bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living with COVID-19 pandemic – Emerging challenges for ultrasound physicians and their suggested solution
Authors: Malik Shagufta , Riaz Musab
Published: August 2020

Background: The recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious health concern with far-reaching implications in every facet of human life. New challenges have emerged for ultrasound physicians engaged in diagnostic ultrasound examinations.

Methods: Based on a comprehensive literature review the author has suggested a few precautionary measures that should be incorporated by the ultrasound physicians in their practice against the spread of coronavirus disease.

Suggestions: Multi-level safeguard checks before, during, and after the ultrasound examination are suggested to protect ultrasound physicians, staff, and patients from COVID-19. The importance of triage for patient screening is stressed.  Also, limiting patients by deferring non-urgent cases and cancelling aerosol-generating procedures is recommended. The need of counselling of patients and staff is stressed regarding the importance of facemasks, hand hygiene, and safe distancing. Incorporating different types of barriers against the virus such as facemasks, face-shields, personnel protective suits for ultrasound physicians and staff, and shielding the equipment and transducer with disposable or wipeable plastic sheets is suggested. Besides, the significance of cleaning and disinfection of the examination room and equipment by suitable disinfectants after each patient and at the end of the day is highlighted. 

Conclusion: Learning to live with the COVID-19 pandemic is the need of the day both for the general public and medical community. Being members of the medical community ultrasound physicians should gear up to the emerging challenges of COVID-19 to protect themselves, their patients, and allied healthcare staff from coronavirus infection.
Comorbidity of COVID-19 related Fatalities in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Authors: Shahid Rizwana , Umar Muhammad , Zafar Raja Bilal , Zeb Shazia , Ambreen Saima , Akram Muhammad Omar
Published: August 2020

Objectives: To assess the COVID-19 associated fatalities with respect to demographics, comorbidity, critical illness, and length of hospital stay in tertiary care hospitals.

Subjects & Methods: A retrospective hospital data-based research was done among 216 COVID-19 associated mortalities registered in 4 tertiary care hospitals Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), District Head Quarters Hospital (DHQ) and Rawalpindi Institute of Urology & Transplantation (RIU & T) affiliated with Rawalpindi Medical University from 29th March-15th June 2020. The data was gathered by consecutive sampling pertinent to demographics, hospital stay, comorbidity, critical illness, and ventilator or oxygen support. The length of hospital stay among fatalities with and without comorbidity was compared by an independent sample z-test. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 25.0.

Results: Of the total 216 COVID-19 related mortalities, 150(69.4%) were males and 66(30.6%) were females. The mean age of fatalities was 55.66 ± 13.97 years. About 76.7% of dying males were 41-70 years old while 56.1% of females dying of COVID-19 were 41-60 years old. Most (60.8%) of study subjects had hypertension followed by diabetes (53.8%), Ischemic Heart Disease (17.5%), and respiratory disorders (12.3%). About 75% of the critically ill patients needed a ventilator for respiratory support. Length of hospital stay was determined to have a statistically insignificant association (P > 0.10) with the presence or absence of comorbidity among COVID-19 patients. Critical illness had a highly significant association (P < 0.000) with ventilator support among COVID-19 related mortalities.

Conclusion: People 41-70 years should preferably adopt stringent precautions for protection against COVID-19. Comorbid states chiefly hypertension, diabetes, cardiac and respiratory diseases need special consideration amid COVID-19 pandemic to abstain from adverse health outcomes.
Chest X-ray findings in COVID-19: A Pictorial Review
Authors: Khan Nasir , Umar Muhammad , Khaliq Maria , Hanif Hina , Durrani Misbah , Raja Riffat
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Chest X-ray and Computed tomography(CT) of chest play an important role in the diagnosis and management of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As chest CT may not be readily available in most clinical setups X-ray Chest plays a pivotal role in such clinical scenarios and an irreplaceable initial radiological investigation of these patients.

Objective: The objective of this article is to identify and elaborate the commonest appearances and patterns of lung changes on Chest X rays in COVID-19 positive patients confirmed on RT-PCR COVID testing.

Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study of Chest X-ray findings of 294  RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted across 3 hospitals (Rawalpindi institute of urology (RIU), Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and Holy Family Hospital (HFH)) from March 30th, 2020 till April 30th, 2020. CXR was analyzed for consolidation patches, ground-glass opacification (GGO), multi-lobe involvement, bilateral distribution, and pleural fluid. The chest X-ray with positive findings was graded into mild, moderate, and severe grades using BSTI (British Society of Thoracic imaging) guidelines.

