Implications of practical activities in the Skills and Simulation Laboratory on students' motivation and feelings

Objective: to verify the implications of practical activities in the Skills and Simulation Laboratory on the motivation and feelings expressed by undergraduate students when returning to face-to-face activities after the social isolation caused by COVID-19 pandemic. Method: a quasi -experimental study, with a single group and of the pre-and post-test type, carried out through an educational intervention based on skills training on medication administration and venipuncture, with medical students from a Brazilian public university. The sample was comprised by 47 students. The instruments of students' characterization and self-perceived feelings and the Situational Motivation Scale were used for data collection. Results: in the sample, 98% mentioned the lack of practical activities during the pandemic. The most frequently described feeling was anxiety. After carrying out the activity, there was a change in the frequency of expressed feelings, although there was no significant change in motivational levels. External Regulation (5.1 -5.6), Identified Regulation (6.1 -6.4) and Intrinsic Motivation (5.6 -6.0) presented high results, showing similarity to the feelings reported by the learners. Conclusion: motivation is essential for effective learning and the use of active methodologies reinforces skills built in an affective way in the students facing the learning process.

Change in prostate cancer staging patterns in the post-COVID-19 era

Introduction & Objectives: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought innumerous challenges to healthcare systems, with reallocation of professionals and suspension of normal activity. This led to a more difficult patient access to primary care, with postponed routine examinations and delayed referrals to specialized consultations. We are now experiencing the results of such delays, with patients arriving later at specialized outpatient appointments. Our objectives were to compare pathological staging patterns of prostate cancer between pre and post-COVID-19 years. Material(s) and Method(s): At a tertiary center, we gathered all pathological data from prostate biopsies (PB) and radical prostatectomy (RP) from 01-01-2019 to 30-06-2022, and compared pathological specimens between 2019 and post-COVID-19 years (2021 and 2022). Result(s): We collected data from 850 PB and 401 RP. During the first pandemic year (2020), we observed a 34.5% and 24.4% reduction in PB and RP (192 PB in 2020 vs 293 in 2019;96 RP in 2020 vs 127 in 2019), respectively. In 2021 and first semester of 2022, the number of PB and RP returned to pre-pandemic values. In post-pandemic years (2021 and 2022) (PPY) PB resulted in less ISUP1 tumors (20.6% in PPY vs 26.62% in 2019) and more poorly differentiated tumors (21.6% ISUP34 in PPY vs 15.7% in 2019), with a 75% increase in cribriform pattern detection. Regarding RP specimens, we identified a 150% increase in high-grade tumors (ISUP34: 9.9% In PPY vs 3.9% in 2019) and 66% increase in extraprostatic extension (54.3% in PPY vs 36.2% in 2019). Nodal involvement was detected in 4.6% (n=15) in PPY compared to 3.9% (n=5) in 2019. Conclusion(s): We are currently observing a change in prostate cancer disease characteristics compared to pre-pandemic years, with patients arriving with higher-grade tumors and more locally advanced featuresCopyright © 2022 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Academic Directors Facing Internet Addictions, Learning and Health Promotion

The result that is presented is expressed from a bibliographic review of works published during the last two years 2020-2022 and, through which it was possible to verify the relationships that are established between the work of the Academic Directors, before the latent challenge and visible that is the crossroads of Internet addictions, by university students, increased in the stage already overcome of social isolation imposed by Covid 19 but, with emphasis on the achievement of learning at this high educational level, its risks and consequent decreases in the attacks that occur as a result of procrastination. All associated with the addictive phenomenon, in a projection of health promotion that the current, humanistic, modern and developing university should not give up in any way, being precisely in this direction an unavoidable pillar of social development, which lies precisely in the high professional qualification. of the new generations committed to a prosperous and sustainable social change. © 2023 Varela et al.

