bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impacts of column water vapour variability on Atlantic basin tropical cyclone activity
Authors: Hankes Isaac , Marinaro Alan
Published: July 2016

Column water vapour (CWV) in the Tropics is well known to affect tropical deep convection. It has been established that the tropical deep convection required for tropical cyclone formation markedly increases after reaching a critical CWV threshold. Therefore, CWV values below this threshold represent an atmosphere that is too dry for tropical cyclone formation. The interannual variability of the occurrence of this dry air and its impacts on tropical cyclone activity over the Atlantic are examined. CWV empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis reveals a dominant mode of interannual variability of dry air events over the tropical North Atlantic, with strong variations over the central and eastern Atlantic between 15°N and 30°N. In the positive (negative) phase of the EOF modes, tropical cyclone activity is reduced (increased) over the Atlantic basin, particularly over the main development region. On the origin of dry air, the Saharan Air Layer does not explain the CWV EOF pattern, but the pattern is shown to be related to large‐scale subsidence in association with enhanced anticyclonic vorticity. The leading mode shows significant correlations to several large‐scale climate oscillations, including the Atlantic Multi‐decadal Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Atlantic Meridional Mode, Pacific North American Pattern, and others. The EOF mode also indicates a relationship to the large‐scale circulation via the Hadley cell. An evaluation of the steering flow for tropical cyclones from the modulation of the subtropical high and the values of deep layer vertical wind shear is consistent with the distribution of tropical cyclone activity in only certain limited areas, suggesting that the impacts of the dry air patterns are required to provide a more complete explanation of the activity.
Efficient oblivious transfer with adaptive queries in UC framework
Authors: Guleria Vandana , Dutta Ratna
Published: July 2016

We propose two efficient universally composable adaptivek‐out‐of‐N
protocols, secure in the presence of malicious adversary in static corruption model under the Decision Linear and q‐Strong Diffie–Hellman assumptions. Our second scheme additionally requires the hardness of Decision Bilinear Diffie‐Hellman problem. Non‐interactive Groth–Sahai proofs are employed for the verification of pairing product equations. More interestingly, our first scheme facilitates the receiver to verify the correctness of messages recovered. The proposed protocols exhibit significant computational and communication efficiency compared with existing similar schemes in the literature. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of subset matching methods and forms of covariate balance
Authors: de los Angeles Resa María , Zubizarreta José R.
Published: July 2016

This paper conducts a Monte Carlo simulation study to evaluate the performance of multivariate matching methods that select a subset of treatment and control observations. The matching methods studied are the widely used nearest neighbor matching with propensity score calipers and the more recently proposed methods, optimal matching of an optimally chosen subset and optimal cardinality matching. The main findings are: (i) covariate balance, as measured by differences in means, variance ratios, Kolmogorov–Smirnov distances, and cross‐match test statistics, is better with cardinality matching because by construction it satisfies balance requirements; (ii) for given levels of covariate balance, the matched samples are larger with cardinality matching than with the other methods; (iii) in terms of covariate distances, optimal subset matching performs best; (iv) treatment effect estimates from cardinality matching have lower root‐mean‐square errors, provided strong requirements for balance, specifically, fine balance, or strength‐kbalance, plus close mean balance. In standard practice, a matched sample is considered to be balanced if the absolute differences in means of the covariates across treatment groups are smaller than 0.1 standard deviations. However, the simulation results suggest that stronger forms of balance should be pursued in order to remove systematic biases due to observed covariates when a difference in means treatment effect estimator is used. In particular, if the true outcome model is additive, then marginal distributions should be balanced, and if the true outcome model is additive with interactions, then low‐dimensional joints should be balanced. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toll‐like receptor 4 ablation rescues against paraquat‐triggered myocardial dysfunction: Role of ER stress and apoptosis
Authors: Lei Yonghong , Li Xue , Yuan Fang , Liu Lu , Zhang Juan , Yang Yanping , Zhao Jieqiong , Han Yan , Ren Jun , Fu Xiaobing
Published: July 2016

Paraquat is a nitrogen herbicide imposing severe organ toxicity in human leading to acute lung injury and heart failure. The present study was designed to examine the impact of ablation of the innate proinflammatory mediator toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) in paraquat‐induced cardiac contractile dysfunction and the underlying mechanisms involved with a focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis. Adult male wild‐type (WT) and TLR4 knockout (TLR4−/−) mice were challenged with paraquat (45 mg/kg, i.p.) for 48 h prior to the assessment of myocardial and cardiomyocyte sarcomere function, ER stress, apoptosis and inflammation. Acute paraquat challenge exerted myocardial functional and geometric alterations including enlarged left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), reduced fractional shortening, decreased sarcomere shortening, maximal velocities of sarcomere shortening and relengthening associated with unchanged LV posterior wall thickness, septal thickness, LV end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), heart rate, sarcomere length, time‐to‐peak shortening and time‐to‐90% relengthening. Although TLR4 ablation did not affect mechanical properties in the heart, it significantly attenuated or ablated paraquat‐induced cardiac contractile anomalies. Moreover, paraquat imposed overt ER stress, apoptosis and inflammation as evidenced by upregulation of Bip, CHOP, Caspase‐3, −9, Bax, Bad, and IL‐1β, phosphorylation of PERK, eIF2α and IΚB, as well as activation of the stress molecules ERK and p38, with unchanged Caspase‐8, Bcl2, TNF‐α, p53, HMGB1, MyD88 and phosphorylation of Akt, GSK3β and JNK, the effects of which were attenuated or negated by TLR4 knockout. Taken together, our results suggested that TLR4 ablation alleviated paraquat‐induced myocardial contractile dysfunction possibly through attenuation of ER stress, apoptosis and inflammation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 656–668, 2017.
An Interrogation of Accounting–Marketing Interface in UK Financial Services Organisations: Mixing Cats with Dogs?
Authors: Opute Abdullah Promise , Madichie Nnamdi O.
Published: July 2016

