Methods Of Mathematical Statistics Research Articles

Forecasting hourly electricity generation by a solar power plant using machine learning algorithms

Relevance. The need to develop energy-saving approaches through the use of data mining tools to improve the efficiency of management decision-making and more optimal use of energy resources. Forecasting the amount of electric energy generated by a solar power plant will allow optimal electricity distribution in decentralized systems. Information about the amount of electricity generated by a solar power plant and transmitted to a grid at every hour will allow planning the use of generated electricity and its distribution more reasonably. Also, the presence of a reliable forecast will allow embedding a predictive model into the micro-grid management subsystem. This will facilitate the integration of centralized electrical networks and distributed generation facilities. Aim. To analyze scientific papers containing proposals to improve the accuracy of determining the amount of electricity generated by solar power plants; to create machine learning models that allow you to create a short-term forecast of electricity generation by a solar power plant. Objects. Solar power plant named after A.A. Vlaznev (Sakmarskaya SPP), Orenburg region, Orsk, Oktyabrsky district, geographical coordinates: 51.266023, 58.474689. Methods. Analytical method, methods of mathematical statistics, methods of machine learning, complex generalization of scientific achievements and practical experience in the use of data processing tools in the tasks of forecasting electricity generation by solar power plants. Results. The authors have carried out the review of literature sources reflecting the results of using modern data mining tools in predicting the magnitude of electricity generation by solar power plants. The paper considers various approaches to forecasting electricity generation at solar power plants. The analysis of factors used in forecasting is carried out. The authors obtained the results of theoretical and applied nature. The results consist in recommendations on using exogenous variables in predicting power generation at SPP, as well as some machine learning algorithms in construction of predictive models. These recommendations were obtained in generalizing the results of the applied research.

INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF LASER MEDICAL DEVICES WITH FIBER-OPTIC LIGHT GUIDES UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF EXTERNAL THERMAL EFFECTS

Study of the influence of the controlled parameters of the electron beam (the density of the thermal effect Fn and the speed of movement (scanning) along the treated surface V) on such important parameters of the quality of the end surfaces of the light guides as their cleanliness and micro-roughness, which have a significant impact on the transmission coefficient of IR radiation kl, are now limited. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to establish the regularities of the influence of the controlled parameters of the electron beam, to determine the optimal ranges of their application, which do not lead to the destruction of the treated end surfaces of light guides made of optical glass and maximize the IR transmission coefficient by increasing their purity and reducing micro-roughness, which makes it possible to increase the efficiency of devices in conditions of external thermal effects.The study of the thermal effect of an electron beam on optical glass elements was carried out on specialized electron beam equipment protected by Ukrainian patents. Modern methods of physical and chemical analysis were used to conduct experimental research. The obtained experimental data were processed in dialogue mode and in real time on a PC using modern methods of mathematical statistics and standard application programs. At the same time, the relative measurement error of the considered parameters does not exceed 5...7 %.Experimental studies were carried out and optimal ranges of electron beam parameter changes were established (thermal action density Fn = 3∙106...7∙108 W/m2; scanning speed V = 6∙10-3...4∙10-2 m/s), within in which the most significant improvement in the quality parameters of the processed end surfaces of light guides is observed (increasing the cleanliness of the surfaces and reducing their micro-roughness), which leads to an increase in the spectraltransmittance of IR radiation. As a result, the maximum allowable range of propagation of laser radiation in light guides increases and provides better diagnostics, therapeutic and surgical treatment, which contributes to increasing the efficiency of laser medical devices, especially when they are operated taking into account external thermal effects.

