Environmental Prerequisites Research Articles

Strategies for Ukraine's Post-War Economic Recovery within the Framework of Sustainable Development Goals

Objective: The military invasion led to the need to develop an innovative model of economic growth and modernisation. Reconstruction requires the involvement of stakeholders at the international, national, regional, private and public levels, as well as considering the existing challenges of reconstruction. Theoretical Framework: The Strategy for Post-War Reconstruction of Ukraine, presented in 2022, defines the goals and directions of the state's future development, which are difficult to achieve due to a significant technical and technological gap, existing institutional problems and corruption. The article aims to study the economic strategy of post-war recovery in Ukraine in the context of sustainable development. Method: A systematic approach and statistical analysis method were used to identify the existing socio-economic and environmental prerequisites for future reconstruction to achieve this goal. Results and Discussion: The paper examines the main economic, social and environmental prerequisites for future reconstruction, which contradict the goals declared by the National Recovery Council. The article highlights the central contradictions of the presented Recovery Plan of Ukraine, which arise from the existing economic, social and environmental problems exacerbated by ongoing military operations. Research Implications: The study shows that it is challenging to implement the economic strategy of post-war recovery in the context of sustainable development due to several economic, social and environmental problems. Originality/Value: These include a slow transition from an industrial to a post-industrial economy, a low level of development of innovative industries, problems in the social sphere, a reorientation of foreign economic activity flows mainly to the EU countries, and a problematic demographic situation due to the migration shock and internal displacement of the population.

Environmental determinants for protein structuring and amyloid transformation

Amyloid transformation under laboratory conditions is achieved by shaking an aqueous solution of any protein. The shaking time varies significantly, demonstrating the variable degree of ease of structural transformation in a given protein. The structural specificity that distinguishes amyloid forms from biologically active proteins is the flatness (two-dimensionality) of the form of each chain in the amyloid fibril. The 2D feature, given the globular and therefore 3D structure of biologically active proteins, is an object of analysis in the search for factors favoring amyloid transformation. The use of a modified fuzzy oil drop model (FOD-M) enables this transformation to be mathematically expressed. The mathematical expression is directly related to the shaking conditions, while leaving open the question of an environmental factor under physiological conditions that causes a conformational change resulting in a 2D structure of the polypeptide chain. The examples expressing the environmental prerequisites demonstrated in the current review show the dependence of structuring on the external force field.

Exploring students’ learning from home under a health emergency: the experiences of undergraduate students and postgraduate students

PurposeThe outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the rise of online learning in Hong Kong. Online learning was identified as the only solution to meet students’ learning needs in the higher education sector during this chaotic period. This research aims to explore students’ perceptions of online teaching and learning from home under a health emergency via a comparison of undergraduate and postgraduate students’ experiences.Design/methodology/approachA total of 174 postgraduate students and 286 undergraduate students in various universities and colleges in Hong Kong were surveyed in this study.FindingsThe results show that postgraduate students generally gave more positive feedback on individual and environmental prerequisites, alongside pedagogical and institutional support, and were more motivated in online classes as compared to undergraduate students. Undergraduate students considered the shift to online education in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to be timely and rated their level of discipline with respect to online learning higher than did postgraduate students.Originality/valueThis study enables educators to better understand the first-hand experiences of students across different levels of study in Hong Kong, as well as to examine the possibility of establishing online education as a more prevalent mode of study in the future. The COVID-19 pandemic has educated us on the significance of being well-prepared to ensure quality education continues when emergencies and disturbances arise.

How is joint laughter ‘pre’ to advice-giving: A sequential pattern that centralizes trouble in student supervision

This conversation analytic study identifies a sequential pattern, where the construction of laughable is succeeded by joint laughter between students and supervisors, and is used to anticipate the exposure of trouble and advice-giving. Drawing from authentic supervision meetings in UK institutions, this study identifies key features that appeal joint laughter: (1) students’ disaligment with formal supervisory questions and (2) supervisors’ disruption of students’ consistency of talk to point out something problematic. Both warranting further unpacking, these two types of interactional trouble make the activity of advice-giving relevant. This study not only contributes to the properties of laughable, but also to the sequential environmental prerequisites for advice-giving in supervision interaction.

