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In 2023, the Center for Sociological and Political Research of the Belarusian State University conducted a longitudinal sociological study “Family Formation, Stable Family Relationships and Fertility in the Changing Social-Economic Conditions” in the framework of the international project “Strengthening the Scientific and Educational Potential of the Republic of Belarus in the Field of Collection, Analysis and Use of Demographic Data to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”, implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and funded by the Government of the Russian Federation. The conceptual and methodological basis of the study is the international research program “Generations and Gender” launched in 2001. Based on the methodology of this program, the similar studies were conducted in 26 countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Japan, Italy, Belgium, Norway, etc. The article presents the results of the second wave of the study, focusing on the current functional problems of the Belarusian family in the changing social-economic conditions: trends in family formation in the new life circumstances, criteria of stable family relations, and the evolution of social attitudes towards having children. The authors make conclusions about the dominant reproductive attitudes, the planned number of children, and changes in the family intergenerational relations. The results of the study will contribute to the development of additional measures to improve the state socialdemographic policy.

As has happened more than once in history, today education again needs a clear direction for its development. The whirlwinds of change calmed down, and it became obvious that a lot of good things had been lost: education is essentially conservative, and this is its great advantage. Education shows a path to eternal truths, to understanding the laws of evolution and the world of the mind. The university in this sense is not a place of services, bargain, purchase or sale, it is a temple of science and truth, which by definition cannot be widespread. The university lives its own life but in connection with the state, its history, national traditions and values. The article considers the problems of the transformation of sociological education and institutionalization of sociology in Belarus. The teaching of sociological disciplines began with the opening of the Belarusian State University (BSU) in 1921. Professor S.Z. Katzenbogen became the first teacher of sociological disciplines and the head of the department of sociology and primitive culture. This was followed by a more than a thirty-year forced break due to the removal of sociology from the curriculum, repressions of the 1930s, the Great Patriotic War and post-war reconstruction. The revival of sociology began in the 1960s with the efforts of G.P. Davidyuk and E.M. Babosov. Sociological departments were opened at the Academy of Sciences and leading universities; sociology became one of the main sources of knowledge about the contemporary society and social well-being. Despite all difficulties and obstacles, sociology has become in demand under the current uncertainty, global instability and social turbulence. However, the ignorance of national experience and educational traditions and mechanical borrowing of foreign practices is unacceptable and leads to stagnation.

Background. The course of the COVID-19 epidemic process depends on population immunity which prevents pathogen spread. Aim: to study an evolution of SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity in the Belarusian population rela- tive to COVID-19 pandemic dynamics. Materials and methods. The work was carried out according to a methodology for assessing herd immunity developed by Rospotrebnadzor (Russia) and the Belarusian Ministry of Health involving the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute (SPPI) by taking into account the WHO recommendations. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of Belarus and the SPPI Bioethics Committee. Participant selection was carried out by ques- tionnaire using a cloud (internet server) service. To monitor herd immunity, a cohort of 4661 subjects (involved at all stages of seromonitoring) was formed from the total volunteer group. Study subjects were randomized into groups based on age (117, 1829, 3039, 4049, 5059, 6069, 70+ years), geographic region, and occupation. For the detection of antibodies (Abs) against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (Nc) and S glycoprotein receptor-binding domain (RBD), rel- evant assay systems were used according to the manufacturers instructions. A four-stage study was conducted according to a unified scheme. Results. At stage 1 (pandemic month 15), herd immunity was mainly accounted for by Nc+RBD+ Ab status alone. By stage 2 (4 months later), its specific proportion decreased by 1.2-fold, whereas percentage of subjects solely bearing RBD-specific Abs increased by 1.7-fold. At stages 3 and 4 (9 and 19 months after the onset) vs. stage 2, percent- age of subjects with RBD+Nc decreased by 3.5%; the proportion of persons with Nc+RBD Abs increased by 1.5-fold. The most important contributor in herd immunity turned out to be due to population vaccination, with coverage reaching 70% by stage 4. Among vaccines, compared with whole-virion, inactivated BIBP-CorV vaccine the Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vector were used most often. Conclusion. The evolution of herd SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity included a series of changes in circulating Ab levels (Nc, RBD). The hybrid immunity formed helped to reduce the incidence of COVID-19 to sporadic level.

In the era of globalization, integration groupings have become an important tool for the development of many countries in the world economy. They contribute to the formation of close economic ties and coordination of foreign trade between the participants, which in turn has a favorable effect on the development of the national economy of the country. Participation in integration associations is of great importance for the development of Belarus’ economy and increasing its role in the international arena. Membership in the SCO opens up new prospects for the country and provides an opportunity to expand cooperation with other countries of the Asian region. Once Belarus becomes a full-fledged member of the association, the country will have new ways to develop its potential in various areas, including the economy, logistics, transport, security, culture, education, healthcare, tourism, industrial and agricultural sector, science, as well as experience in international multilateral cooperation. The article is devoted to the topic of assessing the potential of joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization integration association of the Republic of Belarus. In order to assess the prospects of economic cooperation more accurately, the authors conducted an econometric analysis using a modified version of the traditional gravity model of Belarus’ foreign trade with the member countries. As a result, the authors have identified the most significant factors influencing the volume of trade with the member countries. By analyzing the ratio of calculated indicators to the actual level of exports and imports, the authors made a conclusion about the level of realization of trade potential with the SCO countries. As a consequence, the authors proposed possible ways to implement trade by analyzing the commodity structure of foreign trade flows of the Republic of Belarus with the members of the integration association.

