Additional Negative Effect Research Articles

Learning traps and change blindness in dynamic environments.

Learning traps arise when early experience leads to a false belief about the reward structure of the environment which, in turn, leads to avoidance of rewarding options. Previous work on the negative effects of such traps has focused on static learning environments. The current work examines an additional negative effect of learning traps in dynamic environments-blindness to change in the features that predict decision outcomes. In two experiments (N = 416), participants had to decide whether to approach members of two different categories, respectively associated with either gains or losses. Early in learning, a category rule involving two feature dimensions predicted category membership. Subsequently, there was a change in the feature composition of this rule. When outcome feedback was only provided when an item was approached, a substantial proportion of participants fell into the trap of using a simple one-dimensional rule to guide approach decisions. Most of these participants did not notice the subsequent rule change and never learned the new rule. Signaling the possibility of rule change (Experiment 2) had no effect on change blindness for those in the learning trap but did improve learning of the new rule for those who initially avoided the trap. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mechanisms, costs, and carry-over effects of cannibal-induced developmental plasticity in invasive cane toads.

Inducible defences can improve survival in variable environments by allowing individuals to produce defences if they detect predators. These defences are often expressed as inter-related developmental, morphological, and behavioural changes. However, producing defences can incur costs, which may be expressed immediately and/or during subsequent life stages. In Australia, waterborne cues of potentially cannibalistic conspecific tadpoles induce hatchlings of invasive cane toads to accelerate their developmental rate, thereby reducing their window of vulnerability. However, the mechanisms and costs of such accelerated development are poorly understood, and whether cane toad embryos show cannibal-induced plasticity in other traits is unknown. Here, we found no evidence of altered time of hatching for embryos exposed to non-feeding conspecific cannibal tadpole cues. Additionally, hatchling dispersal behaviours were not affected by exposure to these cues. However, developmental acceleration of hatchlings induced by exposure to tadpole cues was accompanied by reduced hatchling growth, indicating a trade-off between these processes. At the conclusion of the hatchling stage, cannibal-exposed individuals were smaller and morphologically distinct from control siblings. This size reduction affected performance during the subsequent tadpole stage: smaller cannibal-exposed individuals were more likely to die, and initial size tended to be positively associated with subsequent tadpole growth and development across treatments (respectively, p = .07 and p = .06). However, even accounting for variation in initial size, there was an additional negative effect of cannibal exposure on tadpole growth and development, demonstrating that the fitness costs associated with developmental acceleration are not entirely attributable to size reductions.

Политика против декарбонизации

This study describes the methodology and results of calculating the increase in global greenhouse gas emissions caused by disruptions in international logistics due to geopolitical restrictions introduced by Western countries against Russia since 2022. The Western sanctions policy regarding, first of all, trade in Russian hydrocarbons has caused the breakdown of trade routes, which until recently could be characterized as “conditionally optimal.” That is, hydrocarbon supplies were carried out along the shortest routes, which ensured minimal fuel combustion during transportation and minimal greenhouse gas emissions, respectively. Now, a forced reorientation has led to an increase in commodity transport work, which requires more fuel combustion and, accordingly, provides an increase in emissions. Closed airspace also has an additional negative effect on rising emissions, as most flights from Europe to Asia and back from 2022 will overfly Russia, which on average adds an extra 2 hours to the flight, requires more fuel to be burned, and therefore leads to increase in greenhouse gas emissions. And considering that flights have only just begun to recover after the 2020 crisis, the impact of the closure of airspace over Russia on greenhouse gas emissions will only grow in the future. The study’s calculations show that reorienting trade in oil and natural gas and extending air routes alone would increase emissions by 261–290 Million t of CO2 eq. This is comparable to the UK’s annual emissions. If we take into account all the distortions in global trade, emissions growth could be even 40–60% higher. Thus, it can be argued that existing trade restrictions brought a significant negative impact on the implementation of global low-carbon development agenda.

