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The CRF02_AG and sub-subtype A6 are currently the predominant HIV-1 variants in the Republic of Uzbekistan, but little is known about their time-spatial clustering patterns in high-risk populations. We have applied molecular evolution methods and network analyses to better understand the transmission patterns of these subtypes by analyzing 316 pol sequences obtained during the surveillance study of HIV drug resistance. Network analysis showed that about one third of the HIV infected persons were organized into clusters, including large clusters with more than 35 members. These clusters were composed mostly of injecting drug users and/or heterosexuals, with women having mainly high centrality within networks identified in both subtypes. Phylogenetic analyses of the 'Uzbek' sequences, including those publicly available, show that Russia and Ukraine played a role as the main sources of the current subtype A6 epidemic in the Republic. At the same time, Uzbekistan has been a local center of the CRF02_AG epidemic spread in the former USSR since the early 2000s. Both of these HIV-1 variants continue to spread in Uzbekistan, highlighting the importance of identifying transmission networks and transmission clusters to prevent further HIV spread, and the need for HIV prevention and education campaigns in high-risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers directions for the development of waste-free, large-scale industrial technologies by setting up new technological routs, including wide use of electrical technologies of a new generation and excluding formation of any industrial waste as a matter of principle. The electrical technologies of a new generation are technologies based on the use of generators and flows of technological plasmas in chemical and metallurgical industries, electromagnetic fields of various frequency ranges for the synthesis and processing of metal and ceramic materials, and technological lasers for, for instance, separation of isotopes and for making micro articles for nanotechnology and micrometallurgy applications. All these technologies have become theoretically and technically feasible in combination with purification technologies for liquid and gaseous raw material preparation for the nuclear fuel cycle (NFC), specifically, ion-exchange sorption on synthetic organic ion-exchange resins, fluid extraction, rectification, or sorption on granular fluoride sorbents, which all provide a tool for attaining any level of purification of raw materials. In many processes discussed in the paper, extraction, sorption and rectification can be directly incorporated in electrical technologies, i.e. this means combined technologies for the synthesis, separation, and purification of the products, such as plasma rectification, plasma sorption, etc. The paper considers a series of such scientifically and technically advanced but still uncommercialized electrical technologies which should form the basis for new environmentally friendly, waste-free industries of a new technological structure. As examples, we focus on several plasma, electromagnetic, and laser technologies, operating on raw materials refined by the above-mentioned purification technologies, including the new technology for the purification of gaseous industrial emissions. These waste-free electrical technologies for the production and processing of inorganic materials were developed for the nuclear industry in the USSR. These are mostly physical technologies insensitive to the chemical formula of the produced or processed materials, and, therefore, they can be used without any problems in other branches of industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constitutional regulation has passed through a dramatic Soviet epoch where the chronological frameworks and the formation of the institute of rights and freedoms of citizens took place. The chronology of events of the given period can be divided into two stages: the first stage: from the 2nd Russian Congress of the Councils of Workmen's and Soldier's Deputies until January 1918, until the issue of the Constituent Assembly was solved. In this connection, almost all statutory acts were adopted by the Soviet authorities. The second stage: from the 3rd Russian Congress of the Councils of Workmen, Soldier's and Peasant' Deputies until the Constitution of RSFSR was adopted in 1918. At that moment, the Soviet state rejected the reservation about the temporality of power and confirmed its previous acts, started working out the first Constitution. Weakness of the Constitution of the USSR is in the certainty of rights and freedoms of citizens. The provision and operation of the Constitution were perceived by many citizens as attributes of the state, somebody noncommittal. However, that, in its turn, created the corresponding attitude of the officials, who went on looking at the issue of realization of rights and freedoms of citizens 'down upon'. These phenomena should just be overcome in the modern Russian society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research suggests that the prevalence of loneliness varies between countries and that feeling lonely may be associated with poorer health behaviours and outcomes. The aim of the current study was to examine