National Project Research Articles

Drained peatlands rewetting as a promising trend for carbon offsets in Russia: legal and economic aspects

“Zero” greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the most pressing climate protection goals worldwide. The most important questions for the Russian Federation are about the significance and role of the country’s ecological systems in achieving “carbon neutrality”: creating conditions to reduce emissions and increase the GHG absorption by ecosystems, the implementation of natural climate projects to protect the climate in the country, and recognition climate outcomes of such projects at the national and international levels. This article analyzes legal and economic aspects of the emerging trend of Russian drained temperate peatlands rewetting as a new carbon offset strategy. We discuss the regulatory context and evaluate non-climate benefits. Drained peatlands rewetting holds promise for substantial GHG reduction in the country. However, further development of the methodology and alignment with relevant international standards is required for international recognition of the national carbon offset projects focused on drained peatlands rewetting.

Issues of efficiency of financing the agricultural sector

In many economically developed countries, state support, financial investments in the agricultural industry, increasing productivity and profitability, ensuring the availability of food are the main factors of economic growth, first of all, employment of the population. Purpose - the main problems of financing the agro-industrial complex of the republic and scientific approaches to their solution are considered. Methods - comparative analysis, synthesis, monographic, logical evaluation to determine the mechanisms affecting the effectiveness of state aid and investment. Results - the article analyzes the sources of budgetary allocation of the agrarian sector. The significance of the implementation of targeted programs aimed at improving the quality of life of rural residents through price, tax, leasing mechanisms, soft loans and subsidies is shown. The study presents information for 2018-2022, supplemented by the data of the National Project on the development of agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021-2025, including the total volume of agro-industrial production and the size of capital investments. The study notes the need to increase the volume of domestic processing industry, allowing agricultural producers to expand the market for products, create conditions for new jobs, attract investment, and contribute to economic and social stability. Conclusions - specialization of rural areas, development of technical map and related organization of production in promising villages and district centers, increase in exports, distribution of online services are strategic directions of development of food complex, economic activity of agroformations. The use of external resources gives an opportunity to improve financial results, and farms - to increase income from core activities. When planning large investments in agricultural projects, one of the key criteria is the choice of capital structure to support the investment process.

Hygienic characteristics of changes in the nutritional status of adult population in the Omsk region during the implementation of Demography national project

Aim. To evaluate changes in nutritional status parameters among the adult population of the Omsk region during.Materials and Methods. The comparison of nutritional status parameters was conducted as a part of an experimental epidemiological study using a "before-after" design. The intervention consisted of activities carried out in the region from 2019 to 2023 under the federal project "Strengthening Public Health." In 2018, a representative sample (n = 241) was formed, stratified by age, gender, and residential area; in 2023, a similar sample (n = 506) was used. Nutritional status was assessed using somatometric, clinical, and laboratory methods.Results. We have documented a significant reduction in the prevalence of severe obesity (grades II-III, from 7.1 ± 1.1% to 2.4 ± 0.9%), and a trend towards a decrease in prevalence of underweight (from 5.4 ± 1.4% to 3.0 ± 0.8%; p = 0.078). In 2023, the proportion of individuals with overweight was 36.0 ± 2.1%, and 16.4 ± 2.4% of the adult population suffered from obesity. The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies decreased significantly (p < 0.001). In 2023, deficiencies in vitamin D (61.8 ± 1.7%), folates (50.0 ± 3.2%), vitamins B1 (26.6 ± 2.8%), B6 (36.7 ± 3.1%), and E (28.5 ± 2.9%), magnesium (32.0 ± 2.0%), zinc (27.2 ± 2.8%), copper (36.0 ± 3.1%), iron (25.0 ± 1.7%), and selenium (31.2 ± 3.9%) were the most common. Compared to 2018, the prevalence of deficiencies in vitamins D, E, B1, B6, and folates significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while the provision of essential elements remained unchanged.Conclusion. The prevalence of various nutritional disorders among the adult population of the Omsk region reduced, as the implementation of the federal project «Strengthening Public Health» under the national project "Demography" improved the provision of vitamins.

Science behind herbarium and its importance in recent years

The interest in and significance of herbarium collections for the study of plant biodiversity and evolution has significantly expanded in recent decades due to the introduction of new technologies for large‐scale, automated digitization and the availability of new techniques for DNA sequencing. These innovative methods gave rise to new initiatives with the goal of compiling a sizable molecular and phenological data set. In light of the various national projects that are currently underway and driving the study of herbarium specimens for the purpose of understanding biodiversity loss and habitat shifts as a result of climate change and habitat destruction due to human activity. Here, we showcased a number of cutting‐edge research, mini‐reviews, and technical comments that demonstrate the ever‐growing range of applications for herbarium specimens. It examines the variety of applications for which herbarium specimens are employed, the primary users' profiles of herbarium collections, patterns and systematics of biodiversity, and the evolution of lineages and traits.

