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The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, triggered a substantial wave of emigration from Russia, driven by safety concerns, political dissent, and economic instability. While some host countries have adopted welcoming policies for the new Russian emigrés, others have imposed stricter regulations citing security concerns and shared difficult pasts. Despite these measures, many Russians abroad remain in a legal gray area, frequently resorting to visa runs to maintain their stay, and facing discrimination in some contexts; hereby, there is a pressing need for nuanced legal and social responses from the host countries. To approach this task, the paper applies the concept 'new minorities' to Russian nationals who left their homeland after the start of invasion of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased use of modern mathematical algorithms based on artificial intelligence determined the relevance of this study, which is important for predicting the sustainable development of the country's economy in general and its banking sector in particular. To achieve the purpose of the research, the presented work used methods such as monographic, analytical, statistical, cognitive model, and artificial intelligence system "Random Forest". The aim of the study is to prove or disprove the hypothesis that, using a cognitive model, using the Random Forest ML model, it is possible to obtain an accurate forecast of the value of the "sustainability coefficient", reflecting the stability of the domestic economy. The scientific novelty of the study is due to the fact that the author's approach is proposed for indicating the crisis state of the economy through the calculation and neural network forecasting by the machine learning model "Random Forest" of the "Stability Coefficient" of the economy, which is calculated as the quotient of dividing the profit index of the banking system to the GDP growth index. The possibility of practical application in the banking sector determines the practical significance of the conducted scientific research since the approach proposed by the authors regarding the formation of a forecast of the "sustainability coefficient" can be successfully used to support managerial decision-making at the strategic level in the banking system. A hypothesis was put forward and proven that based on the use of a digital cognitive model and the Random Forest ML system, a forecast of economic stability can be successfully generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study's relevance lies in the fact that the important problem is ensuring the sustainability of the development of the Russian economy. Its financial system is influenced by many factors, among which are increased risks and market uncertainty, aggravation of the global military-political confrontation between the largest world powers, and technological innovations associated with the emergence of a new technological order "Industry 4.0". The purpose of the work is to study the financial stability of the state as a complex system based on a cognitive model that involves the use of an artificial intelligence system and a VaR model. The novelty of the study lies in the proposed approach, which involves the formation of a cognitive model of economic processes, which includes the Decision Tree artificial intelligence system and the VaR model, both generate GDP forecasts, then their forecast values are compared. A hypothesis has been put forward and proved that with the help of a cognitive model that includes an A.I. system and a VaR model, it is possible to obtain a forecast of the volume of Russia's GDP, the dynamics of which allows us to assess the sustainability of the development of the country's economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Despite the fact that COVID-19 usually manifests with severe pneumonia, there is a growing body of evidence that life-threatening multiorgan damage is caused by vascular and hemostatic abnormalities. Since there is no established therapy, assessing antithrombotics is indeed important. Sulodexide, a compound derived from porcine intestinal mucosa is a mixture of fast-moving heparin fraction (80%) and dermatan sulfate (20%), is approved in Europe and currently in trials for COVID-19 indication. Methods. This single-center, prospective, observational study included 28 patients with mild COVID-19 hospitalized in the Central Clinical Hospital of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation. Patients in the control group (n = 14) were treated using routine therapy according to current guidelines, while patients in the experimental group (n = 14) had the routine treatment supplemented with daily intravenous injections of sulodexide in 600-unit doses. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to examine the blood specimens derived from the cubital vein at admission and at 10 days after hospitalization, which was approximately the average duration of patients' treatment in the hospital (11.6 ± 0.4 days). Results. Sulodexide significantly (by 40%) diminished the score of circulating endothelial cells, potentially indicating its antiviral endothelium-protective properties. It also prevented the extra activation of the platelets and the formation of erythrocytic sludges. Among patients in the control group, the share of activated platelets rose from 37 ± 5% to 45 ± 6% (p = 0.04) over the course of the study period, whereas among patients in the experimental group, the share of activated platelets remained practically unchanged (43 ± 6% vs. 38 ± 4%, p = 0.22). The score of erythrocytic sludges in the control group remained practically the same (4.8 ± 1.1 at admission vs. 3.9 ± 0.9 after 10 days, p = 0.67), whereas in the experimental group, it significantly decreased (from 5.7 ± 1.7 to 2.4 ± 0.9, p = 0.03). Conclusions. Sulodexide is able to defend endothelium, normalize blood, and, seemingly, prevent thrombosis. Therefore, it may be considered as a promising and effective agent for the treatment of patients with mild COVID-19. Broader randomized trials are needed to assess whether the observed findings will transform into sustained long-term clinical benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In May 2020 the Russian Ministry of Health granted fast-track marketing authorization to RNA polymerase inhibitor AVIFAVIR (favipiravir) for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. In the pilot stage of Phase II/III clinical trial, AVIFAVIR enabled SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance in 62.5% of patients within 4 days, and was safe and well-tolerated. