Non-essential Activities Research Articles

Secondary Metabolite Profiling and Antibacterial Activities of Indigenous Serratia marcescens

Serratia marcescens produces secondary metabolites, which are bioactive chemicals generated during its non-essential metabolic activities. These secondary metabolites are renowned for their antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer capabilities. This work analyzed the chemical composition and antibacterial properties of the secondary metabolite of Serratia marcescens isolated from the local environment. Serratia marcescens was isolated using standard microbiological techniques and identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Gas chromatographymass spectrometric analysis revealed the presence of eighteen (18) bioactive compounds, comprising oleic acid as the most abundant compound (21.9013 %), 9,12-Octadecadien-1-ol, (Z, Z)- (11.9854 %), and other compounds with less than 6 % abundance. The metabolite has antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, and Bacillus subtilis. Antibacterial activity was higher against Bacillus subtilis (42.00±2.65 mm) and Proteus vulgaris (32.67±1.15 mm), and least with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.00±2.00 mm) at 400 mg metabolite concentration. The antibacterial effect decreased with a decrease in the concentration of the metabolite. The results show that Serratia marcescens exhibits potential as an antibacterial agent within the pharmaceutical and food sectors.

Self-restraint behavior and partisanship during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a list experiment in Japan

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns were considered a critical measure to control the spread of the virus. While Europe and the United States implemented strict lockdowns that restricted movement, Japan adopted a soft lockdown approach which relied on voluntary compliance without any legal enforcement. As a result, some citizens (especially young people) did not comply with the government’s request for voluntary restraint, and were frequently criticized in the media. To address the question of who did not comply with the government’s soft lockdown and why, this study analyzes a list experiment which measured participation in non-essential activities during Japan’s third COVID-19 wave, when economic stimulus policies and COVID-19 suppression measures were simultaneously implemented. The results showed that in particular young citizens who strongly disliked the ruling party did not comply with the government’s requests to stay at home. It is suggested that during a national crisis, the success of policies based on voluntary cooperation depends on citizens’ pre-crisis levels of trust in the government and the ruling parties.

Voices in a pandemic: using deep mapping to explore children’s sense of place during the COVID-19 pandemic in UK

ABSTRACT Children’s sense of place is important for wellbeing, development and belonging in a community or place. The VIP-CLEAR (Voices in a Pandemic – Children’s Lockdown Experiences Applied to Recovery) project used creative methods and repeat engagement to capture children’s experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic in socially disadvantaged, urban settings, in Bristol, UK. This paper focuses on findings from the two-phased ‘deep mapping’ activity conducted in schools with 6–11-year-olds to consider children’s sense of place at this time. Children’s maps showed how their mobility was restricted to the home and/or adult-controlled, looped routes for functional tasks rather than child-directed exploration. Key locations - including school, family houses, and parks - were disconnected and highlighted as sites of ‘absence’, where children were excluded. These places were given meaning due to pre-COVID practice, sensory experience, and/or their relationship with valued people. As pandemic mitigation relaxed, children’s maps showed increasing connections and greater visibility of the community and non-essential activities. As places changed, the amplification of existing social inequalities became apparent. In both phases, sense of place evolved and digital and natural spaces (through animals) showed potential for children to increase practice and connections with place. A strong sense of place may support adaptation to change, and this paper contributes to limited research on how children’s sense of place is dynamic, altering with fluctuating social and environmental conditions, e.g. mitigation of a global pandemic. The implications of findings on future recovery planning involving children are also considered.

The effect of fishing-capture stress on the oxygen uptake rate and swimming activity of the holocephalan Callorhinchus milii.

Overfishing, capture mortality, and consequences following the release of surviving animals represent severe threats to chondrichthyans. Although holocephalans are common bycaught and discarded species, other than postrelease mortality, little is known of fishing capture stress impacts. The stress response elicited after capture, essential to increase survival chances, is energetically demanding and affects the amount of energy available for other biological activities, with potential long-term impairments. We measured the effect of 30-min simulated gillnet capture on oxygen uptake rate (ṀO2 ), a proxy for metabolic rate and energy use, on recovery pattern, and on swimming activity of elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii). Immediately after simulated capture, Active and Inactive ṀO2 , measured during swimming and resting periods, respectively, were 27.5% and 43.1% lower than precapture values. This metabolic decline is likely an adaptation for reducing the energy allocated to non-essential activities, thus preserving it to sustain the stress response and processes essential for immediate survival. Supporting this, after gillnet capture, animals decreased their swimming time by 26.6%, probably due to a reduction in the energy allocated to movement. After 7 days, swimming activity and both Inactive ṀO2 and Active ṀO2 returned to precapture values. Although metabolic decline may enhance survival chances, the associated decreased swimming activity might increase predation risk and slow the physiological recovery after a fishing event. Moreover, some of the activities involved in Inactive ṀO2 are fundamental for life maintenance and therefore its depression after a capture event might have long-term repercussions for life sustenance and health.

CSR in Ukrainian Retail Enterprises in Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Russian Invasion (2019–2022)

The corporate social responsibility (CSR) landscape of Ukraine’s retail sector underwent profound and global transformations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the extensive Russian incursion into Ukraine in 2022. These transformations were precipitated by rapid changes in the operational activities of the retail sector’s enterprises, resulting from significant external disruptions. Consequently, the primary objective of this study is to analyse the indicators of the CSR status of Ukraine’s retail enterprises and ascertain the extent of the changes that occurred due to the pandemic and Russia’s incursion. The study also aims to determine the influence of these transformations on CSR initiatives and identify key issues within the realm of corporate social responsibility in Ukraine’s retail sector. To quantify these changes, indicators of CSR status encompassing key aspects of corporate social responsibility (economic, legal, environmental, and social indicators) were selected (Carroll, 1979). To achieve the set objectives, research methods such as analysis (measuring CSR indicators), comparison (relating the examined indicators chronologically), induction (identifying specific factors affecting the overall CSR status of retail enterprises), and deduction (determining the nature of the impact of the overall CSR status on its individual aspects) were employed. Throughout the investigation, the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic along with the comprehensive Russian incursion into Ukraine on the CSR status of retail enterprises was revealed. It was observed that enterprises reduced nonessential and irrelevant activities at that time not only to support stakeholder interests and enhance working conditions for employees, but also to aid community support.

Videoconference fatigue: validation of the Italian translated Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale (ZEFS)

ABSTRACT Background The global COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread lockdowns as governments sought to contain the spread of the virus and minimize fatalities. Measures such as the stay-at-home orders imposed in Italy and the suspension of non-essential economic activities disrupted work and education worldwide. Telework, previously used by only one in five workers, gained prominence, albeit unevenly across countries. The surge in telework required the extensive use of video conferencing platforms. However, prolonged use of these platforms led to ‘Zoom fatigue’, characterized by mental fatigue and exhaustion. Objectives The aim of this study is to validate the Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue Scale (ZEFS) in its Italian version, examining its relationship with videoconferencing characteristics, and outcomes such as emotional exhaustion, sleep problems, and technostress. Method The study included a sample of 372 workers (50% female) who held video conferences at least once a week. They were asked to complete an online self-report questionnaire. Results The results confirmed the original structure of the scale and identified a second-order factor and the five dimensions of Zoom fatigue, namely general fatigue, visual fatigue, social fatigue, emotional fatigue, and motivational fatigue. In addition, Zoom fatigue was positively correlated with sleep problems, emotional exhaustion, techno-stressors, frequency of video conferences and burstiness, and negatively correlated with attitudes toward video conferences, confirming the construct validity of the ZEFS. Conclusions The present study suggests that the Italian version of the ZEFS is a psychometrically sound measure for assessing Zoom fatigue in the Italian working population. The practical implications are discussed.

