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Knowledge of the spatial distribution of reptiles is essential for decision-making in conservation under future climate change scenarios. We present a new compilation of reptile records for Odesa Oblast (i.e. province), south-west Ukraine. We compiled 662 records: 200 from our own research during 2012–2022, 362 from the published literature, 73 from public databases and 27 from museum collections. Fourteen native species of reptile (one species of Emydidae, four of Lacertidae, one of Anguidae, six of Colubridae and two of Viperidae) have been recorded in Odesa Oblast but the distribution of several are poorly known and/or records have rarely been published. We also report four introduced reptile species (one each of Emydidae, Gekkonidae, Lacertidae and Anguidae). We present the data in a grid of 462 10 × 10 km cells covering the oblast. In this compilation we did not record any new species, but our records include previously unreported localities for some species. Species richness was highest in the areas along the Black Sea, in protected areas. The main threats to the reptiles in Odesa Oblast are the alteration and degradation of habitats, military action, uncontrolled pressure from infrastructure projects and the presence of invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of deep shelf or onshore gas hydrate fields involves drilling wells with subsequent thermal, decompression or chemical action on the bed. In this case, the radius of thermal or decompression action is limited. As the field develops, recovery efficiency decreases, and necessity arises for drilling a new well that influences the cost of the technology. To determine the rational wells location, it is necessary to predict the advance of the phase transformation rate front into the depth of the bed. In this work, to study the movement dynamics of the gas hydrates dissociation front in a porous layer of rock, the Stefan problem solution is used. The method adequacy is substantiated by comparing the calculated results with known experimental data. The temperature fields are modelled in a porous bed during the methane hydrate dissociation. The temperature field dynamics for 200 days in a porous bed during the methane hydrate dissociation caused by thermal action is shown. The influence of porosity and excess temperature on the dissociation front movement rate is revealed.

The XIV International Research and Practice Conference “Ukrainian School of Mining Engineering” once again has made an important contribution to the mining industry, science and education. In the course of the conference, a wide range of problems was discussed: theoretical aspects of mining; domestic and foreign experience; personnel training in modern realities; problems of mineral deposits development; fundamental concepts of labor safety, etc. Fruitful dialogue and exchange of experience among conference participants contribute to the generation of new ideas, discoveries, technologies that will find their application in the nearest future. The formation of a new generation of scientists and engineers is taking place today, and therefore this representative conference is an important means of creating a new intellectual environment. The conference promotes the establishment of effective contacts between representatives of different scientific schools and directions, and the acquisition of invaluable experience and practice by researchers.

The mechanism of gas hydrates formation in coal seams is studied in the paper, as well as their involvement is hypothesized in the sudden outbursts of coal and gas during underground mining of coal deposits. It has been substantiated and proved that one of the real reasons for subsequent outbursts is the formation of gas hydrates in coal as a type of secondary gas hydrate deposits. It has been also substantiated that, as a result of coal metamorphism, a large amount of gaseous hydrocarbons, mainly methane, is formed in the seam, which under certain thermobaric conditions leads to the gas hydrates formation. It has been experimentally proved that the mechanism of such inclusions formation between gas hydrate and coal is a result of strong chemisorption, which, when disturbing thermobaric conditions, leads to gas-dynamic activity of coal seams. It has been revealed that during the dissociation of gas hydrates, obtained in a medium of activated coals, twice as much gaseous methane is released. The research analysis indicates that the formation of natural gas solid solutions in coal pores under certain thermodynamic conditions and the natural humidity, characteristic of coal seams, is one of the causes of sudden coal and gas outbursts. The gas hydrates dissociation influences on the gas-dynamic activity of a coal seam and the formation of an outburst hazardous situation.

For the thirteenth time International Research and Practice Conference “Ukrainian School of Mining Engineering” has made an important contribution to the mining industry, science and education, expanding the boundaries of interaction between representatives of science and practicing industry experts, opening up new opportunities for the exchange of experience, solving the most acute problems, presenting a new vision of the future of mining sector and industrial development not only in Ukraine, but also all over the world. This year the conference is mostly dedicated to the new 4.0 level of the industry and had the main topic of “Innovative technologies and intelligent systems in mining”. Also, the following problems were not disregarded such as major mining trends, mining mechanical engineering, alternative energy sources, stoping and tunneling equipment, mine workings maintaining and supporting, mineral enrichment, crisis management, safety of mining, sanitation, labor protection, and etc. The results of the conference once again proved that only the community created over the years, where a collision of sciences and various practicing schools takes place, is able to bring the most advanced and innovative ideas to life, laying the foundation for future achievements of the mining industry.

We provide data on the historical record of Pseudopus apodus (Anguidae) from Odesa, Ukraine based on the specimen re-discovered in the museum collection of the National Science and Natural History Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv (NMNH) in 2021. The data show that the specimen belongs most likely to the nominotypical subspecies, P. a. apodus (Pallas, 1775). We discussed the possible origin of the record and we concluded that the specimen was introduced to Odesa most probably from its native range (Crimea or Caucasus). The uniqueness of the record and the past human-mediated interactions thus suggest an allochthonous origin rather than the historical sign of the relict population. Thus, our data clarify the situation on species distribution in the north-western Black Sea region from where we have still limited knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on development of mathematical model for shielded distributed lowpass filter based on eight-terminal circuit theory. The proposed model is assessed using different initial data. Recommendations for the simulation of filtration are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]