Suchergebnisse

The article is devoted to the consideration of the subjects and artistic features of the architectural tiles placed on the Pskov Region's Orthodox churches built in the 14th—17th centuries. The relevance of the article is determined by the increased interest in the history of the Pskov architectural school, the insufficient study, at the regional level, of medieval religious architecture in general and tile art in particular, which necessitated its in-depth study. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the classification and analogues identification of the subjects of the architectural tiles preserved on the walls of the medieval Orthodox churches in the Pskov Region, which is one of the earliest ancient Russian centers for the production of tiles. The article provides a detailed description of previously unpublished images of tiles from Pskov churches and highlights the peculiarities of their perception. By the nature of the images on the tiles, there are distinguished the following groups: geometric, floristic and ornithomorphic ornament, subject compositions. The most widespread in Pskov was floristic ornament, which includes images of grapes, cornflowers (carnations), flower rosettes, flowerpots with various types of flowers, herbal curls, "Flourishing Heart" and "Tree of Life" patterns, as well as ornithomorphic ornaments with images of peacock, turkey, nightingale and other birds. There is a single geometric triangular ornament on the porch tiles of the narthex of the Theotokos-Nativity Cathedral of the Snetogorsky Monastery (the church of the 14th century is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the porch is of the 17th century), and a subject composition of a horseman on the walls of the bell tower of the Peter and Paul Church of the former Sirotkin (Seredkin) Monastery of the 16th century. There are also unique tiles with a centaur on the Church of St. George from Vzvoz of the 15th century (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List). Made by Old Russian masters of tile art, the subjects reflect the Christian polysemous symbolism, the laconicism and generalization of the images, the harmonious composition and coloristics of the tiles. The visual perception of architectural tiles influences people, transmitting, in a symbolic form, the picture of the world, spiritual values and meanings of Russian culture from generation to generation.

Historically, arms races generate a great deal of interest both in the academia and policy circles for a variety of reasons. They are widely believed to have significant consequences for states' security. In the debate over their consequences, one side holds that arms races increase the probability of war by undermining military stability and straining political relations. The opposing view holds that engaging in an arms race is often a state's best option for avoiding war when faced with an aggressive adversary. The 21st Century is witnessing the return of arms race amongst states. Coupling with the advancements in technology, the menace of arms race in the 21st Century, therefore, if not curtailed could lead to war more devastating than witnessed in the last century. Using basic content analysis the study revealed that the 21st Century arms races are mainly in the area of nuclear weapons, hypersonic missiles, missile defence, cyber-warfare, and space weaponisation. The arms races are prominently amongst the world's great powers such as the United States of America, Russia, and China as well as developing states like Iran and North Korea. This study discovered that nuclear weapons are still at the forefront of arms race in the 21st Century, despite efforts to reduce their role in global affairs and to negotiate further reductions in quantity. Also, states like the USA, China, and Russia are exploiting the advantage of speed and manoeuvrability to engage in arms race in hypersonic missiles. This has prompted nations to compete in the development of missile defences in order to counter the present missile threats. Furthermore, in anticipation for future warfare, nations such as the USA, China, and Russia are in arms race to weaponsise space by deploying space to space, earth to space and space to earth weapons, where appropriate. War in the 21st Century could in turn lead to more human, material, and environmental casualties due to the latest advancement in technologies and modernisation of existing weapons and associated equipments. Consequently, measures are needed to ensure that arms races in the 21st Century, if not eliminated, are reduced to the barest minimum in order to promote international peace and security. Renewed commitments on existing arms control measures, formulation of new arms control measures, and the complete elimination of nuclear weapons are the measures that could be considered.

Abstract
Background
Reducing the mortality burden associated with urban air pollution constitutes a public health priority, and evidence of unequal exposure and susceptibility across population subgroups is growing. Many European countries have implemented low emission zones (LEZs) in densely populated city centers. Although LEZs decrease air pollution exposure and health impacts, evidence is lacking on their impact across neighborhoods and socio-economic groups.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the most equitable approach to implementing the second phase of the LEZ in Paris, France. We also present a literature review of the studies evaluating the benefits associated with LEZs in Europe.

