Digital capital and belonging in universities: quantifying social inequalities in the Philippines

This study examines social inequalities in Philippine universities that were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative approach using a national sample of 677 university students was utilized to measure the mediating role of digital capital on social inequalities associated with belonging to academic spaces. For the purpose of determining direct and indirect impacts, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed. Sociodemographic (i.e., gender, age, type of residence, and family income) and educational (i.e., type of university, year in the university, and excellence criterion) characteristics were the direct predictors that were examined as exogenous variables for both digital capital and belonging. Results indicate that type of residence (beta=0.200, p<0.05), family income (beta=0.220, p <0.001), and excellence criterion (beta=0.271, p <0.01) are major determinants of digital capital. The model also shows that belonging is significantly predicted by age (beta=0.087, p <0.05), family income (beta=-0.207, p <0.001), and digital capital (beta=0.576, p <0.001). Lastly, the findings reveal that the impacts of type of residence (beta=0.116, p <0.05), family income (beta=0.127, p <0.001), and excellence criterion (beta=0.156, p <0.001) on belonging are successfully mediated by digital capital. These results suggest that there are indeed differences in students' abilities to accumulate digital capital and that digital capital enhances the sense of belonging to and together in academic spaces for certain groups.

Structural analysis of spike protein mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 Theta (P.3) variant

A SARS-CoV-2 lineage designated as Theta (P.3) with 16 signature mutations in the Spike protein region has been reported with cases centered in Region 7 of the Philippines. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the 33 samples under this lineage all contain the E484K, N501Y, and P681H Spike mutations previously found in the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs): Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Gamma (P.1). This report focuses on possible implications of the mutations found in the Spike protein based on the analysis of the Theta variant’s structure, stability, and molecular surface character. The analyses included investigations using static models and molecular dynamic simulations between the Spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) and its interactions with the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor. Our results suggest that these mutations could significantly impact the possible interactions of the Spike protein with the ACE2 receptor and neutralizing antibodies, and warrants further clinical investigation. Some of the mutations affecting the N and C terminal domains suggest effects on Spike monomer and trimer stability. This report provides insights on relevant targets for the design of future diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines against the evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants within the Philippines. © 2021, Department of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.