Period Of Use Research Articles

Development of farming systems in the Prienisey Siberia

The paper presents the results of research conducted to assess the development of farming systems in the Prienisei Siberia over a long period of time as a basis for identifying factors determining crop productivity, and as an information basis for forecasting crop yields by 2030. The work provides information covering more than two hundred years of land practice in the Prienisei Siberia. It was found that in all the periods of agricultural production, each of which corresponds to a certain farming system, the trend of yield change was positive. Each successive period was shorter than the previous one, with yields increasing significantly. The period of extensive technologies application in farming lasted more than 140 years. At this time, yields increased by 0.0018 t/ha per year. The period of use of the ordinal (low-intensity) farming system lasted approximately 50 years. The yields then increased by 0.0204 t/ha per year. During the period of intensification of the farming system, which took about 30 years, the yields increased by 0.0212 t/ha per year and reached about 2.1 t/ha by the end of the period. The period of formation of high-intensity farming system is the shortest, characterized by the highest productivity growth rates – 0.0639 t/ha per year. If this trend is maintained, the long-term average yield of 3.0–3.5 t/ha will be reached approximately by 2030. For each soil-climatic zone it is advisable to have its own, original farming system, developed taking into account soil-agrochemical properties, landscape and climatic peculiarities, characterized by more in-depth differentiation of individual working area. It should present digital technologies using modern electronic means of informatization, geoinformation systems, remote methods and means of technological processes control, aerial and space methods of agro-ecosystems diagnostics.

Extraction of polyphenols and antioxidant compounds from SCOBY, as a by-product of Kombucha, using different types of extraction

Kombucha is obtained through a symbiosis fermentation of bacteria and yeast, generating a floating film called SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). After a period of use, SCOBY becomes a production waste. Thus, alternative uses of SCOBY can add value to Kombucha production. In this way, this work aimed to produce and evaluate antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of SCOBY ethanolic extracts, which were obtained by two different solid–liquid extraction with three different waste weight/extractor solvent volume ratios. The SCOBY evaluated had a high concentration of cellulose (9.42 ± 1.00%) and low concentrations of proteins (0.84 ± 0.04%) and lipids (0.29 ± 0.05%). All evaluated extracts showed a high concentration of total phenolics (40.7–64.3 mg GAE/100 g of SCOBY) and high antioxidant activity (ABTS•+, FRAP and ORAC assays). The most efficient extraction of bioactive compounds was obtained by decoction using the highest solvent volume (ratio 1:20). The PCA showed clusters of the samples both by the type of extraction and by the different ratios of the weight of SCOBY to the solvent volume. Of our knowledge, our work is the first in the literature that describes such data. Therefore, the present work showed the possibility of using this industrial waste mainly to obtain active compounds and antioxidants.

Конъюнктивиты при использовании глазного протеза. Профилактика и выбор эффективной терапии

Purpose. To determine the causes of inflammatory processes when using ocular prostheses, to develop recommendations for prevention and treatment of inflammation and contraction of the conjunctival cavity in rehabilitation of persons using ocular prostheses. Methods. We have analyzed treatment effectiveness in 62 adult patients: 26 men and 36 women, aged 18–92 years, who applied for ocular prosthetic care in 2023. Operations preceding prosthetics were performed in different medical institutions. The period after surgery ranged from 6 months to 69 years. The time elapsed after the last prosthetics was from 2 months to 69 years. Resultsand discussion. All the patients underwent routine ophthalmic examination. Prosthetics was performed depending on the duration of prosthesis use, the condition of its surface and the correspondence between the shape of the prosthesis and the cavity: selection and adaptation of a standard ocular prosthesis (12 patients); repair of the prosthesis – grinding and polishing (14 patients); manufacturing of an individual ocular prosthesis according to the shape of the cavity, taking into account all the parameters of the paired eye (36 patients). Depending on the conjunctival cavity condition, drug therapy was prescribed. To objectify the assessment of treatment results, all the patients filled out questionnaires, where satisfaction with the comfort of wearing a prosthesis and their own appearance was recorded on a 5-point scale. Three weeks after the end of treatment, the administrator and the doctor called all the patients to clarify the need for correction of the prosthesis shape and medical treatment. Conclusions. The patient is satisfied with the prosthetics when the prosthesis looks like an eye and the patient does not feel discomfort when using the prosthesis. It is possible to achieve an optimal result if the prosthesis corresponds to the appearance of the paired eye, its shape fills and repeats the conjunctival cavity, the prosthesis has a smooth surface. The discrepancy between size and shape of the prosthesis and size and configuration of the cavity, sharp edges of the prosthesis, irregularities and roughness of its surface cause inflammation of the cavity, which is accompanied by an increase of mucous discharge and infection. Appointment of antibacterial or any other drug therapy without restoring smoothness of the prosthesis gives a temporary effect and promotes selection of resistant microorganisms. An ocular prosthesis in 1 year of use loses smoothness of its surface. With the observance of conjunctival cavity hygiene and careful attitude to the prosthesis – regular (1 time per year) repair of a plastic prosthesis, it is possible to extend the period of use of a plastic prosthesis to 4–5 years without complications and inconveniences. Key words: ocular prosthesis; conjunctivitis; anophthalmos; microphthalmos; subatrophy; preventive repair; timely prosthesis replacement.

