Mendelssohn and The Schübler Chorales (BWV 645-650):A New Source found in the Riemenschneider Bach Institute Collection

This article discusses a hitherto-unknown printed edition of Bach's Schübler Chorales edited by Mendelssohn, and considers its meaning and significance for Bach-Mendelssohn scholarship. Facsimile of the edition is also included.

The atmospheric parameters and chemical composition of early B-type giants in h and chi Persei

Atmospheric parameters and surface chemical compositions are presented for eight stars, classified as B1 or B2 but with a range of luminosity classes, in the northern double cluster h and chi Persei. Echelle spectroscopy (covering the wavelength region 3900 to 4700 Ä) and grating spectroscopy (of the Balmer, H? and Hß lines) were analysed using non-LTE synthetic spectra based on LTE line-blanketed atmosphere structures. High microturbulences are found in our sample, and this quantity must be included in the computation of the non-LTE level populations; its effect is generally to decrease the derived metal abundances by typically 0.1 dex but by up to 0.4 dex. Our absolute abundances are in reasonable agreement with those previously found for main sequence B-type stars, while we find some evidence for small abundance variations (particularly for nitrogen) within our sample. One star (BD+56 678) appears to be a spectrum variable and at two epochs shows a highly enriched nitrogen spectrum. Our atmospheric parameters imply that two stars have previously been mis-identified as main sequence objects and a distance modulus, at the higher end of the values previously deduced. The observational HR diagram is consistent with stellar evolutionary models that explicitly include the effects of rotation.

Liquid source misted chemical deposition process of three-dimensional nano-ferroelectrics with substrate heating

A modification of liquid source misted chemical deposition process (LSMCD) with heating mist and substrate has developed, and this enabled to control mist penetrability and fluidity on sidewalls of three-dimensional structures and ensure step coverage. A modified LSMCD process allowed a combinatorial approach of Pb(Zr,Ti)O-3 (PZT) thin films and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) toward ultrahigh integration density of ferroelectric random access memories (FeRAMs). The CNTs templates were survived during the crystallization process of deposited PZT film onto CNTs annealed at 650 degrees C in oxygen ambient due to a matter of minute process, so that the thermal budget is quite small. The modified LSMCD process opens up the possibility to realize the nanoscale capacitor structure of ferroelectric PZT film with CNTs electrodes toward ultrahigh integration density FeRAMs.

William Herschel Telescope observations of distant comets

We present results from broad-band V- and R-filter observations obtained at the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope on La Palma on 2002 July 12-14. A total of six comets were imaged, and their heliocentric distances ranged from 2.8 to 6.1 au. The comets observed were 43P/Wolf-Harrington, 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3, 133P/Elst-Pizarro, 143P/Kowal-Mrkos, P/1998 U4 (Spahr) and P/2001 H5 (NEAT). A detailed surface brightness profile analysis indicates that three of the targeted comets (43P/Wolf-Harrington, 129P/Shoemaker-Levy 3 and P/1998 U4) were visibly active, and the remaining three comets were stellar in appearance. Further analysis shows that for the three `stellar-like' comets the possible coma contribution to the observed flux does not exceed 12.2 per cent, and in the case of comet 143P/Kowal-Mrkos the coma contribution is expected to be as low as 1 per cent, and so the resulting photometry most likely represents that of the projected nucleus surface. Effective radii for the inactive comets range from 1.02 to 4.56 km, and the effective radius upper limits for the active comets range from 1.94 to 4.15 km. We assume an albedo and phase coefficient of 0.04 and 0.035 mag deg-1, respectively, with the exception of comets 133P/Elst-Pizarro and 143P/Kowal-Mrkos for which phase coefficients were previously measured. These values are compared with previous measurements, and for comet 43P/Wolf-Harrington we find that the nucleus axial ratio a/b could be as large as 2.44. For the active comets we measured dust production levels in terms of the Af? quantity. Spectral gradients were extracted for two of the inactive comets from their measured broad-band colour indices, and compared with the rest of the comet population for which (V-R) colour and spectral gradient values exist. We find a spectral gradient for 143P/Kowal-Mrkos of 9.9 +/- 8.1 per cent/100 nm, which is very typical of Jupiter-family comets, the majority of which have reflectivity gradients in the range 0-13 per cent (100 nm)-1. The spectral gradient for comet 133P/Elst-Pizarro is amongst the bluest yet measured. We measure a (V-R) colour index value of 0.14 +/- 0.11 for the nucleus of 133P/Elst-Pizarro which is considerably lower than previous measurements. A possible explanation for this difference is considered.

