Common Position Research Articles (Page 1)

ABSTRACT This article examines the initial integration of the new East German Länder into the European Community’s (EC) regional policy. Following the reunification of Germany and the concurrent accession of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) to the EC in 1990, the East German Länder qualified for significant structural funds support due to their weak economy, vast structural deficits, crumbling infrastructure and widespread environmental pollution. Yet, despite these circumstances, the EC excluded the East German Länder from its regional policy until 1994, providing only a symbolic minor sum of assistance. Drawing on recently declassified archival documents, I offer a comprehensive analysis of the political dynamics underlying this decision. I find that the outcome was primarily driven by Chancellor Kohl’s chequebook diplomacy. Concerned that prolonged budget negotiations would delay reunification and provoke an electoral backlash in the upcoming elections, Kohl opposed EC financial support. He vigorously upheld this position against internal opposition and the GDR government. I find no evidence of meaningful attempts by the two German governments to overcome their differences and develop a common position. Other EC member states welcomed the FRG’s rejection of financial assistance so that the Eastern Länder were excluded from the structural funds for three years.

A Simplified Perchloric Acid Workflow With Neutralization (PCA N) for Democratizing Deep Plasma Proteomics at Population Scale.

This study represents the first investigation of 5-methyl cytosine (5mC) DNA methylation patterns in sulfate-reducing bacterial (SRB) biofilms under copper (Cu) stress, utilizing Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing. DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic modification that is dynamic and regulates the signals to modulate molecular mechanisms across biological systems. The regulatory roles of DNA methylation in prokaryotic systems remain comparatively understudied than in eukaryotes. Bacteria are highly sensitive to environmental changes and therefore may utilize additional mechanisms like DNA methylation to combat the stresses. Our previous studies, utilizing microscopy and growth analyses, revealed that Oleidesulfovibrio alaskensis G20 (OA G20) biofilms responded to Cu stress. However, the DNA methylation patterns associated with this response remain unexplored, leaving a critical gap in our understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms regulating OA G20 biofilms under Cu stress. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by identifying 5mC DNA methylation in biofilms of OA G20 under Cu stress. To achieve our goal OA G20 biofilms cultivated under 30 µM-Cu ion stress along with control and sequenced through ONT sequencing. DNA methylation analysis was performed using the MicrobeMod pipeline identifying three methylated motifs: TCCG, CCCGCCCG, and CGGGAT in control (0 µM-Cu). TCCG was identified as the predominant methylated motif, with analysis revealing 78,022 genomic positions in the control condition. Of these, 61.7% exhibited 5mC modifications, 33.9% remained unmodified, and 4.4% showed uncharacterized modifications. In contrast, the 30 µM-Cu biofilm showed methylation in only two motifs, TCCG and GCANCTGCGS. Analysis of TCCG revealed 63,315 genomic positions, with 62.7% (39,706 sites) showing methylation and 33.2% (20,990 sites) remaining unmethylated. A total of 1418 common methylated positions were identified for both conditions and there were 341 and 424 genomic positions identified for motif TCCG above 75% methylation in the 0 µM and 30 µM-Cu biofilm samples, respectively. Differential methylation analysis revealed significant variations in methylation patterns across several key genes of crucial molecular pathways, important for biofilm formation, including ATP-Binding Cassettes (ABC) transporters, phosphohydrolase, flagellar biosynthesis, chemotaxis, cobalamin synthase, histidine kinase, and uncharacterized proteins.

The role of modern Turkey in international relations is an important factor. The role of the Turkish state in world politics is growing every year. International players are showing increasing interest in developing international relations with such a large and experienced state as Turkey. Therefore, the future of cooperation with Turkey in the global community depends on many factors. This set of project implementation measures, which defines the basis for the development of international relations in the current difficult geopolitical situation, creates the need to combine all efforts and increase the effectiveness of the legal framework.Today, Turkey is interested in realizing its political and economic interests in relations with the United States, the Middle East, Russia, and the Arab and Central Asian states.The Republic of Turkey is in the process of changing its domestic and foreign policy. This is evidenced by the political and economic importance of the Turkish state, as well as its achievement of common positions in international politics. After gaining independence at the beginning of the 20th century, Turkey switched to a market economy. A market economy can also be called an open economy. It should be focused not only on domestic, but also on foreign markets. Kemal Ataturk defined the specific political and economic conditions of the Turkish state, as well as a comprehensive and open foreign policy strategy. It is well known that the EU and the United States are the main priorities in Turkey's current foreign policy and financial strategy. However, in recent years, it is easy to see that this vector has shifted towards the Middle East, the Arab States, Russia and Central Asia. The purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of Turkey's foreign policy.

