Real-time vibration monitoring and analysis of agricultural tractor drivers using an IoT-based system

Agricultural tractor drivers experience a high amplitude of vibration, especially during soil tillage operations. In the past, most research studied vibration exposure with more focus on the vertical (z) axis than on the fore-and-aft (x) and lateral (y) axes. This study examines how rotary soil tillage affects the vibration acceleration and frequency, and the power spectral densities (PSDs) at the seat pan and head along three translational axes in a real-field multiaxis vibration context. Moreover, this study aimed to identify the characteristics of the seat-to-head transmissibility (STHT) response to identifying the most salient resonant frequencies along the x-, y-, and z-axes. Nine (9) male tractor drivers operated the tractor with a mounted rotary tiller throughout the soil tillage process. In the event of a COVID-19 pandemic, and to respect social distancing, this study developed an Internet of Things (IoT) module with the potential to integrate with existing data loggers for online data transmission and to make the experimentation process more effective by removing potential sources of experimenter errors. The raw acceleration data retrieved at the seat pan and the head were utilized to obtain daily exposure (A(8)), PSDs, and STHT along the x-, y-, and z-axes. The vibration energy was found to be dominant along the z-axis than the x- and y-axes. A(8) response among tractor drivers exceeds the exposure action value explicitly stated by Directive 2002/44/EU. PSDs along the x-, y-, and z-axes depicted the low-frequency vibration induced by rotary soil tillage operation. The STHT response exhibited a higher degree of transmissibility along the y- and z-axes when compared with that along the x-axis. The frequency range of 4-7 Hz may plausibly be associated with cognitive impairment in tractor drivers during rotary soil tillage.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy in Indian patients with cancer: A questionnaire-based survey

Background: Patients with cancer are at a higher risk of severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and mortality. Therefore, widespread COVID-19 vaccination is required to attain herd immunity. Objective(s): We aimed to evaluate the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in Indian patients with cancer and to collect information regarding vaccine hesitancy and factors that contributed to vaccine hesitancy. Material(s) and Method(s): This was a questionnaire-based survey conducted between May 7, 2021 and June 10, 2021 in patients aged 45 years and over, with solid tumors. The primary end points of the study were the proportion of Indian patients with cancer aged 45 years and older who had not received the COVID-19 vaccine, and the reasons why these patients had not received the COVID-19 vaccine. Our secondary end points were the proportion of patients with a history of COVID-19 infection, and the proportion of the patients who had vaccine hesitancy. Additionally, we attempted to assess the factors that could impact vaccine hesitancy. Result(s): A total of 435 patients were included in the study. Of these, 348 (80%) patients had not received even a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine;66 (15.2%) patients had received the first dose, and 21 (4.8%) had received both the doses. Approximately half (47.1%) of the patients reported that they took the COVID-19 vaccine based on the advice from a doctor. The reasons for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine could be considered as vaccine hesitancy in 259 (77%) patients. The two most common reasons were fear in 124 (38%) patients (fear of side-effects and of the impact of the vaccine on the cancer/therapy) and lack of information in 87 (26.7%) patients. On the multivariate analysis, the two factors found to be significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy were a lower educational level (OR, 1.78;95% CI, 1-3.17;P = 0.048) and a lack of prior advice regarding the COVID-19 vaccine (OR, 2.80;95% CI, 1.73-4.53;P < 0.001). Conclusion(s): Vaccine hesitancy is present in over half of our patients, and the most common reasons are a fear of the vaccine impacting the cancer therapy, fear of side-effects, and lack of information. Widespread vaccination can only be attained if systematic programs for education and dissemination of information regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine are given as much importance as fortification of the vaccination supply and distribution system.Copyright © 2021 Cancer Research, Statistics, and Treatment Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.

Global Evidence of Pandemic Effects on Educational Disruption

The article provides a vivid illustration of the challenges faced by the education sector during the pandemic. Education disruptions have increased stress and anxiety in students and their families. In addition to this, schools in rural areas and underdeveloped countries failed to provide the necessary equipment and facilities to help the students proceed with online classes. These articles have relied on secondary data and information to understand various concepts and theories. In order to combat these consequences, a worldwide initiative called REDS was formed to analyze the opinion of students and individuals connected with the education sector and remodel the system for combating the challenges posed by the pandemic. The study proceeded with the help of thematic analysis. © 2023 EDP Sciences. All rights reserved.

