Search Results (13)

The management of public health projects in a BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible) environment, exemplified by the ongoing war in Ukraine, presents unprecedented challenges due to fragile systems, heightened uncertainty, and complex socio-political dynamics. This study proposes an AI-driven framework to enhance the resilience and effectiveness of public health interventions under such conditions. By integrating a coupled SEIR–Infodemic–Panicdemic Model with war-specific factors, we simulate the interplay of infectious disease spread, misinformation dissemination, and panic dynamics over 1500 days in a Ukrainian city (Kharkiv). The model incorporates time-varying parameters to account for population displacement, healthcare disruptions, and periodic war events, reflecting the evolving conflict context. Sensitivity and risk–opportunity analyses reveal that disease transmission, misinformation, and infrastructure damage significantly exacerbate epidemic peaks, while AI-enabled interventions, such as fact-checking, mental health support, and infrastructure recovery, offer substantial mitigation potential. Qualitative assessments identify technical, organisational, ethical, regulatory, and military risks, alongside opportunities for predictive analytics, automation, and equitable healthcare access. Quantitative simulations demonstrate that risks, like increased displacement, can amplify infectious peaks by up to 28.3%, whereas opportunities, like enhanced fact-checking, can reduce misinformation by 18.2%. These findings provide a roadmap for leveraging AI to navigate BANI environments, offering actionable insights for public health practitioners in Ukraine and other crisis settings. The study underscores AI’s transformative role in fostering adaptive, data-driven strategies to achieve sustainable health outcomes amidst volatility and uncertainty. Full article

Data on the distribution of the free flow speed (FFS) of cars are used to solve a wide range of tasks in the field of road transport, starting from road design and ending with the development of traffic modeling and simulation programs. The purpose of this study was to obtain the distribution of vehicle speeds on typical sections of the city road network, characterized by the presence of one-way traffic. The data were obtained by field observations using a portable radar. As a result, statistical characteristics and speed distribution laws for four sections of streets in the city of Kharkiv were analyzed. It was shown that the characteristics of FFS distributions differ depending on the functional class of the streets. Average FFS values on main street segments were on average 19 km/h higher. The one-way traffic has less impact on the FFS distribution, especially for arterial streets. The characteristics of FFS distributions differ depending on the type and functional class of streets; they can be described with sufficient accuracy by typical distribution laws, such as Normal, Log-normal, Gamma, and Chi-square. The results of this study can be useful for traffic modeling problems. Full article

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented unique challenges to the health-care system and prehospital emergency medical services. An increasing prevalence of burnout has been described, which in turn is associated with mental illness. The aim of this paper was to evaluate burnout through a sex comparison and to analyze associations of burnout with personality traits during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: Eighty-eight emergency physicians and field shearers of Kharkiv City (Ukraine) emergency medical services (52% women) participated in the quantitative cross-sectional study. In addition to sociodemographic and occupational data, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI) were applied and analyzed in the sex comparison. Correlation analyses were performed to describe the relationships between the MBI dimensions and FPI traits. Results: The average age of the respondents was 35.1 ± 13.5 years. The prevalence of burnout during the pandemic was 6.5% in women and 2.4% in men. Only the scores on the MBI dimension cynicism were significantly (p = 0.027) higher in women than in men. Two personality traits differed between sexes: inhibition and male/female self-reports. Predominantly moderate correlations were found between the FPI traits and the MBI dimensions. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of burnout in this occupational group during the pandemic was similar to prepandemic figures reported in the literature, more than half of the male and female paramedics showed average-to-high scores on the three MBI dimensions. Because burnout is associated with other mental illnesses and prolonged incapacity, workplace-based interventions should be implemented. Full article

This multi-center prospective randomized controlled trial was a tolerance and safety study investigating the thickener locust bean gum (LBG) in infants with regurgitation, to support the re-evaluation of the safety of LBG in infant formula. The primary objective was to demonstrate that after an 8-week intervention, stool consistency was not inferior (i.e., was not looser or more watery) in infants fed an anti-regurgitation (AR) formula containing LBG vs. the stool consistency of infants fed with an unthickened control formula. A total of 103 full-term infants with regurgitation were randomized to the test or control formula. The test formula contained LBG (0.4 g/100 mL), short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides, and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS; 9:1; 0.4 g/100 mL) and postbiotics and the control formula contained scGOS/lcFOS (0.8 g/100 mL), the same amount of postbiotics, and did not contain LBG. The average stool consistency score at the 8th intervention week was the primary outcome parameter. Secondary outcome parameters were stool consistency at other timepoints, stool frequency, Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire (IGSQ) score, growth, (serious) adverse events ([S]AEs), regurgitation severity, and infant well-being. Overall, the infants were 36.9 ± 12.9 [mean ± SD] days old, 62.7% girls in the test, and 50.0% girls in the control group. The primary analysis showed that the test group did not have looser or more watery stools than the control group. IGSQ sum scores decreased comparably in both groups. The frequency of regurgitation was significantly lower in the test group compared to the control group (mixed model repeated measurement, p ≤ 0.028) and parent-reported well-being scores were favorable. Adequate growth was observed in both groups. Both products were well-tolerated and safe and the AR formula with LBG was efficacious in reducing regurgitation frequency. This study provides further evidence for the dietary management of regurgitation by LBG-containing formulae in infants who are not exclusively breastfed, and the reassurance it can bring to parents. Full article

