Use Of Effective Measures Research Articles

ПАРАМЕТРИЗАЦИЯ ТРЕБОВАНИЙ КОРРОЗИОННОЙ ЗАЩИЩЕННОСТИ СТАЛЬНЫХ КОНСТРУКЦИЙ

Basic provisions are presented of scientific and methodological substantiation of corrosion protectability of steel structures and installations. Priorities have been analyzed of improving existing codes, taking into account scientific achievements and international standards. Tasks have been formulated for increasing competitiveness and resource saving through the use of effective measures of corrosion protection. The study is aimed at parameterization of a mechanism of technical regulation of quality, reliability and safety, approval and application of materials and technologies, procedures, services in the field of corrosion protection at the request of a digital consumer. A process-oriented methodology is proposed aimed at a continuous improvement of development cycles and models of the rational choice of systems of corrosion protection of structures. With that, corrosion protection of structural steel is defined by the level of reliability and required parameters of technical and economic protection. The management structure is defined by the provisions of organization standard in accordance with ISO 12944, SP 28.1330.2017 with regard to corrosion protection of structural steel. The levels have been analyzed of reliability of structures and their protective coatings, with account for the procedures for assessing compliance of quality, monitoring and risk diagnostics based on the limit states method. Parameter compliance is affirmed based on five DMAIC principles related to determination, measurement, analysis, improvement and monitoring technical condition of structures. Examples are presented of statistical estimation of representative samples of corrosion impacts, characteristic values of corrosion resistance and durability of steel structures and their protective coatings. Proposed are methods for functional and time redundancy of corrosion protection assurance. Load testswere carried outof models of steel structures with corrosion damage. The obtained results reveal uncertainty of parameters of corrosion state and allow assessing structural steel survivability with account for acceptable risk. Suggestions for parametric design are recommended for digital transformation of the system of technical and economic regulators of corrosion protectability.

A Socio-Economic Formation: Problems of Efficiency and Low Level of Anti-Corruption Security

The paper examines the influence of socio-economic formation on crime. The author comes to the conclusion that the determinism of the existing economic, social and regulatory causes of corruption is based on an inefficient socio-economic formation. The author notes that an inefficient form of public administration, as well as a type of socio-economic formation, are not able to eliminate the causes of corruption, since this formation does not at all imply elimination of these causes, but, on the contrary, contributes to their existence and development. This takes place due to the fact that the form of public administration limits the possibility of applying and implementing a different, more effective form of public administration and socio-economic formation. Corruption as a phenomenon exists in a socio-economic formation in which socially useful principles, guidelines and attitudes are poorly organized or absent. The use of effective measures to combat corruption is not possible in the socio-economic formation where the main vices of society still exist or are idealized: selfishness, greed, thirst for power, excessive exploitation of an individual, etc. A corrupt behavior model becomes the norm in a situation when the state power and the state economy are dependent on private capital and investors. The author comes to the conclusion that the use of combined forms of public administration is effective and expedient. An effective use of combined forms of public administration can eliminate the main set of causes, circumstances and conditions that contribute to the emergence, growth and development of both corruption and crime in the country as a whole. A combined form of public administration presupposes the uniform participation of society, business entities and authorities in the implementation of socio-economic policy, which has common socially useful goals based on socially useful attitudes and guidelines.

The System of Organization and Sport Management in Ukraine: Problems and Prospects

