Controlled UV laser cleaning of painted artworks: S systematic effect study on egg tempera paint samples

The Cooperative Research project “Advanced workstation for controlled laser cleaning of artworks” (ENV4-CT98-0787) has yielded important information on the application of UV laser cleaning to paint materials. In the project, in which conservators, researchers and engineers participated, the viability of the laser technique as an additional tool in present conservation practice was investigated. The research was pointed at the definition of the boundary conditions in which laser cleaning can be safely applied. It included a systematic effect study of tempera paint systems. Physical and chemical changes, induced by exposure to UV (248 nm) excimer laser light under various conditions, were evaluated. In parallel, an innovative laser cleaning tool was developed, allowing accurate and controlled removal of superficial layers from paint materials. Both aspects of the project are presented. The presentation of the research focuses on the integration of the results from various analytical techniques, yielding valuable information on the immediate and long-term effects of UV laser radiation on the paint materials. The analytical techniques include colorimetry, spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry and profilometry, as well as thermographic and UV transmission measurements. Furthermore, the application of the laser workstation on various painted artworks is shown. This includes the gradual removal of varnish layers and the recovery of original paint colour in fire-damaged paintings.The European Commission is gratefully acknowledged for facilitating the work in the Cooperative Research project “Advanced workstation for controlled laser cleaning of artworks” (ENV4-CT98-0787)

Supplement: "Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914" (2016, ApJL, 826, L13)

This Supplement provides supporting material for Abbott et al. (2016a). We briefly summarize past electromagnetic (EM) follow-up efforts as well as the organization and policy of the current EM follow-up program. We compare the four probability sky maps produced for the gravitational-wave transient GW150914, and provide additional details of the EM follow-up observations that were performed in the different bands

Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914

A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams

Localization and Broadband Follow-up of the Gravitational-wave Transient GW150914

A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams. </p

Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914

A gravitational-wave transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced LIGO detectors on 2015 September 14. The event candidate, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the gravitational wave data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network Circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the gravitational wave sky localization coverage, the timeline and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the electromagnetic data and results of the electromagnetic follow-up campaign will be disseminated in the papers of the individual teams

Hur finansieras kommunala bolag? En fallstudie om kapitalstruktur i Borås Stads kommunala bolag

Problem: The purpose of this study is to examine how Borås municipality finances their municipality owned companies and to explore the relationships between the involved parties. There are a number of different parties involved in and around the process including politicians, board of directors, company management and officials from the municipality. Methodology: The purpose of this study is achieved by using a case study methodology. The data is collected by conducting interviews with the involved parties as well as complementary secondary data gathered from official documents. The interviews were designed to be semi structured. The interview guide was written with the theoretical framework as a guide. Theoretical Framework: This study uses three primary theories as the theoretical framework. The three theories are agency theory, stewardship theory and the rubber stamp theory. These three theories examine different aspects of relationships in an organisation. For the discussion about optimal level of external financing the trade-off theory is used as a complementary theory. Empirical Foundation: Three officials from the municipality with leading roles in the financing and management of the municipality owned companies have been interviewed as well as three politicians from the voting council with board positions in different municipal companies. Lastly a chief executive officer from one of the largest companies in the municipality has been interviewed. Conclusion: This study finds that there are conflicting views inside the municipality regarding the financing of the municipality owned companies. The politicians don’t think of external funding as a risk and think of solidity as a non existent problem. The officials and managerial staff think there is a risk with external funding and low solidity. The owners use a few different methods to control the companies including a low level of equity. The boards tend to be weak compared to the managers in the companies. Lastly the officials have much responsibility over the process.Problem: Syftet med denna studie är att kartlägga beslutsprocessen vid utformning av kapitalstruktur i Borås Stads kommunala bolag samt att undersöka hur de olika inblandade aktörerna interagerar. I organisationen kring de kommunala bolagen finns det många inblandade aktörer, bland annat politiker, tjänstemän, styrelsemedlemmar och bolagsledningar. Metod: Metoden som används i studien är en fallstudie där personer med ledande positioner inom verksamheten som rör de kommunala bolagen har intervjuats. Intervjuerna är i designen semistrukturerade med öppna frågor och flertalet följdfrågor samt diskussion. Frågorna är baserade på den teori som används. Vidare nyttjas även empirisk sekundärdata som till exempel, årsredovisningar, ägardirektiv och rapporter. Teoretiskt ramverk: Studiens teoretiska ramverk är främst tre olika teorier kring relationer inom organisationer. Studien använder sig av agentteorin, stewardshipteorin samt tjänstemannahegemonin. Utöver dessa tre används trade-off teorin som komplementerande teori när optimal nivå av extern belåning diskuteras. Empirisk grund: De personer som intervjuas är tre tjänstemän från ekonomi och finansavdelningen med ansvar för de kommunala bolagen. Fortsättningsvis intervjuas tre politiker som sitter i kommunfullmäktige och kommunstyrelse. De är även engagerade i olika kommunala bolagsstyrelser. Avslutningsvis intervjuas en VD för ett av Borås kommunala bolag. Slutsatser: Studiens resultat visar att det existerar olika syn på de kommunala bolagen och riskerna med extern belåning inom kommunen. Ägarnas syn skiljer sig mot bolagens. Vidare visar resultaten att ägaren utövar kraftig styrning av bolagen, exempelvis i form av lågt eget kapital och användning av internbank. Styrelserna i de kommunala bolagen tenderar att bli svaga i finansieringsfrågor gentemot bolagsledningen. Till sist visar resultaten också att ett stort ansvar i beslutsprocessen vid utformning av kapitalstruktur faller på tjänstemännen

Identity and Security : The driving forces behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine 2022

The objective of this study is to examine the explanatory capabilities of the international theories, constructivism and structural realism, both separately and complementary. The explanatory capabilities of the theories are examined in the context of explaining the driving forces of Russia's invasion of Ukraine February 24, 2022. This study employs a qualitative research design and a theory-testing method to examine the theories capabilities. This is accomplished by analyzing compiled empirical material from numerous sources. Constructivism posits that the international system is socially constructed and underscores the importance of social norms, shared perceptions and identity in shaping political behavior. Structural realism however, diverges from this perspective and instead highlights the importance of security and power in an anarchic international system. The study concludes that structural realism and constructivism complement each other in their explanatory powers of understanding the driving forces of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Structural realism is however by far the strongest of the theories in independently explaining the driving forces of the invasion.

Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914

A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098 and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities, the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger, there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM) signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by the individual teams