Kinematics of Gas and Stars in 20 Disc Galaxies

In this paper we present the kinematics of the gas and/or the stars of a sample of 20 disc galaxies. We investigate whether there is any relation between the kinematics of the gas and stars and the classical morphological type of the galaxies in the sample. We deduce that, in most of the late-type spirals we have studied, the stars and the ionized gas are moving with virtually circular velocity, except when the spectroscopic slit crosses a bar region. On the other hand, we found in the central parts of early-type disc galaxies a wider variety of different behaviour of stars and gas. We find many possible factors that complicate the classification of the kinematical properties of the galaxies by their morphological type: the presence of counter-rotations (star vs. stars or star vs. gas), misalignment between the different kinematic components present in the galaxy, the presence of a bar structure and its orientation with respect to the line of nodes of the galaxy, and interactions and mergers or external accretion processes are some of the problems we find in the study of the kinematics of a galaxy.     

Centaurus A: VLT Views of the Nearest Giant Elliptical Galaxy

VLT images in BVI are used to identify globular clusters in the central region of NGC5128. Based on the sizes, optical magnitudes and colors, a hundred candidate globular clusters are identified with projected galactocentric distances 1 kpc < R _G < 5 kpc. These clusters have magnitudes 18 < V < 20.5 or ?10.3 < M _V < ?7.8 at the distance of this galaxy, and colors 0.8 < V?I < 1.5 and 0.5 < B?V < 1.5. These identifications allow us to compare the properties of the X-ray globular cluster population discovered recently in this galaxy.     

Live shearing free-ranging guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in Patagonia for sustainable use

Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) populations declined after the introduction of domestic sheep and the emerging conflicts with sheep breeders and their livestock. Apart from conflicts with sheep ranching, guanacos have declined due to poaching, legal overhunting, and lack of sound management schemes. Guanacos have been proposed as a key species for rural development in Latin America, so research on tools for their sustainable use is required. We tested a mobile corral trap (MCT) designed for live-trapping and shearing free-ranging guanacos at four ranches along Patagonia. We assessed mortality and injury rates related to our procedures and calculated and compared roundup and capture efficiencies. We captured a total of 55 guanacos (13 females, 38 males, and 4 calves), and live-sheared 30. No mortalities were recorded. Average roundup and capture efficiencies were 11.9 guanacos roundup⁻¹ (range 8–20) and 11% (range 0.3–31.5%), respectively. Mean fleece weight was 307±15 g for females and 338±12 g for males. The MCT employed seems promising for capturing and shearing free-ranging guanacos for their sustainable use. Management implications include: (1) sheep ranches may obtain benefits, generating a positive perception toward guanacos; (2) guanaco populations may increase and even colonize devoid areas due to an increased protection level.     

Development of a drought vulnerability index using MCDM and GIS: study case in São Paulo and Ceará, Brazil

Natural Hazards - Although climate change vulnerability research in general has increased over the last decade, Latin American countries have more directed more limited efforts toward vulnerability...     

Molecular and biochemical biomarkers responses in the mussel Mytilus edulis collected from Southern Brazil coast

Marine ecosystems are typically subjected to a variety of stressors containing complex xenobiotics mixtures. This study aims to evaluate the responses of molecular and biochemical biomarkers in the mussel Mytilus edulis providing data for environmental monitoring programs development in Southern Brazil. Mussels were collected at a polluted site, near Patos Lagoon outfall, and at a control site. Gills, muscle and mantle samples were used for biomarker determinations. Mussels collected at the polluted site significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and decreased catalase (CAT) activity. Moreover, an increase in sod1, gstπ and hsp70 mRNA expression was observed. Overall, biochemical and molecular biomarkers responses were observed, but these responses varied depending on the analyzed tissue. These results indicate possible contaminants effects on organisms and the need for effective environmental monitoring programs in this ecosystem.     

高层建筑深基坑开挖施工期的监测和险情预报

系统地介绍了高层建筑深基坑开挖施工期的监测技术和险情预报方法。     

Modelling gaseous and stellar kinematics in the disc galaxies NGC 772, 3898 and 7782

We present V -band surface photometry and major-axis kinematics of stars and ionized gas of three early-type spiral galaxies, namely NGC 772, 3898 and 7782. For each galaxy we present a self-consistent Jeans model for the stellar kinematics, adopting the light distribution of bulge and disc derived by means of a two-dimensional parametric photometric decomposition. This allows us to investigate the presence of non-circular gas motions, and derive the mass distribution of luminous and dark matter in these objects.
NGC 772 and 7782 have apparently normal kinematics with the ionized gas tracing the gravitational equilibrium circular speed. This is not true in the innermost region (| r |≲8 arcsec) of NGC 3898, where the ionized gas is rotating more slowly than the circular velocity predicted by dynamical modelling. This phenomenon is common in the bulge-dominated galaxies for which dynamical modelling enables us to make the direct comparison between the gas velocity and the circular speed, and it poses questions about the reliability of galaxy mass distributions derived by the direct decomposition of the observed ionized-gas rotation curve into the contributions of luminous and dark matter.     

