bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Rights Violations and Violent Internal Conflict
Authors: Cingranelli David , Mark Skip , Gibney Mark , Haschke Peter , Wood Reed , Arnon Daniel
Published: January 2019

This research project uses econometric methods and comparative, cross-national data to see whether violations of human rights increase the likelihood of the onset or escalation of violent protest, terrorism and/or civil war. The findings show that these types of violent internal conflict will occur and escalate if governments: (1) torture, politically imprison, kill, or “disappear” people, (2) do not allow women to participate fully in the political system, including allowing them to hold high level national political office, and (3) do not allow women to participate fully in the economic life of the nation by ensuring equal pay for equal work, by encouraging their entry to the highest paid occupations, and by protecting them from sexual harassment at their workplaces. These types of violations of human rights and the existence of large horizontal inequalities in societies independently produce an increased risk of the onset and escalation of many forms of violent internal conflict. The results also provide some evidence for the argument that there is a trade-off between liberty and security.
Frequency Distribution Model of Wind Speed Based on the Exponential Polynomial for Wind Farms
Authors: Wang Lingzhi , Liu Jun , Qian Fucai
Published: January 2019

This study introduces and analyses existing models of wind speed frequency distribution in wind farms, such as the Weibull distribution model, the Rayleigh distribution model, and the lognormal distribution model. Inspired by the shortcomings of these models, we propose a distribution model based on an exponential polynomial, which can describe the actual wind speed frequency distribution. The fitting error of other common distribution models is too large at zero or low wind speeds. The proposed model can solve this problem. The exponential polynomial distribution model can fit multimodal distribution wind speed data as well as unimodal distribution wind speed data. We used the linear-least-squares method to acquire the parameters for the distribution model. Finally, we carried out contrast simulation experiments to validate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed distribution model.
Interface Science Using Ambient Pressure Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Favaro Marco , Abdi Fatwa Firdaus , Crumlin Ethan Jon , Liu Zhi , van de Krol Roel , Starr David Edward
Published: January 2019

The development of novel in situ/operando spectroscopic tools has provided the opportunity for a molecular level understanding of solid/liquid interfaces. Ambient pressure photoelectron spectroscopy using hard X-rays is an excellent interface characterization tool, due to its ability to interrogate simultaneously the chemical composition and built-in electrical potentials, in situ. In this work, we briefly describe the “dip and pull” method, which is currently used as a way to investigate in situ solid/liquid interfaces. By simulating photoelectron intensities from a functionalized TiO2 surface buried by a nanometric-thin layer of water, we obtain the optimal photon energy range that provides the greatest sensitivity to the interface. We also study the evolution of the functionalized TiO2 surface chemical composition and correlated band-bending with a change in the electrolyte pH from 7 to 14. Our results provide general information about the optimal experimental conditions for characterizing the solid/liquid interface using the “dip and pull” method, and the unique possibilities offered by this technique.
Analytic Loss Minimization: Theoretical Framework of a Second Order Optimization Method
Authors: Dassios Ioannis K.
Published: January 2019

In power engineering, the Y b u s is a symmetric N × N square matrix describing a power system network with N buses. By partitioning, manipulating and using its symmetry properties, it is possible to derive the K G L and Y G G M matrices, which are useful to define a loss minimisation dispatch for generators. This article focuses on the case of constant-current loads and studies the theoretical framework of a second order optimization method for analytic loss minimization by taking into account the symmetry properties of Y b u s . We define an appropriate matrix functional of several variables with complex elements and aim to obtain the minimum values of generator voltages.
Land Squandering in the Spanish Medium Sized Cities: The Case of Toledo
Authors: Sánchez Ondoño Irene , Escudero Gómez Luis Alfonso
Published: January 2019

A process of land squandering began in Spain in the mid 1990s until the great crisis of 2008. The intensive production of urban land affected the Spanish medium-sized towns. They were characterized by their compact nature and then they underwent an intense diffuse urbanization. However, in some cases there had been previous examples of urban sprawl. In this article, we study one of them, the unique and historic city of Toledo, in the Centre of the Iberian Peninsula. We will show how the city has experienced the land squandering and has been extensively widespread throughout the hinterland, consisting of their peripheral municipalities. We will also check how Toledo has had a previous internal dispersion process in the last quarter of the 20th Century through the called Ensanche (widening). We will use the urban estate cadaster as a fundamental source for evolutionary and present analysis of the city and its hinterland. The field and bibliographic work complete the methodology. The final conclusion is that there have been remarkable urban increments in Spanish medium-sized cities such as Toledo, in external and peripheral districts, under the logic of speculation and profit, resulting in a disjointed space.
The Role of Serotype-Specific Immunological Memory in Pneumococcal Vaccination: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects
Authors: Papadatou Ioanna , Tzovara Irene , Licciardi Paul V.
Published: January 2019

