Complex Multifunctional System Research Articles

The agricultural decision process in a small tank cascade system in Sri Lanka: diagnosing options for adaptive governance

Small Tank Cascade Systems (STCS) are interconnected small reservoirs constructed in shallow valleys in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. STCS have assumed heightened significance for their potential contribution to climate adaptation of agricultural systems. Local communities managed STCS to store water by capturing seasonal rain and cultivating crops that suited local conditions over millennia. The British colonial centralisation of STCS governance led to the degradation and deterioration of STCS. Contemporary water governance literature identifies STCSs as complex multifunctional systems. Adaptive co-management (ACM) approaches can reconcile complex resource governance issues by combining co-management with co-governance. We studied Palugaswewa STCS in North Central Sri Lanka to explore farmer and government officials' views, perceptions, knowledge, and experiences about agricultural decision-making including current governance, issues, and proposed improvements seeking evidence for ACM in practice. We interviewed eleven farmers and four extension officials selected from the analysis preceding this research. Our results show that an informal decision process (pre-cultivation meeting) precedes and informs the formal decision process (cultivation meeting), farmers use their collective knowledge and experience to anticipate seasonal weather and plan cultivation, and government officials facilitate a community-led decision process with institutional limitations. We concluded that the informal process compensates for the lack of timely meteorological information, allows space for sharing and co-development of knowledge and facilitates ACM. Future governance interventions in STCS need to recognise informal processes that drive decision-making, provide timely user-centred meteorological information, and rethink legal frameworks at local and national levels to provide flexibility for local farmers.

Mesoscience in Hollow Multi-Shelled Structures.

The prevalence of mesoscale complexity in materials science underscores the significance of the compromise in competition principle, which gives rise to the emergence of mesoscience. This principle offers valuable insights into understanding the formation process, characteristics, and performance of complex material systems, ultimately guiding the future design of such intricate materials. Hollow multi-shelled structures (HoMS) represent a groundbreaking multifunctional structural system that encompasses several spatial regimes. A plethora of mesoscale cases within HoMS present remarkable opportunities for exploring, understanding, and utilizing mesoscience, varying from the formation process of HoMS, to the mesoscale structural parameters, and finally the distinctive mass/energy transfer behaviors exhibited by HoMS. The compromise in competition between the diffusion and reaction contributes to the successful formation of multi-shells of HoMS, allowing for precise regulation of the structural parameters by dynamically varying the interplay between two dominances. Moreover, the distinct roles played by the shells and cavities within HoMS significantly influence the energy/mass transfer processes with the unique temporal-spatial resolution, providing guidance for customizing the application performance. Hopefully, the empirical and theoretical anatomy of HoMS following mesoscience would fuel new discoveries within this promising and complex multifunctional material system.

Assessing the operational perspectives of agrosilvopastoralism in the Mediterranean Region: Learnings from observations in Corsica

European public authorities today promote the development of agrosilvopastoralism to ensure, through grazing, the maintenance and preservation of Mediterranean forest areas while strengthening productive forestry activities. From the observation that agrosilvopastoral projects often remain at an experimental stage, we emphasize that agrosilvopastoralism, a complex multifunctional production system, must not only respond to technical issues but also innovate in terms of organization and governance. The article explores and describes several agrosilvopastoral projects and initiatives currently being implemented in Corsica, the most forested region of France. We mobilize the theory of innovation to explore how agrosilvopastoralism could contribute operationally in redesigning livestock systems and in promoting more coherent and inclusive socioecosystems in the inland, mountainous areas of the Mediterranean region that are mostly subject to abandonment. Drawing from materials relating to the implementation of a PRIMA European project, we suggest that the establishment of living laboratories (Living Labs) could create formalized participatory spaces to co-construct shared strategies and solutions through the territories by overcoming sectoral approaches in terms of policies and regulations.

