Dark energy from “extended modified gravity” and Gauss–Bonnet invariant term

We investigate the cosmological dynamics of a four-dimensional Friedmann–Robertson–Walker homogenous and isotropic universe from Gauss–Bonnet higher-order curvature corrections, together with nonminimal coupling and with an infrared effective action of gravity based on a second-order gauge formulation for the Lorentz group. We study the evolution of the universe in such a model, identifying its key properties. Many new interesting features are revealed and discussed in some detail.     

Periodic orbits generated by Lagrangian solutions of the restricted three body problem when one of the primaries is an oblate body

We have studied periodic orbits generated by Lagrangian solutions of the restricted three body problem when one of the primaries is an oblate body. We have determined the periodic orbits for different values of μ, h and A (h is energy constant, μ is mass ratio of the two primaries and A is an oblateness factor). These orbits have been determined by giving displacements along the tangent and normal to the mobile coordinates as defined by Karimov and Sokolsky (Celest. Mech. 46:335, 1989). These orbits have been drawn by using the predictor-corrector method. We have also studied the effect of oblateness by taking some fixed values of μ, A and h. As starters for our method, we use some known periodic orbits in the classical restricted three body problem.     

Distributed modeling of extraterrestrial solar radiation over the rugged terrains of Pakistan

In Pakistan,the solar analogue has been addressed but its surface geographical parameterization has given least attention.Inappropriate density of stations and their spatial coverage particularly in difficult peripheral national territories,little or no solar radiation data,non-satisfactory sunshine hours data,and low quality of ground observed cloud cover data create a situation in which the spatial modeling of Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation(ESR) and its ground parameterization got sufficient scope.The D...     

Periodic orbits and bifurcations in the Sitnikov four-body problem when all primaries are oblate

We study the motions of an infinitesimal mass in the Sitnikov four-body problem in which three equal oblate spheroids (called primaries) symmetrical in all respect, are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. These primaries are moving in circular orbits around their common center of mass. The fourth infinitesimal mass is moving along a line perpendicular to the plane of motion of the primaries and passing through the center of mass of the primaries. A relation between the oblateness-parameter ‘A’ and the increased sides ‘ε’ of the equilateral triangle during the motion is established. We confine our attention to one particular value of oblateness-parameter A=0.003. Only one stability region and 12 critical periodic orbits are found from which new three-dimensional families of symmetric periodic orbits bifurcate. 3-D families of symmetric periodic orbits, bifurcating from the 12 corresponding critical periodic orbits are determined. For A=0.005, observation shows that the stability region is wider than for A=0.003.     

Collembola diversity in changing agricultural landscapes of the Thar Desert: A case study in Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan, India

Seven species of Collembola were recorded from the Thar Desert in India for the first time. Their existence and establishment has been attributed to the change in land use pattern of Sriganganagar district due to the development of canal irrigation. Sampling was done at two distant localities, in which one has been under irrigated agricultural activities since 60–70 years, while at the second locality, such activities began 20 years back. Two species, Xenylla obscura and Isotomodes dagamae, dominated the collembolan communities at all sites. The samples from first locality were rich both in number of individuals as well as species. The sites were hierarchically clustered into a dendrogram to present an analytical picture of community development of collembolan species against the time-scale of succession. Attention was sought to study the insect fauna and their activities in relation to the ongoing greening the desert program.     

Spatio-temporal variation of land surface temperature and temperature lapse rate over mountainous Kashmir Himalaya

In this study, Land Surface Temperature(LST) and its lapse rate over the mountainous Kashmir Himalaya was estimated using MODIS data and correlated with the observed in-situ air temperature(Tair) data. Comparison between the MODIS LST and Tair showed a close agreement with the maximum error of the estimate ±1°C and the correlation coefficient 0.90. Analysis of the LST data from 2002-2012 showed an increasing trend at all the selected locations except at a site located in the southeastern part of Kashmir valley. Using the GTOPO30 DEM, MODIS LST data was used to estimate the actual temperature lapse rate(ATLR) along various transects across Kashmir Himalaya, which showed significant variations in space and time ranging from 0.3°C to 1.2°C per 100 m altitude change. This observation is at variance with the standard temperature lapse rate(STLR) of 0.65°C used universally in most of the hydrological and other land surface models. Snowmelt Runoff Model(SRM) was used to determine the efficacy of using the ATLR for simulating the stream flows in one of the glaciated and snow-covered watersheds in Kashmir. The use of ATLR in the SRM model improved the R2 between the observed and predicted streamflows from 0.92 to 0.97.It is hoped that the operational use of satellite-derived LST and ATLR shall improve the understanding and quantification of various processes related to climate, hydrology and ecosystem in the mountainous and data-scarce Himalaya where the use of temperature and ATLR are critical parameters for understanding various land surface and climate processes.     

