bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical investigation of wind turbine wake development in directionally sheared inflow
Authors: Bromm Marc , Vollmer Lukas , Kühn Martin
Published: July 2016

Turbines in wind farms are subject to complex mutual aerodynamic interactions, which in detail depend upon the characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer. Our two objectives with this paper were to investigate the impact of directionally sheared inflow on the wake development behind a single wind turbine and to analyse the impact of the wakes on the energy yield and loading of a downstream turbine, which is exposed to partial and full wake conditions. We performed simulations with a framework based on a coupled approach of large‐eddy simulation and an actuator line representation of an aeroelastic turbine model. Our results show that directionally sheared inflow leads to a non‐symmetrical wake development, which transfers to distinct differences in the energy yield and loading of downstream turbines of equal lateral offsets in opposite direction. Therefore, the assumption of wakes being axisymmetrical could lead to notable deviations in the prediction of wake behaviour and their impact on downstream turbines for atmospheric inflow conditions, which include directional shear. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent applications of phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines for imaging and therapy
Authors: Zhang Yumiao , Lovell Jonathan F.
Published: July 2016

With high extinction coefficients and long absorption wavelengths in the near infrared region, phthalocyanines (Pcs) and naphthalocyanines (Ncs) are well‐suited for optical imaging and phototherapies in biological tissues. Pcs and Ncs have been used in a range of theranostic applications. Peripheral and axial substituents can be introduced to Pcs and Ncs for chemical modification. Seamless metal chelation of Pcs or Ncs can expand their possibilities as medical therapeutic and imaging agents. Nanoparticulate approaches enable unique ways to deliver Pcs and Ncs to target tissues and improve their solubility, biocompatibility, biodistribution and stability. Herein, we highlight some recent Pc or Nc nanoscale systems for theranostic applications. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1420. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1420

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Electrochemotherapy in the Treatment of Bone Metastases: A Phase II Trial
Authors: Bianchi Giuseppe , Campanacci Laura , Ronchetti Mattia , Donati Davide
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Bone metastatic disease is a major cause of pain and decreased quality of life in patients with cancer. In addition to systemic therapy and pain control with narcotic analgesics, standard local treatments include palliation with radiation therapy and surgery. However, 20–30 % of patients do not respond to conventional treatments, increasing the interest in alternative therapies. We present the results of a new minimally invasive technique in the treatment of bone metastases.

Methods

Twenty‐nine patients affected by painful bone metastases were treated with electrochemotherapy (ECT) from July 2009 to July 2011; the mean age was 60 years (range 37–87); 21 patients received a previous ineffective local treatment; the appendicular skeleton was affected in 15 patients while in 14 patients other sites were involved. ECT was performed using the Cliniporator Vitae under fluoroscopy or CT guidance depending on the site of the lesion. Clinical response was assessed using VAS scale and objective tumour response was evaluated according to the MD Anderson criteria for bone metastases.

Results

All patients well tolerated the procedure and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. At a mean follow‐up of 7 months, 24 patients were available for evaluation. 84 % of the patients (20 out of 24) referred improvement of pain ≥50 % with reduction of narcotics consumption. Radiographic evaluation after 3 months in 20 evaluable patients, showed “partial response” in 1 patient, “stable disease” in 17 and “progression” in two cases.

Discussion

Results reported in this study demonstrated ECT to be safe and feasible in the treatment of painful bone metastases even when other previous treatments were ineffective. Pain and disease progression control was achieved in the majority of the patients with consequent improvement of quality of life.

Conclusion

ECT should be considered a new feasible tool in the treatment of bone metastases in place or in combination with standard treatments; further developments are required to extend the use of this technique to spine metastases.
Anxiety symptoms in a major mood and schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Karpov B. , Joffe G. , Aaltonen K. , Suvisaari J. , Baryshnikov I. , Näätänen P. , Koivisto M. , Melartin T. , Oksanen J. , Suominen K. , Heikkinen M. , Paunio T. , Isometsä E.
Published: July 2016

Background

Comorbid anxiety symptoms and disorders are present in many psychiatric disorders, but methodological variations render comparisons of their frequency and intensity difficult. Furthermore, whether risk factors for comorbid anxiety symptoms are similar in patients with mood disorders and schizophrenia spectrum disorders remains unclear.

Methods

The Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) was used to measure anxiety symptoms in psychiatric care patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SSA, n = 113), bipolar disorder (BD, n = 99), or depressive disorder (DD, n = 188) in the Helsinki University Psychiatric Consortium Study. Bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression models were used to examine associations of depressive symptoms, neuroticism, early psychological trauma and distress, self-efficacy, symptoms of borderline personality disorder, and attachment style with anxiety symptoms in the three diagnostic groups.

Results

Frequent or constant anxiety was reported by 40.2% of SSA, 51.5% of BD, and 55.6% of DD patients; it was described as severe or extreme by 43.8%, 41.4%, and 41.2% of these patients, respectively. SSA patients were significantly less anxious (P = 0.010) and less often avoided anxiety-provoking situations (P = 0.009) than the other patients. In regression analyses, OASIS was associated with high neuroticism, symptoms of depression and borderline personality disorder and low self-efficacy in all patients, and with early trauma in patients with mood disorders.

