The Stability Paradox in Central Asia

Baev responds to Cooley's essay on external powers and political stability in Central Asia

Modulation of mitochondrial ion transport by inorganic polyphosphate - essential role in mitochondrial permeability transition pore

Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is a biopolymer of phosphoanhydride-linked orthophosphate residues. PolyP is involved in multiple cellular processes including mitochondrial metabolism and cell death. We used artificial membranes and isolated mitochondria to investigate the role of the polyP in mitochondrial ion transport and in activation of PTP. Here, we found that polyP can modify ion permeability of de-energised mitochondrial membranes but not artificial membranes. This permeability was selective for Ba(2+) and Ca(2+) but not for other monovalent and bivalent cations and can be blocked by inhibitors of the permeability transition pore - cyclosporine A or ADP. Lower concentrations of polyP modulate calcium dependent permeability transition pore opening. Increase in polyP concentrations and elongation chain length of the polymer causes calcium independent swelling in energized conditions. Physiologically relevant concentrations of inorganic polyP can regulate calcium dependent as well calcium independent mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening. This raises the possibility that cytoplasmic polyP can be an important contributor towards regulation of the cell death

Research of Geopolymer Foam Concrete on the Base of the Wastes Produced By Kemerovo Heat and Power Enterprises

The article shows the results of the research on geopolymer foam concrete production on the base of the wastes of Kemerovo heat and power enterprises. Relationships between the compression strength and average density of geopolymer foam concrete and the alkaline activator amount, alkaline concentration, foaming agent amount and duration of the blend mechanical activation were determined. It was found out that being in its optimal composition the material obtained has strength 2.0-3.5 MPa under density from 350 up to 500 kg/m3. Infusion of the developed construction material on the basis of the industrial wastes will allow to change more expensive construction materials on the cement base and provide the utilization of the industrial wastes

TLM modeling and system identification of optimized antenna structures

The transmission line matrix (TLM) method in conjunction with the genetic algorithm (GA) is presented for the bandwidth optimization of a low profile patch antenna. The optimization routine is supplemented by a system identification (SI) procedure. By the SI the model parameters of the structure are estimated which is used for a reduction of the total TLM simulation time. The SI utilizes a new stability criterion of the physical poles for the parameter extraction

The peculiarities of ultrasound wave propagation in magnetorheological fluid with complex dispersive phase

This work is devoted to experimental study of the peculiarities of ultrasound wave propagation in magnetorheological fluid (MRF) with complex disperse phase under evaluation of changing of ultrasonic waves (UW) velocity in MRF on the base of water, oxide powder and carbonyl iron particles vs. intensity of applied magnetic field have been obtained. It was found that in the result of magnetic field separation the oxide layer thickness of MRF is increasing with the field value and can be determined by 2-3 µm and lesser

Method of control of efficiency of investment projects based on real option theory and method of analysis of hierarchies

The article is devoted to the development of a method for valuation and control of the efficiency of investment projects under conditions of high uncertainty. The limitations of the traditional valuation methods of the efficiency of investment projects are highlighted and a more relevant approach through the application of real option theory is proposed that allows for evaluating a project based on tis multivariance and the possibility of decision making at every stage of its development. The article shows that, despite the high relevance of the real options theory, its practical use is very difficult for a number of reasons. The main problem of estimating the value of real options is the need to use in the calculation a sufficient number of a priori statistics regarding the project, which is unfeasible. The authors propose a method in which the probabilistic characteristics of the model project are replaced with correct expert ratings. The method is referred to as the modified ROV-method (MROV). This method is based on the binomial model of assessing the value of real options by building a decision tree. At each node of the tree the project might develop in line with an “optimistic” or “pessimistic” forecast. Since the development of the project under any scenario depends on a number of criteria of the environment, the task of assessing the value of real options becomes a multicriteria one. One of the most sound and practically relevant methods of solving such problems is the method of analytic hierarchy process, which is the basis of the developed MROV method. The article also details the algorithm of implementing this method to determine quantitative estimates of the relative probabilities of the development of the project on “optimistic” or “pessimistic” scenarios in each node of the binomial tree. The resulting estimates subsequently used as weights in the calculation of the net present value of the optional investment project for a decision on the feasibility of its implementation and inclusion of the real options being evaluated in the project.Статья посвящена разработке метода оценки и управления эффективностью инвестиционных проектов в условиях высокой степени неопределенности. Обозначена ограниченность традиционных методов оценки эффективности инвестиционных проектов и предложен более актуальный подход на основе применения теории реальных опционов, который позволяет оценить проект с учетом его многовариантности и возможности принятия решений на каждом этапе его развития. В статье показано, что, несмотря на высокую актуальность теории реальных опционов, ее практическое использование весьма затруднительно по ряду причин. Основной проблемой в отношении оценки стоимости реальных опционов является необходимость использования в расчетах достаточного количества априорных статистических данных относительно проекта, что на практике является труднореализуемой задачей. Авторами предложен метод, в рамках которого вероятностные характеристики модели проекта заменяются корректными экспертными оценками, названный модифицированным ROV-методом (MROV). За основу данного метода взята биномиальная модель оценки стоимости реального опциона, основанная на построении дерева решений, в каждом узле которого возможно развитие проекта по оптимистическому или пессимистическому прогнозу. Поскольку развитие проекта по какому-либо сценарию зависит от ряда критериев среды, то задача оценки стоимости реального опциона становится многокритериальной задачей. Одним из наиболее обоснованных и практически адекватных методов решения подобных задач является метод анализа иерархий, который и положен в основу разрабатываемого MROV-метода. Также в статье подробно описан алгоритм реализации данного метода для определения количественных оценок относительных вероятностей развития проекта по «оптимистическому» или «пессимистическому» сценарию в каждом узле биномиального дерева решений. Полученные оценки в последующем используются в качестве весов при расчете чистой приведенной стоимости вариативного опционального инвестиционного проекта для принятия решения о целесообразности его реализации и включении в проект, оцениваемых реальных опционов

Improving the Efficiency of Using Smalldistributed Generation Systems through Mechanisms of Demand Management for Electricity and Gas

The article is devoted to the development of a model and a set of methods for improving the efficiency of using small-distributed generation systems. The basis of the developed model is the integration of methods of price-dependent demand management for electricity and natural gas with a system of small-distributed power generation. The developed management model allows electricity consumers to reduce the cost of purchasing energy resources in comparison with the cost of electricity supplied from energy companies, based on the analysis of price indicators for the supply of electricity from regional energy markets and the terms of natural gas supply. The article presents the results of the pricing principles analysis for all components of the electricity and natural gas cost. The possibility of complex price-dependent demand management for the consumption of electric power is demonstrated through the management of electricity generation schedules by a small-generation system and schedules of gas consumption spent on electricity generation by a system of small-distributed generation. The complex of methods of price-dependent power consumption developed by the authors, taking into account the use of the system of small-distributed generation, can be adapted to the use by various types of electricity consumers that purchase electricity in the energy markets of various countries of the world.The work was supported by Act 211 Government of the Russian Federation, contract No 02.A03.21.0011