Students' Listening Skills and Psychology Awareness in a Pandemic: An ESL Perspective

Whether or not listening skills can be used to measure grammatical ability has been a hot topic of controversy in the language learning community. However, existing study results aren't satisfactory in and of themselves. As a result, considering the current research gap, this study was carried out to solve the issue. To begin, the researchers used a mean listening score to assess the listening skills of 50 ESL first-year students at a public institution. Second, frequency and sentence analysis were used to identify the students' most frequent mistakes and difficulty in listening for grammatical differences. When hearing comprehension outcomes were being evaluated, a written composition activity was used to verify them. There was a strong correlation between the degree of skill of the respondents in listening for grammatical differences between the single and plural forms of subjects and predicates, as well as in the ability to distinguish between the present and past tense verbs. However, more complicated syntactic formulations were discovered to have specific issues. According to the results, the listeners get disoriented and disturbed when the test sentence contains intermediate words, phrases, or subordinate sentences. These difficulties in remembering what they learned at school may result from socio-psychological issues—the intervening words impaired their ability to concentrate and recall information when they were not in a classroom. As a result of the COVID 19 epidemic, instructors and students alike have been compelled to adapt to a new learning environment: the virtual classroom. Online testing and results processing was done under this, considering that electronic platforms are a moderating factor. EFL and ESL specialists like (Shao et al., 2019) and (Walsh & Rsquez 2020) have recognized that this alteration in the modality of teaching influences methods of learning that have not necessarily been delineated previously. While not the primary focus of the research, this work still underlines the new socio-technological component as an essential mediator of listening evaluation for greater grammatical competence © 2023, Journal for ReAttach Therapy and Developmental Diversities.All Rights Reserved.

Challenges and Opportunities Facing Students of Field Training in Social Work through e-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Social Study on a Sample of Students of Al-Balqa Applied University

The study aims at identifying Challenges and opportunities facing students of field training in social work through e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social study on a sample of students of Al-Balqa Applied University. The study sample consisted of (64) trainees, who were selected by the social survey method through comprehensive inventory. Descriptive statistical methods and the multiple variance test were used. Results showed that the most important challenges faced by the students were the presence of challenges brought about by the pandemic, including the inability of the trainee to meet the client in social institutions, in addition to challenges such as using the computer and lack of a network of communication, also, student's inability to apply what they learned in theory. Opportunities included remote field training facilitated communication in social institutions. The field training showed the importance of using digital technology to help clients during crises. Among the average level opportunities was the increase of opportunities of getting acquainted with the experiences of national and international social institutions. The results have shown that there were no statistically significant differences at (0.05≥α) in the level of challenges for the distance-trained students, according to their opinion, as attributed to the variables of gender, academic level and level of field training. © 2022 DSR Publishers/The University of Jordan.

The Pattern of Non-Covid-19 Paediatric Admissions in Malaysia Teaching Hospitals: Before and during the Covid-19 Pandemic with Movement Control Order

To study the characteristics of paediatric patients admitted to two non-COVID-19 teaching hospitals before and during the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia. The retrospective study was performed in two phases (before MCO between February to March 2020, and during MCO lockdown between March to April 2020) in two teaching hospitals on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Hospitalized children <18 years were included and those coming for elective procedures or oncology treatment were excluded. The clinical data were retrieved from both hospitals' admission records. There was a total of 496 and 191 admissions to two teaching hospitals on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, respectively. A significant reduction in the number of non-COVID-19 hospital admissions was seen in both hospitals. For Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, the daily hospital admissions were reduced with a mean of 10 (before MCO) to 7 (during MCO) admissions/day (95% CI 1.54,7.54, p=0.001). In Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre, a reduction in hospital admission was seen from 5 (before MCO) to 3 (during MCO) admissions/day (95% CI 0.61, 3.15, p=0.005). Our study observed a general drop in non-COVID-related respiratory illnesses and infectious disease cases during the MCO period. There were significant differences in neurological (p=0.029) and accident (p = 0.001) cases admissions observed between the two periods. Copyright © 2022, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. All rights reserved.

