Angular momentum dependent friction slows down rotational relaxation under non-equilibrium conditions

It has recently been shown that relaxation of the rotational energy of hot non-equlibrium photofragments (i) slows down significantly with the increase of their initial rotational temperature and (ii) differs dramatically from the relaxation of the equilibrium rotational energy correlation function, manifesting thereby breakdown of the linear response description [Science 311, 1907 (2006)]. We demonstrate that this phenomenon may be caused by the angular momentum dependence of rotational friction. We have developed the generalized Fokker-Planck equation whose rotational friction depends upon angular momentum algebraically. The calculated rotational correlation functions correspond well to their counterparts obtained via molecular dynamics simulations in a broad range of initial non-equilibrium conditions. It is suggested that the angular momentum dependence of friction should be taken into account while describing rotational relaxation far from equilibrium

Gray whale <i>Eschrichtius robustus</i> in Russian Far East: the history of discovery, research, and harvesting

Discovery and research of gray whale in Chukotka are outlined and recent data on its whaling are presented on the base of authors’ and cited sources. The species was described for the first time in the late 16th century. Almost all its studies concerned the California-Chukotka population (East Pacific gray whale), whereas annual monitoring of the Korean-Okhotsk population started in 1995 only. Aboriginal nations of North America and Chukotka traditionally hunted on this whale: about 58 thousand whales of this species were landed in the period from 1600 to 1930, including 5,000 ones in Chukotka (8.6 %). Commercial whaling was developed at California in 1846-1890s and in the USSR waters in 1933-1937. Since 1937, the commercial whaling was banned and the gray whale harvesting for aboriginal people was permitted only. Scientific research of the gray whale started by biologists of the USSR Academy of Science in 1933 and continued till nowadays by Pacific Fisheries Research Center and its Magadan and Chukotka branches. The aboriginal whaling was realized from small motor-boats and kayaks by rifles and iron harpoons in the 1930s - early 1950s, from boats by large-calibre guns in 1956-1969. In total, 4060 whales were landed in 1922-1969. In 1969-1992, the whales for aboriginal people were landed by the whale-boat «Zviozdny». The aboriginal whaling from motor-boats by rifles and tilting handle-harpoons was renewed in 1994. Recently (since 1998) the quota is 135 gray whales per year, but real mean annual harvesting is about 110 whales, so only 2197 whales were landed in 1994-2013. The usual season for the whaling lasts from middle May till late November - early December. Taking into account the modern period of whaling, about 75 thousand of the East Pacific gray whales were landed in the period since 1600 to nowadays. Annual harvesting within the statutory quota does not influence negatively on the stock of this population. Moreover, increasing of the quota is available (aboriginal people can consume up to 350 whales annually) but the aboriginal whaling needs financial and material support for extending the harvesting

Entropy approximation for the system of moment equations describing charge transport in semiconductors

The question of possibility to build additional entropy conservation law for the system of moment equations, which appear in mathematical modelling of the charge transport in semiconductors, is discussed

Morpho-physiological description of gray whales landed in the North Pacific in XX century

Biostatistical data are presented for 1300 gray whales belonged to the California-Chukotka population (East Pacific gray whales) and landed in the waters of Far East of Russia in 1980-2000s and for 148 gray whales belonged to the Korea-Okhotsk population (West Pacific gray whales) and landed in the early 19th century at Korean Peninsula. In the eastern population, the portion of females changed by areas and years in the range 43-60 % (on average 13.4 % of them were pregnant), length of whales was 8.6-14.1 m, their age was 1.5-60.0 years old, with the portion of juveniles from 20 to 90 %, and fatness was very variable, without any tendency. These parameters are significantly different from those ones for the whales landed at Korea, where males prevailed and the animals were generally larger

Application of photoluminescence and electroluminescence techniques to the characterization of intermediate band solar cells

The intermediatebandsolarcell (IBSC) is a photovoltaic device with a theoretical conversion efficiency limit of 63.2%. In recent years many attempts have been made to fabricate an intermediateband material which behaves as the theory states. One characteristic feature of an IBSC is its luminescence spectrum. In this work the temperature dependence of the photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) spectra of InAs/GaAs QD-IBSCs together with their reference cell have been studied. It is shown that EL measurements provide more reliable information about the behaviour of the IB material inside the IBSC structure than PL measurements. At low temperatures, the EL spectra are consistent with the quasi-Fermi level splits described by the IBSC model, whereas at room temperature they are not. This result is in agreement with previously reported analysis of the quantum efficiency of the solarcell