Geochemical modeling of systems affected by irrigation: The case of Lerma basin (Spain, 2004–2020)

Geologically “saline” zones with scarce pluviometry, which are already susceptible to the salinization of natural drainage, can experience the acceleration of the salinization of the receiving water systems with the implementation of irrigation. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the geochemical processes that control the variations of the hydrosaline balance due to the implementation of irrigation of the Lerma basin (Spain) from the beginning of its transformation into irrigation land (2004) until the consolidation of irrigation (2020). The results of this study evidence the dissolution of some mineral phases, such as halite, gypsum, and dolomite, and the precipitation of others, such as calcite. Additionally, the final composition of the irrigation return flows cannot be explained without consideration of the NaCa exchange. Part of the dissolved Ca2+ is deposited in the soil, which, in turn, contributes with Na+ to the solution. These natural processes are accelerated with irrigation but progressively slow down as the soil salts are washed with time. Although less evident, there is an additional negative agroenvironmental effect associated with the precipitation of calcite and the possible formation of petrocalcic horizons in the soil. The results obtained herein indicate that studies focusing on the salinity of irrigated zones should go a step further and include the geochemical processes in quantifying the global mass of exported salts.

Impact of trajectories of maternal postpartum depression on infants' socioemotional development.

We assessed (a) the effects of postpartum depression (PPD) trajectories until 6 months postpartum on infants' socioemotional development (SED) at age 12 months, and (b) the mediating role of maternal self-efficacy (MSE), and the additional effect of postpartum anxiety at age 12 months. We used data from POST-UP trial (n = 1843). PPD was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 1, 3, and 6 months. Infants' SED was assessed at 12 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Social-Emotional (ASQ-SE). Structural equations were applied to estimate the effect of PPD trajectories on infants' SED and mediation by MSE. The additional effects of postpartum anxiety were assessed with conditional regression. Higher levels of PPD over time were associated with a lower SED (coefficient for log-EPDS 3.5, 95% confidence interval 2.8; 4.2, e.g., an increase in the EPDS score from 9 to 13 worsens the ASQ-SE by 1.3 points). About half of this relationship was mediated by MSE. Postpartum anxiety had an independent adverse effect on SED. PPD and postpartum anxiety have a negative impact on infants' SED. MSE as a mediator may be a potential target for preventive interventions to alleviate the negative effects of maternal psychopathology on infants' SED. The trajectories of postpartum depression (PPD) from 1 month to 6 months were negatively related toinfants' socioemotional development (SED) at age 12 months, underlining the importance of repeated assessment of PPD. Maternal self-efficacy (MSE) mediated the association between PPD and SED, implying MSE could be a potential target for preventive interventions. An additional independent negative effect of postpartum anxiety was identified, implying the assessment of postpartum anxiety also has a surplus value to identify mothers at risk.

Rice OsMRG702 and Its Partner OsMRGBP Control Flowering Time through H4 Acetylation.

MORF-RELATED GENE702 (OsMRG702) regulates flowering time genes in rice, but how it controls transcription is not well known. Here, we found that OsMRGBP can directly interact with OsMRG702. Both Osmrg702 and Osmrgbp mutants show the delayed flowering phenotype with the reduction in the transcription of multiple key flowering time genes, including Ehd1 and RFT1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation study showed that both OsMRG702 and OsMRGBP bind to the Ehd1 and RFT1 loci and the absence of either OsMRG702 or OsMRGBP leads to a decrease of H4K5 acetylation at these loci, indicating OsMRG702 and OsMRGBP cooperatively together to promote the H4K5 acetylation. In addition, whilst Ghd7 are upregulated in both Osmrg702 and Osmrgbp mutants, only OsMRG702 binds to the loci, together with the global increased and Ghd7 locus-specific increased H4K5ac levels in Osmrg702 mutants, suggesting an additional negative effect of OsMRG702 on H4K5 acetylation. In summary, OsMRG702 controls flowering gene regulation by altering H4 acetylation in rice; it works either together with OsMRGBP to enhance transcription by promoting H4 acetylation or with other unknown mechanisms to dampen transcription by preventing H4 acetylation.

Prematurity and Hyperoxia Have Different Effects on Alveolar and Microvascular Lung Development in the Rabbit.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a developmental disorder of infants born prematurely, characterized by disrupted alveolarization and microvascular maturation. However, the sequence of alveolar and vascular alterations is currently not fully understood. Therefore, we used a rabbit model to evaluate alveolar and vascular development under preterm birth and hyperoxia, respectively. Pups were born by cesarean section 3 days before term and exposed for 7 days to hyperoxia (95% O2) or normoxia (21% O2). In addition, term-born rabbits were exposed to normoxia for 4 days. Rabbit lungs were fixed by vascular perfusion and prepared for stereological analysis. Normoxic preterm rabbits had a significantly lower number of alveoli than term rabbits. The number of septal capillaries was lower in preterm rabbits but less pronounced than the alveolar reduction. In hyperoxic preterm rabbits, the number of alveoli was similar to that in normoxic preterm animals; however, hyperoxia had a severe additional negative effect on the capillary number. In conclusion, preterm birth had a strong effect on alveolar development, and hyperoxia had a more pronounced effect on capillary development. The data provide a complex picture of the vascular hypothesis of BPD which rather seems to reflect the ambient oxygen concentration than the effect of premature birth.

