Things and collections of things are among the most ubiquitous forms of scientific evidence, inducing the very concept itself - from the Latin evidentia, obvious to the mind or eye - into the physical realm. Things also tend to stick around; that which was acquired for research purposes is eventually transferred to storage, where it either disintegrates, or ages and accumulates. This obduracy of being renders things subject to almost infinite afterlives. Centuries-old evidence can always spark new research questions, perspectives, and methods, therewith exciting the perpetual evolution, branching, and convergence of knowledge and ways of knowing. The process of making things work as scientific evidence is inevitably inexact and messy and requires drawing on ways of working and thinking in and beyond other scientific disciplines. This notwithstanding, conversations about the relationship between objects and scientific knowledge are still largely preoccupied with the epistemic bounds of present-day disciplines and European or Euro-American ways of knowing. The aim of this special issue is to lean into that messiness and think beyond those preoccupations, drawing on new insights from environmental, Indigenous, social, and labor history, among other fields. Contributions foreground how physical objects have been used as evidence to undergird scientific enterprises rather than the disciplines into which those efforts are or have been organized. What emerges are rich histories of how evidence-based ideas and practices have intertwined different fields of knowledge in and far beyond the history of science.
This article examines how the context of imperial expansion and military governance allowed Dmitrii L’vovich Ivanov (1846–1924) to become a mining engineer and member of the first glaciological expedition in Russian Imperial Turkestan (1880) despite his previous criminal sentence. His biography offers insights into the emergence of glacier science in Turkestan, with the Zeravshan Glacier as its first scientific object. My analysis sheds light on how imperial expansion, military governance, and resource prospecting configured specific sites for glacier science in Central Asia. It shows how the empire’s center–periphery relations as well as the strata and hierarchies of Russian colonial society enabled historical figures such as Ivanov to constitute themselves as glacier scientists. Drawing on archival documents from the Russian State Historical Archive and the National Archive of Uzbekistan, as well as on published sources from the library of the Russian Geographical Society, the analysis is framed by the approach of “life geography” and zeroes in on four geographically grounded moments in Ivanov’s biography.
This article analyzes the Radical Science Journal ’s (RSJ) conception of scientific neutrality, showing how neutrality became a contested issue within the British radical science movement and a site of political struggle against capitalism. Complicating traditional readings that treat neutrality positions in the 1970s as uniform, it argues that the lack of consensus within the so-called non-neutrality camp reveals significant disagreements over what neutrality meant and the political commitments it entailed. Whereas much of the radical milieu emphasized ideological contexts or the misuses of science – most notably in the British Society for Social Responsibility in Science – RSJ advanced a view of science as a non-neutral, intrinsically social form of knowledge, demanding analysis of content and historicity. The journal called for a radical historiography capable of rethinking epistemology and Marxism’s politics of science. Using archival and published material, the article recovers internal tensions within RSJ between theoretical elaboration and activist priorities, including debates over labor struggles, as well as external criticism by Hilary and Steven Rose. It also explores RSJ’s ambivalent engagement with emerging sociology of scientific knowledge. More broadly, the article contributes to the historiography of radical science and the development of science studies in the 1970s.
This article examines the role of soft power in Turkey's foreign policy in the Eurasian space at the present stage. The analysis of Turkey's use of soft power offers insight into the formation of its foreign-policy institutions and into the effectiveness of a foreignpolicy course built on a balanced combination of soft and hard power, which may be regarded as Turkey's foreign-policy model. The study traces the non-coercive instruments of influence that became one of the principal lines of Turkish foreign policy in the first decades of the 21st century, and analyses their conceptual foundation: A. Davutoğlu's theory of «strategic depth», the «zero problems with neighbours» principle and the concept of «humanitarian diplomacy». The article also considers the instruments of Turkish public diplomacy (TİKA, the Yunus Emre Institute, the «Maarif» Foundation, the Presidency of Religious Affairs, the Organization of Turkic States) and the role of cultural exports. Turkey's geopolitical position is interpreted through the classical concepts of international relations theory (H. Mackinder, N. Spykman, Zb. Brzezinski, S. Huntington, H. Kissinger). The practice of Turkish soft power is analysed through the key regions of Eurasia (the South Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans and Western Europe). One of the article's main conclusions is that soft power has become a system-forming (structural) element of Turkey's foreign-policy strategy in Eurasia and possesses significant potential for further growth.
