Фонд перспективных исследований в системе оборонных инноваций

The Advanced Research Foundation is governmental organization wich tasked with informing the country’s leadership on projects that can ensure Russian superiority in defense technology. The foundation will also analyze the risks of any Russian technological backwardness and technological dependence on other powers. The report considers an historical background about worldwide analogous, i.e. DARPA (USA), MAFAT (Israel), DRDO (India), DGA (France) and China (SASTIND), and an experience of advanced research projects organizations in the Soviet Union and modern Russia

Effective precursors for self-organization of complex systems into a critical state based on dynamic series data

Many different precursors are known, but not all of which are effective, i.e., giving enough time to take preventive measures and with a minimum number of false early warning signals. The study aims to select and study effective early warning measures from a set of measures directly related to critical slowing down as well as to the change in the structure of the reconstructed phase space in the neighborhood of the critical transition point of sand cellular automata. We obtained a dynamical series of the number of unstable nodes in automata with stochastic and deterministic vertex collapse rules, with different topological graph structure and probabilistic distribution law for pumping of automata. For these dynamical series we computed windowed early warning measures. We formulated the notion of an effective measure as the measure that has the smallest number of false signals and the longest early warning time among the set of early warning measures. We found that regardless of the rules, topological structure of graphs, and probabilistic distribution law for pumping of automata, the effective early warning measures are the embedding dimension, correlation dimension, and approximation entropy estimated using the false nearest neighbors algorithm. The variance has the smallest early warning time, and the largest Lyapunov exponent has the greatest number of false early warning signals. Autocorrelation at lag-1 and Welch’s estimate for the scaling exponent of power spectral density cannot be used as early warning measures for critical transitions in the automata. The efficiency definition we introduced can be used to search for and investigate new early warning measures. Embedding dimension, correlation dimension and approximation entropy can be used as effective real-time early warning measures for critical transitions in real-world systems isomorphic to sand cellular automata such as microblogging social network and stock exchange

Temperature Effect on the Stability of the Polarized State Created by Local Electric Fields in Strontium Barium Niobate Single Crystals

The stability of ferroelectric domain patterns at the nanoscale has been a topic of much interest for many years. We investigated the relaxation of the polarized state created by application of a local electric field using a conductive tip of a scanning probe microscope for the model uniaxial relaxor system SrxBa1−xNb2O6 (SBN) in its pure and Ce-doped form. The temporal relaxation of the induced PFM contrast was measured at various temperatures. The average value of the induced contrast decreases during heating for all investigated crystals. Below the freezing temperature the induced state remains stable after an initial relaxation. Above the freezing temperature the induced state is unstable and gradually decays with time. The stability of the induced state is strongly affected by the measuring conditions, so continuous scanning results in a faster decay of the poled domain. The obtained effects are attributed to a decrease of the induced polarization and backswitching of the polarized area under the action of the depolarization field

Scientific experimental bases for dry beneficiation of mineral ores

The article presents the results of research on the development of processes and equipment for ore preparation and pneumatic dry beneficiation of mineral ores. The methods of crushing and grinding before enrichment of minerals have been considered, dry enrichment of geomaterials is investigated. Highly efficient prototypes of beneficiation equipment are developed and tested: crushers of multiple dynamic impact RD-MDV-900, DKD-300, centrifugal grinders CMVU-800 and VCI-12, pneumatic separator POS-2000. Fundamental designs are created, and a number of new ore preparation and pneumatic beneficiation instruments are being designed. The efficiency of approbation of an autonomous dry beneficiation complex with new safe environmental standards for the processing of gold-bearing ores, which makes it possible to fully release and extract free gold with a particle size from 10,000 to 100 µm, is shown. The introduction of the dry beneficiation method is very promising for the mining industry. It will allow to reduce capital costs for the construction of stationary beneficiation plants, completely or partially withdraw from the use of process water, the construction of a water supply system, a traditional tailing dam, etc

Synthesis of Large-Area Crystalline MoS2 by Sputter Deposition and Pulsed Laser Annealing

The wafer-scale synthesis of layered transitional metal dichalcogenides presenting good crystal quality and homogeneous coverage is a challenge for the development of next-generation electronic devices. This work explores a fairly unconventional growth method based on a two-step process consisting in sputter deposition of stochiometric MoS2 on Si/SiO2 substrates followed by nanosecond UV (248 nm) pulsed laser annealing. Large-scale 2H-MoS2 multi-layer films were successfully synthetized in a N2-rich atmosphere thanks to a fine-tuning of the laser annealing parameters by varying the number of laser pulses and their energy density. The identification of the optimal process led to the success in achieving a (002)-oriented nanocrystalline MoS2 film without performing post-sulfurization. It is noteworthy that the spatial and temporal confinement of laser annealing keeps the Si/SiO2 substrate temperature well below the back-end-of-line temperature limit of Si CMOS technology (770 K). The synthesis method described here can speed up the integration of large-area 2D materials with Si-based devices, paving the way for many important applications