Longitudinal association between N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide, anxiety and social support in patients with HFpEF: results from the multicentre randomized controlled Aldo-DHF trial

BackgroundHigher plasma levels of natriuretic peptides (NPs) have been associated with reduced anxiety in experimental research and a number of patient samples. As NP levels are elevated in heart failure patients, we investigate whether this elevation is related to anxiety in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).MethodsPost-hoc regression and mediation analyses were conducted, using data of 422 patients with HFpEF from the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, two-armed, multicentre aldosterone in diastolic heart failure trial, testing associations and their mediators between the N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and anxiety at baseline and over 12-month follow-up. Anxiety was measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), social support by the ENRICHD Social Support Inventory and physical functioning by the Short Form 36 Health Survey.ResultsThe mean age of the study population was 66.8 ± 7.6 years, 47.6% were male and 86.0% had NYHA class II. NT-proBNP showed a weak negative correlation with HADS anxiety scores at baseline (r = − 0.087; p = 0.092), which was significant (r = − 0.165; p = 0.028) in men but not in women. NT-proBNP also tended to predict lower anxiety at 12-months in men. On the other hand, higher anxiety at baseline was associated with lower NT-proBNP scores 12 months later (r = − 0.116; p = 0.026). All associations lost significance in multivariate regression for age, perceived social support (ESSI), physical function (SF-36) and study arm. Mediation analyses revealed that social support acts as a full mediator for the link between NT-proBNP levels and anxiety.ConclusionThe mechanisms linking NT-proBNP to anxiety may be more complex than originally assumed. While effects of NT-proBNP on anxiety may be mediated by perceived social support, there may be an additional negative effect of anxiety on NT-proBNP. Future research should consider this possible bi-directionality of the association and assess the potential influence of gender, social support, oxytocin and vagal tone on the interaction of anxiety and natriuretic peptide levels.Trial Registrationhttp://www.controlled-trials.com (ISRCTN94726526) on 07/11/2006.Eudra-CT-number: 2006–002,605-31.

Screening of Volatile Constituents of N. sativa on Calcium Depleted Heart Model

The number of deaths from cardiovascular disorders is rising every year. Nigella sativa, one of the accessible natural plants, has a broad range of pharmacological effects. The Nigella sativa seeds were removed, cleaned, and preserved in order to research the effects of the plant on the cardiovascular system. After being ground into a fine powder, the seeds were used to extract the volatile oil from the seeds using the steam distillation process. The hypodynamic model was used after the rat's heart was removed. Using the standard kreb's hanselet salt solution to mount the isolated heart, a typical graph was produced. As the calcium concentration was reduced, the graph's negative tropic activity became apparent. When N. sativa was administered it has produced additional negative tropic effect on hypodynamic heart. At 0.1 ml produced negative tropic effect and keeps on decreasing as the dose increases by 0.2, 0.4, 0.8ml in dose dependent manner.

A Study of the Effects of China’s TBT Notifications on Korean Exports

Since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2002, the number of technical barriers to trade (TBT) notifications has increased rapidly. This study investigates the impact of China’s imposition of TBTs on the exports of Korean manufacturing-industry from 2002 to 2014. We focus on the following aspects: exports in terms of value-added, a comparison of exports of final goods with exports of intermediate goods, and specific trade concerns (STCs). Our findings are as follows. First, China’s TBTs have an insignificant impact on Korean manufacturing exports to China when we investigate the whole manufacturing industry sector. Second, as a result of analyzing final goods and intermediate goods separately, we do not find a significant effect of TBTs on the export of intermediate goods, whereas they have negative effects on the export of final goods. This is in line with our expectations that China does not want to restrict the import of intermediate goods. Third, further analysis of the relationship between exports and TBT STCs is conducted. However, we find no additional negative effect of TBT STCs on exports. Fourth, the impact of TBTs on exports in value-added terms does not seem to differ from the impact on total gross exports.

