Emergency Situations Research Articles

Using an information and analytical system to assess the health status of the personnel of the Vostochny Space Center

The Vostochny Space Center is a new facility of the Russian space industry, which began launching space technology in 2016. In the normal operation of the cosmodrome, the impact of rocket fuel components on personnel, taking into account the data of sanitary and hygienic monitoring, is not expected, however, the influence of a chemical factor is possible in cases of emergency situations. The purpose of the study is a hygienic assessment of the impact of harmful and dangerous factors of the production environment on the health of the personnel of the Vostochny cosmodrome using an information and analytical system of sanitary and hygienic monitoring. The study was based on the classical methodological basis of a comprehensive sanitary and epidemiological assessment of the production environment. The analysis showed the absence of differences in the levels and dynamics of morbidity by the main classes of the disease, the absence of professionally determined pathology, which indicates the sufficiency of the complex of organizational, technical and sanitary measures implemented during the creation of the Vostochny Space Center. Thus, the introduction of information and analytical approaches to the organization and implementation of monitoring studies makes it possible to obtain the necessary comprehensive information, timely and fully record the impact of negative factors of the production environment on employees, and perform a comprehensive assessment of the health status of the personnel of the Vostochny cosmodrome.

SYSTEM OF MONITORING THE DEGREE OF DESTRUCTION FROM ELECTROCHEMICAL CORROSION OF UNDERGROUND METAL ELEMENTS OF OVERHEAD POWER LINE SUPPORTS

In this article, the studies were carried out and the block diagram was developed for a system of monitoring the degree of destruction from electrochemical corrosion of underground metal fastening elements for overhead power line supports. The analysis of the causes of emergency shutdowns of overhead power lines in the CIS and the methods of assessing the consequences used in foreign countries are carried out. The studies were aimed at modernizing the unified power system of Kazakhstan, reducing emergency situations and increasing reliability of power supply to consumers. The article presents a diagram of the design solutions of the proposed monitoring system for the portal-type support mounting unit. One of the aspects was direct controlling the degree of destruction of the support fastening points located underground. The proposed system allows collecting and transmitting to the control center the information of the degree of destruction from electrochemical corrosion of metal fastening elements of portal-type supports. Key words: portal type supports, overhead power lines, power system safety, power system reliability, galvanic corrosion, U-bolt, monitoring system.

Структурный подход к оценке работоспособности системы мониторинга инженерных конструкций вантового моста через Петровский канал в створе автомобильной дороги «Западный скоростной диаметр» в городе Санкт-Петербурге. Часть 2

Purpose: assessing the performance of the monitoring system for engineering structures and assessing the current state of the structures of the cable-stayed bridge across the Petrovsky Canal in the alignment of the Western High-Speed Diameter highway in the city of St. Petersburg due to the occurrence of emergency situations in which accelerometers on the pylons record values exceeding the limit. Methods: statistical data from the databases of the existing system of monitoring engineering structures is used to obtain the results. The tasks, set within the framework of the study, are accomplished by applying the theoretical methods of scientific knowledge: the analytical method, the mathematical statistics theory, induction. Results: the resulting structural approach to assessing the performance of the monitoring system for engineering structures on cable-stayed bridges makes it possible to reduce the number of false alarms of the system and assess the current state of the bridge structure. Within the framework of the III stage of the structural approach, it is proposed to develop a methodology for assessing the performance of the monitoring system for engineering structures with subsequent assessment of the current state of cablestayed bridge structures. Practical significance: the results of the work are important for construction as they expand the understanding of the features of the mechanism of soil freezing.

