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Introduction: Tajikistan is scaling up molecular diagnostic and digital technologies to strengthen its fight against drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). The study aimed to document national scale-up GeneXpert/GxAlert and Open MRS from 2012-2019 and compare time taken from TB diagnosis to treatment and quality of data recording before and after the introduction of GxAlert. Methodology: This was a longitudinal study that included a comparison of historical cohorts. Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test and categorical variables using the chi square test. Results: GeneXpert was introduced in 2011 and scaled up to 46 instruments in 43 (51%) diagnostic laboratories by May 2019. GxAlert was introduced in August 2018 and connected with all GeneXpert instruments by February 2019. Open MRS was introduced in 2014 and implemented in all 108 treatment centers by mid-2018. Time from diagnosis to treatment pre-GxAlert (range 0-749, median 3, days) was significantly longer than with GxAlert (range 0-273, median 3, days) (p 2 weeks was 16% (282/1740) pre-GxAlert and 11% (206/1902) with GxAlert (p < 0.001). Between 31%-34% of patients with DR-TB results in Open MRS did not have results available in GeneXpert/GxAlert systems. Where results were present in both systems, there were discrepancies in 8.2% of patients pre-GxAlert and 4.3% with GxAlert (p = 0.25). Conclusions: The scale-up of GeneXpert and digital technologies in Tajikistan was associated with a reduction in the proportion of patients with delays more than 2 weeks between diagnosis and treatment, but data quality recording improved only slightly.

The article deals with the basic terms and definitions of oil and oil products, technological processes, their classification, safety requirements, sanitary norms and rules, permissible levels of hazardous substances, requirements for production processes, packaging and labeling requirements. , as well as identification and conformity assessment processes. All of these processes are the basis for the production of oil and oil products and the provision of quality and safety indicators.

The article analyzes the state of development of the viticulture and wine industry in the Republic of Uzbekistan, analyzes the assortment and classification of products, highlights the requirement for the quality standard of table grapes (UNECE FFV-19), elaborates recommendations for ensuring the quality and safety of the wine industry and increasing their export potential.

Introduction. In the Uzbek children's literature of the period of independence, the influence of national pedagogy, oral folk art is traced, which leads to the strengthening of the national color in the works, the awareness of folk wisdom, the upbringing of positive qualities, the enrichment of the speech of children with national concepts and terms. The coverage of spiritual and educational problems of the socio-political environment with the help of human emotions and experiences is observed in the works of Uzbek fiction. Research methods. In order to create fiction, it is necessary to study the child's psyche in depth. In the literature of any nation, knowledge of psychology, understanding it and conveying it to the reader through unique words plays a key role. As a result a large part of child psychology is conveyed to younger readers through fiction. A great feature of children's literature is that it is inextricably linked to the age, history and social environment of the reader.

The article provides information on the main disadvantages of separators currently used in ginneries. The results obtained by identifying ways to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings and introducing into the production of separators of new efficient design are also presented. The analysis of the results shows that the improved SXM inertial separator allows to preserve the natural properties of cotton by 15-20% compared to the current SX separator, as well as to provide a stable and stable average of 15 t / h. KEYWORDS: raw cotton, separator, seed, mesh surface, air flow, vacuum - valve.

Considering the point that the distribution speed of different kinds of media is in parallel to globally-renowned languages, particularly, English language, it is demandedto analyze their efficacy when they are blended in language learning and teaching procedure. Taking advantage of this opportunity, this research paper is mainly directed to examine the importance of how can multimedia resources have positive effects and contribute to the learning and teaching process of English language. This paper will also explore the Multimedia applications and the Internet, standards for Multimedia-language students, also teaching and learning with Multimedia. Moreover, such determination was made to show some English teachers and student's attitude towards the use of Multimedia in English language teaching. For this reason, data-collecting method was efficiently used. In the end, the conclusions are drawn by means of the review of following arguments and discussions of the study.

Introduction: WHO End TB Strategy aims at achieving targets of 90% mortality reduction and 80% reduction in tuberculosis (TB) incidence by 2030, recommending better addressing TB and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) issues in key populations. Aim: The study aimed at having a snapshot of the epidemiological characteristics of the key populations among the new TB patients, registered in Tajikistan during 2017. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted, using official TB registration data for all new TB case notification in Tajikistan in 2017. Results: The key population included 1,029 (19.8%) patients among all 5,182 new TB cases registered in 2017. The following selected sub-populations were identified: migrant workers – 728 (70.7%), diabetics – 162 (15.7%), HIV-positive – 138 (13.4%), heavy drinkers – 74 (7.2%), drug users – 50 (4.8%), ex-prisoners – 50 (4.8%), and homeless – 9 (0.9%). Among the key population, 307 (29.8%) patients were smear-positive, 145 (14.1%) were drug-sensitive and 116 (11.3%) had MonoDR/MDR-TB. Time to treatment initiation for smear-positive cases was ≤ 5 days for 303 (98.7%) patients. Being a key population was inversely related to gender (female) (OR = 0.25, 95% CI (0.21, 0.29)) and population type (rural) (OR = 0.64, 95% CI (0.55, 0.74)). Conclusion: Among the key population the identified overlaps of selected sub-populations would enable more efficiently reaching the certain groups. TB case detection at PHC levels needs to be targeted for improved rates for key population detection. In the key population sub-group of migrant workers’ special migration destinations are recommended to be explored and find out possible associations with drug resistance.

State of the problem: Nasal bleeding is one of the most common causes of patients seeking emergency otorhinolaryngological care, as well as the most common type of bleeding in medical practice. Frequent causes of nosebleeds are changes in the vascular wall, hemorrhagic diathesis, atherosclerosis, as well as diseases of the blood, kidneys, liver. Purpose of research: To study the clinical course and effectiveness of some methods of treatment of nosebleeds in chronic hepatitis B in children. Materials and methods: We observed 78 children aged 3 to 17 years. The method of examination included a detailed study of complaints and anamnesis of patients, endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity, radiography of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 30 patients in whom treatment was carried out by the proposed method (after detachment of the mucous membranes into the nasal passages of the patient, a standard hemostatic sponge swab soaked in solcoseryl Gel was introduced), the second group included 20 patients who received traditional treatment (effect on the bleeding area with vaseline, which was previously applied to the gauze swab). Results: Chronic hepatitis b In children retains its characteristic clinical signs, including subatrophy and dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose, nasal bleeding, adhesions of the nasal cavity, the hepatosplenomegaly and the violation of some biochemical parameters. Nosebleeds on the background of chronic hepatitis B occur with frequent relapses, which contribute to the severe course of chronic hepatitis B and can lead to an unfavorable outcome. Conclusion: Good clinical effect of selective sparing surgical technique: endoscopic submucosal detachment of the nasal septum in the region of the zone of Kisselbach, with subsequent tamponade hemostatic sponge impregnated with ointment “Solcoseryl”.

To increase the efficiency of prosthetics, the use of metal, metal-ceramic and zircon dentures was determined. The issues of modern methods of dental prosthetics are highlighted. The analysis of the most common errors and complications in prosthetics with the use of fixed structures has been carried out. The assessment of the physical and technical properties of cermet structures remains poorly studied. To exclude ceramic chips, antagonizing dentures are not brought to contact, which can lead to deformation. Thus, the question of the influence of fixed prostheses on the clinical and morphological state in the absence of periodontal tissues remains unstudied.

A systematic analysis of the technological process of glass melting as an object of automatic control and management has been carried out. As an object of automatic control with distributed parameters, the mathematical description of the glassmaking furnace operation has been developed (considering the main phenomenological features of the technological mode of glassmaking).In this paper, a mathematical description of charge melting process, additional heating by electric current, bubbling, thermal conductivity and heat fluxes during the processing of molten glass have been generated. Initial conditions and simplifying assumptions have been derived. The model is based on the equations of continuity, momentum and energy, as well as kinetic turbulent energy, dissipation of kinetic turbulent energy. An experiment has been conducted on the proposed in order to check for its adequacy to real glass-making processes.

