Post COVID-19 Pandemic Research Articles

Combining Ability of Capsicum annuum Hybrid for Antioxidant Activities, Polyphenol Content, α-Glucosidase Inhibitory, Yield, and Yield Components.

Chili (Capsicum annuum) consumption is often suggested, and using functional food cultivars is the most effective strategy post COVID-19 pandemic. Controlling chili breeding activity is one of the most effective methods to produce new hybrid varieties. However, the general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and heterotic effect of functional biochemicals (polyphenol content, antioxidant activities, and α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds) remain poorly known in C. annuum. This study aimed to estimate these parameters in C. annuum by using five different genotypes and their hybrid combinations based on growth characteristics, yield, yield components, and fruit functional biochemicals. The F1 and F1R progenies were obtained from crosses in a greenhouse with a full diallel mating design. Each parent used in this study had a GCA advantage for each characteristic. The hybrid combination of IPB074 × IPB005 and IPB435 × IPB367 displayed the best yield results. However, the results indicated the opposite regarding α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds. The heterotic effect of functional biochemicals was observed for traits related to genotypes, polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds, and similar properties related to yield and yield components, indicating their use in hybrid chili production.

Evaluating basic motor competence in Italian children post-COVID-19 pandemic

Motor competence assessment represents one of the most important topics in the field of motor development and physical education. The present cross-sectional study aims to assess basic motor competence, self-perception and enjoyment during PA in a sample of normal weight and overweight-obese children post covid-19 pandemic. The sample (N= 107, age= 8-9 years old) was recruited from an experimental project in Lecce (Apulia). Motor competence assessment was conducted with MOBAK 3-4 protocol, and self-perception and enjoyment were evaluated with two validates questionnaires. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) has been performed to assess effect of gender and BMI on considered variables. Results from MANOVA showed significant main effect for gender [F(10,93) = 2.353, p= .013, η²= 0,218] and BMI cutoff [F(10,93) = 2.351, p= .013, η²= 0,218]. However, interaction effect was no significant. Moreover, independent t-test highlighted significant differences in catching, dribbling, balancing and object movement according to gender (p< .05), and in balancing, rolling and self-movement according to BMI cutoff (p< .05). Self-efficacy differed significantly between male and female. No effect was found for enjoyment. Further studies should investigate the effect of BMI and factors related to physical activity on motor competence development.

The Scramble for the West? Debunking the Myths around Migration from Africa and the Global South

Irregular migrants’ flows have, for several years now, been making the news headlines and are at the core of political debates. In a context of polycrisis—characterized by the post COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and its devastating impacts; the disruption of labor markets caused by the fourth industrial revolution and artificial intelligence; or geopolitical tensions in different parts of the globe that threaten the livelihoods of many communities—the desire to move from the developing and emerging world to the West can increase.

General practitioner referrals to a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS): pre and post COVID-19 pandemic.

To compare the characteristics of GP referrals to CAMHS prior to and over the entire pandemic. All accepted referrals to a Dublin-based CAMHS between January 1, 2019, and June 30, 2023, were examined. Referral letters were anonymised in batches, and information was extracted directly onto a designated proforma. Before the pandemic (January 2019-February 2020), an average of 17.8 referrals were accepted per month, while during and after the pandemic (March 2020-June 2023), this rose to 18.7 accepted referrals per month. Increases were observed in the clinic's prioritisation of cases during the pandemic period (54.8% v. 41%, p < .001).Referrals post COVID-19 were older (13.1-13.64 years, p = .010) with a higher proportion of females (50.2% v. 62.1%, p < .001). Internalising disorders increased during the pandemic (68.7% v. 78.7%, p = .001), with self-harm referrals also being notably more frequent (18.5% v. 36.3%, p < .001). Referrals for anxiety (43.0% v. 78.2%, p = .004) and eating disorders (0% v.. 6.2%, p < .001) increased significantly. Referrals for psychosis (8.4% v. 4.8%, p = .032) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (26.5% v. 18.7%, p = .008) decreased after the onset of the pandemic. Notable increases in referrals for anxiety, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders underscore the impact of the pandemic on youth mental health. Understanding these shifts is crucial for CAMHS to adapt resources and interventions effectively. Clinicians must remain vigilant in assessing and addressing the evolving mental health needs of youths in the post-COVID era, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions, and resources to mitigate long-term consequences.

The changing impacts of social determinants on youth mental health in Australia.

