bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of indicators of stereoendoscopic systems in rhinology
Authors: Sokoltsov A.О. , Avrunin O.G. , Koval L.G. , Kaduk O.V.
Published: July 2024

This research examines the advantages and disadvantages of 3D endoscopy compared to traditional 2D endoscopy for sinus surgery. It has been found that 3D endoscopy significantly improves depth perception, the brightness of the surgical field, and intraoperative visualization, making it particularly useful for training and understanding anatomy. Despite these benefits, 3D endoscopy can cause discomfort in surgeons, including dizziness, eye strain, and headaches. The development of automated visualization systems based on stereo cameras can enhance procedural accuracy. The use of personalized physical models created through rapid prototyping increases the effectiveness of training systems. However, the need to wear 3D glasses and the difficulty in cleaning the lenses remain issues. Future prospects include the application of such systems in telemedicine services for remote consultations.
Analysis of data transmission methods in telemedicine systems
Authors: Yakovyshen P.O. , Tuzhansky S.E.
Published: July 2024

This article provides a detailed comparative analysis of various methods of data transmission in telemedicine systems in order to determine their effectiveness, reliability and suitability for various medical applications. Wired and wireless data transmission technologies are analyzed, namely, their features, advantages and disadvantages in the context of application in telemedicine systems are investigated.
Polarization-interference laser digital complex of large scaling in the wound regeneration diagnostics
Authors: Ushenko Y.O. , Sckliarcuk V.M. , Dubolazov O.V. , Soltys I.V. , Olar O.V. , Motrich A.V. , Gorskiy M.P. , Zhitariuk V.G.
Published: July 2024

A brief theoretical description of the processes of forming polarization maps of the azimuth and ellipticity of the multiple scattered component of the object field of the muscle tissue biopsy of rat stab wounds is presented. A series of polarization maps of ellipticity of digital microscopic images of the biopsy field of damaged and regenerated muscle tissue of rat stab wounds was obtained using the Muller-matrix Stokes polarimetry method. A wavelet transformation of polarization maps of ellipticity of digital microscopic images of the biopsy field of damaged and regenerated muscle tissue of rat stab wounds was implemented. Statistical, correlational and fractal wavelet markers for detecting the degree of regeneration of damaged biological tissues have been determined. Directions for further research by applying the principles of laser-induced autofluorescence polarimetry are given.
The Apocalyptic Character of the Testament of Moses
Authors: Parchem Marek
Published: July 2024

The document entitled Testament of Moses takes the form of a farewell speech inspired by the Book of Deuteronomy, addressed by Moses before his death to Joshua. The original document, dating from the time of the Maccabees (mid-2nd century BC), was rewritten and updated at the beginning of the first century AD. It is preserved in only one Latin manuscript from the sixth century. The Latin text is a translation from Greek (ca. 5th century) which in turn is a translation of a text that was probably written in Hebrew. Although the Testament of Moses is dominated by a Deuteronomistic theology of history, its message focuses on determinism of an apocalyptic nature. Hence, the existing apocalyptic elements in the document play an important role, which is particularly highlighted by the eschatological hymn in Chapter 10, which shows many parallels with Dan 12:1–3. The eschatological events are portrayed as the time of the establishment of the kingdom of God and the annihilation of the devil. Before this happens, however, a variety of cataclysms of cosmic proportions and an intervention by God will occur, resulting in the final defeat of the forces of evil and the exaltation of Israel and its inclusion in a community with heavenly beings.
Egzorcyzm w Apokryfie Księgi Rodzaju (1Q20ar) na tle demonologii Starego i Nowego Testamentu
Authors: Kardyś Wojciech
Published: July 2024

W Apokryfie Księgi Rodzaju (1Q20ar) pojawia się opowiadanie zawierające opis egzorcyzmu (kol. 20). Poproszono Abrahama, aby uwolnił faraona nękanego przez „ducha zarazy”. Tenże, stając się egzorcystą, sprawił, że demon został przegnany. Celem artykułu jest pokazanie tego opowiadania na tle biblijnych tekstów demonologicznych. Po ukazaniu postaci złego ducha i jego aktywności w 1Q20ar omówione zostało zagadnienie obecności demonów w Piśmie św. (zły duch szkodzący faraonowi najbardziej przypomina „ducha kłamstwa” z 1 Krl 22,19-22 oraz szatana Księgi Hioba). Opisany jest również przebieg egzorcyzmu w apokryfie i środki zastosowane przez Abrahama, a następnie przegląd egzorcyzmów w Starym i Nowym Testamencie. Okazuje się, że opowiadanie o wypędzeniu demona w 1Q20ar odbiega od tego, jaki znamy z Księgi Tobiasza, oraz od opisów obecnych w Ewangeliach. W podsumowaniu dochodzimy do przekonania, że mimo pewnych podobieństw w tym zakresie opowiadanie w 1Q20ar zachowuje swój oryginalny i nieporównywalny charakter. Być może stanowi swoisty pomost między „powściągliwą” demonologią Starego Testamentu a bardziej rozwiniętą nauką o złych duchach w Nowym Testamencie.
Evaluación participativa de impacto ambiental: el Corredor Interoceánico del Istmo de Tehuantepec en San Juan Guichicovi, Oaxaca, México
Authors: Hernández Hernández Blanca Estela , Vázquez-Quesada Benito , Vázquez-Barrios Valeria , Bracamontes Nájera Luis , Benítez Keinrad Mariana
Published: July 2024

