Contemporary Populist Representation and Its Implications for Democracy

This chapter aims to shed light on the connections between populism, democracy, and democratic theory by providing a theoretical assessment of contemporary populism and populist representation as an alternative form of political representation to party government or as a corrective of it. The chapter summarizes the conceptual background relating to democracies, populism, and contextual surroundings. Then, it proceeds to investigate how they relate to each other in present-day politics. The author argues that populism is a strategic political style that exploits the gap between the promise and the actual performance of democracies thus reflects on democratic reality. Hence, it embodies what realist democratic theory has argued for quite some time now about the nature of politics. Namely: voters are irrational, our notions of democracy are delusional and populist politicians seem to have realized it first..

DETERMINATION OF THE NORMS OF FREQUENCY-TERRITORIAL DIVERSION DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF 5G TECHNOLOGY IN 3,4–4,2, 4,4–5, 14,5–15,35 GHZ FREQUENCY RANGES

The article presents scientific and technical proposals on the possibility of joint use of radio frequency spectrum of the fifth-generation mobile radio communication means and existing departmental radio-electronic facilities. On the basis of the load analysis, using the method of theoretical assessment of electromagnetic compatibility, the norms of territorial diversion between radio means are obtained. On the basis of the results of the calculations, it is possible to determine the subbands in which the joint use of radio means is possible, subject to optimization of the frequency-territorial plan and implementation of technical and organizational measures to ensure electromagnetic compatibility.

Business Hybridization in the Financial Sphere Under the Conditions of Po St-Quarantine Economic Recovery

The article discusses the alternatives for financial institutions related to global business reshaping after pandemic waves during post-quarantine economic recovery. To select the most acceptable variant of business hybridization, the theory of generations was used, which allows us to determine the value orientation of different age group representatives and impose it on the financial institutions’ human resource policy during the transition to a hybrid form of business organization. On the basis of the integral spiral dynamics theory, a theoretical assessment of the correspondence of the corporate culture of organizations of different types to the options for the transition to a hybrid business is given. Various models of hybrid organizations in the financial sector have been developed and presented and their degree of compliance with the level of business development in Ukraine has been assessed. Sociometric analysis done on the representative sample in the well-developed business center of Ukraine reveals the possible approaches to the hybridization in the financial sphere with regards to age distribution of employees.

Effectiveness of virtual simulation and jaw model for undergraduate periodontal teaching

Background The current study explored the effect of virtual simulation and jaw model on development of preclinical periodontal skills in undergraduate students. The study also sought to explore effectiveness of VR in periodontal preclinical training and determine adequate performance mode in basic periodontal education to improve future preclinical training strategies. Methods Sixty volunteer sophomores and juniors from the stomatology department in Lanzhou university were enrolled to the current study. Participants were randomly assigned into four groups (each group, n = 15) including the traditional jaw model group (Group J) which was the control group, virtual reality group (Group V), virtual-jaw group (Group V-J), and jaw-virtual group (Group J-V). Participants received training on uniform basic periodontal knowledge before completing the first theoretical assessment. Participants further underwent a total 8 h of operation training and completed a second theoretical assessment. Performance of participants was evaluated using the supragingival scaling processes, and clinical operation scores were graded by a blinded professional using an established standard scoring system. Results The findings showed no significant difference in the first theoretical outcomes between the four groups (P > 0.05). The scores of the second theoretical assessment were significantly improved for the V-J and J-V groups (60.00 ± 4.47, 58.33 ± 4.35) compared with the scores of the first theoretical exam (49.67 ± 4.81, 48.00 ± 4.93, P < 0.05). The operation process scores of students in Group V-J and J-V (72.00 ± 5.92; 70.00 ± 3.05) were significantly higher compared with the scores in the other two groups (V: 61.67 ± 7.85; J: 60.67 ± 2.58). The scaling process performance of students in Group V-J and J-V (53.00 ± 3.05; 63.40 ± 4.39) was improved compared with that of students in the other two groups (V: 41.90 ± 5.23; J: 47.40 ± 4.31). Conclusion The findings show that combination of virtual reality and jaw model during periodontal preclinical training increases students’ grades and improves acquiring of professional skills. Findings from the current study indicate that the jaw model should be applied prior to virtual reality to ensure high efficacy.

Providing a Specified Level of Electromagnetic Shielding with Nickel Thin Films Formed by DC Magnetron Sputtering

Nickel films of 4–250 nm thickness were produced by DC magnetron sputtering onto glass and silicon substrates. The electrical properties of the films were investigated by the four-probe method and the surface morphology of the films was studied by atomic force microscopy. To measure the shielding effectiveness, a portable closed stand based on horn antennas was used. A theoretical assessment of the shielding effectiveness of nickel films of various thickness under electromagnetic radiation of a range of frequencies was carried out using two different approximations. The results demonstrate the shielding effectiveness of up to 35 dB of the nickel thin films in the frequency range of 2–18 GHz.