The results of the implementation of promising areas of construction of low-rise buildings are presented. The problems of improving the environmental safety and financial stability of agricultural construction through the introduction of effective systems, ensuring energy saving, creating comfortable conditions in the premises are considered. It is noted that in recent years, special attention has been paid to the environmental safety of the materials used and to reducing the negative environmental impact of systems using these materials. The rationale is given that the thermal resistance of the system should be based not only on the use of materials with low thermal conductivity, but also should offer a reasonable minimization of the joints between the products included in the insulation shells, as well as between the materials and the frame. In constructions with the use of polyurethane foam, a seamless insulation shell is formed, which has a high thermal stability. The low permeability of steam and wind and the moisture conductivity of polyurethane foam allows you to do without an additional steam barrier and wind protection, which improves the performance of the frame and its durability.

We consider a domed house-shed that combines a residential area and greenhouses. The planning solution of a multi-purpose domed house involves the formation of effective systems of insulation of internal walls that protect the living space of the interior from the heat-humidity and phyto-aggressive properties of the appearance of the greenhouse. It is established that the foam at an average density of 18-20 kg/m3 has the following characteristics: diffusion water absorption without coating is 0.44 kg / m2; diffusion water absorption with a metallic coating 0.37 kg / m2; water absorption by partial immersion in water for 24 hours 0,013 kg / m2; body water when fully immersed in water for 28 days 0.96%. The nature of the destruction of the contact surface "foam-metal" is cohesive in the adhesive layer, and the destructive stress is 12-17 kPa.

The results of the selection of compositions and technologies of composite material based on fine-ground high - activity waste production of Portland cement, mineral binder, additives based on polycarboxylates MC-6995, as well as polymer additives MC-Adhesive are presented. The concrete structure is reinforced with mineral fiber. MC-Adhesive is a polymer additive used to: significantly increase the bending strength; reduce the elastic modulus; increase the water resistance; increase the connectivity of concrete mixtures; manufacture of coatings with high requirements for abrasion resistance, low dusting and high resistance to aggressive substances. The purpose of the research is to prepare and conduct an experiment aimed at creating the foundations of cellular concrete technology based on waste from the production of mineral binders and mineral fibers.

The energy efficiency of heating systems depends on the cost of manufacturing insulation materials and components, their installation and operation of the insulation shell. As insulation materials for the insulation of heating networks, products based on stone wool, polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene foam, foam rubber and polyethylene foam are used. The basic principles of calculating the thickness of the thermal insulation of the pipeline based on the value of the standard heat flow density are given on the example of using products based on polyethylene foam. The calculation of the heat flow from the surface of the thermal insulation structure is carried out at a given thickness of the thermal insulation layer, if it is necessary to determine the heat loss (or cold loss). The basis for the calculation is a mathematical model of heat transfer, a developed calculation algorithm and a computer program. Insulation cylinders or cylinders in combination with thermal insulation coils are used for small diameter pipelines. Rolled materials are used for insulation of large diameters.

Various methods of creating an insulation coating for frameless buildings are analyzed. It is confirmed that products based on polyethylene foam, such as mats and rolls, fully meet the above criteria. In addition, the possibility of obtaining a seamless joint during installation significantly increases the efficiency of the insulation coating by minimizing cold bridges and eliminating leaks when connecting individual insulation elements. The article presents information on the results of thermal imaging monitoring of frameless structures with an insulating coating based on polyethylene foam. It is shown that hot-air welding (using a heat gun) minimizes heat losses both at the joints of the sheets and in areas adjacent to the base and side walls of buildings.

The results of the study of the state of production of foam glass and the nomenclature of its products are presented. It is shown that it is advisable to use recycled glass obtained from bottle packaging, waste glass and double-glazed windows as raw materials for the production of foam glass. The features of the production technology of foam glass on specialized lines are described. The features of the technology are the composition of the charge and the temperature conditions of heat treatment. Currently, about 70% of the foam glass aggregate is used for roofs and stylobates; the rest is used in landscaping, road construction, foundations, and major repairs. The areas of application of foam glass can be significantly expanded in the direction of building systems, light aggregates, etc., which implies an in-depth study of the properties of this material.

