Differences among Watershed Sub-Populations in Willingness to Pay for Water Quality Improvements: The Impact of TMDL Development

The Opequon watershed is located in northern Virginia (VA) and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia (WV). In both states, Opequon Creek is classified as impaired based on violations of bacteria, benthic and biologic standards. Both VA and WV are using Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plans to improve water quality within Opequon Creek. However, these TMDL plans are at different stages with VA being completed and WV still in progress. As part of the TMDL process in VA, this research is based on a contingent valuation survey which was developed to measure the expected monetary benefits of TMDL implementation throughout the Opequon watershed. On the basis of log-likelihood tests of grouped tobit models to explain willingness-to-pay (WTP) for watershed clean-up, VA, WV, and VA riparian landowner respondents were found to consist of different populations. Riparian landowners had the highest median annual WTP at $64, VA respondents the next highest ($49), and WV the lowest ($32). These medians were found to be statistically different from each other. When valuing out-of-state clean-up, however, VA and WV respondents were found to be similar populations with a one-time median WTP of$28. Results show that the TMDL process did impact VA respondent WTP for in-state clean-up.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Fluidity speech formation as a qualitative characteristic of the oral statement of preschool age children with stutter

The research objective is to disclose the subject matter of speech therapy work focused on fluidity speech formation of preschool age children, suffering stutter. Stutter is a difficult disorder of articulation organs suchthat the tempo-rhythmical organisation of statements is distressed that leads to defects and failures of dialogue system, negatively influences on individual development of the child; more specifically it generates the mental stratifications, specific features of emotional-volitional sphere, and causes undesirable qualities ofcharacter such as shyness, indecision, isolation, negativism. The author notes that the problem of early stutter correction among junior preschool-aged children considered as topical and immediate issue. Methods. Concerning the clinical, physiological, psychological and psychologic-pedagogical positions, the author summarizes theoretical framework; an experimentally-practical approbation of an author's method of speech fluidity and stutter abolition of preschool children is described. Stage-by-stage process of correction,spontaneous and non-convulsive speech formation: 1. restraint mode application in order to decrease incorrect verbal output; 2. training exercises to long phonatory and speech expiration; 3. development of coordination and movements rhythm helping to pronounce words and phrases; 4. formation of situational speech, at first consisted of short sentences, then passing to long ones; 5. training to coherent text statements. The research demonstrates data analyses of postexperimental diagnostic examination of stuttering preschool children, proving the efficiency of the author’s applied method. Scientific novelty. The research findings demonstrate a specific approach to correction and stutter abolition of preschool children. Proposed author’s approach consists of complementary to each other directions of speech therapy work which are combines in the following way: coherent speech formation corresponding to age norms; the assistance in development of lexical and grammatical means of language; development of communicative skills. Practical significance. The identified methodological recommendations while correction-pedagogical process can be used for formation of communicative children readiness to school training and gaining experience of positive interaction with people around them. Timely measures aimed at speech acquisition of stuttering preschool children can warn possible deviations in mental development and prevent many difficulties due to their social adaptation. It is especially underlined that the guarantee of successful speech therapy work on stutter correction should be aimed at active interaction of experts with teachers of preschool educational institutions and parentsЦель данной статьи – раскрыть содержание логопедической работы по формированию плавной речи детей, страдающих заиканием. Заикание – это сложное расстройство речевого аппарата, при котором нарушается темпо-ритмическая организация высказываний, что приводит к дефектам и сбоям системы общения, отрицательно влияет на развитие личности ребенка: порождает психические наслоения, специфические особенности эмоционально-волевой сферы и обусловливает появление нежелательных качеств характера – застенчивости, нерешительности, замкнутости, негативизма. Поэтому проблема ранней коррекции заикания у детей младшего дошкольного возраста является крайне актуальной. Методика и результаты работы. С клинических, физиологических, психологических и психолого-педагогических позиций дается теоретическое обоснование и описывается экспериментально-практическая апробация авторской методики развития плавного говорения и устранения заикания у дошкольников. Показан поэтапный процесс формирования правильной, свободной, бессудорожной речи: 1) введение режима ее ограничения с целью сокращения неверной вербальной продукции; 2) обучение навыку длительных фонационных и речевых выдохов; 3) развитие координации и ритмизации движений, помогающих произнесению слов и фраз; 4) становление ситуативной речи на материале сначала коротких, а затем развернутых предложений; 5) обучение связным текстовым высказываниям. Приводятся данные постэкспериментального диагностического обследования заикающихся дошкольников, подтверждающие эффективность разработанной автором методики. Научная новизна предлагаемого подхода к коррекции и устранению заикания у детей младшего возраста заключается в том, что в авторской технологии сочетаются взаимодополняющие друг друга направления логопедической работы: формирование соответствующей возрастным нормам связной речи; помощь детям в освоении лексико-грамматических средств языка; развитие коммуникативных навыков. Практическая значимость. Применение в коррекционно-педагогическом процессе изложенных в статье методических рекомендаций будет способствовать формированию коммуникативной готовности детей к школьному обучению, приобретению ими опыта положительного взаимодействия с окружающими. Своевременные меры по полноценному овладению речью заикающимися детьми помогут предупредить возможные отклонения в их психическом развитии, избежать многих трудностей при их социальной адаптации. Особо подчеркивается, что залогом успешной логопедической работы по коррекции заикания является активное взаимодействие специалистов с воспитателями дошкольных образовательных учреждений и родителям

