Observations of the OH radical in comets at 18 cm wavelength

We present recent observations of the OH radical at λ 18 cm with the Nançay radio telescope in comets Meier (1978 XXI), Bradfield (1979 X), Meier (1980q), P/Encke (1980), and Bradfield (1980t). The analysis of the OH radio line shape is a powerful tool to study the kinematics of the coma. The expansion velocity of the OH molecules is found to be ≈1.5 km sec^?1 at r_h = 1 AU, and decreases with increasing heliocentric distance. The line profile is generally asymmetric, which demonstrates the Greenstein effect on the fluorescent excitation mechanism and/or anisotropic outgassing of the nucleus. In several cases, especially for comet Meier (1978 XXI), an asymmetry is also found in the east-west brightness distribution of the OH line, showing again the Greenstein effect and/or anisotropic outgassing. An excitation model by uv pumping and fluorescence of the OH radical, which agrees with the observations at least in the first order, and the application of Haser's model lead to the production rate of the parent molecule of OH. There is a close correlation between this gas production rate and the visual brightness of the comet. Our estimates of gas production rates are smaller than or equal to those obtained from uv measurements, but both radio and uv estimates depend heavily on the parameters used in Haser's models.     

Some manifolds of periodic orbits in the restricted three-body problem

In the present paper we give some numerical results about natural families of periodic orbits, which emanate from limiting orbits around the equilateral equilibrium points of the Restricted Three-Body Problem, when the mass ratio is greater than Routh's critical one.     

Evolution of the Galactic Halo and Disk

Correlations between stellar kinematics and chemical abundances are fossil evidence for evolutionary connections between Galactic structural components. Extensive stellar surveys show that the only tolerably clear distinction between galactic components appears in the distributions of specific angular momentum. Here the stellar metal-poor halo and the metal-rich bulge are indistinguishable from each other, as are the thick disk and the old disk. Each pair is very distinct from the other. This leads to an evolutionary model in which the metal-poor stellar halo evolves into the inner bulge, while the thick disk is a precursor to the thin disk. These evolutionary sequences are distinct. The galaxy is made of two discrete 'populations', one of low and one of high angular momentum. Some (minor?) complexity is added to this picture by the debris of late and continuing mergers, which will be especially important in the outer stellar halo.     

Two serendipitous low-mass LMC clusters discovered with HST1

We present V and I photometry of two open clusters in the LMC down to V ∼26. The clusters were imaged with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) on board the Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ), as part of the Medium Deep Survey Key Project. Both are low-luminosity ( M_V ∼−3.5), low-mass ( M ∼10³ M⊙) systems. The chance discovery of these two clusters in two parallel WFPC2 fields suggests a significant incompleteness in the LMC cluster census near the bar. One of the clusters is roughly elliptical and compact, with a steep light profile, a central surface brightness μ _V (0)∼20.2 mag arcsec⁻², a half-light radius r _hl∼0.9 pc (total visual major diameter D ∼3 pc) and an estimated mass M ∼1500 M⊙. From the colour–magnitude diagram and isochrone fits we estimate its age as τ∼(2–5)×10⁸ yr. Its mass function has a fitted slope of Γ=Δlogφ( M )/Δlog M =−1.8±0.7 in the range probed (0.9≲ M /M⊙≲4.5). The other cluster is more irregular and sparse, having shallower density and surface brightness profiles. We obtain Γ=−1.2±0.4, and estimate its mass as M ∼400 M⊙. A derived upper limit for its age is τ≲5×10⁸ yr. Both clusters have mass functions with slopes similar to that of R136, a massive LMC cluster, for which HST results indicate Γ∼−1.2. They also seem to be relaxed in their cores and well contained in their tidal radii.     

Modelling of fluid expulsion and deformation behaviour of dewatering sediments

A finite element model is developed for modelling coupled fluid expulsion/deformation behaviour of dewatering sediments subjected to external loadings under isothermal conditions. The non-linear deformation behaviour of the sediment (soil) skeleton is based on the force equilibrium equation in which the constitutive relationship of stress and strain is implemented by the modified Cam-Clay model in soil plasticity. The fluid flow behaviour in the model is described by the generalized porous media flow equation. The model allows temporal and spatial variations of porosity and permeability. The fluid viscosity and density are assumed to be temperature-dependent. The model also allows the development of single and multiple faults, depending upon the material (sediment and fluid) properties, loading and boundary conditions. Procedures are implemented for (1) updating the material properties such as porosity, permeability, fluid density and viscosity and (2) the development of faults which allow the formation of high-permeability conduits for fluid flow. The solution algorithm for displacements of the sediments and the excess pore (fluid) pressure is based on a residual load technique to handle the non-linear (elastic-plastic) deformation behaviour of the sediment skeleton. The model can be applied to one- and two-dimensional problems. Examples of a plane strain saturated sediment layer subjected to stepwise horizontal tractions versus time are given.     

Resistance may be an important mechanism by which marine microbes respond to environmental toxicants

The hypothesis, that at least certain marine microbial organisms respond to toxic stress by the development of resistance, was tested using the hypotric marine ciliate Euplotes vannus Muller as the test organism. Resistance to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB, Aroclor 1254) was developed in E. vannus by exposing the animals to progressively higher PCB concentrations during a period of several months. The resistance to PCB persisted for at least 80 days (greater than 40 generations) after final exposure. This suggests either that genetic selection or persistent (lasting over many cell division cycles) phenotypic trait modification, possibly in the form of Dauermodification, had occurred. If resistance were widespread among marine microbial organisms in polluted environments it would be an important consideration in evaluating the long-term biological impact of both natural and man-induced chemical stress.     

Development and parameterization of an infiltration model accounting for water depth and rainfall intensity

Experimental work has clearly shown that the effective hydraulic conductivity (K_e) or effective infiltration rate (f_e) on the local scale of a plot cannot be considered as constant but are dependent on water depth and rainfall intensity because non‐random microtopography‐related variations in hydraulic conductivity occur. Rainfall–runoff models generally do not account for this: models assume that excess water is uniformly spread over the soil surface and within‐plot variations are neglected. In the present study, we propose a model that is based on the concepts of microtopography‐related water depth‐dependent infiltration and partial contributing area. Expressions for the plot scale K_e and f_e were developed that depend on rainfall intensity and runon from upslope (and thus on water depth). To calibrate and validate the model, steady state infiltration experiments were conducted on maize fields on silt loam soils in Belgium, with different stages and combinations of rainfall intensity and inflow, simulating rainfall and runon. Water depth–discharge and depth–inundation relationships were established and used to estimate the effect of inundation on K_e. Although inflow‐only experiments were found to be unsuitable for calibration, the model was successfully calibrated and validated with the rainfall simulation data and combined rainfall–runon data (R²: 0.43–0.91). Calibrated and validated with steady state infiltration experiments, the model was combined with the Green–Ampt infiltration equation and can be applied within a two‐dimensional distributed rainfall–runoff model. The effect of water depth–dependency and rainfall intensity on infiltration was illustrated for a hillslope. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.