Representatives Of Different Regions Research Articles

Particulate Pb emission factors from wildland fires in the United States

Wildland fires, which includes both wild and prescribed fires, and agricultural fires in sum are one of the largest sources of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions to the atmosphere in the United States (US). Although wildland fire PM2.5 emissions are primarily composed of carbonaceous material, many other elements including trace metals are emitted at very low levels. Lead (Pb) is a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria pollutant that is ubiquitous in the environment at very low concentrations including in biomass that can burn and emit Pb into the atmosphere. Although fires may emit Pb at very low concentrations, they can be a source of sizeable Pb emissions to the atmosphere because of the large quantity of PM2.5 emitted from fires. In this work, we measure Pb concentrations in unburned biomass, ash/residues, and particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) emitted from wildland fires using in-field measurements near prescribed fires and in laboratory simulations. Emission factors were calculated for multiple biomass types, representative of different regions of the US including grasslands in Oregon and Kansas; forest litter from Oregon, Montana, Minnesota, and North Carolina; and peat cores from Minnesota. Most of the biomass Pb remains in the ash/residues. The small percentage (<10%) that is emitted in PM2.5 is dependent on the biomass Pb concentration. The emissions factors measured here are several orders of magnitude lower than some reported in the literature, but the studies exhibited a wide range of values, which may be due to large uncertainties in the measurement method rather than differences in Pb emissions. Wildland fires are expected to increase in size and frequency in future years and these new emission factors can be used to improve the accuracy of Pb emissions estimates and better constrain our understanding of Pb emissions to the atmosphere.

The Journey of a Donation. Beneficiation of the Fund of Regional Ethnographic Museum - Plovdiv with a Collection of Weaves

n 2021 REM - Plovdiv received the collection of prof. Julia Dilova, donated by her daughter Tsvetina Erokhina after her mother passed away. The collection contains over 500 different items. Today, it is very rare for museums to receive collections of this proportion, representative of different regions of the Bulgarian ethnic territory. In order to promote the donation, the museum created a project and received funding from Plovdiv 2019 Foundation. It includes five videos, an exhibition "The Apron – a Symbol and an Apotropaic", a catalog "With Love for the Woven", post cards and promotional materials. It was our desire to pay tribute to people like her, who have collected the pieces of our beautiful Bulgarian heritage. For only by shedding light on them can we thank them enough and make their work contagious to everyone who sees our future better through the conservation of our traditional culture and identity.

Эйдономия и внутривидовая изменчивость морского ерша Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758 (Pisces: Scorpaenidae) кавказского шельфа российского сектора Черного моря

There are only fragmentary data on the intraspecific limitation of the black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758 in scientific literature. The black scorpionfish is a background fish species attracted to the use of Black Sea fish community.The purpose of this work was to study the eidonomy of the black scorpionfish from the Caucasian shelf of the Black Sea, as a full-fledged study of its intraspecific variability.The morphological (plastic and meristic) parameters of black scorpionfish from three water areas of the Caucasian shelf of the Black Sea are compare in this paper. Samples from coastal waters in the areas of Bolshoi Utrish, Magri and Adler were studied in this paper. It is shown that the black scorpionfish of the water areas under consideration have very different sets of morphological features, which can be used to successfully distinguish representatives of different regions from each other.

Choosing microelements for the immobilization of their colloidal frames on a natural carrier in order to enrich the main food products

