Challenges of electricity market liberalization in the Baltic countries

In the article there are analyzed the electricity market opening issues in the European Union and especially in the Baltic countries. The aim of the article is to find out and specify the main challenges for Baltic countries in electricity market liberalization process. The Baltic countries are going to face many challenges to secure their energy supply and cooperate regionally. For completion of the research task there are analyzed experiences from Scandinavian countries electricity market liberalization. --Economics of Regulation,Government Policy and Regulation,Regulated Industries,Electricity Market

Estimation of River Utroya Ecological State in Intensive Organic Pollution Area Using Plankton Communities ’ Characteristics (Pskov Region)

The changes in characteristics of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in the river Utroya stretch with the active organic pollution were discussed. The paper shows the effects of pollution on the structural indicators of the communities (species composition, abundance, and biomass). Saprobical analysis was held. Assessment of ecological state of the river stretch was made

Sugar-based surfactants as alternative to synthetic ones

From year to year natural surfactants are gaining ever growing awareness because of their valuable properties (in the absence of negative impact on the environment, as with the use of synthetic surface active agents). In the group of surfactants of natural origin there are surface active agents produced by microorganisms (biosurfactants) or compounds having a natural part (hydrophilic head and/or hydrophobic tail) [1]. This review includes the short characteristic of surfactants with sugar-head group in their structure called sugar-based surfactants. The structure, properties and some applications of these surfactants are described in this paper

Manipulation of Mitochondria Dynamics Reveals Separate Roles for Form and Function in Mitochondria Distribution

Mitochondria shape is controlled by membrane fusion and fission mediated by mitofusins, Opa1, and Drp1, whereas mitochondrial motility relies on microtubule motors. These processes govern mitochondria subcellular distribution, whose defects are emphasized in neurons because of their polarized structure. We have studied how perturbation of the fusion/fission balance affects mitochondria distribution in Drosophila axons. Knockdown of Marf or Opa1 resulted in progressive loss of distal mitochondria and in a distinct oxidative phosphorylation and membrane potential deficit. Downregulation of Drp1 rescued the lethality and bioenergetic defect caused by neuronal Marf RNAi, but induced only a modest restoration of axonal mitochondria distribution. Surprisingly, Drp1 knockdown rescued fragmentation and fully restored aberrant distribution of axonal mitochondria produced by Opa1 RNAi; however, Drp1 knockdown did not improve viability or mitochondria function. Our data show that proper morphology is critical for proper axonal mitochondria distribution independent of bioenergetic efficiency. The health of neurons largely depends on mitochondria function, but does not depend on shape or distribution. Trevisan et al. separate the independent contribution of form and function in determining the distribution of mitochondria in axons. They show that morphology is crucial for proper axonal mitochondria distribution, independent of their bioenergetic efficiency. However, the health of neurons depends on mitochondria function, but does not depend on shape or distributio

GAMBARAN KETIADAAN PERAN ORANGTUA PADA REMAJA PELAKU BULLYING DI SMP NEGERI 1 PALANG

Fokus penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui gambaran ketiadaan peran orangtua pada remaja pelaku bullying. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian studi kasus. Subjek pada penelitian ini dipilih menggunakan purposive sampling dengan jumlah subjek sebanyak 1 orang dengan inisial YA. Metode pengambilan data yang digunakan adalah wawancara terstruktur dengan menggunakan pedoman wawancara . Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah pembuatan transkrip, pengkodingan, dan pembuatan tabel tema. Uji keabsahan data yang digunakan adalah triangulasi sumber. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ketiadaan peran orangtua pada partisipan membuat orangtua hanya mampu memenuhi sebagian perannya. Peran yang dapat dipenuhi yaitu pendukung dalam hal materi, dan memberi motivator, serta peran sebagai pemberi pedoman. Hanya saja pada peranan sebagai motivator dan pemberi pedoman dilakukan orangtua melalui obrolan telepon dengan anak. Hal ini menyebabkan peran tersebut tidak dapat dijalankan dengan sempurna. Peran yang tidak dapat dipenuhi yaitu peran orangtua sebagai pembimbing, serta sebagai pendukung dalam kebutuhan non materiil (kasih sayang dan perhatian). Peranan tersebut tidak dapat dilaksanakan karena orangtua tidak tinggal bersama anak. Kata Kunci: Ketiadaan Peran Orangtua, Pelaku Bullying, Remaj

