Search

The crystallizer is the most critical and most important functional unit of a continuous casting machine (hereinafter referred to as CCM). It is the main technological unit of the CCM, an assembly for removing heat during the solidification of the solidifying metal and the formation of the ingot. The main requirement for the crystallizer is to provide maximum heat removal from the solidifying steel to the cooling water, and to obtain a strong ingot shell with a good surface at the outlet of the crystallizer, which would not be destroyed by the heat of the liquid phase and the ferrostatic pressure. During the reconstruction of the CCM by the contractor company, drawings of crystallizers and crystallizer sleeves with a double‑cone internal geometry for casting 200 mm continuous cast billets were developed. The 200 mm continuous cast billet is a billet for the production of hot‑rolled seamless steel pipes. During the operation of the crystallizer sleeves with a double‑cone internal geometry, an accelerated wear of the protective coating in the lower part of the sleeve was noted, as well as an increased rejection of hot‑rolled pipes due to defects on the outer surface of the pipes. In order to identify the cause of the defect formation, complex metallographic studies of the outer surface of the pipes were carried out. As a result of the metallographic study, surface defects classified as steel mill scale on the outer surface of the pipes were identified. To minimize the “steel mill scale” defect and reduce the wear of the protective coating of the crystallizer sleeves, work was carried out to select the optimal conditions for the crystallization of the continuous cast billet: the use of crystallizer sleeves with a three‑cone internal geometry compared to a double‑cone was investigated; maintaining the temperature difference of the water at the inlet and outlet of the crystallizer within specified limits (ΔT) was tested. It was found that the use of a crystallizer sleeve with a three‑cone internal geometry for casting 200 mm billets and the stable behavior of the ΔT parameter made it possible to ensure the required quality of the surface of seamless pipes, reduce the wear of the protective coating of the crystallizer sleeves and increase the productivity of the CCM.

One of the main factors determining the final properties of metal products is the quantity, morphology and distribution of non‑metallic inclusions in steel. The article deals with the issues related to the use of calcium carbide in steelmaking production, instead of secondary aluminum and other deoxidizing materials, in order to improve the quality of the products. During the experimental work on the use of calcium carbide in steelmaking production, instead of secondary aluminum and other deoxidizing materials, second grade calcium carbide according to GOST 1460–81 was used. To determine the contamination of steel with non‑metallic inclusions, sampling was carried out from hot‑rolled products obtained from continuously cast billets. According to the results, it was found that the improvement of melt deoxidation in melts using calcium carbide can be achieved by increasing its consumption. In turn, the use of calcium carbide for deoxidation of the melt upon its release from the electric arc furnace into the ladle, instead of secondary aluminum ingots of grade AB87 according to GOST 295–98, helps to reduce the contamination of steel with non‑metallic inclusions.

Defects on the outer surface of seamless hot‑rolled steel pipes are formed both as a result of the defects’ transformation in the surface and macrostructure of the initial workpiece, and due to non‑compliance with the rolling technology. Timely detection of defects and elimination of the causes of their formation, allows you to get high‑quality products with high operational reliability. Detection of violations of technology, control of the technological process, carrying out metallographic studies allow classifying defects and establishing the nature and causes of their formation.The article presents the results of a metallographic study of a defect on the outer surface of a hot‑rolled seamless pipe. The genetic and morphological signs of the defect were determined. Descriptions of the appearance of the defect, the microstructure in the defect zone are given. A comparative analysis of the defect detected during magnetic powder control with defects on experimental pipe blanks with artificial defects was carried out. Based on the data obtained, the causes of the defect formation are determined, its classification is given.

The article describes the conducted research of the product “round flat‑link chain”, with the rupture of three links after heat treatment and mechanical tests at the consumer. The purpose of the research was to determine the cause of the destruction of the chain links. Visual inspection of the chain revealed breaks in three of the nine links. The rupture occurred in the area of factory branding. A metallographic study of two samples cut from a chain link with a break and a link without a break was carried out. During the study, a surface layer was found that was distinguishable from the main microstructure. The presence of the detected surface layer is due to surface hardening. The hardened area of the surface of the link with a break is almost two times smaller than in the link without a break. The amount of residual austenite is larger and larger in the link with the gap. As a result of the conducted studies, it was found that the destruction of the chain links occurred due to a violation of the heat treatment regime of the surface layer.

