Astrakhan Oblast Research Articles

Analytical methods and tools for risk diagnostics in the activities of agricultural organizations

Subject. The article addresses risk diagnostics in the activities of organizations of agro-industrial complex in the Astrakhan Oblast. Objectives. The focus is to develop practical recommendations aimed at minimizing the risks of organizations operating in the agro-industrial complex of the Astrakhan Oblast. Methods. The study rests on the analysis of data provided by the State Statistics Service, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing Industry of the Astrakhan Oblast and the calculation of indicators based on these data. We apply the indicative method and calculation of integrated index. Results. We analyzed the main socio-economic indicators and diagnosed risks, using a risk map. The indicative method and the calculation of integrated indicator helped specify a low (pre-crisis) level of economic security in the agro-industrial complex for three years under study. To mitigate the identified risks we proposed measures to be taken by the government, like farm business concessional loans scheme, careful selection of creditors and borrowers, support to unprofitable farms, taking into account the WTO rules. Conclusions. The findings enable to analyze the current state of agriculture in the Astrakhan Oblast and develop the areas of risk mitigation in the agro-industrial complex. It is crucial to stabilize the financial condition through stock reduction, improve the supply chain process, the system of warehouses and storage facilities.

«Песнь о Шара Гюргю» («Шара Гүргүһин бөлг») в репертуаре джангарчи Михаила Манджиева

Introduction. The article provides a comparative insight into two versions of The Song of Shara Gürgü [the Furious]: the first was recorded in 1862, and the second was heard in the mid-to-late 20th century. The Appendix publishes The Song of Shara Gürgü recorded by N. Ts Bitkeev, E. B. Ovalov, N. B. Sangadzhieva — then employees of Kalmyk Institute of Language, Literature and History (present-day KalmSC RAS) — on 24–25 August 1971 in the village of Kamyshovo (Limansky District, Astrakhan Oblast). The introduction into scientific circulation of the narrative by jangarchi Mikhail Mandzhiev, a devout representative of the Kalmyk epic tradition, is of great significance for the comprehensive research of the phenomenon of taletelling. Materials. The paper examines the original text of the Song integral to the Kalmyk heroic epic of Jangar, recorded in 1971, and archived by Kalmyk Scientific Center (RAS). Goals. The article aims to introduce the version of jangarchi Mikhail Mandzhiev, conduct a comparative analysis of plot and compositional elements, including typical places of the Song, to an early recording of 1862. Results. As compared to the latter, the narrative of jangarchi Mikhail Mandzhiev differs in a smaller volume (only 849 poetic lines). The reduction is due to that the narrator omits some typical passages. However, this did not affect the harmony and conciseness of the Song because the taleteller retains plot-compositional structure and motif fund almost in full.

West Nile fever in Volgograd Oblast: features of the epidemic process’s manifestations at the present stage

Objective: To study the regional features of the West Nile fever (WNF) epidemic process manifestations using the example of the territory with stable and long-term pathogen circulation (Volgograd Oblast).Materials and Methods: We used the data of the Reference Center for monitoring the WNF pathogen based on the Volgograd Research Anti-Plague Institute of Rospotrebnadzor over 1999–2021. The main method is a comprehensive epidemiological method.Results: The long-term changes in the WNF incidence in Volgograd Oblast is characterized by a cyclical nature with an interval of 1–8 years and a tendency to decrease. The maximum risk of infection occurs in August (58.8%), but there is an increase in the number of cases in September. The average duration of the epidemic season is 8.4 weeks. Case fatality rate is at the level of 4.3%; the prevalence of the number of deaths in the group of 70 years and older (75%), as well as among men (63.6%) has been established. The greatest contribution to the incidence rate is made by the age group of 60 years and older (37.7%). Features of the clinical presentation include the dominance of forms without damage to the central nervous system (91.1%) and moderate clinical course (72.3%). The prevalence of the urban population among the infected was noted (85.5%).Conclusion: A comparative analysis of the clinical and epidemiological WNF manifestations in Volgograd Oblast, territories with a stable circulation of the pathogen (Astrakhan and Rostov Oblasts) and, in overall, the Russian Federation, established differences in the duration of cyclical fluctuations in incidence, seasonality (Rostov Oblast), age structure of incidence (Astrakhan Oblast), distribution of cases by the severity of the clinical course, the site of the alleged infection and social status.

