Perceiving Quality of Life in Modern Urban Space: Regional Aspect

The article discusses the problem of modern urban space planning, taking an individual Russian region (Nizhny Novgorod) as an example. The authors argue that neither the policy nor the mentality of government authorities and professionals in the field of architecture can ignore the habits, needs, expectations and views of city residents regarding the best comfortable urban space layout. A sociological survey conducted in Nizhny Novgorod has shown that a modern city dweller’s priorities include quality education, access to culture, visual uniqueness of the city and aesthetisation of its space (referring not only to the historic center but also to the residential district areas) that should define modern urban planning strategies. Various forms of social alienation caused by improper structuring of urban space are considered a problem for a modern Russian region: leisure isolationism, discomfort from perceiving residential district areas as periferic with simultaneously preferring virtual space to the physical urban one. In conclusion, recommendations for setting up urban environment layout are offered to urban planners

Research into Behaviour Patterns Typical for Consumers of Construction Material as the Mission of Ecological Management

The objective of the co-authors is to study the motivation of purchasers of construction/finishing materials and the criteria that govern their selection. No systemic studies of consumer behavioral models and stereotypes in respect of residential housing have been performed so far. However, the environmentally determined management techniques, applicable to the production of building materials and construction of residential housing, are highly relevant both worldwide and in the Russian Federation. The co-authors have developed an original research methodology, drafted a questionnaire, and conducted a pilot survey. Its findings have proven that the price and quality of construction materials are the main factors that influence the decision making process in favor of particular items. Mere 14% of the respondents chose environmental friendliness as the decision making criterion. The findings of the focus group projects have also proven the trustworthiness of the stereotypes and behavioral models identified by the co-authors. The co-authors make a conclusion that further sociological surveys are needed to implement the patterns of environmentally determined management and to influence the value paradigms of the population

Research into Behaviour Patterns Typical for Consumers of Construction Material as the Mission of Ecological Management

The objective of the co-authors is to study the motivation of purchasers of construction/finishing materials and the criteria that govern their selection. No systemic studies of consumer behavioral models and stereotypes in respect of residential housing have been performed so far. However, the environmentally determined management techniques, applicable to the production of building materials and construction of residential housing, are highly relevant both worldwide and in the Russian Federation. The co-authors have developed an original research methodology, drafted a questionnaire, and conducted a pilot survey. Its findings have proven that the price and quality of construction materials are the main factors that influence the decision making process in favor of particular items. Mere 14% of the respondents chose environmental friendliness as the decision making criterion. The findings of the focus group projects have also proven the trustworthiness of the stereotypes and behavioral models identified by the co-authors. The co-authors make a conclusion that further sociological surveys are needed to implement the patterns of environmentally determined management and to influence the value paradigms of the population

Perceiving Quality of Life in Modern Urban Space: Regional Aspect

The article discusses the problem of modern urban space planning, taking an individual Russian region (Nizhny Novgorod) as an example. The authors argue that neither the policy nor the mentality of government authorities and professionals in the field of architecture can ignore the habits, needs, expectations and views of city residents regarding the best comfortable urban space layout. A sociological survey conducted in Nizhny Novgorod has shown that a modern city dweller’s priorities include quality education, access to culture, visual uniqueness of the city and aesthetisation of its space (referring not only to the historic center but also to the residential district areas) that should define modern urban planning strategies. Various forms of social alienation caused by improper structuring of urban space are considered a problem for a modern Russian region: leisure isolationism, discomfort from perceiving residential district areas as periferic with simultaneously preferring virtual space to the physical urban one. In conclusion, recommendations for setting up urban environment layout are offered to urban planners

Perceiving Quality of Life in Modern Urban Space: Regional Aspect

The article discusses the problem of modern urban space planning, taking an individual Russian region (Nizhny Novgorod) as an example. The authors argue that neither the policy nor the mentality of government authorities and professionals in the field of architecture can ignore the habits, needs, expectations and views of city residents regarding the best comfortable urban space layout. A sociological survey conducted in Nizhny Novgorod has shown that a modern city dweller’s priorities include quality education, access to culture, visual uniqueness of the city and aesthetisation of its space (referring not only to the historic center but also to the residential district areas) that should define modern urban planning strategies. Various forms of social alienation caused by improper structuring of urban space are considered a problem for a modern Russian region: leisure isolationism, discomfort from perceiving residential district areas as periferic with simultaneously preferring virtual space to the physical urban one. In conclusion, recommendations for setting up urban environment layout are offered to urban planners

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Group A Rotavirus Genotypes in Moscow (2019–2020)

Group A rotavirus (RVA) infection is the leading cause of hospitalization of children under 5 years old, presenting with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. The aim of our study was to explore the genetic diversity of RVA among patients admitted to Moscow Infectious Disease Clinical Hospital No. 1 with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. A total of 653 samples were collected from May 2019 through March 2020. Out of them, 135 (20.67%) fecal samples were found to be positive for rotavirus antigen by ELISA. RT-PCR detected rotavirus RNA in 80 samples. Seven G-genotypes (G1, G2, G3, G4, G8, G9, and G12) and three P-genotypes (P[8], P[4], and P[6]) formed 9 different combinations. The most common combination was G9P[8]. However, for the first time in Moscow, the combination G3P[8] took second place. Moreover, all detected viruses of this combination belonged to Equine-like G3P[8] viruses that had never been detected in Russia before. The genotype G8P[8] and G9P[4] rotaviruses were also detected in Moscow for the first time. Among the studied rotaviruses, there were equal proportions of Wa and DS-1-like strains; previous studies showed that Wa-like strains accounted for the largest proportion of rotaviruses in Russia

Initiatives, experiences and best practices for teaching social and ecological responsibility in ethics education for science and engineering students

For the past 14 years the Social Ecological Responsibility in Science and Engineering Education (SERSEE) Network has discussed the challenging but necessary task of teaching social and ecological responsibility to science and engineering students. Identifying, sharing and developing best practices, pedagogical materials and tools as well as a strategy for promoting it at universities can aid and promote this endeavour. This paper presents the central concepts and pedagogical methods that have emerged during the informal network’s meetings, and compares these concepts and methods to trends in the research literature.Ethics & Philosophy of Technolog

A rapid method for evaluation of partial potato resistance to late blight and of aggressiveness of Phytophthora infestans isolates originating from different regions

The procedure of evaluation is based on mathematical simulation model of the late blight (LB) development in combination with laboratory testing of detached leaflets artificially inoculated with Phytophthora infestans. An incubation period, amount and sizes of lesions and sporulation capacity are estimated. Each couple “tested Phytophthora isolate and tested potato cultivar” is compared with a standard couple “Phytophthora isolate N161 and standard cultivar”. A simulator on the base of these data calculates area under the curve for LB development and yield loss due to LB for a situation when a yield loss of a standard cultivar infected with a standard isolate is equal 35%. Comparison of a new rapid laboratory method and field methods showed satisfactory correlation. Resistance to late blight was evaluated for 47 potato cultivars with the new method. It was also shown that some variations in foliar aggressiveness existed among P. infestans populations from different regions. Supported by ISTC grant #1640