АНАЛІЗ ТА ОЦІНКА ВПЛИВУ ФАКТОРІВ НА ВИБІР РАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ВАРІАНТУ РОЗВІДУВАЛЬНО-УДАРНИХ СИСТЕМ В ОПЕРАЦІЇ ВІЙСЬК (СИЛ)

An analysis of wars and military conflicts shows that the effectiveness of operations is influenced by: the introduction of news forms and methods of using troops (forces); organization and conduct of armed struggle in real time; increasing the capabilities of weapons and military equipment; the creation of weapons for various purposes, capable of ensuring effective conduct of hostilities with minimal losses and having a sudden and impressive effect on the enemy due to a qualitative advantage. A significant increase in the operational-tactical capabilities of groupings of troops (forces) and the effectiveness of their use is possible under conditions of broad integration of heterogeneous and diverse means of armed struggle into complex multifunctional systems, such as reconnaissance and strike systems. However, at the same time, the problem arises of choosing the necessary variant (composition) of such a system, since its different elements have different characteristics and capabilities, different costs for their creation, maintenance and use, as well as different times for their development and bringing to combat readiness. Analysis and evaluation of various factors influencing the choice of composition (creation) of reconnaissance-strike systems for conducting operations by troops (forces) will increase the validity of the management decisions taken on the formation of their composition. The assessment of the coefficients of the importance of the influence of factors on the choice of the composition of reconnaissance-strike systems in a particular operation, using the method of an expert survey by pairwise comparisons of the set of all selected factors, will allow us to form groups of the most influential external and internal military factors from their totality. In order to better determine the influence of factors in choosing the composition of reconnaissance-strike systems for use in the operations of troops (forces), an assessment was made of the correlations between the development of weapons and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the combat capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the allocated financial resources using regression and correlation analysis methods. The article determines that the greatest indicator of influence on the choice of composition (creation) of reconnaissance-strike systems for their use in the operations of troops (forces) of the many factors presented is carried out by military, economic and time factors. Keywords: choice of option, forms and methods of application, reconnaissance strike system, grouping, weapons and military equipment, UAVs, combat capabilities, efficiency, economic factor, financial resources, pair comparison.

SITES OF HORODYSHCHA ON THE VILSHANKA RIVER (materials for the archaeological map)

The study of archaeological heritage begins with its accounting and description. The genre of archaeological map appeared at the beginning of the development of archeology as a science. Today, the archaeological map is a complex multifunctional information system. Deployment of the «Archaeological Map» on a national scale requires significant organizational and financial resources. Today, one of the effective ways of advancing in this direction is the creation of archaeological maps of individual microregions.
 The town of Horodyshche in the Cherkasy region still does not have a systematic survey of archaeological monuments. Without such a survey, further archaeological research and protection of known objects are impossible. In the spring of 2022, the authors of the article carried out work on the search and analysis of data on archaeological monuments within the administrative boundaries of the city. The result of this work was the most complete descriptions of archaeological sites. The carried out archival and bibliographic research allows planning the next stages of work on the identification, accounting, protection and research of the city’s archaeological heritage.
 The next step should be the deployment of a separate program of archaeological research. A component of such a program should be a program of field research and promotional activities to spread an ecological attitude to archaeological heritage among local citizens. The primary tasks of the archaeological expedition are the re-examination and documentation of archaeological sites that are under state protection. The location of a part of such objects remains unknown, or their boundaries are not defined. An important work is drawing up the archaeological heritage management program. Among the archaeological sites there are objects that can become part of the cultural space of the city.
 This publication is designed to activate the interest in solving the above-mentioned problems of both professionals and city authorities, as well as citizens who are ready to join this important matter during the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

