Detection of rovibrationally excited H2 formed through the heterogeneous recombination of H atoms on a cold HOPG surface

This paper reports results from an experiment designed to measure the nascent rovibrational population of H₂ molecules that have formed through the heterogeneous recombination of H atoms on the surface of cosmic dust analogues under conditions approaching those of the interstellar medium (ISM). H₂ that has formed on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface has been detected, using laser induced resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization (REMPI), in the v = 1 (J= 0–3) rovibrational states at surface temperatures of 30 K and 50 K. These excited product molecules display rotational temperatures significantly higher than the target surface temperature. These first results suggest that a considerable proportion of the binding energy released on formation of the H₂ is deposited in the surface, in addition to internal excitation of the product molecules. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Age of nephrite-bearing dikes of the Uzunkyr Belt (South Urals): Local U-Pb isotope analysis of zircon and Sr-Nd isotope data of rock-forming minerals

Through local U-Pb isotope analysis of zircon and Sir-Need data on rock-forming minerals, the age of nephrite-bearing monzonite-diorite dikes of the Uzunkyr Belt has been determined. The derived datings coincide with known geological events that took place in the Phanerozoic on the territory of the South Urals. Xenogenic zircons prove the participation of the Upper Ordovician units in the tectonic structure of the studied area. Devonian zircons are associated with assimilation of subvolcanic rocks which are middle and basic in composition and whose formation time correlates with the appearance of the subduction zone with the Magnitogorsk island arc above it. Early Carboniferous datings indicate the relationship between dike formation and formation of the continental arc-shaped structure to which the Syrostan massif (monzodiorite-granite formation) belongs. The age range of the Uzunkyr nephrite-bearing dikes coincides with that of intrusives (350–336 Ma) of the Magnitogorsk Belt, where formation of gabbro series was also changed by formation of subalkali and alkali igneous rocks. According to the analogous data on zircon datings from metamorphic rocks of the Il’menogorskii Complex, the given territory later evolved as a whole.     

Radon volumetric activity and ion production in the undisturbed lower atmosphere: Ground-based observations and numerical modeling

The results of in situ ground-based observations of radon volumetric activity carried out at the Borok Geophysical Observatory of Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the Russian Academy of Sciences (58°04′ N; 38°14′ E) are presented. Modeling the characteristic diurnal variation in the ion production rate in the undisturbed midlatitude lower atmosphere above land is carried out. The Lagrangian stochastic model of turbulent transport is developed in application to determining the vertical profiles of radon activity for 222Rn and 220Rn isotopes and their radioactive decay products. The results calculated by the Lagrangian stochastic model are matched with the analytical solution for the free atmosphere. Based on the model, the estimate is obtained for the rate of radon outflow from the convective boundary layer to the free clear sky atmosphere. The implications of temperature stratification of the atmosphere for the vertical distribution of the ion production rate at the different radon emission rate are explored.     

Interannual variability of soil moisture in the European part of Russia in summer

Interannual and interdecadal variability of soil moisture in the European part of Russia in summer months is investigated using the data for 1948-2012. It is found that the two first empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) describe about 50% of total variability of soil moisture. The spatial pattern of the first EOF is indicative of coherent changes in soil moisture in the whole European part of Russia. The second EOF is represented by the meridional dipole with the opposite signs of soil moisture variations in the northern and southern parts of the region. It is revealed that the spatiotemporal pattern of the principal EOFs of soil moisture variability in the European part of Russia almost does not vary during summer that is indicative of the uniform (for each EOF) mechanism of the formation of interan-nual variability of soil moisture.     

透岩浆流体作用与矿田构造

从透岩浆流体成矿理论的角度对矿田构造进行了重新认识,提出矿田构造系统是一种复杂性动力系统的观点。根据这个模型,矿田构造是近场应力场与远场应力场强烈相互作用的产物。近场应力场由岩浆成矿系统而不是远场应力场派生,因而不能由矿田构造反演区域构造,但可以从区域构造限定矿田构造。矿田构造常有岩脉和热液脉充填,因而是可识别的。利用构造统计学方法,可以根据岩脉和/或热液脉的分布密度图(或等值线图)预测找矿靶区。     

Wind tunnel modeling of small-scale meteorological processes

After introductory remarks on similarity laws to be satisfied in wind tunnel experiments simulating small-scale meteorological processes, mean and turbulence characteristics of wind tunnel boundary layers are presented and compared with the characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer. The results are used to evaluate the possibilities and limitations of physical modeling of pollutant dispersion in general. In the second part of the paper, the potential of wind tunnels to solve micro-meteorological problems of real practical interest will be demonstrated. The example involves the investigation of the effects of building downwash on ground-level concentrations for flue gases discharged from natural draft wet cooling towers.     

Fully probabilistic seismic risk assessment considering local site effects for the portfolio of buildings in Medellín,Colombia

A fully probabilistic seismic risk analysis using a comprehensive approach is conducted for Medellin, the second largest city of Colombia, using a building by building database constructed and complemented from aerial images, considering characteristics such as building use categories, socio-economic levels and replacement values. The seismic hazard used for the analysis corresponds to the most updated study available in the country with the same model that was included in the national building code maps definition. Spectral transfer functions are determined for each of the seismic microzonation zones in order to take into account the dynamic soil response and amplification effects in the risk analysis. Several building types are defined for the city and individual vulnerability functions are assigned to each of them. Risk results are presented in the state of the art metrics such as the loss exceedance curve, probable maximum losses for different return periods, average annual losses and risk maps. The obtained results can be classified by use and socio-economic sectors as well as by structural systems that may help the stakeholders to identify where the risk concentrates.     

On the Trajectories of Asteroid Encounters with the Earth for 2015 RN35 and Apophis

A great number of probable encounters of asteroid 2015 RN35 with the Earth have been found; many of them were unknown earlier. The main characteristics and properties of the corresponding trajectories have been obtained. Probable impacts of the asteroid Apophis with the Earth are also discussed. The results suggest that the multitudes of potential impacts of hazardous asteroids with the Earth can be and must be analyzed in more detail. Such an analysis is required to plan and implement the measures on preventing the asteroid impact hazard.     

Apsidal motion in the eclipsing binary system V 451 Ophiuchi

MulticolourWBVR photoelectric observations of the eclipsing binary V 451 Oph were carried out, and a highly accurate light curve was obtained. The angular velocity of the orbital rotation, =2.1 deg yr^–1, and the apsidal motion constantk ₂=0.0045 are given.     

Cuspidine‐bearing skarn from Chesney Vale,Victoria

The rare calc‐silicate minerals cuspidine, bultfonteinite, foshagite and xonotlite occur in a calcsilicate skarn zone near Chesney Vale, in northern Victoria. They are associated with andradite-grossular garnet, vesuvianite, diopside, wollastonite, prehnite, epidote, fluorite, calcite, perovskite,sphene and possibly tobermorite. The calc‐silicate skarn zone has formed in thermally meta‐morphosed, Ordovician, deep‐marine sediments adjacent to an Early Devonian aplitic granite pluton. The assemblages are estimated to have formed at low pressure (<100 MPa) at temperaturesnot exceeding 600°C in the presence of a low‐X_co2 fluorine‐bearing fluid. The occurrence is the firstrecord of bultfonteinite and foshagite in Australia and the first record of cuspidine and xonotlite inVictoria.