Sport in the modern life of society and the state - is a very special world with its social values and its own rules. Sport has long been a cultural phenomenon, a significant social and developed activity, an important means of preserving and developing European personal identity. The failure of the Olympic Team of Ukraine on the Games of the XXII Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, non-fulfillment the planned indicators provided for by TheConcept of athletes training, indicates the existence of a crisis situation in Ukrainian sports and the need for systematic action to address these issues. State interests require the urgent use of effective measures to resolve not only purely sports but also socially significant problems of ensuring the development of sport in Ukraine, taking into account national traditions and current trends. Analysis of the changes taking place in the conditions of globalization of sport in the international olympic movement, as well as the study of trends in the development of the organization and management of sport in the world and the current state of sport in Ukraine, conditioned the choice of the topic of research. According to the strategy of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, aimed at implementing the Agreement on the Association of Ukraine with the European Union and reforming all sectors of the country's life in accordance with European standards, sport as an important social phenomenon penetrates all levels of modern society, exerting a wide influence on the main spheres of society's life. It is clear that in the field of physical education and sports of Ukraine there has long been a need for reform. The main goal of the sport reform in Ukraine is to create appropriate regulatory, socio-economic and organizational conditions that will promote not only the improvement of the organizational-management system of national sports to the standards of the leading countries of the world, the appropriate level of coverage of children by sports, but also will provide a mechanism for selection and training gifted individuals in order to achieve higher sport achievements.

FINANCIAL STABILITY, FINANCIAL INSTABILITY AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ECONOMY

Introduction. The financial instability has significantly increased due to the liberalization of foreign economic relations, the weakening of state control over the movement of capital and the acceleration of globalization processes in the financial and credit sphere. It has weakened the sustainability of national economies and made them more vulnerable to crisis shocks. Significant economic losses from crisis phenomena increase the need for research of the nature of financial instability and sustainability of the economy, the factors affecting its condition and the identification of pre-crisis risks. Issues of developing and effectively utilizing measures aimed at improving the financial stability of the economy remain relevant. It will minimize the negative impact of shocks and maintain steadily growing economic dynamics. The purpose is to generalize theoretical approaches in order to determine the essence of financial stability, financial instability and financial sustainability, to identify factors affecting it, and also to define the peculiarities of providing financial sustainability of the economy in conditions of Covid-19 pandemic. Methods. It has been used a number of scientific and special methods of the research such as: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, abstract, logic and generalization methods while studying the modern theoretical approaches to determine the nature of financial stability and financial stability of the economy, identifying the interdependencies between them, analyzing of scientists' views on the nature of financial instability, the causes of its occurrence and possible negative consequences for the economy. Results. Theoretical approaches to determining the essence of financial stability and financial stability of the economy have been considered and generalized. It has been established that they are interrelated and interdependent phenomena and the most important conditions for stable development of the national economy. The views of scientists and researchers on the nature of financial instability, the causes of its occurrence and possible negative consequences for the economy have been analyzed. It has been found that the vast majority of scientists associate instability with the inability of the financial system to withstand shocks and prevent their devastating impact on the real economy. It has been determined that there are many factors that can cause financial instability and the impact of each of them at some point in time can be significant. It has been emphasized on increasing risks of crisis emergence and deployment in both global and national economies in the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic and the importance of providing government support to businesses and industries to adapt to evolving circumstances. Conclusions. Further research suggests focusing on the development and effective use of measures aimed at improving the financial sustainability of the economy, which will minimize the negative impact of shocks and maintain a steadily increasing economic dynamic.

Estimation of the acceptable risk level of emergency situation in the electric power engineering system using fuzzy models

Purpose. The development of a model for assessing the level of permissible risk of an emergency situation in the power system in the conditions of fuzzy input data, heterogeneity of the criteria for risk assessment, the absence of analytical links between them and the subjectivity of expert knowledge of decision makers.Methodology. To solve this problem, methods and models of fuzzy logic are used which give satisfactory analytical result in the conditions of uncertainty of the input information and the absence of analytical connections between the individual parameters and characteristics of the object. The proposed fuzzy models are constructed using the Fuzzy Output Algorithm of Mamdani.Findings. The result obtained by the fuzzy model gives the opportunity to assess reliably the acceptable level of risk of an emergency situation in the grid. Based on the magnitude of the risk, it is possible to make informed decisions regarding the expediency (or impracticability) of applying measures to reduce this risk. This enables the organization of preventive management of the risk of an emergency situation in the grid and the use of effective measures to reduce it.Originality. The article is devised a fuzzy model for estimating the permissible risk level of an emergency situation in the electric power system, which takes into account such criteria as the minimum possible level of risk, the influence of meteorological conditions and errors of operational and operational personnel of power systems. In this case, it is possible to take into account the main factors influencing the reliability of the grid functioning, to assess the risk level of an emergency situation..Practical value. The fuzzy models developed in the article provide an opportunity to carry out an express assessment of the level of permissible risk of an emergency situation in the conditions of limited data and evaluation criteria, to conduct a comparative analysis of the obtained result with the magnitude of the actual risk of an accident in the on-line mode and to make a decision as to the appropriateness of its reduction.

