Impact Of Pandemic Research Articles

Evolution of Remote Participation of the Accused and Victim in International Criminal Proceedings

Abstract The use of technologies in criminal proceedings has become increasingly popular. This has not escaped the attention of international criminal proceedings. Of particular importance are remote communication tools, which are now used in proceedings before the International Criminal Court (icc). These tools enable, among other things, the remote participation of the accused and the victim in the proceedings. In this paper I will analyse how this one form of using technologies in the criminal process has evolved in the changing reality of international criminal proceedings, including how the use of remote communication tools affects the rights of the accused. I will argue that the development of the use of remote communication tools in icc proceedings has so far been evolutionary and that this has been justified differently depending on the approach taken by the accused and victim in the proceedings. The paper also examines the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.

Changes in the frequency and amount of alcohol intake before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol consumption patterns, which can have implications for public health. In this descriptive study, we aimed to show the change of the frequency and amount of alcohol consumption in Japan before and during the COVID-19 pandemic periods. We analysed data from annual health-check-ups among Japanese workers from April 2018 to March 2021. Changes in the frequency (daily, occasionally, rarely/never) and amount per one-time (four categories by Japanese alcohol unit) of alcohol consumed among 331,200 participants were summarised by sex as 1-year changes in the periods before (FY2018 to FY2019) and during (FY2019 to FY2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. Among daily drinkers and rarely/never drinkers, overall, 1-year changes in the frequency of alcohol consumption during the pandemic were mostly consistent compared with changes before the pandemic, for both sexes. The number of occasional drinkers who drank less frequently a year later increased during the pandemic compared with before the pandemic (from 9.6% to 11.6% among men and 12.9% to 16.5% among women); however, occasional drinkers who drank more frequently showed a small increase. Collectively, both men and women showed a slight decrease in both the frequency and amount of alcohol consumption during the pandemic among occasional drinkers. No major shifts in alcohol consumption habits occurred during the pandemic in our study population. Occasional drinkers tended to drink less during the pandemic, suggesting that initial concerns about increased alcohol consumption owing to the pandemic were unfounded.

CLOZE TEST DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION WORKSHOP

This article is the result of a workshop presented to elementary school teachers to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' reading. It is also an action to fit the 4th objective of the United Nations Organization's (UNO) sustainable development goal, related to quality education. The workshop was divided into two parts: introducing the four main brain lobes and the areas responsible for various human activities, including reading (Dehaene, 2012; Morais, 1996), and describing the Cloze background, functioning and organization, kinds of readers, and how to identify them through this pedagogical tool (Taylor, 1953; 1957; Bormuth, 1968). It is hoped that teachers will use this procedure to help improve students’ reading and teachers’ practices.

Peculiarities of choreographic education in higher education establishments in Ukraine during the covid-19 pandemic: A phenomenological analysis

This article presents a phenomenological analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on choreographic education processes in higher education establishments in Ukraine. The research is based on a systematic study of the experiences of teachers of choreography in Ukraine during the pandemic, focusing on the changes brought about in the educational process by the restrictions imposed in response to the global crisis. The authors conducted qualitative research, including interviewing teachers and analyzing the collected data. They investigated how teachers adapted their teaching methods to ensure continuity in the educational process despite the transition to distance learning. The article explores different aspects of this process: changes to the organization of the educational process; psychological aspects of pandemic teaching, stress, and teachers' adaptation to new conditions; innovative approaches to education, the use of digital technologies and virtual tools to enhance the educational experience, and the creation of new formats for practical classes. In conclusion, the authors summarize their study findings and discuss the potential implications of these changes for the future of choreographic education in higher education. They also highlight possible limitations and the necessity for further research in this area.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Bacterial Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in Madrid (Spain).

This study conducted in Madrid (Spain) between 2018 and 2023 shows a significant decrease in the pediatric bacterial community-acquired pneumonia cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a notable postpandemic increase surpassing prepandemic incidence. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains predominant, with an increasing prevalence of serotype 3, while Streptococcus pyogenes was the second most common pathogen.

