Browsing by Subject "Pandemic"

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Open Access
Correlates of psychotic like experiences (PLEs) during Pandemic: An online study investigating a possible link between the SARS-CoV-2 infection and PLEs among adolescents
(Elsevier B.V., 2022-01-05) Yilmaz Kafali, Helin; Turan, Serkan; Akpınar, Serap; Mutlu, Müge; Özkaya Parlakay, Aslınur; Çöp, Esra; Toulopoulou, Timothea
Background This study investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 infection, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, cigarette, alcohol, drug usage contribute to psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) among adolescents during the pandemic. We also aimed to explore whether baseline inflammatory markers or the number of SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms are associated with PLEs, and the latter is mediated by internalizing symptoms. Methods Altogether, 684 adolescents aged 12–18 (SARS-CoV-2 group n = 361, control group (CG) n = 323) were recruited. The Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences-42-Positive Dimension (CAPE-Pos), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires were completed by all volunteers using an online survey. C-reactive Protein and hemogram values, and SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms during the acute infection period were recorded in the SARS-CoV-2 group. Group comparisons, correlations, logistic regression, and bootstrapped mediation analyses were performed. Results CAPE-Pos-Frequency/Stress scores were significantly higher, whereas GAD-7-Total and PSQI-Total scores were significantly lower in SARS-CoV-2 than CG. Among the SARS-CoV-2 group, monocyte count and the number of SARS-CoV-2-symptoms were positively correlated with CAPE-Pos-Frequency/Stress scores. Besides SARS-CoV-2, cigarette use, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores significantly contributed to the presence of at least one CAPE-Pos “often” or “almost always”. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 fully mediated the relationship between the number of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms and CAPE-Pos-Frequency. Conclusions This study is the first to show a possible relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and PLEs among adolescents. Depression, anxiety, and cigarette use also contributed to PLEs. The number of SARS-Cov-2-symptoms and PLEs association was fully mediated by internalizing symptoms, but prospective studies will need to confirm this result.
Open Access
Fair allocation of personal protective equipment to health centers during early phases of a pandemic
(Elsevier, 2022-05) Dönmez, Zehranaz; Turhan, S.; Karsu, Özlem; Kara, Bahar Y.; Karaşan, Oya
We consider the problem of allocating personal protective equipment, namely surgical and respiratory masks, to health centers under extremely limited supply. We formulate a multi-objective multi-period non-linear resource allocation model for this problem with the objectives of minimizing the number of infected health workers, the number of infected patients and minimizing a deprivation cost function defined over shortages. We solve the resulting problem using the ε-constraint algorithm so as to obtain the exact Pareto set. We also develop a customized genetic algorithm to obtain an approximate Pareto frontier in reasonable time for larger instances. We provide a comparative analysis of the exact and heuristic methods under various scenarios and give insights on how the suggested allocations outperform the ones obtained through a set of rule-of-thumb policies, policies that are implemented owing to their simplicity and ease-of-implementation. Our comparative analysis shows that as the circumstances get worse, the trade-off between the deprivation cost and the ratio of infections deepens and that the proposed heuristic algorithm gives very close solutions to the exact Pareto frontier, especially under pessimistic scenarios. We also observed that while some rule-of-thumb policies such as a last-in-first-receives type policy work well in terms of deprivation costs in optimistic scenarios, others like split policies perform well in terms of number of infections under neutral or pessimistic settings. While favoring one of the objectives, these policies typically fail to provide good solutions in terms of the other objective; hence if such policies are to be implemented the choice would depend on the problem characteristics and the priorities of the policy makers. Overall, the solutions obtained by the proposed methods imply that more complicated distribution schemes that are not induced by these policies would be needed for best results.
