Digital Commons Network^™

Are Vaccine Lotteries Worth The Money?, Christopher Robertson, K. Aleks Schaefer, Daniel Scheitrum

Faculty Scholarship

This research evaluates the effects of the twelve statewide vaccine lottery schemes that were announced as of June 7, 2021 on state vaccination rates. We construct a dataset that matches information on the timing and location of these lotteries with daily, county-level data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the cumulative number of people who have received at least one dose of an emergency-authorized Covid-19 vaccine. We find that 10 of the 12 statewide lotteries studied (i.e., all but Arkansas and California) generated a positive, statistically significant, and economically meaningful impact on vaccine uptake after thirty days. …

Identification And Development Of Therapeutics For Covid-19, Halie M. Rando, Nils Wellhausen, Soumita Ghosh, Alexandra J. Lee, Anna Ada Dattoli, Fengling Hu, James Brian Byrd, Diane N. Rafizadeh, Ronan Lordan, Yanjun Qi, Yuchen Sun, Christian Brueffer, Jeffrey M. Field, Marouen Ben Guebila, Nafisa M. Jadavji, Ashwin N. Skelly, Bharath Ramsundar, Jinhui Wang, Rishi Raj Goel, Yoson Park, Simina M. Boca, Anthony Gitter, Casey S. Greene

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

After emerging in China in late 2019, the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread worldwide, and as of mid- 2021, it remains a significant threat globally. Only a few coronaviruses are known to infect humans, and only two cause infections similar in severity to SARS-CoV-2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, a species closely related to SARS-CoV-2 that emerged in 2002, and Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, which emerged in 2012. Unlike the current pandemic, previous epidemics were controlled rapidly through public health measures, but the body of research investigating severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East …

Covid Response: Iterative Model Development In The Deployment Of Hand Sanitation Stations At A Large Public University, Tyler Obrien

All Theses

This study illustrates the significance of iterative model development using the deployment of hand sanitizer stations in buildings at Clemson University as a case study. The COVID-19 problem affected Clemson University, a major institution, in several ways requiring adaptations to existing policies and procedures to take place. Following guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC), the university implemented several new strategies including placing hand sanitizer stations in several buildings on campus in order to try and mitigate the transmission of the virus. This study focuses on learning how the initial decision-making took place to then design a …

Recalibrating Student Services: Examining Staff Perceptions Of Services During Covid-19, Justin White

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As a result of the 2019 global coronavirus pandemic, nearly every business and industry in the United States was forced to adapt its operations to accommodate the restrictions that a community health crisis necessitated. This study examined the experiences of front-line Enrollment Services staff while serving students during the pandemic at one community college in the Midwestern United States. The study focused on staff perceptions of how college policies, processes, and leadership affected the student onboarding experience that encompasses the complete path a student takes from beginning as an applicant to becoming an enrolled student in the classroom. The study …

Parks And The Pandemic: A Scoping Review Of Research On Green Infrastructure Use And Health Outcomes During Covid-19, Megan Heckert, Amanda Bristowe

Geography & Planning Faculty Publications

Green infrastructure (GI) has long been known to impact human health, and many academics have used past research to argue for the potential importance of GI as a mechanism for maintaining or improving health within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review addresses the question: What evidence, if any, have researchers found of a relationship between green infrastructure use and health during the COVID-19 pandemic? Specifically, evaluating the (a) association of GI use with COVID-19 disease outcomes and (b) association of GI use with other health outcomes as impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-two studies were identified that …

Fraud Law And Misinfodemics, Wes Henricksen

Utah Law Review

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many on whom the public depended for truthful information purposefully or recklessly spread misinformation that put thousands at risk. The term “misinfodemic,” coined in 2019, describes such events where misinformation facilitates the spread of a disease or causes some other health-related outcome. Though the term was only recently defined, the recent misinfodemic was not a new or novel phenomenon. False information is spread to the public all the time. This often results in harm to public health. False claims are communicated by corporations seeking to mislead the public to make more money, by politicians to gain …

How Covid-19 Has Impacted Romantic Relationship Dynamics, Alexandria Jayci Lake

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to provide an exploration of impacts to romantic relationship dynamics attributed the COVID-19 pandemic. Though many attributes of COVID-19 classify it as a distinct, unique event in its own right, a literature review of past global health events and economic crises provided a foundational reference point from which to compare it to. Twelve participants who were in relationships with another person for at least four years at the time were interviewed, six of which who were parented individuals and six of which who had no children, to discover how COVID-19-related changes developed over the …

Covid-19 Masks In Terms Of Functional, Expressive, And Aesthetic Consumer Needs, Lily Highley

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess consumers' perspectives of COVID-19 masks under the functional, expressive, and aesthetic areas. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks have become an “accessory” to everyday life, and it was essential to research masks under these unique areas and explore consumer perceptions.

