Middle Position Research Articles

Soil Fertility Assessment and Mapping under Different Land Use Types along Toposequence at Danka Watershed in Dinsho Districts of Bale Highland Oromia, Southeastern Ethiopia

Soil fertility assessment and mapping bases, to increase fertilizer usage efficiency, decision-makers, planners, and soil management in undulating slopes farming of Ethiopian highlands like Bale Highland. The study aimed to assess and map soil fertility status along toposequence under different land use types at the Danka watershed of Dinsho District Bale Highland, Southeastern Ethiopia. Following the initial reconnaissance field survey, 54 composite soil samples were prepared from the three land use types (natural forest, grazing, and cultivated) at three slope positions lower (0 - 10%), middle (10 - 15%), and upper (15 - 30%) at a soil depth of 0 to 20 cm. Finally, the laboratory results were interpolated using the IDW interpolation technique in ArcGIS software 10.5 for the soil fertility status map and further analyzed using R software 4.1.1 Version for mean separation. The study findings indicate that the soil texture class of the study was loam to clay loam, clay loam, and clay to clay loam at the upper, middle, and lower slope positions, respectively. The finding revealed that the values varied from 5.81 – 6.66, 2.07 – 6.25%, 0.13 – 0.71%, 2.83 – 17.56 gm/kg, and 14.04 -38.80 cmol (+)/kg) for the soil pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and CEC, respectively. In this study, most of the soil fertility status of the Danka watershed was as follows: natural forest > grassland > cultivated land use types and lower slope > middle slope > upper slope positions. In conclusion, the main factors contributing to the area's declining soil fertility status were monocropping, total crop residue removal, soil erosion, nutrient leaching, and inadequate soil management. The results of the current study offer the basis for the work of farmers, planners, decision-makers, and other agriculture-related stakeholders. Integrated soil fertility management with biophysical soil conservation measures is advisable for cultivated land at all slope positions. Further, a study on slope position-based crop response fertilizer rating for agricultural precision and ensuring food security is recommended in undulating fields of the Danka watershed.

Variation of leaf turgor and pressure parameters evaluation in drip-irrigated apple canopy

Leaf turgor pressure is a relevant metric for determining plant water content. To diagnose an apple tree water shortage, it is critical to precisely establish the features of leaf turgor pressure change in the canopy. In the current study, we continually monitored the leaf turgor pressure parameter (Pp) at different azimuthal, vertical, and radial locations of the apple canopy based on leaf patch clamp pressure (LPCP) probes. The results demonstrated that the Pp curves on sunny and rainy days were significantly different. A peak occurred on sunny days, during which the turgor pressure remained constant around midday. Under full irrigation, there was a greater change rate and daily maximum of Pp (maxPp) at the east (azimuthal), upper layer (vertical), and distal (radial) positions. While leaf turgor pressure dramatically decreased with incomplete watering, maxPp significantly increased at the central and lower layers of the east canopy, as well as on the proximal and middle of the radial parts. This spatial heterogeneity in canopy leaf turgor pressure was related to the soil water potential, midday leaf water potential, sponge tissue thickness, and canopy solar radiation. Then, the ideal drought stress indicator parameter (maxPp) and canopy turgor monitoring leaf location (the middle position of the eastern canopy central layer's radial branch) were determined by multiparameter assessment. The findings presented above serve as a theoretical foundation for the construction of an intelligent irrigation system based on apple tree water status monitoring.

Indigenous Pedagogy for Developing Essential Life-Skills of Children in Masaka District, Uganda