Technical aspect of the operation of accelerometers as composition of a system for monitoring engineering structures of a cable-stayed bridge over the Petrovsky canal in the construction of the Western Speed Diameter highway in Saint Petersburg

Aim. This study analyzes the current monitoring system for the engineering structures of a cable-stayed bridge across the Petrovsky Canal, part of the Western High-Speed Diameter highway in St. Petersburg, focusing on emergency situations where accelerometers on pylons record values that exceed limits. Methods and Materials. The study utilizes statistical data from existing monitoring system databases. The tasks, set within the framework of the study, are accomplished by applying theoretical scientific methods including analytical techniques, mathematical statistics, and induction. Results. The analysis presents an overview of the current system used for monitoring engineering structures and highlights issues related to emergency situations in which accelerometer readings exceed threshold values. This study proposes a method for assessing the reliability of the monitoring system by classifying the data obtained from the accelerometer into two groups. The research identifies the need for further investigations to understand the root causes of these issues. Conclusion. Тhe results can assist in the design and installation of monitoring systems of the engineering structures for cable-stayed bridges, as well as for modernization and optimization of existing monitoring systems to improve the quality of structural technical condition assessments.

Investigating of Resilience Scale of Selected Hospitals in Yazd City during Disaster Conditions in 2023

Background: The need for healthcare is one of the fundamental needs of humans in critical and emergency situations. Hospitals and healthcare centers are among the first units that can reduce casualties by providing optimal and timely healthcare services. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the resilience status of selected hospitals in Yazd city during the crisis in the year 2023. Methods: This research is a descriptive-cross sectional study conducted in 2023 in 5 selected hospitals in Yazd (classified by hospital ownership: university hospitals A, B, C, charity hospital D, and private hospital E). The resilience level of the hospitals during a crisis was assessed using Zhong's standard questionnaire, which evaluated 9 dimensions of resilience. Responses to the questions were based on a 5-point Likert scale (always to never), and data were analyzed using SPSS 26 software. Quantitative data were reported with central (mean) and dispersion (standard deviation) indicators, followed by qualitative (demographic) data as numbers and percentages. Results: The results showed that the overall resilience status of the hospitals in this study averaged 3.95 ± 0.69, which was evaluated at a good level. The highest score was for the private hospital E with an average of 4.30 ± 0.55, and the lowest score was for the public hospital A with an average of 3.75 ± 0.55. Hospital A's score was at a moderate level, while the remaining hospitals were rated at a good level. Conclusion: Considering the average resilience of hospitals in a number of areas, it is suggested to develop and present training programs related to preparing for critical situations and holding maneuvers and conducting exercises with emphasis on training key employees.

Stochastic Evolutionary Analysis of an Aerial Attack–Defense Game in Uncertain Environments

Aiming at the problem of random environment interference in the process of strategy interaction and the behavioral evolution of an aerial attack–defense game, this paper considers the influence of the difference in the performance and value between both game players in terms of strategy evolution; explores the randomness of the complex battlefield environment, the uncertainty of the behavioral state of game players, and the limitations of the emergent situation; constructs a mathematical model of the stochastic evolution of an aerial-coordinated attack–defense game in uncertain environments; and studies the stability of the strategy interaction and behavioral decision-making process of both players of the aerial attack–defense game. Simulation results show that many factors of the performance and value between both game players have a greater impact on the strategy evolution trend in both game players, which not only causes changes in the results of the strategy selection but also affects the rate of strategy evolution for the game players. In addition, random environmental factors cause a certain degree of interference to the strategy evolution process of the game players, which usually accelerates the game players’ strategy evolution rate and greatly affects the evolution process of the game players’ strategy. This study can provide a theoretical basis and feasible reference for improving mission decision-making, response mechanisms, and system modeling of an aerial attack–defense game, which has important theoretical value and practical significance.

COVID-19 inpatient care performance in the unified health system, São Paulo state, Brazil: an application of standardized mortality ratio for hospitals’ comparisons

