A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e. a controlling message) compared to no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly-internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared to the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly-internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing: Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Significance Communicating in ways that motivate engagement in social distancing remains a critical global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study tested motivational qualities of messages about social distancing (those that promoted choice and agency vs. those that were forceful and shaming) in 25,718 people in 89 countries. The autonomy-supportive message decreased feelings of defying social distancing recommendations relative to the controlling message, and the controlling message increased controlled motivation, a less effective form of motivation, relative to no message. Message type did not impact intentions to socially distance, but people’s existing motivations were related to intentions. Findings were generalizable across a geographically diverse sample and may inform public health communication strategies in this and future global health emergencies. Abstract Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world

Fish yield prediction in water bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic

Purpose. The development of a Fish Yield Prediction Model for lakes and water reservoirs of the Kyrgyz Republic based on easily measured physico-chemical and biological indicators (limnological parameters) for the effective management and sustainable use of fish resources. Methodology. Water samples for the analysis were taken once at each season (winter, spring, summer, autumn) during 2014 - 2015. The sampling included the collection of the following parameters: water temperature, acid-base balance of water (pH), electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids (TDS), total alkalinity, nitrates, chlorophyll a. The samples were taken in surface layer of water at a depth of 0.5 m into 250 ml sterile chemical bottles. Chlorophyll "a" concentration was measured by a spectrophotometric method in laboratory conditions, according to a method described by Stirling H.P. The total alkalinity was determined by titration of sodium tetraborate solution (reverse titration), nitrates were determined by a photometric method with the Griss reagent after reduction in the cadmium reducing agent. The measurement of rapidly changing parameters, such as dissolved oxygen concentration (О2) was carried out by portable field equipment “OAKTON” DO 110, acid-base balance (pH) – “OAKTON” PH 11, measurement of water temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS) was carried out with the device "Orion Star"A 322. All measurements were taken directly in water areas. Findings. According to data analysis, a number of indices, such as the morpho-edaphic index (MEI), primary productivity and biomass of phytoplankton, are strong indicators of fish yield, both in temperate and tropical lakes and reservoirs. It was identified that with an increase in the morpho-edaphic index, fish yield per unit area increases. Based on the results of our analysis, a Fish yield prediction model in six water bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic was developed, which has the following form: Y = 0.1154 х MEIc 1.1628; Y = 0.5613 х MEIa 1.1786; where: Y- fish yield, kg/ha/year; MEIc - Morpho-edaphic Index of Conductivity; MEIa - Morpho-edaphic Index of Alkalinity. Originality. This is the first research on the empirical Model development of fish yield prediction for lakes and water reservoirs in Central Asian region. The proposed Fish Yield Prediction Model, developed on the basis of MEI, using the statistical method of analysis, has invaluable practical utility to understand the fisheries potential of lakes and water reservoirs in the region, where such environmental conditions prevail. Practical value: If reliable data on fish stock assessment in water bodies are unavailable, the proposed model will be used as one of the tools in the management of fish stocks

LIPID METABOLISM DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

Purpose of the study. To study lipid metabolism in chronic hepatitis C and to assess its impact on the formation of insulin resistance, steatosis and progression of liver fibrosis.Materials and methods. The study included 205 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Conducts research, depending on the genotype C, viral load and body mass index (BMI) of the patients.Results. CHC patients revealed a combined hyperlipoproteinemia on the background of op-pression synthesis of apolipoproteins A1 and B. Formation of hepatic steatosis was associated with HCV genotype 3 virus-induced viral load at ≥ 6 log10 IU/ml and metabolic in VL < 6 log10 IU/ml. In patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, high viral load leads to inhibition of protein synthesis conveyor ApoA1 and increased synthesis of cholesterol, accompanied by abdominal obesity and the formation of insulin resistance. CHC patients with BMI < 25 kg/m2 viral load ≥ 6 log10 ME/ml was associated with dyslipidemia IV type on D. Fredriskson (1970), hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and diabetes. The advanced stage of liver fi brosis (F ≥ 3 on a scale METAVIR) and non-response to treatment were associated with a decrease in HDL cholesterol below normal. With an increase in viral load > 5 log10 ME/ml signifi cantly increased the risk of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism