Study on the influence of the magnetron power supply on the properties of the silicon nitride films

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) films were deposited by magnetron sputtering of silicon target in (Ar+N2) atmosphere with refractive index 1.95 - 2.05. The results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry showed Si-N bonds in the thin films with concentration 2.41·1023 - 3.48·1023 cm-3. Dependences of deposition rate, optical characteristics and surface morphology on rate of N2 flow and properties of magnetron power supply

Динамика ледника Фишт (Западный Кавказ) в 1909–2015 гг.

We have generalized observation data on the Fisht Glacier – the most western glacier in the Caucasus located at Pshekha and Belaya rivers headwaters at elevation 2450–2750 m asl. Considering location of the Fisht Glacier we might refer it as one of the most sensitive to climate change glaciers in the Caucasus. We used following materi‑ als: sketch map (1909), aerial photos (1954), topographic map (1957), detailed map (1:5000, 1982), LIDAR survey data (2010) and finally UAV data (2015). In two latter cases the horizontal and vertical uncertainties were less than 1 m. We note considerable shrinkage of glacier area from 0.9±0.1 to 0.5±0.01 km2 in 1909–2015, retreat of gla‑ cier termini was assessed as 200±20 m (eastern snout) and 350±20 m (western snout). We consider that during 1982–2010 the glacier was close to equilibrium, but during 2010–2015 glacier surface elevation lowering up to 15–20 m was accompanied by abrupt decrease of glacier area at about 15%. According to the data from nearest weather stations (Guzeripl’ and Krasnaya Polyana) and snow surveys over Pshekha catchment rapid glacier down‑ wasting in 2010–2015 could be explained by significant decrease of October‑May (accumulation season) precipi‑ tation and snow thickness accompanied by increase June‑September (ablation season) of air temperature in com‑ parison to 1982–2010. During 2010–2015 mean ablation assessed through degree‑day factor (DDF) was about 800 mm w.e. more than during 1982–2010. Basing on geodetical data on glacier change in 1982–2010 and ablation values assessed using DDF (4600 mm w.e.) we have roughly estimated mean accumulation at the Fisht Glacier as 4500 mm w.e. In 2010–2015 mean accumulation was at least 600 mm w.e. lower than in 1982–2010. As a result gla‑ cier in 2010–2015 the Fisht Glacier lost at least 1500 mm w.e. more than in 1982–2010. Basing on obtained results we could adjust regional pattern of glacier response to climate change in the Caucasus. Rarely applied in Russia both LIDAR and UAV techniques are recognized as precise tools for mapping of glacier surface in high mountains.Обобщены данные наблюдений за ледником Фишт – самым западным в ледниковой системе Кавказа. Результаты аэросъёмок и наземных измерений охватывают период 1909–2015 гг. За 100 лет (1909– 2010 гг.) площадь ледника сократилась с 0,9 до 0,59±0,01 км2. В 2011–2015 гг. ледник сократился на 15% (до 0,5±0,01 км2) вследствие изменений метеоусловий 2011–2015 гг. по сравнению с 1982–2010 гг. Апробированные на леднике технологии съёмки поверхности воздушным лазерным сканированием и с беспилотного летательного аппарата показали их применимость в горных условиях

