bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Representation of the Iconoclast Emperors in the Byzantine Offices in Honour of the Confessors of Iconoduly
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, Senina Tatiana
Published: January 2023

Introduction. Present article examines the representation of the iconoclast emperors in the Byzantine offices in honour of the confessors of iconoduly of the 8th – 9th centuries, and shows how this representation relates to the general view of icon-worshipers on the imperial power and its role in the spread of iconoclasm. Methods. Methods employed in this article are source research, information analysis, and comparative research. Sources on the subject include the offices in honor of the saints of the iconoclastic era which contain mentions of the iconoclastic emperors, published in the printed Menaion in Greek and Church Slavonic, as well as in Analecta hymnica Graeca. Analysis. An iconoclast emperor is usually represented by hymnographers as a tyrant, a lawless ruler, an enemy and persecutor of saints, godless and unholy, bestial and cruel, arrogant and daring, ignorant, insane and reckless, incurably sick with heresy; his teachings are hated by God, he is responsible for spreading the iconoclastic heresy. The term “tyrant” for the Byzantines meant a ruler who went against the law and the common good, preferring personal arbitrariness to the observance of laws, including church laws; a tyrant is the antipode of a legitimate emperor, his orders are illegal and criminal, and the overthrow of such an emperor is permissible. Therefore, the confessors of iconoduly are glorified for rejecting the orders and dogmas of the iconoclast emperors, and the death of such emperor is presented as the answer of God to the saints’ prayers confessors. For Byzantine hymnographers, the most odious figures among the six iconoclastic emperors in texts are Leo III and Leo V, as well as Constantine V; they are called by their names or nicknames in some hymnographic texts. Theophilus, thanks to his posthumous rehabilitation, escaped such a fate: he is nowhere called by name in the hymnographic texts, but he is anonymously reviled only in the offices in honour of Theophanes and Theodore Graptoi, who were tortured on his direct order. Results. On the whole, this corresponds to the picture that can be seen in the iconodule literature of other genres, primarily in hagiographical texts. Hymnographic texts were constantly used during public worship and reached the ears of the wide masses of believers; therefore they have significant contributed to the spreading of a number of legends about icon-worshipers and iconoclasts and to the formation of the image of the iconoclastic era in the minds of the Byzantines.
Gregory Palamas’ Criticism of Plato’s Ideas
Authors:   Sociological Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Schukin Timur
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The paper focuses on Gregory Palamas’ criticism of Plato’s ideas. Methods. It examines four texts related to the early life of Gregory Palamas, which in one way or another were devoted to the criticism of Platonic idealism. On the basis of these texts, four points are identified on which the saint disagrees with the Athenian philosopher, or rather with the image of Platonic philosophy that existed in his mind (and probably in the minds of many educated Byzantines of the 14th century). Analysis. In his First letter to Barlaam, Gregory Palamas points out the impurity and passion of Plato’s idea, its contamination by accidental content. In the Second Letter to Barlaam, Plato's ideas are criticized for their inability to become a link in the knowledge of God, since they are “empty” universals that precede many things. Such ideas are not the subject of contemplation and cannot become the beginning of reflection. In the “Triads for the Defense of Those Who Practice Sacred Quietude”, Gregory Palamas first of all points out the independence (autonomy of existence) of ideas, their separation from both God and the world. Finally, in the “Antirretics contra Akindynos”, we are talking about the creaturehood of ideas, which again makes it impossible to communicate with God. Results. The paper argues that although polemical attacks against Plato are attacks rather against the opponents of Gregory Palamas, they can also be considered as a way to manifest his own teaching. Gregory Palamas defines himself as a Christian philosopher who offers an original interpretation of ideas, different from that offered by “pagan”, Platonic, wisdom.
Egyptians and Byzantium. On the Question of Political Subjectivity in Late Antiquity
Authors:   Centre for Egyptological Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Voytenko Anton
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The article focuses on the reasons for the lack of political subjectivity among the Egyptians in the Byzantine period (4th – first half of the 7th centuries). During this period, the population of Egypt did not demonstrate it at any level: social movements (uprisings) did not offer such agenda; studies on literature and rhetoric show that the Egyptians were under the influence of the Roman statehood (Eastern Roman Empire). The aims of the study are therefore concentrated around the consideration of the causes and terms of the loss of political subjectivity by the Egyptians, and the reasons for the increase of it among the Romans. An additional task was a comparative analysis of the political and religious systems of Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt and the possible influence of religious features on the configuration of political systems. Methods. The main methods used in the study are factor analysis and the comparative method. Analysis. The ancient Egyptian political system was “introverted” and static in nature. The complete loss of political subjectivity by the Egyptians can be, however, attributed to the Roman period. In the Persian and Ptolemaic ones, its existence is preserved due to two main factors: the practices of the Persians and Ptolemies to present themselves as Egyptian pharaohs and the strong positions of the Egyptian priesthood, who could keep an ancient political subjectivity. Results. The Romans, who refused to continue Ptolemaic practices and took drastic measures to limit the economic independence of the Egyptian priesthood, managed to nullify its authentic political subjectivity. Thanks to an “extroverted” and transformative political model, supported by a “political theology” based on the “Roman myth”, the Roman state managed to maintain (or even strengthen) its subjectivity in the period of late Antiquity.
The Temple of the “Three Horsemen” (Eski-Kermen, South-West Crimea): On Issues of Chronology and Interpretation of Paintings
Authors:   Institute of Archaeology of Crimea of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Mogarichev Yuriy , Ergina Alena ,   Saint Petersburg State Academy of Arts and Design named after A.L. Stieglitz
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The Church of the “Three Horsemen” is located on the southeast edge of Eski-Kermen hill fort (Southwest Crimea). Its name comes from the fresco with the images of three saints riding on the horses. Methods. Historians of the end of the 18th – beginning of the 20th centuries rarely mentioned this site. Modern scholars have discussed two issues: 1) whether the church with fresco was the original one or it was preceded by an earlier (early medieval) cave religious building; 2) the image depicts only St. George, presented in three scenes; St. Demetrius, St. Theodore, and St. George; or this image amplified with figures of local historical persons. Analysis. Nikolay Repnikov proved the chronological identity of fresco and the church. As regards the differences in the quality of handling walls, the author concludes that this is the result of the preparation of the rock base on plaster application and later paintings. The inscription under the picture of saints confirms this statement. All the translation variants confirm the simultaneity of paintings and cutting. Therefore, the fresco and the church were definitely created at the same time, probably in the second part of the 13th century. The analysis of paintings on the fresco shows that we have an image of St. Demetrius, St. Theodore (Stratelates or Tiron), and St. George. The images of these three saints, in contrast to “triple St. George” are common on the other sites of Crimea. Results. All the attempts to “find” in the Three Horsemen martyrium the “earlier church” are baseless. The church was carved and painted in the second part of the 13th century. The fresco depicts St. Demetrius, St. Theodore (Stratelates or Tiron), and St. George. Authors’ contribution. Yuriy Mogarichev prepared sections on historiography and features of the considered monument. Alena Ergina investigated art history aspects.
Byzantine Lighting Devices from the Main Basilica of the City on the Eski-Kermen Plateau
Authors:   Institute of Archaeology of Crimea of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Aibabin Aleksandr , Khairedinova Elzara ,   Institute of Archaeology of Crimea of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The light played a big role in Byzantine culture. It was an integral part of the original architectural, artistic and symbolic design of the temple. For additional lighting inside the temple, polycandyla, lampadophoroi and candlesticks were used. Lighting devices are depicted on Byzantine mosaics, frescoes, icons, textiles and in manuscripts. Information about lighting devices is also contained in the typicons. Method. In 1930 and 2019–2021, during the excavations of the basilica erected by the Byzantines at the end of the 6th century on the Eski-Kermen plateau, fragments of Byzantine bronze candlesticks and a polycandylon were found. Their study is important for the reconstruction of the interior decoration of the once rich main city temple. Analysis and Results. These candlesticks and a polycandylon are only a small part of the lighting equipment of the main basilica of the city on the Eski-Kermen plateau. The considered lamps give an idea of the complex of church lighting, which was known only by mentions in monastic inventory inventories and typicons of the late 11th – 13th centuries. The increase in the value of candles in the artificial lighting of churches is a characteristic feature of the Komnenos period, which is intensified under the Palaiologoi. Apparently, a new set of lamps began to be used in the main basilica after its reconstruction.
The Accentuation Systems in the Byzantine Seals of the 13th – 15th Centuries from the Collection of Dumbarton Oaks
Authors:   Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Evdokimova Аlexandra
Published: January 2023

