Applied Systems Analysis Research Articles

Improving Human Health in China Through Alternative Energy.

In this study, we estimate the health benefits of more stringent alternative energy goals and the costs of reducing coal-fired power plant pollution in China projected in 2030. One of our two overarching alternative energy goals was to estimate the health benefits of complete elimination of coal energy, supplemented by natural gas and renewables. The second was a policy scenario similar to the U.S. 2013 Climate Action Plan (CAP), which played a pivotal role leading up to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. We used the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model created by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis for our model simulations. We found that 17,137–24,220 premature deaths can be avoided if coal energy is completely replaced by alternative energy, and 8,693–9,281 premature deaths can be avoided if coal energy is replaced by alternatives in a CAP-like scenario. A CAP-like scenario using emission-controls in coal plants costs $11–18 per person. Reducing coal energy in China under a CAP-like scenario would free up $9.4 billion in the annual energy budget to spend on alternatives, whereas eliminating the cost of coal energy frees up $32 billion. This study's estimates show that more stringent alternative energy targets in China are worth the investment in terms of health.

Прикладной системный анализ в менеджменте как инструмент моделирования функционирования экономических систем

The main purpose of applied system analysis is the application of the system principle in applied areas of human activity. Therefore, the topic of this study is relevant. System analysis is a fairly popular scientific direction, which has applications in almost all areas of human life. Initially, system analysis was used in the technical field, then it was extended to other areas of human activity. The value of the system approach lies in the fact that the consideration of categories of system analysis creates the basis for a logical and consistent approach to the problem of decision-making. The effectiveness of problem solving using system analysis is determined by the structure of the problems to be solved. The purpose of this article is to consider aspects of the application of applied system analysis in business Analytics and management. The object of the study is business Analytics and management and the study of the application of applied analysis in these areas. In this connection, you need to answer the following questions: define the essence of a systematic management principle; to reveal the concept of the system, describe its properties; to define the concept of the model, consider the types of models in the system analysis; to define the basic stages of modeling of economic objects as research objects business intelligence; identify the main stages of modeling organizational systems.

Application of system analysis and preventive maintenance on cigarette packer line

The use of system analysis and preventive maintenance in today’s industry becomes a necessity as it increases equipment availability. These methods reduce the frequency of failures. The objective of this article is to present a case study for improving the reliability and availability of a production group in an industrial enterprise. Next, we present an improvement in maintenance. Finally, we present and discuss the application of preventive maintenance. Through an industrial manufacturing model, we will combine three tools; SADT modelling, the FMECA analysis and the Pareto diagram to arrive at an optimal maintenance approach that will be a decision support tool in order to minimize the repair costs and the downtime of the system.

КОМПЛЕКСНАЯ МЕТОДИКА ОЦЕНКИ РИСКОВ ИНФОРМАЦИОННОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ В КОММЕРЧЕСКОМ БАНКЕ

This paper discusses the methods of improving the security of the information system of a commercial bank. The subject of the study is a comprehensive methodology for assessing information security used to determine the level of security and risk of information security of an automated system based on predictive estimates and specialized software tools. The purpose of the study and the carried out analysis are to improve the effectiveness of decisions made when performing work on risk assessment and management in a commercial bank. The results presented in the framework of the developed methodology can be used to solve the problems of increasing the reliability of an automated information system in various fields and sectors of activity, including organizations of the industrial sector, as well as commercial organizations. The main approaches used in the development of a comprehensive risk assessment methodology relate to the methods of expert assessment, the theory of random Markov processes, methods and models of mathematical statistics and probability theory, methods of applied system analysis and forecasting.

SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES: TACKLING COVID-19 CHALLENGES BY CHANGING BUSINESS-MODELS

In this paper the surveys conducted on small- and medium-sized enterprises around the world (including Ukraine) have been analyzed. SMEs face a bigger risk than larger firms affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Although governments support them to a certain extent, SMEs are trying to survive the pandemic by themselves. It is true especially for Ukraine, where SMEs are an important element of economy (as they account for 77,9 percent of employment, generate 64,4% of share value added and 20 percent of GDP), but they do not have much hope for government help and do almost without it. Therefore they cut their costs, make employees redundant, seek other ways to approach their customers despite severe COVID restrictions, and so on. They also adjust their business models to the new harsh environment, but they need guidance in this realm, how to make it correctly and efficiently.Having analyzed 4 types of solutions offered by R. Ackoff, we arrived at the conclusion of using one of them for SMEs - Solution, to comply with the principles of applied systems analysis. Absolution appeared ineffective, Resolution – not effective enough, and Dissolution – inapplicable for dissolving problems caused by COVID-19.For adjusting business-models we suggest owners of SMEs use Business Model Canvas by A. Osterwalder as a simple and comprehensive one. To the Canvas we added influence linesto show that some blocks influence mainly Cost structure, some others – mainly Revenue streams, and Value proposition, both of them. It could be said that Cost Structure is mainlyaffected from the supply side, and Revenue streams – from the demand side.The Template of Business Model Change for SMEs has bees worked in this study. It encompasses 2 levels: the first level – Analysis (the main points which SMEs owners should analyse first) and the second level – some main solutions which could be developed according to the analysis carried out. We have united 2 blocks devoted to customers into the one (Customers&Relationships) so that prospective users could better understand these interconnected blocks and making decisions within them. The Template is practically applicable for changing the business models of small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine and any other country as well.The results obtained in the study can be used in further research in this realm.

Прикладной системный анализ в менеджменте как инструмент моделирования функционирования экономических систем

The main purpose of applied system analysis is the application of the system principle in applied areas of human activity. Therefore, the topic of this study is relevant. System analysis is a fairly popular scientific direction, which has applications in almost all areas of human life. Initially, system analysis was used in the technical field, then it was extended to other areas of human activity. The value of the system approach lies in the fact that the consideration of categories of system analysis creates the basis for a logical and consistent approach to the problem of decision-making. The effectiveness of problem solving using system analysis is determined by the structure of the problems to be solved. The purpose of this article is to consider aspects of the application of applied system analysis in business Analytics and management. The object of the study is business Analytics and management and the study of the application of applied analysis in these areas. In this connection, you need to answer the following questions: define the essence of a systematic management principle; to reveal the concept of the system, describe its properties; to define the concept of the model, consider the types of models in the system analysis; to define the basic stages of modeling of economic objects as research objects business intelligence; identify the main stages of modeling organizational systems.

A sustainable post-COVID future

Experts around the world have been informing governments’ plans for a post-pandemic recovery. Leena Srivastava, Deputy Director General for Science at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), and Heide Hackmann, Chief Executive officer at the International Science Council (ISC), talk to Nature Sustainability about the recent joint effort ‘Bouncing forward sustainably. Pathways to a post-COVID world’.

On the conflict of law in legislative provisions pertaining to the admission of citizens to operating the vehicles

The object of this research is the system of public legal relations in the sphere of ensuring road safety. The subject of this research is the legal norms that regulate the admission of citizens to operating the vehicles. The goal consists in analyzing the normative legal framework that regulate learner-driving, administration of driving tests for the right to operate a vehicle, as well as legal status of road users during the driving test. Research methodology is based on the fundamental provisions of the theory of law; generalization of practical experience; application of logical, monographic, and systemic analysis. The acquired results can be used in legislative activity of government bodies, law enforcement practice, educational process, scientific research on ensuring road safety, improvement of the branches of the Russian legal system. The novelty of this article is defined by practical and scientific significance of the problems of law enforcement agencies in the sphere of road safety, as well as the need for improving the legal framework that regulate the authority of police departments of the Russian Federation . The authors propose to discern between learner-driving and driving tests in the conditions of road traffic in the federal legislation and bylaws; establish the legal status of the exam administrator and the procedure of administering driving test; as well as specify responsibility of the indicated parties. Recommendations are made for improving the algorithm of administering driving test, and consolidation of definitions “driver candidate”, “driving test”, “exam administrator”.

