Discrimination Experiences during COVID-19 among a National, Multi-Lingual, Community-Based Sample of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: COMPASS Findings

Reports of escalated discrimination among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) due to COVID-19 are alarming, making this a public health priority. However, there are limited empirical studies on the scope and impact of COVID-19-related discrimination among AAPIs. Using the COVID-19 Effects on the Mental and Physical Health of AAPI Survey Study (COMPASS) data (N = 4971; survey period: October 2020–February 2021), which is a U.S.-wide multi-lingual survey, we examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with discrimination experiences attributable to being an AAPI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 60.7% reported experiencing discrimination; the group prevalence ranged from 80.0% (Hmong) to 40.5% (Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders). Multivariable logistic regression models revealed that COVID-19-related factors were associated with many discrimination experiences: having a shelter-in-place order of ≥1 month, living in areas with perceived similar/higher COVID-19 severity, and negative impact in family income/employment due to COVID-19. Additionally, being Asian American (versus Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders), females, non-heterosexuals, younger, more severe effect on family income, living in the non-West, and poorer health were significantly correlated with discrimination experiences. Findings may assist in formulating anti-AAPI-discrimination policies and programs at the local, state, and federal levels. Culturally appropriate programs and policies to combat this are urgently needed.

Customer satisfaction with Tokyo Metropolitan Government ward office counter services: confirmatory factor analysis of question grouping and principal component regression analysis

This study examines the determinants of service satisfaction among users of a ward office in Tokyo using a two-part questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised three main categories of multiple-choice questions: A) facility equipment (physical elements in the government office), B) staff responses, and C) service delivery (e.g., promptness of services, whether visitors completed their scheduled errands). In addition, three groups of questions related to the personalities of the users of each facility were investigated. During a one-day survey period, responses were collected from 400 women, aged 30–59 years, who had visited a ward office in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area over a one-month period. This age segment was studied because it is the major segment of the panel of the Internet research firm used. First, factor analysis was used to check the appropriateness of the grouping of questions, and it was confirmed that the three groups were appropriate based on eigenvalues and scree plots. Then, to examine the determinants of counter service customer satisfaction, principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted for each question category. The regression analysis using the three main question groups and three other respondents’ personality-related question groups indicated that group C (service delivery quality) had the strongest influence on the dependent variable, followed by group B and group A. The adjusted R2 value was .70. This result is consistent with the results of the author’s surveys of government offices in urban areas conducted for Higashihiroshima City Hall and of ward offices in Osaka.

Quantifying functional consequences of habitat degradation on a Caribbean coral reef

Coral reefs are declining worldwide. The abundance of corals has decreased alongside a rise of filter feeders, turf, and algae in response to intensifying human pressures. This shift in prevalence of functional groups alters the biogeochemical processes in tropical water ecosystems, thereby influencing reef functioning. An urgent challenge is to understand the functional consequences of these shifts to develop suitable management strategies that aim at preserving the biological functions of reefs. Here, we quantify biogeochemical processes supporting key reef functions (i.e. net community calcification (NCC) and production (NCP) and nutrient recycling) in situ for five different benthic assemblages currently dominating shallow degraded Caribbean reef habitats. To this end, a transparent custom-made enclosure was placed over communities dominated by either one of five functional groups – coral, turf and macroalgae, bioeroding sponges, cyanobacterial mats, or sand – to determine chemical fluxes between these communities and the overlying water, during both day and night. To account for the simultaneous influence that distinct biogeochemical processes have on measured variables, the rates were then derived by solving a model consisting of differential equations describing the contribution of each process to the measured chemical fluxes. Inferred rates were low compared to those known for reef flats worldwide. Reduced accretion potential was recorded, with negative or very modest net community calcification rates for all communities. Net production during the day was also low, suggesting limited accumulation of biomass through photosynthesis and remineralisation of organic matter at night was relatively high in comparison, resulting in net heterotrophy over the survey period for most communities. Estimated recycling processes (i.e. nitrification and denitrification) were high but did not fully counterbalance nutrient release from aerobic mineralisation, rendering all substrates sources of nitrogen. Results suggest similar directions and magnitudes of key biogeochemical processes of distinct communities on this shallow Curaçaoan reef. We infer that the amount and type of organic matter released by abundant algal turfs and cyanobacterial mats on this reef likely enhances heterotroph activity and stimulates the proliferation of less diverse copiotrophic microbial populations, rendering the studied reef net heterotrophic and drawing the biogeochemical “behaviour” of distinct communities closer to each other.

