Preface–Introduction to the Special Issue for Chinese-Russian Workshop on Biophotonics and Biomedical Optics

The Chinese-Russian Workshop on Biophotonics and Biomedical Optics 2023 was held online twice on 18–21 September and 25–26 September 2023.The bilateral workshop brought together both Russian and Chinese scientists,engineers,and clinical researchers from a variety of disciplines engaged in applying optical science,photonics,and imaging technologies to problems in biology and medicine.During the workshops,two plenary lectures and twenty invited presentations were presented.This special issue selects some papers from both Russian and Chinese sides,consisting of one review and seven original research articles.

Employment and development levels in rural areas of the Russian Federation

The development of agro-industrial complex is important for ensuring national food security and national health.The development of rural areas is subject to the development of agriculture and local infrastructure,as well as the availability of various services.This study selected 15 indicators in 2021 to analyze the employment and development levels in rural areas of 71 regions of the Russian Federation using the analytical grouping method.The results indicated that 20 regions(Group 1)had the highest percentage of rural population(33.10%).The percentage of population engaged in agriculture had the highest value(12.40%)in 31 regions(Group 2).Moreover,20 regions(Group 3)had the highest investments in fixed assets at the expense of municipal budget(11.80 USD/person).Increasing the investments in fixed assets carried out from the budget of the municipality can improve the employment level in rural areas.Then,we used cluster analysis to divide 14 regions of the Volga Federal District in the Russian Federation into 3 clusters.Cluster 1 covered Kirov Region and Republic of Mari El;Cluster 2 included Ulyanovsk Region,Saratov Region,Nizhny Novgorod Region,Perm Territory,Orenburg Region,Chuvash Region,and Republic of Mordovia;and Cluster 3 contained Republic of Tatarstan,Samara Region,Udmurtian Republic,Penza Region,and Republic of Bashkortostan.Results indicated that the 2 regions of Cluster 1 need to increase the availability of resources and natural gas and improve the investment attractiveness of rural areas.The 7 regions of Cluster 2 needed to develop infrastructure,public services,and agricultural production.We found the highest employment level in rural areas,the largest investments in fixed assets at the expense of municipal budget,the largest residential building area per 10,000 persons,and the largest individual residential building area in the 5 regions of Cluster 3.This study makes it possible to draw up a comprehensive regional development program and proves the need for the development of rural areas,which is especially important for the sustainable development of the Russian Federation.

China-Russian Managed to Achieve Closer Collaboration with Mutual Complementarity

This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations.Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to China in May.The heads of state of both China and Russia held a sincere,friendly and informative meeting,signed and issued a joint statement,and witnessed the signing of more than 10 important cooperation documents.These bilateral relations have shown a sound momentum of mutual benefit,in-depth coordination and long-term stability.

Delegation of Russian Scholars Visits CIIS

On November 28,a delegation of Russian scholars led by Victor Larin,Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Director at the Far Eastern Branch,visited the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre.Yu Jiang,CIIS Vice President and Full-Time Deputy Secretary-General of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre,had in-depth exchanges with Russian scholars on the significance and practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and China-Russia relations.

Russian Scientific Investigations in China in the Nineteenth Century

This article aims to study the history of scientific investigations in China in the nineteenth century,made by Russian scientists who ranged in status and position including official agents,the directors of the Russian Magneto-Meteorological Observatory in Beijing,the members of the Russian Orthodox Mission(ROM),and others.The article gives a detailed analysis of the unique expeditions of H.Fritsche(1839–1913),director of the Russian Magneto-Meteorological Observatory in Beijing,and Archimandrite Palladius(1817–1878),head of the ROM to the northeast part of China.During those expeditions,existing maps were corrected and new maps were made.The article also covers the history of natural science investigations,made by other members of missions,doctors,and attached persons.This article employs sources from Russian archives(Saint Petersburg Branch of the Archive of the Russian Academy of Sciences,Russian State Historical Archive,Archive of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Empire),which were rarely used by the scientific community,and adopts an empirical approach based on objectivity and historicism to the sources and research.

Development of the Arctic reindeer industry from the perspective of Sino-Russian green biomanufacturing cooperation

Russia’s reindeer population accounts for two thirds of the world’s total.There is a strong and resilient population of reindeer on the tundra,and reindeer herders inherit and transmit the unique culture of the north.Reindeer products have become the subject of innovative developments in the biopharmaceutical and healthcare products industry owing to their unique raw material properties.Because deer antlers and blood are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine,significant quantities of Arctic reindeer products are likely to be sold in China.Strengthening understanding of the Russian Arctic reindeer industry will help Chinese companies invest in the Russian Arctic,promote Sino-Russian Arctic cooperation on green biomanufacturing,and lead to the development of new products that promote human health.

Aesthetism, Russian Formalism, and Their Comparison

In our class,we have already learned some articles of Aesthetism.The famous aesthetes,such as Walter Pater,Oscar Wilde,Benedetto Croce,all give us huge impressions.And Russian Formalism is also very important school of thoughts.As they all study art,literature and form,I would like to know the relationship between them.In this paper,first I will show some of my own understandings on Both Aesthetism and Russian Formalism.Then I will compare them to find similarities and differences.At last,I will say something about my preference.

The Symbolism of Major Characters in Animal Farm As It Pertains to Russian Revolution

Animal Farm,full of symbolism,is regarded as a classic portrayal of anti-utopianism in the real world and a satire on the Russian Revolution.George Orwell expresses his views of totalitarianism by using animals to represent the major characters from the period of the Russian Revolution,from Karl Marx and Tsar Nicholas II to Stalin and Trotsky.His characters and scenar io paint a vision of a world of communism in Soviet Union,and Animal Farm chronicles the events and people of the Russian Revolution.Based on the historical background of the novel,this thesis is to reveal the real-life counterparts that the fictional characters in Animal Farm represent,thus uncovering the true meaning of the story.

Russian Translators in the Oil Station of Mohe County

Translators of the Sino-Russian crude oil pipeline: They are the translators who enabled communication between the Chinese staff and the Russian staff during the construction and operation of the SinoRussian crude oil pipeline, including during such crucial tasks like the launching and the reception of the pig traps and the process of transporting the oil. As ‘messengers’ connecting the Chinese and the Russians, and as a necessity in facilitating the transportation of oil from Russia to China, they make great contributions towards ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the Sino-Russian crude oil pipeline.

Russian VLBI network "Quasar":Current status and outlook

This paper presents the past,present and future status of the Russian VLBI network "Quasar".This network has been developed for at least 20 years by the Institute of Applied Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences(IAA RAS). The equipment installed currently at each "Quasar" station and the facilities for processing observational data are described briefly. The latest results are presented, including the Earth orientation parameters(EOP) determined from the "Quasar" VLBI data and comparison with those from other processing centers. Our future plans to extend the "Quasar" VLB I network to the east and to the west will be carried out by establishing the Ussurijsk station in the Far East and the RussianCuban station in the west. They are considered in the context of the Russian section activity in the GGOS project. The expected improvement of the EOP determination accuracy can be obtained within the future configuration of the "Quasar" network,which is proved by simulation.

Origin of Phosphorite Nodules of Lebedinsky Iron Deposit in Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA) of the Russian Platform

Phosphorite has become increasingly important as the raw material for phosphatic fertilizer. Phosphorite nodules are widespread in the Kursk complex deposit (Russian platform). Genesis of these nodules has long been a matter of debate, and this has hampered understanding of the mechanism and controls in the formation of the nodules. In this paper, we report the petrographical, mineralogical, and geochemical data of the Lebedinsky phosphorite nodules. Petrographic study reveals complex phosphatic cement resulting in the replacement of apatite minerals around quartz grains. The main mineral composition consists of quartz, phosphate minerals (apatite, francolite mainly), feldspar, iron hydroxides and carbonate minerals. These results, when combined with available data, are used to address the origin of the phosphorite nodules. The nodules are characterized by the universal presence of biogenic and chemical signatures which is phosphorus crown around crystal grains. The structure of the nodules is massive. Their texture is depicted by basaltic cement and concretion, which consists mainly of apatite and its varieties, with general formula: Ca_10 (PO_4, CO_3) 6(F,OH,Cl). Variation of mineralogy appears dependent on geological setting. Microscopic observations of biogenic fossils in Lebedinsky phosphorite favor a chemical and biogenic origin of phosphorites. Weathering has been suggested to be capable of liberating as much as 20 %-35 % P_2O_5 from sedimentary rocks. Previous investigations demonstrate that weathering of the Proterozoic substratum was the main cause in the formation of Fe, Mo, Mn, Pb, Zn, and P in the Russian platform. We therefore suggest that both weathering and biochemical processes have been positive in the formation of the Lebedinsky phosporite nodules. However, whether continental weathering or oceanic bio-chemical processes are more relevant in the phosphorite accumulation remains undetermined.

