Trans/feminist collaborative autoethnographic storying of gender-based violence, during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this paper, we reported on the lattice distortion, surface morphologies, vacancy defects and electrochemical performance that had been observed in Na3V2(PO4)2F3 prepared at different annealing temperatures. X-ray diffraction indicated that all the samples were single phase materials with tetragonal structure and exhibited lattice distortion with the increase of annealing temperatures. A possible mechanism causing the strain-induced lattice distortion had been discussed. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and positron annihilation techniques were used to study the grain size and vacancy defects as a function of annealing temperatures. The superior electrochemical performance of Na3V2(PO4)2F3 electrode was obtained at the annealing temperature of 350 degrees C with 167.73 F center dot g-1 specific capacitance and 85% capacitance retention. The better electrochemical performance was due to the synergistic effects of grain size and vacancy defect regulated by the annealing temperatures. These results could provide experimental basis for enhancing electrochemical performance of Na3V2(PO4)2F3 in sodium-ion battery area applications. (c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Struggling in im/mobility: lived experience of Macao's mainland Chinese migrant laborers via WeChat Moments during COVID-19

The coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) has led to drastic changes in social life. Focusing on a group of essential workers, this study examines how mainland Chinese low-skilled labor migrants discursively manifest their everyday lives via WeChat Moments. From analyzing social media posts and interview data, this study demonstrates that these labor migrants' stay in Macao was a period of unsought and undesired time of waiting, impacted by socio-structural constraints of class, age, gender, and outsider identity. Participants experienced positive (happiness with newfound opportunities) and negative emotions (anxiety and entrapment) during forced immobility due to border closures. This study contributes to understandings of border-crossing as interpreted and experienced via social media discourse. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of International Communication Association. All rights reserved.

Research on Cold Chain Logistics Service Quality Evaluation Considering Product Freshness under Community Group Buying

In 2019, The outbreak of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (named COVID-19) has caused great changes in the living habits of residents, and the community group buying model has re-emerged. Under the background of community group buying mode, combined with the characteristics of fresh products, and based on the SEVRQUAL model and the national standard of "Logistics Enterprise Cold Chain Service Requirements and Capability Evaluation Indicators", an evaluation index system of cold chain logistics service quality for community group purchase of fresh products with 5 dimensions and 29 indicators is constructed from the perspective of users. Then a 5-level Likert scale was used to design relevant questionnaires, and Xingsheng Youxuan and Meituan Youxuan were used as empirical cases for sample research. Combined collected sample data, the validity and rationality of the index system were tested through reliability, validity testing and factor analysis. The data analysis also shows the problems and influencing factors of Xingsheng Youxuan and Meituan Youxuan in terms of fresh food cold chain logistics service quality, and further suggestions for the development of cold chain logistics services considering product freshness under community group buying is also provided. © 2022 ACM.

Bayesian inference

Bayesian statistical methods have become more popular in different applications of scientific research over the past several decades. This is mainly due to the computing capacity of modern machines and the recent advances in Bayesian computational methodologies. In this chapter, we give a brief introduction to Bayesian analysis and discuss the difference between Bayesian and classical frequentist statistics. To illustrate Bayesian methodologies, a diagnostic COVID-19 test is used to present the basic principles of the Bayesian approach, prior distribution, likelihood function, and posterior distribution. As an application of the Bayesian methodologies, we introduce Bayesian linear regression and Gaussian process regression and their Bayesian inference framework. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Association between the infection probability of COVID-19 and ventilation rates: An update for SARS-CoV-2 variants

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is evolving. Thus, the risk of airborne transmission in confined spaces may be higher, and corresponding precautions should be re-appraised. Here, we obtained the quantum generation rate (q) value of three SARS-CoV-2 variants (Alpha, Delta, and Omicron) for the Wells-Riley equation with a reproductive number-based fitted approach and estimated the association between the infection probability and ventilation rates. The q value was 89-165 h-1 for Alpha variant, 312-935 h-1 for Delta variant, and 725-2,345 h-1 for Omicron variant. The ventilation rates increased to ensure an infection probability of less than 1%, and were 8,000-14,000 m3 h-1, 26,000-80,000 m3 h-1, and 64,000-250,000 m3 h-1 per infector for the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants, respectively. If the infector and susceptible person wore N95 masks, the required ventilation rates decreased to about 1/100 of the values required without masks, which can be achieved in most typical scenarios. An air purifier was ineffective for reducing transmission when used in scenarios without masks. Preventing prolonged exposure time in confined spaces remains critical in reducing the risk of airborne transmission for highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Infectious Probability Analysis on COVID-19 Spreading with Wireless Edge Networks