Introduction. Our study of Byzantine accentuated objects (inscriptions, manuscripts, papyri, and seals) revealed that, besides the Byzantine accentuation system, there are also Alexandrian, Doric, “Logical”, two systems with an accent shift to the right or left and various combinations of all these systems. Methods. In addition to the descriptions and transcripts of the seals presented on the Dumbarton Oaks website, we explored in detail the photographs. In some cases, we found in the images the accentuation signs, which were allowed by the editors. Materials. The analysis of the accentuation signs usage in 381 Byzantine Greek seals of the 13th – 15th centuries from the collection of Dumbarton Oaks is presented in this article. Analysis. We described consistently which elements of the various Greek accentuation systems were used in the seals of each allocated time group. Nearly in all described groups, the Alexandrine system elements are observed, such as a shift of the accent signs to the left, and the accent in the first part of the diphthong. Semantic stress, including the accent marks on the abbreviations, and the Byzantine accentuation system were also used. Results. There are only 18 accentuated seals out of 381. Except for the mentioned Alexandrian, Byzantine, and Logic systems, some seals use a separate accentuation system with an accent shift to the right, widely represented in the seals of the 11th – 12th centuries from the Dumbarton Oaks collection. The analysis of the seal owners’ characteristics revealed that the accentuation on the seals is one of the indicators, that its owner had high status. In some cases, the accentuation signs serve to indicate the poetic size.
The Semiotic Aspects of the History of the Concept of Energy in Philosophy
Authors:   Volgograd State University, Pigalev Alexander
Published: January 2023

