Efficiency Of Control Measures Research Articles

MONITORING THE PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY OF CUSTOMS CONTROL IN UKRAINE

Topicality. Ukraine is integrating into the global economic space and is an active participant in regional cooperation. This requires the abolition of certain restrictions on the free movement of goods. Customs control has a special place in this process. Advanced forms and methods of customs control, as well as measures to increase their performance and efficiency, ensure timely detection, prevention, disclosure and termination of offenses, as well as additional receipt of customs payments to the budget with the gradual introduction of European customs norms into the practice of our state.Aim and tasks. To analyze the performance and efficiency of customs control in Ukraine in order to substantiate the vectors for their further improvement.Materials and methods. Legislative and normative documentation, statistical data of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, legislative acts of the state authorities of Ukraine were used in the research process. General scientific and special methods of scientific knowledge, methods of generalization, analysis and synthesis, observation, comparison, grouping are applied - in the study of the categorical and conceptual apparatus of customs control, assessment of the performance and efficiency of control measures in the customs sphere.Research results. The choice of forms and methods of customs control depends on the goals set by the customs authorities for the management of customs risks from the implementation of foreign economic activities. Customs control can be effective, but not effective, if resources disproportionate to the achieved effect were spent to achieve the goals. The analysis of the customs audit in Ukraine proved that the main violations of the customs legislation related to the illegal receipt of tax benefits, violation of the requirements of the rules for the classification of goods in accordance with the UCT of the Foreign Trade and unreliable declaration of the customs value of goods. Today, due to the state of war, the emphasis in the work has been shifted to the organization of explanatory work by the customs, the provision of consultations on the practical application of certain norms of legislation on customs matters, and the conduct of a campaign of voluntary payment to the budget of customs payments in connection with the established signs of violation of the customs legislation. In most foreign practices, the customs audit is carried out by conducting a post-audit. This results in speeding up customs formalities and simplifying customs procedures, maintaining a balance between promoting international trade and effective customs control. On the basis of the analysis of the efficiency of the work of regional customs, the problems of their functioning have been identified according to a number of indicators, which indicates the need to focus on these areas during customs control.Conclusion. Prospective directions for increasing the performance and efficiency of customs control in Ukraine are:- increasing the effectiveness of customs audit and post-customs control;- increasing the effectiveness of control over the legality of the application of exemptions from payment of customs payments and the use of goods for their final destination, which will contribute to the increase of customs payments to the State Budget;- introduction of European practices in the field of customs control in Ukraine by building modern, flexible, reliable, service-oriented information and communication systems.Single indicators of performance and efficiency of customs control, which will be coordinated with the customs legislation of the EU member states, are required for further development and publication. They should reflect not only the quantitative indicators of additional revenues of customs payments to the budget, but also indirectly take into account the quality of changes taking place in the customs administration, due to the growth of international trade volumes, the activation of foreign economic activity.

The importance of border surveillance and border traffic control at the eastern border of the Republic of Poland to the cross-border security of the European Union

The main non-military criterion of border surveillance is border control; due to the geopolitical situation in Ukraine, preceded by the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of border surveillance with regard to the eastern border of the Republic of Poland, also performing the function of one of the longest sections of the European Union’s external land border, has become extremely important. Therefore, the article aims to point to the importance of border surveillance and border traffic control at the eastern border of the Republic of Poland to the cross-border security of the EU. To achieve this objective, it presents the main characteristics of border control and cross-border security at the external borders of the EU, describes the ‘Polish’ section of the EU’s external land border, indicates the efficiency of control measures taken and identifies the threats and challenges to the protection and surveillance of border traffic. The article is theoretical and partly comparatively analytical in nature. It relies on traditional research methods: deductive reasoning and comparative analysis.

ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ ПРОВЕДЕННЯ ДЕРЖАВНИХ ФІНАНСОВИХ АУДИТІВ В УМОВАХ ВІЙНИ

In the context of transformational changes, there is a growing need for a deeper study of the theoretical and methodological foundations of state financial control, its constituent forms and types, taking into account positive experience from foreign countries in its organization and effective implementation. Improvement of approaches to determining the strategic directions of state financial control by the central state authorities in the medium term is an expedient step that will improve the efficiency of management of the system of public finance in war conditions. The development of public relations, integration processes and the reform of the control system determine the new requirements for the organization and conduct of state control in the management of budget resources. That is why the emphasis of control powers in the public administration sector, especially on budget resources, creates the need for careful study of the category. At the same time, it is important to establish appropriate institutional principles for the organization of the state financial control system by the central executive authorities as well as to determine the directions for further development of its components in the context of a fullscale invasion. Improving the system of state financial control is a key issue, taking into account the best experience of countries with developed and transformational economies. Enhancing the capabilities of state financial control requires a more rational use of the potential of regulatory control procedures and identifying ways to increase their effectiveness. This confirms the relevance of the chosen research topic and determines its aim. The article is aimed at revealing the possibilities and prospects for creating new forms and types of state financial audits in those areas where budget resources are used, which will allow efficient and effective use of public finance resources within the framework of implementation of European norms of functioning of the system of state financial control. The article considers the importance of defining clear outlined goals during various forms of state financial audits. The main sources of threat are revealed in those areas where budget resources are used, because if in some departments we use funds with violations, then it is logical that other departments receive less money to solve their main problems. Criteria for selecting the main objectives and sub-objectives of the audit have been developed. The main performance indicators of the State Audit Service of Ukraine in the conditions of war were monitored, data on the Chernivtsi region were considered. The authors proved that the effectiveness and efficiency of control measures are the key issues to a successful future of our country.

Increasing temperature alters the within-host competition of viral strains and influences virus genetic variability

Environmental conditions can affect viral accumulation, virulence and adaptation, which have implications in the disease outcomes and efficiency of control measures. Concurrently, mixed viral infections are relevant in plants, being their epidemiology shaped by within-host virus–virus interactions. However, the extent in which the combined effect of variations in abiotic components of the plant ecological niche and the prevalence of mixed infections affect the evolutionary dynamics of viral populations is not well understood. Here, we explore the interplay between ecological and evolutionary factors during viral infections and show that isolates of two strains of Pepino mosaic potexvirus coexisted in tomato plants in a temperature-dependent continuum between neutral and antagonistic interactions. After a long-term infection, the mutational analysis of the evolved viral genomes revealed strain-specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms that were modulated by the interaction between the type of infection and temperature. These results suggest that the temperature is an ecological driver of virus-virus interactions, with an effect on the genetic diversity of individual viruses that are co-infecting an individual host. This research provides insights into the effect that changes in host growth temperatures might have on the evolutionary dynamics of viral populations in mixed infections.

Can Winged Aphid Abundance Be a Predictor of Cucurbit Aphid-Borne Yellows Virus Epidemics in Melon Crop?

Aphid-borne viruses are frequent yield-limiting pathogens in open field vegetable crops. In the absence of curative methods, virus control relies exclusively on measures limiting virus introduction and spread. The efficiency of control measures may greatly benefit from an accurate knowledge of epidemic drivers, in particular those linked with aphid vectors. Field experiments were conducted in southeastern France between 2010 and 2019 to investigate the relationship between the epidemics of cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV) and aphid vector abundance. Winged aphids visiting melon crops were sampled daily to assess the abundance of CABYV vectors (Aphis gossypii, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Myzus persicae) and CABYV was monitored weekly by DAS-ELISA. Epidemic temporal progress curves were successfully described by logistic models. A systematic search for correlations was undertaken between virus variables including parameters µ (inflection point of the logistic curve) and γ (maximum incidence) and aphid variables computed by aggregating abundances on periods relative either to the planting date, or to the epidemic peak. The abundance of A. gossypii during the first two weeks after planting was found to be a good predictor of CABYV dynamics, suggesting that an early control of this aphid species could mitigate the onset and progress of CABYV epidemics in melon crops.

Effects of the emergency control measures in Beijing on air quality improvement

Emergency air pollution control measures were successfully implemented in Beijing many times, such as during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in 2014 and the Red Alert (RA) in 2015. Given that air quality was largely affected by wind speed, the efficiency of control measures and wind speed must be quantified to adjust the control measures under different wind speeds. During APEC and RA, source apportionment of organic carbon (OC) was conducted using chemical mass balance receptor model (CMB) with organic tracers to reveal PM2.5 source reductions caused by control measures. In the APEC control period, mobile sources contribution to organic carbon (OC) and dust contribution to PM2.5 decreased from 3.7 μg/m3 (63.7%) to 3.3 μg/m3 (38.8%) and from 5.1 μg/m3 (16.6%) to 3.8 μg/m3 (6.9%), respectively. For the RA day, coal combustion source contribution to OC decreased from 11.3 μg/m3 (53.2%) to 2.3 μg/m3 (6.2%), while mobile sources contribution changed from 8.9 μg/m3 (41.7%) to 14.7 μg/m3 (40.3%). These data suggest that the vehicle restriction rule was not truly implemented. Control measures should be announced in advance to achieve the expected result. In addition, the effectiveness of control measures would decrease with the increase of wind speed, and the critical wind speeds for sustaining an excellent PM2.5 level (35 μg/m3) and daily PM2.5 concentration standard of China (75 μg/m3) were determined by a power function as 11 km/h and 7 km/h, respectively. So wind speed should be considered before the selection of anthropogenic control measures.

