bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MODEL OF ELASTOPLASTIC BEHAVIOR OF STRUCTURE MATERIALS AT THERMOCYCLIC LOADING
Authors: Temis Y M , Azmetov K K , Fakeev A I
Published: April 2022

Based on behavior of structural materials under non-isothermal cyclic elastoplastic deformation the authors established a system of mathematical modeling of cyclic loading of structures using finite elements and self-correcting method.
Estimation of Real Cost of Assets as the Factor of Anticipatory Management Today
Authors: Markov V V
Published: April 2022

The article discusses issues related to the valuation of the assets of the company, shows the significance of the degree of objectivity of such assessment for the country's economy and anticipating crisis situations. The valuation of assets, used by Russian companies are studied. Methods to improve the objectivity of this evaluation to improve management are proposed.
The principles of rating development for innovative enterprise business partners reliability
Authors: Smetanov A Y
Published: April 2022

The paper considers the methodological aspects of company reliability rating development for current market environment. Author proposes system of criteria for reliable rating analysis procedure.
Economic Background for Making Hybrid Vehicles
Authors: Rozhnova O V , Karpukhin K E , Frolova E S
Published: April 2022

This paper deals with economic preconditions of creation of cars with a hybrid power installation. The results of the tests confirming decrease of the expense of fuel and toxicity of fulfilled gases of experimental car MAMI with a hybrid power installation on fuel profitability and toxicity of fulfilled gases are resulted.
New Directions of Bachelors Education on Technology of Construction Materials Department
Authors: Kuznetsov V A , Cherepahin A A , Shlykova A V
Published: April 2022

Since 2011 in MSTU МАМИ on Technology of Construction Materials department the two new directions of tutoring are opened: 150100 Pedagogical education, qualification - the bachelor of technological formation and 220600.62 Innovations, qualification - the bachelor of engineering and technique. Both directions should fit industry necessity of the highly-skilled personnel, capable to work on junctions of specialities: engineer - teacher and the engineer - the manager. Thus the area of employment of the graduate of university essentially extends. The bachelor of technological formation owning both design-engineering, and pedagogical knowledge by skills and abilities can work not only as a teacher in educational institutions of initial average and higher vocational training, but also the process engineer or the organizer of manufacture on state and in the private engineering operations. The bachelor of engineering and technology with both design-engineering, and management-economic knowledge skills and abilities can execute not only functions of the process engineer on manufacture, but also to participate in working out of investment projects of innovative engineering of the operations and architectures of the state and private sphere.
History of punctuation marks
Authors: Anokhina T Ya
Published: April 2022

The paper deals with the history of punctuation marks in Russian. The hindsight to the emergence of punctuation marks is given. The paper reveals the basic principles of contemporary Russian punctuation.
Expert subjectivism accounting method at quality estimation
Authors: Martishkin V V , Prilepina N N
Published: April 2022

This paper describes a method allowing to take into account the subjectivism of experts while estimating the quality of technical products. Subjectivism in the quality estimation is perceived as the influence of external environment described by the errors of 1-st and 2-nd kind. We show that subjectivity can not be accurately assessed based on the classical (two-dimensional) measurement logic. More accurate are the calculations based on four-digit logic of measurements, in which besides judgments like «true statement» and «true negation», there are two additional ones: «false allegation» and «false negation».
Competitive Advantages of the University
Authors: Chulkova O O
Published: April 2022

The author considers the classification of the competitive advantages of the university, depending on the internal and external environmental factors, by type of functional capacities. The article also presents a classification of competitive advantage based on tangible and intangible resources.
Modern Technologies for Training of Engineers at the Technology of Mechanical Engineering Department
Authors: Shandrov B V , Balashov V N
Published: April 2022

The article considers problems of preparation of engineers at the training final stage. The issues of lecture's material presentation and the degree of graduate work are stated.
Current trends in car diagnostics and its influence on the teaching process
Authors: Klukin P N
Published: April 2022

Contemporary methods of car diagnostics and diagnostics equipment have been developed rapidly. So it is necessary to improve proper curriculums in order to upgrade students' qualification. This article reviews the experience of «Automotive electrical equipment» department (Moscow State University MAMI) and «Academy of Automotive Technologies». Also, the paper examines the requirements for experts in automobile diagnostics.
INDIVIDUAL STYLE OF PEDAGOGICAL ACTIVITY DURING TRAINING OF A COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING
Authors: Krutina E V
Published: April 2022

The article considers the question of training of a competitive engineer. Examined are the features of formation of students' necessary qualities. Individual style of activity of the teacher represents dynamic and constantly updated system of ways of the pedagogical activity, providing optimal interaction of a teacher and a student.
The use of Mexidol-Vet® against the background of ultraviolet and gamma irradiation in rats
Authors: Troshin Evgeny I. , Yugatova Natalia  Y. , Vasil'ev Roman O.
Published: April 2022