The ability of low- and High-SES schools to inhibit learning losses during the COVID-19 pandemic

The study examined whether the pandemic-induced digital distance learning affected the ability of educational units to inhibit learning losses and whether their SES compositions modified those effects. By applying random-intercept multinomial regression models to educational units’ average test scores comparing the 2019–2021 period to the 2017–2019 period based on data from the National Assessment of Basic Competencies in Hungary, the results indicated that educational units were less likely to inhibit learning losses during the COVID-19-affected two-year period. Educational units with less advantaged student SES composition were more susceptible to a decrease in their average mathematics test scores than the most advantaged institutions. Nevertheless, the pandemic did not seem to have an additional negative effect on educational units with the most disadvantaged SES composition.

Growth and optimal policies in an R&D‐growth model with imperfect international capital mobility

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the effects of international capital mobility on innovation, growth, and optimal growth policies in a small open economy with R&D‐driven growth. Households can borrow funds from an imperfect international capital market to finance their investment in R&D firms. We show that the economy can reach a higher growth rate if international capital is more mobile. This result is consistent with recent empirical findings. Moreover, we show that the common growth‐enhancing policies, such as patent protection and the R&D subsidies, have an additional negative welfare effect when households can access the international capital market. Accordingly, the optimal patent protection and R&D subsidy should be smaller when the degree of international capital mobility is higher.

Mental Status and Quality of Life in Patients With Sinus Node Weakness Syndrome and Chronic Coronary Heart Failure of Ischemic Etiology

The frequent combination of sinus node weakness syndrome (SNWS) and chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients has shown the need for a comprehensive study of their impact on the adaptability of these patients. The assessment of quality of life (QOL) and mental status in patients with SNWS and CHF of ischaemic etiology was carried out. Sinus node weakness syndrome accounts for about 9% of all cardiac rhythm disorders and is one of the current problems of modern arrhythmology. This is due to the fact that with sinus node weakness syndrome hemodynamic disorders can develop, the quality of life of patients is reduced, significant difficulties arise in the treatment of the underlying cardiovascular disease and associated rhythm disturbances. Patients with sinus node weakness syndrome have a reduced ability to work. For example, 14.5% of all patients with a first-time disability are with sinus node disorder. In industrialised countries, more than half of the patients implanted with an artificial pacemaker are patients with weak sinus node syndrome. We used 6 minute walking test, as well as level of depression, anxiety, alexithymia; coping>mechanisms and Vital Style Index in 75 CHD patients with and without SNWS, complicated CHF I>II (NYHA) were assessed. No additional negative effect of SNWS on somatic, mental status and QOL was found in patients with CHF

A magnetic negative stiffness eddy-current inertial mass damper for cable vibration mitigation

Previous studies have shown superior control performance in mitigating vibrations of stay cables by using passive control devices such as negative stiffness dampers (NSDs) and inertial mass dampers (IMDs). Integrating the advantages of the two dampers, we propose a novel passive control device termed magnetic negative stiffness eddy-current inertial mass damper (MNS-ECIMD) for cable vibration mitigation. A mechanical model of the MNS-ECIMD is proposed and validated against dynamic test data of a small-scale prototype. A parametric analysis is conducted based on the finite difference model of the cable-damper system to investigate the effects of the magnetic negative stiffness coefficient, inertance coefficient, and eddy-current damping coefficient of the MNS-ECIMD on cable vibration mitigation performance. The MNS-ECIMD performance is further validated using a small-scale cable test, of which the results illustrate its superior performance for the first two modes compared with the ECIMD. A simple parameter optimization procedure is then presented for cable multi-mode vibration control, which is then demonstrated via numerical simulation of a 306 m-long stay cable of Stonecutter Bridge in Hong Kong. Numerical results illustrate that the MNS-ECIMD significantly outperforms conventional viscous dampers and the ECIMD for cable multi-mode vibration control, owing to the additional negative stiffness effect.

Disentangling direct from indirect effects of habitat disturbance on multiple components of biodiversity.

