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We investigated the host status of harvest-ready green Persian lime, Citrus x latifolia Tan. (Rutaceae), to Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis [Hendel]) and Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata [Wiedemann]) (Diptera: Tephritidae) using laboratory and field studies. In forced-infestation small cage exposures (using 25 × 25 × 25 cm screened cages with 50 gravid females) and large olfactometer cage tests (using 2.9 × 2.9 × 2.5 m walk-in screened cages with 100 gravid females), punctured limes were infested by Oriental fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly at low rates compared to papaya controls, whereas undamaged intact fruit was not infested. Field collection and packing of 45,958 commercial export-grade fruit and subsequent incubation to look for natural infestation resulted in no emergence of fruit flies. Forced infestation studies in the field using sleeve cages to enclose fruit with a high density of fruit flies (50 gravid females) on the tree also showed no infestation. Commercial export-grade Persian lime fruit should be considered a conditional nonhost for Oriental fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of physical activity (PA) has been reported to decrease worldwide. A sedentary lifestyle is widely recognized as a significant risk factor for various diseases, necessitating extensive big data analysis to uncover the diverse aspects linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PA levels across diverse population subsets in Iran and to identify the barriers to PA during the fifth wave of COVID-19 outbreak. Data from 7810 individuals (50.8% male, 54.8% married, 69.6% 18–49 years) were collected using a standardized questionnaire comprising demographic details, levels of high, moderate, and low PA, daily sedentary time, PA at home, and barriers to PA. The questionnaire was distributed online via social platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The obtained data were analyzed using the Chi-Square goodness-of-fit test and the Chi-Square test at a significance level of α < 0.05. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decrease in the number of days/week dedicated to high, moderate, and low PA, as well as a reduction in the duration of each PA session compared to pre-pandemic levels (p < 0.001). Conversely, the duration of daily sedentary time, particularly exceeding 5 h, significantly increased post-outbreak (p < 0.001). Notably, lack of appropriate space and time constraints were identified as the primary barriers to PA during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.001). In this nationally representative study, the findings underscore a substantial decline in PA levels across diverse sub-populations in Iran and an increase in sedentary behaviors during the COVID-19 crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is known to impact in-hospital processes for acute stroke patients, potentially resulting in delays due to quarantine and screening measures. The purpose of this study was to determine effects of changes in in-hospital quarantine policies on quality of care for acute stroke patients. Methods: Hyperacute ischemic stroke patients who were admitted to Korea University Guro Hospital between January 2019 and February 2021 via the emergency department were included in this study. All had neurological symptoms within 6 h before arrival. As a mandatory COVID-19 real-time PCR screening test was implemented in March 2020, changes in quality indicators according to the progress of COVID-19 pandemic and changes in in-hospital quarantine policy, including door-to-image time (DIT), door-to-referral time, door-to-needle time (DNT), door-to-puncture time (DPT), and functional outcomes (discharge and 3-month modified Rankin's scale) were determined. Results: A total of 268 hyperacute stroke patients were analyzed. The number of hyperacute stroke patients gradually decreased as the pandemic progressed. Time indicators, including door-to-referral time, DIT, and DPT during the pandemic were increased. When pre-and post-COVID-19 screening epochs were compared, DIT, door-to-neurologist referral time, and DPT showed numerical increases. However, after accounting for potential confounders, a significant delay in DIT was found to be associated with the in-hospital COVID-19 quarantine policy. Discussion: Our study showed that enhancing in-hospital COVID-19 quarantine measures might increase the response time for hyperacute stroke care, suggesting an impact on the quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to test the hypothesis that being pregnant and delivering during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with changes in gestational weight gain (GWG) or frequency of small- (SGA) or large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates. Study Design Secondary analysis of a multicenter observational cohort comparing pregnant people who delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic (June–December 2020) to people who delivered prior to the pandemic (March–December 2019). Those with multiple gestations, fetuses with major congenital anomalies, implausible GWG values, unavailable body mass index (BMI), or who were severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-positive were excluded. The primary outcome was frequency of optimal recommended GWG based on prepregnancy BMI. Neonatal outcomes included birth weight, ponderal index, and frequency of SGA, LGA, and small head circumference for live births. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess associations between exposure to the pandemic and outcomes. Results A total of 10,717 pregnant people were included in our analysis. A total of 4,225 pregnant people were exposed to the pandemic and 6,492 pregnant people delivered prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pregnant people exposed to the pandemic were older and more likely to have gestational diabetes. The frequency of appropriate GWG was 28.0% during the pandemic and 27.6% before the pandemic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–1.11). Excessive GWG was more likely (54.9 vs. 53.1%; aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.001–1.17), and inadequate GWG was less likely during the pandemic (17.0 vs. 19.3%; aOR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77–0.95). The frequency of SGA was 5.4% during the pandemic and 6.1% before the pandemic (aOR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.76–1.06), and the frequency of LGA was 16.0% during the pandemic versus 15.0% before the pandemic (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.95–1.18). Other neonatal outcomes including birth weight percentile (62.1 [35.8–83.2] vs. 60.2 [34.4–82.2]; adjusted mean difference (aMD) = 1.50, 95% CI: −0.28 to 3.29), ponderal index (2.6 g/cm 3 [2.4–2.8] in both groups; aMD = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00–0.02), and small head circumference for livebirths (<10th percentile [8.2 vs. 8.1%; aOR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.89–1.19], <3rd percentile [3.5 vs. 3.1%; aOR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.93–1.44]) were similar between groups as well. Conclusion Being pregnant and delivering during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a