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1.
Sustainability ; 15(11):8971, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-20243416

ABSTRACT

Evaluation and selection of eco-innovation strategies is a significant and complex strategic decision, and despite the relevance and interest in the field of eco-innovation, the area of eco-innovation strategies has not been explored in depth in the scientific literature. Therefore, in this study, we propose an integrated approach to evaluating eco-innovation strategies from the perspective of strategic green transformation that helps decision-makers evaluate and select eco-innovation strategy aiming to achieve a competitive advantage. For this study, we adopted a validated multi-criteria decision-making methodology (MCDM) by combining Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The reliability of the proposed framework was tested and applied in the context of the Lithuanian furniture industry. This study offers three contributions and provides a comprehensive and profound insights into eco-innovation strategies. First, this study conceptualizes eco-innovation strategy from the perspective of strategic green transformation and proposed a novel definition and classification of eco-innovation strategies leading to competitive advantage. Second, this study proposes a novel approach to the evaluation of eco-innovation strategies taking into account micro-, meso-, and macro-level environmental factors. Third, the findings of this study provide implications for scholars and decision-makers in the field of eco-innovation strategy and set an agenda for future research.

2.
Vestnik Rossijskoj Voenno-Medicinskoj Akademii ; 24(1):165-177, 2022.
Article in Russian | Scopus | ID: covidwho-20241415

ABSTRACT

This study systematically review knowledge about the mechanisms of formation of an inflammatory reaction under the influence of biological, physical, and chemical factors, their similarities and differences, and possible methods of pharmacological correction of pathological conditions associated with excessive activation. The effect of adverse environmental factors, such as biological, physical, and chemical factors, causes a systemic response, which is aimed at maintaining homeostasis and is caused, among other things, by a coordinated reaction of the immune system. Phlogogenic agents result in the activation and regulation of the inflammatory response, which is formed by cellular and humoral components of innate immunity. The activation of innate immunity is characterized by a rapid host response, which diminishes following the elimination of "foreign” invaders, endogenous killer cells, and neogenesis. Depending on the nature of the active factors (biopathogens, allergens, toxins, ionizing radiation, etc.), the mechanisms of immune response arousal have unique features mainly originating from the differences in the recognition of specific molecular patterns and "danger signals” by different receptors. However, inflammatory mediators and inflammatory response patterns at the systemic level are largely similar even under widely different triggers. Inflammation, having evolved as an adaptive reaction directed at the immune response, can lead to the development of chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases due to a mismatch in mechanisms of its control. A "failure” in the regulation of the inflammatory process is the excessive activation of the immune system, which leads to the cytokine release syndrome (hypercytokinemia, or "cytokine storm”) and can cause self-damage (destruction) of tissues, multiple-organ failure, sepsis, and even death. Modern advances in the study of the pathogenetic bases of the inflammatory response are suggested, such as pharmacological correction using pattern recognition receptor antagonists, pro-inflammatory cytokine inhibitors, or blocking of key control genes or signaling pathways. All rights reserved © Eco-Vector, 2022.

3.
Sustainability ; 15(11):9089, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-20237400

ABSTRACT

Traditional villages are a valuable cultural asset that occupy an important position in Chinese traditional culture. This study focuses on 206 traditional villages in Hebei Province and aims to explore their spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors using ArcGIS spatial analysis. The analysis shows that traditional villages in Hebei Province were distributed in clusters during different historical periods, and eventually formed three core clusters in Shijiazhuang, Zhangjiakou and Xingtai-Handan after different historical periods. Moreover, the overall distribution of traditional villages in Hebei Province is very uneven, with clear regional differences, and most of them are concentrated in the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains. To identify the factors influencing traditional villages, natural environmental factors, socio-economic factors, and historical and cultural factors are considered. The study finds that socio-economic and natural environmental factors alternate in the spatial distribution of traditional villages in Hebei Province. The influence of the interaction of these factors increases significantly, and socio-economic factors have a stronger influence on the spatial distribution. Specifically, the spatial distribution of traditional villages in Hebei Province is influenced by natural environmental factors, while socio-economic factors act as drivers of spatial distribution. Historical and cultural factors act as catalysts of spatial distribution, and policy directions are external forces of spatial distribution. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of traditional villages in Hebei Province, which can be used to develop effective strategies for rural revitalisation in China.

