The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on depression and suicidal ideation in Korean community dwelling elderly

Aims: The impacts of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on mental health have been relatively severe. This study examined the influence of the COVID-19 especially on depression and suicidal ideation in community-dwelling elderly in Korea. Method(s): Data were employed from a survey on elderly mental health in Jeollanam-do (southwest province in Korea). A total of 2423 elderlies were recruited from 22 counties in Jeollanam-do between April and October 2021. We used self-reported questionnaires, including sociodemographic factors, COVID-19 related stress, suicidal ideation, Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form Korean Version (GDS-SF). Logistic regression was performed to examine the factors on depression and suicidal ideation. Result(s): Of the 2423 subjects, 622 (25.7%) reported depressive symptoms and 518 (21.4%) reported suicidal ideation. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that living alone, poor perceived health status, the worry of COVID-19 infection and restriction of daily activity due to COVID-19 pandemic were significantly associated with depression. Male sex, poor perceived health status, disability in house chores and depressive symptom are risk factors for suicidal ideation. Conclusion(s): These findings showed that increased risk factor for depression and suicidal ideation in community dwelling elderly during COVID-19 pandemic. We confirmed that feelings of isolation and negative perception of health were risk factors on depression in community dwelling elderly in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic. Also male, poor self-perceived health status, difficulty of independent living and worry and depression are increased the risk of suicidal ideation among the elderly.

A moth to a flame? Fulfilling connectedness needs through romantic relationships protects conspiracy theorists against COVID-19 misinformation

Conspiracy theorists' unpopular opinions likely make them more apprehensive about interactions with others, frustrating their need to belong. Therefore, they may be susceptible to believing misinformation because evidence that others share their beliefs provides "social proof” that they can expect interactions with others to be positive and rewarding. The present research examined whether alternatively fulfilling the need for social connection through romantic relationships could protect conspiracy theorists against COVID-19 misinformation. In a 3-week daily diary study (N = 555), experimental participants implicitly learned to associate their romantic partners with positive experiences (by repeatedly pairing their partner with highly positive and approachable stimuli, McNulty et al., 2017). We then assessed how much participants trusted individuals they might normally distrust, as a manipulation check, and how much participants tuned their daily personal beliefs and behavior to match the U.S. public's daily susceptibility to COVID-19 misinformation. Participants high on conspiratorial thinking trusted fellow community members more in the experimental than control condition. Participants high on conspiratorial thinking in the experimental condition were also less likely to treat the U.S. public's greater daily susceptibility to COVID-19 misinformation as proof that they could discount the virus. The present findings suggest that rewarding romantic connections might be leveraged to limit conspiracy theorists' susceptibility to believing public skepticism about COVID-19. © 2023 The Authors

A New Approach to Improving Hedging Performance in the OLS Model

The sensitivity of VIX futures to market movements changes over time with changes in market risk. Accordingly, in the case of using the OLS (ordinary least squares) model to hedge S&P 500 exposure with VIX futures, hedge ratios are affected by changes in risk appetite, which in turn contributes to the overall hedging performance as well as the asymmetry of the performance distribution. The conventional OLS approach does not effectively reflect this phenomenon in the model. In this study, the authors explore a new approach to improving hedging performance in the OLS model. They introduce an interaction term between the VIX and VIX futures returns into the OLS model. They find that the hedge ratios derived by the new approach provide better hedging results compared to the univariate OLS model in terms of mean return and downside risk protection, and also improve the asymmetry of the performance distribution. They extend their research to compare it with the performance of the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC)-generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model. The new approach also shows better results than the DCC-GARCH approach. They obtain the same results in case studies of the Global Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, and also in applying a trading strategy to each hedging methodology.

