bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the investment attractiveness of the regional economic sectors on the example of the Kirov region
Authors: Nagovitsyna E. N. , Tusin D. S. , Bratukhina E. A.
Published: November 2021

The article focuses on the fact that the general struggle for investment resources, both at the state level and at the regional level, forces us to study the essence, content of the investment process, the forms of interaction between its participants in more depth and in detail, assess the investment potential of individual sectors of the economy and look for ways to improve its efficiency. When studying the investment attractiveness of economic sectors, such a methodology was used, which includes three stages: 1) assessment of the socio-economic situation of the region and determination of its rating in Russia; 2) analysis of the dynamics and structure of investments in fixed assets; 3) identification of benefits that provide investment incentives for external investors in the regional system and deter conditions for the development of investment activity. It has been revealed that there is a significant gap between regions in terms of investment activity in the Russian economy, which contradicts the principle of a single economic space of the country. The Kirov region is analysed in relation to other regions of the country in terms of the indicators under consideration. The most attractive sectors of the region’s economy for investors have been identified. The article shows how important it is to assess the investment attractiveness of individual sectors of the economy of the Kirov region in order to offer the most profitable investment projects in the future.
Background, problems and solutions for introducing Islamic insurance in the United Kingdom
Authors: Zhilkina A. N. , Orusbiev M.-H. R.
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the study of Islamic insurance in the United Kingdom. It has been established that insurance is a major component of the state’s financial system. At the same time, there has been a rapid development of Islamic finance in recent years. The total Muslim population in the UK in 2020 is 4,130,000. Despite its low Muslim population, Great Britain is taking a proactive stance in developing Islamic finance. Despite the low number of Muslims, Great Britain is taking an active position in the development of Islamic finance. The country has established principles for the development of takafuls, and the market is being regulated. In addition, an ambitious target has been set for London to become an Islamic finance centre. There are currently positive trends in the takaful market. Despite this situation, further development in this area is required.
The concept of “demand” and its derivatives in the modern scientific insurance discourse
Authors: Stepanova М. N.
Published: November 2021

In the scientific literature concepts such concepts as “demand for insurance”, “demand for insurance services”, “insurance demand”, “demand for insurance products”, etc. are often used. While being simple in their intuitive reading, they are in fact not as unambiguous as they may seem at first glance. Since there is a semantic conditionality of the meaning of a derived word by the values of its components and they are also not always well-established, then terminological uncertainty arises. The negative effect is enhanced by the permissible mixing of concepts with each other or the creation of scholastic multivariability. Quite often, the definition of demand as a category is given a characteristic of the level of demand, and without taking into account its dimension and type. Moreover, there are defects in the choice of definitions and the construction of definitions, the dominance of recursive definitions that have no value for the full disclosure of the meaning and content of the defined. The author concludes about the inadmissibility of taking liberties in the interpretation of significant concepts and terms, careful construction of new turns with their participation. The problem of using concepts without giving meaning to their scientific content is posed.
Renovate or defeat: about creation of Russian Imperial bureaucracy and “domino principle” in Petrine reforms
Authors: Znamenskiy D. Yu.
Published: November 2021

The article considers the process of reforming the civil service in the context of the state transformations of Peter the Great. The author pays special attention to the periodization of reforms. Based on its analysis, the conclusion is drawn not only about the validity of the chronological division of Peter the Great’s state transformations into conditionally spontaneous and organized stages, but also about a kind of “domino principle”: the implementation of one reform necessitated the next. The author gives his own interpretation of the features of the formation of the imperial bureaucracy in Russia in the first quarter of the XVIII century. The relatively slow development of this process is noted, which can be explained by the inertia of the bureaucracy itself and, first of all, the podyachy corps.
Model for financing the agro-industrial complex of the region
Authors: Trachenko M. B. , Kudashov V. V.
Published: November 2021

The article deals with the problems of financing the agro-industrial complex of the region. A critical assessment of the current model of state support for agricultural organisations is given. It was revealed that when deciding on the allocation of subsidies, the region is guided exclusively by production indicators and does not assess the impact of subsidies on the financial condition of agricultural producers in the future. It is proposed that the assessment of the effectiveness of the provision of subsidies be supplemented in regional state programs for the development of agriculture by comparing the volumes of loans issued and the added value created for a certain period. A universal model of financing the agro-industrial complex of the Russian region has been developed, which makes it possible to choose the most effective option for the distribution of budgetary financing of agricultural organizations in a particular region.
Constructing media reality with an agenda in mind
Authors: Goryacheva О. N.
Published: November 2021