Methods
A health impact assessment (HIA) was conducted to quantify changes in air pollution exposure and expected health benefits by socioeconomic group and neighborhood related to four hypothetical scenarios for the second phase of the LEZ based on French Deprivation Index scores. The study focused on NO2 and PM2.5 as air pollutants and evaluated the impact of the LEZ on the inequitable burden of childhood asthma and all-cause premature adult mortality. We also conducted an economic evaluation associated with the LEZ benefits on prevented deaths and asthma cases.

Results
The scenario with the largest LEZ perimeter and the most stringent vehicle standards prevented the highest number of cases and produced the most equitable distribution of health benefits, especially childhood asthma. It is expected that 810 deaths and 3200 cases of asthma could be prevented from the LEZ extension in this scenario. These results were distributed heterogeneously across three socioeconomic (SES) groups, most noticeably with asthma cases as 230, 180, and 210 cases were avoided per 100,000 inhabitants in high, medium, and low SES groups, respectively. We found substantial economic benefits associated with LEZ, with estimates ranging from €0.76 billion to €2.36 billion for prevented deaths. The benefits associated with asthma reduction ranged from €2.3 million to €8.3 million.

Discussion
Conducting HIAs with a focus on equity will further inform policy makers of the impact of LEZ models on air pollution, health, and environmental justice. Developing these systematic methods and applying them to future LEZs and other air pollution policies will increase their effectiveness to reduce the burden of ambient air pollution on society and the environment.

ObjectivesTo examine differences in hospital admissions for people with severe mental illness (SMI), physical health multimorbidity and mortality compared to the general hospital population without SMI.
ApproachThis study linked electronically captured routine administrative data from Northern Ireland (from 2013-2021): this comprised hospital records (including diagnostics codes); community prescribed medications; standard indicators of social deprivation (NIMDM); mortality data (General Register Office); and associated demographic data. The population included for analysis comprised 1,153,447 persons registered with a general practice at 01/01/2010 who subsequently attended a hospital setting. SMI was classified as a binary variable.
ResultsThe population comprised 933,816 hospital patients aged 20plus at 2010, 414,887 (44.4%) males and 518,929 (55.5%) females – with 13,920 (1.5%) recording SMI: 6492 (46.6%) males and 7433 (53.4%) females between 2010 and 2021. Of these 7620 (54.7%) recorded schizophrenia; 4138 (29.7%) bi-polar disorder; and 2162 (15.5%) personality disorder. Those in the most deprived and those in urban areas were more likely to record SMI than their respective least deprived or rural peers (OR=2.38:95%CI=2.39-2.59 and OR=2.04:1.94-2.14). Increasing multimorbidity was associated with increasing SMI diagnosis: after adjustment for age, sex and year of exposure those with 5plus morbid states recorded OR=2.85(2.44-3.33) and OR=3.74(3.26-4.29) for 2012 and 2020 respectively. Finally, in models adjusted for age, sex and multimorbidity, those with SMI were more likely to die than their non-SMI peers: OR=2.09(1.92-2.29) for the 2012 group.
ConclusionPhysical health multimorbidity and mortality increased in SMI compared to the non-SMI diagnosed group. We suggest a range of morbidities associated with SMI can drive excess mortality. This study highlights the importance to examine the extent of underdiagnosis of the causes of mortality in SMI presenting insights into suitable interventions.
AcknowledgementThe authors would like to acknowledge the help provided by the staff of the Honest Broker Service (HBS) within the Business Services Organisation Northern Ireland (BSO). The HBS is funded by BSO and the Department of Health (DoH). The authors alone are responsible for the interpretation of the data and any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the BSO.

