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Face-to-face communication is important for building and maintaining relationships. The COVID-19 pandemic led to severe limitations in people's face-to-face interactions, resulting in most people relying more heavily on digital communication for social connection. Existing research has contributed to the understanding of how face-to-face communication is used alongside digital communication. However, we know little about what elements of face-to-face interactions people miss especially when in-person meetings are heavily reduced, and how this is related to their use of digital communication for social connection. In this study, we draw upon survey data that we collected in spring 2020 from a national sample of U. S. adults to answer these questions. We find that most people missed elements of face-to-face interactions and particularly valued spontaneous interactions, physical closeness, and independence from technology about in-person interactions. More frequent and increasing use of popular digital modes such as voice calls, video calls, text messages, and social media were all positively related to missing face-to-face communication. Our results contribute to the understanding of the role and value of in-person interactions in a digital world. © 2022, the authors. This work is licensed under the "Creative Commons Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivatives 4.0 International” license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
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This study investigated the determinants of online shopping continuance intention of Generation Y and Z during the new normal. A conceptual framework, which was an extension of the Technology Acceptance Model, was empirically tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling, multi-group analysis technique, and the data collected from 847 Gen Y-ers and Gen Z-ers in Hanoi, Vietnam during March 2022. The results revealed that facilitators of repurchase intention included perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, satisfaction, and environmental awareness while perceived risks of online shopping served as a barrier. Notably, the barrier was found to affect Gen Y's repurchase intention more severely. Personalization was not directly associated with the intention but had strong indirect effects through perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and satisfaction. The risk of COVID-19 was not a predictor of online repurchase intention. Understanding of the continuance intention of online shopping among consumers from different generations in an emerging country during the new normal may aid to enhance the quality of decision-making. Specifically, platforms and sellers should adopt customized marketing programs towards Gen Y and Gen Z. Additionally, a user-friendly and informative purchasing process with personalized features should be formulated. Demonstrating online shopping as a green behavior would be useful. This study differs from earlier research by considering and comparing factors influencing the intention to keep shopping online of Gen Y and Gen Z in a developing country when the COVID-19 is well controlled.
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Background COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting life stress could affect lifestyle including increased alcohol use. Mounting evidence has indicated rising prevalence in alcohol related liver disease (ALD) during pandemic. However, the studies were limited by single center data with cross-sectional design. We aimed to determine the nationwide effect of COVID- 19 pandemic on the prevalence as well as mortality of ALD among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Methods Patient data were obtained from the Optum de-identified Clinformatics® database. Enrollees with a diagnosis of AUD who received care in hospital emergency department and/or inpatient service from January 2019 to December 2020 were included and followed up until March 2021. AUD were defined as having alcohol intoxication, withdrawal, and alcohol-related mental health disorders. We estimated the quarterly prevalence and 30-, 60-, 90-, and 180-day mortality during study period. Results There were no significant trends in mortality before the pandemic. The 30-day mortality decreased from 11.96% to 10.34% from Q1 to Q3 in 2019, then increased to 12.10% in Q1 2020. The increase between 2019 Q1 and 2020 Q1 was not significant. In contrast, the mortality rates increased from 2020 Q1 to 2020 Q2 and continued to increase during pandemic. Mortality rate elevated from 12.10% to 13.44% from 2020 Q1 to 2020 Q2, followed by 13.50% in Q3 and 14.94% in Q4. Similar pattern was seen in 60-day and 90-day mortalities. About a quarter of patient died at 90 days after diagnosis of ALD. The prevalence of ALD among patients with AUD fluctuated throughout 2019, with 53.77% in 2019 Q1 decreasing to 51.29% in 2019 Q3. It increased to 53.15% in 2019 Q4. The prevalence was higher in 2020 Q1 compare to 2019 Q1. However, during pandemic, the prevalence decreased to 53.98% in 2020 Q2 then bounced to 55.40% and 56.57% in 2020 Q3 and Q4. While the prevalence of ALD in AUD patients who visited ED increased from 2020 Q2 to 2020 Q4, the prevalence of ALD in hospitalized patient surged in 2020 Q2, followed by decreasing trend in latter half of 2020. The increasing trend was more prominent in patients aged <65 years than those $65 years. Males had a steeper increasing trend than females. While there was no significant change in prevalence of ALD among non-Hispanic Asians, the upward trend among non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks was significant. ConclusionsWedemonstrated an alarming rise in ALD mortality and increased prevalence among patients with AUD. The data were derived from patients with private insurance. Trends in those without insurance or less coverage are expected to be more alarming given the limitation in access to care. There were significant disparities by sex and race and ethnicity that may inform stakeholders for targeted interventions and resource allocation to curb the surging burden of ALD during pandemic. (Table Presented)
