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Kazakhstan holds some of the most significant Gulag heritage sites; however, tourism research remains limited. This article introduces analysis of contrasting sites and considers how some have been developed and others ignored. Selectivity in interpretation is linked to societal amnesia and the collective trauma experienced by the population of Kazakhstan. The article reaffirms the politicization of heritage in this emergent nation.

This article demonstrates single-pass fabrication of thick, crack-free deposits of Rene 80, a high gamma-prime “non-weldable” superalloy, atop like-chemistry substrates through scanning laser epitaxy (SLE), a metal powder bed-based laser additive manufacturing (AM) technique. Microstructural investigations and processing zone identification are presented. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy reveal the segregated dendritic microstructure with the presence of finer carbides and primary γ′ particles. Transmission electron microscopy reveals a bimodal distribution of finer secondary γ′ particles in the deposit region. Microindentation hardness measurements show an increase in the hardness value by 25% in the deposit region compared to the cast substrate due to microstructural refinement. In addition to the achievement of metallurgical continuity across the interface and improved hardness in the deposit, the crack-free deposits obtained here for Rene 80 represent one of the few successes reported for a non-weldable alloy of its kind. The results presented here illustrate the significant potential of SLE for the AM-based repair of existing and AM-based construction of entirely new gas turbine hot-section components utilizing powders of high γ′ nickel-based superalloys that have long been known to have high tendency for cracking under the processing conditions associated with traditional welding, joining, and cladding approaches.

The anti-inflammatory properties of products that contain high levels of humic acid, such as peat, sapropeles, and mumie, are well described. The aim of this study was to establish the clinical efficacy of brown coal-derived potassium humate, as in vivo animal models had suggested similar efficacy of humate to prednisolone. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, atopic volunteers were recruited and randomized to placebo or 1.8 g potassium humate/day (three divided dosages) when they presented with hay fever. The efficacy parameters used were skin-prick tests for wheal and flare reactions, nasal smears for inflammatory cell accumulation, and cytokine levels. Patients also filled out daily symptom score cards to determine efficacy against symptoms of hay fever. Potassium humate resulted in a significant decrease in wheal and flare reactions as well as nasal eosinophil counts. These findings were supported by similar changes (not significant) in cytokine levels. Changes in symptom scores did not reach significance. This proof of concept study clearly demonstrated the potential of potassium humate in the treatment of inflammatoryconditions such as hay fever. Drug Dev Res 71:358-363, 2010. C!J 2010Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A normally-white LC design has been developed for use with an all digital backplane LCoS imager. We detail the optimizations to enhance static and dynamic performance in an LCoS projection engine. Drive voltage, contrast, efficiency and dynamic response have all been optimized. Optimization details are described and results are presented.