Mechanism of light curve variability in the gamma ray bursts

In this paper we investigate the variability of the gamma ray burst light curve. It is generally known that this fluctuation arise in the second phase of a GRB event, when two shock waves of different Lorentz factors collide. This is so called internal shock scenario. We have developed a simple model which includes dynamical and radiating part, to simulate shock wave evolution and collision. By specifying the model parameters, we show that this scenario could be used to describe variability of GRB light curve. We then use the model to simulate peeks in several different long GRB events from the BATSE database, which show us that some of the basic parameters have a very narrow range of values.      

The influence of aluminium industry and bedrock lithology on the oxide content in the urban soil of Sibenik, Croatia

The content of major element oxides (Al₂O₃, SiO₂, CaO, MgO, Fe₂O₃, P₂O₅, K₂O, TiO₂, and MnO) in soil surrounding the light metal factory (TLM), which was producing aluminium from 1937 till 1991, was investigated by EDXRF and XRD. The evaluation of a possible aluminium pollution linked to the industrial activity was studied by a comparison of soil around the TLM with control soil samples. Taking into account natural variations caused by bedrock lithology, control samples were taken in the soil developed upon the Upper Cretaceous limestones and Middle Eocene flysch deposits, while the TLM soil was sampled over the Upper Cretaceous and Early to Middle Eocene limestones; that way the samples constituted four groups, each containing five to seven samples. Control soil overlying flysch deposits differed strikingly from the other three groups by its increased CaO values, and decreased content of Al, Fe, Mn, and Ti-oxides, confirming the overall geochemical imprint of bedrock lithology on the analysed soils. However, a specific mineral composition (presence of alumina) of the TLM soil, together with peculiar correlations among Al₂O₃ and other oxides indicates a certain extent of aluminium pollution of the investigated area.     

Analysis of the Relationship Between the Solar X-Ray Radiation Intensity and the D-Region Electron Density Using Satellite and Ground-Based Radio Data

Increases in the X-ray radiation that is emitted during a solar X-ray flare induce significant changes in the ionospheric D region. Because of the numerous complex processes in the ionosphere and the characteristics of the radiation and plasma, the causal-consequential relationship between the X-ray radiation and ionospheric parameters is not easily determined. In addition, modeling the ionospheric D-region plasma parameters is very difficult because of the lack of data for numerous time- and space-dependent physical quantities. In this article we first give a qualitative analysis of the relationship between the electron density and the recorded solar X-ray intensity. After this, we analyze the differences in the relationships between the D-region response and various X-ray radiation properties. The quantitative study is performed for data observed on 5 May 2010 in the time period between 11:40 UT?–?12:40 UT when the GOES 14 satellite detected a considerable X-ray intensity increase. Modeling the electron density is based on characteristics of the 23.4 kHz signal emitted in Germany and recorded by the receiver in Serbia.