Adyghe Nart epic and its historical and cultural significance

The article deals with the emergence of the epic, about its historical and cultural significance. Arguments are presented confirming the emergence of its initial nucleus among the ancestors of the Abkhaz-Adygs, and then it was adopted by the neighboring peoples. It is noted that the epic plays a huge role in the education of young people.

A Labile Metallo-Porphyrin as Tool to Control J-Aggregates Chiroptical Properties

The zinc(II) metal derivative of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS4) is quite labile and readily demetallates under acidic conditions, affording the parent diacid porphyrin in a monomeric form. The rate of this process is first order on [ZnTPPS4] and second order on [H+], allowing a precise control of the monomer release in solution. Under high ionic strength, this latter species is able to self-assemble into J-aggregates, whose kinetics of growth are largely modulated by pH. The aggregation kinetics have been treated according to a well-established model, in which the formation of an initial nucleus is the rate determining step preceding the autocatalytic growth of the whole assembly. The extinction spectra of the aggregates suggest the occurrence of a dipolar coupling mechanism very similar to that operating in metal nanoparticles. Spontaneous symmetry breaking takes place in these aggregates as evidenced by unusual circular dichroism spectra. The intensity and sign of the effect is controlled by the aggregation rate and therefore can be tuned through a proper choice of initial conditions.

Biosignatures in Subsurface Filamentous Fabrics (SFF) from the Deccan Volcanic Province, India

The morphology, chemical, and mineralogical composition of subsurface filamentous fabrics (SFF) from the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) were investigated to determine the origin of these spectacular aggregates. SFF occur in a wide variety of morphologies ranging from pseudo-stalactites to irregular fabrics and are classified as SFFIr (irregular) or SFFMa (matted). The SFF samples exhibit a thread-like (or filament-like) center from which mineral precipitation starts to form the final macroscopic morphologies. Detailed investigations revealed organic material (fungal chitin) in the innermost filamentous core, which may have acted as an initial nucleus for the mineralization processes. The morphometric characteristics of certain filamentous fabrics are very similar to those of microbial filaments and the fabrics formed from them but are clearly distinct from similar types of non-biological precipitates (fibrous minerals, speleothems, and “chemical gardens”). These features indicate that the filamentous cores might be products of microbial communities that were active in the basaltic cavities. The SFF cross-sections display similar concentric layers of the mineral succession and reach thicknesses of several centimeters with spectacular lengths up to 100 cm and constant diameters. The typical mineralization sequence points to temporal variation in the chemical composition of the mineralizing fluids from Fe(Mg)-rich (Fe-oxides/-hydroxides, Fe-rich sheet silicates such as celadonite and di-/tri-smectite) to Ca-dominated (Ca-rich zeolites) and finally pure SiO2 (opal-CT, chalcedony, and macro-crystalline quartz). Assuming biological activity at least during the early mineralization processes, circumneutral pH conditions and maximum temperatures of 100–120 °C were supposed. The formation of filamentous cores including Fe-bearing phyllosilicates probably occurred near the surface after cooling of the lava, where the elements necessary for mineral formation (i.e., Si, Mg, Al, Fe) were released during alteration of the volcanic host rocks by percolating fluids.

“Land to the Tiller”. On the Neglected Agrarian Component of the Macedonian Revolutionary Movement, 1893–1912

The aim of this article is to question and revise the dominant assumption that dissociates the revolutionary activities in late Ottoman Macedonia from the agrarian question that remained open throughout that period. Through the cross-checking of various Greek, Bulgarian, Macedonian and western primary sources, emanating from both the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization and its adversaries, the latter’s promise of a radical land reform (and the beginnings of its de facto implementation) emerge as the main motive behind the mass mobilization of Christian peasants that transformed an initial nucleus of urban-based middle-class activists into a popular parallel state within a state, openly defying Ottoman sovereignty over the area.

Breakup of 16O nucleus onto C and He isotopes by protons at incident momentum of 3.25AGeV/c

Phenomenological analysis of breakup of oxygen nuclei on fragments with charges two and six in collisions with protons at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV/[Formula: see text] was conducted using the Monte Carlo (MC) model of isotropic phase space. For the first time, the contributions of mechanism of diffractive breakup of oxygen nucleus, and that of quasi elastic knocking out of one of the [Formula: see text] clusters of oxygen nucleus by a proton target, into channel of formation of [Formula: see text] particle and [Formula: see text]C nucleus with conservation of recoil proton were determined in final state. The substantial role of [Formula: see text] cluster structure of initial nucleus in processes of fragmentation of oxygen nuclei in peripheral interactions with protons was revealed in experiment.

The Research Progress of TiB2 Impacts on the Refining Effect of Al-Ti-B Master Alloy

Al-Ti-B master alloy is the most widely used grain refiner in the aluminum fabrication industry, while it’s refinement mechanism is not clearly understand yet. The TiB2 in Al-Ti-B master alloy is one of important phase to grain refining, which intimately related to the generation of initial nucleus, the “fading” phenomenon of refining effect declines with the increase of holding or standing time in grain refining process. Besides, TiB2 is analyzed in several studies about the “poisoning” phenomenon, a large extent weaken of refining effect when Zr, Cr, Mn etc. exists. In this article, the impact of TiB2 to the refining effect of Al-Ti-B master alloy is discussed aiming at the roles and phenomenon mentions above.

Domain Dynamics of C-Axis Polarization in Bismuth Titanate Crystals

Polarization switching and domain dynamics in unpoled and poled crystals of bismuth titanate by applying electric field along the crystallographic c axis were investigated through polarization measurements and domain observations by optical microscope and piezoelectric force microscope. Poled crystals showed a well-saturated polarization hysteresis with a remanent polarization of 4.4 μC/cm2 and a coercive field of 4.7 kV/cm. Domain observations reveal that lenticular domain acts as an initial nucleus during polarization switching. The sidewise motion of the lenticular-domain walls and resultant single domain state were easily established for the poled crystals, while the lenticular domains observed in unpoled crystals were clamped even though a high electric field was applied to them.

Performance of ewes selected to have four functional teats

Ewes with extra teats can be found in many breeds but the amount of milk produced from these is only occasionally substantial. The aim of the breeding project was to investigate the possibility of developing a ewe with four functional teats.A group of 15 ewes and four rams, all with four teats, together with five two-teated Cambridge ewes formed the initial nucleus group. Subsequently five four-teated Cambridge rams were used. The following measurements were recorded: (a) number of teats, (b) length of front (FL) and rear (RL) teats measured at 5 months of age, (c) distance between the front teat (FT) and front perimeter line of the fore udder (FU) measured post partum, (d) milk production from front (FM) and rear (RM) teats recorded over a 3h period at 2 to 4 days post partum using oxytocin to ensure complete let down.