Risk factors for clinical stages of COVID-19 amongst employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worldwide over a period of 12 months

BackgroundEssential workers carry a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 mortality than individuals working in non-essential activities. Scientific studies on COVID-19 risk factors and clinical courses for humanitarian aid workers (HAW) specifically are lacking. The nature of their work brings HAW in proximity to various populations, therefore potentially exposing them to the virus. The objective of this study is to assess severity degrees of COVID-19 in relation to multiple risk factors in a cohort of HAW.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of data collected by the Staff Health Unit of the International Committee of the Red Cross, over 12 months (February 2021 – January 2022). Prevalence of demographic and health risk factors and outcome events were calculated. Factors associated with disease severity were explored in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Resulting OR were reported with 95%CI and p-values from Wald Test. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsWe included 2377 patients. The mean age was 39.5y.o. Two thirds of the patients were males, and 3/4 were national staff. Most cases (3/4) were reported by three regions (Africa, Asia and Middle East). Over 95% of patients were either asymptomatic or presented mild symptoms, 9 died (CFR 0.38%). Fifty-two patients were hospitalised and 7 needed a medical evacuation outside the country of assignment. A minority (14.76%) of patients had at least one risk factor for severe disease; the most recorded one was high blood pressure (4.6%). Over 55% of cases occurred during the predominance of Delta Variant of Concern. All pre-existing risk factors were significantly associated with a moderate or higher severity of the disease (except pregnancy and immunosuppression).ConclusionsWe found strong epidemiological evidence of associations between comorbidities, old age, and the severity of COVID-19. Increased occupational risks of moderate to severe forms of COVID-19 do not only depend on workplace safety but also on social contacts and context.

Deprivation, essential and non-essential activities and SARS-CoV-2 infection following the lifting of national public health restrictions in England and Wales.

Individuals living in deprived areas in England and Wales undertook essential activities more frequently and experienced higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection than less deprived communities during periods of restrictions aimed at controlling the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant. We aimed to understand whether these deprivation-related differences changed once restrictions were lifted. Among 11,231 adult Virus Watch Community Cohort Study participants multivariable logistic regressions were used to estimate the relationships between deprivation and self-reported activities and deprivation and infection (self-reported lateral flow or PCR tests and linkage to National Testing data and Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS)) between August - December 2021, following the lifting of national public health restrictions. Those living in areas of greatest deprivation were more likely to undertake essential activities (leaving home for work (aOR 1.56 (1.33 - 1.83)), using public transport (aOR 1.33 (1.13 - 1.57)) but less likely to undertake non-essential activities (indoor hospitality (aOR 0.82 (0.70 - 0.96)), outdoor hospitality (aOR 0.56 (0.48 - 0.66)), indoor leisure (aOR 0.63 (0.54 - 0.74)), outdoor leisure (aOR 0.64 (0.46 - 0.88)), or visit a hairdresser (aOR 0.72 (0.61 - 0.85))). No statistical association was observed between deprivation and infection (P=0.5745), with those living in areas of greatest deprivation no more likely to become infected with SARS-CoV-2 (aOR 1.25 (0.87 - 1.79). The lack of association between deprivation and infection is likely due to the increased engagement in non-essential activities among the least deprived balancing the increased work-related exposure among the most deprived. The differences in activities highlight stark disparities in an individuals' ability to choose how to limit infection exposure.

What Got You through Lockdown?

What Got You through Lockdown?

