Technological perspective on innovation, development and change in response to Covid-19: A scientometric research

This research aims to obtain an overview of innovation, development and change in response to Covid-19 in.vocational schools, especially from a technology perspective. Thus, a foothold is obtained in developing and improving educational models in vocational education during the post-pandemic with a two-sided approach, namely social and technical. This research uses a scientometrics approach, that uses data from the Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection and the Scopus Elsevier database. Data analysis was performed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.13) and Histcite. The results of the analysis are from 94 articles used as datasets. After filtering and adjusting the articles, it was found that innovation, development and technological change in vocational education as a response to COVID-19 are the media and methods in learning. The next research and study that becomes the main focus of vocational education from a socio-technical point of view is the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the great potential for increasing unemployment. As a result, the answers/solutions are obtained for these impacts. This article concludes with a discussion of the implications and limitations of the study. © 2023 Author(s).

Web server self-examination for detection of COVID-19 cases with fuzzy classifiers using chest X-ray image

The coronavirus has spread fast resulting in a worldwide pandemic. Early discovery of positive patients is critical in preventing the pandemic from spreading further, leading to the development of diagnostic technologies that provide rapid and reliable responses for COVID-19 detection. Previous research has shown that chest x-rays are an essential tool for the detection and diagnosis of sirivanoroC (COVID-19) patients. A radiological finding known as ground-glass opacity (GGO), which causes color and texture changes, was discovered in the lung of a person with COVID-19 as a consequence of x-ray tests. An automatic method to assist radiologists is required due to the carelessness of radiologists who work a long time and misdiagnosis resulting in the confusion of findings with different diseases, in this study, were described a new technique to help us with the early diagnosis of COVID-19 using x-rays that is based on fuzzy classification. The skewness, kurtosis, and average statistical features of x-rays of patients in two classes, COVID and Normal, are calculated in the suggested method, and the value ranges for both classes are identified. In the building of a fuzzy logic classifier, three statistical characteristics and value ranges are used as membership functions. The suggested solution, which uses a user-friendly interface, allows for quick and accurate COVID vs Normal (binary classification). Experiments show that our method has a lot of promise for radiologists to validate their initial screening and enhance early diagnosis, isolation, and therapy, which helps prevent infection and contain the pandemic. © 2023 Author(s).

Healthcare adjustments and concerns: a qualitative study exploring the perspectives of healthcare providers and administrative staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Healthcare systems have modified their strategies to manage their staff, supplies, and space to deal systematically with the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aimed to explore the nature of hospital adjustments and the concerns of healthcare providers and administrative staff working in Governmental and private hospitals throughout the Qassim Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during the pandemic. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study using semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 75 purposively selected healthcare providers and administrative staff working at three main hospitals in the Qassim Region, KSA. The maximum variation sampling technique was utilized. Recruitment of participants was continued until data saturation was reached. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically. Results: Four core themes were identified in this paper: (1) changes in hospital policy and procedures, (2) workforce management, (3) the well-being of the workforce, and (4) apprehensions and expectations of the workforce. The participants showed satisfaction with timely administrative decisions and new policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the psychological health of healthcare professionals was affected more than their physical state. Finally, the providers perceived the emergence of multiple concerns in the coming months. Conclusion: Although healthcare providers were initially overwhelmed, they gradually accepted new administrative policies. Numerous innovative interventions effectively reduced their physical workload and increased their productivity, but they remained significantly affected by a wide range of psychological disorders, with a high prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder. There were some concerns about the new SARS-CoV-2 variant, but the majority were optimistic.

