Network analysis of depressive symptoms in Hong Kong residents during the COVID-19 pandemic

In network theory depression is conceptualized as a complex network of individual symptoms that influence each other, and central symptoms in the network have the greatest impact on other symptoms. Clinical features of depression are largely determined by sociocultural context. No previous study examined the network structure of depressive symptoms in Hong Kong residents. The aim of this study was to characterize the depressive symptom network structure in a community adult sample in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 11,072 participants were recruited between 24 March and 20 April 2020. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The network structure of depressive symptoms was characterized, and indices of “strength”, “betweenness”, and “closeness” were used to identify symptoms central to the network. Network stability was examined using a case-dropping bootstrap procedure. Guilt, Sad Mood, and Energy symptoms had the highest centrality values. In contrast, Concentration, Suicide, and Sleep had lower centrality values. There were no significant differences in network global strength (p = 0.259), distribution of edge weights (p = 0.73) and individual edge weights (all p values > 0.05 after Holm–Bonferroni corrections) between males and females. Guilt, Sad Mood, and Energy symptoms were central in the depressive symptom network. These central symptoms may be targets for focused treatments and future psychological and neurobiological research to gain novel insight into depression

Rodent damage to rice crops is not affected by the water‑saving technique, alternate wetting and drying

Rice farmers in Southeast Asia are hesitant to adopt the water-saving technology, alternate wetting and drying (AWD), for fear the practice will lead to increased rodent pest activity, consequently exacerbating yield loss. We examined the effects of AWD on the population dynamics, habitat use and damage levels inflicted on rice crops by the most important rodent pest of rice in Indonesia and the Philippines, Rattus argentiventer and R. tanezumi, respectively. Rice crop damage levels were not affected by the water management scheme employed. Rodent activity in rice fields was not influenced by water level. Both species tended to use the rice paddies over bunds regardless of water level, indicating that something other than water affects their habitat use, and we argue it is likely that the perceived risk of predation is the primary factor driving habitat use. Activity levels and damage inflicted by rodent pests on rice were not correlated. AWD had no effect on breeding and population dynamics of these species. Breeding of R. argentiventer is tied to the growth stages of rice, while available resource dictates breeding by R. tanezumi. Our findings clearly indicate that rice farmers in both Indonesia and the Philippines have no cause to reject AWD based on concerns that AWD would exacerbate crop losses by rodents. Given AWD is being promoted as a climate-smart technology for rice production in Asia and Africa, we strongly recommend its adoption without concerns that it would aggravate rodent pest impacts in lowland irrigated rice cropping systems

Observational study of compliance with infection control practices among healthcare workers in subsidized and private residential care homes

202109 bcvcVersion of RecordPublishe

Epidemiological investigation on hand hygiene knowledge and behaviour : a cross-sectional study on gender disparity

201906 bcrcVersion of RecordPublishe

Comparing mask fit and usability of traditional and nanofibre N95 filtering facepiece respirators before and after nursing procedures

202009 bcmaVersion of RecordPublishe

Perceived risk and protection from infection and depressive symptoms among healthcare workers in mainland China and Hong Kong during COVID-19

202009 bcrcVersion of RecordPublishe

Massage therapy in infants and children under 5 years of age : protocol for an overview of systematic reviews

202109 bchyVersion of RecordPublishe

Association between depression, health beliefs, and face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic

202012 bcrcVersion of RecordPublishe

Academic discipline as a moderating variable between seating location and academic performance : implications for teaching

202208 bcrcOthersUGC Funding Scheme for Teaching and Learning Related Proposals (2016–19 Triennium)Published18 month

Psychometric testing of the functional assessment of cancer therapy/gynecologic oncology group-neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) subscale in a longitudinal study of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy

202009 bcrcVersion of RecordPublishe