A Tailored Advice Tool to Prevent Injuries Among Novice Runners: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundBesides the beneficial health effects of being active, running is associated with a risk of sustaining injuries. Runners need to change their behavior to increase the use of effective measures and subsequently reduce the number of running-related injuries.ObjectiveThe RunFitCheck intervention was developed according to an evidence- and practice-based approach to stimulate injury-preventive behavior among novice runners. This paper describes the study design in detail.MethodsA randomized controlled trial with a follow-up period of 5 months will be conducted. The participants will be novice runners. At enrollment, participants will be asked to report injury-preventive measures they usually take during their running activities. After completing the enrollment questionnaire, participants will be randomized to intervention and control groups. The intervention group will have access to the RunFitCheck intervention; the control group will perform their running activities as usual. Participants will be asked to report retrospectively in detail what they have done regarding injury prevention during their running activities at 1, 3, and 5 months after enrollment. Descriptive analyses will be conducted for different baseline variables in the intervention and control group. Relative risks and 95% CIs will be used to analyze behavioral changes according to the intention-to-treat principle.ResultsThe project was funded in 2016 and enrollment was completed in 2017. Data analysis is currently under way and the results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2019.ConclusionsTo nullify the negative side effects of running, prevention of training errors is desirable. As the use of injury prevention measures is not compulsory in running, a behavioral change is necessary to increase the use of effective injury-preventive measures and to prevent running-related injuries.Trial RegistrationNetherlands Trial Register NTR6381; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=6381 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/736Xjm5jv)International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/9708

A Tailored Web-based Advice Tool for Skiers and Snowboarders: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundBeing active in sports has many positive health effects. The direct effects of engaging in regular physical activity are particularly apparent in the prevention of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression, and osteoporosis. Besides the beneficial health effects of being active, sports participation is unfortunately also associated with a risk of injuries.In the case of many sports injuries (eg, winter sports) preventive measures are not compulsory, which means that a behavioral change in sports participants is necessary to increase the use of effective measures, and subsequently prevent or reduce injuries in sports.ObjectiveThe evidence-based Wintersportklaar online intervention has been developed to stimulate injury preventive behavior among skiers and snowboarders. In this article, the design of the effectiveness study will be described.MethodsA randomized controlled trial with a follow-up period of four months during the winter sport season will be conducted. The participants consist of inexperienced skiers and snowboarders. At baseline, skiers and snowboarders in the intervention and control groups are asked to report the injury preventive measures they usually take during their preparation for their winter sport holiday. One and three months after baseline, skiers and snowboarders are asked to report retrospectively in detail what measures they took regarding injury prevention during their current winter sport preparation and winter sport holiday. Descriptive analyses (mean, standard deviation, frequency, range) are conducted for the different baseline variables in both study groups. To evaluate the success of the randomization, baseline values are analyzed for differences between the intervention and control groups (chi square, independent T tests and/or Mann-Whitney test). Chi square tests and/or logistic regression analyses are used to analyze behavioral change according to the intention to treat principle (as initially assigned).ResultsThe project was funded in 2016 and enrolment was completed in 2017. Data analysis is currently under way and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2018.ConclusionsTo combat the negative side effects of sports participation, the use of injury preventive measures is desirable. As the use of injury prevention is usually not compulsory in skiing and snowboarding, a behavioral change is necessary to increase the use of effective injury preventive measures in winter sports.Trial RegistrationDutch Trial Registry NTR6233; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=6233 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6wXZPzjUi)

Extreme events and their optimal mitigation in nonlinear structural systems excited by stochastic loads: Application to ocean engineering systems