High quality of purchased resources plays a critical role under the conditions of severe international competition. Raw materials, materials and components are purchase for product production and their quality is an essential part in the production of steel at OJSC “BSW – Management Company of the Holding “BMC” holding». The problem of excessively high level of dynamic loads is especially acute for roughing stands. The main reasons for dynamic overloads are intense transient processes occurring in the rolling cycle, the presence of elastic constraints and gaps in the system, imperfection of electric drive system and errors made during development. Therefore, there is a need for selection of material and manufacturing technology for mill rolls capable to withstand such loads for a sufficiently long period. Investigations of destruction causes of experimental mill roll of stand roughing group of mill 150 of section rolling shop at OJSC “BSW – Management Company of the Holding “BMC” holding were carried out. Main classification features are established based on the analysis of the fracture. The results of metallographic studies of microstructure and chemical composition of central and subsurface zone roll fragments are presented. The reason of destruction of experimental mill roll was discovered – nonconformance of roll material grade with the requirements of technological instructions and normative documentation for rough group of stands No. 1–3

Establishing the true causes of defects is one of the main prerequisites for improving the quality of metal products. One of the undesirable phenomena in the production of continuously cast billets, hot‑rolled products is the oxidation of hot metal in the environment with the formation of scale on its surface. Defects, which are violations of the continuity of the metal and deviations from the normal specified macro‑and microstructure, signifi antly reduce the technological plasticity of the metal in the conditions of its processing and operational stability.After hot rolling of a circle of 95 mm steel grade 30MpV4, surface defects were found in the finishing line. To study and establish the nature of surface defects from hot‑rolled blanks, as well as continuously cast blanks, samples were taken.Analyzing metallographic studies of defects and the production technology of the studied steel grade 30MnB4, it was found that the defects were formed as a result of mechanical damage to the continuously cast billet in the area of the pulling‑correct unit. The reason for the formation of the defect is the ingress of scale on the guide rollers.

Seamless hot – rolled pipes are a popular metal product on the world market. During operation, pipelines are subjected to cyclic loads associated with temperature fluctuations, vibrations near compressor stations, and pressure drops in the transformed medium. One of the ways to ensure high performance properties is to manage the quality of pipe metal, including that laid in the process of metallurgical production. All the basic physical and mechanical properties of metal materials are structurally sensitive and significantly depend on both the grain size and the degree of uniformity of the grain structure, that is, on the different grain sizes. For metallographic research, samples of pipes with the size of 70,0×12,5 mm of S460NH steel were selected with satisfactory (#1) and unsatisfactory (#2) results of the impact. It was found that the inhomogeneous (multi – grained) microstructure in sample #2 was the reason for obtaining unsatisfactory results of the impact. As a result, it was found that one of the most important characteristics that can guarantee stable and satisfactory results of mechanical characteristics, in particular the impact performance, is a homogeneous grain structure.

One of the important tasks is to deliver to the consumer a calibrated high-quality metal in a saleable condition, which requires protection from atmospheric corrosion and adverse climatic factors, protection from contamination and mechanical damage for the period of transportation to the consumer by motor transport, and storage at intermediate warehouses before going into production. A comprehensive system approach is needed to preserve the quality and appearance of the products on the way from the manufacturer to the consumer. The use of modern packaging materials, such as paper with corrosion inhibitor and polypropylene fabric reinforcement, will allow to obtain permanent guaranteed protection of the rolled surface and expands the possibilities of transportation and sales markets of metal products. The testing stage of the corrosion inhibitor included the determination of its protective properties. It is established that the advantage of packaging of rolled products in anticorrosive paper is that it, combining the functions of packaging means and means of preservation, allows you to completely abandon the expensive and time-consuming preservation of metal products with oils and greases. The use of a volatile corrosion inhibitor in the composition of the paper provides full protection of rolled products.

Rolling rings as an important element of the rolling mill belong to the category of replaceable equipment, the quality of performance of which affects a number of operational characteristics, as well as the quality of rolled products. The material from which the rolling ring of the stand No. 7 is made must have the appropriate properties capable of perceiving high thermal loads for a long period of time without destruction, chipping and significant development of calibers. In this regard, there is a need to select the optimal option for the manufacture of rolling rings that can withstand such loads for a sufficiently long period of time. The study of the causes of destruction of the rolling ring 450×242×100 mm of high-speed steel, used at OJSC «BSW – Management Company of the Holding «BMC» in the cage number 7 mill 150 rolling shop. The results of metallographic studies of the microstructure and chemical composition of fragments of the destroyed rolling ring are presented. A detailed study and comparative analysis of the chemical composition and microstructure of samples of similar rings made of high-speed steel from two different suppliers, which showed high results in durability during operation, was carried out.

