With a more than 13-year old career in journalism, I can confidently introduce myself as a seasoned journalist that you can rely on for any Iraq-related coverage.

Remote Heart Rate Estimation Based on Transformer with Multi-Skip Connection Decoder: Method and Evaluation in the Wild

25 Jan 2024  |  MDPI  |  English  |  Machine Learning

The article presents a novel method for remote heart rate estimation using a transformer architecture with a multi-skip connection biLSTM decoder. The method leverages skin color variations caused by blood volume changes to estimate heart rate from videos. The proposed framework includes facial region segmentation, feature extraction, and heart rate estimation. Experiments conducted on publicly available datasets and a new in-the-wild dataset demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms existing methods, achieving state-of-the-art results. The study also explores the optimal feature extractor and number of frames for accurate heart rate estimation.

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St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences ITMO University

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Kate Baklitskaya is a journalist, writer, fixer  based in Chișinău, Moldova.
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Tim Gosling is a journalist, editor and analyst based in the Czech Republic. He covers politics, business, current affairs and football across Central & Eastern Europe. Regular bylines for Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, Foreign Policy, Politico, The Times. He provides political and economic analysis ...

Democracy Digest: Hungarian President Vetoes Controversial Anti-LGBT Law

28 Apr 2023  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  Ukraine War

Hungarian President Novak vetoed a controversial anti-LGBT law, citing concerns over constitutional rights and freedom of speech. The Hungarian government plans to decriminalize defamation in the media, a move critics argue will benefit government-aligned media. In Poland, opposition leader Donald Tusk is under investigation for abuse of power, while Education Minister Przemyslaw Czarnek announced no public funds for academics who 'insult Poles.' Czech President Petr Pavel criticized the government for not supporting the EU lawsuit against Hungary's anti-LGBT laws and sanctioned Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill. Slovakian leader Robert Fico expressed conditional support for Ukraine's EU membership but opposed its NATO membership, while the Russian embassy in Slovakia faced accusations of desecrating graves.

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Russian Embassy Russian Orthodox Church Polish Academy of Sciences European Commission Fidesz PO TVN Czech Government Smer

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Svetlana Ivanova is a photojournalist based in Moscow, Russia.

Global Overview of Modern Research Based on Ellenberg Indicator Values

21 Dec 2023  |  MDPI  |  English  |  Biodiversity Conservation

The study analyzes the use of Ellenberg indicator values in ecological research from 2020 to 2022, focusing on habitat assessment and vegetation dynamics. It reveals that most studies were conducted in Germany and Poland, with forests and grasslands being the primary focus. The research confirms the effectiveness of Ellenberg indicator values in addressing ecological niches, habitat analysis, and the impact of various factors on plants. The study also highlights the importance of adapting these values for new regions and improving ecosystem assessment methodologies. Despite recent publication, the articles are actively cited, indicating the relevance and scientific significance of the research.

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Russian Academy of Sciences Ural Federal University GeoCharts library

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I'm passionate about pursuing environmental and cultural stories and just as obsessed in capturing cinematic moments in human stories. I write and I film. I've been published and broadcast by Al Jazeera, BBC, VOA, National Geographic, Bloomberg Quicktake, CCTV News (Now CGTN), Dutch Channel VPRO, ...

Partners caught on different sides of the yearlong conflict reflect on how it has affected their relationships.

19 Mar 2023  |  Al Jazeera  |  English  |  Political Conflict

The article explores the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on mixed-nationality couples, focusing on their personal stories and the challenges they face. Oksana, a Ukrainian pianist, and Sergio, a Russian archaeologist, recount their love story and the strain the war has put on their relationship, including their move to Georgia and the difficulties of finding employment and discussing the war. The article also tells the story of Mariam, a Russian-Georgian filmmaker, and her Ukrainian boyfriend, highlighting the tensions and taboos in their conversations about the war. It discusses the psychological effects of the conflict on relationships, with insights from psychologists Diana Khabibulina and Dr. Darejan Javakhishvili. The article also touches on the broader societal impact of the influx of Russian exiles into Georgia and the resulting local sentiments. The personal narratives illustrate the complex interplay of love, politics, and identity in times of war.

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Russian Academy of Sciences

Freelance journalist currently based in Mumbai, India. Write on international relations & and geopolitics with its relation to business. Covers various sectors of business, including oil & gas, defense, banking & finance, telecom & IT, among others. 
For the past 3 years, have been closely ...

