Gradual Transformation Research Articles

Spatio-temporal patterns and population exposure risks of urban heat island in megacity Shanghai, China

Accompanied by global warming and rapid urbanization, the urban heat island (UHI) effect has been intensifying, which leads to an increased risk of population heat exposure, especially in mega-cities. However, there are fewer studies on the identification of UHI ranges and the associated population heat exposure risks, particularly on the fine scale. Therefore, this study took Shanghai as a case study and explored the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of the UHI ranges and population heat exposure risks, based on five-period MODIS land surface temperature (LST) product, population density distribution data, and land use and cover change data from 2000 to 2020, combined with the temperature attenuation mutation (TAM) method, breakpoint regression model, population heat exposure relative risk assessment method, and spatial autocorrelation analysis. The results showed that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the UHI range in Shanghai was continuously expanding, and the intensity of the surface UHI was gradually increasing. The overall pattern was characterized by a stable large heat island in the central urban area and new small heat islands that continued to emerge in the peripheral suburbs. (2) The population heat exposure risks in Shanghai intensified from 2000 to 2020, with an increasing number of people exposed to high-intensity UHI ranges, doubling the population coverage in these areas. By the end of 2020, the population exposed to UHI ranges accounted for approximately 81 % of the total population of Shanghai. (3) The spatial pattern of population heat exposure risks from 2000 to 2020 was generally similar. Population heat exposure regions of high risk level were primarily concentrated in the central urban areas, showing typical spatial clustering characteristics, while population heat exposure regions of low risk level were mainly dispersed in the peripheral suburbs, and showed a gradual transformation trend into population heat exposure regions of high risk level. Our findings can provide scientific basis and decision support for precise and refined urban heat risk control and planning management.

The influence of app function evolution on transport SuperApp use behaviour over time

AbstractIn the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in smartphone apps that are designed to help users optimise their daily activities. As a result, there has been a noticeable impact on travel demand. Some of these apps have evolved with the incorporation of additional functions in a gradual transformation into multi-function apps or SuperApps, thereby providing users with more integrated and personalised services for a wider range of activities. Focusing on Transport SuperApps (TSA) in Indonesia, this study aims to investigate how app usage behaviour interacts with the evolving functions of these apps over time. The study further examines the influence of personality traits, socio-demographic factors, and residential location on app usage patterns. In this study, longitudinal data on TSA usage from 2015–2022 was collected from users in four Indonesian cities. The Latent Markov (LMM) and Negative Binomial (NBM) Models were used to analyse the transition of behaviours, app types, and the number of apps used. The findings reveal that transport and shopping services are the most popular and consistently utilised services by users. The results suggest that the introduction of new services has a positive impact on the number of TSA services used. However, some services were found to be used only temporarily, primarily serving as alternatives to support users’ daily needs and desires. Initial higher service usage was observed among educated users with sociable and disorganised personalities, while discontinuation of usage is associated with older users and affluent households. Higher transition and continuation to use more services are also observed in larger cities like Jakarta compared to smaller cities like Cianjur.

Segregation-dependent mechanical stability of reverted austenite and resultant tensile properties of Co-free maraging steel fabricated by wire-arc directed energy deposition

The segregation-dependent mechanical stability of reverted austenite (RA) and resultant tensile properties was investigated on Co-free maraging steel fabricated by wire-arc directed energy deposition (DED). The results showed that the segregation in the interdendritic regions enabled the formation of gradient reverted austenite in Co-free maraging steel fabricated by wire-arc DED when subjected to aging heat treatment. The content and mechanical stability of reverted austenite and resultant tensile properties were strongly dependent on the degree and compositional gradient of segregation in the interdendritic regions as well as the post heat treatment process. The reverted austenite with compositional gradient inherited from the segregation, transformed into martensite successively from the edge to the interior within individual reverted austenite grain at different strain levels. Besides, the variations in the degree and compositional gradient of segregation in the interdendritic regions widened the range the mechanical stability of the reverted austenite and thereby activating martensite transformation over a broad strain regime. Annealing process prior to aging could modify the degree and compositional gradient of segregation in the interdendritic regions and accordingly tune the content and the range of mechanical stabilities of reverted austenite grains, thus attaining a gradual and consistent transformation induced plasticity effect over whole deformation regime and thereby increasing ductility without sacrificing strength of Co-free maraging steel fabricated by wire-arc DED.

