Individualisation of cities as one of the factors of preserving human capital

This study examines the problem of individualisation, individualisation of cities and its relationship with human capital. The strategies of Russian cities put human capital in one of the key positions, but the use of outdated methods of attracting the population has practically exhausted itself. In this regard, the authors put forward a hypothesis about a close connection between the individualisation of urban strategies and the preservation of human capital. Foreign approaches to the individualisation of cities have been considered. A mechanism for implementing individualised strategies of Russian cities by creating a city brand has been proposed as well as the key points of this process have been highlighted. The characteristic features of the formation of the brand of territories for different types of cities have been determined. It has been concluded that the manifestation of their individuality will help Russian cities in preserving human capital, as well as in attracting resources for their development

Oxygen-deficient Nd0.8Sr1.2Ni0.8M0.2O4-δ (M = Ni, Co, Fe) nickelates as oxygen electrode materials for SOFC/SOEC

Ruddlesden-Popper Nd0.8Sr1.2Ni0.8M0.2O4±δ (M = Ni, Co, Fe) nickelates have been characterized as prospective oxygen electrode materials for solid electrolyte cells. XRD studies showed that these oxides retain tetragonal K2NiF4-type structure in air until at least 900°C. Average thermal expansion coefficients of Nd0.8Sr1.2Ni0.8M0.2O4±δ calculated from the structural data are in the range 14.5-15.8 ppm/K. TGA studies revealed that these nickelates are oxygen-deficient in air at temperature above 700°C but tends to oxygen stoichiometry or minor excess on cooling. Incorporation of cobalt or iron into nickel sublattice of Nd0.8Sr1.2NiO4-δ reduces oxygen deficiency and electrical conductivity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies of symmetrical cells showed that porous Nd0.8Sr1.2Ni0.8M0.2O4-δ electrodes applied onto Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-δ electrolyte exhibit quite similar performance, with lowest values of polarization resistance (0.8 Ohm×cm2 at 800°C) observed for M = Ni. The polarization resistance can be further decreased (down to 0.04 Ohm×cm2 at 800°C for M = Ni) by surface modification with PrOx.publishe

Oxygen-deficient perovskite-related (Nd0.4Sr0.6)2Ni0.8M0.2O4-δ as oxygen electrode materials for SOFC/SOEC

Perovskite-related Ln2NiO4+δ (Ln = La, Pr, Nd) nickelates with layered Ruddlesden-Popper combine redox stability with noticeable oxygen stoichiometry changes, yielding enhanced mixed transport and electrocatalytic properties. These unique features are promising for applications as oxygen electrodes with good electrochemical performance in reversible SOFC/SOEC (solid oxide fuel/electrolysis cell) systems. To date, most efforts were focused on oxygen-hyperstoichiometric Ln2NiO4+δ-based phases, whereas nickelates with oxygen-deficient lattice remain poorly explored. Recent studies demonstrated that the highest electrical conductivity in (Ln2-xSrx)2NiO4±δ series at elevated temperatures is observed for the compositions containing ~ 60 at.% of strontium in A sublattice [1,2]. The present work was focused on the characterization of (Nd0.4Sr0.6)2Ni0.8M0.2O4-δ (M = Ni, Co, Fe) nickelates for the possible use as materials for reversible oxygen electrodes. The ceramic materials were prepared by Pechini method with repeated annealings at 650-1200°C and sintered at 1250-1300°C for 5 h under oxygen atmosphere. Variable-temperature XRD studies confirmed that all studied compositions retain tetragonal K2NiF4-type structure in the temperature range 25-900°C. The results of thermogravimetric analysis showed that the prepared nickelates has oxygen-deficient lattice under oxidizing conditions at temperatures above 700°C. Partial substitution of nickel by cobalt or iron results in a decrease of p-type electronic conductivity and the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the lattice (Fig.1), but also suppresses dimensional changes associated with microcracking effects (due to anisotropic thermal expansion of tetragonal lattice). Electrochemical performance of porous (Nd0.4Sr0.6)2Ni0.8M0.2O4-δ electrodes in contact with Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-δ solid electrolyte was evaluated at 600- 800°C employing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and steady-state polarization (anodic and cathodic) measurements.publishe

