Computerized Cognitive Testing in Long COVID Patients With Prolonged Symptoms of Brain Fog and Cognitive Impairment

Purpose: To identify cognitive impairments in patients (pts) with long COVID using the Cambridge Brain Sciences (CBS) computerized cognitive test (CCT) commonly used to evaluate cognitive function after concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Method(s): Retrospective review from May 2021-Sept 2022 of 16 (4 male, 12 female) patients with long COVID, ages 13- 66 (avg 46), with average of 10 months from COVID infection to time of evaluation. Cognitive (cog) performance and concussion profile symptom scores were assessed with CBS CCT and the Concussion Clinical Profiles screening tool (CP screen) respectively. Result(s): The total CP symptom score average was 34/89 (ranging 7-68) in the cohort. The predominant profile was cog fatigue scoring (1.8/3) on average. CBS CCT tested cog impairment (CI) and was divided into 5 categories (0-4): no CI, borderline (scores between the 21st-30th percentile), mild (1 test < / = 20th percentile), moderate (2-3 tests < / = 20th percentile), and severe CI (>3 tests,/520th percentile). Data showed 2/16 (13%) patients had no CI, 5/16 (31%) had borderline CI, 5/16 (31%) had mild CI, 3/16 (19%) had moderate CI, and 1/16 (6%) pts had severe CI. Although not significant, there was a positive correlation between CI and cog profile score (P = 0.3149) when performing a linear regression test. Deficits were most common in the CBS CTT composites of grammatical reasoning/verbal processing and attention, with 4/16 patients scoring < 20th percentile for each test. The lowest average percentile scores for the cohort were in visuospatial processing and verbal short-term memory. Conclusion(s): Most long COVID patients assessed with CCT demonstrated signs of CI, in particular in verbal processing and memory, followed by visual processing. In addition to the CCT results illustrating CI, the top CP profile of cognitive fatigue in this cohort suggests that the brain fog experienced by long COVID patients may be quantified. Significance: CCT may be a useful tool in assessing and quantifying those with Long COVID with chronic symptoms of cognitive fog, fatigue, or impairment. Targeted interventions aimed at specific deficits can aid in treatment and recovery.

Validation of the Prediction of Effectiveness of Statistical Time Series Models Using an Artificial Neural Network Model

The objective of this project was to predict the number of cases of infections and deaths from covid-19 through the application of artificial intelligence techniques in order to validate the effectiveness of a statistical model and counteract congestion in the health area within the territory. Ecuadorian, the rapid spread that caused serious consequences in the health systems and the virus triggered a global health crisis, the drastic impact on people's lives caused the application of Artificial Neural Networks-RNA techniques to obtain rapid diagnoses and effective. Historical data from the Ecuadorian state about the infections and deaths recorded per day were taken, the data was processed using the time series statistical method technique and later in the RNA models for the generation of the prediction and validation of the statistical method, the results obtained from each of the neural networks provided a feasible forecast that was close to the real values. The main conclusions show that the techniques applied in this project are efficient when predicting the number of cases of infection and death from covid-19 based on historical data and that the use of neural networks is very useful for solving various predictive problems. © 2022 Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions. All rights reserved.

Stress and job performance of secondary teachers under the telework modality

Changes are part of the future of the human being in its different contexts and these transformations are the product of the need to adapt them in the areas in which they are immersed. Undoubtedly, the pandemic caused by Covid-19 produced in human beings' uncertainties about the consequences it could generate. The purpose of this research was to analyze the levels of stress and work performance in teachers under the modality of telework, during the preventive isolation declared by the World Health Organization in the last 2 years. The current study used a quantitative descriptive method. A question-naire was used to assess the levels of stress and it has a considered level of validity and reliability. The sample consisted of 94 of 120 teachers linked to the secondary educational institution of the public sector. As a conclusion of this study, most teachers suffer from stress, which significantly affects their work performance. Copyright © 2022, Venezuelan Society of Pharmacology and Clinical and Therapeutic Pharmacology. All rights reserved.

The road to data-driven public health emergency response in the overseas territory of Puerto Rico

Lingering economic troubles, natural disasters, and governmental instability placed Puerto Rico in uncertainty upon the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the lack of data and urgency to establish public health strategies, young scientists in Puerto Rico developed an epidemiological and health informatics system to collect, analyze, and monitor data in real time. The work done by the interdisciplinary team resulted in real-time decisions for public health policy as insights were gleaned about the dynamics of COVID-19 propagation. In this chapter, the authors describe an eight-month project which includes a structural assessment, information flow optimization, systemic expansion and enforcement, and data-driven decision-making enhancements to health informatics systems built in Puerto Rico as a model for global health systems. © 2023, IGI Global.