Between Anger and Revenge: The Unpoetic Justice of “Counterparts”

Abstract James Joyce’s “Counterparts” is a poignant exploration of the multifaceted themes of anger, revenge, and justice within the backdrop of early twentieth century Dublin. The story takes the reader on a journey through the life of Mr. Farrington, whose struggles embody those of an average Irish worker in the face of British imperialism and societal pressures. Farrington’s gradual transformation from a man burdened by anger into one consumed by an insatiable thirst for revenge serves as a stark commentary on the corrosive effects of his predicament. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that the boundary between anger and revenge is a fine line, easily blurred in the tumultuous world of Mr. Farrington. The story challenges readers to consider the legitimacy of his emotions and actions, highlighting the complexities of the human psyche when subjected to perceived injustices. Farrington’s impulsive and misguided attempts at revenge only serve to underscore the tragic nature of his character, exemplifying the societal constraints that restrict his agency and expression. “Counterparts” ultimately paints a bleak picture of justice, where Farrington’s quest for revenge takes on a violent and delusional character that fails to address the core issues of perceived injustices. His inability to channel his anger into a purposeful course of action mirrors the broader sense of disempowerment experienced by many Irish citizens in Joyce’s time.

A gradient B2-BCT transition introduced by deformation in eutectic high-entropy alloy

Eutectic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) exhibit promising characteristics for achieving both high strength and good ductility owing to their diverse deformation mechanisms. In this study, a gradient B2-body-centerd tetragonal (BCT) phase transformation was observed in a deformed Al19Fe20Co20Ni41 (at. %) EHEA. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicate a gradual transformation from the B2 phase to the BCT phase, a process significantly influenced by the applied strain during tensile testing. The gradient transition region between B2 phase and BCT phase occurs within a single grain, where the lattice constant changes step by step. Such a mechanism holds huge potential for enhancing the mechanical properties of EHEAs.

Thermophysical and adhesive properties of functional polymer materials based on epoxy resin and silicon-containing component

The work was aimed at developing an adhesive formulation with increased adhesive strength for metals. It contains an epoxy resin of the bisphenol type СHS-TROXY 520 (an analogue of ED-20), an amine hardener triethanolamine (TEA) and a silicon-containing component (3-isocyanatopropyl)triethoxysilane, designated as NCO-Si, with an optimal ratio of components. The content of NCO-Si in the formulations was 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 wt. %, respectively. The gradual transformation of the epoxy system into a three-dimensional network with the formation of ester and urethane groups was shown by IR spectroscopy method. Tensile and shear strength were determined using the tearing machine R-50 in accordance with current standards. It was found that the maximum values of physical and mechanical parameters were obtained when the amount of NCO-Si was 3 wt. %. The maximum values of adhesion strength to steel substrates δst. = 58.5 MPa significantly exceed those for neat epoxy formulations. The shear strength values for steel plates τst. = 21 MPa increase by 60 %, for aluminium plates they are δAl =14.5 MPa and increase by 48 %. The morphology of the samples has been studied by means of optical microscopy. It is shown that the modified NCO-Si samples are characterised by a phase-separated structure. At a minimum amount of NCO-Si (0.5 wt. %), structurally disordered spherical domains with a size of ~1÷3 μm are observed, an increase in the content of the organosilicon component leads to the formation of interconnected regular structures, which are less pronounced at 1.0 wt. % of NCO-Si and clear at 3.0 and 5.0 wt. % of NCO-Si. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed as well. It is shown that the modification of epoxy resin by a silicon-containing component with NCO-Si groups leads to an improvement in thermophysical parameters, a decrease in internal stresses and the formation of a material with a structure close to equilibrium.

Advocacy Coalitions, Policy Entrepreneurs, and Windows of Opportunity: Tobacco Control in South Africa, 1948-2018.

This article examines the political history of tobacco control policy in South Africa from 1948 to 2018 by drawing on available historical documents, media reports, published books and articles, the grey literature, and face-to-face interviews with key policy actors. Tracing the historical evolution of tobacco control policies in South Africa reveals how embedded opposition from vested interest groups at every stage of the policy process complicates responses to the tobacco issue. This case study demonstrates how, despite such embedded difficulties, a confluence of regime change, evidence-based messaging, political will, policy entrepreneurs, and advocacy coalitions have led to the gradual transformation of tobacco control policy in South Africa over time. Understanding the historical evolution of tobacco control policy in South Africa opens up space for an in-depth inquiry that allows researchers to trace the policy-making process over the last seven decades, and to understand how those processes have facilitated a shift in the orientation of policy makers over time.