El Istmo de Tehuantepec es una región con una posición geográfica privilegiada y una vasta diversidad biológica y cultural; por ello, se ha convertido en el objetivo de diversos proyectos extractivos y de infraestructura. Entre ellos, destaca el Corredor Interoceánico del Istmo de Tehuantepec (CIIT), cuya magnitud hace previsible que su implementación puede ocasionar impactos ambientales que vulneren la riqueza del territorio. Si bien las Manifestaciones de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) buscan evaluar, prevenir y mitigar los impactos ambientales derivados de proyectos como el CIIT, éstas no suelen elaborarse de la mano de las comunidades posiblemente afectadas, ni reflejan sus perspectivas y conocimiento. Este trabajo describe la ejecución de metodologías participativas para la evaluación de impactos ambientales en el municipio de San Juan Guichicovi (SJG), ubicado en el norte del Istmo de Tehuantepec y afectado por obras de infraestructura asociadas al CIIT. La información generada puso de manifiesto la profundidad del conocimiento local respecto a la complejidad ecosistémica de la región evidenciando las carencias y limitaciones de la MIA elaborada por el promovente del CIIT, mostrando la importancia de integrar a las comunidades potencialmente afectadas en los procesos de evaluación ambiental y, mejor aún, en procesos de participación genuina para el diseño de planes y proyectos a nivel territorial.
Structure and optical properties of langasite family crystals (La1–xNdx)3Ga5SiO14 (x = 0, 0.4, 0.6, 1)
Authors: Golovina T. G. , Konstantinova A. F. , Dudka A. P. , Butashin A. V. , Umanskii B. A. , Kozlova N. S. , Kasimova V. M. , Zabelina E. V.
Published: July 2024

The structure and optical properties of crystals from the langasite family (La1 - xNdх)3Ga5SiO14 with different Nd content were investigated. The rotation of the light polarization plane, ρ, was calculated for these crystals from measured transmission spectra in polarized light. It is shown that for small values of ρ (~3-5 degrees/mm), it is necessary to use transmission spectra not with parallel and crossed polarizers, as is usually done, but at different angles between them, for example ±45°, to obtain better results. Circular dichroism measurements of these crystals were performed. Using Kramers-Kronig relations, the connection between the circular dichroism bands and the rotation of the light polarization plane in the absorption band region was determined. Dispersion curves of ρ values were calculated, taking into account absorption in the wavelength range of 400–1000 nm for crystals (La0.6Nd0.4)3Ga5SiO14, (La0.4Nd0.6)3Ga5SiO14, Nd3Ga5SiO14, and compared with the dispersion of ρ for langasite crystal La3Ga5SiO14. Average refractive indices and optical activity parameters of these crystals were calculated from structural data. It is shown that the dependence of the average refractive indices and ρ values on the parameters of the elementary cell, calculated under the assumption of no absorption, is linear. However, such a linear dependence is not observed for experimental ρ values, which is associated with the influence of absorption and the peculiarities of the structure (nonlinear change in the geometry of optically active regions of electron density upon replacing part of La with Nd).
Influence of activator concentration on spectral-luminescence and scintillation properties of YAG:Ce crystals
Authors: Fedorov V. A. , Antonov E. V. , Venevtsev I. D. , Kanevsky V. M. , Nabatov B. V. , Saltanova E. S.
Published: July 2024

The luminescence and scintillation properties of YAG:Ce crystals grown from the melts in vacuum has been analysed. We have investigated absorption spectra, X-ray excited luminescence (XRL), XRL decay kinetics and scintillation light yield in a wide range of activator concentrations (from 0.0036 at.% to 1.175 at.% substitution of Y in the c-positions of garnet structure). The effective quenching of the intrinsic luminescence of antisite and vacancy defects of the crystal in the UV region with increasing activator concentration has been determined. The optimal concentration of the activator has been determined in order to increase the XRL intensity and the light output of scintillations of Сe3+ ions, taking into account the technological peculiarities of growing optically perfect single crystals with high concentration of Сe3+ ions by using the method of horizontal directional crystallisation in vacuum. The relations between the XRL kinetics and the activator concentration have been investigated. It has showed the possibility to obtain crystals with photon yield up to 25,000 ph/MeV.
О связи температурного поведения намагниченности со структурой фаз Ауривиллиуса BIm+1FEm-3TI3O3m+3
Authors: Ломанова Н. А. , Ястребов С. Г.
Published: July 2024

