Solar isotopic composition and abundance of europium

High resolution spectra of six photospheric Eu ii lines have been studied using the method of spectrum synthesizing. The isotope ratio is found to be Eu₁₅₃/Eu₁₅₁ = (48 ± 6)/(52 6) and the solar abundance of europium equals log _Eu = 0.7 ± 0.2 in the log _H = 12.00 scale.     

The Effect of Fluid Content on the Mechanical Behaviour of Fractures in Chalk

Summary ?The paper presents an experimental study on the effects of fluid content on the mechanical behaviour of natural fractures in chalk. The aims of the study are to provide better understanding of the mechanisms of chalk-fluid interaction, in general, and to explain the behaviour of petroleum chalk reservoirs during water injection, in particular. The experiments were carried out on L?gerdorf chalk using the direct shear apparatus. Two types of fluids were used in the tests: 1) water, and 2) synthetic oil. L?gerdorf chalk is a water-wet material which will develop capillary pressures upon contact with water. Initially saturating the chalk with oil will enhance the water wettability by inducing additional capillary forces between water and the non-wetting oil. In addition to the tests on fractured chalk samples, unconfined compression and direct shear tests on intact chalk samples were performed. The results showed significant differences in the strength and deformation characteristics of intact chalk initially saturated with different fluids. Intact water-saturated chalk showed lower deformation modulus (about 50%) and lower peak (also about 50%) and residual shear strength than the oil-saturated chalk. Water injection in initially oil-saturated fractures resulted in significant normal deformation under constant effective normal stress and shear stress relaxation under fixed shear displacement. The water-induced deformation occurred almost instantaneously after only a few cm³ of water had been injected into the fracture, and further injection of water did not increase the water-induced deformation. After water injection, fractures in initially oil-saturated chalk showed significantly lower normal and shear stiffnesses and lower shear strength. The weakening in shear is attributed partly to the reduction in the basic friction angle, φ_b, and this reduction was verified in a series of tilt tests to measure the frictional resistance between smooth edges of core samples of chalk. The reduction in the basic friction angle implies that the interaction of chalk with water is governed not only by capillary forces, as postulated in several previous studies, but also by chemical and/or physio-chemical effects.     

Numerical simulation of internal solitary wave—induced reverse flow and associated vortices in a shallow,two-layer fluid benthic boundary layer

The wave-induced velocity and pressure fields beneath a large amplitude internal solitary wave of depression propagating over a smooth, flat, horizontal, and rigid boundary in a shallow two-layer fluid are computed numerically. A numerical ocean model is utilised, the set-up of which is designed and tuned to replicate the previously published experimental results of Carr and Davies (Phys Fluids 18(1):016,601–1–016,601–10, 2006). Excellent agreement is found between the two data sets and, in particular, the numerical simulation replicates the finding of a reverse flow along the bed aft of the wave. The numerically computed velocity and pressure gradients confirm that the occurrence of the reverse flow is a consequence of boundary layer separation in the adverse pressure gradient region. In addition, vortices associated with the reverse flow are seen to form near the bed.     

Preliminary results of the multisite time-series campaign on the sdB pulsator PG 1325+101

I present a model for the formation and evolution of a massive disk galaxy, within a growing dark halo whose mass evolves according to cosmological simulations of structure formation. The galactic evolution is simulated with a new 3D chemo-dynamical code, including dark matter, stars and a multi-phase ISM. We follow the evolution from redshift z = 4.85 until the present epoch. The energy release by massive stars and supernovae prevents a rapid collapse of the baryonic matter and delays the maximum star formation until redshift z ≈ 1. The galaxy forms radially from inside-out and vertically from top-to-bottom. The feedback of stars leads to turbulent motions and large-scale flows in the ISM. As one result the galactic disk is significantly enriched by chemical elements synthesized in bulge stars.     

Radial velocity and line-profile variations in the sdBV star PG 1325+101

Historically, any newly discovered object needed to be “confirmed” with optical observations. Catalogs were published, such as the PKS (Parkes Catalog), with stamp-sized photographs that allowed us to “see” what was just found. This is still somewhat true, although far less than in the past. We are probably reaching an information overload with more efficient instruments, larger detectors, multiple wavelength coverage and an increasing number of ground and space-based facilities. At the same time, information technology is catching up and is allowing us to use the data regardless of where they reside. An increasing need of multi-wavelength observations to understand the underlying physics of the observed phenomena and the challenge to mine petabyte databases is leading to a federation of archives and cooperation among computer scientists and astronomers. These are the seeds of a virtual observatory, a cyberspace entity where the data are ready to be found and analyzed. In the United States, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are funding initiatives that will lead to the creation of this entity. This paper describes these projects.     

Possible Concepts for Waterproofing of Norwegian TBM Railway Tunnels

The aim of this paper is to evaluate and compare the durability, life expectancy and maintenance needs of traditional Norwegian waterproofing concepts to the generally more rigid waterproofing concepts seen in other European countries. The focus will be on solutions for future Norwegian tunnel boring machine railway tunnels. Experiences from operation of newer and older tunnels with different waterproofing concepts have been gathered and analyzed. In the light of functional requirements for Norwegian rail tunnels, some preliminary conclusions about suitable concepts are drawn. Norwegian concepts such as polyethylene panels and lightweight concrete segments with membrane are ruled out. European concepts involving double shell draining systems (inner shell of cast concrete with membrane) and single shell undrained systems (waterproof concrete segments) are generally evaluated as favorable. Sprayable membranes and waterproof/insulating shotcrete are welcomed innovations, but more research is needed to verify their reliability and cost effectiveness compared to the typical European concepts. Increasing traffic and reliance on public transport systems in Norway result in high demand for durable and cost effective solutions.     

Accumulation of Copper and Zinc in Danish Agricultural Soils in Intensive Pig Production Areas

Geografisk Tidsskrift, Danish Journal of Geography 105(2):15–22, 2005

The change of Cu and Zn concentrations in Danish agricultural soils was studied in areas with intensive pig production. Cu and Zn are found in pig manure as the metals are added to pig feed as growth promoters. The changes in concentrations of total and 0.02 MEDTA extractable Cu and Zn in soils from 1986 to 1998 were determined from samples taken at two depths (0–25 cm and 25–50 cm) from 73 sites. Pig manure and mineral fertilizer was added to 60 sites whereas fertilizer only was used on 13 sites. During the survey period soil Cu concentrations increased in both depths but mostly in the sites where pig manure was added. Furthermore, the results indicated that some plant-available Cu and Zn were transported from the topsoil to the subsoil. No significant change in soil Zn concentration was found although a slight reduction was observed. Comparing soil metal concentrations observed in 1998 to the total pig manure application in a 12-year period, it was observed that application of manure caused an accumulation of Cu and of Zn in the upper 50 cm soil. The accumulation rates correspond to the Cu and Zn concentrations in the pig manure.     

Numerical studies of large-amplitude internal waves shoaling and breaking at shelf slopes

Hydro carbon fields beyond the shelf break are presently being explored and developed, which has increased the scientific focus in this area. Measurements from the slopes reveal large variability in temperature and velocity, and some of the observed events are due to interactions between large-amplitude oscillations of the thermocline and the topography. The present study focuses on the strong currents that are generated near the seabed during shoaling and breaking of internal waves along shelf slopes. The parameter regime used is similar to the one for the Nordic Seas. The results show that, during shoaling of large internal waves along (gentle) slopes, the energy is transferred towards smaller scales and strong velocities (over 1 m s^− 1) can be generated. To resolve all scales involved is still not feasible, and therefore, the model results are sensitive to the grid size and the subgrid scale closure.