Synthetic Lies: Understanding AI-Generated Misinformation and Evaluating Algorithmic and Human Solutions

Large language models have abilities in creating high-volume human-like texts and can be used to generate persuasive misinformation. However, the risks remain under-explored. To address the gap, this work first examined characteristics of AI-generated misinformation (AI-misinfo) compared with human creations, and then evaluated the applicability of existing solutions. We compiled human-created COVID-19 misinformation and ed it into narrative prompts for a language model to output AI-misinfo. We found significant linguistic differences within human-AI pairs, and patterns of AI-misinfo in enhancing details, communicating uncertainties, drawing conclusions, and simulating personal tones. While existing models remained capable of classifying AI-misinfo, a significant performance drop compared to human-misinfo was observed. Results suggested that existing information assessment guidelines had questionable applicability, as AI-misinfo tended to meet criteria in evidence credibility, source transparency, and limitation acknowledgment. We discuss implications for practitioners, researchers, and journalists, as AI can create new challenges to the societal problem of misinformation. © 2023 Owner/Author.

GDM diagnosis criteria: Standard and Covid-19 criteria

Aim: Standard diagnosis of gestational diabetes (GDM) is based on the Oral Glucose Tolerance test (OGTT). During the Covid-19 outbreak, due to Covid restrictions, criteria were modified i.e Fasting Blood Glucose >=5.3 and/ or HbA1c >= 39 for diagnosis of GDM. After the lifting of the Covid restrictions, the standard criteria were reimplemented and on analyzing the data, it was highlighted that some of the patients could have tested negative for GDM based on Covid Criteria. Method(s): We analyzed the data of 43 patients based on standard criteria (OGTT and HbA1c) after Covid restrictions, with the following results. Result(s): 11/43(28%) patients who were diagnosed on the basis of standard criteria could have been missed based on Covid criteria. Out of 11 deliveries, 2 babies with weight above 4 kg. There were no admissions to NICU. One patient had postpartum hemorrhage with 670 mL of blood loss. Conclusion(s): This was a retrospective study in which we analyzed the data of 45 pregnant females diagnosed with GDM based on testing using the Covid criteria and compared this to 43 pregnant females who were diagnosed with GDM on the basis of OGTT based on GOLD standard NICE criteria. In addition, we also examined maternal and obstetric outcomes in both groups such as the mode of delivery, the baby's birth weight, the incidence of shoulder dystocia, mean blood loss (MBL), and NICU admission. We understand that Covid GDM diagnosis was a necessity of time. In this study, we want to learn what could have been missed with that diagnostic criteria. For future pandemics, we need to revise our diagnostic criteria to avoid the risk of underdiagnosing GDM and associated complications.

What Makes Some Workplaces More Favorable to Remote Work? Unpacking Employee Experiences During COVID-19 Via Glassdoor

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the working culture at various organizations;what began as a public health safety measure, remote work is continuing to reshape work in America and beyond. However, remote work has fared differently for different workers and for different organizations, contributing to better work-life balance for some, while increased burnout for others. What aspects of an organization's culture make it less or more favorable to remote work? We answer this question by creating, analyzing, and subsequently releasing a large dataset of employee reviews shared anonymously on Glassdoor. Adopting a worker-centered approach grounded in organizational culture theory, we extract organizational cultural factors salient in the language of employee reviews of 52 Fortune 500 companies. Through a prediction task, we identify what distinguishes companies perceived to be desirable for remote work versus others, noted in company rankings following the pandemic. Our dataset and findings can serve to be valuable evidence-base and resources for efforts to define a new future of work post-pandemic. © 2023 Owner/Author.

Business school interns' intention to join: studying culture, work engagement and leader-member exchange in virtual internship

