Understanding Approaches to Evaluation within the Community Sport Social Enterprise

The increased number of autonomous third-sector organisations emerging during UK austerity (2010–2018) represented a lifeline for community sport. However, there are concerns that many third-sector organisations may struggle to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic given that depleted public resources has enabled greater competition for funding within community sport. The necessity for flexible, adaptable and autonomous organisational models has thus become paramount as a strategy for survival. This chapter conceptualises and analyses the role of the social enterprise within this narrative and explains how and why specific organisational typologies may impact the shaping of evidence and approaches to evaluation within sport and leisure. To do this I examine the emergence of social enterprises through the lens of community sport in England. First, models of social enterprise in community sport in England are introduced and explored. Second, the chapter examines the value each model might place on evaluation based on key characteristics such as governance and funding that relate to specific models. The chapter concludes by drawing on the analysis of social enterprise models to present some critical questions that question the value and purpose of evaluation within broader socio-political contexts. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Andrew Adams and Kevin Harris;individual chapters, the contributors.

Collaboration between Australian peak bodies and governments in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: New ways of interacting

Peak bodies ("peaks”) are funded by Australian governments to fulfil a multifaceted role, including presenting a collective voice to government on behalf of their nongovernmental service provider members and the vulnerable client populations they serve. However, the relationship between peaks and governments has been fraught, with governments imposing contractual conditions in exchange for funding, thereby constraining advocacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nongovernmental sector provided vital services, including care and support for children and families, and dispensed emergency funding through their service networks. This research investigates engagement between peak bodies and governments during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021. Nineteen CEOs and senior executives were interviewed from 16 peak bodies. Additionally, 27 surveys were completed by peak and nongovernmental sector representatives. Interview transcripts were coded using NVivo and thematically analysed. Four types of interactions between government and peak bodies were identified: collective leadership;partnership;advocacy to influence;and advocacy designed for public pressure. These four types of interactions formed a public advocacy continuum. In some Australian jurisdictions, the study showed that collective and partnership mechanisms between peaks and government were strengthened or revived, yet sustained work will be needed to entrench these positive developments in a postcrisis environment. © 2023 The Authors. Australian Journal of Social Issues published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Social Policy Association.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE BY INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION: Negative Consequences for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) are faced with unprecedented challenges due to the global coronavirus pandemic. This chapter describes the impact of institutional responses on faculty, staff, and students, especially Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC). The chapter begins with a historical analysis of pre-pandemic lived experiences of BIPOC communities pre-pandemic and explains how structural racism shapes those experiences. Then, the chapter explores how institutional policies and practices exacerbate structural racism and explain how those responses disproportionately impact faculty, staff, and students of color. Thus, the chapter concludes with research-based recommendations for keeping social justice at the forefront of decision-making. During a time of crisis, IHE must have a strong commitment to bolstering diversity, equity, and inclusion in their pandemic response through policies and practices. Institutions will be positioned to minimize the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on members of the BIPOC community. © 2023 selection and editorial matter, Elsie L. Harper-Anderson, Jay S. Albanese and Susan T. Gooden;individual chapters, the contributors.

Using simulation to prepare social work students for field education

This research explores the use of simulation technology in supporting and preparing social work students (n = 336) for core professional skills needed for practice. This study utilized a randomized experimental design using a 3 × 3 between-subjects design to assess the impact of the type of simulation (e.g. traditional written case studies, video-based simulations, and live actor simulations) and type of scenario (e.g. family/domestic violence, suicide/mental health and hospital/medical) on social work student's ability to undertake a psychosocial assessment. Results showed that students developed more comprehensive psychosocial assessments when presented with video simulations compared to traditional methods, using actors or written case studies. This research builds evidence for social work to embrace the use of simulation to develop these skills for students in a practice setting that removes not only the fear of doing harm but also the real possibility of harm in complex scenarios. Social work field education is under increasing pressure to meet professional standards, especially with the impact of the COVID pandemic. Thus, the profession must consider alternatives for training students including utilizing technology. While many other professional disciplines incorporated the use of simulation in training, social work has been slow to embrace this trend while favoring traditional teaching methods. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Impact of COVID-19 on Formal Education: An International Review of Practices and Potentials of Open Education at a Distance

In terms of scale, shock, and disenfranchisement, the disruption to formal education arising from COVID-19 has been unprecedented. Anecdotally, responses from teachers and educators around the world range from heightened caution to being inspired by distance education as the "new normal. " Of all the challenges, face-to-face and formal teaching have been most heavily affected. Despite some education systems demonstrating resilience, a major challenge is sustaining quality and inclusiveness in formal education suddenly delivered at a distance. In probing these issues, this article profiles international perspectives on the role of open education in responding to the impact on formal school and higher education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We proceed by highlighting and analysing practices and case studies from 13 countries representing all global regions, identifying and discussing the challenges and opportunities that have presented themselves. Reports cover the period from the beginning of 2020 until 11 March 2021, the first anniversary of the COVID-19 outbreak as declared by the World Health Organization. In our comparative study, we identify seven key aspects of which three (missing infrastructure and sharing OER, open education and access to OER, and urgent need for professional development and training for teachers) are directly related to open education at a distance. After comparing examples of existing practice, we make recommendations and offer insights into how open education strategies can lead to interventions that are effective and innovative-to improve formal education at a distance in schools and universities in the future.

