Universal magneto-orbital ordering in the divalent AA-site quadruple perovskite manganites AAMn7_7O12_{12} (AA = Ca, Sr, Cd, and Pb)

Through analysis of variable temperature neutron powder diffraction data, we present solutions for the magnetic structures of SrMn$_7$O$_{12}$, CdMn$_7$O$_{12}$, and PbMn$_7$O$_{12}$ in all long-range ordered phases. The three compounds were found to have magnetic structures analogous to that reported for CaMn$_7$O$_{12}$. They all feature a higher temperature lock-in phase with \emph{commensurate} magneto-orbital coupling, and a delocked, multi-\textbf{k} magnetic ground state where \emph{incommensurate} magneto-orbital coupling gives rise to a constant-moment magnetic helix with modulated spin helicity. CdMn$_7$O$_{12}$ represents a special case in which the orbital modulation is commensurate with the crystal lattice and involves stacking of fully and partially polarized orbital states. Our results provide a robust confirmation of the phenomenological model for magneto-orbital coupling previously presented for CaMn$_7$O$_{12}$. Furthermore, we show that the model is universal to the $A^{2+}$ quadruple perovskite manganites synthesised to date, and that it is tunable by selection of the $A$-site ionic radius

Issues of the Territory Assimilative Potential and Anthropogenic Impact Comparison

The paper aims to evaluate, using different methods, the ecological capacity of the territory and maximum anthropogenic impact that it can withstand as the result of economic activity. Timeliness of the study is determined by the need of Russia transition to the model of sustainable development. In this context, the paper examines the approaches to the estimation of the territory's maximum capacity in relation to anthropogenic impact, methods of quantitative assessments of the environmental capacity of the territory in units and in fuel equivalents (energy approach), and its correlation with the actual anthropogenic impact and energy consumption. © 2014 WIT Press

Matrix Metalloproteinases as Markers of Acute Inflammation Process in the Pulmonary Tuberculosis

The main factors of pathogenesis in the pulmonary tuberculosis are not only the bacterial virulence and sensitivity of the host immune system to the pathogen, but also the degree of destruction of the lung tissue. Such destruction processes lead to the development of caverns, in most cases requiring surgical interventions besides the drug therapy. Identification of special biochemical markers allowing to assess the necessity of surgery or therapy prolongation remains a challenge. We consider promising markers—metalloproteinases—analyzing the data obtained from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis infected by different strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We argue that the presence of drug-resistant strains in lungs leading to complicated clinical prognosis could be justified not only by the difference in medians of biomarkers concentration (as determined by the Mann–Whitney test for small samples), but also by the qualitative difference in their probability distributions (as detected by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test). Our results and the provided raw data could be used for further development of precise biochemical data-based diagnostic and prognostic tools for pulmonary tuberculosis

Magnetic ground state and multiferroicity in BiMnO3_3

We argue that the centrosymmetric $C2/c$ symmetry in BiMnO$_3$ is spontaneously broken by antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions existing in the system. The true symmetry is expected to be $Cc$, which is compatible with the noncollinear magnetic ground state, where the ferromagnetic order along one crystallographic axis coexists with the the hidden AFM order and related to it ferroelectric polarization along two other axes. The $C2/c$ symmetry can be restored by the magnetic field $B \sim 35$ Tesla, which switches off the ferroelectric polarization. Our analysis is based on the solution of the low-energy model constructed for the 3d-bands of BiMnO$_3$, where all the parameters have been derived from the first-principles calculations. Test calculations for isostructural BiCrO$_3$ reveal an excellent agreement with experimental data.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of materials based on bismuth silicates

The influence of the preparation technique of bismuth silicate-based catalysts on their formation, phase composition, absorption characteristics, and photocatalytic properties is investigated. Samples the with initial ratio of Bi: Si = 2: 1 are prepared via the hydrothermal method with varied temperature conditions in the hydrothermal aging and calcination stages. The synthesized catalysts demonstrate photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of the methanol equilibrium vapor and visible light-induced decolorization of a methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution

Tools of ecological management efficiency assessment in low-carbon economy

The purpose of the article is to investigate the need to expand the corporate responsibility of Russian enterprises in the environmental sphere towards more informative non-financial reporting in the field of energy efficiency, management of greenhouse gas emissions, assess the effectiveness of environmental management, to stimulate the transition to a low carbon economy. The authors note that at present the system of key indicators of environmental management and non-financial reporting by most Russian companies there are no indicators that correspond to this type of development and reflect the results of operations in accordance with the fulfillment of the objectives of the low-carbon economy. In the article, the authors formulated additional strategic tasks of environmental management, the solution of which requires changes in the environmental policy, in the system of non-financial reporting and evaluating the effectiveness of in the system of environmental management. The authors analyzed the basic principles of assessing the effectiveness of environmental management system and proposed to complement the principle of integration, on the basis of which additional criteria and indicators characterizing the structure of energy consumption and control emissions of greenhouse gases were introduced. The result of the study is the development of a methodological approach to assessing the effectiveness of environmental management based on the principle integration, of ecological and energy criteria, additional environmental and energy indicators for the disclosure of the company’s contribution to the implementation of the strategy of the low-carbon economy development. In order to assess conformity of the objectives of low-carbon development when addressing greenhouse gas emissions management tasks, reducing the energy intensity of production the authors suggested that on the basis of additional indicators the integral indicator of the effectiveness of environmental management is calculated which can be used in the selection of investment projects of the enterprise.Целью статьи является исследование необходимости расширения корпоративной ответственности российских предприятий в экологической сфере в направлении повышения информативности нефинансовой отчетности в области эффективности использования энергоресурсов, управления выбросами парниковых газов, оценки эффективности экологического менеджмента, для стимулирования перехода к экономике низкоуглеродного типа. Авторы отмечают, что в настоящее время в системе ключевых показателей экологического менеджмента и нефинансовой отчетности большинства российских предприятий отсутствуют показатели, которые соответствуют данному типу развития и отражают результаты деятельности в соответствии с целями реализации низкоуглеродного пути развития. В статье сформулированы дополнительные стратегические задачи экологического менеджмента, решение которых требует изменений в экологической политике, в системе нефинансовой отчетности и в системе оценки эффективности экологического менеджмента. По этой причине авторы, проанализировав базовые принципы системы оценки эффективности экологического менеджмента, предложили дополнить их принципом интеграции, на основании которого были введены дополнительные критерии и индикаторы, характеризующие структуру энергопотребления и управление выбросами парниковых газов. Результатом исследования является развитие методического подхода к оценке эффективности экологического менеджмента на основе предлагаемых принципа интеграции, эколого-энергетических критериев, дополнительных экологических и энергетических индикаторов для раскрытия вклада предприятия в реализацию стратегии низкоуглеродного развития. С целью оценки соответствия целям низкоуглеродного развития при решении задач управления выбросами парниковых газов, снижения энергоемкости производства предложено на основе дополнительных индикаторов рассчитывать интегральный индикатор эффективности экологического менеджмента, который может использоваться при отборе инвестиционных проектов предприятия

Border Carbon Adjustment: Implications for Russian Companies and Regions in the Context of the Russia Sanctions (the case of Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works and Chelyabinsk region)

Relevance. There are at least two serious challenges that Russian exporting companies are now facing: first, in 2021, the EU introduced the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), which will come into force in 2026, and, second, since February 2022, many exporters have been subject to the EU sanctions as part of the Russia sanctions regime. There is much uncertainty surrounding the duration of the current sanctions episode as well as the introduction of the carbon tax in the Middle Eastern and Asian countries. Research objective. The study aims to assess potential economic losses resulting from the CBAM introduction and the pressure of sanctions on the Russian exporters of metallurgical products and their home regions. The study focuses on the case of Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) and Chelyabinsk region.Data and methods. Methodologically, the study relies on scenario analysis. Two scenarios are considered: the EU sanctions against Russian steel companies will be lifted after 2024–2025 and the sanctions will not be lifted in the near future. For each scenario, two variations are analyzed and the annual economic losses are calculated both for MMK and for Chelyabinsk region. The data for the study was taken from ММК official reports.Results. If the EU sanctions are lifted in the nearest future, at the initial stages of the carbon tax introduction, the economic consequences for Russian exporters will be insignificant.  In the future, however, carbon regulation can create serious threats to the financial condition of such enterprises even if exports account for a small share of their revenue. If the EU sanctions stay in place, Russian enterprises are likely to search for trade partners in the Middle East and Asia. If the latter introduce a carbon tax, Russian companies can enjoy a competitive edge due to the comparatively low carbon intensity.Conclusions. To ensure Russian steel companies’ competitive edge, it is necessary to stimulate them to reduce their carbon footprint and create a national carbon regulation system. Not only will this measure help to reduce the loss of export income and regional governments’ tax revenues but it will also enable companies to stay competitive and deal more effectively with the sanctions pressure