School is open to all. Protecting the right to education in the pandemic crisis by Covid-19

The purpose of this article is to analyze the role of the scientific research in the pandemic by COVID-19 and this impact on the the national and the international political process. One of the areas most affected by the spread of the pandemic was the school, which, in the most difficult phases, was forced to adopt methods of carrying out teaching activities remotely, determining a whole series of criticalities that have impacted in primis students. © 2022, Societa Editoriale Federalismi s.r.l.. All rights reserved.

Specialty technician training program development

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic worsened a nationwide technician shortage with negative impacts on pharmacy workflow and patient care. Barriers to entering the pharmacy field as a technician included lack of years of experience and training, specifically in specialty pharmacy technician (SPT) roles that require one year of experience and advanced certification. With our growing business, the ability to hire SPT's has been a challenge. Currently, Yale New Haven Health (YNHH) offers an ASHP/ACPE accredited Pharmacy Technician Training Program that prepares individuals for: a pharmacy career in all practice settings, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam, as well as the opportunity for practical experience in multiple practice settings and areas, including specialty pharmacy. The twenty-three week long program (we have removed the PTCB requirement to align with the changes in job description across the system that requires PTCB within 1 year of hire) is equivalent to one year of pharmacy experience. The YNHH health system specialty pharmacy (HSSP) collaborated with the YNHH Pharmacy Technician Training Program to create a specialty pharmacy focused track. Objective(s): To increase the HSSP SPT candidate pool through the creation of a HSSP focused pharmacy technician training program rotation tract. Method(s): Rotation objectives were created to ensure compliance with American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accreditation standards, in addition to training objective that include exposure to all technician based positions within the specialty pharmacy realm. The traditional nineweek experiential rotation tract was adapted to allow seven weeks of specialty pharmacy focused rotations. Enrollment into the specialty pharmacy focused track was limited to one student per cohort for the first three rotation cycles. The number of students who completed the rotation and were retained as HSSP SPT's was tracked. Specialty technician content experts within the HSSP were identified to serve as program preceptors. Specialty Pharmacy Supervisors also serve as rotation site coordinators for this tract. Result(s): The development of the specialty pharmacy focused track of the YNHH Pharmacy Technician Training Program took five months. The specialty pharmacy focused track was first available to students on 28 March, 2022. Of the two students that entered the specialty pharmacy focused track, both students have completed the program and are being retained as SPT's. Conclusion(s): A specialty focused pharmacy technician training program can be a novel strategy to address HSSP pharmacy technician staffing shortage.

Teaching Control during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper aims to analyze some different solutions that were adopted in control education activities during the pandemic. The authors of this paper are educators in the control education field from different countries on all the continents, who have developed a questionnaire with the idea of collecting data about the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the control education activities. The main objective is to study the diverse alternatives that were used worldwide to perform the online educational activities during that period, such as methodologies, tools, learning management systems (LMS), theoretical exercises, laboratory experiments, types of exams, simulators, software for online lecturing, etc. As a result, comparisons between preand during-pandemic educational resources and methods are performed, where useful ideas and discussions are given for the control education community. Copyright (C) 2022 The Authors.

Using SIR Epidemic Modeling and Control to Teach Process Dynamics and Control to Chemical Engineers

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented opportunities to introduce control systems topics in the undergraduate engineering curriculum. This paper describes two computer modeling assignments based on MATLAB with Simulink developed for CHE 461: Process Dynamics and Control taught at Arizona State University during the fall 2020 semester. A myriad of important concepts, among these dynamic modeling using conservation and accounting principles, linearization, state-space system and transfer function model representations, PID feedback control and Internal Model Control design can be applied to the problem and explained to students in the context of a significant world event representing a unique “process” system, notably the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teaching Control during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper aims to analyze some different solutions that were adopted in control education activities during the pandemic. The authors of this paper are educators in the control education field from different countries on all the continents, who have developed a questionnaire with the idea of collecting data about the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the control education activities. The main objective is to study the diverse alternatives that were used worldwide to perform the online educational activities during that period, such as methodologies, tools, learning management systems (LMS), theoretical exercises, laboratory experiments, types of exams, simulators, software for online lecturing, etc. As a result, comparisons between pre-and during-pandemic educational resources and methods are performed, where useful ideas and discussions are given for the control education community.

