Spatial distribution and kinematics of OB stars

The sample of 37 485 suspected OB stars selected by Gontcharov (2008) from the Tycho-2 catalogue has been cleaned of the stars that are not of spectral types OV-A0V. For this purpose, the apparent magnitude V _T from Tycho-2, the absolute magnitude $M_{V_T }$ calibrated as a function of the dereddened color index (B _T ? V _T )₀, the interstellar extinction $A_{V_T }$ calculated from the 3D analytical model by Gontcharov (2009) as a function of the Galactic coordinates, and the photometric distance r _ph calculated as a function of V _T , $M_{V_T }$ , and $A_{V_T }$ have been reconciled in an iterative process. The 20 514 stars that passed the iterations have (B _T ? V _T )₀ < 0 and $M_{V_T }$ > ?5 and are considered as a sample of OV-A0V stars complete within 350 pc of the Sun. Based on the theoretical relation between the dereddened color and age of the stars, the derived sample has been divided into three subsamples: (B _T ? V _T )₀ < ?0.2, ?0.2 < (B _T ? V _T )₀ < ?0.1, and ?0.1 < (B _T ? V _T )₀ < 0, younger than 100, 100?C200, and 200?C400 Myr, respectively. The spatial distribution of all 20 514 stars and the kinematics analyzed for more than 1500 stars with radial velocities from the PCRV and RAVE catalogues are different for the subsamples, showing smooth rotations, shears, and deformations of the layer of gas producing stars with the formation of the Gould Belt, the Great Tunnel, the Local Bubble, and other structures within the last 200 Myr. The detected temporal variations of the velocity dispersions, solar motion components, Ogorodnikov-Milne model parameters, and Oort constants are significant, agree with the results of other authors, and show that it is meaningless to calculate the kinematic parameters for samples of stars with uncertain ages or with a wide range of ages.     

First data on the noble metal geochemistry of the rocks from the gabbro-anorthosite massifs of the Kalar group

This paper addresses the geochemical features of the noble metal disseminated sulfide and Timagnetite mineralization in the rocks of the Kalar group of autonomous gabbro-anorthosite massifs. The investigations suggest that this mineralization was formed in two stages. The first stage is related to the gabbroanorthosites proper and may be promising for low-sulfide PGE mineralization as well as PGE-bearing Ti-magnetite mineralization, while the second stage is linked to the ultrabasic intrusions associated with copper-nickel or chromite mineralization accompanying by PGE. The horizons of low-sulfide mineralization in the gabbro-anorthosites and copper-nickel mineralization in the dunite-pyroxenites are characterized by the Pd predominance over Pt, while the Cr-bearing and Ti-magnetite ores show the Pt predominance over Pd.     

Change in the magnetic properties of bituminous coal intruded by an igneous dike, Dutch Creek Mine, Pitkin County, Colorado

Magnetization measurements have been made on natural coke–coal samples collected at various distances from a felsic porphyry dike in a coal seam in Dutch Creek Mine, Colorado to help characterize the nature and distribution of the iron-bearing phases. The magnetization passes through a maximum at the coke-to-coal transition about 31 cm from the dike contact. The magnetic measurements support the geochemical data indicating that magmatic fluids along with a high-temperature gas pulse moved into the coal bed. Interaction of the magmatic fluids with the coal diminished the reducing power of the thermal gas pulse from the dike to a point about 24 cm into the coal. The hot reducing gas penetrated further and produced a high temperature (400–525°C) zone (at about 31 cm) just ahead of the magmatic fluids. Metallic iron found in this zone is the principal cause of the observed high magnetization. Beyond this zone, the temperature was too low to alter the coal significantly.     

Geochemical Variation in the Greenstones of S.W. England

The characteristic rocks of the Upper Palaeozoic greenstonesof S.W. England are intrusive dolerites and extrusive basicpillow lavas with minor intermediate volcanics and ultrabasics(picrites). Pyroclastics are represented by keratophyric andbasic tuffs. The intrusive greenstones show varying degrees of alteration(spilitization) from a primary ilmenite-plagioclase-clinopyroxene?olivineassemblage to a hydrous low-grade spilite (or meta-dolerite)assemblage composed of variable proportions of albite, chlorite,epidote, calcite, and amphibole. Based on the distribution of elements little affected by secondaryprocesses (Ti, P, Y, Nb, and Zn), the intrusive greenstonescontain representatives of both the alkali olivine basalt andtholeiitic basalt magma series. Magmatic differentiation isgenerally minimal with the Devonian alkali basalt greenstonesbeing principally basaltic, while some of the Carboniferousalkali basalt greenstones tend towards mugearitic compositions.No intrusive acid differentiates have yet been reported. Apart from differences of magma type and minor differentiation,low-grade alteration or ‘spilitization’ has alsogoverned the geochemical variation seen in the greenstones.Spilitization caused (a) local redistribution of principallyCa (forming epidote-rich and calcite-rich patches) and Mg (formingchlorite-rich patches), together with their respective coherenttrace elements, and (b) the variable, but often limited, lossof Ca, Sr, K, Rb, and Ba from many bodies, together with a gainin Na and H₂O. Progressive hydration, however, caused a decreasein the oxidation ratio—a feature found to be common inmany spilitic suites and mainly governed by the relative distributionof chlorite versus epidote.     

