Lingering Impact Research Articles

Perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic and life-space mobility in older adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the physical health of older adults around the world, causing day-to-day disruptions in routines and changes to usual patterns of mobility. Despite the passing of 2 years since vaccinations, older adults continue to experience detriments, including social isolation and reduced mobility. This study aims to understand how views of the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with life-space mobility-moving about the community. We hypothesize that endorsing stronger perspectives about the persistence of COVID-19 is correlated with reduced life-space mobility. Survey data were collected via online questionnaire in October and November of 2022. Linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between five perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., agreeing that "I wish people would take COVID-19 more seriously") and life-space mobility, measured using a modified version of the life space assessment, in older adults (n = 510). Analyses were adjusted for demographic factors and mental and physical health indicators, including depressive symptoms and number of chronic conditions. In fully adjusted models, the study found that endorsing a stronger lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across any of the five perspectives was associated with significantly lower life-space mobility. The results of this study show that endorsing a stronger lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with reduced life-space mobility, which underscores the importance of designing public health strategies that carefully balance the safety concerns of older adults with opportunities for physical activity and social interaction.

THE PORTRAYAL OF FEMALE VILLAINS: A REPRESENTATION STUDY ON CRUELLA

The portrayal of female villains in media and movies has evolved significantly, as evidenced through the lens of Stuart Hall's representation theory and film analysis concepts. Traditionally confined to one-dimensional roles perpetuating gender stereotypes, contemporary cinema showcases multi-dimensional characters like those in Cruella, challenging societal norms and defying traditional gender expectations. By employing narrative and non-narrative film analysis techniques, these characters are revealed as agents of subversion and empowerment, embodying a new archetype of female villains characterized by individual agency and autonomy. However, despite this progress, the lingering impact of gender stereotypes persists, influencing how female villains are depicted on screen. Thus, ongoing critical analysis and advocacy for more diverse and authentic representations of women in media remain crucial.

From Deception to Redemption: Analyzing Volkswagen’s Reputational Journey Post-Dieselgate

The Volkswagen emissions scandal, or "Dieselgate," inflicted a severe blow to the company's reputation and financial standing. This research paper explores Volkswagen's journey from deception to redemption, analyzing its strategies to rebuild trust and restore its brand image. The study employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative analysis of media coverage and corporate communications alongside a quantitative assessment of stock prices and consumer sentiment data. Findings reveal a complex reputational trajectory, starting with initial denial, progressing to a reluctant acceptance of responsibility, and culminating in proactive measures to regain stakeholder confidence. While Volkswagen has made notable strides in its recovery, the lingering impact of the scandal underscores the formidable challenge of repairing a tarnished reputation. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into crisis management, corporate social responsibility, and the dynamics of reputational recovery in the digital age, highlighting the importance of swift action, transparency, and a genuine commitment to change.

Exploring patterns in online discussions into the lingering impact of COVID-19, two years on

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore underlying patterns in the users’ discussions in an online community on the darker effects of COVID-19. Understanding these patterns is critical as they can provide new information in tailoring support to individuals facing specific post-pandemic issues.MethodsTwo methods were used to identify patterns in large volumes of publicly available responses (n = 23,957 posts; ~ 1,061,825 words) from an online community. Qualitatively (using Gioia methodology), 1000 random responses were manually coded by two coders and vetted by an investigator. As it was difficult to manually code such a big dataset, a quantitative approach building a topic model was employed with a language model.ResultsQualitative analyses revealed 20 themes, including mental health (13%), impacts of direct and indirect deaths on socio-economically vulnerable groups (e.g. children and elderly, 10.4%), increasing sociopolitical divide and vaccination debate (6.8%), and work-related issues (e.g. burnout and layoffs, 6%). Topic analyses resulted in similar categories (n = 30), including physical health, loss experiences during COVID-19 and suicide; sociopolitical impact and adaptations in pandemic lifestyle; mental health and vaccination; pandemic restrictions, youth and behavioral expectations; distrust for institutions and resource scarcity; staffing issues and personal crisis; disrupted careers; and childcare challenges and economic shifts.ConclusionAs researchers are harnessing vast amounts of real-time human interaction data to study a variety of public health issues, our study provides insights into the specific challenges that people experienced when it became convenient to share concerns online amid an overloaded healthcare system during the pandemic.

