scholarly journals Simulating and visualizing infection spread dynamics with temporal networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean R. Ponciano ◽  
Gabriel P. Vezono ◽  
Claudio D. G. Linhares
Keyword(s):  
Visual Analytics ◽  
Network Visualization ◽  
Temporal Networks ◽  
School Environments ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Spread Dynamics ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Infection Spread

Temporal networks comprehend a widely adopted structure to model interactions involving a domain's instances over time. In the context of infection spread, it could be used to model face-to-face contacts among susceptible and infected individuals. By considering network visualization strategies, one can easily identify who infected whom and when, the epidemics outbreak, and other relevant behaviors. As a consequence, decision making related to the spread speed and magnitude becomes faster and more reliable. This paper presents a visual analytics approach for the simulation and analysis of infection spread dynamics that considers different infection probabilities and different levels of social distancing. We performed our experiments using two real-world social networks that represent school environments and our findings support the need for a high social distancing compliance allied to the adoption of protective measures such as the use of face masks.

scholarly journals Effect of Face Masks on Interpersonal Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour Mheidly ◽  
Mohamad Y. Fares ◽  
Hussein Zalzale ◽  
Jawad Fares
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Face

Interpersonal communication has been severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Protective measures, such as social distancing and face masks, are essential to mitigate efforts against the virus, but pose challenges on daily face-to-face communication. Face masks, particularly, muffle sounds and cover facial expressions that ease comprehension during live communication. Here, we explore the role of facial expressions in communication and we highlight how the face mask can hinder interpersonal connection. In addition, we offer coping strategies and skills that can ease communication with face masks as we navigate the current and any future pandemic.

scholarly journals How Far Can Telehealth Help Patients in Social Distancing due to Covid-19 in Low- and Mid-Income Countries? (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Livia Fernandes ◽  
Bruno Saragiotto
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Movement Restriction ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Inadequate Health Literacy

UNSTRUCTURED Social distancing and movement restriction, most recommended protective measures to slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (responsible for COVID-19 outbreak), encourage the uptake of telehealth initiatives. Telehealth allows for treatment continuation in situations face-to-face encounters are potentially unsafe. Nevertheless, inadequate health literacy and digital health literacy are barriers to the use of telehealth in low- and mid- income countries. The context of Brazil and how the country has been managing pandemic response was used to discuss alternatives towards a democratic telehealth implementation.

scholarly journals Robust estimation of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in US counties

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanmo Li ◽  
Mengyang Gu
Keyword(s):  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Infectious Period ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Us ◽  
Local Officials ◽  
Us Counties

AbstractThe COVID-19 outbreak is asynchronous in US counties. Mitigating the COVID-19 transmission requires not only the state and federal level order of protective measures such as social distancing and testing, but also public awareness of time-dependent risk and reactions at county and community levels. We propose a robust approach to estimate the heterogeneous progression of SARS-CoV-2 at all US counties having no less than 2 COVID-19 associated deaths, and we use the daily probability of contracting (PoC) SARS-CoV-2 for a susceptible individual to quantify the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a community. We found that shortening by $$5\%$$ 5 % of the infectious period of SARS-CoV-2 can reduce around $$39\%$$ 39 % (or 78 K, $$95\%$$ 95 % CI: [66 K , 89 K ]) of the COVID-19 associated deaths in the US as of 20 September 2020. Our findings also indicate that reducing infection and deaths by a shortened infectious period is more pronounced for areas with the effective reproduction number close to 1, suggesting that testing should be used along with other mitigation measures, such as social distancing and facial mask-wearing, to reduce the transmission rate. Our deliverable includes a dynamic county-level map for local officials to determine optimal policy responses and for the public to better understand the risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 on each day.

scholarly journals Resilient Research in the Field: Insights and Lessons From Adapting Qualitative Research Projects During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692110161
Author(s):  
Syahirah Abdul Rahman ◽  
Lauren Tuckerman ◽  
Tim Vorley ◽  
Cristian Gherhes
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Qualitative Research Methods ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Building Resilience ◽  
Digital Methods

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the implementation of unprecedented social distancing measures, restricting social interaction and with it the possibility for conducting face-to-face qualitative research. This paper provides lessons from a series of qualitative research projects that were adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure their continuation and completion. By reflecting on our experiences and discussing the opportunities and challenges presented by crises to the use of a number of qualitative research methods, we provide a series of insights and lessons for proactively building resilience into the qualitative research process. We show that reflexivity, responsiveness, adaptability, and flexibility ensured continuity in the research projects and highlighted distinct advantages to using digital methods, providing lessons beyond the COVID-19 context. The paper concludes with reflections on research resilience and adaptation during crises.

scholarly journals Which Factors Influence Farmers’ Use of Protective Measures During Pesticides Exposure?

