bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why foreign STEM PhDs are unlikely to work for US technology startups
Authors: Roach Michael , Skrentny John
Published: August 2019

Significance

We provide insights from a longitudinal survey that follows a cohort of 2,324 STEM PhDs from US research universities to their first industry employment in a startup or established firm. We show that foreign PhDs apply to and receive job offers from technology startups at the same rate as US PhDs but are less than half as likely to work in a startup. We present evidence that this discrepancy is not explained by foreign PhDs’ preferences for established firm jobs, risk tolerance, or preference for higher pay. We also show differences in visa sponsorship between startups and established firms, suggesting that visa policies may deter foreign PhDs from working in startups.
The avocado genome informs deep angiosperm phylogeny, highlights introgressive hybridization, and reveals pathogen-influenced gene space adaptation
Authors: Rendón-Anaya Martha , Ibarra-Laclette Enrique , Méndez-Bravo Alfonso , Lan Tianying , Zheng Chunfang , Carretero-Paulet Lorenzo , Perez-Torres Claudia Anahí , Chacón-López Alejandra , Hernandez-Guzmán Gustavo , Chang Tien-Hao , Farr Kimberly M. , Barbazuk W. Brad , Chamala Srikar , Mutwil Marek , Shivhare Devendra , Alvarez-Ponce David , Mitter Neena , Hayward Alice , Fletcher Stephen , Rozas Julio , Sánchez Gracia Alejandro , Kuhn David , Barrientos-Priego Alejandro F. , Salojärvi Jarkko , Librado Pablo , Sankoff David , Herrera-Estrella Alfredo , Albert Victor A. , Herrera-Estrella Luis
Published: August 2019

The avocado,
Persea americana
, is a fruit crop of immense importance to Mexican agriculture with an increasing demand worldwide. Avocado lies in the anciently diverged magnoliid clade of angiosperms, which has a controversial phylogenetic position relative to eudicots and monocots. We sequenced the nuclear genomes of the Mexican avocado race,
P. americana
var.
drymifolia
, and the most commercially popular hybrid cultivar, Hass, and anchored the latter to chromosomes using a genetic map. Resequencing of Guatemalan and West Indian varieties revealed that ∼39% of the Hass genome represents Guatemalan source regions introgressed into a Mexican race background. Some introgressed blocks are extremely large, consistent with the recent origin of the cultivar. The avocado lineage experienced 2 lineage-specific polyploidy events during its evolutionary history. Although gene-tree/species-tree phylogenomic results are inconclusive, syntenic ortholog distances to other species place avocado as sister to the enormous monocot and eudicot lineages combined. Duplicate genes descending from polyploidy augmented the transcription factor diversity of avocado, while tandem duplicates enhanced the secondary metabolism of the species. Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, known to be elicited by
Colletotrichum
(anthracnose) pathogen infection in avocado, is one enriched function among tandems. Furthermore, transcriptome data show that tandem duplicates are significantly up- and down-regulated in response to anthracnose infection, whereas polyploid duplicates are not, supporting the general view that collections of tandem duplicates contribute evolutionarily recent “tuning knobs” in the genome adaptive landscapes of given species.
Energy and air pollution benefits of household fuel policies in northern China
Authors: Meng Wenjun , Zhong Qirui , Chen Yilin , Shen Huizhong , Yun Xiao , Smith Kirk R. , Li Bengang , Liu Junfeng , Wang Xilong , Ma Jianmin , Cheng Hefa , Zeng Eddy Y. , Guan Dabo , Russell Armistead G. , Tao Shu
Published: August 2019

Significance

Impacts of a newly launched rural residential solid fuel substitution campaign in China’s Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei area on energy, emission, air quality, and exposure reveal that abating solid fuels will significantly reduce ambient and indoor air pollution, resulting in major health benefits. The campaign will help accelerate China’s energy transition and reduce PM2.5emission and exposure. The expected exposure reduction is largely due to improved indoor air quality, resulting in greater benefits to women.
Activity-evoked and spontaneous opening of synaptic fusion pores
Authors: Bulgari Dinara , Deitcher David L. , Schmidt Brigitte F. , Carpenter M. Alexandra , Szent-Gyorgyi Christopher , Bruchez Marcel P. , Levitan Edwin S.
Published: August 2019

Significance

Neuropeptides are released at synapses to regulate mood and behaviors. Using an imaging approach, formation of neuropeptide-conductive fusion pores are detected at intact native synapses. Surprisingly, it is discovered that these fusion pores open occasionally even when the synapse is not electrically active. These spontaneous events are mechanistically different from the fusion pore opening that is evoked typically by bursts of activity. Spontaneous opening of fusion pores constitutes a mechanism for basal synaptic transmission by neuropeptides even when synapses are electrically silent.
Standardizing the fee-waiver application increased naturalization rates of low-income immigrants
Authors: Yasenov Vasil , Hotard Michael , Lawrence Duncan , Hainmueller Jens , Laitin David D.
Published: August 2019