ObjectiveTo evaluate the variation in COVID-19 inpatient care mortality among hospitals reimbursed by the Unified Health System (SUS) in the first two years of the pandemic in São Paulo state and make performance comparisons within periods and over time.MethodsObservational study based on secondary data from the Hospital Information System. The study universe consisted of 289,005 adult hospitalizations whose primary diagnosis was COVID-19 in five periods from 2020 to 2022. A multilevel regression model was applied, and the death predictive variables were sex, age, Charlson Index, obesity, type of admission, Brazilian Deprivation Index (BrazDep), the month of admission, and hospital size. Then, the total observed deaths and total deaths predicted by the model’s fixed effect component were aggregated by each hospital, estimating the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) in each period. Funnel plots with limits of two standard deviations were employed to classify hospitals by performance (higher-than-expected, as expected, and lower-than-expected) and determine whether there was a change in category over the periods.ResultsA positive association was observed between hospital mortality and size (number of beds). There was greater variation in the percentage of hospitals with as-expected performance (39.5 to 76.1%) and those with lower-than-expected performance (6.6 to 32.3%). The hospitals with higher-than-expected performance remained at around 30% of the total, except in the fifth period. In the first period, 64 hospitals (18.3%) had lower-than-expected performance, with standardized mortality ratios ranging from 1.2 to 4.4, while in the last period, only 23 (6.6%) hospitals were similarly classified, with ratios ranging from 1.3 to 2.8. A trend of homogenization and adjustment to expected performance was observed over time.ConclusionDespite the study’s limitations, the results suggest an improvement in the COVID-19 inpatient care performance of hospitals reimbursed by the SUS in São Paulo over the period studied, measured by the standardized mortality ratio for hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Moreover, the methodological approach adapted to the Brazilian context provides an applicable tool to follow-up hospital’s performance in caring all or specific-cause hospitalizations, in regular or exceptional emergency situations.

Comparison of postoperative prognoses for resectable colorectal cancer with vs. without oncologic emergency using propensity score‑matched analyses: A single-center retrospective observational study.

While oncological emergencies in colorectal cancer present distinct challenges, existing literature offers conflicting evidence regarding long-term outcomes. Therefore, the present study compared the postoperative prognoses between patients with and without oncological emergencies. A retrospective evaluation was conducted on patients who had undergone radical surgery for pathological stages II and III colorectal cancer at a single center between January 2012 and December 2020. Patients were classified into the non-emergency and oncological emergency groups. The status of oncologic emergency was divided into obstruction and perforation. The outcomes were compared using propensity score matching. The primary objective was to compare the postoperative prognoses between non-emergency and oncological emergency situations. The secondary objectives included comparing prognoses between obstruction and perforation, identifying the type of recurrence depending on the status of oncologic emergency, and assessing the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy for oncologic emergencies. This study included 524 patients. After propensity score matching, the prognoses of oncological emergencies were worse compared with those without any emergency, whereas those of obstruction and perforation did not significantly differ. Regarding the type of recurrence, peritoneal dissemination in obstruction and local recurrence in perforation was more common compared with that in non-emergency cases. Adjuvant chemotherapy improved the recurrence-free survival for cases with oncological emergencies. The prognoses in cases with oncological emergencies could be worse compared with those without any emergency, whereas obstruction and perforation outcomes can be comparable. The administration of adjuvant chemotherapy should be strongly considered for oncological emergencies.

Virtual reality for assessing emergency medical competencies in junior doctors – a pilot study

BackgroundThe teaching and assessment of clinical-practical skills in medical education face challenges in adequately preparing students for professional practice, especially in handling emergency situations. This study aimed to evaluate the emergency medical competencies of junior doctors using Virtual Reality (VR)-based scenarios to determine their preparedness for real-world clinical situations.MethodsJunior doctors with 0–6 months of professional experience participated in one of three VR-based emergency scenarios. These scenarios were designed to test competencies in emergency medical care. Performance was automatically assessed through a scenario-specific checklist, and participants also completed self-assessments and a clinical reasoning ability test using the Post-Encounter Form.ResultsTwenty-one junior doctors participated in the study. Results showed that while general stabilization tasks were performed well, there were notable deficiencies in disease-specific diagnostic and therapeutic actions. On average, 65.6% of the required actions were performed correctly, with no significant variance between different scenarios. Participants achieved an average score of 80.5% in the Post-Encounter-Form, indicating a robust ability to handle diagnostic decisions. Self-assessments did not correlate significantly with objective measures of competency, highlighting the subjective nature of self-evaluation.ConclusionVR-based simulations can provide a detailed picture of EMC, covering both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. The findings of this pilot study suggest that while participants are generally well-prepared for routine tasks, more focus is needed on complex case management. VR assessments could be a promising tool for evaluating the readiness of new medical professionals for clinical practice.