We develop an efficient numerical method for the probabilistic quantification of the response statistics of nonlinear multi-degree-of-freedom structural systems under extreme forcing events, emphasizing accurate heavy-tail statistics. The response is decomposed to a statistically stationary part and an intermittent component. The stationary part is quantified using a statistical linearization method while the intermittent part, associated with extreme transient responses, is quantified through i) either a few carefully selected simulations or ii) through the use of effective measures (effective stiffness and damping). The developed approach is able to accurately capture the extreme response statistics orders of magnitude faster compared with direct methods. The scheme is applied to the design and optimization of small attachments that can mitigate and suppress extreme forcing events delivered to a primary structural system. Specifically, we consider the problem of suppression of extreme responses in two prototype ocean engineering systems. First, we consider linear and cubic springs and perform parametric optimization by minimizing the forth-order moments of the response. We then consider a more generic, possibly asymmetric, piecewise linear spring and optimize its nonlinear characteristics. The resulting asymmetric spring design far outperforms the optimal cubic energy sink and the linear tuned mass dampers.

Power to change: Analysis of household participation in a renewable energy and energy efficiency programme in Central Australia

The Australian government funded a national Solar City program (2008–2013) to support communities to increase adoption of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technology. One community was Alice Springs, a town with about 9000 households in the geographic centre of Australia. The programme offered a package of support: free energy audits, discounts for the purchase of renewable energy technology and energy efficiency measures, and ongoing information. Households that adopted solar hot water and photovoltaic systems reduced their electricity usage immediately after adoption by 10% and 34% respectively, and this was maintained in the long term. A small rebound effect of 15% was observed in the photovoltaic adopters. It was observed that, on average, households that adopted only energy efficiency measures did not have a significant reduction in their electricity usage over the long term. However, consistent with expectations, this study did show that there was a significant correlation between the number of energy efficiency measures adopted and the greatest household reduction in electricity usage. These contrary results indicate that there are additional factors involved. The connection between the effective use of measures, coincident behavioural change or increased energy awareness and greater energy reduction is discussed.

Diagnóstico y manejo de la hemorragia postparto.

La hemorragia posparto es una complicación obstétrica severa que produce casi un tercio de los fallecimientos maternos, especialmente en los países subdesarrollados. Existen múltiples complicaciones que pueden producir este tipo de cuadro clínico. Sin embargo, la atonía uterina, las alteraciones en el alumbramiento y los desgarros cervicales y/o vaginales son indudablemente los de mayor prevalencia. Su tratamiento oportuno y el uso de medidas a tiempo y efectivas son indispensables y fundamentales para evitar la muerte materna. Conocer las poblaciones en riesgo y los factores desencadenantes resulta primordial, pues esta patología es altamente prevenible y debemos estar preparados para enfrentar este tipo de complicaciones.

Converting Evidence Into Data: The Use Of Law Enforcement Archives As Unobtrusive Measurement

The newly emerging area of Investigative Psychology provides a behavioural science basis for crime detection by examining investigative processes and criminal behaviour. It draws upon a range of material collected by law enforcement agencies that is not widely utilized in the social sciences. This may be regarded as a form of non-reactive, unobtrusive data that has many of the advantages originally promoted by Webb, Campbell, Schwartz and Sechrest (1966) and more recently explored by Lee (2000). The value of such data, derived from police sources, has been demonstrated in a variety of Investigative Psychology studies. However, law enforcement material is not usually collected as data but rather as evidence. Consideration is therefore given to how to address the challenges this poses. The unobtrusive measures derived from police investigations provide a different perspective on crime and other aspects of human actions from that based on more conventional sources of data such as questionnaires and interviews. To assist in the effective use of measures derived from police information a framework for considering this material is proposed reflecting the range of sources of measures that Lee (2000) identified; personal records, running records, physical traces, and simple observation. As in other areas, close attention to the methods of collecting such material can considerably improve its utility. The measures being utilized in Investigative Psychology therefore offer some fruitful directions for other areas of social science research. Development of these measures can also improve the effectiveness of criminal investigations.

