Analysis of the status and trends of applications of advanced manufacturing technologies in Russia

The article has analyzed trends in applying advanced manufacturing technologies in Russia in 2005–2014. The dynamics of technical process structures in the context of applications has been considered. The dynamics of the age structure and the structure of technologies in use in annual terms by the place of acquiring has been assessed. The start-up, availability, and removal balance of technologies has been formed, the effective start-up level, and possible ways to improve the state statistical indicators of innovation development have been determined.     

Food security of Bashkortostan: Problems and solutions

This article considers the fulfillment of the regional market of Bashkortostan with domestic farming products compared with the average figures across Russia. The analysis covers the foreign trade balance of basic farming goods and food regimens of households by product supply with regard to balanced norms. The main suppliers of import-substituting stock are determined, as well as the key problems of their government support and the main domestic reserves of producers of farming goods.     

The impact of the institutional and infrastructural environment on innovation-based development in today’s world

This paper provides a comparative assessment of innovation-based development in Russia and several OECD and BRICS countries. Several tiers of countries have been introduced based on the assessment. The impact of various factors on innovation performance has been calculated for each tier using the tier average values of indicators that correspond to these factors. As a result, the most common features that are typical for a given level of development of an innovation environment are identified. The analysis provides a basis for recommendations regarding a strategy for innovation-based development of the Russian Federation.     

Nanotechnology and the new technological revolution: Expectations and reality

This paper reviews the existing mechanisms of innovative development in the world economy focusing on emerging technologies markets evolution on the example of nanotechnology. The question has been raised of whether nanotechnologies can provide the core of the new technological revolution, and whether these prospects exist for NBIC convergence. In this connection the development of the global market for nano-enabled products following the 2007–2009 crisis and the reliability of the related development forecasts have been assessed. Particular attention has been paid to peculiarities of nanoenabled product market structure and the impact of stagnating R&D costs in the field of nanotechnology.     

Polygynous family system,neighbourhood contexts and under-five mortality in sub-Saharan Africa

ABSTRACT

Based on the competing theories regarding the relationship between family structure and child health outcomes, this article examined the effects of polygynous family system (PFS) on under-five mortality (U5M) across different socio-economic and neighbourhood contexts in selected sub-Saharan African countries. Cox proportional regression analysis was performed on pooled data of children (n?=?54 842) born in the five years before the Demographic and Health Surveys of selected countries. Results indicated differential effects of PFS on U5M across varying contexts, because risks of U5M were significantly higher for children of polygynous mothers in poor communities (hazard ratio: 2.98, 95% confidence interval: 2.23 to 3.95, p?<?0.001) and children of monogamists in poor communities (hazard ratio: 2.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.69 to 2.98, p?<?0.001) compared with the children of monogamists in rich communities. Given the worsening effects of polygyny on childhood survival across different contexts, this study stressed the need for marriage reforms and enforcement of a monogamous family system if significant U5M reduction would be achieved in sub-Saharan African countries during the post-2015 development era.     

Canadian farm operator mobility analysis, 1961-71

Results of a pooled time series and cross-section analysis of Canadian farm operator mobility for the 1961-71 period indicate the importance of analyzing farm operator mobility by individual gross receipts classes. Economic variables explain a substantial proportion of the 1961-71 percentage decline in the number of Canadian farm operators. Use of the equations in projections for 1976 indicate the need for refinement in the procedures to adjust for the effects of the substantial product and input price changes which occurred in the 1971-76 period.
Les resultats d'une analyse de series chronologiques et de coupes transversales combinks sur lamobilite des producteurs agricoles au Canada durant la periode de 1961 a 1971 indiquent I'importance d'analyser cette mobilitt par classe de revenu brut. Les variables konomiques expliquent la majeure partie du declin, en pourcentage, du nombre de producteurs agricoles au Canada de 1961. 1971. En utilisant les equations pour prtdire les donntees pour 1976, on se rend compte du bessoin d'ameliorer la procedure afin de corriger les effets resultant de variations importantes des prk des intrants et des produits agricoles qui se sont manifest& entre 1971 et 1976.     

Education and training as a strategy for improving worker health and safety: a survey of U.S. apparel companies

Maintaining a healthy work force is becoming increasingly important to apparel manufacturers today. The purpose of this study was to examine the issues involved in worker health and safety, particularly that of educating and training production workers. Data were generated from responses to a mailed questionnaire by 134 upper level managers in companies located throughout the United States. Results indicated that educating workers was an important concern for managers, ranking second to controlling workers' compensation costs. Chi-square analysis showed that there was a significant difference between those who used education and training as a cost-reduction strategy and a decrease in workers' compensation costs. Education and training was reported as a component of ergonomics and safety programmes by over three-quarters of those who were developing and implementing such programmes. The findings from this study suggest that apparel manufacturers should seriously consider the importance of education and training programmes as a cost-reduction strategy as well as a means of improving the safety and health of production workers.