A Chemical Abundance Study of 10 Open Clusters Based on WIYN-Hydra Spectroscopy

We present a detailed chemical abundance study of evolved stars in 10 open clusters based on Hydra multi-object echelle spectra obtained with the WIYN 3.5m telescope. From an analysis of both equivalent widths and spectrum synthesis, abundances have been determined for the elements Fe, Na, O, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Ni, Zr, and for two of the 10 clusters, Al and Cr. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed abundance analysis for clusters NGC 1245, NGC 2194, NGC 2355 and NGC 2425. These 10 clusters were selected for analysis because they span a Galactocentric distance range Rgc~9-13 kpc, the approximate location of the transition between the inner and outer disk. Combined with cluster samples from our previous work and those of other studies in the literature, we explore abundance trends as a function of cluster Rgc, age, and [Fe/H]. The [Fe/H] distribution appears to decrease with increasing Rgc to a distance of ~12 kpc, and then flattens to a roughly constant value in the outer disk. Cluster average element [X/Fe] ratios appear to be independent of Rgc, although the picture for [O/Fe] is more more complicated by a clear trend of [O/Fe] with [Fe/H] and sample incompleteness. Other than oxygen, no other element [X/Fe] exhibits a clear trend with [Fe/H]; likewise, there does not appear to be any strong correlation between abundance and cluster age. We divided clusters into different age bins to explore temporal variations in the radial element distributions. The radial metallicity gradient appears to have flattened slightly as a function of time, as found by other studies. There is also indication that the transition from the inner disk to the outer disk occurs at different Galactocentric radii for different age bins. (Abridged.)Comment: 35 pages, 12 figures, 18 tables; published in The Astronomical Journal (http://stacks.iop.org/1538-3881/142/59

Obywatele Unii Europejskiej – wyborcy Parlamentu Europejskiego – parlamentu ponadnarodowego

Parliament – an institution of a democratic state – a member of the Union – is not only an authority but also, as in the case of the European Union, the only directly and universally elected representative body of the European Union. The article presents questions related to the essence of parliament and that of a supranational parliament which are vital while dealing with the subject matter. It proves that the growth of the European Parliament’s powers was the direct reason for departing from the system of delegating representatives to the Parliament for the benefit of direct elections. It presents direct and universal elections to the European Parliament in the context of presenting legal regulations applicable in this respect. It describes a new legal category – citizenship of the European Union – primarily in terms of active and passive suffrage to the European Parliament, as a political entitlement of a citizen of the European Union.Parliament – an institution of a democratic state – a member of the Union – is not only an authority but also, as in the case of the European Union, the only directly and universally elected representative body of the European Union. The article presents questions related to the essence of parliament and that of a supranational parliament which are vital while dealing with the subject matter. It proves that the growth of the European Parliament’s powers was the direct reason for departing from the system of delegating representatives to the Parliament for the benefit of direct elections. It presents direct and universal elections to the European Parliament in the context of presenting legal regulations applicable in this respect. It describes a new legal category – citizenship of the European Union – primarily in terms of active and passive suffrage to the European Parliament, as a political entitlement of a citizen of the European Union

Rejestracja obiektów kosmicznych obowiązkiem państw. Wykreślenie z rejestru prawem państw

States are increasingly joined in space operations by natural and legal beings. But every space object that is launched into orbit must go through a registration process that complies with the Convention on the Registration of Space Objects. Registration entails liability concerns in addition to reflecting the identity of the registered nation.The process of deregistration should be expressly spelled out in the sources of domestic legislation, and registration should remain until it is done so. New Space Age registration, removal from the registry, and various legal systems.W coraz większym stopniu w przestrzeni kosmicznej działalność prowadzą już nie tylko państwa, ale również osoby prawne i fizyczne. Wszystkie jednak wysyłane w przestrzeń kosmiczną obiekty kosmiczne winny podlegać procedurze rejestracyjnej niesprzecznej z Konwencją o rejestracji obiektów kosmicznych. Rejestracja to nie tylko odzwierciedlenie tożsamości państwa rejestrującego, ale też kwestie związane z jego późniejszą odpowiedzialnością. Rejestracja obiektu winna obowiązywać do czasu jego wyrejestrowania, która to procedura powinna być jasno i klarownie sformułowana w źródłach prawa wewnętrznego

„Brexit” – konsekwencje dla obywateli Wielkiej Brytanii jako eksobywateli Unii Europejskiej

