ABSTRACT
Since 2020, worldwide COVID-19-related lockdowns have led to a rapid increase of remote collaboration, particularly in the domain of knowledge work. This has undoubtedly brought challenges (e.g., work-life boundary management, social isolation), but also opportunities. Practices that have proven successful (e.g., through increased task performance, efficiency or satisfaction) are worth retaining in future. In this qualitative empirical study, we analyzed four teams' (14 participants in total) mandatory remote collaboration over a period of several days to several months during a nationally imposed lockdown. We report results derived from questionnaires, logbooks, group interviews, and meeting recordings. We identify possible factors influencing quality of task outcome as well as subjective aspects like satisfaction, motivation, and team atmosphere. As a basis for our conclusions, we provide a scheme for categorizing effects of remote collaboration based on an exhaustive literature review on pandemic-induced mandatory remote work and collaboration. © 2023 Owner/Author.
ABSTRACT
Background: People with HIV (PWH) older than age 55 have an enhanced risk of complications from SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is unclear whether COVID-19 vaccines with a booster are as durable in terms of immunogenicity in this cohort or whether these vaccines can destabilize HIV reservoirs. Method(s): We prospectively studied 91 PWH on cART aged 55 or over (n=91) and 23 age-matched individuals without HIV (control group, CG) who received three doses of COVID-19 vaccines (D1-D3) over 48 weeks. Participants received combinations of BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1. Of PWH, 42 were immune responders (IR), 20 were non-responders (INR), and 3 had a low-level viremia (LLV). Total and neutralizing Abs to SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and RBD in sera and saliva, frequency of anti-RBD/NTD memory B cells (spectral flow cytometry), S-specific T cell immunity (IFN-g, IL-2 ELISpot) and HIV reservoirs in peripheral CD4+ T cells (IPDA) were measured. Result(s): No significant differences in vaccine regimens or dosing intervals were observed between PWH and CG. Vaccines elicited equally strong anti-S IgG in PWH vs CG in serum and saliva, and RBD IgG in serum. Serum Abs peaked at 4w after D3. Week 48 serum IgG in PWH vs CG were 916 vs 919 BAU/ mL for S (p=0.624) and 706 vs 752 for RBD (p=0.198), respectively. Week 48 median saliva S IgG: 48.1% AUC of the positive control in PWH vs 95.9% for CG (p=0.384). S IgA: 3.83 vs 20.5 in PWH vs CG (p=0.039). Median neutralizing titers post-D2 were significantly lower in PWH than in CG (NT50 82.9 vs 535, p< 0.001). However, after D3, at 48w, PWH had similar titers as CG: 309 vs 269 (p=0.745), mirroring an increase in RBD/NTD-specific B cells in PWH. Anti-S T cell cytokine responses were stronger in IR PWH after D2 and D3 than in CG. Week 48 S IL-2 responses: median 135 SFC/106 PBMC vs 43.8 (p< 0.001), but only 12.5 in INR (p=0.001 vs IR). COVID-19 vaccines did not affect the size of HIV reservoir in PWH (change in median frequency of intact proviruses from baseline: 95.0 vs 90.9, p=0.952), except in three LLV PWH (mean increase 93.7% at 48w). Conclusion(s): PWH aged 55 and over show diminished neutralizing Ab responses to SARS-CoV-2 with two vaccine doses which are 'rescued' after a booster. PWH have lower S-specific IgA in saliva after vaccination which may affect protection. Enhanced S-specific T cell immunity in PWH suggests Th1 imprinting from preexistent HIV infection. COVID-19 vaccines did not destabilize the HIV reservoir in most PWH but may pose potential risk in unsuppressed viremia.
ABSTRACT
Our paper gives an analytical evaluation of customer and retail responses to today's market and nonmarket-related challenges. In the first part of the study, we deal with the classification of crises and review the international literature on the relationship between crises and consumption. We then focus on analyzing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine on trade and consumption. In the third main part of the study, we review the effects of the already mentioned crises on domestic trade and shopping behaviours. Finally, we examine the effects and new challenges of today's crises on retail strategies and identify the main areas that, with proper management, can make commercial companies "crisis-resistant”. In the paper mixed methods (primary and secondary data collection and analyses) are used for reaching a best-possible insight into these fast-altering consumption and retail processes. Our novel findings can be categorized into consumption-related (demand-side) challenges and retailerrelated (supply-side) responses. In our research on consumption the impact of fear from infection, price sensitivity, age and some other factors on shopping behaviour are examined, along with shop and delivery preferences based on online surveys conducted during the COVID-waves. In the supply-side analysis the possible retail measures and responses are summarized based on secondary data collection and analysis © 2022, DETUROPE.All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
Our paper gives an analytical evaluation of customer and retail responses to today's market- and nonmarket-related challenges. In the first part of the study, we deal with the classification of crises and review the international literature on the relationship between crises and consumption. We then focus on analyzing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine on trade and consumption. In the third main part of the study, we review the effects of the already mentioned crises on domestic trade and shopping behaviours. Finally, we examine the effects and new challenges of today's crises on retail strategies and identify the main areas that, with proper management, can make commercial companies "crisis-resistant ". In the paper mixed methods (primary and secondary data collection and analyses) are used for reaching a best-possible insight into these fast-altering consumption and retail processes. Our novel findings can be categorized into consumption-related (demand-side) challenges and retailerrelated (supply-side) responses. In our research on consumption the impact of fear from infection, price sensitivity, age and some other factors on shopping behaviour are examined, along with shop- and delivery preferences based on online surveys conducted during the COVID-waves. In the supply-side analysis the possible retail measures and responses are summarized based on secondary data collection and analysis.
