A unified theory of the formation of galactic bars

We give arguments for a basically unified formation mechanism of slow (Lynden-Bell) and fast (common) galactic bars. This mechanism is based on an instability that is akin to the well-known instability of radial orbits and is produced by the mutual attraction and alignment of precessing stellar orbits (so far, only the formation of slow bars has been explained in this way). We present a general theory of the low-frequency modes in a disk that consists of orbits precessing at different angular velocities. The problem of determining these modes is reduced to integral equations of moderately complex structure. The characteristic pattern angular velocities Ω_p of the low-frequency modes are of the order of the mean orbital precession angular velocity \(\bar \Omega _{pr}\). Bar modes are also among the low-frequency modes; while \(\Omega _p \approx \bar \Omega _{pr}\) for slow bars, Ω_p for fast bars can appreciably exceed even the maximum orbital precession angular velocity in the disk Ω _pr ^max (however, it remains of the order of these precession angular velocities). The possibility of such an excess of Ω_p over Ω _pr ^max is associated with the effect of “repelling” orbits. The latter tend to move in a direction opposite to the direction in which they are pushed. We analyze the pattern of orbital precession in potentials typical of galactic disks. We note that the maximum radius of an “attracting” circular orbit r_c can serve as a reasonable estimate of the bar length l_b. Such an estimate is in good agreement with the available results of N-body simulations.     

Influence of wave groups on SSC patterns over vortex ripples

Estimates of spatial and temporal variations in suspended sand concentrations (SSC) made with a multi-transducer Acoustic Backscatter Sensor (ABS) under a repeated wave group over a mobile rippled bed in the wave research flume at the National Hydraulics Laboratory in Ottawa, Canada, reveal an number of complex and intriguing patterns. Ensemble averages of 8 nearly identical wave groups provided much more robust estimates of SSC and allowed a detailed examination of the wave group effects. The largest SSC near the bed (< 0.10 m) occurs in phase with the largest waves in the group. Above approximately 0.10 m elevation, SSC lags behind the near bed SSC by as much as 2–3 waves; introducing significant curvature (on a semi-log plot) to the SSC profile. The log linear segments of the SSC profile grow and decay systematically on the scale of the wave group. The range in lengths of log-linear profile segments ( 0.03–0.355 m) suggest that the boundary layer thickness also fluctuates throughout the passage of the wave group. Furthermore, there are significant variations in the patterns of SSC, which occur under the largest and smallest waves in the group. Under the largest waves vertical bands of alternating high and low SSC produce an intra-wave modulation in the upper water column ( 0.075–0.30 m). The equivalent horizontal excursion of these bands scales to the ripple length. Under the smaller waves the intra-wave modulation of the SSC disappears and is replaced by temporally homogenous suspension that expands vertically through several individual wave cycles. The former pattern of homogenous suspension appears to be associated with growth of a boundary layer due to the persistent uni-directional horizontal flow during this part of the group together with the persistence of antecedent bed generated turbulence and vorticity which maintains the suspension. The latter pattern of bands of high and low SSC indicates a strong temporal and spatial constraint on the SSC (phase coupling) induced by the presence of the bedforms which may be enhanced by strong reversals in both flow and vorticity under the large waves in the group.     

Brussels: Five capitals in search of a place. The citizens, the planners and the functions

The paper describes the different capital city functions that are accomodated in Brussels. There are in fact five different capitals in Brussels in search of a place. Their locations are conditioned by Brussels' eventful history. The analysis subsequently focuses on the rather negative relation between the local public intellectuals and the city's European capital functions. The location of the European headquarters within the existing urban fabric – unlike Luxemburg and Strasbourg – has caused residential expulsion and further confrontations with the local community during all expansions.Brussels has the most politically decisive institutions. The competition with Luxemburg and Strasbourg has in the past given rise to dubious building processes and hidden agendas regarding the further construction of the necessary space for Europe.Unlike most other capitals Brussels has a low degree of esteem from its citizens. The After-May 68- Movement reacting initially against the CIAM-realisations during the 1970s, continues its activities up until today against two highly symbolic projects: the North Station area called the Manhattan Quarter and the European Headquarters. The movement launched the term Brusselization on the international forum and continues to promote the negative image of its city – notwithstanding the complete change of the official urban planning.The article is a plea for the integration of the actual one-sided advocacy planning within a more comprehensive urban planning approach where strong and soft functions are more in balance. This can also improve the quality of the new European campus now under consideration to accomodate the entry of the East European states in the Union.     