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Background. During the COVID-19 pandemic, >50% of hospitalized patients (pts) received an antimicrobial. ECMO is increasingly used in COVID-19 pts with severe ARDS. ECMO has been used for ARDS due to influenza at our center in prior years. Pts on ECMO are at high risk for infections. We compared the rates of antibiotic (Ab) and antifungal (AF) use in pts on ECMO for COVID-19 vs influenza ARDS. Methods. This was a retrospective review of pts on ECMO for COVID-19 (2020-2021) or influenza (2013-2019). Antimicrobials (Abs and AFs) were categorized as anti-MRSA, anti-pseudomonal β-lactams (AP-BL), carbapenems, and new broader spectrum β-lactams. We calculated total Ab and AF utilization, adjusted for ECMO duration. Results. Seventy-one pts (36 COVID-19 and 35 influenza) were included. COVID-19 pts had longer ECMO duration (median: 25 vs 11 days, p=.03). 100% and 97% of pts with COVID-19 and influenza received ≥1 Ab, respectively, and 42% and 33% an AF, respectively. COVID-19 pts received longer duration of Abs (26 vs 10 days, p< 0.001) and but not AF. COVID-19 group (gp) were more likely to receive anti-MRSA Ab (69% vs 33%, p=.004);otherwise, there were no differences between gps in types of Abs used. When adjusted for ECMO days, COVID-19 gp received higher median number of Abs (1.23 vs 1, p=.06). Specifically, COVID-19 gp received higher median number of anti-MRSA Ab (0.2 vs 0, p=.007) and AP-BL (0.44 vs 0.28, p=.08). There was no difference in Ab-free days between gps, though the proportion of Ab-free days was lower (0.2 vs 0.36) in COVID-19 pts (p=.08). More COVID-19 pts had pathogens recovered from clinical cultures, especially S. aureus and Enterobacterales (Figure). Pathogens recovered from clinical cultures Patients recovered from clinical cultures of patients with COVID-19 and Influenza ARDS requiring ECMO Conclusion. Among pts on ECMO, those with COVID-19 received significantly longer courses of Abs than those with influenza, even after adjusting for longer durations of ECMO. Differences were driven by receipt of anti-MRSA and AP-BLs. Recovery of pathogenic bacteria was greater in COVID-19 pts than influenza pts. Given difficulties in distinguishing pneumonia from airway colonization among ARDS pts on ECMO, development of diagnostic criteria for pt care, rational antimicrobial stewardship and further research are needed.
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Background. Rescue ECMO has been used worldwide in patients (pts) with ARDS caused by COVID-19. Bacterial super-infections affect 3.5-14.3% of hospitalized pts with COVID-19. Pts requiring ECMO may be at an increased risk of infection due to their severity of illness, gut translocation and ECMO impact on host immunity. Methods. This was a retrospective review of pts requiring ECMO for COVID-19 from April 2020-2021 at a single center. Strict definitions of infections (including ventilator-associated PNA, VAP) were in accordance with CDC criteria. Results. 43 ECMO pts with 1065 ECMO days were evaluated. Median age was 53 yrs (range: 21-62) and median BMI was 36.2 (range: 19.4-75.8). 70% were men and 65% were white. 37 patients (86%) experienced a total of 40 infectious episodes with a median onset from ECMO cannulation to first infection of 10.5d (range: 4-50). Median SOFA and SAPSII scores at time of infection were 12 (6-20) and 63 (30-90), respectively. PNA was the most common infection (78%, with 19% of cases complicated by bacteremia and 3% by empyema) (Fig. 1). The most common organisms isolated were Enterobacterales (37%), S. aureus (25%) and P. aeruginosa (16%) (Fig. 2). Only 2% of all organisms were multi-drug resistant. 3 pts had fungal infections (1 candidemia, 2 aspergillus PNA). Duration of ECMO was significantly longer for infected pts (26d, range: 5-92d) vs (11d, range: 3-24d), p=.01. 95% of infected pts had received steroids vs. 67% of uninfected pts, p=0.09. Treatment success at 1 week was 50%, and 24% and 40% of pts had recurrent infections and persistent/recurrent organisms in clinical cultures, respectively. S. aureus (54%) and Enterobacterales (26%) were associated with persistent or recurrent clinical cultures, requiring prolonged antimicrobial therapy. Mortality rate at 30 days was 65% and was significantly higher for pts with infection than those without (67% vs 33%, p=.02). Conclusion. Super-infection (most commonly PNA) occurred in almost all COVID-19 pts requiring ECMO for >4 days, and was a significant risk factor for death. Recurrent infections among survivors were common, especially when caused by Enterbacterales or S. aureus. Super-infection and mortality rates of ARDS pts on ECMO for COVID-19 were worse than for ARDS pts on ECMO for influenza at our center.
