COVID-19-induced academic stress and its impact on life satisfaction and optimism. A panel study of Swedish university students between 2020 and 2022

In this article, we analyse the level of and development in students' academic stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We devote particular attention to students that first entered university in 2020, ‘the COVID cohort', who had fewer opportunities to integrate in ways that theoretically should mitigate the impact of pandemic-induced disruption to their studies. Using four waves of data, collected 2020–2022, we find evidence of both pandemic and cohort effects among Swedish university students (N = 3138). During the pandemic's first year academic stress due to COVID-19 increased regardless of pre-pandemic university experience. The stress, in turn, negatively impacted students' life satisfaction, a factor theoretically linked to key student outcomes like persistence and academic performance but had limited effect on students' long-term optimism. The COVID cohort expressed higher levels of academic stress and experienced a greater drop in life satisfaction compared to the most senior students (3 years or more), but largely overlapped with students with some university experience (1–2 years). These group differences persisted in spring 2022. Finally, we found that the higher levels of pandemic-induced academic stress in the COVID cohort were mitigated by experiences that foster academic and social integration, specifically by teacher support and social cohesion. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Censored density forecasts: Production and evaluation

This paper develops methods for the production and evaluation of censored density forecasts. The focus is on censored density forecasts that quantify forecast risks in a middle region of the density covering a specified probability and ignore the magnitude but not the frequency of outlying observations. We propose a fixed-point algorithm that fits a potentially skewed and fat-tailed density to the inner observations, acknowledging that the outlying observations may be drawn from a different but unknown distribution. We also introduce a new test for calibration of censored density forecasts. An application using historical forecast errors from the Federal Reserve Board and the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at the Bank of England suggests that the use of censored density functions to represent the pattern of forecast errors results in much greater parameter stability than do uncensored densities. We illustrate the utility of censored density forecasts when quantifying forecast risks after shocks such as the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic and find that these outperform the official forecasts produced by the MPC. © 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Measuring the Burden of Infodemics: Summary of the Methods and Results of the Fifth WHO Infodemic Management Conference.

Background: An infodemic is excess information, including false or misleading information, that spreads in digital and physical environments during a public health emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by an unprecedented global infodemic that has led to confusion about the benefits of medical and public health interventions, with substantial impact on risk-taking and health-seeking behaviors, eroding trust in health authorities and compromising the effectiveness of public health responses and policies. Standardized measures are needed to quantify the harmful impacts of the infodemic in a systematic and methodologically robust manner, as well as harmonizing highly divergent approaches currently explored for this purpose. This can serve as a foundation for a systematic, evidence-based approach to monitoring, identifying, and mitigating future infodemic harms in emergency preparedness and prevention. Objective: In this paper, we summarize the Fifth World Health Organization (WHO) Infodemic Management Conference structure, proceedings, outcomes, and proposed actions seeking to identify the interdisciplinary approaches and frameworks needed to enable the measurement of the burden of infodemics. Methods: An iterative human-centered design (HCD) approach and concept mapping were used to facilitate focused discussions and allow for the generation of actionable outcomes and recommendations. The discussions included 86 participants representing diverse scientific disciplines and health authorities from 28 countries across all WHO regions, along with observers from civil society and global public health-implementing partners. A thematic map capturing the concepts matching the key contributing factors to the public health burden of infodemics was used throughout the conference to frame and contextualize discussions. Five key areas for immediate action were identified. Results: The 5 key areas for the development of metrics to assess the burden of infodemics and associated interventions included (1) developing standardized definitions and ensuring the adoption thereof; (2) improving the map of concepts influencing the burden of infodemics; (3) conducting a review of evidence, tools, and data sources; (4) setting up a technical working group; and (5) addressing immediate priorities for postpandemic recovery and resilience building. The summary report consolidated group input toward a common vocabulary with standardized terms, concepts, study designs, measures, and tools to estimate the burden of infodemics and the effectiveness of infodemic management interventions. Conclusions: Standardizing measurement is the basis for documenting the burden of infodemics on health systems and population health during emergencies. Investment is needed into the development of practical, affordable, evidence-based, and systematic methods that are legally and ethically balanced for monitoring infodemics; generating diagnostics, infodemic insights, and recommendations; and developing interventions, action-oriented guidance, policies, support options, mechanisms, and tools for infodemic managers and emergency program managers.

