Performance in Cultural Sphere: Cluster Analysis of Socio-Economic Performance Indicators of Russian Theatres

Cultural organizations are important players of the public sector of the economy. Recent trends such as growing competition within the industry and among alternative entertainment venues and attractions, tighter restrictions on budget spending, etc. make performance measurement of cultural organizations highly relevant. The market of cultural organizations is heterogeneous. Cultural organizations have multiple strategic goals that do not boil down to financial results, but concern social, artistic and educational impacts. Currently more than 630 organizations form the theatrical network monitored by the Ministry of Culture of Russia. Such a large number of theatres implies that they are different in scope, aims, and resources possessed. Assessing their performance thus becomes a complicated task. The article describes the results of empirical analysis based on panel statistical data of the Russian Ministry of Culture from 2012 to 2016. The data covers a total number of 3,182 objects. The presented research has two aims. Firstly, we identify a set of key input, output and outcome indicators that represent a comprehensive approach to measuring the performance of theatres. Secondly, we identify clusters within the general population of Russian theatres and describe their key features. Two econometric methods are used: principal component analysis and k-means cluster analysis. The findings of the study reveal 12 principal components that seem to be a handy research tool for performance measurement of cultural organizations. Furthermore, four clusters of theatres with specific characteristics are distinguished. The author assumes that these clusters represent distinct theatre profiles and that the performance of theatres should be measured within these clusters since they represent seemingly homogenous groups of objects.Учреждения культуры являются важными участниками общественного сектора экономики. В России в последние годы очевидны значимые изменения в сфере культуры: появление различных организационно-правовых форм учреждений культуры, разнообразия механизмов финансирования организаций, рост конкуренции за потребителя услуг не только между учреждениями культуры, но и с поставщиками развлекательных услуг. Происходящие изменения делают необходимым тщательное изучение проблемы эффективности в сфере культуры. Рынок услуг культуры в значительной степени гетерогенен. Стратегические цели деятельности учреждений культуры многообразны, не сводятся лишь к финансовым результатам, а касаются социальных, художественных и образовательных эффектов. В настоящее время в России функционируют более 630 театральных учреждений, входящих в сеть Министерства культуры. Большое количество учреждений означает, что они очень сильно различаются по масштабу, целям деятельности, ресурсам и т. д. Все это делает оценку эффективности деятельности учреждений культуры трудной задачей. В статье представлены результаты эмпирического исследования, проведенного на основе статистических данных Министерства культуры по театральным учреждениям за 2012–2016 гг. Эмпирическая база исследования насчитывает 3 182 объекта. Исследование имело две цели. Первое: с помощью метода «анализ главных компонент» определить набор ключевых затратных и результативных показателей деятельности, которые могут быть использованы при проведении оценки эффективности в театральной отрасли. Второе: выявить кластеры учреждений на основе анализа генеральной совокупности театров РФ с помощью метода k-средних и описать ключевые отличительные характеристики кластеров. В результате исследования выявлены 12 главных компонент – латентных конструкций, включающих в себя показатели деятельности театров. Данные компоненты представляют собой набор наиболее значимых характеристик деятельности учреждений, позволяющих оценивать их эффективность. Также выявлены четыре кластера театральных учреждений, обладающие отличительными характеристиками, позволяющими говорить о существовании специфичных профилей российских театров с точки зрения показателей деятельности

Geochemical features of fallow land in ancient plots in the chora of Chersonesos

The purpose of our work was to verify whether the ampeloecological conditions, especially the geochemical features of the soil and rock, limited viticulture in NW Crime

Genetic risk factors for vascular aging: molecular mechanisms, polymorphism of candidate genes and gene networks

Age is considered an independent and primary risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. Aging of vascular cells induces complex changes in the structure and functions of the vasculature. The article discusses a number of molecular genetic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of vascular aging: cell and mitochondrial dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, depletion of the progenitor cell pool, shortening and damage to telomeres, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and dysregulation of vascular tone. There is more and more evidence of cross-involvement in the vascular aging processes of candidate genes (such as ACE, SIRT1, TERC, FOXO1, FOXO3, APOE, NOS3) associated with life expectancy and cardiovascular diseases. For 26 genes involved in the presented molecular mechanisms of vascular aging, sites of functional polymorphisms are given. Understanding the main pathophysiological changes caused by vascular aging makes it possible to choose a preventive strategy. Modern approaches for better predicting of genetic risk are discussed in conclusion using the example of visualization of vascular aging genes network

