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There is a dearth of published research that explores UBIs from a comparative dimension across geographical and institutionalised contexts that assesses the current state and scope of UBI activities. This paper explores the current state of University-based Business Incubators (UBIs) both in the United Arab Emirates and Canada underpinned by a comparative case analysis approach. This study utilises both secondary and primary research data that was obtained through desk-based secondary research and qualitative methods of inquiry (semi-structured interviews) with UBI managers, academics, and support staff that were used to develop each case. This informed the development of 18 cases of UBIs in the United Arab Emirates and Canada (9 each, respectively). The data was collected through VoIP (Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol) and telephone during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2021 to February 2022. The findings of the study illustrate that the Canadian context offers similar provisions of services for business incubators (BIs) but in comparison, the UAE-based university UBIs are much younger and are transitioning towards the development of various business and enterprise initiatives in Higher Education and are also focused on driving student recruitment using this provision. The value of this study is inherent in its comparative approach between two under-studied and represented empirical geographies (i.e., Canada and the UAE), the findings also indicate the divergence and specialisms adopted by institutions in the UAE based on the various provisions for the governmental vision 2030, and the empirical development of showcasing these initiatives to be novel for the efficacy of UBIs. © 2022, Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited. All right reserved.
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A growing body of research shows that improving diagnostic and treatment efficiency can save lives. Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is a new research topic. Human engineering and domain expertise were initially necessary to transform raw data into algorithms. One type of machine learning called deep learning creates representations from raw data, with an algorithm determining how much change should be done. That deep learning can learn from huge amounts of data is its utility. It can categorize, analyze, and forecast data to identify patterns. Weak clinical integration makes measuring current effect difficult, but simulation data reveals AI's potential to enhance screening accuracy and efficiency, minimize effort, and potentially diagnose sickness better than experts. In medical imaging, deep learning algorithms categorize, segment, and identify objects in pictures and movies. Studies on AI-based breast cancer, cardiac imaging, and melanoma screening showed promising results. Evolved deep learning algorithms such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) effectively assess spatially invariant input. In trials assessing their diagnostic utility in object classification, CNNs were close to or at the physician level in identifying skin cancer, cardiovascular risk, and breast cancer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AI was used for everything from vaccine/drug discovery to diagnosis, according to Abd-Alrazaq. Now, most AI systems actively combine physicians and algorithms, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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The current exploratory study investigated leadership styles adopted by Scottish micro-businesses during COVID-19. A qualitative research approach was employed on 20 owners/managers in Scotland, using semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed thematic variations across a range of leadership styles as the autocratic style was identified by businesses as the most common approach during the pandemic due to the influence of the external environment on rapid decision-making. In essence, the findings highlight the importance of recognizing the role of leadership approaches under uncertain and volatile market conditions. Based on the qualitative findings of the study, a novel framework presented as the "COVID-19 Leadership Framework” was proposed that addresses the contextualization of the findings to a specific and contemporary context. The results of the study presented theoretical and practical implications for micro-business, policymakers, and Small to Medium Enterprise support services. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
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Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The disease has hit hard around the globe and is now a pandemic. As of April 01, 2020, a total of 875,560 cases have been reported and the figures are increasing day by day. Currently, there is no treatment or vaccine available for curing COVID-19 and pharmaceutical companies are racing toward the common goal of achieving the cure. Method(s): Scientific databases, including Science direct, Pub med, Elsevier, Scopus, and Nature, were explored. Data has also been accessed from case reports, newspaper reports, internet data, World Health Organisation (WHO) reports, and Centre of Disease Control (CDCs) reports. The US National Library of Medicine, Clinicaltrials.gov, were accessed to get information about the ongoing clinical trials. The literature survey started in the first week of February 2020 and was completed in the first week of April 2020. Additional literature survey was done in the second week of June 2020. Result(s): The epicentre of COVID-19 is Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Coronavirus belongs to Order Nidovirale and is subdivided into four groups alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Coronavirus 229E, NL63, HKU1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV are known to infect humans. It is an enveloped, non-segmented positive-sense RNA virus of size 30-32 kb with several structural and accessory proteins. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 involves attachment of Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 to the angio-tensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2) receptor present on the host cell membrane. Clinical manifestation of COVID-19 include fever, cough, complicated dyspnoea, pneumonia, etc. Real-time-PCR is a sensi-tive test for the detection of SARS-CoV. Remdesivir, Bevacizumab, Darunavir and cobicistat, lopinavir-ritonavir, Oseltamavir, hydroxychloroquine, Sarilumab, mRNA-1273, Ad5-nCoV are some of the drugs under the clinical phase of the trial. People with A-positive blood group, with comorbidities like diabe-tes, hypertension, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, substance abuse disorders, immunocom-promised individuals, health care workers, and older adults are at high risk of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 Conclusion(s): This article gives insight into the occurrence of COVID-19, classification and structure of SARS-CoV-2, pathogenesis, pathological findings, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, potential treatment options and prevention, and people at risk of COVID-19.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