Assessing Lateral Continuity within the Yammama Reservoir in the Foroozan Oilfield, Offshore Iran: An Integrated Study

Located in Iranian sector of the Persian Gulf, Foroozan Oilfield has been producing hydrocarbons via seven different reservoirs since the 1970s. However, understanding fluid interactions and horizontal continuity within each reservoir has proved complicated in this field. This study aims to determine the degree of intra-reservoir compartmentalization using gas geochemistry, light hydrocarbon components, and petroleum bulk properties, comparing the results with those obtained from reservoir engineering indicators. For this purpose, a total of 11 samples of oil and associated gas taken from different producing wells in from the Yammama Reservoir were selected. Clear distinctions, in terms of gas isotopic signature and composition, between the wells located in northern and southern parts of the reservoir (i.e. lighter δ13C1, lower methane concentration, and negative sulfur isotope in the southern part) and light hydrocarbon ratios (e.g. nC7/toluene, 2,6-dmC7/1,1,3-tmcyC5 and m-xylene/4-mC8) in different oil samples indicated two separate compartments. Gradual variations in a number of petroleum bulk properties (API gravity, V/Ni ratios and asphaltene concentration) provided additional evidence on the reservoir-filling direction, signifying that a horizontal equilibrium between reservoir fluids across the Yammama Reservoir is yet to be achieved. Finally, differences in water-oil contacts and reservoir types further confirmed the compartmentalization of the reservoir into two separate compartments.     

Rain induced attenuation studies for V-band satellite communication in tropical region

Satellite communications operating at 10 GHz and above in the tropics suffer severe signal degradation due to rain. Attenuation due to rain at 38 GHz had been measured for a period of 20 months in Malaysia. Analyses carried out include seasonal variations, diurnal effects and the annual cumulative distributions. Obtained results were compared with several established prediction models including the ITU-R. The rain fade characteristics were also investigated in determining the levels of signal loss and fading. In addition, the studies highlight several potential fade mitigation techniques that can be embarked. These fundamental aprehensions are very critical for future earth space communication link design and can be exploited as preliminary groundwork plan for the researchers as well as engineers.     

The Sukari Gold Mine,Eastern Desert—Egypt: structural setting,mineralogy and fluid inclusion study

The Sukari gold mine (18.8 Mt @ 2.14 g/t Au) is located 15 km west of the Red Sea coast in the southern central Eastern Desert of Egypt. The vein-type deposit is hosted in Late Neoproterozoic granite that intruded island-arc and ophiolite rock assemblages. The vein-forming process is related to overall late Pan-African shear and extension tectonics. At Sukari, bulk NE–SW strike-slip deformation was accommodated by a local flower structure and extensional faults with veins that formed initially at conditions of about 300 °C and 1.5–2 kbar. Gold is associated with sulfides in quartz veins and in alteration zones. Pyrite and arsenopyrite dominate the sulfide ore beside minor sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena. Gold occurs in three distinct positions: (1) anhedral grains (GI) at the contact between As-rich zones within the arsenian pyrite; (2) randomly distributed anhedral grains (GII) and along cracks in arsenian pyrite and arsenopyrite, and (3) large gold grains (GIII) interstitial to fine-grained pyrite and arsenopyrite. Fluid inclusion studies yield minimum vein-formation temperatures and pressures between 96 and 188 °C, 210 and 1,890 bar, respectively, which is in the range of epi- to mesothermal hydrothermal ore deposits. The structural evolution of the area suggests a long-term, cyclic process of repeated veining and leaching followed by sealing, initiated by the intrusion of granodiorite. This cyclic process explains the mineralogical features and is responsible for the predicted gold reserves of the Sukari deposits. A characteristic feature of the Sukari gold mineralization is the co-precipitation of gold and arsenic in pyrite and arsenopyrite.Editorial handling: H. Frimmel