Universal basic income as a regulator of increasing the standard and quality of life of citizens and society sustainability: problems and possible ways of their solution. discussion at the Russian-German international conference. Moscow. May 20, 2021

This paper examines international discourse borders regarding theoretical and practical problems of Universal basic income concept through the prism of the scientific discussion which took place in May 2021 at the International Scientific Russian-German Conference «Universal basic income as a regulatory measure for improvement of citizens’ standard and quality of life improvement and social sustainability: problems and possible solutions». The authors presented the digests of the speakers' speeches, which formed the scientific basis of the article devoted to the conceptualization of the phenomenon of universal basic income (UBI), scientific, political, and state aspects of the discourse on the implementation of UBI, the problems of introduction of UBI in transitional forms, the practice of the experimental introduction of UBI, modeling the consequences of the introduction of UBI, the impact of UBI on various aspects of life, etc. The materials of the above-mentioned Conference depict the main problematic edges of UBI concept exploration as well as implementation issues and allow to determine directions of further appliances. The most important ones are – search for country-specific transitional forms of UBI and instruments for its experimental approbation in order to improve quality of life and social sustainability of the society. The discussion at the Conference about the UBI concept is commented in the paper in the context of factual actions of Russian and German officials, ideas and suggestions of the international scientific community, and the need for a transition towards greater and complex UBI piloting, considering aspects examined in detail at the International BIEN Congress (August 2021), Glasgow, Scotland

Middle Triassic bivalve traces from central Europe (Muschelkalk, Anisian): overlooked burrows of a common ichnofabric

The ichnotaxonomy, producers and ethology of the bivalve trace fossil Oravaichnium Plička and Uhrová, 1990 are revised, and the mode of formation is discussed. The ichnogenus is compared with other mollusc trace fossils such as Protovirgularia, Lockeia and Ptychoplasma, as well as the common, cosmopolitan trace fossils Planolites and Palaeophycus, which are morphologically similar to Oravaichnium. A lectotype of Oravaichnium hrabei Plička and Uhrová, 1990 is defined and illustrated. Oravaichnium carinatum isp. nov. from the Middle Triassic of Poland and Germany is described and interpreted as a bivalve burrow. It differs from the relatively rare O. hrabei by a carinate rather than subquadrate cross section. However, O. carinatum isp. nov. shows a great variation of morphology and transitional forms with O. hrabei are common. Similarly, transitional forms of Oravaichnium with other bivalve ichnogenera, especially Protovirgularia, also occur. The studied Triassic ichnoassemblage clearly indicates that bivalve burrows are much more common than previously believed and are represented by repichnia, fodinichnia and cubichnia. The occurrence of similar ichnofabrics containing Oravaichnium in other Triassic succession of the Germanic and Tethys basins and elsewhere suggests a much wider distribution than hitherto known. It is evident that bivalves, most likely nuculids, participated greatly in bioturbation, and the Middle Triassic infaunalisation is one of the most important steps in Phanerozoic evolution of ichnocoenoses.

A comparison of the beginnings of exonym standardization in Croatian and Slovenian

This paper compares the beginnings of exonym standardization and some characteristics of the oldest exonyms in two similar Slavic languages, Croatian and Slovenian. It uses the comparative and exemplar methods. It is found that these processes were influenced by the sociopolitical environment of the time, especially language policies. It is shown that the nineteenth century was favorably inclined toward exonyms. They were often written inconsistently and unsystematically because there were no spelling norms for their writing and use. For some, the influences of foreign languages (German, Italian, etc.) are obvious. Numerous transitional forms also appeared, which did not become established.

The effect of a single inbreeding on the growth and development of fast-growing tree species, Betula pendula and Betula pubescens

The aim of the research is to study parameters of seed reproduction systems in Betula pendula and B. pubescens, find possibilities for producing viable inbred plants, and analyze their growth and development and hybrid heterosis at crossing the selected forms in generations F1 and I1. Differentiation in deciduous trees by self-fertility level was established. By this feature the progeny of different tree groups have different genetic and selection value depending on pollination method of parent trees: at open pollination the progeny of self-sterile and transitional forms (cross-pollinating) are the most fast-growing and resistant to unfavorable environmental factors, whereas at self-pollination – the progeny of self-fertile forms. Accordingly parent trees were classified into three groups: self-fertile, self-sterile and transitional forms. Frequency of self-fertile forms and preservation of inbred plants in downy birch are higher than the similar indicators in silver birch. Thus an ambiguous effect of closely related crossing in tree species on the growth and development of their seed progeny was revealed. The effect of inbreeding on some trees is positive, on other negative, and there is the third group, in which the growth deflections caused by inbreeding are inessential. Such trees are suggested for use in various selection programs.