Dynamics of movement amplitude indicators in joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology of rehabilitation measures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to the dynamics of the amplitude of movements indicators. Theoretical (analysis and generalization of literary and Internet data), survey, collection of anamnesis, objective examination, anthropometric (goniometry) methods of mathematical statistics. 188 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined, of which 156 (83%) were women, 32 (17%) were men, and their average age was 44.9±7.6 years old. The analysis of the goniometric indicators of the joints of hands affected by rheumatoid arthritis after six months of conducted rehabilitation measures showed a significant improvement in the mobility of the radiocarpal joint and hand fingers in the examined patients. In particular, active flexion in the radiocarpal joint significantly increased in patients of the experimental group and was 72.5±6.0º, while in the patients of the control group this indicator was 5.3º less (67.2±5.0º) (р<0.05). A significant result was achieved in restoring flexion of the hand fingers in patients of the experi­mental group: mobility of the fingers in the metacarpal phalangeal joints was 83.2±3.6º, and in the control group it was 73.4±5.0º, in the proximal interphalangeal joints in patients of the experimental group it was 84.1±3.3º, and in the control group – 67.8±4.8º (р<0.05). Positive dynamics of active movements in the foot and finger joints was also observed in pa­tients of both groups at the end of the study. In the patients of the experimental group, the active dorsiflexion in the ankle joint was 27.7±1.4º, the plantar flexion was 41.3±1.8º, which was significantly better than in patients of the control group in which the observed dorsiflexion was 23.4±1.7º, and plantar flexion – 41.3±1.8º (р<0.05). Accordingly, there was a significant increase in the motor function indicators in the metatarsal phalangeal joints of patients in the expe­rimental group: flexion was up to 37.1±1.4º, extension – up to 39.2±1.0º, compared with the indicators in the control group: flexion – up to 33.5±1.2º, extension – up to 36.2±1.1º (р<0.05). The effectiveness of the developed technology is con­firmed by improvement of the results of goniometric indicators in patients of the experimental group compared with the control group.

Psychological and legal aspects of cyberbullying

Article is devoted to the psychological and legal aspects of cyberbullying. To achieve this goal, research methods were used. The following methods were used to study the problem of cyberbullying: theoretical method (analysis and systematization of scientific literature, scientific papers, professional publications), empirical method (content analysis, observation, survey), statistical method (using methods of mathematical statistics), content analysis (used in the normative analysis of the legal framework and analysis of social networks).
 The research has shown that cyberbullying is an urgent problem not only in Ukraine but also in other countries. In our opinion, public policy should be aimed at combating various types of violence against children, and a protection system should be developed and implemented at different levels.
 The article proposes measures aimed at counteracting and preventing cyberbullying (creating a healthy psychological environment, trainings and lectures on cyberbullying, fostering mutual respect, support, kindness and empathy; systematic sessions with a psychologist, etc.)
 Increasing the use of the Internet has led to a growing number of cases of online harassment. One of the ways to solve the problem is to develop measures to prevent and combat cyberbullying. The authors conclude that cyberbullying is becoming increasingly common and has a negative impact on a person's future. Cyberbullying is mostly about causing emotional harm, but it can escalate into open harassment, which usually includes physical intimidation and beatings.
 The article states that parents, teachers/educators should be an example of tolerant behavior, organize various activities to bring them closer to students, be sure to work with a psychologist, involve children in various clubs/sections, creative work, where respect and goodwill will be promoted. The parents and others should also respond to all forms of violence and harassment against children.

Исследование потребительских предпочтений в отношении традиционных продуктов питания (на примере туристов Байкальского региона)

Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of the consumption of traditional food products by tourists of the Baikal region. The study of the food traditions of different countries and regions of the world is an actual scientific topic. The field of gastronomic tourism has been actively developing in the recent years. The Baikal region is a unique region of Russia. The development of tourism in this region is possible through gastronomic tourism. It is known that traditional dishes play an important role in increasing the popularity of tourist destinations. In this regard, the purpose of this work is to study the consumer preferences for traditional food products (on the example of tourists from the Baikal region). Methods of research. For assessment of the satisfaction and consumer preferences of tourists in the Baikal region in relation to traditional food products, a questionnaire was developed (in Russian and English languages). During the study, 43 respondents were interviewed ― tourists of the Baikal region, permanently residing in other regions of Russia or foreign countries. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using standard methods of mathematical statistics. Results and its discussion. It has been found that buuzy, shulen, traditional green tea (nogoon sai), buchler are the most popular foods for the tourists of the Baikal region. The majority of respondents are satisfied with the quality of these products. At the same time, the study has shown that there is a list of traditional food products that the respondents haven’t tried during their stay in the Baikal region. For example, products from Baikal omul and products from wild-growing plants were tried only 79 % and 86 % of respondents respectively. Despite of this fact, the most of the surveyed tourists would like to purchase a fermented product from the Baikal omul. The most important consumer indicators of the quality of fermented Baikal omul are pleasant taste, reasonable price, pronounced aroma and health benefits. Conclusions. The majority of the respondents were satisfied with the quality of traditional food products of the Baikal region. Products from Baikal omul and fermented omul, in particular, were tasted only by a small percentage of respondents. It can be related to the fact that the commercial fishery was prohibited when the survey was conducted. Successful development of the Baikal fermented omul brand requires marketing support.