Contemporary education practice is widely seen as practices that blend conventional approaches with either new innovations or culturally tested practices. In a situation where being cultural or modern has its own drawbacks, towing the middle position becomes an inevitable choice. The paper presents findings from an exploratory sequential study that examined the influence of Indigenous Pedagogy (IP) on developing children's life skills in Masaka District, Uganda. It was anchored on Lewin's (1922) change theory; likened to Manion and Cohen's (1975) reinvention theory and adopted as a restoration theory. Snow bowling, purposive and stratified random sampling were used to select 44 participants. Twenty (20) key informants including 6 parents, 2 elders, 6 religious, 2 District Education Officers; 2 Ministry officials and 2 local council leaders were interviewed. Twenty-four (24) other respondents participated in three-eight-member Focus Group Discussions (FDGs). The findings portray replicable practices of skilling based on deep-rooted beliefs set on standards that are supported by aspirations in harmony with nature. The study found that methods used by Masaka parents combined theory and practice daily; in lessons that happen where knowledge was situated, mainly through apprenticeship, attachment, heart-to-heart and one-to-one encounters. They also embraced global citizenry based on firm principles of what Africans value. The study concluded that indigenous methods were still useful in grooming children with life skills of productive work, character, positive attitudes, mental acuity and social orientation. It recommends that teacher education institutions require academic programmes blending contemporary with indigenous methods anchored on core African values to prepare pro-cultural-modern teachers. To link the valuable past to the inevitable contemporary ways of knowing, the application of hybrid pedagogy becomes imperative

Impacts of longitudinal water curtain cooling system on transcriptome-related immunity in ducks

BackgroundThe closed poultry houses integrated with a longitudinal water curtain cooling system (LWCCS) are widely used in modern poultry production. This study showed the variations in environmental conditions in closed houses integrated with a longitudinal water curtain cooling system. We evaluated the influence of different environmental conditions on duck growth performance and the transcriptome changes of immune organs, including the bursa of Fabricius and the spleen.ResultThis study investigated the slaughter indicators and immune organ transcriptomes of 52-day-old Cherry Valley ducks by analyzing the LWCC at different locations (water curtain end, middle position, and fan cooling end). The results showed that the cooling effect of the LWCCS was more evident from 10:00 a.m. -14:00. And from the water curtain end to the fan cooling end, the hourly average temperature differently decreased by 0.310℃, 0.450℃, 0.480℃, 0.520℃, and 0.410℃, respectively (P < 0.05). The daily and hourly average relative humidity decreased from the water curtain end to the fan cooling end, dropping by 7.500% and 8.200%, respectively (P < 0.01). We also observed differences in production performance, such as dressing weight, half-eviscerated weight, skin fat rate, and percentage of abdominal fat (P < 0.01), which may have been caused by environmental conditions. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed 211 and 279 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the ducks’ bursa of Fabricius and spleen compared between the water curtain end and fan cooling end, respectively. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of the two organs showed the DEGs were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, integral component of membrane, Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) signaling pathway, etc. Our results implied that full-closed poultry houses integrated with LWCCS could potentially alter micro-environments (water curtain vs. fan cooling), resulting in ducks experiencing various stressful situations that eventually affect their immunity and production performance.ConclusionIn this study, our results indicated that uneven distributions of longitudinal environmental factors caused by LWCCS would affect the dressed weight, breast muscle weight, skin fat rate, and other product performance. Moreover, the expression of immune-related genes in the spleen and bursa of ducks could be affected by the LWCCS. This provides a new reference to optimize the use of LWCCS in conjunction with close duck houses in practical production.

Effect of ozone gas on cultures of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus: evaluation of two ozonation devices.

Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus are two important agents of Healthcare-associated infections. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of ozone (O3) gas produced by two commercial devices against cultures of these two species. Sterile plastic plates were inoculated with C. albicans and A. fumigatus and placed on a countertop at three distances (30 cm, 1 m, and 2 m) and three positions in relation to the wall (near, middle, and away), considering the source of O3. Plates were exposed to O3 for one hour and incubated. After incubation, the counting of colony-forming units was performed. As a control, an inoculated plate was incubated, without being exposed to O3. Tests were carried out with two different devices (namely, Mod.I and Mod.II), with the air conditioner on and off, in triplicate. Both devices showed antifungal activity. Mod. I presented better results, due to a higher flow rate. The best activity was on plates at 30 cm, middle position. Contrarily, on plates at 2m, near the wall, the inhibition activity was lower. The best results were obtained with the air conditioner off. Candida albicans was more sensitive to O3 than A. fumigatus. This method of decontamination by O3 gas shows potential due to its fast and easy execution. The establishment of new protocols for hygiene and hospital disinfection using this approach should be considered, which may reduce environmental contamination by fungi and, consequently, the burden of fungal infections.

