Unfavorable Period Research Articles

Multifactorial diseases in the genesis of perinatal pathology

A team of authors have conducted a study on the influence of multifactorial diseases of relatives of three generations of two lines of descent on the formation of perinatal pathology in children. To conduct the study, a special questionnaire was developed, consisting of 8 blocks, one of which allows to identify family perinatal problems. The analysis of the data obtained showed that an unfavorable perinatal period of parents increases the risk of having a child with perinatal pathology, and a family history of preterm birth increases the frequency of the birth of a premature child. The study revealed that the highest impact on the development of multifactorial diseases in adulthood is exerted by child health disorders in the perinatal period, such as prematurity, intrauterine hypoxia/asphyxia during childbirth, respiratory disorders and birth trauma. In turn, a multifactorial pathology in relatives, among which the most common are hypertension (18.7%), coronary heart disease (17.3%) and gastric ulcer (10.5%) with the burden increasing from generation to generation, serves as a risk factor for the birth of a child with perinatal pathology.

The Working of Hard Animal Tissues in Eastern and Central Europe During the Last Glacial Maximum—Current Knowledge and Perspectives

The climatically unfavourable period of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ca. 26–19 ka cal bp) is held responsible for a severe demographic crisis of hunter–gatherer populations, their retreat to a few refugial areas, the disruption of wide-ranging networks, and a considerable loss of cultural complexity in Eastern and Central Europe. The latitudes above 50°N appear to have been completely depopulated. Recent research has demonstrated a continuous occupation of the Carpathian Basin and the East Carpathian region during the LGM on one hand, and an ephemeral human presence in the Middle Danube, the Middle Rhine, and the Swiss Plateau on the other. The western part of the East European Plain, in particular the East Carpathians, is known for several large, Early Epigravettian open-air sites with well-preserved artefacts of antler, bone, and mammoth ivory. For Central Europe, the assemblage from Kammern-Grubgraben in Lower Austria is of pivotal importance. As osseous industries have shown to be an essential component of Upper Palaeolithic material culture, it is the aim of this contribution to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on the processing of hard animal tissues in Eastern and Central Europe during the LGM. Starting out with a reevaluation of one of the largest and most diverse assemblages from the site of Cosăuţi in the Republic of Moldova (ca. 23–19 ka cal bp), contemporary assemblages from the area between the Bug River in the east and the Rhine in the west are presented, discussed and compared with the situation in Western Europe. Based on that, it can be asked what information osseous industries can provide about the development of technological traditions and dissemination of concepts during the LGM from a local and supraregional perspective.

Temporal Mortality Trends Attributable to Stroke in South Asia: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis.

South Asia contributes the most to stroke mortality worldwide. This study aimed to determine the long-term trends in stroke mortality across four South Asian countries and its associations with age, period, and birth cohort. In 2019, nearly one million stroke deaths occurred across South Asia, and the associated age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) was 80.2 per 100,000. Between 1990 and 2019, India had the largest decrease in the ASMR (-35.8%) across the four South Asian countries. While Pakistan had the smallest decrease in the ASMR (-7.6%), an increase was detected among males aged 15 to 34 years and females aged 15 to 19 years. Despite a 22.8% decrease in the ASMR, Bangladesh had the highest ASMR across the four South Asian countries. Nepal reported a witness increase in the stroke ASMR after 2006. Improved period and cohort effects on stroke mortality were generally indicated across the analyzed countries, except for recent-period effects in males from Nepal and cohort effects from those born after the 1970s in Pakistan. Stroke mortality has decreased in the four South Asian countries over the past 30 years, but potentially unfavorable period and cohort effects have emerged in males in Nepal and both sexes in Pakistan. Governmental and societal efforts are needed to maintain decreasing trends in stroke mortality.

