scholarly journals COVID-19 Countermeasures and Passengers’ Confidence of Urban Rail Travel in Bangkok

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9377
Author(s):  
Varameth Vichiensan ◽  
Yoshitsugu Hayashi ◽  
Sudarat Kamnerdsap
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Transit Systems ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Urban Rail ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Second Wave

Rail transit systems around the world have been suffering from heavily reduced ridership due to reduced capacity for social distancing and passengers’ concern over the risk of COVID-19 infection. Various countermeasures were implemented to reduce the COVID-19 risk so that passengers felt safe to travel on rail. The objectives of this study were to evaluate COVID-19 countermeasures of Bangkok’s urban rail from passengers’ viewpoints and examine its influence on passenger’s confidence. The background of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand and the rail countermeasures implemented in Bangkok were summarized. The data were obtained from an interview survey of 1105 railway passengers conducted at the stations during the second wave of the pandemic. Factor analyses and structural equation modeling were conducted. The results revealed that social distancing was not satisfied by the passengers but adversely caused inconvenience and increased infection risk when the station or rail were congested. On the other hand, the passenger temperature check, face mask enforcement, and hand sanitization countermeasures were found to highly and positively contribute to passengers’ confidence. Contact tracing application was also found to raise awareness and confidence. The findings provided insights for rail authorities and related agencies to effectively implement the countermeasures that would be practically and financially sustainable.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic Response Simulation in a Large City: Impact of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions on Reopening Society

2021 ◽  
pp. 0272989X2110030
Author(s):  
Serin Lee ◽  
Zelda B. Zabinsky ◽  
Judith N. Wasserheit ◽  
Stephen M. Kofsky ◽  
Shan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Large City ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Variable Compliance ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Nonpharmaceutical Interventions

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to expand, policymakers are striving to balance the combinations of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to keep people safe and minimize social disruptions. We developed and calibrated an agent-based simulation to model COVID-19 outbreaks in the greater Seattle area. The model simulated NPIs, including social distancing, face mask use, school closure, testing, and contact tracing with variable compliance and effectiveness to identify optimal NPI combinations that can control the spread of the virus in a large urban area. Results highlight the importance of at least 75% face mask use to relax social distancing and school closure measures while keeping infections low. It is important to relax NPIs cautiously during vaccine rollout in 2021.

scholarly journals Social Distancing, Health Concerns, and Digitally Empowered Consumption Behavior Under COVID-19: A Study on Livestream Shopping Technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiwei Pang ◽  
Haiyang Meng ◽  
Mingjie Fang ◽  
Jingjing Xing ◽  
Jinge Yao
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Consumer Trust ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Health Belief Model

During the COVID-19 pandemic, livestream shopping has provided consumers with a way to maintain social distancing while offering an alternative to offline shopping. This study aims to understand the impact of COVID-19 and other public health crises on the behavioral intentions of consumers using livestream shopping technology. A theoretical model was designed that combines the health belief model, trust theory, and the theory of planned behavior. Empirical data were collected from 358 residents in China and then analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived obstacles had a significant impact on consumer trust. Consumer trust in turn had a direct impact on behavioral intention and an indirect impact on behavioral intention via attitude. These research results have practical implications for livestream shopping merchants, platform decision-makers, and service designers.

Impact of Transit Quality on Anchor-Mediated Knowledge Economies Across Large U.S. Cities

2022 ◽  
pp. 036119812110654
Author(s):  
Ahoura Zandiatashbar ◽  
Shima Hamidi
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Urban Revitalization ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Transit Systems ◽  
Anchor Institutions ◽  
Knowledge Economies ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Indirect Impacts

Universities, medical centers, and headquarters are the driving forces behind cities’ innovation productivity and anchor-based urban revitalization efforts, such as innovation districts. As a result, there is increasing competition for corporate anchors, as well as emerging partnerships and conflicts. In each case, transit has a major role to play. Yet we know little about precisely how transit fits into the dynamics of anchor-based revitalization. To address this empirical gap, this study employed structural equation modeling to grasp both the direct and indirect impacts of transit on the knowledge-intensive firm location in 500 large U.S. cities. We conceptualized the indirect impact of transit as mediated by anchors with a composite value that we developed to quantitatively represent the presence and size of major innovation anchors in each city. According to our findings, the positive impact of transit on a city’s overall knowledge economy occurred through its role in supporting anchor institutions, a role that, in turn, significantly increased the likelihood of knowledge-based firms locating in the city. In short, transit quality was positively associated with larger and more established anchors, as well as the availability of more employees, which expands the city’s talent pool, a critical driver of knowledge-intensive employers’ location decisions. These findings call for greater attention to be paid to transit in cities’ anchor-based urban revitalization plans and to partnerships between cities, metropolitan organizations, and anchors in planning future transit systems.

