European Quality Standards Research Articles

SYNTHETIC INDICATORS OF QUALITY OF LIFE: EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF UKRAINE'S ECONOMIC POLICY

This paper examines the effectiveness of Ukraine's economic policies through the lens of quality of life and argues for the adoption of a minimal set of evaluation criteria, ideally a single composite criterion, to optimise policy evaluation. Despite ongoing efforts to identify such criteria, the study introduces a novel approach by using synthetic indicators of quality of life as the basis for evaluation. This approach is particularly relevant in the context of Ukraine's post-war recovery and its aspirations towards European Union integration. These conditions require the adoption of economic policies that meet European standards of quality of life and facilitate the necessary reforms. Such policies are crucial for improving the living conditions of the Ukrainian population and facilitating the return of refugees after Ukraine's victory over Russia, the aggressor country. This study develops a methodology that uses synthetic indicators of quality of life as a system of criteria to assess the effectiveness of Ukraine's economic policy. The research involves a cross-country analysis of data from seven EU Member States and Ukraine, and the construction of regression models that link the determinants of state economic policy to several indicators: population quality, welfare, social quality, and a comprehensive synthetic indicator – quality of life. The obtained results confirm the hypothesis about the key parameters of the state economic policy as determinants of improving the quality of life of Ukrainian citizens. In addition, the analysis of the dynamics of synthetic indicators of the quality of life in Ukraine and their determinants makes it possible to identify priority areas of economic policy aimed at improving these indicators, which will contribute to the overall efficiency of Ukraine's economic policy.

USE OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD PAVEMENTS

Problem statement. Ukraine, on its way to European integration, faces the challenge not only of joining the European Union, but also of adapting its infrastructure to high European quality standards. After the end of the war, it is necessary not only to rebuild the destroyed roads, aerodromes and buildings, but also to guarantee the sustainability and durability of infrastructure facilities. One of the key industries where innovations can make a significant difference is road construction. Asphalt and concrete are the most common building materials in the construction of flexible and rigid pavements. Innovative technologies for repairing cracks in asphalt and concrete road pavements are constantly evolving. New methods and materials are being sought for more efficient and long-term maintenance of the road surface. The use of advanced technologies allows us to improve the quality of repairs, extend the service life of roads and reduce their environmental impact. Innovative approaches to crack repair help to ensure safety and comfort on the road for all road users. The purpose of the article is to analyze foreign experience in the application of effective innovative technologies in the construction of road pavements and to substantiate the feasibility of using a self-healing top layer of flexible and rigid asphalt and concrete pavements in Ukraine based on the analysis of their properties. Conclusions. The inclusion of self-healing properties in asphalt concrete pavements is an effective method for increasing their service life and achieving environmental friendliness of pavements. Existing and advanced self-healing technologies suitable for use in asphalt pavements, namely, the inclusion of healing agents, induction heating, and hybrid technologies, have been investigated. The mechanisms of self-healing of concrete have been studied: autogenous, based on autonomous bacteria, and based on autonomous capsules. Research on self-healing pavements is aimed at developing a smart and efficient pavement system capable of self-assessment and automated crack repair. The choice of technology should be based on its ability to effectively repair damage and cracks in asphalt and concrete, providing long-term and reliable protection.

On the implementation and functioning of the «Barnahus»