Work-in-Progress: Rapid Development of Advanced Virtual Labs for In-Person and Online Education

During the closure of K-12 schools and universities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many educators turned to web conferencing tools such as Zoom and WebEx to deliver online lectures. For courses with labs, some teachers provide recorded videos of real labs. Watching recorded lab videos is a passive experience, as the procedures and point of view are fixed, and students do not have any control of the lab and thus miss the opportunity to explore different options, including making mistakes that is important part of the learning process. One approach that holds great potential to enhance laboratory experience for online education is the use of computer-based modeling and simulation tools. Simulation based virtual laboratories emulate lab equipment and configurations in highly realistic 3D environments and can provide very effective learning experiences. While there exist limited interactive lab computer simulations for various subjects, their presentations are still very primitive and often lack realism and complexity. This paper presents methodologies and preliminary findings on rapid development of advanced virtual labs using modeling and simulation for in-person and online education. The importance of modeling and simulation has long been recognized by the scientific community and agencies such as DoD and NSF. However, high-quality simulations are not commonplace, and simulations have not been widely employed in education. Existing simulations for education lack interoperability and compatibility. While there are sporadic uses of computer-based simulations in education that were developed in a piecemeal fashion, there was never systematic development at an industry level for such purposes. Virtual lab development usually require substantial amount of effort and lack of systematic research on rapid virtual lab development hinders their wide use in education. This paper proposes a wholistic and systematic approach for addressing the issues in rapid lab simulation development from several perspectives, including rapid generation of virtual environment, integration of state-of-the-art industry leading software tools, advanced software design techniques that enables large scale software reuse, and innovative user interface design that facilitate the configuration and use of virtual labs by instructors and students. This paper will implement a virtual circuit lab that emulates a circuit lab for the course PHYS 303 offered at Old Dominion University and will be used to elucidate the crucial methodologies for rapid virtual lab development. The virtual lab contains highly realistic visual renderings and accurate functional representations of sophisticated equipment, such as digital oscilloscopes, function generators, and digital multimeters, and authentic rendition of the lab space. The virtual lab allows analog and digital circuit simulation by integrating the de-facto industry standard circuit simulation engine SPICE and Xspice, supporting the circuit labs in course PHYS 303. The Unity game engine is used to develop the front end of the virtual lab. Advanced software development methodologies will be investigated to facilitate software reuse and rapid development, e.g., the same simulation code can be used to support equipment manufactured by different vendors. The paper will also investigate the impact of fidelity of the virtual lab, e.g., equipment and lab room, on student learning outcomes and efficacy. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022.

A PHASE II RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL of ORAL PREDNISOLONE in EARLY DIFFUSE CUTANEOUS SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS (PREDSS)