The possibilities of solving engineering problems in the study of technological processes using the method of analytical optimization are considered. The essence of this method is to represent the technological process as a cybernetic system; statistical evaluation of each element of the system to obtain mathematical functions; analytical study of these functions and obtaining optimization dependencies. The research methods described in this article are implemented in the study of the technology of cellular concrete, expanded polystyrene concrete, cement polymer concrete and mineral wool products. As an example, the article considers the optimization of foam concrete technology.

The concept of energy efficiency includes energy conservation and durability of building systems. Ceramic brickwork offers the highest reliability and durability, and also belongs to the category of non-combustible. It is possible to improve the thermophysical properties of masonry made of ceramic products by using heat-insulating ceramics and, in particular, porous ceramic stones.  The use of burn-out additives does not allow for a uniform distribution of porosity over the material. The use of expanded vermiculite fractions up to 0.5 mm allows you to form a uniform porosity. The results of the experiment allow us to determine the optimal density and density of ceramivermiculite and to evaluate the influence of technological parameters on its properties.

The analysis of the properties of products based on continuous basalt fiber, which provides high fire resistance, thermal insulation, vibration resistance, noise insulation, as well as chemical durability, including durability in the Arctic atmosphere and the impact of the marine climate. This fiber is the basis for construction fabric, canvas and special purpose products. It is proposed to manufacture insulation systems for engineering structures of special buildings using basalt fiber fabrics, canvas and fire-resistant rolled materials.

One of the aspects of the use of heat - insulating multifunctional shells-the preservation of cold-is investigated. This task is relevant for cold storage rooms, workshops and warehouses, where it is necessary to constantly maintain low temperatures, for sports facilities (for example, ice rinks and ski complexes). In all applications, the main goal is to achieve economic efficiency, which is expressed in functional results (preservation of the material that breaks down at positive temperatures) and in energy savings. The article also presents the experience of using heat, steam and moisture insulation shells based on polyethylene foam when equipping frameless and frame structures, sports facilities, as well as for snow preservation in ski resorts.

The use of a clay-gypsum mixture in the composition of a modified dispersed reinforced binder contributes to the creation of favorable environmental conditions and the formation of a comfortable climate inside agricultural premises, as well as increases the degree of protection of structures from fire. conditions. The technological properties of dispersed reinforced gypsum mixtures depend primarily on the composition of the modified clay-gypsum binder, the consumption of mineral fiber and its length. The fiber diameter in the range of 3.2-3.4 microns does not significantly affect the properties of the mixtures. Dispersed reinforcement in the range from 1 to 5% slightly affects the average density of clay-gypsum mixtures and plaster coatings based on them. The 20% increase in bending strength determines the greater resistance of plaster coatings to temperature effects.

The results of studies of the properties and features of the use of rolled polyethylene foam with or without a metallized coating are presented. The tensile strength of the product for products with a metallized coating is 80-92 kPa, without a metallized coating-80-87 kPa, and for the weld - 29-32 kPa. Insulation systems have been developed (which have found wide practical application) and a full-scale heat engineering assessment of these systems and the condition of the wooden frame in the building has been carried out. It is established that the thermal resistance of the structure is 2.96 m2 K / W, the heat transfer resistance is 3.12 m2 KK / V. The humidity of the frame wood is 7.7-7.8%.

