Characterization of patients with COVID-19 in pinar del rio, March 2020 - March 2021

Introduction: the study of the characteristics of patients with COVID-19 makes it possible to determine risk groups in specific populations and to outline strategies by the institutions to improve the quality of care for these patients. Background: to characterize patients with COVID-19 in Pinar del Rio between March 2020 and March 2021. Methods: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in the province of Pinar del Rio between March 2020 and March 2021. The sample consisted of 450 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: female patients predominated (56%), with a history of arterial hypertension (24,6%). A high incidence of COVID was found in individuals with between two and five chronic non-communicable diseases (40,2%). Of all patients diagnosed with COVID-19, 49% were passive smokers. Conclusions: COVID-19 occurred mainly in patients with several chronic diseases, as well as in those exposed.

Introduction

The spring of COVID-19 forced teachers to restructure learning materials, content delivery, and learning environment, this leading to utilizing innovative course designs, high-tech learning tools, and engaging web-based learning environments. This shift affects, on the one hand, the perceptions of teachers and learners, and on the other hand, instructional practices, resulting in learned lessons and future envisions about the feasibility of utilizing the web in the context of English language education. In this introductory chapter, we present the background of this special collection on online English language teaching and learning, provide a summary of the expanding corpus of research on online English language education, and introduce the studies published in the collection. This collection of chapters covers the perspectives, implications, challenges, and opportunities of digital transformation in English language education prompted by the increasing accessibility of technology and the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Do cognitive, affective and social needs influence mobile learning adoption in emergency remote teaching?

Transitioning to mobile learning or M-Learning in medical education has been challenging due to its subscription to the clinical-based method of knowledge transfer. This shift was accelerated despite the challenges of COVID-19 in what research refers to as Emergency Remote Teaching or ERT. While this modality supported learning continuity, it was evident that online classes have become avenues for students to socially engage with others to meet various psychological needs to buffer pandemic stress. We hypothesized that cognitive, affective, and social needs positively influence learners' attitude towards M-Learning, which leads to its adoption. Given that peers highly influence medical professionals, we further hypothesized that the beliefs of others or social norms have a positive influence on the behavioral intention to use M-Learning. We added psychological needs as influencing factors to Theory of Reasoned Action constructs to develop a structural model, deployed an online survey, and analyzed 219 responses from healthcare students in the Philippines using Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modeling or PLS-SEM. We confirm that cognitive, affective, and social needs are psychological factors that influence students' attitude towards mobile learning. While attitude can lead to the behavioral intention to adopt mobile learning, social norms do not exhibit a positive influence at a significant level. We discuss our results from the perspective of a developing economy during a pandemic and provide the implications of its findings to theory, academe, and technology. © The Author(s).

Technology: a strategic imperative for successful retailers

Purpose: In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, technology is rewriting the way consumers shop as well as the retail operating models. In this context, investment in new technologies is a strategic imperative for retailers striving to remain relevant and profitable. Using Kahn's Retail Success Matrix as the conceptual framework, the aim of the study is to propose a classification of emerging technologies based on their potential for sustaining retailers' competitive strategies. Design/methodology/approach: Following an initial qualitative study based on in-depth interviews and focus groups with 20 retail managers, the authors collected survey data from a sample of 168 retail and technology professionals. To achieve the research objectives, content, descriptive and multiple correspondence factor analyses were carried out. Findings: The data analyses result on a map that plots the technological solutions that retail experts identify as enablers of four key competitive strategies: product superiority, enhanced customer experience, frictionless shopping experience and operational excellence. Practical implications: This research work provides valuable insight into how retail companies can capitalise on technology to create or reinforce their competitive positioning. The framework acts as a guide for retail companies to assess their technology priorities. Originality/value: This exploratory empirical study is the result of a collaboration between academic researchers and retail professionals. Thus, it addresses challenges experienced by key stakeholders. The encompassing classification enables a better understanding of the impact of technology on retailers' competitive positioning. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Oxidative stress in diverse clinical conditions of SARS-CoV-2 Cuban hospitalized patients

