The Influence of a Celebrity Chef on Customer Repurchase Behavior: Empirical Study of Taiwan's F&B Industry During COVID-19 Pandemic.

The spread of COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted severe blows on the global hospitality industry. In Taiwan, revenue from the food and beverage (F&B) department has decreased by more than 90%. This study aims to understand whether celebrity chefs can effectively help and enhance their corporates' business performance under COVID-19's severe impacts via leveraging their personal brand value, explores the influence of a celebrity chef on customer repurchase behavior during the epidemic and examines whether such a chef has a mediation effect on the relationship between corporate brand and customer satisfaction. The primary data were collected from the respondents through online questionnaire in Taiwan to get 245 respondents as a sample size of the research from Nov. 10 to Nov. 25 in 2021, and through validity and reliability analysis that processed by statistical software using factor analysis and structural equation modeling to see if celebrity chefs' personality branding could influence customer repurchase behavior, and also examine the relationship between corporate brand and celebrity chef. The findings show that corporate brand enhances both a celebrity chef's personal brand and customer satisfaction, and that a celebrity chef has a positive effect on both customer satisfaction and loyalty, which can partially mediate the effect of corporate brand; furthermore, a celebrity chef has a positive effect on customer repurchase behavior. In Taiwan relative studies into aspects of a celebrity chef's effect on consumer behavior are limited, and so this research offers new insights into the celebrity chef phenomenon there as well as elsewhere.

Mediating effect of job performance between emotional intelligence and turnover intentions among hospital nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a path analysis.

Background: : Nursing shortages are a persistent and concerning problem for the nursing workforce worldwide. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional stressors and workloads and has worsened nursing shortages. Aim: : To investigate interrelationships among emotional intelligence, job performance, and turnover intentions of nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and explore the mediating effect of job performance between emotional intelligence and turnover intentions. Methods: : A cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 673 nurses working in a medical center hospital in northern Taiwan were recruited from November 2020 to April 2021. An anonymous questionnaire was used in this survey. Data were collected using a seven-item turnover intention scale, a 16-item emotional intelligence scale, a 24-item job performance scale, and demographic questions. A path analysis was performed. This study was based on STROBE guidelines. Findings: : Statistically significant correlations between turnover intentions and emotional intelligence (r=-0.10, p=0.012), between turnover intentions and job performance (r=-0.13, p=0.002), and between emotional intelligence and job performance (r=0.54, p<0.001) were detected. Model fit indices were adequate. Job performance had a significant indirect effect between emotional intelligence and turnover intentions (ß=-0.16, p=0.011). Discussion: : It was found that job performance was a mediator between emotional intelligence and turnover intentions during the pandemic. The study results support the need to continue to create healthy work environments. Conclusion: : These results can assist hospitals in developing specific evidence-based interventions such as showing appreciation and providing acknowledgments to reduce turnover of their nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Socially assistive robots for people living with dementia in long-term facilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to explore the immediate and long-term effects of socially assistive robots (SARs) on neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), positive emotional experiences, and social interaction in older people living with dementia. METHODS: We set keywords and used Boolean operators to search the CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, IEEE Digital Library, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Chinese Electronic Periodical Service from inception to February 2022 for randomized controlled trials. The Cochrane Collaboration bias assessment tool was used to assess article quality, and RevMan 5.4.1 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. SARs can help people living with dementia reduce their NPS of depression and anxiety, provide happiness from positive emotional experiences, and improve their social interaction through conversation. However, there was no significant improvement in agitation behavior, overall BPSD, or quality of life in people living with dementia. In follow-up, it was found that the effect of SRT was limited. CONCLUSION: Socially assistive robots can reduce depression and increase positive emotions in people living with dementia. They may also reduce the burden on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42020169340.