Экспериментальная работа по формированию компетентности преподавателя вуза в инклюзивном образовании средствами информационно-технологического обеспечения

<p>The article presents the results of experimental work on the formation of the competence of university teachers in inclusive education by means of information technology in additional professional education. Information technology is implemented on the basis of two components: information and technology. The didactic digital complex acts as an information component, the technological component provides the personification of the educational process, the use of a set of forms and methods of training for intensifying the process of additional professional education using information and communication technologies, creating conditions for the formation of pedagogical communities for the exchange of experience and interactive solving of the professional tasks in. 353 teachers from 6 educational universities were recruited for this study. The effectiveness of the study was confirmed by the method of mathematical statistics (Pearson's criterion).</p>

Research on the Attitude of Youth Audiences Towards Bloggers and Content on Social Media

Introduction. The trends observed in the Internet environment today give reason to consider social media as one of the most important communicative spaces of socialization, formation of personal and social identity of young people. The high interest in bloggers and the media content replicated by them actualizes the task of studying the psychological and socio-cultural factors that cause young people to assign the status of significant others to the subjects of the blogosphere, who subsequently act as personified agents of socialization and objects of identification for them.Scientific purpose. To identify individual-psychological features of students with different attitudes towards bloggers.Materials and Methods. In the process of research we used the method of questionnaire survey, method of psychological diagnostics (16-factor personality questionnaire of R. Kettell, questionnaire of attentiveness and awareness of K. Brown and R. Rayyan in adaptation of A. M. Golubev, method of semantic differential of Ch. M. Golubev, Ch. Osgood's method of semantic differential, A. T. Jersild's questionnaire "Mental states of personality", methods of mathematical statistics (descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U-criterion, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient).Results. The empirical study revealed positive and negative relationships between students' personality traits, their attitudes towards bloggers and perceptions of the influence of bloggers and their content on mood, attitudes towards others and behavior. Differences were also found in the individual-psychological characteristics and mental states of young people, depending on their perceived influence of bloggers. Thus, those who are influenced by bloggers have more pronounced conflicting perceptions of themselves, lack of meaning in life, and lack of freedom of choice. This group has higher rates of anxiety and conformity. Discussion. The results obtained can be applied to the development of media literacy in students, as well as in psychotherapeutic practice to solve the problem of media addiction.

IMPACT OF SPECIALIZED AND UNSPECIALIZED PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS ON THE SPEED AND ENDURANCE OF 7-9-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS

Reduced motor activity and impaired physical fitness are among the great problems of modern society. Many authors point out that one solution to this problem is creating a lasting interest in motor activity before the age of 10-11 when the child has a natural need for movement. At the same time, in Bulgaria and many other countries, physical education in preschool and primary school age is taken over by teachers who are not specialists in physical education and sports. This study aimed to track changes in acquiring motor abilities such as speed and endurance for pupils in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades, aged 7 to 9 years, with whom specialists with different specializations have worked. The research was carried out with 11 pupils at a primary school. Running 30 m and Shuttle Running 4 x 50 m tests were used. The testing and mathematical-statistical methods (variation analysis and comparative analysis with t-criterion of Student) were used in the study. The analysis showed a significant difference in students’ results between physical education and non-specialist teacher training. Undoubtedly, training by a non-specialist teacher leads to a decrease in the values of the considered indicators in the pupils’ physical fitness.

Factors influencing the sexual drive of Russian women of reproductive age in the digital age

Aim. To assess the impact of age, number of sexual partners, having children, family income, and time spent with a smartphone or computer on the sexual drive of women of reproductive age in the era of information technology.
 Materials and methods. A study of the sexual drive of 79 women aged 18–35 in family (partner) relationships was conducted. The well-established international Female Sexual Function Index was used. Respondents also answered questions about some aspects of personality and social status. The results were evaluated using the methods of mathematical statistics: descriptive statistics, correlation, determination, and logit-regression analyses.
 Results. The intensity of sexual drive correlates with a woman's age, the number of sexual partners, and the family income. There was no correlation between the level of a woman's sexual drive and having children and the time women and their partners spend with computers and smartphones.

