Unemployment rate in Poland and USA during COVID-19 pandemic : a case study

Purpose: The paper analyses the literature on research in unemployment, COVID-19 pandemic, and economic security. The paper focuses on the analysis, evaluation, and forecasting of unemployment rates in Poland and the USA regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic security. Design/Methodology/Approach: The preliminary research was carried out by analyzing the monthly exchange rates of the dollar, ruble, euro, and yen for the period 2004-2020. All preliminary studies in the form of analyses of exchange rate quotations and oil prices are presented in one linear chart to observe the trends governing them in dynamic terms. Then, the analysis and assessment of unemployment rates in Poland and the USA were carried out monthly in 2010-2020. Regularities could be seen in the mass phenomena being observed. The forecasting will be carried out by using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the world economies to slow down due to border closures, the suspension of international passenger transport, and restrictions on buying and selling in a global approach. The continuing restrictions related to the suspension of air traffic have resulted in a lack of demand for energy resources in diesel fuel. The phenomenon observed has caused world oil prices to fall to their lowest level in many years. The proclamation of the pandemic has also had an impact on strong increases and decreases in exchange rate quotations. This proclamation, in turn, has resulted in an increase in unemployment in many world economies. Practical Implications: This paper analyzes, evaluates, and forecasts unemployment rates in Poland and the USA for August and September 2020 during the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of economic security. Originality: The prices are analyzed before and after the COVID-19 outbreak.peer-reviewe

Belt and road initiative in the age of COVID-19 pandemic : implications for the development of the strategic project of the People’s Republic of China

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of the pandemic on the current implementation of the New Silk Road project and its future in light of changes worldwide. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used empirical methods (source material review, expert opinion surveys, diagnostic survey) and theoretical methods (analysis, synthesis, comparison, modeling, and inference). Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with societies worldwide with China and, in extreme cases, entire East Asia. This belief has affected mass attitudes and social phenomena concerning the People's Republic of China's foreign policy in different parts of the world. Therefore, a correlation between changes in worldwide societal attitudes towards the People's Republic of China and the perspective for developing the Chinese New Silk Road (Belt and Road Initiative) project has emerged. However, another implication concerns the deteriorated structure of the global economy due to COVID-19, which had a significant impact on the change in many states' strategic position. Practical Implications: The conclusions will compare the knowledge resulting from the literature review with the outcomes of this article's own research. Originality: Because of it, it will be possible to identify not only the main assumptions of the New Silk Road but, above all, to present a foresight for the development of this flagship project of the PRC in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.peer-reviewe

Russian “hard power” and “soft power” in influencing central and eastern European countries on the example of Poland in the COVID-19 era

Purpose: An attempt was made to determine the scope and actual implications resulting from the use of the Russian "hard power" and "soft power" concerning the CEE countries in the COVID-19 era based on the Russian impact on Poland in the period 2019/2020. Design/Methodology/Approach: The substantive components of the impact under study were obtained through a study. A synthesis method was applied, which allowed for grouping the originally separated components into three basic currents of hard influences: political, political-economic, and paramilitary. The comparison method was used to verify such a division of the Russian hard current and, if such a division is confirmed, to highlight the existing differences - especially between the first and second current. In the course of research on the methodology of the Kremlin's soft impact on the Polish decision-making process, the method of reviewing source materials of recognized reliability was used (query of scientific literature and expert studies), which were compared with quantitatively collected data obtained from media information to supplement the whole source material. The conclusions were formulated using induction and deduction methods. Findings: The Russian Federation uses political and economic and economic measures in the first place to influence using "hard power," and if it is not possible to influence such measures, it uses paramilitary measures. In the case of soft power impact, the Russian Federation mainly uses informational means in the form of so-called "social engineering" methodology (propaganda), where the main area of activity is virtual space. Practical Implications: This paper can be used in scientific and expert work dedicated to the Russian methodology of impact using "hard power" and "soft power." Originality/Value: Lack of comprehensive scientific studies dedicated to the methodology of using "hard power" and "soft power" means by the Russian Federation during the COVID-19 2019/2020 epidemic.peer-reviewe

Correlation between the dynamics of changes in the population of selected European societies and the level of European regional security in the day of Covid-19

Purpose: The rationale for undertaking the research was the lack of multifaceted, comparative analyzes of the population in European countries in terms of dynamics and multifaceted analyzes of births and deaths in individual European societies during the COVID-19 period literature. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study attempts to analyze the population in thirty-two European countries. For this purpose, multifaceted comparative analyzes were selected. The raw data were grouped and ungrouped. Bar and line charts, as well as indexes of dynamics on a fixed basis, were used. The study is completed with a summary and conclusions. Findings: The multifaceted comparative analysis of the European population used in this study shows the dynamics in terms of security. In 2011-2019, there was observed a growing trend in population growth in all thirty-two European countries. In eleven of the considered thirty-two European countries, there was a negative difference between birth and death. In the remaining 21 countries, the result was positive. The conducted analyzes show that the number of people is a factor influencing states' state of security. Practical Implications: The performed research was supplemented with an analysis of the impact of the above-mentioned factors on the state of regional security. Originality: The research subject is thirty-two European countries, and the core matter of it is the number of people in Europe and the number of deaths and births in dynamic terms.peer-reviewe