Citizenship can accelerate immigrant integration and result in benefits for both local communities and the foreign-born themselves. Yet the majority of naturalization-eligible immigrants in the United States do not apply for citizenship, and we lack systematic evidence on policies specifically designed to encourage take-up. In this study, we analyze the impact of the standardization of the fee-waiver process in 2010 by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). This reform allowed low-income immigrants eligible for citizenship to use a standardized form to have their application fee waived. We employ a difference-in-differences methodology, comparing naturalization behavior among eligible and ineligible immigrants before and after the policy change. We find that the fee-waiver reform increased the naturalization rate by 1.5 percentage points. This amounts to about 73,000 immigrants per year gaining citizenship who otherwise would not have applied. In contrast to previous research on the take-up of federal benefits programs, we find that the positive effect of the fee-waiver reform was concentrated among the subgroups of immigrants with lower incomes, language skills, and education levels, who typically face the steepest barriers to naturalization. Further evidence suggests that this pattern is driven by immigration service providers, who are well-positioned to help the most needy immigrants file their fee-waiver requests.
Proteomic and genomic signatures of repeat instability in cancer and adjacent normal tissues
Authors: Persi Erez , Prandi Davide , Wolf Yuri I. , Pozniak Yair , Barnabas Georgina D. , Levanon Keren , Barshack Iris , Barbieri Christopher , Gasperini Paola , Beltran Himisha , Faltas Bishoy M. , Rubin Mark A. , Geiger Tamar , Koonin Eugene V. , Demichelis Francesca , Horn David
Published: August 2019

Significance

Repeats in proteins, including short tandem repeats, interspersed repeats, and repetitive domains, are hotspots of evolution. However, their role in tumor evolution is essentially unknown, being limited to microsatellites, a small subclass. Here, we develop a computational technique to measure the repeat content in bulk samples, beyond microsatellites, directly from proteomic and genomic sequence raw data of tumors and their matched normal tissues. Our analyses suggest that variations in the repeat content of tumors (repeat instability) are a compensatory, transient, and adaptive mechanism in tumor evolution, which is most pronounced in early stages of tumorigenesis. Repeat instability is also manifested in normal tissues adjacent to tumors and seems to be the first route of escape from stress toward neoplasia.
Spatial domain organization in the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase p66 homodimer precursor probed by double electron-electron resonance EPR
Authors: Schmidt Thomas , Schwieters Charles D. , Clore G. Marius
Published: August 2019

Significance

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of viral RNA into DNA, is initially released from the Gag-Pol polyprotein as a p66 homodimer precursor. Further cleavage by HIV-1 protease removes the RNase H domain of only a single subunit to yield the mature p66/p51 heterodimer. We have determined the spatial subunit organization within the p66 homodimer from a large number of distances between spin labels obtained by EPR. We show that the structural subunit asymmetry of the p66/p51 heterodimer is preserved in the p66 homodimer and that only one of the RNase H domains is accessible to HIV-1 protease.
“Doing this kind of linguistics, you do feel like you’re making a difference in the world”
Authors: Daly Nicola
Published: August 2019

Despite the stated importance of fieldwork within the discipline of Linguistics, and the existence of several texts about fieldwork (Thieberger, 2012;Bowren, 2008;Newman & Ratliff, 2001), there is very little literature concerning the experience of fieldwork from tertiary students’ perspectives (seeMacaulay, 2012). In this article, the work of four New Zealand postgraduate linguistics students working with fourteen Vanuatu teachers to translate reading materials written in Bislama into seven vernacular languages is documented. Findings indicate that students were motivated to be involved in the fieldwork by a range of factors including travel, altruism, and commitment to the communities and their languages; they drew on and, in some cases, clarified many concepts from their undergraduate studies; and that the fieldwork experiences both allowed them to gain confidence in their linguistic skills and influenced their future studies in linguistics.
Associations of changes in diet and leisure‐time physical activity with employer's direct cost of short‐term sickness absence
Authors: Salmela Jatta , Lahti Jouni , Mauramo Elina , Pietiläinen Olli , Rahkonen Ossi , Kanerva Noora
Published: August 2019