Plant survival and growth in bioretention cells under a cold climate

Urbanization coupled with climate change results in significant stormwater management challenges. In this context, the use of green infrastructures such as bioswales and bioretention systems to intercept, slow down and filter runoff has been increasing in North America in recent years. However, little data is available on the selection of optimal plant species adapted to cold climates, their optimal positioning in the swale and intra and inter-seasonal variation in plant growth. A field experiment was conducted during three growing seasons from July 2020 to August 2022 in a proximal suburb of Québec City, Canada, to monitor the survival rate. Growth (height and plant area), and floridity (number of flower buds and flower stems) of 22 plant species in 48 cold climate bioretention cells located along streets. The study aimed to understand the influence of planting position (margin: upper position, usually dryer; slope; middle position, fluctuating water conditions; bottom: lower position, usually moister) on species development, in order to identify the species most and least adapted to the different moisture conditions. Results showed that survival was generally high (> 86%) and was not affected by position within the bioretention cells. However, for most species, plant area increased, and height decreased at the margin compared to the slope position, while floridity only increased at the margin for four species (Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet, Coreopsis verticillata L., Hemerocallis ‘Stella Supreme” L., Verbena hastata L.). Seven species (Campanula carpatica Jacq “Alba”, Hesperis matronalis L., Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (L.) C. Presl, Rudbeckia hirta L., Verbena hastata L., Cerastium tomentosum L., Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth ex Mertens) exhibited lower survival and growth rates over time than the others. Overall, 15 out of 22 species performed well in the bioretention cells with minimum maintenance over the course of the experiment. Results also showed that plant area at the end of the growing season was much more influenced by position in the bioretention cells than were height or floridity, while survival was not influenced by this factor. A better knowledge of plant interactions in varying spatial distribution over time can contribute to improving and potentially maximizing bioretention performance.

Advancing Gender Equality in Healthcare Leadership: Protocol to Co-Design and Evaluate a Leadership and Mentoring Intervention in Tanzania.

Women constitute almost two thirds of the health and social workforce. Yet, the proportion of women in decision-making positions remains significantly low leading to gender inequities in access to and appropriateness of healthcare. Several barriers which limit women's advancement to leadership positions have been documented and they generally constitute of gender stereotypes, discrimination and inhibiting systems; these hinderances are compounded by intersection with other social identities. Amelioration of the barriers has the potential to enhance women's participation in leadership and strengthen the existing health systems. This protocol describes a proposed study aimed at addressing the organisational and individual barriers to the advancement of women to leadership positions in the Tanzanian health sector, and to evaluate the influence on leadership competencies and career advancement actions of the female health workforce. The study utilises a gender transformative approach, co-design and implementation science in the development and integration of a leadership and mentorship intervention for women in the Tanzanian health context. The key steps in this research include quantifying the gender ratio in healthcare leadership; identifying the individual and organisational barriers to women's leadership; reviewing existing leadership, mentorship and career advancement interventions for women; recruiting programme participants for a leadership and mentorship programme; running a co-design workshop with programme participants and stakeholders; implementing a leadership and mentorship programme; and conducting a collaborative evaluation and lessons learnt. This research underscores the notion that progression towards gender equality in healthcare leadership is attained by fashioning a system that supports the advancement of women. We also argue that one of the pivotal indicators of progress towards the gender equality sustainable development goal is the number of women in senior and middle management positions, which we hope to further through this research.