GAMBARAN KETIADAAN PERAN ORANGTUA PADA REMAJA PELAKU BULLYING DI SMP NEGERI 1 PALANG

Fokus penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui gambaran ketiadaan peran orangtua pada remaja pelaku bullying. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian studi kasus. Subjek pada penelitian ini dipilih menggunakan purposive sampling dengan jumlah subjek sebanyak 1 orang dengan inisial YA. Metode pengambilan data yang digunakan adalah wawancara terstruktur dengan menggunakan pedoman wawancara . Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah pembuatan transkrip, pengkodingan, dan pembuatan tabel tema. Uji keabsahan data yang digunakan adalah triangulasi sumber. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ketiadaan peran orangtua pada partisipan membuat orangtua hanya mampu memenuhi sebagian perannya. Peran yang dapat dipenuhi yaitu pendukung dalam hal materi, dan memberi motivator, serta peran sebagai pemberi pedoman. Hanya saja pada peranan sebagai motivator dan pemberi pedoman dilakukan orangtua melalui obrolan telepon dengan anak. Hal ini menyebabkan peran tersebut tidak dapat dijalankan dengan sempurna. Peran yang tidak dapat dipenuhi yaitu peran orangtua sebagai pembimbing, serta sebagai pendukung dalam kebutuhan non materiil (kasih sayang dan perhatian). Peranan tersebut tidak dapat dilaksanakan karena orangtua tidak tinggal bersama anak. Kata Kunci: Ketiadaan Peran Orangtua, Pelaku Bullying, Remaj

Interaction between the intergalactic medium and central radio source in the NGC 4261 group of galaxies

Using observations from the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observatories, we examine the interaction between the intra-group medium and central radio source in the nearby NGC 4261 galaxy group. We confirm the presence of cavities associated with the radio lobes and estimate their enthalpy to be ~2.4x10^58 erg. The mechanical power output of the jets is >=10^43 erg/s, at least a factor of 60 greater than the cooling luminosity in the region the lobes inhabit. We identify rims of compressed gas enclosing the lobes, but find no statistically significant temperature difference between them and their surroundings, suggesting that the lobe expansion velocity is approximately sonic (Mach<=1.05). The apparent pressure of the radio lobes, based on the synchrotron minimum energy density argument, is a factor of 5 lower than that of the intra-group medium. Pressure balance could be achieved if entrainment of thermal gas provided additional non-radiating particles in the lobe plasma, but the energy required to heat these particles would be ~20 per cent. of the mechanical energy output of the radio source. NGC 4261 has a relatively compact cool core, which should probably be categorised as a galactic corona. The corona is capable of fuelling the active nucleus for considerably longer than the inferred source lifetime, but can be only inefficiently heated by the AGN or conduction. The expansion of the radio lobes has affected the structure of the gas in the galaxy, compressing and moving the material of the corona without causing significant shock heating, and expelling gas from the immediate neighbourhood of the jets. We discuss the possible implications of this environment for the duration of the AGN outburst, and consider mechanisms which might lead to the cessation of nuclear activity.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 17 pages, 6 figure

Stężenie fibrogenu i D-dimerów u chorych z nadczynnością tarczycy przed i po leczeniu 131I

