A Multi-function Gas Conditioner Used for Public Anti-epidemic Measures and Health in Rural Region

The outbreak of COVID-2019 has revealed significant challenges in the field of public health security worldwide, especially in rural regions where public infrastructure is poor and public health security is insufficient. In this study, a new type of gas conditioner that combines the functions of sterilization, insect repelling, and carbon-rich fertilization is proposed considering the characteristics of rural an-ti-epidemic measures. The conditioner unit is based on gas-solid adsorption and solid chlorine dioxide technology. The unit adopts the method of combining four-bed electric swing adsorption carbon capture combined with a pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generation cycle method to enrich CO2 and N2 . At the same time, solid chlorine dioxide is applied to the adsorbent to achieve sterilization. Based on test data and simulation models, we analyzed the effects of the temperature difference on the adsorption and desorption temperatures in the car-bon capture cycle, and the outlet flow rate. We also analyzed the effects of the adsorption pressure in the nitrogen generation cycle on the separation performance (recovery rate, purity, and productivity) and energy-efficient performance (specific energy consumption, minimum separation work, second-law efficiency) of the gas conditioner. The results show that the CO2 recovery rate, purity, and produc-tivity all increase with temperature difference;the purity of N2 decreases with an increase in outlet flow rate, and increases with the ad-sorption pressure;the N2 recovery rate and productivity improve with an increase in outlet flow rate and adsorption pressure;the specific energy consumption of the system increases with the increase in the adsorption pressure, and decreases with an increase in the temperature difference and the outlet flow rate;the second law efficiency shows the opposite trend to the specific energy consumption. The simulation results show that when the temperature difference is 105 K, the outlet flow rate is 0. 01 m/ s, and the adsorption pressure is 1 MPa, the purity of CO2 and N2 both reach the maximum, which are 80. 6% VOL and 97. 05% VOL, respectively. The specific energy consumption of the system was 2. 13 MJ/ kg, the efficiency of the second law was 4. 71%, and the energy efficiency performance was better. Even under © 2021 The Author(s).

Moxibustion for COVID-19: a systematic scoping review

Moxibustion has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. However, there is no systematic review of current topics and clinical findings on moxibustion for COVID-19. We conducted this scoping review to systematically summarize and analyze the themes and findings of published articles, and to provide an overview of current knowledge and practice of moxibustion for COVID-19.Methods:: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, SinoMed, Wan Fang Data, and VIP databases were searched from inception until April 2022. The relevant data were presented through bar graphs, structured tables, and figures along with descriptive statistics and analysis. This scoping review was conducted based on the PRISMA-ScR Checklist. Results:: A total of 76 articles were reviewed: 47 reviews, 19 clinical research studies, seven systematic reviews (all were protocols), and three guidelines. All the studies were conducted by Chinese researchers and published from January 1, 2020 to March 14, 2022. The feasibility of moxibustion in the prevention and treatment of mild or moderate COVID-19 is based on the consensus of therapeutic mechanisms and effectiveness. The most adopted approach was the suspended and gentle moxibustion, and the most frequently applied or recommended acupoints were found to be ST36, CV8, CV6, CV4, CV12, GV14, BL13, LI4, ST25, and LR3. Conclusions:: As a convenient and safe traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy with its specific feature, moxibustion has been significantly effective at ameliorating mild or moderate symptoms among COVID-19 patients. Further large-scale, well-designed research and international cooperation are still warranted in clinical evaluations of moxibustion. Graphical :: http://links.lww.com/AHM/A35.

Teaching of Human Parasitology During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, human parasitology education has been exceedingly disrupted. To deliver human parasitology knowledge, medical universities in China have employed multiple measures, some of which have had positive outcomes that have not yet been summarized. The objective of this review is to share the Chinese experience as the human parasitology teaching methods were transformed. In general, we adopted a fully online teaching model under urgent pandemic control measures based on a well-structured teaching model that integrated the course preview, live lecture, review, and assessment. Combinations were attempted of COVID-19 and parasitology teaching contents. Some active learning models, such as case-based e-learning and flipped classrooms, were proposed for offline and online blended teaching during the normalization stage of the pandemic. Meanwhile, we discuss both the strengths and flaws of online and blended teaching. Some useful assessment tools are presented for reference purposes. In conclusion, this transition to online and online-offline blended human parasitology teaching in China has boosted innovative teaching activities and may continue to catalyze the transformation of medical education.