Corporate governance in generating companies of the Russian electric power industry in the context of ESG agenda

To address the issues of investment appeal in the Russian electric power industry,this study analyzes the dynamics of corporate governance,including permanent redistribution of property and compliance with the Russian Corporate Governance Code,in wholesale and territorial-generating companies.The increasing concentration of property in the hands of the state and its implications for investors are also noted.This study reveals the violations of essential principles,and the substantial differences in corporate governance practices,in the best-and worst-performing companies.Additional standards for better corporate governance practices to benefit the investors in the context of the current Environmental,Social,and corporate Governance(ESG)agenda are proposed.This study provides a new insight at the development of corporate governance in Russian power generating companies through property redistribution and compliance with corporate governance principles.

Close relationship between the East Asian westerly jet and Russian far East surface air temperature in summer

The interannual variability of the east asian upper-tropospheric westerly jet（EAJ） in summer is characterized by the meridional displacement of its axis, or a seesaw pattern of zonal wind anomalies between the northern and southern flanks of the EAJ. This study reveals a close relationship between the surface air temperature in the russian far east and the northern flank of the EAJ. Related to a warmer surface in the russian far east, the westerly decelerates in the northern flank of the EAJ. The relationship can be explained by a positive feedback mechanism between the surface air temperature in the russian far east and the overhead circulation： the anticyclonic circulation anomaly related to a weakened westerly in the northern flank of the EAJ induces surface warming in the russian far east and the warmer surface can in turn act as a heat source and induces a local anticyclonic circulation anomaly in the upper troposphere, therefore decelerating the westerly in the northern flank of the EAJ. The result implies that a better description of the summer surface condition in the russian far east may benefit seasonal forecasts of the EAJ and, subsequently, east asian summer climate.

Functions of Russian Melilotus officinalis on Degraded Soil Improvement

To improve the serious situation of soil degradation in China, tests were carried out to study the improvement effects of Russian Melilotus officinalis on the low base saturation acid soil, the alkaline-saline soil and the heavy metal contaminated soil. The results showed that M. officinalis could improve the low base saturation acid soil, increase the salt, alkali content, mineral nutrition and organic nutrient, which indicated that M. officinalis could be planted in the acid soil, and had a significant ecological effect on soil improvement. M. officinalis achieved a remarkable effect on improving the alkaline-saline soil （pH 8.5-9.5） that the soil desalted, dealkalized and had more organic nutrient. Moreover, M. officinalis could improve the heavy metal contaminated soil and had the ability to enrich and transform heavy metal elements, especially Cd and Ni, thereby presenting significant repair effects on soil improvement. Therefore, Russian M. officinalis had multiple-effects on degraded soil improvement, so it is worthy of application and popularization.

The Linguistic Means of Representing Women in the Doukhobor Russian Psalms

This paper analyzes the language employed in the representations of women in Doukhobor Russian ritual texts called ＂ncanMbf＇ （psalms） from the viewpoint of linguistic text analysis performed in the Russian tradition of folklore stylistics. While addressing the representations of Biblical female characters, such as the Holy Virgin Mary Magdalene, the Heavenly Bride, and the Whore of Babylon, along with the portrayals of Doukhobor and other women, the paper identifies stylistic features in their textual descriptions. The study establishes connections between Doukhobor texts and Russian folklore and liturgical tradition. The paper strives to identify the place of Doukhobor psalms as an integral part of the Russian literary and folklore heritage

CONCEPTION OF ESTABLISHING THE SINO-RUSSIAN BORDER FREE ECONOMIC REGION

So called free economic region is a special region without jurisdiction of customs, delimited by one country. There are mainly four types of free economic region, that is, commercial type of free economic region —free port, industrial type of free economic region — export processing area, integrated commercial and trade type of free economic region — free trade zone, and scientific and technological type of free economic region — scientific industrial park. With the development of free economic region of different countries, besides free economic region within one country, there appear transnational border free economic region established by two or multiple countries. Analysing favorable factors and unfavorable factors to establish the free economic region for China and Russia, for example, China and Russia have land boundary line of 4282.7 km; China and Russia may strengthen overall cooperation in politics, military, economy, science and technology, culture, etc. making full use of geographical factors of the two countries, borders; there is a strong complementarity in resources, labour force etc. for China and Russia; strengthening the Sino Russian economic trade cooperation is needed, the authors proposed a conception and selected four comparative ideal locations for establishing the Sino Russian border free economic region: Manzhouli Zabaikalye Free Economic Region, Heihe Blagoveshchensk Free Economic Region, Suifenhe Pogranichnyy Free Economic Region, Hunchun Hasan Free Economic Region. Finally the principles and patterns for establishing free economic region are discussed.