This study took place after background research on the topic and the FEA model. The study included a survey sent to Bumpers College students upon approval from the IRB. The data was analyzed and interpreted specifically in the FEA areas and can be useful to better understand the students at the University …

Examining Online Fitness Program Participation Behavior During The Covid-19 Pandemic: An Application Of Theory Of Planned Behavior, Ran Wei

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine fitness participants’ online fitness program (OFP) participation intention and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilized self-administered online survey which included three parts: Theory of Planed Behavior (TPB) measurement scale and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire version 2.0 (GPAQ-v2.0) plus demographic information. TPB was used to examine OFP participation behavior with four variables: Attitude toward the behavior (AB), subjective norm (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and participation intention (PI). Role identity (RI) and past behavior (PB) were included as additional variables in the original TPB model. Fitness participants’ OFP participation behavior before …

Covid-19 In Pregnancy, Jill E. Miracle, Prakash R. Ganesh, Johnie Rose, Pauline Terebuh, Kurt C. Stange, Andrea Szabo, Heidi L. Gullett, Rachel Pope

Faculty Scholarship

Objective:To define the symptomatology of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and associations between occupation, sociodemographic factors, and comorbidities with the severity of COVID-19 disease in pregnancy in all trimesters, regardless of hospitalization.Methods:We studied a retrospective cohort of a public health surveillance sample of persons with COVID-19 infection diagnosed during pregnancy. Data was collected March 2020 to August 2020 regarding symptoms, disease severity, comorbidities, obstetric history, and occupation.Results:One hundred sixty-three individuals were identified. Constitutional (64%) and lower respiratory symptoms (61%) were most common. Seventeen individuals (13.6%) were hospitalized, and one person (0.7%) died due to COVID-19. Risk factors for severe disease were …

Structural Barriers Associated With The Intersection Of Traumatic Stress And Gun Violence: A Case Example Of New Orleans, Rahn Kennedy Bailey, Chikira H. Barker, Amit Grover

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Gun violence drastically increased in urban cities following the ease of shutdown restric-tions associated with the Coronavirus Pandemic. The association of gun violence and COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of taking a public health perspective, particularly as it relates to impacts on the Black community. In this article we discuss macro-level factors and community traumas in the city of New Orleans, an area that has had longstanding issues related to gun violence. Community structural issues, traumatic stress from disasters, and recommendations to address disparities in social determinants of health are discussed.

Passive Immunity Trial For Our Nation (Passiton): Study Protocol For A Randomized Placebo-Control Clinical Trial Evaluating Covid-19 Convalescent Plasma In Hospitalized Adults, Wesley H. Self, Thomas G. Stewart, Allison P. Wheeler, Wissam El Atrouni, Amanda J. Bistran-Hall, Jonathan D. Casey, Vince D. Cataldo, James D. Chappell, Claudia S. Cohn, Jessica B. Collins, Mark R. Denison, Marjolein De Wit, Sheri L. Dixon, Abhijit Duggal, Terri L. Edwards, Magali J. Fontaine, Adit A. Ginde, Michelle S. Harkins, Thelma Harrington, Estelle S. Harris

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Convalescent plasma is being used widely as a treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the clinical efficacy of COVID-19 convalescent plasma is unclear. Methods: The Passive Immunity Trial for Our Nation (PassITON) is a multicenter, placebo-controlled, blinded, randomized clinical trial being conducted in the USA to provide high-quality evidence on the efficacy of COVID-19 convalescent plasma as a treatment for adults hospitalized with symptomatic disease. Adults hospitalized with COVID-19 with respiratory symptoms for less than 14 days are eligible. Enrolled patients are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to 1 unit (200–399 mL) of COVID-19 convalescent plasma that has …

