The article explores the impact of the quality and volume of energy consumption of the population on the human development index using a sample of a number of countries as an example. The hypothesis concerning the relationship between the amount of energy consumed, the human development index (HDI), and the environment (CO2 emissions into the atmosphere) has been verified. The study results show that the size and rating of the HDI are influenced by such factors as urbanization growth, gross domestic product (GDP), gross national income (GNI) per capita, the share of “clean” energy consumption by the population and business in total energy consumption, the level of socio-economic development, and R&D expenses. In the course of building the model, the recommendations by the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) were used. The results show that the volume of energy consumption not only affects the human development index in a particular country, but is also an important factor in determining the level of sustainable development. The results, obtained in the course of the study and described in the article, may be applicable in the practice of research related to the assessment of human development and sustainable development.

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This work focuses on investigating plant-parasitic nematodes that affect greenhouse vegetables. The study took place in the Rostov region (Russian Federation) between May 2019 and May 2020 and involved 180 samples of soil and roots of 30 different vegetables in the families Cucurbitaceae (6), Solanaceae (8), Umbelliferae (8), Lamiaceae (4) and Allioideae (4) from 20 intensive farming locations. In this study, 11 nematode genera were detected. The most common genus was Meloidogyne, followed by Helicotylenchus, Pratylenchus, and Scutellonema. The highest Meloidogyne densities were detected in cucumbers, green peppers, carrots, eggplants, basil, and celery. Onions were not infected with Meloidogyne at all. Plant diseases caused by Pratylenchus, Scutellonema and Helicotylenchus were present in 29.7%, 51.5% and 81.6% of all crops examined, respectively. Xiphinema were found exclusively in carrots and celery, while Ditylenchus were only present in tomatoes and carrots (for each, the prevalence was 2.1%). The relative abundance of Meloidogyne, Helicotylenchus, and Pratylenchus was 58.3%, 10.4%, and 2.1%, respectively. As regards other genera, the relative abundance was less than 1%. The results show that soil properties are as important for the abundance, distribution and structure of the plant-parasitic nematode communities as the host plant. Findings may be helpful in improving the vegetable pest controls.

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of influence of alternative options for generating electricity by households on the level of energy independence of countries. The research methodology was based on the use of correlation–regression analysis, as well as adapted non-linear optimization by choosing one of three scenarios for electricity generation by households for 20 countries. Regression analysis showed the dependence of a country’s energy security on households’ energy independence. It is determined that an increase in households’ energy production helps to reduce the level of energy dependence in developed countries. However, for developing countries, there is no such interrelation. The solution of the formulated problem of nonlinear optimization for the studied countries has demonstrated that the criterion of energy dependence is superior to the criterion of a country’s energy security. In the long term, this study can be deepened in the direction of assessing the effectiveness of household investment in electricity generation projects. The proposed results can be used by responsible persons in the field of economy and energy in order to determine the position of various policies, and use strategic levers and indicators that ensure an effective response to energy security challenges in the regional and global markets.

Background: Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) is a plant commonly found in the Russian Federation on the roadsides, forest margins, and meadows. Despite lack of recognition by the official medicine, blackthorn fruits possess antioxidant properties and are used in homeopathic preparations. They may also demonstrate antibacterial and anticancer potential due to hydroxycinnamic acids. The aim of present study was to identify and assay hydroxycinnamates in fruits of P. spinosa cultivated in Moscow Region. Materials and Methods: Fresh and dried fruits of P. spinosa, gathered from plants cultivated in Moscow Region in the harvest maturity stage, were used in the study. Qualitative composition of hydroxycinnamic acids was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography, using reversed phase C18 column. Total hydroxycinnamic acids (THA) content was assessed spectrophotometrically. Results: Similar chromatographic profiles were obtained for both fresh and dried blackthorn fruits, the two most abundant compounds being epicatechin (2.91%) and chicoric acid (2.90%). Fruits gathered in Chekhovsky District had lower content of hydroxycinnamates (0.798 ± 0.89) than those coming from Klinsky District (0.886 ± 0.92). However, the THA content in dried fruits grown in both districts was found to be similar (0.540 ± 0.71 and 0.557 ± 0.74, respectively). Conclusions: It can be concluded that blackthorn fruits can be considered as a source of hydroxycinnamic acids, as both fresh and dried fruits contain at least eleven hydroxycinnamates. It was found that the dried fruits have similar content of hydroxycinnamic acids, independently of their origin. Future research should be aimed at drying method optimization.