Eco-friendly iron-humic nanofertilizers synthesis for the prevention of iron chlorosis in soybean (Glycine max) grown in calcareous soil

Iron deficiency is a frequent problem for many crops, particularly in calcareous soils and iron humates are commonly applied in the Mediterranean basin in spite of their lesser efficiency than iron synthetic chelates. Development and application of new fertilizers using nanotechnology are one of the potentially effective options of enhancing the iron humates, according to the sustainable agriculture. Particle size, pH, and kinetics constrain the iron humate efficiency. Thus, it is relevant to understand the iron humate mechanism in the plant–soil system linking their particle size, characterization and iron distribution in plant and soil using 57Fe as a tracer tool. Three hybrid nanomaterials (F, S, and M) were synthesized as iron-humic nanofertilizers (57Fe-NFs) from leonardite potassium humate and 57Fe used in the form of 57Fe(NO3)3 or 57Fe2(SO4)3. They were characterized using Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and tested for iron availability in a calcareous soil pot experiment carried out under growth chamber conditions. Three doses (35, 75, and 150 mmol pot-1) of each iron-humic material were applied to soybean iron deficient plants and their iron nutrition contributions were compared to 57FeEDDHA and leonardite potassium humate as control treatments. Ferrihydrite was detected as the main structure of all three 57Fe- NFs and the plants tested with iron-humic compounds exhibited continuous long-term statistically reproducible iron uptake and showed high shoot fresh weight. Moreover, the 57Fe from the humic nanofertilizers remained available in soil and was detected in soybean pods. The Fe-NFs offers a natural, low cost and environmental option to the traditional iron fertilization in calcareous soilsThe Russian Science Foundation (16-14-00167), the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (18-29-25065), and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AGL2013-44474-R) have financially supported this research

Government Banking in Russia: Magnitude and New Features

State-controlled banks are currently at the core of financial intermediation in Russia. This paper aims to assess the magnitude of government banking, and to reveal some of its special features and arrangements. We distinguish between directly and indirectly state-controlled banks and construct a set of bank-level statistical data covering the period between 2000 and 2011. By January 2011 the market share of state-controlled banks reached almost 54 percent of all bank assets, putting Russia in the same league with China and India and widening the gap from typical European emerging markets. We show that direct state ownership is gradually substituted by indirect ownership and control. It tends to be organized in corporate pyramids that dilute public property, take control away from government bodies, and underpin managerial opportunism. Statecontrolled banks blur the borderline between commercial banking and development banking. Dominance of public banks has a bearing on empirical studies whose results might suggest state-owned banks' greater (or lesser) efficiency or competitiveness compared to other forms of ownership. We tend to interpret such results as influenced by the choice of indicator, period of observations, sample selection, etc., in the absence of an equal playing field for all groups of players. We suggest that the government's planned retreat from the banking sector will involve non-core assets mainly, whereas control over core institutions will just become more subtle.Staatlich kontrollierte Banken bilden den Kern der finanziellen Intermediation in Russland. Dieses Diskussionspapier zielt darauf ab, das Ausmaß der staatlichen Bankaktivitäten zu beurteilen und einige Besonderheiten sowie die aktuellen Regelungen aufzuzeigen. Wir unterscheiden zwischen direkt und indirekt kontrollierten Banken und konstruieren aus den für den Bankensektor spezifischen Daten einen Datensatz für die Periode von 2000 bis 2011. Danach erreichte der Marktanteil staatlich kontrollierter Banken im Januar 2011 fast 54 % der Aktiva des gesamten Bankensektors. Damit findet sich Russland in einer Liga mit China und Indien wieder, während sich die Kluft zu den europäischen emerging markets vergrößerte. Wir zeigen, dass das direkte staatliche Eigentum allmählich durch indirekte Eigentumsformen und Kontrollen ersetzt wird. Damit verwischen staatlich kontrollierte Banken auch die Grenze zwischen Geschäfts- und Entwicklungsbanken. Die Dominanz der staatlichen Kontrolle hat auch einen Einfluss auf empirische Studien, deren Ergebnisse darauf hindeuten, dass eine staatseigene Bank im Vergleich zu anderen Formen des Bankeneigentums eine höhere (oder niedrigere) Effizienz und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit aufweist. Aufgrund einer fehlenden Vergleichsgruppe mit gleichen Wettbewerbsbedingungen für alle Gruppen von Spielern interpretieren wir diese Ergebnisse als beeinflusst durch die Wahl des Indikators, des Zeitraums der Beobachtungen sowie durch die Stichprobenauswahl. Schließlich wird deutlich, dass der von der Regierung geplante Rückzug aus dem Bankensektor im Wesentlichen die nicht zum Kerngeschäft gehörenden Vermögenswerte betreffen wird, während die Kontrolle der Kern-Institutionen nur subtilere Formen annehmen wird