Evolutionary Process from Mockina bidentata to Parvigondolella andrusovi: Evidence from the Pizzo Mondello Section, Sicily, Italy

During their last phase of evolution, the pectiniform conodont elements manifested an evident trend of simplification and miniaturization. This phase started from the late Norian (Sevatian) in the Late Triassic and the evolutionary process of genus Mockina to Parvigondolella, in particular between Mockina bidentata and Parvigondolella andrusovi, is one of the most significant examples. Parvigondolella has been reported worldwide since it was first described in the early 1970s. However, it has recently been suggested that genus Parvigondolella is an ecostratigraphic morphotype of genus Mockina, and thus a phenotype controlled by the environmental conditions, and not an independent taxon. In the Pizzo Mondello Section (Sicily, Italy), transitional forms between M. bidentata and P. andrusovi have been found at different evolutionary stages. We have investigated the oceanic conditions at the time by using redox-sensitive elements (Mn, Fe, V, Cr, and Ni) and seawater temperatures from biogenetic δ18Ophos to understand the possible environmental influences on the phylogenetic evolution between Mockina and Parvigondolella. The geochemical and isotope analyses indicate that the redox condition and temperature were stable during the evolution of genus Parvigondolella in Pizzo Mondello, confirming that genus Parvigondolella is a real taxon and not a phenotype. A new conodont species named Parvigondolella ciarapicae n. sp. is described here for the first time.

Russian Experts on Universal Basic Income: Estimates for 2020

The article presents the main results of a survey of Russian experts conducted in 2020 with the participation of the authors among representatives of the research community, leading universities, the business community, trade unions and state and municipal government bodies regarding the main theoretical and methodological aspects of the concept of universal basic income (UBI) in relation to Russian conditions, the feasibility of its introduction in Russia, as well as the main parameters of possible transitional forms of UBI for Russia. The palette of the obtained expert assessments, generalized and systematized in the following areas, is shown: 1) UBI criteria; 2) Russia's readiness for the introduction of UBI; 3) current challenges for Russia (priority goals of the introduction of UBI, forms of implementation, sources of funding, method of implementation, experiments on the introduction of UBI); 4) risks and positive effects of the introduction of UBI. It was revealed that a common position among experts regarding Russia's readiness to introduce UBI has not yet been formed: almost half of the interviewed experts spoke in favor of the feasibility of implementing transitional forms of UBI in our country, a slightly smaller group of experts believes that Russia is not ready to introduce UBI in principle. Experts associate the primary goals of the possible introduction of UBI in Russia, first of all, with the mitigation (overcoming) of the problems of poverty and socio-economic inequality, ensuring a minimum standard of living for vulnerable categories of the population, ensuring social justice (the right to life, equal opportunities). Support for the idea of implementing a pilot project (projects) for the introduction of UBI was revealed. The opinions of experts on the target categories of the population during the implementation of experiments on the introduction of UBI, the methods of their formation, and the duration of pilot projects were obtained.

The evolution of women’s sports career in the context of economic modernization in Russia: Factors and trends

The article examines the features of the evolution of women’s sports career from the ideology of sports in the USSR up to the modern realities of the Russian Federation. The pattern of the state support and motivation of the population to go in for sports were traced. The main attention was paid to the factors and conditions that determine the transition from the traditional type of career to a number of transitional forms that are taking hold in today’s difficult conditions of economic modernization of Russian society.

Morpho-functional changes of cardiac telocytes in isolated atrial amyloidosis in patients with atrial fibrillation

Telocytes are interstitial cells with long, thin processes by which they contact each other and form a network in the interstitium. Myocardial remodeling of adult patients with different forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs with an increase in fibrosis, age-related isolated atrial amyloidosis (IAA), cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and myolysis. This study aimed to determine the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features of cardiac telocytes in patients with AF and AF + IAA. IAA associated with accumulation of atrial natriuretic factor was detected in 4.3–25% biopsies of left (LAA) and 21.7–41.7% of right (RAA) atrial appendage myocardium. Telocytes were identified at ultrastructural level more often in AF + IAA, than in AF group and correlated with AF duration and mitral valve regurgitation. Telocytes had ultrastructural signs of synthetic, proliferative, and phagocytic activity. Telocytes corresponded to CD117+, vimentin+, CD34+, CD44+, CD68+, CD16+, S100-, CD105- immunophenotype. No significant differences in telocytes morphology and immunophenotype were found in patients with various forms of AF. CD68-positive cells were detected more often in AF + IAA than AF group. We assume that in aged AF + IAA patients remodeling of atrial myocardium provoked transformation of telocytes into “transitional forms” combining the morphological and immunohistochemical features with signs of fibroblast-, histiocyte- and endotheliocyte-like cells.

Poirierite, a dense metastable polymorph of magnesium iron silicate in shocked meteorites

A dense magnesium iron silicate polymorph with a structure intermediate between olivine, ringwoodite, and wadsleyite was theoretically predicted about four decades ago. As this group of minerals constitute the major component of shocked meteorites, constraining their transitional forms and behaviour is of potential importance for understanding impact events on their parent bodies. Here we use high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses to identify naturally occurring examples of this mineral – recently named poirierite – in shocked chondritic meteorites. We observe nanoscale lamellar poirierite topotactically intergrown within wadsleyite, and additionally within ringwoodite as recently reported. Our results confirm the intermediate structure of poirierite and suggest it might be a relay point in the shear transformations between its polymorphs. We propose that poirierite formed during rapid decompression at relatively low temperature in retrograde shock metamorphism of the meteorites.