‘What’s wrong with me?’: an autoethnographic exploration of teacher stressors and burnout

ABSTRACT Teacher stress and burnout are serious issues in contemporary American education that are impacting a growing number of educators. This autoethnographic study compared reflective journal accounts from over the course of a semester with related research to analyse current contributing factors to these issues, such as threats of school violence, students with life-threatening illnesses, struggling student learners, high-stakes testing, and the lingering impact of COVID-19. The cumulative results of these stressors are teachers feeling physical fatigue, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, or unable to leave vocational stress at work. While some potential solutions are discussed, such as mindfulness practices or ensuring a supportive work environment, more teacher voices are also needed in exploring this critical issue in education through methods like autoethnography.

Media impact on perceptions in postwar societies: Insights from Nepal

Can media have a lasting impact on attitudes in postwar countries? A lingering impact of media could substantially shape peace and security in postwar societies. Our quasi-experimental research design and original survey data utilize variation in the reception of an anti-government radio station in Nepal's Terai region, which was shut down after violent clashes. Our results show that individuals with access to anti-government broadcasts were less optimistic about peace, police and civic activism three years after the closure of the station. The study has implications for understanding the longer-term role of media for post-conflict attitudes and state-building.

Assessing sustainable future of import-independent domestic soybean production in China: policy implications and projections for 2030

Soybean production, integral to sustainable agriculture and reliant on imports, faces vulnerability to international risk factors impacting domestic food security. The 2021 Central Rural Work Conference advocated strategic adjustments for sustainable soybean production amidst resource constraints, trade conflicts, and the lingering impact of COVID-19. This study scrutinizes the developmental framework of China’s soybean industry within current domestic policies. This paper uses the soybean sown area and soybean production in each province of China from 1995 to 2020 to measure China’s soybean concentration, production layout, and comparative advantage of regional scale, to analyze in depth the overall situation of China’s soybean production as well as the differences between regions, and to pave the way for the subsequent soybean production forecast. Further, taking the domestic soybean supply and demand situation in China in 2020 as the base period, while considering the growth values of soybean production under different scenarios, the potential forecasting model is utilized to estimate China’s soybean production under different scenarios. The results show that, in terms of inter-annual variability, revealing an upward trajectory from 1995 to 2020, with a shift to major soybean producing areas, notably in the northeast and the Huanghe-Huaihe-Haihe area. From inter-provincial changes, Soybean production on the left and right sides of the “Hu-Huanyong line” has significant heterogeneity; specifically, east of the “Hu-Huanyong line,” soybean production advantages are more obvious. Additionally, the study considered the actual planting situation of soybeans and envisaged two scenarios of compound planting and strip planting. The soybean production range in 2030 is expected to be 20.73–22.32 million tons and 21.15–27.55 million tons, with self-sufficiency rates varying from 18.57 to 19.98% and 18.95 to 24.68%, respectively. The research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of China’s soybean industry and its potential trajectories, employing a model combining historical trends, policy analysis, and technological advancements. Results suggest a promising future with strategic adjustments in planting structures. Recommendations emphasize policymakers’ prioritization of technological investments and sustainable planting practices to achieve projected production targets. Policy interventions must address challenges tied to resource limitations, trade conflicts, and the ongoing COVID-19 effects, ensuring soybean industry resilience.

Exploring the Health-Related Quality of Life and the Lived Experience of Adolescents Following Invasive Meningococcal Disease.

Data on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) survivors, particularly among adolescents and young adults (AYAs), are limited. This study aimed to investigate the in-depth experiences and impacts of IMD on AYAs. Participants were recruited from two Australian states, Victoria and South Australia. We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 30 patients diagnosed with IMD between 2016 and 2021. The interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. Of the participants, 53% were aged 15-19 years old, and 47% were aged 20-24. The majority (70%) were female. Seven themes relating to the participants' experience of IMD were identified: (1) underestimation of the initial symptoms and then rapid escalation of symptoms; (2) reliance on social support for emergency care access; (3) the symptoms prompting seeking medical care varied, with some key symptoms missed; (4) challenges in early medical diagnosis; (5) traumatic and life-changing experience; (6) a lingering impact on HRQoL; and (7) gaps in the continuity of care post-discharge. The themes raised by AYA IMD survivors identify multiple areas that can be addressed during their acute illness and recovery. Increasing awareness of meningococcal symptoms for AYAs may help reduce the time between the first symptoms and the first antibiotic dose, although this remains a challenging area for improvement. After the acute illness, conducting HRQoL assessments and providing multidisciplinary support will assist those who require more intensive and ongoing assistance during their recovery.