The article presents data on the results of using Mexidol-Vet in rats exposed to a bactericidal lamp, which is a generator of short-wave radiation with a wavelength of 253.7 nm, as well as gamma radiation at a dose that causes acute radiation damage in rats. The results of the dynamics of the clinical and hematological status are described both against the background of the influence of physical factors and during the use of the drug. The paper presents data that the use of Mexidol-Vet according to the described treatment regimen has an erythropoietic effect under ultraviolet irradiation, and can be recommended for inclusion in a combined treatment regimen for acute radiation injury.
Ground Motion Prediction Equations for the Vertical Component from Subduction Interface Earthquakes in Japan Using Site Classes as the Site Term
Authors: Bai Shihong , Zhao John X.
Published: April 2022

A large dataset from earthquakes up to the end of 2012 with a reliable earthquake tectonic category was used to develop a ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) for the vertical strong motions from the subduction interface earthquakes in Japan. Guided by the increase in the maximum log likelihood of the regression model, a minor extension on the maximum usable period was applied so that more records can be used at long spectral periods. A bilinear magnitude scaling function hinged at a moment magnitude (Mw) of 7.1 was adopted, and the scaling rate for events with Mw>7.1 is less than that for the other events. Site period-based site classes were used as the site parameter without a nonlinear site term. We used two datasets with the first dataset including strong-motion records from large events at stations with inferred site classes, and these records were removed in the second dataset so that all sites have a measured shear wave velocity profile down to the engineering bedrock. We found that excluding these records from sites with inferred site classes improved the model fit significantly. We modeled the effect of volcanic zones using the slant distance passing a set of volcanic zones. We also found that the between-site standard deviations for the vertical component in this study were generally less than those for the horizontal component at nearly all spectral periods. The total model standard deviations from this study are generally less than or similar to those from the GMPEs for the vertical ground motions for other earthquake categories. The distributions of between-site residuals with site period or TVS30 (120/VS30 in m/s) are not significantly biased, suggesting that the site term coefficients can be interpolated between that site class terms if a continuous predicted spectrum with site period or TVS30 is required.
Data Quality Analysis of China Permanent Seismic Network by Repeating Earthquakes
Authors: Chai Xuchao , Zhang Pei , Wang Chuang , Wang Qingliang
Published: April 2022

Highly similar waveforms recorded from repeating earthquakes can be utilized to evaluate the data quality of a seismic station. We used a hypothesis testing method to establish a data quality detection model based on repeating earthquakes. The model effectiveness was verified by using waveforms of a pair of repeating earthquakes, which occurred in northeastern Japan on 20 March 2021 (Mw=7.0) and 1 May 2021 (Mw=6.9), from 109 stations in the Global Seismographic Network. A total of 842 permanent broadband stations in mainland China were evaluated using this model. Eighteen anomalies were found mainly attributed to calibration, instrument noise, mass recentering, and regional long-period interference. We found that most of the stations function well. Moreover, utilizing repeating earthquakes to analyze the waveform quality can circumvent the need for extensive forward calculations, as well as greatly reduce the influence of source parameter uncertainties and structural complexity on the seismogram. Additionally, the need for detection in other datasets in different regional networks has broadened the scope of these applications.
Determination of Lethal Effects of Some Entomopathogenic Fungi on Different Biological Stages of Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say
Authors: UYSAL Havva Merve , DEMİRÖZER Ozan , UZUN Asiye
Published: April 2022

The lethal effects of Beauveria bassiana BIM-001 (1x106 spore mL-1, 1x107 spore mL-1, 1x108 spore mL-1), Fusarium subglutinans 12A (obtained from cotton aphid in Adana-Karataş) and the commercial preparation of 1.5% B. bassiana strain Bb-1 (250 mL da; 1x108 spore mL-1) (Nostalgist SL) on Leptinotarsa decemlineata were investigated. The isolates were applied to the eggs, larvae (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th larval stages) and adults of L. decemlineata by spraying in laboratory conditions (25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% relative humidity and 16:8 [L: D] photoperiod). The observations to determine the lethal effect of isolates were performed up to 9 days for the eggs and larvae, and 21 days for the adults of L. decemlineata following the first spore suspension application. In the experiments conducted on the larval stages, it was determined that the mortality rates due to all entomopathogenic fungus isolates and at different concentrations were significantly different from the mortality rate of the control. The effect of all spore concentrations of B. bassiana BIM-001 was found significantly higher than other treatments and the mortality rates were 100% for all larval stages (P ˂0.05). In addition, the mortality rates were between 4 and 16% for adults across all treatment groups except for the control. Moreover, it has been determined that each three spore concentrations of B. bassiana BIM-001 also suppressed the egg hatching of L.decemlineata by 55 to 60%
DNA quantification as a determinant factor of postmortem time interval in different models of death
Authors: Elalfy Mohamed , Elbadidy Mona G , Ragheb Hadeer H , AI-Khater Khulood Mohammed , Alghamdi Mansour Abdallah , Habbota Ola
Published: April 2022

