Cognitive Network Science Reconstructs How Experts, News Outlets and Social Media Perceived the COVID-19 Pandemic
covid-19, emotions, text mining, Semantic networks, social media mining, computational cognitive science
This work uses cognitive network science to reconstruct how experts, influential news outlets and social media perceived and reported the news “COVID-19 is a pandemic”. In an exploratory corpus of 1 public speech, 10 influential news media articles on the same news and 37,500 trending tweets, the same pandemic declaration elicited a wide spectrum of perceptions retrieved by automatic language processing. While the WHO adopted a narrative strategy of mitigating the pandemic by raising public concern, some news media promoted fear for economic repercussions, while others channelled trust in contagion containment through semantic associations with science. In Italy, the first country to adopt a nationwide lockdown, social discourse perceived the pandemic with anger and fear, emotions of grief elaboration, but also with trust, a useful mechanism for coping with threats. Whereas news mostly elicited individual emotions, social media promoted much richer perceptions, where negative and positive emotional states coexisted, and where trust mainly originated from politics-related jargon rather than from science. This indicates that social media linked the pandemics to institutions and their intervention policies. Since both trust and fear strongly influence people’s risk-averse behaviour and mental/physical wellbeing, identifying evidence for these emotions is key under a global health crisis. Cognitive network science opens the way to unveiling the emotional framings of massively read news in automatic ways, with relevance for better understanding how information was framed and perceived by large audiences.
Technology (General), Systems engineering
ASSESSMENT OF SENTINEL-5P PERFORMANCE FOR GROUND-LEVEL AIR QUALITY MONITORING: PREPARATORY EXPERIMENTS OVER THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN PERIOD
Scientific evidence has demonstrated that deterioration of ambient air quality has increased the number of deaths worldwide by appointing air pollution among the most pressing sustainability concerns. In this context, the continuous monitoring of air quality and the modelling of complex air pollution patterns is critical to protect population and ecosystems health. Availability of air quality observations has terrifically improved in the last decades allowing – nowadays – for extensive spatial and temporal resolved analysis at both global and local scale. Satellite remote sensing is mostly accountable for this data availability and is promising to foster air quality monitoring in support of traditional ground sensors measurements. In view of the above, this study compares observations from the Sentinel-5P mission of the European Copernicus Programme (the most recent Earth Observation platform providing open measurements of atmospheric constituents) with traditional ground measurements to investigate their space and time correlations across the Lombardy region (Northern Italy). The correlation analysis focused on nitrogen dioxide. The use of data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for a parallel exploration of the lockdown effects on nitrogen dioxide emissions. Results show a marked decrease in nitrogen dioxide concentrations during the lockdown and an overall strong positive correlation between satellite and ground sensors observations. These experiments are preparatory for future activities that will focus on the development of satellite-based air quality local prediction models, aiming at improving the granularity of the ground-based information available for air quality monitoring and exposure modelling.
M. A. Brovelli, D. Oxoli, J. R. Cedeno Jimenez
The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General), Technology, Applied optics. Photonics
Respondents’ Involvement in Tourist Activities at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic
covid-19, Tourism, sustainable tourism, pandemic crisis, global change
The article is aimed at presenting the survey respondents’ involvement in tourist activities, taking into account certain factors at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main objective may be divided into three direct aims, each of which consists of the determination of the factors that can influence the choice of tourist journeys: (1) organizational factors, (2) social-economic ones, and (3) sustainable development. The authors’ own research findings are used to verify the objective. The research was conducted in April and May 2020 with the use of a diagnostic survey method and a questionnaire. Five-hundred sixty-four respondents from Poland (Podlaskie, Masovian, and Lesser Poland Voivodeships) and 133 respondents from the US (New York State, New Jersey, and Illinois) took part in the research. It was divided into organizational, social-economic, and sustainable development related factors. The research confirmed, inter alia, a great impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the organization of tourist travels by the respondents in 2020. The issue presented in the article is a new one; it has not yet been a subject matter of research. That is the major reason the authors aimed to conduct it. What is a new methodological element in the article is the organization of some concepts concerning tourism and a presentation of the influence of COVID-19 on tourism. In the authors’ opinion, the issues presented are new and have a considerable impact on new trends in the development of tourism at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The issue discussed is very broad, and the article does not exhaust it. The research findings are compared to the research findings reported by other authors, and standard deviations are calculated.
