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Introduction: Dermatologists had to face several challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this scenario, a large amount of data has been produced and published. Objectives: We present a literature analysis of publications on COVID-19 in the dermatology field in the first year of the pandemic. Methods: The research was carried out by searching the PubMed database using keywords related to "COVID-19" combined with the keyword "Dermatology" in the "affiliation" search field and collecting articles published from February 2020 to December 2020. Results: A total of 816 publications from 57 countries were retrieved. Overall, publications increased notably along the timespan considered in this study and appeared to be closely linked to pandemic progression in different countries. In addition, article types (i.e., commentaries, case reports, original research) appeared to be strictly influenced by the pandemic's progression. However, the number and category of these publications may raise questions regarding the scientific relevance of the messages reported. Conclusions: Our analysis provides a descriptive quantitative analysis and suggests that publications do not always respond to real scientific needs but are sometimes linked to a need/opportunity for publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the ongoing processes in the organisational field of Italian schools in light of the innovations induced by digital education policies. Specifically, it focuses on the relationship between actors and digital policies concerning the experience of distance learning (DL) that characterised the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper reflects on DL outcomes regarding the three expectations that have often characterised the rhetoric associated with the promotion of digital educational policies, namely: the raising of learning levels, the development of digital competences and the increase in school inclusion. Through an analysis of a series of empirical studies exploring the point of view of the paper, this paper highlights what progress has been made in the digital schooling in Italy and what are still its main limitations. The results of the study show both the limits of the effectiveness of educational policies constructed with a top-down approach and highlight the potential for policy recalibration offered by a reorganisation of the decision-making process through the active involvement of all the actors in the educational system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pandemics can result in large morbidity and mortality rates that can cause significant adverse effects on the social and economic situations of communities. Monitoring and predicting the spread of pandemics helps the concerned authorities manage the required resources, formulate preventive measures, and control the spread effectively. In the specific case of COVID-19, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) has undertaken many initiatives, such as surveillance and contact tracing by introducing mobile apps such as Al Hosn, containment of spread by limiting the gathering of people, online schooling and remote work, sanitation drives, and closure of public places. The aim of this paper is to predict the trends occurring in pandemic outbreak, with COVID-19 in the UAE being a specific case study to investigate. In this paper, a predictive modeling approach is proposed to predict the future number of cases based on the recorded history, taking into consideration the enforced policies and provided vaccinations. Machine learning models such as LASSO Regression and Exponential Smoothing, and deep learning models such as LSTM, LSTM-AE, and bi-directional LSTM-AE, are utilized. The dataset used is publicly available from the UAE government, Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) and consists of several attributes, such as the numbers of confirmed cases, recovered cases, deaths, tests, and vaccinations. An additional categorical attribute is manually added to the dataset describing whether an event has taken place, such as a national holiday or a sanitization drive, to study the effect of such events on the pandemic trends. Experimental results showed that the Univariate LSTM model with an input of a five-day history of Confirmed Cases achieved the best performance with an RMSE of 275.85, surpassing the current state of the art related to the UAE by over 30%. It was also found that the bi-directional LSTMs performed relatively well. The approach proposed in the paper can be applied to monitor similar infectious disease outbreaks and thus contribute to strengthening the authorities' preparedness for future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact worldwide, impacting schools, undergraduate, and graduate university education. More than half a million lives have been lost due to COVID-19. Moving towards contactless learning activities has become a research area due to the rapid advancement of technology, particularly in artificial intelligence and robotics. This paper proposes an autonomous service robot for handling multiple teaching assistant duties in the educational field to move towards contactless learning activities during pandemics. We use SLAM to map and navigate the environment to proctor an exam. We also propose a human–robot voice interaction and an academic content personalization algorithm. Our results show that our robot can navigate the environment to proctor students avoiding any static or dynamic obstacles. Our cheating detection system obtained a testing accuracy of 86.85%. Our image-based exam paper scanning system can scan, extract, and process exams with high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination has been the most effective way to control the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers and types of vaccines have reached considerable proportions, even if the question of vaccine procedures and frequency still needs to be resolved. We have come to learn the necessity of defining vaccination distribution strategies with regard to COVID-19 that could be used for any future pandemics of similar gravity. In fact, vaccine monitoring implies the existence of a strategy that should be measurable in terms of input and output, based on a mathematical model, including death rates, the spread of infections, symptoms, hospitalization, and so on. This paper addresses the issue of vaccine diffusion and strategies for monitoring the pandemic. It provides a description of the importance and take up of vaccines and the links between procedures and the containment of COVID-19 variants, as well as the long-term effects. Finally, the paper focuses on the global scenario in a world undergoing profound social and political change, with particular attention on current and future health provision. This contribution would represent an example of vaccination experiences, which can be useful in other pandemic or epidemiological contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of persons of all ages throughout the world. Older adults have been particularly susceptible to the virus and have died at higher rates than any other age group. Starting from the early days of the pandemic, gerontologists rallied to address a wide variety of issues affecting older people's lives. This paper reviews gerontological research that began shortly after the pandemic was declared and examines how a model of meaningful connectedness undergirding spiritual and religious experiences sheds light on the suffering and the resilience of older people during the pandemic. It notes that despite over four decades of research on the role of religion and spirituality in older people's lives, there has been little mention in major gerontology journals of the role of elders' religiousness and spirituality in their responses to the pandemic. The paper concludes with a call for gerontologists to pay closer attention to elder religiousness and spirituality and the many questions that need to be addressed regarding older people's experiences during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current computer systems are accumulating huge amounts of information in several application domains. The outbreak of