While an increasing body of literature progressively proposes that accounting–marketing integration would yield strategic marketing synergies, another stream of literature suggests ineffective accounting–marketing integration. This paper aims to bridge the dyadic research gap in the optimal business performance arising from the integration of accounting and marketing functions. Based on a survey of 162 responses (with 75 dyads) from accounting and marketing managers in UK financial services organisations, this study identifies departmental differences and boundary fencing as core relational features in this dyad. Despite the perceptual divergences in the accounting–marketing dyad, most respondents perceived an integration of these functions to be an effective tool in their respective organisations. This study illuminates the existence and influence of cultural diversity and boundary fencing behaviour in the accounting–marketing dyad with respect to impasse, accounting–marketing integration and performance. This study explains performance driven task connectivity integration between accounting and marketing.
An Environmental Scan of Academic Emergency Medicine at the 17 Canadian Medical Schools: Why Does this Matter to Emergency Physicians?
Authors: Stiell Ian G. , Artz Jennifer D. , Lang Eddy S. , Sherbino Jonathan , Morrison Laurie J. , Christenson James , Perry Jeffrey J. , Topping Claude , Woods Robert , Green Robert S. , Lim Rodrick , Magee Kirk , Foote John , Meckler Garth , Mensour Mark , Field Simon , Chung Brian , Kuuskne Martin , Ducharme James , Klein Vera , McEwen Jill
Published: July 2016

Objective

We sought to conduct a major objective of the CAEP Academic Section, an environmental scan of the academic emergency medicine programs across the 17 Canadian medical schools.

Methods

We developed an 84-question questionnaire, which was distributed to academic heads. The responses were validated by phone by the lead author to ensure that the questions were answered completely and consistently. Details of pediatric emergency medicine units were excluded from the scan.

Results

At eight of 17 universities, emergency medicine has full departmental status and at two it has no official academic status. Canadian academic emergency medicine is practiced at 46 major teaching hospitals and 13 specialized pediatric hospitals. Another 69 Canadian hospital EDs regularly take clinical clerks and emergency medicine residents. There are 31 full professors of emergency medicine in Canada. Teaching programs are strong with clerkships offered at 16/17 universities, CCFP(EM) programs at 17/17, and RCPSC residency programs at 14/17. Fourteen sites have at least one physician with a Master’s degree in education. There are 55 clinical researchers with salary support at 13 universities. Sixteen sites have published peer-reviewed papers in the past five years, ranging from four to 235 per site. Annual budgets range from $200,000 to $5,900,000.

Conclusion

This comprehensive review of academic activities in emergency medicine across Canada identifies areas of strengths as well as opportunities for improvement. CAEP and the Academic Section hope we can ultimately improve ED patient care by sharing best academic practices and becoming better teachers, educators, and researchers.
THE FISHERTON MONSTER: SCIENCE, PROVIDENCE, AND POLITICS IN EARLY RESTORATION ENGLAND
Authors: LYON HARRIET
Published: July 2016

This article reconsiders the significance of an episode of monstrous birth in Fisherton Anger, Wiltshire, in 1664. Tracing the influence of natural philosophical, spiritual, and providential impulses in extant accounts of the Fisherton birth, it suggests that in order wholly to comprehend this material it is necessary to move beyond debates about the ‘rise of science’. It therefore explores the contemporary claims made about the Fisherton monster against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Civil Wars and Interregnum, suggesting that the rampant politicization of monstrosity after the outbreak of war in 1642 provides the key to understanding the emphasis on different kinds of natural, spiritual, and moral truth in accounts of physiological abnormality after 1660. A case-study of early Restoration efforts to negotiate the instability of past events, this article further argues that the impulse to forget which underpinned the Indemnity and Oblivion Act (1660) found different expression elsewhere in the form of censorship and beyond the political sphere in the field of natural philosophy. Considered in light of this early Restoration culture of amnesia, the Fisherton monster embodies a series of attempts to forget the passions of a turbulent political past.
On the Conditions under which Discontinuous Events may be employed as a Measure of Continuous Processes, with Especial Reference to the Killing of Bacteria by Disinfectants
Authors: Robertson T. Brailsford
Published: July 2016

It is shown that provided the total number of individuals exposed to a constant environment which is inducing change within them be constant, and the number of units of change which must take place within any given individual in order to cause a given event be also constant, then the number of these events is a quantitative measure of the extent of the change in all of the individuals taken together.

