Tradition of Using Urochlivye Kamni “Jinx Stones”in the Kologrivsky District of the Kostroma Region

Aim. Prediction of primary, general morbidity and mortality of persons with alcohol use disorders, registered at a dispensary in the Kostroma region of Russian Federation. Methods. Statistical data for 24 districts of the Kostroma region, 1999-2012 was analyzed. In addition to graphical method and mapping the least-squares method, ranking, estimation of absolute increase/decrease and the average annual growth/loss rate were used. Information was obtained from the statistical reports of regional addictions dispensary (statistical form number 37), Statistical yearbook of National Research Center of Addictions, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation. Results. Structure of patients treated for alcohol disorders in the Kostroma region almost virtually unchanged over the past 10 years, the proportion of persons with chronic alcoholism was 46.5%, drinkers with harmful consequences - 32.4%, alcoholic psychosis - 21.1%. In 2012 the number of primary identified alcohol consumers with harmful impact on the health was 72.8% less compared to the average index for Russian Federation and 27.5% compared to Central Federal District. We have revealed mild, prone to stabilization trend of increase in the incidence of chronic alcoholism and psychosis for 14 years studied, average annual growth rate was 0.64%. Based on the primary incidence of alcoholism and psychosis the top three districts were: Sudislavsky, Susaninsky and Mezhevskoy, indicators in these areas were almost 2-3 times higher than the average regional index. In 2012 in 12 districts of Kostroma region no cases of alcoholic psychosis were registered. The latter fact is in doubt, as in 7 of 12 districts the positions of addiction psychiatrists were vacant. Over the past 3 years only 38% of patients who required to be treated for alcoholism were admitted for hospital care and 16.7% - for ambulatory care. Conclusion. Analysis of epidemiological data on alcohol situation in the Kostroma region testifies to its stabilization with the trend to improve; established territorial features show the necessity of purposeful planning of preventive measures.

This study shows the epidemiological situation of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in the regions of the Central Federal District (CFD) of Russia for 2008-2020, including the morbidity in different age groups, children and adolescents. The highest rate was recorded in the Kostroma region – 5.43 ± 0.78 per 100 thousand population, followed by the Yaroslavl and Tver regions – 1.03 ± 0.21 and 0.49 ± 0.08 per 100 thousand, respectively. The incidence tends to decrease, which is more pronounced in the Yaroslavl region. The proportion of children and adolescents among patients with TBE in the Central Federal District regions is 5–11.3%. In the Yaroslavl region, mostly townspeople get sick, in the Kostroma region – rural residents. The structure of clinical forms of TBE in both regions is dominated by febrile forms, however, the proportion of focal forms remains high – over 15% and the proportion of meningeal forms decreases. In Moscow and the Moscow region, isolated local cases of TBE infection have been registered since 2011, which requires strengthening anti-epidemic measures. In the described clinical cases, a severe focal form of the disease was noted in children, in the first it ended with the formation of consequences in the form of symptomatic epilepsy, in the second – with a fatal outcome. Doctors of various profiles in endemic regions should be wary of TBE, and it is important to adhere to the correct tactics of managing patients with suspected infection. Key words: childhood morbidity, vaccination, tick-borne encephalitis, clinical forms, deaths, severe duration in children, Central Federal District

The article presents an analysis of the main indicators of obstetric care in the region of the Central Federal District – Kostroma Region. Despite the identified positive trends in the reproductive and demographic process in the Kostroma region, a number of significant problems remain (exceeding the Russian average for the number of complications in labor, termination of pregnancy, infant mortality, etc.) that require management decisions in improving the obstetric care system and ensuring the proper level of medical care mother and child. This direction of improving the activities of the healthcare system of the Kostroma region is of paramount importance in conditions of reduced population reproduction