The quality and quantity of DNA have a vital role in forensic medicine. As time elapsed since death of recovered body by drowning or submersion should be identified in homicidal or suicidal manner of death or animal sudden deaths. Sixty rats were used in this experiment in 3 models of natural death, drowning and submersion. The DNA quantity was determined by diphenylamine in the brain, heart and lungs. It was noticed that there was a correlation between reduction of DNA quantity and postmortem time interval in the natural model of death. While the submersion >freshwater drowning>saltwater drowning enhanced DNA degradation, especially between 24-48 hours after death. Brain DNA considers the most resistance for degradation than heart and lung. In conclusion, DNA concentration in tissues could correlate to the postmortem time interval in natural death and other models of deaths as drowning or submersion but with different rate of reduction of DNA quantity.
Foreign Direct Investment and Multinationals in Brazil (1860-1913)
Authors: El Alam Naijla A. , Dalla-Costa Armando João
Published: April 2022

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Brazil, started in the 19th century, a transition period between the Empire and the beginning of the Republic (1860-1913), when fdi theories had not yet been formulated. The British were the main investors worldwide, also in Brazil, responsible for developing essential sectors. In addition to the Europeans, the Americans also saw opportunities in the country, contributing later to the industries’ installation. To better understand foreign investments in Brazil, as well as the installation of multinationals in the transition from the Empire to the Republic, we highlight the foreign investment process and the country’s industrialization. The main contribution of this work is research pointing out the historical landmark of foreign investment in Brazil in the analyzed period, allowing to understand the country’s urban and social development.
Meaningfulness in the Work of Language Professionals
Authors: Virtaluoto Jenni , Selkälä Satu
Published: April 2022

This qualitative study explores the changes that a specific group of knowledge workers – language professionals in Finland – have undergone in their work and how they perceive the meaningfulness of their work as a result. The data presented in this article has been collected through group interviews and is part of a larger data set. To make sense of our data, we use thematic analysis and the framework of meaningful work presented by Rosso et al. For some of our research participants, the factors of meaningful work are present. For others, changes in work, such as platform work and outsourcing, have reduced autonomy and development possibilities. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings.
Another Side of Balinese Excoticism Local Wisdom of the Muslim Community in Gelgel Village, Klungkung Regency, for Preserving Harmony between Religious Communities in Bali
Authors: Arif Mahmud , Lessy Zulkipli
Published: April 2022

Bali is one of the most popular destinations chosen by foreign tourists for their visits to Indonesia. Accordingly, Bali often is the primary basis by which foreigners assess the entire nation. Tourist attention is drawn to Bali’s natural beauty and its cultural exoticism. They show various perspectives on Balinese religious and cultural life, those that are generally closely related to Hinduism and tourism. Through qualitative approach, this study aims to analysis the religious life of the Muslim communities in Bali for completing the various viewpoints while revealing another side of Balinese exoticism. The Gelgel village of Klungkung regency is a longestablished village inhabited by Muslims in the midst of strong influences of Hinduism. This village is of interest as the oldest Muslim village in Bali to be accorded designation as a banjar dinas, and even while having a slim territory. Notably, the people in the village are generally able to live peaceably side-by-side with adherents of other religions. This is enabled through local wisdoms that have allowed and encouraged harmony withcastle, temple, and Balinese customs.
A Prospective Double Blind Observational Study to Assess the Incidence and Risk Factors Associated With Endotracheal Intubation in Patients undergoing General Anaesthesia
Authors: Veena Katappa , Nagappa Swarnamba U
Published: April 2022

Background: To assess the incidence and risk factors of sore throat, cough and hoarseness in 180 patients undergoing general anaesthesia and endotracheal intubation. Postoperative sore throat is one of the common adverse events after general anaesthesia and has a reported incidence from 21 to 71%. Though it is not a life threatening complication, it is an important cause of postoperative morbidity and patient dissatisfaction during the hospital stay.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 180 patients ASA PS 1 and 2, in the age group of 18-65 years of both gender, undergoing general anaesthesia and endotracheal intubation. Preoperatively h/o smoking and tobacco chewing were recorded. Intraoperatively number of attempts of intubation, duration of laryngoscopy, presence of throat pack and ryle’s tube, position of head during surgery and duration of surgery were recorded. Post operatively complaints of sore throat, cough and hoarseness were recorded at 6hrs and 24 hrs using 4-point scale. Data were analysed with SPSS 22 version software, p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant after assuming all the rules of statistical tests.
Results: The incidence of sore throat was 30.6%, hoarseness was 4.4% and cough was 2.8% in our study in patients undergoing general anaesthesia and endotracheal intubation.
Conclusion: The incidence of sorethroat was 30.6%, hoarseness 4.4%, and cough 2.8% in our study. Tube lubrication, position of head extension with pillow under shoulder and presence of throat pack shows higher incidence of POST.
Pericapsular Nerve Group Block (PENG) and Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) for Positioning Patients with Hip Fractures for Spinal Anaesthesia: A Comparative Study Between The Two Blocks
Authors: Kulkarni Priyanka Bipin , Ghodki Poonam Sachin , Prabhu Aakruti Vinod
Published: April 2022