Most lifetime mental health disorders begin by age 25 years, and the prevalence among young people has been increasing over recent years. We sought to understand what impact, if any, social determinants have had on this increase through the analysis of an Australian longitudinal dataset (with data from 2007 to 2021). The analysis focused on five social determinants: loneliness and lack of social support, family relationships, participation in education and employment, receipt of government benefits and relative socio-economic status. We analysed cross-sectional changes in self-reported psychological distress between 2007 and 2021 (using the Kessler-10 item; K10 scores) and examined the effects of these five social determinants on psychological distress using weighted linear regression models. We identified a significant increase in psychological distress among Australians from 2007 to 2021, with the sharpest rise among those aged 15 to 25 years, who saw more than doubling in the percentage of high and very high K10. This period also saw an increase in the prevalence of social determinants such as loneliness and lack of social support, as well as poor family relationships, particularly in 2021 post COVID-19 pandemic. Regression models suggest loneliness and lack of social support had the most pronounced and increasing impact on psychological distress, followed by poor family relationships. The observed significant and steady increases in psychological distress and related social determinant factors, particularly loneliness and lack of social support among young people, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive actions. Coordinated research and community-based initiatives are needed to deliver intrapersonal, interpersonal and socially-focused interventions with a holistic approach to support psychosocial wellbeing. Policymakers must adopt a comprehensive shift in political commitment and a whole-of-government approach to address these challenges.

Promoting quality education through blended learning during and post COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on all facets of education. This led to educational institutions deploying blended and online systems for teaching and learning. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of blended learning in promoting quality education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative research design was deployed in this study and enabled the researcher to collect data via in-depth interviews. Twenty-five (25) tertiary institutions accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) were randomly selected to participate in this study. The registrars of the institutions were purposively selected and served as the participants for the study. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data collected via the interview. Ethical considerations were adhered to during the study. Findings The study established that COVID-19 had a devastating effect on tertiary institutions; multiple technological and open-sourced systems were deployed for teaching and learning; blended learning was adopted to augment the traditional face-to-face mode of teaching and learning due to its ease of use, usefulness and accessibility as it was used for quizzes and assignments, accessing lecture notes, among others. Despite these, the deployment of technological and blended systems was met with challenges that somehow affected effective teaching, learning. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to 25 tertiary educational institutions in Ghana. It was again limited to the COVID-19 era. Practical implications This research aids in understanding the extent of the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning and how blended learning is currently deployed and used in tertiary institutions in Ghana. The findings are relevant to policymakers and management of educational institutions as it informs them of the right method and tools to deploy for teaching and learning during pandemics. Originality/value As educational institutions globally are dealing with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is prudent to look into how tertiary institutions in Ghana deploy blended learning to facilitate teaching and learning. Thus, this paper is original as it fills the relevant literature gap in terms of scope, setting, methodology and findings.

Analysis of conditions related to diabetic foot in the pre and post COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

With the COVID-19 pandemic, an exacerbation of hospitalizations due to diabetic foot was noted in Brazil, which was due to the loss of access to primary health care by the population, especially the most economically disadvantaged in a country with a vast continental extension and very unequal, economically. We carried out an observational, retrospective and descriptive analysis of hospital data on hospitalization for diabetic foot treatment, using SIH/SUS and DataSUS between 2015 and 2023. Mortality, length of stay, costs, nature of care and demographic distribution of procedures were analyzed. During the period, 196,523 hospitalizations were recorded for the treatment of complicated diabetic foot. In addition, 5,711 cases of deaths were associated with a fatality rate of 0.54%. In relation to financial expenditure, the Northeast Region stood out with the highest expenditure rate. The most socially vulnerable regions had higher hospitalization and mortality rates, although there was little change in financial resources during the pre- and post-pandemic period. This situation highlights the need to promote greater regional equity in indicators and access to health to minimize preventable problems such as UPD. Situations such as the one experienced in the COVID-19 pandemic served to highlight the shortcomings of the country's health system and how the health-disease process is strongly linked to local socioeconomic conditions, making it necessary to promote collective health measures aimed at minimizing disparities regions in Brazilian territory. The lack of data collected by the health event registration system in the country constitutes a limitation in the present study, which makes us suggest greater rigor and diversity in the collection of information in order to better translate the reality of the data presented here.

