Post-pandemic Period Research Articles

Platforms, used in academic learning, during the post-pandemic period

Platforms, used in academic learning, during the post-pandemic period

Technologies applied to the curriculum for the recomposition of learning in the post-pandemic period

In light of the need for curricular adaptations as a strategy to mitigate the impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this theoretical study aimed to investigate how digital technologies, when applied to the educational curriculum, can contribute to the reconstitution of learning in the post-pandemic period. To support the theories explored in this article, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was chosen, using the Google Scholar database as the main source of consultation. The reconstitution of learning is understood as a set of actions that involve prioritizing competencies and skills of the National Common Curricular Base in line with the new curricula that align with them. Technologies emerge as valuable tools for educators, facilitating the implementation of innovative teaching methodologies and corroborating with learning processes and the necessary curricular prioritization. The insertion of education technologies in teaching methodologies assists the learning process by promoting greater interactivity and involvement of students. In addition, it makes learning more dynamic, playful, meaningful, and enriching. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of integrating education technologies into the school curriculum and teaching methodologies, aiming not only to improve the quality of education but also to prepare students for a world increasingly immersed and interconnected in the digital realm.

Bedtime procrastination related to loneliness among Chinese university students during post-pandemic period: a moderated chain mediation model

BackgroundThis study examined the relationship between loneliness and bedtime procrastination among Chinese university students, the mediating effects of COVID-19 risk perception and self-regulatory fatigue, and connectedness to nature’s protective role, post pandemic.MethodsWe recruited 855 students to complete the Loneliness, Perceived Risk of COVID-19 Pandemic, Self-Regulatory Fatigue, Bedtime Procrastination, and Connectedness to Nature Scales. Data for descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and moderated chain mediation effects were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and process 3.5 macros.ResultsLoneliness positively correlated with bedtime procrastination, COVID-19 risk perception mediated the impact of loneliness on bedtime procrastination, self-regulatory fatigue mediated the effect of loneliness on bedtime procrastination, and COVID-19 risk perception and self-regulatory fatigue mediated the effect between loneliness and bedtime procrastination. Furthermore, connectedness to nature mediated the impact of COVID-19 risk perception on self-regulatory fatigue.ConclusionsThe results indicate the effects and potential mechanisms of loneliness on bedtime procrastination after the relaxation of the pandemic prevention and control policy in China from the perspective of self-regulatory resources and provide insights into improving university students’ sleep routine and mental health post pandemic.

Social contact patterns with acquaintances and strangers related to influenza in the post-pandemic era

Abstract Aim To investigate the social contact patterns of Chinese residents in the post COVID-19 pandemic period, explore the associations between the different contact patterns and incidence of influenza. Subject and methods A cross-sectional social contact survey was conducted on Chinese residents from December 9, 2021, to January 20, 2022. The contact was divided into participant–acquaintance (P–A) and participant–stranger (P–S), and the generalized linear model (GLM) was used to explore their impact on the incidence of influenza. Results The contact frequency of P–S was higher than that of P–A (3.41 V.S. 1.94), but the average contact duration of P–S was much shorter than that of P–A (0.20 h V.S. 5.53 h). P–A contact mainly occurred among peers as well as family members. However, P–S contact was concentrated in the middle-aged population. In GLM, the influence of P–S on the incidence of influenza was higher (OR = 2.63, 95% CI 2.29–3.02) than that of P–A (OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.56–2.13), especially on the weekend (P–S OR = 4.31, 95% CI 2.31–8.01) and in recreation places (P–S OR = 4.94, 95% CI 2.26–10.78). Conclusions Social contact will increase the incidence rate of influenza. Therefore, when contacting with strangers, especially in recreation places, personal protective behavior should be strengthened.

Assessing the trade–connectivity linkages in South Asia in post-pandemic period: an empirical investigation

The study unravels the relationship between trade and connectivity and presents a narrative to re-energise the South Asian regional economic integration in the post-pandemic period. In addition, the study also examines the effect on conflicts and institutional factors in South Asian trade. The study uses the bilateral gravity analysis in 2SLS (Two-Stage Least Squares) framework to address the endogeneity issues. The study finds that South Asia may gain enormously if they reduce the conflicts across the border and secure improvement in both hard and soft infrastructure. Given that the trade is a dynamic concept, connectivity disruption costs cause havoc to the region, which then promotes dis-integration. Facilitating business beyond the border in post-pandemic requires an enhanced trade facilitation and connectivity in the region. The renewed and shared agenda of the South Asian regional cooperation in post-pandemic should, therefore, aim to reduce both intra- and inter- regional trade facilitation gaps as well as to expand the connectivity. The process of South Asian regional integration has to contribute to narrowing the gaps by providing resources for the development of trade infrastructure. Therefore, South Asia has to enhance its own connectivity and trade facilitation arrangement to take forward the agenda of South Asian integration.