higher likelihood of excessive GWG and a lower likelihood of inadequate GWG. Key Points Delivering during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with higher likelihood of excessive GWG. Delivering during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with lower likelihood of inadequate GWG. COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with changes in frequency of SGA or LGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exclusion is a keystone of integrated pest management to prevent the introduction of pathogens. U.S. plant quarantine programs employ PCR and high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to test imported plants for viruses and viroids of concern. Achieving a low limit of detection in any HTS protocol could be challenging. Following a template-switching cDNA amplification protocol, seven cDNA synthesis treatments were used to test simultaneously the relative abundance and coverage of the three most commonly latent RNA viruses found in apples: apple chlorotic leaf spot virus, apple stem grooving virus, and apple stem pitting virus, as well as the viroid apple hammerhead viroid. Amplified double-stranded cDNAs were subjected to library preparation using Nanopore SQK-DCS109 and Illumina Nextera XT, and sequenced with MinION and NextSeq2000, respectively. Treatments with oligo d(T)23-VN or its combination with random hexamers yielded the highest relative reads for viruses, while treatments containing the reverse primer pool produced more relative reads for AHVd. These treatments and random hexamers also generated the highest genome coverages, which were typically similar in both HTS workflows. However, relative abundances of viruses determined with SQK-DCS109 were up to 2.22-fold higher compared to Nextera XT. In contrast, Nextera XT yielded viroid reads 3.30-fold higher than SQK-DCS109. A framework of considerations for expanding this sensitive approach to other targets and crops is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This cross-sectional study explored the relationships among perceived stress, social support, positive coping, and mental health in frontline nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in China. Design: A quantitative cross-sectional study. Methods: A convenience sample of 339 eligible frontline nurses was identified from a designated hospital for COVID-19 in Shanghai, China, between May 2022 and August 2022. Data from nurses were collected through an online survey that contained 4 measurement domains: perceived stress, social support, coping strategies, and mental health. Path analysis was used to analyze the data in SPSS 24.0 and AMOS 23.0. Results: The model tested in the path analysis fit the data well. The results demonstrated relationships among perceived stress, social support, positive coping, and mental health among frontline nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. Social support had a positive effect on positive coping strategies and a negative effect on perceived stress and mental health. In addition, path analysis indicated that social support moderated the relationship between perceived stress and mental health in nurses. Conclusions: Nurses experienced work-related mental stress while providing COVID-19-related care. Based on study findings, social support is expected to play a key role in stress management in nurses. Expanding opportunities for social support is an essential step for nurses to improve their mental health and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies have reported an increase in mental health disorders during the perinatal period as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine restrictions imposed. The effects of untreated maternal mental health have an adverse impact on the mother, the development of the baby, and the family system. Determinants of health, recent natural disasters, and disparities in perinatal care that impact perinatal women in Puerto Rico place them at a higher risk of mental health difficulties. Aim: It is therefore, of extreme importance, to evaluate the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on this vulnerable population. Design: This is a cross-sectional observational study that interviewed 100 women in the perinatal period during the COVID-19 lockdown measures in Puerto Rico. Participants completed the Spanish version of the COVID-19 Perinatal Experiences (COPE-IS) questionnaire and assessments of clinical depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Results: The prevalence of moderate to severe risk of depression in this sample is 14%, while 17% showed clinical signs of anxiety. Concerns about social impact and the quarantine mandate were the most common stressors reported. Additionally, our sample reported concerns about the impact the pandemic would have on future employment and finances. Conclusion: Perinatal women showed significantly higher prevalence of depression and anxiety during the COVID −19 pandemic when compared to the mental health prevalence of the general population pre-pandemic in Puerto Rico. The concerns identified during the pandemic provide information on the importance of a biopsychosocial approach to perinatal mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only caused physical health concerns but has also resulted in widespread mental distress and disruptions to daily life. The implementation of large-scale lockdowns and quarantines has heightened uncertainty and stress levels among individuals worldwide. Guided by the O-S-O-R model, this study investigates whether gaming can relieve the quarantine-invoking stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and explores the underlying mechanisms. Through propensity score matching and t-tests, the results showed that players perceived lower levels of stress during the quarantine compared to nonplayers. Furthermore, the study used PLS-SEM to uncover the chain relationship of "uncertainty-gaming-distraction-stress relief", while gaming doesn't directly alleviate stress, but rather relies on the mediating of distraction. These findings contribute to the development of serious games designed for quarantine situations and highlight the importance of addressing the mental health of quarantined individuals during future epidemic control efforts. Understanding the stress-relieving effects of gaming in quarantine environments is crucial for safeguarding the well-being of individuals in similar situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: Sisu refers to extraordinary internal strength in the face of adversities. Although originally a Finnish concept, it can be a universally useful concept for studying managerial well-being and performance during difficult or even emergency periods. Previous research on sisu categorizes it into beneficial and harmful sisu and suggests that these two dimensions of sisu are useful when studying determination and resoluteness in crisis situations. This study applies the concept of sisu to examine managers' well-being in times of crisis. Methodology: Interviews were conducted with 15 managers in the hotel, manufacturing and retail industries in Finland. Results: The beneficial effects of sisu seem to dissolve when it is used too often. The study also highlighted the paradoxical tension involved in the decision to stop or continue actions in a difficult situation and contributes to sisu research by discussing collective sisu. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that beneficial sisu helps to overcome adversity, while harmful sisu causes distortions in thinking that are detrimental to managers. Understanding one's own tendency towards beneficial or harmful sisu in difficult situations can help in managerial work. Collective sisu is an excellent resource for overcoming difficult situations in workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a tropical fruit tree that grows abundantly in many Pacific Islands and is an important starch source. Breadfruit is a fruit fly host and, therefore, requires high temperature forced air (HTFA) treatment before entering New Zealand, whereby the centre of the fruit is raised to 47.2°C and held for 20 min. Anecdotal evidence suggests that breadfruit can be damaged after HTFA treatment, particularly in the 'hot-spot' of an HTFA chamber, where the centre of breadfruit can experience higher temperatures for a longer time, while waiting for fruit in the 'cold-spot' to reach the target temperature/time conditions. Recent research suggests less severe hot air treatments were sufficient to eliminate fruit fly risk, but no data are available about whether these treatments improved fruit quality. This study assessed the fruit quality of two breadfruit cultivars following four hot air treatments, i.e. the current approved treatment compared with three less severe treatments. Breadfruit exposed to the less severe treatments had better fruit quality, but this was not statistically significant from the approved treatment. A less severe treatment would ensure that breadfruit can then tolerate temperature conditions in the 'hot-spots' of a commercial HTFA chamber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious Infectious diseases, which have affected humanity throughout history, are especially seen in collective living spaces and negatively affect human life. Epidemics were also a threatening factor in tekkes and zawiyahs, which played an important role in the social structure of the Ottoman Empire and hosted people from all walks of life. The Meclis-i Meşâyih (1866-1925), which was established within the body of the Şeyhülislam and was responsible for the management and supervision of tekkes, took a number of measures against infectious diseases. The most important of these was the directive issued by the Assembly on the conditions to be taken into consideration in tekkes, where viruses, hygiene, cleanliness and issues to be considered are mentioned. In the directive, it was stated that cleanliness was a pillar of Islam, that the first rule of a healthy life was a life full of decency, that such diseases were more likely to be encountered in social living spaces, and it was recommended that the rules be followed and the issue be taken into consideration. In addition, vaccination was made compulsory for officials working in the offices of the Meşihat and quarantine practices was imposed. This article examines the instructions issued by the Meclis-i Meşâyih on infectious diseases, the measures taken in the office of the Mashihat, and the decisions taken in the books of the Meclis-i Meşâyih in this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disease "sharka", caused by Potyvirus plumpoxi (plum pox virus), is the most harmful viral disease affecting stone fruits. The virus spreads over long distances through illegal and insufficiently controlled exchange of infected propagative plant material. Once established in an area, the virus spreads locally through vegetative propagation of infected plant material, and naturally through aphid-vectors. Previously considered a European problem, sharka has now been reported in 54 Prunus-growing countries in all continents except Oceania, although the disease has been eradicated from the United States of America. The economic cost of the disease in the 28 years from 1995 to 2023 is estimated to be €2.4 x 109, equivalent to approx. 0.17% of the stone fruit industry's value. This includes more than over €2 x 109 in direct fruit losses, €1.4 million from international rejection of symptomatic fruit, and over €100 million in eradication and disease limitation costs. Indirect costs include €137 million, mainly associated with ELISA analyses, and approx. €130 million in costs related to research and science networks. Cumulative global losses from the sharka pandemic since the decade 1910/20 probably surpass €13 x 109. These outlays exclude indirect trade costs, economic losses, genetic erosion of traditional cultivars, and the costs of developing new cultivars tolerant or resistant to plum pox virus. The decline in these costs compared to the previously evaluated €10 billion from the 1970s to 2006 is analyzed. Four case studies (for Spain, Turkey, Chile, and Greece) illustrate different sharka scenarios and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases were one of the most important public health problems in Ardabil during the first Pahlavi period (1925-1941 AD). These diseases caused the illness and death of many people. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors and consequences of the spread of infectious diseases in Ardabil during the first Pahlavi period. The research method is descriptive and historical-retrospective, which tries to answer the research questions using documentary and library sources. The findings show that malaria, trachoma, smallpox, tuberculosis, rinderpest, venereal diseases, and diphtheria were among the most common infectious diseases. Poverty, illiteracy, poor public health, lack of medical facilities, and the geographical location were the main factors in the spread of these diseases. Considering the critical nature of the issue, the first Pahlavi government tried to control and prevent diseases by carrying out measures such as public education, establishing health and treatment centers and reforming their structure, sending doctors and distributing medicine, and implementing quarantine and vaccination. The results showed that the efforts of the first Pahlavi government in fighting infectious diseases in Ardabil were relatively successful and reduced the prevalence of some diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immature stages of Mesophleps albilinella (Park, 1990) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) are described herein. Host records for this species were unknown until larvae were collected feeding on seeds within seed capsules of downy rose myrtle, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. (Myrtaceae) in Hong Kong, China. Collection sites in Hong Kong are superimposed on a country map and are listed in tabular format. A photograph of a containment cage, used for feeding, mating, and oviposition is provided. Images and scanning electron micrographs of the egg and larva are supplemented with chaetotaxal maps, including the pupa. A laboratory culture of M. albilinella facilitated the description of all immature life stages. Though M. albilinella was collected as a potential biological control agent against R. tomentosa in Florida, it was abandoned due to lack of host specificity during initial host range tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the livestock field, human body sterilizer is one of the methods used to prevent the spread of contagious animal diseases. Disinfection methods include spraying disinfectants, irradiating ultraviolet rays, and generating anions using photocatalysts; however, their effectiveness remains to be clarified. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to verify the pathogen-killing efficacy of the human body sterilizer and propose improvements. Experiments were conducted using a disinfectant spraying model and an ultraviolet single and ultraviolet-photocatalyst composite model. In the bactericidal experiment using Salmonella Typhimurium, the killing effect recorded in both hard and organic conditions did not exceed the standard value. The disinfectant spraying model showed a relatively high effect on the mannequin’s shoulders and arms. Meanwhile, in the virucidal experiment using low pathogenic avian influenza, the killing effect observed in both hard and organic conditions did not exceed the standard value, and no significant difference was observed between the models by site. Notably, the disinfectant spraying model showed a tendency to increase pathogen reduction with increasing exposure time in both bacterial and viral experiments. Human body sterilizer has limitations such as damage from drug exposure, short periods of physical exposure, and the lack of their own disinfection function. Given the current challenges in manufacturing an ideal human body sterilizer, supplementary measures should be implemented to prevent the spread of pathogens by farm entrants. These measures include efficiently utilizing shoe disinfectants, which are crucial in pathogen prevention, and providing disposable clothing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Baylor University established a surveillance system to assess the needs of students and faculty in isolation from SARS-CoV-2 as well as any longer-term symptoms. Participants: Overall, there were 309 responses between March 20 and May 19, 2021. Methods: A survey covering experience in isolation, symptoms, vaccination, and demographic characteristics was emailed to individuals on Day 7 of isolation; a follow-up health survey was sent 30 days later. Results: Only 9.6% of respondents reported needing assistance while in isolation. Nearly 75% of respondents experienced COVID-19 symptoms in isolation, and 31.9% had remaining symptoms after isolation. Older age, being male, and more severe symptoms were associated with longer symptom duration. Those vaccinated had lower odds of developing symptoms and having symptoms remaining post-isolation. Conclusions: The present study adds to our understanding of long-COVID in young adult populations, while providing a framework for similar institutions to sustain operations during a global pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health restrictions to protect physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic had unintended effects on mental health, which may have disproportionately affected some potentially vulnerable groups. This scoping review of qualitative research provides a narrative synthesis of new mothers' perspectives on their mental health during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions through pregnancy to the postpartum period. Database searches in PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO sought primary research studies published until February 2023, which focused on new mothers' self-perceived mental health during the pandemic (N = 55). Our synthesis found that new mothers' mental health was impacted by general public health restrictions resulting in isolation from family and friends, a lack of community support, and impacts on the immediate family. However, public health restrictions specific to maternal and infant healthcare were most often found to negatively impact maternal mental health, namely, hospital policies prohibiting the presence of birthing partners and in-person care for their infants. This review of qualitative research adds depth to previous reviews that have solely examined the quantitative associations between COVID-19 public health restrictions and new mothers' mental health. Here, our review demonstrates the array of adverse impacts of COVID-19 public health restrictions on new mothers' mental health throughout pregnancy into the postpartum period, as reported by new mothers. These findings may be beneficial for policy makers in future public health emergency planning when evaluating the impacts and unintended consequences of public health restrictions on new mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure 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. Method: The 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. Results: This 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. Conclusions: The 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet worms have received a lot of attention because of their massive hazards to the internet. As the internet worms propagate quickly, therefore, the automatic control on the internet is required. In this paper, we present a new epidemic model called susceptible-breaking out-quarantine-treatment-recovered (SBQTR) model which integrates dynamic quarantine and treatment approaches to control the spread of internet worms. By using the SBQTR model, we can calculate the basic reproduction number R 0 , which determines the existence of worms. The model has two equilibrium states: virus-free equilibrium (VFE) and viral equilibrium (VE). The stability analysis of both the equilibrium points is carried out and impact of treatment is examined under various parametric values. The sensitivity analysis of model is carried out to determine the impact of model parameters on virus transmission. Furthermore, we established nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) schemes and Runge–Kutta algorithm of order 4 (RK-4) for SBQTR model. The stated NSFD technique retains all of the significant properties of system (1), whereas RK-4 mechanism gives negative solutions and doesn't converge to the equilibrium points of system (1). Numerical results together with comparison for various values of step size (h) are available. Bifurcation value of infection coefficient is also investigated. It is shown that an appropriate treatment is essential to control the spread of worms in computer network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had major impacts on the physical lives of individuals, especially on home office workers. In this way, the practice of physical activity has been identified as an ally in the reduction and prevention of musculoskeletal pain. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between leisure-time physical activity and musculoskeletal pain in adult workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 374 workers of both sexes (age = 46.5±10.5 years). Leisure-time physical activity, number of pain sites, and musculoskeletal pain status were investigated using a questionnaire designed for the study. Statistical analysis was performed using Multinomial Logistic Regression. The significance level adopted was 5%. RESULTS: A significant association was found between physical activity status and the number of pain sites (p = 0.002). In addition, an inverse association was found between physical activity before and during the quarantine and the number of pain sites (two pain sites – OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.2–0.7; three or more pain sites – OR = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.1–0.5). Physical activity interruption during quarantine increased pain perception by 2.86 times (OR = 2.86; 95% CI = 1.0–7.5). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that physical activity before and during the pandemic was a protective factor for body pain during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic was a profoundly traumatic experience, in which healthcare workers were stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed as they laboured amidst chaos, upheaval, and mounting death. During such challenging and uncertain times, it is imperative to prioritise self-care in order to maintain mental and emotional wellbeing. Aims: This study explored the impact of an art-based self-care practice on the resilience of a healthcare worker during a 14-day quarantine on a trip to South Korea during COVID-19. Methods: Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed to analyze written reflections of artwork created during my quarantine. I employed a grounding art therapy directive consisting of six steps: find a comfortable position, identify my feelings, allow thoughts or images to arise, create and respond to the images, engage in art dialogue with the artwork, and give a name to the whole process. Results: Three phases emerged reflecting a journey in which states of powerlessness and confusion gave way to a release of frozen feelings and a renewal of body awareness. Elaborated healing images then emerged representing a return of hope, spirituality, growth, and a longing to reconnect with others. Conclusions: Amidst such a chaotic overwhelming traumatic experience art-based self-care practices can be a way to regain a sense of control and self-efficacy. Implications for practice/policy/future research: Art-based self-care practices can be valuable for healthcare workers during times of crisis and stress. Including semi-structured interviews inquiring into the experiences of a larger number of participants and controlled experimental designs would help validate these findings. Plain-language summary: The COVID-19 global pandemic was a profoundly traumatic experience, affecting individuals worldwide and causing acute anxiety, stress, and sense of overwhelm. Healthcare workers, in particular, were stressed and exhausted due to work overload. During such challenging times, it is imperative to prioritise self-care to increase resilience. I had been working as art therapist in a psychiatric unit of a hospital for 9 months when I had to return to my birthplace of South Korea to attend to a family matter. Facing a 14-day quarantine, I decided to practice art-based self-care as a way to soothe and attend to my anxious emotional state. I wanted to understand the benefits of art-based self-care on resilience in healthcare workers. The directive consisted of six steps: find a comfortable position, identify my feelings, allow thoughts or images to arise, create and respond to the images, allow verbal responses to the images, and give a name to the whole process. I examined the written reflections of the artwork I created during daily self-care practice. The results reflect a journey, in which a state of fragmentation and exhaustion gave way under the exploration of my complex inner state, releasing diverse emotions, and leading to bodily awareness and emotional restoration. I rediscovered a sense of hope and a spiritual inclination to reconnect with others. Art-based self-care helped facilitate reconnection with myself, my needs, my body, and others, which in turn enabled me to prioritise self-care during the stresses of COVID-19. Policymakers and healthcare organisations should consider incorporating art-based self-care programmes for healthcare workers to support their resilience and emotional wellbeing. Future researchers should consider interviewing a larger number of healthcare workers who follow the grounding art-therapy directive I used. Stronger research designs could be used to further support my findings and inform future interventions for healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HyFlex learning environments have been meeting the unique needs of students and institutions for nearly 20 years. However, it was the pandemic that gave HyFlex its widespread acceptance and application. Literature suggests that HyFlex may now be considered part of the new norm in education and therefore, further study is needed on how it affects both teaching and learning. Our flipped design thinking course leverages active learning requiring the instructor and students to interact extensively. We piloted a specific version of HyFlex we named "Interactive Synchronous HyFlex" where students can participate on a daily basis in person or synchronously online. In this specific instance of HyFlex we explore: (1) Does student academic performance differ in the HyFlex environment compared to the Face to Face only environment? And (2) Does student academic performance differ based on how they chose to participate in the HyFlex course? Data were collected for this quasi-experimental study design on overall semester grades and three significant design projects during the semester. We compared the course offered as a Face to Face only experience to the course offered as a HyFlex course enabling remote participation. Second, we parse students in the HyFlex course into two categories: those who did not participate remotely vs. those who participated remotely once or more times. Students in the HyFlex course had a significantly different grade distribution earning more A's and more F's than their Face to Face only counterparts. Given the positive results of the Interactive Synchronous HyFlex approach, we plan to continue implementing it in our introductory design course though we will increase our attention on the remote students as they may need additional scaffolding to be successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quarantine is one of the most effective strategies to control outbreaks of communicable diseases. Individuals under isolation or quarantine experience both physical and mental effects. Therefore, given its widespread implementation around the world, it is pertinent to analyze this effect on physical and mental health. The psychosocial impact model, which divides four dimensions into two main points, exposure or protection and positive or negative responses, was used to analyze the psychosocial impact of quarantine. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the psychosocial impact of people exposed to or protected from quarantine. Methods: We conducted a search for primary articles in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we meta-analyzed five of them. Results: Quarantined individuals were more likely to experience anxiety (K = 4; OR = 2.62) and depressive symptoms (K = 6; OR = 1.61) compared to those who did not undergo quarantine. Researchers discuss a twofold increase in the probability of anxiety or depression among those in quarantine. As a result, advancing interventions that reduce this impact is critical for both health and the global economy. Conclusions: In terms of economic variables, the non-moderation of GDP per capita and the moderation of the GINI index stand out, demonstrating that countries must move toward policies that promote the reconstruction of more resilient and inclusive societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate a general class of susceptible, infected, quarantine, recovered (SIQR) epidemic models with spatial heterogeneity and imperfect quarantine, focusing on the role of quarantines in controlling infectious diseases. We first determine the expression of the basic reproduction number $ \mathcal{R}_0 $ for two infected classes and allowing the transmission between them. Then, the stability of the steady states is investigated depending on $ \mathcal{R}_0 $. Moreover, we analyze the impact of small/large diffusion rates of susceptible and infected individuals depending on the quarantine rates. Finally, we provide a list of recommendations to contain the spread of a disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown significantly disrupted daily routines and impacted physical activity, diet, mental well-being, and sleep. This mixed-methods study investigates these changes over three periods—pre-pandemic, pandemic onset, and one-year post-onset—to understand their causes and inform public health policy for improved resilience during future crises. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with 34 US participants who completed open-ended qualitative questions and quantitative assessments in May 2020 and May 2021. Participants were recruited via social media from 10 states with high COVID-19 cases. Quantitative data categorized health changes (positive, negative, or no change), while qualitative data were analyzed thematically to explore reasons for these changes and uncover interrelationships among health behaviors. Results: Quantitative results showed that, during the pandemic onset, most participants experienced negative changes in diet, mental well-being, and sleep, while physical activity varied. By one-year post-onset, improvements were noted across all health pillars, with mental well-being and sleep showing the most significant positive changes. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed stress, anxiety, and personal motivations as key drivers of health behaviors. Participants' narratives provided a deeper understanding of these shifts that a Likert-style survey alone could not capture, highlighting the interconnectedness of health pillars. Discussion: The findings demonstrate the importance of addressing mental well-being to improve overall health resilience. Public health interventions should prioritize mental health and consider the interrelated nature of health behaviors. The mixed-methods approach combined quantitative trends with qualitative insights, offering a comprehensive understanding of why health changes occurred, providing actionable guidance for future public health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the psychological reactions to being placed in quarantine during the early stage (March and April 2020) of the COVID-19 lockdown in Norway. We interviewed a sample of nineteen Norwegian citizens aged 21–64 years who were quarantined for 14 days in the early period of the pandemic before testing and vaccination were available to the general population. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth interviews about stress, coping, and adaptation to quarantine. A thematic analysis approach was used. Four main themes emerged in the interviews: (a) Being responsible, in terms of addressing the fear of being infected and infecting others, (b) The stress of the situation, in terms of highlighting worries, loss and loneliness, (c) Ways of coping, in terms of elaborating on cognitive, behavioral, and affective strategies to adapt to the quarantine, and (d) Social support and gratitude, in terms of appreciating interpersonal relations and the social context of the quarantine situation. The study contributes to our understanding of how differences in stress, appraisal, and coping may influence adaptation to a radically changed living condition in the early stage of the pandemic. These findings may inform health service providers and promote public health advise to support coping and resilient response in future health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the experiences of inpatient family caregivers who experienced restrictions in meeting their family members owing to the changed visitation guidelines of long-term care hospitals during the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to deepen our understanding of the nature of these caregivers' experiences. Methods: The participants were family caregivers of patients in long-term care hospitals during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data from nine inpatient caregivers from April to July 2021. Individual interviews and data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Results: Participants' experiences were classified into the following three themes: (1) a prison-like long-term care hospital bound by strict COVID-19 prevention rules; (2) growing affection for unreachable parents; and (3) adaptation to a new, safer daily life. Participants had difficulty communicating with their families living under quarantine conditions during COVID-19 due to non-face-to-face situations. However, amid the long-term COVID-19 situation, participants overcame these challenges through efforts to facilitate communication. Conclusions: The results of this study can be used as basic data to support the smooth communication between patients and caregivers in long-term care hospitals in the event of an infectious disease outbreak in the future, to alleviate emotional stress, and to minimize the weakening of families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A nutritional supplement based on medicinal plants (saffron and ashwagandha), tryptophan, and vitamin B6 could contribute to alleviating/improving mood and associated disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of this combination supplement. During the study period, participants underwent a period of forced home confinement due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, which represented an unexpected impact factor. Methods: This open‐label prospective trial enrolled a cohort of female employees who reported mild to moderate anxiety. The primary objective was to evaluate changes in the level of anxiety using the adapted Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) after 12 weeks of regular supplementation with Safromotive (two tablets daily, for 12 weeks). The secondary objectives were to evaluate health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and tolerability. Results: In total, 46 women with a mean age of 45.0 (6.5) years were included. A statistically significant improvement in HARS was observed, with a 7.5‐unit decrease from baseline to 12 weeks (p < 0.0001) and from 4 to 12 weeks of supplement intake (p = 0.0058). However, no significant changes were found during the lockdown period (between weeks 8 and 12 of the study). No relationship was found between women's sociodemographic characteristics and the HARS total score. A significant reduction in the HRQoL questionnaire score of 1.2 units was observed between baselines and 12 weeks of treatment (p = 0.0273). At the end of the study, 78.6% of the women reported consistency the supplement intake during the study course. Conclusion: This