The pseudo-spin symmetry in Zr and Sn isotopes from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line

Based on the Relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory, the pseudo-spin approximation in exotic nuclei is investigated in Zr and Sn isotopes from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line. The quality of the pseudo-spin approximation is shown to be connected with the competition between the centrifugal barrier (CB) and the pseudo-spin orbital potential (PSOP). The PSOP depends on the derivative of the difference between the scalar and vector potentials $dV/dr$. If $dV/dr = 0$, the pseudo-spin symmetry is exact. The pseudo-spin symmetry is found to be a good approximation for normal nuclei and to become much better for exotic nuclei with highly diffuse potential, which have $dV/dr \sim 0$. The energy splitting of the pseudo-spin partners is smaller for orbitals near the Fermi surface (even in the continuum) than the deeply bound orbitals. The lower components of the Dirac wave functions for the pseudo-spin partners are very similar and almost equal in magnitude.Comment: 22 pages, 9figure

Epizootic situation for brucellosis in the Russian Federation (review)

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers brucellosis to be one of the most dangerous and spread zoonosis in the world. The aim of the review is to summarize the current scientific data on the brucellosis in animals, to analyze the epizootic situation in the Russian Federation, Arctic Zone included, and to define the key factors of animal protection against the infection. The epizootic situation for brucellosis in farm animals, which are carriers of the three main pathogens of  brucellosis, is an urgent epidemiological problem. Their widespread occurrence is the factor determining the world-wide distribution of pathogens in most countries that indicates for the importance of control the brucellosis on an international scale. In Russia, a high epizootic risk of the spread of the disease is observed in the regions of the Volga, Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts, in southern Siberia and Far East as well as in the Arctic. Brucellosis has the same epizootic and epidemiological significance in the Arctic regions considering the national food preferences of the peoples of the Far North. In the Russian Arctic, epizootic foci of brucellosis in cattle and reindeer have been identified and evidence of the epidemiological significance and ecological association of B. suis with the reindeer population has been presented. Specific prophylaxis of brucellosis is based on the use of vaccines. However, the problem of reindeer vaccination has not been finally resolved

Antianginal Efficacy of Ranolazine When Added to Treatment With Amlodipine The ERICA (Efficacy of Ranolazine in Chronic Angina) Trial

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine if ranolazine improves angina in stable coronary patients with persisting symptoms despite maximum recommended dose of amlodipine.BackgroundRanolazine is a unique antianginal agent that has been effective in stable angina, but it has not been studied in the setting of maximum recommended doses of conventional antianginal agents.MethodsStable patients with coronary disease and ≥3 anginal attacks per week despite maximum recommended dosage of amlodipine (10 mg/day) were randomized to 1,000 mg ranolazine or placebo twice a day for 6 weeks. Primary end point was the frequency of angina episodes per week during the double-blind treatment phase. Efficacy was also assessed by nitroglycerin consumption per week and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). Adjustment for multiple testing of secondary end points used a hierarchic closed testing procedure. Efficacy was assessed in subgroups based on baseline angina frequency, concomitant long-acting nitrate use, gender, and age. Safety was assessed by adverse events and electrocardiogram evaluations.ResultsA total of 565 patients were randomized: 281 patients to ranolazine and 284 patients to placebo. Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. At baseline, angina frequency averaged 5.63 ± 0.18 episodes/week, and nitroglycerin consumption averaged 4.72 ± 0.21 tablets/week. Compared with placebo, ranolazine significantly reduced frequency of angina episodes (2.88 ± 0.19 on ranolazine vs. 3.31 ± 0.22 on placebo; p = 0.028) and nitroglycerin consumption (2.03 ± 0.20 on ranolazine vs. 2.68 ± 0.22; p = 0.014), with treatment effect that appeared consistent across subgroups. The median angina weekly episode rate at baseline was 4.5 per week. Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant reductions of angina frequency, nitroglycerin use, and SAQ angina frequency for patients with a baseline frequency >4.5 per week but only of angina frequency for those with baseline frequency ≤4.5 per week. Patients with more frequent angina appeared to have a more pronounced treatment effect. No hemodynamic changes were observed. Ranolazine was well tolerated.ConclusionsRanolazine significantly reduced frequency of angina and nitroglycerin consumption compared with placebo and was well tolerated. (The ERICA [Efficacy of Ranolazine In Chronic Angina] Trial; http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT00091429