Challenges in Power-to-X: A perspective of the configuration and control process for E-methanol production

The escalating demand for renewable energy solutions and the imperative for efficient energy storage mechanisms have catalyzed the evolution of Power-to-X (PtX) technologies. Germany has the most PtX projects, accounting for 44% of all projects that have been reported. PtX encompasses a spectrum of processes engineered to convert surplus renewable energy into versatile energy carriers or chemical commodities, such as hydrogen, methane, or synthetic fuels. The Paramount to this domain is to synergistically harness renewable energy sources and hydrogen carriers to curtail waste and bolster sustainability. Central to achieving this synergy is the effective control of PtX processes, ensuring optimal performance, cost efficiency, and seamless integration within existing energy frameworks. This paper delves into the control processes and environmental prerequisites within the PtX landscape, elucidating key challenges, and strategies within this dynamic realm. While providing an initial overview of fundamental PtX process chains, this paper accentuates the critical role of geographical considerations. Subsequently, it conducts a thorough analysis of equipment modeling challenges, addressing performance metrics, operational requisites, and capital investments, particularly focusing on methanol and hydrogen production and storage. Through holistic examination, this paper endeavors to delineate the evolving landscape of PtX control processes and conditions, advancing our understanding of this expanding field.

Multigene and Improved Anti-Collision RRT* Algorithms for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Task Allocation and Route Planning in an Urban Air Mobility Scenario.

Compared to terrestrial transportation systems, the expansion of urban traffic into airspace can not only mitigate traffic congestion, but also foster establish eco-friendly transportation networks. Additionally, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) task allocation and trajectory planning are essential research topics for an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) scenario. However, heterogeneous tasks, temporary flight restriction zones, physical buildings, and environment prerequisites put forward challenges for the research. In this paper, multigene and improved anti-collision RRT* (IAC-RRT*) algorithms are proposed to address the challenge of task allocation and path planning problems in UAM scenarios by tailoring the chance of crossover and mutation. It is proved that multigene and IAC-RRT* algorithms can effectively minimize energy consumption and tasks' completion duration of UAVs. Simulation results demonstrate that the strategy of this work surpasses traditional optimization algorithms, i.e., RRT algorithm and gene algorithm, in terms of numerical stability and convergence speed.

Usutu Virus (<i>Flaviviridae, Orthoflavivirus</i>). Potential Danger and Possibility of Spread on the Territory of the Russian Federation

In recent decades, an increase in the number of cases of detection of the Usutu virus (Usutu, USUV, Orthoflavivirus usutuense) (family Flaviviridae, genus Orthoflavivirus) has caused great concern among medical professionals, including virologists and specialists in infectious diseases, especially since its appearance in Europe, where the pathogen caused mass birds die-off, and annually registered human cases. This review provides information about the structure of the virus and its genetic variants, geographical distribution and features of circulation in Europe and Africa, the methods and principles used to indicate and identify this pathogen, as well as the main symptoms of the disease it causes. An assessment of the environmental prerequisites for the occurrence of outbreaks of the disease caused by the Usutu virus on the territory of the Russian Federation was also carried out.

The goals of land use optimization in Russia

The land reform of the 1990s created certain economic and environmental prerequisites for efficient land use. However, they are not implemented due to the complete liberalization of the market and the disengagement of the State from land management, the termination of state land administration. Adjustment of the economic course and strategic planning are considered as the initial condition for land use rationalization and further transformations. As a planning tool, it is proposed to implement regional models of agro-industrial production in development of previously used agricultural management systems based on the development of regional GIS for agroecological land assessment and projecting of adaptive landscape farming systems in M 1 : 100 000. For this purpose, a system of integrated land assessment has been developed, and the experience of land administration projecting, landscape planning, and projecting of adaptive landscape farming systems has been generalized. On the basis of its integration, it is planned to develop new land administration on a landscape basis, and, subsequently, agricultural landscapes projecting.

РАЗРАБОТКА СОСТАВОВ ВЯЖУЩИХ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ СТЕКЛООТХОДОВ

The possibility of using glass waste as a binder for glass concrete is investigated. Today, the construction industry makes new demands on binders, along with the improvement of the production of Portland cement. The research is underway to study new types of binders. Disposal of glass waste is due to environmental and economic prerequisites. In the work, studies of the properties of glasses for obtaining binders are carried out. Using the X-ray fluorescence method, the chemical composition of container and sheet glass has been investigated, and the main oxides of the feedstock have been determined. An activating component has been selected for a composite binder. On the basis of experimental data, it is found that the most expedient use as an activator of water glass in an amount of 5% by weight of the composite binder. It is found that glass filler must be used in combination with cement to obtain a composite binder, since alkaline agents Na2CO3 and Na2SiO3 do not work as activators for glass powders. The optimal compositions of the composite binder have been determined and the strength properties of the obtained samples have been studied in detail. Compositions with an activator Na2SiO3 shows the highest strength indicators than compositions with an activator Na2CO3.