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Introduction: The COVID-MENTA Screening Program was developed to monitor the mental health of frontline healthcare professionals and identify those at high risk for suicide at the Kiskunhalas Mobile Disease Control Hospital. Objective(s): Our post hoc analysis aimed to investigate the association between psychological distress and suicide ideation based on passively collected data during the screening work. Method(s): A sample of 50 healthcare professionals was analyzed from 167 participants in the COVID-MENTA Screening Program between the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was performed during the breaks of healthcare professionals at work. Half of the group (N=25) perceived severe distress (scored > 5/10 on Distress Thermometer). The crisis monitoring application was based on Klonsky and May's 3-step theory (2015) and was built by adapting the questions on the appropriate international scales (Psychache Scale, Beck's Hopelessness Scale, Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, Suicide Capacity Scale). The tool can stratify the current suicide risk into seven levels. Result(s): Spearman's Rank Correlation was used for statistical analysis. There was a significant positive correlation between the psychological distress and the suicide risk (r (48) = 0,43, p < 0,01). Conclusion(s): Our findings supported the hypothesis of the study that the risk of suicide rises with the increase of the level of distress. The application has been proved effective in ecological conditions, helping in several cases to screen individuals currently at increased risk for suicide, allowing us to intervene in a timely and effective manner.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: At Kiskunhalas Semmelweis Hospital, a special mobile container hospital was set up to care for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the first wave of the pandemic. Objective(s): We aimed to create a proactive integrated mental health protection system for the frontline healthcare workers that provides an opportunity for psychophysiological monitoring of stress and crisis during shifts, as well as providing staff with more lasting methods of coping with difficulties. Method(s): From the ascending branch of the second wave, every two weeks on the workers'rest day, mental helpers initiated a phone call to each employee participating in the program. If it was necessary, we provided psychological counseling, crisis intervention, brief psychotherapy, and psychopharmacotherapy. In addition, selfoperated psychophysiological screening devices were used at the frontline work site, which provided an opportunity for continuous telemedicine monitoring. Result(s): In our department, three psychologists and three psychiatrists kept in touch with an average of 150 frontline workers per month. Interventions were needed for a total of over 24% in December and January, over 17% in February and March, almost 9% in April, and only 4% in May. Helpers rated an average of twothirds of these cases as moderate. They faced severe stress 2-3 times a month in sum, and for 2-3 workers needed medication. Conclusion(s): Without a mental support system, self-report-based data suggest that nearly half of responders working at the frontline reached the threshold of clinically significant mental syndromes (Greenberg et al, 2021). Using our mental health support system, one-fifth of the workers needed intervention.
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SESSION TITLE: Not the Normal Host: Infections Still Matter SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Original Inv PRESENTED ON: 10/17/2022 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm PURPOSE: Community Acquired Respiratory Viruses (CARVs) are associated with poor outcome in Solid Organ Transplant (SOT) recipients. We reviewed some of these outcomes such as respiratory support, length of stay (LOS), ICU admission, steroid use & 30-day all-cause mortality. METHODS: Multihospital, single center, retrospective review of electronic health records from 01/01/2014-12/31/2019. RESULTS: 23 SOT recipients (M=20, F=3) who tested positive for CARVs were identified. SOT distribution was heart=2, kidney=4, liver=3, lung=11, heart-lung=1, lung-kidney=1 & heart-kidney=1. Mean age at admission was 60 years, average LOS was 8 days with 2 pts needing >2 weeks. 6 pts required intensive care unit;8 pts required supplemental oxygen support. 16 pts had infiltrates on chest imaging. 15 pts had a 90-day readmission with respiratory complaints. 8 pts had bronchoscopy & 20 had positive nasal swab. 3 pts had a negative nasal swab but positive Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for CARV while 2 pts had negative BAL but positive nasal swab. CARV distribution was Rhinovirus 48%, Parainfluenza 29%, Metapneumovirus 12%, Respiratory syncytial virus 0.03%, Adenovirus 0.03% & Non-novel Coronavirus 0.06%. 5 pts had bacterial coinfection (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Corynebacterium striatum & Stenotrophomonas maltophilia). All pts were immunosuppressed, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) were used in 3 pts, antivirals in 7 pts (ribavirin in 6 & oseltamivir in 1) & steroids in 10 pts. 12 pts had transplant organ biopsy with 5 showing acute cellular rejection. 11 pts had underlying Coronary artery disease and 17 pts had hematologic disorders (Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, leukemia, Myelodysplastic syndrome, & multiple myeloma). 35% pts died within 1 year (2 during same admit). Cause of death was refractory septic shock (1), respiratory failure (3), cardiac arrest (3) & chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) (1). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, we assessed the SOT recipients positive for CARVs who required admission & evaluated the impact on their clinical course. This analysis noted a significant rate of acute & chronic rejections, bronchiolitis obliterans and CLAD in these patients. Newer tests like multiplex NAT & (semi) quantitative NAT (QNAT) can diagnose CARVs in addition to Human Influenza Virus. Patients can present with wheezing, croup, bronchiolitis, pneumonitis & pneumonia. Impact of CARVs seems to vary by the type of organ transplant, level of neutropenia/lymphopenia, upper versus lower respiratory infection and intrinsic pathogenicity of virus. Various preventive & therapeutic measures were employed in an attempt to improve outcomes in these patients. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Transplant receipients are at a high risk of infections especially CARVs which may increase morbidity and mortality. This analysis emphasizes the value of timely diagnosis and treatment in this specific patient population who are immunocompromised. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Supriya Singh