Seasonal utilization of urban areas by bats remains inadequately explored. This study aimed to comprehensively survey the species composition and population dynamics of bats during both the breeding season (May–July) and autumn migration season (August–September) within a large urban area, specifically Kharkiv city, Ukraine. We conducted multiyear data collection from 2014 to 2016, employing a combination of acoustic recordings, mist-netting, and registration of opportunistically found bats. The results revealed the identification of seven bat species using all methods (Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus noctula, N. leisleri, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, P. kuhlii, P. nathusii, and Vespertilio murinus), with notable differences in species composition between the studied periods. During the migration season, N. noctula was a numerically predominant species, while P. kuhlii and E. serotinus were the most abundant during the breeding season. The urban core bat population during the breeding season primarily consisted of males and solitary reproductive females, mainly represented by P. kuhlii and E. serotinus. Acoustic recording data indicated that N. noctula actively avoided the urban core during the breeding season, but was more common on the city periphery. In contrast, during the migration season, the city experienced a significant surge in bat abundance, both in general and specifically among noctule bats, with their numbers increasing tenfold compared to the breeding season. Moreover, a considerable number of young individuals were observed during the migration season. These findings provide evidence that bats tend to avoid the urban core in large cities at temperate latitudes during the breeding season but actively utilize urban areas during autumn migration. Understanding the seasonal preferences and movements of bats in urban environments is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies. Full article

The article analyzes the functioning of existing logistics centers in Ukraine. The logistics real estate segment was developed dynamically in Ukraine in the years before the full-scale invasion of Russia. Most logistics complexes are located in the Kyiv region, sometimes in the cities of Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv. Logistics real estate has suffered significant damage since the start of the war, and some warehouses have been completely destroyed. In order to fulfill a coordinating and integrating role in the implementation of logistics operations in the western region of Ukraine, the authors proposed the creation of a powerful regional logistics center in Lviv. The operation of the center will ensure the provision of a full range of logistics services based on the criterion of minimizing the loss of time and money. The authors proposed an algorithm for determining the optimal location of the logistics center in the region. The regional logistics center has been developed, together with its organizational and functional structure and the relationships between its components. Full article

The development of chromatographic science in Ukraine is due to the widespread use of chromatography to solve practical problems. The centers of chromatographic research in Ukraine are in large cities: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odessa, and others. Along with the development of chromatographic research methods, analysis methods for control of food and agricultural raw materials, medicinal products, petroleum products, and determination of the environmental pollution state are created. Chromatography is used in medicine, pharmacology, biology, and other sciences. Full article

(1) Background: Rotavirus and norovirus infections are the primary viral causes of childhood diarrhea. In Ukraine, the diarrhea-linked infant mortality rate is low, but the number of children infected is quite high. This study examined the rates of rotavirus and norovirus infections throughout Ukraine. (2) Methods: Fecal samples for children admitted to hospitals in six Ukrainian cities (Kyiv, Lviv, Sumy, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Uman) were tested for the presence of rotavirus and norovirus. (3) Results: The overall rate of hospitalized children suffering from diarrhea with confirmed presence of rotavirus or norovirus in fecal samples was significant (20.67% and 27.94%, respectively). Samples obtained from children from Lviv had significantly higher rates of the viruses, and Kyiv and Uman had significantly lower rotavirus or norovirus detection levels than expected. (4) Conclusion: Childhood diarrhea impacts Ukraine significantly. The economic and societal effects of the failure to address this public health issue are indicated by the hospitalization rate of children with preventable illnesses. The geographical disparities in Ukraine for child hospitalizations caused by rotavirus and norovirus infections could result from environmental (sanitary factors or water purity issues) or social factors. Further research is needed to completely characterize infant viral infections in Ukraine. Full article

