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Consumer food preferences are undergoing a rapid transformation, and there has been a heightening of interest in eating healthy, sustainable foods. Food entrepreneurs are cashing in on the trend and are diversifying their existing offerings to include healthier options using alternate ingredients such as millets. However, these entrepreneurs face several challenges, and the actual growth of the market is lower than expected. The present study examines the opportunities and challenges faced by millet entrepreneurs. A total of 25 millet entrepreneurs were interviewed using a semi-structured qualitative design. Key opportunities include increased awareness of millets, people going back to their traditions, and informative food labels were the key opportunities, while a lack of awareness, lack of familiarity, preparation difficulty, sensory attributes, lack of affordability, inferior image, customer distrust, and millets' longer gestational cycle were major challenges. © 2022 The Author(s)
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Purpose: This exploratory study aims to explore the operational and financial constraints faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper highlights the role of supply chain finance (SCF) in the uncertain business environment caused by the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopts an inductive approach and conducts convergent interviews with 32 SME owners and bank officials who are associated with SME-related financial transactions. The analysis of the interview data has been done through a grounded theory approach. Findings: The findings portray four key themes representing the operational and financial constraints faced by SMEs during the pandemic. Further, the study identifies four drivers of SCF adoption among SMEs, including capital constraints, high inventory turnover cycle time, high order fulfilment cycle time and long debtors' collection period. Practical implications: The study provides various insights to the managers and owners of SMEs to deal with the economic crisis and eliminate the financial pressure created by the pandemic. The study enlightens the policymakers about the struggles of the SMEs during the economic turmoil created by the pandemic and guides them to introduce the relevant policies to resolve their problems. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to identify the factors driving the SMEs to adopt SCF due to the economic chaos created by the pandemic. Also, the study theoretically contributes to the literature by developing a theoretical framework for SCF adoption based on grounded theory. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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In late 2019, the world witnessed the emergence of one of the most alarming pandemics recorded in the Contemporary Age, Covid-19. The new coronavirus is responsible for causing the disease Covid-19 and it has since spread to over 180 countries. As the disease spreads over the world, it has become a global pandemic, threatening global public health, and presenting a huge threat to global civilization. To oppose and prevent the spread of COVID-19, everyone should be well informed on the disease's constantly changing status. To accomplish this purpose, a COVID-19 analytical tracker was developed using PowerBI to provide the most up-to-date sickness status as well as critical analytical insights. The Covid tracker is intended for the general public who lack specialized statistical knowledge. It tries to express insights using a variety of basic and succinct data visualizations backed up by reputable data sources. The purpose of this paper is to describe the key strategies used to create the insights presented on the tracker, which include data retrieval, normalization techniques, and ML/DL models. In addition to explaining the facts and justifications for the approaches used, the paper includes several major discoveries made in relation to COVID-19 utilizing the methodologies. © 2022 IEEE.
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This innovative practice full paper describes sustainability teaching through game-based activities in engineering classrooms for potentially enhancing student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Meta-analytic research indeed supports that gamification enhances student learning by increasing engagement and motivation, promoting goal setting behaviors and supporting the need for recognition. While there is a high scope for utilizing game-based tools to help students connect with global sustainability challenges, literature reflects a scarcity of such innovative pedagogical tools in engineering education. To tackle this challenge, we introduced interactive game-based modules to teach sustainability within two different education cultural contexts - one in the U.S. as a part of a Honours course at a large public university, and one in India, as a part of the first year engineering curriculum at a small private university.To broaden the outlook of engineering students towards sustainability, our game-based activity learning outcomes for students were to: 1) contextualize sustainability and its importance in contemporary global issues 2) recognize how Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could be interrelated, 3) explain how change in entropy and our actions can affect sustainability. To facilitate these broad learning outcomes, we developed two interactive gamified activities and implemented them online (due to COVID-based shift to instruction) in two different engineering institutions. This innovation article reports the design of two gamified activities used to teach sustainability, and studies its impact on student learning outcomes through SDT framework of motivation and thematic analysis of student reflections. We used surveys and minute paper to record student perceptions which were analyzed thematically. Results indicated that students enjoyed these games, saw value in peer learning, and simultaneously developed a deeper, more contextual understanding of sustainability by perceiving the interconnections between SDGs and ways in which entropy through their everyday actions influence sustainability. © 2022 IEEE.
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Introduction: The rate of clinic no-show visits has been implicated in delays of care, lost clinical time, increased stress, and disrupted productivity for the provider and the practice. This is the first study looking at the trend of clinic no-show rates and associated factors prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic for an academic otolaryngology practice. Method(s): This is a retrospective review of the Epic practice management and billing reports from all scheduled outpatient visits at a multiphysician, academic, general, and subspecialty otolaryngology practice at an academic medical center from January 2019 to December 2021. The rate of no-show visits and demographic and socioeconomic factors were collected. Result(s): Over 3 years, 121,347 clinic visits were scheduled in the otolaryngology practice. The mean age of the patients was 50.9 years;51.8% were female and 48.2% were male. The overall rate of no-show and late cancellations (nonattendance rate) was 18.3%. New, return, and postoperative visits comprised 39.7%, 54.8%, and 4.99% of all clinic visits, with nonattendance rates of 17.4%, 18.4%, and 13.9%, respectively. A statistically significant increase in nonattendance was noted during COVID-19 pandemic (16.8% vs 19.8%, P<.001). Head and neck clinics were found to have the lowest nonattendance rates while pediatric otolaryngology clinics had the highest (12.6% vs 21.3%). Sinus and pediatric clinics saw the largest increase in nonattendance rates during the pandemic (both at 3.9%). On multivariate regression, a significant association between nonattendance was younger age (P<.001), female gender (P=.01), afternoon appointments (P<.001), and online self-scheduling (P<.001) was noted. Conclusion(s): Both patient and appointment-related factors were found to impact rates of nonattendance in this academic otolaryngology practice. In this study, young age, female gender, afternoon appointments, and online self-scheduling were associated with increased nonattendance. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted no-show rates across all otolaryngologic subspecialties.
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Purpose The purpose of the current paper is to identify the factors responsible for achieving business sustainability. This paper further attempts to develop a conceptual framework that can help SMEs to achieve viable business growth through improved sustainable performance. Design/methodology/approach The study follows a methodical examination of literature published on SMEs during COVID-19. Specifically, the combination of keywords has primarily centred on SMEs, Business Practices, COVID-19 and Pandemic. The 155 research papers identified for the analysis have been classified as per geographical spread, type of papers, central theme, and theoretical foundations, which finally is followed by rigourous thematic analysis. Findings This research contributes to the SME literature by providing methodological, conceptual and practical rigour. The framework proposed by the research covers all the relevant areas which can be useful in preparing sustainable business trajectory for SMEs. It outlines the required directives for designing sustainable business practices for SMEs and includes macro and micro determinants. It also opens up future research avenues in different areas identified in the research. Future research can be performed on comparing business practices of SMEs across the emerging and developed economies. Practical implications In this study, we propose a framework that enables the design of sustainable business practices and thereby supports SMEs to combat any uncertain events or shocks. SMEs that can work on adopting sustainable business practices may sculpt novel avenues for growth and competitive advantage for their business. Originality/value The study is distinctive in nature as it is based on the examination of literature published during a phenomenological event (COVID-19) which depicts the sudden and unaccounted disruptions faced by SMEs and thereby strategies formulated around the significant glitches.
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Objectives: SARS COVID-19 was associated with thrombosis and vascular events, also associated with liver injuries but data and study of liver pathologies in relation to COVID-19 is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of pyogenic liver abscess in patients with history of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A current retrospective observational study is done during study period of 6 months (march 2021-august 2021) duration on patients diagnosed with pyogenic liver abscess on ultrasound or computed tomography, which was conformed with pus culture sensitivity reports from fluid obtained with fine needle aspiration or during pigtail catheter insertion. History of COVID-19 and incidence of pyogenic liver abscess was evaluated according to age, gender, comorbidities, severity of covid19. Results: Total 78 patients with pyogenic liver abscess History of COVID-19 in 64 patients 27 males, 37 females Age wise distribution< 20 = 9,20-40 = 8,40-60 = 22, 60-80 = 19, >80 = 6 13 patients were diabetics, 24 patients were hypertensive. Distribution according to severity of COVID-19, asymptomatic = 23, mild illness = 11, moderate illness = 19, severe illness = 8, critical illness = 3. Conclusion: The study concluded that high incidence rate of pyogenic liver abscess in post COVID-19 infection which may require further study.
