Universal Solution Research Articles

Государственно-частное партнерство в российской системе образования: преимущества, проблемы и направления развития

The present article describes the advantages, current problems, and development directions of public-private partnership in the Russian education system. Sustainable development requires inclusive, affordable, and high-quality education. Statistical data demonstrated a significant state underfunding of the Russian education system and, as a result, the poor technical state of education facilities in the country. Therefore, public-private partnership can serve as a way to attract financial resources and competences of private partners to the education system. The paper focuses on such issues as the advantages of public-private partnership in the education system, the needs of the main stakeholders of public-private partnership projects, socio-economic effects of public-private partnership, etc. Based on various financial, economic, legal, and managerial issues, the author gives practical recommendations, e.g., state assistance at the local level, universal box solutions for standard education facilities, a new legitimate tool for changing public-private partnership projects, etc. The problem needs a systematic approach. The study relied on the general scientific method of dialectical cognition of economic and financial phenomena, as well as analysis, synthesis, and expert evaluation. The systematic approach can facilitate managerial decisions in the sphere of education and public-private partnership.

Is Pet Health Insurance Able to Improve Veterinary Care? Why Pet Health Insurance for Dogs and Cats Has Limits: An Ethical Consideration on Pet Health Insurance.

Simple SummaryThe standards of veterinary medicine are increasingly approaching those of human medicine. As a result, the cost of veterinary medicine is also rising noticeably. For many veterinarians and also pet owners, the question therefore arises as to whether animal health insurance is a possible solution. Based on a thought model, we have classified pet owners into four groups according to their willingness to pay and their dispensable funds. We found that animal health insurance can reduce price discussions, but reaches its limits as soon as an animal owner can afford neither the veterinary costs nor a monthly insurance premium.Background: Owners often feel the cost of veterinary care is too high, as there remains a limited understanding of the cost of health care in human and veterinary medicine alike. Pet health insurance is often seen as a universal solution. However, especially for patient owners with few financial resources, both the bill at the vet and the monthly premium for pet health insurance can become a challenge. Hypothesis: Pet health insurance can prevent or ease many price discussions at the vet, but it does not offer a solution for patient owners with little financial means. Methods: In order to verify for which patient owners pet health insurance can be a solution, four theoretical groups were formed depending on the patient owner’s willingness to pay and his/her dispensable funds based on a theoretical model. Results: Dispensable funds are a factor that cannot be influenced by the veterinary surgeon. However, low dispensable funds as a result of an insufficient willingness to save (whether due to a lack of financial education or a lack of will) can be solved by pet health insurance. Willingness to pay, on the other hand, can be influenced by empathetic communication from the veterinary surgeon and thus also from pet health insurance. Nevertheless, situations remain where pet health insurance is not a solution either, because owners can neither afford the veterinary costs nor a premium for a pet health insurance.

Control and cooling of electronic load based on FET-transistor

The introduction of electronic load for testing high-precision low-voltage sources (solar panels) requires careful review not only of the circuit design, but also thermal and mechanical design. Modern advances in the development of solar cells and other low-voltage energy sources have led to the need to create compact and express systems for testing them, which cannot be implemented on existing solutions. The article considers the principle of creating and calculating the optimal solution for the implementation of electronic load. To achieve this goal, methods of analysis of modern electronic database, calculations of basic physical and electrical parameters and their modeling are used. Based on the considered physical and circuit solutions for the implementation of the electronic load unit, a corresponding electrical circuit was developed. The transistors are controlled by four unipolar operational amplifiers integrated into the LM324 chip. Control of the electronic load unit is implemented by controlling the voltage at the positive feedback terminals, which is further stabilized by the TL431 chip. The device is powered by a source of DC stabilized current of 12 V (provides additional filtering from voltage fluctuations). On the basis of the previously considered physical and circuit solutions for the implementation of the electronic load unit, its cooling and control system was developed. The calculation of the heat balance allows you to choose the right cooling system for stable operation of the system. The control of the electronic load unit is implemented using INA219 and Xicor X9C microcircuits, and a method for their calibration is proposed. These solutions will make it possible to create a universal electronic load solution for researching semiconductor devices and solar cells. Adherence to the indications and principles set out in this article will provide the load with the ability to work at high power, while maintaining good performance and reliability.

