Efficient Use Of Resources Research Articles

Improving State policy in the field of alternative energy

Subject. This article discusses the features of the development of alternative energy in Russia. Objectives. The article aims to summarize the foreign practices of implementing government policy in the field of alternative energy. Methods. For the study, we used systematization and generalization. Results. The article shows that in Russia, programmes of government support for alternative energy are aimed at attracting private investment and improving the efficiency of resource use. The main problems are related to the legal regulation and assessment of the efficiency of alternative energy sources. Conclusions. Programmes aimed at enhancing the attractiveness of alternative energy for the end consumer, as well as projects for the development of single large projects that can be scaled up over time, are the most relevant for Russia.

Investigation of Building Automation Systems in Terms of Lighting Efficiency

Considering that energy consumption is constantly increasing along with a gradual decrease in energy resource reserves, energy is the most current and pending issue in today's world. Several academic studies have been conducted on the efficient use of energy resources. For this purpose, the idea of "smart building" has been proposed to use energy more efficiently in buildings. With building automation systems, which are indispensable elements of these smart buildings, the energy consumption of buildings can be greatly reduced. In this study, the lighting efficiency of a building automation system built at a training point in the Marmara University Mehmet Genç campus, Vocational School of Technical Sciences, was examined. The Sauter Vision Center software program was used at the observation center of the system. The results were analyzed in terms of efficiency by comparing the energy values in certain time periods obtained from the program with the energy values calculated in full use. The analysis yielded a lighting efficiency value of 54%, which was found to exceed the values reported in the literature.

Smarter and Cleaner? The Carbon Reduction Effect of Smart Cities: A Perspective on Green Technology Progress

In the context of the global climate change problem intensifying due to a dramatic increase in carbon emissions, smart cities, as a topical application of digitalization and intelligence, have become a new urban governance mode for countries, which helps to achieve sustainable development. This research studies the relationship between smart city construction (SCC) and carbon dioxide emissions based on the differences-in-differences model (DID) and propensity score matching (PSM) to promote China to achieve dual carbon goals and high-quality development. The findings are as follows: (a) SCC could promote carbon emission reduction by reducing urban carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 11.4%, which also has significant long-term dynamic effects. Specifically, SCC has more obvious emission reduction effects on activities, such as industrial production and waste treatment. (b) Mechanism verification shows that green technology progress is a significant booster for the carbon reduction effect in SCC. The pilot project can increase output of green patents, which helps transfer production mode and consumption patterns in an environmentally friendly manner. SCC could increase the total factor productivity (TFP) through the rational allocation and efficient use of resources, and thus reducing carbon emissions. (c) Research on city heterogeneity shows that a high level of human capital, material, and financial resources can provide support for smart cities to better achieve the carbon reduction effect. Among them, material resources have the best carbon reduction effect in the process of SCC, which could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 6.6–17.7%. This study is useful for policymakers to continuously and dynamically adjust urban development strategies in the future, to achieve a balance between socioeconomic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Electricity Generation at Gas Distribution Stations from Gas Surplus Pressure Energy

At gas distribution stations (GDSs), the process of throttling (pressure reduction) of natural gas occurs on gas pressure regulators without generating useful energy. If the gas expansion process is created in a turbine, to the shaft where an electric generator is connected, then electricity can be obtained. At the same time, the recycling of secondary energy resources is provided, which is an important component in the efficient use of natural resources. The obtained electric power can be supplied to the external power grid and/or used for the GDS’s own needs. The process of generating electricity at the GDS from gas overpressure energy is an environmentally friendly, energy-saving technology that ensures an uninterrupted, autonomous operation of the GDS in the absence of an external energy supply. The power needs of a GDS with regard to electricity are relatively small (5 ÷ 20 kW). Expansion in throttling devices or turbine flow paths leads to gas cooling with a possible hydrate formation. It is prevented via gas preheating or vortex expansion equipment that keeps the further gas temperature at a necessary level. Turbogenerators can be created on the basis of vortex expansion turbomachines, which have many advantages compared to turbomachines of other types. This article studies how gas pressure (outlet: gas distribution station) and gas preheating (inlet: vortex expansion machine) influence turbogenerator parameters. Nine turbogenerator variants for the power needs of gas distribution stations have been assessed.