Reducing mental health emergency visits: population-level strategies from participatory modelling

BackgroundEmergency departments (EDs) are often the front door for urgent mental health care, especially when demand exceeds capacity. Long waits in EDs exert strain on hospital resources and worsen distress for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. We used as a test case the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), with a population surge of over 27% across 2011–2021 and a lagging increase in mental health care capacity, to evaluate population-based approaches to reduce mental health-related ED presentations.MethodsWe developed a system dynamics model for the ACT region using a participatory approach involving local stakeholders, including health planners, health providers and young people with lived experience of mental health disorders. Outcomes were projected over 2023–2032 for youth (aged 15–24) and for the general population.ResultsImproving the overall mental health care system through strategies such as doubling the annual capacity growth rate of mental health services or leveraging digital technologies for triage and care coordination is projected to decrease youth mental health-related ED visits by 4.3% and 4.8% respectively. Implementation of mobile crisis response teams (consisting of a mental health nurse accompanying police or ambulance officers) is projected to reduce youth mental health-related ED visits by 10.2% by de-escalating some emergency situations and directly transferring selected individuals to community mental health centres. Other effective interventions include limiting re-presentations to ED by screening for suicide risk and following up with calls post-discharge (6.4% reduction), and limiting presentations of frequent users of ED by providing psychosocial education to families of people with schizophrenia (5.1% reduction). Finally, combining these five approaches is projected to reduce youth mental health-related ED presentations by 26.6% by the end of 2032.ConclusionsPolicies to decrease youth mental health-related ED presentations should not be limited to increasing mental health care capacity, but also include structural reforms.

Designing a model to estimate the burden of COVID-19 in Iran

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the latest evidence of an epidemic disease resulting in an extraordinary number of infections and claimed several lives, along with extensive economic and social consequences. In response to the emergency situation, countries introduced different policies to address the situation, with different levels of efficacy. This paper outlines the protocol for developing a model to analyze the burden of COVID-19 in Iran and the effect of policies on the incidence and cumulative death of the disease. The importance of the model lies in the fact that no study, according to the authors’ best knowledge, tried to quantify the impact of the disease on Iran society and the impact of various implemented interventions on disease control. Based on a systematic review of COVID-19 prediction models and expert interviews, we developed a system dynamics model that not only includes an epidemic part but also considers the impact of various policies implemented by the Ministry of Health. The epidemic model estimates the incidence and mortality of COVID-19 in Iran. The model also intends to evaluate the effect of implemented policies on these outcomes. The model reflects the continuum of COVID-19 infection and care in Iran (of which some of its elements are unique) and key activities and decisions in delivering care. The model is calibrated and validated using data published by the Ministry of Health of Iran. Finally, the study aims to provide evidence of the impact of interventions intended to curb COVID-19 in Iran. Insights provided by the model will be necessary for controlling either future waves of the disease or similar future pandemics.

The Influence of Training and Mentoring on Employee Performance through Competence at the Class B Search and Rescue Office in Jambi

The Jambi Class B Search and Rescue Office is a government agency in the province of Jambi, Indonesia, which has the main task of carrying out search and rescue operations in emergency situations, such as searching for missing drowned people, shipwrecks, or natural disasters. This research aims to find out and describe the picture of training, mentoring, competency and performance of employees at the Jambi Class B Search and Rescue Office and to find out and analyze the influence of training and mentoring on employee performance through competency at the Jambi Class B Search and Rescue Office. The method used in this research is descriptive verification and quantitative methods. The research objects in this study were employees at the Jambi Class B Search and Rescue Office. Based on the approach, it can be seen that the number of samples is 65 people. This research uses the path analysis method. Based on the description of training in the good category, mentoring in the right category, competency in the high category and performance in the high category. Based on the research results, training and mentoring simultaneously have a significant effect on competency. Furthermore, training and mentoring partially have a significant effect on competency. Training and Mentoring simultaneously have a significant effect on Performance. Furthermore, partial training has no significant effect on performance and partial mentoring has a significant effect on performance. Competency partially has a significant effect on employee performance at the Jambi Class B Search and Relief Office.

