Transnational State-Corporate Symbiosis of Public Security: China’s Exports of Surveillance Technologies

Over the last two decades, the emerging Chinese Party-state has used commercial ties with North American and European providers of surveillance technologies to grow national prowess of public security, fostering a transnational state-corporate symbiosis. The exports of surveillance technologies from the Global North to China started in the late 1970s, and now Chinese technology companies are competing with and replacing those suppliers in the globalized neoliberal market. This research explores the two-way dynamic of China’s state and private surveillance capacity underscored by international companies’ profit-seeking behaviors and domestic technological and economic growth. Four case studies of companies from Canada, China, and the US are used to highlight the changing dynamics in the global circulation of surveillance technologies. Particular attention is paid to the cyclical nature of such technologies through which unresolved issues of global governance continue to emerge and, accordingly, support the growth of technology-powered authoritarianism worldwide

Regulation of sulfate metabolism in C4 plants:A whole plant perspective

Plants usually acquire sulfur, which is an essential macronutrient for the proper taste, smell and color of crop products, as sulfate. The availability of sulfate is, however, often suboptimal and hence sulfur availability limits crop yield and quality across the world. To improve sulfur fertilizer levels, a detailed understanding of the regulation of sulfate uptake and reduction is crucial. It is particularly important to appreciate this regulation in plants that employ C4 photosynthesis, since C4 crops may be increasingly cultivated. Research has, however, been focused on plants that employ C3 photosynthesis. Findings cannot simply be generalized from C3 to C4 plants, for these plants differ considerably in their physiology. Thus, my dissertation addresses the regulation of sulfate uptake and reduction in C4 plants. I first emphasize the need for plant sulfur research by showing that sulfate deprivation is associated with the production of aberrant floral displays. Subsequently, I analyze the regulation of sulfate uptake and reduction at the whole plant level by exposing plants to atmospheric hydrogen sulfide (H2S). I observed that plants differ considerably in their response to gaseous H2S, though C3 and C4 plants did not respond distinctively to atmospheric H2S. Therefore, I conclude that the whole plant regulation of sulfate uptake and reduction profoundly differs among plants, but that C3 and C4 photosynthesis are not associated with markedly different types of this regulation. To understand the variation in whole plant sulfate metabolism, I recommend to conduct physiological experiments (instead of molecular biological experiments). I argue that regulatory mechanisms at the molecular level have no direct significance in determining the whole plant regulation of sulfate uptake and reduction

Pedagogical Principles of Foreign Language Studies

Adult learners’ study process is affected by former life’s experiences: memories, various events, relations and former study habits etc. Adult learning that is based on adults‘ own initiative and responsibility have been defined in several ways: self-directed learning, self-planned studying, self-studying, independent studies, autonomous studying, autodidactics as well as open learning. Aim of the study: to propose pedagogical principles of foreign language studies. Materials and methods: analysis of scientific and methodological literature, modelling, observation, Methods of data processing and analysis: quantitative (data analysis by using the data processing software SPSS 17.0. In the Research results approve high necessity to optimise the study process taking into consideration the principles that were researched in adults’ learning and teaching

DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES OF FUTURE TEACHERS OF SPORTS DURING THE STUDY PROCESS

Keywords: study process, teacher of sports, competences

ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETRIZATION OF UNIFORMS FOR ARMED FORCES

Planning manufacture of uniforms decisions must be taken as to how many and in what size a particular model series should be manufactured, how they should be labeled and to what body-dimensions garment sizes should correspond. The purpose of anthropometric parametrization is to introduce garment size classification for mass production clothing, so as to representatively depict wearers’ body figure diversity. It is in the interests of manufacturers (design time and costs, logistics etc.) and buyers/procurement service alike to confine themselves with a minimum garment sizes and to use a possibly less complicated garment size classification. The aim of this research is to gather different impact factors for anthropometric parametrization for Uniforms of Armed Forces. Research is formed from anthropometric data and end user survey exploring data set of 150 soldiers. Anthropometrics are performed by non-contact anthropometric methods (3D anthropometrical scanner Vitus Smart XXL® is used in the study), data processing automation systems, pattern making CAD/CAM systems, etc. National Armed Forces (NAF) technical specification provides for manufacture of a wide range of garment sizes (by height indifference interval of 6 cm). Manufacturers labeling system and charts of finished products are subjected to comparative analysis and evaluation of corresponding standard recommendations is included. The study indicates the need to optimize the currently used anthropometry method in the Latvian Army, anthropometric data registration and application, thus improving the performance of military personnel and the procurement process and the use of resources, thus promoting resource planning and environmental protection. Also improvements are needed in uniform labeling and instructing of the military personnel on selection of uniform and equipment components. Proper anthropometric parametrization and labeling of Uniforms for Armed Forces would minimize expenses of Uniforms as well as the negative waste impact to the environment

Studies of Sport and Health Education Teachers in the University of Latvia in the Opinion of Graduates

This article discusses the viewpoints of graduates of the program Health and sports teacher (Sports teacher – since 2011) in University of Latvia, Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology and Art, on the particular study program, focusing on the importance of the educational environment. Parallel to the studies, students have the opportunity to develop their social experience, to participate in creative activities and to orientate themselves on a well-considered model of personal career. This article summarizes the opinions of the graduates on the study process and its importance as they commenced their professional activities, as well as opinions on the possibilities to engage in social and sports activities and the development of their careers in sports during the studies