Results: Mean age of study patients was 45.5 years. Among the study population 230 (78.2 %) were male and 64 (21.8%) female. On baseline chest X rays, consolidations were the commonest finding (n=84, 28.5%), followed by ground-glass opacity (n=17, 5.7 %). The more common locations were peripheral and lower zones, and the majority had bilateral lung involvement (Table 1). Pleural effusions were found in only 5 of the study patients.  Among these patients, 187 (63.6%) had an initial normal chest X-ray. Moreover, 35, 34, and 38patients had mild, moderate, and severe diseases respectively.

Conclusion: Chest X-ray is an important initial radiological investigation for COVID 19 patients and plays an important role in the management during the course of the disease.
Apresentação da atividade : o Arco Sul, a pesquisa fronteiras e o trabalho em grupo
Authors: Pêgo Bolívar , Moura Rosa
Published: August 2020

Apresentação dos trabalhos em grupos desenvolvidos durante a oficina de trabalho entre os dias 20 e 24 de novembro de 2017, em Uruguaiana (Rio Grande do Sul).
O Sistema de defesa do Arco Sul e a fronteira
Authors: Araújo Eduardo de , Pêgo Bolívar
Published: August 2020

Apresentações com os painéis de convidados nacionais, regionais e locais e seus debates.
Catholic Charismatic Renewal and Pentecostalism
Authors: Onyinah Opoku
Published: August 2020

A new set of Pentecostal renewal started in the early twentieth century leading to the proliferation of Pentecostal denominations, and renewal movements within the then existing denominations. The beginning of this Pentecostal renewal has often been linked with the Bethel Bible School, which was started by Charles Fox Parham, and amplified by William Joseph Seymour at Azusa Street, Los Angeles, in the US. This article brings another dimension of the renewal by demonstrating that, for the Catholic Charismatics the outbreak of the Holy Spirit in the early twentieth century was partly an answer to the prayer of Pope Leo XIII. In addition, the Catholic Charismatic advocates consider the Pentecostal experience, dubbed Duquesne Weekend, which led to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movements as the answer to the prayer of Pope John XXIII at the Second Vatican. The considerations of the Catholic Charismatics are presented apparently as an affirmation of the sovereignty of God over his Church and the world.
IS IT A SMART CITY A CREATIVE PLACE?
Authors: Gwiaździński Emilian , Kaczorowska-Spychalska Dominika , Moreira Pinto Luís
Published: August 2020

Along this article we share our research in the field of urban creativity, in particular on how smart cities are becoming more and more independent and developing a spirit of sustainable autonomy that somehow creates creative opportunities in terms of memory and cultural identity. Our current article raises the issue of how can smart cities affect the creative process? We believe that creativity becomes a process linked into a digital world and becomes much more interactive. That is why new ways of artistic and digital expression can be welcomed by those who are used to new technologies, which daily influence human activity in the space of the city. In other words, with the use of the existing technology inside the cities and their interconnections with other cities we can conceive creative strategies that will contribute to preserve the memory as well as the cultural and creative identity of a people. Video-mapping is precisely one of those creative strategies, once it will directly interact between the real dimension and the virtual dimension. The use of video-mapping, as an element of covering the facades of buildings, can somehow help to make the streets more dynamic and transform them into other atmospheres. The city becomes part of the third dimension and people are interacting between the real and the virtual. The management of the urban space has been gradually changing and following the technological advance. Mobility and sustainability is one of the key factors in which a smart city has invested the most. Now is the time to invest in a relationship between the city and the people, making it more humane and giving space for creativity.
Building transparency and trust in industry-sponsored clinical research through open access publishing
Authors: DeCastro Barbara , Geraci Anna , Trott Jayme , Snyder G. Peter , Dayaram Yaswant
Published: August 2020

A desire for both transparency in research and widespread access to the results of research has led to activism in support of open access publishing. Open access publishing, particularly publishing industry-sponsored research, can be complex. The overarching benefits of, and challenges to, open access are described, illustrated with the initiatives related to Medical Publishing Insights and Practices to help promote a better understanding of open access and its importance in ensuring transparency in industry-sponsored research.
Diversity of benthic marine mollusks of the Strait of Magellan, Chile (Polyplacophora, Gastropoda, Bivalvia): a historical review of natural history
Authors: Aldea Cristian , Novoa Leslie , Alcaino Samuel , Rosenfeld Sebastián
Published: August 2020

An increase in richness of benthic marine mollusks towards high latitudes has been described on the Pacific coast of Chile in recent decades. This considerable increase in diversity occurs specifically at the beginning of the Magellanic Biogeographic Province. Within this province lies the Strait of Magellan, considered the most important channel because it connects the South Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. These characteristics make it an interesting area for marine research; thus, the Strait of Magellan has historically been the area with the greatest research effort within the province. However, despite efforts there is no comprehensive and updated list of the diversity of mollusks within the Strait of Magellan up to now. This study consisted of a complete bibliographic review of all available literature that included samples of mollusks in the Strait of Magellan. More than 300 articles were reviewed, covering 200 years of scientific knowledge. There were 2579 records belonging to 412 taxa, of which 347 are valid species. Of the total valid species, 44 (~13%) are considered of doubtful presence in the Strait. This work increases the known richness of mollusks of the Strait of Magellan by 228%; it is also the first report that integrates all available diversity studies of the three most speciose classes of benthic mollusks (Gastropoda, Bivalvia and Polyplacophora) from the Strait of Magellan.
Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group with the description of four new species (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae)
Authors: Englund William F. , Njoroge Laban , Biström Olof , Miller Kelly B. , Bilton David T. , Bergsten Johannes
Published: August 2020

