The electric fields of radio pulsars with asymmetric nondipolar magnetic fields

The effect of the curvature of open magnetic field lines on the generation of electric fields in radio pulsars is considered in the framework of a Goldreich-Julian model, for both a regime with a free outflow of electrons from the neutron-star surface and the case of a small thermoemission current. An expression for the electron thermoemission current in a strong magnetic field is derived. The electric field associated with the curvature of the magnetic flux tubes is comparable to the field generated by the relativistic dragging of the inertial frames.     

Population synthesis of rapidly rotating main-sequence stars with companions

Usingthe “Scenario Machine” (a specialized numerical code formodeling the evolution of large ensembles of binary systems), we have studied the physical properties of rapidly rotating main-sequence binary stars (Be stars) with white-dwarf companions and their abundance in the Galaxy. The calculations are the first to take into account the cooling of the compact object and the effect of synchronization of the rotation on the evolution of Be stars in close binaries. The synchronization time scale can be shorter than the main-sequence lifetime of a Be star formed during the first mass transfer. This strongly influences the distribution of orbital periods for binary Be stars. In particular, it can explain the observed deficit of short-period Be binaries. According to our computations, the number of binary systems in the Galaxy containing a Be star and white dwarf is large: 70–80% of all Be stars in binaries should have degenerate dwarf companions. Based on our calculations, we conclude that the compact components in these systems have high surface temperatures. Despite their high surface temperatures, the detection of white dwarfs in such systems is hampered by the fact that the entire orbit of the white dwarf is embedded in the dense circumstellar envelope of the primary, and all the extreme-UV and soft X-ray emission of the compact object is absorbed by the Be star’s envelope. It may be possible to detect the white dwarfs via observations of helium emission lines of Be stars of not very early spectral types. The ultraviolet continuum energies of these stars are not sufficient to produce helium line emission. We also discuss numerical results for Be stars with other evolved companions, such as helium stars and neutron stars, and suggest an explanation for the absence of Be-black-hole binaries.     

Formation of Concentric Rings Around Sources

Zones of increased concentration formed by a solvent flowing from a source are considered. A matehmatical model for forming such zones is proposed. It takes into account that such a zone is composed of a set of independent particles. Hence the distribution of a substance around the source can be explained by movement of an individual particle. In the model this movement is a continuous semi-Markov process with terminal stopping at some random point in space. Parameters of the process depend on the velocity field of the flow. Forward and backward partial differential equations for the distribution density of a random stopping point of the process are derived. The forward equation is investigated for the centrally symmetric case. Solutions of the equation demonstrate either a maximum or a local minimum at the source location. In the latter case a concentric ring around the source is formed. If different substances vary in their absorption rates, they can form separable concentration zones as a family of concentric rings.     

Environmental impact of heavy-metal dispersion in the Huerva River (Iberian Range,NE Spain)

In this study, the methodology of geochemical prospecting has been applied to the study of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc dispersion in the fine sediments of the upper course of the Huerva River (Iberian Range, NE Spain). The survey was organised in two stages: (1) general sampling along the river and its tributary channels, aimed at selecting the sections with the highest contents of the target elements, and (2) detailed study of those sections, aimed at an interpretation of possible positive geochemical anomalies and identification of their sources. The results of this study prove the existence of multiple and complex sources, with a significant influence of sources related to anthropogenic activity. However, the system shows a good ability to depurate itself under current conditions.     

Petrogenesis of the Greenhills Complex,Southland, New Zealand: magmatic differentiation and cumulate formation at the roots of a Permian island-arc volcano

A Permian (~265 Ma) intrusive complex which formed as a magmatic feeder reservoir to an immature island-arc volcano is fortuitously exposed in southern New Zealand. Known as the Greenhills Complex, this intrusion was emplaced at shallow crustal levels and consists of two layered bodies which were later intruded by a variety of dykes. Cumulates, which include dunite, olivine clinopyroxenite, olivine gabbro, and hornblende gabbro-norite, are related products of parent-magma fractionation. Both primary (magmatic) and secondary platinum-group minerals occur within dunite at one locality. Using the composition of cumulus minerals, mafic dykes and melt inclusions, we have determined that the parent magmas of the complex were hydrous, low-K island-arc tholeiites of ankaramitic affinities. Progressive magmatic differentiation of this parent magma generated fractionated melt of high-alumina basalt composition which is now preserved only as dykes which cut the Complex. Field evidence and cumulus mineral profiles reveal that the magma chambers experienced turbulent magmatic conditions during cumulate-rock formation. Recharge of the chambers by primitive magma is likely to have coincided with eruption of residual melt at the surface. Similar processes are inferred to account for volcanic-rock compositions in other parts of this arc terrane and in modern island-arc systems.     

