Communication of COVID-19 consequences in the Baltic States inforsphere

This article seeks to describe the dynamics of COVID-19 in the Baltic States and to analyse the ways of communicating the threat and its consequences. Particular attention is paid to the media strategies pursued in the study area. The research is based on Russian and English texts from the Baltic media, WHO official documents and datasets, as well as initiatives of the Baltic Sea region organisations (2020) counteracting COVID-19. A combination of these sources builds up an objective view of the situation and demonstrates how the pandemic and its consequences are represented in public consciousness given a certain pragmatic goal. The pandemic is a new type of threat; its consequences demonstrate a tendency towards negative synergy and a category shift from soft threats to hard ones. The research shows that several key strategies - counter-active, projective, conservative, mobilising, resilient, and reflective - are used to communicate the threat and its consequences in the media

The mechanism of innovative development of the agricultural sector of the economy: an empirical approach

The innovative model of the agricultural sector of Russia is presented as a set of subjects and institutions whose activities are aimed at implementing innovative processes in the agricultural sector of the economy. Due to the ability to use a wide range of legal, administrative, economic, and other means of influencing the innovation sphere, it is the state that has a central role in the mechanism of innovative development. It is proved that the formation of the mechanism of innovative development of the agricultural sector of the economy should be carried out on the basis of the institutional model of innovative development of the agricultural sector. The mechanism of innovative development of the agricultural sector of the economy, developed in response to the requirements of the institutional model of the introduction of innovative technologies, is proposed. The innovative model is a recognized guideline for the strategic contours of the development of the agricultural sector, makes it possible to construct such a type of interaction of productive forces and the implementation of industrial relations, which carries the foundations of progressivity. The process of formation and optimization of the mechanism of innovative development of the agricultural sector of the economy is proposed to be divided into the following six stages, which allows us to identify potential opportunities for activating the innovative model of the agricultural sector. A methodological approach to the diagnosis of the functioning of the mechanism of innovative development of the economy has been developed, based on the technology of solving complex problems by analyzing hierarchies

Development of mathematical model for assessing social and economic state of region

Information systems that imply using mathematical model and enable estimating and forecasting an effect of various factors on the results of social and economic processes may become an effective instrument of comprehensive assessment of territorial development. The present paper considers the elaboration of a mathematical model intended for assessing a region’s social and economic state. Elaboration of an approach to assessment of the dynamics of territorial development is considered in this work as well. Based on the statistical research, values of a number of economical, social and ecological indicators were obtained, which play a significant part in assessing the state of a region. The authors suggest an approach to defining an optimal development pathway in case when long-term plans are already formulated

The mechanism of innovative development of the agricultural sector of the economy: an empirical approach

The innovative model of the agricultural sector of Russia is presented as a set of subjects and institutions whose activities are aimed at implementing innovative processes in the agricultural sector of the economy. Due to the ability to use a wide range of legal, administrative, economic, and other means of influencing the innovation sphere, it is the state that has a central role in the mechanism of innovative development. It is proved that the formation of the mechanism of innovative development of the agricultural sector of the economy should be carried out on the basis of the institutional model of innovative development of the agricultural sector. The mechanism of innovative development of the agricultural sector of the economy, developed in response to the requirements of the institutional model of the introduction of innovative technologies, is proposed. The innovative model is a recognized guideline for the strategic contours of the development of the agricultural sector, makes it possible to construct such a type of interaction of productive forces and the implementation of industrial relations, which carries the foundations of progressivity. The process of formation and optimization of the mechanism of innovative development of the agricultural sector of the economy is proposed to be divided into the following six stages, which allows us to identify potential opportunities for activating the innovative model of the agricultural sector. A methodological approach to the diagnosis of the functioning of the mechanism of innovative development of the economy has been developed, based on the technology of solving complex problems by analyzing hierarchies

