Individual Quality Indicators Research Articles

Identifying Quality Gaps in Preventive Care for Outpatients With Cirrhosis Within a Large, Academic Health Care System.

We sought to identify specific gaps in preventive care provided to outpatients with cirrhosis and to determine factors associated with high quality of care (QOC), to guide quality improvement efforts. Outpatients with cirrhosis who received care at a large, academic tertiary health care system in the United States were included. Twelve quality indicators (QIs), including preventive care processes for ascites, esophageal varices, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and general cirrhosis care, were measured. QI pass rates were calculated as the proportion of patients eligible for a QI who received that QI during the study period. We performed logistic regression to determine predictors of high QOC (≥ 75% of eligible QIs) and receipt of HCC surveillance. Of the 439 patients, the median age was 63years, 59% were male, and 19% were Hispanic. The median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium score was 11, 64% were compensated, and 32% had hepatitis C virus. QI pass rates varied by individual QIs, but were overall low. For example, 24% received appropriate HCC surveillance, 32% received an index endoscopy for varices screening, and 21% received secondary prophylaxis for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. In multivariable analyses, Asian race (odds ratio [OR]: 3.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-10.2) was associated with higher QOC, and both Asian race (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.2-9.0) and decompensated status (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-4.2) were associated with receipt of HCC surveillance. A greater number of specialty care visits was not associated with higher QOC. Conclusion: Receipt of outpatient preventive cirrhosis QIs was variable and overall low in a diverse cohort of patients with cirrhosis. Variation in care by race/ethnicity and illness trajectory should prompt further inquiry into identifying modifiable factors to standardize care delivery and to improve QOC.

Determining the effect of casein on the quality indicators of ice cream with different fat content

The effect of casein on the quality of ice cream with different fat content was studied. According to functional and technological characteristics, micellar casein was selected for the enrichment of ice cream. Using mathematical modeling in the environment of the MathCad-15 package, the mass fraction of micellar casein in the composition of ice cream with a fat content of 0 to 15 % was optimized in order to obtain a high-quality product. At the first stage, the response surface methodology was used to optimize the response functions (overrun, melting resistance, organoleptic characteristics) for the varied fat and protein content. In the second stage, a comprehensive quality score of ice cream was used for modeling as a function of estimates of individual quality indicators, converted into scalable values using weights. The inverse relationship between the values of the optimal protein content and the fat content of ice cream was determined. To achieve the maximum technological effect, in the composition of ice cream with a fat content of 0‒5 %, 6‒10 % and 11‒15 %, the need for micellar casein is 6‒5 %, 4‒3 % and 2.5–1 %, respectively. According to the results of calculating the percentage of energy value introduced by total protein (more than 20 %), it was concluded that ice cream with a fat content of 0‒5 % with mass fractions of micellar casein of 6‒5 % and total protein of 9.7‒8.7 % can be attributed to the category of products with high protein content. Ice cream with a fat content of 10‒15 % with mass fractions of casein micellar of 3‒1 % and total protein of 6.7‒4.7 % can be attributed to a product with high protein content. The results of the study allow expanding the range of protein-containing ice cream to meet the needs of consumers of different groups

Исследование влияния температурных режимов хранения на показатели сохранности и технологические показатели пшеницы

При хранении на элеваторах и складах зерно подвергается воздействию температур, связанных с сезонными колебаниями. Температурный режим влияет на старение зерна за счет изменений углеводного и белково-липидного комплексов, процессов дыхания, влагосорбционных изменений, а также развития вредителей. В статье приведены результаты изменения качества зерна мягкой пшеницы при разных температурах хранения. Показано, что интенсивность изменения отдельных показателей качества пшеницы зависит от температурных условий хранения: при температурах 30 и 40°С отмечены наиболее существенные изменения показателей качества: снижение массовой доли клейковины, снижение стекловидности, увеличение числа падения и увеличение кислотного числа жира. Регрессионный анализ полученных данных позволил установить зависимость показателей качества от температуры хранения. Наиболее благоприятным температурным режимом определена температура 10°С, при которой качество пшеницы по нормируемым показателям характеризуется значениями на уровне исходного зерна. Выполненные эксперименты актуальны для обоснования оптимальных режимов в практике длительного хранения зерна, а также для составления прогнозных значений по срокам его хранения.