Context: COVID-19 related to SARS-CoV-2 infection generates inflammation with increased reactive oxygen species production. Drug treatment and others factors could influence systemic oxidative stress during pathogenic insult. Aims: To determine the redox status in COVID-19 patients with different clinical conditions and explore the relationship between redox and hematological hemochemical variables. Methods: In this comparative longitudinal study, blood samples were drawn from 160 individuals divided into four groups: COVID-19 asymptomatic, COVID-19 symptomatic (low and moderate symptoms), COVID-19 convalescent, and presumable healthy subjects. Demographic, redox, hematological, and hemochemical indices were assessed. Statistical analyses compared the median values of each variable and explored individual, simultaneous indices, and multivariate alteration. Results: Relative to the healthy group, acute COVID-19, and convalescent groups had significant differences in global damage indices and antioxidant status (p<0.05). The convalescent group showed significantly higher damage (malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, nitric oxide) and lower antioxidant enzymatic activities and glutathione concentration compared to other groups (p<0.05). Global modification of redox indices showed that more than 80% of studied individuals in acute conditions had simultaneous detrimental differences compared to a healthy status. The discriminant analysis permitted obtaining two canonical functions (p< 0.05) that reflect 98% of redox variables with 95% of variances with successful case classifications. Conclusions: These results corroborate that oxidative stress occurred in different COVID-19 and post-acute conditions with different molecular alterations of redox indices. Redox diagnosis should be considered in early diagnosis and treatment of infection, which would be worthwhile to conduct a more comprehensive study and management of disease evolution. © 2023 Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacognosy Research.

Learning Affordances of a Facebook Community of Older Adults: A Netnographic Investigation during COVID-19

Current research in social media is heavily anchored on young individuals due to its wide acceptance in this social cluster. However, the trajectory of literature points to increased use of social media among older adults and a heightened interest in its community feature, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facebook communities are online avenues that can portray the everyday lives of older adults in the absence of social participation during a pandemic. To compensate for this absence, older adults have joined, mingled, and interacted with various online communities to engage in learning opportunities. Using netnography, we analyzed 378 Facebook posts in a private community of older adults during the early months of the pandemic. We found that the learning affordances of a Facebook community include informal learning, knowledge dissemination, and information validation. The result of this study is helpful to various aged care stakeholders, including geriatric care, technology providers, and the academe. © ICCE 2022.All rights reserved.

Precocious Puberty and Rapidly Progressive Puberty during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in consultations for Precocious puberty (PP) and accelerated puberty. Aim(s): To assess the frequency of PP and its progression before and during the pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): We retrospectively evaluated the patients's medical records referred to a Paediatric Endocrinolgy Unit between April 2018-March 2021. Patients who consulted for suspected PP during the pandemic were analyzed (Period 3: April 2020-March 2021) and compared with two years previous (Period 1: April 2018-March 2019 and Period 2: April 2019-March 2020). We collected clinical and complementary studies. The initial evaluation and evolution were recorded. Study according to the declaration of Helsinki II and approved by Ethics Committee. Stata software was used for the analysis. Qualitative variables were described using frequency and percentage and quantitative variables with mean and standard deviation. The association between qualitative variables was evaluated with Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, and quantitative variables with Student's t-test. Result(s): 5151 consultations were recorded. An increase in the percentage of consultations due to suspected PP was observed during Period 3 (21% vs.10% and 11%.p<0.001). The number of patients who consulted for suspected PP in Period 3 increased 2.3 times (80 vs.29 and 31.p<0,001). 95% were girls, this population was analyzed. 132 patients were included. Age was similar in the 3 groups (8+/-1,1;8,2+/-0,6 and 8,2+/-0,9.p:0,912) as well as the risk factors for PP. The patients were similar in Weight (1,6+/-1,4 vs. 1,2+/-1,2 vs. 0,9+/-1,5;p:0,104), Height (1,5+/-1,2 vs. 1,5+/-1,2 vs. 1,2+/-1;p:0,925) and DELTA Height-target genetic height (0,9+/-1,3 vs. 0,9+/-1,4 vs. 0,8+/-0,9;p:0,925). Lower BMI was observed in Period 3 (0,7+/-1,2 vs1,3+/-1 and 1+/-0,9;p:0,033). A higher percentage of breast stage Tanner 3-4 (78% vs.64% vs.51%;p:0,02) and larger uterine size (36,2+/-9,9 vs.29,6+/-9,2 and 34,6+/-6,7mm;p:0,012) were found in Period 3. Bone age was similar in the 3 groups (8,9+/-2 vs. 9,5+/-1,6 vs. 9,3+/-1,7 years;p:0,506) as well as hormonal determinations. 106 patients completed the initial evaluation. Treatment was indicated in 26%. In the rest, evolution was controlled for an average of 13 months. 49% presented a rapidly progressive evolution, during Period 3 in 87%. Conclusion(s): It's the first study in our country to evaluate PP during the pandemic. An increase of 2.3 times in consultations for suspected PP and accelerated evolution were observed in girls.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID-19 and their association with disease severity and death in the Dominican Republic

