INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ANXIETY LEVELS AND LIFE HABITS CHANGES IN GENERAL POPULATION DURING THE PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN: DECREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, FALLING ASLEEP LATE AND INTERNET BROWSING ABOUT COVID-19 ARE RISK FACTORS FOR ANXIETY, WHEREAS SOCIAL MEDIA USE IS NOT

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially contributed to increased anxiety rates among the general population worldwide. Pandemic-related health anxiety and worries about getting COVID-19 can lead to generalized anxiety and anxiety somatization, which, together with insalubrious daily life habits, are risk factors of worsening somatic health in people with SARS-Cov-2 infection. Subjects and methods: The current study is a part of the COMET-G project (40 countries, n=55589; approved by the Ethics Committee of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), which represents an intermediate analysis of data collected anonymously via online links from a national sample of the Russian general population (n=9936, 31.09±12.16 y.o., 58.7% females) to estimate anxiety using STAI-S and self-reported changes in anxiety and life habits (physical activity, nutrition and weight, internet use, sleep) during the lockdown. All statistical calculations (descriptive statistics, between group comparisons using chi-square test, MANOVA, ANOVA, significant at p<0.05) were performed with IBM SPSS 27. Results: Overall STAI-S scores were 29+- 5.4, a subjective feeling of anxiety increase was reported in 40.3% of respondents (43.9% significantly > in females), worsening to clinical anxiety in 2.1% (2.4% > in females). 54.2% of respondents reported decreased physical activity, 33.1% gained weight, 72% used internet more often, 52.6% experienced worries related to the information about COVID-19 (56.8% > in females). 88% experienced worsened sleep quality, 69.2% stayed up until late, 23.2% took sleeping pills, and 31% had nightmares in which they felt trapped. To ANOVA, such life habits as reduced physical activity during the lockdown, increased time spent online, internet browsing about COVID-19, tendency to stay up late, use of sleeping pills and disturbing dreams with scenario of being trapped were significantly related to worsening of clinical anxiety. However, eating behaviour, weight changes, and social media use did not contribute to the clinical anxiety increase. Conclusions: Factors of decreased physical activity and sleep disturbances related to the lockdown, as well as excessive internet browsing for information about COVID-19, emerged as risk factors for increased anxiety, more notably in women than in men. Preventive measures should be targeted against relevant factors imparting anxiety in the vulnerable population

INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ANXIETY LEVELS AND LIFE HABITS CHANGES IN GENERAL POPULATION DURING THE PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN: DECREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, FALLING ASLEEP LATE AND INTERNET BROWSING ABOUT COVID-19 ARE RISK FACTORS FOR ANXIETY, WHEREAS SOCIAL MEDIA USE IS NOT

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially contributed to increased anxiety rates among the general population worldwide. Pandemic-related health anxiety and worries about getting COVID-19 can lead to generalized anxiety and anxiety somatization, which, together with insalubrious daily life habits, are risk factors of worsening somatic health in people with SARS-Cov-2 infection. Subjects and methods: The current study is a part of the COMET-G project (40 countries, n=55589; approved by the Ethics Committee of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), which represents an intermediate analysis of data collected anonymously via online links from a national sample of the Russian general population (n=9936, 31.09±12.16 y.o., 58.7% females) to estimate anxiety using STAI-S and self-reported changes in anxiety and life habits (physical activity, nutrition and weight, internet use, sleep) during the lockdown. All statistical calculations (descriptive statistics, between group comparisons using chi-square test, MANOVA, ANOVA, significant at p<0.05) were performed with IBM SPSS 27. Results: Overall STAI-S scores were 29+- 5.4, a subjective feeling of anxiety increase was reported in 40.3% of respondents (43.9% significantly > in females), worsening to clinical anxiety in 2.1% (2.4% > in females). 54.2% of respondents reported decreased physical activity, 33.1% gained weight, 72% used internet more often, 52.6% experienced worries related to the information about COVID-19 (56.8% > in females). 88% experienced worsened sleep quality, 69.2% stayed up until late, 23.2% took sleeping pills, and 31% had nightmares in which they felt trapped. To ANOVA, such life habits as reduced physical activity during the lockdown, increased time spent online, internet browsing about COVID-19, tendency to stay up late, use of sleeping pills and disturbing dreams with scenario of being trapped were significantly related to worsening of clinical anxiety. However, eating behaviour, weight changes, and social media use did not contribute to the clinical anxiety increase. Conclusions: Factors of decreased physical activity and sleep disturbances related to the lockdown, as well as excessive internet browsing for information about COVID-19, emerged as risk factors for increased anxiety, more notably in women than in men. Preventive measures should be targeted against relevant factors imparting anxiety in the vulnerable population