METHODOLOGICAL COMPETENCE OF THE FUTURE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER: ESSENCE AND STRUCTURE

Based on the analysis of psychological, pedagogical, methodological and scientific sources and empirical analysis of the main concepts of the study, the article highlights the relevance of updating the system of professional training of future primary school teachers, emphasizes the importance of forming their instructional competence. The opinions of domestic researchers on the structure and components of the methodological competence of the teacher are analyzed. It is established that scientists define the methodological competence of the teacher as a set of interconnected components in the form of special knowledge, skills, experience; sometimes didactic and creative abilities, professional qualities of personality or different types of competencies are involved. It is noted that the methodological competence of the future primary school teacher is a multifold phenomenon, it develops in professional activities, requires established components and is based on mastery of teaching methods of primary education subjects. The article offers its own interpretation of the methodological competence of future primary school teachers, which we are considering as a complex multifunctional system of professional skills and personal abilities of the teacher, which determine his ability to effectively organize the educational process in primary school in accordance with educational objectives. The article identifies the components of the methodological competence of the future primary school teacher (stimulating-motivational, cognitive, activity-creative, personal-reflexive) and reveals their content. They act as a holistic system consisting a set of interconnected structural components that outline the range of methodological capacity of future professionals and are necessary for the effective organization and conduction of professional practice.
 Keywords: teacher; future primary school teacher; methodological competence; methodological competence of future primary school teacher; structure of methodological competence; methodological competence’s structure of future primary school teacher.

Multifunctional liquid metal polymer composites

AbstractLiquid metal polymer composites are an emerging class of functional materials with potentially transformative impacts in wearable electronics, soft robotics, and human‐computer interactions. By employing different processing methods, room temperature liquid metal inclusions can be embedded in insulating polymers like elastomers to incorporate functional properties of metals while the matrix remains soft and stretchable. These solid–liquid composites offer an interesting, yet complex multifunctional material system. In this review, we present an exclusive overview of the synthesis methods, structural and functional properties, and applications of gallium‐based liquid metal polymer composites. Common methods to control the size of liquid metal inclusions and their interaction in polymers are discussed. Moreover, the effect of liquid metal microstructures on the overall properties of the composites is summarized. We also highlight the new trends in terms of material composition, printing process, and novel applications of liquid metal polymer composites in intelligent systems.

MODERN APPROACHES TO DETERMINING THE CYCLICALITY OF URBAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The cyclic nature of development is intrinsic to socio-economic systems. Despite the fact that none of the economic cycles is identical to another one, they all have the same stages. The city is a complex multifunctional system. The economy of the city can be viewed as a set of entities belonging to different areas and activities remaining in different stages of the life cycle. The life cycle of the city is a succession of stages of emergence, growth, maturity, and decline. This continuity is the result of the cyclic development of a territory’s functional specialization. The duration and depth of the fluctuations at each stage of the cycle are determined by the influence of external and internal factors as well as the effectiveness of urban management. Therefore, the cyclic development for different territories can have its own specific trajectory. If the urban economy is flexible and adapts quickly to changes in the external and internal environment, the trajectory will be characterized by intermittent cycles. The more pronounced the change of the city development stages is, the more efforts should be made by the city managers in order to diversify the city’s functional structure and create alternative areas of labor application. The paper summarizes the concept of the ‘life cycle of the city’. It also considers the features of each stage of the city life cycle. The studies of the life cycle carried out by leading scientists and practitioners are analyzed. The methodology of assessing the stages of the life cycle and the prospects of urban development is proposed and justified. In the course of the research, the developments of domestic and foreign scientists were systematized and the limit values of indicators-identifiers of the stage of the territory life cycle were offered. Determining the stage of the city life cycle is an important tool assessing the prospects for the development of the urban territory and helping to make effective management decisions and prioritize strategic programs. The methodology of determining the stage of the economic cycle involves identifying points of growth that contribute to the transition from a state of depression or crisis to the phase of development (revitalization). This involves the search for objectively existing or potentially possible factors, prerequisites, resources that will provide an impetus to the advance of the urban economy. Such points of growth can be found in the city-forming sphere (new technologies at enterprises, new competitive types of products), resource factors (natural resources, transport infrastructure, medical, tourist, and other factors), scientific, educational, cultural, and other areas.

Feedback and the emergence of structures in information systems.

The aim of the work is to find conditions under which a complex multifunctional system acquires a certain struc- ture and comes to a balanced state. The initial system, consisting of mutually influencing objects or processes, is modeled by a sign graph. Analysis of the degree of influence takes into account both the direct impact between neighboring peaks, and indirect, mediated through other objects. Examples are given and conditions are indicated under which, under the ac- tion of the mechanism of introducing feedbacks, an unbalanced initial graph of interactions comes to a stable two-class structure. Cases are shown when disturbances in a balanced graph, leading it out of this state, after the application of the feedback mechanism were leveled, and the system was stabilized. Both fully connected graphs and digraphs without cycles are investigated.