Modeling of threats for economic safety of the mining industry

Methods. Generalization and systems analysis provided an opportunity to prove that the mining industry remains strategically important for the national economy. Its development is being complicated by the lack of actual actions aimed at creating the necessary safe conditions. The solution to the problem of ensuring economic security as an important component of economic and energy security of the state is to a large extent associated with the process of modeling the impact of key threats. Results. Detailed study of analytical materials and works of scientists have made it possible to form a set of threats towards which it is necessary to prioritize the application of protective measures. Using applied systems analysis and graph theory, the performed modeling provided a hierarchical ordering of the set of threats along with the construction of the corresponding model. The obtained results create the necessary information basis for improving the regulation of the mining industry progress by developing and implementing appropriate measures to eliminate certain threats or adapt to their impact. Novelty. It is substantiated that the level of security of any system is to a large extent determined by the possibility of implementing protective measures against key threats, which should include the elimination or adaptation to their action. Identifying and tracking changes in the impact of threats form the necessary basis for their modeling, resulting in a hierarchical ordering that facilitates the selection of the most appropriate tools and the rational use of resources in the actions of security entities. Practical value. The results of the study should become the basis for improving government regulation of the mining industry as an important prerequisite for stabilizing the national economy as a whole.

Authoritarian Leadership, Conflicts and Economic Performance in Sub-Saharan Africa

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The goal of the paper is to analyze how the authoritarian leadership could impact economic performance in the region of Sub-Saharan Africa in the post-colonial period until currently. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: Authoritarian leadership and power abuse led to a number of armed conflicts in the region since its formal independence. This may be accounted as one of the reasons, for which the region lags in terms of economic development compared to developed countries. The research comprises of qualitative and quantitative methods, including comparative analysis, basic statistics, and correlations. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: First, the literature review was conducted with the application of comparative and system analysis. Next, based on the available World Value Survey and Global Governance Indicators data, empirical analysis of the power indicators and economic growth relations in sub-Saharan Africa was performed. The results are discussed in the context of the ideas anchored in the theory of public choice and new institutional economics. RESEARCH RESULTS: The results indicate the existence of a power paradox, which burdens development of the region, people rely on strong leaders despite the fact that strong leadership leads to power abuse and economic crises. The attitudes to politics, democracy and trust are particular for the region and may be related with this problem. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The lack of control mechanisms over the exercise of public authority in politically unstable Sub-Saharan African countries contributes to the consolidation of unfavorable attitudes and the abuse of power by privileged position by political leaders. The focus should be placed on reinforcement of institutional capacities and accountability for power abuse.

Design of the Cemented Doublet – Software Application

From optical point of view, an imaging application includes the sensor (CCD or CMOS) and the objective. The simplest objective consists of a cemented doublet. The paper proposes a design algorithm of the doublet and describes a software application based on this algorithm. The results provided by the original software are validated by means of a professional application in optical system analysis.

System Analysis and Solution of Energy Efficiency Problems in Machine-Building Production

The article discusses application of system analysis to identify and solve the problems of energy efficiency of machine-building enterprises. The increase in the efficiency of a machine-building enterprise is influenced by many factors, among which tariffs and prices for energy services have a significant impact. The increase in tariffs for these services has a direct impact on the increase in cost. Energy efficiency objectives also include: high energy capacity of products; insufficient efficiency of generation, transportation and distribution of energy resources; low reliability of power supply; insufficient volume or low reliability of information on the energy infrastructure operation. As a result of the system analysis, directions have been identified that enable one to increase energy efficiency, which leads to a decrease in the cost of production, and, consequently, to an increase in the profit of the enterprise. Directions for increasing the energy efficiency of machine-building enterprises can be identified as a result of system studies of the activities of all divisions of the main, auxiliary and service industries. The greatest effect from energy-saving measures is achieved in the process of rational energy consumption, which is advisable to implement at machine-building enterprises. Reduced production output caused by the global economic crisis that began in 2008 and the impact of the 2020-2021 pandemic have resulted in the equipment operation at reduced loads and in off-design modes, which in turn has led to the auxiliary equipment consuming almost the same amount of energy as at nominal performance. This circumstance leads to an increase in costs. A mathematical model has been developed, in which a machine-building enterprise is considered as a set of functional elements and components with a hierarchical structure of connections between them, described in the form of a ‘6-tuple’.

