Cervical Cancer Prevention Challenges and Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and HPV Vaccinations in Ukraine and Eastern Europe

Objectives: To identify the obstacles and issues that hinder effective cancer prevention efforts in Ukraine. The study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the barriers to cancer prevention, including both infrastructure and behavioral factors, and identify potential solutions to address these challenges. Study Design: Comprehensive literature review. Methods: The following databases were searched: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health). The keywords used in the search included “Cervical Cancer”, “Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV)”, “Ukraine”, “Eastern Europe”, “Healthcare Infrastructure in Disasters”, “Cervical Cancer Prevention”, “Pap Smear”, and “HPV Testing”. Results: A total of 3500 articles were screened. A total of 65 articles met the inclusion criteria. Limited public awareness and limited access to vaccination and screening, combined with inadequate treatment facilities lead to higher rates of cervical cancer. The COVID pandemic, war with Russia, and the Chernobyl disaster are significant factors for the low level of vaccination in Ukraine. Conclusion: The prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in Ukraine face significant challenges due to the inadequate HPV vaccination rates and screening by cytology. Efforts to improve funding and increase education of both the population and health care providers are necessary to increase interventions such as HPV vaccination, cervical cytology, and HPV testing to reduce cervical cancer rates in Ukraine.

War and Peace in Ukraine.A Legal-Linguistic Perspective

The current research overlaps a linguistic and a legal analysis of public international law in the Ukrainian case.Based on both official documents and public declarations,it explains the grounds for the wide range of understandings that the two common concepts-peace and war-may be bearing depending of the angle of looking at the matter and depending on the actor invoking them.The study develops the reasons likely to have been considered by President Putin when insisting to refer to the Russian military action started in Ukraine in February 2022 as“special military operation”instead of“war”and the cardinal difference in terms of legal impact for such a linguistic choice.It also builds on the elements which could serve as a basis for achieving a deal in obtaining peace in Ukraine,while tackling on the possible geopolitical,public communication and diplomatic hurdles,and offering clues for strategic analysis of the matter.

Modern experience of low-coal seams underground mining in Ukraine

Coal is the main energy resource in Ukraine. However geotechnological aspects of coal seams development and Ukrainian crisis have a negative influence on the mining industry. This article analyzes the experience in the development of very low and low-coal seams with 0.7–1.0 m thickness, as well as advanced technological solutions that allowed private coal enterprises, despite the difficult situation in the country, to maintain sufficient(more than 75% of all production) level of steam coal extraction for Ukrainian society. Given that Ukrainian's mining sector development is a huge task, we hope this review will add some discussions into the ongoing conversation.

Nature-Resource Potential of the Carpathian Region of Ukraine and Specificities of Its Use by Farming Enterprises

Method of nature-resource potential cost revaluation is suggested. The method proceeds from natural crop yield of Ukrainian lands provided that crops rotation is observed and lands are operated only mechanically with the use of no fertilizer. Nature-resource potential of Ukraine and its Carpathian Region are assessed in the aspect of administrative oblasts. Specificities of nature-resource potential’s use by farming enterprises are characterized. Peculiarities that effected upon formation of farming in Ukraine are reviewed. Indices of land availability are presented.

Consensus on management of hepatitis C virus infection in resource-limited Ukraine and Commonwealth of Independent States regions

Globally, 69.6 million individuals were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 2016. Of the six major HCV genotypes (GT), the most predominant one is GT1, worldwide. The prevalence of HCV in Central Asia, which includes most of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), has been estimated to be 5.8% of the total global burden. The predominant genotype in the CIS and Ukraine regions has been reported to be GT1, followed by GT3. Inadequate HCV epidemiological data, multiple socio-economic barriers, and the lack of regionspecific guidelines have impeded the optimal management of HCV infection in this region. In this regard, a panel of regional experts in the field of hepatology convened to discuss and provide recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment, and pre-, on-, and posttreatment assessment of chronic HCV infection and to ensure the optimal use of cost-effective antiviral regimens in the region. A comprehensive evaluation of the literature along with expert recommendations for the management of GT1-GT6 HCV infection with the antiviral agents available in the region has been provided in this review. This consensus document will help guide clinical decision-making during the management of HCV infection, further optimizing treatment outcomes in these regions.

旧词新话:Ukraine还是the Ukraine?