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the economic security of Russia and European countries

Purpose: The study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Russia and European countries' economic security. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research began with a multifaceted analysis of oil prices before and after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration. It then examined oil demand and air passenger volumes in European countries to impact world oil prices. Findings: The article deals with issues related to oil prices, passenger air transport, multivariate analyzes, and economic security. Practical Implications: Categorized line and bar charts and indicators of dynamics on a fixed base were applied to analyze economic security better. This article focuses on European countries, while the core matter of oil prices is its demand and the number of passengers transported by air in European countries. Originality: The lack of analyzes in the literature related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia and European countries' economic security.peer-reviewe

Geopolitical strategy of the Russian Federation in relation to the epicenter of the visegrad group on the example of Poland in the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: An attempt to determine the possibility of using the global epidemic's state to implement geopolitical objectives by the Russian Federation on the example of Poland in the wider context of international geopolitical conditions around the Visegrad Group. Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper uses mainly source texts and the content of expert interviews conducted at the turn of 2019/2020. The collected empirical data were then processed using theoretical methods such as analysis, synthesis, and comparison to formulate conclusions using deductive and inductive inference methods. Findings: It has been confirmed that in their foreign policy, the decision-making centers of the Russian Federation are willing to take advantage of the situation of the global epidemic to achieve their own geopolitical goals concerning other countries. Practical Implications: This study may be used in scientific and expert work on the Russian Federation's foreign policy in the COVID-19 era. Originality/Value: Lack of comprehensive scientific studies dedicated to implementing the Russian Federation's geopolitical objectives during the COVID-19 2019/2020 epidemic.peer-reviewe

Vasopressors and Inotropes in the Treatment of Human Septic Shock: Effect on Innate Immunity?

Catecholamines have been suggested to modulate innate immune responses in experimental settings. The significance hereof in the treatment of human septic shock is unknown. We therefore sought if and how vasopressor/inotropic doses relate to pro-inflammatory mediators during treatment of septic shock. We prospectively studied 20 consecutive septic shock patients. For 3 days after admission, hemodynamic variables, lactate and plasma levels of interleukins (IL)-6 and 8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and elastase-α1-antitrypsin were measured six hourly. Doses of vasoactive drugs were recorded. Of the 20 patients, nine died in the intensive care unit. Dobutamine doses were positively associated and related to TNF-α plasma levels, independently of disease severity, hemodynamics, and outcome, in multivariable models. Dopamine doses were positively associated with IL-6, and norepinephrine was inversely associated with IL-8 and TNF-α levels. Our observations suggest that catecholamines used in the treatment of human septic shock differ in their potential modulation of the innate immune response to sepsis in vivo. Dobutamine treatment may contribute to circulating TNF-α and dopamine to IL-6, independently of activated neutrophils. Conversely, norepinephrine may lack pro-inflammatory actions

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Russia's economic security : analysis of exchange rates of selected currencies and energy resources

This study aims to analyze primary data regarding foreign exchange rates of the following currencies: ruble, euro, dollar, and yuan (renminbi) as well as petroleum and gas prices from a dynamic perspective as it pertains to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economic situation in Russia. The authors have analyzed the literature concerning foreign exchange rates, petroleum prices, gas prices, and the coronavirus pandemic. It analyzed the available literature on the subject. The study began comparing foreign exchange rates of the Russian ruble, euro, American dollar, and Chinese yuan (renminbi – Chinese currency) for each day in 2020. The following research techniques have been used: line graphs, bar graphs, grouping. The article analyzes the foreign exchange rate of the aforementioned currencies and petroleum and gas prices from a dynamic perspective. Multi-dimensional analysis of petroleum and gas prices was conducted in dynamic terms.peer-reviewe

Retroviral targeting of proliferating endothelial cells

Tumor growth requires the formation of new blood vessels by endothelial cells. Thus, surface molecules - such as angiogenin receptors - that are selectively expressed on growing endothelium represent an attractive target for directed delivery of compounds to tumor tissue. We attempted to obtain genetically engineered retroviral vectors targeted to the endothelium by inserting the human angiogenin sequence into Moloney murine leukemia virus envelope glycoprotein. Abundant expression of the chimeric protein could be verified. However, while being selective for proliferating human endothelial cells, the recombinant retroviral particles displayed low transduction efficiencies and thus have to be further improved