Conclusions

Comorbid anxiety symptoms are ubiquitous among psychiatric patients with mood or schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and in almost half of them, reportedly severe. Anxiety symptoms appear to be strongly related to both concurrent depressive symptoms and personality characteristics, regardless of principal diagnosis.
Assessing social anhedonia in adolescence: The ACIPS-A in a community sample
Authors: Gooding D.C. , Pflum M.J. , Fonseca-Pedero E. , Paino M.
Published: July 2016

To date, nearly all self-report measures of anhedonia have been developed for use with adult samples. A valid measure of anhedonia that can be used with adolescents would be useful in order to address key questions about the nature and course of anhedonia during adolescence. This study examined the psychometric properties of an adolescent version of a relatively new measure of social anhedonia, namely, the Anticipatory and Consummatory Interpersonal Pleasure Scale (ACIPS-A). The ACIPS-A was administered to a general, community-derived Spanish adolescent sample of 449 students, including 251 males (55.9%), who ranged in age from 13 to 19 years old. Other measures included the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS), anhedonia subscales from the Oviedo Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire (ESQUIZO-Q), and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor solution (close relationships, casual friendships and relationships, social bonding, and negative affiliation/emancipation). The total ACIPS-A showed excellent internal consistency, with ordinal alpha = 0.95. The ACIPS-A total scores were positively correlated with the TEPS-Anticipatory scores (r= 0.44,P< 0.001) and TEPS-Consummatory scores (r= 0.30,P< 0.001) but not with total GHQ-12 scores. The ACIPS-A total scores were negatively correlated with social anhedonia subscale scores (r= −0.55) taken from a measure developed for use with adolescents. These results suggest that the ACIPS-A is a valid measure for use with non-clinical adolescents and is likely to prove useful for screening purposes.
Interleukin‐6 role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression
Authors: Choudhary Moaz M. , France Thomas J. , Teknos Theodoros N. , Kumar Pawan
Published: July 2016

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a pleiotropic cytokine which plays an important role in a number of cellular processes including proliferation, survival, differentiation, migration and invasion. IL‐6 mediates its downstream effects by activating a number of signaling cascades including JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways. In addition to its effects on tumor cells, IL‐6 also regulates tumor progression and tumor metastasis by modulating tumor angiogenesis and tumor lymphangiogenesis. A number of studies have shown that IL‐6 levels are markedly upregulated in cancer patients. We and others have shown that high IL‐6 expression independently predicts tumor recurrence, tumor metastasis and poor survival in head and neck cancer patients. Therefore targeting IL‐6 signaling is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the role of IL‐6 in HNSCC progression and potential therapeutic strategies to target IL‐6 signaling for the treatment of head and neck cancer patients.
Kinematics of fluid particles on the sea surface: Hamiltonian theory
Authors: Fedele F. , Chandre C. , Farazmand M.
Published: July 2016

We derive the John–Sclavounos equations, describing the motion of a fluid particle on the sea surface, from first principles using Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms applied to the motion of a frictionless particle constrained on an unsteady surface. This framework leads to a number of new insights into the particle kinematics. The main result is that vorticity generated on a stress-free surface vanishes at a wave crest when the horizontal particle velocity equals the crest propagation speed, which is the kinematic criterion for wave breaking. If this holds for the largest crest, then the symplectic two-form associated with the Hamiltonian dynamics reduces instantaneously to that associated with the motion of a particle in free flight, as if the surface did not exist. Further, exploiting the conservation of the Hamiltonian function for steady surfaces and travelling waves, we show that particle velocities remain bounded at all times, ruling out the possibility of the finite-time blowup of solutions.
Schools and Natural Disaster Recovery: The Unique and Vital Role That Teachers and Education Professionals Play in Ensuring the Mental Health of Students Following Natural Disasters
Authors: Le Brocque Robyne , De Young Alexandra , Montague Gillian , Pocock Steven , March Sonja , Triggell Nikki , Rabaa Claire , Kenardy Justin
Published: July 2016

There is growing evidence that children are vulnerable to poor psychological outcomes following exposure to a range of potentially traumatic events. Teachers are in a unique and well-placed position to provide vital support to children following potentially traumatic events and to also provide a vital role in helping to identify children who may be experiencing ongoing psychosocial difficulties. We present a review of mental health trauma resources available for use in educational settings within Australia and New Zealand, with a primary focus on post-disaster resources. We describe the design, development, and dissemination of our resources and training package, Childhood Trauma Reactions: A Guide for Educators from Preschool to Year 12, and present data on how these resources were received. Trauma-informed practices within the school and classroom will enable better outcomes in the immediate post-trauma environment and beyond for all children. Our model focuses on: (1) increasing awareness and understanding of children's post-trauma reactions, (2) exploring effective strategies for teachers within the classroom, and (3) developing policy and procedures for the identification and referral of children who may be at risk. More funding is required to help distribute training and resources and to make mental health following trauma a higher priority.
Changes in ice-shelf buttressing following the collapse of Larsen A Ice Shelf, Antarctica, and the resulting impact on tributaries
Authors: ROYSTON SAM , GUDMUNDSSON G. HILMAR
Published: July 2016