Background: Hip fractures are a common and disabling injury caused by osteoporosis of the joints, and they have a significant socioeconomic impact. Any movement at the hip joint, whether during the transfer to the hospital or during a radiological procedure followed by OT, causes excruciating pain. Multiple comorbidities increase the need for regional analgesia and anaesthesia in elderly people. The primary purpose was to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound guided supra inguinal FICB to that of PENG block for positioning during spinal anaesthesia. Comfort of anaesthetist while giving spinal anaesthesia and patient’s acceptance score were secondary objectives.
Methods: The 60 patients in this prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled research were scheduled to undergo elective surgery for hip fractures under spinal anaesthesia. They were allotted in two groups- group FICB(n=30) and group PENG(n=30). Ultrasound guided Supra inguinal FICB was performed in FICB group and PENG block was performed in the PENG group with 20ml of 0.25% bupivacaine in each group. Evaluation of pain before intervention, just before positioning and while positioning patients for spinal anaesthesia was done using NRS score. Comfort of the anaesthetist while positioning for spinal anaesthesia and patient acceptance was also assessed.
Results: The NRS score did not differ significantly between the two groups (p= 0.853). On a scale of 0 to 3, the anaesthetist's comfort delivering spinal anaesthesia did not differ significantly between the two groups (p= 0.553). There was no statistically significant link between anaesthesia acceptance and group preference (p= 0.504)
Conclusion: The newly invented PENG block to facilitate sitting positioning in fracture hip joint patients for spinal anaesthesia was equally effective to supra inguinal FICB.
Hemoperfusion Can Control Inflammatory Factors in Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Hassani Mohammad , Hassanzad Nima , Moshari Mohammadreza
Published: April 2022

The article's abstract is not available.
Rumpel Leede Phenomenon: Once in a Blue Moon Sign
Authors: Snigdha Naskar , Hareesh Pantragam , Adabala Vijay , Dhar Mridul
Published: April 2022

The article's abstract is not available.
If not Bogomilism than What? The Origins of Catharism in the Light of the Sources
Authors: Czarnecki Piotr
Published: April 2022

Since the end of the twentieth Century the traditional interpretation of Catharism, assuming it’s Eastern roots and dualist character is the object of a harsh criticism, formulated by the deconstructionist scholars. The moderated version of their new interpretation assumes that dualism didn’t play an important role in Catharism, and that the Cathar “dissidence” was not influenced by the Eastern dualist heresies (especially Bogomilism), but appeared independently in the West. According to the radical version Catharism didn’t exist at all and contemporary scholars should accept a new paradigm – Middle-Ages without Catharism.The aim of this article is to examine the source arguments, which stand behind both interpretations – on one side the arguments concerning the contacts of the Cahars with the Eastern dualists, with special attention paid to the time of their emergence and character of these relations, and on the other the arguments concerning Cathar dualist doctrines, which according to the deconstructionists were constructed arbitrarily by the Catholic polemists, basing on the ancient anti-heretical works, especially anti-Manichaean writings of St. Augustine. The article will try to find the answer to the question if the Cathar doctrines described in the Catholic sources are indeed so closely similar to the Manichaean teachings known from St. Augustine and at the same time so different from the Bogomil dualism. The analysis of the sources will show if the new interpretation is based on the arguments that are strong enough to overthrow the traditional one and if it the theory assuming lack of Bogomil influence can be considered as a serious alternative.
Between Rebellion and Statesmanship: Attempting a Biography of Ivanko, 1196/1200 (?)
Authors: Dall’Aglio Francesco
Published: April 2022

The paper analyses the actions of Ivanko, a Bulgarian nobleman, possibly a member of the ruling family of the Asenides, who in 1196 killed the ruling tsar, Asen, and escaped to Constantinople once his plan to take control of the country failed. Owing to the benevolence of Alexios III Angelos, he joined the Byzantine military and very quickly rose through its ranks until he became the military commander of the region of Philippopolis. In 1198 or 1999 he defected and created an independent dominion on the slopes of the Stara Planina massif, precariously balanced between Bulgaria and the empire, exploiting to his own advantage the constant state of warfare between the two polities. His adventure was short-lived: in 1200 he was captured through deception by the Byzantines, taken prisoner, and presumably executed. While his political career was very short, his importance for the history of medieval Bulgaria is not to be underestimated. It is a testimony of the fluidity of the political situation at the Bulgaro-Byzantine border, whose instability often allowed ambitious and cunning local commanders to carve up autonomous dominions, and of the difficulties experienced by the central power in keeping control of the peripheral areas of the state. It is also proof of the constantly shifting ethnic and cultural allegiances of the citizens of those polities, entangled between different and often conflicting identities, usually regarded as irreconcilable but that were actually the object of a continuous negotiation and adjusting. Ivanko is an interesting case study in regard to all of those factors, especially when considered within the larger phenomenon of provincial separatism in the imperial (and Bulgarian) lands between the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century.
The Sword with the Sleeve Cross-Guard in the Fresco from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Aghtamar Island
Authors: D’Amato Raffaele , Dymydyuk Dmytro
Published: April 2022