Understanding the regulation of protein synthesis under stress conditions

Protein synthesis regulation primarily occurs at translation initiation, the first step of gene translation. However, the regulation of translation initiation under various conditions is not fully understood. Specifically, the reason why protein production from certain mRNAs remains resistant to stress while others do not show such resilience. Moreover, why is protein production enhanced from a few transcripts under stress conditions, whereas it is decreased in the majority of transcripts? We address them by developing a Monte Carlo simulation model of protein synthesis and ribosome scanning. We find that mRNAs with strong Kozak contexts exhibit minimal reduction in translation initiation rate under stress conditions. Moreover, these transcripts exhibit even greater resilience to stress when the scanning speed of 43S ribosome subunit is slow, albeit at the cost of reduced initiation rate. This implies a trade-off between initiation rate and the ability of mRNA to withstand stress. We also show that mRNAs featuring an upstream ORF can act as a regulatory switch. This switch elevates protein production from the main ORF under stress conditions; however, minimal to no proteins are produced under the normal condition. Because, in stress, a larger fraction of 43S ribosomes bypasses the upstream ORF due to its weak Kozak context. This, in turn, increases the number of scanning ribosomes reaching the main ORF, whose strong Kozak context can convert them into 80S ribosomes, even under stress conditions. This switching allows an efficient use of cellular resources by producing proteins when they are required. Thus, our computational study provides valuable insights into our understanding of stress-responsive translation-initiation.

Statistical power and optimal design for randomized controlled trials investigating mediation effects.

Mediation analyses in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) can unpack potential causal pathways between interventions and outcomes and help the iterative improvement of interventions. When designing RCTs investigating these mechanisms, two key considerations are (a) the sample size needed to achieve adequate statistical power and (b) the efficient use of resources. The current study has developed closed-form statistical power formulas for RCTs investigating mediation effects with and without covariates under the Sobel and joint significance tests. The power formulas are functions of sample size, sample allocation between treatment conditions, effect sizes in the treatment-mediator and mediator-outcome paths, and other common parameters (e.g., significance level, one- or two-tailed test). The power formulas allow us to assess how covariates impact the magnitude of mediation effects and statistical power. Accounting for the potential unequal sampling costs between treatment conditions, we have further developed an optimal design framework to identify optimal sample allocations that provide the maximum statistical power under a fixed budget or use the minimum resources to achieve a target power. Illustrations show that the proposed method can identify more efficient and powerful sample allocations than conventional designs with an equal number of individuals in each treatment condition. We have implemented the methods in the R package odr to improve the accessibility of the work. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Routine Childhood Immunization with 20-Valent versus 15-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in Germany.

This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of routine childhood immunization with the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) in a four-dose regimen (3 + 1 schedule) versus the 15-valent PCV (PCV15/V114) in a three-dose regimen (2 + 1) in Germany. The study utilized a decision-analytic Markov model to estimate lifetime costs and effectiveness outcomes for a single birth cohort in Germany. The model tracked the incidence of acute pneumococcal infections and long-term pneumococcal meningitis sequelae for both vaccination strategies. The vaccine effectiveness data were derived from published clinical trials and observational studies of PCV7 and PCV13. Indirect effects, such as herd protection and serotype replacement, were included in the model. The model adopted a societal perspective, including direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect costs. Scenario and sensitivity analyses were performed. In the base case, PCV20 prevented more pneumococcal disease cases and deaths, with an expected gain of 96 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared to V114. However, PCV20 was associated with a total incremental cost of EUR 48,358,424, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of EUR 503,620/QALY. Most of the scenario and sensitivity analyses estimated that the ICER for PCV20 exceeded EUR 150,000/QALY. Routine childhood immunization with PCV20 instead of V114 may not be an economically efficient use of healthcare resources in Germany.

Use of Recycled Additive Materials to Promote Efficient Use of Resources While Acting as an Effective Toughness Modifier of Wood-Polymer Composites.

Wood-polymer composites (WPCs) with polypropylene (PP) matrix suffer from low toughness, and fossil-based impact modifiers are used to improve their performance. Material substitution of virgin fossil-based materials and material recycling are key aspects of sustainable development and therefore recycled denim fabric, and elastomer were evaluated to replace the virgin elastomer modifier commonly used in commercial WPCs. Microtomography images showed that the extrusion process fibrillated the denim fabric into long, thin fibers that were well dispersed within the WPC, while the recycled elastomer was found close to the wood fibers, acting as a soft interphase between the wood fibers and PP. The fracture toughness (KIC) of the WPC with recycled denim fabric matched the commercial WPC which was 1.4 MPa m1/2 and improved the composite tensile strength by 18% and E-modulus by 54%. Recycled elastomer resulted in slightly lower KIC, 1.1 MPa m1/2, as well as strength and modulus while increasing elongation and contributing to toughness. The results of this study showed that recycled materials can potentially be used to replace virgin fossil-based elastomeric modifiers in commercial WPCs, thereby reducing the CO2 footprint by 23% and contributing to more efficient use of resources.

