ExoMol line lists - XLIV. IR and UV line list for silicon monoxide (SiO)

A new silicon monoxide (28Si16O) line list covering infrared, visible and ultraviolet regions called SiOUVenIR is presented. This line list extends the infrared EBJT ExoMol line list by including vibronic transitions to the A 1Π and E 1Σ+ electronic states. Strong perturbations to the A 1Π band system are accurately modelled through the treatment of 6 dark electronic states: C 1Σ−, D 1Δ, a 3Σ+, b 3Π, e 3Σ− and d 3Δ. Along with the X 1Σ+ ground state, these 9 electronic states were used to build a comprehensive spectroscopic model of SiO using a combination of empirical and ab initio curves, including the potential energy (PE), spin-orbit (SO), electronic angular momentum (EAM) and (transition) dipole moment curves. The ab initio PE and coupling curves, computed at the multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) level of theory, were refined by fitting their analytical representations to 2617 experimentally derived SiO energy levels determined from 97 vibronic bands belonging to the X–X, E–X and A–X electronic systems through the MARVEL procedure. 112 observed forbidden transitions from the C–X, D–X, e–X, and d–X bands were assigned using our predictions, and these could be fed back into the MARVEL procedure. The SiOUVenIR line list was computed using published ab initio transition dipole moments for the E–X and A–X bands; the line list is suitable for temperatures up to 10 000 K and for wavelengths longer than 140 nm. SiOUVenIR is available from www.exomol.com and the CDS database

ExoMol line lists - XLIV. IR and UV line list for silicon monoxide (SiO)

A new silicon monoxide (28Si16O) line list covering infrared, visible and ultraviolet regions called SiOUVenIR is presented. This line list extends the infrared EBJT ExoMol line list by including vibronic transitions to the A 1Π and E 1Σ+ electronic states. Strong perturbations to the A 1Π band system are accurately modelled through the treatment of 6 dark electronic states: C 1Σ−, D 1Δ, a 3Σ+, b 3Π, e 3Σ− and d 3Δ. Along with the X 1Σ+ ground state, these 9 electronic states were used to build a comprehensive spectroscopic model of SiO using a combination of empirical and ab initio curves, including the potential energy (PE), spin-orbit (SO), electronic angular momentum (EAM) and (transition) dipole moment curves. The ab initio PE and coupling curves, computed at the multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) level of theory, were refined by fitting their analytical representations to 2617 experimentally derived SiO energy levels determined from 97 vibronic bands belonging to the X–X, E–X and A–X electronic systems through the MARVEL procedure. 112 observed forbidden transitions from the C–X, D–X, e–X, and d–X bands were assigned using our predictions, and these could be fed back into the MARVEL procedure. The SiOUVenIR line list was computed using published ab initio transition dipole moments for the E–X and A–X bands; the line list is suitable for temperatures up to 10 000 K and for wavelengths longer than 140 nm. SiOUVenIR is available from www.exomol.com and the CDS database

Comparing nuclear power trajectories in Germany and the UK: from ‘regimes' to ‘democracies’ in sociotechnical transitions and Discontinuities