Innovatory technical cooperation between Sino-Russian lndustries

Discusses the necessity for China and Russia to change the existing small scale and level bilateral economic and trade relations for better by breaking away from traditional thoughts and formulating new thoughts on development of economic and trade relations between the two countries, and suggests the need to develop all azimuth and multi level economic and trade relations with emphasis on industrial cooperations to develop the leading industries of these two countries in accord with the strategic partnership between these two countries for the 21 century to suit the changes in the formation of new multi pole international order, and concludes the industries in these two countries can be made structurally complementary to each other and coexistent with the leading industries by developing steady and reliable industrial cooperative relations to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Russian architectural town-planning traditions and innovations in the Far East in the second half of the XIX-the beginning of the XX centuries

The establishment on the Far East of the orthodox Church and cultural stereotypes of the traditional Russian city occurred through active church building. The temples of the Far Eastern cities by its position in urban environment played a role of the basic exponents of the spiritual-state ideals of Russia. Ussumption cathedrals in Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, Nikolsky cathedral in Nikcolsk-Ussurisk, Shadrinsky cathedral in Blagoveshchensk, Saint-Nikolaevsky at Russiand iplomatic mission in Seoul and other orthodox temples of the last thirty years of the XIX-the beginning of the XX-th centuries inherited ancient Russian tradition and were designed in the Byzantian style, style of the Moscow XVII century architecture, in Russian style. The ideas of ″the orthodox, the autocracy and the nationality″ in town-planning are expressed also in devotions of temples and names of new settlements. For example, a large number of temples is devoted to Saint Nicholas. Only in the Primorye Territory they are about 20. Harbin’s Saint-Nikolaevsky cathedral also in a name Nicholas. Harbin’s the Sofia church is devoted to a great symbol Ancient Russia and Russian Empire - church of Saint Sofia in Constantinople. The general plans of settlements and cities of the Far East of the second half of the XIX and boundary XIX-XX centuries were realized by two leading directions of town-planning of Russia: the first is based on the norms of regular town-planning, the second is one connected with the realization of the city - garden concept. The priority remains for classicismical tradition. At the same time, the general plans of Harbin, Dairen realized the innovative idea of the time-the concept of city-garden. On the Russian Far East social town-planning ideas of the city -gardens in a certain measure were embodied in 1910-s in the project of Alexseevsk town; Anutovsky country settlement on Ocean station near Vladivostok, later it was officially named-Garden-City; in a settlement for the railway servicemen on Nikolskay station of the Ussuriskay railway and others. Russian architectural town-planning tradition was enriched by new understanding of the social and town-planning purposes, realized in cities of the Far East in the end of the XIX-the beginning of the XX centuries.

Recent Russian remote sensing investigations in Antarctica within the framework of scientific traverses

This paper includes a short historical review of Russian and Soviet scientific traverses to study the Antarctic inland. The first traverse left on April 2, 1956. It resulted in the opening of the first Russian inland research station named Pionerskaya and provided the first geophysical and glaciological data on regions inland of the Antarctic coast. By 1965, a number of regional inland scientific traverses had been completed and. the first Atlas of Antarctica was published in 1966. The atlas presented the main achievements of that time. After the discovery of Lake Vostok, Russian scientists commenced remote sensing investigations to study this unique natural phenomenon. The propagation of acoustic and electromagnetic waves in the glacier near Vostok Station were measured to provide important geophysical data. Radio-echo sounding data showed that Lake Vostok is isolated and separated from the rest of the Antarctic subglacial hydrosphere. The total area of the lake is 15 790 km2, excluding 365 km^2 occupied by 11 islands. Reflection seismic soundings of Lake Vostok estimated a total volume of about 6 100 km^3, an average depth of about 400 m, and a maximum depth of 1 200 m. Since 2008, there have been a number of scientific traverses between Mirny and Vostok stations and between Progress and Vostok stations. The data collected during the traverses have provided new insights into sub-ice topography and ice sheet structure, and have led to the discovery of subglacial lakes near Komsomolskaya Station and under Pionerskaya Station.

Ecological and chorological typology as applied to Palaearctic cicadina-faunas (Hemiptera:Cicadidae:Cicadina) in Russian studies

Typology of both ecological （thermo-, hygro-, phytobiotic, biomorphological, etc.） and chorological （zonal, sectoral, regional, etc.） categories as applied to specific Cicadina faunas of Palaearctic is reviewed.