Several unhealthy lifestyles are associated with increased sickness absence (SA). This study examined the associations of changes in diet and leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) with employer's direct cost of subsequent short‐term (<10 working days) SA. The survey data from phases 1 (2000−2002) and 2 (2007) of the Helsinki Health Study (HHS), a longitudinal cohort study of initially 40−60‐year‐old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, were linked with SA register data. Final data consisted of 4157 employees. Dietary habits were inquired with a short food frequency questionnaire. Consumption of fruits (F) and vegetables (V) was used to indicate healthiness of diet. LTPA was measured with a series of questions on the intensity and the amount of LTPA. Data on short‐term SA and salaries (2008−2012) were received from the employers’ registers. A two‐part model was used to analyse the associations. Those who improved their F&V consumption from non‐daily to daily and persevered physically active got 620 € (95% CI −1194, −47) lower cost than those remaining non‐daily F&V consumers and physically inactive. When examining LTPA only, those who persevered physically active or improved from moderately active to active got 19% less cost for the employer than those remaining inactive. Dietary changes were not independently associated with the cost. Improving employees’ diet and LTPA may reduce employer's direct cost of SA. Although the associations of diet with SA cost were not statistically significant, improvements in diet may contribute to the beneficial associations of LTPA and employer's cost of SA.
BIK ubiquitination by the E3 ligase Cul5-ASB11 determines cell fate during cellular stress
Authors: Chen Fei-Yun , Huang Min-Yu , Lin Yu-Min , Ho Chi-Huan , Lin Shu-Yu , Chen Hsin-Yi , Hung Mien-Chie , Chen Ruey-Hwa
Published: August 2019

The BH3-only pro-apoptotic protein BIK is regulated by the ubiquitin–proteasome system. However, the mechanism of this regulation and its physiological functions remain elusive. Here, we identify Cul5-ASB11 as the E3 ligase targeting BIK for ubiquitination and degradation. ER stress leads to the activation of ASB11 by XBP1s during the adaptive phase of the unfolded protein response, which stimulates BIK ubiquitination, interaction with p97/VCP, and proteolysis. This mechanism of BIK degradation contributes to ER stress adaptation by promoting cell survival. Conversely, genotoxic agents down-regulate this IRE1α–XBP1s–ASB11 axis and stabilize BIK, which contributes in part to the apoptotic response to DNA damage. We show that blockade of this BIK degradation pathway by an IRE1α inhibitor can stabilize a BIK active mutant and increase its anti-tumor activity. Our study reveals that different cellular stresses regulate BIK ubiquitination by ASB11 in opposing directions, which determines whether or not cells survive, and that blocking BIK degradation has the potential to be used as an anti-cancer strategy.
α-Integrins dictate distinct modes of type IV collagen recruitment to basement membranes
Authors: Jayadev Ranjay , Chi Qiuyi , Keeley Daniel P. , Hastie Eric L. , Kelley Laura C. , Sherwood David R.
Published: August 2019

Basement membranes (BMs) are cell-associated extracellular matrices that support tissue integrity, signaling, and barrier properties. Type IV collagen is critical for BM function, yet how it is directed into BMs in vivo is unclear. Through live-cell imaging of endogenous localization, conditional knockdown, and misexpression experiments, we uncovered distinct mechanisms of integrin-mediated collagen recruitment to Caenorhabditis elegans postembryonic gonadal and pharyngeal BMs. The putative laminin-binding αINA-1/βPAT-3 integrin was selectively activated in the gonad and recruited laminin, which directed moderate collagen incorporation. In contrast, the putative Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-binding αPAT-2/βPAT-3 integrin was activated in the pharynx and recruited high levels of collagen in an apparently laminin-independent manner. Through an RNAi screen, we further identified the small GTPase RAP-3 (Rap1) as a pharyngeal-specific PAT-2/PAT-3 activator that modulates collagen levels. Together, these studies demonstrate that tissues can use distinct mechanisms to direct collagen incorporation into BMs to precisely control collagen levels and construct diverse BMs.
On the history of mineralogenic studies and development of Arctic Karelia
Authors: Ivashchenko V I , Shchiptsov V V
Published: August 2019

The paper focuses on the mineral resources of the Karelian Arctic. Arctic districts are linked to the White Sea. The White Sea is connected via the White Sea-Baltic Channell with the Baltic, Caspian and Black seas. All the above districts have state railways and highways connecting Karelia with South and North Russia. A retrospective review of the history of research and mastering of mineral resources is given. The current state of mineral raw base of the northern regions of Karelia is shown. The mineral potential of three areas in Arctic Karelia is of great value as there are many deposits and occurrences and a variety of mineral reserves and resources to be developed there. The Lopian epoch witnessed the formation of the deposits and ore occurrences of several ore formations: molybdenum-porphyry, gold-porphyry and others. Big noble-metal ore bodies in Olanga Group layered intrusions and similar but smaller-scale occurrences in the Kuzema lherzolite-gabbro-norite complex were formed in the Sumian epoch. The Svecofennian metallogenic epoch is mainly represented by rare-metal pegmatite formation and complex noble-metal occurrences in their aureoles and shear-zones. Garnet ores were formed in a favourable setting with medium-temperature high-pressure metamorphism and a great contribution of metasomatism associated with acid leaching under kyanite-muscovite- and quartz-muscovite-facies conditions. Kyanite is an industrial mineral used in the refractory and ceramic industries and aircraft motor production. In Russia, no kyanite ore deposits have been mined yet. Nizhnekotozero anorthosites from the Belomorian mobile belt are a new type of feldspar deposits. A pyroxenite-gabbro-alkaline formation with carbonatites is represented by the Yeletozero, Tikshozero and Vostochny massifs in North Karelia. It is proposed to develop a target program aimed at forming a state order for prospecting and appraisal, exploration deposits on precious and rare metals, industrial minerals.
Legal and Institutional Frameworks for the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation
Authors: Davydova M L , Epifanov A Y , Sharno O I , Vanicheva M N
Published: August 2019