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae, pneumococcus) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Achieving long-term immunity against S. pneumoniae through immunization is an important public health priority. Long-term protection after immunization is thought to rely both on protective serum antibody levels and immunological memory in the form of antigen-specific memory B cells (MBCs). Although the ability to achieve protective antibody levels shortly after pneumococcal vaccination has been well documented for the various infant immunization schedules currently in use worldwide, the examination of immunological memory in the form of antigen-specific MBCs has been much more limited. Such responses are critical for long-term protection against pneumococcal colonization and disease. This review summarizes the published literature on the MBC response to primary or booster immunization with either pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) or pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), aiming to elucidate the immunological mechanisms that determine the magnitude and longevity of vaccine protection against pneumococcus. There is evidence that PCVs induce the production of antigen-specific MBCs, whereas immunization with PPV23 does not result in the formation of MBCs. Increased understanding of the immunological factors that facilitate the induction, maintenance and recall of MBCs in response to pneumococcal vaccination could enable the use of MBC enumeration as novel correlates of protection against S. pneumoniae. Ongoing studies that examine MBC response to pneumococcal vaccination in high burden settings will be extremely important in our understanding of long-term protection induced by pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
Temporal Limits of Visual Motion Processing: Psychophysics and Neurophysiology
Authors: Borghuis Bart G. , Tadin Duje , Lankheet Martin J.M. , Lappin Joseph S. , van de Grind Wim A.
Published: January 2019

Under optimal conditions, just 3–6 ms of visual stimulation suffices for humans to see motion. Motion perception on this timescale implies that the visual system under these conditions reliably encodes, transmits, and processes neural signals with near-millisecond precision. Motivated by in vitro evidence for high temporal precision of motion signals in the primate retina, we investigated how neuronal and perceptual limits of motion encoding relate. Specifically, we examined the correspondence between the time scale at which cat retinal ganglion cells in vivo represent motion information and temporal thresholds for human motion discrimination. The timescale for motion encoding by ganglion cells ranged from 4.6 to 91 ms, and depended non-linearly on temporal frequency, but not on contrast. Human psychophysics revealed that minimal stimulus durations required for perceiving motion direction were similarly brief, 5.6–65 ms, and similarly depended on temporal frequency but, above ~10%, not on contrast. Notably, physiological and psychophysical measurements corresponded closely throughout (r = 0.99), despite more than a 20-fold variation in both human thresholds and optimal timescales for motion encoding in the retina. The match in absolute values of the neurophysiological and psychophysical data may be taken to indicate that from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) through to the level of perception little temporal precision is lost. However, we also show that integrating responses from multiple neurons can improve temporal resolution, and this potential trade-off between spatial and temporal resolution would allow for loss of temporal resolution after the LGN. While the extent of neuronal integration cannot be determined from either our human psychophysical or neurophysiological experiments and its contribution to the measured temporal resolution is unknown, our results demonstrate a striking similarity in stimulus dependence between the temporal fidelity established in the retina and the temporal limits of human motion discrimination.
Study on the Law of Nitrogen Transfer and Conversion and Use of Fertilizer Nitrogen in Paddy Fields under Water-Saving Irrigation Mode
Authors: Xiao Menghua , Li Yuanyuan , Wang Jianwen , Hu Xiujun , Wang Lei , Miao Zimei
Published: January 2019

The research on the effect of water-saving irrigation technology on the loss of nutrients and chemical substances in farmland has become a hot issue in the field of agricultural water and soil. Based on comparative experiments and combined with the isotope N15 tracer technique, the mechanism of nitrogen migration and transformation and the trend of fertilizer nitrogen use under different irrigation modes were studied. The results showed that water-saving irrigation modes (thin and wet irrigation W1 and intermittent irrigation W2) could reduce the NO3−-N leaching loss by reducing the water leakage amount and the NO3−-N concentration, and effectively inhibit the leaching loss of fertilizer nitrogen. Compared with conventional irrigation (W0), the leaching loss amount of fertilizer nitrogen in W1 and W2 decreased by 62% and 64%, respectively. Under the same amount of fertilizer, water-saving irrigation mode can significantly reduce the total amount of ammonia (NH3) volatilization and the proportion of NH3 volatilization of fertilizer nitrogen in total NH3 volatilization, and significantly increase the nitrogen uptake of rice plants. Meanwhile, water-saving irrigation mode can increase the total nitrogen content of paddy soil by 14.0% but reduce the residual rate of fertilizer nitrogen in soil by 14.6%. Moreover, crop nitrogen uptake can be significantly increased under water-saving irrigation. Compared with W0, the nitrogen fertilizer use rate of W1 and W2 increased by 5.0% and 9.7%, respectively. The research results can provide an important basis for controlling agricultural non-point source pollution, curbing the decline of soil fertility and deterioration of soil quality in paddy fields.
Recognising laryngeal cancer in primary care: a large case–control study using electronic records
Authors: Shephard Elizabeth A , Parkinson Molly AL , Hamilton William T
Published: January 2019

Background

Over 1700 people are diagnosed with laryngeal cancer annually in England. Current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on referral for suspected laryngeal cancer were based on clinical consensus, in the absence of primary care studies.

Aim

To identify and quantify the primary care features of laryngeal cancer.