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04434248. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an overview of the renaming tendencies in Russia of the 2010s and the main stakeholders of the name changing. On the base of the administration websites, online media petitions and other open sources, three cases are examined in detail: 1) Perm, where half of Maksim Gorky street was renamed after the surgeon Sergey Sukhanov in 2015; 2) Kazan, where at the same time Esperanto street was renamed after Nursultan Nazarbaev, causing mass protests for several years; 3) Volgograd, with the discussions about returning to its older name Stalingrad being led for years. Based on the analysis of these cases, the following tendencies are identified: changes of stakeholders motivation for renamings, transfer of power to name from parliamentary institutions to administration, a new perception of the city center and distant districts; and, finally, the appearance of alternative mechanisms of social memory encouraged by the wiping out of older names. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data are provided on the morphology, age composition of catches, maturation, fecundity, and feeding of the European whitefish from a high-mountain lake in the Altai. The taxonomic status of the species and possible ways of its naturalization in the lake as a result of fish breeding and acclimatization measures are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insectivores (Eulypotiphla) are a substantial component of Russian forest ecosystems. The parasites of these animals also form an important part of natural biocenoses and act as one of the factors in the formation of biodiversity. The Mordovia Nature Reserve and National Park "Smolny" are large, forested areas located in the center of European Russia. We studied the helminth fauna of insectivores in these protected areas in 2018–2022. In total, using the method of complete helminthological necropsy, we examined 478 individuals of shrews, moles, and hedgehogs and recorded 34 species of parasitic worms, i.e., 8 trematode, 7 cestode, 1 acanthocephalan, and 18 nematode species. The most diverse helminth fauna was found in Sorex araneus (22 species). The composition of helminths in S. isodon (12), Neomys fodiens (9), Sorex minutus, and Erinaceus roumanicus (8 species each) turned out to be less diverse. The lowest species diversity of helminths was observed in Neomys milleri (3) and Talpae europaea (2 species). Taking into account the newly obtained data, we conducted a review of the helminth diversity in shrews, hedgehogs, and moles in the Middle Volga region. According to our literature data, the helminth fauna of insectivores in this region consists of 52 species, including 14 cestodes, 13 trematodes, 22 nematodes, and 3 acanthocephalans. Most of them belong to the Palearctic faunal complex (36 species). The helminth fauna of insectivores in the studied protected areas was compared with the helminth fauna of micromammals in other areas of the Middle Volga region. Our comparative analysis showed a high and average degree of similarity in the helminth fauna within individual species and genera of Eulipotyphla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article expands on the problem of oil and fat industry waste recycling via biogas plants. Authors assess the risk level of the proposed solution implementation, taking into account externalities of the industry in the Rostov Region of the Russian Federation submitted by the stability of centralized power supply, local personnel qualification, climatic peculiarities, and industry state finance support of the region. To achieve the study objective, the following methods were used: qualitative PESTEL-analysis (identified the external factors) and quantitative Fuzzy logic (assessed risk level. The result of this study shows that the risk level is predominantly below average, reflecting the preparedness of the external environment in the region. The uniqueness of the study is represented by a proposed model to assess the external environment risk level via fuzzy logic that also contributes to more qualitative subsequent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trematode infection of the second intermediate hosts can lead to changes in their fitness and, as a result, a change in the invasion rate of animal communities. It is especially pronounced during the invasion of parasite species that reduce activity due to the manipulation of hosts through the changes of their morphology and physiology. One of these cases is an anomaly P syndrome hotspot found in some populations of water frogs and toads in Europe caused by the trematode Strigea robusta metacercariae. The occurrence of pathogen and their participation in ecosystems are intrigues questions in the anomaly P phenomenon, as well as the role of planorbid snails that serve as the first intermediate hosts for many trematode species. Herein, we focused on trematodes spectra from planorbid snails and amphibians from the anomaly P hosts with the aim to undetected interactions between the pathways of parasites. Emerging cercariae of 6802 planorbid snails of dominant species (Planorbarius corneus, Planorbis planorbis, and Anisus spp.) were detected by both morphological and molecular methods in seven waterbodies in Privolzhskaya Lesostep Nature Reserve (Russia). A total of 95 sequences of 18 species were received, and 48 sequences were unique and did not present in any genetic databases. The 18 species of trematodes from snails and 14 species of trematodes from amphibian hosts (Pelophylax ridibundus; Ranidae; Anura) were detected. Three species (Echinostoma nasincovae, Tylodelphys circibuteonis and Australapatemon burti) was new for the trematode fauna of the Middle Volga River region and Russia as a whole. Eleven species of parasitic flatworms have amphibians in their life cycles and nine species used amphibians as metacercariae hosts: Echinostoma nasincovae, E. miyagawai, Echinoparyphium recurvatum, Tylodelphys circibuteonis, Neodiplostomum spathula, Paralepoderma cloacicola, Macrodera longicollis, Strigea robusta, and Strigea strigis. The occurrence of trematode species from planorbid mollusks and frogs were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studies of opisthorchiids larval stages associated with Bithyniidae snails can provide important and the most reliable data for opisthorchiidoses foci characterization due to the low mobility of such opisthorchiid's host species as Bithyniidae snails. The foci of opisthorchiosis (caused by Opisthorchis felineus) and metorchiosis (caused by Metorchis bilis) are overlapping in the basins of the Ob and Irtysh Rivers. Thus, difficulties with determining the species of cercariae significantly reduce the accuracy of epidemiological conclusions regarding opisthorchiosis, which has a much higher medical significance. Moreover, M. bilis cercariae identification is complicated by the fact that the focus of metorchiosis caused by Metorchis xanthosomus (infecting fish-eating predatory birds) occurs on the same territory. In this study, we for the first time carried out the molecular genetic identification of West-Siberian opisthorchiid cercariae to verify morphological identification and confirmed O. felineus's main association with Bithynia troschelii snail and M. bilis'—with B. tentaculata snail. Thus, our study applied a two-stage approach: the morphological identification of any opisthorchiid-like cercariae in Bithynia snails and subsequent molecular genetic precise species determination of cercariae in the reduced samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background During the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many individuals were infected with and have cleared the virus, developing virus-specific antibodies and effector/memory T cells. An important unanswered question is what levels of T-cell and antibody responses are sufficient to protect from the infection. Methods In 5340 Moscow residents, we evaluated anti–severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin M (IgM)/immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers and frequencies of the T cells specific to the membrane, nucleocapsid, and spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2, using interferon gamma (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) assay. Additionally, we evaluated the fractions of virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells using intracellular staining of IFN-γ and interleukin 2 followed by flow cytometry. We analyzed the COVID-19 rates as a function of the assessed antibody and T-cell responses, using the Kaplan–Meier estimator method, for up to 300 days postinclusion. Results We showed that T-cell and antibody responses are closely interconnected and are commonly induced concurrently. Magnitudes of both responses inversely correlated with infection probability. Individuals positive for both responses demonstrated the highest levels of protectivity against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. A comparable level of protection was found in individuals with antibody response only, whereas the T-cell response by itself granted only intermediate protection. Conclusions We found that the contribution of the virus-specific antibodies to protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection is more pronounced than that of the T cells. The data on the virus-specific IgG titers may be instructive for making decisions in personalized healthcare and public anti–COVID-19 policies. Clinical Trials Registration.  NCT04898140. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data set presented represents 15 years of collection. It contains tree-ring width measurements from 64 sites of living trees and ten historical chronologies based on archaeological and construction wood up to year 572 CE, altogether 2909 tree-ring series and more than 450000 measured and cross-dated tree rings. It covers the vast territory of European Russia, including its forested northern and central parts, and the Northern Caucasus mountains. The potential use of these data include climatic reconstructions of regional and hemispheric scale, dendrochronological dating of historical and cultural wood, ecological and remote sensing studies. Measurement(s) growth ring Technology Type(s) Measurement Device Factor Type(s) location Sample Characteristic - Organism Pinus sylvestris • Picea abies • Quercus robur • Larix sibirica • Fagus orientalis Sample Characteristic - Environment woodland area Sample Characteristic - Location European Russia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an ecological analysis of the community and biodiversity of helminths of the Pool Frog Pelophylax lessonae (Camerano, 1882) from floodplain and forest reservoirs of the European part of Russia. The material for the work was personal collections of helminths made from 2018–2021 in the National Park "Smolny" (Republic of Mordovia). Two hundred and thirty-five amphibian specimens were examined from nine reservoirs and three types of hydrobiocoenoses: (1) floodplains of a medium-sized river (in terms of catchment area); (2) floodplains of a small river; (3) a number of isolated forest reservoirs. Twenty-four species of helminths have been registered: Trematoda (20) and Chromadorea (4). Similar features (common species of trematodes and nematodes) were determined as well as differences in the composition and structure of the helminth fauna, the level of infestation by individual species and groups of helminths, diversity, and community structure. Amphibians of the river floodplain have a richer helminth fauna, they are more infected with a large number of helminths, and their community is more complex. Amphibians of isolated forest ponds, on the contrary, have fewer helminths, they are generally less infected, and their community is simplified (reduced). Having intermediate indicators of composition, structure, and degree of infestation, frogs from the forest floodplain of the small river—differ in the most diverse and maximally evenness community of helminths. The results of the study demonstrate the influence of biotopic factors on the formation of an amphibian helminth community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and natural disasters caused by hydrological, meteorological, and climatic causes have a significant and increasing direct and indirect impact on human health, leading to increased mortality and morbidity. Russia is a country that suffers from frequent climatic and weather disasters. This is mainly due to its vast territory, complex geographical and ecological environment, and widely varying climatic conditions. This review provides information on climatological and hydrological extremes in Russia in 2010–2020, floods and droughts, and their impact on the health and well-being of the country's population. A literature search was conducted using electronic databases Web of Science, Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus, and e-Library, focusing on peer-reviewed journal articles published in English and in Russian from 2010 to 2021. Four conceptual categories were used: "floods", "droughts", "human health", and "Russia". It is concluded that while most hazardous weather events cannot be completely avoided, many health impacts can potentially be prevented. The recommended measures include early warning systems and public health preparedness and response measures, building climate resilient health systems and other management structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The helminth fauna of the Northern white-breasted hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicus was studied in the Republic of Mordovia (Russia) for the first time. In total, 9 species of helminths were found in 23 studied hedgehogs: Trematoda—Isthmiophora melis, Strigea strigis (metacercaria); Cestoda—Hymenolepis erinacei; Nematoda—Aonchotheca erinacei, Physaloptera clausa, Crenosoma striatum, Physocephalus sexalatus (juvenile), Agamospirura minuta (juvenile); and Acanthocephala—Nephridiorhynchus major. Four parasite species (the trematode I. melis, nematodes P. sexalatus, A. minuta, and the acanthocephalan N. major) were found in hedgehogs for the first time in Russia. An overview of the helminth fauna of four species of Erinaceus hedgehogs inhabiting the Palearctic region is given. A total of 54 parasite species were recorded across Erinaceus europaeus, E. roumanicus, E. concolor and E. amurensis: 14 trematodes, 6 cestodes, 27 nematodes, and 7 acanthocephalans. Among all the studied species of hedgehogs, E. europaeus (35 species) and E. roumanicus (36) have the richest helminth faunas. The diversity of the parasite communities of Erinaceus spp. is due to the wide distribution and varied diet of these mammals. Most of the helminths found in hedgehogs are transmitted along trophic chains. Hedgehogs are the final hosts for 39 species of parasites. For 15 helminth species, Erinaceus spp. are paratenic hosts. The majority of the hedgehog's helminth fauna is formed by host-specific parasites, of which there are 13 species. Most of the hedgehog's parasites in the Palaearctic are facultative (non-specific) species that parasitize in various vertebrate species. The helminth fauna of Erinaceus hedgehogs is most studied in Russia and Belarus, where 17 species of parasites are found in each country. The comparative analysis of the helminth faunas of Erinaceus spp. from various regions showed, on the one hand, the originality of the helminth fauna of each hedgehog species and, on the other, the similarity of the helminth fauna of these insectivores from various countries of the Palaearctic. These features are caused by similar lifestyles and diet peculiarities of every hedgehog species in various regions of the Palaearctic. A total of 12 of the 54 helminth species found in hedgehogs have medical and veterinary significance as causative agents of dangerous helminthiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present here results from analysis of the formation of brain bioelectrical activity in children and adolescents living in the northern region of Russia based on evaluation of integral multichannel EEG parameters. A total of 33 boys and 32 girls aged 7–18 years studying at rural schools took part in the study. The study was run in two stages, each of which consisted of autumn and spring sessions. EEG recordings were made and used to build the structure function and compute the generalized spectrum, along with integral parameters characterizing the temporal (0 ≤ Pt ≤ 1) and spatial (0 ≤ Ps ≤ 1) connectivity of EEG processes. The limiting values of these parameters (0, 1) correspond to the cases of the spatial or temporal organization of the EEG being either completely ordered or completely random. Decreases in Ps were found with increasing age, evidencing increases in spatial connectivity of EEG processes in students from younger to older grades. Conversely, Pt increased with age, characterizing a decrease in the time scale of connectivity and the inertia of EEG processes, and could reflect an increase in the level of functional mobility (lability) of the CNS with increasing age. Assessments of the age-related dynamics of integral EEG parameters in northern schoolchildren were found to depend on season (autumn–spring) and the contingent of subjects selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on the authors' long-term