The article discusses the full-length film Life Seems to Be Beautiful by People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, film director Vagif Mustafayev, one of the few cinematic artistic examples shot on the theme of the Second Karabakh War, which was produced in 2022 at the “Azerbaijanfilm” film studio. Vagif Mustafayev is a film director who has a unique place and legacy in the development of comedy and tragicomedy genres in Azerbaijani national cinema. The fact that the film, which is the director’s latest screen work, was received with conflicting opinions by society and that it has not been thoroughly analyzed in any serious source to date has necessitated the writing of an independent research paper in terms of revealing its artistic qualities and reading its message. The article turns the film into a subject of analysis and notes what role it played for Azerbaijan in the ideological and emotional presentation of the Second Karabakh War. The director’s presentation of the war in a different interpretation and from a unique perspective plays a special role in the originality of the film. The article examines the artistic depiction of the sickly-minded, evil Armenian character on screen, and the degree of objectivity of the ideas, dialogues, and episodes expressed in the film is determined by referring to the works of world and Armenian authors. The artistic features of the film, black humor, absurd and surreal tendencies, and their correspondence with other films in the director's work are analyzed from an analytical perspective.
Buckwheat husk is a secondary product obtained during the processing of buckwheat grains into groats, and is a promising raw material for the enrichment of flour confectionery products, including baked semi-finished products made from biscuit dough. The purpose of the work is to study the effect of buckwheat husk powder on the quality and safety of biscuit semi-finished products. Buckwheat husk powder is rich in minerals (potassium, calcium, iron) and dietary fiber, characterized by high water retention capacity; it is safe according to microbiological indicators. It was considered expedient to process buckwheat husk into a fine dispersed powder with a particle size of 120 μm by the method of mechanochemical activation. In order to determine the optimal amount of buckwheat husk powder added to the biscuit semi-finished product recipe, practical tests were conducted on the recipe and technologies for the preparation of biscuit semi-finished products with the addition of this powder in an amount of 5% and 10% relative to the volume of first-grade wheat flour. With an increase in the amount of added powder, although the dough moisture content remained almost at the same level (37–38%), the moisture content of the samples decreased by 1.3–4.2% compared to the control sample, the porosity increased by 4.9–7.2%, and the specific volume increased by 0.9– 1.1%. Based on the results of the analysis of organoleptic and physicochemical indicators, the production of biscuit semi-finished products with the addition of buckwheat husk powder in an amount of 5% is recommended for practical application. The obtained data indicate the feasibility of using buckwheat husk powder to improve the organoleptic and physicochemical indicators of the quality of flour confectionery products and expand their range.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the key factors influencing the academic success of learners in the military education environment. The study demonstrates that academic performance is shaped not only by individual abilities but also by the interaction of pedagogical, psychological, social, organizational, and technological factors. From a pedagogical perspective, interactive and competency-based teaching methods, as well as the quality of teacher–learner relationships, significantly enhance learning outcomes. Psychological factors, particularly motivation and stress resilience, play an essential role in learners’ adaptation to the educational process. In the social environment, collective relationships, leadership, and team spirit create conditions conducive to improved academic achievement. Organizational factors, such as the structure of curricula and material-technical resources, determine the effectiveness of the learning process. Technological capabilities make instruction more interactive and flexible. Overall, the synergy of these factors serves as the main determinant of learners’ academic success in the military education system and strengthens their professional preparedness.