COVID-19 has increased rekindled interest in the use of data mining techniques for the analysis of factors that are related to the emergence of an epidemic. Data mining techniques are being used in the analysis and interpretation of information, which helps in the discovery of patterns, planning of isolation policies, and even predicting the speed of proliferation of contagion in a viral disease such as COVID-19. This research provides a comprehensive study of various data mining algorithms that are used in conjunction with epidemiological prediction models. The document considers that there is an opportunity to improve or develop tools that offer an accurate prognosis in the management of viral diseases through the use of data mining tools, based on a comparative study of 35 research papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to investigate technologies, methods, and approaches that can be used to effectively manage smart city risks in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper was based on a review of specialized literature sources and expert statements on smart cities in times of crisis, specifically during COVID-19. A systematic literature review served as the research's methodological foundation; this was supplemented by conceptual data analysis techniques and a modeling method. Our initial search yielded 234 research articles, 38 of which met our inclusion criteria and were included in the review. A further 32 studies fell outside of the criteria for supporting smart cities' crisis management. The main findings showed that technologies can respond quickly to pandemic crisis risks while also ensuring the availability of urban functionality and that there are numerous risks in implementing technologies to achieve effective management. The main risks were privacy concerns, social inclusion, political bias, misinformation and fake news, and technical difficulties with education and distance employment. The practical significance of the paper lay in proposing a model based on specific technologies and policies aimed at effective risk management in the days of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on a survey of contemporary collecting projects aiming to document the COVID-19 pandemic in museums and other memory organizations. The survey focused on European memory organizations and investigated the practices they adopted in collecting, accessioning, recording, preserving, and displaying material and immaterial witnesses of the pandemic. This paper presents the results of the survey, with a particular attention on the challenges faced by these projects in relation to born-digital objects. It discusses how organizations were able to quickly launch initiatives aimed at collecting memories of the pandemic, drawing on different collection methods, adapting to the circumstances, and using a proactive attitude to reach out to different communities. The paper highlights the solutions adopted to ensure legal compliance in these projects and discusses the need for ethical considerations in relation to the collection of traumatic memories. It suggests that these collecting projects are likely to face significant challenges in the subsequent processing of this material—due to its volume and the need for new digital curation and preservation workflows. Therefore, the paper argues that these projects could also lead to a renewed attention and collaboration across the heritage sector on issues of digital curation and preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel coronavirus outbreak has significantly heightened environmental costs and operational challenges for civil aviation airlines, prompting emergency airport closures in affected regions and a substantial decline in ridership. The consequential need to reassess, delay, or cancel flight itineraries has led to disruptions at airports, amplifying the risk of disease transmission. In response, this paper proposes a spatial approach to efficiently address pandemic spread in the civil aviation network. The methodology prioritizes the use of a static gravity model for calculating route-specific infection pressures, enabling strategic flight rescheduling to control infection levels at airports (nodes) and among airlines (edges). Temporally, this study considers intervals between takeoffs and landings to minimize crowd gatherings, mitigating the novel coronavirus transmission rate. By constructing a discrete space–time network for irregular flights, this research generates a viable set of routes for aircraft operating in special circumstances, minimizing both route-specific infection pressures and operational costs for airlines. Remarkably, the introduced method demonstrates substantial savings, reaching almost 53.4%, compared to traditional plans. This showcases its efficacy in optimizing responses to pandemic-induced disruptions within the civil aviation network, offering a comprehensive solution that balances operational efficiency and public health considerations in the face of unprecedented challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the protagonism expressed by immigrant women in religion via a series of leadership roles and expands on this theme by considering the pandemic as an emblematic period in which such female activism revealed itself. While the literature gives important details on gender inequalities generated by COVID-19, this article brings to attention agency, resilience and innovation. The case of catholic ethnic churches in Italy, a country particularly hit by the implications of COVID-19, is the empirical field. This paper uses qualitative data obtained through prolonged fieldwork (2018–2022), allowing to discuss the role of ethnic churches before and after the pandemic. The empowerment processes of women in religion and their leading role in terms of welfare provision and activism are detailed, concluding by considering the implications of these. While public institutions were in trouble, religious minorities, and notably their female members, acted to ensure the survival of non-Italian citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valued in hundreds of billions of Malaysian ringgit, the Bursa Malaysia Financial Services Index's constituents comprise several of the strongest performing financial constituents in Bursa Malaysia's Main Market. Although these constituents persistently reside mostly within the large market capitalization (cap), the existence of the individual constituent's causal influence or intensity relative to each other's performance during uncertain or even certain times is unknown. Thus, the key purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the individual constituent's causal intensity, from early 2018 (pre-COVID-19) to the end of the year 2021 (post-COVID-19) using Granger causality and Schreiber transfer entropy. Furthermore, network science is used to measure and visualize the fluctuating causal degree of the source and the effected constituents. The results show that both the Granger causality and Schreiber transfer entropy networks detected patterns of increasing causality from pre- to post-COVID-19 but with differing causal intensities. Unexpectedly, both networks showed that the small- and mid-caps had high causal intensity during and after COVID-19. Using Bursa Malaysia's sub-sector for further analysis, the Insurance sub-sector rapidly increased in causality as the year progressed, making it one of the index's largest sources of causality. Even after removing large amounts of weak causal intensities, Schreiber transfer entropy was still able to detect higher amounts of causal sources from the Insurance sub-sector, whilst Granger causal sources declined rapidly post-COVID-19. The method of using directed temporal networks for the visualization of temporal causal sources is demonstrated to be a powerful approach that can aid in investment decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 crisis battered the Japanese economy. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the pandemic has left scars. To this end, it employs out-of-sample forecasting models and detailed stock market data for 30 sectors and disaggregated current account data for the 3 years after the first case occurred. The findings indicate that stock prices in sectors such as tourism, education, and cosmetics remain far below forecasted values after three years. Office equipment and semiconductor stock prices initially fell more than predicted but have since recovered. Other sectors such as bicycle parts and home appliances gained at first but are now performing as expected. Sectors such as home delivery and electronic entertainment continue to outperform. The results also indicate that income flows from Japanese investments abroad are much larger than forecasted, keeping the Japanese current account in surplus even as imports of oil and commodities have created persistent trade deficits. Since the travails of hard-hit sectors such as tourism reflect their exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic rather than bad choices made by firms, policymakers should consider employing cost-effective ways to stimulate economic activity in these sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast and accurate point-of-care testing (POCT) of infectious diseases is crucial for diminishing the pandemic miseries. To fight the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), numerous interesting electrochemical point-of-care (POC) tests have been evolved to rapidly identify the causal organism SARS-CoV-2 virus, its nucleic acid and antigens, and antibodies of the patients. Many of those electrochemical biosensors are impressive in terms of miniaturization, mass production, ease of use, and speed of test, and they could be recommended for future applications in pandemic-like circumstances. On the other hand, self-diagnosis, sensitivity, specificity, surface chemistry, electrochemical components, device configuration, portability, small analyzers, and other features of the tests can yet be improved. Therefore, this report reviews the developmental trend of electrochemical POC tests (i.e., test platforms and features) reported for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 and correlates any significant advancements with relevant references. POCTs incorporating microfluidic/plastic chips, paper devices, nanomaterial-aided platforms, smartphone integration, self-diagnosis, and epidemiological reporting attributes are also surfed to help with future pandemic preparedness. This review especially screens the low-cost and easily affordable setups so that management of pandemic disease becomes faster and easier. Overall, the review is a wide-ranging package for finding appropriate strategies of electrochemical POCT targeting pandemic infectious disease detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of public urban green spaces (UGSs) in providing various ecosystem services, especially those related to the physical and mental health of city dwellers, has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. While research has analyzed shifts in UGS visitation and changes in people's attitudes, there remains a noticeable gap in our understanding of the necessary adaptations required within UGS environments. This paper presents the survey results of Vilnius city residents (Lithuania) conducted in the final days of the quarantine in 2021 and discusses the findings in the broader context of other studies. The survey is centered on preferences for UGS qualities clustered into four groups. The results provide empirical evidence that UGS users highly prioritize ergonomic and ecological characteristics related to comfort and naturalness. However, the preferences differ between those who live close to UGS and those who live further away. In contrast, aesthetic and social qualities are of relatively lesser significance for all. Similar preferences have been identified in international studies, underscoring the global nature of this phenomenon that urban planners must consider when designing or enhancing local UGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a wicked problem that is defined by rapidly evolving and dynamic conditions, where the physical world changes (e.g., pathogens mutate) and, in parallel, our understanding and knowledge rapidly progress. Various preventive measures have been developed or proposed to manage the situation, including digital preventive technologies to support contact tracing or physical distancing. The complexity of the pandemic and the rapidly evolving nature of the situation pose challenges for the design of effective preventive technologies. The aim of this conceptual paper is to apply a systems thinking model, DSRP (distinctions, systems, relations, perspectives) to explain the underlying assumptions, patterns, and connections of the pandemic domain, as well as to identify potential leverage points for design of preventive technologies. Two different design approaches, contact tracing and nudging for distance, are compared, focusing on how their design and preventive logic are related to system complexity. The analysis explains why a contact tracing technology involves more complexity, which can challenge both implementation and user understanding. A system utilizing nudges can operate using a more distinct system boundary, which can benefit understanding and implementation. However, frequent nudges might pose challenges for user experience. This further implies that these technologies have different contextual requirements and are useful at different levels in society. The main contribution of this work is to show how systems thinking can organize our understanding and guide the design of preventive technologies in the context of epidemics and pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to perform a literature review on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiothoracic and vascular surgery care and departments. Materials and Methods: To conduct this evaluation, an electronic search of many databases was conducted, and the resulting papers were chosen and evaluated. Results: Firstly, we have addressed the impact of COVID-19 infection on the cardiovascular system from the pathophysiological and treatment points of view. Afterwards, we analyzed every cardiovascular disease that seemed to appear after a COVID-19 infection, emphasizing the treatment. In addition, we have analyzed the impact of the pandemic on the cardiothoracic and vascular departments in different countries and the transitions that appeared. Finally, we discussed the implications of the cardiothoracic and vascular specialists' and residents' work and studies on the pandemic. Conclusions: The global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 compelled the vascular profession to review the treatment of certain vascular illnesses and find solutions to address the vascular consequences of COVID-19 infection. The collaboration between vascular surgeons, public health specialists, and epidemiologists must continue to investigate the impact of the pandemic and the response to the public health issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 outbreak pandemic is currently one of the largest challenges facing the world. The pandemic has had an impact on how hospitals are built, how technology is developed, and how information systems are used. Researchers and practitioners in the field of information systems and technology can aid in the analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic by choosing the most optimal building design to impede and stop virus transmission. This study aims to revise the current COVID-19 Hospital Design process in the Management of Pandemic Cases and suggest a process for the hospital management of pandemic cases that will alleviate current and future pandemics. This study used a mixed approach through personal observations, questionnaire surveys, descriptive statistics, correlations, and regression models. The findings were analyzed and revealed the dimensions that need to be considered and that will need to be up to the standard of leading health organizations. People's perceptions about the state of some selected healthcare centers in Jordan were taken and analyzed. Proposals of new hospital building designs and processes of health facilities were undertaken, which can further strengthen the clinical state in Jordan and handle future cases of a pandemic outbreak, with much emphasis on the current COVID-19 outbreak. Lastly, it is highly recommended that this paper be used