Modeling the X-ray light curves of Cygnus X-3. Possible role of the jet

Context: Physics behind the soft X-ray light curve asymmetries in Cygnus X-3, a well-known microquasar, was studied. AIMS: Observable effects of the jet close to the line-of-sight were investigated and interpreted within the frame of light curve physics. METHODS: The path of a hypothetical imprint of the jet, advected by the WR-wind, was computed and its crossing with the line-of-sight during the binary orbit determined. We explore the possibility that physically this 'imprint' is a formation of dense clumps triggered by jet bow shocks in the wind ("clumpy trail"). Models for X-ray continuum and emission line light curves were constructed using two absorbers: mass columns along the line-of-sight of i) the WR wind and ii) the clumpy trail, as seen from the compact star. These model light curves were compared with the observed ones from the RXTE/ASM (continuum) and Chandra/HETG (emission lines). Results: We show that the shapes of the Cygnus X-3 light curves can be explained by the two absorbers using the inclination and true anomaly angles of the jet as derived in Dubus et al. (2010) from gamma-ray Fermi/LAT observations. The clumpy trail absorber is much larger for the lines than for the continuum. We suggest that the clumpy trail is a mixture of equilibrium and hot (shock heated) clumps. Conclusions: A possible way for studying jets in binary stars when the jet axis and the line-of-sight are close to each other is demonstrated. The X-ray continuum and emission line light curves of Cygnus X-3 can be explained by two absorbers: the WR companion wind plus an absorber lying in the jet path (clumpy trail). We propose that the clumpy trail absorber is due to dense clumps triggered by jet bow shocks.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics 16.12.201

How and how much should depositors be protected? The Japanese case

The issue of depositor insurance has great immediacy and saliency in Japan today. After March 31, 2002 the government's unlimited guarantee of all deposits is scheduled to revert to 10 million yen (about $95,000) per depositor in each bank. Three major concerns will accompany this transition. First, a number of weaker banks will fail as the bad loan problems are gradually resolved. Second, if deposit insurance is limited, then weak banks will be made even weaker by depositor withdrawals in favor of deposits in stronger banks, or other financial assets, and hence are even more likely to fail. Third, until March 31, 2002 government financia1 aid to assist the merger of weak financial institutions can be greater than the amount of formal deposit insurance coverage. On March 23, 2000, the Center on Japanese Economy and Business and the Mitsui USA Foundation, co-sponsored a symposium to discuss whether Japan should develop and maintain market discipline on banks to reduce moral hazard, or to provide additional deposit insurance coverage, or other forms of guarantees for depositors and even banks. The symposium featured Professor Mitsuhiro Fukado of Keio University and Curtis Milhaupt, Fuyo Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Japanese Legal Studies at Columbia Law School. Frederick Mishkin, Alfred Lerner Professor of Banking and Financial Institutions, Columbia University, and David Weinstein, Carl S. Shoup Professor of the Japanese Economy served as commentators. The symposium was moderated by Professor Hugh Patrick. Excerpts of the presentations are presented below along with highlights of the intrapanel discussion

Changing values and religiosity : the case of the emerging community movement in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland

Contrary to earlier assumptions, not (only) is religion declining in modern societies, it is taking new roles in the complex development of (late) modern societies. In empirical studies on values, religiosity has been connected primarily to traditionalist value patterns that highlight stability, traditionality and security. This article, focusing on data collected from members of a renewal movement in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Finland (N = 529), addresses how the 10 universal values in Schwartz’s Value Theory relate to their religiosity and theological orientations. The results of the study imply that there are several religious value patterns, and not just one. Differences in theological orientation as well as other aspects of religious belief and participation proved to have an effect on the patterns. These findings open up new directions for the study of religion, spirituality and values.Peer reviewe

Suomen jatkosota (1941-1944): Hyökkäys- vai puolustussota? Liittolais- vai erillissota? : Analyysi kansainvälisestä - etenkin oikeudellisesta - näkökulmasta