Mental health promotion in a public school in southeastern Pará: experience report

Considering that anxiety disorder is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in adolescence, considering the post-pandemic period and the demands that emerged in the psychology service at Campus Marabá Industrial (CMI) of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará (IFPA), along with the importance of actions for the prevention and promotion of mental health in the school environment, the objective was to describe the results obtained in offering a workshop organized by the psychology service at CMI/IFPA. The workshop aimed to inform students about stress and anxiety in adolescence, teach relaxation techniques, and provide psychoeducation on mental health care. This is an experiential report originating from a workshop with 1st-year high school students. The workshop was organized and conducted by psychology interns, under the guidance of the internship supervisor and psychologist at IFPA. The results showed an increased demand for psychology services from the students in the class, seeking information about emotional difficulties and requesting psychological assistance. Several students reported that they began discussing the topic more openly with reduced stigma. In conclusion, the work highlights the importance of psychology's role in the school environment, with a focus on prevention and promotion of mental health.

The Relationship Between the Strategy of Russian Companies and Their Policies in the Field of Human Capital

In modern conditions of instability of the national economic system, the question of effective strategic planning and implementation of an organizational strategy covering all levels of the corporation becomes relevant. The post-pandemic period and the shock year 2022 for many Russian companies forced the top management of many corporations to respon3d flexibly to the current realities of the global market, changing previous strategies. Interesting in this regard are the factors that shape the organizational strategies of the corporations under study. The author presents an attempt to analyze the effectiveness of Russian companies from the chosen type of strategy in relation to the policy in the field of use of human capital. In particular, economically important companies using classical planned and classical process strategies are considered. Based on the study, it was revealed that there is a relationship between organizational strategy and management policy in the field of human capital; moreover, the higher it is, the more successful companies are (expressed in caring for employees). Also, as a distinctive factor shaping organizational strategies, the author identified the policy in the field of labor protection and industrial safety (which is a feature of companies with a classic process strategy).

THE STATUS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, ITS IMPROVEMENT ASPECTS UNDER COVID-19 CRISIS, AND ITS IMPACT ON SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT IN JORDAN (AN APPLIED STUDY ON MINING INDUSTRIES SECTOR)

Objective: Identify the impact of the new conditions created by Covid-19 crisis on achieving sustainable environmental development by studying the environmental management system and the impact of improving energy use, improving water use, and improving the impact of emissions in Jordanian mining industrial companies in achieving sustainable environmental development as a useful framework in the post-pandemic recovery period. Research Design & Methods: The descriptive correlational method was used where a questionnaire. The research population consisted of specialists in of safety, environment, and occupational health in the Jordanian extractive industries and mining companies. A total of (8) companies were identified, of which the two largest companies were chosen as a cluster sample for this study: Arab Potash Company with 33 employees in safety and environment, and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company with 45 employees. Findings: The results showed from the point of view of the workers in the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company and the Arab Potash Mines that there is a positive and statistically significant impact of improving aspects of the environmental management system in light of the Covid-19 crisis in general on sustainable environmental development by (77%). Conclusion: The results showed from the point of view of the workers in the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company and the Arab Potash Mines that the level of improvement of the environmental management system in the field of energy use, in the field of water use, and in the field of the impact of gas emissions, ranges between medium and high level, and the results showed that there is a positive and statistically significant impact of improving aspects of the environmental management system (improving energy use, improving water use, improving the impact of gas emissions) in light of the Covid-19 crisis in general on sustainable environmental development by (77%).

Forecasting Post-Epidemic Air Passenger Flow Among Hub Cities in China Based on PLS and GA-SVR Model

For stakeholders and companies involved in civil aviation to plan and make wise decisions, accurate estimates of air passenger flow are necessary. The conclusions drawn from this model serve as an invaluable resource for pertinent choices. The top hub cities in mainland China's air travel network are predicted using a variable weight combination model that combines PLS and GA-SVR. According to the test results, the model developed in this study improves prediction accuracy. This demonstrates how well detailed information about social and economic development can be gleaned from linear development patterns and nonlinear fluctuation rules. Predictions can be made with more accuracy and a better fit as a result. Over the next five years, it is predicted that over 300 million passengers will fly between the top hub cities in mainland China, an increase of 6.51% per year. The growth in passenger traffic varies significantly between different routes. The routes from Beijing to Shanghai and Shanghai to Shenzhen saw the most travellers, while the Beijing-Chengdu route saw the fastest growth in traveller numbers. The study's findings provide useful advice for civil aviation businesses and people involved in their decision-making, fostering growth in the sector during the post-pandemic period.