The aim of the work is to study and analyze the Barnahus model through the prism of European experience and the legal system of Ukraine. The methodological basis of the study is the dialectical method of scientific knowledge, since the genesis of the «Barnachus» model was revealed with its help. From the standpoint of the value approach, legal ideas, the normative legal framework and law enforcement practice were investigated. The work uses such general scientific methods as: system analysis, ascent from the general to the specific, analogy, generalization, comparison, as well as the principle of historicism, social and objective approach, which contributed to the disclosure of the features of the «Barnachus» model as a whole and its components, in particular. Special-legal methods, such as comparative- legal, formal-dogmatic, sociological-legal, cultural-legal. Results. The article is devoted to the Barnahus model, which is currently an innovative model at the European level in the field of combating violence against children and child-friendly justice. Ukraine, striving to become a full-fledged member of the European Union, has undertaken a number of obligations, including to provide children with additional procedural guarantees during their interrogation (questioning) in criminal proceedings. The article examines and analyzes the Barnahus model through the prism of European experience and the legal system of Ukraine. The author analyzes the basic ideas of the Barnahus model; examines the peculiarities of the formation and development of the Barnahus model in the legal systems of Scandinavian countries; clarifies the European quality standards of the Barnahus model as a result of the PROMISE network; examines the organizational and legal framework for the implementation and functioning of the Barnahus model in Ukraine; analyzes the impact of national legislation on the functioning of the Barnahus model in Ukraine, revealing certain problematic aspects. Conclusion. It is established that the Barnahus model is a multidisciplinary program for child victims and child witnesses of violence or cruelty, organized in a child-friendly environment and under one roof to ensure effective protection, quick access to justice, and the provision of necessary services. It is proved that its main task is to cooperate «under one roof» of an interagency and interdisciplinary team involved in juvenile criminal justice for effective coordinated work (collecting evidence, providing services, creating a child-friendly environment, helping to return to their usual life, etc.) and achieving maximum interaction with child witnesses or child victims of violence or cruelty.

Development of partnership relations between hospitality industry entities amid Ukraine’s European integration process

The development of partnership relations among hospitality industry entities has gained particular relevance amid Ukraine’s European integration course. Collaboration between government institutions, business entities, and local communities creates new opportunities for enhancing competitiveness and integrating into the European market. The aim of the study was to propose approaches for establishing partnerships between business entities based on the analysis of existing types of partnerships that promote the development of the hospitality industry and contribute to regional economic growth. The study’s main methodological framework included economic-mathematical and comparative analyses, as well as empirical and theoretical methods. The article analysed tax revenues from hospitality industry entities for the period 2021-2023, revealing a general decline in tax revenues from the hospitality industry overall. It has been proven that cooperation between government institutions, local communities, private businesses, and non-governmental organisations creates conditions for balanced resource use and the development of innovative solutions that contribute to the preservation of the natural environment and cultural heritage. A stakeholder grouping was carried out, which allows for a multi-level approach to developing the hospitality industry based on integrating the interests of various market participants. The structure of relationships between hospitality industry entities in the context of European integration has been identified and systematised (cooperative relations, competitive relations, symbiotic relations, contractual relations, alliance, and cluster relations). The effectiveness of specialised alliances and cluster associations, which are based on voluntary cooperation between various industry participants striving to achieve long-term development goals, has been proven. The impact of partnership relations on the development of Ukraine’s tourist destinations has been studied and described. The study emphasised the adaptation of Ukrainian hospitality industry entities to European quality standards and their cooperation in achieving sustainable development. The practical significance of the study lies in the development of methodological recommendations that can be used by: business entities to improve partnership relations and enhance competitiveness in the European market; local authorities to promote the development of the hospitality industry; and educational institutions to train personnel in accordance with the requirements of the European market

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water (2008-2022) and Fish (2015-2022) in The Netherlands: Spatiotemporal Trends, Fingerprints, Mass Discharges, Sources, and Bioaccumulation Factors.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic synthetic chemicals of concern, which have been detected in nearly all environmental compartments. The present study provides a data analysis on PFAS concentrations in the Dutch inland and coastal national waters and fish sampled from 2008 to 2022 and 2015 to 2022, respectively. Although the fish database is relatively small, the water database is unique because of its temporal dimension. It appears that PFAS are omnipresent in Dutch water and fish, with relatively small spatial differences in absolute and relative concentrations (fingerprints) and few obvious temporal trends. Only perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) aqueous concentrations in the rivers Rhine and Scheldt have substantially decreased since 2012. Still, PFOS concentrations exceed the European water quality standards at all and fish standards at many locations. Masses of PFAS entering the country and the North Sea are roughly 3.5 tonnes/year. Generally, the data suggest that most PFAS enter the Dutch aquatic environment predominantly through diffuse sources, yet several major point sources of specific PFAS were identified using fingerprints and monthly concentration profiles as identification tools. Finally, combining concentrations in fish and water, 265 bioaccumulation factors were derived, showing no statistically significant differences between freshwater and marine fish. Overall, the analysis provides new insights into PFAS bioaccumulation and spatiotemporal trends, mass discharges, and sources in The Netherlands. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:965-975. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

