Understanding faculty acceptance of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Saudi Arabian case study

Purpose: This study aims to leverage the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology framework developed by Venkatesh et al. (2003) to explore the factors influencing faculty willingness and acceptance of online teaching at a major Saudi Arabian university as we move to a post-COVID-19 new normal. Design/methodology/approach: We surveyed business school faculty from a major Saudi Arabian university that transitioned to online learning because of the COVID-19 lockdown. We used partial least square structural equation modeling to examine the factors that impact faculty satisfaction and behavioral intention to continue using online teaching in the future. Findings: The results of the study indicated that when faculty perceive that e-learning improves their teaching performance and effectiveness (performance expectancy) and find that online teaching tools are relatively easy to use (effort expectancy), then they are more open to considering online teaching and using digital tools even after the pandemic. Research limitations/implications: The study uses a Saudi Arabian sample, so the results of the study may not be generalizable to other countries. The study was cross-sectional in nature;a longitudinal design would help in uncovering more stable relationships and enabling us to draw stronger conclusions. Lastly, the sample size for the study was relatively small, resulting in a loss of power in statistical testing. Notwithstanding these limitations, our study contributes to a greater understanding and appreciation of faculty acceptance of online teaching as we progress to a post-COVID-19 new normal. As such, it should be useful to educators, institutions and policymakers as they seek to reimagine business education going forward. Originality/value: The present study is one of the first scholarly studies to focus on exploring e-learning acceptance in a business school from a faculty perspective, considering the natural experiment that forced institutions to move to online teaching irrespective of their prior acceptance or experience with this teaching modality. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Collaboration Strategies for Private COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Chain Under Demand Uncertainty: An Indian Perspective

In 2020, the COVD-19 pandemic emerged as the most severe crisis of the century. Several vaccine manufacturing firms have taken the necessary initiatives to combat this problem. However, profitability issues can bring down these firms' vaccine manufacturing efforts, thus leading to lower vaccination coverage. Motivated by this issue, we depict a private COVID-19 vaccine supply chain with a supply chain framework comprising of one vaccine manufacturer and multiple private hospitals under demand uncertainty. We incorporate a Stackelberg game-theoretic approach to demonstrate the collaboration between the vaccine manufacturer and the private hospital using wholesale price, two-part tariff and revenue sharing contracts. We determine the optimal number of vaccines and coordination criteria for each contract. Using a real-life approximation of Indian data, we conduct several numerical studies and facilitate the visual depiction of all the theoretical insights obtained from the model. We also discuss the managerial implications of this study. As per our analysis, when private hospitals procure a higher number of vaccines from the vaccine manufacturer, the two-part tariff contract-based collaboration mechanism yields a win-win situation for both the private hospitals and the vaccine manufacturer and is better than the wholesale price contract.

Decreased mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 associated mucormycosis with aspirin use: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive disease with high mortality rates of about 60 per cent. The increasing incidence of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in coronavirus disease 2019 patients in India and worldwide has become a matter of concern owing to the case fatality rate. This study explored the use of low dose aspirin in decreasing the mortality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 associated mucormycosis. METHOD: This was a retrospective observational study. Patients suffering from post-coronavirus disease 2019 mucormycosis were included in the study. Each patient was treated with surgical debridement and systemic amphotericin B. Low dose aspirin was added, and mortality rates were compared with the patients who did not receive aspirin. RESULTS: The demographic data and rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis staging between the two groups were not significantly different. There was a statistically significant difference in mortality outcomes between the two groups (p = 0.029) and a 1.77 times higher risk of dying for patients not receiving aspirin. Kaplan-Meier survival indicated that patients receiving aspirin had better survival rates (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Low dose aspirin improves survival rates in coronavirus disease 2019 associated mucormycosis.

A Comparative Study of Topical Antifungal Therapy in COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis (CAM): A New Hope?

Introduction: COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) is an ongoing epidemic that adds to COVID-19 woes in several countries. Mucormycosis is a fulminant angioinvasive fungal disease for which surgical debridement with systemic antifungal therapy is advocated. The efficacy of using topical antifungal therapy in the form of lipid-based amphotericin B gel and povidone-iodine is compared in the trial. Method(s): This is a multiarm, parallel randomized control trial. Microbiologically and histologically proven cases of mucormycosis in patients who underwent open or endoscopic surgical debridement were included in the study. The trial was conducted in the in-patient ear, nose, throat department of a tertiary care referral hospital in eastern India, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, from May to December 2021. The postoperative cavity was treated according to the intervention arm in the form of lipid-based amphotericin B gel, povidone-iodine ointment, or saline nasal douching according to the allotted group. The aim was (1) to compare the efficacy of 0.1% w/w liposomal amphotericin B gel with 10% w/w povidone-iodine and saline nasal douching in preventing revision surgery in patients with CAM and (2) to develop the AIIMS Bhubaneswar Endoscopic Scoring System (AMESS) to quantify response to treatment. The requirement of revision surgery in postoperative cases of CAM was assessed. Result(s): Fifteen participants were analyzed in each group. The control arm's risk of revision surgery was 4.50 (95% CI, 1.16-17.44) times than the lipid-based amphotericin B gel arm and 1.50 (95% CI, 0.71-3.16) times than povidone-iodine arm. The difference was statistically significant (P=.02) for amphotericin but not for povidone-iodine. The absolute risk reduction of applying amphotericin gel is 46.7%, and number needed to treat is 2.14. Conclusion(s): Topical amphotericin B gel application in the postoperative cavity can decrease the need for revision surgery and help in early recovery. However, long-term studies with greater sample size are required to confirm our findings.

