More pieces of the puzzle: Chemistry and substructures in the Galactic thick disk

We present a study of the chemical abundances of Solar neighbourhood stars associated to dynamical structures in the Milky Way's (thick) disk. These stars were identified as overdensity in the eccentricity range 0.3< ecc < 0.5 in the Copenhagen-Geneva Survey by Helmi et al. (2006). We find that the stars with these dynamical characteristics do not constitute a homogeneous population. A relatively sharp transition in dynamical and chemical properties appears to occur at a metallicity of [Fe/H] ~ -0.4. Stars with [Fe/H] > -0.4 have mostly lower eccentricities, smaller vertical velocity dispersions, are alpha-enhanced and define a rather narrow sequence in [alpha/Fe] vs [Fe/H], clearly distinct from that of the thin disk. Stars with [Fe/H] < -0.4 have a range of eccentricities, are hotter vertically, and depict a larger spread in [alpha/Fe]. We have also found tentative evidence of substructure possibly associated to the disruption of a metal-rich star cluster. The differences between these populations of stars is also present in e.g. [Zn/Fe], [Ni/Fe] and [SmII/Fe], suggesting a real physical distinction.Comment: Astrophysical Journal in press. 5 pages, 4 figure

Household water security through stored rainwater and consumer acceptability: a case study of the Anuradhapura District

Rainwater harvesting has increased in popularity in Sri Lanka over the past two decades due to the number of water supply projects funded by the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The stored rainwater can provide accessible, reliable, timely and adequate supplies of water to households but there are uncertainties as to safety, in terms of water quality, and consumer acceptability. A study was, therefore, conducted in the Anuradhapura District, in the dry zone, to assess consumer acceptability of stored rainwater for household purposes and to conduct rainwater quality tests in a laboratory. The majority of households in Anuradhapura meet their drinking water requirements from protected wells (59.6 %). Prior to the project, people greatly preferred open wells as a source of domestic water, followed by tubewells, because they believed that water in open wells is of good quality and drinkable. However, stored rainwater has become the priority source now, especially through roof rainwater harvesting (RRWH), which is used during the dry periods. The study revealed that more than 85 % of households use stored rainwater for drinking although some have concerns over the quality and only drink it after boiling. The easy accessibility of water and the assurance by the project team that it is of good quality are the main reasons that people are willing to drink it. The acceptability of stored rainwater for consumption was very high in water-scarce areas and with the increasing distance to the nearest and alternative sources of good-quality water. Of those who felt that they had adequate water, 84 % of the sample households found it adequate in the wet season but only 21 % in the dry season. Water quality analysis revealed that the chemical and physical quality of stored rainwater is within the acceptable range with respect to Sri Lankan Standards, SLS: 614, for potable water quality (SLIS 1983). Other domestic water sources exceeded standards for electrical conductivity, total alkalinity, hardness, ammonium nitrogen, fluorides and total iron. However, stored rainwater was of lower biological quality than other domestic water sources.Length: pp.87-97Domestic waterWater securityWater harvestingWater qualityRural areasCase studies

Efeito da Promalina (GA4+7 + 6BA) na produção e desenvolvimento dos frutos da macieira cv. Royal Gala.

O trabalho avaliou a eficiência da Promalina® no desenvolvimento dos frutos, incidência de ?russeting? e produção da macieira ?Royal Gala?/M-9, realizado na Estação Experimental de Fruticultura de Clima Temperado da Embrapa Uva e Vinho, em Vacaria, RS, de agosto de 2007 a fevereiro de 2008. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados em um esquema fatorial 2 x 4, com oito tratamentos, cinco repetições e uma planta útil por parcela. Foram combinadas duas épocas de aplicação (1 - na plena floração e 2 - na queda das pétalas) com quatro concentrações de Promalina® (1 - água (testemunha); 2 - 0,5 ml L-1; 3 - 1,0 ml L-1; 4 - 2,0 ml L-1). Não houve influência da época de aplicação e das concentrações de Promalina® na produção da cv. Royal Gala, massa fresca dos frutos e incidência de ?russeting?. Plantas tratadas com Promalina® na queda das pétalas produziram frutos com maior comprimento e diâmetro. A Promalina® a 2,0 ml L-1 de água aumentou o comprimento e a porcentagem de frutos da classe 65-70 mm de diâmetro. Houve aumento da relação C/D dos frutos com a aplicação de Promalina®