High Rate Of Change Research Articles

Neurophysiological methods of photosensitivity identification in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (review)

To date, it has been shown that juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a common form of genetic (idiopathic) generalized epilepsy. The study of neurophysiological factors that inhibiting and provocating photosensitivity on the electroencephalogram (EEG) in JME expands our understanding of this disease, which is important for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.The purposeof this review is to analyze neurophysiological techniques that inhibiting and provocating photosensitivity on EEG in patients with JME.Materials and methods. We searched for full-text publications in Russian and English over the past two decades in the databases eLibrary, PubMed, Web of Science, OxfordPress, Springer, Clinicalkeys using keywords: juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), diagnostics, neurophysiology, electroencephalography (EEG), eye opening, photostimulation, eye closure sensitivity, photoparoxysmal response (PPR), epilepsy.Results. Currently, visual triggers such as eye closure, eye closure sensitivity (ECS)/fixation-off sensitivity, other than photosensitivity, are routinely used for EEG in patients with JME, but are rarely scientifically investigated for this pathology. However, it has been shown that ECS is present in 15–25 % of patients with JME. Trigger photostimulation is most effective for detecting photosensitivity in JME compared to intermittent (rhythmic) photostimulation. The frequency of photosensitivity in patients with JME is variable — from 30 % to 54 %. The exact mechanisms of these phenomena are still unknown. It is assumed that ECS and photosensitivity are expressions of hyperexcitability of the occipital cortex in JME.Conclusion. The analyzed neurophysiological and electroclinical studies indicate positive changes in the diagnosis of JME and changes in our understanding of this disease. The mechanism of ECS and photosensitivity in JME is unknown, which is a reason for future research to clarify their consequences, including their impact on the prognosis of the disease and their role in the development of pharmacoresistance. However, despite the characteristic clinical picture and the progress of modern neurophysiological research methods, the question of the role of photosensitivity in this form of epilepsy remains a problem for practicing neurologists, and the proposed EEG protocols need to be modified and more widely implemented in real clinical practice. Variable light and color patterns in broadcast or video game material with a high rate of image change of high-contrast stimulation (more than 3 repetitions per second) can cause seizures in some patients with JME. This requires changing approaches to the neurophysiological diagnosis of photosensitivity in JME and the use of combined triggers for video EEG monitoring.

Coordinated demand-controlled ventilation strategy for energy-efficient operation in multi-zone cleanroom air-conditioning systems

Cleanrooms can be 10–100 times as energy-intensive as typical office buildings. The causes of this are mainly high air change rates and counteraction (i.e. overcooling and reheating) processes in applications. Existing studies have addressed the design and control of outdoor and supply air ventilation systems separately without considering the interaction between them, which causes significant energy waste. This study therefore proposes a coordinated demand-controlled ventilation (CDCV) strategy to achieve energy-efficient operation in multi-zone cleanroom air-conditioning systems, by coordinating operation between outdoor and supply ventilation systems. The Lorenz curve and Gini index are introduced to quantify the demand diversity of multiple zones, and degrees of overcooling and overdrying are used to quantify the mismatch between cooling supply and demand. Cleanrooms in a pharmaceutical factory located in Hong Kong, a humid sub-tropical city, are selected to test and validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Test results show that the optimization of supply air volume can alleviate the mismatch between cooling supply and demand, as well as affect the optimal outdoor air ventilation mode. The proposed strategy can achieve up to 89.6% of reheating and 63.3% of overall energy savings.

