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Regional business management methods, crisis management problems, recommendations received from internationally experienced partners, experience, and modern challenges are reviewed and supported by arguments in the article. The topic outlines the main strengths and weaknesses affecting the development of the region in general. Various critical assessments of opportunities and threats are identified. The article notes that regional business in our country has repeatedly found itself in a very difficult situation. The economic crisis, which has covered almost the entire economic segment, has become the subject of extraordinary research. As a result of the investigation of such a problem, a problem and strategy based on arguments should be developed. There is a need for a system of measures, which involves the support of today's Georgian business sector and the conditions adapted to them. The latter, by itself, will lead to the re-advance of the country. In general, one of the ways for the country to get out of the crisis is to strengthen the region as one of the main links of the economy. The paper talks about these problems. In particular, how it affects the economy, demography, and ways of solving problems. Based on all this, we should pay attention to strengthening the main, independent role of the region. These activities are very important. The business resources of the region are provided and the optimal tool for their management is created. This will further contribute to the efficiency and improvement of the quality of management, in conditions of a high level of promotion of regional business and provision of informational development. Natural raw material bases and the socioeconomic development of society are also important, as well as the optimization of relations between them. The development of existing methods, improvement of experience, development, and management information system will support and develop the development of new legal economic relations in the society, formation, and structural and fundamental transformation of the national economy. Keywords: small business, region, agriculture, state support.

The Georgian region, Samtskhe-Javakheti, has a long tradition of pastoralism. Our research focused on the study of pastoral agricul¬ture across XVI–XX centuries. The study is based on census documents, which provide information on the number of sheep and their distribution, statistical and modern field-based materials. The research goal was to study the pastoral systems and related socio-eco¬nomic sectors and analyze their spatial and temporal dimensions. The paper presents thematic maps prepared by the authors, which reflect the state of pastoralism in the sixteenth to twentieth centuries and the present situation. The tabular and cartographic material presented allows to assess the changes that have taken place over a long time and to analyze modern conditions.

The South Caucasus is a unique small and densely populated region in the southern part of the Caucasus. It consists of three independent states - Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Georgia is actively engaged in the Peaceful Neighborhood Initiative in the South Caucasus and strives to deepen political and economic relations with the countries in the region based on sovereign interests. In these processes, strengthening mutually beneficial, trust-based cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan is of special interest to Georgia. After the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the regaining of independence by Georgia and Azerbaijan, a completely new phase of diplomatic relations began between the two countries which grew into a strategic partnership. Territorial proximity and the establishment of diplomatic relations have prompted the dynamic development of trade and economic relations between the two countries, which increases the degree of urgency of the study. The presented paper focuses on the priority areas of trade and economic cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan. However, at the present stage economics and politics are so closely interrelated that it is impossible to draw a line between them. Therefore, in order to achieve the purpose of the paper, the first chapter focuses on the development of diplomatic relations between the two countries, while the following chapters study trade and economic cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan and analyze the development of bilateral cooperation in trade in services; in addition, the trade intensity index is calculated; the importance of investments from Azerbaijan in the Georgian economy is assessed; the transnational energy and transport projects proposed by the Georgian and Azerbaijani governments are discussed; and the growing role of Georgia as trade and transport hub in the Caucasus in both the offshore and onshore components of these projects is assessed. It is noted that trade and economic relations have growing dynamics and show readiness to further develop cooperation. In addition, some suggestions that will be helpful for Georgia to increase the scale of cooperation with Azerbaijan and assist deepening the involvement of the two countries in the world integration processes are proposed. We believe that the paper will enhance further research and discussion on trade and economic cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan and, most importantly, ensure support for this kind of cooperation.

α-Synuclein (αS) is the principal protein component of the Lewy body and Lewy neurite deposits that are found in the brains of the victims of one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, Parkinson's disease. αS can be qualified as a chameleon protein because of the large number of different conformations that it is able to adopt: it is disordered under physiological conditions in solution, in equilibrium with a minor α-helical tetrameric form in the cytoplasm, and is α-helical when bound to a cell membrane. Also

Industrial equipment/machinery is an important element of manufacturing. They are used for producing objects that people need for everyday use. Therefore, there is a challenge to adopt effective maintenance strategies to keep them well-functioning and well-maintained in production lines. This will save energy and materials and contribute genuinely to the circular economy and creating value. Remanufacturing or refurbishment is one of the strategies to extend life of such industrial equipment. The paper presents an initial framework of cost estimation model based on combination of activity-based costing (ABC) and human expertise to assist the decision-making on best life extension strategy (e.g. remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair) for industrial equipment. Firstly, ABC cost model is developed to calculate cost of life extension strategy to be used as a benchmark strategy. Next, expert opinions are employed to modify data of benchmark strategy, which is then used to estimate costs of other life extension strategies. The developed cost model has been implemented in VBA-based Excel® platform. A case study with application examples has been used to demonstrate the results of the initial cost model developed and its applicability in estimating and analysing cost of applying life extension strategy for industrial equipment. Finally, conclusions on the developed cost model have been reported.