Changes in motor paralysis involving upper extremities of outpatient chronic stroke patients from temporary rehabilitation interruption due to spread of COVID-19 infection: An observational study on pre- and post-survey data without a control group

Background Outpatient rehabilitation was temporarily suspended because of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and there was a risk that patients’ activities of daily living (ADLs) would decrease and physical functions unmaintained. Therefore, we investigated the ADLs and motor functions of chronic stroke patients whose outpatient rehabilitation was temporarily interrupted. Methods In this observational study, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and Barthel Index (BI) scores of 49 stroke hemiplegic patients at 6 and 3 months before rehabilitation interruptions were retrospectively determined and were prospectively investigated on resumption of outpatient rehabilitation. Presence or absence of symptoms and difficulties caused by the interruption period (IP) was investigated using a binomial method. Deltas were analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM) according to the survey period. Age, sex, severity of FMA-UE immediately post-resumption and post-onset period were used as covariates. For survey items showing significant model fit, the 95% confidence interval of minimum detectable change (MDC95) was calculated, and the amount of change was compared. Questionnaire responses were tested via proportion ratio. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results The FMA-UE part A and total scores were significantly model fit depending on periods. The estimated FMA-UE total score decreased by 1.64 (z = −2.38, p = 0.02) during the 3-month IP. No fits were observed by GLM in other parts of the FMA-UE, ARAT, or BI. The calculated MDC95 was 3.58 for FMA-UE part A and 4.50 for FMA-UE overall. Answers to questions regarding sleep disturbance and physical pain were significantly biased toward “no” in the psychosomatic function items (p<0.05). There was no bias in the distribution of answers to questions regarding joint stiffness, muscle weakness, muscle stiffness, and difficulty in moving arms and hands. All 16 questions regarding activities and participation items were significantly biased toward answers “no” (p<0.05). Conclusions The FMA-UE part A and total scores were affected. Patients complained of subjective symptoms related to upper limb paralysis after the IP. Since ADLs of patients were maintained, the therapist can recommend that patients not receiving outpatient treatments be evaluated in relation to the shoulder, elbow, and forearm and instructed on self-training to maintain motor function.

Evidence for Energetic Neutral Hydrogen Emission from Solar Particle Events

We report the probable detection of energetic neutral hydrogen atoms (ENAs) at >0.8 MeV in several large solar energetic particle events observed between 1997 and 2004. The low Earth orbiting SAMPEX satellite detected transient increases of quasi-trapped equatorial protons beginning typically ∼3 hr after the X-ray flare and lasting for up to several hours. Since the magnetic cutoff rigidity is >10 GV at the magnetic latitude where the particles were observed, we interpret the signal as due to ENAs that penetrate Earth’s magnetic field and charge exchange in the upper atmosphere, whereupon the charged particles may become trapped. One event outside our survey period (2006 December 5) had previously reported solar flare ENAs, the only example of this phenomenon of which we are aware. Although the statistics are limited, the events we report suggest that the ENAs are produced as the flare-associated coronal mass wjection moves through the corona, as concluded previously for the 2006 December 5 event. The finding of ENAs emitted in conjunction with large solar flares opens a new avenue to understanding these events.

Risk of psoriatic arthritis depending on age: analysis of data from 65 million people on statutory insurance in Germany

ObjectivesThis study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the age-dependent risk of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). For this purpose, it focuses on the varying incidences within the different age groups.MethodsThe data were collected as part of the morbidity-based risk adjustment of the statutory health insurance companies in Germany. This survey recorded the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)-coded diagnoses of 65 million German citizens. Our population-based study used these raw data to calculate the prevalence of PsA in the first step. Subsequently, we employed a new approach for the estimation of the age-specific and sex-specific incidence of PsA.ResultsThe age-specific and sex-specific incidence of PsA showed a continuous increase with rising age until it peaked slightly before the age of 60 and declined thereafter. The maximum value was higher in women (40 per 100 000 py) than in men (30 per 100 000 py). Furthermore, the incidence rate tends to climb over the survey period.ConclusionsThe data sets identified an unexpected high incidence. A meta-analysis by Scotti et al and other recent population-based studies served as a reference for the comparison. The pattern of the age-specific incidence illustrated that the risk for PsA disease shows considerable variations depending on age.

