A Vaccine for the Pandemic of Aging? Conceptual and Ethical Issues

In this chapter, we develop and extend the above analogy by means of a thought experiment in which a vaccine for the pandemic of aging is developed. We ask first, whether the concept of a vaccine for the pandemic of aging is conceptually coherent, and second whether such a vaccine (or similar aging preventive) is ethically desirable. This chapter makes the case that, while there are some clear disanalogies between aging and typical pandemics like the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some striking similarities that advocate for similar degrees of urgency. Moreover, the comparison throws important light on some of the flawed objections to healthy life-extending technologies. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.

Farmers' willingness to stabilize the land contract relationship facing the upcoming expiry of land contracts

On the verge of the expiry of land contracts, it is theoretically and practically important to explore the willingness and motivations of farmers to stabilize the land contract relationship, with regards to protecting their land contract rights, addressing potential contradictions during the land contract extension, and maintaining the stability of contracted land. Using China Land Economic Survey Data in 2020, this paper explores the impact of differences in areas per capita of household contracted land on farmers' willingness to stabilize land contract relationship. The findings show that most farmers support the stability of land contract relationship;the smaller areas per capita of contracted land are occupied by households than the average in the village, the weaker of the farmers' willingness to stabilize the land contract relationship. The difference between the areas per capita of contracted land ownership of a household and the average in the village has a greater impact on the willingness to stabilize land contract relationship for middle-and low-income farmers, while the development of land transfer market does not increased the willingness. Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the land plays a more important role of employment security, which reduces farmers' willingness to stabilize the land contract relationship. Furthermore, the promotion of socialized agricultural service has also mitigated the willingness of farmers o stabilize the land contract relationship.

Isometric thumb extension exercise as part of a multimodal intervention for de Quervain's syndrome: A randomised feasibility trial

Introduction: de Quervain's syndrome is a painful condition commonly presented to hand therapists. Exercise is utilised as an intervention, but isometric exercise has not been investigated. We aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of isometric thumb extension exercise for de Quervain's syndrome and to explore differences between high-load and low-load isometric exercise. Method(s): This parallel-group randomised clinical feasibility trial included individuals with de Quervain's syndrome. All participants underwent a 2 week washout period where they received an orthosis, education, and range of motion exercises. Eligible participants were then randomised to receive high or low-load isometric thumb extension exercises, performed daily for 4 weeks. Feasibility and safety were assessed by recruitment and drop-out rates, adherence, adverse events, and participant feedback via semi-structured interviews. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported outcomes for pain and function, and blinded assessment of range of motion and strength. Result(s): Twenty-eight participants were randomised. There were no drop-outs after randomisation, and no serious adverse events. Adherence to exercise was 86.7%, with 84% of participants stating they would choose to participate again. There were clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain and function over time (p < 0.001) but not in range of motion or strength. There were no statistically significant between-group differences. Conclusion(s): Isometric thumb extension exercise within a multimodal approach appears a safe and feasible intervention for people with de Quervain's syndrome. A large multi-centre trial would be required to compare high- and low-load isometric exercises. Further research investigating exercise and multimodal interventions in this population is warranted.Copyright © The Author(s) 2023.

Texas grassroots Extension program maintains 50 years of impact in horsemanship

The Texas A&M AgriLife Summer Horsemanship School (SHS) program has been providing horse enthusiasts of all skill levels and ages with horsemanship skills through 2 or 3-d schools for 50 consecutive years. The long-standing impact of the program has been a significant driver for Texas A&M students' experiential learning as horsemanship instructors (~341) and grassroots education across the state for school participants (~29,400). Post surveys for (1) student instructors and (2) school participants were collected and analyzed separately in total for 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022 to evaluate participant knowledge gained, adoption of new practices, satisfaction, and increased confidence and competence, and student instructor impact. This did not include 2020, due to limited schools taught by former student instructors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was analyzed for descriptive statistics using the means and frequency procedures in SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC). Most school participants were female (77.9%), 15 years old or younger (77.3%), and reported being in 4-H (66.8%). Participants reported having riding experience of less than 1 year (8.2%), 1-5 years (35.3%), 6-10 years (30.4%), or more than 10 years (26.2%). Post-participation survey responses indicate that 81.6% could now do one or more advanced maneuvers that they were previously unable to do (n = 602) and 87.9% reported they were able to ride with more confidence (n = 546). Of the 12 horsemanship topics assessed (Table 1), participants learned "a few or more things" on average 89.1% of the time. When evaluating overall satisfaction, 94.8% stated that they enjoyed most, if not all, of the school. As for the student instructors(n = 21), 88% strongly agreed that their experience in the program had a profound impact on their collegiate careers and believed the skills they developed would be useful in their future careers. The impact of the SHS program is a testimony to the effectiveness of grassroots education on horsemanship in Extension programming, in addition to, collegiate student experiential learning.Copyright © 2023