Design and setting

Matched case–control study of patients aged ≥40 years using data from the UK’s Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Method

Clinical features of laryngeal cancer with which patients had presented to their GP in the year before diagnosis were identified and their association with cancer was assessed using conditional logistic regression. Positive predictive values (PPVs) for each clinical feature were calculated for the consulting population aged >60 years.

Results

In total, 806 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer between 2000 and 2009 were studied, together with 3559 age-, sex-, and practice-matched controls. Ten features were significantly associated with laryngeal cancer: hoarseness odds ratio [OR] 904 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 277 to 2945); sore throat, first attendance OR 6.2 (95% CI = 3.7 to 10); sore throat, re-attendance OR 7.7 (95% CI = 2.6 to 23); dysphagia OR 6.5 (95% CI = 2.7 to 16); otalgia OR 5.0 (95% CI = 1.9 to 13); dyspnoea, re-attendance OR 4.7 (95% CI = 1.9 to 12); mouth symptoms OR 4.7 (95% CI = 1.8 to 12); recurrent chest infection OR 4.5 (95% CI = 2.4 to 8.5); insomnia OR 2.7 (95% CI = 1.3 to 5.6); and raised inflammatory markers OR 2.5 (95% CI = 1.5 to 4.1). All P-values were <0.01. Hoarseness had the highest individual PPV of 2.7%. Symptom combinations currently not included in NICE guidance were sore throat plus either dysphagia, dyspnoea, or otalgia, for which PPVs were >5%.

Conclusion

These results expand current NICE guidance by identifying new symptom combinations that are associated with laryngeal cancer; they may help GPs to select more appropriate patients for referral.
Persistent unexplained physical symptoms: a prospective longitudinal cohort study in UK primary care
Authors: Lamahewa Kethakie , Buszewicz Marta , Walters Kate , Marston Louise , Nazareth Irwin
Published: January 2019

Background

Unexplained physical symptoms (UPS) are extremely common among primary care attenders, but little is known about their longer-term outcome.

Aim

To investigate the persistence of somatic symptoms at 6 months among a cohort with multiple UPS, and identify prognostic factors associated with worsening symptom scores.

Design and setting

Prospective longitudinal cohort study involving adults attending UK general practice in North and Central London between January and December 2013.

Method

Consecutive adults attending nine general practices were screened to identify those with at least three UPS. Eligible participants completed measures of symptom severity (measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic Symptom Module [PHQ-15]), physical and mental wellbeing, and past health and social history, and were followed up after 6 months. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to identify prognostic factors associated with the primary outcome: somatic symptom severity.

Results

Overall, 245/294 (83%) provided 6-month outcome data. Of these, 135/245 (55%) reported still having UPS, 103/245 (42%) had symptoms still under investigation, and only 26/245 (11%) reported complete symptom resolution. Being female, higher baseline somatic symptom severity, poorer physical functioning, experience of childhood physical abuse, and perception of poor financial wellbeing were significantly associated with higher somatic symptom severity scores at 6 months.

Conclusion

This study has shown that at 6 months few participants had complete resolution of unexplained somatic symptoms. GPs should be made aware of the likelihood of UPS persisting, and the factors that make this more likely, to inform decision making and care planning. There is a need to develop prognostic tools that can predict the risk of poor outcomes.
CBT to reduce healthcare use for medically unexplained symptoms: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jones Brittni , de C Williams Amanda C
Published: January 2019

Background

Studies have reported that medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) tend to be associated with increased healthcare use, which is demanding of resources and potentially harmful to patients. This association is often used to justify the funding and study of psychological interventions for MUS, yet no systematic review has specifically examined the efficacy of psychological interventions in reducing healthcare use.

Aim

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) for MUS in reducing healthcare use.

Design and setting

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Method

The search from a previous systematic review was updated and expanded. Twenty-two randomised controlled trials reported healthcare use, of which 18 provided data for meta-analysis. Outcomes were healthcare contacts, healthcare costs, medication, and medical investigations.

Results

Small reductions in healthcare contacts and medication use were found for CBT compared with active controls, treatment as usual, and waiting list controls, but not for medical investigations or healthcare costs.

Conclusion

Cognitive behavioural interventions show weak benefits in reducing healthcare use in people with MUS. The imprecise use of MUS as a diagnostic label may impact on the effectiveness of interventions, and it is likely that the diversity and complexity of these difficulties may necessitate a more targeted approach.
Visual Representations of Place: The Id Fashion Show and the "Dunedin Look"
Authors: Walters Trudie
Published: January 2019

From the Olympic Games to the local community street party, festivals and events are inherently visual in nature. Despite this, there is limited research that interrogates this at any scale of event and especially as it relates to notions of place. Many events are used to create and/or
maintain a destination image; they are said to "represent" place and reflect place culture. Fashion events are unequivocally a spectacle, and many have strong links with destination branding (e. g., Paris Fashion Week); in these instances, fashion has helped to shape the image of the destination.
Fashion is rooted in a sense of local place identity, and as such, fashion events can facilitate the representation of place to attendees and the media audience alike, whether inadvertently or deliberately. This article examines visual and written representations of place through a case study
of the iD Fashion Show held annually in Dunedin, New Zealand. An inductive thematic analysis was carried out on the visual imagery and accompanying text in the show's promotional material (such as marketing material and official show programs) and other media discourse since its inception
in 2000 until 2017, focusing on the show's contribution to constructions and representations of a distinctive "Dunedin look." The findings demonstrate a strong association between place and fashion and highlight the usefulness of a visual approach in identifying tensions in the written and
visual discourses around representations of place.
Zooming In: An Arts-informed Life History Approach to the Analysis of Event Travel Career Narratives
Authors: Goh Sandra , Smith Karen A. , Yeoman Ian
Published: January 2019