The IEEE Russia North West Section, Pastukhov State Academy of Industrial Management (Yaroslavl), and the European Centre for Quality (Moscow) are pleased to present the Proceedings of the 2020 International Conference "Quality Management, Transport and Information Security, Information Technologies" (IT&QM&IS). The Conference was held in Yaroslavl, Russia on September 7-11, 2020, and it was proudly hosted by Pastukhov State Academy of Industrial Management. The Organizing Committee believes and trusts that we have been true to the spirit of collegiality that members of IEEE value whilst also maintaining a high standard as we reviewed papers, provided feedback and now present a strong body of published work in this collection of proceedings. The themes for this year's conference were chosen as a means of bringing together academics and industrialists, engineering and management research, manufacturing and teaching, and providing a basis for discussion of issues arising across the engineering and business community in relation to Quality Management, Information Technologies, Transport and Information Security aimed at developing engineers and managers for the future. The goal of these proceedings has been to present high quality work in an accessible medium, for use in a wide community of academics, engineers, managers, and industrialists, the community united by the key words Science, Education, Quality, Innovations in engineering. To achieve this aim, all papers submitted for publication in this journal of proceedings were subjected to a rigorous reviewing process.

7th International School and Conference "Saint-Petersburg OPEN 2020" on Optoelectronics, Photonics, Engineering and Nanostructures was held on April 27 - 30, 2020. The Organizer of the conference is the Alferov Federal State Budgetary Institution of Higher Education and Science Saint Petersburg National Research Academic University of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Initially, the School and Conference was supposed to be held in full-time format at the Alferov Academic University (Saint-Petersburg, Russia), as it happened in the past. However, due to the restrictions imposed by the city authorities on holding mass events due to the threat of the spread of the COVID-19 infection, the conference committees decided to move the conference to the online format. The conference consisted of poster reports presented by the participants and online oral presentations by invited speakers. Posters and video reports of the participants were posted on the conference website. Invited speakers made their presentations online. During their speeches, participants could discuss and ask questions in the chat. The School and Conference included a series of invited talks given by leading professors with the aim to introduce young scientists with actual problems and major advances in physics and technology.

The 10-Point Action Plan to catalyse a Circular Bioeconomy of Wellbeing is a call for collective and integrated action to global leaders, investors, companies, scientists, governments, nongovernmental and intergovernmental organisations, funding agencies and society at large to put the world on a sustainable path. The Plan is guided by new scientific insights and breakthrough technologies from a number of disciplines and sectors. It is articulated around six transformative action points (1–6) and four enabling action points (7–10), which mutually reinforce each other and need to be implemented in an integrated manner.

Contents Authors................................................................................................................................ 7 Acknowledgements............................................................................................................9 Executive summary ........................................................................................................... 11 1. Introduction....................................................................................................................13 Riccardo Valentini, Pekka Leskinen, Pieter Johannes Verkerk, Gert-Jan Nabuurs, George Safonov and Elena Kulikova 2. State of Russian forests and forestry............................................................................17 Dmitry Zamolodchikov, Anatoly Shvidenko, Sergey Bartalev, Elena Kulikova, Alexander Held, Riccardo Valentini and Marcus Lindner 2.1 Major characteristics of Russian forests..........................................................17 2.2 Natural forest disturbances.............................................................................. 21 2.3 Forest governance and use..............................................................................26 2.4 Ecosystem functions and services of Russia’s forests....................................28 2.5 Key challenges in forest resource management..............................................35 2.6 Key messages.................................................................................................... 38 3. Climate change in Russia – past, present and future................................................. 45 Riccardo Valentini, Dmitry Zamolodchikov, Christopher Reyer, Sergio Noce, Monia Santini and Marcus Lindner 3.1 Observed changes of Russian climate in recent decades.............................. 45 3.2 Climate change scenarios................................................................................48 3.3 Key messages.....................................................................................................51 4. Climate change and Russian forests: impacts, vulnerability and adaptation needs... 53 Christopher Reyer, Marcus Lindner, Dmitry Zamolodchikov, Anatoly Shvidenko, Martin Gutsch and Sergey Bartalev 4.1 Observed impacts of climate change...............................................................53 4.2 Projected impacts.............................................................................................56 4.3 Vulnerability assessment................................................................................. 61 4.4 Adaptation needs............................................................................................. 64 4.5 Key messages....................................................................................................67