Development of parameter-free, two-fluid, viscous multiphase flow solver for cough-droplet simulations

Multiphase flows arise in various fields that involve complicated phenomena. Studies have shown that COVID-19 can occur via air microdroplets, and breathing jets with microdroplets turn into turbulent cloud or puffs in cases of coughing and sneezing (Bourouiba et al., 2014). Microdroplets are upturned by buoyancy in the turbulent cloud and transported without falling. Furthermore, they float in air for hours and can be transported over long distances (Mittal et al., 2020). This scenario also involves a mixed phase flow of air and droplets. To simulate these phenomena, a numerical model assuming mechanical and thermal non-equilibrium multiphase flow is required to predict the range of turbulent cloud transport. In this study, to better simulate the turbulent cloud trajectories, a viscosity term is added to a two-phase flow six-equation model (two-fluid modeling or effective-fluid modeling, EFM) developed by Liou et al. (2008). It is a development of a parameter-free, viscous multiphase flow code, based on a single-phase compressible finite-volume solver (Kitamura et al., 2013). This solver is validated in the Poiseuille flow and laminar-flat-plate problem with an isothermal wall through a comparison with the analytical solutions. A detailed simulation of coughing is performed. The location of the turbulent cloud upturned by buoyancy is compared with the data of past studies.

Antecedents of students' e-learning continuance intention during COVID-19: An empirical study

This study aims at exploring the underlying determinants influencing students' continuance intention to use an e-Learning platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the technology acceptance model and expectation-confirmation model, the study investigated the role of contextual (i.e., social isolation), psychological (academic year loss and cyberchondria), and student support-related (government and institutional supports) determinants on students' continuance intention to use an e-Learning platform during the pandemic. The study collected data from 440 respondents and analyzed those with Structural Equation Modeling. The findings showed that an e-Learning continuance intention during the pandemic is affected by usefulness, ease of use, attitudes, and intention to use the e-Learning platform;while the behavioral intention is influenced by usefulness, ease of use, attitudes, contextual, psychological, and student support-related determinants;and attitudes are impacted by usefulness and ease of use. Moreover, usefulness is predicted by confirmation of expectation;e-satisfaction is forecasted by usefulness and confirmation of expectation;whereas, cyberchondria is influenced by social isolation;fear of academic year loss is influenced by cyberchondria. Finally, intention to use mediated the impact of usefulness, ease of use, attitudes, contextual, psychological, and student support-related determinants on continuance intention. The study contributes to e-Learning literature incorporating contextual, psychological, and student support-related determinants into the technology acceptance model and expectation-confirmation model, which guide policymakers to understand how all levels of students can be brought into the e-Learning platforms that eventually help to eliminate digital discrimination barrier in the academia during any emergency. The policymakers must be careful in designing eLearning platforms since students' e-learning continuance intention may vary due to unprecedented crises, such as COVID-19.