Understanding the impact of pandemics on long-term medication adherence: directly observed therapy in a tuberculosis treatment cohort pre- and post-COVID-19 lockdowns

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted tuberculosis (TB) treatment services, including directly observed therapy (DOT) programs used to promote medication adherence. We compared DOT adherence embedded in a research study before and after COVID-19 lockdowns in South Africa.MethodsWe analyzed data from 263 observational study participants undergoing drug susceptible (DS)-TB DOT between May 2017 to March 2022. Participants enrolled before October 2019 were considered ‘pre-COVID-19’ and those enrolled after September 2020 were considered ‘post-COVID-19 lockdown groups. Negative binomial regression models were used to compare DOT non-adherence rates between the two lockdown groups. We then conducted a sensitivity analysis which only included participants enrolled in the immediate period following the first COVID-19 lockdown.ResultsDOT non-adherence rate was higher in the post-COVID-19 lockdown group (aIRR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.04–1.96; p = 0.028) compared to pre-COVID-19 lockdown period, adjusting for age, sex, employment status, household hunger, depression risk, and smoked substance use. DOT non-adherence was highest immediately following the initial lockdown (aIRR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.17–2.67; p = 0.006).ConclusionThe COVID-19 lockdowns adversely effected adherence to TB DOT in the period after lockdowns were lifted. The change in DOT adherence persisted even after adjusting for socioeconomic and behavioral variables. We need a better understanding of what treatment adherence barriers were exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns to improve outcomes in post-pandemic times.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT02840877. Registered on 19 July 2016.

Financial impact of pandemics on pension sustainability: an application for Spain

AbstractEpidemiologists are warning that the next pandemic is almost around the corner. As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, the death toll was at the highest for over 60th, transforming the population pyramids. In times of pandemics, two effects on sustainability of the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) pension scheme go in different directions: the increase in old-age mortality (leading to a decrease in pension spending) and the increase in unemployment (leading to a decline in income from contributions). In this paper, we investigate the long-term effects of pandemics on the financial sustainability of PAYG pension schemes, taking into account changes in both mortality and unemployment factors. Using functional data analysis we develop projections of population pyramids and allow for anticipated mortality jumps as a result of future pandemics. An application is carried out using mortality and fertility data from Spain. Given some plausible assumptions, our findings indicate, firstly, that the financial sustainability of the Spanish pension system is compromised. Secondly, in the event of a pandemic, we observe that financial sustainability is primarily driven by the mortality effect—resulting in a decrease in pension expenditure—while the impact of unemployment is almost negligible.

Factors affecting sustainability of SMEs in the culinary industry during the COVID-19 period

This research attempts to investigate elements such as products, prices, shifting target markets, online advertising, capital, and accounting understanding of the sustainability of the food industry during the COVID-19 Period, Bintaro Modern Market. Micro-scale business players in the culinary industry at Bintaro Modern Market served as the study's population, and there were 129 participants. As a measurement analysis method with a structural model in this work, researchers employed partial least squares (PLS). A direct survey and the usage of a google form are the methods employed in this descriptive and quantitative research kind. The findings of this study show that the variables, such as products, prices, and changes in consumer preferences, are factors that impact the sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the culinary industry. This research provides unique long-term value by analyzing how micro-scale culinary businesses adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 period. Focusing on key elements like products, prices, shifting target markets, online advertising, capital, and accounting understanding, it identifies critical factors influencing the sustainability of SMEs in the food industry. The study fills a gap in the literature on the pandemic's impact on this sector and offers actionable insights for crisis management and sustainable practices in micro-scale enterprises, benefiting both policymakers and entrepreneurs globally.

Estimation of the Unemployment Rate in Indonesia Using Nonparametric Spline Regression

The COVID-19 pandemic impact is not only on health but on all aspects of life, one of the socio-economic aspects is unemployment. The linear regression be used as a method in modeling the unemployment rate frequently. Whereas linear regression is inappropriate for data that have trends or irregular relationship patterns such as unemployment rate data. Therefore, this research used of the nonparametric spline regression method. It can produce more flexible curves according to the flatline of data based on optimum knots at the optimum value of the cross validation. There are several factors suggested that affect the Unemployment Rate (TPT ), including the number of positive COVID cases, labor force participation rate, economic growth and human development index. The purpose of this study is to find out if there is a difference between the open unemployment rate (TPT) in Indonesia before and during the pandemic. The Data used are secondary data obtained from Badan Pusat Statistika (BPS). The calculations results show that there are differences between the models of the unemployment rate before and during the pandemic. Generally there are three significant variables in the before the pandemic model: variables of economic growth (PE) and the human development index (IPM), while during the pandemic the significant variable are the labor force participation rate (TPAK) and economic growth (PE).

