Subsequent Lockdown Research Articles

Assessment of Non-Adherence to Anti-TB Drugs and Associated Factors Among Patients Attending TB Treatment Centers During COVID-19 Pandemic in Mogadishu, Somalia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic's first wave and subsequent lockdowns disrupted global healthcare systems, significantly impacting essential services including tuberculosis (TB) care. Non-adherence to anti-TB drugs is a critical concern, leading to treatment failure, drug resistance, and increased morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the rate and determinants of non-adherence to TB treatment among patients at TB centers during the first wave of the pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 15 to July 30, 2020, involving 255 TB patients at three centers in Mogadishu. Data were gathered using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) through structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The study found a 34.5% non-adherence rate during the pandemic. Key reasons for non-adherence included forgetting to take medication (33%), feeling well (29%), experiencing side effects (18%), and fear of contracting COVID-19 (16%). Significant factors associated with non-adherence were age groups 25-34 years (OR = 2.96, p = 0.024) and 35-44 years (OR = 4.55, p = 0.005), unemployment (OR = 2.57, p = 0.037), smoking (OR = 3.49, p = 0.029), tobacco use (OR = 4.15, p = 0.034), proximity to a health facility (OR = 0.44, p = 0.033), perception of healthcare providers as very friendly (OR = 0.24, p = 0.031) or friendly (OR = 0.45, p = 0.023), being in the continuous treatment phase (OR = 3.2, p < 0.001), and experiencing adverse treatment effects (OR = 2.42, p = 0.003). Non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment was notably high in Mogadishu during the first wave of the pandemic, necessitating targeted interventions to improve adherence.

Delay of Surgery for Spinal Metastasis due to the COVID-19 Outbreak Affected Patient Outcomes.

The present study is to analyze the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 2019) outbreak and the subsequent lockdown on the outcomes of spinal metastasis patients. The study was a retrospective analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. All patients underwent surgical intervention for spinal metastases between January 2019 and December 2021 and had at least 3 months of postoperative follow-up. The primary outcome was overall mortality during the 4 different stages (pre-COVID-19 era, COVID-19 pandemic except in Taiwan, national lockdown, lifting of the lockdown). The secondary outcomes were the oncological severity scores, medical/surgical accessibility, and patient functional outcome during the 4 periods as well as survival/mortality. A total of 233 patients were included. The overall mortality rate was 41.20%. During the Taiwan lockdown, more patients received palliative surgery than other surgical methods, and no total en bloc spondylectomy was performed. The time from surgeon visit to operation was approximately doubled after the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan (75.97, 86.63, 168.79, and 166.91 hours in the 4 periods, respectively). The estimated survival probability was highest after the national lockdown was lifted and lowest during the lockdown. In the multivariate analysis, increased risk of mortality was observed with delay of surgery, with emergency surgery having a higher risk with delays above 33 hours, urgent surgery (below 59 and above 111 hours), and elective surgery (above 332 hours). The COVID-19 pandemic and related policies have altered daily clinical practice and negatively impacted the survival of patients with spinal metastases.

Alternations of antibiotic resistance genes and microbial community dynamics on shared bicycles before and after pandemic lockdown

The prevalence of shared bicycles has raised concerns over their potential to transmit pathogens and microbes harboring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which pose significant human health risks. This study investigated the impact of anthropogenic activities on the composition of ARGs and microbial communities on shared bicycles during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown when shared bicycle usage was altered. A total of 600 swab samples from shared bicycle surfaces were collected in Shanghai before and during COVID-19 lockdown periods. Even during lockdown, 12 out of 14 initially detected ARG subtypes persisted, indicating their tenacity in the face of reduced anthropogenic activities. These ARGs displayed significantly higher absolute and relative abundance levels before the lockdown. In addition, the percentage of potential pathogens in the total microbial abundance remained at 0.029 % during the lockdown, which was lower than the pre-lockdown percentage of 0.035 % and suggested that these risks persist within shared bicycle systems. Interestingly, although microbial abundance decreased without the consecutive use of shared bicycles during lockdown, the microbial diversity increased under the impact of restricted anthropogenic activities (p < 0.001). This emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring and research to comprehend microbial community behaviors in various environments. This study uncovered the underlying impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on the microbial and ARG communities of shared bicycles, providing comprehensive insights into the health management of shared transportation. Although lockdown can decrease the abundance of ARGs and potential pathogens, additional interventions are needed to prevent their continued spread.