Long-Term Temporal Trends of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Their Controlling Sources in China.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are industrial organic contaminants identified as persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic (PBT), and subject to long-range transport (LRT) with global scale significance. This study focuses on a reconstruction and prediction for China of long-term emission trends of intentionally and unintentionally produced (UP) ∑7PCBs (UP-PCBs, from the manufacture of steel, cement and sinter iron) and their re-emissions from secondary sources (e.g., soils and vegetation) using a dynamic fate model (BETR-Global). Contemporary emission estimates combined with predictions from the multimedia fate model suggest that primary sources still dominate, although unintentional sources are predicted to become a main contributor from 2035 for PCB-28. Imported e-waste is predicted to play an increasing role until 2020-2030 on a national scale due to the decline of intentionally produced (IP) emissions. Hypothetical emission scenarios suggest that China could become a potential source to neighboring regions with a net output of ∼0.4 t year-1 by around 2050. However, future emission scenarios and hence model results will be dictated by the efficiency of control measures.

Sugar beet nematode Heterodera schachtii distribution and harmfulness in Ukraine

Aim. To determine the distribution of sugar beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii in Ukraine, to defi ne its population density in soil, the degree of damage and the effi ciency of control measures. Methods. Field survey for soil samples, cyst extraction by fl otation and sieving method, light microscopy. Results. The examination of 12,130 ha of agricultural fi elds in six regions of Ukraine, conducted in 2010–2015, recorded the sugar beet cyst nematode to occur in fi ve of them (Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Khmelnytsky, and Vinnytsia), at a total area of 2,572 ha. Taking into consideration the results of previous nematological surveys, the presence of sugar beet cyst nematode has now been documented for 18 regions of Ukraine. In most regions H. schachtii was present in 10–11 % of the examined sugar and seed producing farms with nematode population densities reaching up to 142,000 eggs and juveniles in 100 cc of soil (710-fold above the economic threshold). Conclusions. The main reasons for this wide distribution of H. schachtii in Ukraine are seen in the negligence of prevention measures, unavailability of documented data on its occurrence (missing surveys), crop rotations with over 20 % of host plants, and unavailability of effi cient nematicides and domestic nematode-resistant sugar beet cultivars.

Mass outbreaks of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus in the context of the controversies around the Białowieża Primeval Forest

Abstract Spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (L.) (Col.: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) outbreaks occur in managed and protected forests alike, but although known of for a long time, management and control of this insect is a controversial subject due to the forests’ diverse nature and protection status. In this paper, an overview of the bark beetle, conditions leading to outbreaks, natural enemies and the efficiency of control measures is presented and put into perspective with regards to the current controversies concerning outbreak management. The Białowieża Primeval Forest is central to this discussion, because the area remains divided into parts with different nature protection statuses. Ideas concerning the current but also future outbreak progress and possible issues with the management of natural resources in this area are presented.

Social structure and Escherichia coli sharing in a group-living wild primate, Verreaux's sifaka.

BackgroundEpidemiological models often use information on host social contacts to predict the potential impact of infectious diseases on host populations and the efficiency of control measures. It can be difficult, however, to determine whether social contacts are actually meaningful predictors of transmission. We investigated the role of host social structure in the transmission of Escherichia coli in a wild population of primates, Verreaux’s sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi). Using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), we compared genetic similarities between E. coli isolates from different individuals and groups to infer transmission pathways.ResultsCorrelation of social and transmission networks revealed that membership to the same group significantly predicted sharing of E. coli MLST sequence types (ST). Intergroup encounter rate and a measure of space-use sharing provided equally potent explanations for type sharing between social groups when closely related STs were taken into account, whereas animal age, sex and dispersal history had no influence. No antibiotic resistance was found, suggesting low rates of E. coli spillover from humans into this arboreal species.ConclusionsWe show that patterns of E. coli transmission reflect the social structure of this group-living lemur species. We discuss our results in the light of the species’ ecology and propose scent-marking, a type of social contact not considered in previous epidemiological studies, as a likely route of transmission between groups. However, further studies are needed to explicitly test this hypothesis and to further elucidate the relative roles of direct contact and environmental transmission in pathogen transfer.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12898-016-0059-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Spatial Behavior Comparison of Bactericera cockerelli Sulc. (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in Mexico

