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1 – 10 of 582Daud Khan, Manoj Kumar Verma and Mayank Yuvaraj
There have been numerous publications on human monkeypox since it was reported. With the help of bibliometric analysis, this study examined research hotspots and future trends…
Abstract
Purpose
There have been numerous publications on human monkeypox since it was reported. With the help of bibliometric analysis, this study examined research hotspots and future trends related to human monkeypox. Science mapping was used in this study to identify influential monkeypox researchers, institutions, articles, keywords, thematic structures, and clusters of articles.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a validated search query, bibliometric analysis of data collected from Web of Science from 1989 to September 2022 was conducted. Using the “Title-Keyword-Abstract” search option, the search query consisted of keywords “Monkeypox” OR “Monkeypox virus” OR “monkeypox” OR “monkey pox” OR “MPXV.” With the state-of-the-art tools Bibliometrix package of R Studio and VOSviewer, performance analysis and science mapping, as a part of standard bibliometric research of monkeypox research were conducted.
Findings
Researchers published 708 monkeypox papers from 1989 to September 2022, with American researchers publishing 460 papers. Further, USA had the highest international cooperation in terms of collaborative research output. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a global leader in monkeypox research since it is the most prolific and collaborative organization. There have been the most published papers on monkeypox in the Journal of Virology. Damon Inger K is also the most prolific and influential researcher in monkeypox research, with the highest number of publications and citations. In total, 1,679 keywords were identified in the study. From the cluster analysis four themes were identified in monkeypox research. They are (1) clinical features, (2) monkeypox virus epidemiology, (3) monkeypox virus vaccine defense, and (4) monkeypox virus-related treatment measures.
Originality/value
Analysis of collaboration, findings, networks of research, and visualization separates this study from traditional metrics analysis. Currently, there are no similar studies with similar objectives based on the authors' knowledge.
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Raphael Kanyire Seidu, Shou-xiang Jiang, Benjamin Tawiah, Richard Acquaye and Ebenezer Kofi Howard
The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review of the effects of COVID-19 on the conventional textile production subsector. The emergence of the COVID-19 virus in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review of the effects of COVID-19 on the conventional textile production subsector. The emergence of the COVID-19 virus in 2019 has subsequently caused many problems, such as unemployment, business closures, economic instability and high volatility in the global capital markets amongst others within the wider manufacturing industry including textile production.
Design/methodology/approach
Relevant secondary data are obtained from the Scopus database and Statista. Based on the data analysis of 21 seed articles, three research themes are identified: challenges in the textile industry, new material innovations or solutions and the textile industry performance.
Findings
The results reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the textile industry, disrupted the supply chains of this industry, affected profit margins, stopped employment and impacted the retail of products to customers. Aside from the negative repercussions, there are also good sides to the pandemic which, for instance, range from advanced material innovations to textiles with anti-microbial, self-cleaning and anti-bacterial properties that would limit the transfer of the virus.
Practical implications
Findings reinforced the need for effective strategies and investments in the research and development departments of the various firms in the textile industry to innovate operations and novel materials for the next global pandemic.
Originality/value
Many companies have adopted novel strategies and practices that are helping them to survive the pandemic. This study, therefore, recommends further investigation into material innovations and reimagining strategies by companies and the supply chain within the textile industry so that it is protected against future crises.
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Gopi Battineni, Nalini Chintalapudi and Francesco Amenta
After the identification of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at Wuhan, China, a pandemic was widely spread worldwide. In Italy, about 240,000…
Abstract
Purpose
After the identification of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at Wuhan, China, a pandemic was widely spread worldwide. In Italy, about 240,000 people were infected because of this virus including 34,721 deaths until the end of June 2020. To control this new pandemic, epidemiologists recommend the enforcement of serious mitigation measures like country lockdown, contact tracing or testing, social distancing and self-isolation.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents the most popular epidemic model of susceptible (S), exposed (E), infected (I) and recovered (R) collectively called SEIR to understand the virus spreading among the Italian population.