Digitalization of transport services in modern Russia

The purpose of the study is to establish the features of regulation of individual relations in the digital economy. The work uses a systematic approach, methods of comparison, description, interpretation; theoretical methods of formal and dialectical logic; private scientific method: comparative legal. The result of the study was the postulates that such qualifying features of a carsharing agreement as the subject structure and the purpose of the conclusion allow us to conclude that it is necessary to refer it to a rental agreement, a feature of which is the use of a smart contract. However, a smart contract is not only a form of contract, but also a way of fulfilling contractual obligations. Its use gives a carsharing agreement clear advantage over a conventional rental agreement. The program code excludes the possibility of changing its content and violating the contract. Aggregators can participate in transportation relationships in different ways. In cases where the aggregator organizes transportation, forms the terms of the contract of carriage, it must be jointly and severally liable together with the carrier to the passenger. If the aggregator provides only an information service, then he must answer to the customer only for its quality. The novelty of the study lies in the proof that despite the fact that digital technologies are shaping new business strategies and changing the nature of legal relations, these relations are still not properly regulated by domestic legislation

Table_1_Crenigacestat (LY3039478) inhibits osteogenic differentiation of human valve interstitial cells from patients with aortic valve calcification in vitro.XLSX

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is one of the dangerous forms of vascular calcification. CAVD leads to calcification of the aortic valve and disturbance of blood flow. Despite high mortality, there is no targeted therapy against CAVD or vascular calcification. Osteogenic differentiation of valve interstitial cells (VICs) is one of the key factors of CAVD progression and inhibition of this process seems a fruitful target for potential therapy. By our previous study we assumed that inhibitors of Notch pathway might be effective to suppress aortic valve leaflet calcification. We tested CB-103 and crenigacestat (LY3039478), two selective inhibitors of Notch-signaling, for suppression of osteogenic differentiation of VICs isolated from patients with CAVD in vitro. Effect of inhibitors were assessed by the measurement of extracellular matrix calcification and osteogenic gene expression. For effective inhibitor (crenigacestat) we also performed MTT and proteomics study for better understanding of its effect on VICs in vitro. CB-103 did not affect osteogenic differentiation. Crenigacestat completely inhibited osteogenic differentiation (both matrix mineralization and Runx2 expression) in the dosages that had no obvious cytotoxicity. Using proteomics analysis, we found several osteogenic differentiation-related proteins associated with the effect of crenigacestat on VICs differentiation. Taking into account that crenigacestat is FDA approved for clinical trials for anti-tumor therapy, we argue that this drug could be considered as a potential inhibitor of cardiovascular calcification.</p

Data_Sheet_1_Crenigacestat (LY3039478) inhibits osteogenic differentiation of human valve interstitial cells from patients with aortic valve calcification in vitro.PDF

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is one of the dangerous forms of vascular calcification. CAVD leads to calcification of the aortic valve and disturbance of blood flow. Despite high mortality, there is no targeted therapy against CAVD or vascular calcification. Osteogenic differentiation of valve interstitial cells (VICs) is one of the key factors of CAVD progression and inhibition of this process seems a fruitful target for potential therapy. By our previous study we assumed that inhibitors of Notch pathway might be effective to suppress aortic valve leaflet calcification. We tested CB-103 and crenigacestat (LY3039478), two selective inhibitors of Notch-signaling, for suppression of osteogenic differentiation of VICs isolated from patients with CAVD in vitro. Effect of inhibitors were assessed by the measurement of extracellular matrix calcification and osteogenic gene expression. For effective inhibitor (crenigacestat) we also performed MTT and proteomics study for better understanding of its effect on VICs in vitro. CB-103 did not affect osteogenic differentiation. Crenigacestat completely inhibited osteogenic differentiation (both matrix mineralization and Runx2 expression) in the dosages that had no obvious cytotoxicity. Using proteomics analysis, we found several osteogenic differentiation-related proteins associated with the effect of crenigacestat on VICs differentiation. Taking into account that crenigacestat is FDA approved for clinical trials for anti-tumor therapy, we argue that this drug could be considered as a potential inhibitor of cardiovascular calcification.</p