Long-Term Evolution of FU Ori-Type Stars at Infrared Wavelengths

We investigated the brightness evolution of 5 FU Ori systems in the 1–200 μm wavelength range using observations from the Infrared Space Observatory, 2MASS and MSX data. The SEDs were compared with earlier ones derived from the IRAS photometry and ground-based observations around the epoch 1983. In three cases no difference was seen, in one object the near- and mid-infrared part of the spectrum became fainter by a factor of 2, and in the fifth case a marginal fading was observed. We study in detail the case of V1057 Cyg.     

Testing fundamental physics with distant star clusters: theoretical models for pressure-supported stellar systems

We investigate the mean velocity dispersion and the velocity dispersion profile of stellar systems in modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND), using the N -body code n-mody , which is a particle-mesh-based code with a numerical MOND potential solver developed by Ciotti, Londrillo & Nipoti. We have calculated mean velocity dispersions for stellar systems following Plummer density distributions with masses in the range of 10⁴ to  10⁹ M_⊙  and which are either isolated or immersed in an external field. Our integrations reproduce previous analytic estimates for stellar velocities in systems in the deep MOND regime  ( a _i, a _e≪ a ₀)  , where the motion of stars is either dominated by internal accelerations  ( a _i≫ a _e)  or constant external accelerations  ( a _e≫ a _i)  . In addition, we derive for the first time analytic formulae for the line-of-sight velocity dispersion in the intermediate regime  ( a _i∼ a _e∼ a ₀)  . This allows for a much-improved comparison of MOND with observed velocity dispersions of stellar systems. We finally derive the velocity dispersion of the globular cluster Pal 14 as one of the outer Milky Way halo globular clusters that have recently been proposed as a differentiator between Newtonian and MONDian dynamics.     

The 8.2 ka event: Evidence for seasonal differences and the rate of climate change in western Europe

Recent studies have drawn attention to differences in the seasonal impact of the 8.2 ka event, with longer cooler summers and shorter cooler/drier winters. However, there are no data available on the simultaneity or the rate of onset of the seasonal changes in Europe. Based on the microfacies and geochemical analyses of seasonally laminated varved sediments from Holzmaar, we present evidence of differences in duration and onset time of changes in summer temperature and winter rainfall during the 8.2 ka event. Since both summer and winter climate signals are co-registered within a single varve, there can be no ambiguity about the phasing and duration of the signals. Our data show that the onset and withdrawal of the 8.2 ka summer cooling occurred within a year, and that summer rains were reduced or absent during the investigated period. The onset of cooler summers preceded the onset of winter dryness by ca. 28 years. In view of the differences in nature and duration of the impact of the 8.2 ka event we suggest that a clearer definition of the 8.2 ka event (summer cooling or winter cooling/dryness) needs to be developed. Based on regional comparison and available modelling studies we also discuss the roles of solar variability, changes in North Atlantic Thermohaline circulation, and North Atlantic Circulation (NAO) during the period under consideration. Wavelet analyses of seasonal laminae indicates that the longer NAO cycles, linked to changes in the N. Atlantic temperatures, were more frequent during the drier periods.     

Propagation anomalies in Northwestern Italy by inversion of teleseismic residuals

Travel-time residuals of teleseismic P waves were analysed in order to elucidate the crust–upper mantle structure in Northwestern Italy, and the Western Alpine Arc. Using digital data obtained from both fixed seismograph networks operating in NW Italy (notably Liguria–Piedmont) and temporary arrays with the aid of cross-correlation techniques reliable travel-time residuals were calculated which were then inverted to obtain models of propagation anomalies. The reliability of the inversion procedure was tested using synthetic data. The model thus obtained appears to be stable and shows strong lateral heterogeneities at a litho–asthenospheric level; in particular, it confirms the high velocity contrast caused by the ‘Ivrea Body’ in the shallower layers and the presence of Alpine ‘roots’ reaching down to at least 200 km. A statistical analysis performed on the propagation times of rays crossing the resulting four-layered model reveals rms below 0.1 s.     

Spatio-temporal variations in reproductive patterns and population structure of Pasiphaea multidentata (Decapoda: Caridea) in the Blanes canyon and adjacent margin, North-western Mediterranean Sea