Grain farming is the basis for functioning of grain product sub-complex

Purpose – complex multifunctional and dynamic system, which includes a wide range of national economic functions, which is represented by grain farming, and requires priority attention to its development from the state has been analyzed. It is noted that the stability of grain trade, functioning of national and general grain markets depend on the quantity, quality, species range and price level of grain produced, demand, government influence on its production and sale, situation on the world grain market and other factors of an internal and external nature. The research methods are reflected in the improvement of territorial division of labor in the process of grain production and development of grain trade between countries, taking into account the scientific approach to the development and implementation of projects and programs of an interstate association, which should be comprehensive and take into account the positive aspects and barriers in expanding the single grain market. Results – it was revealed that innovative activity, promising innovations for the systems of breeding and seed production of grain crops, development of mechanization, land reclamation, chemical processing, expansion and strengthening of transport routes, information support, management in the fields of grain production and market relations allow the formation of specialized grain zones. Conclusions – in Kazakhstan, it is necessary to create a domestic accounting system in accordance with interstate agreements, according to which, in 2022, a mechanism for the identification and traceability of grain should function in the EAEU. It will require its development, similar to dairy products, which will significantly increase the cost of using these technologies.

Improving the quality of electricity in the power supply systems of the mineral resource complex with hybrid filter-compensating devices

The urgency and necessity of choosing and justifying the structures of hybrid filter-compensating devices based on series and parallel active filters to improve the quality of electricity in the power supply systems of enterprises of the mineral resource complex is shown. Mathematical models of hybrid filter compensating devices based on parallel and series active filters have been developed. Based on these mathematical models, computer simulation models of the indicated hybrid structures have been developed. The results of simulation showed the effectiveness of the correction of power quality indicators in terms of reducing the level of higher harmonics of current and voltage, as well as voltage deviations. The degree of influence of filter-compensating devices on the power quality indicators, which determine the continuity and stability of the technological process at the enterprises of the mineral resource complex, have been revealed. It has been established that a hybrid filter-compensating device based on a parallel active filter can reduce the level of higher harmonics of current and voltage by more than 90 and 70 %, respectively, and based on a series active filter, it can reduce the level of higher harmonics of voltage by more than 80 %. Based on the simulation results, the possibility of compensating for the reactive power of a hybrid structure based on parallel active and passive filters has been revealed. The possibility of integrating hybrid filter-compensating devices into more complex multifunctional electrical systems for the automated improvement of the quality of electricity is substantiated, as well as the expediency and prospects of their use in combined power supply systems based on the parallel operation of centralized and autonomous sources of distributed generation.

Strategic guidelines for water supply and sewerage enterprises

The study provides information on the features of strategic management at water supply and sewerage enterprises, which consists of creating long-term strategies in various areas of the enterprise's activities. A resource-supplying enterprise is a complex multifunctional production and economic system that is aimed at providing the city's population with water supply and sanitation services, as well as focused on the interests of the consumer. It is possible to achieve the main goals of the enterprise only with the construction of long-term goals and assessment of development prospects. The study provides an analysis of the weaknesses and strengths in the course of the activities of the enterprise SUE "Vodokanal of St. Petersburg" and reflects its long-term goals and assesses the prospects for achieving these goals and objectives. Further, the article reflects the matrix of prospects for building complex strategies that allow you to evaluate and plan the activities of the water supply and sewerage enterprise. The article was prepared as part of the author's dissertation research. Strategic guidelines and, in particular, the matrix contains the main elements of the organization's activities, which include: the general direction of the enterprise's activity, interaction along the "consumer" – "enterprise" chain, production, social, environmental strategies of the organization's activities, investment and tariff strategies. In summary, the presented mechanism reflects the fact that the water supply and sewerage enterprise will develop in the direction of reducing the negative impact on the environment, the ways of innovative development of the enterprise, the enterprise also plans to receive investments from external sources and allocate internal financing for development and projects within the organization. Considerable attention will be paid to the development of production processes, i.e. reduce losses and costs, the most efficient use of enterprise resources, improve the quality of provided services. Special attention will be paid to the field of "working with consumers", which will improve communication between employees of the enterprise and direct subscribers of the organization. Thus, the water supply and sewerage enterprise has prospects in the development of its activities, but the beneficial development depends on external and internal factors and the correct construction of a system of strategic guidelines.