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination strategies for older Canadian adults: a cost-utility analysis.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines could reduce disease burden and costs in older Canadian adults, but vaccination program cost-effectiveness is unknown. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of different age cut-offs for RSV adult vaccination programs, with or without a focus on people with higher disease risk due to chronic medical conditions. We developed a static individual-based model of medically attended RSV disease to compare alternative age-, medical risk-, and age-plus medical risk-based vaccination policies. The model followed a multiage population of 100 000 people aged 50 years and older. Vaccine characteristics were based on RSV vaccines authorized in Canada as of May 2024, with vaccine protection assumed to last 2 years (or 3 years in scenario analyses). We calculated sequential incremental cost-effectiveness ratios in 2023 Canadian dollars per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) from the health-system and societal perspectives, discounted at 1.5%. Although all vaccination strategies averted medically attended RSV disease, universal age-based strategies were not an efficient use of resources compared with medical risk-based strategies. Vaccinating adults aged 70 years and older with 1 or more chronic medical condition was the optimal strategy for a cost-effectiveness threshold of $50 000 per QALY. Results were sensitive to assumptions about vaccine price, but medical risk-based approaches remained optimal compared with age-based strategies, even when vaccine prices were low. Findings were robust to a range of alternative assumptions. Vaccination programs for RSV in some groups of older Canadians with underlying medical conditions are likely cost-effective. These findings can inform the design of vaccination programs.

Improving the productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays L.) using optimum blended inorganic fertilization.

There is limited information on the best NPSB rate for maize production. Thus, the study aimed to determine the optimal NPSB fertilizer dose for maximizing maize yield and profitability. The nine treatments that included 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 NPSB kg ha-1 were tested using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that increasing NPSB application significantly influenced maize plant height, ear height, hundred-seed weight, aboveground biomass yield, and grain yield. Specifically, the application of 150 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB consistently produced the tallest plants, highest ear heights, heaviest hundred-seed weights, and maximum aboveground biomass and grain yields across both sites. Economic analysis revealed that the 150 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB earned the highest net benefits and marginal rates of return, indicating its economic viability for smallholder farmers. Beyond 150 kg ha⁻¹, further increases in NPSB did not enhance yield or economic returns significantly. These findings underscore the importance of balanced fertilization for maximizing maize productivity and profitability while ensuring efficient resource use and environmental sustainability. Implementing optimized fertilizer practices with 150 kg ha⁻¹ NPSB can empower farmers in the study area and similar agroecological zones to achieve sustainable maize production and economic success.

WP5.4 - Uncomplicated acute diverticulitis can be managed in an ambulatory setting

Abstract Aims We aimed to evaluate a treatment pathway for acute diverticulitis at our Surgical Emergency Unit (SEU) and analyse the outcomes. We hypothesised that a significant number of patients can be managed in an ambulatory setting. Methods We reviewed clinical records of all adult patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted with acute diverticulitis between April 2022 to March 2023. Those presenting with clinical suspicion of acute diverticulitis were assessed clinically, biochemically and radiologically with cross-sectional imaging. This allowed early detection and treatment for those with complications of diverticulitis, and early ambulation within 24 hours for those without. We evaluated their length of stay, modified Hinchey classification of disease severity, antibiotic prescription, and readmission for diverticulitis within 3 months after discharge. Results We included 370 patients (160 males, 210 females). The mean age was 63.2 (range 23-96) years. Fifty-five (14.9%) presented with acute complicated diverticulitis (Hinchey classification 1b or above). In total, 218 patients (58.9%) were ambulated within 24 hours of presentation. The proportion of patients ambulated early with and without complications of diverticulitis were 21.8% (12/55) and 65.4% (206/315) respectively (p<0.001). The average length of stay in hospital was 54 (range 0.3-711) hours. Among those ambulated early, 196 were prescribed with oral antibiotics. Only 10 patients (4.6%) had persistent symptoms after 2 weeks from ambulation. Twenty-six patients (11.9%) were subsequently readmitted within 3 months. Conclusions In our experience, over half of patients diagnosed with acute diverticulitis were successfully managed on an ambulatory pathway. There was a low percentage with persistent symptoms or readmission. The development of appropriate patient pathways is crucial to improve efficient use of hospital resources.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS OF PERISHABLE GOODS DELIVERY IN THE CITY OF KHARKIV