Background: A highly controversial question is whether or not corticosteroids should be prescribed for patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). Although the painful and disabling features of early dcSSc (including tight itchy skin, contractures, fatigue) have an infammatory basis and are likely to respond to corticosteroids, corticosteroids are a risk factor for potentially life-threatening scleroderma renal crisis. Objectives: Our aim was to examine safety and efficacy of moderate dose prednisolone in patients with early dcSSc. Specific objectives were to evaluate whether moderate dose prednisolone reduced pain and disability, and improved skin score, and whether prednisolone was safe with particular reference to renal function Methods: PRedSS set out as a Phase II, multicentre, double-blind randomised controlled trial, converted to open-label because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Patients were randomised to receive either moderate dose prednisolone (approximately 0.3 mg/kg) or matching placebo (or no treatment during open-label) for 6 months. The co-primary endpoints were the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and modifed Rodnan skin core (mRSS) at 3 months. Over 20 secondary endpoints included patient reported outcome measures refecting pain, itch, anxiety and depression, fatigue and helplessness. 72 participants randomised 1:1 were planned and anticipated to yield 60 evaluable, giving over 80% power for each co-primary outcome in ANCOVA analyses [assumptions;HAQ-DI (a = 0.025, ô =-0.6, o = 0.9, p = 0.6), mRSS (a = 0.025, ô =-5.5, a = 8.2, p = 0.6)]. Mixed Models for Repeated Measures (week 6, month 3, month 6) were ftted with covariates trial arm, baseline score, anti-Scl-70 and their interactions with time point. An unstructured covariance matrix was assumed with the primary focus being the trial arm effect at 3 months. Results: The study terminated early due to the Covid-19 pandemic and consequently did not meet the recruitment target of 72 patients. Thirty-five patients (Table 1) were randomised (17 to prednisolone and 18 to placebo/control, 25 during the double-blind phase), of whom 34 completed the 3 month assessment. The adjusted mean difference between treatment groups at 3 months in HAQ-DI score was-0.10 (97.5% CI-0.29 to 0.10), p=0.25, and in mRSS-3.90 (97.5% CI-8.83 to 1.03), p=0.070, both favouring prednisolone but not signifcantly. Patients in the prednisolone group experienced less pain, helplessness and anxiety than control patients at 3 months: mean difference in pain scores-0.49, 95%CI (-0.93 to-0.06), p=0.027, in Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) anxiety scores-2.05, 95%CI (-3.73 to-0.37), p=0.018, and in helplessness scores-1.54, 95%CI (-3.01 to-0.07), p=0.040. There were no renal crises. Conclusion: PRedSS exemplifed the challenges of running a clinical trial of an investigational medicinal product potentially associated with increased infection risk during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because PRedSS was terminated prior to target recruitment, it was underpowered, and any conclusions have to be extremely cautious. Although PRedSS suggested some beneft from moderate dose predni-solone, the small sample indicates the need for a further randomised trial.

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 using the Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 research panel

Background: The rapid spread of COVID-19 has resulted in an urgent need for effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a powerful tool in the identification and characterization of this pathogen and genomic information may aid in understanding the mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, vaccine escape, virulence, and pathogenicity. The Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Research Panel is a targeted NGS solution that facilitates sequence analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Paired with a bioinformatics assembly and variant calling pipelines, this assay allows for accurate characterization of the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant. This assay's performance was analytically validated for the detection of mutations (substitutions, insertions, and deletions) in RNA derived from nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. Method: The Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Research panel consists of two primer pair pools generating 237 amplicons specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Reverse transcription of the RNA was performed using the SuperScript VILO cDNA Synthesis kit. Library preparation was then completed using the Ion AmpliSeq Library Kit Plus kit. The final library was quantified, normalized, pooled, and sequenced. Raw sequencing data was aligned to the AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 Research panel, using the MN908947.3 reference genome. Variants were called using the Torrent Variant Caller and annotated using the COVID19AnnotateSnpEff plugin. The reference-guided iterative assembler IRMA was used to produce a single consensus sequence consisting of the reference genome sequence modified to include sequence variations supported by the reads. The Pangolin COVID-19 lineage assigner software tool was used to assign SARS-CoV-2 lineage. Analytical validation was completed using controls (Twist Biosciences, BEI Resources, ATCC) and RNA derived from NP swabs. Accuracy and specificity were examined by evaluating the correctness of calling true negative variants compared to false positive and all other variant calls, respectively. Precision and limit of detection (LoD) were examined by evaluating the concordance of variants across replicate samples. Limit of Blank (LoB) was calculated as the 95th percentile of reads per amplicon in the negative samples. Results: Accuracy of base calling, specificity, and precision were 100% for SNVs, insertions, and deletions above 25% allele frequency. LoD was determined to be 576 viral copies/mL. LoB was determined to be 202 reads per amplicon. Pangolin lineage assignment was 100% for all samples. Conclusions: This panel accurately characterizes SARS-CoV-2 variants, allowing for accurate consensus sequence generation, mutation annotation, and lineage assignment.

Association of systemic anticancer therapy with an increased risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 positive oncology patients

