On the physical connections between galaxies of different types

Galaxies can be classified in two broad sequences which are likely to reflect their formation mechanism. The 'main sequence', consisting of spirals, irregulars and all dwarf galaxies, is probably produced by gas settling within dark matter haloes. We show that the sizes and surface densities along this sequence are primarily determined by the distributions of the angular momentum and formation time of dark haloes. They are well reproduced by current cosmogonies provided that galaxies form late, at z  ≲ 2. In this scenario, dwarf ellipticals were small 'discs' at z  ∼ 1 and become 'ellipticals' after they fall into cluster environments. The strong clustering of dwarf ellipticals is then a natural by-product of the merging and transformation process. The number of dwarf galaxies predicted in a cluster such as Virgo is in good agreement with the observed number. On the other hand, the 'giant branch', consisting of giant ellipticals and bulges, is probably produced by the merging of disc galaxies. Based on the observed phase-space densities of galaxies, we show that the main bodies of all giant ellipticals can be produced by dissipationless mergers of high-redshift discs. However, high-redshift discs, although denser than present-day ones, are still not compact enough to produce the high central phase-space density of some low-luminosity ellipticals. Dissipation must have occurred in the central parts of these galaxies during the merger which formed them.     

长江口沙波统计特征及输移规律

利用多波束测深系统对长江口南港、北槽、横沙通道和北港水下地貌进行测量,对沙波波高、波长、迎流倾角、背流倾角、水深和沉积物特征进行统计,并根据流速、沉积物粒径及水深估算其潮周期内净位移。结果表明:长江口沙波基本都为大型沙波,且沙波大小与其所在区域沉积物粒径呈正比关系;长江口各个区域沙波的对称性不同,涨、落潮优势流越明显,则沙波对称性越差,净位移越大;沙波对称性能反映此区域水动力强弱及潮周期内沙波净位移大小。     

Proline with or without hydroxyproline influences collagen concentration and regulates prolyl 4-hydroxylase α (I) gene expression in juvenile turbo (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

Journal of Ocean University of China - This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary proline (Pro), and Pro and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in combination on the growth performance, total...     

Hydrologic characteristics of floods in Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna (GBM) delta

In the middle of 2007, a severe flood affected the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. This is a natural disaster that takes people’s lives, destroys livestock, infrastructures and communication systems and, damages crops and fish ponds. Despite many adverse impacts, the flood situation is an accepted phenomenon to the citizens of Bangladesh, due to the immense increase of soil fertility due to the flood, plus, the recharge of aquifer, ecosystem and fish. The flood of 2007 was the 5th major flood of the last 20 years when more than thirty-five percent of the area of the country was inundated with flood water. As in the past, the flood of 2007 had its own significance. The geography of the country contains a floodplain delta of three major river basins: the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna (GBM). The mean monthly rainfall plot from the TRMM satellite data has shown that for both the Meghna and Brahmaputra basins, the rainfall was higher during July 2007 than any other months of the last 2 years. This excess rainfall had accumulated in the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers and carried downstream to Bangladesh. This was the main cause of the flooding in 2007. The first crossing above the danger level of the river waters was observed at Durgapur station of the Someswari and at Sunamganj station of the Surma on the nineteenth of July, 2007 inside Bangladesh. In terms of magnitude of the peak and duration of the flood, the Brahmaputra was higher in 2007 than during 2004. However, the Ganges river water level never crossed the danger level during flood of 2007. The Meghna was lower during the flood peak for the duration of the flood in 2007. The year–to-year variability in both the magnitude and duration of the flood suggests changes in rainfall and landuse pattern of the catchment.     

Experimental Study of Overtopping on Sea Dikes and Coastal Flooding Under the Coupled Processes of Tides and Waves

Storm surges are cataclysmic natural disasters that occur along the coasts and are usually accompanied by large waves. The effects of coupled storm surges and waves can pose a significant threat to coastal security. Previous laboratory studies on the effects of storm surges and waves on coastal structures have typically utilized steady water levels and constant wave elements. An indoor simulation of the coupled processes of tides and waves is developed by adding a tide generation system to an existing laboratory wave basin to model continuous dynamic tide levels so that tide generation and wave-making occur synchronously in the pool. Specific experimental methods are given, which are applied to further study waves overtopping on artificial sea dikes and coastal flooding evolution under the coupled actions of tides and waves. The results of the overtopping discharge obtained by the test with a dynamic water level are compared with those obtained from steady water level tests and the existing empirical formula. In addition, the impacts of ecological coastal shelterbelts and structures on coastal flood processes and distributions are also investigated. The proposed simulation methods provide a new approach for studying the effects of storm surges and waves on coastal areas. The study also aims to provide a reference for coastal protective engineering.