as a guideline required to fight against any pandemics or endemics both now and in the future, as it lists comprehensive process guidelines to combat any deadly virus, which are shown in detailed photos and process diagrams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a major ongoing health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's lives, including lifestyle and overall health. Enforcement of prevention measures, such as school closures and social distancing, has significantly affected children's daily routines and activities. This perspective manuscript aims to explore the rise in childhood obesity and its association with hypertension during pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant disruptions in children's routines, including reduced physical activity, increased sedentary behavior, and changes in dietary patterns. These factors, coupled with the psychological impact of the pandemic, have contributed to an alarming increase in childhood obesity rates. This paper has highlighted the concerning increase in childhood obesity and hypertension during pandemics. The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including reduced physical activity, increased sedentary behaviors, and changes in dietary patterns, have contributed to the rise in these health conditions. It is crucial to recognize the long-term consequences of childhood obesity and hypertension and the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has severely affected people's lives worldwide in an unexpected manner. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), several viral epidemics continue to occur and pose a significant public health problem. Until May 2023, there have been 676 million cases of COVID-19 infections and over 6.8 million deaths, globally. This paper surveys the role and effectiveness of advanced fifth-generation (5G)/beyond 5G (B5G)/sixth-generation (6G) technologies, combined with mobile applications (apps) and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), in detecting, managing, and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and designing smart healthcare infrastructures for future pandemics. Analyzing and summarizing the research of relevant scholars based on the impact of 5G/B5G/6G and other technologies on COVID-19. The study tabulates the technical characteristics and effectiveness of different technologies in the context of COVID-19, summarizing the research of previous scholars. Challenges and design issues in the implementation of advanced information and telecommunication systems were demonstrated. These technologies can inspire the design of smart healthcare infrastructures to combat future virus pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 spread dramatically across the world in the beginning of 2020. This paper presents a novel alert system that will detect abrupt changes in the COVID-19 or other pandemic incidence rate through the estimated time-varying reproduction number (Rt). We applied the system to detect abrupt changes in the COVID-19 pandemic incidence rates in thirteen world regions with eight in the US and five across the world. Subsequently, we also evaluated the system with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in Hong Kong. Our system performs well in detecting both the abrupt increases and decreases. Users of the system can obtain accurate information on the changing trend of the pandemic to avoid being misled by low incidence numbers. The world may face other threatening pandemics in the future; therefore, it is crucial to have a reliable alert system to detect impending abrupt changes in the daily incidence rates. An added benefit of the system is its ability to detect the emergence of viral mutations, as different virus strains are likely to have different infection rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the upheavals that characterize the world of higher education and the recent literature on the subject, the examination of what can improve student well-being has become critical. The JD-R model, originally developed to explain the implementation of motivational processes and the simultaneous unfolding of mechanisms that impact health, is used to contextualize the processes that occur in higher education systems. Objective. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of personal resources such as optimism and self-efficacy in increasing academic engagement and as protective factors against technostress. Method. A SEM model was implemented using MPLUS 7 and Jamovi on a sample of 421 university Italian students. They completed an online self-report questionnaire during the height of COVID-19 (May–November 2021) while taking online courses and were predominantly female (64.4%) and full-time academic students (87.6%) with a mean age of 24.6 years. Direct and indirect effects were estimated, accounting for the mediating role of academic engagement. Results. The results indicate that both self-efficacy and optimism have direct and negative effects on technostress. Self-efficacy, in turn, significantly increases academic engagement, whereas optimism has no effect on it. Finally, academic engagement appears to reduce the impact of technostress on the lives of students involved in the study, confirming its mediating role in reducing technostress. Conclusions. This study provides numerous important clues and insights into improving academic performance and well-being, as the use of personal resources can have important implications for avoiding the negative consequences of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When major emergencies or accidents occur, risk evaluation and prediction are the most important means to reduce their impact. Typical risk evaluation uses the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) method for failure-risk ranking and control. However, when faced with severe special infectious diseases such as COVID-19, there are many cognitive and information uncertainties that the FMEA method is unable to effectively handle. To effectively deal with the issue of risk evaluation when major emergencies or accidents occur, this paper integrated the risk-priority number and spherical fuzzy-sets methods to propose a novel emergency-risk-evaluation method. In the numerical verification, this paper applied the example of preventing secondary COVID-19 transmissions in hospitals to explain the calculation procedure and validity of the proposed new emergency-risk-evaluation approach. The calculation results were also compared with the typical RPN, fuzzy-set, and intuitionistic fuzzy-set methods. The calculation results showed that the proposed new emergency-risk-evaluation approach could effectively handle the cognitive and informational uncertainties of emergency-risk-evaluation issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a trend that manifests on a global level. The positive effects of CSR initiatives depend on the reaction of stakeholders, among which customers represent an important category. The purpose of this paper was to analyse the impact that CSR initiatives of cosmetics companies have on customer behaviour in both the short-term (buying intention) and the long-term (client loyalty) in the case of electronic commerce. Starting from the existing literature, the conceptual model proposed different dimensions of CSR as influencers (legal and ethical, philanthropic and community services, respect for environment, respect for consumers), and as mediators, which were considered as the brand trust and the competitive advantage of the company. The research method used was quantitative with the empirical data being collected from 1265 actual and potential consumers of cosmetic products. The hypotheses were tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The main findings illustrated positive relationships between CSR and both buying intention and client loyalty, as the two facets of consumer behaviour. The interpretation is that CSR activities can increase both the consumer intentions to buy cosmetics products provided by CSR-involved companies, and increase the long-term customer loyalty for these companies. The research also provided evidence for a strong mediation effect of brand trust for both sides of customer behaviour. This