5. Climate-Smart Forestry in Russia and potential climate change mitigation benefits.............................................................................................................................. 73 Bas Lerink, Mariana Hassegawa, Alexander Kryshen, Anton Kovalev, Eldar Kurbanov, Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Sergei Moshnikov and Pieter Johannes Verkerk 5.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 73 5.2 Approach and general scenario assumptions.................................................74 5.3 Case study: Republic of Karelia.......................................................................78 5.4 Case study: Republic of Mari El.......................................................................84 5.5 Case study: Angara macro-district (Krasnoyarsk kray).................................. 91 5.6 Concluding remarks, discussion and implications....................................... 98 5.7 Key messages...................................................................................................101 6. The role of the bioeconomy in climate change mitigation in Russia..................... 105 Pekka Leskinen, Jo Van Brusselen, Mariana Hassegawa, Alexander Alekseev, Natalia Lukina, Olga Rakitova, George Safonov, Elena Kulikova and Mikhail Safonov 6.1 Introduction.................................................................................................... 105 6.2 The bioeconomy concept in Russia...............................................................106 6.3 The link between bioeconomy and climate change mitigation.................. 107 6.4 State of Russian forest industry and potential for bioeconomy................... 111 6.5 Sectoral development and outlook................................................................. 113 6.6 Summary and conclusions: Opportunities and challenges for a bioeconomy in Russia.....................................................................................123 6.7 Key messages...................................................................................................125 7. Conclusions.................................................................................................................. 131 Pekka Leskinen, Jo Van Brusselen, Marcus Lindner, Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Pieter Johannes Verkerk, Natalia Lukina, Sergey Bartalev and Elena Kulikova 7.1 Forest resources............................................................................................... 131 7.2 Climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation....................................132 7.3 Forest management........................................................................................ 133 7.4 Enabling environment for a bioeconomy......................................................134 7.5 Holistic view.................................................................................................... 135 7.6 Key messages and next steps ........................................................................ 136

The economies of Central and Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia (CEECCA) grew at a varying pace in 2000–2019, with an average rate of 6.5 percent per annum (GDP, PPP). This economic progress was accompanied by some positive changes in environmental performance, but not in all areas and not in all countries in the region.

Proceedings of the SPIE PHOTONICS EUROPE Conference on Biophotonics in Point-of-Care, 6-10 April 2020, Online Only, France. Proc. SPIE volume 11361

Changes in the morphology of the vanadium surface as a result of separate and sequential action of helium ions (energy-30 Kev, dose - 1.0 × 1022 m-2 , ion flux density – 4,8 × 1018 m-2 s-1 , temperature  ~ 500 K ) and high-power pulsed laser radiation in the modulated q-factor mode (power density q = 1.2•108 W/cm2, pulse duration τ0 = 50 ns, the number of pulses N from 1 to 4) were investigated. It was found that the effect of laser irradiation on vanadium samples before and after ion implantation is identical (the formation of a hole surrounded by a breastwork, which occurred during the splash of molten metal), but in the case of preliminary introduction of helium into the material, the metal splash is more intense. Helium implantation  into the samples causes radiation blistering, and the subsequent impact of laser pulses increases the erosion of the material in the zone located directly behind the hole (an increase in the number of exfoliated layers, the merger of blisters, etc.), which is due to sufficiently high temperatures in this area even after the termination of the laser pulse. Under real reactor conditions, this can lead to an increase of plasma contamination.

In the paper we demonstrate that the thermal doping of SiO2 film by phosphorus, causing formation of thin film of phospho-silicate glass on its surface, allows to rise charge stability of gate dielectric of MIS structure. We have ascertained that a presence of the film of phospho-silicate glass has given a possibility to significantly lower local injection currents flowing within defects because of electron capturing by traps located in the film of phospho-silicate glass what results in the rising of energy barrier. As a result, amount of the structures that comes to a state of breakdown at low values of charge injected into the dielectric under high fields noticeably reduces. We show that heating processes of injected electrons lowers in the films of phospho-silicate glass and this results in increasing of charge stability of the gate dielectric under high-field injection.

