Innovation and Productivity: a Firm Level Study of Ukrainian Manufacturing Sector

There is a large literature on innovation contribution to productivity for EU countries including CEE states. At the same time very little is known about CIS countries. We apply the same framework and select the same period (2004-2006) to make our study comparable. The modified CDM model considers not only companies that report formal innovation expenditures but the entire sample of manufacturing firms. This approach accounts for underreporting of innovative firm’s efforts, especially among small firms. Additionally, we allow dynamic two-direction relationship between productivity and innovation input and test “success breeds success” hypothesis. Our major attention is given to the impact of the government support on firm’s R&D expenditures, innovations and productivity. The results show that government financial support has positive effect on the probability and amount of firm’s innovation expenditures but not on the probability of innovation itself, neither for process nor for product innovation. The latter finding emphasizes that only the effective government innovation policy may actual positively contribute to the productivity after all. We found that both parts of the "success breeds success" hypothesis work. Firms which have introduced new or significantly improved product in the past are more likely to invest into R&D and to come up with a product innovator in the future. Our results also suggest that amount of innovation expenditures in the following period is influenced by firm’s productivity in the previous period. Empirical evidence of this is quite rare in the literature. Finally, similar to Estonia during late transition only process innovation has been found to contribute to productivity of Ukrainian firms.R&D, innovation, productivity, "success breeds success", transition, Ukraine

Sequential sampling of junction trees for decomposable graphs

The junction-tree representation provides an attractive structural property for organizing a decomposable graph. In this study, we present a novel stochastic algorithm, which we call the junction-tree expander, for sequential sampling of junction trees for decomposable graphs. We show that recursive application of the junction-tree expander, expanding incrementally the underlying graph with one vertex at a time, has full support on the space of junction trees with any given number of underlying vertices. A direct application of our suggested algorithm is demonstrated in a sequential Monte Carlo setting designed for sampling from distributions on spaces of decomposable graphs, where the junction-tree expander can be effectively employed as proposal kernel; see the companion paper Olsson et al. 2019 [16]. A numerical study illustrates the utility of our approach by two examples: in the first one, how the junction-tree expander can be incorporated successfully into a particle Gibbs sampler for Bayesian structure learning in decomposable graphical models; in the second one, we provide an unbiased estimator of the number of decomposable graphs for a given number of vertices. All the methods proposed in the paper are implemented in the Python library trilearn.Comment: 31 pages, 7 figure

A System Strategy for Higher Education

The exponential growth of technology and artificial intelligence means that the world is rapidly changing. Education is not exempt from this trend. New ways of engaging and teaching are needed. This need has been exacerbated by the arrival of COVID-19, which is stimulating higher education to reevaluate its approach to teaching and learning. This is a conceptual paper that looks at several theories and philosophies that underpin all forms of “learning” especially those theories coming from the systems paradigm which the authors consider is essential for future higher educators. Based on these theories, a new approach to higher education is proposed and an example given of how it could work in practice. The article provides a platform for further discussion and debate to support the strategic vision and direction of travel for higher education

Розробка методики вибору оптимальних параметрів електромеханічного амортизатору для вагону метрополітену

