Are the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars ∼108 G?

It is generally assumed that the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are ～10⁸ G. We argue that this may not be true and the fields may be appreciably greater. We present six evidences for this: (1) The ～10⁸G field estimate is based on magnetic dipole emission losses which is shown to be questionable; (2) The MSPs in low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are claimed to have <10¹¹ G on the basis of a Rayleygh-Taylor instability accretion argument. We show that the accretion argument is questionable and the upper limit 10¹¹ G may be much higher; (3) Low magnetic field neutron stars have difficulty being produced in LMXBs; (4) MSPs may still be accreting indicating a much higher magnetic field; (5) The data that predict ～10⁸ G for MSPs also predict ages on the order of, and greater than, ten billion years, which is much greater than normal pulsars. If the predicted ages are wrong, most likely the predicted ～10⁸ G fields of MSPs are wrong; (6) When magnetic fields are measured directly with cyclotron lines in X-ray binaries, fields ?10⁸ G are indicated. Other scenarios should be investigated. One such scenario is the following. Over 85% of MSPs are confirmed members of a binary. It is possible that all MSPs are in large separation binaries having magnetic fields >10⁸ G with their magnetic dipole emission being balanced by low level accretion from their companions.     

Evaluation of heavy metal bio-availability from Almagrera pyrite-rich tailings dam (Iberian Pyrite Belt,SW Spain) based on a sequential extraction procedure

The beginning of polymetallic sulphide ore exploitation at Almagrera, Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain, has been dated back to pre-Roman times; mining activity lasted until 2001 when it was definitely halted. The Almagrera sulphide tailings dam was built at the Sotiel–Coronada mine, where Cu, Zn and Pb concentrates were obtained by flotation processes, and sulphide (mainly pyrite) wastes formed. The dam was built as a water-reservoir, on a tectonic fault; its hazard is currently documented by the released wastes after a strong storm in the region, then, its stability is not monitored by the owner.     

A morphology-based drowning risk index for rock platform fishing: a case study from southeastern Australia

Natural Hazards - There has been an increase in drownings over recent decades in Australia, particularly among rock fishers swept from the edge of rock platforms. Platform morphology is central to...     

Strong-motion accelerograph array in Santiago,Chile, and preliminary evaluation of site effects

A strong-motion accelerograph array in Santiago, Chile has been installed. One of the sites is located on rock and the other six sites are on soil ground with different surface geology, so that local site effects on ground motions can be studied. As a preliminary evaluation of the site effects, the spectral ratios of weak-motion records at soil sites with respect to the rock site are calculated. The spectral ratios show that the amplification of ground motions with respect to the rock site is approximately 1.25 on dense gravel deposits, 2.5 on stiff pumice ground and 3.5 on soft silt ground.     

Evaluating the seismic reliability of electrical equipment containing ceramic structural members

A method for evaluating the reliability of ceramic structural members subjected to earthquake-induced vibrations is presented. The method uses the Weibull distribution to represent the probability of failure of the brittle ceramic material and includes the effects of stress concentrations introduced by flaws and the volume of material subjected to stress. The stress concentration introduced by the complex form of insulators and at the mounting interfaces is considered. A numerical example is given to illustrate the application of the method.     

Disjunctive kriging, universal kriging, or no kriging: Small sample results with simulated fields

This paper provides a comparison between linear (universal) and nonlinear (disjunctive) kriging estimators when they are computed from small samples chosen randomly on simulated stationary and nonstationary fields. Point estimation results are reported. In all cases considered, kriging estimators were found better than a local mean estimator, with universal kriging either better than or as good as disjunctive kriging. The latter, which is suited to handle stationary fields, did not provide more accurate estimates because the use of small samples led to inconsistencies in the assumed bivariate model. Universal kriging was particularly better with nonstationary fields.