Cloth face mask fit and function for children part two: Material Selection

The second component of this three-paper series studying cloth face masks for children ages 4 to 6 years old concentrates on optimizing aerosol capture and air permeability through fabric selection. Material choices were evaluated in two modes: Flat Filter (FF) and Head Form (HF). FF isolates material factors while HF simulates the performance of the constructed masks on a 3D printed child head form. In FF mode, higher filtration efficiency correlated to lower air permeability in both reusable commercial and experimental face masks regardless of fiber contents, fabric structures, and number of layers. Our prototype face mask developed in design exploration successfully captured 37 +/- 12% of 0.3 mu m, 87 +/- 3% of 0.5 mu m, and 87 +/- 2% of 1.0 mu m particles while maintaining good air permeability, moisture capture, and aerosolized salt capture in HF mode. Sealing masks to minimize outward leakage reduced particle capture up to 64%. Particle leakage data captured at the eye level of the head form illuminated the synergy between mask design, material choice, and fit.

Cloth Face Coverings: Effect of Decontamination Method on Fabric Performance

Various textiles have previously been evaluated for use in cloth face masks as a reusable option to help control the spread of respiratory viruses, but only their initial performance was tested. In this study, a broad range of fabrics (3 knit, 7 woven, and 3 nonwoven) were characterized for filtration efficiency (FE) and air permeability (AP) before and after 40 decontamination cycles by home laundry, microwave-generated steam, or dishwasher sterilization. AP was quantified following ASTM D737, and FE was assessed using NaCl aerosol in a simulated breathing system. While most fabrics maintained or improved their FE after 40 decontamination cycles, the AP of many fabrics decreased due to detergent buildup, fiber breakage, and fabric shrinkage. Tightly woven cotton fabrics had unacceptably low AP and FE performance. Knit and nonwoven structures had the best balance of properties, and although they are not recommended for use in single-layer masks, they have potential use in multilayer masks.

Health information technology to improve referral to genetic testing for high-risk patients in a gynecologic oncology clinic (102)

Objectives: Our previously presented pilot study evaluated a web-based tool to collect family cancer history (FCH). It demonstrated that this tool resulted in significantly higher quality FCH compared to standard of care face-to-face physician interviews. However, the true value of FCH requires translation into the utilization of genetic services. Here, we aimed to evaluate referral rates and completion of genetic services for patients completing the web-based tool versus standard of care. Methods: Patients scheduled for a gynecologic oncology new patient visit between September 2019 and September 2021 were eligible for enrollment in this institutional review board-approved prospective trial. The trial had three arms: 1) Standard of care (FCH collection by physicians) 2) Web-based tool administered by email prior to the visit, 3) Web-based tool administered in the office prior to the visit (this arm closed early due to COVID-19 restrictions). Individuals were identified as high-risk for familial cancer if they met National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines in the standard of care arm, or if the validated cancer risk models embedded in the web-based tool returned a lifetime cancer risk >20% or mutation risk?>2.5% in the web-based tool arms. Validated risk assessment models included breast and ovarian BRCAPRO, Claus, Tyrer-Cuzick, Gail, colorectal and endometrial MMRPRO, MELAPRO, PANCPRO, and PREMM. The primary endpoint was the percentage of high-risk patients referred for genetic counseling/testing. Secondary endpoints included the completion of genetic counseling and genetic testing. Results: Two hundred and fifty patients were enrolled (Arm 1: 110;Arm 2: 105;Arm 3: 35). Among patients randomized to the web-based tool, 88 (63%) completed the tool. In the control arm, 31 patients (28%) met the criteria for referral to genetics, among which 18 (58%) had previously completed genetic testing. In the web-based tool arm, 26 patients (30%) met the criteria, among which 12 (46%) had previously completed genetic testing, and one was deceased soon after her visit. In the control arm, 54% of high-risk patients were referred to genetic counseling, 23% completed genetic counseling, and 23% completed genetic testing. In the web-based tool arm, 100% of high-risk patients were referred to genetic counseling, 54% completed genetic counseling, and 38% completed genetic testing (Table 1). Conclusions: When successfully completed, the use of a web-based tool for FCH collection facilitated the process of referral to genetics, resulting in significantly higher referral rates to genetic counseling than the standard of care physician interviews (100% vs 54%, p = 0.01). However, 37% of patients could not complete the web-based tool. Our findings demonstrate the potential power of health information technology to identify millions of individuals unknowingly carrying familial cancer syndromes and highlight those tools must be designed in a way to maximize patient participation.[Formula presented]

The “First Ones to Close and Last Ones to Re-Open”: Music Venues, COVID-19 and the Handling of the Crisis

During the initial phase of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, music venues and clubs were the first to close—and often the last to re-open. Based on knowledge about music venues and club culture from the pre-COVID-19 era and data collected among club owners, clubbers, venue associations and cultural policy in Germany, this article encompasses a variety of perspectives regarding the situation of live music venues and clubs during the pandemic. Firstly, it analyses, from a German perspective, the club-related developments of the COVID-19 crisis from the first lockdown in March 2020 to the spring of 2021. Secondly, it considers the effect of “loss” among audiences and, thirdly, the discourse about cultural policy and emergency funds for music clubs and live music culture in Germany. © Equinox Publishing Ltd 2022, Office 415, The Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Students Interested in Obstetrics and Gynecology

