Auxiliary Products Research Articles

Mathematical Study of a Double-Slope Passive Solar Distiller with Water Heater Condenser

In this article, the inevitable condensation losses from the back-side glass cover of a passive single-basin double-slope distiller (PSDD) were recovered in heating water inside a glass solar water heater (SWH) to produce hot water as an auxiliary product of the distiller. The transient thermal performance of the PSDD-SWH was mathematically modeled and compared to a conventional PSDD in actual weather circumstances. Compared to a conventional PSDD, the results revealed that the thermal efficiency of the PSDD-SWH increased by 18% to 83% during the day. In addition, increasing the water mass inside the water heater from 3kg to 18kg increased the thermal efficiency of the PSDD-SWH by about 50% despite decreasing the total distillate by less than 1%. Moreover, the thermal performance of the PSDD-SWH, in terms of distillate production, hot water temperature, and thermal efficiency boomed in hot climates with high solar irradiation and high ambient temperatures. Furthermore, insulating the glass covers of the PSDD-SWH during off-sun hours significantly enhanced the thermal performance of the PSDD-SWH.

A chatbot based question and answer system for the auxiliary diagnosis of chronic diseases based on large language model

In recent years, artificial intelligence has made remarkable strides, improving various aspects of our daily lives. One notable application is in intelligent chatbots that use deep learning models. These systems have shown tremendous promise in the medical sector, enhancing healthcare quality, treatment efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. However, their role in aiding disease diagnosis, particularly chronic conditions, remains underexplored. Addressing this issue, this study employs large language models from the GPT series, in conjunction with deep learning techniques, to design and develop a diagnostic system targeted at chronic diseases. Specifically, performed transfer learning and fine-tuning on the GPT-2 model, enabling it to assist in accurately diagnosing 24 common chronic diseases. To provide a user-friendly interface and seamless interactive experience, we further developed a dialog-based interface, naming it Chat Ella. This system can make precise predictions for chronic diseases based on the symptoms described by users. Experimental results indicate that our model achieved an accuracy rate of 97.50% on the validation set, and an area under the curve (AUC) value reaching 99.91%. Moreover, conducted user satisfaction tests, which revealed that 68.7% of participants approved of Chat Ella, while 45.3% of participants found the system made daily medical consultations more convenient. It can rapidly and accurately assess a patient’s condition based on the symptoms described and provide timely feedback, making it of significant value in the design of medical auxiliary products for household use.

Untraded inter‐dependencies as auxiliary production factors for informal artisans in urban industrial clusters: An empirical study in Kumasi, Ghana

AbstractThe concept and influence of untraded inter‐dependencies are under‐explored in the industrial cluster and informal economy literature. In this paper, we attempt to bridge this gap by extending the conventional Cobb‐Douglas production function to operationalising and testing the moderating effects of two forms of untraded inter‐dependencies in informal production. Based on the diffusion theory, we argue that knowledge‐sharing would favour informal production, as opposed to tool‐sharing. Using quantitative methods, 334 informal artisans were randomly sampled from three clusters in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana and analysed data obtained with moderating models and simple slopes plots. The tested models and fuzzy set configurations confirmed that knowledge‐sharing, but not tool‐sharing, has significant interaction effects on informal production. The optimal model derived would be one in which capital interacts with incremental knowledge‐sharing at the existing level of tool‐sharing among the artisans. This paper serves as an extension of new economic geography with an additional factor of untraded inter‐dependencies. As part of post‐COVID restoration and enhancement of informal production processes, we recommend city officials to deliberately plan and space clustered enterprises that enable the observed rates of interactions between production factors and untraded inter‐dependencies.