The emergence of infectious disease COVID-19 has challenged and changed the world in an unprecedented manner. The integration of wireless networks with edge computing (namely wireless edge networks) brings opportunities to address this crisis. In this paper, we aim to investigate the prediction of the infectious probability and propose precautionary measures against COVID-19 with the assistance of wireless edge networks. Due to the availability of the recorded detention time and the density of individuals within a wireless edge network, we propose a stochastic geometry-based method to analyze the infectious probability of individuals. The proposed method can well keep the privacy of individuals in the system since it does not require to know the location or trajectory of each individual. Moreover, we also consider three types of mobility models and the static model of individuals. Numerical results show that analytical results well match with simulation results, thereby validating the accuracy of the proposed model. Moreover, numerical results also offer many insightful implications. Thereafter, we also offer a number of countermeasures against the spread of COVID-19 based on wireless edge networks. This study lays the foundation toward predicting the infectious risk in realistic environment and points out directions in mitigating the spread of infectious diseases with the aid of wireless edge networks. IEEE

Effect of Quarantine and Reopening Measures on Pediatric Trauma Admissions During the 2019 SARS-CoV2 Virus Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported decreased trauma admissions and increased physical abuse in children resulting from stay-at-home measures. However, these studies have focused on a limited period after the implementation of lockdown policies. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of quarantine and reopening initiatives on admissions for varying types of injuries in pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN: Registry data for an urban Level I pediatric trauma center were evaluated from April 1, 2018, to March 30, 2021. A timeline of local shutdown and reopening measures was established and used to partition the data into 6-month intervals. Data about demographics and injury characteristics were compared with similar intervals in 2018 and 2019 using appropriate statistical methodology for categorical, parametric, and nonparametric data. RESULTS: A total of 3,110 patients met criteria for inclusion. A total of 1,106 patients were admitted the year after the closure of schools and nonessential businesses. Decreases in overall admissions and evaluations for suspected child abuse noted early in the pandemic were not sustained during shutdown or reopening periods. However, we observed a 77% increase in all-terrain vehicle injuries, along with a 59% reduction in sports injuries (chi-square [8, N = 3,110] = 49.7; p < 0.001). Significant shifts in demographic and payor status were also noted. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to comprehensively examine the effects of quarantine and reopening policies on admission patterns for a pediatric trauma center in a metropolitan area. Total admissions and child abuse evaluations were not impacted. If shutdown measures are re-instituted, preventative efforts should be directed towards ATV use and recreational activities.

Environmental Protection and Energy Color Changing Clothing Design under the Background of Sustainable Development

In order to promote the application of clean energy technology in clothing and promote the integration of industrial development and artificial intelligence wearable technology, this study elaborates the energy application characteristics of intelligent wearable products at home and abroad and its application in different fields, aiming at the current research status of wearable technology in the field of textile and clothing. The wearable distributed generation technology is classified, and a creative clothing design for detecting climate temperature is designed. Based on the monitoring of body temperature, the changes in clothing pattern color can reflect people's health and emotional status. At the same time, it can also be applied to the screening of abnormal body temperature during the COVID-19.

Evolution of anti-sars-cov-2 igg antibody and igg avidity post pfizer and moderna mrna vaccinations