Mg isotope evidence for restriction events within the Paleotethys ocean around the Permian-Triassic transition

The Permian–Triassic transition witnessed the largest mass extinction event in Earth's history, multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain the cause of this catastrophe, however, relatively less attention has been paid to the paleogeography and major element chemistry of seawater and its possible link to mass extinction during this interval. Syndepositional massive marine dolostones could record the Mg isotope signature of contemporaneous seawater that hold clues of ancient Mg cycling. In this study, we investigated Mg isotopes of dolomite from three widely spaced carbonate sections in the Paleotethys to trace oceanic Mg cycling during this critical period. The latest Permian dolostones from all studied sections have similar δ26Mg values around −2.1±0.1‰. However, a remarkable and consistent increase in δ26Mgdolomite across the extinction interval occurred in both eastern and western margins of the Paleotethys. The results suggest that δ26Mg of seawater in Paleotethys fluctuated by 0.4‰ within ∼750 kyr across the Permian-Triassic transition. Modeling reveals that the high rate of change in δ26Mgseawater required an extremely short residence time for seawater Mg. This is attributed to dramatically intensified dolomitization in a restricted oceanic environment, with Mg isotope evidence revealing that the Paleotethys Ocean experienced transient restriction events, in association with radical changes in the major cation composition of seawater, around the end-Permian mass extinction event (EPME).

СВОБОДНАЯ И РЕГУЛИРУЕМАЯ КОНКУРЕНЦИЯ: ДВЕ ФОРМЫ РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ КОНКУРЕНТНОГО ПРИНЦИПА

Although interference in the competitive mechanism is a fact of economic reality, the controversy around free and regulated competition does not subside. In contrast to opposing these forms of competition to each other, the author views them as ensuring re-creation of competitive relations at qualitatively different stages of competition development. Based on the reproduction approach, the objective nature of these forms’ existence is revealed, and the reasons for transition from free to regulated competition are shown. Free competition is interpreted as a way of the competitors selection mechanism, acting without regard to position occupied by competitors in the market. Regulated competition is characterised by external interference, carried out by influencing the mechanism and results of the competitive process, in competitive selection. Considering free and regulated competition as a means of maintaining the competitive principle and restoring rivalry relationships, the author concludes that each form reflects the specifics of the implementation of this principle at different stages of the competitive system development. At the same time, the transition from free competition to its regulated form is interpreted as a way of resolving the internal contradiction within the competition, and at the same time as an evidence of its evolution. This interpretation is not only of theoretical significance related to justification of the need to regulate competition. It is a methodological key to determine areas and boundaries of intervention in the competitive process for competitive policy. The current stage of competition development is characterised by a high rate of change, ultimate and unpredictable, and requires a transition to new regulatory measures affecting the competitive principle itself. The study of this side of regulated competition seems to be the most promising. This article focuses on the subjective side of macrocompetition represented by institutions (antitrust laws) and actors (rivals and regulators). However, the evolution of competitive conditions and competitors also change the content of the competitive principle. This requires regulation of competition from within.

Machine Learning-Based Gene Clustering on Brain Cancer Using K-Means and Hierarchical Clustering Methods

K-means and hierarchical clustering algorithms are employed to cluster genes according to the gene expression to determine the harming level of the genes in brain cancer. The gene expression data with a control group from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were used. The optimal cluster number for each clustering technique was obtained using the elbow method and dendrogram for K-means and hierarchical clustering methods respectively. We identified the ideal number of clusters as three and further classified them into seven groups. We observed that the second cluster contains over half the genes in healthy people and the cluster distribution of a healthy patient and a patient who died six months after being diagnosed with brain cancer is similar. Further analysis indicated that of all the time spent by patients after being diagnosed with brain cancer, group 0 has the highest percentage in one month after the diagnosis, while group -2 has the lowest percentage. Most genes shift their clusters when Kmeans and hierarchical clustering techniques we compared with the genes from the control and disease groups. The result of the measure of dissimilarity between the genes expression patterns indicates that the K-means technique outperforms the hierarchical technique with a higher rate of change in the cluster.

Impact of the New York State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (IStop) on chronic pain management by primary care providers.