ON THE ISSUE OF DETERMINING THE PRODUCTION COST OF THE CAPITAL RENEWAL OF PASSENGER CARS

In recent years, the inventory of passenger cars has decreased significantly due to the exclusion from service of the ones that have already exhausted their service life. The wear and tear of the passenger rolling stock of Ukrzaliznytsia JSC is approaching 90%. Repair and maintenance costs for outdated railcars account for over half of the industry’s expenses. In conditions of an acute shortage of newly built cars, practically the only way to maintain the operability of the car fleet is to overhaul passenger cars that have exhausted their service life. At the same time, based on the results of operations in different regions, the railway cars have different technical conditions. Also, different car repair enterprises use differing methods for calculating the cost of repairs. It leads to a significant scatter of calculation results. The article is devoted to the issue of creating a generalised methodological approach to determining the production cost of passenger cars overhaul. We have classified production costs and determined which expenses relate to the direct costs of car repair production, the auxiliary production costs, and general production costs. Next, we formulated the components of each of these groups. The article considers the main aspects influencing the formation of costs, particularly labour costs and social contributions, material costs, fuel, electricity, repairs, and equipment depreciation. It also takes into account the cost of return expenses. The proposed scientific approach allows accounting for the actual service life and level of wear of the passenger car, its type, and design features. We carried out an analysis of the factors affecting the production cost of repairing passenger cars. It makes it possible to determine rational technical and organisational solutions to reduce the cost of overhauling passenger cars that have exhausted their service life. The stated provisions have a practical orientation and can be used at the car repair enterprises of the Passenger Company branch of JSC Ukrzaliznytsia. Keywords: passenger car, repair, resource, wear and tear, production cost, expenses.

Emerging pollutants in textile wastewater: an ecotoxicological assessment focusing on surfactants.

Water and several chemicals, including dyestuffs, surfactants, acids, and salts, are required during textile dyeing processes. Surfactants are harmful to the aquatic environment and induce several negative biological effects in exposed biota. In this context, the present study aimed to assess acute effects of five surfactants, comprising anionic and nonionic classes, and other auxiliary products used in fiber dyeing processes to aquatic organisms Vibrio fischeri (bacteria) and Daphnia similis (cladocerans). The toxicities of binary surfactant mixtures containing the anionic surfactant dodecylbenzene sulfonate + nonionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate and dodecylbenzene sulfonate + nonionic alkylene oxide were also evaluated. Nonionic surfactants were more toxic than anionic compounds for both organisms. Acute nonionic toxicity ranged from 1.3mg/L (fatty alcohol ethoxylate surfactant) to 2.6mg/L (ethoxylate surfactant) for V. fischeri and from 1.9mg/L (alkylene oxide surfactant) to 12.5mg/L (alkyl aryl ethoxylated and aromatic sulfonate surfactant) for D. similis, while the anionic dodecylbenzene sulfonate EC50s were determined as 66.2mg/L and 19.7mg/L, respectively. Both mixtures were very toxic for the exposed organisms: the EC50 average in the anionic + fatty alcohol ethoxylate mixture was of 1.0mg/L ± 0.11 for V. fischeri and 4.09mg/L ± 0.69 for D. similis. While the anionic + alkylene oxide mixture, EC50 of 3.34mg/L for D. similis and 3.60mg/L for V. fischeri. These toxicity data suggested that the concentration addition was the best model to explain the action that is more likely to occur for mixture for the dodecylbenzene sulfonate and alkylene oxide mixtures in both organisms. Our findings also suggest that textile wastewater surfactants may interact and produce different responses in aquatic organisms, such as synergism and antagonism. Ecotoxicological assays provide relevant information concerning hazardous pollutants, which may then be adequately treated and suitably managed to reduce toxic loads, associated to suitable management plans.

РАЗЛИЧНЫЕ ПОДХОДЫ К РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЮ ЗАТРАТ ПРИ УПРАВЛЕНИИ СЕБЕСТОИМОСТЬЮ ВСПОМОГАТЕЛЬНЫХ ПРОИЗВОДСТВ

The article discusses issues related to various approaches to the distribution of costs of auxiliary production. In addition to traditional approaches to distribution, based on the direct attribution of costs to the corresponding auxiliary production, more complex situations are considered in which the auxiliary productions under study provide services to the main production, as well as to each other, resulting in cross-provision of services. A matrix and step-by-step approach to allocating the costs of auxiliary production in such a situation is considered. Illustrates the solution of relevant problems using Microsoft Excel.