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused mental health distress among health care professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the psychological impact of COVID-19 on medical students interested in obstetrics and gynecology at medical schools in two early epicenters of COVID-19. METHODS: This study was approved by the Weill Cornell Medicine Institutional Review Board. An online questionnaire was distributed to allopathic medical students in Washington and New York. The survey assessed mental health from March to April 2020 via the Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, and questions on self-rated mental health. RESULTS: Out of 1,139 students who completed the survey, 63 reported a plan to pursue residency training in obstetrics and gynecology. Forty-six (74%) reported an overall deterioration in mental health, 34 (59%) reported depressive symptoms, and 38 (65%) reported anxiety symptoms. Seventeen (28%) students met criteria for major depressive disorder and 16 (27%) for anxiety disorder. Twenty-three (37%) reported at least one close contact with symptoms or diagnosis of COVID-19 and 7 (11%) reported at least one close contact with COVID-19-related death. Commonly cited self-care tactics included staying in touch with friends/family (92%), entertainment (81%), and fitness (65%). When compared to the overall population of students, there were no significant differences in responses for students interested in obstetrics and gynecology. CONCLUSION: Students in this study experienced high levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Medical trainees are already at an increased risk for depression and anxiety relative to the general population, making it critical for medical schools to understand students' perspectives and prioritize mental health.

UNESCO Global Geoparks in the "World after": a multiple-goals roadmap proposal for future discussion

The new challenges posed to UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps), resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, require a guiding reflection and the presentation of a proposal for a roadmap, to be discussed and implemented in the short -medium term. The proposal presented in this work is the result of careful reflection and discussion among the authors, with the purpose of providing the UGGps with tools and lines of action that will allow them to face the new reality of the "World after". These proposals are aligned with the new global dynamics, mainly with those that are seen as strategic for these territories. It is also based on the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda, with particular emphasis on Climate Action. The new reality must therefore also include a para-digm shift and a strengthening of networking activities, which should include a new dynamic of participation and sharing, appropriate to the more frequent use of tools for effective long-distance teamwork.

Cloth face mask fit and function for children part one: design exploration

Commercially available children's cloth masks range widely in material type and fabric structures, methods of construction, layering, and shape, and there is a lack of sizing systems, anthropometric data or guidelines specifically targeting the fit assessment and design of cloth face masks for children 4-6 years old. To better identify and understand the cloth face mask fit and functional needs of children ages 4-6 years old, the researchers embarked on interdisciplinary in-depth study to investigate commercial market offerings of children's face masks, identify consumer perspectives, and explore mask design improvements through design research. By triangulating results from survey feedback, commercial market content analysis, and wear trial observations, the researchers were able to identify important design criteria that can be used in the improvement of children's cloth face mask design: size, comfort, dexterity, movement, and thermal comfort. These criteria were used to iteratively develop new mask prototypes involving a 3D printed head form, traditional sewing and hand patternmaking skills, and the creation of multiple mask versions to explore the design criteria listed above. The designs were interpreted through Bye's (2010) Problem-Based Design Research (PBDR) framework, which identifies common design research practices in the field on a spectrum and situates PBDR as a process centered on a problem as impetus for design through which artifacts are developed.

Inflammatory markers in gynecologic oncology patients hospitalized with covid-19

Introduction Elevated inflammatory markers in COVID-19 infection are predictive of disease severity and mortality. It is unclear if these markers are associated with severe disease in patients with cancer due to underlying tumor related inflammation. We sought to further understand the inflammatory response related to COVID-19 in gynecologic cancer patients. Methods Patients with history of gynecologic cancer hospitalized for COVID-19 infection with available laboratory data were identified. Laboratory values at the time of hospital admission and clinical outcomes were abstracted from electronic medical records. Severe infection was defined as infection requiring ICU admission or resulting in death. Results 86 patients with gynecologic cancer were hospitalized with COVID-19 infection with median age of 68.5 years (interquartile range (IQR), 59.0 to 74.8 years). Of the 86 patients, 29 (33.7%) patients required ICU admission and 25 (29.1%) patients died of COVID-19 complications. There were 36 (41.9%) patients in remission and 50 (58.1%) had active disease. Patients with severe infection had significantly higher ferritin (median 1163.0, IQR 640.0-1967.0) and Creactive protein (CRP) (median 142.0, IQR 62.5-217.1) levels than those with non-severe disease (median 624.0, IQR 269.7-954.0, P=0.01;median 62.3, IQR 13.0-159.1, P=0.02 respectively) (table 1). White blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and lactate were also associated with severe disease. Procalcitonin and D-Dimer levels were not significantly associated with severe disease (P=0.2;P=0.7 respectively). Conclusion/Implications Inflammatory markers (ferritin and CRP) in gynecologic cancer patients are associated with COVID-19 severity and can be used as prognostic markers at the time of admission.