Top 100 highly cited sustainability researchers

The announcement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provided a fresh direction to sustainability research that spans different disciplines. Consequently, scholarly databases made available the mapping of research publications to different SDGs, unleashing many opportunities for analysis. In this work, the top 100 Highly Cited Sustainability Researchers (HCSRs) and information related to them, such as the institutions they belong to, the type of these institutions, the geographical diversity of these researchers, and gender representation patterns, are analyzed. Also, from their publications, their publication pattern, including (i) the least and most researched SDGs, (ii) their Open Access publishing pattern, (iii) their collaboration pattern (iv) the pattern of their research impact, are analyzed. The most sought thematic areas of their research, top journals in which they publish, important research categories handled by these journals, etc., are also investigated. The most significant contribution of these researchers and their recent contributions are also discussed. The data indicates a significant disparity in research focus among the top 100 HCSRs, with most concentrating on “Good Health and Well Being,” “Zero Hunger,” and “Quality Education,” while notably fewer researchers focus on “Decent Work and Economic Growth” and “No Poverty,” underscoring the need for a more balanced research agenda across all SDGs. The study reveals that the United States, China, and the United Kingdom are the leading contributors to the top 100 HCSRs, suggesting that these countries are predominant in global sustainability research output, while nations like Iran and Saudi Arabia also make notable, albeit smaller, contributions. The institutional affiliations of HCSRs show a significant imbalance, with only 16 from private institutions compared to 84 from public ones. Specifically, it shows that out of the top 100 researchers, 93 are men, while only 7 are women. The analysis of authorship in publications by HCSRs reveals a tendency towards middle and last author positions, underscoring their collaborative and leadership roles within the research community. All these analyses can inform academia, industry, and policymakers about the most significant developments in research regarding SDGs.

Число три в семиотике Ч.С. Пирса. К вопросу троичности

The number three refers to an important factor in the construction of the semiotics of Ch. S. Peirce. The number three is a kind of leitmotif of the theory. The whole construction of knowledge rests on primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary, secondary and tertiary are reduced to the three sides of Gottlob Frege’s triangle and appear in a different terminology as representative, object and interpretant. These ternary coordinates of thought are its space and embody, in the words of Yu. S. Stepanova, three-dimensional measurement of language. According to Ch. S. Pierce, these coordinates have a teleological meaning. The very concept of Ch. S. Pierce appears as the sum of three trichotomies, which allows twenty-seven combinations of signs, of which seventeen combinations are prohibited. Only ten combinations are allowed. The idea of trinity involves 310 sign complexes. Some of them are forbidden from the standpoint of logic. Thus, the index cannot serve as an argument. In the article, this is shown by the seating of subjects at a round table. The subject opposite appears to be on the right, but is actually opposite. The universality of the trinity appears as a reasoned code of semiotic construction. The triadic nature of the concept serves as the basis for constructing the laws of semiosis. Primary is iconic, secondary is indexical, and tertiary is symbolic. Questions of trinity arise as implementation of the narrative, when the first is the beginning, the second is the end, and the third is the middle. The concept of three as the middle goes back to ancient art. The paper proposes an individual measurement of the middle as the third element. The counting tradition of the Indo-European peoples and the number of signs of the formula “faith, hope, love” are taken as the basis. The rearrangement of the elements of the formula, when the third in a row – love – occupies the middle second position, goes back to the earliest uses of this formula. This is the original approach to proving the middleness of the third in the tradition of the Indo-European peoples.

Influence of geographical origin and shell positions on nacre color and thickness in mabé pearl oysters Pteria penguin

To examine variations in nacre color and thickness in Pteria penguin oysters obtained from Tonga and Japan, a novel approach with a focus on their potential for mabé pearl production was used. Detailed analyses of color and microstructure revealed that the middle position of the right-valve nacre (position 1) primarily showed a reduction in yellow pigmentation. This was indicated by a decrease in the yellowness index (YI) and an increase in the whiteness index (WI). In contrast, the anterior and middle positions of the left-valve nacre (positions 2 and 3) consistently displayed a higher level of yellow pigmentation. A comparison of oysters from different geographical origin found that Tonga wild-caught oysters had significantly thicker nacre than Tonga culture-site oysters, suggesting the influence of probable genetic diversity and environmental factors on nacre formation. Notably, nacre at position 1 was generally thinner, while at positions 2 and 3 it was thicker, which would influence the resultant pearl quality and attributes. We demonstrate the significance of the nacre position on the valve for mabé pearl production: position 1 tended to produce white pearls with pronounced interference colors, whereas position 2 tended to yield gold pearls. Furthermore, our findings highlight the significant impact of the oysters' geographic origin on mabé pearl color and quality. This study emphasizes the importance of considering the position of shell nacre and the potential influences of the oysters' genetic origins and environmental factors on mabé pearl formation.