The Effectiveness of Enhanced Value Reference Information System (e-VRIS) as New Database for Value and Classification of Imported Goods

The Enhanced Value Reference Information System (e-VRIS) is a new database for value and classification of imported goods in order to address corruption done through undervaluation and misclassification. With this aim, and with its considerable period of use and implementation, it is now imperative to determine how effective is this new system in combatting these types of corruption. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness e-VRIS in terms of the following: 1) Risk Valuation; 2) Enhanced Declared Value; and, 3) Classification. Data from 40 Customs Examiners from the Manila International Container Port (MICP) were elicited using a self-made survey questionnaire. To analyze the data, weighted mean was used as statistical tool. Findings indicated overall agreement among the respondents regarding e-VRIS's effectiveness in identifying revenue and compliance risks, with positive feedback on its monitoring mechanism. Similarly, respondents generally acknowledged e-VRIS's contribution to accurate tariff classification, despite differing opinions on determining country of origin. In conclusion, e-VRIS demonstrated effectiveness as a modern customs administration tool, essential for trade facilitation and corruption prevention. Its alignment with international standards and consistent performance underscored its significance in promoting transparency and efficiency in customs procedures in the Philippine customs industry.

Rethinking the Circularity of Fast Fashion. Study Case on Mass Retailers’ Current Practices

Abstract The fashion industry despite its big contribution to the global economy is one that impacts the environment and uses a big number of resources during the process of manufacturing, period of use and after the supposed end of life of the clothing items. Based on previous studies, in this article we will analyze the consumer behavior of buying clothes, especially from the fast fashion platform SHEIN, but not only. For the literature review we took the relevant studies that go around the fashion manufacturing and circularity. The article will also propose and analyze viable solutions for reintegrating clothes while checking current ethical and sustainable practices. It is known that time and commodity are two essential factors that determine the behavior of the consumers, a hypothesis that is further verified. The research methods for this were both quantitative and qualitative. Some of the questions followed the attractivity elements that keeps consumers engaged despite knowing the environmental problems caused by fast fashion. Circular fashion is a possible future scenario by taking a deeper approach on the supply chain management in the relation with the consumers ongoing and changing needs.

Glass Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials Used in the Aeronautical Transport Sector: A Critical Circular Economy Point of View

Progress in composite materials has led to their use in applications where improved mechanical and resistance characteristics are required. Most composites are obtained in such a way that they present specific mechanical properties and/or have the role of both a thermal conductor and insulator; these properties are important, specific, specialized, and useful. The advantages of these materials compared to the classic ones are as follows: low weight, high resistance to wear and corrosion, and mechanical characteristics consistent with the subsequent use of the product. The slightly high costs of these materials are justified by their precision, the quality of the products obtained, and the fact that their use leads to increased reliability, maintenance, and, in the cases of the automotive and aeronautical industries, reduced energy consumption. This paper aims to bring to readers’ attention the latest research related to glass fibre-reinforced composite materials in transport-related applications, such as automotive and aeronautic applications, including the manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Considering the long period of use, the recycling and reuse of composite materials used in aeronautical transport is a must considering the environmental aspects and the need of achieving a circular economy. In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to find new alternatives to improve the performance and durability of materials in the aeronautical transport sector.