The development and implementation of new technologies for enriching the finished product with trace elements is important and relevant. Deviations in the elemental state of the body are found in the vast majority of the adult population of Russia, significantly differing in nature and degree of severity in representatives of different regions and persons divided by profession and occupation. At the same time, it is recognized that in Russia, on average, about two-thirds of adults and three-quarters of children are classified as at risk for hypomicroelementosis, on the other hand, about one-third of the population is more or less susceptible to hypermicroelementosis. The most common deficiency of trace elements such as iron, zincum, copper, chromium, iodine, selenium, cobalt, silicium. The main problem of detecting microelementosis is that the deficiency of essential elements does not have a pronounced clinical picture. To correct the finished formulations of products, it is necessary to take into account the indicators of the level of absorption and the rate of release of these elements, as well as ways of their disposal in the body. One of the most effective ways to introduce essential and conditionally essential elements into formulations is the immobilization of colloidal solutions with a high content of these elements on a polymeric materialor protein carrier, followed by introduction into the composition of the prepared product. The efficiency of using elements such as silver, gold, zinc, cobalt and selenium as a colloidal phase is described. Antagonistic and synergistic interactions of essential elements, their effect on the body, taking into account the indicators of absorption and the rate of their excretion, are described.

Асоціативний потенціал антропонімів українського політичного дискурсу

This article is devoted to an experimental study of the associative potential of anthroponyms in Ukrainian political discourse. We turned to a free-associative experiment in order to study the status of anthroponyms in political communication, as well as to reveal their associative potential. The results were interpreted using statistical and typological data processing, along with the methods of component analysis, cognitive modeling, etc. As words-stimulus, we used the names of domestic and foreign politicians from different periods known to modern speakers (not only to specialists in the field of politics and journalists but also to the general public) – no matter the ambiguous attitude of the society toward them and their activities. The experiment participants were representatives of different regions of Ukraine, of different ages, levels of education, and professions. The main object of the analysis was the associative reactions of the speakers obtained during the experiment. The main focus was on studying the semantic specifics of anthroponyms, associative connections, and the peculiarities of the functioning of these units in political communication. The experiment results showed a significant associative potential of the anthroponyms in political discourse, determined by objective and subjective factors. Those associations that have to do with the anthroponyms-names of famous Ukrainian and foreign politicians of different periods convey essential background knowledge of speakers and determine the semantics and pragmatics of these units. Most often, in associative reactions to anthroponymic stimuli, we can trace such denotative characteristics as a politician’s field of activity, the historical period in question, place of activity, nationality, appearance, character traits, intelligence, behavioral features, and other typical features. Furthermore, anthroponyms cause connotative reactions. Experimental studies prove that anthroponyms have, although somewhat specific, yet rich semantics and form a part of the process of encoding and decoding information.

Nodulation of the neotropical genus Calliandra by alpha or betaproteobacterial symbionts depends on the biogeographical origins of the host species

The neotropical genusCalliandrais of great importance to ecology and agroforestry, but little is known about its nodulation or its rhizobia. The nodulation of several species from two restricted diversity centres with native/endemic species (Eastern Brazil and North-Central America) and species widespread in South America, as well as their nodule structure and the molecular characterization of their rhizobial symbionts based on phylogeny of the 16S rRNA, recA and nodC gene, is reported herein. Species representative of different regions were grown in Brazilian soil, their nodulation observed, and their symbionts characterized.Calliandranodules have anatomy that is typical of mimosoid nodules regardless of the microsymbiont type. The rhizobial symbionts differed according to the geographical origin of the species, i.e. Alphaproteobacteria (Rhizobium) were the exclusive symbionts from North-Central America, Betaproteobacteria (Paraburkholderia) from Eastern Brazil, and a mixture of both nodulated the widespread species. The symbiont preferences of Calliandraspecies are the result of the host co-evolving with the "local" symbiotic bacteria that thrive in the different edaphoclimatic conditions, e.g. the acidic soils of NE Brazil are rich in acid-tolerantParaburkholderia, whereas those of North-Central America are typically neutral-alkaline and harbourRhizobium. It is hypothesized that the flexibility of widespread species in symbiont choice has assisted in their wider dispersal across the neotropics.

