Running around the vicious circle: Cold War images in the contemporary Russian and American print media

The article was submitted on 09.03.2016.Статья посвящена сравнительно-стилистическому анализу политического нарратива России и США времен холодной войны 1950–1980 гг. и 2015 г. В качестве методологии исследования выбрана когнитивная теория нарративного анализа. Политический нарратив понимается как единый сюжет, объединяющий множество публицистических материалов на протяжении определенного исторического периода и отражающий государственную идеологию с условным названием, постоянными персонажами, выполняющими положительные либо отрицательные роли, вербально представленный повторяющимися лексическими единицами, стилистическими и манипулятивными приемами. Установлено, что советский нарратив времен холодной войны имел четко прописанных отрицательных героев-капиталистов, роль их жертв принадлежала простым жителям капиталистических стран; положительными героями-спасителями выступали коммунисты. Он характеризовался определенными специфическими чертами: формирование четкой оппозиции «свой – чужой»; выборочное освещение происходящих во «враждебной» стране событий, тенденция к исключению всего положительного; однобокое, предвзятое, сильно ангажированное представление политических, экономических и культурных событий (высвечивание положительного в нашей стране, преувеличение резко отрицательного в западных странах); эмоциональная наполненность образа «чужого» благодаря соответствующим языковым и неязыковым средствам; формирование стойкого отрицательного образа «чужого» за счет использования изначально ложных причинно-следственных связей (инсинуаций, ложных пресуппозиций, провокаций); рефрейминг когнитивных представлений о событиях в мире, когда одно и то же событие трактуется по-разному в силу существующей идеологии; объявление собственных ценностей моральными, а ценностей «чужого» безнравственными. Российский политический нарратив последних лет поддерживает сценарий под условным названием «А нам все равно – мы не боимся “санкционных смотрителей”», в роли которых выступают президент США и лидеры ведущих западных стран – «безвольные марионетки, безвластные руководители своих государств». Сценарий же нарратива англоязычной западной прессы: Путин / Россия ведет агрессивные действия, враждебен США, является источником военных конфликтов, неуступчив, непредсказуем. США на словах отстаивают демократичные ценности, стремятся к деэскалации вооруженных противостояний, опасаются непредсказуемости дикой России / Путина. В российском нарративе преобладают приемы иронии, сарказма, прямых насмешек и использования обсценной лексики в адрес оппонентов; в англоязычном нарративе доминирует прием запугивания, когда «враг» номинируется агрессором, непредсказуемым варваром.The article presents a comparative stylistic analysis of the political narrative of Russia and the United States during two historical periods: the Cold War (1950–1980) and the year 2015. The authors choose the cognitive theory of narrative analysis as their research methodology. Political narrative is understood as a single story uniting multiple journalistic materials over a certain historical period of up to several decades, reflecting the state ideology with an arbitrary name, permanent positive or negative characters, and verbally presented via recurrent lexical units, stylistic and manipulation techniques. It is established that the Soviet narrative of the Cold War period had clearly defined villains – capitalists, while the role of victims belonged to ordinary citizens of the capitalist countries, and Communists were their saviors. The following specific features characterized the narrative: the formation of a clear opposition “us – them”; selective coverage of events occurring in the “hostile” countries, a tendency to the exclusion of anything positive; a one-sided, strongly biased view of the political, economic and cultural events (promoting the positive sides in this country and greatly exaggerating the negative ones in Western countries); an emotionally loaded image of “them” created by employing appropriate linguistic and non-linguistic means; the formation of a persistent negative image of “them” by the use of initially false causality (innuendo, false presuppositions, provocation); reframing cognitive representations of world events, when the same event is interpreted differently in different countries by the virtue of the existing ideology; declaration of one’s own values as moral, and “their” values as immoral. The Russian political narrative of last year supports a script called “We don’t care – we are not afraid of ‘the sanction masters’”, that is, the US President and leaders of European countries – “puppets, powerless heads of their states”. The scenario of the narrative, which is now being created in the English-language media concerning relations with Russia, is that Putin/Russia is aggressive, hostile to the United States; it is a source of military conflicts, uncompromising and unpredictable. The US defends democratic values, seeks de-escalation of the existing armed confrontations, and fears the wild unpredictability of Putin/Russia. The Russian narrative is dominated by the methods of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, and direct use of obscene language against its opponents; in the English narrative intimidation dominates, when the notion of “them” is referred to as an aggressor and unpredictable barbarian