From this it follows that the results of Madsen and Nyman and of Chick may legitimately be regarded as proving that the process which underlies disinfection obeys the time-relations and other characteristics of a mono-molecular chemical reaction.
The Resistance of the Vaccine Virus to Filtration
Authors: Green A. B
Published: July 2016

Whether the vaccine virus is filterable or not has been the subject of experiment and discussion for many years and since Negri's results published in 1905, from which he deduced that the virus was filterable, numerous experiments dealing with the subject have been made by many workers.
Studies in Spontaneous Phagocytosis
Authors: Schütze H.
Published: July 2016

Both the sensitation of typhoid bacilli by serum and their ingestion by leucocytes when sensitised, have been shown by Ledingham (1912) to take place in accordance with the laws regulating an adsorption process, the removal of opsonin from a serum by bacteria, and of sensitised bacteria from an emulsion by leucocytes following very satisfactorily the adsorption equation y=kxn, where y= the amount adsorbed, x= the amount left free and k and n are constants.
A Study of the Mechanism of the Agglutination and Absorption of Agglutinin Reaction, together with an examination of the efficacy of these tests for identifying specimens of the Meningococcus isolated from 354 cases of Cerebro-Spinal Fever
Authors: Tulloch William J.
Published: July 2016

At the present time owing to the difficulties arising from was conditions, and the stress of work due to the special circumstances in which the study of bacteriology is being prosecuted, we have had in some cases to modify established methods of bacteriological procedure and introduce new technique.
XVIII.—An Account of some Experiments on the Telephone and Microphone
Authors: Blyth James
Published: July 2016

The first experiment which I have to describe relates to an attempt to employ the telephone as a means of measuring the hearing power of the ear in different individuals, or in the same individual at different times. For this purpose a constant source of sound, driven by clockwork, is made to act upon the disc of a telephone in a distant room. In the circuit of this telephone are included two others, so placed on a stand, that they can be brought close to both ears of the person to be experimented on. Soft india-rubber rings are attached to these telephones so as to enclose both ears, and Serve the double purpose of avoiding any disagreeable pressure on them, and preventing, as far as possible, all extraneous sounds from entering. In the circuit of the telephones there is also included a column of slightly acidulated water whose length can be varied at pleasure, so as to introduce a greater or less resistance to the electric current. This is managed in the following way:—A pretty wide glass tube, about 24 centimetres long, closed at the lower end, and graduated to millimetres, is mounted vertically on a stand. Projecting through the lower end of the tube is a platinum wire melted into the glass and having its point inside opposite the zero of the scale.
XXV.—On the Disruptive Discharge of Electricity
Authors: Macfarlane Alexander , Playfair P. M.
Published: July 2016

During the months of May and June of this session we have endeavoured to investigate certain questions suggested by our experience of the discharge of electricity through the gases and through oil of turpentine, for which purpose Dr Macfarlane had received a grant from the Royal Society of London.

When paraffin oil (the kind employed for illuminating purposes) was put into a glass vessel, in which were two brass plates arranged in the form of a condenser, and when the plates were charged by means of the Holtz machine, it exhibited the same phenomena as oil of turpentine. Gas bubbles were produced; they did not appear until after the passage of the spark. Once produced, they facilitated the passage of the spark through bringing the electrified surfaces virtually nearer to one another. Hence, when taking observations of the difference of potential required to pass a spark through layers of different thickness of the oil, it was always necessary to remove the bubbles generated by the passage of one spark before electrifying again. This was effected by bringing the discs into contact.
Critical Factors for a Successful Astronomical Research Program in a Developing Country
Authors: Hearnshaw John B.
Published: July 2016

I discuss the critical conditions for undertaking a successful research program in a developing country. There are many important factors, all or most of which have to be satisfied: funding, library holdings, computing access, Internet access (e-mail, WWW, ftp, telnet), collaboration with astronomers in developed countries, provision of proper offices for staff, supply of graduate students, access to travel for conferences, ability to publish in international journals, critical mass of researchers, access to a telescope (for observational astronomers), support from and interaction with national electronics, optics and precision engineering industries, a scientific culture backed by a national scientific academy, and lack of inter-institutional rivalry. I make a list of a total of 15 key factors and rank them in order of importance, and discuss the use of an astronomical research index (ARI) suitable for measuring the research potential of a given country or institution.

I also discuss whether astronomers in developing countries in principle fare better in a university or in the environment of a government national observatory or research institution, and topics such as the effect of the cost of page charges and journal subscriptions on developing countries. Finally I present some statistics on astronomy in developing countries and relate the numbers of astronomers to the size of the economy and population in each country.
The Vatican Observatory Summer Schools in Observational Astronomy and Astrophysics
Authors: Corbally Christopher J.
Published: July 2016

Two seemingly incongruous components have come together about every two years: the serene terraces of the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, and the noisy exuberance of 25 beginning-level graduate students. Add in a small faculty of first-rate professors and a resourceful local support team, and one has the ingredients for the month-long Vatican Observatory Summer Schools. The eighth School takes place in the summer of 2001, and its goals are the same as when the series started in 1986: to encourage and motivate a mix of young people from industrialized and developing countries who are at critical moments of their research careers, and to make a small, but significant contribution to the progress of developing countries by exposing some of their most talented young citizens to people involved in high quality research in astrophysics. This account outlines the nature of the Schools, their follow-up, and something of how the spirit of sharing of personal and institutional resources is achieved.
SALT/HET Cooperation in Education and Public Outreach
Authors: Hemenway Mary Kay , Preston Sandra
Published: July 2016