Introduction: The appendix is a blind-ended tubular gut structure which arises from caecum with considerable variation in position and morphology. Acute appendicitis remains one of the most common causes of acute abdomen that requires emergency radiological investigation. The objective of this study was to evaluate normal appendix by computed tomography (CT) of abdomen in patients with non-appendicular symptoms. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study based on record review of patients undergoing CT abdomen attending Rapti Academy of Health Sciences (RAHS) without suspicion of acute appendicitis from October 2024 to March 2025. Axial including reformatted coronal and sagittal images were evaluated for appendix visualization, its diameter, wall thickness, intra-luminal contents and tip position. Data collection was done after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee of RAHS. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27. Results: Among 216 patients (109 males, 107 females; mean age of 46.8 years), appendix visualization rate was 96.8% (98.1% in female and 95.4% in male). The mean appendix diameter was 6.13±1.03 mm (range: 3.6-10.0 mm) with no significant sex difference. Mean wall thickness was 2.55 ± 0.53 mm. Air was the predominant intra-luminal content (50.7%), followed by collapsed lumen (35.9%). The most common appendix tip position was retro-caecal (49.3%), followed by pelvic (22.0%). Conclusion: There was higher appendix visualization rate in our study using CT. As normal appendix can measure >6 mm in CT, ultrasound size criteria for appendicitis is not applicable in CT.

The study explored the teachers' beliefs toward graduate studies programs as the basis for professional upskilling. It determined the significant relationship between the profile of the respondents and their beliefs about enrolling and not enrolling in graduate studies. The quantitative descriptive research method was used with the statistical tools of percentage, frequency, weighted mean, chi-square, and Pearson r in the statistical treatment of data. The respondents expressed their responses in the questionnaire. It was revealed that teachers enrolled in graduate studies programs because it will allow them to expand their network and make connections with high-ranked individuals, graduate school can be used for a wide variety of specialized training, formal education, or advanced professional learning intended to help them improve their professional knowledge, competence, skills, and effectiveness; and it can allude respect from their loved ones and colleagues. As for teachers' beliefs for not enrolling in graduate studies, the results had shown that their main reasons were graduate school because of money, time, and effort, as well as comprehensive examinations, theses, and/or dissertations, which they believed caused a burden because graduate school has no guarantee of career success. Moreover, the respondents' demographic profile clearly showed that most of the respondents are married, female, between the ages of 32 and 38, and have three dependents on average. The most common plantilla positions are Teacher I and II, with the maximum level of education of at least MA units. The Department of Education (DepEd) develops strategies to facilitate teacher enrollment in graduate studies programs. This might involve creating financial aid or scholarship programs, offering flexible study options, partnering with educational institutions, or providing professional development opportunities within the school or district, and encouraging cooperation between employers and educational institutions to build a welcoming atmosphere for educators who are interested in pursuing graduate degrees. This could be cooperative collaborations that enable the smooth integration of work and study obligations, flexible work schedules, or acknowledgment of academic accomplishments.

Objective: Suicide by hanging is a significant cause of death worldwide, with a rising incidence, particularly among young adults. This study aims to analyze the medico-legal and socio-demographic profile of suicidal hanging cases to identify forensic patterns and contributing factors for prevention strategies. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, over one year (June 2021–May 2022). A total of 653 medico-legal autopsies were reviewed, of which 164 (25.11%) were identified as suicidal hanging cases. Data on demographics, forensic findings, circumstantial factors, and motives were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The majority of victims were male (76.22%), with the most affected age group being 21-30 y (28.05%). The right mastoid was the most common knot position (38.41%), and plastic or nylon rope was the most frequently used ligature material (52.44%). Most incidents occurred at night (48.78%) and in bedrooms (51.22%). Substance abuse was present in 75.61% of cases. Marital disharmony (27.44%) and financial problems (20.12%) were leading motives. Complete hanging was more common (89.02%) than partial hanging. Internal injuries were observed in varying degrees, with injury to strap muscles (16.46%) being the most frequent. Conclusion: The findings highlight the role of socio-economic stressors and substance abuse in suicidal hanging cases. Identifying high-risk groups and implementing targeted mental health interventions, substance abuse rehabilitation, and social support measures are crucial in suicide prevention. Further multi-center studies and psychological autopsy investigations are recommended for a more comprehensive understanding.

