Minsk City Research Articles

Сontrol of Intelligent Transport System in Minsk

The paper considers algorithms for searching a maximum traffic volume of road vehicles in a traffic light cycle with a distributed intensity pulse and optimization of shifts under coordinated traffic flow control. Modeling of traffic flows have been made while using a computer program developed by the authors and it has made it possible to improve efficiency of traffic management by taking into account the distributed pulse of transport intensity. The paper proposes a model for minimizing total losses in road traffic during the integration of an incident control sub-system and route guidance for and an automatic road traffic management system as part of Minsk intelligent transportation system which has been studied as a tool for modeling a computer-aided design system "Backbone management". The model that minimizes vehicle delays, uses an algorithm implementing traffic flow intensity parameters depending on the time of day, days of the week. As a result of the simulation it has been revealed that the most effective parameter is an indicator of vehicle delays which does not always satisfy drivers trying to choose routes of their traffic which are based on a minimum transportation speed. However, from the point of view of managing an intelligent transportation system, it is necessary to choose parameters based on the requirements for minimizing delays on the road traffic network of the largest city in our country. All the proposed algorithms and models are used in the automatic traffic management system of Minsk city and will be used while creating an integrated intellectual transportation system of the city.

Results of continuous study of hypercalcemia in the adult population of the city of Minsk

Results of continuous study of hypercalcemia in the adult population of the city of Minsk

Analysis of the Sleep Disorders in Students Under the Effect of Computer Games and Video Films

Introduction and wide use of information technologies in all spheres of human life including for the purpose of entertainment has led to the emergence and spread of various types of Internet addiction. Numerous studies have established the effect of the nature of activity in the virtual world on the state of the human mental condition. In our research was conducted analysis of the sleep disorders in technical university students, who use computer games and video films for recreation and entertainment. We have researched in the sleep disorder mechanisms in technical university students, who use computer games and video films for recreation and entertainment. The authors of the article K. N. Meziyanaya, K. D. Yashin, K. M. Karaneuski developed the questionnaire "Method of Screening Diagnostics of Computer Addiction and its Influence on Physical and Mental Health" to study of formation of sleep disorders [1]. Interviews with 142 2nd to 5th year students studying in one of the technical universities of Minsk city were conducted in order to study the formation of sleep disorders under the influence of the computer media environment: males – 119 (84.4%), females – 23 (16.2%). The average age of respondents was 19.7 (±1.5) years. The average duration of the virtual world use was 9 (±2) years. It is established that 101 students (71.1% of the number of respondents) are forced to wake up from fear and anxiety. The statistical relationship is shown between the symptom of sleep disturbance: they say in a dream "I just dream it" and the symptom: duration of stay in the virtual world 40 or more hours per week. χ² criterion = 5.63; p = 0.05. The relationship between combining computer games with watching movies and waking up from fear and anxiety is found, χ² criterion = 4.38, p = 0.05. The findings suggest that the continued use of computer games in combination with viewing video films contributes to the development of malfunction of the organization and maintenance of sleep. The results testify to the correlation between a sleep disorder and a prolonged stay in the virtual world, which can contribute to predicting the formation of anxiety disorders.

ACTUAL DESIGN MODEL DEVELOPMENT OF PROTECTIVE SCREEN OVER THE ACTIONS OF SUBWAY LINES

It is given calculation model development results of protective shield overexisting tunnels of subway in influence zone of transport interchange construction in the city of Minsk. The analysis of modeling problems of the system «construction - soil massif» is performed. It is proposed the approach to development of an adequate design model for complex engineering-geological conditions. An adequate calculation model of the transport interchange site was developed. The applying modern methods results of calculating the system «construction – soil massif» are given. The stress-strain state nature of the tunnel structures at all stages of the transport interchange construction is analyzed. The results of the calculation are compared with the data obtained during testing of the protective screen in full-scale conditions. The special practical significance of using such calculation methods at the design and construction stage of transport facilities is noted.

AN ORPHAN SOURCE OF IONIZING RADIATION AS A FACTOR OF BREACH OF RADIATION AND ECOLOGICAL SAFETY

Objective: to estimate the hazard of radiation safety to the population and the environment in the Republic of Belarus analyzing the information about discovered orphan sources of ionizing radiation over 2003-2015. Material and methods. The work describes the method of cluster analysis, which made it possible to systematize and analyze the operative information of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus about orphan sources of ionizing radiation in the territory of the country. Results. It has been found out that 55 % of all the episodes of local radiation pollution of the environment happened in the city of Minsk and Minsk region, out of them 61 % - at economic entities. We have performed the assessment of hazards of point and areal radiation pollution of the environment.

