Monitoring library and information services at Central Scientific Agricultural Library

The findings of monitoring of repertoire of and demand for library and information services (document, reference, bibliographic awareness, cultural and educational services) are discussed. The mentioned services are available through the CSAL website. The types and forms of services are analyzed, their place and demand for them are discussed. The focus is made on the online services providing access of in-house information resources, e. g. e-libraries, e-catalogs, virtual exhibitions, etc. The terminological analysis of services titles as compared to the new national standard of library information services was executed. It was revealed that the services titles meet the standardized terms and definitions. The degrees of demand for difference services are estimated as active, fluctuating and decreasing. To improve library and bibliographic services and information support of science for agro-industrial complex, the authors recommend: to study products and services of unstable and decreasing demand, to load explicit list of services in the Information Services section, to design scientist personal accounts, to make it possible for the users to take part in selecting documents for digitization and to receive e-newsletter on new library acquisitions, etc. The authors conclude that CSAL provide the wide range of library information services which is essential to increase accessibility and friendliness of Library-generated information products, to improve information support of research in agricultural industries. The findings will be used in planning user library and information services. It is imperative that user services are monitored and user demands are analyzed.

Regional Economic Growth and R&D Costs

Innovations can help Russia to achieve economic growth. However, the R&D sector that produces these innovations totally depends on funding. The article introduces an analysis of the trends in R&D funding in Russia. Regional funds for financial support of research, technical, and innovative activities seem to be an effective tool that will eventually contribute to the economic growth. The research objective was to identify the relationship between R&D funding and economic growth. A review of scientific publications revealed some theoretical aspects behind the effect of R&D costs on other indicators of economic growth. A cluster analysis made it possible to identify some regions where the relationship between R&D expenditures and indicators of economic growth are most pronounced. The study can help regional authorities to plan local budgets and achieve economic growth for their regions.

Factors determining connection between teaching deficiencies and students’ learning outcomes

Introduction. The article addresses the problem of assessing teachers’ professional deficiencies. The purpose of the research is to identify the essential factors determining the connection between teachers’ professional deficiencies and learning outcomes of schoolchildren. Materials and Methods. In order to study the relationship between teachers’ professional deficiencies and schoolchildren’s learning outcomes, the authors have developed a model of teachers’ professional deficiencies and followed a comprehensive research approach. The sample consisted of 3375 teachers who were interviewed. The authors analyzed the results of National Examinations (the Unified State Exams) of higher educational institutions applicants from 50 municipalities of the region. The method of factor analysis revealed a stable system of latent properties of teachers’ professional deficiencies affecting learning outcomes. The materials and methods that formed the basis of this study were obtained with the support of Krasnoyarsk Regional Fund for the Support of Research and Scientific-Technical Activities within the framework of the project “Comprehensive study of professional shortcomings and difficulties of teachers of the Krasnoyarsk Territory”. Results. The research findings consist in the developed system of factors obtained by indirect measurements. The content structure and characteristics of teachers’ professional deficiencies determining teaching effectiveness are revealed. It has been established that the selected groups of factors have a specific representation in each subject area. The results of teaching students in various subjects depend on the specifics of teachers’ professional deficiencies. The identified set of factors in the subject areas of “Mathematics”, “Literature”, “History”, “English” has a complex structure of the selected properties and is more diverse than in “Russian”, “Social Studies” and “Biology”. It is established that the theoretical model of teachers’ professional deficits has its own subject expression. Conclusions. Conclusions are drawn about the stability of the identified system of latent properties of teachers’ professional deficiencies, on which the results of schoolchildren's education depend. The authors emphasize that the established connection between teachers’ professional deficiencies and the results of schoolchildren's education contributes to the development of professional development programs and can become the main work of professional development centers for educators.

Coleção de Vetores de Tripanosomatídeos (Fiocruz/COLVET) held at the institution Fiocruz Minas in Brazil: diversity of Triatominae (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) and relevance for research, education, and entomological surveillance

The Coleção de Vetores de Tripanosomatídeos (Fiocruz/COLVET), Minas Gerais, Brazil, stands out as one of the most important collections of blood-sucking triatomines, the vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi that causes Chagas disease. The aim is to describe the collection and the services it provides to support scientific research, educational activities, and entomological surveillance between 2013–2019.The data associated with the specimens held in Fiocruz/COLVET is available from the Sistema de Informação sobre a Biodiversidade Brasileira (SiBBr). These specimen metadata were analyzed and either tabulated or plotted on graph and maps. The records of services provided by the collection between 2013–2019 were also categorized and analyzed. There are 12,568 triatomine specimens deposited in the collection that belong to 77 species and 11 genera, from 15 American countries. Of the ~ 65 species of triatomines found in Brazil, 38 (57.6%) are present in the collection, including specimens from all biomes and all but three Brazilian states. The occurrence of Triatoma costalimai, Triatoma lenti, Rhodnius nasutus, and Panstrongylus lenti apparently collected beyond their known distribution ranges are reported and discussed. The collection provided 168 services, supporting educational activities (41.7%), scientific research (35.7%), and regional/national entomological surveillance of triatomines (22.6%). Between the years 2014 and 2020, the number of biological specimens deposited in the Fiocruz/COLVET repository increased from 4,778 to 12,568 triatomine specimens. In addition to its great value to biodiversity conservation, the collection is of great importance because of its support of research and educational activities, and contributions to entomological surveillance, and, therefore, to public health.