Multiparty Holomeetings: Toward a New Era of Low-Cost Volumetric Holographic Meetings in Virtual Reality

Fueled by advances in multi-party communications, increasingly mature immersive technologies being adopted, and the COVID-19 pandemic, a new wave of social virtual reality (VR) platforms have emerged to support socialization, interaction, and collaboration among multiple remote users who are integrated into shared virtual environments. Social VR aims to increase levels of (co-)presence and interaction quality by overcoming the limitations of 2D windowed representations in traditional multi-party video conferencing tools, although most existing solutions rely on 3D avatars to represent users. This article presents a social VR platform that supports real-time volumetric holographic representations of users that are based on point clouds captured by off-the-shelf RGB-D sensors, and it analyzes the platform's potential for conducting interactive holomeeting scenarios (i.e., holoconferencing sessions for remote gathering and formal discussion). This work evaluates such a platform's performance and readiness for conducting holomeetings with up to four users, and it provides insights into aspects of the user experience when using single-camera and low-cost capture systems in scenarios with both frontal and side viewpoints. Overall, the obtained results confirm the platform's maturity and the potential of holographic communications for conducting interactive multi-party meetings, even when using low-cost systems and single-camera capture systems in scenarios where users are sitting or have a limited translational movement along the X, Y, and Z axes within the 3D virtual environment (commonly known as 3 Degrees of Freedom plus, 3DoF+).

“I Help My Parents by Using Some of My FAFSA Money”: A Qualitative Exploration of Pandemic-related Stress among Community College Students

The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic upended the academic trajectories and opportunities of many community college students in the United States. While four-year universities have seen an uptick in applications in the 2021–2022 academic year, community colleges have experienced a sharp decrease in enrollment, signifying significant challenges to students’ life circumstances. In May 2020, we sampled 116 community college students (M age 23.08;SD = 7.17) attending Hispanic Serving Institutions in California. The online survey gathered: (a) in-depth demographic information, including pandemic-related changes to students’ academic and financial standing, and (b) qualitative data on pandemic-related stress. Given the novelty of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, the overarching goal of this study was to conduct a broad needs assessment of community college students’ experiences. Data highlighted significant socio-emotional challenges, financial hardship, and both current and projected academic delays. Community college students described severe challenges across financial, socio-emotional and academic areas. Data that capture first-hand qualitative descriptions of COVID-19 stress are necessary to inform the allocation of critical resources and policies to improve the well-being of community college students. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

GAMIFICATION IN VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL UNIT

The health problem generated by COVID-19 unexpectedly accelerated some of the everyday aspects of our daily life where Information and Communication Technologies were not very involved, with this the introduction of tools in education was hastened which have denoted difficulties technical and technological services and technical resources that people use, another aggravating factor is inaccessible areas and economic problems, as positive aspects it can be highlighted that populations can change the way they carry out daily activities and that the will can much more than current problems, the good result in the teaching-learning process in Virtual Learning Environments (EVA) mainly requires the active participation of the student, so the teacher must try to develop activities that motivate the student to participate, to investigate and develop their learning autonomously, one of these activities is that of playful character that facilitates the internalization of students' knowledge in a fun way and generating significant experiences. This work was carried out with the main objective of analyzing the use of the gamification technique in the EVA for the Metropolitan District Educational Unit (UEDM) of Santo Domingo, applying a qualitative - quantitative research, which showed that motivational techniques are not used in teaching (gamification or gamification) that develop significant learning in students and that with the proper application of these resources, learning in the different actors would be enhanced.

Implementation of Project Study Courses at the Mechanical Engineering Program of FEU Tech during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The threat of a massive spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the Philippines prompted its government to implement community lockdowns all across the country. The first of which was implemented in Metro Manila beginning on 15 March 2020 and lasted up to 15 May 2020. During the lockdown, all schools were prohibited to conduct face-to-face classes while businesses were encouraged to implement work-from-home arrangements. FEU Institute of Technology (FEU Tech), located in Metro Manila, Philippines, was able to quickly adapt to the health crisis mainly due to its previous implementation of Canvas, an online learning management system, in 2017. The mechanical engineering department at FEU Tech revised its strategy in its implementation of its undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Project Study course (MEPROSTUD) to adapt to the class disruptions caused by the community quarantines imposed in Metro Manila. Comparing student performance before and during the pandemic, it was observed that there was a significant decline in oral communication and a significant improvement in written communication in MEPROSTUD1 and MEPROSTUD2, respectively. This paper documents the experiences of the mechanical engineering department at FEU Tech in its implementation of MEPROSTUD courses during the pandemic and intends to provide additional information to other engineering schools about how to remotely implement their undergraduate thesis courses. © 2021 IEEE.