英语中,某些国家由于语言上和文化上的原因,其名称即国名中包括一个定冠词,如:the Congo,the Dominican Republic,theNetherlands,the Ukraine,the UnitedStates,the Soviet Union…已经形成习惯,相安无事了。但世事有常也无常,至少在目前来说,the Soviet Union,噫嘻,已不复存在矣。在两霸称雄的年代里,笔者有一次把“不问美国还是苏联……”译成“Be it the US or the SU…”时,规规矩矩地用了“the”的情景。

Geothermal Energy Production Potential from Oil and Gas Fields in Western Ukraine

Western Ukraine as well as Crimea Peninsula is well known for their geothermal potential.The classic low enthalpy geothermal project is based on the construction of a binary power plant,and includes recycling of water through one or several doublets of wells;produced hot water is directed to a heat exchanger(vaporizer),in which a secondary(working)fluid with low boiling point and high vapor pressure vaporizes and rotates a turbine to produce electricity.The highest risk for the project is associated with drilling new wells,which may not hit the target or not have the required productivity.Western Ukraine is one of the oldest oil and gas production regions in Europe.The majority of the fields are on a late stage of the development that is characterized with high produced volumes of water that after separation is being reinjected back for pressure support.In this study,we evaluated the possibility of geothermal energy production,extracted from water that is produced together with oil and gas,based on numerical reservoir simulation models for a typical reservoir setting.

Risk Assessment Capacity Building Program in Zaporizhzhia Ukraine: Emissions Inventory Construction, Ambient Modeling, and Hazard Results

Historically, Ukraine has been a major source of industrial production for the former Soviet Union and the source of pollution associated with an aging industrial infrastructure. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Ukrainian Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) entered into partnership to develop Ukrainian expertise and capacity in risk assessment so that Ukraine could more effectively use its National and Regional Environmental Protection Funds and set priorities for cleanup and regulation. Ukrainian scientists, local officials, and EPA consultants conducted a pilot study in the heavily industrialized Zaporizhzhia Oblast so that the process, analytical tools, and approach for a risk assessment could be developed for and tailored to Ukrainian needs. As a first step, site-specific information was obtained from multiple sources of air pollution and an emissions inventory of air pollution developed. Efforts by local officials were critical for emissions inventory construction. After refinements were made to the inventory, Ukrainian scientists then performed exposure modeling using this information so that ambient concentrations of pollutants could be estimated. 11 industry types (i.e., enterprises) were identified as a major emission source. Results of the modeling effort demonstrated that emissions estimates of particulate matter (as measured by particles of less than 10 micron diameter or “PM10”) and a number of carcinogens were consistent with those from other cities with high concentrations of metallurgical industries in former Soviet Union countries, and were above safety standards. Hazard information was gathered from international databases for each of the estimated pollutants. Using such data, prioritization and identification of potential health concerns can be made, but most importantly, the expertise and experience gained from the pilot allowed for continued support of risk assessment capacity building in the Ukraine and support by the World Bank.

Geochemical Characterization of Novokrivoyrog Metavolcanics: Tectonic Implications and Relationship with the Early Proterozoic Banded Iron Formation (BIF) of Krivoy Rog in Ukraine

The geochemical characterization of Novokrivoyrog metavolcanics (2.2 Ga) and Krivoy Rog iron ores (1.8 Ga) in Ukraine represent an important tool for the understanding of their genesis and tectono-magmatic evolution. The petrological classification of the metavolcanics on SiO2/(Zr-TiO2) and (Zr-TiO2)/(Nb/Y) Harker-type diagrams shows similarities to subalkaline andesitic basalts. An additional classification of the basalts on TAS (Na2O + K2O/SiO2) and AFM (FeO-MgO-Na2O + K2O) diagrams exhibits a variable magmatic character from calc-alkaline to tholeiitic. The distribution of High Field Strength Elements, (HSFE: Ti, Zr, Y, Hf, Nb), V, Cr, and Rare Earth Elements (REE) in most of the rocks is close to calc-alkaline basalts (CAB) and can be compared to Precambrian mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) where high thermal (>250°C) basaltic alteration is intensive under pH conditions between 2 and 4. These contributed to the deposition of the Krivoy Rog BIFs. Indeed REE distribution patterns of the BIFs suggest that they can be subdivided into shales and shaly BIFs (rich in LREEs since their detrital and clastic inputs are much higher) with (La/Yb)N > 1 as indication of clastic inputs;chert and cherty BIFs showing positive Eu anomaly with (La/Yb)N 1 emphasizes post-depositional effects related to the enrichment of light REEs over heavy REEs with a positive Eu anomaly. The distribution of REE patterns of Krivoy Rog BIFs can finally be compared to Precambrian iron formations of mixed submarine hydrothermal fluids and seawater origin which correspond to the MORB signature of the Novokrivoyrog metavolcanics.

