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Since the beginning of world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, facial masks have been recommended to limit the spread of the disease. However, these masks hide certain facial attributes. Hence, it has become difficult for existing face recognition systems to perform identity verification on masked faces. In this context, it is necessary to develop masked Face Recognition (MFR) for contactless biometric recognition systems. Thus, in this paper, we propose Complementary Attention Learning and Multi-Focal Spatial Attention that precisely removes masked region by training complementary spatial attention to focus on two distinct regions: masked regions and backgrounds. In our method, standard spatial attention and networks focus on unmasked regions, and extract mask-invariant features while minimizing the loss of the conventional Face Recognition (FR) performance. For conventional FR, we evaluate the performance on the IJB-C, Age-DB, CALFW, and CPLFW datasets. We evaluate the MFR performance on the ICCV2021-MFR/Insightface track, and demonstrate the improved performance on the both MFR and FR datasets. Additionally, we empirically verify that spatial attention of proposed method is more precisely activated in unmasked regions. © 2023 IEEE.
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This study aims to comparatively analyze domestic travel intentions and actual travel behaviors in the Korean market. Using mixed methods, Study 1 found that the perceived health risk is the determinant factor for explaining domestic travel intentions. The moderating roles of age demonstrated that seniors intend to travel less since they are more sensitive to the health risk. Study 2 confirmed that seniors traveled less than younger travelers during the pandemic. Unexpectedly, females traveled more than males during the pandemic. Lastly, the types of destinations (indoor vs. outdoor destinations) also influenced travel behaviors;seniors, preferred outdoor destinations to indoor destinations. © 2023 Asia Pacific Tourism Association.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated strain on consumption activities, demand for luxury hotels has risen steadily as a safe way to enjoy leisure services. This study aims to examine the consequences of congruence and identification. An online survey generating 315 datasets from international customers of luxury hotel services is conducted. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses. The results demonstrate that perceived brand authenticity by customers influences both revisit and word-of-mouth intentions via engagement. Also, brand congruence leads to customer engagement with luxury hotel services and word-of-mouth intention. In contrast, no direct impact of congruence on revisit intention was found. Results regarding the effects of brand authenticity and congruence demonstrate that luxury service brands have the potential to influence customers' patronage behaviors through different approaches. The findings confirm the importance of engagement with brands in the luxury service setting. © The Author(s) 2023.
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Wearing a face mask is strongly advised to prevent the spread of the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic, though masks have produced a tremendous amount of waste. As masks contain polypropylene and other plastics products, total degradation is not achievable, and masks may remain in the form of microplastics for several years in the environment. Therefore, this urgent issue ought to be addressed by properly handling waste face masks to limit their environmental impact. In relation to this goal, a novel application of recycled mask fiber (MF) derived from COVID-19 single-use surgical face masks (i.e., shredded mask fiber-SMF and cut mask fiber-CMF) has been undertaken. Eighteen mortar mixes (9 for water and 9 for 10% CO2 concentration curing) were fabricated at 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% of both SMF and CMF by volume of ordinary Portland cement-based mortar. The compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, shrinkage, carbonation degree, permeable voids, and water absorption capabilities were assessed. The outcomes reveal that the compressive strength decreased with an increased percentage of MFs due to increased voids of the mixes with MFs as compared to a control mix. In contrast, significantly higher flexural strength was noted for the mortar with MFs, which is augmented with an increased percentage of MFs. Furthermore, the inclusion of MFs decreased the shrinkage of the mortar compared to the control mix. It was also found that MFs dramatically diminished the water absorption rate compared to the control mix, which reveals that MFs can enhance the durability of the mortar. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
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The present study aimed to identify the psychological mechanism that moderates the physical activity intention-behaviour gap during the pandemic based on self-determination theory (SDT) and the health belief model (HBM). A retrospective, longitudinal survey design was adopted, with participants assessed in two waves (T1 and T2) at one-year intervals. Online questionnaires reflecting the context of the COVID-19 pandemic were developed to measure the intention to engage in physical activity (exercise), actual frequency, motivation (autonomous/controlled motivation), and health belief (perceived susceptibility). Of the 336 subjects who participated in the first survey (T1) with exercise intention and frequency, 194 responded to the second survey (T2) with exercise frequency and psychological characteristics (motivation and health beliefs). After data screening, a total sample size of 190 was used for the analysis. The hierarchical regression analysis showed that even in a controlled condition for past exercise intention and frequency, significant predictions were made for the current exercise frequency during the pandemic from controlled motivation and perceived susceptibility. The results also verified significant moderating effects, whereby the physical activity intention-behaviour gap decreased with highly controlled motivation but increased with high perceived susceptibility to infectious diseases in the COVID-19 context. The findings in this study suggest that the desire to be recognised for performing physical activities and the perception that participation in physical activity does not raise the risk of infection had a significant role in reducing the gap between physical activity intention during the pandemic. © 2023 International Society of Sport Psychology.