Embargo
Feminist constitutional narratives, the pandemic and hyper-presidentialism in Turkey
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-01-24) Yılmaz, Zülfiye
Constitutional resilience has been tested by various crises worldwide, and the COVID-19 pandemic constituted another litmus test for global constitutionalism. In Turkey, the pandemic came three years after a constitutional revision introduced hyper-presidentialism in 2017, which undermined the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances. This article looks at the period that begins with the official announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and ends with the assessment of the general elections of May 2023 to document three years of hyper-presidentialist constitutionalism and the counter-responses to it proposed by the Turkish feminist movement and the constitutional institutions that still remain autonomous from the executive. By combining conventional constitutional methods with the critical feminist positionality approach, this article diagnosed the impact of the pandemic on authoritarian regime-building. Based on feminist constitutionalism, this scholar activist approach shed light on some overlooked aspects of the pandemic in Turkey, such as persistent déconstitutionalisation and its link with anti-gender politics, to reveal the living essence of authoritarian constitutionalism and the evolution of hyper-presidentialism in Turkey.
Open Access
Large-scale manufacturing and characterization of a Sars Cov-2 virus-like particle vaccine adsorbed onto alhydrogel and adjuvanted with K3 CpG oligodeoxynucleotide for use in phase 1/2 clinical trials
(2022-04-28) Bülbül, Artun
Emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has been met by an exceptionally fast response from vaccine makers around the globe. Vaccines that elicit excellent immunological responses against SARS-CoV-2 are now widely utilized. Existing platforms include mRNA-lipid nanoparticle-based vaccines, adenovirus vectored vaccines, various inactivated virus vaccines and subunit vaccines. We have previously described a novel virus-like particle (VLP) platform expressing the hexaproline prefusion stabilized Spike protein along with the nucleocapsid, membrane and envelope structural proteins. In mice, ferrets and rats, VLPs adjuvanted with K3 CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) and adsorbed onto 2% Aluminum Hydroxide (Alum), induced robust humoral and cellular immune response against Spike and Nucleocapsid proteins. Herein, we have expanded our work to manufacture the virus like particles in a GMP compliant facility intended for testing in phase I/II clinical trials. The technology transfer comprises i) VLP production from suspension adapted HEK293 cells, ii) purification with multimodal fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) and iii) concentration and diafiltration using tangential flow filtration (TFF). We have successfully scaled up our production from 50 mL of HEK293 cell culture to 5 L bioreactor, achieving yields reaching up to 40 mg VLPs per L of cell culture. Furthermore, several methods were developed to determine protein identity, purity, functionality, stability and immunopotency of VLP vaccine that was finally formulated with Alum + CpG ODN. Moreover, we investigated the immunogenicity of VLPs decorated either with Wuhan (Hu-1) or with Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant Spike against receptor binding domains (RBD) specific to other variants of concern (VoC). Although our vaccine platform, could further benefit from process optimization to improve VLP yield, this study presents the first pilot scale production and purification of variant specific hexaproline prefusion stabilized SARS-CoV-2 VLPs. VLP preparations complying with our quality control parameters were released for fill and finish and were used for subsequent Phase 1 (NCT04818281) and Phase 2 clinical trials (NCT04962893).
Open Access
M&A activity during the COVID-19 pandemic
(Taylor&Francis, 2023-05-24) Ançel İlaslan, Z.; Tanyeri-Günsür, Başak
We investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic initiated merger waves at the aggregate and industry levels. The COVID-19 pandemic coincides with economic shocks, wide adoption of new technologies, and volatility in stock and energy markets, all potential triggers of restructuring activity. Our sample covers 104,464 acquisition deals of US targets from 2012 to 2022. We identify 37 industry-level merger waves. Twenty-three merger waves start during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eighty percent of the deals during the pandemic were part of an industry merger wave. This concentration of industry waves drove an aggregate merger wave starting on April 2020.
Open Access
Managing pandemic communication online Turkish Ministry of Health’s digital communication strategies during COVID-19
(University of Southern California, 2023) Aksak Özdora, Emel; Dikmen, E. Ş.; Kılıç, N. P.
Health ministries around the world have used online communication, specifically social media platforms, to provide information, communicate warnings to the public, and influence behavior according to recommended health precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grounded in agenda-setting theory, this study analyzes Turkey’s Ministry of Health’s (MoH) social media communication strategies and practices during COVID-19 through a content analysis of the content shared via its official Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts from February to June 2020, focusing on the first 120 days of the pandemic, when it was at its height. Findings reveal that the MoH’s social media activity was mainly driven by Twitter, and the minister of health has become the face of the fight against the pandemic. Results reveal that the government’s efforts to fight against the virus and its prevention measures are among the most popular themes in online communication. The MoH’s social media communication has shown only limited success in community building and network expansion due to inconsistent and ineffective hashtag use, among other weaknesses in the ministry’s use of social media conventions.