Results of the COVID-19 mental health international for the general population (COMET-G) study.

INTRODUCTION: There are few published empirical data on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, and until now, there is no large international study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire gathered data from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80 ± 13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables. RESULTS: Probable depression was detected in 17.80% and distress in 16.71%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (31.82% vs. 13.07%). At least half of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop depression was associated with history of Bipolar disorder and self-harm/attempts (RR = 5.88). Suicidality was not increased in persons without a history of any mental disorder. Based on these results a model was developed. CONCLUSIONS: The final model revealed multiple vulnerabilities and an interplay leading from simple anxiety to probable depression and suicidality through distress. This could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable. Future research and interventions should specifically focus on them

Inflation and Bank of Russia's policy: is there a link?

One of the most important aims of monetary policy of the Bank of Russia is to reduce CPI inflation under simultaneous stabilization of ruble exchange rate to the major world currencies. While such task setting is obviously contradictory and requires usage of additional instrument, it is unclear whether Central bank can influence inflation processes at all. The work inquires into how inflation is influenced by credit aggregates, oil prices and exchange rate as the major factors limiting possibilities of Bank of Russia's influence on the price level. Conclusions include recommendations on monetary policy of the Bank of Russia. (in Russian)monetary policy, inflation, Bank of Russia, oil prices, exchange rate pass through

Малое инновационное предпринимательство в развитии национальной экономики Беларуси

The article determines the role an d importance of small-scale innovative enterprises (SIE) in the formation and development of nation al innovative system (NIS). The study results in the conclusion that, through the creation of SIE, the participants of NIS widen the spectrum of their functions. The article gives the author’s classification of the subjects of small-scale innovative entrepreneurship.В статье определены роль и значение малых инновационных предприятий (МИП ) в становлении и развитии национальной инновационной системы (НИС). В результате исследования автор приходит к выводу, что посредством создания МИП участники НИС расширяют спектр выполняемых ими функций. В статье приведена авторская классификация субъектов малого инновационного предпринимательства

Taxonomic Composition of Protist Communities in the Coastal Stratified Lake Kislo-Sladkoe (Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea) Revealed by Microscopy

Lake Kislo-Sladkoe is a stratified water body partly isolated from the White Sea. Perennial meromixis in the lake irregularly alternates with mixing events. Taking into account that the protists of Arctic coastal stratified water bodies are understudied, we evaluated for the first time the vertical structure, species richness, and diversity of protists assigned to different taxonomic groups in Lake Kislo-Sladkoe using light, luminescent, and scanning electron microscopy. To test the research hypothesis that a mixing event affects the vertical stratification and species composition of protists in a stratified lake, we compared the protist communities of Lake Kislo-Sladkoe in two extremely different states: strong meromixis vs. full vertical mixing. A total of 97 morphologically distinct phototrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic protists were revealed with the most diverse supertaxa SAR (59), Obazoa (9), and Excavates (14). The hidden diversity of protists (43 species) was a bit less than the active diversity (54 species). A taxonomic list and micrographs of cells for the observed protists are provided. The majority of species revealed are cosmopolitan or widespread in the northern sea waters. The vertical patterns of protist communities were absolutely different in 2018 and 2021. In July 2018, clearly distinct protist communities inhabited different layers of the lake. Bloom of cryptophyte Rhodomonas cf. baltica was detected in chemocline, whereas the maximum density of its grazers was observed in adjacent layers, mainly dinoflagellates Gymnodinium sp. and Scrippsiella trochoidea, as well as a ciliate Prorodon sp. In 2021 due to the recent mixing of lake and seawater, there were no distinct communities in the water column except the superficial 0–1 m layer of fresh water