observations of migrant students studying at universities in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area -- Yugra. The paper is devoted to the current issues that nearly every higher education institution in Russia is aware of. Most non-native-speaking students have a low level of Russian language knowledge, which poses challenges for mastering linguistic disciplines, on the one hand, and challenges for teaching, on the other hand. The paper examines the historical background of the modern ethnic situation in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area -- Yugra. Socio-economic conditions in the area attract immigrants not only from other regions of the Russian Federation but also from post-Soviet countries. The authors describe the social profile of a migrant student, and provide a review of unresolved issues in teaching the discipline of Russian Language and Speech Culture to students of non-philological majors, while paying special attention to the challenges in teaching the Russian Dialectology and Modern Russian Language Morphology disciplines to students majoring in philology. The pressing issues of teaching migrant students should not be ignored. The authors suggest ways to address these issues. One of these is based on stricter requirements for applicants applying for philological majors. The other one suggests simultaneous training and correction of missing Russian language skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the Russian Internet has developed according to strong centralizing and State-controlling tendencies, both in terms of legal instruments and technical infrastructure. This strategy implies a strong push to develop Russian-made technical solutions for censorship and traffic interception. Thus, a promising market has opened for Russian vendors of software and hardware solutions for traffic surveillance and filtering. Drawing from a mixed-methods approach and perspectives grounded primarily in Science and Technology Studies (STS), infrastructure studies and the political economy of information networks, this paper aims at exploring the flourishing sector of Russian industry of censorship and surveillance. We focus on two kinds of "black boxes" and examine their influence on the market of Internet Service Providers: surveillance systems known as SORM (System for Operative Investigative Activities), and traffic filtering solutions used to block access to websites that have been blacklisted by Roskomnadzor, the Russian federal watchdog for media and telecommunications. This research sheds light on the vivid debates around controversial technologies which Internet actors must adopt in order to avoid government fines, but which are expensive and complex to implement and raise a number of ethical and political concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radioprotective efficiency of the Rexod® drug (State Research Institute of Highly Pure Biopreparations of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia) containing recombinant human superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been investigated in terms of survival and proliferative activity of hematopoietic stem cells in male С57Вl/6 inbred mice of the SPF category after acute external γ-irradiation. The animals were subjected to radiation from an IGUR-1M apparatus containing a source of 137Cs, and the γ-exposure dose was within the range of 3.0–7.5 Gy, while the absorbed dose-rate was 0.78 Gy/min. A single dose of 180 mg/kg of recombinant SOD in a volume of 1 mL was administered intraperitoneally 15 minutes prior to irradiation. Mice from the control group similarly received the same volume but of normal saline. The radioprotective properties of SOD were assessed based on the amount of CFU–S in the endotest, nucleated cells (NCs) in the bone marrow and thymus, erythrocytes and leukocytes in the peripheral blood, and the weights of the thymus and spleen in the dynamics. It was shown that the use of SOD made it possible to increase the survival of CFU–S after acute sublethal γ-irradiation of mice at a dose of 4Gy. The registered changes in the amount of CFU–S and other hematological parameters might testify to the fact that the administered SOD stimulated hematopoiesis in the spleen. The revealed stimulatory effect of SOD on the erythropoiesis and the number of NCs in the thymus in both irradiated and nonirradiated animals opens up new opportunities for the use of the preparation and requires further studies of the mechanisms of the detected effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision interference measurements of the shape parameters of optical surfaces are one of the most important types of measurements in the field of geometric quantities. In the countries participating in this research, special primary standards are involved in the reproduction and transmission of a unit of length to measuring instruments. To declare and confirm the measuring and calibration capabilities of the national metrological institutes of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine in the field of interference measurements of the parameters of deviation from flatness in the period of 2015–2018, additional comparisons COOMET.L-S15 have been carried out. The article presents the results of these comparisons. In accordance with the current rules, in 2020, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, based on the data on the examination of the results of comparisons carried out by leading experts from a number of regional metrological organizations, introduced data on the results obtained into the international database CIPM MRA. The results of the comparisons allowed Belarus and Russia to declare, and Ukraine to confirm their measuring and calibration capabilities in the CIPM MRA database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reviewed published evidence on quality improvement in hospitals in the Russian Federation since 2000. We used three data sources: MEDLINE, 'Rossiiskaia Meditsina' (Central Scientific Medical