Jerry (Jerald) Rudmann (1944-2024).

Jerry was born on September 7, 1944, to Doris and Francis Rudmann. He completed his bachelor's degree in psychology at California State University, Fullerton (1967), where a course in statistics forever changed his life. There he met his future wife, Bari. They were married 57 years ago and had three children, Darrell, Brent, and Ashley (Debbie, Kristina, and Adam), and five grandchildren, Oliver, Linus, Allison, Katie, and Lukas. Jerry worked at Irvine Valley Community College for 30 years, beginning as a founding faculty (and the only psychology professor at that time). He won many awards and recognitions. Jerry died on May 16, 2024, from pancreatic cancer. Jerry was exceptional in many ways. He was a staunch advocate for students and faculty at community colleges; he worked on multiple national projects designed to improve undergraduate education; and his thoughtful kindness touched everyone with whom he interacted. His commitment to enhancing all aspects of community college came naturally. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Перспективы применения технологий искусственного интеллекта для цифровой трансформации здравоохранения.

Introduction. Currently, the digital transformation of healthcare is one of the priority areas of industry development. In Russia, there is a high readiness and interest of both managers and doctors in the practical application of various digital products, including decision support systems using AI technologies. Materials and methods. The authors analyzed the scientific research and practical developments available in Russia in order to systematize and identify the most popular scenarios for the use of artificial intelligence systems. Results. The most promising areas for the development of artificial intelligence systems for healthcare in Russia are: Improved diagnostics. AI systems can analyze medical images, laboratory test data and clinical histories, identify patholo- gies and offer accurate diagnoses, which helps doctors make more informed decisions. Personalized treatment. The use of AI allows taking into account the individual characteristics of patients and offering optimal treatment regimens based on the analysis of numerous factors, such as genetic data, medical history and response to therapy. Disease prediction. AI can help determine the likelihood of developing certain diseases in a particular patient based on their individual risk factors, allowing for preventive measures or early treatment. Automation and optimization of processes. AI can reduce the workload of medical personnel, automate routine tasks, improve medical data management, and ensure more efficient resource allocation. Conclusions. The proposed scenarios and areas of AI application are most likely to impact the achievement of targets and objectives set out in the national project "Healthcare" – which is a priority for the implementation of AI.

Diversity and Research in Spanish Universities. Weaknesses, Strengths, and Good Practices for Inclusive Research

Aim. Diversity and inclusion are part of the third mission of higher education institutions. One of the dimensions that must be considered in the process of institutionalising inclusion is research. Inclusive research allows for critical research and reflection on certain fundamental issues on the road to democratic citizenship, making a positive impact on people's lives while contributing to social change and transformation. However, the literature has evidenced barriers in the institutionalisation effort, such as those posed by the market conception. In this context, the study presented here analyses the involvement of higher education research with diversity, as well as its weaknesses and strengths, and finally contributes to the identification of proposals for improvement and good practices for inclusive research. Methods. This work was based on assumptions of the interpretative paradigm, using virtual, one-on-one, semi‐structured interviews with Spanish researchers from different universities –most of them leading national projects on inclusion. Results. The results show that research on diversity is beginning to be incorporated as an essential modality in university agendas. In parallel, it is thought that academic capitalism and competitiveness have pierced conceptions of research quality, and in doing so, diversity and inclusion principles are called into question. Conclusions. Currently, the strengths of inclusion research in higher education are not as robust as the weaknesses. Proposals are made for the improvement of inclusive and democratic research, and four principles are set out to promote the institutionalisation of research on inclusion in universities.

Main stream and scientific innovations in the field of obstetric services in the Ural Federal District

The article provides analytical data on the results of the obstetrics and childhood service of the Ural Federal District in 2023, analyzes the key indicators of the service over the past five years and provides directions for optimizing the work of the service. In the sphere of implementation of national projects “Healthcare” and “Demography”, applied scientific research and development of the “Ural Research Institute of Maternity and Child Care” of the Russian Ministry of Health makes a significant contribution to the development of medicine by improving methods of prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of perinatal pathology, development of assisted reproductive technologies, which will improve the work of obstetrics and childhood services.

Assessing Patient Satisfaction and the Need for Collaborative Treatment with Korean and Western Medicine.

