Seasonal and Interannual Variability of the Thermohaline Structure of the Bengel Upwelling Based on the Argo Buoys Data

Purpose. The work is purposed at studying the water vertical structure in the Bengel upwelling region based on the Argo buoys data, its seasonal and interannual variability, as well as the possibility of using altimetry measurements to assess intensity of the eastern upwellings. Methods and Results. Based on the Argo buoys measurements for 2004–2019, the spatial, seasonal and interannual variability of the Bengel upwelling thermohaline structure was investigated. With increase of depth, the zone of the deep water rise was observed to shear to the south and to the west. The maximum upwelling on the surface was recorded at latitude 25°S. However, the water rise in this zone was observed only up to the 300 m depth. At the same time, at latitude 30°S, the water rise was less intense on the surface, but was noted within the depth range 0–1500 m. Within the 100–600 m layer, seasonal variations of the temperature and salinity anomalies in the central part of the Bengel upwelling were almost the same. Conclusions. Upwelling is most intense in July and weakens in April. At this time, the temperature and salinity anomalies within the 100–600 m layer reach 0.5°С and 0.05 psu, respectively. The secondary maximum of upwelling is observed in January in the 0–400 m layer, and its secondary minimum – in December. On the interannual scales (2004–2019), two periods of the upwelling significant weakening were recorded: in 2004–2005 and in 2018–2019

Teaching of mathematical modeling elements in the mathematics course of the secondary school

The urgency of the problem under investigation is due to the role of mathematical modeling in modern science and human practice, which requires the acquaintance of students with the elements of this process at the early stages of education. Training of mathematical modeling shows the students how to apply mathematics in real life, which is also a motivation for learning the subject. The purpose of the research is to identify elements of mathematical modeling that can and should be appropriately formed at the secondary school. The leading method of the research is the analysis of the structure of the mathematical modeling process and the development of a system of tasks aimed to form training activities that are adequate to the identified elements. The authors offer to use the system of changed tasks contained in school mathematics textbooks. The article proves the necessity of acquaintance of schoolchildren with the structure of the process of mathematical modeling, features of models, purpose of their use. As a result of the research, the authors present a model of the system of problems aimed to form elements of mathematical modeling relating to the stages of formalization and interpretation. The methodology proposed in the article can be used by mathematics teachers at lessons and elective courses, authors of textbooks and manuals, and also can be the basis for special courses for students of pedagogical universities. © Authors

Display of the β-effect in the Black Sea Two-Layer Model

The research is a continuation of a series of numerical experiments on modeling formation of wind currents and eddies in the Black Sea within the framework of a two-layer eddy-resolving model. The main attention is focused on studying the β-effect role. The stationary cyclonic wind is used as an external forcing and the bottom topography is not considered. It is shown that at the β-effect being taken into account, the Rossby waves propagating from east to west are observed both during the currents’ formation and at the statistical equilibrium mode when the mesoscale eddies are formed. In the integral flows’ field the waves are visually manifested in a form of the alternate large-scale cyclonic gyres and zones in which the meso-scale anti-cyclones are formed. This spatial pattern constantly propagates to the west that differs from the results of calculations using the constant Coriolis parameter when the spatially alternate cyclonic and anti-cyclonic vortices are formed, but hold a quasi-stationary position. The waves with the parameters of the Rossby wave first barotropic mode for the closed basin are most clearly pronounced. Interaction of the Rossby waves with large-scale circulation results in intensification of the of the currents’ hydrodynamic instability and in formation of the mesoscale eddies. Significant decrease of kinetic and available potential energy as compared to the values obtained at the constant Coriolis parameter is also a consequence of the eddy formation intensification

Teaching of mathematical modeling elements in the mathematics course of the secondary school

