The Hα-cyclonic spectra of a flare loop system on 1981 April 27

The data such as the H-spectrum-spectroheliographic (SSHG) observations, the H-chromospheric observations, etc., of a flare loop prominence which occurred on the western solar limb on 1981 April 27 have been obtained at Yunnan Observatory. The distribution of the internal motions and the macroscopical motion of the flare loop prominence with time and space in the course of its eruption and ascension is derived from the comprehensive analysis of the data. The possible physical pictures and the instability of the motions of the loop are inferred and discussed.     

Isoseismals of the strongest Friuli aftershocks of September 1976

Summary Isoseismal maps of the three strongest Friuli aftershocks of September 1976 were compiled using the contributions from European countries within the shaken area. The characteristic features of the macroseismic fields are discussed.     

A New Approach for Studying Hubble Diagrams of Quasars

In this paper, a new approach for studying Hubble diagrams of quasars is introduced. The purpose is to reduce the well-known very large scatter in the diagram. We believe that the scatter is mainly caused by the wide spread of luminosity distribution of quasars. Based on a large number of quasars having been discovered, we introduce a new quantity, the collective apparent magnitude of certain amount of quasars in a corresponding redshift interval, and make a plot of the collective apparent magnitude versus redshift with the data published by Hewitt and Burbidge (1993). The quantity is contributed by individual apparent luminosities as well as the luminosity distribution of quasars. Scatter is expected to be largely reduced in the corresponding diagram, and this is indeed true as shown by the figures. By discussing several possible effects and from the figures, we find that the assumption that redshifts of quasars are distance indicators is confirmed, and the standard cosmological model is supported. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Coordinated Study on Solar Wind Turbulence During the Venus-Express, ACE and Ulysses Alignment of August 2007

At the end of August 2007, Venus, Earth and Ulysses were aligned within a few degrees. This unusual event gives the opportunity to attempt a coordinated study on the radial evolution of solar wind turbulence and coronal transients like CMEs between 0.7 and 1.4 AU. Interplanetary magnetic field data and moments of proton velocity distribution function such as density, speed and temperature are required for this programme and will be provided by ACE at Earth, Venus Express at Venus and Ulysses at 1.4 AU. This project has been recently proposed as a Coordinated Investigation Programme (CIP35) for the International Heliophysical Year.     

The Location of Office Space in the Metropolitan Service Economy of the United States, 1985–1990

As the economic base of most American metropolitan areas relies increasingly on services, office industries have shifted to a more pivotal role in the new metropolitan service economy. Using primary office-space usage data of the time period 1985–1990, the changing spatial patterns of this new metropolitan service economy are investigated. It is found that the primary office activities are predominantly concentrated in a relatively small number of the largest metropolitan areas. However, an emerging spatial dispersion in primary office activities is also exhibited. Such dispersion is extremely strong at the upper end of the urban hierarchy. The Sunbelt-Snowbelt dichotomy fails to reveal any differences in the growth pattern of the new metropolitan service economy. A more diversified growth pattern of primary office activities is observed. Concentrated dispersion is the major spatial characteristic of this new metropolitan service economy.     

Paleoclimate changes in the late precambrian: Evidence from the upper precambrian section of the South Urals

The climatic impact on the formation of fine-grained rocks from the Riphean stratotype and Vendian Asha Group on the western slope of the South Urals during the time interval lasting approximately 1200 Ma is considered. It is shown that these rocks are largely represented by “tectonosilicate-dominated” shales. This feature combined with changes in the average K₂O/Al₂O₃ values disavows the hypothesis in (Kennedy et al., 2006), according to which the growth of free oxygen concentration in the Late Riphean and Vendian atmosphere was determined by gradual intensification of the organic carbon extraction from the biosphere by clays. The average values of the hydrolyzate module, chemical index of alteration (CIA), and several lithogeochemical parameters calculated for the Riphean and Vendian clayey rocks provide grounds for the conclusion that intensity of weathering in paleodrainage areas during the accumulation of the Upper Precambrian sedimentary successions was low. The curve reflecting changes of the average CIA values in the Upper Precambrian fine-grained siliciclastic rocks of the South Urals is similar to some extent with the “standard” CIA_correct. curve (GonzalezAlvarez and Kerrich, 2012). It is assumed that changes in microand macrobiotic communities during the Late Precambrian were controlled to a variable extent by climate fluctuations as well. At the same time, these fluctuations most likely left the chemical composition of water in the ocean virtually unchanged, which is evident from analysis of the redox conditions in the ocean and the distribution of primary producers with the average CIA_correct. and CIA values.     

Using Traditional Methods and Indigenous Technologies for Coping With Climate Variability

In agrometeorology and management of meteorology related natural resources, many traditional methods and indigenous technologies are still in use or being revived for managing low external inputs sustainable agriculture (LEISA) under conditions of climate variability. This paper starts with the introduction of an “end-to-end” climate information build up and transfer system in agrometeorology, in which the use of such methods and technologies must be seen to operate. It then reviews the options that LEISA farmers have in risk management of agrometeorological and agroclimatological calamities. This is based on the role that the pertinent meteorological/climatological parameters and phenomena play as limiting factors in agricultural production and the expectations on their variability. Subsequently, local case studies are given as examples of preparedness strategies to cope with i). variable water/moisture flows, including mechanical impacts of rain and/or hail, ii). variable temperature and heat flows, including fires, and iii). fitting cropping periods to the varying seasons, everywhere including related phenomena as appropriate. The paper ends with a series of important additional considerations without which the indicated strategies cannot be successful on a larger scale and in the long run.     

Application of magnetic adsorbent with silicate and phenyl polymers to adsorb Rhodamine B

The extensive use of Rhodamine B (RhB) for textile, paper, pigment, food, cosmetic, and drug manufacturing and its indiscriminate disposal leads to serious human, biological, and environmental hazards. A magnetic adsorbent with silicate and phenyl polymers (Ph/SiO₂/Fe₃O₄) has been prepared to absorb RhB. The morphology and structure of the adsorbents have been characterized by TGA, XRD, FTIR, and adsorption–desorption measurement. The results revealed that Ph/SiO₂/Fe₃O₄ exhibited a paramagnetic behavior and could easily and quickly be separated from a suspension. The RhB adsorption behavior was almost pH independent due to the adsorption between the phenyl ring of Ph/SiO₂/Fe₃O₄ and RhB by π–π electron-donor–acceptor interactions. The adsorption behavior of RhB adsorption was in good agreement with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 142.186 mg g^?1. Good desorption performance of Ph/SiO₂/Fe₃O₄ showed that this novel magnetic adsorbent cannot only be activated by ethanol extraction process but also reuse by the recovery of magnetic force.