Tracking online searches for gambling activities and operators in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Google Trends™ analysis.

Whilst some research has explored the impact of COVID-19 on gambling behaviour, little is yet known about online search behaviours for gambling during this period. The current study explored gambling-related online searches before, during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. We also assessed whether search trends were related to Gambling Commission behavioural data over the same period. Google Trends™ search data, covering thirty months from January 2020 to June 2022, for five gambling activities and five gambling operators were downloaded. Graphical displays of the weekly relative search values over this period were then produced to visualise trends in search terms, with key dates in COVID-19 policy and sporting events highlighted. Cross-correlations between seasonally adjusted monthly search data and behavioural indices were conducted. Sharp increases in internet searches for poker, slots, and bingo were evident during the first lockdown in the UK, with operator searches sharply decreasing over this period. No changes in gambling activity searches were highlighted during subsequent lockdowns, although small increases in operator-based searches were detected. Strong positive correlations were found between search data and industry data for sports betting and poker but not for slots. Google Trends™ data may act as an indicator of population-level gambling behaviour. Substitution of preferred gambling activities for others may have occurred during the first lockdown when opportunities for sports betting were limited. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of internet search data in predicting gambling-related harm.

Comorbidity of Internet addiction and posttraumatic stress disorder among Chinese children and adolescents

BackgroundExposure to COVID-19 is linked with a set of common mental disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has demonstrated that PTSD is linked with addiction-related symptoms. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the linkage between PTSD symptoms and Internet addiction (IA) symptoms that have included a large sample of children and adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the comorbidity of IA and PTSD among a large sample of Chinese students exposed to COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns by conducting a network analysis.MethodThe data used in this study was extracted from six-month follow-up data from a longitudinal study that included 7958 Chinese adolescents. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess IA and PTSD symptoms. Network analysis was conducted on 31 items: 19 items from the IA community and 12 from the PTSD community.ResultsThis study found that symptoms from the same community cluster were more closely related. Four key bridge symptoms were identified: sleep problems, concentration difficulties, irritability, and withdrawal distress. In the PTSD-only network, central symptoms were avoiding reminders, easy reminding, avoiding thoughts, and startled.ConclusionsThe estimated network structure of PTSD and IA symptoms highlighted key bridge symptoms that are more influential than others on comorbidity maintenance. These symptoms could be targeted in clinical practice to better alleviate the suffering of children and adolescents. Interventions could focus on vital symptoms including alleviating sleep problems, concentration difficulties, irritability, and withdrawal distress to decrease the comorbidity of IA and PTSD.

“What have YOU done in the past few years?” Deaf BSL users’ experiences of caring for people with dementia during COVID-19

PurposeDeaf people, who are British Sign Language (BSL) users, are, at times, carers for their parent or spouse when they have dementia. This can be a challenging role for the wider population, but if the common language in service provision is not one you share, then this care can be impacted by the lack of formal structures that support the Deaf caring role. This study aims to explore the experiences of Deaf carers supporting people with dementia, in an unpaid role, during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand more about their potential support preferences.Design/methodology/approachOnline interviews with seven Deaf carers sharing their experiences of supporting their family member with dementia happened during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to qualitatively examine each Deaf carers’ stories.FindingsFindings included Deaf carers’ lack of access to information, surrendering their autonomy to hearing family members to communicate with health-care professionals, with overarching isolation within local communities and online. Findings show a widespread infrastructural failure to meet the linguistic and specific support needs of this minority population.Research limitations/implicationsSeven Deaf carers took part in this study. This means the findings may not be generalisable.Practical implicationsHealth-care professionals and social care structures need to develop robust clear communication pathways for Deaf carers to receive the support needed to provide effective care.Social implicationsIf health-care professionals undertake training about Deaf people and BSL, that will mean Deaf carers will receive effective support to be able to care for a person living with dementia. This means that their Deaf identity will be recognised within the mainstream and the care provided will be much more effective for the person with dementia.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, these are the first interviews undertaken with Deaf carers of people with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent lockdowns. Understanding everyday barriers and social care limitations in terms of language access will enable Deaf carers to assert their rights and for care professionals to adapt their communication to match the individuals involved in the care package.