A Microalgae-Based Biodiesel Refinery: Sustainability Concerns and Challenges

The interest in using microalgae to produce biodiesel is rapidly increasing in an effort to search for renewable and alternative energy. In an attempt to support algal biodiesel industry, the exploration of sustainability concerns involved in biodiesel refinery is becoming more and more necessary and important. From a sustainability perspective, this paper addresses the environmental, economic, social, and cultural implications of microalgae-based biodiesel refinery. From an environmental standpoint, there are four main related concerns: first, less water is required and water used can be recycled greatly, but it might cause water and even groundwater pollution; second, although low-value lands can be used for construction, it might cause land use changes and soil erosion; third, infrastructure construction and eutrophication by water pollution will threaten on local biodiversity; finally, there are some disputes of energy input and greenhouse gases emissions. From an economic point of view, the main benefit lies in an increase of employment and incomes, while the main drawback is the overwhelming investments required due to high costs. Socially, it can improve energy security and create jobs, while, on the other hand, it might affect the health of local animals and people. From a cultural viewpoint, algal biodiesel concept is a new element, and it requires time for people to adapt. With effective use of measures in technologies and policies, the microalgae-derived biodiesel industry will commercialize at levels of sustainability.

Health care–associated infection prevention in Japan: The role of safety culture

Limited data exist on the use of infection prevention practices in Japan. We conducted a nationwide survey to examine the use of recommended infection prevention strategies and factors affecting their use in Japanese hospitals. Between April 1, 2012, and January 31, 2013, we surveyed 971 hospitals in Japan. The survey instrument assessed general hospital and infection prevention program characteristics and use of infection prevention practices, including practices specific to preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Logistic regression models were used to examine multivariable associations between hospital characteristics and the use of the various prevention practices. A total of 685 hospitals (71%) responded to the survey. Maintaining aseptic technique during catheter insertion and maintenance, avoiding routine central line changes, and using maximum sterile barrier precautions and semirecumbent positioning were the only practices regularly used by more than one-half of the hospitals to prevent CAUTI, CLABSI, and VAP, respectively. Higher safety-centeredness was associated with regular use of prevention practices across all infection types. Although certain practices were used commonly, the rate of regular use of many evidence-based prevention practices was low in Japanese hospitals. Our findings highlight the importance of fostering an organization-wide atmosphere that prioritizes patient safety. Such a commitment to patient safety should in turn promote the use of effective measures to reduce health care-associated infections in Japan.

Critical role of measures in decision processes: Managerial and technical measures in the context of large software development organizations

ContextToday, many software development organizations struggle to establish measurement programs to monitor their projects, products and units. After overcoming the initial threshold of establishing the measurement program organizations stand before the questions of which measures should be collected in order to lead to actions or at least effectively trigger decision processes. ObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to investigate how to use measures in an effective way in decision processes. This dependency is examined through a case study – Ericsson in Sweden. Two models of these dependencies are recognized a priori – metrics-push and metric-pull – and in the study the models are used to describe how measures affect decisions and vice versa. MethodThe research method is a case study of the measurement program of one of the product development units of Ericsson in Sweden. The participants are carefully selected from the management teams at different levels of organizations. The objects are measures and decisions at these management levels. The instruments are interviews and observations. The results obtained at Ericsson are validated through interviews at another company – RUAG Space. ResultsThe results show that effective use of measures as evidence for decision processes does not require a large number of measures (ca. 20 at the top management level). It was found that there are four types of measures which are used in different ways in the context of decision formulation and implementation (which we call decision-measures dependency model). The critical aspects of effective measures in decision-making context are completeness, reliability and providing early warnings. It was also found that the time between the decision and when its results can be observed via measures (length of the feedback loop) is a crucial aspect determining at which organizational level a measure should be placed. ConclusionsAfter overcoming the initial threshold of establishing measurement programs the organizations demand non-functional properties from the measures. These non-functional properties like completeness, providing early-warning or trust determine whether decision processes are triggered by measures or not.