Abnormal aggregation of the Amyloid β (Aβ) peptides into fibrils play a critical role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. A two-stage “dock-lock” model have been proposed for the Aβ fibril elongation process. However, the mechanisms of the Aβ monomer-fibril binding process have not been elucidated with the necessary molecular-level precision, and so it remains unclear how the lock phase dynamics leads to the overall in-register binding of the Aβ monomer onto the fibril. To gain mechanistic insight into this critical step during the fibril elongation process we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with a physics-based coarse-grained UNited-RESidue (UNRES) force field we sampled extensively the dynamics of the lock phase process, in which a fibril-bound Aβ((9–40)) peptide rearranges to establish the native docking conformation. Analysis of the MD trajectories with Markov State Models was used to quantify the kinetics of the rearrangement process and the most probable pathways leading to the overall native docking conformation of the incoming peptide. These revealed a key intermediate state in which an intra-monomer hairpin is formed between the central core amyloidogenic patch (18)VFFA(21) and the C-terminal hydrophobic patch (34)LMVG(37). This hairpin structure is highly favored as a transition state during the lock phase of the fibril elongation. We propose a molecular mechanism for the facilitation of the Aβ fibril elongation by amyloidogenic hydrophobic patches.

თეონა მაისურაძე ასისტენტ პროფესორი საქართველოს ეროვნული უნივერსიტეტი, თბილისი, საქართველო ელ. ფოსტა: teo.maisuradze3@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4597-5736 მოკლე აღწერა სამუშაო ადგილი არასოდეს ყოფილა ისეთი სტრესული, როგორიც დღევანდელ რეალობაშია. „საზღვების წაშლამ“ გამოიწვია დასაქმებულებში კონკურენციის ზრდა როგორც ქვენის ფარგლებში, ისე მის მიღმა. დროის გასვლასთან ერთად მსოფლიო მასშტაბით მიმდინარე ორგანიზაციული გაერთიანებების, შემცირებების, აუთსორსის, შეკვეცების შედგები უფრო მეტ და მეტ ადამიანზე ახდენს გავლენას. სტრესის მაღალი დონე კი შრომის მწარმოებლურობას ამცირებს, ვინაიდან ზრდის გაცდენებს, ავადობის გამო საავადმყოფო ფურცელზე ყოფნას, სამუშაო ადგილზე დაბალ მწარმოებლურობას და ა.შ. კოვიდ 19-ით გამოწვეულმა პანდემიამ აღნიშნული მოსაზრებების მართებულობაში ყველა ორგანიზაცია დაარწმუნა. გარდა ამისა, მნიშვნელოვნად შესუსტდა ორგანიზაციული კულტურის ძალა, შეიცვალა კომუნიკაციის სისტემები, გაჩნდა ახალი განმოწვევები, ერთდოულად განხორციელდა ბევრი ცვლილება. შესაბამისად, ცხადია, რომ ორგანიზაციული სტრესის მართვა დღეს კიდევ უფრო აქტუალურია ვიდრე ოდესმე, განსაკუთრებით ადამიანური რესურსების მართვის მენეჯერებისთვის. ეს მოვლენები მნიშვნელოვნად ამცირებს ადამიანის შრომისუნარიანობას, მცირდება შრომის პროდუქტიულობა; შესაბამისად, შეუძლებელია ორგანიზაციის პოტენციალის სრულად გამოყენება. სტატიაში განხილულია ორგანიზაციული სტრესის მაღალი დონის პირობებში მისი გავლენა დასაქმებულებსა და ორგანიზაციაზე. ასევე, ყურადღება გამახვილებულია შესაძლო ნეგატიურ შედეგებზე. გარდა ამისა, მოცემულია გარკვეული რეკომენდაციები, რომელთა გათვალსიწინებით შესაძლებელია გაუმჯობესდეს ორგანიზაციული სტრესის მართვის ხარისხი.