Evaluation of UMELISA CHAGAS™ with the incorporation of new monomeric and chimeric peptides representative of different regions of Trypanosoma cruzi

ResumenIntroducción. La mayoría de las personas con enfermedad de Chagas desarrolla anticuerpos específicos contra Trypanosoma cruzi. En la infección temprana se producen anticuerpos IgM contra T. cruzi que son reemplazados por IgG durante el curso de la enfermedad. Los primeros síntomas de la enfermedad suelen ser muy leves y atípicos, por lo que a menudo no se detecta en la fase aguda.Objetivos. Evaluar la sensibilidad y la especificidad clínica y analítica, la precisión y la eficacia del UMELISA CHAGAS® con la incorporación de nuevos péptidos sintéticos en la fase sólida representativos de la proteína SAPA (Shed Acute Phase Antigen) y del antígeno TSA (Trypomastigote Surface Antigen).Materiales y métodos. Se evaluó un panel de desempeño de título mixto anti-I cruzi y uno de seroconversión de Chagas, así como muestras de suero positivas y negativas provenientes de zonas endémicas de la enfermedad y muestras positivas de otras enfermedades que podían interferir con la prueba. Las pruebas Bioelisa CHAGAS, Chagatest ELISA recombinante v. 4.0, Chagatest HAI y SD BIOLINE CHAGAS Ab Rapid, se emplearon como referencia.Resultados. Los porcentajes de sensibilidad y especificidad clínica fueron de 97,73 % (IC95% 96,23-99,24) y 99,33 % (IC95% 98,88-99,78), respectivamente. Se obtuvo un 98,96 % de eficacia y una buena precisión.Conclusiones. Los resultados demuestran que la nueva fase sólida del UMELISA CHAGAS® puede utilizarse para el inmunodiagnóstico, la certificación de sangre y la vigilancia epidemiológica en países endémicos y no endémicos con población de alto riesgo.

Soviet Identity in Socio- and Ethnocultural Space of Modern Ukraine

The article deals with the phenomenon of Soviet identity in the modern Ukrainian society. On the basis of the survey, conducted among the representatives of different regions of Ukraine, the author identified respondents with Soviet identity, analyzed their social sentiments and their impact on the formation or breaking of the all-Ukrainian identity. Also, the factors shaping the positive image of the Soviet past were defined.The paper discovered that nostalgia for the Soviet past and devotion to the Soviet cultural and historical narratives are caused by such factors as social security and wealth, confidence in the future; paternalism; deep-rooted ideological clichés and the Soviet value system; remnants of the Soviet cultural heritage in the Ukrainian sociocultural space; family background of the Soviet memory; lack of critical re-evaluation of the Soviet past, etc. The author considers that “hybrid post-memory” is one of the factors that hold back Ukraine’s escaping from the Soviet historical and cultural space. This is when the people’s “memory” about political repressions and dekulakization is getting weak if their forefathers had not suffered from those tragedies. The survey demonstrates the low level of public activity among the respondents, caused by the autocratic and paternalistic model of the Soviet society, which means the need to be ruled and, as a result, disclaims personal and public responsibility and delegates it to others who can bring discipline into all spheres of life.The process of obtaining a new identity by Ukrainians is slow and sometimes contradictory, especially in the southeastern regions of Ukraine, where the majority of the population come under the strong impact of Russian and Soviet cultural and historical narratives. In particular, the survey results show that extreme anti-Ukrainian sentiments are revealed by the respondents with a strong Soviet identity.

Reality on Parents’ Awareness of Vocational Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Vietnam

Vocational education for students with intellectual disabilities has been an issue that their parents pay much attention. Vocational education for students with intellectual disabilities is understood as the organization of activities to support students with intellectual disabilities to choose and develop the professional that best suits their abilities, needs and interests, and at the same time satisfy the human needs of the career fields. The data set on parents’ awareness of vocational education for students with intellectual disabilities were collected directly through surveys in four provinces which are representatives of different regions in Vietnam. Parents participating in the survey are selected according to non-random sampling, combining between quota sampling and purposive sampling methods. Questionnaire address the criteria of skills, contents, methods, forms, needs and factors affecting vocational education based on parents’ opinions. The data set has 144 valid records which are input, screened and analyzed. The data results reflect parents’ responsiveness, so it is useful to develop activities of career-oriented guidance that considered the parents’ expectation and opinions for their students with intellectual disabilities in educational institutions.