In light of attempts made to consolidate questions on regulating development support zones, the author has attempted to analyze questions on the legal regulation of current issues regarding the use of Russia’s Arctic Zone. This paper analyzes the study of public opinion on the legalization project in the Russian Arctic. It studies the ecological aspects and problems of land use, which are foreseeable in the impact that passing the bill “On the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation” would have in its current interpretation. In order to analyze whether or not the legal regulation of issues on the development of the Arctic are sufficient enough, regulatory documents, both active and planned, are enumerated. The author describes the possibility of adopting the term “territory” for Russia’s Arctic Zone, as well as analyzes its composition. The paper focuses on the question of forming and operating development support zones from a historical point of view and also in light of a conceptual and declaratory transformation. Problems of ecological expertise, land use, and territory planning for the construction of infrastructure facilities are looked at while taking into account environmental protection and protecting the interests of the indigenous peoples living within the corresponding borders. The research reflects the global environmental problems of the Arctic region as a climate region of the planet, as well as of the indigenous peoples inhabiting it.
Legal regulations on environmental safety in the Arctic zone
Authors: Bratanovskiy S N , Epifanov A E , Bobodzhanova L K , Krasnozhenova
Published: August 2019

Ensuring environmental safety in the Arctic zone is currently an essential national and public goal. The living standards and development of socio-economic relations depend on appropriate legal regulations of the government bodies of the territories of the Russian High North. The article considers peculiarities of legal regulations, environmental safety of the above-mentioned regions. It also describes organizational and legal evaluation of measures that are conducted to replenish environmental losses and restore natural landscape. One of the main issues in this field is to intensify activity of environmental organizations which are in charge of human rights; therefore, the ways how to improve their work have been determined. Conceptual conclusions have been drawn on the necessary procedures of the state policy in the sphere of ecology and natural resources. They include the following: to establish a special government agency aimed at maintaining the centralized control over extraction activities and mineral resource exploitation; to take urgent measures focused on restoration of natural environment damaged as a result of harmful impact; to expand legal regulations of environmental activities within this region through passing special statutory acts; establishing the public administration system in this field with cooperative efforts of the federal government and public authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation.
Theoretical model of the volumetric heat content of moist soil
Authors: Kvachantiradze E P
Published: August 2019

In the scientific literature, the thermal properties of soils are described by three indicators: heat absorption capacity, heat capacity, and heat conductivity. It is proposed to introduce into practice the prognostic equation of the volumetric heat content of moist soil, as its energy characteristic, by which it will be possible to judge not only the phase (ice, water, steam) state of the water in the soil, but also the nature of the soil-atmosphere heat exchange, that is important to know during seasonal thawing and characterizes the power of the process. Since the degree of saturation of the soil with water determines the thermal properties of the soil, the key point of this research is to prove the legitimacy of using the prognostic equation to calculate the moisture content of the soil. Calculations using the proposed equations are not difficult, since they are based on data from the available information of the state hydrometeorological services. The main advantage of prognostic equations is that they are not of statistical origin. Consequently, they are not related to a specific geographic point, which allows analyzing the parameter being studied by building the calculated indicators in one row and thus finding patterns in the soil-atmosphere system. Studies were conducted for three geographical points located on the same longitude, but at the same time located in different soil-climatic zones. Studies were conducted for conditions above 0 ° C inclusive. The research analyzes the results of the calculation of the predicted soil moisture content using two equations. A mathematical analysis of the equation was conducted, where the predicted value is the moisture content of the soil; a variable, the coefficient of moisture according to Ivanov. The legitimacy of using the index of the predicted soil moisture content in the model of the volumetric heat content of moist soil is theoretically proved.
Cultural heritage of the indigenous Arctic peoples of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Authors: Petrov A A , Chernyshova S L
Published: August 2019