In the world of virtual reality, it becomes quite difficult for the recipient of information to understand how much the image he uses, created in media reality, corresponds to the phenomenon of social reality, of which it is a reflection. The construction of media reality in the media is of particular interest for research in the field of sociology, cultural studies, psychology, linguistics, advertising, PR. The study of the genesis of media reality in the paradigm of mass media is the basis for identifying the main trends in the development of communication science. Of interest is the interdependence of the agenda and the means of influencing consumers of information used in the media. The relevance of the work is associated with the understanding that the construction of media reality turns into a media process. The allocation of priority information in the media stream becomes problematic: the consciousness of the recipient is significantly overloaded the individual does not have time to analyze the information received, but only gives him a superficial emotional assessment. The article analyses mass media materials that reflect the agenda and affect the construction of media reality. The practical significance of the study of the potential of mass media in the construction of media reality is to identify priority topics for the agenda of publications that affect the consumer of information content.
Special aspects of intergenerational intra-family conflicts during the pandemic
Authors: Grishina L. M.
Published: November 2021

The article deals with intergenerational conflicts within the family during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author reveals the topic of small groups isolation in the professional sphere: sailors, cosmonauts, polar explorers, members of long research expeditions. The topic of isolation is not new to psychology, since scientists in the middle of the last century faced this problem when they began to send expeditions to the poles, astronauts into space, etc. It analyses articles on the subject of isolation during the pandemic and reveals a mixed view of how families behave during this difficult time for society.
Current issues of anorexia statistics
Authors: Davletshina L. A. , Karmanov M. V.
Published: November 2021

Anorexia as a new phenomenon for society is seen from both positive and negative sides. The article reveals the aspects each of them. Arguments are presented to support the position that anorexia in 20th century acts as a social problem, a disease, an inhumane attitude to oneself. The relevance of a comprehensive study and prevention of anorexia among young people is presented based on available statistical data. An approach to the concept of anorexia as an object of applied statistical research is justified. The enlarged groups of factors affecting the scale of its spread and the intensity of its development are determined. The authors proposed and justified an original system of indicators of anorexia statistics, revealing the essence of the studied social phenomenon according to the logic of “distribution – structure-consequences”.
Motivation as a key element of psychological potential for entrepreneurial activities among the retired military personnel
Authors: Komlev V. A. , Feoktistova E. A.
Published: November 2021

The article considers with the problem of diagnosing the motivation of military personnel leaving the reserve, in order to assess their psychological potential for entrepreneurial activity. The currently known approaches to assessing the psychological potential of entrepreneurial activity are analysed. The necessity of identifying diagnostics of motivation as a key element for predicting the success of a serviceman who is transferred to the reserve in creating his own business is noted. Based on the analysis of the research results obtained during the implementation of the national project “Small Business Course” for military personnel and members of their families, the most significant motivators for two types of entrepreneurs were identified: innovators (capable of generating new ideas and modifying them from a business plan) and imitators ( who prefer to distribute previously developed technologies).
Research of organisation specifics of shooting process in the creation of an audiovisual product
Authors: Vorontsova Yu. V. , Mazur A. Yu.
Published: November 2021

This article presents a study of the organisation of the shooting process, taking into account the authentic features of five films by the Spanish filmmaker and photographer Carlos Saura, where the principle of “photography” was the basis for the construction of the frame. Saura made a series of films based on the flamenco culture, reflecting his experiments to establish the relationship between the beat of the music and dance and the rhythm of the set-up and movement of the camera. Carlos Saura’s work is characterised by a relationship between past and future, reality and fiction. When making a film, it is necessary to think photographically and critically, especially on the issue of national identity. The photographic act itself is an immediate transformation of the present referent into a petrified past. Elements of photography often add a strong dose of time to the movement you want to follow, but this possible action will always remain in the frame. Saura expands in a certain way what restricts the photographic act in such a way that the captured image overflows spacetime. For Saura, the relationship between photography and film becomes one of the most important components of the script in the films examined.
Sectoral and territorial industrial policy in the strategic documents of Russia and its regions
Authors: Gaynanov D. A. , Ataev D. M.
Published: November 2021

