Conspiracy Narratives in the Protest Movement Against COVID-19 Restrictions in Germany. A Long-term Content Analysis of Telegram Chat Groups

From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, different groups have been protesting measures implemented by different government bodies in Germany to control the pandemic. It was widely claimed that many of the offline and online protests were driven by conspiracy narratives disseminated through groups and channels on the messenger app Telegram. We investigate this claim by measuring the frequency of conspiracy narratives in messages from open Telegram chat groups of the Querdenken movement, set up to organize protests against COVID-19 restrictions in Germany. We furthermore explore the content of these messages using topic modelling. To this end, we collected 822k text messages sent between April 2020 and May 2022 in 34 chat groups. By fine-tuning a Distilbert model, using self-annotated data, we find that 8.24% of the sent messages contain signs of conspiracy narratives. This number is not static, however, as the share of conspiracy messages grew while the overall number of messages shows a downward trend since its peak at the end of 2020. We further find a mix of known conspiracy narratives make up the topics in our topic model. Our findings suggest that the Querdenken movement is getting smaller over time, but its remaining members focus even more on conspiracy narratives. © 2022 Association for Computational Linguistics.

A Mixed-Methods Study of Low-Code Development Platforms: Drivers of Digital Innovation in SMEs

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) have intensified their digitalisation initiatives. However, in many cases these measures only include enabling remote work. The lack of IT skills or expertise is often a strong barrier for pursuing a holistic digital strategy. In this context, Low-Code Development Platforms (LCDP) are seen as a forward-looking technology that facilitates the rapid and agile development of software applications. Accordingly, low-code programming is designed to empower non-programmers to create digital innovations by developing customized business applications in their own departments. Gartner predicts that by 2024, 65 % of all companies will be developing their applications in a LCDP. But will this be true? We investigate the gap between hype and reality. Our research results show that a more in-depth investigation of low-code concepts is needed to conclusively clarify key issues such as data protection or vendor lock-in. © 2022 IEEE.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and COVID-19 infections in people with multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab in the prospective, multicenter, noninterventional MuSicalE and CONFIDENCE studies

Background: Understanding outcomes of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the impact of COVID-19 vaccination deserve significant consideration for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with ocrelizumab (OCR). Aim(s): To report the number, characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 cases in all OCR-treated patients and in those with COVID-19 vaccination (i.e. breakthrough cases) in two realworld cohort studies. Method(s): We analysed data from OCR-treated patients enrolled in ongoing, prospective, noninterventional studies conducted in Germany (CONFIDENCE, EUPAS22951) and in 25 other countries (MuSicalE, NCT03593590). COVID-19 seriousness was assessed per ICH guidelines. Outcomes were captured as recovered, recovered with sequelae, recovering, not recovered or fatal. Vaccine breakthroughs were cases with COVID-19 onset >=14 days after completion of the primary immunisation schedule recommended for each COVID-19 vaccine platform. 'Unvaccinated' included patients without COVID-19 vaccination recorded (including the prevaccination era) or with incomplete immunisation scheme. Result(s): Analyses included 1,702 OCR-treated patients from MuSicalE (73.1% relapsing-remitting MS, 21.2% primary progressive MS [PPMS], 5.6% relapsing secondary progressive MS) and 2,784 from CONFIDENCE (81.7% relapsing MS, 18.3% PPMS). As of March 2022 (preliminary data), completion of primary immunisation schedule was recorded for 542 (31.8%) and 710 (25.5%) patients in each study, mainly with mRNA vaccines (72.3% and 93.8%). COVID-19 infection was reported in 189 and 122 patients in MuSicalE and CONFIDENCE (11.1% and 4.4% among all patients), mostly reported as nonserious (85.2% and 83.6%), including 71 and 31 vaccine breakthroughs (13.1% and 4.4% among fully vaccinated patients). The following rates were reported in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in MuSicalE and CONFIDENCE, respectively: (a) hospitalisations, 8.5% (6/71) vs 16.0% (19/118) and 9.7% (3/31) vs 14.3% (13/91);(b) serious cases, 8.5% (6/71) vs 17.8% (21/118) and 9.7% (3/31) vs 18.7% (17/91);(c) fatalities, 1.4% (1/71) vs 2.5% (3/118) and 0 deaths vs 2.2% (2/91). In both studies, the majority of patients had fully recovered (79.9% and 74.6%) or were recovering (11.1% and 7.4%) at last follow-up. Updated vaccination rates will be presented. Conclusion(s): Most COVID-19 cases were nonserious in these OCR-treated patient cohorts. Initial data suggest more favourable clinical outcomes associated with COVID-19 vaccination.