Purpose: This research aims to analyze the impact of work engagement, organization culture and leader-member exchange (LMX) on an intern's intention to join the organization during the e-internship. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced interns and organizations to undertake the way internships. Internships from home affected the interaction and communication between the organization and interns. This study also investigates the moderating role of work engagement and LMX on the intern's intention to join the organization. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected from 190 interns through an online questionnaire. Standardized questionnaires were used in the study to measure all the variables. Findings: The research shows that perceived Organizational Culture and Work Engagement are essential in impacting an intern's intention to join the organization. Also, it was found that the Work Engagement and LMX do not moderate the relationship between Organizational Culture and the intention of an intern to join the organization. Research limitations/implications: They include factors which are not being considered for the research or are beyond the control of the researcher. This paper had a couple of limitations as well. The sample size taken for the research was less. More respondents would have given better results. Other factors that may influence the intention of an intern to join his/her respective organizations were not considered. This study only considered the three variables of Work Engagement, LMX and Organizational Culture. Intervening effects of other variables if any were assumed to be absent. Other intricacies may be there in the research variables that were beyond the scope of this study. Practical implications: The results of the present study are of use to organizations which are interested in converting their interns to full-time employees. These results clearly indicate the importance of organization culture in impacting an intern's intention to join the organization, therefore organizations can make their policies, procedures and practices which confirm with the requirements to e-internship. Organizations need to empower the interns so that they feel confident to take decisions during e-internships and organizations also need to communicate and instill the core values among their interns, this alignment with core values is critical for ensuring a good person–organization fit. Also, managers should ensure that the culture of the organization is conducive to the development and mental well-being of the interns, by taking steps such as fostering team spirit, ensuring a customer-centric culture, open and amicable communication, navigating change admirably, and staying true to the core values of the organization. A holistic and wholesome organization culture will ensure that the organization is able to attract and retain the right talent. Originality/value: Research has been conducted in investigating the impact of organizational culture on employee retention, but not much has been studied about the impact of organizational culture on the intention of the intern to join the organization also, how this relationship is impacted by work engagement and mentor–mentee relationship is also unexplored. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Supporting the Contact Tracing Process with WiFi Location Data: Opportunities and Challenges

Contact tracers assist in containing the spread of highly infectious diseases such as COVID-19 by engaging community members who receive a positive test result in order to identify close contacts. Many contact tracers rely on community member's recall for those identifications, and face limitations such as unreliable memory. To investigate how technology can alleviate this challenge, we developed a visualization tool using de-identified location data sensed from campus WiFi and provided it to contact tracers during mock contact tracing calls. While the visualization allowed contact tracers to find and address inconsistencies due to gaps in community member's memory, it also introduced inconsistencies such as false-positive and false-negative reports due to imperfect data, and information sharing hesitancy. We suggest design implications for technologies that can better highlight and inform contact tracers of potential areas of inconsistencies, and further present discussion on using imperfect data in decision making. © 2022 ACM.

The relationship between symptoms and functional physiological outcomes in survivors of severe COVID-19 pneumonia

P136 Table 1Results of correlation analysis Correlation analysis 4MGS 1STSreps SpO2% desaturation Results r p-value r p-value r p-value Pre-COVID mMRC dyspnoea score 0(0–1) -0.267** <0.001 -0.285** <0.001 -0.108 0.094 Post-COVID mMRC dyspnoea score 1(0–2) -0.442** <0.001 -0.457** <0.001 -0.143* 0.025 NRS breathlessness 3(0–5) -0.287** <0.001 -0.406** <0.001 -0.490 0.445 NRS fatigue 3(0–5) -0.315** <0.001 -0.379** <0.001 -0.190* 0.003 NRS cough 0(0–2) -0.660 0.292 -0.153* 0.017 0.083 0.194 NRS pain 1(0–4) -0.278** <0.001 -0.346** <0.001 -0.188* 0.003 NRS sleep difficulty 2(0–5) -0.246** <0.001 -0.386** <0.001 -0.122 0.057 Data are presented as median (interquartile range) or frequency (proportion%;95% confidence interval). SpO2% desaturation = SpO2% desaturation from baseline during 1 minute sit to stand test;1STSreps = repetitions per minute during 1 minute sit to stand test;4MGS = 4 metre gait speed;mMRC = modified Medical Research Council;NRS = 0 – 10 numerical rating scale;r = Spearman correlation coefficient. *indicates statistical significance at 0.05 level. **indicates statistical significance at 0.001 level.ConclusionRespiratory symptoms were not strong predictors of 4-metre gait speed and 1-minute sit-to-stand test performance. These data highlight the importance of face-to-face testing to objectively assess functional limitation in patients recovering from severe COVID pneumonia.