Complications associated with diabetes are a consequence of acute disturbance in glucose metabolism in a human body. The most significant complication of diabetes is bone disorders which contributes to high levels of bone disability. This study included 118 diabetic patients, 56 males, 62 females, and 60 healthy non-diabetic controls, 30 males, 30 females. The patients and controls were age matched. Circulating levels of bone function markers (osteoprotegerin, vitamin D, PTH, total calcium and inorganic phosphorus) were determined in all subject groups. The data obtained from this study showed that the serum levels of osteoprotegerin had significantly increased in both diabetic male & female in both age ranges which were 496.3±61.46 pg/mL & 335.7±29.33 pg/mL; 329.8±48.78 pg/mL & 219.9±18.72 pg/mL respectively, in comparison with its level in control matched age ranges 294.6±26.19 pg/mL & 226.8±28.07 pg/mL; 215.7±31.85 pg/mL & 171.9±14.19 pg/mL respectively. Serum calcium concentration had non-significantly increased both in the diabetic males and females in both age ranges which were 11.10±0.46 mg/dL & 11.76±0.74 mg/dL; 10.33±0.33 mg/dL & 10.28±0.48 mg/dL respectively, when compared with its level in control matched age ranges 10.46±0.34 mg/dL & 10.14±0.35 mg/dL;9.69±0.41 mg/dL & 10.08±0.45 mg/dL. Serum vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and inorganic phosphorus concentrations had significantly decreased both in the diabetic male and female subjects in both age ranges which were 5.78±1.30 ng/mL and 2.47±0.12 ng/mL; 9.47±1.98 ng/mL, and 10.70±2.11 ng/mL; 74.78±7.42 pg/mL & 67.83±3.69 pg/mL;42.94±2.00 pg/mL & 15.51±1.98 pg/mL; 4.34±0.27 mg/dL & 4.76±0.35 mg/dL; 4.38±0.21 mg/dL; 5.12±0.44 mg/dL respectively when compared with their level in control matched age ranges 13.07±2.13 ng/mL & 15.53±3.40 ng/mL; 57.49±5.64 pg/mL & 62.61±3.71 pg/mL; 5.12±0.44 mg/dL & 5.35±0.37 mg/dL respectively. The current results suggest that circulating levels of osteoprotegerin play a crucial role in biological mechanism of type (II) diabetes, and are possible biomarkers of insulin resistance and progression of many serious health problems associated with diabetes.

The aim of this study was to determine if the quantity of running load performed in pre-season affects the incidence of injury in elite Gaelic footballers. It was hypothesized that a greater quantity of running loads completed will reduce the incidence rate of injury. A cohort of elite male Gaelic football players (n = 25) was prospectively monitored throughout one full season. This longitudinal study involved the collection of GPS data and injury data. Participants were retrospectively divided into two groups and assigned to a high (HTL, completed >50% of pre-season sessions, n = 13) or low (LTL, completed <50% of pre-season sessions, n = 12) training load group based on the percentage of pre-season sessions completed. Data for total distance, PlayerLoad™, meters covered at running speeds (4.0–4.84 m/s), meters covered at high running speeds (4.85–6.39 m/s), meters covered at sprint speeds (>6.4 m/s) and high-intensity running meters (high-speed running meters and sprint meters combined) were collected during all sessions. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was completed to understand the variation of external training load data across the different phases of the season. A series of repeated measures of ANOVA were subsequently completed to understand the variation of external training load data across seasonal phases within the training groups. Although the LTL group had a higher incidence rate of non-contact injuries (large effect size) per 1000 h of exposure in each phase of the season, statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (F = 4.32, p = 0.173, partial η2 = 0.684, large) between the HTL (14.9 ± 4.17/1000 h) and the LTL (24.5 ± 7.36/1000 h) groups. Additionally, the HTL group was able to sustain greater running loads in the competitive phases of the season compared to the LTL group, total distance (F = 8.10, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.299, large), high-speed running distance (F = 8.74, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.304, large) and high-intensity running distance (F = 7.63, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.276, large). Furthermore, players who complete a greater proportion of running loads in pre-season may alter their body composition levels to more optimal levels, which in turn may reduce the risk of injury while also helping increase or maintain performance-related fitness markers such as aerobic fitness.

