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Purpose – This study aims to identify key supply chain challenges and opportunities of the case of Hong Kong toy manufacturing company during the COVID-19 outbreak and develop a comprehensive structural relationship to rank them. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, a toy model company in Hong Kong is considered to discuss about what challenges and opportunities have the biggest impacts on non-necessary goods companies and how to deal with different impacts on entire supply chain flow disruption during COVID-19. A semi-structured interview with five decision-makers from the company was made to give key challenges and opportunities scores. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique is used to establish the model and rank them afterward to overcome the challenges. Findings – From the data analysis and results, “salary of employee” and “inconvenient transportation” have emerged as top and bottom key challenges respectively. The sequence of organized challenges in the list needs to mitigate one by one in this order to improve the supply chain performance. The “client's orders’ frequency, customer management” and “supplier/partner relationship management” are identified as the top and bottom respectively to develop the opportunities. Research limitations/implications – These key challenges and opportunities are identified as contributing attributes and provide the way to measure to improve production, profits and sustainable growth of the toy manufacturing company during a pandemic. Moreover, it helps to improve the distribution level and good planning with appropriate decision making to manage the supply chain performance considering humanitarian aspects during a pandemic outbreak. Originality/value – The novelty of this study is to identify the key supply chain challenges and opportunities measured by the TOPSIS method to rank them and consider the case of a Hong Kong toy manufacturing company as a case-based approach to measuring its performance during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Abstract Background Understanding the changes in characteristics of patients who visited trauma centres during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is important to facilitate aneffective response. This retrospective study was conducted to analyse differences in the characteristics and outcomes of patients who visited our trauma centre between pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 eras. Methods Medical data of trauma patients enrolled in the Korean trauma database from 1 January 2018 to 31 August 2021 were collected. The number of trauma centre visits, patient characteristics, factors associated with in-hospital intervention, and outcomes werecompared between patients in the two time periods. Propensity score matching was performed to analyse the outcomes in patients with similar characteristics and severitybetween patients in the two time periods. Results The number of emergency department (ED) trauma service visits reduced in the COVID-19 era. Based on the mean age, the patients were older in the COVID-19 era. Abbreviated injury scale (AIS) 1, AIS3, AIS5, and injury severity score (ISS) were higher in the COVID-19 era. The proportion of motor vehicle collisions decreased, whereas falls increased during the COVID-19 era. Ambulance transportation, admission to the general ward, and time from injury to ED visit significantly increased. Patient outcomes, such as hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, and duration of mechanical ventilation improved, while injury severity worsened during the COVID-19 era. After adjusting for patient characteristics and severity, similar findings were observed. Conclusion The small reduction in the number of trauma patients and visits by patients who hadhigher ISS during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of maintaining trauma service capacity and capability during the pandemic. A nationwide or nationalmulticentre study will be more meaningful to examine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the changes in trauma patterns, volume, and patient outcomes.

Đại dịch Covid-19 bùng phát tại Việt Nam đã tác động tiêu cực đến hoạt động của các khu vực kinh tế, trong đó có lĩnh vực ngân hàng. Bài viết này nhằm mục đích phân tích tác động của mức độ bùng phát dịch bệnh Covid-19 đến hiệu quả hoạt động của các ngân hàng thương mại niêm yết tại Việt Nam trong giai đoạn từ Quý 1 năm 2020 đến Quý 3 năm 2021. Dữ liệu trong nghiên cứu được thu thập từ Worldometers và Bloomberg, chúng tôi tìm ra rằng mức độ bùng phát dịch bệnh Covid-19 có tác động cùng chiều đến hiệu quả hoạt động. Dựa vào kết quả nghiên cứu, Ngân hàng Nhà nước cần có chính sách phù hợp để kiểm soát hoạt động của các ngân hàng thương mại trong giai đoạn đại dịch Covid-19 nhằm chia sẻ khó khăn với khu vực doanh nghiệp và hộ gia đình để có thể vượt qua đại dịch một cách tốt nhất.

