1 STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION OF NEARBY OB ASSOCIATIONS
We present the rst results of a comprehensive census of the stellar content of the nearby OB associations based on Hipparcos positions, proper motions and parallaxes for 12842 candidate member stars distributed over 21 elds on the sky. We use a new method to identify moving groups in these elds (see de Bruijne et al., these proceedings). Previously, astrometric membership in nearly all the nearby OB associations was known only for stars with spectral types earlier than B5. The Hipparcos measurements now allow us to identify members down to late F. This census provides a rm basis for studies of galactic and extragalactic star forming regions.
Stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis: an introduction to nuclear astrophysics
The new book, An Introduction to Nuclear Astrophysics, by Jean Audouze and Sylvie Vauclair, fills the tremendous need for a work of book length that is more modern than the 1968 textbook. Audouze and vauclair excellently summarize the current status of the field. The book is written at a level that would be quite suitable for use in a beginning graduate or upper division undergraduate course. Audouze and Vauclair, both active French astrophysicists, have made numerous contributions to our understanding of nuclear astrophysics. Audouze in particular, is well known for his work on light element synthesis and on the chemical evolution of the galaxy, so it is understandable that these sections are extraordinarily well treated. However, the authors have also done quite an admirable job in treating the rest of the field: Big Bang nucleosynthesis, nuclear reaction rates, explosive nucleosynthesis and the synthesis of the heavy elements as well as the problems regarding the isotopic anomalies in the early solar system and the use of radioactive decay for estimating the age of the universe.
Politics of Judicial Independence and Judicial Accountability in Czechia: Bargaining in the Shadow of the Law between Court Presidents and the Ministry of Justice
Judicial independence – Judicial accountability – Court presidents – Judicial politics – Separation of powers – Court administration – Judicial councils – Selection of judges – Czechia – Central Europe