scholarly journals Individuals’ privacy concerns and adoption of contact tracing mobile applications in a pandemic: A situational privacy calculus perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farkhondeh Hassandoust ◽  
Saeed Akhlaghpour ◽  
Allen C Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Specific Model ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sensitive Data ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Privacy Calculus

Abstract Objective The study sought to develop and empirically validate an integrative situational privacy calculus model for explaining potential users’ privacy concerns and intention to install a contact tracing mobile application (CTMA). Materials and Methods A survey instrument was developed based on the extant literature in 2 research streams of technology adoption and privacy calculus. Survey participants (N = 853) were recruited from all 50 U.S. states. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to validate and test the model. Results Individuals’ intention to install a CTMA is influenced by their risk beliefs, perceived individual and societal benefits to public health, privacy concerns, privacy protection initiatives (legal and technical protection), and technology features (anonymity and use of less sensitive data). We found only indirect relationships between trust in public health authorities and intention to install CTMA. Sex, education, media exposure, and past invasion of privacy did not have a significant relationship either, but interestingly, older people were slightly more inclined than younger people to install a CTMA. Discussion Our survey results confirm the initial concerns about the potentially low adoption rates of CTMA. Our model provides public health agencies with a validated list of factors influencing individuals’ privacy concerns and beliefs, enabling them to systematically take actions to address these identified issues, and increase CTMA adoption. Conclusions Developing CTMAs and increasing their adoption is an ongoing challenge for public health systems and policymakers. This research provides an evidence-based and situation-specific model for a better understanding of this theoretically and pragmatically important phenomenon.

scholarly journals Early estimates of COVID-19 infections in small, medium and large population clusters

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. e003055
Author(s):  
Amir Siraj ◽  
Alemayehu Worku ◽  
Kiros Berhane ◽  
Maru Aregawi ◽  
Munir Eshetu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Population ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Local Context ◽  
African Region ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionSince its emergence in late December 2019, COVID-19 has rapidly developed into a pandemic in mid of March with many countries suffering heavy human loss and declaring emergency conditions to contain its spread. The impact of the disease, while it has been relatively low in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as of May 2020, is feared to be potentially devastating given the less developed and fragmented healthcare system in the continent. In addition, most emergency measures practised may not be effective due to their limited affordability as well as the communal way people in SSA live in relative isolation in clusters of large as well as smaller population centres.MethodsTo address the acute need for estimates of the potential impacts of the disease once it sweeps through the African region, we developed a process-based model with key parameters obtained from recent studies, taking local context into consideration. We further used the model to estimate the number of infections within a year of sustained local transmissions under scenarios that cover different population sizes, urban status, effectiveness and coverage of social distancing, contact tracing and usage of cloth face mask.ResultsWe showed that when implemented early, 50% coverage of contact tracing and face mask, with 33% effective social distancing policies can bringing the epidemic to a manageable level for all population sizes and settings we assessed. Relaxing of social distancing in urban settings from 33% to 25% could be matched by introduction and maintenance of face mask use at 43%.ConclusionsIn SSA countries with limited healthcare workforce, hospital resources and intensive care units, a robust system of social distancing, contact tracing and face mask use could yield in outcomes that prevent several millions of infections and thousands of deaths across the continent.

scholarly journals “Furry tales”: pet ownership’s influence on subjective well-being during Covid-19 times

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svenja Damberg ◽  
Lena Frömbling
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Need Support

AbstractThe social distancing required during Covid-19 times tended to make people feel lonelier than usual. Those with pets might, however, have experienced this less, because pets are known for fostering their owners’ subjective well-being. Building on a recently published structural equation model, our study enhances the understanding of subjective well-being by including the construct social distancing during Covid-19 times. In order to answer our research question—How does human-pet relationship need support influence subjective well-being by considering social isolation during Covid-19 times?—we build on the basic needs theory, assuming that humans as well as their pets have an inherent need of autonomy, relatedness, and competence. Using a multivariate data analysis method, namely partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), we establish a path model and examine the relationship between human-pet relationship need support and subjective well-being by including psychological distress and social isolation during Covid-19 times as mediators. We operationalize subjective well-being as a three-dimensional construct consisting of positive affect, happiness, and life satisfaction. In a sample of 215 pet owners in the USA, supporting their need increases subjective well-being, and decreases the psychological distress and loneliness caused by social isolation during Covid-19 times. Furthermore, psychological distress decreases subjective well-being, whereas perceived loneliness during Covid-19 times does not. Our main contributions are to not only enhance our knowledge on the importance of human-pet relationships in critical times, but also to provide policy makers with insights into what influences people’s subjective well-being, which is closely related to their psychological health.