Michał Roman, Arkadiusz Niedziółka, Andrzej Krasnodębski
Environmental effects of industries and plants, Renewable energy sources, Environmental sciences
A new advanced in silico drug discovery method for novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with tensor decomposition-based unsupervised feature extraction
Background: COVID-19 is a critical pandemic that has affected human communities worldwide, and there is an urgent need to develop effective drugs. Although there are a large number of candidate drug compounds that may be useful for treating COVID-19, the evaluation of these drugs is time-consuming and costly. Thus, screening to identify potentially effective drugs prior to experimental validation is necessary. Method: In this study, we applied the recently proposed method tensor decomposition (TD)-based unsupervised feature extraction (FE) to gene expression profiles of multiple lung cancer cell lines infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We identified drug candidate compounds that significantly altered the expression of the 163 genes selected by TD-based unsupervised FE. Results: Numerous drugs were successfully screened, including many known antiviral drug compounds such as C646, chelerythrine chloride, canertinib, BX-795, sorafenib, sorafenib, QL-X-138, radicicol, A-443654, CGP-60474, alvocidib, mitoxantrone, QL-XII-47, geldanamycin, fluticasone, atorvastatin, quercetin, motexafin gadolinium, trovafloxacin, doxycycline, meloxicam, gentamicin, and dibromochloromethane. The screen also identified ivermectin, which was first identified as an anti-parasite drug and recently the drug was included in clinical trials for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: The drugs screened using our strategy may be effective candidates for treating patients with COVID-19.
An Epidemiological Study on the Prevalence of the Clinical Features of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Romanian People
covid-19, online survey, prevalence study, Romanian population
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the clinical features of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in Romanian population through a novel online survey. The survey included categorical socio-demographic and health-related variables. A total of 1830 participants were selected for statistical data processing (a response rate of 90.9%). We determined reasonable reliability of the survey section for clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Cronbach’s Alpha 0.671). Two meaningful dimensions were identified through CATPCA (Categorical Principal Component Analysis) for the survey’s items. We separated two significant clusters of items, each measuring a distinct factor: the sociodemographic characteristics linked to social distancing and the relevant clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Next, a two-step cluster analysis helped to classify the sample group taking into consideration the similarity of subjects. The clustering revealed a three-cluster solution, with significant differences between clusters and allowed the cluster detection of a group of individuals, possibly more affected by the infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Through binomial logistic regression analysis, we identified a statistically significant prediction model for the presumptive diagnostic of some relevant clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study validated a cost-effective model for rapid assessment of the health status of subjects, adapted to the context of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Constantin Ciucurel, Elena Ioana Iconaru
A Tale of Two Viruses: The Distinct Spike Glycoproteins of Feline Coronaviruses
feline infectious peritonitis, spike protein, feline coronavirus, genetic characterization, serotype
Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a complex viral agent that causes a variety of clinical manifestations in cats, commonly known as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). It is recognized that FCoV can occur in two different serotypes. However, differences in the S protein are much more than serological or antigenic variants, resulting in the effective presence of two distinct viruses. Here, we review the distinct differences in the S proteins of these viruses, which are likely to translate into distinct biological outcomes. We introduce a new concept related to the non-taxonomical classification and differentiation among FCoVs by analyzing and comparing the genetic, structural, and functional characteristics of FCoV and the FCoV S protein among the two serotypes and FCoV biotypes. Based on our analysis, we suggest that our understanding of FIP needs to consider whether the presence of these two distinct viruses has implications in clinical settings.
Javier A. Jaimes, Jean K. Millet, Alison E. Stout, Nicole M. André, Gary R. Whittaker
N-Acetylcysteine to Combat COVID-19: An Evidence Review
Zhongcheng Shi,1,2 Carlos A Puyo3 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; 2Department of Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; 3Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Holy Family Hospital, Steward Health Care, Methuen, MA, USACorrespondence: Zhongcheng Shi Tel +1- 832-824-0814Email zhongchs@bcm.eduAbstract: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a virus (SARS-Cov-2) and is known for inducing multisystem organ dysfunction associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Current therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 have failed to effectively reduce mortality rate, especially for elderly patients. A newly developed vaccine against SARS-Cov-2 has been reported to induce the production of neutralizing antibodies in young volunteers. However, the vaccine has shown limited benefit in the elderly, suggesting an age-dependent immune response. As a result, exploring new applications of existing medications could potentially provide valuable treatments for COVID-19. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been used in clinical practice to treat critically ill septic patients, and more recently for COVID-19 patients. NAC has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating characteristics that may prove beneficial in the treatment and prevention of SARS-Cov-2. This review offers a thorough analysis of NAC and discusses its potential use for treatment of COVID-19.Keywords: N-acetylcysteine, SARS-Cov-2, COVID-19