Indonesia Employment in 2023: Labor Force Conditions and Policy Developments in the Early Stages of the Demographic Bonus

In 2023, amidst the complexities of a volatile global economy, Indonesia demonstrated economic resilience, propelled by its dynamic workforce. This abstract synthesizes the intricate interplay between macroeconomic forces and employment trends within Indonesia, drawing from comprehensive data analyses and policy evaluations. The report encapsulates a year marked by economic recovery despite global headwinds such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, inflation surges, and supply chain interruptions. With a predicted global growth of 3.6% by the IMF, Indonesia's economy experienced fluctuations but maintained a growth trajectory from Q2 2022 to Q2 2023. Labor force data indicates a predominance of the working-age population, signaling potential for sustained productivity and economic fortitude. The demographic composition, skewed towards a younger populace, underpins the vibrant labor market. Employment policies have been responsive to digitalization, globalization, and demographic transitions, focusing on skill development, vocational training, and job safety. Notably, vocational training for SMK graduates was prioritized to match industry requirements. Regulatory advancements aim to balance worker protections with corporate operational efficiency. Amidst COVID-19's lingering impact, policy adaptations were crucial to support workers and businesses, exemplifying Indonesia’s agility in times of crisis. The landscape of employment disputes, predominantly centered around termination, underscores the necessity for robust conflict resolution mechanisms. With 71.15% of industrial disputes tied to terminations, mediation emerged as the preferred dispute resolution strategy. Regional data unveiled disparities in job placements and complaints, spotlighting the need for equitable workforce distribution and grievance redressal mechanisms. The report concludes that Indonesia's labor policies and employment conditions are dynamically evolving, poised to sculpt a robust, inclusive, and sustainable labor market landscape.

An Analysis of Chinas Housing Purchase Situation Based on Real Estate Policies

Because of some new policies in China, the government has begun to lower house prices and encourage people to buy more houses, at least in Anhui. However, the reduced housing prices have not led to an increase in residential housing sales. So the author analyzes the reasons for the current insufficient purchasing power of Chinese residents' housing based on existing literature and data. The result shows that, in the context of contemporary society, personal income levels have significantly decreased. This decline is influenced by various factors, including tax policy reforms and the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, including China. At the same time, the hedging ability of the real estate industry has also decreased, which hinders the improvement of personal purchasing power. Although the real estate market has shown strong risk resistance and has gradually recovered from the initial impact of the epidemic, the lingering impact and uncertainty still affect individual purchasing power.

Navigating the Aftermath: The Complex Landscape of COVID-19 in Northwest Syria

In the aftermath of the global upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a nuanced perspective emerges, underscoring the need for vigilant and strategic healthcare responses. This article delves into the intricate landscape of COVID-19 within northwest Syria, highlighting the enduring challenges and the imperative for astute resource allocation, sustained vaccination efforts, and effective Risk Communication and Community Engagement programs. Situated within a region characterized by historical complexities and ongoing conflict, Northwest Syria remains a microcosm of persistent healthcare challenges. While the pandemic classification may shift, its lingering impact necessitates ongoing vigilance. This article explores the multifaceted dimensions of the prevailing COVID-19 scenario in Northwest Syria, emphasizing the crucial role of resource allocation, vaccination strategies, and Risk Communication and Community Engagement programs in forging resilient health systems. The imperative of vaccination, coupled with the formidable challenge of hesitancy, underscores the need for targeted and adaptable Risk Communication and Community Engagement initiatives. Drawing lessons from past shortcomings, Northwest Syria is poised to recalibrate its approach, fostering a blueprint for future crises that is attuned to community sentiments and responsive to evolving challenges. As Northwest Syria navigates the path to recovery, a comprehensive and adaptive response strategy anchored in effective Risk Communication and Community Engagement programs becomes a linchpin, guiding the region towards fortified health systems and improved public health conditions.

