Hyperfine structure and interstellar curves of growth

The effects of the hyperfine structure (HFS) that is present in some interstellar absorption lines are investigated in the case of a single absorbing cloud. If the respective total equivalent widths of two or more unresolved HFS multiplets measured in relatively low-resolution spectra are analysed specifically by means of a curve of growth, the column density N (X) and the linewidth parameter b (X) inferred for absorbing species X in the cloud will generally be in error if the HFS is ignored. The fundamental physical effect is the reduced line saturation that arises because the total column density is divided among the HFS levels of the ground atomic level, each of which generally gives rise to an HFS line at a different wavelength. For nuclear spins   I = 3/2  and   I = 5/2  , theoretical curves of growth are calculated for some of the resonance lines of some alkali atoms, for each of four illustrative choices of the parameter  α=Δ/ b   , the ratio of the HFS splitting in the ground atomic level to the linewidth. Applications of the results to interstellar absorption by Na  i , K  i and Al  iii are emphasized. HFS is, fortunately, unimportant for most interstellar lines, however. Among the 35 elements that have been detected in diffuse clouds via interstellar absorption in the ultraviolet/optical spectral region, the most abundant isotope of each of 25 of these shows no HFS, because   I = 0  or, in the relevant ground atomic level,   J = 0  .     

On the stellar origin of gamma ray bursts

We show that our original suggestion that gamma-ray bursts (GRB) may be flares on Magnetically Active Stellar Systems (MASS) namely flare stars, RS CVn binaries and Cataclysmic variables agrees well with the new observations of CGRO. We make a multi component fit to the log(N) - log(S) distribution and the high degree of isotropy as observed by the previous generation of satellites as well as BATSE/CGRO using the second BATSE catalogue. We then discuss individual source association and optical transient observations and show that they favor the present suggestion. We discuss the physical mechanisms and gamma-ray production processes that can occur on such systems giving the GRB their characteristics. We predict increase of anisotropy in the BATSE/CGRO observations for bright GRB.     

Study on changes of plasmalemma permeability and some primary inorganic ions of Antarctic ice microalgae （Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L） in the low-temperature stress

The changes of plasmalemma permeability and some primary inorganic ions of Antarctic ice microalgae （ Chlamydomonas sp. ICE-L） in the low-temperature stress were examined. The plasmalemma of 1CE-L could maintain the stability at the freezing condition of -6 ℃. That signifies that it could maintain the proper function of plasmalemma and stability of the intracellular environment during sea ice formation. The function of inorganic ions on low-temperature adaptation of ICE-L was investigated by using the X-ray microanalysis method. Low temperature （0 - -6 ℃ ） induces Ca^2 ＋ concentration increment of cytoplasm, but after 24 h the content decrease quickly to normal value. As a matter of fact, Ca^2 ＋ plays an important role as the second messenger in the low temperature adaptation of ICE-L. In addition, low temperature also influences on the other primary inorganic ions transfer and the cell maintains activity by keeping ratio balance among different ions. Above all, it is necessary for Antarctic ice microalgae to survive and breed by maintaining the stability of K^ ＋ content and the balance of Na^ ＋/Cl^ -.     

Advances in radiative transfer

This review describes advances in radiative transfer theory since about 1985. We stress fundamental aspects and emphasize modern methods for the numerical solution of the transfer equation for spatially multidimensional problems, for both unpolarized and polarized radiation. We restrict the discussion to two-level atoms with noninverted populations for given temperature, density and velocity fields. Unfortunately this article was originally published with typesetter's errors: The correct publication date was 25 February 2006, not 3 January 2006. The content was not in the final form. The publishers wish to apologize for this mistake. The online version of the original version can be found at /10.1007/s00159-005-0025-8.     

Relative sea‐level changes,glacial isostatic modelling and ice‐sheet reconstructions from the British Isles since the Last Glacial Maximum

While contributing <1 m equivalent eustatic sea‐level rise the British Isles ice sheet produced glacio‐isostatic rebound in northern Britain of similar magnitude to eustatic sea‐level change, or global meltwater influx, over the last 18 000 years. The resulting spatially variable relative sea‐level changes combine with observations from far‐field locations to produce a rigorous test for quantitative models of glacial isostatic adjustment, local ice‐sheet history and global meltwater influx. After a review of the attributes of relative sea‐level observations significant for constraining large‐scale models of the isostatic adjustment process we summarise long records of relative sea‐level change from the British Isles and far‐field locations. We give an overview of different global theoretical models of the isostatic adjustment process before presenting intercomparisons of observed and predicted relative sea levels at sites in the British Isles and far‐field for a range of Earth and ice model parameters in order to demonstrate model sensitivity and the resolving power available from using evidence from the British Isles. For the first time we show a good degree of fit between relative sea‐level observations and predictions that are based upon global Earth and ice model parameters, independently derived from analysis of far‐field data, with a terrain‐corrected model of the British Isles ice sheet that includes extensive glaciation of the North Sea and western continental shelf, that does not assume isostatic equilibrium at the Last Glacial Maximum and keeps to trimline constraints of ice surface elevation. We do not attempt to identify a unique solution for the model lithosphere thickness parameter or the local‐scale detail of the ice model in order to provide a fit for all sites, but argue that the next stage should be to incorporate an ice‐sheet model that is based on quantitative, glaciological model simulations. We hope that this paper will stimulate this debate and help to integrate research in glacial geomorphology, glaciology, sea‐level change, Earth rheology and quantitative modelling. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.