White knight in dark days? Supply chain finance firms, blockchain, and the COVID-19 pandemic

We investigate the impact of the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic on the market value and trading volume of supply chain finance (SCF) firms. Using an event study, we observe a significant valuation loss and higher trading volume of SCF firms. However, blockchain-enabled SCF firms are protected from such valuation loss and volatility in trading. We find that higher research and development (R&D) and capital expenditures by firms prevent the loss. Moreover, the firm value of blockchain-enabled SCF firms is impacted by their membership in a blockchain consortium and progress in blockchain implementation. Investors' confidence in blockchain reduces the market uncertainty.

Improving Students’ Learning Experience Using Simulated Environments in Applied Degree Education in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction

An applied degree education is about using work-integrated learning approaches in student learning. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected how applied education may continue to enrich students’ knowledge of the real world. In various degree programs, a simulated environment is an essential part of the curriculum and applying it to applied degree education cannot be ignored. A simulated environment plays an essential role in linking theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom to the real world. It exposes students to real-world problems but in a controlled simulated environment. This chapter introduces several approaches in creating simulated environments for applied degree programs in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). It discusses the key benefits of using technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and the A Real Organization Unit Simulated as Life (AROUSAL) system, to improve the student learning experience in applied degree education in AEC. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

CHARACTERISTICS of HEALTH FACILITIES ASSOCIATED with LOW HIV VIRAL LOAD COVERAGE

Background: The 2013 WHO antiretroviral guidelines recommended routine testing of HIV viral load (VL) (concentration of HIV RNA copies/mL of blood) as the preferred method for monitoring treatment in people living with HIV (PLHIV). The 2020 UNAIDS targets proposed that all PLHIV receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) have access to HIV viral load testing (VLT) as part of public health programs aiming to reduce HIV transmission. In limited-resource countries, PLHIV are facing various challenges to VLT access, and some might be associated with health-related facility factors. Methods: To identify characteristics of facilities associated with low VLT coverage (VLTC)), we analyzed data reported to the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) System by 17 PEPFAR-supported sub-Saharan African countries in 2019 and 2020. We used ordinal logistic regression model accounting for clustering with assumption of random effect model on facility. Outcome variable was VLTC (proportion of the number of PLHIV with a VL in the medical record or laboratory record/laboratory information system within the past 12 months divided by the number of PLHIV receiving ART six months earlier) categorized as Low (< 70%), Medium (70% to < 90%), and High (>= 90%). Independent variables were region (Eastern, Southern, Western/Central Africa), age (0-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+ years), sex (male, female), and volume (low volume: <100 PLHIV on ART vs. high volume: >=100 PLHIV on ART) by facility. Results: The odds of VLTC were higher in the Southern region (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.95;95% CI 1.92, 1.97) and lower in the Western/Central region (AOR = 0.86;95% CI 0.85, 0.88) as compared with Eastern region. The AOR for VLTC was lower for high volume as compared with low volume facilities (AOR = 0.69;95% CI 0.67, 0.70). The year 2020 had a lower AOR for VLTC (AOR = 0.98;95% CI 0.97, 0.99) than 2019. Males had an AOR for VLTC of 1.00 compared with females, and as age increased so did AOR for VLTC (AOR = 1.02;95% CI 1.02, 1.02). Conclusion: Gaps in HIV VL testing coverage have increased since 2019, potentially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Regional gaps were seen in Western/Central Africa and with increased facility volume. Potential gaps might be seen in younger PLHIV. Identifying barriers to scale-up of HIV VL monitoring in facilities with low volume to develop and implement effective public health strategies could help to improve PLHIV outcomes and accelerate progress toward HIV epidemic control in these regions.

Development of a smart active respirator for comfortable and hygienic breathing

The current COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of facial masks globally, which of late have registered their presence as a part of our civilization. The N95 mask is one of the most popular choices under the current situation. However, the available masks cannot provide breathing comfort for an extended period, which results in rebreathing of exhaled air that is CO2 rich, and which remains in the breathing space of the respirator. Furthermore, problems like moisture settlement on the covered area of the face due to the multiple layers of fabric-like material causes significant discomfort. Hence, the need for a mask with an air-purification activity is the need of the hour. The present innovation relates to the invention of a mask that is battery-powered or solar-operated and addresses the aforementioned problems. This mask not only regulates the airflow, which is beneficial to our body in every way, but also lowers the discomfort of sweating and heating. The effect of the addition of the self-developed active respirator to the commercially available masks on the inspired CO2 level, thermal comfort, and speech clarity has been demonstrated in this study. We have exhibited through in vitro experiments that the filtration capability of the active-respirator improvised mask, we call the Bose shield, does not deter from that of the standard N95 mask. To our understanding, the use of this novel mask can reduce the occurrence of CO2 rebreathing in respiratory protective devices and its impact on workers who inevitably wear them for a prolonged period of time. © 2022 Author(s).