Library), and elibrary.ru using specific search terms. No language or study design restrictions were imposed. In total, 1717 articles were identified; 51 met the inclusion criteria and were thematically analysed. Russian legislation, government acts and grey literature were sourced to contextualise identified themes. Since 2010, the Federal Ministry of Health has increasingly sought to improve quality of care, providing additional resources and new initiatives across the health system. These include clinical practice guidelines, pay for performance schemes, electronic medical records, more specialist care, paraclinical care, and quality control systems. Quality of care, increasingly a concern of the Russian government, is said to be improving. Yet most initiatives have rarely been evaluated. This reflects the limited capacity for health services research in Russia. It seems likely that the full potential for improvements in quality of care in Russia is still to be realised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of small private companies in agriculture, both in the Russian Federation and in the Penza region, has had a positive trend in recent years. This was facilitated by a variety of state support for small enterprises, and farms. So, during 2014-2018, the grants for developing agriculture were gained by the 199 of small farms, and the amount of financing was 547.3 million rubles. However, there are also constraining factors for the development of small business in the countryside: a decrease in the share of the rural population in the total population of Russia, an imbalance in the ratio of the average monthly income of the rural and urban population, and the lack of modern infrastructure in rural settlements. Directions of systemic changes in the forms and methods of state support of small businesses in the countryside are proposed, which provide an improvement in the quality of life in the countryside through an outstripping growth in the well-being of rural residents and an improvement in social infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition of Holarctic species, those shared between Nearctic and Palaearctic regions, often implies continuous or recent events of gene flow across the 85-km-wide Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia. During the Pleistocene (2.8–0.012 Mya), the Bering land bridge has provided frequent episodes of continuous, tundra habitat across this barrier, while the taiga forests of the northern hemisphere has been separated for much longer, at least 5.4 Mya. This more ancient divergence has led to allopatric speciation in nearly all forest-specialized organisms, including all tree species, and casts doubt on the taxonomic validity of the few subcortical beetle species that are considered to be Holarctic. Here we test the apparent Holarctic distribution of one such species, the morphologically variable rove beetle Quedionuchus plagiatus. Drawing upon morphological and molecular evidence, including morphometric analysis of male genitalia and phylogenetic and cluster analyses of DNA barcodes, we demonstrate that species-level diversity has been greatly underestimated in this lineage and conclude that none of its members are Holarctic. We propose complete allopatric divergence across Beringia in obligate forest beetles and discuss the role of biological constraints as barriers to Holarctic geneflow. We describe Quedionuchus caucasicus Brunke, sp. nov., Q. deceptor Brunke sp. nov., Quedionuchus gilaensis Brunke sp. nov., and Quedionuchus yunnanensis Brunke sp. nov.; revalidate Quedionuchus glaber (O. Müller) and Quedionuchus longipennis (Mannerheim); and propose the following: Quedius longipennis Mannerheim, 1846 = Quedius rufipennis Mäklin, 1853 syn. nov. (previous synonym of Q. plagiatus Mannerheim); Staphylinus glaber O. Müller, 1776 = Quedius planatus Sharp, 1884 syn. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with theory and practice of ensuring food security in the Russian Federation in the context of the UN recommendations and achievements of legal thought of foreign countries. Food security is considered as a guarantee of sustainable development of agriculture located at the junction of three types of national security: economic, social and environmental. The authors prove the need to distinguish between the categories “food security” and “food independence”, arguing in favor of giving preference, at the national level, to the human right to food through both production of domestic agricultural goods and their import from other countries. Stating the consequences of the food sanctions imposed by Russia against other countries which are negative for itself, the authors propose their lifting with the suggested complex of measures to develop Russian agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arctic has been considered as a strategic region, which has economically and geopolitically a key position as the object of growing international competition. The dynamics of ice melting creates new conditions for functioning in the Arctic, and, consequently, ensuring the defense of Russia from the direction of the North Pole. Its active infrastructural development is justified not only by the rich natural resources, but also by the additional strategic logistics opportunities that open up for the Russian economy. The development of a complex of Arctic standards is a necessary step in the implementation of successful activities in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. A structural-parametric analysis of the treaties on the Arctic and Antarctic has been done. We are talking about the algorithm for introducing ideas about "polar execution" into different areas of research activity and about its regulatory and legal support in the implementation of projects in the polar regions. In the XXI century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between soil formation and sedimentation on the floodplain of the Utyaganka River (the Ural River basin) in the Arkaim Reserve (Chelyabinsk