The dominant mass-loss process on the Antarctic Peninsula has been ice-shelf collapse, including the Larsen A Ice Shelf in early 1995. Following this collapse, there was rapid speed up and thinning of its tributary glaciers. We model the impact of this ice-shelf collapse on upstream tributaries, and compare with observations using new datasets of surface velocity and ice thickness. Using a two-horizontal-dimension shallow shelf approximation model, we are able to replicate the observed large increase in surface velocity that occurred within Drygalski Glacier, Antarctic Peninsula. The model results show an instantaneous twofold increase in flux across the grounding line, caused solely from the reduction in backstress through ice shelf removal. This demonstrates the importance of ice-shelf buttressing for flow upstream of the grounding line and highlights the need to explicitly include lateral stresses when modelling real-world settings. We hypothesise that further increases in velocity and flux observed since the ice-shelf collapse result from transient mass redistribution effects. Reproducing these effects poses the next, more stringent test of glacier and ice-sheet modelling studies.
The first Triassic ‘Protodonatan’ (Zygophlebiidae) from China: stratigraphical implications
Authors: ZHENG D. R. , NEL A. , WANG B. , JARZEMBOWSKI E. A. , CHANG S.-C. , ZHANG H. C.
Published: July 2016

The clade Triadophlebioptera within the Odonatoptera greatly diversified and became widely distributed worldwide during the Triassic. Although abundant insect fossils have been reported from the Triassic of China, no Triassic dragonflies have been recorded. In this paper,Zygophlebia tongchuanensissp. nov., the first species of Zygophlebiidae discovered outside the Madygen Formation of Kyrgyzstan, is described from the Middle–Upper Triassic Tongchuan Formation of Shaanxi Province, northwestern China. The discovery extends the distribution of the family Zygophlebiidae in Asia, indicating a high diversity of Triadophlebioptera during Middle–Late Triassic times. Combined with the palaeontological and geochronological evidence, the age of the Tongchuan Formation is considered to be Anisian – Early Carnian, and the insect-bearing layers are considered to be Ladinian.
Corilagin ameliorates schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis through regulating IL-13 associated signal pathway in vitro and in vivo
Authors: LI HUA-RONG , LI GANG , LI MAN , ZHANG SHU-LING , WANG HENG , LUO TAO , WU FEI , DONG JI-HUA , GUO YUAN-JIN , ZHAO LEI
Published: July 2016

Interleukin (IL)-13-associated signal pathway plays an important role in schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis. In this study we tried to investigate the effects of corilagin to ameliorate schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis through regulating IL-13-associated signal pathway in vitro and in vivo. Cellular model was set up with hepatic stellate cells-T6 cells stimulated by rIL-13 and male Balb/c mice were infected with Schistosoma japonicum cercariaeas as animal model. Liver histological changes were observed with haematoxylin and eosin staining. Masson staining was employed to observe the change of egg granulomas. Expression of Col (collagen) and Col III were examined with Immunohistochemistry. Western bolt was employed to detect the JAK-1 and IL13Rα1 proteins. The mRNA expression of Col I, Col III, IL-13, JAK-1 and IL13Rα1 were tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. As a result, less inflammatory changes were found in all corilagin groups compared with model group and praziquantel group. The mRNA levels of Col I, Col III, IL-13, JAK-1 and IL13Rα1 were significantly decreased after corilagin intervention (P < 0·01). JAK-1 and IL-13Rα1 protein levels were also greatly decreased in the corilagin groups (P < 0·01). In conclusion, corilagin could ameliorate schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis by down-regulating the expression of IL-13 and signal molecules in IL-13 pathway.
The natural history of internalizing behaviours from adolescence to emerging adulthood: findings from the Australian Temperament Project
Authors: Betts K. S. , Baker P. , Alati R. , McIntosh J. E. , Macdonald J. A. , Letcher P. , Olsson C. A.
Published: July 2016

Background

The aims of the study were to describe the patterning and persistence of anxiety and depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood and to examine long-term developmental relationships with earlier patterns of internalizing behaviours in childhood.

Method

We used parallel processes latent growth curve modelling to build trajectories of internalizing from adolescence to adulthood, using seven waves of follow-ups (ages 11–27 years) from 1406 participants of the Australian Temperament Project. We then used latent factors to capture the stability of maternal reported child internalizing symptoms across three waves of early childhood follow-ups (ages 5, 7 and 9 years), and examined relationships among these patterns of symptoms across the three developmental periods, adjusting for gender and socio-economic status.

Results

We observed strong continuity in depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. In contrast, adolescent anxiety was not persistent across the same period, nor was it related to later depressive symptoms. Anxiety was, however, related to non-specific stress in young adulthood, but only moderately so. Although childhood internalizing was related to adolescent and adult profiles, the associations were weak and indirect by adulthood, suggesting that other factors are important in the development of internalizing symptoms.