ABSTRACT With the introduction of Critical Heritage Studies (CHS) in China, a double standard has emerged regarding understanding the authorised heritage discourse (AHD) domestically and abroad. Some researchers are generally critical of Eurocentric conceptions of heritage, while only partially abandoning criticism of authoritarian ideology and unequal social structures when confronted with problems in local official heritage practices. The paper outlines two common theoretical positions for dealing with this double standard: One is ‘rejecting’ or ‘reconsidering’ the AHD concept on the grounds of the specific Chinese context, arguing that the local official heritage discourse, unlike that of ‘the West’, is useful and able to engage with the community. The other is to achieve a de-politicised CHS by emphasising ‘pure’ interaction processes in heritage practices, moving towards loosely structured social relations between stakeholders with plural values. This paper explores the irrationality of these two positions, arguing that they ignore, to varying degrees, the structural constraints of promoting public participation of underprivileged groups in the Chinese context. It raises concerns about how the CHS approach can practically benefit social justice rather than being appropriated when working with epistemologies of heritage in different cultural, language and political contexts.

Comparing drug policies: An assessment of the validity and reliability of the global drug policy index.

Positron emission tomography is a growing imaging modality in the field of veterinary and human medicine. This paper mapped the extent of literature that examines occupational exposure to ionizing radiation of those practicing in human or veterinary medicine using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in PET scans. This scoping review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines with a librarian-assisted systematic search across 5 databases, including CAB Abstracts, MEDLINE, Scopus, BIOSIS, and CINAHL. Articles were screened by 2 reviewers at all stages. Relevant data were extracted from included studies to characterize the data on this topic. A total of 643 studies were screened at the title and abstract level, of which 32 were included for analysis. There were 5 veterinary studies and 27 human studies. Most studies (75%) used electronic personal dosimeters to record the personal dose equivalent. Nuclear medicine technologist was the most common position for which the radiation dose was reported. There was a large range in the radiopharmaceutical dose (in megabecquerels) injected. The range of occupational doses in human medicine was lower on average than in veterinary medicine. However, these levels are well within the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission annual limits of 0.05 Sv. The range of doses received during a PET procedure varied by job task. Additionally, given the unique aspects of veterinary medicine compared to human medicine, veterinary technicians may receive higher doses than their human medicine counterparts. This review served to identify the roles of PET scan participants and how their exposure is measured.

MRI evaluation of peroneus brevis tendon position: Anatomical variants in individuals with normal peroneal tendons to improve recognition and prevent misdiagnosis.

Abstract We investigate repeating earthquakes at Shishaldin Volcano (Alaska) by applying a multi‐stage clustering technique to the waveforms of approximately 330,000 Long‐Period (LP) earthquakes recorded between October 2003 and July 2004, a period that includes a minor eruption. We find about 5,500 LP earthquakes with at least one repeater in the catalog. These repeaters show time‐varying frequency content, which is confirmed by polarization analysis that identifies two distinct wave packets corresponding to different physical processes. The first packet, lasting around 5 s, is a direct source effect, and its polarization dip angle points to the nucleation depth of the pressurization phenomenon that triggers the conduit resonance. The second packet, found in the coda of the first one, is dominated by scattered waves. Repeaters are interpreted as LP events with a common pressurization position and triggering mechanism. The polarization‐derived nucleation depths of the overall LP seismicity and of the repeaters show a sharp increase in December 2003–January 2004, coinciding with the onset of eruptive crisis, followed by a slow decrease in nucleation depth from January to May 2004. We interpret this as a fast pressure drop followed by a slow pressure build‐up in the feeding system. After January 2004, coda wave interferometry applied to pairs of repeaters indicates an increase in medium velocity. By modeling the feeding system as a homogeneous porous medium and attributing the velocity increase to the squeezing of fluid‐filled cracks, we estimate a pressure increase of 8 MPa from December 2003 to April 2004.