Vitamin D on COVID-19 Patients During the Pandemic, 2022. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Numerous connections between the level of vitamin D (Vit-D) and the novel coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) have surfaced during the pandemic. So, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effect of Vit-D deficiency and its supplementation on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients. We looked for relevant articles in Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web Science, PubMed, and EBSCO up until the end of 2022. The Open Meta Analyst software was used to analyze the extracted data. We classified them into two main categories based on their objectives. First, the studies that evaluated the effects of Vit-D deficiency in patients, and lastly, the studies that evaluated Vit-D as a supplement, both on mortality rate, hospitalization duration, ICU admission rate, and mechanical ventilation rate. A total of 8001 COVID-19 patients from 42 studies were included. A high serum Vit-D concentration compared to those with lower levels was associated with a significantly lower mortality rate (RR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.11: 2.02, p = 0.01). According to the estimated effect of 18 studies, those who took Vit-D supplements had a significantly lower mortality rate, hospitalization duration, ICU admission rate, and mechanical ventilation rate than those who did not. The group receiving Vit-D doses between 50 000 to 100 000 IU had a significantly better clinical outcome compared to lower and higher doses. COVID-19 patients with normal Vit-D levels had significantly lower death rates than those with hypovitaminosis. Vit-D supplements in COVID-19 significantly improved clinical outcomes. Vit-D supplementation between 50 000 to 100 000 IU, in patients with COVID-19 significantly outperformed other doses in terms of mortality. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Enviro Research Publishers.

Containing an Island: Coronavirus (Covid-19) Outbreak in Perhentian Islands, Terengganu State of Malaysia, in 2021

Background: The spread of COVID-19 was inevitable and has not spared small and isolated communities, including the community on Perhentian Island in Besut District, Terengganu. Managing clusters in small islands can be difficult, given the limited resources. This study explores the characteristics of COVID-19 cases and the experience of outbreak containment at Perhentian Island. Methodology: A retrospective study involving record review of COVID-19 cases and at-risk individuals registered under the Perhentian Cluster were retrieved from the Besut District Health Office COVID-19 online registry from the 16th August 2021 until 6th October 2021. All notified cases and close contacts who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were extracted and analysed using descriptive statistics. Result(s): A total of 1,093 out of 2,500 community members of Perhentian Island were screened of which 170 (15.5%) tested positive for COVID-19, while 923 (84.5%) tested negative. Among individuals who tested positive, the majority were adults (52.4%), males (51.8%), Malays (98.8%), and villagers (96.5%). Clinical characteristics were categorized into: asymptomatic (55.9%), had no known medical comorbidities (90.6%), low-risk groups (87.1%), vaccinated (57.6%), and admitted to PKRC (97.1%) for treatment. Multiple agencies were involved in the outbreak containment of the Perhentian Cluster, working collectively and in good coordination. Conclusion(s): The outbreak was attributed to community gatherings and close interactions among villagers. Prompt actions, targeted planning, and inter-agency collaboration were the key factors in successful containment of further spread of COVID-19 in Perhentian Island.Copyright © 2023, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. All rights reserved.

Experiences with telemedicine among family medicine residents at king saud university medical city during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The healthcare system experienced various challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and a wide range of safety measures were implemented, including limiting the number of patients allowed to visit primary care clinics and follow-up through telemedicine clinics. These changes have accelerated the growth of telemedicine in medical education and affected the training of family medicine residents throughout Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the experiences of family medicine residents with telemedicine clinics as a part of their clinical training during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 60 family medicine residents at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An anonymous 20-item survey was administered between March and April 2022. RESULTS: The participants included 30 junior and 30 senior residents, with a 100% response rate. The results revealed that most (71.7%) participants preferred in-person visits during residency training, and only 10% preferred telemedicine. In addition, 76.7% of the residents accepted the inclusion of telemedicine clinics in training if such clinics constituted not more than 25% of the training program. Moreover, most participants reported receiving less clinical experience, less supervision, and less discussion time with the attending supervisor when training in telemedicine clinics compared with in-person visits. However, most (68.3%) participants gained communication skills through telemedicine. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing telemedicine in residency training can create various challenges in education and influence clinical training through less experience and less clinical interaction with patients if it is not structured well. With the growth of digital healthcare, further structuring and testing of a paradigm that involves using telemedicine in residents' training programs prior to implementation should be considered for better training and patient care.

Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 from the Otorhinolaryngologist's Perspective: First Report from Oman, Middle East.