Recent advances in cell-based and cell-free therapeutic approaches for sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia is a progressive loss of muscle mass and function that is connected with increased hospital expenditures, falls, fractures, and mortality. Although muscle loss has been related to aging, injury, hormonal imbalances, and diseases such as malignancies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and kidney failure, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of sarcopenia are unclear. Exercise-based interventions and multimodal strategies are currently being considered as potential therapeutic approaches to prevent or treat these diseases. Although drug therapy research is ongoing, no drug has yet been proven to have a substantial safety and clinical value to be the first drug therapy to be licensed for sarcopenia. To better understand the molecular alterations underlying sarcopenia and effective treatments, we review leading research and available findings from the systemic change to the muscle-specific microenvironment. Furthermore, we explore possible mechanisms of sarcopenia and provide new knowledge for the development of novel cell-free and cell-based therapeutics. This review will assist researchers in developing better therapies to improve muscle health in the elderly.

Clinical and laboratory predictors for disease progression in patients with COVID-19: A multi-center cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Reliable clinical and laboratory predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease progression could help to identify the subset of patients who are susceptible to severe symptoms. This study sought to identify the predictors for disease progression in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This study recruited consecutive patients from four hospitals between March 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021. Demographic characteristics, laboratory results, and clinical outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Among the 239 enrolled patients, 39.3% (94/239) experienced in-hospital disease progression. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that coronary arterial disease (CAD) (OR,4.15;95% C.I., 1.47-11.66), cerebrovascular attack (CVA) (OR,12.98; 95% C.I., 1.30-129.51), platelet count < median value (OR, 3.23; 95% C.I., 1.65-6.32), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels > median value of (OR, 2.25; 95% C.I., 1.02-4.99) were independent factors associated with COVID-19 progression. Patients who underwent disease progression at days 1, 4, and 7 presented lower lymphocyte counts and higher CRP levels, compared to patients without disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, comorbidity with CAD and CVA, low platelet count, and elevated CRP levels were independently associated with disease progression. Compared with patients without disease progression, those with disease progression presented persistently low lymphocyte counts and elevated CRP levels.

Factors influencing neutralizing antibody titers elicited by coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines.

The World Health Organization has highlighted the importance of an international standard (IS) for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) neutralizing antibody titer detection to calibrate diagnostic techniques. We applied an IS to calibrate neutralizing antibody titers (NTs) (international units/mL) in response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Moreover, the association between different factors and neutralizing antibodies was analyzed. A total of 1,667 serum samples were collected from participants receiving different COVID-19 vaccines. Antibody titers were determined by a microneutralization assay using live viruses in a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory and a commercial serological MeDiPro kit. The titer determined using the MeDiPro kit was highly correlated with the NT determined using live viruses and calibrated using IS. Fever and antipyretic analgesic treatment were related to neutralizing antibody responses in ChAdOx1-S and BNT162b2 vaccinations. Individuals with diabetes showed a low NT elicited by MVC-COV1901. Individuals with hypertension receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine had lower NTs than those without hypertension. Our study provided the international unit (IU) values of NTs in vaccinated individuals for the development of vaccines and implementation of non-inferiority trials. Correlation of the influencing factors with NTs can provide an indicator for selecting COVID-19 vaccines based on personal attributes.

Transitions to Online Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Activity Theory Perspective

Situated in a Japanese university ELT context, this qualitative exploratory interview-based study offers insights into how ten teachers responded to the challenges of transitioning to emergency remote teaching (ERT). The research was conducted to understand the implications of pandemic-instigated educational changes on teaching practices and perspectives towards effective teaching. An activity theory perspective accounts for the complex interlinking internal and external factors influencing teachers' experiences during and since the ERT. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with the ten teachers following the initial period of ERT and through reflective writing by the same teachers 12 months later. Key findings from a content analysis were that perspectives towards effective teaching were generally reinforced and that following reflection on pedagogical practices and professional learning directions many teachers were able to respond effectively to ongoing educational changes. We argue that the implications of the study may reveal important areas of comparison with other systems of activity in heightened states of transition and reveal pathways to the development of new practices.