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and research activities in obstetrics and gynecology: a national two-stage, stratified, cluster sampling survey in China

BackgroundFew studies quantified the influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on medical teaching and scientific research activities in China. This is the first national study to investigate such topics from the viewpoint of physicians practicing obstetrics and gynecology in China.MethodsThis is a national questionnaire survey with online interviews for respondents. This two-stage, stratified, cluster sampling method was applied based on city categories (categories 1 to 3 correspond to < 10,000, 10,000 to 30,000, and > 30,000 beds, respectively), hospital levels (primary, secondary, and tertiary), and hospital types (general and specialized) in China among physicians practicing obstetrics and gynecology. Physicians documented notable alterations in both overall and specialized teaching and research engagements. Comparative analyses were conducted across diverse municipal and hospital attributes.ResultsData were collected from a representative sample of 11,806 physicians from 779 hospitals across 157 cities and 31 provinces. Notably, except for online seminars, a minimum reduction of 20% in both overall and specialized teaching and research activities was observed among physicians. Up to 61.7% (95% confidence interval 59.3–64.0) of physicians reported either a complete termination or a > 50% decline in resident training. Compared with category 1 cities and primary hospitals, category 3 cities and tertiary hospitals experienced greater reductions in items of resident or graduate education, visiting scholar, clinical trials, and laboratory studies (adjusted p values < 0.05), coupled with notable increases in online seminar participation (adjusted p values of 0.002 and < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionsAmidst the COVID-19 pandemic in China, activities requiring direct, face-to-face communication were more affected in resource-rich cities and general hospitals compared to resource-limited areas and specialized hospitals. Residency training experienced the most significant decline. Conversely, participation in online seminars increased, providing additional opportunities for continuing medical education.

Update to: Study Pre-protocol for "BronchStart - The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Timing, Age and Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Emergency Presentations; a Multi-Centre Prospective Observational Cohort Study".

In 2021 we launched the BronchStart study, which collected information on 17,899 presentations in children with serious respiratory tract infections following the release of lockdown restrictions. Our study informed the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's decision to recommend the introduction maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination, which was introduced in the United Kingdom in August/September 2024. We modified our original protocol to conduct a United Kingdom-wide assessment of maternal vaccination against RSV. We will conduct a multi-centre study, utilising the PERUKI network used in the original BronchStart study, to assess the effectiveness of maternal vaccination using a test-negative study design. We will gather detailed clinical information on children admitted with bronchiolitis in the post-RSV vaccination era, and understand possible reasons for incomplete vaccine uptake.

E-Learning Impact on Higher Education Institutions during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Bibliometric Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid shift to online learning in higher education. To understand this evolving field better, this study employed a powerful technique called bibliometrics. Researchers analyzed scholarly publications between 2020 and 2023 in Web of Science, focusing on keywords related to e-learning, universities, and the pandemic's impact. This data-driven approach provided a more comprehensive picture than traditional reviews, revealing connections between research topics, researchers, and specific studies. Furthermore, the VOSviewer tool was employed to identify frequently co-occurring keywords, thus uncovering the major themes within the research. This analysis of keyword co-occurrence allowed the study to pinpoint key trends and areas of focus in e-learning for higher education institutions. Ultimately, this research offers valuable insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers navigating the changing educational landscape and the future of e-learning in higher education.

Embracing uncertainty post-COVID-19 crisis: insights from young people

This article explores the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on everyday life through a qualitative research study focusing on the role of age in managing uncertainty. Grounded in a cultural and symbolic perspective on risk, the study examines how rituals, emotions, and cultural contexts shaped the experiences of individuals aged 15–34 in Milan, Italy, as they navigated daily risks. Drawing on 42 semi-structured interviews conducted between September 2022 and May 2023, the findings reveal that age significantly influenced how young people navigated post-pandemic uncertainties. The youngest participants often felt fear and anxiety, mainly due to concerns for others’ well-being, coupled with a strong need for social interaction and community. In contrast, slightly older young professionals showed a more complex emotional response characterised by caution, frustration, and empathy. Across all age groups in the sample, daily routines and social interactions kept reinforcing societal norms and hierarchies, particularly concerning generations and family dynamics within Italian culture, with a specific emphasis on vulnerable populations, namely older adults. These findings highlight the importance of considering both life stage and cultural context when analysing responses to uncertainty. Still, they underscore young people’s adaptability as both a reactive process and a forward-looking one involving agency. This flexibility was particularly evident in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Lombardy region of Italy, where the virus spread earlier and with more severe consequences than in most parts of the Western world.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lung cancer diagnoses and mortality: A nationwide study in France

