Implications of bias evolution on measurements of the integrated Sachs–Wolfe effect: errors and biases in parameter estimation

The subject of this paper is a quantification of the impact of uncertainties in bias and bias evolution on the interpretation of measurements of the integrated Sachs–Wolfe (ISW) effect, in particular on the estimation of cosmological parameters. We carry out a Fisher matrix analysis for quantifying the degeneracies between the parameters of a dark energy cosmology and bias evolution, for the combination of the PLANCK microwave sky survey with the EUCLID main galaxy sample, where bias evolution   b ( a ) = b ₀+ (1 − a ) b_a   is modelled with two parameters b ₀ and   b_a   . Using a realistic bias model introduces a characteristic suppression of the ISW spectrum on large angular scales, due to the altered distance-weighting functions. The errors in estimating cosmological parameters if the data with evolving bias is interpreted in the framework of cosmologies with constant bias are quantified in an extended Fisher formalism. We find that the best-fitting values of all parameters are shifted by an amount comparable to the statistical accuracy: the estimation bias in units of the statistical accuracy amounts to 1.19 for Ω_m, 0.27 for σ₈ and 0.72 for w for bias evolution with   b_a = 1  . Leaving   b_a   open as a free parameter deteriorates the statistical accuracy, in particular on Ω_m and w .     

First Permian–Early Triassic zircon ages for tin-bearing granites from the Gemeric unit (Western Carpathians, Slovakia): connection to the post-collisional extension of the Variscan orogen and S-type granite magmatism

This study presents the first preliminary U–Pb zircon data on tin-bearing S-type granites from the Gemeric unit of the Western Carpathians (Slovakia). U–Pb single zircon dating controlled by cathodoluminescence suggests crystallization of the Gemeric granites during Permian to Early Triassic (303–241 Ma) time. Post-crystallization, low-temperature metamorphic overprint is reflected by partial Pb loss in zircons. These Gemeric granites are younger than the highly fractionated, S-type, tin- and rare-element-bearing leucogranites in the European Variscides. They may have resulted from partial melting, triggered by increased heat flow from the mantle below the continental crust, and most probably intruded during the post-collisional extension and initial rifting of the Variscan orogenic belt. During Alpine orogeny, the Gemeric granites were affected by a low-temperature deformation and metamorphism.     

Relations between sinkhole density and anthropogenic contaminants in selected carbonate aquifers in the eastern United States

The relation between sinkhole density and water quality was investigated in seven selected carbonate aquifers in the eastern United States. Sinkhole density for these aquifers was grouped into high (>25 sinkholes/100 km²), medium (1–25 sinkholes/100 km²), or low (<1 sinkhole/100 km²) categories using a geographical information system that included four independent databases covering parts of Alabama, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Field measurements and concentrations of major ions, nitrate, and selected pesticides in samples from 451 wells and 70 springs were included in the water-quality database. Data were collected as a part of the US Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Areas with high and medium sinkhole density had the greatest well depths and depths to water, the lowest concentrations of total dissolved solids and bicarbonate, the highest concentrations of dissolved oxygen, and the lowest partial pressure of CO₂ compared to areas with low sinkhole density. These chemical indicators are consistent conceptually with a conduit-flow-dominated system in areas with a high density of sinkholes and a diffuse-flow-dominated system in areas with a low density of sinkholes. Higher cave density and spring discharge in Pennsylvania also support the concept that the high sinkhole density areas are dominated by conduit-flow systems. Concentrations of nitrate-N were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in areas with high and medium sinkhole density than in low sinkhole-density areas; when accounting for the variations in land use near the sampling sites, the high sinkhole-density area still had higher concentrations of nitrate-N than the low sinkhole-density area. Detection frequencies of atrazine, simazine, metolachlor, prometon, and the atrazine degradate deethylatrazine indicated a pattern similar to nitrate; highest pesticide detections were associated with high sinkhole-density areas. These patterns generally persisted when analyzing the detection frequency by land-use groups, particularly for agricultural land-use areas where pesticide use would be expected to be higher and more uniform areally compared to urban and forested areas. Although areas with agricultural land use and a high sinkhole density were most vulnerable (median nitrate-N concentration was 3.7 mg/L, 11% of samples exceeded 10 mg/L, and had the highest frequencies of pesticide detection), areas with agricultural land use and low sinkhole density still were vulnerable to contamination (median nitrate-N concentration was 1.5 mg/L, 8% of samples exceeded 10 mg/L, and had some of the highest frequencies of detections of pesticides). This may be due in part to incomplete or missing data regarding karst features (such as buried sinkholes, low-permeability material in bottom of sinkholes) that do not show up at the scales used for regional mapping and to inconsistent methods among states in karst feature delineation.     

Copper isotope fractionation by desert shrubs

Copper has two naturally occurring stable isotopes of masses 63 and 65 which can undergo mass dependent fractionation during various biotic and abiotic chemical reactions. These interactions and their resulting Cu isotope fractionations can be used to determine the mechanisms involved in the cycling of Cu in natural systems. In this study, Cu isotope changes were investigated at the organismal level in the metal-accumulating desert plant, Prosopis pubescens. Initial results suggest that the lighter Cu isotope was preferentially incorporated into the leaves of the plant, which may suggest that Cu was actively transported via intracellular proteins. The roots and stems show a smaller degree of Cu isotope fractionation and the direction and magnitude of the fractionations was dependent upon the levels of Cu exposure. Based on this and previous work with bacteria and yeast, a trend is emerging that suggests the lighter Cu isotope is preferentially incorporated into biological components, while the heavier Cu isotope tends to become enriched in aqueous solutions. In bacteria, plants and animals, intracellular Cu concentrations are strictly regulated via dozens of enzymes that can bind, transport, and store Cu. Many of these enzymes reduce Cu(II) to Cu(I). These initial results seem to fit into a broader picture of Cu isotope cycling in natural systems where oxidation/reduction reactions are fundamental in controlling the distributions of Cu isotopes.     