nutritional supplement composed of saffron, ashwagandha, tryptophan, and vitamin B6 appears to improve anxiety and HRQoL, but confinement could have impacted the evolution of the outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile emulation, which creates full-fledged software mobile devices on a physical PC/server, is pivotal to the mobile ecosystem. Unfortunately, existing mobile emulators perform poorly on graphics-intensive apps in terms of efficiency and compatibility. To address this, we introduce graphics projection, a novel graphics virtualization mechanism that adds a small-size projection space inside the guest memory, which processes graphics operations involving control contexts and resource handles without host interactions. While enhancing performance, the decoupled and asynchronous guest/host control flows introduced by graphics projection can significantly complicate emulators' reliability issue diagnosis when faced with a variety of uncommon or non-standard app behaviors in the wild, hindering practical deployment in production. To overcome this drawback, we develop an automatic reliability issue analysis pipeline that distills the critical code paths across the guest and host control flows by runtime quarantine and state introspection. The resulting new Android emulator, dubbed Trinity, exhibits an average of 97% native hardware performance and 99.3% reliable app support, in some cases outperforming other emulators by more than an order of magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High‐risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of hybrids of Prunus cerasus x Prunus canescens imported from Ukraine, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by Ukraine. All pests that may be associated with the hybrids of P. cerasus x P. canescens were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion. None of the pests fulfilled all relevant criteria due to the production method and risk mitigation measures carried out by the nursery; therefore, none were selected for further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to evaluate the probability of entry of pests (likelihood of pest freedom at entry), including both regulated and non‐regulated pests, associated with unrooted cuttings of the genera Petunia and Calibrachoa produced under physical isolation in Costa Rica. The relevance of any pest for this opinion was based on evidence collected according to specific criteria, following the methodology used for high‐risk plants adapted for the specificity of this assessment. Twenty‐two EU regulated pests (beet curly top virus, Bemisia tabaci, Chloridea virescens, Eotetranychus lewisi, Epitrix cucumeris, Epitrix tuberis, euphorbia mosaic virus, Helicoverpa zea, Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae, Liriomyza trifolii, pepper golden mosaic virus, potato spindle tuber viroid, Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, Ralstonia solanacearum, Spodoptera ornithogalli, squash leaf curl virus, Thrips palmi, tomato golden mosaic virus, tomato leaf curl Sinaloa virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus) and one pest that is not regulated in the EU (Aleurodicus dispersus) fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For these pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Costa Rica were evaluated taking into account possible factors limiting their efficacies. Additionally, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The estimated degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with tomato spotted wilt virus being the pest most frequently expected on the imported cuttings. The expert knowledge elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty that between 9927 and 10,000 bags containing unrooted cuttings of Petunia spp. and Calibrachoa spp. per 10,000 would be free of tomato spotted wilt virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides the latest recommendations for the evaluation of potential sperm, oocyte, and embryo donors, as well as their recipients, incorporating recent information about optimal screening and testing for sexually transmitted infections, genetic diseases, and psychological assessments. This revised document incorporates recent information from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the American Association of Tissue Banks, with which all programs offering gamete and embryo donation services must be thoroughly familiar, and replaces the document titled "Recommendations for gamete and embryo donation: a committee opinion," last published in 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mpox continues to spread in China, and stakeholders' experiences may help inform prevention and control strategies. Qualitative study. A qualitative study across 14 Chinese cities recruited stakeholders from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and hospitals involved in curbing mpox. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. 15 CBOs workers, 14 CDCs staff, and 13 healthcare workers were recruited. Three theme categories were identified: "Efforts to curb mpox epidemic", including CDCs' epidemic management and health education, hospitals' diagnosis, treatment, and care, CBOs' counseling, publicity, and referrals. "Challenges to curb mpox epidemic", including negative impacts of hospital-based quarantine, lack of specific antiviral drugs, gay identity disclosure concerns, psychological problems, contact tracing difficulties, and inadequate communication and collaboration. "Recommendations for curbing mpox epidemic", including prioritizing supervised home-based quarantine, incorporating HIV-related indicators into hospital quarantine criteria, reducing the cost of hospital quarantine, accelerating the development of vaccines and drugs, enhancing patient privacy protection, psychological training for stakeholders, establishing a task force that comprises personnel who are experienced in contact tracing and strengthening communication and collaboration. Effective control of mpox spread requires strengthening collaboration with CBOs and community healthcare centers (CHCs) and working out a flexible and contextualized mechanism. It also needs to reinforce patient privacy protection and integrate stigma reduction into strategies. Additionally, it is important to include HIV-related indicators in the quarantine evaluation and provide psychological training for stakeholders to help them manage their mental health and improve counseling skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on mobile learning at universities, with emphasis on the changes brought by the quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic (the first and the second wave) in which only distance education was possible. The participant sample consisted of Slovak university students (N = 48; age 20–25 in 2020 and N = 45; age 20–25 in 2021). Qualitative design and narrative method were chosen to find out the individuals' experience of concrete events embedded in a socio-cultural context. The data was analyzed using a holistic-content perspective in combination with a thematic analysis. The results showed the key moments linked to the university students' experience in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: nostalgia, shock – sudden change, and adaptation. In the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the