BackgroundDuring the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in the number of newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer has been reported worldwide, often associated with a higher proportion of cases diagnosed at an advanced stage compared with previous years. MethodsUsing the French National Hospital Database, we investigated incident lung cancer cases and their mortality during pandemic years 2020 and 2021, compared to predictions based on pre-pandemic years 2013–2019. Mortality was assessed up to 24 months following incidence date. Expected numbers of incident cases and all-cause deaths during the pandemic were estimated using Poisson regression models and survival was analyzed using Cox regressions. ResultsThe database included 397,092 incident lung cancer cases in total, 20 % of whom underwent thoracic surgery. During the first pandemic wave (March–June 2020), there were 12 % i.e., 1940 fewer incident lung cancer cases than the expected figure (16,325), while no significant difference was found thereafter. Survival at 6 and 24 months improved steadily from 2013 to 2019 and continued to improve during pandemic years 2020–2021. However, during the first wave, a slight excess mortality was observed compared with predictions based on pre-pandemic trends. ConclusionsThe lower incidence observed during the first wave with no catch-up in the following periods could be explained by deaths among yet undiagnosed patients, either from COVID-19 or as a result of barriers to accessing healthcare. The excess mortality observed for both operated and non-operated patients may be attributable to delayed diagnosis, as well as to COVID-19-related deaths.

DAYA SAING KOPI ARABIKA DI MASA PANDEMI

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the export-oriented Arabica coffee plantations experienced production and productivity constraints due to decreased maintenance costs; besides, export opportunities were constrained by regulations issued by several countries requiring the product to be sterile from the COVID-19 virus. export. Based on the above phenomenon, this study aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Arabica coffee agribusiness, especially the profitability and competitiveness of Arabica coffee during the pandemic. The method used to select the area is the production center area around Mount Ijen, the Ijen Ring Region. The research is descriptive, combined research (mixed methods), and the method of collecting data uses primary and secondary data, as well as purposive sampling and incidental sampling with observation and interviews. The analysis tool uses competitiveness and policy with PAM (Policy Analysis Matrix). Arabica coffee during the pandemic is still profitable both financially (privately) and economically (socially), has great competitiveness and export opportunities, and is indicated to be able to compete with similar commodities, both imported and domestic products.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on inpatient dermatosurgery in Germany : Retrospective evaluation of the surgical cases from nine dermatology clinics

Currently, only little data is available on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on inpatient dermatosurgical care in German dermatological clinics. Aretrospective analysis of all dermatosurgical cases that were treated in inpatient setting in nine German dermatological clinics in four federal states in 2019, 2020 and 2021 was performed. The diagnoses were recorded using the ICD-10codes. In addition, demographic data such as age, gender and the length of inpatient stay were analysed. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, a total of 10,739, 9185 and 9828 dermatosurgical inpatients were treated respectively. Thus, the reduction of inpatient dermatosurgical cases was 14.5% in 2020 and 8.5% in 2021 compared to 2019. Inpatient surgical treatment of melanoma decreased by 10.1% of cases in 2020. This decrease was only 1.4% in 2021 compared to 2019. The number of inpatient surgeries performed for benign lesions such as melanocytic nevi or viral warts reduced sharply in both pandemic years. Our data show for the first time how inpatient care for the entire spectrum of dermatosurgical diseases developed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. After the initial marked decline in inpatient dermatosurgical cases in 2020, there was less difference in 2021 compared to 2019. This trend can be interpreted as an indication that there is still astrong need for inpatient dermatosurgical care that cannot yet be met on an outpatient basis.

Building resilience of the Ghanaian healthcare system: Lessons from a global health stage: Preparedness for the next pandemic: A scoping review

Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the need for resilient health systems. However, Ghana does not seem to achieve commensurate results, suggesting potential gaps in critical interventions. This study examines these gaps by drawing on global experiences to guide Ghana's preparedness for future emergencies. Methods A scoping review based on the synthesis of published journal articles and grey literature was used to gather relevant evidence to address the study’s objective. Peer-reviewed literature searches were conducted in databases, including Medline, Scopus, and Health Sources, supplemented by searches on organizational websites to identify grey literature. We adopted the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) framework to explore how health systems responded to the COVID-19 pandemic globally and draw lessons for strengthening Ghana's health system resilience. We analyzed policy responses in three main areas: pandemic preparedness, crisis management, and response and recovery. Results Ten strategies emerged from the study as critical in strengthening health system resilience against future pandemics. These strategies include whole-of-government engagement, financing for preparedness, community engagement and trust, robust surveillance systems, emergency medical care, diverse workforce development, digital health integration, critical health infrastructure, well-planned commodities/products, and social capital. Each strategy plays a vital role in enhancing preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, highlighting the multifaceted approach needed to mitigate the impact of future pandemics on health systems. Conclusions The identified strategies align with the attributes of a resilient healthcare system. By adopting these strategies, Ghana can build a resilient healthcare system that effectively addresses future challenges, guided by global insights and experiences.