Introduction: Messenger RNA (mRNA) based vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna) have shown to be highly effective at providing immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Aims: To study the duration of immunity, evolution of IgG antibody levels and IgG avidity (an index of antibody-antigen binding strength), and differences in immune responses between (mRNA) based vaccines. Methods: We performed a prospective study of 72 subjects without a history of SARS-CoV-2 who received both doses of either the Pfizer (n=55) or Moderna (n=17) mRNA vaccine. Anti-spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG antibody levels and IgG avidity indices were measured longitudinally using a qualitative finger stick MidaSpot™ rapid test at the point-of-care and a quantitative dry blood spot-based pGOLD™ laboratory test over ∼ 4 months post-vaccination. Results: On average, anti-RBD IgG antibody levels peaked at ∼2 weeks after second vaccination dose and declined thereafter, while antibody avidity increased suggesting antibody maturation (Figure). Moderna vaccine recipients exhibited higher side effect severity, higher peak anti-RBD IgG antibody levels and higher avidity up to the 90 days point, when compared to Pfizer vaccine recipients. Nevertheless, the differences in antibody and avidity levels diminished at ∼ 120 days post-vaccination, in line with the similar efficacy of the two vaccines. A qualitative MidaSpot finger stick rapid test detected 100% anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD positivity for fully vaccinated subjects in both Pfizer and Moderna cohorts and turning negative greater than 90 days post-vaccination for 9% of subjects in the Pfizer cohort whose quantitative anti-IgG fell below the 25-percentile levels. Conclusions: Longitudinal quantitative measurements of anti-RBD antibody and avidity levels provide insight to immune responses and could aid the assessment of immunity and vaccine effectiveness.

Location-specific health impacts of climate change require location-specific responses

Left unmitigated, climate change poses a catastrophic risk to human health, demanding an urgent and concerted response from every country. The 2015 Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change and The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change have been initiated to map out the impacts of climate change and the necessary policy responses. To meet these challenges, Tsinghua University, partnering with the University College London and 17 Chinese and international institutions, has prepared the Chinese Lancet Countdown report, which has a national focus and builds on the work of the global Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change. Drawing on international methodologies and frameworks, this report aims to deepen the understanding of the links between public health and climate change at the national level and track them with 23 indicators. This work is part of the Lancet's Countdown broader efforts to develop regional expertise on this topic, and coincides with the launch of the Lancet Countdown Regional Centre in Asia, based at Tsinghua University. The data and results of this report are presented at the provincial level, where possible, to facilitate targeted response strategies for local decision-makers. Based on the data and findings of the 2020 Chinese Lancet Countdown report, five recommendations are proposed to key stakeholders in health and climate change in China: (1) Enhance inter-departmental cooperation. Climate change is a challenge that demands an integrated response from all sectors, urgently requiring substantial inter-departmental cooperation among health, environment, energy, economic, financial, and education authorities. (2) Strengthen health emergency preparedness. Knowledge and findings on current and future climate-related health threats still lack the required attention and should be fully integrated into the emergency preparedness and response system. (3) Support research and raise awareness. Additional financial support should be allocated to health and climate change research in China to enhance health system adaptation, mitigation measures, and their health benefits. At the same time, media and academia should be fully motivated to raise the public and politicians' awareness of this topic. (4) Increase climate change mitigation. Speeding up the phasing out of coal is necessary to be consistent with China's pledge to be carbon neutral by 2060 and to continue to reduce air pollution. Fossil fuel subsidies must also be phased out. (5) Ensure the recovery from COVID-19 to protect health now and in the future. China's efforts to recover from COVID-19 will shape public health for years to come. Climate change should be a priority in these interventions. © 2021, Science Press. All right reserved.

Design of the master protocol platform trial and its application in related fields

The master protocol platform trial is a trial in which multiple treatments or different combinations of treatments are consistently evaluated in the context of a single disease, possibly within several sub-studies for different disease subtypes, allowing multiple treatments to enter or exit the trial platform based on a certain decision algorithm. Compared with the traditional clinical trial design, the master protocol platform trial as a scientific innovative model of clinical trial can accelerate drug evaluation to deal with the contradiction between the awaited evaluation of numerous drugs and lack of effective therapy for diseases. By using the large-scale randomized controlled clinical trial for COVID-19 inpatients (RECOVERY) led by the University of Oxford in the UK in 2020 as an illustration, this paper introduced the concept, design principle, and basic trial process of the master protocol platform trial to provide methodological references for clinical research of drugs. © 2021 West China University of Medical Science. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 impacts equine welfare: Policy implications for laminitis and obesity.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact human health and welfare on a global level. In March 2020, stringent national restrictions were enforced in the UK to protect public health and slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Restrictions were likely to have resulted in collateral consequences for the health and welfare of horses and ponies, especially those at risk of obesity and laminitis and this issue warranted more detailed exploration. The current study utilised qualitative methodology to investigate the implications of COVID-19 related policies upon equine management and welfare with a focus on horses and ponies at risk of laminitis and obesity. Twenty-four interviews with five sub-groups of key equestrian welfare stakeholders in the UK were conducted between May and July of 2020 to understand the challenges facing equine welfare in the context of laminitis and obesity susceptible animals. Thematic analysis revealed lockdown-associated factors with the potential to compromise welfare of horses and ponies at risk of obesity and laminitis. These included: disparate information and guidance, difficulties enacting public health measures in yard environments, and horses having reduced exercise during the pandemic. Positive examples of clear and consistent information sharing by farriers were reported to have improved horse owner understanding of routine hoof care during lockdown. Analysis suggested that the recommendations for supporting the management-based needs of horses under reduced supervision were not clearly defined, or were not sufficiently disseminated, across the equine industry. These findings support the development of guidelines specific to the care of horses and ponies at risk of obesity and laminitis through collaborative input from veterinary and welfare experts, to reduce the negative impacts of future lockdown events in the UK.