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has strained healthcare systems worldwide. The disease spectrum of COVID-19 is wide, ranging from asymptomatic to respiratory distress and critical illness. A wide range of associated symptoms have been described, including gastrointestinal manifestations. Defining clinical characteristics that can help identify and triage cases towards COVID-19 treatment pathways early in low-and-middle income countries is of priority. Methods. Single center retrospective review of cases admitted to a tertiary center with COVID-19 and gastrointestinal symptoms between March 2020 and November 2021. Inclusion criteria was defined as molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 with symptomatic gastrointestinal disease. Demographic and clinical characteristics were tabulated, and statistics of association and mortality were performed. Results. A total of 95 cases admitted with SARS-COV2 pneumonia met the inclusion criteria. Cases were predominantly male (65.3%). Age distribution was 48.4% >61 years, followed by 51-60 (17.9%), 31-40 (15.8%) and 41-50 years (13.7%). The gastrointestinalfindings associated with COVID-19 were transaminitis (48.4%), Nausea and diarrhea (29.5%), anorexia (28.4%) and abdominal pain (13.7%). Patients with abdominal pain had 46% with respiratory decompensation and 23% critical illness (Figure 1) compared to 39% and 17.9% in patients with diarrhea. Transaminitis was associated with highest association with progression to critical illness (30%) and death (55%). Respiratory decompensation, critical illness and death by gastrointestinalfindings Conclusion. Gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 have a wide range of clinical presentation and can be associated with severity of illness and decompensation. Transaminitis had the highest association with severe disease and death. These associations, if confirmed in larger studies, can help guide triage and prognostication in resource limited settings. Further studies are needed to validate thesefindings.

Following Negationists on Twitter and Telegram: Application of NCD to the Analysis of Multiplatform Misinformation Dynamics

In this paper we present an analysis of misinformation cross-platform dynamics by focusing on communications published by COVID19 negationists on Twitter and Telegram. Previous research shows the need for better explanations of the way misinformation travels across platforms. Here we pay attention to communities of users vulnerable to negationism, which refers to the tendency to revise history in order to omit something that actually happened. We start from searching specific key words previously identified by experts and used by negationists in Telegram channels. We retain only those public Telegram channels where those keywords are used. Then, we search on Twitter for those users who reference those Telegram channels. This way we obtain a list of potential Twitter negationist accounts and correct for false positives. We use the normalised compression distance (NCD) technique to reduce this error, while performing authorship attribution. We extract images and news domains shared by Twitter negationist accounts identified with NCD and by Telegram accounts initially identified;then we perform a reverse image search to identify other Twitter accounts that have used those images. We search in Telegram where those news domains appear and extract those Telegram channels and compare them with the original channels identified. The procedure is semi-automatic to ensure human supervision as required by The Assessment List on Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ALTAI). As discussed in the end, results are promising and motivate further research about the use of NCD to automate the identification of accounts spreading misinformation. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

El Testigo: Witnessing the Colombian Internal Armed Conflict through Journalistic Photography

Colombia has suffered from a complex internal armed conflict for over fifty years. The war has left millions of victims of crimes against humanity and a deeply wounded society. Most of the victims belong to marginal groups such as peasant and ethnic minority communities and have been systematically unrecognized in the public sphere. This paper will focus on two photographs of the exhibition El Testigo, first opened in 2018 but closed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and now reopened again to become part of the permanent collection of the museum Claustro San Agustin. The exhibition displays a comprehensive collection of photographs taken by the photojournalist Jesus Abad Colorado between 1992-2018 and show the horrors of the violence that the victims of the conflict had to endure. The main goal of this paper is to compare the images of this exhibition with previous images circulating in the mass media to reflect on the framing of representations of violence and on how different framings of war can serve different purposes. I will argue that the photographs of El Testigo contribute to imagining the unimaginable nature of violence by bringing to the present fragments of the past that need recognition, especially today when Colombia is facing a stage of transition towards the maintenance of peace since a peace treaty was signed between the FARC guerrilla and the Colombian Government in 2016. The photographs therefore elicit an ethical treatment of violence and contribute to the configuration of a collective memory that strives for the victim's recognition and justice.