PurposeIndia is an emerging economy and one of the preferred investment destinations for environmental, social and governance (ESG) fund issuers. Institutional investors invest retail investors' money, and hence, it becomes imperative for ESG fund managers to understand the social investment preferences of retail investors. This study aims to compare the Indian socially responsible (SR) investors and conventional investors in terms of their socially responsible investment (SRI) awareness level, opinions about broad and specific ESG issues, investment behavior and demographics. In addition, this paper makes an attempt to have a deeper insight into Indian investors' behavior toward SRI by segmenting the Indian retail investors based on their SRI awareness level, attitude toward ESG issues and intention to accept lower financial returns, and choices made by them as consumers.Design/methodology/approachAfter collecting the data through the survey method an independentt-test is used to compare SR investors with conventional investors. Chi-square has been used to analyze the data related to demographics, and cluster analysis is used to identify segments among Indian retail investors.FindingsThe results indicated that Indian SR investors' SRI awareness level is more, they are more concerned about broad and specific ESG issues, they are more into faith-based investing, and are responsible consumers vis-à-vis conventional investors. As per demographic, SR investors are in the middle age group of 30–40 years, male, hold a postgraduate degree and have an annual income of 10–20 lakhs in comparison to conventional investors. The results of cluster analysis indicated that Indian retail investors can be classified into three groups based on their SRI awareness, intention to sacrifice financial return, attitude toward ESG issues and choices made by them as consumers.Research limitations/implicationsResults have implications for national and international fund managers, policymakers, regulators and society. These results will help mutual fund companies to provide curated SR mutual funds as per the behavior and choice of retail investors and penetrate the Indian investment market more deeply.Originality/valueThis research study contributes to the literature on SRI by identifying the differentiating characteristics of Indian SR and conventional investors and segmenting Indian retail investors on the basis of their SRI awareness, the importance of ESG issues and choices made by them as investors and consumers.

Northwistanding the role played by manufacturing companies in implementation of green supply chain, it seems that, this role has not been fully practiced by manufacturing companies in ensuring green supply chain. Taking Bakhresa Food Product LTD as a case study. This paper is intended to get a better understanding of the challenges faced by manufacturing companies in understanding green supply chain and recommending strategies for improving this role. Based on the qualitative appraoch and a purposive sample of 60 respondents, data were collected using in-depth interview, focus group discussion, indirect observation and analysis of secondary data. Data were analysed based on the thematic analysis strategy through the aid of MAXQDA 10 software. Findings of the study revealed that, manufacturing companies faced a number of challenges towards implementing green supply chain. At the green sourcing and purchasing level, the company was confronted with lack of sustainable practices in the organization vision and mission, poor commitment by top management to source environmental friendly materials and high operational costs. Moroever, challenges related to green manufacturing were lack of knowledge by the staff on environmental practices and impacts as well as lack of demand for green manufactured products due to their expensive nature. Challenges related to green transportation and distribution included irregular transportation by the vehicles, poor maintenance of the vehicles and poor infrastructures. Finally, challenges related to green disposal and reverse logistics were lack of information sharing between the firms and suppliers, inadequate legal enforcement by the government specifically to protect environment, shortage of equipment, lack of knowledge of the workers about disposal processess and also manufacturing companies failure to control customers after selling the products. Hence, to improve this situation, we recommend that; to improve green sourcing, use of modernized machines and provision of relevant traing. For the green transportation, manufacturing companies are required to conduct maintanance fot motor vehicles, making consolidation of materials so as to reduce number of trips per day. Finally, to improve green disposal, manufacturing companies are required to establish the program of waste collection from the residential areas as well as purchasing disposal equipment so as to avoid costs of outsourcing

