An analysis of the derivation of Friedmann's Equation

In the introductive section a deeper specification is made of the physical meaning of the terms in the Friedmann Equation (FE). After that, assuming validity of Mach's Principle, it is deduced (Section 2) that the FE for the radiation-dominated phase of the evolution of the Universe (which is considered to be closed) is valid even for the matter-dominated era. On the other hand, such a form of the FE is shown to be irrelevant when used for deducing how the frequency of the 3K-photons depends on the radius of the Universe. The solution of the dilemma turns out to have its roots in the way in which the relativistic gravitational potentials are composed, together with the fact that the cosmic potential of the closed Universe is equal to –1. Consequently, the equation one uses for the matter-dominated era is shown to be proper for both the main phases of the cosmological evolution (Section 3). In Section 4, the deduction of the critical density-value is revised, and the new result shortly discussed. In Section 5 it is concluded that there is only one possible value for the maximum radius of our Universe, specific for the initial condition due to the FE. Nevertheless, it is not excluded that other smaller universes can exist. In the final section a modified soabubble analogy with the first law of thermodynamics is used to describe the dynamics of the cosmological expansion, and, in this context, the importance of Mach's Principle is pointed out.     

Phytoplankton in the south-western Kara Sea: composition and distribution

The taxonomic composition and spatial distribution of pelagic algae were studied in the south-western Kara Sea in August-September 1981. In the north-western and easternmost regions of the study area the phytoplankton community, dominated by neritic diatoms and autotrophic dinoflagellates, was at the late spring bloom stage of the seasonal succession. In the central deep-water zone of the sea, there was a predominance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates from the genera Protoperidinium and Dinophysis , and the autotrophic compartment of the algal community was clearly in a stage of decline. The distribution of the phytoplankton assemblages followed closely the major routes of receding marginal ice zones. Three stages of the seasonal succession were established for the area of interest: (1) early spring (ice edge) bloom of arcto-boreal neritic diatoms; (2) late spring bloom of neritic diatoms and autotrophic dinoflagellates, fuelled by continental run-off; and (3) summer minimum with a predominance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates, followed by autumnal decline of the phytoplankton community.     

From beyond the Big Bang to the end of the Planck era of the Universe

The state ante beyond the Big Bang is described as a non-metrical space devoid of time, and some circumstances are discussed. It is also concluded that the non-metrical space outside our closed Universe is identical with the stateante.Further, the conclusion is made that the virtual pairs production cannot occur in a space without any metric; then, the virtual pairs (the matter) and space had to arise together within the Planck era of the Universe, where it was not possible to arrange events in order of time. Consequently, the origin of the virtual pairs and of space could be mutually determined and synchronous. The sum of binding energies of the pairs at the same time both already were and only were becoming the binding gravitational energy of the closed Universe. The non-locality phenomenon (the Einstein-Rosen-Podolski paradox) is then considered as a possible explanation for the causal interconnection of the Universe.Another possible mechanism is proposed, namely the quantum tunneling effect, this is but combined with the special conditions existing during the Planck era. Moreover, the creational process is assumed to be an optimal quantum phenomenon possibly governed by as yet unknown laws. The role of the Planck density is analyzed and the conclusion is made that probably only one option exists for the results of the creational process: the closed quasi-Euclidean universe. The causal interconnection of our Universe would then only be apparent.In the final section a philosophical problem is found: in the stateante the law of probability was valid without the existence of the objects necessary in order for the law to actually exist; thus, it would be a law of divine character.     

European Observation Network: Ground - Based Support for Gamma-Ray Satellites

We present first preliminary results obtained with the European Observation Network consisting of 9 observatories in the Czech Republic, Germany and Bulgaria. We also discuss related problems such as the background of unknown variable stars and suggest a strategy for work in this area.     

On the nature of bright rims of filaments

A filament with a very bright rim was observed in the H line on May 11, 1989, using the Meudon spectroheliograph. Absolute calibration of the spectroheliogram allows us to express the intensities in particular sites of the filament, in its bright rim and inside the surrounding chromosphere. From a large number of photometric scans, we obtained a histogram of the intensity excess of the bright rim relative to the quiet chromosphere. The mean value of this excess amounts to about 4%. We present a theoretical explanation of bright rims, based on the nature of H radiative diffusion in the filaments. Computed NLTE model of the filament leads to a rim intensity excess which is in good agreement with our observations.     

Spatial distribution of phytoplankton in Spring 2004 along a transect in the eastern part of the North Sea

We report the results from a 250 km long transect, from the Danish coast to the North Sea at 55°30′ N, which was sampled every 32 km in order to study the composition and distribution of phytoplankton, and their dependence on the distance from the coast, depth and other environmental factors. Altogether 144 species of algae were identified by light, epifluorescence and electron microscopy. Some ecological preferences were found on the basis of measured environmental parameters and compared with the literature. Possible controlling mechanisms for the distribution patterns of the plankton algae were analyzed by multivariate statistics. Only distance from the coast was found to be a significant factor for algal distribution along the transect. Three main areas of the transect were found: the coastal, middle and oceanic areas. Diatoms, mainly the centric ones, were the most abundant group of algae. The other less abundant groups were Dinophyceae, Dictyochophyceae, Prasinophyceae and Chlorophyceae. The pattern of distribution of diatoms and dinophytes along the transect was more or less similar, with larger numbers of cells found close to both the eastern and western parts of the transect, although the species composition was different. Some species were found to prefer coastal waters, other species were characterized as oceanic, and several species were found at all stations. Porosira glacialis showed an atypical distribution along the transect, with highest abundances at both coastal and oceanic stations.     