Findings
Developed SEIR model explains the infection growth across Italy and presents epidemic rates after and before country lockdown. The results demonstrated that follow-up of strict measures such that country lockdown along with high testing is making Italy practically a pandemic-free country.
Originality/value
These models largely help to estimate and understand how an infectious agent spreads in a particular country and how individual factors can affect the dynamics. Further studies like classical SEIR modeling can improve the quality of data and implementation of this modeling could represent a novelty of epidemic models.
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Denis Fernandes Alves, Raul da Mota Silveira Neto, André Luis Squarize Chagas and Tatiane Almeida De Menezes
This study addresses the COVID-19 infection and its relationship with the city’s constructive intensity, commuting time to work and labor market dynamics during the lockdown…
Abstract
Purpose
This study addresses the COVID-19 infection and its relationship with the city’s constructive intensity, commuting time to work and labor market dynamics during the lockdown period.
Design/methodology/approach
Microdata from formal workers in Recife was used to adjust a probability model for disease contraction.
Findings
The authors' results indicate that greater distance to employment increases the probability of infection. The same applies to constructive intensity, suggesting that residences in denser areas, such as apartments in buildings, condominiums and informal settlements, elevate the chances of contracting the disease. It is also observed that formal workers with completed higher education have lower infection risks, while healthcare professionals on the frontlines of combating the disease face higher risks than others. The lockdown effectively reduced contagion by limiting people’s mobility during the specified period.
Research limitations/implications
The research shows important causal relationships, making it possible to think about public policies for the health of individuals both when commuting to work and in living conditions, aiming to control contagion by COVID-19.
Practical implications
The lockdown effectively reduced contagion by limiting people’s mobility during the specified period.
Social implications
It is also observed that formal workers with completed higher education have lower infection risks, while healthcare professionals on the frontlines of combating the disease face higher risks than others.
Originality/value
The authors identified positive and significant relationships between these urban characteristics and increased contagion, controlling for neighborhood, individual characteristics, comorbidities, occupations and economic activities.
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This case study paper aims to explore the complexities and challenges of epidemic response and public health surveillance in Native American and Indigenous American communities…
Abstract
Purpose
This case study paper aims to explore the complexities and challenges of epidemic response and public health surveillance in Native American and Indigenous American communities in the United States and find viable solutions. This paper explores these topics through the emergence and impact of the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) within the Navajo Nation in the United States using critical incident analysis and best practices.
Design/methodology/approach
This project is a case study paper based on a topical review of the literature. A topical review of the literature is a comprehensive exploration of the current body of knowledge within a particular research field. It is an important tool used by scholars and practitioners to further the development of existing knowledge as well as to identify potential directions for future research (Fourie, 2020). Such a paper can provide a useful insight into the various aspects of the process that the researcher may have overlooked, as well as highlighting potential areas of improvement (Gall et al., 2020). It can also provide a useful source of ideas and inspiration for the researcher as it can provide an overview of the various approaches used by other researchers in the field (Göpferich, 2009). Case study papers using a topical review of the literature have been used to help frame and inform research topics, problems and best practices for some time. They are typically used to explore a topic in greater depth and to provide an overview of the literature to improve the world of practice to provide a foundation for future comprehensive empirical research. Case study papers can provide research value by helping to identify gaps in the literature and by providing a general direction for further research. They can also be used to provide a starting point for research questions and hypotheses and to help identify potential areas of inquiry.
Findings
This study explores best practices in public health surveillance and epidemic response that can help strengthen public health infrastructure by informing the development of effective surveillance systems and emergency response plans, as well as improving data collection and analysis capabilities within Native American and Indigenous American communities in the United States that also have the option to include new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) with similar outbreaks in the future.
Research limitations/implications
The literature review did not include any primary data collection, so the existing available research may have limited the findings. The scope of the study was limited to published literature, which may not have reported all relevant findings. For example, unpublished studies, field studies and industry reports may have provided additional insights not included in the literature review. This research has significant value based on the limited amount of studies on how infectious diseases can severely impact Native American communities in the United States, leading to unnecessary and preventable suffering and death. As a result, research on viable best practices is needed on the best practices in public health surveillance and epidemic response in Native American and Indigenous American communities through historical events and critical incident analysis.
