The structure of coronal magnetic loops

We present the second part of a complete theory for the plasma and field structure of a cool coronal arch, corresponding to those observed in the EUV from Skylab. The global magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) stability of a previously described equilibrium-loop model is evaluated, and compared with that of an unmodified ambient force-free field. The influence of the photospheric boundary condition is also evaluated, producing a specification of stability limits which depend on the relative field and plasma pressures and scale widths. The resulting restrictions on the allowable field configuration of a coronal loop are then compared with observed values. The implications of this general method for deducing small-scale coronal magnetic-field structure from the measured plasma profile of an emissive feature are also described.     

Apollo 15 and 16 results of the integrated geochemical experiment

A number of experiments carried in orbit on the Apollo 15 and 16 spacecraft were used in the compositional mapping of the lunar surface. The observations involved measurements of secondary (fluorescent) X-rays, gamma rays and alpha particle emissions. A large scale compositional map of over 20% of the lunar surface was obtained for the first time. It was possible to demonstrate significant chemical differences between the mare and the highlands, to find specific areas of high radioactivity and to learn something about the composition of the Moon's hidden side.Paper dedicated to Professor Harold C. Urey on the occasion of his 80th birthday on 29 April 1973.     

Evaluating approximations for halo merging histories

We study the merging history of dark matter haloes in N -body simulations and semi-analytical 'merger trees' based on the extended Press–Schechter (EPS) formalism. The main focus of our study is the joint distribution of progenitor number and mass as a function of redshift and parent halo mass. We begin by investigating the mean quantities predicted directly by the Press–Schechter (PS) and EPS formalism, such as the halo mass and conditional mass functions, and compare these predictions with the results of the simulations. The higher moments of this distribution are not predicted by the EPS formalism alone and must be obtained from the merger trees. We find that the Press–Schechter model deviates from the simulations at the level of 30–50 per cent on certain mass scales, and that the sense of the discrepancy changes as a function of redshift. We show that this discrepancy is reflected in the higher moments of the distribution of progenitor mass and number. We investigate some related statistics such as the accretion rate and the mass ratio of the largest two progenitors. For galaxy sized haloes ( M ∼10¹² M_⊙), we find that the merging history of haloes, as represented by these statistics, is well reproduced in the merger trees compared with the simulations. The agreement deteriorates for larger mass haloes. We conclude that merger trees based on the extended Press–Schechter formalism provide a reasonably reliable framework for semi-analytical models of galaxy formation.     

The recent star formation history of the Hipparcos solar neighbourhood

We use data from the Hipparcos catalogue to construct colour–magnitude diagrams for the solar neighbourhood, which are then treated using advanced Bayesian analysis techniques to derive the star formation rate history, SFR ( t ), of this region over the last 3 Gyr. The method we use allows the recovery of the underlying SFR ( t ) without the need of assuming any a priori structure or condition on SFR ( t ), and hence yields a highly objective result. The remarkable accuracy of the data permits the reconstruction of the local SFR ( t ) with an unprecedented time resolution of ≈50 Myr. An SFR ( t ) that has an oscillatory component of period ≈0.5 Gyr is found, superimposed on a small level of constant star formation activity. Problems arising from the non-uniform selection function of the Hipparcos satellite are discussed and treated. Detailed statistical tests are then performed on the results, which confirm the inferred SFR ( t ) to be compatible with the observed distribution of stars.     

Spatio-temporal regression kriging for modelling urban NO2 concentrations

ABSTRACT

Recently developed urban air quality sensor networks are used to monitor air pollutant concentrations at a fine spatial and temporal resolution. The measurements are however limited to point support. To obtain areal coverage in space and time, interpolation is required. A spatio-temporal regression kriging approach was applied to predict nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations at unobserved space-time locations in the city of Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Prediction maps were created at 25 m spatial resolution and hourly temporal resolution. In regression kriging, the trend is separately modelled from autocorrelation in the residuals. The trend part of the model, consisting of a set of spatial and temporal covariates, was able to explain 49.2% of the spatio-temporal variability in NO₂ concentrations in Eindhoven in November 2016. Spatio-temporal autocorrelation in the residuals was modelled by fitting a sum-metric spatio-temporal variogram model, adding smoothness to the prediction maps. The accuracy of the predictions was assessed using leave-one-out cross-validation, resulting in a Root Mean Square Error of 9.91 μg m^?3, a Mean Error of ?0.03 μg m^?3 and a Mean Absolute Error of 7.29 μg m^?3. The method allows for easy prediction and visualization of air pollutant concentrations and can be extended to a near real-time procedure.     

Intraurban variability of PM10 and PM2.5 in an Eastern Mediterranean city

The results of the first large scale chemical characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 at three different sites in the urban city of Beirut, Lebanon, are presented. Between May 2009 and April 2010 a total of 304 PM10 and PM2.5 samples were collected by sampling every sixth day at three different sites in Beirut. Observed mass concentrations varied between 19.7 and 521.2 μg m^? 3 for PM10 and between 8.4 and 72.2 μg m^? 3 for PM2.5, respectively. Inorganic concentrations accounted for 29.7–35.6 μg m^? 3 and 46.0–53.5 μg m^? 3 of the total mass of PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Intra-city temporal and spatial variations were assessed based on the study of three factors: correlation coefficients (R) for PM and chemical components, coefficient of divergence (CODs), and source apportionment using positive matrix factorization (PMF). Based on R and COD of PM concentrations, the three sites appear homogeneous. However, when individual elements were compared, heterogeneity among sites was found. This latter was attributed to the variability in the percent contribution of biogenic and local anthropogenic source factors such as traffic related sources and dust resuspension. Other factors included the proximity to the Mediterranean sea, the population density and the topographical structure of the city. Hence, despite its small size (20.8 km²), one PM monitoring site does not reflect an accurate PM level in Beirut.     

An exploratory study on the use of enzyme activities as sediment tracers: biochemical fingerprints?

Little information exists on the potential of soil enzyme activities,which are sensitive to soil properties and management,for the characterization of sediment sources at the catchment scale.The objective of this study is to explore and evaluate enzyme activity as tracer for sediment fingerprinting in the Hiv catchment(55 km~2),Iran.Therefore,four enzymes were measured from 42 different sampling sites,covering three sediment source areas(rangeland/surface erosion,orchard/surface erosion,and streambank erosion),as well as from 12 sediment samples from reservoir check dams (sediment sinks).The results indicate that,based upon backward mode discriminant analysis,βglucosidase and dehydrogenase,allowed more than 95%of the samples to be correctly assigned to their source areas.These enzymes were selected as input data for a mixing-model to determine the relative contribution of the sampled sediment sources.The mean contributions from rangeland, orchard and streambank sources in the study area were estimated as 11.3%,15.1%and 73.7%, respectively.Using geochemical tracers,the mean contribution from rangeland,orchard and streambank sources was estimated as 14.1%,9.5%and 74.8%,respectively.Combined biochemical and geochemical tracers,similar values were obtained(18.7%,10.7%and 70.7%,respectively).Our results indicate that soil enzyme activity allows for a good characterization of sediment sources,and can provide a complementary tool to currently existing sediment fingerprinting approaches.However, the method should be also tested in other regions.