Phase formation processes and synthesis of solid solutions in Ca-R-Nb-M-O systems

During the study of the phase formation process in Ca-R-Nb-M-O systems (R=La, Bi, M=Mo, W), an attempt was made to obtain single-phase compounds of CaRNbMO8 composition by the standard ceramic technique. In addition, samples based on LaNbO4, CaWO4, BiNbO4 were also synthesized by the standard ceramic technique. The phase composition of the samples was studied by XRD analysis. The electrical conductivity of the obtained solid solutions and potential composite materials was investigated by impedance spectroscopy

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ МИГРАЦИЙ СЕЙСМИЧЕСКОЙ АКТИВНОСТИ С ПОМОЩЬЮ ПОСТРОЕНИЯ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННО-ВРЕМЕННЫХ ДИАГРАММ

Seismicity migration is studied by a new method based on space-time diagrams and a combination of cluster and regression analyses. Data from the global and Baikal regional earthquake catalogues are analysed with the application of the specially designed geographic information system (GIS) in order to establish parameters and mechanisms of seismicity migration in space and time. We study the migration of seismic events in the following geostructural systems: the Baikal rift zone (BRZ), the area between BRZ and the Indo-Eurasian interplate collision zone, the area between BRZ and the West-Pacific seismic foci Benoiff zone, and two segments of the Middle Atlantic ridge.As evidenced by the obtained results, studying regimes of seismic migration provides for analyses of space-time distribution of seismic energy in the fault-block structure of the lithosphere and facilitates more detailed studies of the origin of deformation waves and mechanisms of the seismotectonic regime of the Earth. Forward (from the equator) and backward (towards the equator) migration of seismic events are established in all the regions under study. It is assumed that this phenomenon may result from regular changes of the polar compression of the Earth due to variations of its rotation regime. Besides, it is revealed that energy clusters of migration are regularly generated, and the regularity may be related to the 11-year cycle of the solar activity which impacts the seismic regime. We discuss the need to study the interference of wave deformations in the lithosphere which are initiated by several external energy sources. It is proposed to consider the regimes of planetary seismicity migration as a reflection of redistribution of endogenic (primarily heat) energy of the Earth during the destruction of its lithospheric shell under the impacts of cosmogenic factors via triggering mechansms. With reference to our positive experiences of applying the proposed concept to BRZ, we consider possibilities of using the seismicity migration data for prediction of earthquakes in the planetary and regional scales.Изучение процессов сейсмомиграции проводилось новым методом построения пространственно-временных диаграмм и посредством сочетания кластерного и регрессионного анализа. С помощью разработанной геоинформационной системы (ГИС) и с использованием всемирного и байкальского регионального каталогов землетрясений решались задачи по выяснению параметров и механизмов пространственно-временной миграции сейсмической активности. Сейсмомиграционные явления изучались в следующих геоструктурных системах: в пределах Байкальской рифтовой зоны (БРЗ), между БРЗ и областью Индо-Евразийской межплитной коллизии, между БРЗ и Западно-Тихоокеанской сейсмофокальной зоной Беньофа, а также в двух сегментах Срединно-Атлантического хребта.На основе анализа полученных результатов показано, что изучение режимов сейсмомиграций позволяет анализировать пространственно-временное перераспределение сейсмической энергии в разломно-блоковой структуре литосферы и, соответственно, более углубленно изучать деформационно-волновую природу и механизмы формирования сейсмотектонического режима Земли. Установлено проявление прямых (от экватора) и обратных (к экватору) сейсмомиграций для всех рассмотренных районов. Предполагается, что такое явление может быть объяснено периодическим изменением полярного сжатия Земли за счет вариаций ее ротационного режима. Выявлена также периодичность в режиме генерации энергетических кластеров миграции, что может быть связано с влиянием на сейсмический режим 11-летнего цикла солнечной активности. Обсуждается необходимость изучения интерференции волновых деформаций в литосфере, возбужденных несколькими внешними энергетическими источниками. С этих позиций режимы планетарной сейсмомиграции предлагается рассматривать как отражение перераспределения эндогенной, преимущественно тепловой, энергии нашей планеты в ходе деструкции ее литосферной оболочки под воздействием космогенных факторов через триггерные механизмы. На основе положительного опыта для БРЗ обсуждаются возможности применения полученных сведений о сейсмомиграции для прогноза землетрясений в планетарном и региональном масштабе