Оценка потенциала развития ледниковых озёр на Центральном Кавказе

Glacier mass loss and consequent terminus retreat lead to formation and growth of glacier lakes. In Caucasus outbursts of glacial lakes formed in recent decades have led to human casualties and significant damage. In this study the location and volume of the potential glacier lakes in Central Caucasus was estimated based on ground and airborne GPR data, as well as using results of global ice thickness modelling. Selected glaciers are located in the Adyl-Su and Gerkhozhan-Su valleys as well on the southern and north-eastern slopes of Elbrus. The methodology was tested by retrospective modeling of Bolshoy Azau and Djikiugankez glaciers bed topography using 1957 topographic map. Seven existing lakes were predicted by the hydraulic potential in the areas where glaciers disappeared by 2017. Six overdeepenings on Djikiugankez glacier bed as of 1957 are currently absent, which might be related to the model uncertainties and the original DEMs errors, as well as to possible filling of lakes by sediments. Retrospective modeling of the Bashkara glacier bed topography based on SRTM DEM (2000) showed significant growth potential of the existing lake Lapa. Retrospective modeling of the Kaayarty glacier bed topography has not provided a clear answer whether the subglacial lake outburst flood was a trigger for catastrophic debris flow formation during the summer of 2000. In case of total disappearance of Bolshoy Azau, Djikiugankez and Bashkara glaciers at least 11 new lakes with total area of about 1.7 km2 and an average depth of 8 m will form. While the deepest lake will be formed at the ablation zone of Bolshoy Azau glacier (at elevation 3100–3400 m a.s.l.) the largest in area (1 km2) glacial lake will appear at the Djikiugankez snout with maximum depth of 40 m and mean depth of 7.2 m. The simulation also showed that subglacial lakes of different number and size may also exist under studied glaciers. Our estimates may contain uncertainties due to low resolution of airborne GPR data and the lack of GPR data for Kayaarty glacier, DEM and ice thickness model errors. Detailed ground-based radar survey will enable the assessment of the size and volume of the potential subglacial lakes.На основе данных радиолокационного зондирования и моделирования оценены объём и площадь потенциальных озёр, которые могут сформироваться на месте отступающих ледников в Приэльбрусье. Методика протестирована путём ретроспективного моделирования ложа ледников по материалам 1957 и 2000 гг. Установлено, что площадь потенциальных озёр, угрожающих объектам инфраструктуры, может достичь 1,7 км2, а объём – 130 млн м3

Мониторинг ледника Колка в 2014–2017 гг. методом наземной стереофотосъёмки

The Kolka Glacier, which rushed down the Genaldon valley on September 20, 2002 (North Ossetia), is now recovering after this catastrophe. One of the most important ways to predict a new disaster is to determine the rate of ice accumulation of the new glacier and to monitor the glacier volume regularly, since its trigger mechanisms have not yet been fully studied. Recent changes of the Kolka Glacier were investigated by means of ground stereoscopic photography. The field works were carried out in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Shooting was made manually with a digital camera Canon 5D Mark II (without using a tripod) at arbitrary points, the distance between which did not exceed 100 m. The reference points were placed on the elevated relief forms on the glacier surface and coordinated by a differential GNSS receiver in the "fast static" mode. Laboratory processing of the photos was performed using Agisoft Photoscan software in automatic mode, except for the procedure of identification of reference points on stereo images. The processing made possible to obtain digital models of the glacier surface in Geo-TIFF format, the vertical error of which amounted to 0.7 m, while the horizontal one – 2.3 m. In 2014–2017, the maximal increase in height of the surface (up to 30 m) was recorded in the low part of the glacier tongue that was the result of advancing of the Kolka front along the ice-free surface. Mean annual increase in the surface elevation was equal to 2.2 m/year. Lowering of the surface in some areas may be explained by the slowing-down of the glacier flow rate, which led to the appearance of thermokarst. The glacier volume increased by 7.4±0.7 million m3. As a result, the glacier tongue advanced by 50–70 m. Average over 2014–2017 increasing in the surface elevation (2.2 m/year) was slightly smaller than in 2004–2014 (3 m/year). Quick growth of the Kolka Gacier contrasts sharply with decreasing of volume of the representative Caucasus, Djankuat and Garabashi, over the same period. По данным наземной стереоскопической съёмки в 2014, 2016 и 2017 гг. оценены изменения объёма ледника Колка, восстанавливающегося после гляциальной катастрофы 2002 г. Ледник продолжает расти несмотря на неблагоприятные для ледников Кавказа климатические условия. Высоты поверхности ледника увеличивалась в среднем на 2,2 м/год, что резко контрастирует с негативным состоянием большинства ледников Кавказа

