Innovative IoT-Based Wristlet for Early COVID-19 Detection and Monitoring Among Students

The current global issue of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the push and utilization of all available means to halt its spread. COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease, and continuously monitoring early symptoms could help avert catastrophic devastation. This paper proposes an innovative use of the Internet of Things (IoT) enabled system to efficiently and effectively detect early COVID-19 signs at a relatively low cost. This study adopted an experimental approach in designing and constructing a low-cost hardware system using a Wi-Fi enabled microcontroller, a temperature sensor, and a heart rate sensor for students. The proposed system detected and distinguished normal and abnormal temperature, regular and irregular heartbeat and constantly displayed the student's status in a mobile application. Consistent tests proved that the developed IoT-enabled system was reliable, responsive, and cost-effective. The mass production of this device will aid in the early detection of the disease, thereby mitigating the spread among students, particularly in underdeveloped countries. The paper's merit stems from the microcontroller's intelligence programming and the sensor's operation via the mobile application, which enables low-cost early identification of abnormal temperature and heartbeat irregularities. © 2022, Mathematical Modelling of Engineering Problems. All Rights Reserved.

Detection of Coronavirus Disease Using a Novel Machine Learning Approach

In recent times, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a growing concern which has taken the world by surprise. Early detection of this virus can be used to save millions of lives. In this study, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) method is proposed for the identification and classification of C OVID-19 as an early diagnostic method to help clinicians and doctors to accurate distinguish COVID-19 from SARS-CoV-2. A discrete wavelet transform (DWT) algorithm was used to extract features, while SVM was used to classify the extracted features. For the performance evaluation, metrics such as sensitivity (Sens), specificity (Spec), accuracy (Acc), and F-score metrics were used. A detection rate of 98.2% was achieved using the proposed SVM method. Finally, the performance of the SVM method is compared to that of current methods, and it is discovered that the SVM method outperforms them.

Qatar Biobank in the COVID-19 era and beyond

Background: During the COVID-19 outbreak, Qatar Biobank (QBB) adapted its services to collect, process, and store high-quality data and specimens. This transformation period brought opportunities, risks, and challenges. Methods: QBB holds College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification for Quality Management (9001:2105) and Information Security Management Systems (27001: 2013)1. These standards helped to effectively convert its operations to facilitate the COVID-19 national project2. The COVID-19 Biorepository is a National Disease-based study aiming to collect adequate health information and biological samples from Qatar residents infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus to enable evidence-based research towards the discovery and development of novel healthcare interventions and to facilitate research projects related to the COVID-19 pandemic. QBB IT Department used open-source Onyx (ObiBa) software to newly develop a COVID-19 electronic system and interface for various clinical devices and Laboratory Information Management System. QBB operational services were adapted to accommodate the COVID-19 project by providing training to the personnel (n=20;i.e. nurses, research assistants etc.) and developing work instructions (n>5) for the participants' recruitment process, data and specimen collection in the different hospitals. A COVID-19 portal was also developed by QBB to facilitate data access for researchers from Qatar and worldwide4. Results: Within 5 weeks QBB transformed to accommodate a disease/virus-based biorepository. At an operational level, multi-adjustments were implemented. QBB IT department developed an electronic system for the data collection and specimen traceability3. Clinically trained staff were transferred to different healthcare facilities to recruit COVID-19 positive patients. QBB laboratory designed special collection kits. QBB Medical Review Office and Scientific and Education departments managed the recruitment process, set up of the study and provided training to the staff. The Communications and Participants Recruitment Department transformed its operations to fit the needs of the COVID-19 initiative. The Research Access Office designed the COVID-19 access portal and supported the project through purchasing of personal protective equipment and other administrative tasks. Conclusion: It is now time to consider lessons learned, as many countries have been affected by this pandemic, and to understand that biobanks are an asset for a country and there is a need to integrate them into a new standard with their sustainability in mind. Qatar Biobank is a good showcase of how a biobank can successfully assist in the collection of important data related to different health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Low Cost Sensor Based Hand Washing Solution for COVID-19 Prevention

One of the most effective solutions in the preventive endeavors for infectious diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic is the application of frequent hand washing. In developing countries, there are several low cost touch-free hand washing solutions involving the use of foot operated mechanisms. However, the use of embedded processors in the design of automatic electronic systems to provide convenience and smarter solutions has in recent times gained unique attention globally. In this paper, we employed an Arduino based microcontroller as processor and ultrasonic based distance sensors to implement a touch-free hand washing mechanism. The microcontroller processes received sensor signals and sends desired command signals to operate two DC motors. A DC pump and servo motor are used to facilitate simple yet effective dispensation of water and soap respectively without any physical contact with the user. The simulation of the developed system was performed with Proteus. The system is also experimentally verified to meet the desired design requirements. © 2021 IEEE.

QBB rapid transformation into COVID-19 Biorepository: A showcase

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus and the outbreak of COVID-19 disease has been one of the most important global crises on public health. Qatar Biobank (QBB) had to convert and respond to this crisis by providing its services for the collection, processing and storage of high-quality data and specimens for the better understanding and the response to the therapy and survival of COVID-19 disease. In this study we will highlight the challenges, risks and opportunities of QBB during this transformation period. Methods: QBB is CAP accredited and holds ISO certification for Quality Management Systems 9001:2105 and Information Security Management Systems 27001: 2013. These standards helped QBB management to rabidly adapt by following rigorous processes to effectively convert its operations and facilitate the COVID-19 National project. Results: Within 5 weeks QBB transformed to accommodate a disease/virus-based biorepository. Multi-adjustments had to be implemented at operational level such as: i) QBB IT department developed a highly secured electronic system for the data collection and specimen traceability ii) Clinically trained staff (n = 17) were transferred to different healthcare facilities in order to recruit COVID-19 positive patients;iii) QBB Laboratory designed special collection kit, iv) QBB Medical Review Office (n = 4) and Scientific and Education (n = 2) departments managed the recruitment process, set up the study and provided training to the staff;v) the Communications and Participants Recruitment Department (n = 7) transformed its operations to fit the needs of the COVID-19 initiative. The Research Access Office (n = 6) designed the COVID-19 access portal and supported the project from the purchasing of PPE and other administrative works needed. Conclusion: It is now time to consider lessons learned, as many countries have been affected by COVID-19 outbreak, and to understand that biobanks are an asset for a country and integrate them into a new standard with their sustainability in mind. Qatar Biobank and its network with academic, research and governmental entities is a good showcase.