Global temporal trends and projections of acute hepatitis E incidence among women of childbearing age: Age-period-cohort analysis 2021

Acute Hepatitis E (AHE) poses a significant threat to global public health, particularly among women of childbearing age (WCBA), who are at heightened risk for severe pregnancy-related complications. This study aimed to delineate the temporal trends and project future incidence of AHE in WCBA, providing insights crucial for targeted prevention and control strategies. Data on AHE incidence from the Global Health data 2021. The Age-Period-Cohort (APC) model was applied to analyze trends across different age groups, periods, and birth cohorts, and the Bayesian APC model was utilized for forecasting future epidemiological trajectories. Globally, AHE incidence numbers among WCBA rose from 2,831,075 in 1992 to 3,420,786 in 2021, while the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) declined from 194.66 to 179.54 per 100,000 with a global net drift of -0.28%. However, high SDI regions showed a contrasting trend with a positive net drift of 0.02%. The age effect was consistent across SDI regions and global, showing a decrease with advancing age, while unfavorable period and cohort effects were exhibited in high-SDI region. At the national level, locations exhibited varying trends of change. The BAPC model predicted a total of 3,759,384 AHE global cases in WCBA by 2030, with an expected mild increase in the ASIR. The outlook for the management and containment of AHE is grim in certain countries, including India. The study revealed a complex epidemiological landscape of AHE in WCBA, with increasing global incidence numbers juxtaposed against a declining ASIR. The AHE burden by 2030 remain severe among WCBA. Young WCBA and high SDI region merit particular attention. The findings underscore the need for region-specific strategies to curb the projected rise in AHE incidence and align with the 2030 WHO goals.

Global, regional, and national time trends in ischaemic heart disease incidence over three decades (1990-2019): an age-period-cohort analysis of the global burden of disease study 2019.

To assess the prevailing trends in the incidence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019, and to elucidate their correlations with age, period, and birth cohort, a comprehensive analysis was conducted. From 1990 to 2019, we employed the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) Results Tool in conjunction with an age-period-cohort model. This approach facilitated the estimation of annual percentage changes in incidence, referred to as net drifts, encompassing the overall population. Additionally, we calculated annual percentage changes spanning ages 15 - 19 to 95 + years, denoted as local drifts. Furthermore, our analysis involved determining period and cohort relative risks, elucidating the effects associated with distinct periods and birth cohorts. Globally, 21,203,479 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 18,799,322 - 23,704,124] cases of IHD occurred in 2019. There were 33 countries with at least 100000 cases. Between 1990 and 2019, the net drift of IHD incidence exhibited a range from -1.7% per year [95% confidence interval (CI): -1.79, -1.61] in countries with a high socio-demographic index (SDI) to 0.08% per year (95% CI: 0.05, 0.11) in countries with a low SDI. Age effects across all countries and genders demonstrated an increasing trend over time, indicating age as a significant risk factor for IHD. Moreover, period and cohort effects in higher SDI countries exhibited a more rapid decline in both genders compared to lower SDI countries. The findings indicated that nations with a higher SDI manifested overall favorable trends in the relative risk of IHD incidence, both across time and in successive younger birth cohorts. The incidence of IHD serves as a valuable and accessible indicator for assessing trends in IHD provision, spanning from early youth through later life. Enhancements in IHD prevention have the potential to mitigate risks for successively younger cohorts and, over time, redistribute the risk across all age groups. Despite global declines in IHD incidence over the last three decades, decreasing trends in incidence have slowed and, in some countries, flattened. Many countries have experienced unfavorable period and cohort effects.

Geographic disparities in trends of thyroid cancer incidence and mortality from 1990 to 2019 and a projection to 2030 across income-classified countries and territories.

