Retraction notice: Econometric modeling and forecasting of environmental conditions of cities and population health problems: Case study of Navoi and Zarafshan cities

The article describes tasks that electronic collections of rare books fulfill: broad access for readers to rare and valuable editions providing, preservation of ensuring of the original. On the example of the electronic collection of the Central Scientific Library of the V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University – « eScriptorium: electronic archive of rare books and manuscripts for research and education» the possibility of the full-text resources of the valuable editions using is shown. The principles of creation, structure, chronological frameworks, directions of adding the documents to the archive are represented. The perspectives of the project development are outlined as well as examples of the digital libraries of the European countries and Ukraine are provided, the actual task of preserving the originals of the rare books of the country is raised, the innovative approaches to serving users with electronic resources are considered. The evidences of cooperation of the Central Scientific Library of the V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University with the largest world digital libraries: World Digital Library and Europeana are provided.

Econometric modeling and forecasting of environmental conditions of cities and population health problems: Case study of Navoi and Zarafshan cities

This study explores the connection between atmospheric emissions of harmful substances and population morbidity indicators in Navoi and Zarafshan, two highly industrialized cities in Uzbekistan’s arid climate. With industrialization in arid environments presenting unique health risks, the research seeks to deepen scientific understanding of pollution-related health impacts specific to these cities. Identifying the health effects of air pollution in urbanized, dry regions not only advances scientific knowledge but also informs public health policies, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. A review of recent studies shows extensive evidence linking industrial air pollution to adverse health effects, such as respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune system issues. However, few studies focus specifically on the unique challenges faced by industrial cities in arid regions like Navoi and Zarafshan, where pollutant types and environmental interactions may differ significantly. Existing research associates industrial emissions with general morbidity rates, yet it lacks detailed analyses of how pollutants specifically affect health outcomes in arid climates. Unresolved aspects of the problem include a generalized approach in correlating air pollution with health deterioration without considering how pollutants impact health differently across various climatic and environmental contexts. The effects of pollution in arid regions, with distinct pollutant composition and dispersal patterns, remain underexamined in current environmental health research. The primary goal of this research is to quantify and evaluate the relationships between industrial air pollutants and morbidity indicators, particularly focusing on respiratory, immune, neurological, and digestive health in Navoi and Zarafshan. By providing actionable data on these connections, the study intends to guide health interventions to reduce health risks associated with industrial emissions in these areas. The purpose is to offer empirical evidence that supports policymakers and public health professionals in developing effective strategies to mitigate pollution-related health challenges in industrialized arid regions. The findings of this research indicate a strong correlation in Navoi between annual pollutant emissions and increased rates of respiratory, immune, and neurological conditions, suggesting these health issues are particularly sensitive to pollution in the city. In Zarafshan, however, a different pattern is observed, with pollutants more closely associated with digestive diseases. This regional variation suggests that pollution’s health impacts may vary significantly depending on local environmental conditions. In conclusion, the study confirms a significant relationship between environmental conditions and public health, demonstrating that industrial emissions notably impact morbidity rates in arid, urban settings. By establishing these connections, the research supports SDG 11’s mission to create sustainable and healthy urban environments, presenting evidence-based recommendations to minimize the health impact of industrial pollution. The proposed measures focus on addressing the primary health challenges–respiratory, immune, neurological, and digestive issues–identified in the Navoi region, promoting healthier urban environments through targeted interventions.

Purpose of the article. The article represents an analysis and publication of the letters of Kharkiv University professor Fedir Shmit (1877–1937?) held in the manuscript collection of the Central Academic Library of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Methodologically, the study is based on the principles of historicism and objectivity and employs a variety of special historical methods, including chronological, comparative, and the method of internal and external source criticism. Academic originality. Fedir Shmit’s letters to his fiancée Pavla Shper from the library of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, dating to March 1904, are published for the first time. The author analyzes the contents of the scholar’s personal correspondence and the importance of his study of Byzantine artifacts and monuments in Ravenna, undertaken in March 1904, for his subsequent work. Conclusions. The article outlines the significance of Fedir Shmit’s letters from the CAL collection both for reconstructing the scholar’s biography and for assessing his contribution to Byzantinology. Personal correspondence throws light on Shmit’s study of Byzantine remains in Ravenna, the results of which are presented in the works of his Kharkiv period. The author deciphers the letters and provides commentary on individual fragments. The article represents the first publication of Fedor Shmidt’s manuscript legacy preserved in Kharkiv’s libraries and archives.

