bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Sustainable Development and Regional Integration through Electrification by Solar Power: The Case of Six East African States
Authors: Chisika Sylvester Ngome , Yeom Chunho
Published: March 2021

The need to enhance energy access has led to the growing recognition of renewable energy sources in sustainable regional development. However, solar power, one of the less polluting renewable energy sources, continues to receive little attention in some developing countries seeking balanced development. Through a review of the literature, this paper examines the need for regional electrification by solar power and suggests measures to integrate regional energy policies and processes for balanced development. The authors find that there are many social, economic, and environmental benefits associated with using solar power. For instance, solar energy creates employment opportunities, reduces a country’s foreign dependence, improves freedom of choice, improves a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and human development index (HDI), and is associated with improved environmental conservation. The region of East Africa is keen to reap these sustainable development gains through solar power electrification. The establishment of the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency constitutes an important melting pot for diverse renewable energy policies, in addition to confirming a commitment to solar power deployment. Moreover, some East African Community (EAC) states appear to be progressing faster towards regional solar power projects, while other states are lagging due to complex contextual challenges. However, the overall contribution of solar power to sustainable development remains low, as individual states appear to be focused on developing their national solar power projects. Nonetheless, there is great hope for regional development through shared solar power development if EAC states implement a number of regulatory and voluntary interventions.
Sustainability Orientation and Focus in Logistics and Supply Chains
Authors: Lazar Sebastjan , Klimecka-Tatar Dorota , Obrecht Matevz
Published: March 2021

Sustainable development, logistics, and supply chain are being combined into three increasingly connected and topical global research areas. Therefore, this paper’s novelty identifies and defines the priorities of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and sustainable development dimensions in supply-chain- and logistics-management-related studies in the last decade. Knowing logistics and supply chain sustainability focus and orientation is valuable information for researchers and managers to adapt and mitigate their business logistics according to the forecasted trends. The paper provides a systematic and comprehensive review of the literature and is based on 116 scientific papers published between 2010 and 2020 in 73 international journals in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The study defines focus with integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability for logistics- and supply-chain-related studies. It emphasizes primary and secondary links of investigated studies with 17 United Nations sustainable development goals. The bibliometric analysis also examined keyword relations. One of the main contributions is that economic sustainability was identified as the most represented one-dimensional sustainability focus. It was revealed that supply chain studies integrated all three sustainability dimensions more frequently (50.60%) than logistics studies, which were equally related to studying two- or three-dimensions of sustainability (39.39%). The most significant findings are also that studies were identified to be oriented primarily towards “responsible consumption and production”, “industry, innovation, and infrastructure” and “affordable and clean energy” and secondary especially on “sustainable cities and communities”.
Mechanical Performance of Lime Mortar Coatings for Rehabilitation of Masonry Elements in Old and Historical Buildings
Authors: Branco Fernando G. , Belgas Maria de Lurdes , Mendes Cátia , Pereira Luís , Ortega José Marcos
Published: March 2021

The use of lime as a binder in masonry lining mortars plays an important role in its conservation and durability. Knowledge of the mechanical characteristics of pre-existing and restoration mortars is essential in order to guarantee the compatibility between them and for avoiding the appearance of pathologies. The paper mainly focuses on the study of the mechanical performance of lime-based mortars to be applied in rehabilitation works in old buildings. Four types of mortars were tested with very similar workability, based on lime putty, aerial lime, and hydraulic lime. Sand and crushed rock powder were used as aggregates. Compressive and flexural strengths of the mortars were determined, as well as their ultrasonic pulse velocity. Furthermore, specific tests were carried out to characterize the performance of the mortar when used as a binder for plasters and coatings, such as the development of cracking, superficial water absorption under low pressure, and pull-off strength. According to the results obtained, mortars with lime putty showed better mechanical properties, while those with aerial lime had better behavior regarding water absorption under pressure. Despite that, it was generally possible to verify the adequacy of the studied mortars to be used in the rehabilitation of masonry elements.
Verifying the Effectiveness of Sports Event Policies for a City’s Sustainable Growth: Focusing on the Multiple Effects
Authors: Yu Jae-Gu , Jeong Yun-Duk , Kim Suk-Kyu
Published: March 2021

This article presents empirical evidence that suggests that there are multiple effects of local government sports event hosting policies. This study is predicated on the notion that the attraction of sports events is a feature of city-level policies. The empirical analysis used a multiple effects model, and the research employed a dual model approach: (a) a sponsorship effect model and (b) a tourism effect model. A questionnaire was administered online, and 383 cases were used for data processing. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were performed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 25.0. (a) In the “business model”, it was confirmed that event satisfaction affected sustainable purchase intention only through the sponsor’s social image. (b) The “tourism model” confirmed that event satisfaction affected the intention to engage in positive word of mouth to recommend the destination through both forming a psychological attachment and experiencing emotional satisfaction. Among the event satisfaction factors, service satisfaction was identified as more important than facility satisfaction. As shown by the above results, satisfaction with sports events had simultaneous effects on the persistence of the sponsorship effects model and the persistence of tourism effects. The study concluded that attractive sports events promoted sustainable urban growth.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Mitigation Strategies for Flood Risk Reduction in the Segamat River Basin, Malaysia
Authors: Liew Yuk San , Mat Desa Safari , Md. Noh Md. Nasir , Tan Mou Leong , Zakaria Nor Azazi , Chang Chun Kiat
Published: March 2021

Flooding is a frequent, naturally recurring phenomenon worldwide that can become disastrous if not addressed accordingly. This paper aims to evaluate the impacts of land use change and climate change on flooding in the Segamat River Basin, Johor, Malaysia, with 1D–2D hydrodynamic river modeling, using InfoWorks Integrated Catchment Modeling (ICM). The study involved the development of flood maps for four different scenarios: (1) future land use in 2030; (2) the impacts of climate change; (3) three mitigation strategies comprising detention ponds, rainwater harvesting systems (RWHSs), and permeable pavers; and (4) a combination of these three mitigation strategies. The obtained results show increases in the flood peaks under both the land use change and climate change scenarios. With the anticipated increase in development activities within the vicinity up to 2030, the overall impact of urbanization on the extent of flooding would be rather moderate, as the upper and middle parts of the basin would still be dominated by forests and agricultural activities (approximately 81.13%). In contrast, the potential flood-inundated area is expected to increase from 12.25% to 16.64% under storms of 10-, 50-, 100-, and 1000-year average recurrence intervals (ARI). Interestingly, the simulation results suggest that only the detention pond mitigation strategy has a considerable impact on reducing floods, while the other two mitigation strategies have less flood reduction advantages for this agricultural-based rural basin located in a tropical region.
Food Waste in Healthcare, Business and Hospitality Catering: Composition, Environmental Impacts and Reduction Potential on Company and National Levels
Authors: Meier Toni , von Borstel Torsten , Welte Birgit , Hogan Brennan , Finn Steven M. , Bonaventura Mike , Friedrich Silke , Weber Kerstin , Dräger de Teran Tanja
Published: March 2021

Background: As the reduction of food wastage remains one of our most critical challenges, we quantified the environmental impacts of food losses in the food-service sector in Germany, with a particular focus on the subsectors of business, healthcare and hospitality. Methods: Using the food-waste data of 7 catering companies, 1545 measurement days and 489,185 served meals during two 4–6 week monitoring periods, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) according to ISO standard 14040/44 was conducted. Within the LCA, the carbon, water (blue) and land footprints, and the ecological scarcity in terms of eco-points, were calculated. Results: We show that the waste generated in the food-service sector in Germany is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions of 4.9 million tons CO2-equivalents (CO2e), a water use of 103,057 m3 and a land demand of 322,838 ha, equating to a total of 278 billion eco-points per year. Subsector-specifically, in hospitality catering: 1 kg of food waste accounts for 3.4 kg CO2e, 61.1 L water and 2.6 m2 land (208 eco-points); in healthcare: 2.9 kg CO2e, 48.4 L and 1.9 m2 land (150 eco-points); and in business: 2.3 kg CO2e, 72 L water and 1.0–1.4 m2 land (109–141 eco-points). Meal-specifically, the environmental footprints vary between 1.5 and 8.0 kg CO2e, 23.2–226.1 L water and 0.3–7.1 m2 per kg food waste. Conclusions: If robust food waste management schemes are implemented in the near future and take the waste-reduction potential in the food-service sector into account, Target 12.3 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals—which calls for halving food waste by 2030—is within reach.
“More Than a Free Bus Ride”—Exploring Young Adults’ Perceptions of Free Bus Services Using a Qualitative Approach: A Case Study of Penang, Malaysia
Authors: Sukor Nur Sabahiah Abdul , Airak Surachai , Hassan Sitti Asmah
Published: March 2021

Encouraging the younger generation to use public transport can revolutionise the way that citizens commute in the future; hence, municipalities must provide good public transport services to encourage their use. A free bus service was introduced in Penang, Malaysia, to support the sustainable agenda and to provide transport for low-income groups. However, the lack of ridership resulted in the service being far from achieving its target. This study assessed young adults’ perceptions of the current free bus service in Penang to design a strategy to attract them to use the free bus. In this study, six focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with young adults aged between 18 and 25 years old studying in three different higher institutions located along the route of the free bus. The data collected were analysed using thematic analysis, in which four areas were identified—free service, reliability, information provision, and attractive service. Finally, this paper provides valuable input on initiatives to further encourage young adults to use the free bus service in Penang.
A Novel Fuzzy SIMUS Multicriteria Decision-Making Method. An Application in Railway Passenger Transport Planning
Authors: Stoilova Svetla , Munier Nolberto
Published: March 2021