Impact Of Covid-19 Related Deaths On New Nurses In Rhode Island, Jessica Petonak

Senior Honors Projects

The purpose of this project was to identify the impact that COVID-19 related deaths have had on nurses with limited bedside experience in the state of Rhode Island. Exploring the level of preparedness that nurses felt to deal with death can provide insight into nursing and employer education. Hearing about nurses’ experiences during the pandemic helps illustrate the current state of nurses’ mental health. Gaining a better understanding of the amount and types of support that nurses on the frontlines are receiving can identify current gaps and potential areas of improvement. I found that the COVID-19 pandemic and related deaths …

Perceptions Of Risk For Covid-19 Among Individuals With Chronic Diseases And Stakeholders In Central Appalachia, Manik Ahuja, Hadii M. Mamudu, Florence M. Weierbach, Karilynn Dowling-Mcclay, David W. Stewart, Manul Awasthi, Timir K. Paul

ETSU Faculty Works

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving and is a serious public health threat worldwide. Timely and effective control of the pandemic is highly dependent on preventive approaches. Perception of risk is a major determinant of health behavior. The current study explores the association between actual risk and perceived risk for one’s self, family/friends and friends, and community. A questionnaire was administered to participants in Central Appalachia (n = 102). The actual risk was based on the number of chronic conditions of the following conditions: hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Participants were also queried …

Blockade Of Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein-Mediated Cell–Cell Fusion Using Covid-19 Convalescent Plasma, Ling Wang, Juan Zhao, Lam N.T. Nguyen, Lam N.T. Nguyen, James L. Adkins, Madison Schank, Sushant Khanal, Xindi Dang, Dechao Cao, Bal K. C. Thakuri, Zeyuan Lu, Jinyu Zhang, Yi Zhang, Xiao Y. Wu, Mohamed El Gazzar, Shunbin Ning, Jonathan P. Moorman, Zhi Q. Yao

ETSU Faculty Works

The recent COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious threat to global public health, thus there is an urgent need to define the molecular mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein-mediated virus entry that is essential for preventing and/or treating this emerging infectious disease. In this study, we examined the blocking activity of human COVID-19 convalescent plasma by cell–cell fusion assays using SARS-CoV-2-S-transfected 293 T as effector cells and ACE2-expressing 293 T as target cells. We demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 S protein exhibits a very high capacity for membrane fusion and is efficient in mediating virus fusion and entry into target cells. …

Is Telemedicine The Answer To Rural Expansion Of Medication Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder? Early Experiences In The Feasibility Study Phase Of A National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network Trial, Yih Ing Hser, Allison J. Ober, Alex R. Dopp, Chunqing Lin, Katie P. Osterhage, Sarah E. Clingan, Larissa J. Mooney, Megan E. Curtis, Lisa A. Marsch, Bethany Mcleman, Emily Hichborn, Laurie S. Lester, Laura Mae Baldwin, Yanping Liu, Petra Jacobs, Andrew J. Saxon

Dartmouth Scholarship

Telemedicine (TM) enabled by digital health technologies to provide medical services has been considered a key solution to increasing health care access in rural communities. With the immediate need for remote care due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many health care systems have rapidly incorporated digital technologies to support the delivery of remote care options, including medication treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). In responding to the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials and scientific communities strongly support and advocate for greater use of TM-based medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to improve access to …

Distillers' Grains: Past, Present, And Future Economic Analyses, Daniel E. Gertner

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis is comprised of four chapters, each of which discusses or conducts economic research related to the distillers’ grains market. The first three chapters are meant to be standalone papers. Chapter four provides potential paths forward in distillers’ grains research based on the findings of the first three chapters and concludes the thesis.

