Decomposable Penalty Method for Generalized Game Problems with Joint Constraints

We consider an extension of a noncooperative game problem where players have joint binding constraints. In this case, justification of a generalized equilibrium point needs a reasonable mechanism for attaining this state. We suggest to combine a penalty method together with shares allocation of right-hand sides, which replaces the initial problem with a sequence of the usual Nash equilibrium problems together with an upper level variational inequality as a master problem. We show convergence of solutions of these auxiliary penalized problems to a solution of the initial game problem under weak coercivity conditions.Comment: 13 page

A little about models

We discuss several aspects of creation of adequate mathematical models in other sciences. In particular, many difficulties stem from great complexity of the source systems and the presence of a variety of uncertain factors. We illustrate the effect of uncertainty on the known consumer demand model. We conclude that not every uncertainty can be represented by a random variable, and that these concepts are not equivalent. We discuss also the role of different information concepts in mathematical models. We give additional illustrative examples of models of quite complex systems.Comment: 15 page

Boris Lomov`s Systems Approach in the Context of the Science Culture of the Late Soviet Period

The focus of the article is the research program of B. F. Lomov, viewed through the prism of Russian scientific culture, while taking into account the nuances of the late Soviet period. Scientific culture is analyzed in accordance with a model that singles out practices as a typical and stable way of doing things, and patterns as cognitive elements that integrate culture into a concise whole. Viewed via this model, any innovation appears to involve introduction of new practices into the culture. That means the risk of the introduced practices colliding with existing patterns. There are three main patterns of the Russian scientific culture that operated in the Soviet period, which are described as formulas analogous with the themes of S. Moskovichi: (a) science is a state matter, (b) basic science creates groundwork for the technologies of the future, (c) science is a selfless service. The practices promoted within Lomov's program were largely associated with American engineering psychology as practiced by A. Chapanis, and, as such, collided with the organization of the Soviet scientific establishment, built around the patterns mentioned. As a consequence of this contention, the article examines the tension that arose in Soviet psychology in the 1970s and 1980s between the supporters of the activity theory of A. N. Leontiev on one side and B. F. Lomov’s systems approach on the other. It draws parallels between this collision and the collision of the practices promoted by Lomov with the patterns of the science culture of the late Soviet period. Both external and internal perspectives are employed: the article examines the theoretical contradictions between the activity theory and the systems approach, and at the same time investigates the context of the theoretical argument: the transfer of the leadership in the psychological science from the Academy of the Pedagogical Sciences to the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, the mosaic outlay of the newly established Institute of Psychology, the influence of new approaches to the organization of research

HUMAN GRANULOCYTOTROPIC ANAPLASMOSIS

Natural focal tick-borne infections are widespread in the world and are characterized by a great etiologic diversity. Human granulocytotropic anaplasmosis (HGA), also transmitted by the bite of ticks became relevant in the last century of detection not only in animals but also in humans. The review provides an overview of the incidence of HGA in Russia and in the world, the prevalence of the habitat of mites, the diversity of reservoirs and sources of infection, mechanisms and pathways of transmission of the pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum and its biological features. The links and stages of the disease pathogenesis are considered in detail. Scientific data on the clinical course of the disease, the frequency and diversity of various symptoms of the disease, the issues of laboratory and differential diagnosis of anaplasmosis and its place in the nosological structure in patients with fever of unknown origin are discussed. At the same time, choosing a method of laboratory diagnostics it is necessary to take into account that molecular-genetic method (polymerase chain reaction PCR-diagnosis) allows to confirm the diagnosis quickly, while serological methods of research in a greater degree - to put a retrospective diagnosis. The article presents current data on the treatment of disease and methods of HGA prevention and also presents the results of the authors’ own observations based on the survey of 63 patients. The analysis of Moscow residents treatment about sucking mites is carried out and summarized the incidence of infections transmitted by ixode mites. For the diagnosis of HGA and other tick-borne fever used a technique called polymerase chain reaction. It has been revealed that in Moscow, lime borreliosis occupies a leading place among mites associated with infections 60%, and the share of granulocytic anaplasmosis of a person is only 5% of patients. However, the study of ticks for the presence of HGA pathogens and other natural focal tick infections is carried out in insufficient volume (less than 30%), which should be considered in clinical and laboratory differential diagnosis, as well as preventive measures

The effect of magnetic and electric fields on the processes of food freezing

The article summarizes the results of studies based on scientific publications on the effect of magnetic fields (MF) and electric fields (EF) on the kinetics of freezing processes applied onto biological tissue and on their properties. The processes of freezing food media on installations equipped with the Cells Alive System (CAS) magnetic system manufactured by ABI Co., Ltd., Japan are considered in this article. It is shown that the majority of researchers did not confirm the benefits claimed by the CAS system developers in comparison with the processes of fast freezing in the chambers without the magnetic field. In the case of using the alternating magnetic fields (AMF) with high field induction values, the effect is more pronounced. The application of strong static or alternating EF contributes to the creation of a fine-grained structure of ice, reduces the freezing duration and decreases mass loss during the food thawing