Conclusions

Once established, adolescent depressive symptoms are not only strongly persistent, but also have the potential to differentiate into anxiety in young adulthood. Relationships with childhood internalizing symptoms are weak, suggesting that early adolescence may be an important period for targeted intervention, but also that further research into the childhood origins of internalizing behaviours is needed.
XXXII.—On the Harmonic Analysis of certain Vowel Sounds
Authors: Jenkin Fleeming , Ewing J. A.
Published: July 2016

The permanent record obtained with Mr T. A. Edison's phonograph has afforded a new opportunity of investigating the nature of spoken sounds, and the method which this invention placed at our disposal appears to us to possess several important advantages.

This method consists in obtaining a magnified transcript on paper of the indentations impressed by spoken vowels on the tinfoil of the phonograph, and then subjecting the periodic wave-forms thus obtained to harmonic analysis.

The curves as drawn in ink on paper represent to a large scale the surface of a longitudinal section of the tinfoil made along the centre of the furrow impressed by the pricker of the phonograph. The forms impressed on the tinfoil depend essentially on the movement which a particle of air performs when the given sound is being uttered, and the harmonic constituents of each period of the continuous wave-form indicate the relative proportions in which the prime tone and its harmonics are present in the sound.

We thus obtain what may be called a harmonic analysis of the vowel sounds.
XXVI.—The Preparation and Properties of Pure Graphitoid and Adamantine Boron
Authors: Morrison R. M. , Marsden R. Sydney
Published: July 2016

In preparing a specimen of diamond boron by Wöhler and Deville's method, the idea struck us of substituting silver, gold, or some other metal in place of the aluminium. We thought that by so doing we might be able to save considerable expense if the silver would dissolve the boron; because in the case of aluminium the byproducts are useless, whereas in the case of silver the byproducts are easily reconverted into metallic silver. On making an experiment with silver in place of aluminium, we found that it did dissolve boron, and that on dissolving the silver away with nitric acid a slate-grey powder was left behind. This powder, on being examined after purification, was found to be boron, and to contain nothing but boron; under the microscope, it presented a complex composition, some being transparent and some opaque,—the opaque portion consisting of hexagonal prisms exactly like those of graphite; the transparent portion being composed of plates and a few small tetrahedra. The quantity obtained was but small, so we repeated our experiment several times, at last obtaining sufficient to examine the properties of these crystals.
Hands-On Astrophysics: Variable Stars for Astronomy Education and Development
Authors: Mattei Janet A. , Percy John R.
Published: July 2016

Amateur astronomers, and students, can contribute to astronomical research by measuring the brightness of variable stars. Hands-On Astrophysics (HOA) is a project which uses the unique methods and the International Database of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) to develop and integrate a wide range of science, mathematical and computer skills, through the measurement and analysis of variable stars. It is very flexible and can be used at many levels, in many contexts — for classroom use from high school to university level, or for individual projects. In this paper we describe HOA, and how it can be used to promote international astronomy education and development, through research-based science education.
Astronomy Books in Spanish
Authors: Fierro Julieta
Published: July 2016

Great cultures have created language. They have discovered its strength among other reasons for education. For a long time the Bible was one of the few books available in western culture, its influence is beyond any doubt. Many developing nations have no science books in their mother tongue. They might carry a few translations but these do not convey the local culture so it is harder for students to grasp the concepts and to build on what they know. Books, even if they are extremely simple, should be written in local languages because that will facilitate the conveying of knowledge and the creation of scientific culture. In the books examples that pertain to every day local life must be given, in particular examples that have to do with women. Women play a central role in developing nations by child bearing; if they become literate they will influence enormously the quality of their children’s education, in particular their science comprehension. In México a collection that includes astronomy books has recently been edited by the National Council for Culture and Arts. The books are small and light, which encourages middle-school students to carry them around and read them while traveling in public transportation, such as the subway. Every other page is a new subject, that carries illustrations, abstracts and conclusions. The astronomy books are on search for extraterrestrial life, the stars and the universe. These books are distributed nation-wide and are inexpensive. They have been written by Mexican astronomers.
Astronomy in Algeria: Past and Present Developments
Authors: Irbah Abdenour , Abdelatif Toufik , Sadsaoud Hamid
Published: July 2016

Astronomy studies have been developed in Algeria since 1890 when the Algiers Observatory was built. Several instruments were soon installed on the site and have contributed to many scientific projects such as the international sky-map program. However, the observatory activities were suddenly interrupted by the departure of all French astronomers in 1962. Twenty years were needed before new astronomy programs were developed at Algiers observatory. They are principally based on imaging through atmospheric turbulence, solar physics and studies of pulsating variable stars. Only one observational program, however, has so far been developed. This consists of solar observations in the framework of an international program to survey the Sun’s radius. The astronomers now form a relatively important team since more than twelve researchers have permanent status. This is a good start taking into account the fact that astronomy is not taught in Algerian universities. We will begin first by giving an overview of the history of Algiers Observatory, including its instrumentation. We will then present the existing Algerian team and all their current scientific work and proposed projects.
Sofia Sky-Archive Data Center: Photographic Plate Collections for Developing Countries
Authors: Tsvetkov Mucho. K.
Published: July 2016