The first chapter conducts a comprehensive literature review that categorizes and summarizes economic research on distillers’ grains products. This section shows how the physical market has moved beyond the current academic understanding of market products and structure. Existing research finds that traditional distillers’ grains products positively …

The Use Of Mobile Payment Systems In Post-Covid-19 Economic Recovery: Primary Research On An Emerging Market For Experience Goods, Maiya M. Suyunchaliyeva, Raghav Nautiyal, Aijaz A. Shaikh, Ravishankar Sharma

All Works

This study investigated whether mobile payment services could drive post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery in the ‘experience goods’ sector (e.g., tourism) utilising Bandura’s self-efficacy or social cognitive theory. It explored the factors influencing the intention to continue using mobile payment services and the intention to recommend these to others. An empirical survey was conducted to assess the study variables, and the data obtained therefrom were analysed using the industry-standard Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining method. The study results suggest that personal innovativeness and perceived trust influence consumers’ intention to continue using mobile payment services and that perceived trust, personal innovativeness and …

Impact Of Local Covid-19 Policies On The Homeless Population: Case Study In Two Montana Counties, Franchesca D. Talbot

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on people experiencing homelessness in Montana. In each Montana County, local policies in addition to individual shelter policies determine the requirements for homeless shelters in relation to capacity, distancing, and other public health measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The policies often differ from county to county, which often lead to different outcomes across the state. This case study analyzed data from multiple sources on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths among the homeless populations in Missoula and Lewis and Clark Counties in Montana and linked them to the effectiveness of …

Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy Associated With Covid-19 Infection, James A. David, George D. Fivgas

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) associated with a COVID-19 infection. Observations: A 22-year-old female was referred for evaluation of bilateral scotomas concurrent with a mildly symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Exam showed normal visual acuity, bilateral reddish-brown petaloid retinal lesions which were hyporeflective on near infrared (NIR) optical coherence tomography (OCT), and had associated hypoperfusion of the deep vascular plexus on OCT-angiography (OCT-A) consistent with bilateral AMN. At follow-up, scotomas and retinal findings on near infrared imaging and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography had only slightly improved. Conclusions: COVID-19 has been documented to be the etiology of …

The Use Of Virtual Conference Software (Vcs) In The Workplace During Covid-19 In North America: An Empirical Validation Of Innovation Diffusion Theory, Khaleed I. Khasawneh

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers in marketing and technology realized the importance of paying more attention to how and when new technologies or innovations are adopted during crisis, and which factors impact individuals’ successful adoption. Navigating through the different stages of the present COVID-19 crisis, it has become clear that such research focus would be beneficial so that firms can shape customers' decision making process in a way that ensure successful escape of a crisis and its Destructive results on a business or organization; COVID-19 will undoubtedly not be the last global crisis we face. First, a firm understanding of the factors affecting the …

Breastfeeding Media Coverage And Beliefs During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Mexico: Implications For Breastfeeding Equity, Mireya Vilar-Compte, P. Gaitán‐Rossi, E. C. Rhodes, V. Cruz‐Villalba, R. Pérez‐Escamilla

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Because breastfeeding offers short- and long- term health benefits to mothers and children, breastfeeding promotion and support is a public health priority. Evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 is not likely to be transmitted via breastmilk. Moreover, antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are thought to be contained in breastmilk of mothers with history of COVID-19 infection or vaccination. WHO recommends direct breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding option during the COVID-19 pandemic, even among women with COVID-19; but conflicting practices have been adopted, which could widen existing inequities in breastfeeding. This study aims to describe how information about breastfeeding was communicated in Mexican …

Examining Emotional Labor In Covid-19 Through The Lens Of Self-Efficacy, Lixia Yao, Jie Gao

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a significant blow to the restaurant industry, with many restaurants suspending operations or closing altogether. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of emotional labor on employees’ well-being and the mediating role of self-efficacy in the context of chain restaurants. Data were collected in 2020 through an online survey in China, and results revealed that emotional labor had a significant impact on well-being that was measured in life and job satisfaction. Self-efficacy not only had a significant positive impact on employees’ job-and life-related well-being but also played a fully mediating role between deep …

'It Is A Disease Which Comes And Kills Directly': What Refugees Know About Covid-19 And Key Influences Of Compliance With Preventive Measures, Adelaide Lusambili, Michela Martini, Faiza Abdirahaman, Asante Abena, Joseph Guni, Sharon Ochieng, Stanley Luchters

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Refugees are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection in part due to their living conditions, which make it harder to adopt and adhere to widely accepted preventive measures. Little empirical evidence exists about what refugees know about COVID-19 and what they do to prevent infection. This study explored what refugee women and their health care workers understand about COVID-19 prevention, the extent of their compliance to public health recommendations, and what influences the adoption of these measures.