Background: The article recognizes the need for state regulation of the market of medical services and its features, the need to distinguish it from other markets, the conditions created in Uzbekistan in its development, the composition of the social market and the caution in introducing market relations, the possibility of contacting people of different ages and different categories, especially in conditions of the coronavirus pandemic Aim: To develop conditions for the nationwide development of the level of provision of private medical services in the conditions of a pandemic and to research methods of state regulation of the provision of private medical services Objective: Determination of the need for private medical services and state regulation in the event of a pandemic Results: The article emphasizes the expediency to maintain the partial smoothness of these services, taking into account the fact that the introduction of market laws in the provision of medical services and the provision of paid services as a whole can lead to dangerous consequences and cause social problems, adding a system of paid infertility In the introduction of market legislation to medical services, the expediency of employment of the population to be studied in such aspects as their monetary income and cultural level how positive these aspects are will be brought about in such a way that it will reduce the negative impact of the medical services market practice to such an extent The state avoids the problems between workers and subjects in the social sphere All this is explained by the emergence of methods of harmonization of the social sphere and states with the market mechanism of regulating its development in a single framework Conclusion: In the conclusion of the scientific work, in the current conditions in which the coronavirus pandemic is widespread, proposals have been made on alternative methods and directions of the emergence and regulation of the population as the main reformer of the state in the equal use of special medical services among state medical institutions The reforms carried out in Uzbekistan in health care and their social orientation, equality in the use of medical services have been preserved, and necessary proposals have been made to regulate private medical services by the state © IJCRR

BACKGROUND Abbott RealTime MTB RIF/INH Resistance (RT RIF/INH) is a new assay for the detection of resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) in tuberculosis (TB) patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the capacity of RT RIF/INH to detect resistance-associated mutations in target genes. METHODS A total of 311 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains that had been pre-characterised using genotypic methods (GenoType® MTBDRplus, Sanger sequencing) and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing were subjected to DNA extraction on Abbott m2000sp and analysed using RT RIF/INH. Detection of heteroresistant mutations was studied with artificial mixtures of wild-type and mutant DNA. RESULTS Overall sensitivity and specificity values of RT RIF/INH to detect resistance were respectively 87.2% and 98.4% for RIF and respectively 90.1% and 99.2% for INH. The capacity of RT RIF/INH to detect specific mutations was 100% for katG, inhA and frequent rpoB mutations, and 76% for rare rpoB mutations. Among the latter, two rare mutations were not consistently detected. With heteroresistant samples, RT RIF/INH reported resistance if samples contained at least 75-90% of mutant DNA. CONCLUSION RT RIF/INH is a reliable high-throughput assay for the detection of RIF and INH resistance markers. The ability to detect INH resistance also may be of benefit in areas with high rates of INH-resistant, non-multidrug-resistant TB. .

OBJECTIVES: Considering the known metabolic relationships between adiposity, inflammation, and iron status, we examined whether inflammation mediates the relationship between BMI and serum ferritin (SF) concentration among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) with normal to high BMI in a low-income country (Malawi) and an upper-middle income country (Azerbaijan). METHODS: Cross-sectional survey data were analyzed from the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) project. Women with underweight (BMI 5 μg/L or α-1-acid glycoprotein [AGP] >1 g/L), and iron deficiency (inflammation-adjusted SF

Objective To present the outcomes of endoscopic endonasal surgery for giant pituitary adenomas and discuss the extent of resection to minimize morbidity and mortality. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 44 patients with giant pituitary adenomas who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery. Clinical presentation, laboratory results, imaging studies, clinical outcomes, extent of resection, and complications were collected and analyzed. Factors affecting long-term outcome according to surgical technique were identified and analyzed. Results Radical resection (RR) was defined as either gross total resection or near-total resection (90%–100% of the tumor). There were 28 patients (63.6%) who underwent RR, 10 patients (22.7%) who underwent subtotal resection, and 6 patients (13.6%) who underwent partial resection. Visual improvement was achieved in 27 patients (81.8%). Thirteen patients (72.2%) with pituitary dysfunction had improvement in at least 1 preoperative endocrinological dysfunction. RR rates for dumbbell and multilobular tumors were 44.4% and 28.6%, respectively. Surgical complications were observed in 14 (31.8%) patients. Major vascular injury occurred in 3 patients (6.8%). Mean follow-up period was 38.5 months (range, 1–70 months). No patients with RR had recurrence or residual tumor progression. Ten patients (22.7%) received adjuvant radiation therapy after resection. Two patients were reoperated on for tumor regrowth, and 3 patients (including the 2 patients with tumor regrowth) were lost to follow-up. Conclusions Long-term follow-up results and low recurrence rate of tumors indicate that RR is effective to decrease morbidity and mortality.

