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BACKGROUND: In the global effort to combat SARS CoV2 infection, adoption of the vaccination has been an essential component. The goal of this research was to determine the quality of web-based information gathered during COVID-19 and participants' awareness and acceptance for the booster dose for COVID-19. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out to gauge interest in and willingness for a booster dose, as well as the satisfaction with the availability and accuracy of Internet resources. This study included 631 people from the cities of Riyadh, Al Majma'ah, Al Ghat, and Zulfi in the Riyadh Area. Chi-square and Fischer's exact tests, with a 95% confidence interval, and a threshold of p < 0.05, were used to analyze the significance of associations between variables. RESULTS: Out of 631 respondents, 347 people who reported willingness to receive the immunization were women (319, 91.9%), with only 28 (8.1%) being men. There was a statistically significant correlation between individuals who worried about booster dosage adverse effects and those who did not receive the immunization. Knowledge of the efficacy of the vaccine, confidence in the capacity of the vaccine to avert problems, and willingness to receive a third dosage were all shown to be substantially correlated (p < 0.001). Attitude and behavior ratings were substantially correlated with prior COVID-19 immunization status (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant correlation between vaccination knowledge, confidence in the capacity of the vaccine to prevent problems, and willingness to receive a third dose. Therefore, our research can help policymakers develop more precise and scientific roll-out strategies for the COVID-19 booster vaccination.
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The rise of COVID-19 disease has brought the world to a very worrisome stage. It started in Wuhan, China and numerous export cases had been verified in other provinces in China, as well as other countries. Considering the global threat, WHO has declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The number of positive cases rose beyond 553 cases on 16th March 2020 and the Prime Minister of Malaysia declared a lockdown. By the end of 2020, Malaysia had 113 010 cases and 471 deaths. The aim of the present study is to employ a logistic regression model in handling COVID-19 cases and to find the association between COVID-19 cases and climate factors. Minimum temperature (C), maximum temperature (C), temperature (C), wind speed (m/s) are all climate components. The number of the population also will be included in this study. This study will only be conducted in Peninsular Malaysia, and all climate data will be collected from July to December 2020. The logistic regression model is employed in this study since the predictor variable is binary, with redzone (over 40 active cases) as 1 and non-red zone (under 40 active cases) as 0. Based on the results, only the population variables is denoted the growth of COVID-19 cases since the variables was significance almost every week. However, none of the climate variable were found to be related to the COVID-19 incidence. © 2023 Author(s).
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The Covid-19 epidemic has impacted teaching and learning practices not just in elementary and secondary schools, but also in higher institutions. As a result, the new modes of learning and teaching activities that have changed from face-to-face to online may have an impact on students' performance. The goal of this study is to use nonparametric approaches to compare the performance of students at a tertiary institution who were studying face-to-face with those who were learning online. The quantitative students' evaluation scores in a statistics course from different schools in the institution were used in this study. The Shapiro-Wilk test reveals that the data violated the normality assumption of parametric techniques. As a result, nonparametric statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney U Test and the Kruskal Wallis Test, which are alternative methods for the independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to investigate whether differences in performance scores are significantly different between groups of students who have experienced different learning methods and have been in different schools. In terms of performance scores in a statistics course, our results demonstrate that online learning approaches outperform physical face-to-face learning. © 2023 Author(s).
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Web applications have experienced a widespread adaptation owing to the agile Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) reflecting the ever-changing software needs of users. Google Meet is one of the top video conferencing applications, especially in the post-COVID19 era. Security and privacy concerns are therefore critical. This paper presents an extensive digital forensic analysis of Google Meet running on multiple browsers and software platforms including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge browsers in Windows 10 and Linux. Artifacts, traces of potential evidence, are extracted from different locations on a client's desktop, including the memory and browser. These include meeting records, communication records, email addresses, profile pictures, history, downloads, bookmarks, cache, cookies, etc. We explore how different Random Access Memory (RAM) sizes of client devices impact the persistence and format of extracted memory artifacts. A memory artifact extraction tool is developed to automate the extraction of artifacts identified via unstructured string analysis. Google Meet forensic artifacts are critical in that they are potential digital evidence in relevant criminal investigations. Additionally, they highlight that user data can be extracted despite implementing multiple privacy and security mechanisms. © 2022 The Author(s)
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The current study conducted for evaluating serum interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 level among Iraqi patients with COVID-19 (cov-19). The total number of patients positive with (cov-19) were 295. Seventy-one of them used to assessed IL-1and IL-6 and compare with 31 healthy subjects. The study revealed a high percentage of infected males (56.3%) compared to females (43.7%). The infection restricted between age 20-50 years old which represents 82.4% of all infected cases, while there is no infection recorded under the age of 10 years old. The age of 40-49 years is the most affected range (22.9%). Positive Female percentage was high only in the age group (10-19) that represents 4.7% of the total number. Both IL-1 and IL-6 show a highly significant increment in patients positive with cov-19 (p<0.0001). Copyright © 2022, Biochemical and Cellular Archives. All Rights Reserved.