We revise the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group, motivated by the discovery of new diversity in Kenya and South Africa. Whilst Agabus is mainly a holarctic genus, the Agabus raffrayi group is restricted to high altitude regions of eastern Africa and temperate parts of South Africa, from where we describe the southernmost Agabus in the world. The following new species are introduced: Agabus anguluverpussp. nov. from Mount Kenya in central Kenya, Agabus austellussp. nov. a widespread species in South Africa, Agabus riberaesp. nov. from the Kamiesberg and northeastern Cederberg ranges in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa and Agabus agulhassp. nov. from the Agulhas Plain, Western Cape Province, South Africa. We provide a distribution map, a determination key for males, quantitative measurements of diagnostic characters, habitus photos and detailed photos of male genitalia for all described species in the group, as well as images of diagnostic characters and habitats. The presence or absence of an elongated section between the subapical broadening and the base of the apical and subapical teeth of the male aedeagus is a useful novel character, first revealed by our study. In contrast with the most recent revision of Afrotropical Agabus, we show that Agabus ruwenzoricus Guignot, 1936 is restricted to eastern Africa; South African records of this species having been based on misidentifications, no species of the group being common to southern and eastern Africa. We speculate that the raffrayi group may display phylogenetic niche conservatism, being restricted, as an originally temperate taxon, to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa, but occurring at lower altitudes in temperate South Africa.
Catalogue, distribution, taxonomic notes, and conservation of the Western Palearctic endemic hunchback beetles (Tenebrionidae, Misolampus)
Authors: Rosas-Ramos Natalia , Mas-Peinado Paloma , Gil-Tapetado Diego , Recuero Ernesto , Ruiz José L. , García-París Mario
Published: August 2020

Hunchback darkling beetles of the Ibero-Maghrebian genusMisolampusLatreille, 1807 (Tenebrionidae, Stenochiinae) encompass six species:M. gibbulus(Herbst, 1799),M. goudotiiGuérin-Méneville, 1834,M. lusitanicusBrême, 1842,M. ramburiiBrême, 1842,M. scabricollisGraells, 1849, andM. subglaberRosenhauer, 1856. Previously known distribution ranges of the species were delineated using many old records, the persistence of such populations being questionable under the current situation of global biodiversity loss. Additionally, the status of geographically isolated populations of the genus have been the subject of taxonomic controversy. An exhaustive bibliographical revision and field search was undertaken, and theMisolampuscollection of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC) was revised. The aims are to (i) provide an updated geographic distribution range for the species ofMisolampus; (ii) to determine the taxonomic status of controversial populations; (iii) to provide a catalogue forMisolampus; and (iv) to discuss the conservation status of these saproxylic beetles. As a result, a catalogue including synonymies and type localities, geographical records, diagnoses, and information on natural history for all species ofMisolampusis presented. The results reveal that the distribution ranges of the species ofMisolampushave not undergone a reduction in the last century, and indicate the presence of the genus in areas where it had never been recorded before. The morphological variability ofM. goudotiidrove the proposal of different taxa that are here formally synonymised as follows:M. goudotiiGuérin-Méneville, 1834 =M. erichsoniVauloger de Beaupré, 1900,syn. nov.=M. peyerimhoffiAntoine, 1926,syn. nov.
Regulatory T Cell Stability and Migration Are Dependent on mTOR
Authors: Vallion Romain , Divoux Jordane , Glauzy Salomé , Ronin Emilie , Lombardi Yannis , Lubrano di Ricco Martina , Grégoire Sylvie , Nemazanyy Ivan , Durand Aurélie , Fradin Delphine , Lucas Bruno , Salomon Benoit L.
Published: August 2020

CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are essential to maintain immune tolerance, as their loss leads to a fatal autoimmune syndrome in mice and humans. Conflicting findings have been reported concerning their metabolism. Some reports found that Treg have low mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity and would be less dependent on this kinase compared with conventional T cells, whereas other reports suggest quite the opposite. In this study, we revisited this question by using mice that have a specific deletion of mTOR in Treg. These mice spontaneously develop a severe and systemic inflammation. We show that mTOR expression by Treg is critical for their differentiation into effector Treg and their migration into nonlymphoid tissues. We also reveal that mTOR-deficient Treg have reduced stability. This loss of Foxp3 expression is associated with partial Foxp3 DNA remethylation, which may be due to an increased activity of the glutaminolysis pathway. Thus, our work shows that mTOR is crucial for Treg differentiation, migration, and identity and that drugs targeting this metabolism pathway will impact on their biology.
Epidemiology and factors associated with diarrhoea among children under five years of age in the Engela District in the Ohangwena Region, Namibia
Authors: Bauleth Maria F. , Mitonga Honore K. , Pinehas Lusia N.
Published: August 2020

