The X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet flux evolution of SS Cygni throughout outburst

We present the most complete multiwavelength coverage of any dwarf nova outburst: simultaneous optical, Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer and Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer observations of SS Cygni throughout a narrow asymmetric outburst. Our data show that the high-energy outburst begins in the X-ray waveband 0.9–1.4 d after the beginning of the optical rise and 0.6 d before the extreme-ultraviolet rise. The X-ray flux drops suddenly, immediately before the extreme-ultraviolet flux rise, supporting the view that both components arise in the boundary layer between the accretion disc and white dwarf surface. The early rise of the X-ray flux shows that the propagation time of the outburst heating wave may have been previously overestimated.
The transitions between X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet dominated emission are accompanied by intense variability in the X-ray flux, with time-scales of minutes. As detailed by Mauche & Robinson, dwarf nova oscillations are detected throughout the extreme-ultraviolet outburst, but we find they are absent from the X-ray light curve.
X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet luminosities imply accretion rates of  3 × 10¹⁵ g s⁻¹  in quiescence,  1 × 10¹⁶ g s⁻¹  when the boundary layer becomes optically thick, and  ∼10¹⁸ g s⁻¹  at the peak of the outburst. The quiescent accretion rate is two and a half orders of magnitude higher than predicted by the standard disc instability model, and we suggest this may be because the inner accretion disc in SS Cyg is in a permanent outburst state.     

崎岖地形动植物栖息地生态环境遥感制图与应用

传统制图方法周期长、成本较高,影响了大面积精细动植物栖息地生态环境制图的生产。鉴此,本文采用IKONOS(VHR)图像对香港郊野公园崎岖地形的动植物栖息地生态环境制图进行了研究。由于香港植被的多样性,而且观察的动植物相互作用出现于结构的层面,所以对动植物栖息地的分类应以结构为基础而非以植物为基础。本文利用图像处理技术,运用决策树之多层次地物导向分割分类(MOOSC)方法绘制九种动植物栖息地类型图。MOOSC方法和其他现有的几种分类方法相比,其分类精度高、成本低。     

GGR Critical Review of Analytical Developments in 2003

The articles that comprise this critical review serve to draw attention to research papers published in specific fields of interest during 2003, provide critical comment on the relevance and importance of individual publications in these fields, and offer an overview of the comparative importance of advances in particular areas. In this way, these articles aim to assist experts in the field by keeping them informed of relevant recent publications, as well as providing an important resource for students or early career researchers who are embarking on studies in an area new to them. This year, five papers provide summaries of developments in bulk sample determinations employing (1) ICP-AES and ICP-MS (trace elements), (2) XRF and atomic absorption spectrometry and INAA, (3) isotope ratio measurements (TIMS, MC-ICP-MS, ICP-MS, ToF), as well as in situ measurements conducted using (4) secondary ion mass spectrometry and (5) laser ablation ICP-MS (trace element and isotope ratio determinations).     

Pfiesteria shumwayae (Pfiesteriaceae) in New Zealand

Pfiesteria shumwayae Steidinger et Burkholder is now known to be present in New Zealand and occurs in estuaries around the country. The presence of Pfiesteria was initially determined by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based detection assay, using oligonucleotide primers targeted at ribosomal DNA extracted from estuarine water and sediments. Presence was confirmed by isolation from fresh sediments in the presence offish (Oreochromis mossambicus), followed by identification by scanning electron microscopy. The New Zealand isolates of P. shumwayae were ichthyotoxic in bioassays, but there is no historic evidence offish kills in New Zealand associated with the dinoflagellate.     

Seasonal controls on stream chemical export across diverse coastal watersheds in the USA

The current study focuses on understanding key factors controlling geochemical export in eight diverse coastal watersheds at seasonal and annual time scales. Geochemical, atmospheric and hydrologic data across a range of hydro‐climatic regimes and varying land uses were investigated and relationships analysed. A hyperbolic dilution model was fitted for each watershed system to evaluate discharge–concentration relationships. Nitrate concentration effects were observed in watersheds exposed to high atmospheric deposition rates as well as agricultural watersheds, whereas urban watersheds showed nitrate dilution effects. Dilution patterns were observed for calcium, magnesium and sulfate for almost all watersheds. Seasonal loads for almost all constituents were noted to be mainly driven by hydrologic seasonality, but are also dependent on inputs (atmospheric deposition and land use sources). Understanding the primary controls on hydro‐chemical interactions is critical for developing and refining predictive water quality models, especially in coastal watersheds where sensitive downstream ecosystems act as receiving waters for upstream pollutant loads. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The COMET experiment

Abstract— The COMET program is a program for the collection of micron to submicron interplanetary dust particles in low Earth orbits. Since collection takes place as the Earth crosses a given meteor stream, the particles are mainly of cometary origin. The grain remnants, located at their impact positions on high purity metallic collectors, are analysed in the laboratory for chemical and isotopical identification. The COMET-1 experiment took place in 1985 October, during encounter with the Draconid meteor stream, related to the Giacobini-Zinner comet. The fluence of extraterrestrial grains that had impacted our detectors was ～10x higher than the value of the mean meteroid fluence at ～1AU, which suggests that most of the grains originated from the Giacobini-Zinner comet. One of the most important results of their chemical analysis was that ～90% of them are enriched in low Z elements (C and O have undoubedly been identified). They could contain a CHON phase similar to that observed in the close environment of Halley's nucleus. The first imagery of the grain remnants by field emission scanning electron microscopy suggests that they are very low density aggregates still present at the impacting positions which, in most cases, are very different from the impact craters observed for the same mean relative velocity for full grains of the same size. These results show that the COMET program has constituted an important step towards the analysis of cometary material and the understanding of the evolution of the early Solar System.     

Lead isotopic signatures at the Klein Aub Mine,Namibia — Implications for mineralisation models

Pb and U isotopic data have been obtained for stratabound, sediment-hosted Cu-mineralisation and igneous, volcanic and sedimentary rocks from other stratigraphic levels in the vicinity of the Klein Aub Mine, Namibia, with the aim of investigating possible sources and metal emplacement mechanisms. The results indicate the existence of a pervasive Cu-sulphide mineralisation event, and support metal introduction during a syn-metamorphic (epigenetic) phase. Some indications are also found of another, earlier and possibly syn- or diagenetic, mineralisation event but this aspect requires confirmation by further study. Differences in the degree of radiogenicity of the Pb characterize the various mineralisation styles, the epigenetically mineralised laminite containing Pb of a more radiogenic nature than the other laminites, but also having lower absolute concentrations of Pb and U. A mineralisation age of ca. 600 Ma is indicated but the Pb data can neither confirm nor disprove the conclusions of Borg (1988) and Borg and Maiden (1987) that the basalt of the Doornpoort Formation is a source of the Cu in the Klein Aub deposits.