We study material gain of a novel type of quantum heterostructures of mixed (0D/2D) dimensionality referred to as quantum well-dots (QWDs). To evaluate the material gain in a broad range of injection currents (30–1200 A cm−2 per-layer) we studied edge-emitting lasers with various numbers of InGaAs/GaAs QWD layers in the active region and different waveguide designs. The dependence of the material gain on the current is well fitted by an empirical exponential equation similar to the one used for quantum dots (QDs) in the whole range of injection current densities. The estimated QWD transparency current-density-per-layer of 31 A cm−2 ranks between the values reported for quantum wells and QDs. The maximal QWD material gain as high as 1.1·104 cm−1 has been measured. The results obtained confirm specific gain properties of InGaAs QWDs making them promising active media for lasers, superluminescence diodes and optical amplifiers.

While univariate functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data analysis methods have been utilized successfully to map brain areas associated with cognitive and emotional functions during viewing of naturalistic stimuli such as movies, multivariate methods might provide the means to study how brain structures act in concert as networks during free viewing of movie clips. Here, to achieve this, we generalized the partial least squares (PLS) analysis, based on correlations between voxels, experimental conditions, and behavioral measures, to identify large-scale neuronal networks activated during the first time and repeated watching of three ∼5-min comedy clips. We identified networks that were similarly activated across subjects during free viewing of the movies, including the ones associated with self-rated experienced humorousness that were composed of the frontal, parietal, and temporal areas acting in concert. In conclusion, the PLS method seems to be well suited for the joint analysis of multi-subject neuroimaging and behavioral data to quantify a functionally relevant brain network activity without the need for explicit temporal models.

To achieve higher throughputs in cellular networks, 3GPP proposes to use unlicensed frequency bands and develops technologies - the latest one is NR-U - allowing a cellular base station to transmit in unlicensed bands, which are already occupied by Wi-Fi networks. To enable fair channel sharing between two technologies, the base station uses a sort of CSMA/CA with binary exponential backoff similar to Wi-Fi. However, the base station can start data transmission only at strictly periodic time moments. Many papers propose sending a reservation signal between the end of the backoff procedure and such a moment to prevent nearby devices from accessing the channel. However, this approach significantly reduces Wi-Fi performance. The paper proposes a novel method CR-LBT of transmitting a reservation signal that greatly decreases channel resource waste caused by collisions and improves channel resource sharing fairness. With developed analytical models and simulations, it is shown that CR-LBT may simultaneously increase the throughput of both NR-U and Wi-Fi networks. The effect is more noticeable for the Wi-Fi network, the throughput of which may rise three times compared with the traditional method of sending the reservation signal. Finally, the influence of various factors on CR-LBT performance is studied.

Objective: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) decode information from neural activity and send it to external devices. The use of Deep Learning approaches for decoding allows for automatic feature engineering within the specific decoding task. Physiologically plausible interpretation of the network parameters ensures the robustness of the learned decision rules and opens the exciting opportunity for automatic knowledge discovery. Approach: We describe a compact convolutional network-based architecture for adaptive decoding of electrocorticographic (ECoG) data into finger kinematics. We also propose a novel theoretically justified approach to interpreting the spatial and temporal weights in the architectures that combine adaptation in both space and time. The obtained spatial and frequency patterns characterizing the neuronal populations pivotal to the specific decoding task can then be interpreted by fitting appropriate spatial and dynamical models. Main results: We first tested our solution using realistic Monte-Carlo simulations. Then, when applied to the ECoG data from Berlin BCI competition IV dataset, our architecture performed comparably to the competition winners without requiring explicit feature engineering. Using the proposed approach to the network weights interpretation we could unravel the spatial and the spectral patterns of the neuronal processes underlying the successful decoding of finger kinematics from an ECoG dataset. Finally we have also applied the entire pipeline to the analysis of a 32-channel EEG motor-imagery dataset and observed physiologically plausible patterns specific to the task. Significance: We described a compact and interpretable CNN architecture derived from the basic principles and encompassing the knowledge in the field of neural electrophysiology. For the first time in the context of such multibranch architectures with factorized spatial and temporal processing we presented theoretically justified weights interpretation rules. We verified our recipes using simulations and real data and demonstrated that the proposed solution offers a good decoder and a tool for investigating motor control neural mechanisms.