Clinical, functional and psychological characteristics of survivors of severe COVID-19 pneumonia: a comparison of outcomes from the first and second waves

P135 Table 1Patient demographics, self-reported scores and functional test results by wave 1st wave 2nd wave p-value Demographics n=167 n=141 Age 59±13 58±12 0.564 Female 60 (35.93;28.94–43.40) 62 (43.97;35.97–52.22) 0.15 BMI (kg/m2) 30.5 (26.6–35.2) 32.1 (28.5–37.9) 0.009 ** BAME 115 (69.7;62.39–76.32) 72 (59.5;50.62–67.94) 0.073 Number of comorbidities 2 (1–3) 2 (1–3) 0.144 Patients Receiving Drugs Dexamethasone 11 (6.63;3.57–11.17) 138 (97.87;94.43–99.40) <0.001 *** Remdesivir 18 (10.84;6.79–16.24) 81 (57.45;49.20–65.39) <0.001 *** Other Immunomodulator 2 (1.20;0.25–3.81) 31 (21.99;15.76–29.35) <0.001 *** Questionnaire Scores n=164 n=132 NRS Breathlessness 2 (0–5) 3 (0–5) 0.153 ≥4 56 (34.78;27.75–42.36) 52 (37.14;29.47–45.34) 0.67 NRS Cough 0 (0–2) 0 (0–3) 0.439 ≥4 17 (10.56;6.52–16.00) 18 (13.64;8.59–20.26) 0.419 NRS Fatigue 3 (0–5) 3 (0–5) 0.867 ≥4 65 (40.63;33.24–48.35) 48 (36.92;28.99–45.43) 0.52 NRS Pain 0 (0–5) 1 (0–3) 0.682 ≥4 44 (27.50;21.03–34.78) 30 (23.08;16.48–30.86) 0.39 NRS Sleep disturbance 2 (0–5) 2 (0–5) 0.558 ≥4 52 (32.50;25.61–40.02) 49 (37.40;29.47–45.89) 0.382 Pre-COVID-19 mMRC 1 (0–2) 1 (1–2) 0.478 Post-COVID-19 mMRC 0 (0–1) 0 (0–1) 0.329 Post-COVID-19 mMRC ≥2 66 (40.99;33.61–48.70) 49 (38.58;30.45–47.23) 0.678 PCFS 2 (0–3) 1 (0–2) 0.055 PCFS ≥2 80 (50.00;42.31–57.69) 51 (42.15;33.62–51.05) 0.191 PHQ-9 ≥10 32 (20.38;14.66–27.19) 29 (23.02;16.33–30.92) 0.592 GAD-7 ≥10 34 (21.38;15.56–28.24) 16 (12.80;7.81- 19.49) 0.059 TSQ ≥6 43 (27.56;21.01–34.94) 27 (22.31;15.60–30.33) 0.319 Functional Tests n=160 n=139 4MGS <0.8 (ms-1) 67 (42.41;34.89–50.19) 47 (35.07;27.38–43.40) 0.201 1STS repetitions 18 (12–23) 17 (12–21) 0.460 <2.5 percentile 96 (60.00;52.29–67.36) 108 (77.70;70.25–84.00) 0.011 * Desaturation ≥4% 52 (34.67;27.40–4 .52) 42 (32.31;24.73–40.67) 0.677 Parametric data are presented as mean ± standard deviation, non-parametric data are presented as median (interquartile range) or frequency (proportion;95% confidence interval). Statistical significance indicated by * (p<0.05), ** (p<0.01), *** (p<0.001). BMI = Body mass index, BAME = Black, Asian or minority ethnic, NRS = Numerical rating scale (0–10), mMRC = modified Medical Research Council for dyspnoea (0–4), PCFS = Post-COVID-19 functional status scale (0–4), PHQ-9 = Patient health questionnaire 9 (0–27), GAD-7 = General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (0–21), TSQ = Trauma screening questionnaire (0–10), 4MGS = 4-metre gait speed, 1STS = 1-minute sit-to-stand.ConclusionDespite shorter admission duration, and less frequent IMV, the burden of symptoms and functional limitation experienced post-hospitalisation for severe COVID-19 pneumonia was at least as severe during Wave 2 as in Wave 1. Identification of contributing factors and impact on post-COVID rehabilitation outcomes requires further study.