The effect of feldspar on quartz-H2O−CO2 dihedral angles at 4 kbar,with consequences for the behaviour of aqueous fluids in migmatites

An investigation was made of the effect of trace amounts of feldspar (Na and/or K) on dihedral angles in the quartz-H₂O-CO₂ system at 4 kbar and 450–1050°C. Quartz-quartz-H₂O dihedral angles in feldspar-bearing quartz aggregates are observed to be the same as those in pure quartz aggregates at temperatures below 500°C. Above this temperature, they decrease with increasing temperature until the solidus. The final angle at the inception of melting is about 65° for microcline-quartz-H₂O and microcline-albite-quartz-H₂O, and much less than 60° (the critical value for formation of grain-edge fluid channels in an isotropic system) for the albite-quartz-H₂O system. CO₂ was observed to produce a constant quartz-quartz-fluid dihedral angle of 97° in feldspar-bearing quartz aggregates at all temperatures studied. Also examined were the dihedral angles for the two co-existing supersolidus fluids in quartz aggregates. In all systems the quartz-volatile fluid angle is greater than 60°, whereas the quartz-melt angle is lower than 60°. Both super-solidus angles decrease with increasing temperature. The transition from nonconnected to connected poro- sity with increasing temperature observed in the quartz-albite-H₂O system some tens of degrees below the solidus (termed a permeability transition), if a common feature of rocks near their melting points, will play an important role in controlling the permeability of high-grade rocks to aqueous fluids. Received: 27 October 1993 / Accepted: 11 July 1994     

The Almahata Sitta polymict breccia and the late accretion of asteroid 2008 TC3

On October 7, 2008, a small asteroid named 2008 TC₃ was detected in space about 19 h prior to its impact on Earth. Numerous world-wide observations of the object while still in space allowed a very precise determination of its impact area: the Nubian Desert of northern Sudan, Africa. The asteroid had a pre-atmospheric diameter of ∼4 m; its weight is reported with values between ∼8 and 83 t, and the bulk density with ∼2–3 g/cm³, translating into a bulk porosity in the range of ∼20–50%. Several dedicated field campaigns in the predicted strewn field resulted in the recovery of more than 700 (monolithological) meteorite fragments with a total weight of ∼10.5 kg. These meteorites were collectively named “Almahata Sitta”, after the nearby train station 6, and initially classified as an anomalous polymict ureilite. Further work, however, showed that Almahata Sitta is not only a ureilite but a complex polymict breccia containing chemically and texturally highly variable meteorite fragments, including different ureilites, a ureilite-related andesite, metal-sulfide assemblages related to ureilites, and various chondrite classes (enstatite, ordinary, carbonaceous, Rumuruti-like). It was shown that that chondrites and ureilites derive from one parent body, i.e., asteroid 2008 TC₃, making this object, in combination with the remotely sensed physical parameters, a loosely aggregated, rubble-pile-like object. Detailed examinations have been conducted and mineral-chemical data for 110 samples have been collected, but more work on the remaining samples is mandatory.     

Dynamic response of single-span beam bridges to a series of moving loads

The paper makes a contribution to the problem of a stream of loads crossing a single-span beam bridge. There are considered the basic load models, in the form of a stream of fixed amplitude forces, unsprung masses and viscoelastic oscillators. The matrix equations of motion of the system are formulated and discussed. The problem of dynamic stability and steady-state response of a bridge carrying a periodic stream of inertial loads is formulated and solved. The paper also includes a vibration study of a beam bridge subjected to a uniform stream of moving loads, of a limited or unlimited number of load cycles.     

Plasma Resonance Surfaces in the Magnetic Field Reconnection and Radio Fine Structures

Using a 2-D MHD model, the magnetic field reconnection in the current sheet and corresponding plasma resonance lines (surfaces in 3-D), where the upper-hybrid frequency equals one of harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency, _UH=(_pe ²+_Be ²)^1/2=s_Be (_UH, _pe, and _Be are the upper hybrid, electron plasma, and cyclotron frequencies, respectively, and s is the integer harmonic number) are computed. Then at selected times and positions in the magnetic reconnection the spatial and time spectra of upper hybrid frequencies along the resonance lines are calculated. These spectra are discussed from the point of view of radio fine structures as narrowband dm-spikes, zebras, and lace bursts. It is shown that not only turbulent plasma outflows, suggested in the paper by Bárta and Karlický (2001), but also perturbed zones near the reconnection slow-mode shocks can be locations of the narrowband dm-spikes (and/or continua). Sources of the lace bursts (i.e. bursts with irregular lines) can be located in the reconnection space, too. On the other hand, the zebras (bursts with regular separations of zebra lines) need to be generated out of strongly perturbed reconnection areas.