Enhanced polyacrylamide polymer hydrogels using nanomaterials for water shutoff: Morphology, thermal and rheological investigations at high temperatures and salinity

This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of polyacrylamide (PAM)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) hydrogels enhanced with nanomaterials for potential application in conformance control in oil wells. The materials used include PAM with a molar mass of 25,000 Kg mol−1, PEI with an average weight molar mass of 25 Kg mol−1, and synthetic brine (ionic strength 0.6). Nanomaterials such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNT-ox), and graphene oxide (GO) were incorporated into the hydrogel matrix. A simple method was used for the incorporation of nanomaterials into the polymeric matrix, ensuring their good dispersion in the hydrogels formed. Characterization techniques including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to analyze the structure, morphology, and thermal stability of the hydrogels. Rheological measurements and gel strength evaluations were conducted to assess the performance of the hydrogels. Results indicate that the incorporation of nanomaterials enhanced the thermal stability, gel strength (Sydansk code), and resistance to syneresis of the hydrogels. Specifically, the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited the highest improvement in viscosity and thermal stability, attributed to strong interactions between TiO2 and PAM molecules. A notable decrease in syneresis percentages was observed with the inclusion of nanomaterials compared to the PAM reference sample, reaching 70.1 % for the hydrogel modified with GO. These findings suggest that nanomaterial-enhanced hydrogels hold promise for applications in conformance control in oil wells, offering improved stability and performance over extended periods of use.

PECULIARITIES OF THE INFLUENCE OF TYLOZIN ON THE METABOLISM OF PROTEINS AND AMINO ACIDS IN CHICKEN

Over the last decade, poultry farming, both for meat and eggs, has been widely developed in our country. Poultry products are widely used in the diets of the population. In this problem, it is necessary to observe the careful application of antimicrobial drugs to productive animals, as they are used by humans and not to disturb the ecosystem and not cause the formation of resistant microflora. Taking into consideration that veterinary medicine should be more preventive than curative, the problems of poultry treatment are poorly described, it was decided that it is necessary to work with healthy organisms. Because the physiological reactivity of the body changes with pathologies even without medical interventions. Methods of using macrolides and other pharmacological agents in sick animals and poultry are described in the literature, but there are not enough works that would highlight the data on the effect of this agent on protein and amino acid metabolism in healthy chickens. In addition, it is known that metabolic processes in poultry take place with a fairly high intensity, and this is definitely reflected in the amount of doses of various drugs, and antibiotics in particular. Medicines in the bird's body, accordingly, are biotransformed more quickly and removed from the body faster with droppings and eggs, others accumulate in various organs and muscles. Therefore, it is important to know how the biosynthesis of the main proteins and the level of free amino acids changes under the action of the antimicrobial agent Tylozin on the days of administration and in the period after the administration of the antibiotic. The results of the research are informative. The work is devoted to the study of the influence of an antimicrobial drug from the pharmacological group of macrolides on the metabolism of amino acids and proteins in chickens in a comparative aspect. At the same time, egg production in laying hens aged 140-150 days was taken into account. The influence of different doses of Tylosin on the protein and amino acid composition of chickens during the period of use and after the end of drug administration was studied. It was established that changes in the metabolism of total protein, its fractions and amino acid nitrogen in the blood serum occur naturally, long-term, in different directions and, proportionally, depend on the dose of the drug. The effect of the drug was studied in minimum, average and maximum doses.

Florio® HAEMO: A Longitudinal Survey of Patient Preference, Adherence and Wearable Functionality in Central Europe.

florio® HAEMO is a hemophilia treatment monitoring application (app) offering activity tracking and wearable device connectivity. Its use might support everyday activities for people with hemophilia. The aim of this study was to evaluate user satisfaction, long-term usage and the impact on data entry when pairing a wearable with a hemophilia monitoring app. This is a follow-up of a two-part user survey conducted in Central Europe. People with hemophilia and parents/caregivers of children with hemophilia using florio HAEMO and who completed part one were invited to complete a second online questionnaire at least 4months later. Fifty participants (83.3%) who completed part one of the survey continued to use the florio HAEMO app and completed part two. Of 14 participants who chose to use the app with a wearable, more than half (57.1%) were aged between 13 and 25years. Overall, the results demonstrated that florio HAEMO is very easy or rather easy to use, especially for individuals pairing the app with a wearable. Most people using a wearable indicated that florio HAEMO was very or rather important in bringing certainty to daily activities (85.7%). Notably, 14 of 36 (38.9%) non-wearable users indicated that they would prefer to pair the app with a wearable in the future. Adherence to the florio HAEMO app is maintained over an extended period of use. Pairing the app with a wearable might enable easier access to app features, increase data entry motivation and provide more certainty about daily activities for people with hemophilia.

