Design and Demonstration of a Portable Mobile Cloud Learning Platform for Post Pandemic Synchronous Learning

Post Covid-19 education posed an equally challenging task among teachers and learners. During these times limitation on face-to-face learning and gradual emigration from full online means of instruction had become an issue worth solving. Schools opted to adapt hybrid learning modalities as a means to cope with the learning demands in this era. However, most schools are put on a disadvantage because of the required technologies to support this mode of learning. This research describes an initial design and demonstration of a portable mobile cloud network to support synchronous learning. The system was installed and tested on both a schoolwide and classroom setting. Initial results showed that the proposed system was favorable as an alternative means to hybrid learning. © 2022 IEEE.

Interactions detected with the use of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in a tertiary hospital

Background and ImportanceThe incorporation of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir into the therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of SARS-CoV2 infection has made it necessary for Pharmacy departments to activate circuits and tools that allow us to adequately review the potential multiple interactions that ritonavir can produce.Aim and ObjectivesTo describe the interactions detected since the beginning of the use of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in a tertiary hospital.Material and MethodsAll patients who received nirmatrelvir/ritonavir from April to the end of August 2022 were included. The patient‘s usual treatment was consulted in the electronic prescription system of the region of Madrid, as well as an interview with the patient, and the medical history was consulted when deemed necessary. For the detection of interactions, the ‘COVID-19 Drug Interactions' platform of the University of Liverpool was used and Farmaweb, an application of the Madrid Health Service, was used to validate the dispensing of medication. If there are any interacciones the pharmacist notifies the prescribing physician, as well as the necessary adjustments, these treatment modifications are also explained to the patient when the medication is given to them. An Excel table was used to record whether the patient had any interaction and, if there were any, the drugs were recorded.ResultsDuring the study period, these drugs were dispensed to a total of 81 patients, and interactions with the patient‘s usual medication were detected in 61.73% (50 patients). 18 patients had one interaction, 21 patients had 2 interactions, 6 patients had 3, 4 patients had 4 and one patient had 5 potential interactions. The most commonly detected interaction was with atorvastatin (19) followed by metamizole (11), simvastatin (7), amlodipine (6) and tramadol (4).Conclusion and RelevanceThe percentage of patients with interactions is very high, and it is very important to review the usual treatment as well as an interview with the patient to identify whether the patient is taking other unregistered medication that could interact.This has highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between the medical team (mainly in the emergency department, where most of these drugs have been prescribed) and the pharmacy team to ensure the correct use of this drug.References and/or AcknowledgementsConflict of InterestNo conflict of interest

Design and Deployment of Content Stacks and Portable Asynchronous Learning Platforms for Socially Distanced Learning in a Pandemic or Post Disaster Situation

During the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, access to worthwhile educational resources has been a necessity. During this time, students and other stakeholders in the community challenged by poor internet connection or non-existent internet infrastructure are put at a disadvantage. This paper describes the design and deployment of a community-based portable asynchronous content distribution through a mobile cloud network. The system was installed in a school and a community center with stakeholders given access to preloaded content via an offline mobile cloud network. Initial tests of the mobile cloud showed good network performance and Quality of Service indicating its potential as an alternative modality in asynchronous content distribution to facilitate learning. © 2022 IEEE.

Design of an Automatic System for the Control and Monitoring of Symptoms of Covid-19 through IoT Technology

The specific symptomatology of Covid-19 reveals discomfort with mild or moderate intensity depending on the body of each person. This article develops the design of an automatic device that encompasses an intelligent control and monitoring system for symptoms of covid-19, which allows determining and identifying an estimate of suspected cases of people who enter the Continental University-Peru, through a reading of patterns. The device was made covering three systems (mechanical, mechatronic and control), the integration of systems allowed an efficient design, dimensioned calculations in the mechanical, electrical, and electronic, and its integration of hardware-software for the graphical interface. The system presented allows real-Time monitoring of parameters captured by sensors with IOT technology, which has made it possible to deepen and estimate suspected cases of covid by comparing measured values with the ranges of values established by the American Medical Association. © 2022 IEEE.

Effect of Lockdown on Food Security during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines: Two Months after Implementation

The alarming presence of COVID-19 challenged the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 2 and made the World Health Organization (WHO) declare a public health emergency of international concern. Imposed lockdowns disrupted the supply and demand chain of the food systems, hence affecting food security. This research would like to know and assess the early effect (two months after the lockdown) of the enhanced community quarantine on food security in the Philippines. An online survey was employed participated by 331 household representatives using a survey instrument containing food security assessment, household socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral responses covering food purchase and consumption behavior, and emergency measure adoption. Statistical tests were applied: Mann-Whitney U test to know the behavioral response of the food secure vs. food insecure households, as well as the phi coefficient and Cramer’s V test to determine and assess the parameters that plays important role in food security during this period. Results showed that 73% of the respondents were food insecure. The early effect of the lockdown was seen in the behavioral responses, significant differences between food secure and insecure households were found in age, income, and food purchase behavior. Parameters associated with food security are age, income, food allocation, expectations on the livelihood impact and change in expenditure, and the adoption motivations in practicing backyard gardening. The stress evaluation revealed that while Filipinos tried to cope, an increased level of anxiety was experienced. The need for clear measures in terms of preparedness in any pandemic situation was heightened. These findings are significant in providing benchmark information on food security during a pandemic. © 2022, Department of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.