Представлены результаты анализа температурного поведения намагниченности для соединений Bim+1Fem-3Ti3O3m+3 (m = 4, 5.5, 7, 8, 9). Измерения проводились в интервале температур 4.2–300 K. Показано, что для фаз с m = 4 и m 4 соответственно простая и модифицированная логистические модели Хилла точно совпадают с экспериментальным температурным поведением их магнитных свойств. Выявлена связь между структурными особенностями фаз Ауривиллиуса и характером их профилей намагниченности. Рассмотренные модели представляются перспективными для прогнозирования свойств новых материалов на их основе при разработке перспективных магнитных сред.
Термодинамические характеристики монокристаллического димолибдата натрия: энтальпии, теплоемкость
Authors: Мацкевич Н. И. , Семерикова А. Н. , Григорьева В. Д. , Кочелаков Д. В. , Самошкин Д. А. , Станкус С. В. , Лукьянова С. А. , Шлегель В. Н. , Зайцев В. П. , Ткачев Е. Н.
Published: July 2024

Стандартная энтальпия образования димолибдата натрия определена методом калориметрии растворения на основании измеренных энтальпий растворения Na2CO3, MoO3, Na2Mo2O7 в 0.2 M растворе NaOH и литературных данных: ∆fH0(Na2Mo2O7, 298.15 K) = −2245.3 ± 6.3 кДж/моль. С использованием цикла Борна–Габера рассчитана энтальпия решетки: –54730 кДж/моль. Показано, что длина волны люминесцентного излучения уменьшается от 650 нм до 540 нм при переходе от молибдата натрия к вольфрамату натрия, при этом энтальпия решетки уменьшается от –54730 кДж/моль (Na2Mo2O7) до –49030 кДж/моль (Na2W2O7). Температурная зависимость теплоемкости димолибдата натрия определена в области температур 320–785 K. Показано, что в этом интервале отсутствуют фазовые переходы.
Socio-economic determinants of centrifugal tendencies in the Basque Country at the present stage
Authors: Belous Yulia A.
Published: July 2024

This article reveals the socio-economic factors of centrifugal tendencies in the modern Spain (the Basque Country case) from 2009 to 2020. A correlation is revealed between the preferences of Basques regarding the territorial and political structure of Spain and a number of socio-economic factors such as GDP per capita, the unemployment rate, the level of average wages and the Consumer Price Index. The article also acquaints readers with the attitude of the Basques towards the regional government and their assessment of the economic situation in the region. The author concludes that one of the key factors is the Consumer Price Index, since as the price level rises, separatist sentiments also grow. Another important factor is the attitude of citizens towards the regional government: despite the assessment of the economic situation (bad or good), if the attitude towards the regional government is positive, centrifugal tendencies become more intense.
Place and development prospects of CELAC in the processes of Latin American integration
Authors: Kuzmin Alexey V.
Published: July 2024

The article is devoted to the history of cooperation between Latin Ameri can states within the framework of the largest integration associations in the region, CELAC. Particular attention is paid to the prospects for the development of the Commu nity at the present stage of international relations and its interaction with the political structure of the OAS. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that for the first time in recent years, the article analyzes the mechanisms of functioning of CELAC and legal documents regulating the domestic and foreign policy activities of the block.
The problem of Antarctic and subantarctic territories in British foreign policy (1945—1951)
Authors: Portnyagin Dmitry I. , Portnyagina Maria D.
Published: July 2024

With the end of World War II, British political circles hoped that Great Britain would retain its place as a world power. In this regard, great importance was attached to the restoration of influence in Latin America, which had been seriously shaken during the war. A certain problem in achieving this goal was the territorial claims of Great Britain in Antarctica, which conflicted with the desire of Argentina and Chile to achieve recognition of their own Antarctic sectors. The article is written on the basis of documents from the British National Archives, most of which are being introduced into scientific circulation for the first time.
Argentina on the trajectory of changing development models: challenges, answers, risks
Authors: Yakovlev Petr P. , Yakovleva Nailya M.
Published: July 2024