Real-world effectiveness of antidepressants, antipsychotics and their combinations in the maintenance treatment of psychotic depression. Evidence from within-subject analyses of two nationwide cohorts.

Psychotic depression (PD) is a severe mental disorder leading to functional disability and high risk of suicide, but very little is known about the comparative effectiveness of medications used in its maintenance treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the comparative effectiveness of specific antipsychotics and antidepressants, and their combinations, on the risk of psychiatric hospitalization among persons with PD in routine care. Persons aged 16-65 years with a first-time diagnosis of PD were identified from Finnish (years 2000-2018) and Swedish (years 2006-2021) nationwide registers of inpatient care, specialized outpatient care, sickness absence, and disability pension. The main exposures were specific antipsychotics and antidepressants, and the main outcome measure was psychiatric hospitalization as a marker of severe relapse. The risk of hospitalization associated with periods of use vs. non-use of medications (expressed as adjusted hazard ratio, aHR) was assessed by a within-individual design, using each individual as his/her own control, and analyzed with stratified Cox models. The two national cohorts were first analyzed separately, and then combined using a fixed-effect meta-analysis. The Finnish cohort included 19,330 persons (mean age: 39.8±14.7 years; 57.9% women) and the Swedish cohort 13,684 persons (mean age: 41.3±14.0 years; 53.5% women). Individual antidepressants associated with a decreased risk of relapse vs. non-use of antidepressants were bupropion (aHR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.63-0.85), vortioxetine (aHR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.63-0.96) and venlafaxine (aHR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.98). Any long-acting injectable antipsychotic (LAI) (aHR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.45-0.80) and clozapine (aHR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.57-0.91) were associated with a decreased risk of relapse vs. non-use of antipsychotics. Among monotherapies, only vortioxetine (aHR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.95) and bupropion (aHR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.56-0.89) were associated with a significantly decreased risk of relapse vs. non-use of both antidepressants and antipsychotics. In an exploratory analysis of antidepressant-antipsychotic combinations, a decreased relapse risk was found for amitriptyline-olanzapine (aHR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.28-0.71), sertraline-quetiapine (aHR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.67-0.93) and venlafaxine-quetiapine (aHR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.73-0.91) vs. non-use of antidepressants and antipsychotics. Benzodiazepines and related drugs (aHR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.24-1.34) and mirtazapine (aHR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.07-1.29) were associated with an increased risk of relapse. These data indicate that, in the maintenance treatment of PD, bupropion, vortioxetine, venlafaxine, any LAI, clozapine, and only few specific antidepressant-antipsychotic combinations areassociated with a decreased risk of relapse. These findings challenge the current recommendation by treatment guidelines to combine an antipsychotic with an antidepressant (without further specification) as standard treatment in PD.

Ultrafast Self-Healing Elastomer with Closed-Loop Recyclability.

The loss of function after prolonged periods of use is inevitable for all materials including plastics. Hence, self-healing capabilities are a key development to prolong the service lifetime of materials. One of such self-healing capabilities can be achieved by integrating dynamic bonds such as boronic ester linkages into polymeric materials, however the rate of self-healing in these materials is insufficient and current methods to accelerate it are limited. In this study, we report the rational design, synthesis and characterization of a fluorinated elastomer (FBE15) that utilizes enhanced interaction between polymer chains afforded by strong dipole-dipole interactions from -CF3, which showed a significant increase in binding energy to -7.71 Kcal/mol from -5.51 Kcal/mol, resulting in increased interaction between the boronic ester linkages and improving self-healing capabilities of boronic ester materials, drastically reducing the time required for stress relaxation by 900 %. The bulk elastomer is capable of ultrafast self-healing in a one-click fashion that can happen in mere seconds, which can then be stretched to 150 % of its original length. By utilising the dynamic cross-linking, FBE15 is also capable of both mechanical reprocessing into the same materials and chemical recycling into its starting materials, respectively, further allowing reconstruction of the elastomers that have comparable properties to the original ones at the end of its service lifespan.