The purpose of the paper is to retrace the history of Aristotle's concept of energy and the semiotic aspects of its contexts which indicate the changes of its meaning over time. The scrutiny seeks to go beyond the limits of textual analysis and focuses on the detection of the very necessity to invent the concept of energy. This problem is considered in the context of the relationships between immediacy as the peculiarity of the initial state of community and mediation as the feature of more complex social frameworks that implies the rise of symbolic exchange. It is noted that just the passage from the immediacy of tradition to the mediating structures of society favored the inculcation of the concept of logos that, as opposed to the immediacy of myth, resulted in the differentiation between the signified and signifier and thus between the essence and appearance. Moreover, the complication of the structure of homogenizing symbolic exchange widens the gap between the essence and the appearance till the latter proves to be autonomous. The essence acquires the traits of transcendence and thereby inaccessibility which in philosophy and theology is described by means of the term "apophaticism". Aristotle, having blamed in particular the unlimited making money in trade turnover, could not but notice the first signs of the sharply widening gap between appearance and essence. Accordingly, Aristotelian concept of energy as an "actualization" or "existence in actuality", implying the determination by some final cause, inherently laid claim to prevent the involvement of things in the complex structures of symbolic exchange and thereby retain their singularity. However, in the final analysis, the vicissitudes of Aristotle's concept of energy boiled down to the repudiation of the concept of the final cause and the transformation of "energy" into an "accumulated work" and the "capability to do work".
Agricultural Producers’ Opposition to Risks in the Agricultural Sector of the South of Russia
Authors:   Kalmyk Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Namrueva Ludmila
Published: January 2023

In the harsh conditions of market realities, the constant sanctions of Western states announced against Russia for a long period, the strongest survive, those who successfully integrated into the system of economic relations, were able not only to adapt to the harsh conditions of the market, but also to increase the profitability of agricultural enterprises, improve activities, technologize many processes in the economy. This article analyzes the experience of profitable family farms in the studied southern Russian regions of the Republic of Kalmykia, Astrakhan and Volgograd regions. For this purpose, we have used materials from regional media and the Internet. Despite certain difficulties with low purchase prices, distribution channels, inaccessible loans, the high cost of feed, veterinary drugs, equipment, the entire 30-year post-Soviet period has shown that small rural businesses represented by farmers, individual entrepreneurs, are able to meet the growing consumer demand for high-quality and organic food, expanding the range due to the products of regional producers, local brands, adapting the release to the dynamic change in consumer demands. The considered farms not only successfully solve these problems, but also resist a variety of different risks (natural and climatic, macrosocial, financial), but also are for rural areas the most important factor in preserving rural society, its employment, rural infrastructure. The decline in the number of peasant farms throughout the country, which took place in the previous quarter of a century, should stop and be replaced by a reverse trend. This will indicate that the importance of this rural way of life in ensuring the country's food independence has been assessed and conditions have appeared for the mass management of family commodity farms, for the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.
Digitization of the Social Security System as a Factor of Raising the Standard of Living of Russian Citizens (On the Example of the Volgograd Region)
Authors:   Volgograd State University, Andryuschenko Olga , Gomanenko Olesya ,   Volgograd State University, Danilova Elena ,   Volgograd State University, Popandopulo Olga ,   Volgograd State University
Published: January 2023

