Problems of social adaptation of international students in Russia

The article discusses a range of common problems faced by international students while studying in Russia, drawing on the example of Ural Federal University (Ekaterinburg). Analysis of the sociological data has shown that international students have to deal with the following adaptation barriers: organizational barriers which students face when joining the educational process; socio-cultural barriers which mostly stem from the lack of language proficiency; getting accustomed to daily routines of living on the campus; informational barriers caused by a low awareness of the conditions of life and studying in Russia (Russian cultural norms and values, the climate of the Urals, etc.). The article reveals a correlation between the specificity of the countries international students come from and the main stages of their adaptation, providing guidelines for improvement of international student support at Ural Federal University. © Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek Toruń 2015

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

Assessing public administration and image making efficiency in the region taking into consideration quality of managing black economy

The article contributes to the existing system to assess efficiency of regional executive authorities. It involves factors defining regional development outlook in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and quality of managing hidden economy as well as judicial and legislative power. It develops general guidelines to improve regional public management in the course of establishing computer oriented society. The fundamental principle is that we should increase access to information related to performance and expand the system to manage meso-scale development. The article sets out methods to increase the performance of public management feedback system using open information area

Methods of the determination of inorganic arsenic species by stripping voltammetry in weakly alkaline media

Two methods are considered for the direct determination of trace amounts of As(III) and As(V) in solutions by stripping voltammetry (SVA) using an ensemble of gold microelectrodes (Au-MEA) previously developed by the authors of this paper. In both methods, analyzing a mixture of As(III) and As(V), analysts first record an SVA signal of As(III) in a supporting Na2SO3 electrolyte. To record an analytical SVA signal of As(V), in the first method one should use the reduction of As(V) to As(III) on the surface of an Au-MEA catalyzed by the system Mn(II)/Mn(0) and followed by the formation of As(0) and its anode dissolution. In the second method, the photoreduction of As(V) to As(III) in a Na2SO3 solution is conducted under UV irradiation followed by the reduction of As(III) to As(0) and its electrooxidation on Au-MEA. The two methods are compared taking into account their performance characteristics and interfering ions. To improve the reliability of the results of analysis at an insignificant increase in its cost, we propose the consecutive use of both methods. The procedures are simple and rapid, do not require the removal of dissolved oxygen or toxic reactants, and can be used for the analysis of aqueous solutions at the place of sampling. The results of analyses of real objects, snow, river water, and process solutions are presented

Simulation model of the realtor agency

The article describes the modeling activities of real estate agency with clients. Identified negative economic factors affecting the work of the small real estate company. The reasons to reduce the number of actual transactions in the agency. An example of creating a simulation model of organization in Arena Rockwell Software company environment. Obtained statistical data describing the economic characteristics of the company's business processes. Based on the simulation results of the experiment offered the option of improving the activity of real estate agency. Recommendations for improving the business processes of the company. The data of statistical reports proving the economic efficiency of the proposed variant optimization agencyВ статье описано моделирование деятельности агентства недвижимости с клиентами. Выявлены негативные экономические факторы, влияющие на работу малых компаний на рынке недвижимости. Определены причины сокращения количества реальных сделок в агентстве. Рассмотрен пример создания имитационной модели деятельности организации в среде Arena компании Rockwell Software. Получен статистический материал, описывающий экономические характеристики бизнес-процессов фирмы. На основе результатов имитационного эксперимента предложен вариант совершенствования деятельности агентства недвижимости. Сформулированы рекомендации по совершенствованию бизнес-процессов компании. Приведены данные статистических отчетов, подтверждающие экономическую эффективность предложенного варианта оптимизации агентств

Evaluation of the elastic properties and topography of leukocytes’ surface in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using atomic force microscope

The aim of study was to examine some morphometrical parameters (height, diameter) of the leukocytes (white blood cells - WBCs), their specific surface morphology (globular prominences and depression in WBCs) as well as their local elastic properties (Young’s modulus) in healthy persons and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by means of the atomic force microscopy (AFM). Morphological and morphometrical parameters of human leukocytes were evaluated by AFM in tapped mod

Media Globalisation and Desacralisation of a Journalist’s Image

The media is becoming the main source of information about the surrounding reality in the digital environment. In fact, they shape the reality. They become a powerful instrument of influencing mass consciousness through symbols and values. The media industry, information consumption practices as well as the role of a journalist are changing in the context of new media. The results of the survey (n=750) have shown that the younger generation trusts information posted on social networks and does not distinguish the professional work of a journalist from the activities of bloggers and citizen journalists. In addition, the boundaries of social and psychological roles between an author and a user are vanishing, the differences between statuses are faded, and professional values of journalism are undergoing changes.This research was supported by the Ural Federal University with “My first grant” (2020)

HEALTH-SAVING PRACTICES OF YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER PANDEMIC CONDITIONS: A PILOT STUDY

Background. In the context of the pandemic, the issue of maintaining and developing health by the younger generation, who create new health-saving practices, has been actualized. The aim. An analysis of the health saving practices of young people in a large industrial city. Materials and methods. The method of collecting information was an online survey of young people in Yekaterinburg (n = 120). Also 37 semi-formalized interviews were conducted. Results. The young generation highly evaluates their health (69 %); 56 % are self-treated. At the same time, 93 % trust the system of medical care, doctors, and prescribed medications. 90 % ofrespondents during the pandemic paid more attention to personal hygiene. 2/3 try to control stress. 51 % take vitamins. The interviewees try to exclude crowded places. Pandemic transforms perceptions of the body, which prescribes functionality and performance. Conclusions. The“repertoire”ofhealth-saving practices in the conditions ofthe pandemic changes. “Methodofaddition”is representedby actualization of personalhygiene withthe use of personal protective equipment, online communications, taking vitamins.“Exclusion method”refers to avoidcrowdedplaces. Among the respondents there are roughly equalproportions of young people who supportanddo notsupport vaccination, as wellas those who are neutralaboutit. The body is seen as a functional resource that can “work” in the conditions of the “new normality”. © 2022 Economic Research Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved