States In Region Research Articles

Shoreline Delineation from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imagery for High and Low Tidal States in Data-Deficient Niger Delta Region

Satellite image analysis is a potentially powerful tool for monitoring coastal shoreline positions. This study explores the use of multi-temporal, dual-polarised Sentinel-1 GRD synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery with a spatial resolution of 10 m for delineating shorelines. It was conducted in a data-deficient and complex environment (the Niger delta of Nigeria), in a developing country with a cloud-heavy climate. The study focuses on exploring and testing the capability of using multitemporal waterlines from SAR images to derive shoreline positions at high and low tidal states. From 54 Sentinel-1 images recorded in 2017, the study selected 12 images to represent both high and low tidal states. These were spread across the wet and dry seasons in order to account for seasonal differences. Shoreline positions were obtained by identifying the land–water boundary via segmentation using histogram-minimum thresholding, vectorizing and smoothing that boundary, and averaging its position over multiple waterlines. The land–water segmentation had an overall accuracy of 95–99%. It showed differences between wet and dry season shoreline positions in areas dominated by complex creek networks, but similarities along open coasts. The SAR-derived shorelines deviated from the reference lines by a maximum of 43 m (approximately four pixels), and often less than 10 m (one pixel) in most locations (open coast, estuarine, complex creek networks) at high and low tides, except low tide lines in areas with extensive inter-tidal flats at shorelines 70 m to 370 m from the reference lines. However, for applications such as coastal vulnerability assessment, the high tide shoreline is of greater importance. Thus, depending on the application of interest, problems with low tide shoreline delineation may be irrelevant. Despite limitations, notably the relatively small number of images available that were recorded at high or low tide, the method provides a simple, objective, and cost-effective approach to monitoring shorelines at high and low tide.

Геополитический аспект стратегии регионального пространственного развития Дальнего Востока России

The purpose of the article is to determine the role of the regions, in particular, the Far East, in the geostrategic projects of Russia. In the context of a significant complication of the foreign policy positions of the Russian Federation, the development of a state geopolitical concept that takes into account, in addition to the problems that have become traditional, the complexity of regional issues is of particular importance. In preparing the article, the principles of the system method were mainly used. The macroregions of modern Russia are considered in the unity of geopolitical, geographical, socio-cultural, economic and other determinants. The article discusses the specifics of the Russian Far East and the reasons for the increased interest in it at the present stage. The process of formation of new forms of internal regionalization is not spontaneous. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the ongoing processes of regionalization of both the Russian Federation and the PRC, other neighboring states with taking into account the peculiarities of regional geopolitics. In conclusion, the author substantiates the position that the Far Eastern region is important both in terms of resources and in building a system of national and regional security. The practical and theoretical significance of the work lies in the fact that the macro-region of the Russian Far East acquires strategic importance for the states of the Asia-Pacific region and the Pacific, and, therefore, the identification of their interests and opportunities for cooperation is important for further research and for the development of practical policies at both the federal and regional levels.

Oil extraction and Indigenous women: Examining the necropolitics of the settler state in the Bakken region

Emerging research shows that the health and well-being of Indigenous women is increasingly jeopardized in areas close to oil extraction due to heightened violence and criminal behavior. Our empirical findings reveal how the oil industry has impacted one Indigenous reservation located in the Bakken region—an area experiencing a major “boom” in shale extraction activities. We find that sexual assault and violence against Indigenous women has increased due to three settler tactics: (1) gendered economic inequalities and tribal divisiveness entrenched by structural poverty and uneven oil-derived wealth distribution, (2) industrialized “man-camps” and “risky” behaviors associated with transient oil workers, and (3) confusing jurisdictional spatialities structured by overlapping tribal authority and federal law. Employing a Native feminist reading of Mbembé's necropolitics, we argue that the above tactics coalesce to form a spatial formation where Indigenous women are made vulnerable to death through the necropower of the settler state, and tribal governments are not able to criminally prosecute non-Native individuals involved in violent crimes on tribal lands. Multi-scalar pathways forward include support for Indigenous-led activism that enhances public awareness and efforts that protect the livelihoods and futures of all Indigenous peoples. The restoration of tribal sovereignty is also supported with the understanding that, unfortunately, this form of sovereignty continues to be highly circumscribed by the settler state.