The effectiveness of self-management training to improve the discipline of students during post covid-19 pandemic

The effectiveness of self-management training to improve the discipline of students during post covid-19 pandemic

Effectuation, Causation and Bricolage; Entrepreneurial Orientation in the Face of Crisis, a Perspective from Developing Countries

Abstract While previous studies on individual entrepreneurial orientation have evolved more from environmental, social and cultural features, far less attention has been dedicated to personal agency factors, especially during the crisis period of post COVID-19 pandemic. Relying on personal agency theory and the entrepreneurial cognitive logic concept, this study investigates how entrepreneur’s internal locus of control affect their individual entrepreneurial orientation, particularly during periods of crisis and scarcity-post COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 500 small and medium scale entrepreneurs via an online questionnaire and analyzed using partial least square (PLS-SEM) methodology. The findings show that causation, bricolage and effectuation’s affordable loss and flexibility, which are most responsive to internal locus of control, significantly impact individual entrepreneurial orientation. However, no evidence has been found on how gender, education level and education background impacts the internal locus of control to promote entrepreneurial orientation. Finally, the paper highlights the relevance of considering personal agency factors, namely internal locus of control, for policy makers, especially those involved in institutions of learning and government ministries, to boost citizens perceptions and entrepreneurial orientation and behaviour particularly in developing countries.

Key determinants of product value for business sustainability in glove industry: A moderating impact of technological competency

With the technological progress of market globalization and post COVID-19 pandemic, protective gloves made from latex have been required to have significant upgrades by using antimicrobial technology to coat the glove layer so that it can effectively prevent users’ hands from getting infected by cross-transmissions of microorganisms and viruses. As the glove industry aims to maintain its business sustainability, understanding users’ perceived glove value merits closer attention because perceived value has direct associations with user trust, loyalty, and retention allowing producers to estimate and produce sufficient supply responding to the current market needs. This research aims to investigate how product attributes (convenience and risk) influence glove quality and glove value. Furthermore, this research also examines how technological competency moderates an association between glove quality and glove value. Researchers collected data from 720 Thai glove users via survey questionnaires. Furthermore, a path analysis technique was used to analyze the data. Findings indicated that product convenience (β=0.32, p<0.001) and product risk (β=-0.51, p>0.001) significantly influenced glove quality. Next, product convenience (β=0.49, p<0.001) and glove quality (β=0.74, p<0.001), except product risk (β=-0.03, p>0.05), significantly influenced glove value. Meanwhile, glove quality mediated the relationship between product risk and glove value. Finally, technological competency moderated the association between glove quality and glove value.

Effect of vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on anxiety and sleep disturbances among elderly health care workers in the post COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Elderly health care workers carry out a variety of duties at work and have years of clinical expertise. Anxiety and insomnia are among the more commonly encountered problems in senior physicians and other geriatric medical professional populations. The study aims to determine the effect of vagal nerve stimulation on anxiety and sleep disturbances among geriatric medical professionals. 42 participants were enrolled in this study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were divided into two groups using the closed envelope approach, and they took part in therapy sessions lasting 30 minutes, three times per week for a period of four weeks. The Experimental group A received non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) and Control group A received Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation technique. With a p value of 0.001, taVNS stimulation significantly improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety after 4 weeks. The post-intervention assessment revealed a highly significant improvement in Group A, with a T value of 251 (p < 0.001). The findings suggest that taVNS may be an effective intervention for addressing anxiety and sleep issues in geriatric medical professionals. These results contribute to the exploration of non-invasive strategies to enhance the well-being of healthcare professionals working in demanding environments.

What natural therapeutics are Australians using to relieve feelings of anxiousness?

IntroductionFeelings of anxiousness are experienced in the absence of diagnosed anxiety in Australia with prevalence and management of anxiousness not well understood within the population. Anxiety statistics represent the closest statistical comparison to anxiousness affecting 13 % of the Australian population. This figure is estimated to be much higher post pandemic based on global prevalence increasing. MethodsThe overall aim of this research is to identify natural ingestive and lifestyle therapeutics used by Australian adults to address their anxiousness. 115 provided consent. A cross sectional survey of the Australian adult population was conducted. The survey included enquiry about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, concomitant or isolated pharmaceutical use, demographic factors, potential barriers of access to natural therapeutics, types of practitioners commonly sought, exacerbating factors and manifestations of anxiousness. ResultsOne hundred and fifteen (n=115) respondents completed the survey. The survey allowed respondents to select more than one lifestyle option. The survey found that of the natural therapeutic options, 90.32 % (n=84) used lifestyle medicine (deep breathing, time in nature and meditation), 55.9 % (n=52) used herbal medicine (Passionflower, Lemon balm, Withania and St John’s wort) and 53.2 % (n=49) used nutrients (Magnesium, B Vitamins and Theanine and SAMe). The survey identified that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners were the most common type of practitioner sought for information with naturopaths the preferred CAM practitioners. ConclusionNatural therapeutics as a strategy for managing anxiety has potential therapeutic application for Australian’s experiencing anxiousness, particularly post COVID-19 pandemic. Lifestyle medicine was the most common strategy utilized. There was a significant openness to trialing natural therapies.

