.publications-list .col-sm-4 {
position: relative;
height: 400px;
margin-top: 45px;
padding-bottom: 25px //на усмотрение
}
.publications-list .col-sm-4 a{
position: absolute;
bottom: 0;
left: 50%;
transform: translateX(-50%);
}
position: absolute;
min-width: 100%;
min-height: 100%;
left: 50%;
top: 50%;
z-index: -1;
transform: translate(-50%, -50%);