Бюджетирование на основе общественного участия: зарубежный опыт и практика применения в России

The research is devoted to the modern enhancement of budget allocation effciency at the municipal level. Internationally, it is referred to as participatory budgeting. The subject of the research is the world and Russian experience of participatory budgeting and the effectiveness of such initiatives. The research objective is to determine the correlation between the international experience of public participation in the budget allocation and the program of initiative budgeting in the Russian Federation; based on this, to develop recommendations for improving the effciency of budget expenditures. The theoretical basis and the relationship between the concepts of “participatory budgeting” used to denote public participation abroad, and the “proactive budgeting” adopted in Russia have been considered. More than 30 international studies of participatory budgeting over the past 15 years have been analyzed. The aspects and effectiveness of the approaches have been highlighted. The best international and Russian experiences of participatory (initiative) budgeting, their characteristics and commitment to results have been identifed. As a result, the authors have presented a basic scheme to organize the participatory budgeting process, highlighting the stages, activities and criteria for the effectiveness of programs implemented within this approach. The initiative budgeting perspectives in Russia have been shown on the example of Yekaterinburg. Some recommendations have been given to enhance the implementation effciency. Among them are: infrastructural differences between the territories, expanding fnancial independence of municipalities in terms of initiative budgeting, building a system of representatives of local communities. It has been concluded that the initiative budgeting in the Russian Federation differs notably in its form from the international initiatives. The main difference is the requirement to the population and business to co-fnance projects. Some measures have been proposed to move gradually from the Russian participatory budgeting to the international standards, including: developing a methodology for project effciency evaluation, providing tax incentives, extensive use of information technology, and introducing the annual schedule of meetings and polls.Исследование посвящено современному направлению повышения эффективности распределения бюджетных средств на муниципальном уровне. В мировой практике оно обозначается как бюджетирование на основе общественного участия. Предмет исследования — мировой и российский опыт форм бюджетирования на основе общественного участия, а также эффективность реализации подобных инициатив. Цель статьи — определить соотношение накопленного мирового опыта в области общественного участия в распределении бюджетных средств и формируемой в Российской Федерации программы инициативного бюджетирования и на этой основе выработать рекомендации по повышению эффективности расходования бюджетных средств. Рассматривается теоретическая база и соотношение понятий «партисипаторное бюджетирование», используемое для обозначения общественного участия за рубежом, и «инициативное бюджетирование», принятое в российской практике. Проведен анализ более 30 международных исследований бюджетирования с общественным участием за последние 15 лет. Выделены особенности и эффективность применяемых подходов. Определены лучшие зарубежные и российские практики партисипаторного (инициативного) бюджетирования, их характеристики и направленность на результат. В итоге авторами представлена базовая схема организации процесса бюджетирования с общественным участием с выделением этапов, мероприятий и критериев эффективности реализуемых программ в рамках данного подхода. На примере г. Екатеринбурга рассмотрены перспективы внедрения инициативного бюджетирования в России. Сформированы рекомендации по повышению эффективности его реализации, среди них: учет дифференциации по инфраструктурной обеспеченности между территориями, расширение финансовой самостоятельности муниципалитетов в рамках инициативного бюджетирования, формирование системы представительства местных общин. Сделан вывод, что инициативное бюджетирование, внедряемое в РФ, заметно отличается по форме от реализуемых инициатив в мировой практике. Главное отличие — требование софинансирования проектов со стороны населения и бизнеса. Предложены мероприятия постепенного перехода от российской модели бюджетирования на основе общественного участия к международным стандартам, в том числе: разработка методики оценки эффективности проектов, предоставление налоговых льгот, широкое применение информационных технологий, введение годового расписания встреч и голосований

Combined QCD and electroweak analysis of HERA data

A simultaneous fit of parton distribution functions (PDFs) and electroweak parameters to HERA data on deep inelastic scattering is presented. The input data are the neutral current and charged current inclusive cross sections which were previously used in the QCD analysis leading to the HERAPDF2.0 PDFs. In addition, the polarisation of the electron beam was taken into account for the ZEUS data recorded between 2004 and 2007. Results on the vector and axial-vector couplings of the Z boson to u- and d-type quarks, on the value of the electroweak mixing angle and the mass of the W boson are presented. The values obtained for the electroweak parameters are in agreement with Standard Model predictions.Comment: 32 pages, 10 figures, accepted by Phys. Rev. D. Small corrections from proofing process and small change to Fig. 12 and Table

