A study of the kinematics of unusually H I‐rich galaxies

We examine the H I kinematics of the “Bluedisk” ensemble of 48 galaxies selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and observed in H I with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope. The sample consists of 25 galaxies with a high H I mass fraction and a comparatively large control sample comprising 23 galaxies of comparable stellar mass, stellar mass surface density, redshift, and inclination. By studying the H I velocity fields of these galaxies, we investigate whether there are signatures of ongoing gas accretion: i.e. global asymmetries and indications for warping and kinematical lopsidedness. We find no enhanced kinematical asymmetries between the H I‐rich sample and the control sample galaxies, indicating no significant difference in kinematical signatures such as warping and lopsidedness. Furthermore, we find no difference in position angle and systemic velocity offset with respect to the optical between both sub‐samples. We therefore do not find compelling evidence for enhanced global asymmetry of the H I‐excess galaxies ensemble properties in comparison to the control sample galaxies. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Simulation of ICE-Giacobini-Zinner and VEGA/GIOTTO-Halley encounters

The formation of a weak shock at the interaction of the solar wind with the cometary neutral gas is confirmed in a non-stationary gasdynamic model. No shocks will be detectable along the ICE path and if the VEGA/GIOTTO spacecraft enter the cometary atmosphere. A shock can only be expected at an exit from the Halley atmosphere.     

A theoretical study of Comet Halley's spectrum in the infrared range

Synthetic spectra of Comet Halley between 2.5 and 15 μm are calculated on the basis of current cometary models. This study shows that molecules which are most likely detectable in the infrared range include H₂O, CO, CO₂, CH₄, NH₃, N₂H₄, and H₂CO. The flux emitted by these molecules, mostly due to resonant scattering, should be sufficient for detection by a flyby mission.     

Comparison of two methods for seismic hazard assessment in a low-seismicity area

The EGO method, developed by Egozcue et al. and the SRAMSC method, originally developed by Cornell and later programmed by McGuire, to assess the seismic hazard, are compared for the low seismicity area Belgium, The Netherlands, and NW Germany. Using the same input data, the results of the EGO method without the majority criterion and the SRAMSC method with upper bound XII agree very well. The influence of the zoning is investigated for the EGO method. It is not necessary to define the zones for the EGO method so strictly as for the SRAMSC method, but too wide zones can give bad results.     

Profile measurements in the atmospheric near-surface layer and the use of suitable universal functions for the determination of the turbulent energy exchange

The authors summarize their recent published studies on profile measurements including new universal functions and an error analysis with a particular view to parameterisation above soil and water. Verification of the theoretical results is given using new data of the MESP-81 Tsimlyansk experiment.     

On the thermal stability of Rb-Sr and K-Ar biotite systems: Evidence from coexisting Sveconorwegian (ca 870 Ma) and Caledonian (ca 400 Ma) biotites in SW Norway

The Caledonian orogeny has imposed a zone of greenschist facies metamorphism on the high-grade Sveconorwegian basement along the front of the Caledonian nappe system in S.W. Norway. In this zone a Caledonian generation of green biotite (ca 400 Ma old) has developed, indicating a metamorphic temperature of about 400° C. This Caledonian biotite occurs side by side with relicts of a Sveconorwegian generation of brown biotite (ca 870 Ma old). The somewhat younger ages obtained from a number of brown biotites can be related to a partial transformation of the old biotite to titanite+green biotite during the Caledonian metamorphic recrystallization. Loss of radiogenic Ar and Sr from the biotite by volume diffusion apparently has not been operative, even at a temperature as high as 400° C. The Sveconorwegian biotite appears to have remained virtually closed to K-Ar and Rb-Sr up to the break-down due to metamorphic recrystallization.     

On-chip earthquake simulation model using potentials

A two-dimensional (2-D) Cellular Automata (CA) dynamic system constituted of cells-charges has been proposed for the simulation of the earthquake process. The CA model has been calibrated with the use of real data. The calibration incorporates major seismic characteristics of the area under test. The simulation results are found in good quantitative and qualitative agreement with the recorded Gutenberg–Richter (GR) scaling relations. The model is enriched with a powerful multi-parameter interface that enables the user to load real data from different regions. This paper examines the on-chip realisation of the model and its instrumentation. The CA model hardware implementation is based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) logic. It utilises an array of 32 × 32 cells. Parameters that construct the local CA rule constitute the input data. The initial seed, which to some extent corresponds to the seismic features of the area under test, is loaded in a semi-parallel way and the process is completed in a certain number of time steps. The automatic response of the processor provides the corresponding GR scaling law of the area under study. The hardware implementation of the CA-based earthquake simulation model is advantageous in terms of low-cost, high-speed, compactness and portability features. It can operate as a preliminary data-acquisition filter that accelerates the evaluation of recorded data as far as its origin time, spatial and magnitude completeness and quality are concerned. Software that performs reliable automatic phase picking, as well as data elaboration, can be assembled next to the earthquake recording instruments (the whole network) output to assure a quick and reliable iteration of the focal parameters of a recorded earthquake (epicentre coordinates, focal depth and magnitude). The dedicated processor can be accommodated right after this stage (before any manual elaboration) focusing on the near real-time development of a reliable qualitative dynamical seismic record and a mapping of the seismic characteristics of the area.