"Soft power" as a Concept: a Critical Analysis

The focus of the article is on current discussions on the heuristic significance of the "soft power" concept, examines the socio-political and philosophical foundations of the phenomenon, and states the de-Americanization of the soft power discourse and the related changes in the behavior of the new "soft power" actors.The theoretical basis of the article is the conceptual interpretation of the concept of "power" proposed by Joseph Nye as an alternative to Realistic and Neo-Realistic models of power relations in modern world politics. Nye singled out coercion, influence and attractiveness as equivalent dimensions of force.The research methodology is based on formal-logical and content-logical methods.The research procedure first of all is built around the typology of criticism of "soft power" as a concept and the prospects for its overcoming.In the analysis of the results, it is noted that Nye in the concept of "soft power" had verified the accents of modern socio-philosophical and political-philosophical approaches in relation to the power-discourse of international relations. It is predicted that the theoretical comprehension of the "soft power" will develop, as its use by states will continue. First, it concerns "rising forces" (such as China and India).In conclusion, it is emphasized that the ability of the state to compete globally in three areas (economic growth, military technological development and value-cultural impact) allows us to talk about it in terms of full power, which is impossible without resorting to the complex phenomenon of "soft power", questions of national identity in a new way and to the non-material grounds of the state.

Ellipsoidal Head Rules: A Comparison Between ASME Section VIII, Divisions 1 and 2

In ASME Section VIII, Division 1, rules are provided for calculating the thickness of 2:1 ellipsoidal heads in UG-32. UG-32(c) also states that “an acceptable approximation of a 2:1 ellipsoidal head is a torispherical head with a spherical radius of 0.9D and a knuckle radius of 0.17D”. However, calculating the thickness of a torispherical head with those “equivalent” dimensions results in a thicker head. This result is inherently inconsistent, which starts to bring into question the so-called equivalency. Code Case 2260 further perpetuates this equivalency by providing alternative rules for calculating the thickness of torispherical heads, and then permitting the engineer to calculate 2:1 ellipsoidal heads implementing this 90-17 equivalency. Additionally, the calculation methodology for a 2:1 ellipsoidal head in ASME Section VIII, Division 2 uses the torispherical head calculation methodologies and directly implements this 90-17 equivalency. However, this calculation method results, for the same allowable stress basis, in a completely different thickness from the above three methods. This paper reviews the past 90+ years of work on this topic, and presents some theoretical treatment of the different head geometries. A review of the current Code rules is presented, with a comparison of results for several sizes. A survey of head fabricators is presented to show the actual geometries produced for use in ASME pressure vessels. Finally, conclusions regarding whether or not the 2:1 ellipsoidal head is in fact equivalent to the 90-17 torispherical head are presented, and recommendations for future revisions to both ASME Section VIII, Division1 and Division 2 are provided.

A genosonic analysis of ISIL and US counter-extremism video messages

Analyses of extremist video messages typically focus on their discursive content. Using the case of ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), this study instead draws upon the emerging subfield of genosonic analysis to understand the allure of extremist videos, as well as the ineffectiveness of US video messages designed to ‘counter violent extremism’ (CVE). Through a genosonic analysis of three high-profile ISIL videos and five popular US State Department CVE videos, the study advances two concepts – sonorous communality and sonic unmaking – to help explain ISIL’s appeal. The lack of equivalent dimensions in US CVE videos renders them sonically sterile in comparison to those of ISIL. The implications of this analysis for scholarship and practice conducted at the intersection of media, war and conflict are discussed.

Redetermination of the structure of tetrakis(acetonitrilo)silver(I) perchlorate at 173 K

The title compound contains three independent formula units. There is a large spread of values for chemically equivalent dimensions, notably in the cations, which display tetrahedral coordination at silver; Ag–N 2.228(4)–2.315(5) [av.2.266] Å, N–Ag–N 104.6(2)–115.7(2) [av. 109.6]°.

Concept of Ego Strength in Psychotherapy

The concept is discussed of how ego strength and equivalent dimensions of the term have been developed by well known contributors to psychotherapeutic literature and theory. A case is made for the translation of these dimensions, which include motivation and psychological mindedness, into operational terms and into items which are descriptive of the notion of personal and social competence. This has been done to provide guidelines for the assessment of patients for an optimal psychotherapy. A rationale for the inclusion for each item is constructed from the observations of experienced psychotherapists and research workers.