The central issue of the presidential elections in Argentina in 2023, which attracted widespread international attention, was the choice of the path for further socioeconomic development in the context of severe crisis shocks within the country and ongoing global transformations. The electoral defeat of the Peronists in power brought an end to the long-term dominance of the state-centric (dirigiste) model. The victory in the second round of elections by the representative of the right-wing radical wing of the national political spectrum, economist Javier Milei, who assumed the presidency on December 10, 2023, opened a new stage in the history of Argentina, which means the transition of Peronism into opposition and the beginning of the stage of strengthening the market foundations of the economic model. However, the process of reforming of the Argentine economy on the principles of liberalism is associated not only with the dismantling of accumulated financial and economic rubble, but also with inevitable high social costs and significant political risks, which causes justified skepticism regarding the prospects for successful and complete implementation of the presidential program in the expert community.
“Lula 3.0”: problems, contradictions and challenges of the internal political scenario
Authors: Okuneva Liudmila S.
Published: July 2024

The article examines the principal courses in the development of the internal political situation in Brazil after the start of the third mandate of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (from January 1, 2023 to the present). One of the main trends is the fight against the intensified supporters of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro on the background of the implementation of social-economic reforms, fulfillment of election promises. Difficulties in governance are associated with conflicting relations between the branches of power, which are further aggravated in conditions of political polarization and “divided society.”
Germany's military-political cooperation with Brazil at the present stage
Authors: Kuzmin Ivan A.
Published: July 2024

The article examines the main stages in the evolution of military-political cooperation between Germany and Brazil. The author characterizes the cooperation of the parties in this area and identifies the main changes that have occurred since the “Traffic Light Coalition” came to power in Berlin, as well as the election of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as the President of Brazil in 2023. It is concluded that military-technical cooperation between Germany and Brazil today is in a stagnant state.
Europe and Latin America: the same challenges, different response
Authors: Goliney Vladimir A.
Published: July 2024

The current review examines a collective monograph prepared by the researchers of the Institute of Europe under the guidance of its director A.A.Gromyko. The book touches on a number of challenges that Europe faces during the contemporary turbulence of the modern international system. The following challenges could be highlighted: various European socio-economic policy approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic; the problems of European countries due to different views on the vaccine diplomacy and the vaccine war; cybersecurity and internal security threats that are concerned within public protests and shocks caused, for example, by the migration crisis; as well as the costs of the environmental agenda and “green” energy transition. European approaches to solving the problems outlined above seem interesting in comparison with the responses of Latin American states to the same challenges.
Analysis of two methods of calibration of an ultrasonic antenna array mounted on a prism
Authors: Bazulin A. E. , Bazulin E. G. , Vopilkin A. H. , Kokolev S. A. , Romashkin S. V. , Tikhonov D. S. , Efimovskaya A. A.
Published: July 2024

The image quality of the reflectors, restored using digital antenna focusing technology or phased array technology, depends on the accuracy of determining such parameters of the prism as the boom, path, longitudinal wave velocity and angle of inclination. These parameters do not always correspond to the passport parameters, both due to the accuracy of the manufacture of prisms and the placement of antenna array elements in the housing, and due to the wear of the prisms during operation. The article discusses two types of calibration of an antenna array mounted on a prism: variational and simplified. The principle of variational calibration is to minimize the objective function describing the difference between the echo signals measured by the antenna array from the side cylindrical holes, for example, in the ISO 19675 PAUT BLOCK sample and the calculated echo signals. Simplified calibration is based on the analysis of the arrival time of echo signals from the prism sole, which allows you to estimate the path and angle of inclination of the prism, knowing the velocity of the longitudinal wave in the prism. The operation of the variational calibration was tested on echo signals calculated in the CIVA program to demonstrate the gully structure of the target function. An assessment of the required accuracy of determining all four parameters of the prism is made. The results of calibration of the antenna array on four prisms are presented and the results of variational and simplified calibrations are verified. The accuracy of determining the parameters of the prism when using variational calibration is more than twice as good as the results obtained with simplified calibration. However, the time required for calculations with variational calibration is more than three orders of magnitude longer than for simplified calibration.
INFLUENCE OF MOLDING METHODS ON DEFECTS IN CARBON FIBER SAMPLES AFM UNDER STATIC LOADING
Authors: Stepanova L. N , Bataev V. A , Chernova V. V , Sheifer S. V
Published: July 2024

Samples from domestic ACM carbon fiber made by autoclave and vacuum forming under static loading were studied. To control defects, acoustic methods (acoustic emission, ultrasonic), strain metering were used and microanalysis of their thin sections was carried out. The location of acoustic emission signals in the region of the stress concentrator made it possible to determine that in autoclave molding their number is ten times less than in vacuum. The ultrasonic method and acoustic emission made it possible to determine the structure of carbon fiber, the coordinates of defects and their type. During the control of unloaded samples made by vacuum molding, manufacturing defects were found that, when stretched statically, increased in size and led to the initiation of new failures. In autoclave-formed samples, manufacturing defects were not found. Microanalysis of vacuum samples revealed defects associated with fiber failure, matrix cracking, and delamination. Autoclave tests showed that the number of defects and their dimensions were significantly reduced.
“Two-Faced Janus”: Was Chancellor Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin in the Service of the British?
Authors: Labutina Tatiana L.
Published: July 2024