AbstractIntroductionWomen living with HIV across global contexts are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity and housing insecurity. Food and housing insecurity are resource insecurities associated with poorer health outcomes among people living with HIV. Poverty, a deeply stigmatized phenomenon, is a contributing factor towards food and housing insecurity. HIV‐related stigma—the devaluation, mistreatment and constrained access to power and opportunities experienced by people living with HIV—intersects with structural inequities. Few studies, however, have examined food and housing insecurity as drivers of HIV‐related stigma. This study aimed to estimate the associations between food and housing insecurity with HIV‐related stigma among women living with HIV in Canada.MethodsThis prospective cohort study of women living with HIV (≥16 years old) in three provinces in Canada involved three waves of surveys collected at 18‐month intervals between 2013 and 2018. To understand associations between food and housing security and HIV‐related stigma, we conducted linear mixed effects regression models. We adjusted for socio‐demographic characteristics associated with HIV‐related stigma.Results and discussionAmong participants (n = 1422), more than one‐third (n = 509; 36%) reported baseline food insecurity and approximately one‐tenth (n = 152, 11%) housing insecurity. Mean HIV‐related stigma scores were consistent across waves 1 (mean [M] = 57.2, standard deviation [SD] = 20.0, N = 1401) and 2 (M = 57.4, SD = 19.0, N = 1227) but lower at wave 3 (M = 52.8, SD = 18.7, N = 918). On average, across time, food insecure participants reported HIV‐related stigma scores that were 8.6 points higher (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.4, 10.8) compared with food secure individuals. Similarly, participants reporting insecure housing at wave 1 tended to experience greater HIV‐related stigma (6.2 points, 95% CI: 2.7, 9.6) over time compared to stably housed participants. There was an interaction between time and housing insecurity, whereby baseline housing insecurity was no longer associated with higher HIV‐related stigma at the third wave.ConclusionsAmong women living with HIV in Canada, experiencing food and housing insecurity was associated with consistently higher levels of HIV‐related stigma. In addition to the urgent need to tackle food and housing insecurity among people living with HIV to optimize wellbeing, getting to the heart of HIV‐related stigma requires identifying and dismantling resource insecurity‐related stigma drivers.

Aim. Analyze the existing production potential in the EAEU countries and identify conditions for the development of a common climate policy and common mechanisms for carbon regulation based on the convergence of the positions of the member states of the integration association.Tasks. Determine the degree of use of the production potential of the EAEU; assess the possibilities and formulate proposals for enhancing the actions of the participating countries for its implementation in the field of sustainable development and climate policy.Methods. Based on the use of general scientific methods. In particular, the use of logical and comparative methods made it possible to most fully analyze the factors and trends of the processes under study; to identify problems that prevent convergence of the positions of the EAEU member states on the issues of the climate agenda and carbon regulation and propose possible options for their solution.Results. It has been determined that the existing production potential of the EAEU member countries is currently not fully realized. Its further development is associated with the need for investments to reload existing production capacities, technological renewal and an increase in labor productivity. Possible directions are presented that allow the EAEU countries to develop common positions on a unified climate policy and carbon regulation mechanisms.Conclusion. Today, climate problems are becoming irreversible and coming to the forefront of the international agenda, which is pushing countries to revise their carbon strategy. Based on the study, it was concluded that there are obstacles to the promotion of the "green" agenda in the EAEU, such as political and macroeconomic instability, the use of protectionist measures between the member countries of the association (this was especially characteristic during the pandemic), upholding their own sovereignty, etc.), which makes it difficult to develop joint mechanisms for regulating common markets. On the other hand, an assessment of the opportunities for convergence of the positions of the EAEU countries showed that there is a wide range of areas of interaction: for example, all EAEU countries have adopted national strategies for sustainable ("green") development, which imply the modernization of economies through, including , and external financing, which creates incentives for the creation of joint companies and conditions for the development of a common climate policy and unified mechanisms for carbon regulation.

Abstract
Concerns have been raised for the health and wellbeing of self-employed workers. Musicians are the 'original' gig workers, and musicians have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs). Studies of musicians' MSSs have typically focused on classical, employer-employed musicians; leaving self-employed musicians under-investigated. We investigated the prevalence of MSS outcomes in all types of professional musicians, and compared the MSS outcomes between self-employed and employer-employed musicians. We conducted a cross-sectional study of professional musicians. Given the large proportion of musicians who were both self-employed and employer-employed, three groups were compared: self-employed only (self-employed group), employer-employed only (employer-employed group), and both self-employed and employer-employed (both group) musicians. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted. A total of 225 professional musicians were included in the study, 87.9% of whom reported MSSs in the last 12 months. For MSSs that impaired musical activity, the 12-month prevalence was 43.2%. Musicians in the self-employed group reported a significantly higher 7-day prevalence of MSSs compared with those in the employer-employed group. Compared with musicians in the employer-employed group, musicians in the both group reported a higher 12-month prevalence of MSSs that impaired musical activity. A higher proportion of symptomatic musicians in the both group reported seeing a health professional for their MSSs, compared with the employer-employed group. Similarly, symptomatic musicians in the both group reported higher ratings of emotional impact from MSSs, compared with symptomatic musicians in the employer-employed group. The majority of musicians have experienced MSSs. Several significant differences were reported between the three groups of musicians, with musicians in the both group generally reporting poorer MSS outcomes, compared with musicians in the employer-employed group. There are several potential reasons for why musicians who are both self-employed and employer-employed appear to have poorer MSS outcomes, including the stress of balancing multiple demands. Further research is required into the risk factors for MSS outcomes in self-employed musicians, including those who are both self-employed and employer-employed, and interventions should be directed towards self-employed musicians to minimise the MSS burden.

