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AbstractThe outbreak of the COVID-19 and the Russia Ukraine war has had a great impact on the rice supply chain. Compared with other grain supply chains, rice supply chain has more complex structure and data. Using digital means to realize the dynamic supervision of rice supply chain is helpful to ensure the quality and safety of rice. This study aimed to build a dynamic supervision model suited to the circulation characteristics of the rice supply chain and implement contractualization, analysis, and verification. First, based on an analysis of key information in the supervision of the rice supply chain, we built a dynamic supervision model framework based on blockchain and smart contracts. Second, under the logical framework of a regulatory model, we custom designed three types of smart contracts: initialization smart contract, model-verification smart contract, and credit-evaluation smart contract. To implement the model, we combined an asymmetric encryption algorithm, virtual regret minimization algorithm, and multisource heterogeneous fusion algorithm. We then analyzed the feasibility of the algorithm and the model operation process. Finally, based on the dynamic supervision model and smart contract, a prototype system is designed for example verification. The results showed that the dynamic supervision model and prototype system could achieve the real-time management of the rice supply chain in terms of business information, hazard information, and personnel information. It could also achieve dynamic and credible supervision of the rice supply chain’s entire life cycle at the information level. This new research is to apply information technology to the digital management of grain supply chain. It can strengthen the digital supervision of the agricultural product industry.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has punched a devastating blow on the majority of the world’s population. Millions of people have been infected while hundreds of thousands have died of the disease throwing many families into mourning and other psychological torments. It has also crippled the economy of many countries of the world leading to job losses, high inflation, and dwindling Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The duo of social distancing and contact tracing are the major technological-based non-pharmaceutical public health intervention strategies adopted for combating the dreaded disease. These technologies have been deployed by different countries around the world to achieve effective and efficient means of maintaining appropriate distance and tracking the transmission pattern of the diseases or identifying those at high risk of infecting others. This paper aims to synthesize the research efforts on contact tracing and social distancing to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The paper critically and comprehensively reviews contact tracing technologies, protocols, and mobile applications (apps) that were recently developed and deployed against the coronavirus disease. Furthermore, the paper discusses social distancing technologies, appropriate methods to maintain distances, regulations, isolation/quarantine, and interaction strategies. In addition, the paper highlights different security/privacy vulnerabilities identified in contact tracing and social distancing technologies and solutions against these vulnerabilities. We also x-rayed the strengths and weaknesses of the various technologies concerning their application in contact tracing and social distancing. Finally, the paper proposed insightful recommendations and open research directions in contact tracing and social distancing that could assist researchers, developers, and governments in implementing new technological methods to combat the menace of COVID-19.

Objectives In this paper, we use a UK case study to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health (emotional, psychological, social wellbeing) of farmers. We outline the drivers of poor farming mental health, the manifold impacts of the pandemic at a time of policy and environmental change, and identify lessons that can be learned to develop resilience in farming communities against future shocks. Methods We undertook a survey answered by 207 farmers across the UK, focusing on drivers of poor mental health and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also conducted 22 in-depth interviews with individuals in England, Scotland and Wales who provide mental health support to farmers. These explored how and why the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of farmers. These interviews were supplemented by 93 survey responses from a similar group of support providers (UK-wide). Results We found that the pandemic exacerbated underlying drivers of poor mental health and wellbeing in farming communities. 67% of farmers surveyed reported feeling more stressed, 63% felt more anxious, 38% felt more depressed, and 12% felt more suicidal. The primary drivers of poor mental health identified by farmers during the pandemic were decreased social contact, issues with the general public on private land, and moving online for social events. Support providers also highlighted relationship and financial issues, illness, and government inspections as drivers of poor mental health. Some farmers, conversely, outlined positive impacts of the pandemic. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic is just one of many potential stressors associated with poor farming mental health and its impacts are likely to be long lasting and delayed. Multiple stressors affecting farmers at the same time can create a tipping point. Therefore, there is a need for long-term support and ongoing evaluation of the drivers of poor mental health in farming families.

The article examines topical issues of the functioning of the tourism and hospitality industry in the context of the new normalcy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has led to a sharp decline in tourist flows and the need for innovative solutions to restore and further develop the tourism and hospitality industry. In the context of the new normality, the classical interpretation of the concept of the quality of tourist and hotel services and sustainable development of tourism is changing. When assessing the quality of services in tourism, the assessment of their epidemiological safety began to occupy a key place. The sustainable development of tourism is significantly influenced by global digitalization and the formation of a new category of digital tourists. The article analyzes innovative solutions to ensure travel safety and sustainable development of the tourism industry in the context of the new normalcy. It is shown that in the context of a pandemic, there was an acceleration of the processes of introducing innovations, including digitalization in the field of tourism. It is proposed to expand the understanding of sustainable tourism development by including digital information support as a prerequisite for meeting the requirements of digital tourists. Originally published in https://periodicos.ufjf.br/index.php/abet/article/view/37559