Inequalities in job loss and income loss in sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 crisis

This paper uses high-frequency phone survey data from Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda to analyze the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on work (including wage employment, self-employment, and farm work) and income, as well as heterogeneity by gender, family composition, education, age, pre-COVID19 industry of work, and between the rural and urban sectors. The paper links phone survey data collected throughout the pandemic to pre-COVID-19 face-to-face survey data to track the employment of respondents who were working before the pandemic and analyze individual-level indicators of job loss and re-employment. Finally, it analyzes both immediate impacts, during the first few months of the pandemic, as well as longer run impacts through February/March 2021. The findings show that in the early phase of the pandemic, women, young, and urban workers were significantly more likely to lose their jobs. A year after the onset of the pandemic, these inequalities disappeared and education became the main predictor of joblessness. The analysis finds significant rural/urban, age, and education gradients in household-level income loss. Households with income from nonfarm enterprises were the most likely to report income loss, in the short run as well as the longer run.

Safety/efficacy of evobrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, 2.5 years into Phase II MS open-label extension

Background and aims: Evobrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was well tolerated and effective in a double-blind, randomised Phase II trial in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (pwRMS;NCT02975349). Objective: report evobrutinib safety and efficacy data 2.5 years into an open-label extension (OLE). Methods: In the 48-week (W) double-blind period (DBP), pwRMS (n=267) received placebo (switched to evobrutinib 25mg once-daily, W24), evobrutinib 25mg once-daily, 75mg once-daily, or 75mg twice-daily, or open-label dimethyl fumarate (DMF;240mg twice-daily). At W48 patients could enter the OLE (DMF: 4-8W washout);evobrutinib 75mg once-daily (median ∼48W) then 75mg twice-daily. We report the latest available OLE data. Results: Of 267 DBP patients, 213 (80%) entered the OLE;164 (61%) completed ≥132W OLE treatment. Treatmentemergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by 165/213 patients (77.5%);59 (27.7%) had a treatment-related TEAE (six were serious;Table). Severe/opportunistic infections (≥Grade 3) were reported by 9/213 patients (4.2%);three (not treatment related;Covid pneumonia [n=2]) were fatal. Most patients had normal IgG (91%), IgA (88%) and IgM (82%) levels (OLE W120). Mean CD19+ B cells levels were 0.218x106cells/mL (OLE baseline) and 0.122x106cells/ mL (OLE W96). ALT/AST elevations only occurred in patients previously receiving DMF/evobrutinib 25mg, and within 12W of OLE initiation. Amylase/lipase increases occurred in 6 (2.8%)/24 (11.3%) patients, without clinical signs and symptoms. ARR, for patients receiving 75mg twice-daily in the DBP, was 0.12 (95%CI 0.07-0.20 [all available OLE data]). Conclusion: Evobrutinib safety and efficacy data over 2.5 years shows acceptable tolerability, no new safety signals and maintained efficacy in pwRMS.