The “Science with SALT” meeting in March 1998 opened avenues of cooperation between SAAO and the University of Texas at Austin in education and public outreach. This paper will review past interactions and future plans. SAAO personnel have visited the HET and McDonald Observatory and have taken part in planning meetings for the Texas Astronomy Education Center museum area and educational programming. Discussions concerning the extension of the daily radio show StarDate (English), Universo (Spanish) and Sternzeit (German) versions to a southern hemisphere version are underway. In addition, we are cooperatively planning a workshop to discuss an international collaborative for educational outreach for state-of-the-art telescopes for which a regional collaborative in southwestern U.S. (SCOPE) serves as a model. The towns of Sutherland and Fort Davis are discussing forming a “twin-town” relationship. Projects and plans that link cutting-edge astronomical research to classrooms and the public will be reviewed.
Work at Bosscha Observatory
Authors: Raharto Moedji
Published: July 2016

An overview is presented of work at Bosscha Observatory during the last ten years. Future developments are also discussed.
The Error in Solar-Diameter Measurements Induced by Atmospheric Turbulence
Authors: Lakhal Lyes
Published: July 2016

Diameter measurements performed with the solar astrolabe are affected by atmospheric effects. In order to deduce significant astrophysical results, it is necessary to know how these effects contribute to the error of diameter measurement. For this purpose, a numerical simulation was developed leading to a law of error behaviour with observing conditions. In order to validate these results, recorded data obtained at the Calern observatory astrolabe (France) during the period 1996 – 1997 are used. A good agreement is observed with the simulation, which permit salso to give access to daily atmospheric time constants. (Co-author is A. Irbah, Algeria.)
CCD Observations with Small Telescopes of Moving Bodies
Authors: Bykov Oleg P.
Published: July 2016

Astronomy for developing countries must be simple, cheap and attractive. Advanced amateurs with small astronomical CCD instruments could be its base in these regions. Together with the astronomical community and professional astronomers of other countries, amateurs can solve a lot of practical tasks connected with the CCD observations of moving celestial bodies.
Astronomy without Astronomers?
Authors: Stavinschi Magdalena
Published: July 2016

Astronomy in Romania has an old tradition. After half a century of privations and isolation from the rest of the world, we believed that the changes undergone by our country in 1989 (and by the neighbour countries, as well) will be benefit for the Romanian astronomy, too. Indeed, it was, but for a very short period. The young people left the country, one by one, and others cannot accept the low salary offered by a research institute. The economy doesn’t allow us to enrich the astronomical endowment. Of course, we cannot close the observatories. We have to find other ways to save the astronomy in this part of Europe, especially in the epoch of the space astronomy.
Simple Instruments in Radio Astronomy
Authors: Rieu Nguyen Quang
Published: July 2016

Radio astronomy has a major role in the study of the universe. The spiral structure of our Galaxy and the cosmic background radiation were first detected, and the dense component of interstellar gas is studied, at radio wavelengths. COBE revealed very weak temperature fluctuations in the microwave background, considered to be the seeds of galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Most electromagnetic radiation from outer space is absorbed or reflected by the Earth’s atmosphere, except in two narrow spectral windows: the visible-near-infrared and the radio, which are nearly transparent. Centimetre and longer radio waves propagate almost freely in space; observations of them are practically independent of weather. Turbulence in our atmosphere does not distort the wavefront, which simplifies the building of radio telescopes, because no devices are needed to correct for it. Observations at these wavelengths can be made in high atmospheric humidity, or where the sky is not clear enough for optical telescopes.

Simple instruments operating at radio wavelengths can be built at low cost in tropical countries, to teach students and to familiarize them with radio astronomy. We describe a two-antennae radio interferometer and a single-dish radio telescope operating at centimetre wavelengths. The Sun and strong synchrotron radio-sources, like Cassiopeia A and Cygnus A, are potential targets.
Security of Equipment
Authors: Onuora Lesley I.
Published: July 2016

Providing adequate security for equipment is probably a problem in all parts of the world, but needs special consideration in developing countries. Social and economic conditions are very different so that implementation of advice sought from experts who are unfamiliar with local conditions can lead to disasters.

The need for adequate security must be taken into account while considering factors such as type of equipment, the site for the equipment, budgetary provisions, personnel etc.

Some examples of situations that may arise will be given in order to provoke discussion and raise the awareness of participants on this important issue.
The Preservation of Library Materials in Developing Countries
Authors: Lastovica Ethleen
Published: July 2016

The acquisition of books and journals for a scientific library is costly. To ensure that this is a cost-effective process, consideration must be given to the arrangement, care and preservation of the collection. The books should be stored in a designated library area. Items acquired by purchase or donation must be catalogued, and a loan record kept. Besides regular library routines, attention must be given to the protection and preservation of the collection. Among the factors that contribute to the deterioration of library materials are temperature and humidity within the storage area, air pollution, dust, light and pests. Unchecked, they may cause serious damage to library materials at a very fast rate. If they are controlled, deterioration is greatly reduced.
Division II: The Sun and Heliosphere: (Le Soleil et Heliosphere)
Authors: Foukal Peter , Ai Guoxiang , Benz Arnold , Engvold Oddbjorn , Solanki Sami , Vandas Marek , Verheest Frank
Published: July 2016

Division II consists of Commissions 10 (Solar Activity), 12 (Solar Radiation and Structure), and 49 (Interplanetary Plasma and Heliosphere). More detailed information on IAU activities in each of these three areas can be found in the individual reports of the respective Commissions.