In this article discusses the possibilities of creating hardware and software for a non-invasive computer bio-meter. The main goal of this work is to create a computer bio-meter. To achieve this goal proposed a new approach to the development of adequate mathematical models and algorithms for an automated system for processing health diagnostics data. It has also shown that the effective functioning of a non-invasive hardware becomes needs are primarily being utilized to control relatively simple computer interfaces, with the goal of evolving these applications to more complex and adaptable devices, including small sensors.

The paper presents the results of a scientific study of the functioning of gas-burning furnaces as objects for controlling the efficiency of the combustion process using a signal for thermal perception of furnace screens. The results of processing and experimental techniques obtained static and dynamic characteristics of the object on the thermal perception of the furnace screens evidence of high noise resistance of the object under study to intra-current disturbances and the feasibility of using the latter in industrial control systems. It is shown that the proposed optimal control system for the efficiency of the fuel combustion process with a correction for the heat perception index has a higher quality of regulation compared to the standard traditional automatic control system for the efficiency of the combustion process.

The article is about calculating the main parameters of air - hydraulic hoods with a diaphragm to reduce the emergency consequences of a water hammer, possible in the pressure pipelines of an irrigation pumping station. Based on the results of numerical studies by the method of finite differences of the proposed hydraulic shock absorber, dependencies were obtained based on a certain air in the absorbers, the total capacity of the cylindrical cap was determined to determine the main dimensions of the absorbers. Based on the results of numerical studies by the method of finite differences of the proposed hydraulic shock absorber, dependencies were obtained based on a certain air in the absorbers, the total capacity of the cylindrical cap was determined to determine the main dimensions of the absorbers. To determine the economic dimensions of the proposed cap design, comparative calculations of numerical experiments with experimental data prove the reliability of the proposed dependencies using the finite difference method.

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a powerful instrument that represents and provides high time precision for direct heart activities. After processing the chest skin for the contact process by network electrodes, the conventional method of collecting heart signals involves the presence of electrodes directly connected to the patient’s chest using gelatin. One of the most critical activities is tracking the clinical signs of cardiac patients. A real-time EGG signal acquisition and processing device is developed to observe patients in various IoT-based environments is discussed in this article. The EGG signals that are detected are passed to special software. For further protection, it is ensured that the transmission of the EGG signal from the patient without distortion to the doctors should take place. The ambulatory and wearable device for the transmission of real-time EGG signals is discussed in this article in order to monitor patients in various environments. For further analysis, the captured EGG signal is transferred to software and signals are transferred to the doctors for real-time evaluation of the patient.