There is an indisputable fact that in Medieval Armenia, as in most countries of the Middle Ages, the sword was a popular (but expensive) type of weapon. However, what did these “swords” look like? The aim of the article is to analyse one internal fresco called “Massacre of the Innocents” from Aghtamar Church (915–921), where a depiction of the sword with the sleeve cross-guard could be found.Comparisons of the known archaeological finds of “Byzantine” type swords from Eastern Europe and Near East have been made, proving the idea that such type of swords actually existed. The authors, with the following analysis, would like to support the idea that medieval figurative sources are a very accurate for studying medieval military history.
Tărnovgrad Viewed by the Others: the Case of Niketas Choniates
Authors: Marinow Kirił
Published: April 2022

The text is devoted to the analysis of the portrayal of Tărnovo, the new capital of the restored near the end of the twelfth century Bulgarian state, in the historical work and speeches by Niketas Choniates, a Byzantine historian, official and rhetorician from the latter half of the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. As a direct witness of the contemporary Byzantine-Bulgarian relations, a high ranking court dignitary throughout most of the discussed period, and the author of the most important sources shedding light on the restitution of Bulgaria, he left a legacy of extraordinary importance, one which has shaped views of the subsequent generations of Byzantine historians. While examining Tărnovo’s role shows it did not occupy a particularly significant place in the historian’s narrative, and the remarks concerning it appear as if in passing, he nonetheless was fully conscious of the city’s significance not only for the Bulgarians themselves, but also in the context of the prospective expansion of the Empire in the direction of its northern neighbours. It is therefore no accident that in his brief characterisation the city the author focused on the description of the defensive qualities of Tărnovo. Paradoxically, his arguments on this subject may play an important role in the present ongoing discussion among the archaeologists exploring the former capital on the subject of chronology and size of the fortifications surrounding the two most important hills on which the city developed, namely Tsarevets and Trapezitsa.
Roman Campaigns and Negotiations in the East, 542–545
Authors: Greatrex Geoffrey
Published: April 2022

This article seeks to support the earlier dating of campaigns on the Roman eastern frontier in the 540s. It addresses points made in a recent contribution by Michael Whitby, who argued that the traditional chronology, which places a Roman invasion of Persarmenia in 543 and a Persian siege of Edessa in 544, should be retained. The article seeks to demonstrate that the grounds he offers are inadequate and concludes therefore that the earlier dating, according to which the Romans invaded Persarmenia in autumn 542 and the Persians besieged Edessa in 543, is to be preferred.
Byzantine Battleships and Military Transport Vessels along the Hostile Shores
Authors: Hristov Yanko , Kostadinova Dafina
Published: April 2022

The establishment of the Bulgarian Khanate along the Lower Danube River and the Northern Black Sea coast changed the geo-political situation in the early medieval Southeastern Europe. It is beyond doubt that the Bulgarians did not develop navy or commercial fleets at that time. However, one cannot reveal substantial reserves about the statement that Khan Asparukh’ descendants were not completely disadvantaged by their Black Sea coastline that they managed to keep under control due to political and military reasons. This becomes clear if the prolonged series of clashes between Byzantium and Bulgaria in 750s–770s are taken into consideration. Despite an obvious usefulness of the cooperation between land armies and navy squadrons in those endeavors, as well as the nonchallenged Byzantine maritime supremacy along the Black Sea shores, the Imperial navy met substantial difficulties or did not completely accomplish its tasks on many occasions.
Images of the Emperors John II and Manuel I in the Accounts of William, Archbishop of Tyre
Authors: Pentek Zdzisław
Published: April 2022

This article deals with the reception of the image of the Emperors John II and Manuel I of the Komnenos dynasty based on the chronicler’s account by William of Tyre (1130–1186). It shows a positive evolution in the portrayal of John II and his successor Manuel I, whom William met twice – in 1168 and when he stayed in Constantinople for seven months in 1179/1180. The image of Manuel I is positive, emphasizing the emperor’s positive qualities, such as generosity, wisdom, and justice.
A New Compound Generalization of the Lomax Lifetime Model: Properties, Copulas and Modeling Real Data
Authors: Refaie Mohamed
Published: April 2022