The life strategy of Norway spruce allows the recovery of European spruce forests in a scenario of catastrophic disturbances caused by the European spruce bark beetle. However, little is known about how the development of this insect infestation has influenced the preservation of the ecological balance in these forests over the last decades. Based on the upper montane spruce forests in the Polish Western Carpathians, we decided to check what species of lichens are using the decaying wood of post-bark beetle snags and how the progressive changes in wood hardness and stand decomposition affect the process of species exchange. In 2018–2019, we investigated spruce snags on permanent monitoring plots in Gorce National Park, whose cause and time of death have been recorded since 1999, and earlier in 1992 and 1997. The study covered 374 post-bark beetle spruce snags at 76 sites. We found 84 species, including 77 lichens, 6 lichenicolous fungi and one non-lichenised fungus, 15 of which were exclusively wood-inhabiting species in Gorce range. Using generalised linear models, the wood age (A) and the scale of the forest stand breakdown phenomenon (B) were compared with the altitude (C), the aspects of hillside exposure (D) and the forest plant community (E) in the assessment of their effect on lichen species diversity and abundance. "A" was the most important of the tested factors, significantly and positively influencing both parameters, while "B–D" only weakly influenced lichen abundance. Five groups of wood age, significantly different in the lichen abundance and the composition of species were distinguished, and a characteristic combination of dominant species was determined for each of them. Based on the measurements of the wood hardness under the thalli using Shore's method, the succession of species during the colonisation of the post-bark beetle snags was determined and four groups of species were selected, most frequent in the successive stages of wood decay process. The wood of spruces killed by the bark beetle is both an important substrate enabling the survival of obligately wood-inhabiting lichen species, as well as providing a habitat supporting the maintenance of epiphytes in the Carpathian forests. This study extends the knowledge about the specific requirements of lichens inhabiting spruce snags, as well as the pace and course of lichen succession on this substrate.

Abstract
As a significant detriment to physical and mental health, millions of motor vehicle crashes occur in the United States each year, with approximately 23% of these crashes linked to adverse weather conditions. This study builds upon a strong knowledge base to provide a deeper understanding of how rainfall intensity influences relative crash risk. Gridded precipitation and temperature data were aggregated to the county level and analyzed alongside motor vehicle crash data for all 146 counties in the Carolinas (North Carolina and South Carolina) for the period 2003–19. A matched-pair analysis routine linked unique time steps of rainfall (daily, 6-h, and hourly) to corresponding dry periods to evaluate relative crash risk across each state. Risk estimates were calculated on the basis of precipitation thresholds (light, moderate, heavy, and very heavy). Results indicate a statistically significant increase in crash risk during periods of rainfall in the Carolinas. As a baseline, the relative risk of experiencing a crash increases by 11.6% during days with accumulating rainfall and as much as 81.0% during heavy rainfall events over a 6-h period. In general, estimates of risk increase relative to the intensity of the rainfall event and the temporal delineation of the matched-pair routine. However, these relationships have unique spatiotemporal patterns indicating that, although hourly risk estimates may be beneficial for urban counties, daily relative risk estimates may be the only way to accurately capture risk in rural areas.

