Environmentalism: A Challenge to Modernity

This chapter discusses the environmental movement vis-à-vis modernity in the last century. Starting in the early 70s, the contemporary environmental movement consists of articulated collective action opposing polluting agents in different areas of the world, and pursuing a new planetary natural equilibrium. This movement aims to construct a new more balanced model for natural development by scientific and technical means. This movement doesn’t pursue a romantic project to protect nature against modernity and modernization, nor a denial of modernity, nor modernity as a crisis, but a new way to understand and change the world. The environmental movement produces a critical consciousness of both itself and modernity.

Balanced ellipsoidal vortex equilibria in a background shear flow at finite Rossby number

We consider a uniform ellipsoid of potential vorticity (PV), where we exploit analytical solutions derived for a balanced model at the second order in the Rossby number, the next order to quasi-geostrophic (QG) theory, the so-called QG+1 model. We consider this vortex in the presence of an external background shear flow, acting as a proxy for the effect of external vortices. For the QG model the system depends on four parameters, the height-to-width aspect ratio of the vortex, $h/r$ , as well as three parameters characterising the background flow, the strain rate, $\gamma$ , the ratio of the background rotation rate to the strain, $\beta$ , and the angle from which the flow is applied, $\theta$ . However, the QG+1 model also depends on the PV, as well as the Prandtl ratio, $f/N$ ( $f$ and $N$ are the Coriolis and buoyancy frequencies, respectively). For QG and QG+1 we determine equilibria for different values of the background flow parameters for increasing values of the imposed strain rate up to the critical strain rate, $\gamma _c$ , beyond which equilibria do not exist. We also compute the linear stability of this vortex to second-order modes, determining the marginal strain $\gamma _m$ at which ellipsoidal instability erupts. The results show that for QG+1 the most resilient cyclonic ellipsoids are slightly prolate, while anticyclonic ellipsoids tend to be more oblate. The highest values of $\gamma _m$ occur as $\beta \to 1$ . For large values of $f/N$ , changes in the marginal strain rates occur, stabilising anticyclonic ellipsoids while destabilising cyclonic ellipsoids.

Strategies for Green Economy in China

The transition to a “green” economic model is a complex strategic task that requires a combination of two previously incompatible development vectors: maintaining dynamic economic growth and preserving the natural environment on a long-term basis. No country has yet been able to cope with such complexity, nevertheless, an active search for a new balanced model continues, with the development of appropriate strategies. China is among the countries moving in this direction. The article analyzes the influence of social, economic, and environmental factors on the prospects for the development of a green economy and the preservation of natural areas in China. The dynamics of changes in the ecological situation from 1970 to 2018 is investigated. The authors propose a methodology for assessing the state of the environment based on demographic dynamics, economic indicators, and the level of technological development. Over the past 50 years, China has experienced intensive industrial development, as a result of which the degradation of valuable natural assets is increasing in most regions. At the same time, efforts are being made in a number of provinces to remedy the situation through the formulation of new policies, the first results of which have been already visible. The government has established a new environmental legislation designed to scale the green practices of the pioneering regions throughout the country, including the trend toward the de-urbanization of individual megacities and others. The implementation of this strategy will be facilitated by the expansion of interdisciplinary scientific research, the development of complex technological solutions, and development programs that simultaneously take into account various factors.

PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

Introduction. The development of the information component of society, the extensive use of technologies aiming at the free access, use and transfer of information, significantly affects the intellectual property sphere. Problem Statement. The purpose is to form a balanced model of the interests of society and the creators of the intellectual property. Purpose. To reveal the problems of the protection of intellectual property rights in development conditions of the information society, to define the correlation model of public interests and those of creators in the use of objects of intellectual and creative activity. Materials and Methods. General scientific and special legal methods were used to research legal phenomena and categories. Results. It is proved that the subject’s monopoly right for the intellectual property requires significant restrictions, both in time and in spatial dimensions, in the conditions of information society, development of scientific and technical activity. It emphasizes the fact that it is impossible to safeguard intellectual property in the modern information environment, other than through increased accountability measures. It is determined that the paradigm of the legalization model for the use of intellectual property objects in information networks and systems, may be the payment model for their free use, the analog of which has been used for a long time by radio and television organizations or other similar users. Conclusions. The right to information and other non-proprietary information rights are not only rapidly developing, but also in the last few years are very closely associated with problems arising from the development of information technology and artificial intelligence. These processes should be taken into account in developing legislation right now, remembering that the legal legalization of processes taking place in society in the process of developing the information society should be based on the well-being of people as the highest dignity. Introduction. The development of the information component of society, the extensive use of technologies aimed at the free access, use and transfer of information, significantly affects the intellectual property sphere. Problem Statement. To form a balanced model of the interests of society and the creators of the intellectual property. Purpose. To reveal the problems of the protection of intellectual property rights in development conditions of the information society, to define the correlation model of public interests and those of creators in the use of objects of intellectual and creative activity. Materials and Methods. General scientific and special legal methods were used to research legal phenomena and categories. Results. It is proved that the subject’s monopoly right for the intellectual property requires significant restrictions, both in time and in spatial dimensions, in the conditions of information society, development of scientific and technical activity. It emphasizes the fact that it is impossible to safeguard intellectual property in the modern information environment, other than through increased accountability measures. It is determined that the paradigm of the legalization model for the use of intellectual property objects in information networks and systems, may be the payment model for their free use, the analog of which has been used for a long time by radio and television organizations or other similar users. Conclusions. The right to information and other non-proprietary information rights are not only rapidly developing, but also in the last few years are very closely associated with problems arising from the development of information technology and artificial intelligence. These processes should be taken into account in developing legislation right now, remembering that the legal legalization of processes taking place in society in the process of developing the information society should be based on the well-being of people as the highest dignity.

An adapted neural-fuzzy inference system model using preprocessed balance data to improve the predictive accuracy of warfarin maintenance dosing in patients after heart valve replacement

Background Tailoring warfarin use poses a challenge for physicians and pharmacists due to its narrow therapeutic window and huge inter-individual variability. This study aimed to create an adapted neural-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model using preprocessed balance data to improve the predictive accuracy of warfarin maintenance dosing in Chinese patients undergoing heart valve replacement (HVR). Methods This retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent HVR between June 1, 2012 and June 1, 2016 from 35 centers in China. The primary outcomes were the mean difference between predicted warfarin dose by ANFIS models and actual dose, and the models’ predictive accuracy, including the ideal predicted percentage, the mean absolute error (MAE), and the mean squared error (MSE). The eligible cases were divided into training, internal validation, and external validation groups. We explored input variables by univariate analysis of a general liner model and created two ANFIS models using imbalanced and balanced training sets. We finally compared the primary outcomes between the imbalanced and balanced ANFIS models in both internal and external validation sets. Stratified analyses were conducted across warfarin doses (low, medium, and high doses). Results A total of 15,108 patients were included and grouped as follows: 12,086 in the imbalanced training set; 2,820 in the balanced training set; 1,511 in the internal validation set; and 1,511 in the external validation set. Eight variables were explored as predictors related to warfarin maintenance doses, and imbalanced and balanced ANFIS models with multi-fuzzy rules were developed. The results showed a low mean difference between predicted and actual doses (< 0.3 mg/d for each model) and an accurate prediction property in both the imbalanced model (ideal prediction percentage: 74.39–78.16%, MAE: 0.37 mg/daily, MSE: 0.39 mg/daily) and the balanced model (ideal prediction percentage: 73.46–75.31%, MAE: 0.42 mg/daily; MSE, 0.43 mg/daily). Compared to the imbalanced model, the balanced model had a significantly higher prediction accuracy in the low-dose (14.46% vs. 3.01%; P < 0.001) and the high-dose warfarin groups (34.71% vs. 23.14%; P = 0.047). The results from the external validation cohort confirmed this finding. Conclusions The ANFIS model can accurately predict the warfarin maintenance dose in patients after HVR. Through data preprocessing, the balanced model contributed to improved prediction ability in the low- and high-dose warfarin groups.