Giant pituitary adenomas are considered a surgical challenge. Their invasiveness, irregular growth, and extensions make this surgery critical. Because of this reason, the radical resection rate is low in such pathology. The endoscopic endonasal approach pushes its limits to get successful results in skull base lesions. Irregular shape, cavernous sinus invasion, and extensions are being successfully resected during the last decades. Lateral extension, especially posterolateral extension, of this tumor makes them impossible to radical resection. In this video case, we try to present an expanded endonasal approach to the irregular giant pituitary adenoma with a 360° cavernous sinus invasion and petroclival extension of the tumor. We are presenting a patient with an irregular-shaped giant pituitary adenoma who underwent an expanded endonasal approach for this reason. This is a 27-year-old male patient admitted with right-sided ophthalmoplegia and visual deterioration mainly in the left eye. Multilobular giant pituitary adenoma with right cavernous sinus involvement presented on magnetic resonance imaging. Right internal carotid artery (ICA) encased 360° with the tumor. The tumor extends to the petroclival region on the right side and compresses the brainstem. Anteriorly, tumor extends to the gyrus rectus and compresses the left optic nerve. 0:45: As usual we are preparing a wide nasoseptal flap for the reconstruction at the end of the surgery. We do it routinely in cases of giant pituitary adenoma surgery to avoid cerebrospinal fluid leak after the surgery. 1:00: The next step is drilling the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus and opening the corridor to achieve enough space that lets us maneuver at the skull base. It is important to make a wide exposure to gain a high control of important anatomic structures at the skull base. 1:15: After the opening of the sellar floor, we made a “U-shaped” incision on the dura, taking a biopsy for the histopathological investigation and started debulking the tumor. The tumor tissue is soft and it is possible to remove it with suction. 2:08: Although the sellar part is removed, we are trying to remove the tumor from the posterior and superior part of the cavernous sinus. 2:28: To achieve access to the anterior part of the cavernous sinus we are drilling the bone overlying the anterior wall of the cavernous sinus on the right side. Then we are using micro-Doppler to identify the location of ICA. We made an incision lateral to the ICA, to widen the dural opening. To avoid possible carotid injury we are placing a cottonoid under the dura. Then we enter the space and remove the tumor inside the cavernous sinus as much as possible. 3:54: Removing the periosteum covering the sellar floor makes us reach the posterior clinoidal process. In order to gain an access to petroclival regoin inferior wall of sellar floor drilled out and middle and posterior clinoidal processes were removed by drilling. Removal of anterior petrous process has been done so manipulation of tumor would become easy. Now we can see the paraclival petrosal dura lying posterior to the ICA, at the foramen lacerum. 4:48: We are cutting the dura and widening the defect to enter the petroclival region. After entering the space we are trying to dissect out surrounding neurovascular tissue. Although the tumor is located inferior to the entering point and because mobilization of the tumor inferiorly is unachievable, we are pulling the tumor capsule to remove the soft component of the tumor with suction. As you can see, the tumor removed totally, and the tumor capsule is resected for achieving radical resection. 6:17: After complete resection of the extended part of the tumor to the posterior fossa we are inspecting the surgical area. 6:34: After the removal of the tumor as the last step, we are packing the cavity with fat graft and covering with vascularized nasoseptal flap. Postoperative first day magnetic resonance imaging shows near-total removal of the tumor. The patient did well after surgery. He had no hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus after the surgery. Cerebrospinal fluid leak was not observed. Unfortunately, oculomotor palsy did not improve after surgery (Video 1) .

We describe 27 children and adolescents

In the context of significant public health benefits of brucellosis control and shrinking public resources for livestock vaccination, this paper considers the willingness of small ruminant livestock owners to pay for vaccination of their animals against brucellosis. The willingness to pay is estimated through a binary choice contingent valuation approach using data from a rural household survey specially designed for this purpose. The survey was conducted in southern Tajikistan, one of its poorest regions, in March 2009. The study used a non-parametric method for estimating the willingness to pay and a parametric (Probit) model for identifying determinants. The results show that households, including poor households, were willing to pay for continuing vaccination of their sheep and goats against brucellosis. Controlling for other attributes of willingness to pay, there was practically no correlation between willingness to pay and household asset level. This means both poor and rich alike are willing to pay for the service. On the other hand, the results also show that the willingness to pay was comparatively higher in households with relatively higher levels of education of adult females. This suggests that an awareness campaign targeted at female members of households would enhance the ownership and coverage of cost recovery programs and should form an integral part of any efforts towards introducing financial participation from sheep and goat owners for brucellosis vaccination.

Background Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug resistant (MDR)-TB with additional resistance to injectable agents or fluoroquinolones are challenging to treat due to lack of available, effective drugs. Linezolid is one of the few drugs that has shown promise in treating these conditions. Long-term linezolid use is associated with toxicities such as peripheral and optic neuropathies. Diabetes mellitus (DM), especially when uncontrolled, can also result in peripheral neuropathy. The global burden of DM is increasing, and DM has been associated with a three-fold increased risk of developing TB disease. TB and DM can be a challenging combination to treat. DM can inhibit the host immune response to tuberculosis infection; and TB and some anti-TB drugs can worsen glycaemic control. A child experiencing neuropathy that is a possible complication of both DM and linezolid used to treat TB has not been reported previously. We report peripheral neuropathy in a 15-year-old boy with type 1 DM, diagnosed with MDR-TB and additional resistance to injectable TB medications. Case presentation The boy was treated with a linezolid-based regimen, but after 8 months developed peripheral neuropathy. It was unclear whether the neuropathy was caused by the DM or the linezolid therapy. He had clinical improvement following cessation of linezolid and was declared cured following 21 months of treatment. Following completion of treatment, nerve conduction studies demonstrated significant improvement in neuropathy. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of peripheral neuropathy reported in a diabetic child on long-term linezolid therapy for tuberculosis. This case study underlines the importance of stringent follow-up for side effects of linezolid, especially when associated with co-morbidity such as DM that increases the chances of adverse effects. The presence of both DM and TB should alert a physician to strive for optimal glycaemic control to minimize the risk of complications as well as optimizing the chances of recovery from TB. Our case report shows the need for close and frequent monitoring for neuropathy to enable early intervention and thereby a favourable outcome in children who may otherwise suffer a long-lasting, debilitating, and painful neuropathy.