Career resilience and professional attitudes of tourism practitioners in China under the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: This paper investigates the current psychological state of Chinese tourism practitioners and their career resilience during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It empirically examines the effects of COVID-19 on Chinese tourism practitioners' professional attitudes and their career belief in the future. The study is intended to guide enterprises and governments to design effective strategies/policies to deal with the effect of this unfavorable environment. Design/methodology/approach: The sample consists of 442 tourism practitioners in 313 tourism enterprises in China. The data were collected via a targeted online survey based on a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using statistical procedures including multilevel regression analysis. Findings: The study results show that Chinese tourism practitioners have strong career resilience in the face of current turbulent time. After testing, the model shows that career beliefs and social support have a significant positive impact on the professional attitudes of tourism practitioners, and that career resilience has a partial mediating effect on their career beliefs, social support and professional attitude. Originality/value: This study enriches the existing literature on career belief, social support and career resilience. It provides a new interpretation on how career belief and social support impact career resilience and thus shape tourism practitioners' professional attitudes during pandemics. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Potential Antiviral Target for SARS-CoV-2: A Key Early Responsive Kinase during Viral Entry

Currently, there is no effective antiviral medication for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the knowledge on the potential therapeutic target is in great need. Guided by a time-course transmission electron microscope (TEM) imaging, we analyzed early phosphorylation dynamics within the first 15 min during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral entry. Based on alterations in the phosphorylation events, we found that kinase activities such as protein kinase C (PKC), interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4), MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 3 (MARK3), and TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) were affected within 15 min of infection. Application of the corresponding kinase inhibitors of PKC, IRAK4, and p38 showed significant inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication. Additionally, proinflammatory cytokine production was reduced by applying PKC and p38 inhibitors. By an acquisition of a combined image data using positiveand negative-sense RNA probes, as well as pseudovirus entry assay, we demonstrated that PKC contributed to viral entry into the host cell, and therefore, could be a potential COVID-19 therapeutic target. © 2022 Chinese Chemical Society. All right reserved.

The City Agent Model of COVID-19 based on GIS and Application: A Case Study of Guangzhou

Since December 2019, a new type of coronavirus pneumonia has occurred in Wuhan, Hubei. The strong spread ability of the new coronavirus has led to the rapidly emergence of new coronaviruses throughout the country and even all over the world. In order to portray the spread line of the new coronavirus within the city and then provide reasonable suggestions for the prevention and control of the urban epidemic, this article constructs a new coronavirus intelligent simulation model by combining complex network theory and GIS technology based on the behavior and social relationships of individuals in the city. Considering to the facts that it is necessary to strictly prevent the import of overseas cases to prevent the local epidemic from rebounding in cities with complex composition of population. This agent model takes the first entry point for overseas entry, Guangzhou city, as the research object to review the development of the epidemic. The attributes and rules of the model was determined by collecting statistical data from the literatures. Then the parameters were fitted by the Markov chain Monte Carlo method to achieve an accurate review of the epidemic situation in Guangzhou. The model is of high accuracy whose MAPE value have achieved 0.17. Meanwhile, this model also has good applicability which can simulate the impact of imported cases from abroad on the development of urban epidemics. Since the agent model marks the individual's time and space location and social relationship, this paper proposes a method for epidemiological investigation through the agent model, which is more convenient and more efficient than traditional epidemiological investigations.This article also visually displays the results of the infection chain, which is convenient for analyzing the activity trajectory of virus carriers and close contacts. This model provides valuable decision-making information for urban epidemic prevention and control. Moreover, the simulation results show that if there is another epidemic outbreak in the city, the epidemic will be controlled within 14-20 days so the citizens don't need to be panic. However, it is still necessary to improve self-protection awareness and protect individuals finely, especially the children and the elderly. When the epidemic comes again, it is recommended that schools and enterprises should establish a joint health monitoring mechanism to strengthen the health monitoring of children and employees, respectively. Relevant governmental departments have to strengthened the spread of epidemic prevention knowledge and persuaded retired people to reduce gatherings and wear masks reasonably. 2021, Science Press. All right reserved.

