How can the principles of learning be used to select the best ICT tools for computer-based chemistry instruction in high school?

The role of information and communication technology as well as teaching aids in specialized chemistry instruction was examined in the article. One of the key outcomes of specialized instruction in chemistry is the development of research skills in high school students. To ensure conformity with the principles of specialized chemistry teaching, ICT tools have been analyzed and systematized. The decision to use ICT tools to implement specialized chemistry training and strengthen the research skills of high school students in specialized chemistry training had supported. The findings of a study to assess the feasibility of implementing certain ICT tools to strengthen the research skills of high school students in specialized chemistry training are provided

Use of information technology to increase economic efficiency and credibility in public administration in the context of digitization

Purpose: The article analyzes the use of information technologies to increase the level of economic efficiency and trust in public administration in Ukraine. Design/Methodology/Approach: We use the concept of digital management for the purpose of integrated interaction of municipal and state structures with business, civil society institutions and the population. Findings: The conducted research concludes the active digital transformation of public administration in Ukraine. The following trends in the use of information technology are identified: the development of institutional support; the creation of analytical portals for ensuring public control; the level of accountability, transparency, accountability of the activity of civil servants; the implementation of e-government projects; the changing philosophy of development of electronic services. Practical Implications: The concept of state policy in the field of digital infrastructure was developed on the basis of a multi-stakeholder approach according to which the main purpose of the state bodies is to identify, prioritize, harmonize and satisfy the stakeholders. Originality/Value: In this article, we show the level of individual regions in Ukraine where there is uneven implementation and use of e-learning tools management.peer-reviewe

The Impact of Pollution on Children's Health: A Call for Global Accountability and Enforcement

Environmental pollution in large industrial centers has had a negative impact on the population's health, specifically among children. Our objective is to provide a systematic review of the literature, focusing on the impact of environmental pollutants from urban and metropolitan areas on pediatric health. Disregard for the Earth's atmosphere can negatively impact our fragile ecosystem and create a global toxicity. The impact of industrial growth and economic development has become paramount to modern society. Unfortunately, futuregenerations will pay the consequences of the world's failure to implement regulations to secure a safe environment for our children's health and development. Pollutants penetrate an organism through different routes and change physiological processes, which leads to a decrease in microbial resistance by weakening the child's immune system. The major contaminants are: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead, manganese, sulfur dioxide, airborne fine particles, and nitrogen dioxide. Xenobiotics negatively affect the morphological, functional, biochemical parameters, genetics, and epigenetics of the body. It is well documented that the physical development and psychological well-being of children is adversely affected by pollution. The accumulation of heavy metals and other contaminants adversely affected a child's health has been found in the pediatric population. An effort has been made to develop detoxicant remedies, in particular, some enterosorbents and natural adaptogens. Research is ongoing to improve medical rehabilitation of children, who already are affected. Public education and regulations regarding emerging non-pollutant industrial technologies is called for. A global system of accountability and enforcement regarding environmental protection needs to be implemented

Food-Borne Chemical Carcinogens and the Evidence for Human Cancer Risk

Commonly consumed foods and beverages can contain chemicals with reported carcinogenic activity in rodent models. Moreover, exposures to some of these substances have been associated with increased cancer risks in humans. Food-borne carcinogens span a range of chemical classes and can arise from natural or anthropogenic sources, as well as form endogenously. Important considerations include the mechanism(s) of action (MoA), their relevance to human biology, and the level of exposure in diet. The MoAs of carcinogens have been classified as either DNA-reactive (genotoxic), involving covalent reaction with nuclear DNA, or epigenetic, involving molecular and cellular effects other than DNA reactivity. Carcinogens are generally present in food at low levels, resulting in low daily intakes, although there are some exceptions. Carcinogens of the DNA-reactive type produce effects at lower dosages than epigenetic carcinogens. Several food-related DNA-reactive carcinogens, including aflatoxins, aristolochic acid, benzene, benzo[a]pyrene and ethylene oxide, are recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as causes of human cancer. Of the epigenetic type, the only carcinogen considered to be associated with increased cancer in humans, although not from low-level food exposure, is dioxin (TCDD). Thus, DNA-reactive carcinogens in food represent a much greater risk than epigenetic carcinogens

Development of Scientific and Methodical Competence of Teachers of Vocational Education Institutions

The relevance of the studied problem is due to the growing requirements for scientific and methodical training of teachers of vocational education institutions in Ukraine in the context of improving the efficiency of the educational process of future skilled workers. The aim of the article was to investigate theoretically and to test experimentally the effectiveness of modern approaches to the development of scientific and methodical competence of teachers of vocational education institutions in Ukraine. Leading methods of research of this problem are empirical (questionnaires of teachers of vocational education institutions, observation and evaluation of the effectiveness of their scientific and methodical activities) and theoretical (comparative and substantive analysis of literature sources and regulations on the research topic, a systematic approach to the structure and modeling of the development of scientific and methodical competence of the teacher of vocational education institution on modern principles). It was developed and represented the structure and define levels of development of scientific and methodical competence of the teacher of vocational education institution, and also describe the process of development of scientific and methodical competence by improving the content and procedural components of advanced training of teachers of vocational education institutions. The materials of the article will be useful to the managers of vocational education institutions in the context of improving the scientific and methodical work of the institution, lecturers of postgraduate education institutions, whose activities are directly related to the professional development of pedagogical staff of vocational education institutions