Efficiency of auxiliary products in organic millet production

Millet is recognized as one of the key crops in Ukrainian agriculture and has numerous advantages that increase its value for the agricultural sector. A particular advantage is its resistance to droughts and high temperatures, which makes it ideal for cultivation in dry regions. At the same time, millet processing products are universal and can be used in various industries, which contributes to the efficient use of resources. The use of millet in human consumption and as animal feed, as well as in industry, makes it extremely versatile. However, the production of vegetable protein remains an urgent problem for Ukraine, and in this context, millet cultivation becomes an important initiative. Improving the elements of millet cultivation technology is a very relevant area today, as there is no single recommended approach to growing this crop in organic production in Ukraine. With the adoption of legislation in the field of organic production, circulation and labeling of organic products, the issue of providing seed material for the main agricultural crops arises. Therefore, the research was aimed at the studying of the influence of auxiliary products approved for use in organic production on the formation of the of millet plants productivity. The research was conducted during 2022–2023 on the basis of the T.H. Shevchenko PAE (private agricultural enterprise), village Trostinka, Vasylkiv district, Kyiv region. The scheme of the experiment included the study of varietal characteristics of millet («Omriyane» and «Bila Altanka») and the action of biological preparations: «Biocomplex-BTU», «Organic-balance», and the conditions of their use. The treatment of seeds with auxiliary products («Biocomplex – BTU» and «Organic-Balance») had a significant effect on yield formation; under these conditions the yield indicators were at the level of 2.70–2.79 t/ha, which is 0.20–0.30 t/ha ha higher compared to the control options. It was found that the maximum millet yield indicators were obtained under the conditions of the complex application of biological preparations «Biokomplex-BTU» and «Organic-balance» (seed treatment + spraying of plants II, III, VIII stages) – 3.64–3.70 t/ha. Under these conditions the protein accumulation was (10.96–11.24 % on dry weight). Key words: millet, variety, biological preparations, productivity, organic production.

Оценка заболеваемости глазной поверхности у персонала объекта использования атомной энергии

Relevance. One of the main areas of scientific support for work in the field of ensuring radiation safety during the liquidation of nuclear legacy is the assessment of radiation effects among personnel of nuclear industry enterprises and the most significant radiogenic risks among workers of these enterprises. Objective. To conduct a retrospective analysis of ocular surface morbidity among personnel of a nuclear energy facility under long-term man-made external irradiation. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of ocular surface morbidity among personnel of a nuclear energy facility (NUF) under long-term man-made external irradiation was carried out, taking into account the absorbed dose equivalent. The medical records of 3,795 employees were analyzed, divided into 2 groups: main - medical records of 2,546 employees of the main production; comparison - medical records of 1249 employees of auxiliary production. Results. According to the results of a retrospective analysis, blepharoconjunctivitis, inflammation of the lacrimal drainage apparatus, and inflammatory lesions of the cornea are the most common among OAE personnel. At the same time, there is a statistically significant increase in the pathology of the ocular surface as the dose load increases among personnel of both the main and auxiliary production facilities of nuclear power plants. Conclusion. Among nuclear facility personnel exposed to long-term technogenic exposure to ionizing radiation, there is a statistically significant increase in the number of cases of ocular surface diseases as the dose load of soft tissues increases. Keywords: ionizing radiation, long-term technogenic external exposure, ocular surface, morbidity

Applying the quick exposure check in the workstation design process, physical and virtual prototype assessment.