Shaping radiographers of the future: A snapshot of contemporary medical imaging education

Radiographers function in a niche environment, blending advanced technical skills with patient-focussed care in a multi-disciplinary environment. The past decade has brought significant change to the profession with further change projected into the future. Education programs are dynamic, responsive to emerging technologies and improve from each iteration. The education experience of current students is significantly different to that of experienced radiographers. This presentation provides a snapshot of contemporary education approaches in a medical imaging undergraduate program, preparing radiographers for the future. A significant component of skill development in medical imaging degrees is achieved through clinical placement across a range of settings. Education providers work with clinical departments to maximise learning opportunities, scaffolding structured progression of learning. Lack of availability of suitable resources or placement opportunities, and the priority that must be given to patient service delivery can be challenging for clinical experiences. COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have exacerbated issues, particularly for already time poor clinical environments. The education program showcased draws on contemporary best imaging practice, curriculum design and learning and teaching approaches. For example, the teaching team have applied simulation as a purposeful technique to add safe and procedural steps as part of a cohesive whole-of-curriculum student learning. Simulation prior to clinical placement is widely recognised as an effective response to the challenges of assuring safe and skilled practice.1 In turn, students can reflect on this experiential learning providing robust feedback and discussion using Kolb's reflective practice - exploring the impact of their learning on their future practice.2.

Ethical and Sustainable Perceptions on Cloud Kitchen Business- A Study of Consumers and Stakeholders during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Cloud kitchen has evolved as a popular means to meet the growing demand of home-delivered food during the pandemic. The purpose of this research is to gauge the perception of consumers as well as stakeholders about the ethical correctness of cloud kitchen models of business and whether the cloud kitchen model is sustainable or not. The manuscript is primary and quantitative in nature. The data was collected during the period of pandemic from the respondents living in Delhi and Kolkata. The research focuses on the Utility, Rights, Fairness and Care constructs of ethics to gauge the perception of respondents about cloud kitchen business including its sustainability and challenges. The analysis was done running ANOVA and binomial distribution. The consumers as well as stakeholders and employees appear to be positively responding on the question of the cloud kitchen model being ethically correct on the 4 constructs and they seem to agree that Cloud Kitchens are sustainable. Very little existing literature is available on the ethical and sustainability aspects of cloud kitchen model with Utility, Rights, Fairness and Care constructs. Thus, it is the first paper of its kind and is expected to add to the existing body of literature. ©Copyright IJHTS.

COVID-associated pernio: Mechanistic insights to an abortive, seronegative SARS-CoV-2 infection

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 replicates primarily in the airways but generates a systemic immune response mediated by Type I interferons (IFN-I). Pernio is a rare skin manifestation of disorders characterized by excessive IFN-I signalling. Although pernio increased in incidence during the pandemic, the relationship to SARS-CoV-2 remains controversial. Because of the pivotal nature of interferons in COVID-19 outcomes, pernio offers a window to investigate the biology underlying host resiliency to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Method(s): To further assess COVID-associated pernio, we characterized clinical samples from affected patients across 4 waves of the pandemic and investigated mechanistic feasibility in a rodent model. Patients were followed longitudinally with banking of blood and tissue. Golden hamsters were mock-treated or intra-nasally infected with SARS-CoV-2 and harvested at 3-and 30-days post-infection. Result(s): In affected tissue, immunophenotyping utilizing multiplex immunohistochemistry profiled a robust IFN-1 signature characterized by plasmacytoid dendritic cell activation. Viral RNA was detectable in a subset of cases using in situ hybridization for the SARS-CoV-2 S gene transcript. Profiling of the systemic immune response did not reveal a durable type 1 interferon signature. Consistent with previous literature, antibody and T-cell specific responses to SARS-CoV-2 were not detected. Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 inoculation in hamsters resulted in rapid dissemination of viral RNA and the generation of an IFN-I response that were both detectable in the paws of infected animals. Conclusion(s): Our data support a durable local IFN signature, with direct evidence of viral SARS-CoV-2 RNA in acral skin and suggest that COVID-associated pernio results from an abortive, seronegative SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Exploring nanoselenium to tackle mutated SARS-CoV-2 for efficient COVID-19 management

Despite ongoing public health measures and increasing vaccination rates, deaths and disease severity caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its new emergent variants continue to threaten the health of people around the world. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel strategies for research, diagnosis, treatment, and government policies to combat the variant strains of SARS-CoV-2. Since the state-of-the-art COVID-19 pandemic, the role of selenium in dealing with COVID-19 disease has been widely discussed due to its importance as an essential micronutrient. This review aims at providing all antiviral activities of nanoselenium (Nano-Se) ever explored using different methods in the literature. We systematically summarize the studied antiviral activities of Nano-Se required to project it as an efficient antiviral system as a function of shape, size, and synthesis method. The outcomes of this article not only introduce Nano-Se to the scientific community but also motivate scholars to adopt Nano-Se to tackle any serious virus such as mutated SARS-CoV-2 to achieve an effective antiviral activity in a desired manner.