Acetylcysteine (ACC) helps people with pulmonary fibrosis and it is preferred treatment for the often deadly adult respiratory distress syndrome. ACC is a precursor in the formation of the glutathione antioxidant in the body. Compounds of zinc (II) and iron (II) with ACC and mucolytic medications play an important role in medical practice for the prevention of respiratory diseases. The present article is about determining the embryotoxicity of the new coordination compounds of Zincas and Feras, which are synthesized by the interaction of zinc (II) and iron (II) sulfates with acetylcysteine in an aqueous solution and have mucolytic properties in relation to diseases, bronchial asthma with a predominance of an infectious-dependent component of the course, chronic asthmatic bronchitis and chronic obstructive bronchitis. Daily administration of a feed or a high dose of 0.60 ml / kg inside the gastric suspension for 3 weeks to pregnant rats and the result of observation of the 13th week of life did not have a marked effect on the fetal development process. With the introduction of Feras and Zincas in a therapeutic dose for 1-3 weeks of pregnancy, the death of rat pups in the first month of life was comparable with the control values. The physical development of the offspring proceeded without any deviations from the norm. All pups were born normal, responded to external irritants well, with а good appetite and led an active lifestyle.

Cerebral palsy, one of the diseases of the central nervous system, is a serious disease that is caused by various brain injuries during the first year of life: before, inside and after childbirth. Patients with cerebral palsy lag behind in physical and mental development, and due to their inability to help themselves, this causes not only medical, but also social problems. Proper dental care for sick children with cerebral palsy is one of the measures to prevent diseases of the oral mucosa and its complications. According to S.V. Erzina (2005) Children with cerebral palsy, aged 7-18and the prevalence of periodontal disease in adolescents is 94.4%, in most cases they occur in the form of chronic catarrhal gingivitis [1.3]. Oleinik (2001, 2002, 2008) found the following increased dental performance in children with central nervous system diseases: The prevalence of caries (98.0%), the prevalence of periodontal disease was found in 80.0% and hypersalivation processes in 84%.

Rangeland degradation endangers livelihoods of many rural communities in Uzbekistan. Despite the threat of land deterioration from climate change, there are many reasons that land users do not take action to prevent or reduce land degradation. The described project uses a low-cost approach to mobilize stakeholders and initiate collective action. Based on a social learning process focusing on development of local climate-change scenarios, villagers from Qiziltepa district identified adaptation options and agreed on a common purpose to restore rangelands through collective governance systems. They formed pastoral user groups, established seed isles to ensure seeding of forage shrubs, and agreed on seasonal grazing. This case study shows the critical importance of scenarios in social learning processes for building awareness concerning climate change adaptation; they led to changes in perceptions and agreement on collective action and governance. We compare the potential of this integrated approach with larg...

International audience; AbstractPollinator decline is acknowledged worldwide and constitutes a major subject of environmental research. Nevertheless, farmers’ efforts to protect pollinators in agricultural lands remain very limited, in particular if no compensation scheme is applicable. Current research focuses on measuring pollinator diversity in different landscapes, but research on income gains, due to habitat enhancement and high pollinator diversity, may have greater potential to induce farmers’ field management changes. In 2012, it was suggested for the first time that farmers’ motivation would be triggered if the demonstration was made that enhancing pollinator habitats, with a novel approach of farming with alternative pollinators, can increase yield and income. In 2013–2014, therefore, a 18-month-pilot project was set on a participatory basis in Uzbekistan, to test this farming with alternative pollinators approach on field and orchard crops. The practicability and the potential of the approach were tested in collaboration with seven smallholders, two commercial farmers, and two schools. We analyzed the yield and insect diversity (pollinators, predators, and pests) of seven cucumber fields in the Parkent district and four orchards of sour cherry in the Boysun district in Uzbekistan. Here we show that the fields with enhanced habitats faced higher diversity of pollinators and predators, but less pests than control fields. Furthermore, the farming with alternative pollinators approach doubled the yield of sour cherry in 2014 and highly increased the income from cucumber in 2013. In 2014, however, a climatic disaster influenced the results on cucumber in Parkent district. Ultimately, 94% of the farmers were willing to enhance pollinator habitats after being informed of these higher-yield figures. If more projects confirm that farming with alternative pollinators creates an economically self-sustaining incentive for farmers to improve habitats, this approach could contribute considerably to global pollinator protection and food security.

