A PROMISING LINE OF PREPARATION OF GRAINS SAFFLOWER FOR PROCESSING

In this paper, we propose a new scheme of a highly efficient line for preparing safflower grains for processing. The new after vortex separator is a vibroseparator for separating the products close in physical properties, grinding Machine with a duo-aspirator, a photoseparator and a device for moisture-thermal treatment. Advantages of the proposed line for preparation of safflower grain for processing are that an additional plant in front of the photocarerator of the grinding machine and duo-espirator allows the crest to separate and remove or refine the shell of the seed in the form of a shell layer for more efficient subsequent spectral point analysis, which determines the grain composition for the purpose of sorting it On the basis of chemical composition and color in the photo separator, and sequential placement after the stone separator of a vibro separator for separation of products close in physical properties, a grinding machine with a duo-aspirator, a photoseparator and a device for moisture-thermal treatment, provides an intensification of the technological process of efficient separation of safflower from impurities and its preparation for further processing and Due to the rational layout of equipment.A highly efficient photocell separator is also provided, the advantages of which are that the installation of a storage and vibrating feeder in relation to the slanting tray from the back side and the execution of a smooth curved transition to the vibrating feeder in the upper part of the pitcher allows improving the separation of grain products by reducing the amplitude of grain oscillations, Caused by a rebound from the surface of the tray during the loading of the sorted material from the vibrating feeder

Assessing the quality of models of the ambient solar wind

In this paper we present an assessment of the status of models of the global Solar Wind in the inner heliosphere. We limit our discussion to the class of models designed to provide solar wind forecasts, excluding those designed for the purpose of testing physical processes in idealized configurations. In addition, we limit our discussion to modeling of the ‘ambient’ wind in the absence of coronal mass ejections. In this assessment we cover use of the models both in forecast mode and as tools for scientific research. We present a brief history of the development of these models, discussing the range of physical approximations in use. We discuss the limitations of the data inputs available to these models and its impact on their quality. We also discuss current model development trends

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- A nd middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs

Solar parameters for modeling interplanetary background

The goal of the Fully Online Datacenter of Ultraviolet Emissions (FONDUE) Working Team of the International Space Science Institute in Bern, Switzerland, was to establish a common calibration of various UV and EUV heliospheric observations, both spectroscopic and photometric. Realization of this goal required an up-to-date model of spatial distribution of neutral interstellar hydrogen in the heliosphere, and to that end, a credible model of the radiation pressure and ionization processes was needed. This chapter describes the solar factors shaping the distribution of neutral interstellar H in the heliosphere. Presented are the solar Lyman-alpha flux and the solar Lyman-alpha resonant radiation pressure force acting on neutral H atoms in the heliosphere, solar EUV radiation and the photoionization of heliospheric hydrogen, and their evolution in time and the still hypothetical variation with heliolatitude. Further, solar wind and its evolution with solar activity is presented in the context of the charge exchange ionization of heliospheric hydrogen, and in the context of dynamic pressure variations. Also the electron ionization and its variation with time, heliolatitude, and solar distance is presented. After a review of all of those topics, we present an interim model of solar wind and the other solar factors based on up-to-date in situ and remote sensing observations of solar wind. Results of this effort will further be utilised to improve on the model of solar wind evolution, which will be an invaluable asset in all heliospheric measurements, including, among others, the observations of Energetic Neutral Atoms by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX).Comment: Chapter 2 in the planned "Cross-Calibration of Past and Present Far UV Spectra of Solar System Objects and the Heliosphere", ISSI Scientific Report No 12, ed. R.M. Bonnet, E. Quemerais, M. Snow, Springe

СОПОСТАВЛЕНИЕ РЕЖИМОВ ЛЕЧЕНИЯ БОЛЬНЫХ ПЕРВИЧНОЙ ОТКРЫТОУГОЛЬНОЙ ГЛАУКОМОЙ С ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКАМИ ПРОГРЕССИРОВАНИЯ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЯ. Часть 1. Состояние показателей офтальмотонуса