BackgroundWhile there is a robust literature on environmental exposure to iodine-131 (131I) in childhood and adolescence and the risk of thyroid cancer and benign nodules, little is known about its effects on thyroid volume.MethodsTo assess the effect of 131I dose to the thyroid on the volume of the thyroid gland, we examined the data from the baseline screening of the Belarusian-American Cohort Study of residents of Belarus who were exposed to the Chernobyl fallout at ages ≤18 years. Thyroid dose estimates were based on individual thyroid activity measurements made shortly after the accident and dosimetric data from questionnaires obtained 10-15 years later at baseline screening. During baseline screening, thyroid gland volume was assessed from thyroid ultrasound measurements. The association between radiation dose and thyroid volume was modeled using linear regression where radiation dose was expressed with power terms to address non-linearity. The model was adjusted for attained age, sex, and place of residence, and their modifying effects were examined.ResultsThe analysis was based on 10,703 subjects. We found a statistically significant positive association between radiation dose and thyroid volume (P

The aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of unilateral coercive measures on sustainable development processes in the Republic of Belarus, as well as their influence on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Belarus and the Union State. Divided into three sections, the article begins by examining how Belarus has adapted its legal framework and state policy to conform to the 2030 Agenda. However, the use of unilateral coercive measures by the collective West to pressure and incentivize “appropriate” behavior, in contradiction of the decisions of the UN Security Council, diverts the country’s resources toward safeguarding its sovereignty and non-intervention in the aff airs of other states. The second section delves into the role of integration associations and the Union State in overcoming coercive restrictive measures. Finally, the third section sheds light on the impact of such measures on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Specifi cally, the sectoral sanctions imposed by the US and EU on Belarus in 2021 hinder the development of a common agricultural policy, as well as gas, oil, and petroleum markets of the Union State, while simultaneously creating a fi nancial rift between Belarus and Russia. This underscores the negative eff ects of these measures in the short term.

Background: Despite the low transmission risk of Monkeypox (mpox) in Belarus, this study is vital as it contributes to our understanding of vaccine hesitancy among healthcare professionals (HCPs). It aims to assess vaccination perceptions and evaluate the willingness to pay for the vaccine among Belarusian HCPs, thereby enhancing pandemic preparedness. Methods: in October 2022, a cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among Belarusian HCPs using a self-administered questionnaire (SAQ). Invitations were disseminated via social media platforms using a snowball sampling method. The SAQ encompassed various categories, including sociodemographic details, medical history, sources of mpox information, perceived and factual mpox knowledge, and perceptions of the mpox vaccine according to the health belief model (HBM), mpox vaccine acceptance and willingness to pay (WTP). Results: while a large proportion of respondents had good knowledge of mpox epidemiology and its clinical manifestations, their awareness of available vaccines and treatment options was limited. Consequently, a significant correlation was found between the history of influenza vaccination and mpox-related knowledge. Furthermore, the study showed that just over half of the participants (51.4%) were willing to receive the mpox vaccine if offered for free, safely, and effectively, with their decision largely influenced by perceived benefits (Spearman's rho = 0.451) and cues to action (Spearman's rho = 0.349). However, a considerable degree of hesitancy (30.6%) and resistance (18.1%) towards the mpox vaccine was observed, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address these issues. Conclusions: this study highlights a significant knowledge gap among Belarusian HCPs about mpox vaccines and treatments, despite a general awareness of the disease's epidemiology and symptoms, and it underscores the need for targeted interventions to enhance mpox knowledge and vaccine acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents results of monitoring the transboundary transport of pollutants with river water of the Western Dvina River and the Dnieper River basins for the period from 2010 to 2020. The impact of water runoff long-term dynamics on the transboundary surface water quality is discussed. The assessment of the excess transport of pollutants is given, taking into account differences in the values of standard concentrations adopted on the territory of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. There is an analysis of the differences between the concentrations of substances at the observation stations opened on the border with the Republic of Belarus in 2013–2016 (the Western Dvina in Verkhov'e village; the Dnieper in Khlystovka village, and the Sozh River in Bakharevka village) and at the observation stations away from the border (the Western Dvina in the town of Velizh; the Dnieper in the city of Smolensk, and the Sozh in Khislavichi urban-type settlement) in the paper. The pollution of the catchments with various substances is characterized, and priority indicators that help to recommend some measures to reduce the contamination of catchments with them are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of an evolving digital environment of library education, it is important to study the needs and expectations of students as participants of the educational process and the direct consumers of educational services. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey of students studying on the specialty “Library and Information Activities” at the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts. The objective of the survey was to determine the students’ vision of new trends in educational practice and the prospects for the development of library education associated with digitalization. The study was conducted by the working group as a part of the contract research “Explore trends and ways of development of library and information education in the digital age”. The survey touched upon such research areas as a promising vector for the development of library education, students’ readiness for library activities in a digital environment, and the use of information and communication technologies in the learning process. It was found that the students consider the information and technological courses as a promising vector for the development of library education (information courses as the basis for training). In the courses taught at the Faculty of Information and Document Communications, students would like to focus on remote user service, programming, data analytics, digital technologies, neural networks, nanotechnologies, digital marketing, web design basics, the creation and design of electronic resources, the basics of working with graphic editors and other. Assessing the importance of various types of library work in the digital environment, students marked “Working with electronic catalogs and databases” as the most important one. Least of all, students consider themselves ready for the “Work to create electronic information resources” and “Work to provide access to electronic information resources”. In the process of distance learning during the epidemic COVID-19, the greatest difficulty was the increase of the workload, the complication of the learning process. Of less significance were the technical communication problems. А set of measures from the viewpoint of students to improve the quality and competitive advantages of library and information education in the digital age is defined.

В статье представлен анализ одной из икон богатого собрания Ветковского музея старообрядчества и белорусских традиций (Республика Беларусь). Высказывается предположение о возможном круге авторов данного произведения, дается общая характеристика иконы, подробно анализируется центральная часть и все семнадцать клейм. Показывается, что исполнитель или заказчик иконы стремится создать особый тип произведения — иконы-иконостаса, в котором находят свое отражение его интерес и достаточно глубокое погружение в догматику православного учения, причем в варианте аскетического и монашеско-иноческого проявления. Заметны поиски воззрений, отраженных в конкретном церковном собрании старообрядцев-ветковцев, включенных в традиционный уклад и устоявшуюся систему верований. В анализе применяются метод архивных изысканий, историко-искусствоведческий анализ, исследование воплощения вопросов православной догматики в системе художественно выразительных средств.