Young Adult Mental Health Beyond the COVID-19 Era: Can Enlightened Policy Promote Long-Term Change?

The status of mental health for adolescents and young adults has aptly been termed a "crisis" across research, clinical, and policy quarters. Arguably, the status quo provision of mental health services for adolescents and young adults is neither acceptable nor salvageable in its current form. Instead, only a wholesale policy transformation of mental health sciences can address crises of this scope. Pandemic-related impacts on mental health, particularly among young adults, have clearly exposed the need for the mental healthcare field to develop a set of transformative priorities to achieve long overdue, systemic changes: (1) frequent mental health tracking, (2) increased access to mental health care, (3) working with and within communities, (4) collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders, (5) prevention-focused emphasis, (6) use of dimensional descriptions over categorical pronouncements, and (7) addressing systemic inequities. The pandemic required changes in mental healthcare that can and should be the beginning of long-needed reform, calling upon all mental health care disciplines to embrace innovation and relinquish outdated traditions.

A tale of two applications: lessons learned from national LMIC COVID applications.

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have received increased attention for the significant potential benefits they can bring to underserved populations. As smartphones are becoming increasingly accessible, many stakeholders in the mHealth space have begun exploring smartphone applications as a means to impact individuals living within LMICs. With the COVID-19 pandemic straining healthcare systems around the world, many governments in LMICs turned to use smartphone applications to help support and manage their pandemic responses. By analyzing national COVID-19 applications created and launched by the Indian and Vietnamese governments, we highlight effective application functions and strategies, summarizing best practices for future LMIC application development.

Longitudinal Change in Adolescent Depression and Anxiety Symptoms from before to during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to examine changes in depression and anxiety symptoms from before to during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of 1,339 adolescents (9-18 years old, 59% female) from three countries. We also examined if age, race/ethnicity, disease burden, or strictness of government restrictions moderated change in symptoms. Data from 12 longitudinal studies (10 U.S., 1 Netherlands, 1 Peru) were combined. Linear mixed effect models showed that depression, but not anxiety, symptoms increased significantly (median increase = 28%). The most negative mental health impacts were reported by multiracial adolescents and those under 'lockdown' restrictions. Policy makers need to consider these impacts by investing in ways to support adolescents' mental health during the pandemic.

Hospital-acquired bacterial infections in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Israel.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine incidence of common hospital-acquired bacteria among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Israeli general hospitals during the first year of the pandemic. METHODS: We analyzed routinely collected incidence data to determine hospital acquisition of the following sentinel bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Clostridioides difficile. We examined 3 acquisition measures: (1) sentinel bacteria, (2) sentinel bacteremia, and (3) antimicrobial-resistant sentinel bacteremia. The study period was March 1, 2020, through January 31, 2021. RESULTS: Analysis of pooled data from the 26 hospitals surveyed revealed that rates were higher for all 3 acquisition measures among COVID-19 patients than they were among patients on general medical wards in 2019, but lower than those among patients in intensive care units in 2019. The incidence rate was highest during the first COVID-19 wave, despite a lower proportion of severe COVID-19 cases among total hospitalized during this wave. Wide variation in incidence was evident between hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients experienced nosocomial bacterial infection at rates higher than those of patients on pre-pandemic general medical wards, adding to the complexity of their care. Lower rates of nosocomial infection after the first wave, despite higher proportions of severely ill patients, suggest that healthcare worker practices, rather than patient-related factors, were responsible for most of these infections.

Knowledge Construction in Engineering Education Research - Assessing the Role of Journals, Books, Conferences, and Other Products of Research

This panel will discuss the role of different knowledge artifacts in creating, maintaining, and circulating knowledge within the engineering education community. The past decade has seen a significant increase in the venues available for sharing engineering education research and as the field grows and builds more knowledge, it is equally important to also take stock of prior work and of strategies to create novelty. Within this context, what is the role of different knowledge encapsulating artifacts and why do those who engage with creating these artifacts do so? In this panel we touch upon these issues while taking stock of the knowledge base in the field. We will also discuss what the future of knowledge creation in the field might look like given the move towards open access online publications as the primary form of knowledge circulation. Finally, in the post-COVID context, what will and should be the role of in-person events in this process. In terms of equity of participation, what potential avenues are available?. © 2022 IEEE.