Over the past two years, a significant number of studies and statistical reports have appeared that prove the relationship between the level of vitamin D in the body and the severity of COVID-19. The main sources of vitamin D in the human body are food and sunlight. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intake of vitamin D in daily food rations by the students. As an applied aspect, consider the effect of the frequency of consumption of vitamin D-containing foods on the occurrence of symptoms of allergic diseases. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey of students from two universities in the city Kharkiv (Ukraine). The data collection was carried out by a conducting questionnaire with three sections: frequency of consumption for 22 vitamin D-containing foods, identification of allergic symptoms, and an estimate of the average duration of exposure time to sunlight by season. The survey suggests that the rations of students are poor for consuming products vitamin D-containing foods. The classification of these products was carried out using statistical analysis of data and chemometric techniques. There was a lack of consumption of vitamin D-containing foods and a critical time spent in sunlight, regardless of the season. At the same time, a positive correlation between the presence of vitamin D deficiency in young people and a high percentage of respondents with symptoms of allergic diseases was obtained. Full article

Secondary cities are rapidly growing areas in low- and middle-income countries that lack data, planning, and essential services for sustainable development. Their rapid, informal growth patterns mean secondary cities are often data-poor and under-resourced, impacting the ability of governments to target development efforts, respond to emergencies, and design sustainable futures. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 focuses on inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements. SDG Indicator (SDGI) 11.3.1 calculates the ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate to enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization. Our paper compares three cities—Denpasar, Indonesia; Kharkiv, Ukraine; and Mekelle, Ethiopia—that were part of the Secondary Cities (2C) Initiative of the U.S. Department of State, Office of the Geographer and Global Issues to assess SDGI 11.3.1. The 2C Initiative focused on field-based participatory mapping for data generation to assist city planning. Urban form and population data are critical for calculating and visually representing this ratio. We examine the spatial extent of each city to assess land use efficiency (LUE) and track changes in urban form over time. With limited demographic and spatial data for secondary cities, we speculate whether SDGI 11.3.1 is useful for small- and medium-sized cities. Full article

This study aims to determine the safety of consumption of plant products grown in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Kharkiv, as well as many other post-Soviet cities, is environmentally characterized by the widespread growing of edible plants—from industrial areas to school gardens—as well as the presence of a significant number of nature management conflicts, the location of heavy industry, the prevalence of obsolete environmentally unfriendly transport, etc. The article presents the results of the study of apple samples taken in different functional zones of Kharkiv city, Ukraine. The results of the study showed that the maximum levels of heavy metals were exceeded in apple samples from all sampling sites: Pb—from 11.47 to 38.86 times; Cd—from 1.76 to 5.68 times (of the norms of the FAO and EU). The most polluted were samples from the residential areas, which is partly due to significant land pollution from various types of waste. Levels of hazard index (HI) differ by age groups: from 24.37 to 70.11 HI (children group, 1–6 years); from 10.28 to 29.59 HI (children group, 7–16 years); from 0.88 to 2.53 HI (adult group, 18–65 years). Non-carcinogenic risks can be related to disorders of the immune system, blood, urinoexcretory, and nervous systems as well as problems in the functioning of liver and kidneys. The total carcinogenic risk of eating apples exceeds the permissible level. Full article

Enterprise sustainability can only be ensured by taking into account the dynamics of the environment, which requires effective implementation of changes. Organizational change management is seen as the interaction of the groups of processes: direct implementation and the processes of managerial influence on their implementation. The article seeks to develop a framework for evaluation of change management processes based on the fuzzy logics. The expert analysis was carried out to develop fuzzy rules based on the linguistic terms (high, medium, and low). The database of rules for assigning an enterprise to the appropriate level of organizational change management has been developed (243 rules). The proposed model was applied to the case of Ukrainian agricultural machinery companies. The results allowed identifying the bottlenecks for the companies under analysis in seeking sustainable change management. Full article

This study discusses the identification of factors affecting consumers’ willingness to pay a price premium for ecological goods. The study was carried out in selected regions of Ukraine, in the cities of Kharkiv and Kyiv. The study applied various research methods, in particular public opinion analysis based on conducted surveys and the statistical inference method. The conducted research may constitute the scientific basis for the assessment of this market segment development. The comparison of consumer attitudes, presented by the residents of major Ukrainian cities regarding environmental goods, revealed their willingness to pay a price premium depending primarily on the purchasing power of the population, but also on gender, age, and social status. The analysis of differences in the cross-tabulation of quality characteristics was performed using Pearson’s chi-square test, which showed that, for example, men were more willing than women to choose environmental products due to their environmental safety and their selection was more often than in case of women based on environmental goods’ price. The collected research results can be used to assess the development prospects of environmental goods’ market, to construct the set of measures increasing the willingness level of domestic consumers to pay a price premium for ecological products, and to take up decisions about the production of ecological goods. Full article