Innovational duality and sustainable development: finding optima amidst socio-ecological policy trade-off in post-COVID-19 era

Purpose This study aims to analyze the socio-ecological policy trade-off caused by technological innovations in the post-COVID-19 era. The study outcomes are utilized to design a comprehensive policy framework for attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach Study is done for 100 countries over 1991-2019. Second-generation estimation method is used. Innovation is measured by total factor productivity, environmental quality is measured by carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and social dimension is captured by unemployment. Findings Innovation-CO2 emissions association is found to be inverted U-shaped and innovation-unemployment association is found to be U-shaped. Research limitations/implications The study outcomes show the conflicting impact of technological innovation leading to policy trade-off. This dual impact of innovation is considered during policy recommendation. Practical implications The policy framework recommended in the study shows a way to address the objectives of SDG 8, 9 and 13 during post-COVID-19 period. Social implications Policy recommendations in the study show a way to internalize the negative social externality exerted by innovation. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by considering the policy trade-off caused by innovation and recommending an SDG-oriented policy framework for the post-COVID-19 era.

Study of Oxides and aerosols in connection with COVID 19 lockdown scenario over a Metropolitan City, Kolkata

In this paper, the variation of oxides, aerosols and atmospheric parameters have been investigated before, during and after the lockdown period due to COVID 19 over Kolkata, a populated metropolitan city. Major reductions have been observed for CO, SO2 and AOD especially at the beginning month of the lockdown period. The lower value of SO2 are reflected in the minima of AOD which further result in a marked reduction in the atmospheric instability. In addition, the temperature profiles depict atmospheric cooling at 700 hPa due to lockdown which is also believed to have some additional contribution on the observed CAPE reduction. © 2021 URSI.

COVID-19 Discrepancies Rising from Population Density Political Polarization Exacerbates Policy Gap

The Coronavirus pandemic severely impacted certain areas of the USA more than others. The data-driven decision making at every level at CDC will aid government decision makers to reallocate medical resources while planning recovery and reopening businesses in the United States. In this paper, we use a data visualization approach combined with current secondary research to measure which areas of the USA are most severely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. We propose a novel methodology that is implementable by medical organizations that use informatics depending on the data initiative at hand. © 2021, IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.

Short-term effects of ambient ozone, PM2.5, and meteorological factors on COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths in queens, New York

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has been rapidly increasing in the United States. Boroughs of New York City, including Queens county, turn out to be the epicenters of this infection. According to the data provided by the New York State Department of Health, most of the cases of new COVID-19 infections in New York City have been found in the Queens county where 42,023 people have tested positive, and 3221 people have died as of 20 April 2020. Person-to-person transmission and travels were implicated in the initial spread of the outbreaks, but factors related to the late phase of rapidly spreading outbreaks in March and April are still uncertain. A few previous studies have explored the links between air pollution and COVID-19 infections, but more data is needed to understand the effects of short-term exposures of air pollutants and meteorological factors on the spread of COVID-19 infections, particularly in the U.S. disease epicenters. In this study, we have focused on ozone and PM2.5, two major air pollutants in New York City, which were previously found to be associated with respiratory viral infections. The aim of our regression modeling was to explore the associations among ozone, PM2.5, daily meteorological variables (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, absolute humidity, cloud percentages, and precipitation levels), and COVID-19 confirmed new cases and new deaths in Queens county, New York during March and April 2020. The results from these analyses showed that daily average temperature, daily maximum eight-hour ozone concentration, average relative humidity, and cloud percentages were significantly and positively associated with new confirmed cases related to COVID-19;none of these variables showed significant associations with new deaths related to COVID-19. The findings indicate that short-term exposures to ozone and other meteorological factors can influence COVID-19 transmission and initiation of the disease, but disease aggravation and mortality depend on other factors.

Radiotherapy against SARS-COV-2: Risk or benefit

The noble coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 results in a devastating, multisystem disease among which COVID-19 pneumonia creates serious complications and most of COVID-19 related deaths. COVID-19 patients develop a systemic inflammatory response through interleukin (IL) and tumor necrosis factors. In COVID-19 patients, cytokine storm controlling is the key step for treatment because cytokine attacks own body cells instead of fighting with the virus. We reviewed several literatures to summarize the safety and efficacy of LD-RT in COVID-19 patients. Low dose chest radiation may reduce the inflammation in the lungs in severely ill patients. The radiation offset an immune system called AS a cytokine storm. Several randomized/non-randomized, single/multi-centered, open/close clinical trials are underway in U.S, India, Iran and around the globe. Early studies showed LD-RT reduces the inflammatory cytokines, time of hospitalization, duration of ventilation, and a number of deaths. However, some researchers warned for radiation-induced cancer (lung, breast, and esophageal) and cardiovascular diseases. So, further extensive preclinical studies should be conducted to identify the risk-benefit ratio in COVID-19 patients.