The article analyses the consistency of sectoral and territorial industrial policy target benchmarks reflected in federal and regional strategic documents of territorial socio-economic systems. The results of a comparison of this benchmarks showed that there is no unified approach to defining goals, quantitative and qualitative composition of target indicators of industrial development not only among strategic documents of various nature (goal-setting, forecasting, territorial, sectoral), but also within sectoral documents of industrial development in Russia and its regions. There is also no clearly defined vertical decomposition of national priorities for industrial development according to the directions and levels of strategic planning of territorial socio-economic systems.
Digital transformation as an adaptation factor for personnel to realise productive capacity in a pandemic
Authors: Koblov S. V.
Published: November 2021

The directions for the development of the enterprise digital environment are considered, and the ways to improve the professional competences of the enterprise staff, including the digital aspect, have been analysed. A questionnaire survey of the personnel of the Central Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering in 2019 and 2020 using the methodology “Assessment of personnel capability (Manageability Assessment)” revealed the problems determined by the digital transformation process. Significant components for staff have been identified, including clarity of understanding of their place in the project, appreciation of task setting, staff focus on the overall end result, and functional interpersonal interaction. In analysing levels of manageability levels, the influence on the staff labor activity the factors such as remuneration, social and living conditions in the enterprise, ergonomic conditions at the workplace, interpersonal horizontal and vertical relationships in the team, and social effectiveness of management, have been studied. The findings provide the basis for practical recommendations to Central Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering management on changing the enterprise organisational culture to activate the staff labor potential. This solved the problems identified, improving the efficiency of staff working remotely in a pandemic and the manageability of staff across the enterprise as a whole.
Scaling the processes of human resources management of the organisation in the conditions of digital transformation
Authors: Denisova A. L. , Bunkin A. S.
Published: November 2021

In the context of the digital transformation of the economy, the processes of managing the human resources of an organisation are of particular importance as the basis for achieving operational efficiency in a highly dynamic business environment. At the same time, the existing practice of human resource management in organisations shows that the human resources management system in the context of digital transformation requires special attention from the standpoint of scaling. This paper discusses the issues of scaling the processes of managing the human resources of an organisation in the context of digital transformation, the analysis and accounting of which will increase, on the one hand, the efficiency of the organisation, on the other hand, the motivation and involvement of employees in the work process. The research paper pays special attention to the Program for the training of management personnel for organisations of the national economy of the Russian Federation from the standpoint of scaling the processes of managing the human resources of an organisation in the context of digital transformation. Systematic studies of the scaling of the organization’s human resources management processes in the view of digital transformation will determine both new approaches and technologies for human resources management and the processes of changing the organisation’s business models.
Analysis of the activities of the State Films Fund of Russian Federation in the context of digitalisation
Authors: Kosinova M. I. , Gasilina A. A.
Published: November 2021

The object of the study is the State Films Fund of Russian Federation, the subject is the project of global digitalisation of the film archives of the State Films Fund of Russian Federation, which started at the end of 2018 and is currently being implemented. The purpose of the study is to analyse the digitalization project and identify possible problems that may arise during its implementation. Research objectives: analysis of the problem of personnel shortage, analysis of the socio-cultural and economic efficiency of the project being implemented. The study used the method of historical and genetic analysis, descriptive analysis of literature and media materials, qualitative content analysis of documents, reports and other materials, comparative analysis, and secondary analysis of statistical data. The results of the study can be used in the implementation of the programme of digitilisation of the State Films Fund of Russian Federation archives in order to optimise this process and eliminate possible risks.
Ensuring railway safety on a national scale: national and international experience
Authors: Bychkova A. A.
Published: November 2021

The article considers the main measures to create safety conditions in railway transport in foreign countries and compares them with the methods of safety provision by the domestic carrier JSC “Russian Railways”. It is noted that today Russia has its own practices for maintaining a level of security, but that alternative foreign approaches would improve the level of protection. The author analyses accident data and proposes additional measures to reduce the number of accidents. Scenario modelling and the integrated situation analysis method have been proposed as a method for selecting measures to ensure safety and improve the situation in the railway transport sector.
Analysis of key trends and ways to improve the marketing activities of domestic manufacturers of municipal equipment
Authors: Okolnishnikova I. Yu. , Sumarokova E. V. , Krasnov E. V.
Published: November 2021