The impact of COVID-19 on nursing students' lives and online learning: A cross-sectional survey.

To explore the impact of COVID-19 on students' lives and their online learning experience. A cross-sectional survey design was used in this study. A total of 44 nursing students who were enrolled in an undergraduate programme at a Canadian University participated in the study. The students were asked to fill out a 35-item survey that was developed by the European Students' Union and that was circulated across Europe in April 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown affected students mentally, and emotionally. Findings also revealed that whilst most students had the privilege to study from home, many students did not have a desk, or a quiet place to study in their home and some had problems with Internet connectivity. Online lectures were delivered according to students' preferences; however, students were dissatisfied with the way their practice was organized. The similarities between this study and the European study provide common grounds for academics around the world to connect, collaborate and work on the challenges in providing nurse education in emergencies such as national disasters or pandemics to ensure preparedness for such future events. No Patient or Public Contribution. The commonalities experienced in nursing education across the globe should act as an impetus for globalized nursing action. Educators need to prepare and reinvent a role for students in the clinical area in the event of future disasters/pandemics. Policy makers and administrators need to ensure when switching to online education no student is underprivileged or marginalized in the process.

Barnes &amp; Noble, Inc.: charting the growth strategy

Research methodology The case is written based on publicly available data from primary sources like the company’s annual reports and presentations and from secondary sources, as indicated in the references. Case overview/synopsis Barnes &amp; Noble Inc. (B&amp;N), one of the oldest and largest American retail booksellers founded in 1917, was facing a grim business situation underpinned by a fall in demand, a change in consumer preference and stiff competition. After almost a century of being in the business, B&amp;N was experiencing a fall in market share and weak stock market performance. In 2019, the company was sold to Elliot Advisors – a hedge fund – for US$638m. With the appointment of new chief executive officer (CEO) James Daunt in August 2019, a man known for the turnaround of similar businesses, B&amp;N expected its business’s revival and reorganization strategy to turn profitable. Its long-term strategy of beating competitors with its offerings’ sheer volume and low prices was no longer viable. The turmoil was compounded by top management crises with the repeated changes and ousting of several CEOs in a short span, alongside the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. Daunt was considering how to overcome the crisis and act fast to reposition the company and regain the loyalty of its customers. Was there more that the company could do to improve the company’s position and restore profitability? Complexity academic level The case can be used in strategic management and entrepreneurship classes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The case can be used in an investment analysis and management course to teach students the industry analysis technique using Porter’s five forces model.

Subtitling in the Streaming Era: A Comparative Analysis of Strategies Used to Translate Cultural References into Arabic

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent frequent lockdowns, streaming platforms have become an essential part of people’s media consumption. Translation has played a key role in the rapid growth of these streaming services by allowing global access to different translated versions of their content. While the impact of these streaming services on the reconstruction of media production has been a reoccurring topic in media studies, their impact on translation is still relatively underresearched. With that in mind, this article aims to identify current translation tendencies by examining the translation strategies commonly used in subtitling cultural references (CRs) into Arabic on three of the primary streaming platforms (Netflix, OSN+ and Prime Video) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This is particularly significant not only because most studies on cultural references focus on European languages and contexts, but also because the few studies examining Arabic subtitles are mainly focused on subtitles available on DVDs (Alfaify, 2020), fansubbing websites (Abdelaal, 2019) and satellite television (Thawabteh, 2014). Additionally—and contrary to the common practice, which tends to ignore the complex multimodal nature of the cultural references—this article examines both verbal and crossmodal cultural references and the patterns of rendering them in professional subtitles across the investigated streaming platforms.