Copyright of Toruńskie Studia Polsko-Włoskie / Studi Polacco-Italiani di Toruń is the property of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Faculty of Law & Administration and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses territorial and structural changes in the productivity of grain and leguminous crops in the districts of the Republic of Belarus, as well as differences in the doses of mineral fertilisers for certain types from 2014 to 2018. The aim of the study is to determine the degree of influence of fertilisers on the dynamics of productivity for the studied period and to analyse the reasons for changes in the level of yields of grain and leguminous crops in the regions of the country. The work is based on statistical research methods – correlation and regression analysis of the relationship between mineral fertilisers and productivity were carried out. Correlation analysis showed a significant inverse linear dependence of the yield dynamics on the fertility score (correlation coefficient – 0.66), proving that more fertile soils lose in harvests of grain and leguminous crops are almost 2 times in comparison with less suitable land. Regression analysis confirmed the significant effect of mineral fertilisers (determination coefficient 56 %) on the final harvests of grain and leguminous crops. The novelty of the research lies in the mathematical formalisation of the stochastic dependence of the yield of grain and leguminous crops on the level of application of certain types of mineral fertilisers and the establishment of its linear character. With the help of GIS technologies, territorial differences in the effectiveness of the use of fertilisers for grain and leguminous crops in the administrative regions of the Republic of Belarus were established and three clusters of productivity in the country were identified – highly productive south-west (Grodno Region, Brest Region and adjacent districts of Minsk Region), productive south-east (Gomel Region and Mogilev Region with border areas of neighbouring regions) and low-productive north (Vitebsk Region with northern regions of Minsk Region and Grodno Region).

The article discloses the essence and features of the Eurasian component in the foreign policy of the Republic of Belarus. The scientific novelty of the article lies in revealing the role and place of the Eurasian component in the foreign policy strategy of the Belarusian state at two levels - the Eurasian space as a whole and individual states belonging to this space. Using the tools of neoclassical realism, linking the implementation of the foreign policy process with the state of development of the state, and the theory of foreign policy analysis, the author comes to the conclusion about the increasing importance of the Eurasian component in the foreign policy of Belarus in the second half of the 1990s and the first two decades of the 21st century. According to the author, the course for the development of cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Eurasian states was predetermined by its economic interests, although a certain role in its implementation was played by political guidelines of the Belarusian leadership (maintaining stability in the Belarusian state, reinforcing the thesis of the effectiveness of a multi-vector foreign policy, expanding the range of communication in the world arena). A specific feature of the Belarusian Eurasian policy was the absence of a fundamental conceptualization of actions in this direction and the prevalence of situational solutions in building relations with individual Eurasian states. Until the early 2020s, the Eurasian region was considered by the Belarusian authorities and experts mainly in functional and geographical terms, without being perceived as a distinctive civilizational association. At the current stage of development of the Belarusian state, its key partners in Eurasia are Russia, relations with which are being built within the framework of integration associations (the Union State, the EAEU, the CSTO), and China, which is promoting the Belt and Road initiative. However, conceptually, the issue of Belarus geostrategic positioning in Eurasia still needs to be finalized.

The process of formation and development of Russian and Ukrainian studies at the Belarusian State University as a scientific historical discipline and educational course is analysed. It is noted that since the 1936/37 academic year it is possible to find a documented trace of the continuity in the study and the teaching of the discipline at the level of special educational and scientific structures: the department of the history of the peoples of the USSR and the history of the BSSR, department of the history of the peoples of the USSR, department of history of the USSR, department of history of the USSR of the pre-Soviet period, department of the history of the USSR of the era of socialism, department of contemporary history of Slavic countries (based on this department of the history of the Southern and Western Slavs was created), department of Russian history (which was formed on the basis of the department of history of the USSR of the pre-Soviet period, was transformed first into the department of Russian and Slavic history, and then into the modern department of Russian history). The author notes the relationship between the development of Russian studies and Ukrainian studies as a direction of historical knowledge with the socio-political situation in the country, the role of historians of the Belarusian State University in the formation of the national structure of historical memory, understanding the importance of historical science for society and the state. The national Belarusian historiography is characterised as a significant component of the European historiography of the history of Russia and Ukraine, its integration into the general European scientific process of studying countries and regions. The prospects for the development of Russian and Ukrainian studies in Belarus at the present stage, the expansion of the process of interdisciplinary synthesis in the late 20th – early 21th centuries are considered. The conclusion is made about the transformation of Russian studies and Ukrainian studies into one of the leading areas of modern historical science, which is part of the complex of social and humanitarian scientific disciplines.

The article discusses ways to improve the investment regulation of professional sports organizations. The approaches of scientists and researchers in the world economic thought to the problem under study are considered. The effectiveness of professional sports as a type of economic activity in the structure of the national economy of the Republic of Belarus is noted. Based on the assessment of the economic efficiency of the functioning of professional sports organizations in the Republic of Belarus, the analysis of normative legal acts and effective foreign experience, a method of effective regulation of investments in the development of a professional sports organization is proposed, which includes a model of investment regulation and methodological recommendations for maximizing income. In contrast to the existing practice, a holistic system has lined that takes into account the management, marketing, export, information technology, innovation and investment potentials of a professional sports organization. The carried out tested developed methodology for optimize the investment regulation of a professional sports organization on the subject for compliance with real market conditions on the example of the football club of the highest League of the Republic of Belarus Shakhtyor (Soligorsk), the results showed a positive economic effect of organization and revealed directions for the development of its supporting segments.

Phylogenetic studies of aberrant species are of considerable scientific interest because their taxonomic rank in traditional systems based on morphological characters is not infrequently overestimated. Apopharynx bolodes (Braun, ) is one of the few psilostomid digeneans devoid of the pharynx. This is considered a sufficient basis for assigning it and similar species to the subfamily Apopharynginae. We found A. bolodes in Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758 from Belarus, described it morphologically, and genotyped it by the 28S rRNA gene and the ITS2 region. It is the first molecular data on A. bolodes and the first record of this digenean species in Belarus. The phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the 28S rRNA gene showed that A. bolodes is closely related to the Sphaeridiotrema spp. (Sphaeridiotrematinae). However, this phylogenetic inference has not received yet support with data on the ITS2 region.