The urgency of the problem under investigation is due to the role of mathematical modeling in modern science and human practice, which requires the acquaintance of students with the elements of this process at the early stages of education. Training of mathematical modeling shows the students how to apply mathematics in real life, which is also a motivation for learning the subject. The purpose of the research is to identify elements of mathematical modeling that can and should be appropriately formed at the secondary school. The leading method of the research is the analysis of the structure of the mathematical modeling process and the development of a system of tasks aimed to form training activities that are adequate to the identified elements. The authors offer to use the system of changed tasks contained in school mathematics textbooks. The article proves the necessity of acquaintance of schoolchildren with the structure of the process of mathematical modeling, features of models, purpose of their use. As a result of the research, the authors present a model of the system of problems aimed to form elements of mathematical modeling relating to the stages of formalization and interpretation. The methodology proposed in the article can be used by mathematics teachers at lessons and elective courses, authors of textbooks and manuals, and also can be the basis for special courses for students of pedagogical universities. © Authors

Development of “active consumer” concept on energy market

The paper investigates a new approach to interaction of all participants on the energy market. An active consumer, as a participant of the energy market, has technical capabilities for optimization of their energy consumption, and determines whether “to produce” or “to buy” electrical energy on the market by themselves. The active consumer’s profile reflects their ability to optimize the electrical energy consumption schedule to improve the economic efficiency of consumption and reduce the cost of the electrical energy consumed. In the concept proposed in this paper, the active consumer is considered as a partner of the energy market entities. This brings about a change in the market regulators and participants’ behavior and their transition from the concept of cost management to the concept of interaction with consumers, involving them in the value chain. A significant difference in the cost of electrical energy for domestic and foreign industrial companies, due to the development of new technologies in the energy sector, leads to a change in the participants’ behavior. Within the framework of the active consumer concept, we propose a process model for the participants’ behavior in the energy market, which presents the economic benefits to all participants during a particular period of time. © 2018, Econjournals. All rights reserved

Development of “active consumer” concept on energy market

The paper investigates a new approach to interaction of all participants on the energy market. An active consumer, as a participant of the energy market, has technical capabilities for optimization of their energy consumption, and determines whether “to produce” or “to buy” electrical energy on the market by themselves. The active consumer’s profile reflects their ability to optimize the electrical energy consumption schedule to improve the economic efficiency of consumption and reduce the cost of the electrical energy consumed. In the concept proposed in this paper, the active consumer is considered as a partner of the energy market entities. This brings about a change in the market regulators and participants’ behavior and their transition from the concept of cost management to the concept of interaction with consumers, involving them in the value chain. A significant difference in the cost of electrical energy for domestic and foreign industrial companies, due to the development of new technologies in the energy sector, leads to a change in the participants’ behavior. Within the framework of the active consumer concept, we propose a process model for the participants’ behavior in the energy market, which presents the economic benefits to all participants during a particular period of time. © 2018, Econjournals. All rights reserved

The impacts of teacher's efficacy and motivation on student's academic achievement in science education among secondary and high school students

In the 21st century, we observe an increasingly aware of a series of global, technological and scientific advancement that create a need of good performance in science education at all levels of schooling. These challenges, among them rapid science and technological changes, a rise of information technology use, and continuing movement towards a knowledge-based society all highlight the need for deep education in science including biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, and sustainability. In fact, the impact of teacher characteristics of self-efficacy level is important for science education and students' learning outcomes in science. In an effort to highlight this, this study investigated the impacts of teacher efficacy and motivation on students' academic achievement in science education in secondary and high schools located in Iran and Russia using motivation for academic performance scale (α = 0.89) and teacher self-efficacy scale (α = 0.91) as measuring instruments and achievement test in science education. Two hypotheses were tested using the statistical programme. For evaluating the demographical differences of the students in terms of their academic achievement, comparative analyses were performed using t-test. Results showed that gender difference was not significant but nationality difference was significant in terms of students' academic achievement in science education. Also other findings reported significant impact of teacher self-efficacy and motivation on academic achievement in science education. Implications, suggestions and recommendations for students, teachers, school administrators, parents, government, education counselors, etc. were discussed and presented. © 2018 by the authors