4.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ; 82(Suppl 1):320-321, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-20237240

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThe risk of incident gout in the United Kingdom (UK) appears to have declined since 2013.[1] However, whether this is temporary or likely to continue is unclear.ObjectivesTo examine the influence of age, calendar year, and year of birth on recent gout incidence in the UK.MethodsUsing data from IQVIA Medical Research Database in the UK, we identified incident gout by READ codes from 1999 to 2019. We grouped age, calendar year, and year of birth into 3-year categories. We assessed the effect of age, calendar year, and birth cohort categories on the incidence rate of gout using the age-period-cohort model among all participants and in men and women separately.ResultsOver the 21 years, there were 164,588 incident gout cases. The incidence rate of gout increased with age until age 80, then leveled off (P for trend <0.001) (Figure 1A). The gout incidence increased from 1999 to 2013, then declined (Figure 1B). The incidence rate of gout was higher in the late birth cohorts than in the early birth cohorts from the Year 1999 to the Year 2013 (Figure 1C);however, such a trend was reversed after the Year 2013, with the incidence rate of gout being higher in the early birth cohorts than that in the late birth cohorts (Figure 1D). Similar patterns were observed in men and women.ConclusionUsing the age-period-cohort model, we found that the risk of gout in the UK increased from 1999 to 2013 and then declined afterward. These findings suggest that some environmental factors occurring after 2013 may play role. Such a downward trend of the risk of gout may continue if these environmental factors are still present.Reference[1]Abhishek A, Tata LJ, Mamas M, et al. Has the gout epidemic peaked in the UK? A nationwide cohort study using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, from 1997 to across the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Jan 27.Figure 1.(A) Age rate ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals of gout incidence. The relative risk of each age category compared with the reference age category (57-59) was adjusted for the calendar year and birth cohort. (B) Calendar year rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals of gout incidence. The relative risk of each calendar year compared with the reference calendar year (2008-2010) was adjusted for age and birth cohort. (C) Cohort rate ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals of gout incidence. The relative risk of each birth cohort (1911-1982) compared with the reference birth cohort (1950-1952) was adjusted for age and calendar year. (D) Cohort rate ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals of gout incidence. The relative risk of each birth cohort (1923-1988) compared with the reference birth cohort (1950-1952) was adjusted for age and calendar year.[Figure omitted. See PDF]AcknowledgementsThis work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81930071, 82072502, U21A20352), Project Program of National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (2021LNJJ06, 2022LNJJ07), the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2022JJ20100), and the Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province (2022RC3075, 2022RC1009).Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.

5.
Front Immunol ; 13: 1058759, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20231772

ABSTRACT

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially life-threatening blistering disorder characterized by autoantibodies directed against cell-cell adhesion molecules that serves as an excellent model to study human autoimmune development. Numerous studies have identified specific Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes, in particular DRB1*0402 and DQB1*0503, that confer disease risk. Although HLA is required, it is not sufficient for the initiation of disease. As with all autoimmune diseases, the etio-pathogenesis of PV is complex, meaning it is multifactorial. Susceptibility is polygenic, and the search for non-HLA disease-linked genes continues. Moreover, twin studies across autoimmune conditions indicate that non-genetic environmental and lifestyle factors, which can be collectively grouped under the term "exposome", are also major contributors to disease development. The literature presents evidence for the potential role of multiple triggers such as medications, infections, stress, diet, immunizations, and sleep to influence the etiology, pathophysiology, and prognosis of PV. However, a clear understanding of the degree to which specific factors impact PV is lacking. In this investigation, we comprehensively review the environmental elements listed above and consider the strength of evidence for these factors. The overall goals of this work are to provide greater insights into the factors that influence disease susceptibility, disease development and disease course and ultimately help to better guide clinicians and inform patients in the management of PV.


Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases , Exposome , Pemphigus , Humans , Autoantibodies , Autoimmune Diseases/complications , Diet , Disease Susceptibility
6.
17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022 ; 2022.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2325325

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2 has been detected both in air and on surfaces, but questions remain about the patient-specific and environmental factors affecting virus transmission to the environment. Additionally, more detailed information on viral findings in the air is needed. In this cross-sectional study, we present results from 259 air and 252 surface samples from the surroundings of 23 hospitalized and eight home-treated COVID-19 patients between July 2020 and March 2021 and compare the results between the measured environments and patient factors. In four cases, positive environmental samples were detected even after the patients had developed a neutralizing IgG response. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in multiple particle sizes and different air samplers. Appropriate infection control against airborne and surface transmission routes is needed in both environments, even after antibody production has begun. © 2022 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022. All rights reserved.

7.
BMC Med Educ ; 23(1): 356, 2023 May 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2326571

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Environmental factors are important for students' learning during online classes, especially during a pandemic, such as COVID-19. This study aimed to validate the environmental factors' questionnaire during online learning. METHODS: A total of 218 undergraduate medical students at the Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, participated in a cross-sectional study that involved an online survey. Environmental factor scales were assessed with the nine-item lighting, noise, and temperature (LNT) scale and the six-item technology scale. Analysis was performed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: The English version of the LNT scale with nine items and three factors showed a good fit to the data, with no item deleted. For LNT, the composite reliability (CR) was 0.81, 0.81, and 0.84, respectively, while the average variance extracted (AVE) was 0.61, 0.59, and 0.6, respectively. The English version of the technology scale, with six items and one factor, also showed a good fit to the data, with no item deleted. The CR was 0.84, and the AVE was 0.51. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide psychometric evidence for environmental questionnaire scales in evaluating the factors associated with online learning among Malaysian university medical students. All items were retained and confirmed to fit the sample data.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Education, Distance , Students, Medical , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Pandemics , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and Questionnaires
8.
Sustainability ; 15(9):7093, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2319709

ABSTRACT

In the fourth industrial revolution age, digital transformation is crucial to the sustainable development of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). This study suggests a hierarchical model based on the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) model with three main dimensions and nine sub-dimensions for SMEs that implemented digital transformation in the emerging economy. The fuzzy analytic hierarchical process methodology (Fuzzy AHP) was used to explore and rank determinants of the digital transformation adoption for SMEs. Data were collected by the questionnaires from 72 respondents, who were the leaders of SMEs in Vietnam. The results revealed that the environmental factor was ranked the most important factor in the pairwise comparisons of the hierarchical structure, and the sub-dimension of the customer experience was at the highest ranking of the relative pairwise comparisons of the digital transformation adoption for SMEs, followed by technological compatibility, government support, organizational support, and human resources. This research makes contributions to the topic of digital transformation from both theoretical and practical implications. The result stresses the critical significance of environmental factors in the successful adoption of digital technologies in SMEs, which adds to the perspective in the context of a growing nation.

9.
IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ; 1169(1):012076, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2318855

ABSTRACT

Covid-19 had changed the way we perceived our living environment. As people now spent more time inside, indoor quality especially in terms of environmental factors is considered important in future housing. It is not just one of the indicators for healthy housing, but also green housing. The purpose of this study is to investigate Indonesian's housing satisfaction and preferences towards indoor quality in terms of environmental factors in the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The environmental factors indicators used in this study were daylight, air, acoustic, view, and green space quality. This quantitative study used an online questionnaire to collect data. The data analysis compared mean values and gap differences of values for each indicator. The results showed residents were satisfied enough with almost all of the indicators in their current living environment during the pandemic. As for residents' preferences, daylight quality, air quality, and green space are the top priorities needed to be considered for their dream houses. As for gap differences, it was found that green space, air quality, and acoustic quality needed to be improved, as respondents' expectations are higher. Understanding housing satisfaction and preferences from the residents' perspectives in the context of Covid-19 pandemic is considered important, as their demand can motivate developers and other stakeholders to adopt healthy and green building practices. It is hoped that the results of this research can support the studies on future healthy and green housing, especially in terms of environmental factors quality.