The Directions of Improvement of Strategic Planning at the Regional Level

In modern conditions of dynamic development of socio-economic processes on the world level, the role of strategic planning increases. Complication of the problems that are to be solved, rapid change of factors of external environment, considerable cost of resources as to their solving - all this demands careful development of decisions for the future. The article is aimed at defining the essence and principles of strategic planning of regions development along with directions of its further improvement. The essence of strategic planning of development of regions is considered, the authors’ own vision of its definition is proposed. Principles of strategic planning of regional development are indicated. A list of general planning principles is provided and emphasis is placed on the principles inherent in strategic planning of regional development. The proposed principles provide an opportunity to respond proactively to possible threats and develop alternative plans. It is emphasized that in modern conditions it becomes impossible to develop effective strategic plans without observing the principles of alternative, adaptability, flexibility of planning. A further emphasis is also placed on the need to apply a partnership approach to the development of plans, which brings together the interests of the State, the region, and the public. The main advantages of strategic planning of regional development and shortcomings of the practice of their development and implementation in our country are provided

Assets and Unmet Needs of Diverse Older Adults: Perspectives of community-based service providers in Minnesota

This paper examines assets and unmet needs of diverse older adults and highlights the need for programs and policies that address the social determinants of health. The United States is undergoing an unprecedented demographic shift, becoming increasingly diverse and aging rapidly. Given these changing demographics, it is important to understand the strengths and needs of our diverse population of older adults. This study captures perspectives of diverse service providers who work with older adults in communities, to identify existing assets as well as unmet needs and challenges facing diverse older adults in Minnesota. Qualitative data were collected using key informant interviews with community-based service providers (N=15) as part of a year-long engagement project. Participants were purposively selected to represent African American, East African, American Indian, Southeast Asian, Latino, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s approach to thematic analysis. Results indicate a number of assets supporting Minnesota’s diverse older adults. Assets of cultural communities include culturally specific services, faith communities, and close-knit families. Assets of older adults include their cultural and historical knowledge, wisdom, experience, and resilience. Despite the many assets supporting diverse older adults, results indicate seven primary categories of unmet needs: (1) health (2) healthcare, (3) transportation, (4) housing, (5) education, (6) social support, and (7) financial security. All unmet needs sub-themes address health or social determinants of health, indicating the need for a broad range of policies and programs. As the U.S. population grows increasingly older and more diverse, it is critical that these unmet needs are addressed to ensure equity for aging well

Seguridad y protección social en el contexto de la integración europea en Ucrania

The processes of modern integration of Ukraine with Europe are closely connected with changes not only in the system of national legislation in terms of its adaptation to the principles and norms of international and European law, but also with a radical revision of the basics of legal support in public life. One of the most important spheres of public life is the social sphere, which is closely related to issues of social security and social protection of citizens. From this point of view, Ukraine’s approach to European living standards directly implies the improvement of the system of state management of social protection of citizens. The aim of the article is to analyze the impact of European integration processes on the social protection system in Ukraine, study the current state of social security and protection in Ukraine, identify the main problems of social policy in the country, suggest ways to solve our problems. The purpose and objectives of this article, together with its object and subject matter, predetermined the research methodology used, which includes documentary review and critical analysis. The significance of the obtained results is the theoretical basis they form for further analysis of the socio-political situation in Ukraine and forecasting the prospects of modern social development.Los procesos de integración de Ucrania con Europa están estrechamente relacionados con cambios no solo en el sistema de legislación nacional en términos de su adaptación a los principios y normas del derecho internacional y europeo, sino también con una revisión radical de los fundamentos jurídicos en la vida pública. Una de las esferas más importantes de la vida pública es el ámbito social que está íntimamente relacionado con los temas de seguridad social y protección social de los ciudadanos, desde este punto de vista, el enfoque de Ucrania sobre el nivel de vida europeo implica directamente la mejora del sistema de gestión estatal de la protección social de los ciudadanos. El objetivo del artículo es analizar el impacto de los procesos de integración de Europa en el sistema de protección social en Ucrania, estudiar el estado actual de la seguridad social y la protección en Ucrania, identificar los principales problemas de la política social en el país, sugerir formas de resolver las problemáticas sociales. El propósito y los objetivos de este artículo, junto con su objeto y temática predeterminaron la metodología de investigación utilizada que incluye revisión documental y análisis crítico. La importancia de los resultados obtenidos cosntituyen la base teórica para un análisis más profundo de la situación sociopolítica en Ucrania sobre las perspectivas del desarrollo social moderno

Scalable Computational Algorithms for Geo-spatial Covid-19 Spread in High Performance Computing

A nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE) based compartmental model of COVID-19 provides a continuous trace of infection over space and time. Finer resolutions in the spatial discretization, the inclusion of additional model compartments and model stratifications based on clinically relevant categories contribute to an increase in the number of unknowns to the order of millions. We adopt a parallel scalable solver allowing faster solutions for these high fidelity models. The solver combines domain decomposition and algebraic multigrid preconditioners at multiple levels to achieve the desired strong and weak scalability. As a numerical illustration of this general methodology, a five-compartment susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered-deceased (SEIRD) model of COVID-19 is used to demonstrate the scalability and effectiveness of the proposed solver for a large geographical domain (Southern Ontario). It is possible to predict the infections up to three months for a system size of 92 million (using 1780 processes) within 7 hours saving months of computational effort needed for the conventional solvers