Effects of dexamethasone use on viral clearance among patients with COVID-19: a multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the outcomes and predictors of early viral clearance among patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This study recruited consecutive patients from March 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. Early viral clearance was defined as having a duration from symptom onset to successive detection of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold (Ct) value of ≥30 within 10 days. RESULTS: Among the 239 enrolled patients, 54.4% (130 patients) had early viral clearance. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that dexamethasone use and day 1 Ct values were independent factors associated with late viral clearance. Patients with mild-moderate severity and who received dexamethasone therapy had a longer time to viral clearance than those who did not receive dexamethasone (17.2 ± 1.8 days vs 12.3 ± 1.1 days, P = 0.018). Patients with severe-critical severity had a similar duration from symptom onset to Ct value ≥30, regardless of dexamethasone therapy (18.3 ± 0.9 days vs 16.7 ± 4.7 days, P = 0.626). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that dexamethasone therapy and Ct values are independent predictors of late viral clearance. Patients with severe disease course due to older age, increased number of comorbidities, and worse clinical outcomes experienced delayed viral clearance.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients Infected with the D614G Strain or Alpha Variant of COVID-19 in Taiwan: A Multi-Center Cohort Study.

Objective: Direct comparison of the clinical traits of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in strain D614G, which originated from Wuhan, China, and the Alpha variant, which contains 17 mutations, infected patients could help physicians distinguish between strains and make clinical decisions accordingly. This study sought to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the D614G strain and Alpha variant of SARS-COV-2 and identify the predictors for viral RNA clearance and in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This study recruited consecutive patients from four hospitals between March 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021. Demographic characteristics, laboratory results, and clinical outcomes were determined. Results: Among the 239 enrolled patients, 11.2% (27/239) were infected with strain D614G and 88.7% (212/239) were infected with the Alpha variant. There were no significant differences in disease progression, rate of respiratory failure, subsequent development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute kidney injury, cardiac injury, duration of stay in the intensive care unit or hospital, discharge rate, mortality rate, or viral RNA clearance time between the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression revealed that antibiotic therapy reduced the risk of delayed viral RNA clearance (hazard ratio [HR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.55), while autoimmune disease increased the risk of delayed viral RNA clearance (HR, 3.98; 95% CI, 1.21-13.04). Elderly patients (age > 65 years) and patients with a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) were at increased risk of in-hospital mortality (HR, 5.14; 95% CI, 1.06-24.72 and HR, 3.62; 95% CI, 1.25-10.42, respectively). Conclusions: There were no significant differences between the D614G strain and Alpha variant of COVID-19 in terms of clinical characteristics and outcomes. However, factors affecting viral RNA clearance and the risk of in-hospital mortality were identified. These results could help to inform the future prioritization of resource allocation and identify patients in need of intense monitoring.

Plasma metabolome and cytokine profile reveal glycylproline modulating antibody fading in convalescent COVID-19 patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has incurred tremendous costs worldwide and is still threatening public health in the "new normal." The association between neutralizing antibody levels and metabolic alterations in convalescent patients with COVID-19 is still poorly understood. In the present work, we conducted absolutely quantitative profiling to compare the plasma cytokines and metabolome of ordinary convalescent patients with antibodies (CA), convalescents with rapidly faded antibodies (CO), and healthy subjects. As a result, we identified that cytokines such as M-CSF and IL-12p40 and plasma metabolites such as glycylproline (gly-pro) and long-chain acylcarnitines could be associated with antibody fading in COVID-19 convalescent patients. Following feature selection, we built machine-learning-based classification models using 17 features (six cytokines and 11 metabolites). Overall accuracies of more than 90% were attained in at least six machine-learning models. Of note, the dipeptide gly-pro, a product of enzymatic peptide cleavage catalyzed by dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), strongly accumulated in CO individuals compared with the CA group. Furthermore, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination experiments in healthy mice demonstrated that supplementation of gly-pro down-regulates SARS-CoV-2-specific receptor-binding domain antibody levels and suppresses immune responses, whereas the DPP4 inhibitor sitagliptin can counteract the inhibitory effects of gly-pro upon SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Our findings not only reveal the important role of gly-pro in the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection but also indicate a possible mechanism underlying the beneficial outcomes of treatment with DPP4 inhibitors in convalescent COVID-19 patients, shedding light on therapeutic and vaccination strategies against COVID-19.

Measurements of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Levels after Vaccination Using a SH-SAW Biosensor.

