Arterial hypertension in patients with non-specific aortoarteritis

Non-specific aortoarteritis (Takayasu arteritis) is a rare disease, it is a chronic vasculitis that occurs with the defeat of the aorta and main arteries, the development of stenosis of the arteries and ischemia of the relevant organs. In most cases, symptomatic arterial hypertension develops. The article presents a modern view of the peculiarities of the course of arterial hypertension, considered methods of diagnosis and treatment of this disease

Laboratory study of electromagnetic initiation of slip

Recently Russian seismologists reported the triggering effect of MHD soundings on microseismic activity in the Central Asia test area.The paper focuses on an experimental test of the possibility of triggering the mechanical instability of a system that is close to critical state by a series of electromagnetic pulses.The mechanical system consisted of two pieces of rock;the upper piece can slip on the fixed supporting sample if the latter one is tilted up to the critical angle.In this state,the triggering of mechanical instability by some weak impact such as electrical pulse became more probable.The slope of support in the experiment is an analogue of tectonic stress in natural conditions.The preliminary experiments,carried out in a dry environment,at the humidity of atmosphere 30-50%,show that a strong EM-pulse induces sliding of a sample of rock (granite,basalt,labradorite)placed on the supporting sample which is inclined at the slope close to,but less than,the critical angle with a probability 0.07

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on total, sex- and age-specific all-cause mortality in 20 countries worldwide during 2020: results from the C-MOR project

Background To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality, this study investigates overall, sex- and age-specific excess all-cause mortality in 20 countries, during 2020. Methods Total, sex- and age-specific weekly all-cause mortality for 2015–2020 was collected from national vital statistics databases. Excess mortality for 2020 was calculated by comparing weekly 2020 observed mortality against expected mortality, estimated from historical data (2015–2019) accounting for seasonality, long- and short-term trends. Crude and age-standardized rates were analysed for total and sex-specific mortality. Results Austria, Brazil, Cyprus, England and Wales, France, Georgia, Israel, Italy, Northern Ireland, Peru, Scotland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the USA displayed substantial excess age-standardized mortality of varying duration during 2020, while Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Mauritius, Norway, and Ukraine did not. In sex-specific analyses, excess mortality was higher in males than females, except for Slovenia (higher in females) and Cyprus (similar in both sexes). Lastly, for most countries substantial excess mortality was only detectable (Austria, Cyprus, Israel, and Slovenia) or was higher (Brazil, England and Wales, France, Georgia, Italy, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Peru and the USA) in the oldest age group investigated. Peru demonstrated substantial excess mortality even in the <45 age group. Conclusions This study highlights that excess all-cause mortality during 2020 is context dependent, with specific countries, sex- and age-groups being most affected. As the pandemic continues, tracking excess mortality is important to accurately estimate the true toll of COVID-19, while at the same time investigating the effects of changing contexts, different variants, testing, quarantine, and vaccination strategies

Modern challenges in establishing financial base of local self-government in Georgia

Modern problems of establishing the financial base of local self-government, some suggestions to address them, distinguishing characteristics of local self-government being a branch of the government are considered in the paper. During the period of 10-12 years since the collapse of the Former Soviet Union and formation of new States there was a need for decentralization of public finances. The paper also analyzes the specificity of the dynamics of the share of the local self-govenance budgets in the summary budget over the last decade, and it was concluded that Georgia functions within the paternalistic model of the State; it acts as stabilizing and equilizing agent, while the municipalities appear to be only the subjects that spend money. According to the conclusion taken as result of research: in order to enable local authorities to exercise their power properly, they should be provided with sufficient financial resources, for which it is necessary to reconsider the issue of expanding the revenue base. To that end, it is advisable to award the local tax status to any State tax or turn it into a regulatory fee; that model should not reduce the effectiveness of tax administration, and it should stimulate the increase of the tax basis of the local self-government. © 2018 Bull. Georg. Natl. Acad. Sci

Challenges of economic activities of cities in the context of the covid-19 pandemic

Since the beginning of 2020, the economic complications caused by the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) have entered the active phase. The world economy is facing the unprecedented challenges - global demand and global supply have declined, unemployment has risen, and losses amount to tens of trillions of dollars. The total value of the fiscal and monetary measures taken by governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has reached one-tenth of the worlds gross domestic product (GDP). It is impossible to address the problems of the global economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic without the concerted efforts of States. However, individual States are developing their own ways to overcome these problems. Investigating various sources and reviewing experience of different countries confirmed that in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, along with national governments, city administrations should also well have a role to play in financial support of small and medium-sized enterprises, as a particularly sensitive sector, mostly those enterprises that have more opportunities to expand their business. The main purpose of the authors was to identify the threats and economic opportunities that cities are facing in general and particularly in Georgia, in terms of neutralizing the consequences of the pandemic. According to conclusion derive from studies, cities have to employ their real capacity in order to remain functionally viable. This requires the new development strategies, enhancing work with investors, setting the realistic budget and the correct choice of priorities. © 2021 Bull. Georg. Natl. Acad. Sci

Combination of verapamil and trandolapril: therapeutic potential for high-risk patients with arterial hypertension

The review is devoted to the perspectives of combined therapy with verapamil SR and trandolapril in high-risk patients with arterial hypertension (AH). The results of international clinical trials confirm effectiveness of verapamil SR and trandolapril (Tarka medication) in AH combined with coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic diabetic and non-diabetic kidney diseases

Tornadoes in Georgia

The concept of tornado, conditions and causes of occurrence, types of tornadoes are given. Fujita scale introduced. A tornado in Kobuleti is described, illustrations are shown. The question of a more detailed study of tornadoes in Georgia is being discussed

Some Modern Methods for Remote Sensing of Mountain Glaciers

ნაშრომში წარმოდგენილია მთის მყინვარების დისტანციური ზონდირების თანამედროვე მეთოდების მოკლე მიმოხილვა. განხილულია ზოგიერთი მათგანის გამოყენების პერსპექტივები საქართველოში მყინვარების კოლაფსის ადრეული გაფრთხილებისთვის.The paper presents a brief overview of modern methods of remote sensing of mountain glaciers. The prospects for using some of them for early warning of glacier collapse in Georgia are considered

Strong Wind on the Territory of Georgia in 2014-2018

2014-2018 data on strong wind cases (V≥15 m/s) are considered. The climatic characteristics of strong winds, such as the number of days, wind speed, and direction, are studied for a five-year study period. Also, strong wind distribution areas are defined according to the municipalities. Some cases of damage caused by strong winds in 2014-2018 are described. Based on the available data a geoinformation map of the distribution of strong winds in the regions of Georgia are compiled

Laboratory study of electromagnetic initiation of slip

Recently Russian seismologists reported the triggering effect of MHD soundings on microseismic activity in the Central Asia test area.The paper focuses on an experimental test of the possibility of triggering the mechanical instability of a system that is close to critical state by a series of electromagnetic pulses.The mechanical system consisted of two pieces of rock;the upper piece can slip on the fixed supporting sample if the latter one is tilted up to the critical angle.In this state,the triggering of mechanical instability by some weak impact such as electrical pulse became more probable.The slope of support in the experiment is an analogue of tectonic stress in natural conditions.The preliminary experiments,carried out in a dry environment,at the humidity of atmosphere 30-50%,show that a strong EM-pulse induces sliding of a sample of rock (granite,basalt,labradorite)placed on the supporting sample which is inclined at the slope close to,but less than,the critical angle with a probability 0.07