Tunable emission glass ceramic nanocomposites via devitrification of glassy Na2O-GeO2-MnO2 for optoelectronic and optical limiting applications

Manganese (IV) ion has been deemed a functional non-rare-Earth activator for the generation of red emissions, while the oxide and fluoride hosts that provide suitable sites for Mn4+ have to be prepared with usually rigorous control of reaction conditions, including redox equilibrium and temperature. In this study, the parent glass with 20Na2O- 80GeO2- 0.1 MnO2, in mol% composition is prepared via conventional melt-quenching, and the devitrification of the glass is induced by thermal treatment. The capability of appropriate thermal treatment to transform glasses into glass-ceramic nanocomposites (GCNs) with crystallites smaller than 21 nm was confirmed by XRD measurements. An enhancement in the optical characteristic of the GCNs is induced owing to the modifications in the microstructure. Tauc’s and ASF models were used to calculate the direct allowed transition energy. Localized states in the forbidden region cause the decrease in the glass ceramic’s bandgap (E g opt), as illustrated by the Urbach energy (Eu) values. Optical absorption parameters and the relation between transition energy and refractive index (n) were investigated. The increase in heat treatment temperature induces an improvement in the nonlinear (X(3)) susceptibility and (n(2)) refractive parameters. The synthetic method demonstrated here for Na2Ge4O9:Mn4 + might be extended for the synthesis of other phosphors-containing activators with a high oxidation state. Moreover, Optical Cut-Off characteristics (OCC) revealed that the sample reduces the light transmission intensity by higher heat treatment temperature. The results suggest that 540° heat-treated samples are encouraging materials in a variety of optoelectronics applications, and mainly optical apparatus.

Ultimate bearing capacity of intact rocks at tip of large-diameter rock-socketed piles considering internal micro-cracks

In the design of large-diameter rock-socketed piles, the ultimate bearing capacity of intact rocks under the pile tip (qb ) is often required to be predicted, especially for rock-socketed end-bearing piles. Existing approaches for calculating qb establish an empirical relation with the macroscopic parameters of rock layers, but the research on the microscopic parameters inside intact rocks is insufficient. This study provides a theoretical method for calculating qb from a micro perspective and implements it in MATLAB, in which the integral stress of the Mindlin solution within the circular region at the pile base was selected as the stress state of the theoretical calculation regions, and the tension– or compression–shear mixed mode I–II criterion was selected as the failure criterion of micro-cracks inside intact rocks. Six model piles with measured ultimate end-bearing capacities were analyzed to validate the proposed solution. The results showed that the failure ranges of intact rocks under an identical base load for analytical analyses are comparable with those obtained by model tests, which confirms the rationality of the theoretical approach. Then, the failure zone of intact rocks under different working loads of pile base was explored. Finally, parametric studies were conducted using the proposed solution to explore the effects of rock properties and pile dimensions.

Flaring volumes in the intermountain west region: A geospatial analysis of satellite and operator-reported data with viable mitigation strategies

Burning associated gas has been a prevailing problem across the world for decades. This practice consumes billions of (US) dollars' worth of valuable natural gas, contributes billions of metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere, and releases volatile chemicals to nearby communities. To assess the prevalence of wellbore flaring within the Intermountain West (I-West) region, we analyzed data from the Nightfire project and contrasted it with wellbore surface hole locations. Consequently, we will permit the analysis of the flare data on a geospatial scale and compare it with operator self-reported flaring volumes. Through this analysis, we found that New Mexico is by far the largest flaring state in the I-West region, with most of its flare gas coming from the Permian Basin. Additionally, we found that satellite data estimated volumes that were 165% larger than those self-reported by the operators. Although some of this could be an overestimation from the Nightfire project, the size of the discrepancy indicates that there may be an underestimation of flared volumes that operators report to the state. A better understanding of the discrepancy source can be identified by linking the satellite flare volume to individual wells and operators, and potential solutions may be implemented to assist New Mexico's recent waste laws in reducing Permian flared volumes. We also proposed economic solutions that could substantially reduce the flared volume through flare gas utilization through on-site processing, the construction of small spur lines, and the development of a local sink for methane.

Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, and Mercury in Blue Crabs Found in Creeks in Bayelsa State of Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, and Mercury in Blue Crabs Found in Creeks in Bayelsa State of Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Multi-scale procedure for the mechanical analysis of composite laminate structures considering mixed boundary conditions

This paper presents a multi-scale procedure for the study of flat composite structures with discontinuities. In this procedure, the structure is solved using shell elements while the laminate performance and the structural discontinuities (e.g. connections or change in the laminate thickness) are analysed with a subscale model made with solid 3D elements. The kinematics of both models are coupled following the Kirchhoff–Love theory. This coupling is used during the homogenization procedure where the characteristic behaviour of the different micro-models is obtained. Periodical boundary conditions are used for the laminates whereas a combination between periodical and linear boundary conditions are used for the discontinuities. The proposed procedure allows to reproduce accurately the structure elastic behaviour, as well as the stress and strain states in regions with discontinuities, which until now could only be accurately simulated by means of expensive numerical models using volumetric solid elements.

GLOBAL PRODUCTION NETWORKS IN THE ASIAN GARMENT INDUSTRY

Garment sector as a “heart” of life-supporting industrial complex and one of the most globalized, fragmented and geographically mobile industries provides the basis for empirical research of the international division of production and consumption. The article analyses the processes of formation of global production networks in the garment industry as a result of the activities of transnational companies in various geographical contexts (cities, regions and entire states) in the Asian region. Such production networks are becoming not only more complex from the organizational point of view, but also more and more global in their geographical scope. The main spatial and structural characteristics of global production networks of the leading companies in the industry (Nike, H&M and Fast Retailing) are considered by the method of geocoding and data aggregation using geographic information systems. Cartographic material is compiled on the basis of obtained spatial distribution. Its qualitative analysis, in combination with statistical data on the industry, makes it possible to form a comprehensive picture of the key areas of clothing production in Asia. The results demonstrate that despite the differences (from the price segment of products to the procurement strategy) the production networks of these firms are very similar, and their suppliers are concentrated in the largest cities and metropolitan agglomerations of Asia. The role of the countries of the Asian region is undeniably increasing in the garment industry, as well as on the global economic landscape as a whole. It was revealed that from 55 to 92% of suppliers of the leading firms are concentrated in Asia.

The Main Directions of the International Legal Policy of the Republic of Tajikistan at the Present Stage

The article is devoted to topical issues related to ensuring peace, security and cooperation among the states of the Central Asian region. It pays great importance to international law as the most important means of implementing the foreign policy of the states of the region and as the basis for maintaining the modern world order. It considers such areas of the international legal policy of the Republic of Tajikistan at the present stage as the protection of the state independence and national security of Tajikistan at the international level; development of trusting relations, friendship and cooperation with all countries of the world, especially with the countries of Central Asia on the basis of mutual interests; protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens of Tajikistan abroad; combating terrorism, extremism and crime in general; cooperation in solving global environmental, water and climate problems; cooperation in the field of labor migration, taking into account the protection of the rights of Tajik migrants in foreign countries; cooperation in order to preserve the identity, national identity and self-knowledge of the Tajik people. The detailed consideration of main directions makes a unique contribution to the understanding of the international legal policy of the Republic of Tajikistan at the present stage.

НЕКОТОРЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ ОРГАНИЗАЦИОННО-ПРАВОВОГО РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ ЦИФРОВИЗАЦИИ СЕЛЬСКОГО ХОЗЯЙСТВА

