Catalyst materials based on plasma-processed alumina nanopowder

A platinum catalyst for glycerol oxidation by molecular oxygen has been developed applying the extractive-pyrolytic method and using, as a support, a fine alumina powder with an average particle size of 30-60 nm processed by plasma technology. The extractive-pyrolytic method (EPM) allows affixing small amounts of catalytic metals (1-5%) with the particle size ranging from several nanometers to several tens of nanometers onto the surface of the support. The prepared material - 4.8 wt. % platinum on nano-sized alumina - can be used as a catalyst for glycerol oxidation by oxygen with conversion up to 84%, in order to produce some organic acids (glyceric and lactic acid) with a selectivity of about 60%

Transient obstructive hydrocephalus due to intraventricular hemorrhage: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND: Acute transient obstructive hydrocephalus is rare in adults. We describe a patient with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) who experienced the delayed development of acute transient hydrocephalus. CASE REPORT: A 33-year-old man with a previously diagnosed Spetzler-Martin Grade 5 arteriovenous malformation presented with severe headache, which was found to be due to IVH. Forty hours after presentation he developed significant obstructive hydrocephalus due to the thrombus migrating to the cerebral aqueduct, and a ventriculostomy placement was planned. However, shortly thereafter his headache began to improve spontaneously. Within 4 hours after onset the headache had completely resolved, and an interval head CT scan revealed resolution of hydrocephalus. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with IVH, acute obstructive hydrocephalus can develop at any time after the ictus. Though a delayed presentation of acute but transient obstructive hydrocephalus is unusual, it is important to be aware of this scenario and ensure that deterioration secondary to thrombus migration and subsequent obstructive hydrocephalus do not occur

Selective liquid phase oxidation of glycerol to glyceric acid over novel supported Pt catalysts

Several supported platinum catalysts were prepared by extractive-pyrolytic method for the selective glyceric acid production from glycerol. Al2O3, Y2O3, Lu2O3, ZrO2-Y2O3 TiO2, SG, Fe2O3, γ-AlO(OH) and C were used as catalyst supports, glycerol oxidation was carried out in the alkaline solutions and oxygen was used as oxidant. The optimal catalyst preparation parameters and glycerol oxidation conditions to obtain glyceric acid were determined. The best result (selectivity to glyceric acid 57% with glycerol conversion 92%) was achieved in the presence of 4.8%Pt/Al2O3 catalyst

STUDENTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL – BEING, ITS DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS

This scientific paper was created as a theoretical basis for further study of psychological well-being of students at Rezekne Academy of Technologies. The need for such research is justified by recent research in various countries, which shows that the prevalence and severity of mental problems among students is increasing. Overall, these studies indicate that students are increasingly experiencing symptoms of increased anxiety and stress, as well as depression. Thus, the deterioration of students' psychological well-being is a major challenge in today's higher education institutions.The purpose of this scientific paper is to investigate theoretically the essence of student psychological well-being and its social-psychological determinants.Analyzing scientific literature was used as the basic method in writing the article.

STRESSORS OF THE STUDY PROCESS, THEIR EMPIRICAL RESEARCH AT RĒZEKNE ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGIES

This scientific article presents a theoretical review of stress factors of young students and the results of empirical research of these factors at the Rezekne Academy of Technologies. The need for such research is justified by International studies (n=540 000), in which was found that the study process causes high level of stress in 37% of students. The results of other studies in different countries also show that the prevalence and severity of mental problems among students is increasing. Overall, these studies indicate that students are increasingly experiencing symptoms of increased anxiety and stress, as well as depression. Thus, increase in student stress levels and related deterioration of students' psychological well-being is a major challenge in today's higher education institutions. Taking into account the mentioned findings, the aim of this article is to identify the most common stress factors in the study process at the Rezekne Academy of Technologies. The analysis of scientific literature and empirical results were used as basic methods in the development of the article.

