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Shopping malls in Hong Kong are usually located near major roads. Indoor air quality (IAQ) in these buildings is subject to infiltration of outdoor traffic-related pollutants, such as PM10, PM2.5, CO, and NO2. Furthermore, the existence of indoor sources and building geometry added to the complexity of variations in IAQ. To understand outdoor infiltration and spatial heterogeneity of these pollutants, we conducted fixed and cruise indoor sampling, together with simultaneous outdoor measurements, in a typical mall in Hong Kong. The cruise sampling was conducted indoors on a predesigned route and repeated 15 times. Outdoor infiltration was quantified based on regression analysis between indoor and outdoor sampling. Results showed that 75% of PM2.5, 53% of PM10, and 59% of NO2 were infiltrated into the mall during opening hours. Elevated PM2.5 and CO were observed during the dinner period, suggesting an impact from cooking. Substantial spatial variations were observed for PM10, PM2.5, and NO2, particularly at locations near entrances and restaurants. Measures are needed to reduce pollution intrusion from building openings and cooking-related sources to improve air quality in the selected mall. Fixed and cruise sampling methods used in this study provide insights on sensor deployment for future air quality monitoring in buildings.

The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of the costing methodological approaches adopted by published cost-of-illness (COI) studies. A systematic review was performed to identify cost-of-illness studies of heart failure published between January 2003 and September 2015 via computerized databases such as Pubmed, Wiley Online, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Costs reported in the original studies were converted to 2014 international dollars (Int$). Thirty five out of 4972 studies met the inclusion criteria. Nineteen out of the 35 studies reported the costs as annual cost per patient, ranging from Int$ 908.00 to Int$ 84,434.00, while nine studies reported costs as per hospitalization, ranging from Int$ 3780.00 to Int$ 34,233.00. Cost of heart failure increased as condition of heart failure worsened from New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I to NYHA class IV. Hospitalization cost was found to be the main cost driver to the total health care cost. The annual cost of heart failure ranges from Int$ 908 to Int$ 40,971 per patient. The reported cost estimates were inconsistent across the COI studies, mainly due to the variation in term of methodological approaches such as disease definition, epidemiological approach of study, study perspective, cost disaggregation, estimation of resource utilization, valuation of unit cost components, and data sources used. Such variation will affect the reliability, consistency, validity, and relevance of the cost estimates across studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has caused many changes, including the conduct of research. We conducted a grounded theory study to develop a model explaining how people exercise their social responsibility during the early COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia and encountered many challenges throughout, therefore we want to share lessons learned from this study as novice researchers. We conducted twenty-three (23) in-depth interviews (IDI) through phone calls and one face-to-face IDI. Adults from various backgrounds were selected purposively based on their experiences during the pandemic like being parents, taking care of the elderly, hosting weddings or religious events, having business or holiday trips, working in the healthcare setting, and individuals who were tested negative for COVID-19. As our study progressed, theoretical sampling was applied by interviewing individuals who could provide data to address gaps in the emerging analytic theory. Interview guides were revised several times to clarify issues from previous interviews and initial data analysis. After each IDI, we had debriefing sessions which helped in: improving our skills and seeing the unforeseen challenges in conducting IDI and gaining immediate reflection on emerging data. Data analysis was done concurrently involving coding, grouping, constant comparison, memo-ing and sketching. We used Microsoft Excel to facilitate team members in analysing data simultaneously in a shared master file and transferred it to NVivo for final management of the dataset. The codebook was developed to standardize definitions of all codes. We referred to works of literature and had discussions among multi-disciplinary team members to incorporate different perspectives and views, and to resolve disagreements. Memo-ing and sketching were done to record ideas, discussions, and thoughts during the study. We proceeded with model construction and sketched several drafts before concluding the final abstract model which explains that the public's adherence to preventive measures is a result of negotiation between perceived societal role responsibility and perceived risk of infection. This was an iterative process. Challenges we faced were: respondent issues like difficulties in getting respondents; busy respondents; lack of rapport and technical issues like poor phone line connection; noisy surroundings. Getting respondents was difficult initially as our circle of friends was small and most were busy in healthcare premises during the time of research, but we managed through good networking with friends and community. Furthermore, respondents were occupied with work from the home schedule and not committed to being interviewed. When we conducted IDI through phone, respondents were reluctant to share their experience sufficiently due to lack of good rapport establishment; we couldn't grasp respondents' body language in order to interpret their thoughts and feelings. Poor phone line connection and noisy surroundings caused inaudible recording. We strategized and made prior communication with respondents, we relistened carefully to the recording, and rescheduled IDI sessions to be done in respondents' own comfort. Doing a grounded theory study for novice researchers during the pandemic was challenging especially in collecting and handling overwhelming data. However, we managed by reconciling different views and ideas through continuous discussions guided by the research question, experienced qualitative researchers' feedback, and literature reviews. Valuing diversity and seeing things through a constructive lens was also important in this journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]