К ВОПРОСУ О СООТНОШЕНИИ КОСМОЛОГИИ Л.П. КАРСАВИНА И ПРАВОСЛАВНОЙ ТРАДИЦИИ

This article analyzes the relationship between the cosmology of L.P. Karsavin and the Orthodox dogmatic doctrine of the creation of the world. The authors summarize the opinions of church researchers about Karsavin's cosmology and show how L.P. Karsavin understood his philosophy in the context of the Orthodox tradition. The article concludes that Karsavin's metaphysics is more in line with the mystic-gnostic tradition, rather than Orthodox dogmatics. At the same time, Karsavin's cosmology, like church cosmology, tends to take a middle position between pantheism and dualism.

Intensification strength in speech: language-specific preferences and differences between native and learner language

In this article we analyse the use of intensification in the spoken productions of French-speaking learners of Dutch and English. We compare the strength of intensifiers used by learners in their first language (L1) and in their additional language (AL), and contrast these results with data from control groups of L1 speakers. Our corpus results indicate that L1 English speakers tend to intensify more frequently but opt for weaker intensifiers, while L1 French speakers intensify less frequently but use stronger intensifiers. L1 Dutch speakers take the middle position in both aspects. The analysis of the learner corpora reveals overall more similarities between AL English and L1 English than between AL Dutch and L1 Dutch, confirming the trends observed in previous studies on the same learners (Hendrikx, 2019).

Investigating the roles of middle leaders in New South Wales public schools: Factor analyses of the Middle Leadership Roles Questionnaire

This article reports on factor analyses of the Middle Leadership Roles Questionnaire – School Edition (MLRQ-SE) that were conducted to test a theoretical model. This work was completed as part of a larger study that investigated the roles of formal middle-leadership positions in public schools of New South Wales, Australia. Quantitative data from an adapted version of the MLRQ-SE, which was completed by 2608 employees in formal middle leader positions in NSW public schools, were factor analysed to identify theorised roles and thereby confirm an overarching model of middle leadership roles as well as assist with ongoing refinement of the instrument's scales. Exploratory factor analyses identified seven salient roles of middle leaders. Confirmatory factor analyses of data from the two largest position categories supported the seven-role model for assistant principals and head teachers. While the scales within the MLRQ-SE were based on a wide review of previous research, the data reported here is from one educational jurisdiction in one country. However, the findings provide evidence for the existence middle leader roles often theorised in literature but to date not confirmed empirically. The findings also hold implications for policy, practice and future research regarding leadership development and recruitment.

Plastic as a Soil Stabilizer

Soil stabilization is any process which improves the physical properties of soil, such as increasing shear strength, bearing capacity etc. which can be done by use of controlled compaction or addition of suitable admixtures like cement, lime and waste materials like fly ash, phosphogypsum etc. The cost of introducing these additives has also increased in recent years which opened the door widely for the development of other kinds of soil additives such as plastics, bamboo etc. This new technique of soil stabilization can be effectively used to meet the challenges of society, to reduce the quantities of waste, producing useful material from non-useful waste materials. Use of plastic products such as polythene bags, bottles etc. is increasing day by day leading to various environmental concerns.Therefore the disposal of the plastic wastes without causing any ecological hazards has become a real challenge. Thus using plastic bottles as a soil stabilizer is an economical utilization since there is scarcity of good quality soil for embankments. This project involves the detailed study on the possible use of waste plastic bottles for soil stabilization. The analysis was done by conducting plate load tests on soil reinforced with layers of plastic bottles filled with sand and bottles cut to halves placed at middle and one-third positions of tank.The comparison of test results showed that cut bottles placed at middle position were the most efficient in increasing strength of soil. The optimum percentage of plastic strips in soil was found out by California Bearing Ratio Test and using this percentage of plastic, plate load test was also performed. The size and content of strips of waste plastic bottles have significant effect on the enhancement of strength of the soil].