A nonperturbative model for the strong running coupling within potential approach

A nonperturbative model for the QCD invariant charge, which contains no low-energy unphysical singularities and possesses an elevated higher loop corrections stability, is developed in the framework of potential approach. The static quark-antiquark potential is constructed by making use of the proposed model for the strong running coupling. The obtained result coincides with the perturbative potential at small distances and agrees with relevant lattice simulation data in the nonperturbative physically-relevant region. The developed model yields a reasonable value of the QCD scale parameter, which is consistent with its previous estimations obtained within potential approach.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

INFORMATION CULTURE AND INFORMATION SAFETY OF SCHOOLCHILDREN

Introduction. The article is devoted to the problem of interaction between schoolchildren and possible informational risks transmitted on the Internet. Considering the lack of external filters on the way of harmful information streams, it is actually necessary to develop information culture of schoolchildren, their abilities to sensibly and critically interpret the information on the Internet, and choice of adequate behaviour models surfing the Web. The aim of the present research is to analyze the state of informational safety of schoolchildren while using the Internet; gaining an understanding of the role of external restrictions and opportunities of intrapersonal filtration of the harmful Internet content depending on children age. Methodology and research methods. The methodology of the research is based on modern methods aimed to consider the problem of personal socialization in modern information society. Thus, the Internet Initiatives Development Fund (IIDF) questionnaire let the authors define the level of awareness of recipients on the problem under consideration. Results and scientific novelty. The theoretical analysis helped the authors predict the correlation of basic methods in order to guarantee personal safety of schoolchildren taking into account the process of maturity as well as the decrease of external filters that may stop harmful content. Empirical part of the research has enabled to reveal decrease in external control of staying of a child in network in the process of growing up against the background of restrictive attitudes prevalence among teachers and parents. Therefore, the research supposed to improve information culture of schoolchildren from the earliest ages encouraging them to sensibly and correctly interpret the information on the Internet. Practical significance. The practical recommendations to parents and teachers in order to improve informational personal safety of schoolchildren are proposed. The relevancy of information and communication competence increase among teachers and parents is emphasized. Введение. Статья посвящена проблеме противостояния информационным рискам, транслируемым через сеть Интернет. В ситуации отсутствия внешних преград на пути вредоносных информационных потоков актуализируется необходимость формирования информационной культуры школьников; их способности осмысленного восприятия и критической оценки информации, почерпнутой в сети; выбора адекватных поведенческих моделей во время выхода в интернет-пространство. Цель предлагаемого вниманию исследования – изучение состояния информационной безопасности школьников, выяснение роли внешних ограничений и возможностей внутриличностной фильтрации вредоносного интернет-контента в зависимости от возраста детей. Методология и методики. Методология исследования базируется на современных подходах к проблеме социализации личности. Для определения степени осведомленности учащихся, их родителей и педагогов в области информационной безопасности использовался адаптированный вариант опросника Фонда развития Интернет. Результаты и научная новизна. Теоретический анализ позволил установить соотношение основных – запретительно-ограничительного и личностно-развивающего – подходов к обеспечению информационной безопасности школьников с учетом закономерностей их взросления. Эмпирическая часть исследования показала снижение внешнего контроля пребывания ребенка в сети по мере его взросления на фоне преобладания ограничительных установок у педагогов и родителей. В связи с объективными причинами ослабления внешних ограничительных фильтров на пути вредоносного контента по мере расширения социальной активности развивающейся личности обоснована необходимость личностно-развивающего подхода к формированию информационной культуры детей начиная с раннего возраста. Практическая значимость. Сформулированы рекомендации по реализации мер информационной безопасности школьников на разных ступенях обучения. Подчеркнута необходимость повышения информационно-коммуникационной компетентности педагогов и родителей учащихся.