Background: Diarrhoea remains a public health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality amongst children, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. In Namibia, the national prevalence of diarrhoea was 17%; it was responsible for 5% of all deaths in children under 5 years old and is the second leading cause of death.Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the epidemiology and factors associated with acute diarrhoea amongst children less than 5 years of age in Engela district in the Ohangwena region, Namibia.Setting: The study was conducted in Ohangwena Region in Namibia which extends east to west along the borders of the southern part of Angola.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socio-demographic and epidemiological data of diarrhoea and logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the prevalence of diarrhoea.Results: The study found a prevalence of 23.8% for diarrhoea in the 2 weeks period preceding the survey amongst children aged under 5 years. The prevalence of diarrhoea was statistically significantly associated with children (p 0.05). The strongest predictor of the prevalence of diarrhoea was the residential area ‘informal settlement’, with an odds ratio of 36.42. This implies that children living in the informal settlement are 36.42 times at risk of contracting diarrhoea as compared to those living in other residential areas.Conclusion: epidemiology; factors; diarrhoea; under-5 years children; Engela district; Ohangwena region; Namibia.
Generalist practitioners’ self-rating and competence in electrocardiogram interpretation in South Africa
Authors: Mabuza Langalibalele H. , Mntla Pindile S.
Published: August 2020

Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the only practical, non-invasive method of recording and analysing cardiac abnormalities. It enables a primary healthcare (PHC) clinician to detect cardiac and non-cardiac abnormalities, some potentially life-threatening. Their early detection could save a patient’s life.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the competence of generalist practitioners in ECG interpretation.Setting: This study was conducted at the Annual Refresher Course, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 93 generalist practitioners, using a self-administered questionnaire containing 20 ECG tracings, commonly encountered in PHC. The tracings were categorised into primary ECG parameters, ECG emergencies and common ECG abnormalities. Competence was determined by the generalist practitioner’s number of correctly interpreted ECG tracings. Data associations were computed using the Fisher’s exact test. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.Results: Correct heart rate calculation was achieved by 14/83 (16.9%), ECG rhythm by 7/83 (8.4%), acute antero-septal myocardial infarction (MI) by 29/83 (34.9%), atrial fibrillation by 19/83 (22.9%) and cute inferior MI by 22/83 (26.5%) generalist practitioners. No correlation was found between the practitioners’ number of years in practice and competence in ECG interpretation (p 0.05). The total number of correct answers achieved by all practitioners was 274/1860 (14.7%).Conclusion: The generalist practitioners had poor competency on ECG interpretation regardless of the number of years in practice. Their poor self-rating corresponded with the number of correct answers they provided. There is a need for continuous education in ECG interpretation.
Mortality prediction in acute heart failure: scores or biomarkers?
Authors: Wussler Desiree , Michou Eleni , Belkin Maria , Kozhuharov Nikola , Diebold Matthias , Gualandro Danielle M. , Breidthardt Tobias , Mueller Christian
Published: August 2020

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a complex and heterogeneous syndrome not only associated with a concerning rise in incidence, but also with still unacceptably high rates of mortality and morbidity. As this dismal outcome is at least in part due to a mismatch between the severity of AHF and the intensity of its management, both in-hospital and immediately after discharge, early and accurate risk prediction could contribute to more effective, risk-adjusted management.
Biomarkers are noninvasive and highly reproducible quantitative tools that have improved the understanding of AHF pathophysiology. They can help guide the intensity of AHF management. In addition, using a statistical model to estimate risk from a combination of several predictor variables such as vital signs or demographics has gained more and more attention over recent years. In this context, the aim of a statistical model, which gives a so-called risk score, is to help clinicians to make more standardised decisions.
This review highlights recent advances and remaining uncertainties regarding risk stratification in AHF by characterising and comparing the potential of biomarkers and risk scores.
On perspectives of Russian-Georgian dialogue on the issue of reburial of kings Vakhtang VI and Teimuraz II
Authors: Volkhonsky M. A. , Mukhanov V. M.
Published: August 2020