The Effect of Covid 19 Movement Control Order (MCO) on Air Quality of Industrial Area in Malaysia

Malaysia has recorded its first COVID-19 positive case on the 25th of January 2020 started with the 3 Chinese nationals that have close contact with the infected person in Singapore. Since then, the number of cases has rapidly expanded, specifically in March 2020. Due to that, the government of Malaysia has declared the application of Movement Control Order (MCO) that aims to segregate the cause of the COVID-19 outbreak [2]. The lockdown has led to stupendous economic loss to Malaysia however, it has come as a reprieve to the environment. Employ the air pollution index (API) data recorded during this inauspicious time, this study is undertaken to evaluate the impact of lockdown on the air quality of few industrial areas in Malaysia which are Klang, Kulim Hi-Tech, and Shah Alam. The API data was acquired from the Department of Environment (DOE) [3] under the Ministry of Environment and Water. We compared air quality data from the early phase of MCO which is from March 18, 2020, to May 4, 2020, with a simultaneous period in the early months of 2020 to determine the changes in pollutant concentrations during the lockdown, analyzing daily API data for six pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM2.5, and PM10). The results show a reduction in the air pollution index in all of the industrial areas. The reducing rate was 10.33% for Kulim Hi-Tech, 5.67% for Shah Alam while for Klang 5.17%. Overall, the average reducing rate was only 7.05% for all three locations. Even though the percentage of reduction of API is not very high in each of the areas but it makes a positive effect on the environment. © 2022 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.

Proinflammatory cytokine profiles of COVID-19 patients in Malaysia

Introduction: Increase of cytokines is often associated with inflammatory condition during infections and in autoimmune diseases. A sudden increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines, also known as 'cytokine storm', can cause devastating damage on host cells as well as organs and has been frequently described in the recent COVID-19 infection. Objective(s): This study aimed to evaluate the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha) among COVID-19 patients in comparison with non-COVID-19 patients in Malaysia. Material(s) and Method(s): We retrospectively analysed the data of samples sent for cytokine panel test (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha) at Autoimmune Laboratory, Institute for Medical Research, Malaysia, from September 2021 until April 2022. A total of 58 samples were included in this study and were categorised into two groups: COVID-19 (37 samples) and non-COVID-19 (21 samples). Levels of cytokines were determined by microfluidic immunoassay system. Result(s) and Conclusion(s): Majority of the samples (75.9%) were from patients aged 17 and below, with the overall median age of 8 years. Between the two groups, COVID-19 patients had significantly higher cytokines levels (median IL-6: 25.2pg/ml;IL-8: 64.8pg/ml and TNF-alpha: 28.8pg/ml) compared with patients from non-COVID-19 (median IL-6: 9.5pg/ml;IL-8: 33.9pg/ml and TNF-alpha: 18.9pg/ml). As for IL-1beta, the levels were comparable between the two groups. The results of this study showed that higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines were released during COVID-19 infection as compared with non-COVID-19 cases.

Numerical Simulations of the Fractional-Order SIQ Mathematical Model of Corona Virus Disease Using the Nonstandard Finite Difference Scheme

This paper proposes a novel nonlinear fractional-order pandemic model with Caputo derivative for corona virus disease. A nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) approach is presented to solve this model numerically. This strategy preserves some of the most significant physical properties of the solution such as non-negativity, boundedness and stability or convergence to a stable steady state. The equilibrium points of the model are analyzed and it is determined that the proposed fractional model is locally asymptotically stable at these points. Non-negativity and boundedness of the solution are proved for the considered model. Fixed point theory is employed for the existence and uniqueness of the solution. The basic reproduction number is computed to investigate the dynamics of corona virus disease. It is worth mentioning that the non-integer derivative gives significantly more insight into the dynamic complexity of the corona model. The suggested technique produces dynamically consistent outcomes and excellently matches the analyticalworks. To illustrate our results, we conduct a comprehensive quantitative study of the proposed model at various quarantine levels. Numerical simulations show that can eradicate a pandemic quickly if a human population implements obligatory quarantine measures at varying coverage levels while maintaining sufficient knowledge. © 2022, Malaysian Journal of Mathematical Sciences. All Rights Reserved.

BURNOUT AMONG ACADEMICIANS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MALAYSIA

Academicians are facing new challenges as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic and socioeconomic changes. They are exposed to occupational health risks such as stress and burnout. This study aims to examine burnout among academicians in Malaysia's public and private higher educational institutions. A survey of 328 respondents from all States of Malaysia was undertaken. The study was also conducted online, through a Google form and a Maslach Burnout Inventory form. The study showed that higher education institution academicians experienced 48% occupational exhaustion, 51% depersonalization and 46% low-level achievement. Academicians in public higher education institutions suffered 44 % moderate burnout, whereas private academics experienced 5%. Academicians from public higher education institutions suffered moderate depersonalization in 50% of cases, compared to 54% of private academicians. Furthermore, academicians from public higher education institutions had moderate personal achievement in 45 percent of cases, compared to 50% of private academicians. The result showed that Private higher educational institution academicians had experienced the highest emotional exhaustion compared to respondents from public higher educational institution at p<0.002. These findings are useful for preventive strategies or intervention initiatives to achieve social sustainability among Malaysian academics.

The Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of COVID-19: A Survey Among Medical Students in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia Public Medical Schools

COVID-19 has affected university medical students, resulting in the new norm of learning and practice. Understanding these students' knowledge, attitude and their practice would be essential as they would serve as the future doctor in Malaysia. The study attempted to evaluate medical students' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia. An online and multi centre cross-sectional study was undertaken among all the three public medical schools in the east coast region of Peninsular Malaysia, between 8th July to 21st July 2020. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic data and the three domains which included COVID-19 KAP. Students were invited to participate via social media platform such as WhatsApp and students' email. A total of 1,008 medical students voluntarily participated in the study with female to male ratio of 2.6:1. A total of 356 (35.3%) of the medical students had satisfactory knowledge score, with 75% of them were female. The majority of the students had positive attitude towards COVID-19 and practiced meticulous social distancing during the pandemic. We noted that seniority influenced knowledge score, and this was evident as 264 (26.2%) of the students were in their clinical year. Overall, the knowledge scores regarding COVID-19 among the medical students in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia was reasonable and there were opportunities to augment these standards. Meticulous plans are needed to enhance knowledge and preparedness of the current crops of medical students to be competent future frontliner for Malaysia. © Malaysian Association of Education in Medicine and Health Sciences and Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia. 2022

Air Quality Status During Pandemic Covid19 in Urban and Sub-Urban Area in Malaysia

This paper discussed the API status in the urban and sub-urban cities in Malaysia before, during and after Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in year the 2020. The lockdown implemented worldwide including Malaysia has come as a respite to the environment, especially in air pollutant levels. 2 cities have been chosen in this study that is Kangar (suburban) and Cheras (urban). The Air Pollutant Index (API) data recorded on an hourly basis throughout different series of national lockdown phases was obtained from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index website. The findings show that the API status quality in sub-urban does not change much compare to the urban area. But it can be seen that the API reduces during MCO implementation in the sub-urban and urban areas. This is because, during the MCO, there are several restrictions on mass movement and gatherings, and the closure of educational institutions, government and private agencies (except for essential services). This MCO restriction reduced the traffic density, industrial activities, and other social activities.

Air quality status before, during and after the pandemic COVID-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) at urban and suburban areas in Malaysia

A severe acute respiratory syndrome, COVID-19 outbreak started in December 2019 reported in the city of Wuhan, China has spread rapidly in other countries around the world. Declared as a pandemic, the lockdowns, industrial shutdowns, closing international borders and overall reduced mobility of the population either for tourism or work commutes have led to air pollution reduction. The lockdown implemented worldwide including Malaysia has come as a respite to the environment, especially in air pollutant levels. Utilizing the Air Pollutant Index (API) data recorded on an hourly basis throughout different series of national lockdown phases, this study is undertaken to evaluate the air quality status before, during and after the implementation of MCO by comparing the selected urban and suburban areas in Malaysia. Six (6) locations including Bandaraya Melaka, Cheras and Alor Setar (urban) and Seri Manjung, Kangar and Kuantan (suburban) were chosen in this study. The result revealed that the air quality has shown improvements after a further extension of lockdown days at both urban (API 36.3-61.5%) and suburban areas (API 46.5-48.6%). It has indirectly changed the air quality status from ‘moderate’ to ‘good’ in all 6 urban and suburban areas. The air quality trends, however, gradually deteriorate and has increased as more restrictions were eased at a later stage. The implementation of lockdown measures not only restricted the spread of infection rate but has reduced ambient air pollutants levels that lead to enhanced air quality. The results obtained in this study can be a useful insight for the regulatory agencies in controlling air pollution and restore the environment quality.

The repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic, its Socio-economic changes, in the Jordanian family and ways to prevent them (A sociological study)

The current study aimed to identify the Socioeconomic changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Jordanian family from the point of view of university students and the role of the Jordanian family in preventing it. Social sample surveying approach and stratified random sampling were applied. The sample consisted of (215) male and female students. Descriptive approach (percentages, advanced statistical methods were used. The results revealed that there were significant changes caused by COVID-19 on Jordanian family, including social changes represented by lack of participation in social events motivated by mitigating the negative aspects of COVID-19 and the rise in social responsibility. The results showed a change in the rituals of mourning and marriage customs;also, an increase in media follow-up by family members. The results revealed educational burden on family regarding e-learning, and indicated that the COVID-19 affected, to a moderate degree, families in terms of social stigmatization. Regarding the economic changes, there were high level economic changes affecting the Jordanian family, such as the emergence of woman’s role in the family due to her increased production responsibilities, and new productive roles like producing bread and household products to reduce family members’ leaving house to preserve their health and reduce expenses. There were additional financial burdens shouldered by family which was satisfied with providing basic materials only. © 2022 University of Jordan,Deanship of Scientific Research. All rights reserved.

