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BackgroundIn the absence of antiviral alternatives, interventions under research for COVID-19 might be offered following guidelines from WHO for monitored emergency use of unregistered and experimental interventions (MEURI). Ivermectin is among several drugs explored for its role against SARS-CoV-2, with a well-known safety profile but conflicting data regarding clinical utility for COVID-19. The aim of this report is to inform on the results of a MEURI Program of high-dose ivermectin in COVID-19 carried out by the Ministry of Health of the Province of La Pampa, Argentina.MethodsCOVID-19 subjects, within 5 days of symptoms onset were invited to participate in the program, which consisted in the administration of ivermectin 0.6 mg/kg/day for 5 days plus standard of care. Active pharmacosurveillance was performed for 21 days, and hepatic laboratory assessments were performed in a subset of patients. Frequency of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and COVID-19-related mortality of subjects in the ivermectin intention to treat group were compared with that observed in inhabitants of the same province during the same period not participating in the program.ResultsFrom 21,232 subjects with COVID-19, 3,266 were offered and agreed to participate in the ivermectin program and 17,966 did not and were considered as controls. A total of 567 participants reported 819 adverse events (AEs); 3.13% discontinued ivermectin due to adverse events. ICU admission was significantly lower in the ivermectin group compared to controls among participants ≥40 year-old (1.2 vs. 2.0%, odds ratio 0.608; p = 0.024). Similarly, mortality was lower in the ivermectin group in the full group analysis (1.5 vs. 2.1%, odds ratio 0.720; p = 0.029), as well as in subjects ≥ 40 year- old (2.7 vs. 4.1%, odds ratio 0.655; p = 0.005).ConclusionsThis report highlights the safety and possible efficacy of high dose ivermectin as a potentially useful intervention deserving public health-based consideration for COVID-19 patients.

Abstract-Many loads connected to electric power systems can cause power quality problems at all voltage levels and for very different power ratings due to their unbalanced and non-linear behavior characteristics.This paper describes the aspects of power quality at the point of common coupling (PCC) where an arc furnace for steel melting with alternating current is connected. By measurements of Flicker, harmonics content in voltage and current, active and reactive power and power factor, the preservation of the reference levels for the supply voltage and emission limits for the furnace as a customer are evaluated.The evaluation of power quality of contemporary International and Argentinian standards is given.The different phases in the operation of the arc furnace are described in detail and illustrated with measurements.

Abstract-The electricity distribution service in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area of Argentina, which was privatized in the early nineties, is carried out by three different Utilities and the control is performed by a Regulatory Agency (ENRE).By the time this control began, the existing limits in IEC standards for Power Quality were adopted in order to obtain a starting point for the local regulation. In addition, the equipment employed to perform the measurements also meets IEC standards.The aspects of Power Quality which are regulated, and therefore controlled, are voltage magnitude, voltage disturbances -harmonic distortion and flicker -, and long-term interruptions -3 minutes or longer duration -. In every site in which the limits established for Power Quality are exceeded, the Utility is penalized.The aim of the article is to show the results obtained over more than 10 years of permanent control. The carried out studies mainly consisted of processing the data collected since the beginning of the control in order to obtain: disturbance trends over the years, comparisons of the levels measured in different Utilities as well as disturbance behaviors throughout the day. In addition to this, the degree of fulfillment achieved by the Utilities is also assessed.

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