Background: Most national programmes of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are at a critical juncture for building their sustainability due to decreasing support from the Global Fund and other international HIV funders. Therefore, it is timely to identify the status, trends, opportunities and risk factors of OAT preparedness in the face of donor transition., Methods: The study assessed the OAT sustainability progress in 4 countries: Belarus, the Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan and Ukraine. The study used a comparative country case study design with qualitative methods and two data points in 2020 and 2022-2023. In total, 363 sources were reviewed and used, 83 interviews with key informants and 13 focus groups were conducted with clients, using a joint methodology and a defined Framework with three dimensions: 'Policy & Governance'; 'Finance & Resources'; and, 'Services'., Results: All four countries have made improvements to increase OAT sustainability, though it varied. In 2022, Ukraine had a substantial degree of sustainability, followed by Belarus and Moldova with a moderate degree, while Tajikistan's sustainability was at moderate-to-high risk. No country achieved a high degree of OAT sustainability in any of the three dimensions measured. However, a high degree of sustainability was reported for at least one indicator in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine: 'Medicines'; 'Financial resources'; 'Evidence and information systems'; 'Service Accessibility'; or, 'Service integration & quality'. On average, the greatest improvement between 2020 and 2022 was seen for 'Availability & coverage'; 'Financial resources'; 'Service quality & integration'; and, 'Service accessibility'. The highest risks across the countries, notably in Belarus and Tajikistan, were recorded for the indicator, 'Availability and coverage'. Of concern is that the least progress, or even a decline, was found in 'Human resources'., Conclusions: OAT sustainability in the 4 analysed countries remains at risk, despite progress in all countries. Managing HIV donor transition can have positive effects in addressing financial sustainability, especially inspired by Ukraine's continued progress despite economic contraction and Russia's invasion. More attention is needed to non-financial aspects of OAT sustainability in donor transition planning. The directions that could have multifaceted positive influence for OAT long-term resilience and scale up for impact on drug problems include decentralisation outside of health settings and broader drug treatment financial and management transformation, together with drug policy reforms. Thus far, viable solutions for sustainability of OAT in conflict areas appear unlikely. Building OAT resilience should remain high on the agenda of national stakeholders, technical partners and donors., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The impact of chronic radiation exposure on phytohormone content and expression of phytohormone- and stress-related genes of Scots pine in the zone affected by the Chernobyl accident was studied. Needle samples were collected from three plots with contrasting levels of radioactive contamination in the Polesye State Radiation-Ecological Reserve, Republic of Belarus, and two reference plots in the Kozeluzhsky forest in June 2022. The experimental plots were located within the artificial plantations of Scots pine established in 1982, before the accident in 1986. The activity of radionuclides 137 Cs, 90 Sr, 241 Am, 238 Pu, and 239+240 Pu in soil and needles ensured dose rates ranging from 3.3 to 87 mGy × year -1 , while at the reference plots, the range was 0.7‒0.8 mGy × year -1 . Concentrations of plant hormones, including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), zeatin, and abscisic acid (ABA) in needles were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We demonstrate that chronic radiation exposure is a significant stress factor that affects both phytohormonal balance and the expression of some important phytohormone- and stress-related genes. We found a tendency toward decreased ABA and auxin concentrations in trees from plots contaminated with radionuclides. The ratio (IAA + IBA + zeatin)/ABA was drastically raised at the most contaminated plots Masany and Kulazhin, reflecting the functional rearrangements of cellular metabolism that ensure plant adaptation under chronic radiation exposure. Changes in gene expression indicated modulation of ABA and Ca 2+ signalling pathways, decreased potential of zeatin biosynthesis, and activation of heat shock proteins biosynthesis., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

We report results from simultaneous experiments conducted in late 2022 in Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine. The experiments focus on fact-checking misinformation supportive of Russia in the Russia-Ukraine War. Meta-analysis makes clear that fact-checking misinformation reduces belief in pro-Kremlin false claims. Effects of fact-checks are not uniform across countries; our meta-analytic estimate is reliant on belief accuracy increases observed in Russia and Ukraine. While fact-checks improve belief accuracy, they do not change respondents' attitudes about which side to support in the War. War does not render individuals hopelessly vulnerable to misinformation-but fact-checking misinformation is unlikely to change their views toward the conflict., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Porter et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Objective was to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 collective immunity status of the population of Belarus within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods. The work was carried out according to the methodology for assessing SARS-CoV-2 population immunity, developed by Rospotrebnadzor Russia and the Ministry of Health of Belarus with the participation of the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, taking into account WHO recommendations. The Bioethics Committee of Belarus and the local ethics committee of the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute approved the study. Selection of participants was carried out using a questionnaire method and online technology (internet, cloud server). Volunteers were randomized into seven age groups (years of age): 1–17; 18–29; 30–39; 40–49; 50–59; 60–69; and 70+. Regional randomization ensured proportional representation of volunteers from each region, and no more than 30 people were included from one enterprise. In accordance with manufacturer instructions, blood plasma samples were analyzed for: IgG antibodies (Abs) to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (Nc) using a quantitative ELISA test system; and IgG Abs to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 S (spike) surface glycoprotein using a qualitative ELISA test system. Statistical processing was carried out using Excel 2010 and other software. Statistical differences were designated as significant when p < 0.05, unless otherwise indicated. Results. The level of seroprevalence, in terms of Abs to Nc among the Belarusian population, was 38.4% (95% CI 37.6–45.4). The highest Ab levels were found among individuals in older age groups (50-70+ years old). The lowest were found in children 1–17 years old and in young people 18–39 years old The distribution of seroprevalence across Belarusian regions was relatively homogeneous, with the exception of the Minsk Region, where a statistically significant decrease in the indicator was noted. In terms of profession, the largest share of seropositive individuals was found among transportation workers; the smallest was found in business. The moderate COVID-19 incidence has not led to a dramatic increase in the number of contacts. The base reproduction number (R0) was 1.3. In the Republic of Belarus, there was a moderate level of asymptomatic COVID-19 among seropositive individuals (45.3% [95% CI 44.0–46.7]). This form of infection was observed most often among children aged 1–17 years old (65.0% [95% CI 61.3–68.6]). In parallel with seroprevalence assessment, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was carried out. We used two vaccines: Gam-COVID-Vac (also known as Sputnik V, developed by Gamaleya National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russia); and BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm, PRC). Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was accompanied by an increase in the level of anti-RBD Abs (95% [95% CI 94.7–96.7]). Taking into account the vaccination of a subset of the population with BBIBP-CorV, the overall herd immunity, inferred from the analyzed indicators (presence of anti-Nc or anti-RBD Abs), was 47.1% (95% CI 46.3–48.0). Conclusion. COVID-19 in Belarus was characterized by a moderately pronounced course of the epidemic process. The threshold level of herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been reached, as a result of which the conditions for progression of the epidemic remain.

