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The Intelligence Structure Test (IST-2000R) is created to measure reasoning abilities and knowledge through verbal, numerical, and figural domains. The qualities of IST-2000R have shown its potential to be adapted and standardized in a Latvian sample to be used in psychological evaluation and research, thus satisfying the need for reliable measurement. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Latvian version of IST-2000R. The adaptation sample consisted of 1,017 participants aged 15–65 (M = 31.8; SD = 10.94), of whom 36% were male. Participants were tested using the supervised offline administration mode (exploro.lv). The Ethics Committee of Riga Stradins University (RSU), Riga, Latvia, approved the study. The data show that the psychometric properties of the Latvian version of IST-2000R are in line with scientific norms. Thus, the test is considered to be reliable and may be used for psychological evaluation and research.

Nonlinear crystals of the borate family are efficient harmonic generators for intense laser sources because of their high laser-induced damage threshold at near-infrared wavelengths. Recent studies have shown that they exhibit relatively low absorption coefficients at sub-terahertz frequencies, which could enable them to generate terahertz radiation. Based on this assumption, we compare terahertz sources based on the frequency down-conversion of the radiation from a titanium-sapphire amplifier in crystals of barium beta-borate (β-BaB2O4), lithium triborate (LiB3O5), and lithium tetraborate (Li2B4O7). The calculation of collinear three-wave interactions, which provide the generation of the subterahertz difference frequency, is carried out considering the previously studied dispersion of the main components of the terahertz refractive index of these crystals. The phase-matching conditions and the corresponding coherence lengths are determined for each of the crystals. Taking into account the quadratic susceptibility tensors, the coefficients of the effective nonlinearity are calculated, and the terahertz generation efficiency in crystals with different cuts is evaluated and compared. The down-conversion in the β-BaB2O4 crystal is numerically shown to be three and five orders of magnitude more efficient than in the LiB3O5 and Li2B4O7 crystals, respectively. Thus, terahertz generation in a sample of β-BaB2O4 crystal with a cut that provides phase-matching for a frequency of 0.3 THz (θ = 5°) has been studied experimentally using radiation from a titanium-sapphire amplifier. The comparison of the experimental data and the numerical results leads to the conclusion that the main contribution to the generation process is given by the o – e → e, e – e → o, and o – o → o types of interaction. The peak terahertz power reaches 20 kW. The data obtained in this work will be useful for the development of intense sub-terahertz radiation sources based on the energy conversion of high-power laser sources. It is estimated that tens of GW of peak terahertz power can be achieved by increasing the intensity of the optical fields to pre-threshold values for the β-BaB2O4 crystal. A source of this intensity can be used in systems for sounding the atmosphere as well as in charged particle accelerators.

Reading motivation is an important factor that can predict reading performance in elementary school. The present study aimed to investigate whether reading motivation could mediate the relationship between reading skills at the beginning of school and reading performance in the middle of elementary school. Longitudinal data from 979 students (52% girls) in Russia were used. Data on early reading skills in Grade 1 and reading comprehension and reading motivation in Grade 3 were collected. The results indicated that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in Grade 3 predicted reading performance in Grade 3 after controlling for reading skills in Grade 1. A two-level multilevel mediation analysis showed that intrinsic motivation did not mediate but extrinsic motivation partly mediated the effect of reading skills in Grade 1 on subsequent reading performance. The results are discussed in light of previous studies. Suggestions for future research and practical implications are also discussed.

Introduction: While there are several web-based mental health interventions, few target higher education (HE) students. Importantly, more research is needed to establish their effectiveness. Here, we provide a pragmatic evaluation of an online intervention (MePlusMe) specifically designed to improve the mental health, well-being, and study skills of HE students. Methods: In accordance with the published protocol for a feasibility study, we recruited a convenience sample of 137 HE students to participate in an eight-week intervention, with 26 participants retained at week 8. Validated measures of mood (depression and anxiety), well-being, and self-efficacy were collected at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, alongside two feedback forms assessing design and functionality (baseline) and engagement (week 4 and 8). Results: We observed significant reductions in levels of anxiety and depression as well as increases in well-being, but no changes in self-efficacy. Participants rated the system design and functionality positively and qualitative findings indicated high levels of satisfaction with MePlusMe. Discussion: Findings support both the acceptability and the effectiveness of MePlusMe. Nonetheless, modest retention rates limit the precision and generalisability of these findings. Further investigation should ascertain optimal duration of engagement, most acceptable means of outcome assessment, and further detail about obstacles to utilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Web-based interventions (WBI) are purposefully developed online programs designed for wide range of users (clients, patients, health care specialists, as well as medical practitioners) which allow obtaining and using information on various issues related to health maintenance and improvement. On the basis of the analysis of scientific literature, the article provides an overview of WBI types and components, as well as a structural model of WBI and its user in the context of environment factors. The possibilities of using WBI for developing long-term health literacy of individuals are specified. By summarising the main advantages and limitations of using WBI, the possible suggestions for the WBI use and development are offered.

IntroductionWe aim to understand the factors that drive citizens of different countries to adhere to recommended self-protective behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsSurvey data was obtained through the COVID-19 Impact project. We selected countries that presented a sufficiently complete time series and a statistically relevant sample for running the analysis: Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. To identify country-specific differences in self-protective behaviors, we used previous evidence and change-point detection analysis to establish variations across participating countries whose effect was then assessed by means of interrupted series analysis.ResultsA high level of compliance with health and governmental authorities' recommendations were generally observed in all included countries. The level of stress decreased near the period when countries such as Cyprus, Greece or the United Kingdom relaxed their prevention behavior recommendations. However, this relaxation of behaviors did not occur in countries such as Germany, Ireland, or the United States. As observed in the change-point detection analysis, when the daily number of recorded COVID-19 cases decreased, people relaxed their protective behaviors (Cyprus, Greece, Ireland), although the opposite trend was observed in Switzerland.DiscussionCOVID-19 self-protective behaviors were heterogeneous across countries examined. Our findings show that there is probably no single winning strategy for exiting future health crises, as similar interventions, aimed to promote self-protective behaviors, may be received differently depending on the specific population groups and on the particular geographical context in which they are implemented.

