RE J1034+396: the origin of the soft X-ray excess and quasi-periodic oscillation

The X-ray quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) seen in RE J1034+396 is so far unique amongst active galactic nuclei (AGN). Here, we look at another unique feature of RE J1034+396, namely its huge soft X-ray excess, to see if this is related in any way to the detection of the QPO. We show that all potential models considered for the soft energy excess can fit the 0.3–10 keV X-ray spectrum, but the energy dependence of the rapid variability (which is dominated by the QPO) strongly supports a spectral decomposition where the soft excess is from low-temperature Comptonization of the disc emission and remains mostly constant, while the rapid variability is produced by the power-law tail changing in normalization. The presence of the QPO in the tail rather than in the disc is a common feature in black hole binaries (BHBs), but low-temperature Comptonization of the disc spectrum is not generally seen in these systems. The main exception to this is GRS 1915+105, the only BHB which routinely shows super-Eddington luminosities. We speculate that the super-Eddington accretion rates lead to a change in disc structure, and that this also triggers the X-ray QPO.     

A numerical model for simulating Hortonian overland flow on tropical hillslopes with vegetation elements

This paper describes a two‐dimensional hydrodynamic model that characterizes surface runoff process resulting from a varying rainfall intensity event, on an infiltrating soil surface. The soil surface has spatially varied soil physical, hydraulic and microtopographic characteristics. Infiltration process is modelled with the Philip two‐term equation and the time before ponding approximated with the time compression algorithm. Vegetation is modelled as a dynamic component with the modified Gash model. The equation is solved with a modified second order Leapfrog explicit finite difference scheme with centred time and space derivatives. The model was validated with standard analytical solutions. Evaluation with results from field campaigns in the Volta Basin of West Africa during the 2002 rainfall season indicates good agreement, with r² values ranging from 0·89 to 0·96. The developed method will be useful in studying the dynamics of surface runoff generation under complex microtopographic conditions, spatially varying soil hydraulic characteristics and temporally dynamic rainfall intensity, as found in many tropical catchments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aperture synthesis observations of individual molecular clouds in M33

Aperture synthesis maps of six fields in the nearby spiral galaxy M33 have revealed the presence of a population of molecular clouds whose masses, sizes, velocity widths, and brightness temperatures are similar to Galactic giant molecular clouds. The masses of the clouds obtained from the virial theorem and from the integrated CO flux are in relatively good agreement, suggesting that the conversion factor from CO flux to molecular mass in M33 is unlikely to be much different from the value measured in our own Galaxy. The star formation properties of these regions are under study with deep optical CCD imaging and near-infrared data.     

An asymptotic theory of combined wave refraction and diffraction

A uniformly valid asymptotic theory for water waves is presented, which accounts for the combined effects of refraction due to slowly varying water depth and diffraction by a semi-infinite thin break water. The present theory is more rigorous and generical than the approximate solution developed by Liu and Mei, which becomes invalid near the edge and the tip of the breakwater. The effects of wave breaking are ignored.     

Gold-Related Sulfide Mineralization and Ore Genesis of the Penjom Gold Deposit, Pahang, Malaysia

The Penjom gold deposit lies on the eastern side of the Raub‐Bentong Suture line within the Central Belt of Permo‐Triassic rocks, near Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia. The geology of the deposit is dominated by a sequence of fine‐ to coarse‐grained rhyolitic to rhyodacitic tuff, tuff‐breccia and a minor rhyolitic–rhyodacitic volcanic series, associated with argillaceous marine sedimentary rocks consisting of shale with subordinate shalely limestone of Padang Tungku Formation and Pahang Volcanic Series. Fine‐ to coarse‐grained tonalite and quartz porphyry intruded this unit. The main structural features of the area are north–south‐trending left‐lateral strike‐slip faults and their subsidiaries, which generally strike north–south and dip moderately to the east (350°–360°/40°–60°). Mineralization at the Penjom gold deposit is structurally controlled and also erratic laterally and vertically. The gold mineralization can be categorized as (i) gold associated with carbonate‐rich zones hosted within dilated quartz veins carrying significant amount of sulfides; (ii) gold disseminated within stockwork of quartz–carbonate veins affiliated with tonalite; and (iii) gold often associated with arsenopyrite and pyrite in quartz–carbonate veins and stringers hosted within shear zones of brittle–ductile nature in all rock types and in brittle fractured rhyodacitic volcanic rocks. Sphalerite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite and pyrrhotite are the minerals accompanying the early stage of gold mineralization. These minerals also suffered from local brittle deformation. However, most of the gold mineralization took place after the deposition of these sulfides. Galena appears somewhat towards the end of gold mineralization, whereas tellurium and bismuth accompanied gold contemporaneously. The gold mineralization occurred most probably due to the metamorphogenic deformational origin concentrated mostly in the shear zone. The mineralization is strongly controlled by the wall rock (e.g. graphitic shale), the sulfide minerals and fluid–rock interaction.     