The article analyses the existing methods for building perishable goods delivery technologies and identifies strategies to study the prospects for developing perishable goods delivery systems, which allowed the authors to formulate the research objective in this development. The chosen topic is quite relevant since the formation of rational transport and technological schemes for the delivery of perishable goods allows for increasing the efficiency of resource use, decreasing the cost of their delivery, and reducing the delivery time of perishable goods. One of the ways to improve the efficiency of perishable goods delivery and reduce delivery time is to determine rational distribution routes and rational brands of rolling stock. The study established that foreign scientists have proposed solutions related to the construction of transport and technological schemes for the delivery of perishable goods, taking into account the choice of vehicles and routes for the delivery of goods. Most of these solutions focused on determining the appropriate loading capacity of rolling stock and the optimal delivery routes for perishable goods. A result of the conducted research was a proposed methodology for a comprehensive improvement of the perishable goods delivery process, consisting of determining rational distribution routes for a selected set of vehicles with different loadings. The authors implemented the software for the algorithm for choosing routes for vehicles of various capacities with the definition of the core technical and operational and technical and economic indicators of efficiency of the delivery process of perishable goods. The software implementation of the algorithm for selecting routes for vehicles of different capacities with the determination of the core technical and operational and technical and economic indicators of the efficiency of the delivery process of perishable goods allows one to quickly, in real-time, perform calculations and determine the rational parameters of the transport process and choose the appropriate routes and rolling stock. Keywords: perishable goods, cargo delivery, distribution routes, truck capacity, costs.

Application of Proximal Policy Optimization for Resource Orchestration in Serverless Edge Computing

Serverless computing is a new cloud computing model suitable for providing services in both large cloud and edge clusters. In edge clusters, the autoscaling functions play a key role on serverless platforms as the dynamic scaling of function instances can lead to reduced latency and efficient resource usage, both typical requirements of edge-hosted services. However, a badly configured scaling function can introduce unexpected latency due to so-called “cold start” events or service request losses. In this work, we focus on the optimization of resource-based autoscaling on OpenFaaS, the most-adopted open-source Kubernetes-based serverless platform, leveraging real-world serverless traffic traces. We resort to the reinforcement learning algorithm named Proximal Policy Optimization to dynamically configure the value of the Kubernetes Horizontal Pod Autoscaler, trained on real traffic. This was accomplished via a state space model able to take into account resource consumption, performance values, and time of day. In addition, the reward function definition promotes Service-Level Agreement (SLA) compliance. We evaluate the proposed agent, comparing its performance in terms of average latency, CPU usage, memory usage, and loss percentage with respect to the baseline system. The experimental results show the benefits provided by the proposed agent, obtaining a service time within the SLA while limiting resource consumption and service loss.

A Sustainable Future : The Importance and the Development of Sustainable Finance In the 21st Century

The environmental problems that have emerged along with rapidly increasing global warming in recent years have made the concept of sustainability an important issue in the world in general. This fact has been largely effective in increasing the sensitivity of businesses and leading corporations to the environmental problems. This situation has led businesses to implement environmental friendly policies and invest in these areas, both interms of efficient use of natural resources and minimizing the damage to the environment. With the increasing global warming, climate change has recently become one of the most important problems in the world, and many countries have started to make efforts to reduce the risk of climate change. The inadequacy of environemental measures taken so far has necessitated the search for solutions in different areas regarding this issue. In this sense, financial institutions also contribute to climate awareness by following environmental policies in their activities and developing products that prioritize the environment. The concept of sustainable finance has led to the development of various financial products and to the development of financing projects aimed at protecting the environment. While the concept of sustainable finance is perceived as the responsibility of public authorities, the private sector has also been included in the process with the Sustainable Development Goals in the UN 2030 Agenda. There is no doubt that sustainable banking and finance practices, especially the implementation of sustainability practices by banks and other corporations in developing countries will contribute to the development of these countries considerably. In this study, it is aimed to draw attention to the global climate crisis, to emphasize the relationship between finance and the environment, and to contribute to the increase of applications in this field in the world by introducing green financing tools. One of the important functions of sustainable finance against the climate crisis is the evolution of companies funded within the scope of ESG criteria into a production process that tends to be sensitive to carbon emissions, as well as acquiring social and governance sensitivity. In this way, an economic process can be carried out on the axis of environmental and social awareness. In addition to combating climate change, it can be an important supporter in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Bioguided Optimization of the Nutrition-Health, Antioxidant, and Immunomodulatory Properties of Manihot esculenta (Cassava) Flour Enriched with Cassava Leaves.

