Russian Studies Research Articles

Modern Methods of Comparative Study of Russian and English Idioms When Teaching English at a Higher Level

A good knowledge of a language, including English, is impossible without knowledge of its phraseology! Language, as a social phenomenon, is closely connected with the realities and traditions of the people-carrier. The article reveals the approaches to the definition of idioms, substantiates the importance and relevance of introducing idioms in the process of teaching English. It is proved that phraseology is not only a cultural and informative source, but also contains the richest linguistic material, allowing to study various aspects of phonetics, vocabulary and grammar of a foreign language on its basis.

Modern diagnostic technologies in oncodermatology

Skin tumors occupy the first place in terms of incidence in the structure of oncological neoplasms. The WHO estimates that 60,000 people die each year from malignant neoplasms of the skin: 48,000 from melanoma and 12,000 from skin cancer. Timely diagnosis of skin cancer makes it possible to achieve a cure for cancer patients with long periods of relapse-free follow-up after the completion of specialized treatment. The introduction of high-tech optical methods for diagnosing skin neoplasms into clinical practice has significantly increased the specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of diagnostics. The review is devoted to a discussion of such methods for diagnosing skin neoplasms as fluorescent diagnostics, digital dermatoscopy, SIA-scopy, and confocal microscopy. The features of the application of each of the methods are discussed, the results of the most significant Russian and foreign studies in this field are presented, as well as our own results of the practical application of a number of high-tech optical diagnostic methods at the P.A. Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Center

The problem of pain and its assessment in children with epidermolysis bullosa

Goal. Currently, there is an increasing interest in the treatment and improvement of the quality of life of patients with rare chronic diseases, and one of the urgent issues remains the problem of pain syndrome assessment and prevention. The purpose of the review article was to study the problem of pain and its assessment in children with epidermolysis bullosa. Theoretical justification. In the article, the problem of pain is considered as a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon, according to the results of a theoretical review, the main provisions of the concept of the multifactorial nature of pain are presented, which must be taken into account when selecting tools for assessing pain when working with gene dermatoses (epidermolysis bullosa) in childhood. Based on the analysis of Russian and foreign studies, a number of the most problematic areas in the assessment of pain in children are identified. Results and their discussion. According to the results of the analysis of a number of studies, the description of the main manifestations of epidermolysis bullosa and possible causes of pain is given. The biopsychosocial multifactorial nature of pain is considered, its neurobiological, psychological and functional consequences are presented, and on the basis of the research presented, conclusions are drawn for the first time about the principles of selecting the most effective tools for assessing pain and its impact on the vital activity of children with a chronic incurable disease. Pain assessment should include children’s previous experiences and expectations, coping strategies and pain relief resources, and communication features with caring adults. All forms of epidermolysis bullosa are characterized by pain and discomfort, and their elimination plays a key role in terms of the patient’s well-being and quality of life.

Modern metaphor research in Russia: Trends, schools and results

This article focuses on various trends and linguistic approaches to metaphor studies in Russia (2019-2023). The latter deal with different types of metaphors, process of metaphor formation and the use of metaphors in discourse. The basic methods of investigation include comparative, inductive, generalization and descriptive approaches. The article summarises new results in modern studies of metaphor on data from Slavic, Romance and Germanic languages. In the paper, we show the role of metaphor both as a trope and a cognitive operation in monolingual and comparative studies. Alongside these traditional areas, we discuss the results of metaphor studies in multimodal texts and corpora. Multimodal texts are frequently constructed on the intersection of mental, semiotic and semantic fields. Corpora, which have proved to be a convenient source of recent and reliable data, present another modern sphere of investigation of metaphoric potential in Russian studies. We discuss such important areas of metaphor studies as the interdisciplinary approach, pluralism of methods, critical attitudes to universalism, emphasis on cultural features of communication and discourse, and the blending of rhetorical and cognitive methods.

Армянская русистика сегодня

The Russian language and Russian culture continue to play a prominent role in social and spiritual life of the Armenian people. Researches on the Russian language, Russian-Armenian typology are conducted in universities and research institutes of language and literature, bilingual dictionaries are published and republished. The general direction of linguistic researches on Russian studies in republic is pedagogical, since the primary task of Armenian linguists is to create optimal textbooks and teaching aids for schools and universities. Annual conferences are held on the problems of modern linguistics, theory and practice of teaching the Russian language in schools and universities of the republic.