A Discussion About the Press: Student Perceptions Based on an Activity of the Course "Education Strategies Regarding Ethnic-Racial Relations in the Midst of the Pandemic of Covid-19"

The present work is aimed at dealing with education for ethnic- racial relations, focusing on the analysis of the speeches of the students of the Extension Course "Education Strategies for EthnicRacial Relations in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic", financed by the Dean of Extension and Culture of the Federal University of Rio Grande (PROEXC-FURG). In this wake, the speeches of the course participants serve as a basis for understanding how to formulate a debate about an educational practice with an anti-racist bias. Authors such as Petronilha Goncalves e Silva, Nilma Lino Gomes and Jose Antonio dos Santos, present concepts that are fundamental for the understanding of cultural, social and political elements, constant in different teaching spaces. From a videoclass of the aforementioned Extension Course, related to the black press and abolitionist clubs, a task was proposed for the students. Through the observation of this activity, which questioned students about the importance of the press for the development of an anti-racist education, the objective is to observe the student's view of ethnic-racial relations. The course was held from September to December 2020, and brought a realistic portrait of the students' perceptions;which, in times of a pandemic, could perceive the contributions of journalism (historically speaking) and also in the current period, in view of the ethnic-racial elements and the need for discussion related to them.

University Pharmacy: from the foundation to the Pandemic times of Covid-19

Abstract The University Pharmacy Program (FU), from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), was created based on the need to offer a curricular internship to students of the Undergraduate Course at the Faculty of Pharmacy. Currently, it is responsible for the care of about 200 patients/day, offering vacancies for curricular internships for students in the Pharmacy course, it has become a reference in the manipulation of many drugs neglected by the pharmaceutical industry and provides access to medicines for low-income users playing an important social function. Research is one of the pillars of FU-UFRJ and several master and doctoral students use the FU research laboratory in the development of dissertations and theses. As of 2002, the Pharmaceutical Care extension projects started to guarantee a rational and safe pharmacotherapy for the medicine users. From its beginning in 1982 until the current quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FU-UFRJ has been adapting to the new reality and continued to provide patient care services, maintaining its teaching, research, and extension activities. The FU plays a relevant social role in guaranteeing the low-income population access to special and neglected medicines, and to pharmaceutical and education services in health promotion.

Predicting customer churn based on changes in their behavior patterns

Customer retention is one of the most important tasks of a business, and it is extremely important to allocate retention resources according to the potential profitability of the customer. Most often the problem of predicting customer churn is solved based on the RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary) model. This paper proposes a way to extend the RFM model with estimates of the probability of changes in customer behavior. Based on an analysis of data relating to 33 918 clients of a large Russian retailer for 2019-2020, it is shown that there are recurring patterns of change in their behavior over a single year. Information about these patterns is used to calculate the necessary probability estimates. Incorporating these data into a predictive model based on logistic regression increases prediction accuracy by more than 10% on the metrics AUC and geometric mean. It is also shown that this approach has limitations related to the disruption of behavioral patterns by external shocks, such as the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. The paper also proposes a way to identify these shocks, making it possible to forecast degradation in the predictive ability of the model.

Changes in the Perception of Telematics Technology by Road Transport Companies: An Empirical Analysis in 2020-21

We present a novel study concerning the attitudes of road transport enterprises towards a broad application of telematics in operational management in road transportation. The study aims to assess telematics application in road transport and its changes over time while showing the factors most likely to determine the systems' use. Unobserved categories defined in the technology acceptance model (TAM) are adjusted to measure perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and attitudes toward using telematics systems by road transport managers. The study is based on 323 transport enterprises analyzed in two waves in 2020 and 2021. The use of two different time points is motivated by an observed increase in the digitalization of transport documents caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The empirical findings support the TAM's usefulness in evaluating IT in transport business management. The findings also reveal that the significantly increased telematics use in 2020 was observed while it was endured. The results are checked for robustness and used for simulations. The study compares managers' behaviors over time and simulates the effect of individual (observed) variables on unobserved TAM categories.