oblast, Southern Ural, Russia) was studied. Pedological, palynological, and mineralogical research methods were applied, and 15 radiocarbon dates of soil humus and sediments were obtained. The thickness of the Holocene sediments on the low floodplain is 4–5 m. Their top 1.5-m-thick layer formed in the recent 2000 yr contains three buried (partially superposed) soils formed at the mean rate of 13.3 cm/100 yr. Alluvial soddy soils with solonetzic and salinity features reflect intensive anthropogenic erosion in the river basin and characterize the Little Ice Age and the dry and warm Viking Age. At the depth of 1.5–5 m, there are up to five buried soils separated from one another by alluvium layers; they were formed in the period of 12 000–2000 BP at the rate of 1.9–3.1 cm/100 yr. Among them, the soils that developed 4200–2000 BP are characterized by varying humus content and solonetzicity; they are enriched with carbonates and reflect sharp fluctuations in atmospheric moistening against the background of dominating arid and continental climate. The soils formed 5500–4200 BP are gleyed, moderately humified, and calcareous; they testify to a more humid and warm climate than now. This period was characterized by the maximal area of forests (the pollen of tree species reaches 67%). The period of 8000–5500 BP was specified by warm and dry climate, which is indicated by soil properties and palynological data (15% of tree pollen). Soils formed 9500–8000 BP on stony proluvium-alluvium are eroded mucky gley soils; they reflect sharp fluctuations of the climate at the end of the glacial epoch. Floods were probably accompanied not only by alluvium accumulation but also by regular erosion of the surface and a decrease in the thickness of the humus horizon. This resulted in the renewal of soils and slowed down the increase in the thickness of humus horizon and in the intensity of alluvium accumulation. The average portion of humified soil layers reaches 26% of the total thickness of alluvial sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents data on the transformations of oil from seeps in the caldera of Uzon volcano under the effect of hydrous pyrolysis at a temperature of 350°C in an argon and oxygen atmosphere. The carbon and hydrogen isotopic-fractionation characteristics (IFC) are proved to reflect processes occurring in the organic matter at its hydrous pyrolysis in oxidizing and neutral environments. Similarities in configuration are detected between the carbon IFC of Uzon oil seeps, Bogachevskoe field, and the biota of hydrothermal springs. The hydrogen IFC are of more complicated form, perhaps, because of exchange processes in the hydrothermal water. It is hypothesized that oil seeps in the interiors of the Uzon caldera can provide material for the origin of oil at the Bogachevskoe field. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that hydrothermal water circulating in the caldera of Uzon volcano brings the material of the Bogachevskoe oil to the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main question of this article is how Vladimir Putin's state manages and controls Russian civil society. For research theory, this article applies Antonio Gramsci's conception of "integral" or "dual" state, which combines institutional incorporation and co-optation of loyal civic groups with coercion (oppressive legislation and security forces) against those who do not consent with the regime. In terms of the state institutional incorporation of civil society, this research examines top-down civic intermediary and informal institutions such as the Public Chamber, the Presidential Council for Human Rights, and especially the All-Russia People's Front. These civic organizations help Putin maintain his authoritarian equilibrium between state apparatus and society by imitating the bottom-up control over the state bureaucracy and partially substituting functions of weak formal institutions, including the State Duma and the United Russia ruling party. In terms of the state coercive practices vis-à-vis independent civic groups, this paper analyzes the implementation of the 2012 "foreign agents" law. This research reveals that, although independent NGOs are systematically persecuted and inspected by the police and the Russian Ministry of Justice, they find different ways to avoid the coercive legislation and even cooperate with the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aftermath of the 2011–2012 Russian social movementZa chestnye vybory(For Fair Elections) challenges the common assumption that sees mass mobilisation as leading to positive outcomes for civil society. This article argues that the movement, by failing to institutionalise cooperative ties and secure popular support, had ambiguous outcomes for civil society. While repression surely played a role in this outcome, choices made by movement leaders during demobilisation should not be overlooked: one part of the movement became radicalised while another made a premature attempt to enter formal politics, thus hindering the movement’s later attempt to institutionalise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distribution of Sea of Azov water on the Crimean shelf and its penetration into the Gulf of Feodosia result in significant changes in the hydrophysical and hydrochemical structure of the water area. This inflow is also estimated as a major source of anthropogenic pollution in the region. At the same time, the Gulf of Feodosia is one of the least investigated areas of Russian Black Sea coast. The paper focuses on the hydrophysical structure of the Gulf of Feodosia and southeastern part of the Crimean shelf. The results of a field survey in May 2015 made it possible to reveal the presence of Sea of Azov water in the gulf and describe its thermohaline properties, along with the character of distribution. It is shown that contamination of Sea of Azov water in the gulf could mostly be determined by the synoptic dynamic processes in the area rather than by the seasonal variability of discharge in the