In a market economy, increasing the competitiveness of steel products is an urgent trend in science and practice. Development of production of new pipe steels in terms of pipe-rolling plant open joint-stock company «BSW – management company of holding «Belarusian metallurgical company» casted on continuous casting machine, was complicated by the emergence of low-alloy pipe steel grades of internal defects, which negatively affects the quality of the pipes. Visual evaluation of samples on the inner surface revealed rolled defects significant clusters, close to each other, having a longitudinal orientation. The edges of the defects are tortuous, torn. Defects found on the inner surface of the pipes are characterized as steel melting captivity and swelling. The reason for the formation of internal defects of hot rolled pipes «steel-melting captivity and swelling» was the rolling of defects in the macrostructure of the central zone (central porosity and axial liquation) of a continuously cast workpiece with a diameter of 200 mm.

Solution of actual problem of continuous improvement in productivity as a key indicator of staff efficiency of the industrial enterprise is achieved through integrated application of all elements of the organization of work in designing work process and adopting special measures to improve productivity. The efficiency of human resource management is due to the allocation of the key role of the employee and the application of modern methods of organization and behavior of production processes, with an emphasis on the rational organization ofworkplaces and the need for the management training.

Rolling is the final stage of the metallurgical cycle and has a great influence on the quantity and quality of products, as well as on various technological and economic indicators of the plant.The OJSC « BSW – Management Company of Holding «BMC» is working on the development and supply of hot-rolled round products for the automotive industry in Western Europe.The increasing requirements for the quality of the surface of hot-rolled steel are a powerful incentive to improve the technology of its production, which is impossible without the use of modern methods of control and proper identification of detected defects.The article presents the results of the study of defects of hot-rolled products of rolling mill № 1 850, having the rolling nature of formation.Metallographic study was conducted on the basis of: visual inspection of defects, in some cases with the preparation of a template for the study of macrostructure and location of defects; analysis of images of the microstructure of the cross section of the sample in the area of defects. With the help of characteristic external and microstructural features of defects, special etching in reagents, the causes of their formation were established, and recommendations for their minimization or complete elimination were proposed.

The problem of friction, wear of machine parts and cutting tools, the need to increase the life of machines makes the task of creating new high-performance, energy-saving technologies of hardening one of the main in engineering. In mechanical engineering, the problem of improving the physical, mechanical and operational properties in thin surface layers (~10 microns) of such parts as shafts, gears, measuring tools, drills, cylinders of internal combustion engines, etc. is important. Currently, these tasks are often solved by applying reinforcing coatings. Cementation is economical. The technology of cemented steels smelting, which is currently used by metallurgical plants, does not ensure stable production of fine-grained structure in products. At the same time, the capacity of machines and units are growing, and to obtain parts that can withstand higher loads while maintaining their overall dimensions, new steel grades are needed. The complexity of the configuration of gears with a thin tooth and a massive sleeve, and the need for minimal warping make heat treatment as difficult and responsible as a complex tool, such as shaped cutters. Therefore, for the manufacture of gears you want to assign steel with small hereditary grain size. In this article we will focus on the development and production of cemented steel in the conditions of OJSC «BSW – Management Company of Holding «BMC», in particular, the steel brand 16MnCrS5 commissioned by the European manufacturer of gearboxes and motors. To determine the grain size of the metal must be subjected to special types of processing for the manifestation of certain characteristics. These results allow us to draw conclusions about the need to adjust the chemical composition of steel grade 16MnCrS5 by introducing a system of modifying elements, which will reduce the tendency of steel to overheating, therefore, reduce the size of austenitic grains. On the basis of the revealed regularities on the influence of carbide-forming elements, a further system of steel modification is determined, which includes a complex of elements V, Nb, Ti.

