Fractured academic space: digital literacy and the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: The study focussed on information literacy practices, specifically on how higher education staff managed the transition from established and routinised in-person teaching, learning and working practices to institutionally mandated remote or hybrid working patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative study forms part of a broader research project, examining how information literacy and information practices unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase Three of this project, which forms the subject of this paper, employed semi-structured interviews to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace and, in particular, the role that technology and digital literacy plays in enabling or constraining information literacy practices necessary for the operationalisation of work. Findings: The complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a fracturing of workplace information environments and worker information landscapes by disrupting all aspects of academic life. The study recognises that whilst the practice of information literacy is predicated on access to modalities of information, this practice is also shaped by material conditions. This has implications for digital literacy which, in attempting to set itself apart from information literacy practice, has negated the significant role that the body and the corporeal modality play as important sources of information that enable transition to occur. In relation to information resilience, the bridging concept of fracture has enabled the authors to consider the informational impact of crisis and transition on people's information experiences and people's capacity to learn to go on when faced with precarity. The concept of grief is introduced into the analysis. Originality/value: This study presents original research. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-1 Inhibition in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: a Multicentre Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Trial

Background: Neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) are involved in the pathogenesis of COVID19 and are increased in severe and fatal infection. We investigated whether treatment with Brensocatib, an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-1, an enzyme responsible for the activation of NSPs, would improve outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID19. Method(s): In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 406 hospitalized patients with COVID19 with at least one risk factor for severe disease were randomized 1:1 to once-daily Brensocatib 25mg (n=192) or placebo (n=214) for 28 days. Primary outcome was the 7-point World Health Organisation Clinical Status scale at day 29. Secondary outcomes included time to clinical improvement, national early warning score, new oxygen and ventilation use, neutrophil elastase activity in blood and mortality. Finding(s): Brensocatib treatment was associated with worse clinical status at day 29 (adjusted odds ratio 0 72, 95%CI 0 57-0 92) compared to placebo. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for time to clinical improvement was 0 87 (95%CI 0 76-1 00) and time to hospital discharge was 0 98 (95%CI 0 84-1 13). During the 28-day follow-up period, 23 (11%) and 29 (15%) patients died in the placebo and Brensocatib treated groups respectively). Oxygen and new ventilation use were greater in the Brensocatib treated patients. Neutrophil elastase activity in blood was significantly reduced in the Brensocatib group from baseline to day 29. Prespecified subgroup analyses of the primary outcome supported the primary results.

The Impact of Traveler-Based Genomic Surveillance on SARS-CoV-2 Variant Detection in Arriving International Air Travelers- United States, November 29, 2021-April 24, 2022

Background. International travel facilitates SARS-CoV-2 spread globally. Early detection of variants among arriving international travelers could provide viral information about introduction of variants with differing infectivity, virulence, and vaccine effectiveness, enabling adjustments to treatment and prevention strategies. We initiated a genomic surveillance program at 4 US airports to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants among arriving international travelers. Methods. Between November 29, 2021-April 24, 2022, we enrolled arriving air travelers (>=18 years) from flights originating in 16 countries on 5 continents. At four airports, participants self-collected nasal swab samples that were pooled with 5-25 other samples by country of flight. Participants were also given a take-home saliva collection kit;saliva was collected 3-5 days after arrival and mailed back to the laboratory. SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on all samples at the laboratory. Positives underwent whole genome sequencing. Demographic, clinical, and travel information was collected. Results. We enrolled 28,656 travelers;median age was 42 years (interquartile range 31-55), 48% were female, and 99.4% self-reported COVID-19 vaccination. Overall, 19%(504/2,666) of pooled and 7.5%(285/3804) of individual samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Highest pool positivity of 46% occurred during January 3-10, 2022 (Figure 1).Omicron variant accounted for 97%of sequences (Figure 2).We detected the earliest reporting of Omicron sub-lineages BA.2 and BA.3 (7 and 43 days earlier than reported elsewhere) in the United States and North America, respectively. During April 4-18, we detected an increasing trend of pool positivity among travelers on South African flights, detecting one of the first US-reported BA.4 sub-lineages consistent with early surge of cases in South Africa. Weekly pooled positivity for travelers on South African flights aligned with World Health Organization (WHO)-reported 7-day COVID-19 incidence rates over the same period (Figure 3). ] Conclusion. This genomic sequencing surveillance platform is a model for traveler-based SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance that can be used as an early warning system to detect future outbreaks and pandemics. (Figure Presented).