This article illustrates the operationalization of an analytical framework that draws on Pamphilon's Zoom Model and on an arts-informed life history research approach in the analysis of event travel career narratives. Nineteen Singaporean artists and producers in the performing arts
world participated in the study, and were encouraged to create and employ memory maps, photographs, and artifacts as creative inquiries to describe and explain the stages of their event travel careers. The storying of lives is as complex as illustrating lives on paper. A structure is necessary
to help researchers make sense of both visuals and narratives. Pamphilon's Zoom Model is adapted to incorporate creative inquiries (visuals). The model functions like a camera, providing the researcher with different levels of zoom, cues, and perspectives for the interpretation of visuals
and narratives throughout the data collection process. The Zoom Model is a versatile instrument that not only provided structure for the storying of participants' lives but also allowed for the interpretation of visuals and stories across different time periods, providing richer stories and
unfolding unexplored aspects of lives lived. Limitations of the arts-informed life history approach and the operations of the Zoom Model are discussed, and suggestions are presented for their future application.
A Multimethods Exploration of Knowledge Sharing Platforms in "enchanted" Mermaiding Events
Authors: Porter Brooke A.
Published: January 2019

Mermaiding, the act of swimming in a monofin tail costume, is becoming increasingly popular. Although some merfolk (mermaids and mermen) only swim recreationally, many professional merfolk forge careers teaching at mermaid schools or performing at events such as birthday parties, corporate
events, and special aquarium events. Many professional merfolk self-identify as ocean activists and/or ocean ambassadors. They use their performed identities and events as platforms for spreading ocean awareness and advocacy. Such exploitation of fantasy has been described within the merfolk
community as a means to disseminate important conservation message within a positive outreach framework. This research explores the role of mermaiding and merfolk events in spreading ocean-related conservation messaging. It uses visual methods as part of a qualitative multimethods approach
to analyze multiple sources of secondary data, including photographs, podcasts, videos, and blogs to contextualize the appearances of merfolk in performance events. Findings were used to produce a model depicting the creation of conservation-based knowledge sharing platforms through the incorporation
of fantasy in and genera reenchantment of events.
Metal-free C–H mercaptalization of benzothiazoles and benzoxazoles using 1,3-propanedithiol as thiol source
Authors: Xiao Yan , Jing Bing , Liu Xiaoxia , Xue Hongyu , Liu Yajun
Published: January 2019

A facile and effective C–H functionalization strategy for the synthesis of 2-mercaptobenzothiazoles and 2-mercaptobenzoxazoles is described. 1,3-Propanedithiol was employed to convert benzothiazoles and benzoxazoles to the corresponding heteroarylthiols in the presence of potassium hydroxide and DMSO. This novel protocol is featured by direct C–H mercaptalization of heteroarenes and a simple reaction system.
INVESTIGATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AIR POLLUTION AND ITS CHANGE ASSESSMENT IN ŠIAULIAI
Authors: Paulauskas Leonas , Klimas Robertas
Published: January 2019

Air pollution is one of the main reasons of pulmonary diseases, malignant tumours, allergic and other chronic deceases. In 2003, with the help of a mobile laboratory, investigation on air pollution and its distribution in Šiauliai city environment was accomplished. Measurements were performed once a month in exploratory positions deployed at 1 km intervals one from another. Average onetime annual pollutant concentration was measured, estimating one square kilometer. Concentration of CO in Šiauliai surroundings varied from 0,5 mg/m3 to 5,8 mg/m3 or by 51 % of Šiauliai area varied from 0,8 mg/m3 to 1,4 mg/m3. Concentration of NO2varied from 0,005 mg/m3 to 0,84 mg/m3 or by 57 % of the city area it varied from 0,010 mg/m3 to 0,020 mg/m3. Concentration of NO varied from 0,003 mg/m3 to 0,495 mg/m3. Concentration of SO2 varied from 0,0015 mg/m3 to 0,012 mg/m3. Concentration of O3 varied from 0,022 mg/m3 to 0,134 mg/m3. The total concentration of hydrocarbons varied from 1,5 ppm to 3,5 ppm. The highest level of pollution was observed in the central part of the city.
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AND GROUND‐LEVEL OZONE VARIATION IN LITHUANIA
Authors: Chadyšiene Renata , Girgždiene Rasele , Girgždys Aloyzas
Published: January 2019