Expanding the Accessible Forest Areas by Improving Forest Road Standards and Utilizing Mobile Fire-fighting Teams

In Turkey, most of the roads (66%) in forests consist of Type-B secondary forest roads with limited technical standards. The lack of technical standards used on these roads and the lack of road structures and surface material limit the fire truck’s speed and increase the travel time of the firefighting team. Improving forest road standards will contribute to driving safety and increasing the design speed, thereby expanding the forest areas that can be reached within the critical response period, reducing possible wood raw material losses. There is no study in the national and international literature investigating the contribution of forest road standards improvement to firefighting activities and the effects on possible wood raw material losses due to forest fires. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of improving forest road standards on expanding accessible forest areas within the critical response time, especially in forests with high fire risk, and thus reducing potential wood raw material losses. Antalya Forestry Regional Directorate, where forest fires are seen most frequently and the amount of burned area is the highest in Turkey, was selected as the study area as one of the forest regional directorates where forest fires are seen most frequently and the amount of burned area is the highest in Turkey. In the solution process, primarily the forest areas that can be reached by the firefighting team (including mobile teams used in emergencies) within the critical response time were determined by considering the existing road network in the study area. Then, the possible increase in the accessible forest areas was investigated when the road standards are improved. Within the scope of the study, the impact of mobile teams used in emergency situations on forest areas reached during the critical response period was also evaluated. According to the results, in the scenario where current road standards and stationary teams were evaluated, it was determined that only 59.54% of the forest areas could be reached by initial response teams during the critical response time, and if road standards were improved, this rate increased to 71.69%. On the other hand, in the scenario where current road standards and stationary and mobile teams were evaluated together, it was determined that 70.40% of the forest areas could be reached by initial response teams during the critical response time, and if road standards were improved, this rate increased to 78.17%. The results obtained have shown that improvements in road standards and the presence of mobile teams have a very effective role in combating forest fires.

Emergency Department Applications of Inflammatory Markers: A Narrative Review

AbstractThis is a narrative review of the role and applications of inflammatory markers in emergency departments, emphasizing their significance in rapid and accurate assessment of patients with urgent health concerns. The markers discussed include C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin, and serum amyloid A (SAA). Each of these markers has certain physiological roles. CRP serves as a crucial acute-phase reactant in response to inflammatory signals, while white blood cell count plays a vital role in immune response. ESR acts as a nonspecific marker of inflammation, with procalcitonin being elevated in bacterial infections, whereas SAA responds to inflammation and infection. These markers have several roles in the emergency departments. CRP plays a key role as an infection marker and is used in monitoring inflammatory conditions and tissue damage. White blood cell count is highlighted for its utility in evaluating various conditions, including infections, inflammations, autoimmune diseases, and sepsis. ESR is a diagnostic tool in emergency settings for assessing and monitoring inflammatory conditions. Procalcitonin's diagnostic specificity for bacterial infections is underscored, aiding in prompt and accurate diagnosis in emergency situations. SAA, as an acute-phase protein, has a role in inflammation and, infection responses, with applications in evaluating infections, monitoring inflammatory diseases, diagnosing and monitoring sepsis, and assessing other inflammation-related conditions. In conclusion, SAA has diverse applications in emergency departments, offering valuable insights into infection detection, monitoring chronic inflammatory diseases, diagnosing sepsis, evaluating inflammation-related conditions, and providing rapid insights in emergency scenarios. The importance of these inflammatory markers in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, guiding treatment decisions, and optimizing patient care in critical situations is emphasized throughout the review.