Abstract. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a massive health crisis that has exerted enormous physical and psychological pressure. Mental healthcare for healthcare workers (HCWs) should receive serious consideration. This study served to determine the mental-health outcomes of 1,556 HCWs from 45 countries who participated in the COVID-19 IMPACT project, and to examine the predictors of the outcomes during the first pandemic wave. Methods: Outcomes assessed were self-reported perceived stress, depression symptom, and sleep changes. The predictors examined included sociodemographic factors and perceived social support. Results: The results demonstrated that half of the HCWs had moderate levels of perceived stress and symptoms of depression. Half of the HCWs (n = 800, 51.4%) had similar sleeping patterns since the pandemic started, and one in four slept more or slept less. HCWs reported less perceived stress and depression symptoms and higher levels of perceived social support than the general population who participated in the same project. Predictors associated with higher perceived stress and symptoms of depression among HCWs included female sex, not having children, living with parents, lower educational level, and lower social support. Discussion: The need for establishing ways to mitigate mental-health risks and adjusting psychological interventions and support for HCWs seems to be significant as the pandemic continues.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic fundamentally disrupted humans’ social life and behavior. Public health measures may have inadvertently impacted how people care for each other. This study investigated prosocial behavior, its association well-being, and predictors of prosocial behavior during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and sought to understand whether region-specific differences exist. Participants (N = 9,496) from eight regions clustering multiple countries around the world responded to a cross-sectional online-survey investigating the psychological consequences of the first upsurge of lockdowns in spring 2020. Prosocial behavior was reported to occur frequently. Multiple regression analyses showed that prosocial behavior was associated with better well-being consistently across regions. With regard to predictors of prosocial behavior, high levels of perceived social support were most strongly associated with prosocial behavior, followed by high levels of perceived stress, positive affect and psychological flexibility. Sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors of prosocial behavior were similar across regions.

Objective: Illness perceptions (IP) are important predictors of emotional and behavioral responses in many diseases. The current study aims to investigate the COVID-19-related IP throughout Europe. The specific goals are to understand the temporal development, identify predictors (within demographics and contact with COVID-19) and examine the impacts of IP on perceived stress and preventive behaviors.Methods: This was a time-series-cross-section study of 7,032 participants from 16 European countries using multilevel modeling from April to June 2020. IP were measured with the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Temporal patterns were observed considering the date of participation and the date recoded to account the epidemiological evolution of each country. The outcomes considered were perceived stress and COVID-19 preventive behaviors.Results: There were significant trends, over time, for several IP, suggesting a small decrease in negativity in the perception of COVID-19 in the community. Age, gender, and education level related to some, but not all, IP. Considering the self-regulation model, perceptions consistently predicted general stress and were less consistently related to preventive behaviors. Country showed no effect in the predictive model, suggesting that national differences may have little relevance for IP, in this context.Conclusion: The present study provides a comprehensive picture of COVID-19 IP in Europe in an early stage of the pandemic. The results shed light on the process of IP formation with implications for health-related outcomes and their evolution.

The appearance conditions of two filaments propagating at an angle to each other by aberration focusing in air of femtosecond radiation pulse with a 940 nm wavelength are studied. Interest to these beams is due to the formation of highly directed radiation of the white supercontinuum in them with diffraction divergence. It is shown that the pump beam diffraction on plasma and Kerr nonlinearity in filamentation area are responsible for the formation of two additional filaments. The diffraction maxima are beginnings of high-intensity pump beams due to Kerr self-focusing of surrounding energy reservoir of pump radiation. The dynamics of these beams from foci zone till far zone is demonstrated.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic triggered vast governmental lockdowns. The impact of these lockdowns on mental health is inadequately understood. On the one hand such drastic changes in daily routines could be detrimental to mental health. On the other hand, it might not be experienced negatively, especially because the entire population was affected.MethodsThe aim of this study was to determine mental health outcomes during pandemic induced lockdowns and to examine known predictors of mental health outcomes. We therefore surveyed n = 9,565 people from 78 countries and 18 languages. Outcomes assessed were stress, depression, affect, and wellbeing. Predictors included country, sociodemographic factors, lockdown characteristics, social factors, and psychological factors.ResultsResults indicated that on average about 10% of the sample was languishing from low levels of mental health and about 50% had only moderate mental health. Importantly, three consistent predictors of mental health emerged: social support, education level, and psychologically flexible (vs. rigid) responding. Poorer outcomes were most strongly predicted by a worsening of finances and not having access to basic supplies.ConclusionsThese results suggest that on whole, respondents were moderately mentally healthy at the time of a population-wide lockdown. The highest level of mental health difficulties were found in approximately 10% of the population. Findings suggest that public health initiatives should target people without social support and those whose finances worsen as a result of the lockdown. Interventions that promote psychological flexibility may mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

This paper presents a new ecological and epidemiological data on the distribution and the epidemic manifestation of natural foci of tick-borne infections in the Kemerovo region, taking into account the study of their combination with the use of modern molecular biology methods.

The presence of common vectors of various pathogens determines the high prevalence of combined natural foci of tick-borne infections in Altay Republic. The current state of natural foci is presented in terms of the spectrum of key pathogens transmitted by ticks. Morbidity of major diseases transmitted by the bite of ticks was analyzed.