THE ROLE OF SLOBOZHANSHCHINA SCIENTISTS IN COMPLETING THE INFORMATION SPACE WITH THE MATERIALS OF THE EDUCATIONAL CHARACTER:REGIONAL HISTORICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH

Outlining personal value orientations and trying to respond dynamically to the demands of public life, modern scholars need to study the educational activities of scientists as representatives of certain historical periods and regions. The authors of the article highlight the role of scientists, physicians and natural scientists of the Slobozhanshchina in filling the information space with educational materials in the late 19th - beginning of 20th centuries. A holistic analysis of this role is made possible by revealing the essence of the concept of "information space", substantiating the importance of the activities of scientists in replenishing the information space with educational materials both during the study period and in the present period. The following research methods were selected: historical, retrospective, biographical methods; method of historical actualization. It is proposed to consider the information space as the dominant component of the space of culture during a certain historical period, which contributes to the substantiation of a certain picture of reality. Attention is drawn to the fact that specialized information space and information space of education should be considered as important components of the information space. Important areas of educational activity of representatives of the scientific community in the information space include: educational activities in the university space and beyond. It is stated that scientists of Imperial Kharkiv University, by enriching the information space with educational materials, made possible dialogue between generations of Slobozhanshchina residents and in general between representatives of different regions. The intellectual activity of scientists lost a purely elitist character and served the needs of enlightenment. It is recognized that it is useful to take into account the experience of the Kharkiv Literacy Society when creating centers of shared innovation space in the modern times. In the article it is proved that materials of Slobozhanshchina scientists concerning the importance of game activity, which were distributed in the information space of education during the studied period, can be useful in the process of gamification of education in the present period.

Influence of Starting Microstructure on Dilatation Behavior during Tempering of a High Strength Steel

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of non-isothermal tempering on microstructure evolution in large-size slabs. Using high-resolution dilatometry, three different cooling rates (from 0.08 to 3°C/s) representative of different regions from the surface to the core of the slab were experimentally simulated, and then tempering was carried out for each starting microstructure. A combination of light and electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses were employed to accurately analyze different phenomena occurring during the tempering process, specially, the identification of different microstructures (bainite, martensite and retained austenite), and the determination of the percentage of retained austenite for each experimental condition were considered. Experimental results revealed that the microstructure after the cooling rate of 0.08°C/s consisted of bainite and some retained austenite. For the cooling rate of 0.3°C/s, martensite plus bainite was detected, and when the cooling rate was increased to 3°C/s, a martensitic microstructure was obtained. Analysis of dilatometry curves indicated that tempering behavior varied significantly with the starting microstructure. Martensite tempering was accompanied with a length decrease due to the decomposition of medium-carbon martensite to low-carbon martensite plus carbides. Tempering of bainite and retained austenite resulted in a remarkable length increase.

Range-wide genomic data synthesis reveals transatlantic vicariance and secondary contact in Atlantic cod.

Recent advances in genetic and genomic analysis have greatly improved our understanding of spatial population structure in marine species. However, studies addressing phylogeographic patterns at oceanic spatial scales remain rare. In Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), existing range‐wide examinations suggest significant transatlantic divergence, although the fine‐scale contemporary distribution of populations and potential for secondary contact are largely unresolved. Here, we explore transatlantic phylogeography in Atlantic cod using a data‐synthesis approach, integrating multiple genome‐wide single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets representative of different regions to create a single range‐wide dataset containing 1,494 individuals from 54 locations and genotyped at 796 common loci. Our analysis highlights significant transatlantic divergence and supports the hypothesis of westward post‐glacial colonization of Greenland from the East Atlantic. Accordingly, our analysis suggests the presence of transatlantic secondary contact off eastern North America and supports existing perspectives on the phylogeographic history of Atlantic cod with an unprecedented combination of genetic and geographic resolution. Moreover, we demonstrate the utility of integrating distinct SNP databases of high comparability.

