Correlation-induced corrections to the band structure of boron nitride: a wave-function-based approach

We present a systematic study of the correlation-induced corrections to the electronic band structure of zinc-blende BN. Our investigation employs an ab initio wave-function-based local Hamiltonian formalism which offers a rigorous approach to the calculation of the polarization and local charge redistribution effects around an extra electron or hole placed into the conduction or valence bands of semiconducting and insulating materials. Moreover, electron correlations beyond relaxation and polarization can be readily incorporated. The electron correlation treatment is performed on finite clusters. In conducting our study, we make use of localized Wannier functions and embedding potentials derived explicitly from prior periodic Hartree-Fock calculations. The on-site and nearest-neighbor charge relaxation bring corrections of several eV to the Hartree-Fock band gap. Additional corrections are caused by long-range polarization effects. In contrast, the dispersion of the Hartree-Fock bands is marginally affected by electron correlations. Our final result for the fundamental gap of zinc-blende BN compares well with that derived from soft x-ray experiments at the B and N K-edges.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures; the following article has been submitted to J. Chem. Phy

Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Greenland Offshore Shrimp Fishery

This paper examines the social economic value of the Greenland off-shore shrimp fishery. The contribution of the fishery to the economy is examined us-ing a cost-benefit analysis where the objective of the report is to examine the current state of the fishery rather than possible changes, which are a political decision. The analysis is undertaken by examining the state and development of the off-shore shrimp fishery in Greenland, as well as the changes in profits, sales and production in the years 2006 and 2007. Financial accounts and costs data pro-vided by the companies fishing in Greenland have contributed to estimating the net value of the industry. The management cost is included as well in the analysis. The paper concludes that there is a positive economic benefit from the shrimp fishery in Greenland, which is believed to be caused by the efficient manage-ment system of the fishery (based on Individual Transferable Quotas). It is fur-ther shown that the companies and the crew gains nearly the whole net-benefit from the fishery, while the public finance are not gaining much. Acknowledgements. We want to thank the contact persons from the companies and Greenland Statistics: Søren Brandt (Qajaq Trawl), Carl Christensen (Niisa Trawl), Jens Bisgaard (Royal Greenland and Ice Trawl), Henrik Krogh and Kjeld Holmstrup (Polar Seafood) and Gert Schmidt, Per Lyster Pedersen and Lars Geraa from Greenland Statistics. We also want to thank Henrik Leth and Jens K. Lyberth from the Confederation of Greenland Employers for good discussions and help during the project as well as financial support. The study was made possible thanks to financial support from the Confederation of Greenland Employers.Greenland, shrimp, fishery, Cost-Benefit Analysis, economic rent

Development of a Refactoring Learning Environment

This paper describes a Refactoring Learning Environment, which is intended to analyze and assess programming code, based on refactoring rules. The Refactoring Learning Environment architecture includes an intelligent assistant – Refactoring Agent, which is responsible for analysis and assessment of the code, written by students in real time by using a set of refactoring methods. According to the situation and based on the refactoring method, which should be applied, the agent could react in different ways. Its goal is to show the student, as much as possible, the weak places of his programming code and the possible ways to makes it better

Composición lipídica de diferentes partes del fruto del aguaymanto (Physalis peruviana L.) y valorización de residuos de semillas y cáscaras

The consumption of Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruit (CG), fresh or processed, is gaining popularity worldwide, due to its nutritional and medicinal benefits. This study was based on the analysis of the lipid fraction of different parts of CG fruit and on further valorization of the resulting CG waste. The content of glyceride oil in CG seeds, peels and seed/peel waste, as well as the individual fatty acid, sterol and tocopherol composition of the oils was determined. CG seeds and seed/peel waste were a rich source of oil (up to 22.93%), which is suitable for nutritional application, due to its high proportions of unsaturated fatty acids (up to 83.77%), sterols (campesterol, Δ5-аvenasterol, β-sitosterol) and tocopherols (β-, δ- and γ-tocopherols). Seed/peel waste and the extracted seed cakes contained macro- and microminerals (K, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) which are important for human and animal nutrition. Seed cakes had relatively high protein (24.32%) and cellulose (42.94%) contents, and an interesting amino acid profile. The results from the study contribute to a deeper understanding of the composition of CG fruit, and might be of practical relevance in the development of functional foods and feeds.El consumo del aguaymanto (Physalis peruviana L.), fresco o procesado, está ganando popularidad en todo el mundo debido a sus beneficios nutricionales y medicinales. Este estudio se basó en el análisis de la fracción lipídica de diferentes partes de la fruta y en una mayor valorización de los desechos resultantes. Se determinó el contenido de la fracción glicerídica en semillas, cáscaras y residuos de semillas/cáscaras, así como la composición individual de ácidos grasos, esteroles y tocoferoles de los aceites. Las semillas de aguaymanto y los residuos de semillas/cáscaras fueron una rica fuente de aceite (hasta 22,93%), adecuados para un uso nutricional, debido a las altas proporciones de ácidos grasos insaturados (hasta 83,77%), esteroles (campesterol, Δ5-avenasterol, β-sitosterol) y tocoferoles (β-, δ- y γ-tocoferol). Los residuos de semillas/cáscaras y los residuos desengrasados de semillas extraídos (tortas) contenían macro y microminerales (K, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) importantes para la nutrición humana y animal. Las tortas de semillas tenían un contenido relativamente alto de proteínas (24,32%) y celulosa (42,94%), y un perfil de aminoácidos interesante. Los resultados del estudio contribuyen a una comprensión más profunda de la composición del aguaymanto y pueden ser de relevancia práctica en el desarrollo de alimentos y alimentos funcionales

Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Prostate Cancer

Since its discovery, elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been the measurement to indicate possibility of prostate cancer, as well as biochemical recurrence following treatment. Although PSA has led to decrease in prostate cancer–related mortalities, PSA is a nonspecific prostate cancer biomarker reflective of other prostate-related conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), resulting in a high false-positive rate. This has led to overtreatment of men with clinically insignificant disease. While most prostate cancer patients have slowly progressive disease and should be treated conservatively, roughly 10% of patients will progress to have metastatic disease, of which the majority of prostate cancer deaths can be attributed. Stratifying these patients based on prognosis so that they may benefit from aggressive treatment is critical to their survival. Biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis and subsequent prognostic screening have significantly advanced this field. Here, we review some of the current blood, tissue, and urine biomarker tools used to measure an array of molecules including DNA, RNA, protein, or even epigenetic modifications. Utilizing the technologies described here, as well as looking to the future, correct early identification of prostate cancer with powerful prognostic value is much closer than ever before

Through the lens of social constructionism: the development of innovative anti-corruption policies and practices in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, 2000–2015

The past decade has witnessed two distinct yet interconnected developments in the understanding, policy and practice of corruption studies. On the one hand, corruption has progressively been constructed as a major threat to economic and social development through the use of deceivingly simplistic Western-centric definitions,1 awareness campaigns and international perception-indexes that create the illusion of measuring real levels of corruption. Such developments have recently been criticized by academic observers and activists alike for presenting corruption as a country-specific issue, closely linked to the public sector. On the other hand, and perhaps counterintuitively, anti-corruption efforts have been decontextualized, focusing on generic fixes that typically involve the public sector. This one-size-fits-all approach has not produced impressive results, and has come under attack for ignoring the historical context and function of contemporary states

Superconducting BSCCO Ceramics as Additive to the Zinc Electrode Mass in the Rechargeable Nickel-Zinc Batteries

The electronic conductivity of the main component of the zinc electrode in the rechargeable zinc-nickel battery – ZnO,  is rather poor and this is the main reason for the electrochemical heterogeneity of the anode mass and the loss of active surface area during charge/discharge cycling with a corresponding negative effect on the electrode characteristics In the present work, the possibility of application of superconductive cuprate Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (BSCCO) ceramic as a multifunctional conductive additive to the zinc electrode mass is studied. Powder samples of the BSCCO ceramic Bi1,7Pb0,3Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox are produced by two-stage solid-state synthesis and they are physicochemically characterized. The XRD patterns and SEM observation reveal a well crystallized single phase of superconducting 2212 BSCCO system with average crystallite size 5-10 µm. The chemical stability of BSCCO ceramics in highly alkaline medium of the Ni-Zn battery is confirmed by structural and morphological analysis (XRD, SEM and EDX) of the samples before and after prolong exposure (96 h) to 7M KOH. The electrochemical tests are carried out by a specially designed prismatic alkaline Ni-Zn battery cell with conventional sintered type nickel electrodes and pasted zinc electrode with active electrode mass based on ZnO (88 wt.%) and addition of BSCCO powder or acetylene black as conductive additives. The study show that the zinc electrode with BSCCO superconducting ceramic additive exhibits very good cycleability, remarkable capacity stability and much higher discharge capacity at prolong charge/discharge cycling in comparison to the  zinc electrode with the “classic” carbon conductive additive. It is suggested that the addition of BSCCO ceramics improves not only conductivity of the electrode mass and reduces the gas evolution but also stabilizes porosity structure. The results obtained prove the possibility of application of superconducting BSCCO ceramics as a multifunctional additive to the active mass of the zinc electrodes for alkaline battery systems