This paper discusses the relationship between alcohol consumption and suicidal behavior in Belarus

IntroductionSuicide is one of the main causes of premature mortality in Belarus. It is well recognized that drinking is among the major risk factors that are associated with suicidal behavior.AimsThis study was design to extend our understanding the relationship between alcohol and suicidal behavior.MethodsRisk factors for suicidal behavior (completed suicide and parasuicide) among residents of Minsk city and Gomel city were studied.ResultsAmong the residents of Minsk the maximum suicides risk was in the age of 46–60 years, and parasuicide at age 20–39 years. The ratio of men to women - 4:1; they were often BAC-positive (from 38.8% in 2015 to 42% in 2008). Among parasuicides sex ratio of about 1:1; 30% of men aged 20–39 years, were BAC-positive. Studies in the city of Gomel, has shown maximum number of parasuicides in the ages of 18–29 years (39.3% in women and 30.7% men). Among parasuicides the majority of men (57.8%) and a significant proportion of women (34.2%) were BAC-positive. Maximum number of those attempted suicide and dependent on alcohol were among men ages 30–39 years (66.15%) and 50–59 years (65.22%), among women in the age 30–39 years (45.45%).ConclusionsAcute alcohol intoxication is characteristic of young people who commit parasuicide. Chronic alcohol intoxication is a risk factor in middle-aged persons who commit suicide. Prolonged use of alcohol contributes to the development of comorbid mental disorders, during the crisis of middle age is manifested as an increased risk of suicides.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

SOME FEATURES OF THE POWER SUPPLY OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS DURING THE HEATING SEASON

A large proportion of consumption of different types of energy by the residential sector, especially in the heating period, makes the energy efficiency of buildings without considering the loss of fuel with a significant reduction in hourly load on the generators, especially at night, already insufficient for real energy savings. Therefore in Belarus, in order to attract the consumer, electricity tariff for heating at night hours (from 11 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.) is three times cheaper than at any other time. Significant increase of the electricity consumption of at night could be achieved by using heat accumulators for heating and hot water supply to the residential sector. Particularly effective are water accumulators of heat and accumulators of underfloor heating that enable to use a coolant with a temperature of 40 оC and to increase the useful supply of heat. The use of heat accumulators for daily heating, ventilation and hot water supply of buildings significantly reduces the cost of creating the infrastructure of the territory under construction by eliminating the necessity of running the distribution network of heat or gas supply. The use of the heat accumulators is necessary due to the increase of the time-weighted average outdoor temperature. The mentioned increase in the City of Minsk in the heating season is of about 0.1 °C per year in average, and as for the last 20 years, the increase has led to a reduction of the required heat load on the premises by about 10 %. Research and project work on choosing the most effective options for the arrangement and use the heat accumulators in buildings of the various functions ought to be fulfilled in order to make the application of heat accumulators successful. In this respect civil and power engineers as well as operators should work together so to determine the chronological, technical and economic conditions of charging and use of heat accumulators.

MALIGNANT TUMORS OF THE COLON IN BELARUS AND NORTHWEST FEDERAL DISTRICT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Background: Colon cancer (CC) refers to a group of malignant tumors (MT) with a high rate of morbidity increase. In Russia, only from 2000 to 2014 the standardized incidence rate has increased from 12.9 to 16.6 0/0000, or by 28.7% among males, and from 10.8 to 13.10/0000, or by 21.9 % among females. In the Republic of Belarus (RB) the level of CC incidence has increased from 12.0 to 18.0 0/0000 (by 50%) among males and from 9.0 to 13.40/0000 (by 44.4%) among females. In the City of Minsk the level of CC incidence was highest in 2000 and 2014 and has increased by 33.5%, while in St. Petersburg it was lower than in a number of regions of the North-West Federal District of the Russian Federation (NWFD RF) and has decreased by 8.8% for 15 years. Purpose of the study: To present a comparative evaluation of the main analytical rates of CC morbidity, its mortality and the state of contemporary diagnosis in RB and NWFD RF. Materials and methods: The basis of this work consisted of materials of population-based cancer registries databases of RB and NWFD RF. Also there were used published data to compare the basic parameters. For the estimation of the rates there were used the traditional methods. Standardized rates were estimated on the basis of the world standard population structure. Cartograms were prepared on the basis of the methodology of geographic information systems (GIS). Analysis of obtained data: There was performed a precise analysis of population-based data on CC, including particularly the 4th sign of ICD-10 and identified a number of patterns of CC incidence at present stage. Conclusion: CC incidence increases in Russia, North-West Federal District of the Russian Federation and in Republic of Belarus. Registering rates and the state of cancer control have improved at all comparable administrative territories. It primarily concerns such parameters as morphological verification level, early diagnosis, one-year lethality and others. Comparative monitoring and a study of experience in various administrative territories and countries with the best rates could be useful for planning effective anti-cancer programs.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE AUTOMATED ROAD TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS IN MINSK AS PART OF THE INTELLECTUAL CITY TRANSPORT SYSTEM