Phraseological units with the semantics of "human character" in Russian and Chinese

The object of this research is the phraseological field with the semantics of "human character" as a fragment of the linguistic picture reflecting the peculiarities of perception of the world by native speakers of Russian and Chinese languages. The subject of the study is national peculiarities and common features of cultural components of the meaning of phraseological units about human character in the Russian and Chinese languages. In the first part of the article, the author gives a brief description of the theoretical understanding of phraseology as a phenomenon of Russian and Chinese linguistics, draws parallels between the concepts of phraseological unit and chengyu, comparing the key characteristics of the two terms and specifying the subject of research. Having defined the theoretical boundaries of the concept of phraseology, the author of the article systematizes the research material in accordance with the semantic features. The second part of the study is devoted to the comparative linguistic, cultural and semantic analysis of phraseological units expressing the "character of a person" in Russian and Chinese. Methods of classification, lexico-semantic analysis, linguistic and cultural analysis, comparison, generalization are used. The sample of the study includes 400 phraseological units about the character of a person (200 Russian and 200 Chinese), which were studied using quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. The research contributes to the study of linguistic and cultural peculiarities of the perception of human character by representatives of Russian and Chinese cultures. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the application of comparative lexico-semantic and linguistic-cultural analysis to phraseological units with the meaning of "human character". Russian and Chinese studies of the quantitative correlation of phraseological and semantic groups in the phraseological field with the semantics of "human character" in Russian and Chinese, as well as the identification of cultural and historical features and patterns in the perception of human character traits in the Russian and Chinese language worldviews, revealed the presence of a universal and specific perception of human character. All this made it possible to establish a connection between different historical and social development, the influence of different religious and philosophical teachings in Russia and China, and the perception of human character reflected in the corresponding fragment of the phraseological field.

Attitudes of students towards joint educational programs with students with disabilities

Introduction. The attitude of healthy students to joint educational programs with disabled students plays a decisive role in creating psychological safety in the educational environment. The study aims to analyze the attitude of healthy students to joint educational programs with students with disabilities. Materials and methods. The study was part of the state program of Voronezh Oblast ‘Accessible Environment’, commissioned by Voronezh regional rehabilitation center for young disabled people and based at Voronezh State Industrial and Humanitarian College (N=1000 people, 46.3% male and 53.7% female). A questionnaire was created to identify opinions about the totality of opportunities and abilities for disabled citizens and about the formation of socially tolerant and psychologically safe relationships. Questioning, analysis, generalization, grouping, comparison, mathematical statistics (Spearman's ρ; principal component method) were used. Results. As the main factor, the analysis revealed tolerant relationships which do not depend on age, gender, and place of residence and are formed in communication. Semantic analysis of students' understanding of tolerance in interaction with people with disabilities includes five TOP-words: 1. Respect 255 (9.6%), 2. Attitude 116 (4.4%), 3. Understanding 113 (4.3%), 4. As towards ordinary people 65 (2.5%), 5. Respect and compassion 18 (0.7%). Discussion. In comparable Russian and foreign studies, the results and basic prerequisites for personal attitudes towards disability, healthy students’ ideas about possible types of relationships with students with disabilities and the degree of their readiness to establish equal and tolerant interpersonal relationships are similar to ours. Conclusion. Students who have experience of studying together with people with disabilities are less characterized by social barriers and segregation of support, compassion and a desire to help, and to a much greater extent by an equal and tolerant attitude, a desire to cooperation and partnership.