After removal of M. Saakashvili from the Georgian political scene, a progress in relations between Russia and Georgia can be observed. In this context, the wide attention has been drawn to the issue of reburial of the Georgian kings Vakhtang VI and Teimuraz II. The article discusses the negotiation process, lasted from 2002 to 2014, between the Georgian Church and the Russian Church concerning the transfer of the remains of the Georgian kings, as well as the motives, goals and arguments of the parties. An analysis of the negotiations has led to the conclusion that the issue of reburial has two key aspects – political and moral-ethical. The requirement of the Georgian Church to carry the remains of Vakhtang VI and Teimuraz II from Russia to Georgia is part of its overall policy aimed to strengthen its prestige and authority Kin Georgian society. For the Russian side, this action promises nothing more than image losses. As for ethical aspects, the references of the Georgian side to the kings’ will to be buried in their homeland are not supported by authentic documents. At the moment, it remains an open question requiring further research.
Merkel, Erdogan and “Syrian refugees”. Background and consequences of the migration crisis
Authors: Bibikova O. P.
Published: August 2020

This article analyzes the reasons behind the grand-scale migration flow to Europe. It is argued that under the mask of “Syrian refugees” more than a million of migrants from different countries came to the continent. The prerequisite for inviting the migrants was a need for extra manpower due to the decision to execute an agreement between the EU and the USA on the implementation of a program of Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). At the same time, the German leaders expected to replenish the catastrophically decreasing population size by migrants. However, during the realization of the project on migrants’ attraction it turned out that instead of the supposed Syrians in a crowd of migrants the people from two dozens of nations, including Islamic radicals, moved to Europe. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the initiator of such a massive refugees’ admission, had to sign an agreement with Turkey on the return of a substantial part of refugees in exchange for the promise of a visa-free regime for the citizens of Turkey, paying off Ankara’s costs for the maintenance of refugee camps within Turkish territory, as well as the assistance in admission of Turkey to the EU membership. However, there is no understanding between the EU members on the decisions made. Moreover, there is a growing comprehension of the fact that Turkey has its own nationalistic interests which it intends to promote through the Islamic presence in Europe.
Learning from History for Progress. Economic Slowdown Threatening Progress. From Inequality to Inclusion. Is Good Governance Good for Development? Rebuilding trust Necessary to Address Climate Change
Authors: Sundaram J. K.
Published: August 2020

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The present state and prospects for realization of Rail Baltica project
Authors: Vorotnikov V. V.
Published: August 2020

The article reviews performance of a major infrastructure project in the Eastern Baltics – namely, construction of the highspeed railway «Rail Baltica/Rail Baltica II» (Helsinki – Tallinn – Riga – Vilnius – Warsaw –Berlin), the longest tracks of which will lead through territories of the Baltic States. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia consider the project strategically important in terms of elimination of infrastructural isolation of these countries from the rest of the European Union, which corresponds to an overall EU transport policy goal of creating a single European railway area. Although the prospects of economic payback of the Rail Baltica remain unclear, given high probability that the Project will be completed sooner or later, today both regional and external actors evaluate the potential cargo and passenger capabilities that may come with it.
“Hydrocarbon strategy” of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy: 2008 – 2015
Authors: Volhonsky M.
Published: August 2020

This article examines the role of energy factor in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy in the period from 2008 to 2015. Detailed analysis of the impact of EU policy on diversification of energy supplies to European countries for the development of «hydrocarbon strategy» of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy exposes the differences between the Baku and Brussels on ways of resolving the problem of diversification of gas supplies to Europe. The article also examines the specific goals pursued by the Azerbaijani authorities, initiating the creation of new gas pipelines TANAP and TAP, and helps to understand the position of Baku regarding the project of creating a «TRANS-Caspian pipeline.» In general, the foreign policy of Azerbaijan in the energy sphere is admitted in the article as quite successful. This policy allowed Baku to go through the implementation of various infrastructure projects to a wider gas security as a part of the European market.
Russian-Egyptian Relations: Past and Present
Authors: Zinin Y.
Published: August 2020

The article treats a history and present state of Russian-Egyptian relations in different spheres and aspects: politics, economy, commerce, military-technical cooperation, tourism and so on. The author is examining the consequences of “the arab spring” in Egypt and in the Middle East region and what is their impact on development of these relations. The article covers the last steps undertaken by the leadership of both countries in order to boost mutual ties and cooperation. The trends and perspectives of the Russian- Egyptian relations in the light of the present events in the Middle East are considered.
The Jewish Paramilitary Organizations in Palestine before the Creation of the State of Israel in 1948
Authors: Krylov А.
Published: August 2020