Superplastic blow forming is a technology of shell parts production. The development of these processes requires computer simulation which cannot be realized without accurate parameters of the applied material. This characterization can be based on results of free bulging tests. Characterization techniques utilize the models of the dome growth during the bulging test. This study is devoted to the assessing of friction coefficient effect on the linear behavior of normalized thickness - normalized height relation.

We have modeled the charge effects in radiation MOS sensors functioning in a wide range of electric fields including high-field injection of electrons into the dielectric film. In order to study the charge effects taking place in MOS sensors, we use an extended model suggested by us previously. The extended model, besides the accumulation of positive charge in the dielectric and the generation of the surface states at the interface, takes into consideration the accumulation of negative charge in the bulk of dielectric film caused by the electron capturing on traps. We demonstrate that the accumulation of the negative and positive charges in the bulk of the gate dielectric under high fields can significantly influence on the redistribution of electric fields inside the dielectric and, as a sequence, on change of the charge state of MOS structure which describes the sensor characteristics.

Electronic states in a novel type of quantum-size heterostructures referred to as InGaAs quantum welldots (QWDs) were experimentally studied using absorption in stripe waveguides of different lengths based on a single, double, five, and ten QWD layers. The value of the modal absorption was measured to be 70 cm−1 and 90 cm−1 for ground-state transition and high-energy one, respectively. The structure of electronic states in the QWDs is also analyzed by polarization-resolved waveguide absorption and the dependence of a polarization degree on the chip length is discussed. TM polarization of the heavyhole- based optical transition photoresponse observed in the long waveguides is attributed to the light depolarization due to the scattering on the QWD heterointerfaces.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a well-established non-invasive technique to measure the brain activity, albeit with a limited spatial resolution. Variations in electric conductivity between different tissues distort the electric fields generated by cortical sources, resulting in smeared potential measurements on the scalp. One needs to solve an ill-posed inverse problem to recover the original neural activity. In this article, we present a generic method of recovering the cortical potentials from the EEG measurement by introducing a new inverse-problem solver based on deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) in paired (U-Net) and unpaired (DualGAN) configurations. The solvers were trained on synthetic EEG-ECoG pairs that were generated using a head conductivity model computed using the Finite Element Method (FEM). These solvers are the first of their kind, that provide robust translation of EEG data to the cortex surface using deep learning. Providing a fast and accurate interpretation of the tracked EEG signal, our approach promises a boost to the spatial resolution of the future EEG devices.  

The intransitive cycle of superiority is characterized by such binary relations between A, B, and C that A is superior to B, B is superior to C, and C is superior to A (i.e., A>B>C>A—in contrast with transitive relations A>B>C). The first part of the article presents a brief review of studies of intransitive cycles in various disciplines (mathematics, biology, sociology, logical games, decision theory, etc.), and their reflections in educational materials. The second part of the article introduces the issue of intransitivity in elementary physics. We present principles of building mechanical intransitive devices in correspondence with the structure of the Condorcet paradox, and describe five intransitive devices: intransitive gears; levers; pulleys, wheels, and axles; wedges; inclined planes. Each of the mechanisms are constructed as compositions of simple machines and show paradoxical intransitivity of relations such as “to rotate faster than”, “to lift”, “to be stronger than” in some geometrical constructions. The article is an invitation to develop teaching materials and problems advancing the understanding of transitivity and intransitivity in various areas, including physics education.