Kerch Strait. The possible influence of the distribution of Sea of Azov water on the formation of cyclonic gyres in the coastal area of the region is indirectly confirmed by in situ measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinema has always represented a powerful medium for influencing audiences (including in political and ideological ways). Therefore, exploring how the image of the Western world has been transforming in Soviet and Russian films is still relevant today. This study seeks to accomplish the following: define the role and place of the changing portrayal of the Western world in Soviet cinema between 1946 (the start of the postwar ideological confrontation) and 1991 (the break-up of the Soviet Union) while comparing these developments with trends from the modern era (1992-2016); study the political, ideological, social, and cultural context as well as the main stages, trends, and goals of filmmakers; study the concepts that these filmmakers used to interpret this theme in Soviet and Russian films; and classify and perform a comparative analysis of the ideology, content models, genre modifications, and stereotypes of Soviet and Russian cinema that came to be associated with the portrayal of the Western world. To achieve these goals, we have used theoretical methods, including classification, comparison, analogy, induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis, modeling, etc., as well as empirical research methods, including the collection of information about the topics that are addressed in the study. The chronological scope of this study was limited to films produced between 1946 and 2016 and excluded documentaries, animated films, television programs, and an extensive set of feature films related to the topic of World War II (though these films are very specific, and they deserve a separate conversation). As a rule, international co-productions with Russia that reflect how the West views the Russian world were also excluded from this analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we considered information on the helminth fauna of the European common toad Bufo bufo (Linnaeus 1758) from 5 regions of the Volga basin. This study includes consolidated data of different authors over the last 30 years, supplemented by the results of our own research. There are reliably known finds of 14 species of helminths: Trematoda-8, Nematoda-6. Trematodes Gorgodera asiatica Pigulevsky, 1945 and Astiotrema monticelli, Stossich 1904, mtc, were observed for the first time in a given host on the territory of Russia and the Volga basin. Four species of nematodes make the basis of helminth fauna: Rhabdias bufonis, Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Aplectana acuminata and Neoxysomatium brevicaudatum. For each species of helminths, the following information is included: taxonomic position, localization, area of detection, biology, definitive hosts, geographic distribution, and the degree of host-specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do homo- and bisexual people explain the launch of a homophobia campaign that violates their basic human rights? Which narratives do they use to adjust to the hostile environment? On the basis of 77 in-depth problem-centered interviews with LGBT in Russia we explore the explanations they use to talk about their experience of a homophobia campaign. Respondents demonstrate their awareness of the political reasoning behind the campaign and explain it as a tool for electoral mobilization, the repression of pro-Western oriented opposition and as a part of biopolitical technologies adopted by the government to increase its control over people's bodies and minds. Contrary to intuitive expectations, this political awareness does not protect the informants from self-blame, social escapism and moral suffering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fish rotan is native to the Amur River basin and some other basins in the Far East of Eurasia. This species has been widely distributed in the water bodies of Europe and Siberia. There are only fragmentary data about the parasite fauna of rotan in Europe. A parasitological study of rotans from 13 water bodies of European Russia was performed. Thirty-one parasite species and unidentified forms were recorded. Twenty species and forms were first recorded in rotan on the territory of Europe. Some specific parasites of rotan ( Gyrodactylus perccotti and Nippotaenia mogurndae) had been transmitted to the Volga River basin together with their definitive host (rotan). Descriptions of G. perccotti, the merocercoid of Ophiotaenia europaea, the metacercaria of Opisthioglyphe ranae, and several unidentified forms of parasites are presented. The taxonomic diversity of the registered parasites confirms that the introduced rotan is included well into the native parasite systems in European freshwater water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the review of the strongest rockbursts and mining-induced earthquakes with the same seismic characteristics recorded in underground mines in Russia, the author compares the events based on their energy parameters. It is shown that the mining-induced seismic events on the Kola Peninsula are still the strongest events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the species diversity, abundance and biomass of gastropods in the ecosystems of the southern part of Western Siberia (Karasuk River and Krotovo Lake, Karasukskii district, Novosibirsk Oblast). Eighteen species belonging to seven families were recorded, Lymnaeidae, Planorbidae, Bulinidae, Bithynhdae, Physidae, Succineidae, and Zonitidae. The percentage of Bithyniidae snails was assessed in comparison to other gastropods and in regard to the species diversity, abundance, and biomass. The role of Bithyniidae mollusks as a host for trematodes was assessed. The biodiversity of mollusks and trematodes was studied using the Shannon-Weaver index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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