The independent model used by Meyer and Schramm (here after M& S) for determining the age of elements (chemical evolution) is extended. Using new and extended definitions and including parameters ignored by M&S, the galactic evolution equations are solved to determine the total duration of nucleosynthesis, T. To be able to calculate the tv/T (mean age time for formation of elements to total duration of nucleosynthesis ratio), one event age, max Dilmax , and r (i, j) are determined using approximation relating r¢(i, j) to the former value r(i, j). For Th/U pair, constraint on tv/T becomes 0.43£tv T£0.61 and the age of the galaxy is obtained as 12.5 Gyr £ TGal £ 23.0 Gyr, reducing the variation considerably compared to M& S formalism (8.7 Gyr £ TGal £ 28.1 Gyr). The range of constraints for the age of the universe is shorter than the M& S and our modifications on the model have reduced the interval for galaxy age 83% and close to being concordant with other available methods.

Kaolin-based film as Surround WPÒ was applied to ‘galaxy’ apple trees to evaluate its effects on postharvest fruit quality. Following harvest, the Surround WPÒ on the fruit skin was either wiped off, or left unwiped, then, the fruits from these treatments along with fruits from non-Surround WPÒ-treated trees as the control were stored at 6oC for 100 days. Surround WPÒ film application reduced weight loss ratios during the period of storage while unaffecting firmness loss, sunburn index, starch conversion, and pH values. After 70 days of cold storage, fruits treated with Surround WPÒ film showed less diminution in soluble solids and titratable acidity. A taste panel identified minor quality differences between fruits coated with and without the film. Fruits coated with the film had the highest appearance rating, but also exhibited the lowest smoothness rating due to film residue. This study indicates that Surround WPÒ may be safely used for ‘galaxy’ apples before harvest for retaining postharvest quality during cold storage.

We have conducted an optical long-term monitoring survey of the majority of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group, with the Isaac Newton Tel escope (INT), to identify the long period variable (LPV) stars. LPV stars vary on timescales of months to years, and reach the largest amplitudes of their brightness variations at optical wavelengths, due to the changing temperature. They trace stellar populations as young as  30 Myr to as old as  10 Gyr whose identification is one of the best ways to reconstruct the star formation history. The system of galactic satellites of the large Andromeda spiral galaxy (M31) forms one of the key targets of our monitoring survey. In this first paper in the series, we present the first results from the survey in the form of a census of LPV stars in Andromeda I (And I) dwarf galaxy. Photometry was obtained for 10585 stars in a 0. 07 square degree field, of which 116 stars were found to be variable, most of which are Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. Our data were matched to mid-infrared photometry from the Spitzer Space Telescope, and to optical catalogues of variable stars from the Hubble Space Telescope.