Silicon Metallurgy and Ecology Problems

Modern silicon production technology is associated with a risk of negative environmental impact due to the fact that in addition to the final product, other reaction products are formed, including dust, from the incomplete use of charge materials. Gases released during silicon smelting in ore-thermal furnaces are characterized by the content of a large amount of fine dust. Dust consists of 94–96% of silicon dioxide. As a result of the use of sulfur-containing raw materials in furnaces as sulfur reducing agents, sulfur compounds in the form of SO2 are present in the furnace gases entering for purification, and nitrogen oxides are also present. The developed silicon recovery smelting technology reduces the technological energy consumption and increases the furnace productivity in proportion to the amount of carbon replaced by silicon carbide. Replacing carbon with silicon carbide reduces the dust content and the amount of exhaust furnace gases, and changes their composition. Thus, reducing the amount of pollutants reduces their anthropogenic impact on the environment. Keywords: silicon, gas cleaning dust, gas capture system, microsilic

Quality of Anode. Overview of Problems and Some Methods of their Solution Part 2. Improving the quality of the anode

Laboratory studies have shown that charging the components of the anode mass increases the rate of wetting and impregnation of dust by the pitch in 2-3 times, as evidenced by the shorter time interval during which the moistened coke was immersed in the pitch melt. The algorithm for obtaining anode mass according to the proposed technological scheme is the following. The components of coke batch - bunches of different fractional composition from bunkers 2 by metering devices 3 and transport screws 5 are fed to preheater 6 where they are heated to a temperature of 200-220 ° C. Further, the heated components of the coke batch are fed into the mixer 11. Coke dust before entering the mixer 11 by the dispenser 4 from the bunker 1 is fed into the dust preheater 9 where it is also heated to a temperature of 200-220 ° C. Pitch, preheated to a temperature of 200-2400C, is fed into the dispenser 8. Further heated coke dust and pitch enter high-voltage charging units 7, where they acquire electrical charges for 1-3 seconds, pitch-negative, and coke dust-positive. At the same time, the voltage at the electrodes of high-voltage charging stations is in the range of 24000-50000 V DC. Charged in this way, pitch and coke dust also enter mixer 11, where they are mixed for 3-4 minutes with each other and with coke batch. From the mixer 11, the finished anode mass is fed into the extruder 10 to form briquettes. In general, the process of anode preparation takes 4-5 minutes, which is 2 times lower than with "traditional" technology. The presented technology allows essentially to raise productivity of the manufacture equipment of an anode mass at the expense of time reduction of mixing more than in 2 times. Reducing the mixing time of components reduces the specific electricity consumption for anode production by 20-25 kW / t, taking into account the energy consumption of the high-voltage charging unit. An increase in the degree of impregnation of coke dust with pitch reduces the anode fall-off under the conditions of the active electrolyzer and reduces the yield of coal foam by 5-7 kg / ton of Al. Reducing the yield of coal foam reduces the time of the electrolyzer in the depressurized state by an average of 0.2-0.25 hours during the day, which reduces the specific fluoride emissions by 0.1-0.2 kg / ton Al

Differential effects of lung inflammation on insulin resistance in humans and mice

BACKGROUND: The rates of obesity, its associated diseases, and allergies are raising at alarming rates in most countries. House dust mites (HDM) are highly allergenic and exposure often associates with an urban sedentary indoor lifestyle, also resulting in obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological association and physiological impact of lung inflammation on obesity and glucose homeostasis. METHODS: Epidemiological data from 2207 adults of the population-based KORA FF4 cohort were used to test associations between asthma and rhinitis with metrics of body weight and insulin sensitivity. To obtain functional insights, C57BL/6J mice were intranasally sensitized and challenged with HDM and simultaneously fed with either low-fat or high-fat diet for 12 weeks followed by a detailed metabolic and biochemical phenotyping of the lung, liver, and adipose tissues. RESULTS: We found a direct association of asthma with insulin resistance but not body weight in humans. In mice, co-development of obesity and HDM-induced lung inflammation attenuated inflammation in lung and perigonadal fat, with little impact on body weight, but small shifts in the composition of gut microbiota. Exposure to HDM improved glucose tolerance, reduced hepatosteatosis, and increased energy expenditure and basal metabolic rate. These effects associate with increased activity of thermogenic adipose tissues independent of uncoupling protein 1. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma associates with insulin resistance in humans, but HDM challenge results in opposing effects on glucose homeostasis in mice due to increased energy expenditure, reduced adipose inflammation, and hepatosteatosis