the factors associated with loneliness, and the relationship between feeling lonely and health behaviours and outcomes in the countries of the former Soviet Union (FSU) – a region where loneliness has been little studied to date. Methods: Using data from 18,000 respondents collected during a cross-sectional survey undertaken in nine FSU countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine – in 2010/11, country-wise logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine: the factors associated with feeling lonely; the association between feeling lonely and alcohol consumption, hazardous drinking and smoking; and whether feeling lonely was linked to poorer health (i.e. poor self-rated health and psychological distress). Results: The prevalence of loneliness varied widely among the countries. Being divorced/widowed and low social support were associated with loneliness in all of the countries, while other factors (e.g. living alone, low locus of control) were linked to loneliness in some of the countries. Feeling lonely was connected with hazardous drinking in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Russia but with smoking only in Kyrgyzstan. Loneliness was associated with psychological distress in all of the countries and poor self-rated health in every country except Kazakhstan and Moldova. Conclusions: Loneliness is associated with worse health behaviours and poorer health in the countries of the FSU. More individual country-level research is now needed to formulate effective interventions to mitigate the negative effects of loneliness on population well-being in the FSU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hazardous consumption of large quantities of alcohol is a major cause of ill-health in the former Soviet Union (fSU). The objective of this study was to describe episodic heavy drinking and other hazardous drinking behaviors in eight countries of the fSU. Methods: Data from national surveys of adults conducted in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine in 2001 were used (overall sample size 18,428; response rates 71-88%). Heavy episodic drinking, high alcohol intake, drinking alcohol during the working day, and using illegally produced strong spirits were examined. Results: On average, 23% of men and 2% of women were defined as heavy episodic drinkers (≥2 1 of beer or ≥750 g bottle of wine or ≥200 g strong spirits at least once every 2-3 weeks). This was more common in young males, women who are single or who are divorced/separated/widowed, in smokers, and in frequent alcohol drinkers. About half the respondents who drank strong spirits obtained at least some alcohol from private sources. Among drinkers, 11% of males and 7% of women usually took their first drink before the end of working day. Conclusions: Heavy episodic alcohol drinking is frequent in males throughout the region—although prevalence rates may have been affected by underreporting—but is still relatively rare in women. Alcohol policies in the region should address hazardous drinking patterns and the common use of illegally produced alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We sought to provide comparative data on smoking habits in countries of the former Soviet Union. Methods. We conducted cross-sectional surveys in 8 former Soviet countries with representative national samples of the population 18 years or older. Results. Smoking rates varied among men, from 43.3% to 65.3% among the countries examined. Results showed that smoking among women remains uncommon in Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova (rates of 2.4%-6.3%). In Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Russia, rates were higher (9.3%-15.5%). Men start smoking at significantly younger ages than women, smoke more cigarettes per day, and are more likely to be nicotine dependent. Conclusions. Smoking rates among men in these countries have been high for some time and remain among the highest in the world. Smoking rates among women have increased from previous years and appear to reflect transnational tobacco company activity. (Am J Public Health. 2004;94:2177-2187). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in the United States and Europe has focused on the prejudice of majority groups towards minority groups, the implication somehow being that majority groups were more prejudiced than minority groups. In the former Soviet Union, ethnic environments were more complex; the same ethnic group could be a majority in one region but a minority in others. Using a sample of 1,459 first- and fourth-year university students from eight regions of the former USSR, this study focuses on Russian, Tatar and Ukrainian respondents (n = 821) to test the hypothesis that the status of an ethnic group (majority/minority) or in-group bias explains members' prejudice. According to in-group bias, all ethnic groups are equally prejudiced, minority and majority alike, whereas group status posits that groups in a majority position are more prejudiced. Findings show that group status has greater impact on prejudice than does in-group bias. This applies, however, only to Russians. Interpretations of the findings rest on Soviet history and the rise of nationalism during the breakup of the Soviet Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]