This article examines the Franco-Belgian Chooz A nuclear power plant as a transnational laboratory for nuclear knowledge-making in postwar Europe. Situated on the French-Belgian border, Chooz A was the first pressurized water reactor built in France and one of the earliest collaborations between the French utility EDF, Belgian companies, Westinghouse, and Euratom. We argue that Chooz A is an example of how nuclear knowledge was produced outside of scientific institutions through experimenting, testing, and tinkering. Previous scholarship has tended to analyze nuclear knowledge production from the perspective of "big science" and experiments at scientific institutions. By conceptualizing Chooz A as a laboratory, this article argues that nuclear power plants, often viewed merely as industrial installations, can also be understood as experimental arenas for producing more practical knowledge. Particularly in border settings, nuclear diplomacy was crucial in shaping knowledge production, and collaborative ideas for this knowledge production often coexisted with national interests. Drawing on unexplored archives from EDF, ASNR (the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority), Westinghouse, and the Belgian National Archives, as well as oral history interviews, we explore five examples that demonstrate Chooz A's experimental nature: its unconventional cavern design, the operation of the plant as a social laboratory and arena for nuclear diplomacy, the 1968 thermal-shield incident, tritium contamination controversies, and early MOX (mixed-oxide) fuel experiments. In all these instances, not scientists but engineers, technicians, and regular workers produced practical knowledge that would prove crucial in France's, Belgium's, and arguably Europe's energy transition toward nuclear in the postwar period. These examples all demonstrate, to a greater degree than scholars have previously recognized, that the boundary between laboratory experimentation and energy infrastructure was blurrier, as engineers, technicians, and regulators collectively generated tacit and practical knowledge that informed later postwar European nuclear programs.
Crystallization - of solids from solutions or alloys is a mass transfer process based on the transfer of matter between two contacting phase surfaces. That is, it is a phase transition that occurs when a substance passes from a solution (liquid phase) to a crystallized product (solid phase). During the crystallization process, impurities (impurities, impurities) present in a certain amount in working solutions, including sucrose solutions, are always separated from the crystalline product (crystallization). The crystallization process can occur only in supersaturated (supersaturated) solutions. Therefore, the formation of crystallization centers and their growth is possible only if the thermodynamic potential of pure sucrose crystals at the end of the process is lower than before the start of crystallization. The driving force of the sucrose crystallization process and the main factor determining the crystal growth rate is the concentration difference between two immiscible phases - that is, the substance in the supersaturated solution (a solution with a concentration higher than the equilibrium concentration of this substance at a given temperature) and the substance on the crystal surface. The crystallization of sucrose from saturated sugar solutions, which occurs in vacuum apparatuses (including those operating cyclically), is a physicochemical process, a very complex heat exchange process and can be influenced by various factors - for example, the concentration of the solution at a certain time, the temperature ranges, and the residual pressure in the vacuum apparatus. These factors can be described by the corresponding dependencies (i.e., mathematical relationships). The crystallization process of sucrose fully enters the second stage of crystal growth only when the crystallization centers capable of growth "solidify" and the growing crystals reach a certain size. Simultaneously with the crystallization process of sucrose, its decomposition under the influence of high temperature also occurs. In addition, in parallel with the crystallization of sucrose, various by-products are formed as a result of the interaction of reducing sugars, coagulation or decomposition of organic compounds (non-sugar substances), as well as the crystallization and recrystallization reactions of sucrose.
In the presented article, the city is explored as a living organism; the experiences of Azerbaijan and other countries are researched through historical-comparative and dual-comparison methods in the context of urban planning. The article emphasizes the necessity of studying urban planning and architectural issues through the lens of sociology and analyzes existing research in the field of urban sociology. Furthermore, it is highlighted that inclusivity, historicity, and modernity must be strictly considered during urban planning to ensure a healthy socioecological environment for the city. Consequently, it is concluded that it is essential to approach urban planning and architectural matters in the light of urban sociology.