Hospital Pharmacy in the multidisciplinary team of COVID inpatient units
infectious disease, covid-19, Hospital Pharmacy Service, Multidisciplinary team
Since the implementation of the Antimicrobial Therapy Optimization Programme, hospital pharmacy specialists have collaborated with infectious disease specialists on a regular basis in most hospitals in Spain. Cooperation between these professionals ensures the integrated management of patients with infectious diseases and the appropriate use of antimicrobials in hospitals. The COVID-19 pandemic forced hospital pharmacists to abruptly suspend all their structured activities and concentrate on the health crisis. Realtime information sharing between different medicine specialties is an effective strategy to generate and maintain treatment protocols adapted to each center, with continuous evidence-based modifications as new publications appear. Hospital pharmacies had to reorganize their activities to respond to the pandemic. On the one side were patients with COVID-19, and on the other were routine hospital pharmacy tasks, with the added difficulty of adapting to individual protection measures. New communication and collaboration strategies were adopted. Protocols were established for the management of COVID-19 patients, with continuous changes, special medications had to be prepared and distributed, circuits were designed for the home- or institution-based care of patients, internal circuits were created to minimize the movements of hospital staff and professionals caring for COVID-19 patients. The most effective antiviral drug and anti inflammatory therapy remains elusive. In this scenario, hospital pharmacists emerge as a key player, as they have a deep understanding of the mechanisms of action of drugs and potential interactions. In a setting where experimental drugs preferably tested in clinical trials are being used, the role of hospital pharmacists in interdisciplinary teams has become essential for the optimization of clinical outcomes.
María Victoria Gil-Navarro, Rafael Luque-Márquez
Indonesian Government’s COVID-19 Measures, January–May 2020: Late Response and Public Health Securitization
coronavirus, covid-19, Indonesia, Securitization, public health security
The Indonesian government’s measures to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can be characterized by late response due to initial de-securitization of the issue, and later securitization that limits its very efficacy in restricting the spread of the pandemic. This article uses securitization theory to analyze the government’s measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic and discusses how the government’s increasing reliance on military figures and national security agencies influences the measures used to control the COVID-19 pandemic. This study finds that initially, the government seemed to be trying to de-securitize the issue, denying warnings that the virus might have existed undetected in Indonesia. Then, after the first cases were confirmed in March 2020, the government responded by securitizing the issue. The delay in the government’s response to COVID-19 caused the audience to not fully accept the government’s securitization efforts because public trust in the government’s measures was already low, while the means of emergency action taken by the government against the threat of COVID-19 are also limited. The government has also been overly reliant on influential military figures and national security agencies. The government also tended to downgrade the threats, lack transparency, and even use the pandemic to crack down on anti-government smears. This article concludes that the government needs to change their approach to COVID-19 measures and prioritize the human security dimension by not downgrading the threats and upholding transparency.
JSP: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik
Social sciences (General), Political science (General)
Umanesimo Digitale e Bene Comune? Linee guida e riflessioni per una salvezza possibile / Digital humanities and Commons: guidelines and recflections for a possible salvation
Il COVID ha evidenziato in maniera drammatica la condizione di totale fragilità della cultura e, in particolare, del nostro patrimonio artistico e storico, tangibile e intangibile. Una fragilità determinata sostanzialmente dall’assenza di relazioni, di cui invece il patrimonio vive nel susseguirsi storico delle società che lo conservano e lo condividono. Ai tempi del COVID, in cui tutti i musei, i siti archeologici e i luoghi della cultura erano chiusi, si è posta con urgenza la riflessione su come mantenere vive queste relazioni, attraverso il digitale. L’articolo tratteggia riflessioni teoriche e metodologiche per un manifesto di buone pratiche operative e scientifiche, a partire dalle numerose esperienze condotte in ambito di Umanesimo Digitale. Vengono esplicitati i quattro passaggi, intimamente connessi, su cui far leva per una filiera digitale consapevole e sostenibile: digitalizzazione scientifica, nuove forme di interazione virtuale, misurazione del gradimento dei pubblici, formazione di nuove competenze. The pandemic crisis dramatically highlighted the fragility of culture and, in particular, of our tangible and intangible, artistic and historical heritage. A fragility determined substantially by the absence of relations, of which the heritage lives on in the historical succession of the societies that preserve and share it. In the days of Covid, when all museums, archaeological sites and places of culture were closed, there was an urgent need to reflect on how to keep these relationships alive, through digital technologies. The article outlines theoretical and methodological reflections for a manifesto of good operative and scientific practices, starting from several experiences conducted in the field of Digital Humanities. Four closely connected steps on which to leverage for a conscious and sustainable digital supply chain are explained: scientific digitization, new forms of virtual interaction, measurement of public acceptance, training of new skills.
Auxiliary sciences of history, Arts in general