10.
Journal of Building Engineering ; 73:106737, 2023.
Article in English | ScienceDirect | ID: covidwho-2316472

ABSTRACT

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected every aspect of our lives. To date, experts have acknowledged that airborne transmission is a key piece of the SARS-CoV-2 puzzle. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear. Recent works have shown the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 through numerical modeling and experimental works, but the successful applications of engineering approaches in reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 are lacking. In this review, the environmental factors that influence the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2, such as ventilation flow rates, humidity, and temperature, are discussed. Besides, additional macro and micro weather factors, regional and global transmission, and the variants of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 are also reviewed. Engineering approaches that practically reduce the risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions are reported. Given the complex human behavior, environmental properties, and dynamic nature of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is reasonable to summarize that SARS-CoV-2 may not be eradicated even with the timely implementation of interventions. Therefore, more research exploring the potential cost-effective ways to control the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 may be a worthwhile pursuit to moderate the current crisis.

11.
Cureus ; 15(3): e36934, 2023 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2312459

ABSTRACT

Introduction Although various studies have been conducted on the relationship between meteorological factors and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this issue has not been sufficiently clarified. In particular, there are a limited number of studies on the course of COVID-19 in the warmer-humidity seasons. Methods Patients presenting to the emergency departments of health institutions and to clinics set aside for cases of suspected COVID-19 in the province of Rize between 1 June and 31 August 2021 and who met the case definition based on the Turkish COVID-19 epidemiological guideline were included in this retrospective study. The effect of meteorological factors on case numbers throughout the study was investigated. Results During the study period, 80,490 tests were performed on patients presenting to emergency departments and clinics dedicated to patients with suspected COVID-19. The total case number was 16,270, with a median daily number of 64 (range 43-328). The total number of deaths was 103, with a median daily figure of 1.00 (range 0.00-1.25). According to the Poisson distribution analysis, it is found that the number of cases tended to increase at temperatures between 20.8 and 27.2°C. Conclusion It is predicted that the number of COVID-19 cases will not decrease with the increase in temperature in temperate regions with high rainfall. Therefore, unlike influenza, there may not be seasonal variation in the prevalence of COVID-19. The requisite measures should be adopted in health systems and hospitals to manage increases in case numbers associated with changes in meteorological factors.

12.
Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism ; 41(62), 2023.
Article in English | CAB Abstracts | ID: covidwho-2303277

ABSTRACT

Public green spaces provide physical and mental respite, which have become essential and elevated services during the COVID-19 pandemic. As visitation to public parks and recreation areas increased during the pandemic, the challenge of maintaining visitor safety and protecting environmental resources was exacerbated. A key visitor safety practice during the COVID-19 onset was maintaining a physical distance of six feet (1.8 m) between groups. A novel data set documented and compared physical distancing compliance and off-trail behavior on multiple-use trails across multiple states and within select U.S. communities, attending to the impact of select environmental factors. Nearly 6000 observations revealed physical distancing compliance varied and the environmental factors of trail width, density, and signage influenced its variability. Similarly, off-trail movement was related to trail width and density. Clearly the environment matters as people negotiate the 'new normal' of physical distancing during physical activity and outdoor recreation participation. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and likelihood of future health crises, this project provides important information and insight for trail and other public green space management, monitoring, and modelling moving forward.

13.
Energies ; 16(8):3585, 2023.
Article in English | ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2299767

ABSTRACT

In order to create a sustainable future for the urban environment in s=Smart cities, it is necessary to develop a concept of urban transport, partially reduce the use of traditional transport, primarily cars, as well as the environmental pressure on society, which is essential to move to a sustainable urban future. In the latest discussions on the future of the urban transport system, the quality of the environment, and the possibility of its improvement are discussed, this issue became especially relevant with the onset of the pandemic, when the lockdowns were introduced. The problem of sustainable transport in urban areas has been recognized in academic studies, searching for appropriate models and solutions. The article presents the latest literature review and illustrates the newest trends with several examples. VOS Viewer software has been used to classify the different keywords, according to their co-citation, following clustering techniques. By analyzing the research conducted by other researchers, it has been possible to structure the ecosystem and trends in the Urban Transportation Concept, also mentioning likely future trends. Based on the literature analysis of the Sustainable Urban Transport, the authors of the study found that a large group of researchers deal with technical solutions and innovative business models, while the essential behavioral aspects are examined in less detail. Extensive literature analysis allowed the authors to select several solutions to achieve the transformation towards sustainable transportation in urban areas: new vehicle technologies and their environmental factors' analysis, geographic information systems, the analytic hierarchy process method, the time series analysis of road traffic accidents using multiplicative models, electrification and use of Friedman Analysis of Variance by Ranks, as well as innovations in sharing mobility.