Male preference for conspecific females depends on male size in the splendid darter, Etheostoma barrenense

Mating preferences vary among individuals in response to a number of factors, such as the age and phenotype of the choosing individual. However, studies addressing variation in mating preferences generally focus on female preferences and usually are limited to choice within a species. Variation in preferences likely also exists at the species boundary, affecting an individual’s propensity to mate with heterospecific individuals. In darters (Percidae: Etheostoma), male mating preferences are thought to prevent interbreeding between species, with male preferences for conspecifics sometimes as strong as, or stronger than, females’. In the current study, we tested whether male size and coloration predicts preference for conspecific females in Etheostoma barrenense. Previous studies have shown that males of this species strongly prefer conspecific females relative to females of the sympatric congener, the banded darter, Etheostoma zonale; however, those studies did not consider whether variation in male size or coloration affected preferences. Comparing large and small males of E. barrenense in dichotomous choice assays, we found that larger males exhibited stronger preferences for conspecific females and had proportionally more red coloration than smaller males. The proportion of red coloration did not significantly predict male preferences, suggesting that male size rather than male coloration predicts variation in male mating preferences for conspecific females in E. barrenense. Male size is often considered an indicator of individual quality. Alternatively, size might better reflect age in the focal species, suggesting that experience and learning may shape male preferences for conspecific females.

Institutional reforms for economic growth in the Western Balkan countries

The paper presents an empirical analysis of the impact of institutional reform policies and institutional quality on the economic growth of five Western Balkan countries (WB countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Macedonia and Albania) in the period 2006-2016. It was developed its own model of quantification concerning the impact of the most important indicators of the quality of institutions on the economic growth of these countries, which are in a delayed phase of transition and at some stage in the EU accession process. Achieving high and stable rates of economic growth for WB countries becomes the ultimate prerequisite for completing the EU transition and accession process. In order to improve growth dynamics, among other things, it is necessary to identify key drivers of growth and to model appropriate growth and development policies based on the results obtained. In the paper, WB countries were viewed as a whole. By empirically testing the impact of individual quality indicators of institutions on economic growth, according to the World Bank Governance Indicators methodology by using panel data multiple linear regression analysis, the largest statistically significant and positive impact came from the Government Effectiveness and Regulatory Quality variable. The intensity of the impact of the Control of Corruption and Rule of Law variable on GDP per capita is slightly weaker, but it is also very pronounced. In this respect, the empirical results obtained can be a useful framework for modeling the development policies of WB countries. They represent an important guide for policy makers to implement measures aimed at improving the quality of institutions and at the same time modeling economic growth policies.

Tu1137 ADHERENCE WITH THE 2019 QUALITY INDICATORS FOR ACUTE PANCREATITIS MANAGEMENT: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICINE AND SURGERY SERVICES?

The management of acute pancreatitis can be challenging for admitting hospital services, as multiple guidelines, recommendations, and scoring systems are available for management. In 2019, the Acute Pancreatitis Task Force on Quality published 40 quality indicators intended for providers to use to ensure the delivery of high-quality and evidence-based care to patients with acute pancreatitis. In this study, we aimed to 1) determine if these indicators can be used to evaluate performance in management of acute pancreatitis 2) evaluate the real-world adherence with these recommendations and 3) compare adherence to these indicators between the two major admitting services. This was a quality improvement initiative at a tertiary care academic medical center. A retrospective chart review of patients admitted with acute pancreatitis was performed. Patient characteristics and data relevant to the quality indicators were compiled. Adherence with the quality indicators individually and with the overarching domains was calculated and compared between admitting services. Data was obtained from 331 patients who were admitted between 1/2018 and 12/2018 and had a primary admitting diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. 27/40 (67.5%) individual quality indicators could be assessed, including at least 1 indicator from each of the 10 domains (Diagnosis, Etiology, Initial Assessment/Risk Stratification, Initial Management, ERCP, Nutrition, Pharmacotherapy, Management of Early Complications, Surgery, and Structure of Care). The average overall adherence with each quality indicator was 80.4% regardless of service. When analyzed by admitting service, the overall adherence by the medicine service was higher than by the surgery service (91.5% vs. 80.8%, p<0.01). When subdivided into domain, medicine compliance was significantly higher for Etiology (91.0% vs. 82.9%, p<0.01), which included quality indicators involving obtaining relevant medical histories and confirmatory labwork, and Pharmacotherapy (90.1% vs. 74.3%, p<0.01), which included quality indicators about judicious antibiotic administration. Meanwhile, surgery had significantly higher compliances in Initial Management (69.3% vs. 60.3%, p<0.01), which included appropriate administration and documentation of fluid resuscitation, and Surgery (95.5% vs. 81.5%, p=0.04), which involved relevant surgical management of pancreatitis and its complications. These quality indicators can be used to monitor management of acute pancreatitis. In our cohort both medicine and surgical services had overall high adherence to the Task Force’s quality indicators. Strengths of each service were different and apparent when evaluating adherence by domain. Separate interventions to improve adherence should be delivered to each service to target their particular areas for improvement.