Abundance analysis of two late A-type stars HD 32115 and HD 37594

We have performed abundance analysis of two slowly rotating, late A-type stars, HD 32115 (HR 1613) and HD 37594 (HR 1940), based on obtained echelle spectra covering the spectral range 4000-9850 AAngstrom. These spectra allowed us to identify an extensive line list for 31 chemical elements, the most complete to date for A-type stars. Two approaches to abundance analysis were used, namely a ``manual'' (interactive) and a semi-automatic procedure for comparison of synthetic and observed spectra and equivalent widths. For some elements non-LTE (NLTE) calculations were carried out and the corresponding corrections have been applied. The abundance pattern of HD 32115 was found to be very close to the solar abundance pattern, and thus may be used as an abundance standard for chemical composition studies in middle and late A stars. Further, its H-alpha line profile shows no core-to-wing anomaly like that found for cool Ap stars and therefore also may be used as a standard in comparative studies of the atmospheric structures of cool, slowly rotating Ap stars. HD 37594 shows a metal deficiency at the level of -0.3 dex for most elements and triangle-like cores of spectral lines. This star most probably belongs to the Delta Scuti group.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

1,3-Disubstituted p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes as cholinesterase inhibitors

The inhibitory effect of 1,3-substituted p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes on butyrylcholinesterase from horse serum has been discovered and kinetically investigated with photometric microassay techniques. The interaction of calix[4]arene with the enzyme is described in accordance with the formal kinetics of competitive reversible inhibition. The inhibition constants calculated depend on the substituent in the lower rim of the calix[4]arene and vary in the range of (5-110) × 10-6 M. The proposed mechanism of inhibition involves the cooperative interaction of indophenyl acetate used as a substrate, calix[4]arene and the enzyme without any covalent or electrostatic binding of the functional groups in the active site of cholinesterase. This results in the coordination of the calixarene on the enzyme surface in the proximity of the enzyme active site. Such interaction prevents the substrate from entering the enzyme active site

Selection of a SARS-CoV-2 antibody quantification method and development of an antibody reference standard for ELISA to test immunoglobulin preparations

The development of COVID-globulin, a COVID-19-specific human immunoglobulin preparation, involved choosing a method to quantify antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Antibody titre determination by virus neutralisation (VN) is labour-intensive and unsuitable for large-scale application. To enable routine testing, it was necessary to develop a less demanding method; the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was the most appropriate of solutions. The lack of international and industry reference standards (RS) prompted the preparation and certification of an RS for COVID-globulin potency control.The aim of the study was to examine the possibility of substituting ELISA for VN and to develop an RS for SARS-CoV-2 antibody quantification in immunoglobulin preparations.Materials and methods: the authors used commercial ELISA kits by several manufacturers, COVID-globulin by Microgen (48 batches), and human plasma samples from multiple sources (1499 samples). The tests were performed by VN, ELISA, and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.Results: the authors validated an ELISA method for SARS-CoV-2 antibody quantification with the selected reagent kits by the National Medical Research Center for Hematology (NMRC for Hematology) and Euroimmun AG. The authors demonstrated the possibility of using ELISA instead of VN (with a correlation coefficient of more than 0.9). They developed and characterised an in-house RS for SARS-CoV-2 antibody content in human immunoglobulin preparations. The RS was certified in newly introduced anti-COVID units (ACU) and in international binding antibody units (BAU) using the World Health Organisation (WHO) international reference panel (NIBSC code: 20/268). The RS's potency was measured in terms of its neutralising activity in ACU (320 ACU/mL) and BAU (2234.8 BAU/mL). The authors established the relationship between ACU and BAU units. For the selected ELISA reagent kits, the conversion factors were 6.4 (NMRC for Hematology) and 7.0 (Euroimmun AG).Conclusions: the ELISA method for SARS-CoV-2 antibody quantification and the RS for SARS-CoV-2 antibody content can be applied to determine the potency of human anti-COVID-19 immunoglobulins

Discrimination of apple juice and herbal liqueur brands with solid-state electrodes covered with polyaniline and thiacalixarenes

Solid-contact ion-selective electrodes based on glassy carbon electrode covered with electropolymerized polyaniline and tetrasubstituted thiacalix[4]arene ionophores with hexyl and o-pyridylamido functional groups at the lower rim have been developed and examined in the discrimination of the brands of apple juices and herbal liqueurs. For this purpose, the liquids tested were diluted and spiked with a constant amount of Fe3+ ions. The variation of the signal toward Fe3+ ions was achieved due to their involvement in the reactions with the organic ligands and the antioxidants present. As was shown, the combination of the three electrodes with various receptors makes it possible to predict the brand of apple juices and herbal liqueurs using linear discriminant analysis in 95-100% cases. The discrimination procedure makes it possible to discriminate liquids within 20 min. Besides, the electrodes developed make it possible to detect individual antioxidants (ascorbic, malic, oxalic acids, hydroquinone, and quercetin) in the range from 5.0 × 10-6 to 1.0 × 10-2 M in direct potentiometric measurements and redox titration. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ ПО ОПТИМИЗАЦИИ СИСТЕМЫ ОКАЗАНИЯ ХИРУРГИЧЕСКОЙ СТОМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ПОМОЩИ ПАЦИЕНТАМ С ВИЧ-ИНФЕКЦИЕЙ. АНАЛИТИЧЕСКИЙ ОБЗОР ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ

The article presents an analysis of the Russian and foreign specialized literature on the problem of dental rehabilitation of patients with HIV infection. It has been revealed that the structure and prevalence of dental surgical pathology in HIV infection has not been studied to date, the indices of the need for treatment of diseases of the dental profile have not been determined. Unsatisfactory access to qualified dental care has been identified, including due to discrimination and stigmatization by health professionals regarding both the disease itself and patients with HIV infection. The urgency of improving the system of rendering surgical dental care to HIV-infected with the aim of ensuring the maximum achievable level of health is substantiated. The data of the presented analytical review represent an important theoretical basis for the development of new tactical approaches to the implementation of the strategic direction of dental implant treatment of people living with HIV to expand access to this medical service.В статье представлен анализ данных отечественной и зарубежной специальной литературы по проблеме стоматологической реабилитации пациентов с ВИЧинфекцией. Выявлено, что до настоящего времени не изучена структура и распространённость стоматологической хирургической патологии при ВИЧ-инфекции, не определены показатели нуждаемости в лечении заболеваний стоматологического профиля. Выявлен неудовлетворительный доступ к квалифицированной стоматологической помощи, в том числе из-за дискриминации и стигматизации со стороны медицинских работников в отношении как самого заболевания, так и больных ВИЧ-инфекцией. Обоснована актуальность совершенствования системы оказания хирургической стоматологической помощи ВИЧ-инфицированным с целью обеспечения максимально достижимого уровня здоровья. Данные этого аналитического обзора представляют важную теоретическую основу для разработки новых тактических подходов к реализации стратегического направления стоматологического имплантологического лечения людей, живущих с ВИЧ, для расширения доступа к данной медицинской услуге

Оценка качества тресты при раздельной технологии уборки льна-долгунца

The paper explores the technological aspects and methods involved in the preparation of flax straw within the framework of separate fiber flax harvesting technology. This particular technology allows for the prolonged maturation of seeds in the field. The study demonstrates that during the process of seasoning flax straw in the form of unprocessed stem ribbons, the seeds within the capsules undergo natural drying and ripening. This approach enables a reduction in fuel consumption compared to the traditional scheme while obtaining high-quality fiber and seeds suitable for sowing. (Research purpose) The objective of this study is to assess the quality of raw flax during the stage of straw flax preparation. (Materials and methods) The study investigates the processes and technical units involved in fiber flax harvesting, adhering to regulatory guidelines during the stages of stem pulling, seasoning, turning, picking, and processing are thoroughly examined. (Results and discussion) The research results have revealed the indicators for biological productivity of straw and seeds during the process of straw flax preparation. Under different seeding rates, the yield of straw flax ranges from 23.1 to 24.8 centners per hectare during a 14-day seasoning period and from 20.8 to 22.2 centners per hectare on the 21st day. These findings demonstrate that the average yield under various harvesting conditions is 20-30 centners per hectare. The flaxseed yield, ranging from 2.9 to 4.1 centners per hectare at different maturation periods, can be considered satisfactory. Furthermore, it was observed that the elongation of the flax ribbon increases after turning, compared to its initial state, when the combine speed is 5.3 and 7.8 kilometers per hour, remaining within the acceptable limits. However, at a speed of 9.6 kilometers per hour, there was a violation of agrotechnical requirements. (Conclusions) The separate harvesting of flax has proven to be effective during a three-week period of raw flax seasoning. It is important to note that when turning unprocessed flax ribbons, the working speed should not exceed 9 kilometers per hour.Рассмотрели технологические аспекты и приемы приготовления льняной тресты при раздельном способе уборки льна-долгунца. Данная технология позволяет продлить созревание семян на корню. Показали, что за время вылежки льносоломы в виде лент неочесанных стеблей семена в коробочках подсыхают и дозревают естественным образом. Это позволяет снизить расход топливных ресурсов в сравнении с традиционной схемой, получить качественное волокно и пригодные для посева семена. (Цель исследования) Оценить качество льносырья на этапе приготовления тресты. (Материалы и методы) Изучили процессы и технические средства при уборке льна-долгунца в соответствии с нормативной документацией на этапах выдергивания, вылежки, оборачивания, подбора и очесывания стеблей. (Результаты и обсуждение) Определены показатели биологической урожайности тресты и семян в процессе приготовления льнотресты. При различной норме высева семян урожайность тресты достигала 23,1-24,8 центнера на 1 гектар и сроке вылежки 14 дней, а также 20,8-22,2 центнера на 1 гектар на 21-й день. Согласно исследованиям средняя урожайность при различных условиях уборки составляет 20-30 центнеров с 1 гектара. Урожайность льносемян от 2,9 до 4,1 центнера с 1 гектара при разных сроках вылежки можно считать вполне допустимой. Растянутость ленты после оборачивания возрастала по сравнению с исходной при скорости комбайна 5,3 и 7,8 километра в 1 час, не превышая допустимого значения. При скорости 9,6 километра в 1 час агротехнические требования нарушались. (Выводы) Раздельная уборка льна эффективна при вылежке льносырья в течение трех недель. При оборачивании неочесанных лент рабочая скорость не должна превышать 9 километров в 1 час