The Effects of Workaholism on Employee Burnout and Turnover Intent at Deluxe Hotels during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence across Generations

The coronavirus has caused unprecedented damage to the hospitality industry that cannot be compared to those caused by previous global crises. This study hypothesized that employee burnout and turnover intent can vary depending on their perceptions of workaholism, with the assumption that workaholism's negative impact differs across generations. This study demonstrated that workaholism among hotel employees tends to increase their burnout and turnover intent. The examination of the intergenerational moderating role in the relationship between the influence of workaholism on burnout and turnover intent revealed that compared to Generations X and Y, Generation Z has a stronger negative relationship with workaholism.

Corona Challenging Social Work in Korea and Vietnam

This chapter discusses the manner in which the coronavirus (COVID-19) challenged the social work profession in two countries in Asia: Korea and Vietnam. The chapter shows how the two countries responded to COVID-19 and how the two societies were impacted by the pandemic. The chapter is divided into two sections: the first part discusses Korea and the second part focuses on Vietnam. The chapter relies primarily on secondary data and the experiences of the two authors in highlighting the issues in the chapter. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

A Comparative Analysis of Government Responses to COVID-19 in the United States, China, and South Korea: Lessons from the Early Stage of the Pandemic*

COVID-19 has spread quickly worldwide, presenting unprecedented challenges to countries all over the globe. To understand how different countries have responded to COVID-19 during the early stage of the outbreak, we develop a comprehensive research framework drawing on the literature on wicked problems. Specifically, we comparatively investigate the government responses of the United States, China, and South Korea and examine why and how these countries have adopted and implemented various strategies—authoritative, collaborative, and competitive—depending on their policy environment. Although scholars have argued that collaborative strategies are the preferred approach to dealing with wicked problems, it is found that the most applicable, implementable, and effective strategies vary according to the country's cultural, economic, and political contexts. In addition, the urgency and timing of the crisis may affect the choice of appropriate strategies. Our findings can provide lessons for public administration and policy to cope with other wicked problems. © 2023 by INSTITUTE OF KOREAN STUDIES.

In-situ fabrication of 3D interior hotspots templated with a protein@Au core-shell structure for label-free and on-site SERS detection of viral diseases

Nanoscale plasmonic hotspots play a critical role in the enhancement of molecular Raman signals, enabling the sensitive and reliable trace analysis of biomedical molecules via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). However, effective and label-free SERS diagnoses in practical fields remain challenging because of clinical samples' random adsorption and size mismatch with the nanoscale hotspots. Herein, we suggest a novel SERS strategy for interior hotspots templated with protein@Au core-shell nanostructures prepared via electrochemical one-pot Au deposition. The cytochrome c and lysates of SARS-CoV-2 (SLs) embedded in the interior hotspots were successfully functionalized to confine the electric fields and generate their optical fingerprint signals, respectively. Highly linear quantitative sensitivity was observed with the limit-of-detection value of 10-1 PFU/ mL. The feasibility of detecting the targets in a bodily fluidic environment was also confirmed using the proposed templates with SLs in human saliva and nasopharyngeal swabs. These interior hotspots templated with the target analytes are highly desirable for early and on-site SERS diagnoses of infectious diseases without any labeling processes.

3D interior hotspots embedded with viral lysates for rapid and label-free identification of infectious diseases

In recent decades, biomedical sensors based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which reveals unique spectral features corresponding to individual molecular vibrational states, have attracted intensive attention. However, the lack of a system for precisely guiding biomolecules to active hotspot regions has impeded the broad application of SERS techniques. Herein, we demonstrate the irreversible active engineering of three-dimensional (3D) interior organo-hotspots via electrochemical (EC) deposition onto metal nanodimple (ECOMD) platforms with viral lysates. This approach enables organic seed-programmable Au growth and the spontaneous bottom-up formation of 3D interior organo-hotspots simultaneously. Because of the net charge effect on the participation rate of viral lysates, the number of interior organo-hotspots in the ECOMDs increases with increasingly positive polarity. The viral lysates embedded in the ECOMDs function as both a dielectric medium for field confinement and an analyte, enabling the highly specific and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 lysates (SLs) at concentrations as low as 10-2 plaque forming unit/mL. The ECOMD platform was used to trace and detect the SLs in human saliva and diagnose of the delta-type SARS-CoV-2 in clinical environments;the results indicate that the proposed platform can provide point-of-care diagnoses of infectious diseases.