Assessing the uterine bleeding profile in women using a subcutaneous contraceptive implant containing etonogestrel: Real-life clinical practice

Introduction. Pregnancy planning is one of the leading areas in the population reproductive health care, in particular preventing and reducing the number of abortions.Aim. To evaluate the uterine bleeding profile and other adverse events associated with the use of an etonogestrel subcutaneous contraceptive implant (Implanon NXT®). Materials and methods. We analysed medical records of female patients (n = 153) who used Implanon NXT® in the period from 2013 to 2023, records of adverse events, uterine bleeding, bleeding management techniques and reasons given by women for discontinuing the use of implants.Results. The median duration of uterine bleeding episodes ranged from 7 to 13 days within a three-year period of use of Implanon NXT®. During the first 3 months, the proportion of women with prolonged bleeding was higher as compared to all other observation periods and gradually decreased during the first year of use of the drug from 41.2 to 15.8%. 40 patients with complaints of unsatisfactory uterine bleeding patterns required adjustment of drug dosages; 14 women continued to use Implanon NXT® after adjustment of drug dosages and repeated visits. 17.0% (n = 26) of patients required early removal of the implant. Due to pregnancy planning, the implant was removed early in 13% (n = 20) of patients. The most common adverse events included functional ovarian cysts, mastalgia, increased appetite, decreased libido, dizziness, acne; most of them were transient and did not require any management, and were not considered the reason for implant removal.Conclusion. The number of uterine bleeding episodes in patients using the etonogestrel implant was comparable to the normal menstrual cycle. Some women had changes in the uterine bleeding patterns, such as amenorrhea, frequent and prolonged bleeding, which reduced the duration of use of this contraception method. At the same time, combined oral contraceptives were the most effective as compared to other drugs used in correction regimens.

Analysing the mechanical behaviour of thermoformed dental clear aligners using acoustic emission technique

Clear aligners have been widely preferred in recent years for aesthetically pleasant orthodontic treatments. However, their efficacy in treating dental malposition and malocclusion is yet to be studied extensively. Clear aligners are mostly made from thermoplastic materials that guarantee sufficient elasticity while lowering the plastic deformations during their use. This is to guarantee a stable level of forces acting on teeth to be repositioned. This work aims to get insight into the mechanical behaviour of these devices during their period of use, by comparing aligners produced from two different thermoplastic materials: polyethylene terephthalate-glycol modified (PET-G) and polyurethane (PU) supplied by Dooris and Ghost Aligners, respectively. The aligners were subjected to cyclic compression loading, to simulate the swallowing act throughout 15 days of use. Tests were conducted by surrounding the aligners with artificial saliva to simulate the intraoral environment. The Acoustic Emission (AE) technique was used to analyse the damage progression in the aligners during the loading. Furthermore, the AE results were compared with the energy absorbed and the stiffness changes in the aligners. Finally, the damage evolution in the aligners post-loading was validated using optical microscopy. The AE results revealed a good correlation with mechanical and optical microscopy data, thus contributing to the understanding of the mechanical behaviour of the clear aligners.

Functional anterior cruciate ligament braces may have a role in select patient groups although there is presently limited evidence supporting or refuting their routine use: A scoping review of clinical practice guidelines and an updated bracing classification.

The purpose of this study was to perform a scoping review of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) concerning the use of functional anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) braces and to clarify the nomenclature for bracing relevant to ACL injury treatment in order to support prescribing clinicians. A PubMed search for CPGsfor the use of braces following ACL injury or reconstruction was performed. CPGs on the treatment of ACL injuries with sufficient attention to postoperative braces were included in this scoping review. The references used for supporting the specific CPG recommendations were reviewed. Specific indications for brace use including brace type, period of use following surgeryand activities requiring brace use were collected. Six CPGs were identified and included this this review. Three randomised trials provided the evidence for recommendations on functional brace use following ACL reconstruction in the six CPGs. Functional ACL braces were the primary focus of the three randomised trials, although extension braces (postoperative knee immobilisers) were also discussed. A novel dynamic ACL brace category has been described, although included CPGs did not provide guidance on this brace type. Guidance on the use of functional ACL braces following ACL reconstruction is provided in six CPGs supported by three randomised trials. However, the brace protocols and patient compliance in the randomised trials render these CPGs inadequate for providing guidance on the use of functional ACL braces in the general and high-risk patient populations when returning to sport after ACL reconstruction. Functional ACL braces are commonly utilised during the course of ACL injury treatment although there is presently limited evidence supporting or refuting the routine use of these braces. Future studies are, therefore, necessary in order to provide guidance on the use of functional and dynamic ACL braces in high-risk patient populations. Level II.