Distribution of obstetric pathology of cows in the leading agricultural enterprises of Khmelnytsky region

There is a problem in the farms of the Khmelnytsky region of reducing the reproductive capacity of cows. Our analysis in the region showed that in the studied cows of the Native Land Branch of PJSC “Grain Products MHP” and PE “Demetra-2010” the length of the service period and the postpartum period are somewhat longer. The service period during all three lactations was smaller in cows of the Branch “Native land” of PJSC “Grain product MHP” by 11.9 days for animals of PE “Demetra-2010”, the average period indicator was 169.3 ± 65.04 and 181.2 ± 31.11 days, respectively. In a retrospective analysis which was conducted by us in the leading farms of the Khmelnytsky region, it was found that the share of obstetric diseases in the structure of non-communicable cow pathology was 21.9 % in the Branch “Native Territory” of PJSC “Zernoproduct MHP” and 22.5 % in PE “Demetra 2010”. At the diagnostic stage of obstetric examination, the spread of obstetric pathology in cows during periods of dryness, calving and post-calving was analyzed. In the period of dryness, there were 8.1 % (7.5–9.9 %) cases of sedimentation, 3.9 % (2.3–4.5 %) udder edema. In the course of the farm surveys, the pathological course of childbirth was recorded in 3360 animals, accounting for 54 % of the total number of surveyed and 88.5 % of feral animals. Namely, in 1417 cows (22.8 %) observed pathology of the third stage of childbirth (delay of litter), in 963 cows (15.5 %) observed weakness of the generic activity. In 723 cows (11.6 %), birth trauma was reported. Postpartum complications in the cows surveyed in the Khmelnytsky region were observed postpartum sepsis (0.3 %), infected wounds after caesarean section (0.2 %) and vulva (0.1 %) postpartum vulva-vaginitis (7.1 %), subinvolution uterus (11.2 %) and endometritis (21.6 %). It was found that cows of the dry period were diagnosed with subclinical mastitis, which fluctuated within 13.3 %, respectively. Whereas clinical mastitis in the dry season on average on farms sick 7.4 % of animals. Prospective in the study of the etiology of metabolic and obstetric diseases will be the study of individual indicators of quality and safety of feed, clinical and laboratory studies of pathology of the reproductive system, which will become the basis for early diagnosis of these diseases.

Quality performance and associated factors in Swiss diabetes care - A cross-sectional study.