Символические характеристики образа холода в традиционной культуре северных сообществ (на примере эвенов и эвенков)

The paper considers the calendar traditions, rites and customs of the northern Tungus – Evens and Evenks. The sources were the author's expeditionary materials collected in the northern regions of Yakutia. The main rituals of calendar holidays are analyzed: cleansing rites, as well as the rite of admission to the birth fire. These traditions are considered in the context of the representation of the image of cold as a multidimensional category, thanks to which the spiritual practices of the northern Tungus were formed. The image of cold and the reception of its experience have become important concepts of the cultural heritage of northern communities, united into a complex multifunctional system, including symbolic practices and life and natural scenarios. In this study, from the standpoint of cognitive semiotics, the author analyzed the value attitudes and the sign-symbolic program of the Tungus’ communicative and behavioral strategies, which acted as an ethnic component of the image of a northern person and a cold world. It is revealed that it is the concepts associated with cold that formulated the basic tenets of the culture of hospitality. Thus, it has been established that the antipode of the cold world is warm hospitality, the main constants of which are the rituals of meeting and honoring the guest.

Recent Advances in Antiinflammatory Material Design.

Implants and prostheses are widely used to replace damaged tissues or to treat various diseases. However, besides the risk of bacterial or fungal infection, an inflammatory response usually occurs. Here, recent progress in the field of anti-inflammatory biomaterials is described. Different materials and approaches are used to decrease the inflammatory response, including hydrogels, nanoparticles, implant surface coating by polymers, and a variety of systems for anti-inflammatory drug delivery. Complex multifunctional systems dealing with inflammation, microbial infection, bone regeneration, or angiogenesis are also described. New promising stimuli-responsive systems, such as pH- and temperature-responsive materials, are also being developed that would enable an "intelligent" antiinflammatory response when the inflammation occurs. Together, different approaches hold promise for creation of novel multifunctional smart materials allowing better implant integration and tissue regeneration.

FEATURES OF LENDING YOUTH TOURISM IN UKRAINE

FEATURES OF LENDING YOUTH TOURISM IN UKRAINE

Emergy evaluation for decision-making in complex multifunctional farming systems

In a montado farm, commonly found in the South Portugal, human activities benefit from important fluxes of renewable resources. In this study, traditional economic and emergy evaluations are compared to determine their potential contributions to understanding this complex system and applied to a case study of a farm. This allows us to determine how each method values local natural resources and purchased factors of production and services in an empirical context. Results show that the montado farm has a renewable component evaluated at 27% of the total social costs of the system and that the work of natural resources is undervalued in economic budget accounting. Economic evaluation's relative value of purchased factors and services is three and half times higher than their emergy share. We propose that complementing economic budget accounting with emergy accounting provides a benchmark to evaluate the environmental contribution to agricultural and farming systems. In this way, factors external to markets can be evaluated for farming systems, bringing to economic analysis a full evaluation of resources, including the bio-geophysical system's contributions to wealth, enlarging total economic value of resources with a donor perspective enabling a better informed and comprehensive accounting to attain sustainable economic decisions and public policies.