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of some IOP level indicators on disease progression in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.METHODS: This combined, analytical scientific and clinical multicenter cohort study was conducted between January and April 2017. A total of 136 participants (237 eyes) from 30 academic referral centers from 6 (six) countries (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Uzbekistan) were enrolled — 52 (38.2%) males and 84 (61.8%) females. As a first step, glaucoma anamnesis and all treatment strategies were retrospectively evaluated. Glaucoma was diagnosed according to the differential diagnosis system and confirmed by special methods in all cases. All data concerning the stage of disease were verified repeatedly at the start of the study according to the current glaucoma classification and with additional IOP measurements (Maklakov tonometer, 10 g), morphometric and functional indicators research.RESULTS: The history of the disease at the time of the final examination for patients with different stages of glaucoma was comparable in time and averaged 4.3 (3.7, 5.8) years. Over the average follow-up period, the initial stage did not progress in 73.37% of mild glaucoma cases, 19.02% of cases have progressed to moderate glaucoma, 4.35% have progressed to advanced glaucoma, 3.26% — to terminal glaucoma. Moderate glaucoma stage was preserved in 59.52% cases, in 33.33% it progressed to advanced glaucoma, in 7.15% — to terminal glaucoma. Advanced glaucoma stage remained without a progress in 54.55% cases, in 45.45% cases it has progressed to terminal glaucoma during 5 years. Mean IOP level after follow-up period was 19 (17; 21) mm Hg and had no significant difference (p=0.557, H=2.073). Consequently, only in early-stage glaucoma cases the average «inter-visit» IOP value corresponded with values recommended as a target IOP by the Russian Glaucoma Society, whereas in other cases (moderate and advanced glaucoma) it was significantly higher. There was no significant difference (p=0.597, H=1.882) between «optimal» IOP-level in patients with different glaucoma stages, and «intolerant» IOP-level increased from stage to stage (p<0.001, H=32.175). The initial regimen was generally effective for patients with mild glaucoma with IOP level increase registered only in 2.17% cases. «Inter-visit» IOP-level was above recommended values in 38.1% cases in patients with moderate primary open-angle glaucoma, and in 81.82% in patients with advanced primary open-angle glaucoma. The analysis of visual field change during the follow-up period showed that MD increased in 29.5% cases and decreased in 70.5% cases.CONCLUSION: In this paper we assessed IOP level not only using classical methods, but also introducing new terminology, such as the «inter-visit» IOP-level, the «optimal» IOP-level, the «intolerant» IOP-level, to characterize the IOP dynamics in different time intervals. The results of the study suggest that inter-visit IOP range can be one of the possible predictors of glaucomatous damage, and therefore can be useful for correction of existing clinical guidelines.ЦЕЛЬ. Определить влияние отдельных показателей офтальмотонуса на прогрессирование заболевания у больных с первичной открытоугольной глаукомой (ПОУГ).