Psychosocial Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Related State-imposed Lockdown on Patients Presenting with Respiratory Complaints: A Study from North India

Abstract Background: Clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mimics many respiratory ailments. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 and subsequent state-imposed lockdown on patients presenting with respiratory complaints. Methodology: This was a prospective study on 82 outpatients at a tertiary care institute from North India during the period of strict lockdown. Baseline assessment was conducted using socioclinical pro forma, COVID-19-related questionnaire, lockdown-related questionnaire, and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) Hindi version. Reassessment was done twice: immediately and 41–45 days after relaxation of strict lockdown. Quality of life (QOL) at first and second follow-up versus the prelockdown times (Score A and Score C) and first follow-up versus unlockdown (Score B) was noted. Results: Psychological distress was experienced in 45.1% and 17.1% of patients at baseline and first follow-up (P &lt; 0.001). Clinical symptoms, worry for COVID-19, negative thoughts, and total score (lockdown) decreased significantly at first follow-up. The mean C score was significantly better than the mean A score (P &lt; 0.001). Baseline and follow-up psychological distress was significantly more in those with poorer values of total score (lockdown) and its domains. On logistic regression, follow-up GHQ-12 correlated positively with Domain 2 (P = 0.027; odds ratio [OR] = 0.7) and “worry for COVID” (P = 0.017; OR = 10.136). Conclusion: Persons presenting with respiratory complaints and experiencing “worry for COVID-19” at the start of the lockdown were more likely to also experience psychological distress, which decreased significantly but persisted for prolonged periods even after relaxation in lockdown. Policymakers, while indulging in mental health planning in pandemics, should not ignore this issue of development and perpetuation of psychological distress in such otherwise “psychologically normal” individuals.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown on Adult Foot and Ankle Fractures Presenting to the Largest Trust in the United Kingdom.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic induced unprecedented changes in medical practices, prompting a reassessment of their impact on adult foot and ankle fractures within the National Health Service (NHS). This study employs a retrospective observational approach, leveraging the Pathpoint™ eTrauma platform for a comprehensive analysis of prospectively collected data. Methods Data encompassing weekly fracture incidence, weekly surgical procedures, patient demographics, and mean wait time from injury presentation to surgery were systematically evaluated. The study population included all adults (18+) admitted during five distinct periods: pre-pandemic, national lockdown 1, post-lockdown, national lockdown 2, and national lockdown 3. Results An analysis of 434 foot and ankle fractures revealed that national lockdown 1 exhibited the lowest fracture incidence (4.97 per week) and surgeries performed (4.77 per week), reflecting a notable reduction in trauma cases and elective procedures. Conversely, post-lockdown displayed the highest fracture incidence (7.46 per week) and surgeries performed (6.31 per week), suggesting a resurgence in both trauma and elective surgical activities. The pre-pandemic cohort, characterized by the highest mean age (51.98 years) and mean wait time (8.74 days), served as a temporal baseline. Conclusion While the incidence of fractures decreased during all three national lockdowns compared to pre-pandemic or post-lockdown periods, a gradual increase was observed in subsequent lockdowns. Notably, mean wait times showed a significant reduction, reaching the lowest point (5.79 days) during national lockdown 3. These findings underscore the complex interplay between pandemic-related disruptions, evolving guidelines, and adaptive measures within the healthcare system, influencing the dynamics of foot and ankle fracture management.

