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Objectives: We analyzed global trends in the daily number of new cases during the first wave of COVID-19 and factors associated with these trends. Methods: Data from 151 countries were analyzed. The index date for each country was set with consideration for a 7-day moving average (MA7) of ≥100 people. Data were collected for 60 and 90 days from the index date. Time-series hierarchical clustering was used to analyze the trends in the number of new cases in each country on the basis of their MA7 values. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with these trends. Results: The trends in the daily number of new cases in the early stage of COVID-19 were classified into growth, declines, and smooth declines. The number of cases in countries with ≥25.60% residents with obesity (odds ratio = 6.69;p = 0.004) was more likely to exhibit growth than were those with obesity of 9.60-20.79%. The number in countries with a GDP of ≥US$34,341 (odds ratio = 0.10;p = 0.001) was more likely to exhibit a decline than were those with a GDP of US$5,277–14,932. Conclusions: COVID-19 epidemic prevention policies should account for country-specific characteristics such as the proportion of residents with obesity and GDP. © 2022, Taiwan Public Health Association. All rights reserved.
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Objectives: We analyzed global trends in the daily number of new cases during the first wave of COVID-19 and factors associated with these trends. Methods: Data from 151 countries were analyzed. The index date for each country was set with consideration for a 7-day moving average (MA7) of ≥100 people. Data were collected for 60 and 90 days from the index date. Time-series hierarchical clustering was used to analyze the trends in the number of new cases in each country on the basis of their MA7 values. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with these trends. Results: The trends in the daily number of new cases in the early stage of COVID-19 were classified into growth, declines, and smooth declines. The number of cases in countries with ≥25.60% residents with obesity (odds ratio = 6.69;p = 0.004) was more likely to exhibit growth than were those with obesity of 9.60-20.79%. The number in countries with a GDP of ≥US$34,341 (odds ratio = 0.10;p = 0.001) was more likely to exhibit a decline than were those with a GDP of US$5,277–14,932. Conclusions: COVID-19 epidemic prevention policies should account for country-specific characteristics such as the proportion of residents with obesity and GDP. © 2022, Taiwan Public Health Association. All rights reserved.
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This chapter discusses the inadequate application of the available scientific knowledge to the improvement of human health in urban areas, leading to what we define as a “knowledge-action” gap. The current state of efforts to implement the “Nature as Health” concept is reviewed, and recommendations are made to adopt an evidence-based design process as a framework for addressing the knowledge-action gap and the science-action gap. While Chapter 39 provided case studies from near the Pacific Rim, this chapter details the cases in Taiwan that bridged the knowledge-action gap in the relationship between nature and public health. Chapter 40 discussed several research tools, methods, and interdisciplinary concepts that might lend light to future studies. This chapter will discuss more detailed information of the HealthCloud app and its application, which provides psychological questionnaires and monitors heart rate and environmental information and could be a useful tool for data collection on the changing behaviors and patterns of humans experiencing nature, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. A “Landscape and Health Information Note” application could be used to connect health data and environmental information as a feedback system for users. The chapter concludes with the following questions: what is the future relationship between human and environment interaction? Given the rapid advancement of technology and the COVID-19 pandemic, how can we apply this technology and the strategies of landscape design to fill the knowledge-action gap? Finally, how can we respond to sustainable development goals (SDGs)? © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Yizhao Yang and Anne Taufen;individual chapters, the contributors.
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Purpose: Financial technology (FinTech) is undergoing a transformation as a result of robotics and artificial intelligence. FinTech service providers are embracing contactless technology, including the development and widespread adoption of innovative payment service. Among the many types of contactless payment services, facial recognition payment (FRP) has gained in popularity. To capitalize on this rising popularity, comprehending the mechanisms underlying continuous usage intention toward FRP is essential. Drawing from the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) model, this study investigates how FRP attributes facilitate continuous usage intention. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 321 Chinese FRP users completed an online survey. Partial least squares structural equation modeling analyzed the results of the survey. Findings: The results reveal that relative advantage and compatibility, user-interface attractiveness and perceived security (stimuli) promote performance expectancy, effort expectancy and positive emotion (organism), which in turn foster FRP continuous usage intention (response). Originality/value: This research presents an S-O-R model that incorporates several attributes from DOI theory, the UTAUT model and the AIDUA framework to elucidate the antecedents of consumers' continuous usage intention toward FRP. The findings corroborate the significance of the S-O-R mechanism in FRP, setting the groundwork for the acceptance and development of biometric authentication technologies in service contacts and banks. In addition, the study highlights opportunities and essential aspects for FinTech service developers and providers to consider in terms of their practical significance. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
