50th Anniversary Research Articles

Beyond Auto‐Models: Self‐Correlated Sui‐Model Respecifications

This year is the 50th anniversary of Besag's classic auto‐models publication, a cornerstone in the development of modern‐day spatial statistics/econometrics. Besag struggled for nearly two decades to make his conceptualization collectively successful across a wide suite of random variables. But only his auto‐normal, and to a lesser degree his auto‐logistic/binomial, were workable. Others, like his auto‐Poisson, were effectively failures, whereas still others, such as potentials like an auto‐Weibull, defied even awkward mathematical incorporations of spatial lag terms. Besag circumvented this impediment by introducing an auto‐normal random effects components (within a Bayesian estimation context), building upon his single total success. This article describes an alternative approach, partly paralleling his reformulation while avoiding inserting spatial lag terms directly into probability density/mass functions, implanting spatial autocorrelation into cumulative distributions functions (CDFs), instead, via a spatially autocorrelated uniform distribution. The already existing probability integral transform and quantile function mathematical statistics theorems enable this mechanism to spatialize any random variable, with these new ones labeled sui‐models.

Editorial preface to special issue: Palaeoenvironmental evolution on the Tibetan Plateau: A multidisciplinary approach over deep time to Quaternary timescales

The aim of this virtual special issue (VSI) is to synthesize knowledge about the evolution and significance of the Tibetan Plateau uplift, together with associated environmental changes, ecology responses, and human development over deep-time to Quaternary timescales. The VSI has been organized by the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ITPCAS), which celebrates its 20th anniversary. The VSI comprises 29 publications that can be grouped into four scientific topics: 1) tectonic evolution and uplift of Tibetan Plateau since Cretaceous times; 2) pre-Quaternary climate and environment linked to Tibetan Plateau uplift; 3) climate and environmental changes, and the 4) ecological response to climate changes during the late Quaternary on Tibetan Plateau. Findings will be of interest to a broad range of scientists including geologists, ecologists and climatologists.

"Thirty-three Ahuns" of Z.Z. Akhunov. To the 150th anniversary of the Tatar public figure.

"Thirty-three Ahuns" of Z.Z. Akhunov. To the 150th anniversary of the Tatar public figure.

Guest Foreword

ABSTRACT In his Foreword to this special issue of SEEIR, the author reflects on the larger significance of the 125th anniversary of the founding in 1899 of the historic Russian department, later Slavonic Division/Slavic and Baltic Division, NYPL. While recognizing the importance of peer European institutions celebrating their centenaries, Kasinec emphasizes the strategic location of the NYPL’s research collection at the very heart of a global metropolis. In reviewing the weighty contributions of his long-time colleagues, Robert H. Davis, Jr., Hee-Gwone Yoo, David Lowe, Bogdan Horbal, and Robert Sink to this special issue, Kasinec gratefully acknowledges his great personal and professional debt owed to the collections, services, and staff of New York’s “people’s palaces.”

In Memory of Mirkasym Abdulakhatovich Usmanov (1934–2010) (on the 90th anniversary of his birth)

In Memory of Mirkasym Abdulakhatovich Usmanov (1934–2010) (on the 90th anniversary of his birth)

International legal protection of cultural heritage during armed conflicts: History of formation and modern mechanisms (To the 70th anniversary of the 1954 convention for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict)

International legal protection of cultural heritage during armed conflicts: History of formation and modern mechanisms (To the 70th anniversary of the 1954 convention for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict)

Report on the Academic Round Table, 30 April 2024, New York City: Freedom of Online Communication Across Transatlantic Borders

Abstract The Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), the Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans Bredow Institute (HBI), the Columbia Global Freedom of Expression and the UNESCO Chair on Freedom of Communication and Information co-hosted an academic workshop in New York City on 30 April 2024. European and US experts examined the current state of freedom of expression on digital platforms on both sides of the Atlantic. The round table took place as part of the Year of Science 2024 in Germany. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the German Basic Law (‘Grundgesetz’), this Year of Science has ‘Freedom’ as its central theme. This provided an excellent opportunity to examine the various understandings of freedom as it relates to communication rights and free speech between the US and Europe. The full extent of mutual learning opportunities remains untapped, and the practical implications are vast.