The strategic goal of digitalization of the social sphere is the need to improve the quality of life of service recipients. The authors note that the assessment of the quality of social services in social work requires uniform criteria for both traditional and electronic services: accessibility, priority, timeliness of provision, appropriate documentation of the service. The paper indicates that the foreign and domestic experience of digitalization of social services differs in the following positions: the Internet infrastructure of Russia requires technical development, the activities of which are laid down in the "Strategy for the Development of the Information Society in the Russian Federation for 2017–2030" and will be implemented over time; in Russia, the entire process of providing digital social services is concentrated in the hands of the state, while the European experience shows the effectiveness of attracting private companies. At the same time, the domestic portal of public services is dynamically developing in terms of expanding the list of services provided by spheres, life situations and departments. To solve the practical problems of the study, the authors used a set of general scientific methods: systematic, statistical and comparative analyses; expert interviews and pilot questionnaire survey. In the article, the authors consider the practice of the Volgograd region, where over the past few years the planned indicators of the federal program "Digital Economy of the Russian Federation" have been achieved, but in practice there are still a number of problems hindering the introduction of digital services in the region: an Internet network requires development in remote areas of the region, low computer literacy persists, especially among older age groups, which mainly constitute the category of those persons who prefer to personally apply for an appointment with social authorities, some services can still be obtained only at a personal reception, the introduction of a Unified state information base of social security is progressing slowly, which reduces the efficiency of document management in the system of digital provision of social services to citizens.
Concerning the Concept of Actus in Thomas Aquinas’ “Summa Theologiaе”
Authors:   Vaganova Ballet Academy, Dushin Oleg
Published: January 2023

The article discusses the main directions of application of the term actus in Thomas Aquinas' "Summary of Theology". Firstly, it is presented the prospect of his understanding of theological problem of nature and status of angels in the hierarchy of the Universe. In this context the initial setting of Aquinas' angelology, which has developed in the course of his many years of reflections and in the frames of a fundamental theological discussion, is demonstrated that an angels do not include in themselves a composition of matter and form, but they have a composition of potency and an act. It is stressed that the form has an independent existence in angels, and they are characterized by a "self-existing form", hence, they are "separated substances". As a result, it is concluded that angels, according to the conception of Thomas, are acquired a special disposition in the hierarchy of ens creatum. Secondly, the analyze is developing in the prospect of refuting by Aquinas the heresy of the Manicheans and asserting a kind of "apology" for the existing world. In this sense, Thomas Aquinas' interpretation of being is considered, which is understood as actuality and perfection, that allows the medieval thinker to demonstrate the unique role of the Creator for the existence of created world. Thirdly, it is presented the horizon of explication of human mind meaning within the framework of the procedure of a moral act. In this regard, the article opens the general scheme of a human act formulated by Thomas and reveals the significance and role of reason and will at each stage of the implementation of moral action, which was a fundamental problem for the ethical studies of his time. Thus, the article is demonstrated the refraction of metaphysical discourse and philosophical terminology, in particular, the concept of actus, dating back to the Aristotelian energia, in the theology of Thomas Aquinas, which allowed him to solve the fundamental intellectual problems of his epoch.
Trust in Modern Families Based on Own Research
Authors:   Pedagogical University of Krakow, Szast Mateusz
Published: January 2023

This article focuses the reader’s attention on understanding trust as a research category in the context of the functioning of modern families. This issue is sufficiently represented in research work, especially overall trust as the context of the functioning of modern man in the interpersonal space. However, there is no reference to family ties and their strength, which are shaped by the trust. This article is the result of part of a large research project carried out in 2020 on Polish families. The questionnaire’s questions for the analysis concerned intimate issues such as betrayal or faithfulness. The respondents were also asked about other family members having access to their personal belongings, including mutual assistance or small loans. The article draws the reader’s attention to the issues of interpersonal relations and the importance of the family in the respondents’ minds. The research contains interesting information on the preferences of the research category in shaping family relationships, the strength of family ties and the social roles performed based on these. The data show a change in the functioning of the modern family, especially in the context of its functions and family members’ roles.
The Multidimensional Nature of Individuals’ Adaptation Strategies in the Changing Life Circumstances. Analysis Based on Research of Polish Immigrants in Scotland
Authors:   Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Leszniewski Tomasz
Published: January 2023

This text is an attempt to reconstruct how emigrants from Poland adapted to the living conditions in Scottish society after Poland acceded to the European Union. Using the functional perspective, four potential forms of migrant adaptation were defined according to their relations with the social system of the host country. Assimilation, integration, marginalisation, and isolation were distinguished as four essential types occurring with different intensities and frequencies. The adaptation of migrants to new living conditions was analysed using these forms concerning the following three critical dimensions of human existence: the material, the cultural, and the social. It makes it possible to show the diversity of the adaptation strategies according to gender and the problem of working in jobs below one’s skill level. On the other hand, the analysis of the cultural and social dimensions made it possible to identify issues related to the accumulation of family social capital and difficulties in transferring cultural capital between the two countries. The survey also showed that Polish migrants have a high integration potential. However, situations where unfavourable or negative experiences of migrants intensify, may constitute a fundamental basis for developing an adaptation strategy that will result in the marginalisation of this group.
On the Unspoken Effort. Language Status, Language Category, and Language-Driven Effort of Adolescents in a Multilingual Environment
Authors:   University of Bialystok, Karolczak Anna
Published: January 2023

