Now for the good news: Self-perceived positive effects of the first pandemic wave on romantic relationships outweigh the negative

Media attention has highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic's negative effects on romantic relationships (e.g., increased partner aggression). The current mixed-method study also explored potential positive effects, and how the relative balance of positive versus negative effects might have changed over time during the first pandemic wave. Individuals (N = 186) who participated in a pre-COVID study were recruited through MTurk to participate in a four-wave longitudinal follow-up, every 2 weeks from mid-April to late May 2020. Participants completed an 8-item self-report measure assessing perceived negative and positive effects of the pandemic on their romantic relationship. Multi-level models revealed that perceived positive effects were substantially higher than perceived negative effects at each timepoint, even amongst those who reported being more heavily impacted by the pandemic. Both positive and negative effects were stable across time. Open-ended questions at the final time point were coded for common themes. Positive themes were more frequent than negative themes. The most common negative theme centered on increased stress or tension in the relationship, while the most common positive theme discussed the importance of focusing on and appreciating the relationship, including taking advantage of the gift of increased time together the pandemic had brought. Amongst all of the pandemic's bad news, it is refreshing to consider the possibility of pandemic-related benefits for people's romantic relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Perceived empowerment and the impact of negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life of persons with severe mental illness

Purpose: Beyond its direct effects on physical health the COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to have negative effects on the living situation of people with severe mental illness (SMI). To date, there has been little research on resilience factors preventing people with SMI from experiencing negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of perceived empowerment (PE) as a resilience factor, preventing people with SMI from experiencing negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily living. Methods: We investigated negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily living in 931 persons with SMI at two times within six month between June 2020 and May 2021. To take into account the longitudinal structure of the data we applied mixed effects regression analyses and longitudinal path models. Results: A majority of participants experienced negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on several dimensions of daily living. Negative effects increased with rising levels of illness-related impairment but decreased as the level of PE rose. While negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic at follow-up were negatively associated with overall subjective quality of life baseline, PE was negatively associated with the negative impact of the pandemic and positively with quality of life. Conclusion: Patients with SMI need support to reduce negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their quality of life. The promotion of PE could help strengthen resilience in this target group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

CREATING BIOINFORMATICS MATRIX OF MOLECULAR MARKERS TO PREDICT RISK-ASSOCIATED HEALTH DISORDERS

Long-term or permanent chemical ambient air pollution in residential areas is among priority factors that cause medical and demographic losses. It is necessary to achieve greater precision when assessing risks of changes in homeostasis at their early reversible stage (molecular level). These changes are highly likely to transform into pathological processes at an older age in case the exposure persists. Our research goal was to create a bioinformatics matrix of molecular markers to predict risk-associated health disorders (exemplified by a marker of exposure). We introduced a stepwise research algorithm that involved using the proteome technology to identify expressed proteins and cause-effect relations between them and influencing factors;revealing molecular-cellular and functional relationships within the “exposure factor – gene – protein – negative outcome” system to predict risk-associated health disorders. The algorithm was implemented to examine the proteomic blood plasma profile of children aged 3–6 years living under long-term aerogenic exposure to fluoride-containing compounds. We established certain changes in the proteomic profiles of the exposed children in comparison with non-exposed ones as per 27 identified proteins. A bioinformatics matrix was created on the example of cathepsin L1;we established that changes in the level of this protein had a cause-effect relationship with fluoride ion concentrations in urine. Qualitative synthesis of molecular-cellular localization, functional and tissue belonging showed that cathepsin L1 expression caused by elevated fluoride ion levels in urine could affect extracellular matrix remodeling, degradation and post-translation modification of proteins in cells of the lungs, large intestine, and pancreas, in cardiomyocytes and in glomerular podocytes. It also mediated proteolysis of the subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein necessary for the virus penetration into a cell and its replication. This created bioinformatics matrix exemplified by cathepsin L1 made it possible to predict risk-associated negative outcomes in exposed people including cardiomyopathy, colitis, glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and coronavirus infection. These predictive estimates raise effectiveness of early detection and development of preventive measures aimed at minimizing possible negative outcomes. © Zemlyanova M.A., Zaitseva N.V., Koldibekova Yu.V., Peskova E.V., Bulatova N.I., 2022

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF CONSULTING IN A TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY IN THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN REGION DURING COVID-19

The consulting industry has been affected in many ways by the global pandemic. According to a leading international literature source (consultancy.org), the decline is most noticeable in Europe. In our article, we present the general recent trends of the global management consulting industry, and then outline the results of our survey conducted among Hungarian consultants. Our team surveyed the extent and direction in which consulting companies have been affected by the pandemic. Although some of the respondents reported rather negative effects, the survey finds that a significant proportion of respondents consider the emerging crisis as an opportunity and not only as a threat.