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Introduction: Following assessment of the effectiveness and feasibility based on the results from a two-year population-based nationwide prospective multi-center trial, the Korean government implemented a national lung cancer screening program using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high-risk smokers in 2019. Methods: National Health Insurance Corporation selected high risk targets who are current smokers aged 54 to 74 years with 30 packs per year or more smoking history on the basis of national health-screening database. (Figure 1). Those eligible were offered lung cancer screening by invitation letters in every two years. Screening units provide LDCT using radiation less than 3mGy by at least 16-row multi-detector CT scanners. Screening results were reported by Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS). The examinee received results by mail or e-mail;after then, counseling on results and mandatory smoking cessation counselling were provided by certified doctors. National Cancer Center monitored participation rates, post-counseling rates and statistics of screening result for quality control. Screening positive rate is defined as proportion of Lung-RADS category 3 and 4 nodules. Results: The participation rate gradually increased from 24.8% among 332,244 eligible targets in 2019, 25.9% in 2020, to 38.7% among 310,260 targets in 2021, however, the proportion of examinees who participated in post-counseling decreased from 46.3% in 2019 to 32.7% in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Figure 2). The positive rates slightly decreased from 9.2% in 2019 to 8.7% in 2021. The variation in positive rates of screening units showed a tendency to decrease (in 2019, the 1st quartile was 4.3%, and the 3rd quartile was 12.9%;and in 2021, 5.2% and 12.5% respectively). Conclusions: National lung cancer screening program has been implemented successfully in Korea with controlling screening positive rates not so high. Controlling false negatives and strengthening post-screening management including smoking cessation counselling needs to improve. [Formula presented] [Formula presented] Keywords: National Lung Cancer Screening, Quality control
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Long-range pollution transport (LRT) events have a wide impact across East Asia, but are often difficult to track due to imprecise emission inventories and changing domain scales as the plume moves from source to receptor locations. This study adjusts a bottom-up emission inventory based on changes in remotely sensed NO2 column densities for a source region of East Asia, then with CMAQv5.2.1 simulates transport of LRT plumes to Taiwan. Adjustment of an emissions inventory based on satellite measurements during the COVID-19 lockdown in China led to a -59% reduction in emissions over the relevant source area in China compared to base emissions. As a result, PM2.5 mass concentrations were reproduced to match observations (mean fractional bias, MFB of -13.9% and 18.5% at a remote and urban station) as the plume passed through northern Taiwan. Furthermore, the OMI-adjusted emissions simulation brought all of the major PM2.5 components to within -50% of the measured values. Another LRT event from 2018 with more subtle OMI-adjustments to the emissions was also simulated and with improved overall PM2.5 mass concentration at the northern tip of Taiwan (MFB: -91.5%) compared to the base model (MFB: -102.1%), and an acceptable index of agreement (0.78). For the 2018 event, non sea-salt sulfate concentrations were consistently underpredicted (0.2-0.4), while nitrate concentrations were overpredicted by up to factor of 11. Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reanalysis of the PM(2.)5 concentrations shows high sulfate concentrations in eastern China in the areas associated with 72-h back-trajectories from northern Taiwan during both events, lending support for future model investigations of sulfate source area production and transport to Taiwan. In order to better track these LRT events out of East Asia and optimize OMI-adjustment methodology, it is recommended to explore other satellite-based products to map unaccounted for SO2 sources upstream of Taiwan.
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Introduction: The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains poorly understood. As patients with ILD often have severe underlying lung parenchymal involvement, and immunosuppressive therapy is common in this population, they are presumed to be at high risk for severe COVID-19 pneumonitis. We investigated clinical differences between those with ILD who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus compared to those with ILD who did not, and explored the relationship with use of immunosuppressive therapy. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we identified patients evaluated at the University of Chicagoin 2020 who were enrolled in the ILD registry, and stratified by SARS-CoV-2 seropositive status. We then compared baseline clinical characteristics between SARSCoV- 2 seropositive and SARS-CoV-2 seronegative patients and assessed immunosuppressive therapy at time of COVID diagnosis. C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte subsets were evaluated at COVID diagnosis compared to time of baseline ILD evaluation. Variable comparisons were determined by two-sided t-tests, or chi-square tests as appropriate, and logistic regression models were fitted to assess the odds of death from COVID-19 using generalized linear models with maximum-likelihood estimation.Results: 309 subjects with ILD were included in this analysis, of which 21 patients had a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (6.8%). Patients with SARS-CoV-2 were younger (55 yrs vs. 66 yrs;P=0.006) , had similar baseline leukocyte counts (9.4 vs 8.6;P=0.569) and demonstrated a trend towards a lower CRP (4.9 vs9.3;P=0.068) when compared to those without. Subjects with SARS-CoV-2 and ILD were more likely to have a diagnosis of autoimmune related-ILD (CTD-ILD or IPAF) (71% vs 39%;P=0.004), higher baseline lymphocyte fraction of circulating leukocytes (29% vs. 21%;P=0.025);greater prevalence of honeycomb fibrosis (43 vs. 21%;P=0.044), and were more frequently hypoxemic [SpO2<92%] (20% vs. 4%;P=0.009) at ILD diagnosis. The majority (62%) of patients with SARS-CoV-2 virus were on immunosuppressive therapy at time of diagnosis. Although, CRP titers were higher at diagnosis of COVID pneumonitis than at ILD diagnosis (52mg/L vs. 5mg/L;P=0.006), the lymphocyte fraction of circulating leukocytes did not differ (24% vs 28%;P=0.52)(Fig.1). Further, subjects with ILD and SARS-CoV-2 had higher odds of death than those without SARS-CoV-2 (OR=24, 95% CI-4-152;P<0.001). Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 is prevalent in ILD, and may put those who are younger, with autoimmune ILD, and on immunosuppressive therapy at higher risk. Larger studies are needed to fully explore the relationship between ILD and immunosuppressive therapy in COVID-19. .