Are Interregional Wage Differentials in Russia Compensative?

Interregional differentials in nominal wages in the Russian Federation are huge compared to other countries. Using the NOBUS micro-data and a methodology based on the estimation of the wage equation augmented by aggregate regional characteristics, we show that these differentials have a compensative nature. Russian workers receive wage compensations for living in regions with a higher price level and worse non-pecuniary characteristics, such as a relatively low life expectancy, a high level of air pollution, poor medical services and a colder climate. After adjusting for these regional characteristics, the relative ranking of regions in terms of average wages changes considerably. Moreover, regional nominal wages become positively correlated with interregional migration flows. According to our estimates, half of the interregional wage variation between workers with similar productive characteristics should be considered to be compensative. These results support the view that the best policy reaction to the current high interregional wage differentials should be the removal of migration barriers and a reduction in migration costs. In general, our results show that wage compensations for regional disamenities along with differences in employment composition are able to account for about three fourths of the observed interregional variation in wages.compensating differentials, regional wages, wage equation, interregional migration, transition, Russia

The Russian Regional Convergence Process: Where Does It Go?

This paper investigates the income convergence among Russian regions in the period 1998-2006. It makes two major contributions to rather extensive literature on the regional convergence in Russia. First, it identifies spatial regimes using the exploratory spatial data analysis. Second, it examines the impact of spatial effects on the convergence process. Our results show that the overall speed of regional convergence in Russia, being low by international standards, becomes even lower after controlling for spatial effects. However, when accounting for the spatial regimes, we find a strong regional convergence among high-income regions located near other high-income regions. Our results indicate that estimation of speed of convergence using aggregate data may result in misleading conclusions regarding the nature of convergence process among Russia's regions.Regional convergence, d-convergence, ß-convergence, spatial regimes, spatial effects

Fluorescent Markers in Water Treatment

Both phosphonate- and polymer-based scale inhibitors have a broad spectrum of applications in water treatment technologies. However, the “online” monitoring of antiscalant content in an aqueous phase is still a challenge for researchers. A possible solution is provided by the fluorescent markers added to the feeding water. These can be either an antiscalant tagged or may represent the independent species. The review summarizes both the advantages and the drawbacks of these approaches along with such markers’ classification, with a special emphasis on the novel fluorescent-tagged phosphonates. Besides, some unique opportunities provided by the fluorescent-tagged antiscalants for reverse osmosis membrane mapping, scale inhibition traceability, and a scale inhibitor localization in a circulation water facility are also considered and discussed

The problem of Collatz and computing in JULIA

This article discusses the so-called Collatz problem and compares calculations in Python and JuliaВ данной статье обсуждается так называется проблема Коллатца, а также сравниваются вычисления на языках Python и Juli

Effects of atmospheric light scattering on spectroscopic observations of greenhouse gases from space. Part 2: Algorithm intercomparison in the GOSAT data processing for CO_2 retrievals over TCCON sites

This report is the second in a series of companion papers describing the effects of atmospheric light scattering in observations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO_2) by the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT), in orbit since 23 January 2009. Here we summarize the retrievals from six previously published algorithms; retrieving column‐averaged dry air mole fractions of CO_2 (X_(CO2)) during 22 months of operation of GOSAT from June 2009. First, we compare data products from each algorithm with ground‐based remote sensing observations by Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). Our GOSAT‐TCCON coincidence criteria select satellite observations within a 5° radius of 11 TCCON sites. We have compared the GOSAT‐TCCON X_(CO2) regression slope, standard deviation, correlation and determination coefficients, and global and station‐to‐station biases. The best agreements with TCCON measurements were detected for NIES 02.xx and RemoTeC. Next, the impact of atmospheric light scattering on X_(CO2) retrievals was estimated for each data product using scan by scan retrievals of light path modification with the photon path length probability density function (PPDF) method. After a cloud pre‐filtering test, approximately 25% of GOSAT soundings processed by NIES 02.xx, ACOS B2.9, and UoL‐FP: 3G and 35% processed by RemoTeC were found to be contaminated by atmospheric light scattering. This study suggests that NIES 02.xx and ACOS B2.9 algorithms tend to overestimate aerosol amounts over bright surfaces, resulting in an underestimation of X_(CO2) for GOSAT observations. Cross‐comparison between algorithms shows that ACOS B2.9 agrees best with NIES 02.xx and UoL‐FP: 3G while RemoTeC X_(CO2) retrievals are in a best agreement with NIES PPDF‐D

A new airborne Polar Nephelometer for the measurement of optical and microphysical cloud properties. Part II: Preliminary tests