To increase the level of adequacy in multi-criteria decision-making in the case of uncertainty, it is essential to reduce the subjectivism and to increase the reality of obtained results. The study aims to propose a novel fuzzy multi-criteria method based on the fuzzy linear programming method and sequential interactive model for urban systems method (SIMUS), named fuzzy SIMUS. This paper is something completely different because it links the power of fuzzy with the advantage of the SIMUS method. Indeed, not using weights, it works with optimal values. Here, this procedure is presented for the first time. The methodology consists of three stages. The first stage includes forming the parameters of a multi-criteria model in the case of uncertainty. The initial matrix has three values: lower, medium, and upper. In the second stage, the fuzzy SIMUS model for each objective is formed based on fuzzy linear programming method. The third stage deals with the ranking of the alternatives. The methodology was experimented for planning railway intercity passenger transport in Bulgarian’s railway network. Nine alternative transport plans and eight criteria were studied. It was found that the objectives which influence ranking the most are the frequency of train stops (15%), direct operational costs (15%), train’s capacity (14.7%), and reliability (14.3%). A transport plan for railway passenger transport is proposed. A verification of the results was performed. It was found that the stability of the choice presented a suitable alternative.
A Survey on Knowledge Graph Embeddings for Link Prediction
Authors: Wang Meihong , Qiu Linling , Wang Xiaoli
Published: March 2021

Knowledge graphs (KGs) have been widely used in the field of artificial intelligence, such as in information retrieval, natural language processing, recommendation systems, etc. However, the open nature of KGs often implies that they are incomplete, having self-defects. This creates the need to build a more complete knowledge graph for enhancing the practical utilization of KGs. Link prediction is a fundamental task in knowledge graph completion that utilizes existing relations to infer new relations so as to build a more complete knowledge graph. Numerous methods have been proposed to perform the link-prediction task based on various representation techniques. Among them, KG-embedding models have significantly advanced the state of the art in the past few years. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey on KG-embedding models for link prediction in knowledge graphs. We first provide a theoretical analysis and comparison of existing methods proposed to date for generating KG embedding. Then, we investigate several representative models that are classified into five categories. Finally, we conducted experiments on two benchmark datasets to report comprehensive findings and provide some new insights into the strengths and weaknesses of existing models.
Effective Rotor Fault Diagnosis Model Using Multilayer Signal Analysis and Hybrid Genetic Binary Chicken Swarm Optimization
Authors: Lee Chun-Yao , Zhuo Guang-Lin
Published: March 2021

This article proposes an effective rotor fault diagnosis model of an induction motor (IM) based on local mean decomposition (LMD) and wavelet packet decomposition (WPD)-based multilayer signal analysis and hybrid genetic binary chicken swarm optimization (HGBCSO) for feature selection. Based on the multilayer signal analysis, this technique can reduce the dimension of raw data, extract potential features, and remove background noise. To compare the validity of the proposed HGBCSO method, three well-known evolutionary algorithms are adopted, including binary-particle swarm optimization (BPSO), binary-bat algorithm (BBA), and binary-chicken swarm optimization (BCSO). In addition, the robustness of three classifiers including the decision tree (DT), support vector machine (SVM), and naive Bayes (NB) was compared to select the best model to detect the rotor bar fault. The results showed that the proposed HGBCSO algorithm can obtain better global exploration ability and a lower number of selected features than other evolutionary algorithms that are adopted in this research. In conclusion, the proposed model can reduce the dimension of raw data and achieve high robustness.
Improved Sample Selection and Preparation Methods for Sampling Plans Used to Facilitate Rapid and Reliable Estimation of Aflatoxin in Chicken Feed
Authors: Kibugu James , Mdachi Raymond , Munga Leonard , Mburu David , Whitaker Thomas , Huynh Thu P. , Grace Delia , Lindahl Johanna F.
Published: March 2021