The Transformation of German Security Policy in the Context of the Russia–Ukraine Crisis

Germany has recently taken multiple actions to adjust its security policy: for instance, promoting re-militarization, increasing foreign military intervention and overseas operations, and adopting measures to comprehensively safeguard security in the domains of energy, supply chain, and ideology. Externally, such moves result directly from the threat of a hot war emanating from the Russia–Ukraine crisis. Germany is severely deficient in hard power and the rules and order on which it previously relied are proving increasingly ineffective. The nation is also witnessing a sharply rising sense of insecurity as its inter-system competition with nonWestern countries intensifies. Internally, the present policy shift represents a continuation of German foreign policy transformations initiated during the Merkel era. This change is strongly driven by the new ruling coalition, especially the Green Party, and is staunchly supported by the public. In the future, Germany will probably further normalize its military, intensify its confrontations with non-Western countries, and diversify its means of comprehensively safeguarding security. However, security-related policy transformation processes will be time-consuming and Germany’s investments will not immediately pay off. Traditionally, Germany tends toward the pragmatic and balanced implementation of policies. Thus, it is less likely to pursue military hegemony than to increasingly assume security responsibilities within the Western alliance.

Impact of the Russia–Ukraine Crisis on Global Food Security

The Russia–Ukraine crisis has hit hard the grain production and exports of both countries,weakening their positions on global food markets.Moreover,the crisis has resulted in a shortage of fertilizer supply and a sharp increase in fertilizer prices.Consequently,global food production is declining,prices are hitting record highs,and market structures are shifting.Overall,global food insecurity is worsening,which,on top of several other factors,could become permanent as an aftermath of the Russia–Ukraine crisis.Therefore,food insecurity has become a topical issue in global governance.Spiking food prices and the ensuing political turbulence in vulnerable countries have altered the balance of strength between developed and developing countries,aggravating the existing imbalance between them.Furthermore,major food-producing countries are using food as a weapon to increase their influence in a fresh round of strategic competition,adding more uncertainties to the once-in-a-century changes shaping the world today.

Measures and Strategic Conception of Japan to Deal with the Russia–Ukraine Crisis

After the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, Japan wasted no time in advancing its national strategy and actively promoted shuttle diplomacy with the United States(U.S.), Europe, East Asia, and neighboring countries of Ukraine around sanctions against Russia based on strategic considerations and the goal of maximizing national interests. Japan regarded this conflict as an important opportunity for an international strategic game, in an attempt to move and overturn the postwar international order and reconstruct the new global order with the U.S., Europe, and Japan as the core countries dominating the military, science and technology, and economic spheres. In response to the crisis, Japan made a brief policy adjustment—from the initial hesitation to the imposition of active sanctions and pressure on Russia—to reverse the passive situation on the issue of the Four Northern Islands and weaken Russia’s strength. Japan also took the opportunity to promote the “China threat theory”;strengthen the quadrilateral mechanism between the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia;provoke regional confrontation;and try to gain a new Cold War dividend.

China and Ukraine Seek Deeper Cooperation on Agriculture, Infrastructure and Energy

China and Ukraine are looking forward to deepening their cooperation on sectors including agriculture,infrastructure and energy to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes,representatives from the two countries said at an economic and trade forum on November8.

Dominant and Subdominant Types of Nature Resources in Ukraine: Regional Analysis

Geographic specificities of allocation of basic (dominant) and second significant (subdo-minant) types of nature resources of Ukraine are disclosed in the aspect of 278 Ukrainian natural (physic-geographic) rayon. Major territorial combinations of nature resources formed in the state’s natural regions are exposed.

Philosophy of War:the Ukraine

The Ukraine war makes the philosophy of warfare highly relevant.But the philosophers of war are few in numbers despite the numerous war mankind has experienced.The Ukraine warfare is not rational in terms of Clausewitz’concepts of strategy and tactics.