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Purpose: Construction industry is one of the worst affected sectors due to the impact of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the key competencies that should be demonstrated by the contractors in the post-COVID-19 scenario to make them resilient to the adverse impact of pandemic outbreaks. Design/methodology/approach: A survey instrument was developed using an extensive literature review and was tested using a pilot study. It was then administered online using survey monkey to 900 respondents, out of which 324 complete responses were obtained. The data analysis was performed using exploratory factor analysis and second-order confirmatory factor analysis. Findings: After analyzing the data, it was identified that the most critical competence was managing site safety (standard factor loading (SFL) = 0.91), followed by leadership skills (SFL = 0.88), technical competence (SFL = 0.81), managing supply chain disruption (SFL = 0.73) and financial stability (SFL = 0.48) that were found to be less essential from the respondents’ point of view. Originality/value: The study is first of its kind to identify the core competencies that should be demonstrated by the contractors to cope with COVID-19-induced disruptions. The findings of this article can be used by the practitioners to develop policies and procedures for selection of contractors. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been rarely associated with neurologic complications that are more vividly described in adults. Similar literature on the pediatric population is scarce. We report multisystem inflammatory syndrome–associated cerebral microhemorrhages in a child with COVID-19 infection. © 2022, American Society of Neuroradiology. All rights reserved.
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COVID-19 has made a big impact worldwide due to its tendency to rapidly spread. All nations across the world have taken all possible measures to minimize its effect and to bring life back to normal. Vaccine for COVID-19 has come into the market but the hunt for a better vaccine is still going on. The community is showing mixed responses towards the acceptance of the vaccine despite the unprecedented efforts that are being taken globally to develop a vaccine against COVID-19. Since the advent of COVID-19 and till the vaccine is being given to the people, social media has been on the forefront of spreading news related to COVID-19 and vaccination. Social media has created the perception among people related to every situation during the pandemic, therefore the current study reveals the impact of social media on people and their reaction to the situation. The objective of the study was to assess the influence of social media with respect to the awareness and behavioural change among people and also examining the influence on acceptance of the vaccine. The data was collected from social media platforms and using quantitative methods. It was suggested that social media can encourage positive behavioural changes and it can also be used as powerful media tool to address social concern and to remove social dogma among people with regards to vaccination. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
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In the face of the emergence of COVID-19, the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates, which is associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, has increasingly been reported. The clinical presentation and evolution of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) mimics neonatal diseases such as sepsis. Because of the similarities, these cases present clinical and laboratory peculiarities that necessitate distinguishing them from more common neonatal illnesses to reach a consensus on this new disease in the future. Here, we present two cases from India in which neonates had MIS-like manifestations but were later diagnosed with sepsis and metabolic disorder, posing a management dilemma.