Prospects and priorities of the cultural aspect in education

Relevance In modern conditions of world globalization, the issue of prospects and the search for priorities for the implementation of the cultural aspect in education in Kyrgyzstan has become one of the most important problems in improving its quality.Purpose. The purpose of the article is to substantiate and introduce a methodology for the formation of cultural competence of future teachers in higher educational institutions of Kyrgyzstan, as a guarantee of their readiness to carry out professional activities.Methodology. The basis of the methodological approach of the study is the substantiation and verification of the effectiveness of the methodology for the development of cultural competence in future teachers during their studies at a higher educational institution; empirical methods: analysis, comparison, systematization, survey, questioning, testing, modelling, and design; experiment � ascertaining and forming; methods of mathematical statistics: processing the final indicators of the formation of the level of readiness of teachers for the formation of cultural competence during their professional training in higher educational institutions.Results. The content of the concept �culturological competence of the future teacher� is determined; its signs and features are disclosed, a methodology for the development of cultural competence of future teachers in the context of professional training has been developed and implemented. During a pilot study, methodological tools have been developed to increase the readiness of future teachers for the formation of cultural competence during professional training, namely: the implementation of readiness components with selected methods for their formation and pedagogical conditions. After conducting an experimental study, promising directions for improving the methodology for developing the readiness of future teachers for professional activities were formed through the formation of cultural competence during preparation for professional activities in higher educational institutions of Kyrgyzstan.Conclusions. The practical value of the work lies in the development of a methodological system for improving the training of future teachers in Kyrgyzstan based on a competency-based approach.

The Importance of Handball in the Development of High School Pupils

The aim of the research consists of identifying the opinions of pupils, parents, and teachers from high-school education institutions on the main aspects of the handball game within physical education and sports lessons and training. The present research is of ascertaining – ameliorative type, carried out on a sample of 110 people (pupils, parents, and specialized teachers) from four educational institutions in Campulung Moldovenesc, Romania: National College «Dragos Voda», Bucovina Forest College, National Military College «Stefan Cel Mare» and Technological High School no.1, between February 1, 2022, and September 1, 2022. The methods used in the research included: the analysis of the specialized literature, the diagnosis questionnaire, and the mathematical-statistical method. The main conclusions of the study refer to the benefits of the handball game, its role in the morpho-functional development of the pupils, the level of motivation of the pupils to practice this game within the physical education and sports lessons, as well as outside the hours, within the handball high school team.

The Impact of Physical Exercises on the Psychomotor Capacities of Middle School Pupils

The research aims to identify the adolescents’ avoidance causes from physical education lessons and to determine the means of improving students' satisfaction with physical education. The present research is of ascertaining – ameliorative type, carried out on a sample of 15 teachers and 180 pupils from secondary classes in the Secondary School "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" and the Secondary School no 10 Bacau, Romania, between March 1, 2022 and June 10, 2022. The methods used in the research included: the analysis of the specialized literature, the diagnosis questionnaire, and the mathematical-statistical method. The main conclusions refer to the identification of the passionate fields and the preferences for the sport of the pupils, the argumentation of the need to introduce in the physical education and sports classes competitive sports games, which, besides the training of some motor qualities, ensure an extremely complex set of psychic sentimental, emotional, volitional and cognitive nature acquisitions.