The purpose of the article is to explore the current experience of geography teacher training in Czechia and Ukraine based on the experience of the University of West Bohemia and V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. The main material. In the Czech educational system, becoming a qualified teacher typically involves completing a three-year Bachelor’s program (180 credits) followed by two-year Master’s program (120 credits) while in Ukraine a Bachelor’s program lasts for four years (240 credits) and a Master’s program lasts for one and a half years (90 credits) or 2 years (120 credits). Geography teacher training at the Department of Geosciences of the University of West Bohemia is offered at the Master’s level (following a preparatory Bachelor’s program) and allows for combinations with other teaching subjects. The Bachelor’s program in Geography for Education emphasizes academic preparation in geographic and pedagogical founda­tions, preparing students for advanced study. It includes fieldwork, a research-based thesis, and a state exam. The follow-up Master’s program focuses heavily on geography teaching methodology and includes regionally oriented subjects, three stages of pedagogical practice, and innovative training using a virtual reality-based classroom simulator. The final state exam uniquely simulates real teaching, requiring students to demonstrate both their geographic knowledge and teaching competencies. Geography teacher training at the School of Geology, Geography, Recreation and Tourism of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University is offered at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels through specialized programs combining geographic, pedagogical, and practical components. The Bachelor’s program prepares students to teach Geography, Nature Study, and Economics, focusing on core geographic knowledge, pedagogy, and substantial fieldwork. The Master’s programs offer two tracks – one with a natural science focus and another with an economic orientation – allowing students to deepen their expertise and teaching skills. Both levels emphasize pedagogical practice and conclude with the public defense of a thesis. Conclusions. The analysis of geography teacher training in Czechia (University of West Bohemia) and Ukraine (V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University) demonstrates both the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain. Both countries have established strong foundations for preparing future geography teachers, with a focus on integrating pedagogy and content knowledge, practical experience, and fieldwork. Looking ahead, further modernization of curricula, increased use of VR technology, and international cooperation will be key to ensuring that geography teachers are well-prepared to meet the demands of 21st-century education.

На території Ботанічного саду Харківського національного університету (ХНУ) ім. В. М. Каразіна на хвойних породах визначено 4 види короїдів: короїда-типографа (Ips typographus L.), гравера звичайного (Pityogenes chalcographus L.), соснового короїда-крихітку (Crypturgus cinereus Herb.) та тайгового короїда-крихітку (C. subcribrosus Eg.). Відзначено, що з роду Abies лише п’ять видів не мали ознак заселення, а саме: A. balsamia, A. cephalonica, А. concolor, A. grandis, А. violacea. Picea koraiensis та P. alba не були заселені короїдами, але на стовбурі помічено спроби заселення. Встановлено, що форму P. obovata «Glauca» заселяли всі визначені види короїдів. Найбільш поширеним на ялині серед інших видів короїдів виявився Ips typographus. Серед 198 обстежених дерев визначено: живих із відсутністю ознак заселення короїдами – 27,3 %, зі спробами заселення – 9,1 %, заселених короїдами – 63,6 %.

The purpose of the work is to highlight the information-synergistic component of human-geographical research through the analysis of the scientific heritage of Kostiantyn Niemets – Honored Professor of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. The achievement of the set purpose was accomplished through revealing the figure of the scientist Kostiantyn Niemets, justification of the human-geographical approach based on the information-synergistic paradigm, highlighting the formation of the concept of sociogeosystem and the sociogeoprocess, the peculiarities of the implementation of ideas in the educational process, the training of specialists and scientists, highlighting the potential of human geography and the information-synergistic component of human- geographical research in accordance with today's challenges. Results. This article presents an analysis of the information-synergistic component of human- geographical research in the scientific heritage Kostiantyn Niemets – Honored Professor of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. The role of the synergistic paradigm is defined as the basis of modern science and scientific research. The implementation of the synergistic concept in sociogeosystems research, the definition of the role of the information resource and the features of information exchange are substantiated. The main contradictions between society and nature are revealed; the structure of the sociogeoprocess is considered; the main principles of the interaction of society and natural systems in the multi-system of nature management are revealed. The ideas of the formation of the concept of sociogeosystems and sociogeoprocess are highlighted and the features of the implementation of ideas in the educational process of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. are revealed. An analysis of the scientific heritage, which is realized in the scientific research of students and followers of Kostiantyn Niemets, is presented. The latest research and publications were analyzed, in particular, theoretical and methodological developments, the research toolkit, which was introduced during the implementation of dissertations for obtaining the scientific degree of doctor and candidate of geographical sciences under the leadership of Kostiantyn Nemets, as well as during the implementation of scientific research developments, projects and grants, powerful scientific publications authored by Kostiantyn Niemets. The article shows his huge contribution to the development of scientific research and support of young people. The results of the analysis of the dissertation works, which were created under the leadership of Kostiantyn Niemets, and the features of the introduction of the human-geographical approach and the use of powerful mathematical apparatus and modeling methods in these works are presented. Today, the synergistic paradigm is becoming one of the most important foundations of modern science and is being widely implemented in all fields of scientific research. The synergetic paradigm arose at the junction of many fundamental directions of science in the second half of the 20th century, its main methodological premise is a fundamentally different and unconventional understanding of the development of phenomena, processes, and systems in the surrounding reality. In contrast to the classical interpretation of development as a linear process, synergetics interprets the concept of development as a non-linear process that occurs as a result of the interaction of a large number of factors of different nature. In this regard, human geography occupies a leading place, because the main object of its research – the sociogeosystem – combines natural and social subsystems; therefore, human- geographical research includes all aspects of a synergistic approach.