This paper presents the main results of a project aimed at developing educational materials (lectures, laboratory exercises, and e-learning materials) in the field of renewable and hydrogen energy for the students of the Tajik Technical University. Special emphasis was placed on the exchange of knowledge and experience with respect to scientific achievement and education in renewable energy and energy storage technologies. The design and construction of a special educational installation of off-grid distributed power systems designed for the practice of exercises is described. An autonomous solar lamp system powered by PV solar panels is described in operation under in-field conditions. The laboratory setup consisted of 150W photovoltaic solar panels, an accumulator-type battery, an electronic charge monitoring system, and a Raspberry Pi microcomputer, enabling the real-time monitoring of PV system parameters (measurement of the voltage, current, and power generated by PV panels) as well as the archiving of data transmitted via the internet to the SQL database.

Data on the nutritional situation and prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in Azerbaijan are scarce, and knowledge about anemia risk factors is needed for national and regional policymakers. A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, over- and undernutrition, and to disentangle determinants of anemia in children and women in Azerbaijan. The survey generated estimates of micronutrient deficiency and growth indicators for children aged 0&ndash, 59 months of age (6&ndash, 59 months for blood biomarkers) and non-pregnant women 15&ndash, 49 years of age. Questionnaire data, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples were collected to assess the prevalence of under- and over-nutrition, anemia, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia, in both groups. In children only, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency were also assessed. In women only, folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies and vitamin A insufficiency were assessed. In total, 3926 household interviews were successfully completed with a response rate of 80.6%. In the 1455 children, infant and young child feeding practices were relatively poor overall, the prevalence of wasting and stunting were 3.1% and 18.0%, respectively, and 14.1% of children were overweight or obese. The prevalence of anemia was 24.2% in 6&ndash, 59 months old children, the prevalence of iron deficiency was 15.0% in this age group, and the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 6.5%. Vitamin A deficiency was found in 8.0% of children, and zinc deficiency was found in 10.7%. Data from 3089 non-pregnant women 15&ndash, 49 years of age showed that while undernutrition was scarce, 53% were overweight or obese, with increasing prevalence with increasing age. Anemia affected 38.2% of the women, iron deficiency 34.1% and iron deficiency anemia 23.8%. Vitamin A insufficiency was found in 10.5% of women. Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency were somewhat more common, with prevalence rates of 35.0% and 19.7%, respectively. The main risk factors for anemia in children were recent lower respiratory infection, inflammation and iron deficiency. In women, the main risk factors for anemia were iron deficiency and vitamin A insufficiency. Anemia is a public health problem in Azerbaijani children and women, and additional efforts are needed to reduce anemia in both groups.

One of the actual global problems of the XXI century is water provision for the population and various sectors of economy. Under the conditions of population growth and development of the economy all over the world, the usage of water resources has increased rapidly and water provision has worsened sharply in most regions and countries. As a result of climate change and global warming, a tendency of decrease of available water resources is observed. Aggravation of water problems directly affects food supply and ecological safety in certain regions. At present, water has become one of the decisive factors for the sustainable development of Azerbaijan Republic. Concerning improving water supply in the future, not only water demand management and more economical use are required; it is also important that modern education, research and practical design and construction works for increasing water resources management are accelerated. In this way, priorities for the country’s water policy also include achieving good ecological status in rivers, lakes and water resources, and aiming at supply of water of international standards for the population and different sectors of the economy. Water resources of the Azerbaijan Republic, their use and security are characterized by the figures in Table 1.