The Sofia Sky Archive Data Center (SSADC) was developed on the base of the Wide-Field Plate Database (WFPDB – http://www.skyarchive.org) as a project of the Working Group on Sky Surveys, Commission 9 of the IAU, and is dedicated to saving plate collections. The center manages 12 PCs connected in a local computer network and a PDS 1010 microdensitometer donated by the European Southern Observatory. The main field of operation is the WFPDB development, plate digitization and image processing for different astronomical tasks in South- and East Europe (Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, etc.), and as a regional coordinator especially for the neighbour countries – Romania, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. The main problem in the way of the WFPDB development is the creation of the computer-readable plate catalogues of the original logbooks because the speed of converting the logbooks in a computer-readable form is very low. The message is: we have to find the way to accelerate this important part of the project where the role of the developing countries in this direction should be very important. (Co-authors are: K. Tsvetkova, K. Stavrev V. Popov, H. Lukarski, A. Borisova, M-E. S. Michailov and G. Borisov of Sofia, Bulgaria, and S. Christov, Bulgarian South-West University).
The Choice of Small Telescopes
Authors: Crawford David L.
Published: July 2016

Small telescopes can be powerful tools for astronomical research. Many are being used by professional and amateur astronomers to do important, even frontier, research. They are also extremely valuable tools for education. This paper discusses the characteristics of such telescopes, and it makes recommendations about items such as field of view, focal length, and so on. It also discusses a few small telescopes representative of what is currently being done. Astronomy needs such facilities as much as it needs the giant telescopes. They complement each other very well.
What Can be Done with Small Telescopes?
Authors: Soonthornthum Boonraksar
Published: July 2016

Modern astronomy has developed rapidly in the last few decades. Large telescopes, several metres in diameter, have been constructed and installed at many sites around the world, in order to carry out high-quality research work at the frontiers of astronomy. In many parts of the world, only small telescopes are available, because of budgetary limitations and the stage of development of science in the country. However, much effort has been put into using these small telescopes to the best of their capabilities. A small telescope with modern detectors can do good astronomical research. Sirindhorn Observatory, Chiang Mai University, is the only observatory in northern Thailand which plays an active role in astronomical research. The major instrument is the 40-cm Cassegrain reflecting telescope with standard wide-band and intermediate band photoelectric photometers, CCD photometers and a CCD spectrograph. Because of Thailand’s hot and humid climate, the telescopes and detectors at Sirindhorn Observatory need regular maintenance. Major research at the Observatory emphasizes the study of physical propoerties and evolution of close binary systems, especially near-contact and contact binaries, by photometric techniques. Networks in this field of research have been established through national and international collaboration with some astronomical institutes in the region. A larger telescope is being developed for more efficiency in operation; it is expected to be able to serve the future development of astronomical research in Thailand.
Third-World Astronomy Network
Authors: Narlikar Jayant V.
Published: July 2016

Several developing countries of the Third World have been actively interested in astronomy, as is evidenced by the membership of the IAU. The enthusiasm of individual astronomers from these countries is, however, not matched by the resources available to them to pursue their interest in astronomy, in teaching as well as research, at an above-threshold level. Major problems requiring solutions are (i) isolation from the mainstream work, which leads to research work which is not quite relevant or realistic, and to teaching based on outdated knowledge; (ii) lack of financial resources, leading to shortage of books and journals in the library, insufficient computing power, out-of-date instruments, as well as inability to participate in essential activities like schools, workshops, and major international conferences and symposia; and (iii) lack of hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation that often leads to good scientists being turned away from astronomical observations towards abstract theories.

Experience of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics at Trieste, Italy and of the inter-university centres in India, like the IUCAA at Pune, has shown that limited resources can be made to go a long way by sharing, networking and intelligent use of communications technology. Based on the above experience, this proposal envisages setting up a Third World Astronomy Network (TWAN) under the auspices of the IAU, within the wider ICSU-umbrella with support from the UNESCO as well as participating nations. The TWAN will operate with a few key institutions as local nodal points of a wide network. The objectives of the proposed TWAN and the role of the Nodal Institutions (NIs) are spelled out in this proposal, along with the budgetary support required.
Commission 31: Time: (L’heure)
Authors: Petit G. , Matsakis D.N. , Backer D.C. , Beutler G. , Fukushima T. , Leschiutta S.M. , Proverbio E. , Qi G.R. , Veillet C. , Winkler G.M.R. , Zhai Z.C.
Published: July 2016

The relative frequency stability and the accuracy of atomic time scales, like International Atomic Time TAI, is now of order 1 × 10-15 thanks to progresses in clock technology and in clock comparison techniques. Cold atom primary Cs standards have a stated accuracy of 1 × 10-15 and a stability in the 10-16 region. Other cold atom clocks provide even better prospects, as well as clocks based on trapped ions. Frequencies based on optical and microwave transitions can now be compared with a similar or even better uncertainty thanks to femtosecond comb technology. Clock comparison techniques based on GPS (see http://maia.usno.navy.mil/gpst.html), or on dedicated Two Way technology provide adequate performance when averaging data over one or a few days, and should be improved to accompany the progresses of clocks.