Indian medicinal plants are effective in the treatment and management of COVID-19

Indian medicinal plants are referred to as the "nectar of life" owing to their phytochemicals and bioactive complexes that are beneficial in treating diseases. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health issue without any proper medication. The indigenous plants of India can be exploited to control the precise signs of SARS-CoV-2. The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) has advised routine usage of medicinal plants for COVID-19. Medicinal plants like Zingiber officinalis, Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Nigella sativa, Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Tinospora cordifolia, etc. have immunity-boosting, antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions that can suppress and treat symptoms of COVID-19. In vitro, in vivo as well as in silico validation, these phytochemicals can help us to manage and treat COVID-19 disease. This integration of traditional knowledge in the prophylaxis of corona infection and current skills validating it for the development of precise and powerful therapeutic approaches will more efficiently resolve different clinical aspects of COVID-19. The review focuses on both traditional and emergent methods to prevent and treat COVID-19 with various Indian medicinal plants along with their phytochemicals.Copyright © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

The relationship of Amazonian adolescents with natural environments before and during social isolation in the COVID-19 pandemic

The research shows the relationship of adolescents with natural environments and some impacts arising from the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. A face-to-face survey was applied with 277 adolescents (mean = 16.08 years;SD = 1.09) before the pandemic was declared, and during the pandemic 79 of them returned to answer an online survey. The results showed that adolescents had different frequencies of contact with natural environments before social isolation, but in that case, the family was the main mediator. Those who went more often to natural environments and who saw themselves as part of nature were the ones who most missed nature and wanted to go to natural spaces, and were also those who expressed greater concern about environmental problems during the pandemic. © 2022 Fundacion Infancia y Aprendizaje.

Geography and agroecology: the spatialization of agroecological consumption in Tres Lagoas/MS in the pandemic period. (Estudos agrarios criticos e COVID-19: movimentos socioterritoriais e luta pela terra no Brasil.)

During the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation, the farmers of the 20 de Marco agrarian reform project had to adapt the way they market their products so that it was possible to continue the Agroecological Fair extension project, which was carried at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS)/Tres Lagoas Campus. In March 2020, with the suspension of on-site activities at the university, the strategy found to maintain sales was the online sales system and home deliveries. The objective of this paper is to present the paths of this action, analyzing how the spatialization of the consumption of agroecological products in the urban fabric of Tres Lagoas during the pandemic period took place. Despite the social commotion that marked this tragic moment in the history of the country, the settled farmers and the UFMS/Tres Lagoas Campus extension project team remained active in carrying out activities that contributed to the success of the spatialization of urban consumption and maintenance of farmers' income, investing in agroecological educational actions on conscious consumption and the importance of agrarian reform.

Protocolo De Reserva Cirurgica Como Ferramenta Assistencial E Gerenciamento Da Qualidade Na Racionalizacao De Hemocomponentes

Introducao: Nos dias atuais, a transfusao de sangue e uma terapeutica frequentemente utilizada em pacientes internados e tambem, amplamente empregada em procedimentos cirurgicos. Embora tenha beneficios inegaveis, nao e isenta de riscos e efeitos colaterais de gravidades variaveis. No periodo intraoperatorio e fundamental avaliar a real necessidade de se transfundir um paciente, uma vez que a transfusao de Concentrado de Hemacias (CH) esta associada a um pior prognostico, maior tempo de internacao, sobrevida menor e aumento do risco de infeccao. Alem disso, o estoque de hemocomponentes e usualmente aquem do confortavel a um servico de hemoterapia, refletindo a baixa cultura de doacao de sangue da sociedade e a carencia de politicas publica especificas. Na pandemia por SARS COV2 o cenario de abastecimento e o potencial de apoio terapeutico dos servicos de hemoterapia intra-hospitalares se contrairam pela reducao no volume de doadores em hemocentros produtores, comprometendo a producao e distribuicao de hemocomponentes. Soma-se que a transfusao possui um custo elevado em razao do emprego de tecnologias e processos com alta valoracao. Assim, sustenta-se como desafio a racionalizacao e otimizacao do uso de hemocomponentes em um servico de hemoterapia, fundamentadas no Programa Internacional de Gerenciamento de Sangue do Paciente (PBM), para o manuseio da transfusao com foco no cuidado medico de qualidade. Discussao: No hospital publico em analise, a agencia transfusional e um servico de apoio terapeutico as especialidades clinicas e cirurgicas e pertence a uma instituicao de saude cujo perfil assistencial e referencia a atendimentos de urgencia e emergencia, realiza mais de 250 transfusoes ao mes, e institui com frequencia protocolos de transfusao macica com consumo apreciavel de hemocomponentes. No ano de 2021, as cirurgias ortopedicas representaram 92,8% dos procedimentos cirurgicos com reserva de concentrado de hemacias (CH). Centrando na especialidade cirurgica ortopedica porque requereu maior atencao e esforcos do servico de hemoterapia, avaliou-se que 83% das compatibilizacoes foram desnecessarias, tributando custos com uso de recursos humanos e insumos, e impacto no estoque com risco a atendimentos de outros pacientes na instituicao. O indicador de consumo da reserva na especialidade ortopedica (2CH/paciente cirurgico) apontou o indice de 9,2% no consumo cirurgico de hemocomponente reservado e habitualmente se identificou a falta de uniformizacao na quantidade de hemocomponentes eritrocitarios solicitados para reserva em um mesmo tipo de intervencao, refletindo a subjetividade na execucao do processo. Para a instituicao essa realidade gera riscos assistenciais e custos desnecessarios, o que reforca a premissa de que o uso racional de hemocomponentes deve ser priorizado na pratica clinica, principalmente no ambito do Sistema Unico de Saude (SUS). A elaboracao de um protocolo ira contribuir com a utilizacao racionalizada e pertinente do sangue, atraves de parametros norteadores na decisao de se realizar ou nao a reserva e transfusao de CH. Conclusao: Conforme legislacao especifica, todo servico de hemoterapia deve ter um sistema de gestao da qualidade que inclua a padronizacao de todos os processos, visando a implementacao do gerenciamento da qualidade. Neste sentido, a elaboracao de um protocolo de reserva cirurgica de concentrado de hemacias e imperativa para a gestao da qualidade por delinear um instrumento de consulta as equipes assistentes cirurgicas e da hemoterapia, cooperar a reducao de custos arrolados a solicitacao desnecessaria de CHs para reserva cirurgica e por garantir maior potencial de apoio terapeutico pelo servico de hemoterapia a outros usuarios da instituicao. Copyright © 2022