Limits on the effective quark radius from inclusive epep scattering at HERA

The high-precision HERA data allows searches up to TeV scales for Beyond the Standard Model contributions to electron-quark scattering. Combined measurements of the inclusive deep inelastic cross sections in neutral and charged current $ep$ scattering corresponding to a luminosity of around 1 fb$^{-1}$ have been used in this analysis. A new approach to the beyond the Standard Model analysis of the inclusive $ep$ data is presented; simultaneous fits of parton distribution functions together with contributions of "new physics" processes were performed. Results are presented considering a finite radius of quarks within the quark form-factor model. The resulting 95% C.L. upper limit on the effective quark radius is $0.43\cdot 10^{-16}$ cm.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, accepted by Phys. Lett.

Search for a narrow baryonic state decaying to pKS0{pK^0_S} and pˉKS0{\bar{p}K^0_S} in deep inelastic scattering at HERA

A search for a narrow baryonic state in the $pK^0_S$ and $\bar{p}K^0_S$ system has been performed in $ep$ collisions at HERA with the ZEUS detector using an integrated luminosity of 358 pb$^{-1}$ taken in 2003-2007. The search was performed with deep inelastic scattering events at an $ep$ centre-of-mass energy of 318 GeV for exchanged photon virtuality, $Q^2$, between 20 and 100 $\rm{} GeV^{2}$. Contrary to evidence presented for such a state around 1.52 GeV in a previous ZEUS analysis using a sample of 121 pb$^{-1}$ taken in 1996-2000, no resonance peak was found in the $p(\bar{p})K^0_S$ invariant-mass distribution in the range 1.45-1.7 GeV. Upper limits on the production cross section are set.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, accepted by Phys. Lett. B. Minor changes from journal reviewing process, including a small correction to figure

Measurement of the cross-section ratio sigma_{psi(2S)}/sigma_{J/psi(1S)} in deep inelastic exclusive ep scattering at HERA

The exclusive deep inelastic electroproduction of $\psi(2S)$ and $J/\psi(1S)$ at an $ep$ centre-of-mass energy of 317 GeV has been studied with the ZEUS detector at HERA in the kinematic range $2 < Q^2 < 80$ GeV$^2$, $30 < W < 210$ GeV and $|t| < 1$ GeV$^2$, where $Q^2$ is the photon virtuality, $W$ is the photon-proton centre-of-mass energy and $t$ is the squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex. The data for $2 < Q^2 < 5$ GeV$^2$ were taken in the HERA I running period and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 114 pb$^{-1}$. The data for $5 < Q^2 < 80$ GeV$^2$ are from both HERA I and HERA II periods and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 468 pb$^{-1}$. The decay modes analysed were $\mu^+\mu^-$ and $J/\psi(1S) \,\pi^+\pi^-$ for the $\psi(2S)$ and $\mu^+\mu^-$ for the $J/\psi(1S)$. The cross-section ratio $\sigma_{\psi(2S)}/\sigma_{J/\psi(1S)}$ has been measured as a function of $Q^2, W$ and $t$. The results are compared to predictions of QCD-inspired models of exclusive vector-meson production.Comment: 24 pages, 8 figure

Measurement of neutral current e+/-p cross sections at high Bjorken x with the ZEUS detector

The neutral current e+/-p cross section has been measured up to values of Bjorken x of approximately 1 with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 187 inv. pb of e-p and 142 inv. pb of e+p collisions at sqrt(s) = 318GeV. Differential cross sections in x and Q2, the exchanged boson virtuality, are presented for Q2 geq 725GeV2. An improved reconstruction method and greatly increased amount of data allows a finer binning in the high-x region of the neutral current cross section and leads to a measurement with much improved precision compared to a similar earlier analysis. The measurements are compared to Standard Model expectations based on a variety of recent parton distribution functions.Comment: 39 pages, 9 figure