The evolution of European policies on investment arbitration.

Over the last two decades, the European Commission radically altered its attitude towards investment arbitration and became its fierce opponent. This article considers the history of this change, attempts to fathom the pragmatic thinking of the European policy-makers, and considers its wisdom. The article analyses legal instruments that allowed the EU to implement the reform, examines their compliance with the Washington Convention 1965 and the Energy Charter Treaty and considers their practical effects on investment in Europe. It makes use of the historical and comparative legal methodology and occasionally relies on statistical data. The reasons behind the EU policies might have included the global backlash against the current system, the dissatisfaction with the Member States being targeted as respondents, the aspirations to move the Union towards a more centralised federation, and possibly the populist motives. Having started with the intra-EU BITs, the EU authorities are now leading the way of the global reform of ISDS with the idea of permanent tribunals bearing a strong resemblance to the state judiciary. Many remain sceptical, and the initial economic effects were unfavourable. A surprising aspect was the role the CJEU had to play. It delivered a decisive blow to the existing system in alignment with the Commission's policies, but without openly admitting the motives behind its decisions, and relying instead on the principle of autonomy of the EU law

Effect of adhesion transfer on the surface pattern regularity in nanostructuring burnishing

In the paper the influence of friction-induced adhesion of metal to the tool on the formation of surface topography under nanostructuring burnishing was studied. A comprehensive approach, including both experimental (optical microscopy and profilometry) and theoretical (computer-aided simulation) methods was used. The results showed a direct connection between values of adhesion strength of materials in contact with the workpiece surface pattern quality caused by the tool movement. Results of the experimental and theoretical study are in good agreement and allow us to identify the reason of regular profile forming during surface burnishing

All-fiber ultrafast amplifier at 1.9 μm based on thulium-doped normal dispersion fiber and LMA fiber compressor

The duration reduction and the peak power increase of ultrashort pulses generated by all-fiber sources at a wavelength of 1.9 µm are an urgent tasks. Finding an effective and easy way to improve these characteristics of ultrafast lasers can allow a broad implementation of wideband coherent supercontinuum sources in the mid-IR range required for various applications. As an alternative approach of sub-100 fs pulse generation we present an ultrafast all-fiber amplifier based on a normal-dispersion germanosilicate thulium-doped active fiber and a large-mode-area silica-fiber compressor. The output pulses have the following characteristics: the pulse duration of 71 fs, the central wavelength of 1.9 µm, the repetition rate of 23.8 MHz, the energy per pulse period of 25 nJ, the average power of 600 mW, the maximum estimated peak power of 220 kW, and a random output polarization. The pulse intensity and phase profiles were measured via the second-harmonic-generation frequency-resolved optical gating technique. The dynamics of ultrashort pulses propagation in the amplifier was analyzed using numerical simulation

Multidifferential study of identified charged hadron distributions in ZZ-tagged jets in proton-proton collisions at s=\sqrt{s}=13 TeV

Jet fragmentation functions are measured for the first time in proton-proton collisions for charged pions, kaons, and protons within jets recoiling against a $Z$ boson. The charged-hadron distributions are studied longitudinally and transversely to the jet direction for jets with transverse momentum 20 $< p_{\textrm{T}} < 100$ GeV and in the pseudorapidity range $2.5 < \eta < 4$. The data sample was collected with the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.64 fb$^{-1}$. Triple differential distributions as a function of the hadron longitudinal momentum fraction, hadron transverse momentum, and jet transverse momentum are also measured for the first time. This helps constrain transverse-momentum-dependent fragmentation functions. Differences in the shapes and magnitudes of the measured distributions for the different hadron species provide insights into the hadronization process for jets predominantly initiated by light quarks.Comment: All figures and tables, along with machine-readable versions and any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2022-013.html (LHCb public pages

Study of the B−→Λc+Λˉc−K−B^{-} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{\Lambda}_{c}^{-} K^{-} decay

