The oxygen isotope compositions of olivine in main group (MG) pallasites: New measurements by adopting an improved laser fluorination approach

Oxygen isotope measurements of olivine in main group (MG) pallasites by traditional laser fluorination method are associated with some uncertainties including terrestrial weathering, incomplete olivine reaction, and sample state. We improved our laser fluorination approach by pretreating olivine grains with acid to remove terrestrial weathering products and by modifying the sample holder for an efficient and complete laser reaction. Our experiments on Brahin olivine demonstrate that acid-washing successfully removes the terrestrial weathering with <0.1‰ variation in δ¹⁸O value and, at the same time, improving the ∆¹⁷O value significantly. We also achieved a complete olivine fluorination by employing a custom-designed sample holder with “V”-shaped profile having rounded bottom because incomplete/partial reaction of olivine gives comparatively lighter δ¹⁸O values. Using these new techniques, we present precise triple oxygen isotope data (N = 72) of 25 olivine samples separated from main group pallasites. The data are, on average, ~0.5‰ heavier in δ¹⁸O relative to the values published in the literature for the same samples. Critically, the ∆¹⁷O values of MG pallasites and to some extent their Fo-contents suggest that there are at least two populations of olivine. Based on our improved data set, we propose that MG pallasites potentially have high-∆¹⁷O- and low-∆¹⁷O-bearing subgroups that are statistically distinct. The subgroups present average ∆¹⁷O values of −0.166 ± 0.003 (2SE; N = 16) and −0.220 ± 0.003 (2SE; N = 9), respectively. Furthermore, the high-∆¹⁷O-bearing subgroup samples trend toward lower Fo-contents compared to the other subgroup. Taken together, our data provide evidence that argues against a single parent body origin for MG pallasites.     

Axially Symmetric Bianchi Type-I Bulk-Viscous Cosmological Models with Time-Dependent Λ and q

The present study deals with spatially homogeneous and anisotropic axially symmetric Bianchi type-I cosmological model with time variable cosmological term Λ in the presence of bulk viscous fluid. The Einstein’s field equations are solved explicitly by time varying deceleration parameter q. Consequences of the four cases of phenomenological decay of Λ have been discussed which are consistent with observations. Physical and kinematical parameters of the models are discussed.     

Seismic piezocone interpretation for shear wave velocity (<Emphasis Type=Italic>V</Emphasis><Subscript>S</Subscript>) determination in the Persian Gulf

Shear wave velocity is one of the important factors representing the dynamic characteristics of soil layers. Hence, many researchers have focused their studies on determining shear wave velocity by direct field measurements or expressions developed by other soil parameters. The shear module and damping ratio of the soil layers also play a similar role in the majority of dynamic soil response analyses. Nevertheless, since they have to be measured in the laboratory by resonant column or cyclic triaxial tests on undisturbed samples, the possibility of preparing such samples and the reliability of the obtained results are of great concerns. In the present study, great effort has been made to determine the above dynamic factors by means of field data obtained from a versatile instrument, namely the seismic piezocone (SPCT_U), and to derive expressions correlating them with some parameters obtainable by much simpler instruments. The reliability of laboratory measurements on undisturbed samples is also evaluated. The seismic piezocone test apparatus has been employed to evaluate the soil properties at 1-m depth intervals by means of measuring tip resistance, sleeve resistance, pore pressure and shear wave velocity. The shear module and the damping ratio are calculated using field data. Meanwhile, in order to assess the laboratory measurements of these parameters, some resonant column tests and cyclic triaxial tests on undisturbed samples of the same soil layers have been carried out. In order to compare the field results of shear modulus and damping ratios with those obtained from laboratory tests, the influences of the soil nature and sample disturbance on the conventional laboratory methods are evaluated and discussed. The shear wave velocity is correlated to overburden pressure and the corrected tip resistance for two groups of fine soils, namely silty clays and carbonate clayey silts, which mainly cover the areas under study in this project, are located in southern parts of Iran near the Persian Gulf. According to the results of the present study, there are narrow limits of shear modulus regarding soils for which the laboratory tests and the field measurements yield approximately the same shear modulus. This limit of shear modulus is about 30–50(MPa) for clay deposits and 70–100 (MPa) for sandy deposits. Also the shear wave velocity can be calculated by a simple expression from total overburden pressure and the tip resistance of simple cone penetration test results conventionally available in many soil explorations prior to engineering practices. However, if the pore pressure inside the saturated soil deposits can be measured by a piezocone apparatus, the shear wave velocity may be calculated using another suggested equation in terms of effective overburden pressure in the present study. Regarding the shear module and the damping ratio, due to the disturbances of the stiff deposits in the sampling process and great deviations of laboratory results from field results, the laboratory measurements of these parameters out of the above limits are not recommended.     

Computation of the structure of a magnetized strange quark star

We have calculated some properties of spin polarized strange quark matter(SQM) in a strong magnetic field at zero temperature using the MIT bag model.We showed that the equation of state of spin polarized SQM is stiffer than that for unpolarized cases.We have also computed the structural properties of a spin polarized strange quark star(SQS) and found that the presence of a magnetic field leads to a more stable SQS when compared to the structural properties of an unpolarized SQS.     

Helical Eruptive Prominence Associated with a Pair of Overlapping CMEs on 21 April 2001

The eruption of limb prominence on 21 April 2001 associated with two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is investigated. Hα images reveal two large-scale eruptions (a prominence body and a southern foot-point arch), both showing helical internal structure. These two eruptions are found to be spatially and temporally associated with the corresponding CMEs. The kinematics and the study of geometrical parameters of the prominence show that the eruption was quite impulsive (with peak acceleration ≈470 m s⁻²) and has taken place for relatively low pitch angle of helical threads, not exceeding tan θ≈1.2. The stability criteria of the prominence are revisited in the light of the model of Vršnak (1990, Solar Phys. 129, 295) and the analysis shows that the eruption violates the instability criteria of that model. Finally, the energy stored in the prominence circuit and the energies (kinetic, potential, and magnetic) of the associated CMEs are estimated and it is found that there was enough energy stored in the prominence to drive the two CMEs. S.S. Ali is on leave from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202 002, India.     

脉冲星星际闪烁的研究进展

综述了脉冲星星际闪烁观测研究的进展，对脉冲星星际闪烁现象，星际介质中电子密度涨落谱，散射等离子体在银河系中的分面等方面的最新研究结果作了介绍。星际闪烁现象和昨际介质的深入理解，使脉冲星星际闪烁已成为研究诸如脉冲星辐射区结构和脉冲星速度等脉冲星本身性质的重要工具。     

Halley and the London Queen Anne Churches

Edmond Halley's work on two London churches makes them the first buildings planned using modern scientific techniques, argue Jason R Ali and Peter Cunich.