Cельские жители Юга России о настоящем и будущем села (анализ анкетного опроса 2018 г.)

The modern Russian village has been going through difficult times for more than three decades. This was manifested in the elimination of a huge number of agricultural enterprises, the growth of socio-economic problems, and the irrevocable migration of the rural population. The social and property differentiation of farms and the villagers themselves indicates different economic models of behavior, different adaptive capabilities of the population, and the presence / absence of rural resources. Some rural areas are leaders, profitable; others, on the contrary – are outsiders, weak. The author analyzed the regions of the Republic of Kalmykia, Astrakhan oblast, Volgograd oblast, Stavropol Krai – has traditionally been a barn, providers, suppliers of primary agricultural products – meat, grain, milk, oil, grease, wool, vegetables, and fruits. At present, when all financial flows are concentrated in the capital and several major cities, these southern Russian regions, while continuing to supply all the same products, are in an unequal position with the leaders of the country's economic development. On their territories, of course, there are profitable agricultural enterprises, but most rural settlements do not belong to such, on the contrary, they are depressed and gradually disappear. The article deals with the problems of the rural population of the agrarian regions of the South of Russia. The prolonged crisis and the simultaneous decline in agricultural production led to the degradation of rural areas and a decline in the standard of living of the rural population. The main problems remain the lack of employment, low incomes, and the active outflow of the rural population.

Peering into Avian Influenza A(H5N8) for a Framework towards Pandemic Preparedness.

2014 marked the first emergence of avian influenza A(H5N8) in Jeonbuk Province, South Korea, which then quickly spread worldwide. In the midst of the 2020–2021 H5N8 outbreak, it spread to domestic poultry and wild waterfowl shorebirds, leading to the first human infection in Astrakhan Oblast, Russia. Despite being clinically asymptomatic and without direct human-to-human transmission, the World Health Organization stressed the need for continued risk assessment given the nature of Influenza to reassort and generate novel strains. Given its promiscuity and easy cross to humans, the urgency to understand the mechanisms of possible species jumping to avert disastrous pandemics is increasing. Addressing the epidemiology of H5N8, its mechanisms of species jumping and its implications, mutational and reassortment libraries can potentially be built, allowing them to be tested on various models complemented with deep-sequencing and automation. With knowledge on mutational patterns, cellular pathways, drug resistance mechanisms and effects of host proteins, we can be better prepared against H5N8 and other influenza A viruses.

Resilience of the resource regions for sustainable development in Russia

The economic growth of Russian regions is one of the key indicators for the country. The regional economies have significant differences in the structure of production and services, therefore, ensuring economic growth depends on various factors of the internal structure and external influence. In this regard, the task of searching for growth factors and risk factors for the sustainable development of Russian regions becomes important. The aim of this work is to assess the resilience of the economy of energy resource regions of Russia to changes in the fiscal energy policy of the state. The authors found that such factors exert the strongest influence as tax yield and the balance of tax payments. Moreover, the energy resource regions of Russia are resilient to these factors. Considering the tax security of the regional budget, we can say that it has a fairly strong impact. The regional budget deficit and the level of budgetary provision have little impact on the economic growth of oil-producing regions. From which the authors conclude that the energy regions are resilient to these factors. The regional budget deficit has the smallest impact. After division into clusters, it was revealed that the main oil-producing regions of Russia turned out to be resilient to changes in the fiscal energy policy of the state. Only eight regions of the considered ones turned out to be resilient: Krasnoyarsk Krai, Tyumen Oblast, Astrakhan Oblast, Republic of Sakha, Kaliningrad Oblast, Sakhalin Oblast, Novosibirsk Oblast and Omsk Oblast.