RESEARCH ARTICLE Sensitivity of Crude Oil Price Change to Major Global Factors and to Russian-Ukraine War Crisis

To assess the elasticity of crude oil price to global factors related to supply of crude oil and the US dollar exchange rate, the authors employed nonlinear models including flexible least squares, and maximum likelihood estimator, in addition to OLS regression mode;using yearly data from 1965 to 2021. The findings indicate change in oil prices due to 1% change in any of the explanatory variables, as follows: the effect of the US dollar depreciation rate, raise crude oil price/barrel by 71 US cents;and increase in OPEC production, decrease crude oil price by 82 US cents;a decrease in non-OPEC production, raise oil price by 4.78 US$. These results imply that, if a ban imposed on Russian crude oil export, and no increase in OPEC production to compensate Russian oil loss in the international markets, global crude oil price expected to rise by 88 US$ above its level before Russian-Ukraine crisis, meaning that crude oil price expected to rise at 160 US$ pbab. However, if OPEC members increase their output level by 10 million barrels per day to compensate the Russian oil loss, then global crude oil price is expected to stay at 102 US$ pb.

The spatial dynamics of Ukraine air quality impacted by the war and pandemic

In recent years,our world has experienced significant disruptions due to the COviD-19 pandemic,and Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine,impacting human activities and the global environment.This paper explored air quality changes in Ukraine due to COVID-19,and Russia's invasion of Ukraine using on-demand with a what-you-see-is-what-you-get approach.During the cOVID-19 pandemic,strict quarantine policies in Ukraine led to a 2%reduction in tropospheric NO_(2) concentration before the lockdown and 4%during the lockdown period.Cities like Kyiv,Donetsk,and Dnipro exhibited reductions of 5%,11%,and 16%,respectively.Total SO_(2) column concentration decreased by 6%before the lockdown and 2.5%during the lockdown period,except in high population density areas.Kyiv showed the highest reduction of 17%in SO_(2) concentration,while Donetsk and Dnipro exhibited an 11%reduction.However,during the Russian invasion,there was a significant increase in tropospheric NO_(2) concentration in heavily destroyed Kharkiv while most eastern regions experienced a reduction.The total SO_(2) column was 48%higher before the war but reduced throughout the country after the war,except for in Kyiv and a few central regions.These findings can contribute to analyzing air pollution and building digital twin simulations for future reconstruction scenarios.

Some Aspects of Notarization of the Surrogacy Agreement:The Experience of Ukraine and the World

Relevance of the problem under research is due to the fragmentary character of the regulatory framework for concluding a surrogacy agreement both in Ukraine and foreign countries,which does not solve the full range of problems that arise in law enforcement practice.Moreover,there is no clear regulation for the notarization of the surrogacy agreement.The study aims to analyze the existing legal regulation of theoretical and practical aspects of the conclusion of a surrogacy agreement and draw certain conclusions and scientific provisions on the notarization of the surrogacy agreement.The leading research methods used for a comprehensive examination of surrogacy and surrogacy agreement were the following:normative semantic method,general logical methods of cognition,comparative and formal legal methods,generalization,historical method,systemic method,and structural and functional method.The research results proved the need for the legislative regulation of surrogacy.If a notarial form of the surrogacy agreement is implemented,it can significantly reduce the criminal component in this service and the risk of adverse consequences for the parties.There must be a separate law on the regulation of surrogacy adopted in Ukraine,which also concerns all other types of assisted reproductive technologies.

Pliocene taxodiaceous fossil wood from southwestern Ukraine and its palaeoenvironmental implications

Mineralized wood collected from Late Pliocene strata near Gorbki village in the Transcarpathian region of Beregovo Kholmogor’e in southwestern Ukraine was anatomically studied and identified.The wood possesses distinctive anatomical features and has distinct growth rings with an abrupt transition from early-to late-wood.Wood consists of tracheids with 1-3 seriate,dominating bi-seriate,opposite pits on the radial walls and taxodioid crossfield pitting,indentures present.Rays are uni-seriate and 1 to 73 cells high.Ray parenchyma horizontal walls thin and smooth.Axial parenchyma distributed in early-and late-wood and is solitary and diffuse,with end walls nearly smooth or slightly nodular.The combination of features observed in the wood indicates it belongs to the conifer family Taxodiaceae and is most similar to modern Sequoia and assigned to the fossil genus Sequoioxylon.Comparison with species of Sequoioxylon show it is most similar to Sequoioxylon burejense,but ray tracheids were not found in our specimens.We describe the specimens here as Sequoioxylon cf.s.burejense noting this similarity.Extant Sequoia is distributed in the northern California coastal forest eco-region of northern California and southern Oregon in the United States where they usually grow in a unique environment with heavy seasonal precipitation(2500 mm annually),cool coastal air and fog drip.This study supplies magafossil evidence of Sequoioxylon as an element of the Late Pliocene forest community in Ukraine and indicates a climate with heavy seasonal precipitation and fog drip.