Tämä on ensimmäinen kansainvälisoikeudellinen analyysi jatkosodan oikeudellisesta luonteesta. Oliko se kansainvälisen oikeuden kieltämä hyökkäyssota vai sallima puolustussota? Oliko se Liittolaissota Saksan kanssa vai Suomen erillissota Neuvostoliittoa vastaan? Johtopäätökseni: syksyllä 1941 Suomi liittyi Saksan laittomaan hyökkäyssotaan Neuvostoliittoon ja Suomi valtasi Neuvostoliitolle kuuluneen Itä-Karjalan. Vuoden 1942 alkuun mennessä Suomi katsoi saavuttaneensa sen, mitä se tavoitteli, ja sen sodankäynti muuttui rintamasodaksi ja svuodesta 1943 lähtien puolustussodaksi. Liitto Saksan kanssa kävi heikommaksi, mutta Saksalta saamansa avun takia Suomi pysyi muodollisesti Saksan liittolaisena aina rauhan solmimiseen saakka eli syyskuuhun 1944.In September 1939, after having included a secret protocol on spheres of influence in the so-called Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact, Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland and divided it between themselves. It was not long before the Soviet Union approached Finland by proposing exchanges of certain territories: ‘in our national interest we want to have from you certain territories and offer in exchange territories twice as large but in less crucial areas’. Finland, suspicious of Soviet motives, refused – the outcome was the Soviet war of aggression against Finland by the name of the Winter War in 1939–1940. The Soviet Union won this war and compelled Finland to cede several territories – about 10 per cent of Finland’s area. After the Winter War, Finland sought protection from Germany against the Soviet Union and decided to rely on Germany. After Germany attacked the Soviet Union in June 1941, Finland joined the German war effort in the so-called Continuation War and reoccupied the territories lost in the Winter War. Finnish forces did not stop at the old border but occupied Eastern (Soviet) Karelia with a desire eventually to annex it. By that measure, Finland joined as Germany’s ally in its war of aggression against the Soviet Union in violation of international law. In their strong reliance on Germany, the Finnish leaders made some very questionable decisions without listening to warnings from Western States about possible negative consequences. Germany lost its war and so did Finland, which barely avoided entire occupation by the Soviet Army and succeeded in September 1944 in concluding an armistice with the Soviet Union. Finland lost some more territories and was subjected to many obligations and restrictions in the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, dictated by the Allies. This article analyses, according to the criteria of international law, Finland’s policy shortly prior to and during the Continuation War, especially Finland’s secret dealings with Germany in the months prior to the German attack against the Soviet Union and Finland’s occupation of Eastern Karelia in the autumn of 1941. After Adolf Hitler declared that Germany was fighting against the Soviet Union together with Finland and Romania, was the Soviet Union entitled – prior to the Finnish attack – to resort to armed force in self-defence against Finland? And was Finland treated too harshly in the aftermath of World War ii? After all, its role as an ally of Germany had been rather limited.Peer reviewe

Emerging Patterns of Church Participation. The Community Movement in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland : The Community Movement in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

This article examines an emerging "community movement" in the national Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Finland. Emerging from the local level, with links to wider renewal networks across Protestant Churches, the movement consists of a variation of 30-40 worship communities that are based on strong roles for laymen, challenging the traditional models of church life. Many communities are expanding and drawing young adults, in contrast to general developments in the Church. This article asks: What kinds of patterns of participation exist among the members and how are they related to experiences of membership? The results of a quantitative survey (N=529), conducted 2017, revealed three types of participation: "traditional," "community-oriented" and "experiential." The main finding is the distinct community process typical to these communities, which is connected to a strong sense of membership, commitment, and contentment, and which is actualized through lay participation. The article sheds light on the developments in a specific Nordic majority church in response to a changing cultural environment.Peer reviewe