Together alone: a group-based polarization measurement

The growing polarization of our societies and economies has been extensively studied in various disciplines and is subject to public controversy. Yet, measuring polarization is hampered by the discrepancy between how polarization is conceptualized and measured. For instance, the notion of group, especially groups that are identified based on similarities between individuals, is key to conceptualizing polarization but is usually neglected when measuring polarization. To address the issue, this paper presents a new polarization measurement based on a grouping method called “Equal Size Binary Grouping” (ESBG) for both uni- and multi-dimensional discrete data, which satisfies a range of desired properties. Inspired by techniques of clustering, ESBG divides the population into two groups of equal sizes based on similarities between individuals, while overcoming certain theoretical and practical problems afflicting other grouping methods, such as discontinuity and contradiction of reasoning. Our new polarization measurement and the grouping method are illustrated by applying them to a two-dimensional synthetic data set. By means of a so-called “squeezing-and-moving” framework, we show that our measurement is closely related to bipolarization and could help stimulate further empirical research.

Preferences of seniors living in selected Baltic Sea region countries towards the use of indoor public space furniture

Demographic changes can be observed all over the world. The number of seniors located in the societies of well-developed countries continues to rise. Both enterprises and governments need to be prepared for such changes. Consequently, public spaces need to evolve to reduce problems related to ageism and be friendly to all. Much attention is currently being paid to finding solutions for redesigning public spaces and adjusting them to the needs and requirements of senior citizens. To identify the preferences of seniors in relation to the characteristics of furniture in indoor public spaces, a survey study with 1539 respondents aged 60+ was conducted in Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Sweden. The gathered data were coded and implemented to the unified database. The statistical grouping method was used to recognize the characteristics of the needs and attitudes of seniors related to the use of public space furniture. The main variables taken into consideration in the analysis were the age and gender of respondents and their country of living. Among the most important findings are those indicating the necessity to provide the increased number of furniture for sitting in the public spaces and making sure they are not located too far away from each other. As the main disadvantages of public space furniture respondents indicated the lack of armrests or other solutions to facilitate getting up and/or sitting down, as well as profiled backrests that constitute solid support for the spine. The implementation of these data in the process of rethinking and redesigning public spaces may support the adaptation of indoor public furniture according to the requirements of a very large group of customers, namely, seniors.

Modern features of accounting for borrowing costs

Accounting for borrowing costs is undoubtedly relevant for many modern organizations. It should be noted that from this year a new federal public finance accounting standard (FAS PF) “Borrowing costs” came into force. This standard establishes updated accounting rules for borrowing costs for state (municipal) budgetary and autonomous institutions (including healthcare institutions). These rules are analyzed in this article. The research methods were analysis and synthesis, grouping method, comparison, analogy method, logical approach, systemic approach. On the basis of the research carried out, the article systematizes the types and definitions of borrowing costs provided for by the above-named federal standard. As a result, the author presents a categorical apparatus in the indicated area. In addition, the article analyzes the most important features of accounting for borrowing costs and provides examples that explain these features. The results of the study can be useful to a wide range of readers interested in the problems of modern accounting, including accounting for borrowing costs of state (municipal) budgetary and autonomous institutions (in particular, healthcare institutions), and can also be applied in the practical work of the accounting departments of these institutions and in higher education process.

Innovation and investment mechanism for the formation and implementation of state policy to ensure the technological competitiveness of leading countries and Ukraine in the digital economy

The aim of the study is to assess the technological competitiveness of the leading countries and Ukraine as well as the formation of an innovation and investment mechanism to improve it. The article presents the scheme of research of technological competitiveness of the leading countries and Ukraine on the basis of qualitative and economic-statistical analysis, analysis of comparative advantages, grouping method and correlation-regression analysis. Analysis of foreign trade in high-tech products showed that the studied countries occupy more than half of this market. The studied countries take an active part in international economic relations since they have rather high export quotas but the ratio of the export of high-tech goods to GDP is very low. The analysis of comparative advantages showed that Ukraine has the greatest preference for the export of aerospace products, Germany for pharmaceuticals, China for office equipment, the United States for instrument making, and only China for telecommunications. It was determined that France, China, and South Korea have the highest level of innovation in national exports, and Ukraine and the Russian Federation have the lowest.

Distributed Swarm Control Algorithm of Multiple Unmanned Surface Vehicles Based on Grouping Method

This paper addresses the distributed swarm control problem of multiple unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in Euclidean space with virtual leader. Firstly, to investigate the topology of the neighborhood relations between vehicles, a new time-variant topology structure is proposed. Secondly, to research the dynamic properties of the group for the case where the number of virtual leader is different, a grouping method based on cosine similarity is proposed. Thirdly, to ensure the high effeciency of information transmission and the reduction of costs, a distributed swarm control algorithm is proposed, which is mainly composed of three parts: gradient descent term, velocity consensus term and navigational feedback term. To analyze the stability of system, the concept of translation framework is introduced. Based on the properties of the Hamiltonian and LaSalle invariance principle, the stability of multiple USVs swarm motion is proved. Finally, simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.

