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Structural model of multi-directed flatly-reinforced hybrid composites allowing one to determine the yield loci for the composition with account plane stress state in all components is developed. The fiber and matrix materials are homogeneous and anisotropic. Their mechanical behavior is described by associated flow law for rigid-perfectly plastic body with quadratic Mises – Hill yield criterion. As examples, two variants of symmetrical reinforcement for compositions consisting of orthotropic materials are considered under condition of equal reinforcement consumption. The influence of anisotropy characteristics of components and reinforcement parameters on shape and dimensions of the yield loci of the compositions is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical model of the dynamic bending of rigid-plastic hybrid composite, arbitrary curvilinear doubly connected thin plates is developed. Inner contour of the plate is simply supported or clamped and outer one is free. The plates are on a viscous basis and under the action of uniformly distributed loads of explosive type. The plates are laminated and fibrous, with layers arranged symmetrically with respect to the middle surface. In each layer the reinforcing fibers, made of different materials, are located in directions parallel or normal to inner contour of plate. The structural model of the reinforced layer considering the plane stress state in fibers is used. The equations of the dynamic deformation of plate and simple analytical formula for the limit load are obtained. Numerical examples are given for a fiber-reinforced four-layered curvilinear plate with a supported hole in the form of ellipse and super-ellipse at the same total amount of reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In optimized packing problems a set of objects have to be allocated completely inside a number of containers (containment condition) without overlapping, while optimizing a certain objective. In some applications, a distance between the objects (and/or the objects and the container) has to be at least a certain given threshold. Analytical representations for non-overlapping, containment and distant conditions are proposed for the objects and containers defined by systems of inequalities. The placement constraints are transformed to optimization problems, corresponding optimality conditions are stated using Lagrangian multipliers technique and then are used as constraints to the overall optimized packing problem. The objects can be freely rotated and translated. For the objects presented by convex polytopes, rotations and translations are reduced to defining positions of the vertices subject to shapes preservation. Numerical results are provided to illustrate the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces a special issue on studying EU-Russian relations. It overviews Russian- and English-language academic research to identify whether there is sufficient dialogue on issues studied, theories applied and categories used for a transnational epistemic community to emerge. This latter would allow the academic world to better contribute to the resolution of the present crisis in EU-Russian relations. Although an overlap is identified in issues, theories and categories the article exposes multiple differences in how they are approached in English- and Russian-language academic writings. These findings challenge the existence of a transnational epistemic community in EU-Russian relations. The article concludes by discussing steps to make for this community to develop, and introduces contributions to the special issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Russian external energy policy is frequently described as geopolitical (as opposed to EU energy policy, which is often characterised as market-based). This article reviews geopolitical and market approaches in existing studies and identifies paradigmatic and instrumental levels in each of them. It then proceeds to demonstrate that although the geopolitical paradigm dominates in Russia, Russia has also reacted to the EU’s third liberalisation package, using legal and technocratic instruments, which are parts of the market approach. Each set of instruments has its institutional basis in Russia: the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Gazprom work in geopolitical ways but with frequent recourse to legal instruments, the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) promotes legal instruments and the Ministry of Energy (ME) is the centre of the technocratic activities, which Gazprom also frequently applies at present. This study therefore provides a more complex picture of Russian external energy policy. Moreover, it reveals a potential opening for a degree of policy convergence between the EU and Russia. In this context it is regrettable that legal and technocratic instruments were compromised as a result of the 2014 worsening in EU-Russian relations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The essay examines the qualitative changes in EU–Russian relations which resulted from the 2014 sanctions. Thematic, structural and institutional aspects of the issue are analysed through the ‘level of analysis’ approach. Thematically, policy-specific and implementation measures reinforced an EU–Russian ‘divorce’ both in energy and trade. Structurally, the scope of EU–Russian dialogue narrowed in favour of relations between Moscow and member states, and in multilateral fora; this dialogue also became dependent on Russia–US relations. Institutionally sanctions have led to the growing poverty of transgovernmental and transnational relations. As a result, achievements of previous years have been derailed, and reversal of the negative trends will prove difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines how Russian criticism of the normative power Europe (NPE) has evolved. Initially Russia insisted that NPE arguments coveredrealpolitik. However, two new approaches have recently emerged in Russian reporting on human rights in the EU. One is the demonstration that the EU does not qualify as a normative power. Another is the development of an alternative interpretation of human rights. Russia has, therefore, mastered all NPE critiques. This has occurred as the result of a change in how Russia views international relations. Moscow’s ultimate goal has, however, remained unchanged; it is to reaffirm its equality with key global players. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this editorial is to set the context for the special issue on modernisation in European Union (EU)--Russian relations. It therefore first locates the Partnership for Modernisation in the context of EU--Russian relations, identifying its place vis-à-vis the 1994 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, 2005 Common Spaces and negotiations on a new EU--Russian agreement. The article then addresses the current context of these relations, which has been steadily deteriorating since the beginning of 2014 due to events in Ukraine. Third, the editorial identifies the importance of modernisation for Russia and describes how the processes of this millennium are different from Russia's previous attempts to modernise. Finally, the article explains why modernisation is still relevant for EU--Russian relations despite the current state of relations between Moscow and Brussels and introduces the contributions to this special issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution suggests analysing European Union (EU)--Russian relations from three level-of-analysis perspectives. The structural one describes interrelations between the EU and its member states. The institutional perspective concentrates on the interplay of intergovernmental, transgovernmental, and transnational levels. The thematic perspective differentiates between values and concepts, policy-specific goals and implementation instruments. Together the three perspectives create a new methodological approach for the study of EU--Russian relations. The analysis of the EU--Russian Partnership for Modernisation (P4M) illustrates its rigour. The approach demonstrates how P4M is reinforced at the level of EU member states. It reveals how the transgovernmental and transnational levels have developed, changing the quality of EU--Russian relations. Finally, it illustrates that the P4M has brought a thematic change in favour of policy-specific cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines how the concept of modernisation manifests itself in partnerships for modernisation (Ps4M) between Russia, on the one hand, and the EU and 24 of its member states, on the other hand. It first identifies the conventional difference between the Russian economic interpretation of modernisation and the EU one based on political values. The article then demonstrates the ambiguity of the modernisation concept that EU member states promote to Russia, making it an empty signifier. To illustrate the difference among EU member states, the article makes use of discourse analysis to first design a scale of Russia's attitude to various political aspects of modernisation and to then posit member states on this scale on the basis of what they inserted in their Ps4M with Russia. It is argued that Russia in its dialogue with the EU faces ambiguity of the concept, which it is supposed to adopt. Furthermore, a new classification of EU member states emerges, based on the extent to which they are ready to defend political modernisation (and ultimately the EU's normative power) in their relations with Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The EU-Russia Energy Dialogue was proposed by the European Commission. Russia initially strove to protect its short-term interests within this forum. However, over the last five years Russia has established its own long-term vision of the Energy Dialogue, which in many ways challenges Brussels' vision. The article traces this evolution in the Russian attitude to the Energy Dialogue. It then compares Moscow's views with those promoted by Brussels and looks at how these views are supported by the institutional structure of the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Quantum-chemical calculations of neutral and charged ironporphyrin (FeP, FeP+1 and FeP−) systems were performed using B3LYP and MP2 methods. It was shown that all ground states of FeP (S =1), FeP+1 (S =3/2) and FeP− (S =1/2) systems have C2v symmetry. During the first step of electron transfer process an electron goes to β-LUMO−1 Fe d yz -orbital of FeP+1. The second electron goes to β-LUMO of FeP which is attributed to π-system of porphyrin ring. The 3s- and 3p-orbitals do not play a significant role in the electron transfer process. The ability of FeP−1 system to form π-dative chemical bond is low. The formation of π–π-complexes is preferable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Focuses on the relations of the European Union (EU) and Russia. Historical highlights of the Russian political and economic relations with the European Union; Evaluation of the EU-Russia common spaces; Challenges to the EU-Russian relations.

The last decade saw extensive studies of the human gut microbiome and its relationship to specific diseases, including gallstone disease (GSD). The information about the gut microbiome in GSD-afflicted Russian patients is scarce, despite the increasing GSD incidence worldwide. Although the gut microbiota was described in some GSD cohorts, little is known regarding the gut microbiome before and after cholecystectomy (CCE). By using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons, we inventoried the fecal bacteriobiome composition and structure in GSD-afflicted females, seeking to reveal associations with age, BMI and some blood biochemistry. Overall, 11 bacterial phyla were identified, containing 916 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The fecal bacteriobiome was dominated by Firmicutes (66% relative abundance), followed by Bacteroidetes (19%), Actinobacteria (8%) and Proteobacteria (4%) phyla. Most (97%) of the OTUs were minor or rare species with ≤1% relative abundance. Prevotella and Enterocossus were linked to blood bilirubin. Some taxa had differential pre- and post-CCE abundance, despite the very short time (1–3 days) elapsed after CCE. The detailed description of the bacteriobiome in pre-CCE female patients suggests bacterial foci for further research to elucidate the gut microbiota and GSD relationship and has potentially important biological and medical implications regarding gut bacteria involvement in the increased GSD incidence rate in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packing irregular 3D objects in a cuboid of minimum volume is considered. Each object is composed of a number of convex shapes, such as oblique and right circular cylinders, cones and truncated cones. New analytical tools are introduced to state placement constraints for oblique shapes. Using the phi-function technique, optimized packing is reduced to a nonlinear programming problem. Novel solution approach is provided and illustrated by numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High burden of drug-resistant (DR) tuberculosis (TB) is a significant threat to national TB control programs all over the world and in the Russian Federation. Different Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) genotypes are hypothesized to have specific characteristics affecting TB control programs. For example, Beijing strains are supposed to have higher mutation rates compared to strains of other genotypes and subsequently higher capability to develop drug-resistance. Results: Clinical MTB isolates from HIV- and HIV+ patients from four regions of Russia were analyzed for genotypes and mutations conferring resistance to Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones. Analysis of genotypes and polymorphism of genomic loci according to the HIV status of the patients – sources of MTB isolates were performed. Studied MTB isolates from HIV- TB patients belonged to 15 genotypes and from HIV + TB patients – to 6 genotypes. Beijing clinical isolates dominated in HIV- (64,7%) and HIV+ (74,4%) groups. Other isolates were of LAM (including LAM1 and LAM9), Ural, and 4 minor groups of genotypes (including 5 subclones T). The spectrum of genotypes in the HIV- group was broader than in the HIV+ group. PR of B0/W148 Beijing was significantly lower than of other Beijing genotypes in susceptible and MDR-XDR isolates. Rates of isolates belonging to non-Beijing genotypes were higher than Beijing in susceptible isolates from HIV- patients. Conclusions: Beijing genotype isolates prevailed in clinical isolates of all drug susceptibility profiles both from HIV- and HIV+ patients, although B0/W148 Beijing genotype did not dominate in this study. Genome loci and mutations polymorphisms were more pronounced in clinical isolates from HIV- patients, than from HIV+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]