A Fractional Order Covid-19 Epidemic Model with Mittag–Leffler Kernel

We consider a nonlinear fractional-order Covid-19 model in a sense of the Atagana–Baleanu fractional derivative used for the analytic and computational studies. The model consists of six classes of persons, including susceptible, protected susceptible, asymptomatic infected, symptomatic infected, quarantined, and recovered individuals. The model is studied for the existence of solution with the help of a successive iterative technique with limit point as the solution of the model. The Hyers–Ulam stability is also studied. A numerical scheme is proposed and tested on the basis of the available literature. The graphical results predict the curtail of spread within the next 5000 days. Moreover, there is a gradual increase in the population of protected susceptible individuals. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Mathematical Sciences is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

The antecedents of patient satisfaction: Evidence from super-specialty hospitals in Tiruchirappalli in India

This study explores the determinants of patient satisfaction in the healthcare industry in a developing country. The effect of healthcare services, supportive services, and auxiliary services were conceptualized in three models. After checking the measurement properties of the survey instrument, the hypotheses were tested using the data collected from 748 in-patients from five super specialty hospitals in Tiruchirappalli in southern India. The physicians' services, intensive care unit (ICU) services, operation theatre (OT) services, and outpatient department (OPD) services had a significant positive influence on patient satisfaction. The results also suggest supportive services, including nurse, technical, and administrative services, played an essential role in increasing patient satisfaction. Finally, patients were satisfied with the registration process, transportation, and housekeeping services, including cleanliness in the hospitals. The results did not find support for pharmacy services, emergency services, and hospital security impacting patient satisfaction. The findings provide recommendations for the administrators of healthcare units to improve patient satisfaction.

Eliciting consumer-engagement and experience to foster consumer-based-brand-equity: moderation of perceived-health-beliefs

Although consumer-brand-engagement (CBE) and consumer-brand-experience (CBX) are identified as important research priorities, empirically based insights regarding their relationship with tourism-consumers' resulting consumer-value cocreation (CVC), emotional-attachment and consumer-based-brand-equity (CBBE) remains scant, particularly during COVID-19 pandemic. In responding to this research gap, following Service-Dominant-Logic and Protection-Motivation-informed theories, we propose and test a model that explores the influence of CBE and CVC on CBX, which consequently effects emotional-attachment and CBBE with tourism service-brands. To explore such issues, we recruit a sample of 318 customers by using PLS-SEM. PLS-SEM-results indicate that CBE has a positive impact on CVC and CBX. Second, findings reveal CBX's positive influence on emotional-attachment and CBBE. Third, results corroborated the CBE's and CVC's indirect effect on emotional-attachment and CBBE, as mediated through CBX. Finally, findings illustrated a negative moderating influence of perceived-severity and positive moderating effect of self-efficacy among projected associations. We offer significant theoretical/managerial implications that develop from this study. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Digital Twins-Based Internet of Robotic Things for Remote Health Monitoring of COVID-19 Patients

The deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has highlighted the importance of remote health monitoring (RHM). The digital twins (DTs) paradigm enables RHM by creating a virtual replica that receives data from the physical asset, representing its real-world behavior. However, DTs use passive internet of things (IoT) sensors, which limit their potential to a specific location or entity. This problem can be addressed by using the internet of robotic things (IoRT), which combines robotics and IoT, allowing the robotic things (RTs) to navigate in a particular environment and connect to IoT devices in the vicinity. Implementing DTs in IoRT, creates a virtual replica (virtual twin) that receives real-time data from the physical RT (physical twin) to mirror its status. However, DTs require a user interface for real-time interaction and visualization. Virtual reality (VR) can be used as an interface due to its natural ability to visualize and interact with DTs. This research proposes a real-time system for RHM of COVID-19 patients using the DTs-based IoRT and VR-based user interface. It also presents and evaluates robot navigation performance, which is vital for remote monitoring. The virtual twin (VT) operates the physical twin (PT) in the real environment (RE), which collects data from the patient-mounted sensors and transmits it to the control service to visualize in VR for medical examination. The system prevents direct interaction of medical staff with contaminated patients, protecting them from infection and stress. The experimental results verify the monitoring data quality (accuracy, completeness, timeliness) and high accuracy of PT’s navigation. Author