The rising incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) has generated growing concern globally; yet there are no studies examining whether this incidence was followed by a rise in related mortality. We aimed to comprehensively quantify current trends and future projections of TC incidence and mortality, and to explore the association between the TC burden and socioeconomic inequality in different income strata. We obtained incidence and mortality data on TC and population from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study and the United Nations' World Population Prospects 2022. We applied an age-period-cohort (APC) model to estimate the overall annual percentage change (net drift) and age, period, and cohort effects from 1990 to 2019, and also constructed a Bayesian APC model to predict the TC burden through 2030. Over a third of global TC cases belonged to the high-income group. From 1990 to 2019, net drifts of TC incidence were >0 in all income groups, while a modest reduction (net drift <0) in mortality was observed in most income groups, except for the lower-middle-income group. Unfavourable age, period, and cohort effects were most notable in Vietnam, China, and Korea. The age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) is predicted to increase whereas the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) is expected to decrease globally between 2020 and 2030, with geographic heterogeneity being detected across income groups. We observed a positive correlation between ASIR and universal health coverage index and health worker density, but a negative one between ASMR and the two indicators, primarily in upper-middle-income and high-income countries. Opposite patterns in incidence and mortality of TC raise concerns about overdiagnosis, particularly in upper-middle-income and high-income countries. Discrepancies in the distribution of health service accessibility, including diagnostic techniques and therapeutic care, should be addressed by narrowing health inequalities in the TC burden across countries.

The effect of weather factors on the efficiency of macro- and microfertilizers for the red clover cultivation in the conditions of the Kostroma region

Strengthening the forage base is an important task for the successful development of animal husbandry in the Kostroma region, and the main role in this belongs to red clover. The purpose the current study was to identify the dependence of the productivity of clover green mass on the type and dose of top dressing, when using sparing doses of fertilizers and environmentally friendly types of processing. The study was carried out on the basis of the Kostroma Research Institute of Agriculture in 2020–2022. The two-factor trial consisted of 15 options (three backgrounds – Control, Ozone and “Aquamix”, and 5 options for different doses of top dressing) in three sequences, the area of one plot was 6 m2. There was taken the clover variety ‘Soligalichesky mestny’ as the most adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the region. During the study, there was found a dependence of the efficiency of the applied fertilizers on weather factors during the vegetation period. Thus, under favorable climatic conditions, the complex “Aquamix” was effective both in pre-sowing treatment and in the form of foliar top dressing. In the variants with its use, there was obtained a significant improvement of green mass productivity and general productivity indicators. The P30K30 dose was the most effective among all mineral top dressings. When increasing the dose and introducing nitrogen (N30P45K90) in the top dressing, productivity and quality of the green mass decreased mainly due to grass lodging. During the unfavorable vegetation period (summer drought), microelements did not affect forage mass productivity and quality. Only top dressing with mineral fertilizers was effective, and the best result was obtained with a higher dose and the full composition of top dressing (N30P45K90). Seed ozonation was effective under all weather conditions. The best result in a favorable year was obtained in the variant Ozone + P30K30 (+43.8 t/ha of green mass, or 153 %), in an unfavorable year it was Ozone + N30P45K90 (+16.1 t/ha, or 111 %). The dose of mineral top dressing ought to be adjusted depending on the weather conditions of a particular vegetation period.

Global, regional and national temporal trends in prevalence for musculoskeletal disorders in women of childbearing age, 1990–2019: an age-period-cohort analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

ObjectivesTo provide an overview and in-depth analysis of temporal trends in prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders in women of childbearing age (WCBA) at global, regional and national levels over the...

Global, regional, and national time trends in cancer mortality attributable to high fasting plasma glucose: an age-period cohort analysis

BackgroundHigh fasting plasma glucose (HFPG) is the fastest-growing risk factor for cancer deaths worldwide. We reported the cancer mortality attributable to HFPG at global, regional, and national levels over the past three decades and associations with age, period, and birth cohort.MethodsData for this study were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, and we used age-period-cohort modelling to estimate age, cohort and period effects, as well as net drift (overall annual percentage change) and local drift (annual percentage change in each age group).ResultsOver the past 30 years, the global age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) attributable to HFPG has increased by 27.8%. The ASMR in 2019 was highest in the male population in high sociodemographic index (SDI) areas (8.70; 95% CI, 2.23–18.04). The net drift for mortality was highest in the female population in low SDI areas (2.33; 95% CI, 2.12–2.55). Unfavourable period and cohort effects were found across all SDI quintiles. Cancer subtypes such as "trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers", "colon and rectal cancers", "breast cancer" and "pancreatic cancer" exhibited similar trends.ConclusionsThe cancer mortality attributable to HFPG has surged during the past three decades. Unfavourable age-period-cohort effects on mortality were observed across all SDI quintiles, and the cancer mortality attributable to HFPG is expected to continue to increase rapidly in the future, particularly in lower SDI locations. This is a grim global public health issue that requires immediate attention.