A study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on equine veterinary care in the UK.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, equine health care in the UK may have been adversely affected due to mandated changes in the delivery of veterinary healthcare and the potential for reduced health-seeking behaviour. Electronic patient records (EPRs) were analysed to describe veterinary activity for all equids under the active care of 20 veterinary practices in the UK in the 12 months before and after the introduction of the first UK lockdown. Pre-pandemic and pandemic levels of clinical activity were compared. Further comparisons of care, including immediate management and treatment, were made following a detailed review of EPRs from randomly selected subsets of equids under care in four time periods. All measures of activity and face-to-face interaction were lower in the early pandemic period than in the equivalent pre-pandemic period. Compared to pre-pandemic, the early pandemic was associated with a decrease in prophylactic care and non-urgent diagnostic imaging and an increase in systemic non-steroid anti-inflammatory prescription. Convenience sampling of veterinary practices may have limited the generalisability of the findings. The quality of EPRs was variable. While equine veterinary activity was significantly disrupted in the early pandemic period, there was a rapid return to pre-pandemic levels of activity. Subsequent lockdowns appeared to have had little effect on veterinary care.

Predictors of time-varying and time-invariant components of psychological distress during COVID-19 in the U.K. Household Longitudinal Study (understanding society).

To understand psychological distress during COVID-19, we need to ensure that the same construct is measured over time and investigate how much of the variance in distress is attributable to chronic time-invariant variance compared to transient time-varying variance. We conducted secondary data analyses of Understanding Society, a U.K. probability-based longitudinal study of adults, using prepandemic (2015-2020) and pandemic data (N = 17,761, April 2020-March 2021). Using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), analyses encompassed (a) five annual waves before COVID-19 plus the first survey wave during COVID-19 and (b) eight (bi)monthly waves during COVID-19. We investigated (a) longitudinal measurement invariance of distress, (b) time-invariant and time-varying variance components of distress using latent trait-occasion modeling, and (c) predictors of these different variance components. In all analyses, unique measurement invariance in distress was established, indicating the same unidimensional construct was measured using the GHQ before and during COVID-19. Time-varying variance was higher at the first COVID-19 lockdown (April 2020, 61.2%) compared to before COVID-19 (∼50%), suggesting increased fluctuations in distress at the start of the pandemic. Sensitivity analyses with equal time lags pre- and during COVID-19 confirmed this interpretation. During the pandemic, the highest distress time-varying variance (40.7%) was detected in April 2020, decreasing to 29.0% (July 2020) after restrictions eased. Despite mean-level fluctuations, time-varying variance remained stable during subsequent lockdowns, indicating more rank-order stability after this first major disruption. Loneliness most strongly predicted time-varying variance during the first lockdown. Life dissatisfaction and financial difficulties were associated with both variance components throughout the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Impact of COVID-19 on patient follow-up during supportive periodontal therapy: a retrospective study based on phone call survey

BackgroundCOVID-19 and the subsequent intermittent lockdown measures from 2020 to 2022 in China critically disrupted regular medical activities, including dental care. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on long-term follow-up at the Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and to evaluate potential causes of loss to follow-up.MethodsA total of 1062 patients with periodontitis who visited the hospital from January 2019 to June 2022 were included in this study, and patient information was collected retrospectively in the form of a telephone questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions in four areas: demographic characteristics, clinical periodontal parameters, oral hygiene habits, and follow-up-related open-ended questions (specific reasons for loss to follow-up, attitudes toward follow-up and suggestions for increasing participation in future follow-ups). Regression analysis of factors influencing the follow-up of patients with periodontitis were analyzed by regression analysis using R (v4.2.3) software.ResultsA total of 536 (50.47%) valid questionnaires were collected from 1062 patients. Personal factors (42.5%), instead of the COVID-19 epidemic (20.0%), were the main factors that impacted the loss to follow-up in long-term periodontal treatment, while work factors (19.8%), hospital factors (16.4%), and transportation or distance factors (14.7%) were all important factors. A family history of periodontitis [odds ratio (OR) = 0.567, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.393, 0.817, p = 0.002], as well as frequent use of dental devices (OR = 0.540, 95% CI: 0.375, 0.777, p = 0.001), were significantly associated with a “negative” attitude toward follow-up visits.ConclusionThis survey suggests that the COVID-19 epidemic factor was an important cause contributed to the loss to follow-up during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) among a variety of potential factors. Majority of patients had negative attitudes toward subsequent continued participation in supportive care.