Development of Web-Based Advertisement Media on Sahrul Home Car Care

Amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, non-essential activities have shifted mainly to the safety of people's homes. This includes remote work (Work From Home) and shopping for basic needs online. However, service workers, particularly those in the service sector like Muhammad Sahrul, have faced significant challenges navigating the pandemic's impact. Sahrul, who owns an all-brand car repair shop, experienced a decline in customers visiting his workshop due to the outbreak. Recognizing the need for a fresh approach, Sahrul created "Sahrul Home Car Care," offering car repair services at customers' residences. To support this initiative, a team of researchers proposed technology-based solutions to improve his advertising strategy. The researchers developed a user-friendly digital portal, www.sahrulhomecarcare.com, showcasing Sahrul's services and implementing an appointment booking system. Additionally, they guided leveraging digital marketing channels to expand his outreach. Thanks to these digital innovations, Sahrul's business gained traction, attracting more customers and positive feedback. Embracing technology proved instrumental in overcoming the pandemic's challenges and ensuring the continued success of "Sahrul Home Car Care" in this ever-evolving digital era.

Have COVID lockdowns really improved global air quality? –Hierarchical observations from the perspective of urban agglomerations using atmospheric reanalysis data

COVID-19 cases surged in late 2019, leading to worldwide lockdowns that closed non-essential places and activities, industries, and businesses to halt the spread of the virus. Many studies suggested improved air quality during lockdowns. However, these findings often focused on core city limits and did not account for heavy pollution sources outside cities (around the fringe areas), such as factories, power plants, and coal mines, which operated continuously for energy needs even during lockdowns. Therefore, this study quantified and re-analyzed the air quality data using a top-down approach. This study analyzed six major air quality parameters namely SO2, O3, NO2, PM2.5, AOD500, and UAI. The time-averaged approach was adopted to analyze the data followed by ground validation. High variability and anomalies in air quality parameters were observed at different levels of observations (i.e. city level, country level, etc.). However, it was found that during the lockdown period, PM2.5 and NO2 significantly dropped at the country level with few exceptions. Changes were also observed in AOD500, O3, and UAI concentrations from city to country scale. Mixed behaviors among the atmospheric pollutants were observed with changes in scale and time. This makes the claim about air quality improvements during COVID-19 lockdowns very relative to the scale of observation and the pollutant indicators being referred to. Multi-layered analyses of pollutant concentrations extending beyond the city limits to the meso-regional levels with varying space-time observations made the present work unique from existing literature that claimed a global air quality improvement during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CIVIL CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

The civil construction sector is, historically, extremely important for the economy of a country, especially Brazil. This reality is even more intensified in the pandemic scenario, where COVID-19 negatively impacted various sectors of the economy, especially those related to non-essential activities. The general objective of the article presented here is to discuss how environmental management and the effective management of resources can enable a process of sustainability in modern organizations, especially those that work in the civil construction sector. The methodology is descriptive and qualitative and can be classified as a bibliographical research.

A Quieter Ocean: Experimentally Derived Differences in Attentive Responses of Tursiops truncatus to Anthropogenic Noise Playbacks before and during the COVID-19-Related Anthropause

The effects of anthropogenic noise continue to threaten marine fauna, yet the impacts of human-produced sound on the broad aspects of cognition in marine mammals remain relatively understudied. The shutdown of non-essential activities due to the COVID-19-related anthropause created an opportunity to determine if reducing levels of oceanic anthropogenic noise on cetaceans affected processes of sensitization and habituation for common human-made sounds in an experimental setting. Dolphins at Dolphin Quest Bermuda were presented with three noises related to human activities (cruise ship, personal watercraft, and Navy low-frequency active sonar) both in 2018 and again during the anthropause in 2021 via an underwater speaker. We found that decreased anthropogenic noise levels altered dolphin responses to noise playbacks. The dolphins spent significantly more time looking towards the playback source, but less time producing burst pulse and echolocation bouts in 2021. The dolphins looked towards the cruise ship sound source significantly more in 2021 than 2018. These data highlight that different sounds may incur different habituation and sensitization profiles and suggest that pauses in anthropogenic noise production may affect future responses to noise stimuli as dolphins dishabituate to sounds over time.

Secondary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary children’s hospital in Canada: a mixed-methods study

ObjectivesDecisions to pause all non-essential paediatric hospital activities during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic may have led to significant delays, deferrals and disruptions in medical care. This study...

