The clustering of K∼20 galaxies in 17 radio galaxy fields

We investigate the angular correlation function, ο(θ), of the galaxies detected in the 2.1-μm K ' band in 17 fields (101.5 arcmin² in total), each containing a z ∼1.1 radio galaxy. There is a significant detection of galaxy clustering at a limit of K ∼20, with a ο(θ) amplitude similar to that estimated by Carlberg et al. at K =21.5. The ο(θ) amplitudes of these K -limited samples are higher than expected from the faint galaxy clustering in the blue and red passbands, but consistent with a pure luminosity evolution model if clustering is stable (ε=0) and the correlation function of early-type galaxies is steeper than that of spirals.
We do not detect a significant cross-correlation between the radio galaxies and the other galaxies in these fields. The upper limits on the cross-correlation are consistent with a mean clustering environment of Abell class 0 for z ∼1.1 radio galaxies, similar to that observed for radio galaxies at z ∼0.5, but would argue against an Abell class 1 or richer environment. As Abell 0 clustering around the radio galaxies would not significantly increase the ο(θ) amplitude of galaxies in these fields, stable clustering with a steep ξ( r ) for E/S0 galaxies appears to remain the most likely interpretation of the ο(θ) amplitude.
At K ≤20, the number of galaxy–galaxy pairs of 2–3 arcsec separation exceeds the random expectation by a factor of 2.15±0.26. The excess of close pairs is comparable to that previously reported for R -band data, and consistent with a ∼(1+ z )² evolution of the galaxy merger rate.     

Petrology of filicudi,aeolian archipelago

Volcanic rocks on the island of Filicudi are typical of the cale-alkaline association of the Aeolian archipelago, and range in composition from basalt to high-K andesite. All specimens contain abundant phenocrystic plagioclase (cores of An_82–97, rims becoming progressively more sodic with increasing Differentiation Index), clinopyroxene, and magnetite; the most basic samples contain olivine, which is replaced by orthopyroxene at around D.I.=44. SiO₂ generally increases with time, and this in conjunction with the continuity in mineralogy suggests that the lavas are the differentiation products of a single batch of magma. Least-squares mixing calculations are consistent with a shallow fractional model, as is the variation in trace element abundances.     

Sur l'existence de plusieurs facies geochimiques dans les schistes paleozoiques des pyrenees luchonnaises

Résumé Des formations paléozoïques d'origine essentiellement détritique, métamorphisées à des degrés divers (quartzophyllades, phyllades, micaschistes souvent feldspathiques à biotite, staurotide, andalousite, sillimamte) ont été échantillonnées méthodiquement dans les Pyrénées luchonnaises, à l'occasion de l'étude des relations structurales et géochimiques entre les formations granitiques du Massif du Lys-Caillaouas et leur environnement.La réalisation de 900 analyses (éléments majeurs) de ces « schistes » au sens large, prelevés le long de coupes systématiques à travers les principales unités régionales, pose avec acuité le problème d'une typologie chimique accordée aux connaissances sur la minéralogie des sédiments détritiques et sur leurs milieux de genèse.L'auteur tente en conséquence de présenter l'ensemble de ces analyses sous une forme qui mette en lumière quelques caractères importants de la sédimentation. Il propose à cet effet l'usage de deux diagrammes triangulaires dont l'un est destiné principalement à une présentation globale de la roche tandis que l'autre s'attache particulièrement aux silico-aluminates considérés comme la fraction la plus significative.Les différenciations que cette méthode de présentation fait apparaitre dans les séries échantillonnées, du Cambro-Ordovicien au Carbonifère inférieur, sont ensuite confrontées avec les connaissances classiques sur ce domaine pyrénéen. Au total, ce sont quelques uns des problèmes posés par l'utilisation de la géochimie dans des séries pélitiques fréquemment réputées monotones qui se trouvent évoqués sur un exemple assez large dont l'étude se poursuit.