THE INFLUENCE OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESSES ON THE STRATEGIC DECISIONS OF TOURISM COMPANIES

This scientific article’s aims to investigate the impact of European integration processes on the strategic decisions of tourism companies in Europe, in particular regarding adaptation to new conditions and opportunities on the European market. European integration has a positive effect on the strategic decisions of tourism companies, stimulating them to innovate and increase the level of competitiveness through the implementation of European standards of quality and service. The implementation of the strategy of the development of tourist companies on the basis of European integration will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the tourism industry, ensure sustainable development and attract more tourists from all over the world. Innovation, sustainability, partnerships, effective planning and diversification of offers will be the basis for the successful development of tourism in the European region.

Microfluidic-based production of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 and [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC using the cassette-based iMiDEV™ microfluidic radiosynthesizer

BackgroundThe demand for 68Ga-labeled radiotracers has significantly increased in the past decade, driven by the development of diversified imaging tracers, such as FAPI derivatives, PSMA-11, DOTA-TOC, and DOTA-TATE. These tracers have exhibited promising results in theranostic applications, fueling interest in exploring them for clinical use. Among these probes, 68Ga-labeled FAPI-46 and DOTA-TOC have emerged as key players due to their ability to diagnose a broad spectrum of cancers ([68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46) in late-phase studies, whereas [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC is clinically approved for neuroendocrine tumors. To facilitate their production, we leveraged a microfluidic cassette-based iMiDEV radiosynthesizer, enabling the synthesis of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 and [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC based on a dose-on-demand (DOD) approach.ResultsDifferent mixing techniques were explored to influence radiochemical yield. We achieved decay-corrected yield of 44 ± 5% for [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 and 46 ± 7% for [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC in approximately 30 min. The radiochemical purities (HPLC) of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 and [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC were 98.2 ± 0.2% and 98.4 ± 0.9%, respectively. All the quality control results complied with European Pharmacopoeia quality standards. We optimized various parameters, including 68Ga trapping and elution, cassette batches, passive mixing in the reactor, and solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification and formulation. The developed synthesis method reduced the amount of precursor and other chemicals required for synthesis compared to conventional radiosynthesizers.ConclusionsThe microfluidic-based approach enabled the implementation of radiosynthesis of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 and [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC on the iMiDEV™ microfluidic module, paving the way for their use in preclinical and clinical applications. The microfluidic synthesis approach utilized 2–3 times less precursor than cassette-based conventional synthesis. The synthesis method was also successfully validated in a similar microfluidic iMiDEV module at a different research center for the synthesis of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 with limited runs. Our study demonstrated the potential of microfluidic methods for efficient and reliable radiometal-based radiopharmaceutical synthesis, contributing valuable insights for future advancements in this field and paving the way for routine clinical applications in the near future.

FEATURES OF THE INTERACTION OF ROTARY CLEANERS WITH THE HEADS OF SUGAR BEET ROOTS

Sugar beets are one of the most important technical crops and one of the sources of sugar in Ukraine. Despite significant reductions in cultivated areas in recent years, sugar beets remain the main raw material for the sugar industry of Ukraine. In recent years, there has been a trend towards the use of foreign machinery for harvesting sugar beets, which was developed according to European quality standards of raw materials with increased sugar-bearing mass waste when the stalks are separated. Regardless of whether the technological process is carried out according to Ukrainian standards with minimal sugar-bearing mass waste, or according to European standards, with increased sugar-bearing mass waste, the task of determining the location of the sugar-bearing mass in space and its maximum separation remains in both cases. The task of harvesting sugar beets is to obtain the maximum possible amount of sugar-bearing mass from a unit of area with technologically and economically justified waste of sugar-bearing mass and the permissible content of physical and harmful pollutants - humus and soil. One of the important operations, which significantly affects the quality of raw materials, is the separation of chaff. Rotary working bodies with flexible and rigid with radially fixed elements are the most effective at separating the scum and are simple in design. However, they are effective at speeds of forward movement of beet harvesting machines no more than 1.5 m/s. The purpose of the work is to substantiate the process and develop new technical solutions for high-quality separation of the sugar-bearing mass with minimal sugar-bearing mass waste, which will increase the harvesting productivity. The article proposes the design of a root vegetable head cleaner with directed action of cleaning elements. A kinematic analysis and graphically modeled process of interaction of working elements with root crop heads for the serial and proposed root crop head cleaner were carried out. As a result of the research, the reason for the low-efficiency operation of serial cleaners at speeds of translational movement of beet harvesting machines more than 1.5 m/s was revealed, and the constructive and technological parameters of the cleaner with the directed action of the working elements were substantiated.