Since 1999, a number of organizations initiated a review on the future of the UTC system (insertion of leap seconds between TAI and UTC to keep |UT1 – UTC| < 0.9s). Several working groups have been initiated, notably by the International Telecommunications Union (Special Rapporteur Group (SRG) in the Working Party 7A), by the International Union of Radio Science, and by the IAU following Resolution B2(2000). No immediate conclusion may be foreseen but a consensus should be reached over the next triennium.
Commission 7: Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy: (Mecanique Celeste et Astronomie Dynamique)
Authors: Froeschlé Claude , Hadjidemetriou John , Dvorak R. , Ferraz-Mello S. , Fukushima T. , Gerasimov I.A. , Heggie D.C. , Knezevic Z. , Lieske J. H. , Milani A. , Muzzio J.C. , Soffel M. , Sun Y. , Lemaitre A.
Published: July 2016

Research in Celestial Mechanics, for the past three years, has mainly focused on the understanding of Chaos on all its aspects. The always larger number of potential applications (meteors, KBO, NEA, asteroids of the main belt but also exoplanets or galactic motions) and the development of new efficient tools, like the symplectic integrators, have allowed the passage from QUALITATIVE models (for example the transfer mechanisms) to real QUANTITATIVE results (like the calculation of lifetimes). This important step has contributed to (re)create collaborations between theoreticians and observers (for example, in the prediction of catastrophic impacts) and to situate the Celestial Mechanics in a wider scientific context.
Commission 21: Light of the Night Sky: (Lumiere du Ciel Nocturne)
Authors: Bowyer S. , Lamy P. , Dwek E. , Gustafson B. , Hanner M. , Levasseur-Regourd A. Ch. , Mikhail J. , Mann I. , Mukai T. , Matsumoto T.
Published: July 2016

It has been known that non spherical silicate particles of a size comparable to the wavelength of light, and aggregates of such particles, produce negative polarization in the backscattering region (e.g. Xing & Hanner 1997, Yanamandra-Fisher & Hanner, 1999). It has now been shown that large aggregates of small absorbing particles of fractal dimension about 2 produce a slightly negative polarization at small phase angles (Levasseur-Regourd et al., 1997). The phase-curves strongly differ from those of Mie spheroidal particles. They are likely to be due to scattering by irregular dust particles and/or fluffy aggregates of numerous submicronic absorbing particles (Levasseur-Regourd et al., 1997; Lumme et al., 1997).
Division VII: Galactic System: (Systeme Galactique)
Authors: Freeman K. , Da Costa G. , Binney J. , Blitz L. , Matteucci F. , Spergel D.
Published: July 2016

The scientific interests of Division VII are concerned with the Galactic system. Its two constituent commissions are Commission 33 (Structure and Dynamics of the Galactic System) and Commission 37 (Star Clusters and Associations). Please refer to the reports of these two commissions for the scientific highlights and lists of major conferences in this area.

Study of the Galactic system involves a wide range of astrophysics and astronomical techniques, and the fields covered by many other commissions are therefore of very significant interest to Division VII. In particular, astronomers with interests in the Galactic system could consider reading also the reports of Commissions 5, 7, 24-30, 34-36, 40, 44 and 45, among others.
Commission 25: Stellar Photometry and Polarimetry: (Photometrie et Polarimetrie Stellaire)
Authors: Sterken C. , Landolt A.U. , Beaseli M. , Breger M. , Glass I. , Graham J. , Hensberge H. , Kurtz D. , Landstreet J. , Milone E.F. , Moffett T. , Sekiguchi K. , Tinbergen J. , Warren W.H.
Published: July 2016

The work of Commission 25 covers a wide range of topics concerning the measurement of magnitude, colour and polarisation of astronomical objects. As such, the area of interest covers virtually every field of astrophysical research in the visual and infrared spectral domain. Our reports cover some aspects of photometry and polarimetry as a technique rather than being an account of research highlights over the last three years.
Commission 14: Atomic and Molecular Data: (Donnees Atomiques et Moleculaires)
Authors: Rostas F. , Smith P. L. , Berrington K. A. , Feautrier N. , Grevesse N. , Johansson S. , Jørgensen U.G. , Martin W. C. , Mason H. , Parkinson W. , Tchang-Brillet W.-Ü L.
Published: July 2016