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Copyright of Chinese Journal of Slavic Studies is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose. Currently, the organization of sales at the enterprise is the main and continuous process that provides the enterprise with its economic efficiency and bringing the goods to the consumer. The purpose of this work is to analyze and compare modes of transport and its role in the marketing of products by an enterprise. Methodology. To build a model for the marketing activity of an enterprise, as well as when modeling the mechanism of functioning of its organizational, economic and production structure and the place of transport in the structure of an industrial enterprise, elements of economic and mathematical modeling were used. Analysis of the data obtained allows you to choose the best method of transportation, which is extremely important to ensure that the needs of the enterprise, as well as the needs of consumers, are met. Findings. Marketing and logistics services of the enterprise need, having studied all the advantages and disadvantages of all types of transport, to choose the most optimal mode of transport when transporting goods. For the sale of its products, the enterprise should take into account that over time, the costs of different types of transport may change, and the transportation schemes should be revised. The paper compares the modes of transport and the structure of freight turnover by mode of transport (as a percentage of the total). Originality. The use of a mathematical apparatus in the construction of functional dependencies that make up a general economic and mathematical model that characterizes the organization of the marketing activities of an enterprise will allow not only to identify «weak» points, but also to adjust the marketing policy of the enterprise accordingly, relying not on abstract conclusions, but on the obtained clear dependencies. Practical value. The result is, first of all, a reduction in costs in the marketing policy of the enterprise and an increase in competitiveness, an increase in profits and maximum satisfaction of consumer requirements.

The following study analysed online articles in German media discussing protests in Ukraine in 2014 and Belarussian protests in 2020. A mixed-methods approach of combining qualitative and quantitative content analyses was used to examine frames and frame sources utilised in the articles. There were 489 articles used for the analysis. The study also examined statistically significant differences between the frequency of frames by country. A frame indicated in each story was coded as a variable (“human impact”, “powerlessness”, “moral values”, and “conflict”). The human impact frame was more common in articles regarding Belarus than in articles regarding Ukraine. The moral values frame was the least common frame in articles regarding both Ukraine and Belarus. The powerlessness frame was the most prominent for both countries. The most significant difference between the two countries was indicated regarding conflict frame utilisation. The statistical analysis shows that there is a statistically significant difference of frames covered by German media. The statistically significant difference of powerlessness frame was: 67,49% (Ukraine) and 76,74% (Belarus); in moral values frame: 2,48% (Ukraine) and 6,59% (Belarus); in the conflict frame: 24,46% (Ukraine) and 6,59% (Belarus); in human impact frame: 5,57% (Ukraine) and 10,08% (Belarus). Finally, the utilised sources by frame were indicated. Sources utilised for the powerlessness frame were international officials and local officials (in Ukraine and Belarus). Sources utilised for the human impact frame were citizens (in both Ukraine and Belarus) and oppositional politicians (Belarus only). Sources utilised for conflict frame: oppositional politicians (Ukraine only), international officials, local officials. Sources utilised for moral values frame were local celebrities, intellectual elite (Ukraine) and oppositional politicians (Belarus). Findings show that media in Germany relied mostly on politicians and international officials, while the perspective of ordinary citizens appeared to be less prominent.

The paper analyzes the socio -economic policy of Belarus in the first half of the 1990s in the process of its transition to market economy, and highlights the peculiarities of the economic crisis in this period. The methodology of work is a set of scientific principles, general scientific and special historical methods, as well as interdisciplinary and comprehensive approaches to the historical discourse of socio-economic history of Belarus based on the integral use of sources. Scientific novelty. It is the first time this issue is considered in Ukrainian historiography. Conclusions. It is noted that Belarus had to go through a rather difficult path in the first half of the 1990s. It was caused by the transformational processes associated with the collapse of the USSR, the country's transition from a command-and-control system to market economic conditions, and took place within a structural economic crisis that affected all spheres of economic life. The market reforms of 1992–1994 (liberalization of economic life, privatization, support of entrepreneurship, development of competition) contributed to the formation of basic market mechanisms and institutions, but the Belarusian economy has failed to adapt to transitional market realities. At the same time, it was in the late 1980s and early 1990s that the historical preconditions were formed for the creation of the now commonly accepted Belarusian model of socio-economic development, which came into existence in the second half of the 1990s.

ContextAlthough radiation exposure is an important predictor of thyroid cancer on diagnosis of a thyroid nodule, the relationship between childhood radiation exposure and thyroid nodules has not been comprehensively evaluated.ObjectiveTo examine the association between internal I-131 thyroid dose and thyroid nodules in young adults exposed during childhood.Design, setting, and participantsIn this cross-sectional study, we screened residents of Belarus aged ≤18 years at the time of the Chernobyl nuclear accident for thyroid disease (median age, 21 years) with thyroid palpation, ultrasonography, blood/urine analysis, and medical follow-up when appropriate. Eligible participants (N = 11,421) had intact thyroid glands and doses based on direct individual thyroid activity measurements.Main outcome measuresExcess odds ratios per Gray (EOR/Gy, scaled at age 5 years at exposure) for any thyroid nodule and for nodules grouped by cytology/histology, diameter size, and singularity.ResultsRisk of any thyroid nodule increased significantly with I-131 dose and, for a given dose, with younger age at exposure. The EOR/Gy (95% confidence intervals) for neoplastic nodules (3.82; 0.87 to 15.52) was significantly higher than for nonneoplastic nodules (0.32;