Metabolome and exposome profiling of the biospecimens from COVID-19 patients in India

Introduction. COVID-19 has become a global impediment by bringing everything to a halt starting from January 2020. India underwent the lockdown starting from 22nd March 2020 with the sudden spike in the number of COVID-19 patients in major cities and states. This study focused on how metabolites play a crucial role in SARSCoV- 2 prognosis. Materials and methods. Metabolome profiling of 106 plasma samples and 24 swab samples from symptomatic patients in the Indian population of the Mumbai region was done. COVID-19 positive samples were further segregated under the non-severe COVID-19 and severe COVID-19 patient cohort for both plasma and swab. Results. After analyzing the raw files, total 7,949 and 12,871 metabolites in plasma and swab were found. 11 and 35 significantly altered metabolites were found in COVID-19 positive compared to COVID-19 negative plasma and swab samples, respectively. Also, 9 and 23 significantly altered metabolites were found in severe COVID-19 positive to non-severe COVID-19 positive plasma and swab samples, respectively. The majorly affected pathways in COVID-19 patients were found to be the amino acid metabolism pathway, sphingosine metabolism pathway, and bile salt metabolism pathway. Conclusion. This study facilitates identification of potential metabolite-based biomarker candidates for rapid diagnosis and prognosis for clinical applications. © 2021, Central Research Institute for Epidemiology. All rights reserved.

TIVA for ECMO and VAD

In recent decades, the use of temporary and permanent use of mechanical assist devices is on the rise for patients with end-stage cardiac failure. These support strategies hold inherently different risks in the face of noncardiac critical illness and require multidisciplinary treatment strategies. The main issues with all mechanical devices whether extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or ventricular assist device (VAD), are related to thrombosis, anticoagulation, infection, avoiding hypertension and thus use of intravenous drugs, which requires intense monitoring, to circumvent further renal, ischemic or neurological injury and prevent complication.

Impact and role of asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic and mild-symptomatic patients on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in COVID-19 pandemic

Since December 2019, an ongoing pandemic COVID-19 is rapidly transmitted to almost all over the globe due to the silent epidemic nature of the causative agent, SARS-Corona Virus-2 through asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic, mild-symptomatic COVID patient. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 takes place via the person who has exposed to the virus but does not exhibit any symptom or suffers from mild symptoms related to illness, but not surrendered. Critical understanding of asymptomatic cases or incidences of symptomless and mild symptomatic people need to be investigated deeply through early diagnosis and precautionary management to prevent the super-spreading nature and rapid infection. In order to contain the infection further in the community, the pathological immune response of the respective affected person and their viral load needs to be investigated, which is briefly reviewed in the following article.

Islamic economics and COVID-19: The economic, social and scientific consequences of a global pandemic

This book is a timely exploration of an unprecedented, cataclysmic pandemic episode. It examines certain critical aspects of socio-scientific theory across a variety of diverse themes, and through an epistemic lens. The book investigates the general theory of pandemic episodes and their adverse long-term effects on human and environmental wellbeing. It includes an in-depth study of COVID-19 but also looks to the future to contemplate potential pandemics to come. The existing approach to the study of pandemics is critically examined in terms of the prevalent isolated and thus mutated way of viewing human and mechanical relations in the name of specialization and modernity. The book presents a novel model of science-economy-society moral inclusiveness that forms a distinctive theoretical approach to the issue of normalizing all forms of pandemic challenges. It is methodologically different from existing economic theory, including the critical study of microeconomic foundations of macroeconomics. Human and environmental existence along with its multidisciplinary outlook of unity of knowledge between modernity, traditionalism, and socio-cultural values is emphasized in the treatment and cure of pandemic episodes. The book is a unique reference work, offering fresh wisdom within the moral methodological worldview. © 2021 Masudul Alam Choudhury.

Parasternal electromyography as a measure of respiratory muscle function in patients Recovering from severe covid-19 pneumonia