THE LEVEL OF SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING (FEELING OF HAPPINESS) OF RTA STUDENTS AND ITS INFLUENCING FACTORS

This scientific article analyzes the level of subjective well-being of students of Rēzekne Academy of Technology (RTA) and the main factors affecting this phenomenon. The need for such studies is justified by the latest studies in various countries, which show that nowadays the prevalence and severity of mental problems among young people and early adulthood is increasing. Taken together, these studies show that students are increasingly experiencing symptoms of increased anxiety and stress, as well as depression. Thus, the deterioration of the subjective well-being of young students is a big challenge in modern universities. The purpose of the empirical study: to investigate the level of subjective well-being of students in relation to certain demographics, as well as to determine the factors that significantly influence this phenomenon in the student environment. The analysis of scientific literature and empirical results is used as a basic method in the development of the article

PUBLIC EVENTS AS A MEAN OF DESTINATION PROMOTION

Tourism is often considered as a strategic economic development priority not only in areas with high numbers of domestic and international visitors but also in more remote and rural areas. Their ability to attract visitors is often limited by the number and the range of available infrastructure and other tangible and intangible resources. Even defined as development priority, tourism promotion is often underfinanced due to municipality budget priorities and often short-term focus whereas tourism promotion requires long term approaches. Less developed areas are also lacking overall understanding of various tourism impact forms and public officers face challenges communicating tourism marketing spendings to the public. These trends fit under the category of public events as a means of tourism promotion. Two cities qualifying as regional tourism destinations have prioritised public events as tourism promotion priorities. The aim of the research is to explore perception of public events as tourism destination promotion tools in regional tourism destinations.  Research is a case study of public events as a means of tourism destination promotion in Bauska and Talsi city. Primary data has been obtained via semi-structured interviews with involved stakeholders representing public and private sector to develop practically applicable recommendations to other tourism destinations.

The Nature, Function, and Purpose of the Term Sheol in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings

The fact that scholars depict Sheol either as the underworld where the dead continue their existence or simply the grave has resulted in contradictory conclusions, fierce polemic, and unremitting disputes. This lack of consensus makes it imperative to justify another approach, which is more comprehensive in its entirety in comparison with the earlier attempts that sought to determine the meaning of the term Sheol mainly by exploring its etymology and various nonbiblical sources. Unlike the previous studies, this exegetical research systematically examines all the sixty-six references to the term Sheol in the Hebrew Bible by almost exclusively focusing on its nature, function, and purpose. Chapter 1 provides a concise outline of thewhole dissertation. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 comprise themajor exegetical block. Chapter 5 establishes the nature, function, and purpose of the term Sheol in theHebrew Bible as a whole, and draws together anthropological and theological insights. Repeatedly drawn conclusions that the term Sheol functions as a poetic synonym of the place of the dead were reached by exploring the nature, function, and purpose of the term Sheol and by taking into consideration its various degrees of interrelation with other death-related terminology, the strength of their links, their interconnections and interdependence in the concrete context. This organic system of terminological interdependence, where one concept inevitably influences and clarifies another, plays an extremely important role in determining the factual meaning of the term Sheol. Sheol represents the place of the dead, where both the dead righteous and the wicked go. No physical, mental, or spiritual activity is possible there because it is never linked with life or any kind of existence, but exclusively with death. Besides, the examination of the term Sheol reveals two opposing anthropological and theological systems or paradigms: the so-called popular view of a disembodied personal existence in Sheol and the scriptural paradigm, where at death the body becomes again the dust of the earth, but the spirit of life returns to God. Finally, there is a slight but extremely important distinction between the grave (common noun) and the term Sheol (proper noun), which is rooted in their classification. Because Sheol may refer to a number ofentities by means of common characteristics pertaining to the sphere of death, it may function as a pointer to any place of the dead, regardless of its location, form, content, or description, and that is why it is best to consider the term Sheol as a poetic designation of the grave