The results of the marketing analysis of the market of special equipment for housing and communal services of Russia are presented. Market trends have been analysed, the sales dynamics of municipal machinery have been characterised and segments of the product portfolio of domestic manufacturers have been identified. The article analyzes the features of the development of two key product segments - the segment of snowplows and snow loaders, as well as the segment of garbage trucks. It is proved that they have a high market potential and objective prerequisites for import substitution, but they need to improve marketing support. The authors proposed and justified a set of measures to improve marketing activities, including development of financial instruments to support customers, expansion of the product line, improvement of distribution strategies, optimisation of call centers and the development of exports using state support tools.
Technological priorities for the development of Russia’s industrial sector in the context of deep digital penetration
Authors: Pudovkina O. E.
Published: November 2021

Industry 4.0 dictates certain requirements for the modernisation of processes and production facilities. This is especially true for industry, which has a relatively high share of the country’s gross domestic product The outline of the future strategic development of the industry sector in an environment of external change is therefore of particular relevance. The purpose of the study is to forecast technology priorities and possible stages of development of advanced manufacturing technologies in Russia. The main research method is foresight methodology, based on long-term integrated assessment models of global production and technology market development in scenario form. This method has allowed to identify the most functional information resources needed for this study. The article presents a methodology for systemic anticipation of long-term technological change to update the strategic vector of industrial development, which is consistent with the context and content of the country’s industrial policy. The study resulted in a comprehensive forecast of possible stages in the development of advanced production technologies and the anticipation of the priority of technological changes to modernise the industrial complex in the context of deep digital penetration, based on the concept of a new industrial society.
Development of client service as a basis for birth of the electronic commerce system
Authors: Zalihina К. A. , Sakulyeva Т. N.
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this study is to study the development of customer service as the basis for the emergence of an e-commerce system. Research objectives: to study the aspects of the origin of customer service, to analyse the development of marketplaces abroad and in Russia, to structure expenses when selling goods through the marketplace. The methodology of marketplaces research is based on a deep and thorough study of the needs and moods of customers. The informatization of modern society makes it necessary to adapt business processes to the needs of the consumer, who, due to various factors of the 21st century, are guided by the Internet space, which does not provide the client with a full range of information about the product through the senses. Accordingly, it is necessary to create a level of service that embodies the consumer’s trust in buying goods online.
Import of Russian regions under conditions of COVID-19
Authors: Krasnykh S. S.
Published: November 2021

The article examines the import activities of the subjects of the Russian Federation in the context of the coronavirus infection spread, analyses the import dynamics for 2019–2021, and constructs a regression model of panel data confirming the relationship between imports and the number of COVID-19 cases. It has been found that the number of cases of COVID-19 is directly impact on the import. Import volumes, in value terms, for the period 2019–2021, show a steady increase, which can be explained by an increase in mortality in the Russia, socio-economic consequences associated with the spread of COVID-19, and anticovidal sanitary and epidemiological restrictions.
Integration as a way to strengthen the competitive advantages of corporations
Authors: Pustynnikova E. V. , Baklushinsky V. V.
Published: November 2021

The formation, functioning and development of organisations in the conditions of modern realities focuses on the search for the most constructive and effective directions of their development, contributing to the strengthening of competitive advantages. In this direction, as a rule, measures are implemented aimed at adapting to the external and internal conditions of further development. Often, the activities implemented at the micro environment level are focused on cost optimisation, and at the macro environment level, the main attention is paid to strengthening the stability of inter-corporate relations. One of the modern approaches in this direction, which is quite common in economic practice, is the integration process aimed at obtaining a synergetic effect as an additional resource that contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of corporate structures in market conditions. In turn, integration processes determine the need to develop a systematic approach to management not only in the format of a specific corporate structure, but in general, in the format of an economic system consisting of several economic entities interconnected with each other. The purpose of this study is to systematise the management processes of corporate structures that are interconnected by the conditions of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The fifth industrial revolution – innovations in the field of biotechnologies and neural networks
Authors: Arens Yu. A. , Katkova N. A. , Khalimon E. A. , Brikoshina I. S.
Published: November 2021