During the last five years, Bactericera cockerelli Sulc. has caused significant economic losses in potato production in Mexico, due to the purple top and zebra chip diseases, since it acts as the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous. Despite its importance as a vector of serious potato diseases, the knowledge of its spatial distribution behavior, which could improve the efficiency of control measures, is entirely lacking. The main objective of this work was to compare the spatial distribution of the immature and adult stages of B. cockerelli obtained in a potato field by means of transect and quadrant sampling techniques and of geostatistics tools that allow the visualization of its spatial distribution in the field. Transect and quadrant samplings showed that the immature stages (eggs and nymphs) of B. cockerelli present a clustered distribution. The validation of the achieved semivariograms in the three dates of sampling corroborated the aggregated distribution of immatures and adults of the insect. The maps obtained in the sampling by using the quadrant or the transect approaches reflect the aggregated structure of the insect populations which did not infest 100% of the plot area. This allowed us to identify infested and free areas, what will aid in decisions for selecting alternatives of control.

Prevalence of tabacco product use in Latvia and control measures

The use of tobacco products is a major problem having a serious effect on public health. Deaths from external causes are those that can be prevented by ensuring environmental safety and educating the society about the effect of lifestyle habits and behaviour on health of an individual. Not only research data reveal the prevalence of tobacco use but also the rate of tobacco sales. Tobacco industry marketing includes advertising, sales promotion and sponsorship strategies that are aimed at promotion of tobacco use. Demand for tobacco products is influenced also by changes in legislation relating to ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship. Therefore it is necessary to introduce an agreed strategy for reducing tobacco use. The countries that have ratified the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (the Convention) should develop and implement an effective tobacco control programme. In Latvia the number of daily smokers gradually decreases thanks to the extensive smoking restrictions though tobacco manufacturers use all the available media, radio and television, newspapers, magazines, advertisements and Internet, to advertise their products. Therefore in order to combat the prevalence of smoking first of all it is necessary to limit cigarette marketing and sales and to carry out monitoring and development of tobacco control measures on the state level. The sales of legal cigarettes have decreased in Latvia starting from 2009. However, the increase in tax rates and prices has contributed to the movement of illegal goods therefore it is necessary to take additional restrictive measures concerning the movement of illegal goods. Though amendments to legislation of Latvia relating to tobacco control comply with the requirements of the WHO Convention it is necessary to evaluate the efficiency of control measures and to improve them. Systematic and comprehensive education of the public is required to encourage the change of public attitude in favour of a healthy lifestyle.

Laboratory and Field Testing of Sampling Methods for Inhalable and Respirable Dust

The performance of four sampling devices for inhalable dust and three devices for respirable dust was tested with different kinds of dusts in the laboratory and in the field. The IOM sampler was chosen as the reference method for inhalable dust, and the IOM sampler provided with the porous plastic foam media was used as the reference method for respirable dust. The other tested instruments were the Button sampler, the optical Grimm aerosol monitor, and the Dekati two-stage cascade impactor with cutoff sizes of 10 and 4 μ m. The study confirmed the applicability of the IOM and Button samplers. The new foam product followed the respirable criteria well. However, the foam sampler was unstable for measuring inhalable dust, probably due to its moisture absorption. In addition, high dust loads should be avoided with the foam sampler due to increase in filtering efficiency. The concentrations of inhalable dust measured with the Button sampler, the Grimm monitor, and the impactor sampler were usually close to those measured with the reference sampler. On the other hand, impactor sampling yielded higher respirable dust concentrations than the reference method in the field, which may have been caused by particle bounce; high dust loads should be avoided while using the impactor. The results also showed that the Grimm monitor enables real-time dust concentration determinations that are accurate enough for routine monitoring of occupational exposure and for testing efficiency of control measures in workplaces.

Seroprevalence of Oestrus ovis infection in sheep in southwestern Germany.

The aim of the survey was to determine the seroprevalence of Oestrus ovis infection in flocks in southwestern Germany. Serum samples collected from 1497 sheep (>6 months of age) of 110 flocks in 1997 and 1998 were examined for antibodies to crude somatic antigens of O. ovis second-stage larvae using an ELISA test. Data on the farm management were obtained by a questionnaire. Overall, 76% of the flocks had at least one seropositive animal, and the seroprevalence of anti-Oestrus antibodies was 50% in sheep. Flock size was the only risk factor significantly associated with the detection of antibodies. Larger flocks (>50 ewes) were more likely to be seropositive than smaller ones. These results show that Oestrus infections are widespread in sheep in southwestern Germany. Further investigations are required to estimate the economic importance of oestrosis and the efficiency of control measures.

