Modelling Game as Socio-Psychological Paradigm for Resolving Ethno-National Conflicts

The aim of this study was: (a) to evaluate the effectiveness of training to improve the intercultural behaviour of students; (b) to study and enrich their personal experience of resolving interethnic and international conflicts; and (c) to identify factors that contribute to the effective development of relevant skills that ensure social self-efficacy, reduce social avoidance, increase empathy and intercultural tolerance. The study used general scientific theoretical, empirical, experimental and statistical methods. To diagnose the dynamics of the studied variables – social self-efficacy, social avoidance, empathy, intercultural tolerance – “Scale of social self-efficacy of Fan and Mak”, “Situational scale of social avoidance”; checklists “Interpersonal skills”; “Basic scale for the diagnosis of empathy in adults”; diagnosis of the level of formation of intercultural tolerance were used. At the experimental stage of the study, a series of training based on modelling games (simulations) to resolve ethno-national conflicts was conducted. At the end of the training, a repeated diagnostic section of the dynamics of the above-mentioned variables and a semi-structured interview was conducted, which included 5 open-ended questions. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) of these variables in comparison with EG and CG groups revealed significant dynamics in the variables “social self-efficacy”, “empathy”, “intercultural tolerance” and minor changes in the variable “social avoidance”. The dynamics of the EG index was more significant. Respondents also praised the types of work such as working in groups, the model of providing feedback during game situations and presentations of student projects. The results of this study confirmed that the model based on simulation games (simulations) for resolving ethno-national conflicts was effective in improving social self-efficacy, empathy and intercultural tolerance and in lowering psychological barriers (social avoidance) of EG participants compared to CG individuals. Participants reported that this type of training allowed them to develop skills for future professional activities in a multicultural (poly-ethnic or poly-national) community

Features of the connective tissue component of the palatine tonsils in patients with recurrent tonsillitis

The aim: To explore the morphological changes of palatine tonsil at the levels of the epithelial layer and connective tissue; to determine the relative area of the connective tissue component in the tonsillar tissue (fibrosis) in patients with recurrent tonsillitis compared to the control. Materials and methods: This study presents a morphological assessment of the palatine tonsils of 10 people. Tonsils’ material with surrounding tissue was fixed in 10% formalin solution. The samples were dehydrated in increasing ethanol concentrations, cleared in xylol, impregnated with paraffin. Microscopy was then performed with samples stained beforehand. Results: In the samples of patients with recurrent tonsillitis pericapsular sclerosis was noted, along with thickening of interlobular septa and pronounced subepithelial fibrosis. A ratio of the dense connective tissue surface area to the total surface area of tonsil tissue was determined. The control group showed a statistically significant decrease in the degree of sclerosis of the tonsil stroma. Conclusions: Multiple changes were found in the tonsils of patients with recurrent tonsillitis at the level of the epithelial layer that manifested in structural alterations. Significant and irreversible changes were also observed in the connective stroma of the tonsil - pericapsular sclerosis, thickening of interlobular septa, and pronounced subepithelial fibrosis. A statistically significant increase in the relative surface area of the connective tissue component of the tonsil (fibrosis) by a factor of 1,26 was noted in patients with recurrent tonsillitis compared to the results of the control group of patients

Analysis of measures to enhance energy efficiency and sustainable development of the gas transmission system of Ukraine

The requirements of the fundamental normative documents in Public Joint Stock Company "UKRTRANSGAS", regulating activities in the sphere of energy efficiency, are considered and analyzed. The procedure for implementation of energy saving measures and controlling over their implementation is presented. The analysis of planned and actual indicators of fuel and energy resources saving has been carried out. The ways to improve energy efficiency with the use of renewable energy sources are given