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a toxic fungal metabolite associated with human and animal diseases, is a natural contaminant encountered in agricultural commodities, food and feed. Heterogeneity of AFB1 makes risk estimation a challenge. To overcome this, novel sample selection, preparation and extraction steps were designed for representative sampling of chicken feed. Accuracy, precision, limits of detection and quantification, linearity, robustness and ruggedness were used as performance criteria to validate this modification and Horwitz function for evaluating precision. A modified sampling protocol that ensured representativeness is documented, including sample selection, sampling tools, random procedures, minimum size of field-collected aggregate samples (primary sampling), procedures for mass reduction to 2 kg laboratory (secondary sampling), 25 g test portion (tertiary sampling) and 1.3 g analytical samples (quaternary sampling). The improved coning and quartering procedure described herein (for secondary and tertiary sampling) has acceptable precision, with a Horwitz ratio (HorRat = 0.3) suitable for splitting of 25 g feed aliquots from laboratory samples (tertiary sampling). The water slurring innovation (quaternary sampling) increased aflatoxin extraction efficiency to 95.1% through reduction of both bias (−4.95) and variability of recovery (1.2–1.4) and improved both intra-laboratory precision (HorRat = 1.2–1.5) and within-laboratory reproducibility (HorRat = 0.9–1.3). Optimal extraction conditions are documented. The improved procedure showed satisfactory performance, good field applicability and reduced sample analysis turnaround time.
The Low-Temperature Expansion of the Casimir-Polder Free Energy of an Atom with Graphene
Authors: Khusnutdinov Nail , Emelianova Natalia
Published: March 2021

We consider the low-temperature expansion of the Casimir-Polder free energy for an atom and graphene by using the Poisson representation of the free energy. We extend our previous analysis on the different relations between chemical potential μ and mass gap parameter m. The key role plays the dependence of graphene conductivities on the μ and m. For simplicity, we made the manifest calculations for zero values of the Fermi velocity. For μ>m, the thermal correction ∼T2, and for μ<m, we confirm the recent result of Klimchitskaya and Mostepanenko, that the thermal correction ∼T5. In the case of exact equality μ=m, the correction ∼T. This point is unstable, and the system falls to the regime with μ>m or μ<m. The analytical calculations are illustrated by numerical evaluations for the Hydrogen atom/graphene system.
BK Polyomavirus Nephropathy in Kidney Transplantation: Balancing Rejection and Infection
Authors: Shen Chia-Lin , Wu Bo-Sheng , Lien Tse-Jen , Yang An-Hang , Yang Chih-Yu
Published: March 2021

BK polyomavirus nephropathy (BKVN) and allograft rejection are two closely-associated diseases on opposite ends of the immune scale in kidney transplant recipients. The principle of balancing the immune system remains the mainstay of therapeutic strategy. While patient outcomes can be improved through screening, risk factors identification, and rapid reduction of immunosuppressants, a lack of standard curative therapy is the primary concern during clinical practice. Additionally, difficulty in pathological differential diagnosis and clinicopathology’s dissociation pose problems for a definite diagnosis. This article discusses the delicate evaluation needed to optimize immunosuppression and reviews recent advances in molecular diagnosis and immunological therapy for BKVN patients. New biomarkers for BKVN diagnosis are under development. For example, measurement of virus-specific T cell level may play a role in steering immunosuppressants. The development of cellular therapy may provide prevention, even a cure, for BKVN, a complex post-transplant complication.
The Role of Large-Scale Bedforms in Driftwood Storage Mechanism in Rivers
Authors: Okitsu Takara , Iwasaki Toshiki , Kyuka Tomoko , Shimizu Yasuyuki
Published: March 2021

The quantification of driftwood deposition in rivers is important for understanding the total budget of driftwood at the watershed scale; however, it remains unclear how such driftwood storage in rivers contributes to the overall system because of the difficulties in undertaking field measurements. Herein, we perform numerical simulations of driftwood deposition within an idealized river reach with a sand-bed, to describe the role of large-scale bedforms, more specifically, alternate bars, multiple bars, and braiding, in driftwood storage in rivers. The numerical model we propose here is a coupling model involving a Lagrangian-type driftwood model and an Eulerian two-dimensional morphodynamic model for simulating large-scale bedforms (i.e., bars and braiding). The results show that the channel with a braiding pattern provides a wide area with enhanced capacity for deposition of driftwood, characterized by exposed mid-channel or in-channel bars, leading to high driftwood storage. The alternate bar is also a large bedform representing a sediment depositional element in rivers; however, because of the narrow exposed bar area and its downstream-migrating feature during floods, the alternate bars seem to contribute less to driftwood deposition in rivers. This suggests that the role of multiple bars and braiding is critically important for the driftwood deposition in rivers.
Performance of Reverse Electrodialysis System for Salinity Gradient Energy Generation by Using a Commercial Ion Exchange Membrane Pair with Homogeneous Bulk Structure
Authors: Altıok Esra , Kaya Tuğçe Zeynep , Güler Enver , Kabay Nalan , Bryjak Marek
Published: March 2021