A comprehensive study of the phenomenon of the fifth industrial revolution is carried out. This topic is relevant due to the rapid development of biotechnologies and neural networks, transforming the environment of industries and society as a whole. Various interpretations of the term “fifth industrial revolution” are considered, and the key characteristics of previous industrial revolutions are identified and analysed. The main content of the research paper is an analysis of the scientific literature, consideration of visions of the fifth industrial revolution, as well as the identification of the main opportunities and threats that manufacturing enterprises, industries and society as a whole will face. The impact of Industry 5.0 on the economic performance of industries while meeting the needs and interests of employees, as well as ensuring environmental sustainability and resource conservation is described. The importance of the readiness of future industries to adapt to changing conditions in key value chains is emphasized. Based on the analysis of the scientific literature, the authors have revealed that the fifth industrial revolution will be determined by a new and expanded purposefulness, consisting of three basic elements: human orientation, stability and sustainability. Finally, the importance of balancing production through the development of sustainable strategic value chains, adaptable production capacities and flexible business processes was emphasized.
Analysis of the experience of implementing urban redevelopment projects in Russia
Authors: Andrianova E. I. , Gubacheva T. A. , Sapronenko A. V. , Khalimon E. A.
Published: November 2021

The relevance of the study is determined by the identified shortage of the urban environment in Russia, namely those types of buildings that meet modern requirements. In large cities, the only way to change this situation is redevelopment. This article considers options for stimulating the development of urban areas and optimization of their use through redevelopment. The definitions of the concepts of redevelopment, renovation, gentrification, revitalization are delimited. The classification of types of programs according to the level of management is performed. The advantages and disadvantages of the redevelopment process are presented. Based on the analysis of the regulatory and legal framework, the authors revealed that the concept of “redevelopment” is not defined in any way in it. The practical experience of implementing redevelopment projects and programs in Russia, including development projects of the main industrial zones of the city of Moscow, which are inextricably linked with the strategic development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and the implementation of national projects, is analysed. Special attention is paid to the redevelopment project management issues, proposals are presented to increase the efficiency of program management based on the Japanese P2M project management standard. At the end of the study, the authors revealed the results achieved in the implementation of redevelopment projects and evaluated their effectiveness in terms of various indicators.
The main directions of development of sports management and marketing in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Andrianova R. I. , Lenshina M. V.
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused enormous economic losses and social upheaval around the world. However, despite the huge financial and human losses, it is physical culture and sports that can help mankind in many ways to combat the epidemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly had an impact on professional and mass sports. The economic slowdown in the sports industry has affected the profit margins of the global sports advertising market. In the current situation, it is necessary to search new directions for sports management and marketing policy to overcome the crisis. Of particular interest is the direction of online commerce and online advertising in the sports industry. Those sports brands that are able to adapt to the new reality and reconfigure their business will remain on the market and continue to make a profit, in some cases even multiply it. Those companies that fail to cope with the transformation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may become uncompetitive and lose their consumers. The advantages of online commerce and marketing tools are that they are not likely to lose their relevance and effectiveness even after the pandemic is over, when all areas of human life will return to their usual course. One way or another, it is advisable for companies involved in the sports industry to implement and develop modern areas of management and marketing development.
Reflection of documents in the digital twin of the company and calculation of their impact on human behavior in the simulation model
Authors: Samosudov M. V.
Published: November 2021

The formation and formation of the Industry 4.0 concept stimulated the discussion of the use of computer technology in various areas of economic activity and, in particular, in the automation of social systems management. The basis of the concept is the inclusion of a virtual image of the social system in the form of a mathematical model or a digital twin of the enterprise in the production and management system. At the same time, it should be noted that today digital twin are created mainly only for technical objects used in the activities of enterprises. The purpose of the article is to demonstrate the possibility of fixing organizational documents as one of the system-forming factors in the digital twin of an enterprise. This circumstance makes it possible, firstly, to more accurately calculate the managerial effects of managers by taking into account the impact of organizational documents on the activities of employees of the enterprise; secondly, to identify conflicts of documents developed by various departments of the company; thirdly, to calculate the content of documents during their development (design), based on the requirements of the situation or a given control effect. This possibility arises due to the use of a comprehensive mathematical model of the social system operating in an active environment. The model is a simulation agent-based model and allows you to calculate the dynamics of the social system in the socio-economic space, which allows its use in decision support systems by managers of any scale and activities to calculate the expected effect of management decisions – the specifics of a particular social system are taken into account by combining the values of the phase variables describing the state of the enterprise. The novelty of the research paper lies in the fact that it shows: the possibility to calculate the influence of organizational documents on the behavior of participants and, consequently, on the result of the social system, as well as the mechanism for converting messages, which are invariants of socio-economic space into information that affects the behavior of participants of relations.
Anatomical and chemical characterization of Alstonia boonei for pulp and paper production
Authors: Afrifah Kojo Agyapong , Adjei-Mensah Enoch
Published: November 2021