Deciphering the Performance Enhancement, Cell Failure Mechanism, and Amelioration Strategy of Sodium Storage in Metal Chalcogenides-Based Andes.

Transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) emerge as promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), heralding a new era of energy storage solutions. Despite their potential, the mechanisms underlying their performance enhancement and susceptibility to failure in ether-based electrolytes remain elusive. This study delves into these aspects, employing CoS2 electrodes as a case in point to elucidate the phenomena. The investigation reveals that CoS2 undergoes a unique irreversible and progressive solid-liquid-solid phase transition from its native state to sodium polysulfides (NaPSs), and ultimately to a Cu1.8S/Co composite, accompanied by a gradual morphological transformation from microspheres to a stable 3D porous architecture. This reconstructed 3D porous structure is pivotal for its exceptional Na+ diffusion kinetics and resilience to cycling-induced stress, being the main reason for ultrastable cycling and ultrahigh rate capability. Nonetheless, the CoS2 electrode suffers from an inevitable cycle life termination due to the microshort-circuit induced by Na metal corrosion and separator degradation. Through a comparative analysis of various TMCs, a predictive framework linking electrode longevity is established to electrode potential and Gibbs free energy. Finally, the cell failure issue is significantly mitigated at a material level (graphene encapsulation) and cell level (polypropylene membrane incorporation) by alleviating the NaPSs shuttling and microshort-circuit.

Does urban innovation policy accelerate the digital transformation of enterprises? Evidence based on the innovative City pilot policy

With the evolution of the digital economy, the gradual digital transformation of enterprises has garnered considerable attention in the market, profoundly influencing sustainable business operations. Local governments are actively fostering this transformation through urban innovation policies. This study analyzes Chinese A-share listed companies from 2003 to 2021 as the research sample. The implementation of the national innovative city pilot policy is regarded as an exogenous shock. A difference-in-differences model was constructed to empirically explore the impact of the national innovative city pilot policy for innovative cities on the digital transformation of local enterprises. The findings indicate a significant enhancement in the level of enterprise digital transformation due to the innovative city pilot policy, supported by robustness tests. Mechanism analysis identifies four pathways through which the policy drives digital transformation: advancing technological progress, improving internal controls, mitigating financing constraints, and reinforcing government support. Subsequent investigations reveal noteworthy heterogeneity in the policy's impact on enterprise digital transformation based on attributes, scale, growth cycles, and regions. The study's conclusions offer valuable insights for maximizing the effectiveness of innovative city pilot policies and fostering enterprise digital transformation.

Biomineralized synthesis of luminescent protease-(NH4)2Y3F11•H2O hybrid nanospheres and their applications as a stable and reusable enzyme reactor

Proteases, such as trypsin, are essential for extracting collagen in various industrial applications. The potential applications of rare earth nanomaterials, specifically yttrium nanoparticles, have attracted significant interest across various fields due to their distinctive characteristics, including high dielectric constant and thermal stability. Biomineralization has emerged as a promising approach to synthesize protein-inorganic nanomaterials with hierarchical structures and desired functions. In the present investigation, a novel protease-templated biomineralization strategy was developed for synthesizing protease-(NH4)2Y3F11•H2O hybrid nanomaterials using a one-pot method under very mild conditions. For modifying the morphologies of (NH4)2Y3F11•H2O throughout biomineralization, protease has been demonstrated to be a highly promising biotemplate. Protease was utilized as a template for morphological control in the biomineralization procedure, which resulted in a gradual transformation of the initially formed (NH4)2Y3F11•H2O octahedral structures into uniform nanospheres. The applicability of this approach was supported by successfully utilizing various proteases to synthesize protease-(NH4)2Y3F11•H2O hybrid nanospheres. In addition to a strong and desirable luminescent signal, these hybrid nanospheres demonstrated extensive recycling because of their high enzymatic activity, stability and durability. The protease-mediated biomineralization approach offers an easy and robust approach to develop innovative protease-inorganic composites. Its moderate reaction conditions and simple operation render it a viable tool for developing stable and reusable enzyme reactors in various industrial applications.Graphical