The Friedmann universe and the world potential

In Section 1 of the paper the energy equation of the Friedmann universe, when matter dominates over radiation, is discussed. It is known that the value of the world potential is constant everywhere in the Universe, despite the pulsation motion of the Universe or a possible transformation of pulsation energy into matter or vice versa. The condition for the Universe being closed is deduced. Furthermore, the possibility to define the mass-energy of the Universe is discussed; and the conclusion is arrived at that the mass-energy of the Universe relative to an observer in the non-metric space outside the Universe is equal to zero; i.e. the Universe originated as a vacuum fluctuation. Finally, the view-point of an external observer is described. Such an observer can claim that our closed Universe is a black hole in a non-metric empty space. Besides, the differences between such a black hole and the astrophysical black holes are indicated.In Section 2 the origin of the gravitational force retarding the expansion is discussed, using the properties of the relativistic gravitational potential. In contradiction to Section 1, the view-point of an inner observer (inside the Universe) is used here. It is concluded that the boundary of the closed Universe is an unlocalizable potential barrier.In Section 3 of the paper the apparent discrepancy between Mach's principle and the general theory of relativity is resolved. The solution is based on the fact that, for the Euclidean open universe, the concept of mass is related to the potential of the background equal to –1, but the concept of the mass-energy is related to the zero-potential of the non-metric background. Because the universe is open and a potential barrier (a boundary of the universe) can be localized-i.e. is geometrically existing — by solution of the field equation, we have to refer to the background with zero-potential. The principal idea of the solution is then that the zero-density means the density of mass-energy, when simultaneously the mass density is equal to the critical value for which the Robertson-Walker metric becomes the Euclidean metric of the Minkowski (i.e., flat) space-time. Further a generalization of Newton's law of inertia is formulated, and the properties of nullgeodesics are touched upon. As a conclusion it is stated that this paper and the two previous ones (see Voráek, 1979a, b)de facto express Mach's principle.     

Sedimentary geochemistry of core PG1351 from Lake El’gygytgyn—a sensitive record of climate variability in the East Siberian Arctic during the past three glacial–interglacial cycles

The ca. 13 m long sediment core PG1351, recovered in 1998 from the central part of Lake El’gygytgyn, NE Siberia, was investigated for lithostratigraphy, water content, dry bulk density (DBD), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total sulphur (TS) and biogenic silica (opal) contents, and for TOC stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C_TOC). The event stratigraphy recorded in major differences in sediment composition match variations in regional summer insolation, thus confirming a new age model for this core, which suggests that it spans the last 250 ka BP. Four depositional units of contrasting lithological and biogeochemical composition have been distinguished, reflecting past environmental conditions associated with relatively warm, peak warm, cold and dry, and cold but more moist climate modes. A relatively warm climate, resulting in complete summer melt of the lake ice cover and seasonal mixing of the water column, prevailed during the Holocene and Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 7.1–7.3, 7.5, 8.1 and 8.3. MIS 5.5 (Eemian) was characterized by significantly enhanced aquatic primary production and organic matter supply from the catchment, indicating peak warm conditions. During MIS 2, 5.2, 5.4, 6.2 and 6.4 the climate was cold and dry, leading to perennial lake ice cover, little regional snowfall, and a stagnant water body. A cold but more moist climate during MIS 4, 6.6, 7.4, 8.2 and 8.4 is thought to have produced more snow cover on␣the perennial ice, strongly reducing light penetration and biogenic primary production in␣the lake. While the cold–warm pattern during␣the past three glacial–interglacial cycles is probably controlled by changes in regional summer insolation, differences in the intensity of the warm phases and in the degree of aridity (changing snowfall) during cold phases likely were due to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. This is the seventh in a series of eleven papers published in this special issue dedicated to initial studies of El'gygytgyn Crater Lake and its catchment in NE Russia. JulieBrigham-Grette, Martin Melles, Pavel Minyuk were guest editors of this special issue.     

Are the crustal and mantle conductive zones isotropic or anisotropic?

One of the significant problems of modern deep magnetotellurics is the recognition of anisotropy in the crustal and mantle conductive zones. In the paper we perform numerical experiment comparing several 2D models of crustal and mantle isotropic and anisotropic prismatic conductors. Anisotropy is modeled by alternating horizontal or vertical thin layers of different resistivities (the vertical layers are parallel to the prism strike). Using these models, we examine conditions under which the magnetotelluric and magnetovariational response functions distinguish between isotropy and anisotropy. The resolution of MT and MV studies depends on the sediments conductance, lithosphere resistance and deep conductor width. Calculations show that the most favorable conditions for anisotropy studies are observed in the active regions characterized by small sediments conductance (10–20 S) and moderate lithosphere resistance (10⁸ Ohm·m²). However, in the stable regions, where sediments conductance exceeds 50–100 S and the lithosphere resistance comes up to 10⁹ Ohm·m², the crustal and mantle anisotropic and isotropic conductors manifest themselves in the equivalent magnetotelluric and magnetovariational functions, which cannot distinguish between anisotropy and isotropy and admit both the interpretations.