Current tendencies in the forming of quality management systems

The article highlights the peculiarities of the formation of modern quality management systems. The need to solve problems related to the development and implementation of highly effective product quality management systems, taking into account the features of European integration, is emphasized. The stages of development of systematic quality management, which, according to the laws of dialectics, evolved under the pressure of contradictions of internal and external goals of product manufacturers are systematized: the stage of rejecting products, quality management, the stage of continuous improvement of product quality, the stage of forecasting and planning the quality of production processes and the products themselves. The advantages and disadvantages of modern trends in the formation of quality management systems are determined. The current state of certification of quality systems of domestic enterprises compared to the dynamics of similar indicators of Polish enterprises is characterized. The importance of developing the documentation necessary for the formation of a quality management system is emphasized; it contains clear and generally understood provisions of tasks in the field of quality; quality guidelines; quality programs; methods of compliance with DSTU ISO 9001 - 2015, etc. Emphasis has been placed on constant purposeful work on the development and harmonization of national standards with European standards, with the aim of adapting and facilitating the activities of domestic producers on the international market. The production of domestic products in accordance with European quality and safety standards will enable Ukrainian manufacturers to expand their export potential for products to the European Union and other countries and be competitive on the world stage. Considerable attention is devoted to aspects of quality system certification. It has been proven that obtaining a certificate is a derivative of the implementation of a quality management system. The modern quality management system in the enterprise is effective when the manufactured products are in demand and the enterprise makes a profit, under such conditions certification becomes a formal procedure. It has been proven that the formation and implementation of quality management systems based on international standards will contribute to new opportunities for the development of domestic business, the elimination of trade barriers, and the establishment of close relationships between the spheres of production, trade, and consumption. Keywords: quality system, standardization, certification, quality management, quality

Socio-hydrogeological survey and assessment of organic pollutants to highlight and trace back pollution fluxes threatening a coastal groundwater-dependent ecosystem

Despite being a vector of pollution towards connected ecosystems, groundwater is often underestimated or not taken into account in management frameworks. To fill this gap, we propose to add socio-economic data to hydrogeological investigations to identify past and present pollution sources linked to human activities at watershed scale in order to forecast threats towards groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs). The aim of this paper is to demonstrate, by a cross-disciplinary approach, the added value of socio-hydrogeological investigations to tackle anthropogenic pollution fluxes towards a GDE and to contribute to more sustainable management of groundwater resources. A survey combining chemical compounds analysis, data compilation, land use analysis and field investigations with a questionnaire was carried out on the Biguglia lagoon plain (France). Results show a pollution with a two-fold source, both agricultural and domestic, in all water bodies of the plain. The pesticide analysis reveals the presence of 10 molecules, including domestic compounds, with concentrations exceeding European groundwater quality standards for individual pesticides, as well as pesticides already banned for twenty years. On the basis of both the field survey and the questionnaire, agricultural pollution has been identified as very local highlighting the storage capacity of the aquifer, whereas domestic pollution is diffuse over the plain and attributed to sewage network effluents and septic tanks. Domestic compounds present shorter residence time within the aquifer highlighting continuous inputs, related to consumption habits of the population. Under the Water Framework Directive (WFD), member states are required to preserve the good ecological status, quality and quantity of water bodies. However, for GDEs it is difficult to achieve the ‘good status’ required without considering the groundwater's pollutant storage capacity and pollution legacy. To help resolve this issue, socio-hydrogeology has proved to be an efficient tool as well as for implementing effective protection measures for Mediterranean GDEs.