Risk, vaccine hesitancy and information literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction. This study seeks to identify how vaccine-hesitant people inform themselves about the Covid-19 vaccine. Prior research has positioned insufficient information or a lack of information skills as linked to vaccine hesitancy but has neglected to account for the role that information literacy plays within processes of becoming informed. Method. 14 semi-structured interviews were held online with vaccine-hesitant people in the UK. Interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed;questions explored the information sources and activities that participants used to become informed about the COVID-19 vaccine. Analysis. Data were coded by each researcher using constant comparative techniques used in constructivist grounded theory methods before being jointly discussed in several online sessions. Results. Initial outcomes of this study suggest that vaccine hesitant and hesitant- influenced action is shaped through the employment of information strategies that bring multiple forms of vaccination risk into being, including social and other health risks. Conclusions. The study has implications for the teaching of information literacy, in particular the conceptualisation that being informed is an affirmative action.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupted Both School Bullying and Cyberbullying

One-fifth of US high school students report being bullied each year. We use internet search data for real-time tracking of bullying pat-terns as COVID-19 disrupted in-person schooling. We first show that pre-pandemic internet searches contain useful information about actual bullying behavior. We then show that searches for school bul-lying and cyberbullying dropped 30-35 percent as schools shifted to remote learning in spring 2020. The gradual return to in-person instruction starting in fall 2020 partially returned bullying searches to pre-pandemic levels. This rare positive effect may partly explain recent mixed evidence on the pandemic's impact on students' mental health and well-being. (JEL H75, I12, I21, I28, I31)

Information Literacy, Transition, and Risk in the COVID-19-Environment

This paper examines how people transitioned into newly created pandemic information environments and the ways in which information literacy practices came into view as the SARS-CoV-2 virus took hold in the UK. Employing a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were carried out from May 2020-February 2021 with 32 participants, including people who were engaged in new employment, voluntary or caring roles as well as people who had been diagnosed with COVID. Findings demonstrate that transition into new pandemic environments was shaped by an unfolding phase, an intensification phase, and a stable phase, and information literacy emerged as a form of safeguarding as participants mitigated health, financial and wellbeing risks. This paper develops research into the role that information practices play during crisis as well as extending understanding related to the concept of empowerment, which forms a key idea within information literacy discourse. Findings will be useful for librarians and information professionals as well as public health researchers designing health promotion strategies. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Saturation, acceleration and information pathologies: the conditions that influence the emergence of information literacy safeguarding practice in COVID-19-environments

Purpose The purpose of this second study into information literacy practice during the COVID-19 pandemic is to identify the conditions that influence the emergence of information literacy as a safeguarding practice. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative research design comprised one to one in-depth interviews conducted virtually during the UK's second and third lockdown phase between November 2020 and February 2021. Data were coded and analysed by the researchers using constant comparative techniques. Findings Continual exposure to information creates the "noisy" conditions that lead to saturation and the potential for "information pathologies" to act as a form of resistance. Participants alter their information practices by actively avoiding and resisting formal and informal sources of information. These reactive activities have implications for standard information literacy empowerment discourses. Research limitations/implications The paper is limited to the UK context. Practical implications Findings will be useful for librarians and researchers who are interested in the theorisation of information literacy as well as public health and information professionals tasked with designing long-term health promotion strategies. Social implications This paper contributes to our understandings of the role that information literacy practices play within ongoing and long-term crises. Originality/value This paper develops research into the role of information literacy practice in times of crises and extends understanding related to the concept of empowerment, which forms a central idea within information literacy discourse.

The impact of covid-19 on patients presenting with lung cancer-the missing fifth

Background The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to cause significant disruption worldwide. Within the UK there were considerable adjustments in all healthcare settings to ensure appropriate management of patients affected by COVID-19, with consequent disruption to existing services. Lung cancer is associated with a high mortality rate, not least because there are often delays in diagnosis. We examined referrals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to determine whether this affected the number of patients seen and the speed to diagnosis. Methods We compared referrals to our Lung Cancer Service during the four months prior to and immediately following the onset of the UK COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. We collected data relating to the numbers and origins of referrals, as well as the time intervals at different stages of our diagnostic pathway. Results Our service received fewer referrals following the onset of the pandemic, with a mean of 97 patients per month from November 2019 to February 2020, compared to 79 patients per month between March and June 2020. Urgent cancer referrals from General Practitioners ('twoweek-wait') were reduced (50% to 44%) during the pandemic. A greater proportion of patients presented via alternative pathways, including A&E, suggesting a later presentation. The gender of patients referred remained similar between both timeframes, although during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mode average age was slightly younger at 73 years (79 years previously), with an age range 29-97 years (21-93 years pre-COVID-19). After receiving a referral, the time to first review remained stable (98% vs 99%). The mean time from referral to diagnosis remained 14 days. 91% of patients received a lung cancer diagnosis within 28 days of referral, despite the COVID-19 pandemic (94% previously). Conclusion Time to lung cancer diagnosis was not affected by changes to our clinical service during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was a significant reduction in the overall number of referrals (almost one fifth). We will monitor to review whether there is an increase in late presentations in the coming months due to delays in referral. The fear is that future increases in COVID-19 cases nationally will further delay these patients presenting.