Preliminary analysis of the data of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ground‐level ozone concentration measurements from Rugšteliškes Monitoring Station over the years 2002–2003 is presented. Observations showed that an average UV radiation value in January and July of 2002 differed about 10 times. Maximum intensity of UVA radiation was observed in July (about 2,4 W/m2), and minimal one ‐ in December (0,1 W/m2), the highest UVB radiation intensity was in May (0,09 W/m2), while a minimal UVB radiation value as well as that of UVA was registered in December (0,07 W/m2). Relationship between the highest ozone concentration and UVB radiation values during the summer of the investigation period was found to be linear.
CHANGES OF IONIZING RADIATION CAUSED BY NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES IN THE CURONIAN SPIT
Authors: Pečiuliene Milda , Jasaitis Dainius , Grigaliūnaite-Vonsevičiene Gražina , Girgždys Aloyzas
Published: January 2019

Taking into consideration a unique scenery of the Curonian Spit, dosimetric investigation of ionizing radiation caused by natural radionuclides is performed there. The influence of natural radionuclides present in the ground on the equivalent dose rate of gamma radiation in the ground surface air is established. Measurements of equivalent dose rate are carried out in the whole territory of the Curonian Spit in Lithuania. Especially numerous data have been collected on the coasts of the sea and bay, near them, in seaside dunes and by roads. The established equivalent dose rate values vary from 22 nSv/h (on the dune top) to 90 nSv/h (above an asphalt path). The values of the main gamma radiation source (40K and 226Ra) concentration are measured, and positive correlation of concentrations and equivalent dose rates in the ground surface air between 40K and 226Ra is determinated. It is established that 40K has the biggest influence on equivalent dose rate. The equivalent dose rate values in the ground surface air in the Curonian Spit are comparatively low (they can even be 1630 times lower in comparison to Guarapari beach, Brazil).
REDUCTION OF EFFLUENTS FROM WATER SUPPLY STATIONS TO SURFACE WATER BODIES
Authors: Shevchenko Leonid
Published: January 2019

Polluted water from many water‐supply stations of the Ukraine gets into surface water bodies, trenches and ponds. Such water contains chlororganic compounds and coagulants that fail to biodegrade and get into the human body within the nutrition chain and are harmful for human health.

The results of the carried out research have been applied in designing new water‐supply stations which use sludge degreasing and in reducing the amounts of pollutants emitted into surface water bodies.
CHANGES OF NATURAL IONIZING RADIATION IN ANTHROPOGENIC OBJECTS
Authors: Bogdevičiene Viktorija , Pečiuliene Milda , Girgždys Aloyzas
Published: January 2019

Dosimetric investigations that were performed in various geographic places, mostly connected to anthropogenic activities, are observed in this work. Equivalent dose rate was measured with a radiometer SRP‐68, 0,3 m above the point of investigation.

It is determined that equivalent dose rate changes from 97 nSv/h measured above a non‐arable field soil to 219 nSv/h measured in a tunnel. The hignest values of equivalent dose rate are in closed buildings with a bad ventilation system. It is noticed that the specific activity of 40K and 226Ra changes depending on the depth of a trench. The specific activity of 40K is the highest at the deepest point (441 Bq/kg) of a trench; the highest specific activity of 226Ra is at the ground level (37 Bq/kg).
FLUCTUATIONS OF MINERAL NITROGEN AND PHOSPHATE IN RIVER WATER DURING PERIODS OF VARIOUS WETNESS
Authors: Bagdžiūnaite-Litvinaitiene Lina
Published: January 2019

Biological indicators are the best indicators of water quality, since they are interpretive of a variety of Stressors. Analysis of scientific literature shows that substance flows are calculated using different methods. One of the goals of this work is to investigate various methods for calculating biological indicator flows and to compare differences among them. For the four biological substance calculation methods which were studied, an essential difference among them was the period during which the volume of run‐off was calculated, that largely influences the size of flows. Upon Lithuania's entry into the European Union, the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is the principle document defining priorities in the establishment and management of water quality. It foresees optimizing the number of water samplings per year. Therefore, another goal of this work is to identify possibilities for reducing water sampling frequency. The variation coefficient, as a statistical parameter showing fluctuations in the concentration of biogenic substances over the course of time, was selected for the analysis. Possibilities for reducing water sampling frequency for establishing the concentration of mineral nitrogen and phosphates in river surface waters were determined according to the obtained results.
АНАЛИЗ СЦЕНАРИЕВ ТЕРРИРОРИСТИЧЕЦКИХ АКТОВ С ПРИМЕНЕНИЕМ БИОАГНЕТОВ И ОЦЕНКА ВЕРОЯТНОСТИ ИХ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ В КАЧЕСТВЕ БИОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ОРУЖИЯ
Authors: Kosyrev S. V. , Svitnev I. V. , Papin A. G.
Published: January 2019

With the aim of evaluating possibility and spread of biological terrorism, the paper concentrates on one of the scenarios of possible application of Siberian sore. The authors are modeling a situation when an automobile passes near the stadium “Petrovskiy” in Sank‐Petersburg and during the time period of 30 seconds spreads spores of Siberian sore. Modeling results are presented in the paper.

