Morava K-theory of twisted flag varieties

In the present article we prove some results about the Morava K-theory. In particular, we construct an operation from the Morava K-theory to the Chow theory analogous to the second Chern class for Grothendieck's K0-theory. Furthermore, we investigate ordinary and equivariant oriented cohomology theories in the sense of Levine-Morel of projective quadrics, and discuss the Rost motives.Comment: 15 page

J-invariant of linear algebraic groups

Let G be a linear algebraic group over a field F and X be a projective homogeneous G-variety such that G splits over the function field of X. In the present paper we introduce an invariant of G called J-invariant which characterizes the motivic behaviour of X. This generalizes the respective notion invented by A. Vishik in the context of quadratic forms. As a main application we obtain a uniform proof of all known motivic decompositions of generically split projective homogeneous varieties (Severi-Brauer varieties, Pfister quadrics, maximal orthogonal Grassmannians, G2- and F4-varieties) as well as provide new examples (exceptional varieties of types E6, E7 and E8). We also discuss relations with torsion indices, canonical dimensions and cohomological invariants of the group G.Comment: The paper containes 39 pages and uses XYPIC packag

Supporting Democracy through the Experience of Others

Sharing the memories and histories of countries that have transitioned to democracy is crucial for supporting democratic development across the world. By sharing these experiences, the global community learns valuable lessons about democracy. Join us for a discussion about the Romanian and Russian experiences of transition to democracy and the lessons learned throughout these experiences.https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cri_events/1435/thumbnail.jp

Les transformations du personnel des organes de sécurité soviétiques, 1922-1953

RésuméLes transformations du personnel des organes de sécurité soviétiques, 1922-1953.Notre article examine les questions relatives à la formation des cadres des organes de sécurité et les principales tendances dans les modifications de leurs effectifs pendant l’ère stalinienne. Nous décrivons en détail la composition sociale, nationale, politique et la répartition par tranches d’âge du groupe des dirigeants du NKVD, ainsi que la dynamique gouvernant ses mouvements et ses changements pendant la Grande Terreur en 1937 et 1938. Nous examinons ensuite le rôle des facteurs externes (régulation par le parti du processus de sélection des cadres, purges de cadres et vagues d’arrestations) et internes (luttes entre clans et groupuscules à l’intérieur du NKVD). Nous examinons le statut des cadres du MGB de l’URSS dans l’après-guerre et notons une régression générale -- l’abaissement du niveau d’éducation des tchékistes. Nous comparons la situation des cadres de la sécurité avec celle des cadres des autres subdivisions (le Goulag). Nous dégageons des tendances générales tels le nivellement de la composition nationale, l’élévation du niveau d’éducation, l’expansion structurelle permanente de la sécurité et l’augmentation de ses effectifs.AbstractChanges in the Soviet security organs’ personnel, 1922-1953.Our article examines questions relative to the staffing of Soviet security organs with high-level personnel during the Stalinist era, as well as the basic tendencies underlying the changes brought to this group’s composition. We give a detailed description of the group based on social, ethnic and political origins and on age, and study the dynamics at work in the developments and changes which it underwent during the Great Terror (1937-1938). We then study the role of external factors (regulation by the party of the selection process of personnel, purges and waves of arrests) and internal ones (strifes between clans and cliques inside the NKVD). We examine the status of the personnel of the Soviet MGB during the post-war era and observe an overall regression, i.e., a drop in the Chekists’ educational level. We compare the situation of security personnel with that of the personnel of other subdivisions (the Gulag, for instance) and note a number of tendencies such as a levelling of the national composition, a rise in the educational level and a constant expansion in the security’s structure and size

Shells of twisted flag varieties and the Rost invariant

We introduce two new general methods to compute the Chow motives of twisted flag varieties and settle a 20-year-old conjecture of Markus Rost about the Rost invariant for groups of type E7.Comment: 39 page

Hypoglycemic Effects of Polyphenol Complexes from Bilberry Leaves and Fruits Sorbed on Brown Buckwheat Flour -- Experimental Evaluation and Prospects of Use

The effects of plant polyphenols on carbohydrate and/or lipid metabolism disorders have wide experimental and clinical justification; however, their effects are limited due to low bioavailability. Thus, the development of technological approaches enhancing their effectiveness and stability is relevant.The aim of this work was to evaluatein vivothe effects of polyphenols from bilberry leaves and fruits, sorbed on the brown buckwheat flour, on C57Bl/6c mice with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders. We assessed in vivothe effect of a food matrix (FM1: bilberry leaf polyphenols sorbed on brown buckwheat flour) on C57Bl/6c mice with induced carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders. The aim of the second experiment was to evaluate the effectiveness of prolonged prophylactic consumption of another food matrix (FM2: billberry fruit polyphenols, sorbed on brown buckwheat flour) by C57Bl/6c micewith induced carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders. Technological approaches were developed and pilot batches of the food matrices FM1 and FM2were obtained. According to the in vivo testing, a significant decrease in the glucose levels and normalization of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were found in animals treated with FM1. When assessing the in vivo effects of FM2, the hypoglycemic effect of bilberry fruit polyphenols in the composition of the matrix was established. The results of these studies can be used to justify the testing of the developed matrices in a clinical setting and using them as functional food ingredients for preventative nutrition in cases of carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Keywords: polyphenols, food matrix, functional food ingredient, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolis