The inter-annual variations and the long-term trends of monthly air temperatures in Iraq over the period 1941–2013

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Mean annual and monthly averages of mean (Tmean), maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) air temperature from seven stations in Iraq were analysed to detect the...     

On actual presence of discordant-redshift galaxies in compact groups

Hickson's compact galaxy groups were classified using the statistical criterion which includes the radial velocities of galaxies as well as their relative positions. These groups on the whole and their components are identified as the confident and probable non-chance ones as well as probable and confident chance ones. All confident chance objects have the discordant radial velocities (the differences of radial velocitiesDV [1000; 20000] km s^–1). The special class of objects bright discordants is selected. These galaxies have the discordant radial velocities withDV [825; 8440] km s^–1 and have a strong tendency to be the brightest components of their groups. The lowest difference of radial velocities for the last class of objects DV = (1.0±0.2) × 10³ km s^–1 and we accept this value of DV as the lowest value of discordant radial velocities. It is found that the biggest part of Hickson's compact groups consist of non-chance aggregations of galaxies and some of the cases of discordant-redshifts require a special study in order to explain their origin from a dynamic or some other point of view.Present address.     

Variations in technical infrastructure and private economic activity in the rural areas of Southern Poland

Restructuring the Polish countryside is a complex and urgent task. Adapting agriculture for EU entry will mean a considerable reduction in employment and rural diversification is needed because other sectors of the national economy will not be able to absorb all the displaced people if they arrive in the towns. However, providing non-agricultural employment in rural areas depends to a large extent on the technical infrastructure available: running water, sewerage systems, gas supply and telecommunications. The paper deals with voivodeships in southern and southwestern Poland (formerly Galicia) and shows that while much progress has been made since the end of the communist period, the inherited inequalities are being perpetuated and in some cases increased. However, even where the infrastructure is satisfactory, private business does not develop at a uniform rate and action is needed to stimulate communities in remoter rural areas, particularly in the eastern part of the study region. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the numerical transformation of variables in perturbation theory

Once the generating function of a Lie-type transformation is known, canonical variables can be transformed numerically by application of a Runge-Kutta type integration method or any other appropriate numerical integration algorithm. The proposed approach avails itself of the fact, that the transformation is defined by a system of differential equations with a small parameter as the independent variable. The integration of such systems arising in the perturbation theories of Hori and Deprit is discussed. The method allows to compute numerical values of periodic perturbations without deriving explicitly the perturbation series. This saving of an algebraic work is achieved at the expense of multiple evaluations of the generator's derivatives.     

Dynamical states and dynamical evolution of the selected triple star systems

The general problem of investigating multiple stellar systems is formulated. It is shown that the complete solution of this problem requires 1) a complex of astrometric and astrophysical observations of multiple stars, and the 2) maximum attainable precision of such observations. The conditions under which this precision can be achieved are discussed.The most important characteristics of the dynamical states of multiple systems are the total energy E and the relative energies E_ij of the bodies in these systems. For eight triple systems (ADS 1630, 2926, 6175, 6650, 6811, 7114, 9626, 9909), statistical tests — a method of calculating the uncertainties _E and _Eij from the errors of the observational data — are used to find the probabilities for dynamical states and the values E_tr±E_tr and E_bin±E_bin.Only three triple stars appear certain to be physical systems with a dynamical connection between the components — ADS 6175 and 9909 with the probabilities P>0.80 are dynamical non-hierarchical unstable triple systems with a complicated motions of the components; the final state of these systems is an escape. In the triple system ADS 1630 a qualitative course of the component motions has not been determined because of the larger errors in the observed data. The dynamical evolution of the triple system ADS 9909 is under study.     

The development of a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model using the distribution of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the tissues of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) was developed to describe the kinetics of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). The estimated t(1/2) of elimination for a bolus dose of TCDD in C. virginica is approximately 14-24 days based on both the experimental data and the PBPK model. The highest dioxin concentration reached during 28-days was in the digestive gland followed by the mantle, gonad, hemolymph, gill, adductor muscle, and the kidney/heart. A binding protein for 2,3,7,8-TCDD had been reported in the literature for both the digestive gland and gonad. Incorporating a binding component in the model resulted in a better fit for the data. The PBPK model predicted the distribution and the elimination concentrations for 2,3,7,8-TCDD within each of the tissue compartments. This model will serve as a useful tool for predicting the kinetics of other persistent organic pollutants as well as, allow for a more refined ecological risk assessment by estimating dioxin concentrations in sensitive tissues such as the gonad.     

Sedimentary and microbial record of the Middle/Late Ordovician phosphogenetic episode in the northern Holy Cross Mountains,Poland

Numerous phosphorite beds and phosphatic nodules occur in the upper Middle and lower Upper Ordovician carbonate-shale succession of the Bukowiany Formation outcropping in the northern Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland. The vertical stacking pattern of this succession indicates that phosphatic and accompanying strata reflect a conformable sedimentary succession accumulated during a rise of relative sea level. The base of the Bukowiany Formation is marked by a conspicuous phosphorite horizon revealing a low net sediment accumulation rate reflecting a switch into a mesotrophic ecological system. This horizon was produced by reworking and redeposition of pristine phosphate sediment (e.g. by currents activity) during the late Darriwilian transgression. The overlying sedimentary record appears to reflect nucleation of the phosphate phase in the sediment–water interface and its subsequent burial by the accompanying sediment. The phosphatized tiny stromatolites and nodules preserved within the Bukowiany Formation indicate that benthic microbial communities played an important role in redistribution and concentration of phosphate during deposition of this succession.     

“All transport problems are essentially mathematical”: The uneven resonance of academic transport and mobility knowledge in Brussels

This paper presents an inquiry into the capacity of transport and mobility studies to critically engage with contemporary policies. Drawing on the conceptualization of circuits of knowledge, the paper scrutinizes the extent to which transport policy agendas are framed around various approaches within academia. An extensive literature review reveals that the academic field of transport and mobility is organized around a hegemonic core of “neoclassical” and “sustainable” approaches. Meanwhile, a critique of these dominant approaches is emerging in an attempt to (re)embed mobility issues in urban political economy. This threefold knowledge typology visibly resonates within transport policy agendas in Brussels, where we detect a growth-oriented and largely depoliticized dual hegemony of neoclassical and sustainable narratives, with critical academic voices rarely entering official agendas. The paper concludes with a reflection on the difficulties, yet also the need to mobilize critical academic knowledge in the field of transport and mobility.     

Isotopic abundances of water of crystallization of gypsum from the Miocene evaporite formation,Carpathian Foredeep,Poland

For sulfates of Miocene evaporites in the Carpathian Foredeep, the waters of crystallization of gypsum (w.c.g.) have $\text{δD = ?38 to ?113\%.}$ and $\text{δ}{}^{18}\text{O = 0 to ?11\%.}$ (SMOW). The $\text{δ}{}^{34}\text{S}$ and $\text{δ}{}^{18}\text{O}$ values of the sulfates are uniform and consistent with a marine origin. It is proposed that the original w.c.g. was equilibrated with marine water. Subsequently, it re-equilibrated towards very isotopically light water (δD ～ ?100%., δ¹⁸O ～ ?14%) during a glacial or postglacial period and is now trending towards current waters circulating through the deposits (δD ～ ?50%., δ¹⁸ ～ ?7%). The extent of reequilibration increased with decreasing crystal size.