Alstonia boonei, an abundant lesser utilized species within the West African Subregion, was evaluated as an alternative raw material for pulp and paper production. The basic density (BD), fibre characteristics [fibre length (FL), fibre diameter (FD), lumen diameter (LD) and wall thickness (WT)], derived anatomical indices [Flexibility Ratio (FR), Slenderness Ratio (SR), Rigidity Coefficient (RC), Luce’s Shape Factor (LSF), Solids Factor (SF) and Runkel Ratio (RR)] and chemical composition (lignin, holocellulose, 1% NaOH solubility and ash contents) of A. boonei were studied to evaluate variation along the trunk (base, middle and top portions) and ascertain its suitability for pulp and paper production. Significant variations were observed in the density and fibre characteristics along the trunk of the tree. Although the FD was large, the observed adequate FL, thin-wall and large LD implied easy beating of fibres and manufacture of dense, smooth and strong papers. The favourable SF, RR, FR, RC, and LSF values obtained for the fibres would produce papers with suitable burst and tearing strengths and folding endurance. Chemically the lower lignin (< 30%), ash and 1% NaOH solubility and the high holocellulose contents of A. boonei, will generate a higher pulp yield. A. boonei although a low-density species, will be desirable for pulp and paper production.
Analysing the effect of thermal modification on the calorific values of Eucalyptus nitens wood
Authors: Nepal Saurav , Wimmer Rupert , Zelinski Volker
Published: November 2021

Gross and net calorific value of 13 samples of Eucalyptus nitens wood were determined at HAWK (Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst), Göttingen, Germany. Among 13 samples, 12 were thermally modified and one was unmodified. Calorific values of samples were determined by using a bomb calorimeter, and the wood components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives) already analysed by Wentzel et al. (2019). After determination of the values, samples were statistically analysed by R studio to find the relations among the calorific value, temperature, and wood components. The gross calorific value and net calorific value of the untreated sample of Eucalyptus nitens were found to be 18.83 MJ/kg and 17.48 MJ/kg, and after thermal modification these increased up to 20.24 MJ/kg and 18.84 MJ/kg. Upon statistical analysis, the results for lignin showed a strong correlation with the temperature of thermal treatment and calorific value.
Decentralized solar photovoltaic battery based mini-grid for rural electrification in Tanzania: (Is Sharing Caring?)
Authors:   , Khamis Hashim
Published: November 2021

Access to energy enables social and economic development in rural areas. Renewable energy resource technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV) have been integrated with mini-grids to electrify a number of remote/rural areas and reduce carbon emission. Solar photovoltaic energy has become a popular source of electricity over the decades. However, its efficiency is limited due to its intermittency characteristic caused by weather changes. Many technologies have been developed to tackle this challenge, for example, storage and hybrid systems. This thesis investigates whether decentralizing PV systems in mini-grids could reduce the inefficiencies caused by weather changes. This includes studying power interaction between decentralized locations and exploring different topology scenarios. This was achieved designing and modelling a decentralized PV battery based mini-grid in Tanzania’s rural areas where the main grid is limited.

The mini-grid was modelled using MATLAB/Simulink and OpenDSS Software. This research designed a mini-grid model connecting five different located villages with SPV arrays and battery storage. SOLCAST database was used to obtain solar irradiation. A questionnaire was used get each village’s energy requirements.

Results suggest that decentralized PV systems could reduce the effect of intermittency slightly, depending on the nature of the weather conditions of the locations. Also, this thesis has shown that grid connected mini-grids without storage could have both optimal technical and economic benefits compared to those with storage. This can be achieved when the price of grid energy is comparable or less than to PV energy. However, standalone mini-grids could be more attractive to rural areas, where the main grid is not in place, if it is sufficiently designed according to the location’s requirements.
Phenotyping of obstructive airways disease
Authors:   , Fingleton James
Published: November 2021

