Emerging Telepresence Technologies in Hybrid Learning Environments.

The last several years have seen a strong growth of telerobotic technologies with promising implications for many areas of learning. HCI has contributed to these discussions, mainly with studies on user experiences and user interfaces of telepresence robots. However, only a few telerobot studies have addressed everyday use in real-world learning environments. In the post-COVID 19 world, sociotechnical uncertainties and unforeseen challenges to learning in hybrid learning environments constitute a unique frontier where robotic and immersive technologies can mediate learning experiences. The aim of this workshop is to set the stage for a new wave of HCI research that accounts for and begins to develop new insights, concepts, and methods for use of immersive and telerobotic technologies in real-world learning environments. Participants are invited to collaboratively define an HCI research agenda focused on robot-mediated learning in the wild, which will require examining end-user engagements and questioning underlying concepts regarding telerobots for learning.

Use of Low-Cost Devices for the Control and Monitoring of CO2 Concentration in Existing Buildings after the COVID Era

In the COVID-19 era, a direct relationship has been consolidated between the concentration of the pollutant carbon dioxide (CO2) and indoor disease transmission. For reducing its spread, recommendations have been established among which air renewal is a key element to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). In this study, a low-cost CO2 measurement device was designed, developed, assembled, prototyped, and openly programmed so that the IAQ can be monitored remotely. In addition, this clonic device was calibrated for correct data acquisition. In parallel, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling analysis was used to study the indoor air flows to eliminate non-representative singular measurement points, providing possible locations. The results in four scenarios (cross ventilation, outdoor ventilation, indoor ventilation, and no ventilation) showed that the measurements provided by the clonic device are comparable to those obtained by laboratory instruments, with an average error of less than 3%. These data collected wirelessly for interpretation were evaluated on an Internet of Things (IoT) platform in real time or deferred. As a result, remaining lifespan of buildings can be exploited interconnecting IAQ devices with other systems (as HVAC systems) in an IoT environment. This can transform them into smart buildings, adding value to their refurbishment and modernization.

An Early Th1 Response Is a Key Factor for a Favorable COVID-19 Evolution.

The Th1/Th2 balance plays a crucial role in the progression of different pathologies and is a determining factor in the evolution of infectious diseases. This work has aimed to evaluate the early, or on diagnosis, T-cell compartment response, T-helper subsets and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody specificity in COVID-19 patients and to classify them according to evolution based on infection severity. A unicenter, randomized group of 146 COVID-19 patients was divided into four groups in accordance with the most critical events during the course of disease. The immunophenotype and T-helper subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals showed a potent and robust Th1 immunity, with a lower Th17 and less activated T-cells at the time of sample acquisition compared not only with symptomatic patients, but also with healthy controls. Conversely, severe COVID-19 patients presented with Th17-skewed immunity, fewer Th1 responses and more activated T-cells. The multivariate analysis of the immunological and inflammatory parameters, together with the comorbidities, showed that the Th1 response was an independent protective factor for the prevention of hospitalization (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03-0.81), with an AUC of 0.844. Likewise, the Th1 response was found to be an independent protective factor for severe forms of the disease (OR 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.63, p = 0.015, AUC: 0.873). In conclusion, a predominant Th1 immune response in the acute phase of the SARS-CoV-2 infection could be used as a tool to identify patients who might have a good disease evolution.

Selección de lo mejor del año 2020 en cardiopatía isquémica y cuidados críticos cardiológicos

Resumen Durante el último año se han publicado múltiples estudios en el campo de la cardiopatía isquémica y de los cuidados críticos cardiovasculares. Hemos seleccionado las publicaciones más destacadas según el criterio de los autores. During the last year, multiple trials in the field of ischemic heart disease and acute cardiac care have been published. We have made a selection of the most relevant ones.

Recomendaciones en reanimación cardiopulmonar en pacientes con COVID-19

RESUMEN La atención a la parada cardiorrespiratoria en una situación de elevada contagiosidad, como la pandemia por COVID-19, puede condicionar una serie de medidas con el fin de garantizar por un lado, una actuación precoz y eficaz y por otro, una adecuada protección y seguridad de reanimadores, paciente y entorno. Desde el Grupo de Trabajo de Reanimación Cardiopulmonar (RCP) de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología, y tras analizar la situación actual, hemos decidido elaborar este documento con el fin de resumir de forma práctica las principales recomendaciones en el contexto de la RCP durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Estas recomendaciones pueden estar sujetas a cambios posteriores, fruto de la progresiva evidencia y aprendizaje que hemos ido adquiriendo en esta etapa. ABSTRACT Attention to cardiac arrest in a highly contagious situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic may condition some focused measures, on the one hand, prior and effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) action, in the other hand an adequate protection and safety of rescuers, patients and the environment. From the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Working Group of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, after analyzing the current situation, we have decided to prepare this document in order to summarize in a practical way the main recommendations in the context of CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic. These recommendations may be subject to subsequent changes, as a result of the progression of the evidence and the learning that we have acquired at this stage.