Open Access
Models for government intervention during a pandemic
(Elsevier BV, 2022-01-07) Eryarsoy, Enes; Shahmanzari, Masoud; Tanrısever, Fehmi
While intervention policies such as social distancing rules, lockdowns, and curfews may save lives during a pandemic, they impose substantial direct and indirect costs on societies. In this paper, we provide a mathematical model to assist governmental policymakers in managing the lost lives during a pandemic through controlling intervention levels. Our model is non-convex in decision variables, and we develop two heuristics to obtain fast and high-quality solutions. Our results indicate that when anticipated economic consequences are higher, healthcare overcapacity will emerge. When the projected economic costs of the pandemic are large and the illness severity is low, however, a no-intervention strategy may be preferable. As the severity of the infection rises, the cost of intervention climbs accordingly. The death toll also increases with the severity of both the economic consequences of interventions and the infection rate of the disease. Our models suggest earlier mitigation strategies that typically start before the saturation of the healthcare system when disease severity is high.
Open Access
Navigating the Covid 19 turbulence in higher education: Evidence from Turkish faculty members
(Dokuz Eylul University, 2022-09-30) Örücü, Deniz; Kutlugün, Habibe Elif
Covid19 was the first pandemic of the modern era to strike with such virulence. We sought to understand this recent phenomenon and contribute to the empirical findings on the expectations from HEI leadership and management in Turkey. Drawing on the Turbulence Theory, we explored how the academic staff experienced the initial phase of the pandemic in Turkey and how they perceived the HE leaders’ navigation of the crisis at the selected universities. Within qualitative phenomonology, data from semi-structured interviews with a convenient sample of 10 academic staff in five public and five private universities in Turkey, was analysed through content analysis. Findings highlighted the opportunities and challenges of the pandemic for the faculty at personal and organizational level in an intersectional pattern. Moreover, the ways HEI leaders navigated the crisis created binaries in the form of experience vs. inexperience and trust vs. distrust. The challenges derived from the rapid but ineffective decision-making processes and the heightened surveillance mechanisms over the academic staff; which in some cases resulted in lack of trust. Hence, the turbulence level was shaped by how the universities and their leaders addressed it. In such cases, practices of building trustworthy connections, more distributive forms of leadership and robust communication; which would help the leaders to navigate the turbulence at times of crises are significant. Further recommendations are provided for research, policy and practice.
Open Access
Nonlinear nexus between cryptocurrency returns and COVID-19 news sentiment
(Elsevier, 2022-12) Banerjee, Ameet Kumar; Akhtaruzzaman, Md; Dionisio, Andreia; Almeida, Dora; Sensoy, Ahmet
The paper examines how various COVID-19 news sentiments differentially impact the behaviour of cryptocurrency returns. We used a nonlinear technique of transfer entropy to investigate the relationship between the top 30 cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation and COVID-19 news sentiment. Results show that COVID-19 news sentiment influences cryptocurrency returns. The nexus is unidirectional from news sentiment to cryptocurrency returns, in contrast to past findings. These results have practical implications for policymakers and market participants in understanding cryptocurrency market dynamics under extremely stressful market conditions.
