Impact of the Green Deal on copper imports from Russia to the EU

The article analyzes the prospects for copper imports from the Russian Federation to the EU in the context of the implementation of the plan for decarbonization of the EU economy by 2050. It is noted that green economy is more metal-intensive, but in the medium-run, the impact of the traditional drivers (population growth and rising welfare) on the global copper market will remain significant. Similar trends are shown in the EU copper market: in the current decade, the rapid relative growth of the green sectors of the economy and the demand for copper from them will not lead to fundamental changes in the dynamics and structure of the market. At the same time, the introduction of a cross-border carbon adjustment mechanism (CBAM) could disrupt the sustainability of the established business model in the European copper industry. Eight scenarios of the financial burden for copper imports from the Russian Federation to the EU after the introduction of CBAM are presented, showing that the new EU foreign trade instrument will not have a restrictive effect on copper imports from the Russian Federation. However, the increase in the supply of Russian copper to the growing EU market may be constrained by the geographic remoteness of new copper mining and refining facilities.

The role of museums in the modern artistic process of Buryatia

Автор рассматривает роль государственных музеев и центров современного искусства в развитии изобразительного искусства Бурятии. В частности, показано, как решаются проблемы, порожденные географической удаленностью республики от культурных столиц России и сложившимся в русле академизма стереотипом «национального своеобразия». В настоящее время в Республике Бурятия достаточно заметны признаки активного развития современного искусства, поддерживаются молодые таланты. При этом автор отмечает, что ведущую роль в сохранении, продвижении произведений изобразительного искусства и художников играют именно государственные музеи. Именно там работы художников становятся музейными предметами — культурными ценностями, имеющими значение для истории и культуры государства и обладающими особыми признаками, которые делают необходимыми для общества их сохранение, изучение и публичное представление. The author examines the role of state museums and centers of contemporary art in the development of the fine arts of Buryatia. In this development process, it is important to solve the problems generated by the geographic remoteness of the republic from the cultural capitals of Russia and the stereotype of “national identity” that has developed in line with academism. At present, signs of active development of contemporary art are quite noticeable in the republic, young talents are supported. At the same time, the author notes that it is the state museums that play the leading role in the preservation and promotion of works of fine art and artists. It is in museums that the works of artists become museum objects — cultural values ​​that are significant for the history and culture of the state and possess special characteristics that make it necessary for society to preserve, study and publicize them.

Geographic Remoteness Is Associated with Increased Blood Product Utilization and Higher Rates of Hospitalization and Deaths in Adults with Immune Thrombocytopenia