The results of the referendum regarding the UK leaving the European Union indicated that the majority of British citizens, who are also citizens of the EU, decided to leave the European Union. The citizens’ decision has serious legal consequences arising from Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This is the first case of a state leaving the European Union, which raises many questions. In the presented material, the institution of referendum is being analyzed as a form of direct democracy as well as, in this context, the effects of Brexit affecting directly the citizens of Great Britain – ex-citizens of the European Union.The results of the referendum regarding the UK leaving the European Union indicated that the majority of British citizens, who are also citizens of the EU, decided to leave the European Union. The citizens’ decision has serious legal consequences arising from Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This is the first case of a state leaving the European Union, which raises many questions. In the presented material, the institution of referendum is being analyzed as a form of direct democracy as well as, in this context, the effects of Brexit affecting directly the citizens of Great Britain – ex-citizens of the European Union

Tomographic and tension analysis of polypropylene reinforced with carbon fiber fabric by injection molding

The use of thermoplastic materials has had significant growth in recent years. However, with great mechanical requirements, thermoplastics have limitations to their use. To improve these restrictions, these materials are reinforced to obtain better properties. Polypropylene is one of the most versatile polymers and is used in almost all modern industries. Thus, the aim of this study is to create composite materials that offer performance for various industrial fields using carbon fiber fabric reinforcement, which is an inexpensive material widely used by the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries. The samples are produced by the over-injection molding of polypropylene. The investigation is focused on the impact of two critical control parameters in the injection molding process: temperature and pressure. Twelve experiments have therefore been considered, taking into account the combination of three factors: the presence or absence of carbon fiber fabric reinforcement, three levels of temperature (200 °C, 220 °C, and 240 °C), and two injection pressures (5000 kPa and 10,000 kPa). To evaluate the influence of these factors, three analyses were carried out: first, on the samples’ shrinkage using a portable metrology-grade 3D laser scanner; second, on the internal defects using computed tomography (CT); and third, on the mechanical properties with tensile tests. From the results obtained, it is observed that the mold shrinkage fell slightly when PP samples were reinforced with carbon fiber, with both materials (PP and carbon-fiber-reinforced PP) having linear behavior with temperature. It is also noticed that polypropylene behaves as a crystalline material when processed at higher temperatures and pressures. From tests on the mechanical properties, it is concluded that the mean yield strength of PP-CF for injection temperatures of 220 °C and 240 °C represents an increase of 43% compared to the non-reinforced material

Elżbieta Dynia, Uznanie państwa w prawie międzynarodowym. Zarys problematyki, Rzeszów 2017, ss. 304

Artykuł recenzyjny</jats:p

The specific legal-international regime of peace treaties

The presented material is an attempt at analyzing the specific legal position of peace treaties. The author argues with the opinion which is put forward (not too often, though), maintaining that such treaties – due to their not expressing the will of states in a classical way – cannot be considered to be agreements as such. He presents the basic similarities and – first of all – differences, especially concerning the so-called final provisions, with reference to both typical international agreements and peace treaties, respectively. In the study, he formulates the thesis of a special role, significance and evolution of peace treaties, despite frequent disrespect for the resolutions they contain. Instances of peace treaties which were concluded in the past are recalled and analyzed, and juxtaposed with ones made in the 20th century, particularly those following the First and the Second World Wars.&#x0D;  </jats:p

Thermal Sources of Errors in Surface Texture Imaging

This paper presents the influence of thermal phenomena on areal measurements of surface topography using contact profilometers. The research concerned measurements under controlled and variable environmental conditions. The influence of internal heat sources from profilometer drives and their electronic components was analyzed. For this purpose, a thermal chamber was designed and built. Its task was to maintain and control environmental conditions and, at the same time, separate the profilometer from external disturbances. Heat sources and temperature values for elements and systems were determined. It further enabled for the calculation of the displacements in axes as a function of temperature. The largest displacement in the probe due to internal heat sources for the considered cases occurred in the X-axis direction. Its value reached 16.2 &mu;m. However, the displacement in the probe in the Z-axis direction had the greatest impact on the measured surface topography. These displacements for a thermally unstable profilometer reached 7.9 &mu;m in Z, causing results even 90% greater than in the case of a device without such problems. The time after which a proper topography measurement can be started was also determined basing on obtained data. This time for tested profilometers was between 6 and 12 h. It was found that performing thermal stabilization of the profilometer significantly reduced surface irregularity errors. The stabilization time should be determined individually for a specific type of device