Understanding Resilience in Tourism and Hospitality

The two years that have passed since the spring of 2020 have been an extremely unfavorable period for businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector. The coercive measures introduced due to Covid-19 led to adverse events, often crises in the operation of stores. The literature on resilience gives the most adequate answers to the question of how successfully a company resists or adapts to an unfavorable market situation. Resilience refers to the ability of the organization to continue to function during an adverse event by bouncing back or adapting to the circumstances in a new way. The purpose of this study is to summarize the concepts of resilience and present its aspects related to tourism and hospitality. The systematic processing of the results of resilience research found in the literature is not only useful for understanding the current situation but can also provide an effective coping strategy for another period of crisis. Since the research of corporate skills plays an important role in the post-Covid-19 recovery, the study proposes possible research methods for resilience and points out the challenges of business research.

Could secondary flows have made possible the cross-strait transport and explosive invasion of Rugulopteryx okamurae algae in the Strait of Gibraltar?

Presently, the Strait of Gibraltar is undergoing an unprecedented invasion of the alien alga Rugulopteryx okamurae of North Pacific origin. According to the scarce literature, the algae first settled in the south shore, probably following commercial exchanges with French ports where it was accidentally introduced together with Japanese oysters imported for mariculture. There is no certainty, however, that the algae first colonized the south shore of the Strait and, from there, spread to the north. It could well have been the opposite. Whatever the case, it spread all over the Strait and surrounding areas with amazing rapidity. Human-mediated vectors (algae attached to ship hulls or fishing nets, for example) can be behind the spread from the shore initially settled to the algae-free shore on the opposite side. But it could also have happened by means of hydrodynamic processes without direct human intervention. This possibility is assessed in this paper by revisiting historical current meter profiles collected in the Strait of Gibraltar searching for secondary cross-strait flows. All the stations present an intermediate layer of northward cross-strait velocity near the interface of the mean baroclinic exchange along with a surface layer above of southward velocity, whose lower part also overlaps the interface zone. The first one would back the south-to-north transport of algal fragments, the second one, the north-to south. In both cases, algae must reach the depth of the interface. The vertical velocity field in the area, which far exceeds the small sedimentation velocity of the algae, allows their vertical displacements throughout the water column. Its endurance to survive under the weak or no light conditions that will prevail during the cross-strait transport and its capability of reactivating the metabolism after this unfavorable period, offers chances for colonizing the opposite shore. Therefore, the propagation of the algae by hydrodynamic processes, without human intervention, cannot be ruled out.

Alerting trends in epidemiology for calcific aortic valve disease, 1990-2019: An age-period-cohort analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

To assess the trends in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) epidemiology, with an emphasis on CAVD mortality, leading risk factors, and their associations with age, period, and birth cohort. Prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality were derived from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The age-period-cohort model was employed to study the detailed trends of CAVD mortality and its leading risk factors. Globally, CAVD showed unsatisfactory results from 1990 to 2019, with the CAVD deaths of 127000 in 2019. CAVD mortality was substantially reduced in high Socio-demographic Index (SDI) countries (-1.45%, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-1.61, -1.30]), mildly increased in high-middle SDI countries (0.22%, 95% CI [0.06, 0.37]), and unchanged in other SDI quintiles. There was a noticeable transition in CAVD deaths from younger to older populations globally. The CAVD mortality increased exponentially with age, and the male had higher mortality than the female before 80 years old. Favorable period (0.69, 95% CI [0.66, 0.72]) and birth effects (0.30, 95% CI [0.22, 0.43]) were mainly observed in high SDI countries, while unfavorable effects were mostly noticed in high-middle SDI countries. High systolic blood pressure was the leading risk factor of CAVD deaths globally and it showed favorable trends in high SDI regions. Although CAVD mortality reduction was observed globally, unfavorable period and cohort effects were found in many countries. Increase of mortality rate among the population≥85 years was the common challenge across all SDI quintiles, stressing the necessity to further improve health care for CAVD patients worldwide.

Analysis of Renal Pathology Predictors in Tender-Age Infants: Cohort Study

Background. The early onset of nephropathies creates certain risk of early chronic kidney disease development with loss of function (especially in children with unfavorable intrauterine period), renal tissue dysplasia, congenital malformations and/or urodynamic disorders.Objective. The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of ontogenesis factors in nephropathies development in tender-age infants with specification of the course features and kidneys morphometric parameters.Methods. Cohort study was conducted. The study group included 69 children aged from 0 to 36 months with changes in the kidneys (compared to age-specific ones) according to ultrasound and/or urinary syndrome (leukocyturia, bacteriuria, proteinuria, etc.). The control group included 35 relatively healthy children of the same age. Comparative analysis of antenatal and postnatal medical history was carried out in both groups, as well as comparison of morphometric indicators of the urinary system organs at neonatal ultrasound screening. Pathological process onset was also considered in the group of children with nephropathies. The study was conducted during 2018–2021.Results. Possible predictors of pathology process in children with early onset of nephropathies are: 1) maternal diseases: urinary system disorders (OR = 4.99), blood pathology, mainly anemia of the 2nd–3rd grade (OR = 6.94), cardiovascular system diseases (OR = 10.26), inflammatory diseases of genital tract (OR = 10.61); 2) pregnancy failures: gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 7.24), preeclampsia and eclampsia (OR = 4.40); placental pathology (OR = 17.0), and fetoplacental insufficiency (OR = 7.61); 3) feeding features: early conversion to breast-milk substitutes (OR = 2.81). 50.7% of children of this group has shown persistent urodynamic disorders already at first months of life according to ultrasound data, as well as signs of bloated kidneys. It was shown that the inflammatory process manifestation associated with aggravated perinatal history and congenital defects occurs significantly earlier — 2 months, and without any defects — 4 months (p = 0.004).Conclusion. Burdened antenatal and neonatal medical history has negative effect on the morphogenesis of the urinary system organs and creates conditions for early nephropathies development during the first months of life.

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR): A Rampart against the Adverse Effects of Drought Stress

Abiotic stress significantly limits plant growth and production. Drought, in particular, is a severe constraint that affects growth and limits agricultural productivity on a global scale. Water stress induces in plants a set of morpho-anatomical (modification of root and leaf structure), physiological, and biochemical (relative water content, membrane stability, photosynthesis, hormonal balance, antioxidant systems, and osmolyte accumulation) changes mainly employed to cope with the drought stress. These strategies allow the plant to overcome the unfavorable period of limited water availability. Currently, a promising alternative is available to improve plant growth and tolerance under drought conditions. The use of osmotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as inoculants can alleviate water stress by increasing the water use efficiency of the plant. The PGPR improve the tolerance of plants to drought, through changes in the morphology and architecture of the root system, production of phytohormones, extracellular polysaccharides, ACC 1-(aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase, volatile chemicals, and osmolyte accumulation. They may also enhance the antioxidant defense system and induce transcriptional regulation of stress response genes. This review addresses the effects of stress on plant growth, adaptation, and response to drought conditions and discusses the significant potential of PGPR to modulate the physiological response against water scarcity, ensuring plant survival and improving the resistance and growth of agricultural crops.