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As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads worldwide, various vaccines are being developed against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These vaccines had to be developed in a relatively short period;therefore, they had to be manufactured using a method different from that of conventional vaccines. In addition, many people were vaccinated in a short period, and various side effects related to vaccination have been reported. In this article, we describe the injection site reactions and some unique skin reactions associated with COVID-19 vaccination, such as drug eruptions, bullous lesions, and foreign body reactions, with their possible causes. Copyright © 2022 by The Korean Society for Medical Mycology. All right reserved.
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This study revisits the dynamics of dollar/euro exchange rate in response to the US monetary policy shock at the zero lower bound (ZLB) including the COVID-19 pandemic. The key findings are as follows. First, the exchange rate behavior indicates Dornbusch (1976)'s overshooting hypothesis at the states classified as beginning and ending of the ZLB. Second, the revived ZLB induced by the COVID-19 pandemic has a larger impact on the exchange rate than that induced by the global financial crisis. Third, the responses of the exchange rates demonstrate the uncovered interest rate parity and the overshooting. © 2022,Seoul Journal of Economics. All Rights Reserved.
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Background. The superinfection of multidrug-resistant bacteria is an important complication in critically ill COVID-19 patients. An outbreak of carbapenemresistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) occurred in an isolation ward for COVID-19. We performed an outbreak investigation, and successfully controlled the outbreak with the enhanced environmental cleaning and additional gowning and gloving. Methods. This study analyzed all COVID-19 patients with CRAB in any specimen, who admitted to an isolation ward for COVID-19 of a tertiary hospital in South Korea from October to November 2021. Results. During the outbreak period, a total of 23 patients with COVID-19 and CRAB were identified (Figure 1). Index case was 85-year old female patient who was referred from a long-term care facility. The mean age of cases was 72.9 and 14 (60.9%) patients were male. In most patients (91.3%), CRAB were identified in sputum culture, two were identified in blood culture at initial, and four patients were identified in sputum and blood culture at the same time. Most of the patients were applying high flow nasal cannula (26.1%) or mechanical ventilation (60.9%)(Table1). As shown in figure2, CRAB outbreak occurred mainly in the wards around the index case, and in particular, environmental culture was carried out in the area marked with a rectangle. CRAB was cultured on the floor, air inlet, air outlet, and window frame of the ward except for wards 3305 and 3319. Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance patterns of CRAB isolates from patients and environment were identical, and additional whole genome sequencing analyses are ongoing to find the clonality of isolates. We applied the infection control measures with the enhanced environmental cleaning using sodium hypochlorite(NaClO) 1000ppm and phenolic compounds more than twice a day, enhanced hand hygiene, and additional gowning and gloving over personal protective equipment (PPE) mandatory for COVID-19 on 29th October. No additional CRAB cases occurred since 2nd November 2021 for two weeks. Conclusion. Even when PPEs and precautions for COVID-19 are applied to isolation wards for COVID-19, it is helpful for preventing transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria to apply additional contact precautions and environmental cleaning.
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Background. Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a great threat to the severely immunocompromised and patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, diagnosis of IA is often difficult due to need for invasive biopsy and low sensitivity of other diagnostic tests. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of plasma cell free DNA (cfDNA) can be a novel non-invasive diagnostic modality. We evaluated the clinical accuracy and utility of microbial cfDNA NGS for the diagnosis of IA in patients with hematologic malignancy (HM) and COVID-19. Methods. A single-center prospective study of plasma microbial cfDNA NGS was conducted in a tertiary-care hospital in South Korea. We enrolled adult patients with HM and COVID-19, who suspected IA and performed conventional diagnostic tests for IA. The results of NGS were compared with the diagnosis of IA through conventional methods. IA cases were diagnosed according to EORTC/MSG definitions in patients with HM, and modified AspICU criteria in patients with COVID-19. (Figure 1). Figure 1. Flow chart for the participant selection method used in this study Results. Between March 2021 and January 2022, a total of 33 participants (22 [64.7%] male, median age 66.0 [50.5, 72.0]) were enrolled;19 participants with HM and 15 with COVID-19 were analyzed (Figure1 and Table1). In participants with HM, aspergillus cfDNA was detected in 100% of both proven (1/1) and probable (12/12) IA cases, and 33.3% of both possible (1/3) and no IA (1/3) cases. In participants with COVID-19, 46.2% of probable IA (6/13) showed positive aspergillus cfDNA. Detection rate of aspergillus cfDNA was significantly higher in proven/probable IA cases in participants with HM compared to participants with COVID-19. (100% vs 46.2%, p=0.005) (Figure 2). As shown in Table 2, among proven/probable IA cases, participants with positive aspergillus cfDNA showed significantly higher rate of having uncontrolled hematologic disease, receiving stem cell transplantation and recent chemotherapy. In three participants with HM, non-aspergillus strains confirmed by cfDNA NGS were in accordance with pathogens identified through conventional culture methods. Conclusion. Detection of aspergillus cfDNA showed high concordance in the results of conventional diagnostic methods in proven/probable IA of patients with HM and could be a helpful non-invasive approach to IA diagnosis in those populations.