Program Development Skills Towards Work Performance of Extension Agent During Movement Control Order (MCO) in Peninsular Malaysia

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease made Malaysia implemented a Movement Control Order (MCO) as a preventive measure towards the spread of the virus. Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in agriculture sector (2020) is 7.4 per cent, the percentage growth of this sector declined 2.2 per cent from 2.0 per cent in the previous year. The declination of the growth may be related with performance of extension agent during the pandemic due to 1st MCO regulations. In addition, the performance before MCO was high in 2019, hence, the aim of this study is to determine the skills and work performance of extension agents in their Program Development Skills (planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating - PIME). Specifically, this research intended to determine the level of PIME skills and their work performance, to evaluate the relationship of PIME skills with the work performance of extension agent and to determine the most PIME skills that contributes to the work performance of the extension agent during MCO in Peninsular Malaysia. This study was driven by the Iceberg Model and distributed using a random sampling technique. A total of 362 extension agents from Peninsular Malaysia were participated in this research. Based on the result, all independent variables (PIME skills) indicated a positive correlation towards work performance. The monitoring and evaluating are the skills that significant towards work performance, and the evaluating skill became the highest independent variable that contributes to the work performance of extension agent. About 71.2% variance of work performance is explained by PIME and the balance 28.8% is explained by the other factors. This study suggest that the extension agent should improve their planning and implementing skills to suite with pandemic situation, so that the program that has been planned earlier can be done even though the situation might be challenging © 2023 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK

A framework to build a resilient supply chain: a case study of Javanese tea in Indonesia

PurposeDetermining vulnerability and resilience is necessary to develop sustainable agribusiness. The purpose of this study is to clarify and understand the current condition and problems in the tea supply chain and to develop a framework on how to build a sustainable and resilient tea supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThis study is a case study analysis which develops an integrated framework to build a resilient tea supply chain. It evaluates and extends the current knowledge of Javanese tea by applying business process analysis to understand the situation.FindingsThis paper develops an integrated and conceptual framework on how to build resilient supply chain by considering five broad factors: vulnerability analysis, assessment of assets, supply chain collaboration, control mechanism from government and outcome.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework provides a conceptual view but limited to field surveys in Central Java Province. This study could increase the general understanding of tea supply chain in Indonesia and its major problems and challenges.Practical implicationsThe framework also highlights different stakeholder's organizational constraints and issues, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThe business process analysis and conceptual framework offer an expanded and in-depth explanation on how organizations respond to the changing conditions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It all goes back to trust": a qualitative exploration of extension professionals' perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines in rural Florida

While urban communities experienced high levels of infection at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, rural communities experienced an increase of confirmed cases during the fall months of 2020. Rural Americans were also among the most hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of [State] extension professionals related to the COVID-19 vaccines in rural communities. Qualitative methods were utilized to gather data from extension professionals in rural area of [State], where vaccine uptake was below average. Results revealed frustration with the vaccine process, vaccine norms, and skepticism and mistrust to all be contributing factors to vaccine hesitancy in rural communities. Extension professionals discussed not feeling comfortable discussing topics related to public health with their clientele, citing the topic being outside their expertise. Practical recommendations from this study included utilizing a grassroots approach rather than relying on mass media, providing messages related to the COVID-19 vaccine that focus on education, rather than promotion, and testing new messages before they are disseminated.

Special Issue: Making it count: applying science to support universal broadband. (Special Issue: Making it count: applying science to support universal broadband.)

This special issue presents six papers resulting from a two-conference series about closing the digital divide, especially for rural areas. The issue explores how to apply the best information and processes to guide effective investments of limited resources to expand broadband access in the USA. The papers specifically deal with: the need for better data to inform broadband policy decisions and targeted funding;the contribution of integrating research and extension in improving community participation in broadband projects;policy approaches for rural broadband provision;the influence of COVID-19 on telecommuting;and federal funding challenges for rural broadband.

Cordel Literature in the Classroom: Reflections from the Podcast Developed by Pet-Letras/Ufpe

This paper aims to describe the elaboration of the episode "Cordel literature in the classroom", which is part of the Tutorial Education Program (PET-Letras) Podcast of the Federal University of Pernambuco, broadcast on the Group's YouTube channel, the Parafraseando. We aim to reflect on the place of cordel literature in the classroom, relating the speech of the interviewee, Professor Helder Pinheiro (UFCG), to theories about poetry in the classroom, in order to present the methodology for the construction of this type of extension action that has been giving good results. It is also interesting to point out that the construction of the podcast comes from the need that the group had to continue its outreach activities in the face of the new coronavirus pandemic.