Tackling Challenges of COVID-19: An Assessment of the Convergence- Divergence Debates from the Global South-India

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially announced COVID-19 as a global pandemic in March 2020 which in effect transformed the society, economy, the politics and indeed our everyday life. Such a transformation of power geometries across all manner of spaces and their geographies disrupted the finite balance and wellbeing and continues to displace norms of equanimity, sanity, and hope amidst the catalogue of errors, blunders and inactivity. In India the first COVID-19 case was registered on January 30, 2020. The response of 29 States and 7 Union Territories of India has varied depending on their health, community, law and order and legislative infrastructure. This chapter will attempt to situate an analysis of coronavirus pandemic within the demographic transition framework of India. We examine the critical role of civil societies across the states, divergence of policies and practices relating to social distancing, contact tracing, and differential Public Health Agency infrastructures in operation across the States of India. What began as a stigma, followed by populist rhetoric quickly faded into intense struggle for survival even as oxygen, essential medicines and of course hospital beds became a premium in the most affluent parts of any given city. The grim reaper became a great leveller cutting across socially constructed boundaries of class, gender, age, caste and religion. The management of this pandemic and the established protocols for treatment remain tentative even as we learn lessons from yet another mutant strain. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Case report on meningoenceplapathy in an Indian patient post CoViD vaccination

The SARS-COV-2 infection-related severe illness is prevented by vaccinations. Therefore, it is relevant to report a case of post vaccine meningoencephalitis in a 30 year old male Indian patient, who presented with weakness in all the extremities, episodes of loose stool, fever, vomiting, tachypnea and loss of consciousness immediately following the 2nd dose of the COVID vaccination (COVAXIN).

Diagnosis for COVID-19

"COVID-2019,” a recently emerged novel coronavirus disease, is causing serious health issues to the public and becoming more and more fatal every next day. On December 31, 2019, low respiratory infection cases were detected in Wuhan, China, which is in China's Hubei province. The cases were reported to the WHO Office of China and they could not identify the agents for the cause. The first cases were classified to be "pneumonia of unknown etiology.” The investigation program was initiated by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The etiology of the disease was attributed to a novel virus of the coronavirus (CoV) family. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, called the disease caused by this CoV the "COVID-19,” which is an acronym for "coronavirus disease 2019.” It is found that "COVID-19” is caused by bête-coronavirus named "severe acute coronavirus-2” (SARS-CoV-2). It belongs to those virus families that appear as pneumonia in the human body. It affects the lower respiratory tract badly. This virus has been identified as another version of the family of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) [1, 2]. SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV possess similarity with them. They have differences in genotypic and phenotypic structure that guide their pathogenesis. So far, as per the findings, this virus originated in bats. It reached humans through contact with unknown animals. The transmission of this virus among humans is via direct contacts, inhalation of infected droplets, and contaminated hands and surfaces. Some of the symptoms of this disease are cough, sore cough, fever, fatigue, and dyspnea/breathlessness. The remedy of this disease is to diagnose the infection at the initial stage, supportive treatment to survive, self-quarantines, mass-quarantines, etc. This paper presents a systematic review of the origin of coronavirus, its types, transmissions, symptoms, and the current developments in diagnosing testing and vaccine trials. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Dual-Scale Cnn Architecture for Covid-19 Detection from Lung Ct Images

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a terrible illness affecting the respiratory systems of animals and humans. By 2020, this sickness had become a pandemic, affecting millions worldwide. Prevention of the spread of the virus by conducting fast tests for many suspects has become difficult. Recently, many deep learning-based methods have been developed to automatically detect COVID-19 infection from lung Computed Tomography (CT) images of the chest. This paper proposes a novel dual-scale Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture to detect COVID-19 from CT images. The network consists of two different convolutional blocks. Each path is similarly constructed with multi-scale feature extraction layers. The primary path consists of six convolutional layers. The extracted features from multipath networks are flattened with the help of dropout, and these relevant features are concatenated. The sigmoid function is used as the classifier to identify whether the input image is diseased. The proposed network obtained an accuracy of 99.19%, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.99. The proposed network has a lower computational cost than the existing methods regarding learnable parameters, the number of FLOPS, and memory requirements. The proposed CNN model inherits the benefits of densely linked paths and residuals by utilizing effective feature reuse methods. According to our experiments, the proposed approach outperforms previous algorithms and achieves state-of-the-art results.

