COVID-19, Digital Transformation of Banks, and Operational Capabilities of Commercial Banks

The development of financial technology has promoted the innovation and digital transformation of commercial banks. Through digital transformation, commercial banks can improve bank efficiency and operational capabilities. Through empirical analysis, this study explored the relationship between digital bank transformation and commercial bank operating capabilities and how COVID-19, bank categories, and enterprise life cycles affect the relationship between digital bank transformation and commercial bank operating capabilities. This study selected data from China's commercial banks from 2011 to 2021 and used the regression method of fixed effects to conduct an empirical analysis. The research results show that the digital transformation of banks has improved the operational capabilities of commercial banks. Further analysis showed that the emergence of COVID-19 has negatively affected their relationship. At the same time, compared with rural commercial banks and commercial banks in the recession and phase-out periods, non-rural commercial banks and commercial banks in the growth and maturity stages play a more vital moderating role in the impact of the digital transformation of banks on the financial performance of commercial banks. The main research object of this study is Chinese commercial banks, and this study examines the results of banks' digital transformation and enriches the research on digital transformation. At the same time, this study is helpful to investors who like investment banks and has good practical significance.

Function and interaction of coronavirus ion channel proteins

Objective: COVID-19 has emerged as a significant global health crisis causing devastating effects on world population accounting for over 6 million deaths worldwide. Although acute RTI is the prevalent cause of morbidity, kidney outcomes centered on a spectrum of AKI have evolved over the course of the pandemic. Especially the emerging variants have posed a daunting challenge to the scientific communities, prompting an urging requirement for global contributions in understanding the viral dynamics. In addition to canonical genes, several subgroup- specific accessory genes are located between the S and E genes of coronaviruses regarding which little is known. Previous studies have shown that accessory proteins (aps) in viruses function as viroporins that regulate viral infection, propagation and egress [1]. In this study we attempted to characterize the function of aps of coronavirus variants as ion channels. Furthermore, we also probed the interaction of ap4 with the host system. Method(s): Serial passaging (selection pressure), growth kinetics, confocal imaging, genome sequence analysis and proteomics were performed in Huh-7, MRC5 cells and/or human monocyte derived macrophages. Potassium uptake assay was performed in a Saccharo myces cerevisiae strain, which lacks the potassium transporters trk1 and trk2. Ion conductivity experiments were performed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using Two Electrode Voltage Clamp (TEVC) method. Result(s): Serial passaging demonstrated the acquisition of several frameshift mutations in ORF4 resulting in C-terminally truncated protein versions (ap4 and ap4a) and indicate a strong selection pressure against retaining a complete ORF4 in vitro. Growth kinetics in primary cells illustrated a reduction of viral titers when the full-length ap4 was expressed compared to the C-terminally truncated protein ap4a. Confocal imaging showed that ap4 and ap4a are not exclusively located in a single cellular compartment. Potassium uptake assay in yeast and TEVC analyses in Xenopus oocytes showed that ap4 and ap4a act as a weak K+ selective ion channel. In addition, accessory proteins of other virus variants also elicited microampere range of currents. Conclusion(s): Our study provides the first evidence that ap4 and other accessory proteins of coronavirus variants act as viroporins. Future studies are aimed at demonstrating the role of ap4 during the viral life cycle by modulating ion homeostasis of host cell in vivo (interacting proteins obtained from proteomic studies) and thereby serve as a tool for potential drug target.

Teaching menopause to health care professionals

The menopause is a stage in the life cycle that affects all women. Managing perimenopausal and postmenopausal health is therefore a key issue for all healthcare professionals, not just gynecologists. The curriculum should include terminology and definitions, assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based management strategies. Healthcare professionals should be aware that women have different perceptions and experiences of the menopause which may be determined by: age and type of menopause, pre-existing health conditions, disability, employment and adverse childhood events. Specialist services may be required for some. These include women with chronic disease, premature ovarian insufficiency or early menopause or pre-existing health conditions and disability, as well as transgender and gender-nonconforming people. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the mode of delivering healthcare from face-to-face only to include virtual consultations. Teaching now needs to include both types of consultations. A holistic approach is required and teaching should be provided by an accredited expert. Rees M, Abernethy K, Bachmann G, et al. The essential menopause curriculum for healthcare professionals: A European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) position statement. Maturitas. 2022;158:70-77. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.12.001Copyright © 2023

Where is science heading? The main challenges before today's scientists?