Cytoskeletal remodeling induced by substrate rigidity regulates rheological behaviors in endothelial cells.

Altered microenvrionmental mechanical cues induce cytoskeletal remodeling in cells and have a profound impact on their functions as well as rheological properties. This article is aimed to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of endothelial cells, cultivated on variably compliant substrates. Synthetic tunable poly(dimethylsyloxane) substrates, with elastic moduli ranging from 1.5 MPa to 3 kPa, were used to trigger cytoskeletal remodeling of endothelial cells, verified by morphological analysis and actin fluorescent labeling. Elasticity and stress relaxation tests were conducted using an AFM, resulting in a wide range of data. To account for this heterogeneity, fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm was applied to partition elastic data into biologically meaningful groups, representative of different regions in cells. Nanocharacterization of biomechanical properties, along with cytoskeletal studies, proved a significant correlation between substrate flexibility and viscoelasticity of the cells. Regardless of the viscoelastic model applied, increasing substrate rigidity was related to an overall increase in cell stiffness and apparent viscosity (2.95 ± 1.56 kPa and 921.45 ± 102.46 Pa.s for the stiff substrate; 2.17 ± 1.30 kPa and 557.37 ± 494.11 Pa.s for the intermediate substrate), associated with an organized actin cytoskeleton. Conversely, cells on soft substrate were more deformable (1.84 ± 1.3 kPa) and less viscous (327.13 ± 124.25 Pa.s), exhibiting an increased actin disorganization. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 71-80, 2019.

Relevance of Embodied Energy and Carbon Emissions on Assessing Cost Effectiveness in Building Renovation—Contribution from the Analysis of Case Studies in Six European Countries

The construction sector is facing increasingly strict energy efficiency regulations. Existing buildings have specific technical, functional and economic constraints, which, in fulfilling regulations, could lead to costly and complex renovation procedures and also lead to missed opportunities for improving their energy performance. In this article, the methodology for comparing cost-optimality in building renovations, developed in the International Energy Agency (IEA)–Energy in Buildings and Communities (EBC) Annex 56 project, is extended with a life cycle assessment by including embodied primary energy and carbon emissions in the calculations. The objective is to understand the relevance of embodied energy and carbon emissions in the evaluation of the cost effectiveness of building renovation solutions towards nearly zero energy buildings, as well as the effect of the embodied values in the achievable carbon emissions and primary energy reductions expected in an energy renovation. Results from six case studies, representative of different regions in Europe, suggest that embodied values of energy and carbon emissions have a decreasing effect—ranging from 2 to 32%—on the potential reductions of energy and emissions that can be achieved with renovation measures in buildings. In addition, the consideration of the embodied energy and carbon emissions does not affect the ranking of the renovation packages.

Adaptation of Foreign Students to the Conditions of Life and Education in Russia: a Complex Approach

The purpose of this research is to identify the dynamics of the process of foreign students’ adaptation to the conditions of life and education in Russia. The authors state that there is the need for complex and multidimensional study of this process, while the importance of a close connection of sociopsychological problems with the ethno-linguistic characteristics of the subjects is emphasized. The method of questioning/surveying of foreign students - representatives of different regions - was used for the research at three aspects: everyday, academic, sociocultural. As a result of the analysis of the obtained data, similarities and differences in the course of adaptation among the representatives of different regions were revealed, and also the main factors influencing the duration and success of the adaptation process, such as: the degree of closeness of the native culture to the Russian culture, its open/closed nature; sociability of a specific ethnotype; priority of spiritual/material in the national mentality; typological features of native language/intermediate language; degree of motivation to study; interest in the culture and traditions of the country of residence (Russia), etc. The study can serve as the foundation for a holistic scientific concept of adaptation in conditions of a non-native cultural and linguistic environment. Its results can find practical application in the development of specific methodological recommendations for professionals whose activity involves communicating with foreign students - representatives of different ethnic groups, carriers of different cultures.

Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of electronic health records among nurses: Application of Technology Acceptance Model

ABSTRACTBackground: Electronic health records (EHRs) are increasingly being implemented in healthcare organizations but little attention has been paid to the degree to which nurses as end-users will accept these systems and subsequently use them. Objectives: To explore nurses’ perceptions of usefulness and ease-of-use of EHRs. The relationship between these constructs was examined, and its predictors were studied. Method: A national exploratory study was conducted with 1539 nurses from 15 randomly selected hospitals, representative of different regions and healthcare sectors in Jordan. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which was based on the Technology Acceptance Model. Correlations and linear multiple regression were utilized to analyze the data. Results: Jordanian nurses demonstrated a positive perception of the usefulness and ease-of-use of EHRs, and subsequently accepted the technology. Significant positive correlations were found between these two constructs. The variables that predict usefulness were the gender, professional rank, EHR experience, and computer skills of the nurses. The perceived ease-of-use was affected by nursing and EHR experience, and computers skills. Conclusion: This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on issues related to the acceptance of technology in the health informatics field, focusing on nurses’ acceptance of EHRs.

24th International Conference on Vacuum Technique and Technology

A A Lisenkov1 and D K Kostrin21 Institute of Problems of Mechanical Engineering, Russian Academy of Sciences, 199178, Saint Petersburg, Russia2 Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, 197376, Saint Petersburg, RussiaE-mail: lisran@yandex.ru, dkkostrin@mail.ru. In this preface the main results of the 24th International Conference on Vacuum Technique and Technology (VTT2017) that was held on 6–8 June 2017 in Saint Petersburg, Russia are discussed.In the period from 6 to 8 June 2017 at the Saint-Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” and All-Russian Research Institute of Metrology took place the 24th International Conference on Vacuum Technique and Technology. The Organizers of the Conference were: Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Problems of Mechanical Engineering RAS, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, All-Russian Research Institute of Metrology and Russian Scientific and Technical Vacuum Society.The aim of the Conference was to study the results of the research in physics of vacuum, vacuum measuring, mass spectrometry and leak detection. Were discussed the issues of producing vacuum, vacuum equipment and development of the new technological processes. Special attention was paid to the use of vacuum technology in the processes of films and coatings formation using plasma and related methods, study of the properties of coatings and methods of their research, new composite coatings, including nanomaterials, as well as new areas of their use, and the development of modern equipment and processes. Were analyzed the problems of industry cooperation and collaboration in the framework of the Federal Target Programs and the formation of the General Strategy of the development of vacuum equipment and technologies as an independent high-tech industries.In this regard, the main sections of the Conference were:1. Vacuum technique. Vacuum measurement. Mass spectrometry.2. Vacuum ion-plasma methods of surface treatment.3. Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies.4. Physical processes of coating formation, properties and methods of their evaluation.In the course of work of the Conference were presented 87 oral reports, including 13 plenary, and 21 posters. Among the speakers were professors, PhD students, students and representatives of industry. The Conference was attended by representatives of different regions of Russia and Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Vietnam. The total number of participants was 115.All of the presented scientific results and developments correspond to the level of World analogues, and in some cases surpass them in the performance and technological capabilities. Most of the developments are protected by patents for inventions; some of them were also presented at the XII International Exhibition of Vacuum Equipment “VacuumTechExpo 2017” (Moscow, 11–13 April 2017).All messages of the Conference participants draw the scientific and practical interest. In general discussions questions, comments and opinions were presented. It should be noted the high professionalism of the speakers and the high ethics of communication parties during the exchange of the opinions and answers to the questions.During the Conference were held “round tables” devoted to the analysis of the reports and the work of the Conference, also they touched upon the issues of training of the students and postgraduates. It was noted that currently young people pay more attention to the technical education and after graduation find jobs at the enterprises of electronic industry.In order to summarize the Conference results participants noted that the diversity and number of the submitted reports are the signs of the constant technical development of this field of science and technology. However, against this background, participants, technical specialists with deep theoretical knowledge and extensive practical experience, expressed concern about the absence of a strategic plan for the development of vacuum technology in the Country in the near future.The Conference participants decided to:1. Consider the work of the Conference as successful.2. State that the Conference is an effective link between the industrial enterprises, educational and academic institutions located in different regions of Russia and abroad.3. Keep the format of this Conference and held the next one in June 2018.4. Draw the attention of the Russian Scientific and Technical Vacuum Society and its President on the need for consolidation of specialists of this direction, their organizations and, subject to the comments made, further promoting the achievements and relevance of tasks associated with the development of vacuum technology.Photographs are available in the PDF