The new coronavirus that came from the East: analysis of the initial epidemic in Mexico.

As of March 23, 2020, suspension of non-essential activities was declared in Mexico throughout the country in order to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. To analyze data on the first 1,510 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mexico, and to describe the geographical distribution of the disease and its transmission dynamics. Description of the first COVID-19 cases with real-time RT-PCR-positive test, as well as evaluation of epidemiological measures, cumulative incidence, rate of transmission, and mortality and lethality rates during the first month of the epidemic. Average age was 43 years, and 58 % were males; 44 % of initial cases were imported. Lethality in the population during the first month went from 1.08 to 3.97 per 100 cases; however, the trend is linear and similar to that observed in Europe. In Mexico, social distancing is being applied, but studies are still required on the dynamics of the epidemic, person-to-person transmission, incidence of subclinical infections, and patient survival.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Mental Health Problems among Essential and Nonessential Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic, June 2021, in an Unstable and Developing Country: A Cross-Sectional Study

The two main goals of this research were to assess workers’ mental health (anxiety, depression, and job burnout syndrome) and examine factors related to mental health burdens in two groups of workers. The study was conducted as an online cross-sectional study. The target population consists of workers in essential activities who worked during the pandemic (health, defense, trade, finance, and media), as well as a group of workers who were particularly impacted by the protection measures and either worked under a different regime or were unable to work (caterers, musicians). A questionnaire was constructed for the needs of this research and the scales for anxiety, depression, and burnout syndrome were used. In total, 42.2% of non-essential workers and 39.5% of essential workers reported anxiety symptoms, circa 20% of non-essential activity workers and essential activity workers reported depression, and 28.9% of non-essential activity workers and 33.7% of essential activity workers reported burnout. A significant association has been found between certain sociodemographic and health characteristics of respondents, as well as financial stress (worry about losing a job), social stress, media stress, and respondents’ trust in competent authorities and COVID-19 prevention measures, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout syndrome. The findings of this study pointed to mental health issues in other activities and highlighted the need for and importance of examining mental health in the population of non-essential activities. It is indicative of significant points that can be investigated in the future for prevention.

Psychotropic consumption before and during COVID-19 in Asturias, Spain

BackgroundSpain as multiple other countries has been experiencing an increasing and sustained trend in the use of psychotropic medications since the mid 90s. Recent studies show public health measures implemented to control SARS-Cov2, such as mobility restrictions and the shutdown of nonessential activities increased mental suffering, even contributing to a higher number of anxiety, depression and insomnia disorders that could lead to an increase in the consumption of psychotropics.The aims were: 1) Evaluate the temporal trend in psychotropic consumption by pharmacological subgroup, sex, and age group 2) Estimate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the use of psychotropic drugs.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study, retrieving all prescriptions of anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives, and antidepressants dispensed in pharmacies of Asturias (Northern Spain) for Primary Care patients for the period 2018–2021.We presented the data expressed in Daily Defined Doses (DDDs) for 1000 persons/day (DHD). To estimate changes in DHDs by year and age group we conducted two multiple linear regressions (one for males and one for females) for every pharmacological subgroup studied. Changes were considered statistically significant when the regression coefficient was p < 0.05. We used the Software R 4.1.0.ResultsFor the studied period, the highest DHDs are for antidepressants, although all of the subgroups experienced an increase in consumption rates.Women consumed more psychotropic drugs than men. In 2021, 372 out of every 1000 women were taking daily 1 DDD of these drugs versus 184 out of every 1000 men.Consumption rates for all psychotropic drugs progressively increases with age. Conversely, the biggest increases in consumption were among the youngest age groups (0–14 and 15–29 years) for women, while for men there is more variability.The regression models suggest an upward trend in psychotropic consumption during all the period, especially remarkable from 2020, for both genders and all age groups.Conclusions- The consumption of psychotropic drugs has gradually increased over the last 4 years, with a significant boost starting in 2020 for both sexes, matching the start of the SARS-COV2 pandemic and the implementation of strict Public Health measures to contain it.- The increase observed on children and adolescents is a matter of concern.