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Paleozoic formations of mainly detrital origin, which are metamorphized to various extents (quartzophyllades, phyllades, micaschists frequently containing feldspar, biotite, staurotide, andalousite, sillimanite) have been systematically sampled in the Luchon Pyrenees. This opportunity was offered by a study devoted to the relationship between the granitic formations of the Lys-Caillaouas massive and its environment.Over 900 of these « schists » taken on systematic profiles cross-cutting the principal regional units have been analyzed for major elements. This leads to the difficult problem of a chemical characterization of the mineralogical knowledge of detrital sediments and their medium of genesis.An attempt is made to restitute the mass of these analyses in a way that might throw light on some particularly important aspects of sedimentation. With this aim, two triangular diagrams are proposed. The first gives a global representation of the rock, whereas the second is concerned with silico-aluminates considered as the most significant fraction.The differenciations which appear in this graphical method, in the studied series proceeding from Cambro-Ordovicien up to the Carboniferous, are then compared with the classical knowledge of this part of the Pyrenees.Briefly, these are some of the problems which arise from the application of geochemistry to pelitic series, often considered monotonous. And these problems are treated on a broad example, the study of which is still being pursued.

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Zusammenfassung Anläßlich umfassender, struktureller und geochemischer Untersuchungen in dem Granitmassiv des Lys-Caillaouas und seiner Umgebung wurden systematische Probenahmen in den Pyrenäen bei Luchon auch an diesen überwiegend detritischen Gesteinen durchgeführt. Sie liegen heute in verschiedenen Graden der Metamorphose vor. Quarzphyllite, Glimmerschiefer - oft mit Feldspat und Biotit, Andalusit und Sillimanit.900 Analysen des Makrochemismus dieser schiefrigen Gesteine erlauben systematische Profile durch die wichtigsten regionalen Einheiten zu geben. Es stellt sich das Problem, eine chemische Typologie zu finden, die sich in Übereinstimmung mit unseren Kenntnissen der Mineralogie detritischer Gesteine und ihrer Sedimentationsräume befindet.Verfasser versucht, die Gesamtheit dieser Analysen in Form eines Systems zu geben, das es gestattet, die wichtigsten Charakteristika der Sedimentation zu erfassen. Zu diesem Zweck werden zwei Dreiecks-Darstellungen vorgeschlagen, von denen die erste hauptsächlich dazu bestimmt ist, eine globale Darstellung des Gesteinschemismus zu geben. Das zweite Diagramm gibt vor allem eine Darstellung der Alumino-Silikate, die als charakteristische Fraktion dieser Gesteine anzusehen sind.Die Differenzierungen, die diese Methode in den Probenreihen vom Cambro-Ordoviz bis zum Karbon sichtbar werden läßt, verden anschließend verglichen mit den älteren, geologischen Kenntnissen dieses Abschnitts der Pyrenäen.Im Rahmen einer umfangreichen Arbeit, die noch fortgesetzt wird, sind dies einige Teilergebnisse, die den Wert geochemischer Untersuchungen gerade in pelitischen Serien zeigen, die gemeinhin als äußerst monoton gelten.

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Fine‐scale diet of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) using DNA‐based analysis of faeces

We applied DNA‐based faecal analysis to determine the diet of female Australian sea lions (n = 12) from two breeding colonies in South Australia. DNA dietary components of fish and cephalopods were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and mitochondrial DNA primers targeting the short (~100 base pair) section of the 16S gene region. Prey diversity was determined by sequencing ~50 amplicons generated from clone libraries developed for each individual. Faecal DNA was also combined and cloned from multiple individuals at each colony and fish diversity determined. Diets varied between individuals and sites. Overall, DNA analysis identified a broad diversity of prey comprising 23 fish and five cephalopod taxa, including many species not previously described as prey of the Australian sea lion. Labridae (wrasse), Monacanthidae (leatherjackets) and Mullidae (goat fish) were important fish prey taxa. Commonly identified cephalopods were Octopodidae (octopus), Loliginidae (calamary squid) and Sepiidae (cuttlefish). Comparisons of fish prey diversity determined by pooling faecal DNA from several samples provided a reasonable but incomplete resemblance (55–71%) to the total fish diversity identified across individual diets at each site. Interpretation of diet based on the recovery of prey hard‐parts identified one cephalopod beak (Octopus sp.) and one fish otolith (Parapriacanthus elongatus). The present study highlights the value of DNA‐based analyses and their capabilities to enhance information of trophic interactions.     