A new compound generalization of the Lomax lifetime model is presented and studied. The novel model is established based on the Poisson Topp-Leone family of Merovci et al. (2020). The novel density can be “right skewedwith heavy tail”, “symmetric” and “left skewedwith heavy tail”. The corresponding failure rate can be “monotonically decreasing”, “increasingconstant”, “upside down”, “upside down-constant” and “reversed J-shape”. Relevant characteristics are derived and discussed. numerical and graphical analysis for some statistical properties are presented. we derived some new bivariate extensions via some common copulas. Graphical assessment for the maximum likelihood estimation is presented. Graphical assessment for the maximum likelihood estimation is presented. Two real-life data sets are analyzed and modelled using the novel model. The new model proven its superiority against fourteen competitive Lomax extensions.
Robust Forecasting of Sequences with Periodically Stationary Long Memory Multiplicative Seasonal Increments Observed with Noise and Cointegrated Sequences
Authors: Luz Maksym , Moklyachuk Mikhail
Published: April 2022

The problem of optimal estimation of linear functionals constructed from unobserved values of stochastic sequence with periodically stationary increments based on observations of the sequence with a periodically stationary noise is considered. For sequences with known spectral densities, we obtain formulas for calculating values of the mean square errors and the spectral characteristics of the optimal estimates of the functionals. Formulas that determine the least favorable spectral densities and minimax (robust) spectral characteristics of the optimal linear estimates of functionals are proposed in the case where spectral densities of the sequence are not exactly known while some sets of admissible spectral densities are given.
A Basis Approach to Surface Clustering
Authors: Zambom Adriano Zanin , Wang Qing , Dias Ronaldo
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a novel method for clustering surfaces. The proposal involves first using natural splines basis functions in a tensor product to smooth the data and thus reduce the dimension to a finite number of coefficients, and then using these estimated coefficients to cluster the surfaces via k-means or spectral clustering. An extension of the algorithm to clustering higher-dimensional tensors is also discussed. We show that the proposed algorithm exhibits the property of strong consistency, with or without measurement errors, in correctly clustering the data as the sample size increases. Simulation studies suggest that the proposed method outperforms the benchmark k-means and spectral algorithm which use the original data. In addition, an EGG real data example is considered to illustrate the practical application of the proposal.
Speed-watching, czyli widz w pogoni za nadmiarem cyfrowych treści
Authors: Kowalski Mateusz
Published: April 2022

Celem artykułu jest określenie znajomości oraz powszechności zjawiska speed-watchingu, czyli przyspieszonego oglądania materiałów audiowizualnych, wśród grupy badanej, jaką stanowili użytkownicy mediów strumieniowych (w szczególności platform VOD oraz OVP), którzy wyrazili chęć udziału w badaniu. Wspomniany zwyczaj jest jedną z nowych oraz stosunkowo słabo zbadanych praktyk konsumpcyjnych i ma swoje źródło w ciągle rosnącej ofercie programowej oraz uwarunkowanej społecznie potrzebie nieustannego „bycia na bieżąco”. W części wstępnej przedstawiono problematykę kultury nadmiaru oraz wynikające z niej zmiany w stylu obcowania z treściami transmitowanymi cyfrowo, a także ogólny zarys polskiego rynku usług medialnych na żądanie. Z kolei w części empirycznej zaprezentowano wyniki badania ankietowego przeprowadzonego wśród osób, które korzystają z serwisów streamingowych (303 osoby). Analiza objęła nie tylko poziom popularności speed-watchingu, lecz także czynniki motywujące do jego praktykowania oraz towarzyszące mu zwyczaje. Jak wynika z przeprowadzonych badań, przyspieszona recepcja dotyczy 7 na 10 badanych, tempo seansów różni się w zależności od osobistych preferencji użytkowników, a sam speed-watching jest uzupełnieniem innych praktyk, jak na przykład binge-watching czy multiscreening.
National dailies market in Nigeria: a five-year empirical study of newspaper business and its interactions with democratic practices in Nigeria
Authors: Okafor Carl Chineme
Published: April 2022

Using an empirical approach and relying on core media management research theories — strategic management, structural contingency and the economic — for background, this research studied the financial situations of newspapers in Nigeria between 2015 and 2019 to find out how their prolonged financial difficulties interact with their ‘responsibility’ to Nigeria’s democracy. It found that the financial troubles of the newspaper market in Nigeria are manifested in the marked decline of traditional revenue sources, shutting down of bureaus and titles, retrenchment of quality hands as well as poor renumeration and non-payment of journalists’ salaries. Subtly and directly, these have impacts on Nigeria’s democracy, especially when it is considered that newspapers are valued civic engagement and accountability tools in democracy. The recurrent drop in circulation figures, closure of bureaus and retrenchment of quality manpower indicate that newspapers in Nigeria are in a precarious financial state, which affects their capacity to support profound democratic practices in the country.
South Asian Migration to Western Europe: Origins, Trends, Perspectives
Authors: Volodin A.
Published: April 2022