The article deals with North Russian dialect names of meat dishes. The work examines the lexical and ethnographic data presented in card indexes and dictionaries of the Arkhangelsk, Vologda and Kostroma regions, including unpublished materials from card indexes of the Toponymic expedition of the Ural Federal University. The study is carried out within ethnolinguistics and aims to identify the cultural and linguistic features of the names of meat dishes. The theoretical significance of the work consists in that it develops a comprehensive ethnolinguistic approach to the analysis of the lexical group based on the methods of semantic- motivational, onomasiological, and etymological analysis. These methods allow us to characterize the territorial variants of the names of meat products, their genus-species differentiation, origin and motivational ties with other groups of vocabulary. It has been revealed that most of the names of meat dishes have a transparent internal form and duplicate the designations of the corresponding parts of the animal. The names of meat dishes (not from offal) reflect the traditional technology of cooking as well as the peculiarities of consuming the dishes. The following semantic and motivational models are distinguished: ‘internal organ’ → ‘dish from it’, ‘something that has frozen; something cold’ → ‘aspic, jelly’, ‘something that shakes’ → ‘aspic, jelly’, ‘being old’ → ‘prepared for future consumption (about meat)’, ‘thin flat cake’ → ‘jerked beef’. There is proposed motivational reconstruction for the dialect words артиль <artil’>, жулей <zhuley>, пу- таник <putanik>. Basing on the analysis of the words, the author has identified the composition of meat diet, the types of dishes, the features of cooking those, the role of meat in festive and everyday meals as well as the regulations that determine consumption of meat. The presence of meat dishes in the diet served as a socio-ethnic marker: consumption of bones and offal was considered a sign of poverty, while consumption of meat – a sign of wealth; meat dishes were mainly prepared by peasants on holidays; eating raw meat or blood, as well as meat ‘with a bad smell’, was attributed to the local Russian or other ethnic groups, etc.

The relevance of this study is connected with the fact that Russia, having significant scientific and technological potential, has a number of issues due to the development of innovation in its regions. The purpose of the research is to estimate the index of innovative development in the regions of the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation. The authors analyzed the following main issues: 1) relevance of innovative development of regions in the modern world; 2) analysis of innovative development of the regions of the Central Federal District. The research used various methods as the main ones: analysis and synthesis were used to identify modern forms of innovation structures and emphasize their main characteristics; statistical methods were used to develop indicators characterizing innovative development in the regions of the Central Federal District; grouping methods were used to analyze the innovative development of regions; and cartographic methods were used to display visually the obtained groups of regions according to the index of innovative development. Statistical data were processed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS Statistics. For the analysis of innovative development, the authors offered a system of four groups of economic indicators of assessment: scientific personnel, provision of innovative development, productivity of innovative development, and costs of innovative activity. The data obtained as a result of research allowed for the drawing of a number of conclusions, including the following ones: 1) there is a sharp differentiation in the index of innovative development among the regions of the Central Federal District; 2) the undoubted leaders in the index of innovative development during the period of observation are Moscow and the Moscow region; the outsider is the Kostroma region. The results of research can be useful to regional and municipal authorities for the development of preventive measures for innovative development in regions and their municipalities.

В статье приведены результаты предварительного анализа транспортной доступности лесов Костромской обл. на основе показателя плотности дорог. Представлены данные, характеризующие дорожную ситуацию на территории региона, в частности состояние дорожно-транспортной сети на землях лесного фонда. По результатам натурных обследований установлены основные причины ухудшения состояния лесных дорог. Kostroma region has a geographical location, characterized by the presence of adjacent borders with 5 regions of the Russian Federation, proximity to Moscow and Yaroslavl, passing of the main railways, waterways and highways pass through the region. Kostroma region is located in the southern taiga region of the European part of Russia. Problems of socio-economic development of the region include infrastructural restrictions associated with a sparse transport network in the north-eastern part and the unsatisfactory condition of a significant part of the horn and access roads, including forest roads. The development of the region’s timber industry complex is constrained by the low density of forest roads with several large timber processing centers. According to a preliminary assessment of the transport accessibility of the region’s forests by road density, only 2 out of 21 forest districts have average transport accessibility, the rest have low (11 forest districts) and very low (7 forest districts) transport access, and the territory of 1 forestry is difficult to access. The density of roads in the forest fund varies from 2,0 to 10,8 km / 1000 ha. The main share of the road transport network is made up of unpaved roads (89,6 % of the total length). As a result of field surveys of the state of forest roads of various types in several districts of the Kostroma region, a deterioration in the condition of forest roads is noted when moving away from federal and regional roads, from regional centers and paths connecting with large forest processing centers, and also depending on the type of landscape and hydrological terrain and other climatic features.