Considerations for the Bioanalytical Part of Equivalence Studies of Biosimilar Nadroparin Calcium

According to current regulatory views, a comparative study of the pharmacodynamics (PD) of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) products and confirmation of their equivalence require comparing three PD markers: the anti-Xa activity, the anti-IIa activity, and the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) concentration. The aim of this study was to analyse the features specific to the bioanalytical part of an equivalence study of a nadroparin calcium biosimilar after single subcutaneous administration. Material and methods: the anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity values and TFPI content were determined in human plasma samples obtained after single subcutaneous administration of the test and the reference product in the same dose, using commercially available reagent kits and pre-validated assays. The authors calculated the main PD parameters (surrogate pharmacokinetic markers), namely the maximum activity or concentration (Amax or Cmax), time to maximum activity or concentration (Tmax), area under the activity–time (or concentration–time) curve (AUC ), and half-life period (T1/2), by means of model-independent statistical moment analysis and carried out further statistical testing of the parameters. Results: the anti-Xa activity and TFPI concentration results provided for  the  possibility  of  calculating  and  comparing  the PD parameters (Amax or Cmax, AUC0-24, AUC0-∞, Tmax, T1/2) and estimating the confidence intervals that are necessary to confirm the bioequivalence of the studied products. The anti-IIa activity data had a characteristic pattern of slight fluctuations around one level, which prevented the calculation and comparison of PD parameters. Conclusion: the study identified specific features to consider when planning comparative PD studies of nadroparin calcium products. Firstly, it is feasible to divide samples into two test aliquots (one for anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity determination, the other for TFPI analysis) at the moment of collection in order to perform the analytical step correctly. Secondly, there is no need in full validation for the bioanalytical assays of the anti-Xa and anti-II activity and TFPI content in human plasma validated in the concentration ranges of 0.024–0.182 IU/mL, 0.0069–0.052 IU/mL and 1.56–100 ng/mL, respectively; a confirmation that the active ingredient does not interfere with the analytical procedure is adequate for the purpose. Finally, the data obtained may not allow for calculating PD parameters and comparing confidence intervals for all three markers. The listed considerations may be relevant for other LMWH products as well

Система місцевих платежів в Україні : теорія, історія, перспективи

У монографії обґрунтовано новий підхід до визначення системи місцевих платежів. Зокрема, висвітлено принципи їх побудови й структуру, історію формування. Розкрито особливості місцевого оподаткування України та роль загальнодержавних податків у наповненні місцевих бюджетів; сутність й особливості самооподаткування як складової частини місцевих платежів; досвід справляння місцевих платежів у зарубіжних країнах; окреслено проблеми та перспективи податкової децентралізації в Україні. Монографія призначена для студентів економічних спеціальностей, аспірантів, викладачів, науковців, усіх, кого цікавлять питання функціонування системи місцевих платежів в Україні й країнах світ

Comparative Preclinical Evaluation of the Safety, Antifungal Activity, and Pharmacokinetics of Sertaconazole Products for External Use

The high prevalence of fungal skin infections motivates expanding the range of sertaconazole products for external use.The aim of the study was a preclinical comparison of the safety, antifungal activity, and pharmacokinetics of Sertaverin® 2% medicated shampoo (VERTEX JSC, Russia) with those of Sertamicol® 2% solution for external use (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, India) and Nizoral® 2% shampoo (Janssen Pharmaceuticals N.V., Belgium) approved in the Russian Federation.Materials and methods. In the toxicity study, the medicinal products were applied to the skin of male and female outbred rats at doses of 0.5 or 1.5 mL/animal for 28 days. The authors evaluated the pharmacokinetics of two sertaconazole formulations (shampoo and solution) following a single administration to adult male rats at the same dose. Nizoral® was not used in the pharmacokinetics study because it contains a different active substance, ketoconazole. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the serial microdilution method in a wide range of concentrations.Results. The medicinal products did not exhibit any significant toxic effects in laboratory animals after 28 days of repeated dermal application. Plasma sertaconazole concentrations were negligible. Sertaconazole was intensively distributed in the liver, which is a highly vascularised organ, and in the target organ (skin at the site of application). The relative bioavailability of sertaconazole from the shampoo relative to that from the solution for external use was approximately 30% in liver tissues and approximately 363% in skin tissues at the application site. Sertaverin® was comparable to sertaconazole in the active substance form in terms of inhibiting the growth of Malassezia furfur strains. The MICs calculated on the active substance basis were ≤16–64 μg/mL.Conclusions. With its synergistic dual mechanism of action, broad-spectrum antifungal activity, lipophilic properties, and low systemic absorption, Sertaverin® may provide a more effective and safe alternative to marketed medicinal products for scalp diseases