illustrates that when brand trust is higher the effect of CSR initiatives on customer behaviour increases. The paper includes theoretical and practical contributions associated to the results of the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the financial performance and cash holdings of Chinese agri-food companies. We also examine whether or not company ownership, the affected areas, and leverage level affect this relationship. The empirical results show that the COVID-19 outbreak has had no significant impact on financial performance and the cash-holding level of agri-food companies. In addition, the financial performance of state-owned companies is enhanced during such a crisis, whereas COVID-19 reduced the financial performance and cash-holding level of privately owned companies. In middle- and high-risk areas, the pandemic has had a negative impact on financial performance, while it has had a positive impact on financial performance in low-risk areas. The negative impact of COVID-19 on cash holding is greater in highly leveraged companies than it has been in low-leveraged companies. This paper may provide some new insights for managers to ensure smooth operation and improve firms' performance in order to overcome this crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread quickly around the globe. COVID-19 has affected the education sector due to partial or complete lockdowns that were implemented throughout the world between 2019 and 2022. This pandemic severely affected the education sectors in developing countries such as Pakistan. All the educational institutions in Pakistan turned to online education. However, the education sector lacked the teaching experts, digital experts, the Internet of Things (IoT), and resources needed for online education. The shift from traditional to online education has created many challenges for developing countries during a pandemic such as COVID-19, for example, access to the IoT. This paper aims to introduce the factor model (F model), which will provide guidelines for the government and universities for minimizing the deficiencies related to online education. The F-model will identify all the factors that affect the performance and guide the user about their importance. This will allow the user to resolve that issue and improve the performance of their department or institution. Thus, the F model will benefit the education sector by mitigating the challenges related to online education. The F model is not only confined to online education but can be operated in the fields of science and industry for data extraction and the calculation of results. First, the data is collected physically and online through a student survey related to the challenges of online education during a pandemic. The data extraction and the calculation of the results are carried out using the F model. The results of the survey are alarming and the government has a lot of work to do to improve online education using the IoT. According to the F model, the government should take serious action to improve the performance of students, teachers, and all education sectors not only during the COVID-19 pandemic but also for possible future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, social networks became the preeminent medium for communication, social discussion, and entertainment. Social network users are regularly expressing their opinions about the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, social networks serve as a reliable source for studying the topics, emotions, and attitudes of users that have been discussed during the pandemic. In this paper, we investigate the reactions and attitudes of people towards topics raised on social media platforms. We collected data of two large-scale COVID-19 datasets from Twitter and Instagram for six and three months, respectively. This paper analyzes the reaction of social network users in terms of different aspects including sentiment analysis, topic detection, emotions, and the geo-temporal characteristics of our dataset. We show that the dominant sentiment reactions on social media are neutral, while the most discussed topics by social network users are about health issues. This paper examines the countries that attracted a higher number of posts and reactions from people, as well as the distribution of health-related topics discussed in the most mentioned countries. We shed light on the temporal shift of topics over countries. Our results show that posts from the top-mentioned countries influence and attract more reactions worldwide than posts from other parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identifies and examines a Jain narrative that frames Jain tenets as being in line with some of the most impactful COVID-19 measures. It demonstrates how during the early stages of the pandemic (i.e., mid-March 2020 to January 2021), some Jains drew parallels between various Jain principles and the WHO guidelines, finding agreement, for instance, between the muhpattī ("face cloth") and the public face mask and the dig-vrata (a Jain vow of restraint) and social distancing. This paper shows how some also viewed several unintentional consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic (such as not being able to go shopping during the lockdown) as being in line with Jain practices (here the practice of aparigraha or non-possessiveness). By means of an analysis of two Jain writings on the WHO guidelines, I demonstrate how some Jains framed several COVID-19 measures within a distinctive Jain worldview. I argue that the equation of Jain practices with the WHO guidelines should be understood within the ongoing universalization and scientization of Jainism, processes that present Jainism as a universal and scientific solution to global disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preambles in many of the articles in this Special Issue have highlighted how COVID-19 has affected, and is continuing to affect, the way that individuals, groups, organisations and countries operate. The health implications of COVID-19 have seen decision makers take drastic interventions to address the threat to health associated with this disease. Introduction to the Special Issue "Life in the Time of a Pandemic: Social, Economic, Health and Environmental Impacts of COVID-19 - Systems Approach Study". [Extracted from the article]

Young people have, in effect, had two years of normality taken from their lives by the pandemic—and for many this has occurred at a crucial time of development. Using the ASPIRE framework of Agency, Safety, Positivity, Inclusion, Respect, and Equity, this paper explores what has happened to adolescents in the UK and elsewhere, the impact this may have had on identity formation and establishing a meaningful sense of self, feelings of belonging and safety, mental health, hope for the future, and relationships. Students already facing disadvantages and adversity have been particularly hard hit. School attendance levels are falling, giving rise to further concerns about wellbeing. Referring to each principle, we discuss the options for responding in ways that support a more positive future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to identify the changes in religiosity among Catholic practitioners in Poland that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the changes in the realization of religious practices by students (N = 354). A questionnaire prepared by the authors was used for the study. We sought to answer the question of the extent to which the socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects, a history of COVID-19, and the death of a family member due to SARS-CoV-2 infection differentiated the subjects' opinions about religiosity and their undertaking of religious practices. The paper also addresses the issue of media-facilitated religious practices. The study showed that the frequency of religious practices was influenced by the perceived religiosity of the family, the religiosity of the respondent, and the declaration concerning the belief in God. The same factors most often significantly differentiated respondents' opinions on COVID-19. No relationship was confirmed between having COVID-19 and subjects' beliefs about the pandemic or frequency of religious practice. Among