Effect of an online lifestyle intervention on the BMI z-score of Mexican school children: a protocol for an outcome assessor-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: School closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic represent a risk factor for the development of childhood obesity, due to the increase in unhealthy behaviors. Online lifestyle interventions in schoolchildren could help to mitigate this problem. However, to our knowledge, no randomized controlled trials have been conducted to prevent obesity in schoolchildren during COVID-19. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a 4-month online lifestyle intervention on the BMI Z-score of Mexican schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic in an intervention group compared to a control group. Material and Methods: This is a protocol for an outcome assessor-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial. Schoolchildren from a public elementary school in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico will be invited to participate. Participants will be randomized to an intervention group (online lifestyle intervention) or a control group. The intervention will include online sessions of nutrition education and physical activity (60 minutes per session, 30 minutes for nutrition education and 30 minutes for physical activity) and nutrition information for parents. The control group will receive a digital brochure with nutrition recommendations at the beginning of the study and access to the program materials at the end of the study. The measurements will be performed at baseline and at 4 months. The primary outcome will be the BMI Z-score. Secondary outcomes will be waist circumference, body fat percentage, nutrition knowledge, lifestyle parameters, participation, retention and acceptance of the intervention. The changes on the outcomes will be analyzed using an intention to treat analysis. The protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Sonora Nursing Department and registered in Clinical Trials. Conclusion: To our knowledge, the study will provide the first evidence of the evaluation of online interventions for the prevention of obesity in schoolchildren derived from a randomized controlled trial, which could be useful in the fight against childhood obesity.

SELF-REGULATION OF ONLINE LEARNING AND ACADEMIC PROCRASTINATION AS FACTORS OF E-LEARNING EFFECTIVENESS

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic accelerated the process of total incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies in educational environments, generating the opening and analysis in different lines of research focused on the different actors of the educational process mediated by the use of technology, in this educational process the student has the leading role and the teacher has the role of co-responsible and facilitator, In view of this, the need arises to identify how much students have developed their autonomous work skills and how this influences the effectiveness of online learning. The objective was to analyze how the cognitive-motivational factors of students such as self-regulation of learning and academic procrastination are linked to the effectiveness of online learning of students at the technology level. The results were obtained from a questionnaire adapted from the online self-regulated learning questionnaire in a Russian MOOC and the General Procrastination Scale (GPS) Lay (1986), applied to a sample of 347 technology level students, with 95% reliability, through statistical analysis and the documentation contained in the references it was possible to demonstrate the existence of a positive and a negative relationship of the cognitive-motivational factors analyzed with the effectiveness of online learning.

Religious Solidarity and Resistance to COVID19 on the Hills of Comas Study of the Peruvian Evangelical Church in the Outskirts of Lima

The COVID19 pandemic arrived in Peru in March 2020, forcing it to stop all collective activities, including religious activities. In most countries in Latin America, marked by great social inequalities, the impact of the pandemic has been greater on the most vulnerable populations due to its low response capacity and the lack of protection by political power. This study analyzes the impact of the pandemic on an evangelical church on the outskirts of the city of Lima, focusing on its diverse and creative ways of reacting to the pandemic. In seeking to resist the pandemic in adverse conditions, the church made important changes to the celebrations and their meaning. The bonds of solidarity and the importance of biblical reflection, characteristic of the Protestant tradition, are aspects of this study.

Assessment of comorbidities and COVID-19 pneumonia prognosis: a literature review

Mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 is high compared to that caused by other respiratory viruses. This article aims to define the comorbidities associated with high mortality rates or complications that require ventilatory support in intensive care units. A bibliographic search has been performed with respect to comorbidities and/or alterations in laboratory tests and radiographic exams that have been associated with mortality, especially those described in China.

Evaluation of the socio-sanitary and emotional impact caused by SARS-CoV-2 in a Spanish cohort of cancer patients after the second pandemic wave

Background: The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has caused more than 120 million cases and more than 2 million deaths from its inception until March 2021, causing a great social and emotional impact. Our objective is to evaluate the emotional distress on the cancer population after the second wave and to compare it indirectly with the onset of the pandemic. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, single-center study of 102 Spanish cancer patients recruited between the months of January and March 2021. Patients of any age, with tumors of any location and in any phase of the disease were included. Socioeconomic, health care and psychological variables have been collected, using the Kessler K-10 scale for the assessment of psychological distress. The association analysis of socio-sanitary variables with emotional variables was carried out using the Chi-square test in SPSS v25. Results: In our cohort, 74% of the cases were between 50 and 74 years old. The most represented tumors were breast (26%) followed by colorectal cancer (18%). 51% were retired people and 19% had temporary work disability, while around 6% were unemployed. 15% reported a change in income and around 19% lived alone without companions. Regarding health variables, 11% had presented symptoms associated with SARS CoV2 infection, 21% reported a longer waiting time for diagnostic test or initiation of oncological treatment, and 17% highlighted a shorter attention time by their medical oncologist. In relation to the emotional impact, a statistically significant relationship (p <0.05) was observed between the female sex and greater nervousness, retired people and less nervousness and despair, as well as the delay in health care and greater feeling of uselessness, despair, restlessness and depression, especially if this occurred more than 1 occasion. Conclusions: the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused a worsening of the socioeconomic and health conditions of cancer patients, persisting beyond the second pandemic wave. This is causing a chronification of the psychological impact in this population that could be improved with adequate prevention measures and better health care. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.