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Background. COVID-19 increase the risk of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. However, the risk factors and fungal origin of COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is not fully defined yet. We aim to identify the risk factors for CAPA in severe COVID-19 and evaluate association between fungal contamination within the air of negative pressure rooms and diagnosis of CAPAs. Methods. We performed a retrospective case-control study to identify risk factors for CAPA with 420 severe COVID-19 patients from March 2020 to January 2022 who admitted to a tertiary care hospital in South Korea. CAPA was defined with modified AspICU criteria. Control, matched by admission date and severity of COVID-19 at admission, was selected for each case. Air sampling and fungal culture was done on Jan 2022 with a microbial air sampler (MAS-100NT) at 11 spaces in the COVID-19 designated isolation ward including 9 negative pressure isolation rooms (IRs). A cross-sectional comparison between rooms with and without airborne fungal contamination was performed. Results. A total of 420 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized during the study period, and 51 patients were diagnosed with CAPA (prevalence 12.14%, incidence 6.26 per 1000 patient.day). Multivariate analysis showed that older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.051, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.006-1.009, p=0.025), mechanical ventilator use (OR 2.692, 95% CI 1.049-6.911, p=0.04), and lymphopenia (OR 4.353, 95% CI 1.727-10.975, p=0.02) were independent risk factors for CAPA. (Table 1, 2) Aspergillus spp. was identified within the air from 7 out of 11 spaces including 6 IRs and 1 doctors' room. (Figure 1). All 6 IRs with positive aspergillus culture were being occupied by patients at least 8 days. Among 6 patients, 3 had already been diagnosed with CAPA whereas the other 3 were not diagnosed with CAPA through the observation period. Among 4 patients in isolation rooms without airborne aspergillus contamination, one patient had been diagnosed as CAPA before air sampling. (Table 3). Conclusion. Association between CAPA and airborne aspergillus contamination within the negative pressure room could not be demonstrated in this study. Rather than environmental factors, patient factors such as older age, ventilator care, and lymphopenia were found to be associated with CAPA diagnosis.
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Background. During the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a considerable number of pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum associated with COVID-19 have been reported, and the incidence was higher in critically ill patients. Despite using a protective ventilation strategy, barotrauma still occurs in COVID-19 patients with invasive mechanical ventilation. This study aims to identify the risk factors and clinical characteristics of pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 by a matched case-control study. Methods. This retrospective study enrolled adult patients diagnosed with a COVID-19, admitted to a critical care unit in South Korea from 2020 March 1st to 2022 January 31st. COVID-19 patients with pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum were compared, in a 1 to 2 ratio, to a control group of COVID-19 patients without pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum, matched on age, gender, and worst National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ordinal scale (NIAID-OS). Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the risk factors for pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum in COVID-19. Results. A total of 427 patients with COVID-19 were admitted during the study period. Of these patients, 24 patients were diagnosed as pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. When comparing the characteristics of both groups, body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower in the case group (22.8 kg/m2 and 24.7 kg/m2;P = 0.048). BMI was statistically significant risk factor for barotrauma in univariate conditional logistic regression analysis (Odds ratio (OR), 0.85;Confidence interval (CI), 0.72-0.996;P = 0.044) but not in multivariate analysis. For the patients with invasive mechanical ventilation, the period from symptom onset to intubation was longer in the case-patients (13 and 9.5 days;P = 0.032). Univariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed the statistical significance of the period from symptom onset to intubation (OR, 1.14;CI, 1.006-1.293;P = 0.041). Conclusion. In this case-control study with age, gender, severity matching, lower BMI was associated with the pneumothorax in COVID-19, and delayed application of invasive mechanical ventilation might contribute to this complication.