The structure of the Statistics Anxiety Rating Scale: A confirmatory factor analysis using UK psychology students

This study aimed to examine the structure of the statistics anxiety rating scale. Responses from 650 undergraduate psychology students throughout the UK were collected through an on-line study. Based on previous research three different models were specified and estimated using confirmatory factor analysis. Fit indices were used to determine if the model fitted the data and a likelihood ratio difference test was used to determine the best fitting model. The original six factor model was the best explanation of the data. All six subscales were intercorrelated and internally consistent. It was concluded that the statistics anxiety rating scale was found to measure the six subscales it was designed to assess in a UK population.

Identification and characterization of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica

Primer sequences and initial characterization are presented for 10 microsatellite loci isolated from the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. In a sample of 30 individuals from a single population sample, all loci were polymorphic with two to 12 alleles segregating per locus and levels of observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.27 to 0.92. One locus showed a deficit of heterozygotes. Experimental conditions are described for polymerase chain reaction multiplexing, which enables the genotyping of eight loci in three electrophoretic runs consisting of one set of three and two sets of two markers. Seven primer sets cross-amplify in the related Blattella asahinai.

Steam reforming of model compounds and fast pyrolysis bio-oil on supported noble metal catalysts

The production of hydrogen by steam reforming of bio-oils obtained from the fast pyrolysis of biomass requires the development of efficient catalysts able to cope with the complex chemical nature of the reactant. The present work focuses on the use of noble metal-based catalysts for the steam reforming of a few model compounds and that of an actual bio-oil. The steam reforming of the model compounds was investigated in the temperature range 650-950 degrees C over Pt, Pd and Rh supported on alumina and a ceria-zirconia sample. The model compounds used were acetic acid, phenol, acetone and ethanol. The nature of the support appeared to play a significant role in the activity of these catalysts. The use of ceria-zirconia, a redox mixed oxide, lead to higher H-2 yields as compared to the case of the alumina-supported catalysts. The supported Rh and Pt catalysts were the most active for the steam reforming of these compounds, while Pd-based catalysts poorly performed. The activity of the promising Pt and Rh catalysts was also investigated for the steam reforming of a bio-oil obtained from beech wood fast pyrolysis. Temperatures close to, or higher than, 800 degrees C were required to achieve significant conversions to COx and H-2 (e.g., H-2 yields around 70%). The ceria-zirconia materials showed a higher activity than the corresponding alumina samples. A Pt/ceria-zirconia sample used for over 9 h showed essentially constant activity, while extensive carbonaceous deposits were observed on the quartz reactor walls from early time on stream. In the present case, no benefit was observed by adding a small amount of O-2 to the steam/bio-oil feed (autothermal reforming, ATR), probably partly due to the already high concentration of oxygen in the bio-oil composition. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Roche tomography of cataclysmic variables - III. Star-spots on AE Aqr

We present a Roche tomography reconstruction of the secondary star in the cataclysmic variable AE Aqr. The tomogram reveals several surface inhomogeneities that are due to the presence of large, cool star-spots. In addition to a number of lower latitude spots, the maps also show the presence of a large, high-latitude spot similar to that seen in Doppler images of rapidly rotating isolated stars, and a relative paucity of spots at a latitude of 40 degrees. In total, we estimate that some 18 per cent of the Northern hemisphere of AE Aqr is spotted.

SCUBA imaging of high mass star formation regions

We present 450 and 850 mu m images of five ultracompact HII regions (G10.47, G12.21, G13.87, G31.41 and G43.89) taken at 9

Delamination Fracture Related to Tempering in a High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel

The delamination or splitting of mechanical test specimens of rolled steel plate is a phenomenon that has been studied for many years. In the present study, splitting during fracture of tensile and Charpy V-notch (CVN) test specimens is examined in a high-strength low-alloy plate steel. It is shown that delamination did not occur in test specimens from plate in the as-rolled condition, but was severe in material tempered in the temperature range 500 °C to 650 °C. Minor splitting was seen after heating to 200 °C, 400 °C, and 700 °C. Samples that had been triple quenched and tempered to produce a fine equiaxed grain size also did not exhibit splitting. Microstructural and preferred orientation studies are presented and are discussed as they relate to the splitting phenomenon. It is concluded that the elongated as-rolled grains and grain boundary embrittlement resulting from precipitates (carbides and nitrides) formed during reheating were responsible for the delamination.