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response by mRNA Vaccine Platform in Incrementally Immunosuppressed Patients

Purpose: This study compares SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses between the twodose mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 vaccine series across groups of incrementally immunosuppressed patients. Method(s): Semiquantitative testing for antibodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was performed using the Roche Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 S enzyme immunoassay (EIA), 15-45 days after the second vaccine dose for SARS-CoV-2 naive patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD), and solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) from an observational cohort. Anti-RBD titers were divided into categories of >=50, >=100 and >=250 U/mL based on levels associated with plasma neutralizing capacity in COVID-19 convalescent patients. Participants were stratified by increasing intensity of immunosuppression: RMD not on immunosuppression, RMD on immunosuppression, SOTR not on mycophenolate (MMF), and SOTR on MMF. Response rates between mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 recipients were compared using modified Poisson regression weighted for age, time since vaccination, and number of immunosuppressive medications. This analysis was repeated for several thresholds of positive response: 50, 100, and 250 U/mL. Result(s): Of 1868 participants, 55.8% of RMD and 52.7% of SOTRs received BNT162b2;the remainder received mRNA-1273. Demographics, diagnoses, and immunosuppressive regimens were similar across vaccine groups. Among RMD participants not on immunosuppression, the chance of anti-RBD >=250U/ml was comparable among BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 recipients (IRR= 0.91 1.03 1.16 p= 0.67). mRNA-1273 recipients had a higher chance than BNT162b2 recipients to achieve anti-RBD >=250U/ml among RMD participants on immunosuppression (IRR = 1.15 1.241.34, p<0.001);SOTRs not on MMF (IRR = 1.24 1.561.96, p <0.001);and SOTRs on MMF (IRR=1.28 2.625.37, p= 0.01). Similar trends were observed with titer cutoffs of >=100 and >=50 U/mL (Table 1). Conclusion(s): The two-dose mRNA-1273 vaccine series was more likely to induce stronger humoral immunogenicity compared to BNT162b2 in immunosuppressed patients;this effect was more pronounced with greater immunosuppression. These findings suggest importance in the choice of mRNA vaccine platform in optimizing immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and can help inform vaccination strategies for booster doses in high-risk, immunosuppressed populations.

Humoral and Cellular Immune Response to a Third Dose of SARSCoV- 2 Vaccine in Kidney Transplant Recipients on Belatacept

Purpose: Kidney transplant recipients taking belatacept (KTR-B) have poor immune response to two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We sought to characterize the impact of an additional vaccine dose on plasma neutralizing capacity and cellular responses as compared to that of KTRs controls (KTR-C) not taking belatacept. Method(s): Within an observational cohort, we tested 26 KTR-Bs and 27 KTR-Cs for anti-spike antibody responses before and after a third SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose (D3) using two clinical assays (Roche Elecsys anti-S Ig and EUROIMMUN anti-S1 IgG). For a subset of 5 KTR-Bs and for all KTR-Cs we used a research assay (Meso Scale Diagnostics V-Plex [MSD]) to further assess anti-spike and RBD IgG, as well as surrogate plasma neutralizing activity (% ACE2 inhibition) versus the ancestral and delta variants. For 3 KTR-Bs, post D3 T cell response was assessed via IFN-y ELISpot and deemed positive if spot forming units > 20 per million PBMC and stimulation index > 3. Result(s): KTR-Bs had significant lower clinical anti-spike seroconversion than KTR-Cs (31% vs 74%, p=0.001) after D3 despite similar demographics, clinical factors, and vaccines administered (Table 1). No KTR-B (0/5) was seropositive by MSD anti-spike or anti-RBD IgG (Figure 1). % ACE2 inhibition versus the ancestral variant was significantly lower in KTR-Bs than in KTR-Cs (Median [IQR] 5.2 [2.8, 6.5] vs 12.5 [7.7, 23.9], p<0.01);all KTR-Bs were below a level consistent with detectable neutralizing antibody. All tested KTR-Bs (3/3) had a negative ELISpot, consistent with negligible cellular response. Conclusion(s): These results suggest minimal humoral or cellular immunogenicity of additional vaccine doses for KTR-Bs and indicates the need for alternative strategies to improve vaccine response such as immunosuppression alteration or use of passive immunoprophylaxis with monoclonal anti-spike antibody to improve protection versus SARS-CoV-2.