the respondents, the pandemic did not intensify the practice of religion. In the face of danger, respondents did not turn to God; there was no revitalization of religion. The situation of limiting the physical experience communion of the Church was treated not as an acute undersupply but as an opportunity or a pretext to abandon the practice of religion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a social and economic disruptor on a global scale, severely curtailing people’s ability to travel and engage in many recreation activities. Periodic lockdown and stay-at-home orders have exacerbated the situation. In this social climate, urban green spaces have attained a high significance for the maintenance of the physical and mental health of the population. Given the presence of similar coronaviruses in animal populations, it can be predicted that future epidemics and even pandemics will occur. Urban planning needs to incorporate the lessons learnt during COVID-19 in order to future-proof our communities. This paper reviews the role that urban green spaces played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these observations, the paper discusses a range of options for the provision of pandemic-sensitive spaces for physical exercise and mental recreation. Design concepts for long-term planning adjustments as well as for future ad-hoc solutions are provided. These include the provision of social distancing ‘pods’ embedded in design and landscaping of permanent parks, the design of ad-hoc, socially distanced ‘parklets’ on a quietened street and a rethink of the design of curb-to-boundary setbacks (nature strip) in residential streets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic halted progress in global vaccine coverage and disrupted routine childhood vaccination practices worldwide. While there is ample evidence of the vaccination decline experienced during the pandemic, it is less clear how low-income countries were affected. We executed a systematic review to synthesize the current literature on the impacts of routine childhood vaccinations in low-income countries from 1 January 2020 to 8 February 2023. We collected data using an extraction form on Covidence and assessed the quality of studies included in the review using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Effect estimates for changes in vaccination during the pandemic were reported and summarized. Factors that influenced changes were grouped into descriptive themes. Thirteen studies, encompassing 18 low-income countries and evaluating 15 vaccines at varying doses, were included in the final review. We found that routine childhood vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic varied considerably by vaccine type, location, and phase of the pandemic. Nine different themes were identified as factors that influenced changes in vaccination. Documenting past experiences and lessons learned is crucial for informing preparedness efforts in anticipation of future public health emergencies. Failure to effectively address these things in the next public health emergency could result in a recurrence of declining routine childhood vaccinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper conducts quantitative research on the levels of stress generated in Latin American professors due to the abrupt digitalization of higher education resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the differences in this digital stress between professors from private and public universities are analyzed. For this purpose, a validated questionnaire has been used and passed to a sample of 750 professors from 20 different Latin American countries, whose responses have been statistically analyzed. As results, it has been obtained that there are no significant differences between the average levels of digital stress of professors of private and public universities due to the pandemic. However, the way in which this digital stress has affected Latin American professors according to gender and age is different depending on the university tenure. As a consequence, some implications and recommendations derived from the results are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the process of digitalization of Italian opera houses. Based on a conceptual framework provided by the literature on dynamic capabilities and digital transformation, the evidence collected from six case studies is presented. Results are discussed with reference to two ideal-types of pandemic-induced paths ("back to normal" vs "new normal") and to the variables that explain differences in strategies: history, digital mindset of human resources staff, dominance, leadership and external integration. Relevant implications for both theory and policy and managerial practice are presented with regard to present and future innovation paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has held the spotlight over the past years, the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenomenon continues to develop in an alarming manner. The lack of strict antibiotic regulation added to the overuse of antimicrobials fueled the AMR pandemic. This paper aims to analyze and identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic resistance patterns of Enterococcus spp. The study was designed as a retrospective observational study. Enterococcus spp. infections data were collected from one academic hospital in Cluj-Napoca, Romania over 18 months. A statistical analysis was performed to compare antibiotic resistance phenotypes identified. We recorded an increase in the isolation rates of Enterococcus spp. strains, from 26 isolates (26.53%) during Period A (November 2020–April 2021) to 42 strains (42.85%) during Period C (November 2021–April 2022). The number of strains with resistance to vancomycin increased from 8 during Period A to 17 during Period C. Of the total 36 strains with resistance to vancomycin, 25 were identified as E. faecium. SARS-CoV-2 patients (n = 29) proved to be at risk to develop an E. faecium co-infection (n = 18). We observed that strains with resistance to ampicillin (n = 20) and vancomycin (n = 15) are more often isolated from these patients. All changes identified in our study are to be considered in the light of COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the threatening AMR phenomenon in Romania. Further studies should be performed to quantify the worldwide effects of these pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The period of pandemic caused by the arrival of COVID-19 had a series of repercussions at the personal, social, cultural and educational levels. The confinement declared by government agencies caused a shift from face-to-face to virtual learning, which led to certain adaptations and the use of digital tools in order to carry out the teaching-learning process. This technological proliferation became a challenge for the educational community and for the development of pedagogical and inclusive models that could ensure pedagogical continuity. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to analyse the scientific production on active and innovative methodologies that were used during the COVID-19 pandemic period and their effect on the personal, academic and social performance of Higher Education students in the Spanish context. A systematic review of the scientific literature was carried out in accordance with the criteria established in the PRISMA declaration. Among the results obtained, flipped learning stands out as the most used methodology, which increases motivation among other aspects. In terms of knowledge areas, Social Sciences prevails. Finally, it should be noted that the use of active and innovative methodologies improves performance at academic, personal and social levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offsite construction (OSC) in Southeast Asia is facing many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its importance, there is scant research on this topic in the region. This study aims to review OSC and identify determinants of success and their correlation with success after the pandemic in the Southeast Asian region. This paper follows a sequential exploratory mixed methodology: (1) reviewing statistical data relevant to construction in four