Reviewing the policy pursued by a prominent Russian statesman, head of the foreign policy department during the reign of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, Chancellor Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin, the author assesses his relations with the British ambassadors in the period between 1746 and 1756 somewhat differently compared to other historians. Great Britain, which was actively participating at that time in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748), and then, preparing for the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), negotiated the lease of the Russian auxiliary military corps in exchange for the payment of cash subsidies. Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin played an active role in the negotiation process. However, whose interests was he protecting and was his service in a high public office entirely selfless? From the analysis of diplomatic correspondence between British ambassadors and the Secretary of State, the author concludes that Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin supported the British more often than not, as he was in the secret service of the British government. This is confirmed by the actions of the Chancellor, aimed at accelerating negotiations on subsidies in the interests of Great Britain, seeking to reduce their size, supporting the privileges of English merchants to the detriment of Russian interests, as well as supplying ambassadors with secret information about the armed forces of the country. The biography of the Chancellor, containing a number of dubious facts, such as documents forged by his father to prove the English ancestry of his family, an unusual acquaintance with the future King George I of Great Britain and service under him, receiving a permanent pension and expensive gifts from the British, suggests that Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin was recruited by the British while in the service of King George I, and therefore frequently acted in the interests of Great Britain.
Peter III’s Relatives at Petersbourg Сourt
Authors: Stellner František
Published: July 2024

The author examines the political history of the eighteenth-century Russian Empire and its relations with members of the royal family from the Holy Roman Empire. Based on the study of unpublished sources, mainly in Austrian and Russian archives, as well as published Russian, British, and French sources, he presents a new interpretation of Peter III’s relations with members of the House of Holstein. The research aims to answer the following questions: What role did Peter III’s “German kinsmen” play at the St. Petersburg court and in the administrative system of the state? What impact did their actions have on the Russian elite’s perception of the Tsar’s rule? Did Peter III’s personnel policy, which favoured the Holstein dynasty members for key positions in the state apparatus, differ from the previous practice of Russian monarchs? A detailed analysis of the sources eads to the following conclusions: Peter III’s Holstein relatives exerted considerable influence on the policy of the St. Petersburg court, occupying key positions in the military and political establishment of the Russian Empire in the early 1760s. At the same time, most of them did not speak Russian and did not try to adapt to their new cultural environment. The behaviour of some “Holsteinites”, as well as the preferential treatment they received at the expense of members of the royal family and St. Petersburg nobles, caused an extremely negative reaction in Russian society, contributing to the growth of hatred towards the Germans. Peter III’s decision to surround himself with relatives from Central Europe was reminiscent of the reign of Anna Ivanovna, whose closest confidants were of non-Russian origin. On the other hand, Anna Ivanovna’s cronies came from different parts of the Holy Roman Empire.
“Germany and the Balkan Feud”: The Russian Press Assessment of German Policy During the Two Balkan Wars of 1912–1913
Authors: Kotov Boris S.
Published: July 2024

By analysing leading Russian newspapers on the eve of the Great War, the author illustrates the perception of German policy by Russian public opinion during the two Balkan wars of 1912–1913. He concludes that during the ten months of the Balkan crisis, the attitude of the Russian press towards Germany underwent a significant transformation. In the first two months of the Balkan War (October and November 1912), when Berlin was not openly declaring its support for Austrian claims, one could find favourable comments on German policy in Russian newspapers. The attitude of the Russian press to Germany shifted in a negative direction under the influence of Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg’s speech in the Reichstag on 2 December 1912, when for the first time since the beginning of the Balkan War Berlin publicly declared its readiness to back its Austrian ally’s claims with arms in hand. Russian society experienced even greater disappointment in German politics after the start of the London Meeting of Ambassadors, at which the German representative supported the proposals of the Austrian side, and after a new speech by Bethmann-Hollweg in the German parliament on April 7, 1913, when the Reich Chancellor declared “racial opposites” between the Slavic and German peoples and laid full responsibility for maintaining a tense the situation in Europe affects the pan-Slavic circles of Russia. These two speeches by the head of the German government and Berlin’s support for Austrian claims at the London Conference were negatively perceived by the overwhelming majority of the Russian press. At the same time, the disagreements between Germany and Austria-Hungary that emerged during the Bucharest Peace Conference and immediately after it gave the Russian press reason to declare a serious crisis of the Triple Alliance. The article concludes that there was a significant increase in anti-German sentiment in Russia under the influence of German behavior during the Balkan crisis of 1912–1913. Thus, the two Balkan Wars became an important milestone not only in the history of international relations at the beginning of the 20th century, but also in the propaganda preparations for the First World War.
The “Two Koreas” Problem in U.S. Policy, 1974–1980
Authors: Sadakov Denis А.
Published: July 2024