Cutaneous Adverse Reaction After COVID-19 Vaccination

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.

Beauty Industry's Strategic Response to Metaverse Evolution: Focused on Generation MZ

The South Korean cosmetics industry is loved by the whole world in the name of 'K-beauty' together with the Hallyu culture, and has been established as one of South Korea's key export items. In particular, lots of changes occur rapidly due to the development of telecommunication and the introduction of new technologies, and also changes caused by COVID-19 have brought about great changes in all the areas of distribution and sales. In addition, the consumption of the MZ generation shows different patterns from the existing consumer generations, and a new change in distribution and sales start in earnest according as their influence grows. While metaverse platform services, which are yet in their early stages, are now used mostly by entertainment area and global large companies, it is deemed that continuous investment and technological innovation will accelerate the expansion of metaverse platforms. Currently, response to cosmetics industry in the metaverse platform market is trivial, but cosmetics industry will also have to provide services through the market of this new type before long. For this, it should understand the consumption tendency of the main consumers, and grope for marketing strategies responding to it. The strategies are as follows: First, the consumption patterns of the MZ generation, which will grow as a main consumer group in the future though they are not a current main consumption group, should be understood, and marketing methods should be developed in agreement with consumption patterns pursued by them. Second, PR and marketing embracing the values of the MZ generation, such as environment and value-based consumption should be carried out, and services of real-time communication through stories sympathized by the MZ generation should be provided. Third, while offline experience is important, the marketing of experience in metaverse platforms should be provided, and goods that enable two-way communication and simultaneous enjoyment should be provided by planning and developing goods that allow linkage between metaverse and offline, Lastly, it is deemed that strategies for attracting consumers by providing contents of amusement and fun should be used. © 2022 IEEE.

School Counselors and Refugee Students: Application of the Refugee Well-Being Project Intervention to Address the Social Determinants of Health

As migration and displacement continue to increase around the world, guidelines are needed clarifying how school counselors can use their power and privilege in working with refugee students and their families across K–12 education, more so in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. We introduce the Refugee Well-Being Project intervention to school counselors and school counselor interns, focusing on the social determinants of health impacting the overall well-being of refugee students. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Professional School Counseling is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

An Advanced Algorithm for Email Classification by Using SMTP Code

Email is an essential communication tool for modern people and offers a variety of functions. After the outbreak of COVID-19, the importance of emails enhanced further as non-face-to-face work increased. However, with the spread and dissemination of emails, cybercrime that abused emails has also increased. The number of cases of stealing or damaging email users by impersonating public institutions such as the National Police Agency, the Prosecutor’s Office, or the WHO. This study proposes an advanced algorithm of email classification using an SMTP response code to strengthen the level of email security. The proposed system is located on the side of the recipient’s email server and operates upon receipt of the email. When an email is received, it automatically verifies whether the domain of the email sender is normally registered in DNS. Thereafter, MX, SPF, and PTR records are extracted and combined to determine the state of the sending server. When additional verification is required, a proposed algorithm automatically connects the communication session to the sender to request the SMTP response code. The proposed algorithm was applied to two organizations and succeeded in classifying received emails into various categories. This study contributes to the literature on email classification by presenting new ideas in the process of sender verification. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

EFFECT OF NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY IN IMPROVING OVERALL SURVIVAL OF T2-4AN0M0 BLADDER CANCER PATIENTS: A SYSTEMIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS ACCORDING TO EAU COVID-19 RECOMMENDATION