The results of the analysis of Minsk city transport system performance. It is shown that the growth of car ownership has caused a number of problems, among which the low-speed communication, bad driving modes, the presence of elevated levels of congestion and accidents. The corresponding figures for accidents in Minsk and some cities in the world that allow to characterize the transport system of the city of Minsk, as satisfactory. To improve the system and improve the quality of traffic necessary to create intelligent transport system of the city of Minsk. Intelligent Transportation System, being a global trend, enables dramatically improve road quality. Automated traffic control system and other subsystems as part of the Intelligent Transportation Systems are tools for achieving the goals for improving the safety and comfort of road users. It is proposed as a base for its creation to choose an automated traffic control system, which has a corresponding functional, structural, organizational and institutional provisions for its development. The technological requirements for the functioning of an integrated system, which relate to the level of efficiency, including accidents on sections of the road network included in the created system. Modernization of the automated traffic control system and its transformation into an intelligent transport system will reduce emergency, economic and environmental, and social costs in the road traffic is not less than 15 % from their current level, despite the steady growth of car ownership in the city. It is planned to create a complete intelligent transportation system.

Regional Peculiarities of Gender Policy in the Republic of Belarus

The essence of the state gender policy at the present stage in the Republic of Belarus is substantiated. The regional peculiarities of the implementation of the state program document «The National Plan of Action for Ensuring Gender Equality for 2017-2020» are disclosed. The experience of designing a regional plan for the implementation of the state gender policy of the Minsk City Executive Committee for 2017-2020 is shown on the example of the Academy of Management under the President of the Republic of Belarus. In the broad sense, gender policy is understood as one of the strategic directions of social policy. At the same time, gender policy is aimed at overcoming discrimination based on gender, gender asymmetry in the sphere of power relations, gender imbalance in the labor market, employment. Gender policy in the context of international legislative acts takes into account the national identity, the features of the political system, and the socio-economic development of a concrete state. With all existing differences, gender policy in its narrow meaning is a purposeful, dynamic, adaptive process of public administration, regulation, coordination, control in the sphere of gender relations on three bases: political doctrine; state ideology; program priorities and values of gender equality. The interdisciplinarity of gender policy integrates it with other areas of social policy. Thus, gender policy is implicit in goals, the content of state family policy, demographic, educational, youth, protection of maternity and childhood . Formation and implementation of gender policy is based on analysis, interpretation of statistical data (social policy directions), which are disaggregated by sex, in the dynamics of indicators. Based on the UN used methodology, taking into account the national specifics of the Belarusian society, has been created relevant gender statistics and it is developing as an information resource for decision-making. Gender statistics in Belarus are used by authorities, practitioners-managers and scientists. Practice confirms that the use of a gender approach in public administration contributes to the procuring of the women rights, freedoms, and opportunities. It increases their social and political statuses both within societal institutions and at the state level. Conversely, ignoring the gender factor can be devastating for society and its institutions.

Gastric Cancer in Young Patients Under The Age of 30 Years

Despite some progress in early detection and treatment, gastric cancer remains one of the most complex healthcare and socioeconomic problems. Belarus is among the countries with the highest incidence rate of cancer with this localization. In 2013, according to the Belarusian National Cancer Registry, 2888 new cases of gastric cancer were registered, with peak incidence observed in the 75-79 age group; men were affected more frequently than women at a ratio of 2.4:1. In 2013 in Belarus the five-year survival rate was 23.5%; and for patients with clinical stage I and II – it was 50.3% [1]. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 8466 gastric cancer patients from different age groups treated in Minsk City Clinical Oncological Hospital from 1998 to 2013. Of these, 72 (0.85%) patients were under the age of 30, 72.2% of which were diagnosed with clinical stage IV cancer. Radical surgery was performed on 17 patients (24.0%), palliative on 11 (15.0%) and symptomatic on 22 (31.0%). Out of these 72 patients, 75% had a three-year survival rate, while 62% had five-year survival rate. Overall survival rate after palliative surgery did not exceed two years. Without specific antitumor treatment all patients under the age of 30 with advanced stomach cancer, died within a year, while adjuvant chemotherapy increased the life span by not more than a year.