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background: Efforts to establish the 2015 baseline and monitor early implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight both great potential for and threats to improving health by 2030. To fully deliver on the SDG aim of “leaving no one behind”, it is increasingly important to examine the health-related SDGs beyond national-level estimates. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017), we measured progress on 41 of 52 health-related SDG indicators and estimated the health-related SDG index for 195 countries and territories for the period 1990–2017, projected indicators to 2030, and analysed global attainment. Methods: We measured progress on 41 health-related SDG indicators from 1990 to 2017, an increase of four indicators since GBD 2016 (new indicators were health worker density, sexual violence by non-intimate partners, population census status, and prevalence of physical and sexual violence [reported separately]). We also improved the measurement of several previously reported indicators. We constructed national-level estimates and, for a subset of health-related SDGs, examined indicator-level differences by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile. We also did subnational assessments of performance for selected countries. To construct the health-related SDG index, we transformed the value for each indicator on a scale of 0–100, with 0 as the 2\ub75th percentile and 100 as the 97\ub75th percentile of 1000 draws calculated from 1990 to 2030, and took the geometric mean of the scaled indicators by target. To generate projections through 2030, we used a forecasting framework that drew estimates from the broader GBD study and used weighted averages of indicator-specific and country-specific annualised rates of change from 1990 to 2017 to inform future estimates. We assessed attainment of indicators with defined targets in two ways: first, using mean values projected for 2030, and then using the probability of attainment in 2030 calculated from 1000 draws. We also did a global attainment analysis of the feasibility of attaining SDG targets on the basis of past trends. Using 2015 global averages of indicators with defined SDG targets, we calculated the global annualised rates of change required from 2015 to 2030 to meet these targets, and then identified in what percentiles the required global annualised rates of change fell in the distribution of country-level rates of change from 1990 to 2015. We took the mean of these global percentile values across indicators and applied the past rate of change at this mean global percentile to all health-related SDG indicators, irrespective of target definition, to estimate the equivalent 2030 global average value and percentage change from 2015 to 2030 for each indicator. Findings: The global median health-related SDG index in 2017 was 59\ub74 (IQR 35\ub74–67\ub73), ranging from a low of 11\ub76 (95% uncertainty interval 9\ub76–14\ub70) to a high of 84\ub79 (83\ub71–86\ub77). SDG index values in countries assessed at the subnational level varied substantially, particularly in China and India, although scores in Japan and the UK were more homogeneous. Indicators also varied by SDI quintile and sex, with males having worse outcomes than females for non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality, alcohol use, and smoking, among others. Most countries were projected to have a higher health-related SDG index in 2030 than in 2017, while country-level probabilities of attainment by 2030 varied widely by indicator. Under-5 mortality, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality ratio, and malaria indicators had the most countries with at least 95% probability of target attainment. Other indicators, including NCD mortality and suicide mortality, had no countries projected to meet corresponding SDG targets on the basis of projected mean values for 2030 but showed some probability of attainment by 2030. For some indicators, including child malnutrition, several infectious diseases, and most violence measures, the annualised rates of change required to meet SDG targets far exceeded the pace of progress achieved by any country in the recent past. We found that applying the mean global annualised rate of change to indicators without defined targets would equate to about 19% and 22% reductions in global smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively; a 47% decline in adolescent birth rates; and a more than 85% increase in health worker density per 1000 population by 2030. Interpretation: The GBD study offers a unique, robust platform for monitoring the health-related SDGs across demographic and geographic dimensions. Our findings underscore the importance of increased collection and analysis of disaggregated data and highlight where more deliberate design or targeting of interventions could accelerate progress in attaining the SDGs. Current projections show that many health-related SDG indicators, NCDs, NCD-related risks, and violence-related indicators will require a concerted shift away from what might have driven past gains—curative interventions in the case of NCDs—towards multisectoral, prevention-oriented policy action and investments to achieve SDG aims. Notably, several targets, if they are to be met by 2030, demand a pace of progress that no country has achieved in the recent past. The future is fundamentally uncertain, and no model can fully predict what breakthroughs or events might alter the course of the SDGs. What is clear is that our actions—or inaction—today will ultimately dictate how close the world, collectively, can get to leaving no one behind by 2030