Парафискалитеты: проблемы и перспективы правового регулирования

The article refers to investigating problems of legal regulation of parafiscal payments and ways of their solving. It marks the increasing number of payments as well as strengthening scientists’ interest to the issue in recent years. However, it has not led to legal regulation improvement of the sphere. While studying the issues the authors use the conceptual approach to consider the obligatory payments accumulated out of the budgetary system as “parafiscalities” that is supported by law enforcement practice. Analysing the main characteristics of parafiscal payments, the authors compare them with taxes and levies, separating the last, first of all, according to the purpose of establishing and collecting ones that are expected to satisfy not the state (municipal), but other public social or economic interests. The article also reveals negative sides of current parafiscal system that are mostly caused by legal regulation insufficiency in the sphere. In addition, it highlights the necessity of legislative definition for basic fundamentals to establish, introduce and levy payments providing public and private interests balance and that will ensure protection of payers’ rights who make parafiscal payments. The article also raises the problem of strengthening the financial control over the parafiscal payment system that is also possible only in case of complex legal regulation of all obligatory payments coming to the decentralized public fundsСтатья посвящена исследованию проблем правового регулирования парафискальных платежей и определению путей их решения. В статье отмечено как увеличение в последние годы количества таких платежей, так и усиление интереса ученых к данной проблематике, что, однако, до сих пор не привело к улучшению правового регулирования обозначенной сферы. При исследовании поставленных проблем за основу взят концептуальный подход к рассмотрению обязательных платежей, аккумулируемых за рамками бюджетной системы, в качестве «парафискалитетов», что поддерживается правоприменительной практикой. При анализе основных признаков парафискальных платежей авторы статьи проводят их сравнение с налогами и сборами, отграничивая их от последних прежде всего по цели установления и взимания, предполагающей удовлетворение не государственного (муниципального), а иного публичного социального или экономического интереса. В статье показаны отрицательные стороны существующей в настоящее время системы парафискалитетов, которые во многом обусловлены недостаточностью правового регулирования данной сферы. Выявлена необходимость законодательного определения основополагающих начал установления, введения и взимания таких платежей, обеспечивающих сбалансированность публичных и частных интересов, что и будет защищать права плательщиков парафискалитетов. В статье также обозначена проблема усиления финансового контроля над системой парафискальных платежей, что возможно лишь в случае комплексного правового регулирования всех обязательных платежей, взимаемых в децентрализованные публичные фонд

Results of the COVID-19 mental health international for the general population (COMET-G) study.

IntroductionThere are few published empirical data on the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, and until now, there is no large international study.Material and methodsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire gathered data from 55,589 participants from 40 countries (64.85% females aged 35.80&nbsp;±&nbsp;13.61; 34.05% males aged 34.90±13.29 and 1.10% other aged 31.64±13.15). Distress and probable depression were identified with the use of a previously developed cut-off and algorithm respectively.Statistical analysisDescriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square tests, multiple forward stepwise linear regression analyses and Factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tested relations among variables.ResultsProbable depression was detected in 17.80% and distress in 16.71%. A significant percentage reported a deterioration in mental state, family dynamics and everyday lifestyle. Persons with a history of mental disorders had higher rates of current depression (31.82% vs. 13.07%). At least half of participants were accepting (at least to a moderate degree) a non-bizarre conspiracy. The highest Relative Risk (RR) to develop depression was associated with history of Bipolar disorder and self-harm/attempts (RR&nbsp;=&nbsp;5.88). Suicidality was not increased in persons without a history of any mental disorder. Based on these results a model was developed.ConclusionsThe final model revealed multiple vulnerabilities and an interplay leading from simple anxiety to probable depression and suicidality through distress. This could be of practical utility since many of these factors are modifiable. Future research and interventions should specifically focus on them