The collaborative treatment of Korean medicine (KM) and Western medicine (WM) in Korea has gained prominence since its initiation. However, comprehensive evaluations of patient satisfaction and care effectiveness remain limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction and the need for collaborative KM-WM treatment in the fourth phase of the national pilot project. A multicenter survey was conducted among 321 patients from 15 institutions participating in the fourth phase of the collaborative KM-WM pilot project, spanning from 1 August 2023 to 31 October 2023. Patient satisfaction and needs were assessed using a validated, semi-structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression were used in the analysis. The overall satisfaction with collaborative KM-WM treatment was notably high (91.25%). Among the participants, 91.58% indicated the necessity of the collaborative KM-WM pilot project, whereas 90.66% pointed out the need to incorporate inpatient services into collaborative care. Expansion of the pilot project to additional institutions and primary healthcare settings was substantially demanded (85.36% and 80.06%, respectively). Treatment effects (β, 0.344; 95% CI: 0.237-0.451), appropriate treatment time (β, 0.140; 95% CI: 0.051-0.229), medical procedural efficiency (β, 0.227; 95% CI: 0.126-0.328), and promotional activities (β, 0.175; 95% CI: 0.101-0.250) significantly contributed to overall patient satisfaction (each, p < 0.05). The fourth phase of the KM-WM project reflects high patient satisfaction and a substantial need for collaborative treatment. Further research should include longitudinal studies and employ mixed-methods approaches to better understand, evaluate, and improve collaborative KM-WM treatment.

Analyzing the innovation ecosystem of China's major science and technology projects: From the ecological and systems science perspective

The National Major Science and Technology Projects in China are characterized by government leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international cooperation. However, challenges such as insufficient innovation capacity and inadequate commercialization of scientific achievements are becoming increasingly prominent. This paper adopts the conceptual framework of natural ecology to examine these projects. By utilizing theories and methods from ecology and systems science, we draw an analogy between the innovation ecosystem of China's national major science and technology projects and the structure of ecological systems, analyzing the interrelationships among the components of the innovation ecosystem and establishing the four-level model. The findings indicate that collaboration and policy guidance among the enterprise, research, and auxiliary innovation layers promote scientific output and innovation, while the external environmental layer provides robust support and safeguards, collectively driving the development of the innovation ecosystem. We study the operational mechanisms of the innovation ecosystem in depth, identifying mechanisms of competitive symbiosis, coordination, and sharing. These mechanisms work together throughout the project management process, offering new insights for enhancing the scientific and effective management of these projects. The national innovation ecosystem and high-quality development mutually reinforce and complement each other. As a critical pathway to high-quality development, our study provides new approaches to addressing the challenges of insufficient innovation capacity and the difficulty in translating scientific achievements into practice, contributing to the optimization of resource allocation, and the deep integration of technological innovation with economic and social development.

Challenges in Intellectualizing Sesotho for Use in Academic Publications

This paper explores challenges in intellectualizing Sesotho for academic works beyond literary-based theses. It also overviews resources for the intellectualization of official Indigenous languages of South Africa, focusing on national translation projects for terminology development. Furthermore, it highlights efforts by the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources in creating and collecting corpora for all official languages, including Sesotho. Challenges in Sesotho lexicography, especially with corpus-based approaches, are discussed. Additionally, the paper reflects on the authors' experiences with publishing academic articles in Sesotho in South African journals. It discusses obstacles faced, and strategies employed, including dialogues with reviewers on creating new terms and choosing between Lesothan Sesotho and South African Sesotho orthographies. Finally, the essay addresses challenges posed by limited publication avenues for indigenous languages in southern Africa and academic pressures for citations and research impact. It aims to shed light on lesser-known Indigenous languages in Southern Africa by spotlighting challenges and solutions to academic publications in Sesotho. Overall, the paper concludes that efforts at intellectualizing Sesotho and other South African indigenous languages are evident. Even so, there is far less emphasis on using Sesotho and other indigenous languages for academic discourses.

Fluoride Exposure from Drinking Water Increases the Risk of Stroke: An Ecological Study in Changwu Town, China.