This paper focuses on arguably the single most striking contrast in contemporary major energy politics in Europe (and even the developed world as a whole): the starkly differing civil nuclear policies of Germany and the UK. Germany is seeking entirely to phase out nuclear power by 2022. Yet the UK advocates a ‘nuclear renaissance’, promoting the most ambitious new nuclear construction programme in Western Europe.Here,this paper poses a simple yet quite fundamental question: what are the particular divergent conditions most strongly implicated in the contrasting developments in these two countries. With nuclear playing such an iconic role in historical discussions over technological continuity and transformation, answering this may assist in wider understandings of sociotechnical incumbency and discontinuity in the burgeoning field of‘sustainability transitions’. To this end, an ‘abductive’ approach is taken: deploying nine potentially relevant criteria for understanding the different directions pursued in Germany and the UK. Together constituted by 30 parameters spanning literatures related to socio-technical regimes in general as well as nuclear technology in particular, the criteria are divided into those that are ‘internal’ and ‘external’ to the ‘focal regime configuration’ of nuclear power and associated ‘challenger technologies’ like renewables. It is ‘internal’ criteria that are emphasised in conventional sociotechnical regime theory, with ‘external’ criteria relatively less well explored. Asking under each criterion whether attempted discontinuation of nuclear power would be more likely in Germany or the UK, a clear picture emerges. ‘Internal’ criteria suggest attempted nuclear discontinuation should be more likely in the UK than in Germany– the reverse of what is occurring. ‘External’ criteria are more aligned with observed dynamics –especially those relating to military nuclear commitments and broader ‘qualities of democracy’. Despite many differences of framing concerning exactly what constitutes ‘democracy’, a rich political science literature on this point is unanimous in characterising Germany more positively than the UK. Although based only on a single case,a potentially important question is nonetheless raised as to whether sociotechnical regime theory might usefully give greater attention to the general importance of various aspects of democracy in constituting conditions for significant technological discontinuities and transformations. If so, the policy implications are significant. A number of important areas are identified for future research, including the roles of diverse understandings and specific aspects of democracy and the particular relevance of military nuclear commitments– whose under-discussion in civil nuclear policy literatures raises its own questions of democratic accountability

A social network analysis of social cohesion in a constructed pride: Implications for ex situ reintroduction of the African Lion (Panthera leo)

Animal conservation practices include the grouping of captive related and unrelated individuals to form a social structure which is characteristic of that species in the wild. In response to the rapid decline of wild African lion (Panthera leo) populations, an array of conservational strategies have been adopted. Ex situ reintroduction of the African lion requires the construction of socially cohesive pride structures prior to wild release. This pilot study adopted a social network theory approach to quantitatively assess a captive pride's social structure and the relationships between individuals within them. Group composition (who is present in a group) and social interaction data (social licking, greeting, play) was observed and recorded to assess social cohesion within a released semi-wild pride. UCINET and SOCPROG software was utilised to represent and analyse these social networks. Results indicate that the pride is socially cohesive, does not exhibit random associations, and the role of socially influential keystone individuals is important for maintaining social bondedness within a lion pride. These results are potentially informative for the structure of lion prides, in captivity and in the wild, and could have implications for captive and wild-founder reintroductions

The Origins and Evolutionary Status of B Stars Found Far From the Galactic Plane II: Kinematics and Full Sample Analysis

This paper continues the analysis of faint high latitude B stars from Martin (2004). Here we analyze the kinematics of the stars and combine them with the abundance information from the first paper to classify each one. The sample contains 31 Population I runaways, fifteen old evolved stars (including five BHB stars, three post-HB stars, a pulsating helium dwarf, and six stars of ambiguous classification), one F-dwarf, and two stars which do not easily fit in one of the other categories. No star in the sample unambiguously shows the characteristics of a young massive star formed in situ in the halo. The two unclassified stars are probably extreme Population I runaways. The low binary frequency and rotational velocity distribution of the Population I runaways imply that most were ejected from dense star clusters by DES (dynamic ejection scenario). However we remain puzzled by the lack of runaway Be stars. We also confirm that PB 166 and HIP 41979 are both nearby solar-metallicity BHB stars.Comment: 59 pages including 14 Figures, 12 Tables; Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

Firing the climate canon: a literary critique of the genre of climate change

This article makes the case for more climate change, where climate change refers to the prevailing ideologies and frameworks that inform our understanding of environmental change in the first place. It reviews the mainstream literature in popular science writing, fiction and poetry from the point of view of a political frame analysis of climate change, to demonstrate how a certain understanding of climate change maps onto conventions of literary genre. This understanding, and associated literature, are critiqued on the basis of their continued attachment to dualistic and teleological narratives of human mastery and progress, such as to make the case for a literature which offers something radically other. The current political context, not least Donald Trump’s victory and Brexit, are cited as evidence of the contemporary importance of alternatives to the establishment approach to climate mitigation than either denial or scepticism – in both literature, and more broadly