Environmental pollution impact on radiation properties of atmosphere, snow and ice cover: Study from Barentsburg (Spitsbergen Archipelago)

The value of the albedo of snow and ice surface is associated with the texture and structure of the surface layer of snow or ice (sea ice, glaciers), the peculiarities of the vertical redistribution of contaminations in this layer (mineral or organic particles of various concentrations, the size and shape), temperature regime of the surface layer of the atmosphere. Identifying links with the albedo characteristics of natural and artificial contamination is very important. For example, the results of mathematic modeling the evolution of ice sheets, sea ice and snow cover demonstrate the high sensitivity of the model to this parameter. Original results in the framework of this problem were obtained by researches from AARI and St. Petersburg State University during the 2010-2012 years on Svalbard in the vicinity of the Russian mining settlement Barentsburg. We present original results showing the relationship of "albedo-contaminations" and the influence of anthropogenic factors. The estimation of solar radiation that penetrates deep into the snow, and the impact of contamination on its redistribution in the snow thickness were obtained

Metadata for a long-term climate series from the Russian meteorological station “Pyramiden” (1948-1957) at Svalbard ( Short Communication)

Soviet weather station "Pyramiden" was located in the same mining settlement on the northern shore of the Mimer bukta (Billefjorden, West Spitsbergen Island). Research station operated from 1948 to 1957, as a branch of Barentsburg research observatory (Grnfjorden, West Spitsbergen Island). It was the only station that held regular meteorological observations in the inland areas of the archipelago. Observational data (in the form of handwritten books and tables) are preserved in state fond of Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI, St. Petersburg, Russia). So far, these data have not been digitized and with their help not conducted any climate researches. Fruitful scientific collaboration between MET-Norway (Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Oslo) and AARI helped preserve these unique data to the polar scientific community. Now specialists-climatologists of both institutions complete joint climate researches that in the near future will be available to scientists, studying modern climate changes in the polar regions of the Earth

Comparative analysis of Russian and Norwegian precipitation gauges, measurements in Barentsburg, Western Spitsbergen

Comparative analysis of records of two gauges with different wind shields (Tretyakov gauge and Geonor T200-B) were done, based on time series of parallel measurement in Barentsburg settlement, Svalbard, during two winter times in period from September 2014 to July 2016. All collected data of solid precipitation were divided into two ranges with different wind speed conditions. As it was known from earlier papers, Tretyakov gauge measurements tend to underestimate solid precipitation in case when precipitation is not intensive and wind speed is less than 5 m s-1. Opposite results were obtained for blizzard conditions (wind speed is more than 6 m s-1): Tretyakov gauge shows greater values for amount of solid precipitation than Norwegian sensor. Preliminary results in Barentsburg cannot be described as conclusive ones. Estimation of solid precipitation on Spitsbergen measured by different gauges needs further and more detailed research, which includes fieldwork in Barentsburg in spring, such as detailed snow surveys in the settlement

Role of Plant Carbonic Anhydrases under Stress Conditions

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are enzymes catalyzing the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide with the generation of protons and bicarbonate. The components of the reaction are involved in almost all metabolic processes in higher plants and algae, maintaining the balance of electrolytes and pH, gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, ethylene synthesis, and others. The CAs may take part in transmitting signals to activate cascades of protective response genes. Our findings reveal significant changes in the content of carbonic anhydrase gene transcripts in response to changes in environmental conditions. Here we discuss the functions of CAs located in the plasma membrane, chloroplast envelope, chloroplast stroma, and in thylakoids in plant protection under stress conditions, such as high illumination, low and high concentration of carbon dioxide in the environment, drought, and salinity

Sea ice metadata for Billefjorden and Grnfjorden, Svalbard

Description of sea ice conditions in the fjords of Svalbard is crucial for sea transport as well as studies of local climate and climate change. Old observations from the Russian Hydrometeorological stations in the mining settlements Barentsburg (Grnfjorden) and Pyramiden (Billefjorden) have now been digitized. These visual and instrumental observations are archived in the State Archive of Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) and Murmansk Branch of the Russian Hydrometeorological Service. In this paper, we bring an overview of the sea ice metadata with few examples of yearly changes in sea ice extent

Localization of the gamma-radiation sources using the gamma-visor

The search of the main gamma-radiation sources at the site of the temporary storage of solid radioactive wastes was carried out. The relative absorbed dose rates were measured for some of the gamma-sources before and after the rehabilitation procedures. The effectiveness of the rehabilitation procedures in the years 2006-2007 was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The decrease of radiation background at the site of the temporary storage of the solid radioactive wastes after the rehabilitation procedures allowed localizing the new gamma-source

Internal Modes and Magnon Scattering on Topological Solitons in 2d Easy-Axis Ferromagnets