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 338-349
Author(s):  
Maryam Afshari ◽  
Jalal Poorolajal ◽  
Forouzan Rezapur-Shahkolai ◽  
Mohammad Javad Assari ◽  
Akram Karimi-Shahanjarini
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Physiological Arousal ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Safety Measures ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Pesticides Exposure ◽  
Positive Effect

Farmers in developing countries use harmful pesticides while taking few or no protective measures. There is limited evidence on factors affecting their safety measures. The objective of this study was to identify the underlying factors influencing farmers’ protective behaviors (PBs) and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the exposure to pesticides. From April to August 2017, a descriptive study was conducted in Twiserkan County in western Iran among 474 farmers from 104 villages. A questionnaire was developed to measure demographic characteristics and factors suggested in integrated agent-centered (IAC) framework. The questionnaire was validated in terms of content validity through expert reviews and tested for reliability in a group of farmers. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews with farmers. Physiological arousal (β = .154, p < .05), intention (β = .345, p < .05), habit (β = .188, p < .05), and contextual factors (β = .101, p < .05) had a significant and positive impact on farmers engaging in pesticide PBs. Among the assessed factors, only physiological arousal (β = .122, p < .05) and habit (β = .646, p < .05) were found to have a significant and positive effect on the use of PPE, but the intention (β = –.039, p > .05) and contextual factors (β = –.009, p > .05) had no significant relation with the use of PPE. The results of this study identified determinants of farmers’ safety measures. Our results suggest that the IAC framework could serve as a guide to developing a more effective intervention for safety measures of Iranian farmers.

Is this mine? Psychological ownership and the social media follower

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline S.L. Tan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Psychological Ownership ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Currency ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine psychological ownership (PO) experienced by followers of social media influencers toward both influencer and the product. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 30 respondents and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings The study demonstrated that the PO experienced by the follower changes under different conditions resulting from perceived value, social currency and follower activity. Social currency plays a vital role in determining the target of PO, often affecting the narrative by the follower. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first paper to examine the transference of PO between product and influencer as experienced by the follower. It provides an understanding on PO that is experienced in different levels of intensity and changes depending on the motive of the follower; hence, transference of PO occurs and it is not a static.

Budaya Komunikasi Virtual Pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19 (Studi Kasus Pembelajaran Daring di UIN Walisongo Semarang)

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Fitri Ariana Putri
Keyword(s):  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Library Research ◽  
Skype For Business

<em>Budaya komunikasi virtual sebagai suatu kebiasaan baru yang dillakukan pada masa pandemic covid-19 secara virtual atau tidak langsung dengan melalui media sosial. Dalam dunia virtual CMC (Computer Mediatied Communication) seseorang dapat saling berinteraksi meskipun tidak dalam lokasi yang sama, namun ekspresi, emosi seseorang tidak terwakilkan seluruhnya karena proses komunikasi hanya melalui layar (face-to screen). Adanya pandemi Covid-19 dinilai mengubah pola komunikasi masyarakat. Dimana komunikasi yang biasanya dapat dilakukan secara tatap muka, kini harus dilakukan secara virtual karena adanya kebijakan social distancing dari pemerintah. cara berkomunikasi tidak hanya bisa dilakukan dengan face to face saja. Akan tetapi dapat dilakukan secara virtual untuk memudahkan dan memanfaatkan adanya media sosial yang ada. Dalam penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian kualitatif deskriptif dengan pendekatan library research. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui budaya komunikasi virtual pada masa pandemi Covid-19. Dan hasil dari temuan ini media komunikasi virtual yang sering digunakan dalam agenda rapat ataupun pembelajaran pada masa pandemi Covid-19 seperti zoom, skype for business dan gotomeetings.</em>

scholarly journals Talanoa moe vā: Pacific knowledge-sharing and changing sociocultural spaces during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 125-134
Author(s):  
Ruth Faleolo
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Research Context ◽  
Physical Spaces