Translating Psychedelic Therapies From Clinical Trials to Community Clinics: Building Bridges and Addressing Potential Challenges Ahead

Research exploring the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies to treat a range of mental illnesses is flourishing, after the problematic sociopolitical history of psychedelics led to the shutdown of clinical research for almost 40 years. Encouraged by positive results, clinicians and patients are now hopeful that further interruptions to research will be avoided, so that the early promise of these therapies might be fulfilled. At this early stage of renewed interest, researchers are understandably focusing more on clinical trials to investigate safety and efficacy, than on longer-term goals such as progression to community practice. Looking to identify and avoid potential pitfalls on the path to community clinics, the authors, a group of Australian clinicians and researchers, met to discuss possible obstacles. Five broad categories of challenge were identified: 1) inherent risks; 2) poor clinical practice; 3) inadequate infrastructure; 4) problematic perceptions; and 5) divisive relationships and fractionation of the field. Our analysis led us to propose some strategies, including public sector support of research and training to establish best practice and optimize translation, and funding to address issues of equitable access to treatment. Above all, we believe that strategic planning and professional cohesion will be crucial for success. Accordingly, our key recommendation is the establishment of a multidisciplinary advisory body, broadly endorsed and representing all major stakeholders, to guide policy and implementation of psychedelic-assisted therapies in Australia. Although these challenges and strategies are framed within the Australian context, we sense that they may generalize to other parts of the world. Wherever they apply, we believe that anticipation of potential difficulties, and creative responses to address them, will be important to avoid roadblocks in the future and keep the “psychedelic renaissance” on track.

ABOUT DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS OF ELEMENTARY CLASSES TEACHERS TO PEDAGOGICALLY SUPPORT THE RESEARCH (PROJECT) ACTIVITY OF STUDENTS

An analysis of the literature and the practice of forming a teacher’s own skills to organize and accompany research (project) activities indicates significant difficulties that he encounters in his daily activities. The insufficient level of scientific and theoretical knowledge, methodological and methodological training does not allow the teacher to successfully set and independently solve the problems of accompanying students in the educational process. Many teachers experience significant difficulties in organizing and supporting research activities: initiating and defining a research topic, formulating a scientific apparatus, preparing tools for collecting information and conducting an experiment. The article substantiates the conditions for the development of teacher’s skills to organize and carry out pedagogical support of research and project activities of primary school students. These conditions contribute to the formation of these skills of a primary school teacher, especially since the system of continuous teacher education provides significant opportunities for this. The described work carried out based on the ideas of cooperation pedagogy, stimulating productive interaction of community members, which contributes to the development of the qualities necessary for pedagogical support of students’ activities.

Biotechnology commercialization in Europe

European biotechnology was mapped for research and commercialisation from various information sources. Social and economical benefits from technology transfer in biotechnology are clearly visible in those European countries where proper attention is given to bioscience entrepreneurship education alongside with scientific base creation and spin-off development. Successful bioscience commercialisation is a result of a coordinated support of research and specific commercialisation programmes leading to spinoff establishment and industry partnership.

Applications of Biopolymers for Drugs and Probiotics Delivery

Research regarding the use of biopolymers has been of great interest to scientists, the medical community, and the industry especially in recent years. Initially used for food applications, the special properties extended their use to the pharmaceutical and medical industries. The practical applications of natural drug encapsulation materials have emerged as a result of the benefits of the use of biopolymers as edible coatings and films in the food industry. This review highlights the use of polysaccharides in the pharmaceutical industries and as encapsulation materials for controlled drug delivery systems including probiotics, focusing on their development, various applications, and benefits. The paper provides evidence in support of research studying the use of biopolymers in the development of new drug delivery systems, explores the challenges and limitations in integrating polymer-derived materials with product delivery optimization, and examines the host biological/metabolic parameters that can be used in the development of new applications.

STRATEGIC VECTORS OF FUNCTIONING OF THE FINANCIAL MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

The article presents the strategic guidelines of the financial mechanism for state regulation of the domestic agricultural sector development: state regulation methods of the agricultural sector development do not directly relate to this sphere, but affect the efficiency of its operation; protection of agricultural producers in the domestic market, stimulation of the export of agricultural products and food, promotion of the creation of a single agricultural market, creation of favorable conditions for import of machinery and technologies that increase the competitiveness of domestic agricultural producers; development of the regulatory framework for the functioning of the agricultural sector of the country; improvement of land relations; ensuring the development of production infrastructure, which involves the allocation of public funds for long-term activities: subsidies for the construction of farm buildings, land reclamation, as well as promotion of the establishment of farmers' associations; development of integration processes in the agricultural sector; promotion of the intensification of investment processes in agriculture; provision of commodity producers with agricultural machinery, development and improvement of leasing activities; regulation of rational use of natural resources; regulation and support of research activities. The financial mechanism of state regulation of the development of the agricultural sector in Ukraine is represented by a set of organizational and functional institutions, among which public authorities occupy a prominent place. The basic and determining institution for the agricultural sector development in Ukraine is the institution of the state, which covers the system of legislative, executive and judicial authorities, functioning of which affects all components of public life. Key words: agricultural sector, financial mechanism, state regulation, development, financial and credit policy