Absorption gradient in some galaxies,IV

The internal absorption and the absorption gradient along the major and minor axes are studied, following the approach outlined already in Papers I, II, and III. The sample consists of five spirals and one irregular. The surface distribution of dark clouds in these galaxies continues to assume periodicity as found in M31.Those results and the following ones constitute part of an M.Sc. Thesis, submitted to Cairo University by the junior author (S.S.A.).     

Surface distribution of dark clouds in M31 absorption gradient along the minor axis and in theR andθ directions,II

Absorption and absorption gradient is studied along the minor axis of M31 and as a function of the angle measured from the minor axis with the center of the galaxy as origin. The radial distribution of these phenomena is studied also. The counts of dark clouds averaged over all in each case assumes periodical changes. In some cases systematic changes are shown also. The fraction of the volume occupied by these clouds is smaller by an order than that introduced by the standard cloud model.     

Absorption gradient in galaxies,V

The same procedure mentioned in Papers I, II, III for studying the surface distribution of dark clouds is used to study the same phenomenon in the galaxies NGC 253, NGC 2841, NGC 5321, NGC 5194, and NGC 5195 radially and angularly. The general form (sinusoidal distribution function) found earlier is still representative for the present results. Internal absorption was found to vary along these two variables (radially and angularly) in the same way as was found earlier for M31 (the papers cited at the end) which may lead to the assumption of universality of this phenomenon.     

Detailed surface photometry of some galaxies integrated properties,II

Results about the standard photometric parameters of four galaxies are given. The equivalent and the integrated parameters defined according to de Vaucouleurs are listed. Effective values of the abovementioned ingredients, the reduced luminosity profiles and the dimensions defined by the quartiles are also given.     

Surface distribution of dark clouds in M31 absorption gradient along the major axis,I

The distribution of dust clouds in M31 was studied based on a photocopy of this galaxy taken from Hubble'sAtlas. The picture was divided into strips starting from the center of the galaxy on both sides along the major and the minor axis, respectively. The number of dark clouds per square kiloparsec was estimated as a function of the distance from the center of the galaxy along the major axis. If we assume the validity of the standard cloud model in M31, the filling factor introduced by the model was found to vary with distance from the center. It was found furthermore, that the filling factor introduced by the model may be an upper limit. The counts of dark clouds indicate a periodical change in the absorption gradient along the major axis with a very slight systematic variation assumed by the exponential part of the representation.     

Stability and equation of state of post-aragonite BaCO3

At ambient conditions, witherite is the stable form of BaCO₃ and has the aragonite structure with space group Pmcn. Above ~10 GPa, BaCO₃ adopts a post-aragonite structure with space group Pmmn. High-pressure and high-temperature synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments were used to study the stability and equation of state of post-aragonite BaCO₃, which remained stable to the highest experimental P–T conditions of 150 GPa and 2,000 K. We obtained a bulk modulus K ₀ = 88(2) GPa with $K'$  = 4.8(3) and V ₀ = 128.1(5) ų using a third-order Birch-Murnaghan fit to the 300 K experimental data. We also carried out density functional theory (DFT) calculations of enthalpy (H) of two structures of BaCO₃ relative to the enthalpy of the post-aragonite phase. In agreement with previous studies and the current experiments, the calculations show aragonite to post-aragonite phase transitions at ~8 GPa. We also tested a potential high-pressure post–post-aragonite structure (space group C222 ₁ ) featuring four-fold coordination of oxygen around carbon. In agreement with previous DFT studies, ΔH between the C222 ₁ structure and post-aragonite (Pmmn) decreases with pressure, but the Pmmn structure remains energetically favorable to pressures greater than 200 GPa. We conclude that post–post-aragonite phase transformations of carbonates do not follow systematic trends observed for post-aragonite transitions governed solely by the ionic radii of their metal cations.     

Deterministic seismic hazard assessment for Sultanate of Oman

The Sultanate of Oman forms the southeastern part of the Arabian plate, which is surrounded by relatively high active tectonic zones. Studies of seismic risk assessment in Oman have been an important on-going socioeconomic concern. Using the results of the seismic hazard assessment to improve building design and construction is an effective way to reduce the seismic risk. In the current study, seismic hazard assessment for the Sultanate of Oman is performed through the deterministic approach with particular attention on the uncertainty analysis applying a recently developed method. The input data set contains a defined seismotectonic model consisting of 26 seismic zones, maximum magnitudes, and 6 alternative ground motion prediction equations that were used in four different tectonic environments: obduction zone earthquake (Zagros fold thrust belt), subduction zone earthquakes (Makran subduction zones), normal and strike-slip transform earthquakes (Owen and Gulf of Aden zones), and stable craton seismicity (Arabian stable craton). This input data set yielded a total of 76 scenarios at each point of interest. A 10 % probability that any of the 76 scenarios may exceed the largest median ground acceleration is selected. The deterministic seismic hazards in terms of PGA, 5 % damped spectral acceleration at 0.1, 0.2, 1.0 and 2.0 s are performed at 254 selected points. The ground motion was calculated at the 50th and 84th percentile levels for selected probability of exceeding the median value. The largest ground motion in the Sultanate of Oman is observed in the northeastern part of the country.     

Levels of Cd,Cu, Pb and V in marine sediments in the vicinity of the Single Buoy Moorings (SBM3) at Mina Al Fahal in the Sultanate of Oman

Recently in the Sultanate of Oman, there has been a rapid surge of coastal developments. These developments cause metal contamination, which may affect the habitats and communities at and near the coastal region. As a result, a study was conducted to assess the level of metal contamination and its impact on the marine sediments in the vicinity of the Single Buoy Moorings 3 (SBM3) at Mina Al Fahal in the Sultanate of Oman. Marine subtidal sediment samples were collected from six different stations of the SBM3 for the period ranging from June 2009 to April 2010. These samples were then analyzed for their level and distribution of the heavy metals of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and vanadium (V). Overall, low concentrations of all four heavy metals were measured from the marine sediments, indicating that the marine at SBM3 is of good quality.     

Distance estimation of the LMC,SMC, and M33 from the apparent radius distribution ofHii-regions

The size distribution ofHii-regions in the LMC, SMC, and M33 is used to estimate their distances. The values deduced are: 42.66±2.51, 89.73±5.03, and 755.11±47.14 kpc, respectively.