Дерогація, аброгація, нуліфікація: поняття, особливості та приклади застосування

The article analyzes the legal concepts of derogation, abrogation and nullification, which are tools for regulating relations in society and international relations. It is determined that the derogation means the partial cancellation of the law or its individual provisions, for the purpose of temporary deviation from obligations during emergency situations. Examples of the derogation include the actions of Ukraine during armed aggression by the Russian Federation and the actions of European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abrogation (abolition) means the cancellation or change of an outdated law or agreement. The term has its roots in Roman law, where various forms of abrogation existed. Over time, repeal has evolved into a legal tool that allows governments to repeal outdated laws or make changes without having to maintain the application of the previous rule. Contemporary applications of abrogation include criminal procedure law, where proceedings can be dismissed if charges are not proven, and international procedures, such as pardons or amnesties, which allow convicts to be released without overturning the sentence. It has been established that the term "nullification" is used both in the legal and economic spheres, and means the deprivation of documents of legal force or the recognition of securities as invalid. The historical practice of nullification is considered, starting from the formation of the confederation of North American states, attempts to conclude a new union treaty between the republics of the USSR in 1991, and centrifugal tendencies in the European Union. In modern conditions, as the example of Ukraine with Russia shows, the nullification of treaties can serve to protect national interests in response to external challenges. In conclusion, the author concludes that these legal mechanisms are important for ensuring legal stability and adaptability, allowing to respond to emergency situations and social challenges without violating the basic rights and freedoms of citizens.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Assisted Cardiac Interventions

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for management of critically ill patients has significantly increased in the recent past due to technological progress and increased experience with safe ECMO runs. The use of venoarterial (VA) ECMO during high risk interventional cardiology procedures ensure adequate cardiac output and other organ perfusion as well. The use of elective VA ECMO support during procedure allow interventionists to perform procedure safely and comfortably, moreover the support may be extended during post-procedural period in case of cardiogenic shock or arrhythmia. VA ECMO may also be instituted in emergent situations when conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is ineffective to achieve return of spontaneous circulation. The various procedures with high risk potential due to anatomical complexity, haemodynamic decompensation or preexisting clinical condition may require mechanical circulatory support. These include percutaneous coronary interventions, Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), complex congenital anamoly or electrophysiological procedures. However an integrated team approach with appropriate communication is vital among interventional cardiologist, ECMO specialist, cardiac surgeon, cardiac anaesthesiologist and perfusionist for a successful outcome.

HAC-SAGIN: High-altitude computing enabled space-air-ground integrated networks for 6G

The space–air–ground integrated networks (SAGINs) provide a new paradigm for the evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) networks by enhancing coverage and deploying computing resources near IoT devices, especially in emergency situations and disaster-hit regions. In the context of the IoT networks, aerial platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and high-altitude platforms (HAPs) present in the air layer of SAGINs with access and aerial computing (AC) capabilities have the potential to significantly expand coverage, enhance performance, reduce delay and handle complex computation tasks for IoT devices. Seeking the stated prospect, we propose a high-altitude computing (HAC)-enabled SAGIN leveraging millimeter waves (mmWave) frequency range in which the IoT devices are provided access services by low-earth orbit satellites (LEO-SATs) and HAPs while the HAPs offer AC facility as well. Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is used as a multiple access scheme with different clustering mechanisms in uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) communication. We aim to establish high-rate data transmission in DL along with minimizing the execution time of IoT devices offloading their data to the HAPs in UL communication. The mmWaves range is targeted to have high-rate data transmissions and NOMA implementation further enhances the bandwidth available for an individual IoT device. For efficient offloading in UL communication, we formulate an optimization problem aiming to minimize the execution time by using the Lagrangian function-based approach. Execution time is minimized by reducing the transmission and computation time, which is attained by the optimization of allocated power and computation resources. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed HAC-SAGIN is able to establish high-rate transmissions in DL and exhibits a significant decrease in execution time in UL in contrast to the no optimization case. Optimum power assignment improves the achievable rate, leading to reduced transmission time, while optimum core assignment efficiently reduces the computation time. In addition, the offloaded data size-driven NOMA implementation in UL prominently improves the system effective throughput.