Putin’s visit to Syria and Turkey showcases Russia’s growing influence in the Middle East

11 Jan 2020  |  The Hindu  |  English  |  Russia's Foreign Policy

On January 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Damascus to meet Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and then proceeded to Turkey to launch the TurkStream gas pipeline with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit coincided with heightened tensions in the Middle East following the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iran's retaliatory missile strikes. Russia called for a ceasefire in Libya and showcased its influence in the region. Experts suggest Russia is positioning itself as a stable partner in contrast to the U.S. The visits also have implications for Indo-Russian relations, with potential cooperation in Syria's reconstruction and in the Indian Ocean region. The article suggests Russia's strategic moves could benefit its regional partnerships and influence.

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Russian Academy of Sciences Rossiyskaya Gazeta Valdai Club The Hindu

For over 20 years I was an English-language journalist based in Moscow. Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, I left Russia. However, I continue to closely monitor developments in Russia (and my homeland, Belarus), contributing articles on Russia-related topics. My focus lies ...

Unsymmetrical Pd(II) Pincer Complexes with Benzothiazole and Thiocarbamate Flanking Units: Expedient Solvent-Free Synthesis and Anticancer Potential

10 Dec 2023  |  www.mdpi.com  |  English  |  Pharmacology

A study focused on developing new chemotherapeutic agents against cancer, utilizing unsymmetrical pincer ligands combining benzothiazole and thiocarbamate donor groups. These compounds underwent direct cyclopalladation, resulting in S,C,N-type Pd(II) pincer complexes, characterized by various spectroscopic methods. The solvent-free synthesis approach was efficient and environmentally friendly. The palladacycles demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines, with the dimethylamino-substituted derivative showing high effectiveness and inducing apoptosis in both parental and doxorubicin-resistant cells, suggesting the potential of these palladacycles as anticancer agents.

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N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology Plekhanov Russian University of Economics Russian Academy of Sciences A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds

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Ekaterina Kuznetsova is a journalist based in Madrid, Spain. Migrating from Russia, she has a BA degree in broadcast journalism and MA degree in human rights from Leeds University. 

She worked for Special Olympics, designing the project for disabled children in Russia called 'Kidsability'. She ...

Removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid from Aqueous Solutions Using Al2O3/Graphene Oxide Granules Prepared by Spray-Drying Method

11 Mar 2024  |  MDPI  |  English  |  Adsorption Techniques

Aluminum oxide granules with 0.25% graphene oxide were prepared using a spray-drying method to create an adsorbent for removing the herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent's effectiveness was confirmed through various spectroscopic techniques. The adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 35.181 mg/g. The study highlights the potential of Al2O3-0.25%vol. GO powder for producing effective adsorbents for toxic herbicides, emphasizing the role of pH in adsorption efficiency.

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Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow State University of Technology “STANKIN”

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Ronan Murphy is an Irish football journalist, focusing on the Bundesliga, European and international soccer. He is a regular Bundesliga and Champions League pundit on the Sony Sports Network and is Head of Social for the Realtimes Network, running social media for sites such as FootballTransfers, ...

Corticospinal Excitability after 5-day Dry Immersion in Women

23 Mar 2023  |  www.frontiersin.org  |  English  |  Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

A study on the effects of 5-day Dry Immersion (DI) on corticospinal excitability in women revealed the development of hyperreflexia, indicated by decreased MEP thresholds, a predominant increase in spinal MEP amplitudes, and decreased CMCT. These effects align with similar experiments involving men, suggesting increased spinal and corticospinal excitability and conductibility due to DI exposure. The study, approved by the Bioethical Commission of the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, involved 16 healthy female volunteers and was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation. The findings are within physiological norms but could impact astronaut performance, warranting further research.

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Institute of Biomedical Problems Russian Academy of Sciences

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British journalist, editor, and researcher. Work published in the Guardian, POLITICO Europe, New Statesman, Vice, The Moscow Times, and New Eastern Europe. 

Now primarily in London/Baltics but open to Russia-based commissions with the appropriate arrangements.

