Cooperative cataloging: History and the current state

This paper considers the history of the emergence and development of cooperative cataloging in Russia and abroad and presents the first projects and programs in the field of cooperative cataloging: CONSER, NACO, BIBCO, and PCC. It elucidates the activity of the OCLC Center and Consortium of European Scientific Libraries, which are the first-rate international cooperative associations, as well as the ARBIKON Association and LIBNET centers which are Russian centers of cooperative cataloging.     

Open access to scientific knowledge: Its state,problems, and prospects of development

The concept of “open access” to scientific and teaching information has become one of the specific forms of the worldwide trend towards the formation of global interactive knowledge. This paper presents the basic information on open access (OA) to scientific and teaching information, its current status, financing options, problems and prospects of development, and the participation of Russia in this process.     

Information and information technologies as applied in political strategy modeling

This paper analyzes modern information technologies as applied in the political environment and considers the content and peculiarities of using IT programs in strategic political modeling.     

The problem of the construction of an automated control system in a Russian higher-education institution

The problem of the construction of the optimal model of the automated control system of a Russian higher-education institution (the ACS of an RHEI) is studied. This term appeared in the 1970s–1980s and served as the beginning of a project that covered more than 50 of the largest higher-education institutions of the country and is also relevant today. Two main approaches to construction of an automated control system of Russian higher-education institutions are specified, viz., the development of a system using its own resources and the use of the product from a third-party developer. Examples of the application of these approaches are given and the structure of the elements (modules) of the systems is described. The necessity to search for the optimal structure of the elements included in the ACS of an RHEI is specified for most educational organizations taking their dimensions into account and their specific sectoral character, as well as the total expenditures for the acquisition (development) and support of the systems. An example of the structure of the optimal model and a third (combined) approach to its construction is given.     

On the development of the scientific work monitoring system at higher educational institutions

The main aspects of the creation of a monitoring system for the research activities of the members of a higher-education institution are considered. The scientific activities of the lecturers and members of Turgenev Orel State University is used as the basis. It is expected that this system will be an efficient tool for optimal managerial decisions at all levels.     

Innovative activities of the All-Russian Institute for Scientific and technical information,Russian Academy of Science

The analysis results for the basic indicators of innovative activities in the All-Russian Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (VINITI), Russian Academy of Science, are given. Suggestions for optimization are provided and the plan of innovative activities of VINITI is drawn on the basis on the analysis results, which is aimed at the further development of the institute.     

Comparison of oil and egg tempera paint systems using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is quickly becoming a critical tool in the field of art conservation. This technique provides high-resolution spatial maps of both inorganic and organic components located within cross-sectional samples collected from works of art. With recent advances in surface analysis, ToF-SIMS can now be used to identify specific amino acids present in protein-containing materials as well as fatty acids in drying oils. For example, the detection of the ion fragment associated with the amino acid hydroxyproline can be used to confirm the use of animal glue in a paint sample. As an analytical technique, ToF-SIMS avoids the need for derivatization/silylation reagents, with no interference by the presence of pigments. Furthermore, the layered systems that are often encountered in historical paint samples remain intact throughout the analytical procedure. This allows for the co-localization of organic and inorganic species in specific layers (e.g. egg yolk paint atop a glue ground). Because of this ability to localize the analytical signal to approximately 6?µm or less, the mass spectral information can be used to produce mass-resolved and spatially-resolve images which can be correlated to previous studies of the same samples. In this study, ToF-SIMS was used to analyze a paint cross section obtained from a painting attributed to Raphael, and another from a painting by the Sienese artist Matteo di Giovanni.     

Breaking up is hard to do: the resilience of the rock group as an organizational form for creating music

Though there is a long tradition of band members quitting the group or taking a hiatus, the rock group as an organization to produce music continues to be both popular and economically viable. The research question addressed in this paper is whether or not it is a good idea to quit or take a hiatus from the group. We begin with a discussion of the framework for understanding why groups are formed and why they may be difficult to keep together. We then discuss differences between groups in the decade of the 1960s versus today. We argue that there is something unique about the output of the group even with the changes in the structure of contracts, compensation, and consumer focus on the artist that explain the resilience of the rock band as an organizational form within which to create music. We compare the charting success of bands that have members leave the group with the charting success of the members who left the group. We identified the groups in five representative years: 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, and 2005. We then analyzed the entire Billboard Hot 100 charting careers of those groups and the artists who quit those groups. Our main finding is that when charting success is divided equally among members, going solo pays off—there is a clear economic rationale because solo acts have greater average charting success than the original bands they started in. The other ensuing side projects: duos, collaborations, and other groups are not as lucrative as the original bands. These findings are valid for members of charting groups from each of the 5 years examined. Despite the difficulties in keeping a rock band together, there are fewer band breakups today and remaining with the group generally results in a longer and more productive charting career. Thus, the rock group remains an important organization for producing contemporary music. However, there remains a compelling incentive to go solo. Superstars may benefit from solo projects, but for the average, non-superstar group member, in many circumstances it is better for the band to stay together if the income is divided equally.