Anecdotal and historical accounts of science suggest that in earlier times, researchers pursued science more as a hobby at their own pace with support and encouragement from patrons and communities. This leads to inequality in scientific research, where some fields and researchers may have an easier time obtaining funding and resources, while other fields and researchers may lack this support, making it difficult to conduct meaningful research. Progress of science needs efforts from the researchers with a poly-disciplinary mindset as well as mono-disciplinary strengths.[[5]] The role of science is evident to everyone from the recent example, i.e., protecting eight billion people from the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of researchers are now pursuing science as opposed to thousands and hundreds of researchers in the earlier periods of science. [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Drying Technology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd 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 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 . (Copyright applies to all s.)

EUROPE SEEKING CLARITY IN ADVANCED TRIALS

EU officials acknowledge that the trial landscape in response to the pandemic has been fragmented, with a multitude of small, national trials, struggling to generate robust and actionable clinical data, with great duplication of efforts and direct competition for shared resources and participant populations. The European drug industry worked on complex clinical trials in 2020 with researchers in the European Organization for Research into Treatments for Cancer and specialists in the Association of Clinical Research Organizations, as well as with the European Union's Clinical Trial Expert Group, composed of national health ministry officials. [...]the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) is developing guidelines on Adaptive Clinical Trials with a timeline of 2023, and on Good Clinical Practice Renovation to address the increasing diversity of clinical trial designs and data sources.

IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON RISK PERCEPTION AND BEHAVIORS OF SMALL LIFE CYCLE EVENT ATTENDEES

This study investigated the behaviors of attendees of small social life cycle events during the COVID-19 pandemic, incorporating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) into the study framework. Adopting individuals' risk perception aspects based on the affect and availability heuristics as antecedents of variables of TPB, this study found that affect and availability heuristics influenced individuals' attitudes and perceived behavioral control when attending small social life cycle events during the pandemic. Findings of the study also revealed that individuals' attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and social norm influenced their behavioral intentions and, in turn, their behaviors. The group comparison analysis found the severity of the pandemic in the regions moderated attendees' behaviors partially. Theoretical and managerial implications were addressed, followed by limitations and future study suggestions. © Copyright 2023 Cognizant, LLC.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Factors Influencing on-Time Software Project Delivery: An Empirical Study

The objective of this research paper is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the factors influencing on-time software project delivery in different Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) models such as Agile, Incremental, Waterfall, and Prototype models. Also to identify the change of crucial factors with respect to different demographic information that influences on-time software project delivery. This study has been conducted using a quantitative approach. We surveyed Software Developers, Project Managers, Software Architect, QA Engineer and other roles using a Google form. Python has been used for data analysis purposes. We received 72 responses from 11 different software companies of Bangladesh, based on that we find that Attentional Focus, Team Stability, Communication, Team Maturity, and User Involvement are the most important factors for on-time software project delivery in different SDLC models during COVID-19. On the contrary, before COVID-19 Team Capabilities, Infrastructure, Team Commitment, Team Stability and Team Maturity are found as the most crucial factors. Team Maturity and Team Stability are found as common important factors for both before and during the COVID-19 scenario. We also identified the change in the impact level of factors with respect to demographic information such as experience, company size, and different SDLC models used by participants. Attentional focus is the most important factor for experienced developers while for freshers all factors are almost equally important. This study finds that there is a significant change among factors for on-time software project delivery before and during the COVID-19 scenario. Copyright © 2023 by SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications, Lda. Under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Assessing CO2 Emissions of Online Food Delivery in Japan

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown of cities have led to the rapid growth of online food delivery (OFD). Moreover, there are concerns that OFD platforms may impose offers on users in order to continue to increase their market share, leading to numerous environmental issues such as overconsumption and a significant increase in plastic packaging waste. Most studies have focused on the environmental impacts associated with food packaging and have been mostly limited to China. However, less research has been carried out on the overall CO2 emissions of an OFD order including food. In this study, the CO2 emissions of an OFD order were assessed by considering the production, distribution, consumption and disposal of the ingredients, based on lifecycle thinking and existing secondary data, for three representative food groups (Western food, Japanese food and Chinese food) in Japan. This study found that the food production of an OFD order accounts for more than 70% of the CO2 emissions of the entire process, especially food ingredient production. Policy support and initiatives such as OFD platforms being able to serve different quantities of food based on actual consumer demand to avoid food waste, as well as changes in delivery methods, would help reduce the CO2 emissions of OFD. © 2023 by the authors.