The Orthogonal Bulge–Disc Decoupling in NGC 4698

The R-band isophotal map of the Sa galaxy NGC 4698 shows that the inner region of the bulge is elongated perpendicularly to the major axis of the disc. At the same time a central stellar velocity gradient is found along the minor axis of the disc. The same properties have also been recognized in the Sa galaxy NGC 4672. This remarkable geometric and kinematic decoupling is a direct indication that a second event occurred in the history of these galaxies suggesting that acquisition phenomena could play a primary role in the formation of early-type spirals. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assessment of future olive crop yield by a comparative evaluation of drought indices: a case study in western Turkey

A comparative performance analysis was studied on well-known drought indices (Standardized Precipitation Index, Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and its moisture anomaly index (Orig-Z), and self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (SC-PDSI) and its moisture anomaly index (SC-Z)) to determine the most appropriate index for assessing olive (O. europaea L.) yield for oil in seven crop regions (Mu?la, Ayd?n, ?zmir, Manisa, Bal?kesir, ?anakkale, and Bursa) in western Turkey and to evaluate the vulnerability of olive yield for oil to climate change with future projections provided by the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research ENSEMBLES project (HadCM3Q0). A series of curvilinear regression-based crop yield models were developed for each of the olive-growing regions based on the drought indices. The crop yield model that performed the best was the SC-PDSI model in Mu?la, Ayd?n, ?zmir, and Manisa regions and the PDSI model in ?anakkale, Bal?kesir, and Bursa regions. The SC-PDSI index-based model described 65%, 62%, 61%, and 62% of the measured variability of olive yield in Mu?la, Ayd?n, ?zmir, and Manisa regions, respectively. The PDSI index-based model explained 59%, 58%, and 64% of the measured variability of olive yield in Bal?kesir, ?anakkale, and Bursa regions, respectively. The vulnerability of the olive yield for oil to HadCM3Q0 future climate projections was evaluated for Ayd?n and ?anakkale regions due to the resolution of the regional climate model. In terms of the future scenarios, the expected decrease in olive yield residuals was 2.5?ton (10³ trees)^?1 and 1.78?ton (10³ trees)^?1 in Ayd?n and ?anakkale regions, respectively.     

Fluid circulation in a complex volcano-tectonic setting,inferred from self-potential and soil CO2 flux surveys: The Santa María–Cerro Quemado–Zunil volcanoes and Xela caldera (Northwestern Guatemala)

The region encompassing Santa María, Cerro Quemado, and Zunil volcanoes, close to Quetzaltenango, the second largest city of Guatemala, is volcanically and tectonically complex. In addition, the huge Xela caldera, about 20 km in diameter, crosses this area and links up to the important Zunil fault zone located between the three volcanoes. Two highly active geothermal sites, named Zunil-I and Zunil-II, are also located between these three volcanic edifices at the southeastern boundary of Xela caldera. In order to determine the permeability variations and the main structural discontinuities within this complex volcano-tectonic setting, self-potential and soil CO₂ flux measurements have been coupled, with a step of 20 m, along a 16.880 km-long profile crossing the entire area. Two shallow hydrothermal systems, with maximum lateral extensions of 1.5 km in diameter, are indicated by positive self-potential/elevation gradients below Santa María and Cerro Quemado volcanoes. Such small hydrothermal systems cannot explain the intense geothermal manifestations at Zunil-I and Zunil-II. Another minor hydrothermal system is indicated by self-potential measurements on the flank of Santa María along the edge of the Xela caldera. CO₂ flux measurements display slight variations inside the caldera and decreasing values crossing outside the caldera boundary. We hypothesize the presence of a magmatic body, inside the southeastern border of Xela caldera, to explain the deeper and more intense hydrothermal system manifested by the Zunil-I and the Zunil-II geothermal fields. This magmatic system may be independent from Santa María and Cerro Quemado volcanoes. Alternatively, the hypothesized Xela magmatic system could have a common magmatic origin with the Cerro Quemado dome complex, consistent with previous findings on regional gas emissions. Sectors bordering the Cerro Quemado dome complex also have high amplitude minima-short wavelength anomalies in self-potential, interpreted as preferential rain water infiltration along faults of major permeability, probably related with the most recent stages of Cerro Quemado dome growth.