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Background. Prior to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination availability, medical centers workers were at significant COVID-19 (COVID) infection risk. As part of a program offering free SARS-CoV-2 serology tests to medical center employees, we examined risk factors for prior COVID infection. Methods. From Sept. to Dec. 2020, we advertised free IgG antibody testing to all Los Angeles County-Univ. of Southern California Medical Center (LAC+USC) workforce members (clinical and non-clinical) via repeated email blasts. Antibody was determined using the Abbott SARS-Cov-2 IgG test against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Program participants were asked to fill out a detailed epidemiologic questionnaire about work and non-work COVID risks on their cell phone or on paper at the time of phlebotomy. All testing was done prior to COVID vaccine availability. Results. Among approximately 10,500 workforce members, 1327 had serologies done. Among those 1273 (96%) completed the questionnaire and were included in the analysis. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were found in 60 (4.7%). In bivariate analysis, we found associations between SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and persons who previously tested positive for COVID (OR 175.8 [95% CI 77.6 - 398.6]), persons who thought they had prior COVID but tested negative (OR 3.9 [95% CI 1.3 - 11.4]), and persons who thought they had prior COVID but did not get a COVID test (OR 4.2 [95% CI 1.4 - 12.5]). In a multivariate model of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity examining work- and non-work-related COVID exposures (Table), seropositivity was associated with work-related COVID exposure without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) (OR 5.1 [95% CI 2.1 - 12.2]), work-related COVID exposure with adequate PPE (OR 3.5 [95% CI 1.5 - 8.0]), never wearing a mask outside of work (OR 7.1 [95% CI 1.3 - 38.4]), and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander race (OR 6.6 [95% CI 1.7 - 23.4]). Seropositivity was inversely associated with living at home with multiple age groups (OR 0.4 [95% CI 0.2 - 0.8]). Multivariate Model of Exposures Associated with Positive COVID Serology Among LAC+USC Workforce Members Conclusion. Among workers in a large urban medical center prior to COVID vaccine availability, SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was associated with work-related COVID exposures and low mask use outside of work, suggesting that COVID transmission in workforce members occurs both via occupational and non-occupational routes.
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Transport sustainability has become a major challenge worldwide. On-demand shared ride-hailing (OSR) is an alternative transport mode to private motorized mobility which allows passengers to share a vehicle and driver to their respective destination. OSR is more flexible than buses and cheaper than taxis. Additionally, ride-hailing services such as OSR play an important role in servicing communities with poor access to public transport (e.g., buses or trains) and people with increased vulnerabilities (e.g., women with children or people with disabilities). The present study investigates the impact of psychological factors on passengers' intention to use OSR services. To achieve this, the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was used and extended with perceived risk, price sensitivity, and perceived green value. Data were collected from 520 ride-hailing passengers in Vietnam. The results confirm the relevance of the original TPB constructs, i.e., attitudes, perceived behavioural control, and social norms. Concerning the three additional constructs, only perceived risk negatively and directly influences usage intention, while the two other constructs (i.e., price sensitivity and perceived green value) influence the intention to use OSR via attitudes. The results also reveal that the impact of perceived green value on usage intention is higher among females than males. Additionally, among middle- and high-income people, there is a significant negative association between perceived risk and intention, while this association is not significant among low-income participants. The findings from the present paper provide evidence of the importance of psychosocial factors such as perceptions of risk, price sensitivity, and sustainability when considering intention to use on-demand shared transport services. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd
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Phenomenological models are popular for describing the epidemic curve. We present how they can be used at di_erent phases in the epidemic, by modeling the daily number of new hospitalisations (or cases). As real-time prediction of the hospital capacity is important, a joint model of the new hospitalisations, number of patients in hospital and in intensive care unit is proposed. This model allows estimating the length of stay in hospital and ICU, even if no (or limited) individual level information on length of stay is available. Estimation is done in a Bayesian framework. In this framework, real-time alarms, de_ned as the probability of exceeding hospital capacity, can be easily derived. The methods are illustrated using data from the covid-19 pandemic in March-Jun 2020 in Belgium, but are widely applicable.