Introduction Conventional lung function testing involves forced expiratory manoeuvres which risk aerosolisation of respiratory droplets and nosocomial transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19). Between-patient decontamination procedures render routine testing impractical. Parasternal electromyography (EMGpara) is an effort-independent method of assessing inspiratory muscle activity that tracks clinical trajectory in COPD, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis. We evaluated EMGpara as a method of monitoring respiratory muscle function during recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia in Post-COVID clinic. Methods Prospective single-centre observational cohort study (05/Q0703/82). All patients hospitalised with severe COVID-19 pneumonia (oxygen requirement-40% or critical care admission) were invited to clinic 6-8 weeks post-discharge. EMGpara was recorded in consecutive patients attending 12 clinic sessions using transcutaneous second intercostal space electromyography. Measurements were made over 2 minutes of tidal breathing followed by maximal inspiratory manoeuvres (inspiration to total lung capacity and maximal sniff manoeuvres) and the values for root mean square (RMS) EMGpara per breath, EMGpara%max (RMS EMGpara as a proportion of volitional maximum), Neural Respiratory Drive Index (NRDI) and sex-specific standardised residuals (z-scores) recorded. After each measurement, equipment was decontaminated using alcohol-based wipes and surface electrodes were disposed of. Symptom questionnaires and radiographic assessment of lung oedema (RALE) scores were recorded. Results Between 4th June and 2nd July 2020, EMGpara was measured in 25 patients. All approached patients consented to participate, no adverse events occurred. Mean±SD age 57.1 ±15.6 years, 64% male, BMI 29.4±5.6 kg/m2, 29% current/ex-smokers. mMRC was at pre-COVID baseline in 56%, 32% reported persistent burdensome breathlessness. Respiratory rate 15±3 breaths/minute, oxygen saturation 98±2.0%, heart rate 87±12 bpm. EMGpara measures are presented in table 1. Zscores of all EMGpara indices were raised. NRDI was associated with admission, worst inpatient and follow-up RALE scores (R=0.41 (p=0.04), R=0.40 (p=0.046) and R=0.49 (p=0.01), respectively), not mMRC (R=0.24, p=0.24 Conclusions Inspiratory muscle activation was high, which may reflect underlying interstitial pathology, critical illness myopathy, deconditioning or anxiety relating to clinic attendance. Parasternal electromyography is a well-tolerated technique that avoids aerosolisation of respiratory droplets and utilises equipment that is easily decontaminated between patients. This makes it a practical and informative measure of lung function during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical, radiological, functional and psychological characteristics of severe covid-19 pneumonia survivors: A prospective observational cohort study

Introduction The 'Long COVID' syndrome, where symptoms persist beyond the acute illness with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), is anecdotally described. However, a comprehensive report of clinical, radiological, functional and psychological recovery from COVID-19 is currently lacking. We present a detailed radiological, patient-reported and physiological characterisation of patients attending face-to-face assessment following hospitalisation with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods Prospective single-centre observational cohort study at an inner-city South London teaching hospital. All patients admitted with severe COVID-19 pneumonia (admission duration-48 hours, oxygen requirement-40% or critical care admission) were invited to attend Post-COVID Clinic 6-8 weeks following hospital discharge. Primary outcome: Radiological resolution of COVID-19 pneumonitis. Secondary outcomes: Demographics and anthropometrics, inpatient clinical course, patient-reported and physiological outcomes at follow-up (symptoms, functional disability, mental health screening, 4-metre gait speed (4MGS), 1-minute sit-to-stand (STS) test). Results 119 consecutive patients attended clinic between 3rd June and 2nd July 2020, at median (IQR) 61 (51-67) days post discharge. Baseline characteristics are presented in table 1. Despite apparent radiographic resolution of lung infiltrates in the majority (RALE score <5 in 87% of patients), patients commonly reported persistent fatigue (78/115 (67.8%;95%CI 60.0-76.5)), sleep disturbance (65/115 (56.5;47.3-66.1)) and breathlessness (37/115 (32.2;25.2-40.0)). mMRC breathlessness score was above pre-COVID baseline in 55/115 (46.2;37.8-54.6). Burdensome cough was less common (8/115 (7.0;3.5-10.4)). 56 thoracic computed tomography scans were performed, of which 75% demonstrated COVID-related interstitial lung disease and/or airways disease. Significant depression (PHQ-9-9) or anxiety (GAD-7-9) were present in 20/111 (18.0;11.7-23.4) and 25/113 (22.1;15.0-29.8), respectively. The Trauma Screening Questionnaire was positive (-6) in 28/113 (24.8;18.1-31.9). Post-COVID functional scale was-2 in 47/115 (40.9;33.0-47.8). 4MGS was <0.8 m/s in 44/115 (38.3;29.6-46.1), 39/109 (34.5;26.5-41.6) desaturated by-4% during STS, 25/32 (78.1;62.5-93.1) who desaturated also had abnormal CT findings. Conclusions Persistent symptoms, functional limitation and adverse mental health outcomes are common 8 weeks after severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Follow-up chest radiograph is a poor marker of recovery. Physiological testing to identify oxygen desaturation is useful for triaging patients for further investigation. Face-to-face or virtual clinical assessments are recommended to facilitate early recognition and management of post-COVID sequelae in this vulnerable cohort.