Open Access
Preferences in the intention to download a COVID tracing app: A discrete choice experiment study in the Netherlands and Turkey
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2022-06-24) Folkvord, Frans; Peschke, Lutz; Gümüş Ağca, Yasemin; van Houten, Karlijn; Stazi, Giacomo; Roca-Umbert, Ana; Güneş Peschke, Seldağ; Seyfafjehi, Seyedehshahrzad; Gallego, Alba; Gaeta, Eugenio; Fico, Giuseppe; Karinsalo, Anni; Lupianez Villanueva, Francisco
Introduction: High levels of adoption and usage for the COVID Tracing Apps (CTA) among the population is a stipulated prerequisite for success of the implementation of these apps, aiming to mitigate the pandemic and track spreading of the virus more efficient and effectively. In the current study, the main objective was to investigate individuals' preferences in the intention to download a COVID-19 tracing app in a pilot-study in both the Netherlands and Turkey. Methods: We conducted a discrete choice experimental study through an online survey in two countries (the Netherlands [N = 62] and Turkey [N = 83]), with four different attributes: (1) data protection (data protection vs. no information), (2) manufacturer (government vs. company), (3) reward (no reward vs. voucher as a reward) and (4) gaming (no gaming elements vs. gaming elements). Participants were recruited among a student population. Results: The results showed that data protection is one of the most important factors that significantly increases the probability to adopt a CTA. In general, the manufacturer, reward or gaming affected the probability to download the CTA less. Discussions: Health authorities worldwide have generally released high quality CTA, although scientific studies assessing the most important factors that describe and predict the intention to download is limited. Sensitive personal data is collected through these apps, and may potentially threaten privacy, equality and fairness, which are important attributes to take into account when developing or launching a CTA, following the results of this study. Copyright © 2022 Folkvord, Peschke, Gümüş Ağca, van Houten, Stazi, Roca-Umbert, Güneş Peschke, Seyfafjehi, Gallego, Gaeta, Fico, Karinsalo and Lupianez Villanueva.
Open Access
Preferences in the Willingness to Download a COVID-19 Contact Tracing App in the Netherlands and Turkey: Experimental Study
(JMIR Publications Inc., 2022-07-01) Folkvord, Frans; Peschke, Lutz; Gümüş Ağca, Yasemin; van Houten, Karlijn; Stazi, Giacomo; Lupiáñez-Villanueva, Francisco
Background: Despite the worldwide growth in using COVID-19 contact tracing apps (CTAs) and the potential benefits for citizens, governments, health care professionals, businesses, and other organizations, only a few studies have examined the factors affecting the levels of willingness to download a CTA. Objective: This study aimed to investigate individuals’ preferences in the willingness to download a health app. Methods: We conducted an experimental study in 2 countries, the Netherlands (N=62) and Turkey (N=83), using 4 different vignettes (ie, data protection, manufacturer, reward, and gaming models) with different attributes. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of the conditions within the vignettes. Results: The results showed that data protection and gaming elements are factors that influence the willingness to download a COVID-19 CTA. More specifically, we see that data protection is an important factor explaining the willingness to download the app in Turkey, whereas including gaming elements significantly affects the willingness to download the app in the Netherlands. Conclusions: COVID-19 CTAs are highly promising to reduce the spread of the virus and make it easier to open up society faster, especially because they can be used quickly and share information rapidly. COVID-19 CTA developers must ensure that their apps satisfactorily and sufficiently address ethical considerations, even in times of crisis. Furthermore, integrating gaming elements in the CTA could enhance the willingness to download the CTA.
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The relationship between world war I and the Spanish flu in the late Ottoman Empire
(Bilkent University, 2023) Saad, Amal; Atajanov, Davut; Karimov, Islomjon; Tulkibayeva, Mariya; Ghayoumi, Narges; Umar, Ushna
Nearing the end of the year 1918, humanity thought it had finally overcome one of its worst catastrophes — World War I. Just as the world escaped the death and destruction of the war, however, an even bigger calamity took hold of the globe: that is, a pandemic. In the summer of 1918, Spain reported the existence of influenza — with the symptoms of the common flu, which deteriorated into pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. — which was later given the misnomer of the infamous “Spanish flu.” The tragedy of the war often overshadows the crippling effect the Spanish flu had on the world and the Ottoman Empire — a warzone, in more than one way — in particular. The fact of the matter remains that Spanish flu had a just as catastrophic effect as World War I — if not worse. This paper aims to explore the ramifications of World War I and the Spanish flu taking place in the same time period through the use of first-hand accounts of both the war and influenza. It will do so in the form of letters, pictures dating back to Ottoman times, memoirs of soldiers, newspaper articles — both from inside and outside the Ottoman Empire — and the Turkish Red Crescent archive. In addition to those primary sources, research papers and books that offer varying perspectives on the subject will also be used. This begs the question — did the war exacerbate the effects of influenza and its aftermath? Simply put, yes; this paper realizes that the fallout of World War I, joined with that of the Spanish flu, resulted in devastating repercussions for the Ottoman Empire in terms of health, the quality of life of its population, and even its economy.