Curriculum Development for Adult Learners in Discussions and Exploration About Social Inequalities and Racism Against People of Color

With the arrest of a former U.S. President, the Post-Covid19 pandemic, and all the social uprisings and awareness of 2020 to 2023, perhaps there has never been a time in American history where students and educators at all levels need to consider and adapt more effective and innovative approaches to addressing the elephant in the American – room’ and that being the issue of racism. This paper presents meaningful dialogue on Curriculum Development for Adult Learners in Discussions and Exploration of Social Inequalities and Racism against African Americans. These approaches to learning can be useful for examining both educators and adult learners in examining the dark impacts of racism towards African Americans in the United States.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus infection among people aged 60 and above in Beijing City

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of RSV among patients aged ≥60 years in Beijing from 2015 to 2023. Methods: Based on the respiratory pathogen surveillance system, samples of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (nsCAP) and severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) among people aged ≥60 years were collected from 28 sentinel hospitals in 16 districts of Beijing from January 2015 to December 2023. Swab samples were collected from URTI within one week, and lower respiratory tract samples from nsCAP and sCAP were collected. Demographic and epidemiological data were also collected. Various respiratory pathogens including RSV were detected. Results: From January 2015 to December 2023, a total of 20 349 cases of acute respiratory infections aged ≥60 years were included, with the RSV-positive rate of 1.54% (313/20 349, 95%CI: 1.39%-1.68%). Among them, the total RSV-positive rates of older people during the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods of COVID-19 were 1.59% (207/13 006, 95%CI: 1.38%-1.81%), 0.82% (38/4 650, 95%CI: 0.56%-1.08%) and 2.53% (68/2 693, 95%CI: 1.93%-3.12%), respectively. The difference in RSV-positive rate was statistically significant (P<0.001). Based on the sampling time of cases, the RSV epidemic season for older people in Beijing was from October to March of the following year, with a peak period in December or January of the following year. In the post COVID-19 pandemic, there were very few RSV-positive cases detected in the elderly from April to June 2023, with only one positive case detected in May and one in June. The RSV-positive rate of older people increased significantly from October to December, reaching 11.75% (51/383) in December. Among 263 RSV-positive cases in the elderly, RSV-A, RSV-B and unclassified type accounted for 43.35% (114/263), 29.28% (77/263) and 27.38% (72/263), respectively. Since 2020, there has been a subtype conversion, with RSV-B being the main focus. Among 197 elderly cases that have complete clinical data, the main symptoms were cough (86.8%, 171/197), sputum (80.2%, 158/197) and fever (73.60%, 145/197). About 24.87% (49/197) of elderly cases experienced complications. The hospitalization mortality rate was 4.57% (9/197), and the hospitalization rate was 78.68% (155/197). The ICU occupancy rate was 1.99% (36/197). The mechanical ventilation usage rate was 13.32% (33/197), and the length of hospital stay [M (Q1, Q3)] was 12 (9, 16) days. Conclusion: In Beijing, the RSV infection rate is relatively low during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the prevalence of COVID-19 is relatively high. In 2023, there was no out-of-season outbreak of RSV infection among the elderly. Elderly RSV infection cases have multiple complications, severe diseases, and poor prognosis.

Traveler's Social Media Use Continuous Intention During post Covid-19 Pandemic: The Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour

This paper examined the determinants of tax payments by Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) in Tanzania. The quantitative study applied an explanatory design on a panel sample of 107 MNEs from 2017 to 2019, making a total of 321 firm-year observations. Informed by the Coase theory of the firm and the financing model of the firm, transaction costs, leveraging, and interest expense deductibility tax incentive were independent variables. The collected and coded data were analyzed descriptively using mean score and inferentially using multiple regression technique. The study found that transaction costs and leverage positively and significantly affect tax payments and interest expense deductibility had no effect. The study concludes that MNEs transaction costs are critical as they affect tax payments. Practically, the study highlights the need for the government to address the high cost of doing business in Tanzania but keep the cost of tax avoidance high. Also, the study highlights the value of financial sector development and considerate deleveraging regulations. Empirically, the study contributes as the first to consider the impact of the cost of doing business on tax payments by MNEs. The study truncated the data observation up to 2019, and failing to analyze the Covid 19 era and shock (2020, 2021, and 2022) with a limited number of factors affecting tax payments by MNEs. Future research needs to consider addressing these gaps.