To study the otorhinolaryngological clinical characteristics of COVID-19 positive patients. A prospective cross sectional study on sixty five patients who were SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive, and completed 14 days of isolation period were surveyed with a questionnaire. The responses were evaluated and assessed. Sixty five SARS-Cov-2 PCR positive cases were included in the study. There were 57 (87.6%) males and 8 (12.3%) females. Thirty five (53.8%) were in home isolation, whereas, 30 (46.2%) were under institutional care. Forty five patients (72.6%) presented with mild symptoms, and 4 (6.4%) developed moderate symptoms. Thirteen (21%) were asymptomatic. Overall, 46 patients (70.7%) presented with upper airway symptoms with or without general symptoms. More than half of the patients experienced pharyngodynia or sorethroat, smell and taste dysfunction as common symptoms (66.7%, 61.4% and 50.7% respectively). Severe headache was noticed by eighteen (27.7%) patients. Other respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, facial pain, etc. were present with less frequency. In more than half of the patients (61.5%), all the symptoms recovered within 5 days, in 12 (18.5%) between 5 and 8 days, and in 9 (13.8%), between 9 and14 days. However, in four patients, symptoms lasted for 28-30 days. In seven patients (10.7%), symptoms recurred after the period of isolation, however, the retest was negative. Fever, cough and or shortness of breath are the commonly reported prominent symptoms of COVID-19, however, there is a changing trend of clinical presentation towards variable otorhinolaryngologic manifestations. Pharyngodynia, taste and smell dysfunctions are common in patients with COVID-19, and could represent potential characters.

HESITANCY viz-a-viz COVID-19 VACCINE: A CASE STUDY OF SAUDI ARABIA

Present study focuses on the attitudes/perceptions regarding negative attitudes, hesitancy (uncertainty, unwillingness) and anxiety towards COVID-19 within the Saudian context. A cross-sectional web-based study uses convenience sampling technique for data collection through self-administrated validated questionnaire translated in Arabic language. Outcomes of the study revealed that more than 3/4th (80%) of respondents expressed intermediate to high levels of negative attitude towards vaccines, in general. The most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy were the concerns about the vaccine's possible side effects, not taking it as a serious infection, and its efficacy in preventing the infection. Regarding anxiety towards coronavirus, it was found to be quite low. Decision tree analysis was used to assess the relationship between hesitancy and demographic characteristics of the respondents. Findings of the study pinpoint specific areas, on which to focus on, for the health care administrators in case of resurgence of the pandemic. The health administrators may incorporate the suggestions of the present study when framing their future policies for enhancing confidence and alleviating fears of the populace at large to receive COVID-19 vaccination.

The Covid-19 outbreak, corporate financial distress and earnings management

This study explores the association between the Covid-19 outbreak, corporate financial distress and earnings management practices in China. We investigate whether firms took advantage of the downturn in economic conditions during the pandemic to adjust their earnings using different earnings management techniques. Utilising a sample of 1832 listed firms and underlying theoretical frameworks (i.e., positive accounting and signalling theory), we find that firms were more inclined to manage earnings during the pandemic period. They favoured using the accrual-based rather than the real activity-based earnings management technique. We also find that firms engaged more in income-increasing practices in the shadow of the outbreak. In addition, our results further demonstrate that financially distressed firms were involved in earnings management, particularly accrual-based earnings management. However, compared to privately-owned firms, state-owned enterprises seem to be involved less in earnings management during the Covid-19 pandemic. Findings from this study raise some concerns for policymakers about the credibility of financial reporting information during Covid-19.

Exploring Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Uptake, and Hesitancy in the Pediatric Population: A Study of Parents and Caregivers in Saudi Arabia during the Initial Vaccination Phase.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, uptake, and hesitancy among parents and caregivers of children in Saudi Arabia during the initial rollout of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: An electronic survey was used to collect data from participants who visited a COVID-19 vaccine center. The survey included demographic data, COVID-19 vaccine status among participants and their children, and reasons for vaccine acceptance or rejection. The Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) tool was also employed to assess vaccine hesitancy and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine and routine childhood vaccination. Multivariate binary regression analysis was used to identify predictors of actual COVID-19 vaccine uptake among children. RESULTS: Of the 873 respondents included in the analysis, 61.5% were parents and 38.5% were other caregivers. Of the participants, 96.9% had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Six hundred and ninety-four participants accepted the vaccine for their children, with the main reasons being an endorsement by the Saudi Ministry of Health (60%) and the importance of going back to school (55%). One hundred and seventy-nine participants would not vaccinate their children, with the most common reasons being fear of adverse effects (49%) and inadequate data about vaccine safety (48%). Factors such as age, COVID-19 vaccination status, self-rated family commitment level, attitudes toward routine children's vaccines, and participants' generalized anxiety disorder (GAD7) score did not significantly correlate with children's COVID-19 vaccination status. Parents were less likely to vaccinate their children compared to other caregivers, and participants with a higher socioeconomic status were more likely to vaccinate their children. CONCLUSION: Vaccine acceptance and uptake were high during the initial pediatric COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Saudi Arabia. Still, the ongoing endorsement of the Ministry of Health and healthcare authorities should continue to advocate for better vaccine uptake in children.