The article examines topical issues of the functioning of the tourism and hospitality industry in the context of the new normalcy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has led to a sharp decline in tourist flows and the need for innovative solutions to restore and further develop the tourism and hospitality industry. In the context of the new normality, the classical interpretation of the concept of the quality of tourist and hotel services and sustainable development of tourism is changing. When assessing the quality of services in tourism, the assessment of their epidemiological safety began to occupy a key place. The sustainable development of tourism is significantly influenced by global digitalization and the formation of a new category of digital tourists. The article analyzes innovative solutions to ensure travel safety and sustainable development of the tourism industry in the context of the new normalcy. It is shown that in the context of a pandemic, there was an acceleration of the processes of introducing innovations, including digitalization in the field of tourism. It is proposed to expand the understanding of sustainable tourism development by including digital information support as a prerequisite for meeting the requirements of digital tourists. El artículo examina cuestiones de actualidad sobre el funcionamiento de la industria del turismo y hotelería en el contexto de la nueva normalidad provocada por la pandemia de COVID-19. La pandemia ha provocado un fuerte descenso de los flujos turísticos y la necesidad de soluciones innovadoras para restablecer y seguir desarrollando la industria del turismo y hotelería. En el contexto de la nueva normalidad, la interpretación clásica del concepto de calidad de los servicios turísticos y hoteleros y del desarrollo sostenible del turismo está cambiando. A la hora de evaluar la calidad de los servicios en el turismo, la evaluación de su seguridad epidemiológica comenzó a ocupar un lugar clave. El desarrollo sostenible del turismo está significativamente influenciado por la digitalización global y la formación de una nueva categoría de turistas digitales. El artículo analiza soluciones innovadoras para garantizar la seguridad de los viajes y el desarrollo sostenible de la industria turística en el contexto de la nueva normalidad. Se demuestra que, en el contexto de una pandemia, se produjo una aceleración de los procesos de introducción de innovaciones, incluida la digitalización en el ámbito del turismo. Se propone ampliar la comprensión del desarrollo turístico sostenible incluyendo el soporte de la información digital como requisito previo para satisfacer las exigencias de los turistas digitales. O artigo examina questões atuais do funcionamento da indústria do turismo e da hospitalidade no contexto da nova normalidade causada pela pandemia da COVID-19. A pandemia levou a um declínio acentuado dos fluxos turísticos e à necessidade de soluções inovadoras para restaurar e desenvolver ainda mais a indústria do turismo e da hotelaria. No contexto da nova normalidade, a interpretação clássica do conceito da qualidade dos serviços turísticos e hoteleiros e do desenvolvimento sustentável do turismo está mudando. Ao avaliar a qualidade dos serviços no turismo, a avaliação da sua segurança epidemiológica começou a ocupar um lugar-chave. O desenvolvimento sustentável do turismo é significativamente influenciado pela digitalização global e pela formação de uma nova categoria de turistas digitais. O artigo analisa soluções inovadoras para garantir a segurança das viagens e o desenvolvimento sustentável da indústria do turismo, no contexto da nova normalidade. Mostra-se que, no contexto de uma pandemia, houve uma aceleração dos processos de introdução de inovações, incluindo a digitalização no campo do turismo. Propõe-se expandir a compreensão do desenvolvimento do turismo sustentável, incluindo o apoio à informação digital como pré-requisito para satisfazer as exigências dos turistas digitais.

By introducing a novel risk to human interaction, COVID-19 may have galvanized interest in uses of artificial intelligence (AI). But was the pandemic a large enough catalyst to change public attitudes about the costs and benefits of autonomous systems whose operations increasingly rely on AI? To answer this question, we use a preregistered research design that exploits variation across the 2018 and 2020 waves of the CCES/CES, a nationally representative survey of adults in the United States. We compare support for autonomous cars, autonomous surgeries, weapons, and cyber defense pre- and post-the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that, despite the incentives created by COVID-19, the pandemic did not increase support for most of these technologies, except in the case of autonomous surgery among those who know someone who died of COVID-19. The results hold even when controlling for a variety of relevant political and demographic factors. The pandemic did little to push potential autonomous vehicle users to support adoption. Further, American concerns about autonomous weapons, including cyber defense, remain sticky and perhaps exacerbated over the last two years. These findings suggest that the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of many of these systems is far more nuanced and complex than headlines may suggest.

La pandemia derivada del Covid-19 está poniendo a prueba las condiciones de trabajo y de empleo. No sólo por su impacto directo en el empleo y en las condiciones de vida, sino porque se ha convertido, además, en el escenario en que se están desarrollando mutaciones de gran calado en el trabajo, el empleo y las relaciones laborales. Digitalización, salud mental, teletrabajo, son conceptos clave para comprender los retos del presente en esos ámbitos. Al tiempo que, regulación, estabilidad y certidumbre en el empleo reemergen como asidero en esta sociedad líquida y pandémica. La pandèmia està posant a prova les condicions de treball i d'ocupació. No només pel seu impacte directe en l'ocupació i en les condicions de vida, sinó perquè s'ha convertit, a més, en l' escenari en què s'estan desenvolupant mutacions de fons en el treball, l'ocupació i les relacions laborals. Digitalització, salut mental, teletreball, són conceptes clau per comprendre els reptes del present en aquests àmbits. Al temps que, regulació, estabilitat i certesa en l' ocupació re emergeixen com a allò on agafar-se en aquesta societat líquida i pandèmica. The pandemic resulting of Covid-19 is testing working and employment conditions. Not only because of its direct impact on employment and living conditions, but also because it has become the scenario in which far-reaching changes are developing in work, employment, and industrial relations. Digitalization, mental health, teleworking, are key concepts to understand the challenges of the present in these areas. At the same time, regulation, stability, and certainty in employment re-emerge as a foothold in this liquid and pandemic society.

This study aims to explore the usability of the virtual robotics programming curriculum (VRP-C) for robotics programming teaching. Pre-service computer science (CS) teachers were trained for robotics programming teaching by using VRP-C in a scientific education activity. After training, views of the participants were revealed by using a scale and an evaluation form consisting of open-ended questions. Results show that VRP-C is compatible with the curriculum for robotics programming teaching in schools, and pre-service CS teachers tend to use VRP-C in their courses. They think that VRP-C will be beneficial for robotics programming teaching in terms of content, functionality, and cost. Compatibility, visual design, feedback, time management, fiction, gamification, and cost are the characteristics that increase the usability of VRP-C. VRP-C can be used as an online tool for robotics programming training due to the necessity of transition to distance education because of the COVID-19 pandemic.