In the process of the design of the machine, lath or unit the foundations of durability and reliability of individual components and parts are established. In the manufacture a great influence on the quality and performance of parts have technological factors. The reliability and durability of the most loaded mated parts, working parts of the machine depend largely on the correctness of the choice of the manufacturing method, the purpose of the appropriate hardening metal processing, the quality of the Assembly.Part shaft is present in any mechanism and plays an important role in ensuring of the functional performance of units and assemblies. During operation, the shafts are subjected to operating loads, resulting in defects. The diversity and complexity of modern structures, their operating conditions, methods of production and hardening of parts makes the technical diagnosis of the causes of destruction a very difficult task, which in some cases can be solved only with the help of a complex of modern physical methods of research, including fractography and microscopy.The article deals with the causes of destruction of the roll shaft of the working cassette of the wire block. On the basis of the fracture analysis, the main classification features are established: orientation, microgeometry, degree of plastic deformation at fracture and fracture energy, micromechanism of fracture. The fracture surface has a fine-grained fracture (formed under conditions of small plastic deformation) and is characterized by the presence of shiny flat areas on the fracture surfaceThe study of the microstructure after etching in a reagent «Nital» and reagent Oberhoffer. The chemical composition of a fragment of the shaft meets the stated grade of steel. The increased content of Nickel was revealed. Increased Nickel content is not associated with the destruction of the shaft, as Nickel has no negative impact on the properties of steel, and the finished product as a whole. Nickel has a positive effect on the properties of steel, increasing its strength without reducing ductility and toughness. The destruction of the roll shaft of the working cassette of the wire unit occurred as a result of multiple excess of the standard tightening torque when installing the shaft in the structure. «Overtightening» of the shaft led to cracking on the brittle mechanism of destruction

With the aim of obtaining scale with a high degree possibility of mechanical removal under the conditions of the section rolling shop No. 1, at the mill «150» JSC «Belarusian Metallurgical Works – Management Company of Holding «BMC» developed technological modes of production of wire rods made of low-carbon steel grades.The peculiarities of scale formation were studied, namely, the factors influencing the removability, obtaining the optimal thickness and its phase components on the wire rod diameter 5.5–6.5 mm in the cooling process immediately after rolling, intended for wire production.To obtain the necessary ratio of the phase constituents of the scales on the surface of the wire rod, the following factors was taken into account: the temperature of the layout of the turns on the roller table in the air cooling line; (uniformity along the length of the turn), the cooling conditions of the helix of the turns (prevention of the 4FeO = Fe3O4-Fe decay), where the condition of cooling the wire rod from 600 to 250 °С, not exceeding 100 s, must be observed.The results of metallographic studies of scale on the wire surface are presented. The introduced technological regimes provided the optimal thickness and the FeO / Fe3O4 ratio after the experimental rolling of the metal. Exhausted cooling regimes allowed to reduce the consumption of fiber for all types of wire.

In the pipe-rolling shop, on the site of preparation of mandrels and disc saws were the centerless turning and grinding complex VT-8 «Hetran» for repair of mandrels are used, studies have been conducted to test experienced grinding belts. The choice was based on a comparative analysis of the work of experienced grinding belts with usual industrial grinding belts. The resistance of grinding belts for one mandrel is calculated. A positive result (economic effect) was obtained by using experienced grinding belts.

Almost all metal at OJSC «Byelorussian Steel Works» – management company of holding «Belarusian Metallurgical Company» includes today a mandatory physical-mechanical tests which allow to estimate the parameters of the raw materials, to know the reasons for loss of strength and determine operational characteristics. In the Central Factory Laboratory (CFL), laboratory of physical and mechanical tests (LPMT) for the preparation of samples of reinforcement equipment is used of knives in the cutting machine SIMA GEL-30 for cutting rebar from the mill 320 rolling shop № 1 with a diameter from 6 to 24 mm. In the drop-hummer shop annually discards off for scrap waste up to 50 knives. Hydraulic shears of drop-hummer shop used knives set of production of OJSC «Kobrin tool plant «SITOMO», made of steel grade 30ХСНВФА, according to the TU14-1-4461. The staff of the Central laboratory LFMI proposed to use waste knives drop-hummer shop for the manufacture of knives for the chopping of the machine SIMA GEL-30. On the basis of the conducted researches the technological scheme was developed for production of knives for the chopping of the machine SIMA GEL-30 cold cutting of reinforcing bar mill 320 the rolling shop № 1.

Researches of the reasons of broken knives for the chopping of scrap metal of RS-1200 press scissors are conducted, the reasons of breakage are defined and it is established that premature failure of knives is connected with low values of hardness steel which have been a result of violations of technology of heat treatment at the producer’ plant.

Field tests of the witness samples of corrosion made of seamless hot-rolled pipes of various steel brands produced by JSC «BMZ – Management Company of Holding «BMK» were carried out in the operating pipelines at three oil fields. The results of the conducted researches made by the experts of RUP «ON «Belorusneft» permitted to define the most stable steel brands against corrosion for each of the oil fields: for a well 146 New and Davydovsky fields – brand steel TT309; for a well 270 Rechitsky fields – steel brands 20 and TT359; for a well 59 Ostashkovichsky fields – TT309 brand steel.