STUDY OF EXPORT FREIGHT FLOWS OF GRAIN FROM UKRAINE

Purpose. After the beginning of the full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation against our country, most of the logistics chains, including those related to ensuring the export of grain, were disrupted. The current system of transportation is focused on the transportation of grain to the western borders with further transshipment to wagons of the European track, which is a difficult and expensive option. In order to ensure the restoration of full-fledged grain export, it is advisable to conduct research on the origins and volume of grain movement, transportation routes and alternative options. Accordingly, the purpose of the study is to determine the main points of origin and repayment of cargo flows of grain export connections in Ukraine and to determine the direction of improvement of transport and technological lines of grain export from Ukraine in global supply chains. The volumes of car-go flow generation at the railway stations of Ukraine were analyzed. The scientific methods and methods of im-proving the transport and technological lines of grain export are substantiated. Methods. An analysis of literary sources was carried out, which made it possible to establish that the port direction is the main one for grain transportation. The peculiarity of the formation of export grain cargo flows is analyzed. Methods of mathematical statistics, probability theory, theory of sets, theory of algorithms, theory of transport processes and systems, theory of systems are used. It has been established that the distribution of the volumes of seed cargo flows by railway stations of departure in the 2021 / 2022 marketing year is mostly subject to asymmetric distribution laws. The smallest deviation is observed with Cauchy and Gamma distribution approximations. A statistical analysis of wagon flows with grain loads was performed, which allowed us to obtain the following results: the mathematical expectation is 55.8 wagons, the standard deviation is 58.0 wagons, the coefficient of variation is 1.04. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty obtained as a result of the research to which the article is devoted is the obtained approximate density of the distribution of the volumes of grain cargo flows at the railway stations of departure (on the example of the 2021 / 2022 marketing year). Practical significance. The mathematical expectation and level of correlation of the origin of grain cargo flows at the railway stations of departure are established (on the example of the 2021 / 2022 marketing year). In further studies, the obtained results will be used as initial data for modeling the operation of the grain cargo transportation system in the direction of the western borders, and in the future - in the direction of the Black Sea ports of Ukraine.

PROGNOSTIC SIGNS OF HEPATOPATHY FORMATION IN ADOLESCENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS

Introduction. The incidence of diabetes mellitus in the world among children is steadily increasing. The main striking factor in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is hyperglycemia, which affects the formation of liver complications such as glycogenic hepatopathy and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
 The aim of the study is to determine the prognostic signs of hepatopathy formation in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
 Materials and methods. Clinical-anamnestic and laboratory-instrumental examination: glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin and its fractions, lipidogram. According to the results of ultrasound of the hepatobiliary system, girls and boys with T1DM were divided into groups taking into account the size of the liver. The study included 87 girls and 86 boys aged 8-18 years. Methods of mathematical statistics, system-information analysis, Wald’s heterogeneous sequential statistical procedure with Kulbak’s information measure were used.
 Results. A comprehensive examination of adolescents with T1DM revealed that 70% of patients had digestive system disorders in the form of pain and dyspeptic syndromes. In 88% of boys and 68% of girls, palpation and ultrasound revealed liver enlargement (χ2 < 0,05). Atherogenic orientation of lipidogram was determined in all adolescents with T1DM. In girls, the difference in β-lipoprotein level and atherogenicity coefficient reached statistical significance compared with boys. In most adolescents, the content of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was within normal limits, but the frequency of its decrease in boys with liver enlargement was greater compared with girls with liver enlargement (32% and 24%, respectively, χ2 < 0,05). ALT activity significantly exceeded the upper limit of normal only in the group of girls with liver enlargement. Increased ALT activity in girls with enlarged liver appeared 1.5 times more often than in boys of the similar group (respectively 68% and 43%, χ2 < 0,05).
 Conclusions. In boys with T1DM, significant informative prognostic factors for the formation of hepatopathy are the duration of the disease, increased levels of HbA1c, atherogenic lipoprotein fractions, and ALT activity. In girls with T1DM, the most significant prognostic factor was an increase in ALT activity; the overall informativeness of lipid profile parameters in girls was three times lower compared with boys. The duration of the disease and the degree of compensation were less significant for the formation of hepatopathy in girls.

