Internal contradictions will dog Bulgarian coalition

Significance Claiming that 30-40% of advance payments for the much-delayed Hemus motorway had been transferred to the Citizens for Bulgaria’s European Development (GERB) party, Rashkov refused to provide specifics in case the prosecutor’s office leaked them to GERB. The party threatened to sue Rashkov for defamation. Impacts The new government is in a race against time, as it needs to show some success in the coming months before disappointment sets in. Worries about presidential influence over the government are overshadowing memories of Borisov’s mismanagement. The new government faces a legacy of mistrust towards Brussels and Washington in large sections of Bulgarian society.

Public servants working from home: Exploring managers’ changing allowance decisions in a COVID-19 context

Before the COVID-19 pandemic forced large sections of the workforce to work from home, the uptake of working from home in the public sector had been limited and subject to the discretion or ‘allowance decisions’ of individual managers. Allowance decisions are influenced by factors at the organisational, group and individual levels. This research examines managers’ allowance decisions on working from home at each of these levels. It compares two qualitative datasets: one exploring managerial attitudes to working from home in 2018 and another dataset collected in mid-2020, as Australia transitioned out of the initial pandemic lockdown. The findings suggest a change in the factors influencing managers’ allowance decisions. We have identified a new factor at the organisational level, in the form of local organisational criteria. At the group level, previous concerns about employee productivity largely vanished, and managers experienced an epiphany that working from home could be productive. At the individual level, a new form of managerial discretion emerged as managers attempted to reassert authority over employees working remotely. These levels intersect, and we conclude that allowance decisions are fluid and not made solely by managers but are the result of the interactions between the organisational, group and individual levels. JEL Codes J81, J32

L. V. ALEKSEEV’S PERSONAL PAPERS IN THE IA RAS ARCHIVES

В статье представлен обзор личного фонда историка и археолога, специалиста по истории и культуре Западной Руси Л. В. Алексеева (Научно-отраслевой архив ИА РАН, Ф-52). Фонд состоит из трех больших разделов, включающих археологические экспедиционные материалы по раскопкам и разведкам Л. В. Алексеева за период с 1951 по 1989 г. на территории Белоруссии, Смоленской и Псковской областей, рабочие материалы к публикациям и личные документы. Значительный раздел фонда составляют материалы и документы учителя и друга Л. В. Алексеева -историка и археолога, академика АН СССР, профессора Б. А. Рыбакова. В совокупности данные фонда дополняют сведения о биографии и становлении научного пути Л. В. Алексеева и позволят будущим исследователям расширить представление о деятельности ученого. The paper provides an overview of personal papers of L. V. Alekseev, a historian, an archaeologist and a specialist on history and culture of Western Russia (Scientific Archives of the Institute of Archaeology, RAS, fond-52). The fond is composed of three large sections that include materials from archaeological expeditions and surveys conducted by L. V. Alekseev in 1951-1989 in Belorussia, the Smolensk and the Pskov regions; working materials for publications; and personal documents. Materials and documents of professor B. A. Rybakov, a historian, an archaeologist, a member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, who was L. V. Alekseev’s teacher and a friend, is another large part of this fond. The data of the fond complement information on biography and scientific career of L. V. Alekseev and will help future researchers expand their knowledge of the scholar’s activities.

Who Watches Cricket?

Vidya Subramaniam explores the spectacle of sports in all its dimensions. She interrogates the role of media, technology and market in recent times, through the continuing transformation of cricket into its current form as a hugely marketable, visible entertainment entity, or in other words, a spectacle. While the popular opinion is that this new version of cricket on television and the use of technology in so many aspects of the sport is in fact making for a larger knowledgeable spectators, the author argues the opposite. It may well be that the emphasis on the ‘entertainment quotient’ of the sport is attracting audiences that had started moving away from the sport and may not be knowledgeable about the game. More importantly, in keeping with the dominant thread in sports sociology that a sport can whip up a frenzy much like war, new formats of cricket such as the Indian Premier League are structured to showcase nationalism. The main motivation of large sections of those who follow IPL, the author argues, is country above all else and not a passion for the sport.

COVID-19 and Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific: Projected Costs for 2020–2030

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, this working paper applies a new costing model to analyze the costs associated with social protection in 30 Asia and Pacific countries. Using the Social Protection Reform Simulation (SPRS20) model, the authors seek to estimate the cost of delivering standardized social protection packages through the emergency (2020), recovery/transition (2021–2023), and the remaining duration for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (2024–2030). This paper anticipates further demand and need for social protection for considerably large sections of the population. It aims to foster further research and discussion on social protection in Asia and the Pacific and aid countries in strategizing for the future.

Tumor Budding Score Is a Strong and Independent Prognostic Factor in Patients With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: An Evaluation of Whole Slide Pathology Images of Large Sections

ObjectiveWe aimed to develop the tumor budding (TB) score and to explore the association between the TB score and overall survival (OS) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).MethodsIn this retrospective study, 130 consecutive patients with PDAC underwent surgical resection between July 2016 and March 2019. The location and counts of TB were assessed based on the digitalized whole slide hematoxylin and eosin images. The TB score was achieved using the Cox regression equation. The cutoff point for the TB score was determined by X-tile. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze the association between the TB score and OS.ResultsThe TB score was 0.49 (range = 0–1.08), and the best cutoff for the TB score was 0.62. The duration of survival in individuals with a low TB score [median = 21.8 months, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 15.43–25.50] was significantly longer than that in those with a high TB score (median = 11.33 months, 95% CI = 9.8–14.22). Univariate analysis revealed that the TB score was significantly associated with OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.48–4.96, p = 0.001]. Multivariate analysis revealed a strong and independent association between the TB score and OS (HR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.27–4.33, p = 0.03). The high TB score group had a 2.14 times higher mortality than the low TB score group.ConclusionThe TB score is strongly and independently associated with the risk of OS in PDAC.