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı okul yöneticilerinin COVID-19 salgınında görevlerini nasıl algıladıklarını ve anlamlandırdığını incelemektir. Fenomonolojik araştırma deseniyle yürütülmüş olan araştırmanın katılımcı grubu devlet okullarında görevli 10 okul yöneticisidir. Araştırma verileri açık uçlu sorulardan oluşan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniği kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Görüşmede katılımcıların verdikleri cevaplara bağlı olarak sonda soruları da sorulmuştur. Fenomenolojik çalışmada incelenen araştırma konusuna ilişkin katılımcıların deneyimlerinin özüne ve yapısına ulaşmak hedeflenmektedir. Bu nedenle katılımcıların okul yöneticisi olma deneyimlerinin özünü ve yapısını açığa çıkarmak amacıyla verilerin analizinde “parantezleme”, “fenomenolojik redüksiyon”, “imgesel çeşitleme” ve “anlam ve özlerin sentezlenmesi” olmak üzere dört aşamalı bir süreç takip edilmiştir. Verilerin analizi sonucunda COVID-19 pandemisi sürecinde okul yöneticisi olma fenomeninin yapısını ve özünü birbiriyle ilişkili altı bileşenin oluşturduğu tespit edilmiştir. Deneyimin yapısını oluşturan bu bileşenler veya özler; okul yöneticilerinin (1) Bilinmezlik: Pandemi sürecinin getirdiği bilinmezlik etkisiyle önlerini görememe, (2) İş Yükünün artışı, (3) Yıpranmışlık ve yorgunluk hissi, (4) Motivasyon Kaybı ve çalışma azminde düşüş, (5) Teknoloji Kullanımı artışı ve deneyimleri, (6) Vicdani Sorumluluk’tur. Okul yöneticilerinin pandeminin seyrine göre üstlerinden yazılar geldiği ve buna göre hareket ettikleri ancak pandeminin seyrinin kestirilemez oluşu sebebiyle bilinmezlik algısı yaşadıkları tespit edilmiştir. Uzaktan eğitim süreciyle iş yüklerinin ve yoğunluklarının artan yöneticilerin, bu yoğunluk ve bilinmezlik durumu sebebiyle de yıpranmışlık ve yorgunluk yaşadıklarını, yorgunluğun hemen peşinden motivasyon kaybına uğradıklarını ifade etmişlerdir. Öte yandan uzaktan eğitim sürecine aktif şekilde dahil olarak teknolojide yeni deneyimler elde ettiklerini belirten yöneticiler, çevrim içi eğitim süreci için de öğrencilerine gerekli materyalleri ve imkanları sağlamak için kendilerini vicdani sorumluluk altında hissettikleri belirlenmiştir.

This study analyzes for the first time uniformly and causally the level of pollution and air quality for the NE-Romania Region, one of the poorest region in the European Union. Knowing the level of pollution and air quality in this region, which can be taken as a benchmark due to its positional and economic-geographical attributes, responds to current scientific and practical needs. The study uses an hourly database (for five pollutants and five climate elements), from 2009 to 2020, from 19 air quality monitoring stations in northeastern Romania. Pollutant levels were statistically and graphically/cartographically modeled for the entire 2009–2020 interval on the distributive-spatial and regime, temporal component. Inter-station differences and similarities were analyzed causally. Taking advantage of the emergency measures between March 16 and May 14, 2020, we observed the impact of the event on the regional air quality in northeastern Romania. During the emergency period, the metropolitan area of Suceava (with over 100,000 inhabitants) was quarantined, which allowed us to analyze the impact of the quarantine period on the local air quality. We found that, in this region, air quality falls into class I (for NO2, SO2 and CO), II for O3 and III for PM10. During the lockdown periods NO2 and SO2 decreased for the entire region by 8.6 and 14.3%, respectively, and in Suceava by 13.9 and 40.1%, respectively. The causes of the reduction were anthropogenic in nature.