Practical implications
Research on public health surveillance and epidemic response in Native American communities can provide insights into the challenges faced by these communities and help identify potential solutions to improve their capacity to detect, respond to and prevent infectious diseases using innovative approaches and new technologies like AI.
Originality/value
More research on public health surveillance and epidemic response can inform policies and interventions to improve access to healthcare for Native American populations, such as increasing availability of healthcare services, providing culturally appropriate health education and improving communication between providers and patients. By providing better public health surveillance and response capacity, research can help reduce the burden of infectious diseases in Native American communities and ultimately lead to improved public health outcomes.
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Faezeh Yazdi, Farzin Rasoulyan and Seyed Reza Mirnezami
Adopting digital technology could facilitate the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some analysts argue that countries that adopted digital technology in their…
Abstract
Purpose
Adopting digital technology could facilitate the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some analysts argue that countries that adopted digital technology in their health sector have managed to control the virus better (Whitelaw et al., 2020). For instance, countries with more comprehensive contact tracing have significantly lower fatality rates (Yalaman et al., 2021). Moreover, World Health Organization (WHO) believes this technology is a crucial enabler for countries to meet the current challenge (WHO. Regional Office for the Western Pacific & University of Melbourne, 2021). In this regard, this study aims to quantitatively find the relationship between the technological advancement of countries and COVID-19 health outcomes, using seven technological indices that measure technological advancement.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used the multiple linear regression method to answer the research questions. The first analysis focuses on a cross section of all countries worldwide, and the second focuses on European countries for which weekly death statistics exist after the pandemic.
Findings
The findings support those countries with more technological abilities managed to control the virus’s mortality better, as evidenced by the negative link between the mortality rate of COVID-19 and the technological factors at the national level. Results also reveal that technology adoption decreases the death risk due to COVID-19 in countries with more elderly people. The authors may argue that technological advancement positively correlates with the number of deaths and diagnosed cases because the authors can better collect data or because the virus spreads due to higher economic and business activities. However, such technological advancement significantly decreases the death risk (lower mortality rate in the first analysis and lower mortality rate for elderly people in the second analysis).
Research limitations/implications
Three important conclusions could be made from the results: a lower mortality rate is generally expected for countries adopting advanced technology; technological advancement significantly decreases the death risk for elderly people; and a higher technology adoption level does not necessarily result in fewer diagnosed cases of/death due to COVID-19.
Originality/value
Although some studies have focused on e-health applications in the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, no studies, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, have tried to quantify its efficacy, most especially on the global level.
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Reasmy Raj, Amirul Syafiq, Vengadaesvaran Balakrishnan, Shakeel Ahmad, Nasrudin Abd Rahim, Pouya Hassandarvish, Sazaly Abu Bakar and A.K. Pandey
This paper aims to fabricate a polymer-based polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating with acrylic resin as a binder that can show antiviral activity against the feline coronavirus…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to fabricate a polymer-based polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating with acrylic resin as a binder that can show antiviral activity against the feline coronavirus (FCov) on the glass substrate.
Design/methodology/approach
The PEG/acrylic coating systems of different weight percentages were coated on the glass substrates using the spray-coating method and cured at room temperature for 24 h.
Findings
The coating system containing 20 Wt.% of PEG exhibits the highest antiviral activities as high as 99.9% against FCov compared with other samples.
Research limitations/implications
Findings will be useful in the development of antiviral coating for PPE fabrics by using the simple synthesis method.
Originality/value
Application of PEG as an antiviral agent in the antiviral coating system with high antiviral activities about 99.9%.
N.K. Sheeja, Susan Mathew K. and Surendran Cherukodan
This study aims to analyse the trend of Mpox research in the pre and post-outbreak period. The study compared the growth pattern, major research areas, sources of publications…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse the trend of Mpox research in the pre and post-outbreak period. The study compared the growth pattern, major research areas, sources of publications, funding agencies, countries and institutions invested in Mpox research, and institutional and countrywide collaboration patterns in Mpox research in both periods.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on the data retrieved from the Web of Science database for two time frames: the pre-outbreak period (January 1989–April 2022) and the post-outbreak period (May 2022–December 2022). The study is limited to research articles and reviews articles from Web Science. The study used Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer visualization software to derive results.