The Concept of Food Security Formation on the Basis of Sustainable Development of Agricultural Land Use

Solving the problems of food security of those that already exist and those that await us in the near future lies in the formation of a food security system on the basis of sustainable development of agricultural land use. Theoretical and practical aspects of the research problem are carried out by domestic scientists, mainly in two separate areas: food security and sustainable development of agricultural land use. The World Scientific Society pays considerable attention to this problem, but they are distinguished by a practical orientation for a particular region, which often makes it impossible to implement such scientific achievements in Ukraine. In order to develop the Food Security Program on the basis of sustainable development of agricultural land use in Ukraine, an appropriate theoretical and methodological basis is needed, which was determined by the purpose of our study. As a result of the study, the following results were obtained. First, a logical and semantic model of the methodology of food security formation on the basis of sustainable development of agricultural land use, which includes organizational, economic and environmental prerequisites for the transition of modern land use to a model of sustainable development. Secondly, the provisions and directions of implementation of the relevant Concept, based on the historical and socio-economic preconditions of food security, have been formed and includes the following components: purpose; historical and social preconditions; monitoring and evaluation system; assessment of compliance of the level of food security; mechanism for implementing the Concept; target directions and main tasks; expected results. Areas of implementation of the Concept, tools and mechanisms for implementing the model of food security on the basis of sustainable development of agricultural land use on the one hand are fully consistent with the global objectives of 2nd Sustainable Development Goals (zero hunger), and on the other – take into account national characteristics

Environmental and Economic Prerequisites for Russiaʼs Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy

Introduction. Environmental and climatic problems of the Russian Federation have attracted considerable attention from scientists, politicians, as well as the general public. Human activities are a major cause of pollution and global warming, which necessitates the search for a new way of economic development reducing the adverse impact on the environment. The authors consider a low-carbon economy aimed at simultaneously solving economic, environmental, and climatic problems as such a guideline. Based on the research conducted the article identifies the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in which pilot projects for the transition of enterprises and cities to low-carbon development are most expedient to implement. The gained experience should be applied in other regions of the country in the future. Materials and Methods. Data from the Federal State Statistics Service and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation on 20 most populated constituent entities of the country were analyzed. In order to identify the regions with the largest volumes of various types of pollution, the data ranking method was applied. The authors have also carried out an analysis of relative indicators of natural resource intensity associated with emission into the atmosphere, discharges of polluted wastewater, and production of municipal solid waste. Results. The performed analysis has shown the heterogeneity of the environmental and economic development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. It has been concluded that among the regions considered, it is most expedient to implement pilot projects for low-carbon development in cities and in “polluting” industries located in the Kemerovo, Sverdlovsk, and Chelyabinsk Regions, as well as in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the study can be used in the development of environmental programs, as well as in the development of directions for mitigating the environmental impact in the most polluted regions of the country and in industries with high natural resource intensity.

Prerequisites for the adoption of AI technologies in manufacturing – Evidence from a worldwide sample of manufacturing companies

In current discussions, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ascribed great influence on production processes. Research on AI has seen tremendous growth in recent years. However, most of the research has focused primarily on various AI technologies, and less on prerequisites and enablers for adoption of AI at firm-level. This is surprising, given the fact that many companies are still struggling to establish AI in their production and to drive their AI adoption forward.To close this gap, this study analyses the impact of various technological, organizational and environmental (TOE) prerequisites for a successful adoption of AI technologies in manufacturing. Based on a cross-national survey of 655 company representatives from the manufacturing industry, our results contribute to a better understanding of why some companies are more determined than others when it comes to implementing AI in their production. We find evidence that organizational factors, such as digital skills, company size, and R&D intensity, have the greatest impact on the adoption of AI in manufacturing. Furthermore, in order to gain new insights into the interplay of new technology adoption and global production strategies, this paper addresses the question of which factors explain a primarily domestic or globally oriented technology adoption. We find that especially research-intensive, knowledge-based and service-oriented companies tend to roll out AI technologies not only at their domestic but also at their foreign production sites.