Assessment of serological tests for antibodies to different antigens of the SARS-CoV-2 virus: comparison of six immunoassays

The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has become a global challenge to medicine and, in particular, laboratory diagnostics. The study of the antibodies’ level to SARS-CoV-2 can be used as a confirmation test in the diagnosis of a disease, but it becomes of paramount importance in assessing population immunity resulting from a disease or vaccination, as well as in selection of convalescent plasma donors. The kits developed in our country and abroad for detecting antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus differ both in the methods of testing and in the used coronavirus antigens to which the antibodies are directed. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of five kits for the detection of IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, based on different diagnostic methods. Serum samples from 137 COVID-19 convalescents and 166 donors of blood and its components were examined. The control group consisted of 50 blood sera collected at the beginning of 2019 and 19 sera collected in 2018 (before the advent of the SARS-CoV-2 virus) and stored at -70 °C. Testing was carried out in analytical systems: rapid test “COVID-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test (Colloidal Gold)” (China), on an automatic immunochemical analyzer Abbott Architect™ i2000 and kit “SARS-CoV2-IgG” (Abbot, Chicago , IL USA), by the chemiluminescence method using an automatic analyzer of the CL series and kits of the “Mindray” company (China) “SARS-CoV-2 IgM” and “SARS-CoV-2 IgG” and by the enzyme immunoassay method on the kits of the companies “Diagnostic Systems” Ltd (Russia, Nizhny Novgorod) “DS-IFA-ANTI-SARS-CoV-2-G”, “Xema” Ltd (Federal State Budgetary Institution “National Medical Research Center of Hematology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia) “SARS-CoV-2-IgG-IFA” and “Vector-Best” CJSC (Russia, Novosibirsk)” SARS-COV-2-IgM-IFA-BEST” and “SARS-COV-2-IgG-IFABEST”. When comparing the results of testing 137 plasma samples on the Vector-Best and Mindray kits for IgG antibodies, 127 samples were positive, 7 samples were negative on both kits, the discrepancy was 2.2%. In the study of IgM antibodies, 32.1% were positive, and 52.6% were negative in both kits. The discrepancy rate was 15.3%. Out of 166 samples, 1 serum (0.6%) was negative in 5 kits. On the Mindray kit, IgG antibodies to the antigens of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were detected in 165 samples (99.4%), on Vector-Best – in 164 sera (98.8%), on Diagnostic systems – in 151 (90.96%), on Xema – in 154 (92.8%), and on Abbott – in 155 samples (93.4%). At the same time, 135 (81.33%) samples were positive in all kits, while 30 samples had discordant results (18.07%), and in 9 sera, specific IgG was not detected in 2 or more kits. ROC analysis revealed a high diagnostic value of all tested kits (AUC from 0.908 to 0.998), which indicates a high quality of the separation model of positive and negative samples (p < 0.001). With the cut-off set by the manufacturers, the sensitivity and specificity ranged from 82.8% and 93.3% for the Diagnostic Systems kit to 99.4% and 95.8% for the VectorBest kit. The calculated correlation coefficients were higher between kits with a similar composition of the antigen used in the kits; therefore, it is better to monitor the dynamics of antibodies by diagnostic kits from the same manufacturer