Impact of COVID-19 Crisis in the Management of Diabetic Foot Patients in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has a heavy burden on the approach of diabetic foot care worldwide. We aim to determine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on patients with diabetic foot (DF). Materials and methods This population-based cohort study included all patients diagnosed with the diabetic foot from 2019-2020 (pre-lockdown) and 2020-2021 (post-lockdown) in a tertiary center of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results Among all the participants (n=358), a non-significant difference was found between amputation rate during and before the COVID-19 pandemic (P-value=0.0983). Also, it showed a significantly higher percentage of patients who had acute lower limb ischemia compared to those having it before the pandemic (P-value=0.029). Conclusions and relevance In conclusion, our study found that the COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with excess amputations along with mortality rate, as the management during the pandemic showed adequate diabetic foot care by improving the prevention methods through hospital protocol restrictions and facilitating access to virtual clinics.

A Microfluidic Biosensor for Rapid Detection of Covid-19

We have designed, fabricated, and tested a MEMS-based impedance biosensor for accurate and rapid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) using of clinical samples. The device consists of focusing region that concentrate low quantities of the virus present in the samples to a detectable threshold, trap region hat maximize the captured virus, and detection region to detect the virus with high selectivity and sensitivity, using an array of interdigitated electrodes (IDE) coated with a specific antibody. Changes in the impedance value due to the binding of the SARS-COV-2 antigen to the antibody will indicate positive or negative result. The device was able to detect inactivated SARS-COV-2 antigen present in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) with a concentration as low as 50 TCID50/ml in 30 minutes. In addition, the biosensor was able to detect SARS-COV-2 in clinical samples (swabs) with a sensitivity of 84 TCID50/ml, also in 30 minutes. © 2023 IEEE.

Post-COVID-19 fibromyalgia syndrome: A report of two case

COVID-19 is a viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 that primarily targets the respiratory system. COVID-19 may be followed in some patients by post-COV-ID-19 syndrome, fatigue, anxiety, and musculoskeletal pain. These symptoms may be associated with other symptoms, resulting in a constellation of symptoms consistent with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Two patients were evaluated at the rheumatology outpatient clinic for diffuse persistent musculoskeletal pain after COVID-19 infection. Patients presented with generalized musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, headache, hand paresthesia, and non-restorative sleep. General examination and various laboratory investigations, including autoimmune profile and radiological investigation, were normal. After examining eighteen tender points, both patients fulfilled the 1990 ACR classification criteria for FMS. Post-COVID-19 FMS should be considered during the management of post-COVID-19 syndrome to alleviate pain and prevent worsening of symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2022, Derman Medical Publishing. All rights reserved.

WEB-BASED APPLICATION FOR ENHANCING ON-SITE AND REMOTE DATA COLLECTION PROCESS DURING PANDEMIC: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way data collection for research takes place around the world. Such adaptation has forced a turn of research methodologies in conducting research. This study focuses on on-site and remote digital data collection methods that can be adopted during the pandemic. The method of research and data collection often requires a group of researchers to travel to a specific site to meet communities for data collection, which is not permissible during the pandemic. This paper explores the use of web-based application for documentation of the existing natural and built features, and land management system for identification of the rural community's land information. In this paper, the use of a web-based application, namely i-LULACAST, is highlighted. The application was designed and used for data entry and management of the rural community with fewer human resources on-site while still maximizing the number of datasets needed for analysis. The system was built using Codelgniter Application 4.0.4 to develop libraries to link databases and perform operations such as data entry, location, and uploading pictures for particular data. This system has also shown prospects for other purposes, such as census, landscape data entry, and contact tracing for medical purposes. © 2022 by MIP.