The article is concentrated on the phenomenon of Indian and South Asian migration to the countries of Western Europe. Initially, migration flows from this region were an inalienable part of metropolis–colonies interrelationship and were sustained on the notion of free and unrestricted movement of human resources from South Asia to the British Isles. After the dissolution of the British Empire and gaining independence, the inhabitants of India and South Asia, in search for a “happier life” overseas, set their course for the United Kingdom and Western Europe, where later migrants were put under rigorous political control. However, the flows of those seeking economic prosperity and political asylum remained intensive and became subject to methodical social regulations in Western Europe. Equilibrium of this kind was put to a severe test when the migration crisis of 2015 and 2016 broke out. Only the most advanced groups of migrants could adjust themselves to the newly emerged reality as demonstrated by the cases of the Netherlands and Italy. The Dutch government has restricted the inflow of low-skilled labour, while encouraging skilled immigration. Indian labour force is generally employed in IT, consultancy, engineering or management. Local and national governments work together with private partners to make the lives of these newcomers easier. High-skilled migrants are welcome as new citizens. Most Indians in Italy have settled in the north of the country and work in agriculture. Indians are considered industrious, business-minded, hard-working and law-abiding. The Indian migrant community has integrated successfully into Italian economic and social life. The author argues that the Dutch and Italian practice of handling the Indian migrants could be critically absorbed in Russia that is keen to attract the “demographic dividend” from outside.
Relevant Issues of Non-Proliferation and Arms Control: Systemic Approach
Authors: MEL’NIKOVA Yu.
Published: April 2022

We publish a summary report on the second joint seminar of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO RAS) and “World Economy and International Relations” Journal, dedicated to the relevant issues in the field of international security. The discussion collected such prominent experts in the field as Fyodor Voitolovsky, Director of IMEMO RAS, RAS Corresponding Member; Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Director General; Sergey Rogov, Academician, Director of the RAS Institute of the U.S. and Canadian Studies; Evgeny Buzhinsky, Chairman of PIR Center, RIAC Vice President; Dmitry Danilov, Head of the European Security Department of the RAS Institute of Europe; and Vasily Kashin, Deputy Director of the Center of Comprehensive European and International Studies, HSE University, and Leading Reseach Fellow at the RAS Institute of Far Eastern Studies.
Afghanistan and the New International Configuration in Asia
Authors: Malysheva D.
Published: April 2022

The development of the international political changes in Central and South Asia is analyzed in the article in connection with the consequences of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s second rise to power (the first one was in 1996). It is shown that the peaceful transformation of Afghanistan is impeded by such persistent threats as religious extremism, terrorism, illegal drug trafficking. The complex mosaic of regional relations, in which Afghanistan is becoming an important element due to the changes that have happened in this country, is determined in Asia by the growing rivalry and competitive struggle of major economic states of the region, as well as global players, and by the efforts of all of them to build various international coalitions (Shanghai Cooperation Organization, RIC – Russia, India, China; Quadripartite Security Dialogue – QUAD, C5+1, Organization of Turkic States, etc.). Of particular interest in this regard is the position of the neighboring states – the three Central Asian nations (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan), as well as China, Pakistan, India and Iran. Apart from that, this study also outlines the most important challenges for the national security interests of Afghanistan’s Asian neighbors. An optimal scenario for both Afghanistan’s Asian neighbors and Russia would imply achieving a stable consensus in this country. Afghanistan becoming a full member of such an influential international bloc as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Russia, Central Asian states and major Asian economic powers are already represented, can have positive consequences for the stabilization of the situation in the country and the whole Asian region. This would create favorable conditions for successful economic and political interaction between the Central and South Asian states. In conclusion the author emphasizes that the transformations in Afghanistan have complicated regional challenges, prompting neighboring states to focus on the military-political component of their security. Aiming to prevent a negative scenario in Afghanistan, they also multiplied diplomatic contacts with the current leadership of the country. The new international political configuration that is emerging in modern Asia dictates new approaches in the security sphere for the Asian states.
Development Assistance in German Foreign Policy
Authors: Zaritskii B.
Published: April 2022

The article discusses the conceptual approaches and policies of Germany in the field of official development assistance (ODA). The FRG is the second largest donor country in terms of the absolute amount of financial resources that the government donates as ODA. However, there is an obvious gap between the official rhetoric and the actual practices of the German ODA policy. Development assistance has been actively used by Berlin to promote its political and economic interests and to address its security policy problems. Germany’s ODA policy is built primarily on a bilateral basis, the belief being that this form of cooperation allows a better control of financial resources and enables the donor country to more effectively articulate its interests. The fate of the most needy countries is of much less concern to the German authorities. The FRG, as well as the European Union, are trying to make their own priorities a platform for building cooperation with partners. The entry of the “Alliance 90/Greens” into a governmental coalition after the 2021 parliamentary elections will further shift the focus of Germany’s ODA policy towards combating climate change. However, the “Greens” are careful to avoid discussing what energy resources should become the basis of industrial development in least developed countries. Berlin is interested in maintaining its place among the world’s largest donors. In the arsenal of Germany’s foreign policy tools, development assistance serves to counter from afar new threats and challenges – terrorism, conflicts and illegal migration. It can be adapted to strengthen the position of the donor in the markets, political and public life of the recipient countries. With Germany having a significant influence on the formation and financing of the EU coordinating mechanisms, the FRG’s ODA policy can, when necessary, rely on the latter. However, the Germany’s ODA policy is not without vulnerabilities. Berlin often looks like a mentor who knows what to do and how to do it, although the reality almost always turns out to be more complicated than the speculative recipes. The main weakness of this policy lies in that its conceptual framework has been built according to European patterns and so is largely out of touch with the real needs of developing countries.
The Illegal Migration: Challeng for the UK (February 2020 – July 2021)
Authors: Andreeva T.
Published: April 2022