Abstract The current study was going to detect radon concentrations in one of Cairo’s subways. The radon gas was detected in certain common positions chosen for thirteen stations. Plastic cans were prepared to hold the CR-39 samples and to be positioned at their destination in the stations. The cans were installed through two periods of one month and two months. Afterwards, the track density of radon gas was calculated for all the collected samples and then the concentration of radon was estimated in the stations. It was found that the average value of Rn concentration in the thirteen stations exceeds the average normal Rn concentration indoors. The measured values are less than the recommended maximum value of 300 Bq m−3 for radiation protection of residents according to ICRP Publ. 126. The indoor average radon concentrations were found less than the action level of 300 Bq m−3, 100 Bq m−3, and 148 Bq m−3 as recommended by ICRP, and WHO, respectively.

In this paper, we study the Hamiltonian for a three-dimensional Bose gas of [Formula: see text] spinless particles interacting via zero-range (also known as contact) interactions. Such interactions are encoded by (singular) boundary conditions imposed on the coincidence hyperplanes, i.e. when the coordinates of two particles coincide. It is well known that imposing the same kind of boundary conditions as in the two-body problem with a point interaction leads to a Hamiltonian unbounded from below (and thus unstable). This is due to the fact that the interaction becomes overly strong and attractive when the coordinates of three or more particles coincide. In order to avoid such instability, we develop a suggestion originally formulated by Minlos and Faddeev in 1962, introducing slightly modified boundary conditions that weaken the strength of the interaction between two particles [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in two scenarios: (a) a third particle approaches the common position of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]; (b) another distinct pair of particles approach each other. In all other cases, the usual boundary condition is restored. Using a quadratic form approach, we construct a class of Hamiltonians characterized by such modified boundary conditions, that are self-adjoint and bounded from below. We also compare our approach with the one developed years ago by Albeverio, Høegh-Krohn and Streit using the theory of Dirichlet forms [J. Math. Phys. 18 (1977) 907–917]. In particular, we show that the [Formula: see text]-body Hamiltonian defined by Albeverio et al. is a special case of our class of Hamiltonians. Furthermore, we also introduce a Dirichlet form by considering a more general weight function, and we prove that the corresponding [Formula: see text]-body Hamiltonians essentially coincide with those constructed via our method.

The focus of this study is to trace the positionings of adjectives in French throughout time. Historical linguists claim that the most common position for adjectives in Old French and Middle French was pre-nominal (before the noun) but today, the most common position is post-nominal (after the noun). Though it is said that this pattern reversal happened in the 17th century, very few quantitative studies have been carried out to assess this. What is more, the situation of adjective positioning in French today is a little uncertain. Some claim that, because of contact with English, adjectives are now more likely to follow the English pattern and are being placed more often before the noun. Though this has been tested a few times, the results are often inconclusive. Thus, my goal is to contribute data to both questions with two corpus studies. The first, based on texts ranging from the 14th to the 21st centuries, shows a decline in pre-nominal adjectives throughout time, with the 17th century being the turning point. The second study shows that texts that reflect contact with English will place adjectives, especially adjectives of subjective evaluation, pre-nominally more often than texts that do not reflect such contact.

В статье анализируются причины принудительной эмиграции представителей антибольшевистских сил Кабардино-Балкарии, выявляется ее численность и социальный состав. Раскрывается правовая, трудовая, социальная и культурная адаптации эмигрантов в странах их проживания. Показана роль общественно-политических объединений в определении перспектив национально-государственного развития народов Кавказа, их участие во Второй мировой войне. На основе проведенного исследования сделан вывод, что общая позиция всех иммигрантов, в том числе северокавказских, была верность к своей Родине – России и Кавказу, забота о сохранении родных языков, культурных и религиозных традиций. The article analyzes the reasons for the forced migration of representatives of the anti-Bolshevik forces of Kabardino-Balkaria, identifies its numbers and social composition. It reveals the legal, labor, social and cultural adaptation of emigrants in their countries of residence. It shows the role of sociopolitical associations in determining the prospects for the national and state development of the peoples of the Caucasus, their participation in the Second World War. Based on the conducted research, it is concluded that the common position of all immigrants, including those from the North Caucasus, was loyalty to their homeland – Russia and the Caucasus, concern for the preservation of native languages, cultural and religious traditions.