Monitoring of Tolerance Associative Field and Forecasting of Inter-ethnical Interrelations Problems: Questionnaire Survey in the University Environment of Tajikistan

The problems of tolerance are crucial in modern society. The present article covers the main aspects of tolerance (intolerance), classifies main approaches and methodologies for scientific researches in this area and analyses the results of an associative experiment conducted in the student environment at Khujand State University (Sogd Region, Tajikistan) aimed at monitoring and research of the youth tolerance level. Sometimes misunderstanding and intolerance occur not only between the representatives of different ethnoses but also between the representatives of different regions in one country that results in civil confrontations, as it was in Tajikistan in 1992-1997. Due to the above, Tajik scientific researches on national linguistic worldview and axiological landmarks forming the basis for tolerance/intolerance, existence of stereotypes in the society resulting in the conflicts of different kinds are of great importance. The need in such researches is firstly explained by the necessity of forecasting vital problems in inter-ethnical interrelations between youngsters, development of the policy for tolerant interrelations in the society. The tolerance level monitoring among students in interrelation of cultures allows studying problematic areas, introducing corrective measures aimed at reduction of the number of students having negative attitude to the inter-cultural interrelation and increase of the level of their tolerance. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s4p35

Emerging Adulthood in Europe

The fact that there is a specific age marking the emergence of adulthood in the United States has been well documented. The starting point for the studies included in this special issue is the assumption that the same can be said for European countries. Thus, a comparison of characteristics of emerging adulthood between different European countries was performed. In this special issue, contributions of scholars from five different European countries are taken as representative of different regions: Spain, Italy, Finland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The efforts of the research are twofold. The first is to look at how the traditional markers of adulthood have changed and how the concept of adulthood is seen in the different countries. The second is to highlight the influence that the entrance into the working world and romantic partnership have on emerging adults and to detect the impact of the timing of entering adulthood on identity achievement. The results are presented here as different pathways that emerging adults follow to reach the same goal of mature adulthood.

The effect of spatially distributed meteorological parameters on irrigation water demand assessment

Geographic information systems technology was used to utilize meteorological data and crop distributions in order to estimate irrigation requirements. The irrigation requirements were estimated as the difference between crop evapotranspiration and effective rainfall. Crop evapotranspiration was evaluated as the product of reference evapotranspiration and the crop coefficient, while the reference evapotranspiration was calculated via the FAO Penman–Monteith method. Monthly effective rainfall was estimated from total monthly rainfall according to the method developed by the USDA Soil Conservation Service. For the purpose of this paper, the island of Crete in Greece was used as a case study. Based on individual meteorological stations as representative stations for the whole island the irrigation water demand was estimated at 362±135 Mm 3 for the year 1991. The large variation is caused by the location and number of representative meteorological stations. A combination of up to 10 meteorological stations, chosen for geographical reasons as representatives of different regions of the island, resulted in a significant reduction of this variation. The irrigation water demand for the year 1991 was estimated, based on 10 stations, at 359 Mm 3. The station of Lefkogia can be considered the representative station for the island. An increase in irrigation water requirements is projected to be 8–10 Mm 3/year for Crete. These analyses should assist in the strategic planning of water use for irrigation, particularly in cases where the number of stations is inadequate, by identifying representative stations for different regions and projecting further irrigation water demand. The accurate estimation of irrigation water demand is also essential for developing a rational policy for sustainable water resources.