INDEX SCREENING COLONOSCOPY QUALITY METRICS FOR TRAINEES HAVE IMPROVED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Introduction: The coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the suspension of elective outpatient procedures. Clinical educators have raised concerns that gastroenterology fellows have gotten reduced endoscopy exposure with possible decrease in quality metrics. We investigated whether quality parameters such as adenoma detection rate (ADR) and withdrawal times in index screening colonoscopies where fellows were involved have been affected now that elective procedures have resumed in greater numbers. Methods: This is a single-center observational study comparing patients who underwent index screening colonoscopies since our outpatient facilities reopened (7/1/2021 through 9/30/2021) with a pre-pandemic cohort (7/1/2018 through 9/30/2018). We collected demographic information and we tabulated the number of polyps detected, the number of tubular adenomas, and the withdrawal times. We used Chi-square testing to determine significance among our categorical variables and used t-tests to compare means for our numerical variables, particularly between procedures with and without fellow involvement, and between cohorts. All statistical analysis was done in R (R Core Team, 2020). Results: We identified 121 patients in the 2018 cohort without trainee involvement and 38 patients in the same cohort wherein fellows did the procedure. We also identified 186 patients in the 2021 cohort without fellow involvement and 58 patients in the same cohort wherein a trainee did the procedure (Table 1). The 2018 group had an overall ADR of 32.2% (25.0% for women, 39.3% for men) without fellows, and an overall ADR of 21.1% (5.6% for women, 35.0% for men) with trainees. The ADR for women was significantly lower for trainees (p=0.01), but otherwise ADR and withdrawal times were not significantly different. The 2021 cohort, however, showed improvement in all ADRs for fellows compared to 2018, and the ADR for women was equivalent to that of the attendings. Moreover, the withdrawal times were significantly longer for trainees in 2021 (18.9 vs. 15.3 minutes;p=0.01). When comparing fellows' metrics from 2018 and 2021, there was no statistically significant difference in overall ADR, ADR for men, or withdrawal times, though ADR for women had improved (p=0.02). Conclusion: When compared to a similar pre-pandemic cohort, the quality metrics for index colonoscopies have improved for our fellows, particularly with regard to female patients. We are undertaking further data collection to ensure that our findings are stable over a longer time period.(Table Presented) (Table Presented)

INDEX SCREENING COLONOSCOPY QUALITY METRICS HAVE NOT DIMINISHED DURING THE PANDEMIC

Introduction: The ongoing coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has seen a decrease in the overall number of screening colonoscopies performed with the suspension of elective outpatient procedures. We sought to evaluate whether screening colonoscopy quality parameters such as adenoma detection rate (ADR) and withdrawal times have been affected now that such elective procedures have resumed in greater numbers. Methods: This is a singlecenter observational study comparing patients who underwent index screening colonoscopies since our outpatient facilities reopened (7/1/2021 through 9/30/2021) with a pre-pandemic cohort (7/1/2018-9/30/2018). We collected demographic information including patient age, sex, comorbidities, among others, and we tabulated the number of polyps detected, the number of tubular adenomas, and the withdrawal times. We used Chi-square testing to determine significance among our categorical variables and used t-tests to compare means for our numerical variables. All statistical analysis was done in R (R Core Team, 2020). Results: We identified and included 159 patients in the 2018 cohort and another 244 patients in the 2021 cohort (Table 1). The pre-pandemic group included 78 women (49.1%) and had an overall ADR of 29.6% (20.5% for women, 38.3% for men). The 2021 group was larger and included 133 women (54.5%) and had an overall ADR of 32.0% (27.1% for women, 37.8% for men). We found no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics, number of polyps detected, or ADR between the two groups (Tables 1 and 2). There was no significant difference in the odds of detecting an adenoma based on day of the week, morning versus afternoon session, or involvement of a fellow. We found an increase in mean withdrawal time in the 2021 cohort (16.2 minutes vs. 13.6 minutes, p= 0.005) compared to pre-pandemic. Conclusion: The pandemic has not adversely affected the quality of screening colonoscopies performed at our institution, regardless of when the procedure was done or whether a trainee was involved. We are undertaking further data collection to ensure that our findings are stable over a longer time period. (Table Presented) (Table Presented)