Криминализация преступлений против мира и безопасности человечества в национальных уголовных законах - важная составляющая общего процесса криминализации и квалификации данных противоправных деяний в качестве серьезных преступлений, вызывающих озабоченность всего международного сообщества. Однако возникают вопросы унификации этого процесса на международном и национальном уровнях. Важно, чтобы существующие подходы к формулированию преступлений против мира и безопасности человечества в рамках национальных правовых систем и меж­дународно-правовой системы имели общие позиции для эффективного со­трудничества в борьбе с ними. В статье проведен анализ уголовных законов стран Содружества Независимых Государств на предмет криминализации международно-правовых преступлений и их совместимости с положениями международных источников. Criminalization of crimes against the peace and security of mankind in national criminal laws is an important component of the overall process of criminalization and qualification of these illegal acts as serious crimes of concern to the entire international community. However, there are questions about the unification of this process at international and national levels. It is important that existing approaches to the formulation of crimes against the peace and security of mankind within the framework of national legal systems and the international legal system have common positions for effective cooperation in combating them. The article analyzes criminal laws of countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States in terms of criminalization of international legal crimes and their compatibility with the provisions of international sources.

This study views genres as recurrent positioning acts that shape and reshape the social identity of members belonging to a discourse community. Combining genre analysis with positioning theory, this study aims to explore how the identity of a social role is constructed across cultures. A corpus-based analysis of 60 speeches from Italian and American university leaders reveals two cross-culturally common social positions: institutional representative and value disseminator. In terms of differences, Italian leaders tend to self-construct as advocates proposing courses of actions to a wide public on behalf of their institution. Their American counterparts, on the other hand, self-constructs as advisers providing guidance to students, also using the positions of morale-builder and relatable individual. The case study demonstrates that genres can serve as tools to understand the positionings typically associated with a social group in different cultural contexts. We suggest that this understanding can enhance the metacognitive genre awareness of L2 writers, aiding them in evaluating whether a position is acceptable to the reader from a different culture, thereby constructing an effective authorial self.

Abstract The accurate deployment of 5 G base stations (BSs) in urban environments is essential for achieving optimal network performance. In these scenarios, the most common positions for installing BSs are rooftops, which, however, given the complex topography and diverse building structures, present significant challenges when identifying suitable locations. This paper proposes an enhanced method for rooftop detection, integrating diffusion models based on super-resolution with segmentation using convolutional neural networks. Starting from the input image, a super-resolution model is applied to generate sliding windows on which re-inference is performed, thereby improving both the resolution and prediction accuracy for this type of object. By refining these detections, the placement of 5 G base stations is undertaken in a practical, industrial way, thus allowing network operators to perform a more real-world network optimization. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in detection accuracy, directly contributing to more efficient 5 G base station deployment in densely populated urban areas. This methodology offers a scalable, adaptable, and effective solution based on the context of the images it applies to.

This study examined the lived experiences of former audiologists to examine career journeys within and after audiology. The long-term goal of this research is to help academic audiologists create optimal ways to recruit future audiologists who will thrive in the profession and help the profession improve the lived experience of audiologists in the workplace, to improve retention. A qualitative (grounded theory) approach was used. Virtual interviews were completed by 28 participants (25 former audiologists, three in the departure planning stage). The theoretical model developed from audiologists' career stories includes Origin Story, Audiology Career Story, and Post-Audiology Story. Three main themes are described as part of the Audiology Career Story: Link Between Family & Career, Confluence of Experiences, and Self-Evolution & Pondering Change. The Confluence of Experiences subthemes were as follows: Wanting More, Bad Management, Compensation, Lack of Desirable Jobs, Burnout & Workload, Desire for Flexibility, and Sales Emphasis. This model suggests there are complex and interconnected reasons why audiologists change jobs within audiology and leave the profession. The most common post-audiology position was that of full-time, at-home caregiver (n = 5). For those employed in the workforce, most stayed in health care-related professions and 73% reported post-audiology compensation was equal to or greater than compensation as an audiologist. Personal and professional factors, and connections among these factors, influence the lived experiences of former audiologists. Awareness of former audiologists' career stories provide insights that may help the profession improve recruitment and retention. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.29089475.