Процесуальні особливості розгляду справ про усиновлення громадянами України

Стоянова Т. А. Процесуальні особливості розгляду справ про усиновлення громадянами України : автореф. дис. ... канд. юрид. наук : 12.00.03 / Т. А. Стоянова; кер. роботи Р. М. Мінченко; Нац. ун.-т "Одеська юридична академія". – Одеса, 2009. – 17 с.Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня кандидата юридичних наук за спеціальністю 12.00.03 - цивільне право і цивільний процес; сімейне право; міжнародне приватне право. - Одеська національна юридична академія, Одеса, 2009. Дисертація присвячена дослідженню процесуальних особливостей розгляду справ про усиновлення громадянами України. Визначені умови усиновлення, як закріплені в законі вимоги, що пред'являються до строго визначеного кола осіб з приводу усиновлення, недотримання яких перешкоджає встановленню усиновлення або може призвести до визнання усиновлення недійсним, скасування усиновлення. На підставі теоретичних розробок надана класифікація умовам усиновлення. Проаналізовані особливості кожної стадії цивільного провадження у справах з усиновлення. Сформульовано пропозиції щодо вдосконалення низки норм чинного законодавства з питань розгляду справ про усиновлення громадянами України.Диссертация на соискание научной степени кандидата юридических наук по специальности 12.00.03 - гражданское право и гражданский процесс; семейное право; международное частное право. - Одесская национальная юридическая академия, Одесса, 2009. Диссертация посвящена исследованию процессуальных особенностей рассмотрения дел об усыновлении гражданами Украины. В работе исследуются и анализируются исторические этапы правового регулирования усыновления и порядка усыновления в Украине. Делаются выводы о значении усыновления и его преимуществах перед другими формами государственной опеки над детьми, лишенными родительского попечения. Характеризуются современные тенденции увеличения количества усыновлений, рассматриваются отдельные последствия усыновления на основе действующего законодательства. Особое внимание уделяется вопросам определения понятия усыновления и особенностям его правовой природы. Правовая природа усыновления исследуется в аспекте современной системы личных неимущественных прав физического лица. В результате этого усыновление рассматривается как способ реализации права человека на семью, При этом указывается на значение усыновления для реализации права на семью, как для усыновителя, так и для усыновляемого. Большое внимание в работе уделяется проблемам субъектного состава правоотношений по усыновлению, в частности вопросам возрастного ценза усыновителей и усыновляемых, возрастной разнице между ними. Для более полного анализа указанных проблем используются положения законодательства других стран, в частности России. Анализируется современная проблема, связанная с реализацией права на тайну усыновления. Уделяется внимание содержанию этого права, как для усыновителя так и для усыновляемого. Условия усыновления определяются как закрепленные в законодательстве требования, предъявляемые к строго определенному кругу лиц по поводу усыновления, несоблюдение которых препятствует возникновению усыновления и может привести к отмене усыновления или признания его недействительным. На основании теоретических разработок предоставлена классификация условий усыновления. Анализируются отдельные особенности каждой стадии гражданского процесса по делам об усыновлении; возбуждение производства по делу, подготовка дела к судебному разбирательству, слушание дела, вынесение решения по делу. Определяются отдельные теоретические и практические проблемы, связанные с кругом лиц, участвующих в деле, порядком участия прокурора, других представителей при рассмотрении такого рода гражданских дел. Для иллюстрации и подтверждения отдельных выводов и предложений, сделанных в работе, проводится анализ опубликованной судебной практики по делам об усыновлении. Сформулированы предложения по усовершенствованию положений действующего законодательства по вопросам рассмотрения дел об усыновлении гражданами Украины.The dissertation on a scientific degree of the candidate of laws on a specialty 12.00.03 - civil right and a civil procedure; a family law; the international private law. -Odesa National Academy of law, Odesa, 2009. The thesis is aimed the investigate the research procedural features of cases of adoption by Ukrainian citizens. The condition of adaption provided by the law and intended to the certain individuals and concern the issues of adoption are determined; violation of these conditions prevents from adoption or can cause to recognition of adoption invalid or abrogation of adoption. Classification of conditions of adoption is presented on the grounds of theoretical researches. Specifies of each stage of civil preceding of adoption cases are analyzed. Recommendations for improvement of a member of valid legal norms on adoption by Ukrainian citizens are determined

Ebonex-Supported PtM Anode Catalysts for PEM Water Electrolysis

The work presents a research on the preparation of Pt-based bimetallic catalysts dispersed on commercial Magnelli phase titania (Ebonex@) by sol gel method and investigation of their activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). The catalytic support is also used for preparation of a carbon-free gas diffusion layer (ET30) integrated in the oxygen electrode of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The performance characteristics of MEA with PtM/Ebonex on ET30 are investigated in a laboratory PEMWE and compared to those of MEA with commercial carbon-based GDL with the same anode catalyst. It is proven that the chemical nature and electron density of the second metal have an essential effect on the catalyst surface structure and properties, including the lattice parameter, particle size, and electronic surface state state which in turn, reflect on the electrochemical behavior and catalytic activity. The catalysts PtCr/Ebonex and PtMn/Ebonex having deficiency of electrons in the valent d-orbital do not form an alloy with Pt and have lower catalytic activity. In contrast, the metallic components in PtFe/Ebonex and PtCo/Ebonex form a solid solution which results in changes in the catalyst structure and surface electron state, leading to enhanced OER efficieny compared to pure Pt/Ebonex