Targeting the principle implementation in the system of social support

Purpose: The article aims to identify the actual problems of implementing the principle of targeting in the social protection system in Russia and to develop a set of measures to transform the mechanism of its provision based on a differentiated approach, which implies not only differences in the size of social transfers, but also on various forms of such support. Design/Methodology/Approach: As the basic approaches of the study there were chosen the theory of social investment and the conception of result-based budgeting. The study suggested the development of a more effective financial support system, the substantiation of a differentiated approach to the organization of a social system based on a single method by determining the degree of financial vulnerability of citizens and the development of methodological recommendations on the use of financial instruments to strengthen the targeting of social protection of needy citizens. Findings: The article substantiates that the necessary condition for the transformation of the social protection system to strengthen the social and financial security of needy citizens is the development of a differentiated approach in the provision of social support measures. Practical Implications: The results of the study can be implemented into the management of social protection in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness by using the targeting of social transfers based on clear criteria of need, the differentiated approach implementation in determining the measures of social support through the use of "map of social support of citizens", expanding the application of social contract technology. Originality/Value: The set of measures proposed in the study will make it possible not only to adjust and direct social support to really needy recipients and to differentiate the volume of the support provided, but also to create conditions for the recipients of targeted protection to self-sufficiency, which, in turn, will contribute to the poverty reduction.peer-reviewe

Dual-Use Science and Bioethics: Governance of Biotechnology in Post-Soviet Russia

Throughout the world, systems of life science governance carry historical, cultural, and political legacies, which now confront the revolutionary and pervasive advances of twenty-first century biotechnology. Nations' adaptability to the twin challenges of attempting to secure the benefits while reducing the risks and threats is a large and still burgeoning governance challenge. The legacy of the Soviet Union is particularly important in this regard, since its history of prolonged authoritarian rule and intense development of biological weapons in combination with the continuing scientific and technological prowess of Russia is a governance challenge, unprecedented in its nature and scale. The aim of the dissertation therefore is to examine to what extent and by what means it is possible for Russia to reconcile its on-going expansion in biotechnology with the institutional and normative inertia arising from its Soviet past. The first part of the dissertation (Chapters 1-4) seeks to uncover and analyse both the growth and consolidation of the governance of biotechnology and the multifaceted governance challenges brought about by the rapid advancement of the life sciences in the twenty-first century. The second part (Chapters 5-8) examines the extent to which the Soviet institutional and infrastructural legacies in the culture of life science research still persist in Russia and impact the governance of biotechnology in that country. The concluding chapter offers an assessment of the current state of the governance of biotechnology in Russia and outlines a scope for further research.Wellcome Trus

New consumer services provided by smart metering

This paper focuses on the issues of smart metering market and considers different services provided by smart metering from consumer point of view. Firstly, smart metering deployment challenges emerging and conventional tariffs, which modify a consumer behavior and thus, the entire electric energy market can be optimized since the customer is motivated to consume less energy. Secondly, the authors illustrate changes in electricity quality, which have an impact on consumer relations with utility. Additionally, two main indices of grid resilience – SAIDI and SAIFI – are exemplified to reveal the improvement potential of smart metering implementation in certain regions of Russia that also influence the consumer. Finally, in-home display and privacy problem directly reflect the consumer’s behavior, thus the private life rights should not be violated as they are guaranteed by law

Comparative analysis of smart meters deployment business models on the example of the Russian Federation markets

This paper presents the comparison of smart meter deployment business models to determine the most suitable option providing smart meters deployment. Authors consider 3 main business model of companies : distribution grid company, energy supplie

Scaffolding proteins in G-protein signaling

Heterotrimeric G proteins are ubiquitous signaling partners of seven transmembrane-domain G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest (and most important pharmacologically) receptor family in mammals. A number of scaffolding proteins have been identified that regulate various facets of GPCR signaling. In this review, we summarize current knowledge concerning those scaffolding proteins that are known to directly bind heterotrimeric G proteins, and discuss the composition of the protein complexes they assemble and their effects on signal transduction. Emerging evidence about possible ways of regulation of activity of these scaffolding proteins is also discussed

Index of the state of reliability of the heat supply system on the example of an individual residential building

The development of scientific and technological progress has led to the creation of many technical solutions for implementation in the heat supply system. Such solutions, as a rule, are energy-saving, automated, and are positioned by manufacturers as a quick payback. Over time, the cost of such technologies decreases to a level acceptable to most citizens. The introduction of inexpensive energy-saving technologies is becoming more and more widespread. Heat supply systems for even small buildings are becoming more and more complex and device-rich. Modern technologies that are energy-saving include, for example: a heat pump with the extraction of thermal energy from the ground; heat pump with the intake of heat energy from the outside air; recuperator of ventilation emissions with the intake of heat energy from ventilation emissions; thermal accumulators; individual heating station with weather-dependent automation; individual temperature regulators for heating devices; transition from metal pipes to plastic ones with insulation; bimetallic radiators for heating systems, etc. The issue of the durability of several possible options for the implementation of the heat supply system, complicated by the introduction of many different modern technologies, both in terms of the principle of operation and the achieved effect, is relevant. In this case, the use of element-by-element reliability calculation becomes much more complicated. First, the values of the failure rates for various types of modern equipment are usually trade secrets and are not provided by the manufacturer. Secondly, the excessive complication of modern heat-regulating devices does not allow making their element-by-element calculation of reliability due to the inaccessibility of information about a variety of patented solutions. Thirdly, for many new devices, sufficient operating time has not yet passed for the accumulation of statistical information sufficient to determine the value of the failure flow. The listed features stimulate the transition from element-by-element calculation of the reliability of heat supply systems to the calculation of reliability indices. This approach allows you to go to the integrated assessments of the reliability of the heating system of the building, to compare the predicted values of reliability and operating costs for various options for modernizing the building. Clarification of the algorithm and the transition to an index approach for assessing the reliability of heat supply systems will determine the flow of failures of system elements, which will allow assessing the reliability of the system and, according to the data obtained, take measures that will increase the longevity of heat supply systems. On the example of the heat supply system of an individual residential building, indices were determined for the current state of the system, as well as for two options for its modernization. It is shown that the complication of the building heat supply system does not always lead to a decrease in its reliability. Recommendations are formulated for the modernization of the building’s heat supply system, leading to an increase in the reliability index

Increasing of cost efficiency as a trend of public law entities’ activity intensification in a public administration sector

The paper relies upon the fact that actually there are no proper conditions created in Russia to increase the performance of public law entities both in state (municipal) sector and state (municipal) services, their availability, and quality provision. The aim of this paper is studying the activity of public law entities of all levels to increase the efficiency of Russia’s budget system costs. To achieve the goal, authors started to solve problems like indicating the place of Russia in a world ratings and indicators showing the quality of the state activity, defining a set of approaches to increase the efficiency of performance-based budgeting, examining the concept of budget system reform, identifying appropriate conditions to increase the efficiency of federal and local budgets, describing the essential problems of public law entities’ activity in increasing the cost efficiency course and their solutions. Some conclusions in introducing of state entities’ budget costs standards, proper budget transfers’ allocation pattern, state policy funds’ diversification, and budget funds flows’ as well as public law activity’s transparency gain are provided in the paper.peer-reviewe

Current state, problems and priority areas of social policy in contemporary Russia

A new model of social policy in Russia is being created under conditions of functioning federal system, characterized by extremely varying development levels of the Russian Federation subjects and by a range of their social problems, which become particularly urgent in connection with the low level of real income of the population, excessive social differentiation, existing socially disadvantaged population groups. In that regard, it is necessary to establish a holistic mechanism of social policy, where the primary role is attached to financial regulators. The purpose of the present study is to define ongoing problems of social policy implementing and financing in contemporary Russia and to outline appropriate solutions to these problems. The article provides the research results as follows: social policy development and functioning patterns and their influence on the population’s living standards and quality of life in the country; analysis of trends in the budget spending on financing priority areas in social policy; identification of institutional and financial barriers to functioning of social sectors; determination of directions for further study of solutions to the development problems of the country’s social policy.peer-reviewe

Contemporary challenges of state’s financial policy in the social sphere

The article is aimed at determining the bottlenecks of contemporary state’s financial policy development in social sphere and their relevant solutions. The study’s goal is considering the financial support of social sphere in conditions of curbing the state funding and widening the private financial sources without lowering the standard of living. It justifies the factors of social costs’ growth by spotting the social expenditures’ reserves, by analyzing the background of non-government funding sources of social services and by defining directions for further social solutions.peer-reviewe