INTRODUCTION Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a hematological disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of platelets. Prior to starting therapy for ITP it is critical to determine whether it is idiopathic or related to a secondary underlying condition as this informs treatment. There is significant use of blood products and components in patients with chronic ITP for management of thrombocytopenia and bleeding, including intravenous immune globulin (IVIg). Platelet transfusions are generally reserved for life-threatening bleeding or may be used in the preoperative setting in patients unresponsive to other therapies. The aims of this study are to identify gaps in process of care and to examine the impact of geographical remoteness on health service utilization and outcomes in adults with chronic ITP in Alberta. METHODS Adults who received rituximab, splenectomy, or thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA) as second-line therapy for ITP during 2012-2019 in the province of Alberta, Canada were identified via the provincial special drug access database. Diagnostic workup including bone marrow biopsy results, abdominal imaging (ultrasound or CT scan), coagulation parameters, viral serologies for hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), and quantitative immunoglobulins were recorded and rates of completed tests were calculated. Utilization of IVIg, platelets, and packed red blood cells was assessed. Rates of hospitalization, mortality, and ITP-related deaths were calculated and compared according to geographic region. RESULTS Of the 204 patients identified for analysis 106 were female (52%). Most patients (123; 60%) lived within a major centre, whereas 21 (10%) lived over 250 km from a major centre. Review of diagnostic laboratory parameters revealed incomplete coagulation parameters in 117 patients (58%), and no coagulation parameters checked in 16%. Eighty-nine patients (44%) did not have quantitative immunoglobulins tested, and 57 (28%) did not have an SPEP performed. Fifty-three (26%) did not have any abdominal imaging performed to assess for splenomegaly or liver disease. Thirty-five (17%) did not have any viral serologies for hepatitis B, C, or HIV completed. Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy was performed in 110 patients (54%). Eighty-six (77%) of these biopsies yielded a normal result. Eight biopsies (7%) displayed a lymphoproliferative disorder or plasma cell disorder which was suspected or known prior to completing the test. There was significant geographic discrepancy in utilization of blood products and hospitalizations. During 527 patient years of follow up, 83 patients received a total of 343 doses of platelets. Eleven patients (13%) received platelet transfusions for inappropriate indications, and eight (9%) for unclear indications. One hundred twenty-seven patients received IVIg (mean 1290 g) with comparable usage across geographic regions. Compared to patients within 250 km from a major centre, those with geographic remoteness (>250 km from a major centre) utilized more platelets (mean 5.2 vs 1.2 doses; Figure 1) and packed red blood cells (mean 4.3 vs 1.2 units; Figure 2). Those with geographic remoteness also experienced a higher rate of ITP-related hospitalizations (mean 1.5 vs 1.1) and deaths (24% versus 9%). At a median follow-up of 3.42 years from ITP diagnosis, 27 patients (13%) were deceased. Fourteen of these deaths were ITP-related due to bleeding or infection (52%). There appears to be a gradient of rates of both all-cause and ITP-related deaths by distance from a major centre (Figures 3 and 4). DISCUSSION This study highlights gaps in quality of care in patients with chronic ITP in Alberta, Canada. A significant number of patients have an incomplete workup for ITP at the time of diagnosis with the most forgotten tests being coagulation studies, SPEP, quantitative immunoglobulins, viral serologies, and abdominal imaging. Additionally, we identified an unexpectedly high rate of bone marrow biopsies performed in our population. Most of these bone marrow examinations did not result in any change in management. Finally, this study identified that geographic remoteness is associated with increased health services utilization and ITP-related deaths. These data can be used to inform further quality improvement initiatives in chronic ITP and help address geographic inequities in healthcare outcomes. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Sun: Bayer: Consultancy; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Shire: Consultancy; Octapharma: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Sociodemographic and Geographic Factors Associated With Non-Obstetrical Ultrasound Imaging Utilization: A Population-Based Study

Objective: Ultrasound is one of the most commonly used imaging modalities, though some populations face barriers in accessing ultrasound services, potentially resulting in disparities in utilization. The objective of this study was to assess the association between sociodemographic and geographic factors and non-obstetrical ultrasound utilization in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. Methods: All non-obstetrical ultrasound exams performed from 2014 to 2018 in Saskatchewan, Canada were retrospectively identified from province-wide databases. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regression analyses were performed to assess the association between ultrasound utilization and sex, age, First Nations status, Charlson Comorbidity Index, urban vs. rural residence, geographic remoteness, and neighborhood income. Results: A total of 1,324,846 individuals (5,857,044 person-years) were included in the analysis. Female sex (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.19-2.22), age (aIRR, 4.97; 95% CI, 4.90-5.05 for ≥57 years vs. <11 years), comorbidities (aIRR, 4.36 for Charlson Comorbidity Index >10 vs. 0; 95% CI, 3.78-5.03), and higher neighborhood income (aIRR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.05 for highest vs. lowest quintile) were associated with higher rates of ultrasound utilization. Individuals who were status First Nations (aIRR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.90-0.92) or resided in geographically remote areas (aIRR, 0.87 for most vs. least remote; 95% CI, 0.83-0.91) had lower rates of ultrasound utilization. Individuals who lived in a rural area also had lower rates of ultrasound utilization (aIRR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.92-0.94). Conclusion: Substantial disparities exist in non-obstetrical ultrasound utilization among individuals in low-income neighborhoods, status First Nations individuals, and individuals in rural and remote communities.