In graphic design, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have moved beyond being mere auxiliary tools and have become central to the design process. While traditional design processes require time, technical skills, and experience, AI-powered tools accelerate and make these processes more accessible. It is revolutionary because it speeds up the idea generation process instead of drawing from scratch. With the development of AI technologies, automatically generated art and design products, text-to-visual generation, automatic logos, posters, illustrations, and style transfers have restructured individuals' production and consumption behaviors in today's rapidly digitalizing world. Tools like Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, and DALL-E have forced software and codebased systems to adapt human life to an algorithmic order. These new models have made creative processes faster, more flexible, and more innovative. Thus, production processes have gained a more unique and dynamic structure supported by constantly evolving technologies. This study examines current AI technologies used in graphic design, their areas of application, advantages, and potential risks, and evaluates how designers interact with these technologies and how graphic design might be shaped in the future.
This article examines the antimicrobial activity of fungal strains isolated from the epiphytic and rhizosphere zones of cotton in the Ujar region and their impact on the germination and development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the biological control potential of these fungi against various phytopathogenic microorganisms and their potential to stimulate plant development. Fungi belonging to the genera Aspergillus niger, A. terreus, A. flavus, Penicillium nigricans, P. citrinum, P. spinilosum, Trichoderma harzianum, Mucor, and Fusarium solani were identified from samples collected in spring, summer, and autumn. The antimicrobial activity of these fungi against the test targets Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis was assessed. The effect of fungal suspensions on germination energy and seed development dynamics was also studied. A literature review revealed that harnessing the biological potential of microorganisms is essential for maintaining cotton health and increasing yields. The study’s results reveal the seasonal distribution dynamics of these fungal species, their potential antimicrobial properties, and their plant growth-promoting effects, paving the way for the development of new biological control strategies for sustainable agriculture.
Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing research area with wide application potential in various fields in recent years. This field includes biomedicine, environmental remediation, consumer products, optoelectronics, chemical catalysis, renewable energy, medical devices, and the food industry. Applications of nanotechnology in the food industry include the detection of contaminants, the production of pollution-free and healthy food for consumers, and the improvement of food properties. Nanotechnology-based sensors are used during food processing to prevent contaminants and increase food safety and quality. Packaging systems developed with this technology allow for the detection of food spoilage inside the container. Nanotechnology is also used to improve the taste, texture, color, and overall quality of food through nanoadditives. In addition, nanoemulsions and nanolaminates are applied to increase and improve the nutritional value of food products. Industrial significance: Nanotechnology is mainly used for the inspection and protection of food during processing, storage, and transportation. This technology helps protect food from contamination and increase its shelf life. It allows for the development of innovative methods that are currently in demand in the food industry. This review article summarizes the main areas of application of nanotechnology in the food industry.
The article comprehensively examines the causes and consequences of the socio-economic decline that occurred in the Ilkhanid state between 1284 and 1295. The main focus of the study is the administrative vacuum that emerged after the execution of SahibDivan Shams al-Din Juvayni and its impact on the financial foundations of the state. Initially, the principal forms of land ownership are analyzed and their proportion within the state is determined. The condition of the major cities is also addressed, with particular emphasis on the unity of the population of Tabriz in the face of injustice. The article further analyzes the failure of Arghun Khan’s attempts to restore the traditional Mongol model, the irrational expenditure of the treasury during the reign of Gaykhatu Khan, and the negative consequences of granting the dynasty’s private lands, known as “Inju”, as tax farms (muqata‘a). One of the central aspects of the study is the examination of the failure of the “chav” reform introduced in 1294 and its paralyzing effect on trade relations. Based on the analysis of primary sources and scholarly works, it is concluded that the years 1284–1295 marked the culmination of tensions between the nomadic Mongol aristocracy and the sedentary local bureaucracy, and that the deep crisis of this decade made the radical reforms of Ghazan Khan a historical necessity. The article also provides a detailed overview of the social stratification of the period and highlights the socio-economic impact of each group.