Poverty in The New Normal: Institutional Traps

In the conditions of a new normality, in which the modern economic system is forced to function, the problem of poverty is becoming increasingly relevant for research. It can be observed that the number of poor in the Russian economy is growing, the level of inequality in income distribution is also growing. All this is a consequence of market exchanges in the national economy. The institutional environment of the Russian economy, under the influence of a strong "binding effect" and dependence on the previous path of development, failed to reorganize without consequences, which led to the presence of institutional traps, which were expressed in the redistribution of income in the conditions of an increasing trend of inequality development. This article is a comprehensive study in which the search for institutional traps that develop poverty is combined with the justification of the further path of institutional evolution in terms of solving this problem. The analysis of the measures that the state is taking today to solve the problem, an assessment of their quality and effectiveness is being carried out. The study raises the question of finding fundamental universal solutions to overcome the poverty crisis in the context of combating the rut effect on the basis of a representative example of the Russian economy.

Universal Method of Compatibility Assessment for Novel Ablation Technologies With Different 3D Navigation Systems.

BackgroundNew technologies for ablation procedures are often produced by different companies with no cross-compatibility out of the box. This is not a negligible clinical problem since those separately developed devices are often used together. The aim of this study was to develop a bench-testing method to assess compatibility between the DiamondTemp ablation system (DTA) and the Rhythmia electroanatomic mapping system (EAM).MethodsDifferent setups were tested. DTA was connected to the Rhythmia EAM using the following configurations: 3.1. An Ensite EPT GenConnect box (GCB) and Rhythmia Maestro GCB (Maestro GCB, native Rhythmia setup); 3.2. The Medtronic GCB-E and Maestro GCB; 3.3. The Medtronic GCB-E out via the Medtronic GCB-E directly to the Rhythmia at box 1 (pin A61 to A64).ResultsThe DTA location was represented in real-time on the Rhythmia EAM. A proper tracking of the DTA was observed in all setups tested by visual comparison of physical catheter movements and its representation on EAM. In configuration 3.1, a significant shift was observed after the first radio frequency (RF) application; however, further applications caused no further shift. In setup 3.2, no significant shift was observed. The setup 3.3 showed a massive shift in the catheter position before ablation compared to baseline points acquired using the Orion catheter as a reference.ConclusionsA universal and reproducible solution for compatibility testing between the various mapping systems and the ablation catheters has been described. DTA has been demonstrated as compatible with Rhythmia EAM with satisfactory results if a specific setup is used.

International Relations in the Anthropocene

International Relations in the Anthropocene

Children’s Literature in Transcarpathian Schools for Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Since the origins of formal foreign language teaching, literature has always played an important role. Currently, modern language teaching trends suggest starting foreign language learning as early as possible; thus, the use of children’s literature in foreign language teaching is undergoing a revolution. This situation encouraged us to examine the use of children’s literature and the attitude of foreign language teachers to it. This article focuses on primary and secondary school English language teachers in a western county of Ukraine (N = 118). The results of the qualitative research revealed that the teachers’ general attitude to the use of children’s literature is positive; they are aware of their advantages but still avoid using these materials. Most teachers do not apply children’s literature in their foreign language teaching because the school curriculum is too congested and fast-paced, they do not have access to appropriate authentic children’s literature, or they were not taught how to utilize authentic children’s literature during their university years. Results suggest that teachers should be encouraged to use children’s literature, though there is no universal solution. The first suggestion is for schools themselves to support teachers, but it would be a significant step forward if this approach were also to be taken in in-service training.

Perspectives on the management of non-compressible torso hemorrhage: A narrative review

LAY SUMMARY Hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of death after trauma. A significant proportion of these fatalities could be prevented with appropriate bleeding control. This is more easily achieved with direct pressure in compressible areas such as the extremities or major joints. However, bleeding in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis cannot be as easily controlled without advanced procedures that are only available in hospitals. This article describes several technologies to control bleeding in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis that are potentially applicable in combat and pre-hospital settings. However, a review of existing studies quickly shows that convincing clinical evidence is lacking to support most pre-existing technologies, and the majority of studies are in the investigational stage. A universal, effective, and life-saving solution has not yet been identified. Accordingly, research in this area should continue to focus on both refining existing technologies and developing new approaches.