Identificacao De Aloanticorpos Irregulares Em Pacientes Atendidos Na Agencia Transfusional Do Ini-Fiocruz No Centro Hospitalar Covid-19 Durante O Periodo De Pandemia

Objetivos: Investigar os aloanticorpos irregulares mais prevalentes em pacientes atendidos na Agencia Transfusional do Centro Hospitalar do Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas/INI-Fiocruz durante o periodo de pandemia do COVID-19. Material e metodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional retrospectivo realizado pela coleta de informacoes dos arquivos da Agencia Transfusional pelo software Hemote Plus durante o periodo de marco/2020 a dezembro/2021. Resultados: Neste periodo foram realizadas 4.868 transfusoes (270 transfusoes/mes) em 1.714 pacientes, sendo 3.117 concentrados de hemacias (64,03%), 1.081 plasmas (22,21%), 602 concentrados de plaquetas (12,37%) e 68 unidades de crioprecipitado (1,39%). Foram identificados 22 pacientes apresentando Pesquisa de Anticorpos Irregulares (PAI) positiva pelo metodo em Gel teste Biorad, com media de idade de 45,9 anos, sendo 14 mulheres (63,6%) e 8 homens (36,4%). Dentre os pacientes com PAI positivo, foram detectados 12 aloanticorpos com especificidades diferentes. Os anticorpos mais prevalentes foram anti-D (n = 4), anti-E (n = 4), seguidos de anti-Lex (n = 3), anti-M (n = 2), anti-Lea (n = 2), anti-Dia (n = 1), anti-Jka (n = 1), anti-Ch/Rd (n = 1), anti-M + anti-E (n=1), anti-Fya + anti-Dia (n =1), anti-D + anti-C (n =1) e anti-C + anti-e (n=1). Discussao: Anticorpos irregulares contra antigenos eritrocitarios sao produzidos no organismo em razao da exposicao a um antigeno nao proprio, seja por transfusao sanguinea, gestacao ou abortos espontaneos. Alguns anticorpos podem ter origem natural, a exemplo do Anti-M, anti-Lea e Anti-E, entretanto, os anticorpos encontrados com essa especificidade no estudo apresentavam reatividade em fase de antiglobulina humana e consequentemente significado clinico transfusional. A predominancia dos anticorpos Anti-D e Anti-E nos pacientes tem ligacao direta com a imunogenicidade e a velocidade de inducao da formacao de anticorpos voltados contra esses antigenos do sistema RhD. Os anticorpos mais prevalentes neste estudo tambem sao aqueles de maior importancia clinica em casos incompatibilidade materno fetal e podem causar a eritroblastose fetal (EF) ou a doenca hemolitica perinatal (DHPN). Destaca-se, neste sentido, que a presenca de anticorpos irregulares foi maior em pacientes do sexo feminino. Nestes casos, em uma primeira gestacao pode ocorrer a sensibilizacao da gestante a antigenos que o recem-nascido apresenta em suas hemacias (diferentes dos maternos), podendo nao haver manifestacao clinica alguma. Porem, em futuras gestacoes, com novo quadro de incompatibilidade materno fetal se apresentando, anticorpos da classe IgG maternos podem atravessar a barreira placentaria e provocar hemolise no feto ou recem-nascido, ou seja, situacao em que ocorre as manifestacoes clinicas da EF e DHPN. Conclusao: Atraves deste estudo, foi possivel compreender a prevalencia dos anticorpos irregulares entre os pacientes atendidos e comprovar a importancia da PAI. Apesar de ser um dos testes pre-transfusionais obrigatorios pela legislacao vigente, e indispensavel que a PAI seja executada de maneira correta, seguida da identificacao dos aloanticorpos, implicando diretamente na prevencao de reacoes transfusionais e em novas ocorrencias de sensibilizacao, especialmente em pacientes politransfundidos. Podemos concluir ainda que os dados nos permitem estabelecer criterios para armazenamento de bolsas fenotipadas em estoque estrategico para atendimento a esses pacientes com alteracoes imuno-hematologicas. Copyright © 2022