Biodigital publics: personal genomes as digital media artifacts

The recent proliferation of personal genomics and direct-to-consumer (DTC) genomics has attracted much attention and publicity. Concern around these developments has mainly focused on issues of biomedical regulation and hinged on questions of how people understand genomic information as biomedical and what meaning they make of it. However, this publicity amplifies genome sequences which are also made as internet texts and, as such, they generate new reading publics. The practices around the generation, circulation and reading of genome scans do not just raise questions about biomedical regulation, they also provide the focus for an exploration of how contemporary public participation in genomics works. These issues around the public features of DTC genomic testing can be pursued through a close examination of the modes of one of the best known providers—23andMe. In fact, genome sequences circulate as digital artefacts and, hence, people are addressed by them. They are read as texts, annotated and written about in browsers, blogs and wikis. This activity also yields content for media coverage which addresses an indefinite public in line with Michael Warner’s conceptualisation of publics. Digital genomic texts promise empowerment, personalisation and community, but this promise may obscure the compliance and proscription associated with these forms. The kinds of interaction here can be compared to those analysed by Andrew Barry. Direct-to-consumer genetics companies are part of a network providing an infrastructure for genomic reading publics and this network can be mapped and examined to demonstrate the ways in which this formation both exacerbates inequalities and offers possibilities for participation in biodigital culture

Self-organization without conservation: Are neuronal avalanches generically critical?

Recent experiments on cortical neural networks have revealed the existence of well-defined avalanches of electrical activity. Such avalanches have been claimed to be generically scale-invariant -- i.e. power-law distributed -- with many exciting implications in Neuroscience. Recently, a self-organized model has been proposed by Levina, Herrmann and Geisel to justify such an empirical finding. Given that (i) neural dynamics is dissipative and (ii) there is a loading mechanism "charging" progressively the background synaptic strength, this model/dynamics is very similar in spirit to forest-fire and earthquake models, archetypical examples of non-conserving self-organization, which have been recently shown to lack true criticality. Here we show that cortical neural networks obeying (i) and (ii) are not generically critical; unless parameters are fine tuned, their dynamics is either sub- or super-critical, even if the pseudo-critical region is relatively broad. This conclusion seems to be in agreement with the most recent experimental observations. The main implication of our work is that, if future experimental research on cortical networks were to support that truly critical avalanches are the norm and not the exception, then one should look for more elaborate (adaptive/evolutionary) explanations, beyond simple self-organization, to account for this.Comment: 28 pages, 11 figures, regular pape

Efficiency management of educational systems development: Approaches and criteria

© 2016, Econjournals. All rights reserved.The relevance of the study is reasoned by the need to assess the ongoing educational reforms’ implementation, to identify effective strategies, models, mechanisms and technologies. The aim of the paper is to determine the expected criteria and obtained results’ efficiency of the systems’ operation in conditions of high variability of external and internal environment. The paper describes the variety of cycles of the educational system on the example of university training that involves the principle of iteration using in educational development’s management. The authors present certain criteria for management of educational development from the standpoint of functional efficiency of the system defining the management contour of development’s efficiency. This paper is intended for researchers and specialists in the field of educational management at all levels