14.
Erdkunde ; 76(3):199-226, 2022.
Article in English | CAB Abstracts | ID: covidwho-2294340

ABSTRACT

Arctic-alpine ecosystems are considered hot-spots of environmental change, with rapidly warming conditions causing massive alterations in vegetational structure. These changes and their environmental controls are highly complex and variable across spatial and temporal scales. Yet, despite their numerous implications for the global climate system, the underlying physiological processes and mechanisms at the individual plant scale are still little explored. Using hourly recordings of shrub stem diameter change provided by dendrometers, paired with on-site environmental conditions, enabled us to shed light on these processes. In this way, growth patterns in three widely distributed shrub species were assessed and linked to thermal and hygric conditions. We started our analysis with a close examination of one evergreen species under extreme environmental conditions, followed by a comparison of evergreen and deciduous species, and, finally, a comparative look at growth patterns across local micro-habitats. The results revealed distinct growth strategies, closely linked to species-specific water-use dynamics and cambial rhythms. Within the heterogenous alpine landscape these conditions were mainly attributed to the variation in local micro-habitats, defined by fine-scale topography and consequent variation in snow conditions and exposure. Thus, the overall growth success was mainly controlled by complex seasonal dynamics of soil moisture availability, snow conditions, and associated freeze-thaw cycles. It was therefore in many cases decoupled from governing regional climate signals. At the same time, exceedingly high summer temperatures were limiting shrub growth during the main growing season, resulting in more or less pronounced bimodal growth patterns, indicating potential growth limitation with on-going summer warming. While shrubs are currently able to maximize their growth success through a high level of adaptation to local micro-site conditions, their continued growth under rapidly changing environmental conditions is uncertain. However, our results suggest a high level of heterogeneity across spatial and temporal scales. Thus, broad-scale vegetational shifts can not be explained by a singular driver or uniform response pattern. Instead, fine-scale physiological processes and on-site near-ground environmental conditions have to be incorporated into our understanding of these changes.

15.
AIMS Public Health ; 10(1): 145-168, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2293562

ABSTRACT

Scholars and experts argue that future pandemics and/or epidemics are inevitable events, and the problem is not whether they will occur, but when a new health emergency will emerge. In this uncertain scenario, one of the most important questions is an accurate prevention, preparedness and prediction for the next pandemic. The main goal of this study is twofold: first, the clarification of sources and factors that may trigger pandemic threats; second, the examination of prediction models of on-going pandemics, showing pros and cons. Results, based on in-depth systematic review, show the vital role of environmental factors in the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and many limitations of the epidemiologic models of prediction because of the complex interactions between the new viral agent SARS-CoV-2, environment and society that have generated variants and sub-variants with rapid transmission. The insights here are, whenever possible, to clarify these aspects associated with public health in order to provide lessons learned of health policy that may reduce risks of emergence and diffusion of new pandemics having negative societal impact.

16.
Mult Scler ; : 13524585221113272, 2022 Jul 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2292936

ABSTRACT

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a devastating antibody-mediated condition of the central nervous system. As in other autoimmune diseases, there is considerable evidence to suggest that NMOSD arises from complex interactions between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. However, whether factors like aquaporin-4-Antibody production initiate NMOSD attacks, currently remains unclear, and requires further investigation. Infectious diseases have also been proposed as possible environmental factors associated with NMOSD onset or relapses, some of which are more common in Asia and Latin America than in Europe and North America, in parallel with the higher incidence of NMOSD in these geographic locations. In this review, we examine current evidence on specific infections and vaccines associated with NMOSD onset and/or attacks, as well as the most recent data on gut microbiome composition and SARS-CoV-2 infection in NMOSD patients.