Computer Evaluation of the Potential of Protein from Arachis hypogaea as A Nutritional Supplement during COVID-19 Pandemic

The potential of Arachis hypogaea protein as a nutritional supplement during the pandemic of COVID-19 was studied. First of all, the classification of Arachis hypogaea proteins was briefly reviewed, and the representative Arachis hypogaea proteins (Ara h1, Ara h2, Ara h3, Ara h6, conarachin A and conarachin B) were selected. At the same time, six common Arachis hypogaea proteins were hydrolyzed by computer-simulated gastrointestinal protease, and a large number of active peptides were obtained. Then, the active peptides were docked with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro to evaluate their binding ability of the six Arachis hypogaea proteins. Results showed that the degree of hydrolysis of the six Arachis hypogaea proteins ranged from 34.97% to 38.11%, and Ara h2 possessed the best binding effect with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (F>6.67%), followed by Ara h6 (F=4.73%). In addition, oligopeptides PCAQR, CQSQL, PCEQH and IQQGR were proved to possess good binding effect with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro (docking fraction≤-140). In summary, supplementation of Arachis hypogaea protein during COVID-19 pandemic may be helpful for potential SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the identified oligopeptides have the potential to become inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. © 2021, Editorial Board of Modern Food Science and Technology. All right reserved.

Communicable disease transmission model for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Wuhan City, China

Epidemic prevention and control strongly affect people's lives in cities, but existing communicable disease models cannot accurately simulate the effects of prevention and control procedures. A city simulation model for the 2019 coronavirus epidemic was developed based on an Agent model for Wuhan, China to model the epidemic transmission process. The model includes the government control measures and the hospital diagnosis and treatment levels during the epidemic with analyses of the infection rates and spatial distributions for various epidemic control measures. The model was also used to model the active anti-epidemic impact of nucleic acid testing after people returned to work. The results show that this modeling method accurately reproduces the spatio-temporal transmission characteristics of the Wuhan epidemic. Thus, this method can be used to evaluate government control measures and to implement diagnosis and treatment plans for decision-making for infectious disease prevention and control. © 2021, Tsinghua University Press. All right reserved.

Requirements for the containment of COVID-19 disease outbreaks through periodic testing, isolation, and quarantine

We employ individual-based Monte Carlo computer simulations of a stochastic SEIR model variant on a two-dimensional Newman-Watts small-world network to investigate the control of epidemic outbreaks through periodic testing and isolation of infectious individuals, and subsequent quarantine of their immediate contacts. Using disease parameters informed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we investigate the effects of various crucial mitigation features on the epidemic spreading: fraction of the infectious population that is identifiable through the tests;testing frequency;time delay between testing and isolation of positively tested individuals;and the further time delay until quarantining their contacts as well as the quarantine duration. We thus determine the required ranges for these intervention parameters to yield effective control of the disease through both considerable delaying the epidemic peak and massively reducing the total number of sustained infections.