A megastudy of text-based nudges encouraging patients to get vaccinated at an upcoming doctor's appointment

Many Americans fail to get life-saving vaccines each year, and the availability of a vaccine for COVID-19 makes the challenge of encouraging vaccination more urgent than ever. We present a large field experiment (N = 47,306) testing 19 nudges delivered to patients via text message and designed to boost adoption of the influenza vaccine. Our findings suggest that text messages sent prior to a primary care visit can boost vaccination rates by an average of 5%. Overall, interventions performed better when they were 1) framed as reminders to get flu shots that were already reserved for the patient and 2) congruent with the sort of communications patients expected to receive from their healthcare provider (i.e., not surprising, casual, or interactive). The best-performing intervention in our study reminded patients twice to get their flu shot at their upcoming doctor's appointment and indicated it was reserved for them. This successful script could be used as a template for campaigns to encourage the adoption of life-saving vaccines, including against COVID-19.

Movement and transmission of human exhaled droplets/droplet nuclei

Most respiratory infectious diseases may be spread by human exhaled droplets and droplet nuclei. The once-in-a-century coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has shown that the airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cannot be ignored. Understanding the movement and transmission of human exhaled droplets and droplet nuclei is of great significance for exploring the basic transmission mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and for developing effective engineering control strategies for infectious diseases. In this paper, we summarize research results on transmission of human exhaled droplets and droplet nuclei, in combination with real-time studies focused on COVID-19. First, droplets exhaled by normal speech, coughing and sneezing range from 10-50, 73-100, and 80-340 µm in size, respectively, with small-sized droplets outnumbering large ones. Second, particle size has a significant impact on the movement and spread of droplets. Large droplets rapidly settle in the air and travel a short horizontal distance, with a small-scale infection range of the source, which is the premise of droplet transmission. Small droplets completely evaporate into droplet nuclei before settling to the ground and then travel a long distance with the airflow, which is the premise of airborne transmission (aerosol transmission). However, what constitutes "large droplets", and how far can they move on earth? Answering these two questions is crucial for establishing the theory for the mechanism of droplet transmission. Therefore, we clarify the definition of the "critical size" and "critical distance" to distinguish between droplet transmission and airborne transmission, which vary with the composition and size of droplets, environmental factors (temperature, humidity, air velocity, etc.), and the form of air distribution. Different research results may have different critical size or critical distance. Subsequently, we discuss droplet evaporation and its influencing factors. The evaporation of droplets is significantly decided by the relative humidity (RH) of the ambient air and the initial size of the droplets. Droplet nuclei, contributing significantly to airborne transmission, usually have a particle size of less than 1 µm. Their diameters are about 0.25 to 0.5 times that of the initial droplets. Additionally, the droplets within critical size could completely evaporate into droplet nuclei in a low-RH air environment, or settle within a critical distance to cause droplet transmission in a high-RH environment. As a result, we consider the critical size of droplets to be about 30-110 µm, and the critical distance for droplet transmission and airborne transmission to be about 2.5 m. Finally, we collect some latest research on COVID-19. The size of the droplet nuclei containing SARS-CoV-2 is mainly distributed in two ranges: 0.25-0.5 and 0.5-1 µm. Taking the high momentum turbulence effect of sneezing or coughing into account, the virus can be transmitted up to 7-8 m away. These results are expected to be applied for understanding the opportunistic airborne transmission of COVID-19 and for the disease control and prevention in engineering and public places. © 2021, Science Press. All right reserved.