Open Access
The search for truth, justice and closure during the pandemic
(Refugee Studies Centre, 2021-03) Angeli, Danai
The pandemic has posed additional challenges for bereaved migrant families who mourn the death or disappearance of their loved ones. There are practical ways, however, to assist them.
Open Access
Striving for wellbeing digitally in the city amidst the pandemic: solidarity through Twitter in Ankara
(Elsevier Ltd, 2023-05-25) Sak, Segah; Yavuzyiğit, Bilge Begüm
This article elaborates on the utilization of social media for practices of interaction in the city during the COVID 19 pandemic and discusses its potential in providing for the wellbeing of urban communities. During the early periods of the pandemic when preventative measures were taken intensively to decrease contamination, com munities lacked physical relationships with and within cities. Interactions realized in physical spaces in normal conditions were compensated with practices in social media. While such shift can be perceived to have decreased the meaning of cities in the pursuit of daily life and interactions, efforts which were localized upon physical human settlements yet were realized in the digital realm seem to have opened alternative paths for connection among residents. Within this context, we explore Twitter data through three hashtags which were promoted by the local government of Ankara and used densely by the residents in the early periods of the pandemic. Considering that social connection is one of the fundamental enablers of wellbeing, we aim to provide insights into the strive for wellbeing in times of crises where ruptures in physical interaction prevail. The patterns we observe in the expressions that gather around the selected hashtags shed a light on the ways the cities, their people and local governments are positioned in the struggles pursued in digital realm. Our findings support our arguments that social media has significant potential in contributing to the wellbeing of people especially in times of crisis, local governments can increase the quality of life of their citizens with modest actions, and the cities hold significant meanings for people as loci of communities and thus of wellbeing. Through the discussions we pursue, we seek to contribute to the stimulation of research, policies, and community actions that aim at the enhancement of wellbeing of urban individuals and communities.
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Türkiye’de yedinci kolera salgını
(Bilkent University, 2020) Hasçelik, Doğa; Alkazan, Duru; Çabukol, Lara; Güngör, Selin; Yasa, Tuna
Bu araştırmada, 1960’lı yıllarda kolera salgınının Türkiye’de bıraktığı etkiler ve sosyal, kültürel ve sağlık alanında yaşanan değişimler incelenecektir. Salgın sırasında sosyal ve ekonomik alanda alınan önlemler ve sağlık alanında yapılan harcamaların ekonomik sonuçları üzerinde durulacaktır. Salgının sosyal açıdan etkilerinden ve basının, halkı bilgilendirmenin yanı sıra bir paniğe ve korkuya sebebiyet vermesinden de ayrıca bahsedilecektir. Salgın sırasında yaşanan olayların sonraki salgınlar adına vatandaşlara ve sağlık çalışanlarına tecrübe kazandırması ve aşı tedariği için yabancı ülkelerle görüşmeler yapılması da ayrıca incelenecek konular arasındadır.
Open Access
“We are forgotten”: forced migration, sexual and gender-based violence, and coronavirus disease-2019
(Sage Publications, 2021-09-17) Phillimore, J.; Pertek, S.; Akyuz, Selin; Darkal, H.; Hourani, J.; McKnight, P.; Ozcurumez, Saime; Taal, S.
Adopting a structural violence approach, this article explores, with survivors and practitioners, how early coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic conditions affected forced migrant sexual and gender-based violence survivors’ lives. Introducing a new analytical framework combining violent abandonment, slow violence, and violent uncertainty, we show how interacting forms of structural violence exacerbated by pandemic conditions intensified existing inequalities. Abandonment of survivors by the state increased precarity, making everyday survival more difficult, and intensified prepandemic slow violence, while increased uncertainty heightened survivors’ psychological distress. Structural violence experienced during the pandemic can be conceptualized as part of the continuum of violence against forced migrants, which generates gendered harm.