Regulation of sulfate uptake and assimilation in barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i>) as affected by rhizospheric and atmospheric sulfur nutrition

To study the regulation of sulfate metabolism in barley (Hordeum vulgare), seedlings were exposed to atmospheric hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the presence and absence of a sulfate supply. Sulfate deprivation reduced shoot and root biomass production by 60% and 70%, respectively, and it affected the plant’s mineral nutrient composition. It resulted in a 5.7- and 2.9-fold increased shoot and root molybdenum content, respectively, and a decreased content of several other mineral nutrients. Particularly, it decreased shoot and root total sulfur contents by 60% and 70%, respectively. These decreases could be ascribed to decreased sulfate contents. Sulfate deficiency was additionally characterized by significantly lowered cysteine, glutathione and soluble protein levels, enhanced dry matter, nitrate and free amino acid contents, an increased APS reductase (APR) activity and an increased expression and activity of the root sulfate uptake transporters. When sulfate-deprived barley was exposed to 0.6 µl l−1 atmospheric H2S, the decrease in biomass production and the development of other sulfur deficiency symptoms were alleviated. Clearly, barley could use H2S, absorbed by the foliage, as a sulfur source for growth. H2S fumigation of both sulfate-deprived and sulfate-sufficient plants downregulated APR activity as well as the expression and activity of the sulfate uptake transporters. Evidently, barley switched from rhizospheric sulfate to atmospheric H2S as sulfur source. Though this indicates that sulfate utilization in barley is controlled by signals originating in the shoot, the signal transduction pathway involved in the shoot-to-root regulation must be further elucidated

Arabicized Words I Surah Makkiyah

The purpose of the research about the foreign languages that pronounce Arabically in the Makiyyah surah are to know how the process happened and also to know the importance in the Arabic language. This process enlighten several important aspects such as words repetition, pronunciation, evidence and the origin of the words. To fulfill the research, I have made the reference in a lot of dependable resources. The research is definitely revealing the new word in that process. Like the al-Mu'arrab, al-Dakhil and many other words that derived from the process, for example standard can be concluded on behalf of time and language. Hence, to clarify and searching every foreign word, we must depend on the guidelines stated by the language experts. Each word that turn into Arabic must possessed certain criteria. In this research I discover about 64 more foreign words that turn into Arabic word from 17 different language

Development of the combat sleeping bag system of the Latvian National Armed Forces

Latvian National Armed forces (LNAF) in cooperation with Lund University, Sweden and Riga Technical University, Latvia has developed the combat sleeping bag system (CSBS) of the LNAF under the Soldier System platform (SSP) 2009 – 2013 modernization program. Protection from the cold and thermal infrared surveillance during the low level metabolic heat rate of sleeping (40 W/m2) is the key aspect of the survivability of the soldier in combat and training operation to maintain task fulfilled. Three level CSBS were evaluated in conjunction with eleven combinations of the combat dress uniform system (CDU) of the LNAF Combat individual protection system (CIPS). There is no existing standard for the requirements of the combat sleeping bags. The evaluation was done under the modified civil standard EN 13537:2002 “Requirements for sleeping bags” in the climatic chamber of the Lund University. LNAF had special needs of the location of the mannequin according to the operation using and possible location of the soldier inside sleeping bag, closing mode of the sleeping bag, as well as area of the sleeping bag contact points to the ground during the combat and training. Parallel calculation method was used and the values were corrected for standard. CSBS providing protection comply with the requirements of NATO AECTP-230 “Climatic conditions” cold climate categories C0, C1, representing actual climatic condition of the Republic of Latvia, as well as ISAF operation region. The following range of the quality was established during evaluation – lowest level Itot, parallel=0.824 m2K/W, Itot, serial=0.881 m2K/W, Itot, standard=0.758 m2K/W, comfort temperature +8.8 °C, limit temperature +4.4 °C, extreme temperature –9 °C; highest level Itot, parallel=1.612 m2K/W, Itot, serial=1.819 m2K/W, Itot, standard=1.383 m2K/W, Comfort temperature –10.5 °C, limit temperature –18.1 °C, extreme temperature –40.2 °C. Increasing number of layers doesn’t provide adequate increase of the thermal insulation, due to compressing of the layers and decreasing amount of the static air. Physiological model for calculation of extreme temperature of the standard EN 13537:2002 “Requirements for the sleeping bags” utilizes 25 years old female with weight of 60 kg, height of 1.60 m, and body area of 1.62 m2. LNAF average soldier’s corresponding parameters are male, 24 years old, weight 81 kg, height 1.81 m and body area 2,0 m2. Difference between physiological model of the standard EN 13537:2002 and LNAF soldier should be evaluated during the field trial under the life weather condition. The high level of the CSBS protection against thermal infrared surveillance was defined during the field evaluation. There is no any standard defines requirements of the thermal infrared protection level. Difference in ergonomic models and customizing of the thermal infrared protection evaluation making limitation of the logistics system in order to provide ability of making open tenders