The Impact of Zhongyong Thinking on Employees Mental Health

Zhongyong is a moral standard set forth by Confucian culture, meaning maintaining neutrality and moderation. Many people tend to have a misunderstanding of Zhongyong thinking, believing that Zhongyong represents compromise and the middle position. They might consider that such thinking is detrimental to healthy mental development. However, Zhongyong thinking is not the same as compromise, and instead it allows the coexistence of contradictions and opposites. After reviewing a series of previous articles on Zhongyong thinking and mental health, it is shown that Zhongyong thinking plays a moderating role in the employees psychological state. Moreover, the factors affecting the influence of Zhongyong thinking on employees' mental health include psychological resilience and psychological security. Ultimately, the review found that one of the main reasons for the moderation of psychological states in the workplace is because it affects emotional regulation and alleviates symptoms of depression and anxiety. Plus, Zhongyong thinking related training also was shown some benefits. A limitation of previous studies is that subjective questionnaires were used to measure the level of Zhongyong thinking and other psychological variables, which could be less accurate. Future research directions could explore how to accurately demonstrate dynamic Zhongyong thinking processes through experimental and longitudinal design.

Phonological Variation of /r/ in Selected Arabic Dialects

The present study offers a descriptive examination of the Arabic phoneme /r/, renowned for its intricate and diverse nature within the Arabic phonological system. This research investigates the varied manifestations of the phoneme /r/ in different regional dialects, with a specific emphasis on its pronunciation in the initial, middle, and final positions of words. The paper's significance is rooted in its contribution to the comprehension of the Arabic /r/ phoneme, a multifaceted and diverse sound within Arabic phonological systems. The paper illuminates the phonetic variability of the /r/ by analyzing its distinct manifestations across diverse Arabic dialects and regions. This can potentially facilitate language acquisition and instruction. The investigation conducted by the authors pertains to the marked and unmarked characteristics of the phonological /r/ in Arabic. The population under investigation comprises a randomly selected group of Arabic-speaking individuals aged 18 years and older, encompassing both genders and hailing from diverse countries and regions. The study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology, utilizing a unique features matrix and the Audacity Sound Recording and Analysis Application to examine the gathered data. The findings of the research enhance the comprehension of the phonetic variability that typifies the Arabic /r/ phoneme and elucidate its manifestation in diverse contexts and geographical locations. Furthermore, the outcomes of this investigation hold significance for the domain of language education and acquisition, and the techniques utilized were designed to guarantee the precision and dependability of the gathered information.

Research on the influence of heat release from cement hydration on the mechanical properties of casing

In order to study the influence of cement hydration heat release on the mechanical properties of casing, this paper calculates the wellbore temperature and pressure field based on the mathematical model of steady-state heat conduction of casing-cement ring-formation rock, establishes a mathematical model for the mechanical evaluation of cement hydration heat release and casing interaction, and performs finite element calculation and experimental simulation of the effect of cement hydration heat release on casing loss, and the results show that the results show: Along the axial direction of the wellbore, the maximum stress on the entire cement ring occurs in the lower position of the cement ring, and the maximum deformation on the casing occurs in the middle position. The axial stress variation range of the middle part of the casing is 50MPa, and the strain is 0.12%; The axial stress variation range of the outer ring is 235MPa, and the strain is 0.09%; The circumferential stress of the middle part varies from 500MPa to 0.255%. It is found that the stress and strain in the middle part of cement sheath are large, and yield is prone to occur. Under the action of cement hydration heat release, the long-axis elliptical deformation of (7.15∼31.8) mm occurs in the casing, that is, a large ovality is produced, which weakens the collapse strength of the casing. Two repeated tests showed that under the cement hydration heat release condition at the casing loss position, the temperature change of 60°C caused the increase of axial force of casing column and the increase of annular air pressure, which caused the non-uniform deformation of casing under the composite load of external extrusion and compression axial force.