The current state of the steppe vegetation classification system in the Volga region

Steppe vegetation in the Volga region is one of the predominant types of vegetation. At present, it has survived only in areas inconvenient for human economic and recreational activities. Its research is necessary to understand the structure and composition of zonal vegetation and distribution patterns to predict changes in the modern vegetation cover. The relevance of studying the steppe vegetation of the Volga region is also due to the creation of the project “Vegetation of Russia”. We studied the steppe vegetation of the Volga region in the period from 2011 to 2020 from the standpoint of the J. Braun-Blanquet approach. Field studies covered all the diversity of the steppe vegetation represented in the region-herb-rich grass steppes, herb-grass steppes, grass steppes and desert and their psammophytic, petrophytic and halophytic edaphic variants within Ulyanovsk, Penza, Samara, Saratov, and Volgograd Oblasts, the western part of Orenburg Oblast and the northern part of Astrakhan Oblast. The syntaxonomic analysis of our own materials and literature data made it possible to establish 65 associations, 47 subassociations and 2 variants. They are assigned to the class Festuco-Brometea, the orders Festucetalia valesiacae, Helictotricho-Stipetalia, Tanaceto achilleifolii-Stipetalia lessingianae and the alliances Festucion valesiacae, Agropyrion pectinati, Centaureion sumensis, Stipion korshinskyi and Tanaceto achilleifolii-Stipion lessingianae.

Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula: Historical, current status and future aquaculture prospects in Russia

In the wild, overfishing, habitat loss, industrial and agriculture activity has led to the degradation of freshwater habitats and, therefore, dramatically declines the Mississippi paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) stocks (Stone 2007). Paddlefish gain a growing commercial interest in the USSR/Russian Federation due to its ability to produce high-quality caviar. Also, it can be reared in polyculture ponds and a wide range of temperate reservoirs. Therefore, aquaculture of these valuable fish is necessary to meet consumer demand in Eastern European markets with flesh and caviar. Published information about the culture of paddlefish in the USSR/Russian Federation is scarce and not permanently available. Regarding our study, data were collected from English reports and translated Russian official statistics and studies. Also, FAO fisheries data from 1880 up to 2010 for paddlefish were included. Moreover, caviar production data and prices were surveyed from companies. The collected data could briefly represent the historical and current status of paddlefish aquaculture and provide insight into the expected future production in the Russian Federation. Besides, it investigates the drawbacks of paddlefish aquaculture development and the potential challenges in Russian territories. Also, it discusses potential impacts related to the preservation of the breeding stocks, population naturalization and invasiveness of the species in the southern parts of Russia (i.e., in the Volga‐Caspian basin): Saratov, Rostov, Astrakhan Oblast and Krasnodar regions. Furthermore, this review aimed to gather the available data and the latest final findings that may address the welfare of paddlefish data to fill the knowledge gap towards improving the management of this species. In addition, future development prospects can be supported by government oversight through accurate accounting and financing for private farm activity.

Исторические аспекты административно-территориального устройства Калмыкии в контексте взаимоотношений с Астраханской областью по вопросу реабилитации калмыцкого народа

Introduction. The paper explores historical aspects of Kalmykia’s administrative and territorial structure with due regard of its relations to Astrakhan Oblast in the context of the Kalmyk people’s territorial rehabilitation initiated in the early 1990s. Materials and Methods. The work employs the historical descriptive and comparative research methods. It focuses on one archival document — the opinion letter of September 20–23, 1991 by Yu. Oglaev, Cand.Sc. (history) and Associate Professor at Kalmyk State University, dealing with ‘Working Papers on Territorial Rehabilitation of the Kalmyk People’ issued by the Commission of Astrakhan Oblast Soviet of People’s Deputies. Results. The article examines arguments of Astrakhan Oblast authorities aimed at undermining attempts of Kalmykia’s government to raise the question of territorial rehabilitation. Specifically, it gives some data on territorial transformations of ‘enclave’ settlements in Kalmykia before December 1943 and after the 1957 restoration of the ethnic autonomy. Conclusions. The historical aspect of territorial disputes between the two Lower Volga regions after 1957 basically rests on that Astrakhan Oblast government refused to recognize the proclaimed (reclaimed) borders (some part) of Kalmykia as of 1957. The idea of returning two districts integral to the Kalmyk ASSR as of 1943 back to the republic was articulated by Kalmykia’s executives in the Government of the RSFSR after 1957, and the era of perestroika attached somewhat sociopolitical features to the issue — only to eventually end in nothing. However, the history of territorial transformations of settlements in the border areas of Kalmykia and Astrakhan Oblast do require further scientific insights, as well as the use of distant pastures by neighboring regions — special emphasis thereto be laid on economic, environmental and land-related consequences experienced by the republic.