To prevent the COVID-19 pandemic that threatens human health, vaccination has become a useful and necessary tool in the response to the pandemic. The vaccine not only induces antibodies in the body, but may also cause adverse effects such as fatigue, muscle pain, blood clots, and myocarditis, especially in patients with chronic disease. To reduce unnecessary vaccinations, it is becoming increasingly important to monitor the amount of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S protein antibodies prior to vaccination. A novel SH-SAW biosensor, coated with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, can help quantify the amount of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S protein antibodies with 5 µL of finger blood within 40 s. The LoD of the spike-protein-coated SAW biosensor was determined to be 41.91 BAU/mL, and the cut-off point was determined to be 50 BAU/mL (Youden's J statistic = 0.94733). By using the SH-SAW biosensor, we found that the total anti-SARS-CoV-2 S protein antibody concentrations spiked 10-14 days after the first vaccination (p = 0.0002) and 7-9 days after the second vaccination (p = 0.0116). Furthermore, mRNA vaccines, such as Moderna or BNT, could achieve higher concentrations of total anti-SARS-CoV-2 S protein antibodies compared with adenovirus vaccine, AZ (p < 0.0001). SH-SAW sensors in vitro diagnostic systems are a simple and powerful technology to investigate the local prevalence of COVID-19.

Digitalization and Tele-Health Care Concept of Complementary of Traditional Medical practices by Using BIOCERAMIC Technique

Objective: Tele-health care service of alternative practice for chronic pain disease is worthwhile of developing, especially in the period of COVID- 19 pandemic. Targeting on myofascial trigger points, this study was performed to assess the possible short-term pain relief and functional improvement in patients by applying the device of BIOCERAMIC material enhanced by frequencies of tempo sound and visible light spectrum (BioS & L). Methods: Fourteen patients who participated in the procedure for the selection of trigger points for the BioS &L treatment, assessment of pain levels using a visual analog scale (VAS) analysis, and detection of abnormal resonance of 12 harmonic frequencies using a quantum resonance spectrometer (QRS). Results: Comparing the pre- and post-treatment of BioS &L on pain score of 12 HFs (V1-V12) as measured by VAS estimated by mixed model showed 91.7% (11/12) improvement with statistically significant results. The distribution of differences in the QRS score estimated by the mixed model among participants with pre-test QRS level ≥ 2 showed 83.3% (15/16) of HFs with statistically significant results. Conclusion: Treatment of BioS &L at trigger points providing pain relief is explained by the hypothesis of microvascular physiology and physics of wave propagation. This study provides a workshop with a concept of digitalization of complementarity and traditional medical service and tele-health care, which fulfills distant data connection and remote practice. In the period of epidemic spread, it helps to decrease close contact on both health care providers and patients.

COVID-19, firm exposure, and firm value: A tale of two lockdowns.

We study how a public health crisis affects the corporate sector at different phases of outbreak. Using an event study approach, we find significant valuation effects in a sample of Chinese listed firms following two symbolic events in the outbreak of COVID-19: (1) the lockdown of Hubei province; and (2) the containment of the disease in China and its spread to overseas. Market responded negatively (positively) to the first (second) event. Regression analysis further reveals that, following the first event, firms with Hubei (foreign) exposures earned significantly lower (higher) returns. Foreign exposures, however, had significantly negative effects on returns following the second event. The valuation effects of Hubei and foreign exposures also vary across firm ownership and industries. Our results indicate that, in a globalized world, firms' international status, internal networks and input-output linkages all play important roles in determining their exposures to the pandemic.

Successful management of COVID-19 induced acute respiratory distress syndrome by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with 1-year follow-up: A case report.

Coronavirus 2019 (referred to as COVID-19) has infected millions of people throughout the world. This paper reports on a case of COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in which the patient was administered extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to deal with refractory hypoxia. The patient recovered from ARDS following ECMO treatment. In 1-year follow-up, the muscle weakness persisted, and the pulmonary vital capacity recovered sooner than diffusion capacity.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Reuse of Mask during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan.