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Background. TNFα and IFN-γ may synergize to induce cytokine-driven lethal hyperinflammation and immune exhaustion in COVID-19 illness. Methods. To assess TNFα-antagonist therapy, 18 hospitalized adults with hypoxic respiratory failure and COVID-19 pneumonia received single-dose infliximab-abda therapy 5mg/kg intravenously between April and December 2020. The primary endpoint was time to increase in oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (SpO2/FiO2) by ≥ 50 compared to baseline and sustained for 48 hours. Secondary endpoints included 28-day mortality, dynamic cytokine profiles (Human Cytokine 48-Plex Discovery Assay), secondary infections, duration of supplemental oxygen support and hospitalization. Hospitalized patients with SARS-COV2 infection and pneumonia that were referred to the infliximab-abda study team for evaluation. Results. Patients were predominantly in critical respiratory failure (15/18, 83%), male (14/18, 78%), above 60 years (median 63 yrs, range 31-80), race-ethnic minorities (13/18, 72%), lymphopenic (13/18, 72%), steroid-treated (17/18, 94%), with a median ferritin of 1953ng/ml. Sixteen patients (89%) met the primary endpoint within a median of 4 days, 15/18 (83%) recovered from respiratory failure, and 14/18 (78%) were discharged in a median of 8 days and were alive at 28-day follow-up. Deaths among three patients ≥ 65 years age with pre-existing lung disease or multiple comorbidities were attributed to secondary lung infections. Mean plasma IP-10 levels declined sharply from 9183 pg/ml to 483 pg/ml at Day 3 and 146 pg/ml at Day 14/discharge. Significant declines in IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-27, IL-6 (baseline above 10pg/ml), CRP and ferritin were specifically observed at Day 3 whereas other cytokines were unaffected. Among 13 lymphopenic patients, six (46%) had resolution of lymphopenia by day 3, and 11 by day 14. CXCR3-ligand (IP-10 and CXCL-9) declines were strongly correlated among patients with lymphopenia reversal (Day 3, Pearson r: 0.98, p-value: 0.0006). following treatment with infliximab-abda. The status of the patient at last follow-up (discharged, alive or dead) is indicated. ECMO: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation Control of inflammatory markers and cytokines following infliximab therapy Values from individuals are connected with solid lines, with deceased individuals indicated in red. Statistics: n=18, paired ratio t-test compared to baseline;∗: P<0.05, ∗∗: P<0.01, ∗∗∗: P<0.001, ∗∗∗∗: P<0.0001, n.s.: not significant. Conclusion. Consistent with a central role of TNFα, the clinical and cytokine data indicate that infliximab-abda may rapidly abrogate pathological inflammatory signaling to facilitate clinical recovery in severe and critical COVID-19. Randomized studies are formally evaluating infliximab therapy in this context. Funding: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.
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Community health workers (CHWs) have the capacity to bring essential health services to underresourced communities. Globally, CHWs have made significant contributions to poverty alleviation, increased food security, and reductions in health inequalities. India's one million accredited social health activists (ASHAs), the largest cohort of CHWs in the world, have been credited with increasing the rate of institutional deliveries and the uptake of vaccinations. ASHAs operate at the margins of health systems and the formal health workforce, often due to misperceptions of their skills and discrimination based on gender, socioeconomic status, education, and rurality. The "voluntary" nature of their work can entrench their precarious status, which is characterized by a lack of access to employment rights, adequate remuneration, and institutional support. This article argues that the prioritization of the labor rights of CHWs in the design and implementation of the World Health Organization's 2018 Guideline on Health Policy and System Support to Optimize Community Health Worker Programmes can serve to ensure safe working conditions and freedom from discrimination, coercion, and violence. It further argues that the resultant enhancement and protection of CHWs' rights and long-term security provides an essential pathway for harnessing their potential to transform universal health coverage.
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The COVID-19 disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus -2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed as a major health concern for people all across the globe. Along with the increasing confirmed patients being readmitted with complaints for fever, cough, cold, the effective monitoring of 'relapse' of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the previously discharged patients have become the next area of focus. However, availability of limited data on reactivation of SARS-CoV-2 makes the disease prognosis as well as the effective control of re-infection an immense challenge. Prompted by these challenges, we assessed the possibility of re-infection in discharged patients and the risk of the transmission, proficiency of RT-PCR results and approximate period required for the quarantine, and the real challenges for the development of vaccine. In the present review, the published literature on all the possible cases of re-infection from February to July were reported, thereby selected 142 studies from a hub of overall 669 studies after full text screening. The incomplete virus clearance, poor sensitivity of the present diagnostic testing, emergence of mutant strains, insufficient mucus collection from the throat swab etc., are some of the possible causes of re-infection. The new protocols for management of COVID-19 discharged patients should be revised in the guidelines.