The article is devoted to the analysis of a little-studied phenomenon of the Arctic peoples of North-East Asia, which is the historical and cultural heritage of the atokhton northern ethnicgroups of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Evens, Evenks, Yukaghirs, Chukchis and Dolgans live in Russia compactly in the extreme climatic, geographical conditions, and also in the special socio-economic realities of the unique Arctic region of the planet. An important factor of their sustainable development in the context of interaction between different cultures, especially global, post-industrial and traditional, is the creation of a favorable terms for traditional lifestyles and traditional economic activities, which are based on the full harmony and interaction of the human community and nature. Under these conditions, the most important, obvious and relevant is the study of the life and work of the peoples of the circumpolar Arctic in the mainstream of the scientific direction created by the academician D.S. Likhachev named as “ecology of culture”. In the present article, the subject of the close attention and research are both the objects and issues of the environmental protection (ecology of nature), and the material and spiritual culture of society (human ecology). The preservation, development and revival of the native language and culture of the Arctic ethnic groups of the Sakha Republic is an important requirement for ensuring the stability of the ethnic traditions. Russian scientists and explorers of the North actively worked in this direction and contributed into Philology, Folklore and Ethnography of the indigenous Arctic peoples of Yakutia and adjacent regions of the Russian Federation. The joint project of the Institute for Humanities Research and Indigenous Studies of the North, Russian Academy of Science, Siberian Branch and the Institute of the Peoples of the North of Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia “Monuments of ethnic culture of indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East” successfully continues researchers of the Arctic in the XXI century. It is noteworthy that the main part of the project participants are the representatives from among the indigenous peoples of the North; they conduct such kind of research, which combines their life experience and scientific knowledge.
Arctic region of Russia at the 1900 World Exhibition
Authors: Serkova V , Lobastova V , Simonenko T , Samylov O
Published: August 2019

Russia’s participation in the World Exhibitions reflected the self-identification of Russia and expressed the desire to present the country as a strong power, inscribed in the context of World development and interaction. Of particular importance for the demonstration of the technical power of Russia and its achievements in various areas of culture was the World Exhibition of 1900 in Paris. One of the central pavilions of the Russian department of the exhibition was the Pavilion of the Russian outskirts devoted to various topics from the life of the peoples of the Caucasus, Central Asia, Siberia, and the development of the Far North. This article discusses the features of the exhibition, representing the uniqueness of the North, its nature, ancient monuments, and the life of the northern peoples of the Russian Empire. It was represented by the huge panels made by Russian artist Konstantin Korovin. At the turn of the century, at the time of heightened interest in the Arctic from scientists, researchers, writers and artists, Korovin repeatedly made trips to the Russian North, which every time made a huge impression on him, which radically changed the artist’s stylistic style, allowed him to improve the technique of creating extensive panel, to prove himself as a decorative artist. The article concludes that the participation of Konstantin Korovin in the organization of the exhibition not only brought great benefits in the organization of the World Exhibition in Paris, but also turned out to be his greatest creative success. The exhibition in Paris in 1900 testified that Russia was developing rapidly at the time; it ceased to be exotic and incomprehensible and revealed its national identity.
Gas hydrate formation of sulfur dioxide by injection of liquid carbon dioxide into a natural layer saturated with methane and ice
Authors: Khasanov M K , Kildibaeva S R
Published: August 2019

A mathematical model of injection of liquid sulfur dioxide into a natural layer saturated with ice and methane, accompanied by the formation of SO2 gas hydrate on the front surface is presented. The case when the initial state of the system, as well as the pressure and temperature of the injected liquid sulfur dioxide correspond to the thermobaric conditions of the existence of sulfur dioxide gas hydrate is considered. That, the formation of sulfur dioxide gas hydrate occurs on the front surface, coinciding with the surface of methane displacement by sulfur dioxide. In this case, two characteristic zones are formed in the layer. In the first (near) zone the pores are saturated with sulfur dioxide and its gas hydrate, in the second (far) zone it is saturated with ice and methane. The dependences of the temperature and the coordinates of the formation border of sulfur dioxide gas hydrate on the injection pressure are explored. It is established that the injection pressure increase causes the rise in temperature and movement speed of the surface of the formation of sulfur dioxide gas hydrate. It is shown that at sufficiently high values of injection pressure and initial layer temperature, the temperature rises above the ice melting temperature at the formation border of sulfur dioxide gas hydrate. This corresponds to the formation of an intermediate region saturated with a mixture of water and methane. It is determined the dependence of the limit value of the sulfur dioxide injection pressure, above which an intermediate region saturated with a mixture of water and methane appears on the initial layer temperature.
Transformation of the political and geographical space of the Arctic: an approach of postcritical geopolitics
Authors: Grinyaev S N , Medvedev D A
Published: August 2019