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Web applications have experienced a widespread adaptation owing to the agile Service Oriented Ar-chitecture (SOA) reflecting the ever-changing software needs of users. Google Meet is one of the top video conferencing applications, especially in the post-COVID19 era. Security and privacy concerns are therefore critical. This paper presents an extensive digital forensic analysis of Google Meet running on multiple browsers and software platforms including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge browsers in Windows 10 and Linux. Artifacts, traces of potential evidence, are extracted from different locations on a client's desktop, including the memory and browser. These include meeting records, communication records, email addresses, profile pictures, history, downloads, bookmarks, cache, cookies, etc. We explore how different Random Access Memory (RAM) sizes of client devices impact the persistence and format of extracted memory artifacts. A memory artifact extraction tool is developed to automate the extraction of artifacts identified via unstructured string analysis. Google Meet forensic artifacts are critical in that they are potential digital evidence in relevant criminal investigations. Additionally, they highlight that user data can be extracted despite implementing multiple privacy and security mechanisms.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of DFRWS This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
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Videoconferencing applications have seen a jump in their userbase owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The security of these applications has certainly been a hot topic since millions of VoIP users’ data is involved. However, research pertaining to VoIP forensics is still limited to Skype and Zoom. This paper presents a detailed forensic analysis of Microsoft Teams, one of the top 3 videoconferencing applications, in the areas of memory, disk-space and network forensics. Extracted artifacts include critical user data, such as emails, user account information, profile photos, exchanged (including deleted) messages, exchanged text/media files, timestamps and Advanced Encryption Standard encryption keys. The encrypted network traffic is investigated to reconstruct client-server connections involved in a Microsoft Teams meeting with IP addresses, timestamps and digital certificates. The conducted analysis demonstrates that, with strong security mechanisms in place, user data can still be extracted from a client’s desktop. The artifacts also serve as digital evidence in the court of Law, in addition to providing forensic analysts a reference for cases involving Microsoft Teams. © 2022, ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering.
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Background: The first wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia started with the first case in January 2020 followed by the second wave in February 2020 and the third wave in October 2020. In the early phase, COVID-19 patients were treated in designated Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals only. However towards the end of 2020, as the crises set in, COVID-19 patients were also being treated in private centres and university hospitals including our centre, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Medical Specialist Centre. Aims: To evaluate the utilization of blood components among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: Retrospective study of blood component transfusions among hospitalized COVID-19 patients from January 2021 to December 2021 was conducted in Transfusion Medicine Unit, UiTM Medical Specialist Centre. The data was retrieved from Blood Bank Information System (BBIS) and transfusion request forms. The type of blood products and the number of blood components transfused to the patients were analysed. Results: Overall, 256 COVID-19 patients were admitted to our centre in 2021. Twenty-eight of the patients received blood product transfusions for an overall transfusion rate of 10.9%. Out of a total of 2438 blood components used by all patients admitted to our centre in 2021, 4.3% of blood components were transfused to COVID-19 patients in which the majority were red blood cells, 56 units (4.2%) followed by platelets 40 units (9.5%) and fresh frozen plasma 9 units (1.8%). Summary/Conclusions: The transfusion rate of blood components among hospitalized COVID-19 patients is lower than other hospitalized non-COVID-19 patients.
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Scavenger receptors belong to a superfamily of proteins that are structurally heterogeneous and encompass the miscellaneous group of transmembrane proteins and soluble secretory extracellular domain. They are functionally diverse as they are involved in various disorders and biological pathways and their major function in innate immunity and homeostasis. Numerous scavenger receptors have been discovered so far and are apportioned in various classes (A-L). Scavenger receptors are documented as pattern recognition receptors and known to act in coordination with other co-receptors such as Toll-like receptors in generating the immune responses against a repertoire of ligands such as microbial pathogens, non-self, intracellular and modified self-molecules through various diverse mechanisms like adhesion, endocytosis and phagocytosis etc. Unlike, most of the scavenger receptors discussed below have both membrane and soluble forms that participate in scavenging; the role of a potential scavenging receptor Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2 has also been discussed whereby only its soluble form might participate in preventing the pathogen entry and replication, unlike its membrane-bound form. This review majorly gives an insight on the functional aspect of scavenger receptors in host defence and describes their mode of action extensively in various immune pathways involved with each receptor type. Video abstract.
