Swift observations of GRB 050712

We present the results of X-ray and optical observations of GRB 050712 performed by Swift . The X-ray light curve of this burst exhibits episodes of flares in the first 1000 s, the same epoch at which the UVOT detected an optical counterpart. A shallow X-ray decay, with a decay slope of  α=−0.73  , followed and lasted ∼70 ks. This behaviour can be explained in terms of activity of the gamma-ray burst 'inner engine', with the possibility that the last flare is caused by the interaction of the ejecta with the surrounding medium.
We also find interesting spectral parameters for the X-ray emission. In particular, data suggest the presence of an intrinsic absorption in the first 1000 s, which can be explained if circumburst medium clouds lie along the line of sight.     

Shocks in Protostellar Outflows

We present our analysis of four molecular outflows from Class 0 (Cep E,L 1448) sources and higher mass objects (Cep A, DR 21). The emission line spectra of these outflows were observed in the mid- and far-infrared using the spectrometers (SWS, LWS) and the camera (ISOCAM) aboard the ISO satellite. We interpret the spectra using J- and C-type bow shock models and infer properties of both the outflow and surrounding gas. We find C-type bows with a shape parameter of s = 1.4 as the best interpretation of the measured line fluxes, independent of the object. The emission is partly caused by fluorescence.     

First XMM-Newton observations of strongly magnetic cataclysmic variables – I. Spectral studies of DP Leo and WW Hor

We present an analysis of the X-ray spectra of two strongly magnetic cataclysmic variables, DP Leo and WW Hor, made using XMM-Newton . Both systems were in intermediate levels of accretion. Hard optically thin X-ray emission from the shocked accreting gas was detected from both systems, while a soft blackbody X-ray component from the heated surface was detected only in DP Leo. We suggest that the lack of a soft X-ray component in WW Hor is owing to the fact that the accretion area is larger than in previous observations with a resulting lower temperature for the re-processed hard X-rays. Using a multi-temperature model of the post-shock flow, we estimate that the white dwarf in both systems has a mass greater than 1 M_⊙. The implications of this result are discussed. We demonstrate that the 'soft X-ray excess' observed in many magnetic cataclysmic variables can be partially attributed to using an inappropriate model for the hard X-ray emission.     

Runoff curve numbers for steep hillslopes with natural vegetation in semi‐arid tropical highlands,northern Ethiopia

Daily runoff from 27 plots (5 m × 2 m) recorded during two rainy seasons in the Tigray highlands (Ethiopia) were analysed together with daily rainfall to calculate runoff curve numbers for hillslopes covered by semi‐natural vegetation in varying stages of vegetation restoration. Curve number model parameters were derived using a least squares fitting procedure on the collected rainfall–runoff datasets. Curve numbers varied from 29 to 97. Land use type was an important explanatory factor for the variation in curve numbers, whereas hydrologic soil group was not. Curve numbers were negatively correlated with vegetation cover. Taking into account antecedent soil moisture conditions did not improve runoff prediction using the curve number method. As runoff prediction was less accurate in areas with low curve numbers, two separate regression functions relating curve numbers with vegetation cover were proposed for different land use types. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring recovery after earthquakes through the integration of remote sensing,GIS, and ground observations: the case of L’Aquila (Italy)

The usefulness of remote sensing (RS), geographical information systems, and ground observations for monitoring changes in urban areas has been demonstrated through many examples over the last two decades. Research has generally focused on the relief phase following a disaster, but we have instead investigated the subsequent phases involving early recovery, recovery, and development. Our aim was to determine to what extent integration of the available tools, techniques, and methods can be used to efficiently monitor the progress of recovery following an earthquake. Changes in buildings within the Italian city of L’Aquila following the 2009 earthquake were identified from Earth observation data and are used as indicators of progress in the recovery process. These changes were identified through (1) visual analysis, (2) automated change detection using a set of decision rules formulated within an object-based image analysis framework, and (3) validation based on a combination of visual and semiautomated interpretations. An accuracy assessment of the automated analysis showed a producer accuracy of 81% (error of omission: 19%) and a user accuracy of 55% (error of commission: 45%). The use of RS made it possible for the identification of changes to be spatially exhaustive, and also to increase the number of categories used for a recovery index. In addition, using RS allowed the area requiring extensive fieldwork (to monitor the progress of the recovery process) to be reduced.     