Human habitat disturbance affects both species diversity and intraspecific genetic diversity, leading to correlations between these two components of biodiversity (termed species-genetic diversity correlation, SGDC). However, whether SGDC predictions extend to host-associated communities, such as the intestinal parasite and gut microbial diversity, remains largely unexplored. Additionally, the role of dominant generalist species is often neglected despite their importance in shaping the environment experienced by other members of the ecological community, and their role as source, reservoir and vector of zoonotic diseases. New analytical approaches (e.g. structural equation modelling, SEM) can be used to assess SGDC relationships and distinguish among direct and indirect effects of habitat characteristics and disturbance on the various components of biodiversity. With six concrete and biologically sound models in mind, we collected habitat characteristics of 22 study sites from four distinct landscapes located in central Panama. Each landscape differed in the degree of human disturbance and fragmentation measured by several quantitative variables, such as canopy cover, canopy height and understorey density. In terms of biodiversity, we estimated on the one hand, (a) small mammal species diversity, and, on the other hand, (b) genome-wide diversity, (c) intestinal parasite diversity and (d) gut microbial heterogeneity of the most dominant generalist species (Tome's spiny rat, Proechimys semispinosus). We used SEMs to assess the links between habitat characteristics and biological diversity measures. The best supported SEM suggested that habitat characteristics directly and positively affect the richness of small mammals, the genetic diversity of P. semispinosus and its gut microbial heterogeneity. Habitat characteristics did not, however, directly impact intestinal parasite diversity. We also detected indirect, positive effects of habitat characteristics on both host-associated assemblages via small mammal richness. For microbes, this is likely linked to cross species transmission, particularly in shared and/or anthropogenically altered habitats, whereas host diversity mitigates parasite infections. The SEM revealed an additional indirect but negative effect on intestinal parasite diversity via host genetic diversity. Our study showcases that habitat alterations not only affect species diversity and host genetic diversity in parallel, but also species diversity of host-associated assemblages. The impacts from human disturbance are therefore expected to ripple through entire ecosystems with far reaching effects felt even by generalist species.

Impact of current Australian paid parental leave on families of preterm and sick infants.

Parents of preterm or sick infants are at increased risk of mental health problems. The financial stress associated with an infant's prolonged hospital stay can have an additional negative effect on families' wellbeing and child development. This study explores parent use of Australian paid parental leave (PPL) and the financial impact of having an infant requiring neonatal care. Retrospective, cross-sectional, online survey study conducted from November 2020 to February 2021. Participants were parents of babies born from 1 January 2013, admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery in Australia. The survey explored use of Australian Government and private sector PPL, and financial stress. Parent-reported anxiety and depression were measured using the EuroQol Group 5D-5L Anxiety and Stress Subscale. Two hundred and thirty-one parents responded of which 93% had a preterm infant. Seventy-three percent of infants were hospitalised for more than 1 month, and 34% were readmitted to hospital within the first year following discharge home. Eighty-three percent of parents reported moderate, severe or extreme levels of anxiety or depression. Seventy-six percent reported that having a child in hospital had a moderate-very large financial impact on their family. Parents identified main costs to be travel, food, inability to work and direct medical costs. Having an infant born preterm or sick has significant emotional and financial implications for families. The current Australian Government PPL scheme does not adequately support parents of preterm or sick infants, and a change is urgently needed to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Directions for improving the efficiency of internalization of negative external effects of industrial production

It was established that the key factors that reduce the efficiency of internalization of negative external effects of industrial production in Ukraine are: shortcomings of the mechanism of taxation of emissions of polluting substances; an imperfect system of environmental tax redistribution; high transaction costs of the internalization process; conflict of interests of the parties. In addition, the problem of internalization is complicated by the factor of inefficient use of industrial equipment. The purpose of the article is to identify factors that reduce the effectiveness of the internalization of negative external effects of industrial production in Ukraine and to develop proposals for their leveling in the conditions of the spread of modern digital technologies. The environmental tax existing in Ukraine should be calculated taking into account the degree of harmfulness of pollutants, but at the same time, it does not contain references to the methodology of such calculation. Only the actual tax rates for individual types of pollutants can be seen in public access. The study provides arguments that question the objectivity of these tax rates from the point of view of internalization goals. In addition, the very fact of the possibility of adjusting the tax rate by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, prescribed in the law, to some extent reduces the importance of internalization itself. Another factor that reduces the efficiency of internalization is the system of environmental tax redistribution. In Ukraine, the system of distribution of funds collected from producers of pollution is depersonalized, and therefore the direct recipients of the negative impact of pollution, at best, receive certain social services implemented by the state at the expense of the environmental tax. Such a situation calls into question the equivalence of the recipient's damages. No less important for the efficiency of internalization processes is the factor of transaction costs. It is known that both centralized and individual resolution of controversial issues requires the costs of the negotiation process, information search, damage assessment, legal guarantees, etc. Therefore, by themselves, these costs do not create value, but are only transferred to the parties in the form of an additional negative external effect that cannot be internalized. The conflict of interests is the root cause of the problems of internalizing negative external effects, because each of the parties has natural incentives to preserve and increase property. It follows that the producers of external effects will a priori try to deny their negative impact on the environment, while the recipients will try to maximize their own losses in the eyes of society. The above-mentioned factors determine the direction of increasing the efficiency of internalization of negative external effects of industrial production in Ukraine due to: approximation of the amount of the tax to the amount of real damage caused by the producer of pollution; reformatting of the tax redistribution mechanism in order to bring budget allocations closer to the real losses of recipients of negative external effects; reduction of transaction costs of the internalization process; elimination of conflict of interest.