countries, (2) carrying out a configurative literature review and documentary research, (3) eliciting responses from in-depth interviews consisting of two phases, (4) collecting written consultancies, and (5) capturing experts' opinions in four countries through a questionnaire survey. The study uses three statistical techniques to determine the correlations between factors: ordinal logistic regression with factors input, a generalized linear model with ordinal logistic response and covariates, and Spearman's correlations. Based on 55 variables and 459 responses from 4 countries, the statistical calculations identify the 42 most significant pairs of relationships between determinants and success, from which the follow-up priorities involve economic differentiation, productivity in the factory setting, reducing uncertainty over the program, and minimizing disturbances in the vicinity of the site under post-COVID-19 controls. This empirical research generates three outcomes: (1) filling the gap of OSC review in the region, (2) offering topical solutions for the construction industry after COVID-19, and (3) helping four countries derive economic benefits from OSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected many aspects of life. The aim of this study was to assess the mental state of medical personnel most involved with patients affected by SARS-CoV-2. Methods: The survey research was conducted between October 2021 and March 2022. The study group included 46 paramedics, 48 nurses, and 6 individuals from both professions, ranging in age from 21 to 67 years. Data were collected using paper questionnaires that contained 44 questions. Results: During the pandemic, respondents maintained good contact with their colleagues and were competent enough to help their patients. The main factors that influenced their stress or dissatisfaction were the number of patients and the number of tasks. The nurses and paramedics most frequently reported symptoms related to tension, insomnia, and problems with intellectual performance. The pandemic situation led to the abandonment of hobbies and deterioration of relationships with friends and family. Conclusion: As a result of high stress levels, paramedics and nurses frequently suffered from tension and insomnia. The factors described were associated with poorer well-being of the subjects in various functional areas, even before the pandemic period. This was mainly related to the large number of patients and the tasks. However, this work, as well as studies by other authors, come to alarming conclusions that should draw attention to the mental state of medical staff, as this is the group that is highly responsible for the medical care of patients, especially in such a difficult time as a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on the tourism sector. Economies with a large weight of external tourism were especially affected, as was the case with the Azores region. This paper aims to analyse the level of this crisis and the resilience of tourism recreation companies specializing in canyoning in the Azores region, and whether these reactions led to more sustainable business models. The adopted methodology considered the analysis of recent statistical data on tourism and the available information on COVID-19 pandemic-related impacts. In parallel, questionnaires were applied to all tourism recreation companies in Portugal, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with all the canyoning providers in the Azores region. Results show that all companies survived the crisis, and some have made significant changes to their business models. Furthermore, some degree of success was observed in how services adapted to new demand characteristics, given the small size of most of these businesses and the specialization of their products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the sustainability of higher education as millions of students were forced out of school, shifting to online learning instead of in-class education. In the Erasmus+ project, Virtual Presence in Higher Education Hybrid Learning Delivery (VIE), we were concerned with the level of readiness and the ability of higher-education students and teachers to face this changing situation. This paper reports the results of a survey which assessed the experiences that students and teachers had during the pandemic and, in particular, the development of soft skills through active learning methodologies. The project results show that there are still some unmet needs, but existing digital technologies, tools, and platforms already provide valuable solutions both for students and teachers that ensure a continuation of high-quality learning experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic and its rapid spread throughout the world in 2020 shed a new light on mathematic models describing the nature of epidemics. However, as the pandemic shocked economies to a much greater extent than earlier epidemics, the recovery potential of economies was emphasized and its inclusion in epidemic models is becoming more important. The present paper deals with the issues of modeling the recovery of economic systems that have undergone severe medical shocks, such as COVID-19. The proposed mathematical model considers the close relationship between the dynamics of pandemics and economic development. This distinguishes it from purely "medical" models, which are used exclusively to study the dynamics of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike standard SIR models, the present approach involves the introduction of the "vaccine" equation to the SIR model and introduces correction components that include the possibility of re-infection and other nuances such as the number of people at risk of infection (not sick with COVID but not vaccinated); sick with COVID; recovered; fully vaccinated (two doses) citizens; the rate of COVID infection; the rate of recovery of infected individuals; the vaccination coefficients, respectively, for those who have not been ill and recovered from COVID; the coefficient of revaccination; the COVID re-infection rate; and the population fluctuation coefficient, which takes into account the effect of population change as a result of births and deaths and due to the departure and return of citizens. The present model contains governance so that it not only generates scenario projections but also models specific governance measures as well to include the pandemic and restore economic growth. The model also adds management issues, so that it not only generates scenario forecasts but simultaneously models specific management measures as well, aiming to suppress the pandemic and restoring economic growth. The model was implemented on specific data on the dynamics of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in selected developing economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to examine whether the COVID-19 epidemic has slowed the fulfilment of one of the core tasks of the energy sector "Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All" (SDG7) taking into account corporate social responsibility. Four research questions and hypotheses were posed, relating to the perspectives of local authorities, the activities of large energy companies, the impact of the epidemic on the implementation of the SDG7 and, in addition, to the understanding of CSR principles from the point of view of ordinary entrepreneurs. A qualitative descriptive analysis based on two reliable databases and a survey procedure (Question 4) was used to answer the research questions posed. The goal was achieved by positively confirming three hypotheses and testing one negatively, relating to COVID-19's slowing role in SDG7 implementation. The analysis showed that the 2020–2021 epidemic in Poland has led to more initiatives in this area, contrary to expectations. However, they were linked to the simultaneous implementation of other SDGs, which distorted their importance for achieving Goal 7. In summary, although energy companies were more active than expected during the epidemic, they had a low contribution to SDG 7. This also applies to local authorities. An analysis of the knowledge about CSR in a group of entrepreneurs from the Lublin district (case study) confirmed the opinion appearing