A century electrocardiographic journey: A tribute to Willem Einthoven on the 100th anniversary of his Nobel Prize on Medicine and Physiology.

A century electrocardiographic journey: A tribute to Willem Einthoven on the 100th anniversary of his Nobel Prize on Medicine and Physiology.

Inclusive Special Education: What Do We Mean and What Do We Want?

The United States will soon recognize the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. Considering the past 50 years in special education, we organized this special issue of Remedial and Special Education focused on inclusive education of students with disabilities in international contexts. Just as a broad array of educators in the US have grappled with improving how the education system might most effectively include students with disabilities, educational leaders in various countries across the globe have been addressing the same question: How can we design inclusive education for students with disabilities that effectively meets their needs? The manuscripts included in this special issue represent five countries—India, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. Each paper presents background on the inclusion of students with disabilities within the focus country and highlights recent advances in and proposes next steps for policy, practice, and research. Collectively, we hope the issue expands readers’ thinking about what special education could be, encourages our community to set specific goals for our next ‘milestone anniversary,’ and ignites conversations about the specific steps we need to accomplish our goals.

You are remembered by grateful memory, Mr. Betancourt

The article covers the life and certain episodes of the activities of Augustin Betancourt (1758–1814), an outstanding engineer, scientist, architect, teacher, and statesman of Spain and Russia, in Russia. Arriving in Russia at the personal invitation of Emperor Alexander I, and being in the Russian service from 1808 to 1824, A. Betancourt left a notable mark in the history of engineering and construction, in the development of industry and transport of the Russian Empire, and formation of engineering education in the country. Based on the sources, including those of the XIX century, the article provides information on the main projects implemented by him in Russia, offers characteristics of the relations between Augustin Betancourt and Emperor Alexander I, and other statesmen of that epoch, and reveals some personal and psychological peculiarities of behaviour of the engineer and scientist. An attempt is made to study the reasons for the tsar’s disfavour of Augustin Betancourt and his resignation from government posts. The article describes the conspicuous merits of A. Betancourt, his contribution to speeding up the industrial revolution in Russia, gives the main facts related to the special role of the scientists of Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University (PGUPS),the successor of the Institute of the Corps of Railway Engineers (IKIPS), organised by Betancourt, and the Betancourt’s Legacy International Scientific and Educational Project held since 2015 and the annual Betancourt International Engineering Forums dedicated to the development of higher engineering education in the world. This article is dedicated to the memory of Augustin Betancourt and is published in the year of the 200th anniversary of his passing on July 26 (14), 1824.

The epic of the Baikal-Amur Mainline is the fate of millions. On the 50th anniversary of the start of construction

The Baikal-Amur Mainline is one of the most ambitious and controversial Soviet projects on the sociopolitical and historical trail of perception. The proposal to build a new railway north of the Trans-Siberian Railway was put forward at the beginning of the 20th century. The idea was approached in the 1920s and 1930s. Surveys were conducted, and construction began on one of the sites, which was interrupted by the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Moreover, during the war years, the upper structure of the track and a number of engineering structures were dismantled on the constructed site, which were used for the construction of the extremely important rockade railway in the Stalingrad area, which played a significant role in supplying Soviet troops during the Battle of Stalingrad. The interest in the construction of the BAM of the Soviet leadership in the 1960s and 1970s arose again in the context of an aggravation of the political situation — the complication of relations between the USSR and the People’s Republic of China. However, already during this period, the question was reasonably raised not only about the political, but also the economic strategic significance of the project from the perspective of the country’s development prospects, the development of natural resources in this region, the development of transport links between the European, Siberian, and Far Eastern territories of the state. In the period after the collapse of the USSR, the BAM construction project, not without the influence of those who were under Western influence in the country’s leadership circles, was classified as erroneous, extremely costly, economically and socially unjustified. Today, in society, the state, under the influence of many factors of recent years, there is an understanding of the importance of completing and developing the BAM construction project. This project has played a big role in the lives of millions of people, many organizations and institutions. Among them is the Leningrad Institute of Railway Engineers — today the St. Petersburg State University of Railways of Emperor Alexander I, whose students, graduates, scientists and specialists have been involved in various forms in the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline for half a century.

