Legal policy in the field of training scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel outside the higher education system

The modern legal policy in the field of preparation of dissertations for the degree of Сandidate of Sciences outside postgraduate education and the degree of Doctor of Sciences in doctoral studies is in the focus. The relevance of the research is determined by the fact that transition to the model of legislative regulation of doctoral studies and preparation of PhD dissertations outside postgraduate studies in the context of exclusively scientific activities has resulted in the lack of a proper legislative basis for functioning of the scientific sphere, while the state of higher education and science, provision of qualified personnel for all branches and spheres depends on the proper organization of doctoral and postdoctoral institutions. The aim is to identify the shortcomings of the legal policy and possible ways to improve it. The article investigates normative and legal regulation of training scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel outside higher education system; it critically assesses the present condition of higher education, prospects for improving the institutions of doctoral and postdoctoral studies. The general scientific (dialectical method, analysis, synthesis) and private scientific research methodology (formal-legal, system-structural, historical-legal methods) heavily contribute to the research. The outcome allows to substantiate the necessity to clearly establish the rights, duties and conditions of doctoral students and applicants at the legislative level. Detailed guarantees for such participants of scientific activity should promote the increasing demand for highly qualified specialists and realization of their creative potential. Financial incentives for doctoral students and their scientific consultants also need optimization being curently at a low level thus reducing the demand for doctoral and postdoctoral studies

Composition of sulfides from the Sierra Leone Fracture Zone (Central Atlantic Ocean)

An analysis of data on the location of hydrothermal fields, seismicity, and satellite altimetry evidences that in mid-ocean ridges with low spreading rate hydrothermal fields tend to be grouped in areas with generally low seismic activity and at intersections of discontinuities and rift zones. Based on this assumption, the Sierra Leone Fracture Zone was studied in 2000 during Cruise 22 of R/V Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov. A study of gabbrodolerite and dolerite showed that sulfide ore minerals in them were formed both by hydrothermal and magmatic processes. An analysis of melt inclusions demonstrated that magmatic complexes formed from a high-temperature (1210-1255°C) low-potassium melt of the N-MORB type. Investigations of fluid inclusions revealed that gabbro and dolerite formed under influence of an active hydrothermal system at temperature 205-226°C. Thus, the Sierra Leone Fracture Zone is considered to be perspective for a discovery of a new hydrothermal field

Documenting lemming population change in the Arctic: Can we detect trends?

Lemmings are a key component of tundra food webs and changes in their dynamics can affect the whole ecosystem. We present a comprehensive overview of lemming monitoring and research activities, and assess recent trends in lemming abundance across the circumpolar Arctic. Since 2000, lemmings have been monitored at 49 sites of which 38 are still active. The sites were not evenly distributed with notably Russia and high Arctic Canada underrepresented. Abundance was monitored at all sites, but methods and levels of precision varied greatly. Other important attributes such as health, genetic diversity and potential drivers of population change, were often not monitored. There was no evidence that lemming populations were decreasing in general, although a negative trend was detected for low arctic populations sympatric with voles. To keep the pace of arctic change, we recommend maintaining long-term programmes while harmonizing methods, improving spatial coverage and integrating an ecosystem perspective