High-Pressure Melting of Eclogite and the P-T-X History of Tonalitic to Trondhjemitic Zoisite-Pegmatites, Munchberg Massif, Germany

Zoisite-bearing high-pressure pegmatites from the MünchbergMassif, Germany, provide an excellent example of the characteristicsof the onset of metabasite melting at eclogite-facies conditions.The pegmatites were derived by partial melting of a mid-oceanridge basalt (MORB)-like eclogite at T 680°C/2·3GPa to 750°C/3·1 GPa, which produced small amountsof tonalitic to trondhjemitic melt. The melt concentrated locallyin isolated, small melt pockets and crystallized primary zoisiteas liquidus phase at P 2·3 GPa/680°C to 2·1GPa/750°C. Compositional zoning of pegmatite zoisite recordsan ensuing multi-stage uplift history with successive, discretecrystallization events at 1·4 ± 0·2 GPa/650–700°Cand 1·0 ± 0·1 GPa/620–650°C.Resorption textures indicate reheating and thermal perturbationof the whole system prior to each successive crystallizationevent. Final solidification of zoisite-pegmatites occurred at0·9 ± 0·1 GPa/620–650°C. Thedata suggest that isolated melt + zoisite crystal mush pocketsformed an integral part of the eclogite throughout uplift frommelt formation at T 680°C/2·3 GPa to 750°C/3·1GPa to final solidification at 0·9 GPa/620–630°C;that is, over a depth range of 45–60 km. The entire pegmatite-formingprocess was probably fluid conserving: fluid present duringmelt formation was trapped by fully or nearly water-saturatedsiliceous melts, whereas fluid liberated during pegmatite crystallizationinteracted with dehydrated eclogite-facies assemblages to formamphibolite-facies hydrous minerals. A set of empirical D^{melt/eclogite}values based on mean zoisite-pegmatite and eclogite compositionwere used to model the onset of partial high-pressure meltingof metabasites. KEY WORDS: adakite; high-pressure melting; pegmatite; trondhjemite; zoisite     

The usefulness of outcrop analogue air permeameter measurements for analyzing aquifer heterogeneity: quantifying outcrop hydraulic conductivity and its spatial variability

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) is one of the most important parameters determining groundwater flow and contaminant transport in both unsaturated and saturated porous media. Although several well‐established laboratory methods exist for determining K, in situ measurements of this parameter remain very complex and scale dependent. Often, the limited accessibility of subsurface sediments for sampling means an additional impediment to our ability to quantify subsurface K heterogeneity. One potential solution is the use of outcrops as analogues for subsurface sediments. This paper investigates the use of air permeameter measurements on outcrops of unconsolidated sediments to quantify K and its spatial heterogeneity on a broad range of sediment types. The Neogene aquifer in northern Belgium is used as a case study for this purpose. To characterize the variability in K, 511 small‐scale air permeability measurements were performed on outcrop sediments representative over five of the aquifer's lithostratigraphic units. From these measurements, outcrop‐scale equivalent K tensors were calculated using numerical upscaling techniques. Validation of the air permeameter‐based K values by comparison with laboratory constant head K measurements reveals a correlation of 0.93. Overall, the results indicate that hand‐held air permeameters are very efficient and accurate tools to characterize saturated K, as well as its small‐scale variability and anisotropy on a broad range of unconsolidated sediments. The studied outcrops further provided a qualitative understanding of aquifer hydrostratigraphy and quantitative estimates about K variability at the centimetre‐scale to metre‐scale. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of dock length on harbour siltation

Density-driven exchange flows between estuaries and harbour docks are influenced by the length of the dock. As a result, increasing dock size through its lengthening, not necessarily results in an increase in sedimentation rates. The propagation of a low-salinity surface patch into the dock is blocked at the head of a relatively short dock, resulting in a reversal of density-driven flows, and a reduction of the hydrostatic pressure gradients in the entrance of the dock. A reduced hydrostatic pressure in the dock, in turn, promotes near-bed inflow. When this increased near-bed inflow coincides with a high sediment supply on the adjacent river, the sediment transport into the dock increases. This has been tested with an extensively validated high-resolution numerical model developed for the Deurganckdok in the Port of Antwerp. In the Deurganckdok, siltation rates are expected to decrease when the dock is fully excavated compared to the present half-opened dock.Whether exchange flows between estuaries and harbour docks are influenced by the length of the dock, depends on the tidal variation in salinity. For small tidal density variations (around 0.5 kg/m³), the dock length is expected to influence exchange flows in a short dock (approximately 1 km), whereas the dock should be much longer (4 km) when the tidal density variation is higher (around 5 kg/m³). Whether these changing exchange flow result in a lowering or increase of sediment import, depends on the phase difference between sediment concentration peaks on the adjacent river/estuary and the salinity variation, and on the vertical distribution of sediment.