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In situation with the COVID-19 outbreak, the EAU guidelines Rapid Reaction Group provided recommendations to guide muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) priorities, and they recommended that neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be considered omitted in T2/3 focal N0M0 MIBC patients. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared to radical cystectomy alone in improving overall survival of T2-4aN0M0 MIBC patients. METHODS: Following the PRISMA guideline, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched up to September 2021. The articles were searched with keywords muscle-invasive bladder cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, cystectomy, and overall survival. Participants, patients with T2-4aN0M0 MIBC;Interventions, T2- 4aN0M0 MIBC patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy;Outcomes, comparison of overall survival included for analysis. The overall survival was analyzed as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) and presented in a forest plot. We also conducted a sub-analysis of only T2N0M0 MIBC patients. Quality assessments were performed independently by two reviewers using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. RESULTS: A total of 8 studies were included in the metaanalysis. 8 studies were intermediate risk for detection bias and there were no major problems. In T2-4aN0M0 MIBC patients, the overall survival was significantly better in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy + radical cystectomy group than in the radical cystectomy alone group (HR, 0.79;95% CI, 0.69-0.92;p=0.002) (Fig. 1A). A subgroup analysis was performed on only T2N0M0 MIBC patients and 5 studies were included. There was no difference in overall survival between the neoadjuvant chemotherapy + radical cystectomy group and the radical cystectomy alone group (HR, 0.83;95% CI, 0.69-1.02;p=0.06) (Fig. 1B). CONCLUSIONS: As recommended by the EAU guidelines Rapid Reaction Group, it is thought that patients with T2N0M0 MIBC should strongly consider omitting neoadjuvant chemotherapy until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether to omit neoadjuvant in T2- 4aN0M0 MIBC should be discussed further, and studies targeting only T2-3N0M0 MIBC are expected to proceed further.

State-of-the-art nanotechnologies used in the development of SARS-CoV-2 biosensors: a review

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to nearly every corner of the globe, significantly impacting economies and societies. Despite advances in detection technologies that target viral pathogens, all countries are facing an unprecedented need to perform biosensing in a rapid, sensitive, selective, and reliable way to deal with global and urgent problems. To date, the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction has been the gold-standard method for COVID-19 diagnosis. However, it requires complex facilities and elaborate training and is hampered by limited testing capacity and delayed results. Herein, we review state-of-the-art research into point-of-care biosensors for early severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection. We include a general description of the nanotechnological techniques used to develop biosensors, along with the latest research into various biosensors for SARS-CoV-2 detection and a summary of their limitations for practical use. Finally, we discuss future perspectives and directions. This critical review offers the biosensor community insight into how to progress the present research, which may streamline the removal of the problems facing rapid and large-scale SARS-CoV-2 screening.

Comparison of maintenance of intravesical BCG therapy between 1 year and more than 1 year therapies for recurrence rate in high-risk NMIBC: Systematic review and network meta-analysis according to EAU COVID-19 recommendation

Introduction & Objectives: During coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, EAU recommended intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy courses that have been ongoing for longer than 1 year can be safely terminated for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC) patients. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis according to EAU COVID-19 recommendation.Materials & Methods: Systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guideline. PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library weresearched up to Sep, 2021. We conducted a network meta-analysis to outcomes including only induction therapy group (No_M), 1-year (M1) andmore than 1 year (MM1) maintenance therapies groups for recurrence rate in patients with NMIBC. Participants, patients with NMIBC;Interventions,NMIBC patients who underwent intravesical BCG therapy;Outcomes, comparison of recurrence rate included for analysis. Quality assessmentswere performed independently by two reviewers using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.Results: Nineteen studies with a total of 3,957 patients were included for network meta-analysis. 19 studies were intermediate risk for detectionbias and there were no major problems. There was just two published studies between M1 and MM1. Five studies between No_M and M1 and 12articles between No_M and MM1 were identified. In node-split forest plot using Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) modeling, there couldbe no difference between M1 and MM1 in recurrence rate (OR 0.95 (0.73-1.2)). However, recurrence rate in No_M group was higher than M1 (OR1.9 (1.5-2.5)) and MM1 (OR 2.0 (1.7-2.4)) groups (Fig. 1A). P-score test using frequentist method to rank treatments in network demonstrate MM1(P-score 0.8701) was superior to M1 (P-score 0.6299) and No_M groups (P-score 0). In the rank-probability test using MCMC modeling, MM1 had the highest rank, followed by M1 and No_M groups (Fig. 1B). (Figure Presented)(Figure Presented)Conclusions: In network meta-analysis, there could be no difference between 1-year and more than 1-year maintenance intravesical BCGtherapies in recurrence rate. In the rank test, more than 1-year therapy could be most effective. During COVID-19 pandemic, 1-year maintenancetherapy can be performed, however, after the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1-year therapy will be decided