The article takes a look at the history and origin of the main Jewish paramilitary organizations in the British Mandate of Palestine (1921–1948). One of the myths often used in Western and Israeli propagandistic literature describes Israel as a very weak state that after obtaining its sovereignty became extremely vulnerable to the heavily armed Arab hordes that invaded it immediately after the declaration of the Israeli State. However, the analysis above shows that the first Arab-Israeli conflict in 1948–1949 was not a battle between young David against the giant Goliath. By the time of the creation of Israel all the Jewish paramilitary organizations operating in Yishuv – “Haganah”, “Irgun” and LEHI – united creating the IDF. The national army of the newborn State met all the requirements of its time, was much better equipped, trained, mobilized and armed than the soldiers of all the neighboring Arab countries, which objectively predetermined their crushing defeat.
On the Growth of Islamic Radicalism in the States of Central Asia
Authors: Kazantsev A.
Published: August 2020

The paper analyzes the problem of the growth of Islamic radicalism in Central Asian states. It is noted that Islam, as a religious movement, began to spread on the territory of Central Asia at the end of VII - early VIII centuries. А clear distinction is noted between the heavily Islamized sedentary peoples (Uzbeks, Tajiks) and weakly Islamized nomadic peoples (Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Turkmen). It is pointed out that this division is still true. It is said that the revival of political Islam in the most active form began in the second half of 1980 - the beginning of the 1990s, during perestroika and continues to the present. It is considered how this process takes place in some Central Asian countries. Conclusions and recommendations are given at the end of work.
Trump, Russia, and China: The First 100 Days
Authors: Share M.
Published: August 2020

On April 30 the United States and the World marked the 100th day in office of Donald Trump as President of the United States. The first 100 days are considered as a key indicator of the fortunes for a new President’s program. This article briefly reviews the 2016 campaign and election, the 11 week transition period, his first 100 days, a brief examination of both American-Russian relations and Sino-American relations, and lastly, what the future bodes for each under a Trump Presidency. The 100 Day period has been chaotic, shifting, and at times incoherent. He has made 180 degree shifts toward many major issues, including Russia and China, which has only confused numerous world leaders, including Presidents Putin and Xi. There has been a definite disconnection between what Trump says about Russia, and what his advisors and cabinet officials say. So far Trump has conducted a highly personalized and transactional foreign policy. All is up for negotiation at this a huge turning point in American foreign policy, the greatest one since 1945. Given all the world’s instabilities today, a rapprochement between the United States and Russia is a truly worthwhile objective, and should be strongly pursued.
Berber Factor in North Africa: Common Features and Local Peculiarities
Authors: Zinin Yu.
Published: August 2020

The article considers a place and influence of Berber-speaking communities in each of five countries of the North Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Mauritania and Tunis.

After gaining the independence, demands are growing in all these states to recognize cultural, regional, and sometimes political peculiarities of Berbers.

The situation in every country is different due to local conditions and background of interactions of Amazigs (self-designation of Berber) with the Arab speaking majority, as well as their participation in political processes.

The author investigates and discuss the impact of the Arab Spring on the rise of self-consciousness, solidarity and consolidation of Amazig minority. It is Berber, often European educated elite which usually expresses and propagates such conceptions and trends.
Eurasian Economic Union – Realities of the Current Situation
Authors: Chernyavskiy S.
Published: August 2020

Eurasian integration is Russia’s most important foreign policy project. In the face of economic sanctions, it faces additional difficulties. A very painful problem is overcoming the tendency to reduce mutual trade, since the reserves for the growth of mutual trade associated with the removal of administrative barriers have been exhausted, and the range of goods remains virtually unchanged. The development of trade within the EEU is hampered by a drop in world prices on commodity markets, which has led to a decrease in solvency within the Union. To overcome this negative trend can only be through a significant diversification of commodity exchange. Despite the abolition of customs borders between the members of the union, it was not possible to eliminate all exemptions and restrictions at the previous stages of the development of the EEU.

The sanctions regime introduced by the European Union and Russia’s response measures created additional problems in the development of the internal market of the EEU. One of the obstacles to Eurasian integration is the lack of activity of mutual investment activities. The goals set by the Eurasian integration should be clear, concrete, and, most importantly, achievable, and the results - tangible not only for governments and business circles, but also for the population of the countries concerned.
East and West: Different Geographies of Thinking and Their Implications for Actual Problems of Today´s World
Authors: Lajčiak M.
Published: August 2020

Although the current globalization eliminates and blurs the differences between cultures in different regions of the world, different inclinations and preferences in thinking between East and West, historically grounded cultural specificities and different hierarchy of values play an important role in the approach to solving current problems of our time. Differences in perception of the world in relation to its surroundings, organization of human relations, emphasis on socio-economic aspects and models of management of public affairs between East and West are so great that we can talk about different geography of thought. This is particularly the comparison of Western culture and Confucian East Asian societies. It is reflected not only at the individual positions, but at system approaches that are a kind of form of identification of the collective consciousness of these cultures. In some cases these approaches and perception are contradictory and can be compared in terms of «versus» oppositions. It includes topics such as individuality vs. community, holistic vs. reductionist solutions, social order vs. revolt, responsibilities vs. rights, pragmatism vs. ontological beliefs, conflicting vs. complementary perception of the world and other concepts. The work seeks to contribute to the understanding of these divergent concepts and help bridging model approaches between the two spheres of civilization.
Disagreements between Member States of the GCC as a Factor of the Political Situation in the Middle East Region
Authors: Kuznetsov A. A.
Published: August 2020

The paper deals with the phenomenon of the Qatari-Saudi rivalry in the Middle East in the context of dissimilarities between political programs and aspirations of the two states in the Middle East.