The steel 42CrMo4 with improved machinability was studied. The steel containing high amount of sulfur was calcium treated during metallurgical production stage. The size and area distribution of non-metallic inclusions present in the studied steel was analyzed and compared to the conventional Cr–Mn–Mo steels with low sulfur and calcium content. The dilatometric investigation was performed to reveal the features of the austenite transformations in studied Cr–Mn–Mo steels with various content of alloying elements. The mechanical properties of the high and low sulfur steels were analyzed in heat treated condition (oil quenching and tempering). The results proved that calcium treated 42CrMo4 steel with high sulfur content possessed almost the same characteristics of hardenability and mechanical behavior as the conventional low-sulfur steels. This implies that the steel with improved machinability can be successfully applied for the production of the heavy duty and high strength parts using automated lines and machines.

The analytical expression for the Voigt profile, along with its simplified forms for the Gaussian and Lorentzian dominance, is presented. The applicability of the Voigt profile in the description of anomalous diffusion phenomena, ubiquitous in different fields of science including protein folding, is discussed. It is shown that the Voigt profile is a good descriptor of the processes occurring in protein folding and in the native state. The usefulness of the Voigt profile in deriving important information of the diffusive motions in proteins from a quasielastic incoherent neutron scattering experiments is illustrated.

Intermediate states in protein folding are associated with formation of amyloid fibrils, which are responsible for a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, prevention of the aggregation of folding intermediates is one of the most important problems to overcome. Recently, we studied the origins and prevention of formation of intermediate states with the example of the Formin binding protein 28 (FBP28) WW domain. We demonstrated that the replacement of Leu26 by Asp26 or Trp26 (in ∼15% of the folding trajectories) can alter the folding scenario from three-state folding, a major folding scenario for the FBP28 WW domain (WT) and its mutants, toward two-state or downhill folding at temperatures below the melting point. Here, for a better understanding of the physics of the formation/elimination of intermediates, (i) the dynamics and energetics of formation of β-strands in folding, misfolding, and nonfolding trajectories of these mutants (L26D and L26W) is investigated; (ii) the experimental structures of WT, L26D, and L26W are analyzed in terms of a kink (heteroclinic standing wave solution) of a generalized discrete nonlinear Schrodinger equation. We show that the formation of each β-strand in folding trajectories is accompanied by the emergence of kinks in internal coordinate space as well as a decrease in local free energy. In particular, the decrease in downhill folding trajectory is ∼7 kcal/mol, while it varies between 31 and 48 kcal/mol for the three-state folding trajectory. The kink analyses of the experimental structures give new insights into formation of intermediates, which may become a useful tool for preventing aggregation.

The optimal mode of operation of an electric car depends to some extent on the technical condition of its mechanical parts. Under operating conditions, unbalanced masses, eccentrically located in relation to the axis of rotation, may occur in the rotor of an electric car, which, in turn, will lead to premature output of machine bearings and, as a consequence, to a deterioration in dynamic characteristics. In this regard, the paper presents a method of compensating for the impact of unbalanced masses of the rotor, during which the analysis of the relationship between the amplitude of the oscillation and the angle of attachment of the compensating load is performed according to the measurement results. One of the downsides of this method is the multiple launches of the electric car and the use of concepts such as balancing sensitivity, corrective mass and more. A relatively flexible method of dynamic balancing of an electric car is shown, based on the measurement of the vibration speed amplitude and vibration phase of the electric car. Relevant oscillograms and analytical images are given, the analysis of which achieves complete suppression of electric vehicle vibration by attaching additional compensating load to the rotor.

The features of microstructure and mechanical properties of the aerospace high strength steel were studied after the implementation of various heat treatment modes: conventional oil quenching and tempering, quenching-partitioning, austempering. The dependence of the mechanical properties on the tempering temperature was determined. The basic patterns of the formation of mechanical properties during the implementation of isothermal heat treatment were considered. The optimal heat treatment conditions for the studied steel were established.

The dilatometer study of the austenite transformations in steels with different chemical composition was conducted. The studied steels were classified as the air hardened steels of different alloying systems (Cr-Ni-Mo, Cr-Mn-Si-Mo and Cr-Mo-V) designed for the mining applications (rock drilling equipment, drilling instrument). The microstructure of the steels was investigated after continuous cooling at the rates of 0.1...30 °C/s from the austenitization temperature down to the ambient temperature. The CCT diagrams of the studied steels were plotted showing that the alloying with different set of elements can provide the desired hardenability and microstructure.