Modern problems of determining net realizable value in RAS and IFRS and ways to solve them

Thanks to the Federal Accounting Standard (FAS) 5/2019, net realizable value was introduced into Russian accounting for inventories. A similar value is also used in IAS 2. Despite the relatively long period of use of the specified value, its estimation still raises a number of questions when accounting and reporting according to both Russian and International Standards (hereinafter referred to as RAS and IFRS). These problems and ways to solve them are analyzed in this article. When carrying out research, methods such as analysis and synthesis, grouping method, comparison, analogy method, logical approach, systematic approach were used. As a result of the research carried out in this work, the main modern problems associated with determining the net realizable value in Russian and international accounting have been identified and proposals for their solution have been substantiated. The results obtained in this article will be useful to a wide range of readers interested in current issues relating to the regulations of RAS and IFRS, including the calculation of the net realizable value of inventories, can be used in the educational process of higher educational institutions, in the practical work of accounting departments of modern organizations, as well as in development and improvement of relevant domestic and international accounting standards.

A vibration analysis of the permanent magnet synchronous motor under the effect of proportional derivative control

In industrial environments, excessive vibration can pose a safety risk since it can weaken the structural integrity of PMSMs and adjacent equipment. Vibration levels can be understood and controlled to help assure safe operation and avoid mishaps or equipment breakdowns. Friction and mechanical resistance are examples of vibration-induced losses that can lower PMSMs’ overall efficiency. Through the optimization of motor design and operation, engineers may minimize vibration and increase energy efficiency while lowering operating costs. Since an electric motor’s tendency to overheat after a brief period of use is linked to oscillating vibration, this study employs a proportional derivative control (PD control) to demonstrate the potential effectiveness of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The external force is a component of the non-linear dynamical system. The equation of the (PMSM) system is explained with two-degree-of-freedom (2dof) differential coupled equations, consisting of the major body (motor current) and cutting drive system. The present study uses the approximate method of multiple scales perturbation technique (MSPT) to get an approximate solution, showing the response equation before using (PD) and to achieve the highest effect on the control system so as to ensure the highest efficiency at the lowest possible cost. Different numerical tests have been conducted (NPDCVF, NVC, PPF, PD, delay velocity) and showed that (PD) has the best effect and is able to control the vibrations with more accuracy than others. Then, the vibration value of the system has been studied numerically before and after applying the control method of (MSPT). By combining the analysis of the resonance situation via both the phase plane techniques and the frequency response equation ω1≅ω2,ω≅ω2, within the utilization of Runge–Kutta of the fourth-order, the stability of the numerical solution has been investigated. Then, by employing the MATLAB tool, the impact of various parameters on model performance has been examined numerically. Lastly, a comparison is made with earlier research and other techniques used in prior work using other types of control mechanisms for other systems.

삼국시대 복환판비의 전개 과정과 의미 —남원 두락리 고분군 출토품을 중심으로—

The double ring bit is a bit made of a single iron rod. In this paper, the current status and development of the double ring bits excavated from the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Archipelago are summarized. Based on this, the archaeological significance of the double ring bits of Durak-ri, Namwon, are examined. The double ring bits of the Korean Peninsula were mainly used in Silla and Gaya from the early fifth to the late seventh centuries. They can be classified into Silla or Gaya double ring bits according to the connection method (the presence or absence of a ring); the guard in the bit of the ‘Ga’ type double ring bit reflects the change over time. It seems that the technology for producing the ‘Ga’ and ‘Na’ types, which originated in Silla, spread to Gaya from the early 6th century to the first half of the 6th century, when Silla and Gaya maintained a friendly relationship. The double ring bits excavated from the Japanese Archipelago are not much different from those of Korea. The Japanese Archipelago double ring bits have many things in common with domestic examples, such as the use of the type ‘Ga’ to ‘Da’ types. However, in the Japanese Archipelago, ‘Da’ type examples were used from an early age, and the forms that were popular in Korea and their period of use were different. There is also the ‘Ra’ type that is not observed in Korea. The double ring bit excavated from the Durak-ri tombs, in Namwon, are of the ‘Ga-3’ type, used only around the early 6th century in East Asia. Therefore, the age of the ancient tomb can be estimated based on the double ring bits. Although the ‘Ga-3’ type is of Silla origin, the excavation of the Durak-ri tombs suggests that the artifacts may have been produced locally in the Unbong Plateau through the adoption of improved production technologies from Hapcheon, which was well equipped with a high-level ironmaking technological system. The bits not only demonstrate the friendly foreign relations between Silla and Gaya from the early to the first half of the 6th century, but also illustrate the acceptance process of the latest harness manufacturing technology from Hapcheon.