The present exploratory study investigated adolescent experiences (N = 84) at a multilingual London college to provide evidence of the psychological factors underlying language-driven effort. It was assessed in a group of students with either English as First Language (EFL) or English as an Additional Language (EAL) status, speaking English to varying degrees, concerning their personal characteristics and environment. The impact of language status and category on such an effort was explored in volunteers of all year groups, using a new theory- and practice-based Language-driven Effort Questionnaire. Differences in language-driven effort among groups with diverse language statuses occurred. EAL students put in more effort, perceiving their environment as motivating and supportive, which was reciprocal, regardless of proficiency. Also, the language category was important for early EAL learners who struggled and were sometimes lonely. The results showed that the sources of language-driven efforts in multilingual settings are both personal and environmental. The need to analyse the individual situation and use flexible methods in the classroom were signalled for the benefit of all pupils who differ in language attributes.
The Analysis of Selected Motivational Mechanisms in Gamification of Higher Education
Authors:   Faculty of Education, University of Bialystok, Białystok, Skok Katarzyna
Published: January 2023

One of the innovative perspectives to increase student involvement is gamification. The article aims to analyse selected motivational mechanisms in the context of gamification tools. The pragmatic nature of students (obtaining a better final grade, improving the organisation of the learning process) is compared with players’ experiences and the offered gamification models. While students’ goals relate mainly to effectiveness (study certificates, practical skills and knowledge with minimum effort), games are process-oriented (fun, engagement). The paper states that the differences may be apparent and proposes motivational tools that can make learners’ experience resemble players’ one. Particular attention is paid to the art of failure, autonomy, community and mandatory fun, which are discussed from the perspective of the theory of self-determination (competence, autonomy, relatedness) and cognitive dissonance (effort justification, insufficient punishment, counter-attitudinal advocacy paradigm). The article advocates voluntary participation or at least the choice of different educational paths and tools. Secondly, the paper encourages implementing features enabling students stress-free freedom to experiment and experience failure.
Dmitry Grigorovich’s Literary Memoirs: Axiology and Plot
Authors:   Institute of Philology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Kozlov Alexey E.
Published: January 2023

Referring to the memoirs of Dmitry Grigorovich, this article considers the general principles of axiology and plot of the memoir text. A contemporary of Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky, Grigorovich became the “last chronicler” of the era of the 1840s. In this article, the author attempts to read Literary Memoirs as a work of fiction (novel), establishing typological connections between everyday sketches and essay-like sketches and plot situations that have a literary genesis. First, the author examines the phenomenon of Dmitry Grigorovich’s creative work in the axiology aspects. It is demonstrated that the symbolic capital of the writer’s name, despite the authority and significance of some of his works, was lost by the end of the nineteenth century. In this regard, the main intention of “literary recollections” is understood as an attempt to correct the past (represented by the narratives of Ivan Panaev, Avdotya Panaeva, and Pavel Annenkov), having experienced it in the present, i.e., through writing and auto-description. The main part of the article is devoted to the interpretation of plot models of memoirs and the principles of selection of historical figures. Often this selection itself (the choice of a publicist or a memoirist, what to write about and what to keep silent about) contains significant resources for auto-commentary. For example, in the description of childhood experience, referring the reader to the novels of Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, and John Greenwood, one can trace “heraldic” features that frame the writer’s experience. Particular attention is paid to the figures central to the memoirs — Fyodor Dostoevsky and Alexander Dumas, embodying the specific features of the national writer and genius, with an individual portrait of Grigorovich himself built between them.
Ingenuity Against Backwardness: First Time Facing High-Rise Residential Building in the Basque Province of Gipuzkoa (1958-73)
Authors: Etxepare Lauren
Published: January 2023

From the enactment of Spain's 1956 Land Law up to the first oil crisis of 1973, during a building cycle that lasted nearly 15 years, the first residential tower blocks were built in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, Spain, near the border with France. A study of 16 representative cases, most of them being groups of several towers, demonstrates that Basque architects showed no small ambition and inventiveness when facing the new challenge. Despite the uneven success of the relationship between these neighbourhoods and their urban environment, the architects of these towers were able to develop novel forms of internal organisation, catching up with their European colleagues. Various arrangements were inspired by buildings published during post-World War II reconstruction. However, the new residential type was born with an inherent contradiction, because its envelop had to be built with old manufacturing techniques, since industrialised cladding systems had not yet transferred into the Spanish construction industry. Nevertheless, despite how rudimentary the post-war Spanish envelope systems were, this situation invited technological experimentation informed by ideological influences.
Equilibrium Yield Curves with Imperfect Information
Authors: Tanaka Hiroatsu
Published: January 2023