Подходы к математическому моделированию кибератак на мобильные устройства

The relevance of the topic of protecting mobile devices from cyber attacks is due to a significant increase in the number and share of mobile gadgets among modern devices for accessing the Internet. The purpose of the article is to mathematically substantiate and formalize the models of the most common attacks on mobile devices. On the basis of the constructed models, methods are proposed to prevent and neutralize intrusions into the system of smartphones and tablet computers. Method: applied system analysis of the results of generalization and classification of typical types of attacks on mobile devices, elements of the theory of probability. Results: the features of mechanisms for the formation of vulnerabilities of mobile devices were determined. The important aspects of determining the effectiveness of modern technologies for protecting against cyber attacks on mobile devices are identified. A brief overview of the main approaches to mathematical modeling of the most common attacks is given. Additional requirements are formulated for an adequate choice of protection methods depending on the type of attacks. Recommendations are formulated to ensure the security of a mobile device against threats. Methods for reducing the probability of system damage by the most common attacks are proposed.

System analysis in transport infrastructure

The article deals with the system of training of analysts and proposes the analytical structure of the transport and road complex with the corresponding analytical centers in each of the regions of the country, which have the principal novelty of research on rational forms and methods of information and analytical activity for improving the infrastructure projects and programs management and it is the perspective of creation of industry analytical elite. The object of the research - it is a system for the training of analysts majoring in “System analysis in transport infrastructure” for the transport and road complex of the country. The purpose of work – it is to identify the main program goals of applied system analysis in the transport infrastructure and strategic ways for the creation of analytical elite of the transport and road complex of the country. Method of research - it is a systemic, conceptual and software approaches. Suggested industry analytical structure has principled novelty toward the training of systemic analysts, providing with them the transport and road complex of the country, the continuous monitoring of the state and expert evaluation of the important decisions, the development of alternative infrastructure projects and programs in related fields of transport and road industry, that allow qualitatively to improve decision-making at strategic, tactful and operational levels of the management toward infrastructure projects. The support from the side of interested parties (Stakeholders) of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Ministry of Education concerning guaranteed annual state order of stated specialty “System analysis in transport infrastructure” in National Transport University will allow significantly increase the analytical potential of transport and road complex and country as a whole. Further development of the object of research – it is the state support for the system of the training of analysts for the transport and road complex of the country and suggested analytical system is the basis for the development of related fields of transport and road industry and support of public initiatives in improving the management toward infrastructure projects and programs and the creation of industry analytical elite.

System analysis and Design of Tutorial for Teaching Industrial Automatism

After presenting of the need for using automates in industry, we present an application of system analysis for the design of a tutorial for teaching industrial automatism. The experience is situated in training students in view to get a university degree in engineering. The essential of this methodological approach is to specify the composition of the various teaching modules in industrial automatism to be accessible to the students by a system modeling method and to develop a digital support that can be exploited in distance learning.

Using Systems Architecture Views to Assess Integration Readiness Levels

Systems integration is a central element of the complex systems development effort. The integration readiness levels (IRL) scale complements technology readiness levels (TRL) to assess the system development maturity, representing risk levels for integrating technologies in a system. The increasing complexity of systems, due to multiple interfaces and an information-centric architecture, demands new systemic approaches to analyze the architecture and communicate IRL assessments. Therefore, this article developed a methodology to apply IRL using architecture views through the design structure matrix and domain mapping matrix. A case study analyzed technology introduction impacts and different integration strategies for space systems from China–Brazil Earth Resources Satellite program at the system and system-of-systems levels. Through the design science method, results show the pragmatic evaluation and validation for the proposed method and for the IRL scale itself, by professionals of the case study projects. The research draws suggestions for holistic system analysis and managerial communication applications using the proposed method and suggests a rationale for IRL assessment of legacy systems.

Short Review: Timeline of the Electrochemical Lithium Recovery System Using the Spinel LiMn2O4 as a Positive Electrode

Various lithium recovery technologies have been developed as securing lithium resources has become increasingly important. Among these technologies, the electrochemical lithium recovery (ELR) system is a rapid and eco-friendly extraction method that has been studied recently. In this paper, an ELR system using a spinel-type LiMn2O4 (LMO) is briefly reviewed. As LMO electrodes have high Li+ selectivity and stability compared to other lithium battery cathodes, they have been widely used as positive electrodes for the ELR system. This paper summarizes the system proposal, LMO electrode modification, system analysis, and industrial applications. Perspectives of the ELR technology are presented considering the progress of the research.