Ensuring Ukraine’s economic security through the prism of human security: respect for human and civil rights

The article reveals the essence of ensuring Ukraine’s economic security through the prism of human security: respect for human and civil rights. It is emphasized that a person, his life and health, honor and dignity, inviolability and security are recognized in Ukraine as the highest social value. Human rights and freedoms and their guarantees determine the content and direction of the state. The state is accountable to the people for its activities. The establishment and protection of human rights and freedoms is the main duty of the state. It is determined that the observance of human rights is a fundamental constitutional principle in Ukraine, the action of which accordingly directs the whole set of socio-political relations. The right to life and health, honor and dignity, inviolability and security belong to those human rights that are conditioned by its nature and social essence and do not depend on the existence of a certain status of a person in the state. That is why all of them are marked as fundamental in international practice.
 It was emphasized that defining human rights as the highest value, the Constitution of Ukraine joined the European and world vision of this issue, enshrined its universal solution as mandatory for the state and all other participants in public relations.
 It is stated that the main object of security in Ukraine is man, and ensuring the economic security of the state is the most effective tool that can ensure human security.
 The content of the National Security Strategy 2020 on the aspect of enshrining human security through the prism of economic security is revealed. It was emphasized that the ultimate goal of the Strategy is to establish a free, prosperous, secure Ukraine, where the rule of law prevails, where everyone can realize their talents and abilities, where people breathe clean air, drink clean water and connect their destiny. children and grandchildren.
 The main threats to economic security, which are enshrined in the National Security Strategy 2020, as well as the correspondingly regulated areas of human and civil security have been studied.
 It was stated that it is time to counteract threats to national security from the standpoint of the main object that may be in danger - man, because it is man who forms them.
 It is emphasized that the main tool for ensuring human security is to ensure the economic security of the state, because guaranteeing all rights and freedoms of man and citizen, both provided for in the Constitution of Ukraine and others lies in the plane of strong economic potential.
 The definition of a person as the main subject and object of security is formulated.
 Based on the analysis of the study of strategic state documents, conclusions were made on finding ways to increase efficiency and improve human security through the prism of ensuring the economic security of the state.

Next‐Generation Energy Harvesting and Storage Technologies for Robots Across All Scales

Self‐powered untethered robots that can meander unrestrictedly, squeeze into small spaces, and operate in diverse harsh environments have received immense attention in recent years. As there is not a universal solution that can be applied to power robots with diverse forms, service functions, and a broad size range from nanometers to meters, the design, fabrication, and implementation of power systems with a suitable weight, desired power and operation duration, and adaptiveness to confined spaces and operation conditions represent one of the greatest challenges in robotic research. Herein, an overview of recent progress and challenges in developing the next‐generation energy harvesting and storage technologies is provided, including direct energy harvesting, energy storage and conversion, and wireless energy transmission for robots across all scales.

Synthesis and performance of micron-sized hexagonal W0.025Nb1.97O5 for high-rate lithium-ion batteries

Niobium-based oxides have been considered as one of the prospective anode materials for Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) on account of their high theoretical specific capacity, small volume change, and high safety. Particularly, the metastable bronze phase T-Nb2O5, with open Nb–O pentagonal bipyramids interconnected channels, shows outstanding intercalation pseudocapacitance. However, they generally suffer from unsatisfactory electronic conductivity. Here, micron-sized hexagonal orthorhombic W0·025Nb1·97O5 has been prepared with selenide as a template. The phases and crystal structure have been maintained after doping. The W6+ doping could improve the electrical conductivity via charge redistribution. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations manifest that production of impurity bands due to W6+ doping led to improved electrical conductivities. When acting as electrode materials for LIBs, W0·025Nb1·97O5 shows high-rate capacity (139.9 mAh g−1 at 20 C) and outstanding cycling performance (126.4 mAh g−1 at 5 C after 1000 cycles). We put forward a novel W6+ doping T-Nb2O5, and this strategy may be utilized as a universal solution for other niobium-based oxides electrode materials.

Influence of DSRD Operation Cycle on the Output Pulse Parameters

Drift step recovery diodes (DSRDs) are semiconductor opening switches designed for the forming of high-voltage nanosecond pulses. DSRD-based circuit includes inductive energy storage and works as a high-efficient compression stage of the tens to hundreds of nanoseconds input pulse down to nanosecond or subnanosecond range output pulse. Despite the well-investigated physical principles, a lot of published DSRD simulations, and practical DSRD-based pulsers, the fundamental research aimed at optimization of DSRD circuit has not been conducted yet. The present letter shows the result of extensive experiments elucidating the maximum voltage rise rate, pulse compression ratio, energy losses, and prepulse amplitude in DSRD circuits. The explicit definitions of DSRD pulse parameters, which are vital for the optimization process, are suggested for the first time. It is demonstrated that optimizations of different parameters contradict each other, and there is no universal optimal solution. The compromise should be found for each application using the recommendations presented in the letter.

