Revised photometric elements of three semi-detached binary systems

TheV andB light curves of three Algol-type eclipsing binaries (UZ Cyg, VW Cyg, AQ Peg), observed by Ammanet al. (1979), have been analysed using the Wilson and Devinney (1971) model. We find that all of them are semi-detached systems, with A-type primary components and K-type evolved secondary which fill the corresponding lobe, although VW Cyg should perhaps be considered as an sd-d system.     

Hydrogeological and thermal characterization of shallow aquifers in the plain sector of Piemonte region (NW Italy): implications for groundwater heat pumps diffusion

The low annual and seasonal variability of the shallow groundwater temperature in the alluvial plain aquifers of the Piemonte region (NW Italy) confirmed the potentiality of the low-enthalpy open-loop groundwater heat pumps (GWHP) diffusion to contribute to the reduction of regional greenhouse gas emissions. The distribution of mean groundwater temperatures ranged from a minimum of 10.3°C to a maximum of 17.9°C with a mean of 14.0°C. Differences among diverse areas were slight according with the modest variations in the general climatic condition. Like the air, temperature distribution of the shallow groundwater temperatures is generally similar to topographic elevations in reverse manner. Higher temperature values recorded were typical of summer months (June, July). On the opposite lower values were measured in January and February. No significant difference phase (time) difference between air and groundwater temperature appeared in the data analysis. Besides air-temperature influence (seasonal variability) seemed strictly connected to the depth to groundwater in the measure point and it was negligible when the value was over 9.5 m. For the application of the open-loop systems, extensive examinations of the hydrogeological local conditions should be conducted at site scale and groundwater heat transport modelling should be developed.     

The Kinect: a low‐cost,high‐resolution,short‐range 3D camera

We present a novel application of the Kinect?, an input device designed for the Microsoft® Xbox 360® video game system. The device can be used by Earth scientists as a low‐cost, high‐resolution, short‐range 3D/4D camera imaging system producing data similar to a terrestrial light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. The Kinect contains a structured light emitter, an infrared camera (the combination of these two produce a distance image), a visual wavelength camera, a three‐axis accelerometer, and four microphones. The cost is ~ US $100, frame rate is 30 Hz, spatial and depth resolutions are mm to cm depending on range, and the optimal operating range is 0.5 to ~5 m. The resolution of the distance measurements decreases with distance and is ≤1 mm at 0.5 m and ~75 mm at 5 m. We illustrate data collection and basic data analysis routines in three experiments designed to demonstrate the breadth and utility of this new sensor in domains of glaciology, stream bathymetry, and geomorphology, although the device is applicable to a number of other Earth science fields. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Building stone employed in the historical monuments of Eastern Sicily (Italy). An example: the ancient city centre of Catania

An archaeometric study of the stone materials employed in the Late Baroque historical monuments of the ancient city centre of Catania was carried out. Lithological maps of a selection of monuments, transferred to a digital format, revealed that the stone materials are both magmatic and sedimentary rocks, the colours of which are matched in a peculiar type of bichromy. Particular attention focused on sedimentary rocks, which consist of various types of limestone quarried near the city of Syracuse (Hyblean Plateau, south-eastern Sicily). Carbonate rocks were characterised in terms of mineralogy, petrography and geochemistry, by studying rock samples from both monuments and historical extraction sites. Results showed that, although only one name was historically attributed to the above lithotypes (i.e. “Pietra di Siracusa‘’), they were quarried from many locations and, as they belong to various geological formations, they therefore exhibit great variety. In order to examine the durability of Hyblean limestones employed in works of cultural heritage interest, salt crystallisation tests were carried out according to standard procedure norms (UNI EN 12370 (1999) Determination of resistance to crystallisation of salts, 6p). Results are consistent with the forms of deterioration observed in the monuments, and highlight the close relationship between textural characteristics and damage. Our purpose is to provide a basic tool, which may be useful both for conserving monuments of cultural heritage and for their restoration.     

Sull'approssimazione numerica di una variabile casuale normale,con applicaztone agli errori d'osservazione

Riassunto Data una variabile casuale X che segue la legge normale di probabilitl con valor medio a ed error medio y 1'A. considera un'altra variabile casuale che prende il valore intero r quando r–1/2

Summary Given a random variable X following the normal probability law, with expectation a and standard error p, the author considers another random variable , that takes the entire value r when r–1/2     

Decadal Climatic Anomalies in the Northern Adriatic Sea Inferred from a New Oceanographic Data Set

Abstract. In 1997, Artegiani et al. depicted for the first time the seasonal climatology of the Adriatic Sea; they used the ATOS data set, formed by 5540 oceanographic stations sampled over this continental basin from 1911 to 1980. Lately, two Italian institutes working on the Adriatic Sea for long time, IBM and IRPEM, merged their recent data sets for the northernmost part of the basin. This yielded 3600 new oceanographic stations, concentrated in an area where 809 ATOS stations were located. The new data were quality checked, and then a seasonal climatology was drawn up as a first analysis step. The new climatology differed significantly from the ATOS results; this could be explained, at least partially, by the climatic changes that have occurred on this area. For example, air temperature increased significantly over northern Italy starting from 1988. Variations of the observed air temperature and Po River runoff qualitatively agree with sea surface temperature and salinity variations. A preliminary computation of heat fluxes based on ECMWF reanalysis confirms an increased heat flux to the Northern Adriatic Sea starting from 1988.     