Groups of mobile cellular service stations for operational radio communication tasks in remote areas

The authors of the article consider solutions needed to organize mobile cellular communication systems in remote areas. Modern mobile stations do not have the capability to overcome marshy areas, steppe, heavily rugged reliefs of the desert, water barriers and forests. Moreover, the coverage area from one base station is not highly localized (radio coverage area is not significant). Furthermore, modern mobile communication facilities have poor autonomy. The article proposes measures for an operational organization of cellular communications in large remote areas with a coverage radius of a medium-sized city. Article also considers the issues posed by a temporary organization of communication service in large sections near important locations (pipelines, riverbeds, transport and railway lines). The need for such an operational usage of mobile communication systems is most associated with geological exploration and scientific research in large remote areas and large areas with a damaged communication system due to natural emergencies or military operations.

The Envirolution Revolution: Raising Awareness of Climate Change Creatively Through Free and Accessible Community Engagement Festivals

HighlightsThe use of Freirean praxis and pedagogy is a powerful lens to use in understanding, and advancing, impactful place-based climate action. Using non-judgemental and holistic approaches, free community festivals have the capacity to engage large sections of society and therefore have the potential to mobilise shifts towards societal change.

Formation, consequences and ways of reducing the state debt of Ukraine

Introduction. In the current realities of Ukraine, this problem affects all segments of society. The article reflects the peculiarities of the formation, the main consequences of the debt and the directions of its reduction. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the volume, identify the peculiarities of the formation, highlight the consequences and justify ways to reduce Ukraine's public debt. Results. The study focuses on the importance of public debt and its impact on economic development. It is emphasized that one of the significant problems is the significant cost of. The dynamics of public debt of Ukraine during 2014–2020 is analyzed. According to the results of the analysis, the signs of dynamism, currency comparison, proportionality of external and internal debt are determined. The positive and negative consequences of the debt are substantiated with the corresponding argumentation. The essence of the positive consequences is the possibility of maintaining Ukraine's gold and foreign exchange balance at a reliable level in compliance with the necessary settlement standards and promoting the stability of the national currency. In addition, it is important formation of a positive image of Ukraine as a country with a stable financial system. The negative consequences are manifested in the fact that significant amounts of debt cause the allocation of budget funds for its maintenance, which is a burden on the implementation of economic and social programs. Negative processes are also being formed in society, as the conditions for providing the next tranches, especially from the International Monetary Fund, affect social problems and do not always find understanding in large sections of society. Relationships with international creditors, in particular the International Monetary Fund, and governments of other countries were assessed. Proposals for debt reduction have been developed with a recommendation to implement measures for the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, relevant ministries of production and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Conclusion. The peculiarities of public debt formation are revealed in the work, its influence on the economy of Ukraine is determined and substantiated proposals on reduction of its volumes are developed.

Learning To Live With A New Minimum

<p><b>Many of the issues that plague society are a consequence of the way we live and build. Preferences for large sections and spacious homes have led to a series of complications at both individual and communal levels, which can be resolved by adopting housing typologies that are responsive to modern issues and lifestyles. Wide spread low-density housing has formed sprawling suburbs, consuming most buildable land resources and increasing its value, culminating in significant affordability issues. This style of living constructs highly private individual residences, creating isolated communities by discouraging pedestrian activity and limiting opportunity for social interaction.</b></p> <p>Internationally, smaller living environments have been successfully implemented for many decades to reduce the effect of urban sprawl and its ramifications, however this is yet to be realised in New Zealand at an impactful scale. Accommodating our living preferences in medium-high density environments presents a challenge that this research will explore. Although apartment typologies are a solution to density issues, they require residents to adapt to unfamiliar living circumstances, and have struggled to grow in popularity.</p> <p>Smaller homes on compact sites have the potential to facilitate community and ease resource and affordability issues, whilst providing a strong connection to the external environment, an aspect that many New Zealander’s seek.</p> <p>The research is tested on a site in Featherston, a small satellite town less than hour's train ride from Wellington. Intensification of satellite towns and city fringes is key to sustainably easing housing demands and generating supportive communities. The design tests the research at varying scales; how private buildings are designed, how the space between them is designed, and how the wider urban environment is designed to collectively achieve a desirable housing alternative that is responsive to New Zealand’s housing issues and preferences.</p> <p>An understanding of accommodating functional and psychological needs of housing and the role of common facilities is at the forefront of this research, as it ensures the homes have the ability to be occupied long-term. This was investigated through precedents, design testing and background theory research over four design phases, which examine private spaces, public spaces, and the areas in between.</p> <p>This research demonstrates that dense, small home communities can offer a more desirable housing alternative than traditional forms, and incidentally provide inherent solutions for New Zealand housing.</p>