The influence of selection effects on the observed cataclysmic variable population: modelling and application to the Palomar–Green sample

Large differences between the properties of the known sample of cataclysmic variable stars (CVs) and the predictions of the theory of binary star evolution have long been recognized. However, because all existing CV samples suffer from strong selection effects, observational biases must be taken into account before it is possible to tell whether there is an inconsistency. In order to address this problem, we have modelled the impact of selection effects on observed CV samples using a Monte Carlo approach. By simulating the selection criteria of the Palomar–Green (PG) Survey, we show that selection effects cannot reconcile the predictions of standard CV evolution theory with the observed sample. More generally, we illustrate the effect of the biases that are introduced by magnitude limits, selection cuts in U − B and restrictions in Galactic latitude.     

Dependence of radon concentration in natural gas on the geological and physical parameters of the gas reservoir

Pressure of natural gas in its rock reservoir determines the final radon concentration in this gas after its decompression to normal conditions. In this investigation, radon contents of 62 natural gas samples were measured and a simple physical model of the gas reservoir was applied. The model takes into account an additional dependence of radon concentration on the natural gas pressure and on the porosity of the rock reservoir. The influence of the gas pressure on the value of the radon emanating power is discussed. The mean ²²⁶ Ra content in the source rock needed for generation of ²²² Rn concentrations observed in gas is also calculated. The calculations are made with the help of regression analysis.     

Structural control of low-sulfidation epithermal gold mineralization in the Rosario–Bunawan district, East Mindanao Ridge, Philippines

The Rosario–Bunawan district is situated about 200 km north of Davao City, the capital of the Mindanao Island, Southern Philippines. Gold is produced from the Co-O mine, containing about 2,034,000 t of ore at 10.9 g/t Au, and in numerous small-scale operations by local miners. Epithermal gold mineralization in the Rosario–Bunawan district and the Co-O mine is confined to narrow (0.2–4 m) low-sulfidation quartz–chalcedony–calcite veins in volcanic and volcaniclastic wall rocks. Three major vein orientations are distinguished: (1) the NNW–SSE-trending set with a sinistral strike-slip sense of deformation (Philippine Fault trend); (2) the ENE–WSW-trending dextral strike-slip set (Palawan trend) and associated veins in the Riedel geometry; and (3) the WNW–ESE-trending conjugate set (Co-O trend). Three structural stages are defined: (1) extensional shear or shear veins formed in the Co-O, the Philippine Fault, and Palawan trends during regional NW–SE compression and near vertical vein opening (D₁); (2) reactivation of veins in the Philippine Fault, veins associated with the Palawan, and, to a lesser extent, the Co-O trends during E–W compression and near horizontal N–S-oriented vein opening (D₂). New D₂ extensional shear or shear veins formed in the Philippine Fault, and structures associated with the Palawan and associated Riedel trends; (3) the D₃-stage block faulting subsequently displaced all of the auriferous veins. The auriferous Rosario–Bunawan district is situated between two splays of the Philippine Fault, which acted as a lateral ramp system during the oblique convergence of the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate. The oblique convergence resulted in a change from a compressional (D₁) to a transpressional (D₂) regime, which was a prerequisite for the two-stage vein opening and hydrothermal mineralization, leading to an economic gold enrichment. D₁ compressional tectonics may have caused an elevated geothermal gradient in shallow crustal levels, forming the heat source for the fluid plumbing system, which is at variance to typical epithermal deposits formed in extensional zones. D₂ thrusting of a limestone nappe together with syn-tectonic diorite intrusions may have further increased the geothermal gradient, maintaining the fluid plumbing system. The limestone nappe may, at the same time, have represented an aquitard forcing the hydrothermal fluids into the volcanic and volcaniclastic wall rocks, which is regarded as critical for the two-stage gold mineralization in the Rosario–Bunawan district.     

Polarographische Bestimmung von Nickel und Chrom in Klärschlämmen Polarographic Determination of Nickel and Chromium in Sewage Sludge

The contents of Ni and Cr in sewage sludge with high and low amounts of heavy metals were investigated by polarography. The DIN-digestion (aqua regia) was used, and the resulting solution was treated with H₂O₂/UV (90 °C, 60 min) for further destroying of the organic material. Besides, the solution of the DIN-digestion was examined with AAS (flame) and ICP-OES. With the determination of Ni it was shown that after digestion with aqua regia no further treatment with H₂O₂/UV is necessary. Contrariwise it was found that for the determination of Cr a H₂O₂/UV photolysis is necessary followed by further steps to get good agreement with AAS and ICP results as well as with the certified values of a sludge of the Community Bureau of Standards.     