Kidney and liver dysfunction predicts COVID-19 severity and length of hospitalization

Background: Diabetes has often been indicated as one of the comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. Although infection with COVID-19 primarily affects the lungs causing respiratory complications, other organs are affected including the liver and kidney. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of diabetes status, liver function and kidney function on COVID-19 severity and length of hospital stay. Methods: This retrospective study used medical records from patients admitted to the University Medical Center, El Paso, TX with COVID-19 (n = 754;age 54.86 ± 0.63 years;BMI 30.07 ± 0.26 Kg/m2). Diabetes status was assessed by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5%. Liver and Kidney functions were measured by Aspartate transaminase (AST;normal Female/Male 14-36/ 17-59 U/L) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN;normal Female/Male 7-17/ 9-20 mg/dl). Severity of COVID-19 was measured by quick sepsis-related organ failure assessment (qSOFA) and length of hospitalization was determined by the number of days spent in the hospital. Groups were compared using unpaired t-test. Results: Patients with high AST levels had greater COVID-19 severity, measured by qSOFA (high: 0.35 ± 0.03 vs. normal: 0.81 ± 0.05;p = 0.002) and greater length of hospital stay (high: 7.79 ± 0.54 vs. normal 6.35 ± 0.45 days;p = 0.04). Patients with high BUN levels also had greater COVID-19 severity, measured by qSOFA (high: 0.37 ± 0.04 vs. normal: 0.24 ± 0.021;p = 0.001) and greater length of hospital stay (high: 8.83 ± 0.57 vs normal: 5.89 ± 0.38;p < 0.0001). However, patients with diabetes were not different in terms of severity (qSOFA: Non-diabetes 0.34 ± 0.05, vs. Diabetes 0.28 ± 0.03;p = 0.30) and length of hospital stay (Non-diabetes 8.15 ± 0.74, vs. Diabetes 8.88 ± 0.61 days;p = 0.47). Conclusions: Liver and Kidney dysfunction indicates increased severity and length of hospital stay in COVID-19 patients while diabetes status did not. Early detection and supportive interventions that are protective of kidney and liver function may help reduce severity of COVID-19.

Artificial intelligence-based facial body temperature measurement system using thermal image and YOLOv4

Due to the recent spread and long-term continuation of COVID-19, numerous non-contact body temperature measuring equipment is being introduced in public places to prevent cross-infection. Therefore, extensive research on the non-contact body temperature measurement method, using a thermal imaging camera, is being conducted globally. The existing method of measuring the body temperature using a thermal imaging camera has several limitations including a severe temperature deviation while measuring the body temperature, blurring of the location of the set measuring point, or not obtaining an accurate measurement due to obstacles. To overcome these limitations, we used deep learning to detect faces in thermal images, and measure the body temperature using a multipoint-based image processing with histograms of the detected areas. The proposed deep-learning-based method exhibited several advantages such as higher accuracy, wide area coverage, and efficient detection irrespective of obstacles. Compared to the conventional body temperature measurement, that proposed in this paper resulted in an average body temperature measurement error rate of less than 2%. © 2021, Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems. All rights reserved.