A new red variable star in the globularcluster M4

G302 = L3107 is a red star located at the lowest end of the red giant branch of the globular cluster M4. According to its location on the C-M diagram, G302 may be a cluster member. No proper motion or radial velocity determinations are available up to date.

We discovered that C302 is a new variable star with a main period of 1.24719 day and a peak to peak amplitude of about 0.3 mag in V. It may have a second period of 2.38249 day with an amplitude of about 0.05 mag. If it is a cluster member, then there will be interesting implications for the the theory of stellar evolution.     

过程定义语言XPDL,BPML和BPEL4WS的比较分析

BPML和XPDL及BPEL4WS都是基于XML的过程定义语言，提供了一个正式模型来表达企业商务过程中的可执行过程。从语言的功能、结构、实现细节等方面对XPDL、BPML和BPEL4WS进行了分析和比较，说明了3种语言各自的特点和适用范围。     

Spectral properties of the X-ray binary pulsar LMC X-4 during different Intensity states

We present spectral variations of the binary X-ray pulsar LMC X-4 observed with the RXTE/PCA during different phases of its 30.5 day long third period. Only out-of-eclipse data were used for this study. The 3–25 keV spectrum, modeled with high energy cut-off power-law and iron line emission is found to show strong dependence on the intensity state. Correlations between the Fe line emission flux and different parameters of the continuum are presented here.     

Intermittent jet activity in the radio galaxy 4C 29.30?

We present radio observations at frequencies ranging from 240 to 8460 MHz of the radio galaxy 4C 29.30 (J0840+2949) using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Effelsberg telescope. We report the existence of weak extended emission with an angular size of ∼520 arcsec (639 kpc) within which a compact edge-brightened double-lobed source with a size of 29 arcsec (36 kpc) is embedded. We determine the spectrum of the inner double from 240 to 8460 MHz and show that it has a single power-law spectrum with a spectral index of ∼0.8. Its spectral age is estimated to be ≲33 Myr. The extended diffuse emission has a steep spectrum with a spectral index of ∼1.3 and a break frequency ≲240 MHz. The spectral age is ≳200 Myr, suggesting that the extended diffuse emission is due to an earlier cycle of activity. We re-analyse archival X-ray data from Chandra and suggest that the X-ray emission from the hotspots consists of a mixture of non-thermal and thermal components, the latter being possibly due to gas which is shock heated by the jets from the host galaxy.     

Geochemical stability of fine-grained silicic Holocene tephra in Iceland and Scotland

This paper tests two assumptions fundamental to the use of fine-grained silicic tephras from Iceland for creating chronological frameworks in northwest Europe. It is shown firstly, that glass shards can retain their overall chemical integrity on at least a four millennial time-scale in contrasting depositional environments in Iceland and Scotland, and secondly, that an acid digestion process, the most practical method for extracting tephra from peat, does not significantly bias the results of major element analysis by electron microprobe. The implication is that there is great potential and an appropriate method for developing both the resolution and the spatial coverage of chronologies based on silicic Icelandic tephras in northwest Europe.     

X-ray observations of 4 Draconis: symbiotic binary or cataclysmic triple?

We present the first X-ray observations of the 4 Draconis system, consisting of an M3 III giant with a hot ultraviolet companion. It has been claimed that the companion is itself an AM Her-type binary system, an identification that places strong constraints on the evolution of cataclysmic variables. We find that the X-ray properties of 4 Draconis are consistent with the presence of an accreting white dwarf, but not consistent with the presence of an AM Her system. We conclude that 4 Draconis is therefore most likely a symbiotic binary containing a white dwarf accreting material from the wind of the red giant.
The X-ray spectrum of 4 Draconis is sometimes dominated by partially ionized photoelectric absorption, presumably due to the wind of the red giant. We note that X-ray monitoring of such systems would provide a powerful probe of the wind and mass-loss rate of the giant, and would allow a detailed test of wind accretion models.     

Organochlorines and dioxin-like compounds in green-lipped mussels Perna viridis from Hong Kong mariculture zones

Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine (OC) pesticides and dioxin-like compounds were measured in green-lipped mussels, Perna viridis, collected from seven mariculture zones in Hong Kong between September and October in 2002 in order to evaluate the status, spatial distribution and potential sources of pollution in these areas. Concentrations ranged from 300 to 4400 ng/g lipid weight for total OCs and 170–1000 ng/g lipid weight for total PCBs (based on 28 congeners). Relatively smaller DDT concentrations in mussels compared with previous studies suggest reduced discharges of DDTs from nearby regions into Hong Kong waters. Detection of a mixture of HCH isomers in the mussels indicated that Hong Kong waters were predominantly contaminated by technical HCHs rather than lindane. Mussel samples from all sampling locations elicited significant dioxin-like activity in the H4IIE-luc bioassay. The greatest magnitude of dioxin-like response (39 pg TEQ/g wet wt.) was detected in mussels from Ma Wan in the western waters of Hong Kong, which is strongly influenced by the Pearl River discharge. Human health risk assessment was undertaken to evaluate potential risks associated with the consumption of the green-lipped mussels. Risk quotient (RQ) for dioxin-like compounds was greater than unity suggesting that adverse health effects may be associated with high mussel consumption.     

Wavelet Analysis of Earthquake Activity in the West of the Chinese Mainland and Its Adjacent Area

INTRODUCTIONWiththedevelopmentofsocietyandquickurbanizationfeaturedbyacentralizationofpopulationsandeconomies ,itisverylikelythatastrongearthquakewillcausethedeathofhundredsandthousandsofpeopleandhugelossofproperty .Forexample ,intheepicenterareaoftheBame…     

中国大陆7级强震前地下流体前兆时空特征

对中国大陆1969年以来11次7级强震前地下流体前兆观测资料分阶段进行统计分析,并选用雷达图描述了中国大陆7级强震前地下流体前兆异常的时空特征,认为其特征主要表现在：异常出现时间上的阶段性与不均匀性,中长期趋势性异常分散,短临异常相对集中,且各占总异常比例的50％左右;震前异常集中在一定的范围内,并沿活动断裂呈现出一定的集中性;中长期趋势异常较早出现在震源区附近,并呈现出由震源区向外围扩散-收缩-扩散-收缩的过程,特别是进入短临阶段后,异常向震源区收缩的趋势更为明显;在震源区(或在距震源较近的范围内)异常所占的比例大,远离震源区所占比例小,且有由震源区向外围逐渐减小的趋势。