Impact of COVID-19-Related Travel Restrictions on the Environment and Travel Time Reliability

This study analyzes the effect of the restrictions in traffic movement enforced in order to combat the spread of coronavirus on air quality and travel time reliability under heterogeneous and laneless traffic conditions. A comparative analysis was conducted to examine quantity of pollutants, average travel time distributions (TTD), and their associated travel time reliability (TTR) metrics during the COVID-19 pandemic, postpandemic, and during partial restrictions. Pollutants data (PM2.5, NO2, and NOX) and travel time data for selected locations from Chennai City in India were collected for a sample period of one week using Wi-Fi sensors and state-run air quality monitoring stations. It was observed that the average quantity of PM2.5, NO2, and NOX were increased by 433.1%, 681.4%, and 99.2%, respectively, during the postlockdown period. Correlation analysis also indicated that all considered air pollutants are moderately correlated to Wi-Fi hits, albeit to varied degrees. From the analysis, it was also found that average TTD mean and interquartile range values were increased by 47.2% and 105.2%. In addition, the buffer time index, planning time index, travel index, and capacity buffer index associated with these TTD metrics were increased by 148.1%, 63.7%, 42.8%, and 202.9%, respectively, soon after relaxing travel restrictions. © 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.

The Broad Impact of Infectious Disease Epidemics on Human Civilization: A Public Health Perspective

Slow acceptance and delayed response of the state/public have been a common feature in the history of infectious disease pandemics. Globalization affects both the genesis and the control strategies of the pandemics. The general public, health professionals, political leaders as well as administrative authorities, all have shown some or other changes in their routine working or living style while handling the COVID-19 situation. Gradually, the new ways of living ‘the new normal' have transformed into new behaviour. The response of different sections of society has also been different. The bulk of the changes was linked to the fear and panic about the chances of spread/catching of infection which brought the world to its knees. The second wave of the Corona pandemic in 2021 saw shortage and black marketeering of medical supply essentials. Vaccination has emerged as the dominant strategy this time. In the atmosphere of too many rumours, fake news, disinformation and so on, a third wave has now been predicted. There is a significant role of public health discipline in controlling any pandemic like Corona. Generic, age-old preventive measures are the only way out for the infections which spread through the respiratory route, with a fast person-to-person spread. Corona pandemic has provided a lesson for us that for communicable disease control, there is a need to inculcate a nature-friendly responsible behaviour to ensure peaceful co-existence between people and microbes. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021.

Market Warnings: Learning from the Short-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Stock Market Constituents

Purpose: The paper investigated the short-term impact of the lockdown announcement due to COVID-19 on various industries in India using firms' stock returns and credit ratings. Design/Methodology: The paper used event study methodology to analyze abnormal returns on stocks and credit rating changes of firms following the lockdown to understand the impact on the debt servicing of firms. Findings: The paper found a heterogeneous impact of lockdown on various industries. Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, FMCGs, and telecom sectors saw positive abnormal returns, while textiles, financial services, construction, services, cement, and automobile sectors were the worst affected. The paper also found that smaller companies were more susceptible to the effects of such lockdowns. Indian subsidiaries of foreign MNCs and Central Government-owned firms fared better than privately-owned domestic firms. The debt servicing ability of firms was unimpacted due to the debt relief package announced to mitigate the impact of the lockdown. Practical Implications: The paper's findings have implications for investors and managers who can make informed decisions in advance to reduce the risk to their investment if such a black swan event is expected. The paper's findings could help policymakers identify sectors that require immediate support due to the disruption from such an event. Originality: The paper is unique in investigating the impact of the lockdown due to COVID-19 on companies across different industries, with different ownership groups and sizes. We have not come across such a detailed study investigating the impact of COVID-19 on various industries in India. © 2023, Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in children with cancer - Report from the Indian Pediatric Oncology Group (InPOG) COVID-19 registry in India

Introduction: The clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in children with cancer have been variable worldwide. Therefore, we aimed to collect data from all regions in India through a national collaborative study and identify factors that cause mortality directly related to COVID-19 infection. Method(s): Data was collected prospectively on children across India on cancer therapy and diagnosed with COVID-19 infections from 47 centers from April 2020 to October 2021. Information was recorded on the demographics, the number of children that required intervention, and the outcome of the infection. In addition, we analyzed the impact of the delta variant in 2021. Result(s): A total of 659 children were studied, of whom 64% were male and 36% were female. The data from the eastern region was sparse, and this was a collection bias. COVID-19 infection was predominantly seen in children less than five years. The delta variant had a higher impact in the southern region, and this was statistically significant. Of the 659 children, 30 children died (4.5%), however only 7 of the deaths were directly attributed to COVID-19 infection (1%). Conclusion(s): The study reports the largest nationally representative cohort of children with cancer and COVID-19 to date in India. We identified demographic and clinical factors associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients with cancer. Complete characterization of the cohort has provided further insights into the effects of COVID-19 on cancer outcomes. The low mortality allows us to recommend that specific cancer treatments be continued without delays in therapy.Copyright © 2022