This study aims to examine the time-varying efficiency of the Turkish stock market's major stock index and eight sectoral indices, including the industrial, financial, service, information technology, basic metals, tourism, real estate investment, and chemical petrol plastic, during the COVID-19 outbreak and the global financial crisis (GFC) within the framework of the adaptive market hypothesis. This study employs multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis to illustrate these sectors' multifractality and short- and long-term dependence. The results show that all sectoral returns have greater persistence during the COVID-19 outbreak than during the GFC. Second, the real estate and information technology industries had the lowest levels of efficiency during the GFC and the COVID-19 outbreak. Lastly, the fat-tailed distribution has a greater effect on multifractality in these industries. Our results validate the conclusions of the adaptive market hypothesis, according to which arbitrage opportunities vary over time, and contribute to policy formulation for future outbreak-induced economic crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Muhasebe ve Vergi Uygulamalari Dergisi (MUVU) / Journal of Accounting & Taxation Studies (JATS) is the property of Ankara Serbest Muhasebeci Mali Musavirler Odasi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused tremendous fear and uncertainty and affected health, economy, and social life in an unprecedented form worldwide. Yet, the level of knowledge on its economic implications is very limited. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to explain the health, social, and economic impacts of COVID-19. Because the tourism is one of the most affected industries by the pandemic, this study aims to explain the effects of COVID-19 cases and deaths, global fear, and government responses on Turkey's tourism industry. Empirical findings show that the tourism industry reacts negatively to new cases, number of deaths, and global fear measures. Also, government containment and health measures and economic supports positively affect the tourism industry. Furthermore, government stringency policies drive down the tourism industry's performance. The findings of this study provide significant implications for tourism and travel firms, policy makers, and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the AKP (Justice and Development Party) right-authoritarianism during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, as seen from the perspective of necropolitics. It examines the relationships between politics and death, asking the question of how such relationships fell into an authoritarian character adversely influencing democracy and democratic values. For this, the study centres on the AKP government's response to the pandemic crisis, discussed as a manifestation of necropolitics. The paper explains the concept of necropolitics and underlines two of its fundamental characteristics: state of exception and creation of enemy. The paper focuses on these two traits to frame and critique the AKP's right-authoritarian politics during the COVID-19 outbreak. The aim of the analysis is to show how AKP politics has politicised death, bearing in mind the social and political opposition's moves against such politics in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater surveillance is considered a promising approach for COVID-19 surveillance in communities. In this study, we collected wastewater samples between November 2020 and February 2022 from twenty-three sites in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants for comparison to standard clinical sampling. A total of 215 wastewater samples were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by real-time PCR with three targeted genes (N, E, and ORF1ab); 102 samples were positive (42.5%). The SARS-CoV-2 variants were determined by a multiplex PCR MassARRAY assay to distinguish four SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron. Multiple variants of Alpha–Delta and Delta–Omicron were detected in the wastewater samples in July 2021 and January 2022, respectively. These wastewater variant results mirrored the country data from clinical specimens deposited in GISAID. Our results demonstrated that wastewater surveillance using multiple signature mutation sites for SARS-CoV-2 variant detection is an appropriate strategy to monitor the presence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the community at a low cost and with rapid turn-around time. However, it is essential to note that sequencing surveillance of wastewater samples should be considered complementary to whole genome sequencing of clinical samples to detect novel variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to choose the appropriate GARCH model to analyse the volatility dynamics of the Tunisian sectorial stock market indices during the COVID‐19 outbreak period. We explore the optimal conditional heteroscedasticity model with regards to goodness‐of‐fit to these sectorial indices. In particular, it proposes four models (EGARCH, FIGARCH, FIEGARCH and TGARCH) to measure asymmetric and persistence volatility. Our findings point to three interesting results. First, following the COVID‐19 outbreak, volatility is more persistent in all series. Second, the results show that building constructs materials, construction and food and beverage sector return volatilities have an insignificant asymmetric effect while consumer service, financials and distribution, industrials, basic materials and banks sector return volatilities have relatively high positive and significant asymmetric effect compared with those during the pre‐COVID‐19 period. Finally, the findings show that financial services, automobile and parts, insurance and TUNINDEX20 sectors have insignificant leverage effect. Our results can thus be useful to investors when accounting for future volatility and implementing hedging strategies under COVID‐19 crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus outbreak has significantly affected the health and well-being of several people around the world. In a similar vein, Bangladeshi medical professionals have also been affected by several severe physical and mental health complications resulting from their frequent contact with COVID-19 patients. This exposes them to a greater risk of infection with the lethal virus, which can substantially impact their job performance. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the manner in which the COVID-19 pandemic affects the occupational health and safety of medical employees. The researchers deployed a descriptive qualitative technique to investigate the complexities of the COVID-19 crisis amongst medical practitioners. Employing purposeful sampling and indepth interview techniques, the researchers collected data from a total of 32 healthcare professionals and investigated their state of occupational health, their exposure to stress and trauma, and the effects of stress and trauma on their livelihood, health and well-being. The data revealed the occupational health of healthcare workers as being fragile, resulting to stress and trauma, and eventually, a depressed state of mind. To address this issue, relevant government and nongovernmental organizations should concentrate on reducing COVID-19-related risks and repercussions in hospital settings. In addition, policymakers, social workers, public health practitioners and psychologists must work together to ensure that healthcare workers are healthy and safe at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of PLANARCH - Design & Planning Research is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the attention levels, of Turkish children and adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in on-line education classes with healthy controls. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional, internet-based, case-control study that recruited 6-18 years old patients diagnosed with ADHD and receving treatment and healthy controls from eight centers. The measurements used in the study were prepared in the google survey and delivered to the participants via Whatsapp application. RESULTS: Within the study period, 510 children with ADHD and 893 controls were enrolled. Parent-rated attention decreased significantly in both groups during on-line education classes due to COVID-19 outbreak (p<0.001; for each). Children and adolescents with ADHD had significantly elevated bedtime resistance, problems in family functioning difficulties than control children according to parental reports (p=0.003; p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, bedtime resistance and comorbidity significantly predicted attention levels in on-line education. CONCLUSION: Our findings may underline the need to augment student engagement in on-line education both for children without attention problems and those with ADHD. Interventions shown to be effective in the management of sleep difficulties in children as well as parent management interventions should continue during on-line education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the details of a new technique, the earworm technique, which is suitable for online music therapy in the situation of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. The technique was used in a music therapy service provided through a free and publicly available hotline in China during the outbreak, with satisfactory results. Of 103 cases, 83% were successful, 8% were helpful, 7% were unsuccessful, and 3% were incomplete. The technique is a combination of Erickson’s modern hypnosis techniques and music therapy. It is easy to train for and perform, making it suitable for a one-time intervention with online music therapy service.

Abstract Background Telehealth is an effective option to fight the outbreak of COVID-19. This review aims to systematically characterize the utilization and applications of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic focusing mainly on technology implementations. Methods This study was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The literature search was conducted in Science Direct, IEEE XPLORE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from January 2020 until July 2021, with an English language restriction. A quality assessment was based on the Critical Appraisal Skills Programs checklist. Results The included studies focused on the implementation of technology for telehealth, multidisciplinary approach, service satisfaction, guidelines, and medical training. They provided illustrative insight into the strategy of telehealth in different medical specialties, such as pediatric gastroenterology, oncology, ophthalmology, and laryngology. Nonsurgical specialties had the greatest number of telehealth visits. Clinicians showed positive attitudes toward the implementation of video telehealth visits; patients report high levels of satisfaction with this care and strong interest in continuing this modality as a significant portion of clinical practice. Conclusions This systematic review provided an illustrative insight into the strategy of telehealth for different purposes. According to our findings, telehealth may be used in different medical area with a clear strategy of intervention according to patients’ and doctors’ needs.

Amar M Hamrouni,1 Rubian S Sharif,2 Suleiman I Sharif,3 Mohammed M Hassanein,3 Abduelmula R Abduelkarem3 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; 2Faculty of Dentistry, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya; 3Department of Pharmacy Practice & Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy-University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Abduelmula R Abduelkarem, College of Pharmacy-University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Tel +971 6-5057443, Fax +971 6-5585812, Email aabdelkarim@sharjah.ac.aeAbstract: The number of active cases of COVID-19 and deaths is markedly escalating. The pandemic had affected almost every aspect of our lives including geopolitics, health, economics, education, and sociocultural events. However, besides the negative impacts of the pandemic, there are some positive impacts as well, such as improving our awareness of the daily hygienic practices, emphasizing digital inequality, and increasing global collaboration in combating the crisis by intensifying scientific research to establish a promising vaccine. Other positive impacts are the activation and use of online education, also raising awareness about close family relationships and much more. This review addresses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on various important aspects of life.Keywords: COVID-19 outbreak, life aspects, health measures, economy, educational challenges

The major event of the emergence of the infectious disease COVID-19 has changed the perspective and behavior of investors in the stock market. This study aims to analyze the determinants of the research roadmap cluster in the field of capital market performance. Analysis was conducted on manuscripts published in Scopus-indexed publications from 2020 to the end of 2021. Using the search engine software Publish or Perish (PoP), 400 manuscripts were obtained. Furthermore, manuscripts with high credibility were selected through double-blind review and journal categories. The results of the extraction of 240 article titles and their abstracts using VOSviewer revealed that the determinants of the research roadmap in the stock market during the COVID-19 outbreak were divided into four clusters, namely: 1) an increase in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin due to the spillover of oil and gold prices; 2) international stock market response and behavior; 3) major stock market performance results such as stock returns and equity; and 4) changes in stock market dynamics in the form of volatility and investor attention.

