Morphologies of AGN host galaxies using HST/ACS in the CDFS-GOODS field

Using HST/ACS images in four bands F435W, F606W, F775W and F850LP, we identify optical counterparts to the X-ray sources in the Chandra Deep Field South in the GOODS South field. A detailed study has been made of these sources to study their morphological types. We use methods like decomposition of galaxy luminosity profiles, color maps and visual inspection of 192 galaxies which are identified as possible optical counterparts of Chandra X-ray sources in the CDFS-GOODS field. We find that most moderate luminosity AGN hosts are bulge dominated in the redshift range (z≈0.4–1.3), but not merging/interacting galaxies. This implies probable fueling of the moderate luminosity AGN by mechanisms other than those merger driven.     

近14a也门降水异常的气候特征

利用1990-2003年也门7个测站降水资料,在分析近14 a也门降水季节变化特征的基础上,着重分析了也门夏季降水的年际变化特征。结果表明,也门降水异常的季节变化明显,异常在4-9月最大,尤其是7-9月,异常峰值所在月呈现出较明显的提早趋势;近14 a也门夏季降水呈现出增加的趋势,90年代末该趋势加大;近14 a也门夏季降水存在3 a和7 a左右的显著振荡周期。     

Effects of biochar and bio-fertilizer on yield and qualitative properties of soybean and some chemical properties of soil

This study attempted to examine the effects of biochar amendment together with bio-fertilizer on soybean yield and its qualitative properties, as well as a few chemical properties of soil through a factorial randomized complete block design at three replications in east of Golestan Province (Iran) during 2014. The two factors under study included the following: (1) biochar amendment (in four levels of 0, 2.5, 8, and 16 tons per hectare), (2) bio-fertilizer containing phosphorus and sulfur growth-promoting rhizobacteria (in two levels of inoculation and non-inoculation) applied through foliar feeding. The results of analysis of variance indicated that interactions of biochar amendment and bio-fertilizer on harvest index and grain yield were significant (p ≤?0.01). According to the results of this study, the highest harvest index and oil content were 56.9, and 17.7%, respectively, in the treatment of 8 tons per hectare biochar and inoculation with bio-fertilizer. The lowest harvest index and the lowest oil content were in the control treatment. The interaction of biochar and bio-fertilizer on bulk density and cation exchange capacity was significant (p ≤?0.01). The results of this study demonstrated that biochar affected the amount of residual nitrogen in the soil after harvest, cation exchange capacity (CEC), acidity (pH), and electrical conductivity (EC). The highest grain yield (3440 kg/ha) was in the 8-ton biochar treatment with inoculated bio-fertilizer. Our study concludes that the biochar and bio-fertilizers can improve grain yield of soybean till 51% relative to the control.     

Effects of Slaking fluid pH on the Index Properties of Carbonate Rocks

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering - The physical and chemical characteristics of water critically influence the mechanical and chemical breakdown of rocks. The physical properties of rocks,...     

Tectonic implications of transtensional supradetachment basin development in an extension‐parallel transfer zone: the Kocaçay Basin,western Anatolia,Turkey

The Kocaçay Basin (KÇB) is a key area in western Anatolia – a well‐known extended terrane where regional segmentation has received limited attention – for investigating strike‐slip faults kinematically linked to detachment faults. In this paper, we present results of an integrated sedimentologic, stratigraphic, and structural study of Miocene alluvial fan/fan‐delta/lacustrine deposits that accumulated in the KÇB, a NE‐trending basin with connections to the Menderes Metamorphic Core Complex (MCC). We mapped and evaluated most of the key faults in the KÇB, many for the first time, and recognised different deformation events in the study area near the E margin of the MCC. We also present field evidence for kinematic connections between low‐angle normal and strike‐slip faults which were developed in an intermittently active basement‐involved transfer zone in western Anatolia. We find that the KÇB contains a detailed record of Miocene transtensional sedimentation and volcanism that accompanied exhumation of the MCC. Structural data reveal that the basin was initially formed by transtension (D1 phase) and subsequently uplifted and deformed, probably as a result of early Pliocene wrench‐ to extension‐dominated deformation (D2 phase) overprinted by Plio‐Quaternary extensional tectonics (D3 phase). These results are consistent with progressive deformation wherein the axis of maximum extension remained in the horizontal plane but the intermediate and maximum shortening axes switched position in the vertical plane. Combining our results with published studies, we propose a new working hypothesis that the KÇB was a transtensional supradetachment basin during the Miocene. The hypothesis could provide new insights into intermittently active extension‐parallel zone of weakness in western Anatolia.These results also suggest that the termination of low‐angle normal fault systems within an extension parallel transfer zone may have resulted in a transtensional depressions which are different from classical supradetachment basins with respect to the sedimentation and deformational pattern of the basin infills.     