Laser-pump-resistive-probe technique to study nanosecond-scale relaxation processes

Standard optical pump-probe methods analyze a system’s temporal response to a laser pulse within sub-femtoseconds to several nanoseconds, constrained by the optical delay line’s length. While resistance is a sensitive detector in various fields, its measurements are typically slow (>µs) due to stabilization requirements. We suggest here a time-resolved pump-probe technique that combines an optical pump pulse and a rectangular electrical probe pulse through the sample, measuring transmission in a 50 ohm matched circuit with a digital oscilloscope. This allows electrically driven delays from nanoseconds to seconds. Demonstrations include studying heat-induced changes in a thin amorphous VO x film and carrier relaxation in a CdS photoresistor, showcasing potential applications in heat transfer, biochemical reactions, and gradual electronic transformations.

A new nonsurgical combination approach for skin tightening and remodeling; Endoskin-A comparative study.

This article introduces a novel nonsurgical skin tightening and remodeling approach termed Endoskin, which combines internal laser therapy (1470 nm Diode laser) with injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). The internal laser targets the superficial fat layer, stimulating collagen production and cellular rejuvenation, leading to gradual skin tightening and improved elasticity. Simultaneously, PLLA promotes collagen synthesis, strengthening the skin's foundation and restoring volume. This comprehensive exploration delves into Endoskin's mechanisms, clinical applications, and its differentiation from traditional methods. The study encompassed 234 participants, categorized into two groups: Group A received internal laser treatment and Group B received the combined Endoskin treatment. Patient satisfaction, assessed using a Likert scale unveiled significantly higher levels in Group B. Dermatologists, blinded to treatment details, also expressed greater satisfaction with the combination treatment outcomes. The ensuing discussion emphasizes the synergistic effects of internal laser therapy and PLLA, presenting a multifaceted approach to skin rejuvenation. The study results underscore Endoskin's efficacy, safety, and its potential as a nonsurgical option for skin tightening and remodeling. The gradual and harmonious transformation aligns with natural aging, positioning Endoskin as an appealing choice for those seeking subtle yet impactful changes. In conclusion, Endoskin demonstrates notable efficacy, reliability, and safety in achieving skin rejuvenation. Although further research is warranted to assess its long-term effects, the current findings position Endoskin as a promising option with a significantly higher level of overall patient and dermatologist satisfaction compared to internal laser treatment alone.

Consecrating the Peripheral: On the Ritual, Iconographic, and Spatial Construction of Sui-Tang Buddhist Corridors

The corridor-enclosed cloister characterized Buddhist monasteries during the Sui and Tang periods. This architectural form was first introduced by Emperor Liang Wudi from the palace and continued to prevail until the eleventh century, when a gradual transformation occurred, resulting in the corridor evolving into a long, narrow image hall. This paper examines the ritual and pictorial programs of the Sui-Tang Buddhist corridor to gain insight into this transformation and its ceremonial significance. Specifically, it explores how the corridor was empowered by the state-sponsored maigre feast as a place of worship and how the monastic community of a particular school appropriated the space to celebrate an unbroken dharma-transmission lineage from the Buddha to a specific group of Chinese patriarchs. Lastly, the paper aims to comprehend the adaptation of the corridor into an image hall, which was influenced by political and religious shifts in the eleventh century when Buddhist monasteries were no longer designated as the ritual arena for the state-sponsored maigre feast.

Structural phase transition and tunable exchange bias effect in La1·5Sr0·5CoMnO6 nanoparticles with particle size

The effect of particle size on the crystal structure and magnetic behaviors of the double perovskite oxide La1·5Sr0·5CoMnO6 was systematically investigated. As the particle size increases from 45 nm to 308 nm, the crystal structure undergoes a gradual transformation from a cubic phase with the Pm-3m space group to the rhombohedral phase (R-3c). The magnetic data reveals that the Griffiths phase (GP) can be induced and enhanced by an increase in particle size. Importantly, the modulation of the conventional and spontaneous exchange bias (EB) of the system was effectively achieved by crystal growth, i.e., a monotonically increased EB field with an increase of particle size. This phenomenon can be attributed to the enhancement in the antiferromagnetic (AFM) interfacial anisotropy based on the Meiklejohn-Bean model. Our results provide evidence that crystal growth plays a crucial role in modulating the EB effect in double perovskite.