Salinity gradient energy is a prominent alternative and maintainable energy source, which has considerable potential. Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is one of the most widely studied methods to extract this energy. Despite the considerable progress in research, optimization of RED process is still ongoing. In this study, effects of the number of membrane pairs, ratio of salinity gradient and feed velocity on power generation via the reverse electrodialysis (RED) system were investigated by using Fujifilm cation exchange membrane (CEM Type 2) and FujiFilm anion exchange membrane (AEM Type 2) ion exchange membranes. In the literature, there is no previous study based on a RED system equipped with Fujifilm AEM Type II and CEM Type II membranes that have homogeneous bulk structure. Using 400 µm of intermembrane distance, maximum obtainable power density by 5 pairs of Fujifilm membranes at 1:45 salinity ratio and with a linear flow rate of 0.833 cm/s was 0.426 W/m2.
Continental vs. Global Niche-Based Modelling of Freshwater Species’ Distributions: How Big Are the Differences in the Estimated Climate Change Effects?
Authors: Markovic Danijela , Freyhof Jörg , Kärcher Oskar
Published: March 2021

Thermal response curves that depict the probability of occurrence along a thermal gradient are used to derive various species’ thermal properties and abilities to cope with warming. However, different thermal responses can be expected for different portions of a species range. We focus on differences in thermal response curves (TRCs) and thermal niche requirements for four freshwater fishes (Coregonus sardinella, Pungitius pungitius, Rutilus rutilus, Salvelinus alpinus) native to Europe at (1) the global and (2) European continental scale. European ranges captured only a portion of the global thermal range with major differences in the minimum (Tmin), maximum (Tmax) and average temperature (Tav) of the respective distributions. Further investigations of the model-derived preferred temperature (Tpref), warming tolerance (WT = Tmax − Tpref), safety margin (SM = Tpref − Tav) and the future climatic impact showed substantially differing results. All considered thermal properties either were under- or overestimated at the European level. Our results highlight that, although continental analyses have an impressive spatial extent, they might deliver misleading estimates of species thermal niches and future climate change impacts, if they do not cover the full species ranges. Studies and management actions should therefore favor whole global range distribution data for analyzing species responses to environmental gradients.
Role of Corporate Governance in Permission of the Agency Conflict
Authors:   The Corporate and Project Management Institute, Lutsenko Sergej I. ,   Institute for Economic Strategies
Published: March 2021

The author considers the mechanism of permission of the agency conflict (redistribution of cash flows) between the shareholder and management with use of model of business. In article are considered the economic interests of the company as legal abstraction behind which there are interests of shareholders. Corporate governance in modern realities has to be directed not only to rapprochement of financial interests of shareholders and the management of the company but also to creation of the social benefit.
Labour Potential of the Enterprise: New Forms of Activation
Authors:   Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Scherbakov Victor N. ,   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Dubrovsky Andrey V. ,   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
Published: March 2021

The article examines motivational interests that provide economic growth in the context of transformation process. It is proved that the main role is played by integrated interests of technologically related relations in terms of the result-based indicator. It is substantiated that material incentives, though being one of the most important factors in enhancing labour potential, do not reveal the depth of motivational essence of labour relations and lead to decrease in the activities efficiency. The purpose of this study is to develop a mechanism for activating labour processes, on which the efficiency of using resource potential and economic growth depend.
Problems of Establishing Pension Rights in the Context of Pension Reform
Authors:   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Solov'ev Arkadii K.
Published: March 2021

Pension provision of disabled citizens is one of the basic functions of a modern welfare state, which should be based, on the one hand, on constitutional and legal norms, and on the other — on real organizational and administrative mechanisms and should have resources and economic support. The study analyzes economic mechanism and peculiarities of forming the pension rights of insured persons in various employment conditions, taking into account the presence in the compulsory pension insurance system of both pay-as-you-go and funded components. Following the study, a set of measures was developed for state regulation of macroeconomic and institutional factors in order to increase the efficiency of establishing the insurance pension rights in the pension system in the context of demographic aging of the population.
Neuromanagement: Convergent Integration of the Human Brain and Artificial Intelligence
Authors:   Institute for Economic Strategies, Ageev Aleksandr I. ,   International Research Institute for Advanced Systems, Loginov Evgenii L. ,   Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, Shkuta Aleksandr A. ,   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
Published: March 2021