Artikel 48 der Weimarer Verfassung: Hugo Preuß und Carl Schmitt im Streit über den „Diktaturartikel“

The abuse of Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution during the late presidency of Hindenburg has been criticized in many previous studies as one of the key factors of the collapse of the Weimar Republic that led to the establishment of the Third Reich, resulting from the lack of understanding of the parliamentary democracy. Whereas those criticisms have arisen primarily from the analysis of the consequences, this paper analyzes the issue of the executed presidential emergency powers with an integrative approach by comparing the arguments by Preuß, the drafter of Article 48, and Schmitt, taking into account the perspectives of members of the constitutional assembly as well as their contemporaneous intellectuals. While Preuß and Schmitt may appear generally contrastive in their beliefs and theories, some implicit logical agreements are observed, such as those on their interpretations of the relation between the first and the second sentences in Article 48, paragraph 2, and their thoughts regarding the handling of the law of the Reich that should be in Article 48, paragraph 5. With the findings of their commonalities and others in their theories, this paper attempts to contribute to refining the current systems of law and democracy for emergency situations in various contexts.

NON-DESTRUCTIVE METHODS OF ESTABLISHING A CAUSE-AND-EFFECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WATER SUPPLY NETWORK ACCIDENTS AND THE CONDITIONS FOR PRESERVING ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

Accidents on water supply networks have the most significant negative consequences on the state of the historical and architectural heritage, which was formed over many centuries. The paper analyzes the cause-and-effect relationship between accidents of water-carrying networks and the conditions of architectural heritage preservation using the example of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The results of determining waterlogging zones and their factors by non-destructive monitoring methods on the territory of the Metropolitan Garden of the Upper Lavra are given. This area combines complex engineering and geological conditions and technogenic mastering, creating conditions for developing dangerous engineering and geological processes and emergency situations. In terms of danger, the garden’s territory belongs to unstable areas for preserving historical monuments of the UNESCO world heritage. The last accident on the water supply networks occurred in October 2022. It caused sinkholes on the surface, rising groundwater levels, significant destruction of an underground structure of historical importance – the Metropolitan Cellar. The research was carried out using the methods of electrotomography and natural electric field. The results of electrotomography were interpreted using two- and three-dimensional models. The existence of an anomalous dome (soils of low resistance), which is observed in the central part of the site, is probably the focus of waterlogging of the soil massif as a result of an accident on the heating network. The analysis of the adapted 3D model based on the results of non-destructive methods of monitoring the geological environment made it possible to indirectly establish the places of unsatisfactory technical condition of engineering networks (cold water supply), where a wetted section with low values of apparent resistance was recorded. Research has confirmed the presence of an inflow of man-made waters (leaks) from main water supply networks in the western part of all profiles as a constant source and factor of waterlogging of the array of soil bases of architectural monuments – Monastyrski walls, Kushnyka tower, etc. Based on the research results, the need to develop compensatory measures to strengthen part of the fortress walls was proposed, and a safe distance for moving networks from historical objects was substantiated to preserve them.

Analysis of spectra of external impacts, reactions to them and limit states under the non-stationary modes of loading

It is noted that under real operating conditions of technical systems the so-called non-stationary loading in which external loadings increase or decrease arbitrarily is realized most often. At the same time final ratios between strains and stresses are of practical interest to engineering calculations. It is shown that for simple cyclic loadings the state equations in final ratios which are based on the theory of small elastic-plastic strains can be used. In this case the existence of the uniform generalized deformation diagram assuming a final relation between the corresponding components of stresses and strains both for initial and cyclic stages of deformation is essential for the analysis of considered conditions of a non-stationary cyclic loading. The analysis of conditions of achieving limit states at all stages of the life cycle the criteria base and the system of the computation equations become more complicated and more saturated by the factors taken into account and among them first external and internal impacts of natural, technogenic, anthropogenous origin, load from these impacts, and the reactions of installations to such impacts and loads as well. At the same time a set of criteria defining a limit state is presented in the form of a functional dependence characterizing a set of force and deformation parameters of the state of technical system on the one hand, and, on the other hand, a complex of criterion characteristics of constructional materials taking into account their change during operation. The most important step of determining conditions for achievement of the limit state causing fracture is establishing the critical parts that determine risks of emergency and catastrophic situations in which processes of local and main fractures are initiated. In this case transition of the operated installation from design area to the area of initiation of refusals, accidents and disasters occurs when the parameters of damage, defectiveness and risk reach their critical values.