Crystal Growth and Structural and Optical Characterizations of Mixed-Cation MA1-xCsxPbBr3 Halide Perovskite Solid Solutions

Photovoltaic devices fabricated using mixed-cation halide perovskites have demonstrated a superior combination of high efficiency and long operating life. In this study, we synthesize a series of mixed-cation halide perovskites with the composition of MA1-xCsxPbBr3 (MA= CH3NH3), where x varies from 0 to 1. We carefully examine various polar solvents and develop a relatively facile, room temperature solution-based growth method for growing these single crystals under optimal conditions. We conduct a comprehensive investigation of the influence of the Cs+ cation on the structure and optical properties of the perovskite solid solutions. The structural characterization using X-ray diffraction confirms the successful substitution of cesium for the methylammonium (MA) cation in the MA1-xCsxPbBr3 perovskite structure, with a continuous solubility. As the Cs+ content increases, the crystal structure undergoes a gradual transformation from a cubic phase (for MAPbBr3) to an orthorhombic phase (for CsPbBr3). To study the impact of Cs substitution on their optical properties, we perform UV-Vis absorption analysis, and find no significant change in the bandgap value, which remains approximately 2.12 - 2.14 eV for the compositions with x up to 0.7, and for x > 0.7, however, the bandgap value gradually increases to reach 2.21 eV for pure CsPbBr3. This work demonstrates a valid technique for the growth of halide perovskite solid solution crystals, which can be a versatile tool for tailoring the structure, long-term stability, and optoelectronic properties for advanced photovoltaic applications.

Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and in-situ corrosion behavior of SLM-NiTi alloys

As a medical implant material, NiTi must have good corrosion resistance in order to adapt to the complex environment in the human body. However, the impact of heat treatment on the corrosion resistance of NiTi alloys prepared by selective laser melting (SLM) remains unclear. This work investigates the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of SLM-NiTi alloys through in-situ corrosion methods. The results indicate that the overall corrosion resistance of SLM-alloy is enhanced after heat treatment. This enhancement is attributed to the gradual transformation of HAGBs to LAGBs, reduction in dislocation density. Combined with electrochemical tests, the passivation film Rf increased, the passivation film on the alloy surface was denser, so the grain boundaries were more stable. Furthermore, the B19’ phase content increased significantly and was concentrated in the grains with GOS < 1. Pitting sources can form within these grains, leading to pitting corrosion. This work provides a theoretical basis for the preparation of high corrosion resistance SLM-NiTi alloys.

Turning harmful Mn2+ to treasure: In-situ formed ε-MnO2 for removing heavy metals from acid mine drainage

Acid mine drainage (AMD) contains high concentrations of heavy metals, causing serious environmental pollution. Current neutralization techniques fail to recover and utilize valuable heavy metals, and generate large quantities of hazardous sludge. Manganese (Mn) is generally present at high levels in AMD. Therefore, this paper proposed a technology to recover Mn from AMD, by adding KMnO4 to converting Mn into ε-MnO2. Ultra-Violet C (UVC) was used to photolyze the residual KMnO4. The study then evaluated the processes and mechanisms involved in the technology. The photolysis of KMnO4 in strong acidic conditions was determined, and new mechanisms were proposed. MnO2 produced by the photolysis process was formed through the reaction between Mn(III) and KMnO4. In the absence of KMnO4, Mn(III) underwent further photolysis and was reduced to Mn2+. The maximum adsorption capacities of in-situ formed ε-MnO2 for Pb2+, Cd2+, and Fe3+ were 449.80, 122.05, and 779.88 mg/g, respectively. Higher Mn-OH levels and MnO2 regeneration were crucial in improving adsorption performance. Proton exchange and inner-circle complexation were the main pathways for Pb2+ and Cd2+ adsorption by in-situ formed ε-MnO2. A phase transformation occurred when a substantial amount of Fe3+ was adsorbed, leading to the gradual transformation to MnFe binary oxides. When applying in-situ formed ε-MnO2 technology for actual AMD treatment, 98.62 % of Mn in AMD was recovered within 24 h in the presence of ε-MnO2 for possible further reuse in industries, with a final recovery of 0.76 kg/m3. Further, this technique removed other heavy metals and reduced the sludge volume by 20.99 % when used as a pre-treatment step for neutralization. These results demonstrated the broad potential of this treatment technology.

