The Regional Labor Market in Russia

Russia's radical economic reform is accompanied by socioeco-nomic crisis; the unemployment problem is pointed to as one of its manifestations. However, the growth of unemployment from the first day it was officially registered in our country does not by any means correspond to the forecasts. Thus, according to data of the Russian Federal Employment Service, at the end of 1993, laid-off workers comprised only 21.6 percent of the total number of citizens on the unemployment rolls.

Development of methods for determining the density of low-melting metals

Abstract Features of the formation and development of scientific research in the laboratory of physics of interfacial phenomena in ChISU named after L. N. Tolstoy in the 1970-1980s of the last century are considered in this paper. Particular attention is paid to the development and improvement of various methods for measuring the density of liquid metals and alloys. We determined the contribution of ChSU scientists in the study of metals and alloys properties and gave a scientific assessment of the obtained results. The development of methods and techniques for measuring the density of liquid metals and alloys went in two directions. Primarily, we took significant steps towards improving the accuracy of density measurements. The instruments were designed in which the accuracy of measuring density and, in particular, the temperature coefficient of density was significantly increased. Foremost, this concerns advanced pycnometers and areometers designed in ChSU laboratories. The instruments received inventor’s certificates, and they were awarded the bronze medal of the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy in 1977. The second direction improving the measuring technique of the metal properties is characterized by instrument designing for the joint measurement of physico-chemical properties in the same thermal vacuum conditions. Both areometers and pycnometers were used to determine density in these instruments.</jats:p

Effects of tDCS on Tactile Perception Depend on Tactile Expertise in Both Musicians and Non-Musicians

Brain plasticity in the somatosensory cortex and tactile performance can be facilitated by brain stimulation. Here, we investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on tactile perception in musicians and non-musicians to elucidate how tDCS-effects might depend on tactile expertise. On three separate days, 17 semi-professional musicians (e.g., piano or violin players) and 16 non-musicians aged 18–27 years received 15 min of 1 mA anodal (a-tDCS), cathodal (c-tDCS) or sham tDCS in a pseudorandomized design. Pre and post tDCS, tactile sensitivity (Touch Detection Task; TDT) and discrimination performance (Grating Orientation Task; GOT) were assessed. For further analysis, the weekly hours of instrument-playing and computer-typing were combined into a “tactile experience” variable. For GOT, but not TDT, a significant group effect at baseline was revealed with musicians performing better than non-musicians. TDT thresholds were significantly reduced after a-tDCS but not c-tDCS or sham stimulation. While both musicians’ and non-musicians’ performance improved after anodal stimulation, neither musical nor tactile expertise was directly associated with the magnitude of this improvement. Low performers in TDT with high tactile experience profited most from a-tDCS. We conclude that tactile expertise may facilitate somatosensory cortical plasticity and tactile learning in low performers.</jats:p

HUMAN CAPITAL OF THE ENTERPRISE: ITS MEASUREMENT AND ACCOUNTING FOR INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF EFFICIENCY OF TOTAL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The article discusses the human capital of the individual and the total human capital of the enterprise, approaches to their measurement and assessment of the effectiveness of managing total capital, including assets and total human capital.</jats:p

Effects of tDCS on tactile perception in musicians and non-musicians

Brain plasticity in somatosensory cortex can be facilitated by brain stimulation. To elucidate the relationship between the magnitude of plasticity and tactile performance with tactile expertise, we investigated the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on tactile perception in musicians and non-musicians. At three separate days, 17 semi-professional musicians (e.g., piano or violin players) and 16 musical novices aged 18-27 years received 15 minutes of 1mA anodal (a-tDCS), cathodal (c-tDCS) or sham tDCS in a pseudorandomized design. Pre and post tDCS, tactile sensitivity (Touch Detection Task; TDT) and discrimination performance (Grating Orientation Task; GOT) were assessed. For further analysis, the weekly hours of instrument-playing and computer-typing were combined into a ‘tactile experience’ variable. For GOT, but not TDT, a significant group effect at baseline was revealed with musicians performing better than non-musicians. TDT thresholds, were significantly reduced after a-tDCS but not c-tDCS or sham stimulation. While both experts’ and novices’ performance improved after anodal stimulation, neither musical nor tactile expertise were directly associated with the magnitude of this improvement. Low performers in TDT with high tactile experience profited most from a-tDCS. We conclude that tactile expertise may facilitate somatosensory cortical plasticity and tactile learning in low performers.</p