Evolutionary state of W UMa-type systems

The evolutionary status of a sample of 31 W UMa-type systems (20 of W, 9 of A, and 2 of A/W sub-class) is examined and discussed on the basis of their positions in the H-R, mass-radius and mass-luminosity diagrams. The absolute elements of these systems have been evaluated by use of their spectroscopic and photometric data as they were found in the literature. Since different analysis methods have been used by the various investigators this gives the opportunity to make different H-R, mass-radius and mass-luminosity diagrams, according to the method used, and compare the results.Moreover, from the spectral type-period diagram of those systems that have spectral types from O to G2 it was found that all of them lie in the evolved region. Finally, the log (L _l/L _s) log (M _l/M _s) diagrams are presented and discussed.     

Evidence for the loss of snow-deposited MSA to the interstitial gaseous phase in central Antarctic firn

We have examined several MSA (methanesulfonic acid) records from the upper 200 m of the Antarctic ice sheet and in particular the new Dome F profile. At all the four sites studied, concentration profiles exhibit similar patterns as a function of depth. They suggest that snow metamorphism and solid phase migration are responsible for a marked release of gaseous MSA to interstitial firn air as well as probably to the free atmosphere, in particular at extremely low accumulation sites. Snow acidity can also modify MSA concentration. It is proposed that, below the upper few metres where the communication with the free atmosphere is possible, gaseous MSA may remain in the firn layers and be entrapped later in air bubbles at pore close-off, i.e. when firn is transformed into ice. Chemical measurements on the firn core do not take into account the MSA released to the gaseous phase, but this fraction is measurable in ice samples. In spite of these alterations occurring in the firn layers, relative changes of the atmospheric MSA concentration in the past are probably still there deep within the Antarctic ice sheet. However, for glacial periods, different processes have to be considered in relation to modified aerosol properties.     

Ocean-floor hydrothermal metamorphism in the Limousin ophiolites (western French Massif Central): evidence of a rare preserved Variscan oceanic marker

The Limousin ophiolite is located at the suture zone between two major thrust sheets in the western French Massif Central. This ophiolitic section comprises mantle‐harzburgite, mantle‐dunite, wehrlites, troctolites and layered gabbros. It has recorded a static metamorphic event transforming the gabbros into undeformed amphibolites and the magmatic ultramafites into serpentinites and/or pargasite‐bearing chloritites. With various thermobarometric methods, it is possible to show that the different varieties of amphibole have registered low‐P (c. 0.2 GPa) conditions with temperature ranging from high‐T, late‐magmatic conditions to greenschist–zeolite metamorphic facies. The abundance of undeformed metamorphic rocks (which is typical of the lower oceanic crust), the occurrence of Ca–Al (–Mg) metasomatism illustrated by the growth of Ca–Al silicates in veins or replacing the primary magmatic minerals, the P–T conditions of the metamorphism and the numerous similarities with oceanic crustal rocks from Ocean Drilling Program and worldwide ophiolites are the main arguments for an ocean‐floor hydrothermal metamorphism in the vicinity of a palaeo‐ridge. Among the West‐European Variscan ophiolites, the Limousin ophiolites constitute an extremely rare occurrence that has not been involved in any HP (subduction‐related) or MP (orogenic) metamorphism as observed in other ophiolite occurrences (i.e. France, Spain and Germany).     

Estimation of dispersion in estuaries by a self-consistent method

Longitudinal and transverse dispersion in estuaries may be determined in principle by measuring the change in time of the concentration field of a water soluble dye. In practice, measurements may take the form of several sampling runs crossing the dye patch. The coefficients of dispersion are usually estimated from the second moments of the concentration field; the use of second moments, in particular, introduces errors because measurements at long times or distance are unduly emphasized.A self-consistent method, free of the disadvantages inherent in the use of higher moments, is described in which the distribution of concentration in space is related to the zeroth spatial moment of concentration. In this formulation, based upon sampling runs across the dye patch, the concentration field in the estuary may be directly and simply related to the dispersion coefficients in both the intercept and gradient of a linear graph.The methods are illustrated by the characterization of a series of experiments in the Inner Estuary of Milford Haven.     

A chum scale pattern analyzer and stock identification based onscale patterns by discriminant function and power spectrum analysis

An optoelectronic instrument has been developed to analyze the scales and scale patterns of chum salmon. This device, with specially developed software, has been used to study populations of salmon. Fish from two different rivers approximately 200 km apart from each other were grouped with an accuracy of 82% or more. Machine-measured ages coincided with those derived from visual estimation in approximately 80% of the fish sampled. These results suggest the proposed system could be of practical use for measuring and analyzing the scale patterns that allow one to accurately measure both natural and farmed populations of salmon     

Observational Selection of Comet Discoveries

The distribution of perihelion distances of nearly periodic comets was studied using different assumptions about comet discovery probabilities. It was shown that the concentration of perihelia at small heliocentric distances cannot be explained solely by the influence of visibility conditions.     

Membership in the open cluster NGC 2301

Astrometric cluster membership probabilities have been derived from proper motion of the open cluster NGC 2301. A comparison with previous investigations is presented.     

Celestial-mechanical peculiarities of Uranus’s satellite system

We consider the structural peculiarities of Uranus’s satellite system associated with its separation into two groups: inner equatorial satellites moving in nearly circular orbits and distant irregular satellites with retrograde motion in highly elliptical orbits. The intermediate region is free from satellites in a wide range of semimajor axes. By analyzing the evolution of satellite orbits under the combined effect of solar attraction and Uranus’s oblateness, we offer a celestial-mechanical explanation for the absence of equatorial satellites in this region. M.L. Lidov’s studies during 1961–1963 have served as a basis for our analysis.     

Upwelling and river runoff as sources of dissolved nitrous oxide to the Alsea estuary,Oregon

Surface waters of Alsea Bay, an unpolluted estuary on the Oregon coast, were analysed for nitrous oxide, nitrate and nitrite on a weekly or biweekly basis during the summer of 1979. The estuary was found to be a variable source of N₂O to the atmosphere. Large and rapid increases in the concentrations of N₂O, NO₃^?, and NO₂^? occurred at the beginning of the sampling period and are attributed to the influx of nutrient-rich upwelling water into the estuary with the tide. The subsequent decline in concentrations of nitrate, nitrite and nitrous oxide over the remainder of the summer is attributed to a decrease in upwelling intensity, a decline in nitrification rates and to assimilatory nitrate reduction. Measurements of nitrous oxide at six stations along the Alsea River were also made in September and October before and after the onset of the rainy season. Samples taken after flood conditions were established were systematically 50% higher than pre-flood samples. The data suggest that soil runoff results in elevated concentrations of N₂O in rivers.