ABSTRACT
The paper draws on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to investigate the dual effect of digital communication reinforcement drivers: positive (i.e., interactivity, argument quality, hedonic motivation, and perceived enjoyment online) and negative (i.e., intrusive concerns and privacy concerns) on purchase intention. This paper also examines the mediation effect of perceived usefulness and the moderation effect of habit. Using a time-lag approach, 490 responses were collected from Pakistan's social media users and then analyzed using SmartPLS v.3.2.8. Findings showed that interactivity, argument quality, and privacy concerns significantly affected purchase intention. Furthermore, perceived usefulness was partially mediated, and habit was discovered to be a significant moderator in liking perceived usefulness with enjoyment online and purchase intention. This paper advances TPB understanding and develops an integrated model for businesses to better understand customer physiology on social commerce platforms through effective contributions in theory and practice.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Biological markers for the prediction of acquiring Covid-19 risk are deficient and there is a dire need of immediate research data. The objective of the study was to predict the link of ABO blood group types along with Rh factor distribution with the severity of Covid-19. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional survey conducted in medicine department of Pakistan Ordnance Factory Hospital, Wah Cantt Pakistan, from August 2020 to December 2020 after approval of IRB. Participants tested positive for presence of Covid-19 infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were included in the study. Covid-19 infection severity was measured through mild, moderate and severe disease categories and analyzed. ABO blood group and Rh subgroups data for all the Covid-19 infected patients were obtained from the laboratory section of the hospital and analyzed. Data was entered in SPSS v 26 and analyzed. Cox regression model was used to find out the severity of Covid-19. Results: Total 248 patients were included;75% patients were male and 25% were females. The mean age of the patients was 52.77±15.58 years. A very significant association was found between ABO blood group types, Rh factor antigen and severity of Covid-19 (p=0.001). When stratified ABO, Rh antigen blood group with health status of all patients there was a very significant association between them (p=0.013). An insignificant association between male and female odds ratio of ABO blood group types but blood group B, Rh positive antigen was more susceptible in Covid-19 positive patients. Conclusion: There is a link between ABO blood group types along with Rh factor antigen (B+ and O+) with the severity of Covid-19 positive patients. ABO blood group types and Rh factor can be used as a potential marker/tool to predict the susceptibility of acquiring Covid-19 infection as well as for severity of the infection.
ABSTRACT
This research study evaluates the impact of the Covid 19 pandemics on the downside risk-return volatilities across the four stock markets of the USA, UK, China, and Pakistan. The pandemic results in severe economic and financial consequences both at micro and macro levels as well as across the stock markets of various countries. The selected stock markets of the USA, UK, Pakistan, and China are significantly affected in terms of both investor risk and return during the pandemic time. The entire period distribution of the risk exhibited the downside risk behavior of both markets and investors' serious concern regarding their investment strategies. Using high-frequency data from January 2020 to April 2021, the findings of the study reveal more of the downside abnormal returns across both markets. The impact is larger and high in developed markets of USA and UK compared to the emerging markets of China and Pakistan. The outcomes of the various value-at-risk models disclose the higher downside risk implications for all markets, larger for developed countries. Similarly, the three stock markets of the USA, UK, and China were found to be significantly connected during a pandemic. Investors' reactions were positive and high in case of positive news outbreaks and dwindling in case of negative news and downside impact. The outcomes of the study are useful for investors, portfolio managers, investment advisors, and others to understand the dynamics of the pandemic situation and devise effective strategies to overcome the severities of downside risk.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , COVID-19/epidemiology , Commerce , Disease Outbreaks , Humans , Investments , Risk-TakingABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) frequently involves the respiratory system causing pneumonia. The disease started in December 2019 and is now a global pandemic. The disease is not limited to the respiratory system and cardiac, cutaneous, and neurological involvement has been reported. Psychiatric features of agitation and delirium have also been described in COVID-19. It is yet to be determined whether this will have any long term effect on the quality of life of these patients. We report a case of delirium in a COVID-19 patient who had also developed spontaneous pneumothorax on the day 15 of illness. Few of such case reports have been reported internationally but to the best of authors' knowledge, no such case has been reported in Pakistan.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global outbreak caused by novel SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Study aims to evaluate knowledge and practices of healthcare workers (HCW) regarding infection prevention and control of corona virus disease Material and methods: A cross sectional validation study was conducted. Study was conducted at department of Medicine, Pakistan Ordinance Factory Hospital, Wah Cantt. Study duration was 2 months (May 2020-June2020)A sample size of 217 HCW was calculated using WHO calculator. HCW were selected through non probability sampling (consecutive). Ethical permission was taken and research consent was signed by each participant. SPSS version 24 was used for analysis purpose. Post stratification fissure exact and chi-square test was applied. We found p value ≤0.05 as statistically significant. Results: Total 217 HCW were included in our study. Out of them, 85 (39.2%) were male and 132 (60.8%) were female in our study. Mean age of HCW was 34.5±2.4SD. In knowledge assessment majority of HCW had fair knowledge (46.5%), followed by good (30%) and poor knowledge (23.5%) regarding corona virus associated infection control and prevention. In practice assessment, among all those, 38.2% HCW showed better practices while 61.8% showed poor practices. Knowledge is significantly associated with virus transmission mode (p = 0.00), close contact (p = 0.000), protection from COVID-19 in triage area (p = 0.000), wearing PPE (p = 0.000) etc. Conclusion: Corona virus disease is a major challenge in resource limited countries. Healthcare workers showed relatively improved knowledge and practices regarding infection prevention and control in this COVID-19 Pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care is the property of Department of Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)