Quality assurance in Mammography: An overview

Since 1989, hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved worldwide by the widespread use of screening mammography alongside new developments in breast cancer treatment [1]. The ability of screening mammography to detect cancer early, when treatment is most effective, is optimized when it is performed in the highest quality manner and accessed by all eligible candidates. Currently, worldwide, there are over 14 guidance documents for mammographic quality [2]. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom (UK), monitor quality through a national screening program. In the United States (US), where 39 million mammograms are performed annually [3], there is not a national screening program, but the federal government mandates minimum quality standards for the performance of mammography. Among a consortium of European countries, the European Reference Organisation for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services (EUREF) promotes voluntary adherence to European mammography quality standards. Setting quality standards at national or international levels ensures the uniformity of practice and identifies substandard practices in need of improvement, ultimately maximizing the benefit of screening mammography.

ВИКЛИКИ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ УКРАЇНСЬКОГО СІЛЬСЬКОГОСПОДАРСЬКОГО СЕКТОРУ: ПОШУК ШЛЯХІВ ЕКСПОРТУ ТА СПІВПРАЦЯ З ЄС

The article "Challenges and Prospects of the Ukrainian Agricultural Sector: Searching for Export Opportunities and Cooperation with the EU" is dedicated to the study of current challenges faced by the Ukrainian agricultural sector, as well as to the consideration of prospects and ways of development, in particular in the context of exports and cooperation with the European Union. The article offers an analysis of the problems affecting Ukraine's agricultural sector, such as limited access to foreign markets, low competitiveness and instability in the domestic market environment. The authors emphasise the need to find ways to develop a agricultural exports, in particular through strengthening cooperation with the EU. The article discusses the potential benefits of cooperation with the European Union, in particular, access to its markets and technologies, as well as opportunities to attract investment. The key areas of cooperation are outlined, such as the implementation of European quality standards, support in the field of technical infrastructure and professional development. The article also discusses the development of infrastructure, including transport and logistics, to ensure efficient exports of agricultural products. The article identifies the prospects for further development of the Ukrainian agricultural sector, in particular through cooperation with the EU. Analysing the challenges and opportunities, the authors emphasise the need to improve competitive advantages, expand export potential and improve product quality. The article concludes that successful overcoming the challenges of the Ukrainian agricultural sector and achieving sustainable development depends on active cooperation with the EU, the use of European standards and technologies, and the establishment of an effective system of support and financing for agricultural enterprises. By analysing important aspects and offering concrete recommendations, the paper is a valuable source of information for agricultural professionals, policy makers and researchers interested in the development of the Ukrainian agricultural sector and prospects for cooperation with the EU.

ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF RIVER SEDIMENTS IN BASELINE NATIONAL MONITORING STATIONS OF 12 COUNTRIES IN THE DANUBE RIVER BASIN

Fluvial sediment samples (river bottom sediment, suspended sediment and active floodplain/overbank) were collected in 2 baseline stations of the Transnational Monitoring Network for each of the 12 countries in the Danube Basin Region: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Republic of Moldavia, Montenegro, Romania, Republic of Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia, according to a harmonized methodology. The sediment samples were analyzed for selected hazardous substances (HSs): 8 metals, 8 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 6 pesticides in an accredited laboratory selected as reference laboratory, as well as in national laboratories. Risk ratios were computed in order to compare the results to the Environmental Quality Standards listed in the European Directives, to the national threshold values in the Danube Basin, and to other available international European and American quality standards, and the risk ratios were classified as background, alert and intervention values for readily evaluation. Results show widespread metal(oid) (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) contamination in the Danube Basin, most often associated with historic mining. Concentration values of Ni and Cr exceeding the thresholds are caused by the geological background (ultrabasic and metamorphic rocks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Serbia and Romania). Concentration values higher than the thresholds for some of the PAHs (e.g. Fluoranthene) and sometimes for Total PAHs were also noted almost in every countries, caused by industrial activities, wastewater discharges or navigation on the Danube River. Pesticides were below the detection limit or below the legislative intervention thresholds at all national baseline sampling sites.