scholarly journals Adoption of a Contact Tracing App for Containing COVID-19: A Health Belief Model Approach (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Walrave ◽  
Cato Waeterloos ◽  
Koen Ponnet
Keyword(s):  
Health Belief Model ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Belief Model

BACKGROUND To track and reduce the spread of COVID-19, apps have been developed to identify contact with individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 and warn those who are at risk of having contracted the virus. However, the effectiveness of these apps depends highly on their uptake by the general population. OBJECTIVE The present study investigated factors influencing app use intention, based on the health belief model. In addition, associations with respondents’ level of news consumption and their health condition were investigated. METHODS A survey was administered in Flanders, Belgium, to 1500 respondents, aged 18 to 64 years. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate relationships across the model’s constructs. RESULTS In total, 48.70% (n=730) of respondents indicated that they intend to use a COVID-19 tracing app. The most important predictor was the perceived benefits of the app, followed by self-efficacy and perceived barriers. Perceived severity and perceived susceptibility were not related to app uptake intention. Moreover, cues to action (ie, individuals’ exposure to [digital] media content) were positively associated with app use intention. As the respondents’ age increased, their perceived benefits and self-efficacy for app usage decreased. CONCLUSIONS Initiatives to stimulate the uptake of contact tracing apps should enhance perceived benefits and self-efficacy. A perceived barrier for some potential users is privacy concerns. Therefore, when developing and launching an app, clarification on how individuals’ privacy will be protected is needed. To sustain perceived benefits in the long run, supplementary options could be integrated to inform and assist users.

Toward Measuring Adolescent Environmental Perception

1999 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz X. Bogner ◽  
Michael Wiseman
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Environmental Perceptions ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Structural Relationships ◽  
Proposed Model

This study presents a scale developed to measure two dimensions of environmental perceptions—reactions towards preservation and towards utilizing nature and/or the environment—consisting of two and three subscales, respectively. The empirical part consists of a reanalysis of data from four national samples, now analyzed together as one sample. The results of the four subsamples (of some 4,500 secondary school pupils in total) have been published elsewhere as bilateral studies. The aim of the present analysis is to identify a scale that is valid for the entire European sample: By means of factor analyses and structural equation modeling 20 items were extracted. Two latent variables, “Utilization” and “Preservation,” were hypothesized and related in a causal fashion, whereby “Utilization” influences “Preservation.” By application of the methods of linear structural relationships, the proposed model yields a good fit to the data.

Mobile learning acceptance and use in higher education during social distancing circumstances: an expansion and customization of UTAUT2

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan-Andrei Sitar-Taut ◽  
Daniel Mican
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Personal Innovativeness

PurposeThis paper investigates if the existing degree of students' acceptance and use of mobile or m-learning may face the online shift determined by SARS-CoV-2. Based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2), a new comprehensive model, SD-UTAUT (social distancing-UTAUT), is developed to better understand relationships between the original constructs, plus personal innovativeness (PI) and information quality (IQ). It identifies the key factors affecting behavioral intention (BI) and use by examining the influence of revaluated hedonic motivation (HM) and learning value (LV) importance as mediators.Design/methodology/approachThe paper opted for an exploratory study involving 311 learners, using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsSD-UTAUT can be a new m-learning model in higher education. It has high predictive power and confirmed 15 out of 16 hypotheses. The most powerful relationship is between performance expectancy (PE) and HM. IQ affected LV the most, since HM the behavioral use (BU). HM impacts the use behavior (UB) more than LV, but habit (HT) affects it the most.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the pandemic context, output may lack generalizability and reproducibility.Practical implicationsTo improve usage, staff must provide better support, course creators emphasize the objectives and competencies and developers integrate innovation. The joy and pleasure of m-learning use may stimulate the LV through interesting and interactive content, like incorporating gamification.Originality/valueThe model set-up and circumstances are previously unseen. SD-UTAUT confirms ten new hypotheses and introduces the student's grade point average (GPA) as a moderator.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-01-2021-0017

Scenic Quality of Highway Landscape Evaluation: A Case Study from China

2010 ◽  
Vol 113-116 ◽  
pp. 2389-2393
Author(s):  
Hong Jie Li ◽  
Xiao Ning Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Dimensional Model ◽  
Landscape Evaluation ◽  
Quality Aspects ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analyses

Explores empirically the formative factors of the scenic quality concerned with highway landscape evaluation. Based on earlier works the formative factors are comprehensively considered and summed up. Then EFA (exploratory factor analyses) and CFA (confirmatory factor analysis) are made by way of 112 questionnaires, which have all been completed and returned to develop a 6-dimensional model to reveal the scenic landscape beauty. Fitting the model by introducing SEM (structural equation modeling) the formative factors are verified including the six scenic quality aspects as follows: vividness, variety, cultural, naturalness, comfort and security.

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