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The SARS-CoV-2 unique human coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was initially discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and the disease soon spread to every continent, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared it to be a global pandemic(Kamacooko et al., 2021). Around the world, the COVID-19 epidemic has had a disastrous effect on the economy, social environment, and healthcare system. High levels of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, sadness, and other distressing symptoms have been brought on by COVID-19. Additionally, the quantity and quality of social ties have decreased, as have people's impressions of others' feelings of empathy. The demand for health services has significantly increased in the healthcare sector as a result of Covid 19. Anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance are just a few of the psychiatric problems that Covid-19 harms(Ramdan & Sari, 2022).Copyright © 2022, Anka Publishers. All rights reserved.
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Although there has been extensive research on business incubators (BIs) in the private sector, relatively little is known about university-based business incubators (UBIs) in the context of emerging markets such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study explores the current state of UBIs in the UAE by analysing secondary and primary data obtained through desk-based research and qualitative semi-structured interviews with UBI managers, academics and support staff. Informed by this study comprising nine cases of UBIs in the UAE, the data were collected through Voice over Internet Protocol and telephone during March 2021–February 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the analysis of data using Template Analysis, the findings illustrate that UAE universities’ BIs are relatively young and characterized by eight key themes, which were identified as (a) attracting new students, (b) improving communication skills, (c) curriculum development, (d) extra-curricular development, (e) industry engagement, (f) innovation/spinoffs, (g) research skills and (h) strategic thinking. As per the UAE Vision 2031, UBIs will play a crucial role in innovation and entrepreneurship, and therefore there are implications for academics, entrepreneurs and policymakers. © 2022 Fortune Institute of International Business.
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INTRODUCTION: Initial COVID-19 vaccine trials excluded pregnant individuals, making eventual vaccine recommendations nongeneralizable. After noninferiority was established, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supported vaccination of this group. However, only 31% of pregnant patients accepted vaccination. This study aims to assess COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in reproductive-aged females. METHODS: We developed a REDCap survey using a validated COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy survey tool. From August to November 2021, women aged 18-50 years were recruited from inpatient and outpatient obstetrics and gynecology services at the University of Illinois Hospital. We performed t tests and ANOVA statistics using SPSS. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients partially or fully completed the survey. The results revealed that Black individuals are more hesitant than Hispanic and White individuals (F2,44=3.45, P<.50). Specifically, Black women differed in the belief that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe overall (F2,44=5.62, P<0.01) and in pregnancy (F2,46=4.95, P<0.01). Pregnant patients were less confident that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe overall (F2,45=7.44, P<0.01) as well as in pregnancy (F2,47=6.26, P<0.01) compared to those recently pregnant or not pregnant. Individuals who declined the flu vaccine were more likely to be vaccine hesitant (t46=-4.49, P<.001). Participants' age, occupation, and contraception status were not associated with vaccine hesitancy. CONCLUSION: Existing vaccine hesitancy highlights the need to study misconceptions regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to have significant effects on the mental health of people all across the globe, generally, and healthcare workers, particularly. This report is a cross-sectional study comprising statistical data and mental health measurements from HCW including doctors, nurses, and paramedics from DHQ Hospital Jhelum, Punjab Pakistan during the period April 24, 2020, to May 09, 2020. Healthcare professionals in hospitals equipped with flu filter clinics and COVID-19 isolation wards were eligible. After obtaining informed consent and assuring confidentiality, statistical data, and mental health measurements from 73. The instrument used for this study was focused on depression, anxiety, distress, and insomnia using the Chinese genre of authorized measurement tools. Removed reference statistical evaluation was performed by using SPSS version 2.6. The data was analyzed to assess the severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety, distress, and insomnia;and then conferred as numbers and percentages. A significant proportion of doctors, nurses, and paramedics reported symptoms of anxiety (38.3%), depression (58.9%), insomnia (45.2%), and distress (61.64%). Overall data collected showed that the ratio of symptoms was comparatively high among nurses than doctors.