RESEARCH OF TRANSPORT SUPPLY OF METALLURGICAL INDUSTRY BY RAILWAY TECHNOLOGICAL ROUTES

Purpose. In the conditions of a full-scale war, ensuring the stable functioning of the national economy is one of the strategic tasks. The functioning of the industrial complex, the availability of jobs and the payment of taxes to the state budget are, among other things, part of ensuring the country's defense capability. One of the main branches of Ukraine's economy is the metallurgical industry, so it needs the implementation of measures to ensure reliable and stable work even in conditions of military aggression, constant risks of air strikes and infrastructure damage. In accordance with this, the purpose of the study is to analyze and determine the structure of cargo flows of technological routes of transport service of metallurgical production (on the example of PJSC «Zaporizhstal»). The dynamics of iron ore (iron ore concentrate) and coking coal (coke) transportation volumes by means of transport were studied. Irregularity was investigated and descriptive statistics of daily volumes of transportation of iron ore (iron ore concentrate) and coking coal (coke) for metallurgical production were performed (on the example of PJSC «Zaporizhstal»). Methods. An analysis of the unevenness of the daily volume of goods received for the needs of a metallurgical enterprise (on the example of PJSC «Zaporizhstal») by technological routes of railway transport was carried out. Methods of mathematical statistics, probability theory, theory of transport processes and systems were used. As a result of the analysis of cargo flows arriving at the enterprise, it was established that the distribution of the daily volume of iron ore arriving at the Zaporizhzhia Live station is subject to symmetrical distribution laws with a relatively low variation of 18.4%. The distribution of the random value of the daily volume of coke intake also indicates a certain symmetry with a fairly high probability (59%), and is approximated by a normal distribution. Scientific novelty. As a result of the conducted research, it was established that the approximate density of the distribution of volumes of iron ore (salt-ore concentrate) and coking coal (coke) for metallurgical production (on the example of PJSC «Zaporizhstal» for 2022). Practical significance. The mathematical expectation and the level of correlation of the volumes of iron ore (iron ore concentrate) and coking coal (coke) supply to metallurgical production are established (on the example of PJSC «Zaporizhstal» for 2022). In the future, the obtained results are planned to be used as input data for a simulation model of the functioning of the transport support system of an industrial enterprise.

The Influence of Personality Structure on the Level of Professional Burnout

The influence of the level of professional (emotional) burnout on the quality of work of educational psychologists of municipal educational organizations has determined the relevance of this article, which analyzes the dependence of the personality structure presented in Transactional Analysis as the combination of three ego states (Parent, Child and Adult) on the coefficient of professional burnout. This coefficient is interpreted as an integral indicator of three factors: psycho-emotional exhaustion, depersonalization/dehumanization and reduction of professional achievements. Identification of the personality structure of the study participants, calculation of the coefficient of their professional (emotional) burnout, structuring the levels of severity of factors of professional (emotional) burnout, implemented as research objectives, created the possibility of achieving the research goal. The hypothesis was tested by means of mathematical statistics methods. The visibility and accessibility of conclusions about the correlations between the integral indicator of professional (emotional) burnout and the level of severity of ego states in the egogram are provided by their graphical and textual expression. The presented data on the absence of a critical level of professional (emotional) burnout of educational psychologists of municipal educational organizations and the presence of a correlation between the reduction of professional achievements and the Adult ego state substantiate the vector of further work to ensure conditions for maintaining the desired psycho-emotional state of specialists.

Differential Analysis of Stylistic Features in Chinese-English Interpretation Based on Natural Language Processing

Abstract In this paper, after researching the natural language processing model, we use the knowledge representation technology to construct a knowledge base and use the sequence comparison algorithm to compare the sequences of Chinese and English translations, analyze the similarities and differences between the two sequences, and analyze the entropy of information between English and Chinese translations through the probabilistic theory and mathematical statistics method. On this basis, we analyze the differences between Chinese and English translations in terms of lexical dimension, syntactic dimension and articulation dimension and explore the differences in lexical richness and thematic concentration between Chinese and English based on “entropy”. The results show that Chinese is significantly higher than English translations in terms of language output length, sentence complexity, subordinate structure and phrase structure (p<0.001), and Chinese is significantly higher than English translations in terms of articulation (p<0.05). This paper provides an important reference value for studying the differences in stylistic features in Chinese-English translation.

The east of the Neanderthal universe: a comparative analysis of Sukhaya Mechetka and Altai Micoquian complexes