Trends in the prevalence of adult overweight and obesity in Australia, and its association with geographic remoteness

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has been increasing globally and has become a significant public health concern in Australia in the two past decades. This study explores the most recent national prevalence and trends of adult overweight and obesity in Australia. It will also investigate geographic remoteness as a potential risk factor for an individual being overweight or obese in adulthood. A retrospective longitudinal study that utilised 14 successive waves (wave 6 through 19) of a nationally representative linked individual-level survey. Data was obtained from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. The data on 199,675 observations from 26,713 individuals aged ≥ 15 years over the period 2006 to 2019 was analysed. Random-effects logit model was employed to estimate the association between geographic remoteness and the risk of excessive weight gain. The results reveal that the prevalence of overweight, obesity and combined overweight and obesity among Australian adults in 2019 were 34%, 26% and 60%, respectively. The analysis shows that the prevalence of overweight and obesity varies by geographic remoteness. Adults from regional city urban (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.16–2.03) and rural areas (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18–1.47) were more likely to be obese compared with their counterparts from major city urban areas. The results also show that adults living in major city urban areas, regional city urban areas, and regional city rural areas in Australia were 1.53 (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.16–2.03), 1.32 (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18–1.47), and 1.18 (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.08–1.29) times more likely to be overweight compared with their counterparts from major city urban areas in Australia. Substantial geographic variation in the prevalence of overweight and obesity exists among Australian adults and appears to be increasing. Public health measures should focus on contextual obesogenic factors and behavioural characteristics to curb the rising prevalence of adult obesity.

Methodology for Assessing the Influence of Cultural Infrastructure on Regional Development in Poland and Ukraine

The aim of the article is to characterize the level of the region’s diversification according to the cultural component of social infrastructure based on grouped statistical indicators. This paper uses Perkal’s synthetic ratio method to characterize the level of cultural infrastructure development in Ukrainian and Polish regions. The analysis, conducted between 2010 and 2017, concerned cultural organizations such as libraries, theaters, concert organizations, museums, cinemas, art and sports schools, and was based on regional data of Polish and Ukrainian public statistics. It was found that the primary barriers to access to cultural infrastructure are inadequate funding, disability, geographic remoteness, disparities in education, and material living conditions. The determinants of modernizing cultural infrastructure in the region are defined.

Brazilian peppertree and mangrove species response to foliar-applied novel auxin-type herbicides

Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi) is an invasive shrub that is problematic in both freshwater wetlands and brackish mangrove communities. The complex structure, geographic remoteness, and general herbicide sensitivity of mangrove systems have resulted in great technical challenges for managers attempting selective S. terebinthifolia control. Recent advances in auxin herbicide technologies warrant herbicide screening to address this growing problem. Therefore, greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 to evaluate four non-target mangrove species and S. terebinthifolia response to the three herbicides: aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, and florpyrauxifen-benyzl. Aminocyclopyrachlor controlled S. terebinthifolia, but was highly injurious to black mangrove [Avicennia germinans (L.) L.], red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.), white mangrove [Laguncularia racemosa (L.) C.F. Gaertn.], and buttonwood mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.). Aminopyralid also controlled S. terebinthifolia but its impact varied across mangrove species. Laguncularia racemosa and C. erectus were highly sensitive to aminopyralid, R. mangle exhibited dose-dependent tolerance, and A. germinans was highly tolerant. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl failed to control S. terebinthifolia and resulted in severe injury to all four mangrove species. These results indicate differential responses to newer auxins in both the target response and non-target plant community of interest. The efficacy of aminopyralid on S. terebinthifolia, coupled with its selectivity on A. germinans warrants further testing.