Laws of nanosize molybdenum (VI) oxide layers optical properties change as a result of heat treatment

The spectrophotometric method determines two absorption and reflection spectral areas of nanosize MoO3 layers - short-wave ?330 nanometers. It is stated by spectrophotometric, gravimetric and microscopic methods that in atmospheric conditions MoO3 layers transformation degree (d=10...130 nm) grows at time (1...140 minutes) and heat treatment temperatures (Т=373...600 К) (at constant layer thickness) increasing as well as at reduction of layers thickness. The reduction of absorption maxima at ?=350 nm and increase at ?=870 nanometers at heat treatment of MoO3 layers is revealed. The colour centers formation model is offered. It includes the center formation - anionic vacancy with one seized electron ([(Vа) ++ е]) during preparation of MoO3 layer, thermal electron transition from a valent zone on a level of the center, the second electron capture by the center ([(е Vа) ++ е])

Thermal transformations of aluminium-aluminium oxide systems in nanosize layers

Aluminium film of more than 2 nm thick indicates, but less than 2 nm do not indicate characteristic absorption and reflection bands for aluminium in range ?=190...1100 nm. By spectrophotometric, gravimetric and microscopic methods it is stated that thickness, mass and absorption, reflection spectrum of aluminium films (d=2...200 nm) undergo considerable transformations as a result of heat treatment in an interval of temperatures 373...600 K during 1...140 min in atmospheric conditions. Kinetic curve of transformation degrees, change of thickness and weights of samples are shown to be satisfactorily described in the context of the logarithmic law. It is established that changes of absorption spectra, thickness and weights of aluminium films are connected with the formation of aluminium oxide on their surface

The Method of Rational Distribution of Academic Disciplines in the System of Higher Education

One of the tasks of the management of the educational institution is the development of measures aimed at improving the training of their graduates. The purpose of this article is to improve the system of planning the workload between disciplines at the university. To achieve this, an optimization model was built on the basis of system analysis and mathematical modeling. As a result, the introduction of this model in the management of the educational process will make it possible to distribute the load within the framework of one direction in such a way as to make it easier for students to master the educational material

Semantic Reconstruction of Vocabulary with a Speed Value Derived from Verbs of Object Movement