Nanomedicine "New Food for an Old Mouth": Novel Approaches for the Treatment of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by coronavirus. Devel-oping specific drugs for inhibiting replication and viral entry is crucial. Several clinical trial studies are underway to evaluate the efficacy of anti-viral drugs for COVID-19 patients. Nanomedicine formulations can present a novel strategy for targeting the virus life cycle. Nano-drug delivery systems can modify the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics properties of anti-viral drugs and reduce their adverse effects. Moreover, nanocarriers can directly exhibit anti-viral effects. A number of nanocarriers have been studied for this purpose, including liposomes, dendrimers, exosomes and decoy nanoparticles (NPs). Among them, decoy NPs have been considered more as nanodecoys can efficiently protect host cells from the infection of SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this review article is to highlight the probable nanomedicine therapeutic strategies to develop anti-viral drug delivery systems for the treatment of COVID-19.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Antecedents of digital supply chains for a circular economy: a sustainability perspective

PurposeA digital supply chain (DSC) positively enhances circular economy (CE) practices. However, what factors and conditions lead to the implementation of DSC for transitioning toward CE is not yet clear. Therefore, this study aims at identifying and subsequently analyzing the antecedents of DSC for CE.Design/methodology/approachThe study identifies major antecedents of DSC for CE to achieve sustainability objectives through literature review and expert opinions. In this study, 19 potential antecedents of DSCs for CE are established from the literature and suggestions from industry professionals. A trapezoidal fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) approach is applied quantitatively to investigate the antecedents identified.FindingsConducted in the context of Indian automobile manufacturing industry, the findings of the study reflect that advanced information sharing arrangement, effective government policies for DSC and CE implementation and digitalizing the supply chains are the top three potential antecedents of DSC for a CE.Originality/valueIn the existing literature, few studies are specific to investigating the DSC and CE paradigm. The present study will help organizations develop a practical and integrated strategic approach that will foster DSC through improved knowledge of CE.

Digitalization of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Process of Accreditation of Nutritionist and Dietetics

With the recent global COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, accreditation delays have become inevitable in lieu of the strict travel restrictions. The usual accreditation inspection process conducted face-To-face was affected. Organizations are shifting to a reliance on technology to adapt to the national emergency. The study aims to bridge the gap by digitalization Professional Regulation Commission's (PRC) monitoring and accreditation system to conduct a virtual inspection and monitoring. With all of these said, the specific objectives of the researchers and developers are to develop an efficient digitized system that captures the original one. In developing the proposed accreditation and monitoring system and document management system (website) for PRC, the group will adapt and take inspiration from the Agile Development Lifecycle methodology, which will help the modification and other functionality of the system by using the iterative style in the development of the system. The proposed digital monitoring system undergoes a cross-browser test, and performance test, i.e., Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM). These tests show that the proposed system passed the compatibility for commonly used browsers like Chrome, Edge, Mozilla, and many more. The Final Test in Performance Testing showed that the system RTM functions had passed all final testing. © 2023 IEEE.

Deconstructing the myth of teleworking from a gender perspective: experiences and expectations during the pandemic

From a gender approach, the article analyses the expectations built around teleworking based on the experience lived during lockdown. The context of COVID-19 increases the modality of telework among a part of the employed population. To what extent the pandemic context reinforces the idea of teleworking as a solution for demands of a social nature and not as a flexible modality of work organization? To answer this question, a qualitative approach is presented based on in-depth interviews to the workforce of a public administration that has teleworked since the start of the pandemic. The results show telework as a female domestic conflict and a male productive time. In conclusion, it is pointed out that the experience of teleworking during lockdown entails different types of conflict defined according to gender, life cycle and professional category. This heterogeneity of conflicts determines the expectations about a future regulation of this modality built on the same base: teleworking perceived as a right.