A procedure for determining basic estimation parameters has been devised for the proposed structure of the electromechanical shock absorber. The procedure is based on a simplified mathematical model for determining the electromagnetic and electromotive force for the electromechanical shock absorber. Feature of the model is taking into consideration the operational modes of permanent magnet based on the calculation of a magnetic circle. The model devised makes it possible to perform approximate calculation of the shock absorber operational modes and could be used for solving the problem on the optimization of parameters for an electric shock absorber. We have verified adequacy of the constructed simplified mathematical model by comparing the results from calculating the mechanical characteristic for a shock absorber based on the simplified procedure and those obtained using a finite element method in the axial-symmetrical statement of the problem. There is a good match between the results from calculations based on the simplified procedure and from modeling a magnetic field using the method of finite elements. We have determined the geometric relationships between the elements of the structure that ensure the optimal uniform magnetic load on the elements of the magnetic circuit. The problem on the conditional two-criteria optimization of parameters for the electromechanical shock absorber has been stated. We have chosen constraints that are divided into the three following categories. Constraints for a permanent magnet demagnetization that make it possible to maintain operability of the permanent magnet. Constraints for a current density, which ensures the thermal modes in the shock absorber operation. Constraints for assembly and constraints for the parameters of an optimization problem, which enable the arrangement of a structure within the running part of a carriage. It has been proposed to choose the reduced volume of a shock absorber as a criterion, which predetermines the cost of constructing a shock absorber, and its efficiency as a criterion, which predetermines the recuperated energy of oscillations. The parameters were convoluted to a single objective cost function; the weights were defined. We have chosen, as an optimization method, the combined method that includes a genetic algorithm at the preliminary stage of the search. At the final stage of an optimization procedure an optimum is refined by using the Nelder-Mead method. The result from solving the optimization problem on the shock absorber's parameters is the defined optimal geometric dimensions and the number of turns in the winding of the electromechanical shock absorber.Для предложенной конструкции электромеханического амортизатора разработана методика определения основных расчетных параметров. Методика основана на упрощенной математической модели по определению электромагнитной и электродвижущей сил электромеханического амортизатора. Особенностью модели является учет режимов работы постоянного магнита на основе расчета магнитной цепи. Созданная модель позволяет проводить приблизительный расчет режимов работы амортизатора и может быть использована в решении задачи оптимизации параметров электроамортизатора. Проведена проверка адекватности разработанной упрощенной математической модели путем сравнения результатов расчета механической характеристики амортизатора по упрощенной методике и методом конечных элементов в аксиально-симметричной постановке задачи. Получены хорошие совпадения результатов расчетов по упрощенной методике и путем моделирования магнитного поля методом конечных элементов. Определены геометрические соотношения между элементами конструкции, которые обеспечивают оптимальные равномерные магнитные нагрузки в элементах магнитопровода. Проведена постановка задачи условной двухкритериальной оптимизации параметров электромеханического амортизатора. Выбранные ограничения разделены на три следующие категории. Ограничения по размагничивания постоянного магнита, позволяющие сохранить работоспособность постоянного магнита. Ограничения по плотности тока, которое обеспечивает тепловые режимы работы амортизатора. Компоновочные ограничения и ограничения на параметры задачи оптимизации, обеспечивающие размещение конструкции в ходовой части тележки. Предложено в качестве критериев выбрать приведенный объем амортизатора, обусловливающий затраты на создание амортизатора, и его КПД, который обусловливает величину рекуперированной энергии колебаний. Проведена свертка параметров к единой целевой функции затрат с выбором весовых коэффициентов. В качестве метода оптимизации выбран комбинированный метод, включающий в себя генетический алгоритм, на начальном этапе поиска. На завершающем этапе оптимизационной процедуры уточнения оптимума осуществляется методом Нелдера-Мида. По результатам решения задачи оптимизации параметров амортизатора определены оптимальные геометрические размеры и количество витков обмотки электромеханического амортизатораДля запропонованої конструкції електромеханічного амортизатору розроблено методика визначення основних розрахункових параметрів. Методика основана на спрощеній математичній моделі по визначенню електромагнітної та електрорушійної сили електромеханічного амортизатору. Особливістю моделі є урахування режимів роботи постійного магніту на основі розрахунку магнітного кола. Створення модель дозволяє проводити приблизний розрахунок режимів роботи амортизатора та може бути використана у вирішенні задачі оптимізації параметрів електроамортизатору. Проведено перевірка адекватності розробленої спрощеної математичної моделі шляхом порівняння результатів розрахунку механічної характеристики амортизатора за спрощеною методикою та методом кінцевих елементів в аксиально-симетричній постановці задачі. Отримано наявне добре співпадіння результатів розрахунків за спрощеною методикою та шляхом моделювання магнітного поля за методом кінцевих елементів. Визначенні геометричні співвідношення між елементами конструкції, які забезпечують оптимальне рівномірне магнітне навантаження в елементах магнітопроводу. Проведена постановка задачі умовної двокритеріальної оптимізації параметрів електромеханічного амортизатору. Обрані обмеження, що поділено на три наступні категорії. Обмеження за розмагніченням постійного магніту, що дозволяють зберегти працездатність постійного магніту. Обмеження за щільністю струму, яке забезпечує теплові режими роботи амортизатору. Компоновачні обмеження та обмеження на параметри задачі оптимізації, що забезпечують розміщення конструкції у ходовій частині візка. Запропоновано у якості критеріїв обрати приведений об’єм амортизатору, що обумовлює затрати на створення амортизатору та його ККД, який обумовлює рекуперовану енергію коливань. Проведено згортку параметрів до єдиної цільової функції затрат та обрані вагові коефіцієнти. У якості метода оптимізації обрано комбінований метод, що включає в себе генетичний алгоритм, на попередньому етапі пошуку. На завершальному етапі оптимізаційної процедури уточнення оптимуму здійснюється методом Нелдера-Міда. За результатами вирішення задачі оптимізації параметрів амортизатору визначені оптимальні геометричні розміри та кількість витків обмотки електромеханічного амортизатор

Education Process Digitalization in Sociocultural Activity Managers’ Training

The process of the future sociocultural activity managers’ professional training under the conditions of information and educational environment in the higher education institutions is recreational-aesthetic and psychological-rehabilitative restoration of the future specialists’ intellectual and professional potential, which can be effectively applied in the different spheres of life