Consideration of the peculiarities of the mechanism of stimulating innovative activity

2022 and 2023 are considered the most conflictual years of the Cold War. The confrontation between Israel and Hamas, the escalation of tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, Sudan, Yemen, Karabagh are some of the hot spots that threaten the stability of peace and the world-class economy. 183 armed conflicts were counted for 2023, which is the highest figure for 30 years, and military aggression on the territory of Ukraine has reached the most destructive scale. Research work is an attempt to create a multipolar world, thanks to scientific activity due to the consequences of armed conflicts on the territory of Ukraine. The most important condition for economic growth on the platform of quality renewal of production is the reduction of costs, the production of a quality product, service, and the introduction of innovation. Thus, the object of the study is the dependence of targeted financing of innovations as a direction that will contribute to increasing the level of innovative development of enterprises. It also considers the dependence of targeted financing of innovations as a way to increase the level of innovative development of enterprises under the known impact of military operations on the territory of Ukraine. The problem of the research is the state of innovative development of Ukraine, the factors that caused it, the tools of influence and stimulation from the state, such as tax incentives, attracting investors for the development of small and medium-sized businesses through the creation of favorable economic conditions, using the example of the Diia City tax regime. It also the dependence of targeted financing of innovations, as a direction to increase the level of innovative development of enterprises under the known effects of military actions on the territory of Ukraine. The obtained results are due to such factors as the impact of military aggression on the territory of Ukraine, the pandemic and post-pandemic period, which had negative consequences such as a decrease in the planned volume of production due to the downtime of enterprises, a decrease in labor productivity, changes in the established raw material supply system. The study of the special regime of «Diia City» indicates a positive growing level of interest of investors, in particular foreign ones, in attracting funds for the development of various sectors of the economy, most of all in the field of information services, which contributes to the processes of digitization and integration of Industry 4.0. The results can be used for the strategic planning of economic entities during the war period and the post-war recovery of the economy of Ukraine, where the attraction of innovations is one of the key elements of economic prosperity, and tax incentives are a tool of the state regulatory apparatus.

Towards A 21st Century Systematize the Ideas; COVID-19, Sustainability and Discourse of SDG, (Sustainable Development Goals), The Cities and Housing Models

The research creates a theoretical basis for examining the metamorphic changes and transformations in urban and housing planning with the interaction created by the latest epidemic in the world, which is moving towards a period related to climate problems. The first quarter of the 21st century witnessed an unexpected event: Humanity found itself in the middle of a pandemic considered temporary, it would be permanent and change the world dramatically. The post-COVID-19 period has led to significant and permanent changes in our lives, from urban planning to housing typologies. The study aims to understand the changing dynamics in the post-pandemic period that converges on the same goal with SDG, (Sustainable Development Goals), as continuity by updated dialogues, and discourses on literature. This research focuses on the SDG, (Sustainable Development Goals), and the post-pandemic period, analysis of two phenomena separated, analogous paradigms or intertwined. The findings of the public perception are there is a distinction between sustainability and pandemics considered dissimilar processes, they contain similarities. Contrary to common ideas, the pandemic was a catalyst for sustainability, and these two concepts contain analogous ideas and principles. In conclusion, it is revealed that they both concentrated on similar ideas; SDG, (Sustainable Development Goals) is “health”, and pandemic is the “healthy city” concept like; clean air, zero carbon, living healthy and safely in airy and green areas, etc.

Exploring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Returnee Migrant Workers’ Income, Psychological Well-Being, and Daily Life Expenses: A Case Study in Thua Thien Hue Province

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the lives, economies, and cultures of communities in Vietnam despite it no longer being considered a global emergency. Migrant workers who returned to their localities during the outbreak are among the most vulnerable groups affected by the pandemic. This study surveyed 298 returning migrant workers in 6 Thua Thien Hue province coastal communes to understand the pandemic’s effects on them. Results indicate that the pandemic has affected migrant workers differently based on their work type, education level, and gender. The pandemic severely impacted workers’ employment and income, with self-employed workers being the most affected. The reduction in income led to changes in their quality of life, including cutting down on expenses and experiencing increased stress. In particular, female migrant workers with limited education have experienced heightened vulnerability and anxiety in comparison to their male counterparts, primarily attributed to their societal and caregiving responsibilities. However, most respondents intend to remigrate post-pandemic to continue sending remittances home regardless of the challenges ahead. The findings highlight the need for policies and support measures to improve the resilience and adaptive capacity of migrant workers in the post-pandemic period. These measures should focus on skill improvement, access to job placement networks, social insurance, and employment contracts, and raising awareness about the importance of saving income and providing psychological support.

