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The use of fly ash in compositions as a substitute for a part of cement is economically favorable and ecologically feasible in connection with large accumulations of waste at the enterprises of the energy sector. In addition, the technology of cement production provides high-temperature treatment of mineral substances in kilns with significant emissions of carbon dioxide. One of the most effective directions of the utilization of fly ash is their use in concrete composites. The use of this material will provide the required temperature and humidity conditions in residential premises, solve the problem of “cold bridges” in structures, minimize heat losses of the structure, and increase the energy efficiency of buildings in general. At the same time, polystyrene concrete, due to its structural structure and the presence of thermally conductive concrete, has limited opportunities for thermal and physical–mechanical properties. To improve the operational properties of polystyrene concrete, it is proposed to use composite binders, including fly ash from the thermal power station of Astana. The main aim of this study is to develop compositions of polystyrene concrete with reduced thermal conductivity and improved physical and mechanical properties. The objectives of this study include the determination of characteristics of fly ash from Astana, formulation of polystyrene concrete mixtures with different proportions of fly ash, and evaluation of their thermal conductivity properties. These tasks are in line with the objectives of the ISO 50001 standard to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The results showed that the addition of fly ash from Astana to polystyrene concrete leads to a marked reduction in thermal conductivity, contributing to improved energy efficiency of the building envelope. Optimal results were achieved by using 15% of Astana fly ash as an additive in polystyrene concrete, which led to a significant reduction in thermal conductivity of 51.47%. This reduction is in line with improving the energy efficiency of building materials, especially in cold climates.

Abstract Value-based decisions about alternatives we have never experienced can be guided by associations between current choice options and memories of prior reward. A critical question is how similar memories need to be to the current situation to effectively guide decisions. We address this question in the context of associative learning of faces using a sensory preconditioning paradigm. We find that memories of reward spread along established associations between faces to guide decision making. While memory guidance is specific for associated facial identities, it does not only occur for the specific images that were originally encountered. Instead, memory guidance generalizes across different images of the associated identities. This suggests that memory guidance does not rely on a pictorial format of representation but on a higher, view-invariant level of abstraction. Thus, memory guidance operates on a level of representation that neither over- nor underspecifies associative relationships in the context of obtaining reward.

A linear engine generator with a compact double-acting free piston mechanism allows for full integration of the combustion engine and generator, which provides an alternative chemical-to-electrical energy converter with a higher volumetric power density for the electrification of automobiles, trains, and ships. This paper aims to analyse the performance of the integrated engine with alternative permanent magnet linear tubular electrical machine topologies using a coupled dynamic model in Siemens Simcenter software. Two types of alternative generator configurations are compared, namely long translator-short stator and short translator-long stator linear machines. The dynamic models of the linear engine and linear generator, validated with lab-scale prototypes, are applied to investigate the influence of alternative topologies of the generator on system performance. The coupled model will facilitate the early design phase and reveal the optimal match of the key parameters of the engine and generator. Then, experimental tests on an integrated compressor cylinder-generator prototype were successfully performed, and it is shown that this concept is feasible and electrical power and compressed working fluid, such as air, can be generated by this prototype.

Kazakhstan’s homelessness social enterprise (SE) practitioners tend to argue that core to the SE concept is the idea that this is first and foremost a business whose income generation function enables it to sustain the viability of social projects. A range of important potential lessons for Kazakhstan emerged from work-based SEs in homelessness sector in the UK with respect to SEs’ financial capacity: (a) ideally, a SE might make enough trading income to entirely sustain its own activities and cross-subsidise a charitable arm/organisation; (b) some SEs might make enough financial resources via trading income to entirely sustain their own activities, but only just enough to “break even” so there was no surplus “profit” to invest in charitable programmes; (c) SEs might make some trading income, but this was only enough to cover part of their operational costs, and so the SEs needed some subsidy to invest in social programmes (the cost transfer model); (d) some emerging SEs make no trading income (so required all costs to be met via cost transfer). This means that it is unrealistic to expect employment-based SEs at least to be able to reconcile commercial and social goals in any absolute sense (Teasdale, 2012a). Kazakh authorities should, therefore, avoid shifting the entire financial responsibility for the social support component of employment-based SEs in the homelessness field themselves.

This study aimed to test relationships among positive and negative psychological stress coping strategies with locus of control. Academic level and specialization were also variables of interest in this study. The sample consistedof 202 male and female freshmen and senior students from the colleges of education and nursing. To answer the research questions two instruments were used. One measured the coping strategies and the other measured locus of control. Several statistical techniques were used: Mean, MANOVA and partial correlation. The results indicated that senior students used negative and positive coping strategies more than their freshmen counterparts. The results also showed that there was interaction between students' specialization and locus of control in using positive coping strategies; students in the college of education who had external locus of control used positive coping strategies more than nursing students. Also, there was interaction between academic level, specialization, and locus of control in using positive coping strategies. Furthermore, there was interaction between academic major, sex and locus of control in using positive coping strategies. Finally, there was positive relationship between external locus of control and positive coping strategies; and there was negative correlation between internal locus of control and positive coping strategies.