World achievements in the field of neuroscience have provided previously inaccessible opportunities for creating fundamentally new control systems based on neurointerfaces (brain — computer — brain). Hybridization of environments — gradual blurring of the boundaries between physical, cognitive and digital realities — is taking place. Descriptions of social and cognitive practices of real people are transformed into forming an artificial electronic subject, which becomes more real, replacing a biological object in society (a person is how he is represented in the electronic information environment). At the same time, development of the neurointerface perspectively leads to conversion of nervous tissue and changes biological substrate of the human brain and body in the vector of convergent collaboration of living and artificial nervous systems. Our American competing partners (the US Department of Defence represented by DARPA) carry out multidisciplinary comprehensive research in this area, leading in real results, the US leadership is increasing government funding. A qualitative change in technologies for managing people, society and the state is taking place. Russia’s objective in these conditions is to form its own segment of Neuronet, relying on domestic neurotechnologies, by analogy with the policy of import substitution in Russian nuclear energy.
Metrics and Meanings
Authors:   Institute for Economic Strategies, Ageev Aleksandr I.
Published: March 2021

Opening address of the Editor-in-chief
Classification of Artificial Intelligence Systems
Authors:   International Research Institute for Advanced Systems, Kukshev Vyacheslav I.
Published: March 2021

The article considers the classification of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. The role of AI has increased significantly recently in all areas of life. The use of AI in public administration, in production, in medicine, in the military, in the social sphere, etc., raised a number of questions related to the definition of AI and classification of AI systems. Classification of AI is necessary to understand the role of AI in the digital economy. Classification becomes important in the context of intensive development of international standards for AI systems and knowledge-based systems (expert, neural, multi-agent, cyber-physical systems and systems based on the industrial Internet)
How to Overcome Stagnation and New Crisis, Providing Socio-Economic Growth
Authors:   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Aganbegyan Abel G.
Published: March 2021

In April 2020, Russia entered a structural social and financial-economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic and catastrophic decline of oil and gas exports. Assessing the current socio-economic situation in the country, the author concludes that, in contrast to the crisis of 2009, which was mainly financial and economic in nature, the 2020 crisis for the most part has got a social character, when indicators of the people’s well-being are declining particularly. According to the author, only return to planning would ensure implementation of an integrated financial plan, an investment program for the whole country, directive indicators of enterprises and organizations controlled by the state, as well as would impact public-private partnership.
Cellular Paradigm of Network Organization: Implications for Present-Day Society
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Oleskin Alexander V. , Kurdyumov Vladimir S. ,   Institute for Economic Strategies
Published: March 2021

Microorganisms and cultivated cells from human or animal tissues form complex network structures (colonies, biofilms, flocs, granules, etc.) that are characterized by efficient communication and behavior coordination in the absence of a central pacemaker. The decentralized (flat) network organization of such structures is due to the functioning of (a) information-transmitting intercellular contacts, (b) a signal field created by distant communication systems, including the quorum-sensing system; and (c) a biopolymer matrix that cements the cells of the whole network structure. Microbial network structures exist in the human organism, especially in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. The cellular networks engage in complex interaction with the host organism. The organism represents a complex combination of hierarchical structures and decentralized networks and includes the brain, the peripheral nervous system, the immune system, and the endocrine system. The interaction between the microbiota and the host may produce both positive and negative effects on the host’s physical and mental health, because decentralized networks are known to possess not only useful but also potentially harmful properties. Communication between microbial cells and the host organism involves neurochemicals, i.e., chemical compounds, whose functions include impulse transmission between nervous cells. In the final section, the cellular paradigm of network organization is envisaged as the conceptual basis of organizational technology aimed at creating efficient non-hierarchical creative teams that are cemented by common values and goals (the network matrix).
On Some Factors of Economic Growth and Regional Development
Authors:   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Sokolova Elena Yu.
Published: March 2021

For several years, there has been a considerable interest in the development of regions and their contribution to the national economy, both in Russia and in foreign countries. The regions are characterized by uneven economic development and the amount of taxes and fees going to the Federal budget. Moreover, in Russia, this unevenness in regional development is particularly strong, which is facilitated by tax policy that affects the reduction of regional tax independence and does not encourage the regions to develop their income base. The task of achieving a balance between donor and recipient regions, reducing the number of subsidized regions, and creating incentives to increase their incomes and economic growth is one of the most actual problems of Russian economic policy.
Post-Pandemic Syndrome as a Socio-Psychological and Economic Destruction
Authors:   All-Russian Research Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sundiev Igor’ Yu. , Frolov Andrey B. ,   “AYSKRIN” LLC
Published: March 2021