Impact of COVID-19 on inputs used in assistance in emergency care unit

Objective: To identify the impact of the pandemic on the consumption and costs of materials and medicines in an emergency care unit in a municipality located in the interior of the State of São Paulo. Method: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study, with quantitative analysis of data from a health unit in the public pre-hospital network. Data were collected through management reports, generated by hospital management software, referring to the 12-month pre-pandemic period (January to December/2019), pandemic (July/2020 to June/2021) and the post-pandemic period (January to April/2023), being compared using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Results: Most of the hospital supplies and medicines used to combat COVID-19 showed an increase in consumption and values above the parameters observed in the previous period and remained with values close to those practiced in the post-pandemic period. Conclusion: the increase in demand associated with the scarcity of products led to a sharp increase in the prices of inputs and medicines used to combat COVID-19, later reflecting on the costs of the institution in the studied unit.

ADHD medicine consumption in Europe after COVID-19: catch-up or trend change?

BackgroundAlthough the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications have been associated with mental health services utilization and medication consumption, there is no longitudinal study on the long-term impact on ADHD medication use trends.MethodsThis study examines the European ADHD medication consumption in 2020 to 2022 compared to the predicted consumption assuming the persistence of pre-pandemic trends. Predictions are calculated using Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) models.ResultsWhile European ADHD medication sales recorded a drop in 2020, they returned to the predicted level in 2021, even slightly exceeding it. In 2022, we found a clear exceedance of the predicted level by 16.4% on average at country level. Furthermore, the increase in consumption growth in the post-pandemic period (2021–2022) compared to the pre-pandemic period (2014–2019) was significant in 26 of the 28 European countries under consideration.ConclusionThere is strong evidence of a trend change in the ADHD medicine consumption growth throughout Europe after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similarities and Disparities of e-Commerce in the European Union in the Post-Pandemic Period

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in notable transformations of the commerce landscape, particularly in the realm of electronic commerce. This sector has experienced a precipitous advancement, characterized by substantial modifications of online business under-takings, encompassing both products and services. The aim of the current research was to explore the similarities and differences between European Union member states in the context of e-commerce in the post-pandemic period, taking into consideration the population’s level of education, the risk of poverty, as well as households’ access to the internet. The analysis was conducted for the year 2021, which represented the most recent year for which data were available, and was based on the application of the hierarchical cluster methodology, which included the Ward method and the Robust Tests of Equality of Means (Welch and Brown–Forsythe). Five clusters resulted, which included a minimum of three countries and a maximum of nine. The present study focused on examining the similarities and disparities within clusters, as well as among countries belonging to those clusters. These observed similarities and disparities are believed to be the outcome of various indicators that influence the realm of electronic commerce, and they are contingent upon the economic development level of each country and their ability to cope with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The information obtained in this study pertains to the future of electronic commerce in the sense of identifying premises that allow the development and application of development strategies.

Feedback Trading and Its Implications for Return Autocorrelations in India During COVID

In emerging capital markets, feedback trading is a widely pursued strategy by investors. Such behavior may potentially lead to volatility and cause negative autocorrelation in market returns, especially during high volatility. In India, such a linkage has not been explored so far, though institutional investors have pursued feedback trading for the last two decades. Also, COVID-19 has led to higher volatility in the markets and might have altered investors’ behavior. This article focuses on finding whether feedback trading is still pursued by institutional investors in Indian equity markets post-COVID and also whether the presence of feedback traders exerts any influence on autocorrelations in market returns. Asymmetric GARCH models are employed to explore the linkage. Findings suggest that while foreign institutional investors continue to pursue positive feedback trading, as in the pre-pandemic period, domestic investors pursue negative feedback trading. However, in the post-pandemic period, as other types of trading became weak or perished, positive feedback traders have started dominating, leading to negative autocorrelation in market returns during heightened volatility. Evidence of negative autocorrelation was not present in the pre-pandemic period. Further, negative news leads to more volatility in returns. JEL Codes: F21, F32, G11