Protecting integrity at the local level: the role of anticorruption and public management networks

This article argues that anti-corruption agencies at the local-level have been successful in a way that can be evaluated and emulated. A related contention is that corruption control is most effective when the central public integrity agency is part of both a local anticorruption network and a local public management network. Quite reasonably, the international anti-corruption project has focused most time and energy on advocating and assessing efforts made to ensure public integrity at the national level. Baseline studies by scholars and supra-national integrity nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) identify the form of corruption control (if any) adopted by the central government. Key considerations in assessing the status of national anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) are the ones mentioned in the introduction to this special issue: political independence, scope of authority, investigatory powers, position in the national legal/political network, durability, and use of effectiveness measures. Similar taxonomies are deployed by OLAF, Transparency International, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and by scholars on corruption control.

Criminal offense of trafficking in human beings: International documents, contemporary solutions in national legislations and Criminal Code of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Due to its high social danger and far-reaching consequences, trafficking in human beings, as a form of transnational crime, needs an all-inclusive international approach in countries of origin, transit and destination. That means the use of effective measures concerning prevention, punishment of perpetrators and protection of victims. In connection with that, intensive efforts of the international community in stamping out this phenomenon marked the end of 20? century. They are incarnated in a numerous of international documents and other activities, which particular emphasize the need of criminalization of trafficking in human beings in national legislation. In the paper, authors are analyzing international documents that are both directly or indirectly dealing with this topic, as well as criminal law provisions of a number of countries (USA, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Southern Europe). The aim of such an approach is to perceive our legislation though the prism of the contemporary tendencies, as well as to point out certain shortages and the importance of harmonizing our legislature with the international standards and demands of the international community. The first step toward that should be inclusion of trafficking in human beings as a separate criminal offence in the Criminal Code of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Victimology Society of Serbia drafted such criminal law provision, which is presented in this paper.

A Longitudinal Study of the Use of Performance Measures in the Annual Reports of UK Executive Agencies

The way in which central government services are delivered in the UK has changed significantly in the last nine years. Executive Agencies have been established and an emphasis placed on the need to develop performance measurement systems. This paper discusses the importance ofperformance information and, through a longitudinal study of annual reports, examines changes over time. The paper highlights an increasing use of performance information in external reporting and a shift in emphasis towards the use of effectiveness measures based on quality targets.

A Task Environment Approach to Organizational Assessment

In recent years, interest has grown in the comprehensive and systematic measurement of organizational behavior. One reflection of this interest is the increased use of organizational assessment which is the process of measuring the effectiveness of an organization from a social systems perspective.' An organizational assessment is grounded in conceptual models of organizations and is typically holistic, i.e., focused on the task-performance capabilities of the organization . . . and the human impact of the system on its individual members. 2 When assessing the task-performance dimension of effectiveness, client evaluations and objective indicators are normally used to judge the extent to which an organization has met its goals.3 Input from officials in an organization's task environment is a third source of data that is traditionally ignored in organizational assessments, but one which is widely recognized as important.4 This study explores the use of effectiveness measures gathered from officials whose jobs require them to interact with federal organizations. By focusing on such inside respondents, a different view may be secured of federal agencies than that provided by private citizens.' Respondents include members of Congress, state and local welfare officials, private contractors, and naval ship commanding officers. Being mainly government employees, they should have a relevant comparative perspective from which to evaluate other agencies' and workers' effectiveness, and they should be knowledgeable about service quality because of their stable interactions with the agencies. Of course, evaluations by both private citizens and insiders suffer from the limitations of perception and knowledge. But so far, evaluation studies have focused on private citizens with varying degrees of success.6 By using task environment respondents, we hope to provide another part of the evaluation picture, one previously overlooked, but one which can add to the external validity of organizational assessments. 7 The concept of task environment not only directs use of a different set of respondents but also requires sensitivity to domains of activity as they vary across organizations.8 Prior organizational assessments have not explored how domain characteristics such as the location or type of service provided by the governmental unit may affect its perceived effectiveness. However, sup-