Sonar from Russian ships killing Black Sea dolphins

01 Oct 2023  |  www.thetimes.com  |  English  |  Environmental Impact

The article discusses the significant increase in dolphin deaths in the Black Sea, attributing it to sonar from Russian naval vessels. Experts have noted that the noise pollution from these ships disorients dolphins, affecting their ability to navigate and hunt. The Ukrainian deputy environment minister highlighted the extensive environmental damage caused by Russia during the war, including contamination of water bodies. The article also mentions the unprecedented rise in marine mammal deaths in Turkey and Bulgaria since the invasion of Ukraine.

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University of Padua University of Hannover National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Russian Black Sea Fleet Turkish Marine Research Foundation

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I am a multi-platform journalist with work published in different Indian and international media outlets, including Aljazeera English, DW, Friday Magazine, Barcroft TV and The Sun. I also take up fixing assignments and work with international journalists with their projects in Indian subcontinent. ...

Nature Used 57 Recipes to Create Earth's 10,500-plus 'mineral Kinds'

04 Jul 2022  |  www.latestly.com  |  English  |  Scientific Research

A 15-year study led by Carnegie scientists Robert Hazen and Shaunna Morrison, and sponsored in part by NASA, has detailed the origins and diversity of every known mineral on Earth. The research, published in American Mineralogist, introduces a novel approach to classifying minerals based on their formation processes, increasing the recognized number of 'mineral kinds' to over 10,500. The study emphasizes the significant role of water and biology in mineral formation and highlights the diverse origins of minerals like pyrite. The findings aim to reconstruct Earth's history, guide mineral exploration, and aid the search for habitable planets.

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University of Arizona Russian Academy of Sciences NASA Carnegie Institution for Science International Mineralogical Association

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Vienna-based reporter/correspondent with (7+ years) experience working for international news channels. I'm a German native available in English, Italian, and French.

My equipment: Sony FX30, Insta360, battery-powered Lights, Rode wireless go II, Macbook pro (adobe premiere).

Austria and Switzerland to join Sky Shield despite neutrality policy

14 Aug 2023  |  newseu.cgtn.com  |  English  |  War in Ukraine

Austria and Switzerland, traditionally neutral countries, plan to join the European air defense initiative 'Sky Shield,' sparking divisions within their populations. Right-wing parties argue it compromises neutrality, while military officials stress the need for enhanced air defense capabilities. Despite limited membership, public opinion is split, with some fearing a drift towards NATO. Austria's far-right Freedom Party calls for a referendum, while experts and officials argue the initiative won't compromise neutrality. The Russian Academy of Sciences warns of potential sanctions if the countries align with Western defense policies.

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Russian Academy of Sciences NATO Sky Shield

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Maria Stambler is a journalist based in Budapest, Hungary.

Do animals of the Russian North have a chance to survive climate change?

01 Oct 2023  |  Russia Beyond  |  English  |  Wildlife Conservation

Russia is experiencing climate change at a rate 2.5 times faster than the global average, severely impacting its wildlife, particularly in the Arctic. Species like polar bears, walruses, Arctic reindeer, and White Sea seals are struggling to adapt to rapidly changing habitats. Experts highlight the challenges these animals face, such as shrinking ice for polar bears and walruses, altered migration patterns for reindeer, and early ice melt affecting seal pups. While some species may adapt with human intervention, others, like the White Sea seals, face a grim future unless significant changes are made.

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Russian Academy of Sciences Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution Hydrometeorological Research Center of Russia Wrangel Island National Park WWF Russia

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Maria Zavialova is a journalist from Ukraine, based in Ukraine. I have 10 years of experience in journalism, including TV and radio. I’ve been covering war in Ukraine since the beginning in 2014. I’m specializing on war, mass unrest, politics and health.

Blood Plasma Markers in Depressed Mice under Chronic Social Defeat Stress

05 Jul 2024  |  MDPI  |  English  |  Neurodegenerative Disorders

The study investigates blood plasma markers in mice subjected to chronic social defeat stress, a model for depression. It identifies specific proteins, including amyloid proteins and apolipoproteins, that are differentially expressed in depressed mice compared to controls and aggressive mice. The findings suggest a psychopathogenic role of chronic social stress, potentially predisposing individuals to neurodegenerative and psychoemotional disorders. The research highlights the potential of using peripheral biomarkers to understand the comorbidity of depression with other diseases and to develop treatment strategies.

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Institute of Biomedical Chemistry Russian Academy of Sciences Federal Research Center for Innovator and Emerging Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies

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