Optimization of the layout of meeting rooms, in the fight against COVID- 19, trough the web application sala planejada

Conscience, Responsibility and Solidarity, are important pillars to which large companies are guided in this scenario of combating the pandemic generated by COVID-19. In this paper, the application of optimization techniques is addressed though the Planned Room web application, motivated by the need for a safe return to work, respecting the social distancing criteria pointed out by the World Health Organization. The objective is to propose an optimized layout for the meeting rooms and other living spaces, maximizing the number of places available from the physical dimensions of the environments of the tables and chairs offered. The use of the Planned Room proved to be advantageous for generating an optimized plan with the coordinates foreseen for each chair and for guaranteeing the minimum distance necessary to avoid contagion among workers, which can be replicated to the other units of the company.

Optimization of Illumina AmpliSeq protocol for SARS-CoV-2 and detection of circulating variants in Goiás State, Brazil from November 2020 to July 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has demonstrated the need for genomic epidemiology surveillance. To date, various methodologies have been applied, including metagenomic approaches and amplicon-based sequencing associated with high-throughput sequencing platforms. We adapted some details in amplicon-based sequencing using a SARS-CoV-2 community panel (Illumina AmpliSeq), with additional modifications for balanced and high-quality sequencing using the MiSeq platform. The modified protocol was used to detect circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in Goiás state, Brazil. Initially, RNA samples were obtained from swab samples from 15 patients from the state of Goiás, Brazil, in November/2020 and February/2021 to validate protocol steps. The libraries were prepared following AmpliSeq for Illumina workflow with modifications;subsequently, we analyzed 305 positive samples collected from the state of Goiás from December 2020 to July 2021. For protocol improvement, we removed the need to treat samples with DNAse and demonstrated the importance of quantification by qPCR before and after library dilution. No fragmentation pattern was observed in the samples analyzed with Bioanalyzer. The libraries returned sequencing results that were used for genome assembly and variant detection. We were able to assemble SARS-CoV-2 genomes from 318 samples, which were used to identify 13 variants of coronavirus circulating in Goiás throughout those months. Variants of concern, such as Alpha (B.1.1.7), Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2) were detected;the latter was detected at first in Goiás in April 2021. The modifications in the workflow we developed were successfully applied to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants, resulting in high coverage genome assembly, and they can be used to increase the number of genome sequences and aid in epidemiological surveillance in Brazil.

Current State Assessment of Resilience Indices

Objectives: As the world suffered through the COVID-19 pandemic, it became increasingly clear that the health of populations is foundational to a high-functioning economy, corporate well-being, and social justice. Thus, companies need to understand how population health and health equity will allow them to become more resilient to current and future threats. This study explores available indices measuring employee health and well-being, place-based health indicators, and preparedness measures to evaluate their relevance and applicability in helping businesses become more resilient to future public health threats. Methods: We conducted a non-exhaustive search for relevant indices, using key word searches and cascade sampling. For the initial review of each index (n=27), the team made note of the tool’s description, purpose, category, input(s) and output(s), accessibility, and scalability. After an initial review, each tool was evaluated based on five criteria: relevance, methodology, ease of use, usefulness of output, and factors/indicators, and then provided a qualitative ranking of good, moderate, or poor. Results: All indices ranked as “poor” or “moderate” in at least one of the evaluation criteria. Several gaps were identified in the existing 27 instruments. The majority of indices did not allow comparisons across companies or consider interactions between companies and the surrounding communities. Input measures were at times subjective and their respective scoring systems often inconsistent. Most indices were not fit for purpose in evaluating businesses but were instead built for community or government use. Conclusion: Employee health and well-being is a critical factor to ensure business and community success and resilience. Existing tools provide limited insight and direction for businesses to make key strategic investments and decisions around their employees’ health and well-being needs to drive greater resilience to future threats. Further research is recommended to enhance existing indices and capture relevant inputs that can improve health outcomes at scale.