Post COVID-19 recurrent rhino ocular cerebral mucormycosis: A curse like no other

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has been linked to a number of opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. Aspergillus and Candida have been identified as the primary fungal pathogens for COVID-19 co-infection. Recently, several cases of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients have been reported worldwide, particularly in India. Now, remember that mucormycosis can be of different types like rhino-ocular-cerebral (ROCM), pulmonary, gastrointestinal, etc., here we are dealing with a case of rhino-ocular cerebral mucormycosis which not only occurred once but twice post covid-19 infection. As we recover from the epidemic and the pandemic, it is essential to look back and understand what led to the insane surge of mucormycosis in post-covid-19 patients, especially in our country, India. Mucor is ubiquitous and present constantly around us, so no single factor but an array of elements is responsible predominantly being the incorrect use of corticosteroids in uncontrolled diabetics, which led to severe immunosuppression, injury to the beta cells of the pancreas by the SARS-COV-2 in newly diagnosed diabetics. In such cases, it is important to evaluate the patient thoroughly and orbital exenteration is done depending upon the doctor's judgment and MRI findings. Following is a case report of one such patient with recurrent post COVID mucormycosis predisposed by uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and managed by orbital exenteration.

Videos and podcasts for delivering agricultural extension: achieving credibility, relevance, legitimacy and accessibility

PurposeTo explore the perceived credibility, relevance, legitimacy and accessibility of videos and podcasts in farm extension.MethodsA two-phase mixed methods approach consisting of a pre-COVID online survey of farmers (n = 221), farmer telephone interviews (n = 60) and in-person focus groups of farmers (n = 4) followed by an analysis of how viewers interact with Agricology videos and podcasts, a further online survey (n = 141) and online farmer focus groups (n = 4) during the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsIf they are to be perceived as effective extension methods, videos should be short, concise, practical, advert-free and visualise how to implement a practice. Podcasts can be longer, more detailed, and allow multitasking. Both should use farmer-friendly language, be easily accessible, high quality, non-biased, and be created by someone whom farmers respect.Practical implicationsHelps policy-makers and extensionists understand the potential of videos and podcasts and the trade-offs in using them with other forms of extension. The findings are also of use to global advisory services seeking to offer hybridised advice as a result of the ongoing COVID pandemic.Theoretical implicationsElucidates the trade-offs of using videos and podcasts when face-to-face extension is not possible and develops the CRELE framework.OriginalityDiscusses the role of podcasts in farm extension and re-evaluates the role of videos when face-to-face extension is impossible.

Fair in the Palm of Your Hand: a digital platform for the direct sale of family farming products. (Special Issue: Saberes agroecologicos e sistemas alimentares na America Latina e Caribe.)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, commercial relations have undergone many changes. The advancement of digital technologies that allow instantaneous and real-time communication regardless of geographical distance have changed several daily activities, among them, the way of buying and selling. In the case of agriculture, the direct sale of agricultural products to final consumers, through social networks, emerges as a new form of rural business. However, the encounter between interested parties occurs, most of the time, informally, and it is up to producers and consumers to "meet" in order to sell and buy. In this context, the Fair in the Palm of Your Hand project aims to act as an agent between these two ends so that the encounter is facilitated. To this end, a methodology for Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (ATER) was developed with the aim of creating a digital platform (application and website) that would allow these transactions to be carried out more quickly and credibly. The research area includes locations in the state of Espirito Santo (Brazil) that already have producers and consumers capable of meeting this new market dynamic.

Global pandemic compels sport to move to esports: understanding from brand extension perspective

The COVID-19 outbreak leads to the sudden lockdown of sports businesses across the world. Due to the difficulty of generating sports content as usual amid the global pandemic, some sports organizations around the world, resort to esports. Concretely, sports organizations let their professional athletes compete virtually in video games to produce competitive entertainment for the audience. Such "mixed” competitive entertainment attracts a high spectatorship and significant social media attention. This commentary seeks to provide a research-based explanation of the phenomenon and predict future developments.