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Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine has emerged as an attractive agent for prevention of infectious disease and anti-cancer therapy. However, there is a fatal risk that the safety evaluation for mRNA vaccine have not been fully studied yet. In this study, we evaluated the safety of four type of COVID-19 S-protein targeting mRNA vaccines with different compositions (C2/ LNP90, C2LNP128, C3LNP90 and C3LNP128). Theses vaccines were intramuscularly injected to 6-wk old male and female ICR mice with twice at an interval of 2 wks. The necropsy was carried out on 2 days or 14 days after secondary injection. The results showed that the body weight was decreased for 2days after the first injection in C2/LNP128 and C3/LNP128-injected mice, but it was almost recovered at 7day post injection (dpi). At 2 dpi after secondary injection, the endpoint blood analysis of demonstrated that C2/LNP128 and C3/LNP128 decreased the number of lymphocytes, monocytes and reticulocytes carrying the abnormal level of liver function indicator such as albumin, AST, ALT and total protein. Additionally, C2/LNP128 decreased the number of platelet and C3LNP128 decreased the number of red blood cells, respectably. Spleen and inguinal lymph node were enlarged in all experimental group. Notably, C2/LNP128 and C3/LNP128 induced severe edema in injection site, femoris muscle. At 14 dpi after secondary injection, the toxicity that was observed at 2 dpi after secondary injection was recovered. These results suggest that the potential side effects of mRNA vaccines must be systematically evaluated with multiple aspect of toxicology.
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Despite the contemporary advancements in the field of science and medicine, combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is extremely challenging in many aspects as the virus keeps spreading and mutating rapidly. As there is no effective and conclusive drug therapy to date, it is crucial to explore plant-based natural compounds for their potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Recent research highly focuses on screening various phytochemicals to elucidate their anti-viral efficacy. However, very few studies were published investigating the anti-viral efficacy of ginsenosides. Hence, the main aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory potential of the available 122 ginsenosides from Panax ginseng against SARS-CoV-2-related proteins using a molecular docking and molecular dynamics approach. The major bioactive compounds "ginsenosides" of P. ginseng were docked to six vital SAR-CoV-2 host entry-related proteins such as ACE2, Spike RBD, ACE2 and Spike RBD complex, Spike (pre-fused), Spike (post-fused), and HR domain, with lowest binding energies of -9.5 kcal/mol, -8.1 kcal/mol, -10.4 kcal/mol, -10.4 kcal/mol, -9.3 kcal/mol, and -8.2 kcal/mol, respectively. Almost all the ginsenosides have shown low binding energies and were found to be favourable for efficient docking and resultant inhibition of the viral proteins. However, ACE2 has shown the highest interaction capability. Hence, the top five ginsenosides with the highest binding energy with ACE2 were subjected to MD, post MD analysis, and MM/PBSA calculations. MD simulation results have shown higher stability, flexibility, and mobility of the selected compounds. Additionally, MM-PBSA also affirms the docking results. The results obtained from this study have provided highly potential candidates for developing natural inhibitors against COVID-19. Copyright © The Author(s) 2022.
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Background: Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic the importance of videoconferencing psychotherapy (VCP) has considerably increased. Although the effectiveness of VCP is well documented by numerous therapy outcome studies, reservations from clinicians’ perspectives are still common. They relate in particular to the limited possibilities for the formation of a relationship and the absence of a physical co-presence in the video setting. Objective: This article provides an overview of the empirical findings on the quality of the therapeutic relationship as well as on the nature of nonverbal interaction in VCP. Methods: The MEDLINE, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, and PSYNDEX databases were searched for controlled studies that examined the therapeutic relationship in VCP compared to face-to-face therapy. Another literature search was conducted for studies of nonverbal interaction in VCP. Results: The results show that the quality of the therapeutic relationship in VCP is comparable to that in face-to-face therapy. The interaction in VCP has so far only been described in qualitative studies. In interviews patients and therapists report an increase in verbal and nonverbal activity in VCP. For therapeutic work, changes with respect to being silent and understanding of body language are highlighted. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge no studies exist that explain why a comparatively successful relationship structure can be established, despite the changes and limitations associated with the mediation of interaction in VCP.