in the literature about the lack of understanding of the concept and the need for its application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic dealt a severe blow to society as a whole and required countries to confront a situation that exceeded the limits of their borders. In this paper, we analyze how these countries as well as supranational organizations responded to this unprepared global emergency. We also explore what alternative models have been proposed in the wake of this crisis and propose some changes—other ways of acting—so that in future pandemics or global emergencies, we can deal with the situation more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed among solid organ transplant patients. During the pandemic, in order to prevent and treat COVID-19 infections in this context, several innovative procedures and therapies were initiated within a short period of time. A large number of these innovations can be applied and expanded to improve the management of non-COVID-19 infectious diseases in solid organ transplant patients and in the case of a future pandemic. In this vein, the present paper reviews and discusses medical care system adaptation, modification of immunosuppression, adjuvant innovative therapies, the role of laboratory expertise, and the prevention of infections as examples of such innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to study the role of broadband in mitigating the economic losses resulting from COVID-19 in the United States by providing a necessary infrastructure to keep economic systems operating, albeit partially. The study is based on an empirical framework underlined by a Cobb–Douglas production function and estimated within a structural multi-equation model through the three-stage least squares approach. To consider the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, we rely on two main variables: an indicator of the quantity of deaths attributed to the disease for every 100,000 inhabitants; and the Stringency Index, a metric linked to the intensity of social restrictions imposed by national and local governments. The main contribution of this article is to provide robust evidence for how the heterogeneous effects of the pandemic across states are in part explained by differences in broadband adoption. Our results indicate that those states with higher broadband adoption were able to mitigate a larger portion of their economic losses derived from the pandemic-induced lockdowns. Addressing the digital divide and ensuring universal access to broadband represent critical goals for building economic resilience to face future emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the currently ongoing coronavirus pandemic, coinfections with unrelated life-threatening febrile conditions may pose a particular challenge to clinicians. Leishmaniasis is a zoonosis that may present general symptoms, including fever, malaise, and arthralgia, rendering it indistinguishable from COVID-19. Methods: In this paper, we aim to draw attention to this issue and analyze the clinical characteristics of the coinfection SARS-CoV-2/Leishmania through a systematic review of the literature. We were motivated by the observation of the first case of visceral leishmaniasis and COVID-19 in a paediatric patient. Conclusion: Our case is a reminder for healthcare providers to consider the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in patients presenting with febrile syndrome in endemic regions during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beginning in December 2019, the world faced a critical new public health stressor with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. Its spread was extraordinarily rapid, and in a matter of weeks countries across the world were affected, notably in their ability to manage health care needs. While many sectors of public structures were impacted by the pandemic, it particularly highlighted shortcomings in medical care infrastructures around the world that underscored the need to reorganize medical systems, as they were vastly unprepared and ill-equipped to manage a pandemic and simultaneously provide general and specialized medical care. This paper presents modalities in approaches to the pandemic by various countries, and the triaged reorganization of medical sections not considered first-line in the pandemic that was in many cases transformed into wards for treating COVID-19 cases. As new viruses and structural variants emerge, it is important to find solutions to streamline medical care in hospitals, which includes the expansion of digital network medicine (i.e., telemedicine and mobile health apps) for patients to continue to receive appropriate care without risking exposure to contagions. Mobile health app development continues to evolve with specialized diagnostics capabilities via external attachments that can provide rapid information sharing between patients and care providers while eliminating the need for office visits. Telemedicine, still in the early stages of adoption, especially in the developing world, can ensure access to medical information and contact with care providers, with the potential to release emergency rooms from excessive cases, and offer multidisciplinary access for patients and care providers that can also be a means to avoid contact during a pandemic. As this pandemic illustrated, an overhaul to streamline health care is essential, and a move towards greater use of mobile health and telemedicine will greatly benefit public health to control the spread of new variants and future outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drones have evolved significantly in recent years, acquiring greater autonomy and carrier capacity. Therefore, drones can play a substantial role in civil medicine, especially in emergency situations or for the detection and monitoring of disease spread, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this paper is to present the real possibilities of using drones in field rescue operations, as well as in nonsegregated airspace, in order to obtain solutions for monitoring activities and aerial work in support of the public health system in crisis situations. The particularity of our conceptual system is the use of a "swarm" of fast drones for aerial reconnaissance that operate in conjunction, thus optimizing both the search and identification time while also increasing the information area and the operability of the system. We also included a drone with an RF relay, which was connected to a hub drone. If needed, a carrier drone with medical supplies or portable devices can be integrated, which can also offer two-way audio and video communication capabilities. All of these are controlled from a mobile command center, in real time, connected also to the national dispatch center to shorten the travel time to the patient, provide support with basic but life-saving equipment, and offer the opportunity to access remote or difficult-to-reach places. In conclusion, the use of drones for medical purposes brings many advantages, such as quick help, shortened travel time to the patient, support with basic but life-saving equipment, and the opportunity to access remote or difficult-to-reach places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2022 has revealed the vulnerability of modern society to a highly contagious airborne virus. Many spaces in the urban and built environment designed during the late twentieth and early twenty-first century are ill-suited to maintain the level of social distancing required to reduce the probability of virus transmission. Enclosed spaces—in particular, communal circulation spaces such as corridors, elevators and lobbies—have proven loci of transmission, together with circulating reticulated air and lack of proper ventilation. While urban planning needs to incorporate the lessons learnt during COVID-19 in order to future-proof our communities through the provision of well-designed greenspaces, the main burden will fall on architects, who will play an instrumental role in designing buildings that are fit-for purpose. This conceptual paper reviews the status quo and discusses a number of strategies to future-proof human habitation for the inevitable next pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]