17.
4th International Conference on Emerging Research in Electronics, Computer Science and Technology, ICERECT 2022 ; 2022.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2277747

ABSTRACT

To distinguish individuals wearing face masks in observation settings like banks and ATMs, this work will give a profound learning model to face mask recognition. Hoodlums and offenders perpetrate wrongdoings by disguising their elements behind face masks, which is contrary to the standard in checking environmental factors. To recognize and secure offenders and lawbreakers, the face mask locator model set forth in this study can be joined with observation cameras in independent reconnaissance frameworks. The COVID-19 pandemic has in short order disturbed worldwide exchange and transportation, influencing our everyday lives. The act of utilizing a defensive face mask has changed. Coming soon from now on, a few public specialist co-ops will expect that clients utilize the legitimate masks while utilizing their administrations. Face mask ID is turning into a significant obligation to help the worldwide civilization. This paper frames a dense strategy for accomplishing this objective using specific essential AI instruments, including Tensor Stream, Keras, OpenCV, and Scikit-Learn. The proposed procedure effectively perceives the face in the picture and afterward decides if it is covered by a mask. © 2022 IEEE.

18.
East African Medical Journal ; 99(8):5106-5113, 2022.
Article in English | CAB Abstracts | ID: covidwho-2275050

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among undergraduates in Kenyan universities. Design: Evaluation design. Setting: University of Nairobi's Main Campus, Nairobi, Kenya. Subjects: Undergraduate students at the University of Nairobi. Background: The fight against COVID-19 pandemic has utilized the information model for behavior change. The prevention behavior to adopt included wearing masks, keeping social distance and the COVID-19 vaccine uptake. However, there is still a knowledge-behavior among high-risk groups like the youth. Based on the Integrated Model of Behavior Prediction, the study sought to evaluate the determinants for the COVID vaccine uptake among undergraduates. Materials & Methods: A survey of undergraduates at the University of Nairobi's Main campus was conducted with a systematic selection of a sample using students class registers. Results: From 384 respondents, the study found that the uptake of coronavirus vaccine was positively correlated with COVID-19 saliency (r=0.211), skills and competency (r=0.146), behavioral intentions (r=0.159) and environmental factors (r=0.211). Conclusion: The uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among undergraduate students in Kenya is determined by all factors in the Integrated Model of Behavior Prediction such as vaccine saliency, behavioral intentions, environmental constraints and skills and competency. Therefore, increasing the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among undergraduates may involve addressing all these factors.

19.
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water ; 8(6), 2021.
Article in English | CAB Abstracts | ID: covidwho-2274327

ABSTRACT

The world is nearing the 2030 target-year by which sustainable development goals (SDGs) should be achieved. While other developing regions seem to be making progress toward achieving SDG6, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is lagging behind significantly, particularly with regard to access to water supply and sanitation (WSS). As a result, most studies evaluating progress toward the achievement of water security SDGs in SSA have focused on WSS while the rest of the SDG6 targets have received scant attention, often using fragmented or incomplete evidence. Here, we fill this knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the status of SDG6 in all 48 countries in SSA. We provide a review of the progress made, the challenges affecting each SDG6 target and examine the different political, socioeconomic, and environmental factors with potential to undermine the achievement of SDG6 in the region. Our review clearly demonstrates that it is likely that most countries may not achieve water security by 2030. The complex nature of the challenges and factors impeding the achievement of water security in SSA outlined here suggests that a holistic intervention involving local, national, and international stakeholders and the research community is urgently needed to address SDG6 if the 2030 target date is to be met. Approaches to enhance water security may equally consider: (a) underpinning peace and security in SSA and (b) the commitment of more financial resources by donors particularly during this period of COVID-19 pandemic.

20.
Forests ; 13(11), 2022.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2269833

ABSTRACT

Some policies implemented during the pandemic extended the time that students spend on electronic devices, increasing the risk of physical and eye strain. However, the role of different environments on eye strain recovery has not been determined. We recruited 20 undergraduate students (10 males and 10 females) from a university in eastern China and explored the restoration effects of their eye strain in different types of spaces (wayside greenspace, a playground, a square, and woodland) on campus through scale measurements. The results showed that the eye strain of the students accumulated by 15 min of e-learning was significantly relieved after 10 min of greenspace exposure compared to the indoor environment, and the recovery effect varied depending on the type of landscape. The effect of eye strain relief was found to be positively correlated with temperature, wind speed, visible sky ratio, canopy density, tree density, and solar radiation intensity, while it was negatively correlated with relative humidity. These findings enrich the research on the restoration benefits of greenspaces and provide a basis for predicting the effect of different environments on the relief of eye strain. © 2022 by the authors.

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