Dual Master’s Programs as a Tool for the Formation of a Single Educational Space of the EAEU

The relevance of the topic of the article is due to the key role of higher education in the formation of the necessary compe tencies for the scientific, technological and industrial sphere of the economy of a modern state.Aim. The purpose of the article is to consider the methodological and practical issues of designing double degree master’s programs in the field of business education as one of the effective tools for the formation of a single educational space of the Eurasian Economic Union. The issues of development and implementation of joint educational programs are considered on the example of an international educational project developed at the Department of Business Informatics of the North-Western Institute of Management of the RANEPA. A substantive description of the project is given, the choice of a partner organization is substantiated, criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the project implementation are formulated.Tasks. Give a meaningful description of the international educational project (relevance, relevance, structure, methodology and methodological novelty, competencies being formed, etc.), justify the choice of a partner organization and formulate criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the implementation of an educational project.Methods. System approach and expert-analytical methods of research (flow methods of expertise, expert assessments).Results. The proposed methodological approach to the implementation of educational projects in the format of double diplomas allows solving the problems of internationalization of higher education, forming systems thinking, skills in working with large amounts of data and modern application packages, making non-standard decisions in the economy among students of master’s programs based on modern learning technologies. The conceptual level of the proposed approach is formed by the concepts of student-centered learning, building an individual learning trajectory for undergraduate students. The process-methodological level of the proposed approach allows the introduction of modern innovative network technologies for the implementation of the content of the disciplines of the economic mathematical cycle and the cycle of information technology, the adaptation of national educational systems to international standards and the formation of a competitive educational environment.Conclusions. The priority areas for the implementation of international educational projects are: transferring international programs to the status of network programs implemented with leading universities (including the development of double diploma programs); bringing international programs to European quality standards and requirements of international accreditation agencies; passing the international joint professional and public accreditation of international educational programs.

ЯКІСТЬ ТУРИСТИЧНИХ ПОСЛУГ ЯК ФАКТОР ЄВРОІНТЕГРАЦІЙНИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ

The article analyzes one of the key factors of tourist services, which is the quality of service. This issue has a particular relevance in connection with the process of guiding the tourism industry to global standards, which in turn is an integral part of the general European integration processes of Ukraine. It is obvious that tourism has become almost the first stage of European level of service standards for our compatriots. Novelty of the study is systematization of the main periods in achieving high quality services, under conditions of independent Ukraine and new economic relations. The authors used and analyzed the system of tourist enterprises "Sputnik", historically one of the leading local founders of the modern hospitality industry. Characteristic of service quality evaluation methods is an important component of the article. Considering current challenges, it is worth paying attention to an analysis of the main trends in the tourism industry recommendations for preserving service quality due to the restrictive effects caused by the worldwide corona virus pandemic and war conditions. The key problem of Ukraine's European integration processes was and remains the quality of goods (services) produced in our country. The processes of its improvement and compliance with world standards is a prerequisite for European integration, as evidenced by the directives of the European Parliament and the EU Council, as well as the relevant agreements between the Government of Ukraine and the European Commission. Various methods of scientific research, namely analysis, observation and comparison, are used in the main body of the paper. The results of the research can be used by the tourism business to develop European quality standards that will accelerate the overcoming of the crisis, deepened by COVID-19 and the war in our country, and meet the requirements that will allow Ukraine to become a full member of the EU. Taking into account that the declared topic on the quality of tourist services is a rather broad concept it would be reasonable to study separately the quality of its components, namely,hotel service and catering, transport service and excursion component. All this could be the subject of separate studies. Taking the EU countries' achievements in these issues as the criteria of it, would be appropriate to use a comparative research method and focus on the characterization of the quality issue and its improvement in the post-pandemic and post-war periods.