As an industry, we are still in the early stages of the learning curve for shale gas drilling although many shale gas wells have been drilled in recent years. Data from over one thousand wells drilled in the Maverick basin since 2003 were retrieved from an internal drilling database. Among them are over two hundred horizontal wells from the Eagle Ford shale play drilled by 31 different operators between 2008 and early 2011. The analyses of drilling performance data of these horizontal wells offer the establishment of general practice guidelines and recognition of opportunities for improvement in Eagle Ford shale drilling. Oil-based drilling fluid, or "mud" (OBM) is a typical drilling fluid type currently used to drill from the surface casing shoe to the total depth (TD) in the Eagle Ford shale play. However, water-based mud (WBM) has also been used since the development of the Eagle Ford shale play. A comparative analysis was performed between oil-based and water-based drilling fluids to assess their performances and to identify the key challenges and potential areas for improvement when drilling in the Eagle Ford shale. The analyses included mud chemistry, drilling performance, mud weight and well architectures such as bit sizes, casing sizes and depths of the casing shoe, as well as lateral length. A statistical analysis (P10, P50, and P90) was also performed to evaluate industry-wide drilling performance such as drilling days for wells of various depths. Comparisons were made among different drilling fluid types and different operating companies. The statistical analysis shows that although overall performance of water-based drilling fluids lags behind that of oil-base fluids in Eagle Ford shale drilling, a certain WBM system shows promising performance close to that of oil-based drilling fluids. The analysis shows that there is a general trend of decreased drilling days per footage over time and a large variation in total drilling days for similar well depths and trajectories. This indicates that although the drilling industry as a whole has improved drilling in the Eagle Ford shale over the years, there is still a large opportunity for improvement. One interesting finding is that some operators can drill wells in fewer days than the industry average even though their drilling fluid cost is slightly more expensive than the industry average. As a result of reduced drilling time, their overall drilling costs are reduced. Lab test results with different fluid types show that the failure mechanism and shale-fluid interaction of the Eagle Ford shale is different from dispersion or swelling which are typical of traditional shales. The analyses and results of this study on drilling performance data provide lessons learned and general guidelines for current drilling practices and opportunities for improvement such as drilling fluid selections, mud weight, and well architectures in the Eagle Ford shale play.

One of the key objectives within the drilling industry is optimizing rate of penetration (ROP) and a major contributor to obtaining this objective is the PDC bit design. Whilst previous papers have proven that the PDC cutting structure geometry, particularly back rake and side rake angles, affect PDC bit performance when tested at atmospheric conditions, no information in the SPE literature exists for similar tests at confining pressures. The effect of side rake angle on cutter aggresiveness and cutter interaction at depths of cut (DOC) in excess of 0.04” are particularly unknown under confined pressure. The results of more than 150 tests show that back rake and side rake angles have substantial effects on Mechanical Specific Energy (MSE) and the aggressiveness of PDC cutters. Experiments with three different rock types; Carthage marble, Mancos shale, and Torrey Buff sandstone, revealed that at both atmospheric and elevated confining pressures, PDC cutters with 10 deg back rake angles require half the energy to cut the same volume of rock and produce higher cutting efficiency compared with cutters having 40 deg back rake angles. Possible reasons for this behavior are explained through the analysis of the cutting process. Results show that a cutter with low back rake requires less horizontal cutting force in order to cut the same volume of rock. This observation indicates that not only will a PDC bit with lower back rake angles, drill more efficiently, but it will also require less torque in order to drill at the same ROP. Other factors such as reduced durability of cutters at low back rake angles should also be considered while applying these results to PDC bit designs. Test results at both atmospheric and confining pressures revealed that MSE decreases with increasing DOC up to 0.08” on all three rock types. However, the tests also showed that MSE starts to increase slightly at DOCs above 0.08”, possibly suggesting an optimal minimum DOC. Experimental results also show that, whilst Mancos shale and Carthage marble have about the same compressive strength, Mancos shale requires three times less energy to cut compared to Carthage marble. This indicates that, compressive strength of some rocks such as shales cannot be used alone as a reference rock property for accurately evaluating and comparing drilling efficiency. A new 3D mechanistic PDC cutter-rock interaction model was also developed which incorporates the effects of both back rake and side rake angles, along with rock specific coefficient of friction. The results from this single-cutter model are encouraging as they are consistent with the experimental data.