On the localization of discontinuities of the first kind for a function of bounded variation

Methods of the localization (detection of positions) of discontinuities of the first kind for a univariate function of bounded variation are constructed and investigated. Instead of an exact function, its approximation in L2(-∞,+∞) and the error level are known. We divide the discontinuities into two sets, one of which contains discontinuities with the absolute value of the jump greater than some positive Δmin; the other set contains discontinuities satisfying a smallness condition for the value of the jump. It is required to find the number of discontinuities in the former set and localize them using the approximately given function and the error level. Since the problem is ill-posed, regularizing algorithms should be used for its solution. Under additional conditions on the exact function, we construct regular methods for the localization of discontinuities and obtain estimates for the accuracy of localization and for the separability threshold, which is another important characteristic of the method. The (order) optimality of the constructed methods on the classes of functions with singularities is established. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

SERUM ANTIBODIES AGAINST SOME VIRUSES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS

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Leadership potential of professional teacher associations in Russia: Formation of middle leaders

This research study is aimed at investigating distributed leadership practices in the Russian school system, of which professional teacher associations (PTA) constitute a distinct feature. In particular, we set out to investigate the PTA leadership potential, as well as the role and specific personal characteristics of middle leaders in the Russian school education system. These associations are formed by the school administration on the basis of subject areas, bringing together teachers of maths, history, etc. Teachers join PTAs on a voluntarily basis. The key function of such organisations consists in the implementation of innovative educational approaches and techniques. In order to analyse their leadership potential, we carried out a sociological survey among the employees of high-profile secondary schools (gymnasiums and lyceums) situated in the major Russian city of Ekaterinburg. The research methodology comprised structured interviews with 110 respondents, along with in-depth interviews with 2 school directors, 4 school deputy directors and 6 heads of professional teacher associations. Our results show that the fundamentals and principles of distributed leadership are actively implemented in Ekaterinburg schools. The school administrations encourage the creation of professional teacher associations grouped around subject areas, delegating to these structural units the functions of improving the quality of teaching the respective subjects and disseminating educational innovations, at the same time as fulfilling the requirements of the state and regional education authorities. Such associations are headed by middle leaders, who are nominated by their colleagues and whose candidacy is approved by school seniors, taking into account their professional achievements, experience of leading pedagogical innovations and the presence of the right personal qualities necessary for productive collaborative work. These people perform the role of mediators, operating at the interface between various levels within the school. Although viewed as a school’s personnel reserve for the positions of principals and head teachers, our respondents consider themselves to be ‘more teachers’ or ‘innovators in education’ than administrators. The development of the leadership qualities of such professionals in the Russian school system is shown to be hindered by a ‘glass ceiling’ – a certain limit in their career growth. This discouraging factor results in some middle school leaders searching for professional self-realization opportunities outside the school system, in the spheres of business, science or culture that are believed to provide more opportunities for self-advancement. © 2019 National Research University Higher School of Economics. All rights reserved

Influence of ripening in mother solution on characteristics of magnesium-substituted calcium phosphate powders

Effect of ripening in the mother liquor on the degree of crystallinity and dispersity of mixed powders of calcium and magnesium phosphates is studied as a function of magnesium content with the elemental composition such that (Ca + Mg)/P = 2. Ripening is found to have a positive effect on crystallinity of the apatite phase of powders. Nanocrystals with lowered tendency to aggregation are formed during the ripening period, which affords the powders with specific surface area as high as 80 m2/g. The morphology of the constituent particles depends on the magnesium content. Crystallization processes are essentially completed by the 21st day of ripenin

Citizens' role in formation of urban environment design

The article considers citizens as a subject of forming the urban environment design. In the conditions of the city multi-functionality as a territorial entity, new requirements on the creation of urban spaces are imposed. The urban environment should meet the diversity of the population needs, while the city residents themselves become active participants in its planning and design. The primary data were collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. 385 citizens of Yekaterinburg were questioned on the basis of quota sampling in order to the study citizens' opinions about the city of Yekaterinburg and to evaluate their role in the design of the urban environment. Semi-structured interviews (n=12) were organized for the citizens engaged in the city design on a regular basis. 94% of the respondents note the need to form a positive city image. 54% of the respondents believe that they are actors of urban planning. Yekaterinburg residents' express high willingness to participate in the city design (71%) and 78% of the respondents believe that they can influence on the making decisions by administrative structures. Our respondents consider the following basic mechanisms for implementing their own vision of urban space: Discussion in social networks and participation in public hearings. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd

The paternalism as the ideology of the interaction of a physician and a patient in the system of the rural health care

