Rethinking approaches of science, technology, and innovation in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic: the challenge of translating knowledge infrastructures to public needs

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak made it clear that despite the potential of science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) to positively impact healthcare systems worldwide, as shown by the rapid development of SARS-CoV-2 test diagnostics and new mRNA vaccines, healthcare stakeholders have faced significant challenges in responding to the crisis through well-integrated ST&I-oriented health initiatives and policies. Therefore, the pandemic has mobilized experts, industry, and governments to evaluate alternative trajectories to promote a more efficient dialogue between ST&I and public health. This article presents a critical thinking about the contemporary asymmetries in the technical and political infrastructures available for particular approaches in ST&I in health, such as precision medicine, and for public health systems worldwide, uncovering a persistent gap in the translation of knowledge and technologies to adequately coordinated responses to the pandemic. We stimulate the understanding of this process as a matter of translation between platforms of knowledge and policy rationales shaped by different institutionalized frames of organizational practices and agendas. We draw attention to the need to strengthen governance tools for the promotion of ST&I as a strategic component of the post-pandemic agenda in public health, to prepare societies to respond efficiently to future emergencies.

Issues of organizing computations in multicomputer systems with the software-controlled failure- and fault-tolerance. Part II

This three-part paper analyzes existing approaches and methods of organizing failure- and fault-tolerant computing in distributed multicomputer systems (DMCS), identifies and provides rationale for a list of issues to be solved. We review the application areas of failure- and fault- tolerant control systems for complex network and distributed objects. The second part further investigates the issues of organizing failure- and fault- tolerance in the DMCS. The systemic, functional, and test diagnostics are viewed as the basis for building unattended failure- and fault-tolerant systems. We introduce the concept of self-managed degradation (when the DMCS eventually proceeds to a safe shutdown at a critical level of degradation) as a means to increase the DMCS active life.

Issues of organizing computations in multicomputersystems with the software-controlled failure- and fault-tolerance. Part 1

This three-part paper analyzes existing approaches and methods of organizing failure- and fault-tolerant computing in distributed multicomputer systems (DMCS), identifies and provides rationale for a list of issues to be solved. We present the concept of fault tolerance proposed by A. Avizienis, explicate its dissimilarity from the modern concept and the reason for its inapplicability with regard to modern distributed multicomputer systems. We justify the necessity to refine the definition of fault tolerance approved by the State Standards, as well as the necessity to specify three input parameters to be taken into account in the DMCS design methods: permitted fault models, permitted multiplicity of faults, permitted fault sequence capabilities. We formulate the questions that must be answered in order to design a truly reliable, fault-tolerant system and consider the application areas of the failure- and fault-tolerant control systems for complex network and distributed objects. System, functional, and test diagnostics serve as the basis for building unattended failure- and fault-tolerant systems. The concept of self-managed degradation (with the DMCS eventually proceeding to a safe shutdown at a critical level of degradation) is a means to increase the DMCS active life. We consider the issues related to the diagnosis of multiple faults and present the main differences in ensuring fault tolerance between systems with broadcast communication channels and systems with point-to-point communication channels. The first part of the work mainly deals with the analysis of existing approaches and methods of organizing failure- and fault-tolerant computing in DMCS and the definition of the concept of fault-tolerance.

Interface Features of the DDR SDRAM Memory Test Diagnostic Device

The I/О synchronization scheme plays an important role in achieving maximum speed and reliability of data transmission during memory operation. This paper presents the interface architecture of the DDR SDRAM test diagnostic device. It was demonstrated that the proposed interface components provide the formation of a bidirectional synchro signal for gating written and read data when performing test diagnostics of chips and DDR SDRAM memory devices. Compared to traditional methods, the proposed interface components were made on integrated electronic elements, which reduced the size and power consumption. It has been established that the use of a multiphase synchronization system to implement the interface eliminated the use of delay lines, the disadvantages of which are large dimensions and the complexity of changing the delay time. The interface components under consideration are intended for use in test diagnostics devices that have a multiprocessor structure, which increases the speed of forming test actions and reference reactions. The performed functional modeling and debugging of strobe signal generators confirmed the feasibility of the designs. The proposed interface of the test diagnostics device allows performing test diagnostics of modern high-speed chips and semiconductor memory modules at the operating frequency, which increases the reliability of the results obtained. Interface components can be used by manufacturers of test diagnostics tools for modern high-speed storage devices.

Features of Creativity of Employees of Project Organizations with Different Types of Thinking

The article discusses the features of creativity and personal traits of employees of design organizations. Project activities are understood as project implementation activities in which the main components are the project team and the project. The following methods were used: Mednik’s test “Diagnostics of verbal creativity” (adapted by A. N. Voronin), a questionnaire for determining the types of thinking and the level of creativity according to the method of J. Bruner, and a 16-factor questionnaire by R. Cattell. The study involved 125 employees of project consulting organizations. The results describe the relationship between different personal factors and verbal creativity in employees with different types of thinking. The reliability of the data is confirmed by the use of a set of methods of mathematical statistics.