Quality indicators and pay-for-performance schemes aim to improve processes and outcomes in clinical practice. However, general practitioner and patient characteristics influence quality indicator performance. In Switzerland, no data on the pay-for-performance approach exists and the use of quality indicators has been marginal. The aim of this study was to describe quality indicator performance in diabetes care in Swiss primary care and to analyze associations of practice, general practitioner and patient covariates with quality indicator performance. For this cross-sectional study, we used medical routine data from an electronic medical record database. Data from 71 general practitioners and all their patients with diabetes were included. Starting in July 2018, we retrieved 12-month retrospective data about practice, general practitioner and patient characteristics, laboratory values, comorbidities and co-medication. Based on this data, we assessed quality indicator performance of process and intermediate outcomes for glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure, cholesterol and associations of practice, general practitioner and patient characteristics with individual and cumulative quality indicator performance. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using regression methods. We assessed 3,383 patients with diabetes (57% male, mean age 68.3 years). On average, patients fulfilled 3.56 (standard deviation: 1.89) quality indicators, whereas 17.2% of the patients fulfilled all six quality indicators. On practice and general practitioner level, we found no associations with cumulative quality indicator performance. On patient level, gender (ref = male) (OR: 0.83, CI: 0.78-0.88), number of treating general practitioners (OR: 0.94, CI: 0.91-0.97), number of comorbidities (OR: 1.43, CI: 1.38-1.47) and number of consultations (OR: 1.02, CI: 1.02-1.02) were associated with cumulative quality indicator performance. The influence of practice, general practitioner and patient characteristics on quality indicator performance was surprisingly small and room for improvement in quality indicator performance of Swiss general practitioners seems to exist in diabetes care.

Linking Self-efficacy to Quality of Working Life: The Role of Work Engagement.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of work engagement, as an intermediary variable, on the relationship between self-efficacy, and job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment as individual indicators of quality of working life (QWL). A cross-sectional correlational design was utilized assessing a convenience sample of 321 nursing staff. All participants were employed in public hospitals and had more than five months of professional experience in the same hospital. Mediation analysis was performed using path analysis and bootstrapping confidence intervals (percentile-corrected). Work engagement partially mediated the relation between self-efficacy and job satisfaction, and fully mediated the relation between self-efficacy and affective organizational commitment. Self-efficacy seems to be an important predictor of QWL in nursing staff, although its effect is partially mediated (e.g., job satisfaction) or fully mediated (e.g., affective commitment) by work engagement.

Main parameters of a wastewater treatment plant up to 2000 PE in the Czech Republic

The article deals with optimising the design parameters of wastewater production and specific pollution production in wastewater treatment plants up to 2,000 PE. The values of design parameters for the WWTP calculation are laid down in the legislation (ČSN 75 6401 and ČSN 75 6402) recommending their use with a potential reduction in the pollution of up to 50% according to the size of the municipality. Determination of the pollution reduction is no longer defined in standards and design values for different drainage systems are not defined, either. The design values for WWTP calculations should be based on realistic measurements covering at least the past three years. The objective of this article is to determine more precise design values applicable to WWTP calculations and different drainage systems on the basis of statistical evaluation of individual water quality indicator analyses.

Monitoring of obstetric pathology of cows in agricultural enterprises of Rivne region

In recent years, there has been a problem of low reproductive capacity of cows in the farms of Rivne region. A retrospective analysis conducted by us in the region showed that 57.0% of dairy farms in the region have to be re-inseminated over several sexual cycles. In this case, 53.0% of cows are fertilized after 150–180 days after calving and give 3500–4000 kg of milk per year. The enterprises have a prolonged service period, which is 130–140 days. There is a shortage of calves, namely their output per 100 cows is 65,0–70,0. In addition, farms keep a large number of cows with poor feed conversion efficiency. An example is the situation in the farms of LLC SGP “them. Volovikova” of Goschansky District, FG “Mriya”, SE “Belokrynitske” of Rivne District, PSP “Ukraine” of Dubrovytskyi District, where 8765 cows that were bred from November to February 2016-18 were subjected to obstetric dispensation, namely: the service period was 148–154 days, and the yield of calves per 100 cows was 70.0–76.0. At the diagnostic stage of obstetric examination, the spread of obstetric pathology in cows during periods of dryness, calving and post-calving was analyzed. In the period of dryness, there were cases of subsidence to childbirth 5.2% (1.7–17.0%), udder edema 4.6% (2.4–13.8%, and subclinical mastitis 6.8%. Metabolic disorders include diseases such as ketosis 3.5% (0.8–12.0%) and fatty liver syndrome 5.7% (5.0–7.0) In the cows of FG “Mriya” the level of ketone bodies was at the level of 2.0 ± 0.04 mmol/l. In the course of the farm surveys, the pathological course of childbirth was recorded in 1431 cases, representing 16.3% of the total number of surveyed and 25.9% of feral animals. In addition, 534 cows (6.1%) experienced mechanical damage and trauma to the vulva and vagina mucosa. 426 cows (4.9%) noted further development of postpartum vulvо-vaginitis and erosion of the genital organs. In 1777 cows (20.2%) cases of postpartum paresis were recorded, of which the largest share was 27.8% in FG “Mriya”. In the cows of the farms studied, the most common form of mastitis was subclinical, which was found in 3.1% – 42.0% of cows. The clinical form accounted for 38.0% of diagnoses. In FG “Mriya” of the Rivne region, the subclinical form of mastitis was recorded most in cows post-otelny period – up to 40.0%, whereas in dry period – 11.0% of cases. PSP “Ukraine” practically did not diagnose the clinical form of mastitis. Prospective in the study of the etiology of metabolic and obstetric diseases will be the study of individual indicators of quality and safety of feed, clinical and laboratory studies of pathology of the reproductive system, which will become the basis for early diagnosis of these diseases.