Natural ventilation in classrooms for healthy schools in the COVID era in Mediterranean climate

Indoor air quality in schools has a direct impact on the performance and wellbeing of students. In 2020, the health emergency required the reconsideration of ventilation conditions in indoor spaces, especially for educational buildings. This paper advances previous investigations to identify affordable, sustainable, and healthy designs for the refurbishment and new construction of schools, analysing the design parameters of the buildings and the indoor air quality in a representative sample of schools in the Mediterranean climate. The set of schools represents the regional composition regarding ages, daily scholar schedules and building designs. This study evaluates indoor CO2, TVOCs, PM 2.5 and PM 10, concentration profiles regarding indoor temperature, relative humidity, and occupation rates to identify adequate natural ventilation strategies. The results show a wide dispersion in CO2 concentrations, ranging between 4110 and 5366 ppm (peak values), TVOC mean concentration varies from 206.99 μg/m3 to 589.71 μg/m3 and particulate matter fractions ranging between 1.14 and 15.6 μg/m3 for PM 2.5 and 2.04 and 34.86 μg/m3 for PM 10 during the occupancy period. Concentrations are related to the effect of ventilation actions, the occupation rates and the metabolism of occupants. The combination of values shows how natural ventilation designs can assure adequate indoor air quality within comfort conditions under these mild climate conditions.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of 1,331 patients with COVID-19: HM Spanish Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Spain is one of the European countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Epidemiologic studies are warranted to improve the disease understanding, evaluate the care procedure and prepare for futures waves. The aim of the study was to describe epidemiologic characteristics associated with hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This real-world, observational, multicenter and retrospective study screened all consecutive patients admitted to 8 Spanish private hospitals. Inclusion criteria: hospitalized adults (age≥18 years old) with clinically and radiologically findings compatible with COVID-19 disease from March 1st to April 5th, 2020. Exclusion criteria: patients presenting negative PCR for SARS-CoV-2 during the first 7 days from hospital admission, transfer to a hospital not belonging to the HM consortium, lack of data and discharge against medical advice in emergency departments. RESULTS: One thousand and three hundred thirty-one COVID-19 patients (medium age 66.9 years old; males n= 841, medium length of hospital stayed 8 days, non-survivors n=233) were analyzed. One hundred and fifteen were admitted to intensive care unit (medium length of stay 16 days, invasive mechanical ventilation n= 95, septic shock n= 37 and renal replacement therapy n= 17). Age, male gender, leukocytes, platelets, oxygen saturation, chronic therapy with steroids and treatment with hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin were independent factors associated with mortality. The proportion of patients that survive and received tocilizumab and steroids were lesser and higher respectively than those that die, but their association was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Overall crude mortality rate was 17.5%, rising up to 36.5% in the subgroup of patients that were admitted to the intensive care unit. Seven factors impact in hospital mortality. No immunomodulatory intervention were associated with in-hospital mortality.

Mitigating a COVID-19 outbreak among major league baseball players - United States, 2020

Mass gatherings have been implicated in higher rates of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and many sporting events have been restricted or canceled to limit disease spread. Based on current CDC COVID-19 mitigation recommendations related to events and gatherings, Major League Baseball (MLB) developed new health and safety protocols before the July 24 start of the 2020 season. In addition, MLB made the decision that games would be played without spectators. Before a three-game series between teams A and B, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health was notified of a team A player with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19;the player was isolated as recommended. During the series and the week after, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was diagnosed among 19 additional team A players and staff members and one team B staff member. Throughout their potentially infectious periods, some asymptomatic team A players and coaches, who subsequently received positive SARS-CoV-2 test results, engaged in on-field play with teams B and C. No on-field team B or team C players or staff members subsequently received a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. Certain MLB health and safety protocols, which include frequent diagnostic testing for rapid case identification, isolation of persons with positive test results, quarantine for close contacts, mask wearing, and social distancing, might have limited COVID-19 transmission between teams.

Urological Cancer Treatment by a Multidisciplinary Team throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic: What Have We Learned?

Introduction It is known that cancer care is best approached by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). This became specifically true in the Covid-19 pandemic in which choices for urological cancer treatment are influenced by many factors. In some cases, delayed treatment may have consequences regarding the patient's oncological outcomes. The aim of the present article is to report our experience throughout the Covid-19 pandemic treating patients with urological neoplasms at a high-volume center. Methods We used a convenience sampling method. Cases were evaluated and discussed on an individual basis at the MDT meetings, and, after a consensus regarding delaying or scheduling treatment, patients were scheduled according to the risk of postponing the procedures. The Medically Necessary, Time-Sensitive (MeNTS) scoring system was measured in each patient;all patients answered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Covid-19 self-screening questionnaire prior to surgery. The Covid-19-free survival rate was estimated. Results A total of 194 patients were assessed by the multidisciplinary team and finally treated, with median follow-up of 4 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.75 to 6) months. Only two patients had Covid-19 confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In total, 54 patients underwent oncological surgery, 129 were treated with radiotherapy, and 11 were treated with intravenous chemotherapy. The median age was 66 years (IQR: 59 to 94 years), and the median MeNTS score in the surgically-treated cohort was 35 points (IQR: 31 to 47 points). Conclusions The evaluation and treatment of urological cancer should be conducted by an MDT;this is of utmost importance, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The data collected in our institution showed that most patients could be safely treated by taking all necessary precautions and discussing each case individually in the MDT meetings and performing a close follow-up.