Educational Migration Bridge: From Metaphor to Project

The purpose of the article is to analyze the topical problem of educational migration and ways to solve it. The article identifies factors preventing from successful adaptation and socialization of foreign students in recipient country as legal, pedagogical, psychological, lingvo-communicative are identified. Minimization of negative factors actualized the integrated strategy of educational migration «bridge construction» development aimed at solving tasks of migrants’ integration in Russian labour market, providing them with all-round support in getting education, improving professional qualification, adaptation and socialization. The term «bridge» is metaphorically used as an artificial, virtual «construction» functioning as a means for educational migration support of citizens.The experience of the Orenburg State University in development and realization of the longterm integrated strategy of educational migration «bridge construction» presented within the Strategic Academic Leadership Program «Priority 2030» is studied. Regarding the potential of the University and Orenburg region the ways of educational migration «bridge construction» are determined: introduction of educational migration interactions into mission and policy of the university; development of open university migration interactions network structures; implementation of educational migration interaction based on norms, values and ideals of person’s lingvo-communicative culture. The practical steps for the strategy realization within the project «Educational migration bridge» are described: formation of the united scientific, educational and cultural environment based on mutual activity in international scientific and educational community; arrangement of universities regional consortium for informing applicants from Asian countries, for training and living in universities campuses; establishment of the Faculty of foreign students’ education and digital educational platform ensuring logistics and student educational improvement management; development and realization of module network programs for foreign students; realization of additional educational programs in OSU Linguistic center. The authors analyze the main indicators of the project effectiveness: quantitative and qualitative results of the Faculty of foreign students’ education activity in training Russian and culture; establishment of the Orenburg branch of Foreign Students Association, students’ involvement in various interaction forms and special career guidance events; scientific and methodological support for teachers. Realization of the strategy implies creation in OSU in the nearest future a specific environment including social infrastructure for foreigners

Sceptical Employees as CSR Ambassadors in Times of Financial Uncertainty

This chapter offers new insights into the understanding of internal (employee) perceptions of organizational corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and strategies. This study explores the significance of employees’ involvement and scepticism upon CSR initiatives and focuses on the effects it may have upon word of mouth (WOM) and the development of employee–organisation relationships. Desk research introduces the research questions. Data for the research questions were gathered through a self-completion questionnaire distributed in a hardcopy form to the sample. An individual’s level of scepticism and involvement appears to affect the development of a positive effect on employees’ WOM. Involvement with the domain of the investment may be a central factor affecting relationship building within the organization, and upon generation of positive WOM. The chapter offers a conceptual framework to public relations (PR) and corporate communications practitioners, which may enrich their views and understanding of the use and value of CSR for communication strategies and practices. For-profit organisations are major institutions in today’s society. CSR is proffered as presenting advantages for (at macro level) society and (micro level) the organization and its employees. Concepts, such as involvement and scepticism, which have not been rigorously examined in PR and corporate communication literature, are addressed. By examining employee perceptions, managers and academic researchers gain insights into the acceptance, appreciation and effectiveness of CSR policies and activities upon the employee stakeholder group. This will affect current and future CSR communication strategies. The knowledge acquired from this chapter may be transferable outside the for-profit sector

Federal public administration implementation in vocational education

© 2015, Review of European Studies. All right reserved. The transition to federal public administration in the Russian education system is determined by the legislation and presupposes responsible participation and interaction in education management of all educational agents. In the presented article an analysis has been carried out on the status of one of the federal public administration factors—information transparency of vocational and higher educational institutions. The paper defines the information realm of educational institutions from the perspective of educational services customers; there have been set the priorities for action in the field of transition to federal public administration of educational institutions. This article is written for managers and employees of the education authorities, educational institutions, as well as for all professionals and individuals interested in developing the Russian education system

Inertial Motion of An Evenly Evaporating Drop of Liquid in An Environment with Resistance

В работе моделируется движение по инерции равномерно испаряющейся капли жидкости под действием силы сопротивления, пропорциональной скорости движения капли и ее радиусу. Для постановки задачи приводится обоснование использования дифференциального уравнения, описывающего закон сохранения импульса для материальной точки переменной массы. Проводятся расчеты c использованием пакета Mathcad по полученным в результате решения дифференциального уравнения формулам, и исследуется поведение функции в окрестности точки разрыва.The paper simulates the inertia motion of a uniformly evaporating liquid drop under the action of a drag force proportional to the speed of the drop and its radius. To formulate the problem, the use of a differential equation describing the law of conservation of momentum for a material point of variable mass is justified. Calculations are performed using the Mathcad package based on the formulas obtained as a result of solving the differential equation, and the behavior of the function in the vicinity of the break point is investigated