Credibility and Involvement of Social Media in Education-Recommendations for Mitigating the Negative Effects of the Pandemic among High School Students.

In the context of considerations on the potential attenuation of the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic with the use of credible social media in online education during a pandemic, the subject of our own research was the fulfillment of two goals. The main research goals were to identify, categorize, and evaluate the possibilities of using social media in online education during the pandemic from the perspective of selected teachers and students from secondary schools in Slovakia. The research methods of the first phase (qualitative) of the research involved brainstorming among nine secondary school teachers. The second research phase (quantitative) used a questionnaire, which was completed by 102 high school students from all over Slovakia. The collection of both quantitative and qualitative data was used in this research. The research results revealed the most representative opinions of teachers on the current and real possibilities of engaging credible social media in online education and the views of high school students on their desired use and involvement of social media in online education. The intersection of the two findings presents a picture of the possibilities of using credible social media in online education, which can help maintain students' interest in online education during a pandemic. Based on these findings, it can be stated that the opinions identified in the research group of teachers correspond to a large extent with the desired use of social media in education from the perspective of students. In addition, however, students would welcome more opportunities to use and engage social media in today's online education. The result of this research is an analysis of social media patterns applied to online education, which are of greater interest to students and could act as elements for reducing the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e., six forms of online education and 24 educational activities that could contribute, inter alia, to mitigating the different negative effects of the pandemic among youth generation. The findings also benefit from the presentation of many specific options and recommendations for the use of social media in online education during a pandemic.

A Review on Effect of Social Marketing during COVID-19 in India

In the view of Philip Kotler, Nancy Lee, and Michael Rothschild (2006) "Social Marketing is a process that applies marketing principles and techniques to create, communicate, and deliver value in order to influence target audience behaviours that benefit society as well as the intended audience. Social Marketing does not work to exploit turnover or sales;rather the aim of Social Marketing campaigns is to change the activities in the society that will support the overall public of a country to use only competent lighting to preserve the energy or persuading more individuals to use seat belts. Our study is based on only India and this chapter explored how Social Marketing can bear a significant impact during COVID -19 pandemic and with the help of various reviews we will catch out the positive and negative effects of Social Marketing in COVID - 19 in India. Methods: A systematic review conducted on the recent COVID situation for the last one-year (i.e. published papers along the last one year) in Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Sage. For this, we have searched digital marketing, restricted to the title, "Interest" and "Market", COVID lockdown. Results: Since the COVID has broken down for the past one year only and there are very few papers are published based on the very contemporary title considered for the article hence this study identified45 articles in the scientific literature, but only 17 articles were classified as eligible according to the previously established criteria. Discussion: This methodical review highlight the positively association between COVID on Social Marketing in digital era.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Land Transport Within the European Union and Guidelines for its Stable Development

The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a devastating blow to land transport in Europe. The measures adopted for its containment drastically reduced services provided by railway transport and motor transport. Despite the limited demand during the pandemic, transport carriers did not cease their activities and proved their place in Europe's logistics chain. In order to overcome the negative effects of the crisis and restore mobility within the EU, transport firms require financial help and support. The present article reveals the negative results of the activity of passenger and cargo carriers within the EU in 2020 and makes inferences and recommendations for overcoming the negative situation faster on the basis of data presented by Eurostat about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on land transport. The presented data from Eurostat on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has served as a basis to make the respective inferences and indicate the fundamental guidelines for the stable development of land transport within the EU. Since railway transport is the safest, most secure and environmentally friendly type of transport, the focus is on the necessity for priority support of its activities.

HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED THE IMAGE OF PSYCHIATRY

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has brought the world at a standstill with unprecedented confinement measures and lockdowns in order to contain the novel virus. Negative effects of the pandemic on mental health are the main focal point. Social isolation, loneliness and the uncertainty of day to day living put a strain on the individual's psyche, therefore psychiatric intervention is highly needed. Mental health care providers are the key to help preserve and reconstruct a post-pandemic society. METHOD: Existing literature on the Covid-19 outbreak pertinent to mental health was retrieved from the PubMed database using as a main focal point the role of the psychiatrist in managing the angst caused by the already mentioned stressful factor. In times of uncertainty and fear, mental health care remains the major pillar as it has been for numerous years, with implications worldwide. CONCLUSION: There is a pressing need for developing healthy coping mechanisms during the current crisis and it is mandatory to acknowledge the role of the psychiatrist from an early stage in order to preserve a sense of stability for the individual.