Removal of the central venous port system in children. Is this an appropriate training procedure for resident physicians? A single-center retrospective study.

<b>Introduction:</b> A venous port system consists of a port chamber attached to a central catheter, which is implanted into the central venous system. The removal of the vascular port includes all items of this system. This procedure is usually simple and quick. Complications with port removal are rare but possible.<b>Aim:</b> The study aimed to summarize venous port removal procedures performed by pediatric surgeons.<b>Material and methods:</b> The single-center, retrospective study was conducted on 360 pediatric patients treated during the years 2010-2022 in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Traumatology, and Urology in Poznan.<b>Results:</b> The port usage time before the removal ranged from 3 days to 8 years and 3 months, with an average of 22 months. The leading cause of vascular port removal was the end of treatment (78.06%). Other less frequent reasons were the infection (13.89%) and mechanical damage of the port (3.33%). There were almost no complications connected with the procedure of vascular port removal (92.2%). If the complications occurred, they included bleeding during surgery (3%), covering the vascular catheter with bone tissue of the clavicle, causing difficulties with the catheter removal from the vein (1.4%), and connected with the previous complications-prolonged clavicle pain after surgery (1.4%) and hematoma after surgery (2%).<b>Conclusions:</b> Removing the venous port is a safe procedure with a low risk of complications. This procedure can be considered as an appropriate training procedure for young trainees. A more extended period of use of the vascular port before its removal may be associated with more difficulties during surgery.

Primary and secondary prevention of stroke and cardiovascular events using evolocumab and alirocumab: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Although the clinical role of protein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors for cholesterol management is increasing, the post-marketing period of use is short compared to other lipid-lowering drugs, so there is still insufficient evidence for their efficacy and safety. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated preventive effects of stroke and cardiovascular (CV) events using evolocumab and alirocumab. We assessed the relative risk of stroke and CV events after alirocumab or evolocumab treatment in individuals with or without clinical CV diseases compared with that in controls. In addition, we evaluated the relative risk of hemorrhagic stroke. A total of 25 articles were included (median of study duration = 52 weeks). The risk of stroke was significantly decreased after treatment with alirocumab or evolocumab (primary prevention in patients without CV diseases: RR = 0.733; 95% CI, 0.618-0.870; secondary prevention in patients with CV diseases: RR = 0.703; 95% CI, 0.562-0.880). The risk of CV events also significantly decreased in patients treated with alirocumab or evolocumab (primary prevention: RR = 0.818; 95% CI, 0.777-0.861; secondary prevention: RR = 0.725; 95% CI, 0.578-0.910). The relative risk of hemorrhagic stroke was not significantly different between PCSK9 inhibitor-treated patients and controls (RR=1.041; 95% CI, 0.690-1.573). Our findings indicate that evolocumab and alirocumab are significantly effective without increasing the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Based on this, the PCSK9 inhibitors can be highly recommended for cholesterol management.

Predictive Pharmacogenetic Testing in Psychiatry: Pros and Cons

Pharmacogenetic testing (PGx) is an important diagnostic tool for achieving an optimal balance between the effectiveness and safety of psychotropic drugs, especially those requiring long-term use. The most prescribed medications in psychiatric practice are antipsychotics (APs). Despite the long period of use of APs, their safety profile remains insufficiently high. Due to the high incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), from the central nervous system (CNS) and other organs and tissues of the human body. Therapeutic drug monitoring can help predict and diagnose AP-induced ADRs only if the patient is receiving APs. PGx helps to individually select an AP, its dose and clarify the risk of ADRs before prescribing an AP, or at the start of therapy. This explains the importance of PGx in psychiatrist practice. However, to date, most practicing psychiatrists rarely use predictive PGx or do not use this method. PGx is more often prescribed in the case of a long history of un-successful AP-therapy, or in the case of the development of serious ADRs, the risk of which could be significantly reduced if predictive PGx was used. This case report of PGx in a 56-year-old woman with severe bipolar disorder demonstrates that the trajectory of ADRs and socialization could be significantly improved if this method was prescribed before the initiation of APs, rather than in the event of the development of serious ADRs.