Safety and Efficacy of Evobrutinib, a Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitorin Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Over 2.5 Years of The Open-Label Extension to a Phase II Trial

Objective: Report the safety and efficacy of evobrutinib over 2.5 years in an open-label extension (OLE). Background: Evobrutinib, a covalent, blood-brain barrier-penetrating Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was well tolerated and effective at reducing gadolinium-enhancing lesions in a double-blind, randomized phase II trial in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (pwRMS;NCT02975349). Design/Methods: In the 48-week (W) double-blind period (DBP), pwRMS (n=267) received placebo (switched to evobrutinib 25mg once-daily at W24), evobrutinib 25mg once-daily, 75mg once-daily, or 75mg twice-daily, or open-label dimethyl fumarate (DMF;240mg twice-daily). At W48 patients could enter the OLE (DMF: 4-8W washout);evobrutinib 75mg once-daily (median ~48W) then 75mg twice-daily. The latest available OLE data are now reported. Results: Of 267 DBP patients, 213 (80%) entered the OLE;164 (61%) completed ≥132W of OLE treatment. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by 165/213 patients (77.5%);59 (27.7%) had a treatment-related TEAE. Six serious TEAEs were deemed treatment-related. Severe/opportunistic infections (≥Grade 3) were reported by 9/213 patients (4.2%);3 were fatal (Covid-19 pneumonia [n=2] and E. coli sepsis [n=1];not considered treatment-related). At OLE W120, most patients had IgG (91%), IgA (88%) and IgM (82%) within normal ranges. Overall mean CD19+ B cells levels were 0.218×10 cells/mL (OLE baseline) and 0.122×10 cells/mL (OLE W96). ALT/AST elevations were observed only in patients previously receiving DMF/evobrutinib 25mg and occurred within 12W of OLE initiation. Amylase/lipase increases occurred in 6 (2.8%)/24 (11.3%) patients, but without clinical signs and symptoms. Based on all available OLE data, ARR was 0.12 (95%CI 0.07-0.20) for patients receiving 75mg twice-daily in the DBP. 6 6 Conclusions: Evobrutinib safety and efficacy data over 2.5 years in pwRMS continue to show acceptable tolerability, with no new safety signals, and maintained efficacy.

Does Policy Communication during COVID Work?

Using a large-scale survey of U.S. households during the COVID-19 pandemic, we study how new information about fiscal and monetary policy responses to the crisis affects households’ expectations. We provide random subsets of participants in the Nielsen Homescan panel with different combinations of information about the severity of the pandemic, recent actions by the Federal Reserve, stimulus measures, as well as recommendations from health officials. This experiment allows us to assess to what extent these policy announcements alter the beliefs and spending plans of households. In short, they do not, contrary to the powerful effects they have in standard macroeconomic models. © 2022, European Central Bank. All rights reserved.

Medical education in crisis times: The experience of a dermatology interest group during the Covid-19 pandemic

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic imposed a major challenge for universities around the world and required social distance due to the spread of the new coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2). Professors and students explored alternatives to continue university activities, including the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies and the expansion of the role of extracurricular activities. In this perspective, this article aimed to report the experience of The Dermatology Interest Group of the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (Liaderm - UFCSPA) during the Covid-19 pandemic and analyzed the importance of extracurricular activities and digital education as medical education tools. Experience report: During social isolation and suspension of classes, teaching, research and extension activities of Liaderm - UFCSPA needed to be adapted. The interest group in-person meetings started to take place as online meetings on videoconferencing platforms, such as Zoom® and Google Meet®, and consisted of theoretical classes and discussion of clinical cases. The group also held open classes for the academic community, such as a webinar on Surgical Dermatology, attended by medical students and other health students from all over the country. In addition, Liaderm organized activities to maintain the members' social engagement. One example is the manual with fundamental guidelines on dermatological injuries triggered by Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on health care providers involved with the care of patients with Covid-19. Conclusions: During the pandemic, Liaderm maintained most of its activities using Information and Communication Technologies, such as video conferencing platforms. In addition, the participation of academics from different states of the country and abroad expanded the scope of the teaching activities. In this sense, the adaptations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic may have a long-term impact, both in the teaching models of medical schools and in the acknowledgment of extracurricular activities as a strategic educational resource for medical education. © 2021 Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto - U.S.P.. All rights reserved.