With the development of a new process for the production of seamless hot-rolled pipes, specialists of the enterprise encountered difficulties in determining the causes of unsatisfactory quality of pipes, determining their nature and causes. In this regard, this article contains created and developed «Classification of defects of hot rolled seamless pipes made of OJSC «BSW – management company of «BMC» holding».

Influence of temperature of metal fitting in the heating furnace on transformation of cracks is shown. It is established that the most preferable is «hot fitting» from the point of view of decrease of specific gas discharge for the blank heating and productivity increase.

The researches of influence of the cyclically modulated by amplitude high-frequency magnetic field on mechanical and tribotechnical characteristics of composites with polymericfluorine matrix are carried out for the first time.

It is shown that the important factor for receiving of high quality of continuously-casted ingot is construction and state of machine equipment of the slug continuous casting.

Sleep disorders occur twice as often in epilepsy patients compared to healthy people and have a negative impact on seizure control and general quality of life. International and Russian publications on the effect of perampanel (PER) on sleep emphasise the positive effect of the drug on sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and sleep architecture.Objective: to evaluate the effect of PER (Fycompa®) on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness when used as an adjunct antiepileptic drug (AED) in the treatment of epilepsy in adults.Material and methods. The study included 106 patients aged 18 to 73 years with absolute predominance of focal epilepsy (n=96) who were prescribed PER as an adjunctive AED when previous therapy was insufficient, regardless of whether or not complaints of insomnia were present. The study was conducted from April 2022 to June 2023. The maximum observation period was 12 months. The study was multicenter (10 Russian clinical centres) and designed as an observational study, with patients being monitored prospectively, but some of the indicators were collected retrospectively, taking into account the conditions of real-life clinical practice. We assessed: sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Insomnia Scale (Ya.I. Levin modification), daytime sleepiness according to the Epworth scale, anxiety/depression level (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), adverse events (AEs), efficacy/tolerability of combination therapy with PER for epilepsy at baseline, and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of therapy based on the number of completed questionnaires at each visit in the real-life clinical practice.Results. After a follow-up period of 12 months, the retention rate for complex therapy with PER was 84.9%. PER was discontinued in 15.1% of patients and in only 5.7% due to AEs. The most common AE was dizziness, which was observed with a frequency of over 10% (n=21), followed by irritability (n=9) and drowsiness (n=9) with the same frequency. No new, previously undescribed AEs were observed in this study. The use of PER as an additional AED led to a significant reduction in daytime sleepiness and an improvement in sleep quality after the first month of use; by the 12-month follow-up period, the daytime sleepiness index gradually decreased and reached normal levels, and sleep quality improved. The use of PER as part of a complex therapy led to a significant reduction in the initially elevated anxiety level.Conclusion. The use of PER as an additional AED in adults in dynamics significantly improves sleep quality and reduces daytime sleepiness after the first month of use, regardless of the duration of the disease and the order of PER administration. The use of PER as part of a complex therapy led to a decrease in the initially elevated anxiety level from subclinical to normal.

The transformation of the steel-smelting defect «netlike cracks» at all stages of processing from continuous casting to finished product was studied.

Melanoma of the skin and mucous membranes remains a global medical problem, which is associated with the increasing prevalence of this disease and the lack of adequate molecular genetic markers for its diagnosis and prognosis. The development of molecular approaches in the treatment of this type of tumor is associated with the identification of mutations, and with the development of immunotherapeutic and targeted drugs that can improve the effectiveness of treatment of patients with this pathology. However, the heterogeneity of the mechanisms of tumor development and the formation of resistance are a problem. It is worth noting the presence of many epigenetic mechanisms that are promising markers of the development, diagnosis and prognosis of the effectiveness of treatment of melanoma of the skin and mucous membranes. This review contains up-to-date information on the molecular mechanisms of the disease associated with the genetic characteristics of the tumor and biological factors of resistance to therapy. Of particular interest is the intersection of signaling pathways associated with melanocyte-inducing transcription factor (MITF), which is associated with transcription and growth factors, and is a target of epigenetic regulation using microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs.