The Contagious Nature of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant and Vaccine Efficacy

Since the first coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak, variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have continued to dominate the global population. The repeated waves of emerging variants, each replacing the previous one with a greater rate of transmissibility and mutations, are the primary cause of the global pandemic. Public health concerns dramatically rose when a highly mutated variant, omicron (B.1.1.529) emerged in late 2021. Omicron has more than 50 mutations, and over 30 mutations are in their spike protein that contributes to the virologic characteristics of the variant. Omicron is more contagious than previously reported SARS-CoV-2 strains and can re-infect people who have already contracted other SARS-CoV-2 infections. The variant has acquired a unique immune escape mechanism against monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. Currently, there are no specific therapeutic drugs or vaccines available to prevent omicron infection and sub lineages emergence. The review was designed to search the recent research or literature papers and compile the most pertinent data on the virologic characteristics of the variant of concern. The study reviewed and discussed the present prevalence, infectivity, dominance, immune evasion, therapeutic options, vaccine efficacy, and the future prospect of the omicron variant. Omicron variant has become a global public health concern due to the emergence of highly mutated sub lineages. Developing variant-specific therapeutic drugs or vaccines is desirable to prevent the spread of these contagious variants globally. © 2022, The Running Line. All rights reserved.

Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with visual impairment

We present a comprehensive review of the various challenges that individuals with visual impairment (VI) face during the COVID-19 pandemic. A structured review was done using online databases PubMed, EMBASE, and grey literature databases between 19 April 2021 and 4 August 2021, using search terms ‘COVID-19', ‘SARS-CoV-2', ‘Coronavirus', or ‘pandemic' combined with ‘visually impaired', ‘visual impairment', or ‘Blind'. Studies included were written in English, published after the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of the COVID-19 Pandemic (11 March 2020), and focused on the VI population during the pandemic. The initial search yielded 702 publications, of which 20 met our inclusion criteria and were included in analysis. Emotional distress from deteriorating mental health and social isolation were considerably higher in the VI population. For a community that relies on spatial awareness and touch, regulations related to social distancing and avoiding contact were considerable barriers. Further challenges were noted in accessing healthcare, care, receiving timely health information and changes in regulations, adequately sanitizing, using technology, and completing activities of daily living. In the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the VI community has faced unique challenges. A more holistic and inclusive approach needs to be adopted to ensure that more vulnerable populations are adequately cared for. © The Author(s) 2023.

Investigating adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation and long-term sequelae in patients with Long COVID

Introduction: Long COVID, an emerging condition, is caused following infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Patients report a broad spectrum of symptoms including breathlessness and fatigue. NICE recommends pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) as a management option in such patients (NICE, 2022;COVID-19 rapid guideline). Our aim was to investigate the number of patients who completed PR and those who, despite PR, had persistent symptoms requiring further management. Method(s): We conducted a retrospective review of patients referred to the Cheshire and Merseyside Long COVID service from March 1st to April 30th, 2021. We analysed adherence to PR and patient outcomes using PR discharge reports and GP records. Result(s): 88 patients were referred to PR. - 60 (68.1%) female - Age range 18-84 (56.8% were 40-59 years old). - 48 (54.5%) completed PR 31 patients did not complete PR. 10 (4.5%) did not respond to contact. 7 (7.9%) self-discharged-4 due to resolution of symptoms. 4 (11.4%) were unable to proceed due to poor health. 10 patients (11.4%) partially completed PR. Of the patients who completed PR, 22 (45.8%) had persistent symptoms which required onward referrals to specialist services (figure 1). Discussion PR improved symptoms in over half of all patients. However, 35% of patients were unable to complete PR due to varying factors which need to be explored further to help improve adherence to PR programmes.

Does Covid-19 vaccination affect menstruation pattern?