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number and short-term outcomes in hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Results from the Japanese National Clinical Database, 2018-2021.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the allocation of medical resources, including cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. We aimed to investigate the effects of the pandemic on morbidity and mortality following hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We identified patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC between 2018 and 2021 from the Japanese National Clinical Database (NCD). The number of surgical cases, the use of intensive care units, and the incidence of morbidity were assessed. The standardized morbidity/mortality ratio (SMR) was used to evaluate the rates of morbidity (bile leakage and pneumonia) and mortality in each month, which compares the observed incidence to the expected incidence calculated by the NCD's risk calculator. The study included a total of 10647 cases. The number of patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC gradually decreased. The proportion of patients aged 80years or older increased and that of cases with T1 stage decreased. The proportion of patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit did not change between the pre- and postpandemic period. The mean actual incidence rates of bile leakage, pneumonia, 30-day mortality, and surgical mortality were 9.2%, 2.3%, 1.4%, and 2.1%, respectively. The SMR for the mortalities and morbidities in each month did not increase mostly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study showed the decreasing number of resected cases for HCC, while the surgical safety for hepatectomy was enough to be maintained by managing medical resources in Japan.

“I have no idea how I will get a stipend”: the impact of COVID-19 on graduate students’ financial security

In this study, we investigated graduate students’ financial security during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Spring 2022 semester, the continued changes brought on by the precautionary measures implemented presented difficulties for both faculty and graduates. In this mixed methods study, we surveyed graduate students (N = 258) at a public research university to explore the pandemic’s effects on their financial security. Through the sign test analyses, we found a significant decrease in graduate students’ financial security scores during the pandemic, and particular groups of students were more susceptible to decreased financial security. The thematic analysis further explored the financial security decrease and identified inflation and economic downturns, and the suspension of work or financial support as two main challenges graduate students confronted during the pandemic. Both quantitative and qualitative findings reflected the financial stress and hardship confronted by graduate students during the pandemic. It was implied that extra financial support and consultation should be provided to students with meager stipends or student loans. The results further informed the academic community to foster the culture of care inside academia, by addressing graduate students’ financial concerns properly in the post-pandemic period.

COVID-19 and Youth Mental Health Disparities: Intersectional Trends in Depression, Anxiety and Suicide Risk-Related Diagnoses

ObjectivesMental health disparities were prevalent among racially and ethnically minoritized youth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. As complete datasets from 2022 become available, we can estimate the extent to which the pandemic further magnified existing inequities. Our objective was to quantify disparities in trajectories of depression, anxiety, and suicide risk-related diagnoses in youth before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, using an intersectional lens of race, ethnicity and gender. MethodsUsing electronic medical record data from one mid-Atlantic health care system (2015–2022), we evaluated changes in annual rates of depression, anxiety and suicide risk-related diagnoses in 29,117 youths, aged 8–20 years, using graphical analysis, comparison of adjusted mean differences (AMD) and adjusted mixed multilevel logistic regression. ResultsAlmost all racial and gender subgroups had significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety after the start of COVID-19 compared to the years prior, with the greatest changes observed in Hispanic and Asian females. Suicide risk-related diagnoses significantly increased among all female subgroups, with the largest increase among Asian females (AMD 4.8, 95% CI 0.2–9.3) and Black females (AMD 4.6, 95% CI 2.2–6.9). ConclusionsRates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors in young people continued to increase in the post-pandemic period. Many pre-existing disparities between subgroups, especially females, significantly widened, highlighting the importance of using an intersectional lens. Urgent action is warranted, including universal screening of pediatric patients for suicide risk, broadening effective treatment and support options in minoritized patients, and increasing support services to patients and families.

Markups, profit shares, and cost-push-profit-led inflation

Abstract The post-pandemic surge in inflation was accompanied by a surge in the corporate share of profits. As a result, several economists and policy makers have given to it names such as “profit-led inflation” or “sellers’ inflation.” The present paper discusses the extent to which profit-led inflation, as an explanation for the recent surge in inflation, is compatible with what we know about the price-setting behavior of firms, income distribution, and inflation. We do that in juxtaposition to two recent critiques: that the increase in the profit share is the result of cyclical factors and that the increase in import prices leads to higher profit shares even under constant markups. We show that there is little evidence that the recent surge in profitability is cyclical in nature. Moreover, after outlining the Structuralist/Kaleckian theories of prices and inflation, we argue that profit-led inflation does not require an increase in the markup of the firms and is consistent with these theories. In the face of large import and other price shocks even under constant markups, firms are able to pass the burden of adjustment to real wages. Thus, the term profit-led emphasizes the distributional source and consequences of inflation. We also provide an empirical examination of the markups in the post-pandemic period using data from the Compustat database. We show that, on average, firms were able to increase or maintain their markups, although there is significant heterogeneity across sectors or the position of the firms in the distribution of markups.