Background: Malignancy is thought to be an independent risk factor for increased COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. However, neoplastic diseases encompass a heterogenous group of pathologic processes, and further stratification of those patients prone to severe disease is necessary. We sought to identify predictors of poor COVID-19 outcomes among hospitalized patients with malignancy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with a diagnosis of hematologic and solid tumor malignancy within the regional Scripps Health hospital system in San Diego County from March 1, 2020 to January 5, 2021 with a PCR confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Cancer diagnoses were confirmed via manual chart review;in situ non-melanoma skin cancers were excluded. Only hospitalizations greater than one day were included in the analysis and readmissions were excluded. Outcomes of interest included admission to the ICU, intubation during hospitalization, and death. Associations between outcomes of interest and tumor types, metastatic disease (with or without lung involvement) and those receiving active systemic anticancer therapy (treatment within 3 months of admission) were determined using univariable logistic regression analyses. The study was approved by the Scripps Health Institutional Review Board. Systemic anticancer therapy included cytotoxic chemotherapy, immunomodulators, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and other targeted therapies. Results: Among a total of 2,771 hospitalized patients, 204 (7.36%) met inclusion criteria. The average age was 72.7 years, 48.5% were male, 33.3% were Hispanic and the average BMI was 27.5. The majority of patients (82.8%) had solid tumors, with the most prevalent being breast carcinoma (17.6%) and prostate carcinoma (17.2%). Overall, 21.9% had metastatic disease and 16% had lung involvement. 17.2% had been receiving active cancer systemic treatment. On univariate analysis, patients who were actively receiving treatment had an increased rate of death (37.1% vs 18.9%, OR: 2.5 (1.1-5.5) p= .021). Among patients receiving systemic anticancer therapy, 48.6% received cytotoxic chemotherapy, 5.7% immune checkpoint inhibitors, 22.9% immunomodulators, 17.1% molecularly targeted agents and 2.7% other agents. Moreover, there was a trend towards increased mortality in those with lung involvement (33.3% vs 17.6%, OR: 2.3 (0.9-5.7) p= .067) and those with hematologic malignancy (31.4% vs 20.1%, OR: 0.5 (0.2-1.3) p = 0.146). Conclusions: Among patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of cancer, systemic anticancer therapy was associated with a significantly increased odds of death. Other factors potentially increasing risk of death include hematologic malignancy and solid tumors with lung involvement. Further validation of these findings in a larger sample could impact therapeutic decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Empowering learning designers through design thinking

The COVID-19 crisis has compelled universities world-wide to make urgent and unexpected changes in the delivery of education. Transitioning from face-to-face to online teaching has presented a major challenge for some. Given the content is provided by the content experts (university teachers), a question arises whether the learning designers are ready for this challenge and can align their expertise to the requirements triggered by the pandemic. Learning designers need to have skills that can connect learning objectives and activities to changing contexts and changing stakeholder needs. Design thinking is proposed as a useful strategy which learning designers can use to address these challenges. This session will use action research and involve attendees in questioning how design thinking may support academics and learning designers in providing better experiences for learners. Copyright © 2020 Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education.

Pandemic 2020 and education: Responding from Kiribati

Growth of unprecedented innovation in Education Technology for several decades faced a major challenge with the pandemic of 2020, characterised by disruption and opportunity. While educational services in high-income economies have benefitted from digital learning solutions during the disruption, most low- and middle-income economies have struggled to provide undisrupted access to learning during the pandemic lockdown. Framed by the global context of the pandemic, this paper identifies a global oversupply of advice from academic and industry experts about best practices during such circumstances. In contrast, the capacity of an education system from a low-income economy such as Kiribati, a small island country in the Pacific Ocean, is profiled. Key questions are identified for conducting qualitative research to gather further data for the case-study so that it might inform a related research agenda focused on developing technology-based solutions for out-of-school children in underprivileged contexts. © ICCE 2020 - 28th International Conference on Computers in Education, Proceedings. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 testing in outbreak-free care homes: what are the public health benefits?

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 care home outbreaks represent a significant proportion of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in the UK. National testing initially focused on symptomatic care home residents, before extending to asymptomatic cohorts. AIM: The aim was to describe the epidemiology and transmission of COVID-19 in outbreak free care homes. METHODS: A two-point prevalence survey of COVID-19, in 34 Liverpool care homes, was performed in April and May 2020. Changes in prevalence were analysed. Associations between care home characteristics, reported infection, prevention and control interventions, and COVID-19 status were described and analysed. FINDINGS: No resident developed COVID-19 symptoms during the study. There was no significant difference between: the number of care homes containing at least one test positive resident between the first (17.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.8-34.5) and second round (14.7%, 95% CI 5.0-31.1) of testing (p>0.99); and the number of residents testing positive between the first (2.1%, 95% CI 1.2-3.4) and second round (1.0%, 95% CI 0.5-2.1) of testing (P=0.11). Care homes providing nursing care (risk ratio (RR) 7.99, 95% CI 1.1-57.3) and employing agency staff (RR 8.4, 95% CI 1.2-60.8) were more likely to contain test positive residents. Closing residents shared space was not associated with residents testing positive (RR 2.63, 95% CI 0.4-18.5). CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic COVID-19 care homes showed no evidence of disease transmission or development of outbreaks; suggesting that current infection prevention and control measures are effective in preventing transmission. Repeat testing at two to three weeks had limited or no public health benefits over regular daily monitoring of staff and residents for symptoms. These results should inform policies calling for regular testing of asymptomatic residents.