key moments were: nostalgia, uncertainty, and short-term planning. The important phases for the sustainability of m-learning were related to the comparison between nostalgia, the recovery from the shock after a sudden change in lifestyle, and the adaptation to new living conditions. This was reflected in the key topics focused on the main phases, with an accent on life enjoyment, self-centring, and stress before the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper fulfills the gap in the research focused on understanding students' feelings, attitudes, values, and use of m-learning during forced distance education. Qualitative design research allowed going deeper into students" psychological aspects during national quarantine. The results allow us to prepare the universities and state policies on working with students during future crises and emphasize sustainable mobile learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based organizations (CBOs) serving older ethnic minority adults, especially older immigrants, are vital to satisfy their complex social, health, and behavioral health needs. This study uses organizational theories and a case study approach to examine how the organizational responses to the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and progress beyond the pandemic-related responses. Four CBOs serving older Chinese immigrants in New York City were examined. Results indicate that driven by unmet psychosocial needs of older Chinese immigrants and public health measures, CBOs modified practice protocols and established (or strengthened) collaborative relationships with medical providers and other CBOs. COVID-19 responses include CBOs' transformations in organizational structures (e.g. collaboration) and operational activities (e.g. telehealth). Successful transformations of CBOs were primarily due to prior adaptiveness to integrated care reform and assured needed resources before the pandemic; the transformation reflected orderly organizational progress rather than a temporary management strategy. PRACTICE POINT: CBOs modified practice protocols, established (or strengthened) collaborative relationships, and increased service coordination to address the unmet psychosocial needs of older Chinese immigrants and public health measures. Amidst evolving pandemic-related challenges, community-based organizations (CBOs) fostered collaborative partnerships and provided integrated care services, playing a crucial role in addressing the mental health needs of older immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizational theories explain CBOs' adaptive behaviors during the pandemic, as they provided essential services to vulnerable older immigrants while navigating normative and coercive pressures to meet evolving needs and secure funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A small percentage of universities and colleges conducted mass SARS-CoV-2 testing. However, universal testing is resource-intensive, strains national testing capacity, and false negative tests can encourage unsafe behaviors. Participants: A large urban university campus. Methods: Virus control centered on three pillars: mitigation, containment, and communication, with testing of symptomatic and a random subset of asymptomatic students. Results: Random surveillance testing demonstrated a prevalence among asymptomatic students of 0.4% throughout the term. There were two surges in cases that were contained by enhanced mitigation and communication combined with targeted testing. Cumulative cases totaled 445 for the term, most resulting from unsafe undergraduate student behavior and among students living off-campus. A case rate of 232/10,000 undergraduates equaled or surpassed several peer institutions that conducted mass testing. Conclusions: An emphasis on behavioral mitigation and communication can control virus transmission on a large urban campus combined with a limited and targeted testing strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to explore conversations about mental health difficulties by Reddit users who posted within college subreddits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Data were collected from the subreddits of 22 California campuses, representing 113,579 anonymous members. Using the following search terms, we retrieved 577 posts (ie, 268 original posts and 309 replies): COVID, Coronavirus, Quarantine, Pandemic, Anxiety, Anxious, Depressed, Depression, Overwhelmed, Stress, and Stressed. Methods: We used inductive, thematic data analysis to explore themes within posts and replies dated from 3/16/2020 to 3/16/2021. Results: We identified the following themes: 1) the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted engagement with learning; 2) remote learning has exacerbated students' mental health difficulties; and 3) students provide and receive social support online. Conclusions: These findings have implications that are particularly relevant as campuses are faced with continuous decisions related to repopulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article challenges the notion that mediated mobilities are mere substitutes to physical mobilities. It proposes that practising mediated mobilities, especially in the form of vlogging, is a generative process by which individuals can redefine their experience of immobility during quarantine. To support this argument, the article analyses quarantine vlogs uploaded by individuals who were quarantined in South Korean quarantine facilities in 2020. The vlogs reveal that individuals turn to mediated mobilities as an adaptive strategy, but also shows that the practice of vlogging itself emerges as a means to redefine quarantine in vloggers' own terms. Ultimately, the article demonstrates how some vloggers turn the quarantine experience as a resource to be mobilized and how the practice of vlogging itself becomes a strategy to capitalize on the immobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study describes findings from an exercise conducted in April 2023 to assess the readiness of the National Quarantine Unit (NQU) and identify opportunities for improvement. The exercise is part of a multiyear effort to assess the readiness of quarantine and transport capabilities at the NQU through annual workshops, discussion-based exercises, and functional and full-scale exercises. The April 2023 exercise tested interagency coordination and decisionmaking, transport of individuals for monitoring, quarantine unit operations, and escalation of care for symptomatic individuals out of quarantine to high-level isolation units in the United States. Findings showed that collaboration and engagement of local, state, and national organizations increases awareness of novel and emerging high-consequence infectious disease pathogens and enhances capabilities and capacity for patient transport. It also improves timely and efficient diagnostic testing and increases the availability of dedicated assets to support activation and mobilization of the NQU, the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center network, and the future national special pathogen system of care. Given the changing landscape of emerging special pathogens, an objective evaluation of the state of readiness is an essential element of preparedness and response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]