A study of the low-carbon steel with high hardenability was carried out. The steel contained the following alloying elements, wt. %: C – 0.20; Cr – 2.0; Mn – 2.0; Si – 1.04 Ni – 1.0; Mo – 0.3. The quenching – partitioning treatment of the studied steel was implemented. The microstructure of the steel consisted of the tempered martensite laths, bainite and martensite-austenite regions. The amount of the residual austenite and the carbon concentration in the residual austenite were estimated. The possibility of the quenching – partitioning treatment of the carburized steel was shown.

The microstructure of the advanced low carbon steel with a superior hardenability was studied. The steel contained the following main alloying elements, wt. %: C – 0.20; Cr – 2.0; Mn – 2.0; Si – 1.04 Ni – 1.0; Mo – 0.3. The dilatometer investigation of the steel under consideration revealed the only phase transformation occurring during continuous cooling (0.1...30 °C/s), which started at the martensite start temperature Ms. It was shown that the isothermal treatment of the studied steel led to the bainite formation above and below Ms. The temperature of the bainite morphology shift was determined.

A change in livelihood and folk architecture is an indicator of cultural landscape transformation, which is often the result of changes occurring in the natural and socio-political realms. The diversity of architectural types of buildings as an element of landscape diversity distinguishes our research region. The presented study deals with a long-term change of housing and architectural types of settlements. Our goal was to identify, geolocalise, and classify the vernacular architecture of Samtskhe-Javakheti within the different types of natural landscapes. For this purpose, we used the HGIS (Historical Geoinformation System) approach, which comprises the application of both historic sources and GIS technologies. We identified seven types of buildings in the study area, the characteristics of which depended on the natural landscape features. The following factors had been determining the geography of the construction: geology, seismicity, terrain, climate, access to building materials and defence. Dominant architectural types of buildings in the study region were as follows: fortress Rabat with stone houses, stone houses, semi-underground houses mixed with stone houses, semi-underground houses, terraced semi-underground houses, cave dwellings and wooden log houses. In modern times, it is quite rare to come across these kinds of architectural buildings, and there is a tendency of their disappearance.

Defects of low-carbon engineering steels 18Kh2N4MA, 25Kh2N4MA, 25G2S2N2MA reducing the operating life of components are studied. The most common metallurgical processing defects are: non-metallic inclusions, structural banding, internal cracks and pores. It is established that inclusion of titanium carbonitride significantly reduces the operating life of heavily loaded components. Defects formed during component heat and chemical heat treatment are also considered.

The synthesis and detailed characterization of a new Ru polypyridine complex containing a heteroditopic bridging ligand with previously unexplored metal-metal distances is presented. Due to the twisted geometry of the novel ligand, the resultant division of the ligand in two distinct subunits leads to steady state as well as excited state properties of the corresponding mononuclear Ru(II) polypyridine complex resembling those of prototype [Ru(bpy)

α-Synuclein is a 140 amino-acid intrinsically disordered protein mainly found in the brain. Toxic α-synuclein aggregates are the molecular hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. In vitro studies showed that α-synuclein aggregates in oligomeric structures of several 10th of monomers and into cylindrical structures (fibrils), comprising hundred to thousands of proteins, with polymorphic cross-β-sheet conformations. Oligomeric species, formed at the early stage of aggregation remain, however, poorly understood and are hypothezised to be the most toxic aggregates. Here, we studied the formation of wild-type (WT) and mutant (A30P, A53T, and E46K) dimers of α-synuclein using coarse-grained molecular dynamics. We identified two principal segments of the sequence with a higher propensity to aggregate in the early stage of dimerization: residues 36–55 and residues 66–95. The transient α-helices (residues 53–65 and 73–82) of α-synuclein monomers are destabilized by A53T and E46K mutations, which favors the formation of fibril native contacts in the N-terminal region, whereas the helix 53–65 prevents the propagation of fibril native contacts along the sequence for the WT in the early stages of dimerization. The present results indicate that dimers do not adopt the Greek key motif of the monomer fold in fibrils but form a majority of disordered aggregates and a minority (9–15%) of pre-fibrillar dimers both with intra-molecular and intermolecular β-sheets. The percentage of residues in parallel β-sheets is by increasing order monomer < disordered dimers < pre-fibrillar dimers. Native fibril contacts between the two monomers are present in the NAC domain for WT, A30P, and A53T and in the N-domain for A53T and E46K. Structural properties of pre-fibrillar dimers agree with rupture-force atomic force microscopy and single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer available data. This suggests that the pre-fibrillar dimers might correspond to the smallest type B toxic oligomers. The probability density of the dimer gyration radius is multi-peaks with an average radius that is 10 Å larger than the one of the monomers for all proteins. The present results indicate that even the elementary α-synuclein aggregation step, the dimerization, is a complicated phenomenon that does not only involve the NAC region.