Influence of female reproductive state and of fishing-capture stress on the oxygen uptake rate of a viviparous elasmobranch.

In animals discarded after a fishing capture event, the elicited stress response necessary to ensure their survival is energetically costly. This energy is diverted from other important biological activities, including growth and reproduction, possibly impairing them. Given that elasmobranchs are among the most threatened vertebrate groups, estimating capture-induced energetic changes and comparing these variations to the energy requirements of pregnancy maintenance is necessary. In pregnant southern fiddler rays (Trygonorrhina dumerilii), we measured changes in oxygen uptake rate (ṀO2 ; a proxy for metabolic rate and energy usage) in response to trawling simulation and air exposure, and estimated the oxygen requirements of sustaining late-term pregnancy and embryos. ṀO2 was measured in pregnant females, before (prestress ṀO2 ) and after trawling simulation (after-capture ṀO2 ), and again after females gave birth (postpartum ṀO2 ). After-capture ṀO2 was 31.7% lower than ṀO2 measured in minimally stressed females, suggesting a reduction in energy expenditure. This reduction is likely triggered by an initially excessive energetic investment in the stress response, and is aimed at shutting down nonessential activities to redirect energy to processes fundamental for survival. Prestress ṀO2 was 78.5% higher than postpartum ṀO2 . Capture simulation decreased ṀO2 to values similar to those observed postpartum, suggesting a capture-induced reduction in oxygen and energy allocation to pregnancy and embryonic respiration, which could be associated with reproductive impairments. These data, by better estimating the impact of capture and discard on energetic requirements and reproductive fitness, may support the introduction of area and/or seasonal closures to fishing.

Balancing the Protection of Foreign Investors and States Responses in the Post-Pandemic World

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a shattering effect on the international economic ecosystem, severely hampering—if only temporarily—its much-needed effort for liberalization and ever-growing interconnection.2 In the wake of the pandemic, States have swiftly enacted drastic emergency measures to safeguard the health of their citizens, which among other things imposed limitations on the movement of people, suspended the production of non-essential activities, redirected economic endeavours towards life-saving products, disrupting the global supply chain. The ensuing economic shock suffered by national economies was promptly followed by a wide range of efforts to support domestic businesses, secure jobs, and protect crucial activities from foreign acquisition. The emergency measures were often adopted without a preliminary assessment of their compatibility with the State’s existing international commitments towards economic liberalization, raising the question whether their adoption would entail international responsibility for the State. Though the capacity of international economic regimes to unduly constrain the State’s ability to meet the need of its own people is a recurring theme in international economic law,3 it has emerged prominently with regard to the international investment regime.4 The international protection of foreign direct investment (FDI) has long been perceived as unbalanced in favour of foreign investors, triggering a widespread move to reform international investment agreements (IIAs) with the aim of granting States a greater ‘margin of manoeuvre’ in their sovereign action.5 Though the reform process is well under way, the lack of coordinated efforts has so far led to an extremely fragmented IIA framework, still dominated by old-generation treaties and in which new IIAs have often not yet entered into force.6

Local government revenue leakages through corruption during the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa: The case of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has over the years experienced rampant corruption in all sectors of the economy. At local government level, there have been several allegations of corruption in areas such as revenue collection, procurement and land acquisitions among others. The magnitude of corruption is extreme especially in revenue collection. Most funds collected by local government revenue officials hardly reach municipalities’ coffers and are not accounted for. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has further created a breeding ground for corruption in revenue collection at local government level due to economic doldrums. Measures imposed by governments to contain the COVID-19 pandemic such as closure of all non-essential business activities, closure of borders and travel restrictions among others have reduced trade and economic activities.