The Division II OC briefly considered changes to the structure of our Division in response to opportunities offered by the Executive Committee during this triennium. However, we believe that the present structure works well and change is not warranted at this time.
Commission 29: Stellar Spectra: (Spectres Stellaires)
Authors: Barbuy B. , Mathys G. , Bessell M. , Cottrell P. , Spite F. , Gray D. F. , Heber U. , Khokhlova V. L. , Renzini A. , Lyubimkov L. , Nissen P.E. , Peterson R. , Sneden C. , Wolf B.
Published: July 2016

With an increasing wealth of data and analyses, as well as growing new areas of interest (such as spectral profiles for the search of extrasolar planets), it is no longer possible to present a comprehensive review on the area of Stellar Spectroscopy. As already stressed by the two predecessors as presidents of this Commission, Drs. D.L. Lambert and M.S. Bessell, the Astronomy & Astrophysics Abstracts and Institute for Scientific Information, NASA-ADS, Simbad databases, NIST spectroscopic database, among others, imply that these IAU reviews can now be seen as a guide to the field, presenting a survey of a variety of topics, providing no thorough coverage on each of them. A partial list of Proceedings, including topics related to Commission 29, is provided below.
Commission 36: Theory of Stellar Atmospheres: (Theorie des Atmospheres Stellaires)
Authors: Pallavicini R. , Dravins D. , Barbuy B. , Cram L. , Hubeny I. , Owocki S. , Saio H. , Sasselov D. , Spite M. , Stepien K. , Wehrse R.
Published: July 2016

Consistently with a trend observed in recent past triennial reports, progress in the theory of stellar atmospheres continues to be made in two different directions: 1) the traditional areas of continuum and line radiation transfer, line blanketing, atomic physics and atmospheric structures controlled by the joint conditions of radiative and hydrostatic equilibrium, and 2) in areas of emerging interest such as oscillations, velocity fields, winds and mass loss, chromospheres, coronae and magnetic phenomena. Particular attention is devoted also to the accurate determination of stellar elemental abundances and their implications for stellar interior structure and evolution as well as for the chemical enrichment of the Galaxy.
Working Group on Astrochemistry: (Groupe de Travail Pour L’Astrochimie)
Authors: Williams D.A. , Avery L.W. , Black J.H. , Buch V. , Dalgarno A. , Greenberg J.M. , Henkel C. , Irvine W.M. , Maier J.P. , Menten K.M. , Minh Y.C. , Ohishi M. , Rowe B. , Singh P.D. , Snyder L.E. , van Dishoeck E.F. , Zeng Q.
Published: July 2016

The field of Molecular Astrophysics or “Astrochemistry” has grown considerably since its inception in the late 1930’s. Molecules have been observed in astronomical environments as diverse as comets in the solar system and galaxies at the highest redshifts. The common thread in these studies is that molecules are excellent probes of the physical structure and dynamics of such regions, owing to the complexity of their energy level structure and the resulting emission and absorption spectra. In addition, the chemical characteristics provide a powerful tool to study the evolution of astrophysical regions. Molecules also play an active role in the energy balance of clouds. Interstellar space is a unique laboratory in which chemical processes can occur that are not normally found on Earth. Indeed, astrochemistry is a highly interdisciplinary subject, linking the macrocosm (galaxies, stars, planets) with the microcosm (basic chemical processes and spectroscopy). The increased potential of ground- and space-based observational facilities over the full wavelength range provides a wealth of information about the physical environments in which molecules occur and makes it possible to study the development of molecular complexity throughout the Universe.
Commission 30: Radial Velocities: (Vitesses Radiales)
Authors: Hearnshaw J.B. , Tokovinin A.A. , Cochran W.D. , Fekel F.C. , Mazeh T. , Morrell N. , Nordstrom B. , Quintana H. , Stefanik R.P. , Udry S.
Published: July 2016

Commission 30 has 120 members in 28 countries who are active in the area of radial velocities. During the past triennium 11 new members have joined the commission. The work of the commission covers a wide range of topics all of which concern the application of the Doppler effect to astronomical objects, including galaxies and the interstellar medium as well as stars, and in all wavelength ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum. Although the commission focuses mainly on stellar and galaxy radial velocities, it is noted that stellar rotation, spectroscopic binaries, extrasolar planet searches, pulsating variable stars, asteroseismology and turbulence in stellar atmospheres are also included.
Division X: Radio Astronomy: (Radioastronomie)
Authors: Moran J. M. , Padrielli L. , Anantharamaiah K. R. , Anantharamaiah K. R. , Baath L. B. , Berkhuijsen E. M. , Bronfman L. , Davis R. J. , Dewdney P. , Dickel H. R. , Johnston K. J. , Litvinenko L. , Marcaide J.-M. , Nan R.-D. , Nicolson G. , Schilizzi R. , Whiteoak J. B.
Published: July 2016

