Community Risk Perception and Compliance with Preventive Measures for COVID-19 Pandemic in Ethiopia
risk perception, covid-19, media exposure, compliance with prevention
Zeleke Asnakew,1 Kerebih Asrese,2 Mulusew Andualem3 1Department of Management, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Social Work, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 3School of Public Health, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Zeleke Asnakew Tel +251911293595Email Sirayez2013@gmail.comPurpose: This study assessed the community’s level of risk perception of COVID-19, their compliance with recommended precautionary measures, and factors that influence compliance behavior.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional online survey administered using google forms. Data were collected from 521 respondents using various social media channels, including e-mail, Facebook, messenger, telegram, and IMO.Results: About 9 in 10 respondents (90.4%) perceived that they are susceptible to COVID-19. Nearly 9 in 10 participants (87.5%) perceived that COVID-19 is a serious disease. The majority of respondents (81%) got information about COVID-19 from television and social networking sites. The regression analyses revealed that compliance with preventive behaviors is differed by respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics. Being female (β: 0.094, P< 0.05), higher perceived effectiveness of recommended preventive measures (β: 0.367, P< 0.001), and higher perceived reliability of media (β: 0.189, P< 0.001) facilitated compliance with preventive measures. On the other hand, increasing age (β: − 0.096, P< 0.05), being single (β: − 0.127, P< 0.01), lower education level (β: − 0.168, P< 0.01), and living at a lower administrative level were barriers to be compliant with preventive measures.Conclusion: The majority of the respondents exercised one or more of the recommended preventive measures to avoid COVID-19 infection. Most of the respondents got information about COVID-19 from television and social networking sites. Given that about 80% of the Ethiopian population is living in rural areas without television and higher illiteracy rate to use social networking sites, concerned bodies should introduce tailored interventions to impart knowledge about COVID-19 infection and mitigating measures.Limitations: Although the sampling procedure was random through the online system, it might not be representative to study the perception and compliance of people towards COVID-19 prevention practices at a country level due to its small size. Thus, the interpretation of the study findings needs to consider this limitation.Keywords: COVID-19, risk perception, media exposure, compliance with prevention
Longitudinal study of humoral immunity to bovine coronavirus, virus shedding, and treatment for bovine respiratory disease in pre-weaned beef calves
Bovine coronavirus, Bovine Respiratory Disease, Histophilus somni, molecular epidemiology, Nursing-calf pneumonia, Summer pneumonia
Abstract Background Bovine coronavirus (BCV) is associated with respiratory infections in cattle of all ages; however, a temporal study to evaluate the effect of BCV immunity on virus shedding and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) incidence in pre-weaned beef calves has not been reported. Thus, we report here a prospective study in three herds of crossbred beef calves (n = 817) with endemic BCV. Serial blood samples for measurement of serum anti-BCV antibody titers and nasal swabs for detection of BCV and other common viral and bacterial BRD pathogens were collected from all calves or subsets of calves at predetermined times from birth through weaning. The calves were monitored for BRD and those that developed signs of respiratory disease were sampled for diagnostic testing. To discover additional risk factors that could have influenced BRD development, sequence analysis of the BCV strain(s) circulating in each herd, and the prevalence of common opportunistic bacterial pathogens in the upper respiratory tract of sick and apparently healthy cattle were also evaluated. Results Two hundred forty-eight of the 817 study calves (30.4%) were treated for BRD prior to weaning; 246 of those were from a single herd involved in two outbreaks of BRD leading to mass treatment of all calves in that group. Molecular diagnostic testing found BCV and Histophilus somni in nasal swabs taken at the time of BRD treatment. Between herd analyses revealed anti-BCV serum antibody abundance did not associate with the incidence of BRD or BCV shedding, though these measurements may have been hindered by the long periods between sample collections. Analysis of the BCV spike gene hypervariable region revealed four polymorphisms in 15 isolates from the three herds, making strain variation unlikely to account for differences in treatment rates between herds. Persistent or recurrent shedding episodes of BCV occurred in some animals treated for BRD. Conclusion Co-detection of BCV and H. somni at the time of the disease outbreak suggests that these pathogens contributed to disease pathogenesis. Developing appropriate control measures for respiratory BCV infections may help decrease the incidence of pre-weaning BRD. The role of antibodies in protection must still be further defined.
