Normative study of 500 general-knowledge for true-false questions in Russian

In this report we present Russian norms for 500 general knowledge questions in True-False format. The questions cover the topics of Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Culture and Sports. For each of the questions we report accuracy and confidence.

Proposals for Determining the Relative Deformations Design Value of εb3 Concrete in Volumetric Deformation Conditions

The article presents the studies’ results on the deformability and strength of reinforced concrete racks reinforced with composite materials with the characteristics stretching beyond the limits established by the norms of Russia, namely: the λh structures flexibility exceeding the value 15, the ratio of the cross-section sides equal to 1.5 and the eccentricity of the load application e0 exceeding 0.1h. The results of the tested racks calculations are analyzed according to BC 164.1325800.2014, which in some cases confirmed the inexpediency of using composite materials. However, according to the results of our experiment, an increase in the strength of a number of racks with the characteristics that go beyond the recommended standards was found. The purpose of this study is to check the methodology for calculating Russian norms for the compressed reinforced concrete elements, the parameters of which are outside the limits recommended by the norms, to develop proposals for improving the calculation based on the obtained experimental data and to determine the concrete deformability effect on the change in bearing capacity. The article discusses flexible struts, reinforced with composite materials, located in the transverse direction. The experimental data results on the deformability of concrete and the strength of struts reinforced in the transverse direction are presented. The calculation methodology, compiled in accordance with Russian standards, the calculation results of which are the theoretical values ​​of the deformability of concrete and the strength of the racks, is considered. After comparison, a significant underestimation of the theoretical strengths and a mismatch in the struts’ concrete deformations were revealed. It was found that the change in compressive deformations of concrete depends on the external composite reinforcement. Theoretical values , calculated according to the current standards, have significant discrepancies with the experimental ones. Based on the experiments’ results analysis, in the methodology of norms for calculating the ultimate compressive deformations of concrete the suggestions that take into account the type and percentage of composite reinforcement and ensure a good agreement between experimental and theoretical values have been made. After the introduction of the coefficient into normative calculation, new data on the theoretical strength of the struts were obtained, which showed significantly better convergence with the experimental data.

Vatican Psalter Vat. slav. 8: Paleographic, linguistic, and textual features of the manuscript

The article describes the graphic and orthographic features of the unique Old Russian Psalter stored in the Vatican Apostolic Library (under the code Vat. slav. 8). This codex has practically not attracted the attention of researchers because it was difficult to access. It is now available on the Internet and can be fully studied. The Psalter was written by a highly qualified scribe who developed a special font for his manuscript — a half-letter, built following certain principles as the study showed. The orthography of the manuscript is focused on the ancient Russian norms of the 16th century. However, it has very important innovations: superscripts appear that imitate a slight Greek aspiration, as well as the writing of omega and “uk” in the South Slavic manner. The localization and dating of the manuscript have been clarified. It was written no earlier than the 1420s as evidenced by the special “bead” initials, as well as the spelling of omega with a high center. Some features of the Central Russian dialect can be traced in the scribe’s writing. The codex was brought to Italy by Metropolitan Isidore who fled from Moscow (from the Chudov Monastery) in September 1441 with many other Greek and Slavonic manuscripts. As a result, this Manuscript can be associated with the scribes of this monastery. A small format of the Vat. slav. 8 suggests that this was a travel book. Apparently, the scribe created this manuscript for personal needs. He included a number of rare church services in the codex, in particular, the unique Tuesday church service of the akathist of the Blessed Virgin Mary according to the charter of Mount Athos.

The Effect of Instructed Second Language Learning on the Acoustic Properties of First Language Speech

This paper reports on a comprehensive phonetic study of American classroom learners of Russian, investigating the influence of the second language (L2) on the first language (L1). Russian and English productions of 20 learners were compared to 18 English monolingual controls focusing on the acoustics of word-initial and word-final voicing. The results demonstrate that learners’ Russian was acoustically different from their English, with shorter voice onset times (VOTs) in [−voice] stops, longer prevoicing in [+voice] stops, more [−voice] stops with short lag VOTs and more [+voice] stops with prevoicing, indicating a degree of successful L2 pronunciation learning. Crucially, learners also demonstrated an L1 phonetic change compared to monolingual English speakers. Specifically, the VOT of learners’ initial English voiceless stops was shortened, indicating assimilation with Russian, while the frequency of prevoicing in learners’ English was decreased, indicating dissimilation with Russian. Word-final, the duration of preceding vowels, stop closures, frication, and voicing during consonantal constriction all demonstrated drift towards Russian norms of word-final voicing neutralization. The study confirms that L2-driven phonetic changes in L1 are possible even in L1-immersed classroom language learners, challenging the role of reduced L1 use and highlighting the plasticity of the L1 phonetic system.