“AMIGO DE SANGUE” - PROJETO DE EXTENSÃO UNIVERSITÁRIA COM FOCO NO INCENTIVO À DOAÇÃO DE SANGUE

Objetivos: Conscientizar, por meio das mídias sociais, a importância da doação de sangue, aumentar o número de doadores, ampliar a cultura sobre doação de sangue e capacitar os alunos do curso de Medicina a fim de se tornarem multiplicadores. O Projeto de Extensão Amigo de Sangue (PEAS) é um programa de incentivo à doação de sangue elaborado pelos integrantes da Liga Acadêmica de Hematologia – HemoLiga em conjunto com a Fundação Hemominas Juiz de Fora (FH) e vinculado ao Programa Sangue Jovem da Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. Material e métodos: O PEAS foi elaborado em fevereiro de 2021 pelos ligantes da HemoLiga e atuou nas seguintes esferas: divulgação de conteúdo informativo sobre doação de sangue e levantamento das doações de sangue efetuadas através das campanhas do projeto. O conteúdo informativo foi divulgado através das redes sociais com publicação de infográficos sobre verdades e mitos, sobre o processo de doação e sobre estimuladores da doação de sangue na FH. O veículo de comunicação escolhido para a propagação de informações acerca do projeto foram as mídias sociais em virtude do contexto epidemiológico de COVID-19 e da rápida difusão de conteúdo. Todos os participantes do PEAS foram capacitados para a realização de postagens, esclarecimentos de dúvidas e transmissão de informações pertinentes à doação de sangue na plataforma virtual. Resultados: A avaliação preliminar do PEAS realizada com dados levantados entre abril e junho de 2021 (Software de Gestão hemoterápica Hemote®) evidenciou aumento do comparecimento de doadores na FH e que as mídias sociais mostraram-se como um potente aliado no processo de captação de doadores. No período estudado, o PEAS contribuiu com 2,3% do total de doações efetivadas na FH, em relação ao sexo, 51,1% dos doadores eram do sexo masculino. Foi observado que o projeto mobilizou o tema doação de sangue em grupos de trabalhos e estimulou a formação de multiplicadores e influenciadores no processo de mobilização de doadores. A página do PEAS nas redes sociais conta com 1159 seguidores e mais de 128 publicações, garantindo ampla divulgação e visibilidade do conteúdo. Discussão: A Pandemia de Covid-19 impactou direta e negativamente no comparecimento de doadores, reduzindo o número de coletas e do estoque de bolsas de sangue. A FH atende 57 hospitais, englobando 27 cidades das macrorregional de Juiz de Fora, garantindo à população a oferta de sangue e hemoderivados de qualidade, em consonância com as diretrizes estabelecidas pelo Ministério da Saúde, realizando mais de 50 mil transfusões/ano. A meta do PEAS é se consolidar como grande influenciador na doação de sangue, com aumento do número de doadores fidelizados e ampliação da cultura de doação de sangue. Atuar na área de captação é desafiador, uma vez que o sangue é insubstituível, exigindo mobilização contínua da sociedade. Conclusão: As mídias sociais desempenharam um papel extremamente relevante para a efetividade do PEAS, uma vez que a partir delas foi possível a conscientização em massa sobre a doação de sangue e captação de doadores. Apenas com um trabalho persistente e respaldado no diálogo e na desmistificação será possível despertar na população o desejo da doação de sangue, não apenas como um ato heroico, mas também como um gesto de cidadania, compaixão, compromisso e preservação da vida.