A novel wastewater-derived cascading algal biorefinery route for complete valorization of the biomass to biodiesel and value-added bioproducts

Integration of multiproduct algal biorefineries with wastewater treatment systems could offer a sustainable approach to produce green products in a circular bioeconomy paradigm while keeping the water-energy-environment nexus sustainable. The present study demonstrated a novel biorefinery route employing a newly isolated self-flocculating microalga Chlamydomonas sp. BERC07. Here, the urban wastewater served as a low-cost growth media and improved biomass production (1.24 g/L) by 2-fold with concomitant removal of 100% total nitrogen, 94% total phosphorus, 56% COD, and 41% BOD. To lower the harvesting cost, an inducible sedimentation-based harvesting system was developed by employing the lowest dose of a commercial-grade flocculant, potash alum (0.27 kg/1000L culture) which improved the sedimentation rate of algal flocs by 240-fold with a biomass recovery efficiency of 96–98%. Later, the wastewater-derived biomass was subjected to downstream processing in a cascading fashion for its complete valorization. The biomass yielded 1.83 mg/g of carotenoids and 480 mg/g of lipids. The lipids were transesterified to produce biodiesel which completely met the preset European and American biodiesel quality standards. After carotenoids and lipids extraction, the residual biomass was fermented using Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae for the very first time. Interestingly, the A. oryzae outcompeted the A. niger and produced 131.6 U/mL of α-amylase along with 375–384 mg/g of mycoproteins utilizing 75–100 g/L of the residual algal biomass as a sole feedstock. All solvents involved in the product recovery were recycled to the primary wastewater, leaving no waste at the end of the processing pipeline. Overall, the data demonstrated a novel and sustainable biorefinery route with the most efficient harvesting and the complete valorization of the biomass, in a zero-waste approach. However, further upscaling, life cycle assessment, and technoeconomic analyses will be required to assess the economic and environmental sustainability of the proposed biorefinery route.

The relevance of European Biota Quality Standards on the ecological water quality as determined by the multimetric macro-invertebrate index: A Flemish case study

European Biota Quality Standards (EQSbiota), for compounds with low water solubility and high biomagnification, were created to sustain water quality and protect top predators and humans from secondary poisoning. In reality, for multiple compounds, an exceedance of these standards is often reported in literature without a decrease in ecological water quality determined by biotic indices. In the present study, threshold concentrations were defined in biota (from 44 sampling locations throughout Flanders (Belgium)), above which a good ecological water quality, assessed by the Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF), was never reached. Threshold values were compared to current EQSbiota. Accumulated perfluoroctane sulfonate (PFOS), mercury (Hg), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) concentrations were measured in muscle tissue of European yellow eel (Anguilla anguilla) and perch (Perca fluviatilis). Fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene were also analyzed in translocated mussels (Dreissena bugensis, D. polymorpha and Corbicula fluminea). Threshold values could only be calculated using a 90th quantile regression model for PFOS (in perch; 12 µg/kg ww), PCBs (in eel; 328 µg/kg ww) and benzo(a)pyrene (in mussels: 4.35 µg/kg ww). The lack of a significant regression model for the other compounds indicated an effective threshold value higher than the concentrations measured in the present study. Alternatively, the 95th percentile of concentrations measured in locations with a good ecological quality (MMIF≥0.7), was calculated for all compounds as an additional threshold value. Finally, fish concentrations were standardized for 5% lipid content (or 26% dry weight content for PFOS and Hg). Threshold values for PFOS and benzo(a)pyrene and the 95th percentiles for dioxins and fluoranthene were comparable to the existing standards. For all other compounds, the 95th percentile was higher than the current EQSbiota, while for HBCD, it was lower. These results strongly advise revising and fine-tuning the current EQSbiota, especially for ∑PBDE and HBCD.