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Aim: To assess the main radiological feature of chest radiography for diagnosis and evaluation of COVID-19 patients. Methodology: A literature search was performed with the use of search engines. The following search engines provided us articles for this systematic review from until 27 February 2021: PubMed, NCBI, Medline, Medscape, and Google Scholar. We included only those articles in which CXR was performed on infected patients for the detection and evaluation of COVID-19. Results: out of eighty (80) articles, only twelve (12) were included in this review to assess the main radiological feature of chest radiography of COVID-19 patients. Patients who went for chest x-ray have shown following radiographic features with pooled percentages as mentioned GGO 32.38%, consolidation 35.15%, vascular congestion sign 7.92%, nodules 33.57% whereas pleural effusion accounts 19.36%, pneumothorax 18.55%, and lymphadenopathy was noted on 1.96%. Pooled Percentages of radiographic features of COVID-19 patients in right lung, left lung or both affected lungs were 21.32%, 5.77% and 47.78% respectively. This calculation is showing B/L lung involvement is more dominant as compare to right and left lung independently. Conclusion: Chest radiograph can be helpful modality in the diagnosis, evaluation and follow-up of SARS- CoV 2 pneumonia patients. Consolidation, GGO with peripheral distribution of lesion and bilateral pneumonia are most common findings of COVID-19 on chest X-ray. Chest x-ray are the baseline/first line approach for COVID-19 as it is easily available. Moreover, in late stages multiple radiological findings are quite helpful.
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BACKGROUND: The pandemic of COVID 19 has affected a number of people around the globe. The data from paediatric population is scarce. The present study is aimed to present the paediatric perspective of the disease in terms of different clinical presentations, laboratory parameters, complications, and outcomes so as to develop an insight into disease manifestations in children. METHODS: This descriptive case series was conducted in the department of Paediatrics after approval of institutional review board. All children admitted in paediatric unit with confirmed SARS-COV-2 infection either by PCR or antibody test were included in the study. Patients' characteristics were documented on a predesigned proforma and analysed using SPSS 26.0. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients comprising 13 (76.5%) male and 4(23.5%) female were included in the study. The major clinical features were fever, cough and shortness of breath documented in 15 (88.2 %) patients. Major complications were shock in 13 (76.5%), respiratory complications in 16 (94.11%), CNS complications in 4 (23.5%), cardiac complications in 5 (29.4%), hepatic involvement in 3 (17.6%) Acute Kidney Injury in 4 (23.5%) patients and 9 (52.9 %) patients were labelled as having Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). A total of 7 (41.2%) patients had coexistent comorbid diseases. A total of 13 (76.47%) patients were discharged, 2 (11.8%) patients expired and 2 (11.8%) left against medical advice. CONCLUSION: The clinical presentation of paediatric patients with SARS-COV-2 infection is highly variable. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-COV-2 must be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with multiorgan dysfunction.
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The immunocompromised disease is a health condition characterized by weakened immunity due to comorbidities (like cancer and HIV), medical procedures (including surgeries, bone marrow, organ, and stem cell transplantation), and treatments resulting in susceptibility, the severity of disease or recurrent infections. An immunocompromised individual is at increased risk of getting infected and progressing of disease present. In the presence of a global pandemic amidst several communicable infections, there is an increase in so many burdens related to health and wellness;a lot of individuals have become more concerned about their health, nutrient intake, and wellbeing. A healthy functioning immune system is very essential for body function and the need for immune-modulatory micronutrients, for instance, zinc, vitamin A Vitamin D emerges either through supplementation or from a natural source (which is optimum) for a healthy population. The immune systems are comprised of important cells (innate and adaptive immune response) responsible for performing defence and regulatory functions in the body. This review focuses on the implication of micronutrients in the regulation and maintenance of the immune system for the proper functioning and prevention against disease development, progression, or severity of these diseases.
