The Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector for ATHENA X-IFU: a scientific assessment of the observational capabilities in the hard X-ray band

ATHENA is a large X-ray observatory, planned to be launched by ESA in 2028 towards an L2 orbit. One of the two instruments of the payload is the X-IFU: a cryogenic spectrometer based on a large array of TES microcalorimeters, able to perform integral field spectrography in the 0.2–12 keV band (2.5 eV FWHM at 6 keV). The X-IFU sensitivity is highly degraded by the particle background expected in the L2 orbit, which is induced by primary protons of both galactic and solar origin, and mostly by secondary electrons. To reduce the particle background level and enable the mission science goals, the instrument incorporates a Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector (CryoAC). It is a 4 pixel TES based detector, placed < 1 mm below the main array. In this paper we report a scientific assessment of the CryoAC observational capabilities in the hard X-ray band (E > 10 keV). The aim of the study has been to understand if the present detector design can be improved in order to enlarge the X-IFU scientific capability on an energy band wider than the TES array. This is beyond the CryoAC baseline, being this instrument aimed to operate as anticoincidence particle detector and not conceived to perform X-ray observations.     

Tectonics and metallogeny of the junction zone between the North Asian craton and Pacific tectonic belt

The tectonics and metallogeny of the junction zone between the North Asian craton and Pacific tectonic belt are considered. This zone is characterized by a wide variety of structures superposed on the metamorphic basement, which was formed in the course of a multistage geologic development of the craton from the Precambrian to the Cenozoic. They are related to the craton evolution and its response to the collision and subduction processes in the adjacent orogenic belt, processes in the passive and active continental margins, and plume magmatism. The geological structure of the region includes blocks of metamorphic rocks of the Aldan–Stanovoi shield, Paleoproterozoic volcanogenic troughs, Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic structures of the platform cover, Late Paleozoic volcanic and terrigenous troughs, structures of the Late Mesozoic Okhotsk–Chukotka volcanic belt of the active continental margin, and Late Cretaceous riftogenic structures formed in response to plume magmatism. In total, six metallogenic epochs are recognized in the development of ore mineralization: Archean–Early Paleoproterozoic, Late Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic, Late Paleozoic, and Late Mesozoic. The minerageny of the junction zone between the craton and Pacific belt is highly diversified, being characterized by distinct evolution in time and space. Each development stage features its own set of mineral resources.     

南海北部陆架早—中中新世古珠江河道发育特征及汇流冲刷模式

河道体系是侵蚀和沉积物搬运的重要通道,控制了大陆边缘源汇体系中砂体总体的输送和分布格局,并可有效指示古代构造活动、物源供给、气候变迁和海平面变化等丰富地质信息。研究基于高分辨率的三维地震、钻测井资料,结合层序划分方法和地震沉积学综合分析手段,揭示了南海北部珠一坳陷早—中中新世古珠江分流河道体系的类型和展布特征,并且以典型层序为例精细揭示了海平面变化控制下河道类型由辫状向曲流的转换。同时,在研究区地震剖面上识别到多处异常下切现象,经研究可解释为辫状河道内的汇流冲刷,其典型特征为：① 下切深度局部增大;② 平面近似圆形或椭圆形;③ 内部为砂质充填。虽然汇流冲刷结构在地震剖面特征上与“传统”意义的下切谷极易混淆,但在沉积特征和成因上存在较大差别,因此,对它的识别有助于避免层序界面的错误判别,并且其后期充填的河道砂体具有局限分布的特点,易于在后期海侵泥岩的覆盖下形成潜在的岩性圈闭新类型。     

A detailed study of the duality relation for the least squares adjustment in euclidean spaces

The Euclidean spaces with their inner products are used to describe methods of least squares adjustment as orthogonal projections on finite-dimensional subspaces. A unified Euclidean space approach to the least squares adjustment methods “observation equations” and “condition equations” is suggested. Hence not only the two adjustment solutions are treated from the view-point of Euclidean space theory in a unified frame but also the existing duality relation between the methods of “observation equations” and “condition equations” is discussed in full detail. Another purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of some familiarity with Euclidean and Hilbert space concepts. We are convinced that Euclidean and Hilbert space techniques in least squares adjustment are elegant and powerful geodetic methods.     