In recognition of its special interdisciplinary character, IAU Commission 14 is linked directly to the Executive Committee. The Commission’s role is to inform the astronomical community of new developments in the diverse fields of research which involve atoms and molecules. Conversely it endeavors to sensitize the research community active in those fields to the specific needs of astronomy, especially concerning basic data and modeling tools. More generally, Commission 14 tries to foster long term relations and collaborations between the two communities and, when necessary, to alert funding authorities to the specific needs of ground and space based astronomy for specific atomic and molecular data. This report is one of the main contributions of Commission 14 to the information of the astronomical community. Several meetings concerned, at least in part, with the need and availability of atomic and molecular data for astrophysics were also sponsored or co-sponsored. In the last triennium, Commission 14 cosponsored IAU Symposium 194 “Astrochemistry: From Molecular Cloud to Planetary Systems” held in Sogwipo (Korea) from Aug. 23 to 27, 1999 and organized by Commission 34. A Joint Discussion: JD1 on “Atomic and Molecular Data for Astrophysics, New Developments, Case Studies and Future Needs” has been planned for the XXIVth IAU General Assembly in Manchester (Aug. 7-19, 2000) and cosponsored by Commissions 15, 16, 29, 34, 36, 40 and 44. Several other Joint Discussions to be held at the Manchester General Assembly are co-sponsored by this commission.
Measurements of Transition Probabilities for Intersystems Lines of Atomic Ions Used in Diagnosis of Astrophysical Plasmas
Authors: Smith Peter L
Published: July 2016

In many low-charge ions of astrophysically abundant light elements, the spins of the ground and first-excited terms are different. Because of spin-orbit interactions, the states of these terms are mixtures of LS basis states, and as a consequence, transitions with ∆S = 1, i.e., ‘intersystem transitions’, can occur. The_transition probabilities (A-values) for such lines in low-Z ions are about 104 sec -1 to 102 sec-1. These values are of the same order of magnitude as the collisional de-excitation rates in many low-density astronomical objects. Consequently, intersystem lines, which are not readily seen in the laboratory, are significant features in many astronomical spectra. IUE spectra that show such lines in novae, hot stars, cool stars, symbiotic stars, binary stars, variable stars, Herbig-Haro objects, H II regions, planetary nebulae, quasars, and galaxies are discussed in Kondo et al. (1982). Moreover, because of the commensurate radiative and collisional de-excitation rates for the upper levels, the ratios of intersystem-line intensities to allowed-line intensities are density sensitive in many objects.
II. Solar Maximum Year
Authors: Rust D. M.
Published: July 2016

Work begun during the Solar Maximum Year (SMY) (1980-1981) was the focus of several sympsoia and workshops starting in March 1981 with the International SMY Workshop in Simferopol, Crimea (Obridko 1981). Results of the Annecy SMY Workshop (Annecy, France, October 1981) were presented in May 1982 with later work presented at the first SMY symposium (ĸvestka et al. 1982) in Ottawa, Canada. A special symposium for the Study of Travelling Interplanetary Phenomena was held in Maynooth, Ireland, in August 1982 (Shea et al. 1984). Another SMY workshop was held in November 1983 in Kunming, China (Chen 1984), and the second SMY symposium was held in June 1984 in Graz, Austria (Simon 1985). The scientific progress of the SMY is detailed in the above-mentioned publications and in the 1982 U.S.-Japan Seminar “Recent Advances in the Understanding of Solar Flares” (Kane et al. 1983). Highlights of the work of the SMY’s Flare Build-Up Study, Study of Energy Release in Flares, and Study of Travelling Interplanetary Phenomena are presented below.
Working Group 3: Collision Cross Sections and Line Broadening
Authors: Sahal-Brechot S.
Published: July 2016

The proceedings of the 6th and 7th International Conference on Spectral Line Shapes shown the general state of advances of the subject. Though a great part of the actual content lies outside the present interest, a number of useful results for astrophysical purposes can be found therein and will be quoted hereafter.
Commission 19: Rotation of the Earth
Authors: Yatskiv Ya. S. , Klepczynski W. J. , Barlier F. , Enslin H. , Kakuta C. , Kolaczek B. , Mueller I. I. , Naumov V. A. , Paquet P. , Proverbio B. , Rochester M. G. , Shu-hua Ye , Yokoyama K.
Published: July 2016

During the period, work on the problem of the Earth’s rotation has continued to expand and increase its scope. The total number of institutions engaged in the determination of the Earth’s rotation parameters (ERP) by different techniques has been increased significantly. The rotation of the Earth is currently measured by classical astrometry, Doppler and laser satellite tracking, laser ranging of the Moon, and radio interferometry. Several long time series of the ERP are available from most of these techniques, in particular, those made during the Main Campaign of the MERIT project. The various series have been intercompared and their stability, in the time frame of years to days, has been estimated for the purposes of establishing a new conventional terrestrial reference system (COTES). On the other hand, the difficulties of maintaining a regular operation for laser ranging to the Moon (LLR) have been recognized. It resulted in the proposal to organize an one-month campaign of observations in 1985 in order to complement the COTES collocation program and to allow additional intercomparisons with other techniques.
Commission 10. Solar Activity (Activite Solaire)
Authors: Pick M. , Kane S. R. , Priest E. , Alissandrakis C. , Falciani R. , Hirayama T. , Kaufman P. , Krishan V. , Kuklin G. V. , Tandberg-Hanssen E. , Valnicek E. , Zhang Z. D.
Published: July 2016