Background: Various abnormalities of haemostasis have been described in patients with hyperthyroidism. The results of different studies point to the underlying thyroid disease, especially severity of hyperthyroidism and autoimmune processes, as important factors contributing to coagulation-fibrinolytic balance. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between hyperthyroidism (concerning severity of thyroid dysfunction and anti-thyroid perioxidase antibodies level) and plasma fibrinogen and D-dimers levels before and after radioiodine therapy. Material and methods: The study included 35 non-smoking, postmenopausal women, aged 51&#8211;69, with subclinical or overt hyperthyroidism treated with radioiodine. Analysis comprised serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), fT4 (free thyroxine), fT3 (free triiodothyronine), TPO antibodies (anti-thyroid perioxidase) levels, and plasma D-dimers and fibrinogen levels before and 12-16 weeks and 24&#8211;28 weeks after radioiodine therapy. Results: Elevated fibrinogen (3.82 g/L &#177; 0.75, reference range 2&#8211;4.5 g/L) and D-dimers (674.26 ng/mL &#177; 652.71, reference range 70&#8211;490 ng/mL) levels were observed in subjects with hyperthyroidism. They decreased after radioiodine therapy. A negative correlation between plasma fibrinogen and D-dimers levels and anti-thyroid perioxidase antibodies level was found. TSH, fT4 and fT3 correlated with D-dimers level in overt hyperthyroidism. Conclusions: Hyperthyroidism is associated with a tendency toward hypercoagulation and hyperfibrinolysis. The changes observed in plasma fibrinogen and D-dimers levels are reversible. Fibrinogen level decreases within reference range and D-dimers level decreases almost to the upper reference range. They depend on severity and autoimmunity of the underlying thyroid disease and may be modified by restoring euthyroidism. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (5): 409&#8211;415)Wstęp: U pacjentów z nadczynnością tarczycy opisano różne zaburzenia hemostazy. Wyniki publikowanych dotychczas prac sugerują, że najważniejszymi czynnikami, od których zależy równowaga procesów koagulacji i fibrynolizy, są stopień nasilenia choroby tarczycy oraz procesy autoimmunologiczne. Celem prezentowanej pracy jest ocena stężeń fibrynogenu i D-dimerów w nadczynności tarczycy przed leczeniem i po podaniu 131I w zależności od nasilenia choroby i braku lub obecności przeciwciał przeciw tyreoperoksydazie. Materiał i metody: Do badania włączono 35 niepalących kobiet po menopauzie, w wieku 51&#8211;69 lat, z subkliniczną lub jawną klinicznie nadczynnością tarczycy, leczonych 131I. Badano stężenia tyreotropiny (TSH), wolnej tyroksyny (fT4), wolnej trójjodotyroniny (fT3), przeciwciał przeciw tyreoperoksydazie (anty-TPO) oraz fibrynogenu i D-dimerów przed leczeniem oraz 12&#8211;16 tygodni i 24&#8211;28 tygodni po podaniu 131I. Wyniki: U kobiet z nadczynnością tarczycy obserwowano podwyższone stężenie fibrynogenu (3,82 g/L &#177; 0,75, norma 2&#8211;4,5 g/L) i D-dimerów (674,26 ng/mL &#177; 652,71, norma 70&#8211;490 ng/mL), które obniżały się po leczeniu 131I. Stwierdzono ujemną korelację pomiędzy stężeniem fibrynogenu i D-dimerów a stężeniem przeciwciał anty-TPO. U pacjentek z jawną klinicznie nadczynnością tarczycy uzyskano dodatnią korelację pomiędzy stężeniem TSH, fT4, fT3 a stężeniem D-dimerów. Wnioski: Nadczynność tarczycy wiąże się z większą skłonnością do koagulacji i fibrynolizy. Stężenie fibrynogenu zmniejsza się w zakresie wartości referencyjnych, natomiast D-dimerów zmniejszając się, osiąga górny zakres wartości referencyjnych. Zmiany obserwowane w stężeniu fibrynogenu i D-dimerów są odwracalne. Zależą od stopnia nasilenia nadczynności tarczycy oraz procesów autoimmunologicznych, a także podlegają modyfikacji po przywróceniu prawidłowej funkcji tarczycy. (Endokrynol Pol 2011; 62 (5): 409&#8211;415

Effective Cultism Management Techniques as Perceived by Staff and Students in Higher Education: A Case Study of Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria

The investigation was set out to study effective cultism management technique as perceived by academic staff, non-academic staff and students in higher education in Nigeria a case study of federal colleges of education in Nigeria. Five hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study made use of an instrument known as the effective cultism management technique questionnaire (ECMTQ). The instrument had a reliability coefficient of 0.78. The instrument was administered on a total of five hundred and sixty seven respondents made up of academic staff, non-academic staff and students. All the respondents returned their copies of questionnaire showing one hundred percent return rate. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyse the data and the findings showed coercion, persuasion, public renunciation, public awareness campaign and school disciplinary measure were found to be effective techniques in the management of cultism. KEYWORDS: Cultism; management techniques; higher education; Nigeria; academic staff