Влияние повышения температуры зимних месяцев на сроки основных фенологических фаз жизнедеятельности Spermophilus pygmaeus Pallas, 1778 на территории Прикаспийской низменности (Астраханская область)

This article provides comparison analysis between 1950–1959’s and 2000–2009’s periods for duration and schedule dates of awakening, spreading and hibernation phases for Spermophilus pygmaeus populations located in the Caspian Depression (by example of Astrakhan Oblast). We learned that within a period of maximum temperature rise in February 2000–2009’s durations of S.pygmaeus’ populations of every phonological phase have shortened and been rescheduled with earlier dates (in comparison to 1950–1959’s). The study also shows that these changes caused its population reduction on the Caspian Depression’s territory.

The linguo-regional knowledge aspect of the structure of the teaching methodology of Russian as a foreign language as one of the ways of adaptation of foreign students

The present article touches upon the problems of adaptation of foreign students in the multicultural region of Russia - the Astrakhan oblast. The article outlines the main methodological ways of solving them in the framework of education by updating the linguo-regional knowledge aspect of the structure of the teaching methodology of Russian as a foreign language (RFL), and gives descriptions of methodological models for the implementation of linguocultural adaptation of foreign students in the process of educational activities of the university based on the linguoregional specifics of the region. This work reveals the significance of the regional component of the RFL methodology aimed at forming communicative skills and abilities of students, in order to intensify the adaptation process. The authors present the features of country-specific and linguo-regional studies carried out in classroom and extracurricular time at the Department of Russian Language of Astrakhan State Medical University. The authors of the article associate the effectiveness of the adaptation process and acculturation of foreign students with the actualization of the linguo-regional knowledge aspect of the structure of the RFL methodology, which contributes to the formation of internal motivation for learning the Russian language and getting acquainted with Russia, to the removal of psychological communication barriers and to the development of communication skills. This work suggest using the principles of consistency and concentrism in the formation of countryspecific and regional knowledge, ensuring the reliability of visual information, and taking into account the native culture of foreign students with semantisation of words with a cultural component.

Assessment of transport and logistics commerce in agriculture for the Southern Federal District of Russia

The scientific paper provides a comparative analysis of the development level of the transport infrastructure in the Russian Federation constituents of the Southern Federal District. The analysis of the statistical data on the transport activity shows an increase in the volume of transport services in Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar from 2012 to 2018. In Volgograd region and Astrakhan Oblast there is a decrease by 22% and 6% respectively. With regard to the motor hard surface highways per 1000 km2 there is a significant difference between the Russian Federation constituents in the Southern Federal District. The gap in the values of indicators in Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don and other regions reaches 50%. In addition, a direct relationship between the social indicators and the volume of transport services for the period under consideration has been identified. In order to assess the development level of the region's transport and logistics infrastructure an integral indicator has been calculated based on the calculation of the relative coefficients of the transport activity in the Russian Federation constituents. As a result, the study shows that the highest value of the integral indicator characterizing the development level of the vehicular transport infrastructure is in Krasnodar Territory, the lowest value is in the Republic of Kalmykia. It should be noted that there is a significant imbalance in the development level of the transport and logistics infrastructure in different regions, which determines their different investment attractiveness and social and economic progress.

ПРОБЛЕМА ОПУСТЫНИВАНИЯ В БИОСФЕРНОМ РЕЗЕРВАТЕ ЮНЕСКО «КИЗЛЯРСКИЙ ЗАЛИВ»

Unfavorable hydrothermal conditions and excessive pasture loads in the European South of Russia led to dust storms in September and October 2020 and in May and June 2021. As a result, the area of desertification in the Republic of Dagestan, the Republic of Kalmykia, Astrakhan Oblast and Stavropol Krai has increased several times. The UNESCO biosphere reserve ‘Kizlyar Bay’ is located in the north of Dagestan. Economic activities, including grazing, are allowed in its cooperation zone. Overgrazing led to a 15% (about 90 km2) increase in the area of land without vegetation in 2021 as compared to 2019. It is necessary to take urgent measures aimed at regulating livestock population, controlling compliance with the grazing regime of distant-pasture cattle breeding, carrying outvegetative reclamation, and organizing a monitoring system to prevent further pasture degradation in the cooperation zone of the reserve.

