Propaganda and pretext

This Viewpoint describes and analyses the history and current features of the strategy of the Government of Japan, and the associated Institute for Cetacean Research in Tokyo, to regain control of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), to legitimise renewed unsustainable commercial whaling and to dismantle conservation measures taken by the IWC over the past three decades. A key element in that strategy now is to promote and nourish the false idea that the present crisis in world fisheries is significantly caused by the consumption of valuable fish by increasing whale populations.     

The disc-dominated host galaxy of FR-I radio source B2 0722+30

We present new observational results that conclude that the nearby radio galaxy B2 0722+30 is one of the very few known disc galaxies in the low-redshift Universe that host a classical double-lobed radio source. In this paper, we use H  i observations, deep optical imaging, stellar population synthesis modelling and emission-line diagnostics to study the host galaxy, classify the active galactic nucleus (AGN) and investigate environmental properties under which a radio-loud AGN can occur in this system. Typical for spiral galaxies, B2 0722+30 has a regularly rotating gaseous disc throughout which star formation occurs. Dust heating by the ongoing star formation is likely responsible for the high infrared luminosity of the system. The optical emission-line properties of the central region identify a Low Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Region (LINER)-type nucleus with a relatively low [O  iii ] luminosity, in particular when compared with the total power of the Fanaroff & Riley type-I radio source that is present in this system. This classifies B2 0722+30 as a classical radio galaxy rather than a typical Seyfert galaxy. The environment of B2 0722+30 is extremely H  i -rich, with several nearby interacting galaxies. We argue that a gas-rich interaction involving B2 0722+30 is a likely cause for the triggering of the radio AGN and/or the fact that the radio source managed to escape the optical boundaries of the host galaxy.     

Habitat Use Patterns of Newly Settled Southern Flounder, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys lethostigma</Emphasis>, in Aransas–Copano Bay,Texas

Southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma populations have been declining in Texas during the past 25 years. Despite their economic importance, little is known about their juvenile habitat requirements. We examined habitat use patterns of newly settled southern flounder in three zones at varying distances from the Aransas Pass inlet in Aransas–Copano Bay by measuring densities using a beam trawl in replicate estuarine habitat types in each zone. Highest abundance occurred near the inlet in vegetated sandy areas and was lowest in nonvegetated muddy bottom in regions furthest from the inlet. We also examined a 25-year fisheries data set from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to evaluate long-term spatiotemporal recruitment patterns in Aransas–Copano Bay. These data showed generally low recruitment during the past 25 years with highest abundance near the inlets. Our results support the importance of vegetated habitat types, especially those near tidal passes, and suggest a long-term decline in recruitment densities of southern flounder.     

Relating discrete element method parameters to rock properties using classical and micropolar elasticity theories

Micro–macro relations for discrete element method (DEM) media are derived using both classical and micropolar elasticity theories. The DEM media are classified into two main categories: dense packing, and loose packing. For both categories, relations for Young modulus (E), Poisson's ratio (ν) to represent static behaviors, and wave velocities (P‐wave and S‐wave) to represent dynamic behaviors are derived using the internal DEM parameters (k_n, k_s) and compared with values obtained from static and dynamic numerical tests. Whereas the dynamic behaviors for the two categories and the static behaviors for the dense packing match the analytical relations, the static behavior for the loose packing does not. Micropolar elasticity theory is also used to study the behaviors of the DEM media, where it is shown that if element rotation is included, DEM media behave according to linear elasticity theory. However, if element rotation is constrained, asymmetrical stresses arise in the DEM media, and a new expression is derived for the S‐wave, which allows it, under certain conditions, to travel faster than the P‐wave. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microwave and hard X-ray bursts from solar flares

We have applied detailed theories of gyro-synchrotron emission and absorption in a magnetoactive plasma, X-ray production by the bremsstrahlung of non-thermal electrons on ambient hydrogen, and electron relaxation in a partially ionized and magnetized gas to the solar flare burst phenomenon. The hard X-ray and microwave bursts are shown to be consistent with a single source of non-thermal electrons, where both emissions arise from electrons with energies < mc ². Further-more, the experimental X-ray and microwave data allow us to deduce the properties of the electron distribution, and the values of the ambient magnetic field, the hydrogen density, and the size of the emitting region. The proposed model, although derived mostly from observations of the 7 July 1966 flare, is shown to be representative of this type of event.NAS-NRC Resident Research Associate.     

Elastic Dispersion Derived from a Combination of Static and Dynamic Measurements

Utilization of laboratory tests for calibration and interpretation of data from seismic surveys requires knowledge about elastic dispersion in the range from seismic to ultrasonic frequencies. Data on such dispersion are hard to obtain because it requires specially designed equipment and also relies on simplifying assumptions about rock symmetry. A new method for estimation of dispersion in this frequency range is presented here. This method requires only standard rock mechanical equipment with ultrasonic velocity measurements, and is based on comparison of static and dynamic data. A key element in this method is a procedure for elimination of strain amplitude as a source for differences between static and dynamic moduli. High-quality data is necessary, but the required accuracy is not extreme. Application of the method on one partly saturated shale and two dry sandstone samples indicates that dispersion increases with clay content, and decreases with stress.