The article deals with the transformation of the space of the Arctic. The authors revealed differences of the concepts of “territory” and “space” in geography and geopolitics. It is underlined that sociocultural and ideological aspects of the territory development are not taken into account, which leads to the formation of ineffective long-term state policy. The authors formulated the definition of “regional geopolitical space” based on post-structuralism ideas. Borders nowadays are becoming much more “porous” in some areas and for some groups, while they are securitized for other flows of goods, people and ideas. Along with political geography as a whole, critical geopolitics argues that spatiality is not limited to territoriality. The authors also describe the correlation between economic, ideological power of the state and its ability to form and fulfill geographic and geopolitical space. Based on the postcritical paradigm, the authors identified and described key trends in the development of the Arctic region. Critical geopolitics argues that the emerging forms of global governance do not “smooth out” space, but, on the contrary, increase spatial differentiation. The territory and space of the Arctic is extremely fragile and sensitive for external interaction not only in matters of economic development, but also of political and ideological.
Chinese-Russian cooperation in the Arctic: geopolitics and economics
Authors: Miheeva N
Published: August 2019

The article examines Chinese-Russian cooperation in projects for the Northern Sea Route (NSR) renovation. The authors compare priorities of the Chinese companies in the NSR modernization with the interests of the Russia in terms of the “development zones” concepts. The materials of the Main Directorate of the Northern Sea, the open materials from the project activities of Russian and Chinese companies allowed to present the geography of projects with the Chinese participation, to define the Russian Arctic regions that are of greatest interest to Chinese investments, as well as companies’ participation in the infrastructure projects. Based on statistical analysis, the study reveals the pattern of growth for China’s direct investment in infrastructure projects in the Russian Arctic zone. Highlights a positive trend in the development of Russian-Chinese cooperation, increase the proportion of the Chinese presence in modernization projects of NSR, in the sphere of production of hydrocarbons. Changing motivations Chinese business participation in infrastructure projects - from the desire to make available NSR for the carriage of goods from Asia to Europe to establish a reference ports for sales of commodity products of China. Obvious differences in opinion in the prospects for further cooperation of the Russia and China.
Modeling the management of a service underwater vehicle while maneuvering in an environment with obstacles
Authors: Vasilyev I , Leontyev V , Polovko S
Published: August 2019

Difficulty in the development of the Arctic and the Far North are associated not only with the harsh natural conditions, but also with extreme professional risk. High-risk underwater operations at industrial facilities requires for underwater robots. Many works (inspection, docking with manifolds, etc.) are associated with operations in an environment with obstacles. The use of robotic systems is a natural choice in these conditions, especially at offshore facilities. The most difficult and dangerous are underwater operations on offshore production platforms and transporting offshore pipelines. For high-risk underwater operations at industrial facilities, service autonomous underwater vehicles (PA) are required. Many works (inspection, operations on manifolds docked with collectors, etc.) are associated with operations in an environment with obstacles; therefore the kinematic scheme of the underwater vehicle should provide increased maneuverability and ease of use when working in an environment with obstacles. When developing the appropriate control mode for the underwater vehicle (UV), it is important to consider the dynamic parameters of the UV when solving the problem of its positioning (the positioning problem itself can be solved by means of a technical vision system - TVS). The article discusses two generalized models of UV for work on man-made objects and the results of computational experiments that simulate the reduction of UV to a target point, the coordinates of which are determined using the TVS.
Improving the processing of machine vision images of robotic systems in the Arctic
Authors: Milyaev N , Kaznin A , Sushko O , Skotarenko O
Published: August 2019

The transformation of the development of the Arctic is due to modern robotic systems. The use of unmanned vehicles in many industries in the Arctic provides an array of photo and video information. Accuracy of image analysis and pattern recognition is enhanced by image preprocessing. However, the existing binarization algorithms are not universal for images with different distortions and loss of information. The accuracy of binarization algorithms depends on many factors, such as shadows, uneven lighting, low contrast, noise, etc. Images with different characteristics of light and noise are simulated in order to model various lighting conditions on information from digital cameras of robotic systems. The paper investigates global and adaptive image binarization algorithms. The binarized images were obtained using these algorithms and the results of binarized images recognition are compared by an optical character recognition system. An analysis of the comparison results showed that for images made in poor lighting conditions or images with low contrast, or images with high noise levels, adaptive binarization algorithms are better suited. However, in most cases it is not possible to obtain fully correctly recognized images.The paper proposes a new binarization method based on artificial neural networks. The process of creating an artificial neural network is shown, include the parameters for determining the class of a pixel, the adjustment of weights, the architecture of an artificial neural network. A comparison of the proposed artificial neural network with existing image binarization algorithms demonstrate that in most cases the artificial neural network has the result of image processing at the level of adaptive algorithms or higher. The proposed method of images binarization based on the image color characteristics analysis allows to solve image recognition tasks by robotized systems.
The Population Settlement in Russia’s Arctic Zone: Facts and Trends
Authors: Samarina V P , Samarin A V , Skufina T P , Baranov S V
Published: August 2019