The study was carried out in order to study organizational and legal measures to mitigate the negative consequences of the digitalization of agriculture. The developed countries of the world, which initially had a high level of development of the agricultural sector, a wide network of highly professional agricultural research and educational institutions, respectively, qualified scientific personnel - agrarians, a steadily functioning system of agrarian law and many other advantages, have shown today a good susceptibility to the digital transformation of agriculture , and here the horizons of a new competitive digital agricultural economy have already been clearly outlined. At the same time, it should be recognized that, due to the innovative nature of this phenomenon, in Russia there is an extremely narrow list of scientific works devoted to the digital transformation of agriculture, and organizational and legal issues in this area have been practically considered little, and then, from the standpoint of the interests of an individual agricultural enterprise or farming. This predetermined the relevance of the study. Digital technologies, having solved the most important problem of the agricultural producer - the sale of products - helped to focus his main attention on increasing the production of his own products while reducing its cost and improving quality. It will be very difficult for most agricultural producers in Russia to navigate the innovations of digitalization of their production without the development of an appropriate digital agricultural law. However, even in the presence of the latter, the solution to this problem will be possible only with the resuscitation by the state in each rural region of the country of the information and advisory service, which needs to be reactivated from the standpoint of the needs of the digitalization of the agricultural industry and with the development of appropriate measures to stimulate the positive work of its consultants. Moreover, it seems that the digital retraining of farmers should also undoubtedly be undertaken by the state, as well as the prevention of a digital divide between economic entities that benefit from the use of agricultural products in the form of food or raw materials.

Perceived Barriers to Patient Mobilization Among Therapy and Nursing Acute Care Staff: A Multi-Site Survey Study

ObjectiveTo identify differences in perceived barriers to patient mobilization in acute care among therapy and nursing clinicians, and among hospitals of different sizes and types. DesignCross-sectional survey study. SettingEight hospitals of various sizes and types (teaching vs non-teaching; urban vs rural), from 2 different states in the Western region of the United States. ParticipantsA nonprobability sample of 568 acute care clinicians (N=586) involved in direct patient care were surveyed. Clinicians indicated a clinical role within the branch of therapy (physical therapy or occupational therapy) or nursing (registered nurse or nurse assistant). Main Outcome MeasuresThe Patient Mobilization Attitudes and Beliefs Survey (PMABS) was used to assess perceived barriers to early patient mobilization among therapy and nursing staff. A PMABS total score and 3 subscale scores (knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors associated with barriers to mobilization) were calculated, with higher scores indicative of greater mobilization barriers. ResultsMean PMABS total scores were significantly lower (better) for therapy providers (24.63±6.67) than nursing providers (38.12±10.95), P<.001. Additionally, therapy providers had significantly lower scores than nursing providers on all 3 subscales (all P<.001). Item-specific analyses revealed significant differences in responses between therapy and nursing staff on 22 of 25 items, with nursing staff indicating greater perceptions of barriers than therapy staff on 20 of the 22 items. The top 5 items with the largest response differences between therapy and nursing clinicians included adequate time to mobilize patients, understanding appropriate referral to therapy staff, knowledge on when it is safe to mobilize patients, confidence in the ability to mobilize patients, and receiving training on methods of safe mobilization. While hospital type did not affect perceived barriers to early mobilization, PMABS scores were significantly higher for large and small hospitals when compared to medium-sized hospitals. ConclusionPerceived barriers to patient mobilization exist among therapy and nursing acute care clinicians, with greater barriers noted among nursing staff for knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors associated with patient mobility practices. Findings suggest future work is warranted, with opportunities for therapy providers to collaborate with nursing providers to address barriers to implementing patient mobility.

Disaster Rehabilitation and Restoration Program towards Oil Spill Impacted Communities in Selected States in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Disaster Rehabilitation and Restoration Program towards Oil Spill Impacted Communities in Selected States in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Still on the Stachytarpheta longispicata complex (Verbenaceae): two new narrowly endemic species from the Cerrado domain of Central Brazil

Among the Brazilian Stachytarpheta, the small group of species treated as the Stachytarpheta longispicata complex is morphologically recognised by its inflorescences with pedicellate flowers. This character is also present in S. longibracteata and S. rizzoi, two new species herein described based on the morphological species concept. Both species have a restricted distribution in the Cerrado domain, with S. longibracetata found in the Jalapão region (State of Tocantins) and S. rizzoi in the Serra Dourada region (State of Goiás). Detailed diagnosis, morphological comparisons, line drawings, ecological and taxonomic data, provisional conservation status, and a distribution map are provided for each new species. With these findings, we improve the taxonomy of the S. longispicata complex by increasing the number of known species to seven, and providing an identification key for this peculiar group with pedicellate flowers exclusive to the Cerrado.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OF PRE-TRIAL INVESTIGATION BODIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME IN THE FIELD OF TAXATION