Radio astronomy has seen major advances in both instrumentation and scientific discovery during the last three years. This report is not encyclopedic but is intended to show the breadth of activity in the field. Division X is a technique-based division, and radio telescopes are becoming increasingly more international in character and usage. For these reasons this report devotes considerable attention to advances in instrumentation. More complete information on radio telescopes and scientific advances in the field can be found at the following Web site: http://www.stsci.edu/science/net-resources.html
Commission 41: History Of Astronomy (A Joint Iau-Iuhps Commission): (Histoire De L’Astronomie)
Authors: Dick Steven J. , Stephenson F. R. , Ansari S. M. R. , Dick Wolfgang , Gurshtein Alex , Nha II. S. , Orchiston Wayne , Proverbio Edoardo , Sullivan Woodruff T. , Zezong Xi
Published: July 2016

The membership of the Commission, as of its 50th anniversary in 1998, stands at 146 members and 19 consultants. In order to increase communications, during the report period the President issued six Newsletters to Commission members, consultants, and IAU officers. In a further attempt to increase communications, Commission 41 also instituted a web site (http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~pbrosche/iaucomm41/) in early 1998. This was largely due to the efforts of C41 Organizing Committee member Wolfgang Dick and the kindness of Professor Peter Brosche in supplying space. The site not only contains the Newsletters, meeting notices, and a list of members, but also the Bibliography on History of Astronomy, compiled by Ruth Preitag of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The site also links to the history of astronomy site maintained for several years by the History of Astronomy Working Group of the Astronomische Gesellschaft, and now also maintained on behalf of Commission 41. These sites serve not only for better communication among Commission members, but also the broader history of astronomy community.
Working Group on Future Large Scale Facilities in Astronomy: (Groupe de Travail Pour les Futures Grandes Infrastructures)
Authors: Ekers R.D. , Appenzeller I. , Butcher H.R. , Kardashev N.S. , Lequeux J. , Linsky J.L. , Pacini F. , Praderie F. , Swarup G. , Tarenghi M. , Okuda H.
Published: July 2016

The idea for a Working Group (WG) on “Future Large Scale Facilities in Astronomy” grew from the Joint Discussion on this topic held on 20 August 1994, during the IAU General Assembly in The Hague. The IAU Executive Committee approved its formation in August, 1995, and Harvey Butcher was chair until the XXIIIrd General Assembly in Kyoto in 1997.
7. Celestial Mechanics
Authors: Kozai Y , Kovalevsky J. , Aksenov E. P. , Brumberg V. A. , Ferraz-Mello S. , Nahon F. , Hadjidemetriou J. , Message P. J. , Schubart J. , Seidelmann P. K. , Szebehely V.
Published: July 2016

In the past three years progress of celestial mechanics research was as rapid as in the previous decade. In fact now new theories of planetary and lunar motions which have nearly the same accuracy as those of the most precise observations have become available after a decade effort and new thories of some of natural satellite motions have been developed by several authors. Many papers on artificial satellite motions from several aspects were still published and more precise expressions for relativistic effects were derived.
21. Light of the Night Sky
Authors: Tanabe H. , Giese R.H. , Dumont R. , Harwit M. , Leinert C. , Levasseur-Regourd A.C. , Mattila K. , Trutse Yu.L. , Weinberg J.L.
Published: July 2016

The light of the night sky includes several components which spread all over the celestial sphere. These light components are terrestrial (airglow), interplanetary (zodiacal light), galactic (integrated starlight, diffuse galactic light) and extragalactic (extragalactic background light). Thus the study of nature of each light source, covering large distance, is pursued in different fields of astronomy. However, the techniques of measurement for respective components are similar and the knowledge of other lights is indispensable even in the study of a particular component.
29. Stellar Spectra
Authors: Bonsack W.K.
Published: July 2016

During the interval covered by this report, Commission 29 has sponsored or cosponsored the following IAU meetings: Symposium 98 on “Be Stars,” Munich, FRG, April 1981; Colloquium 59, “Effects of Mass-Loss on Stellar Evolution,” Trieste, Italy, September 1980; and Colloquim 70, “The Nature of Symbiotic Stars,” Haute-Provence, France, August 1981. In addition, Commission 29, through its Working Group on Ap Stars, collaborated in the organization of the 23rd Liege International Astrophysical Symposium on Upper Main-Sequence Chemically Peculiar Stars. Several IAU symposia and colloquia proposed for 1982 and 1983 are also cosponsored by Commission 29.
33. Structure and Dynamics of the Galactic System
Authors: Kuzmin G. G.
Published: July 2016

According to Commission 33 traditions, the report contains contributions from a number of authors: K2 , D.L. Crawford, §3, W.B. Burton and F.J. Kerr, §4, W.B. Burton, §5, K. Loden, §6 A and C, R. Wielen, f-6 B, U. Haud and J. Einasto, §6 D and §7, D. Lynden-Bel], §6 E and F, M. Fujimoto.
Commission 14: Realistic Numerical Synthesis of Molecular Spectra
Authors: Nicholls R. W. , Cann M. W. P.
Published: July 2016