Effects of COVID-19: relations of sport and disability on the training load and expectation of athletes on road to Tokyo Paralympic Games

BACKGROUND: the prevention protocols of COVID-19 impact several restrictions in the sports world, the influence of this scenario in the athletes with impairment increased associated a multifactorial condition like environment, etiology. or psychological perception. The aim of this study was to identify the influences of impairments and sports on characteristics of load training during the COVID-19 Pandemic, life satisfaction and the expectation about the influence of pandemic on the performance in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. METHODS: One hundred eighty Brazilian para-athletes, in a cross-sectional study, answered a survey about their training load before and during the Pandemic, satisfaction with life and expectation about their performance. Athletes were divided into three groups according to their sport practiced: individual sports (Ind-1);Individual sports with opposition (Ind-2) and team sports (Team). The data were analyzed by impairments and sports roups. RESULTS: Hours of training, number of sessions and rating of perceived exertion reduced during the pandemic. Limb impairment and spinal cord injurygroups reduced training hours during pandemic. Team group showed lower training sessions per week than the Ind-1 group. No difference was found in life satisfaction among the groups. Most athletes believe that the pandemic will damage their performance in the Tokyo Paralympic Games. CONCLUSIONS: Influences of COVID-19 Pandemic on training loads were identified to all groups, however there were no differences between disabilities or sports in the life satisfaction and expectation about the influence of pandemic on the performance in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Validation of a questionnaire on learning through ICT and its Effect on University Students’ Wellbeing During COVID-19

Covid-19 virus presence in most countries of the world has lead to an overuse of information and communication technologies (ICT) during training processes. This has made it possible to continue studies in different conditions than the ones experienced in 2019, now in compulsory social isolation and home study environments. This article aims to design and validate an instrument that allows measuring learning by information technologies and its effect on the welfare of university students who assist to online education. Authors began with a documentary analysis for the construction of the theoretical framework and then, the validity of the instrument is checked in a pilot sample of 1952 students. The result was an instrument with a Crombach’s alpha of 0.8. It is concluded that the instrument can be applied in studies related to similar problematic situations. © 2022, Associacao Iberica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informacao. All rights reserved.

The Paradigm Shift in Medical Imaging Education and Training in Europe

The main goal of this literature review is to discuss the emerging trends, challenges and opportunities in the field of medical imaging education in Europe due to the Covid-19 pandemic scenario that forced the remodeling of the teaching and learning process. A bibliographic search was carried out in the main databases and from resources available in scientific and professional associations in Europe. Exclusion criteria included articles without contributions on distance learning or active learning. Education and training in medical imaging field had to readapt and the usual opportunities for medical imaging and radiotherapy (MIR) students to learn in person in the classroom, lab and clinical settings, had to be quickly transformed into distance learning opportunities. Thus, online education became a pedagogical shift from traditional method to the modern approach of teaching and learning from classroom to Zoom, from personal to virtual and from seminars to webinars, leading to the emergence of innovative teaching models. Moreover, student-centered strategies such as flipped classroom and game-based learning have been recently applied in health professions education with positive and very promising results. In conclusion, due to the pandemic crisis, MIR educators and students find themselves in the situation where they felt compelled to embrace the digital academic experience, allowing the progressive innovation of e-learning. In this context, game-based learning appears to be effective for improving knowledge, skills, attitudes and satisfaction and should be considered as a potential systematic tool in the field of medical imaging education. Therefore, preparedness of radiographers depends on the application of effective training and education methodologies that allows excellent clinical performance and maintaining high quality and safety standards, both through undergraduate course and continuous professional development. © 2022 by the authors

Simulations of Social Distancing Scenarios and Analysis of Strategies to Predict the Spread of COVID-19

The pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, although more than a year has passed since the first case, still plagues almost the whole world. Several policies have been adopted, especially related to social distancing measures, aiming to mitigate the spread of the disease. Such decisions, in general, take into account simulations capable of providing an overview of the spread of the virus in a given location. Based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization, countries have defined their own policies to fight against the disease, considering economic and social interests. Determining strategies that are increasingly efficient in modeling and simulating such phenomena is essential to support decision making in adverse circumstances. Our objective is to provide a more comprehensive view of strategies for predicting the spread of COVID-19 in the scope of computational modeling and to analyze scenarios capable of describing the impact of social distancing measures. Two different strategies are compared to characterize the virus incubation period, using particular models. Since Italy was one of the countries most affected by the pandemic, despite taking drastic measures to reduce mobility and contact between citizens, we adopt the situation of the early stages of the disease outbreak in this country to demonstrate the numerical results. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.