Background  Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are heterogeneous disorders which may be made up of different sub-types, or phenotypes, of airflow obstruction with distinct clinical characteristics. To facilitate personalised treatment the different phenotypes and their response to treatment must be clearly defined and sound diagnostic rules developed.  In this thesis I explore the evidence supporting candidate phenotypes and report the results of my research, known as the New Zealand Respiratory Health Survey (NZRHS). The NZRHS was designed to determine candidate phenotypes, compare these phenotypes to those previously described, characterize their response to inhaled medication, and develop a method for allocating patients to the most appropriate phenotype.  Research Aims  -To explore clinical phenotypes of chronic airways disease by cluster analysis. -To examine if phenotypes identified by a previous cluster analysis exist in the independent NZRHS sample. -To compare the response to a short-acting beta-agonist inhaler between phenotype groups. -To compare the response to a short-acting muscarinic antagonist inhaler between phenotype groups. -To compare the response to an inhaled corticosteroid between phenotype groups. -To generate allocation rules and determine their predictive value for the different disorders of airways disease.  Conclusions  This research has identified phenotypes of airways disease that differ significantly in their clinical and pathophysiological characteristics. Evidence is presented to support the existence of the asthma/COPD overlap and obesity/co-morbid phenotypes and provide data of their responsiveness to inhaled corticosteroid, beta agonist and anti-muscarinic treatments, which may guide future management of patients with these phenotypes of obstructive airways disease.
90 Day Trial Periods in New Zealand - The Impact on Young Unskilled Workers
Authors:   , Finlay Anthea
Published: November 2021

This thesis examines the early work experiences of low skilled youth against the background of the recently introduced 90 day trial periods legislation. A mixed method research approach was employed to survey young people’s experiences of their early work careers, along with interviews with key stakeholders in the field of youth employment. From a sample of 100 self administered surveys from young people, the research finds that 90 day trial periods are not widely used for 15 to 19 year olds. Low incidence of use can be explained by majority of respondents being in part time or casual work. Where respondents were in full time employment trial periods are widely used, and they are more likely to be applied in a formal and long term manner by employers within the construction industry. The research concludes that while 90 day trial periods are one mechanism for increasing youth employment, they may not be the most effective as youth unemployment is a complex issue with systemic causes. The factors that contribute to youth unemployment are widespread and could be addressed by increased career advice in schools, a more comprehensive youth transition between school and employment and addressing the skills mismatch with employers needs in the workplace. Addressing these issues may have greater impact on youth unemployment than 90 day trial periods.
The Rise of Islamists in the Middle East and Chinese Interests in the Region
Authors:   , Elhomosany Mohamed Kamal Ali Ahmed
Published: November 2021

The uprising in the Middle East is representing the beginning of a new era in the history of the region. The region has not been stable during most of the 20th century. The strategic position of the region has influenced its security. The Middle East has been part of most of the international conflicts whether directly or indirectly. During the Cold War, the Middle East has not suffered only from a division between Israel and the Arab Countries, but also between the Arab Countries themselves. The region has witnessed several times an intervention by major powers in the international system to protect their interests whether before or after the end of the Cold War. However, US supremacy after the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union was relatively short, as the World began a new era soon after the 9/11 attacks. The war on terrorism, the two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the financial crisis were some of the factors that ended US supremacy after the end of the Cold War and started the US decline. At the same time, the international system has started to shift from uni-polarity to multi-polarity with the rise of new regional powers most prominent among them is China. The rise of China will affect the international system and have its impact on the Middle East. Besides the changes of the international system, the Middle East has witnessed uprisings late 2010 and beginning of 2011 that led to the removal of the three regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Although the new regimes have not been fully established, the rise of Islamists is one of the main consequences of such changes. Whether such changes in the Middle East can affect the interests of China in the region positively or negatively is the subject of this research. China’s interests in the region can be identified in three main categories: political and strategic interests; economic interests; and the effect of the developments in the region on Chinese territorial integrity in Xinjiang. To what extent the new environment will give the chance to China to extend its influence in the region beyond the traditional limits imposed on its interests?, and whether the new regimes in the region under the Islamists rule will seek a stronger relationship with China, to balance the influence of the US in the region, is the focus of this research. The research concludes that the rise of Islamists will not positively influence the political/strategic and economic interests of China in the Middle East at least in the short run and it will not negatively influence the sovereignty of China over Xinjiang.
Catholic shrines in Chennai, India: the politics of renewal and apostolic legacy
Authors:   , Nagy Thomas Charles
Published: November 2021