Iran, In the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, under the rule of the Qajar dynasty, was an economically underdeveloped agrarian country in which feudal relations dominated. The central government and state institutions were weak. The British and Russian Empires exercised strong economic and political influence over the Iranian government. Iran’s strategic geographical position turned it into one of the main arenas of the geopolitical rivalry between these two empires - known as the “Great Game.” Foreign intervention, diplomatic pressure, and economic concessions obtained from the shah’s government, significantly limited the country’s sovereignty. The article analyzes the main directions, geographical arena, and mechanisms of the “Great Game” in the second half of the 19th century, as well as Iran’s position and role in this rivalry. It also examines the issues such as the country’s internal socio-economic situation, financial dependence, political and administrative weakness, and the growing influence of foreign capital within the framework of the “Great Game.” The author further explores the mechanisms used by Britain and Russia to expand their spheres of influence and gain strategic and economic advantages in Iran, and provides information on the 1907 Anglo-Russian Agreement - considered the end of the “Great Game”—and its consequences for both Iran and the international relations system.
The purpose of the research is to develop a mechanized boiler lid design that allows the lid to be opened by a rotating method. Comparative analysis of ways to improve the designs of jacketed containers and methods of designing food and processing industry devices were used as research methods. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the constructive development of a container lid with a mechanically folding device. The result of the research is the creation of a lid mechanism that opens by a rotating movement, which simplifies the closing/opening operations of the container lid, reduces time and labor costs, does not require the use of special additional lifting and turning devices, and increases productivity. The article examines general approaches aimed at increasing the efficiency of the heating process of jacketed cooking boilers. The importance of removing air from the jacket chamber of cooking boilers is substantiated. It was found that the presence of air in the jacket leads to an extension of the heating time of the boilers, an increase in heat losses and a deterioration of the microclimate in the area where the equipment is operated. The results of the study are shown in graphs reflecting the dependence of the heating time and the amount of air in the jacket on the duration of the blowing process. The design features of mechanical and electromechanical devices that provide automatic hermeticity of the jacket chamber as one of the methods of removing air from the boiler jacket are described. The operational characteristics, operating principle and electrical circuits of boilers equipped with these devices are analyzed in detail. In addition, a new type of jacket design is proposed, equipped with an elastic membrane that separates heating steam from air. The presented technical solution allows to store the heat carrier inside the steam generator and eliminates heat losses resulting from the release of steam into the environment. At the same time, this solution prevents corrosion of the jacket body, minimizes the formation of scale on the surface of electric heaters, increases the service life of the equipment and eliminates the need for additional safety valves. Studies have shown that the use of automatic sealing devices reduces the heating time of boilers by 3–5%, reduces heat losses by up to 15% and makes working conditions more comfortable for operating personnel.
The article is devoted to the analysis of relations between Iran and Pakistan, with the primary objective of examining the dynamics of the development of Iran-Pakistan relations during the period from 1979 to 2000. It further aims to explore the regional and international factors that shaped these relations, as well as to assess the foreign policy strategies pursued by both sides. The Islamic Revolution that occurred in Iran in 1979 marked the beginning of a new phase in Iran-Pakistan relations. Events such as the Iran hostage crisis, the Iran–Iraq War, and the Soviet Union– Afghanistan War constituted the main factors that determined the course of political relations between the two countries. The contributions made through reciprocal visits between the two countries, as well as the dialogues that took place, are highlighted. The article further investigates the interaction of geopolitical interests shaped against the backdrop of regional conflicts. Consequently, Iran-Pakistan relations during the period under consideration assumed a complex and multifaceted character, combining elements of both cooperation and contradiction.