International audienceA new optical sensor, the airborne Polar Nephelometer, has been tested in an open wind tunnel. The wind tunnel was operated in cloudy conditions including either cloud water droplets or ice crystals, or a mixture of these particles. The sensor is designed to measure the optical and microphysical parameters of cloud particles sized from a few micrometers to about 500 µm diameter. Basically, the probe measures the scattering phase function of an ensemble of cloud particles which intersect a collimated laser beam near the focal point of a paraboloidal mirror. From the measured scattering phase function the retrieval of the droplet-size spectra and subsequent derived quantities such as liquid water content and size parameters can be calculated using an inversion method. The particle phase discrimination (water droplets/ice particles) can be derived from the shape of the scattering phase function and the sensitivity of the probe allows the detection of small ice crystals (typically of 5 µm diameter). The paper describes the preliminary results obtained by the prototype version of the Polar Nephelometer in various cloudy conditions. These results are compared with direct microphysical measurements obtained by usual PMS probes also mounted in the wind tunnel. Complementary results obtained in a cold chamber are presented in order to illustrate the reliability of the Polar Nephelometer in the presence of small ice crystals

Graphocrown—A Novel, Two-Dimensional Oxocarbon: A Theoretical Study

An innovative 2D-material, graphocrown, was designed and studied. Our graphocrown computations revealed a higher stability compared to previous materials studied with the same generalized C$_2$O formula. The energetic benefit of the graphocrown formation from benzenehexol was also evaluated. The structure and properties of graphocrowns with various layer arrangements were analysed and compared. In addition, the formation of potassium complexes with the new material was studied. It was found that graphocrown binds potassium better than 18-crown-6, and the intercalation of graphocrown with potassium is more favourable, compared to graphite. Finally, the band structure, as well as the mobility of the charge carriers in the graphocrown, were investigated

АЛЬТЕРНАТИВНОЕ ТОПЛИВО ДЛЯ АВТОТРАНСПОРТА НИГЕРИИ НА ОСНОВЕ ПАЛЬМОВОГО МАСЛА

The paper presents the results of the analysis on using vegetable oils as fuel for diesel engines. Possibility of using palm oil as alternative fuel is considered. Physicochemical properties of plant oil and the requirements for diesel fuel are given. Changes in physicochemical parameters of composite fuel are investigated. Palm oil is proposed to be used as a biological additive to diesel fuel and organic peroxide - as a reagent. The results of mixing process analysis, taking into account the differences between physical properties of palm oil and diesel fuel characteristics, are presented. The analysis was based on mathematical investigation. The effect of physical properties (density, dynamic viscosity, surface tension) of palm oil on the characteristics of mixing process has been examined. Changes in palm oil density, higher values of surface tension and dynamic viscosity have been observed. It was established that with increased density, surface tension and viscosity of palm oil, the average diameter of the drops increases, which should increase not only the ignition delay period, but also temperature sensitivity to the ignition process. With that the fuel jet dispersion angle and side surface decrease. A conclusion was made that in order to maintain the effectiveness of the diesel engine working cycle when switching to palm oil fuel, there is an obvious need for radical measures to substantially change its structure and fuel feed system. Palm oil is proposed to be used as an additive to diesel fuel and organic peroxide - as a reagent.В работе представлены результаты анализа применения растительных масел в качестве топлива для дизельных двигателей. Рассмотрена возможность использования пальмового масла как альтернативного топлива. Приводятся физико-химические свойства растительных масел и требования к дизельному топливу. Исследуется изменение физико-химических параметров смесевого топлива. Предлагается использовать в качестве биологической добавки к дизельному топливу пальмовое масло, в качестве реагента - органическую перекись. Представлены результаты анализа процесса смесеобразования с учетом отличия физических свойств пальмового масла от характеристик дизельного топлива. Анализ проведен на основе математического исследования. Изучено влияние физических свойств (плотность, динамическая вязкость, поверхностное натяжение) пальмового масла на характеристики смесеобразования. Было получено изменение плотности пальмового масла, более высокое значение поверхностного натяжения, динамической вязкости. Установлено, что вследствие повышенных показателей плотности, поверхностного натяжения и вязкости для пальмового масла средний диаметр капель увеличивается, что должно отразиться на возрастании не только периода задержки воспламенения, но и его температурной чувствительности к процессу воспламенения. При этом угол рассеивания (раскрытия) топливной струи и ее боковая поверхность уменьшаются. Сделан вывод, что становится очевидным, что для сохранения эффективности рабочего цикла дизеля при переводе его на питание пальмовым маслом, необходимо предусмотреть ряд радикальных мер по внесению серьезных изменений в его конструкцию и систему топливо-подачи. Предлагается использовать пальмовое масло в качестве добавки к дизельному топливу и перекись водорода, как химический окислитель