To explore the impact of the New York State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (IStop) on the self-reported management of patients with chronic pain by primary care providers. Mixed-methods study with survey collection and semistructured interviews. Multiple academic hospitals in New York. One hundred and thirty-six primary care providers (residents, fellows, attendings, and nurse practitioners) for survey collection, and eight primary care clinicians (residents, attending, and pharmacist) for interviews. Introduction of IStop. Change in usage of four risk reduction strategies (pain contracts, urine tests, monthly visits, and comanagement) as reported by primary care providers for patients with chronic pain. After the introduction of IStop, 25 percent (32/128) of providers increased usage of monthly visits, 28 percent (36/128) of providers increased usage of pain management comanagement with other healthcare providers, and 46 percent (60/129) of providers increased usage of at least one of four risk reduction strategies. Residents indicated much higher rates of change in risk reduction strategies due to IStop usage; increasing in the use of monthly visits (32 vs. 13 percent, p = 0.02) and comanagement (36 vs. 13 percent, p = 0.01) occurred at a much higher rate in residents than attending physicians. Interview themes revealed an emphasis on finding opioid alternatives when possible, the need for frequent patient visits in effective pain management, and the importance of communication between the patient and provider to protect the relationship in chronic pain management. After the introduction of IStop, primary care providers have increased usage of risk reduction strategies in the care of chronic pain patients.

Design Rules, Volume 2: Chapter 12—The Planar Process and Moore's Law

Moore’s Law is the prediction that transistor densities of semiconductor chips will double, speeds double, and prices drop by half approximately every eighteen months to two years. The Law lies at the heart of the high rates of technical change observed in the computer, communication and software industries during the last fifty years. The purpose of this chapter is to explain the underpinnings of Moore’s Law and to assess whether the industry-wide rate of technical change is likely to continue. I first discuss the Law’s origin as an empirical observation and its grounding in the physics of semiconductors. I describe how the Law became established as a dynamic equilibrium among semiconductor manufacturers, and how it was challenged and reaffirmed several times. I explain how in the 1990s, the Law was institutionalized in series of an industry-wide roadmaps, which became self-fulfilling prophecies. I go on to describe the performance of semiconductor chips and companies in the five decades since the Law was first proposed. I end with a discussion of the physical limits that now constrain the operation of Moore’s Law and a description of other paths to improved performance that still remain to be explored.

Partial Discharges in Electrical Machines for the More Electric Aircraft—Part I: A Comprehensive Modeling Tool for the Characterization of Electric Drives Based on Fast Switching Semiconductors

The arrival on the market of new power devices based on wide bandgap semiconductors has raised a relevant interest due to their superior properties compared to conventional technologies. On the other hand, these devices are inherently characterized by high rates of voltage changes over time, which may result in reliability challenges in electric drives adopting them. In fact, dangerous voltage overshoots at the motor terminals and uneven voltage distributions within the machine windings may occur. These phenomena can trigger a high insulation stress and partial discharges and, as a consequence, they may concur to the premature failure of the dielectric materials. This paper proposes a flexible and comprehensive modelling approach for the accurate analysis and estimation of both voltage overshoots and voltage distributions in a typical converter-cable-motor system intended for more electric aircraft applications. The modelling results are validated against experimental measurements carried out on a physical prototype comprising a wide bandgap-based converter, a connecting cable and an electrical machine stator. The findings are then used in the companion papers (part II and part III) to investigate the dependence of partial discharge phenomena on these voltage waveforms, highlight reliability challenges in modern ±270 V DC bus voltage drives for the more electric aircraft and discuss solutions.

Design Rules, Volume 2: Chapter 13—The Slowly Changing Structure of the Semiconductor Industry

Spurred by the success of the IBM PC, in the early 1980s, a new form of organization—the digital platform ecosystem—became common in all industries that used digital technology. Digital platform ecosystems were vertically distintegrated organizations, characterized by distributed governance, modularity, and openness. In contrast, semiconductor firms, which were subject to the same rate of technical change as platform ecosystems, remained vertically integrated to a large degree. The purpose of this chapter is to explain this difference in organizational evolution and outcomes. I argue that the technology of the planar process, which made possible high rates of technical change for downstream users, simultaneously rewarded the creation of large-scale flow production processes that became more integrated over time.