Polarity Switching As a Technique for Enhanced Electrochemical Treatment of Waste Activated Sludge for Nutrient Recovery

Traditionally, fertilizers have been produced with ammonia (which is produced from the Haber-Bosch process) as the main feedstock. The Haber-Bosch process which requires the reaction of atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen at high temperature and pressure is energy and cost intensive [1]. Only about half fraction of reactive nitrogen in the produced ammonia fertilizers is used by the plants with the rest remaining in the soil as waste [2]. These ‘excess’ nutrients find a way into water bodies and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) as run-offs and this poses a big threat to the nitrogen balance in the environment. This research aims to recover these nutrients primarily nitrogen and phosphorous to produce a low-cost fertilizer of at least compatible potency as commercial fertilizers.Waste Activated Sludge (WAS), the solids obtained from the primary and secondary clarifiers in WWTPs contain a wide range of organic compounds as well as valuable nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen which can account for up to 4% and 9% of dry sludge, respectively [3]. The leachate from landfills can release these nutrients into the environment, raising serious environmental pollution concerns. Therefore, recovering nutrients from WAS presents a significant opportunity towards a nitrogen circular economy.Most of the research in sludge treatment are exclusively focused on improving biological treatment processes like anaerobic digestion and composting which can take anywhere from a month to three months and thermal treatments such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal treatments [4] which are energy intensive and expensive. This work provides a novel approach to recover nutrients at low energy consumption with nickel based electrocatalysts [5].The hypothesis here is that the alkaline medium will help break the floc structure of the sludge to release the proteins and other organic compounds which will then be hydrolyzed by the nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) group formed on the electrode surface by application of a small voltage sufficient to form NiOOH. The NiOOH is consumed quickly on the surface of the electrode by the organic nitrogen present in solution [6]. Hence, alternating the polarity between two identical nickel electrodes will ensure that NiOOH is always present on the electrode surface. The approach square wave potential pulses also enhance the desorption of species and clean the surface of the electrodes, especially when dealing with a complex mixture of organics that can polymerize in the surface of electrodes during the oxidation/reduction process. The effect of frequency of polarity oscillation, electrode surface area, pH and conductivity on nutrient recovery are being studied and results will be reported at the conference. Since sludge treatment accounts for a sizable portion i.e., close to 60% of wastewater treatment plant operational costs [7], WAS nutrient recovery could also provide economic benefits. This research highlights the potential for electrochemical approaches to address environmental concerns, improve resource efficiency and provide a sustainable solution for sludge management. Acknowledgement This work is funded by the National Science Foundation, EEC Division of Engineering Education and Centers, NSF Engineering Research Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer production (CASFER), NSF 20-553 Gen-4 Engineering Research Centers award # 2133576. References Appl M. The Haber-Bosch heritage: The ammonia production technology. In 50th Anniversary of the IFA Technical Conference 1997 Sep 25 (Vol. 25). Spain: Seville.Galloway JN, Aber JD, Erisman JW, Seitzinger SP, Howarth RW, Cowling EB, Cosby BJ. The nitrogen cascade. Bioscience. 2003 Apr 1;53(4):341-56.Bi W, Li Y, Hu Y. Recovery of phosphorus and nitrogen from alkaline hydrolysis supernatant of excess sludge by magnesium ammonium phosphate. Bioresource technology. 2014 Aug 1;166:1-8.Wu B, Dai X, Chai X. Critical review on dewatering of sewage sludge: Influential mechanism, conditioning technologies and implications to sludge re-utilizations. Water research. 2020 Aug 1;180:115912. Jafari, M., Botte, G.G. Electrochemical treatment of sewage sludge and pathogen inactivation. Appl. Electrochem. 51, 119–130 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-020-01481-6Wang D, Botte GG. In situ X-ray diffraction study of urea electrolysis on nickel catalysts. ECS Electrochemistry Letters. 2014;3(9):H29.Andreoli CV, Von Sperling M, Fernandes F. Sludge treatment and disposal. IWA publishing; 2007.