I study the dynamics of default-free bond yields and term premia using a novel equilibrium term structure model with a New-Keynesian core and imperfect information about productivity. The model generates term premia that are on average positive with sizable countercyclical variation that arises endogenously. Importantly, demand shocks, in addition to supply shocks, play a key role in the dynamics of term premia. This is in sharp contrast to existing DSGE term structure models with perfect information, which tend to rely on large supply shocks to generate timevariation in yields and term premia. With imperfect information, a shock to productivity is a supply shock, while a shock to signals about productivity that do not lead to actual changes in productivity acts as a demand shock. Nevertheless, an increase in economic activity generates more information about productivity, regardless of which type of shock it arises from. Moreover, a decrease in economic uncertainty leads to a decline in term premia as longer-term bonds are risky on average. This feature helps reconcile the empirical evidence that term premia have been on average positive and countercyclical, with numerous studies pointing to demand shocks as being an important driver of business cycles over the last few decades.
Sequential equlibria in signaling games
Authors: Васин Александр Алексеевич , Vasin Alexander , Серёгина Ирина Юрьевна , Seregina Irina
Published: January 2023

The paper considers Bayesian multi-stage signaling games. Previously formulated for extensive-form games, concepts of sequential equilibrium, separating equilibrium and pooling equilibrium are specified, and calculating methods for these equilibria are also discussed. A competitive collision model with signals indicating rivals' states is studied as a specific example. We determine conditions for existence of separating and pooling equilibria with ordered competition, in which the competition object goes to one of the rivals without a rigid encounter. Model parameters ranges of the equilibria existence are also determined.
Fees for Technical Services and the Absence of ‘Make Available Clause’ in Tax Treaties: Can a Protocol Not Notified by the Government Trigger the ‘Most Favoured Nation Clause’?
Authors: Singh Ajit Kumar
Published: January 2023

The recent decisions of some courts in India to do away with the requirement of notification of a protocol, attached to a tax treaty, for its implementation, has raised serious concerns with regards to the interplay of international law vis-à-vis the municipal law of India. The object of this article is to critically reflect on the existing jurisprudence and constitutional provisions in India, along with the extant international practices. This article tends to argue that the recent judicial approaches reflect a manifest error of law, both in terms of national as well as international practices.
Alternative Dispute Resolution at Delhi Mediating Centers: An Analytical Study
Authors: Vasagan V T
Published: January 2023

Disputes can be resolved outside of the court system by using alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It serves as a means of resolving disputes between parties outside litigation. In India, 33.84 million cases are pending in district courts, while 4.57 million cases are pending in high courts. In addition, there is a huge shortage of judges in district and high courts. It is impossible to get a case resolved quickly in due to overcrowding. Besides, Indian judiciary is encouraging people to settle disputes through ADR system. The present study identified 6 mediating centers located at Delhi. It has been found that there is a positive impact of cases refereed for mediation on cases mediated and cases settled through ADR. Hence, it has been concluded that ADR has strong impact on the settlement disputes and mediating centers are well functioning in handling of disputes.
Taxation of E-commerce: Overcoming Challenges to Traditional Tax Regimes
Authors: Jain Sandeep
Published: January 2023

Given the phenomenal rate of growth of e-commerce in India, the taxability of e-commerce transactions is a pertinent issue in terms of its revenue implications for the government. It is well recognized that e-commerce presents some formidable challenges for the tax administration. With the physical location of both the buyer and the seller of the commodity in question irrelevant for the transaction, assigning tax liability would be hard. In addition, many goods (such as software) sold through e-commerce are directly downloaded and do not necessarily have a physical presence. The paper discusses the taxation of e-commerce transactions in the post-GST era. With the TCS provisions coming into force, tax authorities are empowered to monitor e-commerce transactions and ensure that suppliers selling their goods through e-commerce platforms do not get away with under-reporting their turnover.
A Hermeneutical Study of Manusmriti and Adam Smith’s Canons of Taxation
Authors: Agrawal Sakshi , Holani Umesh
Published: January 2023

This paper brings to light some discussion about the origin of the Canon of Taxation, proposed by Adam Smith. It has been widely stated in literature that Adam Smith borrowed all major ideas from various sources. For example, Ferguson exposed Adam Smith for falsely claiming the pin factory example. It aims to continue the process instigated by Ferguson by ascertaining the sources of economic growth, and principles of taxation, which are very similar to the ‘Manusmriti’. It is claimed that Adam Smith picked up those ideas from the 'Manusmriti' that have been given approximately twenty-two hundred years before Smith indicated in the Appendix. We hope that this process would continue until all sources of Adam Smith were identified and duly acknowledged.
Meetings and Decisions of Goods and Services Tax Council (GST Council) From First Meeting (September 22-23, 2016) to Forty-seventh Meeting (June 28-29, 2022)
Authors: Sury M. M.
Published: January 2023

