ABSTRACT
The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic subsequently led to the digitalization of education, whereby globally virtual learning was implemented to sustain learning. This study aims to explore the challenges faced by Orang Asli pupils when carrying out virtual learning from the mathematics teachers' perspectives. By employing exploratory qualitative research design and purposive sampling, five teacher participants from two schools in two states in Malaysia were selected. Data was collected from two online and face-to-face focus group interviews. Thematic analysis identified four major themes, which are challenges related to language proficiency, logistic, home and classroom. Based on these emergent themes, various stakeholders can focus their efforts to address these challenges to mitigate Orang Asli pupils' potential learning loss in the post-Covid era and thus, ensure they remain abreast to current mathematics learning. Further studies should explore on mobile and modular learning as promising alternatives means of content delivery for their future virtual learning. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
ABSTRACT
The novel coronavirus and its emerging variants have continued to affect 50.4 million people worldwide, increasing the need for safe and effective vaccines. According to the World Health Organization guidelines, the efficacy of a vaccine should be at least 30% in all age groups and protect for a longer duration without any life-threatening adverse effects. At present, there are 319 vaccines in various stages of development, of which 16 are authorized for emergency use. Of these 16 vaccines, five vaccines are based on adenoviral vectors. This review is focused on understanding the safety and efficacy of the approved adenoviral vector vaccines for COVID-19, particularly highlighting the interim analysis of phase 3 clinical trials of AZD1222, Gam-Covid-Vac, Ad26.COV2.S, and AD5-nCOV vaccine. The efficacy of AZD1222, Gam-Covid-Vac, Ad26.COV2.S, and AD5-nCOV vaccine were found to be 70.4%, 95%, 66%, and 65.7%, respectively. Some serious adverse events such as deep vein thrombosis and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome were observed among AZD1222 and Ad26.COV2.S vaccinated individuals. Meanwhile, Gam-Covid-Vac and AD5-nCOV vaccines did not report any significant adverse events. In addition, we have also focused on the efficacy of these vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants such as B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1. Although the efficacy of these approved vaccines against novel SARS-CoV-2 variants, pediatric and geriatric population and long-term efficacy remains uncertain, they are reasonably efficient in preventing mortality due to COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the outcomes of COVID-19 Renal Transplant Recipients (RTRs) managed on an ambulatory basis to that of inpatient management. DESIGN, SETTING, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in Lucknow, India, comparing the ambulatory management with the historical cohort managed in the hospital.R RTRs with mild COVID-19 were managed by supervised home-based self-monitoring (HBSM), a strategy to manage this high-risk group on an outpatient basis during the second wave of the pandemic. The primary outcome was the clinical deterioration to a higher severity category among RTRs with mild COVID-19 managed by HBSM compared to hospitalized patients within two weeks of disease onset. RESULTS: Of the 149 RTRs with mild COVID-19, 94 (63%) and 55 (37%) were managed by HBSM and in the hospital, respectively. The proportion of RTRs who clinically deteriorated to a higher severity category (moderate or severe category) was similar among both groups (28.7% versus 27.2%, P=0.849). Among RTRs with clinical deterioration, COVID-19-related death was reported in two patients of the HBSM group and in none of the patients of the hospitalized group. Graft dysfunction was higher in the hospitalized group (7.4% versus 27.2%, P=0.002). Median time to complete clinical recovery (7 days in both groups), secondary bacterial infections (25% versus 33.3%, P=0.41), and the mean decline in EQ-5D score from baseline at six weeks (-6.6 versus-4.3, P=0.105) were found to be similar in both groups.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Clinical Deterioration , Kidney Transplantation , COVID-19/epidemiology , Humans , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
In e-commerce landscapes, online food ordering and delivery service is emerging as the fastest growing industry. Indian food delivery market size is expected to reach 7.5 to 8 billion US dollars in 2023. With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, many dine-in restaurants are closed and online food ordering is affected enormously. This study is aimed to capture the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customers who order food online and analyze the various factors that influence the selection of restaurants online. The role of demographic variables of the respondents on the influencing factors, mode of payment, satisfaction, number of orders, and the most ordered meal is also studied. A self-administered questionnaire is used in this study to collect responses from 403 customers with a past experience of ordering food online. Two major factors emphasising on product and service are obtained as an outcome from Exploratory Factor Analysis that explains 67.72% of the total variance of choosing a restaurant online. Further, the measurement model fit is validated through Structural Equation Modeling. From the validated model, the product factor includes taste, price, discount and offer, the quantity of food, hygiene, and brand name. The service factor includes novelty, location of the restaurant, variety, packaging, nutrition, and promptness of delivery. Due to COVID-19, there is a 70.9% drop in the average frequency of ordering food online during the study period. Among the genders, men place higher food orders per month than women. Dinner is the most ordered meal and breakfast is the least ordered meal among all age categories. Taste is the most influencing factor that influences the customer in selecting a restaurant online, followed by hygiene, the quantity of food, discount and offers. © 2021 IEEE