Aspen M. Workman, Larry A. Kuehn, Tara G. McDaneld, Michael L Clawson, John Dustin Loy
Artificial Intelligence in the Agri-Food System: Rethinking Sustainable Business Models in the COVID-19 Scenario
literature review, Stakeholder, Environmental awareness, Environmental space, space economy
The aim of the paper is to investigate the artificial intelligence (AI) function in agri-food industry, as well as the role of stakeholders in its supply chain. Above all, from the beginning of the new millennium, scholars and practitioners have paid an increasing attention to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in operational processes management and challenges for new business models, in a sustainable and socially responsible perspective. Thus, the stakeholders can assume a proactive or marginal role in the value creation for business, according to their own environmental awareness. These issues appear still “open” in some industries, such as the agri-food system, where the adoption of new technologies requires rethinking and redesigning the whole business model. Methodologically, we brought forward an in-depth review of the literature about major articles in this field. Especially, the study has been conducted following two phases: firstly, we extracted from scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) and studied relevant articles; secondly, we analyzed the selected articles. The findings highlight interesting issues about AI towards a “space economy” to achieve sustainable and responsible business models, also in the perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic scenario. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Assunta Di Vaio, Flavio Boccia, Loris Landriani, Rosa Palladino
Environmental effects of industries and plants, Renewable energy sources, Environmental sciences
Environmental awareness, Literature review, environmental space, stakeholder, space economy
Assunta Di Vaio, Loris Landriani, Flavio Boccia, Rosa Palladino
Environmental sciences, Renewable energy sources, Environmental effects of industries and plants
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on corporate employer branding
covid-19 pandemic, employer branding, new realities, hybrid working locations
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the world of work. While before the pandemic most employees worked in an office, many employees are now experiencing hybrid workplaces and accelerated digitalisation on the job. These changes demand new leadership concepts and individual support for every single employee. Likewise, the employer branding of companies must undergo changes and be tailored to the novel situation. However, many companies must first readjust to the current circumstances. This involves a determined digitalisation of employer branding procedures and the adaptation of the employer brand communication both to the needs of the target groups and the requirements of the digital processes.
TRANSFORMACIONES EN LAS INVESTIGACIONES ANTROPOLÓGICAS sobre naturaleza, ecología y medio ambiente
EN LAS INVESTIGACIONES ANTROPOLÓGICAS HA HABIDO UN LARGO PROCESO DE TRANSformación e interacción de la noción moderna de la naturaleza con nociones híbridas de cuasi-objetos y cuasi-humanos, así como la transformación de las concepciones de la naturaleza de una entidad apolítica a construcciones sociales con implicaciones políticas. Para analizar estos procesos, este texto presenta una revisión teórica de los cambios que se han dado en las categorías e investigaciones antropológicas sobre naturaleza, ecología y medio ambiente. Se destacan dos tendencias: la primera, ligada al replanteamiento de la dicotomía naturaleza/cultura a la luz de los conocimientos locales. La segunda, relacionada con los aportes de la ecología política, enfatizando el papel de los diferentes actores dentro de los discursos ambientales. Finalmente, se contextualizan las perspectivas de investigación sobre naturaleza, ecología y medio ambiente en América latina y en Colombia.
Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia
Controlando la naturaleza: ambientalismo transnacional y negociaciones locales en torno al cambio climático en territorios indígenas en Colombia
21st century, Cambio climático, Colombia, Indigenous Peoples, Siglo XXI, climate change, pueblos indígenas
En Colombia, la emergencia de las políticas globales en torno al cambio climático, específicamente los acuerdos internacionales relacionados con Reducción de Emisiones por Deforestación y Degradación de los Bosques (REDD+), han generado diversas posiciones, intervenciones y disputas, a la vez que apertura a mercados en torno a los bosques. Estos procesos sitúan los territorios de pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes en el centro del debate. Este texto analizará los nuevos procesos de control de la naturaleza a través de la estrategia REDD+, que si bien permiten introducir acciones frente a las transformaciones ambientales, de manera paralela reestructuran territorios, actores e intereses en torno al medio ambiente y específicamente los bosques. Estas transformaciones sitúan a ciertos actores en el centro de las políticas y discusiones ambientales, pero desconocen al mismo tiempo prioridades ambientales (por ejemplo, conservación de la biodiversidad) y derechos culturales ganados previamente. Abstract In Colombia, the emergence of global climate policies, specifically the international agreements related to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation “plus” conservation (REDD+), has generated different positions, interventions and conflicts, as well as markets in relation to the forests. These processes have put the indigenous peoples’ territories in the middle of the controversy. This article analyzes the new processes of controlling nature through the strategy of REDD+, which allow actions against environmental changes, but at the same time allow restructuring territories, stakeholders, and interests around specific environments and forests. These transformations put certain actors in the middle of politics and environmental discussions, but at the same time don’t take in account environmental priorities (for example, biodiversity conservation) and disregard cultural rights.
Iberoamericana. América Latina - España - Portugal
http://journals.iai.spk-berlin.de/index.php/iberoamericana/article/view/362
Social Sciences, Latin America. Spanish America, French literature - Italian literature - Spanish literature - Portuguese literature, History of Portugal, History of Spain
Keywords: phylogenetic analysis, coronavirus NL63, molecular detection, Pneumonia, Bronchiolitis, Multiplex assay
The human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) was first identified in the Netherlands, and its circulation in France has not been investigated. We studied HCoV-NL63 infection in hospitalized children diagnosed with respiratory tract infections. From November 2002 to April 2003, we evaluated 300 respiratory specimens for HCoV-NL63. Of the 300 samples, 28 (9.3%) were positive for HCoV-NL63. The highest prevalence was found in February (18%). The main symptoms were fever (61%), rhinitis (39%), bronchiolitis (39%), digestive problems (33%), otitis (28%), pharyngitis (22%), and conjunctivitis (17%). A fragment of the spike protein gene was sequenced to determine the variety of circulating HCoV-NL63. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strains with different genetic markers cocirculate in France.
Astrid Vabret, Thomas Mourez, Julia Dina, Lia van der Hoek, Stephanie Gouarin, Joëlle Petitjean, Jacques Brouard, Francois Freymuth
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Infectious and parasitic diseases, Medicine
Vitamin D axis status and the severity of COVID-19.
Las Poáceas del Parque Nacional Yanachaga-Chemillén (Oxapampa, Perú). Parte II: Pooideae, Centothecoideae, Arundinoideae, Chloridoideae y Panicoideae
Peru, Poaceae, Pooideae, Yanachaga-Chemillén
Se presenta la segunda parte de un estudio taxonómico de la Familia Poaceae del Parque Nacional Yanachaga-Chemillén y zonas aledañas (Oxapampa, Pasco, Perú). Se presentan 63 especies de Poáceas de las subfamilias Pooideae, Centothecoideae, Arundinoideae, Chloridoideae y Panicoideae, las cuales están incluidas en 37 géneros y 12 tribus. Se incluye una breve descripción de los géneros. Se ha elaborado claves para diferenciar los géneros y especies. Para cada especie se indica su ecología, distribución y el material estudiado.
Asunción Cano, María I. La-Torre, Oscar Tovar
Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos
http://revistasinvestigacion.unmsm.edu.pe/index.php/rpb/article/view/2433