Upper Jurassic Rock Depositional Settings in the Baidar Valley and Evolution of the Crimean Carbonate Platform

The paper presents results of the lithological study of Upper Jurassic limestones, flyschoids and limestone breccias on the southern side of the Baidar Valley in the Crimean Mountains. Study of the microfacies revealed that the limestones are represented by deposits on lagoons, platform edge shoals, reefs, and forereef aprons on the carbonate platform slope. Flyschoids include deposits in the distributive turbidite channels and hemipelagic sediments in the deep-water part of the basin. Limestone breccias were formed by gravitation flows on the carbonate platform toe-of-slope and slope. The presence of gravitation deposits in the Upper Jurassic carbonate complexes of the Crimean Mountains can testify to the primary clinoform structure of this sedimentary sequence. Comparison of the obtained sedimentological data made it possible to reconstruct the facies model of the Crimean carbonate platform and main episodes of its formation. Development of the carbonate shelf was related to two transgressive-regressive cycles. A dome-shaped reef was formed away from the coast at the initial (Oxfordian) stage. The carbonate platform was formed at the early Kimmeridgian lowstand stage when sediments were deposited in the internal part of the platform adjacent to land. In the late Kimmeridgian and early Tithonian, configuration of the carbonate platform profile resembled a distally steepened ramp, and its active progradation and shelf expansion took place in the course of transgression. Regression in the late Tithonian–early Berriasian led to regressive transformation of the ramp into platform with a flattened shallow-water shelf. Tectonic deformations at the Jurassic/Cretaceous transition promoted the formation of megabreccias on the carbonate platform foreslope. The tectonically reworked rock sequence of the “extinct” carbonate platform was overlapped transgressively by the upper Berriasian or lower Valanginian, relatively deep-water deposits of the Cretaceous platform cover.     

Integrated indicators-based gradation of cultivated land quality in mountainous region of Southwestern China

1 Introduction The gradation of cultivated land is to assess the suitability of cultivated land for agricultural production in terms of natural and economic prop-erties of land (Feng et al. 2004). It can be used to evaluate sustainability of land use and …     

Carbon dioxide degassing and thermal energy release in the Monte Amiata volcanic-geothermal area (Italy)

The quaternary volcanic complex of Mount Amiata is located in southern Tuscany (Italy) and represents the most recent manifestation of the Tuscan Magmatic Province. The region is characterised by a large thermal anomaly and by the presence of numerous CO₂-rich gas emissions and geothermal features, mainly located at the periphery of the volcanic complex. Two geothermal systems are located, at increasing depths, in the carbonate and metamorphic formations beneath the volcanic complex. The shallow volcanic aquifer is separated from the deep geothermal systems by a low permeability unit (Ligurian Unit). A measured CO₂ discharge through soils of 1.8 × 10⁹ mol a⁻¹ shows that large amounts of CO₂ move from the deep reservoir to the surface. A large range in δ¹³C_TDIC (−21.07 to +3.65) characterises the waters circulating in the aquifers of the region and the mass and isotopic balance of TDIC allows distinguishing a discharge of 0.3 × 10⁹ mol a⁻¹ of deeply sourced CO₂ in spring waters. The total natural CO₂ discharge (2.1 × 10⁹ mol a⁻¹) is slightly less than minimum CO₂ output estimated by an indirect method (2.8 × 10⁹ mol a⁻¹), but present-day release of 5.8 × 10⁹ mol a⁻¹ CO₂ from deep geothermal wells may have reduced natural CO₂ discharge. The heat transported by groundwater, computed considering the increase in temperature from the infiltration area to the discharge from springs, is of the same order of magnitude, or higher, than the regional conductive heat flow (>200 mW m⁻²) and reaches extremely high values (up to 2700 mW m⁻²) in the north-eastern part of the study area. Heat transfer occurs mainly by conductive heating in the volcanic aquifer and by uprising gas and vapor along fault zones and in those areas where low permeability cover is lacking. The comparison of CO₂ flux, heat flow and geological setting shows that near surface geology and hydrogeological setting play a central role in determining CO₂ degassing and heat transfer patterns.     

On the evaluation of the gravity effects of polyhedral bodies and a consistent treatment of related singularities

We show that the singularities which can affect the computation of the gravity effects (potential, gravity and tensor gradient fields) can be systematically addressed by invoking distribution theory and suitable formulas of differential calculus. Thus, differently from previous contributions on the subject, the use of a-posteriori corrections of the formulas derived in absence of singularities can be ruled out. The general approach presented in the paper is further specialized to the case of polyhedral bodies and detailed for a rectangular prism having a constant mass density. With reference to this last case, we derive novel expressions for the related gravitational field, as well as for its first and second derivative, at an observation point coincident with a prism vertex and show that they turn out to be more compact than the ones reported in the specialized literature.