Childhood immunization delay during the first wave of COVID-19 in an urban area of Sangli district from Maharashtra, India: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundCOVID-19-related lockdowns had resulted in overburdening on health services. The lockdowns along with anxiety of the disease have resulted in delay in routine vaccination of many under-5 children. The current study was undertaken to understand the extent of the delay in under-5 vaccination during COVID-19-related lockdown in March-December 2020.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional study conducted during January-December 2021. Study population was under five children due for vaccination during the first COVID-19 lockdown at March-December 2020. Vaccination cards were used to confirm the status of vaccination, and questionnaire was used to study the attitude of parents towards vaccination and reasons for delay in vaccination, if any. The calculated sample size was 1434. But cluster random sampling method was applied; hence, 2274 subjects were included in the study. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS-22™, using descriptive statistics and chi-squared test.ResultsPercentages of children with delayed vaccination ranged from lowest for “at birth dose” (12.47%) to highest for “9th month dose, i.e. MR vaccine” (54.29%). Majority of parents stated lockdown and risk of COVID-19 infection as to be reason of the delay in vaccination. There was no uniform association between vaccination delay and attitude of parents towards vaccination.ConclusionCOVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown are the reasons stated by majority of parents with delayed vaccination in their children. This could be important lesson to plan for such contingencies for developing health services in future.

Assessing the Surge in COVID-19-Related Cyberbullying on Twitter: A Generalized Additive Model Approach

The COVID-19 pandemic's onset and the subsequent lockdowns drastically amplified digital interactions worldwide. These unparalleled shifts in online behavior birthed concerns about potential surges in cybersecurity threats, particularly cyberbullying. Our research aimed to explore these proposed trends on Twitter. Utilizing a dataset of 126,348 tweets from January 1st to September 12th, 2020, we honed in on 27 cyberbullying-related keywords, like 'online bullying' and 'cyberbullying'. Recognizing the limitations of traditional change-point models, we opted for a Generalized Additive Model (GAM) with spline-based smoothers. The results were revealing. A significant uptick in cyberbullying instances emerged starting mid-March, correlating with the global lockdown mandates. This consistent trend was evident across all our targeted keywords. To bolster our findings, we conducted lag-based assessments and compared the GAM against other modeling approaches. Our conclusions robustly indicate a strong association between the enforcement of pandemic lockdowns and a heightened prevalence of cyberbullying on Twitter. The implications are clear: global crises necessitate intensified cyber vigilance, and the digital realm's safety becomes even more paramount during such challenging times.

The Effect of Fear of COVID-19 on Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Undergraduate Students During the Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Self-Regulation

The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020. Subsequent lockdowns and fatalities have significantly impacted individuals’ lives, social relationships, and economic conditions. While pandemics affecting populations can lead to health issues, they also give rise to psychological disturbances such as anxiety, worry, panic, loneliness, depression, fear, and traumatic symptoms. Research has demonstrated that these symptoms are commonly observed across various segments of society. Self-regulation refers to individuals’ efforts to modify their thoughts, emotions, desires, and actions in line with their desired goals. It emphasizes that individuals are active agents and decision-makers rather than passive observers in the face of events. Studies have found that self-regulation is associated with success, well-being, social competence, academic performance, peer bullying, depression, anxiety, obesity, and various psychopathological conditions. COVID-19 research has also identified relationships between emotional regulation and depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms. Covid-19 has also been associated with educational problems such as decline in student achievement, learning losses, problems with continuing education and drop-outs. In this study, the relationships between COVID-19 fear and depression, anxiety, and stress are examined, focusing on the mediating role of self-regulation in university students. Structural equation modeling and mediation analyses were conducted using collected data. The results indicate that COVID-19 fear significantly predicts depression, anxiety, and stress during the pandemic. Self-regulation partially mediates this relationship, diminishing the impact of COVID-19 fear and reducing levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Tracing air pollution changes (CO, NO2, SO2, and HCHO) using GEE and Sentinel 5P images in Ahvaz, Iran.

