Methodical approaches to measuring sustainable development of industrial enterprises

The article is devoted to the problems of assessment of sustainable development at industrial enterprises with a dynamic scorecard based on growth rates of key performance indicators, arranged in the way allowing the evaluation of the sustainable development process when kept in the long time interval. The relative indicators allow comparing not only the incomparable values but also enterprises of different sizes. In addition the system allows comparing the results of current period to similar data from previous years, as well as to the results of other companies for the same period to determine their rating position or identify balance / imbalance. This system takes into account not only balanced state of environmental, economic and social spheres in particular time but also helps to reflect the positive changes in development process. This method is considered on the example of chemical industry, one of the leading in Russia.peer-reviewe

Digitalization measurement of the regional organizations: A case of Perm region

Introduction. Scientific community is particularly interested in the relevant issues of digitalization and digital transformations at all levels of economy. The article describes the results derived from the questionnaire survey conducted among 126 companies in Perm region. The authors applied their own methodology aimed to measure digitalization of the entities. Purpose. The authors focus on the development of the respective methodology and its testing. They put forward a hypothesis saying that the proposed methodology is universal, in other words it could be applied in a company specializing in any business activity and scale. Materials and Methods. The input of the study is the information about the exploitation of digital tools in various business processes within the organizations. The study refers to the authors’ comprehensive methodology of entities’ digitalization measurement and their distribution in a two-criterion matrix by digitalization types. Results. Hierarchy of several digitalization levels are justified, digitalization penetration borders are defined within a company and its interaction with contractors. A questionnaire has been prepared. It has been shown that Perm region companies mainly digitalize the business processes related to production, finance, and accounting, as well as general economic activities. Conclusion. The results of the study are of interest both for the managers of the analyzed organizations and the regional authorities that develop digital transformation strategies for the federal districts of the Russian Federation. If the sampling is extended, the findings obtained with the authors’ methodology could contribute into preparing different ratings: an industry digitalization rating, a digitalization rate in micro- and small-, medium-, and large-sized businesses and others. These ratings could be compiled for a particular region and for the country on the whole, which is the focus of the authors’ further research. Keywords: digital economy, digital transformation, digitalization, digitalization of organizations, digitalization measurement methodology, digitalization of the region, digitalization of the industry, business process, digitalization of business processes, digital maturity of organization

Development of a multi-criteria scale to select employees in the personnel reserve of JSC institute of Hulurgy

Important resources of any organisation are knowledge, experience, skills, initiative and enterprise of a staff. These resources contribute to the competitiveness and productivity of an organization, and, moreover, create a favorable climate in a team. When we admit a crucial role of education and qualification levels of employees in a firm, we realize an importance to manage a staff flexibly. Purposeful work with a personnel reserve avoids unreasonable staff promotion, but at the same time basic principles of staff management, planned character, scientific validity, effectiveness and other aspects of staff decisions should be considered. In addition, the development of an effective system of a personnel reserve allows to identify employees with high potential for career making and, as a result, to increase their competence systematically preparing them to fill vacancies. The article defines peculiarities and trends in the field of efficiency of personnel reserve management in the case study of JSC Institute of Hulurgy. This institute is considered to be one of the leading research and planning institutes in the potash industry in Perm region. While conducting the research we have revealed, that there is a number of disadvantages in the current system of staff evaluation at the enterprise: 1) high formality degree of the evaluation criteria, underestimation of the staff competencies; 2) the lack of ranking criteria to applicants; 3) united criteria are applied to the assessment of different categories of the organization staff. To mitigate the identified disadvantages, a multi-criteria scale to select employees in the personnel reserve has been suggested. This scale includes indicators confirming the staff adequacy to their professional requirements and the assessment of his or her scientific potential. It also involves sociometry data and the level of an applicant of motivation. The developed scale allows to consider a wide list of personal and professional characteristics of reservists taking into account the importance of each of them and to make an objectified decision to nominate employees for the vacant seat. The main provisions and conclusions of the study can be used in the solution of complex practical problems to form and develop a personnel reserve of any organization. Further we are planning to monitor the dynamics of employees’ efficiency who have passed a personnel reserve. Also we will monitor the dynamics of the organization activity on the basis of the results of multi-criteria scale implementation for the selection of applicants

New method of spectral analysis of human hair

A new optimal method of preparing one of the human biosubstrates (hair) to an arc atomic emission spectral analysis is proposed on the basis of complex physical and chemical studies. A new method of determining the content of macro- and micro-elements is developed. Following the developed technique we performed analysis of hairs in group of patients in order to diagnose diseases additionally, assess the habitat, and restore the element balance in the body. Comparing the content of elements in the human hair with reference values, it is possible to assess the degree of element imbalance in the body. This technique has passed metrological certification. Obtained by this method results of analysis of hair were used to identify clinical and laboratory correlations, to determine the elemental human status, and to diagnose various diseases

Exploiting the potential of artificial intelligence techniques in FLT

The relevance of using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in education has increased significantly during the pandemic and the forced transition to distance learning technologies. It was during this period that there was a breakthrough in the development of digital educational resources based on AI, but methodological support for their effective use was not prepared. The mechanisms of leveling the risks associated with possible effects of AI on education have not been identified. The objective: to identify the risks and potential of AI techniques in their impact on the organization and outcome of the educational process. Research methods: theoretical analysis and qualitative description of practical examples of the exploiting AI techniques in foreign language teaching. The research is based on the general literature review related to the key concepts of the study: artificial intelligence, digital educational resources, foreign language teaching. The results: the most widely used AI techniques are mobile applications and platforms with educational courses; the use of highly intelligent products, such as smart classrooms, is not sufficiently developed; the risks of implementing AI methods are associated with the quality of technology, with the methodological proficiency of a teacher, and with individual learning strategies. The conclusions: at the current level of technology development, AI techniques are a supplementary educational component. It is advisable to involve teachers of particular subjects in the further improvement of these technologies. The practical significance of the results obtained is determined by the assessment of the AI technologies impact on the process of FLT and by the proposed methods of effective use of AI in teaching