Manihot esculenta (cassava) roots is a major food crop for its energy content. Leaves contain nutrients and demonstrate biological properties but remain undervalorized. In order to develop a bioguided optimization of cassava nutrition-health properties, we compared the phytochemistry and bioactive potential of cassava root flour extract (CF) with cassava flour extract enriched with 30% leaves powder (CFL). Cassava flour supplementation impact was explored on flour composition (starch, fiber, carotenoids, phenolic compounds), in vivo glycemic index, and bioactivity potential using macrophage cells. We assessed the impact of cassava flour supplementation on free radicals scavenging and cellular production of pro-inflammatory mediators. CFL showed higher levels of fiber, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and lower glycemic index. Significantly higher bioactive properties (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) were recorded, and inhibition of cytokines production has been demonstrated as a function of extract concentration. Overall, our results indicate that enrichment of cassava flour with leaves significantly enhances its nutrition-health and bioactive potential. This bioguided matrix recombination approach may be of interest to provide prophylactic and therapeutic dietary strategy to manage malnutrition and associated chronic non-communicable diseases characterized by low-grade inflammation and unbalanced redox status. It would also promote a more efficient use of available food resources.

Optimizing biomass supply chains: A probabilistic approach to managing uncertainties in southwest Nigeria

Efficient and sustainable use of biomass resources is crucial to meet the increasing demand for bio-based products and renewable energy. The biomass supply chain, which includes harvesting, collecting, logistics, storage, and pre-treatment, faces challenges due to uncertainties such as market fluctuations, equipment availability, weather conditions, and transportation constraints. These uncertainties often hinder the optimisation of the supply chain. This research work explores the performance of the biomass supply chain by optimizing operations while accounting for these uncertainties. Nigeria is faced with power issues and there are resources to combat the problem through generation of cleaner energy from biomass. Using mathematical modelling, the study evaluates the impact of uncertainty on key performance areas like feedstock supply, inventory management, transportation efficiency, and processing capacity. The research demonstrates the importance of incorporating uncertainty-aware solutions to minimize risks and improve the flexibility of the biomass supply chain. Sensitivity analyses and case studies shows that the proposed probabilistic modelling approach provides valuable insights into system vulnerabilities and effective strategies for optimizing operations under uncertain conditions. The findings highlight the potential of this approach to improve decision making, resource allocation, and promote sustainable practices in the biomass sector. Ultimately, the study contributes to advancing biomass supply chain management, paving the way for a more resilient and efficient use of bioresources.

INNOVATIVE INSULATING MATERIAL IN THE ASPECT OF ENSURING THE SAFETY OF HYDROCARBON TRANSPORTATION

Ensuring continuous and safe operation of the main oil and gas pipelines is a critical aspect for preserving the environment and efficient use of hydrocarbon resources. More than half of accidents on trunk gas pipelines occur due to corrosion wear of the metal caused by insufficient protection of the insulation coating. The consequences of such incidents have a devastating impact on the environment and human lives: spilled oil and oil products pollute the soil, and leaking gas can lead to explosions and forest fires.Corrosion processes hiding under the coating due to poor adhesion and due to non-fulfillment of their functions by the coating lead to increased peeling of insulation and the formation of new corrosion foci, including stress-corrosion processes. Consequently, imperfect insulation coating and insufficient adhesion to metal are one of the main causes of accidents on main pipelines.The purpose of this work was to study and prove the chemical interaction of the functional groups of asmol insulation compositions with the metal surface. In the course of work, the following tasks were solved:- assessment of the ratio of initial adhesion parameters obtained in laboratory and route conditions and their values after 1.5 and 6 years of operation;- study of the IR spectrum in order to prove the presence of functional groups in the asmol material;- study of the protective capacity of the asmol coating structure in an aggressive corrosive environment at different temperatures.Methods were used to measure the quantitative adhesion of the anti-corrosion coating and the peel area during cathode polarization, in accordance with State Standard R 51164-98. The composition of the asmol material was studied by IR spectroscopy.It has been shown that functional groups, the presence of which has been confirmed by spectral analysis, of asmol material in the insulation coating make it possible to chemically adhere to steel. Indirect proof of this is the stability of the adhesion strength over time, the cohesive separation of the asmol coating in determining adhesion indicators under trace conditions and the relatively small area of coating detachment during cathode polarization.