Stroke is a major cause of death globally and the leading cause in China. Excessive fluoride exposure has been linked to cardiovascular conditions related to stroke risk factors such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, and cardiomyopathy. However, evidence supporting the association between fluoride exposure and stroke risk is limited. We constructed an ecological study in Changwu Town, Heilongjiang Province, China, a typical endemic fluorosis area caused by excessive fluoride exposure from drinking water. We collected demographic data, stroke prevalence, and mortality information from 2017 to 2021. Fluoride exposure data were obtained from the national monitoring project on endemic fluorosis. Water fluoride concentrations were measured using the standardized methods. Trend changes in stroke rates were assessed using annual percentage change (APC). Differences in stroke rates among fluoride exposure groups were analyzed using chi-square tests. From 2017 to 2021, the all-ages and age-standardized stroke prevalence rates of permanent residents in Changwu Town increased year by year, while the all-ages and age-standardized mortality rates did not change significantly. The prevalence rates of stroke were significantly higher in endemic fluorosis areas compared to non-endemic areas (p < 0.001). Stratifying the population into tertile groups based on the water fluoride cumulative exposure index (WFCEI) revealed statistically significant differences in stroke prevalence rates (p < 0.001), showing a dose-response relationship with the WFCEI. However, the all-ages and age-standardized mortality rates of stroke were not found to be related to fluoride exposure. Long-term excessive fluoride exposure from drinking water may increase the risk of stroke prevalence, indicating fluoride overexposure as a potential risk factor for stroke.

The European Reference Genome Atlas: piloting a decentralised approach to equitable biodiversity genomics

A genomic database of all Earth’s eukaryotic species could contribute to many scientific discoveries; however, only a tiny fraction of species have genomic information available. In 2018, scientists across the world united under the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), aiming to produce a database of high-quality reference genomes containing all ~1.5 million recognized eukaryotic species. As the European node of the EBP, the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) sought to implement a new decentralised, equitable and inclusive model for producing reference genomes. For this, ERGA launched a Pilot Project establishing the first distributed reference genome production infrastructure and testing it on 98 eukaryotic species from 33 European countries. Here we outline the infrastructure and explore its effectiveness for scaling high-quality reference genome production, whilst considering equity and inclusion. The outcomes and lessons learned provide a solid foundation for ERGA while offering key learnings to other transnational, national genomic resource projects and the EBP.

Budget allocation problem for projects with considering risks, robustness, resiliency, and sustainability requirements

Budget Allocation Problem (BAP) for projects is considered one of the critical risks that necessitate the completion of projects in the shortest possible duration. This aspect is significant in extensive projects such as national endeavors directly impacting people's livelihoods. This research focuses on introducing Sustainable, Robust, Resilient, and Risk-averse Budget Allocation for Projects (S3RBAP). A hybrid robust stochastic optimization approach was employed, incorporating Weighted VaR (WVaR) and the minimum function as risk criteria to ensure the robustness of the objective function. This model is designed to minimize the weighted expected value, WVaR, and the minimum progress function, thereby promoting the 3R and sustainability framework to tackle budget fluctuations and enhance project viability. The case study revolves around the construction of national projects in Iran. Ultimately, the project's required budget was allocated within the budgetary constraints. Sensitivity analysis found that the integration of 3R and sustainability led to a 13.5 % reduction in the progress function compared to scenarios without these principles. Furthermore, increasing the conservatism coefficient to 20 % decreased the progress function to −0.58 %. Reducing the resiliency coefficient had an adverse effect by disrupting the budget allocation process. The computational time is increased gradually with the escalation of problem complexity, while the progress function decreases due to the increased number of projects. The findings demonstrate that using an exponential function promotes risk aversion, whereas a sine function encourages risk-seeking behaviour within this research context.

Inpatient Suicides in Swedish Psychiatric Settings – A Retrospective Exploratory Study from a Nursing Perspective

In Sweden, approximately 1,200 individuals die by suicide annually. Inpatient suicide is considered rare, but death by suicide still occurs when admitted to a psychiatric hospital. This study was part of a national retrospective project covering data from all patients’ medical records for the 2 years before death by suicide in 2015. In this study, 41 patients who died by suicide while being admitted to psychiatric care were identified. The aim was to retrospectively identify documentation of suicide risk, safety measures, and comparisons between those with and without suicide attempts for patients who died by suicide during psychiatric inpatient care. There was documentation of suicidal variables in 80% of the patients; 59% had a previous known suicide attempt, 63% were diagnosed with mood disorders, and 41% were assessed for elevated suicide risk. The most common suicide method was hanging, suffocation (68%), and 22% had died by suicide within 24 h after admission. Almost three-quarters were on voluntary care. No patients had constant professional supervision on a one-to-one basis, and 17% had 15-minute checks. One-third were on agreed leave at the time of the suicide. These results emphasise the lifesaving role of high-level supervision in the early stages of inpatient care.

Nursing, Care and Rehabilitation in Case of Stroke in the Program of the Clinical and Educational Complex "STROKE"

The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, in accordance with the State Program for the Development of Healthcare of the Russian Federation and within the framework of the national project "Health", has been conducting the Clinical and Educational Training Complex "STROKE" in all federal districts of the Russian Federation since 2012. The program is aimed at improving the provision of medical care to patients with vascular diseases in the regions of Russia. In the multidisciplinary team of specialists, the niche of training in nursing care with elements of rehabilitation is occupied by the St. Demetrius Sisterhood.

