The Herschel Virgo Cluster Survey - II. Truncated dust disks in H I-deficient spirals

By combining Herschel-SPIRE observations obtained as part of the Herschel Virgo Cluster Survey with 21 cm Hi data from the literature, we investigate the role of the cluster environment on the dust content of Virgo spiral galaxies. We show for the first time that the extent of the dust disk is significantly reduced in Hi-deficient galaxies, following remarkably well the observed “truncation” of the Hi disk. The ratio of the submillimetre-to-optical diameter correlates with the Hi-deficiency, suggesting that the cluster environment is able to strip dust as well as gas. These results provide important insights not only into the evolution of cluster galaxies but also into the metal enrichment of the intra-cluster medium

Prediction of ductile fracture in anisotropic steels for pipeline applications

Large diameter steel pipelines for gas transportation may experience extreme overloads due to external actions such as soil sliding, faults movements, third part interactions. In these scenarios the material undergoes severe plastic strains which locally may reach the fracture limits. Due to the manufacturing process, the steels used in such applications have an anisotropic behavior both for plasticity and fracture. In this paper two steel grades have been characterized in view of anisotropic plastic fracture. Fracture tests have been planned to characterize the fracture behavior under different stress states and in different directions to define the anisotropic sensitivity. Finite element modelling, incorporating an anisotropic plasticity formulation, has been used to calculate the local fracture parameters in the specimens and to define the complete ductile fracture locus. An uncoupled damage evolution law has been finally used to evaluate the fracture limits on real pipelines failed in full scale laboratory tests. The strain to fracture prediction has been verified by local strain measurements on the fractured pipes. The model robustness has been also verified on global parameter predictions, such us the burst pressur

Multiple merging in the Abell cluster 1367

We present a dynamical analysis of the central ~1.3 square degrees of the cluster of galaxies Abell 1367, based on 273 redshift measurements (of which 119 are news). From the analysis of the 146 confirmed cluster members we derive a significantly non-Gaussian velocity distribution, with a mean location C_{BI} = 6484+/-81 km/s and a scale S_{BI} = 891+/-58 km/s. The cluster appears elongated from the North-West to the South-East with two main density peaks associated with two substructures. The North-West subcluster is probably in the early phase of merging into the South-East substructure (~ 0.2 Gyr before core crossing). A dynamical study of the two subclouds points out the existence of a group of star-forming galaxies infalling into the core of the South-East subcloud and suggests that two other groups are infalling into the NW and SE subclusters respectively. These three subgroups contain a higher fraction of star-forming galaxies than the cluster core, as expected during merging events. Abell 1367 appears as a young cluster currently forming at the intersection of two filaments.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures, 7 tables. Accepted for publication on A&A. High resolution figures at http://goldmine.mib.infn.it/papers/a1367.htm

Politicisation of the international accounting standard setting process: evidence from the extractive industries

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed example of the way in which extractive industries constituents participated in the setting of the international accounting standard for the extractive industries, IFRS 6 - Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources. Design/methodology/approach - A cross-section of extractive industries constituents is selected and their participation in the accounting standard setting process is examined via analysis of their comment letters and other interactions with the process. Findings - The paper contributes to our understanding of the politicised nature of accounting standard setting for the extractive industries. In doing so, it highlights the opportunities within the standard setting process through which key constituents can influence outcomes. Research limitations/implications - This paper reflects only a small sample of constituents involved in the standard setting process for the extractive industries and therefore focuses specifically on the relationships between key players selected

The migration of nearby spirals from the blue to red sequence: AGN feedback or environmental effects?

We combine ultraviolet to near-infrared photometry with HI 21cm line observations for a complete volume-limited sample of nearby galaxies in different environments (from isolated galaxies to Virgo cluster members), to study the migration of spirals from the blue to the red sequence. Although our analysis confirms that, in the transition region between the two sequences, a high fraction of spirals host active galactic nuclei (AGN), it clearly shows that late-types with quenched star formation are mainly HI deficient galaxies preferentially found in the Virgo cluster. This not only suggests that environmental effects could play a significant role in driving the migration of local galaxies from the blue sequence, but it also implies that a physical link between AGN feedback and quenching may not be assumed from a correlation between nuclear activity and colour.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 6 pages, 1 figur

Investigating iternational accounting standard setting: the black box of IFRS 6

This paper examines the role of powerful entities and coalitions in shaping international accounting standards. Specifically, the focus is on the process by which the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) developed IFRS 6, Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources. In its Issues Paper, the IASB recommended that the successful efforts method be mandated for pre-production costs, eliminating the choice previously available between full cost and successful efforts methods. In spite of the endorsement of this view by a majority of the constituents who responded to the Issues Paper, the final outcome changed nothing, with choice being retained. A compelling explanation of this disparity between the visible inputs and outputs of the standard setting process is the existence of a “black box”, in which powerful extractive industries entities and coalitions covertly influenced the IASB to secure their own ends and ensure that the status quo was maintained

Morphological characterisation of malignant histiocytosis in a cat

Malignant histiocytosis (MH) is a progressive systemic neoplastic proliferation of morphologically atypical histiocytes, well characterised in humans and dogs but only recently identified in the cat. In all species, liver, lung, lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow are infiltrated by atypical histiocytes, and the disease is rapidly fatal. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings of MH in a cat, together with the diagnostic work-up and a list of differential diagnoses. Clinical evaluation included a complete blood-cell count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, serology and ultrasound examination. The cat had clinical signs of depression, thinness, dehydration, pale mucous membranes and tachycardia. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed generalised splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Necroscopy showed whitish nodules, randomly scattered throughout the parenchyma in the spleen and liver. The periportal lymph nodes were greatly enlarged and the cut surface was uniformly greyish-white and translucent. Histological examination revealed pleomorphic proliferation of large round tumour cells, with numerous phagocytic vacuoles containing erytrocytes, leukocytes and haemosiderin. By immunohistochemistry, positivity for lysozyme and α1-antitrypsin and a scattered positivity for Mac 387 were observed. Ultrastructural features of tumour cells included cytoplasmic lipid droplets, lysosomes and phagolysosomes. MH in the cat needs to be differentiated from diffuse granulomatous disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s-like disease. The morphological features of the tumour cells, combined with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural observation, are consistent with a diagnosis of MH in the cat