Analogue modelling of the influence of shape and particle/matrix interface lubrication on the rotational behaviour of rigid particles in simple shear

The rotational behaviour of a rigid particle embedded in a linear viscous matrix undergoing cylindrical simple shear (Couette) flow was studied in 2D rock-analogue experiments. The influence of particle shape (elliptical vs. monoclinic), aspect ratio and the nature of the matrix/particle interface (lubricated vs. unlubricated) was investigated. Both matrix (PDMS) and lubricant (liquid soap) were linear viscous, with a viscosity ratio of ca. 10⁴. Without lubricant, the rotational behaviour of all particles closely approximates the Jeffery theory. Lubricated monoclinic particles with the long diagonal initially parallel to the shear direction show back rotation and approach a stable position. Lubricated elliptical particles initially parallel to the shear direction also show back rotation but only transiently stabilize. Weak planar zones in the matrix adjacent to unlubricated elliptical particles do not induce backward rotation. In general for elliptical particles, rotation rate as a function of orientation depends on axial ratio and thickness of the lubricant mantle. For thick mantles (initially >10% of the volume of the particle), rotation rates are faster than Jeffery theory. For very thin mantles they are markedly slower compared with thick mantles, particularly when the long axis is nearly parallel to the shear direction. Rotation rates are never strictly zero, so true stabilization does not occur. However, for more elongate particles (axial RATIO=6) rotation rates are so slow that a very strong shape preferred orientation would develop in a lubricated elliptical particle population. In experiments, the volume of lubricant is constant and the thickness adjacent to the long side of the particle progressively decreases with increasing strain. In natural examples of porphyroclast systems, the weak mantle continually develops by recrystallization and/or cataclasis of the rigid clast core and a steady state between production and thinning could be attained, potentially leading to true stabilization for particles with a high axial ratio.     

The ARIEL Instrument Control Unit design

In this paper we present the electromagnetic modeling and beam pattern measurements of a 16-elements ultra wideband sparse random test array for the low frequency instrument of the Square Kilometer Array telescope. We discuss the importance of a small array test platform for the development of technologies and techniques towards the final telescope, highlighting the most relevant aspects of its design. We also describe the electromagnetic simulations and modeling work as well as the embedded-element and array pattern measurements using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system. The latter are helpful both for the validation of the models and the design as well as for the future instrumental calibration of the telescope thanks to the stable, accurate and strong radio frequency signal transmitted by the UAV. At this stage of the design, these measurements have shown a general agreement between experimental results and numerical data and have revealed the localized effect of un-calibrated cable lengths in the inner side-lobes of the array pattern.     

Nekhoroshev estimate for isochronous non resonant symplectic maps

We prove that non resonant isochronous symplectic maps in a neighborhood of an elliptic fixed point are stable for exponentially long times with the inverse of the distance from the fixed point. In the proof we make use of the majorant series method together with an idea for optimizing remainder estimates first applied to Hamiltonian problems by Nekhoroshev.     

Effects of clogging on stream macroinvertebrates: An experimental approach

The influence of streambed sediment clogging on macroinvertebrate communities was investigated in the Lemme creek (NW Italy). To assess how fine sediment accumulation can influence the colonisation process and community composition of macroinvertebrates, we placed 48 traps in the riverbed. The traps consisted of boxes built with metal net (mesh 1 cm, height 15 cm, sides 5 cm) covered with nylon net except for the apex, allowing access exclusively from the top. We created four trap types filled with 100% gravel, 30% sand and 70% gravel, 70% sand and 30% gravel and 100% sand. After 20 and 40 days, we removed 6 traps/type. Macroinvertebrates rapidly colonised the traps, as we found no significant community differences between the two removal dates. Among the four trap types, we found significant differences in taxa number and abundance, which both decreased with increasing clogging. Thus, our study supports the hypothesis that clogging and the accumulation of fine substratum elements strongly affects benthic stream communities.     

A note on the equilibrium points of the restricted problem of three bodies

Using Sylvester's theorem on matrices, an elegant expression is obtained for the solutions of the restricted problem of three bodies in the neighborhood of the equilibrium points.     

Potential evidence for slab detachment from the flexural backstripping of a foredeep: Insight on the evolution of the Pescara basin (Italy)

The discrepancy between the size of the Apenninic chain and the depth of the Adriatic foredeep is investigated using 2D flexural backstripping on well‐constrained depth‐converted cross‐sections in the Pescara basin (Central Italy). The procedure consisted of removal, uplift, unfolding and unfaulting of the Pliocene–Pleistocene foreland deposits to produce a palaeogeographic map of the basin at the end of the Messinian and to constrain sedimentary rates since the Miocene. Results are found to support the contribution of an external load to the foreland evolution together with the Apenninic chain load. The interplay of the two types of loads resulted in spatial and temporal variations of the foredeep evolution that are quantified by palaeogeographic maps and sedimentation rates obtained through backstripping. Results are interpreted as representing the effects of a southward‐migrating wave linked to slab detachment beneath the Adriatic foredeep. This procedure can be useful to investigate similar problems on other chains worldwide.     