The article provides data on the species composition of alien helminth species which infest introduced fish species in pond fish farms and also published data on natural water bodies of Belarus. Seven alien helminth species have been revealed in introduced fish in water bodies of Belarus (Khawia sinensis Hsü, 1935, Schyzocotyle acheilognathi (Yamaguti, 1934), Caryophyllaeus fimbriceps Annenkova-Chlopina, 1919, Philometroides cyprini (Ishii, 1931), Dactylogyrus dulkeiti Bychowsky, 1936, Bothriocephalus claviceps (Goeze, 1782), Anguillicola crassus Kuwahara 1974). All species of helminths excluding the nematode A. crassus and the cestode B. claviceps, parasites of the eel Anguilla anguilla, were introduced to Belarus with the stocking material of Cyprinus carpio haematopterus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Far East. The invasive species of helminths (K. sinensis, S. acheilognathi, P. cyprini, A. crassus), which affect the fishery by causing the death of farmed fish, are distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with modeling of investment regulation of professional sports organizations in the Republic of Belarus. The approaches of scientists and researchers to the issue under study are identified. To solve indicated problem, a model of investment regulation of a professional sports organization has been developed, which makes it possible to operatively and reasonably allocate investment resources based on simulation and iterative capabilities. The proposed economic and mathematical model makes in general economic indicators it possible to take into account the contribution of each segment of income to the joint results of operating activities and, as a result, promotes closer integration of the less than potential from them, which leads to a synergistic effect. The developed dynamic simulation model of investment regulation has been tested on the example of a professional sports organization, the results confirm the effective distribution of investment funds, due to which there is a positive economic effect in the form of total income growth.

Background: A fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is a basic procedure to verify the morphology of thyroid nodules. However, significant variations in the diagnostic performance of FNA, as well as fluctuations in the rate of malignancy (ROM) in different categories of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology, have been discovered in many studies. The development and employment of additional molecular tests in daily clinical practice require an understanding of the prevalence and structure of thyroid malignancy in each category of the Bethesda system., Methods: Current research is a continuous retrospective cohort study of the results of the examination and treatment of 1652 patients with thyroid tumors who have undergone primary surgery in 2021 at a national referral thyroid cancer center. FNA diagnostic performance was studied by comparing cytological diagnoses with histological outcomes. The authors evaluated ROM in each Bethesda category and identified the tumors representing a diagnostic pitfall., Results: The overall ROM was 72.4%. When considering ROM in each Bethesda category, it was 16.7% in Bethesda I, 10.1% in Bethesda II, 23.0% in Bethesda IV, 74.8% in Bethesda V, 99.4% in Bethesda VI. The false-positive rate was 65.0%, false negative-0.67%. Follicular and oncocytic adenomas, as well as the follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer, were the most troublesome entities for patients' management., Conclusion: ROM was comparable to the values implied by the Bethesda system. Follicular tumors were the main source of high false-positive rates. This necessitates the refinement of existing tests and the development of new diagnostic tests to overcome the abovementioned problems., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

BACKGROUND: While an increased risk of thyroid cancer from post-Chernobyl exposure to Iodine-131 (I-131) in children and adolescents has been well-documented, risks of other cancers or leukemia as a result of residence in radioactively contaminated areas remain uncertain. METHODS: We studied non-thyroid cancer incidence in a cohort of about 12,000 individuals from Belarus exposed under age of 18 years to Chernobyl fallout (median age at the time of Chernobyl accident of 7.9 years). During 15 years of follow-up from1997 through 2011, 54 incident cancers excluding thyroid were identified in the study cohort with 142,968 person-years at risk. We performed Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) analysis of all solid cancers excluding thyroid (n=42), of leukemia (n=6) and of lymphoma (n=6). RESULTS: We found no significant increase in the incidence of non-thyroid solid cancer (SIR=0.83, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.61; 1.11), lymphoma (SIR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.26; 1.33) or leukemia (SIR=1.78, 95% CI: 0.71; 3.61) in the study cohort as compared with the sex-, age- and calendar-time-specific national rates. These findings may in part reflect the relatively young age of study subjects (median attained age of 33.4 years), and long latency for some radiation-related solid cancers. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of statistically significant increases in solid cancer, lymphoma and leukemia incidence 25 years after childhood exposure in the study cohort; however, it is important to continue follow-up non-thyroid cancers in individuals exposed to low-level radiation at radiosensitive ages.

Copyright of Wschodnioznawstwo is the property of Jagiellonian University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The historical politics of the Russian Federation at the present stage is analysed. The work applied the case studies methodology (i. e. study of individual cases, analysis of a single case). The object of study was the historiographic and sociopolitical situation associated with the 150th anniversary of V. I. Lenin. An analysis is given of modern Russian-language academic historiography, which examines the role of V. I. Lenin in Russian and world history. The formation and transformation of the Leninist image in the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, the modern memorial culture are considered. Based on specific sociological surveys, the attitude of various social and power structures to the contradictory image of V. I. Lenin as a revolutionary, theorist and politician is shown.

The concept of sovereignty is now a cross-cutting and general scientific problem. In relation to Russian-Belarusian relations, it is primarily related to issues of economic sovereignty. Ideally, the solution of theoretical questions and practical actions in the field of integration should be spaced over time. However, in practice this is not always possible. Country economic models are not a new subject of study. However, there are not many such works in Belarus. In the article, the authors tried not only to indicate significant points of the Belarusian economic model. The need to develop integration within the framework of the union state of Russia and Belarus is practically not disputed by anyone. In practice, however, this integration has been slow. From our point of view, one of the reasons for this situation is the inattention to the fact that over 30 years of post-Soviet development in Belarus, as well as throughout the post- Soviet space, different economic models have developed. Understanding economic sovereignty in the era of globalization 2.0 is a difficult task for theorists and practitioners. How to reconcile the traditions of sovereignty and the need to deepen integration? This article is devoted to these issues.

The analysis of the scale and structure of educational migration inflow to the Republic of Belarus is carried out, the export parameters of educational services are analyzed and the reserves for its growth are determined.