Examining the maturity of South Africa’s government departments to implement the Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS)

The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the maturity of South Africa’s provincial government departments in engaging with the Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS) towards facilitating effective infrastructure delivery. Furthermore, the study sought to formulate evidence-based interventions that could be utilised by these government departments to engender successful delivery of infrastructure assets and associated services to their beneficiaries. This research was descriptive and employed the quantitative research approach. Data was elicited from three provincial government departments in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Structured maturity modelling questionnaires were deployed for data collection from the respondents. The emergent data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 26. A One-Way ANOVA, aimed at enabling a comparative analysis of differences in the degree of maturity between the three provincial government departments that utilise the IDMS, was conducted. Results from the study indicate that the three departments (cases) had a maturity rating between 3 and 4, signifying well-defined and documented standard processes that can be improved over time. However, an IDMS-ready organisation would ideally have a maturity rating at level 5. In addition, the leadership dimension was found to be a driver of all other dimensions, where a high maturity level under this dimension directly correlates with improved maturity in the other dimensions. It is recommended that adequate management and leadership support is needed to improve organisational maturity in relation to IDMS implementation. The study was confined to KwaZulu-Natal, due to the short survey period for information gathering and data collection. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a great impact on the undertaking of some key research processes mostly affecting the research methodology, particularly during data collection. This study is the first of its kind in South Africa to assess the maturity of provincial government departments to implement the IDMS, which is indicative of an evaluation void gap.

Association of COVID-19 lockdown measures with changes in physical activity of the adult population of Russia

Aim. To assess the impact of lockdown measures during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on physical activity (PA) of the adult population in Russia.Material and methods. The online survey was conducted during the period of strict restrictions in Russia from April 26, 2020 to June 6, 2020. The survey involved respondents aged ≥18 years. Participants reported the frequency and duration of moderate to high-intensity PA, as well as walking and other types of exercise, before the pandemic and during the last seven days during the survey period.Results. In the country as a whole, there was a decrease in all types of PA during the pandemic. The proportion of participants who met the World Health Organization recommendations for any type of PA decreased from 68 to 49% (p<0,001). Proportion of those who followed the World Health Organization recommendations for strength training for ≥2 days per week decreased from 53 to 45% (p<0,001).Conclusion. The results of the study are the evidence base to substantiate the feasibility of measures aimed at correcting the lifestyle of the population in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Distribution, habitat use, and nesting behavior of the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) in the Trashigang Forest Division, Eastern Bhutan

The King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor 1836), is the longest venomous snake in the world; it is globally threatened and has been categorized as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Herein we describe distribution, habitats, and nesting behavior of the King Cobra in Trashigang Forest Division, Bhutan. We recorded a total of 18 King Cobras during the one-year survey period. The elevational distribution was 650–2,057 m but most sightings were at lower elevations. King Cobras did not appear to prefer or avoid any particular habitat type but most records were from areas where human disturbances were at a minimum. We monitored a nest containing 37 eggs that was actively guarded by a female. This study was the first of its kind in Trashigang Forest Division and we hope that the information obtained will help formulate appropriate conservation strategies for this globally threatened species.

Meteorological Factors Influence the Presence of Fungi in the Air; A 14-Month Surveillance Study at an Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center

BackgroundCystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that predisposes to progressive lung damage. Cystic fibrosis patients are particularly prone to developing pulmonary infections. Fungal species are commonly isolated in lower airway samples from patients with cystic fibrosis. Fungal spores are prevalent in the air.MethodsWe performed environmental air sampling surveillance at the Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, UK (MACFC) over a 14-month period to assess fungal growth inside and outside the CF center.ResultsAirborne counts of fungal spores peaked from May to October, both in outdoor and indoor samples. Collection of meteorological data allowed us to correlate fungal presence in the air with elevated temperatures and low wind speeds. Additionally, we demonstrated patient rooms containing windows had elevated fungal counts compared to rooms not directly connected to the outdoors.ConclusionsThis study suggests that airborne Aspergillus fumigatus spores were more abundant during the summer months of the survey period, which appeared to be driven by increased temperatures and lower wind speeds. Indoor counts directly correlated to outdoor A. fumigatus levels and were elevated in patient rooms that were directly connected to the outdoor environment via an openable window designed for ventilation purposes. Further studies are required to determine the clinical implications of these findings for cystic fibrosis patients who are predisposed to Aspergillus related diseases, and in particular whether there is seasonal influence on incidence of Aspergillus related conditions and if screening for such complications such be increased during summer months and precautions intensified for those with a known history of Aspergillus related disease.