Model-level Weight Update Domain Adaptive Dynamic CNN Soft Sensor for Free Calcium Ion Concentration in Cement Clinker

The paramount determinant of clinker quality within the cement clinker production process resides in the precise prediction of F-CAO (free calcium ion) content. Given the intricate nature of cement clinker production, a profound coupling and temporal progression are inherently intertwined between the process data, as working conditions undergo gradual transformations over time. This research suggests a Model-level Weight Update Domain Adaptive Dynamic CNN Soft Sensor for Free Calcium Ion Concentration in Cement Clinker to overcome the aforementioned issues. We introduce a graph-structured two-dimensional methodology aimed at transforming both labeled and unlabeled data within the original process dataset into two-dimensional process data blocks. This innovative approach serves to enhance the spatial and temporal attributes of the labeled samples within the comprehensive sample set. Importantly, this methodology effectively addresses the intricate challenges posed by robust data coupling and the substantial presence of unlabeled samples. In response to the challenge posed by the frequent temporal fluctuations in working conditions, we introduce the Model-level Weight Update Domain Adaptive (MWUDA) approach. MWUDA leverages the hidden layer outputs from both the source and target domains to optimize the weight updates of the fully-connected layer within the CNN model. This strategic weight optimization is aimed at ameliorating the performance degradation observed in static models when confronted with shifting patterns in sample distributions. Subsequently, a limited subset of source domain samples exhibiting analogous regularities to those in the test samples is identified, enabling the acquisition of refined weights through the MWUDA method. Employing this strategy safeguards the precision of model updates throughout the MWUDA computation procedure, ensuring a robust and accurate adaptation process. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified in an experimental study with real cement production data.

Optics, structures and luminescent properties in Dy3+-doped tellurite glass regulated by Nb2O5

In this work,60TeO2-(35-x)ZnO-xNb2O5–5SrF2-0.5Dy2O3 glasses was prepared to use a high-temperature melting method, where x represents the Nb2O5 content (x = 0,5,7.5,10).Raman spectra studies revealed that increasing the concentration ratio of Nb2O5 to TeO2 resulted in the gradual transformation of [TeO3] and [TeO3+1] units in the glass network to [TeO4] units. This transformation also enhanced the stability of the network structure. The emission peaks of the samples were observed at 481 nm (blue), 576 nm (yellow), and 663 nm (red), which is crucial for white light materials. The luminescent intensity increased with the increase of Nb2O5 concentration, reaching its maximum at 7.5% mol. The CIE 1931 chromaticity coordinates fell within the range of white light, with corresponding color temperatures ranging from 5063 K to 5877 K. All the results show that the fluorescent materials used in high-brightness illumination can be obtained by adding an appropriate amount of Nb2O5 to Dy3+-doped tellurate glass.

Обсуждение работы журнала «Советский экран» в 1958 году. Кино и критика между идеологией и коммерцией

The article deals with the two packages of archival documents — the 1955 resolutions on the establishment of the popular illustrated magazine Sovetsky Ekran (The Soviet Screen) and the transcript of the discussion of the magazine’s work in the Union of Cinematography Workers in 1958. The author of the article considers the general style of the issues of The Soviet Screen of 1957 and 1958 and the individual materials, in particular, the wishes for the new magazine and the retellings of readers’ letters on the pages of the magazine; analyses and compares the initial goals of the magazine, its real format in 1957, its gradual transformation in 1958, and the evolution of tasks and strategies declared in various documents, published texts, and oral presentations at discussion. Certain contradictions are observed between the stated purpose of advertising Soviet films in order to increase distribution and cinema rental profits, and the ideological requirements emanating from the state cultural management. The author highlights an ambiguous attitude towards mass demands and the creative interests of the intelligentsia. There was a lack of consensus on film journalism, the preferred genres, and themes of the magazine articles both among the ‘ordinary readers’ and the professionals of the film industry — writers, critics, and journalists. The absence of a common vision on almost all the issues raised in the discussion allows us to see the complexity and versatility of tastes and mores among the intelligentsia of the Thaw, to recognise the contradictions between the perception of art and culture by the intelligentsia, on the one hand, and the mass perception, on the other hand. The article also sheds light on attitudes towards commerce, profit, and the social, financial and media success in the late 1950s.