The article analyzes the trends in the change of the size of the Belarusian ethnic group in the ethnic struc- ture of the regions of Russia. Their interrelation with tendencies of the Belarusian labor migration in the Russian labor market is traced. The role of Belarusian labor migration as a donor of economic and social processes in the Russian Federation is characterized. The conflicting interests of the Belarusian and Russian States in approaches to migration policy are considered.

The purpose of the article is to show how the digitalization of trade can lead to the development of the export potential of the Republic of Belarus. The article discloses theoretical approaches to digitalization of trade as a combination of traditional and new digital models of interaction between buyer and seller. The author presents the volume, commodity and geographical structure of foreign trade of the Republic of Belarus, lists the priorities and identifies the main prospects for the development of exports using modern digital platforms and the emergence of new digital goods and services. The advantages of paperless trade and the need to implement the main provisions of National Strategy for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus are indicated. The author proposes the ways of development of the export potential of the Republic of Belarus witch based on an analysis of the processes of digital transformation of Belarusian trade.

The article deals with the Swiss-Belarusian bilateral relations in the political, economic, humanitarian and cultural area from 1991 until nowadays. It provides a brief overview of the studies on this topic published in both countries as well as official reports by the Federal Council, where Belarus was mentioned. The article focuses on the former and current issues of intergovernmental relations between Switzerland and Belarus. It analyses the periods of deterioration caused by divergence of views on democracy and human rights, and the periods of improvement, when sanctions were lifted, the number of high-level visits increased, and new diplomatic and consular representations were established. The article traces the dynamics and structure of foreign trade between the two countries and notes its rapid growth since the mid-2000s, which was facilitated by major Swiss investors, joint ventures and other entities as well as business forums. It also gives data on the financial assistance and humanitarian aid that the Confederation has provided to Belarus, especially to the areas most affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, within its programmes of cooperation with Eastern Europe and via the Swiss Cooperation Office in Minsk (now the Embassy of Switzerland in Belarus). The article also describes the activities of the Belarusian diaspora in Switzerland as well as the cooperation between the educational, scientific and cultural institutions of the two countries. The author concludes that while Belarus is not one of Switzerland’s priority partners, in recent years the bilateral relations between them have been gradually improving.

The article is devoted to the sphere of higher education in two former Soviet countries: Russia and Belarus . It is aimed to compare the systems of higher education in these countries under the angle of global and regional challenges . The article is based on national statistics from both states and survey data . The author analyses the ways that each of the countries’ practices to increase its educational competitiveness on the global level and adapt to the market conditions . It is described that both countries use such mechanisms in the sphere of higher education as an educational service for foreign students and membership in the educational associations (European and Eurasian) . The scale of the systems of higher education and their potential are described to explain the similarities and differences between the two countries. Three types of educational integration are described . The article concludes that the system of higher education in Belarus is currently developing in a way that differs from Russia and its achievements are much smaller; at the same time, regardless of the declarations on the necessity of internationalisation, current development leads Belarus further away from the European education system, while also not make it closer to Russia . A lack of resources and political dominance over the educational goals make the Belarusian system of higher education not as attractive for students as the Russian one .

The article presents the data of two research projects - European Values Study (EVS) and sociological monitoring of the information field of the Republic of Belarus conducted by the Centre for Sociological and Political Studies of the Belarusian State University. The authors make the following conclusions: the basic values of the Belarusians are quite similar to the values of other European countries; the values of the Belarussians have developed for centuries under the influence of the key events in the European history; the values of society change slowly and can be transformed only in the life cycle of at least two generations; changes in the basic values are impossible under any external or internal pressure. Any attempts to quickly change value preferences of the people under pressure usually lead to the accumulation of negative moods and finally to social upheavals. Contemporary technologies open wide opportunities for informational violence and manipulation of public consciousness. The informational impact of the traditional media and the Internet (including social media) became one of the main factors affecting the structure and content of individual value orientations. The media create the sustainable intellectual background that determines the individual perception and subsequent behavioral response to events in the country and the world. The changing everyday reality forms a new value matrix, and the media become the key technological player due to the new information-communication possibilities.

The purpose of the research is to analyze and synthesize literature data on terrestrial mollusks, intermediate hosts of helminthes vertebrat.Materials and methods. An analysis of the literature data on the distribution of helminths of vertebrates among species of terrestrial mollusks acting as their intermediate hosts was performed.Results and discussion. A literature review of helminth species found in terrestrial mollusks from different regions of the world and the Republic of Belarus is presented. A reasoned assumption has been put forward about more than 40 species of terrestrial mollusks of the Republic of Belarus as potential intermediate hosts of 30 or more species of helminths.