The Plan Price In the National Economy's System of Management

To our way of thinking, the consistent implementation of the systems principle [>i>sistemnost>/i>'] is one of the chief tasks in the development and realization of the complex of measures for restructuring the national economy's management mechanism. The realization of the systems principle in actual fact requires the strict articulation of the functions of each link of the management mechanism, their total coordination for the purpose of increasing effectiveness and improving quality, the acceleration of scientific-technological progress, [the provision of] performance incentives, and the identification of the areas for the most effective utilization of these functions based on complementarity rather than duplication. As regards pricing, which is an integral part of the overall system of management of the socialist economy, this demand means, first, the need to develop precise theoretical and methodological principles of the interaction of the system of prices with the centralized plan, with the finance and credit system, and with the cost-accounting conditions of enterprises and associations. Second, improvements in the price system must eliminate the internal contradictoriness of its individual components: wholesale prices on the products of the raw material and manufacturing branches of industry, shipping rates, purchase prices on agricultural products, retail prices on consumer goods, and rates for services. Third, the level of organization of the formation, approval, and revision of prices must be raised.

Distributing Responsibility and Democratizing the Management of the Economy

The expanded participation of the working people in the management of the economy is closely connected with the development of the independence of enterprises based on full cost accounting. The independence of socialist enterprises and associations should be interpreted not as the antithesis of centralized planning but as the expansion of the sphere of planned development through transfer of part of the management functions to the basic production link (specifically the part that can be performed most effectively by it). Socialist economic self-management is based on the principle of distributed responsibility within the framework of the unified planned system of management, and not a postulate of independence of economic agents from centralized management.

Fluctuations of the Fisht Glacier (West Caucasus) over 1909–2015

We have generalized observation data on the Fisht Glacier – the most western glacier in the Caucasus located at Pshekha and Belaya rivers headwaters at elevation 2450–2750 m asl. Considering location of the Fisht Glacier we might refer it as one of the most sensitive to climate change glaciers in the Caucasus. We used following materi‑ als: sketch map (1909), aerial photos (1954), topographic map (1957), detailed map (1:5000, 1982), LIDAR survey data (2010) and finally UAV data (2015). In two latter cases the horizontal and vertical uncertainties were less than 1 m. We note considerable shrinkage of glacier area from 0.9±0.1 to 0.5±0.01 km2 in 1909–2015, retreat of gla‑ cier termini was assessed as 200±20 m (eastern snout) and 350±20 m (western snout). We consider that during 1982–2010 the glacier was close to equilibrium, but during 2010–2015 glacier surface elevation lowering up to 15–20 m was accompanied by abrupt decrease of glacier area at about 15%. According to the data from nearest weather stations (Guzeripl’ and Krasnaya Polyana) and snow surveys over Pshekha catchment rapid glacier down‑ wasting in 2010–2015 could be explained by significant decrease of October‑May (accumulation season) precipi‑ tation and snow thickness accompanied by increase June‑September (ablation season) of air temperature in com‑ parison to 1982–2010. During 2010–2015 mean ablation assessed through degree‑day factor (DDF) was about 800 mm w.e. more than during 1982–2010. Basing on geodetical data on glacier change in 1982–2010 and ablation values assessed using DDF (4600 mm w.e.) we have roughly estimated mean accumulation at the Fisht Glacier as 4500 mm w.e. In 2010–2015 mean accumulation was at least 600 mm w.e. lower than in 1982–2010. As a result gla‑ cier in 2010–2015 the Fisht Glacier lost at least 1500 mm w.e. more than in 1982–2010. Basing on obtained results we could adjust regional pattern of glacier response to climate change in the Caucasus. Rarely applied in Russia both LIDAR and UAV techniques are recognized as precise tools for mapping of glacier surface in high mountains