Social capital of the agricultural sphere: indicators of measurement for conditions of formation and results of use

Purpose. The aim of the article is to reveal the theoretical and methodological approaches to the assessment of social capital and to build a system of indicators of its formation and results of use in the agricultural sector. Methodology / approach. The theoretical-and-methodological basis of the study are the conceptual provisions of economic theory, which allow determining the principles of creation and use of social capital. In the research we used methods of theoretical generalization, analysis and synthesis (to determine the object and objectives of the study); system approach (to identify components of social capital); systematization and classification (to determine the system of indicators that determine the formation and use of social capital); analysis of hierarchies (for comparative analysis of social capital of agricultural holdings). Results. Based on a critical review of literature sources, scientific trends in the assessment of social capital were systematized. There are determined new conceptual approaches to the development of indicators of social capital of the agricultural sector for meso- and microlevels, which take into account industry specifics, are determined by groups of factors of its formation and results of use, and reflect the main components of social capital – innovation (norms), relational (trust) and structural (social networks) social capital. On the basis of the method of analysis of hierarchies the comparative it was carried out an estimation of factors of formation of social capital of two domestic agroholdings which results correspond to results of the analysis of indicators of results of its use Originality / scientific novelty. The methodological bases of the analysis of social capital of the agrarian sphere through complex measurement of its components by means of system of indicators on meso- and microlevels taking into account branch features were improved, factors of formation and results of use of social capital were systematized. Practical value / implications. The obtained results allow substantiating the key approaches to measuring the social capital of the agricultural sector, which makes it possible to obtain comprehensive information for decision-making regarding its further formation and effective use.

Optical In-Process Measurement: Concepts for Precise, Fast and Robust Optical Metrology for Complex Measurement Situations

Optical metrology is a key element for many areas of modern production. Preferably, measurements should take place within the production line (in-process) and keep pace with production speed, even if the parts have a complex geometry or are difficult to access. The challenge for modern optical in-process measurements is, therefore, how to simultaneously make optical metrology precise, fast, robust and capable of handling geometrical complexity. The potential of individual techniques to achieve these demands can be visualized by the tetrahedron of optical metrology. Depending on the application, techniques based on interferometry or geometrical optics may have to be preferred. The paper emphasizes complexity and robustness as prime areas of improvement. Concerning interferometric techniques, we report on fast acquisition as used in holography, tailoring of coherence properties and use of Multiple simultaneous Viewing direction holography (MultiView), self reference used in Computational Shear Interferometry (CoSI) and the simultaneous use of several light sources in Multiple Aperture Shear Interferometry (MArS) based on CoSI as these techniques have proven to be particularly effective. The use of advanced approaches based on CoSI requires a transition of the description of light from the use of the well-known wave field to the coherence function of light. Techniques based on geometric optics are generally comparatively robust against environmental disturbances, and Fringe Projection (FP) is shown to be especially useful in very demanding measurement conditions.

Measuring mitochondrial electron transfer complexes in previously frozen cardiac tissue from the offspring of sow: A model to assess exercise induced mitochondrial bioenergetics changes

Measuring the mitochondrial electron transfer complex (ETC) profile from previously frozen heart tissue samples from offspring born to an exercised sow provided descriptive data about exercise induced mitochondrial biochemical changes in heart tissue from the offspring born to the exercised sow. The hypothesis that was proposed and tested was that regular maternal exercise of a sow during pregnancy would increase the mitochondrial efficiency of offspring heart bioenergetics. This hypothesis was tested by isolating mitochondria using a mild-isolation procedure so that mitochondrial ETC, and supercomplex profiles were assessed. The procedure described here allowed for the processing of previously frozen archived heart tissues, and eliminated the necessity of fresh mitochondria preparation for the assessment of mitochondrial ETC complexes, supercomplexes, and ETC complex activity profiles. This protocol described the optimal ETC protein complex measurement in multiplexed antibody-based immunoblotting, and super complex assessment using blue-native gel electrophoresis.