     

中坝隧道地下分水岭演化的数值模拟分析

由于铁路隧道的施工,地下水进入隧道,形成了新的排泄基准面,对区域地下水环境产生较大影响,故对该类问题进行深入研究具有重要的工程实践意义。以中坝岩溶隧道为例,采用Visual modflow对中坝隧道进行三维数值模拟,模拟中坝隧道开挖建设后,地下分水岭的演化过程,以此来探讨分析其对地下水环境的影响。     

伊犁盆地扎吉斯坦北部西山窑组下段砂体发育特征与铀成矿的关系

本文初步研究了扎吉斯坦北部砂体的发育特征与铀成矿的关系。通过对研究区单井剖面、联井剖面以及平面上砂体发育情况的研究与分析,探讨砂体对铀矿体的控制与影响。研究表明,铀矿化发生、发育于砂体厚度相对稳定,粒度较粗,孔隙度、渗透率较好的地段。砂体构形变化的部位是成矿的有利部位,即砂体厚度由厚变薄的过渡地段有利于铀矿的富集。     

Electronic waste: present status and future perspectives of sustainable management practices in Malaysia

The ever-increasing and rapidly growing volume of waste electrical and electronic equipment has become a serious threat to the environment in many countries. The inevitability of e-waste management and the development of a holistic system to deal with it has become an indispensable socio-economic and environmental issue for the sustainable development of Malaysia. However, no comprehensive research has yet been carried out, and only a few works in a discreet manner have been begun. In view of the above, and as a small endeavor towards achieving the country’s Vision 2020, this study explores the present status and future perspectives of the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Malaysia. This article presents an overview of e-waste management practices around the world, including the generation of e-waste, the implementation of management strategies, and collection and recovery activities in Malaysia. It also presents the corresponding responses adopted so far with respect to legislation and other infrastructural development. Finally, through the use of structured and semi-structured interviews, it reveals the barriers and challenges, as well as future perspectives and sustainability issues related to the e-waste management system in this fast developing country.     

重庆涪陵页岩气勘查开发区环境地质调查进展

紧密结合国家非常规能源勘探开发的重大战略,聚焦重庆涪陵页岩气勘查开发区环境地质调查工作,总结了研究区岩溶发育特征与分布规律,评价了涪陵页岩气开发区区域水资源量和地下水质量。在此基础上,收集分析国内外资料,梳理了页岩气勘查开发所引发的6类环境(地质)问题及勘查、钻井、压裂、开采、闭井等5个阶段需关注的地质环境问题或风险等,其中涪陵页岩气勘查开发区主要诱发水土污染、地质灾害和大气污染等环境(地质)问题; 基本识别了2种地下水污染模式、3种污染类型及可能的地下水污染风险途径; 初步确定了涪陵页岩气勘查开发区污染指示性特征因子,并形成了页岩气勘查开发区地质环境影响评价指标体系,可指导页岩气勘查开发的环境地质调查。该研究为页岩气国家新型清洁能源的绿色开发和开发区生态文明建设提供支撑。     

Geoelectric model and hydrochemistry of salinity affected lower Atrai floodplain aquifer,NW Bangladesh: An approach for irrigation management

In the salinity affected lower Atrai floodplain aquifer in the NW Bangladesh, geoelectric resistivity survey and hydrochemical analysis are carried out with an aim to identify fresh and saline groundwater zones; investigate the status of salinity; evaluate hydrochemical processes involved and suggest management approaches for irrigation. Here a two-fold aquifer system, inter-layered by silt, clay and silty-clay aquitard and aquiclude is classified as: upper aquifer — spatially affected by salinity of varying degrees; and lower aquifer — generally characterized by high salinity. The aquifer with resistivity values greater than 69 Ωm is safe for irrigation use. Concentrations of major ions vary as: Ca²⁺>Na⁺>Mg²⁺>K⁺ and HCO₃>Cl>NO₃>SO₄ ^2?. Groundwater is dominated by Na-Ca to Ca-Na, HCO₃-Cl-SO₄, Cl-SO₄-HCO₃ and Cl-SO₄ ^2? facies where Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄ ^2?, HCO₃ ^?, Cl^? and NO₃ ^2? ion concentrations are statistically dominant and water is of Ca-Mg, HCO₃-SO₄-Cl and NO₃ types. Geochemically, groundwater is hard and saline to fresh water type. Salinity increases with depth, but spatially towards the southern part. Groundwater quality is a product of water-rock interaction, direct mixing and marine spraying, or fall-out of airborne marine salts, where silicate weathering is the primary source of bivalent cations. Sediment provenance of alkaline earth silicates and higher concentrations of alkalis are derived from sources other than precipitation. In general partially or fully salinity affected upper and lower aquifers in the area except in its eastern part are not suitable for tubewell irrigation. As groundwater demand for irrigation is increasing, the saline water has progressively invaded relatively fresher parts of the aquifer by upconning. So, special salinity control management approaches can be adopted through engineering techniques such as groundwater abstraction optimization, as also through scientific behavioral approaches like groundwater demand management, salt tolerant crops production. In this context, surface water conservation and rain water harvesting for domestic and irrigational uses are recommended in the salinity affected area.