Performance of a new molecular assay for the detection of gastrointestinal pathogens

Introduction. Conventional diagnostic laboratory algorithms for determining the cause of infectious gastroenteritis include culture, biochemical identification and immunoassays. In addition, multiplex PCR-based testing has advanced into the gastroenterology diagnostic arena in recent years. Aim. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new molecular test (Diagnostics Solutions Laboratory GI-MAP) for the detection of bacterial and parasitic pathogens in stool samples spiked with known organisms. Methodology. Faeces from a healthy human subject were pooled into a standard matrix and screened for the absence of bacteria, parasites and Helicobacter pylori antigen. Once confirmed negative single faecal aliquots from the matrix were spiked with solely one pathogen-type from a panel of 14 bacterial pathogens or one of 2 parasitic pathogens at a density of 5×106 organisms ml−1. Sixteen spiked samples in appropriate transport media were sent to two testing labs, specifically a reference site using the PCR-based BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel, and a second lab using the GI-MAP assay. Seven negative control samples comprised solely of stool matrix were also submitted. Results. Significant variability was found when the GI-MAP assay was used to test normal stool matrix with and without known bacteria and parasites at densities well within the expected limits of detection. The GI-MAP assay displayed a sensitivity of 80 % and a specificity of only 26 % due to many false positive results. This assay also reported quantitative numbers for pathogens. The BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 100 %. Conclusion. The highly variable results for the GI-MAP assay were unexpected due to the precise pre-spike analysis and the overall maturation of nucleic acid amplification methods within the industry. Problematic to this assay is the poor level of specificity displayed by this assay reporting the presence of several pathogens, which could cause clinicians to treat with antibacterial and/or antiparasitic agents in the absence of any true pathogens.

FACTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL READYNESS FOR REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY

The topic's relevance is related to the situation in the labor market, which needs competent realtors. The aim is to study and investigate the main factors of the psychological readiness towards realtor professional activity. The article considers the main approaches to studying the phenomenon of psychological readiness and factors of its functioning. Psychological readiness for real estate activity is an integrated quality of personality, which aims to an adequate reaction to the possibilities of a situational solution of universal professional problems of a realtor utilizing acquired professional competencies. The study involved 130 people. The methods employed in the present study include various types of questionnaires, namely Guilford's Test (J. Guilford); Big Five / 5PFQ (P. Costa & R. McCrae), Gertsberg Test (F. Hertsberh); Test Diagnostics of personality's socio-psychological attitudes in the motivational-needs sphere (O. F. Potomkin); Schwartz value survey (S. Schwartz); Professional activity motivation (K. Zamfir in A. Rean's modification); Diagnostics of motivational orientations in interpersonal communications (I. Ladanov, V. Urazaieva); Study of volitional self-regulation (A. Zvierkov, E. Eidman).The factors of psychological psychological readiness for professional activity as realtors were revealed: "standardness", "humanism", "pragmatism", "altruism", "endurance", "power", and "practicality". The main characteristics (competencies) of a specialist realtor include: a) the ability to solve complex problems and problems in the process of work (integral competence); b) the ability to apply knowledge in practical situations; ability to generate new ideas; ability to identify, formulate and solve problems; appreciate and respect diversity and multiculturalism; ability to act on the basis of ethical considerations (motives); ability to act socially responsibly and consciously; ability to develop and manage projects; ability to motivate people and move towards a common goal (general competencies); c) the ability to identify, analyze and interpret the information series of the realtor profession, identify problems and suggest ways to solve them; the ability to demonstrate an understanding of the patterns and features of human functioning in the context of the transaction in the context of professional tasks; ability to offer creative ways to solve professional problems, to make professionally correct decisions and to implement them (special competencies).

Method of calculation of generaled operating and technical indicators of elements and devices of distributed information-computer

The problem of choosing effective means and methods of monitoring the results of test diagnostics of multifunctional distributed objects is relevant and unresolved today due to the large size, the interaction of many factors and the complexity of the task. The decision of the specified tasks will allow to develop and implement as a part of the corresponding automated information system the formalized device of the description of methods and means of quality control of the managed objects and processes. Evaluating the results of a test diagnosis is a difficult task, as it can be weighed over several stages of diagnosis and using various tools and methods. Therefore, it is important to obtain adequate estimates of atomic diagnostic objects (in the proposed diagnostic model - elementary functions), and then determine the qualitative estimates of their formed components of the types of providing the diagnostic object. To form a quantitative assessment of each level (elementary functions, groups of functions, subsystems and types of support in general), the use of additive integro-differential evaluation criterion (AIDCO), based on the results of test diagnostics of these atomic objects of control. AIDCO's linear format requires an analysis of the impact of each differential assessment (the result of the implementation of a particular test) on the integrated assessment (the degree of performance of elementary functions). At the same time there is a task of the analysis of ways of achievement of desirable (set, limit, etc.) values for achievement of necessary (set) degree of performance of elementary functions. The article proposes general approaches (within the framework of the proposed IDC) to the quantitative evaluation of test diagnosis results in relation to another subject area. Private problems of quantitative evaluation of test results and application of additive integro-differential criterion for evaluation of the degree of performance of elementary functions are also solved.