COVID-19-induced changes to food consumption and perceived well-being among low-income consumers in Trinidad and Tobago

PurposeThe global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been well documented, but there is still limited insight into the complex interaction of factors that determine its longer-term effects on the most vulnerable sectors of society. The current study therefore develops an integrated conceptual framework to investigate how consumers' fear of mortality and the perceived risk of severe illness associated with COVID-19 act as critical determinants of consumer food choices and perceived well-being.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was utilized to collect data from a sample of 407 adult, low-income consumers across Trinidad and Tobago. The PROCESS macro was used to empirically test the hypothesized relationships in a moderated mediation model.FindingsThe results confirm that an increase in the perceived risk of severe illness has a significant negative effect on the consumption of healthy foods and perceived well-being. Moreover, consumers' choice of healthy foods mediates the negative relationship between consumers' perceived risk of severe COVID-19 illness and subjective well-being. Finally, the negative relationship between perceived risk of illness and healthy food choice weakens as an individual's fear of pandemic-related mortality increases.Originality/valueThis research integrates multiple related theoretical constructs to provide a more nuanced understanding of the lingering impact that risk perceptions and fear have on consumer food choices and associated well-being among a vulnerable Caribbean population. The changes identified have important implications for researchers interested in consumer food preferences as well as policymakers seeking to promote a healthy lifestyle among individuals coping with psychologically stressful circumstances.

Predicting the Rental Values of Houses in Bangalore City Using the Linear Regression Approach

Abstract: In recent years, Karnataka, one of the hotspots for real estate development, has seen an increase in demand from prospective home buyers and investors and is expected to witness further boom in the sector by 2020. What things should a potential home buyer consider before purchasing a home? Location, property size, proximity to offices, schools, parks, restaurants, hospitals or the stereotypical white picket fence? And the most important factor — price? Now with the lingering impact of COVID-19, enforcement of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) and lack of confidence in developers in the city, apartments sold in India fell by 3 percent in 2019. In fact, property prices in Bengaluru fell by nearly 5 percent in the second half of 2019, according to a study published by real estate consultancy Knight Frank. Buying a house, especially in a city like Bengaluru, is a tricky decision. While the main factors are usually the same for all metros, there are more to consider for Silicon Valley in India. With the help of the millennial crowd, vibrant culture, great climate and plenty of job opportunities, finding out the price of a house in Bengaluru is difficult. This post reflects an effort to solve the mentioned problems. In this paper, the authors have tried to develop such a system which in turn will provide a very accurate prediction of house prices in Bengaluru city. The authors have tried to create a user-friendly interface design that will allow users to choose options according to their requirements and get an estimated house price according to their needs.

How do I sound? Vowel production of multilingual students at Ma Chung University

This study aims to evaluate the Indonesian, English, and Mandarin vowel production of Ma Chung University students, a prominent Indonesian institution with a strong emphasis on workforce readiness. Given the university's language offerings encompassing Indonesian, English, and Mandarin, we employed a descriptive qualitative approach in acoustic-phonetic theory. Our respondent pool comprised of 15 PPBM (Chinese language major) students selected based on intermediate proficiency levels in all three languages, as indicated by TOEIC and HSK scores. First and second formant data for monophthongs were recorded in PRAAT tools and the data is compiled on Microsoft Excel, forming the foundation for Vowel Space Area (VSA). The data reveals a notable phenomenon: students' native language (Indonesian) influences their pronunciation of both the second (English) and third (Mandarin) languages. Particularly, English displays a distinct pattern of compressed vowel spread compared to the standard VSA table due to the lingering impact of L1 VSA. This effect accounts for observed vowel anomalies in student pronunciation. Importantly, this L1 and L2 influence is evident in their attempts to articulate L3 (Mandarin) sounds, exemplified by the significant deviation of /ə/ from the VSA. Moreover, students navigate a linguistic shift by modifying phonemes to align with their L1, inadvertently resulting in substantial deviations during English and Mandarin speech production.

Predictive extrapolation effects can have a greater impact on visual decisions, while visual adaptation has a greater impact on conscious visual experience

Human vision is shaped by historic and by predictive processes. The lingering impact of visual adaptation, for instance, can act to exaggerate differences between past and present inputs, whereas predictive processes can promote extrapolation effects that allow us to anticipate the near future. It is unclear to what extent either of these effects manifest in changes to conscious visual experience. It is also unclear how these influences combine, when acting in concert or opposition. We had people make decisions about the sizes of inputs, and report on levels of decisional confidence. Tests were either selectively subject to size adaptation, to an extrapolation effect, or to both of these effects. When these two effects were placed in opposition, extrapolation had a greater impact on decision making. However, our data suggest the influence of extrapolation is primarily decisional, whereas size adaptation more fully manifests in changes to conscious visual awareness.