Purpose of the study. Determination of the expression of microRNA‑34, microRNA‑130, microRNA‑148, microRNA‑181, microRNA‑194 and microRNA‑605 in colon tumor tissue depending on the clinical and morphological features of the tumor and the effectiveness of treatment.Materials and methods. The study included 56 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer aged 43 to 75 years with the average age of 54 years. Taking into account the local prevalence of the process patients received surgical or combined treatment, including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, in the clinics of the Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk NRMC. MicroRNA expression was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in real time.Results. The obtained information revealed the relation of microRNA‑130 to the tumor size. The development of regional metastases was associated with changes in microRNA‑130, microRNA‑194 and microRNA‑605. The level of histological organization of the tumor was associated with microRNA‑34, microRNA‑130, microRNA‑148, and the response to therapy – with microRNA‑130, microRNA‑148 and microRNA‑605. In addition, according to the study, the significance of microRNA‑130 was revealed, which is associated with tumor spread, histological differentiation and response to antitumor therapy.Conclusion. The features of expression of microRNA‑34, microRNA‑130, microRNA‑148, microRNA‑181, microRNA‑194 and microRNA‑605 associated with clinical and morphological features of colon tumors were revealed. Correlations between the studied indicators are noted, which probably determine the outcome and prognosis of the disease.

One of the possible approaches in the formation of the geometric part of the finite-element model in the process of teaching students is the use of the language IronPython in SpaceClaim environment with the purpose of subsequent modeling on the platform ANSYS WorkBench. The comparative advantages of Design Modeler and SpaceClaim for such a problem are described. An example of using this approach in a real learning process is given.

One of the possible approaches to the formation of the optimization model of the underlay is the use of cellular objects. At the same time, the question of constructing geometric models of such objects is relevant. Code fragments and construction results for one variant of geometry in IronPython language in SpaceClaim environment to solve such a problem are given. A possible approach to solving the problem of forming boundary conditions changing in time and space is described.

The work is devoted to modeling the temperature control system for the process of bacterial oxidation of refractory gold-bearing sulfide ores. The simulation was performed using the Fuzzy Logic Toolbox editor in the MATLAB software package. The substantiation of the set of input and output variables, the type of membership functions was carried out, the base of rules for the inference engine was formed. The main stages of modeling are described and the results are analyzed. The use of trapezoidal membership functions is substantiated.

The work is devoted to solving the problem of topological optimization in the design of lightweight structures. The advantages and disadvantages of popular topological optimization methods are analyzed. One of the characteristic problems of all methods is the dependence of their results on grid partitioning. Besides, there is a necessity to recast the geometry model of the structure. To solve this problem, it is proposed to perform the formation of cavities based on the ESO method directly at the constructive solid geometry from the shape elements. The main stages of the proposed approach are described, the use of clustering to simplify the shape of the surfaces of the formed cavities is justified.

The paper considers the topicality of the development of methodological approaches to the method for accelerated aging of soft drinks on the market. Selection principles for the controlled indicators that essentially influence finished product quality are presented and the method for sample processing that allows modeling conditions of product spoilage is examined. The investigations enabled establishing the most important criteria (acetaldehyde content, sucrose transformation, CO2 concentration, organoleptic indicators) that allow predicting expiry dates of soft drinks by express methods. The comparative assessment of quality and safety of soft drinks in the conditions of “accelerated” and “natural” aging (over the shelf life with regard to the reserve ratio) by the selected criteria was carried out. The criteria parameters for tasting assessment of soft drinks that allow more correct assessment of nuance descriptors of a product were developed. It is shown that cyclic impact of temperature regimes (warmth 50 °C / cold 6 °C) during the exposure time of 30 days enables modeling soft drink storage over the shelf-life of 12 months in the conditions of natural aging. In this study, the expiry date was confirmed for the studied soft drinks based on plant raw materials and was established for drinks based on flavoring agents.

The high prevalence of pharmacoresistant epilepsy requires the use of nonpharmacological, including surgical approaches to the treatment of this disease. The surgical methods currently used to treat epilepsy (resection, stimulation, and disconnection) carry certain risks of developing intra- and postoperative complications. The technique of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) may be an alternative to traditional neurosurgical interventions. Currently, MRgFUS is successfully used in the treatment of essential tremor and Parkinson’s tremor. As the literature data show, the use of focused ultrasound is a promising method in the treatment of epilepsy. It has been reported about successful FUS application for neuromodulation in animal epilepsy models. Studies related to FUS ablation of epileptogenic foci, neuromodulation in humans with epilepsy are currently underway. The technique of locally increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier after FUS, used for the treatment of brain oncological diseases and neurodegenerative disorders is also of interest in the targeted delivery of antiepileptic drugs. However, some experimental works are contradictory, and the lack of large-scale studies of MRgFUS in patients with epilepsy requires further investigation of this technique and its effectiveness.