The effects of falsification of meat of slaughtered animals with sodium hydrocarbonate on their quality and safety

State monitoring is carried out to verify compliance with the requirements of the legislation on safety and individual indicators of food quality by market operators who produce meat and meat products, store (wholesale bases) and sell (agro-markets, supermarkets, etc.). When establishing a food hazard, the following conditions are taken into account: the usual conditions of use of the food by the consumer, each stage of its production, processing and circulation; information provided to the consumer, including labeling, including end-of-use (use) information, and other publicly available information on the avoidance of adverse health effects, food-related or food category the possible short- or long-term impact of the food on the health of the person consuming it and on future generations; possible cumulative toxicity effect. Therefore, it is important to develop simple, rapid methods for determining the adulteration of beef, pork, mutton, and meat of goat when carrying out risk-oriented controls on the sale of chilled and chilled meat in agri-food markets under different storage and marketing conditions. The falsification of chilled meat of slaughtered animals with a solution of sodium bicarbonate for 3–4 days of sale at temperatures from 0 to 6 °C was established: in beef and meat of goat – a weakly positive reaction (up to 5%), in pork and mutton positive (5.1% and more). Also falsification of meat of slaughtered animals with a solution of sodium bicarbonate on 17–18 (for beef) and 13–14 days of realization at temperatures from 0 to minus 1 °C was established: in beef, pork and meat of goat – a weak positive reaction (up to 5%), positive in mutton (5.1% or more). The technique of establishing adulteration was based on the use of an alcoholic solution of chrome dark blue with a mass concentration of 0.5%, applied to the surface of the muscle tissue, and after 1–2 seconds, the presence of pale pink color was established – in the absence of meat processing with sodium bicarbonate or from light purple to dark purple in the presence of sodium bicarbonate depending on the amount of meat processed up to 5.0% and 5.1% or more. The results of the studies showed that the stability of the color intensity in the falsification of meat of slaughtered animals by treatment with sodium hydrogen carbonate was 99.9%. The influence of sodium bicarbonate on the quality and safety of meat of slaughtered animals for 3–4 days of realization at temperatures 0–6 °C and 17–18 (for beef) and 13–14 days of realization at temperatures from 0 to minus 1 °C has been established: the content of microorganisms in the superficial layers of muscle tissue decreased significantly (P &lt; 0.01, P &lt; 0.001), and slightly increased slightly in the deep layers (P &lt; 0.05); the pH was significantly (P &lt; 0.001) increased and ranged from 6.45 ± 0.023 to 6.72 ± 0.018; NMAOAM content tended to decrease, but the difference was not significant in the case of a weakly positive reaction (at temperatures of 0–6 °C in beef and meat of goat) and a slight decrease (P &lt; 0.05) in pork and mutton (positive reaction); at temperatures from 0 to minus 1 °C, NMAOAM content tended to decrease, but a significant difference, except for beef (1.10 times, (P &lt; 0.05), was not established: in pork – 1.11 and meat of goat – 1.4 times, where the indicators slightly exceeded the limits of the standards of quality meat (103 CFU/g), respectively – (9.89 ± 2.65) ×102, (10.03 ± 3.62) ×102 and (10.4 ± 2.29) × 102 CFU/g, while in mutton (positive reaction) it decreased significantly by 1.05 times and was within the limits – 9.87 ± 0.27×102 CFU/g.