Software module for setting up system for 3D geometry measurements in aerodynamic stand using phase triangulation methods

The paper presents a software module for flexible configuration of a measuring system implements phase triangulation methods to measure three-dimensional profile of objects in aerodynamic experimental stands. To adjust and optimize a wide range of parameters of the measuring system, a universal solution has been implemented, that aimed to control of the operation of phase triangulation algorithms and binary Gray codes. To estimate the measurement error, an automated algorithm is implemented based on a statistical analysis of the distribution of the coordinates of the points of the measured surface.

A visualisation tool to understand disease prevention and control practices of stakeholders working along the poultry supply chain in southern India

In this paper, we show how we developed a visualisation tool to challenge perceived notions about biosecurity on poultry farms. Veterinarians and veterinary public health professionals tend to present biosecurity measures as a universal and cost-effective solution for preventing and controlling diseases on farms. However, we illustrate how biosecurity is an ill-defined term, making it difficult to talk about or apply in practice. As a result, we demonstrate how we moved away from using the term biosecurity in our research by designing a visualisation tool. The tool was to allow us to open up dialogue around disease prevention and control, and make tangible the tacit situated practices of stakeholders working along the poultry supply chain. Our findings show that for those working along the poultry supply chain, the term biosecurity was either consistently open to interpretation, or too rigid to reflect or allow for local variations. We conclude by highlighting how our visualisation tool offers insights into why researchers must move beyond using biosecurity as a term, and instead envisage, design, and develop local solutions to prevent and control diseases on poultry farms.

Evaluating the effect of kosmotropic inorganic salts in the in vitro dissolution behavior of tablets containing amorphous indomethacin-polyvinylpyrrolidone solid dispersions

The present study evaluates the effect of kosmotropic inorganic salts in the disintegration time and the in vitro dissolution behavior of tablets containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). Specifically, the impact of KH2PO4, KHCO3 and KCl -which have presented kosmotropic effect on hydrophilic polymers at previous studies- on the performance of tablets containing indomethacin (IND)-PVP ASDs was evaluated. Results showed that all the tested potassium salts presented a kosmotropic effect on PVP, while KH2PO4 was identified as the salt with the greatest impact on PVP's cloud point temperature. Contrary to previously published reports, the in vitro dissolution study of the prepared formulations (with and without inorganic salts) revealed that only the addition of KH2PO4 resulted to increased drug in vitro supersaturation rate and extent. As far as the KHCO3 and KCl are concerned, their incorporation into the systems brought about only a marginal increase in the final level of the API's supersaturation. Interestingly, according to the obtained results, as the inorganic salts' concentration increased, the final supersaturation level of IND decreased in all examined cases. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the moisture-effect on the tablets' performance, pharmaco-technical characterization and in vitro dissolution studies of tablets stored at 60% RH/25 °C took place. Results revealed that the presence of the potassium inorganic salts could not control the moisture's impact on the dissolution profiles and the disintegration time of tablets, highlighting that, in contrary to previous findings, the utilization of kosmotropes salts is not to be considered as a universal solution for the improvement of ASD-based tablet's dissolution/supersaturation performance.

Experimental verification of smart grid control functions on international grids using a real‐time simulator

The drastic increase in distributed energy resources (DERs) leads to challenges in the operation of distribution systems worldwide. While several solutions for grid monitoring and control are available on the market and in literature, this research is the first of its kind aiming to supervise the grid by providing a modular configurable unified hardware and software architecture. The control algorithms are configured using data models according to IEC 61850-7-3 and IEC 61850-7-4. The novel system architecture is a portable, modular and flexible architecture that aggregates smart grid control functions onto a standardised hardware platform, emphasising the need for hardware independence. The central controller contains several smart grid control functions and the various field devices are distributed across the distribution grid. This paper deals with the simulation of different real-world distribution grids on the Real-Time Simulator (RTS) and experimental verification of the control algorithms. Smart grid control functions such as Coordinated Voltage Control (CVC) and Optimal Power Flow (OPF) are experimentally verified on a German grid. The grid dynamics are compared when the central controller executes the CVC against the OPF implementations. The experimental results, advantages and challenges of each control are presented here. The results also showed the variation in grid behaviour when the control parameters were varied. The paper also shows that the algorithm and the choice of the control parameters depend upon the distribution grid's complexity and the system operator's individual needs. The results illustrate the potential of such a universal distribution automation solution for system operators worldwide.