The purpose of the article is to study the degree of usability of sites from the point of view of their stakeholders. The usability indicator is responsible for how easy the site's interface is to use, that is, it means how easily the user without special training can interact with the information system of the website. The goal of usability is to have a product that is easy to understand, easy to learn, effective to use, and en-joyable to use. Methodology. The article proposes an approach for assessing the usability of sites of business entities, based on the results of an empirical study in the format of questionnaire, which allows us to take into account the subjective attitude of respondents to the usability of a particular site. When calculating the integral usa-bility indicator, the assessments of the weight of each variant of the answer to the question, the weight of the question within the boundaries of each of the criteria, the weight of each criterion in the final indicator are taken into account. The approbation was carried out on the websites of higher education institutions. Highlighted the most important criteria for the usability of the website of a higher education institution from the point of view of applicants and students as stakeholders who are potential buyers and consumers of educational services: loading speed, convenience, efficiency, relevance, accessibility, interactivity, cross-browser compatibility, lack of forced content, attractive design, satisfaction. To obtain the results, a survey of 1170 stakeholders was conducted in the form of a questionnaire regarding the compliance of the websites of higher education institutions with the usability criteria. Based on the results of scoring and taxonomic analysis, quantitative values of the integral indicator of the usability of the websites of higher education institutions were obtained: NTUU “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”– 8,01; Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv – 6,47; Sumy State University – 7,87; Lviv Polytechnic National University – 7,85; V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University – 5,32; Interregional Academy of Personnel Management – 7,7; Kharkiv University – 6,97; Academy of Advocacy of Ukraine – 5,62. The obtained quantitative values indicate that, according to Harrington's scale of desirability, the NTUU “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” site has the highest level of usability, the Sumy State University, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Kharkiv University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv sites have a sufficient level, the Academy of Advocacy of Ukraine and V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University sites are at the middle level. Practical implications. The proposed approach can be applied to the site of any business entity, it makes it possible to quantify the level of usability of the site from the point of view of stakeholders and become the basis for making effective management decisions regarding the compliance of the website with the requirements and needs of users. Value/originality. The proposed methodology for assessing the site of higher education institutions makes it possible to assess the degree of convenience of sites, which is a tool for ensuring the quality of online presentation of educational services in the context of limited information transparency of higher education institutions.

The article continues the series of scientific and methodological studies on the formation and development of the language training methodology for foreign students at classical universities. In the first part of the research, published last year, the authors analyzed the development of language training conceptual foundations for foreign students of different specialties, as well as history, principles, and features of language education of foreign students of non-philological specialties by the example of the Language Training Department 1 of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. For this group of students, a foreign language is primarily a means of learning and mastering their future specialty. For foreign students of philological specialties, a language is not only a means but also a study goal that involves, besides language proficiency, knowledge of its phonetic, grammatical and lexical structure, mastering various stylistic means, knowledge of modern linguistic concepts, and familiarity with foreign language fiction. The article presents an analysis of the development of scientific and methodological principles for training foreign philological students and illustrates the main directions of their practical implementation by the Language Training Department 1 of the Institute of International Education for Study and Research of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. There was applied a systematic analysis of scientific achievements regarding the teaching of future philologists and its methodological implementation. The authors studied the directions of scientific research and the aspects of educational and methodological activities developed for the implementation of the professionally oriented teaching within non-native sociocultural and educational environments. The result of the systemic analysis is an overview of dissertations in philology, methodological research dedicated to future philologists, specialists in language, literature, and translation as well as teaching aids and textbooks for the above-mentioned group. The authors based their research on the concept of foreign students’ language education and the structure of the modern educational paradigm presented in the previous article of the series. The article examines the influence of the competence approach on the creation of curricula and syllabi for foreign philological students of the first and second levels of higher education and on the way of developing all components of students’ communicative competence.