古亚洲与特提斯交汇带盆地群油气资源潜力

古亚洲与特提斯构造交汇带盆地群发育石炭系、侏罗系(中下统)、白垩系(下统)等多套烃源岩,具有厚度大、分布广、有机质丰度高的特点.石炭系烃源岩有机质进入成熟-过成熟热演化阶段,侏罗系烃源岩有机质已进入大量生油阶段,白垩系烃源岩也处于生油高峰,具有良好的油气成藏的物质基础;区内储集岩发育,石炭-二叠系储集层以低孔隙度、低渗透率为特征,石炭系储集层主要为潮坪-泻湖相沉积的碎屑岩,二叠系储集层为一套河流相粗碎屑岩;侏罗-白垩系储集层物性相对较好,以中孔、中渗,或中孔、高渗为特征,为以河流-三角洲沉积砂体;在石炭-二叠系、中新生代地层中均见到了不同级别的油气显示或获工业油流.存在3种不同的生储盖组合,即①自生自储式组合.②下生上储的间隔式组合.③潜山型组合.预测油气资源量36.85亿t,目前已发现的油气储量仅为1亿t,具较大的勘探潜力.     

基于扁铲侧胀试验的桩基水平承载力分析

依据扁铲侧胀试验的结果,对桩侧土水平抗力系数的比例系数进行了估算,并估算出单桩水平承载力设计值;根据单桩水平载荷试验的成果,计算出试验桩的水平临界荷载平均值,并得到桩侧土水平抗力系数的比例系数;在此基础上,对两者进行了对比分析,其单桩水平承载力非常接近,但比例系数存在差异。认为不宜将试桩的结果直接应用于工程桩的水平承载力计算,应根据工程桩的实际情况,考虑承台、桩群、土相互作用产生的群桩效应。     

云南民族语地名探析

云南有２５种世居的少数民族，是全国少数民族最多的省，也是民族语地名语种最多的省。云南被称为“地名博物馆，，民族语地名有其典型性。云南的民族语地名有很多特点，但并不特殊，在其他地方也似曾相识。本文以一个省为单元，对少数民族语地名进行全面综合研究，探讨民族语地名与地理环境、历史发展的关系及各种民族语地名之间的关系。     

Red giants in the blue compact galaxy IZw18

Archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data have been used for the photometry of stars in blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxies of the IZw18 system. Applying the spatial selection of stars, we have detected red giants, stars older than 1–2 Gyr, in the galaxies. These red giants have allowed the distance to IZw18 to be reliably determined for the first time: D = 13.9 ± 1.2 Mpc. The presence of old stars in the galaxies of the IZw18 system refutes the hypothesis about the observed primary star formation in these galaxies.     

The physical simulation of wave groups and their variations in a wave flume

The physical simulation method of wave groups in a wave flume is proposed and verified by the exper- iments. The experimental results demonstrate that random waves with desired wave groupiness, which simultaneously includes the wave group height and length, can be generated satisfactorily at the specified position in a wave flume using the proposed method. Furthermore, the transformation properties of the wave groupiness along the fiat-bottomed wave flume are investigated based on the physically simulated waves. Associated proposals with the physical simulation of wave groups are given.     

H<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis> survey of the local volume: Isolated southern galaxies

We present our Hα observations of 11 isolated southern galaxies: SDIG, PGC 51659, E 222-010, E 272-025, E 137-018, IC 4662, Sag DIG, IC 5052, IC 5152, UGCA 438, and E 149-003, with distances from 1 to 7 Mpc. We have determined the total Hα fluxes from these galaxies. The star formation rates in these galaxies range from 10^?1 (IC 4662) to 10^?4 M _⊙ yr^?1 (SDIG) and the gas depletion time at the observed star formation rates lies within the range from 1/6 to 24 Hubble times H ₀ ^?1 .     

Uptake and recovery of soil nitrogen by bryophytes and vascular plants in an alpine meadow

Due to their particular physiology and life history traits, bryophytes are critical in regulating biogeochemical cycles and functions in alpine ecosystem. Hence, it is crucial to investigate their nutrient utilization strategies in comparison with vascular plants and understand their responses to the variation of growing season caused by climate change. Firstly, this study testified whether or not bryophytes can absorb nitrogen(N) directly from soil through spiking three chemical forms of 15N stable isotope tracer. Secondly, with stronger ability of carbohydrates assimilation and photosynthesis, it is supposed that N utilization efficiency of vascular plants is significantly higher than that of bryophytes. However, the recovery of soil N by bryophytes can still compete with vascular plants due to their greater phytomass. Thirdly, resource acquisition may be varied from the change of growing season, during which N pulse can be manipulated with 15N tracer addition at different time. Both of bryophytes and vascular plants contain more N in a longer growing season, and prefer inorganic over organic N. Bryophytes assimilate more NH4+ than NO3– and amino acid, which can be indicated from the greater shoot excess 15N of bryophytes. However, vascular plants prefer to absorb NO3– for their developed root systems and vascular tissue. Concerning the uptake of three forms N by bryophytes, there is significant difference between two manipulated lengths of growing season. Furthermore, the capacity of bryophytes to tolerate N-pollution may be lower than currently appreciated, which indicates the effect of climate change on asynchronous variation of soil N pools with plant requirements.