars through isotopic analysis of trace elements in presolar SiC

Abstract— Analyses of the isotopic compositions of multiple elements (Mo, Zr, and Ba) in individual mainstream presolar SiC grains were done by resonant ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS). While most heavy element compositions were consistent with model predictions for the slow neutron capture process (s‐process) in low‐mass (1.5–3 M_⊙) asymptotic giant branch stars of solar metallicity when viewed on single‐element three‐isotope plots, grains with compositions deviating from model predictions were identified on multi‐element plots. These grains have compositions that cannot result from any neutron capture process but can be explained by contamination in some elements with solar system material. Previous work in which only one heavy element per grain was examined has been unable to identify contaminated grains. The multi‐element analyses of this study detected contaminated grains which were subsequently eliminated from consideration. The uncontaminated grains form a data set with a greatly reduced spread on the three‐isotope plots of each element measured, corresponding to a smaller range of ¹³C pocket efficiencies in parent AGB stars. Furthermore, due to this reduced spread, the nature of the stellar starting material, previously interpreted as having solar isotopic composition, is uncertain. The constraint on ¹³C pocket efficiencies in parent stars of these grains may help uncover the mechanism responsible for formation of ¹³C, the primary neutron source for s‐process nucleosynthesis in low‐mass stars.     

Magnetic Environments of Young Stellar Objects

We report on early results of magnetic field measurements towards a sample of young stellar objects. The results show a variety of field configurations, some of which can be explained by conventional models, while others cannot. We find that the field in some cases is curved over large scales and influenced by the gas kinematics in the local environment. This implies that, at these scales at least, the magnetic field plays a passive rôle in the star formation process.     

Observational Indicators of Formation Excitation of H2

Theoretical predictions by Farebrother et al. and Meijer et al. of rovibrational excitation probabilities in H₂ arising from formation by Eley-Rideal processes on a graphite surface are incorporated into a model of the chemistry and excitation of interstellar H₂. The model includes the usual radiative and collisional pumping of H₂ rotational and vibrational states, in addition to the formation processes. Predictions are made for HH₂ rovibrational emission line intensities for representative points in diffuse and in dark interstellar clouds. We find that – if all the interstellar HH₂ is formed by this Eley-Rideal process – then the consequences of formation pumping, as distinct from collisional and radiative pumping, should be clearly evident in both cases. In particular, we predict a clear spectral signature of this direct HH₂ formation process on graphite, distinct from radiative and collisional pumping; this signature should be evident in both diffuse and dark clouds; but the emissivity for dark clouds is predicted to be some 500 times greater than that in diffuse clouds in which the dense material may be embedded. An observational search for this signature in two dark cloud sources was made, but a preliminary analysis of the data did not yield a detection. The implications of and possible reasons for this preliminary conclusion are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.