Competitiveness of Slovak power plants in connection with global changes in the development of electric energy prices

A cost framework we applied to provide an overview of bioenergy issues related to the process with renewable fuels and focuses on several possible profitability scenarios and the future development of Slovak power plants in a competitive electricity market. The aim of the paper is to propose alternative scenarios and forecast the development of Slovak power plants. The economic benefits of transitioning to alternative biofuel were analysed within the research in cooperation with the Vojany Black Coal Power Plant (EVO). To confirm the most economically efficient types of fuels used in the combustion process was used Data Envelopment analysis (DEA). Within the methodology used were also identified the factors influencing the price of electric energy (EE) on the market and subsequently the profitability of power plants. Scenarios for the future development of EE prices were identified using the statistical method FORECAST.FUNCTION. Despite the predicted increase in the market price of EE we conclude that the use of co-combustion fuels is socially beneficial compared to the use of biofuels under a wide range of assumptions regarding technical, economic and environmental characteristics. The relationship and extent of influence between coal, emission allowance and oil prices, determining EE prices were quantified by regression analysis and Analysis of Variances (ANOVA). The paper contains current data from available databases and market forecasts and the absence of analyses for economic development, sustainability, and competitiveness of Slovak power plants in the unfavourable period of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and war conflict Russia-Ukraine.

Seismic performance of post-tensioned self-centering concrete frames under near-fault pulse-like ground motions

Post-tensioned self-centering (PTSC) frames have been identified as a class of high-performance structures with capabilities of mitigating damage and minimizing residual deformations. However, the seismic behavior of PTSC frames subjected to near-fault pulse-like ground motions (NPGMs) is not fully understood yet. This study provides a comprehensive assessment on the seismic performance of PTSC frames under NPGMs. 4-story and 12-story PTSC frames with different energy dissipation capacities are numerically modeled in the OpenSees platform. Various degrees of structural damage of the PTSC frames are properly described by particular limit states. Incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) is performed using a set of 91 near-fault ground motions with a wide range of pulse periods. Fragility surfaces for different damage states are developed for the exemplar PTSC frames with respect to both seismic intensity and pulse period. The numerical results indicate that the impacts of pulse period on the PTSC frames of different stories are quite different. Besides, the most unfavorable pulse period changes with the severity of structural damage. The effects of energy dissipation ratio and pulse period on the exceedance probabilities of different damage states are compared, and the limitation of the commonly adopted friction dampers is discussed. Based on the results and observations of structural performance with respect to the pulse characteristics, guides and recommendations for the design of PTSC frames are provided.

Saving Behavior as an Integral Element of the Individual's Economic Behavior

In an unfavorable period of development of the country's economy, various types of subjective economic behavior, including labor, entrepreneurial, credit, savings behavior, are considered to be more relevant for periods of well-being. However, the degree of its impact on other types of behavior is so great that it cannot be ignored by decision makers in public governance and corporate management. The article analyzes the existing relationships between different types of economic behavior of individuals, the place among them of savings behavior and its impact on other types. The specific forms and results of the observed relationships are largely determined by the types and characteristics of savings behavior. The article attempts to classify the types of savings behavior in order to facilitate the identification and prediction of their impact on other types of economic behavior. In particular, two bases for the classification of savings behavior are proposed: the motivation to save and the share of income directed to savings. When making various decisions at all levels of management, it is necessary to clearly realize that the very fact of the formation of savings, as well as their size, can influence a wide range of actions of an individual in other areas of economic behavior.

Optimization Method of Temperature Measuring Point Layout for Steel-Concrete Composite Bridge Based on TLS-IPDP

An optimization method of temperature measurement point layout for steel-concrete composite bridges based on the total least squares improved piecewise Douglas–Peucker (TLS-IPDP) algorithm was proposed to solve the problem that the traditional temperature measurement data cannot reflect the actual temperature gradient (TG) due to the position of measurement points on different paths is not reasonable. The characteristic curves of TG for the most unfavorable period and annual period are extracted from the finite element model. The rationality of the proposed method is illustrated by two typical steel-concrete composite beams with steel plates and steel boxes. By improving the classical Douglas–Peucker (DP) algorithm, the TLS-IPDP algorithm proposed in this paper has a better approximation effect on the original data. Compared with the traditional temperature measuring point arrangement method, the TLS-IPDP algorithm optimized arrangement in this paper realized the measuring point arrangement with different variable spacing under different paths; the temperature gradient curve obtained was closer to the real temperature distribution, and had higher accuracy in the region with a large gradient. In addition, the proposed method has the function of manually specifying the location of feature points and reserving the required number. The optimized arrangement of measuring points can meet the requirements of measuring points number and measurement accuracy. The method presented in this paper can provide a useful reference for temperature data acquisition and sensor layout for health monitoring of steel-composite bridges.

