Determinations of the cosmological deceleration parameter based on various quasar subsets

Published determinations of the deceleration parameter qo based on various selected subsets are reviewed and a uniform re-determination is made according to a procedure given in /1/.The resulting q₀-values from 8 largely independant samples of radio quasars all fall within the 4σ range obtained in /1/, namely, 1.0 ? q₀ ? 3.5. The most important assumption made is that the characteristic luminosity of radio quasars is independant of the cosmic epoch. Thus, unless radio quasars at earlier times were much more luminous than the later ones, the universe is probably closed.     

视界问题的新图示(英文)

在用定义为径向距离除以尺度因子的径向坐标r和宇宙时间t的r-t图中,大爆炸时向我们发射、现在到达我们这里的光子的轨迹,r_(t),是大爆炸时我们向外发射光子轨迹,r+(t)的镜象。前者画出我们现今时刻的“世界图象”(world picture),而后者则描绘(粒子)视界自从大爆炸以来的增长。方程,r_(t)=～(1/2)r+(t)决定时刻t_D,它有如下性质:世界图象中凡早于t_D的事件多少都有视界问题,晚于t_D的事件就没有视界问题。 对于平直的Friedmann宇宙,算得t_D颇晚(相应的红移仅是z_D≈1.25!),远晚于微波背景辐射的时刻t_M(其红移为～10~3)。对于Guth的暴涨宇宙,算得t_D很接近暴涨期的开始,远早于t_M。 对于一个弯曲的Friedmann宇宙,Penrose图的时间轴可被证认为通常用来表述尺度因子演化的参数方程中的参数η,而其空间轴可被证认为径向角坐标x,由此马上得出:当哈勃时间H_0~(-1)=20×10~9年时,对于一个减速参数q_0=1.65的封闭宇宙,z_D=0.86;对于一个密度参数Q_0=0.05的开放宇宙,z_D=3.66。     

Cerenkov line emission: The Lα/Hβ, Hα/Hβ, Pα/Hα intensity ratios of quasars

We use the Cerenkov line emission mechanism to give a new explanation of the observed intensity ratios, particularly the L/H ratio, of the emission lines of quasars. We give equations that restrict the choice of the parameter values. The parameters are the characteristic energy of the relativistic electrons, the number density of neutral hydrogen and its relative level populations. With reasonable choice of the parmaeters, we can obtain calculated L/H, H/H, P/H ratios in agreement with observed values. Our estimate for the gas density in the broad line region of quasars is 10¹⁵ cm^–3, very different from previous estimates. Unlike previous theories, such a high density causes no difficulties with the Cerenkov line emission.     

时间、距离、速度、红移基本物理概念的演变简史

为了尝试回答“我们能否观测到退行速度超过光速的星系”这一问题,重新考察了在牛顿物理学、狭义相对论、广义相对论和宇宙学中的时伺、距离、速度和红移等概念．揭开了一些错误观念的实质,发现只要摆脱狭义相对论先入为主的束缚,上述问题即可迎刃而解．强调了宇宙学并不是纯粹的广义相对论,而是该理论在服从宇宙学原理的条件下的一个特例,其中一系列基本物理概念都因此得到新的内涵。     

Bayesian and multivariate methods applied to favorability quantification in Recôncavo Basin and Ribeira Belt, Brazil

A methology to define favorable areas in petroleum and mineral exploration is applied, which consists in weighting the exploratory variables, in order to characterize their importance as exploration guides. The exploration data are spatially integrated in the selected area to establish the association between variables and deposits, and the relationships among distribution, topology, and indicator pattern of all variables. Two methods of statistical analysis were compared. The first one is the Weights of Evidence Modeling, a conditional probability approach (Agterberg, 1989a), and the second one is the Principal Components Analysis (Pan, 1993). In the conditional method, the favorability estimation is based on the probability of deposit and variable joint occurrence, with the weights being defined as natural logarithms of likelihood ratios. In the multivariate analysis, the cells which contain deposits are selected as control cells and the weights are determined by eigendecomposition, being represented by the coefficients of the eigenvector related to the system’s largest eigenvalue. The two techniques of weighting and complementary procedures were tested on two case studies: 1. Recôncavo Basin, Northeast Brazil (for Petroleum) and 2. Itaiacoca Formation of Ribeira Belt, Southeast Brazil (for Pb-Zn Mississippi Valley Type deposits). The applied methdology proved to be easy to use and of great assistance to predict the favorability in large areas, particularly in the initial phase of exploration programs.     