The analysis made it possible to highlight the main features of the natural population movement in the Kostroma region as a region of the Central Federal District: depopulation of the population is observed – a long-term natural population decline, while the number of deaths significantly exceeds the number of births; natural decline was noted among both the urban and rural population of the region. Using predictive models without taking into account changes in the demographic situation during COVID‑19, it was calculated that in the Kostroma region we can expect an increase in the number of births per 1000 people from 8.5 in 2020 to 9.9 in 2024 (optimistic script); reduction to 8.9 in 2024 (according to the pessimistic scenario); growth to 9.4 in 2024 (according to the average forecast). In addition, a decrease in the number of deaths per 1000 population is calculated from 16.7 in 2020 to 11.7 in 2024 (according to the optimistic scenario); reduction to 13.0 in 2024 (according to the pessimistic scenario); to 12.3 in 2024 (according to the average forecast).

The article takes the case of Sardinia, an archaic and conservative region of Italy, and its central mountainous area of Barbagia in particular, to examine the phenomenon of cattle raiding in historical perspective. I draw primarily on my own field materials to support the analyses provided in the available scholarly literature, since the latter predominantly discuss the topic from the legal point of view. The anthropological standpoint will be helpful in presenting a more complex and multidimensional vision of the Sardinian cattle raiding, shedding light on its intricacies, folk philosophy, and place in the local cultural context, as well as in identifying its connections to the ancient code of customary law and the present values and norms of behavior in the region. I argue that, in the emic views of the villagers, cattle raiding is considered as a phenomenon organically inscribed in the local social-economic and cultural context, being sometimes disapproved of, sometimes “decriminalized” or “heroized” and shown as requiring certain dignity of its actors. By examining this practice in the context of Sardinia, we will be able to better understand many other realities in this European region in its present and historical past.

This research aims to explore and develop Islamic education rooted in local culture among the fishing community on the North Coast of Gresik. The research method used is a qualitative approach with an ethnographic type. The data collection techniques include participant observation, in-depth interviews and documentation studies. This study adopts the taxonomic analysis developed by Spradley, which provides for taxonomic, semantic, componential, and cultural theme analyses. The data validation technique uses triangulation. Research findings show that constructing Islamic values ​​with local traditions in education among fishing communities can strengthen their religious and cultural identity and enrich their educational experience. This research also found that active participation and awareness of the fishing community regarding the urgency of Islamic education can increase their involvement in the learning process. This research argues that an Islamic education approach based on local culture will be able to encourage strengthening the relationship between the younger generation and the traditions and values ​​inherited from their ancestors. The limitation of this research is that it does not yet explain the challenges of the digital revolution in the local cultural context. The main contribution of this research is to provide a theoretical and practical basis for the development of Islamic education that is more inclusive and relevant to the local social and cultural context by emphasizing local wisdom as a source of strength and sustainability of Islamic education.