МЕТОДИКА ОЦЕНКИ ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ УДЕЛЬНОГО РАСХОДА ЭЛЕКТРОЭНЕРГИИ И ЭЛЕКТРОДОВ ПРИ КОРРЕКЦИИ ЭЛЕКТРИЧЕСКИХ РЕЖИМОВ ДУГОВЫХ СТАЛЕПЛАВИЛЬНЫХ ПЕЧЕЙ

The paper describes an improved method for estimating the technical effect after correction of electric modes in electric arc furnaces and ladle furnaces. The main indicators of efficiency for these types of equipment are specific power consump-tion and electrode wear. The study shows that after correction of electric modes in electric arc furnaces and ladle furnaces through parameterization of electric mode control system (or implementation of new control system), estimation of these parameters may be inaccurate. This is caused by the inapplicability of direct comparison of specific power consumption and electrode wear over separate time periods, due to the impact of different technological fac-tors. In contrast with existing methodology, the improved method takes into account the impact of technological factors with unequal values over separate time samples. The new method is based on statistical and correlation analysis of electri-cal and technological characteristics for pre-warranty and post-warranty periods. The most unfavourable period for achiev-ing the technical effect is determined on the basis of average values analysis. Further estimation of the technical effect is provided in relation to the most unfavourable conditions. The proposed method may be applied for a more precise assess-ment of the efficiency of electric arc furnaces and ladle furnaces after adaptation of parameters in electric mode control sys-tem or after the replacement of a control system.

ПОДАТКОВО-ОБЛІКОВІ АСПЕКТИ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ ФІЗИЧНИХ ОСІБ-ПІДПРИЄМЦІВ

Small business is the driving force of the economy. The main part of it is occupied by individual entrepreneurs. In Ukraine, all types of activities are divided into twenty-one sections. In some of them there are from 1 to 7 types of activities, and in one – 24. However, the variety of activities is not related to the number of entrepreneurs who plan to run their business in them. The main sections chosen by business entities in 2022 are trade and information technology. Both activities do not require significant investments. Entrepreneurs are more sensitive to changes in the economy than legal entities, which have formed certain reserves to work in an unfavorable period. Since 2021, there has been a downturn in the economy due to quarantine and subsequent military actions, which has led to a decrease in business activity of business entities. Having analyzed the statistical data, it was found that most entrepreneurs choose the simplified taxation system without VAT registration. This is due to the simplicity of calculating the single tax (or payment of a fixed amount set by local AHs for different types of activities) and reporting, which shows only income without taking into account expenses. The amount of the single social contribution depends only on the minimum wage and the rate of this fee, which has not changed for a long time. Despite the chosen system of taxation, the current legislation provides that reporting is based on accounting data. Therefore, entrepreneurs are obliged to keep records of their activities in an arbitrary or legally approved form. The orders of the Ministry of Finance in 2021 approved the forms of inventory accounting for VAT payers (single tax at the rate of 3%) and entrepreneurs who sell medicines, goods for which a guarantee in use and jewelry. Also, the form of accounting of income and expenses is provided for entrepreneurs on the general taxation system and persons engaged in independent professional activities. The advantages of the general system of taxation for entrepreneurs is the possibility not to pay the unified social tax in unprofitable months, but such a month will not be counted when determining the length of service. Entrepreneurs on the simplified taxation system have restrictions on the number of employees. Regulation of their remuneration for both entrepreneurs and legal entities is the same. In the general system of taxation, the availability of primary documents for their purchase and payment is required to confirm the expenses incurred in the activity. The calculation of the financial performance of entrepreneurs only by the balance of funds on the account is considered incorrect, as it does not take into account the main economic categories – income and expenses.