Pengaruh Kompetensi dan Kerja Sama Tim Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Desa Karyamukti Kecamatan Lemahabang

In the current era of globalization, human resource management has a very crucial role in increasing the efficiency of resource use within the organization to achieve common goals. In this case, the influence provided by competence and teamwork supports the optimization and improvement of employee performance. Therefore, this research aims to find out, analyze and explain the influence of Competency and Teamwork on Employee Performance. The research method used is verification analysis with a quantitative approach. The sampling method used in this research was using a non-probability sampling method with a saturated sampling technique because the sample size was less than 100 people, so all members of the population were sampled. Research data was obtained by distributing questionnaires via Google Form to 45 respondents from Karyamukti Village employees, Lemahabang District. Then, the data analysis method used is path analysis (Path Analysis) with the help of SPSS 23 software. The results of the discussion in this research show that there is a correlation between the Competency and Teamwork variables. There is a partially significant positive influence of each variable between Competence and Teamwork on Employee Performance. And there is also a significant positive influence simultaneously on the Competency and Teamwork variables on Employee Performance.

Application of Hydroponic System

Hydroponics is a system of growing plants in a nutrient-rich solution without soil. The plants are grown in a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse, and the solution is circulated around the roots of the plants. This allows for more efficient use of water and nutrients, as the plants can absorb the nutrients they need directly from the solution. There are several different types of hydroponic systems, including deep water culture, nutrient film technique, and aeroponics. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of system will depend on the specific needs of the plants being grown. One of the main advantages of hydroponics is that it allows for more efficient use of resources. Because the plants are grown in a controlled environment, water and nutrients can be delivered directly to the roots of the plants, reducing the amount of water and fertilizer needed. This can result in faster growth rates and higher yields compared to traditional soil-based methods. Another advantage of hydroponics is that it allows for more precise control over the growing conditions. The pH, nutrient levels, and temperature can all be carefully controlled to create the optimal growing conditions for the plants. This can result in healthier plants and higher quality produce.

On improving the efficiency of providing budgetary places in Russian universities (on the example of engineering and technical areas of study)

Relevance. In the current economic and political conditions in Russia, there is an acute shortage of welltrained engineers, and not only in the IT field. In order to overcome this problem, the state annually raises the admission target numbers (CAP) for technical educational programs. This increases the amount of public funding for universities (both per capita and for general development); it is measured in hundreds of billions of rubles, which requires studying the efficiency of resource use. The purpose of the article is, based on the results of a comprehensive empirical analysis, to identify the key problems that reduce the effectiveness of state financing of state-funded places in engineering and technical areas, and to substantiate proposals for minimizing them. Methodology and methods. The methodological basis is a systematic approach, within which general scientific methods (deduction, induction, generalization, comparative analysis, etc.) were used, as well as special economic and statistical research methods. Results and scientific novelty. It was revealed that the use of the current methodology for the distribution of CSC by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia leads to the fact that a significant part of budget places in engineering and technical areas of study are occupied by students with low (18.2% excluding IT areas) and extremely low (at least 14.5 %) by the level of incoming knowledge. In a number of areas, the proportion of such students reaches 87%, despite the fact that ¾ of the applicants have an extremely weak physical and mathematical base (within the framework of the school course). The actual scale of the problems turned out to be greater due to the non-linear scale of the Unified State Examination, “tuned” by the Ministry of Education of Russia to overestimate the score for “C” students. Taken together, this naturally leads to the training of engineers of the appropriate level at the state expense. A set of measures is substantiated to change the methodology for distributing budgetary places, aimed at improving the efficiency of the use of public funding. Practical significance. The results of the study can be used by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, as well as by the administrations of technical universities to improve the quality of applicants for engineering education programs.