Valorization of hazardous plastic wastes into value-added resources by catalytic pyrolysis-gasification: A review of techno-economic analysis

Plastic waste pollution has grown exponentially since the 1950s. This situation was exacerbated when the volume of personal protective equipment (PPE)-based plastic waste surged after the COVID-19 pandemic. Plastic waste management such as landfills and incineration have adverse effects on the environment and human health due to the leaching of hazardous chemicals and the emission of toxic gases. Modern solutions such as biodegradable plastics and green brick technology are expensive and not well developed to valorize the current accumulation of plastic waste. This has led to the emergence of thermal degradation processes, which is faster and more realistic to solve the PPE-based plastic waste buildup. Pyrolysis and gasification systems to valorize plastic waste into hydrocarbons and fuels are discussed and compared with examples respectively. Scoping review approach is employed to conduct this study. To further increase the value of the final product of plastic waste management, the integrated pyrolysis system to upcycle plastic waste to carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) and the factors affecting the production of non-condensable gases are critically reviewed. The importance of feedstock composition, catalyst type, pyrolysis operating condition (including gas condition and temperature profiles) based on various studies is discussed. The potential and limitation of an integrated pyrolysis system are assessed from kinetic analysis, economic analysis and life-cycle assessment. This review is expected to contribute to the industrial-scale development of sustainable upcycling of plastic waste and enhance the production of desirable gas components for CNM synthesis for environmental sustainability.

Aggregate health shock and retirement decision

The retirement of old workers increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and health concerns are considered to be a critical factor. To understand the effect of pure health concerns during the pandemic, we analyze the impact of the aggregate health shock on retirement decisions using a life cycle model. The aggregate health shock changes the economy from the normal state to the pandemic state, where the probability of adverse idiosyncratic health shock increases, especially if agents are working. Simulation results suggest that the shock accelerates the retirement of agents aged over 60. The increase in retirement is significant even though the shock is expected to be temporary. Also, the effect hinges on the assumption that working poses a greater risk of receiving a negative health shock than retiring. Even accounting for the large income and wealth changes that US households experienced in 2020, a counterfactual experiment suggests that the aggregate health shock plays a prominent role in increasing retirement.

Accounting for Research Induced Environmental Impacts Using Life Cycle Assessment

Since the 1970's the number of scientific publications with sustainability as a keyword has increased from 1 in 1975 to 13,628 in 2019. Research, like all human endeavors, has impacts on the environment due to the activities required to generate the supporting data (i.e., use of vehicles, resources, and materials). Researchers have a responsibility to minimize their impacts as part of their work and to make environmentally responsible decisions. A life-cycle approach is currently the best-developed means of assessing the impact of a group or organization. This article presents a case study of organizational life cycle assessment (O-LCA) of a research project. The objectives of this study were to (i) estimate the impact of the project, focusing on travel. (ii) Use a post hoc approach to determine impact reduction opportunities. (iii) Apply O-LCA as a decision-making tool in project management of research and (iv) profile the environmental impact of the project using public data (manufacturers figures) and proprietary datasets. The results of this study indicate that the greatest impact arising from the project was due to commuting followed by conference and training attendance, fieldwork and meetings. Scenarios modeling, alternative vehicle use, flexible working arrangements and stakeholder events highlighted the reduction potential that could have been implemented as part of the project. O-LCA proved to be an appropriate tool for assessing the impact of a research group and that it has the potential to inform decisions and management of academic projects and events. It should be noted that the ability of research groups or personnel to bring about change might be limited, typically due to their placement within a larger organization (e.g., a higher education institute). The recent COVID-19 pandemic, has hastened the shift to remote working practices for many organizations. Recent surveys indicate that more than 80% of respondents would like to work remotely, at least some of the time, after the pandemic. This modal shift in working practices offers an immediate opportunity for environmental relief. It is recommended that O-LCA be incorporated into groups and organizations to support their decision-making practices to foster responsible and sustainable research. Copyright © 2021 Cooney, Tahar, Kennedy and Clifford.