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A brown field, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia, with multiple sub-layered laminated sands of varied pressure regimes and mobility ranges, was challenged by depletion, low mobility and uncertainty in the current fluid types and contacts. Optimal dynamic fluid characterization and testing techniques comprising both Wireline and Logging While Drilling (LWD) were applied in nine development wells to acquire reliable formation pressure data and collect representative fluid samples including fluid scanning. Some of the latest technologies were deployed during the dual crises of falling oil price and the Covid-19 pandemic. The S-profile wells were drilled using oil-base mud (OBM) with an average deviation of 60 degrees. Formation Pressure While Drilling (FPWD), Fluid Sampling While Drilling (FSWD) and wireline formation testing, and sampling were all utilized allowing appropriate assessment of zones of interest. Various probe types such as Conventional Circular, Reinforced Circular, Elongated, Extra-Elongated and Extended Range Focused were used successfully, ensuring that the right technology was deployed for the right job. Formation pressure and fluid samples were secured in a timely manner to minimize reservoir damage and optimize rig time without jeopardizing the data quality. As a classified crisis due to the pandemic, rather than delaying the operations, a Remote Operations Monitoring and Control Center was set-up in town to aid the limited crew at rig site. A high success rate was achieved in acquiring the latest formation pressure regimes, fluid gradients, scanning and sampling, allowing the best completion strategy to be implemented. With the selection of the appropriate probe type at individual sands, 336 pressure tests were conducted, 44 fluid gradients were established, 27 fluid identification (fluid-id / scanning) pump-outs were performed, and 20 representative formation fluid samples (oil, gas, water) were collected. Amongst the Layer-III, Layer-II and Layer-I sands, Layer-I was tight, with mobility < 1.0 mD/cP. Wireline focused probe sampling provided clean oil samples with 1.4 to-3.7 wt. % OBM filtrate contamination. The water samples collected from Layer-II during FSWD proved to be formation water and not injection water. The wells were thus completed as oil producers. Reliable fluid typing and PVT quality sampling at discrete depths saved rig time and eliminated the requirement of additional runs or services including Drill Stem Testing (DST). This case study has many firsts. It is the first time where latest fluid characterization and testing technologies in both Wireline and LWD were deployed for an alliance project in Malaysia and that too during dual crises of falling oil price and the pandemic aftermath. Overcoming various challenges including limited rig site manpower, there was no delay in completing the highly deviated wells with tight formations in a single drilling campaign and provided rig time savings. For the purpose of this case study, two wells have been discussed. First well used the wireline focused sampling technology and the second used the FSWD technology. © 2021, Society of Petroleum Engineers.
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Video gaming has been rising rapidly to become one of the primary entertainment media, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Playing video games has been reported to associate with many psychological and behavioral traits. However, little is known about the connections between game players' behaviors in the virtual environment and environmental perceptions. Thus, the current data set offers valuable resources regarding environmental worldviews and behaviors in the virtual world of 640 Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) game players from 29 countries around the globe. The data set consists of six major categories: 1) socio-demographic profile, 2) COVID-19 concern, 3) environmental perception, 4) game-playing habit, 5) in-game behavior, and 6) game-playing feeling. By making this data set open, we aim to provide policymakers, game producers, and researchers with valuable resources for understanding the interactions between behaviors in the virtual world and environmental perceptions, which could help produce video games in compliance with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.
