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Problems of multiple covering ($k$-covering) of a bounded set $G$ with equal circles of a given radius are well known. They are thoroughly studied under the assumption that $G$ is a finite set. There are several papers concerned with studying this problem in the case where $G$ is a connected set. In this paper, we study the problem of minimizing the number of circles that form a $k$-covering, $k \geqslant 1$, provided that $G$ is a bounded convex plane domain.

For the above-mentioned problem, we state a 0-1 linear model, a general integer linear model, and a nonlinear model, imposing a constraint on the minimum distance between the centers of covering circles. The latter constraint is due to the fact that in practice one can place at most one device at each point. We establish necessary and sufficient solvability conditions for the linear models and describe one (easily realizable) variant of these conditions in the case where the covered set $G$ is a rectangle.

We propose some methods for finding an approximate number of circles of a given radius that provide the desired $k$-covering of the set $G$, both with and without constraints on distances between the circles’ centers. We treat the calculated values as approximate upper bounds for the number of circles. We also propose a technique that allows one to get approximate lower bounds for the number of circles that is necessary for providing a $k$-covering of the set $G$. In the general linear model, as distinct from the 0-1 linear model, we require no additional constraint. The difference between the upper and lower bounds for the number of circles characterizes the quality (acceptability) of the constructed $k$-covering.

We state a nonlinear mathematical model for the $k$-covering problem with the above-mentioned constraints imposed on distances between the centers of covering circles. For this model, we propose an algorithm which (in certain cases) allows one to find more exact solutions to covering problems than those calculated from linear models.

For implementing the proposed approach, we have developed computer programs and performed numerical experiments. Results of numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.

Our purpose is to study the spatio-temporal population wave behavior observed in the predator-prey system. It is assumed that predators move both directionally and randomly, and prey spread only diffusely. The model does not take into account demographic processes in the predator population; it’s total number is constant and is a parameter. The variables of the model are the prey and predator densities and the predator speed, which are connected by a system of three reaction – diffusion – advection equations. The system is considered on an annular range, that is the periodic conditions are set at the boundaries of the interval. We have studied the bifurcations of wave modes arising in the system when two parameters are changed — the total number of predators and their taxis acceleration coefficient.

The main research method is a numerical analysis. The spatial approximation of the problem in partial derivatives is performed by the finite difference method. Integration of the obtained system of ordinary differential equations in time is carried out by the Runge –Kutta method. The construction of the Poincare map, calculation of Lyapunov exponents, and Fourier analysis are used for a qualitative analysis of dynamic regimes.

It is shown that, population waves can arise as a result of existence of directional movement of predators. The population dynamics in the system changes qualitatively as the total predator number increases. А stationary homogeneous regime is stable at low value of parameter, then it is replaced by self-oscillations in the form of traveling waves. The waveform becomes more complicated as the bifurcation parameter increases; its complexity occurs due to an increase in the number of temporal vibrational modes. A large taxis acceleration coefficient leads to the possibility of a transition from multi-frequency to chaotic and hyperchaotic population waves. A stationary regime without preys becomes stable with a large number of predators.

The paper considers the adequacy of the model developed earlier by the author for the analysis of income inequality and based on an empirically confirmed hypothesis that the relative (to the income of the richest group) income values of 20% population groups in total income can be represented as a finite functional sequence, each member of which depends on one parameter — a specially defined indicator of inequality. It is shown that in addition to the existing methods of inequality analysis, the model makes it possible to estimate with the help of analytical expressions the income shares of 20%, 10% and smaller groups of the population for different levels of inequality, as well as to identify how they change with the growth of inequality, to estimate the level of inequality for known ratios between the incomes of different groups of the population, etc.

The paper provides a more detailed confirmation of the proposed model adequacy in comparison with the previously obtained results of statistical analysis of empirical data on the distribution of income between the 20% and 10% population groups. It is based on the analysis of certain ratios between the values of quintiles and deciles according to the proposed model. The verification of these ratios was carried out using a set of data for a large number of countries and the estimates obtained confirm the sufficiently high accuracy of the model.