The article is dedicated to the birthday anniversary of Prokop Ivanovich Verba, a famous scientist and outstanding organizer of domestic financial science and education. P.I. Verba’s activity is closely connected with the creation and development of the School of Economics and the Department of Finance and Credit in V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. As a Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine P.I. Verba has left a bright mark in the history of Ukrainian financial science not only by his works but also by his students. School of Economics of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University keeps a bright memory of this outstanding man, a wonderful teacher and mentor of young people.

The article presents the students‘ entrepreneurial competence formation approaches of higher education. The importance of students acquiring health-preserving competence in the process of education at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Educational and professional programs –―Secondary education (Biology and human health)‖ and ―Secondary education (Human health)‖ were analyzed in order to identify the specifics of the formation of health competence.
 The value of the foundations of the students‘ entrepreneurial competence formation who master the knowledge, skills and abilities in the basics of health for their implementation in professional activities, taking into account the requirements of Ukraine as a European state.
 According to the results of the study of scientific research, it has been revealed that the students‘ entrepreneurial competence formation is paid attention only in the process of education of future specialists in international economic relations, business, etc. It has been established that the study of the basics of entrepreneurial activity of students is aimed at the formation of their competencies for work in positions of managers, employees in government agencies and institutions, and so on.
 It was also investigated that the students‘ entrepreneurial competence formation who study the basics of health is possible if they study interdisciplinary disciplines on relevant topics, due to their own choice in this area and even in a distance format. It has been noted that the Center for e-learning of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University provides distance education for students and anyone wishing to gain knowledge in various fields. It was also revealed that teachers under the guidance of employees of this center create distance e-courses in the Moodle system, pass the appropriate certification of their intellectual work and manage the student education via the Internet in a comfortable environment for all participants in the educational process.
 As a result, it is noted that the preparation of highly qualified specialists, possessing the health and entrepreneurial competencies will ensure the preservation and strengthening the health of the population of Ukraine, promote the best realization of acquired knowledge, skills and abilities of students even in difficult conditions of future professional self-realization.

The article is dedicated to the life and work of Professor Mykhailo Stanchev, who has recently celebrated his 70th anniversary. In the form of a memoir, the author tells about Professor Stanchev’s first steps in academia, his student years at A. Gorky Kharkiv State University (now V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University), and his early interest in Bulgarian studies. The main focus of the article is on Stanchev’s research work, in which he continued Kharkiv University’s long tradition of historical Bulgarian studies. His candidate’s thesis, dedicated to the role of youth organizations in the development of Ukrainian-Bulgarian cultural ties, was completed under the supervision of the prominent Soviet Bulgarist, professor of Kharkiv University H. M. Popov. Stanchev’s fellowship at Sofia University ‘St. Kliment of Ohrid’ in 1988-1989 took his research to a new level. A milestone in Stanchev’s academic career was the defense of his doctoral dissertation on “Dr. C. Rakovsky – Statesman, Politician, and Diplomat (1873-1941)” at the Institute of History of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The article considers Stanchev’s ties with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, of which he was elected a foreign member in 2013, and his service as research director of the Marin Drinov Center for Bulgarian and Balkan Studies at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and editor-in-chief of “The Drinov Collection,” which publishes materials of the international Drinov Readings held recurrently at Kharkiv National University. For his academic work, Stanchev has received the honorary award “For Services to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences”, as well as the Drinov Gold Medal and Ribbon. Stanchev’s achievements in other areas, particularly government and diplomacy, are also discussed. Stanchev was elected deputy of the Kharkiv City Council and chaired the international department of the City Executive Committee, which was created on his initiative. In this position, he contributed to the development of Kharkiv’s international relations and helped attract foreign investment to the region. The article further touches on Stanchev’s service as first secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and head of the Department of Balkan Countries. Stanchev made a significant contribution to Ukrainian-Bulgarian relations as a temporary chargé d’affaires of Ukraine’s embassy in Bulgaria and political adviser, for which he was awarded the Golden Laurel Branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. In conclusion, the author expresses hope that Professor Stanchev will continue pursuing shared academic projects with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