The authors try to present classification of microorganisms as potential objects for biological weapon. Analysis of the possibility to use bio‐agents as biological weapon relied on some criteria, and they show that all bio‐agents can be divided into some groups. More than that, it is necessary to formulate the main criteria which could express probability to use bio‐agents as biological weapon. Thus objects with big concentrations of people are the most dangerous in the sense of attack by biological weapon. With the aim of determining a situation which appears in the case of terror acts with the use of bio‐agents, it is necessary to create a complex program which would enable to save time when deciding how to protect inhabitants and eliminate the consequences of biological contamination.
ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ БЕЗОПАСНОСТЬ В УСЛОВИЯХ РАДИАЦИОННИХ АВАРИЙ. АНАЛИЗ И ОЦЕНКА АВАРИЙНЫХ СИТУАЦИЙ НА РАДИАЦИОННО ОПАСНЫХ ОБЪЕКТАХ
Authors: Kosyrev S. V. , Matysik I. A. , Svitnev I. V.
Published: January 2019

The risk of radiological accidents at dangerous objects is minimal when with the help of technical and organizational means it is guaranteed that indoor and outdoor radiation doses are not exceeded. Also, it is necessary to ensure that the quantity of radiological products in the environment doesn't exceed allowed levels both at a normal exploitation of an object and during an accident. In regions with high radiological loads it is necessary to pay enough attention to the safety of dangerous objects in the situations of accidents. An example given in the paper on how to deal with accidents is based on a situation in the Archangelsk region. Analysis was implemented at 23 radiologically dangerous objects. The results of the analysis allowed to determine objects that are dangerous in an ecological sense. Relying on that, methodology of evaluating the situation in the region was created. The main thing is that evaluation of an ecological situation is judged relying on an emergency situation at a radiologically dangerous object. The first step of the methodology preparation is identification of particularly dangerous objects, and modeling of radiological load on an investigated area. The second step of the work is to review the second stage of the methodology which would be dedicated to the analysis and evaluation of emergency situations at radiologically dangerous objects.
INVESTIGATION INTO EFFICIENCY OF ADSORPTION PROCESS DURING UTILIZATION OF CURING GASES IN TYRE PRODUCTION
Authors: Vlasov Gennady , Syritsyn Leonid , Tchemerinski Vyacheslav , Zhakomin Nikolai
Published: January 2019

The problem considered in the paper is mathematical and physical modeling of the adsorption process during utilization of gas emissions of cured tyres and tyre components. The paper contains synthesis and analysis of mathematical models for violent and moderate gassing. It describes an adsorption scheme, formulates an experimental dependence of productivity upon the concentration of emissions in an absorber chamber of a system used for trapping of curing gas emissions and vapors.
STUDY OF GAMMA RADIATION FROM BUILDING MATERIALS
Authors: Vaitiekūnas Petras , Lukošiūte Daiva
Published: January 2019

People are constantly exposed to ionizing radiation, but generally the amount, type and duration of exposure to radionuclides (radiation emitters) affects the severity or type of health effect. Nearly all rocks, minerals and soil may contain small amounts of naturally occuring radioactive materials, and when they are incorporated into building materials, these naturally occurring radioactive materials are included as well. Ionization is a process in which a charge portion of a molecule is given enough energy to break away atoms. There are three main kinds of ionizing radiation: alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and x‐rays, with gamma and x‐rays having a higher amount of energy. Since gamma rays have a higher amount of energy, they have potential to cause a greater damage on the outside or inside of a human body. A model based on data gathered from different types of structures will try to show that the amount of ionizing radiation, especially gamma rays, that affect residents in various parts of buildings, is directly related to the properties of radionuclides present in building structures.
The Near-ultraviolet Continuum Radiation in the Impulsive Phase of HF/GF-type dMe Flares. I. Data
Authors: Kowalski Adam F. , Wisniewski John P. , Hawley Suzanne L. , Osten Rachel A. , Brown Alexander , Fariña Cecilia , Valenti Jeff A. , Brown Stephen , Xilouris Manolis , Schmidt Sarah J. , Johns-Krull Christopher
Published: January 2019

We present near-UV (NUV) flare spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph during two moderate-amplitude U-band flares on the dM4e star GJ 1243. These spectra are some of the first accurately flux-calibrated, NUV flare spectra obtained over the impulsive phase in M dwarf flares. We observed these flares with a fleet of nine ground-based telescopes simultaneously, which provided broadband photometry and low-resolution spectra at the Balmer jump. An increase in the broadband continuum occurred with a signal-to-noise ratio >20 in the HST spectra, while numerous Fe ii lines and the Mg ii lines also increased but with smaller flux enhancements than the continuum radiation. These two events produced the most prominent Balmer line radiation and the largest Balmer jumps that have been observed to date in dMe flare spectra. A T = 9000 K blackbody underestimates the NUV continuum flare flux by a factor of two and is a poor approximation to the white light in these types of flare events. Instead, our data suggest that the peak of the specific continuum flux density is constrained to U-band wavelengths near the Balmer series limit. A radiative-hydrodynamic simulation of a very high energy deposition rate averaged over times of impulsive heating and cooling better explains the properties of the λ > 2500 Å flare continuum. These two events sample only one end of the empirical color–color distribution for dMe flares, and more time-resolved flare spectra in the NUV, U band, and optical from 2000 to 4200 Å are needed during more impulsive and/or more energetic flares.
Keck OSIRIS AO LIRG Analysis (KOALA): Feedback in the Nuclei of Luminous Infrared Galaxies
Authors: U Vivian , Medling Anne M. , Inami Hanae , Armus Lee , Díaz-Santos Tanio , Charmandaris Vassilis , Howell Justin , Stierwalt Sabrina , Privon George C. , Linden Sean T. , Sanders David B. , Max Claire E. , Evans Aaron S. , Barcos-Muñoz Loreto , Chiang Charleston W. K. , Appleton Phil , Canalizo Gabriela , Fazio Giovanni , Iwasawa Kazushi , Larson Kirsten , Mazzarella Joseph , Murphy Eric , Rich Jeffrey , Surace Jason
Published: January 2019