Estudo comparativo entre os valores de ANB e WITS para diagnóstico ortodôntico

Justification and Objectives: Based on current literature, there are divergences regarding ANB and WITS skeletal assessment, justifying the importance of comparative assessment of these methods, verifying in practice whether there is clinical relevance, which support the use of techniques association or advantages with the use of one of the techniques, avoiding misreadings and contributing to the correct diagnosis by the professional, in order to obtain an effective treatment plan for the patient, favoring correct alignment and skeletal development. Methods: Data were obtained from Sartori Clinic profile radiographs of patient’s assessment, a total of 201 patients out of 420 at random, assessing both with different techniques and comparing the results. Results: Assessment analyzed 115 women (57.3%) and 86 men (42.7%), aged 7 to 64 years, of these 109 of the cases (54.3%) obtained the same result when comparing the ANB and WITS techniques, while 92 of the cases (45.7%) had divergence in results. The highest change rate occurred in patients classified as Class III (43.5%), followed by Class I (39.1%) and the lowest rate was of Class II patients (17.4%). Conclusion: There are divergences regarding the comparison of assessments, with need for an accurate assessment in order to obtain a correct diagnosis, enabling an appropriate treatment plan.

The State of Soil Organic Carbon in Vineyards as Affected by Soil Types and Fertilization Strategies (Tri Morave Region, Serbia)

Due to specific soil properties and management practices, soils in vineyards are sensitive to degradation. The aims of this study were to examine (i) the state of soil organic carbon (SOC) in vineyards compared to other agricultural land, (ii) the influence of different fertilization strategies and soil type on SOC content and (iii) the rate of SOC change over time and potential of deep tillage for SOC preservation in subsoil. The study was carried out at 16 representative vineyard locations of the Tri Morave region, which represents the largest vine growing region in Serbia. The analyzed area included 56 vineyard plots. Results showed that SOC stocks in the topsoil and subsoil were lower than the average for agricultural land in Serbia. The soil type was an important predictor of carbon storage in the topsoil. An adequate application of inorganic fertilizers or green manure combined with farmyard manure initially resulted in the highest SOC contents. Continuous application of inorganic fertilizer without organic amendments has led to a decrease of SOC in topsoil. High rates of SOC stock change in topsoil accompanied a rapid reduction of SOC in the earlier stage of cultivation. In all investigated subsoils, SOC increased, except for unfertilized vineyards. Deep tillage has the potential to preserve SOC in the deeper soil layer and prevent carbon loss from the topsoil. More attention should be paid to the soil conservation practices to meet environmental sustainability of viticulture.

Conflicting nest survival thresholds across a wetland network alter management benchmarks for an endangered bird

Small changes in the environment can have large impacts, leading to ‘tipping points’ or ‘threshold’ effects on populations. Identifying such effects can provide practitioners benchmarks to both minimize negative impacts and foster positive benefits for populations. Nonetheless, identifying thresholds can be challenging as they can vary spatially, temporally, and in their form (i.e., the shape of the threshold). Such variation, if gone undetected, may stymie the identification of reliable conservation benchmarks. We developed Bayesian change-point models that estimate thresholds of environmental effects that can vary in the number, magnitude and form in space and/or time. We applied these models to estimate thresholds in the effects of hydrology on nest survival of an endangered, wetland-dependent bird, the snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus). Using data from 2790 nests at nine wetlands spanning the entire U.S. breeding range over a 21-year time period, we contrasted different threshold models for hydrology effects. Overall, both low water and high water, and high rates of change (declining or increasing water levels, recession and ascension, respectively), had negative, threshold effects on nest survival. Change-point models emphasized that the form, extent, and magnitude of thresholds vary across the breeding range. These benchmarks for water management illustrate that nest survival can be potentially increased over three-fold when thresholds are avoided. Furthermore, our results caution that applying incorrect threshold models to environmental problems can lead to inappropriate targets for conservation. Our modeling framework provides a generalizable way to address this issue and reliably estimate the effect of complex change points and their uncertainty on populations.