A Characteristic Analysis and Countermeasure Study of the Hedging of Listed Companies in China Stock Markets

Due to COVID-19, the risk of price volatility in commodity and equity markets increases. The research and application of hedging is the most effective way to reduce the market risk. Hedging is a risk management strategy employed to offset losses in investments by taking an opposite position in a related asset. We use K-means and hierarchical clustering methods to cluster companies and futures products respectively, and analyze the relationship between the number of hedging firms, regional distribution, nature of firms, capital distribution, company size, profitability, number of local Futures Commission Merchants (FCMs), regional location, and listing time. The study shows that listed companies with large scale and good profitability invest more money in hedging, while state-owned enterprises' participation in hedging is more likely to be affected by the company size and the number of local futures commission merchants, and private enterprises are more likely to be affected by the company profitability and the regional location. Listed companies are more willing to choose long-listed and mature futures products for hedging. We also provide policy advice based on our conclusion. So far, there is no study on the characteristics of hedging. This paper fills the gap. The results provide a basis and guidance for people's investment and risk management. Using clustering analysis in hedging study is another innovation of this paper.

The applicability of blockchain technology in healthcare contexts to contain COVID-19 challenges

Purpose Blockchain technology, a key feature of the fourth industrial revolution, is receiving widespread attention and exploration around the world. Taking the coronavirus pandemic as an example, the purpose of this study to examine the application of blockchain technology from the perspective of epidemic prevention and control. Design/methodology/approach Exploring multiple case studies in the Chinese context at various stages of deployment, this study documents a framework about how some of the major challenges associated with COVID-19 can be alleviated by leveraging blockchain technology. Findings The case studies and framework presented herein show that utilization of blockchain acts as an enabler to facilitate the containment of several COVID-19 challenges. These challenges include the following: complications associated with medical data sharing;breaches of patients' data privacy;absence of real-time monitoring tools;counterfeit medical products and non-credible suppliers;fallacious insurance claims;overly long insurance claim processes;misappropriations of funds;and misinformation, rumors and fake news. Originality/value Blockchain is ushering in a new era of innovation that will lay the foundation for a new paradigm in health care. As there are currently insufficient studies pertaining to real-life case studies of blockchain and COVID-19 interaction, this study adds to the literature on the role of blockchain technology in epidemic control and prevention.

Analysis of the disposal of medical waste management at home and abroad and suggestions on countermeasures

The widespread outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 has aroused great concern of the government and the public on the environmental management and safe disposal of medical wastes. Developed countries have established a relatively comprehensive medical waste management system, while the China's medical waste management system and treatment methods still need to be improved. The current status of the production, management and disposal of medical wastes were analyzed systematically in this paper to summarize and analyze the problems of medical waste management and disposal in China. Learned from the foreign practices, effective methods such as strengthening the classified medical waste collection management system, the establishment of the producers responsible recycling system, the full implemention of the centralized processing system, the strengthening of the whole process of tracking management of each link, the deepening of the disposal technology research, and the building of the emergency disposal of medical wastes management system were put forward to provide references for further standardizing the development in this field. © 2020, China Environmental Science Press. All rights reserved.

[Prediction of severe outcomes of patients with COVID-19].

Objective: To establish a new model for the prediction of severe outcomes of COVID-19 patients and provide more comprehensive, accurate and timely indicators for the early identification of severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: Based on the patients' admission detection indicators, mild or severe status of COVID-19, and dynamic changes in admission indicators (the differences between indicators of two measurements) and other input variables, XGBoost method was applied to establish a prediction model to evaluate the risk of severe outcomes of the COVID-19 patients after admission. Follow up was done for the selected patients from admission to discharge, and their outcomes were observed to evaluate the predicted results of this model. Results: In the training set of 100 COVID-19 patients, six predictors with higher scores were screened and a prediction model was established. The high-risk range of the predictor variables was calculated as: blood oxygen saturation <94%, peripheral white blood cells count >8.0×10(9), change in systolic blood pressure <-2.5 mmHg, heart rate >90 beats/min, multiple small patchy shadows, age >30 years, and change in heart rate <12.5 beats/min. The prediction sensitivity of the model based on the training set was 61.7%, and the missed diagnosis rate was 38.3%. The prediction sensitivity of the model based on the test set was 75.0%, and the missed diagnosis rate was 25.0%. Conclusions: Compared with the traditional prediction (i.e. using indicators from the first test at admission and the critical admission conditions to assess whether patients are in mild or severe status), the new model's prediction additionally takes into account of the baseline physiological indicators and dynamic changes of COVID-19 patients, so it can predict the risk of severe outcomes in COVID-19 patients more comprehensively and accurately to reduce the missed diagnosis of severe COVID-19.