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Introduction: The pandemic caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused huge economic and health crisis. It is reported to have pulmonary sequelae which can overburden the healthcare systems. Survivors needing medical attention in the form of pulmonary rehabilitation should be prioritised. Aim: To study the impact of COVID-19 infection in terms of the pulmonary and extrapulmonary sequelae. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary hospital in India. Recovered COVID-19 patients who were admitted from April to July 2020 were enrolled. Participants with radiological evidence of pneumonia during hospitalisation were assessed two months post-discharge. They were evaluated for persistent symptomatology, chest radiography, Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). The relationship between the outcome parameters with the baseline epidemiology, laboratory and radiology were evaluated by using student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Thirty participants were recruited. Their mean age was 47.93 years. Males were more than females. Persistent symptoms were reported by 17 (56.66%) and four (13.33%) developed pulmonary fibrosis on Chest X-Ray (CXR). Prolonged hospitalisation (mean >20 days) strongly correlated to the fibrosis (p=0.022). A fall in the finger oxygen saturation after the 6MWT was significant (p≤0.001). Higher serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase and D-dimer were associated with a more severe disease (p=0.02 and p≤0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Convalescent phase of COVID-19 is characterised by persistent symptomatology in half of the recovered patients. Simple and inexpensive CXRs and the 6MWT can be used as the primary investigation to identify post COVID-19 patients requiring pulmonary rehabilitation in resource limited settings.
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Aim: To explain our experience of service delivery at Orthopedic surgery during pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS VoV-19). Methods: We studied a retrospective cohort-based on a manual medical record of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Unit-I, King Edward Medical University, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from March to July 2020. The medical record of admission operated cases in accident & emergency, indoor, and all patients attended in the out-patient department were stated. We continued the delivery of our service in an emergency, indoor, elective operation theater, and an out-patient department (OPD). The experience of running the services in the emergency, indoor, and OPD was gathered to present for best practices in future perspective. Results: Out of the total of 4660 patients treated, there were 2831(60.75%) males, and 1885(40.4%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 32.8±10.14-year. Amongst the total 4660, 1906(40.9%) patients were operated, and 2754(59.1%) were attended in the OPD. Out of these operated patients, 1839 (96.5%) were trauma patients, 58(3.04%) follow up surgery, 05(0.26%) tumor surgeries, 3(0.16%) arthroplasties, and 01 arthroscopies. Amongst the total of 1839 operated patients in an emergency, 1177(64%) were minor procedures, and 662(36%) were major procedures. Total Admissions in the COVID-19 pandemic were 769 (16.5%), out of which 715(92.98%) were admitted through accident and emergency. Conclusion: There was limitation to elective surgery, with risk to manage the emergency in orthopedic trauma patient. Emergency and tumor surgeries poses real challenge for safety during COVID-19 pandemic.
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Background: COVID-19 is a global pandemic with 12% mortality rate. This pandemic has shattered health care sector of many developed countries across the globe. According to World Health Organization (WHO) India and Pakistan will be badly hit by the pandemic till end of June 2020. Both countries are densely populated and the fragile health sector of these countries is incapable to facilitate of large number of critically ill patients. Data analysis from different studies revealed that Cytokine Storming (CS) is main cause of COVID-19 related respiratory, renal, cardiac and neural complications in critically ill patients. Objectives: The aim of this review is to highlight the significance of CS in management of COVID-19 infection, Methods: Literature from previous studies was collected to suggest the possible diagnostic testing as well as strategies to manage these patients. Mesh terms such as Corona, COVID-19, Cytokine storming, Wuhan, Pandemic were applied on PUBMED as well as google to search for the latest published articles. Reports and newpapers were also considered as this is an ongoing pandemic and there is scarcity of knowledge and information in this regard. Results: IL6 and TNF alpha blockers are helpful in regulating the uncontrolled immune response due to CS. Levels of different substances like ferritin, Cytokine Reactive Proteins and D-dimer can be helpful in early detection of these complications. Conclusions: The early dctcction of CS can be used for selection of appropriate treatment, reduction in burden on Intensive Care Units (ICU) and ultimately saving many lives.