In this paper, a method of virtual simulation of physical processes for early stages of design of onboard electronic means (OEM) has been developed and investigated. The corresponding virtual model is an integrated model that implements the simultaneous interaction of heterogeneous physical processes: electrical, thermal, mechanical, aerodynamic. This interconnection of physical processes allows for the first time to completely display the dynamic physical state of the supporting structure and the electronic components of the circuit located on it in the virtual model. At the same time, the output functional characteristics of OEM in virtual simulation take natural values that cannot be obtained in full-scale tests, because this full-scale tests are carried out separately and alternately. The visual images of the design and electronic components of OEM with superimposed color fields of temperature distribution, deformation or mechanical accelerations obtained with integrated virtual simulation allow on early stages of design to identify the most stressed and therefore dangerous places of possible overloads.

In this preprint, we present an example illustrating the novel method for the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) computation based on the Goertzel-Blahut algorithm introduced in the paper "Improving the Goertzel-Blahut algorithm" (IEEE Signal Processing Letters, vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 824-827, 2016).

Despite the success of many countries in increasing energy saving and energy efficiency, the global energy consumption is expected to continue its growth. The main reasons are economic development and population growth happening primarily in developing and emerging economies, especially in India and China. In such circumstances fossil fuels will remain the dominant energy source in the medium and even long run. The present research paper aims at analyzing the current global trends in the energy sector identified through literature review and expert tools, and their influence on Russia. Considering a broad range of factors, the paper determined the following main challenges for the Russian energy sector: tightening competition at international energy markets, the need for comprehensive modernization and stronger energy efficiency measures, the need for technological catch-up in a number of energy sector segments, the need to increase recovery factor at traditional oilfields, and the need to diversify energy mix by increasing the share of renewables. The paper also considers the main rationale for the last challenge that include strengthened security, reliability and sustainability of the Russian energy sector. Among the key preconditions for advancements in renewable energy are improvements in investment climate, modernisation of the central grid and changes in energy policy. The paper is based on the outcomes of the first stage of the Foresight project devoted to renewable energy technologies.

A set of thin film Mn_xSi_1-x alloy samples with different manganese concentration x = 0.44 - 0.63 grown by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method onto the Al₂O₃ (0001) substrate was investigated in the temperature range 4 - 300 K using ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements in the wide range of frequencies (f = 7 - 60 GHz) and magnetic fields (H = 0 - 30 kOe). For samples with x = 0.52 - 0.55, FMR data show clear evidence of ferromagnetism with high Curie temperatures T_c ~ 300 K. These samples demonstrate complex and unusual character of magnetic anisotropy described in the frame of phenomenological model as a combination of the essential second order easy plane anisotropy contribution and the additional forth order uniaxial anisotropy contribution with easy direction normal to the film plane. We explain the obtained results by a polycrystalline (mosaic) structure of the films caused by the film-substrate lattice mismatch. The existence of extra strains at the crystallite boundaries leads to an essential inhomogeneous magnetic anisotropy in the film plane.

The paper is devoted to the issue of smart power system cost-benefit analysis. The innovative character of smart grids is defined and related obstacles for traditional cost-benefit assessment are revealed, primarily referred to external effects evaluation. Brief systematization of existing methods of smart grids assessment is provided and their weak points are defined. A new Smart Grid cost-benefit assessment approach is presented, basing on the elaborated comprehensive system of smart power system effects. The approach is tested for the system effects of smart power system implementation in the Russian Unified Energy System, quantitative results are presented.

Liberalization of regional public transport market in Russia has led to continuing decline of service quality. One of the main results of the liberalization is the emergence of inefficient spatial structures of regional public transport systems in Russian regions. While the problem of optimization of urban public transport system has been extensively studied, the structure of regional public transport system has been referred less often. The question is whether the problems of spatial structure are common for regional and public transportation systems, and if this is the case, whether the techniques developed for urban public transport planning and management are applicable to regional networks. The analysis of the regional public transport system in Perm Krai has shown that the problems of cities and regions are very similar. On this evidence the proposals were made in order to employ urban practice for the optimization of regional public transport system. The detailed program was developed for Perm Krai which can be later on adapted for other regions.