Triple Helix: a sustainable economy for hijab SMEs in the new normal

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has gradually improved, people's activities have not recovered to normal due to various conditions. This period is a transition period known as the "New Normal". Besides its impact on people's health, COVID-19 also affects other aspects, including the economy, education, and law. The economic impact highly touches low-medium class people including SMEs as the business activities which need to be halted due to PSBB (Large-Scale Social Restriction). Triple Helix is a SMEs' development model that links Science (S), Government (G), and Business (B). This article aims to examine whether Triple Helix with SGB Balanced model is possibly utilized to revive the Hijab SMEs business activity. This study is descriptive-qualitative research and analyzed using the Miles and Hubberman techniques. Data were obtained through online questionnaires and interviews from hijab craftsmen associating with two SMEs. The results show that respondents have successfully adapted to the New Normal and resumed their business activity by implementing technology and information given by the S (science) agent and the G (government) agent’s assistance. Therefore, it indicates that implementing Triple Helix provably revives the Hijab SMEs business activities.

German Question, 1945–1990, in Anglo-American Historiography: Key Aspects of the Problem Study

Understanding and, after the unification of Germany in 1990, rethinking the process of evolution of the German Question, in particular its main components, is an important scholarly task. The origins of the modern power of Germany, its desire to establish itself as a world power, were formed in 1945–1990 with the active participation of the United States and Great Britain. Therefore, the assessment of the development of the German Question by researchers from these countries is important for its understanding. The study of the problem contributes to a comprehensive analysis of the post-war international policy of Great Britain and the United States as well as their modern relations with the FRG. Special attention to the German Question in the publications of the United Kingdom and the United States was shown at the stages of its qualitative transformation: the creation of the FRG, its rearmament, the implementation of a new Eastern policy, as well as the unification of Germany. Each of these events required a prompt response from the academic and expert community and the development of a balanced model of foreign policy response. Anglo-American historiography of the German question has not previously been the object of a special study by Russian historians. The purpose of this article is to analyze the main aspects of the German problem study in the works of British and American researchers. The article identifies four key aspects of the German question, around which the study of the problem in Great Britain and the United States was concentrated. The historiographic core consists of the works devoted to the issues of denazification, West Germany rearmament, Ostpolitik, as well as the unification of Germany and its consequences. Each aspect study was of particular importance and relevance for determining the further foreign policy strategy of the Western countries in Europe, mainly in relation to the FRG and USSR. Changes in approaches to evaluation of the aspects during the post-war period are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to identifying and studying stable geopolitical models that accompanied the perception of the German question by academic and expert communities of Great Britain and the United States: the concepts of “Finlandization” and “Mitteleuropa”, as well as the “Rapallo complex”.

The mechanism for ensuring a balanced model of local self-government as a necessary condition for municipal development

The purpose of the study is the development of theoretical recommendations for a new concept of municipal power and local self-government in the Russian Federation. The objectives of the study are to consider the relationship of the legal foundations of local self-government with the historical forms of local self-government and government, and to study the comparative legal characteristics of conceptual approaches to foreign and domestic models of local self-government. The methodological basis of the research includes analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, generalization, concrete historical, comparative legal, formal legal and statistical methods. Within the framework of the study, attention is focused on the recently published works of Russian and foreign scientists, statistical data are provided. According to the results of the study, modern organizational models of local self-government are formed with consideration to the needs of multi-level public administration, which presupposes the functional involvement of local self-government bodies in the state executive power system and their responsibility for the implementation of public powers. The scientific novelty of the study lies in obtaining theoretical conclusions that a necessary condition for further municipal development in Russia is the creation of an effective mechanism for reconciling the interests of local communities with state interests, the absence of which leads to an excessive strengthening of state or social principles and a violation of a balanced model of local self-government.