Instance weighted SMOTE by indirectly exploring the data distribution

The synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) algorithm is considered a benchmark algorithm for addressing the class imbalance learning (CIL) problem. However, SMOTE fails to observe the distribution of the training data and to explore its internal structure, resulting in an unstable and non-robust classification result. Recently, more than 100 SMOTE variants have been developed to solve this problem. Most of them attempt to directly explore the prior distribution information of the training data, which may provide extremely inaccurate guidance in some classification scenarios. In this study, we present the instance weighted SMOTE (IW-SMOTE) algorithm, a more robust and universal solution for improving SMOTE by exploit distribution data indirectly. In particular, an UnderBagging-alike undersampling ensemble algorithm that uses classification and regression tree (CART) as the base classifier is first adopted to classify each training instance and acquire the corresponding confusing information. We can accurately estimate location information for each instance, including noise, borders and safety, based on the confusing information. Then, the noisy instances can be removed, and the borderline instances can be given more chances than the safe instances to be seed instances in the SMOTE procedure. Finally, the balanced instance set was used to train the CART, K nearest neighbors (KNN) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers to verify whether the proposed algorithm is irrelevant to the specific classification model. We compare IW-SMOTE with several state-of-the-art SMOTE-based algorithms on many class imbalance data sets, and IW-SMOTE shows promising results.

Reliability of a steel member in case of loss of local stability of a web

Introduction. Thin-walled steel beams are widely used in the construction of buildings and structures. Steel beams with thin webs are popular due to their efficient bending performance, although the issue of local stability becomes relevant. The ana­lysis of models, simulating resistance to shear and local loading pursuant to various regulatory documents, shows that calculation formulas are complex in most cases and have a limited scope of application, while resistance values, obtained using different methods, are vastly different.
 Materials and methods. The accuracy and essential areas of improvement of a resistance model can be identified by analyzing the numerical characteristics of model simulation uncertainties and comparing them with the experimental data.
 Results. The author has identified statistical characteristics of the model uncertainty. Values of reliability factors, that ensure the target level of reliability, are identified with account taken of the variability of basic variables and the uncertainty of resis­tance models.
 Conclusions. These values are indicative of the conservative nature of the model under consideration, which confirms the need to develop a design method on the basis of FEs of models that will take account of design features of the member under consideration and ensure more accurate and universal solutions. Their reliability is guaranteed by unified requirements for FE models, followed by their verification by the experimental data and reliability parameters applied to check the limit states. The article also offers a method for identifying the value of the reliability factor for a nonlinear load-bearing model, taking into account the statistical characteristics of basic variables included into the resistance model.

Revision Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty

Revision thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthroplasty alleviates persistent pain and instability after nonimplant or implant CMC arthroplasty. Metacarpal subsidence onto the scaphoid causing impingement, missed diagnosis such as scaphotrapezoid arthritis, and metacarpophalangeal hyperextension are common causes of failed CMC arthroplasty. Literature shows that revision CMC arthroplasty has satisfactory outcomes. Currently, the mantra of revision is to restore the metacarpal height and treat concomitant pathology, but no single operation is a universal solution. Revision CMC arthroplasty has a relatively high complication rate, lower patient satisfaction than primary CMC arthroplasty, and may result in the need for further operative intervention.

Novel Concept of Solar Converter With Universal Applicability for DC and AC Microgrids

This article presents a novel concept of a universal solar converter suitable for application in both in the dc or single-phase ac grids using the same terminals. The idea lies in the utilization of the same semiconductors in the dc–dc and in the dc–ac configuration, resulting in minimal redundancy. Possible semiconductor stages are considered. The particular attention is focused on the output filter design along with proper protection circuit selection for dc and ac grids. The design example and comparative analysis between dc–dc, dc–ac, and universal solutions are given. The experimental prototype of the universal solar converter that is rated for 3.6 kVA power in the ac mode and 5 kW in the dc mode is presented. The experimental results demonstrate the ability of operation in ac or dc grids with main correspondent modes. Possible fields of application along with main benefits are addressed in conclusions.