Significance Statement
Each year, more than 1 000 000 motor vehicle crashes in the United States are linked to adverse weather conditions in police reports, with rainfall events being among the largest contributors to increased crash risk. In this study, crash frequencies are evaluated to better understand how the intensity of rainfall events (light vs heavy) influences the risk of experiencing a collision on roadways in North Carolina and South Carolina. The results of statistical analyses revealed that risk increases significantly during rainfall events in both states and that the risk of experiencing a crash is highest during the heaviest rainfall events. However, even during light precipitation events, the risk of experiencing a crash is significantly higher than when driving during dry conditions. These results are helpful to transportation stakeholders and emergency responders in the hope of reducing crash risk in our changing climate.

Issues concerning interethnic relations in the Russian Federation as a multinational state, are relevant. They are especially important in the border regions of the country. Scientific analysis of ways and mechanisms of harmonization of interethnic relations is of great importance for maintaining the socio-political, economic stability of modern society, as well as social harmony in the region. The following indicators are considered: the specifics of national identity (the degree of closeness with people of the same nationality, the risk of dissolving into the culture of other peoples); changes in interethnic relations in the region over the past five years; access to public benefits for people of different nationalities (receiving guaranteed social, medical, educational services, chances of employment, developing their business, holding high positions in government); attitudes towards migrants and the migration situation in general (the region's residents' assessments of migrants living in the region, attitudes towards them, the need to attract them to the region and support them by the Russian government, possible measures to establish good neighborly relations between migrants and the local population, the role of national diasporas in harmonizing such relations, the impact of population migration on the situation in the region as a whole). The practical value of the study lies in the presentation of current assessments of residents of Altai krai about interethnic relations and the migration situation in the region. The empirical basis is the data from a sociological study implemented in the Altai krai (n = 400) by the research team of the Altai State University. The obtained data were analyzed using the methods of mathematical and statistical data processing (SPSS 23.0 statistical package). It is noted that people who have experienced the spread of infringement of rights due to nationality are more likely than others to be at risk of losing their nationality; in the absence of a sufficient number of chances to receive high-quality free education, medical care, social services; negative attitudes towards migrants. The regional situation in the sphere of interethnic relations is not acute and tense, however, regular monitoring, a set of measures aimed at establishing friendly relations between different nationalities, between migrants and the population in the Altai krai.

AbstractIntroductionEarly diagnosis of HIV is critical for epidemic control. To achieve this, successful testing programmes are essential and test positivity is often used as a marker of their performance. The aim of this study was to analyse trends and predictors of HIV test positivity over time and explore how an understanding of seroconversion rates could build on our interpretation of this indicator among female sex workers in Zimbabwe.MethodsWe analysed HIV test data from Zimbabwe's nationally scaled sex work programme between 2009 and 2019. We defined test positivity as the proportion of all tests that were HIV positive and measured new diagnoses by estimating seroconversion rates among women with repeat tests, defined as an HIV‐positive test after at least one HIV‐negative test in the programme. We used logistic regression to analyse test positivity over three time‐periods: 2009–2013, 2014–2017 and 2018–2019, adjusting for potential confounding by demographic factors and the mediating effects of time since last HIV test. We calculated the seroconversion rates for the same time‐periods.ResultsDuring the 10‐year study period, 54,503 tests were recorded in 39,462 women. Between 2009 and 2013, 18% of tests were among women who reported testing in the previous 6 months. By 2018–2019, this had increased to 57%. Between 2018 and 2019, test positivity was 9.6%, compared to 47.9% for 2009–2013 (aOR 6.08 95% CI 5.52–6.70) and 18.8% for 2014–2017 (aOR 2.17 95% CI 2.06–2.28). Adjusting for time since last test reduced effect estimates for 2009–2013 (aOR 4.03 95% CI 3.64–4.45) and 2014–2017 (aOR 1.97 95% CI 1.86–2.09) compared to 2018–2019. Among 7573 women with an initial HIV‐negative test in the programme and at least one subsequent test, 464 tested HIV positive at a rate of 3.9 per 100 pyar (95% CI 3.5–4.2).ConclusionsTest positivity decreased among women testing through the programme over time, while seroconversion rates remained high. These declines were partly driven by changes in individual testing history, reflecting comprehensive coverage of testing services and greater knowledge of HIV status, but not necessarily declining rates of seroconversion. Understanding testing history and monitoring new HIV infections from repeat tests could strengthen the interpretation of test positivity and provide a better understanding of programme performance.