The incidence of pediatric kidney stones is increasing with recurrence rates ranging from 35 to 50%. Supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) presents a viable alternative to the conventional prone position, offering specific benefits but also posing certain risks. To update a previously published systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of PCNL in the supine versus prone positions in children. A systematic search of Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase was conducted to identify eligible studies. Two authors independently screened the literature and extracted data. The meta-analysis was performed using StataMP 17. The study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024545145). The sensitivity and subgroup analyses explored sources of heterogeneity, and publication bias was assessed with a funnel plot. The study adhered to PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook. This study included a total of nine studies, comprising five randomized controlled trials and four case-control studies, with 614 patients in total. Compared with the prone position group, the supine position group demonstrated significant advantages in terms of operative time (WMD = -15.43, 95% CI: -22.18 to -8.69, P = 0.0001), hospital stay (WMD = -0.77, 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.42, P = 0.0001), overall complication rate (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.42-0.99, P = 0.046), and hemoglobin decrease (WMD = -0.22, 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.05, P = 0.013). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in stone clearance rate, high-grade complication rate, or radiation exposure time. Subgroup analysis revealed that in studies published after 2024, cases of small stones (< 2cm), and older children (> 9years), the supine position group had fewer low-grade complications. Additionally, in the supine PCNL group with ultrasound or endoscopy-assisted puncture, radiation exposure time was significantly reduced. This study shows that supine position PCNL in children is superior to the prone position in terms of operative time, hospital stay, complication rate, and hemoglobin decrease, with no significant difference in stone clearance, high-grade complications, or radiation exposure. The subgroup analysis found that supine position resulted in fewer low-grade complications in studies published after 2024, small stones, and older children. It also significantly reduced radiation exposure with ultrasound or endoscopy-assisted puncture, suggesting that supine position is a safer and more effective option.

Mathematics education needs to be taught meaningfully using problem contexts and facilitating reasoning, modeling, collaboration, and connection with other mathematical concepts. This community service project aimed to train primary school teachers in developing Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) 'icebergs' utilizing the local cultural context of Magetan. Twelve primary school teachers in Magetan participated in the RME training, which focused on developing the RME 'icebergs' through exploratory and contextual approaches. The research method included face-to-face sessions, group discussions, and individual tasks to design relevant learning materials. The training results showed significant improvement in the understanding and application of RME. Before the training, teachers faced challenges in engaging students in grades 4-6 and in using local context in mathematics teaching. Post-training, 67% of the teachers demonstrated a positive change in their teaching approach, shifting from lecture and drill methods to an RME-based approach. Additionally, 50% of the participants successfully developed RME icebergs that integrated problems within the local cultural context of Magetan. The training evaluation indicated that over 50% of participants responded positively, showing increased knowledge about realistic mathematics and the application of culturally contextualized problems. The conclusion of this study asserts that the RME approach, especially when combined with local cultural context, is effective in enhancing mathematics teaching skills and enriching numeracy literacy among primary school teachers. The implications of this research suggest integrating RME into the primary school mathematics curriculum to develop critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills in students, in line with the demands of the 21st century

ABSTRACTThis paper focuses on the Chinese government’s policy of purchasing social services and discusses how relevant organisations provide social work and develop it within local socio-political and cultural contexts. An ethnographic research method was adopted for the study by the first author while participating in social work development in Q City. We argue that the policy of purchasing social services succeeded in achieving “embedded development” but also created a “conjuncture structure” in cultural reproduction. However, due toprofessional social workers in China have, in practice, passively responded to the conjuncture there has been a failure to reproduce professional values of social work in the Chinese cultural context. Therefore, further development of social work in China needs to strengthen cultural reflection in practical actions, focus on the exploration of cultural connections between social work practice and local communities, and enhance the cultural capacity of social workers in the local cultural context.

Educational policy formation is the result of multiple influences, locally and internationally, with power struggles amongst political, economic, academic, practitioner, and local cultural contexts. Various theories abound regarding the international flow and influence of educational policies, such as ‘borrowing,’ ‘lending,’ ‘travelling,’ and ‘knowledge transfer.’ This chapter argues that ‘policy adaptation’ is the more pertinent term because policies generally mutate from one setting to another. Two examples of New Zealand policy enactment in formative assessment, one related to National Curriculum Exemplars and the other to National Standards, illustrate the centrality of clear communication and collaboration across all players in the educational sector, as well as responsiveness to the local political, economic, and cultural context for coherent policy and practice to occur. The examples demonstrate the role all players can and need to take in shaping policy. Indeed coherent policies that meet the greatest challenge of all—implementation in practice—can only occur through extensive collaboration and communication.