Online teaching in Palliative Care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A report on medical students' perception

Introduction: Palliative care (PC) is one of 14 topics in internal medicine included in the bedside teaching course in the fourth year of medical school at the University Medical Centre of Mainz. Usually all medical students attend a 90-minute teaching session at the PC ward. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic bedside teaching was interrupted in spring 2020. Methods: Bedside teaching was replaced by a 60-minute synchronous online teaching session on a video conference platform. After introductory discussion of core PC issues the teacher (one out of a group of 4 experienced PC-physicians) demonstrated a 17 minute video-recorded interview with a patient 10 days before her death by sharing his screen. The interview focussed on the present situation of the patient with deep insights in her coping with the terminal phase of her cancer disease. Online teaching was complemented by a virtual tour of the PC ward for download from an electronic learning platform. At the end of the term students were asked to fill out an online survey consisting of 4 single-choice questions and space for free-text remarks. Results: During the term of summer 2020 a total of 173 medical students participated in the online teaching provided in 18 sessions (9 - 10 participants per session). The online survey was returned by 59 students (34%). 24 (41%) rated the session with 10 of 10 possible points on a numeric rating scale, 13 (22%) and 12 (20%) gave 9 resp. 8 points. Learning success was rated 7 points or more by 46 students (78%). Only six students (10%) gave a rating of 4 points or less. Regarding interaction with the teacher during the online session compared to face to face teaching 20 of 55 respondents (36%;4 missings) reported no difference , 6 (11%) considered interaction even easier, while 26 (47%) perceived it as somewhat more difficult and only 3 as much more difficult. 51 of 55 students agreed that the online session had increased their interest in PC. An abundance of positive free-text remarks confirmed the favourable evaluation and highlighted the central role of the video-recorded patient interview. Conclusion: An online teaching session in PC with integration of a video- recorded interview with a terminally ill patient is positively rated by medical students and increases their interest for PC. In view of the vulnerability of terminally ill patients the use of video-recorded interviews could also be useful for post-COVID pandemic teaching.

Labor markets during the COVID-19 crisis: a preliminary view

We use a repeated large-scale survey of households in the Nielsen Homescan panel to characterize how labor markets are being affected by the covid-19 pandemic. We document several facts. First, job loss has been significantly larger than implied by new unemployment claims: we estimate 20 million lost jobs by April 6th, far more than jobs lost over the entire Great Recession. Second, many of those losing jobs are not actively looking to find new ones. As a result, we estimate the rise in the unemployment rate over the corresponding period to be surprisingly small, only about 2 percentage points. Third, participation in the labor force has declined by 7 percentage points, an unparalleled fall that dwarfs the three percentage point cumulative decline that occurred from 2008 to 2016.

Quantitative pan-immunoglobulin titers against the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein following infection with SARS-CoV-2

Aim: We aimed to determine the distribution of WHO-standardized quantitative measurements of pan-immunoglobulin titers against the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein following SARSCoV- 2 infection. Design & Methods: In a retrospective analysis we analyzed anonymized routine data of patient samples with SARS-CoV-2 infection, as evidenced with a pan-immunoglobulin assay directed against nucleocapsid-antigen measured with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA;Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland). Pan-immunoglobulin titers of antibodies directed against the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were measured with the same technology. Results are given as binding antibody units (BAU) per mL. Cut-off for positivity is >0.8 BAU/mL Results: A total of 1436 samples originating from patients (635 males;801 females) aged 52 (median, interquartile range, IQR, [38,64]) years were included. There was no correlation between age and antibody titers Females (111, IQR [27,>257] BAU/mL) had significantly lower median antibody titers than males (147, IQR [36,>257] BAU/mL;p = 0.03) The antibody levels at the 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 68th percentiles were 1,3,6,27 and >257 BAU/ml, in females. The antibody levels at the 2.5, 5, 10, 25 62nd percentiles were 0.4, 2, 9, 36, and >257 BAU/ml in males Conclusions: Among patients with evidence of past SARS-CoV-2 infection one third exhibits antibody titers above the upper quantification limit (i.e. 257 BAU/mL). Fifteen percent of female and 12% of male patients have antibody titers of 10 BAU/mL or lower.