The nature of contemporary warfare has undergone profound transformation in the twenty-first century as a result of rapid technological advancement, digitalization of the information environment, and the widespread deployment of precision-guided weapon systems. Traditional models of warfare based on massed firepower and numerical superiority are increasingly being replaced by approaches centered on precision, selectivity, and operational-depth engagement. Within this evolving framework, precision strike systems have become not merely tactical tools but key determinants in shaping operational art and modern military strategy. Precision fire systems significantly influence decision-making processes at both operational and strategic levels by accelerating operational tempo, expanding maneuver capabilities, and ensuring more efficient allocation of resources. Long-range precision strikes enable the neutralization of enemy command-and-control structures, logistics networks, and reserve formations at operational depth. Such capabilities contribute to battlefield shaping, the preservation of initiative, and the attainment of strategic superiority. Contemporary doctrinal documents emphasize long-range precision fires as one of the decisive factors capable of altering the course of military operations. Within the framework of multi-domain operations, precision strike systems function as a mechanism that transforms information superiority into fire superiority, effectively bridging tactical outcomes and strategic effects. The objective of this article is to analyse the evolution of precision fire systems, examine their operational and strategic impact, and assess their role within contemporary military strategy. The study concludes that precision strike systems have become fundamental components of deterrence, operational manoeuvre, and strategic planning in the modern security environment.
The growth of environmental risks in the oil and gas industry and the increasing requirements for sustainable development make it necessary to optimize management decisions in this sector on a new technological basis. The problem statement lies in the fact that traditional management methods are not sufficiently effective for the оперативe processing of large volumes of data, accurate forecasting of environmental risks, and flexible optimization of production processes. The acceleration of digitalization processes makes the integration of intelligent information technologies – such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, digital twins, and IoT systems – into decision-making mechanisms inevitable. The purpose of this study is to determine the scientific foundations for optimizing management decisions in the oil and gas industry from the perspective of environmental sustainability through the application of intelligent information technologies. To achieve this goal, the following research objectives were defined: to analyze the environmental problems of the oil and gas industry and the factors affecting the effectiveness of management decisions; to examine the main types of intelligent information technologies and their capabilities in environmental monitoring, risk prediction, and process optimization; to evaluate application models of technologies such as artificial intelligence, Big Data, digital twins, and IoT in industrial management; and to develop a systematic approach to the formation of optimal management decisions aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability. The research methods include a systems approach, comparative and analytical analysis, intelligent data processing methods, digital modeling, and risk assessment algorithms. These methods made it possible to comprehensively evaluate the impact of technological solutions on environmental sustainability. The results of the study indicate that the application of intelligent information technologies enables accurate monitoring of emissions, reduction of accident risks, more efficient use of resources, and real-time optimization of production processes. The findings show that these technologies serve as effective tools for reducing environmental pressure, increasing safety levels, and enhancing the flexibility of management decisions. In conclusion, it is determined that the comprehensive application of intelligent information technologies is a strategic necessity for ensuring environmental sustainability in the oil and gas industry and represents one of the key conditions for the long-term and environmentally safe development of the sector.
Currently, there is a great deal of excitement surrounding so-called impact factors. This article examines to what extent a scientific article published abroad in an impact-factor journal is objectively superior, qualitatively better, and more important than articles published in local journals. In this matter, besides the philosophical aspect, the most crucial element is the need to clarify the legal side of the problem. After all, the requirement of the Higher Attestation Commission to publish articles abroad automatically leads to the obligation to write articles in English or other foreign languages, i.e., not in Azerbaijani and not in Russian. Thus, a philosophical and legal conflict of interest arises, violating Articles 32, 45, and other articles of the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic (AR), which leads to a dialectical contradiction. This dialectical contradiction must eventually lead to both a philosophical and legal resolution of the contradiction; however, until the contradiction is resolved, a violation of human rights is observed. The article demonstrates the extent to which such a restriction of the rights and freedoms of a scientist is permissible under the Constitution and the general legislative system of the AR. The outstanding role of our Presidents, Heydar Aliyev and Ilham Aliyev, in preserving and developing the Azerbaijani and Russian languages is also highlighted.