Abstract Background The rapid shift to online education due to COVID-19 quarantine challenged students’ ability to accept pure online learning without negative consequences for their physical, emotional and mental health. Some educational institutions introduced new strategies to reduce the psychosocial burden associated with online learning during home confinement. Thus, the primary aims were to determine the consequences of COVID-19 for the psychological well-being and fatigue levels of higher education students and to explore the effects of a new academic assessment approach in reducing home confinement stress. Method A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among students, from 30 August to 30 September 2020, of 7 disciplines in all 16 higher colleges of technology in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Mental Well-being and Learning Behaviours Scale and the modified Copenhagen Burnout Inventory were used to evaluate students’ psychological well-being and fatigue levels. A Welch t-test and Welch ANOVA were performed to determine the differences in perceived psychological well-being associated with students’ characteristics. Second, Kruskal_Wallis and Mann_Whitney were performed to determine the differences in fatigue level based on students’ characteristics. Results One thousand four hundred students participated. The majority were female (78.5%) and aged from 21–25 years (58.1%). Around 14% of respondents were married with children. Nearly 40% were satisfied with the new assessment approach introduced during the COVID pandemic and 45.5% perceived it as having reduced their home confinement stress. The mean psychological distress score of 3.00 (SD ± 0.71) indicates a moderate impact of COVID-19 on psychological well-being. Students’ psychological distress was positively correlated with fatigue level (0.256, p

China is the world's largest consumer of pork and grains. However, African swine fever (ASF) and the COVID-19 outbreak have greatly impacted the pork supply and food security in China. How can food security and the pork supply be ensured under the dual impacts of COVID-19 and ASF? This is a major problem to be urgently solved by the Chinese government. This study indicated that the main pork production and sales areas in China were separated, which reflected the spatial imbalance between the supply and demand. The total area of suitable selected sites for pig farms in China is 21.5 million ha. If only the areas with levels of high and moderate suitability are considered as potential sites for pig farms, the potential pork production can reach 56.1 million tons in China, which is slightly lower than demand. Due to the impact of the ASF epidemic, the food consumed by pigs has been reduced by 34.7 million tons. However, with increasing pork productivity in the future, the self-sufficiency rate of grains may further decline. On the premise that the quality of people's life is not affected, the diversification of meat supply channels should be realized in an orderly and sustainable way, which might alleviate the pressure on food supply. This study provides a theoretical reference for the spatiotemporal layout of the swine industry and addresses the issue of food security in China under the influence of ASF and the COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID-19 outbreak has shifted the learning and teaching process into distance learning. This situation has challenged the teachers, as the experts suggest, to include learning styles in teaching planning to help students. This study aims to examine how EFL teachers accommodate students' learning styles in distance learning to help students comprehend and acquire language and the teachers' challenges in accommodating students' learning styles. It employed a phenomenological qualitative method using interviews and observation to gain the data. The study found that EFL teachers used various online platforms, created/adjusted materials, and gave many assessment forms to accommodate students' learning styles in distance learning. However, it was impossible to accommodate every learning style in the classroom because of several challenges such as connection/technical problems, teachers' workload, many students in the class, and students' lack of motivation. It can be concluded that accommodating students' learning styles is more challenging in distance learning than in face-to-face classrooms. The study results are useful as a reference in the issue of learning styles to evaluate the practices of accommodating students' learning styles in distance learning.