A simplification in the calculation of the characteristic exponents of the plane circular model of three bodies

It is shown that, to evaluate the two nontrivial characteristic exponents of the plane circular model of three bodies, we need only to integrate the variational equation fortwo displacements, rather thanfour, as is usually done. The two displacements should be chosen to lie in the constant Jacobi manifold and to be initially perpendicular to the given periodic motion. This simplification is applicable to both general orbits (integration over one whole period) and symmetric orbits (integration over one half period).     

Cloud base levels for Jupiter and Venus and the heteromolecular nucleation theory

For purified binary gas mixtures like NH₃H₂O or HClH₂O, partial pressures appreciably greater than the two saturation partial pressures are needed to condense the gas mixture into small solution droplets (“homogeneous hetero-molecular nucleation”). Thus without foreign nuclei, clouds are not as easily formed as in the theories of Lewis; the latter should be valid only if large condensation nuclei are available. We calculate here from classical homogeneous heteromolecular nucleation theory the threshold partial pressures necessary to achieve droplet nucleation for the gas mixtures NH₃H₂O (Jupiter,…), HClH₂O (Venus), H₂SO₄H₂O (Venus), and C₂H₅OHH₂O (laboratory). In the last case, theory and experiment agree satisfactorily. If no “dust” particles are available as condensation nuclei, then we expect in Jupiter's atmosphere the cloud base level to be around 40 km above the 400K level instead of 10–25 km in Lewis' models (1969) (similar upward shifts for the outer Jovian planets). For Venus, our corrections make the formation of HClH₂O clouds less probable for the 60-km layer at 0°C. If H₂SO₄ is formed by (photo-)chemical oxidation of SO₂ and if clouds are formed at that level where the H₂SO₄ production is largest, then the cloud base levels for H₂SO₄H₂O mixture clouds will not be shifted by our nucleation effects. For more reliable predictions, one needs more accurate data on the water vapor content of the planetary atmospheres and laboratory experiments testing the theoretically predicted nucleation behavior of these gaseous mixtures.     

The use of isotopes in evolving groundwater circulation models of regional continental aquifers: The case of the Guarani Aquifer System

The Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) has been studied since the 1970s, a time frame that coincides with the advent of isotopic techniques in Brazil. The GAS isotope data from many studies are organized in different phases: (a) the advent of isotope techniques, (b) consolidation and new applications, (c) isotope assessments and hydrochemistry evolution, and (d) a roadmap to a new conceptual model. The reasons behind the phases, their methodological approaches, and impacts on the regional flow conceptual models are examined. Starting with local δ²H and δ¹⁸O assessments of values for water fingerprinting and estimates of recharge palaeoclimate scenarios, studies evolved to more integrated approaches based on multiple tracers. Stable isotope application techniques were consolidated during the 1980s, when new dating approaches dealing with radiogenic and heavy isotopes were introduced. Through the execution of an international transboundary project, the GAS was studied and extensively sampled for isotopes. These results have triggered wider application of isotope techniques, reflecting also world research trends. Presently, hydrochemical evolution models along flow lines from recharge to discharge areas, across large‐scale tectonic features within the entire sedimentary basin, are being combined with residence time estimates at GAS outcrop areas and deep confined units. In a complex system, it is normal that many, and even contradictory hypotheses are proposed, but isotope techniques provide a unique chance to test them. Stable isotope assessments are still needed near recharge areas, and they can be combined with groundwater classical dating procedures, complemented by newer techniques (³H‐³He, CFCs, and SF₆)_. Recent noble gas sampling and world pioneer analytical efforts focused on the confined units in the GAS will certainly led to new findings on the overall GAS circulation. The objective of this article is to discuss how isotope information can contribute to the evolution of conceptual groundwater flow models for regional continental aquifers, such as the GAS.