Contextualising risk: the unfolding information work and practices of people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate people's information practices as the SARS-CoV-2 virus took hold in the UK. Of particular interest is how people transition into newly created pandemic information environments and the ways information literacy practices come into view. Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative research design comprised one-to-one in-depth interviews conducted virtually towards the end of the UK's first lockdown phase in May–July 2020. Data were coded and analysed by the researchers using constant comparative and situated analysis techniques. Findings: Transition into new pandemic information environments was shaped by an unfolding phase, an intensification phase and a stable phase. Information literacy emerged as a form of safeguarding as participants engaged in information activities designed to mitigate health, legal, financial and well-being risks produced by the pandemic. Research limitations/implications: Time constraints meant that the sample from the first phase of this study skewed female. Practical implications: Findings establish foundational knowledge for public health and information professionals tasked with shaping public communication during times of crisis. Social implications: This paper contributes to understandings of the role that information and information literacy play within global and long-term crises. Originality/value: This is one of the first studies to explore information practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Comparison of droplet spread in standard and laminar flow operating theatres: SPRAY study group.

BACKGROUND: Reducing COVID-19 transmission relies on controlling droplet and aerosol spread. Fluorescein staining reveals microscopic droplets. AIM: To compare the droplet spread in non-laminar and laminar air flow operating theatres. METHODS: A 'cough-generator' was fixed to a theatre trolley at 45°. Fluorescein-stained 'secretions' were projected on to a series of calibrated targets. These were photographed under UV light and 'source detection' software measured droplet splatter size and distance. FINDINGS: The smallest droplet detected was ∼120 µm and the largest ∼24,000 µm. An average of 25,862 spots was detected in the non-laminar theatre, compared with 11,430 in the laminar theatre (56% reduction). The laminar air flow mainly affected the smaller droplets (<1000 µm). The surface area covered with droplets was: 6% at 50 cm, 1% at 2 m, and 0.5% at 3 m in the non-laminar air flow; and 3%, 0.5%, and 0.2% in the laminar air flow, respectively. CONCLUSION: Accurate mapping of droplet spread in clinical environments is possible using fluorescein staining and image analysis. The laminar air flow affected the smaller droplets but had limited effect on larger droplets in our 'aerosol-generating procedure' cough model. Our results indicate that the laminar air flow theatre requires similar post-surgery cleaning to the non-laminar, and staff should consider full personal protective equipment for medium- and high-risk patients.

P27 The impact of COVID-19 on patients presenting with Lung Cancer – The missing fifth

BackgroundThe Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to cause significant disruption worldwide. Within the UK there were considerable adjustments in all healthcare settings to ensure appropriate management of patients affected by COVID-19, with consequent disruption to existing services.Lung cancer is associated with a high mortality rate, not least because there are often delays in diagnosis. We examined referrals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to determine whether this affected the number of patients seen and the speed to diagnosis.MethodsWe compared referrals to our Lung Cancer Service during the four months prior to and immediately following the onset of the UK COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. We collected data relating to the numbers and origins of referrals, as well as the time intervals at different stages of our diagnostic pathway.ResultsOur service received fewer referrals following the onset of the pandemic, with a mean of 97 patients per month from November 2019 to February 2020, compared to 79 patients per month between March and June 2020. Urgent cancer referrals from General Practitioners (‘two-week-wait’) were reduced (50% to 44%) during the pandemic. A greater proportion of patients presented via alternative pathways, including A&E, suggesting a later presentation. The gender of patients referred remained similar between both timeframes, although during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mode average age was slightly younger at 73 years (79 years previously), with an age range 29–97 years (21–93 years pre-COVID-19).After receiving a referral, the time to first review remained stable (98% vs 99%). The mean time from referral to diagnosis remained 14 days. 91% of patients received a lung cancer diagnosis within 28 days of referral, despite the COVID-19 pandemic (94% previously).ConclusionTime to lung cancer diagnosis was not affected by changes to our clinical service during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was a significant reduction in the overall number of referrals (almost one fifth). We will monitor to review whether there is an increase in late presentations in the coming months due to delays in referral. The fear is that future increases in COVID-19 cases nationally will further delay these patients presenting.