The role of feedback in triggering or quenching star formation and hence driving galaxy evolution can be directly studied with high-resolution integral field observations. The manifestation of feedback in shocks is particularly important to examine in galaxy mergers, where violent interactions of gas take place in the interstellar medium during the course of the galactic collision. As part of our effort to systematically study the local population of luminous infrared galaxies within the Great Observatories All-Sky LIRG Survey, we undertook the Keck OSIRIS AO LIRG Analysis observing campaign to study the gas dynamics in the inner kiloparsec regions of these systems at  spatial scales of a few tens of pc. With high-resolution near-infrared adaptive optics–assisted integral field observations taken with OSIRIS on the Keck Telescopes, we employ near-infrared diagnostics such as  Brγ and the rovibrationally excited H2 lines to quantify the nuclear star formation rate and identify feedback associated with shocked molecular gas seen in 21 nearby luminous infrared galaxies. Shocked molecular gas is preferentially found in the ultraluminous infrared systems but may also be triggered at a lower-luminosity, earlier merging stage. On circumnuclear scales, AGNs have a strong effect on heating the surrounding molecular gas, though their coupling is not simply driven by AGN strength but rather is complicated by orientation, dust shielding, density, and other factors. We find that nuclear star formation correlates with  merger class and diminishing projected nuclear separations. These trends are largely consistent with the picture of merger-induced starbursts in the center of galaxy mergers.
Generalization of the Magnetic Field Configuration of Typical and Atypical Confined Flares
Authors: Joshi Navin Chandra , Zhu Xiaoshuai , Schmieder Brigitte , Aulanier Guillaume , Janvier Miho , Joshi Bhuwan , Magara Tetsuya , Chandra Ramesh , Inoue Satoshi
Published: January 2019

Atypical flares cannot be naturally explained with standard models. To predict such flares, we need to define their physical characteristics, in particular, their magnetic environment, and identify pairs of reconnected loops. Here, we present in detail a case study of a confined flare preceded by flux cancellation that leads to the formation of a filament. The slow rise of the noneruptive filament favors the growth and reconnection of overlying loops. The flare is only of C5.0 class but it is a long duration event. The reason is that it is comprised of three successive stages of reconnection. A nonlinear force-free field extrapolation and a magnetic topology analysis allow us to identify the loops involved in the reconnection process and build a reliable scenario for this atypical confined flare. The main result is that a curved magnetic polarity inversion line in active regions is a key ingredient for producing such atypical flares. A comparison with previous extrapolations for typical and atypical confined flares leads us to propose a cartoon for generalizing the concept.
Morphologies of ∼190,000 Galaxies at z = 0–10 Revealed with HST Legacy Data. III. Continuum Profile and Size Evolution of Lyα Emitters
Authors: Shibuya Takatoshi , Ouchi Masami , Harikane Yuichi , Nakajima Kimihiko
Published: January 2019

We present the redshift evolution of the radial surface brightness profile of the rest-frame UV and optical stellar continua for 9119 Lyα emitters (LAEs) at z ≃ 0–8 and 0–2, respectively. Using Hubble Space Telescope data and the LAE catalogs taken from the literature, we derive the structural quantities of the 9119 LAEs, and of ≃180,000 of photo-z star-forming galaxies (SFGs) and Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) for comparison, by the well-tested profile fitting. From 936 well-fitted LAEs, we carefully define a homogeneous sample of LAEs falling in the same ranges of UV-continuum luminosity and Lyα equivalent width over z ≃ 0–8, and evaluate the redshift evolution. We find that the distribution of effective radius r
e is represented by a log-normal function, and that the median Sérsic index is almost constant at n ≃ 1–1.5 for the LAEs over z ≃ 0–7, suggesting that typical LAEs have a stellar-disk morphology. The size–luminosity relation of the LAEs decreases monotonically toward high z, following size–luminosity relations of SFGs and LBGs. The median r
e values of the LAEs evolve significantly as r
e ∝ (1 + z)−1.37, similar to those of the SFGs and LBGs in the same luminosity range, in contrast with the claims of no evolution made by previous studies, whose LAE samples are probably biased to faint sources at low z. The r
e distribution, star formation rate surface densities, and stellar-to-halo size ratios of the LAEs are comparable with those of the SFGs and LBGs, indicating that LAEs have stellar components similar to SFGs and LBGs with a Lyα emissivity controlled by non-stellar physics such as the geometry, kinematics, and ionization states of the interstellar/circumgalactic medium.
Simultaneous X-Ray and Infrared Observations of Sagittarius A*'s Variability
Authors: Boyce H. , Haggard D. , Witzel G. , Willner S. P. , Neilsen J. , Hora J. L. , Markoff S. , Ponti G. , Baganoff F. , Becklin E. E. , Fazio G. G. , Lowrance P. , Morris M. R. , Smith H. A.
Published: January 2019