STEATOHEPATITIS IN OBESITY CHILDREN

Steatohepatitis is hepatic steatosis with inflammation and, in some cases, hepatocyte balloon degeneration and fibrosis [1]. Steatohepatitis is a form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which includes a wide range of conditions: from non-alcoholic steatosis (NAS) -fat deposition in the liver of more than 5% of the parenchymal mass without signs of damage to hepatocytes to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which progresses with development fibrosis, cirrhosis and, in some patients, hepatocellular carcinoma [1]. The prevalence of steatohepatitis in the pediatric population, according to various sources, varies greatly. Thus, the recommendations of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists and Nutritionists (NASPGHAN) indicate that hypertransaminasemia occurs in 29-38% of obese children aged 2-4 years [1]. According to A. Sahota et al. [2], NASH was found in 12% of obese and overweight children. The joint recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and preventionof obesity in children and adolescents of the Russian Association of Endocrinologists, the Russian Society for the Prevention of Non-Infectious Diseases, and the Association of Pediatric Cardiologists of Russia note that NASH is diagnosed in 12-26% of obese children and adolescents [3]. Obesity and overweight currently affect 25-30% of school-age children [4]. The situation is almost the same for preschool children. The COSI (Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative) study, conducted under the WHO programin Moscow in 2017-2018, summing up the dynamics of body weight for the entire preschool period, showed that among children aged 7 years, 27% of boys were overweight and 22% of girls, and obesity -in 10 and 6%, respectively [5]. Another Russian study assessing the physical development of children of middle and school age [6] also demonstrated a significant prevalence of obesity and overweight in this age group in Russian regions. Thus, at 11 years of age, obesity in boys was recorded in 18.6% of cases, ingirls -in 9.2%, and excess body weight -in 15.4 and 14.3%, respectively. At the age of 15, obesity was detected in 10% of cases among boys, in 3.6% of girls, and overweight in 11.5 and 10.5% of cases, respectively [6]. Based on these data, it can be assumed that the incidence of NASH in the pediatric population varies from 0.5 to 3%. It should be noted that the prevalence of obesity, and with it NAFLD, including NASH, is increasing throughout the world due to modern negative trends in the diet and physical activity of children [7].

ARCTIC VECTOR OF GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY

Research Objective. The Arctic is a unique region of our planet, one that affects not only the climate, ocean currents, and weather but also geopolitics and the economy. Various international actors vie for influence in the Arctic region, seeking to maintain a balance through international agreements and intergovernmental cooperation. This article provides a brief overview of the Arctic region. It observes the interests of Arctic states and Arctic Council Observers. The main focus is on Germany's Arctic policy as an Arctic Council Observer. The article gives a brief historical overview of Germany's Arctic policy. The transformation of Germany's position regarding the Arctic, as well as the formulation of a national Arctic strategy, is revealed through an examination of inter-party discussions in the German government. The article investigates Germany's current Arctic policy and an overall German strategy in the Arctic region. Additionally, the ecological and scientific research strategies of Germany in the Arctic region are detailed. Furthermore, the article explores Germany's national interests in the Arctic region. The methodological basis of the article is formed by the studies of Russian and foreign researchers. The paper uses general scientific research methods (analysis, synthesis, classification, comparison). Empirical data used in the work are taken from open sources. Conclusions. The described tendencies and contradictions of German and international policy towards the Arctic indicate still unformed ways and instruments to ensure a coherent policy in the Arctic region. Further research and the development of an international Arctic strategy that can satisfy national interests and meet the individual priorities of each state interested in the Arctic is needed.

Заболеваемость и распространенность легочной артериальной гипертензии, ассоциированной с системной красной волчанкой. Систематический обзор

Relevance. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Due to the nonspecificity of symptoms and difficulties in diagnosis, the exact incidence and prevalence of PAH associated with SLE is unknown. Aim. A systematic review of studies assessing the incidence and prevalence of PAH associated with SLE. Material and methods. A systematic search was performed for studies investigating the incidence and prevalence of PAH associated with SLE published from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2023. The search was carried out in the PubMed/MEDLINE database for English-language publications and in the RSCI database for studies in Russian according to pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results. 53 potential publications were identified, all sources in English. 11 publications remained for further assessment after screening article titles and abstracts. After detailed analysis, 6 articles were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Totally, 5 studies were included in the systematic review. Three studies assessed prevalence only, one study assessed incidence only, and one study assessed both prevalence and incidence. The prevalence of PAH associated with SLE ranged from 0 to 4.2%, with 3-year and 5-year cumulative incidence rates of 0.53–1.2% and 0.77–1.8%, respectively.