A unified, polynomial approach for the approximate solution of thermoelastic problems in rectangular plates

The present paper, of a tutorial nature, solves two different thermoelastic problems using a unified approach: (a) thermoelastic stresses and deflections in thin, rectangular plates with edges elastically restrained against rotation when small-deflection theory is used and stress resultants in the middle plane of the plates are neglected; and (b) thermoelastic plane stress situations in rectangular plates with stress-free edges subjected to a two-dimensional temperature distribution.The first problem is attacked using polynomial coordinate functions which identically satisfy the governing boundary conditions, and the Ritz method is used to determine the plate response. When the flexibility coefficients approach zero (clamped edge conditions) the calculated results practically coincide with the exact solution for the test case treated in this paper. On the other hand this degenerate solution turns out to be a very convenient approximation for obtaining a solution to Airy's problem described in the second place and which is also solved in a straightforward manner using a variational approach.     

Comparison of vegetation changes along grazing gradients with different numbers of livestock

The objective of this study was to clarify whether the changes in percent cover of plant functional types (i.e., life forms and growth forms) along a grazing gradient reflect the livestock number, which would reinforce the reliability of using a grazing gradient design and improve the management of rangeland. We selected two livestock camps that for many years have had different numbers of livestock, with approximately six times more sheep-equivalents at site 1 than at site 2. Vegetation was sampled in 10 quadrats on five transects along the grazing gradient at each site. In each quadrat, we recorded percent cover of each plant species. Our findings suggested that vegetation changes along the grazing gradient under different livestock numbers were characterized by changes in the cover of life forms: perennial species were replaced by annual species near the camps (10–50 m). However, we did not find growth form change that reflected the difference in the number of livestock.     

Bannock Basin,Sirte Abyssal Plain and Conrad Spur: structural relationships between Mediterranean Ridge and its western foreland and implications on the character of the accretionary complex (eastern Mediterranean)

In previous publications, the relationship between the Sirte Abyssal Plain as foreland and the Mediterranean Ridge as accretionary complex was considered to be simple: the foreland is undeformed, the accretionary complex consumes the foreland, the Messinian evaporites control the internal structure of the growing complex. The compilation of our own and published data results in a more complex tectonic pattern and a new geodynamic interpretation. The Sirte Abyssal Plain is imprinted by extensional tectonics which originated independently from and prior to the approaching process of accretion. The structural setting of the pre-Messinian and Messinian Sirte Abyssal Plain is responsible for the highly variable thickness of Messinian evaporites. The foreland setting in the Sirte Abyssal Plain also controls the internal structure of the Mediterranean Ridge, at least between the deformation front and Bannock Basin, following sediment deformation within the accretionary wedge with a dominating inherited SW-NE orientation. The taper angle of the post-Messinian Mediterranean Ridge is unusually small compared with other accretionary wedges. In the studied area, within a distance of about 45 km from the deformation front, there is no appreciable dip in the décollement. Therefore, the slope of the outer 45 km of the Mediterranean Ridge is considered to be caused only by gravitational spreading of Messinian evaporites deposited on the slope of pre-Messinian accretionary wedge. As a consequence, the Mediterranean Ridge underlying such slope is interpreted to belong to the foreland. The allochthonous evaporites overlie autochthonous evaporites of the Sirte Abyssal Plain. The NE-dipping décollement (and thus of the true tectonically driven deformation front) is expected to initiate at about the present position of Bannock Basin. The Sirte Abyssal Plain, the adjacent Cyrene Seamount and neighbouring seafloor relief on the African continental margin are considered to be the product of tectonic segmentation of the continental crust.     

Rock warming and drying under simulated intertidal conditions,part II: weathering and biological influences on evaporative cooling and near‐surface micro‐climatic conditions as an example of biogeomorphic ecosystem engineering

The way in which rocks and engineering materials heat‐up and dry‐out in the intertidal zone is of relevance to both weathering and ecology. These behaviours can be measured in the laboratory under controlled conditions designed to replicate those occurring in the field. Previous studies have demonstrated differences in thermal behaviours between rock types and through time as a result of soiling in terrestrial environments, but the influence of weathering and colonization on rock behaviours in the intertidal zone has not been previously assessed. We measured the warming and drying of blocks of rock (limestone and granite) and marine concrete during ‘low‐tide’ events simulated in the laboratory, before and after a period of exposure (eight months) on rock platforms in Cornwall, UK. As well as differences between the material types, temperatures of control (unexposed) and field‐exposed blocks differed in the order of 1 to 2 °C. Drying behaviours were also different after field exposure. Differences during the first few hours of exposure to air and heat were attributed to discolouration and albedo effects. Over longer periods of time, changes in the availability of near‐surface pore water as a result of micro‐scale bioerosion of limestone and the development of bio‐chemical crusts on marine concrete [observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)] are suggested as mechanisms enhancing and reducing, respectively, the efficiency of evaporative cooling. The retention of moisture by epilithic biofilms may also influence thermal and drying behaviours of granite. These observations represent one of the first examples of cross‐scalar biogeomorphic linkages in the intertidal zone. The significance of the results for the subsequent efficiency of weathering, and near‐surface micro‐climatic conditions experienced by colonizing organisms is discussed. The involvement of microorganisms in the creation of more (or less) ecologically stressful conditions through the alteration of substratum geomorphic properties and behaviours is suggested as an example of ‘biogeomorphic ecosystem engineering’. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.