Late European Neanderthals, associated with the Micoquian techno-complex, spread over vast area from Western Europe to the Altai. There were no sites found in the territories to the east of the Volga region. The key site of the Eastern Micoquian, Sukhaya Mechetka, which was discovered in 1951 in the Volgograd region, was for a long time the eastern outpost of Neanderthals in Eurasia. In the last five years, the results of paleogenetic analysis have confirmed the archaeological hypothesis of the migration of late European Neanderthals, the producers of the Micoquian, from Central and Eastern Europe to Altai. Until then, the genesis of Altai industries was associated with a wide range of European and Near Eastern techno-complexes, and anthropological remains were interpreted more in a Near Eastern context. In this regard, the industry of the Sukhaya Mechetka site, located on the route of the supposed migration of the Micoquians, acquires additional relevance in the research of the variability of the easternmost complexes of this cultural tradition. The attributive and technological analysis of tool kit from Sukhaya Mechetka was carried out and, using mathematical statistics methods, their results were compared with the available data on the Altai sites: Chagyrskaya and Okladnikov Caves. The new data were supplemented by the published materials from the Sukhaya Mechetka site. As a result, high level of technical-typological similarity of the compared industries in the context of primary flaking, bifacial tool production, tool typology and morphology was revealed. The structure of the Sukhaya Mechetka tool kit is closest to the Chagirskaya Сave, which is characterized by a large number of simple side-scrapers. At the same time, the site lacks of high-quality raw materials used to make bifacial items and intensively worked unifacial tools. In the Okladnikov Cave complexes this deficit is less. In composition and morphology of unifacial and bifacial tools, Sukhaya Mechetka is closest to the assemblages of the Antonovka I site and Chagyrkaya Cave. They share similarity with Okladnikov Cave in terms of a significant number of leaf-shaped and crescent-shaped tools. Some new characteristics were additionally determined for the assemblage of Sukhaya Mechetka. It was established that the primary decortications of cores was carried out outside the site. We also reconstructed the stages of production, rejuvenating and reshaping of bifaces on the site.

The ceramic complex of the Transitional Period from the Bronze to the Iron Age of the settle-ment of Mergen 6 in the Lower Ishim River basin (Western Siberia)

The settlement of Mergen 6 is located in the Ishim District of the Tyumen Oblast on the northeastern shore of Lake Mergen by the head of the river Mergenka. It was studied in 1990 and 2002–2011 under the direction of V.A. Zakh and S.N. Skochina. On the site, 1494 m2 were examined. The settlement is multi-layered and contains the materials from the Neolithic Period through to the Middle Ages. The research is aimed at the detailed characterisation of the ceramic complex of the Transitional Period from the Bronze to the Early Iron Age (TPBIA), dated to the 8th–7th cc. BC. The TPBIA ceramic complex is a large one (approximately 7.5 thousand items identified), deposited at a depth predominantly no more than 60 cm from the surface in the layers disturbed by ploughing. It is highly fragmented; whole forms are lacking; in some cases, ceramics was deposited in clusters. Therefore, the object of the research was a subset from the TPBIA ceramic complex of the settlement of Mergen 6 which was analysed on the basis of the formal-classificatory and cultural-historical approaches. With the aid of the methods of mathematical statistics, possible interrelations between the morphological and ornamental traits of the object of the research were established. In the TPBIA ceramic subset, the fragments of the pottery vessels which can be correlated with the ceramics of the archaeological cultures of Krasnoozerka (335 vessels identified by the necks), Gama-yun (no more than 8 items), and Itkul (37 items), and a ceramic group designated as ‘synchretic’ (102 items) were identified. The analy-sis of the morphological and decorative features of the TPBIA ceramics showed quite a close interaction of the diverse population dur-ing the considered period. Elements of the ornament and morphological features of the pottery vessels, constituting the specifics of both the syncretic group of the ceramics, characterised by mixed Krasnoozerka-Gamayun-Itkul traits, as well as by the individual traits of the main cultural groups of the site — on the pottery vessels of the Krasnoozerka group, some elements characteristic of the Gamayun-Itkul decorative patterns; the vessels of the Gamayun-Itkul group have been produced with a deviation from the typical canons — served as markers of the mutual influence.

The Features of Linguistic Reflection in Children with Different Language Acquisition Strategies (Based on the Results of an Experimental Study)

This article outlines the results of a study of the features of linguistic reflection peculiar to children with different strategies of language acquisition, which is important because this problem has remained out of the attention of researchers. All data for the subsequent analysis were obtained by the methods of ontolinguistic experiment and mathematical statistics, and the criterion of verbal explicitness was used for distinguishing the features of the reflection on language among children and for defining the key terms. It was revealed that boys and girls do not differ significantly in their reflection on language, so any clear gender-related trends are not supported by our study and can be only assumed. Furthermore, it was established that referential children and children from families with high sociocultural status are more capable of reflecting on language. On the contrary, children from families with low sociocultural status and expressive children have the lowest number of reflections on language or poor prerequisites for this ability, which they acquire later as compared with referential children and children from families with high sociocultural status; such children primarily need help to develop their reflection on language and prerequisites for it. These findings can be useful to children’s speech development specialists and for psycholinguistic and ontolinguistic research, and the experimental series can be of great help as a tool for developing the reflection on language.