Securitization of pipeline: the Ukraine crisis and the role of the Nord Stream in the political and security relations between Russia and the EU

Drawing on the theoretical framework of the Copenhagen School of Security Studies, the paper's aim focuses on the role of the Nord Stream pipeline in the Russia-EU political and security relations, considering its securitization following the Ukraine crisis and Russia's military intervention against this country. The paper, utilizing the comparative analysis method and securitization theory, argues that in the past, the Nord Stream pipeline significantly contributed to maintaining friendly relations between Russia and the EU, assisting the two parties in determining foreign policy positions and flexibility. However, following the Ukraine crisis and the subsequent development of mistrust and increased military threats, this pipeline has lost its position and stabilizing role, and it no longer fulfills its previous function of fostering relations between the EU and Russia. The paper concludes that after the Ukraine crisis, it became securitized, and rather than holding a constructive role, it has adopted a threatening role for the EU and its Western allies, especially the US

Optimal Sensor Deception to Deviate from an Allowed Itinerary

In this work, we study a class of deception planning problems in which an agent aims to alter a security monitoring system's sensor readings so as to disguise its adversarial itinerary as an allowed itinerary in the environment. The adversarial itinerary set and allowed itinerary set are captured by regular languages. To deviate without being detected, we investigate whether there exists a strategy for the agent to alter the sensor readings, with a minimal cost, such that for any of those paths it takes, the system thinks the agent took a path within the allowed itinerary. Our formulation assumes an offline sensor alteration where the agent determines the sensor alteration strategy and implement it, and then carry out any path in its deviation itinerary. We prove that the problem of solving the optimal sensor alteration is NP-hard, by a reduction from the directed multi-cut problem. Further, we present an exact algorithm based on integer linear programming and demonstrate the correctness and the efficacy of the algorithm in case studies

The study of the relationship between the performance of fuzzy goal programming method and production factor promotion

In order to determine a systematic method for increasing productivity, different methods have been implemented. However, these methods were mostly used for measuring the current situation and implementing a suitable instrument for the purpose of presenting an efficient solution in order to promote the productivity seems essential. For this purpose, operational research method is one of the most efficient and useful tools which tries to make the best advantage of them and use them systematically by implementing optimal resources. Using an goal planning tool through determining the essential goals for promoting productivity is a modern method which has attracted the attention of productivity areas and is able to study the interaction between the essential elements with productivity promotion approach. The purpose of this research is to study the relation between performing Fuzzy Goal Programming Method and productivity promotion of production factors such as the promotion of materials, capital productivity, and human resources. The deign used for this method is applied, analytic and descriptive. Twenty four hundreds experts from five major detergents companies existing in detergents industrial clusters were considered as the population of the present study. The results indicated that there is a positive strong relation between the three factors including promotion of materials, capital productivity, and human resources by implementing goal planning model

The study of the relationship between the performance of fuzzy goal programming method and production factor promotion

In order to determine a systematic method for increasing productivity, different methods have been implemented. However, these methods were mostly used for measuring the current situation and implementing a suitable instrument for the purpose of presenting an efficient solution in order to promote the productivity seems essential. For this purpose, operational research method is one of the most efficient and useful tools which tries to make the best advantage of them and use them systematically by implementing optimal resources. Using an goal planning tool through determining the essential goals for promoting productivity is a modern method which has attracted the attention of productivity areas and is able to study the interaction between the essential elements with productivity promotion approach. The purpose of this research is to study the relation between performing Fuzzy Goal Programming Method and productivity promotion of production factors such as the promotion of materials, capital productivity, and human resources. The deign used for this method is applied, analytic and descriptive. Twenty four hundreds experts from five major detergents companies existing in detergents industrial clusters were considered as the population of the present study. The results indicated that there is a positive strong relation between the three factors including promotion of materials, capital productivity, and human resources by implementing goal planning model

Effect of alveolar ridge preservation with PDFDBA on orthodontic tooth movement rate, formation of gingival invagination and root resorption: A randomized, controlled pilot study

Tooth extraction results in resorptive remodeling of the alveolar bone, but alveolar ridge preservation procedure maintains the original shape of the extraction socket. This may be beneficial for space closure by orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). In the current pilot study for randomized controlled clinical trial the effect of alveolar ridge preservation with partial demineralized freezedried bone allograft (PDFDBA) on OTM rate, formation of gingival invagination and root resorption was evaluated. Both mandibular first premolars of 6 patients were extracted due to orthodontic treatment. In a split-mouth study design, alveolar ridge preservation was performed on one side, while the other side served as a control and the extraction socket healed naturally. After 6 weeks of healing period, the canines were moved to the extraction site to close the extraction space. Eight weeks later, the amount of OTM was measured. After space closure, the extraction sites were examined for the presence of gingival invagination. Root resorption was evaluated on digital panoramic radiographs. Photographs were taken for documentation. There was no significant difference in OTM rate between the ridge preserved areas and naturally healed sockets. Gingival invagination formed in 5 of 6 naturally healed sockets; none of the ridge preserved areas showed formation of gingival invagination. No root resorption was observed in any of the teeth adjacent to the extraction sites. Alveolar ridge preservation with PDFDBA has no effect on the rate of OTM and root resorption but prevents formation of gingival invagination during orthodontic space closure

Relationship between oral temperature and sleepiness among night workers in a hot industry

      Night work can have a significant impact on health, well-being, performance and occupational safety of workers. Night workers often complain about the sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness.  The aim of the study was to determine the level of sleepiness among night workers and investigate its relationship with oral temperature in a hot industry. This cross-sectional study involved 80 night workers. Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) has been used to measure the level of sleepiness. Oral temperature and SSS were recorded at different hours of night shift (23 pm to 4 am) for two consecutive nights. The analysis of results showed that there was a positive linear trend in the sleepiness scale (Pvalue<0.001) and an increasing trend in the oral temperature between 23pm and 1am. Then a decreasing trend has been observed after 1am for both of them (Pvalue <0.001).  Comparison of the results for two nights indicated that the mean sleepiness index in the second night is higher than the first (Pvalue <0.001), but the mean oral temperature in the second night was equal to that in the first night. Findings suggest a weak negative association between sleepiness and oral temperature. (r=-0.24, Pvalue =0.03). A substantial proportion of subjects were working while sleepy, especially at late night and early morning hours. The combination of heat stress and sleepiness can lead to impaired performance. The growing amount of sleepiness index indicates the high risk of sleep disorders and the other possible problems related health among night shift workers

Перинатология. Настоящее и будущее

На основании обобщения многолетнего собственного опыта автора, данных литературы и результатов работы Московского центра планирования семьи и репродукции освещены актуальные проблемы перинатологии от пренатального периода до постнатальной охраны здоровья плода. Сделано заключение о необходимости и возможности создания стандартов в области лечебных мероприятий и тактики ведения родов при осложнениях.Basing on the generalization of many−year experience as well as the data of the literature and results of the work of Moscow Center for Family Planning and Reproduction, the author features the urgent issues of perinatology from prenatal period to postnatal health protection. The author concludes about the necessity and possibility to create the standards in the field of therapeutic measures and management tactics in complicated delivery

N-doped carbon hollow sphere reservoirs containing Zn2+-mercaptobenzoxazole with pH-responsive function to fabricate a high-performance corrosion protective epoxy coating for aluminum alloy

peer reviewedIn this article, a core/shell structure based on zinc salt of 2-mercaptobenzoxazole (Zn.MBO) and N-doped carbon hollow sphere (NCHS) was synthesized and characterized. The active corrosion protection performance of the encapsulated Zn.MBO in NCHS (Zn.MBO@NCHS) was assessed on bare and epoxy-coated AA2024. The MBO and zinc cation release from the capsules was analyzed at different pHs. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results proved that, in the presence of Zn.MBO@NCHS, the corrosion resistance of the scratched coated samples after 72 h immersion was significantly higher than the rest of samples indicating its active inhibitive function