Background: As Millions of people are receiving COVID-19 vaccine around the world, a number of side effects are being reported. Menstrual cycle disturbance is also a side effect reported by hundreds of women on social media. The objective of this study was to assess the association of menstrual abnormalities with COVID-19 vaccination. Subjects and methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynecology OPD of Mufti Mehmood Hospital D.I. Khan from March 2021 to June 2021. The health care workers who received Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine and consented were included. Data was collected about change in menstrual cycle pattern after COVID-19 vaccination. Results: A total of 80 subjects were included in the study with mean age of 32.6 +7.89 years. There were 36 (45.0%) doctors, 33 nurses (41.25%), 6 (7.5%) paramedics and 5 (6.25%) medical students. According to their marital status, 51 (63.75%) were married and 29 (36.25%) were unmarried. Out of 80 subjects, 16 (20%) reported disturbance in menstrual cycle pattern, 13 (81.2%) after first dose and 3 (18.75%) after both first and second dose. Among these 9 (56.25%) reported heavy menstrual bleeding, 4 (25%) had prolonged bleeding days while 3 (18.75%) had irregular bleeding pattern. Conclusion: Menstrual cycle disturbance is a reported side effect of COVID-19 vaccination. It is more commonly reported after first dose and heavy menstrual bleedings is the most common pattern followed by prolonged/irregular bleeding. © 2022 Authors.

Assessment of Adverse events following Immunization of COVID - 19 vaccination in Health Care Workers (HCWs) of Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Govt. Medical College Nalhar, Nuh, Haryana, India

Background: We assess the profile of adverse events following immunization of COVID - 19 vaccination of COVISHIELD in health care workers (HCWs) in Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Govt. Medical college Nalhar, Nuh, Haryana, India. Method(s): The Cross sectional and prospective observational study was conducted with a period of 3 months or till the desired sample size recruited in the study with follow up period of 15 days for all those subjects who were vaccinated for covid-19 in SHKM, GMC Hospital to look for AEFI with sample size more than 300. Active surveillance was done on days 3, 6 and 9 after days of vaccination for AEFI). Any AEFI noted will be managed as per the standard guidelines. Result(s): We present the results of an interim analysis of 400 patients out of total 550 participants with 244(61.00%) male and 156 (39.00%) female participants respectively. AEFIs following first dose were reported in 400 participants and 269 participants after second dose. Fever was the major AEFI with 150(37.50%) after first dose and 78(28.99%) after second dose respectively. In the study age wise AEFIs percentage of participants were also calculated. In the present study different systemic diseases percentage also calculated. Conclusion(s): The AEFIs associated with the COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), the COVID-19 vaccine injected in hospital health care workers is found to be safe for use in except for a few minor reactions.Copyright © RJPT. All right reserved.

Employment status of referrals to a regional Long COVID service in the United Kingdom

Introduction: Long COVID is a new phenomenon characterised by multiple physical and psychological symptoms, all of which can affect a person's ability to work. There has been evidence that Long COVID disproportionately affects healthcare professionals (HCPs). Aim(s): We analysed the employment status of referrals to the Cheshire and Merseyside Long Covid assessment service. Method(s): Retrospective case note review of referrals received between 01/03/21-30/09/21. Result(s): 1285 referrals analysed, of which: 59.2% (761) currently working 19.7% (253) long term sick leave . 10.3% (111) retired 0.7% (9) students, of these 33.3% (3) were on placement within hospitals. . 8.6% (132) were unemployed, of these 15.2% (20) contributed this to Long COVID syndrome 1.48% (19) had no record of employment 20.2% (259) worked for the National Health Service (NHS). Table 1 shows the breakdown by sector. Conclusion(s): The results show the ongoing socio-economic impact of COVID-19. Almost 1/3 of the cohort were unemployed or on long-term sick leave. Furthermore, NHS HCP made up the largest proportion of the long-term sick group. Further work could evaluate the occupational risk associated with Long COVID syndrome, especially in healthcare settings.