The paper presents the results of revision and arrangement of the Thymus L. (Lamiaceae Martinov) genus collection in the assets of herbarium of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (CWU). At critical study of herbarium specimens and protologues a number of type and original specimens of 15 taxa which were revealed and proposed by Thymus monographs M.V. Klokov and N.O. Desjatova-Shostenko: Thymus armeniacus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. borysthenicus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. daghe­stanicus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. dimorphus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. dimorphus [without rank] steppaceus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. dimorphus Klokov & Des.-Shost.  Th. marschallianus Willd., Th. dubjanskyi Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. eltonicus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. kirgisorum var. creticola Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. migricus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. mugodzharicus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. pseudograniticus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. pulegioides subsp. ucrainicus Klokov & Des.-Shost., Th. tschernjajevii Klokov & Des.-Shost., and Th. ziaratinus Klokov & Des.-Shost. At present, this material includes one lectotype, two isolectotypes, 40 syntypes, 16 isosyntypes, five paratypes, three isoparatypes, and two original specimens. In the provided annotated list of type and original specimens, each taxon is presented with an indication of its Latin name with nomenclatural citation, main synonyms, basic taxonomic literature, information from protologue, nomenclatural type and place of its storage, as well as critical notes on previous typifications and/or individual specimens.

The acute relevance of a profile study of the conditions for the emergence and real functioning of such a phenomenon as a scientific school of political science, the influence of its theoretical-methodological and practical-political traditions on the emergence, formation and development of the modern scientific component of the preparation programme for doctors of philosophy in political science is substantiated. In carrying out this task, the author determines that the existing educational and scientific educational preparation programme for PhD in political science of the V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University fully corresponds to the mission and strategic goals of a modern institution of higher education, including in the aspect of internationalization and international scientific activity. This is due, first of all, to the fact that during its development, the lecturers of the political science department used not only the relevant preparation experience of PhD in modern universities in Europe and the USA, but also the existing scientific traditions of the Kharkiv School of Political Analysis itself. For this purpose, with the help of historical-genetic, systemic and systemic-structural approaches, for the first time in the political science literature was researched the origins, design, content and logic of development of the scientific component of the preparation programme for PhD in political science at the V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. In particular, the specific content, conditions of formation and influence of the first works in political science of the university professors Yosyp Lang, Tikhon Stepanov and Andriy Kachenovskyi are researched, as on the development of world political science, and so on the formation of scientific foundations and traditions of preparation in the 30s of the 19th century of political scientists precisely in the Kharkiv School of Political Analysis, which at that time was already not only been functioning, but also in practice fulfilling its duties as a specialized center for political scientists preparation. In this regard, it is emphasized that the scientific value of the first works in political science of the specified scientists, as well as their purposeful professional activity to create the institutional foundations for the development of political science at the university, consisted and currently consists primarily in the fact that Y. Lang, T. Stepanov and A. Kachenovskyi already at that time advised political scientists to use the instrumental capabilities and guidelines of all three levels of the real functioning of political science - theoretical-fundamental, instrumental-empirical, and practical-applied. So the tradition of systemic and systemic-structural approaches to the study of political problems, was not only been formed and continued by leading professors and their students of the Soviet and post-Soviet periods of development of the Kharkiv School of Political Analysis, but also embedded in the logic, content and structure of the educational and scientific preparation programme of modern PhD in political science at the V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.

The article is devoted to highlighting the culture of festivals on the example of the urbanized space of the city of Kharkiv through the prism of the ecological festival «Kharkiv Green Urban Fest 2023», which was held by the School of Sociology at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University on June 17, 2023, based on the cultural space «YermilovCenter». The festival was held as part of the implementation of the international research project FUSILLI (Fostering the Urban Food System Transformation through Innovative Living Labs Implementation) at the School of Sociology of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under the grant agreement №101000717. The main objective of the festival was to showcase local initiatives that focus on responsible consumption, farming, recycling, social entrepreneurship, healthy eating, and sustainable development. In this article, based on small semi-structured interviews with event participants, we propose a conceptualization of festival culture and identify its inherent features, at the normative-value and structural-functional levels. Using some methodological approaches, we propose to consider the culture of festivals as an example of spontaneous social (inter)action, during which subjects are involved in the construction of a new social reality, which can, although not necessarily, be exported to their own environment. This example of social (inter)action helps to disseminate certain values and beliefs that can be shaped by interactional actions. In addition, we demonstrate the importance and necessity of such events to promote the values of responsible consumption and the development of the city’s food system.