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The recent geopolitical shifts and Russia’s response to them have had a significant impact on the Kaliningrad region. This has created new challenges and warranted a revision of the old ones. The article investigates the reaction of the region’s economy to the challenges of its exclave position and considers possible measures to offset related problems in the current geopolitical situation. The article employs statistics, regional strategies, cross-border cooperation programmes, and expert interviews conducted by the authors in Kaliningrad in 2012—2014. The vast body of empirical data is instrumental in analysing the views of different stakeholders and estimating the problems and prospects of the region’s development as either Russia’s military outpost in Europe or as a ‘cooperation laboratory.’ The analysis takes into account collaborations with the neighbouring states. In striving to identify the preferable regional development conception, the authors reveal low susceptibility of local cross-border cooperation actors to the belligerent rhetoric of national authorities on either side of the border. The study of the state of affairs in tourism, a promising area of regional specialization, demonstrates a dual effect of the exclave position, which can be considered both as a challenge and an opportunity.

Approaches to the technology developed by OKBM Afrikantov for creating a supercomputer twin of a nuclear power plant on the basis of a three-level model are described. A software implementation of this technology based on homegrown software is proposed. Experience in using the technology is shown for the Yasen-M project, RITM-200, and BN-800. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of intracerebral metastases is one of the key problems in neurooncology. Modern methods of combined treatment do not significantly affect terms of survival. Quality of life during the whole period of treatment depends on selected tactics. We summarized our experience of treatment of 119 patients with cerebral metastases of extracranial tumors with "Gamma-knife" stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSRS) during 2005 and 2006 years. "Leksell Gamma-knife C" was used for treatment procedures. Primary tumor was located in lung in 35 cases, in breast in 32 cases. Renal cancer metastases were less common (15 cases) as well as skin melanoma (14), colon cancer (8) and other localizations (6 cases). Total amount of treated metastases was 628. Marginal doses ranged between 15 and 24 Gy. During followup 77 patients were examined 153 times by contrast-enhanced MRI every 3 months. Mean follow-up period was 194.6 days (6.5 months). In 68 cases (88.3%) GKSRS provided total tumor control of 446 irradiated lesions (92%). Median survival after GKSRS was 8.2 months. All patients were assessed using RPA prognostic criteria. The best prognosis for life ( > 1 year) was observed in RPA I class patients. Median survival in patients with initial Karnofsky performance level < 70% (RPA III class) did not exceed 3.5 months. Presence of circumscribed brain involvement (less than 10 foci) is associated with more favorable prognosis (median survival is increased to 9.4 months). In patients with disseminated brain involvement (more that 10 metastases) survival median was 3.8 months (p < 0.05). GKSRS is minimally invasive, safe and effective method for treatment of intracerebral metastases of all main histological types of extracranial tumors. Local tumor control is observed in 88% of patients. Life expectancy prognosis depends on activity of extracranial process, initial condition of patient by the moment of treatment and initial spread of metastatic brain involvement.