This paper is a consideration of how the method/methodology of talanoa and vā, can be used online by Pacific researchers to respond to the current pandemic’s effect on the traditional face-to-face physical spaces used for knowledge-sharing. The following discussion examines and explores the two concepts: talanoa and vā. It is important to understand how these research approaches work in a multi-sited research context, particularly when travel regulations and social distancing rules require Pacific researchers and their informants to keep physically apart. Virtual sociocultural spaces have become increasingly important to Pacific knowledge-sharing. As a Pacific researcher, I share my thoughts on talanoa and vā and how these concepts have been transferred online in previous research (2015–2019) and more recently, during COVID-19.

GOING OUT NORMALLY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: INSIGHTS ABOUT THE LACK OF ADHESION TO SOCIAL DISTANCING

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Mateus Joaquim ◽  
André Luiz Braule Pinto ◽  
Rafaela Ferreira Guatimosim ◽  
Jonas Jardim de Paula ◽  
Alexandre Luiz de Oliveira Serpa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Emotional Stability ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Psychopathological Symptoms ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Big Five Model ◽  
Second Wave

The population's adhesion to measures to ensure social distancing represents a great management challenge. Evidence has shown that social distancing is effective. However, it is challenging to separate government measures from social distancing driven by personal initiatives. Theory: It is possible that the output of protective behaviors, such as adherence to protective measures and staying in social isolation, is influenced by individual characteristics, such as personality traits or symptoms of mental distress of anxiogenic nature. We hypothesized that individuals with more expressive symptoms of fear or anxiety would have a more protective behavioral tendency in terms of risk exposure, leaving less home during the pandemic. In contrast, individuals with greater emotional stability, as they feel more secure and with a lower perception of risk, could go out more often.Material and Methods: A total of 2709 individuals from all regions of Brazil participated in the study (mean age = 42 years; 2134 women). Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationships between personality traits according to the big five model and Psychopathological Symptoms (BSI). Then investigate how people that go out usually differ from people that stay at home, in both symptoms and personality traits. Finally, to investigate the predictors for going out usually, we use multiple regression analysis, using gender, marital status, level of education, and personality traits. Results: During the second wave of COVID-19 in Brazil, individuals with higher emotional stability tended to leave home more than those with more expressive levels of anxiogenic dysregulation. These results reinforce the role of both personality traits and psychopathological symptoms in prophylactic behavior during COVID-19 pandemics.

Development of a Social Distancing Monitoring System in Korea: Results of a Modified Delphi Process (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heeyoung Lee ◽  
Suin Seo ◽  
Jin-Ok Han ◽  
Sool Shin
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring System ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Delphi Process ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Input Process ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Process Output ◽  
Different Levels

BACKGROUND Since the COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing situation in most countries worldwide, a “social distancing” policy as a non-pharmaceutical intervention has been implemented for several months in many countries including Korea. Social distancing policies work in different ways and at different levels. In addition, various forms of surveillance systems have been implemented in different countries. However, there is an almost complete lack of specific surveillance system in Korea to effectively monitor social distancing policy. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop a monitoring system for social distancing measures in Korea to evaluate and improve the implemented policy. METHODS A draft monitoring system was developed after reviewing Korea's social distancing measures (central and local government briefings) and checking available data for applications. The modified Delphi process was used to evaluate the draft of the monitoring system. In total, 27 experts participated in the evaluation. The round 1 evaluation includes (1) commenting on the composition of the monitoring fields (open response), (2) monitoring indicators for each monitoring field (10-point Likert scale), and (3) commenting on the source of data used to develop the monitoring system (open response). In the round 2 evaluation, 55 indicators, excepting open responses, were re-evaluated. RESULTS The response rate for the Delphi survey was 100% in both the first and second rounds. Of the 55 indicators, 14 were excluded according to experts’ open response comments, as these indicators did not satisfy the quantitative criteria. Finally, 41 indicators were included with 12 available data sources. The monitoring system domain was divided into input, process/output, and result. CONCLUSIONS This study is significant in that it is the first in Korea to develop a comprehensive monitoring system for social distancing policy, and is applicable to estimates utilizing data that are immediately available for each indicator. Furthermore, the developed monitoring system could be a reference for other countries that require the development of such systems to monitor social distancing measures.

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