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Immunity, Innate , Toll-Like Receptors , Endocytosis , Phagocytosis , Receptors, Scavenger/metabolismABSTRACT
Multi-dimensionality of internal marketing (IM) concept continuously poses a challenge for researchers because a number of measurement approaches have been used for more than a quarter of a century since its maiden empirical inception. These multiple operationalizations have augmented confusion and decision-makers are not sure which one to rely on for optimal results. Additionally, due to its evolutionary nature, research has not kept up with the pace to substantiate this evolution empirically, leaving a void for researchers to proceed for a quantitative investigation to extend its boundaries. The present research takes up this challenge and provides an empirical evidence to prove its progression. As IM is multi-faceted in nature, this research chips in two brand new dimensions, informational justice and developmental opportunities, to the IM mix, while a third dimension that has only once been studied in connection with an IM work, is also enfolded. To this end, a top-down high order confirmatory factor analysis was done to identify the underlying structure of IM dimensions. Findings of the study revealed that the hypothesized five dimensions of IM are confirmed dimensions of IM concept. This empirical stamp will embolden researchers to devise measurement scales preferably sensitive to its growing character, and capitalize on its prowess to adapt to the novelties and peculiarities of a specific industry. Moreover, this study will help in making it a more reliable tool for managers to negotiate new constraints imposed by Covid in a post-Covid world.
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Pakistan is among the countries affected during the period of Covid-19 pandemic. A high prevalence of psychological distress was observed among the general population as well as doctors in this outbreak. Aims & Objectives: This research was conducted to study the relationship of psychological resilience, burnout and secondary traumatic stress among doctors in COVID-19 pandemic. It also identified the mediating effect of burnout between the relationship of psychological resilience and secondary traumatic stress. Patients and Method: It is a descriptive study with purposive sampling strategy and correlational research design. The sample comprised of 100 doctors from two hospitals of Lahore between September 2020 to February 2021. Participants age range was between 25-40 years. Data was collected by using the following tools, The Brief Resilience Scale (Smith et al., 2008), Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (Bride et al., 2004), and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (Halbesleben & Demerouti, 2005). Results: Results have signified a negative relationship of psychological resilience with secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Burnout has a significant positive relationship with secondary traumatic stress. Moreover, both subscales of burnout (i.e. disengagement and exhaustion) emerged as mediators in the relationship between one subscale of secondary traumatic stress (i.e. intrusion) and psychological resilience. Conclusion: It is concluded that psychological resilience has a significant negative relationship with burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Future researches can design emotional coping strategies and should try to promote programs that can help doctors to enhance resilience so it helps them combat their stress and burnout.
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INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 exposed the vulnerability of healthcare systems at all levels. Preparedness necessitated collaboration, innovation, leadership, and flexibility to implement risk-mitigating protocols. Community hospitals quickly adapted and were active front-line providers during this pandemic. Many non-tertiary centres emerged as models for disaster readiness with innovative, real-time strategies that fostered practice change. We describe how rapid cycle in-situ simulation contributed to improved safety through identification and prompt resolution of latent safety threats (LSTs). METHODS: A QI initiative involving front-line stakeholders in two large community hospitals was launched focusing on protected code blue and pre-code scenarios. In-situ simulations were adapted to multiple wards, including the emergency department, labour and delivery, general medicine, intensive care, diagnostic imaging, the operating room and post anesthetic care unit, the coronary catheterization lab, and renal dialysis. LSTs included concerns related to the protected code blue resuscitation and those unique to individual department environments. Real-time solutions were adopted and rapidly disseminated through both institutions. RESULTS: Over a three-month period (March to May, 2020), we conducted over 30 in-situ simulations. LSTs included breaches in donning and doffing, lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities, gaps in strategies to minimize aerosolization, barriers for effective team communication, and patient transfer logistics. Institution-wide policies were developed in real-time and distributed to hospital staff after each cycle to promote immediate knowledge translation. This created a collaborative, evolving protected code blue policy that improved healthcare worker confidence, readiness and safety. CONCLUSIONS: Community hospitals are ideal settings for disaster readiness as they can quickly design QI models, integrate results and modify processes in real time. Rapid cycle in-situ simulation empowered two community hospitals to expeditiously implement practice changing policies during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a robust example of an easily adoptable community-based QI strategy that effectively fosters rapid institutional change when required to weather the storm of a natural disaster.