SURVEILLANCE COLONOSCOPY METRICS HAVE IMPROVED FROM BEFORE THE PANDEMIC

Introduction: Since the start of the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a decrease in the overall number of elective gastroenterology procedures. We sought to evaluate whether surveillance colonoscopy quality parameters such as polyp detection rate (PDR) and withdrawal times have been affected now that such elective procedures have resumed in greater numbers. Methods: This is a single-center observational study comparing patients who underwent surveillance colonoscopies since our outpatient facilities reopened (7/1/2021 through 9/30/2021) with a pre-pandemic cohort (7/1/2018-9/30/2018). We collected demographic information including patient age, sex, comorbidities, among others. We then tabulated the number of polyps detected, the number of tubular adenomas (TA), and the withdrawal times. We used Chi-square testing to determine significance among our categorical variables and used t-tests to compare means for our numerical variables. All statistical analysis was done in R (R Core Team, 2020). Results: Our pre-pandemic cohort included 195 patients (86 women;44.1%), of whom 81 (41.5%) had a TA on their surveillance colonoscopy. Our 2021 cohort consisted of 308 patients (140 women;45.5%), of whom 149 (48.4%) had a TA on surveillance (Tables 1 and 2). The mean PDR was significantly higher in the 2021 cohort (2.2 vs. 1.5 polyps per colonoscopy;p=0.001), and the mean withdrawal time was likewise longer compared to the pre-pandemic cohort (18.9 minutes vs. 15.8 minutes;p=0.002). While the rate of tubular adenoma detection was similar overall in both groups (41.5% vs. 48.4%;p=0.13), it was higher for male patients in the 2021 group compared to 2018 (55.4% vs. 43.1%;p=0.04). We found no difference in polyp or TA detection based on patient comorbidities, age, sex, race, day of the week, morning versus afternoon endoscopy session, or whether a fellow was involved in the procedure. Conclusion: Despite the 1.5-year hiatus in elective procedures, our quality metrics for surveillance colonoscopies have improved from before the pandemic, and this may be related to longer withdrawal times. We have been able to carry out more surveillance procedures compared to a similar pre-pandemic period irrespective of patient demographic factors, procedure timing, and trainee involvement. We are undertaking further data collection to ensure that our findings are stable over a longer time period. (Table Presented) (Table Presented)

Autonomic dysfunction following COVID-19 infection: an early experience

Objective: We present an early systematic analysis of autonomic dysfunction following COVID19 to provide initial insights into the spectrum of this condition. Background: Post-COVID-19 syndrome is a poorly understood aspect of the current pandemic, with clinical features that overlap with symptoms of autonomic/small fiber dysfunction. Design/Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with confirmed history of COVID-19 infection referred for autonomic testing for symptoms concerning for para-/postinfectious autonomic dysfunction at Mayo Clinic Rochester or Jacksonville between March 2020 and January 2021. Results: We identified 27 patients fulfilling the search criteria. Symptoms developed between 0 and 122 days following the acute infection and included lightheadedness (93%), orthostatic headache (22%), syncope (11%), hyperhidrosis (11%), and burning pain (11%). Sudomotor function was abnormal in 36%, cardiovagal function in 27%, and cardiovascular adrenergic function in 7%. The most common clinical scenario was orthostatic symptoms without tachycardia or hypotension (41%);22% of patients fulfilled the criteria for postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and 11% had borderline findings to support orthostatic intolerance. One patient each was diagnosed with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, vasodepressor syncope, cough/vasovagal syncope, exacerbation of preexisting orthostatic hypotension, exacerbation of sensory and autonomic neuropathy, and exacerbation of small fiber neuropathy. Conclusions: Abnormalities on autonomic testing were seen in the majority of patients but were mild in most cases. The most common finding was orthostatic intolerance, often without objective hemodynamic abnormalities on testing. Unmasking/exacerbation of preexisting conditions was seen. The temporal association between infection and autonomic symptoms implies a causal relationship, which however cannot be proven by this study.

Transforming a public university hospital and its area of influence into a comprehensive resource in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The outbreak of COVID-19 has overwhelmed healthcare systems all over the world. The aim of this article is to describe the process of transforming the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, the second largest hospital in Spain, into a COVID-19 centre coordinating response to the pandemic in its reference area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study draws on the experience of the authors in transforming the hospital into a comprehensive resource in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy is based on four central strategies: early planning, coordination of all healthcare agents in its reference area, definition of clear leadership roles, and the organisation of care based on multidisciplinary teams with minimal recruitment of new staff. RESULTS: The transformation strategy enabled the hospital to cope with the surge in patients without exceeding its capacity. During the response phases, which amounted to a period of 57 days, 3106 patients consulted the ER and 2054 were admitted, 346 of whom were treated at the ICU. To accommodate the number of adult COVID-19 patients, adult ICU availability was progressive increased by 371%, and ordinary beds increased by 240. A total of 671 staff members went on sick leave after testing positive for COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The transformation experience of the hospital provides insight into how effectively adapt the structures and functioning of large hospitals. The relevance of territorial coordination during the pandemic is stressed as an effective strategy that contributed coping the pandemic.