The article deals with the issues of international cooperation between law enforcement agencies of states and international organizations in combating organized crime in the field of taxation. The forms and directions of the interaction of pre-trial investigation bodies with law enforcement agencies of other countries in countering organized crime in the field of taxation are analyzed. The study studied international treaties, the legislation of states (Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Italy), scientific achievements of scientists, statistical data on registered criminal offences and the results of their pre-trial investigation, and materials of criminal proceedings. According to the results of the study, the interaction of investigative units with other law enforcement agencies and their units in Ukraine, as well as law enforcement agencies of other states, is proposed to be considered in two senses. One of them – is a guide, the principle of organization, which should guide the investigation process. The second – as a structural element of the methodology for investigating certain types of crimes, which should contain information about the experience of interaction of the investigator with other departments of law enforcement agencies, government agencies and public organizations, and, if necessary, with law enforcement agencies from other countries of the world (international cooperation). The levels of international cooperation in combating crimes in the field of taxation committed by organized criminal groups are determined: bilateral (allows to take into account the peculiarities of law enforcement activities of each party to a greater extent, to agree on issues that are not equally regulated by the national legislation of each of them); regional (based on the principle of territoriality and allows taking into account the interests of the states of a particular region); universal (cooperation is carried out on the basis of Ukraine’s participation in world international organizations). Forms of international cooperation in the field of combating crime are international legal assistance (conducting investigators and other legal proceedings, etc.), extradition of a person suspected of committing a crime (extradition institute), taking over of criminal proceedings; transfer of convicts to deprivation of liberty for further execution of punishment; international search; information exchange. Proposals have been formulated to improve the interaction of investigative units with law enforcement agencies of other states in combating organized crime in the field of taxation based on the provisions of the Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 2001 on the possibility of direct communication between the competent authorities of Ukraine and the competent ones.

Modelling Differential Diagnosis of Febrile Diseases with Fuzzy Cognitive Map.

The report of the World Health Organization (WHO) about the poor accessibility of people living in low-to-middle-income countries to medical facilities and personnel has been a concern to both professionals and nonprofessionals in healthcare. This poor accessibility has led to high morbidity and mortality rates in tropical regions, especially when such a disease presents itself with confusable symptoms that are not easily differentiable by inexperienced doctors, such as those found in febrile diseases. This prompted the development of the fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) model to serve as a decision-support tool for medical health workers in the diagnosis of febrile diseases. With 2465 datasets gathered from four states in the febrile diseases-prone regions in Nigeria with the aid of 60 medical doctors, 10 of those doctors helped in weighting and fuzzifying the symptoms, which were used to generate the FCM model. Results obtained from computations to predict diagnosis results for the 2465 patients, and those diagnosed by the physicians on the field, showed an average of 87% accuracy for the 11 febrile diseases used in the study. The number of comorbidities of diseases with varying degrees of severity for most patients in the study also covary strongly with those found by the physicians in the field.

Features of the tightening of the state policy of the Soviet government and religious denominations during the "thaw" on the example of the Kuibyshev region

The subject of the study is the anti-religious policy built by the state in the Kuibyshev region during the onset of the "thaw". During the onset of the "thaw", the Soviet people initially received hope for more free relations in the cultural environment, representatives of various faiths did not exclude this possibility, but this period was marked by a period of "Khrushchev persecution" by historians. Even during the period of "late Stalinism", the government, consisting of positive supporters of reconciliation with the church, put forward a course "for balanced relations with the Russian Orthodox Church." But this course was stopped in the 1950s by N.S. Khrushchev, who came to power. He and his supporters spoke of this path as unjustified and wrong, saying that this course was a sign of "Stalinism". The main conclusions of the study are that during this period a number of methods of combating religious organizations were used: propaganda was carried out at mass events, mandatory lectures by teachers and well-known professors were held, taxes were increased for administrative positions and representatives of the church, and financial powers and economic decisions of local civil authorities were appropriated, which directly limited the activities of the clergy of any religion for the care, development and dissemination of their worldview. These measures helped to exercise financial and ideological control over the activities of religious denominations. In addition, many parishioners and religious figures could not remain parishioners of religious organizations because of the achievements of scientific progress. All these internal and external factors forced the population to rethink beliefs and open up to new ideas. The research materials can be used in the process of organizing classes on the subject "History of the Samara Region", recommended as part of the school component in the curriculum of educational institutions of the Samara region, in the work of historical circles and extracurricular activities of schoolchildren and students.

