Hidden geographical opportunities for convergence of Russian-Kazakh border area

The study of cross-border interactions of the former Soviet republics is in the centre of research of many experts in border studies. Dynamics and positive effects of convergence processes are observed in the border regions of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The past five years have clearly demonstrated the hidden geographical potential of cross-border cooperation between these states, which is explained by a qualitatively new phenomenon in the post-Soviet space – the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Therefore, the top-down initiatives have strengthened the processes of economic, social, cultural and political convergence of the regions of Russia and Kazakhstan. The purpose of this study is to consider the overlap and the double effect of “hidden” and “formal” integration of border regions of Russia and Kazakhstan and to assess their impact on the social and economic development of border territories

The increase in geopolitical competition as a challenge (threat) to Russia's national security

This article attempts to make a comprehensive analysis of the impact of "geopolitical competition" policy on the state and future development of national security of the Russian Federation. We believe that geopolitical competition is caused not only by the need to protect national interests, but also acts as the condition that generates threats (challenges) to national security. The article deals with external factors, such as the transformation of geopolitical competition, changes in the post-Soviet space, and the development of the Arctic, as well as two internal factors, which concern the attainment of national identity and the militarization of public life, because we believe that these factors have the most negative impact on the state of national security in the Russian Federation. Geopolitical competition is currently increasing because of the aggravation of relations between states because of the distribution of spheres of influence.peer-reviewe

Problem of cryogenic cooling of semiconductor switches for power convertors

Currently, in Russia and abroad there is a significant progress in the development and manufacturing of electromechanical devices based on high-temperature superconducting materials. These devices possess the specific power at liquid nitrogen cooling above 10 kW/kg. Semiconductor convertors, which normally are necessary to operate together with electromechanical converters, have the specific power not exceeding 1 kW/kg at forced cooling. Therefore, the problem of increasing of the specific power of both electromechanical and static electrical devices of mobile objects (especially at operating in the aerospace field) is very relevant. The paper is devoted to the cooling of semiconductor electronic switches for semiconductor power converters at liquid nitrogen environment. In this case the improvement of cooling efficiency leads to a significant increase of the heat-transfer factor and, as a consequence, decreasing the mass and size of the radiators, and total weight and size of the semiconductor converters. The calculations which were carried out according to the results of the experiments showed that the use of cryogenic cooling allows increasing about ~100 times the specific power of the semiconductor converters. The researches have shown that the placement of semiconductor converter in the medium of liquid nitrogen is most perspective for real application

Barentshavslodde - rapport frå Den bilaterale norsk-russiske arbeidsgruppa for arktiske fiskeri (JRN-AFWG) 2023

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Climate Change and Future Food Security: Predicting the Extent of Cropland Gain or Degradation

Agriculture is crucial in sustaining human life and civilization that relies heavily on natural resources. This industry faces new challenges, such as climate change, a growing global population, and new models for managing food security and water resources. Through a machine learning framework, we estimate the future productivity of croplands based on CMIP5 climate projections on moderate carbon emission scenario. We demonstrate that Vietnam and Thailand are at risk with a 10\% and 14\% drop in rice production, respectively, whereas the Philippines is expected to increase its output by 11\% by 2026 compared with 2018. We urge proactive international collaboration between regions facing crop land gain and degradation to mitigate the climate change and population growth impacts reducing our society's vulnerability. Our study provides critical information on the effects of climate change and human activities on land productivity and uses that may assist such collaboration.Comment: 24 pages, 21 figure

Climate Change Impact on Agricultural Land Suitability: An Interpretable Machine Learning-Based Eurasia Case Study

The United Nations has identified improving food security and reducing hunger as essential components of its sustainable development goals. As of 2021, approximately 828 million people worldwide are experiencing hunger and malnutrition, with numerous fatalities reported. Climate change significantly impacts agricultural land suitability, potentially leading to severe food shortages and subsequent social and political conflicts. To address this pressing issue, we have developed a machine learning-based approach to predict the risk of substantial land suitability degradation and changes in irrigation patterns. Our study focuses on Central Eurasia, a region burdened with economic and social challenges. This study represents a pioneering effort in utilizing machine learning methods to assess the impact of climate change on agricultural land suitability under various carbon emissions scenarios. Through comprehensive feature importance analysis, we unveil specific climate and terrain characteristics that exert influence on land suitability. Our approach achieves remarkable accuracy, offering policymakers invaluable insights to facilitate informed decisions aimed at averting a humanitarian crisis, including strategies such as the provision of additional water and fertilizers. This research underscores the tremendous potential of machine learning in addressing global challenges, with a particular emphasis on mitigating hunger and malnutrition

New information technologies in social studies: postnonclassical paradigm

The paper discusses topical issues of virtual reality technologies in social research, particularly when studying the processes of ethnic cultural identity, development of ethnic and racial attitudes using «virtual avatars» for managing ethnic conflicts, development of communication skills in representatives of different cultures using virtual collaboration and video conferencing. One of the key issues of the paper to discuss the necessity of post-non-classical paradigm as a conceptual framework for social research. Contemporary social studies require developing new methods, technologies and techniques at all levels of the research: from task setting to the development of new methods and result analysis. One of the most promising methods rapidly developed in recent years is virtual reality technology. The paper presents the analysis of more than 40 experimental studies performed using CAVE and HMD virtual reality systems. Their application is considered hereunder for the studies of verbal and nonverbal cues in communication, social skills training, treatment of social anxiety disorders and the development of new methods of cognitive behavioural therapy. Studies on interpersonal communication with virtual partners (i.e. «avatars») are considered. Factors affecting the communication quality of avatars, its visual and behavioural realism, problems of seeing virtual human as real partners for social interaction are discussed. Special attention is paid to the studies of racial and ethnic attitudes performed using virtual reality systems. The possibilities of practical applications of the VR technologies for shaping positive attitudes and development of communication skills in a sociocultural context are emphasized

Granulometric, elemental and isotopic composition of bottom sediments of lakes of mountainous areas as a reflection of transformations in their watersheds

The article provides a brief description of the geological and tectonic structure and technogenic transformations in the drainage basin of two lakes of the Krasnodar Krai (Malyy Liman and Abrau). They belong to a single natural-technogenic system. On the example of these mountain lakes, the grain-size distribution, elemental (mercury) and isotopic (cesium-137) composition of bottom sediments was studied. The use of a set of methods and technologies, including those developed by the authors, made it possible to determine the parameters of the anthropogenic impact layer in bottom sediments and the chronology of its formation. It is closely related to natural and man-made events in the drainage basin

Badania i rozwój systemów innowacyjnych w krajach BRICS

This article analyzes the research perspectives of innovative systems in BRICS countries and the typical features of their development. The current status and the peculiarities of the formation process of such systems are characterized in the article. The main innovation indicators in these countries and the factors influencing innovative development are represented in the article. The importance of TNCs in the transfer of new knowledge and technologies is also taken into consideration. Additionally, the article attempts to characterize the main directions of scientific-technological policy in BRICS countries.W artykule przeanalizowano perspektywy badawcze innowacyjnych systemów w krajach BRICS oraz typowe cechy ich rozwoju. Został opisany aktualny stan i osobliwości procesu formowania takich systemów, a także główne wskaźniki innowacji w tych krajach oraz czynniki wpływające na innowacyjny rozwój. Uwzględniono również znaczenie TNC w transferze nowej wiedzy i technologii. Ponadto artykuł próbuje scharakteryzować główne kierunki polityki naukowej oraz technologicznej w krajach BRICS