The Study of Jadidism in Soviet and Russian Historiography

The article provides an overview of the history of the study of Muslim reformism, known in the scientific literature as Jadidism, in the works of Soviet and Russian researchers. At first, it included only the reform of Islamic education, and later it began to be understood as a broader movement of “Muslim enlightenment” aimed at reforming the entire Muslim society. The study of the history of Jadidism in Russia began in the 1920s. Soviet scientists through the prism of the Marxist theory of the development of socio- economic formations. In the post-war years, Soviet historians and social scientists wrote critically about Jadidism. During the years of Khrushchev’s “thaw”, scholars tried to reconsider the essence of Jadidism in the socialist context of historical research through the reinterpretation of Islam as a specific Tatar national cultural heritage, called “mirasism”. A new stage of Russian historiography in matters of Jadidism began in the post- Soviet period, when Jadidism began to be seen as a social movement of Russian Muslims aimed at forming a nation of the European type. In general, it can be said that studies in Russian and Soviet historiography on the history of Jadidism in the Crimea, the Volga-Ural region, Central Asia and the Caucasus are distinguished by different methodologies and conceptual approaches, while works on the history of the Jadid movement in the Volga-Ural region are more complete. Despite the fact that there is no common understanding of the phenomenon of Jadidism in the Volga-Ural region, nevertheless, scientists of different directions (historians, philologists, Islamic scholars) have done a lot of work in studying this issue. In this regard, the history of Muslim reformism in the North Caucasus, in particular in Dagestan, is practically not studied. As well as there is no special work on this region.

Процессы когнитивного контроля в тесте Струпа и их отражение в связанных с событиями потенциалах (обзор)

The review summarizes the data of Russian and foreign studies on the psychophysiological parameters of the Stroop task execution. In addition, the article considers the main modifications of the task and similar paradigms as well as the key hypotheses explaining the causes of the interference effect and the increase in reaction time to stimuli containing conflicting information. Further, the paper presents data on eventrelated potential (ERP) waves, which are supposed to reflect cognitive control processes, such as conflict detection, overcoming of interference and conflict resolution. The frontocentral N2 wave characterizes the processes of conflict detection and overcoming of interference, and its main neural generator is the anterior cingulate cortex. The N450 wave is primarily generated in the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex and is thought to reflect interference suppression. The centroparietal P300 wave and the late positive complex, which appears to be generated in the middle or inferior frontal gyrus and in the extrastriate cortex, are associated with the conflict resolution process. The readiness potential is, supposedly, generated in the motor cortex and reflects the process of selecting and preparing a motor response. Moreover, the review presents the main directions of studies that use the Stroop test paradigm and its modifications. Despite a significant number of existing psychophysical and neurophysiological papers, the question of the brain mechanisms of cognitive control in tasks that cause cognitive conflict remains open, and the neuropsychological role of the ERP waves recorded in such tasks is still not fully explored. Studies into the influence of different types of competing information and the degree of conflict on the psychophysiological indicators in the Stroop task are of considerable interest.

Shmal’tsovniki: Bounty Hunters in World War II Galicia, 1941–1944

Abstract Among the most notorious forms of collaboration with the German occupation of District Galicia were the so-called shmal’tsovniki (szmalcownicy) or marodëry (profiteers), bounty hunters who betrayed Jews to the German police for cash rewards, apartments, food, and a host of other incentives. In this study of post-Soviet Russian, Ukrainian, German, Israeli, and Polish sources, the author has traced the nefarious roles these local collaborators played in the Holocaust. He has endeavored to outline the political economy of genocide in Galicia, tracing the transformation of relations among neighbors into a predatory hunt for Jewish men, women, and children who had been driven into hiding to escape persecution and genocide. Archival documents and eyewitness testimonies reveal that bounty hunters preyed not just on Jews, but also on so-called Righteous Gentiles, typically well-meaning Poles or Ukrainians whose acts of kindness were sometimes turned against them in the morally inverted world of the German occupation. In this way, the German occupation authorities generated a mass culture of fear and suspicion that facilitated the rounding up and liquidation of remaining Jews.