In this article, the author charts the evolution of US Korea policy after the failed attempts to establish a unification dialogue between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the reduction of the US military presence on the peninsula in 1974–1980. In 1973, The United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea (UNCURK), which the Americans had supported for decades, ceased operations. The question of the fate of the United Nations Command loomed large. On the whole, in 1974–1980, the Americans did not reduce their military presence in Korea. At the same time, diplomatic support for negotiations on this topic and participation in maintaining the inter-Korean dialogue on the status of the ROK and DPRK in the UN and scenarios for possible unification of the country were quite effective. The Americans managed to prevent destabilisation in South Korea even in the face of a sudden change of power following the assassination of Park Chung-Hee. Simultaneously, the necessary international structures, such as the ROK/US Joint Forces Command, were put in place. Moreover, US diplomats managed to preserve even such a relic of the Korean War as the UN Command. At the same time, the issue of Korean unification had by this time become an instrument of political manipulation by all countries concerned. Under these circumstances, unification could not be achieved by diplomatic means alone.
“We Are Alone Here Like Orphans”: Leningrad Students’ Rural Practice in the Initial Period of Collectivisation
Authors: Tikhomirov Nikita V.
Published: July 2024

In this article, the author explores the problems of collective farm construction in the north-west of the RSFSR. The purpose of the article is to introduce into the academic circuit a set of ego-documents, reflecting household and economic peculiarities of everyday life of the Leningrad region peasantry during the period of continuous collectivisation. The study draws on the texts of two industrial practice diaries of Leningrad branch students of the Communist University of National Minorities of the West for December 1929 – January 1930, which are part of a set of similar documents identified in the Russian State Archive of Social and Political History, previously unknown to researchers and not reflected in the historiography. The texts are prepared for publication according to the accepted archeographic rules. The publication of the diaries’ contents is intended to familiarise the academic community with this type of historical sources and to show their information potential. Student diaries make it possible to expand the source base of research in the field of the history of everyday life in the Soviet rural areas and the Bolshevik cultural revolution. These documents can also be used in prosopographical studies on the lives of political workers and educators of the 1920s–1930s.
Why Did the German Offensive on Kursk Not Take Place in May 1943? New Documents
Authors: Zamulin Valery N.
Published: July 2024

The Battle of Kursk went down in world military history as a key stage in the USSR’s struggle against Nazi Germany. However, the peculiarity of this large-scale event lies not only in this, but also in the unique period of its planning and preparation, which lasted three months, relative to other battles and major battles. During this period only one offensive operation, Operation Citadel, was being developed in Berlin, which was to form the core of the summer campaign. The author analyses documents preserved in the Federal Archives of the Federal Republic of Germany, which reveal the course of the meeting in Munich on May 4, 1943, where the potential of two Wehrmacht strike groups concentrated in the Kursk Bulge area at the end of April 1943 was discussed, successfully implementing the plan of encirclement of Soviet troops in early May 1943, and the opinions expressed by Hitlers, generals and field marshals who were privy to its essence, on this issue. The meeting went down in history as the most important event in the planning process of the 1943 Wehrmacht summer campaign on the Soviet-German front, as it resulted in Hitler making a number of important decisions that, according to some of its participants, significantly influenced its results.
On linear cellular automata
Authors: Kulikov V. R. , Kytmanov А. А. , Poroshin А. О. , Timofeev I. V. , Fedchenko D. P.
Published: July 2024

Wolfram cellular automata are considered and their operation is demonstrated using an example of traffic flow simulation. For the class of one-dimensional elementary cellular automata, the concept of linearity is introduced in the language of Zhegalkin operators. An algorithm for finding linear Zhegalkin operators with multipliers of three variables is presented. The algorithm is implemented in Python.
Interactive calculation of light refraction and caustics using a graphics processor
Authors: Vyatkin S. I. , Dolgovesov B. S.
Published: July 2024