Education Process Digitalization in Sociocultural Activity Managers’ Training

The process of the future sociocultural activity managers’ professional training under the conditions of information and educational environment in the higher education institutions is recreational-aesthetic and psychological-rehabilitative restoration of the future specialists’ intellectual and professional potential, which can be effectively applied in the different spheres of life

Operation system features and cloud services for lecturer work

The work proposes a conception of setup and use of teacher’s or lecturer’s workspace using common software and hardware products. The research object is a system built by using operating system capabilities in conjunction with office suite and public cloud service, as a foundation for teacher’s digital workspace. Research is made on how to set up, scale, and operate such a system, by studying the experience of national and foreign scientists and teachers, and using our own experience in educational processes, and working with operating systems and cloud services. As a result, we got a system which is easy to set up, learn, and apply by teachers without significant experience working remote education systems, and could be used for initial learning of remote education principles. It could be used as an initial step before migrating to specialized remote education systems. In the future, the system itself could be improved by adding additional objects into the system and a higher integration level between objects and external subjects

Devising a Procedure to Choose Optimal Parameters for the Electromechanical Shock Absorber for a Subway Car

A procedure for determining basic estimation parameters has been devised for the proposed structure of the electromechanical shock absorber. The procedure is based on a simplified mathematical model for determining the electromagnetic and electromotive force for the electromechanical shock absorber. Feature of the model is taking into consideration the operational modes of permanent magnet based on the calculation of a magnetic circle. The model devised makes it possible to perform approximate calculation of the shock absorber operational modes and could be used for solving the problem on the optimization of parameters for an electric shock absorber. We have verified adequacy of the constructed simplified mathematical model by comparing the results from calculating the mechanical characteristic for a shock absorber based on the simplified procedure and those obtained using a finite element method in the axial-symmetrical statement of the problem. There is a good match between the results from calculations based on the simplified procedure and from modeling a magnetic field using the method of finite elements. We have determined the geometric relationships between the elements of the structure that ensure the optimal uniform magnetic load on the elements of the magnetic circuit. The problem on the conditional two-criteria optimization of parameters for the electromechanical shock absorber has been stated. We have chosen constraints that are divided into the three following categories. Constraints for a permanent magnet demagnetization that make it possible to maintain operability of the permanent magnet. Constraints for a current density, which ensures the thermal modes in the shock absorber operation. Constraints for assembly and constraints for the parameters of an optimization problem, which enable the arrangement of a structure within the running part of a carriage. It has been proposed to choose the reduced volume of a shock absorber as a criterion, which predetermines the cost of constructing a shock absorber, and its efficiency as a criterion, which predetermines the recuperated energy of oscillations. The parameters were convoluted to a single objective cost function; the weights were defined. We have chosen, as an optimization method, the combined method that includes a genetic algorithm at the preliminary stage of the search. At the final stage of an optimization procedure an optimum is refined by using the Nelder-Mead method. The result from solving the optimization problem on the shock absorber's parameters is the defined optimal geometric dimensions and the number of turns in the winding of the electromechanical shock absorber

Метод часткових областей в задачі прийому звуку резонатором Гельмгольця

The edition materials are posted in ScopusThe study explores the problem of forming an acoustic field in the Helmholtz resonator cavity using the mode-matching method. Acoustic boundary value problems for the description of acoustic fields in resonator cavities under traditional boundary conditions and boundary conditions at the edge (and in its absence), which is characterized by the known acoustic properties, are set and solved. For certain dimensions of an air-filled resonator, the basic field characteristics in the resonator are calculated, analyzed and compared with experimental data. The influence on the results of field formation of the involved condition at the edge with acoustically rigid boundaries-surfaces is estimated. In view of the foregoing, the research aims to formulate and solve the wave problem of acoustic field formation in the cubic Helmholtz resonator taking into account classical boundary conditions, conjugation conditions, and conditions at angular points of structural elements formed by the mode-matching and applying the eponymous method.У роботі розглянуто задачу формування акустичного поля в порожнинах резонатора Гельмгольця із застосуванням метода часткових областей. Поставлено і розв'язано краєві задачі акустики щодо описання акустичних полів в порожнинах резонатора із залученням традиційних граничних умов та граничних умов на ребрі (і за його відсутністю), яке характеризується відомими акустичними власти- востями. Для певних розмірів резонатора в умовах повітряного наповнювача обчислено, проаналізо- вано та порівняно з експериментальними даними основні характеристики поля в резонаторі. Оцінено вплив на результати формування поля залученої умови на ребрі з акустичо жорсткими гранями- поверхнями. У зв'язку з вищенаведеним, метою роботи є постановка та розв'язок хвильової задачі фо- рмування акустичного поля в кубічному резонаторі Гельмгольця з врахуванням класичних гранич- них умов, умов спряження та умов на кутових точках елементів конструкції, які утворені при обранні часткових областей відповідно до однойменного методу