Confirmation of the detection of B-modes in the Planck polarization maps

One of the main problems for extracting the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) from submm/mm observations is to correct for the Galactic components, mainly synchrotron, free - free and thermal dust emission with the required accuracy. Through a series of papers, it has been demonstrated that this task can be fulfilled by means of simple neural networks with high confidence. The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the CMB BB power spectrum detected in the Planck 2015 polarization maps is present in the improved Planck 2017 maps with higher signal-to-noise ratio. Two features have been detected in the EB power spectrum in the new data set, both with S/N $\sim$4 . The origin of these features is most likely leakage from E to B with a level of about 1 per cent. This leakage gives no significant contribution to the detected BB power spectrum. The TB power spectrum is consistent with a zero signal. Altogether, the BB power spectrum is not consistent with the 'canonical' tensor-to-scalar models combined with gravitational lensing spectra. These results will give additional strong arguments for support to the proposed polarization satellite projects to follow up on the Planck mission .Comment: accepted for puplication in Astronomical Note

An Estimation of the Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglow Apparent Optical Brightness Distribution Function

By using recent publicly available observational data obtained in conjunction with the NASA Swift gamma-ray burst mission and a novel data analysis technique, we have been able to make some rough estimates of the GRB afterglow apparent optical brightness distribution function. The results suggest that 71% of all burst afterglows have optical magnitudes with mR < 22.1 at 1000 seconds after the burst onset, the dimmest detected object in the data sample. There is a strong indication that the apparent optical magnitude distribution function peaks at mR ~ 19.5. Such estimates may prove useful in guiding future plans to improve GRB counterpart observation programs. The employed numerical techniques might find application in a variety of other data analysis problems in which the intrinsic distributions must be inferred from a heterogeneous sample.Comment: 15 pages including 2 tables and 7 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

What works for Nutrition? Stories of success from Vietnam, Uganda and Kenya

This report discusses the drivers of progress in tackling multiple forms of malnutrition in these three countries: Vietnam, Uganda, and Kenya. It also identifies some of the challenges which pose as barriers to sustaining progress. Finally, it makes recommendations for key stakeholders such as governments of high burden countries, donor governments, development partners, and civil society, on their role to promote further success

Reviewing science and technology in the context of the Biological Weapons Convention

There is evidence of the emergence of a consensus amongst a number of States Parties to the BWC and NGOs on the principle of changing the process of S&T review as part of the wider quinquennial review process of the BWC. However, there is little evidence of agreement on the details of what needs to be done, how, by whom and to what end. Wrestling with these questions will be essential if state parties wish to capitalise on the momentum that has built up around changing S&T reviews and convert this into an evolution of the practice. With the review conference less than a year away, thinking needs to begin sooner, rather than later

DEVELOPING, MODELLING AND MAPPING OF CRITICAL LOADS AND THEIR INPUT DATA STATUS REPORT ON THE CALL FOR EUROPEAN CRITICAL LOADS ON ACIDIFICATION AND EUTROPHICATION

Programme (ICP) on the Modelling and Mapping of Critical Levels and Loads and Air Pollution Effects, Risks and Trends, with the assistance of the secretaria

Community Survey Results

Employment was the most important issue facing Omaha-area women in the next year, according to a survey of nonprofit agency professionals conducted by the Women's Fund of Omaha in 2012. Poverty rated second in importance, followed by financial literacy and domestic violence. Pregnancy, self-esteem, sexual literacy and poverty were identified as the top issues facing Omaha girls in the next year. When asked about the most important issues over the next three to five years, survey respondents identified employment, affordable housing and poverty for women and poverty, sexual literacy and pregnancy for girls. Every two years, the Women's Fund surveys nonprofit agencies on what they believe are the most critical issues affecting their clients. The survey also asks participants to rank what they believe will be the top three issues for the next three to five years. The latest survey was conducted in November 2012