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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Ureteroscopy (URS) procedure duration has been associated with complications such as ureteral perforation and urosepsis, as well as higher costs. A new FDA approved lithotripter, the thulium fiber laser (TFL), was made commercially available in June of 2020 and was acquired by our institution. This retrospective study was designed to determine if TFL lithotripsy decreased operative time when compared to standard Holmium:YAG (Hol:YAG) lithotripsy without pulse modulation. METHODS: A retrospective review of URS with laser lithotripsy at a tertiary stone center was conducted for cases performed 2 months before and 2 months after conversion to TFL lasers for URS. 152 procedures were identified. Cases that involved bilateral procedures, aberrant anatomy, had no recorded kidney stone composition, and those that were aborted due to complications or tight ureters were excluded from analysis. 102 cases met inclusion criteria, 51 in each arm. Operative time was measured from scope in to scope out. Variables including stone size, location, chemical composition, prior ureteral stenting and ureteral access sheath use were recorded. In cases with 2 or more stones, the cumulative stone diameter was measured from preop CT imaging and reported as the summation of diameters from all treated stones. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the patients and stones treated did not differ significantly between laser groups (table 1). Compared to Hol:YAG, use of TFL resulted in an average decrease of 12.94 minutes per case (p=.021, 95% CI [2.03-23.85]). In subgroup analysis of cases with cumulative stone diameter less than 15mm, the difference was 13.95 minutes (p=.007, CI [3.95-23.95]). For cases less than 10mm, the mean difference was 17.27 minutes in favor of TFL (p=.002, 95% CI [6.89-27.62]). Stone free states confirmed by retroperitoneal ultrasound were similar between groups but could not be reliably estimated due to low (36%) compliance with post op imaging in the COVID era. CONCLUSIONS: TFL is a substantially faster means of laser lithotripsy than Hol:YAG with average case time reduced by 20% overall (13 min). As the number of URS laser lithotripsy procedures being performed in the United States continues to increase, reducing procedure times has the potential to improve patient outcomes and decrease costs. Longer term follow up is needed to see if recurrence rates are affected.
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This paper endeavors to understand the research landscape of finance research in Vietnam during the period 2008 to 2020 and predict the key defining future research directions. Using the comprehensive database of Vietnam's international publications in social sciences and humanities, we extract a dataset of 314 papers on finance topics in Vietnam from 2008 to 2020. Then, we apply a systematic approach to analyze four important themes: Structural issues, Banking system, Firm issues, and Financial psychology and behavior. Overall, there have been three noticeable trends within finance research in Vietnam: (1) assessment of financial policies or financial regulation, (2) deciphering the correlates of firms' financial performances, and (3) opportunities and challenges in adopting innovations and ideas from foreign financial market systems. Our analysis identifies several fertile areas for future research, including financial market analysis in the post-COVID-19 eras, fintech, and green finance.
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As COVID-19 swept across the globe, disrupting people's lives through lockdowns and health concerns, information about how to stay safe and how to identify symptoms spread across media of all forms. Using survey data we collected in April 2020 on a national sample of Americans, we tested the knowledge gap hypothesis by examining how people's education levels relate to their knowledge about COVID-19 as well as their susceptibility to fake news, and whether information sources moderate this relationship. Our findings suggest that a knowledge gap exists, with those with higher education levels displaying higher levels of knowledge. In contrast, education level did not play a role in believing false information. Moreover, higher news consumption through radio, print newspapers and magazines, and especially social media was associated with lower levels of knowledge and more fake news beliefs. However, news media consumption did not moderate the relationship between education and either knowledge or fake news beliefs, meaning that the media did not explain the education-based knowledge gap during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Background: AKI is a major predictor of mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Data regarding association of renal dysfunction (AKI, hematuria and proteinuria) at the time of admission with hospital outcomes is limited. Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, we analyzed electronic medical record data on 300 patients admitted with COVID-19. Data collection included history of comorbidities, medications, vital signs, and admission and peak laboratory values. Outcomes included inflammatory burden (calculated using composite scores for multiple markers of inflammation), AKI during hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for invasive mechanical ventilation, mortality and length of stay. For multivariate analyses, generalized linear model (continuous outcomes) and logistic regression (dichotomous outcomes) were used. Machine learning algorithms (XGBoost classifier with 3-fold crossvalidation) were performed to develop a predictive model for in-hospital AKI. Results: No significant associations between admission AKI and hospital outcomes were observed. Admission proteinuria was associated with increases in in-hospital AKI, ICU admission, death, peak inflammation score, and length of stay on descriptive analysis;however, on multivariate analysis (after adjusting for multiple covariates), only in-hospital AKI remained statistically significant (OR=4.71, 1.28-17.38, p=0.02). Admission hematuria was associated with increases in in-hospital AKI, ICU admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death on descriptive analysis;and on multivariate analysis it still predicted increased rates of ICU admissions (OR=4.56, 1.12-18.64, p=0.03), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR=8.79, 2.09-37.00, p=0.003), and death (OR=18.03, 2.84-114.57, p=0.002). Using machine learning algorithms, an area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of 87.4% with an accuracy of 87.6% was obtained for predicting in-hospital AKI using only admission data. Conclusions: In patients with COVID-19, admission hematuria and proteinuria are associated with adverse hospital outcomes, and admission data can be used to predict AKI during hospitalization.