Detection of Polioviruses in Sewage Using Cell Culture and Molecular Methods

The work presented here demonstrates the utility of a two-step algorithm for environmental poliovirus surveillance based on: preselection of sewage samples tested for the presence of enteroviral genetic material-RT-PCR assay and detection of infectious viruses by cell culture technique (L20B for polioviruses and RD for polio and other non-polio enteroviruses). RD and L20B cell lines were tested to determine their sensitivity for isolation of viruses from environmental samples (sewage). Finally, we wanted to determine if sewage concentration affects the results obtained for RT-PCR and cell cultures.

Prioritization of ecosystem services related to the natural heritage of Bulgaria

Natural heritage (NH) is an important element of the natural capital of each country, and as such, represents key assets that deliver various benefits to the citizens. The rich and diverse NH of Bulgaria is a prerequisite for the development of various activities such as recreation and tourism, but these activities have also negative impact on some of the NH’s elements. The concept of ecosystem services (ES) has the potential for bridging the gap between the conservation and exploitation needs. In this paper, we propose an approach to prioritizing the ES provided by the natural heritage of Bulgaria for the needs of recreation and tourism. The approach is designed for the mapping of the NH but it can also support the overall process of mapping and assessment of ES. It is based on application of ES prioritization matrix (ESPM) and a five-step algorithm designed to differentiate ES into priority levels according to their significance to recreation and tourism. Through the application of the proposed approach we were able to sort out the ES into three groups (high, medium and low priority) according to their importance to recreation and tourism. The first group contains obligatory ES for each mapping and assessment activity from national to local level. The second group contains optional ES recommended for studies at regional level, while the services can be selected according to the specifics of the study. The low priority ES are recommended for local level studies in cases where the assessment requires high details and accuracy. The mapping of high priority ES at national level shows that the products of the approach can be easily adapted for various studies for assessment of NH and sustainable tourism practices using the conventional mapping methods.

ALGORITHMS FOR OBJECT POSITION MONITORING ON THE SEA SURFACE USING MONOCULAR VIDEO CAMERA

The article proposes new algorithms for estimating the coordinates of objects (both linear and angular) relative to the coordinate system related to the video camera. A two-step algorithm is proposed. At the first stage, the processing of images coming from the camera is performed – the selection of an area be-longing to the sea surface in the image, the detection and video tracking of objects, the determination of azimuth and elevation angles from the obtained images. Our approach is based on the representation of elevation and azimuth angles in the form of non-stationary autoregression models, recurrent estimation of their parameters and subsequent estimation of the object coordinates.

Path-following interior-point algorithm for monotone linear complementarity problems

This paper presents a path-following full-Newton step interior-point algorithm for solving monotone linear complementarity problems. Under new choices of the defaults of the updating barrier parameter [Formula: see text] and the threshold [Formula: see text] which defines the size of the neighborhood of the central-path, we show that the short-step algorithm has the best-known polynomial complexity, namely, [Formula: see text]. Finally, some numerical results are reported to show the efficiency of our algorithm.

An Efficient Algorithm for the Detection of Outliers in Mislabeled Omics Data

High dimensionality and noise have made it difficult to detect related biomarkers in omics data. Through previous study, penalized maximum trimmed likelihood estimation is effective in identifying mislabeled samples in high-dimensional data with mislabeled error. However, the algorithm commonly used in these studies is the concentration step (C-step), and the C-step algorithm that is applied to robust penalized regression does not ensure that the criterion function is gradually optimized iteratively, because the regularized parameters change during the iteration. This makes the C-step algorithm runs very slowly, especially when dealing with high-dimensional omics data. The AR-Cstep (C-step combined with an acceptance-rejection scheme) algorithm is proposed. In simulation experiments, the AR-Cstep algorithm converged faster (the average computation time was only 2% of that of the C-step algorithm) and was more accurate in terms of variable selection and outlier identification than the C-step algorithm. The two algorithms were further compared on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) RNA-seq data. AR-Cstep can solve the problem of the C-step not converging and ensures that the iterative process is in the direction that improves criterion function. As an improvement of the C-step algorithm, the AR-Cstep algorithm can be extended to other robust models with regularized parameters.

Conceptual problems of the development of interdisciplinary research in the field of international economic relations

In the context of the current Ukrainian realities, given its place, the significance and role in the geo-economic space from the standpoint of economic security the issue of high-quality provision of research in the area of international economic relations and, consequently, training of scientists and researchers in this field is acute. The article discusses the prerequisites and substantiates the need to find a mechanism for improving teaching methods, enhancing the effectiveness of forms and methods of teaching and research based on an interdisciplinary approach, search and development of new theories. The step-by-step algorithm of training / formation of scientists, characteristic features of the current stage of scientific research, communication and cooperation environment, specifics of training doctors of philosophy on the basis of competence approach is analyzed as well as the problems of terminological casuistry, quality of scientific publications, search for topical themes aimed at addressing a number of issues related to increasing the competitiveness of Ukrainian science in the area of international economic relations with a practical focus on strengthening Ukraine's position on the current geoeconomic chessboard. The purpose of the article is to study the prerequisites for reconfiguring the format of scientific research, enriching the research methodology, filling it with interdisciplinary tools.

Application of Solutions of Uncorrected Tasksʼ Theory for Managing of Production Processesʼ Robustness

The industrial revolution of “Industry 4.0” is currently underway at an active pace. Individualization of provided products and services, transition to single production, the issues of acceptability of production processes at the stage of development and design have became urgent. The aim of this work was to develop a strategy for a fundamental solution to the task of guaranteed acceptability of production processes as an integral quality characteristic.We have proposed a systematic approach to strategy development. The basis of the approach was the theory of incorrect tasks solving. We adapted signs of correctness of mathematical tasks by J. Adamar to the tasks of ensuring acceptability of production processes (technological and measurement). They were used in the part of identification of properties of display of incorrectness and ways of incorrectnessʼ management.We have proposed to consider the property of robustness as a generalized index of acceptability for production processes (technological and measurement). We substantiate the equivalence of the concepts of incorrectness of tasks according to J. Adamar and losses of robustness of production processes. We conclude that the developed approaches and techniques of the theory of incorrect tasks can be put in a basis of the system approach to an estimation and management of losses of robustness of production processes. We have proposed a classification of situations of robustness losses in production processes in accordance with the classification of the signs of incorrect tasks by J. Adamar.We have developed a two-step algorithm for ensuring the robustness of production processes at the stage of their development. It included identification of the sources of robustness losses and management of input factors that cause significant variation in process output. This has given a practical implementation of a strategy to guarantee the acceptability of production processes. We have systematized the sources of potential losses in the robustness of production processes and proposed a two-stage mechanism for managing them. We have justified rational methods of ensuring the robustness of production processes for each stage based on, the practice of uncorrected tasks solving. We have proposed a method for ensuring high efficiency of robustness loss management in certain situations. The principles of G. Taguchiʼs robust redesigning of production processes formed the basis of our method.