Locational components of urban and regional public policy in postwar Vietnam: The case of Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh city is a primate city in which wartime dislocations have resulted in severely overcrowded conditions as well as a shrunken economic base. The new government has opted for a policy based on the rapid decanting of a large proportion of the urban population by encouraging internal migration to New Economic Zones in the hinterlands. This policy is based on a hierarchial administrative structure with agricultural productivity as its prime goal. A Green Belt policy has been articulated that uses the New Economic Zones as building blocks. The Green Belts constrain urban growth as well as provide foodstuff for the remaining urban residents. The ultimate objective of the overall policy is a balanced urban and regional environment that is in tune with Vietnam's agricultural economy.     

The role of fluids in partitioning brittle deformation and ductile creep in auriferous shear zones between 500 and 700 °C

The fabric, mineralogy, geochemistry, and stable isotope systematics of auriferous shear zones in various hydrothermal gold deposits were studied in order to discuss the role of fluids in rock deformation at temperatures between 500 °C and 700 °C. The strong hydrothermal alteration and gold mineralization indicates that effective permeability development goes ahead with high-temperature rock deformation. The economic gold enrichment is often hosted by breccias and quartz veins in the ductile shear zones, which either formed at fast strain rates or by low strain continuous deformation at slow strain rates. Both processes require (1) a close-to lithostatic to supralithostatic fluid pressure and/or (2) a strong rheology contrast of the deformed lithologies that is often developed during progressive hydrothermal alteration. Compartments of high fluid pressure are sealed from the rest of the shear zones by high-temperature deformation mechanisms, e.g. intracrystalline plasticity and diffusion creep, and compaction. In contrast, in mylonites with heterogeneous crystal plastic and brittle deformation mechanisms for the various minerals, an interconnected network of a grain-scale porosity forms an effective fluid conduit, which hampers fluid pressure build-up and the formation of veins.The auriferous shear zones of the various gold mines represent fluid conduits in the deeper crust, 100 m along strike and up to 1000 m down-dip. The hydrothermal fluids infiltrated may be responsible for low magnitude earthquakes in the Earth's lower crust, which otherwise deforms viscously.     

Binary evolution with relativistic jets

Relativistic jets can extract mass–energy from a black hole. In semi-detached black hole binaries the jet ejection process constitutes a ‘consequential angular momentum loss' (CAML) process. The effect of this jet-induced CAML is to lower the transfer rate below the value set by systemic driving and to stabilize otherwise unstable systems. Implications of jet-induced CAML for GRO J1655−40 are discussed.     

Magnetic fabric and emplacement of the post-collisional Pomovaara Granite Complex in northern Fennoscandia

The Proterozoic Pomovaara Granite Complex in northern Finland comprises three separate highly magnetic granite stocks. They are discordant, apparently unfoliated and according to isotope data, a significant Archaean component characterizes the source of these granites. The three stocks are aligned in an array parallel to major trans-crustal faults as interpreted from both aeromagnetic and gravity data. Their younger age of 1.8 Ga, compared to the main tectonic events at 1.9 Ga in northern Fennoscandia, indicates their post-collisional nature with respect to these events. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) was studied together with magnetic, gravity and geological data in order to assess the emplacement mechanisms of the Pomovaara Granite Complex, and the possible tectonic control of fault systems on the ascent and emplacement of granitic magma. The orientation of magnetic fabrics within the granite stocks indicates that the direction of the original magma upwelling was from the SW, parallel to the major fault zones that controlled, at the crustal scale, the ascent of granite magmas. The predominant NW–SE orientations of the minimum magnetic axes of the magnetic ellipsoid and the elongate shapes of the stocks indicate compression normal to the deep fault trend during the crystallization of the granite magma.     

Fluid–Rock Interactions in Geothermal Reservoirs,Germany: Thermal Autoclave Experiments Using Sandstones and Natural Hydrothermal Brines

As renewable energy, geothermal can contribute substantially to the energy transition. To generate electricity or to harvest heat, high-saline fluids are tapped by wells of a few kilometres and extracted from hydrothermal reservoirs. After the heat exchanger units have been passed by, these fluids are reinjected into the reservoir. Due to the pressure and temperature differences between the subsurface and the surface, as well as the cooling of the fluids in the power plant, unwanted chemical reactions can occur within the reservoir, in the borehole, and within the power plant itself. This can reduce the permeability of the reservoir as well as the output of the geothermal power plant. This study aims to simulate real subsurface reactions using batch and leaching experiments with sandstone or sandstone powder as solid phase, and deionised water or natural brine as liquid phase. It is demonstrated that fluid composition changes after only a few days. In particular, calcite, aragonite, clay minerals, and zinc phases precipitate from the natural brine. In contrast, in particular minerals containing potassium, arsenic, barium, and silica are dissolved. Due to the experimental set-up, these mineral reactions mainly took place on the surface of the samples, which is why no substantial changes in petrophysical properties could be observed. However, it is assumed that the observed reactions on the reservoir scale have a relevant influence on parameters such as permeability.