While modern rendering systems are effective at modeling complex light paths in complex environments, rendering refractive caustics still takes a long time. Caustics are light patterns that occur when light is refracted and reflected from a surface. Due to the sharp density distribution of these mirror events, rendering algorithms mainly rely on direct sampling of the bidirectional scattering distribution function on these surfaces to plot trajectories. This requires many calculations. Photonic maps are also used. However, there are problems limiting the applicability of caustic maps. Since each photon in the photon buffer must be processed, therefore, one has to choose between a strongly underestimated caustic sampling and a large decrease in speed in order to use a sufficient number of photons for caustics in order to obtain high-quality images. Complex mirror interactions cause oversampling in bright focal areas, while other areas of the caustic map remain under-selected and noisy. At the same time, speed takes precedence over realism in most interactive applications. However, the desire to improve the quality of graphics prompted the development of various fast approximations for realistic lighting.
This paper presents a combined method for visualizing refraction of light and caustics using reverse integration for illumination and direct integration for viewing rays. An approach is used for simultaneous propagation of light and for tracking rays in volume and, therefore, it does not require storing data of an intermediate volume of illumination. In the implementation of the method, the distance between the light planes is set to one voxel, which provides at least one sample per voxel for all orientations. The method does not use preliminary calculations; all rendering parameters can be changed interactively.
As a result, using the proposed method, it is possible to create plausible approximations of complex phenomena such as refractions and caustics. The effect of refraction on the shadow is shown. Complex light patterns are demonstrated due to the curved geometry of the objects. The visualization results show the importance of refraction for the appearance of transparent objects. For example, distortions caused by refraction and refraction at the interface between media. The difference in refractive indices between individual media causes a complex interaction between light and shadow areas. It is shown how refraction and caustics improve the visualization of functionally defined objects by providing additional information about shape and location.
Analysis of School Shooting Phenomenon and its Mediatization from the Perspective of Digital Humanitaristics
Authors: Baeva Liudmila V.
Published: July 2024

The severity of the problem of school shooting (mass attacks in educational institutions with the use of weapons) is due to its viral spread in the countries and the tragic consequences caused. The study of this phenomenon is on the frontier of social, psychological, informational, philosophical, legal studies. This has led to an interdisciplinary approach to its study, combining the possibilities of case-study and digital humanitaristics, applying data analysis described in this paper. The aim of the study is to identify the factors of school shooting promotion in the media and to comprehend the complex of external and internal reasons that trigger it. The object of the study is the episodes of school shootings committed in 2023, including attacks in the United States, Russia and the Czech Republic. The specifics and similarities of the attacks committed in educational institutions are revealed, their media coverage and audience reactions to the crimes are analyzed. A comparative analysis of cases of school shooting as an existential crime-manifestation of personality and the media effect caused by it, which can cause “viral” imitation and dissemination, is presented for the first time. The results of the research can be applied not only in theoretical aspect in philosophical-anthropological, social and media studies, but also in practical sphere for teachers, psychologists, specialists in work with youth.
Person and social media: new value or devaluation of personality?
Authors: Kazhberova Varvara V.
Published: July 2024

The modern reality includes the social media: possibility of commenting, social networks, dating sites and reviews, thematic forums, wikipedia units. The number of users of such media is continuously increasing, especially the “explosive” growth has been observed in the last two years. Indeed, online communication is multifaceted, flexible, dynamic and satisfies many human needs. At the same time, the risk of personal devaluation increases many times, which becomes one of the key problems of modern society, its ethics and morality. As a result, against the background of global media processes (mediatization, digitalization, informatization), a number of professions are being desacralized, and at the individual level — the devaluation of the individual. These trends contradict the ideas of the modern media environment as a developed humanitarian space. The article contains possible ways to solve the identified problems: among them, creation the media skills, “eco-friendly” media products, improvement of technologies, specializations, norms and recommendations.
Sorcery and witchcraft in the penza region: current state of the magical tradition
Authors: Matveeva Irina A.
Published: July 2024

The magical tradition, that is actually present in the villages of the Penza region, is being investigated. The presented modern expeditionary materials reveal unknown facets in the tradition of rural healing and witchcraft practices. On the basis of mythological stories, tales and reports with the bearers of the tradition, stable characteristics of healers and sorcerers of the Penza region are highlighted. One of these elements — “gift” — is seen as an excess of life force that allows the sorcerer to harm people, and the healer to heal various diseases.For the first time, a system of successive strengthening of the vitality of a healer or sorcerer is revealed. Prohibitions and restrictions, constant ritual practice, dreaming and shape-shifting are part of the system, the result of which is the strengthening of magical abilities. Particular attention is paid to mythological stories about the transformation of sorcerers and healers into a “fire serpent” — a glowball. In particular, new images and functions of the “snake” have been discovered. Thus, the glowball is an intermediate form in a series of magical transformations. The final image is associated with a person who comes into contact with a sorcerer or medicine man. The function of the “serpent” also varies — it transforms from a harmful creature into a neutral and even positive character. Consistent implementation of all elements of the magical system leads to the creation of a “superman”, simultaneously existing in the space of two “worlds” — real and mythological.
New Initiatives within Chinese “Soft Power”
Authors: Sergeeva А. А
Published: July 2024

The article is devoted to a new initiative of the Chinese government – the establishment of Luban workshops – a system of workshops where future specialists are trained in production automation and even traditional Chinese medicine. The author explores the history of the organization of workshops in different countries, their characteristics and peculiarities. This initiative can be considered as a new tool of “soft power”, which appeared in response to criticism and opposition to the development of the network of Confucius Institutes and other humanitarian-educational projects. Under the national global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing is gradually laying the foundations of its new international order and shaping its institutions beyond its borders in its own image. It can be said that this Chinese brand has also made a significant contribution to the development of international co-operation in professional culture and education.
France and Russia in Ensuring Security in Central Africa and the Fight against Terrorism
Authors: Abdoulaye Mahamat A.
Published: July 2024

