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The paper is aimed to strengthen the controllability of electricity consumption mode at all structural layers of the country’s energy system (ES) to establish the optimal load curve in the PS. Following this goal, the energy system was broken down into seven structural layers - from the technological operation to the ES. For each layer, an expert assessment of the effectiveness of six institutional and operational methods of electricity demand-side management (DSM) was done. The integrated application of the suggested methods was tested in two industrial consumers, which proved the effectiveness of this approach for leveling their aggregated load curve. To ensure an appropriate economic impact on the electricity demand, given the influence of individual consumers on the load curve fluctuation in the ES, a particular price function considering the cross-correlation coefficient of the load curves was developed. It was proved that the complex DSM methods application significantly improved the controllability of the electricity consumption mode. To incentivize consumers to adjust their electricity consumption, a special price system functionally related to the cross-correlation coefficient of the consumer and the ES load curves was developed. The marginal price values depending on the cross-correlation coefficient were defined, while the intermediate price values were calculated by the functional transformation of the ES load curve into the price scale. The significance of the research results lies in the fact that ranking the DSM methods by the priority of application for various structural layers of ES and their integrated application almost doubled the DSM effectiveness.

This article analyzes the current state of the church-public dialogue. The reasons for decline in public trust in the Russian Orthodox Church, fixed on the basis of sociological data, are revealed. Methodological remarks of sociological dimension of the religiosity of the population are given. The authors make an assumption about the incorrect interpretation of the concept of “secular”, dictated by the previous experience of state-confessional relations in the Soviet era. The problem of interpreting the concept of “secular” in the legal, religious studies and confessional planes as problematizing the foundations of the church-public dialogue is investigated. It emphasizes the inadmissibility of interpreting the concept of “secularism” as the complete elimination of religious institutions from public life, as well as the need to build a dialogue on equal terms. Based on the content analysis of the digital space, three main risk-trends for reducing trust in the Church on the part of secular society are identified — the growth of protest anti-religiousness, the growth of “protest” religiosity and the growth of “alternative” religiosity. For each risk trend, its causes and features are analyzed, and an analytical forecast of possible scenarios for its development is made. Particular attention is paid to those trends that can potentially lead to destabilization of social relations and have the most destructive consequences. Concrete practical ways are proposed to overcome the existing contradictions both on the part of the Church and on the part of society. The need to spread education in the field of religion, sustained in a neutral key, is affirmed, the destructive nature of the interpretation of the role of the Church in society as a translator of ethics and morality is emphasized.

Jetyasar archaeological culture was discovered and studied by the Khorezm expedition of the Institute of Ethnography of USSR. According to archeological data, this culture experienced many times transformations due to the influx of new population groups. This article presents for the first time complete data on paleodemography of samples from nineteen burial grounds of Altyn-Asar 4a–t, Kosasar 2 and Tompakasar, taking into account fractional chronological differentiation. We examined anthropological materials from over 600 burials in the storage of the Institute of Archeology RAS. In total samples from Altyn-Asar 4 of the 2nd c. BC. — 4th century was mentioned to the weak numerical predominance of females. The sex ratio in favor of males changed in the 4th–6th centuries. The average age at death of the adult population decreased by the 6th century, primarily among men. Data on separate cemeteries allow a more differentiated assessment of the chronological dynamics of demographic indicators. The numerical predominance of male burials was found: in the 2nd c. BC. — 4th c. AD in burial grounds Kosasar 2, Altyn-Asar 4 m; in the 4th–6th c. in the Altyn-Asar necropolises 4a, b, o, v. In opposite to the most groups, the Kosasar 2 sample stands out with its demographic profile and increased average age of death for males and females. According to archeological data, it may be associated with Xiongnu migration. In 2nd–4th centuries the number of this group was falling, it showed a decrease in life expectancy for men, however, for this period, it seems to be comparable the maximal one. Their antagonists during this period were representatives of other group of incomers, buried in necropolis AA4m, with a low life expectancy for males and females. Despite the supposed influx of newcomers, it is obvious that the genetic continuity of a part of the Jetyasar population, which probably belonged to influential local clans (the necropolises of Altyn-Asar4l and later Altyn-Asar4r), might be evident.

The paper deals with spatial analysis that evaluates the main agrochemical properties of the Botevgrad valley. The soil samples were taken along a pre-selected grid so as to cover the areas selected for research. The interpolation of the data was done according to geostatistical interpolation method and the output value is using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW). Spatial distribution is a valuable tool for determining nutrient availability and nutrient management practices to optimize crop production and minimizing environmental impacts. As a general guideline, total nitrogen content in soil is commonly found in the range of 0.1% to 0.2% on a weight basis. Soils with higher organic matter content often have higher total nitrogen levels because organic matter is a significant source of nitrogen. It’s important to note that the optimal levels of available potassium and phosphorus can vary depending on the specific soil type.

The paper aimed at improving an economic mechanism for incentivizing distribution system operators to retrofit electricity networks and provide better services. The suggested approach envisages setting up operators' profitability relating to their rating scores, which were calculated considering essential criteria, in particular technical level of networks, efficiency, congestion, reliability, innovativeness, and quality of electricity. For this purpose, operators were ranked by the rating scores that allowed to elaborate methodology for distribution tariffs calculation individually. The essential findings: comprehensive assessment and ranking were based on an analysis of 20 key performance indicators of the networks' technical level; application of additive convolution considering the significance of indicators by Fishburn's weighting approach ensured their proper aggregation; using the principles of fuzzy logic, the aggregated values for the technical level of network infrastructure were calculated. The minimum tariff rates were computed for each operator according to the break-even point, with the maximum tariff rate being equal for the whole sample. A linear functional transformation provided a transition from the aggregated scores to specific tariff rates. Consequently, the best-rated operators received the maximum tariff rate, and the less-rated operators received relevantly lower rates. By varying the slope of the suggested tariff function, one can adjust the dynamics of the tariff rate change. The assessment of 24 operators allowed to verify the elaborated methodology for distribution tariff setting. The application of unbiased rating assessment by a set of designed sector-specific indicators allowed setting up adequate and efficient tariff rates aimed at incentivizing network upgrades.

The study is aimed at solving the problem of thinking and the sources of building thought processes in systems empowered with intelligence as one of the fundamental steps to the creation of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence performs creative functions traditionally considered human prerogative, using computer programs to understand human intelligence and not being limited to biologically plausible methods. In this regard the evolution of a traditional computer program into a system capable of self-creation is being implemented, depending on the conditions of the external and internal events and processes. The article authors present a number of intermediate results of the research in the field of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence achieved on the basis of experiments run on the study of the semantic structures construction – sources aimed at shaping a thinking process in systems empowered with intelligence. The research carried out by the authors of the article contributes to building of basic algorithms as a parametrically polymorphic system. Scheme of one of the main functions of the master algorithm is presented. An array of constructions, semantically related and called by a route determined by a vector, the direction of which is aimed at minimal costs winning, which together act as the fundamental method for creating a master algorithm.