The article deals with the verbs of moving an object by the subject, developing the semantics of low and high speed of action. The research is mainly based on the vocabulary of Russian folk dialects, but the facts of the literary language are also involved. Several lexical groups are distinguished, within which “speed” meanings can develop, depending on the way of movement indicated by the verbs: without lifting off the ground; by the strength of your movement; by air; appropriation; giving away; putting into something. Within each group, the main models of the development of lexemes with the semantics of speed, determined by the features of the called action, the meaning of affixes and possible associative series are described. It is found that, although the movement of an object by a subject is a fairly extensive lexical group, a limited set of models are presented directly in the designation of speed, which are implemented using synonymous verbs (tyanut’ [pull], tashchit’ [drag] and volochit’ [crawl along]; brosat’ [throw], kidat’ [cast] etc; khvatat’ [grab] etc.). The correlations of the semantics of speed with other semantic fields that arise within the framework of this thematic group are described

On Semantic and Motivationsl Reconstruction of Russian Dialect Word LUTONYA

The question of the origin of Russian dialect word lutonya recorded by dialectal dictionaries in several meanings related to personal characteristics of the man: ‘slow man,’ ‘scruffy man,’ ‘liar,’ ‘tall man’ is considered. The assumption of belonging of the lexeme to a derivational family of the root lut -, derivatives of which calling linden, linden bark and objects made of linden, is proved. It is noted that in the dialects the meanings of the word lutonya broadly correspond to the semantic models that are typical for synonymous lexemes, and therefore motivationally proved. However, the suffix - on - which can be found if lutonya is a derivative from the root lut -, is not found in “subject” tokens. This observation suggests an effect on the form of the word of folk etymology rapprochement with diminution name Lukyan (variant lutonya is proposed by onomasts along with Lutokha , Lutosha and othres). The author points out that the name Lutonya belongs to the character of folk tales, while there is no direct correspondence between the qualities of the character and the given dialect meanings of the lexeme lutonya . It is suggested that, at the formal level, a well-known folk text may support the functioning of the lutonya appellative

Designations of Speed Derived from Verbs of Motion (Based on Vocabulary of Russian Folk Dialects)

The article refers to the Russian dialect items, naming the speed of an action or movement. The Russian North lexis is mainly covered. Motivational analysis of the words is made, revealing the models of nomination of speed through naming of ways of moving: walking, running, flying, jumping, etc. Classification of main semantic types of verbs, which motivate linguistic units with the meaning of speed or sluggishness, is proposed. Word-forming structure of the derivatives, based on the most productive models, is described. Special attention is paid to the words with unclear internal form. During the analysis, the author concludes that the vocabulary of linear motion is highly productive in the nomination of speed. Frequent are the models of naming velocity though the capacity to move ( hodko ‘in a fast manner’, brodkiy ‘brisk, capable to walk a lot and fast’, etc.); stem reduplication in order to highlight the semantics of intensity ( begom begat’ ‘to do something fast and promptly’, letkom sletat’ ‘to walk fast’ etc.); extension of the meaning of verbs of movement and their derivatives, in other words, the use of the corresponding words to describe speed of any activity ( Ya segodnya nabegom propolola )

Evidence for the production of Ar2∗−_2^{*-} metastable negative molecular ions in two-phase argon detectors for dark matter searches

The recent studies of electroluminescence (EL) properties in two-phase argon detectors for dark matter searches have revealed the presence of unusual delayed pulses in the EL signal in the form of two slow components with time constants of about 5 and 50 $\mu$s. These components were shown to be present in the charge signal itself, which clearly indicates that drifting electrons are temporarily trapped on two states of metastable negative argon ions which have never been observed before. In this work, using the pressure dependence of the ratio of slow component contributions measured in experiment, it is shown that these states are those of two types of metastable negative molecular ions, $\mathrm{Ar}_2^{*-}(b \ ^4\Sigma_u^-)$ and $\mathrm{Ar}_2^{*-}(a \ ^4\Sigma_g^+)$ for the higher and lower energy level respectively.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure