Numerical processes and mathematical anxiety in UK and Russian University students.

Mathematical anxiety (MA) has been shown to be related to poor performance in mathematics exams, as well as to avoidance of mathematical subjects in higher education and mathematics-related careers choices, even among students of high potential. This study investigated the relationship of MA and a number of mathematically relevant cognitive traits in UK and Russian University students. The cognitive traits included number sense, spatial ability, IQ, aptitude for mathematics and knowledge of numerical vocabulary. No sex differences in levels of MA were observed. The levels of MA were also similar in the two countries. No correlations were found between MA and mathematically relevant cognitive traits. A relationship between IQ and MA was found in the Russian participant

Understanding the genetic complexity of puberty timing across the allele frequency spectrum

Pubertal timing varies considerably and is associated with later health outcomes. We performed multi-ancestry genetic analyses on ~800,000 women, identifying 1,080 signals for age at menarche. Collectively, these explained 11% of trait variance in an independent sample. Women at the top and bottom 1% of polygenic risk exhibited ~11 and ~14-fold higher risks of delayed and precocious puberty, respectively. We identified several genes harboring rare loss-of-function variants in ~200,000 women, including variants in ZNF483, which abolished the impact of polygenic risk. Variant-to-gene mapping approaches and mouse gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron RNA sequencing implicated 665 genes, including an uncharacterized G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR83, which amplified the signaling of MC3R, a key nutritional sensor. Shared signals with menopause timing at genes involved in DNA damage response suggest that the ovarian reserve might signal centrally to trigger puberty. We also highlight body size-dependent and independent mechanisms that potentially link reproductive timing to later life disease

США И ТАЙВАНЬ: ИСТОРИЯ И СОВРЕМЕННОСТЬ

The article examines the current state of interaction between the United States and Taiwan. The emphasis is made on the historical aspect of relations. The author draws a conclusion about the form in which the United States acted in the conflict between mainland China and the island part. The article provides information not only about diplomatic and economic assistance, but also about the direct military participation of the United States during crises between China and Taiwan. The effectiveness of the agreements of that period is evaluated, as well as their efficiency in case of aggravation of relations and transition of the conflict to an active military stage. Taking into consideration the historical research, the author concludes about the reasons for the support of by the United States, but at the same time preventing the possibility of recognizing the territory as sovereign. The study of the conflict of the "two Chinas" allows to find out the degree of US intervention in the region.В статье рассматривается нынешнее состояние взаимодействий между США и Тайванем. Сделан акцент на исторический аспект отношений. Автор делает вывод о том, в какой форме США выступали в конфликте между материковым Китаем и островной частью. Речь идет не только о дипломатической и экономической помощи, а также о непосредственном военном участии США в кризисах между КНР и Тайванем. Оценивается эффективность договоренностей того периода, а также их действенность в случае обострения отношений и переходе конфликта в затяжную активную военную стадию. Основываясь на историческом исследовании, автор делает вывод о причинах поддержки взаимоотношений с Тайванем со стороны США, но при этом недопущения возможности признать территорию суверенной. Изучение конфликта «двух Китаев» позволяет выяснить степень вмешательства США в регион

ТАЙВАНЬ И КОСОВО КАК КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНЫЕ МОДЕЛИ ЧАСТИЧНО ПРИЗНАННОЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОСТИ

The article is devoted to Taiwan and Kosovo secession models manifestation. The former one is based on the concept of stateness , defined as the ability of state central authority to independently provide effective governance, assure sustainable economic development and guarantee acceptable protection against external threats. At the same time, Taiwan is characterized by shrinking diplomatic recognition, which is explained both by tough stance of the PRC, denying any third party's opportunity to maintain official ties with both sides of the Taiwan Straits, and by the recent successes of China's economic diplomacy and soft power resources. The renegade island's pro-independent politicians are already conducting a strategy of action in the event of its zero diplomatic recognition, which primarily suggests its more active participation in multilateral international organizations. The second model is based on traditional ideas about statehood , which is inter alia related to the polity recognition by international community and other sovereign states. To date, state status of Kosovo in a relatively short historical period has been recognized by the majority of nations and many international organizations. Former autonomous region of Yugoslavia's declaration of independence was preceded by an acute armed conflict, which caused increasing attention to the case from world powers and leading international organizations, primarily the UN. The authors conclude that both polities seek to increase the level of participation in various international organizations, global or regional, universal or specific, considering the latter as a source of supplementary international legitimacy. The article examines various factors of the separation of the two territories, including historical, ethnic, ethnopolitical, third parties' involvement, as well as international organizations' interests in the case. The authors raise the issue of the political and economic positions of Taiwan and Kosovo in the modern world. The following variables: level of recognition by other nations, volume of GDP, foreign direct investment in Taiwan and Kosovo, and unemployment rate are analyzed in detail. The study made it possible to derive the main characteristics inherent in the above models.Статья посвящена разработке двух моделей сецес сии: тайваньской и косовской. Первая основана на государственной состоятельности (stateness), понимаемой как способность централь ной власти самостоятельно обеспечить эффективное управление, способствовать экономическому развитию и гарантировать прием лемую защиту от внешних угроз. Вместе с тем, для Тайваня харак терно сужение пространства дипломатического признания, что объясняется как жесткой позицией КНР, отрицающей любую воз можность поддерживать официальные связи с обоими берегами Тайваньского пролива, так и успехами экономической дипломатии и ресурсов мягкой силы Китая в последнее время. Сторонники не зависимости острова уже разрабатывают стратегию действий в слу чае полной нуллификации его дипломатических признаний, преду сматривающую, прежде всего активизацию участия в деятельности многосторонних международных организаций. Вторая модель ос нована на традиционных представлениях о государственном статусе (statehood), связанном в том числе со степенью признания политии со стороны международного сообщества и других государств. Госу дарственный статус Косово в относительно короткие исторические сроки получил признание со стороны большинства стран мира и многих международных организаций. Провозглашению независи мости бывшего автономного края Югославии предшествовал ост рый вооруженный кризис, что обусловило повышенное внимание со стороны мировых держав и ведущих международных организаций, прежде всего ООН. Авторы приходят к выводу, что обе политии стремятся повысить уровень участия в различных региональных и отраслевых международных организациях, рассматривая последние в качестве источника дополнительной международной легитимности. В статье исследуются различные факторы отделения двух территорий, включая исторические, этнические, этнополитические, участие в конфликтах третьих сил, а также интерес международных организаций к данным событиям. Авторы поднимают вопрос о политических и экономических позициях Тайваня и Косово в современном мире. Детально анализируются такие переменные как уровень признание со стороны стран мира, объем ВВП, прямых иностранных инвестиций в экономику Тайваня и Косово, уровень безработицы. Проведенное исследование позволило вывести основные характеристики, присущие вышеописанным моделям

On physical applications of one- and two-dimensional topological objects with fractal dimension

In this paper, the heat transfer coefficient of a body with a fractal surface having the fractal dimension connecting with the fractal dimension of some body, as well as the resistance to a current of fluids flowing normal to such body is shown. It is noted that with an end flow of such flat bodies, by virtue of their fractal perimeter the side resistive force will have the fractal dimension and contribute significantly to the total resistive force acting on any similar structure. It was calculated the dependence of the resistance force of the Reynolds number and was given its graphic illustration. It is noted that the result can be used in medicine in the diagnosis of eye diseases, as well as in marine applications.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Diplomacy methods of the zhango period (on the example of the activities of Su Qin and Zhang Yi)

The article is devoted to the development of the diplomacy of Ancient China during the Warring States (Zhanguo). The material of the study were texts in Chinese, as well as works in Russian and Chinese. The article notes the growing role of the personality of the ambassador, diplomat. Particular attention is paid to the activities of two famous diplomats and strategists of the time, Su Qin and Zhang Yi. Su Qin is considered the founder of the idea of uniting the six kingdoms (Wei, Chu, Han, Qi, Zhao, Yan) into the anti-Qin alliance “vertically” (“hezong”) The merit of Zhang Yi is to create a pro-Qin alliance “horizontally” (“lianheng”) with the same kingdoms: Wei, Chu, Qi, Han, Zhao, Yan. The article provides a comparative analysis of the diplomatic activities of strategists Su Qin and Zhang I. The novelty of the study is that the activities of famous diplomats are examined through their use of “stratagems”. © 2021, Rossiiskaya Akademiya Nauk, Institut Istorii (Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of General Hist. All rights reserved

Respiratory outcomes of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in children, adolescents and adults

Prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), which is a complication of the neonatal respiratory distress-syndrome and respiratory thera-py in neonates, are currently considered as possible risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Persisting reduction in the lung size in prematurely born children and pathological lesion typical for BPD can lead to ventilation disorders and clinical signs of chronic respiratory failure and / or bronchial obstruction in the children, adolescents and adults. Clinical, functional and morphological consequences of prematurity and BPD in preschool and school-aged children, adolescents and adults are discussed in this review considering the authors' experience and the published data. The lung function abnormalities persist for lifetime. The lung tissue structural lesions, such as emphysema, fibrosis, the bronchial wall thickening, could be found on computed tomography. Therefore, patients with the history of BPD should be treated as risk group for early development of COPD

Question about the Clinical Characteristics of Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever

Background. The research was organized in order to analyze features of the main clinical symptoms in patients with Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF). Materials and methods. In furtherance of this goal 37 patients with the diagnosis of moderate CHF were exa­mined; they were treated at BPHF Nichoga Regional Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases during 2005–2016. Results. The main complaints were general weakness (100 %), diffuse headache (91 %), loss of appetite (76 %), arthralgias (80 %), giddiness (32 %), nausea (52 %), vomiting (46 %), myalgia (65 %) and arthralgia (78 %). Hemorrhagic syndrome manifested with petechial rash (79 %), post-injection (32.2 %) and traumatic (7.5 %) hematomas, blee­ding gums (52.3 %). Among cavity bleedings the examined patients had nasal (14.3 %), gastrointestinal (15.7 %), and microhematuria (18.3 %). There was no impairment of respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In 78 % of cases the symptoms of CNS dysfunction like retardation, bradyphrasia, rapid debilitating symptom and in several cases (8.1 %) a sleep disorder were noted. Conclusions. Thus, the clinical picture of the main symptoms of CHF testifies the existence of HS as a main pathogenetic factor of illness which influences the disease course and finally defines the forecast of the disease