Strategies to HALT 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread for organ transplantation programs at the Sichuan academy of medical science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, China

Originated from Wuhan and expanded throughout China and the world, the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), has caused worldwide attention. As of March 21, the overall confirmed cases reached to 0.2 million in 172 countries. In all Chinese Medical Centers, elective surgery and the living donor transplantation has been suspended due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus. In contrast, the cadaveric donor transplantations were mostly performed. Therefore, strategies to interrupt transmission within transplantation wards were essential. To date, we have performed at our center ten cases of kidney, four liver and two lung transplants (from deceased organ donors) during the coronavirus outbreak in China (from January 24th to March 11th, 2020). Based on our experience in combating the coronavirus while performing these organ transplants, we comprehensively address here the strategies for the prevention of the virus spread within the transplantation wards. Donor management The potential organ donors were cleared for epidemiology history and should not have traveled from or have contact with people from epidemic areas. Virus nucleic acid from pharyngeal swab specimens was determined, and chest CT was performed. Only when they were confirmed negative for coronavirus, related laboratory tests as HLA typing of donor, antibody detection of the receptor and complement dependent cytotoxicity test could be performed. Recipient management The potential recipients were screened for coronavirus (nucleic acid determination and chest CT scanning) on admission day. Further, additional information was collected from the recipient such as travel history, close contacts, daily body temperature and respiratory symptoms. During the hospitalization period, recipients received COVID-19 related education. Meanwhile, they were given new surgical masks every six hours. We also collaborated with psychologists to provide consultations. Post-transplant immunosuppression was maintained at usual doses. If the recipient had fever, cough, diarrhea or pulmonary infection manifestations, the patient was considered as suspected for contamination and was quarantined within an isolation ward. Accompanying family members of recipients also received COVID-19 related screening as mentioned above. In addition, regular visits were not allowed. Prevention of hospitalacquired infections We implemented strict protocols in preventions of HAIs, including training of HCPs and providing personal protective equipment. Outcome of the organ transplant recipients From January 24th to March 11th, we successfully performed 16 organ transplant operations (10 kidney, 4 liver and 2 lung transplants).

Diagnostic value of combined nucleic acid and antibody detection in suspected COVID-19 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Nucleic acid testing is the gold standard method for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, large numbers of false-negative results have been reported. In this study, nucleic acid detection and antibody detection (IgG and IgM) were combined to improve the testing accuracy of patients with suspected COVID-19. STUDY DESIGN: The positive rate of nucleic acid detection and antibody detection (IgG and IgM) were compared in suspected COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A total of 71 patients with suspected COVID-19 were selected to participate in this study, which included a retrospective analysis of clinical features, imaging examination, laboratory biochemical examination and nucleic acid detection and specific antibody (IgM and IgG) detection. RESULTS: The majority of participants with suspected COVID-19 presented with fever (67.61%) and cough (54.93%), and the imaging results showed multiple small patches and ground-glass opacity in both lungs, with less common infiltration and consolidation opacity (23.94%). Routine blood tests were mostly normal (69.01%), although only a few patients had lymphopenia (4.23%) or leucopenia (12.68%). There was no statistical difference in the double-positive rate between nucleic acid detection (46.48%) and specific antibody (IgG and IgM) detection (42.25%) (P = 0.612), both of which were also poorly consistent with each other (kappa = 0.231). The positive rate of combined nucleic acid detection and antibody detection (63.38%) was significantly increased, compared with that of nucleic acid detection (46.48%) and that of specific antibody (IgG and IgM) detection (42.25%), and the differences were statistically significant (P = 0.043 and P = 0.012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Nucleic acid detection and specific antibody (IgG and IgM) detection had similar positive rates, and their combination could improve the positive rate of COVID-19 detection, which is of great significance for diagnosis and epidemic control.