МЕТОДЫ. В итоговый протокол комбинированного аналитического научно-клинического многоцентрового когортного исследования, проведенного в период с января по апрель 2017 г. на 30 научно-клинических базах 6 (шести) стран (Беларусь, Казахстан, Кыргызстан, Молдова, Россия, Узбекистан), были включены данные 136 человек (237 глаз; мужчин — 52 (38,2%), женщин — 84 (61,8%)). На первом этапе был проведен ретроспективный анализ данных анамнеза заболевания и режимов проводимого лечения. Во всех случаях диагноз был установлен в соответствии с системой дифференциальной диагностики заболеваний и подтвержден специальными методами исследования. На момент включения в исследование производилась дополнительная документальная верификация стадии заболевания согласно действующей классификации глаукомы с дополнительным измерением тонометрического уровня внутриглазного давления (ВГД) (по Маклакову, грузом 10 г), исследованием морфометрических и функциональных показателей.РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ. Анамнез заболевания на момент финального обследования для пациентов с разными стадиями ПОУГ был сопоставим по времени и составил в среднем 4,3 (3,7; 5,8) года. За средний период наблюдения начальная стадия осталась таковой в 73,37% случаев, в 19,02% — перешла в развитую, в 4,35% — в далеко зашедшую, в 3,26% — в терминальную стадию; развитая стадия сохранилась в 59,52% случаев, перешла в далеко зашедшую — в 33,33%, в терминальную — в 7,15% случаев; далеко зашедшая стадия сохранилась в 54,55%, перешла в терминальную — в 45,45% случаев за период в 5 лет. Уровень ВГД на момент финального обследования у пациентов с разными стадиями ПОУГ достоверно не отличался (p=0,557, H=2,073) и составлял в среднем 19 (17; 21) мм рт.ст. В результате лишь у пациентов с начальной стадией ПОУГ значение «средневзвешенного» уровня ВГД соответствует рекомендуемому Российским глаукомным обществом (РГО) уровню офтальмотонуса для данной стадии глаукомы, в то время как у пациентов с развитой, далеко зашедшей и терминальной стадиями ПОУГ этот показатель достоверно выше. «Оптимальный» уровень ВГД на практике достоверно не отличался (p=0,597, H=1,882) у пациентов с разными стадиями глаукомы и составлял в среднем 19,5 (18; 21) мм рт.ст., а уровень «интолерантного» ВГД от стадии к стадии имел отчетливую тенденцию роста (p<0,001; H=32,175). Для пациентов с начальной стадией ПОУГ стартовый режим в целом был эффективен, доля «декомпенсированных» глаз составила лишь 2,17%. У пациентов с развитой стадией декомпенсированный «средневзвешенный» уровень ВГД выявлен у 38,1% пациентов, в далеко зашедшей стадии — у 81,82%. Анализ динамики периметрических изменений за период наблюдения показал, что MD имел положительную динамику в 29,5% случаев, а в 70,5% случаях динамика MD была отрицательной.ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ. В данной работе были использованы классические и введены новые терминологические составляющие, характеризующие состояние офтальмотонуса в различные временные отрезки: «средневзвешенный» уровень ВГД, «оптимальный» уровень ВГД, «интолерантный» уровень ВГД. Результаты данного исследования могут быть использованы для коррекции существующих клинических рекомендаций и позволяют говорить о показателе «средневзвешенный» уровень ВГД как об одном из возможных предикторов заболевани