Pasiphaea multidentata is a deep‐water caridean shrimp fished in the Mediterranean in association with the commercially exploited red‐shrimp Aristeus antennatus. A previous study describes seasonality in the reproductive pattern of P. multidentata using external morphological parametres. This study assesses the spatio‐temporal variations in the population structure, sex ratio, ovary cycle and gametogenesis of P. multidentata from three different fishing grounds in the Blanes canyon and adjacent margin (North‐western Mediterranean) over an annual cycle. The oogenetic pattern of this species is typical of a caridean shrimp. There is a pool of previtellogenic oocytes at all times that develop from the periphery of the gonad towards the centre during maturation. Previtellogenic oocytes grow to approximately 200 μm before undergoing vitellogenesis. The vitellogenic oocytes are surrounded by a monolayer of accessory cells. The maximum size observed for a mature oocyte was 1420 μm. The oocyte‐size distribution confirmed the seasonal reproductive pattern of this species; in winter, the ovaries contained mainly previtellogenic oocytes, some of which start maturing in spring, resulting in a slightly bimodal distribution. In summer, the vitellogenic oocytes reach approximately 1000 μm and in late autumn the ovaries are fully mature and ready to spawn. There were no significant differences in the reproductive and population structure patterns of P. multidentata among the three sites, suggesting that the population’s distribution is not affected by the geomorphology of the area, in particular the presence of the canyon. The populations are dominated by females at all sites and all seasons, with the arrival of juveniles in spring. The seasonal variations in the reproduction and recruitment of P. multidentata and the lack of spatial segregation within the population are discussed in terms of the species’ known biology, the effects of canyons in energy supply to the deep‐sea floor and the relationships of this species with the red‐shrimp A. antennatus.     

Horse mackerel egg identification using DNA methodology

Egg identification in plankton samples is usually needed for purposes of stock assessment. Until recently, only morphological characters were used for identifying the eggs of different fish species. Late developmental stages are easily distinguishable due to pigmentation as well as egg and oil globule size range. However, for early stages, these characteristics are difficult to be discriminated and may overlap with other species. European horse mackerel species (Trachurus trachurus, T. mediterraneus, T. picturatus) overlap significantly in their spawning areas in some European waters. Because of the fact that their eggs are morphologically similar, genetic methodologies are needed to identify eggs and larvae to species correctly. In the present study, formalin‐ and ethanol‐preserved eggs were tested to estimate the efficacy of genetic methodologies for species identification of eggs when different preservatives are used. A 370‐bp fragment of cytochrome b was successfully amplified followed by restriction fragment analysis with two restriction enzymes aiming to identify the eggs to species. Horse mackerel egg identification was accomplished with the maximum success in ethanol‐preserved eggs. However, it seems that various preservatives had different effects on the DNA quality of eggs as genetic identification was less successful in formalin‐preserved eggs. Preserving in ethanol a part of the eggs obtained in plankton surveys is suggested for purposes of accurate genetic identification, even if their morphological features are distorted in time.     

Some ring-shaped potentials as a generalized 4-D isotropic oscillator. Periodic orbits

A generalized integrable biparametric family of 4-D isotropic oscillators is proposed. It allows to treat in a unified way, Pöschl-Teller, Hartmann and other ring-shaped systems. This approach, based in the use of two canonical extensions, helps to simplify the studies of classical aspects of those systems. As an illustration, an analysis of the periodic solutions of those system is presented.     

On local structural changes in lizardite-1T: {Si4+/Al3+}, {Si4+/Fe3+}, [Mg2+/Al3+], [Mg2+/Fe3+] substitutions

Geometrical changes induced by cation substitutions {Si⁴⁺/Al³⁺}[Mg²⁺/Al³⁺], {2Si⁴⁺/2Al³⁺} [2Mg²⁺/2Al³⁺], {Si⁴⁺/Fe³⁺} [Mg²⁺/Al³⁺] or [Mg²⁺/Fe³⁺], where {} and [] indicate tetrahedral and octahedral sheet in lizardite 1T, are studied by ab-initio quantum chemistry calculations. The majority of the models are based on the chemical compositions reported for various lizardite polytypes with the amount of Al in the tetrahedral sheets reported to vary from 3.5% to 8% in the 1T and 2H ₁, up to ~30% in the 2H ₂ polytype. Si⁴⁺ by Fe³⁺ substitution in the tetrahedral sheet with an Al³⁺ (Fe³⁺) in the role of a charge compensating cation in the octahedral sheet is also examined. The cation substitutions result in the geometrical changes in the tetrahedral sheets, while the octahedral sheets remain almost untouched. Substituted tetrahedra are tilted and their basal oxygens pushed down from the plane of basal oxygens. Ditrigonal deformation of tetrahedral sheets depends on the substituting cation and the degree of substitution.     

Assessment of rigid overlying strata failure in face mining

The method of overlying strata failure assessment of extracted seams is based upon the simultaneous assessment of surface subsidence and seismic activity, considering the spatiatemporal progress of mining, depending on the character of the rock mass. The rigid overlying strata failure assessment results in finding whether a failure of the firm overlying rocks occurred or whether a strutting arch was formed over the mined-out area. The practical importance of the overlying strata failure assessment consists in determining the size of the mined-out area at which the com-plete failure of the rigid overlying strata occurred and in the assessment of the current stress condition of the overlying strata failure. The assessment method is applicable in deep mine workings where thick coal seams are being mined by means of the method of longwall mining with controlled caving. The results of this method are used to amend contemporary known methods of rock-burst protection, namely (regarding the use of surface measurements for the evaluation) in overlying strata areas.