Територіальні фінансові ресурси Західного прикордонного регіону України

У монографії досліджено питання забезпечення фінансовими ресурсами місцевих громад прикордонних областей Західної України на сучасному етапі. З урахуванням історичного досвіду та досвіду країн Євросоюзу запропоновано способи розвʼязання проблем й обґрунтовано напрями проведення адміністративно-територіальної реформи в регіоні. Для студентів, науковців, працівників органів місцевого самоврядування та фінансової сфери України

Особенности проведения биоаналитической части исследования эквивалентности биоаналогичного препарата надропарина кальция

According to current regulatory views, a comparative study of the pharmacodynamics (PD) of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) products and confirmation of their equivalence require comparing three PD markers: the anti-Xa activity, the anti-IIa activity, and the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) concentration.The aim of this study was to analyse the features specific to the bioanalytical part of an equivalence study of a nadroparin calcium biosimilar after single subcutaneous administration.Material and methods: the anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity values and TFPI content were determined in human plasma samples obtained after single subcutaneous administration of the test and the reference product in the same dose, using commercially available reagent kits and pre-validated assays. The authors calculated the main PD parameters (surrogate pharmacokinetic markers), namely the maximum activity or concentration (Amax or Cmax), time to maximum activity or concentration (Tmax), area under the activity–time (or concentration–time) curve (AUC), and half-life period (T1/2), by means of the model-independent statistical moment analysis and carried out further statistical testing of the parameters.Results: the anti-Xa activity and TFPI concentration results provided for the possibility of calculating and comparing the PD parameters (Amax or Cmax, AUC0-24, AUC0-∞, Tmax, T1/2) and estimating the confidence intervals that are necessary to confirm the bioequivalence of the studied products. The anti-IIa activity data had a characteristic pattern of slight fluctuations around one level, which prevented the calculation and comparison of PD parameters.Conclusion: the study identified specific features to consider when planning comparative PD studies of nadroparin calcium products. Firstly, it is feasible to divide samples into two test aliquots (one for anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity determination, the other for TFPI analysis) at the moment of collection in order to perform the analytical step correctly. Secondly, there is no need in full validation for the bioanalytical assays of the anti-Xa and anti-II activity and TFPI content in human plasma validated in the concentration ranges of 0.024–0.182 IU/mL, 0.0069–0.052 IU/mL and 1.56–100 ng/mL, respectively; a confirmation that the active ingredient does not interfere with the analytical procedure is adequate for the purpose. Finally, the data obtained may not allow for calculating PD parameters and comparing confidence intervals for all three markers. The listed considerations may be relevant for other LMWH products as well.Для сравнительного изучения фармакодинамики и подтверждения эквивалентности препаратов низкомолекулярных гепаринов (НМГ) согласно современным регуляторным требованиям необходимо сопоставить три фармакодинамических показателя: анти-Ха и анти-IIа активности и концентрацию ингибитора пути тканевого фактора (TFPI).Цель работы — анализ особенностей проведения биоаналитической части исследования эквивалентности биоаналогичного препарата надропарина кальция при подкожном введении.Материалы и методы: определение анти-Ха и анти-IIа активности НМГ и содержания TFPI в образцах плазмы крови человека, полученных после однократного подкожного введения тестируемого и референтного препаратов в одной дозе, выполнено с применением коммерчески доступных наборов реагентов и предварительно валидированных методик. Основные фармакодинамические параметры (суррогатные фармакокинетические маркеры): максимальная активность или концентрация (Amax или Сmax), время достижения максимальной активности или концентрации (Тmax), площадь под кривой «активность (концентрация) — время» (AUC), период полувыведения (T1/2) рассчитаны внемодельным методом статистических моментов и выполнена их дальнейшая статистическая обработка.Результаты: полученные результаты оценки анти-Ха активности и TFPI позволили рассчитать и сопоставить фармакодинамические параметры (Аmax или Cmax, AUC0-24, AUC0-∞, Тmax, T1/2), а также оценить доверительные интервалы, необходимые для подтверждения эквивалентности исследованных препаратов. Данные по значениям анти-IIа активности имели характер колебаний в пределах одного уровня, что не позволило рассчитать и сопоставить фармакодинамические параметры.Выводы: выявлены особенности, которые необходимо учитывать при планировании исследований фармакодинамики препаратов надропарина кальция: целесообразность разделения каждого образца при отборе с получением двух испытуемых аликвот (одна для определения анти-Ха и анти-IIа активностей, вторая — для анализа TFPI) для корректного выполнения аналитического этапа; достаточность подтверждения отсутствия мешающего влияния действующего вещества на аналитическую процедуру при валидации биоаналитических методик оценки анти-Ха активности, анти-IIа активности и содержания TFPI в плазме крови человека, валидированных в диапазоне концентраций 0,024–0,182 МЕ/мл, 0,0069–0,052 МЕ/мл и 1,56–100 нг/мл соответственно; возможность получения данных, не позволяющих рассчитать фармакодинамические параметры и сопоставить доверительные интервалы для всех трех фармакодинамических показателей. Указанные особенности могут быть характерны для других препаратов НМГ