The relationship of genetic risk factors with the development of arterial hypertension taking into account ethnic differences

Aim. To study the influence of genetic factors on the risk of essential arterial hypertension (AH) and the course in patients of Russian and Buryat ethnicity.Material and methods. The study included 248 patients of the Russian and 92 patients of the Buryat ethnic group. All patients were evaluated for genotypes by ACE, ADRB1, ADRB2, ADRB3, CAT, NOS3, CYP11B2, AGT, STK39, EDN1, GNB3 markers. Following clinical data were determined: age, body mass index, smoking history, stage and degree of AH, the presence and nature of target organ damage, hereditary history. In the study, patients of the two ethnic groups were divided into the case and control groups depending on the presence or absence of AH.Results. In patients of the Russian ethnic group, an association of a more severe AH course with a burdened family history was revealed, in contrast to patients of Buryat nationality. In the Buryat group, the development of AH is associated with polymorphisms of the candidate genes ADRB3 (rs4994), GNB3 (rs5443), ACE (rs464994), STK39 (rs3754777), EDN1 (rs9349379). In the Russian group, ACE, EDN1, CYP11B2 (rs 1799998), GNB3, NOS3 (rs1799983), ADRB1 (rs1801253) genes had a significant contribution. When comparing the assortment of allele frequency of the ACE gene polymorphic marker among two ethnic groups, the “I” allele was found significantly more frequently in patients of Russian group.Conclusion. The results of the study revealed ethnic differences in the genetic features of essential AH. For the first time, an association between genetic markers encoding elements of the renin-angiotensin system, sympathoadrenal system, endothelial system and AH risk in patients of Buryat nationality was established. The identification of ethnic differences and genetic predisposition to AH, makes it possible to understand the role of the hereditary component of hypertension. We suppose that these data in conjunction with the influence of the environment, can help to develop one of the areas of personalized medicine

ASSOCIATION OF THE GENE CYP11B2 WITH THE RISK OF ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION AND ATHEROTHROMBOTIC COMPLICATIONS

Genetics of arterial hypertension is broadly discussed as of one of multifactorial diseases. Invention of an algoritm for risk stratification based upon genetic parameters, gives chance to select groups of higher essential hypertension (EH) risk with the aim of primary prevention. One of such prototypes was assessed, that inculdes 11 genetic markers, in 30 patients with known clinical parameters; 19 of those were with EH and 11 normotonics. Individual impact is assessed of each marker and comparison done for total risk in patients. As a result, there were no differences found in individual risk for patients with and without EH by 11 markers, between subgroups. There was protective effect found for the allele С rs1799998 of gene CYP11B2 (OR 0,247; CI=[0,081-0,754], p=0,01)

Crystallization of calcium oxalate hydrates by interaction of calcite marble with fungus Aspergillus niger

The crystallization of calcium oxalates (weddellite and whewellite) by interaction of calcite marble with fungus Aspergillus niger, one of the most active stone destructors, was studied under in vitro conditions. The temporal development of acid production of fungus as well as the sequence of formation and morphogenesis of the growing oxalate hydrates crystals were investigated in detail. Furthermore, the relationships between morphology and growth conditions of crystals within the biofilms on the surface of carbonate rocks are discussed

DIMEPHOSPHON EFFECTS ON SKIN MICROHAEMODYNAMICS

Aim. To demonstrate basic mechanisms of dimephosphon operation on skin microhaemodynamics.Materials and methods. The study of dimephosphon effect on blood microcirculation of skin in outbred male rats included registration of perfusion index, mean square deviation, variation coefficient; determination of the amplitude of blood flow oscillations in different frequency range (by laser doppler flowmetry method).Results. Dimephosphon stimulates oscillatory and non-oscillatory skin microhaemodynamic indiсes indicating the increase of peripheral tissues perfusion and blood flow modulation in microvessels due to endothelium functional activity increase, peripheral resistance decrease, increase of blood flow to the nutritive microvessel channel and venous outflow improvement. Conclusion. Vasoactive properties of dimephosphon are manifested in its ability to affect vascular and extravascular regulatory processes of blood microcirculation of skin. Microvessel endothelium and its metabolic activity associated with NO release are the most sensitive to dimephosphon effect. The ability to increase endothelium NO production is the basic mechanism of dimephosphon vasodilatory action