The use of fly ash in compositions as a substitute for a part of cement is economically favorable and ecologically feasible in connection with large accumulations of waste at the enterprises of the energy sector. In addition, the technology of cement production provides high-temperature treatment of mineral substances in kilns with significant emissions of carbon dioxide. One of the most effective directions of the utilization of fly ash is their use in concrete composites. The use of this material will provide the required temperature and humidity conditions in residential premises, solve the problem of "cold bridges" in structures, minimize heat losses of the structure, and increase the energy efficiency of buildings in general. At the same time, polystyrene concrete, due to its structural structure and the presence of thermally conductive concrete, has limited opportunities for thermal and physical–mechanical properties. To improve the operational properties of polystyrene concrete, it is proposed to use composite binders, including fly ash from the thermal power station of Astana. The main aim of this study is to develop compositions of polystyrene concrete with reduced thermal conductivity and improved physical and mechanical properties. The objectives of this study include the determination of characteristics of fly ash from Astana, formulation of polystyrene concrete mixtures with different proportions of fly ash, and evaluation of their thermal conductivity properties. These tasks are in line with the objectives of the ISO 50001 standard to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The results showed that the addition of fly ash from Astana to polystyrene concrete leads to a marked reduction in thermal conductivity, contributing to improved energy efficiency of the building envelope. Optimal results were achieved by using 15% of Astana fly ash as an additive in polystyrene concrete, which led to a significant reduction in thermal conductivity of 51.47%. This reduction is in line with improving the energy efficiency of building materials, especially in cold climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aim Method Results Conclusions This study aimed to quantitatively assess the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and lumbar multifidus muscle through ultrasound imaging in younger-middle aged individuals, both those experiencing chronic low back pain (LBP) and those without LBP. Additionally, the study sought to explore the potential significance of these anatomical structures in relation to clinical and sonographic findings.A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a cohort of 50 participants, divided into two groups: chronic LBP group (Group LBP, n = 30) and a group without LBP (Group control, n = 20). Participants from both groups underwent assessments pertaining to pain characteristics (intensity and quality), functional impairment, and kinesiophobia. The thicknesses of the thoracolumbar fascia and lumbar multifidus muscle were measured using ultrasonography.Among participants with chronic LBP, the thoracolumbar fascia displayed a statistically significant increase in thickness on the left side, whereas the lumbar multifidus muscle exhibited reduced thickness on the left side. Notably, positive correlations were observed between the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia and scores from the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity (r = 0.472, p = 0.008) as well as the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) (r = 0.547, p = 0.002). Moreover, a positive correlation was established between the thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscle and the modified Schober test (r = 0.174, p = 0.040). However, the thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscle demonstrated a negative correlation with age (r = −0.304, p = 0.032). Multiple logistic regression analysis did not identify any significant predictors for the presence of LBP based on demographic or clinical variables.Individuals afflicted with chronic LBP exhibited pronounced thickening of the thoracolumbar fascia and attenuation of the lumbar multifidus muscle in comparison to asymptomatic counterparts. Notably, increased thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia corresponded to heightened pain intensity, while reduction in lumbar multifidus muscle thickness was associated with decreased lumbar flexion ability. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating tailored regimens targeting both fascial and muscular components in the rehabilitation of individuals with LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use may cause diaphragm-like lesions in the bowel. Although NSAID-enteropathy is among the causes of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), intractable hypoalbuminemia is rare. CASE REPORT: Here, we discuss a case of NSAID-enteropathy with a diaphragm-like disease that presented with Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE) rather than obstruction. The hypoalbuminemia recovered immediately after resection of the obstructive segment, despite ongoing annular ulcerations in the early postoperative period. Thus, it was not clear whether obstructive mechanisms influenced resistant hypoalbuminemia besides the ulcers. We also reviewed the English-written literature for “diaphragm-type lesion, NSAID-enteropathy, obstruction, and protein-losing enteropathy”. We noted that the role of obstruction in the pathophysiology of PLE was not clear. CONCLUSIONS: As our case and a couple of cases reported in literature, slow-onset obstructive pathology seems to contribute to well-known factors: inflammatory response, exudation, tight-junction dysfunction, and increase in permeability in the physiopathology of NSAID-induced PLE. Factors such as distention-induced low-flow ischemia and reperfusion, cholecystectomy-related continuous bile flow, bacterial overgrowth-related bile deconjugation and concomitant inflammation are among other potential influencers. The possible role of a slow-onset obstructive pathology in the physiopathology of NSAID-induced and other PLE needs to be further elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the effect of morbid obesity surgery on infertility using laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis from a prospectively collected database from May 2014 until December 2019. The mean age of the 23 morbidly obese women included in the study and followed-up for five years was 31.26 ± 5.06 years (minimum 24, maximum 43), mean duration of marriage was 9.3478 ± 4.76 years (minimum 4, maximum 23). Mean body mass index (BMI) values were 45.04 ± 3.43 (minimum 40, maximum 52) pre-LSG and 28.65 ± 3.14 (minimum 24, maximum 36) 12 months post-laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). RESULTS: Out of 23 infertile patients studied underwent LSG. Significant correlation was determined between the change in BMI, 12 months after LSG, compared to pre-LSG and having children after surgery (p=0.001). Conception occurred in 21 patients (91.3%) after surgery, but not in the remaining two (8.7%). CONCLUSIONS: LSG is an important surgical technique used in the treatment of obesity and in preventing obesity-related comorbidities. It can improve pregnancy and live birth rates by contributing to weight loss and hormonal regulation in obese infertile women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]