近14 a也门降水异常的气候特征

利用1990-2003年也门7个测站降水资料，在分析近148也门降水季节变化特征的基础上，着重分析了也门夏季降水的年际变化特征。结果表明，也门降水异常的季节变化明显，异常在4-9月最大，尤其是7-9月，异常峰值所在月呈现出较明显的提早趋势；近148也门夏季降水呈现出增加的趋势，90年代末该趋势加大；近148也门夏季降水存在38和78左右的显著振荡周期。     

Indirect Effects of Salinity and Temperature on Kuwait’s Shrimp Stocks

Discharge of the Shatt Al-Arab is believed to be a dominating component of the northern Arabian Gulf’s ecology and largely responsible for productivity of Kuwait’s fisheries. With major construction of dams on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Turkey, river discharge has been substantially reduced, and flooding essentially eliminated. We attempted to relate river flow and shrimp landings indirectly by correlating 19 years of salinity and temperature data from Kuwait’s waters with corresponding annual shrimp landings. For green tiger prawns (Penaeus semisulcatus), the combination of October salinities and January temperatures provided the best correlation (r = 0.67) with landings in the following shrimping season. For the combined landings of jinga and kiddi shrimps (Metapenaeus affinis and Parapenaeopsis stylifera, respectively), December salinity during season and May temperature prior to season resulted in the best correlation (r = 0.87). Landings of these two species also correlated well with spring and summer temperatures. Under normal conditions, late winter or early spring temperatures prior to fishing season influence recruitment of the green tiger prawn, whereas December salinities during harvest season influence the abundance of jinga–kiddi shrimps. With further reductions in the Shatt Al-Arab discharge and the elimination of flood events, Kuwait’s shrimp landings will most likely decrease over time.     

Investigation of the Kumdanlı and surrounding faults on the Eğirdir Lake by conducting ground penetrating radar (GPR) profiles

A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was performed on the E?irdir Lake to obtain the structural properties of Kumdanl? and surrounding faults. GPR data was collected along ten profiles in various directions by using 100–200-MHz GPR antennas. The radar sections showed that the Kumdanl? Fault, SW-NE in direction, and also some other neighboring NW-SE normal faults have played an active role in forming the E?irdir-Hoyran Lakes. The deformation and the geometry obtained from the results show that the Kumdanl? Fault is a sinistral strike-slip fault including oblique and segmented displacements. The other faults (Kemerdam? and Akkeçili) have mainly normal fault systems. Their trends are generally NW-SE in direction. It is also observed that they are younger than the Kumdanl? Fault system. These fault properties demonstrate the E?irdir Lake side has an extensional structure trending SW-NE.     

Hotspot distribution, gravity, mantle tomography: evidence for plumes

Thermal convection is the motor of Earth dynamics and therefore is the link between plate motions, hotspots, seismic velocity variations in the mantle, and anomalies of the gravity field. Small scale mantle anomalies, such as plumes, do, however, generally escape detection by tomographic methods. It is attempted to approach the problem of detection in a somewhat statistical manner. Correlations are sought between spherical harmonic expansions of the fields under study: the hotspot distribution, mantle velocity variations, gravity, heat flow. Using spherical harmonic representations of global fields implies integration and averaging over the whole globe. Thus, although relationships may remain masked in the space domain by a multitude of effects, tendencies may become visible in the spectra or in appropriate averages.The main results are the following: There is a significant long wavelength (n=2,3) negative correlation between the hotspot density and the P-wave velocity variation in the lower mantle. Positive hotspot density of degree 2 to 9 generally correlates with low seismic velocity in all depths of the upper mantle and with positive gravity. This fits well with plume-type convection. These results are also confirmed regionally for a number of individual mid-ocean ridges and hotspots. The hotspot density and the free air anomalies are distinctly positive above regions of low velocity extending to great depth. The effect is not distinct at ridges with shallow velocity anomalies. In a general way, we suggest that the antipodal upwellings (Pacific, Africa) are divided by downwelling currents around the shrinking Pacific. Plate boundaries can easily move away from their past connections with the deeper mantle. Small scale plume currents seem to be depicted in the hotspot expansion. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.     

Electronic waste: present status and future perspectives of sustainable management practices in Malaysia

The ever-increasing and rapidly growing volume of waste electrical and electronic equipment has become a serious threat to the environment in many countries. The inevitability of e-waste management and the development of a holistic system to deal with it has become an indispensable socio-economic and environmental issue for the sustainable development of Malaysia. However, no comprehensive research has yet been carried out, and only a few works in a discreet manner have been begun. In view of the above, and as a small endeavor towards achieving the country’s Vision 2020, this study explores the present status and future perspectives of the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Malaysia. This article presents an overview of e-waste management practices around the world, including the generation of e-waste, the implementation of management strategies, and collection and recovery activities in Malaysia. It also presents the corresponding responses adopted so far with respect to legislation and other infrastructural development. Finally, through the use of structured and semi-structured interviews, it reveals the barriers and challenges, as well as future perspectives and sustainability issues related to the e-waste management system in this fast developing country.