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Objectives: We explored in this study whether insomnia, viral anxiety, reassurance-seeking behavior, and preoccupation with COVID-19 are related among the general population. As well, we explored the possibility that insomnia may mediate the association between COVID-19 viral anxiety and preoccupation. Method(s): During November 9-15, 2021, 400 participants voluntarily completed this survey, and participants' age, sex, living location, and marital status were collected. Responses to questions about COVID- 19, were also gathered, and their symptoms were rated using the Obsession with COVID-19 scale (OCS), Coronavirus Reassurance- Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The mean and standard deviation of participants' demographic characteristics and rating scale scores are summarized. Two-tailed significance was determined by a p value of 0.05. Correlation analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. We used linear regression to examine which variables can predict obsession with COVID-19. The bootstrap method with 2,000 resamples was implemented to determine whether insomnia mediates the influence of viral anxiety or reassurance seeking behavior on preoccupation with COVID-19. Result(s): A total of 400 participants were analyzed in this study. Preoccupation with COVID-19 was predicted by young age (beta = -0.08, p = 0.012), CRBS (beta = 0.52, p < 0.001), FCV-19S (beta = 0.30, p < 0.001), and ISI (beta = 0.07, p = 0.029) (adjusted R2 = 0.62, F = 163.6, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that insomnia partially mediates the influence of reassurance seeking behavior and viral anxiety on preoccupation with COVID-19. Conclusion(s): Sleep disturbances can contribute to a vicious cycle of hypochondriacal preoccupation with COVID-19. In order to reduce an individual's viral anxiety, insomnia symptoms must be addressed.
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FDA granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for the world's first mRNA vaccine, developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, in December 2020. As a result, many vaccinated people were protected from the fatality of COVID-19, but some people suffered from various side effects of the mRNA vaccine. The EUA was immediately decided to control COVID-19 pandemic and the deregulation of preclinical safety assessment for mRNA vaccine was inevitable. In preclinical phase, efficacy assessment of several mRNA vaccine candidates has been performed by using COVID-19 mouse infection model. However, the guideline of safety assessment for mRNA vaccine in mice has not yet been established. Therefore, it is necessary to identify mRNA vaccineinduced toxicity and clinical symptoms. In this study, we evaluated the clinical and serologic changes induced by the intramuscular injection of 4 types of mRNA vaccines (100 mug/head) with different compositions (C2/LNP90, C2LNP128, C3LNP90, and C3LNP128) in 6-wk-old male and female ICR mice. Five mice per group, a total of 25 male and female mice, respectively, were used in this study. mRNA vaccines were injected twice at an interval of 2 wk and necropsy was carried out 2 d after secondary injection. CBC, blood chemistry analysis, and visual evaluation of whole-body tissues were performed. The results showed that the body weight was decreased for 2 d after the first injection in C2/LNP128 and C3/LNP128- injected mice compared to vehicle-injected mice, but it was almost recovered at 14 d postinjection (dpi). The endpoint blood and serum analysis demonstrated that C2/LNP128 and C3/LNP128 decreased the number of lymphocyte, monocyte, and reticulocyte carrying the abnormal level of liver function indicator such as albumin, AST, ALT, and total protein. Additionally, C2/LNP128 decreased the number of platelets and C3LNP128 decreased the number of red blood cells, respectively. Spleen and inguinal lymph nodes were enlarged in all experimental groups compared to the control group. Notably, C2/ LNP128 and C3/LNP128 induced severe edema in the injection site, the femoral muscle, that was significantly enlarged. Although more detailed analyses should be carried out, these results suggest that the safety assessment of mRNA vaccines must be systematically established with multiple aspects of toxicology and laboratory animal medicine.
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Background and Objective We explored in this study whether insomnia, viral anxiety, reassurance-seeking behavior, and preoccupation with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are related among the general population. As well, we explored the possibility that insomnia may mediate the association between COVID-19 viral anxiety and preoccupation. Methods During November 9-15, 2021, 400 participants voluntarily completed this survey, and participants' age, sex, living location, and marital status were collected. Responses to questions about COVID-19 were also gathered, and their symptoms were rated using the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS), Coronavirus Reassurance-Seeking Behaviors Scale (CRBS), Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results Preoccupation with COVID-19 was predicted by young age (beta = -0.08, p = 0.012), CRBS (beta = 0.52, p < 0.001), FCV-19S (beta = 0.30, p < 0.001), and ISI (beta = 0.07, p = 0.029) (adjusted R2 = 0.62, F = 163.6, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that insomnia partially mediates the influence of reassurance seeking behavior and viral anxiety on preoccupation with COVID-19. Conclusions Sleep disturbances can contribute to a vicious cycle of hypochondriacal preoccupation with COVID-19. In order to reduce an individual's viral anxiety, insomnia symptoms must be addressed. Copyright © 2022 The Korean Society of Sleep Medicine