We study the magnon modes in the presence of a topological soliton in a 2d Heisenberg easy-axis ferromagnet. The problem of magnon scattering on the soliton with arbitrary relation between the soliton radius R and the "magnetic length" Delta_0 is investigated for partial modes with different values of the azimuthal quantum numbers m. Truly local modes are shown to be present for all values of m, when the soliton radius is enough large. The eigenfrequencies of such internal modes are calculated analytically on limiting case of a large soliton radius and numerically for arbitrary soliton radius. It is demonstrated that the model of an isotropic magnet, which admits an exact analytical investigation, is not adequate even for the limit of small radius solitons, R<<Delta_0: there exists a local mode with nonzero frequency. We use the data about local modes to derive the effective equation of soliton motion; this equation has the usual Newtonian form in contrast to the case of the easy-plane ferromagnet. The effective mass of the soliton is found.Comment: 33 pages (REVTeX), 12 figures (EPS

К 90-ЛЕТИЮ ПЕРВОГО БАЛАНСА НАРОДНОГО ХОЗЯЙСТВА: ИСТОКИ И ЭВОЛЮЦИЯ МАКРОЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ СТАТИСТИКИ РОССИИ

The article contains contemporary interpretation of underlying concepts, definitions and classifications of the first balance of national economy (BNE) compiled by the Central Statistical Board of the USSR for 1923/24 financial year; the content of major tables of this balance is considered in considerable details; it is noted that compilation of this balance meant the birth of the Russian macroeconomic statistics. Evolution of macroeconomic statistics during Soviet Union period is considered at some length. It is emphasized that experience with compilation of the BNE obtained during many years secured a good basis for relatively fast transition to the SNA. The description of the experience in implementation of international standards in national accounting is presented. The article considers the concepts and methods used for transformation of business accounting and statistics in accordance with international standards which were outlined in the Government program on transition to the system adopted in international practice; the requirements for analysis of market economy were taken into account in this program; the major results of implementation of this program are also considered in the article. A considerable attention is paid to discussions on principle and specific distinctions between BNE and SNA used for description of economic process in countries with various organization of economy. It is clarified that despite important conceptual differences between the BNE and SNA there are many similarities between them in respect of methodological approaches to description of economic process. The article notes sufficiently high potentiality of Russian school of balance statistics which secured gradual implementation of international standards in national accounting in Russia.В статье представлена современная интерпретация основополагающих концепций, определений и классификаций первого баланса народного хозяйства (БНХ), составленного ЦСУ СССР по данным за 1923/24 хозяйственный год; подробно рассмотрено содержание основных разделов первого БНХ; отмечается, что разработка этого баланса означала зарождение российской макроэкономической статистики. Прослеживается эволюция балансовых построений в статистике советского периода. Обосновывается тезис о том, что многолетний опыт в составлении БНХ обеспечил основу для относительно быстрого перехода к СНС. Дается характеристика первого отечественного опыта применения международных стандартов национального счетоводства. Анализируются концептуально-методологические подходы к трансформации российского национального учета, обозначенные в Государственной программе перехода Российской Федерации на принятую в международной практике систему учета и статистики в соответствии с требованиями развития рыночной экономики, и принципиальные итоги ее выполнения. Значительное внимание уделено дискуссиям по поводу принципиальных и специфических различий между БНХ и СНС - системами учета, предназначенными для отображения экономического процесса в странах с разной организацией общественного производства. Поясняется положение о том, что несмотря на различия между БНХ и СНС в отношении ряда концепций, между этими системами много общего в методологических подходах к описанию экономического процесса. В статье отмечается достаточно высокий потенциал отечественной школы балансовой статистики, обеспечившей поэтапное применение международных стандартов национального счетоводства в российской статистике

The Strength of Masonry Based on the Deformation Characteristics of Its Components

The chapter presents a new approach to determining the strength of masonry reinforced with transverse meshes in mortar joints. The method consists of using the values of the modulus of elasticity and limiting deformations of the stone material, mortar for joints, and both steel and composite reinforcements. An analytical notation is proposed that integrally takes into account the characteristics of the initial materials. The results of physical tests of centrally loaded masonry pillars reinforced with steel and composite meshes are given. To test the masonry, widely used materials were used: solid brick and cement-sand mortar. The values of the bearing capacity, deformations, and internal stresses of the masonry are obtained. It is determined that the stresses in the reinforcing bars of the meshes are unevenly distributed in the horizontal plane of the mortar joint and amount to 20–37% of the design resistance of the mesh material. The strength of masonry reinforced with composite meshes is 65–75% of steel of the same cross section. It is shown that there is a good convergence of test results with the presented analytical dependence