Neural, physiological and behavioural correlates of empathy for pain in Tourette syndrome.

Persons with Tourette syndrome show altered social behaviours, such as echophenomena and increased personal distress in emotional situations. These symptoms may reflect an overactive mirror neuron system, causing both increased automatic imitation and a stronger tendency to share others' emotions. To test this, we measured the individual level of echophenomena with a video protocol and experimentally induced empathy for pain in 21 participants with Tourette syndrome and 25 matched controls. In the empathy for pain paradigm, pictures of hands and feet in painful or neutral situations were presented, while we measured participants' EEG and skin conductance response. Changes in somatosensory mu suppression during the observation of the pictures and pain ratings were compared between groups, and correlations were calculated with the occurrence of echophenomena, self-reported empathy and clinical measures. Our Tourette syndrome sample showed significantly more echophenomena than controls, but the groups showed no behavioural differences in empathic abilities. However, controls, but not patients with Tourette syndrome, showed the predicted increased mu suppression when watching painful compared to neutral actions. While echophenomena were present in all persons with Tourette syndrome, the hypothesis of an overactive mirror neuron system in Tourette syndrome could not be substantiated. On the contrary, the Tourette syndrome group showed a noticeable lack of mu attenuation in response to pain stimuli. In conclusion, we found a first hint of altered processing of others' emotional states in a brain region associated with the mirror neuron system.

The Impact of Trade Flows on Economic Development in the Black Sea region

Abstract Research carried out before shows that, although only exports contribute directly to GDP growth, the actual impact of imports on it is not necessarily negative. The increase in the value of imports shows an increase in demand in the domestic market, hence a better purchasing power and standard of living than in some of the exporting countries. Practice shows that many of the poor countries are dependent on exports, which usually consist in raw materials or products without much added value, while the most developed countries have negative trade balances. The study involves the use of the least-squares method, in EVIEWS 12, to determine the relationship between the annual increase in the volume of foreign trade of the states in the Black Sea region and the annual increase in GDP, respectively the increase in GDP per capita, by estimating simple linear regressions, using annual data from the period of 1990-2021. The research results show positive relationships between the mentioned indicators in the case of all the states analyzed, showing that even in the Black Sea region, although economies and societies have very diversified structures, often in competition or even in conflict, trade plays an important role for the economic growth, whether the trade balance of the analyzed state is positive or negative.

Self-correcting quantum many-body control using reinforcement learning with tensor networks

Quantum many-body control is a central milestone en route to harnessing quantum technologies. However, the exponential growth of the Hilbert space dimension with the number of qubits makes it challenging to classically simulate quantum many-body systems and, consequently, to devise reliable and robust optimal control protocols. Here we present a framework for efficiently controlling quantum many-body systems based on reinforcement learning (RL). We tackle the quantum-control problem by leveraging matrix product states (1) for representing the many-body state and (2) as part of the trainable machine learning architecture for our RL agent. The framework is applied to prepare ground states of the quantum Ising chain, including states in the critical region. It allows us to control systems far larger than neural-network-only architectures permit, while retaining the advantages of deep learning algorithms, such as generalizability and trainable robustness to noise. In particular, we demonstrate that RL agents are capable of finding universal controls, of learning how to optimally steer previously unseen many-body states and of adapting control protocols on the fly when the quantum dynamics is subject to stochastic perturbations. Furthermore, we map our RL framework to a hybrid quantum–classical algorithm that can be performed on noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices and test it under the presence of experimentally relevant sources of noise.