Background: The latest wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Macau began on 18 June 2022 and was more serious than previous waves. Ensuing disruption from the wave is likely to have had a variety of negative mental health consequences for Macau residents including increased risk for insomnia. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of insomnia among Macau residents during this wave as well as its association with quality of life (QoL) from a network analysis perspective. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 26 July and 9 September 2022. Univariate and multivariate analyses explored correlates of insomnia. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) examined the relationship between insomnia and QoL. Network analysis assessed the structure of insomnia including "Expected influence" to identify central symptoms in the network, and the flow function to identify specific symptoms that were directly associated with QoL. Network stability was examined using a case-dropping bootstrap procedure. Results: A total of 1,008 Macau residents were included in this study. The overall prevalence of insomnia was 49.0% (n = 494; 95% CI = 45.9-52.1%). A binary logistic regression analysis indicated people with insomnia were more likely to report depression (OR = 1.237; P < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.119; P < 0.001), as well as being quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic (OR = 1.172; P = 0.034). An ANCOVA found people with insomnia had lower QoL (F.1, 1,008/= 17.45, P < 0.001). "Sleep maintenance" (ISI2), "Distress caused by the sleep difficulties" (ISI7) and "Interference with daytime functioning" (ISI5) were the most central symptoms in the insomnia network model, while "Sleep dissatisfaction" (ISI4), "Interference with daytime functioning" (ISI5), and "Distress caused by the sleep difficulties" (ISI7) had the strongest negative associations with QoL. Conclusion: The high prevalence of insomnia among Macau residents during the COVID-19 pandemic warrants attention. Being quarantined during the pandemic and having psychiatric problems were correlates of insomnia. Future research should target central symptoms and symptoms linked to QoL observed in our network models to improve insomnia and QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peri-urban forests are complex systems capable of providing amenity and scenic values as well as recreational opportunities for citizens. From early 2020, national governments have promulgated restrictions, requiring citizens to adopt a new lifestyle to counter the COVID-19 outbreak. This study aimed to understand if citizens' behaviors and attitudes in the use of peri-urban forests are changing due to COVID-19 restrictions. Methodologically, a questionnaire survey was carried out, adopting a systematic sampling method. Two peri-urban forests were chosen as study areas: the first one was close to the town of Trento in the Alps (Monte Marzola), and the second one was in the proximity of the city of Florence (Monte Morello). At the end of data collection, 281 questionnaires were collected and processed. The results showed an increase in visits to peri-urban forests during the COVID-19 pandemic (36.4% of visitors in Monte Marzola and 17.1% in Monte Morello, respectively) with the aim of satisfying the need for relaxation and contact with nature. However, the use of peri-urban forests in times of crisis has been quite different in the two contexts: the visitors of Monte Marzola evidenced the role of a forest as a place where they can satisfy their need to play sports (mean value 4.53 in a five-point Likert scale), while Monte Morello forest was considered by visitors to be a place where the demand for companionship was fulfilled (mean value 4.27). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In January 2020, Thailand became the first country outside of China to report a coronavirus infection. In July 2020, Thailand was the number one ranked country (out of 184 countries) for its effective handling of COVID-19. In December 2020, the country was hit by a second wave and the government was once again able to contain the new outbreak. In late March 2021, however, a third wave broke out and as of 1 April 2021, Thailand had seen 2,022,117 new cases and a death toll during the third wave of 20,211. The Thai government has not only been unable to contain the virus this time around, but has also failed in its procurement, allocation, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for its 70 million people. This article will look at the government's mismanagement of the pandemic in the third wave and how the government is dealing with the current crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective COVID-19 vaccines are the best weapons against the COVID-19 pandemic and have become a strategic property of local governments. Experienced experts need to be invited to improve the accuracy of COVID-19 vaccine selection; such a selection process can be regarded as a large-scale group decision-making (LSGDM) problem. Many LSGDM models have been proposed in order to overcome the non-independence of experts. However, the objective empathetic relationships among experts which can affect decision results have been ignored. To fill these gaps, this article proposes a LSGDM method based on empathetic network analysis (ENA). First, we identify the dissociative empathetic network, central empathetic network, and general empathetic network. Then, we determine the results of internal preference evolution from the perspective of preference interactions. We adopt the fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm to divide a large group of experts into several subgroups according to the empathetic centrality of experts, and then propose three kinds of feedback mechanisms with respect to the empathetic relationships for central, dissociative, and general empathetic networks to improve the quality of the consensus-reaching process. Finally, an illustrative example related to the selection of COVID-19 vaccines is presented to validate the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: During the outbreak of Corona, the anxiety due to Corona led to psychological distress and challenged distress tolerance. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the structural relationships between Corona anxiety and experiential avoidance with the mediating role of distress tolerance in the period of the outbreak of Covid-19. Method: The method of this study was based on the fundamental objective and the descriptive method of the correlation type based on the structural equation method. The statistical population included all students of Kharazmi University in 2018-2019, who were students during the outbreak of Corona and virtual education. Based on this, 350 students were selected by multistage cluster random sampling. The participants responded to Alipour et al.'s Corona Anxiety Scale (2018), Simons and Gaher's Distress Tolerance Scale (2005), and Bond et al.'s (2011) Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire in a Google form. Finally, the data were analyzed via SPSS-24 and AMOS-14. Results: The results showed; the structural model between Corona anxiety and experiential avoidance with the mediating role of distress tolerance had the goodness of fitness. The direct effect of experiential avoidance on the anxiety of Corona disease was positively significant, therefore, the direct effect of experimental avoidance on distress tolerance and distress tolerance on Corona anxiety was negatively significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: Experiential avoidance can predict the level of Corona anxiety with the mediating role of distress tolerance. Based on the findings, it is suggested; researchers should pay attention to the psychological findings obtained from this study in future studies in the field of disease anxiety, especially diseases that are highly contagious such as covid-19 in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 turned into a global epidemic in a short time, due to its rapid rate of infection and its longevity on surfaces. Its rapid spread caused problems in the municipal services especially Waste Management. There have been serious increases in the amount of protective equipment such as disposable masks, gloves, goggles and the amount of infected waste from hospital intensive care units. This put pressure on existing waste disposal systems. National and international circulars were published to prevent the spread of the epidemic. In this process emerged innovative studies such as biodegradable plastics, system optimization studies for environmentally and economically appropriate disposal methods, the creation of appropriate management plans, and data generation, storage, processing. In this study, during the epidemic, Waste Management problems, its environmental and economic effects, the related legal regulations, the recommended disposal methods and innovative studies were examined. Considering the increasing population and the long-term effects of climate change, this epidemic is not the first and will not be the last. Innovative studies carried out with the momentum gained in this period should continue without losing speed and their use within the sector should be expanded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This research examines the correlations between the return volatility of cryptocurrencies, global stock market indices, and the spillover effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, we employed a two-stage multivariate volatility exponential GARCH (EGARCH) model with an integrated dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) approach to measure the impact on the financial portfolio returns from 2019 to 2020. Moreover, we used value-at-risk (VaR) and value-at-risk measurements based on the Cornish–Fisher expansion (CFVaR). The empirical results show significant long- and short-term spillover effects. The two-stage multivariate EGARCH model's results show that the conditional volatilities of both asset portfolios surge more after positive news and respond well to previous shocks. As a result, financial assets have low unconditional volatility and the lowest risk when there are no external interruptions. Despite the financial assets' sensitivity to shocks, they exhibit some resistance to fluctuations in market confidence. The VaR performance comparison results with the assets portfolios differ. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Dow (DJI) index reports VaR's highest loss, followed by the S&P500. Conversely, the CFVaR reports negative risk results for the entire cryptocurrency portfolio during the pandemic, except for the Ethereum (ETH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical practice worldwide has changed rapidly in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality, in hospitalized patients, in Romanian surgical services. We have developed our research on a national survey of the consecutive records of hospitalizations, surgical interventions and deaths performed in Romania between March and August 2020. Results show that 47 surgical departments responded to the request. The admissions in the period March–August 2020 represented 52% of that from the similar period of 2019. In the studied period, the share of surgical interventions in patients admitted to non-COVID-19 centres was 98.7%, respectively 78.2% in COVID-19 support hospitals (p < 0.05), and emergency interventions of 43.4% in non-COVID-19 hospitals, respectively 84.8% in COVID-19 support hospitals (p < 0.05). Overall mortality in this period was 5.82%, compared to 3.28% in a similar period in 2019, (p < 0.05). Postoperative mortality in COVID-19-positive patients was 19%. In conclusion, in the hospitals in Romania included in the survey, the overall mortality in the studied period was higher than in a similar period in 2019. In patients with COVID-19 positive, the recorded postoperative mortality was higher than overall mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Given racial disparities in both dementia and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), non-Hispanic Black (Black) dementia caregivers (CGs) may be at greater risk for care burden during the COVID-19 pandemic than non-Hispanic White (White) CGs. This study investigates the impact of dementia care provision on CGs' quality of life by race using the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study Family Members and Friends COVID-19 data (FF). Methods This study features a secondary analysis of FF data (2020–2021), including 216 Black and 1,204 White CGs. We used ANOVA to determine differences in caregiving stressors (i.e. changes in providing help with activities of daily living [ADL], instrumental ADL [IADL], and emotional support). Ordinary least square regression was used to investigate the moderating effects of dementia care on the associations of race with perceived well-being, care