Investigation on flood event variations at space and time scales in the Huaihe River Basin of China using flood behavior classification

Flood is one of the severest natural disasters in the world and has caused enormous causalities and property losses. Previous studies usually focus on flood magnitude and occurrence time at event scale, which are insufficient to contain entire behavior characteristics of flood events. In our study, nine behavior metrics in five categories (e.g., magnitude, duration, timing, rates of changes and variability) are adopted to fully describe a flood event. Regional and interannual variations of representative flood classes are investigated based on behavior similarity classification of numerous events. Contributions of geography, land use, hydrometeorology and human regulation on these variations are explored by rank analysis method. Results show that: five representative classes are identified, namely, conventional events (Class 1, 61.7% of the total), low discharge events with multiple peaks (Class 2, 5.3%), low discharge events with low rates of changes (Class 3, 18.1%), low discharge events with high rates of changes (Class 4, 10.8%) and high discharge events with long durations (Class 5, 4.1%). Classes 1 and 3 are the major flood events and distributed across the whole region. Class 4 is mainly distributed in river sources, while Classes 2 and 5 are in the middle and down streams. Moreover, the flood class is most diverse in normal precipitation years (2006, 2008–2010 and 2015), followed by wet years (2007, 2013–2014), and dry years (2011 and 2012). All the impact factor categories explain 34.0%–84.1% of individual flood class variations. The hydrometeorological category (7.2%–56.9%) is the most important, followed by geographical (1.0%–6.3%), regulation (1.7%–5.1%) and land use (0.9%–2.2%) categories. This study could provide new insights into flood event variations in a comprehensive manner, and provide decision-making basis for flood control and resource utilization at basin scale.

Spatial and Temporal Evolution Characteristics of PM2.5 in China from 1998 to 2016

The rapid development of China’s economy and urbanization has given rise to noticeable environmental problems, among which the change of air quality has received extensive attention. The panel data of PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 µm or less) in 343 prefecture-level cities in China from 1998 to 2016 were statistically analyzed to reveal the characteristics of the temporal evolution and spatial variation of China’s air quality in the past two decades. The results show that: 1) the overall deterioration trend of air quality is obvious throughout the country. The variation trend of PM2.5 was divided into three phases: rapid-growth phase (1998–2007), lag phase (2006–2011) and mildly-incremental phase (2012–2016), with their average growth rates of 7.19%, −3.59% and 0.52%, respectively. 2) The spatial difference of PM2.5 values in China increased significantly with time. Since 2003, the high-value area in the east has expanded rapidly, and polarization became much more pronounced. The change rate of PM2.5 is high in the east and west and low in the middle. The change rates of most areas in the west exceed more than 80%, and in the east lie somewhere between 40% and 60%. In the midlands, the change rate is not large and some regions even show a negative growth. 3) The change rate of PM2.5 is also high in areas with higher values. However, in regions where the change rate of PM2.5 is high, the value of PM2.5 is not always high. The high change rate is mainly attributable to the low base value of PM2.5 and the cities concerned belong to sensitive areas. 4) According to the PM2.5 warning index, the number of strong, medium, weak and non-warning areas in China is 45, 85, 159 and 54, respectively.

A case study approach to high-containment laboratory workflows promoting sustainability, networking and innovation.