Research of the possibility of increasing the detonation stability of a marine dual-fuel diesel engine

This article examined the environmental and economic prerequisites for the widespread use of dual-fuel diesel engines in the global fleet. A brief overview of the existing cycles used in marine dual-fuel diesel engines was made.. The prospects and problems of their further development were also considered. The basis of the article is the study of a possible increase in the detonation resistance of dual-fuel diesels through the use of a strong Miller cycle. The research was conducted using the software of the leading company in the field of design and engine building AVL List GmbH. As a prototype, the serial marine engine MAN 8L51/60DF was adopted, and the model is based on data obtained during three years of its operation

AquaZone: An Integrative Tool for Sustainable Fish Farm Zoning

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing animal food production sector and is expected to become increasingly important to meet future food demands. As a landlocked country, Austria’s self-sufficiency rate for fish is rather low with 6% in total and 48% for freshwater fish. Therefore, and in order to enable sustainable growth of the sector while avoiding negative impacts on the aquatic ecosystem and other uses, we developed aquaZone, a decision support tool for sustainable trout farm zoning. Thereby, 30 spatially explicit criteria related to environmental prerequisites, land use, legal constraints and water quality/quantity were defined, collected and classified according to their suitability for sustainable trout production. Criteria were combined in an integrative GIS-based modelling approach in order to perform the first countrywide and spatially-explicit zonation of suitable areas for aquaculture in Austria. Thereby, 7920 suitable areas with a mean size of 8.2 ha located in 1129 out of 5011 sub-basins (23%) were identified. The decision tree assigned the highest variable importance to water temperature, slope, agricultural unit, geology, nitrate retention capacity, fish region, minimum flow and pollution risk. These results should support decision making of investors and authorities in order to avoid conflicts and stranded investments at an early stage.

Socio-Ecological Conditions for Restoration of the Kharkiv City Recreation Zone

Purpose. Investigate the socio-ecological conditions of existence of the recreational zone - Karpivsky Garden in the Novobavarsky district of Kharkiv for its further restoration and improvement. Меthods. Field, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, mathematical and analytical methods of information processing, conditional interrogation method. Results. Field research consisted of sampling of drinking water from an underground source in the garden, sampling of soil and vegetation. The study of drinking water from an underground source on the territory of Karpivsky Garden was carried out by chemical composition, quality indicators, organoleptic indicators. It is determined that the quality of drinking water meets the requirements of DSanPiN 2.2.4-171-10. The highest indicators in soil and leaf samples were determined in cities with a large amount of transport. Background concentrations of excesses are also not observed. A sociological survey of the residents of the district, who are visitors to the garden, was conducted in order to identify their desire to restore and equip the Karpivsky Garden. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions. In restoration and improvement of the Karpivsky Garden. The variant of the organization of functional total, 20 people were interviewed. The survey showed the interest of the population of the district in the zones of a garden is offered Conclusions. Karpivsky Garden, which is located in the Novobavarsky district of Kharkiv, currently has all the environmental and social prerequisites for the restoration and further use of it for recreation of residents of the district in case of landscaping - installation of garden equipment and reconstruction of drinking water source.

Environmental pre-requisites and social interchange: the participation experience of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in Zurich

Aim Participation of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder hardly occurs in settings outside of home and school. Little is known about how their participation is influenced by environmental factors. This study explored how and why adolescents with autism spectrum disorder perceive aspects of their environment as facilitators or barriers to their participation outside of home and school. Method This explanatory case study explored the participation experiences of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (15–21 years) from Zurich and surroundings with in-depth interviews and photo-elicitation, using photos made by the participants during activities outside of home and school. Data was analysed with a 7-step procedure. Result The presence of two main themes seemed necessary to facilitate participation outside of home and school: “environmental prerequisites to attend activities”, which consists of five subthemes, such as “the company of trusted persons” and “the provision of knowledge and information”, and “social interchange and engagement”, which consists of three subthemes and describes how actual involvement can be supported. Conclusion Our findings highlight the influence of trusted persons on adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, and the need to extend the support network for these adolescents to other individuals, services and society so that their participation in activities can be encouraged. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder perceive every kind of participation outside of home and school as social. We recommend using the company of trusted persons to encourage adolescents with autism spectrum disorder to actively participate outside of home and school. Rehabilitation professionals should promote environment-based approaches to achieve participation of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Rehabilitation professionals should actively approach, acknowledge and gently guide adolescents with autism spectrum disorder to support engagement in participation.