Implementation of the Energy Justice Concept in Strategies and Projects of Foreign Energy Companies

Introduction. The given article examines the challenges of ensuring energy justice in business models of energy companies. It identifies ways in which organizations and businesses providing energy services locally, regionally and internationally can successfully integrate social justice values into business strategies, ensuring that their operations are aligned with the principles of equitable provision of energy services.Materials and methods. Materials used for the given research include foreign and Russian studies on energy justice issues, statistical data and news sources from the world media. The methodological basis consists of such scientific methods as qualitative and quantitative analysis, synthesis, comparative research and statistical analysis.Results of the study. Analysis of the activities of foreign energy companies suggests that energy justice is a highly effective “tool” not only from the point of view of conceptualizing the theoretical idea of an energy just world and effectively analyzing a wide range of energy-related issues, but can also be considered as a valuable contribution to the actual process of developing energy policy and a framework for assessing the sustainability of energy-related projects and initiatives. The concept of a public interest company based on the principles of energy and social justice can be defined as a set of guidelines aimed at transforming existing business practices to ensure that these practices are consistent with the principles of energy justice.Discussion and conclusions. The given re­search revealed that the degree of adherence to energy justice principles determines whether certain business practices or specific projects are consistent with its paradigm. At the same time, as evidenced by available scientific research on this issue, commercial activity and the creation of social and environmental values are not internally contradictory concepts. On the contrary, energy justice guidelines and aspects can be successfully integrated into various business models at local, subnational, regional and global levels.

Responding to crises in authoritarian environments: Russian think tanks between policy evaluation and state endorsement

AbstractIn the literature on policy advice and analytical communities in democratic settings, think tanks are often assumed to be carriers of new ideas that serve as an informed and independent voice in policy debates. However, how much intellectual independence do think tanks have in authoritarian environments? This article tackles this question in a case study of Russian think tanks' discursive responses to two protracted crises: the COVID‐19 pandemic and climate change. The study employs a combination of deductive and inductive techniques to identify the discursive strategies used by think tank experts in their publications covering the crises. The findings suggest that there are differences in how think tanks communicate crises, which can be attributed to their institutional structures and position vis‐à‐vis the state. In some cases, the think tanks resort to polarization and discreditation of Western governments' crisis response, while openly endorsing the Russian state. In other cases, they engage in rationalization and more neutral analyses of the pandemic and climate change. However, regardless of these differences, they rarely concentrate on domestic challenges. Instead, they geopoliticize the crises, overemphasizing problematic developments elsewhere in the world, thus shifting attention in the public discourse away from domestic emergencies.

Confederation of Sahel States — a new integration alliance of the countries of «global South» (legal aspects)

The article explores the legal nature and features of the Confederation of Sahel States, the youngest integration alliance in Africa and around the world, established on July 6, 2024 between Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger. The introductory section outlines the past, present and problems of legal regulation of integration processes in Africa, as well as its modern projects preceding the Confederation. After considering the reasons for the establishment of Confederation and procedural aspects (section «Historical and geographical origins»), the author scrutinizes its constituent documents, the legal status of its Member States, its organizational mechanism and competence (section «Legal status»). Finally, in accordance with the provisions of domestic and foreign legal doctrine, the experience of former confederal entities, the author presets conclusions together with his vision of future of the newborn Confederation. The article is the first in Russian legal science study of the Confederation of Sahel States in light of the global legal experience with respect to establishment and operation of such entities. The author agrees with the prevailing view of confederations as not quite effective form of unification of states due to the lack of a full-fledged system of central authorities. Nevertheless, the author insists that confederal structure might be attractive in several ways. This explains the fact that confederations are still in use in XXI century. With reference to documents, the author demonstrates that law and practice of historical confederations, now federations (USA, etc.), were not limited to foreign policy and defence, but also covered significant domestic policy measures. Therefore, in practical terms, the author advises the Confederation of Sahel States to focus on «development» issues (economic, scientific, technological, etc.), which, according to its constituent documents, form part its competence together with issues of «diplomacy», «defence and security».