COVID-19 Risk Prediction and Contact Tracing

The emergence of the coronavirus COVID- 19 switched the limelight onto digital health technologies. To help the infection rates from surging, numerous governments are looking into applications that could help disrupt infection chains beforehand. We created a Self-Assessment Test using COVID Symptoms, that's capable of assessing the threat of COVID- 19 in the user using ML. The data also tracks the user and gives safety tips and recommendations. Using the Track Module, the user is notified of the nearby containment zones. The contact tracing module helps the user to maintain a specified distance from others. © 2022 IEEE.

A Secure Wearable Framework for Stress Detection in Patients Affected by Communicable Diseases

The emergence of COVID-19 has drastically altered the lifestyle of people around the world, resulting in significant consequences on people's physical and mental well-being. Fear of COVID-19, prolonged isolation, quarantine, and the pandemic itself have contributed to a rise in hypertension among the general populace globally. Protracted exposure to stress has been linked with the onset of numerous diseases and even an increased frequency of suicides. Stress monitoring is a critical component of any strategy used to intervene in the case of stress. However, constant monitoring during activities of daily living using clinical means is not viable. During the current pandemic, isolation protocols, quarantines, and overloaded hospitals have made it physically challenging for subjects to be monitored in clinical settings. This study presents a proposal for a framework that uses unobtrusive wearable sensors, securely connected to an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven cloud-based server for early detection of hypertension and an intervention facilitation system. More precisely, the proposed framework identifies the types of wearable sensors that can be utilized ubiquitously, the enabling technologies required to achieve energy efficiency and secure communication in wearable sensors, and, finally, the proposed use of a combination of machine-learning (ML) classifiers on a cloud-based server to detect instances of sustained stress and all associated risks during times of a communicable disease epidemic like COVID-19. © 2001-2012 IEEE.

FAANG Stocks, Gold, and Islamic Equity: Implications for Portfolio Management during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, technology stocks, such as FAANG stocks (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google), attracted the attention of global investors due to the vast use of technology in daily business. However, technology stocks are generally considered risky stocks;hence, efficient risk management is required to construct an optimal portfolio. In this study, we investigate the volatility spillovers and dynamic conditional correlations among the daily returns of FAANG company stocks, gold, and sharia-compliant equity to construct the optimal portfolio weights and hedge ratios during the COVID-19 pandemic period by utilizing a multivariate GARCH framework. The dynamic conditional correlations reveal that both gold and sharia-compliant equities exhibit lower correlations with FAANG stocks during the COVID-19 pandemic, implying opportunities for portfolio diversification. The findings indicate that gold and shariah-compliant equity are good candidates to hedge FAANG stocks. These findings are highly relevant for international investors, asset managers, hedgers, and portfolio managers.

A fractal–fractional COVID-19 model with a negative impact of quarantine on the diabetic patients

In this article, we consider a Covid-19 model for a population involving diabetics as a subclass in the fractal–fractional (FF) sense of derivative. The study includes: existence results, uniqueness, stability and numerical simulations. Existence results are studied with the help of fixed-point theory and applications. The numerical scheme of this paper is based upon the Lagrange's interpolation polynomial and is tested for a particular case with numerical values from available open sources. The results are getting closer to the classical case for the orders reaching to 1 while all other solutions are different with the same behavior. As a result, the fractional order model gives more significant information about the case study. © 2023 The Author(s)

Analysis of perceived risk and satisfaction with telematic follow-up in patients and families of congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients during SARS-CoV-2 pandemia.

BACKGROUND: The impact of COVID-19 in families and patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is unknown, this situation has generated uncertainty not only in family members but also in the optimal outpatient follow-up. Telehealth has become a fundamental tool for the follow-up during the pandemic. The objective of this survey is to evaluated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 in families and patients with CDH and the satisfaction with telematic follow-up. METHODS: Telephone survey of patient's caregivers with CHD, aged 1-16 years, followed in neonatal surgery outpatients, from January 31, 2020 to November 15, 2020. The ethical clearance for this study was taken from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of our Research Institute vide letter number VHIR/239283/01.01.2021. RESULTS: 81 surveys of 100 patients with active follow-up were carried out. There were no refusals in any contacted parents. There were 30 contacts (37%), 44.8% at school and 27.6% from cohabiting family members. Four infections (4.9%) were diagnosed, half symptomatic. In 40 patients (49.4%) the follow-up was telematic, with a mean score of 3.1±1.3 out of 5. For future controls, 65% prefer presential follow-up, 25% alternate and 10% telematics. 50.6% reported greater anxiety and 34.6% (28/81) extreme measures of isolation, being more accentuated in the group of 3-6 years (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The impact of COVID19 in patients with CHD is not greater than in the general pediatric population. Although the incorporation of the telehealth was well valued, most of the caregivers prefer the face-to-face outpatient follow-up.