The paper discusses the Russian features of management accounting of production costs in medium and small enterprises, which being properly organized and functioning, provide an opportunity to use information the performance improving of the organization. Its multi-variance, enshrined in domestic accounting standards, involves the use of various approaches to the formation of costs, in particular, the normative method, which is the subject of this study. Based on the results of the work, as an optimization measure for material-intensive industries, the authors propose to use material costs as a basis for distributing indirect costs and ones for auxiliary production instead of the major employees’ wages. The methodology is based on a systematic and dialectical approach, observation, systematization, analysis, grouping, classification and generalization of data; as well as on such accounting tools as costing and double entry. The specific experience in management cost accounting using the example of an enterprise producing paving tiles will give an opportunity to develop a practical base of works out in determining the stages of costing and the features of the costs specifications of the main and auxiliary production based on the facts of economic life.

Introduction. Biological characteristics of the tumor play a major role in it’s development and progression. Currently, using the molecular markers aimed at resolving the problems in clinical oncology is becoming more important, including thyroid carcinomas. Heterogeneous contradictory data had been accumulated to date showing the ability of tumors genetic and biological parameters to predict the diseases outcome.Aim. To investigate prognostic value of transcription, growth factors, components of AKT / mTOR signaling pathway and autophagy protein LC3B in patients with papillary thyroid cancer in relation to recurrences and overall survival.Materials and methods. The study included 65 patients with T1–4N0–1M0 papillary thyroid cancer. According to the criteria of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) (2015), patients were divided into groups of patients with high, low and intermediate risk. 30 patients were classified as low risk, 23 as intermediate risk, and 12 as high risk. The BRAFV600 mutation was identified in 18 samples. The expression of transcription factors (p65 and p50 subunits of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB p65, NF-κB p50), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), hypoxia-inducible factor 2 (HIF-2), growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), receptor VEGF (VEGF-2), carbonic anhydrases of type 9 (CAIX)), AKT, c-RAF, GSK- 3β, p70S6, mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR), PDK, PTEN, 4E-BP1 in the tumor was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The BRAFV600 mutation was investigated using real-time allele-specific PCR. The content of the LC3B protein was examined using the Western Blot method.Results. As a result of the study, there is an increase in c-RAF expression with an increase in risk from low to high, which was accompanied by a decrease in 4E-BP1 expression. c-RAF mRNA levels were increased 3.0- and 2.8‑fold in the intermediate and high-risk groups, respectively, compared to low risk patients. There is a change in the expression of Brn-3α depending on the relapse risk. The maximum mRNA levels were found in patients with intermediate risk, where the figure was 4.3 and 6.2 times higher than in patients with low and high risk, respectively. An increase in LC3B expression by 56.0 and 28.0 times was shown in the tumor tissue of patients with intermediate risk compared with patients with low and high risk. This fact corresponds with an increasing content of the protein itself, which was higher in patients with intermediate risk. Patients with a negative BRAF gene status had an intermediate and high risk of tumor recurrence. The prognostic significance of the estrogen receptor β (ER-β) and NF-κB p50 expression level had been revealed in relation with relapse-free and overall survival of patients with papillary thyroid cancer.Conclusion. As a result of the study, additional molecular markers were found in order to for predict the tumors recurrence risk. The study showed the significance of ERβ and NF-κB p50 expression levels for predicting disease outcomes.

There is a number of unsolved issues in management of epilepsy associated with primary and metastatic brain tumors (BTs). In particular, no consensus approaches to treatment of patients with epilepsy associated with BTs have been proposed regarding use of current anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). The review presents the relevant data on epidemiology, features of clinically manifested epilepsy at varying stages of BTs, aspects of drug-drug interaction between AEDs and anti-tumor agents, AED-related effects on cognitive functions as well as quality of life in patients with epilepsy associated with BTs. Levetiracetam and valproic acid comprise the first-line drugs for treating seizures in patients with BTs. It is unreasonable to use AEDs acting as hepatic microsomal enzyme inducers for therapy of epileptic seizures in BTs, because it may decrease efficacy of chemotherapy agents and glucocorticoids along with elevated rate of side effects. Perampanel acting as a selective noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonist, may be one of the drugs of choice for the adjunctive therapy of epileptic seizures associated with BTs.

