Anthropic selection and the habitability of planets orbiting M and K dwarfs

The Earth may have untypical characteristics which were necessary preconditions for the emergence of life and, ultimately, intelligent observers. This paper presents a rigorous procedure for quantifying such “anthropic selection” effects by comparing Earth’s properties to those of exoplanets. The hypothesis that there is anthropic selection for stellar mass (i.e. planets orbiting stars with masses within a particular range are more favourable for the emergence of observers) is then tested. The results rule out the expected strong selection for low mass stars which would result, all else being equal, if the typical timescale for the emergence of intelligent observers is very long. This indicates that the habitable zone of small stars may be less hospitable for intelligent life than the habitable zone of solar-mass stars. Additional planetary properties can also be analyzed, using the approach introduced here, once relatively complete and unbiased statistics are made available by current and planned exoplanet characterization projects.     

Mineralogical characterization of potential targets for the ASTEX mission scenario

In-situ investigation of asteroids is the next logical step in understanding their exact surface mineralogy, petrology, elemental abundances, particle size distribution, internal structure, and collisional evolution. Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) provide us with ample opportunities for in-situ scientific exploration with lower Δv requirements and subsequently lower costs than their main belt counterparts. The ASTEX mission concept aims at surface characterization of two compositionally diverse NEAs, one with primitive and the other with a strong thermally evolved surface mineralogy. Here we present the first results of our ground-based characterization of potential ASTEX mission targets using the SpeX instrument on the NASA IRTF. Of the four potential targets we characterized, two (1991 JW and 1998 PA) have compositions similar to ordinary chondrite mineralogy. The other two targets (1994 CC and 1999 TA10) are thermally evolved objects with igneous formation histories. While 1994 CC is a triplet system and thus very challenging to orbit the V-type NEA, 1999 TA10 is the most interesting scientific ASTEX target identified so far.     

Length‐mass models for some common New Zealand littoral‐benthic macroinvertebrates,with a note on within‐taxon variability in parameter values among published models

Regression models are developed and presented to predict dry mass (mg) from two linear dimensions (mm) for 17 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa common to littoral zones of New Zealand lakes. We also provide regression models to predict body length from head capsule width for the major insect taxa. Dry mass was best explained as a power function of all linear dimensions: M = aL _b .Parameters are presented in the log₁₀‐transformed linear form of this power function. Body length was a simple linear function of head capsule width for all insect taxa, hence parameters for these models are presented as untransformed values. We also provide family level models for the Chironomidae, and compare our chironomid body length‐mass model with other published Chrionomidae length‐mass models. There was a very high degree of variability in parameter values among published length‐mass models for the family Chironomidae (mean coefficient of variation for mass at length = 148%). We discuss the potential causes and implications of this variability.     

On the Conversion of Antarctic Ice-Mass Change to Sea Level Equivalent

This technical note aims to provide a quick reference and some computational examples for the conversion between Antarctic ice-mass changes and global sea level equivalent (SLE) changes using a few assumptions that computationally simplify this complex problem and that acknowledge gaps in our knowledge of the Antarctic environment. A number of factors involved in the conversion process are discussed, and the sensitivity of the conversion result to certain aspects is analyzed. It was found that the global ocean area calculated from a recently improved global shoreline dataset has little impact on the uncertainty of the SLE estimation. SLE estimation using satellite gravity observations, such as those by GRACE, are sensitive to glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) models. One more important result from the computation is that the effective density of the volume that is gained or lost during mass change may greatly affect the outcome of the conversion if it differs greatly from the actual density of the firn/ice layers. Finally, a table of computational examples is provided for reference under some assumptions for simplifying the computation.     

基于GRACE数据的格陵兰冰盖质量变化研究

基于GRACE得到的时变地球重力场数据反演了格陵兰冰盖2002～2011年期间的质量变化。结果表明:格陵兰冰盖2002～2011年的年消融总量为188±10km3/a,2002年以来冰盖整体的消融速率呈现出增加趋势;冰盖的消融区域主要集中在冰盖的东南部和西北部;自2008年以来,冰盖东南部的消融速率虽然有所放缓,但消融速率仍然维持在55±7km3/a;冰盖西北部的消融速率仍在增加,2008年以后达到了48±6km3/a。     

Morphology and affiliation of the centric diatom Anaulus birostratus (Grunow) Grunow from South Africa

The morphology of a rectangular, pillow-shaped, centric diatom from the surf zone in False Bay and Algoa Bay was studied with the light microscope and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Acid-cleaned (i.e. free of organic material), and critical-point- and freeze-dried material was used. Certain important features were seen. There was a large variation in cell size and shape. Threads connecting the cells in chains, an external organic layer covering the cell, and chromatophore colour, number and shape are reported for the species, probably for the first time. Valve, girdle and areolar structure was studied in detail, and the notch seen with the light microscope in the middle part of the valve was identified with the electron microscope as a labiate process, the off-centre position of this process being distinctive of the species. The geographical distribution of the species, as described in available literature, is discussed.     

Settlement Prediction Under Linearly Loading Condition

The relationship between time and settlement is a key problem in geotechnical engineering. Current methods used to predict the time-dependant settlement are based mainly on instantaneous loading condition. In this paper, the settlement curve under linearly loading condition, which is suitable for building and embankment projects, is mathematically proved to be “S” shaped. Subsequently, a new model, the Poison model, is raised to predict the settlement, and the method of parameter solution is also introduced. Finally, several problems about the Poisson prediction model are discussed.     

Analytical Theory for One-Dimensional Consolidation of Soil Induced by Time-Dependent Pumping and Loading

Analytical solutions are derived for one-dimensional consolidation induced by time-dependent pumping and loading, in which both the effects of different pumping types and loading conditions are considered, i.e., step pumping, cyclic pumping, constant loading, and step loading. Based on the solutions obtained, some diagrams are prepared and the relevant consolidation behavior of soil is discussed in detail. It has been shown that the consolidation behavior is greatly influenced by pumping velocity, loading pressure, pumping and loading type.     

Cyclic behavior of natural organic clay under variable confining pressure that match traffic loading conditions

ABSTRACT

One-way cyclic loading is more typical for traffic loading and cyclic triaxial test has been recognized as a useful method for solving many engineering problems. Under traffic loading, the influence of variable confining pressure on cyclic behavior of natural organic clay subjected to cyclic traffic loading is rarely reported in the literature. In this study, a laboratory investigation on undrained cyclic behavior of natural organic clay is presented and conducted by cyclic triaxial apparatus. Tests are conducted by both constant confining pressure and variable confining pressure, to simulate the loading conditions induced by passing vehicles in actual engineering. Different stress levels are also considered in this study. By comparing between the results of constant confining pressure tests and variable confining pressure tests, it shows that the one-way cyclic behavior of organic clay is influenced significantly by variation of confining pressure, in terms of pore water pressure, permanent axial strain and stress–strain hysteretic loops.