Spectrocopy is the classical diagnostic tool of astrophysics. Intensities and line shapes of well identified emission and/or absorption atomic and molecular features are used to provide information on species concentrations, and degree of excitation, from which gas kinetic, rotational, vibrational, electronic and excitation “temperatures” can be inferred when LTE conditions exist. Departures from LTE can also be determined spectroscopically. Diagnostic interpretation of spectra in optically thin circumstances is fairly straightforward. However, in optically thick conditions when the photon mean free path is very much less than the geometrical path, the emission spectrum is controlled by the absorption coefficient (Armstrong and Nicholls, 1972), (see equation 4a).
4. Ephemerides
Authors: Lederle T , Morando B L , Abalakin V K , Aoki S , Duncombe R L , Lieske J H , Orte A , Seidelmann P K , Sinzi A M , Wilkins G A , Yallop B D
Published: July 2016

The period of this Report includes 1984 January 1, the date which was probably the most drastic caesura in the history of astronomical almanacs. It seemed, therefore, appropriate to concentrate here to the general aspects rather than to describe the works going on at the particular almanac offices. It is, however, hoped that the past years with their developments and changes will be followed by a period of consolidation and continuity. This would be also of great benefit for the users of the almanacs who still need some time for getting accustomed to so many innovations.
III. Solar Maximum Mission Results
Authors: Machado M. E.
Published: July 2016

The ongoing research carried out by the solar community has been reported in the proceedings of several recent symposia, seminars and workshops, as well as in scientific journals (Kane et al. 1983, Švestka et al. 1982a, Shea et al. 1984, Kundu S Woodgate 1984, Simon 1984). We summarize here some of the novel results with reference to flare research as far as SMM data analysis is concerned. Understanding of impulsive phase phenomena was one of the primary goals of the SMM. The early reports from the analysis of the first ever obtained high-resolution images in the <30 keV energy range stressed the fact that some flares showed hard x-ray (HXR) bright sources at the feet of coronal loops (Hoyng et al. 1981a, b, Machado et al. 1982, Duijveman et al. 1982), the so-called HXR “footpoints,” favoring the thick-target beam mechanism for the production of HXRs, and indicating acceleration efficiencies >20% during the early impulsive phase. This phenomenon was shown to be accompanied by soft x-ray (SXR) line broadening, indicative of strong turbulence, and the immediate appearance of blue shifted spectral lines, which shows that plasma heated to >10-1K rises from the footpoints of loops with velocities to 300 km s-1(Antonucci et al. 1982, Antonucci et al. 1984a). This result provides a strong indication of the chromospheric evaporation phenomenon, which has been confirmed in analyses of combined SXR and Ha observations (Acton et al. 1982, Gunkler et al. 1984).
27. Variable Stars
Authors: Baker N. , Szeidl B. , Breger M. , Cox A. N. , Fernie J. D. , Genderen A. M. van , Gershberg R. E. , Jerzykiewiez M. , Mavridis L. N. , Mirzoyan L. N. , Percy J. R. , Warner B.
Published: July 2016

The field of variable-star research is so broad that no report of this nature could possibly mention all the papers that have appeared in the last three years. It is hoped, however, that the reviews below include the most important work and identify the most significant trends. This report comprises ten sections on as many different research topics, each written by a different member of Commission 27. In addition there are (in Section 12) three short reports about ongoing activities of the commission. The commission president is very grateful to the authors of the individual contributions who have worked so conscientously.
Commission 36: Theory of Stellar Atmospheres
Authors: Gustafsson B. , Kodaira K. , Gray D. F. , Hearn A. G. , Kalkofen W. , Kudritski R. P. , Mihalas D. , Sapar A. A. , Seaton M. J. , Traving G. , Underhill A. B.
Published: July 2016

Commission 36 acts as a sponsor or co-sponsor at the following symposi and colloquia: IAU Colloquium No. 90 “Upper Main Sequence Stars with Anomalous Abundances”, Crima, USSR (May 1985), IAU Colloquium No. 89 “Radiation Hydrodynamics in Stars and Compact Objects”, Copenhagen, Denmark (June 1985), IAU Symposium No. 120 “Astrochemistry”, Goa, India (December 1985), IAU Colloquium No. 87 “Hydrogen Deficient Stars and Related Objects”, Bangalore, India (December 1985).
Commission 37: Star Clusters and Associations
Authors: Freeman K. C. , Heggie D. C. , Harris G. L. H. , Lynga G. , Nissen P. E. , Pilachowski C. , Salufcvadze G. N.
Published: July 2016

The last three years have been very productive for cluster research. This report, on activities in the field, has been compiled by the members of Commission 37. It begins with sections on recent meetings, and on data catalogs (G. Lynga). Detailed tables of work on associations (P.E. Nissen), open clusters (G.L.H. Harris) and globular clusters (R.E. White) are then given. A section on cluster dynamics (D.C. Heggie) follows, and the final section concerns present trends in cluster research (C. Pilachowski).
Commission 41: History of Astronomy
Authors: Pedersen O. , Eddy J. , Eelsalu H. , Forbes E. J. , Hoskin M. A. , Verdet J. -P. , Yabuuti K.
Published: July 2016