Voltammetric Study of Phase Separating Anode Materials in Li-Ion Battery Using Phase Field Model

The increasing demand for higher energy capacity in lithium-ion batteries has underscored the significance of modeling lithiation with alternative electrode materials, such as silicon (Si) and tin (Sn). This research addresses the need for comprehensive insights into the (dis)charging process, particularly focusing on the intricate phase transformations in the anode. Phase-field modeling has proven effective in capturing these transformations [2], revealing volumetric deformations of up to 300% during (dis)charging cycles [1]. Unfortunately, these deformations compromise material integrity, leading to reduced battery cycle life and reliability.To address these challenges, our work presents a novel framework for modeling lithiation in materials exhibiting two-phase diffusion using phase field modeling. Unlike previous models limited to single-phase diffusion, our framework provides a more realistic representation of the diffusion process. This realism is achieved by incorporating the time-dependent voltage applied to the anode, a crucial factor in understanding the electrochemical response during lithiation [3].Furthermore, we leverage the currents generated during the lithiation and delithiation processes to conduct a comprehensive voltammetric study. This study goes beyond existing research by considering the impact of phase separation on the currents developed during Li-ion battery operation. Our findings aim to contribute valuable insights into optimizing battery performance and addressing challenges associated with phase transformations, ultimately advancing the development of high-capacity anodes for lithium-ion batteries. REFERENCES [1] McDowell M. T., Lee S. W., Nix W. D., Cui Y. 25th Anniversary Article: Understanding the Lithiation of Silicon and Other Alloying Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries. Adv. Mater., Vol. 25 (36), pp. 4966–4985, 2013.[2] Chen L., Fan F., Hong L., Chen J., Ji Y. Z., Zhang S. L., Zhu T., Chen L. Q. A Phase-Field Model Coupled with Large Elasto-Plastic Deformation: Application to Lithiated Silicon Electrodes. J. Electrochem. Soc., Vol. 161 (11), pp. F3164–F3172, 2014.[3] Swaminathan, N., Balakrishnan, S., & George, K. Elasticity and Size Effects on the Electrochemical Response of a Graphite, Li-Ion Battery Electrode Particle. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 163(3), A488–A498, 2016. Figure 1

The revenge of history: Indian indenture and its afterlife in South Africa

ABSTRACT The aftermath of the 150th anniversary in 2010 of the arrival of the first indentured migrants in Natal saw an explosion of family and community histories. While some academic historians question the credibility of such histories, carefully sifted and cross-referenced, they can provide a wealth of new information, allowing for deeper insights into indentured migration and Indian settlement in South Africa. Family histories help in building intergenerational histories that go beyond indenture. This expansion of the historical archive provides a fuller story of Indians who, for a large part of their existence, were written out of the history books or written in as a festering sore to be lanced from the South African body politic through mass repatriation. While digging deeper into individual family histories, the story is situated within the broader context of racist exclusion, showing how these boundaries were reinforced as much as they were challenged and trespassed.

