Deep galaxy counts, extragalactic background light and the stellar baryon budget

We assess the constraints imposed by the observed extragalactic background light (EBL) on the cosmic history of star formation and the stellar-mass density today. The logarithmic slope of the galaxy number–magnitude relation from the Southern Hubble Deep Field imaging survey is flatter than 0.4 in all seven UBVIJHK optical bandpasses, i.e. the light from resolved galaxies has converged from the UV to the near-IR. We find a lower limit to the surface brightness of the optical extragalactic sky of about 15 nW m⁻² sr⁻¹, comparable to the intensity of the far-IR background from COBE data. Assuming a Salpeter initial mass function with a lower cut-off consistent with observations of M subdwarf disc stars, we set a lower limit of Ω_g+s h ²>0.0013  I ₅₀ to the visible (processed gas + stars) mass density required to generate an EBL at a level of 50  I ₅₀ nW m⁻² sr⁻¹; our 'best-guess' value is Ω_g+s h ²≈0.0031  I ₅₀. Motivated by the recent microlensing results of the MACHO collaboration, we consider the possibility that massive dark haloes around spiral galaxies are composed of faint white dwarfs, and show that only a small fraction (≲5 per cent) of the nucleosynthetic baryons can be locked in the remnants of intermediate-mass stars forming at z _F≲5, as the bright early phases of such haloes would otherwise overproduce the observed EBL.     

Sustained post-seismic effects on groundwater flow in fractured carbonate aquifers in Central Italy

A sustained increase in spring discharges was monitored after the 2016 Central Italy seismic sequence in the fractured carbonate aquifer of Valnerina–Sibillini Mts. The groundwater surplus recorded between August 2016 and November 2017 was determined to be between 400 and 500 × 10⁶ m³. In fractured aquifers, the post-seismic rise in spring discharges is generally attributed to an increase in bulk permeability caused by the fracture cleaning effect, which is induced by pore pressure propagation. In the studied aquifers, the large amount of additional discharge cannot only be attributed to the enhanced permeability, which was evaluated to be less than 20% after each main seismic event. A detailed analysis of the spring discharge hydrographs and of the water level at five gauging stations was carried out to determine the possible causes of this sudden increase in groundwater outflow. Taking into account the geological and structural framework, a conceptual model of a basin-in-series has been adopted to describe the complex hydrogeological setting, where the thrusts and extensional faults have clearly influenced the groundwater flow directions before and after the seismic sequence. The prevalent portion of the total post-seismic discharge surplus not explained by the increase in permeability has been attributed to changes in the hydraulic gradient that caused seismogenic fault rupture and the disruption in the upgradient sector of the aquifer. The additional flow calculated through the breach of the pre-existing hydrostructural barrier corresponds to approximately 470 × 10⁶ m³. This value is consistent with the total discharge increase measured in the whole study area, validating the proposed conceptual model. Consequently, a shift in the piezometric divide of the hydrogeological system has been induced, causing a potentially permanent change that lowers the discharge amount of the eastern springs.     

Seismic behaviour of timber-laced stone masonry buildings before and after interventions: shaking table tests on a two-storey masonry model

The present work focuses on the seismic behaviour of timber-laced masonry buildings with timber floors, before and after the application of intervention techniques. A two-storey building with timber ties (scale 1:2) was subjected to biaxial seismic actions. Prior to the execution of shaking table tests, the dynamic characteristics of the model were identified. The base acceleration was increased step-wise until the occurrence of significant but repairable damages. Afterwards, the masonry was strengthened by means of grouting, whereas the diaphragm action of the top floor of the building was enhanced and the model was re-tested. The tests on the timber reinforced model before strengthening show that the presence of timber ties within the masonry elements contributes to improved seismic behaviour. The performance of the model after strengthening shows that the selected intervention techniques led to a significant improvement of the seismic behaviour of the building model.     

A governance perspective on the large marine ecosystem approach

The large marine ecosystem (LME) concept and approach has had a global impact on marine ecosystem-based management. The LME approach provides a framework for assessing and monitoring LMEs and is based on five modules: productivity, fish and fisheries, pollution and ecosystem health, socioeconomics, and governance. It appears that the LME approach is also being used to structure interventions to bring about change. Its appropriateness for the latter purpose is questioned. The major concerns are that the LME approach is not consistent with current thinking about enabling governance and its compartmentalized structure does not facilitate effective governance intervention. Current thinking on good governance suggests that it is more appropriate to approach governance interventions at the LME scale through multi-level governance policy cycles.     

Spatiotemporal variability of drought on a short–medium time scale in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)

The study analyses spatial and temporal patterns of drought in an area with a wide range of precipitation characteristics (the Calabria region in southern Italy) during the period 1921?C2007. The short-time (2, 3 and 6?months) Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) was estimated to analyse drought especially from the agricultural point of view. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the SPI to assess the spatial variability of drought. During the period of observation, moderate to severe drought occurred at a frequency of almost 13?% in wet seasons (autumn and winter). Almost half of the region was affected by drought in the years 1981?C1990 when the area experienced its most severe drought. Although the spatial patterns of drought estimated by PCA were logical and consistent with precipitation distribution, very complex patterns were observed for all the time scales looked at. The high fragmentation of the maps obtained makes them of limited value, and caution is recommended in classifying the region into homogeneous areas.     

GRS evidence and the possibility of paleooceans on Mars

The Gamma Ray Spectrometer (Mars Odyssey spacecraft) has revealed elemental distributions of potassium (K), thorium (Th), and iron (Fe) on Mars that require fractionation of K (and possibly Th and Fe) consistent with aqueous activity. This includes weathering, evolution of soils, and transport, sorting, and deposition, as well as with the location of first-order geomorphological demarcations identified as possible paleoocean boundaries. The element abundances occur in patterns consistent with weathering in situ and possible presence of relict or exhumed paleosols, deposition of weathered materials (salts and clastic minerals), and weathering/transport under neutral to acidic brines. The abundances are explained by hydrogeology consistent with the possibly overlapping alternatives of paleooceans and/or heterogeneous rock compositions from diverse provenances (e.g., differing igneous compositions).