This thesis investigates the phenomenon of Catholic renewal in India by focussing on various Roman Catholic churches and shrines located in Chennai, a large city in South India where activities concerning saintal revival and shrinal development have taken place in the recent past. The thesis tracks the changing local significance of St. Thomas the Apostle, who according to local legend, was martyred and buried in Chennai. In particular, it details the efforts of the Church hierarchy in Chennai to bring about a revival of devotion to St. Thomas. In doing this, it covers a wide range of issues pertinent to the study of contemporary Indian Christianity, such as Indian Catholic identity, Indian Christian indigeneity and Hindu nationalism, as well as the marketing of St. Thomas and Catholicism within South India. The thesis argues that the Roman Catholic renewal and "revival" of St. Thomas in Chennai is largely a Church-driven hierarchal movement that was specifically initiated for the purpose of Catholic evangelization and missionization in India. Furthermore, it is clear that the local Church‘s strategy of shrinal development and marketing encompasses Catholic parishes and shrines throughout Chennai‘s metropolitan area, and thus, is not just limited to those sites associated with St. Thomas‘s Apostolic legacy.
The effect of lexical content on sentence production in nonfluent aphasia
Authors:   , Speer Paula
Published: November 2021

Individuals with nonfluent aphasia are able to produce many words in isolation, but have great difficulty producing sentences. Most research to date has compared accuracy across different types of sentence structures, focussing on grammatical aspects that may be compromised in nonfluent aphasia. However, based on the premise that lexical elements activate their associated grammatical frames as well as vice versa, lexical content may also be of vital importance. For example, rapid access to lexical elements – particularly ones appearing early in the sentence - may be crucial, especially if the sentence plan is weakly activated or rapidly decaying. The current study investigated the effect of different aspects of lexical content on nonfluent aphasic sentence production. Five participants with nonfluent aphasia, four participants with fluent aphasia and eight controls completed two picture description tasks eliciting subject-verb-object sentences (e.g., the dog is chasing the fox). Based on existing evidence suggesting that common words are accessed more rapidly than rarer ones, Experiment 1 manipulated the frequency of sentence nouns, thereby varying their speed of lexical retrieval by varying the frequency of sentence nouns. Nonfluent participants' accuracy was consistently higher for sentences commencing with a high frequency subject noun, even when errors on those nouns were themselves excluded. This was not the case for the fluent participants. Experiment 2 manipulated the semantic relationship between subject and object nouns. Previous research suggests that phrases containing related words may be challenging for individuals with nonfluent aphasia, possibly because lexical representations are inadequately tied to appropriate structural representations. The nonfluent participants produced sentences less accurately when they contained related lexical items, even when those items were in different noun phrases. The fluent participants exhibited the opposite trend. Finally, the relationship between the patterns observed in Experiment 1 and 2 and lesion location in the aphasic participants was explored by analysing magnetic resonance scans. We discuss the implications of our findings for theoretical accounts of sentence production more generally, and of nonfluent aphasia in particular. More precisely, we propose that individuals with nonfluent aphasia are disproportionately reliant on activated lexical representations to drive the sentence generation process, an idea we call the Content Drives Structure (COST) hypothesis.
Pre-service teachers' evaluation of belief relevant information on a controversial issue in Āotearoa, New Zealand: Should te reo Māori be compulsory in New Zealand schools?
Authors:   , Matthews Una Elizabeth Pania
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to investigate the influence beliefs have on pre-service teachers' evaluations of belief-relevant arguments and belief change on a controversial issue. In the quantitative phase, pre-service teachers (n = 23) at a university in New Zealand completed a topic belief-scale on a controversial issue in Āotearoa/New Zealand (i.e., Should te reo Māori be compulsory in New Zealand schools?). Then they read a text that included arguments for and against compulsory Te reo Māori while they thought-aloud (i.e., verbalized their thoughts as they read). After they read, they completed the topic-belief scale again. The quantitative results showed that participants tended to make refutational comments when they read belief-incompatible arguments, whereas they tended to make supportive comments when the read belief-compatible arguments. Further, their beliefs became stronger after they read. In the qualitative phase, interviews were conducted and analysed to explain why some participants' beliefs became stronger, whereas other participants' beliefs did not change. The interview data revealed individual and contextual factors influenced how participants evaluated the text and were related to their beliefs after they read. These data provide important information about the role of individual experiences in preservice teacher beliefs about a controversial topic on cultural responsiveness.