Welche Beiträge können strukturierte Promotionsprogramme zur Qualitätssicherung medizinischer Promotionen und wissenschaftlichen Karriereförderung/ Nachwuchsförderung leisten? Eine Evaluation am Beispiel der Programminitiative „Experimentelle Medizin“ der Universität Ulm

ObjectiveStructured doctoral programs in medicine are intended to contribute to the quality of medical dissertations/doctoral theses by providing scientific skills and also inspire doctoral candidates to pursue a career in research.Here we present the potential contributions of the doctoral program “Experimental Medicine” of Ulm University with regard to the increase of individual quality indicators, e. g., the duration and evaluation of the doctoral theses as well as the study participants’ scientific career intentions and current field of activity. MethodsAll previous participants of the doctoral program (N = 144) were contacted as well as medical graduates with an experimental doctorate as individual doctorate (control group) (N = 559) who had submitted a doctoral thesis in the same period. The response rate was 55.4 % (N = 72) among program participants versus 21.7 % (N = 116) in the control group.Information on the doctoral thesis process, scientific and professional careers and quality indicators were collected in an online survey and compared statistically using U-tests or Chi-square tests. The participants‘ evaluation of the program and their confidence in scientific competences, rated on a 5-point rating scale, were outlined descriptively. ResultsProgram participants were satisfied with the supervision of their work (M 2.17; SD 0.84). According to the participants’ evaluation, particular support was given to increase competence in scientific presentations (M 1.9; SD 0.83), in literature research (M 2.21; SD 0.96) and in the critical appraisal of scientific publications (M 2.28; SD 0.91). However, they felt comparatively less competent regarding the selection of research methods (M 3.21; SD 1.11) and the application of statistical methods (M 3.53; SD 1.13).Program participants needed less time to complete their doctoral theses than the control group (median 4 years versus 5 years) and received the overall grade of “summa cum laude” (excellent) more frequently (22.9 % versus 2.7 %).In comparison, their doctoral theses were more often part of third-party funded projects (59 % versus 36.1 %). In addition, the participants more frequently wished to pursue a habilitation (29.2 % versus 13.3 %) or aspire to an academic career (13.9 % versus 1.7 %). ConclusionsDespite methodological limitations, the results support the structured doctoral program, particularly with regard to the duration and evaluation of the doctorate. The program should be further optimized, though, with respect to specific aspects, particularly in terms of “career paths in research”.

Mite load predicts the quality of sexual color and locomotor performance in a sexually dichromatic lizard.

Since Darwin, the maintenance of bright sexual colors has recurrently been linked to mate preference. However, the mechanisms underpinning such preferences for bright colors would not be resolved for another century. Likely, the idea of selection for colors that could decrease the chances of survival (e.g., flashy colors that can inadvertently attract predators) was perceived as counterintuitive. It is now widely accepted that these extreme colors often communicate to mates the ability to survive despite a “handicap” and act as honest signals of individual quality when they are correlated with the quality of other traits that are directly linked to individual fitness. Sexual colors in males are frequently perceived as indicators of infection resistance, in particular. Still, there remains considerable discord among studies attempting to parse the relationships between the variables associating sexual color and infection resistance, such as habitat type and body size. This discord may arise from complex interactions between these variables. Here, we ask if sexual color in male Florida scrub lizards (Sceloporus woodi) is an honest signal of resistance to chigger mite infection. To this end, we use linear modeling to explore relationships between mite load, different components of sexual color, ecological performance, body size, and habitat type. Our data show that that the brightness of sexual color in scrub lizards is negatively associated with the interaction between mite load and body size, and scrub lizards suffer decreased endurance capacity with increases in mite load. Our data also indicate that mite load, performance, and sexual color in male scrub lizards can vary between habitat types. Collectively, these results suggest that sexual color in scrub lizards is an honest indicator of individual quality and further underscore the importance of considering multiple factors when testing hypotheses related to the maintenance of sexual color.