Frameworks of evaluation of the influence of prices’ dynamics on financial sustainability of enterprises in a supply chain

The article addresses the study of the relationship between the dynamics of product prices and the financial stability of the focal enterprises within a supply chain. Accelerating the changes of the external environment leads to an increasing need of new management instruments to save and develop an enterprise. Ensuring financial sustainability is an important task for each enterprise, particularly in the context of the parameters’ variability of the multidimensional environment. Financial sustainability directly depends on the profit and profitability of an enterprise, which gives grounds for finding the relationship between the financial sustainability indicators of an enterprise and inputs and outputs prices, as factors affecting profit. This study focuses on supply chains for the production and sale of sunflower oil. This type of economic activity is constantly in the spotlight of domestic scientists, as Ukraine's share in world production of sunflower oil is about 34%, and in world exports - more than 55%. An enlarged approach to the structure of the supply chain is used in this study. The following links in the domestic market of Ukraine were identified: producer of agricultural products (sunflower seeds), sunflower oil manufacturer, and final consumer. The analysis carried out in the study demonstrates that some parameters of the enterprise’s financial sustainability show the different types of response to the prices’ change that have been witnessed within the supply chain. That is a reason of the desirability of the further researches on the influence of prices’ dynamics on financial sustainability of focal enterprises in a supply chain. Besides, the further study of this theme will contribute to improving the methodology of complex measurement of the enterprise’s financial sustainability.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Multiphase Flowmeters: Current Status and Future Prospects

Summary Multiphase flowmetering is a requirement across a range of process industries, particularly those that pertain to oil and gas. Generally, both the composition and individual phase velocities are required; this results in a complex measurement task made more acute by the prevalence of turbulent flow and a variety of flow regimes. In the current review, the main technical options to meet this metrology are outlined and used to provide context for the main focus on the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology for multiphase flowmetering. Relevant fundamentals of NMR are detailed as is their exploitation to quantify flow composition and individual phase velocities for multiphase flow. The review then proceeds to detail three NMR multiphase flowmeter (MPFM) apparatus and concludes with a consideration of future challenges and prospects for the technology.

RESEARCH AND APPLICATION OF METHODS FOR CALCULATING THE MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY OF INDUSTRIAL FLOWMETERS

To create conditions for the recognition of Kazakhstani certificates of conformity and the results of product tests, an assessment of measurement uncertainty is required. In this regard, there has been an increase in the practical application in Kazakhstan of the concept of measurement uncertainty. The authors developed a physical stand for a mobile complex designed to verify electromagnetic flowmeters at the place of operation. To obtain verification results, programs were developed to calculate the uncertainty of an electromagnetic flowmeters using the NI LabView software. In addition, a model for estimating the uncertainty of the relative error of flowmeters was proposed, and the measurement uncertainty was estimated using three methods: standard, Monte Carlo and Kragten. Finally, a comparative analysis was conducted on the results of the estimation of the uncertainty of the relative error of the industrial electromagnetic flowmeter. All methods give standard uncertainty values that do not exceed the acceptable range of relative error (± 1%). However, Monte Carlo method gives better results for sufficiently large number of simulations. No significant differences between the results obtained using standard and Kragten methods were discovered. The Kragten method is preferable in the absence of the need to calculate the sensitivity coefficients when calculating the total standard uncertainty, which is important for complex measurement equations.

A Three-Dimensional Complex Measurement Model-Based Avionic Radio-Frequency Power Source Health Assessment Method

Health assessment is an important part of PHM technology, which is crucial to product state monitoring and management. With the complexity of product structure and diversification of functions, the product health presents uncertainty under the complex influence of multiple factors. Nowadays, the general health assessment method is relatively simple and only considers the product function completeness, and the assessment effect accuracy still needs to be strengthened in the actual working environment. Most assessment parameters and assessment methods are selected ignoring the impact of environmental changes and operating time performance. Therefore, a new health measurement method for the avionic radio-frequency power source based on a three-dimensional complex measurement model is proposed. Firstly, the product health definition is proposed, and the health connotation is analyzed from three-dimensional aspects containing functional integrity, environmental adaptability, and temporal sustainability. According to the function and structure characteristics of radio-frequency power source, the health characterization parameters are then obtained and the health assessment parameter system is established. Finally, the three-dimensional complex measurement model is given, and the RF power source health assessment is carried out comprehensively from integrity, stability, and reliability aspects. The three-dimensional health assessment method provides a new way to solve the uncertainty of product health state under multiple factor effects, which is conducive to the targeted optimization management strategy.

Influence of the Phenomenon of Spectrum Leakage on the Evaluation Process of Metrological Properties of Power Quality Analyser

Power quality assessment is a complex measurement task, requiring the usage of a system with suitable metrological properties. This complex measurement task in the real power grid is performed with the use of power quality analysers that measure and record the parameters determining the power quality. The paper presents selected research results for a class A power quality analyser in the specially prepared measurement system containing measuring instruments calibrated by the Main Office of Measures. The measurement results were completed with a presentation of the uncertainty budget. The influence of the phenomenon of spectrum leakage on metrological properties of the tested power quality analyser was considered in the paper. To assess this influence, the simulation studies with the use of MATLAB and the experimental studies were carried out for selected test signals. The Metrological interpretation of the research results is presented in the paper.