Analysis of foreign and Russian approaches to the study of personal patriotism

The subject of the study is patriotism. The author conducted a theoretical analysis of domestic and foreign scientific literature on the problem of patriotism. The features of approaches to the study of this phenomenon in the framework of philosophical, sociological, historical, psychological, pedagogical and psychological disciplines are considered in detail. A comparative analysis of the theoretical views of foreign and domestic authors on the content and nature of patriotism is carried out. An analysis of the literature allows us to conclude that Western and Russian studies of patriotism have many connotations, especially in the sociological and political sciences. Western and domestic scientists have identified similar essential signs of patriotism: patriotism as one of the highest feelings, as a creative feeling; patriotism as selfless work for the benefit of one's country, as a manifestation of higher feelings in action, as a duty to the country; patriotism as a deeply social phenomenon, as a civic virtue. The author conducts a comparative theoretical analysis of foreign and domestic approaches to the study of the problem of patriotism, understanding the psychological nature of this phenomenon. The main conclusions of the study are: in the studies of foreign scientists, patriotism is analyzed in the context of national and social issues and is practically not studied as a personal education, property or quality; at the heart of patriotism, most foreign authors note identification with their country based on feelings of love, pride and shame. In the West, patriotism is seen as a phenomenon of political awareness, quite closely related to nationalism. In Russian literature, such essential signs of patriotism as statehood and personality, which is the main subject of patriotism, are noted. The differences in the interpretation of the concept of "patriotism" and in approaches to its research can be explained by fundamental differences in culture and state and political traditions. In turn, the intersections in the definition of patriotism indicate that this phenomenon has certain interethnic and interstate features. The question of studying remains open and quite relevant.

Russian-Eastern Intersections. A Venetian ‘Anomaly’

This article is devoted to the research of a group of scholars from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice who over the course of several decades – especially starting from the 1970s, and partly up to now – have studied the cultural and political relationships between Russia and Asia. Some of these scholars were specialists in Russian studies, others came from orientalist disciplines (in particular Iranian and Turkish studies), but showed an in-depth interest – also based on acquaintance with the language – in Russia and the Soviet Union. Their research has produced a large number of publications, of a predominantly literary and historical nature, which constitute an important contribution to the knowledge of Russian-Eastern interactions, with particular reference to the Caucasus, but also to Central Asia, Crimea and the Volga region. Some aspects of this ‘Venetian school’ of Russian-Asian studies can be very useful, albeit counter-current, for present-day research on the Russian, Soviet and post-Soviet area.

Thirty Years of Studies on Russian Emigration to Italy

In the last thirty years, studies dedicated to Russian emigration have experienced significant growth. The fall of the Berlin Wall first, and later the collapse of the USSR, allowed scholars to freely access archives, describe and reconstruct the phenomenon from qualitative and quantitative perspectives, and form research groups and networks both nationally and internationally. This article focuses on Italian studies dedicated to Russian emigration in Italy, which, over the past thirty years, have also seen a notable flourishing thanks to the contributions of individual researchers and research groups. Russian studies in Italy have thus aligned with similar initiatives in other countries, developing international projects and research lines in various fields.

Дореволюционная женская литература в России и Китае

The aim of the research is to identify similarities and differences in women’s literature in Russia and China during the pre-revolutionary period (up to 1917 and 1911 respectively) through a comparative analysis. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that although there is a significant amount of works in Russian and Chinese literary studies dedicated to the phenomenon of women’s literature, these works mainly focus on the 20th and 21st centuries. Scholars have not paid sufficient attention to the study of women’s literature during the pre-revolutionary period. In addition, a comparative analysis of common features and differences between Russian and Chinese women’s literature in modern literary studies has not been thoroughly explored. As a result, the research indicates that the similarities between Russian and Chinese women’s literature during the pre-revolutionary period manifest themselves in the following aspects: the socio-cultural conditions of the formation and development of women’s creative work (unfavorable conditions), the social background of female authors (privileged classes), the predominant genre (poetry), themes (women’s issues), the literary image (women), and the characteristic features of women’s literature during the specified period (introverted thinking, autobiographism, and introspection). Additionally, the results confirm differences in the following aspects: forms of women’s participation in the literary process, the level of openness to cultural activities among female authors, the process of professionalization of literary work, and the influence of foreign culture.