A climatology of surface ozone in the extra tropics: cluster analysis of observations and model results

Important aspects of the seasonal variations of surface ozone are discussed. The underlying analysis is based on the long-term (1990–2004) ozone records of the Co-operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe (EMEP) and the World Data Centre of Greenhouse Gases, which provide data mostly for the Northern Hemisphere. Seasonal variations are pronounced at most of the 114 locations at all times of the day. A seasonal-diurnal variations classification using hierarchical agglomeration clustering reveals 6 distinct clusters: clean background, rural, semi-polluted non-elevated, semi-polluted semi-elevated, elevated and polar/remote marine. For the "clean background" cluster the seasonal maximum is observed in March-April, both for night and day. For those sites with a double maximum or a wide spring-summer maximum, the spring maximum appears both for day and night, while the summer maximum is more pronounced for daytime and hence can be attributed to photochemical processes. The spring maximum is more likely caused by dynamical/transport processes than by photochemistry as it is observed in spring for all times of the day. We compare the identified clusters with corresponding data from the 3-D atmospheric chemistry general circulation model ECHAM5/MESSy1 covering the period of 1998–2005. For the model output as for the measurements 6 clusters are considered. The simulation shows at most of the sites a spring seasonal maximum or a broad spring-summer maximum (with higher summer mixing ratios). For southern hemispheric and polar remote locations the seasonal maximum in the simulation is shifted to spring, while the absolute mixing ratios are in good agreement with the measurements. The seasonality in the model cluster covering background locations is characterized by a pronounced spring (April–May) maximum. For the model clusters which cover rural and semi-polluted sites the role of the photochemical production/destruction seems to be overestimated. Taking into consideration the differences in the data sampling procedure, the comparison demonstrates the ability of the model to reproduce the main regimes of surface ozone variations quite well

Gender agreement on adverbs in Spanish

In this article we explore the exceptional gender agreement of the Spanish adverb mucho (‘much’), when it modifies comparative adjectives inside DPs that contain a particular type of noun (as in muchafem mejor intenciónfem, ‘much better intention’). This phenomenon, which we describe in detail, raises crucial questions both about the mechanisms of agreement and about the nature of gender in a language such as Spanish. We will argue on the basis of our analysis that agreement is not semantically motivated, but blindly triggered by certain formal configurations. We will also argue that –at least in languages such as Spanish– gender information is scattered in two different positions inside the DP.Peer reviewe

ПОДАВЛЕНИЕ РЫНОЧНОГО ХАОСА И СТАБИЛИЗАЦИЯ БИЗНЕСА

An aim of this work is to demonstrate the potential utilization of mathematical methods for the diagnosis of the crisis situations in the business and develop methods to eliminate them. Feichtinger model for two competing firms engaged in active investment strategy in the commodity market is considered in this article. An effective method that allows one to quickly suppress market chaos and stabilize operating dynamics of both companies via model modification is purposed. An important advantage of the developed method for competing firms business management is that a small number of corrective operations is required to suppress the chaotic trends.Цель данной работы заключается в демонстрации возможного использования математических методов для диагностики кризисных явлений в бизнесе и разработки способов их устранения. В статье рассмотрена модель Файхтингера для двух конкурирующих фирм, осуществляющих активную инвестиционную стратегию на товарном рынке. На основе модификации этой модели предложен эффективный метод, позволяющий быстро нейтрализовать рыночный хаос и вывести динамику обеих фирм на устойчивый режим функционирования. Важным преимуществом разработанного инструментария по управлению бизнесом конкурирующих фирм является то, что для подавления хаотичных тенденций требуется несколько корректирующих операций

Inspecting aviation composites at the stage of airplane manufacturing by applying 'classical' active thermal NDT, ultrasonic thermography and laser vibrometry

The results of applying three nondestructive testing techniques to the inspection of parts of a new Russian TVS-2DTS airplane made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic are presented. A basic technique implemented in workshop conditions implements optical stimulation of inspected parts. The usefulness of ultrasonic infrared thermography combined with laser vibrometry in the evaluation of parts with complicated geometry is illustrated. Samples with artificial and real defects have been tested in workshop conditions