Data are presented that confirm the possibility of using the model to analyze the dependence of income distribution by population groups on the level of inequality, as well as to estimate the inequality indicator for income ratios between different groups, including variants when the income of the richest 20% is equal to the income of the poor 60 %, income of the middle class 40% or income of the rest 80% of the population, as well as when the income of the richest 10% is equal to the income of the poor 40 %, 50% or 60%, to the income of various middle class groups, etc., as well as for cases, when the distribution of income obeys harmonic proportions and when the quintiles and deciles corresponding to the middle class reach a maximum. It is shown that the income shares of the richest middle class groups are relatively stable and have a maximum at certain levels of inequality.

The results obtained with the help of the model can be used to determine the standards for developing a policy of gradually increasing the level of progressive taxation in order to move to the level of inequality typical of countries with social oriented economy.

The creation of a virtual laboratory stand that allows one to obtain reliable characteristics that can be proven as actual, taking into account errors and noises (which is the main distinguishing feature of a computational experiment from model studies) is one of the main problems of this work. It considers the following task: there is a rectangular waveguide in the single operating mode, on the wide wall of which a technological hole is cut, through which a sample for research is placed into the cavity of the transmission line. The recovery algorithm is as follows: the laboratory measures the network parameters (S₁₁ and/or S₂₁) in the transmission line with the sample. In the computer model of the laboratory stand, the sample geometry is reconstructed and an iterative process of optimization (or sweeping) of the electrophysical parameters is started, the mask of this process is the experimental data, and the stop criterion is the interpretive estimate of proximity (or residual). It is important to note that the developed computer model, along with its apparent simplicity, is initially ill-conditioned. To set up a computational experiment, the Comsol modeling environment is used. The results of the computational experiment with a good degree of accuracy coincided with the results of laboratory studies. Thus, experimental verification was carried out for several significant components, both the computer model in particular and the algorithm for restoring the target parameters in general. It is important to note that the computer model developed and described in this work may be effectively used for a computational experiment to restore the full dielectric parameters of a complex geometry target. Weak bianisotropy effects can also be detected, including chirality, gyrotropy, and material nonreciprocity. The resulting model is, by definition, incomplete, but its completeness is the highest of the considered options, while at the same time, the resulting model is well conditioned. Particular attention in this work is paid to the modeling of a coaxial-waveguide transition, it is shown that the use of a discrete-element approach is preferable to the direct modeling of the geometry of a microwave device.

In recent decades, the introduction of biophotonics and quantum electronics advance into medical practice led to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for many diseases. In the field of oncology, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is successfully used today in the treatment of various types of cancer. Along with further improvement of PDT, the development of direct laser therapy is currently underway, in which the generation of singlet oxygen molecules ($^{1}$О$_2^{}$) in cancer cells occurs under NIR laser irradiation with a wavelength of $\lambda=1267$ nm without the need to introduce photosensitizers into the patient's body. For the purpose of a~theoretical investigation of the direct effect of NIR laser irradiation on cancer cells and the description of a~large set of experimental data, a mathematical model has been developed. The model includes the main cellular processes activated in cancer cells by NIR laser irradiation that determine the effectiveness of its cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. As a result of modeling, the rate of $^{1}$О$_2^{}$ generation under NIR laser irradiation was estimated, and the kinetics of active oxygen species (ROS) molecules was described. The ROS degradation due to the action of the antioxidant system of cell protection was taken into account in the model. It was shown that NIR laser irradiation induces lipid peroxidation that leads to cellular membrane damage and cell death through ferroptosis. As a result of modeling, it was established that a cascade of free-radical and enzymatic reactions of ROS transformation and accumulation leads to a prolonged response of cervical adenocarcinoma cells HeLa to the action of laser irradiation with $\lambda=1267$ nm, during which oxidative stress develops, causing cancer cell death through apoptosis and ferroptosis.