ГЛОБАЛІЗАЦІЙНІ ТРЕНДИ РОЗВИТКУ АПК УКРАЇНИ В УМОВАХ ЄВРОІНТЕГРАЦІЇ ТА ЇХ ВПЛИВ НА ВИНОГРАДАРСЬКО-ВИНОРОБНИЙ КОМПЛЕКС

Winemaking and viticulture is one of the important branches of the national agricultural industry of Ukraine. The culture of wine consumption, which is gradually replacing the culture of consumption of strong alcoholic beverages, signifi- cantly stimulates the domestic market and domestic production of grapes in Ukraine. Ukraine has been granted the EU candidate status, which poses new challenges to the domestic viticulture and winemaking complex. It determines the urgency of assessing its condition and developing a strategy for its development in the conditions of globalization transformations. The article is de- voted to the establishment of globalization trends in the development of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine in the conditions of European integration and the analysis of the nature of their impact on the viticulture and winemaking complex. It has been determined that food security in the context of overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is one of the leading priorities of the global world. In turn, the main direction of the globalization vector of the Ukrainian economy is its integration with the European Union. The global trends of the world economy are substantiated and their impact on the viticulture and winemaking complex as a component of Ukraine’s agricultural industry is analyzed. It has been proven that the scale of the manifestation of European integration effects and the possible prevention of their negative effects is possible under the condition of maximal approximation of the institutional environment of Ukrainian agrarian business to the European one, orientation towards European legislation and product quality standards, maximum mobilization of available resource potential, human resources and fight against corruption at all levels. The areas of effective development of the viticulture industry in the context of European integration are identified, including state support for the national producer, tax policy optimization, small business development, product quality control, and the formation of a favorable investment climate.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ УДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ СИСТЕМИ СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ЗАХИСТУ НАЙБІЛЬШ ВРАЗЛИВИХ ВЕРСТВ НАСЕЛЕННЯ: ЗАКОРДОННИЙ ДОСВІД

The article is devoted to topical issues of improving the system of social protection of the most vulnerable sections of the population. Protection of the most vulnerable categories of the population is an extremely important task facing the government of every civilized state. It aims to ensure balance in society and achieve well-being for the population. After all, any state that calls itself social must direct its activities to the implementation of a whole complex of various measures that ensure the elimination of social risks and the solution of already existing social problems. Each country provides its population with the fulfillment of social and economic guarantees, which are prescribed in laws, international acts and treaties. The social protection system of a number of countries: Great Britain, Poland, the USA, Japan, Belgium was disclosed and analyzed, and the main priorities and opportunities for using the experience of these countries for Ukraine in the social protection system were determined. Having adopted foreign social reforms, we in our country will be able to build a high-quality system of social protection for the most vulnerable sections of the population. Which will be able to prevent the emergence of various social problems and respond to them in time. What will contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of our people. The problems of social protection have been revealed, the prospects for improving the social protection system of the population have been determined, and proposals have been made for improving the system of social protection for people who have fallen into difficult life circumstances: the creation of relevant projects and special state programs, the purpose of which is to prevent the emergence of social risks. It is proposed to revise the financing of the social sphere, to help local budgets to provide quality social protection of citizens on the ground. The state government should develop a clear action plan for reforming the social protection system and gradually follow it. New priorities in state social policy will improve our situation and bring us closer to European standards of quality of life.

ПІДСУМКИ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ МОДЕРНІЗАЦІЇ СИСТЕМИ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ В УКРАЇНІ

This publication summarizes the results of applied scientific work carried out in the State Scientific Institution "Institute of Education Content Modernization" (IECM) during 2016-2022. The article studies the state of implementation of the provisions of the Law of Ukraine "On Higher Education", focused on the modernization of domestic higher education, and assesses the European integration orientation of the measures and tools introduced. The results of a comprehensive study of all components of the higher education system are highlighted. In particular, the dynamics of changes in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the network of educational institutions and contingents of participants in the educational process, the modernization of the structure of higher education and the methodology for forming the content of education were analyzed (introduction of modern levels and degrees, list of specialities, introduction of new standards and educational programs). The article evaluates the process of solving the key educational problem – creation of a transparent and effective system of higher education quality, including the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance (NAQA). The paper analyses changes and additions made to the legislative base, its target orientation and the validity of some of them. It has been established that in the process of implementation of the provisions of the Law of Ukraine "On Higher Education", which were also changed during its operation, an integral system of higher education and a system of ensuring the quality of educational services were built in the higher education system of Ukraine. It has been concluded that all of this makes domestic higher education more competitive in the international market of educational services and the labor market, bringing it closer to European quality standards, and speeding up the process of integration into the European educational space of higher education.