ABSTRACT
As the COVID-19 pandemic confined millions across the globe to their homes, technology proved an indispensable tool that allowed humanity to sustain many aspects of everyday life, including social behaviours. In compliance with quarantine restrictions, communities were unable to support each other in the usual manner;simultaneously, the demand for such support grew, owing to the difficult circumstances. This study (N = 196) explores whether technology enabled or hindered this specific type of social interaction – helping others. We discovered that General Online Social Interaction Propensity correlated positively with helping – although it demonstrated stronger correlations with online support. The Technology Adoption Propensity Index Optimism and Proficiency subscales failed to correlate significantly with helping and only Vulnerability subscale showed significant correlation. In conclusion, both GOSIP and TAP Vulnerability are valid predictors of proneness to offer help online. We suggest considering various personality predispositions may help to maximize the effectiveness of online helping. © 2022, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
The concept of boredom has recently attracted the attention of researchers in L2 education. As most of the available literature has focused on traditional, in-person classes, very little is known about how L2 students experience this aversive emotion in online classes, especially those prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To fill this gap, this large-scale, qualitative study surveys the opinion of 240 demographically versatile English major students from twenty-five universities in Iran to identify the activity types that are more likely to induce boredom in online classes. Thematic analysis of data, collected through open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and analysed through MAXQDA software, revealed ten different activity types which were boredom-inducing due to their non-engaging or cognitively (un)demanding nature. The findings are then discussed in light of relevant theories of boredom, and suggestions are given for making these activities less boring in online classes.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with significant spread in congregate settings and various forms of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) have been implemented to prevent spread. Basic Military Training at Joint Base-San Antonio is the entrance to the US Air Force and has been associated with respiratory outbreaks in the past. A two-week arrival quarantine was implemented in March 2020. Effects on subsequent testing for COVID-19 after an arrival quarantine is unknown. Methods: The first four weekly cohorts of trainees who underwent an arrival quarantine between March 16-April 13 were monitored during their 7 week training for COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms, medical testing, and days removed from training were collected on every patient with possible COVID-19 symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, or fever. Testing during the two-week arrival quarantine were compared to the subsequent five weeks of training. Nominal variables were compared by chi squared or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Continuous variables were compared by Mann-Whitney U Test. Results: A total of 2,573 started training during study period, 89 (3.4%) had symptoms concerning for COVID-19 and were tested. 5 (6%) patients tested positive, all of whom in the arrival quarantine. Compared to patients who completed quarantine (n=29), patients in the arrival quarantine who tested negative for COVID-19 (n=54) were tested more often (26 trainees a week vs. 5.8 later in training, p=< 0.0001), and received more rapid flu tests (74% vs. 38%, p=0.001) and multiplex respiratory PCR (15% vs. 0%, p=0.05). Trainees in quarantine were isolated longer for symptoms than patients who completed quarantine (median 3 vs. 2, p=0.01). There was no difference in presenting symptoms for trainees in quarantine or after quarantine. Conclusion: Arrival quarantine appears to be an effective NPI, which in conjunction with other interventions prevented any COVID-19 transmission after quarantine completion. For those who went through arrival quarantine, there was more intense initial testing and initial longer symptomatic patient isolation, this was balanced by fewer symptomatic patients, less testing, and shorter isolations later in training.
ABSTRACT
The originally published article: The surname and given name of authors, M. Pawlak and A.C. de Beaux has been incorrectly published.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Acute IH is a common surgical presentation. Despite new guidelines being published recently, a number of important questions remained unanswered including the role of taxis, as initial non-operative management. This is particularly relevant now due to the possibility of a lack of immediate surgical care as a result of COVID-19. The aim of this review is to assess the role of taxis in the management of emergency inguinal hernias. METHODS: A review of the literature was undertaken. Available literature published until March 2019 was obtained and reviewed. 32,021 papers were identified, only 9 were of sufficient value to be used. RESULTS: There was a large discrepancy in the terminology of incarcerated/strangulated used. Taxis can be safely attempted early after the onset of symptoms and is effective in about 70% of patients. The possibility of reduction en-mass should be kept in mind. Definitive surgery to repair the hernia can be delayed by weeks until such time as surgery can be safely arranged. CONCLUSIONS: The use of taxis in emergency inguinal hernia is a useful first line of treatment in areas or situations where surgical care is not immediately available, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency surgery remains the mainstay of management in the strangulated hernia setting.