In the paper the authors present the study of facts and trends in population settlement in regions of Russian Arctic Zone. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that the location of the population in the Arctic Zone depends not only on the socio-economic development of the Arctic territories, but also on Russia’s geopolitical security. The authors considered population settlement from two interrelated positions: the process of a certain territory settling in the process of migration and the result of this process – the residents’ resettlement in regions. Some main indicators of the population settlement in regions completely or partially located in the Arctic were estimated. The authors proceeded from several hypotheses: firstly, socio-economic resource factors of population distribution become the most significant; secondly, Russia’s Arctic regions are poorly populated and their population continues to decline; thirdly, migration in Arctic regions is voluntary, it has an economic character and its direction changed depending on economic and social conditions; fourthly, Arctic settlements differ significantly from ones in other Russia’s territories; fifthly, problem-solving of the settlement population in the Arctic territories is the key to solving the problem of Russia’s development. The research made possible to confirm or disprove these hypotheses.
Parameters and characteristics of the strategic development portfolio of the Arctic corporation
Authors: Afonichkina E A , Afonichkin A I , Almazova-Ilyina A B , Sosnina M N
Published: August 2019

This article addresses the problem of interaction between the participating countries of the Arctic corporate system, which is essential for the development of Arctic territories in circumpolar countries. The authors propose the structure and elements of efficient Arctic systems, examine the typology of the existing Arctic systems, and identify the vector of strategic development for complex Arctic systems. The development of such systems should be determined by the strategic development portfolio, which would ensure implementation of the development vector.
Analysis of economic development of the Arctic regions of Canada
Authors: Kobylko A , Kobylko E , Aladyshkin I , Karpovich I
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this article is to create a multi-level (in our case two-level) model that will be able to integrate models of different levels of a single socio-economic system. The multiple model is one of the possible approaches to the analysis of social and economic development of the Arctic region. The main feature of multiple models is that endogenous variables of a lower level are seen as exogenous variables of the following level. The focus of the article is to create a two-level model of the economic growth of the Arctic regions based on the example of Canada. In order to analyse the Arctic territories of Canada it was decided to use a functional approach with the model of autoregressive distributed lags (ADL – model). The general concept of the organization and development management of the Arctic territory of Canada is to represent the Arctic area as a set of target subspaces. For the purpose of target management such subspaces can be united flexibly in a form of an interactive network. This type of representation of the Arctic territory of Canada can be regarded to as subspace approach. This approach was selected as it takes into consideration the complexity and the multi-faceted structure of the research object. The first level of the model is reflected by models of separate target subspaces: territories of fishery; territories of extraction of mineral resources; territories for recreation. The ADL model is selected as a model of assessment for each target subspace. The model of the second level is presented in the form of a system of three equations, depending on the number of target indicators used for the evaluation of a socio-economic system influenced by subspaces. Each equation of the model used for the second level is also presented in the form of the ADL model. The article offers a new technique on how to determine the econometric equations coefficient.
Spatial organization of the Chukotka’s economy
Authors: Tarasova O V , Sokolova A A
Published: August 2019

Absrtact. Prospects for the Chukotka’s economic development are associated with several aspects: trends of the Northern Sea Route and its infrastructure revival; renewal of the peninsula energy system; the presence of profitable resource projects for the extraction of, copper, coal, oil and gas, and the need to develop the defence infrastructure on the northeast border of Russia. At the same time, extremely uncomfortable conditions for living and doing business, poor development of transport and social infrastructure, state of the energy system, shortage of skilled labor, environmental restrictions make economic indicators of projects unsatisfactory. Under these conditions, traditional project analysis should be transformed into the analysis of value chains, i.e. bundles of investment projects should be considered simultaneously. The purpose of this work was to understand the possible spatial organization of the Chukotka’s economy and economic -mathematical modelling of interrelated perspective projects within the projected centres of economic development. Systematization of data on promising projects of the Chukotka Autonomous District allowed defining the contours of three promising ATPCs - Peveksky, Anadyrsky and Lorinsky. Further, using the author’s simulation model, forecasted effects of four technologically related projects were assessed: the copper deposit Peschanka, the gold deposit Kekura, the floating nuclear power plant and the Pevek sea port. The toolkit created by the authors can be used to justify the development priorities of the Chukotka Autonomous District, as well as to assess the various institutional conditions for the implementation of investment projects in the region.
Neural network modeling of safety system for construction equipment operation in permafrost zone
Authors: Idrisova J I , Kaverzneva T T , Rumyantseva N V , Skripnik I L
Published: August 2019