The first case of COVID-19 in Iran was reported on February 25, 2020, leading in the implementation of a government-mandated lockdown as the virus gradually spread to different cities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air quality in Ahvaz city by utilizing Sentinel 5 images and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Specifically, the concentrations of air pollutants, including CO, NO2, SO2, and HCHO, during the COVID-19 pandemic from May 10 to June 01, 2021, were examined. Also, they were compared to the same period in 2019. Additionally, the influence of meteorological parameters, such as wind speed and precipitation, on pollutant concentrations during the pandemic and in the pre-pandemic year of 2019 were investigated. The results revealed a significant decrease in the concentrations of NO2 (13.7%), CO (6.1%), SO2 (28%), and HCHO (9.5%) in Ahvaz during the study period in 2021 compared to the same period in 2019. Statistical analyses indicated no significant changes in wind speed and precipitation between the COVID-19 pandemic and the pre-pandemic period in 2019. Therefore, the impact of these parameters on the observed changes in pollutant concentrations can be disregarded. It is clear that the COVID-19 epidemic and the subsequent lockdown measures, including traffic restrictions and business closures, played a crucial role in significantly reducing air pollutant concentrations in Ahvaz.

Physical activity and stress among college students at a large US university during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractBackgroundAs the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in March 2020, reports indicate reduced physical activity (PA), increased sitting time (ST), and higher stress in various groups. It remains uncertain if these patterns persist in college students. This study aimed to discover trends in vigorous PA (VPA), moderate PA (MPA), light PA (LPA), ST, and stress among college students from 2020 to early 2022, spanning 2 years.MethodsUsing a repeated cross‐sectional design, this study involved three online surveys in Summer and Fall 2020, and Winter 2021, respectively. Participants recalled pre‐COVID‐19 information in the first two periods and reported current information during COVID in all three periods, outlining four time points: Before‐COVID and During‐COVID times 1, 2, and 3.ResultsThis study included 2163 students from a large Western university. All types of PA decreased from the start of the pandemic to late 2021; however, increases toward pre‐pandemic levels in MPA and LPA were found in early 2022. Also, activity shifted from VPA to MPA and LPA. Although ST and perceived stress (PS) surged in the pandemic's first year, they began decreasing toward pre‐COVID levels in early 2022.ConclusionThe study indicates a decline in PA during the peak of the pandemic, followed by a recent return to almost pre‐COVID levels. Additionally, elevated ST and PS in early pandemic have reduced by the third year. As society begins to live with a new COVID‐normal, there must be adaptations to maintain PA and promote mental well‐being.

From Outbreak to Vaccination: An Analysis of the Commercial Property Market Reaction to COVID-19 in Malaysia

This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of the commercial property market in Malaysia. Differing from previous studies that focus on the first wave of COVID-19 that erupted in March 2020, we examine how the commercial property market reacted to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and the subsequent response (lockdowns, fiscal support, and vaccination program) of the government in dealing with the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that abnormal returns of listed property companies, REITs, and hotel operators decrease following the implementation of the first nationwide lockdown. Subsequent nationwide lockdowns, however, do not exert a significant impact on abnormal returns. Moreover, we find that 1-day window abnormal returns during the first and third nationwide lockdowns increase with increases in COVID-19 cases. This suggests that investors believe in the ability of these nationwide lockdowns to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In addition, we document a positive impact of blanket loan moratorium announcements and change in vaccination rate on abnormal returns. The economic magnitude of the stock price changes in response to these announcements could be used as a reference point by policymakers and investors when faced with future pandemics of a similar scale.