FORMATION OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION ON THE LEVEL OF MAJOR CITIES AND METROPOLISES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE CITY OF MINSK): PECULIARITIES AND MECHANISM OF INTEGRATION

The author demonstrates the role of major cities and metropolises as the leading participants in the formation of integration at the regional level. The state of social and economic development of Minsk is analyzed; the problems and the competitive advantages of the metropolitan economy are identified. The characteristic tendencies of the socio-economic development of the big cities and metropolises and the most common reasons for their high activity in foreign trade relations are determined. The features of the development of integration ties of metropolises, including those in the framework of the regional economic groups, are revealed. The basic approaches to the development of a mechanism to integrate the economy of a mega city (on the example of the city ofMinsk) in the Eurasian economic space are suggested.

FORMATION OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION ON THE LEVEL OF MAJOR CITIES AND METROPOLISES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE CITY OF MINSK): PECULIARITIES AND MECHANISM OF INTEGRATION

The author demonstrates the role of major cities and metropolises as the leading participants in the formation of integration at the regional level. The state of social and economic development of Minsk is analyzed; the problems and the competitive advantages of the metropolitan economy are identified. The characteristic tendencies of the socio-economic development of the big cities and metropolises and the most common reasons for their high activity in foreign trade relations are determined. The features of the development of integration ties of metropolises, including those in the framework of the regional economic groups, are revealed. The basic approaches to the development of a mechanism to integrate the economy of a mega city (on the example of the city ofMinsk) in the Eurasian economic space are suggested.

253-POS

Objectives We studied angiotensin I levels’ influence on platelet function in pregnant women with arterial hypertension (AH). Methods 77 pregnant women with chronic hypertension (CH), 32 pregnant women with gestational hypertension (GH) and 45 healthy pregnant women (C, controls) were examined at the Clinical Hospital N 1 of Minsk city. Patients with symptomatic AH and chronic diseases were excluded from the study. Pregnant women underwent a 24-h monitoring of the arterial blood pressure (AP) using Oxford Medilog DX (“Oxford Instruments Medical System Division”, USA) during each trimester of pregnancy. On the day of investigation, angiotensin I levels were determined with the radioimmunoassay technique using multicrystalline gamma-counter LB-2111 (“Bertold”, Germany) and “Immunotech” reagents (Czech Republic). Platelets aggregation was examined using “Solar” turbodimetrical platelets aggregometer AP-2110 (Republic of Belarus). Aggregation was registered in 10 min using such aggregation inductors as adenosine diphosphate (ADF) in the concentration 2,5 × 10 −6 mol/l (“Analyze-X” reagent (Belarus)) and adrenaline in the concentration 5 × 10 −6 mol/l. Results Degree, aggregation time and speed levels, induced by ADF and adrenalin, were not significantly different among CH, GH and C by trimesters. Relationships between angiotensin I and platelets aggregation levels were found in pregnant women with AH: in CH group middle inverse correlation with aggregation speed (ADF) in I trimester rs = −0.54, with aggregation degree (ADF) in II trimester rs = −0.33, with aggregation speed (ADF) rs = −0.38, with aggregation degree (adrenalin) rs = −0.37; In GH group there is strong inverse correlation in II trimester with aggregation degree (ADF) rs = −0.83. In C group relationship between angiotensin I and any aggregation parameters along the pregnancy were not found. Conclusions The angiotensin I influence on platelets, increasing their thrombogenicity, occurs only in pregnant women with AH. Disclosures N. Tselikava: None.

Marching Against the Dictator: Chernobyl Path in Belarus

The protest campaign Chernobyl Path is held annually in Belarus to commemorate victims of the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, raise public awareness of environmental issues, and call for democratization in the post-communist state. The size of this protest event, however, has declined since the mid-1990s. This Profile argues that protest tactics and state countermoves account for a low level of citizen participation in the protest event. The empirical analysis focuses on the protest campaign held in the capital city of Minsk in spring 2013. The present analysis examines tactics deployed by regime opponents and state authorities during this protest campaign. The study illustrates how civic activists in an authoritarian regime seek to put environmental issues on the public agenda.

Evaluation of the prevalence of obesity in Minsk city

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

EPA-0245 - The spatial pattern of suicide in belarus: does alcohol matter?