The state of health in Indonesia's provinces, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Analysing trends and levels of the burden of disease at the national level can mask inequalities in health-related progress in lower administrative units such as provinces and districts. We used results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to analyse health patterns in Indonesia at the provincial level between 1990 and 2019. Long-term analyses of disease burden provide insights on Indonesia's advance to universal health coverage and its ability to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Methods We analysed GBD 2019 estimated cause-specific mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), life expectancy at birth, healthy life expectancy, and risk factors for 286 causes of death, 369 causes of non-fatal health loss, and 87 risk factors by year, age, and sex for Indonesia and its 34 provinces from 1990 to 2019. To generate estimates for Indonesia at the national level, we used 138 location-years of data to estimate Indonesia-specific demographic indicators, 317 location-years of data for Indonesia-specific causes of death, 689 location-years of data for Indonesia-specific non-fatal outcomes, 250 location-years of data for Indonesia-specific risk factors, and 1641 location-years of data for Indonesia-specific covariates. For subnational estimates, we used the following source counts: 138 location-years of data to estimate Indonesia-specific demographic indicators; 5848 location-years of data for Indonesia-specific causes of death; 1534 location-years of data for Indonesia-specific non-fatal outcomes; 650 location-years of data for Indonesia-specific risk factors; and 16 016 location-years of data for Indonesia-specific covariates. We generated our GBD 2019 estimates for Indonesia by including 1 915 207 total source metadata rows, and we used 821 total citations. Findings Life expectancy for males across Indonesia increased from 62·5 years (95% uncertainty interval 61·3–63·7) to 69·4 years (67·2–71·6) between 1990 and 2019, a positive change of 6·9 years. For females during the same period, life expectancy increased from 65·7 years (64·5–66·8) to 73·5 years (71·6–75·6), an increase of 7·8 years. There were large disparities in health outcomes among provinces. In 2019, Bali had the highest life expectancy at birth for males (74·4 years, 70·90–77·9) and North Kalimantan had the highest life expectancy at birth for females (77·7 years, 74·7–81·2), whereas Papua had the lowest life expectancy at birth for males (64·5 years, 60·9–68·2) and North Maluku had the lowest life expectancy at birth for females (64·0 years, 60·7–67·3). The difference in life expectancy for males between the highest-ranked and lowest-ranked provinces was 9·9 years and the difference in life expectacy for females between the highest-ranked and lowest-ranked provinces was 13·7 years. Age-standardised death, YLL, and YLD rates also varied widely among the provinces in 2019. High systolic blood pressure, tobacco, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, and high BMI were the five leading risks contributing to health loss measured as DALYs in 2019. Interpretation Our findings highlight that Indonesia faces a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases that varies across provinces. From 1990 to 2019, Indonesia witnessed a decline in the infectious disease burden, although communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, diarrhoeal diseases, and lower respiratory infections have remained a main source of DALYs in Indonesia. During that same period, however, all-ages death and disability rates from non-communicable diseases and exposure to their risk factors accounted for larger shares of health loss. The differences in health outcomes between the highest-performing and lowest-performing provinces have also widened since 1990. Our findings support a comprehensive process to revisit current health policies, examine the root causes of variation in the burden of disease among provinces, and strengthen programmes and policies aimed at reducing disparities across the country. Funding The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Government of Indonesia. Translation For the Bahasa Indonesia translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section