The decay $B^{-} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{\Lambda}_{c}^{-} K^{-}$ is studied in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 $\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb experiment. In the $\Lambda_{c}^+ K^{-}$ system, the $\Xi_{c}(2930)^{0}$ state observed at the BaBar and Belle experiments is resolved into two narrower states, $\Xi_{c}(2923)^{0}$ and $\Xi_{c}(2939)^{0}$, whose masses and widths are measured to be $$m(\Xi_{c}(2923)^{0}) = 2924.5 \pm 0.4 \pm 1.1 \,\mathrm{MeV}, \\ m(\Xi_{c}(2939)^{0}) = 2938.5 \pm 0.9 \pm 2.3 \,\mathrm{MeV}, \\ \Gamma(\Xi_{c}(2923)^{0}) = \phantom{000}4.8 \pm 0.9 \pm 1.5 \,\mathrm{MeV},\\ \Gamma(\Xi_{c}(2939)^{0}) = \phantom{00}11.0 \pm 1.9 \pm 7.5 \,\mathrm{MeV},$$ where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The results are consistent with a previous LHCb measurement using a prompt $\Lambda_{c}^{+} K^{-}$ sample. Evidence of a new $\Xi_{c}(2880)^{0}$ state is found with a local significance of $3.8\,\sigma$, whose mass and width are measured to be $2881.8 \pm 3.1 \pm 8.5\,\mathrm{MeV}$ and $12.4 \pm 5.3 \pm 5.8 \,\mathrm{MeV}$, respectively. In addition, evidence of a new decay mode $\Xi_{c}(2790)^{0} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} K^{-}$ is found with a significance of $3.7\,\sigma$. The relative branching fraction of $B^{-} \to \Lambda_{c}^{+} \bar{\Lambda}_{c}^{-} K^{-}$ with respect to the $B^{-} \to D^{+} D^{-} K^{-}$ decay is measured to be $2.36 \pm 0.11 \pm 0.22 \pm 0.25$, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third originates from the branching fractions of charm hadron decays.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2022-028.html (LHCb public pages

Measurement of the ratios of branching fractions R(D∗)\mathcal{R}(D^{*}) and R(D0)\mathcal{R}(D^{0})

The ratios of branching fractions $\mathcal{R}(D^{*})\equiv\mathcal{B}(\bar{B}\to D^{*}\tau^{-}\bar{\nu}_{\tau})/\mathcal{B}(\bar{B}\to D^{*}\mu^{-}\bar{\nu}_{\mu})$ and $\mathcal{R}(D^{0})\equiv\mathcal{B}(B^{-}\to D^{0}\tau^{-}\bar{\nu}_{\tau})/\mathcal{B}(B^{-}\to D^{0}\mu^{-}\bar{\nu}_{\mu})$ are measured, assuming isospin symmetry, using a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0 fb${ }^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The tau lepton is identified in the decay mode $\tau^{-}\to\mu^{-}\nu_{\tau}\bar{\nu}_{\mu}$. The measured values are $\mathcal{R}(D^{*})=0.281\pm0.018\pm0.024$ and $\mathcal{R}(D^{0})=0.441\pm0.060\pm0.066$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The correlation between these measurements is $\rho=-0.43$. Results are consistent with the current average of these quantities and are at a combined 1.9 standard deviations from the predictions based on lepton flavor universality in the Standard Model.Comment: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://cern.ch/lhcbproject/Publications/p/LHCb-PAPER-2022-039.html (LHCb public pages

Application of the Data on δ13C and δ18O of Carbonates for the Study of Unconventional Reservoirs on the Example of the Bazhenov Source Rocks, Western Siberia, Russia

This paper addresses potential application of data on stable carbon and oxygen isotope composition of carbonates for study of organic rich source rocks on the example of the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Bazhenov Formation (West Siberian petroleum basin, Russia). Geochemical studies were conducted for sections located in central (most productive) and peripheral (northern and southern) regions of the Bazhenov Formation distribution area, containing deposits formed under different conditions. We identified key factors impacting stable isotope composition of carbonate minerals and established relation of their isotope composition to the formation conditions. Using a thermodynamic model of carbon and oxygen isotope exchange in the carbonate–water–carbon dioxide system, it is shown that variations in the isotope composition of secondary carbonates are affected by isotopic composition of primary carbonates in sediments and by the isotope exchange reactions with water and carbon dioxide, generated during the source rocks transformation. Our results demonstrate that stable isotope data for carbonates in the Bazhenov Formation together with standard geochemical methods can be efficiently applied to determine sedimentation conditions and secondary alteration processes of oil source rocks