Lean Manufacturing Tools as a Driver of the Company’s Digital Transformation

The article substantiates the impact of applying lean manufacturing tools on the digital company’s transformation. The study distinguishes the main lean manufacturing tools that contribute to the optimisation of production processes, reduce losses and improve staff efficiency. Special attention is paid to the synergy of lean methods and digital technologies, which allows companies to adapt to changing market conditions and remain competitive by accelerating and replicating production processes in their digital transformation. The case study of implementing lean manufacturing tools at the Russian food industry enterprises, participants in the national project “Labour Productivity,” demonstrates the feasibility of implementing the key 5 lean manufacturing principles (sorting, organising, standardising, keeping clean and improving), along with the Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The author concludes that companies need to combine lean manufacturing and digital technologies to improve efficiency. Given the fact that lean manufacturing and information technology can conflict, providing their integration will increase the success of the digital company’s transformation. A lean manufacturing approach simplifies production processes, improves the efficiency of digitalisation and increases the likelihood of successful adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Factors Influencing the Success Criteria of ICT Project Management Case Study Constructions in Mogadishu

Being a developing nation, our nation's project construction is advanced in comparison to earlier years. Therefore, the overall goal of this study is to evaluate and examine the local elements influencing the success criteria of ICT project management in the construction sectors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the technical factors that affect the success of ICT project management in the Somali construction industry. To determine the organizational factors that affect the ICT project management success in the Somali construction industry. And to investigate the cultural factors that affect the success of ICT project management in the construction industry. The most recent study to look at environmental factors influencing the performance of ICT project management in the Somali construction industry. The report focuses on construction initiatives completed in Somalia's capital city of Mogadishu. Both interviews and questionnaires were used to gather the data. The questionnaire was completed online using Google Form, and the respondents were clients, consultants, and contractors. The researchers used practical sampling to gather 100 surveys. There are four case study companies that I have chosen as an experiment construction companies are utilized as a case study for this research project. The data from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS to produce the average index from the study; Dalbile construction and contracting company, Bile home repair and Construction service, Qidmad Construction Company and Gaabow Construction Company. Due to the growing technological uncertainty, the building sector is dynamic. Building projects are getting easier and more advanced today. The coordination between the project participants is what has an impact on how well construction projects execute when using the design build method of procurement. The Somali government should establish and enforce strict penalties to combat fraudulence activities, the licensing of contractors and consultants should be thoroughly scrutinized to ensure that they are qualified and have the tools necessary to perform their jobs, and the contractors should enhance their estimation methods and take into account all external factors that could affect their projects.

Transit as racialized space: Comparing perceptions of refugees along the Mexico–Guatemala border

AbstractScholars have attuned to the challenges Central American migrants face along increasingly perilous northward journeys. However, most studies of “transit spaces” are relatively migrant‐centric, focusing on the meanings these spaces hold for migrants, or how particular locales are reconfigured in relation to migratory processes. There has been less attention to the meanings such places hold for long‐term inhabitants, as well as how they change over time. This article draws on long‐term ethnographic fieldwork along the Mexico–Guatemala border to compare how inhabitants perceived migrants and refugees in two different periods: narratives recalling suspicion of Guatemalan refugees in the 1980s and more recent anxieties held toward Central American migrants. Through the comparison, it problematizes how the very conceptualization of transit spaces and migrants in transit serves to uphold larger racial projects of exclusionary nationalism and the “national order of things” where territory, ethno‐racial identity, and belonging are assumed to align.

Ethnicity in Nigeria:Reflections on Achieving Unity in Diversity

Ethnicity is an important factor of interactions in a multi-ethnic societies like Nigeria. This explains its centrality in the nature and character of Nigerian state within the context of inter-group relations. The complexity of ethnicity has adversely affected inter-group relations in Nigeria. Thus, the influence of ethnic consciousness on the politics of Nigeria cannot be ignored. Rather than becoming more unified and cohesive, Nigeria remains deeply divided as ever before. This paper argues that no matter the centrality of conflict in inter-group relations, social interactions are usually dynamic and the pervasiveness of conflict also depends on the strategies in which group relations are managed. The paper seeks to demonstrate on one hand the historical exploration of ethnicity and ethnic politics in contemporary Nigeria and on the other hand, the need to use ethnicity as a national integration project. Thus, it is pertinent to evolve a state-wide national identity from the many ethno-cultural groupings with which they are presently constituted in Nigeria. This is important because unity in diversity can be a tool for socio-economic development in Nigeria.