Examining the psychometric properties of the CEFIS-AYA using item response theory.

The COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Scale, Adolescent and Young Adult Version (CEFIS-AYA; Schwartz, L. A., Lewis, A. M., Alderfer, M. A., Vega, G., Barakat, L. P., King-Dowling, S., Psihogios, A. M., Canter, K. S., Crosby, L., Arasteh, K., Enlow, P., Hildenbrand, A. K., Kassam-Adams, N., Pai, A., Phan, T. L., Price, J., Schultz, C. L., Sood, E., Wood, J., & Kazak, A. (2022). COVID-19 exposure and family impact scales for adolescents and young adults. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 47, 631-640. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsac036) was developed to assess the pandemic's effects on adolescents and young adults (AYA). Via principal component analysis, measure developers examined the structure and reliability of the CEFIS-AYA and identified seven exposure and five impact components. This study built upon prior work through use of item response theory (IRT) models to characterize the dimensionality of the CEFIS-AYA, determine the strength of relations between items and underlying trait(s), and examine associations between trait scores and pandemic-related distress. This was a secondary analysis of data collected between July 2020 and July 2021 from three studies of emerging adults (ages 18-29; N = 834). The CEFIS-AYA structure was multidimensional, with the strongest support for five traits. Trait 1 represented pandemic impact on social/emotional functioning and self-care. Trait 2 reflected other pandemic disruptions. Trait 3 represented pandemic disruptions to education and/or other milestones. Trait 4 represented pandemic impact on physical well-being. Trait 5 assessed pandemic disruptions to work/financial circumstances. Item loadings and parameters indicated variability in how consistently trait level was associated with item endorsement. Trait scores did not predict distress, except that increases in Trait 3 were associated with lower distress. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the CEFIS-AYA among emerging adults using a statistical framework better suited for modeling categorical data. The identified dimensional structure was relatively consistent with the initial psychometric evaluation of the CEFIS-AYA, albeit more parsimonious. However, replication is critical in light of sample demographic characteristics.

Trends in Sudden Unexpected Deaths in an Australian Population: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, manifesting as increased adverse outcomes in the first 30 days, extending to 12 months. This study aimed to investigate trends in sudden unexpected deaths between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on CV deaths. A retrospective analysis was performed on autopsy reports (n=9,330) obtained from New South Wales Coroners Court, Australia, specifically targeting cases of unexplained deaths that occurred between 2018 and 2022. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square tests and a post hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction, as well as analysis of variance with multiple comparisons. There were 349 (18.3%) CV deaths in 2018, 346 (18.0%) in 2019, 338 (17.5%) in 2020, 395 (21.9%) in 2021, and (23.4%) 413 in 2022 (p=0.0002). Among CV deaths, the number of deaths from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome were 25 (7.2%) in 2018, 26 (7.5%) in 2019, 18 (5.3%) in 2020, 52 (13.2%) in 2021, and 80 (19.4%) in 2022 (p=0.0001). Atherosclerosis was the most common cause of death among all CV categories; there were 196 (56.2%) atherosclerosis deaths in 2018, 207 (59.8%) in 2019, 192 (56.8%) in 2020, 221 (56.0%) in 2021, and 197 (47.7%) in 2022 (p=0.43). The average age of death from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (42.8±19.1 years) across 2018-2022 was younger than atherosclerosis (56.2±12.4 years) and total groups (53.1±15.1 years) (p<0.001). Males comprised 76% of all CV deaths from 2018 to 2022 (p<0.0001). Compared with pre-pandemic data, a noteworthy increase in CV deaths was observed in occurrence with the escalation in COVID-19 cases in Australia. This may be attributed to direct or indirect factors, such as lifestyle modifications, disrupted access to routine cardiac care, or COVID-19 infection-triggered CV deaths.

Unveiling the Transformative Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Online Shopping Behaviour: Insights from Indian Consumers

Unveiling the Transformative Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Online Shopping Behaviour: Insights from Indian Consumers