THE PHENOMENON OF DUALITY (BINARITY) IN THE HISTORICAL AND LEGAL TOPOI OF ANTIENT RUSSIA

Предметом анализа статьи является дуальность/бинарность русского правового дискурса в историко-культурном пространстве Руси. Автор исходит из того факта, что в отличие от королевств Западной Европы становление русской правовой традиции было обусловлено отсутствием у русских книжников интереса к абстрактному теоретическому мышлению, в связи с чем византийские юридические кодексы не могли быть освоены и воспринимались как «елинские борзости». По мнению автора, возникновение и становление русской правовой традиции необходимо рассматривать сквозь призму бинарности русской культуры. Это проявилось в диглоссии правового дискурса русичей. Памятники правовой мысли Руси можно четко разделить по сферам регламентации исходя из языка, на котором они были написаны. Собственно русское протоправо было записано на русском языке, в то время как византийские юридические кодексы переводились на церковнославянский язык. Византийское право использовалось в церковных судах для регламентирования отношений церковных людей и для регулирования области администрирования, традиционные же русские нормы (Русская Правда) задействовались в сфере повседневной жизни. Данная дуальность определяла облик русского правового дискурса вплоть до XVII в. The subject of the article's analysis is the duality/binary of the Russian legal discourse in the historical and cultural space of Russia. Russian legal tradition was formed in contrast to the kingdoms of Western Europe due to the lack of interest in abstract theoretical thinking among Russian scribes, which is why the Byzantine legal codes could not be mastered and were perceived as «ellin sophistications». Russian legal tradition should be viewed through the prism of the binary nature of Russian culture, according to the author. This was manifested in the diglossia of the legal discourse of the Rus. Monuments of legal thought of Russia can be clearly divided into areas of regulation based on the language in which they were written. Russian proto-law was written in Russian, while the Byzantine legal codes were translated into Church Slavonic. Byzantine law was used in Church courts to regulate the relations of Church people and to regulate the field of administration, while traditional Russian norms (Rиsskaya Pravda) were used in the sphere of everyday life. This duality defined the appearance of Russian legal discourse until the 17th century.

Modernization changes and economic stability of Russia during globalization of world economy

Modernization is a special form of development of society, development of technology and economy is the cornerstone of modernization. However, this development is not evolutionary, but revolutionary, accompanied with rather fast institutional transformations. Besides, modernization should be considered as a problem which covers, first of all, the sphere of economy but which cannot be studied and solved without interaction practically with all directions of activity of the person and society. Modernization models taking into account mental and civilization features of Russia are analyzed. The changes connected with globalization changes in world economy and resistance to these changes of the Russian social and economic institutes are considered. Need of coordination of processes of social and economic transformations with set of informal institutes of the Russian society is emphasized. On the basis of the carried-out analysis the conclusion about existence of various ways of further economic development is drawn. Russian norms and traditions, being integrated with the chosen elements of the western institutional environment, will create conditions for sustained economic growth. Thus, transition to essentially new concept of economic development of the country will be made.

Russian norms for 500 general-knowledge questions

Normative studies are needed to ensure adequate experimental control. Complex materials such as general-knowledge questions are specially critical because general knowledge can differ enormously from one country to another. In this study we aimed to normativize 500 general-knowledge questions in Russia. Currently there are banks of normative questions in several languages and countries, such as English-USA and Spanish-Spain, but there are no such databases in Russian. We selected 500 questions covering diverse topics and asked 103 participants to answer them by selecting one alternative out of four. They were then asked to rate their confidence in their selection. We provide the statistics for the entire sample group and for female and male participants. This work constitutes the first attempt to create a Russian database of general-knowledge questions. This database can be used to better control experimental conditions in Psychology and Neuroscience experiments.

Arched Vaults Made of Corrugated Sheets: Natural Vibration Frequencies

According to the recent Russian norms, when designing building structures, it is necessary to conduct a dynamic analysis of wind loads, which previously was required not in all cases. In arched vaults of profiled arched self-supporting flooring, it was not always necessary to determine the frequencies and forms of natural vibrations. These parameters can be established using the finite element method. Taking into consideration the complex and lengthy modeling process of arched vaults, in particular the contact areas in regular transverse joints, a large number of finite elements in the models and, as a consequence, considerable time for their calculation, it was necessary to identify a sufficient level of detailing of a finite element model for correct calculations of frequencies and forms of vibrations considered in the operation of structures. The influence of the detailing of the finite element model of arched vaults made of profiled flooring on the determination of their natural frequency is revealed. To substantiate the parameters of the finite element model, it was studied how the results of the calculation was influenced by edge effects, the presence of friction in the joints of corrugations of the profiled flooring, the influence of rubber gaskets in the joints on the work of the arched vault. Much attention is paid to the features of the design scheme associated with the choice of the number of sheets of profiled flooring, taking into account the contact nodes, friction forces, etc. It is established that the first vibration frequency is little dependent on the number of sheets of corrugated flooring and the presence of rubber gaskets in the joints. For subsequent frequencies, the difference can be significant.