Управление талантами как необходимый элемент стратегии развития персонала организации

This article examines the principles on which the successful development of the personnel development strategy is based, with its main element - talent management, as well as its relationship to the overall business strategy of the organization. The person simultaneously acts as the object and the subject of management. To date, the growing role of man is due to the rapid development of the surrounding world, its transition to an information society for which time and knowledge are the greatest achievements in competition. Modern society is a complex multifunctional system. Therefore, one fact remains unchanged: workers are the basis of any enterprise, and their significance is reinforced by strategic competitive advantages of the enterprise, which are largely based on the applying necessary knowledge, skills and competencies in the changing business environment. The authors consider the approaches to the process of forming the personnel development strategy in an organization, and the relationship between business strategies and private strategies. The article also describes the main economic instruments and principles used in the drafting the personnel development strategy. The article defines the need to develop a talent management system that brings the human element to business strategy and business planning, giving people the close attention that they deserve. Russian organizations are increasingly interested in managing talented employees. Although so far the introduction and application of these solutions still remains the lot of large companies that have the capacity to grow additional human resources capabilities, as well as possessing a stable base of personnel management. However, in recent years, the demand for automation of talent management processes has increased several times. The demand for highly qualified employees and managers that is increasing with the market does not meet the offer. Effectively formed and implemented talent management as an element of the personnel development strategy is the guarantor of a purposeful and pre-conceived process of using and developing employees in order to achieve the strategic goals of the enterprise.

Artificial Organelles: Reactions inside Protein–Polymer Supramolecular Assemblies

Reactions inside confined compartments at the nanoscale represent an essential step in the development of complex multifunctional systems to serve as molecular factories. In this respect, the biomimetic approach of combining biomolecules (proteins, enzymes, mimics) with synthetic membranes is an elegant way to create functional nanoreactors, or even simple artificial organelles, that function inside cells after uptake. Functionality is provided by the specificity of the biomolecule(s), whilst the synthetic compartment provides mechanical stability and robustness. The availability of a large variety of biomolecules and synthetic membranes allows the properties and functionality of these reaction spaces to be tailored and adjusted for building complex self-organized systems as the basis for molecular factories.

Apoptosis in Early Salivary Gland Duct Morphogenesis and Lumen Formation

Salivary glands are essential for the maintenance of oral health by providing lubrication and antimicrobial protection to the mucosal and tooth surfaces. Saliva is modified and delivered to the oral cavity by a complex multifunctional ductal system. During development, these ducts form as solid tubes, which undergo cavitation to create lumens. Apoptosis has been suggested to play a role in this cavitation process along with changes in cell polarity. Here, we show that apoptosis occurs from the very earliest stages of mouse salivary gland development, much earlier than previously reported. Apoptotic cells were observed in the center of the first epithelial stalk at early-stage embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) according to both TUNEL staining and cleaved caspase 3 immunofluorescence. The presumptive lumen space was highlighted by the colocalization of a predictive lumen marker, cytokeratin 7. At E14.5, as lumens start to form throughout the glands, apoptotic expression decreased while cytokeratin 7 remained positive. In vitro inhibition of all caspases in E12.5 and E13.5 salivary glands resulted in wider ducts, as compared with the controls, and a defect in lumen formation. In contrast, no such defect in lumen formation was observed at E14.5. Our data indicate that apoptosis is involved during early stages of gland formation (E12.5 onward) and appears important for shaping the forming ducts.

Wanderings in Biochemistry

My Ph.D. thesis in the laboratory of Severo Ochoa at New York University School of Medicine in 1962 included the determination of the nucleotide compositions of codons specifying amino acids. The experiments were based on the use of random copolyribonucleotides (synthesized by polynucleotide phosphorylase) as messenger RNA in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system. At Yale University, where I joined the faculty, my co-workers and I first studied the mechanisms of protein synthesis. Thereafter, we explored the interferons (IFNs), which were discovered as antiviral defense agents but were revealed to be components of a highly complex multifunctional system. We isolated pure IFNs and characterized IFN-activated genes, the proteins they encode, and their functions. We concentrated on a cluster of IFN-activated genes, the p200 cluster, which arose by repeated gene duplications and which encodes a large family of highly multifunctional proteins. For example, the murine protein p204 can be activated in numerous tissues by distinct transcription factors. It modulates cell proliferation and the differentiation of a variety of tissues by binding to many proteins. p204 also inhibits the activities of wild-type Ras proteins and Ras oncoproteins.