Contrasting geochemical signatures on land from the Middle and Late Permian extinction events

The end of the Palaeozoic is marked by two mass‐extinction events during the Middle Permian (Capitanian) and the Late Permian (Changhsingian). Given similarities between the two events in geochemical signatures, such as large magnitude negative δ¹³C anomalies, sedimentological signatures such as claystone breccias, and the approximate contemporaneous emplacement of large igneous provinces, many authors have sought a common causal mechanism. Here, a new high‐resolution continental record of the Capitanian event from Portal Mountain, Antarctica, is compared with previously published Changhsingian records of geochemical signatures of weathering intensity and palaeoclimatic change. Geochemical means of discriminating sedimentary provenance (Ti/Al, U/Th and La/Ce ratios) all indicate a common provenance for the Portal Mountain sediments and associated palaeosols, so changes spanning the Capitanian extinction represent changes in weathering intensity rather than sediment source. Proxies for weathering intensity chemical index of alteration, ?W and rare earth element accumulation all decline across the Capitanian extinction event at Portal Mountain, which is in contrast to the increased weathering recorded globally at the Late Permian extinction. Furthermore, palaeoclimatic proxies are consistent with unchanging or cooler climatic conditions throughout the Capitanian event, which contrasts with Changhsingian records that all indicate a significant syn‐extinction and post‐extinction series of greenhouse warming events. Although both the Capitanian and Changhsingian event records indicate significant redox shifts, palaeosol geochemistry of the Changhsingian event indicates more reducing conditions, whereas the new Capitanian record of reduced trace metal abundances (Cr, Cu, Ni and Ce) indicates more oxidizing conditions. Taken together, the differences in weathering intensity, redox and the lack of evidence for significant climatic change in the new record suggest that the Capitanian mass extinction was not triggered by dyke injection of coal‐beds, as in the Changhsingian extinction, and may instead have been triggered directly by the Emeishan large igneous province or by the interaction of Emeishan basalts with platform carbonates.     

Mid-infrared, spatially resolved spectroscopy of the nucleus of the Circinus galaxy

High spatial resolution spectroscopy at 8–13 μm with T-ReCS on Gemini-S has revealed striking variations in the mid-infrared emission and absorption in the nucleus of the Circinus galaxy (hereafter Circinus) on subarcsecond scales. The core of Circinus is compact and obscured by a substantial column of cool silicate dust. Weak extended emission to the east and west coincides with the coronal line region and arises from featureless dust grains which are probably heated by line emission in the coronal emission zone. The extended emission on the east side of the nucleus displays a much deeper silicate absorption than that on the west, indicating significant columns of cool material along the line of sight and corresponding to an additional extinction of   A_V ∼ 25 mag  . Emission bands from aromatic hydrocarbons are not subject to this additional extinction, are relatively weak in the core and in the coronal line region, and are much more spatially extended than the continuum dust emission; they presumably arise in the circumnuclear star-forming regions. These data are interpreted in terms of an inclined disc-like structure around the nucleus extending over tens of parsecs and possibly related to the inner disc found from observations of water masers by Greenhill et al..     

EXPLORING SPATIAL FAMILIARITY*

Spatial familiarity is a natural language concept that has no well-defined technical interpretation. We explore here some possible dimensions of the concept, provide subjective measurements of the dimensions, and evaluate their independence. The four dimensions examined are locational knowledge, visual recognition, name identification, and interaction frequency. We suggest that both cognitive and behavioral dimensions are embedded in the concept of spatial familiarity and must be part of the meaning of the concept and of any attempt to make it operational.