Population Synthesis for Mira Variables

By means of a population synthesis code, we investigate the Mira variables. Their birth rate (over 0.65 yr-1) and their number (-130000) in the Galaxy are estimated. For all possible Mira variables, ranges of their initial masses, pulsating periods, mass losses and lifetimes are given. We check our model with the observed Mira variables near the Sun and our results prove to be valid.     

Rr CrB and Algol – The First and Last Star in Zdeněk Kopal’s Life with Binaries

Several important turning points appeared in the personal life and scientific career of Zdeněk Kopal, every time, when he entered a new field of research. Four particular periods of his life will be commented in the present paper: the studies in Prague and early observations in the variable star programme of the Czech Astronomical Society; the first lectures on close binaries at Harvard; the intermezzo of lunar research; and the last period after 1989, when Zdeněk Kopal returned several times to Prague University.     

Variability Analysis of EGRET Gamma-Ray Sources

The variability of γ-ray sources listed in the third EGRET catalog is studied using three variability indices. These indices are found to be statistically equivalent if the observed data are sufficiently accurate. Using the three indices,30 EGRET point sources which are positionally coincident with pulsars and 40 persistent unidentified sources at low latitudes are analyzed for their variability status. It is found that 14 of the 30 point sources may have genuine or plausible associations with pulsars, and 16 of the 40 persistent unidentified sources are possible pulsar candidates.     

Effects of rotation on the colours and line indices of stars 6. The reality of the blue straggler phenomenon

The effect of rotation on the observed colours of stars has been considered as a possible cause for the blue straggler phenomenon in clusters listed by Mermilliod (1982). It appears that this phenomenon is definitely not real in the case of the late B and early A spectral type blue stragglers that are intrinsic slow rotators. Among clusters containing the early B type blue stragglers it is found that the anomalous position of the stragglers in NGC 6633, NGC 6475 and NGC 2516 cannot be accounted for by rotation effects alone. on leave from Assumption College, Changanacherry, Kerala.     

Estimation of vegetation LAI from hyperspectral reflectance data: Effects of soil type and plant architecture

The retrieval of canopy biophysical variables is known to be affected by confounding factors such as plant type and background reflectance. The effects of soil type and plant architecture on the retrieval of vegetation leaf area index (LAI) from hyperspectral data were assessed in this study. In situ measurements of LAI were related to reflectances in the red and near-infrared and also to five widely used spectral vegetation indices (VIs). The study confirmed that the spectral contrast between leaves and soil background determines the strength of the LAI–reflectance relationship. It was shown that within a given vegetation species, the optimum spectral regions for LAI estimation were similar across the investigated VIs, indicating that the various VIs are basically summarizing the same spectral information for a given vegetation species. Cross-validated results revealed that, narrow-band PVI was less influenced by soil background effects (0.15 ≤ RMSE_cv ≤ 0.56). The results suggest that, when using remote sensing VIs for LAI estimation, not only is the choice of VI of importance but also prior knowledge of plant architecture and soil background. Hence, some kind of landscape stratification is required before using hyperspectral imagery for large-scale mapping of vegetation biophysical variables.     

Potential of satellite-derived ecosystem functional attributes to anticipate species range shifts

In a world facing rapid environmental changes, anticipating their impacts on biodiversity is of utmost relevance. Remotely-sensed Ecosystem Functional Attributes (EFAs) are promising predictors for Species Distribution Models (SDMs) by offering an early and integrative response of vegetation performance to environmental drivers. Species of high conservation concern would benefit the most from a better ability to anticipate changes in habitat suitability. Here we illustrate how yearly projections from SDMs based on EFAs could reveal short-term changes in potential habitat suitability, anticipating mid-term shifts predicted by climate-change-scenario models. We fitted two sets of SDMs for 41 plant species of conservation concern in the Iberian Peninsula: one calibrated with climate variables for baseline conditions and projected under two climate-change-scenarios (future conditions); and the other calibrated with EFAs for 2001 and projected annually from 2001 to 2013. Range shifts predicted by climate-based models for future conditions were compared to the 2001–2013 trends from EFAs-based models. Projections of EFAs-based models estimated changes (mostly contractions) in habitat suitability that anticipated, for the majority (up to 64%) of species, the mid-term shifts projected by traditional climate-change-scenario forecasting, and showed greater agreement with the business-as-usual scenario than with the sustainable-development one. This study shows how satellite-derived EFAs can be used as meaningful essential biodiversity variables in SDMs to provide early-warnings of range shifts and predictions of short-term fluctuations in suitable conditions for multiple species.     

利用普鲁士蓝/活性炭复合材料回收提钾后的盐湖卤水中铯

以亚铁氰化钾为单源前驱体,以活性炭为载体,采用超声辅助均匀沉淀法,制备了普鲁士蓝/活性炭复合材料(PB/AC)。通过场发射扫描电子显微镜、X-射线衍射、X-射线光电子能谱和傅立叶变换红外光谱技术,对PB/AC的形貌、结构和组成进行了表征。结果表明:立方体结构的PB微晶均匀地分布在活性炭表面。研究考察了PB/AC对水溶液中铯离子(Cs~+)的吸附和脱附性能。在pH=7、45℃和180 min条件下,PB/AC对Cs~+的最大吸附量为49.17 mg/g;在pH=2、45℃和240 min条件下,Cs~+的脱附率可达88.5%。     

Circumstellar matter in direct impact algol systems

Full-orbit H observations have been analyzed to determine the two-dimensional distribution of the circumstellar gas in the four short-period Algols, U Sge, U CrB, RS Vul, and SW Cyg. In these systems, the gas stream resulting from Roche-lobe overflow directly impacts the mass-gaining star and feeds material into a structure known as a transient accretion disk. The accretion regions observed in these systems include a transient accretion disk that at least partially surrounds the mass gainer, the gas stream, and possibly a chromospheric component associated with the magnetically active cool star.