The problems of neural network modeling of working conditions securing system while operating constructional equipment in permafrost zone are considered. Determining the temperature fields distribution on the soil depth on air temperature in regions with harsh climatic conditions will allow us to solve a number of engineering problems directed to creation of safe working conditions at construction equipment operation. As a first approximation temperature on the surface and in the depth of the upper layer of earth changes under the periodic law, following the change of air temperature during the year. With soil depth increasing the amplitude of temperature fluctuations decreases, but a random component related to weather conditions (the impact of which could be significant) is added to the periodic component caused by change of a season. In the article the mathematical model in the form of Stefan’s problem in which boundary conditions on earth surface are replaced with results of measurements is considered. Methods of neural network creation of this problem solution and results of computing experiments are given. The received results show that neural networks are the flexible tool, allowing to consider featuring of a task and all available information. Thus accuracy of results corresponds to accuracy of initial information. The additional information can be effectively used for specification of the required decision.
Targeting innovation activities of arctic enterprises in developing mineral and energy resources
Authors: Zharov V , Zharov N
Published: August 2019

The Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is the most important raw material base of the country’s economy, but for the further effective industrial development of Arctic resources at the enterprises operating here, a significant increase in labor productivity due to use of the latest technology and production technology is required. This is prevented by the lack of a system of targeting innovation revitalization by enterprises. Developing the theory of endogenous economic growth we propose to use a coefficient of technological effectiveness level of production to assess the pace of technological progress in enterprises and industries. Its values are calculated at macro, meso and micro levels on the basis of statistical reports, and the values achieved at the best enterprises of industries can be used by enterprises as target values in technological innovations.The increase in the value of the coefficient of technological effectiveness level is directly related to the renewal of the active part of fixed assets and the growth of capital productivity of enterprises, which leads to an increase in productivity; so, it is possible to assess the achievability of its target value based on the existing financial capabilities of enterprises and the possibility of obtaining financial support from the state and regions, including on the terms of private-public partnership.
Diamond Mining in the Arctic: Influence of Industrial Potential on Social and Economic Systems
Authors: Grigoryeva E E
Published: August 2019

In conditions of market, the relations between local authorities and subsoil users are poorly developed. The problem of the reaction of diamond mining companies’ activities to the budgetary process of the resource region is investigated insufficiently. A high degree of production costs increase in the industry of the Arctic regions determines the possibility of industrial projects development only for highly liquid productions, one of which is the commercial mining of natural diamonds. The industrial potential of the diamond mining companies of the Arctic was assessed on the base of a set of quantitative indicators. Macroeconomic factors influencing the sale of diamond products on the world diamond market are highlighted. The proposed methodological approach to assessing the industrial potentials of the companies allows conducting a comparative analysis of their influence on social sphere. The sources of the initial data for the quantitative assessment are the annual reports of the companies, i.e. the time series of data based on the period from 2015 to 2016. As a result of the research, it was determined that the industrial potential of diamond mining companies makes a similar contribution to the social and economic development of Anabar, Bulun, Olenek and Zhigansk municipal districts of Yakutia. Analysis of production and financial capacity has shown that there are reserves for increasing the social and environmental costs.
Development of methods and tools to support regional management in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation based on cognitive interfaces
Authors: Vicentiy A V
Published: August 2019

This article discusses the creation of methods and tools for decision-making information support for regional management systems in the context of ensuring environmental and technological security in the Arctic region. To implement information support for regional management, we propose to use information technology for spatial data visualization. This technology is used to synthesize cognitive interfaces of multi-subject information systems supporting regional management in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The article describes the methodological support, composition and structure of information technology to identify implicit conflicts of environmental management based on the use of methods of conceptual and ontological modeling of the subject area, system analysis and theory of management of complex systems. The key elements of the technology are the conceptual model of the conflict situation of environmental management, the ontology of the subject area, the knowledge base and the cognitive user interface of the multi-subject information regional management support system for the Arctic territories. A brief classification of conflicts among the stakeholders of the Arctic region (using the example of the Murmansk region) is also described. The proposed technology allows to identify potential conflicts of environmental management, including the detection and identification of environmental and technological safety problems in the Arctic regions of the Russian Federation.
Debate rises over 5G impact on US weather forecasting
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: August 2019

US agencies have warned against the uncontrolled use of the new 5G spectrum band, which they say could significantly affect weather forecasting.
How green is your lab?
Authors: Smith Chris Llewellyn , Main Peter
Published: August 2019

In response to the editorial “Making physics greener” (May p15) and Benjamin Skuse’s feature “Leading by example: going green in the lab” (May pp27–30), which both looked at efforts to cut the energy that research labs use.
Money from the Moon
Authors: McKenzie James
Published: August 2019

James McKenzie reflects on the possible business opportunities from future missions to the Moon and beyond
What's in a moon?
Authors: Siegel Ethan
Published: August 2019

What would life on our planet be like if the Moon were to vanish; or perhaps if we had multiple moons? Earth wouldn’t be the same without its constant lunar companion, as Ethan Siegel explains
Intergalactic explorers' handbook
Authors: Commissariat Tushna
Published: August 2019

“Being in space is awesome. It’s the most amazing human experience,” writes NASA astronaut Eileen Collins in the foreword to The Space Race by Sarah Cruddas, the latest book about the Moon and space travel to hit the shelves this year.