История и культура калмыцкого народа в трудах членов Петровского общества исследователей Астраханского края в последней четверти XIX – начале XX в.

Introduction. The article investigates the ethnographic component in activities of the regional scientific society — Peter the Great Society for the Study of Astrakhan Region widely known in Russia, including due to works on the history and culture of the Kalmyk people. Goals. The study aims to delineate the image of the scientific society that became known nationwide and gave ‘food and arguments’ for public thought, which determined its significance in the Lower Volga Region’s multinational space in the mid-to-late 19th and 20th centuries. Materials and Methods. The article analyzes scientific works, collected documents from Astrakhan archives and museums to review results of diverse efforts undertaken by the Society’s members on collecting sources, interpreting them, translating the knowledge gained into public discourse. The main research methods are those of synchrony and diachrony, classification and evaluation, statistical and comparative ones. Results. The Astrakhan scientific society grew to become a most authoritative one in Russia thanks to research works of its members, facilitated the awakening of public conscience, motivated the population to start exploring their region, interacted with various social and cultural groups, administrative structures to solve urgent problems of social development. One of the brightest research areas of the Society was that dealing with the past of the Kalmyks that inhabited Astrakhan Governorate. The paper analyzes certain features of studies in the history and culture of the Kalmyks conducted by members of the Society, reveals the role and significance of their works in the formation of professional ethnography in Astrakhan Oblast, and introduces new sources into scientific circulation.

Орос болон өрнө дахинд ойрад-халимагийн ардын дууг цуглуулан тэмдэглэж, эмхэтгэж, хэвлүүлсэн тойм (= История записи и публикации народных песен ойрат-калмыков в России и Европе)

Introduction. Oirats of China, Mongolia and Kalmyks of Russia live in three different countries — but share common ethnic ancestry. Oirats of China primarily reside in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Hara-Muren (Amur River valley). In Mongolia, Oirats traditionally inhabit western provinces, such as Uvs, Khovd, Bayan-Ölgii, Zavkhan, and Khӧvsgӧl. In Russia, Kalmyks live in the Republic of Kalmykia and Astrakhan Oblast. Some minor Oirat and Kalmyk groups reside in Kyrgyzstan, Europe, and America. Despite being separated by historical eras, state borders and differing cultural-economic conditions, Oirats and Kalmyks still preserve the common vivid tradition of oral poetry largely represented by folk songs. In Russia and Europe, the earliest recordings of Oirat and Kalmyk folk songs were made 260 years ago. Those divide into lingering and short ones: the former serve to celebrate remarkable events, such as rituals, festivities and holidays; the former are usually sung by young people during regular household activities. Goals. The paper seeks to review the history of recording, investigating and publishing Oirat and Kalmyk folk songs. Results. The article analyzes folk songs of Oirats and Kalmyks, setting forth a coherent historical paradigm of theirs in Russia and European countries throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Vertical profile of saltating particle concentration over semidesert area

According to measurement data on the desertified area in the Astrakhan oblast in the conditions of non-intermittent saltation, a strong influence of convective quasiperiodic structures with periods from 1.5 to 8 minutes on variations of the saltating particle concentrations are found. Statistical characteristics of the saltating particle concentrations variations are received. The vertical profile of the average particle concentration in the height range from 3 to 15 cm is obtained. An exponential approximation of the particle concentration profile with a logarithmic gradient of -0.32 cm−1 is proposed. It is shown that the average particle content in the saltation layer is 8.6 cm−2.

Территориальный спор по поводу Сарпинского и Степного районов между Астраханской, Сталинградской областями и Ставропольским краем в 1954 г.