Emission from Sagittarius A* is highly variable at both X-ray and infrared (IR) wavelengths. Observations over the last ∼20 yr have revealed X-ray flares that rise above a quiescent thermal background about once per day, while faint X-ray flares from Sgr A* are undetectable below the constant thermal emission. In contrast, the IR emission of Sgr A* is observed to be continuously variable. Recently, simultaneous observations have indicated a rise in IR flux density around the same time as every distinct X-ray flare, while the opposite is not always true (peaks in the IR emission may not be coincident with an X-ray flare). Characterizing the behavior of these simultaneous X-ray/IR events and measuring any time lag between them can constrain models of Sgr A*'s accretion flow and the flare emission mechanism. Using 100+ hours of data from a coordinated campaign between the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory, we present results of the longest simultaneous IR and X-ray observations of Sgr A* taken to date. The cross-correlation between the IR and X-ray light curves in this unprecedented data set, which includes four modest X-ray/IR flares, indicates that flaring in the X-ray may lead the IR by approximately 10–20 min with 68% confidence. However, the 99.7% confidence interval on the time-lag also includes zero, i.e., the flaring remains statistically consistent with simultaneity. Long-duration and simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of additional bright flares will improve our ability to constrain the flare timing characteristics and emission mechanisms, and must be a priority for Galactic Center observing campaigns.
Photochemistry in Hot H2-dominated Exoplanet Atmospheres
Authors: Fleury Benjamin , Gudipati Murthy S. , Henderson Bryana L. , Swain Mark
Published: January 2019

Photochemistry has the potential to substantially impact the atmospheric composition of exoplanets with consequences on the radiative transfer, thermal structure, and dynamics of the atmospheres, particularly in UV-rich stellar environments. Here, we present the results of a first laboratory experimental simulation of photochemistry in carbon-rich exoplanet atmospheres at elevated temperatures. The evolution of gas-phase molecular composition was quantitatively monitored with infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. We found that H2/CO gas compositions can change significantly from thermal equilibria compositions when irradiated with Lyα photons at temperatures ranging from 600 to 1500 K. Carbon dioxide and water were found to be the main products caused by photolysis, while the formation of methane was also observed to a lesser extent. We find that photochemistry efficiency is strongly correlated with increasing temperature. Our finding that water is efficiently produced by photochemistry in a supersolar C/O = 1 environment, representing C enhancement relative to solar values C/O ratio = 0.54, has significant implications for the interpretation of many exoplanet transmission spectra. We also find the formation of an organic solid condensate at 1500 K and under Lyα UV radiation, confirming the possibility of forming photochemical hazes in hot-Jupiter exoplanet atmospheres with an enhanced C/O ratio compared to solar.
Kinetic Energy Transfer from X-Ray Ultrafast Outflows to Millimeter/Submillimeter Cold Molecular Outflows in Seyfert Galaxies
Authors: Mizumoto Misaki , Izumi Takuma , Kohno Kotaro
Published: January 2019

UltraFast Outflows (UFOs), seen as X-ray blueshifted absorption lines in active galactic nuclei (AGNs), are considered to be a key mechanism for AGN feedback. In this scenario, UFO kinetic energy is transferred into the cold and extended molecular outflow observed at the millimeter/submillimeter wavelength, which blows away the gas and suppresses star formation and accretion onto the central black hole (BH). However, the energy transfer between the inner UFO and the outer molecular outflow has not yet been fully studied mainly due to the limited sample. In this paper, we perform a comparison of their kinetic energy using the millimeter/submillimeter published data and the X-ray archival data. Among 14 Seyfert galaxies whose molecular outflows are detected in the Institut de RAdioastronomie Millimétrique/Plateau de Bure Interferometer data, 8 targets are bright enough to perform spectral fitting in X-ray, and we have detected UFO absorption lines in 6 targets with a 90% significance level, using XMM-Newton and Suzaku satellites. The time-averaged UFO kinetic energy was derived from the spectral fitting. As a result, we have found that the energy-transfer rate (kinetic energy ratio of the molecular outflow to the UFO) ranges from ∼7 × 10−3 to ∼1, and has a negative correlation with the BH mass, which shows that the AGN feedback is more efficient in the lower mass BHs. This tendency is consistent with the theoretical prediction that the cooling timescale of the outflowing gas becomes longer than the flow timescale when the BH mass is smaller.