The article is devoted to the problem of the rapid growth of number of illegal migrants smuggled into the United Kingdom after the end of its exit from the European Union (Brexit, 31 December 2020) – during the transition period (1 February – 31 December 2020) and in the first part of 2021. The topic of illegal migration into the UK during its withdrawal from the EU (Brexit, 29 March 2017–31 December 2020) is considered in the article to the extent that it helps to highlight the different facets of the main subject of the research. Scrutinizing the genesis of the problem of illegal migration in the United Kingdom from 2003 to 2021, the article shows that the rapid rise of the migrants’ smugglings across the English Channel in small boats in 2020 – the first part of 2021 has become the challenge for the country. The termination of Great Britain’s membership in the European Union and the COVID 19 pandemic are regarded as the main reasons for it. The author enumerates actions made by the Boris Johnson’s cabinet which aimed at creating new legal framework for readmission of illegal migrants by the EU countries after the end of the transition period. The article pays attention to the strengthening of Anglo-French boarder cooperation as a way to cope with the transfer of illegal migrants to the UK. The creation of new British immigration law after the transition period is seen as a method of struggling with gangs of smugglers and as a means to curb rising influx of illegal migrants. The article considers the dependence of public and social security from tackling of illegal immigration as a source of the Islamist terrorism activity in the country. The author answers the question about the perspectives of the migrant transfer to Great Britain in the nearest future.
Influence of Different Tillage Depth on Soil and Maize Yields in Three Growing Seasons in the North China Plain
Authors: Wang Li-Shu , Guo Hai-Gang , Wang Li-Xuan , Cheng Dong-Juan
Published: April 2022

Rotary tillage is a main management tillage practices and widely applied in the North China Plain. However, the long term rotary tillage (depth of 20 cm) results in soil compaction and plow pan formation, which reduces water use efficiency and nutrient uptake, and then impedes the yield increase. In this study, a 3-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different depths of tillage on soil bulk density, field capacity, water use, photosynthetic rate, nutrients and maize yields in the North China Plain. Three depths of tillage (D20, depth of 20 cm; D25, depth of 25 cm; D30, depth of 30 cm) were assessed. D25 and D30 significantly reduced soil bulk density and improved field capacity in 10-20 and 20-30 cm soil layer, compared to D20. Soil water consumption for D25 was significantly higher 10.12% and 6.61% than that for D20 and D30, respectively. Photosynthetic rate for D25 significantly improved than that for D20 and D30. Total nitrogen in 0-20cm soil layer decreased with the depths of tillage. The maize yields for D25 significantly increased by 20.92% and 21.56% compared to that for D20 and D30, respectively. Structural equation models showed that the total effects of tillage, total nitrogen, photosynthesis and soil water consumption on yields were 0.019, -0.628, 0.121, and 0.895 (path coefficients λ), respectively. The results demonstrated that D25 could improve maize yields, water use efficiency, photosynthetic rate by improving soil water consumption. Depth of 25 cm is optimal tillage practice for the maize production in the North China Plain.
Production of Coffee Cherry Spirits from Coffea arabica Varieties
Authors: Blumenthal Patrik , Steger Marc C. , Quintanilla Bellucci Andrès , Segatz Valerie , Rieke-Zapp Jörg , Sommerfeld Katharina , Schwarz Steffen , Einfalt Daniel , Lachenmeier Dirk W.
Published: April 2022

Coffee pulp, obtained from wet coffee processing, is the major by-product accumulating in the coffee producing countries. One of the many approaches valorising this underestimated agricultural residue is the production of distillates. This research project deals with the production of spirits from coffee pulp using three different Coffea arabica varieties as a substrate. Coffee pulp was fermented for 72 hours with a selected yeast strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae L.), acid, pectin lyase, and water. Several parameters, such as temperature, pH, sugar concentration and alcoholic strength were measured to monitor the fermentation process. Subsequently, the alcoholic mashes were double distilled with stainless steel pot stills and a sensory evaluation of the products was conducted. Furthermore, the chemical composition of fermented mashes and produced distillates were evaluated. It showed that elevated methanol concentrations were present in mashes and products of all three varieties. The sensory evaluation found the major aroma descriptor for the coffee pulp spirits as being stone fruit. The fermentation and distillation experiments revealed that coffee pulp can be successfully used as a raw material for the production of fruit spirits. However, the spirit quality and its flavour characteristics can be improved with optimised process parameters and distillation equipment.