It was elaborated a method of agro-ecosystem ranking for feijoa culture and forest ecosystem in one of regions of Western Georgia—Adjara subtropical humidified zone. On the basis of mineralogical and morphometric analysis (biometric parameters, beginning and end of growth, beginning of fruit ripening and mass ripening, frost resistance etc.) of feijoa culture (Feigoa selliowiana) and by multiple-factor approach we have evaluated culture’s rational disposition and optimal environment for development of land. The main accent was made on geomorphological (relief, inclination, exposition) and agro-climatic (sum of active temperatures, hydrothermal coefficient, temperature conditions, physical and chemical features of soil) factors. As a result of implemented zoning a landscape zone with agricultural resources potential and hypsometrical levels optimal for development of feijoa culture was revealed. During the research we also revealed corresponding agro-eco- system zone, compatible with feijoa zone, evaluation of quality of forest land and determination of ecosystem and its indicating character. For determination of compatibility of feijoa plants and distribution of forest ecosystem we have created a map of large-scale ecosystems and geo-information system. By Cartometric and geographic-informational analysis, it became possible to find information about types of forest ecosystems, areas occupied by them and their share in researched zone.

Ametallographic study of advanced low-carbon martensitic steel with high resistance of the supercooled austenite to the transformations by pearlitic and bainitic mechanisms under continuous cooling is performed. The critical temperatures of the transformations occurring under heating and cooling are determined. The kinetics of the isothermal transformation of the austenite in the temperature range of 300 – 400°C is analyzed. The possibility of successful implementation of isothermal quenching of the steel after carburizing is demonstrated.

The article discusses the necessity of the development of military-engineering science in the context of the existence of high-tech weapons in the world. It demonstrates the role of modern remote mining systems in the protection of territories, especially in mountainous regions, in difficult terrain, under the conditions of poor infrastructure development and harsh climate. At the same time, it's mentioned the need of use of salvage fire systems in case of an invasion by excess enemy forces in order to deter the enemy, destroy its live forces and equipment. Peculiarities of the use of remote mining are discussed: the arrangement of explosive fences, the mining and disposal of maritime space, as well as the development of the art of military engineering. In the sense of preparation of the theater of war, the development of military engineering science is the country's top priority and organized system.

This article aims to analyze the current theory of managing the State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) with the use of Single Ownership Entity and to suggest alternative solution, particularly, managing SOEs with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). After a thorough review of the literature analyzing the connection between CSR and SOEs, the article states that there are important missing points in the previous research and academic debate: (1) no scholar directly emphasizes CSR as the answer to the problems of SOEs; (2) there is no research conducted on the comparison of Single Ownership Entity and CSR, evaluating their potential positive effects on SOEs; (3) accordingly, academic literature does not discuss the ways and tools of implementation of CSR in SOEs. The article aims to fill this gap and emphasize the links between CSR and SOEs. Due to the challenges, goals and ownership structure of SOEs, CSR is the most suitable corporate governance model for SOEs and its effective implementation is more vital than the execution of recommendations on creating the single ownership entity suggested by international organizations. The research question of the article is to compare managing the SOEs with the use of the CSR model (Alternative Theory) to single ownership mechanism established by OECD (Current Theory) and find out whether CSR is a better solution to the existing problems of SOEs. Finally, the article discusses the institutional context of SOEs based on the examples of the countries of Eastern and Central Europe where the problems regarding SOEs remain remarkable; presents the balance of interests of stakeholders’ in SOEs in connection to Alternative and Current Theories; and combines analysis, research and recommendations of international organizations and academia towards the problems of SOEs.

The main factors responsible for the kinetics of isothermal bainitic transformation in alloy steels are determined using computer simulation of the solid-state phase transformation. The effect of the initial configuration of nuclei of the new phase in the volume of the metal on the parameters of the process of bainitic transformation is determined. Comparative analysis of the computed kinetics of phase transformation at different rates of nucleation of the new phase and of the experimentally observed bainite kinetics in steels 25G2S2N2MA, 300M and 50KhMFA is performed.