The following research undertakings are realized in the article:

• an explanation of the reasons of Qatar and the Saudi Kingdom’s domination in the Arab politics of the last 15 years;

• an analysis of the Qatari foreign policy and the regional geopolitical agenda of Qatar;

• an inquiry into the reasons and driving forces of the Saudi-Qatari conflict;

• a study of the external actors’ influence on the Saudi-Qatari conflict, taking into account the changers in the U.S. foreign policy;

• investigation of the different political strategies of the Saudi Arabia and UAE in Yemen which may lead to disintegration of this country.

The author emphasizes four main reasons for the Saudi-Qatari rivalry: support by the Qatari leadership of the international movement Muslim Brotherhood; tribal rivalry among the families of al-Saud and al-Thani; struggle for the ideological heritage of Muhammad Abdel Wahhab; different approaches to Iran, and its role in the region.
110 years of the Second Hague Conference: role of the Russian diplomacy and International Law doctrine of F. Martens
Authors: Voronin E.
Published: August 2020

Facts backed up by documents and contemporary testimonies must serve as a basis for the consequencies of the events of 1917, as a verification of any impartial estimation and indiscriminate view on the most brutal revolt in history, and its consequences.

The Russian society needs an impartial, just and deep analysis of these events. Foremost this would require a clear civilised understanding of the real essence of any coup d’etat, whatever name it takes (revolution, classjustified struggle, etc) and whatever banners it bears in history, and whatever propaganda and ideological falcifications determine it.

The Constitution of any state ruled by law acknowledges any evolution in the development of the sociaty based on legal principles. Any change of institutes or social system in a state can be realised through the force of laws, which comply with the public expression of will (referendum). In national legislation of the present-day states there are no norms, which establish revolutionary convulsions as legal, which are based on illegitimate take-over with the use of force.
Abkhazia: preliminary socio-political results of 2017
Authors: Skakov А. Yu. , Мukhanov V. М.
Published: August 2020

The article analyses the political situation in Abkhazia in 2017, namely, the activities of the government and the opposition, parliamentary elections, their results and the power balance in the new legislative body. It also studies the existence of the third force, which is a topical issue in Abkhazian society. The author examines the grave socio-economic situation in the Republic this year, which continues to worsen, and comes to the conclusion that the reasons for this deterioration are the failure of the tourist season and catastrophic Abkhazian reputation losses. Besides, the article scrutinizes the main problems in Russian-Abkhazian relations, the aggravation of the crime situation in Abkhazia, the current church footing (splits in church congregations) and issue regarding the Gali residents’ status.
Relations between the Scandinavian-Baltic region states and Ukraine: military-political and economic dimensions
Authors: Vorotnikov V. V.
Published: August 2020

The article is devoted to the relations of the Scandinavian-Baltic region states (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden) and Ukraine in the military-political and economic spheres. These countries had engaged in Ukrainian affairs long before 2013−2014. This happened soon after «the Orange Revolution» and, then, the trend became more pronounced during the implementation of the program «Eastern Partnership». The most active actors on the Ukrainian track in their subregions are Sweden (until 2014 — one of the largest investors in its economy) and Lithuania, which in 2015 started to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine. The countries of the Scandinavian-Baltic region provide financial assistance to Ukraine which is symbolic compared to development aid, but considerable for Ukrainian economy. Financing is traditionally directed to promotion of effective public administration, democracy, human rights (including gender equality), systemic economic reforms, sustainable development (including energy efficiency), etc. From a strategic perspective, military cooperation of the Scandinavian-Baltic region countries with Ukraine is nominal as well. Against this background, completely divergent assessment of the situation in Ukraine continues to be the most important stumbling block in the relations between Russia and the states of the region. This does not give any grounds for early softening of their value-based foreign policy towards Russia.
The Sunni – Shiite escalation as a factor of the rise of the terrorist threat
Authors: Zinin Yu. N.
Published: August 2020

The article is about to examine the effect of Sunni – Shiite partition on events that happen across the Middle East in the context of global terrorist threats. The article covers natural-economic realities of a number of middle-east countries with large Shiite population and with territories which subsume about two thirds of the all world explored reserves of hydrocarbons. The priority is given to the analysis of competition between Saudi Arabia and Iran, its ideological motifs and orientations, of their rivalry in proxy wars for influence in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. It is emphasized that even after the final defeat of ISIL political Islam will not take its departure from the regional worldview space and the influence of Sunni – Shiite factor in this process will remain.
EU policy on irregular migration: the impact of the refugee crisis 2014-2015
Authors: Bolshova N. N.
Published: August 2020