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INTRODUCTION: With the emergence of Covid-19, a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2, a global pandemic has called for adjustments in hospital protocols and procedures in an effort to prevent spread of the virus, protect frontline healthcare workers, and preserve limited resources, such as personal protective equipment (PPE). One such important protocol was for protected code blue policy for hospitals dealing with cardiac arrests and potential AGMPs (aerosol generating medical procedures), deemed high risk requiring appropriate PPE and precautionary measures. We used in-situ simulation to aid in designing the new protected code blue protocol at our institution. METHODS: In our institution, a code blue policy was informed by American Heart Association and Heart and Stroke Foundation guidelines and Ontario Public Health Guidelines. It was however recognized that implementation of the protected code blue policy and judicious use of PPE would be very challenging. A quality improvement project was thus designed to utilize in situ simulations to train physicians, nurses and respiratory therapist in the different clinical units in the hospital and detect the latent safety threats that would hinder the safe implementation of the protected code blue policy. Iterative PDSA (Plan-Design- Study-Act) cycles were designed and implemented and at each stage the latent threats were identified and mitigated in the following domains- knowledge, personnel and staff, process, policy, systems issues, and medications. RESULTS: Over 80 in situ simulations were completed from March to June 2020. Latent safety threats such as effective communication, appropriate PPE use, personnel, overcrowding, intubation procedure and safety lead roles were identified and mitigated through policy changes, training and retesting. The simulations were time consuming and challenging but overall received good feedback and resulted in more compliance with the protected code blue policy. CONCLUSIONS: In-situ simulation is an effective modality in quality improvement, especially when rapid training is required and real-world threats must be identified and mitigated in a timely manner to optimize both patient and healthcare worker safety.
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As the COVID-19 is becoming an increasing health threat, it has urged the scientists all over the world to not only research about its transmission, prevalence and causes but also to spread its awareness in the maximum possible ways. Although the complete disease-causing mechanisms of COVID-19 remain to be fully elucidated, active research is being conducted continuously in the field to gather as much information about every aspect of this disease as possible. Also, a clear difference is prevalent in different regions of the world about the rate of deaths and survivals. Therefore, the current comprehensive review has been written in view of all these aspects so as to present a complete picture of where the world stands, how can the disease be coped, what myths have been developed along with this new pandemic, and what measures should be taken both at individual and states' levels to help fight against COVID-19.
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Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, neurologic manifestations have been increasingly reported including encephalopathy;however, the underlying patho-physiology remains mostly unclear [1]. Neurotropism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been suspected [2], though neuropathological studies did not show specific brain changes [3]. Besides the SARS-CoV-2 infection, a dysregulated immune response resulting in a massive release of proin-flammatory cytokines is involved in pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 manifestations and multi-organ failure [4]. This systemic hyperinflammatory state may be involved in neu-rologic impairment, as well. We report a case of COVID-19-related encephalopathy, questioning temporal relations between infection, cytokine storm, and neurologic involvement. A 77-year-old female, with no history of neurological disease , presented with impaired consciousness after 18-days history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and acute respiratory distress requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (Fig. 1). Patient was placed on hydroxychloroquine, levofloxacin, and piperacillin/tazobactam. Despite a remarkable respiratory improvement, at time of first neurologic evaluation, patient presented awake but mutacic, without any goal-directed behavior. No meningeal irritations or focal signs were found. Stimulus-induced myo-clonus and positive primitive reflexes (blinking, left grasp) were observed. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recording showed a generalized slowing activity, prevalent in frontal regions. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) displayed diffuse white-matter lesions consistent with chronic small vessel disease without contrast enhancement (Fig. 2). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis detected normal white blood cell counts and mild increase of the blood-brain barrier permeability (CSF protein = 56 mg/dl, reference range < 50;CSF/serum albumin ratio = 15,6, reference range < 7,4). CSF reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 was negative. Additional CSF studies, including oli-goclonal bands, neurotropic virus, bacterial cultures, and autoimmune encephalitis antibody panel, were all negative. Cytokines levels were tested both in CSF and blood documenting a significant increase of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (55.1 and 9.1 pg/ml respectively, reference range < 5,9) and inter-leukin-8 (IL-8) (106 and 2721 pg/ml, respectively, reference range < 70) (Fig. 1). 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18 F-FDG-PET/CT) scan showed a spread frontal lobe hypo-metabolism (Fig. 2). She was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone 60 mg for 10 days.