'A fist is stronger than five fingers': caste and dominance in rural north India

This paper explores the spatiality of caste and power in contemporary rural north India. I aim to introduce the social institution of caste to a non-specialist audience and illustrate how caste is changing. The paper draws upon Pierre Bourdieu's notions of social capital and habitus and the India-based research ofSrinivas (1955) andMendelsohn (1993). I argue that while caste as a religiously sanctioned system of resource transfer is in decline, caste organization and identity are important forms of social or symbolic capital for rural elites. Drawing on detailed empirical research in western Uttar Pradesh, I demonstrate the continuing importance of caste dominance in the reproduction of social inequality and relate caste to other axes of power.     

东晋南朝的方位州考释

在东晋南朝史书中有大量关于东州、西州、南州和北州的记载。这些以方位词来称呼的"州",含义和得名的原因都较为复杂。西州主要指代扬州官府和荆州,偶尔指益州。东州主要指代扬州,其次是东扬州。南州主要指代侨立的豫州和南豫州及其治所姑熟城,偶尔指江州和广州。北州主要指代青州,其次是泛指北方诸州。荆州是最大的军事重镇,扬州是京畿地区,二者的户口超过全国的半数,被世人比拟为先秦的西陕和东陕,因而被称之为西州和东州。侨立的豫州和南豫州及其治所姑熟城是防御长江中上游和北方军事势力攻击的重要屏障,因位于京师之南,故被称之为南州。益州和青州位居西部和北部边疆、经济富庶、战略位置重要,故被称为西州和北州。东扬州称东州,江州和广州称南州,都是因为物产富饶。这些方位州的得名从一个侧面反映了全国的政治、经济和军事形势。     

跨国地区的空间经济联系与格局特征研究——以中国东北三省与俄罗斯远东联邦区为例

以中国东北三省和俄罗斯远东联邦区为研究对象,运用区域经济等级、经济联系强度、地缘经济匹配等研究中俄跨国地区空间经济联系与格局特征,研究表明：2010—2019年,(1)俄远东繁荣的经济区与停滞的落后区两极分化现象显著。一级经济区位于滨海边疆区、哈巴罗夫斯克（伯力）边疆区、萨哈（雅库特）共和国、萨哈林（库页）州,二级经济区分布在阿穆尔州、外贝加尔边疆区、布里亚特共和国,三级经济区包含堪察加边疆区、马加丹州、犹太自治州、楚科奇自治区。(2)中国东北三省与俄远东区的经济联系强度不断增强,同其毗邻东向的滨海边疆区,北向的阿穆尔州和哈巴罗夫斯克（伯力）边疆区的经济联系量最多。空间上,中国东北三省与俄远东不同地区（南部>西部>东北部）经济联系差异较大,呈“南高北低、西高东低”的格局特征。(3)中国东北三省与俄远东多数联邦主体隶属于地缘经济互补型,表现出距离越近的联邦主体、竞争关系较强,距离越远的联邦主体、互补关系较强的态势。     

云冈石窟顶部土层水盐分布特征研究

可溶盐是石质文物风化的重要原因,其聚集、运移与水密不可分。石窟顶部土层中的盐是云冈石质文物内部盐分的重要来源,因而研究石窟顶部土层中的水盐分布特征对未来减小可溶盐在石质文物内部的聚集具有十分重要的意义。本研究对云冈石窟顶部不同位置、不同深度土层的饱和渗透系数、含水率、孔隙比、可溶盐含量进行了系统的分析测试,并结合取土位置的坡度和植被覆盖率,研究了云冈石窟顶部土层中水盐分布特征。结果表明:植被覆盖率越高,土体含水量越高;坡度越大,土体含水率越低;土体孔隙比与饱和渗透系数呈线性关系。植被覆盖率、坡度及土体的渗透性能是影响石窟顶部土层水盐分布的主要原因。     

Comparison of the Spectral Representation Method to Simulate Spatially Variable Ground Motions

The spectral representation method (SRM) is widely used when simulating spatially variable ground motions. It has mainly two formulas, i.e., the random amplitudes and the random phases formulas. There exist three methods for decomposing the cross spectral density matrix: Cholesky decomposition, eigen decomposition, and root decomposition. Therefore, there are six forms with respect to the different combinations of the simulation formulas and the decomposition methods. To provide researchers and engineers with the guidance on choosing simulation method, the six forms are systematically investigated from five aspects: the power intensity, response spectra, and stochastic error of auto/cross spectral density, Fourier spectra, and difference indexes for Fourier amplitudes and phases. Finally, we give the following advice: the characteristics of the ground motions simulated by the random amplitudes formula are independent of the decomposition method, while the characteristics of the ground motions simulated by random phases formula are dependent of the decomposition method. Furthermore, the root decomposition is strongly recommended when utilizing the random phases formula.     

Can palynomorphs occur in burnt ancient potsherds? An experimental proof

Potsherds from archaeological sites are usually found barren of palynomorphs. Recently half burnt potsherds from an excavation site dated to 3320 ± 400 years BP to 2080 ± 80 years BP in Gangetic West Bengal, India yielded some palynotaxa. That palynomorphs can remain preserved in half burnt potsherds was experimentally proved with pots made from mud mixed with known pollen grains and burning for variable duration. Pots burnt for shorter duration showed recovery, while prolonged firing showed poor/no recovery. Present study suggests the use of pollen grains from under-fired ancient potsherds as a reliable tool in deciphering vegetation, climate, agriculture and related parameters of archaeological research.     

The Structure of Russian Industrial Exports in Comparative Perspective

A British economist presents a comparative study focused on the change in the technological structure of Russia's high- and medium-technology industrial exports. The export profiles of 19 countries in the post-communist region, including the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe are compared with those of China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia. Classifying 260 export activities for each of the 24 countries according to the level of technology intensity required in production, the author measures change in export structures by employing the Krugman Specialization Index and the Balassa Index of Revealed Comparative Advantage. The results of measures are followed by a discussion of implications for the future development of high-tech industries and higher value-added exports in Russia. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F14, O11, O30, P50. 4 figures, 2 tables, 36 references.     

清朝宝泉局机构沿革新考

本文从明朝及清朝关外时期开始,对宝泉局的地位和天命年间铸钱时间进行了新的考证,并找到清朝关外时期从朝鲜进口铜矿的史料。考证了雍正年间在宝泉局一厂外多设四厂的原因,并对五厂的功能加以分析,同时对"宝泉分局"的历史概念进行辨析;最后对以往没有解释清楚的宝泉局撤销时间加以探讨。