The potential to encode sex, age, and individual identity in the alarm calls of three species of Marmotinae

In addition to encoding referential information and information about the sender’s motivation, mammalian alarm calls may encode information about other attributes of the sender, providing the potential for recognition among kin, mates, and neighbors. Here, we examined 96 speckled ground squirrels (Spermophilus suslicus), 100 yellow ground squirrels (Spermophilus fulvus) and 85 yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) to determine whether their alarm calls differed between species in their ability to encode information about the caller’s sex, age, and identity. Alarm calls were elicited by approaching individually identified animals in live-traps. We assume this experimental design modeled a naturally occurring predatory event, when receivers should acquire information about attributes of a caller from a single bout of alarm calls. In each species, variation that allows identification of the caller’s identity was greater than variation allowing identification of age or sex. We discuss these results in relation to each species’ biology and sociality

Association between maternal thyroid function and risk of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia: a systematic review and individual-participant data meta-analysis

Background: Adequate maternal thyroid function is important for an uncomplicated pregnancy. Although multiple observational studies have evaluated the association between thyroid dysfunction and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, the methods and definitions of abnormalities in thyroid function tests were heterogeneous, and the results were conflicting. We aimed to examine the association between abnormalities in thyroid function tests and risk of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of individual-participant data, we searched MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from date of inception to Dec 27, 2019, for prospective cohort studies with data on maternal concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, individually or in combination, as well as on gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, or both. We issued open invitations to study authors to participate in the Consortium on Thyroid and Pregnancy and to share the individual-participant data. We excluded participants who had pre-existing thyroid disease or multifetal pregnancy, or were taking medications that affect thyroid function. The primary outcomes were documented gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Individual-participant data were analysed using logistic mixed-effects regression models adjusting for maternal age, BMI, smoking, parity, ethnicity, and gestational age at blood sampling. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42019128585. Findings: We identified 1539 published studies, of which 33 cohorts met the inclusion criteria and 19 cohorts were included after the authors agreed to participate. Our study population comprised 46 528 pregnant women, of whom 39 826 (85·6%) women had sufficient data (TSH and FT4 concentrations and TPO antibody status) to be classified according to their thyroid function status. Of these women, 1275 (3·2%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, 933 (2·3%) had isolated hypothyroxinaemia, 619 (1·6%) had subclinical hyperthyroidism, and 337 (0·8%) had overt hyperthyroidism. Compared with euthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with a higher risk of pre-eclampsia (2·1% vs 3·6%; OR 1·53 [95% CI 1·09–2·15]). Subclinical hyperthyroidism, isolated hypothyroxinaemia, or TPO antibody positivity were not associated with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia. In continuous analyses, both a higher and a lower TSH concentration were associated with a higher risk of pre-eclampsia (p=0·0001). FT4 concentrations were not associated with the outcomes measured. Interpretation: Compared with euthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of pre-eclampsia. There was a U-shaped association of TSH with pre-eclampsia. These results quantify the risks of gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia in women with thyroid function test abnormalities, adding to the total body of evidence on the risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy. These findings have potential implications for defining the optimal treatment target in women treated with levothyroxine during pregnancy, which needs to be assessed in future interventional studies

Development of Students-Speech Therapists’ Professional Competences in the Frameworks of Informational and Educational Environment of University

The relevance of study issue reflects the search of technological resources promoting an effective development of student speech therapists’ professional competences in the field of diagnostic and corrective-developing activities. Implementation of developing competence model implies the use of differentiated approaches in teaching, the combination of traditional methods and innovative technological working outs. Authors’ electronic program as a way for training skills that are needed in solving pedagogical diagnostic and corrective-developing tasks is regarded as one of didactic resources in informational-educational environment of University. The goal of the present paper is analyzing the effective use of author’s electronic program in training teachers-speech therapists for forming diagnostic and correctional-developing competences. In this case the main research method is the competent approach aimed at productive use of integrated knowledge in practice, promoting creative capacities and self-development of graduates, thereby implementing the development of students-speech therapist’s professional competences through the resolution of pedagogical tasks, using electronic resources. Research highlighted difficulties and "problem areas" at each level of competences development (knowledge, skills, and abilities) while elaborating diagnostic and correctional-developing program of competences. Analysis of results permits the elaboration of an electronic didactical resource which is based on algorithms of multidisciplinary tasks aimed at development of professional skills and abilities in the field of special training and education. The importance of research results for practice is confirmed by the fact that they are directly focused on resolution of pressing challenges concerning the development of students-speech therapists’ professional competences, and they may effectively develop such competences in the frameworks of University informational-educational environment

The system of development of the methodological-mathematical competence within future mathematics teachers to be (theoretical-methodological aspect)

The strategic guidelines in determining the theoretical and methodological principles of the system for the development of the methodological and mathematical competence of future Mathematics teachers is the implementation of the personality-oriented paradigm of education; creation of conditions for subject-subject interaction of participants in the pedagogical process; compliance with the provisions of the systemic, personality-active, integration-technological and competence approaches, the optimal combination of traditions and trends in the development of methods of mathematical education within the modeling of the content, forms and methods of organizing of the educational process. The main principles are highlighted – feasibility, integration, functional completeness, continuity, professional and pedagogical orientation, on which the pedagogical conditions for ensuring the effectiveness of the development of methodological and mathematical competence of a future teacher of mathematics are based. The use of the listed theoretical foundations in the professional training of future mathematics teachers has confirmed the effectiveness of the developed model