Synthesis of the engineering design decisions is considered. The fixtures for locating and clamping parts to be tooled at the manufacturing operations are the design objects. An approach to topology and parametric design are proposed. Most efficiently these tasks are solved at the function level. Finally, geometry models and design drawings are needed for manufacturing. Fixture action is to mate bases of fixture object with function faces of fixture locators. This is constraining the degrees of freedom of object. Every base constrains certain degree of freedom. In accordance with quantity and quality of that degrees, certain locators are appointed to the base and them must be positioned resulting in the a locating chart. The quality of the locating chart may be evaluated by the several criteria, for example, by it dimensions. Unsatisfactory solution may be followed by redistributing degrees of freedom among the bases or editing positions of locators within the bases. Thus the design is decomposed onto two independent tasks of different levels.

The article discusses the relevance of developing methodological approaches to the beer and soft drinks accelerated aging method in the market. The controlled indicators selection principles, mainly affecting the quality of the finished product, and the basic equation describing the dependence of changes in indicators on the main temperature factor are given. Studies of the influence of various physical factors (temperatures in the range of 50–60 °C, UV-radiation), both individually and jointly, on the physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of packaged water for various experimental versions did not show statistically significant changes in the normalized parameters of the basic salt and microelement composition investigated water during storage. The optimal mode of accelerated «aging» of packaged water at an elevated temperature (up to 60 °C) and UV-radiation was established. In the case of soft drinks, thermostating was used when changing the temperature regimes (heat 50 ± 2 °C / cold 6 ± 2 °C) at an exposure time of 30 days, which made it possible to observe a decrease in taste and aroma compared with the control, as well as a decrease in sweetness and the appearance of a slight plastic taste for non-carbonated drink. The influence a temperature regime change on brewing products, which cannot be estimated using the existing method due to the high turbidity, is shown.

The theoretical concepts of evaluating the effectiveness of the pricing policy of an organization are fairly fully represented in both Russian and foreign sources. However, the practical aspects of this issue, often related to the specifics of the activities of each individual domestic enterprise, its financial and pricing policies, have their own characteristics. This is especially true in conditions of instability, when commercial organizations are forced to look for various ways and methods to optimize their activities. One of such methods is the study of the financial results of the organization’s activities when applying various pricing tactics, for example, using discounts and without them for regular customers. To achieve this goal, it is recommended to conduct a variety of analytical procedures based on accounting data. At the same time, projected financial results for the enterprise can be calculated and the main directions for optimizing its pricing policy will be selected. For example, improving: pricing in terms of upgrading information support; pricing process through the use of new methods in the field of planning and forecasting prices; pricing policy by changing its main elements such as methods, strategies and tactics. Taking into account the specifics of the organization’s activities, various directions and tools are offered for using these methods in pricing. For the cement industry in particular one of the ways to improve the efficiency of the pricing process can be offering retail sales at the price of the main price list. Thus, by analyzing the pricing policy of an enterprise and making conclusions about the influence of various factors on its effectiveness, it is possible to significantly improve the organization’s activities, having a positive effect on its financial results, both in the current period and in the future.

Antiepileptic drugs are frequently associated with a risk of adverse effects, which have an impact on the tolerability and success of treatment. Patients who develop intolerable adverse effects have to discontinue treatment early after initiation or to switch to another antiepileptic drug. A long-term management strategy for the patients with such a long-lasting chronic disease as epilepsy should include both effective seizure control and early detection of adverse drug events, ensuring prognosis, prevention and minimizing side effects, which is quite important. All these measures are expected to improve adherence to treatment, quality of patients’ life and control of epilepsy.

Every neurologist or epileptologist faces a problem of changing antiepileptic treatment. The goal of the therapy is producing seizure freedom. Many patients fail a first drug due to lack of efficacy or failure to tolerate an initial medication. While monotherapy is preferable in epilepsy treatment we need an alteration in therapy. The preferred method for converting between the first and the second therapy is transitional polytherapy, a process involving initiation of a new antiepileptic drug (AED) and adjuncting it toward a target dose while maintaining or reducing the dose of the baseline medication. This articale reviews practical consensus recommendations from an expert panel for successful monotherapy to monotherapy AED conversions are then summarized. Transitional polytherapy is most successful when clinicians appropriately manage the titration strategy and consider pharmacokinetic factors germane to the baseline and new adjunctive medication.