Goods and Services Tax Council (GST Council) is a joint forum of the Centre and the States, created under Article 279A of the Constitution, for the smooth implementation of GST. Meetings of GST Council are held from time-to-time to sort out problems and ensure harmonization on different aspects of GST between the Centre and the States as well as among the States themselves. GST Council works on the basis of consensus. In all, 47 meetings of the Council have been held so far to discuss a wide range of issues concerning GST. Out of the 47 meetings, 18 took place before and 29 after the introduction of GST.Decisions taken in various meetings of the GST Council provide glimpses of the problems and challenges posed by GST and the measures taken to solve them, making for a fascinating study of India’s march towards co-operative Federalism. The editorial staff of the Journal has painstakingly summarized the main decisions of all the 47 meetings of the GST Council and the same are set out in this section of the Journal.
Las elecciones presidenciales de 2018 en Colombia. Hacia una votación de clase
Authors: Kajsiu Blendi , Tamayo Grisales Yenifer
Published: January 2023

En este artículo se analiza la relación entre la clase social y el comportamiento electoral en la segunda vuelta de las elecciones presidenciales de 2018 en las cinco ciudades principales de Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla y Cartagena. En cuatro de estas ciudades hubo una relación clara entre estrato social y comportamiento electoral, y solamente en Medellín esta relación fue débil, aunque presente. La votación de clase se mantiene también en el ámbito nacional. El análisis indica que mientras el candidato presidencial del Uribismo, Iván Duque, recibió más apoyo entre la clase alta, el candidato de Colombia Humana, Gustavo Petro, ganó más votos entre la clase baja. Además, el texto muestra que la votación de clase está más presente en la clase alta que en la clase baja.
Las iglesias cristianas y sus representaciones de paz en Colombia. Del dualismo y la instrumentalización política al compromiso social
Authors: Plata Rodríguez Daniela , Plata Quezada William Elvis
Published: January 2023

El año de refrendación del proceso de paz con las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) se considera uno de los debates públicos más cruciales para el país. En los nuevos escenarios de interacción social como las redes sociales, líderes políticos y religiosos hacen uso de plataformas digitales para posicionar sus interpretaciones sobre la paz, de ahí que esta investigación se pregunte sobre ¿cuáles fueron las representaciones que los actores religiosos le confirieron a la paz en este periodo? Haciendo uso de la etnografía digital en los perfiles de Facebook de diferentes líderes religiosos para corroborar el abanico de representaciones inscritas dentro de corrientes religiosas cristianas específicas y que, según sus lazos y perspectivas hacia lo político, arrojan significados propios sobre la paz, este artículo retoma enfoques teóricos de la sociología de la religión, los estudios de paz y la virtualidad en los fenómenos sociales, para estudiar las representaciones que se conectaron con eventos como la ideología de género, la manipulación de la campaña opositora hacia los acuerdos de paz y las diversas narrativas cristianas en torno al cambio social.
La eficacia en la cooperación internacional para el desarrollo. Análisis en el ámbito local en Colombia tras la firma del Acuerdo de Paz de 2016
Authors: Ubaque Mozo Sebastián , García Perilla Juan Carlos , Arias Henao Diana Patricia
Published: January 2023

Este artículo realiza un análisis sobre las formas de medir la eficacia de la cooperación internacional al desarrollo (CID) en Colombia, tras la firma del Acuerdo de Paz entre el Estado y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP). Toma los cuatro principios para la medición de la eficacia de la Alianza Global para la Cooperación Eficaz al Desarrollo (AGCED) y hace un examen histórico, descriptivo y crítico de las metodologías con las que se ha medido la eficacia de la CID en el ámbito nacional y cómo estas deben incorporar una evaluación a nivel subnacional que permita conocer realmente el impacto de la CID en el país. Lo anterior puede fortalecer los principios de eficacia o las metodologías para su medición, dando paso a evaluaciones en la esfera subnacional en países con altas tasas de desigualdad interna. Se concluye que, pese a los esfuerzos para cumplir los principios e indicadores de medición de la CID, sigue existiendo una brecha en el cumplimiento de estos, lo cual no refleja el impacto de la eficacia de la cooperación.
A Survey on Resource Allocation Techniques in Cloud Computing
Authors: Priyadarshini K. Loga , Nithya M. , Reka R.
Published: January 2023

Cloud is an important and emerging technology utilized by various fields for storing, processing and retrieving of data anywhere and anytime without any interruption. Cloud is now acting as a platform for many companies for storing and other computational purposes to reduce infrastructure and maintenance cost similarly they can utilize their application widely based on pay per use. To make available of data to all cloud users Resource Allocation (RA) is mandatory process. In cloud hardware, software and platform are the resources utilized to satisfy user needs hence sharing these resources according to users need is a difficult task. Cloud service provider and cloud service consumer plays the major role in RA. The parameters under resource allocation, its issues and challenges are needed to be analyzed deeply before implementing any optimizing approach in RA. Hence in this work various resource allocation methods have been studied and issues in it is analyzed and presented as a survey. This work is useful for both cloud users and researchers in overcoming the challenges faced in RA.
Cointegration between Nifty 50 Spot and Future Indices: An Empirical Analysis Applying Vector Error Correction Model
Authors: Katoch Rupinder , Shilpa Shilpa
Published: January 2023