Kinetics and Durability of a Third Dose of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Purpose: Understanding the dynamics of antibody response to a third dose (D3) of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) is important to inform booster strategies. Method(s): We studied the the dynamics of anti-RBD (Roche, <0.8 to >2500 U/dL) and anti-S (Euroimmun, 0.1 to >8.9 AU) antibody levels in a cohort of SOTRs at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months after D3. We compared the proportion of seroconversion at 1 month or 3 months after D3 between mRNA and Ad.26.COV2.S D3 recipients, using Poisson regression with robust standard error, adjusting for age and numbers of immunosuppressants. Result(s): Among 928 SOTRs with 2-week (n=655), 1-month (n=651) or 3-month (n=404) post-D3 titer, 78%, 82% and 86% tested positive for antibodies. The median (IQR) anti-RBD at the three timepoints were >2500 (73, >2500), 2494 (49, >2500) and 1234 (59, >2500) U/mL (Figure 1A, blue), and there were 61% (n=436), 60% (n=491) and 53% (n=313) with anti-RBD> 1000 u/mL, respectively. The median (IQR) anti-S at the three timepoints were 3.2 (0.3, 8.4), 8 (2, >8.9) and 7.4 (2, >8.9) AU (Figure 1B, blue), and there were 47% (n=218), 61% (n=161) and 64% (n=91) who developed anti-S>4 AU. Among patients with no or minimal immune response at 2 weeks post-D3 (n=102), 3/41 (7%) had increased anti-RBD by 1 month while 11/18 (61%) had increased anti-S (Fisher exact p<0.001). 6/29 (21%) had increased anti-RBD by 3 months while 12/20 (60%) had increased anti-S (p<0.01) (Figure 1A&B, yellow). 27/102 (27%) of them seroconverted at 1 or 3 months after D3. Having received Ad.26.COV2.S as D3 is associated with 3.9X increased proportion of seroconversion at 1 month or 3 months among patients with no or minimal immune response at 2 weeks after D3 (aIRR=2.223.926.92, p<0.001). Conclusion(s): Among SOTRs who received a booster anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, dynamics of Anti-RBD and Anti-S antibodies differed substantially. Anti-RBD titers on average declined only slightly after 14 days post-D3, while anti-S increased up through 30-60 days post-D3. After the peak, average titer values for both antibodies declined slightly through three months post-D3.

Six-Month Antibody Kinetics and Durability After Three Doses of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Purpose: Some solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) with low or negative antibody levels after a 2-dose mRNA vaccine series against SARS-CoV-2 experience boosting after a third dose (D3), but long-term antibody durability after D3 is unknown. We describe six-month SARS-CoV-2 antibody kinetics and durability in 31 SOTRs who received D3. Method(s): 31 SOTRs without prior COVID-19 were identified within our national observational study. Serologic testing was performed a median of 30 (IQR 27-40) days after D3 and repeated at a median of 166 (148-184) days after D3. Semiquantitative anti-spike serologic testing using the Roche Elecsys anti-S enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or EUROIMMUN anti-S1 EIA was performed. Result(s): Over 6 months of follow-up, antibody levels increased in 16/27(59%), remained stable in 6/27(22%) (one negative, the others above the assay limit), and decreased in 5/27(19%). One-month post-D3, 24/31(77%) were seropositive and 7/31(23%) were seronegative. Six-months post-D3, 29/31(94%) were seropositive and 2/31(6%) remained seronegative. Both nonresponders received the BNT-162b2 primary series;one received Ad.26.CoV2.S and the other mRNA-1273 for D3. This difference in seroconversion after D3 was not statistically significant (Fisher exact = 0.49, between primary series). There were no reported cases of COVID-19 during the study period. Conclusion(s): We observed a very high rate of seroconversion after D3 in SOTRs, with marked heterogeneity in timing and strength of response depending on baseline antibody level and vaccine platform received. These results are encouraging evidence for the durable immunogenicity of additional vaccine doses in most SOTRs, and demonstrate the need for dedicated analysis of heterologous boosting strategies.