Boris N. Kholtsov (1861–1940): outstanding urologist, scientist, and teacher. To the 100th anniversary of the start of employment in the Urological Clinic of the Leningrad State Institute for Advanced Training of Doctors

This article is dedicated to outstanding clinical scientist Professor B.N. Kholtsov (1861–1940). The main stages of his scientific, clinical, and teaching activities and his scientific achievements in the development of novel methods for treating diseases of the urinary and male genital organs are presented. He was the first to propose a two-stage adenomectomy technique, an original method of urethral resection in case of stricture, and developed a surgical treatment method for contracture of the bladder neck. The role of Kholtsov in the training of urologists at the Department of Urology of the Leningrad State Institute for Advanced Training of Doctors, which he headed in 1926–1940, is shown. Kholtsov was a talented clinician, scientist, teacher, and innovator, whose main ideas remains in demand today.

Public Control: "Second Wind" (to the 10th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Federal Law on the Fundamentals of Public Control in the Russian Federation)

Public Control: "Second Wind" (to the 10th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Federal Law on the Fundamentals of Public Control in the Russian Federation)

Philosophical and legal ideas of F.M. Dostoevsky in modern legal doctrine A. I. Bastrykin, R. F. Ismagilov, V. P. Salnikov. The idea of goodness in the works of F.M. Dostoevsky and its influence on the development of the philosophy of law (to the 200th anniversary of F. M. Dostoevsky) / opening speech by A. I. Aleksandrov. 2nd, rev. and exp.

In the presented review, the authors provide a doctrinal content characteristic of the current ideas and scientific provisions of the monograph by A. I. Bastrykin, R. F. Ismagilov, V. P. Salnikov “The idea of Goodness in the works of F. M. Dostoevsky and its influence on the development of the Philosophy of Law (to the 200th anniversary of F. M. Dostoevsky”. It is noted that this scientific work is devoted to a complex of currently relevant philosophical and legal problems, related to the understanding of goodness and evil. until now has this topic not found its worthy philosophical and historical-legal justification, as well as unambiguous perception and interpretation both among scientists and among various social groups of Russian society. The authors of the review note that the appearance of the second edition of the monograph is positive for science and practice, and also the fact that this work once again raises questions traditional for the domestic intelligentsia in the philosophical and legal discourse.

On the way to a sovereign philosophy of Russian law A. I. Bastrykin, К. F. Ismagilov, М. P. Salnikov. The idea of goodness шn the works of А.M. Dostoevsky and its influence on the development of the philosophy of law (to the 200th anniversary of F. M. Dostoevsky) / intro. by A. I. Aleksandrov. St. Petersburg: university foundation, 2021. –

The article is a review of the monographs by A. I. Bastrykin, R. F. Ismagilov, V. P. Salnikov “The idea of Goodness in the works of F. M. Dostoevsky and its influence on the development of the Philosophy of Law (to the 200th anniversary of F. M. Dostoevsky)” (2021) and by S. I. Zakhartsev, D. V. Maslennikov, V. P. Salnikov “The logos of law: Parmenides – Hegel – Dostoevsky. On the question of the speculative-logical foundations of the metaphysics of law” (2019) and is devoted to the formation of the philosophical foundations of the theory of law, which are considered in the general context of the collective work of St. Petersburg philosophers and lawyers to develop a sovereign Philosophy of Law under the leadership of Professor V. P. Salnikov.

Human rights: problems of conceptualization, positivization and protection. On the 75th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights (All-russian scientific conference With international participation)

On October 18, 2023 the Institute of State and Law of the RAS hosted the All-Russian Scientific Conference with international participation “Human rights: problems of conceptualization, positivization and protection. On the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. It was attended by representatives of leading Russian scientific and educational institutions, as well as researchers from Belarus and Uzbekistan. The Conference emphasized the continuing importance of the Universal Declaration for the establishment of international human rights standards. The participants of the scientific event discussed a wide range of problems related to the development of the doctrine of human rights and the practice of their protection in modern conditions characterized by the increasing complexity of international relations, the diversification of social inequalities and the introduction of new technologies.

Editorial: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Journal of Forensic Nursing.

Editorial: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Journal of Forensic Nursing.