Findings
The study found few publications on Mpox before the epidemic outbreak, and a steep increase is visible after it. Before and after the Mpox pandemic, the USA ranked first in the production of literature. The focus of research before the outbreak of the epidemic was on virology, which was replaced by infectious diseases during the post-epidemic period. More publications were found available in open-access journals during the post-outbreak time. Author collaboration with US authors from other countries is higher in the post-outbreak period. During the pre-outbreak time, the principal supporters of Mpox research were American funding agencies and institutes. The study reveals that the research in post-outbreak is more concentrated on diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Mpox.
Practical implications
This study offers a systematic literature review on Mpox’s overall research productivity. It contrasted the patterns of this field’s pre- and post-epidemic research. The conclusions of this study will act as a guide for scientists operating all across the world.
Originality/value
A thorough scientometric analysis of the trend of Mpox research in the pre- and post-outbreak period has not been attempted. It will help identify the nature of research on Mpox over the years, which will support future research on Mpox attempted across the globe.
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This paper aims to introduce a custom-designed integrated nucleic acid detection polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument for clinical detection applications.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to introduce a custom-designed integrated nucleic acid detection polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instrument for clinical detection applications.
Design/methodology/approach
The PCR instrument can make rapid, sensitive, low-cost and quantitative molecular diagnosis compared with the current routine test flow from the pipette, series reagent to RT-PCR by manual manipulation. By integrating the multichannel automatic pipetting module, heat amplification module and real-time fluorescence detection module for the first time, the custom-designed integrated nucleic acid detection PCR instrument can achieve sample collection, subpackage, mixing, extracting, measuring and result presentation.
Findings
The multichannel automatic pipetting module was assembled with an accuracy of 0.4% (2 microliters) for accuracy measurement. Besides, the accuracy and sensitivity of nucleic acid using integrated low-cost nucleic acid detection PCR instruments were checked with COV-2019 virus (staining method) and African swine fever virus (probe method) under different concentrations.
Practical implications
Because of its high cost, complex system and bulky laboratory settings, including sample subpackage, mixing, extracting, measuring and finally result in presentation, the current nucleic acid detection system is not suitable for field operation and disease diagnosis in remote areas. The group independently designed and assembled an integrated low-cost multichannel nucleic acid detection PCR instrument, including a multichannel automatic pipetting module, a heat amplification module and a real-time fluorescence detection module.
Originality/value
The above equipment showed better reliability compared with commercial qPCR. These results can lay the foundation for functional, fast and low-cost PCR equipment for trace measurements.
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Gita Gayatri, Yusniza Kamarulzaman, Tengku Ezni Balqiah, Dony Abdul Chalid, Anya Safira and Sri Rahayu Hijrah Hati
This study aims to examine the perceptions and evaluations of Muslim COVID-19 survivors and health workers regarding the halal, business and ethical attributes of hospitals during…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the perceptions and evaluations of Muslim COVID-19 survivors and health workers regarding the halal, business and ethical attributes of hospitals during their interactions related to COVID-19 treatment.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive qualitative research with semi-structured online interviews was used to gather insights from COVID-19 survivors and health workers who treated COVID-19 patients. The findings were then compared with existing literature on hospital services and Sharia attributes.
Findings
The study found that patients and health-care workers in hospitals are concerned about whether the hospital follows Sharia law, the quality of health-care and hospital services and the ethical conduct of hospital staff. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, when patients are more anxious about religious conduct and the afterlife.
Research limitations/implications
Hospitals need to address halal attributes in all aspects of their services for Muslim patients and business attributes such as standard health-care quality, service quality and ethical attributes. Participants indicated that when these needs are met, they are more likely to revisit the hospital and recommend it to others.
Originality/value
This study contributes to understanding the expectations of Muslim patients regarding hospital services that meet Islamic ethical and business requirements. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study broadens the understanding of how to better serve Muslim customers.
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