Geomechanical Properties of Shear Zones in the Eastern Aar Massif,Switzerland and their Implication on Tunnelling

Summary ¶Rock zones containing a high fracture density and/or soft, low cohesion materials can be highly problematic when encountered during tunnel excavation. For example in the eastern Aar massif of central Switzerland, experiences during the construction of the Gotthard highway tunnel showed that heavily fractured areas within shear zones were responsible for overbreaks in the form of chimneys several metres in height. To understand and estimate the impact of the shear zones on rock mass behaviour, knowledge concerning the rock mass strength and deformation characteristics is fundamental. A series of laboratory triaxial tests, performed on samples from granite- and gneiss-hosted shear zones revealed that with increasing degree of tectonic overprint, sample strength decreases and rock behaviour shows a transition from brittle to ductile deformation. These trends may be explained by increasing fracture densities, increasing foliation intensity, increasing thickness of fine-grained, low cohesion fracture infill, and increasing mica content associated with the increasing degree of tectonic overprint. As fracture density increases and the influence of discrete, persistent discontinuities on rock mass strength decreases, behaviour of the test samples becomes more and more representative of rock mass behaviour, i.e. that of a densely fractured continuum. For the purpose of numerical modeling calculations, the shear zones may be subdivided with respect to an increasing fracture density, foliation intensity and mica content into a strongly foliated zone, a fractured zone and a cohesionless zone, which in turn exhibit brittle, brittle-ductile and ductile rock mass constitutive behaviour, respectively.Received December 17, 2001; accepted January 9, 2003 Published online April 29, 2003     

Surface-water quality for the Salí River watershed in NW Argentina

Spatial and temporal variations of Na, Mg, Si, K, Ca, SO₄^2-, Cl^-, HCO₃^-, Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ce, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Ge, Gd, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, and Zr were monitored through 37 sampling stations to determine the main aspects influencing the surface-water quality in the Salí River watershed (Tucumán Province, NW Argentina). The influence of the regional geological setting on water chemistry allows to distinguish three sub-basins. The interaction with sedimentary rocks was found to be dominant in the northern and central-eastern sub-basin as well as in the southern sub-basin, whereas the metamorphic-granitic basement of the Pampean Ranges was noted in the central sub-basin. In addition, anthropogenic activities affect the spatial variation of K, P, Mn, Rb, and Pb as well as dissolved oxygen concentrations and Eh. Temporal water-quality variation is related to the spatial distribution of precipitation and to the seasonal character of the main local industries (sugar cane, alcohol, citrus), increasing P and K concentrations and decreasing dissolved oxygen concentration and Eh in winter. Cl^-, Na, SO₄^2-, Al, As, B, Fe, Mn, Se and U concentrations exceed the regulated drinking-water thresholds at several sampling stations.     

Observed daily large-scale rainfall patterns during BOBMEX-1999

A daily rainfall dataset and the corresponding rainfall maps have been produced by objective analysis of rainfall data. The satellite estimate of rainfall and the raingauge values are merged to form the final analysis. Associated with epochs of monsoon these rainfall maps are able to show the rainfall activities over India and the Bay of Bengal region during the BOBMEX period. The intra-seasonal variations of rainfall during BOBMEX are also seen using these data. This dataset over the oceanic region compares well with other available popular datasets like GPCP and CMAP. Over land this dataset brings out the features of monsoon in more detail due to the availability of more local raingauge stations.     

The subsystem of open clusters in the post-hipparcos era: Cluster structural parameters and proper motions

The wide neighborhoods of 401 open clusters are analyzed using the modern, high-precision, homogeneous ASCC-2.5 all-sky catalog. More than 28000 possible cluster members (including about 12500 most probable members) are identified using kinematic and photometric criteria. Star counts with the ASCC-2.5 and USNO-A2.0 catalogs are used to determine the angular and linear radii of the cluster cores and coronas, which exceed the previously published values by factors of two to three. The segregation (differing central concentration) of member stars by magnitude is observed. The mean proper motions are determined directly in the Hipparcos system for 401 clusters, for 183 of them for the first time. The heliocentric distances of 118 clusters are determined for the first time based on color-magnitude diagrams for their identified members.