burden, and self-reported health and to conduct subgroups analyses of Black and White dementia CGs. Results Black dementia CGs provided significantly more help with ADL before and during the COVID-19 pandemic than Black nondementia, White dementia, and White nondementia CGs. Dementia care status did not moderate the associations between race and CG outcomes. For Black dementia CGs, changes in objective stressors (assistance with ADL and IADL) were associated with care burden and well-being. For White CGs, the provision of emotional support was associated with care burden and well-being. Discussion This study highlights that increased caregiving demands during the pandemic amplified racial differences in CG stress. Findings suggest that outreach to reduce CG stress and burden is critical for Black dementia CGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the World Health Organization updates, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a pandemic between 2019 and 2022, with millions of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide. There are various approaches to predicting the suspected, infected, and recovered (SIR) cases with different factual or epidemiological models. Some of the recent approaches to predicting the COVID-19 outbreak have had positive impacts in specific nations. Results show that the SIR model is a significant tool to cast the dynamics and predictions of the COVID-19 outbreak compared to other epidemic models. In this paper, we employ the Monte Carlo simulation to predict the spread of COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates. We study traditional SIR models in general and focus on a time-dependent SIR model, which has been proven more adaptive and robust in predicting the COVID-19 outbreak. We evaluate the time-dependent SIR model. Then, we implement a Monte Carlo model. The Monte Carlo model uses the parameters extracted from the Time-Dependent SIR Model. The Monte Carlo model exhibited a better prediction accuracy and resembles the data collected from the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, United Arab Emirates, between April and July 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of COVID-19 has brought negative impacts on the life and study of college students and thus aggravated their mental stress in this environment. Existing research has focused more on the status quo of the problem while having ignored its process variability, and there is no research on the correlation between the mental stress of college students and their learning initiative during the outbreak of COVID-19. To this end, this paper conducts an analysis of the correlation between the mental stress of college students and their learning initiative during the outbreak of COVID-19. In-depth analysis was carried out by the factor analysis method in SPSS, and an evaluation model was built for the mental stress of college students during the outbreak of COVID-19 based on four stressors, with the process of how to obtain the evaluation results given. The grey correlation analysis method was used to quantitatively analyze the correlation between the mental stress of college students and their learning initiative during the outbreak of COVID-19, that is, the factors affecting college students' learning initiative during the outbreak of COVID-19 were investigated through the grey correlation analysis. Finally, the relevant experimental results were given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Studies - Economics, Finance, Politics is the property of Electronic Turkish Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Governments around the world have responded to the COVID-19 outbreak with a mix of policies. The strictest responses of the New Zealand government are notable, given their abilities to contain and limit the spread of the virus. However, their impacts on stock returns remain unclear. This paper investigates the impact of three policies, namely lockdown, the stimulus package, and the travel ban, on the returns of 14 New Zealand industry stock indices. Using daily data from 1 January 2019 to 25 August 2020, evidence points to a heightened level of integration among the various industry stock indices during the early stages of the pandemic. Only lockdown has had a positive impact on aggregate stock returns, suggesting its ability to raise investors' confidence in the overall stock market. At the industry level, the impact of the three response policies is generally positive but heterogeneous across industry stock indices. Notably, none of the three adopted policies significantly impact technology, healthcare, and real estate returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Nurses show higher psychological distress associated with physical difficulties during the COVID-19 outbreak. To compare burnout levels among nurses engaged in the front line of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave and the second wave of the pandemic. (2) Methods: Two cohort online surveys were conducted thanks to the Google Modules function: the first one was administered from March 2020 to April 2020 and the second survey, which included the same questionnaire, was administered from September 2020 to October 2020. (3) Results: There were significant differences in the emotional exhaustion sub dimension (p < 0.001): The first wave group recorded higher levels than the second wave one. While, as regards to the values of the dimension of the depersonalization, the second wave group reported significantly higher values than the first wave group (p = 0.006). No significant difference was recorded for the personal accomplishment sub dimension (p = 0.108). By considering the gender variable, significant difference was reported in personal accomplishment sub dimension, as during the second wave, females recorded lower levels in personal accomplishment while males reported significantly higher levels in the same sub dimension than the first wave (p = 0.012); while no statistically significant differences were reported in burnout sub dimensions during the first and the second waves according to years of work experience. (4) Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic represents an important provocation for nurses all around the world and, at the same time, constitutes a learning lesson to improve better approaches for the subsequent waves. Several interventions could be introduced to moderate the mental health influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]