A bioeconomic approach to sustainability with ecological thresholds as an operational indicator

Abstract We suggest that sustainability can be defined on the basis of intergenerational efficiency once the welfare potentials of future generations are explicitly taken into account. The present paper argues that Sustainable Development is the kind of economic process that ensures the environmental prerequisites for intergenerational welfare efficiency. This paper focuses on the dependency of intergenerational efficiency on natural (biological-ecological) capital. The application of the efficiency criterion in the intergenerational context requires the preservation of the biological integrity of ecosystems. In order to make this idea operational, we suggest the preservation of key biological – ecological thresholds. These thresholds represent an operational, measurable entity inspired by contemporary trends in biological conservation, offering key indicators in design sustainability policies.

Environmental prerequisites for formation of economic efficiency of broiler production

Environmental prerequisites for formation of economic efficiency of broiler production

The assisted living project: a process evaluation of implementation of sensor technology in community assisted living. A feasibility study

Introduction: The ageing population has been described as a grand societal challenge worldwide, and access to technology is one important strategy for meeting this challenge. The Assisted Living Project has a responsible research and innovation approach and includes older adults in evaluating sensor-based functions in assisted living facilities. The purpose of involving users in research is to enhance a wider dialogue about the values, methods, and purposes of the research project.Methods: We carried out a feasibility study in order to inform the development and conduct of a pilot project with eight residents. The purposes were to evaluate the process of technology installation, the feasibility of the technology, and methods for user involvement. One resident, Hilda, gave her informed consent to take part in this feasibility study. Her sensor system consisted of two magnetic sensors, six pyroelectric infrared motion sensors, one power sensor, one push button by the entrance door, and one loudspeaker. The sensors were wirelessly connected to a controller, which registered and transmitted all data to a secure server.Results: The feasibility study suggested important modifications for the pilot project, which concerned pre-configuration of the sensors, securing efficiently, rapid installation, number of visitors during the installation, preparation necessitating a site acceptance test for the wireless network and environmental prerequisites for mounting the sensors. Furthermore, this study recommends that the signals that are transmitted from the sensors to the secure server need verification.Conclusion: A feasibility study provides an opportunity to inform develop and conduct of a main trial. The MRC framework was useful for doing a process evaluation to assess feasbility and quality of implementation, clarify causal mechanisms and identify contextual factors associated with variations in outcome. Implications for rehabilitationThe feasibility study was useful in order to develop sustainable technological solutions byevaluating the robustness of the technologyconsider challenges regarding the architectural features/requirements for mounting sensors etc.decide user needs for individual tailoring to reach a ‘person-fit’ technologyUser participation in a feasibility study is vital to learn about the end user’s needs and expectations regarding information, technical support, for support in daily use and follow-up.Transdisciplinary collaboration in the feasibility study is necessary to inform the main technology implementation project.

Opportunity to discuss ethical issues during clinical learning experience.

Undergraduate nursing students have been documented to experience ethical distress during their clinical training and felt poorly supported in discussing the ethical issues they encountered. This study was aimed at exploring nursing students' perceived opportunity to discuss ethical issues that emerged during their clinical learning experience and associated factors. An Italian national cross-sectional study design was performed in 2015-2016. Participants were invited to answer a questionnaire composed of four sections regarding: (1) socio-demographic data, (2) previous clinical learning experiences, (3) current clinical learning experience quality and outcomes, and (4) the opportunity to discuss ethical issues with nurses in the last clinical learning experience (from 0 - 'never' to 3 - 'very much'). Participants were 9607 undergraduate nursing students who were attending 95 different three-year Italian baccalaureate nursing programmes, located at 27 universities in 15 Italian regions. This study was conducted in accordance with the Human Subject Research Ethics Committee guidelines after the research protocol was approved by an ethics committee. Overall, 4707 (49%) perceived to have discussed ethical issues 'much' or 'very much'; among the remaining, 3683 (38.3%) and 1217 (12.7%) students reported the perception of having discussed, respectively, 'enough' or 'never' ethical issues emerged in the clinical practice. At the multivariate logistic regression analysis explaining 38.1% of the overall variance, the factors promoting ethical discussion were mainly set at the clinical learning environment levels (i.e. increased learning opportunities, self-directed learning, safety and nursing care quality, quality of the tutorial strategies, competences learned and supervision by a clinical nurse). In contrast, being male was associated with a perception of less opportunity to discuss ethical issues. Nursing faculties should assess the clinical environment prerequisites of the settings as a context of student experience before deciding on their accreditation. Moreover, the nursing faculty and nurse managers should also enhance competence with regard to discussing ethical issues with students among clinical nurses by identifying factors that hinder this learning opportunity in daily practice.