This paper aims to investigate the cointegration of the spot market and future indices (NIFTY, NIKKEI, S&P 500 AND Singapore FTSE) of selected developed and developing nations from January 2011 to December, 2021. The Johansen cointegration test, Granger Causality Test, and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) are all used to gauge the degree of cointegration. The study's empirical findings support the hypothesis that there is cointegration between the spot market and future market indices of selected global markets. Comparative Granger tests for causality using the error correction model and results of error correction tests reveal interdependencies. The fact that the S&P 500 spot market index and future market index have a bi-directional causality shows that how interdependent these stock indices are.  But, in case of Singapore FTSE, there is uni-causality from SGX future to SGX Spot indices. And in rest of indices (NIFTY and NIKKEI), there is no causality between spot and future stock indices. The study's conclusions show that investors may create diverse portfolio strategies to manage risk.
A Novel Approach for Speech to Text Recognition System Using Hidden Markov Model
Authors: Kumar Babu , Singh Ajay Vikram , Agarwal Parul
Published: January 2023

Speech recognition is the application of sophisticated algorithms which involve the transforming of the human voice to text. Speech identification is essential as it utilizes by several biometric identification systems and voice-controlled automation systems. Variations in recording equipment, speakers, situations, and environments make speech recognition a tough undertaking. Three major phases comprise speech recognition: speech pre-processing, feature extraction, and speech categorization. This work presents a comprehensive study with the objectives of comprehending, analyzing, and enhancing these models and approaches, such as Hidden Markov Models and Artificial Neural Networks, employed in the voice recognition system for feature extraction and classification.
SarNet-1 -A Novel Architecture for Diagnosing Covid-19 Pneumonia and Pneumonia through Chest X-Ray Images
Authors: Unnisa Sarwath , A. Vijayalakshmi
Published: January 2023

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a contagious disease which begins with flu-like symptoms. COVID-19 arose in China and it rapidly spread throughout the globe, leading to a pandemic. For many, it was noticed that the infection started with fever, cough and finally leading to pneumonia. It is very necessary to differentiate between covid pneumonia and general pneumonia for appropriate treatment. Chest X-ray readings are useful for radiologists to identify the severity of infection. While computerising this mechanism, deep learning techniques are found to be very useful in extracting relevant features from medical images. This can help in differentiating pneumonia, COVID19 pneumonia and x-rays of a healthy person. Computer aided methods for identifying the presence of pneumonia can help health providers to a great extent for quick diagnosis. The X-ray’s gathered from freely available datasets are used in this work to propose an architecture for categorising X-ray’s into pneumonia and covid pneumonia.
Social Media Based Deep Auto-Encoder Model for Clinical Recommendation
Authors: Tiwari Kretika , Singh Dileep Kumar
Published: January 2023

One of the most actively studied topics in modern medicine is the use of deep learning and patient clinical data to make medication and ADR recommendations. However, the clinical community still has some work to do in order to build a model that hybridises the recommendation system. As a social media learning based deep auto-encoder model for clinical recommendation, this research proposes a hybrid model that combines deep self-decoder with Top n similar co-patient information to produce a joint optimisation function (SAeCR). Implicit clinical information can be extracted using the network representation learning technique. Three experiments were conducted on two real-world social network data sets to assess the efficacy of the SAeCR model. As demonstrated by the experiments, the suggested model outperforms the other classification method on a larger and sparser data set. In addition, social network data can help doctors determine the nature of a patient's relationship with a co-patient. The SAeCR model is more effective since it incorporates insights from network representation learning and social theory.
Alternate of Manual Weeding Tools: A Research into an Automatic Weeding Control Strategies Enabled by Embedded Systems
Authors: Vijayakumar J.
Published: January 2023

A key enabling factor for treating individualized weeds in the crops is the Automatic Weeding Control device (AWCd) as it is being capable of finding and distinguishing weeds in the field. The non-herbicide approaches used to manage weeds are a component of the personalized treatment of weed crops. In this study, mechanical weed control techniques are investigated as an alternative. In this study, three specifications—a cutting mechanism, a head-surface tilling (tines), and a foot-surface tilling (arrow hoe)—are taken into account. With different rates of application to herbicide-resistant, these processes were estimated in a controlled field and the efficacy of the implementation is estimated by using the demographic analysis and also, the importance of early interface has also been highlighted. For all the weeds accounted in this research, Automatic weeding control was found to be very effective thus ended up in overall survival probability.