A bibliometric analysis of the knowledge related to mental health during and post COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 led to a horrific global pandemic, with strict lockdowns and prolonged indoor stays increasing the risk of mental health problems, affecting people of different ages, genders, regions, and types of work to varying degrees. This study provides a bibliometric summary of the knowledge map related to mental health during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Publications related to mental health during and post COVID-19 pandemic were searched in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database through March 19, 2024. After screening the search results, the literature included in the final was first quantitatively analyzed using GraphPad Prism software and then visualized using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R (the bibliometrix package). The 7,047 publications from 110 countries were included, with the highest number of publications from China and the United States, and the number of publications related to mental health during and post the COVID-19 pandemic increased annually until 2023, after which it began to decline. The major institutions were University of Toronto, University of London, Harvard University, King's College London, University College London, University of California System, University of Melbourne, Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherche Medicale (Inserm), Mcgill University, and University of Ottawa; Frontiers in Psychiatry had the highest number of publications, and the Journal of Affective Disorders had the highest number of co-citations; 36,486 authors included, with Xiang, Yu-Tao, Cheung, Teris, Chung, Seockhoon published the most papers, and World Health Organization, Kroenke K, and Wang CY were the most co-cited; epidemiologically relevant studies on mental health related to COVID-19, and the importance of mental health during normalized epidemic prevention and control are the main directions of this research area, especially focusing on children's mental health; "pandemic," "sars-cov-2," "epidemic," "depression," "coronavirus anxiety," "anxiety," "longitudinal," "child," "coronavirus anxiety," "longitudinal," "child," and "coronavirus" are the top keywords in recent years. This comprehensive bibliometric study summarizes research trends and advances in mental health during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic. It serves as a reference for mental health research scholars during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, clarifying recent research preoccupations and topical directions.

Analysing Nurse Talent Management: A 6-Year Study Before and During COVID-19 Using the McKinsey 9-Box Matrix

Purpose – Talent management plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality and efficacy of health care organizations, with particular significance in nursing. Aims(s) – This research delves into the assessment of talent management for nurses, using the McKinsey 9-Box Matrix, both pre- and post COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach – Employing a retrospective design spanning six years, this study encompasses 1319 nurses evaluated using the McKinsey 9-Box Matrix. This method involves performance and potential evaluations, incorporating face-to-face interviews with the Directorate of Nursing Services executive team. Findings – Significant variations in nurse positions, department distributions, and educational backgrounds were observed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Noteworthy shifts in McKinsey 9-Box Matrix assessments indicated pandemic-induced changes in nurse categorization. Approximately one-third of nurses were classified as B2: Core Working Group, which is crucial for workforce stability. Gender did not yield significant differences in the McKinsey 9-Box Matrix evaluations. Although variations were noted in categories A1, A2, and B1 before and during COVID-19, employment status did not significantly impact these assessments. Limitations of the study – Findings aweredrawn from a private health care group, potentially limiting generalizability to diverse settings, populations, or contexts. Practical implications – This study provides invaluable insights into the evolving land-scape of nursing during the pandemic. It illuminates shifts in education levels, posi-tions, departments, leadership potential, and specific evaluation categories among nurses. Originality/value – Contributing significantly to the existing literature, this study provides a nuanced analysis of talent management practices among nurses. The in-sights garnered offer a fresh perspective, informing health care organizations’ ‘talent management strategies, especially considering the evolving health care landscape shaped by the pandemic.

Guided inquiry with Moodle to improve students’ science process skills and conceptual understanding

This study aims to improve and describe science process skills (SPS) and conceptual understanding (CU) college students through guided inquiry learning with Moodle (GI-Moodle). This quasi-experimental study used a pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design. College students taking general biology courses at Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering (FSTT), Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika (UNDIKMA) participated in this study. They were divided into three classes: the experiment, control 1, and control 2. Their SPS was measured using an essay test instrument containing 18 items, while the CU was examined using 50 items multiple choice test and 5 items essay test. The obtained data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test. The analysis results identified different average students’ SPS and CU before and after they attended the learning processes using GI-Moodle, guided inquiry with WhatsApp group (GI-WAG), and structured inquiry with WhatsApp group (SI-WAG). The experiment class attended learning using GI-Moodle presented a more significant increase of SPS and CU than the students attending the other two learning with GI-WAG and SI-WAG. Therefore, the GI with Moodle learning can be used to improve students’ SPS and CU during post COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, further studies are suggested to use a more number and broader participants and identify the influence of GI-Moodle on other variables.

A comparison and review of catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition pre and post COVID-19 pandemic

A comparison and review of catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition pre and post COVID-19 pandemic

P420 A new era for cystic fibrosis nurse specialists: rebuilding the Cystic Fibrosis Nursing Association (CFNA) post COVID-19 pandemic

P420 A new era for cystic fibrosis nurse specialists: rebuilding the Cystic Fibrosis Nursing Association (CFNA) post COVID-19 pandemic