Uranium in Source Rocks: Role of Redox Conditions and Correlation with Productivity in the Example of the Bazhenov Formation

The paper reports comprehensive analysis of different factors affecting uranium content in oil source rocks and the relationship between uranium content and productivity of source rocks. The analysis of data for 13 wells of the Bazhenov Formation (Western Siberia, Russia) was carried out. The uranium content of the rocks was measured by gamma-ray spectrometry on core samples. In order to analyze factors affecting uranium accumulation in source rocks, we studied content and characteristics of organic matter (Rock-Eval pyrolysis), and also mineral, element, and isotope composition of rocks. We have shown that redox conditions at the sedimentation stage have the most pronounced impact on the uranium accumulation in the rocks of the Bazhenov Formation. It was also shown that productive intervals, containing increased amounts of mobile hydrocarbons, are characterized by low (&lt;20 ppm) concentration of uranium. However, the intervals, containing phosphorite minerals may show better reservoir properties and oil saturation at higher concentration of uranium. The analysis of correlations and relationships between uranium content and Rock-Eval pyrolysis indexes (oil saturation index and productivity index) enabled formulation of criteria for selection of oil-saturated intervals using the spectral gamma and pulsed neutron spectroscopy log data

Effect of adhesion transfer on the surface pattern regularity in nanostructuring burnishing

In the paper the influence of friction-induced adhesion of metal to the tool on the formation of surface topography under nanostructuring burnishing was studied. A comprehensive approach, including both experimental (optical microscopy and profilometry) and theoretical (computer-aided simulation) methods was used. The results showed a direct connection between values of adhesion strength of materials in contact with the workpiece surface pattern quality caused by the tool movement. Results of the experimental and theoretical study are in good agreement and allow us to identify the reason of regular profile forming during surface burnishing

The Study of Uranium Accumulation in Marine Bottom Sediments: Effect of Redox Conditions at the Time of Sedimentation

To evaluate the effect of redox conditions at the sedimentation stage on uranium content and U/TOC ratio in marine source rocks, we analyzed the accumulation of uranium in modern marine bottom sediments formed in different redox conditions. The behavior of uranium from bottom sediments formed in oxidizing and sub-oxidizing settings has been studied on the sediments of the Upper Pleistocene–Holocene age accumulated in the coastal area of the White Sea (Kandalaksha Gulf). We studied the content of uranium, Eh, pH, TOC, C, H, N, and S element and isotope compositions and other parameters in two sampled columns of bottom sediments at a depth of 0–2.5 m. The composition of sediments was typical for the shelf zone where marine genesis mixes with the continental run-off. The upper layer of sediments (0–50 cm) were characterized by oxidizing conditions (Eh ~ 400 mV); with the increase in depth, redox conditions changed from oxidizing to reducing (−0 ÷ −200 mV). The uranium concentration in the upper layer was 1–1.5 ppm, U/TOC ratio varied in the range of 0.8–1.1 ppmU/%TOC. The uranium content and U/TOC ratio increased up to the values of 2.6 ppm and 1.4 ppmU/%TOC at a depth of 0.5–2.5 m, respectively, but the general content of uranium in the studied environment was close to the values characterizing continental run-off. The results obtained for the White Sea sediments were compared with the sediment of the Black Sea, formed in the anoxic conditions of hydrogen sulfide contamination. In these conditions, the uranium content varied from 10 to 20 ppm. The obtained data were interpreted using thermodynamic modeling of the uranium forms in the seawater at different pH and Eh. This study demonstrated that the change of redox conditions from oxidizing to reducing leads to increased uranium content due to a decrease in uranium’s solubility in water. These results show that oxidation–reduction potential could be one of the most important factors controlling uranium content in black shales formed in the marine environment