The paper reviews the current EU policy on irregular migration under the influence of refugee crisis. This crisis urged the EU to streamline and consolidate all the available legal, political and administrative tools to reach the synergy effect in the management of immigration flows into the EU. However the main weakness of the EU approach appears to be the dependence on the opportunities and interests of the third countries (of origin and transit of irregular migrants) to cooperate effectively with the EU institutions and Member-states in such key spheres as fight against migrant smuggling, security of external borders, implementation of readmission agreements, asylum policy. The author evaluates the state of progress on the main Mediterranean migration routes since the beginning of the migration crisis in 2014, analyses some recent EU initiatives, particularly the EU NAVFOR MED Operation Sophia and the new Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration. In conclusion, the author attempts to assess the effects of these actions.
Abkhazia in 2014—2017 (The Internal Political Crisis Dynamics)
Authors: Novikov V.
Published: August 2020

The article explores the political crisis in Abkhazia in 2014 -2017. The author analyzes its visible preconditions, as well as the reasons that are beyond the political situation (nation building, Abkhazian society’s attitude to sovereignty, the political system reform). The author also considers the issue of forming mechanisms for protecting Abkhazian political system from crises. In conclusion, a preliminary analysis of the events of January, 2018 is given.
Public Diplomacy: A Pragmatic View on the Variety of Actual Experience
Authors: Borishpolets K.
Published: August 2020

Public diplomacy as a phenomenon of international affairs has many formats, and various actors of world politics differently utilize it. The public diplomacy experience of two modern integration projects – the CIS and EEU is of considerable general interest as it is focused on strengthening multilateral positive interaction and not directed to the creation of only one country’s attractiveness. In the context of cultural cooperation, youth policy, educational cooperation, promotion of foreign policy initiatives, work with diaspora, Russia and its partners increasingly use public diplomacy resources. Activity of Post-Soviet integration participants creates unique effect of complementarity of their efforts in the sphere of humanitarian cooperation. That is increasingly needed in establishing dialogue platforms with participation of state and non-state actors within not only CIS and EEU countries, but also their regional environment.
Youth Policy and Extremism Prevention Tasks
Authors: Chernyavskiy S.
Published: August 2020

The article analyses the main causes and factors of the militant extremist ideas spread among the youth. The author proposes measures necessary to counteract it and makes comments on the Russian state youth policy which is aimed at involving young people in social practice and informing them of the potential for their development, encouraging creative youth activity, reintegrating young people who find themselves in a difficult life situation into society. The article traces the main causes and factors of the spread of militant extremism ideas among the youth. Proposals are formulated on the measures necessary to counteract it, comments are made on the content of the Russian state youth policy aimed at involving young people in social practice and informing them of the potential for their development, the encouragement of creative youth activity, the reintegration of young people who find themselves in a difficult life situation into society
GHOSTS OF AN EMPIRE: BRITISH LEGACIES IN ASIA
Authors: Share Michael
Published: August 2020

One hundred years ago, the British Empire controlled a quarter of the world’s area and population. Today only a dozen tiny islands remain of this once great empire. However, the British left a huge and permanent legacy behind in terms of the English language, a rule of law, banking, Protestantism, team sports, and parliamentary institutions. While some historians, notably Niall Ferguson, hold that the British legacy was a positive one, most historians believe the legacy was a negative one. Instead of being liberal and democratic, the British Empire was anti-democratic. Instead of fostering free trade, the Empire was protectionist toward the outside world. Notions of class and hierarchy were crucial. This article examines the British legacy in two former colonies in Asia--one huge and one tiny: India and Hong Kong. While in Hong Kong, Britain’s legacy has been fairly positive, in India it is quite negative. The British Empire was not a prelude to a modern 21st century Western world of democracy, multiculturalism, and liberal economics. The British Empire was something different– snobbery, hierarchy, and individualism, and must be understood on its own terms.
The Role of Mass Media in World Politics: Media Coverage of Battles for Capital Cities during Civil Conflicts
Authors: Adelgareeva A. , Okunev I.
Published: August 2020

The article centers on the political aspects of international news making, i.e. the coverage of major political news by global media. Nowadays we are witnessing rising interest towards the modus operandi of global media, its newly-acquired functions and its role as a world politics actor. In this study new empirical data is used to assess the role global media plays in the representation of major civil conflicts and to revisit the commonly-accepted understanding of its political functions. With the help of discourse analysis, the authors investigate the realities of the civil wars in Libya and Syria through the lens of their representations in international news, the aim being to unveil the influence of the existing social frames on the pertinent media content.