Methods: In October 2020, we conducted 25 in-depth interviews with facility and community health care staff (n = 10) and refugee women …

Palliative Care Practice During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Qualitative Study Of Palliative Care Clinicians, Joanna Rowe, Maryellen Potts, Ronan Mcghie, Annie Dinh, Ilana Engel, Keisha England, Christian T. Sinclair

Student Publications

Context: COVID-19 created unprecedented demand for palliative care at a time when in-person communication was highly restricted, straining efforts to care for patients and families.

Objectives: To qualitatively explore the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of palliative care clinicians. Specifically we sought to: 1) Describe the strategies adopted by palliative care clinicians to cope with new challenges including patient and clinician isolation, prognostication of an emergent disease, and rapidly rising numbers of severely ill patients; 2) Identify additions or adjustments to in-person and system-related palliative care training, methods, and tools made during pandemics.

Methods: This descriptive …

Variations In Medical Students' Educational Preferences, Attitudes And Volunteerism During The Covid-19 Global Pandemic, M Harrison Humphries, Sunthosh Sivam, Nadia Ismail

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Public health crises require individuals, often volunteers, to help minimize disasters. The COVID-19 pandemic required such activation of individuals, but little is known about medical students’ preferences of such engagement. We investigated potential variations in medical students’ educational preferences, attitudes, and volunteerism during the COVID-19 pandemic based on socio-demographics to better prepare for future activation scenarios. A web-based, anonymous survey of U.S. medical students at a single institution was conducted in May 2020. Across four training year, 518 (68% response rate) students completed the survey. During the pandemic, 42.3% (n = 215) wanted to discontinue in-person clinical experiences, 32.3% (n …

Mental Health And Adolescents: The Impact Of Social Isolation In Adolescents During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Gabriella Aguinaldo

Nursing | Senior Theses

In early 2020, the coronavirus pandemic, first detected in late 2019, afflicted the world. The disease associated with the virus became known as COVID-19. COVID-19 was recognized as a highly contagious and deadly disease. In California, United States, COVID-19 was detected in February and the first shelter-in-place orders were ordered by the counties and state, which forced children and adults to stay at home and attend school and work virtually. Shelter-in-place orders were quickly implemented around the world.

As the world began this sudden switch in lifestyle, many were concerned for the mental health and safety of themselves and their …

Adverse Reactions Following Covid-19 Vaccination: An Ecuadorian Experience, Emanuel Vanegas, Karla Robles-Velasco, María F. Osorio, María José Farfán Bajaña, Zouina Sarfraz, Azza Sarfraz, Juan Carlos Fernández Cadena, Derly Madeleiny Andrade Molina, Matias Panchana Lascano, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Limited large-scale studies have been conducted to investigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccine in Latin America, particularly among the healthcare worker (HCW) population in Ecuador. The objective of this study was to assess a cohort of Ecuadorian healthcare workers for adverse reactions following vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study to assess the potential adverse reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine among a sample of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, from March to May 2021.
Results: The sample comprised 1291 patients, with a mean age of 39.3 years (SD, …

Reimagine 2021, Bryanna Amezcua

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

United Way of Santa Cruz has been a resource for the community for many years. Sadly, after the pandemic hit, it caused many financial hardships for the nonprofit organization. There is a lack of economic support for nonprofits all over the US that could be heard around the world. United Way exists to be able to support those in need, but at this moment they cannot provide that support without help. This is due to several reasons including high rates of unemployment, decreased spending during the pandemic, and reduced person-to-person contact with potential donors. All these factors contribute to the …

The Mystery Of Covid-19 Reinfections: A Global Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Rubaid Azhar Dhillon, Mohammad Aadil Qamar, Jaleed Ahmed Gilani, Omar Irfan, Usama Waqar, Mir Ibrahim Sajid, Syed Faisal Mahmood

Department of Medicine

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, reports on disparities in vaccine roll out alongside COVID-19 reinfection have been emerging. We conducted a systematic review to assess the determinants and disease spectrum of COVID-19 reinfection.
Materials and methods: A comprehensive search covering relevant databases was conducted for observational studies reporting Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmed infection and reinfection cases. A quality assessment tool developed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) for the assessment of case series was utilized. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 for pooled proportions of findings in first infection and reinfection with a 95% confidence interval …