Background: Understanding how Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) evolves over time is crucial for fostering social and environmental responsibility. This study aims to develop a conceptual model of plant knowledge circulation, providing insights into the temporal dynamics of LEK in the Polish-Lithuanian-Belarusian border region. It explores the key patterns and driving forces behind changes in the use of wild plants for food., Methods: Field research was conducted in 60 rural settlements across Podlasie Voivodeship (Poland), Vilnius Region (Lithuania), and Hrodna Region (Belarus). This included 200 semi-structured interviews and participant observation among two local communities, Lithuanians and Poles. To assess the temporal dynamics of wild food use, we performed a cross-ethnic, cross-border analysis over time, dividing the data into three major temporal dimensions: past, continuous, and recently acquired uses., Results: Of the 72 wild plant taxa reported by Poles or Lithuanians in the Polish-Lithuanian-Belarusian borderland, 47 were continuously used for food, 58 were utilised in the past, and 41 were recently acquired. Cross-country trends were similar, with Poland showing more past uses. Diachronic comparisons between Poles and Lithuanians in each studied country revealed no significant differences. Recently acquired taxa overlapped considerably with those used continuously and in the past. The most diversely utilised taxa showed the greatest overlaps. By observing the movement of specific plant taxa within various time dimensions, we distinguished overlapping flow variations: retention (3 taxa), decay (11), invention (8), stagnation (17), revitalisation (6), re-invention (3), and knowledge in motion (24). Shifts in the use of wild food plants were influenced by changes in environmental conditions, governmental policies, cultural practices, and economic factors., Conclusion: The findings of this study have important implications for improving methods of tracking changes in LEK and enhancing our understanding of the relationship between people and nature. Our results underscore the importance of considering knowledge circulation over time in different directions. Recognising the various stages of knowledge circulation might help in pursuing sustainable solutions that balance the needs of human communities with environmental protection., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Regimens for the treatment of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis currently rely on the use of QT-prolonging agents. Using data from the randomized controlled trial, TB-PRACTECAL, we investigated differences in QTcF among participants in the three interventional arms: BPaL (bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid), BPaLC (BPaL with clofazimine), and BPaLM (BPaL with moxifloxacin). Additionally, we assessed whether age, body mass index, and country were causally associated with QTcF prolongation. The trial included participants from South Africa, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. A post hoc analysis of electrocardiogram data was undertaken. Random effects regression was used to model QTcF longitudinally over 24 weeks and causal frameworks guided the analysis of non-randomized independent variables. 328 participants were included in BPaL-based arms. The longitudinal analysis of investigational arms showed an initial QTcF steep increase in the first week. QTcF trajectories between weeks 2 and 24 differed slightly by regimen, with highest mean peak for BPaLC (QTcF 446.5 ms). Overall, there were 397 QTcF >450 ms (of 3,744) and only one QTcF >500 ms. The odds of QTcF >450 ms among participants in any investigational arm, was 8.33 times higher in Uzbekistan compared to Belarus (95% confidence interval: 3.25-21.33). No effect on QTcF prolongation was found for baseline age or body mass index (BMI). Clinically significant QTc prolongation was rare in this cohort of closely monitored participants. Across BPaL-based regimens, BPaLC showed a slightly longer and sustained effect on QTcF prolongation, but the differences (both in magnitude of change and trajectory over time) were clinically unimportant. The disparity in the risk of QTc prolongation across countries would be an important factor to further investigate when evaluating monitoring strategies., Clinical Trials: This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02589782., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Introduction and Objective: Due to educational migration to Poland, students from Ukraine and Belarus may experience security to varying degrees. The aim of the study was to check the extent to which people from Ukraine and Belarus studying in Lublin feel safe, taking into account their own life and health. An attempt was also made to establish the relationship between the sense of security and selected features of the surveyed students., Material and Methods: The research was conducted using a survey method among 403 students from Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Eight independent variables were introduced into the analysis of relationships: gender, age, self-assessment of the financial situation, country of origin, place of origin, place of residence during studies, and year of study. The dependency analysis used Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallisau tests and CATREG optimal scaling analysis., Results: The study showed that both Polish and foreign students assessed the level of safety in Poland and during their studies in Lublin as high. They feel safer during the day than after dark. Polish students are more afraid of theft, rape and being hit by a car than students from Belarus and Ukraine, and students from Ukraine are more afraid of verbal abuse. The predictors influencing students' sense of insecurity are, among others, their financial situation and gender., Conclusions: The conducted research and analysis of the obtained results suggest that the situation of students from Ukraine and Belarus studying in Lublin, Poland, in terms of safety, is similar to that of Polish students, and even better in some aspects. This result suggests that Lublin is a friendly academic centre for students from across the eastern border of Poland.

BackgroundRecent studies of children and adolescents who were exposed to radioactive iodine-131 (I-131) after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident in Ukraine exhibited a significant dose-related increase in the risk of thyroid cancer, but the association of radiation doses with tumor histologic and morphologic features is not clear.MethodsA cohort of 11,664 individuals in Belarus who were aged ≤18 years at the time of the accident underwent 3 cycles of thyroid screening during 1997 to 2008. I-131 thyroid doses were estimated from individual thyroid activity measurements taken within 2 months after the accident and from dosimetric questionnaire data. Demographic, clinical, and tumor pathologic characteristics of the patients with thyroid cancer were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance, chi-square tests or Fisher exact tests, and logistic regression.ResultsIn total, 158 thyroid cancers were identified as a result of screening. The majority of patients had T1a and T1b tumors (93.7%), with many positive regional lymph nodes (N1; 60.6%) but few distant metastases (M1;

Copyright of Annals of Social Sciences / Roczniki Nauk Społecznych is the property of Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawla II and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the research is to study trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus, the agreement and legal basis of bilateral cooperation, the dynamics of foreign trade turnover, tendencies and forms of production cooperation in the context of modern challenges. The methodology of work is a complex of scientific principles, general scientific and special historical methods, as well as interdisciplinary and comprehensive approaches to the historical discourse of modern Ukrainian-Belarusian trade and economic relations based on the integral use of sources on this issue. The scientific novelty is stipulated by insufficient research of trade and economic aspects of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus in the Ukrainian historiography at the present stage, where, with few exceptions, there are almost no generalized papers on these issues. The author's view on the dynamics of cooperation between the two countries for the whole period of 1991-2020 is shown, the peculiarities of bilateral cooperation after the presidential elections on August 9, 2020 in Belarus, which led to deepening political crisis in the republic, have been clarified, the prospects of given research have been determined. The conclusions. It has been proven that almost thirty years of experience of cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus in the new geopolitical realities is the evidence of the importance of bilateral trade and economic cooperation based on pragmatism and mutual interest, broad contacts at the level of the heads of the states, governmental and non-governmental structures, diplomatic bodies as well agreement and legal basis. It has been shown that owing to the industrial cooperation of the two states, the growth of the dynamics of mutual trade turnover, the search for constructive solutions in interregional cooperation, the concerted work of all structures coordinating Ukrainian-Belarusian relations, the accumulated institutional and legal support, it became possible to preserve the accumulated potential in the interstate relations ensuring the vector of bilateral opportunities in the context of integration and globalization processes of the present time. At the same time, in connection with the ongoing political crisis in Belarus, the format of bilateral relations has changed. Although economic cooperation continues, the challenges affecting the mutual dialogue are inducing Kyiv to consider different options for the development of bilateral cooperation; in the economic dimension, the search for opportunities to diversify and replace the Belarusian products is taking place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]