Population norms of health-related quality of life in Moscow, Russia: the EQ-5D-5L-based survey

Purpose To develop population norms for the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire based on a representative sample of Moscow citizens. Methods We used quota sampling accounting for sex, age group and administrative district of residence. Respondents in randomly selected outdoor and indoor locations were surveyed with the official Russian paper-and-pencil version of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and a set of socio-demographic questions. We estimated four types of EQ-5D results: the distribution of limitations according to EQ-5D-5L dimensions, the perception of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with a visual analogue scale (EQ VAS), the unweighted score for a respondent’s health state (Level Sum Score, LSS) and the Russian health preferences-based weighted score (EQ index). In order to estimate the EQ-5D-5L index, we used a newly developed Russian EQ-5D-3L value set, together with EuroQol Group cross-over methodology. Results A total of 1020 respondents (18–93 years old) from the general Moscow adult population completed the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. HRQoL domains with the largest number of identified health limitations were pain/discomfort (48.6%) and anxiety/depression (44.1%). Two hundred seventy-nine respondents (27.0%) did not report any health restrictions. The mean EQ VAS and EQ-5D-5L index were 74.1 (SD 17.3) and 0.907 (0.106) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that female sex, advanced age and lack of access to the Internet had a negative influence on HRQoL, whereas residence in certain districts had a positive impact. Conclusions The study provides population norms of health-related quality of life in Moscow, measured according to the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. These reference values can be used to optimise the effectiveness of resource allocation in healthcare.

Leading Russian paper heads towards self-censorship

Headline RUSSIA: Vedomosti heads towards self-censorship

Study of coefficient of variation and the average size ingomogenity for various types of paper with help of formation analyzer the AP-2

Цель исследования - оценить равномерность просвета бумаги - одну из важнейших характеристик, определяющих ее потребительские свойства. Для оценки свойств бумаги в работе использован способ определения характера просвета бумаги для расчета показателей неоднородности просвета бумаги - коэффициента вариации, прошедшего через образец светового потока и среднего линейного размера оптической макроструктурной неоднородности бумаги путем просвечивания вращающегося образца коллимированным лучом света; преобразования светового сигнала, прошедшего через образец, в электронный с помощью фотоприемника, раздельного измерения переменной и постоянной составляющих сигнала. По отношению частот сигналов вычисляли коэффициент вариации. Измеряя относительную частоту вращения образца по 5 дорожкам сканирования световым сигналом, определяли средний линейный размер неоднородности просвета образца. Сравнительный анализ выполнен на образцах бумаги отдельных фабрик России, представленных на бумажных форумах в Санкт-Петербурге, показал отличие в показателях различных материалов бумаги. Анализ ряда образцов газетной бумаги, последовательно взятых вдоль полосы, равной ширине полотна газетной бумаги бумагоделательной машины выявил неоднородность коэффициента вариации полотна бумаги, которая может приводить к разрыву бумаги. Использование результатов экспрессного анализа предложенным способом может быть использовано, в частности, при отладке напорного ящика. Исследования проводились на анализаторе просвета АП-2 на основе, разработанного на кафедре физики ЛТА имени С.М. Кирова совместно с ВНПОбумпром и ЦКТБП с ОП отраслевого стандарта ОСТ 13-299-87. «Бумага. Неоднородность просвета. Номенклатура показателей». Требования к однородности просвета бумаги в соответствии с этим ОСТом устанавливаются по двум стандартизованным показателям: u,%-коэффициенту вариации, прошедшего лист бумаги светового потока и L,мм-среднему линейному размеру оптической макроструктурной неоднородности бумаги. The purpose of the research is the assessment of paper uniform formation as it is among the most important characteristics that define its end-properties. To evaluate the properties of the paper during this research it was used the method of determining the nature of the paper to calculate ingomogenity parameters of paper formation - the coefficient of variation of the light beam transmitted through the sample and medium-sized linear optical macro-ingomogenity of rotating paper sample by the radiographic collimated beam of light; converting the light signal transmitted through the sample, the electronic using a photodetector, separate signal measurement of constant and variable components. The coefficient of variation was calculated by the ratio of signal frequencies. By measuring the relative frequency of rotation of the sample by 5 tracks scanning light signal determined by the average linear dimension of the inhomogeneity of the sample formation. The comparative analysis was made on samples of Russian paper mills being given on paper forums. It showed the difference in terms of various paper components. Analysis of a number of samples of newsprint consistently taken along the strip, equal to the width of the web of newsprint paper machine has revealed heterogeneity of the coefficient of variation of the paper web, which can lead to rupture of the paper during pick-up to the press nip. It is proposed to use these results of the rapid analysis of the proposed method in particular for headbox checkout. The studies were conducted with the help of the formation analyzer the AP-2 based on the developed at the department of physics of Leningrad Forest Academy together with VNPObumprom and CBPPT with OP of industrial standard OST 13-299-87. «Paper. The formation heterogeneity. Nomenclature of parameters». The requirements to the uniform formation in accordance with this standard are two standardized parameters:ν,% - the coefficient of variation of light flux transmitter through the sheet of paper and L, mm-average linear dimension of the optical macro-heterogeneity of paper.

XV.—Some New Facts about the Structure of the Cuticles in the Russian Paper-Coal and their Bearing on the Systematic Position of Some Fossil Lycopodiales. With a note on The Absence of Eligulate Heterosporous Lycopodiales in the Fossil-Record

The fossil cuticles of the paper-coal from the Moscow Basin in Central Russia were first described and figured by Auerbach and Trautschold in 1860. Since then these cuticles have been the subject of much discussion, especially with regard to the interpretation of their numerous regularly disposed perforations. According to the various views of previous investigators, several generic and specific names have been assigned to these cuticles. Auerbach and Trautschold, regarding the perforations as the result of the fall of the leaf-cushions as well as the leaves, considered the cuticles to belong to the genus Lepidodendron, and named the plant to which they belonged Lepidodendron tenerrimum.