E-LOW CARBON MEDIA AWARENESS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN INDONESIA USING USER EXPERIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE

Web-based learning is commonly applied in this post-covid era since it is believed to improve some students' thinking skills. One of the implementations is the use of e-low carbon media which was developed to assist students in studying low carbon. Therefore, evaluating the use of e-low carbon media user interface according to user experience is the aim of this current study. A questionnaire that was applied to measure subjective impressions of user experience is the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) which contains 6 rating scales, namely: Attractiveness, Perspicuity, Efficiency, Dependability, Stimulation, and Novelty. It consists of 26 question components with 7 answer choices. The results of UEQ data show that based on user experience e-low carbon media can be applied properly. © School of Engineering, Taylor's University.

Assessment of Medical Students Burnout during COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study estimated the prevalence of burnout and its determinants among medical students at Jazan University during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 444 medical students completed an online survey containing the Maslach burnout inventory. The prevalence of burnout was 54.5%. Burnout reached its peak during the fourth year whereas it was the lowest in the internship year. Being a resident in mountain areas, being delayed in college-level, being divorced, and having divorced parents were all associated with an increased risk of burnout. During their time at medical school, students generally showed a trend of consistently high scores in the personal accomplishment subscale, a decreasing trend in the emotional exhaustion subscale, and an increasing trend in the depersonalization subscale. The most important predictive factor was having separated parents. Perceived study satisfaction appeared to be a significant protective factor in a dose-response manner. These findings suggest that burnout among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic is a concern that should be monitored and prevented.

Types and Sources of Social Support Accessible to University Students with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

University students with disabilities face an increased risk of experiencing negative implications in educational, psychological, and social spheres during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed at assessing various dimensions of social support and its sources during the COVID-19 pandemic that availed university students with disabilities. This cross-sectional descriptive study collected data from 53 university students with disabilities. We administered the Social Support Scale (SSC) to assess five dimensions: informational, emotional, esteem, social integration and tangible support, and access to social support from four sources: family, friends, teachers, and colleagues. Multiple regression analysis showed that university students with disabilities mainly relied upon their friends for informational support (ß = 0.64; p < 0.001), emotional support (ß = 0.52; p < 0.001), and social integration support (ß = 0.57; p < 0.001). Family members (ß = 0.406; p < 0.01) and colleagues (ß = 0.36; p < 0.01) provided esteem support to students with disabilities. Support from teachers demonstrated an association with informational support (ß = 0.24; p < 0.05). The findings from the current study suggest that students with disabilities primarily sought informational, emotional, and social integration support from their peers. Although teachers were the primary source of informational support, emotional and esteem support were not found to be significantly associated with them. These findings necessitate exploring the underlying factors and how to enhance them during unusual circumstances such as online distance education and social distancing.

Raising Awareness of Hearing and Communication Disorders Among Emergency Medical Services Students: Are Knowledge Translation Workshops Useful?

OBJECTIVE: In numerous countries, emergency medical services (EMS) students receive curriculum training in effective patient-provider communication, but most of this training assumes patients have intact communication capabilities, leading to a lack of preparedness to interact with patients, who have communication disorders. In such cases, first responders could end up delivering suboptimal care or possibly wrong procedures that could harm the disabled person. METHOD: A quasi-experimental design (pretest-posttest) was used to assess the knowledge of EMS students both before and after a translation workshop on how to deal with patients who have hearing and communication disorders during emergencies. Comparisons between pretest and posttest scores were examined using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The level of knowledge scores was compared before and after the workshop. RESULTS: The results indicated that EMS students' scores improved after the workshop. There was a 0.763 increase in the average score of knowledge level. The results of this study show that knowledge translation workshops are a useful intervention to enhance the level of knowledge among EMS students when interacting with hearing and communication patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that such training workshops lead to better performance. Communication is a vital element in a medical encounter between health care providers and patients at all levels of health care but specifically in the prehospital arena. Insufficient or lack of communication with a vulnerable population, who may suffer from various disabilities, has a significant impact on the outcome of treatment or emergency management.