В работе рассмотрены особенности взаимодействия врачей и пациентов в системе сельского здравоохранения. Опираясь на результаты опроса пациентов и медицинского персонала в статье указывается, что взаимодействие строится на идеологических основах патернализма, который воспроизводится медицинским персоналом, а пациенты стремятся к коллегиальной модели взаимодействия.The paper discusses the features of the interaction of a physician and patient in the system of the rural public health. Based on the results of the research of patients and the medical staff in the article indicates that the interaction is founded on the paternalistic ideology that is reproduced by the medical personnel but patients tend to the Collegial model of the interaction

Flipped Learning in Higher Education: Problems and Contradictions

Introduction. The development and implementation of innovative teaching methods into the educational practices of foreign and Russian universities require a sufficient level of preparedness for change both from university lecturers and university students. This paper presents university lecturers’ perceptions concerning the concept of flipped learning and students’ orientations towards the idea of independent learning realised by means of flipped learning. Materials and Methods. The survey was carried out using a questionnaire focused on 2-4-year students specialising in humanities and a semi-structured interview with lecturers working at Ural Federal University. Results. The study revealed many problems associated with the implementa tion of flipped learning model in higher education. According to the lecturers interviewed, for this model to be successfully implemented, the following conditions should be provided: the existing system of teaching workload allocation should be modified; technical staff supporting the implementation of the model should be appointed; workshops and master classes should be held for specialists implementing or using the flipped learning model in their practical work. The results of the survey show that students experience difficulties in adapting to flipped learning. The students do not have enough independent learning skills. Discussion and Conclusions. We believe that successful implementation of flipped learning model in higher education is possible. This approach can be realised through the use of information systems and programs, meeting the needs of students. Students should study methods of independent analysis from the beginning of training. The authors examined lecturers’ and students’ attitude towards flipped learning and the obstacles to the implementation of this approach in the higher education system. The research results can be useful for university managers focused on consolidating their universities’ positions by introducing innovative educational technologies, as well as for researchers interested in the technologies of mixed learning

Reframing Bodies: New Coordinates of the Body Image

Received 25 January 2023. Accepted 1 June 2023. Published online 3 July 2023.The article analyzes the results of a sociological survey of urban residents’ perceptions of the beauty standards and their most desired body models. The survey was conducted in three cities of a large industrial Russian region (n = 1,077). The body as a bio-social construct is now undergoing significant transformations in public consciousness. As our survey shows, however, beauty standards in Russia are fairly stereotypical: the ideal female body is expected to be sexual, well-groomed, and slender (we refer to this body type as an aesthetic body model or body as an object) and the male body to be physically strong, resilient, and fit (the functional body model or body as a process). Describing their desired body model, male and female respondents of different age groups often choose the functional body model, that is, they prioritize what the body can do over what it looks like. The survey shows mixed results regarding the effects of the pandemic on people’s attitudes to their bodies and body care practices. Only a third of the respondents directly associate their individual bodily experience of disease with the change in their body care practices. Two-thirds of the respondents reported that during the lockdown they started taking better care of their bodies, paying more attention to personal hygiene, physical exercise, and sleep.The research was funded by the Russian Science Foundation and the Government of the Sverdlovsk Region, No. 22-28-20365, https://rscf.ru/project/22-28-20365

Право на город: повседневные практики молодежи и партисипация в производстве городского пространства

The study highlights realization of the right to the city based on the youth's assessments of a large industrial city through the prism of daily activities and participation in the production and reproduction of urban space. City as a "habitat" is a place for behavioral practices and interactions of young people; participation in the production of urban space makes young people themselves change: they start to take responsibility for their community and implementation of life plans. This is an empirical study (Yekaterinburg, 2019) using a multimethod strategy. A total of 750 young respondents aged 18-30 were surveyed (questionnaire survey, quota-based selection). To process the data SPSS software was used. To investigate the in-depth needs of young people 22 semi-structured interviews involving 15 female and 7 male participants were carried out. Ten experts (youth project specialists/ managers, scientific community) were surveyed. The results show that in a situation of stable existence with no pronounced intervention from public or regional bodies in the domains perceived by young people as strictly their personal or socially relevant, only 5% of respondents consider their participation in the urban management as an integral part of their life. Based on the qualitative analysis the authors draw three models of youth behavior whenever any discrepancies arise between the city administration and urban dwellers eager to use their right to the city: a non-intervention model, a model of sincere participation, and an escapism model. Emotive aspect of city's appropriation leads to a feeling of belonging to the city and inextricability of a person's fate and a city's fate. This manifests itself through language patterns; the city becomes more personalized; it is spoken of as a person. The findings of the study point to a transition from the consumption of space to its production through innovative and creative practices instead of habitual and stereotyped patterns. One of modern practices is DIY initiatives which appear to be interesting to more than half of respondents. © 2020 Russian Public Opinion Research Center, VCIOM. All rights reserved.The study is funded by RFBR and Sverdlovsk oblast as part of the project no. 20-411-660012 р_а “The Right to the City: Social Activity, Mobilization and Participation of Youth”; RFBR and the Expert Institute for Social Research (No. 19-011-31151)