The Quick Exposure Check (QEC) assesses four major body parts and engages users in assessing some physical interactions relevant to design in task analysis. In this paper, we investigated the application of QEC as the ergonomic intervention to detect pre-production ergonomic design faults in the apple sorting machine by applying physical and virtual prototyping for three different tasks analysis divided into two phases (Task 1: Apple harvesting and preparation for sorting; Task 2: Sorting control and separation of waste fruits; Task 3: Transfer of separated apples). First, the QEC questionnaire was administered while Iranian participants interacted with the machine to detect abnormal posture. Second, we redesigned a concept of the machine and assessed it with QEC by a focus group. Before design, the high pressure in Task 1 is on the back (dynamic), shoulder/arm, and very high pressure in Task 2, and in Task 3 on the back (static), arm/shoulder/neck, making an uncomfortable situation for posture. After redesign, we observed decreased pressures on the back/shoulder/arm in Task 1 from high to medium, in Task 3 from very high to low, and also in Task 2, this was detectable decreasing from very high pressures on the back/shoulder/arm and the high pressures on the neck to medium. Prototyping with QEC demonstrated that accurate redesigning of the machine with concentration on shifting from static tasks to dynamic or conversely, and ease of access by adjusting dimensions according to anthropometry and auxiliary products, could reduce musculoskeletal disorders.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of “Cable Fixing Tool” in ensuring and maintaining patient and employee safety in the operating room

AimThis study was designed to improve the "Cable Fixing Tool", which is effective in providing and maintaining patient and employee safety in the operating room, and to evaluate its effectiveness. Material and methodThe production stages of the "Cable Fixing Tool" were carried out first in this mixed-methods experimental study. The study was performed with 120 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the operating room of Van Regional Training and Research Hospital between June 2021 and November 2021, and with 60 healthcare professionals constituting the surgical team, of which 8 were physicians, 41 nurses and 11 caregivers. ResultsThe total injury rate due to cables and connections was 23.4% in the pre-test conducted with the control group to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Cable Fixing Tool", and 3.3% in the experimental group using the "Cable Fixing Tool". The obtained data indicate that the “Cable Fixing Tool” is effective and provides safety. ConclusionIt is believed that in units with a high number of technical equipment like operating rooms, the widespread use of auxiliary products such as "Cable Fixing Tool", which can ensure cable safety, is necessary in reducing and preventing unwanted incidents caused by cables and connections such as tripping, falling and injuries.

Диагностика зависимости основного производства от производственной инфраструктуры на основе ансамблевого метода машинного обучения

The rational organization of the production infrastructure of an industrial enterprise has a significant impact on the level of profitability of production. New technologies for integrating business processes are evolving in the face of industrial automation. The aim of the article is to diagnose the level of economic dependence of the core production on the production infrastructure. As a research method, the algorithm of the ensemble method of machine learning “Random Forest” is proposed. The parameters that quantitatively and qualitatively describe the costs of main and auxiliary production, the costs of repair facilities, and the level of production efficiency have been developed. Approbation of the algorithm on the example of chemical enterprises allowed distin-guishing three classes of productions by the nature of the organization of production infrastructure and its par-ticipation in the core production. The quality of the obtained models is evaluated by calculating the risk of mis-classification and the magnitude of cumulative lift, where the class with the most correct classification results is highlighted. Results obtained are primary diagnostics of the organization and capacity utilization of the produc-tion infrastructure in order to make decisions on business process restructuring.

STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE EXISTING MASTER PLAN FEATURES ON THE INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISE LOGISTICS