Commission 41 is one of the largest specialist components of the IAU. At the General Assembly in 1982 at Patras the number of ordinary members was increased from 79 to 86 as a testimony to the growing interest among astronomers in the history of their subject. At the same time the number of consulting members rose from 32 to 40, which shows that an increasing number of highly competent historians of science is engaged in research in the history of astronomy without being professional astronomers. However, many valuable contributions to the subject come from historians who are not members. In consequence, the principal purpose of Commission 41 is to serve as a link between all historians of astronomy whether they be members or not, by initiating research into particular areas, by disseminating new results, or simply by creating possibilities of personal contacts between scholars from different parts of the world. This is mainly achieved by meetings of various kinds.
42. Close Binary Stars
Authors: Batten A. H. , Smak J. , Abhyankar K. D. , Andersen J. , Cherepashchuk A. M. , Kitamura M. , Koch R. H. , Kondo Y. , Leung K-C. , Rodono M. , Shavlv G. , van den Heuvel E. P. J. , Warner B.
Published: July 2016

Research on close binary systems has continued at a high level during the past triennium, although the rate of growth is noticeably slower – probably reflecting the cutbacks in funds to which many of us are subject. There have also been changes of emphasis within the field, which are commented on in the pages that follow. These reflect both changing opportunities for observation and the natural development of the subject. In many areas, the time is ripe for a more critical look at ideas that previously seemed adequate.
2. X-Ray Astronomy
Authors: Pounds K A
Published: July 2016

The period leading up to the last IAU General Assembly was dominated in X-ray Astronomy by the results from the Einstein Observatory. This first application of a large, satellite-borne, high resolution X-ray telescope to the study of cosmic sources had led, by the end of orbital operation in April 1981, to the detection of X-ray fluxes from a wide variety of astronomical objects and the full maturing of X-ray Astronomy. During the past three years a strong scientific output has continued to flow from the analysis of the more than 5600 separate Einstein observations, many of which are now widely available via the Einstein Data Bank. In sharp contrast, the peak of activity and scientific output from Einstein will apparently be followed, in the United States, by almost a decade with no new X-ray satellite. Fortunately, successful launches have been achieved in both the Japanese and European programmes, with Tenma launched in February 1983 (to join Hakucho in orbit) followed by EXOSAT three months later. Both these new missions have attracted world-wide interest and observing time on both is at a premium. Of a range of instruments on board the Tenma satellite the most productive is proving to be the large (~800 cm2) array of gas scintillation proportional counters. These detectors, flown for the first time on Tenma (and EXOSAT), provide a factor-of-two increase in spectral resolution over the more conventional proportional counters, an advantage which is particularly valuable in resolving the key emission line and absorption features associated with the K-shell of iron, near ~7 keV. One particularly exciting result reported from this Tenma instrument was an apparent absorption feature at ~4.1 keV in X-ray burst spectra from the source 2S 1636-536 (later supported by EXOSAT observations), the feature being attributed to red-shifted iron absorption in the strong gravitational field close to the neutron star burst source! At the time of writing (December 1984) a power storage problem is limiting the operational efficiency of Tenma, but the scientific payload continues to function well.
2. Anisotropy of the blackbody radiation
Authors: Wilkinson D. T. , Melchiorri F.
Published: July 2016

The 2.7 K microwave background radiation provides a sensitive probe of the universe in the interesting, but poorly understood, epoch around z ˜ 1000. At this time (age ~ 10 yr) the universe has cooled to T ~ 4000 K, the plasma combines, Thomson scattering ceases, and matter and blackbody radiation decouple. Subsequently, the radiation freely propagates to us, carrying the imprint of temperature fluctuations on the z ~ 1000 surface. The temperature fluctuations could have been caused by primordial density fluctuations, anisotropy in the expansion of the universe, or inhomogeneity in the initial temperature distribution; the z = 1000 surface we see was not causally connected at the time the radiation was released. Interpretation of the anisotropy measurements is complicated by the possibility that the matter may have been reionized (e.g. by massive stars), so the radiation may have been rescattered, possibly as late as z ~ 7.
49 The Interplanetary Plasma and the Heliosphere
Authors: Roxburgh I. W. , Grzedzielski S. , Cuperman S. , Dolginov A. Z. , Fahr H. J. , Keller H. U. , Paresce F. , Setti G. , Suess S. T. , Weller C. S.
Published: July 2016

The Commission is intended to study the origin of the solar wind, the heliosphere, i.e., the region dominated by the supersonic solar wind, and the heliospheric interface with the interstellar medium. The activities of the Commission cover both theoretical and observational aspects of these three regions.
VII. Instrumentation for the Study of Solar Radiation and Structure
Authors: Harvey J.
Published: July 2016

This report complements the report on solar instrumentation presented by Commission 10 In that subjects treated there are not repeated here. Both reports taken together should give a fair, though necessarily incomplete, idea of solar instrumentation activity during the period June 1984 through June 1987.
Working Group 3: Collision Processes
Authors: Dalgarno A.
Published: July 2016

Of the vast array of data on electron and heavy-particle collisions that are produced each year, I select only those that have an obvious immediate bearing on astronomical research. A brief review of recent developments in atomic data for astrophysics has been published (1).