Ens reale, ens rationis, or Something In-Between?

Abstract The ontological status of esse cognitum was at the center of complex debates throughout the Scotist tradition (Alnwick vs. Aesculo, Mastri vs. Punch). This article investigates the Scotist Angelo Volpe’s discussion of esse cognitum enjoyed by possible creatures in the divine intellect. Volpe responds to two religious warnings, one against assuming any eternal real being for merely possible creatures, and a second against depriving God’s eternal knowledge of a corresponding object, since that would endanger this knowledge itself. Volpe opts for a solution that allows possible creatures the status of beings of reason (entia rationis) due to their own ontological merit, and the status of real beings (entia realia) due to God’s knowing that they as possibles are not in opposition to real existence. He rejects the view that esse cognitum is a kind of being that holds a middle position between real being and being of reason. Volpe’s historical significance is emphasized.

The Largest Urban Agglomerations of the Ural Federal District: Comparative Analysis

The article is devoted to the study of urban agglomeration processes in the territory of the Ural Federal District. The purpose of the article is to assess the development of the largest urban agglomerations of the Ural Federal District. The authors included in the sample three urban agglomerations, the core of which are the capital centers of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation located in the Urals: Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk and Tyumen urban agglomerations. The research methods are fundamental research methods (abstraction and generalization, systematic approach, structural and functional method, comparative analysis method, etc.), as well as technical analysis methods (classical analysis, indicator method, etc.). The authors rely on statistics provided by Rosstat, official sites of the administrations of the regions and cities under study, as well as Yandex maps. The most developed from an agglomeration point of view is the Yekaterinburg urban agglomeration, followed by the Chelyabinsk agglomeration, and, finally, the Tyumen agglomeration is in third place. In general, the analysis of urban agglomeration processes demonstrated that the latter are very unevenly developed in the territory of the Ural Federal District, which indicates an insufficient connection between the space adjacent to the border between Europe and Asia. The calculation of indicators showed a «problem field» of agglomeration processes characteristic of the Ural Federal District space: for the Yekaterinburg agglomeration there is a significant spread in the population of a large city and small settlements in terms of population, which indicates uneven resettlement; in the Chelyabinsk region — a decrease in population growth of the entire agglomeration; in the Tyumen agglomeration — a low value of the centralization coefficient of the «core» of the agglomeration, the agglomeration coefficient, the agglomeration index, the population development index. The authors made recommendations for the authorities of the macroregion aimed at strengthening the space occupying a middle position on the Eurasian continent.

Micro‐mesoscopic analysis of 3D void formation and evolution in CFRP composite using high‐resolution x‐ray microtomography

AbstractVoid defect is prevalent during the composite manufacturing process and may reduce the mechanical properties of composite structures, while limited information about three‐dimensional void distribution and evolution can be found due to the difficulties in void observation. In this work, void defects at different positions were detected and analyzed using x‐ray microtomography (XRM), and the random forest algorithm was implemented for segmenting components of CFRP samples. Results showed a trend of gradual rising porosity in the axial direction, with an increase of ~250% of porosity at the outlet of resin injection compared to the one at the inlet during the composite manufacturing process. The voids mainly featured with microscale between carbon fibers, with less distribution between fiber bundles and resin‐rich zones. Void defects achieved aggregation at the middle position of manufactured laminate, which is probably related to pressure interception. In the axial direction, the proportion of large‐diameter voids gradually increased, and a large volume of connected voids appeared near the outlet. Due to the shear deformation of resin and fiber and the pressure gradient effect, most of the voids showed stripe shape. The spatial orientation of voids was predominantly along the direction of resin flow and fluctuated due to fiber curl.Highlights 3D void characteristics in CFRP were studied using the XRM technique. Void formation and the effects of fibers on void morphology were analyzed. Dynamic void transport mechanisms during CFRP manufacturing were studied. Location and morphology of voids are helpful for CFRP damage modeling. The effective partitioning of CFRP was achieved using a random forest algorithm.