Purpose. The study of the real state of master plans of existing industrial enterprises in our country indicates that today the planning decisions of some industrial enterprises, especially metallurgical ones, which were built in the twentieth century, to a large extent do not correspond to the classical principles of designing master plans. Achieving the economic effect of production at the enterprise depends on the enterprise’s logistics. Therefore, the purpose of the work is to study the problem of the influence of existing master plans on the way to improve the transport service of the enterprise’s workshops and the efficiency of the industrial enterprise logistics as a whole. Research methods The study used methods of analysis and synthesis to study the issue, as well as analysed the main scientific publications on the impact of existing master plans on the industrial enterprise’s logistics. Results. In the work, using the experimental method of data analysis of the implemented enterprises’ master plans, a study was made of existing master plans’ influence on improving the workshop transport service of the enterprise and the efficiency of the industrial enterprise logistics as a whole, which indicate the need for new effective methods and proposals that take into account the transport functioning peculiarities. The scientific novelty lies in the development of a general method for the impact determining of existing schemes of master plans on transport costs and emergency occurrence. The main direction of improving the transport services efficiency for an industrial enterprise and logistics, in general, is a comprehensive reconstruction of the enterprise territory, taking into account the performance of transport and storage works in order to increase the efficiency of the territories using, reduction of auxiliary production, re-profiling, placing adjacent or other non-production functions, solving environmental problems based on the best domestic and foreign scientific developments. The practical significance of the study is the results of the analysis of technological planning solutions and the proposed evaluation criteria. The presented theoretical provisions, which are based on the experimental method of analysing the data of the implemented master plans, made it possible to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current state and use of the enterprise’s territory and can be further used in the development of new technologies, technical means, and relevant technological planning solutions.

Intercomparisons on the Vertical Profiles of Cloud Microphysical Properties From CloudSat Retrievals Over the North China Plain

AbstractVertical profiles of cloud microphysical properties importantly determine the lifetime and precipitation rate of clouds. The 94‐GHz cloud profiling radar (CPR) onboard the CloudSat satellite can measure the vertical profile of radar reflectivity, from which the microphysical properties of cloud can be retrieved. The retrievals bear variations due to various assumptions and auxiliary products used. This study targets on the mid‐latitude clouds in the northern hemisphere, and intercompares the CloudSat products describing the vertical profiles of cloud microphysics and evaluate the uncertainties for each retrieval algorithm, with further evaluation by aircraft in‐situ observations over the North China Plain region during 2013–2017. For those retrieval products performing phase apportion, the ambient temperature‐based linear apportioning on mixed‐phase clouds can produce reasonable estimation on ice water content, apart from the heavily precipitating clouds. The retrieved liquid water content constrained by cloud optical depth well matched in‐situ observations, however its effective size is overestimated (hereby underestimating the number concentration of water droplets) because of the influence of larger precipitating hydrometeors on size distribution. The CPR‐only retrieval can well produce the effective diameter and number concentration of ice for deep convection clouds, but using additional lidar constraint underestimates the effective diameter due to the intense attenuation by thick clouds. The analysis here suggests the appropriate parameters from various products for different cloud types, and provides guidance for future development of retrieval algorithms on vertical profiles of cloud microphysical properties.

Organizing Maintenance Service Contracts for Initial Purchases: The Interplay Among Product Type, Service Type, and Service Approach

Organizing Maintenance Service Contracts for Initial Purchases: The Interplay Among Product Type, Service Type, and Service Approach

Распространенность офтальмопатологии среди персонала объекта использования ионизирующего излучения

Perpose. A retrospective analysis of the morbidity rates of the organ of vision in the personnel of the facility using ionizing radiation of energy under long-term technogenic external exposure was carried out. Material and method. The medical records of 3,795 employees were analyzed. The personnel in the framework of this study was divided into 2 groups: the main one – 2,546 employees of the main production; comparison – 1,249 employees of auxiliary production. Results. As the age of the staff increases, there is an increase in the incidence of ophthalmopathology in both groups. The level of morbidity with pathology of the organ of vision in the main group aged 30 to 70 years at the time of diagnosis is statistically significantly higher than that in the comparison group. At the same time, a high prevalence of diseases of the ocular surface was noted: in the main group, conjunctivitis is most common, in the comparison group – diseases of the eyelids. Keywords: ionizing radiation, long-term technogenic external exposure, ocular surface, morbidity

Are Perceived Benefits of Heated Tobacco Products Consumption Aiding Smoking Cessation?