Advances in information technologies (ITs) and operational technologies (OTs) offer high-containment laboratories opportunities to evolve scientific and operational approaches, while increasing efficiency. Emerging technologies steadily introduce changes in data generation and management practices. United States (US) government agencies and partners operate high-containment laboratories that rely on ITs/OTs to provide critical scientific functions that support prevention, detection, response and recovery for catastrophic events. These unique operating environments provide an opportunity for implementation of ITs/OTs that can facilitate both efficiency and deeper or parallel study of disease and associated biological phenomena. Operational study by subject matter experts can aid in identification of requirements and challenges pertaining to emerging ITs/OTs, examination of use cases, refinement of technical specifications and optimisation of workflows. The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in the United States of America (USA), slated to be fully operational by 2023, will be a state-of-the-art research and diagnostic facility with Biosafety Level 2, 3 and 4 laboratories for the study of high-consequence transboundary animal pathogens and zoonotic diseases impacting public health. The NBAF will support the diagnosis of emerging diseases, development of countermeasures and transboundary animal disease training. Given the rapid emergence of IT/OT solutions, the authors used a case study approach to analyse and assess real-world, high-containment laboratory functions to help maximise efficiency in mission delivery for the NBAF and the broader high-containment laboratory network. The case study approach described here could be widely adapted to diverse situations characterised by a high rate of change to provide accurate, relevant workflow analyses and optimised recommendations.

Climate change will cause non-analog vegetation states in Africa and commit vegetation to long-term change

Abstract. Vegetation responses to changes in environmental drivers can be subject to temporal lags. This implies that vegetation is committed to future changes once environmental drivers stabilize; e.g., changes in physiological processes, structural changes, and changes in vegetation composition and disturbance regimes may happen with substantial delay after a change in forcing has occurred. Understanding the trajectories of such committed changes is important as they affect future carbon storage, vegetation structure, and community composition and therefore need consideration in conservation management. In this study, we investigate whether transient vegetation states can be represented by a time-shifted trajectory of equilibrium vegetation states or whether they are vegetation states without analog in conceivable equilibrium states. We use a dynamic vegetation model, the aDGVM (adaptive Dynamic Global Vegetation Model), to assess deviations between simulated transient and equilibrium vegetation states in Africa between 1970 and 2099 for the RCP4.5 and 8.5 scenarios using regionally downscaled climatology based on the MPI-ESM output for CMIP5. We determined lag times and dissimilarity between simulated equilibrium and transient vegetation states based on the combined difference of nine selected state variables using Euclidean distance as a measure for that difference. We found that transient vegetation states over time increasingly deviated from equilibrium states in both RCP scenarios but that the deviation was more pronounced in RCP8.5 during the second half of the 21st century. Trajectories of transient vegetation change did not follow a “virtual trajectory” of equilibrium states but represented non-analog composite states resulting from multiple lags with respect to vegetation processes and composition. Lag times between transient and most similar equilibrium vegetation states increased over time and were most pronounced in savanna and woodland areas, where disequilibrium in savanna tree cover frequently acted as the main driver of dissimilarities. Fire additionally enhanced lag times and dissimilarity between transient and equilibrium vegetation states due to its restraining effect on vegetation succession. Long lag times can be indicative of high rates of change in environmental drivers, of meta-stability and non-analog vegetation states, and of augmented risk for future tipping points. For long-term planning, conservation managers should therefore strongly focus on areas where such long lag times and high residual dissimilarity between most similar transient and equilibrium vegetation states have been simulated. Particularly in such areas, conservation efforts need to consider that observed vegetation may continue to change substantially after stabilization of external environmental drivers.

SARS-CoV-2 analysis on environmental surfaces collected in an intensive care unit: keeping Ernest Shackleton\u2019s spirit