The article is focused on the cultural phenomena of architectural iconism that has become globally widespread due to the continuous pressure of ongoing economic, ideological and cultural globalisation and the reigning interests of the web of building industry that appropriates architectural design for its own financial purposes as well as local political stakeholders who often seek to replicate the success of previous internationally renowned iconic buildings by aspiring to the status of world-class cities. While discussing the global and local cultural contexts in which the so-called ‘Bilbao effect’ triggered the current pursuit of iconic buildings, the author of the article analyses the much publicized recent example of iconic architecture in Eastern Europe – the MO Modern Art Museum that was designed by Daniel Libeskind and opened in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania in 2018 on the site of an abandoned and eventually demolished cinema in the vicinity of the historical Old Quarters. It is argued that despite of publicity and largely overcooked praises of international architectural media, the museum’s architectural design remains an example of ‘signatory architecture’ that largely ignores the aesthetics of its local urban environment and peculiarities of local historical and cultural context. It is suggested that that despite of claims of being contextual, in fact the building is not and on the contrary: it exhibits most of the aesthetics features that plaque iconic buildings in various localities on different continents.

In folk traditions and beliefs, money has various properties in addition to its main function- the amount of value. In Armenian folk beliefs, coins protect against evil forces –they are apotropaic charms; besides, they bring abundance, happiness, health, growth, etc. Thus, they play an important role in popular feasts and rituals. The supernatural features of coins are related to the power attributed to metals. Coins save from terrible dreams, help to overcome fear, heal the diseases, protect from the evil eye, ect. According to the foundation ritual when building a house, money is placed in the basement- in the corner, under the threshold, in walls so that the building be strong: the devils are afraid of the coins so they do not approach and destroy the house. Besides, the coins bring abundance, wealth, fortune, and many children. The practice of consecrating foundation offerings originated as early as the art of building. On the occasion of engagement ceremonies and wedding rituals both jewellery and money were presented to the newlyweds. In agricultural rites, the coins help to ensure the fertility of the soil: when plowing the land, money is thrown into the first furrow and when planting a tree, money is put into the pit for auspicious growth and abundant harvest. Money is a means of divination. The most powerful coin is the one got out of the New Year's bread called “tari hats” (literally: year bread). The person who finds it is “the owner of the year and the luckiest one”. He keeps it in his purse so that it be full of money all year round or takes it to the church, buys a candle and lights it, praying before the saints. Money is a charm by itself or a component part of various charms. The magical power of money comes from the moon (besides the metals). As the symbol of the adorable moon, the coin bears its miraculous features. Especially the growing new moon brings happiness, health, and fullness. In order “to turn the coin into a new moon”, the coin was cut (circular on the bottom) by special people: 1. the priest during the liturgy, 2. the witch, praying on the new moon, 3. the blacksmith, 4. the member of the family that has received this gift from above. Jewellery and patterns symbolizing the moon have always been of special value and popular in Armenia. It is noteworthy that pendants of different decorations symbolizing the new moon (called "new") made in various jewellery techniques were often replaced by coins in 18th – 20th centuries. Most of the ornaments have their counterparts in coins, such as forehead ornaments, bracelets, breast ornaments, belts and the like. But more common were the countless types of jewellery and amulets mixed with coins (Russian, Ottoman, Persian and European) and various types of jewellery. The money, which is not made of metal, and was of great importance in Armenia was the cowrie shell. Besides their monetary value, they were used as magical multi-functional amulets and adornments. These shells were obtained from the Indian, Pacific Oceans, Mediterranean and other seas and were brought to Armenia since ancient times as evidenced by archaeological excavations in different regions of Armenia.