Shear-induced pressure changes and seepage phenomena in a deforming porous layer-III

We report the results of an analytical investigation into the deformation behaviour of rate-dependent granular material as a refinement of previous studies on seepage phenomena during shear. The rheology has two components—a compliant part of the constitutive law associated with grain contacts as deformation takes place (dilatancy), and a rate-dependent viscous force transmitted by the melt phase. This formulation allows intermediate, time-dependent behaviour to be assessed for the dilatant porous medium. A key result is that during shear, the magnitude of the excess pore pressure first decreases then increases back to its initial value. Two characteristic timescales are identified that control the rate-dependent dilatancy of the mixture, τ₁, the time constant that rules the increase of the magnitude of the excess pore pressure, and τ₀ that controls its decline. We consider the dilatant effect to be an internal constraint in deforming magmas in the lithosphere and other porous (partially molten) regions in the solid earth. When such regions are exposed to external loading, secular pressure changes should drive fluid flow independent of local buoyancy forces, for the duration of the governing rate-dependent timescales. The accumulated heave of the process is also estimated.     

Second homes, community and a hierarchy of dwelling

The word 'dwelling', to dwell, supposes engagement, in the sense that those who dwell are seen to engage with others and, in doing so, contribute to social capital and cohesion expressed in the forming of 'community'. Second home buying may be viewed as a course of action severing the process–product link between dwelling and community, as a brake on the community building process. In this paper, I contrast the view of dwelling as process – and its coupling with the 'traditional' place–community – with alternative notions of dwelling, and argue that the prevailing view is largely concerned with public and collective dwelling (and 'productive interaction'), and underplays the importance of private dwelling, and hence the self-identity and orientation – key aspects of dwelling – that flow from the use of private property, including the use of second homes.     

Hydroclimatology of the Volta River Basin in West Africa: Trends and variability from 1901 to 2002

Long-term historical records of rainfall (P), runoff (Q) and other climatic factors were used to investigate hydrological variability and trends in the Volta River Basin over the period 1901-2002. Potential (E_p) and actual evaporation (E), rainfall variability index (δ), Budyko’s aridity index (I_A), evaporation ratio (C_E) and runoff ratio (C_Q) were estimated from the available hydroclimatological records. Mann-Kendall trend analysis and non-parametric Sen’s slope estimates were performed on the respective time series variables to detect monotonic trend direction and magnitude of change over time.Rainfall variability index showed that 1968 was the wettest year (δ = +1.75) while 1983 was the driest (δ = −3.03), with the last three decades being drier than any other comparable period in the hydrological history of the Volta. An increase of 0.2 mm/yr² (P < 0.05) was observed in E_p for the 1901-1969 sub-series while an increased of 1.8 mm/yr² (P < 0.01) was recorded since 1970. Rainfall increased at the rate of 0.7 mm/yr² or 49 mm/yr between 1901 and 1969, whereas a decrease of 0.2 mm/yr² (6 mm/yr) was estimated for 1970-2002 sub-series. Runoff increased significantly at the rate of 0.8 mm/yr (23 mm/yr) since 1970. Runoff before dam construction was higher (87.5 mm/yr) and more varied (CV = 41.5%) than the post-dam period with value of 73.5 mm/yr (CV = 23.9%). A 10% relative decrease in P resulted in a 16% decrease in Q between 1936 and 1998. Since 1970, all the months showed increasing runoff trends with significant slopes (P < 0.05) in 9 out of the 12 months. Possible causes, such as climate change and land cover change, on the detected changes in hydroclimatology are briefly discussed.     

Trends in commuting in England and Wales–becoming less sustainable?

Summary It is widely accepted that the nature and extent of commuting patterns worldwide represent a large slice of the overall environmental problems associated with transport use. There has been a long-standing concern over the 'congestion peaks' derived from daily travel-to-work patterns, and a preoccupation with the ways in which greener modes of commuting might contribute to a more environmentally benign transport system. This article uses Census data to focus on commuting patterns in England and Wales, concluding that, despite recent moves towards promoting a more integrated and sustainable transport system, worrying trends persist that would seem to undermine this strategy. On a more positive note, the Census data also suggest that many shorter trips might potentially be converted to 'greener modes' walking or cycling–with substantial environmental benefits.     

Temperature dependence of δLi, δCa and Li/Ca during growth of calcium carbonate

Lithium and calcium isotope ratios, together with the Li/Ca element ratio, have been measured in calcites precipitated inorganically at temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 °C, and on seasonal growth bands from a coral. These measurements indicate the potential uses of these three environmental proxies. Carbonate Li isotopes are lighter than the solution from which they grow, probably due to equilibrium fractionation. This fractionation is not significantly influenced by temperature and, because Li is not involved in any known biological process, this suggests that carbonates will provide a recorder for the past Li-isotope composition of natural waters and hence for past weathering conditions. As has been observed previously for inorganic aragonite, the Ca-isotopes in inorganic calcite are lighter than the growth solution, and are only weakly dependent on temperature. This confirms that the temperature dependence observed in some species of foraminifera [Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 1 (2001)] reflects additional isotope fractionation due to biological processes during mineralization. Ca isotopes may therefore provide a powerful tool with which to investigate the processes of biomineralization. Finally, Li/Ca ratios in inorganic and biogenic carbonates increase as temperatures decrease with a sensitivity of ≈4% per °C. This temperature dependence of Li/Ca may prove useful to assess past temperatures in cold environments such as the deep ocean.