Mantle-derived carbon in Hercynian granites. Stable isotopes signatures and C/He associations in the thermomineral waters,N-Portugal

Na–HCO₃–CO₂-rich thermomineral waters issue in the N of Portugal, within the Galicia-Trás-os-Montes region, linked to a major NNE-trending fault, the so-called Penacova-Régua-Verin megalineament. Along this tectonic structure different occurrences of CO₂-rich thermomineral waters are found: Chaves hot waters (67 °C) and also several cold (16.1 °C) CO₂-rich waters. The δ²H and δ¹⁸O values of the thermomineral waters are similar to those of the local meteoric waters. The chemical composition of both hot and cold mineral waters suggests that water–rock reactions are mainly controlled by the amount of dissolved CO₂ (g) rather than by the water temperature. Stable carbon isotope data indicate an external CO₂ inorganic origin for the gas. δ¹³C_CO2 values ranging between ? 7.2‰ and ? 5.1‰ are consistent with a two-component mixture between crustal and mantle-derived CO₂. Such an assumption is supported by the ³He/⁴He ratios measured in the gas phase, are between 0.89 and 2.68 times the atmospheric ratio (Ra). These ratios which are higher than that those expected for a pure crustal origin (≈ 0.02 Ra), indicating that 10 to 30% of the He has originated from the upper mantle. Release of deep-seated fluids having a mantle-derived component in a region without recent volcanic activity indicates that extensive neo-tectonic structures originating during the Alpine Orogeny are still active (i.e., the Chaves Depression).     

Stability of the sponge assemblage of Mediterranean coralligenous concretions along a millennial time span

The Mediterranean coralligenous substratum is a hard bottom of biogenic origin, mainly composed of calcareous algae, growing in dim light conditions. Sponges are among of the most representative taxa of the coralligenous assemblages, with more than 300 recorded species of different habits: massive, erect, boring and insinuating. When sponges die, their siliceous spicules remain trapped in the biogenic concretion, offering the opportunity to describe the coralligenous spongofauna over a very long span of time, virtually dating back to a large part of the Holocene period. The data reported here were obtained from core samples collected from four coralligenous concretions. Each block was collected in a different locality of the Ligurian Sea: Santo Stefano Shoals, Bogliasco, Punta del Faro (Portofino Promontory) and Punta Manara. Radiocarbon age determinations indicate for these conglomerates a maximal age between 1600 and 3100 years. The spicules trapped in the cores show deep dissolution marks in the form of circular holes on their surface or present an enlargement of the axial canal. However, their original shape, generally intact, suggests the absence of mechanical injuries and allows a tentative identification at the species level. The analysis of these old spicules reveals an ancient sponge assemblage composed of 30 recognisable species. This indicates that almost one half of the sponge community today settled on coralligenous substrata has been present in the conglomerates for their entire existence.     

Analysis of fibrous zeolites in the volcanic deposits of the Viterbo Province,Italy

Since Etrurian age, the Viterbo Province (Central Italy) is famous for its ancient towns carved out of local ignimbrite deposits which geologically represent the sedimentation of pumice-rich, volcano-related pyroclastic flows. Almost the entire study area is geologically characterized by a thick succession of ignimbrites, tephra fallouts and lava flow deposits locally subjected to zeolitization. Among zeolites, fibrous erionite represents a well-known health hazard and so this work aims at locating and quantifying the presence of fibrous zeolites in volcanic deposits of the Viterbo area, suggesting at the same time a standard operational procedure useful in other areas showing the same possible hazard. 41 samples collected in the Viterbo area were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, optical and electron microscopy. Fibrous zeolites were detected in five samples and quantified in amounts ranging from 0.35 to 1.66% vol. They generally occur in tetragonal or orthorhombic prismatic habit and showed chemical composition mainly consistent with K-phillipsite. Fibrous zeolites occurred with aspect ratios (mean = 6.3), comparable or lower than those of erionite fibers reported in previous studies and mean diameters >3 μm.     

The iron Kα Compton shoulder in transmitted and reflected spectra

We calculate the equivalent width of the core, and the centroid energy and relative flux of the first-order Compton shoulder of the iron Kα emission line from neutral matter. The calculations are performed with Monte Carlo simulations. We explore a large range of column densities for both transmitted and reflected spectra, and study the dependence on the iron abundance. The Compton shoulder is now becoming observable in many objects thanks to the improved sensitivity and/or energy resolution of the XMM – Newton and Chandra satellites, and the present work aims to provide a tool to derive information on the geometry and element abundances of the line-emitting matter from Compton shoulder measurements.