Ground motion amplification due to shallow cavities in nonlinear soils

Subsurface cavities or stiff inclusions represent mechanical discontinuities for seismic waves propagating in soils. They modify the propagation pattern of seismic waves and alter soil response in correspondence to the ground level or building foundations. In the literature, different analytical and numerical solutions have been proposed to account for the effect of underground cavities or inclusions on the motion generated by P, S or R waves. In these former studies, the subsoil was assimilated to a homogeneous, isotropic and linear elastic halfspace containing one or more cavities. In the present study, the effect of subsurface cavities on ground motion amplification has been analysed accounting for soil stiffness degradation and associated damping increase with increasing levels of shear strains, a fundamental aspect of soil behaviour under earthquakes. The analysed model was inspired to a real case represented by the village of Castelnuovo (Italy), which during the 2009 Abruzzo earthquake suffered huge damage. The main shock (6 April 2009) caused the collapse of 50 % of the whole built environment. The historical centre of Castelnuovo rises on a hill. In its subsoil, there are many cavities with roofs 2–3 m below the ground level. The longitudinal NW–SE section of the hill has been investigated by 2D nonlinear site response analyses. A preliminary site response analysis was performed without modelling cavities, to identify ground motion amplification due to mere stratigraphic and topographic factors. The numerical model was later refined inserting: (1) a single cavity below the hilltop, (2) multiple cavities placed below the ground surface of the hill and (3) multiple cavities filled with concrete (inclusions). The performed study highlights the important role exerted by underground cavities on the ground motion computed at the hill surface. This effect should be properly considered for both microzonation studies and the correct determination of the seismic actions on specific buildings.     

The almost contact system RU Eridani

TheV andB light curves of the eclipsing binary RU Eridani, published by Sarma and Sanwal (1981), have been analysed by means of the Wilson and Devinney (1971) method, in order to obtain a solution based on the Roche model, as distinct from the Russell and Merrill model, used by Sarma and Sanwal. The system turns out to consist of an evolved K1 secondary which appears to fill the lobe, capable of containing its mass, and of an F0 V primary, which seems almost to fill its own. An estimate of the absolute elements of RU Eri has been made, on the assumption that the primary has a mass corresponding to its spectral type according to Allen (1973).     

UU CNC and VZ PSC,contact systems before the common envelope phase?

We have analyzed the existing photoelectric light curves of twoK-type binary systems: UU Cnc, with a period of about 100 days, and VZ Psc, with a period of about 6 hours. Both show a large overcontact (38% for UU Cnc, 56% for VZ Psc) and a large temperature difference between components (T1500 K and 1100 K, respectively). In the case of VZ Psc, the variability is due only to the non-spherical shape, i.e., no eclipse occurs, but the determination of the photometric solution is made possible by the existence of a spectroscopic mass ratio. We find that UU Cnc is now probably undergoing Case C mass transfer in a dynamical time-scale, with the mass ratio reversal having already occurred; the system is in contact, and is likely to evolve to a 100% filling factor, that is the so-called pre-common envelope phase, a unique case never observed before. The situation for VZ Psc is more uncertain, but a similar, although not identical, possibility exists.Associated with the Istituto Nazionale Fisica Nucleare, Italy.On leave from N. Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.     

Midlittoral Soft Substratum Macrofaunal Assemblages in the North Aegean Sea

Abstract. The soft substratum macrobenthic assemblages of the midlittoral zone, along the atidal shores of the upper Thermaikos (polluted) and Strymonikos (unpolluted) Gulfs in the North Aegean Sea, arc qualitatively and quantitatively described. The composition of each of the seven assemblages found (four in Thermaikos and three in Strymonikos Gulf) is statistically tested and discussed in relation to abiotic factors. One of the four Thermaikos Gulf assemblages is located on a silt to fine sand substrate in brackish waters and is characterized by the dominance of the polychactc Hedisie diversicolor and the amphipod Corophium orientate. The other three assemblages arc located on coarse substrates and characterized by the very high dominance of the bivalve Donacillu corneu and the polychactc Ophelia bicornis (both of which are exclusive inhabitants of the midlittoral zone); the First is additionally characterized by the very high dominance of the polychactc Nerine cirratulus , both the second and the third by the dominance of turbellarians due to the pollution of the Gulf (stations located near sewage discharge, high organic carbon, low oxygen). In Strymonikos Gulf, one of the three assemblages is dominated by H. diversicolor and C. orientate; it is similar to the corresponding assemblage found in Thermaikos Gulf, although located on a relatively coarSér sediment. The second is dominated by D. cornea and O. bicornis and is also similar to that of Thermaikos Gulf. The third assemblage does not have a corresponding one in Thermaikos Gulf, is located on a substrate consisting of granules to pebbles, arid is characterized by the high dominance of the amphipods Allorchestes aquilinus and Echinogammarus olivii and the isopod Sphaeroma Sérratum. The corresponding assemblages of the two gulfs are compared. The results of the data analysis are discussed and compared with the literature.