In preparing the present report, which covers the period July 1, 1984, to June 30, 1987, close collaboration has taken place between Commission 10 and 12, the two solar commissions, in order to avoid duplications and to insure that pertinent subjects are treated. The reader is referred to the report of Commission 12 for further solar topics. The proceedings are found at the beginning of the references for each section, followed by the usual alphabetical listing. In some sections this listing refers to the previous proceedings by their numbers; in others we retain the conventional reference. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the excellent work of the reviewers who wrote the different sections of this report, and all the members of the commission who provided information on research to be included.
VI. Highlights of the Solar Activity Studies Made with Instruments Aboard Spacecraft
Authors: Kane S. R.
Published: July 2016

Although the solar activity began to decrease rapidly after 1983, the analysis and interpretation of the observations made with instruments aboard the SMM, Hinotori, P78-1, ISEE-3 (ICE), PVO, Venera, and PROGNOZ spacecraft continued to produce important scientific results. The observational results inspired new theoretical studies or extensions of the earlier studies. Several symposia and workshops were organized for presentation and discussion of coordinated studies or studies in progress.
Working Group 5: Molecular Structure and Transition Data
Authors: Parkinson W. H.
Published: July 2016

Research in molecular spectroscopy has continued to grow over the past three years. The spectral range has expanded from the far ultraviolet to millimeter wavelengths. The report has been limited to molecular spectroscopy of relevance to astronomy and has been compiled from edited contributions sent to me in the fall of 1987.
24. Photographic Astrometry (Astrometrie Photographique)
Authors: Upgren Arthur R. , van Altena William F. , Argue A. N. , Corbin T. E. , de Vegt Ch. , Gliese W. , Kanaev I. I. , Lutz T. E. , Stock J.
Published: July 2016

One of the continuing problems facing Commission 24 is its name. It has been known and reported for some years that the present title is not suitable for reasons that are all too obvious. This problem has continued during the last three years, despite the growing development and use of non-photographic methods and techniques.

Most of the recent meeting activity in which the Commission and its membership has been involved, has centered on its shared interests with Commission 8 and with the Working Group on reference frames formed at the last General Assembly. Since its inception at that time, C. A. Murray has been appointed to represent the Commission on that group.
Background Radiation in the Universe
Authors: Zotti G. De
Published: July 2016

a) Spectrum. A collaboration between US and Italian groups performed accurate observations at five wavelengths. The experiment was particularly conceived to achieve the highest possible relative accuracy, allowing an effective search for spectral distortions. The Berkeley and the Milano groups further improved the spectral coverage.
Formation and Evolution of Galaxies
Authors: Klypin A. A. , Lukash V. N. , Novikov I. D.
Published: July 2016

At the beginning of this review period a number of arguments were put forward against the neutrino model which became popular in 1980-1983: too high a rate of the structure evolution at the non-linear stage and the same difficulty in the galaxy formation. As a consequence, many other schemes of the structure origin have been elaborated: models with “cold” particles, with unstable missing mass, etc. In these models the missing mass is in the form of weakly interacting particles (axion, photino, gravitino, etc.), or of usual particles (e.g., neutrino) but with properties that are out of the ordinary (e.g. instability). However, the standard neutrino model cannot yet be regarded as rejected, the more so in view of the recent data on the large-scale peculiar velocities.
Commission 50; Identification and Protection of Existing and Potential Observatory Sites
Authors: Bergh S. van den , Crawford D.L. , Blanco C. , Coyne G. , Jiang S-Y , Kozai Y. , Murdin P. , Pankonin V. , Shcheglov P.V. , Torres C.A. , Tremco J. , Walker M.
Published: July 2016

At the XIXth General Assembly our Commission held two meetings during the course of which the following papers were presented:
16. Commission Pour Les Observations Physiques Des Planetes Et Des Satellites
Authors: Lyot M. B.
Published: July 2016

Depuis sa dernière réunion, la commission a été cruellement éprouvée par la perte de son ancien président, de son président et de deux de ses membres les plus actifs.

Le Révérend Père Théodore Phillips, président de 1925 à 1935, est décédé le 13 Mars 1942, à l’age de 76 ans. Il avait dirigé, pendant 35 ans, la section de Jupiter de la B.A.A. et effectué un nombre considérable d’observations. Il nous laisse une œuvre très étendue sur Jupiter et ses courants atmosphériques, ainsi que des dessins de Mars remarquables par leur beauté et leur précision.
18. Commission Des Longitudes Par Telegraphie Sans Fil
Authors: Tardi M. P.
Published: July 2016

Les modalités de la publication ont été décidées lors de l’Assemblée Générale de Stockholm en 1938.

Il est rappelé que le nombre des stations ayant participé à l’opération n’est pas moindre que soixante-et-onze. Le rassemblement des renseignements a été très long et a duré jusqu’à la fin de 1937, soit quatre ans après la fin des mesures.

Il avait été décidé de publier à frais répartis par moitié entre l’U.A.I. et l’U.G.G.I. un volume par station donnant des renseignements et des tableaux très complets relatifs aux observations astronomiques, aux réceptions radiotélégraphiques et à la marche des garde-temps utilisés. On devait en outre publier un fascicule introductif et un volume de conclusions.