The article highlights the socio-psychological and economic aspects of the regulation of society during an extreme psychosocial event in the format of a Pandemic as a staged act of social separation. Artificial Extremum highlighted the main thing: in state entities aimed at satisfying only the vital needs of a person, intra-system contradictions are critically increasing, since the regulation of society is associated with the dominant satisfaction of higher needs in the creative development of a person. Technologies of social separation have led to pathological psychological consequences — a critical breakdown of social ties. This is the first time that an irrevocable extreme situation has emerged in History, and there is no way out of it under the old model of social regulation. It also became clear that the “Pandemic-2020” did not allow to remove the accumulated financial crisis contradictions, as the global industrial Autonomous circuit continues to work properly and consistently provides vital functions of the human population. Since the second wave of the pandemic extreme has been announced, individuals who have lost the features of social subjectivity cannot integrate to achieve socially significant results of their activities. The only way out of the crisis situation is a conscious scientifically based transition to a new psychosocial model of society, already programmed by a new universal attractor of the historical process.
Existential Necessity for Dominance of the “Quality” Category in Socio-economic Development of the Russian Federation as Part of the Global Anthropogenic World
Authors: Burmistrov Andrey N. , Il’in Yuriy V. ,   Investment Agency of the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation
Published: March 2021

The evolution of man-made technological society to the scale of the global system has changed the whole nature of social reproduction. The modern global biosocium “rests” on the quasi-closure of the main subsystems of our planet — the biosphere and planetary matter, their quantitative limitations. It is impossible to remove (resolve) this contradiction under the dominance of the category “quantity”, in the conditions of the promoted flywheel of the consumption society. The aggregate “amount” of public reproduction already crosses the boundary of the category “measure”. Therefore, the development of the global technological biosocium (noosphere), its relationship with the biological and basic planetary subsystems enters the zone of existential bifurcation, in which the likelihood of the appearance of the effect of a “butterfly” capable of destroying all humanity increases sharply. The authors justify the acute existential need for the priority of the “quality” paradigm in the social reproduction of the Russian Federation by its special position in the global world, the bifurcation state of the entire anthropogenic technological civilization and the socio-biological nature of man
The Problem of Unemployment in the Digital Economy
Authors:   International Research Institute for Advanced Sistems, Khachaturyan Ashot A.
Published: March 2021

The article analyzes a special type of unemployment, the occurrence of which is associated with the development of the digital economy. Shown are the main problems that digital can bring to social life and the fate of an individual worker. Chief among these problems is that with the further digital transformation of the economy, more and more jobs may be threatened with extinction, and the disappearance of old jobs this time will not be accompanied by the emergence of new ones. A situation may arise when workers released due to digitalization will become not only unemployed, but also generally inoperable. A global question arises — what to do with those who do not work, and how to support them? It also examines the related measures of population regulation and global mechanisms for managing demographic processes.
Strategy of a Legal Framework Formation in the Field of Determining Liability for the Harm Caused by Technologies with the Use of Artificial Intelligence Elements
Authors:   Saratov State Law Academy, Fedyunin Anton E. , Yakim Alina D. ,   Saratov State Law Academy
Published: March 2021

In the modern world, introduction of technologies with the elements of artificial intelligence into all spheres of life is developing rapidly, significantly ahead of the development of legislation. In this regard, the problem of determining liability for the harm caused by the use of such technologies arises. The problem can be solved by creating a comprehensive strategy for the development of the legal field in this area and bringing the current legislation to the level of information-oriented Society 5.0, the concept of which assumes technical breakthrough in the field of cyber technologies. The aim of this research is to analyze current situation in the field of legal regulation of liability for the harm caused by technologies with the elements of artificial intelligence and to determine the strategy for the formation of legal framework in this field. In the first part of the article the analysis of the current legal situation on the basis of scientific developments in this area is carried out, as well as the solutions proposed by the strategy for the development of artificial intelligence technologies as the basis for the formation of the legal framework are shown. The second part of the article is devoted to the strategy of a legal framework formation in the field of determining responsibility for the use of technologies with the elements of artificial intelligence. In conclusion it is said that the strategy under consideration can be realized by developing a set of measures aimed at implementing the provisions that define responsibility for the use of technologies with elements of artificial intelligence into current legislation.
Prospects of Сreating Аloating Solar Power Plants in Russia
Authors:   National University of Oil and Gas “Gubkin University” (Gubkin University), Khristoforov Evgenii S. , Il’kovskii Konstantin K. ,   National University of Oil and Gas “Gubkin University” (Gubkin University)
Published: March 2021

Technologies for converting solar energy into electrical energy are constantly improved, new methods of using solar energy are emerging in order to increase efficiency and save space. One of such methods is application of special buoyancy modules and restraints systems for installing solar power plants in water basins. The main technologies and operation principle of floating solar power plants (SPP) are described. Advantages and disadvantages of using floating solar power plants in comparison with ground-based solar power plants are listed and substantiated. Assessment of potential of installing floating SPP at hydroelectric power plants (HPP) in Russia is given. Prospects for the use of floating SPP in open water areas are discussed and examples of such projects are listed.
Development of Services Export to European Countries in the Paradigm of Value Chains on the Example of Event Tourism in Moscow
Authors:   Product Owner JSC ", Kondeev Aleksandr V. ,   DOM.RF"
Published: March 2021