Itching in dialysis patients: impact on health-related quality of life and interactions with sleep problems and psychological symptoms-results from the RENINE/PROMs registry.

ABSTRACTBackgroundItching (pruritus) is common in dialysis patients, but little is known about its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), sleep problems and psychological symptoms. This study investigates the impact of itching in dialysis patients by looking into the persistence of itching, the effect of itching on the course of HRQOL and the combined effect of itching with sleep problems and with psychological symptoms on HRQOL.MethodsData were obtained from the RENINE/PROMs registry and included 2978 dialysis patients who completed patient-reported outcome measures between 2018 and 2020. Itching, sleep problems and psychological symptoms were assessed with the Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI) and HRQOL with the 12-item Short Form Health Survey. Effects of itching on HRQOL and interactions with sleep problems and psychological symptoms were investigated cross-sectionally and longitudinally using linear regression and linear mixed models.ResultsHalf of the patients experienced itching and in 70% of them, itching was persistent. Itching was associated with a lower physical and mental HRQOL {−3.35 [95% confidence interval (CI) −4.12 to −2.59) and −3.79 [95% CI −4.56 to −3.03]}. HRQOL remained stable during 2 years and trajectories did not differ between patients with or without itching. Sleep problems (70% versus 52%) and psychological symptoms (36% versus 19%) were more common in patients with itching. These symptoms had an additional negative effect on HRQOL but did not interact with itching.ConclusionsThe persistence of itching, its impact on HRQOL over time and the additional effect on HRQOL of sleep problems and psychological symptoms emphasize the need for recognition and effective treatment of itching to reduce symptom burden and improve HRQOL.

Environmental Benefits of Flexible Use of Airspace

Flexible use of airspace (FUA) introduced activation of civil and military airspaces for a defined period rather than being continually designated as purely civil or military. Flight operators that are not users of activated airspaces avoid them with rerouting, which usually results in more miles than planned and has an additional negative effect on the environment. As air traffic recovers to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, it is interesting to observe the improvements that FUA has brought with the activation of airspaces for a period shorter than 24 hours. The paper explores the difference in environmental impact with and without FUA. Fast-time simulation is made in Croatian airspace observing three airspaces with different horizontal and vertical limits. Research findings show that FUA decreases the number of aircraft affected by airspace activation compared to 24-hour activation. Decreased number of affected aircraft reduces environmental impact. It can be concluded that the volume of the activated airspace is not as important as its position within the airspace, especially within the terminal airspace. The highest environmental impact is shown, as expected, with an extension of activated airspace to en-route vertical limits, which affected an increased number of flights. Users of FUA should be aware of the environmental impact and air traffic controllers’ workload when deciding upon the period of airspace reservation.

Application of ASAS method to PAMELA calorimeter

In this paper, we propose a method that makes it possible to to improve energy reconstruction for data obtained via thin heterogeneous calorimeters for direct measurements of cosmic rays with energies of TeV and higher. Despite the large number of modern experimental complexes, the primary energy of cosmic nuclei with energies above 1 TeV is determined with large errors associated with fluctuations in the development of the cascade. For heterogeneous calorimeters, transient effects give an additional negative effect. In this paper we analyze the main causes of fluctuations and discuss a method for reducing the effect of fluctuations on the results of primary energy reconstruction. The method of accumulation of signal along the spectrum (ASAS) is used to reduce fluctuations associated with transient effects. The method was tested using the heterogeneous calorimeter of the PAMELA collaboration. It is shown that the proposed approach makes it possible to correctly determine the energy of slowly developing showers, the maxima of which are not measured.