Introduction. Ethnic deportations in the USSR led to the elimination of a number of national autonomies and annexation of their territories to other regions. After the abolishment the Kalmyk ASSR, its lands were divided between Astrakhan, Stalingrad, Rostov Oblasts and Stavropol Krai. The history of these territories during the Kalmyk deportation remains essentially understudied. One such unexplored issue is the 1954 territorial dispute over Sarpinsky and Stepnoy Districts between Astrakhan Oblast, Stavropol Krai and Stalingrad Oblast. Materials and Methods. The article introduces and analyzes documents contained in the Collection of the CSPU Central Committee (RSFSR), Russian State Archive of Socio-Political History. The study also involves other historical and historiographic sources discovered by the author, employing the comparative-historical, problem-chronological methods, and that of source criticism. Results. The disagreements over Sarpinsky and Stepnoy Districts are an example of territorial disputes between different national-state and administrative-territorial entities in the USSR. Common causes of the conflicts were Soviet administrative and territorial transformations. At the same time, actual specific reasons for individual territorial disputes do differ. Territorial claims between southern regions escalated after J. Stalin’s death and subsequent change in the country’s political leadership. Astrakhan executives were dissatisfied with the 1952 transfer of Stepnovsky District to Stavropol Krai. They appealed to the party establishment and Soviet leaders proper reclaiming territories of Stepnoy (Stepnovsky) District (Stavropol Krai) and Sarpinsky District (Stalingrad Oblast). But in 1953 to 1955, the Soviet leadership was hesitant enough to alter any administrative boundaries. Moreover, positions of Stavropol and Stalingrad executives in this dispute proved well-justified. So, the dispute lead to nothing, and after the return of Kalmyks in 1957 Sarpinsky and Stepnoy Districts became parts of the Kalmyk national autonomy.

Turbulent Fluxes of the Dust Aerosol on the Desertified Area

Vertical turbulent dust aerosol fluxes are determined on the basis of measurements of fluctuations of the content of aerosol particles and the vertical component of the wind velocity for a desertified territory of Astrakhan oblast. The normalized flux or the uplift velocity of the dust aerosol reached 5 cm/s. It is found that the vertical turbulent aerosol flux is significantly affected by convective-related variations in the horizontal and vertical components of the wind velocity. It is shown that the daily variability of the uplift velocity of the aerosol agrees with that of the turbulent heat flux and that the mass dust aerosol flux is correlated with a maximum particle size of ~1.5 µm.

EXPERT EVALUATIONS OF LIVING CONDITIONS OF MIGRANTS LIVING AND WORKING IN RUSSIA

Because living and working conditions of migrants of the Asian borderland of Russia affect the level of social security and international and inter-ethnic relations in the Russian regions, there is a need in a deep sociological analysis of these conditions. In 2019 we have performed a sociological research in six Russian border regions (the Altai and Khabarovsk regions, Amour, Astrakhan and Volgograd oblasts and the Republic of Tyva) including expert evaluations in the form of standardized interviews among leaders of national-cultural associations (n=130). The article describes results of the factor analysis on pooling data and separate regional sub-samples. It was found that factorial structures vary significantly in different regions. The least complicated structure was revealed in the Republic of Tyva (only 2 factors), the most diverse – in the Astrakhan oblast (4 factors). In other regions the three-factor structure was the most relevant, while the united data was described with the four-factor solution. The description and analysis of the factor structures obtained may be used for elaboration of effective strategies of adaptation and integration of migrants into receiving societies of regions, covered by the research, and for justifying measures of migration policy of the Russian Federation.

Мониторинговые исследования санитарного состояния окуня обыкновенного (Perca fluviatilis L.) в условиях открытых и закрытых водоемов Волжского бассейна

The article describes the main task of the sanitary-parasitological inspection as a timely detection of parasites and the degree of infection of fish raw materials in order to determine the eating properties or other use of fish products. Sanitary and parasitological study of the fish from the closed and open water bodies of the Astrakhan Oblast was carried out using perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) 
 as an example. There were studied 60 fish specimens (by 10 specimens in the autumn, winter, spring periods of 2018-2019) caught from the Sarbai River and the Shuralinskoye reservoir, with average weight of 110-182 g and length of 15-25 cm. There have been found dangerous nematodes (Anisakidae) and nematodes (Eustrongylides) – parasites that are not dangerous to human health, but significantly spoil the fish marketability. According to the results of comparative analysis of the extensiveness and permissible average number of parasites per 1 kg of fish, depending on the season and the type of reservoir, it was inferred that the Shuralinskoye reservoir is a safer reservoir 
 in terms of the prevalence of helminthes in perch than the Sarbai River. The fish from the reservoir can be eaten after sculling, gutting and the appropriate decontamination methods. The dynamics of fish parasites occurrence has been found to depend on the type of the water body and the season.