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Article
Publication date: 19 October 2022

Isaac Chairez, Israel Alejandro Guarneros-Sandoval, Vlad Prud, Olga Andrianova, Sleptsov Ernest, Viktor Chertopolokhov, Grigory Bugriy and Arthur Mukhamedov

There are common problems in the identification of uncertain nonlinear systems, nonparametric approximation, state estimation, and automatic control. Dynamic neural network (DNN…

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Abstract

Purpose

There are common problems in the identification of uncertain nonlinear systems, nonparametric approximation, state estimation, and automatic control. Dynamic neural network (DNN) approximation can simplify the development of all the aforementioned problems in either continuous or discrete systems. A DNN is represented by a system of differential or recurrent equations defined in the space of vector activation functions with weights and offsets that are functionally associated with the input data.

Design/methodology/approach

This study describes the version of the toolbox, that can be used to identify the dynamics of the black box and restore the laws underlying the system using known inputs and outputs. Depending on the completeness of the information, the toolbox allows users to change the DNN structure to suit specific tasks.

Findings

The toolbox consists of three main components: user layer, network manager, and network instance. The user layer provides high-level control and monitoring of system performance. The network manager serves as an intermediary between the user layer and the network instance, and allows the user layer to start and stop learning, providing an interface to indirectly access the internal data of the DNN.

Research limitations/implications

Control capability is limited to adjusting a small number of numerical parameters and selecting functional parameters from a predefined list.

Originality/value

The key feature of the toolbox is the possibility of developing an algorithmic semi-automatic selection of activation function parameters based on optimization problem solutions.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 52 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 April 2012

Olga Andrianova and Taisiya Yeletskikh

The purpose of this paper is to analyse whether the concept of societal marketing being practised in developed countries can be directly applied to countries in transition, such…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse whether the concept of societal marketing being practised in developed countries can be directly applied to countries in transition, such as Belarus, and what adjustments would be beneficial to achieve this. The paper takes a comprehensive view of the complex linkages between the implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles by examining elements of societal marketing in the European Union (EU) countries and in Belarus.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are provided by the web sites of European best practice companies and data from the Global Compact that identifies socially‐responsible companies in the EU and Belarus. The results for Belarus are combined with the insights from capacity building activities on societal marketing organised by the Local Network Global Compact (LNGC) Belarus, for private and public enterprises.

Findings

The research presents two groups of companies in Belarus: Start‐up companies see their CSR activities as philanthropic actions; and On‐the‐way companies integrate elements of societal marketing such as vision and stakeholder management into their practices. The European societal marketing experience can act as a mechanism for further integrating CSR principles into business practices in Belarus. This depends on the aptitude of the companies for social innovation, the level of stakeholder involvement and the governmental support for CSR policy creation.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of the research should be broadened out to other industries and tested with a larger sample, including small‐and medium‐sized firms. It is also necessary to analyse other key drivers of the CSR in Belarus, which can impact on further use of societal marketing components.

Practical implications

This research has implications for practitioners, specifically the groups of stakeholders involved in CSR programmes in Belarus. The results suggest how stakeholders can apply societal marketing and differentiate themselves from competitors in the EU and in Belarus.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a framework on societal marketing that considers the factors that influence CSR development and provides recommendations for businesses operating in Belarus on how to achieve a competitive advantage in a country in transition.

Article
Publication date: 24 November 2022

Vyacheslav Kushakov, Vira Dvoriak, Olga Morozova, Lyu Azbel and Galyna Sergienko

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has previously examined the use of psychoactive substances (PASs) at electronic dance music (EDM) events in Ukraine. Addressing…

Abstract

Purpose

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has previously examined the use of psychoactive substances (PASs) at electronic dance music (EDM) events in Ukraine. Addressing this gap in the research literature, this study aims to: describe the recreational drug scene associated with Ukrainian EDM culture; identify clusters of EDM participants who use PAS, based on their drug use patterns; and assess the uptake of drug checking and investigate associations between drug checking and subsequent drug-related behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2021 (N = 1,307) among EDM festival participants in Ukraine. The authors performed cluster analysis to identify distinct profiles of PAS users. Trends in drug checking were analysed based on cross-sectional surveys conducted at one recurring festival in 2018 (N = 99), 2019 (N = 195) and 2021 (N = 237).

Findings

The substances most often used at EDM events were 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (37%), amphetamine (16%), lysergic acid diethylamide (11%) and cocaine (9%). Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of participants who reported to have ever tested their drugs has increased from 2% to 26% (p < 0.001). Unexpected or inconclusive test results led to a significantly lower chances of drug consumption (p = 0.003). The authors identified three distinct clusters of PAS users among the EDM festival attendees in Ukraine.

Originality/value

This study will inform the development of harm reduction interventions tailored to various subgroups of recreational PAS users taking into account gender-specific patterns of use suggested by the authors’ cluster analysis. Increased availability of drug checking is crucial to reduce the risks of drug-related harm associated with the consumption of mis-sold, mislabeled and/or adulterated substances.

Details

Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2752-6739

Keywords

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