Relationship between oxidative stress and sexual coloration oflizards depends on thermal habitat

Sexual signals serve as an honest indicator of individual quality,reflecting either developmental and/or maintenance costs. A possible underlyingphysiological mechanism is oxidative stress, which could mediate energy trade-offsbetween sexual signals and other quality traits. In ectotherms, thermal performanceacts as a key indicator of individual quality and influence signal intensity. Weinvestigated how oxidative state is reflected in visual signals of lizards fromdifferent thermal habitats. According to our hypothesis, efficient thermoregulationrequires different strategies in different thermal environments. In a habitat withpredictable temperature changes, animals are less exposed to suboptimal temperatureranges and selection will, therefore, be stronger on the maximum oxidative damage atoptimal body temperature. Contrarily, in a habitat with rather stochastic thermalshifts, individuals are often constricted by suboptimal thermal conditions, andoxidative damage can be limiting on a wide temperature range. We used Iberolacerta cyreni and Psammodromus algirus inhabiting stochastic and predictable thermalenvironments respectively. We examined two aspects of oxidative stress: the level ofreactive oxygen metabolites at the preferred temperature (maximal ROM) and thetemperature range in which animals produce at least 80% of the maximum level ofreactive oxygen metabolites (effective ROM range). In I.cyreni, we found that duller coloration was related to a widereffective ROM range, while expression of coloration in P.algirus was negatively correlated with the maximal ROM. Our resultssuggest that different thermal constraints affect different aspects of oxidativedamage which can indicate individual quality and are, therefore, represented insexual ornaments.

THE MINERAL WATER TESTS METHODS METROLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND THE PROPOSALS ON THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE

In connection with the necessity to unify the procedures and requirements applicable to goods and services, first of all, with regard to conformity assessment, in order to eliminate technical barriers to trade, a list of methods for testing mineral waters has been analyzed, according to which their assessment of conformity and determination of individual safety and quality indicators. The paper analyzes the metrological characteristics of the methods approved in the form of international, national standards, standards adopted before 1992, test methods for assessing their suitability for implementation not only in the testing, but also in the production laboratories. According to the results of the analysis of 42 indicators of the measurement methodology, which are specified in DSTU 878-93 (regulatory document on packaged mineral water) and GSTU 42.10-02-96 (normative document on medical waters used in sanatorium practice), 13 indicators , which are mandatory, as they are specified in the relevant normative documents, are not valid. According to the results of the analysis of the metrological characteristics of the methods of testing the indicators of safety and quality of mineral waters, a list of methods of tests of mineral waters for the period 2019-2021 has been developed, which includes national standards certified in Ukraine methodology and GOST for drinking water, in particular, on sulfates, ammonium and iron . However, the effect of these GOST on the testing of drinking water after 2021 will be abolished, and they should also be replaced either internationally or to develop national standards. In selecting the methods of testing mineral waters, two aspects were taken into account: the conformity of metrological characteristics of the methods during the assessment of the conformity of mineral waters, taking into account the features of the composition of the mineral water itself (applicability of the method for both low and high mineral waters), and the economic feasibility of testing for the appropriate method (due to the impossibility of many testing and production laboratories to use high-value equipment). In order to provide modern standards (international and national) of packaged mineral water producers and test laboratories conducting an assessment of the conformity of mineral waters, a list of methods for testing mineral waters, which is to be developed in Ukraine for the replacement of interstate GOST or methods, the metrological characteristics of which do not correspond to the current one, is proposed. in Ukraine the rules of legal metrology, and to give them the status of national standards (for the definition of Pseudomonas spit, sulfates, ammonium, bro copper and iodide). This will enable Ukrainian producers of packaged mineral water to optimize production costs for the production of Ukrainian products and successfully expand its share in the foreign market.

