Some models of the Geminids meteor stream formation

Further development of methods of investigations of meteor shower structure and a great deal of observational data have made it possible to obtain a precise flux density profile along the Earth's orbit for the Geminids meteor shower. This curve proved to be adequately described by a exponential law. Examined are: (1) which ejection model will fit the observed shower structure; and (2) to what extent the subsequent process of evolution modifies the formed structure. The following conclusions are drawn: (1) When studying the mechanism of formation of meteor streams, it is necessary to take into consideration the velocity distribution of particles that have been ejected from the parent body; (2) On the basis of the observed density variations, it is possible to determine what kind of ejection takes place (a single ejection or that around an orbital arch); and (3) The original structure of the Geminids cross section persists for no more than 1,500 to 2,000 years

Cross-Cultural Differences in Decision-Making Styles of Thai and Foreign Principals in Thai and International Schools in Bangkok

Multiculturalism in schools in Thailand is a new and rapidly expanding phenomenon. Both foreign and Thai school administrators are challenged by leading and managing cultural and linguistic diversities of teachers and students. They need to be aware of and prepared for dealing with the cultural differences through understanding behavior in other cultures and basing their decisions not only upon their professional knowledge and experience but upon cultural competence as well. This study has attempted to reveal the relation between decision-making styles of Thai and foreign principals in Thai and international schools in Bangkok and their cultural characteristics. A sample of 25 Thai and 25 foreign (North American, British, Australian and New Zealand) principals and heads was selected from the total population of 127 Thai and international schools in Bangkok. A Likert-scale questionnaire was adopted as the instrument of the study which measured three groups of variables: demographic profile, cultural dimensions (adapted from Schwartz‘s (1995) value orientations and Trompenaars (1998) cultural dimensions) and decisionmaking styles (adapted from Vroom-Yetton (1973) decision-making styles model). The findings of the study will (1) increase awareness among present and future school administrators and teachers of the importance of cultural differences; (2) reveal the effects of national culture on decision-making styles of educational administrators; (3) reveal relationship between established cultural dimensions and decision-making styles of principals from different cultures; (4) provide the ground for and encourage further research on cultural differences in the field of educational administration

Chapter Venetian Trading Firm of the Soranzo Brothers (1406-1434) and Its Commercial Network

This paper contributes to the discussion of merchant networks in late medieval Europe by presenting a case study of the Soranzo fraterna, a Venetian trading firm which comprised brothers Donado, Giacomo (Jacopo), Piero, and Lorenzo Soranzo and operated in the first half of the 15th century, specializing mainly in the import of raw cotton from Syria. The author applies the methodology of so-cial network analysis (SNA) in order to reconstruct the egocentric (ego-centered) network of ties linking the Soranzo firm (“the ego”) with its partners and clients (“alters”)

The Constitutional Principle of Uniform Economic Area and Centralization of Public Finance in the Russian Federation: Analysis of the Russian Federation Constitutional Court’s Rulings

The paper is devoted to the issue of centralization in public finance in Russia, and highlights one of the problems of interpretation of the Russian Constitution clauses. The Rulings of the Russian Federation Constitutional Court from the period 1997–2006 created legal grounds for the process of centralization and reduction of the regional powers regarding budgeting and taxation. But all arguments of the Court are debatable. Wherein, the centralization is justified by the constitutional principle of uniform economic area. The author argues that the Russian Constitution does not have clauses establishing the uniform budget and tax systems directly, and any model of intergovernmental relations might comply with the Russian Constitution. Uniformity of economic area does not imply uniformity in taxation and budgeting in the sense of sameness. Study of foreign practices shows different approaches to the understanding of uniformity in economy, and in taxation and budgeting. The contemporary Russian public finance law is formed under the influence of the Constitutional Court’s legal positions, and the process of centralization is still evolving. The Russian history of intergovernmental relations (1991–1997) shows another model of fiscal federalism – the decentralized federalism. Replacement of the fiscal federalism models is determined by the political considerations, not by constitutional requirements

EUPHEMISMS AND MEDIA FRAMING

The paper focuses on euphemisms and their role in mass media communication as a general framing device used in the organization of information, and the thematization of accounts of events and issues. Therefore, this paper analyses the techniques of euphemism creation and their various functions employed in communication

A preliminary numerical model of the Geminid meteoroid stream

A pilot numerical model of the Geminid meteoroid stream is presented. This model implies cometary origin of the stream. Ejection of relatively small amount of particles (90 000 test meteoroids with masses 0.02, 0.003 and 0.0003 g) from the asteroid (3200) Phaethon (the parent body) was simulated, and their evolution was followed till the present time. The particles close to the Earth orbit were considered as the ‘shower’. It was found that the width of the model shower is at least twice less comparatively the real shower. The maximum activity of the model shower is dislocated and occurs about one day late. The most probable reason for both discrepancies is the drastic transformation of the parent body orbit during rapid release of the volatiles in the process of the stream initial formation. The dispersion of the model stream was evaluated in terms of the Southworth–Hawkins D-criterion