Introduction Suicide is one of the main causes of premature mortality in Belarus, bringing considerable loss of human lives. The alarming increase in the occurrence of suicide in Belarus in 1990s has resulted in the country having one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Epidemiological analysis has showed that rates of suicide vary noticeably between the regions in Belarus with the regular spatial pattern in suicides distribution. Objectives The aim of this study was to consider the effect of regional alcohol consumption as a factor responsible for suicides regional variations. Methods The cross-sectional time series analysis of suicides and alcohol psychoses (as a proxy for alcohol consumption) rates by the regions of Belarus during the period 1990-2010 was performed. Results The analysis indicates that the regional variations of suicides and alcohol psychoses incidence rates have a similar spatial regularity, which means that the regions with a high suicide rate also have a high alcohol psychoses incidence rate. The effects of alcohol psychoses incidence (as a proxy for alcohol consumption) on suicide rates were generally positive and significant; only Minsk city obtained a non-significant estimate. The largest estimates were found in Minsk region (0.68) and in Mahiliou region (0.55). The estimates for Brest and Vitebsk regions were somewhat lower (0.41). Conclusions The findings on spatial relationship between suicides and alcohol psychoses incidence rates seem to support the hypothesis that considers regional pattern of alcohol-related problems as a factor responsible for suicides rate regional variations in Belarus.

Multidrug-resistant Myobacterium tuberculosis caused by the Beijing genotype and a specific T1 genotype clone (SIT No. 266) is widely transmitted in Minsk

SettingThis study was performed in the city of Minsk in Belarus, where a very severe problem with MDR-TB was demonstrated in a recent drug resistant survey. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to use molecular typing of MDR and pan-susceptible clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to increase the understanding of the transmission patterns and possible differences between the strains causing susceptible and drug-resistant tuberculosis. Study population and methodsConsecutive isolates from pulmonary TB patients in Minsk were collected at the Belarusian National Reference Laboratory. Isolates found to be either pan-susceptible or MDR were included in the study, which totally comprised 81 MDR and 82 pan-susceptible clinical isolates. All isolates were characterized by spoligotyping. The major clusters were characterized using sequencing of the pncA gene. ResultsThree out of four MDR cases were caused by one out of two drug-resistant clones of M. tuberculosis belonging to the Beijing and T1 genotypes, respectively. A single T1 clone, SIT No. 266, found exclusively in the MDR cohort, was shown to cause no less than 30% of all MDR-TB cases. DiscussionThe findings indicate that the major cause of MDR-TB in Minsk is an ongoing transmission of certain already resistant M. tuberculosis strains. ConclusionThe significant transmission of MDR-TB in Minsk underlines the urgent need for strengthened infection control measures to limit the transmission in order to better control MDR-TB.

SAT0063 Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients According to Autopsy Data

ObjectivesTo estimate the frequency of atherosclerotic damage of major arteries and coronary artery disease (CAD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on the basis of analysis of postmortem examination reports of...

Thyroid dose estimates for a cohort of Belarusian children exposed to radiation from the Chernobyl accident.

The U.S. National Cancer Institute, in collaboration with the Belarusian Ministry of Health, is conducting a study of thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases in a cohort of about 12,000 persons who were exposed to fallout from the Chernobyl accident in April 1986. The study subjects were 18 years old or younger at the time of exposure and resided in Belarus in the most contaminated areas of the Gomel and Mogilev Oblasts, as well as in the city of Minsk. All cohort members had at least one direct thyroid measurement made in April-June 1986. Individual data on residential history, consumption of milk, milk products and leafy vegetables as well as administration of stable iodine were collected for all cohort members by means of personal interviews conducted between 1996 and 2007. Based on the estimated (131)I activities in the thyroids, which were derived from the direct thyroid measurements, and on the responses to the questionnaires, individual thyroid doses from intakes of (131)I were reconstructed for all cohort members. In addition, radiation doses to the thyroid were estimated for the following minor exposure pathways: (a) intake of short-lived (132)I, (133)I and (132)Te by inhalation and ingestion; (b) external irradiation from radionuclides deposited on the ground; and (c) ingestion intake of (134)Cs and (137)Cs. Intake of (131)I was the major pathway for thyroid exposure; its mean contribution to the thyroid dose was 92%. The thyroid doses from (131)I intakes varied from 0.5 mGy to almost 33 Gy; the mean was estimated to be 0.58 Gy, while the median was 0.23 Gy. The reconstructed doses are being used to evaluate the risk of thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases in the cohort.