Demographic Factors and Co Morbidities Associated with Post Covid-19 Recovery among Admitted Patients in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Objective: To study the relationship of demographic factors and co-morbidities with post-COVID-19 recovery in tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar. Methodology: This research was conducted in tertiary care hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa extending over a period of 6 months starting from 1st July 2020 to 31st December 2020. It was an analytical descriptive study (cross-sectional). Patients were selected through a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were performed with SPSS software 22.0 in the form of the mean (sd) and percentages while univariate and multivariate logistic regression scrutiny was performed with STATA version 13.0. Result(s): A mean age (48.94+/-17.57) was observed up to the post-infection recovery or death. The mean age of post-infection recovered patients in the age series of 18-35 years and >55 years was significantly significant (P<0.05) Out of those who recovered, 110 (79.5%) were males and 49(20.5%) were females while those who died of the infection 15(36.6%) were females and 26(83.8%) were males. Univariate analysis showed that age, residence, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease were the covariates significantly associated (p.value <0.05) with post COVID recovery. In multivariate analysis with adjusted OR, "residence" was the only covariate associated with post-infection recovery. Adjusting for the effect of age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, those who were living in urban areas were most likely to recover from COVID-19 infection as compared to the peri-urban residents (OR=0.067, CI: 0.013-0.333). In the full deduced model, adjusting for age, gender, diabetes, hypertension and ischemic heart disease, being an urban resident was 0.08 times more likely to survive or alive after getting COVID-19 infection as compared to dwellers living in city outskirts (OR=0.08, CI: 0.016-0.360). Conclusion Patients suffering from chronic hypertension and ischemic heart diseases were the most affected having higher post-infection mortalities compared to diabetic patients while, from a demographic point of view, being a resident of an urban area was a protective factor for post-infection recovery. Copyright © 2022 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.

The Challenges for Implementation of Policies Causing A Delay in Mass Immunization Against Covid-19: A Cross Sectional Qualitative Study

Objective: To investigate the policy barriers leading to hindrance in mass immunization of Covid-19 in Pakistan. Study design: A cross-sectional qualitative study was Duration of study: study was conducted from October 2021 to April 2022 Place of study: was conducted on 106 individuals at 4 vaccination centers of Lahore, including Expo center, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and research center (PKLI), Lahore Developmental Authority (LDA) sports complex, Railway dispensary Model Town. Methodology: It covered interviews, focus group discussions and filling in of semi- structured questionnaires from the general public visiting the vaccination center. Individual interviews of hospital administrators and focused group interviews of general public visiting various hospitals of Lahore, including Jinnah Hospital, Services hospital, Lady Wallington hospital and University of Lahore Teaching Hospital were also included in this study. The data obtained was transcribed and analyzed by using SPSS software version 21. The theme we chose was Politically Informed Views and the subthemes were common hurdles, common myths, different vaccine brands, lack of awareness and conspiracy theories. Result(s): The results were significant (p<0.05) with the levels of different variables as: Common hurdles 41%;Common myth 25%;Religious Aspects 17%;Different brands 7% ;Lack of awareness 10% respectively. Each variable showed a remarkable difference from considered standard SOPs. Conclusion(s): To increase the vaccination drive, proper implementation of the already established government policies, with better surveillance and monitoring of the vaccine centers is required. Awareness among the general population should also be increased to debunk myths and motivate them. Copyright © 2022 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.