Robust Framework for Online Parameter Estimation of Dynamic Equivalent Models Using Measurements

The ever-increasing demand for electricity, the advent of microgrids and the increasing penetration of distributed generators has renewed the interest in dynamic equivalencing, due to to its importance on power system analysis and control applications. This paper introduces a robust measurement-based framework for the online derivation of dynamic equivalent models. First, events/disturbances suitable for the derivation of dynamic equivalent models are automatically detected. Next, signal processing techniques are applied to recover missing samples and to remove noisy components from measured data. To exclude unnecessary post-disturbance data, a fine-tuning technique of the signal window length is also proposed as a supplementary offline process. Finally, model parameters are estimated using nonlinear least-squares optimization. The performance of the proposed methodology is tested using artificially created signals, simulation results obtained from a modified benchmark distribution grid and measurements acquired from a laboratory-scale active distribution network.

Improvement of the approach to hazard identification and industrial risk management, taking into account the requirements of current legal and regulatory acts

Purpose: Improving the systematic approach to planning and rationalizing labour protection measures at oil and gas enterprises, based on the results of hazard identification and industrial risk assessment. At the same time, the main task of the risk management process is to ensure the rights of employees guaranteed by the current legislation, namely, to create proper, safe and healthy working conditions. Design/methodology/approach: A comparative legal method for identifying the features of European and Ukrainian legislation in the occupational safety and health field; a structural-logical method for determining the main directions for the further development of the occupational safety and health management system at enterprises; analysis and generalization of well-known scientific results on the research topic; statistical analysis to identify the relationship between the industrial risk' level and various factors that may affect its value; applied systems analysis and mathematical modelling method for new methodological approaches' development to assessing of hazards' likelihood and their consequences' severity were used. The basis for improving the systematic approach to planning and rationalizing labour protection measures is based on the standard IEC 61882:2001. The statistics are taken from the "Messages" information system, which operates in the State Service of Ukraine on Labour and is designed to collect and process data on occupational injuries. Findings: An analysis of the current legislative and regulatory acts showed promising directions for their improvement. A mathematical model for scoring industrial risk is proposed, which takes into account the relationship between industrial risk and preventive measures and the time of their implementation. The calculation system developed on the basis of the proposed model provided a reduction in the time for processing data and calculating the values of industrial risks by 20...25%. Research limitations/implications: Statistical data on industrial injuries at enterprises of the oil and gas industry of Ukraine for 2018-2019 were used. Practical implications: Implementation of the proposed systematic approach to the organization of occupational safety and health management at enterprises has shown its simplicity and effectiveness, which can induce employers to finance reasonable and timely preventive measures. Originality/value: The method has been improved by decreasing the discreteness step in the assessment of industrial risk components, which has increased its accuracy; by developing a mathematical model for calculating the probability of a hazard, taking into account the frequency with which workers are exposed to danger, which eliminates the need to involve experts for an expert assessment at this stage.

The Systems Approach to Teaching Business Associations

The systems approach is an application of systems analysis to law. Over the past twenty-five years it has proven highly successful in both teaching and legal scholarship. This Article explains the authors’ application of the systems approach in a new casebook, Business Associations: A Systems Approach (forthcoming, Wolters Kluwer 2020). The systems approach is designed to directly prepare students for the practice of law. It does so by providing students with the information lawyers use to solve clients’ problems and asking the students to solve the problems of hypothetical clients in realistic settings. The approach differs from traditional casebooks in four principal respects. First, it provides information as simply and directly as possible instead of asking students to ferret it out or infer it from cases. Second, it explains the law in the context of the physical systems in which law is employed, including law offices, board rooms, courtrooms, legal documentation, and online voting, entity-registration, and information systems. Third, based on our conclusion that the four main entity types (partnership, corporation, LLC, and limited partnership) all perform the same functions, we have organized the material by function — financing, investor voting, manager voting, investor litigation, investment transfers, etc.— instead of by entity type. Lastly, the systems approach is largely a “flipped classroom” approach. Students learn and apply the material to problems prior to class. Class discussions are an opportunity for students to check their reasoning, reach more sophisticated solutions, and critique the system in light of the issues they encountered.