Seroreactivity to SARS-CoV-2 in individuals attending a university campus in Bogotá, Colombia

Most community-specific serological surveys for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have been performed in healthcare workers and institutions. In this study, IgG antibodies specific to the virus were evaluated in individuals working at a university campus in Bogotá, Colombia. Our aim was to determine previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in those attending the campus during city lockdown. A total of 237 individuals including 93 women and 144 men were evaluated using chemiluminescent detection of IgG anti-N-viral protein between November and December 2020. There were 32 positive individuals, i.e., a seroprevalence of 13.5% (10 women and 22 men) mostly asymptomatic (68.75%);we identified three clusters of seropositive individuals. Only 13 of the seropositive individuals had previous positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-qPCR performed on average 91 days before the serological test. Seropositive individuals did not come from the boroughs with higher percentages of SARS-CoV-2 cases in the city. The survey was carried out after the first peak of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the city and before the preparedness to reopen the campus for students in 2021, which demonstrates a low seroprevalence in a high percentage of asymptomatic individuals. These results will help to evaluate some of the strategies stablished to control virus spread on the campus or other similar communities. © 2022 Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences. All rights reserved.

Human Factors in the Adoption of M-Learning by COVID-19 Frontline Learners

Mobile Learning is crucial to the continuity of healthcare education during COVID-19. Despite its penchant for the traditional delivery of course content through classroom and clinical settings, M-Learning proved to be a viable solution in a pandemic due to social isolation, community restrictions, and safety concerns. We invited 219 frontline learners from 3 universities, active healthcare professionals who are currently enrolled, to test a structural model based on the Theory of Reason Action. We positioned the human factors of cognitive, social, and affective needs as determinants of attitude in the behavioral intention to adopt M-Learning. We further hypothesize that social norms positively influence the behavioral intention to adopt M-Learning among healthcare frontliners. We applied PLS-SEM to analyze the survey data and revealed that human factors positively influence attitude, leading to the behavioral intention to adopt M-Learning. Social norms and their influence on the behavioral intention to adopt this technology are not supported. We discuss the implications of our study, acknowledge its limitations while mapping out directions for future works to understand M-Learning adoption further. © 2021 29th International Conference on Computers in Education Conference, ICCE 2021 - Proceedings. All rights reserved

Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Atmospheric Concentrations of O3 and NO2 Across the Globe

We use a machine learning algorithm combining information from the NASA GEOS composition forecast (GEOS-CF) model and surface observations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) at more than 5,000 observation sites to assess the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on surface air quality in 46 countries. Our methodology removes the compounding impacts of meteorology, seasonality and atmospheric chemistry on air pollution, thus allowing for a quantitative estimate of the change in surface air quality following COVID-19 containment measures. Compared to GEOS-CF model predictions that do not include emission reductions related to COVID-19 restrictions, surface observations show a drop in surface NO2 of up to 60% after the implementation of lockdowns. Average NO2 concentrations between February 2020 to June 2020 were 18% lower than business as usual. The earliest and strongest declines are observed over China, followed by Europe and the US. While NO2 concentrations over China recovered within 2 months, the recovery has been slower over Europe and the US. The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on O3 is complicated by non-linear atmospheric chemistry. Locally, O3 can show a short-term increase of up to 50% as a result of the decrease in NO2, which leads to a reduction in night time titration. However, this effect is offset by a decrease in photochemical production during the day. Our results indicate that these two competing processes resulted in a net zero change in average surface ozone during the first 5 months of the pandemic. The results also indicate that the reduced photochemical production becomes increasingly important over time. Our analysis is based on surface observations and model simulations available in near real-time, and we will present an up-to-date view of the short and medium-term impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on air quality around the world.

COVID Crisis and the Impact on Smart Tourism, Sustainable Development and Local Communities

Tourism is one of the industries most affected by the coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) crisis worldwide. Because tourism makes the largest contribution of any industry to Spain and Portugal’s gross domestic product, the crisis’s impact on local communities needs to be analysed in greater depth. This chapter details on how these communities have been affected by the pandemic and identifies which positive and negative factors influence residents’ wellbeing. The state-of-the-art of research on smart and sustainable tourism is examined, as well as on local communities’ resilience. Secondary data were gathered on Spain and Portugal to develop a fuller understanding of the phenomena under study, and the ways the COVID-19 crisis has affected these two countries’ vision of tourism. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.