Mask usage is an effective measure to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection; however, mask reuse is not recommended. Studies examining the factors associated with mask reuse during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are limited. This nationwide survey aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mask reuse among Taiwanese citizens during the pandemic. From 18 May through 31 May 2020, a computer-assisted telephone interview system was used to randomly select Taiwanese citizens for interview regarding COVID-19-preventive behaviors and knowledge on mask usage. For a total of 1075 participants, the overall mean age was 57.4 years, and 82.2% of participants reported mask reuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. After controlling for other covariates, participants who had a greater knowledge of mask usage or had a high supply of masks were less likely to reuse masks during the pandemic. Moreover, generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis showed that, compared with the participants' mask-wearing behaviors before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were more likely to reuse masks during the pandemic. Thus, it is imperative to educate people on the correct usage of masks. Furthermore, the government should provide sufficient masks to the general population to reduce mask reuse.

Relative COVID-19 Viral Persistence and Antibody Kinetics.

A total of 15 RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients were admitted to our hospital during the in-itial outbreak in Taiwan. The average time of virus clearance was delayed in seven patients, 24.14 ± 4.33 days compared to 10.25 ± 0.56 days post-symptom onset (PSO) in the other eight pa-tients. There was strong antibody response in patients with viral persistence at the pharynx, with peak values of serum antibody 677.2 ± 217.8 vs. 76.70 ± 32.11 in patients with delayed versus rapid virus clearance. The patients with delayed viral clearance had excessive antibodies of compromised quality in an early stage with the delay in peak virus neutralization efficacy, 34.14 ± 7.15 versus 12.50 ± 2.35 days PSO in patients with rapid virus clearance. Weak antibody re-sponse of patients with rapid viral clearance was also effective, with substantial and comparable neutralization efficacy, 35.70 ± 8.78 versus 41.37 ± 11.49 of patients with delayed virus clearance. Human Cytokine 48-Plex Screening of the serial sera samples revealed elevated concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in a deceased patient with delayed virus clear-ance and severe disease. The levels were comparatively less in the other two patients who suf-fered from severe disease but eventually survived.

Influenza vaccination and the risk of COVID-19 infection and severe illness in older adults in the United States.

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic and led to nearly three million deaths globally. As of April 2021, there are still many countries that do not have COVID-19 vaccines. Before the COVID-19 vaccines were developed, some evidence suggested that an influenza vaccine may stimulate nonspecific immune responses that reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection or the severity of COVID-19 illness after infection. This study evaluated the association between influenza vaccination and the risk of COVID-19 infection. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study with data from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020 with the Claims data from Symphony Health database. The study population was adults age 65 years old or older who received influenza vaccination between September 1 and December 31 of 2019. The main outcomes and measures were odds of COVID-19 infection and severe COVID-19 illness after January 15, 2020. We found the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of COVID-19 infection risk between the influenza-vaccination group and no-influenza-vaccination group was 0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.75-0.77). Among COVID-19 patients, the aOR of developing severe COVID-19 illness was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.68-0.76) between the influenza-vaccination group and the no-influenza-vaccination group. When the influenza-vaccination group and the other-vaccination group were compared, the aOR of COVID-19 infection was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.93-0.97), and the aOR of developing a severe COVID-19 illness was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.80-1.13). The influenza vaccine may marginally protect people from COVID-19 infection.

Prelicensure Nursing Students' COVID-19 Attitude Impact on Nursing Career Decision during Pandemic Threat in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic may cause a nursing shortage. Prelicensure nursing students who are exposed to high-stress COVID-19 events are related to defective career decision-making. This study validated the COVID-19 attitude scale and clarified how their attitudes about COVID-19 affected their behavioral intentions toward career decision-making. We conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited a convenience sample of 362 prelicensure nursing students from Northern and Central Taiwan. Two measurements were applied, including the Nursing Students Career Decision-making instrument and COVID-19 attitude scale. We used AMOS (version 22.0) to perform a confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach α of the COVID-19 attitude scale was 0.74 and consisted of four factors. The most positive attitude was the nursing belief factor, and the least positive factor was emotional burden. Prelicensure nursing students' COVID-19 attitudes were significantly positively associated with their career decision-making attitudes and perceived control (ß = 0.41 and ß = 0.40, respectively; p < 0.001). All the key latent variables explained significantly 23% of the variance in the career decision-making behavioral intentions module. In conclusion, the COVID-19 attitude scale is valid. Although the prelicensure nursing students' COVID-19 attitudes had no direct effect on career decision-making intentions, they had a direct effect on career decision-making attitudes and the perceived control.