Degree of coronal alignment correction can’t predict knee function in total knee replacement

Background Whether neutral alignment brings better clinical outcomes is controversial. Consideration of the preoperative knee condition of patients and some limitations of previous studies, we suggested that other index may be more important than a generic target of 0° ± 3° of a neutral axis to reflect changes in coronal alignment after total knee replacement (TKR). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between alignment and functional outcome with a new grouping method and the concept of correction rate. Methods The study included 358 knees, the mean follow-up period was 3.62 years. A new grouping method was adopted to divide patients into three groups based on the degree of correction of mechanical femoral—tibial angle (MFTA): under-correction (n = 128), neutral (n = 209) and over-correction (n = 21). Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score were compared among the 3 groups (ANOVA with or without LSD t-test). In addition, we also attempt to further explore whether the concept of correction rate can predict postoperative functional score (Simple linear correlation analysis). Results HSS score showed significant improvement in all groups. There was no difference in HSS score (88.27 vs 88 vs 85.62) (p = 0.88) or incremental scores (26.23 vs 25.22 vs 22.88) (p = 0.25) based on the postoperative alignment category for the degree of correction of MFTA at the last follow-up. The correlational analyses also didn’t show any positive results (r = -0.01 p = 0.95, r = -0.01 p = 0.97, r = 0.11 p = 0.15, r = 0.01 p = 0.90). Conclusion Categorization of optimal coronal alignment after TKR may be impractical. But we still believe that the concept of correction rate and new grouping method are worthy of research which can reflects the preoperative knee condition and the change of coronal alignment. Perhaps it can be better used in TKR in the future. Level of evidence: III.

Conditions conducive to the domestic violence against the elderly based on the judicial and investigative practice of Ukraine

The purpose of the article is to identify the causes and conditions that contribute to the commission of domestic violence against the elderly, as well as the possible consequences of this phenomenon. The article dedicated to exploring the facts of abuse of family members to the elderly. The authors use general and special methods that allow obtaining scientifically based conclusions and suggestions, such as analys, comparison, classification, grouping method, dialectical and forecasting method. In particular, the practice of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine was analyzed and it was established that murders can be the ultimate negative consequence of domestic violence. It was determined that different criteria are used in determining the age category of the elderly in different countries, and therefore, the authors took as a basis the category of women over 55 and men over 60. In this study, the terms "elderly person" and "old people" are used interchangeably. The analysis of the legislation of foreign countries allowed to single out the problematic issues of legal qualification of the facts of domestic violence committed against the elderly, as well as the reasons and conditions that contribute to its commission.

Valuation techniques and hierarchy of fair value of inventories and property, plant and equipment in the Russian accounting of organizations that are not budgetary sphere organizations

In the previous article, we analyzed the scope and features of the formation of fair value, which is entered into the Russian accounting of inventories and property, plant and equipment of non-budgetary sphere organizations (including healthcare organizations) thanks to the Federal Accounting Standards (FAS) 5/2019 “Inventories”, 6/2020 “Property, Plant and Equipment”, and 26/2020 “Capital Investments”. This article examines the valuation techniques and hierarchy of fair value of these assets. This study is all the more relevant since the fair value is entered into the Russian accounting of inventories and property, plant and equipment of non-budgetary organizations for the first time and it is still quite unusual for many domestic accountants. Analysis, synthesis, grouping method, comparison, analogy method, logical approach, and systemic approach were used as research methods. As a result of the research carried out, the article analyzes the fundamental issues in the field of valuation techniques and hierarchy of fair value of inventories and property, plant and equipment of non-budgetary sphere organizations (including healthcare organizations), identifies the most important problems in this area and presents recommendations for their solution.

Improved Epicanthus Correction Combined with Double Eyelid Surgery

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of improved epicanthus correction combined with double eyelid surgery. Methods: From February 2019 to February 2020, 70 patients with epicanthus who underwent surgical treatment were treated as study participants. The computer 1:1 grouping method was adopted. Thirty-five patients in the reference group were treated with epicanthus correction, and 35 patients in the experimental group were treated with improved epicanthus correction combined with double eyelid surgery. The operation effect was compared. Results: The satisfaction scores of morphological aesthetics and prognosis recovery in the experimental group were higher than those in the reference group (P < 0.05). The recurrence rate of scar hyperplasia and epicanthus in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The improved epicanthus correction combined with double eyelid surgery can engender ideal correction effect and reduce postoperative adverse outcomes. Therefore, the combined operation scheme is feasible.