The article deals with topical issues of countering terrorism in the Central African region in the context of the foreign policy activities of France and Russia. Based on the trends in the development of the military-political situation in Central Africa, the problems of implementing France’s foreign policy as a country focused on asserting its geopolitical dominance in the region are considered. The lack of trust in Western states on the part of the national governments of Central Africa is seen as a prerequisite for strengthening Russia’s presence in the region as a significant actor in the anti-terrorist struggle. Russia’s foreign policy is to facilitate mediation and conflict resolution, as well as to reach formal agreements on training and consulting in the field of security. Each of these efforts strengthens Russia’s security-related interests and provides African countries with opportunities to diversify their security partnerships in order to counter the growing threats of terrorism.
The Arctic Vector of China’s Polar Policy
Authors: Nikolaev Nikolai А.
Published: July 2024

The article discusses the state regulation of Chinese activities in the Arctic carried out as a part of China’s Overall Polar Policy, and not as a separately implemented Arctic Policy of Beijing, as many people are accustomed to believe. This is due to a number of circumstances that arose during the formation of the foundations of Chinese scientific activity in the polar regions. The most important ones include the fact that it is regulated by the same regulatory framework and the same agencies, as well as being considered as one of the two-part basis of China’s international political selfpositioning based on the idea of “a strong polar power”. Since the early 2010s, China’s scientific activities in the polar regions have begun to be seen as part of China’s plans for naval construction through the 2050s and Beijing’s political course in the “four strategic new frontiers”. As part of the same planning period through the 2040s–2050s, China aims to be ready to begin activities in the central Arctic Ocean, if it is free of ice.
South Africa – 2024: Political Parties’ Activities Ahead of Elections
Authors: Turianitsa Daria А.
Published: July 2024

The article briefly examines the performance of the main South African political parties such as the African National Congress, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters on the eve of the general elections in 2024. To assess the situation, the data from think-tanks and NGO is also used. This paper highlights some issues that convey the complexity of the internal environment in the run-up to the event, such as the emergence of the Multi-Party Charter and other political players. Despite the challenges, the African National Congress continues to be the only party with “moral baggage” for voters from all population groups. In the emerging electoral race, it is interesting to observe how the “new” and “old” political forces strategize to maximize their votes from different communities in South Africa, especially among the “Coloured” community. This piece describes the emergence of new political organizations that are aimed at mobilising voters from the “Coloured” community, first and foremost in the Western Cape Province.
Methods of Influence of the J.Biden Administration on Japanese Security Policy
Authors: Plaksin Alexander D.
Published: July 2024

The article is devoted to the analysis of the ways in which the Joseph Biden administration influences Japan’s security policy in order to assess the prospects for the development of US-Japanese relations, which could have a significant impact on the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region in the near future. To achieve the goal of the study, questions were analyzed regarding the interest of the Japanese government in participating in military blocs under the auspices of the US, the development of bilateral relations between Japan and the closest allies of the United States, Washington’s reaction to the corresponding actions of Tokyo, as well as the impact of the course of militarization of foreign policy set by Tokyo for the development of US-Japanese relations. As a result of the study a trend towards deepening US-Japanese security cooperation was identified, which is gaining momentum owing to the course pursued by the Japanese administration aimed at militarizing foreign policy activities, as well as the implementation of a flexible policy in relations with Washington, in some cases running counter to the national interests of Tokyo.
ASEAN amidst the Digital Fragmentation
Authors: Kanaev Evgeny A. , Novik Nikolay N. , Kulyasov Nikolay S. , Fedorenko Dmitry O.
Published: July 2024

This article focuses on the policy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regarding the implementation of multilateral projects in the Asia-Pacific region amidst the fragmentation of the global digital space. On identifying the directions of social digital transformation and major problems it generates, the study further proceeds to specifying its impact on ASEAN-centric formats and initiatives of multilateral cooperation to finally turn to assessing the energy dimension of ASEAN’s policies and its digital support. It has been revealed that the fragmentation of the digital sphere has a negative multiplier effect on the strengthening of conflict elements in relations between key global actors, and there are no instrumental opportunities to reduce their severity. The problems caused by digital transformation overlap with the bottlenecks of ASEAN-led multilateral projects and initiatives: the ASEAN Economic Community and the Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership, which undermines the Association’s ability to create and enhance economies of scale to make the region an attractive space for production and commercial activities and negatively affects ASEAN’s status as a coordinator of Asia-Pacific multilateral policy dialogue and security issues.