Penalties for Fraud in the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Financial and Reputational Analysis

In this study, we examined federal cases involving fraud by pharmaceutical manufacturers between 2000 and 2022, including only publicly held companies whose settlements were at least $1 million. 169 cases were identified. Our goal was to determine if the penalties would simply be a nuisance to the company or if they would have a significant financial impact. In addition, we discussed a private pharmaceutical company and included the findings from a content analysis of public sentiment to assess the lingering impact of fraud on a brand. For both the public and private firms, we found evidence of negative impact, both financial and reputational. We also highlighted the fact that the financial penalties were significant for only a portion of the companies analyzed and that many of the manufacturers continue to commit violations repeatedly, regardless of the penalties assessed.

URBAN REGENERATION IN SEOUL: Alternative Urbanism or the Resilience of Neoliberal Urbanism?

AbstractPark Won‐soon, the former mayor of Seoul, put forward a new vision of Seoul as a progressive city, and one of his signatures was the promotion of a new urban regeneration policy called the Seoul‐type Urban Regeneration Model (SUR). It was first presented as a solution to compressed and profit‐oriented urban redevelopment but evolved into an alternative model which conveyed the worlding desire of the Seoul Metropolitan Government to redefine Asian urbanism beyond developmentalism or neoliberalism. In this article, we argue that the SUR demonstrates a mixture of post‐developmentalist features and the lingering impact of neoliberal rationalities. Specifically, we problematize SUR's hybrid aspirations for urban competitiveness, improved quality of life and participatory governance by articulating how the pursuit of a globally competitive city conflicts with and overrides other values and how citizen‐centered governance was exploited as an efficient mechanism of neoliberal urbanism.

The 30th Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference and Exhibition 2023: An opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate and ignite our occupational achievements

The 30th Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference and Exhibition 2023: An opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate and <i>ignite</i> our occupational achievements

The COVID-19 pandemic and unemployment: Evidence from mobile phone data from China

Based on mobile phone records for 71 million users and location tracking information for one million users over almost three years, this study examines the labor market impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in China’s Guangdong province, whose GDP is larger than that of all but the top 12 countries in the world. Using a standard difference-in-differences framework, our analysis shows dramatic and protracted effects of the pandemic on the labor market: it increased unemployment by 72% and unemployment benefits claims by 57% even after the full reopening in 2020 relative to their levels in the same period in 2019. The impact was also highly heterogeneous, with women, workers older than 40, and migrants being more affected. Cities that rely more on export or that have a higher share of the hospitality industry in GDP but a lower share of the finance and healthcare industries experienced a more pronounced increase in unemployment. The lingering impact likely reflects the global transmission of the pandemic’s effects through the supply chain and trade channels.

Characteristics of environmental degradation in mining areas (A case study of the Southern Trans-Urals)

The areas affected by mining operations are characterized by extremely complex environmental changes that affect all components of the natural complexes. In several cases, radical negative changes (transformations) take place, which cause the formation of the habitat, characterized by changes in characteristics of all components of the natural environment, including geological structure, soil cover, surface and groundwater and atmospheric air, respectively, flora and fauna. This generally leads to a sharp deterioration of ecological conditions, including living conditions of living organisms and human habitation, causing stressful situations, inconveniences, as well as characteristic diseases due to the influence of factors of excessive pollution of components of the natural environment. As one of the objects of the study, the impact zone of mining enterprises within the town of Sibai and its surroundings in the Republic of Bashkortostan was chosen. It is typical for the assessment of occurring changes and other industrial centers and districts located within the vast strip of the Southern Urals. It has been revealed that the greatest damage is inflicted on ecosystems of small rivers, which is caused by both direct and indirect entry of pollutants into them as a result of dissolution, leaching and entry from rock dumps, emissions into the atmosphere, and settling on the surface of soil and snow cover; direct discharge of wastewater into them, etc. It is shown that with the lingering impact of the regional response to global climate change, environmental problems are exacerbated. This calls for urgent measures to restore favorable environmental conditions and address a wide range of economic and social problems.