Сопоставление режимов лечения больных первичной открытоугольной глаукомой с характеристиками прогрессирования заболевания. Часть 2. Эффективность инициальных режимов гипотензивного лечения

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of initial hypotensive treatment strategies in patients with different stages of primary open-angle glaucoma in order to predict glaucoma progression or lack thereof.METHODS: This combined analytical scientific and clinical multicenter study was conducted between January and April 2017. A total of 136 participants (237 eyes) from 30 academic referral centers from 6 (six) countries (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Uzbekistan) — 52 (38.2%) males and 84 (61.8%) females — were included into the study. Glaucoma anamnesis and all treatment regimens were evaluated retrospectively. The study of treatment regimens included the assessment of the effectiveness of topical medication, laser and surgical treatment. Four (4) successive regimen changes were analyzed, each of them with no less than three (3) months duration.RESULTS: The research team has established that the quantity of treatment regimens rises with each next regimen change: from 14 regimens at baseline to 30 regimens at the third adjustment. Prostaglandin analogues (PGA) and beta-blockers (BB) monotherapy were used as baseline first-choice therapy in 37.6% and 21.5% of cases respectively (66.2% in total). Fixed or unfixed combinations with PGA and BB were preferred in 16.5% of cases, BB and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI) combination — in 8.4% of cases.The combination therapy with CAI at the start has achieved the most prominent reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) (till 33.9%). The first choice monotherapy with BB or PGA led to a more effective IOP reduction compared to fixed or unfixed combinations of these drugs: BB reduced the IOP level by 20.0% from baseline, PGA — by 23.1%, their combination — by 19.2%. We have established an intensive use of combination therapy, starting with the 2nd regimen — 71.3%. The laser and surgical treatment was used as initial treatment in 0.8% and 2.1% respectively and achieved 26.7% and 46.0% prevalence respectively by the a final regimen.We achieved the most prominent IOP reduction (by 37.1%) in regimens No 3 and No 4 that included trabeculectomy.CONCLUSION: The results show that the tactics of managing patients with newly diagnosed glaucoma is changing in favor of prescribing first-choice monotherapy medicines — PGA. The choice of therapy tactics for patients with moderate and advanced glaucoma remains irrational: laser and surgical treatment becomes relevant only in regimens No 3 and No 4, 3-4 years after the diagnosis of the disease.ЦЕЛЬ. Установить эффективность инициальных (стартовых) режимов гипотензивного лечения у пациентов с различными стадиями первичной открытоугольной глаукомы (ПОУГ) с определением их роли в прогрессировании заболевания.МЕТОДЫ. В комбинированное аналитическое научноклиническое многоцентровое исследование, проведенное в период с января по апрель 2017 года на 30 научноклинических базах 6 (шести) стран (Беларусь, Казахстан, Кыргызстан, Молдова, Россия, Узбекистан), были включены данные 136 человек (237 глаз; мужчин — 52 (38,2%), женщин — 84 (61,8%)). Проведен ретроспективный анализ данных анамнеза заболевания и режимов проводимого лечения. Изучение режимов лечения подразумевало определение эффективности медикаментозной терапии, лазерного и хирургического лечения. Всего анализу было подвергнуто 4 (четыре) последовательных смены схем лечения в течение документально установленного анамнеза заболевания продолжительностью не менее чем 3 (три) месяца от момента первого назначения.РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ. Установлено увеличение количества используемых режимов по мере увеличения порядкового номера режима: от 14 комбинаций «на старте» лечения до 30 вариантов в режиме № 3. На старте лечения преобладала монотерапия (66,2%): предпочтение отдавалось аналогам простагландинов (ПГ) (37,6%) и бетаадреноблокаторам (ББ) (21,5%). Среди фиксированных и нефиксированных комбинаций превалировали препараты, включающие ББ и ПГ (16,5%) и ББ с ингибиторами карбоангидразы (ИКА) (8,4%). Максимальная гипотензивная эффективность (снижение офтальмотонуса на 33,9% от исходного) инициального режима была достигнута в группах, где использовались комбинации препаратов, содержащие ИКА. Применение ББ и ПГ в качестве монотерапии продемонстрировало более выраженное снижение уровня офтальмотонуса, по сравнению с комбинациями этих препаратов: монотерапия ББ снизила его на 20,0% от исходного, ПГ — на 23,1%, в то время как инстилляции этих препаратов в виде фиксированной или нефиксированной комбинации в среднем снизили уровень внутриглазного давления (ВГД) только на 19,2%. Активное применение схем комбинированной терапии установлено, начиная с режима № 2, оно составило 71,3% от всех назначений. Доля лазерных и хирургических методов на старте составила 0,8 и 2,1% соответственно, прогнозируемо увеличившись к финалу — до 26,7 и 46,0% соответственно. Максимальная гипотензивная эффективность (снижение уровня офтальмотонуса на 37,1% от исходного) в режимах № 3 и № 4 была достигнута при применении синустрабекулэктомии.ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ. Полученные данные показывают, что тактика ведения пациентов с впервые выявленной глаукомой меняется в пользу назначения препаратов «первой линии терапии» — аналогов простагландинов.Тактика выбора терапии для пациентов с развитой и далеко зашедшей стадиями глаукомы остается нерациональной: лазерное и хирургическое лечение становится актуальным только в режимах № 3 и № 4, спустя 3-4 года от момента диагностирования заболевания

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 84.7%) were from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 62.8%), followed by strabismus (n = 429 10.2%) and proptosis (n = 309 7.4%). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 95% CI, 12.94-24.80, and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 95% CI, 4.30-7.68). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs. © 2020 American Medical Association. All rights reserved

THE CONCEPT OF FORCED LABOR

This article is about the concept of forced labor, the negative impact of forced labor on the quality of work and suggestions for its elimination

The Concept of Forced Labor

This article is about the concept of forced labor, the negative impact of forced labor on the quality of work and suggestions for its elimination