Life Cycle Assessment of Nanofibrous Air Filtering Materials and Respirators

The current spread of COVID-19 pandemics resulted in a surge of a need of respiratory protection devices, including medical facemasks and facepiece respirators. Large amounts of products based on nonwoven filtration material from non-renewable petroleum based plastics (polyethylene) has raised global concerns about excessive environmental impacts of these products. Unfortunately, the replacement of polypropylene nonwoven microfibre based single use masks by the multiple use products did not appear as an effective strategy due to a lower filtration performance, although potentially lower environmental impacts. Nanofibre based filtration devices introduce themselves as potentially more environmentally friendly ones due to a lower overall usage of raw polymer compared to microfibrous ones. We present the LCA modelling of environmental impacts of respiratory protective devices with nanofibrous filter materials and compare those against traditional micro fibrous materials (FFP1 and FFP2 respirator) and medical facemask. Generally, due to a lower mass of nanofibre, these products emerge as a better environmental option, providing similar protection level. © 2022 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022. All rights reserved.

Adoption of blockchain technology enabled healthcare sustainable supply chain to improve healthcare supply chain performance

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and worldwide influence on healthcare delivery, and it has significantly increased the pace at which digital technology is being used. Blockchain, one of these developing digital technologies, is distinguished by a number of properties. This study focuses on a blockchain-enabled healthcare supply chain. The purpose of this work is to investigate how blockchain technology (BCT) benefits the performance of healthcare supply chain management (HSCM).Design/methodology/approachThe present study is based on the empirical research. Blockchain Technology (BCT), Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain Practices (HSSCP), Healthcare Supply Chain Performance (HSCP) and Stakeholders' Involvement (SI) practices are identified from the literature review and hypotheses are framed to check their interrelationship. For testing of hypothesis, a questionnaire was developed. Data collection was done by healthcare professionals via Google docs. The IBM SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze the data and IBM SPSS AMOS 22.0 software was used for the development of structural modal. The data was collected through the Google form from the stakeholders of healthcare sector and analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling.FindingsThis research is focused on adoption of BCT enabled Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain to improve HSCP. From the result, it had been found that BCT is positively effecting the stakeholder's involvement (SI) and HSSCP practices. Cumulatively, they positively impact the performance of HSCP. From this study, it is found that adoption of BCT enabled Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain succours to combat COVID-19 situation.Originality/valueThis study attempts to show the potential benefits of the adoption of BCT enabled HSSCP to improve HSCP.

Alternative structures of RNA control gene expression and offer therapeutic strategies

RNA viruses are diverse and abundant pathogens responsible for numerous human ailments, from common colds to AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and other dangerous diseases. RNA viruses possess relatively compact genomes and have therefore evolved multiple mechanisms to maximize their coding capacities, often using overlapping reading frames. In this way, one RNA sequence can encode multiple proteins via mechanisms including alternative splicing and ribosomal frameshifting. Many such processes in gene expression involve the RNA folding into three-dimensional structures that can recruit ribosomes without initiation factors, hijack host proteins, cause ribosomes to frameshift, and expose or occlude regulatory protein binding motifs to ultimately control each key process in the viral life cycle. I will discuss the RNA structure of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 and the importance of alternative conformations assumed by the same RNA sequence in controlling gene expression of viruses and bacteria.Copyright © 2023 The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Digital Twins in the Marine Industry

The ocean holds abundant resources, but the utilization of those resources for the marine economy presents a complex and dynamic industrial situation. Exploring sustainable development in this industry is of practical value, as it involves the rational use of marine resources while protecting the environment. This study provides an innovative review of the current application status of Digital Twins Technology (DTT) in various sectors of the marine industry, including the ship-building industry (SBI), Offshore Oil and Gas Industry, marine fishery, and marine energy industry. The findings reveal that DTT offers robust support for full life cycle management (LCM) in SBI, including digital design, intelligent processing, operation, and error management. Furthermore, this work delves into the challenges and prospects of DTT application in the marine industry, aiming to provide reference and direction for intelligent systems in the industry and guide the rational development and utilization of marine resources in the future.