Nosocomial transmission of multidrug-resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis

Before 1989, reports of nosocomial transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were infrequent. Most reports involved a small number of patients or health care workers (HeWs) and were traced to patients with unrecognized infectious tuberculosis. Beginning in approximately 1985, the incidence of tuberculosis in the United States reversed its downward trend and began to increase. 1'2 From 1989 through 1992, the Hospital Infections Program, in conjunction with other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) components, state and local health officials, and hospital personnel, investigated eight outbreaks of nosocomial tuberculosis. 38 Most of these outbreaks involved multidrug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and patients with HIV infection. In this article, we review the epidemiology of these MDR-TB outbreaks and describe the efficiency of control measures implemented at three of the hospitals with MDR-TB outbreaks.

Epizootiology and vectors of African horse sickness virus

African horse sickness (AHS) virus causes a non-contagious, infectious, arthropod-borne disease of equines and is enzootic in sub-Saharan Africa. The major vectors are species of Culicoides but mosquitoes and ticks may be involved. Periodically the virus makes excurisons beyond its enzootic zones but until recently has not been able to maintain itself outside these areas for more than 2–3 consecutive years. This is probably due to a number of factors including the absence of a long term vertebrate reservoir, the prevalence and seasonal incidence of the vectors and the efficiency of control measures. The recent AHS epizootics in Iberia and North Africa seem to have established a new pattern in AHS virus persistence. This is probably linked to the continuous presence of adult C. imicola in the area. Culicoides imicola is basically an Afro-Asiatic insect and prefers warm climates. Therefore its continuous adult presence in parts of Iberia may be due to some recent moderation of the climate in these areas.

Effects of 'closed' houses on the Aedes aegypti eradication programme in Trinidad.

The effects of closed (i.e. locked) houses on the efficiency of control measures against Aedes aegypti (L.) were monitored weekly for 1 year (March 1981 to February 1982) using ovitraps in the towns of Felicity and Trincity, Trinidad. Regular anti-aegypti activities comprised source reduction, focal treatment with larvicidal 1% temephos sand granules and perifocal treatment with 40% wp fenthion. In Felicity, only 6% of houses were closed and after each treatment cycle ovitrap indices showed 100% control. In Trincity, 32% of houses were closed and after each treatment cycle reductions in ovitrap indices were less than 50%. Ae.aegypti eggs sampled in ovitraps totalled 493 (1-70 per positive paddle) in Felicity and 2310 (1-75 per positive paddle) in Trincity; twenty-three ovitraps were found to be positive in Felicity and 247 in Trincity. Ae.aegypti was successfully eliminated from Felicity during weeks 40-52 using focal/perifocal treatment monitored by ovitraps. Control failure in Trincity was attributed to the survival of untreated Ae.aegypti populations in closed houses. Recommendations to improve gaining access for inspection and treatment of closed houses include having control/surveillance workers commence activities at 06.00 hours on weekdays, to work at weekends or during school holidays, or as a last resort to invoke court orders against householders harbouring Ae.aegypti.

The Incidence of Aphis fabae Scop. on Spring‐sown Field Beans in South‐east England and the Efficiency of Control Measures

SUMMARYSurveys of crops of spring‐sown field beans from 1966 to 1974 in the counties of Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire showed that the incidence of Aphis fabae Scop, infestation varied from season to season and often between counties in the same year. The heaviest infestations occurred in 1967, 1972 and 1973 and the lightest infestation was in 1968 vvhen few winged aphids colonized headland plants. Estimates for 1972 and 1973 showed that treatment was economically worth while on most fields in these years. Phorate was the most frequently used insecticide and gave good control, although it was less effective in years in which there was a dry spring. Disulfoton and sprays of demeton‐S‐methyl and menazon also gave good control, although menazon was less effective as an eradicant spray after colonies of aphids had become established.

Coffee Berry Disease: Epidemiology in Relation to Control

SummaryIn many instances measures developed for the control of coffee berry disease in East Africa have become less effective since 1961. Changes in the flowering and fruiting patterns of the coffee tree have recently become evident, ascribed in part to the onset of a wetter and cooler climatic cycle in 1961–62, and in part to the effect of the disease itself which, by removing crop, stimulates out-of-season flowering. Consequently, instead of a single main crop in which susceptible and highly infective ripe berries are present for a short time only, a series of over-lapping crops results in ripe berries being on the trees for most of the year. This has changed the disease epidemiology: formerly the main source of infection was conidia from the maturing wood, but now conidia from the berries are often predominant. This has greatly affected the efficiency of control measures, and means are suggested for restoring the previous situation.

The epidemiology of sleeping sickness in East Africa: V. Epidemics on the Albert Nile

The epidemiology of sleeping sickness in East Africa: V. Epidemics on the Albert Nile