Calcium is a major nutrient regulating metabolism in a plant. Deficiency of calcium results in a growth decline of plant tissues. Ca may be lost from forest soils due to acidic atmospheric deposition and tree harvesting. Plant-available calcium compounds are in the soil cation exchange complex and soil waters. Model of soil calcium dynamics linking it with the model of soil organic matter dynamics ROMUL in forest ecosystems is developed. ROMUL describes the mineralization and humification of the fraction of fresh litter which is further transformed into complex of partially humified substance (CHS) and then to stable humus (H) in dependence on temperature, soil moisture and chemical composition of the fraction (nitrogen, lignin and ash contents, pH). Rates of decomposition and humification being coefficients in the system of ordinary differential equations are evaluated using laboratory experiments and verified on a set of field experiments. Model of soil calcium dynamics describes calcium flows between pools of soil organic matter. Outputs are plant nutrition, leaching, synthesis of secondary minerals. The model describes transformation and mineralization of forest floor in detail. Experimental data for calibration model was used from spruсe forest of Bulgaria.

A mathematical model for the production of biogas from animal waste was developed. An algorithm for identification of model parameters was developed. The accuracy of model identification was performed. The result of simulation for batch and continuous modes of supply of substrate was shown. The optimum flow rate of the substrate for continuous operation was found.

We consider a new set of tests which assigns to detection of human capability for parallel calculation. The new tests support the homogenous statistical distribution of results in distinction to the tests discussed in our previous works. This feature simplifies the analysis of test results and decreases the estimate of statistical error. The new experimental data is close to results obtained in previous experiments.

Study of work of heating equipment is an actual issue because it allows determining optimal regimes to reach highest efficiency. At that it is very helpful to use computer simulation to predict how different heating modes influence the effectiveness of the heating process and wear of heating equipment. Computer simulation provides results whose accuracy is proven by many studies and requires costs and time less than real experiments. In terms of present research, computer simulation of heating of air tuyere of blast furnace was realized with the help of FEM software. Background studies revealed possibility to simulate it as a flat, axisymmetric problem and DEFORM-2D software was used for simulation. Geometry, necessary for simulation, was designed with the help of SolidWorks, saved in .dxf format. Then it was exported to DEFORM-2D pre-processor and positioned. Preliminary and boundary conditions were set up. Several modes of operating regimes were under analysis. In order to demonstrate influence of eah of the modes and for better visualization point tracking option of the DEFORM-2D post-processor was applied. Influence of thermal insulation box plugged into blow channel, with and without air gap, and thermal coating on air tuyere’s temperature field was investigated. Simulation data demonstrated significant effect of thermal insulation box on air tuyere’s temperature field. Designed model allowed to simulate tuyere’s burnout as a result of interaction with liquid iron. Conducted researches have demonstrated DEFORM-2D effectiveness while using it for simulation of heat transfer and heating processes. DEFORM-2D is about to be used in further studies dedicated to more complex process connected with temperature field of blast furnace’s air tuyere.

The results of determination of the risk of cardiovascular failure of young athletes and adolescents in stressful physical activity have been demonstrated. The method of screening diagnostics of the risk of developing heart failure has been described. The results of contactless measurement of the form of the pulse wave of the radial artery using semiconductor laser autodyne have been presented. In the measurements used laser diode type RLD-650 specifications: output power of 5 mW, emission wavelength 654 nm. The problem was solved by the reduced form of the reflector movement, which acts as the surface of the skin of the human artery, tested method of assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease during exercise and the analysis of the results of its application to assess the risk of cardiovascular failure reactions of young athletes. As analyzed parameters were selected the following indicators: the steepness of the rise in the systolic portion of the fast and slow phase, the rate of change in the pulse wave catacrota variability of cardio intervals as determined by the time intervals between the peaks of the pulse wave. It analyzed pulse wave form on its first and second derivative with respect to time. The zeros of the first derivative of the pulse wave allow to set aside time in systolic rise. A minimum of the second derivative corresponds to the end of the phase and the beginning of the slow pressure build-up in the systole. Using the first and second derivative of the pulse wave made it possible to separately analyze the pulse wave form phase of rapid and slow pressure increase phase during systolic expansion. It has been established that the presence of anomalies in the form of the pulse wave in combination with vagotonic nervous regulation of the cardiovascular system of a patient is a sign of danger collapse of circulation during physical exercise.