The article examines application of the value-added chains paradigm to developing services exports. The author analyses development strategy for the export of services until 2025 and the possibility of applying the value chains paradigm when forming measures and planning activities. On the example of the event tourism development, the author identifies value chains of an integrated service with the value proposition “Russia (Moscow) is the best place to celebrate the New Year in Europe” and its provision with tools and support measures
ASEAN Integration Process Development
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Mirakyan Diana G.
Published: March 2021

Amid the unstable world environment the economic “weight” transfer to Asia highlights dynamically growing role of the Asian Pacific region (APR) where a specific place is put on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The present research is devoted to processes of ASEAN member-countries regional integration development. In the current work dynamics of socio-economic indicators, volumes of the foreign direct investments (FDI) and intraregional trade are characterized. The conducted research concludes that regional development processes in ASEAN are flourishing: the ASEAN competitiveness is to a high standard, the Association is attractive from a position of foreign investment. The analysis of socio-economic indicators dynamics revealed asymmetry of ASEAN member-countries. The gap in macroeconomic indicators in comparison with the other partners of Association is observed in CMLV countries (Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam). However, such a disproportion, on the one hand, might prevent from formation of effective production networks, and, on the other, guarantee the lagging countries relative economic stability.
Comparison of Methodologies for Strategic Forecasting and Planning of Economic Development in Developed Countries and Russia
Authors:   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Pobyvaev Sergey A. , Gaibov Tural S. ,   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
Published: March 2021

The authors considered the organization of strategic planning and forecasting of five countries that are among the world’s economic leaders — USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Japan and Russia. The main features of the organization of the process of strategic planning and strategic forecasting in these countries are revealed, and a brief description of the organizational paradigms in the area under consideration is given. The purpose of the article is to determine the possibilities of borrowing in the field of methodology of strategic planning and forecasting. While there are no borrowing problems in the field of technical forecasting methods, there are a number of obstacles in the organizational field, determined by various factors. The authors identified nine such factors, and concluded that the prospects for the development of strategic planning and forecasting in Russia lie outside the directly specified area.
On Current Issues of International Municipal Cooperation
Authors: Sidorov Aleksandr A.
Published: March 2021

The article examines the world experience and the main trends in developing international cooperation between cities of the world, analyzes economic effect of international relations between territorial formations of national states, considers topical issues and outlines the problem field of international municipal cooperation in Russia. The author concludes that it is feasible to build up international and foreign economic relations of Russian territorial entities in the context of achieving the goals of the country’s economic development and the UN sustainable development until 2030.
On Forming the Ideology of Transition to a New World Economic Order in Russia and the EAEU
Authors:   Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), Glaziev Sergey Yu.
Published: March 2021

The formation of a new — integral-world economic order imposes increased requirements on the quality of the ideological basis of large-scale socio-economic transformations. This basis, by the very nature of the new world economic order, cannot sow antagonism, it is intended to harmonize the divergent interests of the government and society on the basis of national creative development goals.
Current Situation in Chinese-American Relations and Its Impact on the World and Development of Russian-Chinese Cooperation
Authors:   Renmin University of China, Li Zhou
Published: March 2021

The article, which represents the abstracts of the author’s report at the Expert Dialogue “International agenda and conjugation of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Chinese One Belt One Road Initiative in the context of profound changes” (EEC, September 16, 2020), examines the current state of the Chinese-American relations, prospects of Russian-Chinese cooperation within the framework of “One Belt, One Road”, “Great Eurasian Partnership” programs
“Black Dragon” and Management Problems
Authors:   Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Kuzin Dmitry V.
Published: March 2021

The coronavirus pandemic this year has become one of the main topics on the world agenda and is now being analyzed from different angles — biological, medical, economic, political, social, historical. But another aspect to take into account is administrative, since this virus has infected not only individuals but also society, government and business systems. The pandemic is very complex, large-scale and multidimensional and, as is well known, it is hard to control the increasing difficulty and uncertainty, especially when the time factor is involved. There is a principle in methodology: if a problem identified at a certain level of the system’s complexity is not solved by means of the same level, then you need to rise to a higher level. In other words, it is necessary to rise to the metalevel, and this is where the problems of public administration and management are identified, and they are two-sided. The first one is practical — what to do and how to manage the unfolding processes to minimize damage to people, economy and society, what strategy to develop for recovery from this pandemic and how to implement it. This is a focus of everyone’s attention now, but it is too early to fully assess the effectiveness of various current measures and strategies, especially given the new wave of the pandemic. The second side — theoretical — how his problem can be viewed conceptually through the prism of changing the paradigm of the society existence and the paradigm of management. The present article deals with some fundamental aspects of the latter aspect of the problem.