Foreign direct investments, institutional quality, and economic growth

ABSTRACTInstitutional quality is considered to be an important factor in boosting economic growth of a country. This paper explores the role of institutional quality in economic growth and more specifically the role it plays via the channel of foreign direct investments. This paper uses a larger dataset of 104 countries and applies GMM estimation method to a dynamic panel data to evaluate the direct impact of institutional quality on economic growth and the indirect impact of institutional quality on economic growth through enhancing the FDI-induced economic growth. This paper provides evidence that both FDI inflows and institutional quality cause stronger economic growth. The FDI-led growth, however, was only experienced in the low and middle-income countries. In these countries, better institutional quality was also found to be enhancing the FDI-led economic growth. An important finding of this paper is that in the high-income countries, FDI was found to slow down the economic growth. The results are robust and consistent for individual institutional quality indicators and controlling for endogeneity.

STATE CONTROL OVER THE SAFETY AND INDIVIDUAL QUALITY INDICATORS OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS IN UKRAINE

The scientific article reveals the vectors of evolution of state control over safety and individual indicators of quality of livestock products in Ukraine. The analysis of the state control system is carried out in the context of five components: 1) legislation; 2) management and its organizational structure; 3) inspection service; 4) laboratory service; 5) information, training and communication. The problems that cause the low quality and danger of many livestock products in Ukraine have been identified. The ways of improvement of the state control over safety and separate indicators of quality of livestock products in Ukraine are shown.

SWOT analysis of innovative products containing food additive «Magnetofood»

The object of research is the methods of evaluating food products containing food additive «Magnetofood» considering the prospects for its introduction into production. One of the most problematic areas for the commercialization of food production technologies in the early stages of the innovation process is the complex evaluation of scientific and technological developments. In the evaluation of new food products, research is mainly carried out using qualimetric methods based on individual quality indicators, considering existing standards or specifications. However, the methods of qualimetrics evaluation of food quality do not allow to conclude on the potential of its commercialization. Thus, the evaluation of technological innovations using complex evaluation methods, including SWOT analysis, is promising.Used methods of content analysis, expert evaluation, comparative and dynamic analysis, average and relative values, integral evaluation during the research of the introducing prospects into the food industry enterprises activity the innovative products containing additive «Magnetofood». The researches results are the reasoning of a set of unit and integral indicators for SWOT analysis of innovative products containing food additive «Magnetofood». Indicators are calculated taking into account the significance and factors influence that reflect the products quality characteristics and consumers' interest in it, global trends and national peculiarities of the innovative technologies introduction into the nutrition field. Comparison of complex evaluation of the innovative products strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats to its production and implementation made it possible to conclude that there are great prospects for introduction of innovative products containing food additive «Magnetofood» into the activity of food industry enterprises.The developed system of SWOT analysis indicators provides an opportunity to carry out a complex evaluation of the prospects for the innovative technologies introduction in the food products production which will help to optimize the innovation policy of food industry enterprises.

METHODS FOR PRICE DETERMINATION (JUSTIFICATION) AT ECONOMIC-GEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF COAL DEPOSITS

The purpose of research is systematization and analysis of methods of price determining for geological and economic assessment of coal deposits in domestic and international practice. Price indicators and income from sale of coal affect significantly reserves value, profitability of their development, and determine industrial significance of reserves. In domestic practice commodity exchanges, contractual, regulated, world and transfer prices are used. In international practice coal prices are formed at the result of futures, spot or stock exchange contracts. Now international coal trade realizes in the framework of futures contracts and spot transactions. In recent years, short-term contracts prevail, rarely it’s used medium-term contracts. A sequence of coal pricing for geological and economic assessment has been determined, which is the following: classification of coal by grades and classes in accordance with current standards; statistical analysis of prices by grades and classes, coal enrichment products; determination of a system of discounts/surcharges to the price of each class depending on coal quality; correction of actual producer prices for assessment reserves. The values of surcharges or discounts for individual indicators of coal quality are determined. The sensitivity analysis of reserves value and profitability from changes in selling coal prices has been carried out. The determination of the coal price or enrichment products requires a detailed justification depending on the stage of geological and feasibility study of reserves. For detailed assessment of explored or exploited deposits it is reasonable to use actual prices of coal sales for the previous period and contract prices for future periods in the presence of medium and long-term contracts. For preliminary geological and economic assessment, it is possible to use the price of the analogue deposit, which is developed, or wholesale coal prices with correction by quality.