Vulnerability to Mental Health Problems in Indian Population during Lockdown amidst COVID-19 Pandemic: An Alarm not to Snooze

Background: Lockdown measures are being implemented in several parts of the world to control the spread of novel coronavirus. This unprecedented crisis has significantly affected the lives of people in different ways.Aim: To understand the experiences and vulnerability to mental health problems during lockdown among the Indian population during COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey form circulated through various social media platforms from April 12 to May 3, 2020 containing self-reported questionnaires to collect lockdown related experiences and scales to assess anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9). A convenience sampling method was used.Results: 442 valid responses were received from different states of India. Statistical analysis revealed that one-third of the respondents suffered from some form of anxiety and depression during a lockdown. Less than 10% of them had severe levels of symptoms. The majority were males aged 18-45 years and private sector employees. Delivering essential services was involved with significant anxiety and depression. Availability of food and daily essentials was the most common problem. Difficulty in availing medicines and financial crisis were significant predictors of anxiety and depression. Worsening of interpersonal relationships was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression.Conclusions: The study concluded that experiences during the lockdown and associated psychological outcomes are important factors to consider and appropriate preventive measures to be taken in case of any future lockdowns.

Persistence of serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA response in infection and vaccination

Background: SARS-CoV-2 evokes vigorous humoral immune responses which includes production of virus-specific antibodies of the immunoglobulin IgM, IgG & IgA isotypes. Seroconversion & production of detectable antibodies usually occurs within 20 days of symptom onset, while the kinetics of their production is variable. IgA is the major antibody class in mucosal membranes which plays an important role in SARS-CoV-2 infections. It's response in the early stage of the disease seems to be more pronounced than IgM. Objective(s): To detect the presence of serum IgA antibody response against Spike Receptor Binding Domain & Nucleoprotein of SARSCoV- 2 in naturally infected individuals as well as vaccinated individuals. Material(s) and Method(s): Confirmed RT-PCR Covid positive serum samples were tested by in-house developed SRBD IgA ELISA & N protein IgA ELISA of SARS-CoV-2. The subjects were classified according to the post onset of disease date. Serum samples of vaccinated individuals (Covishield & Covaxin) were assessed to compare IgA response. Result(s): Our results suggest a linear trend in the level of IgA antibody response POD 8 onwards in natural infection. In vaccinated individuals Covaxin groups exhibits a prominent increase in the IgA response in comparison to Covisheld. Conclusion(s): IgA might play an important role in assessing the immune status of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. This study suggests that IgA antibody act as a promising immunological marker for vaccine study.

Structure-Based Identification and Analysis of Viral Protease Inhibitors Targeting SARS CoV-2 Virus Replication

The re-emergence of SARS-CoV, known as SARS-CoV-2, has proven extremely infectious that has infected a huge population worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 genome is translated into polyproteins that is processed by virus-specific protease enzymes. 3CLprotease is named as the main protease (Mpro) enzyme that cleaves nsp4 to nsp16. This crucial role of Mpro makes this enzyme a prime and promising antiviral target. Till date, there is no effective commercially available drug against COVID-19 and launching a new drug into the market is a complicated and time-consuming process. Therefore, drug repurposing is a new but familiar approach to reduce the time and cost of drug discovery. We have used a high-throughput virtual screening approach to examine FDA approved library, natural compound library, and LOPAC 1280 (Library of Pharmacologically Active Compounds, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) library against Mpro. Primary screening identified potential drug molecules for the target, among which ten molecules were studied further using biophysical and biochemical techniques. SPR was used to validate the binding of inhibitors to purified Mpro and using FRET-based biochemical protease assay these inhibitors were confirmed to have Mpro inhibitory activity. Based on the kinetic studies, the antiviral efficacy of these compounds was further analysed by cell-culture based antiviral assays. Four out of ten molecules inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero cells at a concentration range of 12.5 to 50 muM. The antiviral activity was evaluated by RT-PCR assay and TCID50 experiments. The co-crystallization of Mpro in complex with inhibitor for determining their structures is being carried out. Collectively, this study will provide valuable mechanistic and structural insights for development of effective antiviral therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2.