B Cells Fit for Germinal Center Activity Predict Response to a Third Dose of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Purpose: While SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has dramatically reduced COVID-19 severity in the general population, fully vaccinated solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) demonstrate reduced seroconversion and increased breakthrough infection rates. Furthermore, a third vaccine dose only increases antibody and T cell responses in a proportion of SOTRs. We sought to investigate the underlying mechanisms resulting in varied humoral responses in SOTRs. Method(s): Within a longitudinal prospective cohort of SOTRs, anti-spike IgG, total and spike-specific B cells were evaluated in 44 SOTR participants before and after a third vaccine dose using high dimensional flow cytometry to assess immunologic and metabolic phenotypes. B cell phenotypes were compared to those of 10 healthy controls who received a standard two-dose mRNA series. Result(s): Notably, even in the absence anti-spike antibody after two doses, spikespecific B cells were detectable in most SOTRs (76%). While 15% of participants were seropositive before the third dose, 72% were seropositive afterward. B cells, however, were differentially skewed towards non-class switched B cells in SOTRs as compared to healthy control B cells. Expansion of spike-specific class-switched B cells in SOTRs following a third vaccine dose correlated with increased classswitched (IgG) antibody titers. Antibody response to a third vaccine dose was associated with expanded populations of germinal center-like (CD10+CD27+) B cells, as well as CD11c+ alternative lineage B cells with specific upregulation of CPT1a, the rate limiting enzyme of fatty acid oxidation and a preferred energy source of germinal center B cells. Conclusion(s): This analysis defines a distinct B cell phenotype in SOTRs who respond to a third SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose, specifically identifying fatty acid oxidation as pathway that could be targeted to improve vaccine response such as through targeted immunosuppressive modulation. (Figure Presented).

Effect of Mycophenolate Mofetil Dosing on Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Heart and Lung Transplant Recipients

Purpose: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) use is associated with decreased antibody response to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine series in heart and lung transplant recipients (HLTRs). Higher MMF doses have been associated with poor immunogenicity in kidney transplant recipients, but limited data exist on HLTRs. We evaluated the relationship between daily MMF dose and vaccine-induced antibody response in HLTRs. Method(s): HLTRs (n= 212) from an observational cohort were categorized by daily MMF doses (None, Low: <1000mg, Moderate: 1000-2000mg, High: >=2000mg). Semi-quantitative antibody testing was performed at 1, 3, and 6-months post-dose 2 (D2) using the Roche Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 S enzyme immunoassay (EIA), testing for antibodies to SARSCoV2 spike protein receptor binding domain, and the EUROIMMUN EIA, testing for S1 domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to estimate the risk of a negative antibody response with increasing MMF dose. Result(s): At the time of vaccination, 94 (44.3%) HLTRs reported receiving no MMF, 33 (15.6%) reported a low dose, 54 (25.7%) reported a moderate dose, and 31 (14.8%) reported a high dose regimen. There were statistically significant differences in the number of participants on mTOR inhibitors and Triple immunosuppression among the groups but the participants in all 4 dose categories were otherwise comparable (Table 1) The risk ratio of a negative post-D2 titer with low, moderate and high dose regimens compared to no MMF was 0.65 1.15 2.05 (p=0.63), 1.34 2.043.10 (p=0.001) and 1.83 2.77 4.21 (p<0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, vaccine type, time since transplant, and corticosteroid use. Conclusion(s): HLTRs taking MMF >1000mg/day are at higher risk of remaining seronegative after mRNA vaccination, with evidence of a dose-nonresponse effect. The findings support the exploration of whether targeted MMF reduction strategies in HLTRs increase SARS-CoV-2 vaccine immunogenicity. (Table Presented).