FaceBit: Smart Face Masks Platform

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the use of face masks across the world. Aside from physical distancing, they are among the most e?ective protection for healthcare workers and the general population. Face masks are passive devices, however, and cannot alert the user in case of improper ?t or mask degradation. Additionally, face masks are optimally positioned to give unique insight into some personal health metrics. Recognizing this limitation and opportunity, we present FaceBit: an open-source research platform for smart face mask applications. FaceBit's design was informed by need?nding studies with a cohort of health professionals. Small and easily secured into any face mask, FaceBit is accompanied by a mobile application that provides a user interface and facilitates research. It monitors heart rate without skin contact via ballistocardiography, respiration rate via temperature changes, and mask-?t and wear time from pressure signals, all on-device with an energy-e?cient runtime system. FaceBit can harvest energy from breathing, motion, or sunlight to supplement its tiny primary cell battery that alone delivers a battery lifetime of 11 days or more. FaceBit empowers the mobile computing community to jumpstart research in smart face mask sensing and inference, and provides a sustainable, convenient form factor for health management, applicable to COVID-19 frontline workers and beyond. © 2021 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). Publication rights licensed to ACM.

Implications of COVID-19 pandemic for energy-use and energy saving household electrical appliances consumption behaviour in Malaysia

This study examined the impact of movement control order (MCO) due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Household Electrical Appliance Consumption Levels [HEACL] across Malaysia before, during and after the MCO, and the likelihood of the pandemic quickening household conduct towards use of energy saving appliances based on a self-reported household survey. The consumption patterns were evaluated based on hours and frequency of use of 29 household electrical appliances. Energy consumption behaviour and energy efficient star label [EESL] appliances questions were also included in the survey to provide insights into energy-efficient behaviour. The survey attracted 1482 responses from 1500 households approached across geographic regions in Malaysia. The findings show significant changes in HEACL across the three periods, viz., (i) before MCO, (ii) during MCO, and (iii) after MCO. There was a significant increase in HEACL during and after the MCO. Also, the low-income group showed the highest shift in appreciating EESL devices over the MCO, while changes in their appreciation was not significant among the medium- and high-income groups. The results imply that energy-wasting habits proved hard to shift across middle- and high-income households. The findings presented herein are unique, which focused on Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide insights for Malaysian policymakers when developing future action plans to stimulate a fall in energy consumption and a shift from conventional to EESL devices over the long-term. © 2021 The Authors

Mini review on laboratory practices during COVID-19 pandemic: From microbiologists perspective

Laboratory practices in a laboratory have changed worldwide due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes occur concerning specimen collection, handling, transportation, processing, and disposal. Infection control practices are applied in all aspects, starting from specimen collection until the clinician gets the results. A retrospective review of laboratory practices used in a tertiary teaching hospital laboratory from microbiologists’ perspectives was performed, and the practices were compared with previously published articles. © 2021 UPM Press. All rights reserved.

Depression, Anxiety And Stress Level Among Low-Income Family During Covid-19 Pandemic In Malaysia

In January 2020, a new coronavirus epidemic began in Wuhan, China, and now is spreading globally as a pandemic in March 2020. To date, about 123,498 million cases have been reported worldwide and about 2.71 million deaths were reported. This newly discovered pandemic has majorly impacted many things such as tourism, the economy, and others. Because of this, low-income households (also known as B40) seem to be affected. Through a survey conducted online in the state of Pahang, Malaysia, this study aims to examine the level of depression, anxiety, and stress faced by B40 households. The study extracted data from 128 respondents (N=128) from B40 households around the state by using the DASS-21 online form. The result of the study showed that 31% respondents had moderate depression, 40% had severe depression, and 22% had extremely severe depression. Moreover, 15% respondents had moderate anxiety, 16% had severe anxiety, and 68% had extremely severe anxiety. The result also showed that 31% respondents had moderate stress, 36% had severe stress, and 18% had extremely severe stress. All scores were tabulated from the administration of the Depression, Stress, and Anxiety Scale (DASS-21) inventory. The result showed that the government sector and self-employed groups differed slightly at p<0.051. Regardless of the employment sector within B40 respondents, this study showed that they are prone to have mental health issues especially depression, anxiety, and stress. The limitation of this study is the sample size. So, it is advisable for future studies to increase the sample size so that the data will have a significant value © 2021, Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues. All Rights Reserved.

Wearable Social Distancing Detection System

The conventional method of keeping people at a safe distance in the Covid-19 Standard Operating System could not ensure everyone obeys the rule. An automatic social distancing system needs to be created to assist and train individuals to stay at a safe distance of at least 1 m. This paper proposes a wearable social distancing detector that uses a microcontroller with an ultrasonic sensor to detect the distance between two persons and provides a warning if the person fails to obey the rule. The system could perform social distancing detection accurately and can assist in the movement of people in an area.