Background The tobacco industry has been facing several transformations, considering that technology has evolved and health concerns have increased. One way for this industry to meet the growing social and health concerns is to provide alternative solutions. Heated tobacco products (HTPs) were the solution found, but they nevertheless pose several challenges to regulators, companies, and consumers, since HTPs are advertised as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. Focus of the Article This study aims to analyze smokers' perception of HTPs to provide insights for social marketing campaigns targeting behavioral change. Research questions The main objectives of this research are: (1) to assess whether smokers and ex-smokers view HTPs as less harmful to health than traditional cigarettes; and (2) to determine to what extent HTPs can help increase the intention to quit smoking. Methods This study explores smokers’ perception of HTPs consumption using a modified version of the Health Belief Model (HBM). A survey study involving 250 smokers and ex-smokers was conducted to test the conceptual model using PLS-Path modeling to validate the research hypotheses. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 3.3 programs. Results The results suggest that the perceived benefits of heated tobacco consumption negatively influence the likelihood of quitting smoking. Therefore, HTPs do not work as auxiliary products with regard to the intention to quit smoking. In some cases, the effect is quite the opposite, as HTPs use increases tobacco consumption and dependence. Perceived susceptibility and perceived severity are not significant predictors of the decision to quit smoking. Research limitations Future research could use a sample that includes only HTPs smokers and ex-smokers, analyze HTPs benefits and understand the primary motivation behind replacing conventional cigarettes with HTPs. Practical implications Entities attempting to promote the reduction of tobacco consumption should equate HTPs to conventional tobacco and focus on campaigns targeting only HTPs smokers. Whenever studying perceptions on HTPs, it is important to consider smokers’ dependence on nicotine and the particularities of the devices used to consume HTPs. Importance to the Social Marketing Field Considering the social relevance and growth of heated tobacco consumption, as well as the increase of the tobacco industry’s economic power, this research offers relevant insights into consumers’ perceptions toward HTPs.

Risks of loss of professional health among employees of a gas transportation company operating in conditions equated to the Far North

Introduction. Identifying the causes of contraindications to continuing work at gas transportation enterprises is an important task for preserving the professional longevity of their employees.
 The study aims to assess the risks of determining contraindications to continuing work under the influence of harmful and dangerous production factors typical for a gas transportation enterprise operating in conditions equated to the Far North.
 Materials and methods. The authors have analyzed the results of the examination of the professional suitability of employees of the main and auxiliary production facilities at the gas transportation enterprise operating in the territory equated to the Far North over three-year period.
 Results. There are contraindications to work in the conditions of the Far North and equivalent areas in all professional groups due to the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract and dental diseases. A typical reason for determining contraindications to work at height are refractive errors. Industrial noise is the main harmful production factor for gas transportation enterprises, however, even in groups specializing in the maintenance of noise-hazardous equipment, scientists have identified contraindications to working under its influence with a frequency of no more than 7.0%. Their main cause is sensorineural hearing loss in the stage from moderate to higher. General medical contraindications in most cases were due to pathology of the circulatory system and endocrine diseases. The most common contraindications to continuing work exist for employees of auxiliary production: car drivers and firefighters. This circumstance is due to the most stringent requirements of regulations for their health. The risk of loss of professional fitness among workers of the main production is significantly reduced when conducting planned wellness programs and redistributing production tasks.
 Limitations. At an enterprise operating in southern climatic zones and using less noisy hazardous equipment, other results can be obtained.
 Conclusion. Differences in the working conditions of the company's employees determine the significantly different risks of their loss of professional health due to chronic diseases. For employees of the main production of the gas transportation enterprise engaged in work with harmful and dangerous working conditions, there are the greatest risks of determining contraindications for performing work in conditions of industrial noise and working at height, due to the development of diseases of the circulatory system and sensorineural hearing loss.

Changes of bioactive composition and concentration in loquat flower extracted with water/Chinese Baijiu

Loquat is a high-value fruit tree with medicine and fruit homology. Loquat flowers with special fragrance, strong cold resistance and rich in various bioactive components, are valuable agricultural auxiliary products and have been widely used for making floral teas and beverages in recent years. In this study, we found the concentration of active components increased from the floral buds to initial flowers along with flower development, the bioactives of initial flowers were the richest in four flowering stages, and loquat flowers contained major volatile components such as alcohols, aldehydes and esters, which are the source of fragrance. When extract with hot water, the most efficient method was 80 °C for 30 min or boiling water within 2 h. For Baijiu (56% Vol), the best solid-to-liquid ratio was 3:100 (Dry flower: Baijiu) in 6–12 h. Baijiu achieved higher bioactive content than water extraction, the amygdalin concentration in Baijiu reached 0.3 mg/mL.

ДОЗИМЕТРИЧЕСКАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА КОГОРТЫ ПЕРСОНАЛА СИБИРСКОГО ХИМИЧЕСКОГО КОМБИНАТА В ПЕРИОД 1950–2010 гг.

Purpose: To give a dosimetric characterization of the personnel of the Siberian Chemical Plant (SCP) subjected to prolonged technogenic occupational exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) in the period 1950–2010, as well as the cohort of the personnel of the SCP involved in working with uranium compounds. Material and methods: SCP is one of the largest and oldest complexes of nuclear industry enterprises in the world, having experience in continuous dosimetric monitoring of personnel for more than 60 years. The database of the regional medical-dosimetric register of employees of the SCP (RMDR) contains information about all employees of the SCP for the entire history of the enterprise, including personal data of medical, dosimetric and professional nature of 65.350 employees of the SCP, of which more than 32.000 people were exposed to chronic technogenic occupational radiation in the range of low doses. The archive of the medical documentation of the Seversk Biophysical Research Center contains 55.569 medical histories of the employees of the SCP, 29.800 outpatient records and 11.953 autopsy protocols. Results: Employees of the radiochemical, chemical-metallurgical, sublimate and separation industries of the SCP were subjected to combined (external and internal) irradiation, while the personnel of the reactor production were exposed exclusively to external irradiation. Auxiliary production workers were mainly exposed to non-radiation factors. Individual dosimetric control (IDC) of external exposure was carried out for all workers who were in the zone of exposure to external radiation sources. The average accumulated dose of external radiation for employees of the SCP was 28.3 mSv. IDC of internal irradiation was carried out for all workers employed at the production site, where the excess of the regulatory level of the concentration of radionuclides in the air of the working area was detected. The average value of the activity of radionuclides in the urine of SCP workers does not exceed 0.74 Bq. The life status has been clarified for 80.8 % of the employees of the SCP. About 3.500 employees of the agricultural complex have an IDC for internal irradiation from uranium based on the results of a biophysical examination. The life status is established for 75 % of employees of the uranium cohort. Conclusion: For the first time, a dosimetric characteristic of a cohort of 65.350 workers of the SCP (21 % women) who started work in the period 1950–2010 was given. The cohort of the staff of the SCP is suitable for conducting epidemiological studies in order to establish the risks associated with the impact on the human body of technogenic occupational exposure to IR.

Investigation of clinical efficacy and safety of a new herbal “Algan Hemostatic AgentTM” in lumbar disc herniation operations

Aim. ALGAN Hemostatic Agent (AHA) is obtained with a standard mixture of 6 different herbs. It is a polysaccharide based hemostatic agent. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical efficacy and reliability of AHA as a local hemostatic agent in lumbar disc herniation operations. Materials and Methods. In the study, the hemostatic efficacy of the product was observed on 28 volunteers underwent lumbar disc herniation surgery. In the treatment and control groups (14 patients each), operation times, bleeding stop times, pre- and postoperative hematocrit values (amount of blood loss), duration of hospital stay, and need for cautery use were compared. Traditional methods (cautery, ligation, etc.), which are used as a hemostatic in the operation, were always ready to be used effectively. The AHA application took 120 seconds. Results. While there was no difference between the groups in terms of preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values, postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values were statistically significant (p=0.033, 0.043). The amount of cautery use decreased significantly in the treatment group and the result was found to be statistically significant (p=.0.001). There was no significant difference in blood transfusion and mean operation times. Conclusions. AHA has been shown to be both effective in controlling bleeding and safe, so it can be used as an auxiliary product in capillary bleeding control in lumbar disc operations.