SummaryBackgroundIntensive care unit workers are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection, especially when performing invasive techniques and certain procedures that generate aerosols (< 5 μm). Therefore, one of the objectives of the health systems should implement safety practices to minimize the risk of contagion among these health professionals. Monitoring environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 may help to determine the potential of the environment as a transmission medium in an area highly exposed to SARS-CoV-2, such as an intensive care unit. The objective of the study was to analyze the environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces collected in an intensive care unit, which is dedicated exclusively to the care of patients with COVID-19 and equipped with negative pressure of – 10 Pa and an air change rate of 20 cycles per hour. Furthermore, all ICU workers were tested for COVID-19 by quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA methods.ResultsA total of 102 samples (72 collected with pre-moistened swabs used for collection of nasopharyngeal exudates and 30 with moistened wipes used in the environmental microbiological control of the food industry) were obtained from ventilators, monitors, perfusion pumps, bed rails, lab benches, containers of personal protective equipment, computer keyboards and mice, telephones, workers’ shoes, floor, and other areas of close contact with COVID-19 patients and healthcare professionals who cared for them. The analysis by quantitative RT-PCR showed no detection of SARS-CoV-2 genome in environmental samples collected by any of the two methods described. Furthermore, none of the 237 ICU workers was infected by the virus.ConclusionsPresence of SARS-CoV-2 on the ICU surfaces could not be determined supporting that a strict cleaning protocol with sodium hypochlorite, a high air change rate, and a negative pressure in the ICU are effective in preventing environmental contamination. These facts together with the protection measures used could also explain the absence of contagion among staff inside ICUs.

Agent-based approach to modeling the process of viral marketing

The space of social networks and the Internet challenge classic marketing tools and offers new, modern, effective technologies that improve consumer value. The high rate of technology change poses the problem of effective marketing. In the context of digitalization, new technologies are rapidly forming new market platforms and ways to satisfy their requirements. In this regard, marketers are forced to constantly upgrade their tools and approaches. One effective approach to improving consumer demand is viral marketing. In a highly competitive environment, many more companies are resorting to the viral marketing apparatus. Viral marketing can be based on sound marketing principles, but at the same time become a dangerous tool. Classical epidemic spread models do not take into account the features of modern viral marketing technologies and social networks. The article discusses the concept of viral marketing as a modern tool to increase the consumer value of goods and services. The advantages and disadvantages of this advertising tool are revealed. The main stages of building a viral campaign are described. The conditions under which viral marketing is developing successfully are identified. An agent-graph model of the spread of viral information based on the epidemiological approach that takes into account the basic principles of interaction in a social network is built.

Financial market transformation and demand for a new type of specialists

Subject. We investigate the influence of modern trends in the development of the financial market on the labor market for young specialists in the financial sector, identifying the growing contradictions between new requirements for professional qualifications and the ability of educational institutions to provide appropriate competencies for future financial market specialists majoring in Finance and Credit. Objectives. The aim is to study theoretical aspects and analyze the professional competence of young specialists majoring in the field of Finance and Credit in the context of financial market transformation. Methods. We employ methods of economic analysis, the content analysis, comparison, and expert assessments. The program and analytical documents of the Bank of Russia and the data of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection served as the information base for the study. Results. The paper confirms the hypothesis about the lack of flexibility and adaptability of the system of higher professional education with respect to high rates of changes in the financial market, both institutional and technological. We prove the inconsistency of new demands of the financial market and the emerging competencies of university graduates majoring in Finance and Credit. Conclusions. The study serves as a prerequisite for predicting the prospects for the labor market development, which is represented by qualified specialists – graduates of educational institutions, in order to harmonize the interests of all participants of the financial market.

Implementasi Kebijakan Alih Fungsi Lahan Pertanian ke Non-Pertanian di Sleman berdasarkan Perspektif Institusionalis

The increasing population in urban areas results in higher land demand but reduced land capacity. Sleman is an area that experienced a decrease in land quality due to the conversion of agricultural land to settlements. The high rate of land use change which is increasingly spreading has resulted in the government having to intervene in dealing with the problem with the policy of land conversion. However, the reality of the policy is that it has not been able to resolve public problems which are considered to be just formalities. This paper tries to discuss what context and content are capable of influencing land use change policies in sleman with institutionalist perspectives in accordance with Regional Regulation No. 12/2012 on Regional Spatial Planning (RTRW). The results of this paper that the implementation of policies for the conversion of agricultural land to non-agriculture in Sleman in the Institutionalist perspective there are two things that affect the content and policy context. The content is the party whose interests are affected, the types of benefits that can be obtained, the range of changes that can be expected, the position of decision makers, program implementers, and the resources that can be provided. While the context is the power, interests and strategies of the actors involved